Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6391, for Beekman Livingston, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Livingston, Beekman
R 6391
CONTENTS

Beekman Livingston New York Susq a Oct 9 . June 1822.
Evans of Hart. Washington City

State of Ohio Hamilton Co
Know all men by these presents that I of the City of Cincinnati Hamilton County Ohio do hereby constitute and appoint Messrs Evans & Frank of the City of Washington My true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to examine the papers in the Pension department for the purpose of obtaining what information they can, relative to the Service rendered by in the War of and to secure what pension may be due me as the of said
Sealed and delivered in presence of { C. O. Spen L. Rosetter
Catharine Livingston
State of Ohio } Be it known that on this 2 nd day of March Hamilton Co } 1853 before the Subscriber a Notary Public in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Catharine Livingston Livingston above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year last above mentioned Wm B Barry Notary Public

Leicester, April 14 th 1835 Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir,
Your letter was duly received & I should have written before, but for sickness, for some weeks I was confined to the bed & am unfit to attend to anything now - I have ascertained that there is no record of the services of my late father Beekman Livingston at Albany, it was a volunteer company & little thought the time would come when want would enter their families; hope has filled my heart that some little pittance might justly be her portion in her decline of life, she is now eighty one years of age, out lived nearly every relative on earth, we are in almost in a land of strangers & I am at a loss which way to turn or look for succor this day I prefer the rest of the grave to my destitute condition, I ask nothing for myself but I do not know what to do with my aged mother I am too sick to be troubled with the care of anyone - I cannot get anything for her next meal, & nothing in the house to furnish one - You may, dear sir, think me lacking in modesty to intrude my destitute condition on one personally a stranger to me, all I ask is sympathy in my lone & sad state, all things look dark around me - the Lord can send me comfort in due time if best for me - With sentiments of esteem Cornelia Haveriter

State of New York } Montgomery County ss. }
On this 19 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court at the court house in Johnstown in said county now sitting Beekman Livingston aged sixty 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 th 1832 that he was born at Poughkeepsie in the county of Dutchess and state of New York on the 11 th of December 1762 his father Henry Livingston (now deceased) kept a family register of the births of his children and this statement is taken from the original record
In the spring of the year 1779 a company of volunteers was formed for the purpose of aiding our country in whatever way they could be most useful the members composing the company were volunteers from the regiments of militia under the command of Colonels John Bailey and John Freir both commanding regiments at that time

time in the county of Dutchess in the state of New York - The name of the Captain that commanded the company when it was first organised was John Schenk, he continued in the command about one year - when he left the command and went in the Quartermasters department - our next Captain was Stephen Hendrickson, who continued in the command about fourteen months - when he was succeeded by Jonas Kelsey who continued in the command of the company until they were dismissed the service -
The whole time of this deponents service was near three years - The names of the subalterns were Elias Freir - James Cooper - and George Brooks the names of the privates almost all forgotten - among those recollected are M c Cuen - Matthew Tappan William Pitt John Mansfield John Smith
We were at the disposal of the general government and our duty various - At times we guarded the public stores at Fishkill and at Poughkeepsie in the state of New York and frequently repelling the armed torys under the command of Colonel De Lancy commonly called Cow Boys who was understood by us to be under British pay these armed torys remained on the lines between our army and

and New York - and when the continental troops withdrew from the lines, those Tories made incursions in Dutchess County, plundering, and not unfrequently killing the inhabitants - It was principally our duty to repel this enemy -
At times we performed duty in company with the regular army - such as fatigue duty with part of Colonel Jacksons regiment of the New England troops - a company of said regiment particularly recollected under the command of Captain Keath and lieutenant Pearce -
And at times with parts of the regiments of Colonel Phillip Van Cortlandt and Colonel Anthony Lambs regiment of artillery - under the separate command of Captains James Fairlie of Cortlands regiment and Captain Thomas Matchin of Lambs regiment of artillery the last named officers were attached to regiments of the State of New York in the regular army - during our service was captured three of the enemy by the names of Jacob, Yongs, and Baker they were executed at

at Poughkeepsie, all at the same time the two former on a gallows near the Jail, the latter being a spy, was tried by a court martial the president of which was Major Melancthon L d Woolsey of the regular army — he (Baker) was hung on a gallows a little distance from his companions this latter circumstance is minutely recollected as I was on guard the night previous — and also at the time of their execution —
The above named Beckman Livingston removed from the county of Dutchess in the year 1802, to the county of Montgomery in the state of New York in which last county he now resides — and from all the enquiries made by the above named respecting the officers under whom he served are that they are all dead
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Beckman Livingston
Sworn in Open Court 19 th Sept. 1832
Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk.

