Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6336, for Willett Leaycraft, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Leaycraft Willett
R. 6336
CONTENTS

Office of the Plumber Journal Plumber. (L. I.) Jan. 19, 1852.
Some few years since an old soldier by the name of Willet Leaycraft, a resident of this town, made application to for a pension. The application was denied on some technical objections the nature of which is not now known or remembered. Both Leaycraft and his wife are now dead, and having left surviving one daughter in indifferent circumstances, resident in our town, and now the wife of Moses Foulke, to whom the arrears of pension would be a present relief.
Mindful persons, acting as their legal agents have addressed inquiries to the heirs of said Leaycraft, respecting powers of attorney to receive his pension. They are would unwilling to grant any such power, and have solicited me to write to the Pension Department for such information as will put them on the right track to secure the pension.
Willet Leaycraft entered the served in the Revolutionary War, and entered the service at the age of 16. He was married in 1790. He was afterwards a pilot and in the last war visited the United States and Macedonian through the "Gate."
I shall be much obliged for whatever information you may communicate, that will facilitate the recovery of the pension. I have no interest whatever in asking this information, other than in rendering a service to a worthy family.
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant
C. R. Lincoln
Editor Plumber Journal
N. B. If Leaycraft shall be entitled to a pension, and his claim legally established, what about what amount will be coming to his heirs?

28. 277. 6336
Willett Leycraft New York
Return for
Specification ref. Feb 22 '34
B. H. Thompson Esq. Newstead (L.S.) New York Hon James Lamb (dead) Newtown Queens Co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
18. Nov. 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjuncted notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Willett Keycraft
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1780 November Dragoon Artillerist Capt. Hovey Col. Thomas, Thomas no specific value 64 years The Witness Samuel Young, Not Certified to be credible - see Note j.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
+ There is no evidence in the Department that Capt. Hemywell was in service engaged in the service without a commission for

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

28277
In the matter of Pillett Leycross an applicant for a Pension under the act of con- =gress 7 th June 1832-
and last known residence of the said Pillett Leycross the year 1831 since the end of the War of 1812 Defendant Fleming in that in the latter part of
some of the... ac... of the... taken

State of New York West Chester County ss. Samuel Youngs of the Town of Town of White Plains in the said County being duly sworn saith that during the whole of the Revolutionary War (excepting about one year) he Resided in the said County and during almost the whole of that time he was actively engaged in the service of the United States on the American lines in the said County of West Chester. That the Militia of the said County were obliged almost continually to be kept embodied and under arms in order to protect themselves against the depredating Parties of the British Refugees who were in possession of the Southern parts of the said County. That a Captain Israel Honeywell commanded a Company of Light Horse of Volunteers who equipped themselves with Swords and pistols Horses and other things necessary for Horsemen. The said Volunteers were composed chiefly of those Wig inhabitants who had fled from the South part of the said County. That during the time that the Department was a guide to the Continental Troops Stationed on the said lines. The said Capt Israel Honeywell frequently joined his said Company of Volunteers with the Contin- tal Troops and and proceeded with them in several Expeditions — against the said British Refugees who . That the said Capt. Honeywell and his Company was very useful in protecting the Wig Inhabitants who resided near the said American lines from the plundering parties of the said British Refugees That he well Remembers to have seen the said Capt. Honeywell with his Company of Volunteer Horsemen in the years of 1780 and in the year 1781 and also in the year 1782. That he is well acquainted with Willet Leaycraft The Deponent mentioned in the an- nexed application for a Pension. That the said Willet Leaycraft at the Commencement of the American Revolutionary War Removed with his Fathers Family from the South part of the said County on the approach of the British Troops and resided during the remainder of the said War in a few Miles above the said American lines in the said County and was always known to be a firm and active friend to the cause of Liberty. That his Brother George Leaycraft was a Capt in Col Van Cortlandts Regiment and served until the end of the said War And the Deponent further saith that he has the fullest belief that the said Willet Leaycraft served as a Volunteer Horseman in the said Capt Israel Honeywells Company from sometime in the Spring of the year 1781 until the end of the Revolution Deponent Remembers that in the latter part of

