Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,229, for Robert Pratt, New York

SERVICE
New York.
Pratt, Robert
NUMBER
S. 14229
CONTENTS
carded

14839 New York
Robert Pratt
is a Native in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hing of the Regt commanded by Col Watmough in the New York line for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of July, 1833 and Sent J Burnet Ticonderoga N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 — $ 53 32 Pension allowance ending 4 Sep '33 13. 33
$ 66. 65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jno. Cromwell Clerk Book Ee Vol. 4 Page 71
Death not on A. B.

State of New York } County of Warren } ss:
On this 17 th day of April A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the judges of the court of Common Pleas of the said County Robert Pratt a resident of the town of Hague in the County of Warren and state of New York aged sixty eight 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 in the month of May 1778 I joined the Company of Captain Elisha Gilbert of the New York Militia at New Lebanon then in the County of Albany now in the County of Columbia in the state of New York, where I then resided, as a private, and as a substitute of Caleb Pratt my Father, who had been drafted in to the said Company, and served therein something more than one month. We marched from New Lebanon thru Albany & Schenectady to Schuylerville where we stayed about fifteen days in the fort. There were several other companies stationed there at the time, by whom commanded I do not recollect - I then marched with Capt. Gilbert's Company and one other company to Cherry Valley and was there stationed in the fort until my term of service expired - There were several companies

= men of New York Militia stationed at Cherry Valley but I have no recollection of the names of their officers. The companies were commanded either by a major or a colonel, but which I do not recollect - I do however recollect that Major Tybee of New- Concord, or New Lebanon in Albany county had a command there. There was also an adjutant by the name of Josiah Warner of New Lebanon in Albany county aforesaid - We were chiefly employed in guarding the fort, but went out occasionally on scouts - We made our excursion with a party of twenty right to Anthrovestown (now Springfield I think) a distance of eight or ten miles from Cherry Valley - and then fell in with a large party of Indians, who fired upon us, and pursued us about three miles on our retreat to the fort - On the following night we constructed a line of watchtowers at the distance of about sixty rods around the fort in anticipation of an attack, but none was made. When our term of service expired we were marched from Cherry Valley to Albany where the company was drawn up & dismissed by the Captain. None of us received a written discharge - I was then but fourteen years of age, and acted as writer to Capt. Gilbert - I have no documentary evidence, nor do I know of any person living by whom I can prove the above service, or any part of it -

his days after the expiration of my first term of service as above stated. I joined Capt. Phelps' company of New York Militia, as a private or as a substitute of Nathaniel Gilbert. Capt. Phelps belonged to New Lebanon or Spencertown. I joined the company at New Lebanon and marched thro Albany to Cherry Valley, and quartered a part of the time in the Fort and a part of the time in Capt. Wells barn. Wells and his wife has been a few days before killed by the Indians which was one reason as I then understood for calling out the militia. There were three or four companies of New York Militia then at Cherry Valley - but I have no recollection of the names of their officers, except Capt. Phelps and forsook Ladd the ensign of Capt. Phelps company - Our company of United Regulars was then com- manded by under Captain Ballard - I was on a party of one hundred and thirty regu- lar and militia under Captain Ballard, who marched by night from Cherry Valley to Coopers- town, and crossing the Susquehanna River at the outlet of Otsego Lake, attacked and captured two Block houses garrisons  resided there by the Tories and Indians. The attack was made with the dawn & the enemy fled without making any res- -istance. We took several prisoners, and a quantity of property. The prisoners were conveyed to Albany Jail. I formed one of their guards or escort.

Served more than a month this time and was then marched with the Company to Grankeath where we were told by our Captain that each of us must take care of ourselves & get home as soon as we pleased - I have no documentary evidence & know of no person, whose testimony I can procure who can testify to this term of service.
In the month of September of the same year I enlisted as a volunteer in Captain Gideon Kings company of New York Militia and served in the defense of winter of Saint Edwards Passford - Capt. King belonged to New Lebanon, when I enlisted the Regiment to which Captain Kings company belonged was mustered at New Lebanon under Colonel Waterman of New Canaan of New Concord and marched thro Kinderhook - Hudson Poughkeepsie - to Fishkill, where we continued about a month and an half and quarters in tents - our Major name was M c Intire - our company = of Col. Watermans Regiment was commanded by Capt Cady - There were several Regiments of Continental Troops stationed at Fishkill at this time, one of which was commanded by Col Van- Rensselaer
There was a mutiny of a part of our Regiment on account of want of provisions headed by Sergeant Samuel Spencer, but which was quelled without bloodshed or arms being given a better supply of food -

