Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1451, for Cornelius Minkler, New York

SERVICE
SERVICE New York
NUMBER _____
W. 145
Minkler, Cornelius caroline
CONTENTS

30302 New York
Caroline Minkler D. 2
of Ulster Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Co. of Inf ry commanded by Captain Van Suren of the reg t commanded by Col Snyder in the New York line for 9 months and 15 days Certificate issued in favor of Caroline Minkler widow the deceased My Line
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 31 Dollars & 6 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Oct 1835 and Scott Henry Wynkoop Sargent
Arrear to the 4th of January allowance ending
Arrear to the 6 th April 1834 the day of pensioner's death $894.19
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan B. Boyd Clerk, Book 82 Vol. 4 Page 15
* 6 th October
Let the 10 th Nov 2 nd Anniversary 8 th Oct 1835

133 City New York
Caroline Minkler widow of Cornelius Minkler who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Pirate
Myrtle
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 31 Dollars 66.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of April 49. and sent to
Rev. P. H. Silvester Coxsackie N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 133 Vol. 1
29th July, 6514 @
Reported

10 Pension appli- cation of Cornelius Minkler
by
Henry Weykoop
Saugerties Ulster County State of N. York
Hon C. Bode

State of New York Ulster County ss
Wilhelmus Frame of the town of Kingston County of Ulster and State of New York being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he is Seventy Eight Years of age that he is well acquainted with Cornelius Minkler of the town of Saugerties of said County that this deponent was in the Military Service of the State of New York in the revolutionary war in the year 1780 in Captain Livingston's Company Colonel Powning's Regiment for Nine months and well knew the said Cornelius Minkler that the said Cornelius Minkler was in the same company the same time that the said continued to serve in said corps as a private soldier until discharged that the said service commenced early in the spring of said year and continued until the expiration of said term of Nine months that the said Company was stationed at the house of Tobias Wynkoop in said town of Saugerties and Great Wynkoop's of the same town also in the town of Woodstock at the house of one Peter Short and at different places along the line of said County to protect the frontier inhabitants from the incursions of the Indians and Tories —
And this deponent further says that in the year 1781 deponent was engaged in the same service of the State of New York in the revolutionary war and was in the Company of Rangers Commanded by Captain Moses Yeomans for the term of Six months or more and well knew the said Cornelius Minkler that the said Cornelius was in the same Service for the same length of time and knows that the said Cornelius Minkler continued serve as a private soldier in said corps until discharged that the said company was stationed in the town of Kingston at the house of one Houghtaling but that they scouted through the different towns of said County of Ulster to protect the frontier inhabitants from the incursions of the Indians and Tories —
And this deponent further says that in the year 1778 deponent was in the said Military as afore said and was under the Command of Lieut.

Peter Osterhout and for the term of four months and knew that the said Cornelius Minkler was in the same company at the same time with depo- nent and continued to serve in said corps as a pri- rate as a private soldier until discharged that the said company was stationed in the town of Saugen- ties at the house of Tobias Wynkoop and at dif- ferent places along the line of the frontier of said county of Ulster as a guard to protect the inhabitants from the Indians and Tories
And this deponent further says that besides the said aforementioned services deponent has seen the said Cornelius Minkler at different times in said revo- lutionary war under arms as a private soldier on the frontier of said county of Ulster but for what length of time or the under what officers deponent does not now recollect and further says not
Sworn and Subscribed before me the 1 st day of February 1834 }
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of the County Courts of the County of Ulster }
I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Wilhel- mus France who has subscribed the above statement affidavit that he is a man of truth and veracity and that his statement entitled to full credit
Henry Wynkoop
Wilhelmus his X France mark

State of New York Ulster County ss.
Harmon Minkler of the town of Kingston County of Ulster and State of New York being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is seventy seven years of age that he is well acquainted with Cornelius Minkler of the town of Saugerties of said County (being deponent's brother) that in the revolutionary war deponent lived in the town of Saugerties that the said Cornelius Minkler then there at the same time, that this deponent during the whole of the revolutionary war was a Soldier for the term of 9 or 10 months, but that his brother the said Cornelius Minkler was absent from home as deponent understood as a Soldier in said war for 3 or 4 Summers during said war of the revolution, that he then understood that the said Cornelius has was in said revolutionary Service under Lt Peter Osterhoudt at one time under Lt Martin Hommel also Capt Moyer Geomans and Captain Liv- ingston and other Officers and Service deponent does not recollect their names
And this deponent further says that at one time deponent was directed by his father late in the fall in said revolutionary war to visit his brother the said Cornelius who he understood was stationed on the frontiers in the town of Woodstock and Shandaken that deponent found him in said town of Shanda- ken under arms as a frontier guard as deponent understood for the term of 4 or 5 Months but does recollect under what officers, that the said Cor- nelius refused to return home and did not return home until the beginning of Winter of said year or until at the end of said Service as deponent then understood (being very cold at the same time)
And this deponent further says he does not now recollect any particular service of the said Cornelius except above stated in the revolutionary war but always understood and still believes that the said Cornelius Minkler was engaged as a private Soldier or frontier guard for the term of two years or more during the said revolutionary war and this deponent further

