Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,033, John J Bust, New York

SERVICE
SERVICE New York
er
Bust John J. Borst.
NUMBER _____
R. 1033,
CONTENTS

State of New York Onondaga County, ss
On this 28 th day of July 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Vice Chancellor of the 7 th Circuit of said State at a court of Chancery now sitting at Onondaga in said County, John J. Bust a resident of the town of Elbridge in the County of Onondaga & State of New York aged seventy 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated he joined the Company of rangers under Captain Gray at the Middle Fort in the County of Albany now County of Schoharie & State of New York the twentieth day of May 1780. That he resided in said County of Albany in what was then called Schoharie but now called Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie & State of New York - said Company was in Colonel Livingston's Regiment of Militia of the State of New York The Lieutenant Colonel's name is not recollects at this time name was David Becker who had been formerly a militia Captain & was promoted to a Major before this deponent joined said Regiment. - Captain Gray's Christian name is not recollects our Lieutenant's name was Peter Swart & our Ensign's name was Becker & I think his Christian name was John but am not sure he was Cousin to Major David Becker above named. This deponent with Capt. Gray's Company was stationed in the said Middle Fort where this deponent continued until discharge except when out on scouting excursions after Indians & Tories who were hanging about that section of Country & near the fort - a great part of the time we were engaged in

These scouting parties - we were once connected with Captain Gray's Company as far as Albany with the expectation of going to Stony Point Captain Hale's Company from the same place went with us & we were under Command of Major David Becker & left about the first of September 1780 for Albany & Stony Point, after reaching Albany we tarried there but one night & were ordered back to said Fort where we immediately returned. This deponent was a volunteer & served at said Fort in the same Company till the War closed & this deponent was discharged at the Middle Fort in the month of October 1783 by Colonel Wooster who then had the Command of the said Fort during this deponent's continuance in the said Company the Town of Scholamie was burned by the Indians - there was a battle fought by a party from the Fort in which this deponent was engaged with the Indians on their approach, but in consequence of the vast number of Indians & Tories & the handful of men we had to oppose Colonel Suly ordered all to retreat to the Fort where we were till the Town was burned & the Indians & Tories dispersed, they made no attack upon the Fort except to fire a few guns & throw fire shells. - This deponent's Company were rifle men & wore white frocks & trousers when on parade but when in the woods wore the common dress & our Company were called rangers. - There was no regular Continental Troops station near said Fort during the time this deponent was station there but a short time previous Colonel Butler had the Command of the Fort

This deponent has no documentary testimony or evidence by which to establish his claim this deponent recd from Colonel Brooman a discharge in writing & which this deponent soon after lost & has never since seen Colonel Brooman took the command of the upper Fort at Broomans Land near the middle Fort, the whole of the Troops at the three Forts & from the block house were assembled at the middle Fort & Colonel Suly & Colonel Brooman discharged the whole of the Troops at the same time & this deponent thinks his discharge was signed by Colonel Brooman. - This deponent has for some time been trying to get some person who knows of his service & has lately found Blam Becker John Bellinger & Samuel Loutk; Becker & Loutk lives in Middlebury & Bellinger lives in Shason in said County of Schoharie & whose affidavits this deponent intends to get for the purpose of showing a part of the time of this deponents service.
This deponent should long since have applied for his pension but owing to his infirmities by reason of old age this deponent was unable to go to Schoharie for the purpose of finding evidence till this season when he found said persons alive & this deponent employed an attorney there to procure the necessary papers to obtain this deponents pension & was informed by him that this deponent must apply for the same in the County where this deponent resided.
This deponent was born in Schoharie aforesaid & resided there from the day of his birth which was on the 14 th day of May 1764 till this deponent arrived at the age of twenty six

