Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14641, for John Tappen, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental New York
Tappen, John
S 14641
bearded
CONTENTS

New York 31, 771
John Tappan
of Sullivan Co. in the State of N. York who was a Pr. Artif l & Ensign in the company commanded by Captain Schenck of the reg'ts commanded by Col. S. S. S. in the N. York Br. 1 month 218 days time for Artificers 4. 10 " Continental and N.Y. Ensigns 3 " 11 " Records completed Feb. 27/32
inscribed on the Roll of New York of 65 Dollars — Cents per annum. commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3. day of July, 1840 and sent to Hon. R. Palen House of Representatives
Arrears to the 14th of March 1840 585.00 Pension allowance ending 14 Sept. " 32.50 $617.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, E. 2. Vol. 14. Page 72
Let Mrs. S. Sylvester 52 Apr. 22/32 Col. John Tappan May 28/32

French + Sylvanus -

State of New York } Sullivan County } ss
Be it known that at a Court of Oyer & terminer  General Court held at the Court-house in Monticello in said County on the 25 th day of September 1851. The same being a court of record personally appeared James Sappan a resident of said County aged 51 years and made oath and states on his oath that he is a son of John Sappan deceased late of said County and sole the only administrator of the Estate of said John Sappan who was a who was a prisoner of the United States and drew a pension at the rate of $65.00 per annum under act of June 7 th 1832 and that his father the said John Sappan died at his residence in said County on the 4 th day of March 1846. That he left him surviving the following named children to wit James Sappan a resident of the State of Illinois, George Sappan a resident of the State of Pennsylvania, Peter Sappan a resident of Ulster County in the State of New York, William Sappan John Henry Sappan & James Sappan this declarant all residents of Sullivan County in the State of New York. That they are the only surviving children of the aforesaid John Sappan. That they are of lawful age, this declarant further states that he has often heard his said father say in his life time that he had not received a pension for all the services he had performed in & during the war of the revolution. That he believes the same to be true and that he this declarant has been advised to make this application in order to obtain an increase that was due his said father at the time of his death under the Act of June 7 th 1832 and that he this declarant solicits the Commissioner of Pensions to make a re-examination of his father's declaration & other proof on file in his office and to give him this declarant all the aid and assistance that he can consistently with the rules of the Pension Department. This declarant further states that his said father left no widow at the time of his death.
Sworn and Subscribed this 25 th day of September 1851
James Sappan
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed My seal of Office at Monticello in the County of Sullivan
Gad Wales clerk

State of New York
County of Sullivan
ss
Be it known that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that John Sappin a late resident of Sullivan County was a pensioner of the United States and drew a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832 at the rate of $65.00 dollars per annum and that he the said John Sappin died at his residence in the said County of Sullivan in said State on the 4 th day of March 1846. and that he left no widow, that he left him surviving the following named children to wit James Sappin, George Sappin, Peter Sappin, William Sappin, John Henry L Sappin and James Sappin who made the foregoing declaration that they are the only surviving children of the said John Sappin
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at Newville this 25 th day of September 1851
• Gad Wals clerk

14934
John Jappan
Surgeon March 14. 1833
Obj. 4. 5. 16.
P. 298
  Col Swarthout  mo      Capt Schuch  - 1 & 18 days  Private     Ensign  3. 11  "     Artificer  4. 10             9. 9    
Hon.
J. C. Bondhead
Mc
3 mo 11 Ensign 16. 5 or 6 week adgt 17 3 - mo -
  3 11     1 15         4 26     3 -         7 26   

BEFORE in the case of John Tappan of Fallsburg County of Sullivan in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 79  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Volunteer Fall 1775 1 18 Private Gen. Jacobus Troup Col. John Schuyler   Dec 1. Jan 1776 3 11 Cornet Gen. Lee   19. July " " Col. Pantling , leading Fire-ships   Employed Summer & Fall 1776 not stated Col. Freer ; Capt. Hugh van Klief   Drafted Jan 1777 about 5 or 6 weeks Adjutant Brig. Gen. McDonough , 14 gun Howitzers , 12 gun Cols.   March 1777 attached himself to a company of Carpenters not specified Carpenter Col. Pickering   April 1778. ditto until June 1779 9 3 Carpenter Col. Platt , Capt. Platt "Bumpt. Corp."  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? not answered  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Poughkeepsie, New York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary proof has Ensigns Commission & by traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. G. Wilkin Examining Clerk. 8. March 1832

