Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23386, for John Reilay, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Reilay, John
S. 23386
CONTENTS

Albany 31.304
John Reiley of Rensselaer Co. in the State of N. York who was a Capt. & Lieut. in the by Captain of the Regt. commanded by Col. Schuyler in the N. York commanded time for 3 months & 11 days, Capt. 67.33 183 2 " 19 " Lieut. 34.74 $ 102.07 18
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 102 Dollars 07 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30. day of Dec. 1837 and sent to Nathan Howard, Junr. Esq. Present Hon. A. Vail, H. B. 662.65 Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '37 51.03 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Mar. 38. $ 714.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. 2. Vol. 4 Page 61
Exh. 28 papers S. H. Vail, H. B. Feb 27.
Deed
Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of the 6. April 8 from 4 th Sept 1837 to 17 April 1838. Agt notified Dec 1839
Albert Nempeland March 20 1833

State of New York County of Rensselaer ss. On this Twenty first day of April 1837. personally appeared Henry Koon _____ one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Rensselaer aforesaid. JOHN KELLY a resident of the City of Troy in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York aged One hundred and three years, who be- ing 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 officer, and served as herein stated. That in the year 1777 as he now thinks, he was ap- pointed Captain of a Company of Rangers, that he received his Commission from George Clinton then Governor of the State of New York, and was under the direction of a Committee of Conspiracy of the City and County of Albany, that the duty of the Company was to protect the neighborhood of Greenbush, and Albany against Tories and the Enemy, and that he had to go at all times night or day when there was any disturbance, that he raised his Company him- self, and had eighteen or nineteen Indians, with the best men for service in his Company, and used to find them board huts to live in, during the winter season near to his own dwelling house in Greenbush, and used to provide for them and take care of them, that he has had a good many hard struggles with the En- emy, who were principally composed of Tories, during his Ranger Service, he supposes he must have held his Captain Commission of the Rangers, two years or over, though they were not all the time engaged in actual Service, but was ready to go whenever it was necessary. That he advanced Eight hundred dollars, and other expenses, for himself and out of his own funds for rations, for his Com- pany that he never got from the Committee whose direction he was under, nor has ever received a cent

towards it from any source whatever to this day. he has made some effort to get it from the Legislature of this State but never succeeded. that his papers were left with a man by the name of Peter T. Curtenius Esqr. who was at the time they the papers were left with him. State Auditor. that he has never seen said papers since. and cannot tell now where they are. that all his other papers in relation to his services in the Revolutionary War his Commission, &c. have all been lost a great many years ago. that he thinks he commenced his service at about the commencement of the War. was out considerable before he was appointed Captain of the Company of Rangers. that he went at one time up North to Fort Edward  Fort to build a log bridge there. don't recollect whose Company he was in but he acted as Lieutenant and thinks it was Capt. Sharpe. thinks he must have been gone six weeks, or two months. in that town. that one or two years after Burgoyne was taken he went to Stone Rabby from Greenbush and took the place of Capt. George Sharpe, and Capt. Sharpe returned home. and he this declarant took Command of the Com- pany until they returned home, thinks they were out two months, that he is so old it is almost im- possible for him to remember every time he was on in the Militia, but he never went as a private was either Ensign Lieutenant or Captain, thinks at the time he went North he was under Col. Van Rensselaer Schuyler that he was engaged in service until the close of the War.
1 st That he was born in the State of New Jersey in the year 1734. as near as he can tell. 2 d That he has no record of his age to his knowledge. 3 d That he lived when called into service about six miles East of Albany in the town of Greenbush. then Albany County but now Rensselaer County. That he has resided since the Revolutionary War in the said town of Greenbush. in the town of Hadley, Saratoga County. State of New York. and in Troy where he now resides.

