Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,140, Thomas Burt, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Burt, Thomas.
8 23 140
CONTENTS

BURT, THOMAS (NY) S - 23140

to 3 d Auditor 16 th March 1842
Paid at the Treasury under the Act April 6 th 1838 from 4 th September 1839 to 16 th March 1841. Agent notified April 16 th 1842
Let to Mr. A. Davis 8 th May 1844 - J. B. Hughes same date - Dead
Paid at the Treasury as above from 4 th March to 24 th July 1842. Agent Notified, 4 th June 1844
Many 31023
Thomas Burt
Albany Co. in the State of N. York was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Blair of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brardoley in the N.Y. militia line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of March 1837 and sent to J. Robinson Elmira, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4 th of March '37. 120.00 Semimont. allowance ending 1 st Sep. " 10.00
$130.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E-2. Vol. 4 Page 6

At a Special Court held pursuant to the Regulations of the War department in such case made and provided before the Hon. Grant B. Darrow first Judge of Tioga County in the State of New York at the dwelling House of Thomas Burt in the Town of Chemung in the said County and by adjournment at the House of John G. McCowell Esquire in the same Town on the second day of October 1832.
State of New York
Tioga County ss On this 2 nd day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Judge before named who is the first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tioga and State aforesaid which is a Court of record because made so by the Laws and Constitution of the State having by Law a Clerk and Seal, Thomas Burt a resident of the Town of Chemung, County and State aforesaid Aged eighty years the twenty sixth day of May last 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 June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following

97 5 + Named officers and served as herein stated. About the first of April 1776 he enlisted in the Company of Captain William Blair in the Orange County Militia in the State of New York in the Regiment of Col. Beardslee of Warwick in the same County for the term of nine months and was marched on to Long Island where he remained till after the battle and the retreat of the American Forces which he thinks took place in August in all which he took an active part. He was then at Harlem Heights, Kingsbridge and White Plains and in the engagements at those places; he was then stationed at New Windsor on the North River where he remained till the expiration of the term and for two months longer; he was then dismissed and returned home about the first of March 1777. In May following he had to turn out voluntarily or stand a draft; he chose to volunteer in the Company of Captain John Wood of Goshen, Orange County aforesaid and in the same Regiment of Col. Beardslee; at this time he volunteered for no definite period but with an understanding that he should continue as long as the exigencies of the service should require. On these conditions he continued there forward in the service for upwards of five years with the exception of a short recess each winter to go home for a month or two. At different times during this service he was under the Com-

= Mand of Col. Hattorn who was Com- missioned a Brigadier Gen. towards the close of the War. His services were divided between the North River and the frontier of Orange County and the Delaware River; he was stationed at Fort Montgomery, at Newburg, New Windsor, Stoney Point, Haverstraw and West Point on the North River at different times; while at Haverstraw he was under the command of Col. Odell; he was sta- tioned at West Point about the time the Treason of Arnold was discovered which he thinks was in the year 1780. He was honorable dismissed the service in the fall of 1782 by Gen. Hattorn. He has no documentary evidence of his said services hither does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to them.
And in answer to the several interrogatories put to him by the Judge aforesaid he says that he was born in the Town of Warwick, County of Orange and State of New York on the twenty sixth day of May 1752; that he had a record of his age in his bible till within a few years and that he believes some of his children have taken it out to copy into theirs and is not positive where it now is, but he has no shadow of doubt but that his age is as above stated. That when he first entered the service as before stated in the year 1776 he lived in the place of his nativity, Warwick aforesaid.

That after the close of the Revolutionary war he continued to live in the same place till he settled at his present residence in Chemung where he has lived upwards of forty three years; that in all his services aforesaid he was a volunteer - That the names of some of the regular officers who were with the Troops where he served are Gen. George Clinton, Gen. James Clinton, Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Wayne, Gen. Hethorn, Col. Beardslee Col. Dubois and Col. Livingston and Col. Odell and their respective Regiments though his recollection in relation to the Troops is very indistinct at this late day; but the officers he paid more attention to at the time and are yet fresh in his remembrance -
That he never received any formal discharge from the service and that he would refer to the Hon. John G. McDuffee, Asahel Buck Esqrs Isaac Shepherd Jacob Locuman and Jacob Dief Esquires all of Chemung aforesaid and who are well acquainted with his reputation for truth and veracity and who can testify to their belief in the truth of the foregoing declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to an annuity or pension except the present and declares that his name is not on

