Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6562, for Samuel Lyon, New York

SERVICE
New York
NUMBER _____
Lyon, Samuel
R 6562
CONTENTS

Samuel Lyon N.Y.
8-
How. A. Ward H. R.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Samuel Lyon  of Westchester N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol. Jan'y 80 81 82 83 6 priv: Col. Kerstee born 7 Jan'y 1764 67 years Westchester County Traditionary - & 1 living witness -   Each hour of militia service is required to be set forth as it respects period - term - grade of officers - when stationed &c in a supplemental affidavit -  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this                      day of                      personally appeared ( a ) before A. B. a resident ( b ) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged ( c )                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year ( d )                      , with                      and served in the                      ( e ) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim ( f ) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion ( g ) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify ( h ) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office ( i ) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note ( j ) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
( k ) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be                      years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, ( l ) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

S. Lyon
Dec 26
My friend
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Pension Office, Washington.
J. H. Renless MR

14. of B. Dec. 25, 1837.
Hon. J. L. Edwards:
Mr. H. W. Lyon, one of my constituents, and son of Genl. Lyon, of North-ville, Otsego co. N.Y., who is an applicant for a pension for revolutionary services, wishes me to enquire of the proper officers why his father has not received a favorable answer to his papers now on file in the Pension Office? The object of my correspondent is, I suppose, to ascertain in what respect the papers are deficient to entitle his father to the benefit of the Government. Will you do me the favor to give me an early answer to the enquiry, so that I may make report to Mr. Lyon?
Very respectfully, Yours affec. & S. H.
Mrs. H. W. Peabody

Samuel Lyon's Papers
22826
vol. 7, p. 71. 10/8

State of New York Westchester County } ss on this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Westchester now sitting Alvan Lyon of the Town of York Town in the said County who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say That he is now aged seventy years and is the Brother of Samuel Lyon who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding Declaration That he has heard the pre- ceding Declaration of the said Samuel Lyon read and understands the con- tents thereof. That he this Deponent was a Sargeant in and served as such Sargeant with the said Samuel Lyon in Capt Henry Strangs Company of Militia in Col d Samuel Drake's Regi- ment of Militia in the said County of Westchester from the 11 th of January in the year 1780 to the close of the Revolutionary war. That to this Deponent's knowledge and recollection the said

Samuel Lyon did duty as a private in said Company for the terms of time and as he has stated in his preceding declaration sworn to & subscribed } Alvan Lyon in open Court the day & year aforesaid }
N o Bayles Clk Westchester Com Pleas
I certify that Alvan Lyon is a man entitled to aid and relief I am personally acquainted with
A. Ward. m. d.
Westchester County. State of New York ss. We. Jacob Odell & Wm. D. Dyck mayors President of the Town of Yonkers in the said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Lyon who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration that we believe him to be sixty seven years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. W tn Dyckman sworn to & subscribed } Jacob Odell in open Court the day & year aforesaid }
N o Bayles Clk West. Com. Pleas

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Wm N. Dyckman and Jacob Bell are residents of the Town of Yonkers and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westchester State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Lyon for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 4 th day of December 1832.
N Bayles Clerk of said Court

Supplemental Affidavit of Samuel Lyon to be attached to the annexed declaration of his made before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westchester in the State of New York on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two as follows viz
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Westchester in the State of New York Samuel Lyon of the Town of Yonkers in the said County of Westchester Who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades viz For six months in the year of our Lord 1780 as a private in Captain Henry Strangs Company of Militia in Colonel Samuel Drakes Regiment of Militia in the said County of Westchester in actual service under arms and that he also served as a private in the aforesaid Company of Militia in each of the years 1781 and 1782 Six months in actual military service as afore- said making in the whole a period of one year and six months and for such service I claim a Pension. And the said Samuel Lyon hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State
Sworn and subscribed } this 27 th of September } 1833 before me — Gilbert Oakley Justice of the Peace
Samuel Lyon

I Gilbert Oakley the Justice of the Peace before whom the preceding affidavit was sworn to and subscribed by Samuel Lyon do hereby Certify that the said Samuel Lyon is known to me and is a credible person Dated Sept. 27 th 1833
Gilbert Oakley Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Westchester County ss On this 7 th day of December in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Westchester now sitting at the Court House in White Plains in the said County of Westchester Samuel DePace a resident of the Town of Harrison in the said County of Westchester aged sixty seven On the 7 th day of January last years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 . That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated That is to say. This Declarant lived a little south of Croton Point in the said County of Westchester and belonged to and was enrolled in a Company of Militia at Croton a portion of which Henry Strang was Captain in Col Samuel Drake's Regiment of Militia in the said County of Westchester. And this Declarant further saith that in the last mentioned Year the American lines and outposts were within one mile south of the res- idence of this Declarant and were altogether guarded by the Militia of that Vicinity. That this Declarant with his said Company in the Month of January Seven hundred and eighty was called out by their said Captain to guard the American lines and outposts in that Vicinity and commenced serving as such guard when ever their service was required and liable to be called out at a moment's warning from January Seven hundred and eighty during the residue of that Year. The following year and of the year succeeding till the news of peace was received in said County in the Winter of seven hundred and eighty three And this Declarant further saith, that from his afore- said enrollment in the said Company of Militia in January Seven hundred and eighty till the close of that Year this Declarant did duty as a private in said Company and as a volunteer in guarding the American lines and outposts in