4 th That he don't recollect the manner particularly of his entering the Militia Service when he went only he received his Commission and went with his Company when they were ordered to go - and his Ranger Service he received his Commission as above mentioned -
5 th That he knew General Washington, Col. Van Rensselaer, Col. Schuyler, Col. A. Burr, and many more - that he don't recollect many Regiments where he has served except the one he was in - And in regard to the general circumstance of his Service he has related above as much as he can remember.
6 th That he don't recollect whether he ever received a written discharge from service or not - if he has it has been a number of years lost. That he has received Commissions. That his Captain's Commission was signed by George Clinton - but don't recollect who the other Commissions were signed by that they have all been lost a number of years.
7 th That he knows George A. Davis Esq. Gilbert Reiley, Nathan Howard Esq. Col. Albert Pauling, Philip Heartt and many others, who can testify to his Character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier or rather an Officer of the Revolution. That he has never made application before for a Pension upon the ground that his son Gilbert Reiley with whom he has lived and by whom he has been supported for a great number of years, and with whom he still lives. Objected to his getting a Pension while he, this Declarant was able to go about from one place to another, fearing that he would be anxious to go from one place to another and get to be unsteady unsteady, but that he now is principally confined to the House and don't go out at all - And consequently the objection of his son to his having a Pension is removed.
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 agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Henry Root Image of Rensselaer Common Pleas John Reiley mark

We Albert Slingerland — a Clergyman residing in the town of Waterford — County of Rensselaer  Saratoga and State of New York and Henry Swartwout — residing in the city of Troy  city of Troy county of Rensselaer hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Reiley who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be One hundred and three years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier or rather an Officer of the Revolution. And that we concur in that Opinion.
Sworn and subscribed this 10th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty and of the Independence of the United States the 54th
Albert Slingerland Henry Swartwout Henry Root Judge of Common Pleas
And the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 Officer and served as he states. And the said Judge further certify that it appears to me that Albert Slingerland — is a Clergyman who has signed the preceding Certificate and a resident of the town of Waterford — And that Henry Swartwout — who has also signed the same is President of the city of Troy and is a Credible person and that their statement is entitled to Credit. And I further certify that the Applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
Henry Root Judge of Common Pleas
State of New York
Rensselaer County ss. Henry A. Bristol Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that Henry Root before whom the foregoing Declaration of John Reiley purports to have been made and sworn and by whom the foregoing Certificates purports to have been sworn and signed was on the day of the date thereof a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid. And that I am well acquainted with the hand

writing of the said Judge and verily believe his signature, above subscribed to be genuine
In Testimony Whereof, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this twenty Second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty Seven.
Henry P. Bristol Clerk

34.156 John Reiley Application for a Pension New York
Nathan Howard Jr, Present

State of New York
Schenectady County ss.
Philip Carner of the town of Hoosickville County and State aforesaid being duly sworn says that he is seventy six years of age that he is well acquainted with Capt. John Reiley and has been acquainted with him ever since the commencement of the Revolutionary War that he has always understood that the said John Reiley had a Company of Rangers that he this deponent was not in said Company but lived in the town of Greenbush County of Rensselaer in the neighborhood where the Company of Rangers was stationed or where they did service, which was in the neighborhood of Albany and Greenbush and that said John Reiley was Captain of said Company as he has always understood - but that he this deponent cannot tell the time or the year which Captain Reiley had said Company but thinks it was near the commencement of the War that he this deponent was a private in Capt George Sharpe's Company of Militia that he thinks it was in the year 1779. in the fall, the Company went from Greenbush to Stone Robby on the Mohawk River to guard the fort at that place after they had been at Stone Robby a short time, Capt Reiley above mentioned came and took the place of Capt Sharpe and took the Command of the Company and acted as Captain from that time until the Company went home - he thinks they were out six weeks, at that time - that he don't recollect any other service of Capt Reiley that he this deponent was considerably younger than Capt Reiley that this deponent's father and Capt Reiley were about of an age that in the tour of service at Stone Robby they were in Col. Schuyler's Regiment
Subscribed & sworn before me this 8 th day of April A.D. 1837.
Philip Carner
Joshua Wilde Justice of the peace
Schenectady County ss. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Philip Carner above named and he is a man entitled to credit in all his statements - Joshua Wilde Justice of the peace

