Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8698, for Simon Relyea, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
or Relyea, Simon Reljat
R.8698 B.L.Wt. 40682-160-55.
Deborah
CONTENTS

7138
Deborah Relyea
N.Y. wid. of Simon

The number and amount of certificates issued by the Treasurer of the State of New York for Vines & Militia Service &c Continued from Book No 188
   Southern Green     1781 November 8 5853 Simson Rellyra Sergt 25. 17. 4   1781 December 19 5911 Simson Rellyra private 3. 13. 10   1780 October 26 41542 Simson Rellyra private 0. 15. 8  
State of New York Comptroller's Office Albany 8 June 1840
I hereby certify the above to be true Extracts from Books Nos 2 & 9 now remaining in this office and that the service for which the first and second certificates, above named were issued were performed under Capt Jonathan Ferrery in a regiment commanded by Colo Comm d Albert Pauling and the third under Lieut Ephraim Wadsworth in a regiment commanded by Colo Henry Luackenbush
M.W. Dredway Dep. Comptroller

State of New York Albany County. I, ss. I hereby certify, on oath, that it appears by the Records of Marriages of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of Albany, (of which Record I have the custody) that Simon Relgea or Relgat was married to Deborah or Deboro Davig, on the twenty seventh day of January in the Year One thousand seven hundred and eighty three, by the Rev. Gileadus Westerlo, then Pastor of said Church - And I further certify, on oath, that the following is a true copy of the said Record of the said marriage. Viz-
"1783
Jan 27 - Simon Relgat & Deboro Davig -"
And that the said Record is set forth expressed in plain legible words & figures as above set forth in the copy there-
W. W. Groesbeck.
I William L. Groesbeck above named, do hereby say that I hold the office of Church Master of the above named Church, & that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Church, as certified by me -
I am to subscribe this 27th day of May 1840 before me -
W. W. Groesbeck,
The Shepherd Com of Select

State of New York
Albany County ss. I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office, being duly sworn, deposes as follows - viz -
I am eighty seven years of age, and am a Pensioner of the United States under the act of 18 March 1818 -
Simon Relyea, formerly the Husband of Deborah Relyea, was a brother of mine - He died six or seven years ago -
I know that he was in the service of the Revolutionary War, and served in Capt. Volckh Veder's Company of Militia -
He was in the year that Saratoga, at Lake George, in the early part of the War - He was also in the service at Saratoga in the year that Burgoyne's Army was taken; he got a furlough & on account of sickness returned home for a few days, & then went back to the Army, just after Burgoyne had surrendered.
The said Simon Relyea was in the service at Schoharie about the time Schoharie Village was burnt - He was, then, in the Militia - but I cannot state how long he served - and I do not remember what Company he served in -
I know his Widow Deborah, formerly Deborah Davis, who is now living and residing in Guilderland -
I have subscribed this 28 th day of May 1840 before me, & certify that the foregoing is a credible witness -
I have never learned to write - Jacob his X Relyea mark
The foregoing Copy of Deeds

State of New York 3/11 County of Albany 3/11.
On this twenty fifth day of May in the year One thousand Eight hundred and forty, personally appeared before the Justices Court of the City of Albany the same being a Court of Record Deborah Relyea a resident of the Town of Guilderland in the County of Albany, aged Seventy three years and upwards, who being first duly sworn, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows."
That she is the widow of Simon Relyea who was a private in the Militia of the State of New York, and was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War; that as she has been informed by her said Husband and believes, he served under Captain John Groot at Schoharie, in the year that Schoharie Court House and village was burnt, and also under Captain Abraham Vredr at Saratoga in the year that Burgoyne's Army was taken, and that she is not able to give a more particular statement of her said Husband's Services.
She further declares that she was married to the said Simon Relyea on the tenth — day of February — in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty three — that her husband the aforesaid Simon Relyea died on the Twenty Second day of September in the year One thousand Eight hundred and thirty, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of

of January Seventeen Hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated —
She further declares that she was married to the Said Simon Relyea in the City of Albany and that the Marriage Ceremony was performed by the Reverend Mr. Westerlo, now deceased and she believes that a record of her said mar- riage may be found in the Books of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of Albany but she has not yet caused search to be made for it, and she further says that her name previous to her marriage was Deborah Davis, and that she was the daughter of Thaddus Davis.
Sworn to & subscribed, on } Deborah Relyea the day & year first above } written in open court } witness the seal of said } court & the signature } of the Clerk thereof. }
John G. Wapson 611

