Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22126, James Blakeslee, New York

SERVICE
New York
Blakely, James
NUMBER _____
S. 22126
CONTENTS

N o 11,156 Pennsylvania
James Blakeslee
of Crawford in the State of Penn s who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Wolf of the Reg t commanded by Col. Willett in the N. York troops time for 9 months & 20 days $32.85
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 32 Dollars 85 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of April 1833 and sent to David Dericks on Meadville, P a
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 65.70 Pemi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sep. 1833 16.42 $82.12
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book H. Vol. 5 Page 3

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Con- gress passed June 7. 1832, by James Blakslee
State of Pennsylvania Washington County ss. On this _____ day of November One thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Henry Shippen, President, Stephen Parlow & Robert Work, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, now sitting James Blakslee, ————— a resident of Bloomfield township in the County and State aforesaid aged sixty nine years on the twenty ninth day of May last — who being first duly sworn  affirmed according to law, took in his oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated, viz. That in the month of June 1779 orders were received from Cap- tain Stockwell commanding the garrison at Whitehall, at the head of Lake Champlain, to the Militia of Washington County New York, that the British fleet was coming towards the garrison and requested the Militia to turn out to assist in defending the the garrison — That the greater part of the Regiment commanded by Colo. — Williams marched to the garrison under the command of Major Armstrong. Applicant was in the company of Capt. Nelson in said Regiment — After they had been about five days at the garrison, a request was made for all or a part of the Militia men to volunteer for ten days longer, a number did so, and a- mong them was this applicant at the expiration of which time he with his comrades returned home, having been about fifteen days. That in 1781, in May or June, he went from Hebron in Washington County N. York in the company of Militia men commanded by his father Capt. David Blakslee, to North Granville near to Whitehall on Lake Champlain to assist the British and were supposed to be making their way up the lake for the

purpose of landing. They did not, however, land and the company returned after an absence of seven or eight days.
That in or about September of the same year he went from Hebron to Argus in Washington County with seven or eight men under the charge of Supt. Atkinson, a sergeant in the Company of Applicants, for the purpose of taking some Tories who were harbouring & committing injuries in the neighbourhood of the place. The men returned after an absence of seven or eight days. The Tories, to the number of fifteen were taken at the time by a party of men from Vermont.
That in the month of April 1783 he was drafted with a number of the militia living in Granville, Washington County and marched to Saratoga under the command of Captain Anthony Whipple. That after the company had been two months at Saratoga, he was put into the company of Captain Livingston, and marched to Salem Washington County with thirty men or less of the company under the command of lieutenant John Honsdale. That the company remained at Salem until in December following when it was marched to Ballston Saratoga County, New York, where it joined the remainder of the company under Captain Livingston, who had left Saratoga at or near the same time. That Lieut. Honsdale died, for Ballston. and after being there a few days the company with applicant was dismissed regularly after a service of nine months. There was no written discharge given to him or any of the company that he knows of at the expiration of the nine months. They were all anxious to return home without waiting for a written discharge, altho' the Captain told them he would give it. Neither has he any documentary evidence whereby to establish any of the foregoing facts. but some time in the year May 11 th 1825. he made proof in the Court of Common Pleas of Crowsford County of his services for the purpose of receiving a pension from the General Government: but in which he failed for the reasons set forth in the letter of J. L. Edwards of the War Department herewith attached. dated 23 rd June 1825.

Applicant states that he was acquainted with Major Scott who commanded a Regiment of regulars from New Hampshire, at Saratoga, the time he was there the two months before Spenser D. Major Scott was the commanding officer the time applicant lay there. The Regiment, however, to which he was attached was under commanded by Colo. Willet, but was at no time of his nine months service under his immediate command. The Colo. and previous commanders having been stationed at Fort Plain - about twenty miles below Utica on the Mohawk River. He was also well acquainted with Colo. Seth Warner of Connecticut & Colo. Herrick who commanded a Regiment company of Rangers in Vermont, in which was an uncle of applicant who received a slight flesh wound at the battle of Bennington in 1777.
Applicant states that he was born at a place called the "Nine Partners", Dutchess County, New York, in May 1763. That when he was near two years old as he has always understood it in the family of his father, the latter moved his family to Bennington Vermont, when he received an letter applicant was thirteen years of age. His father then started for Oneon River, town County of Middlesex, Burlington County Vermont, but owing to difficulties by the way, he returned to Bennington where he with applicant remained for near two years. In 1779 the family moved to Shelburn, Washington County, upon which in about a year after to Granville an adjoining town in said County. In 1801 Applicant moved from Granville to Genesee County, New York, where he remained until about forty years since when he moved to Bloomfield township - County of Crawford, where he has continued to reside ever since.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his not name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Had a record of his age in his Bible, written forty years ago - Has no written discharge.
Thomas Bloomfield Esq. & James Winders of Bloomfield township, Crawford Co. can prove his character. James Black, Lee Vernon in the Court 13 Nov. 1832 Henry Chapman

