Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 11585, for Walter Swits, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER .
Continental New York
Surits, Walter Sarah
111583-
CONTENTS

Albany N York 369
Sarah Swift
of the residence in the State of N York who was a N Y in the commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the widow of Walter Swift deposite a Lieutenant in the Revolution
Letter from A A Van Vorst Aug 17, 1850.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 320 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Jan'y 1837 and sent to Mrs. Cramer Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $1760.00 Pension allowance ending March 1837 160.00 $1.920.00
Act 1, July 36 Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by H. H. H. H. H. Clerk, Book Vol. Page 138

notification sent to  Yiller A. Fonda Pensioner June 10. 1820 at Schenectady NY
1046
New-York. ✓
Walter Pwito, Lieut. -
New-York line -
Seth Warner's Regt 1776. 4 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New-York, at the rate of twenty Dollars per month, to commence on the 11 th of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th of June, 1818. and sent to the care of John Yates, Esq; judge, Schenectady, N. York
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. . . $: 96. -
Semi-annual allowance
4 months, \frac{24}{30} . . . $: 96 -
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818 }
May 1. 1820
✓ Continued
City & County of Schenectady

application of Sarah Swits
for a pension under the act of 4 th July 1836
N o 3.
ad cur 921. 3. su.
com? 2 yrs d. h. 320 $
No deduction - due in 1823
Agent
Giles H. Yates
- Schenectady N.Y.
Hm J. Cramer H.R.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, ss.
On this fourteenth day of October 1836, personally appeared before John Titus Esq. one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Schenectady in said State Sarah Switz a resident of the City of Schenectady in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, aged seventy-six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of Walter Switz who was a Lieutenant in Captain Wolcott's Company of the New York Line in Colonel Warner's Regiment, & received a pension of $240 per annum under the act of 18. Mar 1818
She further declares that she was married to the said Walter Switz on the twenty second day of June, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-seven; that her husband, the aforesaid Walter Switz died on the thirty first day of October 1823 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me the said Judge
John Titus —
I, John Titus before whom the preceding declaration has been made & sworn do certify that the Declarant Sarah Switz cannot appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, & that she is a lady of respectability and credibility. and I further certify that she cannot write her name owing to blindness.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of October 1836. John Titus —
Supplemental Declaration
The aforesaid declarant Sarah Switz being further duly sworn and examined doth declare and depose, that she was married as in her declaration is above set forth on the 22 d day of June 1777, in the then town now city of Schenectady by the Revd Barent Vrooman, then Pastor of the Ref. Dutch Church in said town

that the only persons present at the marriage ceremony were Sarah Peck, Catharine Veeder, Ann Van Vorst, Abraham Suits, his wife Margaret, Harmannus Peck (Declarant's father) and his wife Sarah. That all the aforementioned individuals have long since departed this life, except the said Sarah Peck first above named, and whose affidavit is hereto annexed) - Subscribed & sworn this - 24 th day of Novr 1836, before me Johnathan Spe Justice of the peace
Sarah X Suits mark
County of Schenectada ss Sarah Peck of said city of Schenectada in said County aged seventy four years, being duly sworn and examined doth depose and say, that she has been well & intimately acquainted with the before named Declarant Sarah Suits since the year 1769, that she this deponent remembers well the time when said Sarah Suits was married, and believes the marriage ceremony took place on the day & in the year & at the place in the foregoing declaration & supplemental declaration of said Sarah Suits set forth. That she, this deponent officiated as bridesmaid at the wedding of said Sarah Suits, & that the persons named in the foregoing declaration (supplemental) of said Sarah Suits, were the only persons present at said marriage ceremony, according to the best of the knowledge & belief of her this de-

