Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,590, for John Lower, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
or Lower, John Lauer.
W. 21.590
Magdalena
CONTENTS
2

Report
1406 Albany New York
Magdalena Lorer widow of John Lorer or Lauer who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March , 1848.
1st April, Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of August 48 and sent to
Wm. L. Goff Member of Congress
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 118 Vol. 4

New York 32592.
John L Dower or Lauer of Onondaga in the State of New York who was a Private in the Com. commanded by Captain House of the Regt commanded by Col. Cook in the Revolution for 2 years
Reported
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Nov. 1847, and sent to G. H. Dats Esq. Albany, New York
Arrears to the 4th of Pensional allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. D. Runkin Clerk, Book E 2 Vol. 4 Page 43.

31 st November 1790 was baptized a small child named Elma Lauer - born 26 th October 1790,
Her parents are
John Lauer living in Palatine, and Magdalena Lauer
Baptismal Witnesses
Conrad Lauer
Anna Lauer
Attested by
Henry Dysslin
Pastor the Reformed Church in Palatine
Griegel

State of New York } County of Onondaga } ss:
On this twenty fifth day of May 1847, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Onondaga, now sitting, John Sower , a resident of the town of Manlius in said County - and he being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he was born, as his parents informed him, and as was recorded in his father's family Bible, on the 17 th day of July in the year one thousand seven hundred & sixty (1760) at the residence of his said parents in what was then termed the District of Palatine in the then County of Tryon now County of Montgomery in said State. The family record aforesaid he cannot now find, and he has no record of his age.
When he this Declarant was sixteen years of age (that is, in the year 1776) he was enrolled in the Company of militia in said District commanded by Captain Christian House, in the Regiment of Colonel Jacob Clock. John Timmerman was a Subaltern Officer (a Lieutenant or Ensign) in said Company when this Declarant was enrolled in the same, but died before this Declarant was taken prisoner as herein after stated. The names of the other Company and field Officers he served under he cannot now distinctly call to mind.
This Declarant after his enrollment as aforesaid engaged in several expeditions as a spy and a scout with detachments of militia from said Regiment. These expeditions were many in number, but were each of short duration, a few days each - whenever and wherever it was reported parties of the enemy were lurking, then and there the expeditions were ordered & performed service. But this Declarant cannot possibly specify or give a detailed statement of the length of each tour. Besides engaging in these expeditions, he performed garrison duty at Fort-House, a fort situated about seven miles from the residence of this Declarant. While thus engaged

on a certain occasion as herein after specified, he was carried by the enemy into captivity & detained as a prisoner for three years and eight months & until so- late a period of the revolutionary war, that the services of the militia in his District were no longer in requisition. Hence other than the scouting expeditions aforesaid, and brief spells of garrison duty he had no opportunity of rendering service in the Company to which he belonged or with any detach- ments from said Regiment.
On one of the last days of the month of October, the precise day this Declarant cannot recollect while he this Declarant was performing garrison duty at Fort House aforesaid, he and his father Conrad Lowen were taken prisoner by a party of the enemy. Declarant cannot name the year in which this occurred, but knows that it was the same year & on the day before General Brown was killed, as Declarant understood the fact to be afterwards. Declarant & his father Conrad Lowen, were captured at said Fort or near it, about four o'clock in the afternoon & the next morning early when travelling as prisoners within twelve miles of Stone Arabia, on their way to Canada, they heard the firing of the cannon  troops in the engagement in which General Brown was killed as aforesaid. Declarant & his father were ordered by Captain House commanding said Fort, in the afternoon aforesaid to proceed to the woods nearly a quarter of a mile from said Fort, and procure some fire wood for the use of the garrison. While in the dis- charge of the duty they had been thus detailed to perform, they were surprised and surrounded by the party of the enemy before named. This party consisted of twelve men, one of whom the Commander, was called Lieutenant McCoy. Declarant & his father were unaccompanied by any other soldiers from said garrison, and were too far from it to give the alarm

Overcome by superior numbers were obliged to submit to their fate. On the ninth day after their capture they reached Carlton Island in Canada, at which & other places they remained in captivity for a period of two years and about eight months, when they found an opportunity to escape, and arrived at Rome (now in Oneida County N.Y.) & from thence proceeded in a canoe on the Mohawk river to his place of residence in Palatine aforesaid.
The father of this Declarant, Conrad Lown aforesaid, shortly after the termination of said war purchased several military lots in said County of Onondaga & town of Manlius, on a section of which this Declarant now resides. In consequence of which purchase this Declarant & his said father concluded to take up their residence on said land. Accordingly some few years after the close of said war they removed to said town of Manlius, & here his said father resided till the day of his death, & this Declarant has continued to reside up to the present time; to wit, for a period exceeding sixty years.
Declarant was personally acquainted with very few officers except those before specified under whom he served as aforesaid, and this was partly owing to the fact that he was deprived of opportunities to form such acquaintances in consequence of his being carried away captive to Canada. He never received a written discharge from the service.
He has no documentary evidence & knows of no persons whose testimony he can procure, who or otherwise were personally cognizant of his service or captivity, except those who swear circumstantially to whose affidavits and certificates accompany this Declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state.
And this Declarant further saith, that more than twenty years ago, (the precise time he made no memorandum of & cannot recollect,) he signed papers in the

