Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 46,425, Silas Burk, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Burk, Silas
NUMBER
S. 46.425
B.L.W. 1721-100
CONTENTS

Feb 13 97 filed to SWB d Silas Burk 21 W. 31 myer-
[3-230.] Clerk
No. 1079
Silas Burk
1079
Name: Silas Burk. Rank: Pri Comp'y: Gray Reg't: 1 st Mass Line.
} Agency
RATE PER MONTH, AND DATE OF COMMENCEMENT.
1st Issue. { _____ Comm'g _____ 2d Issue. { _____ Comm'g _____ 3d Issue. { _____ Comm'g _____
DATE OF CERTIFICATE, AND TO WHOM SENT.
1st Issue. { _____ Sent to _____ 2d Issue. { _____ Sent to _____ 3d Issue. { _____ Sent to _____
Allowed.  Oct 18 28.
Act 14th July, 1862 Bk. G., Vol. _____, Page _____
Registering Clerk: _____
Disability. { _____

Orville May 24 1831.
Sir,
I received yours of 23 March enclosing Land Warrant No 1721. for 100 acres, Jno Bond, who belonged to the Massachusett line
Yours truly Silas Buel
New Bedford

Revolutionary Claims.
[ B. ]
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, Silas Burk of Manlius in the county of Onondaga in the State of New York do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a * Private in Captain John Tracy's Company, in the first Regiment, of the Massachusetts Line. And, I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.
And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the Pension List of the United States.†
Witness my hand, this 21 st day of July , in the year Eighteen hundred Twenty Eight
Silas Burk
Before me,‡ John Fleming Esq. Justice of the Peace in the county of Onondaga in the State of New York personally appeared, this day, Reuben S. Hef and Pelham W. Ripley of the said county, who did severally make oath that Silas Burk by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this 26 th day of July in the year Eighteen hundred Twenty Eight
John Fleming Esq.
I, Reuben S. Hef Clerk of the Court of the County of Onondaga in the State of New York do hereby certify, that John Fleming Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, a § Justice of the Peace and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 28 th day of July 1828.
Reuben S. Hef Clerk.
* Sergeant, Corporal, Musician, or Private, as the case may be.
† The claimant, though not on the pension list on the 15th May, 1828, may have been on the list on or since the 3d of March, 1826, and afterwards stricken off: if so, he will add, and that I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3d of March, 1826, the sum of dollars, paid to me by the Agent for paying pensions in the State of
‡ Here insert a Justice of the Peace, or other Magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths.
§ Justice of the Peace, or otherwise, as the case may be.

Respectfully referred to the Hon. Secretary of War.
Treasury Department
15 March 1851

DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
Regulations for the Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary War who acquired a right to Land from the United States, but have not received it.
By an Act of Congress, of the 16th September, 1776, it is provided, that the Officers and Soldiers who engaged for, and continued to serve, during the War, or until discharged by Congress, shall receive land in proportion to their rank.
N. B. Those who engaged for three years, or for any other period than during the war, are not entitled to land from the United States.
The following declaration must be filled up and sworn to by the claimant :
State of New York County of Onondaga }
I, Silas Burk
aged sixty six years, do upon oath testify and declare, that, in the year 1781, for the
I entered the service of the United States on the _____ day of _____, in the year 1781, for the term of during the war and that I served in the company commanded by Capt Pry  1st Massachusetts Regt — in the Regiment No 1 st , commanded by Col Joseph Vose of the Massachusetts line, and was honorably discharged on _____ Day of June in the year 1783, from the Regiment commanded by Col Joseph Vose
I Further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever: therefore,
Know all men by these presents, that I, Silas Burk aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint _____ to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him for the special purposes above expressed.
Attest,
Silas Burk
I, Amos P Granger aged forty years years do upon oath, declare that I have been long acquainted with Silas Burk who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further, I do believe, that he did perform the military service therein stated.
Attest,
Amos P Granger
Before me, John Dunford, a Justice of the Peace personally appeared the above named Silas Burk subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined, to be his free act and deed; and, likewise, personally appeared Amos P Granger who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this seventh day of March 1831
John Dunford Justice of the Peace.
In testimony that the above-written John Dunford Esq. was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c., in the State of New York at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Syracuse this seventh day of March 1831
R. L. Hef — C. Clerk, &c. Pr. H. Edwards Jr. S p . Clerk

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 46425. Quar
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
February 13, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Silas Burke , a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on July 21, 1828, at which time he was residing at Manlius, N. Y., (age not stated), and his pension was allowed for his actual service as a private (length of service not stated) in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. John Pray and Col. Joseph Vose. He enlisted at Williamsburgh, Mass.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Stephen Smith Burt,
21 West 32nd St.,
New York City.

