Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,251, William Bloss, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Bloss, William
S 122 51
carded
CONTENTS

SELECTED RECORDS
New York 14.496
William Blofo
of Columbia in the State of N.Y. who was a Musician in the Coln'ty. commanded by Captain Dogert of the Reg't. commanded by Col Livingston in the N.York line for 3 Months Musician 10 " " Private
Enscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 44 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of May, 1833 - and sent to J.M. Fairfield Hudson City N.Y.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833. $88.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833. 22.17 $110.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk Book 60 Vol. 4 Page 45

State of New York
Columbia County } On this 28 th day of Novem- ber 1832, personally appeared in Open Court now sitting, before the justices of the justices court of Hudson, County aforesaid William Blos, a resident of Poughkeepsie in said County, aged Seventy two years of age who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he was born in the month of March of the year 1760 in the town of Livingston county aforesaid. That his only record of his age is the family Bible now in his possession. That he resided in said Livingston till the beginning of the Revolution. That about the first of May of the year 1776 he enlisted in the company of his uncle, Capt. Isaac Rockefeller, of the Regi- ment of Col. Peter Livingston, as a musician for three months. Marched first to Albany & thence on to Fort Edward where the troops were stationed. He does not recollect any other officers. He played on the fife, & was in actual service till some time in August, when the company was discharged & he returned home. Again some time in the month of September following he joined a company of Rangers under Capt. Marcus Platner to apprehend some Tories, who had formed themselves into companies & to carry them to prison at Redhook. A dwelling house now occupied by Rev. Mr. Kittle, was then the prison. There they had to stay & guard the prisoners. & in the latter part of November

they marched them to Rhinebeck, & they, the prisoners were then put on board the prison ships stationed there. He then returned in said company to Germantown, to a place of Dutch Johnson's where the Committee sat to try the prisoners as they were brought in. There they were stationed to guard the Court till some time in January of 1777, being in actual service this time four months. They were then discharged from actual service, but directed to be in constant readiness for any alarm. During this four months service they acted under the direction of Col. Livingston aforesaid.
Again in March, he thinks, the latter part in the year 1777, he was ordered out in a company to go South & assist in building a chain across the River at West Point. He thinks they were commanded by Minot Bogart, & ordered out by said Col. Livingston. When they arrived at Redhook they were ordered to cut down the largest pines upon the Bank of the River & roll them into the River to be floated down. They did so, & were so employed till they reached Hottsbury near Poughkeepsie. They were then discharged near the last of April having been in actual service one month at this time.
Again about the first of June 1777, he entered the company of Capt. Deake Rockefeller aforesaid & marched through Albany to Bemis' Heights. There they were stationed till the first of August when, he with the company were duly discharged & he came home. He staid a week & was again

ordered out in the company of Capt. Marcus Platner & marched to Stillwater. While there he was out on a scout, & on his return the battle with Burgoyne had commenced. He & the company were discharged & returned home about the first of November, same year, having been in actual service this time five months. And this applicant further says that in all said service, he was engaged thirteen months. That he always served as a private, and a volunteer; never had any written discharge & has no documentary evidence. That since the war he has lived where he now lives; that in consequence of loss of men he cannot mention the names of any other officers than those stated above. That he cannot find any living witnesses other than those whose testimony is herewith forwarded. That he hereby relinquishes all claim to any pension or annuity except the present & that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. That he would refer the Department to Edwin Holmes, a clergyman & Friend Sheldon, who can testify to his character for truth & sincerity & his reputation as a soldier of the Revolution
Willett Bales
Subscribed & sworn to
The day & year aforesaid
John D. Parker clk

We Edwin Holmes a clergyman residing in Livingston  admiral & Friend Sheldon residing in Sag Harbor aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the aforesaid William Bliss. That we believe him to be seventy two years of age, & that he is united & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion Subscribed & sworn to this 28th day of Nov 1832 Edwin Holmes Pastor of the Church Livingston Friend Sheldon Justice of the peace
Personally came before me the above named Edwin Holmes and subscribed to the above and made oaths to the same - Friend Sheldon justice of the peace
I do hereby certify that the above Friend Sheldon did subscribe and swear to the above certificate before me this 28th day of November 1832 - Henry Augustus of the peace