says that the said Cornelius Minkler is a respectable farmer and a man of truth and veracity and further says not
Sworn and subscribed before me { the 3 rd day of February 1831 }
Harmon his X Minkler mark
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of the County courts of the County of Ulster
I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Harmon Minkler who has subscribed and sworn to the above affi- davit and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of said County of Ulster etc

State of New York Ulster County ss.
Abraham Dewitt of the town of Saugerties County of Ulster and State of New York being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is Seventy one years of age that he is well acquainted with Cornelius Minkler of the same town a Soldier of the revolutionary war and now an applicant for a pension that in the revolutionary war about the years 1779. 1780 and 1781 deponent has seen the said Cornelius Minkler several times under arms on the frontiers of said County of Ulster as a private Soldier to protect the in- habitants of said County from the Indians and Tories but owing to the lapse of time and loss of memory deponent does not remember under what officers or for what length of time deponent the said Cornel- ius was engaged in the said Service of the revolution- ary war as a Soldier And this deponent fur- ther says that he is personally acquainted with the said Cornelius that he a respectable farmer and and a man of truth and veracity and further saith not
Sworn and subscribed before me the 11 th day of February 1834.
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of the County Court of the County of Ulster
Abraham Dewitt
I certify that the at I am personally acquainted with Abra- ham Dewitt who has subscribed the above affidavit that he is a man of truth and veracity and his statement entitled to full credit
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of Ulster Co.

State of New York Ulster County ss
Henry
Hezekiah Wynkoop Jun r of the town of Saugerties County of Ulster and State of New York being duly sworn deposith and saith that he is Sixty seven years of age that he is well acquainted with Cornelius Men- kler of the same town, that in the revolutionary war deponent lived with his father Evert Wynkoop on the frontiers of the town of Saugerties that part of a Com- pany of Soldiers was Stationed at the said house of Evert Wynkoop and part at the house Tobias Wynkoop all in said town of Saugerties, under the command of Captain Livingston who was Stationed on said frontier for the term of 8 or 9 months this de- ponent saw the said Cornelius Menkler as said frontier a private in said service under the com- mand of Captain Livingston but for what length of time deponent does not now recollect and further saith not
Sworn and subscribed before me the 8 th day of February 1834
Hezekiah Wynkoop Jun r
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of the County Courts of the County of Ulster
I certify that I am personally acquainted with Hezekiah Wyn- koop Jun r who has subscribed the above affidavit that he is a man of truth and veracity and his statement entitled to full credit
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges S.S. of Ulster County
State of New York
Ulster County Clerk's office ss: I, Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of Ulster County do hereby certify that Henry Wynkoop Esquire was on the days of the dates of the annexed affidavits of Wilhelmus France, Harmon Minkler, Abraham DeWitt and Hezekiah Wynkoop Jun r one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Ulster County duly authorized to take affidavits and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and justly believe his signature to the certificates of the aforesaid annexed affidavits to be genuine Witness my hand and the seal of said Court and County this eight day of February 1834.
Jacob Snyder

No 169 Caroline Munker mo of Cornelius NY act 29 July 1848 Married 1799 husband d ed 1834 adm d 31 st p er ann pm 4 March 1848
Hon P. W. Silvester M c Cracken NY

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 29 th July 1848 — State of New York Ulster County — ss
On this seventeenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight at a Circuit Court & Court of Oyer and Terminer held at the Court House in the village of Kingston in & for the County of Ulster aforesaid personally appeared in open Court before the Judges thereof, Caroline Minkler a resident of the town of Saugerties in said County aged seventy six years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following De- claration in order to obtain the benefit of the pro- visions made by the act of Congress passed 29 th July 1848.
That she is the widow of Cornelius Minkler — who in the revolutionary war was a private soldier in defence of his Country for which he was a- warded a pension under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 at the yearly rate of thirty one dollars and sixty six cents; —
She further declares that she was married to the said Cornelius Minkler on the fifth day of October in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine,
That the ceremony was performed by the Reverend Pete VanKleek then a clergyman of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church in said town of Saugerties, —
That her maiden name previous to her marriage was Caroline Snyder, —
169 Caroline Minkler
Act July 29. 48

