Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,663, Robert Bruis, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Bruis, Robert
S. 22,663
CONTENTS

24.484
New York
Robert Brice
Rockland Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt - commanded by Col Malcolm in the N.Y. Mts. for Rycroft
scribed on the Roll of New York the rate of 80 Dollars, 00 Cents per annum, commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Jan 9. 1834 and sent to Hon. A.W. and H. Rev.
arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833. $200.00 emigrant allowance ending Jan 1834. 40.00
$240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { set June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 4 Page 109

State of New York
Rockland County ss On this tenth day of December, 1833, personally appeared before me Daniel Johnson, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County. Robert Bruis, a resident of the town of Ramapo, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, aged Eighty—years, who being 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 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the month of March, 1776, he enlisted as a privet in the City of New York, for Nine Months, in a company commanded by Capt Stewart, the regiment to which the said company belonged he has lost all positive recollection of, but according to the best of his recollection and belief it was commanded either by Col m Maleom or Col m Heyer, and was stationed in the City of New York, and employed in building fortifications at Bunker Hill and Fort Washington, on York Island, and from New York they crossed the east River and was stationed near Brooklyn, and remained until the Battle was fought between Gen d Sullivan and the British Army, and after Gen d Sullivan with most of his men was taken prisoners, he retreated with Gen d Washington's Army to New York, then to Kings Bridge, from thence to White Plains, where he remained until after the Battle of White Plains was fought, and then they retreated with Gen d Washington's Army to Kings Ferry, where Gen d Washington with his Army crossed the North River, and Capt. Stewart was his company, and the regiment to which he belonged marched to Peekskill, where they were stationed doing guard duty until near Christmas, in the month of December of the same year, when he was discharged, having served out the full term of enlistment, and he went to the now town of Ramapo, in the now County of Rockland aforesaid, then Orange County.
That in the Month of April 1777, he volunteered his service as a privet in a company commanded by Capt Garret Acker, in a regiment commanded by Capt A Hewks. Hay, and served therein two months, and was stationed doing guard duty, at Haverstraw, and

along the North River at Nyack, at the Sloat, and at Smedens landing and at Clarkstown, at which last mentioned place he was discharged. That then, in the month of August of the same year, he again volunteered his service as a privet under the aforesaid capt Garret Acker in the aforesaid Regiment, in the now town of Ramapo aforesaid and served in the said company two month, doing guard duty, at the stations aforesaid, that during the two above recited services, the British war vessels lay in the North river, and their duty was chiefly performed in guarding along the said river to prevent them from landing to plunder the inhabitants, and they moved from one station to an other as they moved up or down the said river.
That on the first of April 1778, he enlisted as a privet at Nyack, for nine months, in a company commanded by capt John Bell, in a Regiment commanded by col n Graham, and was stationed some time, doing guard duty, along the North River at Nyack, then crossed the river and marched to White Plains, and was stationed some time in company with a body of Continental troops commanded by Major Peter Fell, then recrossed the said river and marched to Haverstruck, and lay some time at the New Bridge, until the British Army came there, when we retreated and marched to Paramus where we was stationed some time, doing guard duty, when we were marched to Tappan Town, and from thence to Nyack, at which place he was discharged on the first of January, 1779, having faithfully served out the term of his enlistment.
That in the Month of April, he enlisted as a privet for nine months, at Clarkstown, in a company commanded by capt John Blauvelt, in a Regiment commanded by col n A. Hawkes Hay, and stationed as a guard at Clarkstown, at Tappan Town, and along the North River from Haverstraw to Smedens Landing, and very frequent in scouts in the county of Bergen, in the State of New Jersey, to Closter, Schraalenberg, Liberty Pole, and as far as Bergen Woods as they from time to time received orders, or heard of the marches of the enemy, and was stationed at Tappan Town, when Major Andre was executed - at which place he was discharged in the month of January 1781, having served out the full term of his enlistment.
That he did perform duty in capt Acker's company during the

