Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1531, Henry Bush, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Bush, Henry
R. 1531
CONTENTS

State of New York
Suffolk County ss. On this 4th day of February 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Suffolk now sitting, Henry Rush aged 73 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
That he entered the service as a volunteer for the term of five months in a company of volunteers commanded by Captain Orren - he resided at Easton Northampton County Pennsylvania when he volunteered as aforesaid - The company marched to Amboy & remained there a short time & from thence to Long Island - was but a few days on Long Island before the Americans were driven off, was engaged in the skirmishing & fighting which he thinks lasted nearly three days till the retreat of the Americans - Retreated to Westchester & from thence to Fort Washington - Recollects the Commanders General Sullivan & General Sterling at Long Island, his colonel was one Keighline a Dutchman - He remained at Fort Washington until it was surrendered and in the fall of the year 1776 - He was taken a prisoner by the enemy, and was kept a prisoner until some time the next winter while the British were conveying their prisoners to Philadelphia when this deponent together with six others effected their escape -
And this deponent further states that as near as he can recollect in the spring of 1777 he enlisted for one year in the

Continental Army in a Company of Cavalry commanded dec by Captain Peter Beutels a Dutchman under a regiment of which of our Coverts was the Colonel and under the Command of General Pulaski. He enlisted at Easton under a recruit- ing officer & was sent to Baltimore for rendez- vous & shortly afterwards was marched to Philadel- phia for general inspection. From Philadelphia the Army marched to Egg Harbor and remained there as near as this deponent can recollect till near, or some time in the fall of the year Marched from Egg Harbor to Sussex in New Jersey remained at Sussex a week or two, & then marched to Minisink on the Delaware river. From Min- isink the three companies of horse, (to one of which this deponent belonged) - marched to Carlisle & went into Winter quarters. In the spring this deponent's Captain had leave to go on a recruit- ing expedition. This Company then marched through Virginia to Baltimore, at which the place this deponent was discharged the time for which he enlisted having expired. He received a written discharge from his Captain which discharge has since been lost
And this declarant further states that in the spring of the next year, according to the best of his recollections, he volunteered as an Ensign, for which office he received a commission, in a Company of Militia com- manded by Captain John Vanetten a low Dutchman. The name of the Lieut. of said Company was John Fish. He entered at Easton Penn. & marched to Stroudsburg. At this place the Company remained about two weeks & then marched about 8 miles distant from Stroudsburg to a place called Fort Henry at which place they remained three

or four Months, then marched to Brinkfort about ten miles & remained there the remainder of the seven months, the time for which he had volunteered, when he together with the rest of the company were discharged - There were no other troops at either of the above mentioned places, than this company. The general duties of the company were to guard the frontier inhabitants from the depredations of the Indians - This deponent afterwards received from the State of Pennsylvania his wages, as an ensign, for this last mentioned service, of seven months, but does not recollect the amount he received
This deponent hereby relinquishing every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state -
To the questions propounded by the court as required by the War Department, this deponent answers as follows -
1 st That he was born at Easton in Pennsylvania on the 25 th day of November in the year 1766
2 nd That he has a record of his age in his bible -
3 rd That he resided at Easton at each time when he entered the service. Shortly after this was he removed to Finger Point in New York resided there about 3 yrs, removed from there to Steubens Co. in the town of Bath where he resided about 30 years & removed from Bath to the town of Dryden in the Cayuga (now Tompkins) County where he has since resided

4th That he entered the service twice as a volunteer & once he enlisted
That 5th He knew General Sullivan & General Sterling at Long Island - Knew General Pulaski of the Continental Army and also Col Coverts & Captain Beutelo - And also he served under Captain John Van Etten as an Ensign, in the State Militia of Pennsylvania -
That 6th He received a discharge from the Continental service signed by Col Coverts, but said discharge is lost - He received a Commission for an Ensign, which was sent him from Philadelphia, but by whom it was signed he does not now recollect, as it has been  was lost a long time ago -
That 7th Samuel Gunn, James Baker, Parley Whitmore, Daniel White - Daniel Stater, Casper Miller, Mrs. Blumner & Andrew Grover are persons in this deponent's neighborhood with whom he is acquainted & who can testify to his good behavior & character & their belief of his having served in the Revolution
And this declarant further states that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure as to the first 5 Months of his service, when he was taken prisoner at Fort Washington -
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year fore said Sam. Love Jr.
Wm. L. Linsley

301/9 Henry Bush
Am Halsey House Rpts M.S.

