Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,161, for Harmanus Peek, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Peek, Harmanus
S 14161
Carded!
CONTENTS

New York 8849
Harmanus Peck
of Montgomery in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Myndrose of the Reg t in the by Col Wimple in the N o York. time for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29. day of April 1839 and sent to Giles T. Gates. Simancas Tady. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1839. $160.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep r 1839. 40 00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book C. Vol. 4
Clerk, Page 70

Montg ry Co. Court In the matter of the application of Harm s Peck for a pension
Proceedings &c 8712. 462
Cr. 6.
To the care of Giles H. Gates Schenectady N.Y.

1 State of New York County of Montgomery ss.
On this nineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County, now sitting, Warmanus Peck a resident of the town of Fonda's bush in said County, aged seventy-three years & upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following de- claration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
He was born on the 13 th day of January 1759, in the (then township, now) City of Schenectady . He has no record of his age except that contained in his family bible; but the time of his baptism is recorded in the Register of Baptisms belonging to the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church in said City. When he entered the service of the United States, he lived in said township. At the close of the revolutionary war, he removed to Tripe's Hill, & from thence to Fonda's bush aforesaid where he now lives.
He entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the fall of the year 1775, he was

enrolled in the Company of militia within his beat, to wit, the Company commanded by Captain John Mynderse in the Regiment whereof Abra- ham Wemple was Colonel. His other Company and field officers were Lawrence Mynderse first Lieutenant, James H. Peck second Lieutenant, Abra- ham D. Pruax Ensign - Abraham Swits and Myndert Wemple Majors - Abraham Ten Broeck General of the Brigade
In the winter of 1775 & 1776 he was on duty with the militia under Generals Schuyler & Tenbroeck near Johnson Hall on which occasion Sir John Johnson and his tenants were disarmed and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. He was from home on this tour nearly one month -
In the Spring of the year 1776 he was pursuant to a draft sent with a detachment of militia to a place called Summerhouse point near the fish house in Sacondaga and was there employed nearly a month under General Clinton in erecting fortifications. He thinks one John Agden had the command of this expedition. During the same year he was again drafted and employed under the command of Captain Vrooman in erecting storehouses & at Sacondaga landing.
His next expedition was to the State of New Jersey in the company of Captain David Gordon - Smock & Whitlock Lieutenants - Bruce Ensign. The only field officer whose name he recollects in this expedition was General David Furnan. He was employed with a party of about seventy two men to guard the shore at Sandy Hook. Here they had an encounter with the enemy in which Lieutenant Whitlock and several others were killed. Out of the 72 only eleven of the Americans of whom he the claimant was one escaped, the remainder were taken prisoners. He was in this last expedition for the term of three months . After receiving his discharge from this service he returned to Schenectady &

again entered the Company of Captain John Mynders aforesaid and served therein to the end of the war. In the beginning of the year 1777, he engaged in an expedition to Beavertam a place much infested with Tories. He was in this expedition placed under the command of Captain Thomas B. Banker and Major Abraham Swits.
On the third of July 1777 he was ordered to Fort Edward and performed duty at that post & the other posts in that vicinity with the troops under Generals Schuyler Arnold and Gates until and after the 17 th October in that year when Burgoyne and his army were captured and the militia were ordered home. — During the remainder of the war he was out on numerous tours of duty, the precise periods of which and the length of time he served in each, it is entirely out of his power to specify. It is well known that alarms in this State were very frequent, and detachments of militia were continually ordered out. He was out on several occasions with detachments to guard our frontier inhabitants, when St. Leger's army approached.
Was out many times as a scout and to reconnoiter at diverse posts and passes where disaffected and dangerous persons and families resided, and where Indians were supposed to lurk with hostile intentions. He has performed garrison duty sundry times at Fort Plain, Fort Plank, Fort Hunter, Fort Paris and Schoharie, was out in the different militia campaigns when the Mohawk country was laid waste by the enemy and when Ballston was burnt. — If he should be required to say how long in the whole he served in these different tours and expeditions he can't honestly and sincerely say for a period exceeding two years.
In addition to the officers whose names are heretofore in before mentioned he knew Major Copenman, Colonel Van Schaick, Gaansvoort, General Van Cortland; Colonels Dubois, Harper & many others, as well as most of the Regiments or companies they commanded.
He never received any written discharge from the service. He has no documentary evidence, but can produce the testimony of his Lieutenant James H. Peck and of

