Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26470, for Peter Shay, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Shay Peter Catharine
W. 26470
CONTENTS

6652 New York
Peter Shay of Ossian in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bunnell of the by in the New Jersey line for 2 years and upwards
Inscribed on the Rolls of New York at the rate of 80 — Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of March 1833 and given to Wm H Stewart
Arrears to 14th of March 1833 $160-00- Semizant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 — 40 — $200-00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book D — Vol. 5 — Page 207 — Clerk,

7583. New York
Katharine Shay, widow of Peter Shay, who was a private, in the N. Jersey line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15. day of Jany. 1846. and sent to
J. F. Curtis,
Albany N. York
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
17 June, 1844.
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 86.
2 certificates
Page 16-

State of New York.
Allegany County p. On this thirtieth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Allegany now sitting, Peter Shay a resident of the town of Ophir in the said county and State, aged seventy five years on the seventeenth day of the present month of October, 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. During the War of the Revolution he was an indentured servant of Richard Porter Esquire of Readingtown, Hunterdon County and State of New Jersey; drafts were made upon the part of the State for militia men to serve for alternate months, and he served not only for himself, but for the said Richard Porter and his sons; he was first drafted in the month of April 1776, and served one month on his own account in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Stillwell, in the regiment of Col. Greenghuyse; the name of the other officer he cannot recollect; they marched to the lines, and were stationed at Elizabethtown Point. He next served as a substitute for Richard Porter, for one month commencing about the first of June following in a company under the command of Capt. Skump in the same regiment; they were marched to Elizabethtown Point, and were employed between that place and Amboy during the month. He next served as a substitute for same Porter for one month commencing about the first of August following, under Capt. John Saylor; they were marched to Elizabethtown and Amboy, and placed under the command of Gen. Mercer; they had no battles. He next served on his own account for two months commencing about the first of October following, in the company of Capt. Stillwell; they marched to Amboy during this term, arrangements were made by Gen. Mercer, who commanded the "Flying Camp" for crossing over to Staten Island, to surprise and cut off a detached post of the British near the Blazing Star; the project failed in consequence of a storm. He continued immediately on as a substitute for Richard Porter for one month, under the command of Major Pettit; their battalion was sent up the Delaware to Easton, and secured and brought down all the boats to Schermer Ferry, for our army to cross over to Pennsylvania. He next served on his own account for one month commencing in January 1777, a few days after the battle of Princeton, under Capt. Berry; their employment, as well as that of numerous other companies of militia, was scouring the country around New Brunswick, on the Raritan and Amboy, and arresting stragglers and suspicious persons. He next served two months, the first on his own account, the second as substitute for Richard Porter, commencing near the first of March following, under Lieut. Vanderwater; their business was watching the Tories; at one time they took fifty or sixty of them on their

way to join the British. He next served one month commencing some time in May as a substitute for James Porter, under Capt. Force; they were employed between Elizabethtown Point and Amboy. He next served on his own account for one month commencing in July, under Capt. Stillwell; they were employed at and around Elizabethtown. He next served for one month commencing in September as a substitute for John Porter, under Capt. Keerhart, at and about Elizabethtown; they constantly kept up patrolling parties. He next served as a substitute for James Porter, one month commencing near the first of November, under Capt. O'Leary; they were employed between Elizabethtown and the Point; their charge was to protect the inhabitants from being plundered by the Tories. He next served on his own account for one month commencing in January 1775, under Capt. Stillwell, at Elizabethtown; their duty was about the same as during the last term. He next served as a substitute for James Porter for one month commencing in the early part of March under Capt. Keerhart; they were stationed in the house of one Widow Mills in Elizabethtown; their duty was the same as during the two preceding terms. He next served as a substitute for John Porter one month commencing in May, under Capt. Peter Perine; they were stationed in Elizabethtown Church to prevent its being burnt by the Tories. He next served on his own account for one month commencing in June, under Capt. Stillwell; he was in the Battle of Monmouth, which was fought on June 28th; Gen. Washington commanded all the forces; Gen. Mayswell had command of the continental Troops and Maj. Gen. Dickinson of the Jersey militia. As soon as he arrived at the age of twenty one years, he removed from Richard Porters to Roybury Morris County in the same State; he served on his own account one month commencing in May 1779, under Capt. Abraham VanTine; they were stationed at Fort Coven. He next served on his own account one month commencing in July under Capt. Aull, at a place called Bergen near Paparia Falls; their duty was guarding military stores. He next served on his own account one month commencing in October 1780, under Capt. Aull; they were stationed at Elizabethtown and did camp duty. About the first of June 1781, he enlisted as a volunteer for six months under Capt. Bunnell of Sussex County to serve on the frontier; they were stationed at Capt. James Chambers near the Pennsylvania line; he frequently crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania with scouting parties; he was discharged in the latter part of November. In the summer of 1782, he served for a short term, (he cannot recollect how long) under Capt. Aull, and was in the battle of Springfield. The foregoing, which he believes to be correct, is all that his recollection can supply of his military services, as his memory has of late years almost entirely deserted him. He never had a discharge or other docu-