years when this deponent moved to the town of Cortright in the County of Otsego in the State of New York & then deponent resided there for ten years when this deponent moved to the town of Camillus now town of Elbridge in the County of Onondaga where this deponent now resides & has ever since resided This deponent has a record of his age in his father's bible at Schoharie which is now owned by some of this deponent's brothers & which this deponent does not mention. — This deponent was christened & his name & age recorded at the Church record in Schoharie but this deponent presumes they were destroyed at the burning of Schoharie as the Church & private dwellings were all consumed by the Indians & Tories in the revolutionary war at the time above mentioned. — On the death of this deponent's father his family bible was given to one of this deponent's brothers. — This deponent resided at Schoharie upon and at the time he entered the service of the United States & this deponent served in the army of the United States from the time he entered the same on the 20 th of May 1780 till the month of October 1782 when this deponent was discharged — This deponent gives the names of the following persons who reside in the neighborhood of this deponent & who can testify to this deponent's reputation & to their belief of this deponent's service as a revolutionary soldier to wit: Judge David Mearns Judge Timothy Brown Judge Charles J. Morrison Stephen Smith Esquire Michael Redman Colonel Isaac Shepherd Deacon Isaac Hall Charles H. Tall Esquire Jonathan Shores Gaylord N. Sherwood

Grover Lawrence & John Lakin Esqrs.
This deponent is unable to prove a clergyman to attest to this deponent's character because there is no one residing near this deponent with whom this deponent is acquainted. The clergymen who preach near this deponent are mostly Circuit preachers & with whom this deponent is unacquainted.
This deponent thinks he shall be able to prove the affidavits of the said Becker & Bellingr & Lanks & have the same forwarded with this declaration in a few weeks.
This deponent hereby relinquishes 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.
Sworn to & subscribed the { John I. his Bust. } day & year aforesaid } mark Daniel Moseley Vice Chancellor
State of New York Onondaga County
We Gaylord A. Sherwood & Jonathan Shous residing in the town of Camillus in the County & State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John I. Bust who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed & sworn the { Gaylord A. Sherwood } 28 day & year aforesaid - } Jonathan Shous Daniel Moseley V. Chancellor

And the said Court do hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- atories presented 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 the Court that Gaylord N. Sherwood & Jonathan Stroen who have signed and sworn to the foregoing certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and that they live in the town of Cannons in the County of On- daga of which Ellingson lately formed a part, before its late decision. Daniel Moseley Vice Chairman
I S. A. Goodwin Clerk of the Court of Chancery in & for the Seventh Circuit of the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John J. Burt for a pension. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 28 th day of July 1834. —
S. A. Goodwin. Clerk

Revolutionary - Act Jan 7/92. John J. Borst of Elbridge
Joseph Howard Washington City D.C.
State of New York County of Onondaga
ss.
On this _____ day of _____ A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid John J. Borst a resident of Elbridge in the State of New York , who being duly sworn, according to law, declares that he is the son of John J. Borst who was a revolutionary soldier in the State of New York, and who died on the 28 th day of April 1842 & that deponent's mother died Mary Becker , died on the 30 th day of November 1801 - that they were married on the 17 th day of August in the year 1786, & resided in Schoharie in the State of New York & resided there 14 years - That he makes this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining from the U.S. Government, his rights in all any manner of claiming for arrears of pension, lump or commutation money that may be due him as heir of said John J. Borst who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law he may be entitled
For presence of C. M. Eames
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 10 th day of June 18 53
Jacob Walsted Justice of the Peace in said County
John J. Borst mark
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, John J. Borst described in the foregoing Affidavit, have made, constituted, and appointed, and by these Presents do make, constitute, and appoint Joseph Howard of Washington City my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, to apply for, demand, and receive from the Government of the United States, any arrears of pension now due  lump or commutation money or which may become due, or to which I may be found to be entitled, or may become entitled, by virtue of any Act or Resolution of Congress; and for the purpose aforesaid to examine any papers which may have been filed in the Pension Office, touching my claim lump or commutation money for pension, or arrears of pension. And on the receipt of any such arrears of pension, to give good and sufficient acquittances and discharges therefor; with full power of substitution and revocation; giving and granting unto my said Attorney or his substitute, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing necessary to be done