matter of his application for a pension under some old pension act (which he is informed must have been the act of 18. March 1828) and he shortly after received information from the person who acted as his attorney in that matter, that said application was not entertained & his claim rejected, for reason he does not now recollect. That after the passage of the law of 1832, he conversed with the Hon. Wm Taylor then M.C. Subsequently with others of his friends respecting his claim for a pension, but finding no one offering to prepare his papers, though his friends said they would present them if & when prepared he made no application in form, in consequence. About a year since he became acquainted with Mrs. G. T. Yates who has at length undertaken to prepare his papers & present his claim. Subscribed & sworn to, this day & year first aforesaid in open Court
John Lower
V. W. Smith, Clerk Note the words "within twelve miles of" & "cannon" interlined & "near" & "troop" erased.
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after an investigation of the matter, and after questioning the declarant as to the points detailed in his Declaration, and examining his proofs, that the above named John Lower was a revolutionary soldier & a prisoner of war as he states - that we believe him to be eighty seven years of age.
I V. W. Smith Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Lower for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, this 25th day of May 1847.
V. W. Smith, Clerk.
In the matter of the application of
John Lower
for a pension under the act of 7. June 1832
Declaration
May 25, 1847.
with Court Certificate
J. H. [unintelligible] Attorney
No 1.
John Lower of the County of [unintelligible] State of [unintelligible]

State of New York Onondaga County ss On this 2 nd day of August 1848 personally appeared before me James R Lawrence Judge of Onondaga County Margarita or Sarah Lower a resident of the town of Greenwich County and State aforesaid aged Eighty two years who being by me first 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 bankrupt passed on the 2 nd day of February 1848 granting pensions to Widows of soldiers who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of John Lower deceased who served as a private in the Revolutionary War That all she can now recollect particularly of his services, is that he was a prisoner in Canada That he was a pensioner of the United States, That his pension Certificate is now in her possession and is dated Nov 27 th 1847 and is for eighty Dollars per Month That he died on the first day of April last. That she was married to the said John Lower as soon as she can recollect in the fall of the year 1788 in the town of Palatine in the County of Montgomery and State of New York by a Lutheran of the German Reformed Church by the name of Dyplin That she does not know of any record of her Marriage and that she does not know of any person now living who was present at her Marriage That annulled sheets are two papers which were given to her by the Rev. Mr Dyplin who baptized her two first children which are written as she supposes in the German language and which she believes are certificates of the baptism of her said children That the said papers have been in her possession ever since their date That she is unable

to read said paper, having never learned to read That no family except her own been kept in family other Then that none permitted That she still remains the widow of the said Lower, That the name given her by her parents was Magdalena but that she has always been called Lana
I certify that the declarant Magdalena Lower, this day appeared before me in open Court & subscribed & made oath to truth of the foregoing declaration That I know her & that she is a credible person Dated August 2 d . 1848 - James R Lawrence Judge of Onondaga County, State of New York
her Magdalena X Lower mark
I further certify that the said Magdalena Lower is unable to write her name, never having learned to write James R Lawrence Judge of Onondaga County N.Y.

Den 6 ten Octobris 1792. ist in der Kirche der reformirten Gemeinde in Palatine Town getauft worden ein Ehliches Kind, namens:
Eva Elisabeth Lauer  gebohren gebohren den 18 ten Febr. 1792.
Dessen Eltern sind:
Johannes Lauer, und Magdalena Lauer, gebohrne Philips.
Tauf Zeugen waren:
Dietrich Lauer, und Margretha Fehling.
Solches bezeuget zur Steuer der Wahrheit.
Joh: Henry Dysslin Starrer
Palatine, Montgomery County, the 6 th Febr. 1792.
Elizabeth Lauer was born, in Palatine.

Den 31. Novembris 1790. wurde getauft ein Ehrliches Kind, namens: Anna Lauer , gebohren den 26. Octobris 1790. Seine Eltern sind
Johannes Lauer, wohnhaft in Palatine und Magdalena Lauer.
Tauf Zeugen waren Conrad Lauer. Anna Lauer.
Solches bezeugt
Heinrich Dypplin Pfarrer der reformirten Gemeinde in Palatine - Town

State of New York Onondaga County ss
John A Balsig of the town of Manlius being duly sworn at the deposition and say that he is sixty three years of age that he is well acquainted with Laura Lower widow of John Lower deceased that he has known her and her residence ever since the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety five that this deponent came to the town of Manlius in that year and has resided there ever since that the said Laura Lower was then living with her husband John Lower in said town that they had then two children the eldest of which was then three or four years of age as he should judge that the said John Lower and the said Laura have lived together as husband and wife ever since in the said town of Manlius until about the first of April last when the said John Lower died that the said John Lower was at the time of his decease a pensioner of the United States as this deponent was informed and believes, and further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 2 nd day of August 1848 and I certify that the deponent is a credible person
John Balsig
James R Lawrence Judge of Onondaga County N. York

State of New York Onondaga County ss
Erastus Ward of the town of Manlius in said County being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is now sixty two years of age and upwards that he is well acquainted with Sarah Lower widow of John Lower deceased that this deponent came with his father family to the town of Manlius in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety five (1795) that at that time the said John Lower and the said Sarah Lower were living together as husband and wife at that time, that they had at that time two or three children the oldest of which he should think was three or four years of age that they have lived together in the town of Manlius as husband and wife from the time above mentioned until about the first of April last when the said John Lower died that this deponent understood and believes that the said John Lower was a permanent of the United States at the time of his death and further this deponent says not Erastus Ward
Sworn and subscribed This 3 rd day of December 1848 before me and I certify that the deponent is a credible person Robert Gilmer, J. P.