State of New York Schenectady County ss. William Cooper of the town of Glenville County and State aforesaid being duly sworn says that he has heard the foregoing affidavit of Philip Carner read and that the facts therein stated are true of his own knowledge except as to the matters therein stated to be on the information or belief of the said Philip Carner and as to those matters he verily believes them to be true. And further except that third paragraph is seventy four years of age. And in addition thereto that he knows the fact that Capt. John Riley had a company of Rangers for he has seen said Riley with said company hav- ing the command. And further has seen several Indians in his company. That he was with said Philip Carner in the town of Service at Stone Robby. And that he cannot recollect any more distinct as to time or dates than what the said Philip Carner has testified to. Subscribed & sworn to before me this 8 th day of April A.D. 1837 William his Cooper Joshua Wilde Justice of the Peace
Schenectady County ss. I hereby certify that I am well acquaint- ed with William Cooper above named and that he is a man entitled to credit in all his statements. Joshua Wilde Justice the peace
State of New York Schenectady County ss. Jonathan C. Burnham Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Joshua Wilde Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits purport to have been sworn and by whom the preceding certificates purport to have been signed was on the day of the dates thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County residing in said County duly commis- sioned and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe his signature, subscribed to the said affidavits and certificates to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at Schenectady this Eleventh day of April A.D. 1837. J. C. Burnham Clerk.
State of New York Rensselaer County ss. Leonard Whyland of the town of Sand Lake County

and affixed the seal of said county at one o'clock Eleventh day of April A.D. 1837. P. C. Buttrick Clerk.
State of New York
Rensselaer County ss. Leonard Whyland of the Town of Sand Lake County and State aforesaid being duly sworn saith that he is Eighty Seven years of age, that he is well acquainted with Capt. John Reiley of the City of Troy, that he this deponent was under Capt. John Reiley when he had the command of a Company of Rangers, that he thinks he entered the Ranger Service under Capt. Reiley in the fall of the year 1777, and served therein a number of months he thinks Eight months, that the said John Reiley was the Captain of said Company - that their services were confined to the neighborhood of Greenbush Troy and Albany - that he thinks that Company of Rangers were discharged not long before the close of the War - but cannot recollect distinctly about it. In this deponent thinks he did not serve in said Company only the tour that he has above mentioned.
Subscribed & Sworn to before me this 11 th day of April 1837. Leonard his Whyland
Matthew Howard Jmt.
Commissioner of Deeds, Troy
Rensselaer County ss. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Leonard Whyland who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit, and he is a man entitled to full credit.
Matthew Howard Jmt. Commissioner as aforesaid
State of New York
Rensselaer County ss. Cornelius Myers of the City of Troy County and State aforesaid being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Capt. John Reiley of Troy and has been acquainted with him for a number of years ever since the commencement of the Revolutionary War that he this deponent is Seventy Six years of age, that he was in Capt. George Sharpe's Company of Militia, and went from Greenbush to Stone Robby in said Company, he thinks it was a year after Burgoyne was taken - and after they had been at Stone Robby a short time Capt. John Reiley came there and took command of the Company and Capt. Sharpe went back home - and Reiley had the command of the Company until they went home he thinks they were out at that time six weeks, or two months.

that he always understood the said John Reiley had a Company of Rangers in and about Greenbush Troy and Albany, that he has no doubt about it for he this deponent lived in the neighborhood where said Reiley's Company used to March and do duty - that their business was to protect the neighborhood against Tories and the Enemy - that he has always understood that Capt. Reiley had the Company of Rangers two years or more: but they did not go out only when it was necessary for the protection of the neighborhood - that he has seen the Company of Rangers under the Command of said Reiley and recollects there were a number of Indians in his Company - that he this deponent was not in said Company of Rangers himself but well knew the Company - that he don't recollect particularly whether he was with Capt. Reiley in any other service but that at Stone Robby or not but is under the impression that Reiley was Lieutenant in Capt. George Sharp's Company at the time they went forth to Fort Edward.
Subscribed & sworn to before
on this 12 th day of April 1837.
Nathaniel Howard Junr.
Cornelius M ck Ayers
Commissioner of Peace for Troy Rensselaer County N. Y. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Cornelius M ck Ayers who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit. And he is a man entitled to credit.
Nathaniel Howard Junr.
Commissioner at Albany
State of New York
Rensselaer County N. Y. I Henry R. Bristol Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Nathaniel Howard Junr. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn and by whom the above certificate purports to have been signed was, on the day of the date thereof a Commissioner of Peace in and for said County - duly authorized to take the said affidavit. And further that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his signature, above subscribed to be genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 13 th day of April A. D. 1837.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

