Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 5900, for Michael J Keyser, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New York
Keyser, Michael J. or J.
19 5900
CONTENTS

No. 10087
Michael Keyser
13 Sep 1832 2 Dec 1832
67 86/4 11
Adriel Ghy
Matatua No. 12
129

No 100 87
BRIEF in the case of  Michael Keyser of Le Ray County of Jefferson  in the State of  New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Sixty nine years. 69  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Entire the service in the American In 1776 1 6 — Private Gen. Hawkins Brig. Gen. New York Brig. Gen. Black Capt. John Keyser  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Not any  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? at Little Falls, New York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? None 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. S. Wilson  Examining Clerk.

State of Michigan
County of Lenawee ss On this Thirtieth day of June
In the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty, personally appeared me William H. Hogg an associate judge of circuit court in and for said county of Lenawee, at my office in the village of Tecumseh in said county. Michael Keyser a president of Tecumseh aforesaid aged seventy-nine Years and six months, 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 seventh In the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Viz: That in the Years 1776, 1777 and 1778. he served in a company of Militia commanded by Captain John Keyser except four months which he served under Captain Michael Keyser, a nine months officer in the Year 1776 as a substitute for his brother John Keyser Junior, who was at that time in poor health and took his place which was nearer home and also one month in the Year 1777 when he was sent to a picket fort under the command of Captain Henry Hoover, all said Companies being the Regiment commanded by Colonel Peter Brillinger, in the county of Tryon (now Herkimer) in the Colony (now State) of New York; that he entered into the service on or about the first day of May 1776 and that he remained in the service until on or about the twentieth day of March 1778, at which time last mentioned he was taken prisoner by the common enemy called the Tories and Indians, and was taken by them to Canada, where he was kept as a prisoner of war, until the close of the Revolutionary war

in the fall of the Year 1782, quite late, that while he was in the service he had often-times to go on scouting parties, was often out one day and sometimes longer, that he and his Companions were often put on duty at different posts, to keep a look-out and to give notice when they discovered the Enemy, that he was in this employ at different times in the Years 1776 & 1777, that he was warned to serve as a militia-man that during all the time he served as a private under the Command of the said Captain; that he being situated on the frontier, the service was on scouting parties, building picket posts, and defending the settlers and their houses and property, that all the service which he performed was in the said County of Tryon; that he was not engaged in any regular engagement, that embodied corps with which he served was called into service as he understood by Colonel Peter Bellinger, that in the Year 1777 he assisted in building two log houses and pickets posts at the house of McIntosh Ochs. in the said County of Tryon, for the purpose of defending the Soldiers & people, and in the Year 1778 he assisted in building a picket fort around the house of Henry Kimmensnyder for a place of retreat and defence, that several times they were driven from their houses & shelters by the enemy and took shelter in a stone mill at Little-falls on the Mohawk River; that at the time he was taken prisoner the whole town was scoured by the enemy, and that many were taken prisoners among whom were Captain John Keyser, John Keyser Junior, Henry Clack & Henry Shaver; that for the whole time during which the service was performed by him and during his imprisonment he was not employed in

any civil pursuits; that he was born in the said county of Tazewell on Stonerobbly, in December of the Year 1760. where he resided with his Father until he entered the service. that his Father then had a record of his age which he had kept in the family Bible; that said Bible was burned together with the house of his Father in the time of the war. and that since that time he has not had any documentary evidence of his age or day of birth, and cannot speak positively as to the day of his birth; that he resided in said county of Tazewell after returning from Canada, after the war until in the month of February AD 1813 when he removed to the Town of DeRay in the County of Jefferson, in the state of New York, where he resided until the fifth day of July AD 1839 when he removed to the Town of Tremont in said county of Lenawee where he now resides with his son Henry Keyser: he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present; and declares that his name is not on the pension-roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn and Subscribed before me the day and Year aforesaid
John H. Keyser
Assistant Judge
Lenawee County
Edward Keyser

