Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16837, John Becker, New York

SERVICE
New York
Becker, John Sarah
NUMBER
No. 16837
CONTENTS

Set to Andrew Follet Novr 16 th 1841 to to Giles F. Bates Novr 26 th 1841
Reported M.C.P.H. 1841.
3636
Albany New York
Sarah Becker widow of John Becker who who died on the 15 th of April 1804 of Poughkeepsie in the State of New York who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Groves of the 1 st Regiment commanded by Col. Stoddard of the New York line for 6 months & 27 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany New York at the rate of 13 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Novr 1841 to Sarah Becker Albany New York
Arrears to the 14th of Febr 1841, $241.50 Semi-annual allowance ending March 1841 11.50
$253.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd .
Recorded by W. C. Johnson Clerk Book 10 Vol. 15 Page 107

State of New York Rensselaer County } On this 14 th day of July Eighteen hundred and forty one. Personally appeared before H. C. T. M c Master a Justice of the Justice Court of Record in and for the City of Troy in the County of Rensselaer Sarah Becker a resident of the town of Scituate, County and State aforesaid, Aged Ninety one Years, Who being first duly sworn, according to law, Doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the Widow of John Becker who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution in the New York Militia. That he served under Captain Walter Broerbeck and other Captains in Colonel John Knickerbocker Regiment, and afterwards in the same Regiment commanded Colonel Peter Yale in Captain Jacob Yale Company but often under other officers, from the commencement of the War (at different times) until the close. That he was often drafted and went North from Rensselaer then Albany County but now being very Old and loss of memory, cannot all the different times, nor how long he served in each She further declares that she was married to the said John Becker on the 22 nd day of June 1766. That her husband the said John Becker died in the town of Scituate aforesaid on the 15 th day of April 1804 - and that she has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herunto annexed.
Subscribed and sworn to the - Sarah J Becker day and year above written Mark
H. C. T. M c Master Justice of the peace
& Justice of the Justice Court of the City of Troy
I certify that the Applicant Sarah Becker Applying for a pension is a person of truth and veracity and is entitled to credit until that by reason of Old age & blindness she is unable to attend court or write her name therefore makes her mark
H. C. T. M c Master Justice of the peace & Justice of the Justice Court of the City of Troy

I William Hagen Clerk of the Justice Court of the City of Troy & State of New York, Certify, that the within signature of Henry V. W. Master is the genuine signature of said Master who is one of the Justices of the Justice Court of the City of Troy; - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the court this 17th day of July 1841.
William Hagen Clerk

In the matter 4837 of Sarah Duke Widow of John Duke claiming a pension &c
Thos J. Russell H2

I, Jacob Van Vechten, certify that, as appears from the Record of Marriages solemnized in the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectady, John Becker was married to Sarah Van Hoese in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & sixty six and the following transcript of such record of said marriage is in exact conforming with the original, the date being expressed in fair legible figures: viz. "1766 June 22 Ghetrouw op licentie John Becker en Sarah Van Hoese."
And I depose & say that I hold the office of Pastor of said church, & as such have the custody of said Records.
Jacob Van Vechten
Sworn the 28 th day of December 1838 at the City of Schenectady before me
Albert A. Vredder a Justice of the Peace in and for the City & County of Schenectady
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY, } ss. CLERK'S OFFICE.
I,
Archibald Campbell
Clerk of said County,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Albert A. Vredder before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified as such; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to said Affidavit and Certificate is genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, this 1 st day of June 1841.
Arch d Campbell, Clerk.

16-837 Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16837 Sarah Becker Widow of John Becker Brn Rev War Act: July 4th 1830 Index:—Vol. a , Page 52
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Albany, Nov r 29 th 1871.
Sir.
I have received your communication of the 26 th inst. disallowing the claim of Carah  Becker widow of John Becker for an increase of pension. There were in the revolution & are now, several families by the name of "Becker" in what is now called Schoharie County, but in the district of country now comprised within the Counties of Saratoga, Rensselaer & Albany the name of "Becker" was not a common one; and in that particular part of the country, where Mr. Becker resided, the only family of Becker, was the one to which he belonged.
Mrs Becker's name has not been returned to the Pension agency office in this city, and no order has been received as yet, (so their agent informs me) to inscribe her name on the pension roll at any rate.
I am very respectfully yours att. Servt G. H. Wood.