State of New York } Albany Justices Com. d ss.
Daniel Davis of Fulderland County of Albany being duly sworn deposeth that he was well acquainted with the within named Simon Relyea in his life time who was the Husband of the within named Deborah Relyea who is an Aunt of this Deponent and whom he has known for many years - That the said Simon died on the Twenty Second day of September in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred & Thirty leaving the said Deborah his Widow & she has ever since remained know is such Widow
Sworn to & subscribed in } Open Court this 25 th day of } May 1840
Daniel Davis
J. G. Watson Clerk
It is hereby certified that the above Deponent is a credible Witness By order of the Court - Witness my signature & the seal thereof this 25 th day of May 1840
John G. Watson Clerk -

Ldg. 704. Arch. 3, 17-
1858-1860
Deborah Wid-Simeon
Dearest Beloved  Beloved  Beloved  Beloved and Dearest  Dearest  Dearest  Dearest and Dearest  Dearest  Dearest  Dearest
Dear Jonathan. Since last Monday - Pauline
Private
Dear Sir,
Revolutionary War
C. R. Lee Albany N. York.
Geo. Y. Johnson. Sept. 3, 1899.
Vol No = 41

Married by E. Westerlo Dutch 1783, Jan. 27. Simon Relgat, to Debrah Davis.
I certify that the foregoing is a correct transcript from the Church Records of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of the City Albany, N.Y. and that it is in a sim- ilar hand writing to other entries made in said Church Record and I so declare the same to have been made at the time it bears date by the Pastor of said Church Rev. E. Westerlo who was duly authorized to solemnize the marriages
Albany Sept 4 th 1855-
J. A. Brinckerhoff Church Master

Bounty-lands Claims for Revolutionary services.
C. R. Lee
Abby & c Albany N.Y.

State of New York } County of Albany } ss: Schenebady
on this 5 th day of September A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me a Commissioner of Deeds within and for the County and State aforesaid, Deborah Riley aged 88 years & upwards a resident of the City & County of Schenebady and State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, deposes that she is the widow of Simon Riley deceased who was a in the Revolutionary War, Patriot, this deponent remembers of hearing her said husband tell frequently of his services in the Revolutionary War, but cannot now positively, upon her own know- ledge as to his services, but submits to the depart- ment of the War Department, a certified copy of the services of her said husband from the Com- ptroller of the State of New York, which is hereto annexed marked "A" And this deponent further says, that upon her information and belief her said husband enlisted or was drafted, at the Town of Guilderland Albany County N.Y. but at what time exactly she cannot state but believes that her said husband served for a term of over fourteen days in said Revolutionary War & was honorably discharged from said service, but this deponent cannot say whether her said husband was discharged at Guilderland afore- said, or at the City of Albany. She further states that she was married to the said Simon Riley in the City of Albany on the 27 th day of Jany 1883 by E. Westerlo. And that her name before her said marriage was Deborah Davis. That her said husband died at the Town of Guilderland in the County

of Albany, State aforesaid on the "22 nd day of September A.D. 1880" And that she is now affidavit. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty, to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3 rd 1855," Isabel Delzyea
We J. L. Davis and Daniel S. Delgraft, residents of the City & County of Schenectady in the State aforesaid upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed by Theresa & Deborah Delzyea in our presence & that we believe, from the appearance & statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be James L. Davis Daniel S. Delgraft
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day & year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be cred- ible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and I certify that I have no interest in this claim.
Demetrius M. Chasney Commissioner of Oaths

State of New-York, COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
Albany, April 25 1855.
I Hereby Certify, That on searching the Records in this office for the Registry of Certificates issued in pursuance of a law, passed April 27, 1784, entitled "An Act for the settlement of the pay of Levies and Militia for their services in the late war, and for other purposes therein mentioned," I find the following, viz:
   NAMES. No. OF BOOK. NO. OF CERTIFICATE. DATE. £    s.    d. RANK AND NAME OF COMPANY OFFICER. RANK AND NAME OF FIELD OFFICER.       Simeon Relyea Privat 2 5,911 Dec. 19. 1781 3 13 10 Capt. Jonathan Piercey Col. Albert Pawling   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]   [Scribbles]  
I have examined the Rolls for the items above set forth, and find them to be correct.
O. D. Vansitt Clerk.
J. M. Smith Comptroller.