State of New York Onondaga County ss
Nicholas Phillips of the town of Manlius, County aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is now eighty years of age, that he knows Margaret or Sarah Lower, widow of John Lower deceased, that the said Sarah Lower is his sister, that in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three in the month of March as near as he can recollect he came to the town of Manlius, and lived in the family of the said Lower that the said John and Sarah were then living together as husband and wife that they then had two children the eldest of which was two or three years of age that he was informed and verily believes that the said John Lower and his sister Margaret or Sarah Phillips above mentioned were lawfully married at Potsdam in the County of Montgomery and State of New York four or five years before he came to Manlius aforesaid the precise year he cannot now recollect that they have lived together as husband and wife from that period until about the first of April last when the said John Lower died that the said John Lower at the time of his death was a pensioner of the United States as this deponent was informed and verily believes. Sworn and subscribed before me this 1 st August 1848 and I certify that the deponent is a credible person. Nicholas Phillips Mark Richard D. Pease

State of New York, Onondaga County } ss Clerk's Office.
I certify that at the date of the foregoing affidavits, the said James R. Lawrence was Judge of the County Courts in and for the said County, and the said Robert Gilmore was Justice of the Peace in and for said County, both residing in said County, duly elected and sworn, and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge & Justice, and verily believe that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs, are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at Syracuse this 3 rd day of August 1848.
Y. M. Smith, Clerk
Miss Col. Edwards Given this even an early morning and grateful & affectionate your affectionate Daughter D. Gott

State of New York County of Oswego 381.
I, Conrad Lower of the town of Hastings in said County, aged eighty years and upwards, being duly sworn, do depose and say, that I am the son of Conrad Lower who with my brother John Lower now of Manlius, Onondaga County, were taken prisoners by the British during the war of the revolution at Fort House in the District of Palatine N.Y.
I was at the time stated a boy about twelve years of age. I had been taken by my father to said fort for safety. I well recollect that in the fall of the year 1780, so near as I can remember, while I was in said fort I was informed that my father & my brother the said Conrad and John Lower had been taken captive by the enemy. I know they did not return into the said fort. I saw them after they returned from captivity, over two years afterwards when & often afterwards they related to me the fact & particulars of their capture. My brother John Lower is six years older than my self and the family record of my fathers family was burnt or destroyed
about that time and my father Conrad Lower belonged to Col. Clocks regiment and company of captain John Hans in said regiment. On this day of August September 1847, personally appeared before me the undersigned, Conrad Lower above named
to me well known, and he made oath that the facts set forth by him in the above Deposition by him signed, are true & correct; & I certify, that said Conrad Lower is estimated
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of September 1847 Henry Stevens pastor of the peace

to be a man of truth & veracity; & that his state- ments are entitled to full credit.
Henry A. Stoner } Justice of the Peace
State of New York, OSWEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
} ss.
I, Sabes N. Gilbert Clerk of the County of Oswego, hereby certify that Henry A. Stoner Esq. whose name is subscribed to the jurat of affidavit hereto annexed, was, at the date of said jurat _____ a Jus- tice of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county, and duly elect- ed and qualified to act as such; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his signature to said jurat _____ is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said county this Third " day of September A. D. 1847
S. N. Gilbert Clerk.
In the matter of the application of John Lower under the act of Congress June '32 Afft. of Conrad Lower brother of appl.
Sep. 22 d 1847

John Lower.
extract from Books of certificates issued for Militia & Levy service Comptroller's certificate
paper C.

C
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 service 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 :
  1783. May 21. John Lower £ 83. 0 5   " " " Conrad Lower " 83. 0 5   1782. Jan. 21 Peter Leuchs " 88. 7 9   1783. May 19 Nich o Forbush " 99. 9 4   1781. Nov. 30 Aron Hole Captain " 82. 12 8   " " " Joseph Van Enger Lt " 53. 4 6   " " " James Forgasen Corpl " 10 7 4   " " " William Schank do " 10 7 4   " " " Anthony Flounsburgh private " 8 7 1   " " " Gusham Vanderhider " 8 7 1   " " " George Hipple " 6 4 1   " " " James Degolen " 9 19 1   " " " James Howley " 10 13 8 
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, October 30 th 1847.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Books No. 8., and 2., 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's name appears not) in Col. Jacob Klock's Reg't.   Second " " " " " Do "   Third " " " " " Clyde's "   Fourth " " " " " Klock's "   Fifth " " Aron Hole " Lt Marinus Willett's "   Sixth " " Do " " Do "   Seventh " " Do " " Do "   Eighth " " Do " " Do "   Ninth " " Do " " Do "   Tenth " " Do " " Do "   Eleventh " " Do " " Do "   Twelfth " " Do " " Do " 
Philip Scheele Dep Comptroller
Ext? J. G.