Albany, Nov r 23 d 1841.
In the matter of the application of Sarah Becker , widow of John Becker deceased —
Sir.
Mrs Becker is now 93 years of age, has recently received a fall which it is expected, will bring her to her grave in the course of a few months, & does not own any prop- erty whatever, but is altogether dependent upon the charity of her neighbors for the necessities of life. It was in consideration of these facts, that I thought she would do well to accept of a small pension rather than none. From a conversation I had with her a few days ago, how- ever, I became satisfied that it was her husband & none other, who had served under Captain Living- ston in 1782. I accordingly proceeded to procure her affidavit, and that of her one of her witness- es, Mr Van Antwerp, (the only one of them now living) in reference to this point. This proof will I trust prove satisfactory.
I am very respectfully your Ob t Serv t
S. J. K. W. R.

Schenectady Apr 27. 1841.
Sir:
In your favor of the 8 th inst in reference to the claim of Mrs Sarah Becker widow of John Becker deceased, you state that the proof as to the date of the marriage, and of the service of Mr Becker in the militia Regiment of 1857. Knickerbocker, is satisfactory. Be pleased to state what amount of service in said Militia Regiment is satisfactorily proven.
Very respectfully Yours & M c Intosh
J. H. H. Wells
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions

Albany, October 21 st 1841.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. Sir.
Inasmuch as Mrs Sarah Becker widow of John Becker de- ceased is unable to adduce satisfactory testimony as to his services in the State Troops in 1782, as you were pleased to state in your favor of the 8 th of September ult o , she will be fain to accept of a pension for the penalty service which you informed me on the 30 th ult o was duly established; to wit for six months and 27 days.
I am very respectfully
Your Ob t Serv t
G. H. Yates
P.S. Please address me in future at Albany instead of Schenectady.
G. H. Y.

Pension Office 8 th Sep 1841.
Sir
In the case of Mrs Sarah Beeker, the proof is satisfactory as to the date of the marriage and of the services of her late husband in the Militia Regiment commanded by Col Knickerbocker and Col Yates. But the terms in the state troops in 1782 cannot be admitted without some direct and credible testimony.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully Your H ts Serv t .
J B Cavanagh
Giles H. Yates Esq Schenectady New York.

23 rd Aug 1841.
Add. Evidence Case of Sarahs Becka My love Sylvester
5.439.
158

Lansingburgh August 18 th 1841 J. L. Edwards Esqr Sir
I enclose you the papers of Sarah Becker for a Pension. I also some time since. inclosed you the application of Mrs Davenport taken before a Judge of the County where she resides, as requested in your letter not receiving any answer, though they might be mislaid. Also the same in the of Mrs Nancy Vervor. - - - -
J. L. Edwards Com te of Pensions
Andrew Follen Esqr

Sauvingburgh Nov. 10 th 1841
Sir
It being some time since I enclosed you the papers of Mrs Sarah Becker for a Pension & not hearing from her bar. and fearing they may have been mislaid or mistaid. I write to you wishing to know whether they had safely come to hand -
I am Yours
Respectfully
Andrew Gollet Esq r .
J. L. Edwards Com d of Pensions

In the matter of
widow of John Recker

The number and amount of certificates issued by the Treasurer of the State of New York for Fines and Militia fines &c continued from Books Nos 1. 4 & 5
To whom given
   1782 December 31 7.193 John Becker Pirate 19 16 5   1781 November 4 24.292 John Becker " 1 1 9   1780 March 30 24.349 John Becker " " 8 7   1780 June 7 24.381 John Becker " " 17 3   1781 August 3 24.540 John Becker " " 5 1/2   1779 November 26 28.953 John Becker Drummer 1 18 6  
State of New York Comptroller's Office Albany March 26. 1840
I hereby certify the above to be true Extracts from Books Nos 2, 3, & 6 now remaining in this office and it also appears from the said books that the said John Becker served the 1 st term above named under or with Capt. Almon Livingston, the 2 d 3 rd 4 th & 5 th under or with Capt. Jacob Yates and the 6 th under Capt. Henry Ostrum - it appears that Albert Paulding was a Col o Comm d Dec 25 th 1779 and Dec 26 1781 and that Thomas Thomas was a Col o July 28. 1780 and also that Marcus Willett was a Col o Comm d Dec r 31. 1782
A. H. Du du ay Dep. Comptroller