Claim for Bounty funds, & bro't Relyea, Reche- nomy services
I hereby request the Hon ble Commis- sioner of Pensions to mail all papers & the warrant when issued to C R Lee of the City of Albany Scheme study Sept 5 th 1855
Delborah Relyea Witnss D. M. Gladney Com of Sads

Bounty-land Claim for Revolutionary services.
C. R. Lee
Abby & e Albany N.Y.

Wadsworth Inst - County of Schenectady } Mr
On this 2 nd day of September A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me, a known man whose name is known to me to be of the County of Schoharie above named, John Simon a resident of the above County, & who being duly sworn by me, according to law deposes & says that he is over sixty years of age, that he knew Simon Riley & Deborah his wife, that he has been acquainted with the said Simon & Deborah ever since he was a boy, or ever since he can remember, that the said Simon & Deborah resided at Guilderland Co. & that they for some time resided at the same place & were a neighbor of the said Riley & wife, & this deponent further says, that the said Simon & Deborah resided together as man & wife, and were so reputed by the neighbors surrounding in this deponent further says that the said Simon Riley is deceased, and that he should think perceived about the time stated in the declaration made & signed by Mrs. Deborah Riley, in her previous that the said Deborah Riley is the widow of the said Simon Riley deceased, & that the said Deborah has & remained a widow ever since the death of said Riley, this deponent remembers hearing the said Simon Riley speak of his services in the Revolutionary War, & knows that the said Deborah is the widow of the said Simon Riley, who served in the Revolutionary War and was a pensioner.

This Dependant saith that in Scituate to life me this 5 th day of Septm 1855 Deme T. M. Clancey Commission of S. J.
John Clancey
City & County of Schenectady ss
Leonard With- erow being duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with the said Samuel Colburn & Deborah his wife in the lifetime of the former he remembers the death of said Deborah has known them since the year 1827 up to the death of Deborah which this Dependant thinks took place about the time notice in the dec- laration was made by Mrs. Deborah Relyea inasmuch that they lived together as man & wife & was so reputed by the neighbors subscribed & sworn to Leonard Witherow before me this 5 th day of Sept 1855 Deme T. M. Clancey Commission of S. J.
in and for said County, and acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Deborah and verily believe that the signature to said
Affidavit and Certificate is genuine. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this 5 th day of September 1855.
Marvin Strong Clerk.

This Deposition of Leona  Smith  West a Scottish  man to life me this 5 th  day of  September 1855. Deme Travis  M.  Chadsey Commissioner of Deeds
John  Ellsworth
City & County of Schenectady ss.
Second With- respect being first known to him , that he was well acquainted with the said Leonard  Belmont & Deborah his wife, in the lifetime of the former, he remembers the death of said Deborah has known them since the year 1827 up to the death of Leonard which this deponent thinks took place about the time Deborah was in the place called Made by Mrs. Deborah Belmont and knows that they lived together as man & wife & as so reputed by the neighbors subscribed & sworn to Leonard  Belmont by me this 5 th  day of  Sept 1855. Deme Travis  M.  Chadsey Commissioner of Deeds
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY, } ss. CLERK'S OFFICE.
I, MARVIN STRONG, Clerk of the County of Schenectady, DO HEREBY CERTIFY,
That Demetrius M. Chadsey Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a
Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified as such; and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe that the signature to said
Affidavit and Certificate is genuine.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this 5 th day of September 1855.
Marvin Strong Clerk.

