Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5825, for William Nelles, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Skellies, William or Skellis
S 5825
CONTENTS
leaded

Pennsylvania 29. 242
William Nellis
Venango Co. in the State of Penn a who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Wynn of the Reg t commanded in the N. York Rangers for 9 months from 1778
due to pay. See letter to Mr. Garrett, Nov. 17. 1836 P. Ag
William Nellis Records corrected
Enscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania the rate of 30 Dollars ————— Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Dec r . 1831 and sent to James Thompson Franklin Pa.
Swears to the 4th of Sept. 1834 105.00 Pension allowance ending 10 March '35 15.00 $120.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 5 Page 43

31.820 William Kelley
of Venango County Pennsylvania
f 1778 p 9- #30.
A
CLR
St. Plumer
MS. A. 9. 2. 18 34
James Thompson Franklin Pa

Declaration in order to attain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of Pennsylvania
County of Venango } ss }
On this twenty fifth day of August personally appeared in open court before the Hon Henry Chapman President, and the Hon John Linn and Thomas McKean associates of the court of Common Pleas now sitting and holding a court of common Pleas in and for the county of Venango, William Kellis a resident of the county of Venango and State of Pennsylvania aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law, do hereby on his oath make the following declaration in order to attain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States un- -der the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the month of May or June, he cannot distinctly recollect which, of the year 1778, he was, to the best of his knowledge and be- -lief enlisted in the state of New York in a company called "Rangers" and that the term of service he understood to be during the war. That he entered the service under Captain John Wyng , or (Wing) who commanded the company of Rangers, that at the time of his enlistment he was a resident of Montgomery county in the State of New York , that when he was enlisted he was informed the enlistment of the soldiers was for the purpose of raising some companies of Rangers of which there were three raised, and which were to be stationed on the frontiers of the state of New York . He states that, "we were to find our own guns and clothes which we did and were to get one dollar per day. After the company to which I belonged Captain John Wyng was promoted to first place of rank and his place was at Fry's Mill on the Mohawk river in the coun- -ty of Montgomery , in the state of New York . From thence we mar- -ched to the fort of Oriskany at which place the company was

I stationed and remained there during the summer and fall and most of the winter of 1778-1779. Our constant employment was in traversing the frontier and along the Mohawk River in scouting parties watching for the Indians and the British from Canada. Every day eight men were sent out as scouts and sometimes we were out for several days at a time. I was frequently on these excursions. In the month of March 1779 as near as I can recollect we were marched to a place called Sacondaga in the State of New York at which place there were many Tories, and it was feared the enemy might get into the settlements by their means. At this place we remained during the spring and summer of 1779 and part of the fall of that year, engaged in watching the frontier, about the time the cold weather set in in the fall we were marched back again to the post of Otego Lake. We were constantly employed here in scouting parties as we had been the summer and preceding fall at Otego. While at Sacondaga our Captain killed one of our men whose name was Schaff. He was arrested and tried by what was called a court martial, composed of several justice of the peace, but was released, and as usual returned the command of the company. Nothing of importance occurred during this or the preceding summer. Some time after we returned to Otego Lake the Captain received orders at least as we were informed to dismiss the company from service. The other two companies had the same orders. We as well as the other two companies were dismissed some time in the month of December of the year 1779. The snow was pretty deep on the ground at the time we were discharged. My discharge was written and signed by the Captain but has been lost or destroyed along time ago. We had no Colonel or Major and was commanded entirely by the Captain. The whole three of the companies were called Otego, one of the other companies was commanded, I recollect, by Captain Christian Getman, the Captain of the other company is not now recollect by me, neither can I recollect by what names the places were called at which they were stationed. As the companies never met together after they were marched to their respective stations. I always understood that our Captain received his general orders from General Washington. I may be mistaken in a