34,234
24.239 John Jaspem N.Y.
Horace Armstrong D.R.O. Aug 14 '12

STATE OF NEW-YORK, SULLIVAN COUNTY, } ss.
I, WILLIAM E. CADY , Clerk of the County of Sullivan, Do hereby Certify, That Augustus M. Sackett Esq whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument and endorsed thereon, was on the day of the date of the said Certificate, a Justice in and for said County of Sullivan, dwelling in the said County, Commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized by law, to take the proof and acknowledgment of Deeds and Discharges of Mortgages, &c. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature of A. M. Sackett — subscribed to the said Certificate, is the proper hand-writing of the said Justice
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and af- fixed the Seal of the said County, this 19 th day of July 1837
William E. Cady , CLERK.

County of B. Jacob Marrigant of Coeheton in said County of Sullivan being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is of the age of Seventy three years, that he resided during the period of the War of the Revolution in the County of Dutchess. That he knew John Tappan the person applying for a pension for services in said War from the time of his youth; that he knew that said John Tappan was in the Army of the Revolution for some time, but in what capacity he cannot state nor un- -der whom or what officers he served. Except during three months he thinks in the year One thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, when said John Tappan served in the Army of the Revolution in company with this deponent, and was Encamped near the Fishkill in said County of Dutchess That said John Tappan served under Colonel Platt but this deponent served under Colonel Grarmes, that the Regiments were Encamped near to each other & this deponent often saw said John Tappan, and con- -versed with him during the said three months, and knows that he was doing duty then as soldier during the said term of three months —
Yazgze
Jacob Marrigant
I certify that on the eighth day of June one thou- -sand eighty three and thirty seven before me personally appeared Jacob Marrigant, to me known personally and testified, and was sworn to the truth of the above facts and that he is a person of good character & his state- -ment is entitled to credit —
A. B. Bickel J. P. Coard

State of New York County of Sullivan } ss
on this 15 th day of June, one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven, personally appeared in Open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas Now sitting in & for Sullivan County aforesaid, being a Court of Record. Ithier Tappan a resident of Fallsburg, in the said County of Sullivan State of New York, aged eighty four 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832): That he first entered into the Army of the United States, in the year, one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, he believes in the month of September with Captain John Schenck, in Colonel Jacobus Swartwouts Regiment: that the Lieutenants Names were Peter Tappan and John Childs: that he left the service on the first of May, one thousand seven hundred & seventy six; that when he entered the service he resided in Dutchess County State of New York: that during the period of this service, the Company of which he was a member served as Minute men: and their chief business was keeping watch over those who were suspected of disaffection: that during this period of service he was elected an ensign of said Company & received his Commission, that he was stationed in Dutchess County until the first of May when he left the Army as above stated:
That he entered again into the Army of the United States as a private on the 20 th day of January, one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven, under Captain Hugh Van Kleek, and left it again, about the first of March one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven: that the Colonels Name was John Drear: Brigadier General Scott: that during such second enlistment, he marched from Poughkeepsie, to White Plains, Westchester County New York, whilst the Company remained here he was appointed Adjutant by the Colonel: that he remained in White Plains but a few days, when the Regiment was sent on to North-castle in said County of Westchester: that he remained at

North Castle eight or ten days & was principally engaged in scouting; that the Regiment was sent on from Northcastle to a place called Stephen Waras, and there joined the main body of the army then under the command of General Parsons or Parsons; that they then took up their line of March, and went to Williamsbridge, from whence they Marched to within about one mile of Kingsbridge, in said County of Westchester, and encamped for about three weeks; that during said three weeks they had frequent skirmishes with the British who were in possession of a small fort, situated on a hill near the encampment & known by the army at that time as Valentines Hill; that he marched from Valentines Hill back again to White Plains in said County of Westchester, that the main body of the army went back part of the way; that the Regiment then under the command of Major Livingston accompanied the Regiment in which he was back to White Plains; but that the rest of the main body went no farther than Northcastle in said County of Westchester; that upon the arrival of the Regiment at White Plains he (acting as Adjutant to the Regiment) made out the returns, and the Regiment was then disbanded & he went home:
That he was drafted into the army of the United States in the year One thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy nine, for the term of three Months - He thinks he was drafted in the month of September; that during this term, he acted as a Sergeant; that the Colonel's Name was Daphaniel Platt; that General George Clinton was the Commander of the main body; that the Regiment in which he served together with three or four other Regiments were encamped near the Fishkill in Dutchess County State of New York for about the term of the three months; that he however remained there only about five or six weeks, when he was sent to Poughkeepsie by the command of General Clinton to assist in guarding the prisoners, in which service he continued until the expiration

