Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8447, for Abraham Pressler, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
or Pressler, Abraham Preslor
R. 8447
CONTENTS

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New York
County of Steuben 3 rd
On this Seventh day of September AD 1843, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Steuben, now sitting Abraham Presler a resident of the Town of Wurtsburgh in the County and State aforesaid, aged Seventy Seven 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: That he enlisted in said service, under Captain Peleg Ransom, in his company, in the year one thousand seven hundred & twenty seven, but the month and day, this deponent does not recollect & cannot state. That he enlisted for and was engaged in the service for six months only, and that he does not recollect and cannot state, the precise time, when he left the service. That he resided in New Paltz, Ulster County & State of New York when he entered the service. That he enlisted as a volunteer in said service, and served the said period of six months.
born 1765.
says 1762
That the company to which he belonged, marched west from said Town of New Paltz, through Ulster and Sullivan Counties, several hundred miles, that some of the places through

which said company marched, are McDumbacus and Neverinek. That said company was commanded for a portion of the time of his service, by Captain Westbrook whose christian name, he does not recollect, That said company, was attached to a Regiment commanded by Colonel Spalding, whose christian name he does not recollect. That besides the aforesaid officers, he knew Captain Jacob Westbrook, who was afterwards a Colonel. That he has no documentary evidence of his service. 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 & subscribed the day and year, Abraham his  X Pepler mark. aforsaid, in open court, before me 3 Witness J. Hamilton Clerk P.O. Campbell Steuben County
We a clergyman residing in the town of Pattsburgh in the County of Steuben State of New York, and Rev. Elias Simons residing in the town of Pattsburgh in said County State, hereby certify, That we are well acquainted with Abraham Pepler, who has subscribed hereto to the above declaration: That we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; That he is situated and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
(over)

Elias Simons
Sworn and subscribed the 22 3 day of September A.D. 1842 3
Before me J. A. Johnson S.P.
The Court hereby propound the following interrogatories the answers to which are as follows, viz:
2. Where, and in what year were you born?
A. New Paltz, Ulster County, New York, in 1762.
2. Have you any record of your age & birth, where is it?
A. A family Record in a Bible at my house in Prattburgh.
2. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, where do you now live?
A. I lived at New Paltz, aforesaid, when I entered the service have since the war, lived at Henson, Ontario County New York, & now live at Prattburgh Herkimer County, & state aforesaid.
2. How were you called into the service?
A. I enlisted as a volunteer.
2. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops when you served, such Continental & Militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
A. I can only recollect the names of the officers, mentioned above in my declaration, & the circumstances of my service is as therein stated.

Q. Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service?
A. I did not.
Q. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
A. Samuel A. Johnson, James H. Rootchkin Jr., William M. VanKalkenburgh, Jacob VanKalkenburgh, John F. Williams, Abraham Simons, Sylvester Lock, Aaron Pinney, and many others.
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 stated.
And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Thomas Peck or affidavit who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident as is therein stated, and that Abraham Elias S. Simons, who has signed the preceding certificate or affidavit, is a resident as therein stated, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I William Hamilton Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas, of Steuben County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abraham Pepler for a Pension. before signing The above certifications made
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of

The said Court this tenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty four
W ay Hamilton Clerk
The words "tenth" "May" and "four" written over erasures }
by Peter Walsey Dep. C lerk
Peter Walsey Dep. C lerk
Ontario County ss: Thomas Beck. being duly sworn says that he resides at Naples in the county of Ontario and State of New York, and is a clergyman. That he is well acquainted with Abraham Poplee who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that he believes him to be seventy seven years of age; that he the said Poplee is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that he, this Deponent concurs in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed before - me this 31 day of December A.D. } Thomas Beck 1842-
Hiram S. Patridge Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Ontario

State of New York
Ontario County Clerk's Office
} ss
I Thomas Hall Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Hiram F. Patridge Esqr before whom the within affidavit was taken was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly qualified and authorized to take the same and that his signature to the within Jurat is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 16 th day of January. AD 1843
Thomas Hall Clerk
State of New York
Steuben County ss
} ss
I William Hamilton Clerk of said County certify that Samuel A. Johnson before whom the proceeding Affidavit of Elias Simons purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, 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 and Signature -
1843
Witness my hand & Seal of Office this 10 th day of May 1844
Wm Hamilton Clerk
by Peter Walsey Deputy
35 484 J. H. ... at 7 June 32

State of New York
County of Ontario ss: Jonathan Pepler of the town of Skene in said County being duly sworn deposes and says, that he is of the age of Ninety years. That Abraham Pepler of Prattburgh, Steuben County & State aforesaid, is a brother of this Deponent. That said Abraham Pepler, is a Revolutionary Soldier and entered in the service of the United States, in the year One Thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, at the town of New Paltz, Ulster County and State aforesaid. That said Abraham Pepler enlisted in such service, as a volunteer in a company commanded by Captain Riley Ransom, and that he served in the army of the Revolution, for the term of six months. And this Deponent further says, that he enlisted in the same company and served in such service, and that he knows that the said Abraham Pepler, enlisted and served, as herein before stated, and further this Deponent says not.
Jonathan his Pepler mark
Subscribed & sworn before me, this 12 th day of September A.D. 1842
Adam Geckley Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Ontario County ss: I, Adam Geckley, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Deponent Jonathan Pepler, and that he is a man of good reputation & entitled to full credit & belief. I also certify that the words "is" and "as" were written on erasures before signing & execution of the above affidavit. Witness my hand, this 12 th day of September A.D. 1842.
Adam Geckley Justice of Peace

