Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,231, for Jonathan Presler, New York

SERVICE
New York.
Presler, Jonathan
NUMBER
S. 14231
carded.
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

8629
New York
Jonathan Presler
of Ontario Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Deyo of the (Regt.) commanded by Col Hornbeck in the N.Y. mi- lition for 10 mos?
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Ap- 1833 and sent to R. H. Baylis Geneva
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $66.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " 16.66
$83.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 28

State of New York Ontario County } p.
Jonathan Puster of the Town of Seneca, County and State aforesaid, being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath declare in addition to his former declaration that in 1776 he served under
Col. John Gantner
Major Westbrook
Captain Abraham Deyo
Lieut. Westbrook
Ensign Post
Ensign
Captains Potter and Schoonmaker served in the same Regiment
in 1777 he served under
Colonel Hornbeck
Major Gantner
Captain Poley Ransom
Lieutenant Potter
Ensign Donaldson
General P. Arnold
That from loss of memory incident to his age he cannot now recollect the names of any other officers with whom he served:
That he was born at Newburgh the 23 d of September 1750 of which he has a record in his Family Bible: That he lived at New Paltz at the commencement of the War and continued to live there until December 1806 when he removed to Seneca, Ontario County, New York where he now resides and he has since resided.
And I the said Jonathan Puster the said declarant, do solemnly swear that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, I cannot swear positively as to the precise length of my service, but according to the best of my recollection, I have served not less than the period mentioned by

low, and in the following grades: For five months I served as a Sergeant; and for fifteen months I served as a Private; and for such service I claim a Pension: and further that the time I served as a Sergeant was in 1776 in Col. Cantins Regiment in Capt Deyos Company — Jonathan Rayles
Sworn and subscribed this 28th day of January 1833 before the subscriber a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid
R. M. Bayly M.P.
State of New York, Ontario County ss. }
I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Richard M. Bayly whose name is subscribed to foregoing certificate of affidavit, was, at the date thereof, a Notary Public in and for said County; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the said signature to be his proper act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. This 28th day of February A. D. 1833-
Charles Crane

State of New York Ontario County ss.
On this Twenty fourth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Jonathan Pruslin a resident of the Town of Seneca in the County and State aforesaid, aged nearly Eighty two 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; Viz. That in the year 1776 in the beginning of August at the Town of New Paltz in the County of Ulster, where he then resided, he enlisted in Captain Abraham Deyo's Company in Colonel John Cautine's Regiment for five months, went to Kingsbridge and from thence to White Plains, and was in the Battle of White Plains under Washington. Was afterwards stationed at Peekskill and discharged in January following at a post on the North River directly opposite to West point after serving out five months. That in the Winter of 1777 he volunteered under Captain Peleg Ransom in Colonel Hornbeck's Regiment, was stationed at Clarkstown and continued in service one month; That in the summer following previous to the surrender of Burgoyne he was a volunteer in said Ransom's Company and Hornbeck's Regiment, was in the service upwards of two months and was during that time stationed as a guard at Surinkill in the West part of Ulster County, where he was dismissed the latter part of August or beginning of September - immediately afterwards he volunteered in same company and Regiment to go to the north, marched to Stillwater and Sa-
5 mo.
1 mo.
2 mo.

2 W.W. ratoga, was in the Battle of Saratoga the 7th of October, was under the Command of Genl. Arnold at the time his horse was shot under him, marches to Albany as one of the guard of the prisoners on their way to Boston and was discharged at Albany having served on that expedition 7 months. And that afterwards, from that time until the close of the war, he was ordered out more or less every year under the said Captain Ransom on short hours of duty to protect and defend the Frontiers from the incursions and depredations of the Indians and Tories, and was in actual service at least two months and more in each year until Peace. That he has no documentary evidence of his services, nor does he know of any other person whose testimony he can procure, except Philip Lemun-gay, Jacob Whitney, and Nathaniel Perkins whose affidavits are hereto attached -
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 of Jonathan H. Lester and year aforesaid - in Open Court
We Isaac Brandall and Richard M. Bayly residing the Town of Seneca in Ontario County hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Presle, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be nearly eighty two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. his

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in Open Court }
Isaac X Brandall Mark R. M. Bayly
And the 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 to States. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Isaac Brandall & Richard M. Bayly who have signed the preceding Certificate residing in both reside in the town of Leominster aforesaid and that who has also signed the same is a resident in and that they are both and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Charles Crane -- Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the Application of Jonathan Presler for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28th. day of August A. D. 1832.
Charles Crane