Return this sheet
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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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 Henry Bush
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 5 Private Col. Kingline 73   Fall of taken Prisoner Capt. Overen   1777 1 Dragoon Capt. Butler   Private Col. Coverts - Pulaski's legion   7 Ensign Capt. Van Klief  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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

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

June 15, 1938.
Mrs. J. Olin Waite Canandaigua New York.
BA-J/ILL Henry Bush R. 1531
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that you are now interested in the Revolutionary War record of Henry Bush, born November 25, 1760, whose wife was Katy Dolson, and who lived in western New York State; your former correspondence concerned one John Bush.
The data which follow are found in pension claim, R. 1531, based upon service of Henry Bush in the Revolutionary War.
Henry Bush was born November 25, 1760 in Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania; the names of his parents are not shown. He resided in Easton during the period of the Revolutionary War, shortly afterwards moved to Tioga Point, New York, and remained about three years, then moved to Bath, Steuben County, New York, where he resided about twenty-six years, then moved to Dryden, Cayuga (later Tompkins) County, New York.
Henry Bush applied February 4, 1834, while a resident of Dryden, New York, for the pension which might have been due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War. He stated then that he entered service in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, as a private in Captain Owen's company and served five months, during which he marched to Amboy, thence to Long Island where he was in several skirmishes, was in the retreat to Westchester, went from there to Fort Washington where he was taken prisoner by the British, was held some time and made his escape while prisoners were being conveyed to Philadelphia; he stated further, that he enlisted in the spring of 1777, for one year, served in "Captain Peter Bentelo's company" of Cavalry under "Colonel Coverts" and General Pulaski, during which service he was engaged in New Jersey, later at Minisink on the Delaware River, wintered at Carlisle, and was discharged at Baltimore; he stated also, that in the spring of the next year, he was commissioned an ensign, Captain John Van Etten's Pennsylvania company and served seven months, engaged principally guarding the inhabitants on the frontier from the depredations of the Indians.
Heilman also Capt. Paul Bentelo Pul. - Pay - also - Col. Michael de Kowatz (Poland) Pulaski Legion

The claim for pension of Henry Bush was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of the alledged service as required by the pension law under which he applied.
The soldier stated, also, that he received payment from the State of Pennsylvania on account of his service in Captain John Van Etten's company.
Henry Bush made no reference to wife or children at the time he made application for his pension.
Mrs. Finch In 1854, one Jacob Bush was a resident of Venice, Cayuga County, New York, and stated that his father, Henry Bush, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, that his (Henry's) residence during that war was Nine Partners, Dutchess County, New York, where he resided some years after the war. It was stated that said Jacob was the eldest son of Henry Bush. In 1855, one Henry Bush requested that I. (or J.) H. Wethay of Locke, Cayuga County, New York, be permitted to examine the pension papers of Henry Bush, deceased, of New York, Revolutionary War soldier. His relationship to the soldier is not shown.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
June 15-1938.
The Henry Bush - Widow Eve - in our file was also of Easton, Pa. & pension was granted on account of a part of the service alledged by this Henry Bush - However, that Henry died in 1932 and his family moved to Ohio - (I showed this to Mrs. Finch - J L L )

N. York 27/23
Henry Bush
Non. Letter to Cyrus Beers 12 Dec '38
Papers taken out & not returned
Lit. to Hon. S. Pierce
June 25, 1840. }
E. W. Bateman 1 st Dec r 1884.
1531
Act. June 7. 1832

1838- June 15- Heed to Rev. J. Oliver Maltbie. JAH.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1531 REJECTED
P. O. Henry Bush
Br Tony Pen bush
Service: Printed Volume - Rejected - Suspended Pensions - page 111 - N. York Enlisted: Reason for Rejection under 18. Act of June 7 - 1832 - Discharged: , 18
"Two first terms not sustained by the rolls; - and the department knows of no authority for seven months: Application filed: under Capt. Van Elen, 18--"
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

In the Matter of Henry Bush for a Pension
Brief.

In the Matter of Henry Bush for a Pension
Brief -
You will observe that the application has been made to the pension office, and returned on account of want of proof, as to service in Pulaski's Legion. He cannot make any proof as to this service -
Mr. Bush desires that his application should again be presented, and a pension granted for the other service claimed in his application, which is for 12 Months - He served 5 Months as a private, and for 7 Months as an Ensign, which 7 Months service is well sustained by the testimony of Capt. Abraham Bloom of Lansing in this County, with whom you are well acquainted -
Read his declaration and proof &c -
Mr Bush sustained through life a good character &c
Yours & Yrs Ithaca Nov. 27. 1837.
To A.D.W. Bragdon -

War Department Pension Office
Dec 12. 1838
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 6 th instant respecting the claim of Henry Bush I have to state that it appears that the claimants papers were then handed to the Hon N Halsey on the 20 th March 1834 and that they have not since been returned to this office
Hon Cyrus Bust House Reps US