that he always understood the said John Reiley had a Company of Rangers in and about Greenbush Troy and Albany, that he has no doubt about it for he this deponent lived in the neighborhood where said Reiley's Company used to march and do duty - that their business was to protect the neighborhood against Tories and the Enemy - that he has always understood that Capt. Reiley had the Company of Rangers two years or more, but they did not go out only when it was necessary for the protection of the neighborhood - that he has seen the Company of Rangers under the Command of said Reiley and recollects there were a number of Indians in his Company - that he this deponent was not in said Company of Rangers himself but will know the Company - that he don't recollect particularly whether he was with Capt. Reiley in any other service but that at Stone Robby or not but is under the impression that Reiley was Lieutenant in Capt. George Sharpe's Company at the time they went south to Fort Edward.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 12 th day of April 1837. Cornelius M. Myers Nathan Howard Junr.
Commissioner of Peace for said County Rensselaer County ss. I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Cornelius Myers who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit. And he is a man entitled to credit.
Nathan Howard Junr.
Commissioner at Albany
State of New York
Rensselaer County ss. I Henry A. Bristol Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Nathan Howard Junr. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn and by whom the above certificate purports to have been signed was at the time of the dates thereof a Commissioner of Peace in and for said County - duly authorized to take the said affidavit. And further that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his signature above subscribed to be genuine - In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 13 th day of April A.D. 1837.
Henry A. Bristol Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
11 th December, 1839
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," the children of John Rieky, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany Agency, at the rate of one hundred two Dollars and seven Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the fourth of September 1837 to the 19 th April 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson B. Loring Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Capt. 3 mo. 11 days Lieut. 2 mo. 19 days
Spue a cut.
John Relay, Nyack, act 7 June
1832. Insp.
See letter to N. Morrill Jr.
April 27 1837.
to same ————— 13 Dec. '37 to F. V. Gromett ————— " " "

Johan Reiley Lieut. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 79 th
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 336
[Arrangement of 1870.]

2
183 182
11/11/21
Francis V. Brownell Esq. Washington D.C.

Truy Nov. 23. 1837.
Francis V. Greenell Esq. Sir.
Some 5 or 6 weeks since I sent to J. L. Edwards Esq. a Supplemental affidavit in the case of Capt. John Peiley for a Pension, the Original papers were left there last Spring - I wish you would step in and see what the result in his case is - and send me word as soon as obtained - as probably it may be some number of weeks yet (if I wait to have it taken in regular Order) before I shall know about it - Nothing particularly new, only the Whigs have swept over New York like a Tornado - But we think twelve months hence will greatly alter the complexion of things in that respect -
Yours truly Nathan Howard Junr.

Ino. Bailey
FIRM
Hm. H. Calh AR
Hon. Henry Tait Member of Congress Washington D.C.

Grey December 25. 1837.
Hon. J. H. Paul, Sir, Some 6 or 8 days ago I wrote a Letter to Gen. W m Crouch Actg. Commissioner of Pensions (commonly called Doctor Crouch) in which I set forth at large what I wanted done in the case of Capt. Reiley. Now what I wish you would do is, to call on Dr. Crouch for a Report - in that case. So that I can get it without having to wait perhaps a number of Months. I wrote to him that you would aid me in the business - I expect to have to make a Special Application to Congress in Reiley's Case - And shall probably want Copies of papers from the War Department - However I can tell better about the matter when I get an Answer to my Letter to Crouch - They have agreed to grant a Pension for a Certain term of Service. If I will accept it - The Letter stating this fact I received from Dr. Crouch about the 18 th inst. But I am apprehensive they will find more Service of Capt. Reiley at the Department than what the last Letter mentioned which I received from Dr. Crouch. I merely wish you to call on Dr. Crouch, and tell him as soon as he conveniently can I should like to have a Report on that Case - And for the trouble you may have about the business I hope to be able to satisfy you amply - Nothing for more here Yours Respectfully Nathan Harvard Jun r