Christopher Ward who was in service with him in some of the foregoing expeditions.
The following are the names of persons in his present neighbourhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the revolution viz. John H. Lanning & Evert A. Van Allen—
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.
Harmans Pat.
Subscribed & sworn } the day & year first } aforesaid—
Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk

We John H Lansing residing in the town of Amsterdam in the county of Montgomery and state of New York and Evert A Van Alen residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Harmancus Peck who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age last January, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Second to said subscribe — This 11 th day of September 1832
John H Lansing Evert A Van Alen
To you Sir
Abner Morell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery in the State of New York being a court of
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 there is no clergyman living in the immediate vicinity of said applicant —
And further that John H Lansing & Evert A Van Alen who have signed said certificate are residents of the town of Amsterdam aforesaid that they are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
George D. Ferguson Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Harmancus Peck for a Pension — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Nineteenth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two —

George D. Ferguson Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Abraham Morrill before the within certificate of John H. Lansing & Court at St. V. Allen has been sub- scribed & sworn to, was on the day of the date of the same & is now, one of the Judges of the County Courts in & for said County of Montgomery, and that the signature to the same purporting to be his, is genuine.
Witness my hand & seal of office, this twentieth day of Sep- tember Anno Domini 1832
Geo: D. Ferguson

This Certifies , that as appears from the Register of Baptism belonging to the PROTESTANT REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH in the City of Schenectady, Harmans , son of Harmans Peek and Sarah DeGraaf his wife, was baptized on the 14 th day of Jan. in the year, 1759.
CERTIFIED,
Jacob Van Vechten
V. D. M.
Schenectady, Aug. 15, 1832.
Second Lieutenant - That said Harmans entered said Company in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, & continued to serve in said Company till the end of the war with very little intermission, or except on certain occasions when he went to the State of New Jersey - for about four months. This Deponent further saith, that said Harmans Peek was out with this Deponent on military duty at Beaverdam , Fort Plank , Ballston , Stillwater , Johnstown , Coughnawaga , Fort Edward when Genl Burgoyne surrendered. Fort Hunter , Fort Paris , Cobleskill & other places.
James H Peek
Subscribed & sworn this 24 th day of July 1832 before me James V. Ryley Judge Schenectady county courts

5 County of Schenectady ss. James H. Peck of the town of Rotterdam in said County, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he was during the revolutionary war and is now well acquainted with Harmannus Peck of the town of Fonda's bush in the County of Montgomery that said Harmannus Peck was a private in a company of militia of Captain John Melynduse, whereof this Deponent was second Lieutenant - that said Harmannus entered said Company in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, & continued to serve in said Company till the end of the war with very little intermission, or ex- cept on certain occasions when he went to the State of New Jersey - for about four months This Deponent further saith, that said Harm- annus Peck was out with this Deponent on military duty at, Beaverdam, Fort Plank, Ballston, Stillwater, Johnstown, Caughnawaga Fort Edward when Genl Burgoyne surren- dered. Fort Hunter, Fort Paris, Cobleskill & other places. James H. Peck
Subscribed & sworn this 24 th day of July 1832 before me James W. Riley Judge Schenectady county courts

County of Schenectady ss. Christopher Ward of the city of Schenectady in said County, being duly sworn and examined, doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Harmannus Peck referred to in the foregoing deposition of James H. Peck, that this deponent knew said Harmannus during the revolutionary war and has personal knowledge of his services as a private in said Company of Captain John Mynders - Knows that said Harmannus was a member of said Company for three or four years - this deponent was with said Harmannus at the lower fort at Schoharie performing garrison duty, he thinks in the spring of the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty for nearly one month, was also with him at Switzerberg near Johnstown, assisting to guard the inhabitants of that frontier from the in- cursions of the British and Indians in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five - was also with said Harmannus performing garrison duty at Fort Paris in the fall of the year One thousand seven hundred & seventy nine - This deponent does not remember to have been out with said Harmannus in any other mil- itary expeditions than those above named, nor can he tell how long said Harmannus was in service on the occasions aforesaid.
Subscribed & sworn this } Chas S Ward 14 th day of August }