Silas Burrough Dwight or Manlius NY Died in 1835-

Ms. A. 9. 2. 26 18 March 1897
21 THIRTY SECOND STREET WEST
Samuel B Lockwood Auditor -
My dear Sir -
I respectfully ask if you will send me a certified copy of the service, during the Revolution, of Silas Burke. He was a pensioner, by what act of Congress I do not know, but he received for many years in the town of Manlius, New York, which included the town of Dewitt, (where he died), until 1895. His pension was paid

probably in Manlius N.Y.
Respectfully yours,
(Rev.) Stephen S. Burt
New York.
Feb. 1 st 1897.
I learned of Silas Burpi's premains from the official records of the Onondaga Historical Society N.Y.
S.S.B.

Dr. Stephen Smith Burt.
21 Thirty second Street West.

To The Hon.
Richard Rush
Dear Sir,
I inclose You what I suppose to be the regular paper to entitle me to my pension under the late P. Law and will thank You in case they are found to be correct by You, to forward to me a certificate securing the amount of my pension payable at the U.S. Branch Bank at N. York, and this shall be a sufficient voucher therefor from Your Obt. Servt.
Orville Mowbray Co: Pr. York July 28. 1828.
Silas Buel

Silas Burk N o . 1721

(copy)
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
28 Dec. 1830.
Sir :
Your claim, under the abovementioned act, having been examined, you are found to be entitled to the pay of a Private of Infantry in the Continental Line. The amount which may be due, accordingly, will be remitted to you by the Treasurer of the United States.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) S. D. Ingham. Secretary of the Treasury
W m Silas Burk. of Manlius. Onondago Co. N.Y.
True copy. J. J. Bicknell Clk. Treas. Dept. 293. March 1831. Mr. Burk belonged to the Highlanders Line. His pay office is Orville N.Y.

AWD
#46425
Annals J. S. Hughes History of Henry Washington

No. 21 Dec. 1830.
2301
Washington December 20. 1830
Honorable Samuel D. Ingham
Dear Sir
In answer
to the inquiry from the Treasury Department, as to my knowledge of the character of Caleb Merrill and Timothy Brown, the persons who have made affidavits in the matter of Elias Burke, who applied for a pension, I have to say -
That I have been personally acquainted with Caleb Merrill for fifteen years, and believe that his character for truth and veracity is good.
I am not personally acquainted with Timothy Brown, but have heard him well spoken of as a man of truth and veracity in the neighborhood where he resided - For further information respecting the character of Mr Brown, I would refer to the statement of The Honorable Thomas Beckman, the member of Congress representing the District in which Mr Brown resided -
Yours with much respect
Isaac E. Cull
(The Residency statement is on the next page)

I am well acquainted with Timothy Brown within named. no man in the County in which he resides has a higher character for truth & veracity than Mr Brown enjoys - full credit is at all times to be given to all his statements
20 Dec. 1830
T. Beckman

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
14 Dec. 1830.
SIR :
As the magistrates before whom the enclosed affidavits were made, have omitted to state that the affiants are men of good character and entitled to belief I will thank you to inform me whether you know any thing of their character.
I am, Sir, very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
D. Russell Secretary of the Treasury.
The Hon.
Jonas Earle Jr.