40.082
St New Jersey
209757 (1000000-1000)
V N. York N o 7138 Deborah Relyea - wid. of br. to J. Jenkins Simon - 7. Sept. 1840
James L. G. Davis July 30, 1858
J. Y. Johnson June 8/59
Mrs. John N. Mayhew Mar. 3/60
Mrs. J. B. Mayhew Mar. 9/60
8.698
Ad. July 1838

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8698
P. O. _____
Deborah Riley
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Home of Representation March 8 th 1860
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 3 d instant, in which to the application of Mrs. Deborah Relyea widow of Simon Relyea for a Pension. The object of the inquiry made in my letter of the 25 th of Feby. to ascertain whether there was any Evidence on file in the Department showing the extent of Mr. Relyea's service, or if not to ascertain what Evidence of "six months service" would be regarded as satisfactory, I presumed that on the application for a land warrant on account of service in the revolution, Evidence would be given showing the length of time he served, which would remain on file. If there be no Evidence, of this character or if it fails to show the six months service required to enable the widow to obtain the Pension, my desire was to know

An affidavit of the loss of same would be required to be regarded as satisfactory.
We think doing to you Your unnecessary trouble in return to this matter, Your reply to these enquiries would enable me to deter- mine whether it was worth while to prosecute the claim any further
Very Respectfully
Your obedient Servant John H Reynolds
George Whiting Esq Counsel of Record

Albany June 18. 1840
James L. Edwards Esquire, Commisr: of Pensions,
Sir,
I enclose the declaration of M rs Deborah Relyea the widow of Simon Relyea, with other proofs in support of her application for a pension under the act of Congress of July 7. 1838.
Very Respectfully
Your obedt. Servt.
Samuel Jenkins.

Conesville May 30 1857 Albany N.Y.
Dear Sir,
The widow (Deborah) of William  Stearns is anxious to hear that you are still alive. It is impossible to deny, however, that many be- lieve from the government pay the same of her husband, the said Stearns in the war, who served under Capt John G. Foster at the beginning of the war in Ohio and Va. also at Fredericksburg under Capt. McDowell .
It is ten years since a land warrant was obtained - there is no record of any bounty - but pay - for the claim due - which is for property - the widow could receive
Will you please to give her your acting attestation
Respectfully The Land warrant has no doubt been obtained by her attorney but she has not seen it
The Pension Office

Albany, Co Aug 10 1859
Dunnersville P.O.
Dear Sir
Your note of the 8 th June in answer to certain inquiries from me respecting the claims of Deborah Relyea (widow of Simon Relyea ) to pension warrants &c, was duly received.
In accordance with your rules I here with forward a power of attorney - signed with her own hand and so acknowledged as you will perceive by an acting justice of the peace - She heretofore authorized certain parties to act for her - What has been done and what the state of her claims are she is most anxious to learn.
Commencing of Pension - Washington
Very Respectfully, Yours Geo R Johnson

House of Representatives
Feby 28 1860
Sir,
On the 6 th of Feby 1836 Land Warrants No 110682 was issued to Mrs Deborah Relyon of the County of Albany N.Y. for the services of her husband in the Revolutionary war. She supposes that she is also entitled to a pension, and that the Evidence which entitles her to it is on file; and when it, her land warrant was issued,
Of the Evidence of the facts of her husband's service, in the revolution, for a sufficient length of time to entitle her to a pension, is not on file, I beg to know what Evidence of the facts would be regarded as sufficient, it being of course impossible to prove it by living witnesses.
Permit me to request You to refer these enquiries to the proper

officers of your departments, and I am with a reply,
Very respectfully
Yours sincerely, John H. Reynolds
Dear George Whiting,
Can't you please

Schenectady July 26 th 1858 To the Hon. Mr. G. C. Whiting Pension Commissioner at Washington Dear Sir
I am desirous to know if at any time there has been any money paid to any person for the benefit of the widow of Simon Belyea or heirs, and if paid, to whom paid? I received a land warrant for 160 acres of land for my Aunt Belyea about the 16 th day of September 1856, and I supposed as a matter of course that I would receive my Uncle's pay for service or at least that my Aunt would receive the Pension of a widow of a Revolutionary Soldier. I cannot see why she should be entitled to the land and not the Pension of course if she is entitled to the one she should be to the other. over