John Lower, Onondaga Co, N.Y. act of June 32/8000
To what time was he last paid:
G. A.
Pension Office August 14 th 48
Paid to 4 th March 1848.
B. B.

State of New York County of Montgomery } ss
I Jacob H. Failing of the Town of St. Johnsville in said County, aged Seventy-one years, being duly sworn saith, that when I arrived at the age of nine I moved from Canajoharie, in which town I was born, to the said town of St. Johnsville in which I now live. Said town of St. Johnsville was anciently called Palatine & afterwards Oppenheim , now St. Johnsville aforesaid. When I came to reside in said town I became well acquainted with Conrad Lower and his family, who resided in said town within two miles of the residence of this deponent. The said Conrad Lower had a number of children, some of whom I knew & whose names I recollect, viz, John Lower , Conrad Lower , Richard & Isaac Lower . With these I was extremely well acquainted. Said Conrad Lower the father and his son John Lower aforesaid came often to my father's saw-mill on business & there I often saw & conversed with them. Sometime about the year 1795 or 1796, or perhaps 1794, the said John Lower and his father Conrad moved away from said town of Palatine to the county of Onondaga. I heard the said Conrad & John often give an account of their being taken prisoners to Canada, and it was a tradition prevalent in their neighborhood & in the neighborhood in which I then lived, that said Conrad Lower & John Lower were taken prisoners by the enemy during the war of the revolution.
Jacob H. Failing

On this 1 st day of Sept r 1847, personally appeared before me the undersigned, Jacob H. Failing within named, to me well known, & he made oath, that the facts set forth by him in the within Deposition by him signed, are true and correct. And I certify, that said Jacob H. Failing stands high in the community in which he resides, as a gentleman of intelligence, integrity, truth & veracity, and that his statements are worthy of all credit.
Aaron Haring Justice of the Peace I certify that I am personally acquainted with the foregoing Jacob H. Failing & have been for many years & know him to be a person of excellent standing in the community as a man of the first order of respectability and as as to his truth & credit & integrity Given under my hand this 8 th day of Sept r 1847. Aaron Haring
In the matter of John Lower Aff o of Jacob H. Failing Sep r 1. 1847 (No 1.)
STATE OF NEW-YORK. Montgomery County Clerk's Office. } ss.
I, CHESTER S. BRUMLEY, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Abraham A. Van Home Esq r whose name is subscribed to the annexed draft  was at the time the same was dated  affidavit  a Justice of the peace of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said draft  is genuine:  affidavit
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, the ninth day of September 1847
C. S. Brumley
CLERK.
50 35 25 145

State of New York County of Montgomery ss.
I, Adam J. Walrath of the town of St. Johnsville in said County aged seventy-nine years and upwards being duly sworn depose and say, that I was born reared and have always lived in said town, formerly and during the war of the revolution called Palatine. I well recollect the family of Conrad Lower who resided during said war and afterwards in said District of Palatine within two miles of the residence of this deponent. The said Conrad Lower had a number of children whom I well knew & among the rest the oldest son named John. That said John Lower and his father Conrad aforesaid, were taken prisoners by the British and Tories during said war of the Revolution near Fort House and they were carried captive to Canada, as I heard at the time and since, and believe and am assured is the fact. Said Conrad & John, as I well recollect belonged to the military unit of Colonel Clock & Captain House, with whom said Col. Clock & Capt. House I was well & familiarly acquainted they were neighbors and friends whom I saw often & conversed with. The said Conrad & John Lower to whom I refer, are the same persons who moved from said District & from the real estate & property in said District now in possession of Henry J. R. Vailings whose affidavit in this matter I have heard read to me, and who settled in the town of Manlius near Onondaga County N.Y. The fact of the imprisonment & captivity of the said Conrad Lower & his son John, is imprinted on my memory the more particularly from the circumstance that my own father John A. Walrath was also taken captive & remained a prisoner in Canada nearly two years.
Adam J. Walrath
I hereby certify that on the 14 th day of September 1847, per

sonally appeared before me Adam J. Walbradt within named & he made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed are true and correct & that said Adam J. Walbradt is esteemed in the community in which he lives as a man of intelligence, integrity & veracity, & that his statements are entitled to full credit.
Abm Alan Horne Justice of the Peace
I certify that I have for many years been personally acquainted with the foregoing named Adam J. Walbradt & have always deemed him as a person of respectability and of good credit & reputation & that his oath is in my opinion of the best order of the fullest confidence to be reposed in.
Given under my hand this 8th Sept 1847.
Aaron Haring
STATE OF NEW-YORK, Montgomery County Clerk's Office. } ss.
I, CHESTER S. BRUMLEY, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Abraham Alan Horne Esq. whose name is subscribed to the annexed Swat to affidavit was at the time the same bears date a Justice of the Peace of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Swat to affidavit is genuine:
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, the ninth day of September 1847
C. S. Brumley
CLERK.
In the matter of John Loiver Aff t of Adam J. Walbradt Sep r 4: 1847.
No 3.