(ponent, & that they have all except herself) departed this life. And this Deponent further saith, that said Sarah Swits has remained unmarried ever since the death of her husband Walter Swits on the 31 st day of October 1823.
Subscribed & sworn — This 24 th day of November 1836, before me — John H. Van Osdol Justice of the Peace Sarah H. Peck Mark
State of New York — County of Schenectada } ss
Henry H. Peck of the City of Schenectada in said County aged seventy-two years and upwards, being duly sworn and examined, doth depose and say that he has been since the year 1777, intimately acquainted with Sarah Swits & her said husband Walter Swits, referred to & described in the foregoing documents — that they the said Sarah and Walter lived together as man & wife since the year last aforesaid until the day of the death of said Walter — that they were universally reputed and believed to have been lawfully joined in wedlock, and this Deponent is satisfied that such is the fact — and this Deponent further saith, that since the decease of said Walter Swits, his widow the said Sarah Swits has remained single and unmar-

ried, & is still unmarried. Subscribed & Sworn this 28 th November 1836, before me John N. Van Eps Justice of the peace
Henry H. Peck
I the said John N. Van Eps before whom the foregoing deposition of Henry H. Peck has been taken, do hereby certify, that said Henry H. Peck with whom I am well acquainted is a man of credibility. Witness my hand this 28 th day of November 1836.
John N. Van Eps
County of Schenectada p.
Joseph Peck of the city of Schenectada in said County, aged Eighty years and upwards, being duly sworn, saith, that he was during the life time of the aforementioned Walter Swifts well acquainted with said Walter & also with his wife the said Sarah Swifts and believes that they were legally married, & knows they lived together as such but cannot remember for how many years, or since what time they continued thus to live however until the time of the death of said Walter, & the said Sarah Swifts has remained single and unmarried ever since & is still unmarried.
Subscribed to and Sworn this 12 th day of

Dec 1836, before me John H. Van Eps Justice of the Peace Joseph Peck
I the aforesaid John H. Van Eps the said justice before whom the above affidavit of Joseph Peck has been taken, do certify, that I am well acquainted with said Joseph Peck & believe him to be a man of credi- bility & veracity. Witness my hand this 12 th Dec 1836. John H. Van Eps
County of Schenectady. Isaac DeGraff of the City of Schenectady in said County, aged seventy nine years and upwards, being duly sworn and examined, doth depose and say, that he was during the lifetime of Walter Swits and his wife Sarah, referred to and described in the foregoing documents, well acquaint- ed with the said Walter & Sarah and was then acquainted with them since the year 1777- that then and ever since that time until the year 1823, when said Walter departed this life, the said Walter & Sarah lived together as man & wife and this deponent believes and is convinced that they had been legally joined together in wedlock in the year 1777 as set forth in the Declarations of

said Sarah Swits hereto prefixed - and the respondent further saith, that said Sarah has since deceased the death of her said husband, remained single and unmarried. Subscribed & sworn - this 16 th day of December 1836, before me -
Isaac Deyraaf
John Deyraaf Mayor of the City of Schenectady
I do hereby certify that Isaac Deyraaf who has subscribed & taken the foregoing affidavit before me, is a gentleman of credibility & veracity. Given under my hand this 16 th day of December 1836. John Deyraaf Mayor of the City of Schenectady
State of New York Mayor's office City of Schenectady 16 Dec 1836
I do certify that I was personally with Walter Swits and Sarah his wife, for at least thirty years prior to Walter Swits decease that they lived together as man and wife and from my knowledge of their respectability I have not the least doubt but they were legally married I have never heard it questioned, all the persons who have testified and subscribed to the

foregoing affidavits are well known to me to be highly respectable and worthy of confidence
John I. DeGraff Mayor of the City of Schenectady
I, Jacob Van Vachten Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in the City of Schenectady aforesaid, do hereby certify, that I have examined the Register of said Church, and find a considerable hiatus in the Register of marriages which were solemnized during the war of the revolution yet I entertain no doubt but that the within named Walter Suits & Sarah Suits, were married as set forth in the Declaration by her signed. Dec 10 th 1836.
Jacob Van Vachten
State of New York County of Schenectady Clerk's Office
J. Jonathan C.
Burnham Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that John Titus before whom the fore- going declaration of Sarah Suits was taken was at the time thereof and is now one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County due commission sworn that I am well acquaint- ed with the handwriting of said John Titus & verily believe that the signature of to said Declaration and the certificate thereto annexed