mentary evidence of his services, and the only proof which he can procure is the affidavits of Catharine Faulkner, and William Perrine and Richard Knapp Samuel Chapin, Richard W. Porter, Joel S. Knapp, and Jacob Blendeman are persons to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood, who can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He was born October 17. 1757, at Second River, Bergen County, New Jersey; there was a record of his age in his mother's bible; he does not know where it now is. He resided in his native town till he was between eight and nine years of age, when he resided in Readington till the October of 1778, when he removed to Roxbury Morris County where he remained till the 1800, or 1801; he then removed to Ophir his present residence, and has resided there ever since. There is no clergyman residing in his town. Rev. Amos Benton of Sparta Livingston County has preached in his vicinity for several years. 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 government of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & and year aforesaid. In open Court. J W Shenman C.M.
Peter Shay
We Amos Benton a clergyman residing in the town of Sparta in the county of Livingston and State of New York, and Joel S. Knapp a justice of the Peace residing in the town of Ophir in the county of Allegany and State aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Shay who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy five years of age; that he sustains a fair character for veracity; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & and year aforesaid. In open Court. J W Shenman C.M.
Amos Benton Joel S. Knapp
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the in a negative prescribed by the Constitution, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and as he states that the Court further certify that it appears to them that Amos Benton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in the town of Sparta in the county of Livingston and State of New York, and that Joel S. Knapp who has also signed the same, is a justice of the Peace residing in

in the town of Opian in the county of Allegany and state aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that this statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies, that from the testimony of credible witnesses duly sworn and interrogated in open Court, who have been for several years acquainted with the above named applicant and resided in his immediate vicinity, it is the opinion of the said Court, that the said applicant's memory has become so imperfect as to disable him from setting forth his services with fullness and accuracy.
I, Judson M. Sherman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Allegany, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Shay for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
J. M. Sherman Clerk

Received June 11, 1845.
from Mr. Curtis Aaron Wayne
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838 entitled an Act granting Bounties and Pensions to certain Widows. Also of the Act of the 13th of March 1843. and of the Act of the 17th of June 1844.
State of New York County of Allegany
On the Twenty Seventh Day of May 1845 personally appeared before the Subscriber a Judge of the Court in and for the County aforesaid Catharine Shay of Olean in said County Aged Eighty Seven Years. Who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Decla- -ration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838 also of the 13th of March 1843 and of 17th of June 1844 granting Pensions to Widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Peter Shay late a Soldier in the War of the Revolution and a President of the United States. That she was married to him in the for part of the Summer of 1781 Eight Hundred Eighty One. That the said husband died on the 2th day of March 1840 Eighteen Hundred and forty. That she has not since married but remains a widow. That the Annexed family records is the Old Original Family Records. That it has been kept in the family as a true record of the ages of her Dependent Children for more than forty Years Past.
Sworn to and subscribed before me The day and year above mentioned Samuel C. Wilson First Judge Allegany County Courts
her Catharine X Shay mark
I certify that the above named Catharine Shay is a respectable person that I consider her to be of the age represented by her. That on account of bodily infirmity she cannot attend the Court to make this her Declaration Samuel C. Wilson First Judge Allegany County Courts

