Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7,581, for George H Nellis, New York

SERVICE
New York
Nellis, George H.
NUMBER _____
R 7.581
CONTENTS

35735 George H. Miller Pension Papers
7581

any in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and of the said county. George H. in the said county of Montgom- ery, who being first duly the following declaration of before June 7. 1832. under the following named of one Lord, one thousand the month of April (1832) one of his fathers who had their orphans by law, being taught to read, he voluntarily
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. Montgomery County Clerk's Office.
I, Chester S. Brumley , Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Solomon Cornryman whose name is subscribed to the annexed Subpoena to two affidavits & Certificate was at the time of the attestation a Justice of the Peace of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Subpoena to affidavits & Certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, the 2 nd day of March 1844
Chester S. Brumley Clerk.
State of New- Montgomery
one thousand Randall Kelley, a and the sum acco in order to That he unde office, and seven hund not recolle provided for also furnish

State of New York Montgomery County
ss.
On this ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & forty four, personally appeared before me Phineas Randall a Judge of the court of Common Pleas of the said county, George H. Kelley, a president of the town of Canajoharie, in the said county of Montgomery and State of New York aged Seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight some time in the month of April (doth not recollect the day) by the leave and direction of his father who had provided for him a gun & other equipments as then required by law, being also furnished with a fife upon which he was taught to play, he volunteered his services in a Company of Infantry commanded by Captain Adam Lipe, attached to Col. Blyde's regiment, at which time a Fort, called Fort Blyde was commenced to be built, of the building of which John P. Dunkell a sergeant belonging to said Captain Lipe's company, had the immediate charge. Declarant was accepted in the service and placed at this said Fort under the command of the said sergeant (Dunkell), was ordered to drive a team the greatest part of the season of 1778, which was used in drawing timber and other materials to the fort (or to the site of the Fort) used in its construction, and such other work he did during this season as the said commander directed, continued his service this season (1778) from some time in April to about the middle of November during all which time he was absent as near as he can now recollect about two weeks to work for his father in harvest - having been in actual service under military orders in the year 1778, not less than six months but according to his best recollection somewhat more than that time.
In the year 1779, he resumed the said service as a volunteer at the same place under sergeant Dunkell, and was mostly engaged during the season of 1779 in driving team and digging trenches for

setting Pickets to enclose the said Fort, commenced the work in 1779. in the month of April, and discontinued the work, or rather suspended it after the middle of November, according to his best recollection, in which year also he was absent as nearly as he can recollect about two weeks. He rendered active service in the year 1779 under military command not less than Six months, aside from the said two weeks absence. Some time in November 1779 the said Fort & Pickets were completed. During the seasons of 1778 & 1779. he was continually armed, and prepared in common with his fellow workers to defend the work.
During the seasons of 1780, 1781 and 1782 he remained in the said service under the command of the said Sergeant Punkell at the said Fort. Commenced active service in each year in the month of April and continued until the cold and snow rendered the danger of attack of the Fort by the Indians less probable, as in the winter the Indians did not cause much trouble at this Fort, Commenced the said service in each of these last mentioned three seasons as soon as the snow was off from the ground, and continued as aforesaid, in each season until the snow & cold was considered a sufficient obstacle to the Indians and Tories in causing trouble. which in the spring was in each year as early as the month of April, and in the fall it was in each year as late as the month of November when he suspended his service he cannot in his recollection fix upon any particular day or days as to when the service was commenced in the spring and discontinued in the fall, but is quite well satisfied from recollection that in each of these three years 1780, 1781 & 1782. he performed actual service under military command not less than Six months in each year, and more than that time. In the three years last mentioned his business was to guard the garrison, which he did regularly together with several others, each taking his regular turn in standing as guard, night and day. In addition to this it was thought advisable when the force at the garrison was weak that he should play upon his fife to deceive the Indians if in hearing. The fort being situated within about one quarter of a mile of wild land on three sides — which he did on such occasions.