No. 29 April 1830.
1787.
I certify that I have known Silas Bulk of the town of Manlius, in the county of Onondaga and state of New York, for about twenty years - I have understood since my first acquaintance with Mr Bulk, that he had served in the war of the revolution. I believe Mr Bulk is a man of good reputation, and respectable standing in society - I am of opinion that any statements he may make, in relation to his having served in the army of the revolution will be correct, according to the best of his knowledge and belief -
April 29th 1830 -
James Earl Cumins

District of Columbia, Washington County so, Silas Burk of the town of Marlins, County of Mendocino, and state of California being duly sworn says, that some time in the month of December in the year 1780.  1779 he enlisted as a soldier in the army of the revolution, at Williamstown Hampshire County, and state of Massachusetts, for the term of three years - That sometime in the spring of 1781, he was marched to West Point in the state of New York where he joined the army, in the company of Captain Pry, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Hove being the first Massachusetts Regiment - That shortly after he joined said Regiment, he was induced by the promise of extra bounty, to be returned as a soldier for during the war - and that he served in said company and Regiment to the close of the war, and was discharged at Snake Hill, near New- burgh County of Orange and state of New York in the month of June 1783 - and this deponent further says that his discharge and

and final settlement notes or certificates, were lost by accident about two years after the close of the war — and further this deponent says not —
Submitted and sworn } this 30 day of April 1830 }
Silas B Cook
Before me —
John D. Sleeper
Not. Pub.

State of New York Onondaga County ss: Caleb Messell Mersell of the town of Marcellus in the county of Onondaga State of New York being duly sworn saith that he was well acquainted with Silas Buck now of the town of Onondaga State aforesaid while in the Revolutionary war and knows him to have belonged to the First Massachusetts Regiment in the line of Continental Troops Command- ed by Col: Joseph Voorhies (or Vroom) & Captain Prys Company and that he served in said Company until the close of the said war. Deponent further says that he then belonged to the Revolutionary Army himself & was on duty with said Buck upon Guard during the war and is himself a Pensioner that has been ever since the first Pension law was passed for the relief of Officers, Soldiers in any circumstances or as soon thereafter as he was able to embrace the benefits thereof
Caleb Mersell
Subscribed & sworn to before me this eighth day of December 1828.
Hiram Gilbert J st
I Reuben S. Hest Clerk of the Court of the County of Onon- daga in the State of New York do hereby certify that Hiram Gilbert Esq. before whom the foregoing affida- vit was sworn was at the time a Justice of the peace and duly empowered to administer oaths. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 9th day of December 1828 Reuben S. Hest Clerk

Orville 18 th Feby 1829.
Hon. Richard Rush
Dear Sir,
About two months since I received a communication from You on the subject of my pension claim giving me more particular information as to the further steps necessary for me to take in order to satisfy the Department of the reality of my claim, and within something like 2 or 3 days there after forwarded to You the necessary information embracing the affidavits of Capt. Caleb B. Merrill as to his acquaintance with me in the army, accompanied with the regular certificates - Since which I have not received any communication from the Department on the subject - may I solicit from You in the event of this silence - in order that if anything is still wanting it may be supplied and greatly oblige
Yours Ob t Serv t
Silas B. Merrill

Nov 21 Dec 1830
State of New York Madison County ss
Timothy Brown of the town of Sullivan in said County being duly sworn before me Darius French one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County do hereby certify that he was acquainted with Silas Burk in the Revolutionary Army and that he the said Silas Burk belonged to the first Massachussetts Regiment commanded by Colo. Forst and was in Capt. Fryes Company and that he was acquainted with the said Silas Burk for a number of years and knows that the said Silas Burk enlisted in the Spring of the year 1781 for and during the War and served till the close of the War and was discharged June 1783. at the time the soldiers were discharged entitled during the War and further this deponent saith not.
Subscribed & sworn before me this 10th day of September 1830
Timothy Brown
Darius French JP
Clerks Office Madison County
I certify that Darius French Esq. whose name appears to the taking of the above affidavit was a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Madison on the day of the date of the same and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and that the signature of Darius French to the said affidavit is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 28th September A.D. 1830
John G. Curtis Clerk