purporting to be that of said John Titus is genuine. I further certify, that John H. Van Eps before whom the foregoing affidavits of Sarah Peck, Henry H. Peck, and Joseph Peck have been taken & the supplemental declaration of Sarah Peck subscribed & sworn, was at the time thereof, and is now a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned and sworn, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said John H. Van Eps, and verily believe that the signatures to said affidavits & supplemental declara- tion purporting to be his, are genuine. I further certify that John D. DeGraff Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit of Isaac DeGraff and certificate thereto annexed purport to have been signed, was at the time thereof and is now Mayor of the City of Schenectady duly authorized by law to administer oaths that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his signature to said affidavit of Isaac DeGraff & to the certificate thereto annexed, to be genuine. I further certify that I am well acquainted with Jacob Van Vichten whose name appears to the certificate herein immediately preceding, and know him to be the pastor of the Dutch Church in this city, as in said certificate is stated, and that his signa- ture to said Certificate is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal of Office, this twentieth day of December 1836.
J. C. Vanham Clerk

1 st April 79-
March 79 - last date pany roll - on that
Continued

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. County of Schenectady, }
ON this fifteenth day of May 1820 personally appeared before me David Boyd one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County - Walter Swift a lieutenant - Pensioner under the Act of the 10th day of March 1818 - Certificate dated June 10th 1818 -
aged sixty seven - years resident in the county of Schenectady who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: he engaged as a lieutenant Capt. Giles Watsots Company Col. Williams Corps Res. 1776 & continued until 1780 when the Regt was captured at Fort George - State of New York -
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
Schedule
Real estate 2 Acres 1 woodlot & parcels on the flats $135 - 2 Acres of pasture $100. Orchard $45. Stone $4. Cows $12 $141 - blacksmith tools $12. furniture $25.60. 27.60 713.60 Debts I owe to secondary persons 127 - balance 1016.20
family Walter Swift - myself aged 67 - Sarah Wife 60 Barnabas son married & moved 25 - Elizabeth daughter - married & moved 42 Nancy single nearly 40 Peggy married & moved nearly 20 - Abraham married & moved near 30 Sarah married & moved nearly 22 - Aboda single nearly 26 John blacksmith Journey Man near 21 - Isaac - married & moved near 22 -
Sworn to and declared, on the 15th day of May 1820, before me David Boyd one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County - examined and approved in Open Court May 10th 1820. Walter Swift
I, JELLES A. FONDA, clerk of the county of Schenectady, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is One hundred eighty six dollars and sixty cents.... In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, on this 5th day of June 1820 -
Jelles A. Fonda
Clerk of the County of Schenectady.

Lieut Walter Swift App n for Pension
Correct:

Declaration of Walter Swits
State of New York County of Schenectady 3 p. Walter Swits, formerly a Lieutenant in the service of the United States, now a resident in the City and County of Schenectady and State of New York, being duly sworn deponeth & saith that he is now about fifty four Years of age - That in June in the Year 1776 he was a Lieutenant in Captain John A. Pratt's Company of New York Rangers - That afterwards during the war of the revolution in the Year 1777 he was a Lieutenant in Captain Giles Wolcott's Company in a Regiment of New York State Troops under the Command of Colonel Seth Warner on the the Continental establishment - That he entered said Regiment as such Lieutenant some time about the middle of February in the Year 1777 - That he remained in actual service, attached to said Company and Regiment until sometime in the Month of September in the Year 1780, when owing to the persuasion of some of his relations and other causes, he returned home and resigned his commission & returned home to the then town of Schenectady, where he remained until the close of the War - That sometime in the Month of July in the Year 1785 his accounts were settled and he finally paid by Mr. John Pierce Pay Master General of the United States Army at Philadelphia

This Deponent further says that he served as a Lieutenant in the War of the Revolution on the Continental establishment, against the common enemy, as before stated - That he is by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for support - And he further says that he has never had any pension allowed him for his services aforesaid by the Laws of the United States - And further he saith not
Walter Swift
Sworn before me this 35 th Day of March 1810
John Yates one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Schuylkill
State of New York County of Schuylkill
ss. William Lighthall formerly a Lieutenant in the service of the United States now a resident in the City and County of Schuylkill being duly sworn deponeth and saith - That he has for a number of years been personally acquainted with Lieutenant Walter Swift who has made oath to the foregoing Affidavit and subscribed the same - That this Deponent was enlisted