Interrogatories to be answered by Michael Keyser claimant for a pension.
1 Where, and in what Year, were You born?"
I was born at Stoneroby in the County of Troyon (now Herkimer) in the colony (now state) of New York
2 Have You any records of Your age?"
I have not. My Father kept a Record of my age in the family Bible, which was burned in the time of the Revolutionary war. And since that time I have not kept any record
3 Where were You living when called into service; where have You lived since the revolutionary war; and where do You now live?"
I lived at the Stoneroby in the then County of Troyon when I was called into service, where I resided until February A.D. 1813, when I removed to the town of LeRoy in the County of Jefferson where I resided until the 5 th day of July A.D. 1839, when I removed to this place, where I now reside
4 How were You called into service; were You drafted, did You volunteer, or were You a sub- stitute, and, if a substitute, for whom?
I was drafted into service, and served as a substitute for John Keyser Junior for four months during the time of my service
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where You served such Continental & militia regiments as You can recollect; and the general circumstances of Your service.
I recollect Colonel Peter Bellinger, Colonel of the regiment in which I served, John Keyser Captain of the company in which I served most of the time, Captain Michael Moyer and Captain Henry Hoover, do not recollect any other regiments; my services were mostly on scouting parties, as a Spies, Building picket posts

and defending the Neighbourhood and town 6 th " did You ever receive a discharge from the Service"
I never did
7 th State the names of persons to whom You are known in Your present Neighbourhood, and who can testify as to Your character for vera- city, and their belief of Your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
I recollect and am acquainted with many in Jefferson County. I am here acquainted with Elias Coffin, Nathaniel Coffin, Thomas Goodrich, & Asahel Winslow - & in Jefferson County in the State of New York. There is William Father Peter Wooliver, Harvey Ritter, & Elisha Coffin Sworn & subscribed before me this thirtieth day of June AD 1840
Meel Haysor
William H. Hays
at Sault Ste. Marie
State of Michigan
Levy County
County of Leavens personally appeared before me the und- ersigned an associate judge in & for the circuit court in said County. Michael Keyser, who being by me duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but that according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: for the Year & ten months & twenty days I served as a Militia-man was on scouting parties, and some time as a man spir: for Three Years & seven months was a prisoner of war in Canada where I was treated as such, and for such services I claim a pension
Meel Haysor
Sworn & subscribed before me this thirtieth day of June AD 1840
William H. Hays
at Sault Ste. Marie Levy County

State of Michigan } County of Lenawee } ss. I Elias Scofield residing in the Township of Tecumseh in said county, of the age of forty-two Years, hereby certify, That I have been well acquainted with Michael Keyser who has subscribed and sworn to the above decla- ration, for twenty Years, last past, that I knew him in the County of Jefferson in the State of New York, That I believe him to be seventy Nine Years & six months of age, That my Father Name is Elisha Scofield, who was a Revolution- ary soldier and who now resides in Jefferson County in the State of New York, That I have often heard him speak of said Michael Keyser as a soldier of the Revolution, and that the said Michael Keyser is reputed and believed in the said County of Jefferson and also where he now resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed before me } This Thirtieth day of June A.D } Elias Scofield 1840 William H. Hays } Assistant Judge.
State of Michigan } County of Lenawee } ss. I Ansel Winslow residing in the Township of Tecumseh in said Co. hereby certify, That I have been well acquainted with Michael Keyser who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, for ten Years last past, that I knew him in the County of Jefferson in the State of New York, that I believe him to be seventy-nine Years & six months of age That he is reputed & believed, in the said County where he now resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion. Sworn & subscribed before me this } Ansel Winslow Jr Thirtieth day of June A.D 1840 } Wm H Hays } Clerk Assistant Judge

State of Michigan County of Lenawee ss And I the said William H Hogg associate judge of the circuit Court in & for said County, do hereby declare my opinion to be after the investigation of the mat- ter, and after putting the interrogatories, pre- scribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states: And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Elias Scofield and Asahel Winslow who have signed the preceding certificates residents in the town of Adrian in said County, and that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit, and I do further certify that the above named applicant, cannot safely attend the Circuit Court in & for said County, from old age and bodily infirmity: Given under my hand and seal this Thirtieth day of June In the Year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and forty
William H Hogg
assmt Judge

State of Michigan Circuit Court for the County of Lenawee,
To all who may see these Presents— Greeting:
I, William R. Powers, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County of Lenawee, do hereby Certify that William H. Hoag Esq. whose name appears in the within instrument was at the time and now is an Associate Judge in and for said County, duly elected and qualified to act as such:
To all whose official acts full faith and credit should & of right ought to be given. And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Associate Judge and verily believe that the signature of the said Associate Judge written on the annexed instrument is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, & affixed the seal of said Circuit Court at the village of Adrian, this Fifteenth day of July A.D. 1840.
William R. Powers Clerk, By Edgar H. Brown Deputy Clerk