years 1779. 1781 & 1782. at times of a few days, or one, two or three weeks at a time, but being now very aged and his memory very much impaired, and half a century of years having passed he is now unable to fix the periods thereof, which is the reason he has not set them forth in his declaration —
That he is unable, to offer the testimony of a single witness to prove his service under Capt Stewart, in the City of New York, that much time has been spent by his friends to procure the testimony of some of his fellow soldiers in the said company but none can be procured nor any that has been heard from that yet are living — (he being so infirm as not to be able to attend to it himself) and that there is but one now living that served with him in his nine month service under Capt John Blauvelt in the year 1780 to the knowledge of this deponent.
That to the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, and to be put to him by the judge. He states — That he was born in Stranraer in Scotland in the year 1750 — as he was informed by his parents That he has no record of his age. That in the year 1773, he entered as a hand on Board of a Brig at Liverpool, which loaded with coal and sailed for Boston, that the said Brig arrived at Boston in the month of December of the same year in the month of December, a few days before the Tea was thrown overboard — that some time thereafter he left the Brig and came to New York where he resided until he enlisted under Capt Stewart, and after his term of enlistment was expired he came to the now town of Ramapo, in the now county of Rockland, where he has ever since resided. That his services was voluntarily performed.
That during his above recited services, he served with Genl Washington, Genl Clinton and Genl Putman — That he did not receive a discharge in writing for any of his services. That Abraham
Onderdonk were persons residing in his neighbourhood to whom, (with many others) he is personally known, who can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution —
He hopes that the above statement, will satisfy the honorable —

the war Department, that he is entitled to the benefit of the act of Congress, aforesaid, he having set forth his services as particularly as, he having a conscientious regard to truth, after lapse of so many years, is able to set forth. And the applicant further states, that his services were field service, and that during the time in which the above mentioned services were performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit. That he has not, at present, any further evidence of his services, except the proofs annexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Me.
Daniel Johnson Judge
Robert his Bruns mark
I, Daniel Johnson, Judge as aforesaid, do hereby declare. We James D Demarest, a Clergyman, residing in the town of Rensselaer, and Andris Onderdonk in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Robert Bruns, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty 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 this 12 th day of December 1833. Before me James D Demarest Sworn & subscribed This 20 th day of December 1833 before me
James D. Demarest Andris Onderdonk mark
Andris Onderdonk
I, Daniel Johnson, Judge as aforesaid, do hereby declare my 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 I do further certify, that I know that James D Demarest, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Rensselaer.

and that Andrus Brundank who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I do hereby further certify that Robert Bruns, is so aged and infirm that he is unable to attend court.
Daniel Johnson Judge

Apr 3 rd : 1848 Children of Robert Bruce
Mr Valentine has examined this himself and is satisfied that the sum as stated owed by the Company was not paid by him Robert Bruce, and therefore he is right in the case

State of New York } County of Rensselaer } 1848
On this eighth day of March 1848 before me Joseph P. Brower, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly authorized by law to administer Oaths personally appeared Elizabeth Palmer who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following Declaration in order to obtain an increase of pension which she is informed & believes was due Robert Bruce deceased, under the Act of June 7 th 1832. That she is one of the children of Robert Bruce who was a pensioner of the United States and who died in the county aforesaid on the seventh day of March in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. That at the time of his death left no widow but left the following named children viz Sam Myers and this declarant Elizabeth Palmer. That they are his only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one Years of age, in support of which claim she refers the pension Department to the proof on file in that office in connection with such as may be furnished by her Agent William Valentine of Albany N.Y.
Subscribed & Sworn to before me This Eighth day of March 1848 Joseph P. Brower Justice of the peace Matthew D. Boyer
Elizabeth her P. Palmer mark
I certify that I am personally acquainted with Elizabeth Palmer above named. That she is the identical person above named & I verily believe the foregoing statement entitled to full faith & credit
Joseph P. Brower Justice of the peace
I certify that the interlineation of the words, duly authorized by law to administer Oaths, between the second and third lines from the top was done before execution Joseph P. Brower Justice of the peace

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ROCKLAND COUNTY. } s. s.
I, Isaac A. Blauvelt Clerk of the County of Rockland, do hereby certify that Joseph P. Brewer whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement a justice of the peace in and for said County, dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same, And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the Eighth day of March 18 48 Isaac A. Blauvelt CLERK.

