Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12542, Nathan Cook, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
book, Nathan
S. 12542
CONTENTS
carded

4.540 4618 New York
Nathan Cook
of Seneca Co. in the State of N. York who was a Nonpl. in the Camp commanded by Captain Jackson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Livingston in the N. York line for 2 mos. Corp. } 22 " Priv. }
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars 65 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of June 1877 and to to R. M. Pease Geneva
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '35 $161.30 Semi-ant. allowance ending Apr '35 40.32 $201.62
Revolutionary Claim, for June 7, 1832. G. C. Miles
Recorded by Book E, Vol. 4, Page 57. Clerk
Dear Letter to wife Cook. 12 April 1843.

In the Matter of the Application of Mathan Cook for a pension
Sergeant 24 mo. 24540 Private 38 "
Mr Bayly. agent -
on Rolls
7/10 lev. 3 years. Compt Oct. '79 discharged 15 Nov. '79
566 782 733 772 4063
adm d
2 mo. Compt
22 mo. fri

State of New York } Seneca County }
On this sixth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting, Nathan Cook a resident of the Town of Fayette, in the County and State aforesaid aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of 1832, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: viz That at the Town of Wallkill in Orange County New York, where he then resided, about the month of May in 1776 he enlisted in Captain Milham Jackson's Company in Colonel Harry B. Livingston, Regiment of New York State Troops for the term of One Year, went to Constitution Island opposite West Point, remained there until about the month of November, then moved down the River to Fort Montgomery, at said Fort Montgomery in said month of November, he enlisted out of the State Troops, into Captain Israel Smith's Company in the Fourth New York Regiment in the Continental Line, under Colonel A. B. Livingston, for the term of Three Years or during the War; they remained at Fort Montgomery during the Winter, in the Spring following was ordered to Peekskill, their Regiment was on duty from Peekskill to White Plains, Horse Neck and in different parts of Westchester County, under the command of Colonel Livingston and General Clinton, until about September when they moved up the North River to Albany and from thence to Saratoga and Stillwater, joined General Gates Army at Bemis?

Heights, was in the Battle of Saratoga the 7th. of October 1777, was in General Poor's Brigade; after said Battle their regiment returned to Albany and went from thence to Fishkill, then crossed the Hudson River and marched by way of the White Marsh Hill to Valley Forge and then went into Winter quarters. In 1778 he was in the Battle of Monmouth with the same Captain under Colonel Riner, Col. Livingston having resigned, then crossed the Hudson River to Pikeskill, White Plains, Bedford etc., was then attached to the Light Infantry called "Scott's Light Infantry" until about the month of December when he was ordered up the Mohawk River to Canajoharie and there joined his Regiment which had been previously ordered there into Winter quarters; in the Spring of 1779 was ordered to Cooperstown, remained there about one month; went to Tioga Point then joined Sullivan's Army and went with him to near the Genesee River in New York, returned from that expedition by way of Wyoming and Easton to Morristown, New Jersey and there went into Winter Quarters; and was discharged at Morristown in December 1779 having served his term of three years. He was appointed a Sergeant at Canajoharie about a year previous to his discharge and served as such to the end of his term of service. He received a written discharge signed by Captain Smith and Colonel Riner which together with his Sergeant's Warrant has been lost, he cannot tell how but has had them in his possession since the War. That in the year following 1780 he was a Sergeant in Captain Abraham Westfall's Company in Colonel Paulding's Regiment of New York Militia. was on the Western Frontier, and was stationed at Peapack, was quartered at the house of one Jacob DeWitt, and was

there discharged in November of that year - and that from that time until the close of the war, he was in service in the Militia, from five to eight months each year. That he now resides in the Town of Fayette Seneca County in the State of New York and has resided there for twenty eight years past and previously he resided in the Town of Mammon Eaton Orange Co. That he has no documentary evidence of his said services, and knows of no other person whose testimony he can procure, than John Green and George Mapes whose affidavits accompany this declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State or Territory.
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court the day and Year aforesaid.
Nathan Cook
Seba C. Murphy clerk of the County of Seneca
We Jonas Seely and Jacob L. Langelere of the County of Seneca aforesaid
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathan Cook, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 6 th day and Year aforesaid Jonas Seely Jacob L. Langelere Seba C. Murphy clk.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolution

ary Soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jonas Seely and Jacob L. Garzelare who have signed the preceding certificate reside in the town of County of Seneca and that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Seba Murphy clk,
State of New York, Seneca County ss.
I, Seba Murphy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Nathan Cook for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office, this Sixth day of October 1832 Seba Murphy clk,
Seba Murphy