Watertown Feby. 3. 1834
Dear Sir
Michael J Keyser applied in Sept. 1832 for a pension - on the ground that while a private in actual service he was taken prisoner by a party of the Enemy and carried to Canada & there detained in Captivity several Years - he proved by two credible persons, the above facts - In his declaration he is stated to have been born in March 1763. Entered service Summer of 1776; captured in March or April 1778 - thus making himself but 13 years & a few months old when he entered the service & a little more than 15 when taken prisoner. He was rejected on the ground that he could not have been rec d a soldier at 13 - & his papers placed on file - I think he ought not to have been rejected because it is unquestionably a fact that at that time size and capacity to do service were the only qualifications necessary & the proof is strong that he was in actual service - Keyser is a very ignorant man, cannot write or read - did not know in what Year he was born but knew that his birth day was in March and that he believed himself to be of the age mentioned in that application said he was willing to swear that he was certainly not less than that age - which if I am it right made him to have been born in 1763 - I now forward the affidavits of Casper Zuller and Joseph Lobdell which show positively and the affidavit of Zaddock Lobdell of his belief to the same fact, that Michael J Keyser was 16 Years old the same March in which he was taken prisoner Keyser swears also to the same fact - This he is certain of and he can get a number of witnesses to swear that he was 16 when cap-

tured - This makes him to have been one year older than the original paper - and makes him to have been 14 Years and some months when he entered service - Then are two witnesses to prove that he was very large of his age - It is not therefore extraordinary that he should have been received as a soldier at that age - I have hopes that Mr Edwards will review the case and on the proof now produced, which clearly shows an error of one year grant him a pension - Several of his comrades captured at the same time are placed on the Pension Roll -
Will you be so good as to take this case in hand & present it clearly to Mr. Edwards and if it is right - I wish you on behalf of the old man, to ask Congress to place him on the Pension List - I do think it is a clear case - Their affidavits show conclusively that he was 16 & upwards in actual service at the time he was taken prisoner - If then he was received as a soldier at an illegal age he was certainly old enough for a Continental at the time he was captured - For I believe it is a fact that many Continental soldiers were rec d on enlistment before they were 16 years old -
I asked you last winter to apply to Congress in his behalf & believe you did - but there was nothing done - his papers are on file in the Pension Department -
With great respect Truly Yours Friend
Admiral Ely
Over

Mr. Keyser
10.081
Admiral Day
agt
Station
11 Yrs
susp?
Hon D. Wardwell
+

STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. Jefferson County, }
ON this 12 th day of September 183 2 , personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County, now sitting, Michael J. Heyser a resident of Le Ray in said County, aged 69 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as here- in stated. That he was
That at Little Falls in the State of New York in the sum- mer of 1776 he entered the service of the United States in Captain John Kelsey's company, Colonel Block's Regt (John was Osler, Major - & was killed at the Oriskany Battle in Genl. Herkimer's Brigade, New York State Troops, a private Minute Man or Indian Spy for during the War - with the agreement that his services, when to be confined to his own country and neighborhood - That as he was sent out on frequent scouting parties during the summer - looking out for Indians - Wherein made discoveries of Indians made haste back to the Fort at Little Falls - It was a large Stone Mill fortified for that purpose - and also to a Picket Fort about 3 miles North of Little Falls and performed such service till March of the year 1777 when in company with Capt. John Kelsey Henry Shaver - George Block - and John Mayby - a party of 12 Indians and 12 Tories surprised them, killed Mayby and took the rest of the number prisoners took this deponent to Oswegatchie - now Ogdensburg from thence to Montreal when he was delivered to one John Daley and kept a prisoner till after Peace took place - when I returned home

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present; and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
P. Burchard Clerk
his Michael J. Keyser mark
We, in said County, and that we are well acquainted with above declaration; that we believe him to be ed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
a Clergyman, residing in the Town of residing in
hereby certify, who has subscribed and sworn to the years of age; that he is reputed and believ-
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
And the said Court 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
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the and that who has also signed
town of the same, is a resident in is entitled to credit.
and is a credible person, and that their statement
I, PELEG BURCHARD, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
Michael J. Keyser
for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Court, this 12th day
of September
1832
P. Burchard Clerk
I Peleg Burchard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that Joseph Laddell and Gadwick soldiers whose affidavits are herewith annexed are credible persons Witness my hand and the seal of said Court this 17 day of December 1832 P. Burchard Clerk