State of New York Ontario County 3 d : I Thomas Hall Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Adam Beckley Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was taken & by whom the within certificate was made, was at the date the same purport to have been executed, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly elected and qualified and authorized to act as such, and that I am acquainted with the signature or hand writing of such Justice, and readily believe his signature, within written to be genuine. I also further certify that the word "Clerk" in the fifth line of this certificate was interlined before the execution hereof.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, (my official seal) This 13 th day of September A D 1842. Thomas Hall Clerk

John Presler Power of Attorney to C. W. Bennett
Oct. 1832.
F. R. H. Smith

State of New York County of Ontario
Be it Known, that on this Ninth day of April A. D. 185 3 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared John Presler
resident of the town of Seneca  Goshen PO in said County, and made oath according to law that he is a legal heir of Abraham Presler who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 4
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.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint C. W. BENNETT , of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Abraham Presler 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.
John Presler
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said John Presler to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Chas. I. Holger
State of New York County of Ontario ss:
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Ontario County that John Presler the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the 10 child of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that Charles I. Holger Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was; 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 genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this Sixth day of April  June 185 3
John L. Lyman Clerk
1. Claimant's name 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.

35784 Abraham Drippler N.Y.
Sol. to Hon. W. J. Hubbell July 2 nd 1844.
do C. W. Campbell Oct. 29. 44 to Hon. W. S. Hubbell, Jany. 31. 1845.
June. 7 th 1832

Jonathan Presler NY.
not on rolls. or in file with divs or rejected cases.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
8447
P. O.
Abraham Pressler
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Oct 28 1844 D. B. Munk
FREE
Abn Preble Edwards Esq Court of Pensions Washington

Baths Oct 23 d 1844
J. L. Edwards Esq. Dr Sir
In the case of Abraham Parker (for a Pension under Act of June 7. 1832, in your letter of July 2 d to Hon W m G. Hubbard, you say that it is necessary to procure from the archives at Albany, second evidence showing the authority under which "six months men" were raised in 1777, and the commissioning of the designated officers.
I have applied for such evidence, and the Comptroller of the State, informs me that it cannot be found.
Will you please inform me, what must be done, in case this testimony cannot be procured & it seems it cannot. Is not the evidence already furnished sufficient? Please reply as soon as possible
Yours Very Respectfully L. W. Campbell
J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington -
P.S. The Records referred to in the afft of Mr Parker in your letter, does not contain any evidence of the applicant's age, as it does not state when he was born. It is his family record that states his parents.

Washington City D.C.
House of Reps.
21. May 1844.
Col. J. S. Edmuns
Sir,
In this I hand you some additional evidence in the case of Abraham Pepler which case I forwarded to you yesterday its from my village & I would be obliged if you could consider it soon
With Great Respect
Yr m c obed. Serv t
W. J. Dabell

Washington City D.C. House of Reps.
16 May 1844.
Col. J. L. Edwards
My dear Sir
Will you allow me to ask you to take up this pension claim immediately? as it from an attorney in the village in which I reside, should you do so you will very much oblige
Yrs. ov. Yr.
J. M. Russell

Washington City D.C. Heads of Rep!
27 Jan 1845
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir,
I send you a pension as well Mr. Cam- phell letter, you will please return me his letter with your answer & please inform me the result as early a period as convenient
With Great Respect
Yr. M c O o Y r .
M c J. D. Webb

In the matter of the application of Abraham Pepler.

State of New York Staten County p. 3
Personally appeared before me S. A. Johnson a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Abraham Preslor and made Oath in due form of law; that to the best of his knowledge and belief as well as from information received; he was born in the year One thousand Seven hundred and sixty two and as near as he can ascertain in the month of August in that year; and further that if this Affidavit does not agree with any former one he has made in relation to his birth for age, it was a mistake in this Affidavit and that the same was made without reference to any family record.
Abraham his Preslor Mark
Sworn and subscribed Before me this 31 st day of Dec 1844. S. A. Johnson J.P.
State of New York County of Staten p. 3
I Paul C. Cook, Clerk of the said County do certify that Samuel A. Johnson before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace of the said County 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 and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 8 th day of January A D 1845.
Paul C. Cook Clerk

6
Charles W. Campbell Esq.
Bath
N.B.

Secretary's Office
Albany Dec. 3. 1844
Sir,
Your letter of the 28. ult. to the Secretary of State has been received. You ask for record evidence showing the authority under which "Six months men" were raised in 1777; and the commissions of Capt. Ransom, Capt. Westbrook and Col. Spaulding.
In answer I have to state that I am not aware of "Six months men" having been raised in the year 1777. There was authority given by the Provincial Congress of New York in 1776 & perhaps in 1777 to raise a body of Rangers in certain counties for the protection of the inhabitants, but the term of their service is not mentioned. [See printed Journal of the Provincial Congress page 538 &c] I cannot find in this office any record of the appointment of the officers to command the said Rangers except a few names in the said Journal - I found no captain of the name of Westbrook . There was a Capt. Peleg Ransom in Col. Cantines Regiment of Militia in Ulster county. He was first appointed Capt. Sep. 20. 1775. & was again reappointed Capt. in said Regt. by the Gov. & council of appointment Feb. 21. 1778 - They kept no record of the military commissions issued in those days.
It does not appear that there was any Colonel in this State of the name of Spaulding. Albert Pawling commanded Levies that were raised once or twice for the defence of the State as Lieut. Col. Commandant, but not before 1779.
You will find a copy of the Journal above

mentioned in your county clerks office, to which I beg leave to refer you. It has a copious Index.
Yours respectfully Arch d Campbell Dep Sec. of State
Col. W. Campbell Esq.