Albert Klingland Mohawk. Herkimer Co New York. Mar. 9. 1855
Respecting the claim of Capt John Reiley of the Revolution.
Respectfully referred to the Comm. of Pensions Dept War Mar 16/55 Wm Lloyd Clk
Postscript 16 March 1855

Mohawk Station Co N. Y.
March 9/55
The Hon William L. Marcy
Respected Sir -
I again ad- dres you xcellency in reference to the claim of Capt n John Reiley of revolu- tionary memory. Your Excellency has seen the papers start, & those with his pension cer- tificates are satisfactory as to the identity of the person claiming the 300 & odd pounds.
Mrs Reiley widow of Gilbert Reiley who had the care of her Father in law the last twelve (12) years of his life is now very poor, & dependant on a widowed daughter who keeps boarders house in Wilkesbarre Penn for support.
Mr Reiley kept a man servant 12 years for the exclusive purpose of taking care of his Father who died at the extreme age of 104 years.
The Old Captain always said when living that he had advanced this man £2 never been paid. The claim is noticed in the Memoirs of Aaron Burr, not infallible authority, but there

it is noticed -
I am sure my Mother in law should be comfortable, & being a minister a clergyman I am sure, I know of no way unless she can draw as a representation of the old Captain from the government -
Special legislation is next to impracticable. You knew my Father in law as a good citizen, & you love justice - If any thing can be done by the Cabinet or Post from any source, well. If nothing else the Post might order her some letters for land as a gratuity, & these could be sold.
I know you are puzzled with a thousand things constantly and unavoidably & I dislike to add to your annoyances, but if in such a case a thing any thing can be done I am sure it will be a pleasure

to you, & to our noble Boston judgment & emotions are usually true to human justice, & public sentiment. I say usually , for no living man can unite the sentiment of the U. S. If you cannot , I will not expect an answer, but if there is any proba- -bility send for me to come & see you & bring along the papers.
I am with great regard Your friend & admirer.
Eliza S. Slingerland.

House of Representatives
February 3. 1838
Mr. Foss compliments to Mr. Edwards and encloses a letter from Mr. Howard of Troy N. Y. soliciting a copy of the revolutionary papers of John Riley.
Mr. Edwards will confer a favor if he will cause a copy of them to be made out, and enclose (together with Mr. Howard's letter) to Mr. Foss, at an early period, as may suit the convenience of the Department.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

In the Matter of John Riley for a Pension.
Supplemental Affidavit
In Vol 5
In Vol 5 p 55
John Riley Est. $ 8. 22 1780
" " p 52 27. 52
" 56 29. 56
$65. 30
In detached vol 2nd 570 days
Colonelcy, Captain 3. 11
due for months 5. 26
in this case

State of New-York Secretary's Office
I Certify that on the 28 th day of May 1778 the following persons were appointed officers of a company in the Regiment of Militia in the County of Albany whereof Stephen T. Schuyler was Colonel to wit:
George Sharp Captain John Fonda 1 st Lieutenant George Panenger 2 d Lieutenant John Biley Ensign
All which appears by the minutes of the Council of Appointment of this State in this Office.
Arch d Campbell Dep Secretary
Albany May 15. 1837
State of New York Montgomery County ss. Jacob Van Alstyne of the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with John Riley of the City of Troy County of Rensselaer and State aforesaid and has been acquainted with him ever since, before the commencement of the Revolutionary War. that he has read the above Certificate of the Secretary of this State, and that the name there written "John Biley" should be "John Riley" for he this deponent was knowing to the Appointment of the above named officers, or at least knew that they acted as such Officers, at the time above mentioned, and afterwards, that John Riley was Ensign in Captain George Sharp's Company of Militia, and the same John Riley whom he refers to above as being well acquainted with. That he has no doubt whatever that the name Biley above mentioned was entered on the Records of the Secretary of State through mistake, it should have commenced with an "R" instead of a "B" for he never knew any such name as Biley, That he this