Manheim Herkimer County, N.Y., Sep. 23 d - 1848.
Mr G. H. Yates.
Sir.
You are hereby authorized to continue the prosecution of my claim for a pension before the Commissioners of Pensions under the act of 7 th June 1832. now pending. During the sickness of my brother John an enlisted soldier for nine months in the year 1777, I was his substitute (in the Company of Captain Michael Myers) for about one month & served at Fort Herkimer & German Flatts. In the middle of March 1778 when on duty as an Indian spy and scout with my father Johannes Keyser Captain, my brother John, one — Klock and Henry Thaver, we were all taken prisoners at Saratoga by the Tories and Indians, & remained imprisoned in Montreal, I was never exchanged, though I had the promise of it, & was not allowed to return home till after the close of the war of

the revolution. Although only fourteen years of age when engaged in 1778 as an Indian-Spy as aforesaid. I was enrolled in the Company of my father the said John Keyser Captain, who had ordered out the party which as aforesaid was taken into captivity - all the particulars of which are given in my papers in the matter of my application under said act now on file in the Pension Office, as I understand and believe.
his Michael X Keyser marks
In presence of
Adams Petrie Orlando Petrie
Capt. Keyser's Battle front.

Michael J. Freyso New York
Oct. 7. June 1832
Rejected , See letter to Aduel Ely Esq. 2nd January 1832
deliv d to Hon. D. Warden encl: 26 Jan y 1833
5900

State of New York
Jefferson County ss Michael J. Keyser being duly sworn according to Law deposes that he has no record of his age - that he was taken prisoner in March 1778 or the next month following the capture of Burgoyne, That he was sixteen years old the same month in which he was made prisoner - & further saith not
Sworn and subscribed to
before me this 27 th day of January 1834.
I Am see Justice of the Peace Michael J Keyser his mark
State of New York
Jefferson County ss Joseph Lobdell being duly sworn according to Law deposes that he is 71 years old, that he is well acquainted with Michael J. Keyser and has known him constantly from a boy - that the said Michael was taken prisoner by a party of the Enemy in March 1778 - that he always understood and firmly believes that the said Keyser was in the Seventeenth year of his age when he was captured - That the said Michael was quite large of his age being a very stout athletic young man - This deponent further states that to his certain knowledge the said Keyser was a regular soldier in Capt. John Keyser's long previous to and at the time of his capture - & further saith not
Sworn & subscribed to this
27 th day of January 1834
before me
I Am see Justice of the Peace Joseph Lobdell
I hereby certify that Joseph Lobdell is a credible person. His statements entitled to full belief. I Am see Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Jefferson County ss I, Adock Lobdell being duly sworn according to law, deposes that he is well acquainted with Michael J Keyser and has been so from a boy. I do not know the age of the said Michael, but can say that at the time of his being made pris- oner by the British and Indians he was a full grown man in size and well able to do the duty of a private. I fully believe that he was sixteen years old at that time. The said Michael being then a private in Capt. John Keyser's company, further saith not.
Sworn & subscribed to his this 3 rd day of February 1874 Adock J Lobdell before me Dan. Lee Justice of the Peace Marks
I certify the above deponent to be a credible person D. Lee Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Jefferson County ss Adriel Ely being duly sworn according to law, says that at the request of Michael J Keyser that he made out his pension papers at the Septemton Court in 1832. That the said Michael is an uneducated man having never learned to read or write — That the said Michael did not know the year in which he was born — and that this deponent set it down 1763 taking from the year 1832 what he then believed to be his age to produce that result — This deponent is fully satisfied that the said Michael does not know his true age
Sworn & subscribed to this 3 rd day of February 1874 before me Adriel Ely D. Lee Justice of the Peace
I certify the that Adriel Ely is a credible person D. Lee Justice of the Peace

Michael J. Kayser
file this in his case

State of New York
Jefferson County ss Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Michael J Keyser of Le Ray who being duly sworn deponeth and saith that that if he live till the 15 th March next he will be seventy years of age - that in the Spring im- mediately following the surrender of Burgoyne he was taken Prisoner by the British and Indians that at that time he was fifteen years old - and that he was regularly enrolled a Private in Captain John Keyser's Company Colonel Klock's Regt & Genl Herkimer's Brigade M. York State Troops - that he was frequently sent with information and orders from Capt Keyser from the fort or fortified Stone Mill at Little Falls to the Pickett Forts at Federal Hill, Shells Brook & Klock's Brook and kept on a look out for Indians That at the time of his being taken Prisoner he was fully competent both as to line and bodily strength to do Soldiers duty & further saith that
Sworn & subscribed to this 23 rd day of January 1833
before me
Dan Lee Justice of the Peace
his Michael J. Keyser Mark