5. the pension roll of the agency of any state Sworn to & subscribed on _____ the day and year } Thomas Burt aforesaid } J. B. Balcom First Judge Tioga Co }
We Jacob Lowman & John G. M c Donnell _____ both residing in the Town of Chemung, County of Tioga and State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Burt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty years of age and upwards; 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 & subscribed on _____ } Jacob Lowman the day & year aforesaid } J. G. M c Donnell J. B. Balcom First Judge Tioga Co.
And the said Judge doth hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- atories prescribed by the War Department that the above that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the said Judge further certifies that it appears to him that

there is no busy man residing in the immediate neighborhood of the said applicant and that Sarah Bowman & John G. Mc Dowell - who have signed the preceding Certificate are both residents of the Town of Chemung in this County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full credit. And the said Judge further Certifies that it appears to him that the above named applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity -
Oct. 2 d 1832.
J. B. Baldwin First Judge Tioga.
I Green M. Fithill Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tioga and State of New York do hereby certify that Grant B. Baldwin Esquire before whom the foregoing original proceedings have been had is the First Judge of the said Court and that the same is a Court of record; and that his signature annexed to the said proceedings is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 4 th day of October - 1832 -
Green M. Fithill

State of New York
Orange County
vs Catherine Finn being duly sworn did depose and say that she was then married with Thomas Brant, who is a Brother to her and was knowing of his being called out at several different times to do service in the militia in the Revolutionary War. Witness first recollection of her Brothers being called out to go New Windsor for and from that to Fort Montgomery, and the said Thomas Brant was Ensign under Captain William Blair, Commanded by Col. John Hathorn. Witness saith her husband Anthony Finn was out at the same time three weeks Witness recollects that Thomas Brant and her said Anthony Finn went in the winter after to Clinton and to Tappan and the English Neighbourhood. Witness does not recollect the time they were out Witness recollection of Thomas Brant being drafted for nine months. Stayed a few days obtained a substitute at that time and said said substitute who staid and performed the service for the nine months, as she witness was informed Witness recollection of her brother Thomas Brant being called out to go as a guard over some Hessian prisoners who were taken to Easton in Pennsylvania Witness does not recollection how long a time he was gone with the prisoners Witness recollection of her husband and Thomas Brant being called out at several different times at Minerva under the command of Col. John Hathorn in pursuit of the Indians Witness saith after that she moved from that place where she lived in Warwick but did not state that she was out at other times and further saith not Subscribed at Swann before me Catherine Finn
Nov 17 th 1875 A. M. Spencer Justice of the Peace

State of New York Chemung County }p
I the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in the Village of Elmina in and for the said County do Certify that I am well acquainted with the before named deponents William Winfield and Catharine Finn and that my place of Nativity was in the immediate neighborhood and that they are credible and reputable witnesses. Also that I am well acquainted with Ezerin Hous ton before whom the affidavits are taken and know him to be a Justice of the peace of that County and that the affidavits are in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 2 nd day of June 1836
John W. Wines Justice of the Peace Chemung Co N.Y.
State of New York
Chemung County Clerks office }p
I hereby certify that John W. Wines Esquire whose name is above subscribed was, at the date of the foregoing certificate and now is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned sworn and authorized by law to act as such. and that his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit. and that the signature of the said Justice above subscribed is genuine. Witness my hand and the Seal of said County the 4 th June 1836
J. Maxwell Dep Clerk Chemung Co

