Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14671, for Peter Thorndyke, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Thorndyke, Peter or Thorndike
S. 14671
carded
CONTENTS

14646 New York
Peter Thondyke of New York in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Morris of the Reg t commanded by Col. Nixon in the Massachusetts line for 2 Years -
Peter Thondyke Rec d Ok. Mch 22, 1907/8
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of July 1833 R d Rec d and sent. David Root = to for Washington City 20 New York
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 — $ 160.
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 40.
$ 200.
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ino Cromwell Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 80.
Suspended see letter 17 Sep r 33 to J. Lawrence esq. det. to J. A. Hamilton Esq 23 Sep r 33
18237

State of New York
City and County of New York Gt. On this third day of November 1832, Personally appeared before me Richard Riker Recorder and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York. Peter Shoandyte of the City of New York in the County of New York, aged about seventy seven 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 7 th June 1832
That he entered the army of the Revolution about the last of April 1775. at Winter Hill, near Boston in the State of Massachusetts, in the militia for the period of Eight months in Captain David Moores Company in the Regiment commanded by Col Nixon in which he served until the termination of the eight months for which he enlisted. after that period he was drafted for the period of six months and ordered to Rhode Island and served out his time. He was afterwards drafted and sent to Pectskill in the State of New York and served in Captain Bowkers Company in Colonel Webb's Regiment, where he served six months and was honorably discharged. Afterwards he enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Cutting in Col McIntosh's Regiment, and was most of the time stationed at Rhode Island which was for the period of six months, when he was discharged, he then returned to Sudbury in Massachusetts and served a considerable time, part of the time in guarding Military Stores. He served as near as his memory serves him about three years during  in the Revolutionary War. His infirm age and impaired memory prevents him from being particular as to dates, and the above narrative is as near as he can come to his services, in the said war that he has no other evidence of his services, except the above statement and proof annexed.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not enrolled on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Applicant states that in conformity to the direction of the War Department as to the interrogatories to be propounded to applicants for pensions, &c. He in the first place states
1 st That he was born in the Town of Boston Massachusetts in the year 1755.
2 o He has no record of his age.
3 o That when he entered the service, he lived at Sudbury aforesaid, and that was his place of residence until the end of the war. After that he removed to Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania where he lived about Fifteen years, and after that he removed to the City of New York where he has resided since 4 th That he entered the service as a Volunteer at Winter Hill near Boston as he has before stated.
5 th The names of the Officers who served with the troops in which applicant served, to the best of his recollection were Colonel Shepherd, Colonel Thomas Nixon, Colonel Bailey, (Major Herod), Captain Gage Captain Joseph Williams.
The Continental Regiments were commanded as near as his memory serves him, by Colonel Graton Col Thomas Nixon, Colonel Garrison and Colonel Bailey.
The Militia Regiments were commanded by Colonel McIntosh and Colonel Webb.
6 th Applicant received honorable discharges as before stated but have been lost, mislaid or destroyed
7. Applicant is known in his present neighborhood

by Thomas P. Haly, Asa Holden, Asa Lovejoy, Stephen E. Lefts, who will testify as to applicants character for veracity and their belief of applicants services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid R Riker
P. Shoudyke
And I the said Judge do hereby declare it to be my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, the answer to which are incorporated in the proceeding declaration, that the above applicant (who I certify cannot from bodily infirmity attend in open Court) was a soldier in the Revolution and served as he states, and it further appears to me the said Judge that Hugh Stevenson and Rosewell Snufert who have signed the annexed certificate are residents in the City of New York and that their statements are entitled to credit.
R. Riker
We Hugh Stevenson and Rosewell Snufert both Citizens residing in the City of New York, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Shoudyke, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be about Seventy-seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
H. Stevenson
Sworn and subscribed this 3. day of November 1832 before me R. Riker
Rosewell Snufert.
City and County of New York ss. Asa Holden, and Asa Lovejoy both soldiers of the Revolution, being severally duly sworn, do depose and say, that they are and were

during the Revolutionary War, well acquainted with Peter Shorndyke, the above applicant, that they served in the same companies and under the same Officers for a great length of time. That Peter Shorndyke who signed the above petition and Peter Shorndyke who so served as a soldier of the Revolution aforesaid, is the same identical person. That these deponents know that he served for about Three Years as a soldier in the Revolution. That these deponents have carefully read over the preceding declaration and know he did serve as therein stated, and what is stated therein which is not within the personal knowledge of deponents, they believe to be true. That the said Peter Shorndyke is a man of veracity and entitled to credit. Sworn to before me this 3 rd day of November 1832. before me. Asa Holden Asa Lovejoy R. Riker
State of New York
City and County ss, Walter S. Osgood of the City of New York Attorney and Counsellor at Law, being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Peter Shorndyke reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution. That the said Peter Shorndyke is a respectable person, and whose declaration for veracity and truth may be relied on
W. S. Osgood
I Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New York do hereby certify that Walter S. Osgood of the City of New York Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and personally known to me, did on this 10 th day of November 1832. appear before me and he being by me duly sworn according to Law did depose and say that the facts set forth in the above deposition are true.
R. Riker