disponet was Adjutant of the Regiment commanded by Col. Schuyler of which Capt. George Sharp's Company made a part. That he knew of John Riley's being with said Company in 1779. at Stone Robby that he this disponet was there at the same time. That there was a detachment from each Regiment ordered to stay at Stone Robby that time and he well recollects that George Sharp's Company was the one ordered to stay from Schuyler's Regiment, and well remembers that said John Riley was there - but in what capacity he acted as officer of said Company he does not recollect whether Ensign or Lieutenant or whether he had Command of the Company at that time or not. he does not now remember. That he this disponet went home from Stone Robby about the 8 th or 10 th of November of said year and left Sharp's Company there. That they did not get back to Greenbush until in December some time, but how long said Company was out at that tour he does not recollect. That he this disponet knew that John Riley above mentioned was Captain of a Company of Rangers, and recollects that he commanded said Company at the time Burgoyne was taken. And he thinks that Riley had Command of the Company of Rangers again the next Summer for they were frequently called out to scour the woods and hunt up Tories. That in May 1778. was the time when they received their commissions from the Council of Appointment from the State, but had acted as such Officers before being chosen by the Company. He recollects that in the fall of the year 1776. their Regiment together with others were called up south to Fort Ann from there to Fort Edward to guard powder etc. and that Sharp's Company was along at that time, and he believes John Riley also said was then an officer in Sharp's Company and along with said Company, at the same time, he now recollects that said Riley was along and help built a bridge at Fort Ann about four miles after that they came back and lay at Fort Edward some time he he thinks they were out at time at least six weeks, - they Schenectady Regiment went home before they did - That in the year 1780. they were ordered out to Fort Hunter and Sharp's Company was along. they were at that time called out on an alarm but don't

recollect how long they were out at that time - he this deponent thinks that Sharp's Company was along at every tour of service that he was, and Sharp's Officers, for they were always ready to go, and were true and faithful Officers. That he this deponent is Eighty eight years of age. That he was well acquainted with John Reiley before he was married - they both resided in the town of Greenbush now Rensselaer County, that the said John Reiley married a Cousin of this deponent's father.
Subscribed & sworn before me this first day of July A. D. 1837. Jacob Grass Justice of the Peace
Jacob Van Alstyne
Montgomery County, ss. I certify that I am well acquainted with Jacob Van Alstyne who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit and he is a man entitled to credit and full belief - Caughnewaga July 1. 1837.
Jacob Grass Justice of the Peace
State of New York Montgomery County, ss. I, George D. Ferguson Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Jacob Grass Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn and by whom the above Certificate purports to have been signed was on the day of the dated thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe his signature, above subscribed to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this first day of July A. D. 1837.
Geo: D. Ferguson.