State of New York
Orange County ss Before me, an William Windfield who being duly sworn, deposes and says that that he was well acquainted with Thomas Burt in the time of the Revolutionary War, and that he deposes and says Thomas Burt, both Resided in the Township of Warwick in said County and that said Thomas Burt was Enrolled under Captain William Blair and that he deposes and was a private under the Command of said Thomas Burt and that he deposes was called out to do service under said Blair and said Burt to New Windsor and from there to Fort Montgomery. Under the Command of Col. John Hathorn about three weeks, in deponent's Recollection of being called out again in the Winter of after the summer under the Command of the above mentioned Major Poppers & Capt. John Rogers officers went to Closter Tappan and Hackensack and at the English Neighborhood and continued about three months Witness saith after that winter to the best of his Recollection went under the Command of the same officers to Easton in Pennsylvania to Guard the Prisoners belonging to the English about five weeks. Witness saith after that went called out to go to Tappan and Thomas Burt was in Company four weeks. Then afterwards called out and went to Middletown at several different times at least four months Witness Recollects of being out at an other time under Capt. David McCamy and Burt was along and went to Fishkill and stayed there about two months and Witness further saith Not Subscribed & sworn before William his Windfield M c Nov 17 th 1835 A. W. Houston Justice of the Peace

Aug 1872 IRVING, N.Y. JUL 20
Rev. John Wm. Trump Wae Appointment of his Petition of his Washington City D.C.
FREE

China July 25, 1836.
Hon. Geo. Wm. Brump
Sir, some weeks since I transmitted the testimony of two witnesses in support of the claim of Thomas Duct for a Pension, in which case evidence had been required. On the 27 th of last month I made out and sent to the department an abstract of the evidence of those witnesses which amounted to the proof of twelve months service at least. viz: William Winfield enumerates tours in which he was personally with the Claimant in the service that amount in the aggregate to twelve months; and Catherine Finn whose husband was a soldier and served part of the time with Duct corroborates nearly every tour proved by Winfield - These witnesses are certified by a Magistrate who has known them since his earliest recollection to be highly credible and reputable - After this the Claimant had every reason to expect that he would have been allowed half a Pension at least or for twelve months service, according to the proof with which he would be content owing to his extreme age and inability to hunt up his companions in the service to make further proof; but it seems that for some reason to us as yet unknown this evidence has not been allowed and I address this note to your honor expressly to solicit an allowance of that evidence to the extent of twelve months as stated in my view of the case of the 27 th ult. which is respectfully referred to, or to give me some reason why it is not
I have the honor to be Sir with great respect & esteem your obt. servt James Robinson

March 16
Madam Mum at Mr Luce
Jamess L. Edwards Guard of Paving Washington City
Dear

Chicopee March 7, 1839
Sir,
In your letter of the 14 th June last in relation to the claim of Thomas Burt for a Pension it is stated that "Upon the evidence presented the applicant will be allowed a pension for six months served as a private. If he should not be disposed to rest his claim there he must produce further and more satisfactory evidence before any thing beyond that term can be allowed."
The applicant has endeavored to find further and more satisfactory evidence but as yet has been wholly unable to do so and therefore prays that his Certificate may be forwarded urgently to the above decision —
I have the honor to be Very respectfully your Obedt Servt J Robinson
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm te of Pensions

Revolutionary
23140 INVALID.
File No. 23,140
Thomas But
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 57
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elmira Nov. 29, 1834.
Sir,
The state of this case is that the original declaration was sent back for a more detailed account of service. By reason of loss of memory the applicant made an aggregate amount agreeably to the note to the fifth year and was returned to the office again with the original declaration. This was decided to be unsatisfactory of which we had notice - He now forwards as detailed a statement as he is able to make out and wishes a Certificate as soon as the business will admit -
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your obedt. Servant J. Robinson
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm r of Pensions

Elmira, Tioga Co. N.Y. May 22, 1833.
Sir,
This old soldier has complied with the requisitions of the enclosed Brief and he would feel very thankful to Mr. Edwards to have his claim decided as early as possible -
I have the honor to be Sir, very respectfully Your obt. servant J. Robinson
The Honorable J. L. Edwards Commr. of Pensions

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 18 th 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Thomas Bark, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Navy Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 4 th March 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
Wood. L. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

New York
Rev.:
Thomas Burt
Suspended
see letter to
J. Robinson
5 August 1833. do. Nov. 20 '34
Act 7 June '32.
Ld. to James Robinson
June 14. 1836 -
Same July 7 1836.
" Aug 3 - "
" Sept 1 - "