the vicinity of Crumpond Aforesaid in Actual Service at different times during said year Am- -ounting in the whole to six months service And this Declarant further saith, that in the Year Seventeen hundred and eighty one, (and also the Year Seventeen hundred eighty two) and part of the Winter of Seventeen hundred and eighty three till the News of peace was received, this Declarant did duty in his said Company of Militia as a private in guarding the American lines and out posts in the said County of Westchester in like manner as he did in the Year Seventeen hundred and eighty And was in Actual Service as a private in his said Company in each of the said Years of Seven- -teen hundred and eighty one, and seventeen hundred and eighty two, & at least six months And this Declarant further saith, that from the time of his aforesaid enrollment in the said Company of Militia till the close of the Revolutionary War he was compelled to be always ready for service and to go whenever and wherever the exigencies of the times required, and was prevented from pur- -suing any regular occupation for a livelihood And this Declarant further saith, that his brother Alvan Syon who is two years older than this Declarant, lived with this Declarant near Crumpond Aforesaid and served with him, in the said Company as a sergeant in the aforesaid Company of Militia Commanded by Capt Henry Strang from the month of January Seventeen hundred and eighty, till the close of the Revolutionary War, and is the only Witness now living, that can testify to this De- -clarants said service, and his Affidavit is hereunto Annexed. And this Declarant further saith, that during his aforesaid service, that he with eleven other furnished a party of Refugees from Croton to Tarry Town in the said County of Westchester attacked and dispersed them, took two of them prisoners and a drove of cattle and horses which the said Refugees had stolen from the inhabitants of Crumpond Aforesaid that on an other oc

occasion this Declarant with a party of the said Company attacked a company of Refugees near Turkey Mountain in the said County of Westchester dispersed them and took a drove of cattle which the said Refugees had stolen from his Father and other living inhabitants residing near Crumpond. And on each of the said occasions the cattle and other property taken by them from the Refugees are restored to the rightful owners, without any reward therefor. That excursions like those above related were of frequent occurrence And this Declarant was often engaged in them That this Declarant has not any record of his age, but from information derived from his parents he was born at White Plains in the said County of Westchester on the seventh of January thirteen hundred and sixty four That he continued to live with his father in White Plains aforesaid till the Spring of the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, when he removed with his Father to Crumpond aforesaid, where he continued till the close of the war, when he removed back to White Plains aforesaid and has ever since resided in the said County of Westchester And for the last forty years in the town of Southers in the said County where he now resides, with the exception of one year, that he lived in White Plains aforesaid That he lived at Crumpond aforesaid when called into the service, and always entered the service by the order of his aforesaid Captain as a volunteer. That he never was drafted or served as a substitute, nor did he ever receive a discharge from the service That this Declarant recollects Col Green, Major Hagg, Major Hull, Col Aaron Burr as some of the regular officers who were occasionally with the troops where he served That he recollects the following

Continental and Militia Regiments during the revolutionary war, viz Col Meigs Col Miller Col Sheldon Col Deyo Col Samuel Webb, Col Charles Webb Col Malcoms Col Samuel Drake Col Thomas Thomas and Col Van Cortlandt That there is no clergyman living in his vicinity sufficiently acquainted with him to testify as to his character and services as a soldier of the revolution, that he is known in his present neighborhood to Rev Jacob Odell and William A Dyeleman both residents of the town of Yonkers aforesaid who can testify as to their declarants character for veracity their belief of his age, and of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He hereby delin- -quishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except the present, And declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state
subscribed and sworn to in open Court the day of year aforesaid
Samuel Lyon
N. Bayles Atty Westchester Com. pleas

mmh
July 18, 1924
Mrs. Theodore S. Wood Nashua, Iowa.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 6562 it appears that Samuel Lyon was born January 7, 1764 or 1765 in White Plains, Westchester County, New York.
While living near Crompond, Westchester County, New York he enlisted in January 1780 as a private in Captain Henry Strang's Company, Colonel Samuel Drake's Regiment of militia and served whenever called upon during 1780, 1781 and 1782 to guard the outposts in Westchester County.
He applied for pension December 4, 1832 while living in Yonkers, Westchester County, New York, but his claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months actual military service in the field, as required by the pension laws.
His son H. W. Lyon was a resident of Hartwick, Otsego County, New York in 1837. Name of soldier's wife not given.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
(Bro. Alvah a Sgt. in same Company)