and others from General Washington - I may be mistaken in using
1780 the word "enlisted" but the way is what it was called and understood to be by the men. - After we were discharged, I returned home to my fathers in Montgomery in the state of New York, and remained at home until some time in the month of February in the year 1780. I was enlisted, or called into the service. The term of service was to be for one year. The company to which I belonged and in Allony our captains name was Young, we were marched down the Hudson river to Fish Kill, which we did, pretty much all the way on the ice - When arrived at Fish Kill we were all set to work - I understand something about the carpenter business and was set to work to assist in building a topsail Schooner at Fish Kill each . In this way I was employed during the summer. In the latter part of August or beginning of September we launched the Schooner, we rigged her and sailed up the river to a place called at that time Sopas, we then got a load of provisions for the Army and returned with it to New =burg. About this time, very soon after in the month of September, while the Schooner was lying over morning just above West Point we saw Benedict Arnold leave West Point in a barge and make his escape down the river - we did not know his intentions - I rec- ollect well of seeing him - Major Andre I think had been taken the day before as I afterwards understood - I saw him a day or two or perhaps the same day of Arnolds escape in Poughkeepsie jail - I was retained on board the Schooner until some time in the latter end of January of the year 1781 at which time I got a discharge which is also lost or destroyed, and I returned once more to my fathers who lived near Fort Poin in Montgomery County - The com- pany to which I belonged when we first arrived at Fish Kill were drilled and the roll called twice a day, then we were set to work, this continued until the company got scattered by being sent in different directions to work. Our Major's name was also Young - his Captainal name I don't recollect - I always understood that we belonged, during this year, to the Quarter Mas- =ters department. I remained at home during the latter part of the winter - In the month of April 1781. I was drafted to serve for a nine months term in the New York Troops, our Captain's name was Lawrence Graft and our company belonged to Colonel Miletts Re-

giments - I think the Colonel's left wing was Greenough - The Regiment first rendezvous was at Fort Plain in Montgomery County in the state of New York. - This place was much Quarters - About a month after we were stationed at Fort Plain Having served on the frontier as a Ranger, I was taken from my Company by Colonel Willett to serve as a spy - I was sent out and would remain out, sometimes a week or more at a time - At one time, about the beginning of June of I think, I was out between the head waters of Boomer's creek and Canajoharie, when I fell on a trail of Indians and followed it to their encamp- ment - I then returned and gave information to the Colonel - Three Companies were marched out, I acting as guide to the place the Indians had encamped. Colonel Willett was along and com- manded - The Indians having ascertained that we were coming came out a short distance to meet us - They had broken off green bushes and stuck in the ground and were in ambush behind them. When we discovered this we stopped to consult about advancing when the Indians fired upon us - We then attacked them and had a pretty sharp skirmish but drove them from the ground and from their encampment - We found three Indians killed but I had reason to believe many more were killed and carried off during the engagement - Some of our men were wounded and two of them died afterwards of their wounds. - After the engagement we returned to Fort Plain - About five or six weeks after this I was out as a spy in the neighborhood of Canajoha- rie and fell on a another trail of a party of British and In- dians - They appeared to be going in the direction of a German set- tlement called Luzlock Settlement - After following sometime until I got pretty near them, I returned to Fort Plain about sundown - I informed Colonel Willett of what I had discov- ered, and told him I thought there was five or six hundred of them - Our Regiment accordingly to about to about seven hun- dred men were in readiness ordered to March - We took the Luzlock road and marched all night - After day break in the morning we fell on the trail where they had crossed the road - after following this about a mile we came on their encampment - Our first guard fired on the camp and it

