Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9,278, for Nicholas Schuyler, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Schuyler Nicholas
R. 9.278
CONTENTS

37.278
Nicholas Schuyler dec d
N.Y.
Act Y June '32
Wm Valentine Albany N.Y.

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent. per annum, viz:
21 st May 1783. Mich l Schuyler priv £ 82 9 9
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, 12 th Febr. — 1846.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 10. — now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
First — under Capt. On reference to the Book of Audited Accounts  Second " " And also Book of Prisoners, this appear to be  Third " " for pay while in captivity under Col. Cloyde  Fourth " " from 23 rd Oct 1780, to 21 st May 1783. is 30 months  Fifth " " (and) 28 days = 53/4 th per month. Sixth " " " " " " Seventh " " " " " " Eighth " " " " " " Ninth " " " " " " Tenth " " " " " " Eleventh " " " " " " Twelfth " " " " " "
Philip D. Livingston

State of New York County of Herkimer Common Pleas
§
On this fourth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty six personally appeared in open court before the Judges thereof Peter N Schuyler a resident of Danube, County and State aforesaid. Aged fifty nine Years last August, who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following Declaration in order to obtain, in behalf of the children of Nicholas Schuyler deceased, the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, That he is one of the children of Nicholas Schuyler deceased who as declarant has always understood & believes was a soldier in the War of the Revolution & also that he resided during said War in the aforesaid County and State. Declarant further saith that during said War his said father the aforesaid Nicholas Schuyler was taken a prisoner by the enemy and carried to Canada & there kept several Years in prison. How long he was in prison declarant doth not recollect having heard but has heard heard his said father say that he was absent several Years. Declarant doth not recollect the name of the officer under whom his said father served or the length of time he served but has frequently heard him say he was engaged in the service & very frequently relate many things which he endured while in captivity, such as being tied and kept for several days, without food & various other hardships, which he endured while in captivity. Declarant further saith that his said father the aforesaid Nicholas Schuyler died on the twentieth day of February in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. That at the time of his death left no widow, but left him surviving the following named children viz Peter N Schuyler (himself) Nicholas Schuyler Jr, Henry Schuyler, George N Schuyler, Phillip Schuyler, Daniel Schuyler, James Schuyler, Margaret Kneasskern, Elizabeth Schuyler, That they are his only surviving children & each of them are over twenty one Years of age. Declarant further saith that has always understood & believes his said father served as a private soldier, & his reason for not having made application for a pension in his life time was that in some few Years previous to his death employed a person by the name of Peter Stearnbrough to do the business for him and said Stearnbrough neglected it from time to time until the decease of his father the aforesaid Nicholas

Nicholas Schuyler, since which time declarant has not had opportunity or the means to prosecute said claim even had he supposed there was any thing due the children after the decease of their parents —
(Subscribed & sworn to before me) This 4th day of February 1846 E. A. Munnson Clerk
Beter C B Schuyler.
And I further certify that all the foregoing interrog- atories were only put by the Court in open Court and were by the said Court declared satisfactory —
February 4th 1846
E. A. Munnson Clerk
Nicholas Schuyler, since which time declarant has not had opportunity or the means to prosecute said claim even had he supposed there was any thing due the children after the decease of their parents —

State of New York County of Herkimer Court of Common Pleas
On this Fourth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty six it was proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to said Court That Nicholas Schuyler late a resident of said County died on the twentieth day of February in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, That at the time of his death left no widow, but left him surviving the following named children viz Peter V Schuyler, Nicholas Schuyler Jr: Henry Schuyler, George V Schuyler, Phillip Schuyler, Daniel Schuyler, James Schuyler, Elizabeth Schuyler & Margaret Kneaskern, That they are his only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one Years of age
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed the official Seal of said Court and County — the day and Year first above written E. A. Munsou Clerk

