Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,223, for John Preston, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York R. I.
Preston, John
S 14,223
Carded.
CONTENTS

1305 New York
John Preston
Albany in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. of. commanded by Captain Pratt — of the Regt. commanded by Col. V. Schuyler in the Albany line for 12 months
★ N.Y. S.R.F.
Records corrected Dec. 1863
Enrolled on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollars — each per Annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Octr. 1832 — and sent to J.B. Moore
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $ 60 Pension and allowance ending 4 Mar 33 20 $ 80
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo. H. Steele Clerk. Book D Vol. 5 Page 124

3706

State of New York
Albany County ss. On this 17 th day of July 1832 personally appeared before Joseph V. B. Moore a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany, and State aforesaid John Preston a resident of the town of Westerlo in the County of Albany and State of New York aged 76 years & 206 days, 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 their in state.
In the month of May or June 1775 he volunteered at the cap of the drum and enlisted in Captain Joel Pratts Company in Colonel Van Schaicks regiment of New York Militia as a private, at a place called Spencertown in the then County of Albany now Hillsdale in the County of Columbia in the State of New York where he then resided, and marched immediately in the said Company to Lake George in the State aforesaid, That the said Company together with Capt Visschers Company in the said Regiment were Stationed at Fort George near the said Lake. He at first was put on Garrison duty, but afterwards rowed in a Gondola a considerable part of the Summer in the said year, and conveyed articles and provisions for the use of the Army to the outlet of Lake George near Ticonderoga, That he continued in the said service in the said Company and Regiment untill the fall of the said year when he was taken Sick, and in the fore part of -

✓ December was permitted to return home That the term of this enlistment was for nine months - In the month of June 1778 He enlisted as a private soldier for the term of nine months in Captain Nathan Alney's Company in Colonel Crary's Regiment of Rhode Island Mi- litia, his residence was at Suffield in the State of Connecticut, where he was And immediately went to Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island where he joined the said Company and reg- -iment, where he remained encamped, until the month of August in the same year, when Genl. Sullivan came on with his forces, for the purpose, (as he was informed) of driving the British from New Port, Rhode Island and taking possession of that place, that he was in the front Platoon when the Amer- -ican forces landed at Butts-hill, at the South end of the Island of New Port. He continued with the said Company and regiment at some near the Town of New Port, about three weeks, or until in the month of September in the same year, when orders were given to retreat, He with the Army then retreated back to Butts-hill and from there to Tiverton afore- said, and went into Winter quarters - In the month of December after, he hired an able bodied man as a substitute, (whose name he does not now recollect) who was accepted by the Commandant of the said Company and regiment, and gave him all his back pay to serve his time out, That he was then dis- charged by Lieut. Colonel James Williams, who commanded at the time the said Regiment. He received a written Discharge from the said Colonel Williams (which he has

commanded at the time the said Regiment He received a written discharge from the said Colonel Williams which he has
3 lost) at Fineston aforesaid in the said State of Rhode Island, and then returned home. That he was at the Battle of Rhode Island in August 1778. That he has no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any person whose testimony is now procure, to prove his services as aforesaid. That he resides 20 miles from the city of Albany, where the Courts of Record are held, that he is old infirm and Poor, and is unable to attend the Court at that distance, and further that he understands and believes that there is no Court of record now in session in the said City County of Albany on account of the Malignant disease prevailing at Albany called the Asiatic Cholera. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State -
Known to and subscribed the day John Preston and year aforesaid Before me 76-200 365 J. B. Moore Judge of Albany County Courts -
We Stephen Tompkins residing in the town of Westerlo in the County of Albany and State of New York Town Clerk of the said town and Abijah C. Disbrow residing in the same place Members of the Legisla- ture of the said State, hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Preston who has been to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 \frac{266}{385} years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Rev- olutionary Soldier, and that we concur in that opinion Groom subscribed the day and year aforesaid Stephen Tompkins Before me J. B. Moore Judge of Albany County Courts Abijah C. Disbrow

V December was committed to act  the Albany County ss. And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogato- ries prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify, that it appears  it appears well acquainted with Stephen Tompkins Town Clerk and Hiram C. Disbrow a member of the New York Legi- lature who have signed the preceding Certificate, and that they are residents of the said town of Westerlo, that they are gentlemen of the first respectability and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to the most implicit confidence and credit. J. B. Moore Judge
of Albany County courts. And I do further certify that the said appli- cant is unable to attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmity. J. B. Moore Judge re -
State of New York
City & County of Albany
Clerks office ss I Conrad A. Ten Eyck clerk of the City and County of Albany do hereby certify that Joseph B. Moore before whom the foregoing Certificate and declaration were taken, and who has made the above Certificate is a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany, and that the signature "J. B. Moore" to the said Declaration Certificate is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 19th day of July 1838 C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

State of New York 5 Albany County ss. On this 23 d day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of the Justice Court of the City of Alba- ny in the County and State of aforesaid now sit- ting, John Preston a resident of the town of Westerlo in the County of Albany and State of New York aged 76 years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following ad- -ditional 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, under the following named officers and served as he has stated in the declaration hereto annexed.
He volunteered and joined Capt Joel Pratts Company and Colonel Van Scheick's Regiment, as a private for the term of nine months , about the first of June 1775 and served six months , and was then taken sick, which was in the fore part of December 1775 and he was permitted to return home, that he lived at the time he volunteered at Spencertown, and served at the different places, particular- -ly mentioned and described in the declaration hereto annexed, during the said term.
In the month of June 1778 He again enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Nathan Olneys Company and Colonel Crays regiment for the term of nine months . He then resided at Suffield in the state of Connecticut. where he then resided , and marched to the same places and served in the same manner as is particularly mentioned and described in his said declaration hereto annexed, In the month of December 1778 he hired a substitute to take his place as he has heretofore stated in the annexed declaration, having served during this Cam- -paign Six Months . Making in the whole of his personal service One Year .

