Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,987, Francis Courtney, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Courtney, Francis Brock, Sarah
No. 15987
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

No 9108.
New York.
Sarah Brock, dec d formerly Widow of Francis Courtney, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 21 st September, 1797. of Hamilton in the State of N. York who was a Sgt. — in the commanded by Captain  of the Regt. — commanded by Col. Mespensfeldt in the N. York line for 2 years — increased from $35.00 per ann.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany — at the rate of 120 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 1 th day of March, 1836. V indg: 16 July 1839 —
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th — day of March 1846 and sent to Hm: St. White, H. R. —
Total amount, $402.64.
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Yale Steub Clerk, Book 10 Vol. 1 — Page 529 —
See letter to agt: 17 th March 1846

State of New York } County of Hamilton } ss: On this nineteenth day of June A.D. 1844, personally appeared, in open Court, now sitting, before the Honorable the judges { in and for said County of Hamilton to wit: Richard Peck First Judge; Cyrus Thompson James Harris Joseph W. Kirk. Isaiah Morrison } judges, George Courtney, aged 51 years, and John Courtney, aged 48 years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on their oaths make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Acts of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, and the 23 d of August 1842, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That they are children, and the only children of Francis Courtney (him surviving) who was a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, and served therein from the early part of the Revolutionary War, until, or near its final close, as more particularly set forth in the annexed, or following certificate, signed, "Fred: Weissenfels late Lieut: Col: of D r . Regiment." also, by "G. Weissenfels late Lieut. in yr. said Reg t ," dated "New York" August 27 th 1789.
They, the said George, and John Courtney aforesaid also declare that their father, the aforesaid Francis Courtney was married to Sarah Mott on the 25 th April 1791, in the town of Montgomery County of Orange, in the State of New York by the Reverend Nathan Carr of Goshen; and that the said Francis Courtney died on the 21 st September 1797 in the town of Magfield, Montgomery County and State of New York, at his then place of residence. Said marriage ceremony was not consecrated, prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
They further declare, that after the death of their father as above stated, their mother, the said Sarah was married to Barnum Hous, in September 1799, and that he died on the 3 rd of May 1804. That in the year 1810 she was again married to Benoni Brock, and that he also died on the 29 th April 1828.
They further declare that their mother, the above named Sarah, remains the widow of said Benoni Brock from the day of his death (the said 29 th

April 1828) until the day of her death to wit: July 16 th 1839.
They further declare that they are the children, and the only surviving children of the within named Francis Courtney, and that by reason of Sarah, their mother within named having died after the passing of the first within recited Act of 7 th July 1838, they hereby claim the proportionate amount of money, which, by virtue of the 2 nd within recited act guaranteed to their mother at the time of her death, to wit: from the 4 th of March 1836, to the 16 th July 1839. This last mentioned date being the day of her death, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
They further declare that during the life time of their father, the aforesaid Francis Courtney, he made, in his own proper hand writing, and kept in his Bible a record of his marriage and the date of the births of his children, commonly called a family record, and that the annexed leaf of a Bible contains the same identical record, and that it has been in the possession of these applicants ever since the time of the death of their mother as above stated.
Sworn and subscribed in open Court on the day and year first within written.
Signed. John Courtney George Courtney
John C. Holmes — Clerk of the Court, in and for the said County of Hamilton.

Explanatory Declaration of George and John Courtney, claiming arrears of Pension due their Mother, Sarah Brock, formerly widow of Francis Courtney: per act July 7. 1835.
State of New York
County of Hamilton } ss: On this 18 th day of December 1844, personally ap- peared in open court, before the Honorable the Judges thereof to wit: Richard Peck first Judge, Joseph Fish, James Harris and Isaiah Morrison Judges.
George Courtney and John Courtney, Who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on their oaths make the following explanatory, or supplemental declaration to that formerly made by them in the month of June last.
That their father, the said Francis Courtney, previous to his death made a record in his own proper handwriting of the time of his marriage, also the births of his children in a Bible then in his possession, and that the paper now on file in the Pension Office purporting to be a family record is the same identical record which was made by the said Francis Courtney prior to his death, and that Mr. Wells Esq. recorded the time of his death, and that if the paper purporting to be a family record does not bear the appearance of age sufficiently to make it available as evidence in this case , it nevertheless does not alter facts and truths heretofore and now set forth; nor can it be expected that a record made about the year 1795 would have the appearance of age sim- ilar to a record made during the period of the Revolu- tionary war. They further declare that after the time of the death of their father as stated in their original declaration and the accompany- ing testimony, their mother was married to Barret Hoare in the town of Wallkill in the County of Orange in the State of New York and that he died on the 17 th day of November 1804, and that on the 18 th day of August 1806 she was again married to Demetrius Brock who died on the 17 th day of April 1828.
They further declare that their mother the said Sarah Brock (and formerly the widow of Francis Courtney) died on the 16 th day of July 1839, at Lake Pleasant in the aforesaid County of Hamilton, leaving these two deponents as the only surviving children of the said Francis Courtney. They further declare