State of New York County of Montgomery } ss
Henry Murphy of Mendon County & State aforesaid Aged Eighty four years & a person of the United States being first duly sworn according to Law Deposeth That he was personally & well acquainted with Nicholas Schuyler deceased late a resident of the County of Herkimer & State aforesaid before Daring and after the Revolutionary war, That during the said war the said Nicholas Schuyler was taken prisoner by the enemy and carried to Canada & confined as a prisoner deponent does not know how long that the said Nicholas resided during the said revolution in what is now known as the Indian castle in the County of Herkimer & State aforesaid the deponent further saith that he has seen the said Nicholas out on alarms in the war, and that some Nicholas & Peter with whom this deponent is acquainted, also saith that during the aforesaid war he was well acquainted in this vicinity and it has always been believed known and understood in the neighborhood that the said Schuyler was taken prisoner as aforesaid and doth not know or believe there was any other person by the name of Nicholas Schuyler who resided in the vicinity or taken prisoner
Henry Murphy
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 10 th day of March 1846 J. W. Hamilton Justice
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Henry Murphy above named. That he is the identical person above named and that his faculties and memory are little or none impaired by age. That he is a person of good moral character and standing, and I believe the most implicit confidence may be placed in his deposition as above set forth
J. W. Hamilton Justice of the peace

State of New York County of Montgomery ss Joseph Wassner of Minden, County and State aforesaid. Had eighty seven Years & a penniny of the United States, being first duly sworn according to law Deponth it is hereafter that he was personally & intimately acquainted with Nicholas Schuyler now late a resident of the County and State aforesaid, before, during and after the Revolutionary War.
That during said War the said Nicholas Schuyler was taken prisoner by the enemy and carried to Canada & confined in prison about two Years as near as Depenant can recollect. Depenant also saith that the said Nicholas resides during said Revolution in what is now known as the Indian Castle in the County of Montgomery and State aforesaid and has a son by the name of Nicholas who resides in this vicinity and is one of the superintendants of the Canal. Depenant also saith that during the aforesaid War he was well acquainted in this vicinity and it has always been believed and understood in the neighborhood that the said Schuyler was taken prisoner as aforesaid and doth not know or believe there was any other person by the name of Nicholas Schuyler who resides in this vicinity or latter prisoner.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 10 th day of March, 1846
Joseph Wassner
J. W. Carrington Justice of the Peace The words "of the Peace" in 4 th line from top and also in 10 th line from top are omitted before execution J. W. Carrington Justice
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Joseph Wassner above named. That he is the identical person above named and retains his faculties and memory to an unusual degree for a person of his age. That he is a person of good moral character and standing, and I firmly believe the most implicit confidence may be placed in his deposition as above set forth.
I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Nicholas Schuyler who resides in this vicinity and is one of the Superintendents of the Erie Canal and who is the person alluded to in the foregoing deposition.
The words "of the Peace" in 10 th line from top are also omitted before execution
J. W. Carrington Justice
J. W. Carrington Justice

State of New York County of Montgomery I George Schuyler a resident of Minden in the County and State aforesaid, Age seventy Years, who being first duly sworn according to law Depose & that he was personally acquainted with Nicholas Schuyler deceased, that he has been informed by the said Schuyler and others very frequently that that the said Schuyler was taken prisoner by the enemy during the Revolution was carried to Canada and there kept several Years but deponent doth not now recollect the length of time, That the said Schuyler died about eight Years ago and left no widow, but left several children the names of some are as follows viz Peter Henry, George, Phillip and others some seven or eight in number; Deponent further saith that the maiden name of the wife of the said Nicholas Schuyler was Elizabeth Westphalen and further that he was well acquainted with the said Nicholas Schuyler and his said wife from deponent's earliest recollection to the time of their death.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 7 th day of February 1846 the names "and Elizabeth Westphalen" indicated before executed John W. Hance Justice of the Peace
George Schuyler
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named George Schuyler and have been so acquainted with him for upwards of twenty Years last past during time he has sustained an unim- peachable character for truth and veracity and I verily believe his STATE OF NEW YORK, Montgomery County Clerk's Office, } ss.
I, CHESTER S. BRUMLEY, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that the name of  the person whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit of George affidavit of George was at the time of signing the same of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such person and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit is genuine;
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, the 10 th day of March 1846
C. S. Brumley CLERK.