6 1832, before me James V. Ryley Judge Schenectady county courts
And I the said James V. S. Ryley do hereby certify that I am well ac- quainted with James H. Peck & Christo- pher Ward who have sworn to and subscri- bed the foregoing depositions, and that they are both men of credibility & that their statements are entitled to full credit wit- ness my hand this fourteenth day of August 1832 James V. S. Ryley Judge
State of New York County of Schenectady } ss.
I, John G. Mroo- man Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that James V. S. Ryley before whom the preceding depositions of James H. Peck and Christopher Ward have been sworn, was on the days of the dates of the same, a Judge of the County Courts in and for said County, & that the signature "James V. S. Ry- ley" to the same, as well as to the foregoing Certificate by him given, is his genuine Signature. In testimony whereof I
In the fall of the year 1775, he was

have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, this day of September One thousand eight hundred & thirty two. John S. Crooman Clerk
Montg y Co. Court In the matter of the application of Harm s Peck for a pension
Proceedings &c 87 12. 462
Ex. 6.
To the care of
Giles H. Gates
Schenectady N.Y.

No 12462
Hermannus Peck
G. F. Yates
Schenectady
N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of Hermanus Peck  of  in the State of  (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? 73.  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.     Enrolled in the Militia for the war In 1775 Fall, in the winter '75-'76 — — — As a drafted Gen. Col. M'Nair & Capt. Mynderse   "76 Spring — 1 — d o Capt Ogden   next — 3 — d o Capt Gordon   1777 July 3 rd to 17 Oct. — 2 20 d o From 1775 to the end of the war   and at various calls after this 2 — — d o  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Sandy Hook  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Schenectady N.Y.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MCS/eel
June 5, 1929
Mrs. John Giles Ferres 114 S. Market Street Johnstown, New York
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.14161 , it appears that Harmanus Peek was born January 13, 1759, in Schenectady, New York, and was the son of Harmanus and Sarah (her maiden name was De Graaf  Graaf ).
While a resident of Schenectady, New York, he enlisted in the fall of 1775, and served at various times until the close of the Revolution, amounting to at least two years in all, as a private with the New York Troops under Captains John Mynderse, Vrooman, David Gordon, and Thomas B. Bancker, Colonel Abraham Wempke, and was in an engagement at Sandy Hook.
At the close of the Revolution he moved to Tribes Hill, and from there to Fonda's Bush, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 19, 1832, at which time he was living in Fonda's

Bush, Montgomery County, New York.
There are no data relative to wife and children.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to pension having been claimed on account of the services of Harmanus Peek, the father of the above named soldier, and said records fail to afford any information in regard to a James Eldred and a Hendrick Wendell, as described by you, and to any John A. Bradt, searched under all spellings of the names.
Respectfully,
— EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

N o 12462 Hermann Peck
G. F. Yates Schenectady      N.Y.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Hermannus Peek which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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? Supplied XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 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 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 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 shewn 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.
‡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 authenticates 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 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Rev. May
14161 INVALID.
1929 June 5 - hist. to Mrs. John Giles Ferris N.C.
File No. 14161
Hoermannus Peak prior Beer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 293
[Arrangement of 1870.]

MRS. JOHN GILES FERRES, SECOND 11 th  444 SOUTH MARKET STREET JOHNSTOWN, NEW YORK
U. S. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., Dear Sir:-
Please send me Pension Certificate of James Eldred (Eldredge, or Eldridge) of Hoosic, Rensselaer County, New York State who died around 1814. He married Phoebe Hunt. I believe that he served in the American Revolution in Albany County Militia, 16 th regiment.
Also, please send me Pension Certificate of Capt. John A. Bradt , born Sept. 21, 1737, married Nov. 5, 1778 in Dutch church at Schraightwoke for his 2 nd wife, Sara Wendell, b. Jan. 1, 1756. N. Y. State.

Also, please send me Pension Certificate of Hendrick Wendell , baptised Mar. 16, 1729, married June 17, 1750 Rensselaerwick, N. Y. Catalytic Van Schaik.
Also, please send me Pension Certificate of Harmanus Peek , born Jan. 14, 1759, mar- ried about 1778 to Elize Lloyd. - Schenectady, N.Y.
Also, send me Pension Certificate of Harmanus Peek (Peck, or Peeck), born Dec. 5, 1718, married Dec. 1, 1740 Sara de Graff, died Feb. 2, 1810 - aged 89. of Schenectady Patent, N.Y. State.
Thanking you, I am,
Very truly yours,
Mrs. John Giles Ferriss, II.
114 S. Market St., Johnstown, N. Y. Jan. 7, 1929.