State of New York Seneca County ss
George Mapes of the town of Seneca in the County of Seneca and State of New York being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is acquainted with Nathan Cook Senior of the town of Fayette in the County of Seneca and State aforesaid and has been for about fifty years. And this deponent further says that the said Cook was a soldier in the Regular Service of the United States in the war of the Revolution, and this deponent says that, to his certain knowledge, the said Cook served for the term of nine months, in the said war, that the said Cook served under Captain Abram Westfall. That the officers of the Regiment to which Captain Westfall's Company belonged were not known personally to this deponent. This deponent further says that it was about the years Seventeen hundred and Seventy Eight and Nine that the above mentioned Services were performed. And further this deponent says not.
George Mapes
Subscribed & sworn this
26. day of May A.D. 1839
Before me Jas. W. Chidsey J.P.
I Jas. W. Chidsey do hereby certify that George Mapes who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is a credible person and entitled to full belief.
Jas. W. Chidsey J.P.

State of New York, Seneca County,
I Seba Murphy, clerk of the county of Seneca, do certify that Samuel B. Chidsey and Stephen B. Miller Esquire whose names are subscribed to the preceding and succeeding affidavits, and before whom the said Affidavits purports to have been sworn, were, on the day of the date thereof, two of the justices of the Peace in, and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said justices respectively and verily believe that their names thereto subscribed to the said affidavits to be their proper hand writing and signatures. — Witness my hand and Seal of Office at Ovid this 24 th the day of October 1832.
Seba Murphy clk

State of New York
Seneca County ss -
I John Green an Inhabitant of Romulus in said county aged seventy-six do solemnly swear that I am personally acquainted with Nathan Cook an inhabitant of Fayette in said county and that I was acquainted with and knew him in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy-six that he then belonged to & was a soldier in the Twelve months service in the New York State Troops which was & belonged to a company which I was then informed was commanded by Captain William Jackson which company was then stationed at Fort Constitution on the east side of the Hudson river after which time I did not have an opportunity to see him again (being stationed myself in another quarter) until three or four years when I again frequently saw him at which time he belonged to & was a soldier doing service in the New York State Militia in the nine months service stationed at Poughkeepsie & along the frontier.
John Green
Seneca County ss -
Be it remembered that on the Eleventh day of June A.D. 1881 before me Stephen R Miller a Justice of the peace of said county came John Green to me known as an old & respectable inhabitant of Romulus in said county who being by me duly sworn saith that the facts by him stated in the foregoing affidavit are just & true to the best of his recollection & he - subscribed his name to the foregoing affidavit in my presence -
Stephen R Miller - Justice peace
I Stephen R Miller J.P. further certify that said John Green is a credible witness and entitled to full faith and credit
Stephen R Miller - Justice peace

24.540.
Nathan Cook Seneca Co New York
adm d
R. M. Bayly Geneva, Seneca Co New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Nathan Cook. Seneca Co. N. York.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 1776 3 " " Priv Serg. Gen Clinton Col. Livingston Col. Jackson 76 years Orange N. York Witness John Green   1780 Serg. Col. Paudling Col. Westfalls George Mapes  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. (Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place-where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowen

Elizabeth
Rev War
12542 INVALID.
Mch 15, 1906 - History to Miss Bowling. — XNR.
File No. 12, 542
Nathan Cook
Coupl Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: — Vol. A , Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Data taken from card.
24. E. Bayard St. Seneca Falls - 3-9-1906-
Pension Bureau.
Will you send me a copy of the Revolution- ary pension papers of Corporal Nathan Cook? he was a pensioner under act of 1832. Claim al- lowed 1883. from Seneca Co. New York. am making out papers for two of his descendants to join the D. A. R. and their

father William D. Sweet of Waterloo. wish ed me to write for paper. Would like as soon as possible -
also can you tell me if there is a John Shirley on pension rolls. he was born in New Hampshire. but died in Warren Co. Pennsylv- ania 1826 - was one of the pioneers of Warren. Pa? This would oblige

me greatly. Direct to (Miss) Elizabeth Cowing. 24. E. Bayard St. Seneca Falls. New York.

Sept 10 1843
In at M rs Lewis
J. L. Edwards Esq r
FREE
Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Williamsport April 6. 1843 J. L. Edwards Esq.
Since your favor of the 31 March is duly to hand, And according to Your Instructions I herewith inclose all the papers relative to my Decd Father's Pension, which I hope you will find correct
Respectfully yours Jesse Cooke