State of New York Jefferson County Clerks Office
I Peleg Burchard Clerk of said county do hereby certify that Daniel Lee Esquire before whom the within affidavits purports to have been sworn was on the dates of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county commissioned & sworn & duly authorized to take the within affidavits.
And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and verily believe his name subscribed to the same is his proper hand writing & signature In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this 23 d day of January 1833.
P. Burchard Clerk

State of New York Jefferson County ss
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Adriel Ely of Watertown left co. N. Y. who being duly sworn according to Law (Oath) upon and say that he made the writings of Michael J. Keyser in order that he might obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That the said Keyser then told him that he was 15 years old when he was taken prisoner & that he was taken prisoner in March following the surrender of Burgoyne and that of said Declaration in any way vary from this statement. It was a clerical error - & further saith not. The foregoing Sworn and subscribed to Adriel Ely (4)
this 23 rd day of January 1833 before me - I also certify that I am well acquainted with the above Deponent and that he is a credible person D. W. Lee Justice of the Peace

Washington D.C. Jany 26. 1832.
This day received the papers of Michael J. Keyser which had been forwarded to the pension office of the War Dept t in support of his claim to a pension under the act of 7 June 1832 for the purpose of presenting them to Congress
D. W. or clerk

Michael J. Keyser
Michael J. Keyser
Feb. 11 th 1833
Ref d to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims
10.081
Rev Pen Wandwell 14 Post

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Michael Reysen which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? No III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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.”

ter 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

State of New York
Jefferson County ss. Personally appeared before the sub- scribed a Justice of the peace in the County of said Joseph Lobdell and made oath in due form of Law that he the said Lobdell is well acquainted with Michael S. Keyser that himsey and the said Michael were both privates in the company of Capt John Keyser Col. Blochs Regt that the said Michael was surprised taken prisoner and held in captivity by the Enemy sever- al times and that at the time of his capture the said company of Capt Keyser was in ac- tual service & that it was usual to divide the company into small parties or scouts to take out in various directions to prevent surprise and that the said Michael at the time of his capture was one of a small party of scouts who were surprised and over- powered and carried away captive & further saith not
Sworn & subscribed to Joseph Lobdell This 25 th day of March
1834 before me Dan. Lee Justice of the Peace
I Certify that Joseph Lobdell the above deponent is a credible person & that his statements are entitled to full credit Dan. Lee Justice of the Peace
I know that Dan Lee is a justice of the peace qualified me

Watertown N March 25 1884
Sir I enclose you an affidavit to show that Keyes was in actual service when captured — I have to offer here the Clerk's Certificate that Lee is a Justice that I suppose is to be unnecessary — I trust that this affidavit will prove satisfactory — but can't tell what new objections will be started for as soon as I can remove one another is found — Respectfully Yrs Frank A. Haskell Admiral Ely
Hon D Woodworth
Judge Fortier, compliments requests you to send the enclosed letter to the South

Sir.
Albany, Sept. 29 th 1848.
In compliance with the request of Michael Keyser , an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832, whose authorization to me is enclosed, I solicit the favor of a report in his case.
I am very respectfully Your Ob t Serv t
G. H. W. S.
Col:
J. L. Edwards
Commission of Pensions,
Washington D. C.

Michigan
Michael Keyser
Tecumseh
Lenawee County
Michigan
Born 31 July 1840 To Mr. & Mrs. Schamplion Died 7 June 1882
✓ 901

New York Rev.
Michael J. Keyser
Suspended
letter 15 March 1834
To Dr D. Woodwell
letter to Dr. J. C. 14 '34 " " Mr. S. Champion July 31. 1840

Michael Keyser 79
May 76. In Michael Keyser's Capt 77 1 mo. Henry Hoorn 78 Col. Pillsbury
March 78. Made prisoner and carried to Annapolis & kept to the close of the war while serving as scouts, guards building forts etc. B. Tryon

In the matter of Michael J. Keyes for a Pension

State of New York Suffolk County ss
I, Peleg Burchard Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Daniel Lee Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been taken sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his name subscribed to the same to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and Seal of said County this Third Day of February in the Year 1834
Peleg Burchard Clerk By Perry E. Tuttle Deputy Clerk