Recd 11 Dec 1830 Onondaga County ss.
Caleb Merrell being duly sworn and sayth that he was acquainted with Silas Burk in the Revolutionary Army and that he belonged to the first Massachusetts Regt. Commanded by Col s Joseph Forst. in Capt. Pryes Compy to that he was acquainted with him for a number of years & knows that he enlisted in the Spring of the year 1781 for & during the war and served to the close of the war - he was dis- charged in June 1783 at the time the during the war's men were Discharged Subscribed & sworn Sept r 4 th 1830 before me
Caleb Merrell
Th s Manshard Justice of the Peace
State of New York Onondaga County ss.
I Reuben S. Heff Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Onondaga do hereby certify that Thomas Blanchard Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit was made was at that time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and qualified as such and duly empowered to administer oaths. In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 22 d day of October 1830
Reuben S. Heff Clerk of Onondaga County

Orville Dec 10th 1828
Hon. H. Root Sec. Navy
Dear Sir
Inclosed you will find a statement to corroborate the testimony in relation to my Military Claims this testimony I should have produced before but Mr Merrill does then in Pennsylvania, I could produce several other affidavits to the same effect from men who knew me in the service but it would cost me a journey of 5 or 6 hundred miles At least who testified before in my behalf. Belonged to the same Brigade that I did but did not personally remember me and as I was told by others that it was not necessary to find positive proof to the fact but circumstantial but the testimony I now send you is positive and I hope as you see in your communication of 27th Nov that "one or more to the best" that you will consider it sufficient and grant me the means of obtaining the small pension which poor Cooley has granted to those who fought for her liberties.
Yours Respectfully Silas B. Root
N.B. The Officer of the Key which I belonged to are all dead or out of my knowledge.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
Mr of Original [unclear] 1779 Allocated [unclear]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Aug. 23. 1828
Silas Burk, of Mankins , in the County of Onondaga , in the State of New York , has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain J. Pray 's company, in the regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson.
Mr. Hagner will please to state the term of this man's enlistment, if it appears on the registers of the Massachusetts line.
Feb. 19. 1829
M c Burk states that he received his certificate of M c Eggleston the paymaster of the Regiment. Treas. Dept. 28 th April 1830.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
28 th August 1828
The name of Silas Burk is not on the Massachusetts Register - In Col. David Root's Reg t as man by the name of Burk which given name is not stated, enlisted on the 4 th March 1778 for the war - It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to
It further appears that Silas Burk - is now on the pension list of the army - - - - - agency, and has been so since the 3 rd March 1826 at the rate of dollars per month.
The name of Silas Burk cannot be found among those of the Massachusetts line to whom Certificates for the gratuity of Eighty Dollars, were issued -
Peter Hagner And
Among the final settlement Certificates placed in the hands of M c Eggleston for gratuity, the name of Silas Burk is not found. He rec d from M c Eggleston a Certificate for 23 Dollars 73 3/4 on interest from Jan y 1783. and also one for 80 Dollars on interest from the same date, but no other.
P. H. 28 th Aug 1828

No 27795
See letter from War Dept. Rec. 29 April 1880.

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
5 September 1828.
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Silas Burk , under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any records in the War Department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive, the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution.
Richard Rush.
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
Mass. Line - not returned
War Department Bounty Land Office 15 Sep r 1828.
Silas Burk a soldier of the Mass s Line, is not returned as entitled to land from the U. States, or has a Warrant issued for him -
E. Stephens

I testify that I was acquainted with Silas Bush in the Revolution Army he Belonged to the first Massachusetts Reg t commanded by Col o Vose in Capt Pyles Company I was acquainted with him for a Number of years and know that he served to the close of the war. He was discharged at the same time that the During the war men were, as a During the war man  Subscribed and sworn Before me 9 th day of April 1830. Lawrence Davis  Lawrence Schoelcraft Justice of Peace
Clerks Office
Oneida County ss: I John H. Ostrom Clerk of the County of Oneida Do hereby Certify that Lawrence Schoelcraft before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn to was at the time of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly elected and sworn and authorized by Law to act as such. and that the signature above subscribed is genuine In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County April 21. 1830  J. H. Ostrom Clerk

I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Samuel Davis named in the within deposition I have known him several years that said Davis is entitled to credit as a witness April 20 th 1830
James H. Collins Justice of Peace
Magnolia Charles C. Co. Thomas Whiting

S. Burk Rec d 16 Feb 1829.
Respectfully &c.
City of Washington
Hon: Richard Aust
Smith City Feb 11th 29
Yrs