Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11127, for John Myer, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Myer, John
S. 111127
CONTENTS
loaded

24.339  New York  John Meyer
of Oneida Co in the State of N. York who was a Sifer in the Comp. commanded by Captain Young of the Regt commanded by Col. Willett in the N. York line for 16 Mos. Sifer $ 55.56 8 " Privs } 26.66 $83.22
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of $5 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Aug. 1833 and due to C. Janis Hly Cret.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '33 $170.44 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep. '33 142.61 $313.05
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Aft June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 67
Lebanon W. John Meyers May 13. 1847.

John Meyer. Otsugo Co. New York.
g.
C. Davis Esq. Fry Creek Otsugo Co. New York.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of John Miley. Bleecker St New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     17/51 or 2 " 8 or more " Ditto Col. Henry Col. Wil None N. York 70 years Albany 2. Witnesses. Mrs. S. B. Certe   Full Ditto 1 4 or more " " Col. Peter Ditto " " N York Heate unfin ished  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed 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 and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowan Esq ch
The Clerk has not certified to the proceedings as to the magistrate's official character -

Dohu Myer
1000 in artificial unfished
10379 !!
adm d
16 mo Fifer
8 mo pri
24
166 16 246 266 2856
Chetum Bay Chetum
C. Louis

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the peace. He John Mlyn, who being duly sworn, deponeth and saith, that by reason of his age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following Grades. ————— For Nine Months, in the Year 1781. as a private in Captain Hancey's Company New York Militia in Col. Willets Regiment — I was stationed during most of the time with my company & Regiment at Johnstown & Stoneradien and Fort Plain in the State of New York. at the expiration of this term I again enlisted for Three Years as a piper under Captain under Captain Peter Lenz in Col Willets Regiment This was called the Three Years Service of the New York Troops. in this grade I served not less than Sixteen Months. — making in the whole Twenty five Months for which service I claim pension. ————— I further state that at the expiration of the aforesaid Sixteen Months I was discharged on condition that I should return when called for. I was stationed most of the time at Fort Plain N.Y. doing Garrison duty also at German Flats and other places in the vicinity when ordered when the Continental Army were disbanded our Regiment was detained and continued in the Service aforesaid. I was in the expedi- tion under Col. Miltel to take Oswego I was in several skirmishes with the Indians and ————— is not able to give a correct detail

and forces but was engaged in no important battle —
Sworn & Subscribed Before me May 24 th 1833
John his + Meyer Mark
Chas. Jarvis Justice
State of New York Otsego County — ss
I, Horace Lathrop, Clerk of the said County, do hereby certify, that Chester Jarvis Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Otsego, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit, to be his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 23 rd day of May 1833.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk.
W. Morris

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of New York
Otsego County ss On this 18 th day of October 1832. Personally appeared in open Court, before the Court Justices of Common Pleas of Otsego County now sitting, John Myer, a resident of Otsego in the County of Otsego and State of New York aged 70 Years, who first being 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 th 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: That he enlisted as a soldier in the United States service, in Captain Henry Company, of New York Troops in Col. Willets Regiment in the Spring of 1781 or 2 for Nine Months , and served till late in the fall and then enlisted in the three Years Service under Captain Peter Leary of Col. Willets Regiment also and served, until after peace was declared and went with Col. Willet to take fort Oswego in March 1783 and was discharged in the fall or winter after as near as he can now recollect, that he served Six months or more in the Nine months enlistment, and Six months or more in the three Years Service, that the officers he can recollect were Col. Willet, Maj. Bruckner Quartermaster M. Trotter, Capt. Honda, Lt. Hilton that they were stationed at Johnstown, Stonerabia, Fort Plain, & German Flats etc. but most of the time the Head Quarters were at Fort Plain had several skirmishes with the Indians & Tories but from the long lapse of time which has inter- vened he is not able to give a correct detail

That he Received a written discharge which has been lost a number of Years, that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can conveniently procure, who can testify as to his service, except the affidavits of Jacob One, Peter Sills, & Richard Bente, which are herewith sent ~ also Elisha Babcock
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 and year aforesaid ~ John his  X Meyer mark Horace Lathrop Clerk
State of New York } I Elisha Babcock now residing in the town of Camerstown in the county of Otsego doth upon oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with John Myer of Otsego, in said county and that he served in the revolutionary war under Captain Peter Teyens in Col. Miller's Regiment, that this deponent served nine months in said Regiment it being the length of the first enlistment and that said John Myer enlisted again and was in the Service when this deponent left how longer he served this deponent cannot now state.
Sworn & subscribed this 16 th day of October 1832 } Elisha Babcock Horace Lathrop Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their 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. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Ira Tannar. Peter Sitts & Richard Tinker are indebted. Ira Tannar is entitled to credit
J. O. Morn S. Page } Judges J. C. Warrenton
Otsego County ss. I. Ira Tannar of Otsego County of Otsego and State of New York do certify that I have long been acquainted with John Munn and believe him to be 70 years of age, and that he was a Soldier of the Revolution, and that his State right is entitled to credit soon and his interest the day and year above } Ira Tannar Horace Lathrop Clerk