It was then apprehended that the enemy contemplated an attack on Westpoint, and we were kept in constant readiness to march there provided an attack should be made. A barrel of gunpowder was hoisted on a tree or pole to be fired in case of the enemy's approach. This was located on the top of a Hill between Fishkill and Westpoint. Owing to the lateness of the season, sometime in the month of November all apprehension of an attack having ceased our Regiment was discharged at Fishkill. Received no written discharge.
In the latter part of the month of May or the former part of June 1779, I enlisted as a volunteer at New Lebanon as a guide and served as a master to Lieut Samuel Rayford in Captain Thaddeus Noblis company of New York Militia and was marched thro Albany directly to Schenectady, where I served four months in garrison a part of the time in the middle and a part of the time in the upper fort. There were two companies at the upper & middle fort, who relieved each other alternately. There were several companies of Militia stationed at Schenectady Lower fort but I do not remember the names of any of their officers. These forts were occupied to protect Schenectady & Albany. Our company was discharged at Schenectady by the Captain but no written discharge was received.

I have no documentary indian no do I know of any person by whom I can prove the fact of this service
In June 1780 I was hired by a class belonging to Capt Elisha Gilbert's Company of New Light Infantry to serve in what was called the three months levies, but served four months. We were mustered at New Canaan & marched from thence to Livingston Manor, then to Fishkill, then to West Point, then to Kings Ferry, then to Haver- straw Bay, then to Dobb's Ferry, then to Albany then to Fort Edward, then to Palmentown in the present County of Saratoga & was there dischar- ged, but not in writing - Our Regiment was commanded by Col Graham. The major name was Wilson, & the adjutant was John Tande of Schoenectady. My captain's name was Elyah Bostwick - We did very little but march this term, except that while at Westpoint we were employed in drawing cannon from Fort Putnam to the River, and we went on a few scouting parties while at Palmentown, one to where the Fish House now stands, but met no enemy While we were stationed at Palmentown, the Indians attacked Col Warner's Regiment at Fort Edward and burnt Schuyler's mills - I have no document any documentary

any evidence of this service but expect that I can produce the testimony of Nehemiah Brown and Amos Chapman of Coldenham in said County - of Botton County of Warren to prove my service during this term
In the month of June 1782 I enlisted as a volunteer & private in the company of Capt Joel Gillett of Farmington Connecticut in the Regiment I think of Colonel Willett of the New York state line. Ezekiel Scott of Farming- ton Connecticut was our major. The place of my enlistment & mustering was at Albany in the state of New York. and I served about four months. I was stationed during the whole time of my service at Albany. We had very little to do except to keep guard & to go thro with regular exercise & drill. I was however engaged a short time in removing the Laboratory Standing on a little way below the house now occupied by the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer to the River to be trans- ported to Westpoint. This term of enlistment was for three years or during the war, but what I do not distinctly recollect. I received no written discharge & never received one sent of pay but received an honorable verbal discharge from the Captain when the company was discharged. I have no documentary evidence & know of no person living whose testimony I can produce to testify to this service

I was born as I believe in the town of Old Haddam in the state of Connecticut in the year 1764. I have no record of my age & desire my information from my parents as to the time of my birth, they are now dead. I lived in New Lebanon during the whole Revolutionary war, except when in the army. I settled in the town of Poultney in the county of Rutland in the state of Vermont in the year 1788. & remained there upwards of thirty years and now am now a resident of the town of Hazen County of Warren and state of Vermont. was first a substitute for my father - afterwards was a substitute for Nathaniel Gilbert - & I prefer to Elder William Evans & Nathl. Garfield for for my character for truth & veracity, &c. —
Robert Pratt
Subscribed & sworn before me
in open Court this 18 th day
of September 1832
Thomas Archibald Clerk
And I hereby acknowledge every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State —
Subscribed & sworn this 17 th day of April 1833 Before
ROBERT PRATT
Me in open court
Thomas Archibald Clerk.