beginning of the spring of 1782 he the Deponent was Israel Honeywell on an Expedition against the said British Refugees in the quarters in South part of the said County. That then being with the Con- tinental Troops on the said lines joined the said Capt Honeywell with about one hundred and fifty other Volunteer horsemen. That they captu- red about thirty four of the said British Refugees and a number of their horses. That the said Israel Honeywell died about twenty years ago.
That the said Willet Laycraft has recently made enquiry of this Deponent whether he knew how he could obtain the list or Roll of the Names of the Men that composed the said Company. but the De- ponent was unable to give the said Willet any information respecting the list or Roll of the names of the Persons that composed the said Company.
That the Deponent has endeavoured some to discover some of them who he knew to have served in said Company but has been unable to discover any any such person now living excepting the said Willet Laycraft. And that he the Deponent verily believes that the said Willet Laycraft is the only Person now living that composed the said Company and the Deponent further saith that he verily believes that the said Willet Laycraft served the as a Soldier of the Revolution any War in the said Capt Israel Honeywell's Company of Horse during the time mentioned in his said Declaration.
Sworn and Subscribed this 25 th day of January 1833
before me
M. Tompkins Comr of Deeds
Sam l Youngs
I Certify That Samuel Youngs who has been hereunto sworn to me is a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County of Westchester State of New York duly qualified and sworn to me this 25 th day of January 1833
M. Tompkins Comr of Deeds.
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester, State of New York do hereby certify that M. Tompkins whose name is sub- scribed to the foregoing affidavit is a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County aforesaid duly appointed & sworn and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Commissioner and believe the signature subscribed to the same as his, is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 25 th day of January 1833
N. Bayles Clerk of Westchester County

State of New York } County of Queens } ss:
On this 19 th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of common pleas of the County of Queens, and State of New York, (being a court of record, so constituted by an Act of the Legislature of the State of New York) Willett Leycraft, a resident of the Town of Flushing in the said county of Queens, who being sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he was born in the Town of Westchester in the County of Westchester and State of New York in the year 1784, and is now 68 years of age. That in the month of November 1700 at the age of 16 years, he entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer in a company of Horse — commanded by Captain Israel Honeywell; and stationed near the American Lines, in the said County of Westchester (the outposts of which were at Pine's Bridge over the Croton River) of which company David Hunt was Lieutenant; and this declarant thinks the said company were attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Thomas. The declarant continued to serve regularly in the said company (as a private only) until the news of peace was received, which was in the Fall of the year 1782. That the duty which the said company performed was guarding the several roads and passes in that part of the country, for the purpose of preventing the inroads of
Deponent Remembers that in the latter part of

beginning of the Spring of 1782 he the Deponent was Israel Honey with on an Expedition against the said Northern Refugees in the
the marching parties of the British from making excursions into the country to plunder the people and preventing the disaffected inhabitants (who resided north of the Lines) from sending horses, cattle and other provisions to the British Troops, who had possession of the city and county of New York and the Southern parts of the county of Westchester; and also to give immediate alarm, on discovering any party of British Troops attempting to penetrate farther up the country - That the Declarant and his company generally spent their nights with occupying the roads and places, where the British scouting and foraging parties would be most able and likely to pass - That he was thus constantly employed for a term of full two years - That he was not in garrisons, but employed always in the field with a horse and accoutrements furnished at his own expence -
And this Declarant further states that he has no record of his age, nor knows of any but believes his age to be as above stated, from information derived from his Parents and the recollection of his having entered the service of his country in the 18 th year of his age - That he continued to reside in the said county of Westchester till about the year 1805, from whence he removed to Long Island, and has continued to reside in Town of Hempstead, Nassau county ever since, and has been employed for many years as one of the Hell-gate Portage Pilots - That the said Capt. Honeywell and all who served with Declarant in his company, are either deceased or removed to parts