No 16153
Beckingham Livingston Montgomery Co N.Y.
e.i.
John W. Gads Johnson Montgomery Co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
May 17 1833.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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 Beckman Livingston & Montgomery Co
    Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     vol spring 1779 1 Private Captm De Col Baile Fork Kill 69 years Traditi   ditto -- 1 2 Serjeant honk 4 Fruit Poughkeepsie Dutchess see evidence   Masters Captm Col Lock Coey- Coey-   Adjutant Hendrick Co Van Cobleskill Cobleskill   indignity on Coltland ey ey   Captm   Relay   Col Brant   on Capt   Keath   Grant   Pearse   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Applicants claim is of that character that he could it is presumed on suitable exertions obtain proof of it

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 the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day 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 (l) 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 enquiry 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 is prevented from so doing, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[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. 312 496
[Handwritten signature]

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
6391.
P. O. _____
Beckman Livingston
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New York
Rev. C.
Beekman Livingston
Suspended
See letter to
John W. Cady
19 August 1833,
Mrs C. Reporter Mar 9/54
Same Apr 21 1834
6391
Act 7 Jan 1832

Admission
Home of Housing

Sir.
Washington March 13 '33
We herewith enclose a power of Attorney, authorising us to examine the papers and to prosecute the claim of Beekman Livingston, whose papers are now in the suspense files of New York, Act 7 th June 1832.
Very respectfully E. Evans & Stant.
James E. Heath Esq. Counsel of Persian

Doc Respectfully Certificate for B. Lumsden

This may certify that I have been acquainted with the Bearer of this Mr. Beck - man Livingston for more than twenty years past. that he has uniformly sustained the character of an honest man - that I have heard no imputations against his character, & do believe that full credit may be given to him in regard to anything he may say, under the solemnity of his oath -
Simon Osbeck Pastor of the
Sept. 19 th
1832
Presbyterian Church, Johnstown Montgomery County, State of New York
seen in open Court Sept. 19 th 1832 -
Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk

Lin. W Feb 20 th 37
Sir,
Yours of the 20 of Jany has been received some time, I have been waiting to see Mr Barry late pension agent but cannot find him, think it will make little difference, as I can say the claim is my late fathers. Beekman Livingston of Montgomery County N. Y. when he sent the first papers to Washington, It was renewed by mother in this state about a year ago - the papers prepared and sent by Mr Barry - a year this this month or next I do not remember precisely - she is in great destitution & could she in justice get anything it would cheer the evening of her life - as it is at times half a meal is all I can procure for her, Let me know should this not throw any light on the subject & I will see Mr Barry & get all the information in my power -
Respectfully Yours C. Rossiter

Win. L. Oct. 16 '33
L. P. Waldo Esq.
Sir,
Yours of the 15 th of Sept was duly received, but had to send to Albany N. Y. to get the letter received from you, I sent it to Mr Barry & he will forward it to you. My late lamented father was never in this State, never made application for a pension from here, it was from the State of N. Y. the county of Montgomery & the village of Johnstown, after his decease my aged mother & myself came here to reside with my brother Robert B Livingston, 4 years since he was taken from us with the cholera, since then we have lived as well as we could.
Last winter I received a circular from a gentleman at Washington saying he could perhaps obtain a pension for the heirs of B. L. I had never since the application in '32 thought of ever hearing anything more about it, I will not detain you dear sir, any longer with what is already perhaps known to you - what I have written to you I might have told Mr Barry - but as it is a long walk I could not leave my sick mother

I had no one to leave with her, she is four-score & confined to her bed with the infirmities the consequence of her advanced age - tears blind my eyes so that I can see little that I write, when I think of the destitute condition of my aged mother, only two of us in family it is little that we require or ask, my mother is well known to many persons in this city . The free masons in this city give her 3 doll a month, with all my economy I cannot support her with it, the morning light has few charms for me; During my late father's life time his relatives gave annually 2 or 3 hundred doll, since then they give nothing except one year - Hamilton Fish U.S. senator from N.Y. is one, the most of them are strangers strangers and wealthy, & live in the city of N.Y. Some times I can't get the plainest food for her how it would cheer my heart could I get enough to keep my sick mother warm this winter & food enough to sustain nature - I know you will do all that is possible, should we get anything from you I should then think we were not forsaken of God & man, as I do now at times.
With sentiments of esteem Cornelia Hoviter

