Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20214, for Alexander Mc Kay, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental New York
Mc Kay, Alexander Mc Kay Johnston, Eleanor
N 20214
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

New York 3177
Eleanor Johnston, who was widow of Alexander M c Kay N.Y. who died on the — September 1794 of Ulster Co. in the State of N. York who was a Pr. Artillery in the company, commanded by Captain Moody of the regt. commanded by Col. Lamb in the N. York line for 2 years
Date of death not acc d
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 100 Dollars — Less per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17. day of January 1810 and sent to Eliza Johnston Siaw, Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '39 850.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1. Nov '40 50.00 $ 900.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2. Page 205

I the Said Judge do certify the above named Jane Graham who subscribed and was sworn to the foregoing Affidavit is a Creditable Person and her Affidavit is Entitled to full Credit and Belief
Alm. H. Deyo one of the Judges of the Ulster County Courts
State of New York Ulster County } ss.
Phoebe M c Gay a Resident of the Town Sharonunk County and State aforesaid aged Forty four Years who Being duly sworn according to law says on her Oath that she is well acquainted with the within named Eleanor Jansen who subscribed the foregoing Declaration and also the within named Robert Jansen the late Husband of the said Eleanor and the said Robert Jansen died the 13 th day March 1831 that this Deponent was present and waited on him in his last Sickness until the time of his death and that the said Eleanor has Remained a Widow ever since the death of the said Robert Jansen
Sworn and subscribed to this 31 st day of August 1838 before me
Alm. H. Deyo one of the Judges of Ulster County Courts
I the Said Judge do certify the above named Phoebe M c Gay who subscribed and was sworn to the foregoing Affidavit is Entitled to full Credit and Belief
Alm. H. Deyo one of the Judges of the Ulster County Courts

I the said Judge do hereby certify that on a personal examination of the within named Elanor Hansen who subscribed and was sworn to the foregoing declaration is old and cannot attend the sitting of the county court the distance of thirty miles on account of her age and bodily infirmity and that the deponent wrote her name Graham out of mistake afterwards corrected before me and that the name of Hansen is meant for Johnston in the declaration and affidavits
Thos A Deyo one of the judges of the Ulster county courts
State of New York } Ulster County }
On this 31 st day of August 1838 personally appeared before me Abraham Wood a Resident of Town of Montgomery Orange County State of New York aged Seventy Eight years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath say that he was well acquainted with the late Alexander M c Gay deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution that in the year 1777 this deponent was a soldier at Fort Montgomery and there saw the said Alexander M c Gay who was a soldier in Captain Wood's Company and was taken a prisoner at said fort and as this deponent was informed and believes that he remained a prisoner about ten months and after being exchanged he joined his company and continued to serve his enlistment out and that the said Alexander M c Gay resided a — neighbor to this deponent at the time

of his death which took place in the years 1794 or 1795 that in the year 1782 in the month of May the Reverend Andrew King called at his Deponets House and said that he was going to marry Alexander M c Gay to Elanor Graham and the said Alexander and Elanor Resided in the clergyman's house near this Deponent as Man and Wife until the time of his death which took place at the time above stated Abraham Wood Sworn and Subscribed the day and year
Above Written I am at Deyo one of the Judges of the Ulster County Courts I certify that the above named Abraham Wood who made oath and was sworn to the above affidavit is a man of truth and veracity that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief
I am at Deyo one of the Judges of Ulster County Courts State of New York Ulster County Jane Graham of the City of New York aged twenty one Last January who being duly sworn according to law says on her oath that she was present at the House of her fathers at the time of the marriage of the within named Elanor Jansen at the time she was married to Alexan- der M c Gay also named in the foregoing affidavit that they were married in the month of May 1782 By the Reverend Andrew King Minister of the Gospel by the Presbyterian Church of the Town of Montgomery Sworn and Subscribed this 31 st day August 1838 Before me
I am at Deyo one of the Judges of the Ulster County Courts