of the three months for which he was drafted as above stated, when he again left the Army:
That he was drafted again into the Army of the United States in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty one he thinks in June or July: that the Regiment Marched from Poughkeepsie to the Helderberg in Dutchess County New York where they were encamped for four or five weeks, when the Regiment was again disbanded & he returned home: that the Colonels Name was Stephen Plate & General George Clinton the Commander: That he has no documentary Evidence of any Nature Except the Commission which he received as Ensign, & which he believes is now at the Pension Office in Washington: that he regularly received his discharges, but that they are either lost or destroyed: that he knows of no person Except one Jacob Harrigant whose testimony he can procure whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services: and that he but lately discovered that he was alive: that he was born in the Town of Poughkeepsie Dutchess County State of New York on the eighteenth day of October, one thousand seven hundred & fifty three (1753): that the only record of his age which is in existence is in a Bible now in the possession of his Sister in the County of Dutchess aforesaid: that he resided in Dutchess County aforesaid after the Revolutionary War, until the year one thousand eight hundred, when he removed into the Town of Facebrough Sullivan County New York where he has resided ever since: that when he entered the Army in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy five he entered as a volunteer: that in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven he was drafted: and that he was drafted also in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine: that in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty one he was drafted out as a militia man, as General Washington expected to make an attack upon the City of New York, but abandoned the idea, which was the occasion of

the last term being so short: that he is known in his present neighborhood to many who can certify as to his character for veracity: and as to their belief of his services as a soldier in the Revolution; that he knows of no clergyman who could be procured & who could certify to his character without great expense & inconvenience:
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any of the United States:
Sworn & subscribed the day & year first above mentioned: William E Gady Clarke of Sullivan County -
John Tappan
We William C Labagh, James Divine & Abraham Seaman residing in the Town of Pacesburgh Sullivan County State of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Tappan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty four years of age: that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion:
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid William E Gady Clarke of Sullivan County
Wm Labagh James Divine Abraham Seaman
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & 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 certify that it

appears to them that William C. Labagh James Vivian & Abraham Lemans are residents in the Town of Fallsburgh aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit:
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 19 day of July A.D. 1837.
William E. Cady, Clerk.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
April 27, 1925
Dr. Frank J. McMichael Gary Ind.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.14641, it appears that John Tappen was born October 18, 1753, in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York.
While a resident of said place he enlisted in September 1775 as private in Captain John Schenck's Company, Colonel Jacobus Swartwout's New York Regiment, was appointed Ensign in said company February 19, 1776, and was discharged in May or June 1776. He enlisted in the summer or fall of 1776 and served three months under Colonel Paulding, was engaged in purchasing and loading "fire vessels" for the army. He enlisted January 2, 1777, and served five or six weeks as private and Adjutant in Captain Hugh VanKleeck's Company, Colonel John Freer's New York Regiment; was in frequent skirmishes with the British at Valentine's Hill. He enlisted in March 1777 and served until August 1777 as a carpenter under Quartermaster General Pickering; was engaged in building vessels for the army. He enlisted in

April or May 1778 and served until January or March 1779 as a carpenter under Colonel Pickering. He enlisted in September or October 1779 and served three months as Sergeant in Captain Thomas Lee's Company, Colonel Zephaniah Platt's New York Regiment. He enlisted in June or July 1781 and served four or five weeks in Colonel Zephaniah Platt's New York Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 10, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Fallsburgh, Sullivan County, New York. He died in said county March 4, 1846, leaving no widow, but the following children: James of Sullivan County, New York, who was fifty-one in 1851, Tunis of Illinois, George of Pennsylvania, Peter of Ulster County, New York, William and John Henry L. of Sullivan County, New York.
Respectfully,
WILDER S. METCALF Commissioner