State of New York } County of Allegany }
I personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, John Shay of Olean in said County aged fifty six years - After being duly sworn according to law Deposeth and saith That Peter Shay who is applying for a pension as the widow of the late Peter Shay a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States is the DepONENT's Mother (Aunt) That the said Peter Shay was this DepONENT's father - That this DepONENT's said father and Mother lived together as Husband and Wife since the earliest period of her recollection - until the death of this DepONENT's said father which took place on the 7th day of March 1840. Eighteen hundred and forty - That the attached family record is an Old original record that has been kept in the family as a true record of this DepONENT's of course Father and Mother's children for forty years and upwards - That this DepONENT's aforesaid Mother has not since married but remains a widow, Subscribed and sworn before me this 27th day of May 1845 Joshua Rathburn J.P.
John Shay
I certify that the above named John Shay is a respectable person and worthy of credit Joshua Rathburn
State of New York } County of Allegany }
I personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Lewis Shay of Olean in said County aged thirty years - After being duly sworn according to law Deposeth and saith - That the above named Catharine Shay who is by this person applying for a pension is this DepONENT's Mother, and the above named Peter Shay deceased who was a soldier of the Revolution & a pensioner of the United States was this DepONENT's father - That this DepONENT's aforesaid Father & Mother had, as the legal fruit of their marriage four children older than this DepONENT - all own Brothers & Sisters of this DepONENT - That the attached family record has been kept in the family as a true family record since the earliest period of this DepONENT's recollection - That this DepONENT's aforesaid Father died on the 7th day of March 1840 - That this DepONENT's aforesaid Mother still remains a widow Subscribed & sworn before me this 27th day of May 1845 Joshua Rathburn J.P.
Lewis Shay

I certify that the above named Lewis Shay is a respectable person and worthy of credit
Joshua Ratchburn J. P.
State of New York } County of Allegany } ss Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace of said County, Richard W. Porter of Olean in said County aged sixty three years After being duly sworn according to law, deposes & saith - That for the last thirty five years he has been personally acquaint- -ted with Catherine Shay who is applying for a pension as the widow of Peter Shay who was a pensioner of the United States and that he was equally well acquainted with the said Peter Shay & with their family. That the said parties were living together as husband & wife thirty five years since. That they continued to live together as such until the death of the said Peter Shay. That the said John and Lewis Shay who have subscribed the foregoing affidavit are & always have been considered children of the aforesaid Peter & Catherine Shay. That this deponent has examined the attached family records & from his knowledge of the family he believes it is a just & true record. That the present applicant for a pension Catherine Shay is the identical person that was living with the said Peter Shay as his lawful wife thirty five years since. - And that she is now the widow of the said Peter Shay - Subscribed & sworn before me This Twenty fourth day of May 1845 Joshua Ratchburn J. P.
RECORDED
I certify that the above named Richard W. Porter is a highly respectable person & worthy of credit
Joshua Ratchburn J. P.
State of New York } County of Allegany } ss Personally appeared before the Sub- -scriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid and Richard W. Porter of Olean in said County aged sixty four years. After being duly sworn according to law deposes & saith - That for the last thirty years he has been personally acquainted with Catherine

They who is applying for a pension as the widow of Peter Shay who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution & a prisoner of the United States. That at the earliest period of their acquaintance acquaintance with said parties they were living together as husband & wife & continue to do so until the death of the said Peter Shay which occurred in 1840. That the present applicant for a pension is the identical person & widow of the said Peter Shay. That the above named John & Lewis Shay who have subscribed the foregoing dep- ositions are & always have been conscientious affirmations of the above named Peter & Catherine Shay. That the said Catherine Shay is now a widow Subscribed & sworn before me This 27th day of May 1845 } James W. Porter
I certify that the above named James W. Porter is a Respectable person } John Rathbone J.P.
State of New York Allegany county ss. I the undersigned Clerk of Clerks Office. Since county do hereby certify that John Rathbone Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken was at the date of the same a justice of the Peace in and in this county also that David C. Wilson before whom the foregoing Declaration was taken was at the date of the same first Judge of Allegany County Court in and for said County and that I am no relation with them having nothing to do with their respective writings Witness my hand and the seal of said county this 30th day of May 1845 Wm. H. Hildreth Clerk
Answer to John & Curtis Aaron Mayne