No 37329 John Server NY
Del. to G. H. Bates Aug 4.
4 P.M. to same Oct 20. 47
act 7 June 1832

In the matter &c of John Lower &c under act of 1832.
Letter of G. H. Yates with new proofs Oct 30 1847.

Sir.
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 30 th 1847
I am in the receipt of your favor of the 25 th inst., in reference to the claim of John Lower for a pension under the act of '32.
You state that the Certificate of the Comptroller of New York which I furnished in support of this claim, "refers to the imprisonment of John Lower which" you say, "is a very different name from that of the applicant's." In reply to this I can state, that of the several entries on the Comptroller's Books, affording proof of the Captivity and imprisonment of John Lower they do not all give his name Lower . I selected the entry from the "Book of Audited accounts" because it appeared to be more definite than any of the others, and did not deem the Clerical error in the orthography of sufficient moment to refer to it. To show that errors like the one in question were common with the Clerk who wrote down the names, I send herewith a few extracts from said books giving names in the same connection with Lower's. see papers marked A.B.C. Thus "Ferguson" is spelt Fargason, Loucks Leucks, Flansburgh Flounsbureh, Howley Howley, Forbush Farbush, Aaron Hale, Aron Hole, Lower Lawer. On paper C. , the name is given correctly of both father & son Conrad & John Lower. The exact day they were taken prisoner is given in the proof already furnished, & there was nobody else taken prisoner the same day they were, or at the same time, & there were no other persons of the name of Lower then residing in Fyon County & there are none now, & have not been since Conrad & John & the other members of Conrad's

family moved from the district in which they lived previous to and for a few years after their return from Captivity. The Amount paid, viz £83:0:5, the time up to which payment was made 21 st May, 1783, & the circumstance of both father & son being paid for the same term precisely, shows conclusively that he whose name is spelt "John Lower" on the Book of Audited accounts (B.) and on the prisoners' Pay Book (A.) is the selfsame individual whose name is spelt John Lower on Book N o 8 th of Levy & Militia certificates. There is indeed no such name at all as Lawer.
I find the name of Lower as well as Walrath & others on a list returned to George Clinton Governor &c, of persons in Captivity in Canada in February 1782, including as well persons who were in service in a military capacity as children & others who were not. It does not appear from that list when they were captured or when released from imprison- ment - only that they were " in Captivity in Feb- ruary 1782 ". The only true evidence of the time of captivity &c is admitted to be in the Comptroller's Office, & none were paid except those imprisoned.
To satisfy the Department as well as myself as to the identity of the applicant I took great pains and incurred much ex- pence in travelling several hundred miles. I visited the very house and premises he occupied in Tyon County, & obtained the testimony of his surviving neighbors old enough to re- -lect him before he moved from that region of Country to Manlius in the County of Onondaga also the testimony of witnesses in Onondaga County, two of whom are known to your Department.

Perhaps I am too sensitive on the subject, but I must be permitted to advert to an expression in your letter, that this claim was based on the Certificate of the Comptroller which I furnished. Whatever may have been the practice of other pension agents I can say for myself that during all my practice as such since 1832 I have not in one single instance searched out proofs from the Comptroller's Records applicable to certain names, and afterwards found or tried to find the owners of such names. In the present case however I will acknowledge, that I would have abandoned the prosecution of this claim (as I have already heretofore of several hundred) had I not found record evidence of the best kind to confirm fully and indisputably the plain and honest story told me by the applicant through Saml S Edwards who did his business Esq. of I have never heard or seen of this proof and it must be noted that he told his story and commenced his application for a pension before the documentary proofs now adduced, were known to exist.
I am very respectfully Your mo. Obt Servt
To
B. F. Wells.
J. L. Edwards Commission of Pensions.

State of New York County of Onondaga } ss:
I William Taylor of the town of Manlius in said County, practitioner of Physic & Surgery, do depose and say, that I have been well acquaint- -ted with John Lown also a resident of the town of Manlius for more than thirty years last past. That I was a member of the 23 d 24 th & 28 th Congress of the United States & during that period (of six years) and since, said John Lown several times conversed with me respecting his revolutionary services & his having been carried captive to Canada in the war of the revolution & inquired of me my opinion, whether he was not entitled to a pension, but he never submitted to my charge any written application for a pension - and I certify that I believe said John Lown to be eighty seven years of age as he represents.
William Taylor
Subscribed & sworn this 26 th day of May 1847, before me & I certify that the statements of said deponent Dr Taylor are entitled to full credit.
W. Gilmer, J. Pearce

State of New York Onondaga County, Clerk's Office.
vs.
I certify that Robert Gilmore Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the said County, residing in said County duly elected and qualified, & further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & truly believe that the within signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County at Syracuse, this 26 th day of May 1847.
V. W. Smith, Clerk
In matter of - Robin Lowen suspension - act of 1832 Aff. of Wm Taylor late M.C. 26 th May 1847 No 2.

John Lower app. for a pension —
3. Aff t of Godfrey Reals 24 th May 1847.
4. & Certif. of R. Gilmore Esq.