unknown, so that he has been wholly unable to procure any statements or evidence from any of them - That he has made diligent inquiry of the children of Captain Honeywell, for the purpose of obtaining if possible the roll or other written document, containing the names of those who composed the said company under his command; but no such evidence can be found among his descendants.
Declarant further states that he never had any commission or appointment in writing of his membership of the company, to which he belonged; nor was any written discharge given to him, his service being terminated by the peace, when hostilities immediately ceased between the British and American troops on those lines. That he has not been able to find any person living to whom his services in the Revolution were in any wise known except Samuel Young whose affidavit is hereto annexed, and to whom the declarant begs leave to refer.
And the Declarant further states that the nature of the service in which he was engaged and the situation of the company to which he was attached, gave him very little opportunity of seeing or becoming acquainted with any of the general officers of the American Army, He however well remembers to have seen Col. Brown and Genl Lee in the said county of Westchester, but had no opportunity of being acquainted with them personally.
And Declarant further says he is not acquainted with any Clergyman now living
Declarant Remembers that in the latter part of

beginning of the spring of 1782 he the deponent was with the said British troops in the
to whom his age or his revolutionary services are in anywise known either from their personal knowledge or by reputation - he is therefore compelled to forego the certificate of a clergyman, and rely upon the affidavits of other persons who have known him for many years, and have understood and believe that he was a soldier in the revolution -
And the Declarant hereby relinquishes any 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 known and subscribed by the day and year affirmed in open court Samuel Sherman Clerk
Willett Lacycraft
We Samuel Willett and John Fowler residing in the Town of Flushing and county of Queens, and State of New York do certify that we have been for many years intimately acquainted with Willett Lacycraft who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration - That we believe him to be of the age of 67 years or thereabouts - That he has always been respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we fully concur in that opinion. And moreover that we consider the said Willett Lacycraft a man of truth and veracity, and that any Declaration by his revolutionary services made by him may be relied upon as correct and true.

known and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel H. Willett
Samuel Sherman Clerk {
John Fowler
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after settling 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 certify that it appears to them that Samuel Willett and John Fowler - who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the said Town of Hempstead, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Per curiam.
Samuel Sherman Clerk
I Samuel Sherman Clerk of the court of common Pleas of the County of Queens, and State of New York; do certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Willett Luyckoff for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have here- to set my hand and seal of office the 19 th day of Feby. 1883
Samuel Sherman Clerk of Queens County Com. Pleas
from year 1701 until the end of the Revolutionary Department Remembers that in the latter part of

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
6336.
P. O. _____
Willett Lycraft
Service: _____
Willett Lycraft
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

NY. Oct 30 add proof Willet Leycraft
Fee.
to Schuyler Ely Com. of Pension Washington City Dist. Columbia

Amesbury Oct. 27. 1834.
Sir.
I have handed your letter to Mr Leycraft & he has this day returned it to me with the enclosed affidavit from Col. Samuel Young, in the hope that the doubt now entertained in relation to the Statement of his Services in the Revolutionary Army may be cleared up. He seems very reluctant to relinquish his claim, feeling conscious that he is fully deserving of a pension, & without it will find a serious difficulty in supporting himself during the remnant of his earthly existence. I sincerely believe that owing to his age & very considerable infirmities together with loss of memory, that it is next impossible for him to detail at this day, a connected narrative of dates, persons & events - and this I presume must be frequently the case with persons who have arrived at that period of life (as is the fact) with most of those who served in the war of the Revolution. Col. Young is said to be one of the most respectable men in Westchester, as Genl. Wood can inform you. He knew Mr Leycraft & has no doubt of his having served in the Army as he states, but it is morally impossible for him to say a great deal with much certainty. The pension to which he is entitled is small & cannot of course last long, and if you feel persuaded that he has brought his proofs within the act of congress & the rules of the Department, I hope there will be no further delay in granting the old man the boon which he so anxiously seeks. I found great difficulty in drawing up his original Statement to get at the fact, owing to confusion in his memory as to dates & events, and I may not have been so fortunate as to get at what he intended exactly.