And that her husband the aforesaid Cornelius Minkler died on the sixth day of April 1834 That she was not married to him prior to his hav- ing the Service but the marriage took place pre- vious to the first second day of January Eighteen hundred viz at the time above stated She further swears that she is now a widow & that she has never before made any application for a pension
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first above written before } his Caroline + Minkler me in open Court mark PMH asbrock Clerk of Ulster Co
State of New York
Ulster County ss Elizabeth Ransom
State  Land of the town of Saugerties County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and saith that she is well acquainted with Caroline Minkler widow of Cornelius Minkler deceased, that her husband the said Cornelius Minkler was a pensioner of the United States under act of 7 th June 1832 that he died on the of April sixth thirty four day in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four that his widow the said Caroline has not into married is still living and is now an ap- plicant for a pension for the revolutionary services of her husband the said Cornelius Minkler and that her maiden name previous to her marriage was Caro- line Snyder & further saith not. Month of April in the year thirty four; interlined before signature Subscribed and sworn before me the 16 th day of December 1878 - I also certify that I am well acquainted with aforesaid and know her to be entitled to belief
Elizabeth Ransom
John P. Poland Justice of the peace

State of New York Ulster County Clerks Office
I Benjamin M. Hasbrouck Clerk of the County of Ulster aforesaid, do hereby Certify that John P. Holland Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration Affidavits purport to have been taken was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly Elected and sworn, and authorized to take the same, and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature "John P. Holland" purporting to be his are genuine, and in the proper handwriting of the said Justice
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said County this 18 th day of December 1848.
BM Hasbrouck Clerk
No 169 Caroline Munster no of Cornwall NY
at 24 July 1848
Married 1799 husband d ed 1834
adm d 31 st p er ann
Jan 4 March 1848
Hon P.W. Schenck
Mr Cross Duckett NY

State of New York Ulster County ss
Cornelius W Vanzantvoord of the town of Saugerties County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is the present clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Protestant Church in said town that it appears by the Records of said Church that Cornelius Minckler was legally married to Caroline Snyder on the fifth day of October in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine which is expressed on said records in fair legible figures and letters in the Dutch language as follows
viz 1799
5 Octob, getrouwet Cornelius Minckler Wedr me van An- matje Legg. Met Cathalina Schnieder S. D.
I Cornelius W Vanzantvoord do depose and say that I held the office of clergyman in the aboven- tioned Church that the foregoing is a true extract from the records of said Church and further this deponent saith not
Subscribed and sworn before
C. Vanzantvoord
on the 16 th day of December 1848
and I further certify that I am well acquainted with deponent and know him to be a clergyman
as above stated John P. Holland Justice of the Peace

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832 — State of New York
Ulster County ss. On the thirty first day of January in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared before me Henry Weykoop one of the Judges of the County Court in and for said County of Ulster Cornelius Winkler a resident of the town of Saugerties of said County aged Seventy 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 the 7 th of June 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein after stated —
That in the spring of the year on or about the first of April 1778 he volunteered in Militia Service of the State of New York in the revolutionary war in a Com- pany of Rangers Commanded by Captain Andrew Van Leuven of the Town of Saugerties of the County of Ulster for three Months That he with the said Company was stationed at the house of one Tobias Weykoop in said town and at different places on the frontier of the Counties of Ulster and Greene Scout- ing and marching to protect the inhabitants from the incursions of the Tories and Indians that he believes that said Company belonged in the regiment of Col. Snyder of Kingston and continued in said service as a private Soldier until on or about the first of July of the same year and was dis- charged received no written discharge and that he remembers none alive to testify to the said mentioned service