In the last three years mentioned he was absent in each year, as in the previous two years, about two weeks, as near as he can now recollect to work at harvesting his father's crops - These absences, in each of all the five years mentioned for working in harvest occurred according to his best recollection in the month of August in each year. From the year 1778 when he first entered into the service until the termination of the war and ever since that time he was a resident of the town of Canajoharie in the county of Tryon (now Montgomery County) in the State of New York at which place also the said Fort Elyde was built. He has no documentary evidence to support this claim - which is for two years and a half service - as a private. 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. In all this time from the time he entered into the said service until the termination of the war in 1783, he followed no other business except as was above stated when he worked at harvesting his father's crops.
Sworn to and subscribed the _____ day and year aforesaid before George H. Kelley My O. Newhall first Judge of the Montgomery County Courts -
We Conrad Hawn and Philip Hailing both residing in the town of Canajoharie Montgomery County of State of New York hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with George H. Kelley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me O. Newhall first Judge of the Montgomery County Courts - Conrad Hawn Philip Hailing

State of New York. Montgomery County ss. I hereby certify that the said Declarant George H. Kelly is a person known to me, & that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity he is unable to attend court, to make his declaration in open court without great inconvenience and peril. I also certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Conrad Haun & Philip Failing and that they are persons of truth and veracity in whose statements full credit is due, and that there is no clergyman in the vicinity of the said Declarant, who is able to make the requisite certificate in relation to the services in the Revolutionary War of the said claimant - And I 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 soldier and served as he states - I further certify that the above named Conrad Haun & Philip Failing are residents of the town of Canajoharie in the said County of Montgomery. Dated Feb. 9. 1844.
R. Randall First Judge of the Montgomery County Courts.
State of New York Montgomery County ss. I Chester S. Brannley Clerk of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing appears to contain the Original proceedings before Phineas Randall Esq. first Judge of Montgomery County courts in the matter of the application of George H. Kelly for a pension. And I further certify that the said Phineas Randall whose name is subscribed to the foregoing following jurats & certificate was at the time of the date thereof first Judge of Montgomery County courts. And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Judge & truly believe that the signature to the above two jurats and certificate of following subject is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County at Mohawk in said County the 2 nd day of March 1844. Chester S. Brannley Clerk of Montgomery Co. & Clerk of Court of Common Pleas of said County.

State of New York Montgomery County
George H. Nellis a person known to me, and being by me duly sworn gives the following answers to the several interrogatories required to be put to him by the Pension Department that is to say:
1. "I was born in the town of Oppenheim, then county of Tryon, now county of Montgomery in said State, on the 27 th day of June 1767, as I have always been advised by my parents and believe to be true. 2. I have no record of my age. I had a memorandum of my age, made by myself in early life which is lost. 3. I was living when I entered the service where I now reside in the town of Canajoharie in said county where I have ever since resided. 4. I volunteered into the service on each occasion as set forth in the body of my declaration for a pension. 5. Besides the Officers named in the body of my declaration for a pension I also recollect the names of Col. Willet, Col. Gansevoort, Genl. Schuyler, Col. Coss, Col. Brant who was killed about two miles from my present residence - also Capt. McRae who was killed at Oriskoy - who were all engaged in this region of Country in the time of the Revolution. 6. I never received any regular discharge - my service ended with the war - I served all the time as a private & as a fifer - and never received a commission. 7. He can name in his present neighborhood the following persons, who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier in the Revolution to wit: Conrad Baarn, Philip Failing, Jonas Desfendorff, George Desfendorff, Nicholas Dumble, Peter Failing, David Hackney & others - He also states the circumstances of his Revolutionary service as detailed in the body of his declaration, that during his service as detailed he was neither employed nor paid as a hired man, but was all the time under military orders and command like the other soldiers of the Fort.
Sworn & subscribed before me this 9 th day of Feb y 1844. before me. R. Randall Just Judge of the Montgomery County Court.
George H. Nellis