He received a discharge from Colonel Williams which is lost, at Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island. He was in the Battle of Rhode Island. He has no documentary evidence nor does he know of any person he can procure to testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. He further declares that all the facts and circumstances stated in his declaration hereto annexed and made on the 23 rd day of July August 1832, in relation to his service are substantially true.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in John Preston!
76 303 / 365
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the of the Department, that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Shijah C. Disbrow is a member of the State Legislature and Stephen Tompkins Town Clerk and that they both reside in the town of Westerlo in the County of Albany that they have duly signed and sworn to the Certificate hereto annexed, that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full credit and belief. And the said Court further certifies, that the said Shijah C. Disbrow and Stephen Tompkins reside at least 20 Miles from the Court, and that they cannot be procured to attend the Court without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, He being very poor and infirm.
I John P. Wapson Clerk of the Justice Court of the City of Albany in the County of Albany, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the Application of John Preston for a Pension.

-side at least 20 Miles from the Court, and that they cannot be procured to attend the Court without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, He being very poor and infirm.
7 I John P. Wapson Clerk of the Justice's Court of the City of Albany in the County of Albany do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of John Preston for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23. day of August 1832
John P. Wapson Clk.

3706
New York.
admitted
12 mo
$40

3706
BRIEF in the case of  John Preston, - Westerlo,  Co. of Albany  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? 76  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.     about 1 st June In 1775. 6 volunteer Gen. Cap t Joel Pratt, Col. Van Schaick   June 1778 6 private Cap t M c Cluey, Col. Crary   Dec r 1778 - "hired a substitute for 3 mos" (blank)  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? "Battle of R. Island, in August-1778."  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Then Spencertown, Albany Co. - now Hillsdale, Columbia Co., New York.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  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.
W. Havett Examining Clerk.

December 11, 1930
Mr. William J. Deavitt 943 S. Windsor Boulevard Los Angeles, California
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MMF /eel
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.14223 that John Preston while a resident of Spencertown, Albany County, New York (which was later Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York) enlisted about the first of June 1775 and served six months as a private in Captain Joel Pratt's Company, Colonel Van Schaick's New York Regiment.
While a resident of Suffield, Connecticut, he enlisted in June 1778 and served six months as a private in Captain Nathan Olney's Company, Colonel Crary's Rhode Island Regiment and was in the battle of Rhode Island.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 17, 1832 while living in Westerlo, Albany County, New York aged seventy-six years and two hundred and sixty-six days.
There are no data as to his family.
The above noted is the only soldier by that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Revised
14.223 INVALID.
File No. 14.223 John Preston Rev. Beer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 308
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1925—Preston—Hist. to Mrs. G. A. King—MMS— 1930—Rev. H. H. to Mrs. G. A. King—MMS—

Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir = Rev  Heft
Could you please tell me whether a John Preston of N.Y. was given a pension from Rev- War.
Mrs. J. A. King - Caney Kansas Box 13

mmh
January 8, 1925
Mrs. J. A. King Caney, Box #3 Kansas
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 14223 it appears that John Preston while a resident of Spencertown, Albany County, New York (which was later Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York) enlisted about the first of June 1775 and served six months as a private in Captain Joel Pratt's Company, Colonel Van Schaick's New York Regiment.
While a resident While a resident of Suffield, Connecticut, he enlisted in June 1778 and served six months as a private in Captain Nathan Olney's Company, Colonel Crary's Rhode Island Regiment and was in the battle of Rhode Island.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 17, 1832 while living in Westerlo, Albany County, New York aged seventy-six years and two hundred and sixty-six days.
There is no data on file as to his family.

The above noted is the only soldier by that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Date of death not on Agency Book
Commissioner.

943 So. Windsor Blvd.,
Los Angeles, Calif.,
November 19th, 1930
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:—
(over) I am very anxious to get information regarding some Revolutionary ancestors and would appreciate your advising if these men, John Preston and Samuel Preston of Rhode Island and William Hayward, William Gibson, Simeon Cook and Simeon Cooke of Massachusetts, were on your pension rolls.
If so, will you kindly give all information such as place and time of birth, death and marriage and any information possible regarding wife.
On separate sheets I am attaching Revolutionary record of each man. It seems possible that the records of Simeon Cook and Simeon Cooke are those of the same man.
Very Truly yours, William J. Deavitt (Deavitt)

Rhode Island.
108 ✓ Preston, John , private, Col. Crary's regiment 1776: pay due $15-15-8.
218 ✓ Preston, Samuel , private Feb. 1781, in Rhode Island regiment, or after
Austin's "Vital Record of Rhode Island 1636-1850" Vol. XII Revolutionary Rolls and Newspapers Cowell's "Spirit of 76" page 236.

Massachusetts
Gibson, William [?] Private, Capt. Samuel Baldwin's Co., Col. Dike's regt.; muster roll for Dec. 1776 - Feb. 1777; enlisted Dec. - 1776; credited to town of Hopkinton; regiment raised to serve until March 1, 1777.
"Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War" Vol. VI Page 396.
very truly yours, William J. Deavitt (Deavitt)