State of New York County of Onondaga ss.
I, Godfrey Reals of the town of Manlius in said County aged eighty seven years, being duly sworn, do depose and say, that at During the war of the revolution and afterwards I resided in the town of Rome in the now county of Oneida in said State. That some time near the close of said war, the precise time I did not charge my mind with the recollection of, I saw John Lower, and his father Conrad Lower, in company with several other persons, arrive in said town of Rome - And the aforesaid John Lower and Conrad Lower then and there represented to me, (and their statement was confirmed by the other persons referred to as accompanying them) that they had returned from a long captivity in Canada, and were then on their way home or to their residence in the District of Palatine, then Troyon, now Montgomery County in said State -
That since this occurrence I have often seen said John Lower and his father Conrad Lower who lived together in said town of Manlius, and whom I found residing there when I first came myself to reside in the said County of Onondaga forty nine years ago. That said John & Conrad often conversed with me while they lived in Manlius as aforesaid in reference to their captivity as aforesaid. That I have resided in Pompey, in Hopewell N.Y. and in the aforesaid town of Manlius in which I now live for forty nine years last past as aforesaid, and that ever since I came to

reside here I have kept up an acquaintance with said John Lower. That I believe & am assured that he is in the eighty-seventh year of his age. That the birth day of John Lower aforesaid varies from my own about one month according to the statement he gave me , at least twenty five years ago, and that my own birth day is the eighth day of August 1760. That he said John Lower is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that he was a prisoner of war for several years in Canada having been taken prisoner while performing garrison duty at a Fort in said County of Tryon, as I have been often credibly informed & believe to be true. Godfrey his Reals
Note the words "adjoining" written on a paper & the words "Pompey, in Hopewell N. Y. and in" were interlined before execution. Robert Gilmore J.P.
On this twenty fourth day of May 1847, personally appeared before me Godfrey Reals above named, & he made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed are true - and I certify that I am acquainted with said Godfrey Reals & that his statements are entitled to full credit. And I also certify that I have known said John Lower about twenty five years past - that I believe him to be eighty-seven years of age as he represents himself to be, & that he is reputed to have been a prisoner of war during the revolution as stated in the foregoing deposition of Godfrey Reals above written.
Robert Gilmore, J.P.

Data State of New York County of Onondaga Clerk's Office } No.:
I certify, that Robert Gilmore Esq before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a justice of the Peace in & for said County, residing in said County & duly elected & qualified as such; & further that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, & verily believe that the signature purporting to be his to the certificates subjoined to said Affidavit, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 26 th Day of May 1847.
J. W. Smith, Clerk

State of New York County of Montgomery ss:
J. Henry J. R.
Failing of the town of St. Johnsville in said County, formerly of Palatine District, aged sixty-two years on the 29 th day of May last past, being duly sworn, do depose and say, that the house and premises which I now occupy & in and on which I have lived for the last thirty-eight years, ago or thereabouts, or since the year 1809, were purchased by my grandfather Richard Failing a few years after the close of the revolutionary war as I understood and believe to be true - and the said house & premises were owned by my father John D. Failing, from whom I obtained the same. The house and premises in question were purchased by my grandfather from John Lower who with his father Conrad resided on said premises, and on disposing of the same, moved to Onondaga County near Manlius Square. The said Conrad Lower the father of said John Lower had the following named children, with whom I am acquainted - viz, the said John Lower - Richard Lower, Conrad Lower, Isaac Lower, Bonnikle Lower, Honegerry Lower - he also had two or more daughters whose names I do not know - I well remember hearing it stated & repeatedly, that said Conrad & John were taken prisoners during the war of the revolution.
Henry J. R. his Failing mark
I hereby certify, that Henry J. R. Failing whose name appears to the above deposition, personally appeared before the undersigned, on this 1 st day of September 1847, and he made oath, that the facts set forth by him in the

said deposition, are true and correct. And further, that said Henry D. R.ailing sustains the reputation of being a man of the strictest integrity & veracity; & that his statements are entitled to full credit.
Abraham Van Horn Justice of the Peace
State of New York Montgomery County Clerks office
I Chester S. Bromley Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Abraham A. Van Horn Esq. whose name is subscribed to the final of the foregoing affidavit was at the time the same bears date a Justice of the peace in and for said County And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice And verily believe that the signature to the final above written is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the 9 th day of September 1847 C. Bromley Clerk
In the matter of John Lowen Aff te of H. D. Railing Sept 1: 1847
No 2

In the matter of 37529 John Sower for a pension — Under act of 7. June '32
Letter of G. F. Yates Solr July 12-1847.
John Sower Agreed Sower Asst John Waldrat Mnd up a list of names for Iowa Co - England July 1782

Albany July 12 th 1847
To Col. J. L. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions Sir:
You will receive herewith papers to prove the claim of John Lower for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832.
1 st Declaration of the app t with certificate of Court. 2 d Aff t of the Hon: W m Taylor late M.C., adduced mainly to show, that the applicant has not been "sleeping upon his rights" since 1832. Indeed I believe that papers in the matter of his application for a pension under the act of 1818, will be found on file in the proper Department at Washington. 3 d Aff t of an old gentleman, Godfred Reals who has known John Lower for the last 49 years & more, & details circumstances showing intimacy between Deponent & said John Lower & his father Conrad Lower, & that the revolutionary services & captivity of both father & son, were the subject of con- versation many years before pension laws were passed. 4 th Certificate of Rob t Gilmore Esq r as to age & reputation of the applicant. 5 th Certificate of the Comptroller of New York showing length of captivity & pay received therefor. John Lower & his father Conrad were the only persons taken prisoners at the time alluded to & they both returned from captivity together. I have therefore adduced the certificate of Compt r for both in confirmation of the statement in the Declaration.
I am very respectfully your ob t Serv t G. H. H. S.