Men who were in conversation at the period as Col. Burr, were more or less known to all, & he may have seen him, without being able to distinguish or recollect precisely the particular period. The service as far as I understand in which Mr. Leycraft was engaged was of an irregular kind; but the men em- ployed were pressed continually, & would be called out in any exigency; therefore but such service was as necessary & useful as any, & calculated for the time & situation where they served.
It is his request that I may have an early answer to this communication -
I remain yours very respectfully, B. F. Thompson

Willet Laycraft
Thursday July 24
Free.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City Dist: Columbia.

Dumfries July 23 d 1834.
Sir.
I now enclose you two additional affidavits, which I hope will remove the difficulties & supply the omissions adverted to in your letter of the 12 th June last.
Be so good as to make a speedy decision upon the case & forward the reunion certificate to me - Yours respectfully B.F. Thompson
3
Thos. ...

Flushing cry June 10
Yes
June 12 th 1832
for
The Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Hempstead NY. June 9. 1834.
Sir.
I return the papers in the case of Mr Leycraft, together with an additional Affidavit duly certified of John Hyatt; which it is hoped will remove all difficulties in relation to his application for a Pension.
It is well known to the War Department that many and almost insuperable difficulties exist in the procuring of that sort of proof which is required upon the trial of a cause, especially in consequence of the lapse of time, death of witnesses, loss of documents &c. - Mr Leycraft is advanced in age, is very infirm, and much in need of the benefits which a pension would afford, and is sincerely to be hoped the additional proof now furnished will remove the objections which heretofore existed.
If the testimony now furnished is not satisfactory, it will be impossible for him to do any thing more - I hope it may be sufficient.
Yours respectfully B. F. Thompson
Jamaica, Queens Co. N. Y. June 9 th 1834
Sir
I have for a number of years been personally acquainted with Millet Leecraft, the above named applicant for a pension, and I fully concur in the above statement made by Benjamin F. Thompson Esq.
Most Respectfully yours &c Samuel Sherman
Hon James L. Edwards } Commissioner of Pension.
Clerk, Queens County N. Y.

To be Copied and returned to C.H. Rutt,
J L Edward Commisr of Pensions
B. F. Thompson Esq. Hempstead (L.I.) New York
Willis Leycroft.

War Department Pension Office 19 th Sept. 1834
Sir
By referring to my letter of the 12 th June last, you will perceive that Willett Leycraft was required to specify each term of service in Capt Honeywells company of mounted volunteer militia: agreeably to the regulations. In his supplemental statement no such specification is furnished, but on the contrary he alleges generally that he was two years in Honeywells Company, from September or October '81, to the close of the War. It cannot be admitted that volunteer militia were in actual service till October 1783 which was six months after the proclamation of peace. Honeywells company, as far as any information has been obtained, respecting its service, was called out (perhaps more frequently) as the other companies of Thomas' left whenever the occasion required, & dispersed to their respective places of abode when the emergency ceased. Col Burr was not in the service in Westchester at the time he alleges to have

seen him. From the time this claimant entered the company to the period when the service of the militia ceased, it is difficult to believe that its actual service in the field as an embodied & organized corps amounted to six months.
I am Respectfully Your Obt Servt J L Edwards
To Mr. Meyer.
When copied return this letter to C.H. Rhetts
W F Thompson Esq Hempstead (L I) N York

