Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 690, Philip Becannon, French

SERVICE
NUMBER
French
Becannon, Philip Jane
R. 690
also
Mar of 1817 - N.Y. Mil.
New York residence of widow in 1852.
CONTENTS
{ B.L. # 83890-40-50 Papers within Mar 9 1817
✓ W

159006 Nov 17/52 Lane Becannon wid of Philip Becannon dec'd Prior Seryt Capt Chapman Col
Cur ... 1812 } 1812 dis ... 1812 40 acres ...
3. In, appearing 1853 Philip Becannon served in Capt Chapman Company from the 2. Reg't to the 3. Reg't N.Y. Gallahes For 3rd P.M. Gregor A.S.P. 290 Broadway N.Y.
25. A. James Chesterman
120. C. Jones 134. D. Eastman
2 Sept 1814 to 3 Dec 1814
(Ad.) Warrant 83.890 Yrs March 9/53
Vol 935 p 14

Application of Jane Becannon for a pension, under Act of 1848.
P. McGregor Atty. 290 Broadway New York

State of New York; City & County of New York. }
On this nineteenth day of November, one thousand eight hundred & fifty two, personally appeared before a justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York — Jane Becannon, a resident of New York City, aged eighty three years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed July 29th. A.D. 1848.
She declares that she is the widow of Philip Becannon, who was a private or orderly sergeant in the brigade or body of troops that came to the United States in the year 1777, with the Marquis de la Fayette, that he served in the revolutionary army from that time till the close of the revolutionary war, & that he took part in the actions at Yorktown, which resulted in the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. For proofs of her husband's services as aforesaid, she refers to the records in the office of the pension department at Washington, & the affidavit of Cornelius Bogart, attached to her application for bounty land, under the Act of 1850, now on file in that office.
She further declares that she was married to the said Philip Becannon, in the spring of the year 1794 or 1795; that her husband the aforesaid Philip Becannon died in the month of March, A.D. 1822; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the

seconds of January, eighteen hundred, viz. at the time above stated, for proofs of which she refers to the affidavits attached to her said application for bounty land.
She further swears that she is now a widow, & that she has never before made any application for a pension.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written before
James I. Roosevelt Justice of the Supreme Court
her Jane X Becannon mark

State of New-York, City and County of New-York, } ss.
I, GEORGE W. RIBLET, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That James D. Roosevelt whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New-York residing in the said City, elected and sworn, and duly authorised to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court, the 19th day of November 185 2
George W. Ribblet Clerk.

151 2006 Application of Jane Becannon, widow of Philip Becannon, for Bounty Land, under Act of September, 1850
P. McGregor Atty. 290 Broadway New York

State of New York, } ss. County of New York. }
On this twenty second day of October, one thousand eight hundred & fifty two, personally appeared before me, a Commissioner of Pleadings within & for the county & state aforesaid, Jane Becannon, aged eighty three years, a resident of the city of New York & state aforesaid who, being duly sworn according to law, de- clares that she is the widow of Philip Be- cannon, deceased, who was, as deponent believes a color or orderly sergeant in the independent corps known as the Seventy Sixes , commanded by Captain Chapman, (which corps was com- posed, at the time referred to, of men who had served in the Revolutionary war, and was not, as deponent believes, attached to any regiment,) in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18 th day of June, 1812; that her said husband volunteered or enlisted at the city of New York in the year 1812, month not recollected, & continued in actual service in said war for the term of two years or upwards, ac- cording to the best of deponent's recollection and belief, & was honorably discharged at the city of New York.
She further says that she was married to the said Philip Becannon in the city of New York about the year 1795, the month not recollected, by a minister from the state of New Jersey.

whose name deponent does not recollect, and that her name before her said marriage was Jane Bogert. Deponent further says that a private record of said marriage, in a family Bible, was lost in a fire about the year 1808, & that no other record thereof exists to her knowledge. She further says that her said husband died at New York city in the month of March, 1822, & that she is still a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act granting bounty lands to certain officers & soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States, passed September 28 th 1850.
Signed in presence of { L. H. Stryker } her Jane Bogerton mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year, above written
Henry Carrington Comm. of Secy

State of New-York, City and County of New-York, } ss.
I, GEORGE W. RIBLET, CLERK of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for the said City and County, being a Court of Record, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Henry Camerden Jr before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds for said City and County, duly appointed and sworn, and authorised to administer oaths to be used in any Court in said State, and for general purposes; and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, the 16 day of Nov 185 2 .
Geo W Riblet Clerk.
I am personally acquainted with Vulter, who made oath and subscribed her name to the above affidavit, and that

State of New York, } county of New York. } ss.
Be it known that on this twenty second - day of October, A.D. 1852, personally appeared before me, a commissioner of Deeds in and for said county & State, Gertrude Vultee, a resident of said county, aged sixty four - years who being duly sworn according to law, states on her oath, that she was personally & well acquainted with Philip Becannon, de- ceased, and Jane Becannon, who made the annexed declaration, that the said Philip intro- duced deponent to the said Jane as his wife in the year 1811, & that deponent continued from that time till the death of Philip Be- cannon, which took place in the year 1822, on terms of close intimacy with them, & knew them to live together, during that interval, as husband & wife, in good repute & up to the time of Philip Becannon's death as aforesaid.
G. Vultee
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 22 nd day of October, A.D. 1852
Richd. Mack R (Commissioner)
I the said commissioner, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Mrs. Gertrude Vultee, who made oath and subscribed her name to the above affidavit, and that