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
May 10 th 1844.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The child n of Thomas Burt, dec d . a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N. York Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1842, to the 24 th July 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Elmira June 27 1836
Sir,
Your letter of the 14 th instant in answer to mine of the 1 st enclosing the evidence of William Winfield and Catherine Finn in the case of Thomas Burt is received and I cannot but suppose there must have been some misapprehensions in relation to the testimony — It appears that William Winfield was in the service with Burt as follows — First tour to New Windsor and Fort Montgomery three weeks in the summer under Capt Plain and Col John Hathorn — Second tour the next winter under same officers and capt John Wood and Majs Popino — Went to Glouster, Tappan, Hackinsack and at the English neighborhood three months — Third tour under same officers to Easton to guard prisoners five weeks — Fourth tour to Tappan four weeks — 5 th tour to Minisink at several different times at least four months — 6 th tour under capt David McCamly to Fishkill two months making according to this witness in the whole twelve months —
The testimony of Catherine Finn corroborates the two first tours in Winfield's evidence — she then states a draft of nine months — that the Claimant stayed a few days (in the service we suppose) obtained a substitute and paid him who staid and performed the service for the nine months — What rule the department have adopted in relation to this matter whether to allow the substitute or the soldier employing him I am unable to say; but if the latter then is this Claimant entitled to nine months more although he has forgotten to state it in his declaration as well as the two months under capt McCamly as stated by Winfield — Mrs Finn then corroborates the tour to Easton with the prisoners and also the several trips to Minisink against the Indians — In the whole

I feel confident that the Department on a little further examination of the case will be fully satisfied to allow him half a pension at least provided they give any credence to this evidence and it stands highly recommended by a Magistrate born and raised in the neighborhood of the witness. The claimant would not accept even of this were it not for his extreme age and consequent debility and loss of memory being now between eighty and ninety years of age and the great probability that his days are nearly numbered; and hence his total disability to go and converse in person with his comrades in arms concerning his services without doing which it is next to impossible to obtain evidence of their services in cases of the Militia full and positive evidence has not been required because there is no dependence to be placed upon the few remaining rolls of that portion of the service. —
I cannot close this brief statement without advertizing to what appears to me to be the whole ground of the decision contained in the letter before me - that "In 1776 there was a call upon the Militia of Orange, Westchester and Dutchess to serve five months - the act did not pass until the 16 July" - and that "a pay roll for the year 1777 shows that the claimant served 26 days only   at that time ". upon these facts I presume the conclusion for the six months allowance is arrived at without any reference to the evidence whatever - But I beg your honor to look one step further in the case - there is within my knowledge abundant evidence in the Department of enlistments of the Militia of those Counties early in the spring of 1776 for nine months and a year for the urgent purpose of defending the City of New York which the enemy appeared determined to take possession of on their evacuation of Boston in March of that year - the Continental Congress about that time

proposed a Resolution to reinforce the Army with 13,800 Militia all to be concentrated at that Port As to the pay roll alluded to it is proof of one tour of 26 days and nothing more - it is impossible to stretch it into a Negative of any other service - all which is respectfully submitted I have the honor to be Sir, very respectfully Your obed Servt James Robinson
The Hon. J. L. Edwards Court of Pensions

Elmira June 6 th 1836
Sir,
After some lapse of time this old soldier Thomas Burt has been enabled to procure what he considers ample evidence of his services in the Revolution or so far forth as to satisfy the department of the justice of his claim and that he is entitled to a full pension as a private in the Militia - His declaration, supplemental one and other vouchers have been on file some time and his case suspended on the ground that it was thought proof of service could be obtained
One circumstance attending the enclosed evidence needs perhaps a word of explanation - The Affidavits were written and taken by a justice of the Peace in Orange County and the credibility of the witnesses is certified to by a Justice of the Peace in this village who was born and brought up in the immediate neighborhood of the witnesses and who reads, on that account, the most proper magistrate to certify their reputation for truth &c. all which is respectfully submitted
Please accept the assurance of my high respect & consideration
James Robinson
For the Honorable J. L. Edwards Comm re &c.