Giles H. Yates Esq.
Lansingburgh 18 th Nov. A. D. 1829.
Dear Sir - I would solicit your attention to the case of Sarah Recker of Saugerties supported as a pauper by the D. Clk of that place. She is the widow of a soldier (J. Recker) who was a man Capt. Jacob Yates in the revolutionary war. Mr. W m Knickerbocker has volunteered to get her pension from Govt. He has procured a certificate of her marriage to J. R. duly authenticated except that of the County Clerk affirming the authority of the Justice of the peace. To have that omission rectified, the paper has been sent to the County Clerk in Albany. For she was married in that place. This paper may now be with the Clerk's office since it has not been sent back again. He has also the testimony of two soldiers, J c Van Reuren & Johannis Van Antwerp who belonged to the same company with J. Recker and went out with him on service repeatedly and have for sometime drawn their pensions. What more will be required to obtain a pension for this woman? Do you expect to go down to Congress and when will you go down? It is probable Mr. Knickerbocker will go over to Schenectady to see you before you go. Please let Mr. Knickerbocker have your reply to this letter as early as practicable. Mr. K. has moved to this place, so that all letters to him must be directed to W m Knickerbocker Esq. Lansingburgh -
Yours respectfully
G. H. Yates -

A Lansdownburgh March 18 1840
Dear Sir after you left here I found out that there was a Captain Livingston at Fort Edward in Command in the year 1777-1778 and in one of the books in the Office of Mr Jenkins I found John Barker for £19 and some shillings which Mr Jenkins thought was the same John Barker but I thought otherwise at that time I now feel satisfied he is the same man and I believe his name was Capt Abraham Livingston. He was at that time and commanded a Company, you will search the Record and see if it aint so and let me know by the next Mail
Yours
Wm Brackenbach
Genl F. Yates Esq.

J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir.
On the application of Wm Knickerbocker by and behalf of the widow of John Becker under the act of 4 th July 1836, I procured the annexed documentary evidence. Capt. Abraham Livingston & John Becker hailed from the same military district, and there was no other John Becker in that part of the country. I made a journey some months since to Scaghticooki with a view if possible to obtain parol testimony of Becker's identity in reference to his service under Livingston - but those who would have sworn for him were all deceased. Now for his service under Livingston is borne out by the testimony on file - in this case I have not the means of determining, & this moreover not my province. I send you the document in question, because the proper place for it is on your files -
Very respectfully
Your obedt Servt
E. H. HALL
Schenectady July 19 1841.

State of New York Rensselaer County
On this twenty day of July Eighteen Hundred and forty one. Personally appeared before Andrew T. J. et al Justice of the Peace for the town of Cambridge Rensselaer County aforesaid. John Van Antwerp of the town of Scituate in the County and State aforesaid. Who being duly sworn according to law — Testifies and Says That he is eighty one Years of Age and a Pensioner of the United States. That he is well acquainted with Sarah Becker. now applying for a Pension and whose maiden name was Sarah Van Hoesen That she is the widow of John Becker deceased . Who served in the war of the Revolution. as a private in the New York Militia. under different Officers. Viz. Captain Walter Groesbeck Deyarmo. Hadlock. Brown. Wilson. And Jacob Yates and others in Colonel Knickerbocker and Yates Regiments. But by lapse of time and loss of memory. cannot recollect all the different tours and length of time that I was out with the said John Becker. But can bring to mind from history some of them. I was out with the said Becker in the Year 1777 to the north under Captain Walter Groesbeck in Colonel John Knickerbocker Regiment and was laying at Lake George at the surrender of Ticonderoga on the fifth of July. And and that then had orders to retreat and did retreat to Still- water when we lay at the time Burgoyne crossed the Hudson River. which according to History was the 14 th of September Shortly after which we were permitted to return and take care of our families. on account of the Indians. — Further testifies that in 1778 in the summer myself the said Becker with others of the said Groesbeck's company. went out under Captain Deyarmo to Palmertown in Saratoga County to watch the Tories and was gone two weeks used a Log House for a Guard house. Again in the fall of the same Year myself the said Becker with others went out under Captain Hadlock of Knickerbocker Regiment. again to Palmertown and built a Block House near the log House this time three weeks. —