h. 1
1820
TESTAMENT
was born OF OUR November
56 th LORD AND SAVIOUR 1800
JESUS CHRIST,
TRANSLATED OUT OF THE
ORIGINAL TONGUES;
AND WITH THE
FORMER TRANSLATIONS
DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED.
BY HIS MAJESTY'S SPECIAL COMMAND.
APPOINTED TO BE READ IN CHURCHES.
1820 1792 34
EDINBURGH:
Printed by MARK and CHARLES KEER, His Majesty's Printers.
MDCCXCIIL
1820 to 1830
h. 1

Anna Shay was Born October the 6 th in the year of our Lord 1782
Richard Shay was Born December the 22 d in the year of our Lord — 1784
John Shay was Born September the 4 th in the year of our Lord — 1788
Elizabeth Shay was Born October the 30 th in the year of our Lord — 1791
Luis Shay was Born September the 4 th in the year of our Lord 1794
Mary Shay was Born July the 5 th in the year of our Lord 1797.
... ..

Proof in the case of Catharine Shay
NY
Act 7 July 38
No. 11969 —
m 81. d 7 march 40
end
renewed
Act 43. d 444 —
adm d
2 yrs pre
80 from 7 march 40
John F. Curtis
Huron
Wayne
N.Y.

State of Pennsylvania County of Warren ss. Personally appears before the subscri- ber a sister of the Dean of the County aforesaid Anna Shippy of Darfield in said County aged Sixty Three Years, after being duly sworn an order to law, deposes and saith - That since the earliest period of her Recollection she has been well acquainted with Catharine Shay who is applying for a Pension as the widow of Peter Shay who was a Pensioner of the United States - That this deponent was also equally well acquainted with the said Peter Shay - and with their family At the time of this deponent's first recollection of the Parties they were then living in the County of Morris in the State of New Jersey - and was as much as fifty five or sixty six Years since. The said parties were then living together as husband and wife - and had three or four children - That this deponent is well acquainted with Richard - John - Elizabeth and Lewis Shay - That they are and always have been reputed to be children of the above named Peter and Catharine Shay - That this deponent has known them all from their childhood and is sure they are all over fifty Years of age - That the said Peter and Catharine Shay continued to live together as husband and wife until the death of the said Peter Shay, which took place about five Years since - That this deponent when a child went to the same School with the children of the said Peter and Catharine Shay - and is sure that Richard Shay is a little more than two Years younger than this deponent
Subscribed and sworn before me This first day of November 1845 James Magill F.P.
Anna Shippy
I certify that the above named Anna Shippy who has signed the above affidavit is a respectable person and worthy of credit.
James Magill F.P.
State of Pennsylvania County of Warren ss. I, James Magill, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit of Anna Shippy was subscribed and sworn to before me this first day of November 1845, by me, James Magill, Clerk. My Commission expires July 1st 1846.

On the 25th inst. since P.M. New York, Pa.
Proof in the case of Catharine Shay
NY
Act 7 July 38
No. 11969 —
m 81. d 7 march 40.
and repeated
Act 43. d 444 —
adm d
2 yrs pri
80 from 7 march 40.
John F. Curtis
Huron Wayne Co N.Y.
Answer to John F. Curtis, Huron Wayne Co NY

9820.
New York.
Katharine Shay,
Widow of Peter Shay, who was a pensioner under the Act of 32, and who died on the 7th March, 1840 of Allegany (in the State of N. York) who was a private in the commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the N. Jersey line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March 7th March, 1840.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of January 46 and sent to J. F. Cum- -tis, Albany, N. York
Total amount, $79.33
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by W. H. Stevens Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 — Page 189

V 1011919 Catharine Shay Mow of Peter sister to NY John F. Curtis Esq 30 July 1845-1
act 7 July 1838
MS 1.1 v. 1 p. 10