State of New York Westchester County ss. Sam l Youngs of the Town of White Plains in the said County of Westchester being sworn saith that he has perused a letter of Mr. J s Edwards ad d res d to B. F. Thompson Esq r on the subject of an Application for a pension for Willett Laycraft. Alledging that the said Willett did not state in a particular manner the number of times he served in Capt s Honeywell's Company and the length of each term. That from the knowledge of the deponent of the manner those services were performed he deems it utterly impossible for the said Laycraft to comply with such requi- sition. That the said Willett is now old and nearly Blind and otherwise very infirm and cannot as this deponent believes make out a plain Statement of his services. That the deponent well recollects while he the deponent was in service in Wussfelds Regiment on the American lines in said County to often seen the said Capt s Honeywell with a Number his Men embodied and well Armed as Horsemen traversing those lines and frequently returning from expeditions they had made to the enemies lines. That this deponent Verily believes that many of the Horsemen that was under the said Capt s Honeywell served more than two years on those lines That he was on several excursions to the Enemies out Posts and Capt s Honeywell with a Number of his Horse men served with them and was very useful on such excursions. That deponent on conversing with the said Laycraft has observed that the memory of the said Laycraft was very much impaired. That on his mentioning the Name of Col d Burr to the said Laycraft he observed that he well remembered him but had never served under him nor did he intend so to state his services in his Declaration. That Col d Burr  was at the head of Deponents Father during his command which commenced in the fall of the year 1778 and ended in the Spring of the year 1779.
Sworn and subscribed this 2 nd 1834 before me Jacob Forster Com d of deeds etc
Sam l Youngs

Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester State of New York do hereby certify that Jacob Fosberg whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the within affidavit of Samuel Youngs is a commissioner of Seals in and for said County duly for appointed sworn and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Commissioner and believe the signature subscribed thereto as his to be genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 24 th day of October 1834
N. Bayles Clerk
In the matter of Nathaniel Bayles Affidavit of Saml Youngs Clerk of Westchester

State of New York 3 Westchester County ss
Samuel Youngs of the Town of White Plains in the said County being duly sworn saith that in addition to what he has heretofore stated in relation to the claim of Willit Langcraft for a Pension. That Israel Honeywell during four or five years of the latter part of the Revolutionary War commanded a Company of Horse that was Stationed on the American lines in the said County. That the said company continued to serve on that Station until some time in the Winter of the year 1783. That they had at times to guard those lines for months when the Continental Troops were withdrawn from those lines and also when the Continental Troops were on the said lines the said Captain Honeywells Company was very active in guarding those private ways frequently used by the Rogue Thieves and Small parties of the British Refugees That he was on those lines during almost the whole of that time employed as a guide to the Continental Troops or as a 2 nd in Col d Warmfells Regiment that he was frequently on Parties with the said Capt d Honeywell while he commanded the said company and well recollects that he had under his command thirty or forty Horsemen under his command well mounted and equipped but cannot at this time recollect the names of his men nor their times of Service but he has always understood and still believes that the said company was almost all their time on duty; that when one party returned another was immediately sent out that the American lines after the House of Joseph Youngs was burnt by the British, extended from the Connecticut line by the way of Bedford and Boston River to the Hudsons River and that the said Capt d Honeywell was one one of the most active and useful men on those lines that he was one of the Committee of Safety of the said County and that he kept his company

my together visited about the time the news of peace arrived in New York that he was at the House of Hoveyville a Number times while he borrowed of the said company
Sworn and subscribed before me this 22 d July 1834
Sam Young
Jacob Fishay Comm r of Deeds
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester State of New York do hereby certify that Jacob Fishay before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn to, and who has subscribed the same thereto is a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County - duly appointed and sworn and I am well acquainted with his handwriting and believe that his signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof, I have affixed the Seal of said County and subscribed my name this 22 d day of July 1834
N Bayles