by the said Lieutenant Swift, while attached to Captain John A. Prady's Company of New York State Rangers, and served under him in said Company - That in March 1777 he again enlisted under the said Lieutenant Swift, to serve during the war, the said Swift being then attached to Captain Giles Wolcott's Company in a Regiment on the Continental establishment commanded by Colonel Seth Warner. That he was attached to the said Company and Regiment as sergeant until the month of November in the Year 1778, when he was promoted to the rank of Ensign - That he continued still attached to the same company until the Year 1779 when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant - all of which time the said Walter Swift was in actual service in the same Company with this Deponent - And finally this Deponent says that he has a personal knowledge of most of the facts in relation to the service of the said Swift, as set forth in his Affidavit above, and knows them to be substantially true - And further saith not
Sworn before me this 31 st day of March 1810
W m Lighthall
John G. Foster on p. the Judges of the Court of common pleas for the County of Schuylkill mutually

I John Yates one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Schu- -nechtady, do hereby certify that Walter Swits and William Lighthall to me personally known appeared before me on the day above mentioned and made oath to the several facts contained in their respective Affidavits, and respectively subscribed the same in my presence.
State of New York } County of Schenectady } ss. Andries Van Patten of the City County of Schenectady being duly sworn depo- -neth and saith - That he has for some years been personally acquainted with Walter Swits who has made oath to the first foregoing Af- -fidavit, & subscribed the same - That he received from the said Swits sometime in or a- -bout the year 1791, a Power of Attorney to procure from the government an arrearage of Pay &c - that he at the same time received from the said Walter Swits his Commission as Lieuten- -ant in Colonel Seth Warner's Regiment, that he this Deponent transmitted the same to the War Department then in the City of Philadelphia, and never received the same therefrom, and further this Deponent saith not
Sworn before me this 11th Day of April 1801
Andries Van Patten
John Yates one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of

I John Yates one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Schenectady, do hereby Certify that Walter Swits, William Lighthall & Andries Van Patten, to me personally known, appeared be- fore me on the days above written, respectively made oath to the several facts set forth in their respective Affidavits & subscribed the same in my presence - That they are Credible Witnesses - That the said Walter Swits made declaration under oath before me of the several facts set forth in his Affidavit above - From which facts & proofs I do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Walter Swits did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in his preceding Declaration of Af- fidavit, against the Common enemy, And that he is intitled to the provisions of the Act of Congress granting pensions passed 10 th March 1818; And I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken & had before me, to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the said act of Congress - April 11 th 1818
John Yates

State of New York County of Schenectady } p
In testimony that John Yates before whom the foregoing Affidavits of Walter Swits, William Lighthall and Andrew Van Patten were taken, & who subscribed the preceding Certificate, was on the days above written one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Schenectady, & that the above are his signatures, I subscribe my name and affix the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas, this 17 th April 1810
Jules A Hoida clerk.
of the County of Schenectady.

aw
January 31, 1914.
Hon. Peter G. Ten Eyck, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Ten Eyck:
In response to your letter of the 26 th instant, requesting information in regard to Lieutenant Walter Swits of Colonel Seth Warner's Regiment, War of the Revolution for Mr. James A. Burnham Jr., of 225 Western Avenue, Albany, N.Y., I have the honor to advise you that said Walter Swits and his widow Sarah, were allowed the pensions due them on account of his military service, and there is no provision of law that would entitle the descendents of said soldier to pension. No one would now have title to bounty-land on account of Revolutionary War service, except surviving children of such a soldier who were minors on March 3, 1855.
This Bureau has no knowledge of the fund alleged to have been provided by Congress on December 2, 1861, for the heirs of said Walter Swits.
For information relative to half pay to officers of the Revolutionary Army, you should apply to the War Department.
Very truly yours,
Commissioner.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 11585-
Sarah Smith
Wid.
Walter Smith
Lt. Rev.
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. (M) , Page 25-7
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 26-1902
M rs J. Lewis. Bkgr S. D.C.
1914 Jan. 31. Hon P. G. Leu Eyck with descendents no title to pension or bounty land. etc. aw
1916 Jan. 14: history to Mrs C. N. Henzie. M. B. H
1917 May 23. To Miss Minnie J. Berry &
1920 Oct-4 Hist-to Mabel S. Hinzia - - Eu.
1920 Dec. 23. Hist to Mrs. H. C. Shipman aw