State of New York County of Montgomery George Schuyler a resident of Kinderhook in the County and State aforesaid. I am seventy Years old being first duly sworn according to law Depose & that he was personally acquainted with Nicholas Schuyler deceased. That he has been informed by the said Schuyler and others very frequently that that the said Schuyler was taken prisoner by the enemy during the Revolution was once carried to Canada and then kept several Years but deponent doth not now recollect the length of time. That the said Schuyler died about eight Years ago and left me a widow, but left several children the names of some are as follows viz Peter Henry, George, Phillip and others some seven or eight in number. Depose & further with respect to the maiden name of the wife of the said Nicholas Schuyler was Elizabeth Van Rensselaer and further that he was well acquainted with the said Nicholas Schuyler and his said wife from deponent's earliest recollection to the time of their deaths.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 7 th day of February 1846 the within was Elizabeth Van Rensselaer "intended before marriage" John W. Van Rensselaer Justice of the Peace
George H Schuyler
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named George Schuyler and have been so acquainted with him for upwards of twenty Years last past during which time he has sustained an unimpeachable character for truth and veracity and I firmly believe him to be as above set forth entitled to full faith & credit.
John W Van Rensselaer Justice of the Peace

37.278
Nick Schuyler, dec.
N. Y.
Let. to W. Valentine, June 8. '46
H. Sternberg Aug 15/96
same, Aug 31, 1845
W. Valentine, Aug 31, '45
Act 7 June 32.

37278 Nicholas Schuyler New York
Sub Col. Quentin Col. 27 th Inf Lt Col. H. H. Markland Sept 10/53
Rejected Asst. Markland Nov 15/53 9 P. Henry May 11/57 ad yd June 1852

Acts of July 14, 1902, and March 3, 1903.
9018
P. O. _____
Nicholas Schuyler
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

State of New York County of Herkimer Surrogates Court.
On this Fifth day of August 1846 It was proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to said Court that Nicholas Schuyler late of said County & State died on the twentieth day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. That at the time of his death left no widow, but left him surviving the following named children viz Peter N Schuyler, Nicholas Schuyler Jr. Henry Schuyler, George N. Schuyler, Phillip Schuyler, Daniel Schuyler, James Schuyler, Elizabeth Schuyler, and Margaret Knappscarn. That they are his only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official Seal of said Court the day and Year first above written.
Ebenezer D. Surrogate of Herk Co

Hon Mr L Mancy Secretary of War Washington City

Little Falls Aug 10 - 46
Hon Secretary of War
Since writing my former of 8 th inst I have fallen on a passage in Col Hones life of Brant Vol 2. Page 126. of which the following is a copy in reference to the M eritorious Nicholas Schuyler whose name now decks the air "The bitter enmity of the Tories of the Mohawk Country toward their former neighbors was at times exhibited in acts of such fiend like ferocity as to defy explanation and stagger belief. In a former chapter the case of an infant murdered in its cradle by a Tory after the refusal of an Indian to kill it has been stated. There was another like instance in the neighborhood of Little Falls marked if possible by still greater brutality. An Indian having refused to kill an infant as it lay smil- ing in the cradle the more savage Loyalist rebuking the compassion of the red man thrust it through with his bayonet as a Fisherman would spear a Salmon and held it writhing in its agonies in triumph above its head. A Gentleman of the Bar late of Little Falls has assured the author that to his knowledge the wretch who committed that diabolical act had the effrontery a few years since to present himself as a candidate for a pension under one of the acts of Congress for rewarding the surviving soldiers of the Revolution the fact just related was fortunately elicited before his claims were completed and the result need not be stated."
Respectfully your obed Servt
Her Roman Sternberg
Pl ty abundant testimony can be produced in this quarter to prove the malignity of Brant Schuyler if desired —