I further testify that the said Sarah has remained the widow of the said John Becker deceased ever since the death of the said Becker - He always went from the town of Scituate then Albany now Rensselaer County -
Subscribed seven the day and year above written before me
his John F. Van Antwerp Mark
Andrew Totten Justice Peace
I further Certify that that I am well acquainted with John Van Antwerp and believe him to be a person of truth and veracity and that in consequence of his hand trembling is unable to write therefore makes his Mark -
Andrew Totten Justice Peace
STATE OF NEW-YORK, Rensselaer County Clerk's Office, } ss.
I, LELAND CRANDALL, Clerk of the County of Rensselaer, do hereby Certify, that Andrew Totten Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit and certificate was, at the time the same bears date one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County: And further, that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of said Andrew Totten and verily believe the above signature to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County, this Ninth day of August 18 41
Leland Crandall Clerk.

State of New York
Rensselaer County
On this twenty sixth day of July Eighteen Hundred and forty One.
Personally appeared before me Andrew Collet the undersigned Justice of the Peace of the Town of Lansingburgh County aforesaid. William Knickerbocker of the town of Lansingburgh aforesaid (and formerly of Scaticook in the said County) aged sixty eight years. Who being duly sworn according to Law. Testifies and says that he was well acquainted with John Becker deceased of the town of Scaticook in the County aforesaid. The husband of Sarah Becker. Who has subscribed to the Amended declaration for a Pension. from his Boyhood. And that the said Becker was always reputed and believed in the Neighborhood when he resided to have served in the war of the Revolution from the commencement at different times to the year 1778 under different Officers. M c Grosbuck. DeGarmo. Hadlock. Livingston and others in Colonel Knickerbocker's Regiment of which it appears there were no returns ever made. —
And further that after the Year 1778 the said Becker served in Colonel Peter Yates Regiment, being the Regiment aforesaid commanded by said Knickerbocker under different Officers and at different times to the close of the War. And further that the said John Becker deceased aforesaid Died in the town of Scaticook aforesaid on the fifteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and four. And that ever since his death the said Sarah has remained his Widow. And never has intermarried. Subscribed and sworn before me this 26 th day of July — 1841
Andrew Collet Justice Peace
Wm Knickerbocker
I Certify that I am well acquainted with said William Knickerbocker. And that he is a man of truth and veracity. Andrew Collet Justice Peace

Account of certificates for Military Services performed during the late war, that remained in the Treasury when the Legislature (by an act entitled "An act for the further direction of the Treasurers" passed the 7 th March 1793) directed him to pay Cash to the claimants instead of said certificates. Selected from lists made thereof by the different Colonels and Pay masters, at the time when settlements were made with them viz
   Regiment Remarks &c Names Am t of each money Certificate Total     Returned by Col Philip P. Schuyler John Becker £ 1 18-6-  
State of New York Comptroller's Office Albany July 27 1841
I certify the above to be true Ex tracts from a book now remaining in this office - labeled "Levy and Militia Pay Undrawn 7 March 1793"
"£ 1. 18. 6" written on an Erasure
M c W. Tredway Dep t Comptroller
The amount in the above certificate £ 1. 18. 6 written on erasure
M c W. Tredway

V 4/8 37.
5.439.
Sarah Becker. N.Y.
act 4 July 36
Ms 66-2 c4.
75. 75 75. 75 75. 75
adm d
June 27 th Fri
23. $
No deduction
Giles F. Yates Esq Albany N.Y.