Certificate of Smt. L. Edwards de John Lower. N o 5.)
Yours truly TO
J. Yates Esq. San Francisco Albany Montgomery

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with John Lower of the Town of Harniss in the county of Onondaga that I have lived in the said Town ever since the year eighteen hundred & twelve - during all which time I have lived within about two miles of the said Lower and been personally acquainted with him - that I have repeatedly during that time heard him tell of being a soldier on the Mohawk in Herkimer county where he formerly resided and that I have also during that time repeatedly heard him tell of having been taken & prisoner and taken to Canada and there kept for a long time as such prisoner that he has now a scar upon his head which he says was occasioned by a blow from a Tomahawk inflicted by a Tory in the British service - which I verily believe to be true - That I know of no other John Lower in this State any where near his age - that from his appearance I should judge him to be nearly ninety years of age

I also certify that he has repeated- -ly talked with me & others about making an application for a pension - but how long since he first began to talk about making an application for it I cannot state - I should however it was as far back as 1820 - and perhaps longer
Mansfield Sept 16. 1847
Samuel L. Edwards

G. F. Yates Esq
D Sir
Your letter came to town in my absence or I should have answered it earlier - I cannot tell more particular in my certificate - It is not nearly to make affidavit - Mr Edwards & I have frequent correspondence upon the subject of pension he often writes to me when he thinks all is not right in allow- -ing them as a certificate from me is as good as an affidavit for his purpose I think
Respectfully
Yours
Ellen Maria Lepts L. L. Edwards
16. 1847

Reg
WIDOW, &c,
cur
File No. 21590
Magdalena Lowver
wife of
John Lowver
Priv. Rev. war
Act: Feb. 2 d  1/48
Index:—Vol. 04 Page 444
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Washington Dec 12 th 1888 Col J L Edwards
Dear Sir in some time ago The widow of John Sawyer of Marblehead applied for a pension and her late husband's husband pension certificate was forwarded by her to your office. I understand that there is a sum yet due upon his pension and it is necessary in order to obtain to have his certificate or a copy of consistent with the rules of your office please send me the certificate . otherwise a copy
I have the honor to be with esteem your Obt Servt D Galt

No. 37.529 John Lower NY ad 7 June 1832
Adm d 2 years in $80 00 per Ann bm 4 March 1831
Giles F. Bates Albany NY

John Lower
Comptroller's Certificate
No 5-

State of New York
To the following persons for their pay during their Captivity viz;
To John Sawyer Private in Col. 11th Regt. from 17 th Oct. 1780. to 21 st May 1783 is 31 Months & 4 days 53/4 p. Month £83,,m,,5
To Conrad Sawyer Private in said Regt. from 17 th Oct. 1780. to 21 st May 1783 is 31 M s & 4 days 53/4 p. 83,,m,,5
Comptroller's Office Albany 2 d July 1847.
I certify that the pursuant is a true extract from Book A. of Audited Accounts relating to the Revolutionary Period, now remaining in this office.
Philip Phelps Deputy Compt.

10 Magdalena Sower wid of John My act 2 nd July 1848 Married 1788 husband died 1 st April 1848 adm o $80 00 per m from 12 th April 1848
Hon. D. Gote Member of Congress

De John Lower
Extracts from Books of "Prisoners' pay" & of "Audited accounts"
Comptroller's certificates (papers A. & B.)

A
Prisoners' Pay.
   Names Rank When audited From (What time) To (What time) Amount.     John Forbush Private 1785. Nov. 16. 1780. Apr. 3. 1782. May 21. £105:12:0   Nicholas Forbush do " Aug. 6. " 10. 1783. May 19. 99:9:4   Peter Lowcks do " " 6. 1779. Apr. 11. 1782. Jan. 21. 88:7:9   George Lowcks do " Nov. 16. 1781. Octob. 6. " Dec. 6. 37:6:8   John Lawer do " Aug. 6. 1780. Oct. 17. 1783. May 31. 83:0:5   Conrad Lawer do " " 6. " " " " " " 83:0:5  
State of New York Comptroller's Office Albany Oct. 29 th 1847.
I certify that the above are true & correct abstracts, word for word, letter for letter, and figure for figure from a MS. Book on file in this Office, labelled "Account of Certificates issued."
Philip Sheeps Dep't Comp.
Ex 29

 B. State of New York Dr To the following persons of Col. Jacob Klock's Regt of Militia during their Captivity: viz - Hendrick Shulds private from 26 th July 1781, to 10 th Dec 1781, is 16 months and 14 days @ 53 3/4 p mo. £ 43: 18: 2 John Harbush do from 3 April 1780, to 21 st May 1783, is 36 months & 18 days @ 53 3/4 p mo } 105: 12: 0 George Laucks do from 6 th Oct 1781, to 1 st Dec 1782 is 14 months @ 53 3/4 p mo } 37: 6: 8
State of New-York Comptroller's Office Albany Oct 29 th 1847. I certify the above to be a true and correct abstract from a MS. Book in this office, labelled "Audited accounts A." —
Philip Schuyler Ex Comp rs 
Ex o J. G.