State of New York } Amos Chapman of the town of Cold Warren County } well in the County of Warren State of New York aged seventy four years being duly sworn saith that he has heard read the annexed declaration of Robert Pratt - that he has been a quainted with the said Pratt fifty two years last past - that he served during the Revolutionary war with said Pratt in the year 1780 in Captain Elijah Borthwick's Company, Colonel Graham's Regiment John Fonda was adjutant - that he served under said officer with said Pratt four months and - that the account of said Pratt contained in his de- clarations of said service is true - And this deponent further saith that the said Pratt is a man of truth & veracity and that this deponent believes that his account of services in said declaration contained is in all respects true -
Subscribed & Sworn this 18 th day of September 1832 in open Court
Amos his X Chapman mark
Thomas Archibald Clerk
And I also certify that I am well acquainted with the said Amos Chapman who has made the above affidavit and that he is a man of truth and veracity and entitled to credit -
Thomas Archibald Clerk

State of New York } County of Warren } Town - Schenck. Brown of Bolton in the - county of Warren being duly sworn doth depose and say that he knows Robert Pratt of Hague in said County - has been acquainted with him for about fifty four years - believes that he is about sixty eight years old - Pratt and this deponent enlisted in the year 1780 under Capt Elijah Bostwick, in the New York Troops, for three months - Pratt served the three months & over - that this deponent does not know actually, of any other service of Mr. Pratt in the Revolutionary war, but heard of at the time of his serving in the war, at other times but cannot be certain as to the dates or terms of his service -
That this deponent believes the said Robert Pratt to be a man of truth and veracity and that his reputation in the neighborhood where he resides, has been a Revolutionary soldier That Mr. Pratt has resided in Poultney in Vermont until within a few years, and this deponent cannot therefore attest as to his reputation there, for services in the Rev. War.
Subscribed & sworn in open Court
J. Brown
This 18th day of September 1832
Thomas Archibald Clerk
and I also certify that I am well acquainted with the said J. Brown who has made the above affidavit and that he is a man of truth and veracity and entitled to credit -
Thomas Archibald Clerk.

We William Grant a Clugyman residing in the town of Botton in the County of Warren and State of New York and Nathaniel Carfield of the town of Hogen and County & State aforesaid hereby certify that we are acquainted with Robert Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be of sixty eight years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Subscribed & Sworn before me in open Court this 18 th day of September 1832
Wm Grant Thomas Archibald Clerk Nathaniel Carfield

State of New York Warren County
On the 17. day of April 1833.
Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace of the town of Grafton in the County of Warren aforesaid, Robert Pratt who being duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age & 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 six weeks I served as a master of炮als as set forth in the annexed declaration as being my second term of service & I then was fifteen years of age - For two months I served as a waiter to Lieut Edward Rexford in the capacity of a private soldier. For four months I served as a waiter with to Lieut Sam- uel Rexford ranked as a private -
Master
4 For four months I served as a private in Captain Elisha Gilkents Company - For 4 four months I served as a private in the company of Captain Joel Gillett Making in the whole one year three months and a half that I served as a private soldier in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary War in the regular

Embodyed Troops of the United States Called out and commanded by Competent authority as mentioned in my declaration to which this is annexed, and for such Service I claim a pension.
Submitted between this 17 day of April 1833. before Mr.
Robert Pratt
Themas Archibald Clerk in Open Court

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinions, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named appli- cant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that William Grant who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman residing in the Town of Bolton in the County of Warren and State of New York and that Nathaniel Garfield Junior who has also signed the same is a Resident of the Town of Hague in the County and State aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Thomas Archibald Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Warren do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Pratt for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this fourteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Thomas Archibald Clerk

11,242
Robert Pratt
Admiral
59.14.16
Specific ref
Too young for a Soldier.
24 Feb 1832 27 Dec
P 185-
John Burnet Concordia Essex co N York

11,242
BRIEF in the case of  Robert Pratt, - Hague,  Co of Warren in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court,  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 68 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     May 17 78 1 Subst. Adj. Gen. Cap c E. Gilbert,   "Six days after" 1 do Cap c Phelps   Sept r 1778 till in Nov. post. Cap c G. King Col. Materson   May or June '79 4 mos do Cap c Trumble   June '80 4 mos do Cap c E. Gilbert, Col. Graham -   June '82 abt. 4 mos do Cap c B. Postwick.   Cap c J. Gilbert, Col. Millett  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Lebanon, Columbia coy, New York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Tradg  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. Havett Examining Clerk.

14-229
Rev. War
✓ 14.229 INVALID.
File No. 14. 229
Robert Pratt
Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 303
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11,242
Robert Pratt

11242
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Pratt which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He has
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No
Affidavit should state separately & distinctly the period term & grade of each tour of actual service in some embodied corps regularly
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? called out & commanded by competent authority - No allowances will be made for a service in the ranks which the papers
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? show was alleged to be rendered before the applicant was 15 years old - Under that age it cannot be admitted that he was
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? He has a soldier in the ranks.
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Not signed
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? He had XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 7 XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Count XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? It does XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? They are
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.