Interrogatories proposed by the Court to the applicant
Question 1 st where and in what Year were You Born. Answer Born in the town of Troy. State of New York
Q. 2 nd Have You any record of Your age, and if so, where is it. Answer a Record of My age is said to be on the Church Book in Albany
Q. 3 rd where were You living when called into Service; where have You lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do You live now.
A. living in Troy. Albany, and now in Otsego, Otsego County N.Y.
Q. 4 th How were You called into Service; were You a Drafted, did You volunteer, or were You a Substitute? And if a Substitute, for whom?
A. Enlisted first for nine months, and 2 d for three years —
Q. 5. State the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with the troops, when You served; such Continental and Militia regiments as You can recollect, and the General circumstances of Your Service.
A. Gen. Washington, Gen. Clinton

Q. 6 th Did You ever receive a discharge from the Service, and if so, by whom, was it given and what has become of it A. Received a written Discharge from Captain Peter Years from his 2 nd Years Service subject to be called for if wanted. This Discharge is lost
Q. 7 th State the names of persons to whom You are known in Your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to Your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. A. Asahel Willcox and others

State of New York
Chautauqua Co
3
On the 27th day of September
1832. Peter Silts, came before me the Undersigned Justice, who first being duly sworn by me according to Law, doth depose and say, that this deponent lived at Fort Plain in the State of New York most part of the time during the revolutionary war, that he can well recollect that John Myer was an enlisted soldier at Fort Plain, and that he served some over one year as near as this deponent can now recollect, that Col. Willet had the command at Fort Plain, and that he went with a detachment to take the fort at Osceola, but failed in the attempt.
and further saith that.
Subscribed and sworn
Peter Silts
27th September
1832 Chester Jarvis Justice of the Peace
Mark
I certify that I am the Justice before whom the above affidavit of Peter Silts was originally taken & sworn, that I am well acquainted with him that he is a man of good moral character for truth and veracity and his statement is entitled to credit. —
Dated May 24. 1833
Chester Jarvis Justice

Oregon County
This may certify that I Askel Detkeah have been well acquainted with John Fryer for thirty years past, and believe his character for truth and veracity to be good, and his statement is entitled to Credit.
Sworn & subscribed before me Askel Detkeah October 18 th 1852
O. Parsons Justice

State of New York — Otsego County ss on the 28 th day of September 1832 Richard Hentze came before Me, Chester Davis a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and first being duly sworn according to law. Made Solemn Oath, doth depose and say, that he enlisted in the United States Service in a company of Infantry under the command of Captain Peter Sears, thinks in the year 1781 or -2. and that a man by the name of John Myer was a soldier in said in said Company, and from his best recollections since Myer served over one year but cannot say how much that they were stationed at Herkimer, & Fort Plain and in that vicinity. Col. Willet commanded the Regiment and further saith not. — His Richard Hentze Sworn & subscribed before Me. Mark
September 28. 1832.
Chester Davis Justice
I certify that I am the Justice Before whom the above affidavit of Richard Hentze was originally taken & sworn, that I am well acquainted with him that he is a man of good moral character for truth & veracity and his statement is entitled to credit
Dated May 24 th 1833.
Chester Davis Justice

State of New York Otsego County ss.
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that the foregoing contain the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Nifer for a Pension & further that Chester Davis before whom the affidavit of Jacob Ore Richard Hunter Arkbel Kitchcock & Peter Sills purports to have been sworn was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official Seal this 19 th day of Oct r 1832
Horace Lathrop By J. N. Cury Deputy
...the 27 th day of September

State of New York 3 3 3 On the 27 th day of September 1832. Jacob One, came before me, Chester Jarius a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and first being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and says that he enlisted in the United States Service under Captain Peter Jears, in Col. Willets Regiment of New York Infantry in the Year 1782. /as near as he can now recollect, that when he enlisted in said company he became acquainted with John Dyer who was then a soldier in said company, understood that he had served some time before, and that he served with this deponent sixteen months, and peace was declared and they were discharged that they were stationed at Honecarabia, Johnson, Hickman, and Fort Plain, had several Battles with the Indians and Tories; that this deponent was born at a place called Grapes Hill or Albany Bush near Johnstown N.Y. that he is 71 or 72 years of age. That they went to Oswego with Col. Willet in March 1783. as near as he can recollect, that they were misled into a swamp by an indian pilot called Capt. John, and that many of the men were badly frozen, and some died after they got back to Fort Plain and further saith not. Subscribed & sworn before Jacob X One me Sept. 27. 1832 Meeks
Chester Jarius Justice "

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after perusing the interrogatories furnished by the War Depart- ment. That the above applicant was a Parole- tinary Soldier & served as he states - and the Court further certify that it appears to them
I certify that I am the witness before whom the above affidavit of Seth Orr was originally taken & know that I am acquainted with him & he is a person of good name character for truth & veracity & his statements are true to the best of knowledge Dated May 24 1883
Chittenden Lewis Justice
Doktor Meyer
10370 11
adm d 16 mo Fefer 8 mo Fefer 24
2 3/4 2 1/2 2 1/4 2 1/8
C. Louis

Rev. War
11127 INVALID.
File No. 11, 127
John Noyer Fraser Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 271
[Arrangement of 1870.]