Jan 21
free
The General J. L. Adams Camp of Pleasure Washington City
Gettysburg Pa

Elmira Jan. 16. 1839
Sir,
Thomas Burt has concluded at last to accept of the offer to allow him a pension of twenty dollars per annum - he has been endeavoring to procure other or further evidence to entitle him to a full pension or at least to half a one but is unable to find it -
I have thought and still think the evidence on file entitles him to half a pension at least but if your honor thinks different he will accept of a quarter or 20 dollars and therefore please send me a certificate for that amount -
Very respectfully your obedt. servt James Robinson
Hon. J. L. Edwards Court of Pensions

Elmira August 15. 1836.
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3 d instant in the case of Thomas Burt and feel very grateful that the reasons are given why the evidence of the two witnesses was not admitted to establish the claim as far as it goes; but please pardon me for a few remarks in reply for it is a rule in the courts of this state that whoever opens a cause has a right to close -
It appears that the reason why the evidence of Winfield is not admitted is because he says that the claimant was an Ensign in Capt. Plains Company , and that he witness served under him in that grade and that the payrolls of the company show that no officer of that name belonged to it, &c. I do not understand the witness to speak of Burt's being an ensign but in one tour of three weeks; for in the winter following he says they were under Major Popino and Capt John Wood. In this three weeks tour the claimant might have been chosen by the company temporarily to fill a vacancy or been appointed by a superior officer pro tem to fill that rank; and not having ever had a commission or not having been regarded as an Ensign in fact, was not so returned on the "pay rolls". He certainly never had any commission as such officer or he would have been sure to have stated it in his declaration in order to entitle him to that grade of pay for the time which, without he afterwards received a commission, he could not obtain. He (Burt) did receive a Lieutenants Commission about the close of the war but never did any duty under it and therefore made no mention of that neither - His having had this latter commission is a strong circumstance that he had born the rank of Ensign for the militia were very particular in rising by regular gradation as well as (merit)

The evidence of Mrs Finn it is said "cannot be received as proof of any definite term of service." This I admit but at the same time would apply it as the Hon. Secretary of War says it is applied in the case of the Regular Troops "Not that these witnesses should both certify from their personal knowledge to the actual service of the applicant, but that they should by direct or indirect circumstantial evidence confirm the account given by himself." And if this liberal construction is to be extended to the Regular Troops where there are rolls a fortiori it ought to be exercised towards the Militia where there are none to be depended on. Our Secretary of State at Albany (and I presume your honor is well aware of that fact) does not pretend that there are any regular muster rolls, pay rolls or returns of the Militia during that period now in the Archives of the State; that is, that they are not full and complete; and I should suppose that what are there are more calculated to mislead than direct a correct examination for the reason that a record of part of a subject may be construed into a negative of any thing further. I know of one Company of the Orange County Militia who served more or less every year during the whole war and were paid by the State for one tour only of about three months in '68 - Again, Mrs Finn says she is a sister to the claimant and I am aware that the evidence of relations is sometimes looked upon with a suspicious eye and in some cases perhaps very justly; but under the circumstances of this case I am inclined to give the more credit to her testimony on that account. Her husband as well as brother were both in the service under the same command - her quality would naturally be extreme in those perilous times to know where they were to march how long they were to be gone and what kind of service they were going to be put to; and

to embrace every opportunity during their absence to enquire if any thing had befallen them. Since the facts are made more durable in the memory than in one who has no interest or concern in the matter
Those two witnesses reside upwards of a hundred and fifty miles from this place. Neither myself nor the Claimant or any other person to my knowledge has had any communication with them as to what they knew in relation to the services in question. Had they been questioned more particularly as to some points perhaps more light might have been obtained; but further I doubt probably took down their testimony as they related it without asking any questions in explanation they are however certified to be highly respectable by a magistrate of this village who has known them as he says in his certificate since his earliest recollection. But as it is it must certainly come under at least the description of evidence called for by the regulations (page 7) in cases of the Militia of "Corroborating Circumstances." Besides, he has those "Circumstances" required in addition to those two witnesses. By reference to the original papers it will appear that this applicant was unable by reason of his extreme age (now in his 85 th year) and bodily infirmity to attend the court a distance of 172 miles from his residence where he has resided about 45 years. that the first Judge went to him and prepared his case - On that occasion Judge Mc Dowell then a State Senator who was born, raised and now lives within 100 rods of his old soldier's cottage under oath to the traditional history of his services and Jacob Lowman I think was the other witness who is one of the first settlers of the town and of course had been acquainted with Burt nearly ever since the revolutionary war. These are the "Corroborating Circumstances" to which the regulations above mentioned have reference. Finally permit me, Sir, to make one further