State of New-York County of Schenectady } ss
On this twenty sixth day of September one thousand Eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the county and State aforesaid Peter Hoose a resi- -dent of the Town of Danube in aforesaid county and State aged thirty seven years being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Schenectady Sternbergs of said Town of Danube and has been so acquainted with him for many years. That the character of said Schenectady Sternberg and his standing in the community where he is known are generally considered not very good. That he is in the habit of meddling too much with his neigh- -bors business -
Deponent further states that he was well acquai- -nted with Nicholas Schuyler during his life time and for many years that said Schuyler's character stood very fair and honorable. That he never heard it stated by any one that said Nicholas Schuyler was a tory during the Revolutionary War Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written - and I hereby certify that said Peter Hoose is a credible Witness
Peter Hoose
Now Serving Justice of the Peace

State of New York County of Schenectady
On the tenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid John Dygert aged sixty four years a resident of the Village of Little Falls in said County and State who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was for many years well acquainted with Nicholas Schuyler during his life time that the general character and reputation of said Schuyler was always considered very fair and honorable and that he was as afloat has been frequently and credibly informed more or less engaged in the services of the United States as a Soldier during the Revolutionary War. Deponent further states that he was also well acquainted with Joseph Schuyler a brother of the above named Nicholas Schuyler that he has often heard his Father Joseph Dygert who was a captain in the United States Service during said War say that said Joseph Schuyler was a Tory in said War and that he has also heard the same statements from many other and credible persons but that he has never heard from any person said Nicholas Schuyler's patriotism spoken against or that it was even even doubted but instead of that it was always in his favor —
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written. And I hereby certify that said I hereby certify that said John Dygert is a credible and disinterested Witness
John Dygert
My Commission Expires March 1854

State of New York } County of Herkimer }
On this twenty sixth day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid Daniel D. Van Alstyne a resident of the Town of Danube in said County and State who being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with Herkimer Sturtevant of said Town of Danube and has been so acquainted with him for many years. that the general character of said Herkimer Sturtevant whom he is well known is not very good. that he is considered a very meddlesome man with his neighbors business
Deponent further states that he was for many years well acquainted with Nicholas Schuyler previous to his death. that he has always heard said Schuyler spoken of as being an honorable and candid man and that he never heard any person say that he had been a tory during the Revolution
Sworn to and subscribed — before me this day clear forth I have written & certify that Daniel D Van Alstyne is a credible witness Chas Lewis Justice of the Peace
Daniel D Van Alstyne

State of New York, } ss. HERKIMER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, }
I, E. T. CLELAND, Clerk of the County of Herkimer, do certify that
Charles Jones Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate and jurat of affidavit of the annexed instrument, was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county, duly elected and sworn; and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe the name subscribed to the said certificate and jurat of affidavit, to be his genuine signature.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, at Herkimer, this day of Oct 10 A.D. 185 7
E. T. Cleland Clerk.

Little Falls N.Y.
Aug 8/46
Rebecca Sternberg Nich. Schuyler Mich. Dorcas Johnson pension was asked were bills in Leog nar.
Q
Reply Dec Aug 13/46
Pension Office
bb
all Mr. ...

Hon W m L. Marce Secretary of War Washington Cit

Little Falls Herkimer County, State of New York August 8 th 1846
Dear Secretary of War of United States Sir
I take the liberty to inform you that a Mr. Van Horn is about this vicinity to collect evidence to obtain pensions for one Nicholas Schuyler and one Nicholas Forbes or Forbush
Nicholas Schuyler was one of the worst Tories of the Revolution and you will find by looking at the Annals of Tryon County by Campbell that said Nicholas stood hostage for Don Yost his brother in Arnold's expedition to relieve Fort Stanwix and that both Nicholas and Don Yost joined in John Johnson's Regiment of Tories - This same Nicholas Schuyler undertook some 15 years ago to apply for pension and when he appeared in the Court House at Herkimer many of the old soldiers of the Revolution rose up and testified to his Tory acts and he withdrew his application The present application is under hand in behalf of his heirs
as to Nicholas Forbes - I merely know the a Mr. John Green a very respectable of this town recently told me that said Forbes had told him that he Forbes had