State of New York Ulster County } ss.
On this 31 st day of August 1838 personally appeared before the under- signed one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Said County Eleanor Jansen A Resident of the town of Shawangunk in Said County and State Aged Eighty Two years who Being duly Sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in Order to Obtain the Benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 and the Act of planitony of Said Act passed March the 3 d 1837 that She was Married to Alexander M c Gay who was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution that She has been informed and Believes her Husband served in a Company of Artillery Command by Captain Woody in Col Lamb's Reg t and served through- out Said War She further Declares that She was Married to the Said Alexander M c Gay on the First day of May 1782 that her Husband the aforesaid Alexander M c Gay died on the _____ day of September 1794 that She was afterwards married to Robert Jansen who died the 13 th day of March 1838 that She was a widow on the fourth of July 1836 and Still Remains a Widow as will more fully appear By Reference to the proof herunto Annexed
Sworn and Subscribed Eleanor Jansen Johnston the day and year
Above Written before me John D. Deyo one of the Judges of the Ulster County Court

August 13, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. George Ellis 728- \frac{1}{2} Carondelet Street Los Angeles, California
BA-J/EEL Alexander McKay-W.19848 Alexander McKay-W.20214
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Alexander McKay, who served with the New York Troops, War of the Revolution.
You are furnished herein the histories of two soldiers named Alexander McKay, the only soldiers of that name who served with the New York Troops that are found on the Revolutionary War records of this office: the data given were obtained from the papers on file in the respective claims for pension, W.19848 and W. 20214, based upon their military service in the Revolutionary War.
Alexander McKay W.19848
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Alexander McKay are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
Alexander McKay enlisted in New York City, before the occupation of that city by the British, exact date not shown and served to the close of the war, at least two years in all; a part of his service was rendered as a musician in Colonels Philip Van Cortland's and Pawling's New York Regiments.
The soldier married in 1783, exact date not given, Phebe Ann, maiden name not shown. They were married in New York City by the rector of Trinity Church.
Alexander McKay died between 1801 and 1804, in New York City, and his widow married about 1808, Alexander Humphrey, who died about 1821.
Phebe Ann Humphrey was allowed pension on account of the services

of her former husband, Alexander McKay, on her application executed July 15, 1844, while residing in New York City, and aged over eighty-two years.
The widow stated that when her husband, Alexander McKay, died, he left her with nine children, all of whom died shortly after the death of their father. She did not give the names of her children and there are no further family data.
Alexander McKay W.20214
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Alexander McKay (the name also appears as McCay) are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
Alexander McKay enlisted, place not shown, served in Captain Moody's Company of Artillery, Colonel Lamb's Regiment; length of service not shown: it was stated that he was at Fort Montgomery in 1777, where he was taken prisoner and held for ten months before being exchanged; also that when there was an Indian uprising on the borders of Ulster County, New York, he was called out in July or August, 1782 and served eight or ten days in Captain Cornelius Masten's Company, Colonel Jansen's New York Regiment.
The soldier married May 1, 1782, place not stated, Eleanor Graham.
He died in September, 1794 or 1795 (both dates appear) and his widow, Eleanor, married, date not given, Robert Johnston, who died March 13, 1831.
Eleanor Johnston was allowed pension on account of the services of her former husband, Alexander McKay, on her application executed August 31, 1838, at which time she was aged eighty-two years and resided in Shawangunk, Ulster County, New York.
No reference was made to children.
In 1838, one Phebe McCay was aged forty-four years and resided in Shawangunk, New York: no relationship to the family was shown.
In 1838, one Jane Graham, who was born in January, 1767, resided

in New York City and stated that Alexander McKay and Eleanor Graham were married at her father's home, but did not state any relationship and there are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Heit
Rev y
WIDOW, &c.
y.
File No. 20214
His w Eleanor Johnston Widow of Alexander McKay Pr. Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. 4 , Page 381
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1893 March 2 to J & Graham Newburgh V G.S.
Feby 26, 1984— Edson Salisbury Jones Port Chester N.Y.
1934-Aug 13. Hist to Geo Elfie. Letter in case of Alexander McKay 7/19848— EEL

N. York
Eleanor Johnston
let. to Hon. N. Jones 11. March 1839 to Elmhurst Seas 31. Dec. 1839
Act July 1836

"Saffell's Records of Revolutionary War" (which Aultberger has), gives some of these facts also; page 173.