Dec 27.
C.W.
C.W.
Mr. Riley Secy of the Navy Washington
PAID
[Handwritten signature]
George W. Crump Esq. Actg. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Troy December 20. 1837.
Geo. Wm. D. Smith Esq. Sir. I received yours of the date of the 13 th inst. in relation to the Claim of John Reiley for a Pension, in which you state "you will issue a Certificate for a Pension for 3 months and 11 days Captain's Service and 2 months and 19 days Lieutenant's Service. If it be decided to accept a Pension for that term." Of Course I will accept a Pension for that term, provided no additional Service can be found to increase it. I am fully of Opinion that there is one tour of Service on the files in the War Department which has not yet been found in relation to John Reiley's Claim, But it has been found in relation to a Claim of one Leonard Whyland of this County, whose Pension was suspended, and who was a private in Capt. John Reiley's Company. I will give a short abstract of the Letter or Report of Whyland's case, was appealed from the Commissioner of Pension's decision to the Secretary of War. Archibald Bissell Esq. was the agent for Whyland and brought the Appeal. The Letter referred to bears date and that part of it in relation to John Reiley's Service is as follows. "War Department Pension Office Dec. 22. 1836. It appears from the pay rolls of Capt. John Reiley and from the accompanying documents that in 1777. and 1778. he had under the direction of the Committee of the City and County of Albany the Command of a Company of Rangers, the Services of which were confined to the City of Albany and the immediate neighborhood. All the Service the Company rendered during the War was two tours, one Commencing in October 1777. and ending in January 1778. the other Commencing in May 1778. and ending in July following." This Letter is signed by L. Edwards, directed to Hon. S. P. Butler Secretary of War Ad interim. I therefore am led to conclude that the tour of Service from May 1778. to July following or rather ending in July following must have been found in the Department by some one, otherwise it would not have been mentioned in the case of Whyland as above. I wish that a thorough examination might be had for the last tour of Captain's Service of Capt. Reiley as above stated viz. from May 1778. to July following. by a reference to the Original Report of which the above is an abstract you will there see why and in what Connection the Services of Capt. Reiley were mentioned. I am myself of opinion that he performed more Captain's Service with his Company of Rangers than 3 months and 11 days after having conversed with the Applicant and with those who are his witnesses and others. I hope that the one tour

above alluded to may at least be found which will increase his Pension some from the Report as it now stands - Now for one more thing in Capt. Keilay's Case which I wish you would assist me about if you will - That is - when he was in the Service with his Company of Rangers, he advanced 320 pounds 16 shillings and 3 pence for pay and Subsistence for himself and his Company which he never got back - after the War closed he made an application to the State Legislature or rather a Committee appointed by the Legislature of this State to hear and decide upon such Cases or applications - and they reported it as a proper application to the United States, and not to this State as it was a proper Claim against the United States being United States Service - The Committee were Gerard Baucher Treasurer, Peter P. Curtenius State Auditor, and Aaron Burr Attorney General. You can find a Report or rather an abstract of the Original Report in the Life of Aaron Burr by Samuel L. Knapp p. 1835. in which abstract is mentioned as follows "John Kei- lay for pay and Subsistence for himself and his Company of Rangers in Service by order of the Commissioners of Conspiracy of Albany $320. 16s. 3d." - When I was at Washington last April Mr. Edwards found these very docu- ments, which I have above alluded to in Burr's Life in relation to Mr. Kei- lay's application to the State Legislature for his pay - Now what I want is to make an application to Congress to get his pay which he advanced as a- mentioned together with interest - And I wish your advice and assistance at least in some parts of it, to know my best course to get back that money - I believe the Claim is as clear as the Noonday Sun, and just as a Case can be. Capt. Keilay is now almost 104 years of age, and what is done for him will have to be done soon - The reason he never has made application to Congress before has been because he did not know where to find the papers - The last he knew anything about them they were in the hands of Peter P. Curtenius State Auditor or Comptroller until last Spring I heard Mr. Edwards say the papers in relation to his (Keilay's) application for his pay advanced by him as above stated were in the War Department - and I suppose they are there now - And I suppose I shall want a Copy of them in order to make out the necessary Documents to go before Congress. Will you give me an answer in relation to this business as soon as you possibly can, I did some think of going to Washington this Winter on this very business - But finally concluded to undertake it by writing and with the aid of our Representative Hon. Henry Vail, who will I have no doubt do all he can for me in the premises - I shall hope to speak Very Respectfully your Obedt Servant Nathan Howard Junr. Geo. Wm. Trumbull Esq.

Oct 17 Adrepp No. Rail 14098 TROY OCT 4
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Troy October 13. 1837. J. S. Edwards Esq. Sir, enclosed is an Affidavit of Services of John Reiley, which together with his Captain's Service of a Company of Rangers, I am in hopes will assist him to a Pension. Respectfully Yours Nathan Howard Jr.