State of New York County of Rockland Surrogates Court
On this eighth day of March 1848, it was proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to said court that Robert Bruce a pensioner of the United States died in said county on the seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred & thirty four, and at the time of his death left no widow, but left the following named children viz Elizabeth Palmer and Jane Myers, that they are his only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said court the day & year first above written
Wm G. A. St. Lawrence County Judge & Surrogate

State of New York } Rockland County } ss.
On this eighth day of March One thousand eight, hundred and forty eight, person- -ly appeared before me Joseph P Brower a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer Oaths, Arthur Coe of the Town of Clarkstown in said County who being by me duly sworn doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Robert Bruce in his lifetime a pensioner of the United States, that he was acq- -uainted with him at least forty years before his death that he lived about two miles from him that the deponent believes and has no doubt, upon his mind that he died about the seventh day of March One thousand eight, hundred and thirty four as near as he can ascertain the same, that he left no widow, but left the following named children viz. Elizabeth Palmer wife of Nathaniel Palmer and Jane Myres wife of Garret Myres that these two children are his only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age.
Sworn before me this } eighth day of March } 1848
Arthur Coe
Joseph P Brower justice of the peace

State of New York County 3 of Rockland for 3
On this Eighth day of March a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths 1848. Personally came before me, Harman Blauvelt of the Town of Clarkstown in said County who being by me duly sworn, doth depose, that he was well acquainted with Robert Bruce in his life time a pensioner of the United States, that he was acquainted with him thirty years at least before his death, that he lived two or three miles from him that this deponent believes and has no doubt upon his mind that he died about the seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty four as near as he can ascertain the same, that he left no widow but left the following named children viz Elizabeth Palmer and Jane Myers, that these two children are his only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age.
Sworn before me this Eighth day of March
1848
Joseph P Joseph P Brower Justice of the peace
The words
"A Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths" between the first, and second lines from the top was done before execution - Joseph P Brower Justice of the peace
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ROCKLAND COUNTY. } s. s.
I, Isaac A Blauvelt Clerk of the County of Rockland, do hereby certify that Joseph P Brower whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement a Justice of the peace in and for said County, dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same, And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County the Eighth day of March 1848
Isaac A Blauvelt CLERK.

Persons making application at the Comptroller's, or Secretary of State's Office, for certificates, or certificates of service of any person, in the army of the U. S. during the revolutionary war, should give the name and ranks held by such person; the nature of the service; whether in the Infantry, Cavalry, or Artillery &c.; in the regular army or militia; the names of the officers commanding the regiments and companies at the time of enlistment, service, and discharge, as near as can be given
In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their service 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:
  1780 Nov 30. Robert Bruce Sergt. No of certificate issued 7557 £ 27 09 04   1781 Feb 18 Robert Bruce Do " " " " 10.161 6 00 00   1781 Oct 26 Robert Bruce Lt. M. Do " " " " 5985 31 01 04   1782 Nov 23 Robert Bruce Sergt. " " " " 3730 27 01 04   £ 91 12 00 
I also appear from Book A, Audited Accounts, now in this Office, that the name of Robert Bruce, Sergt., appears in "Pay Roll of Capt. Isaac Keeler's Company, in Lieut. Col. H. Brant's Reg't of Militia, while in captivity from the 24 th June 1779, to different periods." That that the said Robert Bruce, was taken prisoner on the 24 th June 1779, and remained as such until exchanged Oct 24 of the same year. And that the amount carried opposite his name is £ 16.0.0.
£ 16 00 0 £ 107. 12 00
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, March 16 th 1848.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 1, 2, 3. 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. Richard Sacket in Col. Maurinus Willetts Reg't.   Second " " Lt William Morris " " Thomas Thomas "   Third " " Capt Daniel Williams " " Albert Pauling "   Fourth " " " Gilbert Livingston " " Andr. Nepenfelz "   Fifth " " _____ " " _____ "   Sixth " " _____ " " _____ "   Seventh " " _____ " " _____ "   Eighth " " _____ " " _____ "   Ninth " " _____ " " _____ "   Tenth " " _____ " " _____ "   Eleventh " " _____ " " _____ "   Twelfth " " _____ " " _____ " 
Philip Phelps Dep. Comp.
£ 91. 12. 0 16. 0. 0 Total £ 107. 12. 0