in and about the premises, as fully as I might or could do if personally present—ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his substitute shall lawfully do, or cause to be done in the premises, by virtue hereof.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Tenth day of June 1853
In presence of C.M. Emmerick
his John D Borst mark
State of New York County of Onondaga } ss.
Be it Known, That on the 10th day of June 1853, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared John D Borst , above-named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed; and I certify that the person making said acknowledgment is known to me to be the same person described in, and who subscribed the within Affidavit and the foregoing Power of Attorney.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year above mentioned.
Jacob Halstead Justice of the Peace of said County
State of New York County of Onondaga } ss.
I, Barnard Sleeper Clerk of the Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Jacob Halstead is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 1st day of January 1850, and will expire on the 31st day of December 1853; and that his signatures to the within Affidavit, and to the above certificate of acknowledgment respectively, are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said County this 11th day of June 1853
Barnard Sleeper Clerk

1033 E
P. O. John J. Bors
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

N.Y.
Sept 11 th Original
Free
(Revolutionary Claim)
Genl. Louis Lagas
Secretary of War
Care of J. L. Edwards Pension Office
City of Washington D.C.

Camillus Onondaga Co. N.Y. Sept. 5 th 1834
Hon. Lewis Cass Esq Secretary of War
Sir
I herewith enclose to you the pension papers of John J. Burt a Soldier of the Revolution which I have at length got (as I think) ready for action. — The old Gentleman has had a great deal of trouble considering his infirmities to prepare them & I trust they will be found to conform with the directions from the war Office. — I hope they will receive an early attention
Please direct returns to me as agent for Mr. Burt. — direct to Grover Lawrence Post Master at Camillus N.Y. — Yours abt. Burt.
Grover Lawrence

Ec d — 31,911
New York
John J Borst Suspended by det 24 Sept 1834 to George Lawrence
1038
act, 7 th June, 1832.

John J. Busts
Paper for a Prisoner
George Lawrence Post Master at Camillus Onondaga County N.Y. agent
31.911
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

State of New York } Schokan County } William Doney a resident of the Town of Middleburgh in said County being duly sworn doth depon and say that he this deponent will be seventy one years of age on the tenth day of October next, that during the revolutionary war and since he has been well acquainted with John J Borst an applicant for a pension as appears by the annexed declaration - that in the year 1780 he this deponent was an Enlisted soldier under Capt Gray and was stationed with said company at the Middle Fort in what is now called Middleburgh in the said County of Schoharie, that he well knows that said John J Borst was also stationed at said Fort in said year 1780. and was a soldier and did duty in the service of the Country in a company of Ranges, but whether said company of Ranges was com- manded by Captain Gray or Capt Rychter he this deponent cannot distinctly recollect, but his best recollection

could not tell when or when he saw it
-As that they both took the command by turns in the absence of Each other, and that Col Henson was commandant of the corps to which said company of Rangers was attached, this deponent will recollects that the dress of said company of Rangers was a white frock, and he will recollects of seeing said company of Rangers Engaged in actual service and on scouts, and in performing distant marches in defending the common country - but this deponent cannot state the time that said Boast was Engaged in the service of the country, that towards the close of the Revolutionary war they were separated from Each other - and further this deponent saith not -
Subscribed & sworn { his this 9th day of August } William ± Doney 1834 - Before me } Mark
Harvey Watson Justice

State of New York } Schoharie County } Betty Robins A resident of the Town of Middletown in the said County of Schoharie being duly sworn doth depose and say that John J. Borst, Applicant for a pension as appears by the annexed declaration is a brother of this deponent - that in the year 1780 she was one of the inmates of the Middle Fort situated in what is now called Middletown in said County of Schoharie, that she from the year 1780 until the close of the Revolutionary war remained in said Fort and did washing and mending and made and victuals for the soldiers, that her brother John J. Borst was from the year 1780 until the close of the war stationed at said Fort as a soldier in a company of Ranges draped in white frocks, common and as this deponent thinks by Bapt John Gray - that she has frequently seen said company during duty, and that they frequently went out upon scenting parties and also performed long and distant marches and were -