march back to the main body of the army - The army consisting of about three hundred British Soldiers, I think they were called Sir John Dohn- -stons green coats and about two hundred Indians, pursued the guerrillas - Colonel Mallett had formed a line and was ready to re- ceive them - The battle commenced very briskly, the Indians were principally on the left wing of our line in which part I was - Colonel Mallett was engaged principally with the British The Indians after some time left us and made a general at- tack on the right wing which consisted of Captain McKean's company of Infantry - He was separated a little distance from the main body of the army - The battle became very hot in that quarter - We at last drove the British from the ground and hurried on to the assistance of Captain McKean - when we ar- rived we found all his men killed but two who were both slight- ly wounded one of them in the mouth and the other had lost part of his ear - We now drove the enemy entirely from the field - Captain McKean was on the ground mortally wounded and died in about six hours afterwards - We found from thirty to forty of the enemy principally British on the ground - we were afterwards informed that a place was discovered near the battle ground in which were buried between forty and fifty Indians which were carried off as they fell during the battle - About one hundred of our men were killed which we buried on the ground and a number were wounded - The battle lasted between two and three hours. We carried Captain McKean back to Fort Plover and buried him there - This engagement went by the name of Kennebec battle - The army return- -ed to Fort Plover and continued there without any thing very material until the first of January 1782. During all the latter part of the season I was constantly engaged as a spy and fre- quently had little contests by myself in the woods with small scouting parties of Indians - On the first of January 1782 we were all discharged, my discharge has long since been lost and I returned home once more - In the spring following the In- -dians and British forming deputations again there was in the month of April 1782. a call made on each company of Mili- tia to furnish a certain number of men to serve for nine months - The companies were divided into classes, and each class had to furnish a man - The class to which I belonged gave me -ened to me for a year or more as a place in company

I John McDonald residing in the county of Venango hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Willis who has subscribed to the above to the above declaration, having been constantly acquainted with for near forty years, and for most of which time I have lived in the same neighborhood to wit in the county of Allegheny and in the county of Butler and since he has resided in the county of Venango all of which counties are in the state of Pennsylvania, and that I believe him to be of the age of seventy two years; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, and in all the other neighborhoods where I have known him to reside to have been a soldier of the revolution, once that I concur in that opinion.
John M. McDonald
Sworn and subscribed the day { and year aforesaid
A. J. Polaner Proxy
We James Downing Jr and James Downing Jr residing in the county of Venango and state of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Willis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, and we also certify that in the neighborhood in Butler county in the state of Pennsylvania where he resided for near thirty years he was reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day { and year aforesaid
A. J. Polaner Proxy
James Downing James Downing Jr
The Rev. Ezekiel May being sworn according to law saith that he has been acquainted with the applicant Wm Willis for about four years past and that he hereby certifies that he is a sober and discreet man and further and he saith that in his usual he would have the most implicit confidence.
Ezekiel May
Sworn and subscribed in open court this 25th day of August AD 1834 { A. J. Polaner Proxy

From the seventh page hereof I was born in Montgomery County New York State in year 1762 - a few years after the war left that place and came to Pittsburgh - from that I went for about three years to Keyserstown again to Pittsburgh - and lived there & in the adjoining County of Butler till about four years ago when I settled in this County of Venango -
Having subscribed in open court this William ~ Volles 25 August 1834
Henry Shippen
Venango County ss. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after in- vestigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - And the Court further certifies that the Rev. Ezekiah May whose deposition is above is a clergyman, and that John McDonald and James Downey & James Downey Jr are citizens of this County and credible witnesses & their testimony entitled to credit -
Certified by Henry Shippen Pres of Court

State of Pennsylvania Venango County
I, Amasa Plummer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Kelley for a Pension — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Franklin this 25 th day of August A.D. 1834 —
A. Plummer Clerk
James Thompson Franklin Pa
St
1178 for $30.
of Venango County Pennsylvania
31:820 William Kelley
State of Pennsylvania } Venango County }
Genl. William Kelley in open court being duly sworn saith that he has been acquainted with William Kelley the within named applicant from the year eighteen hundred and three he knowing him until about three or four years ago in the neighborhood of Butler county in Butler county in which town this deponent resides and that he has always been a good character — and that his reputation for veracity has never been questioned or doubted within deponent's knowledge or recollection — and from what deponent knows of the said William Kelley he does not hesitate to say he would have full confidence in any statements he would make under oath herein & subscribed in open court the 27 th day of May A.D. 1834.
Wm Kelley
Henry Shippen
I certify that the above named Genl. Wm Kelley of Butler is a member of the Venango 6 th Bar of the first respectability —
Henry Shippen Dist. Dist.