State of New York
County of Queens } ss: Willett Leycraft of the Town of Flushing in said county, an applicant for a Pension under the act of congress of the 7 th June 1832, as supplementary to the facts contained in his Declaration heretofore made and now on file in the Pension Office of the War Department, being duly sworn says, that according to the best of his recollection and belief, he entered the service of his country during the Revolutionary war, in the month of September or October 1781, at a place called Scrub-oak Plains, in the county of West- chester, in a company commanded by Captain Israel Honeywell, and continued in the service as a Light-Horse-man, for the period of two years without interruption; and that during his said term of service, the company in which this deponent served was confined within the said county between the Connecticut line & the north or Hudson River, except occasionally when the British army approached, the company would retreat into the State of Connecticut, and when the continental troops were not near to protect them - and that the principal duty assigned to the said company in which this deponent served, was to protect the country from the ravages of the British & Tories, and to give any necessary information to the commanding officer near the lines, of the approach of the Enemy or of any depredations upon the property of the inhabitants - That the said company being an outpost of the American Army, the duty was a very arduous one; and required them to be both day and night upon the alert - And further deponent says not.
Sworn before me this
23 rd July 1834.
Platt Willets Com r of Jdges
Willett Leycraft

I Samuel Sherman Clerk of the county of Ingham State of Michigan do hereby certify that Platt Willets Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn to, and who has subscribed the Inat thereto, is a commissioner of Deeds in and for the said county - duly appointed and sworn; and I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and believe that his signature therein is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of the said county and subscribed my name the 28 th July 1834 -
Samuel Sherman Clk

New York Willett Geyser Rev. N.Y.
Suspended Set to B. F. Thompson June 12. 1834.
See Set to B. F. Thompson 19 Sept 1834 " " to same Dec 9. 1834 C. R. Lincoln 27 th May 1853.
Act 7 Jan '32

Jan: 21/53
Rel: to case of Willett Leavcraft and his widow etc.
Commission of Pensions Pension Office Washington City D.C.
C.R. [unclear] Washington D.C.

State of New York - 3 Westchester County ss 3
I John Hyatt of the Town of York Town in the County of Westchester and State of New York being known saith that some time in the Month of October in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one he enlisted in a Company of Light Horse which had been raised on and near the American lines in the County of Westchester and commanded by Captain Israel Honeywell. The said Company was composed chiefly of those Persons who had been driven from their places of Residence in the Southern parts of the said County of Westchester to places above the American lines in said County that he still has a perfect recollection of a Number of the Persons who composed that Company but in many cases has forgotten their Christian names. That he has recently understood that Willett Laycraft is still living on Long Island near the White Plains Ferry in the Town of Greenburgh County of Westchester that he has this day seen Charles Charles Madley who with his Brothers William and Willett Laycraft had as he then understood enlisted in said Company a short time before. That he the Deponent served in the said Company from the time of his said enlistment until the end of the Revolutionary War and that he fully believes that the said Charles Madley and his Brothers Willett Laycraft also served in the said Company from the time of their enlistment until the end of the said War. That the duty they had to perform was to guard the several roads leading to the British out Posts and in a particular manner to guard the private roads and ways frequently used by the plundering parties of the British Refugees and the disaffected inhabitants who often endeavoured to send supplies to the British Troops and at all times to join any  when any expedition against the British Refugees in Morristown New Jersey in which cases many of our Company acted as guides to the Continental Troops and that from what he then understood and yet believes to be true that the said Capt Honeywell raised his Company about two years before the Deponent enlisted in the said Company
Sworn and subscribed this twenty fourth day of May 1831 before me
J. H. Hyatt
Drake Conklin J. P.
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the late above named John Hyatt who sworn to and subscribed the above Affidavit and that said John Hyatt is entitled to full credit
Drake Conklin J. P.

I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of West-Chester State of New York. do hereby certify that Drake Conklin Esq r . before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn to, and who has subscribed the Jurat thereto - is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and sworn, and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and believe the signature subscribed thereto as his & the Certificate of Character following are genuine
In testimony whereof. I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County and subscribed my name this 27 th day of May 1834
N Bayles Clerk

Col Lamb's Artillery Regt.
Leaycraft, William
P.O. Box 1267-200 South Issued July 6, 1790 No papers.