14434 34,239 New York
Rev. =
John Tappan
Suspended
See letter to
G. W. Ludlum
21. Sept. 1833 - let. Hon C. Bodle 5th
Mar. 1834
let to M c Vickles 22 Dec 1835 -
" " A. C. Niven, June 5. 1837.
N. Y. June 1832

In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS for the Colony of New-York, the Nineteenth Day of February 1776.
To John Tappan Gentleman
Greeting:
BY virtue of the authority reposed in us, We do hereby nominate, authorize, constitute and appoint you the said John Tappan Esquire of the Associated Company of Militia Foot in Poughkeepsie - Dutchess County - whereof John Schenck Jr. Esquire is Captain hereby requiring you, before you enter into the exercise of your said office, to make in writing, and subscribe in presence of the Chairman of the Committee of the City, Town, District, or Precinct wherein you reside, the Declaration appointed and directed by the eleventh Section of the seventh Resolve contained in the rules and orders for regulating the Militia of the Colony of New-York, recommended by this Congress on the 22d day of August, 1775, and authorizing you fully to execute all the powers belonging to your said office, by virtue of the said rules and orders, and the said declaration: And we do hereby require all persons under your command, to pay due obedience to you, according to the said rules and orders, and such further rules and orders as shall be made and recommended for the Militia of this Colony, by the present, or any future Continental Congress or Provincial Congress of this Colony.
Attest.
By Order,
Rev. M c Lean Secy
Nath l Woodhull President

FRENCH & SYLVESTER, GENERAL AGENTS.
B. B. FRENCH, Attorney at Law, H. H. SYLVESTER.
City of Washington, Oct. 23 d 1851.
J. E. Heath, Esq. Comm r . of Pensions Sir,
We have the honor to enclose the application of James Tappan, son of John Tappan deceased, for a pension, and also, the power of Attorney of Henry Rexford son of Joseph Rexford authorizing us to examine the papers of said Joseph Rexford, which papers please dispose of agreeably to the rules of your office.
Very Respectfully
H. H. Sylvester

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- rogatories 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 Anthony Hasbrouck & John Simpson who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of Gall- -sburgh, Sullivan County, and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit —
I Jesse M Foster, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Sullivan County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Simpson for a Pension —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 10 th day of October A D 1832 —
Jesse M Foster

John Tappan N. York. roll. ack of 1832.
G. M. Young Agent

Monticello N. Y. Dec the 11 1850
Hon J. B. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir
You will be pleased to allow my agent R W Young, Washington, D. C., to exa- mine the papers on file in your office, upon which a pension was originally granted to John Tappan
Yours respectfully
Wm Tappan, heir of John Tappan Deceased

Dec 17. John Tappan.
My
78.
llllllll
Hon. Sickle H.R.
Hon. N. Sickle H.R.

In October 1833 John Tappan of William County N.Y. forwarded his application for a pension to the department. Those Papers embraced his commission as an Ensign in the Army.
This case has been examined and a list of the objections to the allowance of the claim was forwarded to the Applicant.
He has left those objections & wishing to renew his application. He wishes as shall be consistent with the rules of the department either
1 st The original papers filed in his behalf together with a copy of the objections interposed to the allowance of his claim, or
2 nd A copy of all the papers and objections or
3 rd a copy of the objections only, if either of the other requests cannot be allowed.
Answer to be addressed to Mr. Sickles,

July 2. 1870
Rev
John Dappner
Wahia No. of Rep
J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions
Ed. Dappner H. 2

House Representatives July 1. 1840
Sir
Herewith I forward additional papers in support of the case of John Tappan which I trust will be sufficient to entitle him to a pension.
I have known Mr. Tappan several years & do not hesitate to say that he sustains an unexceptionable character, and believe his statement entitled to full credit.
The legal limits there must be record evidence in the Department to corroborate the supplemental statement now furnished.
Very Respectfully Yours &c.
Nyhus Palmer
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm ee of Pensions

Please make return of the enclose & papers to G W Lueders. Postmaster. Woodbourne Sullivan Co. N.Y.