State of New York } Tioga County ss } Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Thomas Bust 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 follow- ing grades; for two years and three months I served as a Private and for such service I claim a Pension Sworn & subscribed } Thomas Bust this 21 st day of May } 1833 before me } John Jackson P.P.
I Certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Bust who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit and that he is a credible witness
John Jackson

State of New York
Living County ss I Green M Tuthill Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that John Jackson before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn and by whom the Certificate of Credibility is signed was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County; that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and know his signature sub- scribed to the said affidavit and certificate to be genuine.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 22 nd day of May 1833
Green M Tuthill Clk

Thomas Burt. De la cala in.
14/5/4.
J.B. B at 22 Admitted Power 6 months
Sister to J Robinson Elmira, N.Y.

State of New York 63 Flem County ss Before me William McClellan - a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Flem personally appeared Thomas Burt who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say in further specification of his services as a Revolutionary soldier.
That, according to the best of his recollection as to time, he volunteered on the first of April 1776 for nine months under Captain William Blair and Col. Beecker and was marched on to Long Island quartered at different places - then into the City of New York & then to Harlem Heights, Kings Bridge and White Plains and was in the engagements at those places during the campaign of that year; he was then marched to New Windsor on the Hudson River where he remained on Garrison duty two months over his nine months making eleven months 11 mo. service in this campaign as a Private
And he further declares that in the month of May of the next year (1777) he cannot state positively the day but from the best of his knowledge he would say the 20th he volunteered for no definite period under Captain John Wood of Goshen and the same Col. Beecker was marched to Newburg where he remained a short time was then marched to Fort Montgomery where he was stationed on Garrison duty until it was

4 mo. taken by the Enemy which he thinks was in the fore part of October of the same year. In this Campaign he performed at least four months service as a Private.
Between the period last mentioned and the spring following he performed one or two tours of duty in the service but his memory will not enable him to give it in detail.
3 1/2 mo. And he further declares that in the spring of 1778 he was ordered out by Captain Wood before named and now under Gen. Nathorn and was march'd on to the Frontier towards the Delaware River and was there on Garrison duty and scouting parties two months at least; he turned to Goshen and were dismissed; but by the first of the next month, August, he had orders to march and did so to Haverstraw upon the Hudson River where we were stationed six weeks. were then march'd to New Windsor and dismissed. In this last mentioned expedition he was under the command of Col Odell and Capt. Wood.
12 mo. And he further declares that on or about the first of October in the year last aforesaid (78) he returned under Capt Wood and Gen. Nathorn before named. This was a detached party for the purpose of reconnoitering the Frontier. We performed the expedition in six weeks returned to our headquarters at Goshen and were dismissed.

and he further declares that from this time to the spring of 1780 he was more or less in the service but cannot sufficiently recollect the dates and places to give them in detail; but as he well remembers performing one tour of duty at Stoney Point he thinks it probably it was during this period —
And he further declares that on or about the middle of April of the year last aforesaid (1780) he was ordered by Col. Brantingham and under Capt. Wood to West Point where he was employed in labor and garrison duty for two months at least when he were relieved by other Troops was dismissed and returned home; but in the fall of the same year last aforesaid he was ordered out and went on another expedition to West Point under the same officers last aforesaid was employed in garrison duty and labor for another term of two months at least was dismissed and returned home about the beginning of winter. And he further declares that from this time onward to the close of the war he performed other services and tours of duty but that his loss of memory on account of old age and debility

deprives him of being able to give them in detail and that all his services as specified in the foregoing narrative were performed in the grade of a Private —
Sworn & subscribed this 27th day of November 1834
Thomas Burt
by the said Thomas Burt to me known to be a credible witness before me
William McWhorter J.P.
State of New York,
Fioga County ss. I Gran M. Tuthill Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that William McWhorter fore whom the foregoing amended declaration was sworn and subscribed was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County — that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and know his signature subscribed to the said Declara- tion to be genuine —
Witness my hand and seal of Office this 29th day of November 1834 —
Gran M. Tuthill Clerk

12. Thomas Burt's Amended declaration
J. Robinson agent B. W. B.