No 18237
Peter Thorndike New York County New York.
e. b. j.
com d.
B. Clench (Naval Office) Custom House New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 28 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. 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 Peter Thondike New York County, New York
   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.     Enlisted April 1775 - 8 - private Capt. Hones Col. Nixon Marched to Rhode Island 22 years Traditional evidence   Drafted - 6 - private Winter Hill near Boston certified credible, and living Witnesses not   Drafted - 6 - private Capt. Boushens Col. Webb Stationed at Rhode Island Massachusetts certified credible, no   Enlisted - 6 - private Capt. Cutting Col. Litchfield clergymen & no reason papers not properly attached. Applicant unable to appear in open Court, as by the Judges Certificate appears  
The applicant states that he served in the war three years, but from decayed memory can't particularize periods & times of service }
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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 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 he 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 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 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.

Rev. man
✓ 14671 INVALID.
File No. 14. 671
Peter Thorndyke ★
Dis. New Mar.
Act: Joanne 7th 32
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Peter Thorndyke ★
Records O.K. Mar 22, 1907. B

Honorable Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington.

State of New York
City and County ss. Garet Suyster of the said city of New York being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Peter Shoundyke (reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolution) That the said Peter Shoundyke is a respectable man person and whose declaration for veracity and truth may be relied on
G. Suyster
I Richard Ritter Recorder of the City of New York do hereby certify that Garet Suyster of the City of New York personally known to me, did on this 10 th day of November 1832, appear before me, and he being by me duly sworn according to law did depose and say that the facts set forth in the above deposition are true.
R Ritter
Recorder of the City of New York
State of New York
City and County of New York ss. 3
I Abraham Astor Clerk of the City and County of New York do hereby certify that Richard Ritter Esq. whose name is subscribed to the within Certificates and Jurats was at the time of subscribing the same, Recorder of the City of New York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, dwelling in the said City (commissioned) and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Recorder and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificates of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County The Tenth day of November 1832.
Abm Astor Clerk

State of New York
City and County of New York Gt. On this fifth day of June 1833, personally appeared before me Richard Riker Recorder of the City of New York and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said City and County. Peter Shandyke of the said City of New York aged Seventy-Seven years, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth make the following declaration as an additional or amended one to his original application, setting forth the particular periods of his service as near as he can recollect in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the army of the Revolution as a Volunteer about the last of April 1775, at Winter Hill near Boston in the State of Massachusetts in the Militia for the period of Eight months, in the company commanded by Captain Moore in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nixon, in which he served until the termination of the Eight months from the period for which he volunteered. That during this service he was a greater part of the time stationed at and about Winter Hill and its vicinity doing guard duty. That after that period had expired to wit, early in the summer of 1778, he was drafted in the Militia for the term of six months at a place called Sudbury in Massachusetts, in the Company commanded by Captain Weeks in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Webb, and served out the term of six months for which he was so drafted. That during that period he was in active service in the State of Rhode Island, where his Regiment was ordered (and after he had joined his company) to join the army at Siverton in Rhode Island. That the principal part of his service at this time consisted in advancing and

entrenching towards the British who slowly retreated towards New Port, after that the Americans were compelled to retreat to the extremity of the Island. That he then received his discharge and returned home. That he was in the Spring of the year 1779 in April again, drafted in the militia at the last mentioned place for the term of six months in Captain Bowkers company in Colonel Webb's Regiment and served until the termination of this period for which he was drafted. That shortly after his joining his company, he was ordered to Peekskill on the Hudson River, where he was occasionally detached on scouting parties, and frequently stationed to guard stores. on receiving his discharge he returned to Sudbury in Massachusetts. In June 1780. he enlisted for the term of six months in Captain Cuttings Company of militia in the Regiment Commanded by Col McIntosh and served until the termination of the said six months from the period for which he enlisted. During this term of enlistment he was ordered to Rhode Island immediately after such enlistment. He was part of the time on guard duty on Providence Hill and part of the time stationed in the lines between Rhode Island and Connecticut. He returned to Sudbury Massachusetts after his discharge, and served again in the Army guarding Military Stores at Sudbury aforesaid. These periods included as near as his recollection permits about three years service.
Sworn to before me this 5 th day of June 1833
P. Shoudyke
R. Riker
Recorder of the City of New York.

I do hereby certify that it appears to me the said Judge that Asa Holden, Asa Lovejoy, Walter H. Osgood and Garret Suyster, who have signed the affidavits and Certificate of Peter Thorndyke for a pension are residents in the City of New York, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
New York June 7. 1833.
R Riker.
State of New York
City and County of New York ss.
I Abraham Astor Clerk of the City and County of New York, Do hereby certify that Richard Riker Esq. whose name is above subscribed, was at the time of subscribing the same Recorder of the City of New York and one of the Judges for the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, dwelling in the said City, Commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to act as such Recorder and Judge and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Recorder, and verily believe the above signatures to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said County. the Seventh day of June 1833.
Abn Astor