August 3, 1933.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MMHF/ADY Adv
Mr. Milo Nellis St. Johnsville New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of July 13, in which you request photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim of William Nellis, R.7583, and William Nellis, S.5825 .
Photostatic copies of such papers are now furnished at the rate of twenty-five cents a page.
The number of pages to be copied in claim, R.7583 is ten and the number to be copied in S.5825 is thirteen, making the cost $5.75.
Please make remittance by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Endorsements all To Wm Nelles. $1,582.50

Reentry ✓
5825
INVALID.
1933-Aug. 3 - Mr. Milo Nellis adv. cot of philo - TMSF
File No. 5825
William Nellis *
Pri Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. M , Page 273
[Arrangement of 1870.]
William Nellis* Records corrected. May 23/04. B

St. Johnsville, NY. July 13, 1933
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Washington,
Dear Sir:-
In reply to your letter of Feb 23-1933- marked with reference letters BA-5/MNHF:MLB - answering a letter of mine under date of Feb 8. I can not come to Washington to examine the papers I desire.
I wanted all the (six) papers mentioned in my letter for historical sketches I am trying to compile & am particularly interested in localizing information on members of the Pennsylvania & Canadian branches of the Nellis family whose records have become obscure.
Since you can not quote me on the six Nellis papers asked for. Can you quote me on the following for. photostats of the complete papers:- viz.
✓ S-5825 William Nellis living in Venango Co. Pa. 1834 born Montgomery Co. N.Y. 1762.
✓ VR. 7583 William Nellis of Palatine, N.Y. died June 23, 1821. married Mary Haggorn.
Very Truly Yours
Milo Nellis
1 3 1 0 2 3 2 5 1 5 4 6 5 7 5

Nov 16
Wm Wells Pam
29542
* Indian
J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

D. C. Church Esq.
I have been appointed Attorney to Anne the within named person, and in presenting at our Girard's "pet" Bank they informed me that I should send and ask you for Authority to receive the same - place Arrangements that forward the same and forward it. your Attention will much Oblige yours Obedt Servt John Garrett
W o 2 d Market St Milad 5

Revolutionary Pension Claims Franklin Pa Oct 14
Mr
L. Richards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington City D.C.

State of Pennsylvania Kings county } I William Willis do hereby certify
My Pensions & agreement to receive from the War de- partment a pension for nine months annually in full for my services in the Revolutionary War as a Revolutionary Soldier. Witness my hand this tenth day of October AD 1834.
Signed & delivered in presence of John H. Howe
William Willis
Kings county } Before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace
in and for the county of Kings aforesaid personally came William Willis, being the identical William Willis who signed the paper and sworn to the same hereunto enclosed No 31.820. and marked A. by the subscriber and acknowledged the above certificate of release to be his act for the purposes therein mentioned. Witness my hand & seal the tenth day of October AD 1834.
John H. Howe
State of Pennsylvania Kings county } I Arnold Plummer Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that John Neil Howe is an acting justice of the peace in and for the county of Kings duly commissioned as such and whose acts full faith and credit ought to be given as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Franklin this 10th day of October AD 1834.
Arnold Plummer Deputy Clerk

Sturminster Newton 10th 1834
Dear Sir
In I enclose you Mr. Millis's account to receive 9 months pension. I am well persuaded that he ought to have more if possible if it were within the compass of your special ability to give him one years pension, I had him a certificate for that amount - monthly and I will forward him a release for that amount and if you can not do this he must be content with the 9 months as he hereby releases - Will you do me the favor to send me the forms to get his pension on his certificate.
I am very Respectfully yours
James Thompson
cont
Dear Sir