Philip Lemunyan being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that Jonathan Presler he was acquainted with Jonathan Presler, in the Revolutionary War, that the said Jonathan Presler resided at New Paltz in the County of Ulster and State of New York - that he enlisted for five months in the N. York State troops under Capt. Abraham Deyo, Major Jacob Hasbrouck, and Col. Gantime, on or about the first of August 1778, and that he went into the service, and as this deponent understood was stationed down towards New York, at King'sbridge, and in that region; and that he was in the Battle of White Plains - That this deponent labored for the said Presler - Father, at the time, knew when he entered the service and when he returned home - which was to the best of this deponent's recollection about the first of January - Heard Presler and other soldiers talk of being in the battle of White Plains immediately after they returned - And this deponent verily believes that the said Jonathan Presler served during the period of his enlistment and was regularly discharged
And this deponent further saith that the said Jonathan Presler, went a tour to Clarkstown in the winter of 1778 or 1779, under Capt - Pelez Ransom, William Donaldson in and Lieutenant Nathaniel Patten, that - the said Presler was gone in this service one or two months, one month at least,
And this deponent further saith that in the Fall of 1779 the said Jonathan Presler was called into the Northern service under the same officers, last above named, and was gone to the best of this deponent's knowledge about two months, and And this deponent further saith that as he understood at the time, and as this deponent then believed the said Presler was in the army at the Taking of Burgayne -
And this deponent well recollects that Capt. Ransom's Company to which the said Presler belonged, was repeatedly called out to drive off the Indians and Tories - during the war, and this deponent, verily

believes that the said Jonathan Presler, dis- serve at different periods, on the Frontier at least three months over and above the terms of service before enumerated - And further this deponent saith not
Philip Lemunyan
Subscribed & sworn July 26. 1832 before me
Sam. Hoag
Justice of the Peace
Jacob Whitney being duly sworn deponent and saith that he was acquainted with Jonathan Presler in the Revolutionary War - that the said Jonathan Presler enlisted in the five months service in the New York State Troops, under Capt. Abraham Deyo, and Col. John Cantine, in that the said Presler resided at the time he enlisted at New Paltz in the County of Ulster and State of New York, that the company to which the said Presler belonged marched as this deponent understood, to join the Regiment and that they went to New York - And this deponent further heard from others, as well as from the said Presler that he the said Presler was in the Battle of White Plains, in Westchester County in the Autumn of 1776 - that the said Jonathan Presler returned home in the fore-part of the winter following, and this deponent verily believes that the said Jonathan Presler, served the whole time of his enlistment, and was regularly discharged And this deponent further saith that the said Jonathan Presler was, at Clarkstown, in the winter of 1777 one month as this deponent recollects he being in the same company, that they were com- =manded by Capt. Peleg Ransom, and Colonel - Hombuck - That they were stationed there as a guard - that Clarkstown was the the County

of Ulster Rockland N. York -
And this deponent further saith that the said Jonathan Presler was in the Northern service in the Autumn of 1777 and at the taking of Burgoyne but how many months the said Presler was out this deponent cannot say - that the said Presler belonged to Capt Peleg Rawson's company of Militia and the whole company was out at the taking of Burgoyne - That when this deponent returned home late in the Fall Capt. Rawson's Co. was - home - And further this deponent saith not
Jacob Whitney
Subscribed & sworn to July 27. 1832. before me
Am. G. Gage, Justice of the Peace,
Nathaniel Perkins, being duly sworn, deponeth and saith that he was acquainted with Jonathan Presler in the Revolutionary War - that both this deponent and the said Jonathan Presler resided in the Revolutionary war in the Town of New Paltz in the County of Ulster and State of New York And this deponent further saith that the said Jonathan Presler enlisted in Capt. Deyo's Co. and Col. John Cantine's Regiment of New York State Troops for five months - that he marched with said company, and as this deponent understands went to New York, and was stationed at or near New York, and that he was in the battle at White Plains - That it was in July or August in the year 1778 when the said Presler enlisted and that it was in the forepart of the winter - when he returned from the service, and this deponent verily believes that the said Jonathan Presler served the full time of his enlistment and was regularly discharged - And this deponent further saith that the