State of New York } Montgomery County } ss.
John Smith of the town of Minden, in the said county being duly sworn deposes and says, that he resides in the town of Minden in the said county of Montgomery that he is in the seventy fifth year of his age. Since April last, has been acquainted with George H. Mollig, who resides in the town of Canajoharie in the said county, from his youth.
During the years 1780, 1781 and 1782, deponent with his parents remained at Fort Blyde, in the said town & county, for personal safety. The said Fort was, during the time, under the command of John P. Dunkle, who was a sergeant in a company of infantry commanded by Captain Adam Lipe. Recollects that the said George H. Mollig during the war three seasons of 1780, 1781 & 1782 was continually armed and here and there during these three seasons regularly performed the duties of a soldier in guarding the said Fort, which was situated on three sides within a quarter of a mile from the woods, which rendered the access of Indians & Tories comparatively easy. Deponent distinctly recollects that in five different occasions the Indians and Tories killed persons, or took prisoners near the said Fort.
Subscribed and sworn before me the 14 th day of February 1844. Solomon Cautynman Justices of the peace of Montgomery County.
his John X Smith mark
Attest, -
Andrew Jordan
The word, in letters "seans", was erased & the word "from", interlined in the above affidavit before the deponent.
John Smith was sworn thereto - Solomon Cautynman Justice.

State of New York County of Montgomery } ss.
John P. Jordan of the town of Canajoharie in the said county being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he resides in the town of Canajoharie in the said county of Montgomery, that he is seventy eight years of age, that he has been acquainted with George H. Kelly, who resides in the town of Canajoharie, in the said county, from his youth.
In the month of April, of the year One Thousand, seven hundred & seventy eight, Fort Clyde in the said town of Canajoharie in the county of Tryon [now Montgomery county] was commenced to be built. The work was continued until late in the fall of that year, some time in the month of November when it was suspended, and resumed again early in the spring of the year One Thousand seven hundred & seventy nine, the work was continued at the Fort until in the fall of the year last mentioned, about the first of November, when the work was finished, including the Fort with an enclosure of Pickets. The said George H. Kelly rendered service as a Volunteer, during the time the Fort was being built. He was regularly armed and equipped for the defence of the work. He was engaged in driving team and such other work as the Superintendent of the work ordered. His services were continued at the Fort from the time of its commencement until it was completed during the seasons of 1778. and 1779. commencing as aforesaid as near as deponent can recollect in the month of April in each of those seasons, and discontinuing in the fall of the year 1778 some time in November — and in the fall of 1779 about the first of November — He was absent from the service in each of those seasons, 1778. and 1779. about ten or twelve or perhaps fourteen days, thinking not to exceed twelve, according to his best recollection, to work harvesting the crops — which he thinks was in the month of August in each year. From deponents best recollection the said George H. Kelly performed actual service in each of these two seasons, under military command not less than six months. This service was rendered under the command of John P. Dunkell a Serjeant of Captain Adam Lipes Company of Infantry which was attached to Col. Clydes regiment under whose direction

The Fort was built.
after the said Fort was completed with an enclosure of Pickets, the said George H. Kellis continued in the service, and was at the said Fort to guard the same, against the Indians and Tories, during the seasons of 1780, 1781, & 1782 from early in the spring in each year until late in the fall of each year. He took his regular turn in standing as guard during those three seasons last mentioned as the Fort was guarded night & day during those seasons. As the said Fort was built under the superintendence of Sergeant John P. Dunkell so after it was built it was under his command. The said Kellis' services were commenced as near as deponent can recollect, in the month of April in each of those last mentioned seasons and were discontinued some time in the month of November in each year — in each of which three years 1780, 1781 & 1782 the said Kellis was absent some days during harvest, cannot say how long precisely — but thinks from his best recollection about two weeks in each season — From deponent's best recollection thinks that the services in each of the two seasons 1780 & 1781 rendered by the said Kellis, under Military command were not less than six months — The amount of time he served in the season of 1782 is not so well known to deponent, as this deponent was absent himself from the said garrison a part of the time he is however well satisfied from his recollection that his actual service (the said Kellis' service) under military orders & command was in the season of 1782 was not less than three months & more than that time after deducting all the time that deponent was absent from the said Fort & in the said service elsewhere — From the commencement of the building of the Fort to the termination of the War in 1783 the said George H. Kellis followed no other business except as above mentioned but that above mentioned — He had been taught at a very early age to play upon the fife, which he was in the habit of doing frequently, and especially when the force at the garrison was weak, to deceive the Indians, by indicating a better state of defence &c. The fort being contiguous, or nearly so on three sides to woods.