-absent on duty for a long time and then would return to their place of Residence at the fort - that said John J Bort continues in the service of the country in said Company of Rangers until the close of the war. that this deponent is the widow of William Robins - and further this deponent saith not -
Subscribed & sworn this 9th day of August 1834 - Before me Harvey Watson Justice per { Betsy H Robins mark
State of New York
County of Schoharie ss.
I John Gebhard Jr. Clerk of the said county do certify that Harvey Watson before whom the two annexed affidavits purport to have been sworn, was at the dates of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said county: and further that I am acquainted with his hand writing and easily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavits to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this eleventh day of August 1834 -
John Gebhard Jr. Clerk

State of New York Schoharie County ss
Schoharie County } I Harvey Watson one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county do certify that I am well acquainted with William Doney who has made the foregoing affidavit before me. He is a Revo- lutionary pensioner and a man of truth and veracity. I also certify that I am partially acquainted with Caty Robins who has also made the other affidavit before me and I should think that she is of the age of seventy years and upwards and from my own personal acquaintance, and from information I have derived from persons better acquainted with her than I am I believe her to be a person of truth and veracity. And the reason this certificate was not made the same time the affidavits were , was because it was omitted through mistake of mine. Witness my hand this 20th day of August 1834
Harvey Watson Justice
State of New York Onondaga County ss
State of New York Onondaga County ss John J. Burt being duly sworn, deposes & saith that he left home on

Could not tell when or when he served with this deponent, that his mind could not continue on a subject long enough to remember any thing correctly & the justice thought he ought not to make an affidavit. This deponent then went to Sharon to see John Billings & found him sick & confined to his bed & unable to be questioned or make an affi- davit but he told this deponent of William Donny who was living in said town of Middlebury & that Donny would make this deponent & that he now drew a pension - this deponent will enrollled said Donny & knew he was a soldier at the Middle Fort with this deponent. This deponent went to said Donny & he made the foregoing affidavit
This deponent was then advised by his attorney to go & get the affidavit of this deponent's sister Catty Robbins who used to wash for the soldiers in the Fort & she made the affidavit above set forth. - The justice who took the affidavits Harry Watson Esq. forgot to make the certificate that said William Donny & said Catty Robbins were persons of truth & this deponent had to send the affidavits back to Scholam County to get that certificate before this deponent could forward the same to the war department - this deponent has now obtained all the evidence in his power to prove to prove his service as a soldier of the revolution & further on the rest
the words "William Donny" written on an envelope before signing John D. his Bust mark
Sworn before me & subscribed this 5 th day of September 1842
Stephen French
4 notices at the Press

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John S. Burt who has made & subscribed the foregoing affidavit before me that said Burt resides within a short distance of me & I should think he was of the age of twenty years that said Burt is a man of truth & veracity & full faith & credit is due to his affidavit as to his word. This aff mt has recd within a mile of him for seven years past part & he has always been reputed in the neighborhood where he resides as having been a soldier in the revolutionary war which is believed to be true & of which there is not the least doubt in the neigh- -borhood where he resides or else where to my knowledge or belief.
Dated September 5 th 1834.
Stephen Finch Justice of the Peace
State of New York Onondaga County ss
Clerk's Office
I do certify that Stephen Finch whose signature is subscribed to the jurat of the foregoing affidavit of John S. Burt & to the foregoing certificate was at the date of the same a justice of the peace in & for said County &
I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Stephen Finch Justice of the peace & do verily believe the signature of said Justice to the jurat of said affidavit & the foregoing certificate are in the proper handwriting of the said Justice Witness the seal of the Court of Common Pleas in said County this 5 th day of September 1834
A. Edwards Jr. Dep. Clerk