  July 1777  1 Mo  Secy  Capt Stillwell    Sept "  1 "  as substitute  Capt' Hierhart    Nov "  1 "  as substitute  Capt Ollegar    Jan'y 1778  1 "  himself  Capt Stillwell    March "  1 "  as substitute  Capt Hierhart    May "  1 "  as substitute  Capt Peter Penne    June "  1 "  himself  Capt Stillwell    May 1779  1 "  "  Capt A. Vantie    Oct 1780  1 "  "  Capt Hall    June 1781  6 "  "  Capt Barmell  

Peter Shay New Jersey Militia
  April 1776  1 Mo.  Capt. DeLancey  Col. Truelinghuysen    June "  1 "  as substitute, Capt. Kemp.  do    Augst. "  1 "  "  Capt. John Vayler    Oct. "  2 "  himself -  Capt. DeLancey    Nov. "  1 "  as substitute  Major Pettib    Jan'y 1777  1 "  himself  Capt. Perry    March "  1 "  "  Lieut. Vanderkyl    April "  1 "  as substitute  do    May "  1 "  as substitute  Capt. Force  

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26.4.70  Catharine Sharp  wid of  Peter Sharp  Priv. N. J. line
Act Feb. 3rd 1843.  Page 17th B.M.
Index: Vol 2 , Page 210
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

11969 June 11. 1845 Duxbury Mass Calvin Fairchild M.A. B.A. Oct. 17. 1838
for
J. L. Edward Commonwealth of Tennessee Washington City

Ms. 25/45 St. 106, 6, cont Callahan May Bank of France Washington D.C.
June 19 Mr 19

Amount of fwd — 30 10 30
Mr. S. G. Curtis Esq. Salem
Wayne Co. MS.

State of New York, Livingston County) } P
William Perine of the county of Livingston Town of Sparta & State of New York being Sworn Saith that he was formerly a citizen of New Jersey and that he was a dragoon in the American Army in the war of the Revolution that he was acquainted with Peter Shay then a citizen of the said State of New Jersey & at present a citizen of the Town of Esopus In the County of Ulster State of New York and that he knew the said Peter Shay belonged to the militia of New Jersey and that the militia of said State were involved as Minute Men, and were called one or two months at a time in the Service and so served al- ternatively during the Summer campaigns and that he knew the said Shay to be in the Service with the militia at Elizabeth Town, in the latter part of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven or 1778 is not positive but from a knowledge he has of the Jersey Militia and the Service they rendered their Country in the war of the Revolution that he firmly believes that the said Peter Shay was frequently called out to serve in the militia during the war of the Revolution
Subscribed and sworn before me this 6th day of October A.D. 1832
Robert Day J.P.
William Perine

State of New York
Staten Island Co. ss - Catherine Faulkner of the County of the said County of Staten Island being sworn, I do hereby certify that she formerly resided in the County of Hunterdon in the State of New Jersey - That this de- ponent is the daughter of the late Richard Peter Deyman, the County of Hunterdon aforesaid - That when she was living with her father, at the place aforesaid, she was well acquainted with Peter Shay - That the said Peter Shay resided with her father from the time he was eight years old until he arrived at the age of twenty one years - During the time the said Peter Shay resided in his home at this deponent's father's he was a considerable time away from home and at this deponent's father's house she still believes in the American Army at the time of the time of the Revolutionary War - That the said Peter Shay at the time she knew him sustained a good reputation for fidelity and honesty.
Subscribed and sworn to Sept. 25 th 1832 before me. H. W. Royas J.P.
Catherine Faulkner
I, Henry W. Royas a Justice of the peace of Staten Island County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Catherine Faulkner - That she sustains an ex- cellent reputation and is entitled

to full confidence and audit as a witness - dated Sept. 25 th 1832. H. W. Royal
State of New York } Steuben County } }
I David Rumsey Clerk of said county do certify that Henry W. Royal Esq before whom the within af- fidavit purports to have been sworn wa. at the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for said county and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit is his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and seal of office at Bath this 27 th day of September 1832
D. Rumsey