State of New York Sullivan County } ss
On this 20th day of June 1840 personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Sullivan in said State John Kappin a resident of said County aged Eighty Seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following supplemental affidavit in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed June 7th 1832 and states that some time in the month of March 1777 he enlisted and marched to Fort George and worked at the carpenters work under Stephen Serran a master carpenter and remained there until the Company were drove off by the enemy then marched to Saratoga where he and the rest of the company went to work and repaired some carriages for Cannon and was discharged at Albany he thinks to the best of his recollection in the month of August of the same year And he further states that some time in the month of May 1778 he enlisted & marched to Springfield in the State of Massachusetts & worked at the carpenters business under Platt Titus & Robert Hutton who were overseers or master carpenters & remained there at work until some time in the month of March 1779 when he was discharged and that John Macchibena a blacksmith & Robert Lister & Thomas Lister & Othniel Rogers worked & belonged to the same company under Titus & Hutton master carpenters at Springfield and he further states that he believes he did not mention the term of service in 1778 & 79 at Springfield under Titus and Hutton in his former declaration and that he was told by his agent that made out his papers that he did not know whether carpenter work was Revolutionary service or not & it was not worth while to mention it. That perhaps no allowance would be made for such service although he did mention some other service of the same kind.

not expecting to receive any thing for such service from what he was told Sworn and subscribed before me this 20th day of June 1840 H. R. Luedington Justice of the Peace of Sullivan Co. N.Y.
John Tappan
I hereby certify that I have been intimately acquainted with Elder John Tappan the person making the above affidavit (for the last twenty one years,) and that his Moral Character has always been Good very Good - H. R. Luedington Justice of the Peace
Note the word Connecticut in the nineteenth line is erased and the word Massachusetts inserted which was so corrected by the deponent - H. R. Luedington Justice of the Peace
I certify that H. R. Luedington, before whom the above deposition of John Tappan was taken, is an acting Justice of the Peace for the County of Sullivan N.Y. and that the signature is genuine Rufus Palmer M.P.

Dec. 23, 1829
Albany
Tappan
Hon. C. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions
Hon. R. Palen, H. R.

House Representatives Saturday Decr. 21, 1839
Dear Sir
From personal acquaintance with Mr. John Tappan and a full conviction of the justice of his claim to a pension under the act of 1832, I am induced to inquire, what additional evidence is necessary to entitle him to a pension
Very Respectfully Yours —
Rufus Palmer
Hon. S. L. Edwards } Com. of Pensions }

Jan 6 - Nov 17
Currituck Inner
Wake int Co
John L. Edwards 14978 Mary Nicholson Samuelson 2337
John L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions Washington

J. S. Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir
on the 11 th inst I received from you a letter relating to the claim of John Tappan for compensation for Rev- olutionary services, of which I am entirely ignorant, as I never had a claim for such a person under my charge to the best of my recollections. there has been some mistake in the direction of the letter, or some person must have had the claim entered in my name without my knowledge, perhaps the mistake has occurred in the direction of the letter.
I have received answers since the date of the above to the claims of Rebecca Bul- lard Leah Root & the papers in the case of Ed Shew, which were under my charge.
The case of Mary Nicholson Widow of Charles Nicholson, has been for sometime past in your office & as yet not acted upon I am anxious for a decision on her case, which I trust I shall receive soon as it was filed at the same time with those above named also the claim of Samuel Crawford.
Yours Truly (H. Armstrong)
Newburgh Nov 14 th 1837.

Phanum L.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Tappan which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Mr V. * Has he mentioned 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? Mr VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No Vide Quen 16
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

June 5.
Mr. Tappan My dear appn.
14
Commissaire of Pensions Washington

Monticello Ill. J. May 30 '37
The case of John Tappan an applicant for a pension was last over some 2 or 3 years ago - for want of some more specific statement as to his services - From the character of the man & other proof beside his own statement which we can now procure, his friends and neighbors think his claim a meritorious one; and I write therefore for a copy of his papers, especially of his declaration & a commission which I understand is connected therewith, that we may for - - want such other proof as is now to be had -
Very Respectfully Your obed servt A C McMe
Mr J Edward, Commission of Pensions

The number and amount of certificates issued by the Treasurer of the State of New York for Services and a Militia Services &c Continued from Book N o 3
1779 Nov 21 18.897 John Tappan Serjt 4.8.0
State of New York Comptroller's Office Albany June 26. 1840
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book N o 4 now remaining in this office and that the service for which the above certificate was issued was performed under Capt Thomas Vee in a regiment commanded by Colo Joseph Platt
M c H. Indaway Dep Comptroller
For paid $1.75