State of New York } County of Rockland }
Be it known that personally appeared
before me a justice of the Peace in and for said County some time ago a resident of said County, aged eighty- five years who being duly sworn by me according to law states on his oath that he was personally acquainted with Philip Beman, dec. and Jane Beman his wife who made the annexed declaration and that he knew them to be his together as husband and wife in good faith from about the year 1795 until the death of the said Philip Beman which took place about the year 1822, a period of about 27 years and further, that he has understood and believes that the said Philip Beman served both in the Revolutionary war and in the war of 1812 from to and including } before me this 11 th day of } November 1852 John J. Schenck } Justice of the Peace Cornelius X Beman mark
I the said justice do certify that I am well acquainted with Cornelius Beman who made oath and subscribed to me to the above affidavit and that he is a credible witness
John J. Schenck Justice of the Peace
Nov 6, 1852
Walter J. Smith
is a highly respectable and unexceptionable credible witness

State of New York } p. County of Rockland }
Be it known that personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Cornelius Bogart a resident of said county, aged eighty-five years who being duly sworn by me according to law states on his oath that he was personally acquainted with Phillip Becannon, dec. and Jane Becannon his wife who made the annexed declaration and that he knew them to live together as husband and wife in good repute from about the year 1795 until the death of the said Phillip Becannon which took place about the year 1822, a period of about 27 years and further, that he has understood and believes that the said Phillip Becannon served both in the Revolutionary war and in the war of 1812
Sworn to and subscribed } before me this 11 th day of } November A.D. 1852
Cornelius his X Bogart mark
John D. Hersey J.P. Justice of the Peace
I the said Justice do certify that I am well acquainted with Cornelius Bogart who made oath and subscribed his name to the above affidavit, and that he is a credible witness
John D. Hersey J.P. Justice of the Peace
(Mirrored text from the reverse side of the page) is a highly respectable and unsworn truly credible witness John D. Hersey Justice of the Peace

State of New-York, } ss. City and County of New-York, }
I, GEORGE W. RIBLET, CLERK of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for the said City and County, being a Court of Record, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Charles Burdett before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds for said City and County, duly appointed and sworn, and authorised to administer oaths to be used in any Court in said State, and for general purposes; and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, the 16 day of Novr 185 7
Geo W Riblet Clerk.
ms
with mem
I the said justice do certify that I am well acquainted with Comdr. R
November 1852 John Schenck
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of
November 1852

State of New York } County of Rockland } ss
John E Hogenkamp Clerk of said County do hereby certify that John A Verbruggen is a Justice of the peace in & for said County and that the signature to the within purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this Eleventh day of November 1852
John E Hogenkamp Clerk

Decision of the Court. affirmed - Power decis. Aug 11/53
Decision of the Court affirmed - See letter to P. Mcgregor 11/11/53
Hon. G. W. Jones U.S. Sen. M. H. C.
No 1214
Dear Brother and of Philip NY
Mcgregor Apr 27/53
Rejected. James Anna La Fayette Feb 20/53
690
1853
not yet

1- copy of letter Bickell within M.P.W.
Ex'r.
INVALID.
REJECTED
James DeCamio P.O. _____
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P.O. _____

85.
New York
May 5. 1853
P. M c Gregor
Rel. to the application of Mrs. Irene Underwood of Philip Becannon for Pension under act of 29 July 1848.
Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions for Report G. M. Huntington Dept. Int. L. May 7/53
Col. Niles
May 9/53

New York, 290 Broadway, 5 th May 1853. Hon. Robert M c lelland, Sec y of the Interior.
Sir,
Mrs Jane Becannon, of this city, the widow of Philip Becannon, who served in the Revolutionary War, applied for a pension, under the act of 24 th July 1848. The application has been rejected by the Commissioner of Pensions, on the ground that "there is no provision under the Pension Laws for any but the Staff Officers who served under La Fayette." I respectfully submit that the applicant is entitled to a pension under the act mentioned: for it provides for the widows of all who "have served in the continental line, State troops, volunteers, militia or in the naval service, in the revolutionary war with Great Britain." This appears to include the case of those who served under Lafayette. For they arrived here in 1777, long before any treaty was made with France; & their leader was admitted to the rank of major general by Congress. I do not therefore see that his soldiers should not be classed with those of the line. If it should be decided that they did not rank with the line, then I maintain that they must be classed with volunteers: for they were not any part of the troops sent out under the treaty with France in 1778. They

were therefore volunteers in the strict sense.
If we look to the object of Congress, it does not appear that any such invidious distinction was drawn, or designed to be. The language is so general that it appears designed to include all who served in the revolutionary war, & certainly those who served under Lafayette were as well entitled, in justice, as any others, as they came from abroad to aid us in securing independence when they might have kept themselves where the war would not have affected them.
I respectfully call your attention to this case; and if requisite, pray that the opinion of the Attorney General may be taken on the subject. If such a distinction as that contended for by the Commissioner of Pensions really exists, the sooner it is abolished the better for the sake of justice & humanity. Steps must be taken to have the defect remedied by future legislation. The present case shows the injustice of the distinction. Becannun became naturalized, & lived & died here; this widow is now entirely destitute. She received her sustenance from her son, P. Becannun Jr. till he lost his sight recently. He is now unable to assist her; & she is wholly dependent on old friends.
Your most Obedt P. McGregor