War Department Pension Office March 11. 1839
Sir,
The papers of M rs Eleanor Johnston, formerly widow of Alexander M c Cord, have been examined, and filed. Of the date of the claimant's marriage there is no satisfactory proof. It must be shown that there is no record thereof in the Church or Town where it took place, before parole evidence can be received. It is alleged that the claimant was married in 1782. Her husband quit the service in 1779. The claim therefore is not embraced by the act of July 4. 1836; but seems to be provided for by the act of July 7. 1838.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your Ob dt . Servt. J. L. Edwards
Hon. Nath l Jones Warwick N. York

Smith,
addendum
Eliz McKay.
Eleanor Johnson
In Cal. J. S. order to Capt. C. S. O. Oct. 1782
W m Jonathan Sears - present

State of New York Sullivan County
Be it Known, that Jacob Masten, a resident of the Town of Mamakating, County and State aforesaid, aged Seventy Eight years on the 20 th day of December last, personally appeared before me James Sevens a justice of the peace in Said County aforesaid, and made oath in due form of law, that he was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and belonged to Col. Jansens Regt. in Ulster County, that According to the best of this deponants Recollection, in the year 1781 or 1782. but thinks it was in the year 1781 1782. in the month of July or August, the Indians came on the frontiers in the Said County of Ulster, in the place called Wanwarsing, and burnt out the Inhabitants, there was a general alarm, Col. Jansens Regt. was all ordered out, and this deponant was out on Said alarm, and was well acquainted with the late Alexander M c Gay, who was also a member of Said Regt. and this deponant well Recollects of the Said M c Gay being out doing duty as a Soldier on Said Alarm, the men marched over the Mountain to Wanwarsing, at Vannooy's Fort, and from there we pursued the Indians to the place Called Pauspachtown, the distance of about fifty Miles, and then returned home, and were dismissed, and this deponant thinks that the troops were out at least eight or ten days on Said alarm, and further saith not Sworn to and Subscribed Jacob Masten this 3 rd day of December 1839. Before me
James Sevens justice of the peace
I do Certify that Jacob Masten who made the foregoing affidavit, I have been personally acquainted with for forty years last past, and that I believe him to be a credable witness intencing to state nothing under oath but what are facts.
James Sevens justice of the peace

State of New-York } Sullivan County } ss
Joseph Ellis a resident of the Town of Mamakating, County and State aforesaid, aged 48 years personally appeared before me James Sevens a justice of the peace in Said County aforesaid, and made oath in due form of law, that he went to the residence of Andrew King, in Orange County for the purpose of examining the records of marriages made by the Rev. Andrew King in his life time, and on examining Said records found a vacancy in Said records from 1784 to 1787, that no marriages had been entered, and after examining those that had been entered, carefully, could not find any entry made of the marriage of Alexander M c Eay and Eleanor Graham and further says not
Sworn and Subscribed
Joseph Ellis
this 30. day of April 1839
Before me
JAMES SEVENS justice of the peace
I do certify that Joseph Ellis who made the foregoing Affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief
JAMES SEVENS justice of the peace
State of New-York } Sullivan County } ss
I Darius Martin Clerk of Said County do hereby certify that James Deuring Byr before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace residing in Said County commissioned & sworn And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and believe his signature to the same to be genuine. — In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County this 8 th day of Dec r 1839 Darius Martin Clerk