belonged to Butter Rangers. Mr Green will no doubt sue for it this or any time
It cannot be agreed to use the property of discontenuancing those applications and that you desire further proof's please write me on the subject respectfully your old Servt Ser Roder Sternberg
P.S. That this communication not be sent to the proper depart- ment I trust you will send same to such - H.S.

Nicholas Schuyler.
N. York. — Oct 1832.
A. H. Markland Present

POWER OF ATTORNEY AND CERTIFICATE.
Know all men by these presents, That I, George W. Schuyler of the County of Ulster and State of New York do hereby constitute and appoint P. M. McGuire , Esq., of Washington, D. C., my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my behalf, to prosecute my claim for services rendered by my father & grandfather during the revolutionary war and to receive such sum as may be issued, hereby revoking any power of attorney which may have been heretofore given, and confirming all things that my attorney, the said P. M. McGuire , may lawfully do in the premises.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of March A. D. 185 3 . George W. Schuyler
Acknowledged before me the day and year last above written.
Ezra Brainerd J. P. at Sturges County
STATE OF New York } ss: I, E T Oland clerk of the COUNTY OF Ulster } court of Ulster County within and for the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Ezra Brainerd Esq. Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County before whom the foregoing acknowledgment was taken, was at the date thereof severally known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, duly commissioned and sworn.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this Eighth day of April A. D. 185 3 . E T Oland Clerk.

Seton 8126

Albany N.Y. August 10 th 1846
Sir
In reply to the requisitions of Your Letter of June the 8 th  1846 in the case of the children of Nicholas Schuyler deceased, I herewith enclose additional evidence. Permit me to remark that I forward with the other proofs, the certificate of a Court of Records duly executed, and am at a loss to know what could be more satisfactory or more strictly in accordance with the rules & practice of the Pension office. Yet it affords me the greatest pleasure to comply strictly with the requirements, thus I have furnished in this case such proof as I have always supposed was deemed of the first class, and I trust it will be satisfactory.
I am Yours very respectfully W m Valentine
A. S. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions Washington

Nov. 11, 1853. 1808 er in case of Nicholas Schuyler, M.D.
Nov 132.
A. H. Markland, Present
Nicholas Schuyler
file with claim can cloud
A. H. Markland Present

(Copy.)
Pension Office,
August 31 st 1846.
Sir:
In the case of Nicholas Schuyler, deceased, it has been represented to this Department, that, after he was captured by the enemy, he abandoned the cause and joined in the murderous invasions of Canadians, Indians, and Tories, into valley of the Mohawk. He and his brother, Hon. Yost, united themselves with the regiment of Sir John Schuyler. It is also stated that he presented himself some 15 years ago, at Herkimer for the purpose of making application, when several applicants, and particularly one "Crum," proclaimed his toryism, and prevented him from asserting a claim. Campbell's Annals of Tryon's Company have been referred to as evidence that he "stood hostage for his brother, Hon. Yost, in Brant's expedition, to relieve Fort Stanwix." It is also represented that the account of an application of a tory in Herkimer, contained in 126 th page, vol. 2, of Stone's Life of Brant, refers to him. If injustice is done to his memory in these representations, his reputation may be avouched by leading and respectable men of his county, who could not be misinformed as to his fidelity to the cause. J. Valentine, Esq. Albany, N.Y. (Signed) J. G. Edwards, Comr.

