Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 38125, for William Lawrence, New York

SERVICE.
NUMBER
New York
Lawrence, William
S 38125
CONTENTS

Kentucky 26, 828
William Lawrence of the County of ... in the State of ... who was a ... in the ... commanded by Captain ... of the ... commanded by Col ... in the ... for ...
17/10 17/10 $ 58.76 3/4
Inscribed on the Roll of ... at the rate of 58 Dollars ... Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the ... day of ... and ... to ... 13 ... of ...
Arrears to the 4th of ... 17 6.30 Semi-ant. allowance ending ... 29.38 3/4 $ 205.68
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by ... Clerk, Book ... Vol. ... Page 31

State of Kentucky Rockcastle County } S to
Be it known that on this 25 day of January 1831 personally appeared before the County Court held for the County of Rockcastle aforesaid, William Lawrence a resident of said County, aged Seventy years, past, who being sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following decl- aration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832
That he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, in the Coun- ty of Dutches State of New York under Capt. Champ- lain, Being known Lieut; his Colo was by the name of Vanderburg, He does not recollect the date of the year when he entered the service, but he knows it was the same year that Burgoyne was taken, which he believes was in 1777 He was a militia man and held to service under said officer three years and mustered and kept in readiness with provision and arm uniting, and was called into actual service at various times & performed various
How Mr. Mealy H. R.

town after the enemy. Generally traversing the country about the White Plains, Bear's Hill & Fishkill and frequently stationed on the Hudson River. Guarding and defending the frontiers. Some times he would be gone 3 or 4 months. Some times 4 or 5 weeks, & some times only a few days, but he cannot recollect the number of his tours or the precise length of any one tour, but he can safely say upon oath that he was out in actual service not less than 18 months, and he believes he would be safe in saying the whole three years was actual service for he done no other kind of business during that time, but to attend to his duty as a soldier. He states that the whole of his service was per- formed under the command of the aforesaid officer. He has lost his recollection very much and his hearing also. Being in- terrogated by the court he says he was born in the year 1764 in the said County of Dutchess State of New York. He has no record

of his age after the Revolution he moved to Montgomery County Va and he lived there until about 22 years ago when he moved from there to Rockcastle County Ky, where he now lives. He never had any written discharge. He stated the Service as a militiaman He was not acquainted any of the regular officers except Col. D. Jamison & Col. Pearce and he does not know certainly that Pearce was a regular He knows of no person living by whom he can prove his Service, He refers to the Reverend Richard Caylor David Cunn. Col. Smith & others who can testify as to his character. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the pursuant & declares that his name is not on the roll of the agency of any state whatever.
Given & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid. William Lawrence
Richard Caylor (a clergyman) Elish Smith, & David Cunn came into court and testified on oath that they had been acquainted with the above named applicant for many years, and that from his good moral character, they had no doubt but he had stated the truth in the foregoing

declaration, and that it was believed in the neighborhood when applicant lived that he was a Revolutionary Soldier, and the said David Carson further saith that he has heard Applicant speak of the org? Service often, before any provision was made by law to pay such Soldiers,
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states - and said Court further Certify that the said Richard Cobyle is a able bodied man living in said County, and that Elisha Smith & David Carson who testified above are now persons entitled to credit upon oath,
Kentucky Rockcastle County Set I James Merrill Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing sheet contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William Laurens for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9 th day of January 1834 - James Merrill Clerk of the Rockcastle County Court

30,495
William Lawrence Kentucky.
for 1777 yr 17 mo. & 19 days $58. 76 100
40 30 3.3 63 3 8 66 97 77
Hon: M. Beaty N. Ra.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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 William Lawrence.
   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.     1777 P. Capt Chamberlain Col. Vanderburg 70 N.J. Traditionary   The service is not set forth as required by the regulations.   (See amendment)  
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) _____, who has 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

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 _____; 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Lima, N.Y.
Mar. 9, 1914.
U. S. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir -
Kindly send any record you may have of Revolutionary service of, or pension granted to some William Lawrence born Mar. 27, 1761 at Pleasant Valley, Dutchess Co., N.Y. also of Benjamin Carpenter born in Rehoboth, Mass., 1726 - died in Guilford Vt. Mar. 29, 1823.
And oblige, (Mrs.) Alice L. Stone.
Address Lima, New York Box 185

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S. Y. 38126
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Lawrence a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1777 17 mos 3 wks Pvt Champlin Sandeburgh N.Y.                                                   
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted in Dutchess Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Jan'y 25. 1834. His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Rockcastle Co. Ky.
Age at date of application, b. in 1764 in Dutchess Co. N.Y.
Remarks: No data as to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

38125
1914 Mch. 18 Hist. Soc. Alice L. Stone V.L.M.
Recy INVALID.
File No. 38125
William Lawrence
Br. Geo. Wood
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 288
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Kan.
J L Edwards Esqr. Pension office
Hon. M. Beatty.

W m Edwards esq r
Sir The enclosed declaration and papers of William Larrance were rec d by me a few days since, please examine them and let me know the result of your deliberations in relation to them— Very Respectfully 1 st June 1834
Your obt serv t Martin Beatty

State of Kentucky Rockcastle County 3 Set
On this 8 th day of April  May 1834 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid William Lawrence, of said County, who being duly sworn according to law  the upon his oaths made the following statement as an amendment to his original declaration for a pension under the act of the 7 th June 1832. He states that by reason of old age and consequent loss of recollection he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following manner, For four months he served as a guard to the Military or Continental

Continued Story at Col. Vanderbeys. in Rulche, Co. New York, under Capt. Chaplain This was in the year 1777. For six months he served under the same Capt, Benj Knowlton, Vanderbeys Col. This tour was performed on the Hudson River, about Peap's kill, Fish kill part of the time he was stationed as a guard at Peap's kill, & at Fishkill, and a part of the time he was scouting this tour was in the latter part of the year 1777 or the first of the year 1778. For five weeks he served in the same year. about under the same officers he was marched to the Hudson River and stationed as a guard to guard the front lines. For two weeks he served about under the same officers, in the same year, as a guard stationed between the city of New York & & Peap's kill. For two months he served as a guard at Peap's kill & Fishkill

under the same officer, this was he believes in the year 1779, For four months he served, under the same officer, Stationed as a guard part of his time at Rocky kill, a part at Fish kill, and a part of the time traversing the country between the city of New York and those places this service was as he believes in the latter part of the year 1779 and the first of the year 1780, for which service he claims a pension, He will further state that his service was principally performed to prevent the British from landing where they would bring their shipping in to the Hudson and to prevent the parties from the attack of the enemy. Sometimes he would scout awhile but the most of his time he was held to close sending

night and day - Sworn and subscribed before me this 8 th day of May 1834. John Crawford Jp. } William Lawrence
State of Kentucky Rockcastle County } Set
I James Trivell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid, do certify that John Crawford before whom the foregoing amended declaration was sworn and subscribed is a Justice of the peace as above and that the above signature purporting to be his, is his genuine signature, and I further certify that these two sheets of paper were attached by me. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the seal of said Court and subscribed my name this 9 th May 1834. James Trivell