State of New York; Sullivan County & ss.
Jacob Mastin a Resident of the Town of Mamakating County and State aforesaid aged Twenty Eight years who being duly Sworn ac- cording to law Says That he has heretofore made an affidavit as to the Services of the late Alexander McCay in the war of the revolution and in Order to give the Officers names under whom said Service was done and to give the dates more particular doth further Say on his Oath at the time the Indians came on the frontiers and burnt out the inhabitants at Wanwansing in Ul- ster County that it took place in or about the time of gathering Harvest in the latter part of the Month of July or the forepart of August in 1782 This deponent well recollects when the Troops marched over the Mountain to Wanwansing there was a number of Buildings and Stacks of grain that had been set on fire by the Indians. That was Still Smoking and that this took place near the close of the war, from the fact of his not recollecting of any general alarm on the frontiers after that. and this serves to refresh the memory of this deponent that this alarm took place in the last year of the war 1782 and that Colonel Johnson had the command of the men and that Cornelius Mastin who was uncle to this deponent had the command of the Company in which the said Alexander

McCoy was in and served under during said alarm But this deponent cannot say that he was commissioned as a Captain But he had charge and commanded the company and was called Captain Mastin and further saith not
Sworn to and Subscribed
Before me this 7th day
of January 1840
Jacob Mastin
Oliver Mills justice of the Peace
I the said Justice do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Jacob Mastin who subscribed and was sworn to the above affidavit and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and Belief Oliver Mills justice of the Peace
I Rufus Palen of Sullivan Co. New York do certify that Oliver Mills before whom the above dep- osition was taken is reputed to be a justice of the Peace, residing in the town of Mamakaten Sullivan Co. NY, and that I believe the signature to be genuine
Washington City House Representation January 16. 1840
Rufus Palen

V 4,30.1
M 1478 Eleanor Johnston formerly widow of Alex. McKay
M d May 1. 1782 H d and Sept 1794
Also McKay
Enlisted Jan 1777 } N.C. Dis. 31 Dec. 1779 } 3-
Col Lamb - N. H. Capt And Moody - In Vol 3. - - Capt Muskin in 1782 - Admitted Private of Artillery 2 years
Chatham. Scurry Co. Present

State of New York Ulster County ss:
I, John Fingarlock of the County of Ulster do hereby certify that Abraham T. Deyo Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits of Eleanor T. Deyo, Abraham Wood, Jane Graham & Philip McCay purport to have been subscribed & taken and who also subscribed the foregoing certificates as to the character of said deponents was at the time of the respective dates of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County & duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Judge and truly believe his signing to the said several Affidavits and Certificates are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court & County this 3 rd day of October 1838
John Fingarlock

WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS, NEWBURGH, N.Y. J.T. HEADLEY, PRES'T. J.G. GRAHAM, SEC'Y.
SECRETARY'S OFFICE City of Newburgh, Feby. 23 d 1953
Dear Mr. Douglass.
My dear Friend.
I was glad my son called to pay his respects to you when in Washington -
You may advise in getting some information for my daughter who desires to join a society of "daughters of the Revolution" in New York, and needs the proper documents and proofs.
My Mother's father was Alexander McKay, or McCray & it was sometimes spelled McKay . In a book published by our State entitled "New York in the Revolution" Alex McKay is given as McCray , in Capt Andrew Moodie's Comp of Lamb's Reg't of Artillery, - enlisted May in 1777 - beyond wounds in body &

at Fort Clinton, Oct. 6, 1777 - Farmer, Mount of Montgomery, then in Ulster Co - - They desire also, his place of Nativity, and age at enlistment, & date death & where, which - My grandmother whose name became Eleanor Johnston, having married Richard Tenn, obtained a U.S. Pension for his services. Some years before 1837 Her application for Pension will probably give these particulars to him which we need - Specially concerning - Will you have 2 certified copies of this application made as I may want to join the "Sons" myself, and also a statement that a Pension certificate was issued to her thereon & giving her residence also (then Shaw en- -glish Ulster Co.) - and have them sent to me as soon as you conveniently can, as she is staying in New York for a few weeks now - - Our Mr. Rotherham says such papers are on file in the War Dept. - In return I will promise to help you around when you visit Richmond. Yrs sincerely, James G. Graham