said Jonathan Presler was called out and - marched to the north, together with the whole com- -pany and Regiment of Militia to which the said Presler belonged, which was Capt. Peleg Ransom Company, and Col. John Gantner's Regiment, which belonged to Ulster Co. N.Y. That it was in the Autumn of 1777 and as this deponent understood the militia was called out to act against the Northern British Army under General Burgoyne and that the said Jonathan Presler was in that engagement, but how long the said Presler was absent in this service this deponent does not now recollect -
And this deponent further saith that Capt Ransom's Company was frequently called on to the frontiers, in cases of alarms, and against the Indians and Tories - that the said Jonathan Presler belonged to said Company, and this deponent has no doubt but what he the said Presler was out with the rest of the Company, but that he cannot now recollect, any particular times or times of duty or service -
Also further this deponent saith not -
Jonathan Perkins
Subscribed & sworn - July 27 th 1832 before me
Sam l Hages Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Philip Schuyler and Jacob Whitney who have Testified in the case of Jonathan Presler and that their statements are entitled to full credit & belief I am not personally acquainted with Nathaniel Perkins but he is represented to me to be a person of credibility
Sam l Hages Justice of the Peace

For the service of Jonathan Prister for a pension.
Militia
Am. Bayly
XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Passed
undefined service from '78 set forth. afterwards every year till close of the war more or less under Capt Ransom at least 2 mo each year" & included in the aggregate of the claim in amended declaration disallowed.
The balance specified & proved amount to 10 mo.
Adm d
10 mo pri
$33.33

State of New York County of Yates ss
I George Shearman Clerk of the said County of Yates do hereby certify that Samuel G. Gage Esquire before whom the foregoing Affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Yates duly empowered by Law to administer oaths. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe his signatures to the said Affidavits to be genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof at Penn Yan this 8 th day of August 1832.
George Shearman Clerk

6876
Jonathan Presler
Page 72,
adms
56. 14. 16
5 Sep 1832 20 Nov 1832
R. W. Bayly Geneva New York

6876
BRIEF in the case of  Jonathan Presler, — Seneca,  Co. of Ontario in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 82 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     August — In 1776 5 private Gen. Cap t A. Day, Col. John Cantue   Winter 1777 1 " Cap t P. Ransom, Col. Hornbeck   "Summer following" upwards 2 " do Gen t Arnold   "immediately afterwards" 2 " do Cap t Ransom,   "afterwards every year till close of the war more or less, under the" at least 2 months each year."  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains, & Saratoga.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Paltz, Ulster Co. 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness for the 3 first terms & for an indefinite part of the others, & Traditional.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Fawcett Examining Clerk.

1906 Apr. 21- History to Charles H. Preston. M.B.H.
Rev. man
✓ 14231 INVALID.
File No. 14.231
Jonathan Presler
Dist. Rev. war
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 353
[Arrangement of 1870.]

6876
Jonathan Presler

6876
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan Presler which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did. III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He has V. * Has he mentioned 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? He has not VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? He has not VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? He has. VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? He has IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? He has X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? It is, & is so distinguishable.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No clergyman's evidence XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? He has not And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? It is XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? It does XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? They are not XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? At 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 are not
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 _____. For _____ 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 the 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Mr. B. H.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Sur. File 14231.
Bureau of Pensions,
Rev. War.
Washington, D. C., April 21, 1906.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Presler , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug 1776 Jan 1777 Sgt Private Abraham Deyo. John Cantine N. Y.   Winter 1777 1 mo Prv 1 mo Peleg Hanson. Hornbeck N. Y.   Summer 1777 Aug or Sept 1777 2 mos. Prv 2 mos Peleg Hanson Hornbeck N. Y.   To close of War 2 mos each year Prv. Peleg Hanson — N. Y.  
Battles engaged in, White Plains; Stillwater .
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Paltz, Ulster Co. N. Y.
Date of application for pension, August 27, 1832: his claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Seneca, Ontario Co. N. Y.
Age at date of application, born September 23, 1750, in Newburgh.
Remarks:
Very respectfully,
Mr Charles H. Preston.
Hathorne
Commissioner.

Hathorne, Mass. Apr. 10 1906.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: -
Please send me the Pension record of Jonathan Prester of Ontario Co. N.Y. Placed on roll 1831, age 83. Revolutionary soldier.
Yours Truly
Chas. H. Preston