During all this time from the spring of seventeen hundred and seventy eight when he first entered the service to the fall of the year seventeen hundred & eighty two the said George B. Wells was a resident of the town of Canajoharie aforesaid Subscribed and sworn before me the 14 th day of February 1844. Solomon Countryman Justice of the peace of Montgomery County
John P. his Jordan mark
Attest
Andrew Jordan
State of New York } ss. Montgomery County }
This certifies that I am personally acquainted with John Smith & John P. Jordan the deponents who signed & were sworn, each respectively to one of the foregoing affidavits, and that they are persons of good moral character and entitled to full credit Dated at Minden in said County. February 14. 1844.
Solomon Countryman Justice of the peace of Montgomery County N.Y.

Donated to me by Abraham Dorr, Please address him St Charles Hotel Washington D. C., James Wilson

George H. Bellis (of Canajoharie now Minden or Fort Plain) Then Tryon County now Montgom- ery - Served 3 years & upwards, as Musician, at Fort Clyde, in the Town & County above named. In the war of the revolution - died on the 18 th of July 1855 Papers filed at Washington about the year 1853
John Peter Gordon the same.
Robt G Bellis 209 West 27 th New York
 Capt Lyne company
Col Clyde Commandant

George H. Nellis act June 7. 1832 N. York
This letter in John P. Yordam R 11943 See letter July 22. 1844 to Hon C. S. Benton, Mohawk N.Y. A Moore, Oct 22/59
1832

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7581 enlist
P. O. _____
George H. Willis
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Mr. Muzzey
I write to C. S. B. entirely in relation to their paper, but he is absent to Mission & will be gone 2 or 3 weeks. Yrs truly
G. A. Brown

George H. Ellis act of 1832 New York suspended or rejected — Papers S.A.M.
S.A. Marsh

Revolutionary claim of
George H. Mellis
Act. 7 June 1852,
and
Power of Attorney to
Amos W. Muzzy of
Panama.
N. 50

State of New York County of Montgomery } 55-
Be it Known
That on this 5 th day of March  June A.D. 1852, before me Geo Brown a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, personally appeared George H. Nellis a Revolutionary Soldier - a resident of Minden in said County, and made oath according to law, that he is the identical George H. Nellis who served in the War of the Rev n - and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of the 7 th June 1832 - and that he hereby constitutes and appoints Amos W. Murphy of Parnacheneque County N.Y. - his true and lawful Attorney - for him and in his name to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Departments at Washington or elsewhere - to file additional evidence or arguments in support of said claim - to appoint one or more Substitutes under him - for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things which I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all my said Attorney shall lawfully do in the premises -
keeping the said Geo H Nellis at all
times free from all costs & charges in the premises
George H. Nellis
Subscribed & sworn to and acknowledged before me this day & year above written - Geo Brown Justice of the Peace

And I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with the above named George H. Nellis and verily believe him to be the iden- tical party therein alleged -
Geo. Brown Justice of the Peace.
June 8 th 1857.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } Montgomery County Clerk's Office, } ss.
Darius P. Perry Clerk
I, J. W. Van Deusen , Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Geo. Brown , Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment to which this is annexed, was on the date of the same a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, in and for said County, and dwelling in said County, duly qualified, and authorized by law to take the same, and that the said certificate of proof, &c., is taken according to the laws of this State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and verily believe his signature to the said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my official seal, at FONDA, this 12 th day of June 1857.
D. P. Perry Clerk.

And I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with the above named George D. Wells, and verily believe him to be the dis- tinct party therein alleged -
Geo. Brown Justice of the Peace.
June 5 th 1854
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my official seal, at Furnas, this 12 th day of June 1854
N. V. Perry Rep. Clerk.

Revolutionary Claims of George H. Ellis Act. 7 June 1852, and Power of Attorney- to Amos W. Haggerty- of Paviana. N. B.
Dear Sir,
The county clerk will attach his Certificate to the within Power of Attorney and forward it to me at Washington Amos W. Haggerty. D. C.