That immediately after the first mentioned Service on or about the first of July in the year 1778 this applicant again volunteered in the service of the United States as a private Soldier under the Command Lt Sam Peter Osterhout of said Town of Saugerties as a frontier guard and was Stationed at different places on the frontier of said County of Ulster and Greene in the towns of Saugerties Woodstock and Shandaken and along the foot of Catskill Mountains that the said belonged Company belonged in Colonel Snyders Regiment of Kingston that he with the said Company continued in the said Service for the term of four Months or more and was discharged late in the fall or on or about the first of November following in the said town of Saugerties received no written discharge.
4- Wilhelmus France
4 months
And this applicant further declares that in the spring of the year or on or about the first of April in the year 1779 he again volunteered in said United States Service under the command of Lt Martin Hommel of said town of Saugerties in Col Snyders Regiment for four Months as a private Soldier and was Stationed at different places along the frontier of the County of Ulster in the town of Saugerties as a frontier guard and continued in said Service until on or about the first of August and was discharged in said town of Saugerties received no written discharge and remembers none alive who was with him in said service.
4-
And this applicant further declares that on or about the first of August and immediately after the last mentioned Service he again volunteered in said Service under the command of Lieutenant Samuel Schoonmaker in Colonel Paulings Regiment of the town of Marbletown in said County as a private Soldier for five Months that the said
5-

Company met at the house of Peter Short in the town of Woodstock and continued there as a frontier guard for two months that he with the said Company then marched through the town of Shandaken to a place called Peapackton in the County of Delaware two months and remained there about two months that he with the said company after suffering much hunger and cold marched back to the house of Peter Short in said town of Woodstock and was discharged about the first of January 1780 making a Service of five months or more received no written discharge and remembers none alive who can testify to the above mentioned service
And this applicant further declares that on or about the first of April in the year 1780 he again volunteered in the aforesaid United Service as a private soldier in a company commanded by Captain Livingston Colonel Pawlings Regiment for nine months that he with the said Company had their principal head Quarters near the foot of the blue mountains in the said town of Saugerties at the house of one Tobias Wynkoop at all at the house of Gert Wynkoop and in the town of Woodstock and Shandaken and at various other places on the frontiers of said Counties of Ulster and Greene as a guard to protect the inhabitants from the inuasions of the indians and tories and continued in said Service untill on or about the first of January in the year 1781 making a service of Nine months or more and received no written discharge
Wilhelmus France 9 mo.
And this applicant further declares that in the sum- mer of the year 1781 he again volunteered in said United States Service as a private Soldier in a Company of Rangers Commanded by Capt. Moses Gromans in Colonel Snyders Regiment of Kingston that for the term of Six Months

Wilhelmus France 6 months
he with the said Company met and was Stationed at the house of one Houghtaling in said town of Kingston a majority of their time but that they scouted and marched to various other places to in the towns of Kingston Saugerties Woodstock and frequently along the foot of the Catskill mountains being the frontiers of the County of Ulster and Greene as a guard to protect the inhabitants from the incursions of the Tories and Indians and that he with the said Company continued in said Service untill on or about the first day of January 1782 - and was discharged in the town of Kingston receiving no written discharge making the full term of six months or more
And further declares that the reasons he has not made application before is because he was informed that it was necessary to appear in court to which he was unable and was in hopes that he might be able at some future day but has not since nor is there any prospect of his recovery he has been induced to send for Judge Wynkoop
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he answers
1 st That he was born in the town of Saugerties County of Ulster State of New York 5 th of April A.D. 1761 2 d " " has a record of his age in his family Bible 3 d " " he lived at the time of the revolutionary war lived there since and now lives in said town of Saugerties 4 th " " he always volunteered 5 th " " he knew no other officers save those stated in the above declaration 6 th " " he has had no written discharge nor any documentary evidence 7 th " " he knows Hezekiah Wynkoop Tobias Wynkoop Egrie Zakhariah Boeker Harlow

Perkins Jeremiah Russell Esquire Post Master all res- pectable inhabitants of his neighborhood who can testify to my character for truth and veracity and their belief of my services as a revolutionary Soldier —
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 any agency in any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day
year aforesaid before me
Cornelius Minkler
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of the County Court Courts of the County of Ulster
We John Crawford a Clergyman residing in the town of Saugerties and William Williard of the same town do certify that we are well acquainted with Cornelius Minkler who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age that he is reputed and be- lieved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we con- cur in that opinion
Sworn and Subscribed the day a and year aforesaid before me
John Crawford
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of the County Courts in for said County of Ulster
William Williard
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opin- ion 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 I do further certify that John Crawford who has signed the preceding certificate is a cler- gyman resident in the town of Saugerties County of Ulster and William Williard who has sign- ed the same is a credible person and a resident