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th day of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz :
   1782 Dec r 31 7193 John Becker Gué -19- -16- 5-   1779 Sept r 22 24105 John Becker " -1- -1- 1 3 / 4 -   1781 Nov r 4 24292 John Becker " -1- -1- 9-   1780 March 30 24349 John Becker " -0- -8- -7-   1780 June 7 24381 John Becker " -0- -17- -3-   1781 Oct r 19 24514 John Becker " -1- -0- - 1 / 4 -   1781 Aug t 3 24540 John Becker " -0- -5- - 1 / 2 -   1780 Nov r 5 25080 John Becker " -2- -9- -2-  
STATE OF NEW-YORK, Say 3 mo. 27 dy COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, July 27 1841.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 2.548 now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz :
   First—under Capt.  Alm Livingston  in Col.  Col d Marinus Willett  Regiment.    Second, " "  James Readlock  " "  Peter Yates  "    Third, " "  Jacob Yates  " "  Peter Yates  "    Fourth, " "  Jacob Yates  " "  Peter Yates  "    Fifth, " "  Jacob Yates  " "  Peter Yates  "    Sixth, " "  Jacob Yates  " "  Peter Yates  "    Seventh, " "  Jacob Yates  " "  Peter Yates  "    Eighth, " "  Sam d Wodge  " "  Lewis Van Woert  "   
M c W. DeWitt Dep y Comptroller

In the matter &c of Sarah Becker widow of John Becker under the act of 4 th July 1836.
Supplemental Depositions

State of New York Rensselaer County } ss.
Sarah Becker of the town of Schaghticoke in said County aged ninety three years & upwards, being duly sworn saith, that she distinctly recollects that one of the officers under whom her husband John Becker served during the war of the revo- lution, was Captain Livingston - said Living- ston resided at the time in the town of Still- water or in that neighborhood, being in the neighborhood of the place where her said husband lived during said war. This declarant can give no particulars of said service, but knows her said husband served several months under said Captain Livingston & thinks it was near the close of said war. And this declarant or deponent further saith, that there was no other person of the name of John Becker that she ever knew or heard of, that resided in the vicinity of her place of residence or of that of her hus- band, or in the whole county of Albany which then included said towns of Stillwater & Schagh- ticoke.
Subscribed & sworn this 19 th } Sarah J. Becker day of November 1841, before } in all. me W m May N. J. Atten J. P.

State of New York Rensselaer County
John L. Van Antwerp of the town of Schaghticoke in said County, aged Eighty-one years and upwards, being duly sworn saith, that he was during the revolutionary war well acquainted with the names of all the inhabitants residing in said town of Schaghticoke, Pownahick, Stillwater & other towns adjoining that he never knew or heard of any family by the name of Becker, save the family of Abraham Becker. That said Abraham Becker had only two sons, the one named Martinus, and the other John, both of whom served in said war. That said John Becker is the same person, to whose services in said war this Deponent has on previous occasions testified, and whose widow Sarah has applied for a pension. This Deponent well recollects that there resided in his neighborhood, & later during said war & afterwards, a Captain by the name of Abraham Livingston. That said Livingston during the last years of said war was engaged in the service of the United States as a Captain of State troops or levies, and that men to serve in his said Company were drafted or selected from the Militia of the Regiment to which he (Deponent) belonged to serve in said Company. This Deponent has no positive personal knowledge of the fact that said John Becker was one of the men thus selected or drafted, yet in reflection has no doubt of the fact, & is certain that if the name of John Becker is on any of the Rolls of said Company, the said John Becker must be the same John Becker above described & no other. And this Deponent further saith that it must have been in the year 1782 when said Becker thus served, he having served in the previous years of the war in said Militia under Captain Jacob Yates & others.
Subscribed & sworn this 19th day of November 1841, before me; and I certify that I am well acquainted with said John L. Van Antwerp, and know him to be a credible person.
Wm Van Vliet Justice of the peace in & for said County of Rensselaer

State of New York } Rensselaer County } ss. Clerk's Office }
I hereby certify that
William Van Riper Esq., before whom the preceding affidavits of Sarah Batten & John L. Van Antwerp purport to have been sworn, was at the time thereof, a Justice of the peace in & for said County, duly appointed & qualified, and that the signature to the jurat of each affidavit, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & af- fixed my Official Seal this 20 th day of November 1844.
Leland Brandale - Clerk