State of New York
Jefferson County ss Casper Guller being duly sworn according to Law deposes that he is well acquainted with Michael J Keyser and has been so from the time he returned from Canada  the time that he is also well acquaint- ed with the Parents of the said Michael - that he does not know the exact age of the said Michael but always understood that he was sixteen upwards at the time of his being made prisoner - This deponent recollects distinctly of being told by the Father of the said Michael in a conversation about the capture of prisoners &c that this son Michael was in his sixteenth year at the time he was thus captured This deponent further testifies that he is now he thinks he is sixty seven years of his age and further saith not his Sworn and subscribed to Casper Guller before me this 30 day mark of January 1834
Henry Keyser Justice of the Peace I certify that I am well acquainted with Casper Guller the above deponent and that he is a credible person whose statements are entitled to the fullest belief
Henry Keyser Justice of Peace

State of New York Jefferson County Clerk's Office
I, Pheasant Burchard Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Henry Royser Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and readily believe his name subscribed to the same to be his proper hand writing and Signature.
Witness my hand and Seal of said County this third day of February in the Year 1834
Pheasant Burchard Clerk Deputy E. Tuttle Deputy Clerk

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
5900 am
P. O. Michael J. Steyser
Service: See Same Soldier reg d files 5901
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
5901
P. O. _____
Michael Keyser
Service: _____
RECEIVED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Waukesha July 18. 1840 The Hon. Secretary of War Pension Office
Dr Sir. enclosed I send you the declaration & evidence of Michael Keyser on application for a pension, which I sup- pose to be sufficient, but if not, please inform me what more is requisite and I will endeavour to furnish the same, if it can be obtained - (Mr Keyser is old, infirm and needy, and for a number of years past has drawn his subsistence from his sons & relations, who reside in different parts of the Country, & under these circumstances & at this late period it may be difficult for him to obtain further evidence if required:

although it is possible that there may be some one yet living who was acq- ainted with him in the time of the Revo- lution. Yet to find such a one, his limited means & feeble state, may not be a match for the task. And yet to me he appears to be one of those who ought to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7. 1832
Yours
Respectfully
M. V. Chapman

War Department Pension Office January 2. 1839
Sir,
The claim of Michael J. Keyser has been examined and his papers placed on file. It cannot be admitted that he was able to render military service in the field as a soldier at 13 Years of Age, and as he can not be recognized as a soldier, he can found no claim to a pension upon his alleged captivity. His claim is therefore Rejected.
I am Respectfully Yr. Ob. St.
J L Edwards
Adriel Ely Esq. Watertown, N.Y.

Washington City Jan'y 21 1833
Dear Sir
I have recd yours of Jan'y - 12th. - I have examined the papers of Michael J. Koyne - He was born in March 1763 - entered the service in the summer of 1775 - His name is positively refused admittance on the pension roll on the ground that he could not have been legally adopted by any state as a widow at 13 years of age - I rate by his case before Congress. Nothing, however, can be done this session.
Yours truly Edw. Russell
A. Ely Esq

State of New York
Jefferson County On this 12 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court Joseph Lobdell of Watertown who first being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Michael J Keyser of Le Ray - That this deponent lived in the same neighborhood and belonged to the same unit in 1776 & 1777 - at Little Falls N. York which unit was commanded by Capt. John Keyser the father of the said Michael That on or about March 1777 the said Michael was missing and it was reported he was taken prisoner by the Indians - I did not see the said Keyser from that time till the close of the war when I saw him in Montreal on my return home from Canada having been a Prisoner myself
Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid in open Court P. Rueschard Clerk
Joseph Lobdell

State of New York } Jefferson County } ss
On this 12 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court Zadok Lobdell of Alexandria Tefflon, who being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Michael J. Keyser of Little Falls - That he knew the said Keyser in 1776 at the time of this deponent then being in the town of Little Falls N.Y. - That Michael J Keyser was a soldier in Capt John Keyser's Company - That on or about March 1777 - the Indians the said Michael was missing - and also the said Capt John Keyser - and it was reported that they were taken off by the Indians - that he this deponent was soon after taken a Prisoner by some of the Indians carried into Canada - while a Prisoner he saw Capt John Keyser but never saw Michael till after this deponent was released which was several years after
Sworn and subscribed to in open court by making his mark this deponent says he never learned to write the day and year above written: Attest P. Purnehard Clerk
his Zadok Lobdell mark