B. Livingston's Pension Paper
15 16153 ✓

State of New York Montgomery County }
We the undersigned Members of the Bar of the said County do certify that we are well acquainted with Beekman Livingston, that in our opinion he is a man of good moral character, that we know of no imputations against his character, and believe him entitled to confidence as a Witness as to any facts or declarations that he may make as we have never heard his moral character impugned.
Sep r 19 th 1832.
Daniel Cady Thomas McIntire
M c Cluskey
D. F. Davis
B. Chamberlain
Donald McIntyre
John Frothingham
Wm. J. Dodge

B. Livingston's Pension paper
2

We Aaron Haring & Abraham Mouelle two of the Judges composing the Court before whom the declaration & affidavit of Beck- man Livingston was made, do certify that we have been acquainted with the said Beck- man for more than twenty years, that he has uniformly supported a perfectly fair & unspotted character, that from our knowledge of him we have no hesitation in saying, that full faith & confidence ought to be placed upon what he swears to. Sept 19 th 1832 Aaron Haring Abraham Mouelle

Beekman Livingston Pension papers -
3

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Abraham Van Home and Simon Hoovack who have signed the preceding certificate are clergymen resident in the town of Johnstown in the County of Montgomery and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, George D. Ferguson, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Beckman and Livingston for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 19th day of September 1832.
Geo: D. Ferguson

State of New York Montgomery County } I Abraham Van Horne a minister of the Gospel in the town of John- town in said County do hereby certify & declare that I was well acquainted with the family of which Beekman Livingston was one, that the late Rev d John H t Living- ston pastor of Divinity was one of his Brothers that he lived & died in New Jersey where I was born, that I was in the Service of the United States during our Revolutionary war, that I studied Divinity under the said pastor J t H t Livingston, that on account of my being in the Service of my Country & also studying with the said pastor who was well acquainted with many who also were in the service, I am satisfied I verily believe that the said Beekman was a soldier in our Revolutionary war & that he served as he has sworn to, I do further certify

that the said Beckman has uniformly & invari- ably sustained the character of an upright & honest Man, that his word or his oath wherever he is known would be received with implicit confidence. I also believe from the knowledge of the family of said Livingston that he must be as old as he has stated in his declaration.
Given in Open Court 19 th September 1832
Abraham Van Horn F.D.M.
Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk.

State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks Office ss: - I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the County of Montgomery & of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, do hereby certify that David Spraker Esq. before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the date thereof a Judge of the Court of Montgomery County; And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge & do hereby believe that the name of the said Judge subscribed to the said Affidavit is Genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand And seal of office this 21 st May 1833.
Geo: D. Ferguson

J. L. Edwards Esq.
After my papers were sent to your department, it was suggested to me, that proof of my services might be required in order to my receiving a pension - I have subsequently made enquiry in the neighbourhood where I lived at the time I was in public service and could not find any living, that were alive at that time, except Elias Frier one of my former lieutenants who is about ninety years old, and has long since been superannuated and has no recollection of past events - all the other officers, that were attached to the company in which I served - died many years since, and from the most strict enquiry I was able to make, the privates belonging to said company were either dead, or removed beyond the reach of my search - a private that served with me, by the name of John Maxwell, removed many years since to Canada - its possible he may be alive, but where to find him I know not, at all events if he is living he is very aged, so that I must despair in furnishing positive proof of my services - its all traditional of this I presume I have furnished the most satisfactory
I observe in the (printed) statement herewith returned my rank there stated as if I were in the quartermaster department. it was not so - I was a private, and continued such, during the whole time of my service, (full under the command of John Schenk (who left the company) after commanding one year and he (John Schenk) went in the quartermaster department and the company (being still organized) was commanded by Stephen Hendrickson for one year and two months, and when he left the service the command was given to Jonas Kelley - how long he had the command it is impossible for me to say with accuracy but to the best of my recollection the whole time of my service was three years - during which time I was in constant and actual service, and in no way furloughed during the time
Markman Livington
Johnstown Montgomery
County May 21: 1833.
Signed sworn to this 21. day of May 1833 before me David Sprecher a Judge of Montgomery County Courts