Hon. G. M. Jones.
March 16/54
711

Pension Office March 16. 1834.
Sir.
In reply to the request contained in your letter of the 8 th inst. I herewith enclose you a copy of the petition filed by Mrs Jane Becamon, of NYork, it being the only paper filed in the case. There was no evidence submitted as the case was rejected upon statements contained in the declaration itself. The claim was rejected by this office upon the ground that the acts of 1832 and July 29 1848. did not include within their provisions the foreign troops engaged in our revolutionary war. The act of June 7 th 1832 provides that "each of the surviving officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians soldiers and indian spies who shall have served in the Continental line, or State troops, volunteers or militia" shall receive &c. The provisions of the act of July 29. 1848, are precisely similar, and the query is, do these provisions embrace the foreign troops employed in our revolutionary struggle? If they are embraced at all, under which class would they fall? Surely, they could not be classified as Continental troops, State troops, or militia. These classes are well understood and defined. Can they then be classed with the Volunteers? - I think not. They possessed none of the requisites of a Volunteer force but were troops regularly enlisted in France, paid by France, and commanded

by Officers commissioned by France. They came to our assistance under treaty stipulations with that government, and that Government received the consideration therefor, and is alone responsible to her soldiers for pensions or bounty. I would beg to leave to refer you to the case of Major Pollerestky, who was commissioned by Louis, April 1. 1780, as Major of Foreign Troops, and who received a pension from our government by a Special Act of Congress, passed May 20. 1830 - as evidence of the fact that the foreign troops were under the pay and Officers, of their own governments and were not recognized as a part of our military establishment. But it may be asked, why does the 3 d section of the act of June 7. 1832, exclude foreign troops Officers if the first section embraces no foreign troops? The answer is that many foreign Officers had been placed in command of the American forces - had been incorporated into the Continental line and would thus have been embraced by the first section had they not been excluded by the third. Such has been the construction given to the act of June 7. 1832, by both the Executive and Legislative Departments of the government and a construction which I think entirely correct. You ask my opinion as to the merit of this class of cases. In reply thereto I would suggest that each case case should stand upon its own merits when

presented to Congress, and that no general law be passed in relation to them. I have &c.
Hon Geo. W. Jones Ch m Committee Pensions W. S. Senate.
A. H. Evans

P. M. Mc Gregor Aug. 16. 1873

Pension Office August 16, 1833
Sir,
The decision of this office in the case of Sarah Becannon, widow of Philip Becannon, of New York, an applicant for a pension under the act 29 July 1848, has been affirmed by the Secretary of the Interior.
P. McGregor, Esq. 299 Broadway, New York
Res

An  Bunny  Case

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
APRIL 25, 1854.—Ordered to be printed.
Mr. SEWARD made the following
REPORT.
The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Jane Beccannan, report:
That the petitioner alleges in her petition that she is the widow of Philip Beccannan, who served under the Marquis de Lafayette in the revolutionary war. She applied in 1852 to the Pension Bureau to be placed on the pension rolls, but her application was rejected by the Commissioner, on the ground that her husband was a foreign soldier, for whom no provision was made in the general statutes. Upon appeal to the Secretary of the Interior, the decision of the Commissioner was confirmed. In the past legislation upon this subject, care has been taken, in express terms, to exclude foreign soldiers serving as our allies in the revolution from the provisions of the pension and bounty-land laws; probably because, being in the employ and pay of a foreign power, they were entitled to all the benefits of the laws of that power providing bounty and pension for its army. For this reason, also, a general bill providing for such is deprecated by the Commissioner; nor do your committee think it would be expedient to provide by special legislation for particular cases. They therefore recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be rejected.

o/s/w Department of the Interior Washington Augt 13. 1853
Sir:-
Your decision in the case of Jane, widow of Philip Becannon, has been affirmed, and the papers herewith returned to you.
Respectfully Your Obs. Servt Wm Lloyd Secy
Hon L. P. Moulds Commissioner of Pensions

Dec. 29. 87.
Bureau of Pensions.
Respectfully returned
with the information that as the former file was not advised the Bu- reau is unable to identify the soldier name. The name of his Captain, the State from which he enlisted and the time in which he must have been enlisted.
(R) 690
Jane Becanon widow of
Philip Becannon Revolution war
No warrant issued
Dec. 19. 1887
WLB
Mr Prior.
Please see whether you can find a claim for pension.

Bureau of Pensions.
Capt. Cook
Heirs claim that they find a claim for homestead about 1850 or 55
1855 Registers searched Can find no apt. Dec. 22, 1887 yrlb