Pension Office, September 10 th 1853.
Sir:
The claim of Nicholas Schuyler, deceased, under the Act of June 7 th 1832, for the prosecution of which you have been appointed the Agent, was rejected on the 31 st of August, 1846, for the reasons stated in the accompanying copy of a letter of that date, addressed to William Valentine, Esq. As testimony having, since the date of that communication, been received at this Office in refutation or explanation of the heinous offences charged against Schuyler, it has been assumed that they are well founded; and any attempt to vindicate his memory at this late day would be an act of supererogation.
I am, respectfully,
Your Abt. Sol.
L. Wallace Commissioner
A. H. Markland, Esq. Present.

Washington July 12th 1855
Hon d P. W. Elds,
I herewith enclose power of atty in case of Nicholas Schuyler of NY Sup t under act 1832. This case was suspended upon the mere letter of a man named Herkimo Sternberg, who stated in said letter that Schuyler was a spy during the revolution, notwithstanding the Comptroller of New York certifies that Schuyler was paid in 1785 for his services in the war. Mr. Sternberg produces no evidence to prove that Schuyler was a spy, nor did the office try to ascertain what kind of a man he was. I hoped to file evidence before the case came up for examination that will prove that the contents of Mr. Sternberg's letter were unfounded.
I am Sir Respectfully J. O. S. S. A. H. M. C.

Aug 26. 1846
Recd per
Jacob Barker
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Albany N.Y. August 17 th 1846
Sir
I have this day rec d a communication from the Pension Dept. through the medium of the Hon. Bradford R. Wood late member of Congress from this city - in the case of the children of Sarah Forbes, dated the 14 th inst. in which the following language is employed. viz "The best attainable proof of the date of her death should be transmitted to the office"
Permit me to remark that the certificate of a court of record was furnished on that point & duly executed, which I had supposed was the highest grade of evidence required by the established rules & practice of the Pension Office. If such has not been the case or any new rules or requisitions on that point has been put in practice, I should be happy to be informed what they are. I must confess that I am at a loss to find on inquiry that there has been any new rule or practice in relation to the proof of the death of a soldier or widow, And therefore would earnestly solicit instructions as to what the Department are pleased to denominate the best attainable proof, (and if the same is the established rule of the office) that I may in future be correctly guided.
I am happy to do all in my power to comply with the rules but when I am ignorant, as in this case, would beg leave to ask special instructions.
I am Yours very respectfully Wm Valentine
J. S. Edwards Esq Clerk of Pension Washington
P.S. The same requisition as made by your letter of the 8 th inst. last in case of the children of Abigail Johnson due to a late certificate of a court of record was also furnished

Albany N.Y. March 13 th 1846
Sir I herewith enclose the Declaration & proofs in the application of the children of Nicholas Schuyler deceased I am Yours very respectfully Y r Valentine
J. S. Edwards Esq. Corr d of Pension Washington

Oct. 19, 1896
Recd Nicholas Schuyler,
J. D. Schuyler Estate of William Washington

Albany N.Y. Oct 15 th 1846
Sir
In Your Letter of the 31 st of August last in the case of Nicholas Schuyler deceased. You remark among other things, that it has been represented that he was a tory. I have heard that he has been thus charged, and it is possible that it is true. Yet I find it very common, (arising mostly from mere conjecture) when the soldier was absent for a long time and the cause not always understood, they were almost invariably charged with being tories, or having joined the enemy, particularly when they were in captivity until the close of the war and thus no opportunity to again join the american army, when in fact they were suffering in the most affecting manner by imprisonment and cruel treatment while in the hands of the enemy.
I scarcely find a case where the soldier was long a prisoner, but what he was charged by some as a tory, particularly by those who were tories, their foes or their descendants.
My experience among that class has been somewhat extensive, and having so often heard those representations, which I subsequently became satisfied were totally unfounded, is the reason I took no notice of them in this case, and must confess that I am not yet satisfied that they are true.
I am Yours very respectfully
W m Valentine
J. S. Edwards Esq. Com y of Pensions, Washington 3