Mr R. Palmer N 12

34234
John Tappan
Act. June 7. 1832
Col Swartout
Capt Schuch
Ensign Artificer } New York Private
Admitted
  Ensign 3 mo 14 days  $33.99  66 2/3    Artificer 4 " 10 "  26.-     Private 1 " 18 "  5.32 1/2   
  65.31     $ 65.99     $ 65.00   
Hon R. Palmer
Hous. Reps
NYS

✓ James Tappan, Monticello, N.Y. May 19/62
Inquiry relative to the Revolutionary pension of John Tappan his father.
N.Y. D. 1832
Respectfully referred to Comm. Pensions.
Int. Dept May 24/60
Moses Kelly Chf Clerk
Respectfully referred to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior - War Dept } 23 d May 1860 - }
Recd 23 d May 60 Mr. Platt

Montreal May 19 th 1860
The War Department Washington City
My father John Tappan was a Revolutionary soldier and received a pension of $60 or $65 a year till the time of his death - he died some 12 or 14 years ago. I am informed that his heirs are entitled to an additional pension due him - if such is the fact I should like to be informed of it. I therefore wish your department would inform me whether or not the heirs of John Tappan are entitled to any back pension due their father if so I will take immediate steps to procure the same. I should esteem it a great kind- ness if you will state briefly what steps to take to procure the pension - Mr Joseph Ellis has had a power of attorney to procure the pension and he is either making great delay or else has procured it & will not pay it over he will not give me much satisfaction about it - see the Revolutionary pension officer's Tappan in your report -

ment, or how they been given to Mr Ellis - Hoping to hear from your Department soon & remain
Yours very truly James Wapples
P.S. Please direct your commu- nication to B. L. Ludington Monticello Sullivan County, N.Y.

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James E. Heath Esq. Court of Sessions Washington

1925 Apr. 27. K to Dr. Frank G. McMichael, M.D.
Reuben
✓ 14641 INVALID.
File No. 14641 John Tappan Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1, Page 370
[Arrangement of 1870.]

FRANK J. McMICHAEL, M.D. GARY, INDIANA
583 Broadway, March 3, 1925.
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C., Gentlemen,
I am desirous of obtaining the service-record in the Revolutionary Army of my maternal great-great-grandfather, John Nappan. He was born in Dutchess County, New York on Oct. 10, 1753, married Rachel Van Brunschoten July 23, 1786, and died in Sullivan County, New York, I believe, but I do not know the date, and would like to know that.
I believe he served in the Revolutionary Army as a Lieutenant, and that he received a pension, and that in his later years he may have lived in Sullivan County, New York with my great-grandfather, James Nappan.
If you can aid me in this matter of record I shall appreciate it very much.
Trusting you do not think me too presuming, and that I shall hear from you when it is convenient for you to write me, I am,
Very respectfully yours, Frank J. McMichael.

State of New York Sullivan County
On the 11 th day of June 1833. before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace for said County personally appeared John Tappen who being duly sworn deposit 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.
1. for 5 months and 19 days I served as a private in a uniform Volunteer Company in United States Service
2. for 3 months and eleven days I served as an Ensign in the same Company.
3. for 3 months I was employed by Lieut. Governor Colonel Pauding to load fire vessels for the United States and take them to West Point.
4. for one month and fifteen days I served as an adjutant tho' without a commission, in Captain Van Klief's Company at New York
5. for two years and six months I served as a carpenter (under martial law drawing regular pay and rations) as stated in the declaration hereto annexed
6. for nine months I served as a private in different militia companies. the names of officers are forgotten.
7. for 3 months I served as a private in an "exempt corps" under Capt. Platt in Col. Platt's regiment sworn & subscribed before me for their services for a pension the 11 th June 1833 - John Tappen
H. R. Livingston J.P.