of the same place and that their Statement is entitled to full credit —
Henry Wynkoop one of the Judges of the County Court of the County of Ulster
And I further certify that Cornelius Klinkler the said applicant through bodily infirmity cannot attend before
Henry Wynkoop
State of New York
Ulster County Clerk's Office S ir . I Jacob Snyder Clerk of the Court of Commonpleas of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the County of Ulster do hereby certify that Henry Wynkoop Esquire was on the day of the date of the forego- ing proceedings in the matter of the application of Cornelius Klinkler for a pension one of the Judges of the Court of Commonpleas of Ulster County and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Judge and verily believe his signatures to the foregoing pro- ceedings to be genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eight day of February 1834.
Jacob Snyder

1451 Peron  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1451
Caroline Minkler
Widow
Cornelius Minkler
Prin. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:—Vol. 50 , Page 47
[Arrangement of 1870.]

New York
Revolutionary
Cornelius Minkler
Suspended
Let. to Hon. C. Bode
May 28. 1834. —
let to Harry Wynn Koop
July 7 th 34
" " June C.H.W. 23 '35
" " " July 1 st " "
Act of June '32

Oyer & Terminer
In the matter of Caroline Munclear widow of Cornelius Munclear and
Application for his pension
State of New York
Ulster County ss. p:
Be it known that on the Thirtieth day of April one thousand Eight hundred and thirty four, at a Court of Oyer & Terminer, held at the court house in the Village of Kingston, in and for the County of Ulster and State of New York, before the Honorable Charles H. Ruggles Esquire Circuit Judge of the Second circuit and Abraham A. Dyer and Henry Wynkoop Esquires Judges of the County Court. It was satisfactorily proved that Cornelius Munclear late of the town of Saugerties in said County & State deceased a revolutionary soldier, died on the 6 th day of April 1834, leaving a widow named Caroline Munclear, of the age of twenty one years and upwards -
Given under my Hand & Seal of Office at Kingston this 30 th day of April 1834 -
Jacob Bryden Clerk of said Court and County
Caroline Munclear pension to be computed up to 6 th of April 1834 at the rate of $31.66 per Ann.

State of New York Secretary's Office
Certify that on the 27 th day of April 1781 Gilbert S. Livingston was duly appointed and Commissioned as a Captain in the Regiment of Levies raised for the immediate defence of the State whereof Albert Cawling was Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, as appears by the Minutes of the Council of Appointment of this State in this Office.
Given under my hand and the seal of this Office at the City of Albany the Seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty four
Rich d Campbell Dep t . Secretary

Cornelius Schuyler
New York.
28. June 1832.
Cornelius Schuyler
J. B. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington
PAID

Saugetia June 24 th 1834
Sir
Received from your Office the enclosed answer to the claims of Corndius Minkler for a pension via. of the Hon. C. Biddle House Representatives
And in reply have to say that if I understand the import of your communication on the subject, the Militia were not in service in which he alleges to have served unless supported by living witness which would be impossible to procure any more than what are appended to the application to his declaration
(That the applicant is now dead), that while living he knew of none alive to testify for him
That unless therefore these requisitions were complied with no part of his service could be allowed except the service performed under Captain Livingston which is eight months instead of nine
As it regards the Evidence now called for in support of services alleged to have been rendered in the Militia the widow of the deceased applicant is not in possession of any facts to prove the same nor do I know of any information on that subject called for in the printed instructions accompanying the returned application the instructions asked for was to know from the Secretary of State of New York whether Captain Livingston was duly appointed as an officer which information I believe was complied with, if however that part of the decision cannot be reversed. I still have one favor to ask with regard to the services rendered in Captain Mores Yeomans Co. for the term of six months at least which if I recollect right was supported by a credible witness and should your honor require any more testimony on the length of duty performed by Captain Yeomans as a Company of Rangers (so called) I can procure a dozen witnesses testify at least to support that part of his declaration and if you could not consistant with the regulations of the department allow the same without such testimony? before you pass on the claims of said Minkler You will please let me know
I am respectfully
Your obedient
Henry Wynkoop.
J. L. Edwards Esquire

Dear Sir
Enclosed are a few copies of poetry composed by an old lady on the banks of the Hudson and Delaware Canal which for elegance of stile may not perhaps not compare with some of the standing orators of the opposition yet I trust the author is in possession of as much patriotism as any of them please distribute them if you consider them worthy to our friends in the city and do not forget old Hick Hickory and little Nelly as their called with my best respects to them all and except of it yourself
I am respectfully
Your obedient Serv t
Henry Wykoff
P.S. do not forget Major Smith H.W.