The warrant is No 40682 and is dated Washington Sept r 6 th 1856. I would like to know whether the same papers which obtained the land warrant would obtain the pension money or not, and if not please inform me what is necessary and I will send them to the department. In searching the Records at the Comptroller's office at Albany I find that in April 30 th 1780 my Uncle Simeon Kelyea was Serg t under Capt a David Ostrander and Co l Johannes Johnson, and there appears to be due him at that time 1 £. 14 s. 8 d. and in June 18 th 1780 he was a Corp t under Capt a Arthur Smith and Co l Johannes Johnson and there was due him at this time 19 shillings. again in Dec r 19 th 1781 I find he was a private under Capt a Jonathan Pierce and Co l Albert Pawling when there was due him 3 £. 13 s. 10 d. and
my Aunt says she has repeatedly heard him say that he never received one cent of pay from the government and that he would never ask for it, my Aunt Kelyea wife of Simeon Kelyea is still living and she is quite anxious to know whether she can obtain the pension which she thinks she is entitled to; You will do me a great favor by answering this as soon as convenient.
Respectfully Yours James L. Davis Schenectady

St. Louis Mo. July 6. 1867 June 21. 1867
Dear Sir, In reference to the Power of Attorney - the old Sally insists upon it that she has given me full & complete power over the business - I believe that the widow of Lemuel Higgins - now Mrs. Lemuel Higgins is so many years old that they used to call her old Sally that I then with many friends overwhelmed her - I think before the whole that I could establish your and with some more will be able to place any amount of money of yours in a safe place and pay it out

Wash n Feby 3. 1863
Dear Mr. Parsons Sir
Will you please inform me if Hon G. Y. Johnson is the Atty in the Rev Parsons Claim described, & if his Power of Atty, will enable him to give me a substitution. If it should be slightly informed you can safely rely upon a proper use of any Power of Atty he may claim to have - Mr Johnson is the Ex Senator of that name from the Albany District in N.Y. State. Please reply & return this letter with the information
Very Respectfully, Wm Van Master
...what is delegated to ...the power of ...substitution. It will sign it ...return by next ...I remember ...that it is not in ...power of attorney. I will try to be in Albany in a few days ...forward upon the ...in possession of ...Mr. Holmes who has a ...power of attorney which I ...will endeavor to cancel ...Truly yours & G. Y. Johnson ...I am... ...Albany...

Rev. Ashmun, Prison
Deborah Ripley
Mdm v
Simeon do
Letter of Enquiry
From Mary Vanhook Washington D.C.

Simon Helgea N York. — Act 1832 Nov 28
F. F. He reflecte
He ... Oct 1832
Docu of Report

State of New York County of Schenectady
Be it Known, that on this 16 th day of March A. D. 185 5 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Deborah Nelyea
who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 1818 that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanning and revoking all Powers of Attorney, and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint B. W. Bennett of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute the claim of Simon Nelyea for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Deborah Nelyea
Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Deborah Nelyea to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Demetrius M. Chacey Commissioner of Peace
State of New York County of Schenectady
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Schenectady County and State that Deborah Nelyea the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the widow of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that Demetrius M. Chacey Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this 16 th day of March 185 5
William Strong Clerk
1. Claimant's or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are,"—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

Know all men by these presents that I Debrah Kelya of the Co of Albany State of N.Y. widow of Simon Kelya (deceased) do hereby appoint J. G. Johnson of Dunns- ville Albany Co my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to apply for prosecute and receive from the 16 th S. the Bounty Land or warrant and whatever may be due me by virtue of the service of my deceased husband the said Simon who served in the Revolution war at the burning of Schenectady under Capt John Grote also at Stillwater under Capt Abraham Vedder This is to authorize the said J. G. Johnson to act for me in the premises and to all and singular such legal services as may be required or become necessary in the premises." Dunnsville Alb Co N.Y.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this August 7 th 1854
Witness
Debrah Kelya
John C. Chism
Justice of the Peace in and for said county

Know all men of the present and the future. But you of the future, I always shall be at New York. But you of the future, I always shall be at New York.