Rev Dec 11 Omaha Neb. 1-8 1916
Dear Sir,
Will you please send me a copy of the pension Papers of Walter Savits of N.Y. Lieutenant in Greene Mountain bty, or of his father Major Abraham Savits of N. York, Am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Respectfully,
4616 Davenport-
Mrs C.W. Hargie

Mason City Iowa
Oct 7-1920
Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions - Washington D.C.
I would like a copy of Walter Swito Military Record-
Respectfully
Mrs. H. C. Shipman
1419 N Federal Ave
Mason City Ia.
over

Dear Sir,
Lieut Walter Smith was the son of Major Abram Smith, Major of Col. Knapp's 2 nd Battallion New York militia - Regiment was formed in Dutchess and Albany Counties.
none
joined militia Nov 17 - 1775 - made major. June 28 - 1778 Regiment was later drawn into the Continental Congress. He retaining the rank of major.
none. On his death General Jacob Smith
General Jacob Smith. son of Major Abram Smith. & brother of Lieut. Walter Smith - was made Major General. New York State Militia in 1810.
may I hope for a record of these three men? Respectfully Mrs. H.C. Shipman

Omaha Neb
8-24 th 1920
Dear Sirs
The enclosed slip was forwarded to me and as two reports are furnished would be pleased if a report of Pension of the father of Lieutenant Walter Smith, his name was Abraham Smith. was Major in Albany Co Militia 2 nd Reg, under Col. Wemple, his wife's name was Elizabeth Brown. he enlisted from and died in Schenectady N. York 1814
Respectfully Mabel S. Hinzie 4616 Davenport St.

Ex. 25  Div. Post War Section
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 7, 1920
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
Name of widow No. of claim,  Sarah Peck Savito
Name of soldier, Walter Savito
Lieutenant,
P.O. address of claimant, at enlistment and after service Belov, Oct. 11/19
Company New York Continental
Regiment under Col. Warner
State where enlisted New York
Approximate dates of birth & death born 1754 died 1823
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Only 2 reports are made for each inquirer.
Return attached letter with reply.
F. D. Byington Acting Commissioner.

Ex. EW  on Rev War Pension
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 11 , 19 20
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
Name of widow Sarah Peck  married June 23, 1778 No. of claim, _____
Name of soldier, Lieut. Walter Scott
Born Nov 10 - 1754 Died Oct 31 - 1823
Post address of claimant Stenlistment- after service. Schneetady N.Y.
Company _____
Regiment _____
State where enlisted New York
Approximate dates of birth + death
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Thinks Colonel Mumpis
Return attached letter with reply.
_____ Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Walter Swift , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. W.F. 11585.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1776 ✓ Lieut John A. Bralts co of Rangers N.Y.   Feb 1777 Sept 1780 Lieut Giles Walcutt Col Warner's Continental Reg't        
Battles engaged in, none stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Schenectady, N.Y.
Date of application for pension, March 31, 1812. This claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Schenectady, N.Y.
Age at date of application, 64 years.
Remarks: Soldier married in Schenectady June 22, 1777 Sarah daughter of Harmanus Peck. Sol. died Oct 21, 1823 and she was allowed pension on an application executed Oct 14, 1826 while a resident of Schenectady, N.Y. at 76 years. Children in 1820, Elizabeth 42 years, married; Nancy 39 years; Peggy 37, married; Harmanus 35 years, married; Sarah 31, married; Abraham 30 years, married; Abigail 25 yrs; Isaac 22 yrs, married; John 21 years. Married names of children not stated.
Respectfully,
Sarah wife of Harmanus Peck (soldier's father) could not have been the widow's mother: Widow was born in 1760 and Sarah testifies that she has known her since 1769. Widow states that Sarah was her father's wife, does not call her mother!
Commissioner.

To what time was Walter Switz d r 20 $/mo p d at N York Agency act d 1882?
G.M.L.
Died 31 Oct 1823 paid to that period 214
Jan y 2. 3/.

SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
DORSEY W. SHACKLEFORD, MO., CHAIRMAN. EDWARD W. SAUNDERS, VA. PETER G. TEN EYCK, N. Y. HENRY A. BARNHART, IND. JAMES B. ASWELL, LA. JAMES S. DAVENPORT, OKLA. FRANK L. DERSHEM, PA. JAMES F. BYRNES, S. C. C. BASCOM SLEMP, VA. HUBERT D. STEPHENS, MISS. SOLOMON PRUDY, IOWA. JOHN J. WHITACRE, OHIO. THOMAS B. DUNN, N. Y. ROBERT L. DOUGHTON, N. C. HOWARD SUTHERLAND, W. VA. JOHN R. CONNELLY, KANS. MILTON W. SHREVE, PA. EDWARD KEATING, COLO. EDWARD E. BROWNE, WIS. CLYDE M. TAVENNER, ILL. ROY O. WOODRUFF, MICH. JOHN C. SHACKLEFORD, CLERK.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U. S. COMMITTEE ON ROADS, WASHINGTON, D. C.
January 26, 1914
Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly note copy of letter of James A. Burham, Jr., Attorney at Law, and inform me rela- tive to the same.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
For G. M. Lyle
Enc.

Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., June 4 1902.
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
Mr. William J. Swits, Rockford Ill.
Signature of Commissioner
Full name of soldier,
Abraham Swits
Where did he enter service
Schenectady Schenectady Co. New York
(Town, county, and State.)
Under what officers did he serve
Abraham Mumpole
Place of residence after service,
Schenectady Schenectady Co. N.Y.
(Town, county, and State.)
Approximate date of death,
Aug. 17 1814
Given name of widow,
Had three wives - last wife Margaret - died Dec 23 1810
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension?
I think so
Additional information,
My Great Grandfather Major Abraham Swits and my Grandfather Lieut. Walter Swits both lived in the Revolutionary War - one - perhaps both received pensions.
Signature.
Wm J Swits
(Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs.)
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State, }
Rockford No 315 South Second St. Winnebago Co Ill

RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Briefed by AW Jan 30 1914
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Lieut Walter Swits
Service Seth Warner regt
Additional Service Rev.
No _____ claim, State records _____, 191
No claim, combination records _____, 191
REMARKS:
No bounty land claim on file or recorded in Officers book prior to 1800. No private claim on list (printed). No Act of Congress found (on Rev. Statute in Law Div) for Dec 2, 1861, and as that was the first Monday in Dec of that year & Congress met that day, it seems queer that they should pass such a bill

... C O P Y ...
Albany, N. Y.
January 21st, 1914.
Hon. Peter G. Ten Eyck, Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Ten Eyck:-
Having been the recipient of several favors through your personal courtesy, I still beg your indulgence in the following matter.
A client of mine informs me that one Walter Swits, grandfather of my client's father, was a Lieutenant under Colonel Warner during the fifties; that as such Lieutenant, the commission of Walter Swits is a matter of record in the Pension Office at Washington.
Further, that under Washington's administration a law was enacted to the effect that every officer should receive half pay during his life.
I am also informed that in 1860, the heirs of the above Walter Swits had eleven thousand dollars ($11,000.) and one hundred sixty (160) acres of land coming to them and that on December 2nd, 1861, Congress provided a fund from which this money was to be paid.
I would appreciate it if you could spare sufficient time to put me upon the right track in this matter. Should the details appear to meagre, I will be only too glad to supplement them as you may suggest.
Thanking you for the consideration previously shown me, I am,
Yours very truly,
(Signed) James A. Burnham, Jr.,
Attorney at Law.
In replying, kindly address me at 225 Western Avenue, Albany, N. Y.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
JAN 23
2119178
1914
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Inclos 1

Rev Sec MH
Schenectady, N.Y.
May 14, 1917.
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sir: "
Hanson's Schenectady in the Revolution" states that the widow of Lieut. Walter Switz or Switz re- ceived a pension. He served as lieutenant with Bradt's State Rangers, but longer as lieutenant in Seth Warner's regiment 1777- 1780. If the statement regarding the pension

is correct, will you kindly give me some information regarding it, most particularly if it states the date of marriage to his wife, Sarah Peeke, also name of book or document and page where the record is found? Will greatly appreciate information, and if there is a charge will promptly forward, on request.
Respectfully yours, (Miss) Minnie J. Berry, 24 Jay St. Schenectady, N.Y.