Cornelius Minkler
006 Sept 7. Cor. Minkler NY.
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esquire Comm. of Pensions Washington City. —

New York Ulster County Cornelius Minkler deceased
Van Leuven Snyder
Henry Wynkoop Saugerties N.Y.

2 Sangerthurs August 31 st 1835
Sir
Your Communication of the first inst was received in due season relative to the claim of Cornelius Minkler deceased absence from home has prevented a reply in due season until now I feel gratified that the long and tedious Examination has at last been brought to a close however far different from any reasonable calculations which I regret much. It appears by referring to all the communications on the subject that the decisions have been made regardless of all former precedent for in the first place no respect has been paid to either declaration or affidavit because the applicant declared for more than two years Service as a private Soldier and produced affidavits of living witness of more than fifteen months besides proof of his general character from two or three respectable individuals. and when the papers were returned to you objected to all the Service except that under Livingston (which however would be reduced to 8 instead of 9 months) provided evidence from the Secretary of this State was produced of Capt Livingston as an officer which being complied with immediately and at which time the applicant died a certificate of his death and the name of widow was then procured and returned with the required proof with a request from me that a decision be not made unless the Service under Capt Yeomans was allowed as the testimony of a number of individuals could be furnished of the Service of Capt Yeomans as an officer and besides that the Department had already granted pensions to a number in that Service without any other proof the answer I received was that no pension could be allowed for that Service unless

Evidence was produced from the Secretary of the State of New York I repaired to Albany and with the assistance of Mr Campbell the Deputy a thorough search was made to no effect I then concluded to give directions to have the papers certificate made out for the service of Capt Livingston only but was fortunately neglected until last January I received the wish for Certif- icate through the expediency & politeness of Mr Campbell — I then concluded that sufficient Evidence was already procured for 14 or 15 Months. but instead of that I received a communication dated 23 rd of April last the purport of which was that more there was a prospect that more would be allowed that steps had been taken to procure the payrolls of Capt Osterhoutt H.B. — and now agreeable to the last decision instead of 14 or 15 months it is curtailed to 9 in I do not understand why it should be so in this case after having at a considerable Expense and trouble procured all the Evidence required by  sufficient decision of the department and when to my knowledge a number of pensions have been previously granted under both the service of Livingston and Yeomans without the aid of Evidence qui and in this case
However since you have come to the conclusion to allow only 9 Months & fifteen days from which I presume there is no change or varia- tion unless to reduce it to a shorter period for the service of Captain Livingston you first agreed to allow  eight Months and have now reduced it 3 Months I see no other Alternative but to to Except of the same hoping however you will pause and reflect that the little stipend belongs to the helpless widow of a veteran revolutionary Soldier and in whose name I pray you to make out the pension Certificate and thereby save further cost and direct the same to me
I also enclose a letter of Hobby's mead Cronously directed to me
I am respectfully your most obedient
Sir and
Henry Wynkoop
J. L. Edwards Washington

Apr. 17. N.Y. Cornelius Minkler
FREE
H. L. Edwards Esq. Pension Office Washington

Sir
Saugerties April 10 th 1835
The Bidaems called for to substantiate the claim of Cornelius Minkler deceased, and now his widow my the alleged Service of Six months in the S. York Levis in Moses Yeomans Company is herewith Enclosed and which I hope will be such as the department will deem sufficient to grant a pension to the poor Widow for 14 or 15 months Service & which is all the declarant has been able to prove by living witness, and Judging from the which have come under my observation I feel satisfied that the present case deserves all the lenity for which the department have been so慷慨 as the result you will please direct to me
A. L. Edwards Esq. Comr of Pensions Washington
I am respectfully your most obedient servant
Henry Weykoop

No 30.129 Cornelius Minkler
$31.66
Asst to Sec. State of N.S.
for Earnings
Admitted.
Private quo & 15 days
Certificate to be issued to Caroline Minkler, widow; claimant, to be computed at the rate of $31.66 up to the 6 th of April 1834
Hon C Bidwell House Reps N.S.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
22 March 1834.
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 subjoiined 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, shewing the Service of Cornelius Minkler
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 days 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
The applicant is referred to the Secretary of the State of New York for evidence that Capt Livington belonged to Col Paulings reg The said also...

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 inquiry 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 _____ 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 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.