We Thomas Bloomfield and James Winder of Bloomfield township - County of Crawford, hereby certify that we are well acquaint- ed with James Blacklee who has subscribed hereto to the within declaration; that we believe him to be the age he states, that he is of quiet & tranquil in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion - We can also state that there is no clergyman residing nearer than eight or nine miles to Mr Blacklee that seldom preaches preaches in his neighbourhood, neither do we he attends the preaching of the clergy- man in our opinion & is not partially if at all acquainted with him - That Samuel Woodworth is dead about forty years, whose deposition taken in 1825 is now present
Sworn in open Court
13 Nov 1832
From H. Reynold Storky
T. Bloomfield
James Winder
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment; that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and lives as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that James Blacklee, Thomas Bloomfield, and James Winder, who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. - And it being proved that Sam Woodworth is dead, his deposition taken in this Court on 11 May 1825 is hereto annexed -
Certified - Nov 13 th 1832
Henry Shippman Pres.
Crawford County ss. I Edward A. Reynolds Clerk of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of Crawford County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Blacklee for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20 th of November A.D. 1832
Edward A. Reynolds Clerk

Crawford County Pa.
I solemnly came before Mr Henry Shippen President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Crawford County where before, the annexed application & examination purports to have been made. I AMES Bakesby, who in his affirmation  claim with say that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the year whether it was in 1782 or 1783 that he received the Wind Mountain Service specified, but he thinks believes it was during the last campaign of the Revolutionary war. Nor can he, for the same reason, be more particular as to the length of time he served at the other places places specified in his annexed petition, but he knows he must have served at the dif- ferent times as long as he has mentioned viz. in June 1779, fifteen days, in May & June 1781, seven days, and in September 1781, five days. For which and his other Wind Mountain Service he claimed a pension. Deponent further saith that he has no documentary evidence to estab- lish his service nor is there any one of whom he has a knowledge who can prove his service other than of the discharge discharge (Word- worth) attached to the application. And further saith not.
Affirmed
Subscribed
This 29 th day of January 1833.
At Meadville in the County of
James Bakesby
Henry Shippen President of Court
And now Jan'y 29 1833 the above deposition of James Bakesby has been & now is annexed by me to his original Petition & application for a Pension
Witness my hand & seal the day & year aforesaid
Henry Shippen President of Court

Crossing Creek
in the mouth of Pennsylvania
On the 11th day of May 1825 personally appeared in open court of Common Pleas of Centre County, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being a true copy of the trial of civil causes, as established by the two acts entitled "An act to establish and to extend the jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the trial of civil causes, and to alter the mode of trial in some cases" and "An act to alter the time of holding the courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the trial of civil causes," passed March 20th 1811, the 1st of May 1820 & the 1st of March 1825 that he the said James Blahsted enlisted for the term of nine months at the fort of Fort Mifflin 1782 in the State of New York, in the company commanded by Captain Anthony Wolfe, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Walter, in the line of the State of New York, in the Continental establishment; that he continued in said company for about two months, & was afterwards transferred into the company commanded by Captain Livingstone, and continued in said company until the expiration of his enlistment, when he was discharged from the said service in the State of New York. And I do hereby solemnly swear that I was a true and citizen of the State of United States, on the 18th March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner, dispose of any property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it or to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land or naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, passed March 3rd 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me; (nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed by me subscribed)
Sworn to subscribed in open court of Common Pleas of Centre County, the 11th day of May 1825 James Blahsted
James Blahsted