20395
William Blofs Columbia county New York
J. W. Fairfield Hudson city New York
Mr. Blofs and Mrs. Blofs

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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 William Blops, Columbia county, New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1776 3 musm Capt. Rockfetter Col. Allen Livingston Albany 72   4 private Cpt. Platner do. Fort Edward Livingston co. New York tradition   Drafted 1777 1 Capt. Bogaert do. Redhook two credible witnesses prove his services.   5 Capt. Rockfetter Capt. Platner Saratoga Chimbach Germantown West Point Bemis Heights Ticonderoga  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. 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.
J. G. [unintelligible]

Rev. Wm
12257 INVALID.
Rev. Wm
File No. 12, 257
William Bloss Musian. Rev. Wm
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 36
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Application of William Blop 20395
W. Fairchild
I affirm that the contents of the foregoing book represent the entire facts of the above and that the original holdings of said bank in the hands of the administration for William Blop for a dividend
Witness my hand at date of this act as a true copy of the original
John D. [unclear] atty

I Henry Avery residing in the town of Taz- -kanee in the County of Columbia & State of New York - do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with William Black of the town of Tazkanee in the County & State - and have been for about forty years, and believe him to be about seventy years of age or upwards - and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity, and have heard him say that he was in the Continental Service, at the northward, at the time that Burgoin was taken &c. and do believe him what he has told me on that subject to be true Henry Avery - Justice of the peace
28 November 1832 -
I do hereby Certify that the above has been subscribed and sworn before me the day above written
Frederick Sheldon Justice of the peace
I certify that the above named Henry Avery is a man of good moral character & of truth & veracity - Frederick Sheldon

State of New York
Columbia County } ss I Joseph D Monell Clerk of the County aforesaid, do certify that Henry Avery before whom the preceding affida- vits purport to have been sworn, & Friend Sheldon before whom one affidavit preceding & one subsequent purport to have been sworn were at the date of the same, are justices of the Peace, in & for said County; and that I am acquainted with each of their hand writings & verily believe their respective names subscri- bed to said affidavits to be their proper hand writing designating — Witness my hand & seal of Office this thirtieth day of November 1832
J. D. Monell

State of New York } Samuel Timbrook of the State Columbia County } County of Town aforesaid do hereby Town of Livingston } certify that in the years 1776 and 77- I was a major in Col. Peter R. Livingston's Regiment in the Town aforesaid and that I did do services in the Revolution war in the years above mentioned and that I really believe that that William Blos was attached to the Regiment which had the command of at the time of taking burgine and I know that Col. Rockefeller was capturing and I believe that Rockefeller's company in 76 in summer went up to Fort Edward I know that there was a guard kept at Dutch Johnson's in Clamont and believe that Mark, Platner had the command of the guard Rangers and knows there was a company that went down the river towards west point to cut pine logs to affix the chain across the river at west point and further I certify that I have been acquainted with William Blos some for a number of years and I do really believe that has done the services in the Revolution war as he has stated in his affidavit
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid 28 th day of Nov. 1882
Samuel Timbrook
Friend Sheldon Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Timbrook who has sworn to the above affidavit, & that he is a man of truth & veracity & of good moral character
Friend Sheldon

And the said Court here by declare their Opinion, after an investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named William Blos was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states, & the Court further certify that they are well acquainted with Edwin Holmes & Friend Sheldon who have subscribed & sworn to the preceding certificate. That the said Edwin Holmes is a clergyman residing in the town of Livingston & the said Friend Sheldon a justice of the Peace residing in the town of Tazewell, that both are credible persons & their statement entitled to credit
J. M. Fairfield
J. M. Clegg Clerk
Application of William Blos 20395
J. M. Fairfield
I John D Parker Clerk of the justices Court aforesaid do certify that the above contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William Blos for a Pension
Witness my hand & seal of Office this 30 th day of Novem ber 1832
John D Parker Clerk