State of New York
Sullivan County } For as I Jesse M Foster Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Harley R Lindington Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit was sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in for said County, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Affidavit is his & genuine.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office the 13 th day of June A.D. 1863.
Jesse M Foster Dep. Clerk per Jesse M Foster Clk

State of New York Sullivan County. ss
On this 10 th day of October 1832. Personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas. for the said County of Sullivan, now sitting. John Tappan a resident of the Town of Tustenburgh in said County and State. aged. Seventy nine 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 act of Congress passed June 7. 1832..
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. At the time the American army commanded by Genl Montgomery with other troops In the fall of 1775. at Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York, volunteered as a private in the service of the United States, in a uniform Company commanded by Capt n John Schenk. and were immediately attached to Col Jacobs Mantua's Regiment of the New York State Troops. — The Company were employed that fall in apprehending disaffected persons — about the 1 st of Jany 1776. the Regiment was ordered to New York and placed under the command of Gen Lee. — on the 19 th day of February 1776. Deponent was appointed an Ensign of the Company as appears by the Commission hereto annexed confirmed at New York until about the 1 st of June when the Regiment was disbanded — In the summer and fall of 1776. was employed by Mr Gilbert Livingston of Poughkeepsie and Colonel Paulding of Sing-Sing Westchester County. to proceed up the North River for the purpose of purchasing and loading for the Government 2 Fire-works. They were obtained and left in charge of the Deponent. to be

loaded with Pine-knots, ash wood &c - after loading the rebels, and preparing them at Poughkeepsie. the Component was ordered (by whom he cannot recollect) to take the rebels to Fort Montgomery, towing at the same time several rafts, of the Chain (in logs) that was thrown across the River at that place. - was then dismissed from further duty and returned to his residence. - On the 2 nd day of January 1777. was drafted in Col. Freer's Regiment of Militia in Captain Hugh VanKleck's Company - was ordered to the "Lines" (near New York) - acted as an Adjutant. (but without a Commission) in the place of French. (during which time, the main guard of Regiment was attacked by a party of the British army then lying on Valentine's Hill near Kings- Bridge). Continued in that expedition about 5 or 6 weeks. - was then discharged with the Regiment. - in March 1777. attached himself to a Company of U.S. Carpenters. (under military Law) under the direction of D.M. General Picking - to go to Lake George to build Vessels for the American Service - arrived there 1 st Lake 1777. - assisted in building. 2, 11 Gun Schooners. & 2 Gun boats. - when the last boat was launched, heard the news of the retreat of our Army from Ticon- deroga. - was ordered to Fort Edward from then to Fort  Edward Saratoga, from there to Albany and then dismissed. - In April 1778. was attached to another Company of Carpenters. under direction of Col. Picking and ordered to Springfield Massachusetts. to establish a Ferry across the Connecticut River. - After the Ferry boats were finished, was ordered to.

remain there with one other of the Carpenters held a firm house. - afterwards to build a public Store. and afterwards. he found in the employ of the United States. repairing their Waggons & Carts until in Jan 1779. and then dismissed paid off in Continental Money. - In Oct. 1779. was again drafted for 3 months in the "exempt Corps" in Capt Platts Company in Col Platt's Regiment, and after the expiration of this service was no more in the military service of his Country except occasionally as a militia man when the Call to arms was general. - during all the time the defendant served as a Carpenter, he drew his pay & rations regularly from Government the same as when serving in the State Troops . The Defendant has no other documentary evidence of his service than the Commission accompanying this Declaration. having long since lost or mislaid his discharges. nor can he state precisely the names of the officers under whom he served as a militia man . or the extent of those services but believing that in all they amounted to from 9 to 10 months . - He knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. and relying upon the strength of this Documentary Evidence and his perfect recollec- tion of facts. and being prevented by a want of means has not made the personal inquiries that might have resulted to his benefit. - There is no settling Clergyman in the Town in which he resides or in any of the adjoining Towns. to whom he can apply for a certificate. - The Defendant resided at Poughkeepsie Dutchess Co at the time he entered the Service - Continued to reside there during the War and until the Year 1800. when he removed to his present residence. where he has remained until now.

We hereby relinquishes every claim relation to a pension or annuity except the present. and declare that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. - The original record of his birth is now at Poughkeepsie as he believes in the possession of some member of the family -
Sworn & subscribed before me the day } John Tappan & Year aforesaid -
Jesse M Foster - Clerk of Sullivan Com. Pleas
Tappan John
14934 State of New York Sullivan County ss
We Anthony Voorhouts and John Tappan residing in Ulster County and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Tappan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 10th day of Oct 1832 in open Court before me. Anthony Voorhouts John Tappan
William Fitch Judge Sullivan Com Pleas