"Schedule of property belonging to James Blackshe"
50 acres of land in the county of ... which I have frequently offered for one dollar per acre, but cannot get any person to purchase it. I am totally out of the means of having it improved or cultivated. And as far as the title I have to it is what is commonly called a Massieu sale title for taxes, and am not certain that I shall ultimately hold it. One other five year old - two cows - one two year old heifer - one year old heifer - three sheep - house held a furniture not exceeding the value of five dollars, in the way of bedding and clothing. I owe about $20. to different persons. There is nothing and none of any consequence - My family consists of myself, wife & three daughters, the eldest is upwards of twenty years of age, the other two who are twins will be soon ten in height. I have also a grandson of four years old living with me. I have been by occupation a farmer, but have not the means of earning a farthing by it, being sickly for the last two years & unable to give help, and unable to assist by my country must depend on public or private charity for support.
"James Blackshe"
Sworn to & subscribed in presence of James Cookson, Clerk, County of ... the 11. May 1825.
James Cookson Clerk
"Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
On the 11 May 1825 personally appeared in open court of the ... James Woodworth who having been duly sworn according to law did depose & say, that in the Spring of the year 1822 he knew James Blackshe the foregoing applicant for a pension, to enlist in the Company Virginia Militia by him & subsequently known to him as a soldier in the service of the said James Blackshe, he having been about nine or ten months after his enlistment. This deponent has a brother now deceased, the name of Joseph Woodworth who enlisted in the same Company Virginia Militia about the same time that James Blackshe

aid, and he turned with him after their discharge from the Service of the Western States. I have always known the said James Blake to be an honest and a right man and have the fullest confidence in any statement he might make
"Given testimony in open Court at Green Bay in place of Carmel County the 17th day of May 1825"
James Carlson Clerk.
"Daniel Woodworth"

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension,
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application,
Remarks:

Carey Mich.
Revolution 22 126 INVALID.
May 20/44 Hds. to Gen. W. H. Columbus, Ohio. 1910 Sept. cc Hist. to Mrs. M. B. Martin. P.M.
File No. 22,196
James M. ...
1812 ...
Act: ...
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 41
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Return Chen
Am
9 mos 26 ds. $32.85-
David Snickson Meadville Pa

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
James Blacklee further proof or explanation.
which require
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He in one declaration he states that he entered in 1782 in the other in '83. V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? He has not of his militia services. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

War Department, Pension Office, June 23 d 1892.
Dear Sir,
The claim of James Bleaklee to a pension, on account of revolutionary service, has been examined, and I have to inform you that it is inadmissible, the service set forth in his declaration not having been on the continental establishment. Col. Willet under whom he states to have served, commanded State Troops. The papers in the case will remain on our files agreeably to the regulations of the Department.
I am respectfully,
Yours truly,
J. L. Edwards
James Cochran Esq.
W. McMillan,
Pennsylvania

PENSION OFFICE U. S. SEP 15 1910

WESTERN DEPARTMENT
ESTABLISHED 1894
ERIE, PENNA
J. F. DOWNING, General Agent.
W. B. FLICKINGER, Asst. Genl. Agt.
W. S. FOSTER, 2nd " "
MATT B. MARVIN, Agent,
FREEPORT, ILL.,
Sept. 13-1910
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
My Dear Sir: I find I
asked you to give me pension record of David Blakeslee. Instead the Blakeslee referred to is James Blakeslee - and he drew a pension at the time in Meadville Pa. for services in American Revolution. Will you kindly look up this old soldier's pension and send me data - Thank you for services already given me.
Sincerely Yours,
(Mrs) M. B. Marvin.

Act.
3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by A. Mar 8, 19/9/10
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant Meadville (Crawford Co.)
Soldier James Blakeslee
Service Pa.
Additional Service Rev.
No _____ claim, State records _____, 191_____
No claim, combination records _____, 191_____
REMARKS:
Inv. F. 22, 126

GOVERNOR
JOHN MCKINLEY OFFICE OF THE STATE OF OHIO

STATE OF OHIO. OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
COLUMBUS, April 22-1895.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
James Blakeslee, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, served in the New York Continental Line and was put on the pension rolls April 2-1832, when he resided in Pennsylvania. Will you please give me a record of his service? This record is required to enable one of his descendants to become a member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Respectfully,
T. H. Hury Asst. Adjutant General.