New York Samuel Lyon Suspa
Let to Hon. A. Ward June 6 '36
" " Mrs. H. Prentiss
Dec 27, 1837
W. H. Scrugham July 20/53
Let to B. Lyon Oct 9/55
E. Gale Jan 6 1866.
ms. B. 1. 6 v. 10, p. 100 cl. S. 46092 of A

1924 July 18 - sent to Mrs. Theodore D. Hood - MMIA
P. O. 6562
Daniel Lyon
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 gives as cause of suspension: "His claim
Re-enlisted: is directly discredited by the records of the service of Colonel Drake's regiment within the period designated."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Nashua Iowa May 23- 1924
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Please may I have for S.A.R. purpo- Pension record of Revolutionary War Samuel Lyons died Jan 26-1856 at Yonkers Westchester County New York. any family data Please
Mrs Theodore S. Wood Nashua-Id-

Samuel Lyon. New York Oct 2 1832 In regard to the Project 2 pp.

Wm W. Scrugham
July 20/53

Pension Office July 20 1853
Sir
I enclose a copy of a letter to Hon. A. Ward June 6 1836 which will dis- close the condition of the claim of Samuel Lyon of NY.
M c W. Scrugham Esq Yonkers NY

April 28. 1853
Rel: to claim of Samuel Lyon
Rev. W. Scrugham Yonkers N.Y.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Commiss.

On Official Business
FREE
To the Hon.
The Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington D.C.

Samuel H. Dyer
Mr. Ebenezer Dyer
Waldo, Camp of Reserves, Washington City D.C.

Hon. John H. Prentiss
Dec. 27, 1837
P. 6
212

Ward
Gen: M
Dec 27, 37
Sir
In reply to your enquiring respecting the case of Samuel Lyon I have the honor to inform you that his claim was suspended 16 June 1836 for the reasons set forth in a letter to the Hon A. Ward (of which a copy is herewith enclosed) - The claim is directly discredited by the records of the service of Col. Dralles Regt. within the period designated -
Hon. Jno. A. French
H. K.

War Dept
Pension Off June 6, 32
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the papers in support of the claim of Samuel Lyon have been examined & placed on our files.
He alleges 6 mo service under Capt. Strang of Col. Drakes Regt. in each of the years '80, '81, & '82. - There are in this office the settlements of the Militia service of Drakes Regt. & it does not appear that Strang's Company was called into service but once within those years & Claimant received instead 10/8 for his pay - There is evidently a misconception of the character what constitutes military service within the act of 7. June 32.
No service can be allowed which was not rendered in an embodied Corps called out organized - disciplined - paid & subsisted as soldiers in actual service in the field or garrison - His description of his service goes to show that it was one of vigilance & domestic patrol against the dordid & disaffected and it furnished no claim to the pay, grati-

of a soldier sons, then as to the bounty of the Pension Laws now. No such terms as he states in his supple- ment were rendered by that Company and it is therefore inferred that the allegation of 6 mo in a year is intended as an estimate of various terms in such year, but the re- gulations require each term however short to be specially set forth as to period, length & grade - names of officers present & in command & places of station or march - probable number of Corps embo- -died - how paid & subdivided &c. This has not yet been furnished.
Alvan Lyon claims for 6 mo. service as least in the same Company & Regt. in each year from '78 to '82 inclusive. The remarks above apply in all respects fully to this case as except that he appears to have recd. $1. only. If they were out in any tours under any other officer of Drakes Regt. the amount paid to each would be found in the returns of that officer whatever his rank. And it is therefore indispensable that the name of the officer commanding the Com- pany should be given in every instance O.C. N.Y.
Sam Aaron Ward H. O. Rep

Samuel Lyon
Sylvanus Purdie
E. Gale. Jan'y, 6 th 1866,

Department of the Interior. Pension Office. Jan'y: 6 th 1866.
Sir.
In answer to Your verbal inquiry, relative to the Claims of Samuel Lydon and Sylvanus Purdy, for Revolutionary services. I have to state that, Samuel Lydon, applied for a pension and alleged a service of six months in each of the years of 1780, 1781 and 1782, in the Militia of Westchester Co. New York. This Claim has been repeatedly suspended for the reason that, the evidence filed in its support, did not establish a service of six months. There is no evidence in this Office that, Sylvanus Purdy, applied for a pension. To ascertain if the alleged soldiers, served in the War of the Revolution, You should address the Comptroller of New York, at Albany. If they are now living, there is no law under which an allowance of a pension could be made to their heirs.
I am Yrs. &c.
E. Gale Esq. No 127, G. Street. Present.

To the Hon.
The Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Mr. Samuel Lyon of this place served in the Revolutionary War in Col. Drake's Company Regiment of N.Y. M. He made an application for a pension several years ago, but did not prosecute it to effect - Will you please inform me whether any deci- -sion was made in the mat- -ter - if so what; and what further evidence is required to entitle him to his pension.

I have a power of attorney from him to proceed for the Pension, which I will forward to you, if necessary.
Yours very respectfully
Wm. W. Scrugham
Yonkers N.Y. April 23 rd 1853