Probation
22663 INVALID.
File No. 22,663
Robert Bruns
Re New Year
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 57
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Charles Town
Nov 17
Dr W Allison with unaided
James L Edwards Esq
Bank of previous
Washington City
District of Columbia
Nov 23

State of New York, Town of Clarkson Nov 15 th 1869
James L Edwards Esq.
Dear William Valentine of New Albany in this State was informed by the heirs of the Late Robert Prince to obtain the Arrearages of the back or additional pension which was said and supposed to be Due to said Prince, no Satisfaction has been obtained as I am informed, and am therefore requested to write to the Department, what has been done, and whether said Valentine has rec d any official Documents or evidence in relation thereto
In behalf and at the request of the heirs I write you this please Inform me thereof
Your most Obedient Servant John J. Blanche

April 3 1848
William Valentine
For children of Robert Bruce

Letter
To J. S. Edwards Esq

Albany N.Y. March 29 th 1848
Sir
Enclosed is the paper in the application of the children of Robert Bruce deceased, for the increase of pension which it believed was due him under the Act of June 7 th 1832
I am informed that he served in Westchester County N.Y. from which, and finding no other person of his name on the New York rolls either in the line or Militia, it is inferred that he was the person who performed the service as per the Comptroller's Certificate herewith forwarded.
It will be perceived by the amount charged to him and grade in which he served that he was entitled to $120 instead of $80 per Annum, the latter being the amount which he received.
I am Yours very respectfully W m Valentine
J. L. Edwards Esq r Court of Pensions Washington

29.074 Dollars and Cts Robert Bruns.
29 07 3/4
Acme 24 mo. pri 80 3/4
M Ward
29 07 3/4

State of New York } Rockland County } Personally appeared before me the subscriber, a justice of the Peace in and for said county Peter Stephens, aged 72 years, and John House, aged 74- years, both residents in the town of Clarkstown, in said county who, being each duly sworn, doth respective depose and say that they was well acquainted with Robert Bruis, who has made a declaration before Daniel Johnson Esq. Judge, in- order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, during the revolution war, especially during the year 1778, and well recollects that the said Robert Bruis enlisted on the first of April 1778, for Nine Months, in a company commanded by Capt. John Bell, in a Regiment commanded by Col n Graham, that the said company first guarded a short time along the North River at Nyack, then crossed said River and Marched to White Plains, and lay there some time in company with some Continental troops commanded by Major Peter Fell, then recrossed the river and Marched to Hackensack, and was stationed at the New bridge, doing- guard duty, until the British Army came there, when the company retreated and Marched to Paramus, where they was stationed some time, doing guard duty, when they- were Marched to Tappan Tiron and from thence to Nyack where the remained doing duty until the first of January- 1779, when the said company was discharged, that the said Robert Bruis was a faithful soldier - they the deponents being fellow soldiers with the said Bruis in the said service
Subscribed & sworn to before me This 16 th day of December 1833
Peter Stephens John House
John T. Blanch Justice
I do certify that I am personally acquainted with Peter Stephens and John House and believe them to be persons of veracity whose statements are entitled to credit which have signed & sworn to the above affidavit - John T. Blanch Justice