Port Chester, N.Y., Jan. 28, 1904.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
I desire to obtain all the Revolutionary services of Alexander McCay (the surname was variably spelled McCay, McCoy, McKay, McKey, &c.) that are shown by the Pension Records. He was a resident of Montgomery, Ulster Co. (afterward Orange Co.), New York; was examined for a pension in 1788; and was at least a Bombadier in Capt. Moodie's Co., 2d Regiment of Artillery, Col. Lamb; and probably was in other Regiments.
Should the records show his birthplace, date of birth, place of death, and date of death, as well as other residences than that above stated, I shall be pleased to have such information.
The date and place of his death is unknown to me at present, but I judge that it should be disclosed by the records.
His widow, Eleanor (who afterward married a man named Johnson), is said to have drawn a pension for his services. As it has been stated that there was much delay in her receiving it, I judge it was under an Act of Congress passed after his death. I shall be pleased to know how long she received this pension, as her date of death is unknown, and I am in hope that the records will disclose it. At some period after the death of her husband, Alexander McCay, she was a resident of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Very respectfully yours,
Edson Salisbury Jones

Port Chester, N.Y., Jan. 28, 1904.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
I beg to make the following inquiries concerning obtaining information from the Pension Records, as to Revolutionary soldiers:-
(1) Will information from the said records be given by personal application at the Pension Bureau?
(2) Can information from said records be more speedily obtained by personal application at the Bureau than by writing for it?
(3) By personal application at the bureau, would I be allowed to examine pension papers, and to make extracts therefrom, or copies thereof?
(4) If I would not be allowed to examine all the papers relating to a pensioner, would I be allowed to trace his signature on any one of them, if such signature appeared?
(5) Is there any limit to the number of pensioners as to whose records one may receive information, by personal or by written applications?
(6) "New York in the Revolution" (2d edition), page 8, refers to Col. Ainsworth as having examined the records of service now in the Comptroller's Office, in Albany, and as having "had the same transcribed and placed in the records of the War Department," so that the names "will now appear to the credit of New York in the government's record of the Revolutionary War, soon to be published." This statement also appeared in the first edition of the book named, under date of November, 1898. I beg to inquire if the Government's record of the Revolutionary War referred to is now in process of publication? If not, about how soon may the first volume of it be expected to issue?
The reason for the foregoing inquiries is that I have quite a number of men in whom I am interested, who served, or may have served in the Revolution, and I desire to obtain as speedily as possible all information of them that is disclosed by the Pension Records. If a visit and personal application to the Bureau will hasten matters, I wish to avail myself of it.
Very respectfully yours,
Edson Salisbury Jones

Outer
Port Chester, N.Y., Mar. 28, 1904.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
I am in receipt of your favor of the 12th inst, in reply to my queries as to how long Eleanor Johnston, former widow of Alexander McKay (or McCay) drew a pension for his services in the Revolution, in which favor I am referred to the Auditor of the Interior Department, with a citation of the Certificate of the last payment to her, apparently known to your Bureau, as follows:-
"Certificate No. 3, 177, Act of July 4, 1836, issued January 17, 1840, New York agency."
I have applied to the Auditor for the information disclosed by said certificate.
As one purpose of my inquiries is to ascertain the date and place of death of the said Eleanor Johnston, and as the "New York agency" is referred to in the above citation, I am led to suppose that the books of the "New York agency" may show the date and place of her death.
I now beg to inquire if the books of this agency are extant, and if so, whom I shall address to obtain a knowledge of their contents in this matter?
Very respectfully,
Edson Salisbury Jones