House Rep Dec 6 th 1838
Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. of Patents
In the matter of Henry Bush an applicant for a pension - who claims to have served five months as a private and seven months as an Ensign - By the memorandum handed me it would appear that the seven months service is proved by the aff de of Capt. Abraham Bloom of Landing Tompkins 6 th Reg. - I will say to you, that I am well acquainted with Capt. Bloom and that he is a man of sterling integrity - as much so as any man in my district - - please let me know whether any action has been had on it
Yrs S er Serv t
Cyrus Beers

Sir you will please allow Col. H. Wethey Esq of Locke County 60 N.Y. to examine the papers in the case of Henry Bush "deceased" of N.Y. Applicant for a Pension for his Revolutionary Service & Oblige
Feb 3 rd 1885.
Henry Bush
Signed & delivered in presence of A. Murphy

Pension Office. 1 st Dec r 1854.
Sir,
I would inform you in reply to yours of 27 th ultimo, that it is contrary to the rules of this Office to report to you the condition of the claim of Henry Bush dec d of New York, unless you first file a Power of Attorney authorizing your agency.
E. W. Bateman Esq m . Venice. N. Y.

Venice N.Y. Nov. 17/84
Henry James C Heath Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
Mr Jacob Bush a resident of this place a very needy man informs me that his father served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war; that his fathers name was Henry Bush that he resided at the time of his so serving at the place called Nine Partners in Dutchess Co., New York and that he lived there some years afterwards that he died several years since & as he understands never applied for a pension, This Jacob Bush is the oldest son of said Henry Bush and he wishes to know what proof will be required to entitle him to a pension
Any instructions you may grant will be thankfully received
Most Respectfully Your Most Abt. E.W. Bateman

Henry Bush
original
The Petition of Henry Bush a revolutionary soldier
Praying a Pension
To the Com. on Rev. Pensions
Feb. 14 1838
Ref to the Committee on Rev. Pensions
A. H. Bush April 6 1838 - Bill 720
Jan. 4 1840
Ref (under resolution) to the Com. on Rev. Pensions
Mar 5 1840
Bill — 164
Rev. per
A Bill for 7 months

State of New York
Souffkins County ss. Abraham Bloom of the town of Lansing in the county of Souffkins aged seventy years the 22nd day of October last being duly sworn in his oath says
That he is well acquainted with Henry Bush, an applicant for a pension and was well acquainted with him during the revolutionary war; that said Henry Bush then resided at Easton Northampton County in the state of Pennsylvania and that this deponent then resided in Smithfield, county & state aforesaid about two miles from Stroudsburgh. That this deponent distinctly recollects Captain John Van Etters company of volunteers. This company was chiefly raised in Northampton County for the purpose of protecting the inhabitants from the Indians, and the term of service was for seven months. This deponent was well acquainted with Captain John Van Etter and saw him and his company while stationed at Stroudsburgh, and distinctly recollects that the said Henry Bush was there a member of said company & engaged in the service. This deponent does not recollect in what year said company was raised but thinks it was either in 1778 or 1779. He recollects being present at Stroudsburgh when said company was discharged; he saw the said Henry Bush there at the time, who was, together with the rest of the company, discharged. This was in cold weather season, this deponent thinks about Christmas or New Year. And this deponent further says that he has no doubt but that said Henry Bush served in said company for the term of seven months; but whether as an ensign or a private this deponent does not recollect and further saith not. Abraham Bloom
Subscribed & sworn this 8th day
of February 1834 Before me
Stephen Mock, Supreme Court Commissioner

We James Baker a clergyman residing in the town of Dryden in the County of Tompkins and Samuel Gunn of the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Bush who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid } Sam l Gunn Sam l . Love clk
James H. Baker
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 James Baker who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Dryden in said County of Tompkins and that Samuel Gunn who has also signed the same is a resident of said town of Dryden and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Samuel Love clerk of the court of common Pleas of said County of Tompkins do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original in the matter of the application of Henry Bush for a pension -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 4th day of February in the year of our Lord 1834 Sam l . Love clk

Canandaigua, N.Y.,
May 30, 1938.
Dept. of Interior Bureau Pensions Carl S. Church, Commissioner,
Dear Sir,
We corresponded with you concerning the revolutionary record of one John Bush.
Now there has recently come to light an old letter giving the name of this man as Henry Bush born Nov. 25, 1760. His wife's maiden name was given as Katy Dolsen born Nov. 23, 1757. Her hand-down story is that he termed himself Amsterdam Dutch that he came from Amsterdam or Kinderhook region, that he moved to Western New York, to near Painted Post region in Steubens County.
This old letter gives the birth place of a child John at Easton Sept. 10, 1784; the birth place of Col. D. Bush as at Tioga Point Sept. 25, 1787.
Do you have the Revolutionary War record of such a man as this? We believe he moved to Painted Post country sometime previous to 1811.
Thanking you kindly for any information you can give,
I am,
Mrs. J. Olin Waite.