Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21794, for William Thompson, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Thompson, William
R. 21794
CONTENTS

28.264 William Thompson
e.
24
Miss Allen & Blair Salem N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Nov 18. 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 subjjoined 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. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Thompson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May '77 — — 14 pri { Capt Dodge Col Van Woort 74 Cambridge N.Y. Traditionary 1 witness not certified to be credible {   Summer 77 — — 8 — no officers -   Same Season — — 14 u no officers   — X 2 — Leamster Col M'Cracken   — — 3 — pri no officers -   Spring 78 — — 21 pri { Capt McMillan Col Van Woort   Summer 78 2 — — pri no officers   fall 78 1 — — pri Major Ashton   Summer 79 1 — — pri { Capt Thompson Col Van Woort   Oct 80 — — 14 Same officers  
I am, respectfully,
X Team service not provided for
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration, by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. 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.

1 State of New-York Washington County } ss - On this 28 th day of August 1833 - personally appeared in open Court. the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington and in the State of New-York, being a Court of record now sitting, William Thompson a resident of Salina in the County of Washington and State of New-York, aged seventy four years and ten months, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposes on his oath makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - that he entered the service of the United States in the Spring of the year 1777. in a Company of Militia, commanded by Captain Samuel Hodge, said Hodge then lived in the Town of Cambridge in the County of Washington, (now called White- brook) the design of said Company was named Hartsdale, and the name of the Lieutenant was Smith, but this Depo- -nent has forgotten the given names of said last named officers. Said Company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Colonel Lewis Van Woot - that in the month of May 1777. this Department marched from Cambridge, to Stillwater, in the (now) County of Saratoga, that he remained at Stillwater, a week or

1 ten days from then he marched to Trenton in said Company to guard a number of wagons that were loaded with ammunition, twelve wagons, - from thence he returned home to Cambridge, having been absent two weeks as he thinks.
And this deponent further says, that in the Summer  fall of 1777 - he was ordered to go to what was called Jessop's Patent, from Lake George to meet the enemy that he went as far as Fort-Cochran, and was ordered to remain there a few days, and he then returned home having been absent eight days -
And this deponent further says, that during the same season, he was ordered to go to Fort-Cochran, and went accordingly, and was absent fourteen days,
And this deponent further says, that he was ordered to go to what was then called New-Peek, now Salem, in the County of Washington to guard the Forts in that place, and was there a week or more under the Command of Colonel Joseph M c Grath, in a few days. Colonel Van Wart came to Salem, (then New-Peek) and this deponent went to Williamsburg in the

State of Massachusetts, and was gone about two months, this document drove a team assisted in making efforts to get them out of the reach of the enemy, as it was then expected that General Burgoyne would march through, as he was making progress in that direction -
And this document further says, that after he returned to Cambridge he went in company with Hugh Thompson, Lt Forster, said Thompson did about fifteen years ago - this document was present at Forster at the taking of Burgoyne on the 17 th of October 1777 - that after the taking of General Burgoyne, this document returned home, and was about from home on duty at different places and times still marked that season, having returned home the last of October -
And this document further says that in the Spring of 1778, in the month of May he was ordered out in the Company, which was commanded by Captain John McNeill, the name of the first Lieutenant was Andrew Thompson, who was the father of this document, said Company belonged

to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Lewis Van Wart, and went to Saratoga, where he remained one night. After marched to Fort-Edward where they remained between two and three weeks and then returned home having been absent three weeks - that during the summer of 1778. This Regiment was out on duty a month or more - that in the Fall of 1778, he was ordered to a place called Palmer-Town about seven miles north of Saratoga Springs. That the officers that commanded the Company at this time, was James Morrison who was a Lieutenant - the Station to which this Regiment went was commanded by Major James Ashton, he remained at Palmer-Town (so called) three weeks, and then returned home having been absent from home at that place, and going to and from home one month - and this Regiment further says, that in the Summer season of 1779, he was ordered out in a Company command- -ed by Captain Andrew Thompson, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel

1 Lewis Van Wart, to go to Bulkeley's Bay, at Crown Point to take possession of the hearts of the Canoeing, Indian, British and French. That was named in that Bay near Crown Point - This Department may give you some a month at that time -
And this department further says. That in the month of October 1780. This Department was ordered to go to White-Hall in the new County of Washington, in the Company of Captain Andrew Thompson in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Lewis Van Wart - That said Company marched from Cambridge to Granville and encamped and remained there two weeks. That mounting parties were sent to White-Hall and about at different places, that this department returned here to Cambridge in said Company -
And this department further says. That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity at the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
I have to and subscribed to they will give you a record -
William Thompson

and this Deponent is answer to the interrogatories put by the Court. 1. That he was born in the Town of Lundunderry in the State of New-Hampshire in the year 1758-
2. That he has no record of his age, but he was informed by his Parents that he was born at the time in the place specified.
3. That when called into the same he lived in the Town of Cambridge, now County of Washington - That he lived in Cambridge until 1782. and then removed to Salem, where he resided seven years - That he then removed to the Town of Lempseyke in the County of Rensselaer & State of New-York - That he lived in Lempseyke twenty seven years - That he then removed to Salem where he has resided ever since -
4. That he was a Member the first time he went out, and was always kept after that, when he was in the same -
5. That the names of the officers are as stated above in his declaration.
6. That he never received a discharge.
And this Deponent further says, that he believes, that the Defendant.

Lection Alexander Prandpit of Salem and Peter Brankshuker who reside in the same town with this defendant are well acquainted with him, that Samuel Thompson of Larksville in the County of Washington and State of New-York was known to his being out at some of the times mentioned in his declaration.
Sworn & Subscribed in open court this 28 th day of August 1833.
William Thompson
J. S. Leigh Clerk
We Horatio Thompson of the Town of Larksville in the County of Washington and State of New-York, a Clergyman, and Bernard Blair of Salem in the County aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Thompson, who has subscribed to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four years and ten months old, that he is reputed believed in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year first mentioned in open court
Horatio Thompson
J. S. Leigh Clerk
B. Blair
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogating

presented by the War Department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and such as he states - but the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Horatio Thompson, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Jackson, County of Washington & State of New- York, and that Bernard Blierin of Salem County and State aforesaid who has also signed the same, is a vicar of Salem as aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Simeon S. Leigh, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Thompson for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this 28th day of Augt. 1833.
J. S. Leigh C.R.

State of New-York } ^ Washington County ss. } Washington County ss - Samuel Thompson of the Town of Jackson in the State and County aforesaid, being duly sworn says, that he is aged about seventy, - that he is well acquainted with William Thompson who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration - that he is a brother of William Thompson and was living to his being with him during the Revolutionary war, at the times and places mentioned in his said declaration - that this Deponent was younger than his brother William and stayed at home to attend to the family in the absence of his Father, Andrew Thompson, who is now dead, and his brother William, who has subscribed the foregoing declaration - That he well recalls that his brother William was handed with permission by the family at home for the different expeditions he went where as stated in his said declaration - and this Deponent further says, that William Thompson sustains

an unblemished religious and moral character and is entitled to full credit for anything he may state.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court J. S. Leigh Clk
Samuel Thompson
28. 264 3 Matter of William Thompson revolutionary soldier
declaration of proof
Alb H. Blair Salem

9 I am personally acquainted with William Thompson of Salem and Samuel Thompson son of Garrison in the County of Washington and State of New York and have been for more than thirty years now test they are the persons named in the documents hereto annexed they are substantially men of truth and their declarations are entitled to full confidence
I am Respectfully D. Russell
Decr 20 th 1836

Pay
No. 21.794
, Ex'r.
REJECTED
OLD WAR INVALID.
William Thompson  S N Y P.O. Pri, Schoenfeldt N Y Troops
Service : Pay
Enlisted : _____ , 18 .
Discharged : _____ , 18 .
Application filed : _____ , 18 .
Alleges : _____
Re-enlisted : _____
Attorney : _____
P. O. _____

In the matter of Washington Co NY William Thompson a Soldier of the Revolu- tion Colo Van Vorst
Dues & Proof for a Pension
Dec. 22 d 1836
Ref d to the Committee on Rev d Pensions
Jan. 14. 1837 - Com d disch d to him
1059
Kling #
211
Klingensmuth & his Heirs
M c Russell

David Russell
Report against for want of room
House of Representatives
Washington City