Albany, N.Y. Sep r 24 th 1847.
Sir.
In the matter of the application of John Lower for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832, your objections to allowing the claim resolved themselves into the following, which I have aimed to answer fully & satisfactorily in the V by the affidavits and certificates which I forward herewith; to wit, papers numbered 1. 2. 3. 4. & 5.
1. That he has waited too long to assert his rights. 2. That he has not furnished sufficient evidence of his age. 3. That he has not furnished sufficient proof of his identity with the John Lower of Capt. House's Company, Clock's Regiment, who was paid for his imprisonment & captivity. 4. Your Department required the testimony of intelligent persons well known to it.
As to the 1 st objection, I would refer for reply to the aff t of the Hon. W m Taylor, M.C. for 6 years, and who must therefore be doubtless known to your Department. He testified that Lower conversed with him often respecting his being entitled to a pension, & it was not Lower's fault that he made no application. Lower's education is defective and he could not make out his own papers. I now present in addition the testimony of Samuel L. Edwards Esq r .

to the same purport (paper N o 5.). I applied to Mr. Edwards for an affidavit, to which he replied as will be noted in his letter to me. Mr. Edwards has known my applicant since he first came to live in Marlins, viz, in 1812 , and says that Lower talked of making application for a pension as far back as 1820 - of being a revolutionary soldier & a prisoner of war &c.
As to 2 d objection. I have taken the pains to examine all the Church Records in the District of Palatine & among the rest of Domine Rosecrantz but they do not go back far enough (1760). Conrad Lower (see paper N o 4.) swears that his father (Conrad Lower's) family record was burnt, in which his brother's (my claimant's) age may have been recorded. In the absence of Record proof of his age, which it is impossible to furnish, he must rely upon the circumstantial evidence of his identity with the prisoner in Clock's Regiment, which is uncommonly strong, and the testimony of Wm Taylor aforesaid, who says he (Lower) is at least 87 years old or appears so to be, of Godfrey Reals with whom he was on terms of intimacy & to whom he related his age as well as his revolutionary captivity &c. - of the Magistrate Robert Gilmore Esq r who gives his opinion of Lower's age, and of Samuel L. Edwards Esq r (paper N o 5.) who thinks him to be nearly ninety years of age . As to 3 d Objection. On this head I am enabled to

present a much stronger array of proof than I at first supposed it to be possible. The certificate of the Comptroller shows that Conrad & John Lower were captivated at the same time & retained in captivity for the same period of time. The proofs show that this Conrad was the father of John. Reals testifies to seeing them return together from captivity. Conrad Lower , claimant's brother (see paper N o 4.) himself now 80 years old, and who must have been 13 years old when his father & brother were captivated, says he was in Fort House when the occurrence transpired, and when they returned from captivity, they related to him the particulars, & that claimant belonged to Capt. House's Company in the Reg t of Col. Clock. — Jacob H. Failing (see paper N o 1.) testifies that he knew personally John Lower & his father, and that he often came to his father's saw mill on business, some 54 years ago, & conversed about his captivity &c and that he is the same John Lower now living in Manlius N.Y. To this affidavit is appended a certificate of Judge Herring of Johnstown, well known to your Department. In paper N o 2., you have the affidavit of H. S. R. Failing who lives on the farm of John Lower (the claimant) or the one which J. L. owned previous to his moving to Manlius aforesaid, & he identifies him as the prisoner &c. Paper N o 3. contains the affidavit of Adam J. Walradt who testifies as to Lower's being taken

captivity near Fort House & that he belonged to Capt. House's Company & Col. Clark's Regt. The Corroborates the statement of Jacob H. Failing. This affidavit of Walradt is also fortified by the Affidavit of Judge Herring aforesaid. Mr Edwards moreover (see paper No 5.) says he never heard or knew of any other John Lower save and except the one about whom the tradi- tion of his captivity &c is current.
4 th Objection. Jacob H. Failing & Adam S. Walradt, indeed all the witnesses are intelligent, though not all of them highly educated. In the days of the revolution & for many years after, the facil- ities for education, it is well known, were not so great as they are now. Hence we find so many making their marks instead of writing their names. But this is not the case with the witnesses in question. And if they are not known to the Department, Mr Herring & Mr Edwards are, who have certified for them.
To Col. J. L. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions.
I am very respectfully Your obed t servant G. H. WALKER
[No 25. for 1847] In the matter of John Lower Act of 1. June 32. Claim Pending. Brief with new proofs. No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. G. H. WALKER Attorney