State of New York Rockland County
I David Pyle Clerk of the said County Do Hereby Certify that Daniel Johnsons Before whom the Declaration of Robert Bruce And the traditional testimony of James D Dem- =arest Clerginan and Andris Vanderdonk was taken Sworn and the annexed affidavits of John D Ronde and James Tenure was sworn - and John T Blanche Before whom the annexed Affidavits of Peter Stephens John House and William Campbell was sworn where at the Date Hereof Justices of the peace in and for said County and that their Names Subscribed to the said affidavits and Certificate Is their Genuine Signatures
In testimony whereof I have Hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Twenty first day of December 1833
David Pyle

State of New York, Rockland County } Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the said county. William Campbell, a resident in the town of Clarkstown, in said county, aged 89. years, who being first duly sworn, saith, that he is well acquainted with Robert Bruis, of the town of Ramapo, who has sworn and subscribed the annexed declaration, — was well acquainted with him during the Revolutionary war, and knows that the said Robert Bruis enlisted at Clarkstown, in the month of April, in the year 1780, for nine months, in a company commanded by Capt. John Blauvelt, in a Regiment commanded by Col. A. Hawkins Hay, which company was stationed doing guard duty, at Clarkstown Tappan town, and at different places along the North River, at Haverstraw Nyack, Slate, and Snedens Landing, and on scouts through different parts of the county of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, as far as Bergen Woods, and was discharged at Tappan in the month of January 1781, having faithfully served out the term of his enlistment. the deponent being a fellow soldier with the said Bruis Sworn and subscribed this 14 th day of December, 1833. Before me } William his Campbell mark
John T. Blanch Justice
I do certify that I am personally acquainted with William Campbell who signed and sworn to the above affidavit and believe him to be a person of veracity whose statements are entitled to credit
John T. Blanch Justice

State of New York, Rockland County ss. On this Nineteenth day of November 1833. personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in said county, John Derende, a Resident of the town of Ramapo, in said county, Aged 73 years, who being first duly sworn, saith, that he was well acquainted with Robert Bruce in the Revolutionary war, knows that he served in a company commanded by Capt Garret Acker, in Col. A. Hawkes Reg't, in the year 1777, that he was doing guerrilla duty at Haverstraw and along the Hudson River at Nyack, nearly the whole of the season from early in the spring to late in the fall, see him on duty in April May July, September and October, but how long he served the deponent is unable to state, that he the deponent served nearly the whole of his time (in said year) from early in the spring until late in the fall near winter and to the best of his recollection now serves him he verily believes Robert Bruce served with him
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me -
Daniel Johnson
Judge
John D. Kendr -

State of New York Brooklyn County
Personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County James Tenure, a resident in and the town of Ramapo in said county, who being first duly sworn, saith. That in the year 1776 he Enlisted for five months in a company commanded by Capt John Volanvelt, in Col D  Halle  Drafters Regiment and went to New York and from thence to Brooklin, and while there he became acquainted with Robert Bruis, then a soldier in the Brigade to which he the deponent belonged but under what Capt or Col D he belonged the deponent is unable to say, but the deponent recollects that the said Robert Bruis, after the Battle on Long Island was fought did retreat with Washington's Army to New York then to Kings Bridge then to White Plains and then to Peekskill which is all this deponent knows of the services of the said Robert Bruis —
Sworn and subscribed this 12 th day of Dec r . 1833. before me
Daniel Johnson Justice
James Tenure
I do certify that I am personally acquainted with John Duronda & James Tenure whose affidavits with their signatures now attached to the Declaration of Robert Bruis, believe them to be and persons of veracity and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
Daniel Johnson Justice