that by virtue of the act of Congress of July 7 th 1838 and of the 23 rd August 1842 they hereby claim the proportionate amount of money from the 4 th of March 1836, to the 16 th day of July 1839 which, by virtue of the last above recited Act would have been due their mother: provided that she had lived to the time of the passage of said Act. Sworn to and subscribed this 18 day of December 1844 in open Court
George Courtney John Courtney
John C. Holmes Clerk
We the undersigned judges, in and for the aforesaid County of Hamilton do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Courtney and John Courtney above named, and that they uniformly sustain a good reputation, and that it is generally believed that they are the only surviving children of Francis Courtney named in the foregoing declaration.
And we further certify that, by evidence satisfactory to us, of respectable witness that the second husband of the widow of Francis Courtney died on the 17 th day of November 1804 and that the third husband died on the 17 th day of April 1828 and that her first husband, the said Francis Courtney died at the time and place as stated in the original claim, in the matter of George & John Courtney claiming a Pension heretofore. We therefore give it as our decided opinion, that Sarah Brock named in the foregoing declaration was formerly the widow of Francis Courtney who served in Col. Weisenfels Regiment in the Revolutionary War, and that George and John Courtney above named are their only surviving children. And that the said Sarah Brock died at Lake Pleasant on the 16 th July 1839. Signed in open Court
John C. Holmes Clerk
Richard Peck
Samuel Harris
Isaiah Morrison
Joseph W. Fish
Judges of Hamilton County Courts

We the undersigned inhabitants of the County of Hamilton in the State of New York, do hereby certify that we were well acquainted with Mrs: Sarah Brock, formerly the widow of Francis Courtney, and that she uniformly sustained a good reputation, and that George and John Courtney, now residents of said County of Hamilton are, (by all who know them) believed to be children, and the only surviving children of the said Francis Courtney.
Signed in open Court and sworn to
John C. Holmes Clerk
James Scidmore
Lyman Holmes
Daniel Fish
Alvan Sroder
Benjamin Gyllon
Benjamin R. Jewell
I, John Dunham, do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Francis Courtney above named while we were both residents of Mayfield in the County of Montgomery, previous to the year 1796 and that he then resided with the above named Sarah, as his wife, who was universally believed to be his lawful weded wife, no person ever doubting the legality of their marriage, and that they had two sons, (small children) while in Mayfield aforesaid, and that I have been acquainted with them ever since, and that George and John Courtney who have just signed and made oath to the foregoing declaration are the same identical persons. And I further certify that their mother was, after the death of her first husband the said Francis Courtney again married to Darrett Hoon and that he afterwards died that she was again married to Benoni Brock and that he also died, and that during this period of time I was acquainted with the said Sarah. As it respects said marriages I have been so informed and so verily believe.
Sworn to in open Court
John Dunham
John C. Holmes Clerk

I, John C. Holmes clerk of the court, in and for the county of Hamilton do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings, in addition to the original proceedings made in June last at our court of Common Pleas in, and for said county of Hamilton, in the matter of the application of George and John Courtney for a Pension.
vvvvvv
In witness whereof I have hereunto af- fixed the seal of said county court at Lake Pleasant this 18 day of December A.D 1844.
John C. Holmes clerk
1132

Frederick Courtney and Sarah his Wife was Married April 25 th 1791 by the Rev d Nathan Carr of Goshen George Courtney was born June 23 d 1792 between 7 & 8 O'clock in the Morning in Wallkill Town Ulster County
John Courtney Born in Mayfield Town Montgomery County October 8 th 1796 about 2 O'clock P.M.
Francis Courtney Departed his life at Mayfield in the County of Montgomery State of New York on the twenty first day of Sept r in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety Seven 1797
Henry Wells
Henry W

May 18, 1906
High

Courtney, Francis
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the District Court for the District of New York, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 92.
Rank: Private
Regt: 1 st New York
Disability: Lost his sight by hardships endured at Quebec.
When and where disabled: Jan'y 17, 1776 at Quebec.
Residence: Montgomery, Ulster county.
Remarks: Enlisted December 24, 1775.
Evidence transmitted by the District Court incomplete.
No examination of surgeons. No evidence of his leaving the service.
Albany
See 1835 list

Revd by letter to agt 29 March, 1845
Letter to J. J. Sherr, 12 th May 1824 5
" to same Oct 29. 1825
Bills to children
9108
New York
Sarah Brock, deceased, formerly widow of Francis Courtney
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 21 st September, 1839 of Hamilton Co in the State of N. York who was a Sergeant in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the
Regt. - commanded by Col. Weissenfels the N. York - line for 7 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 35 - Dollars
Ents per annum, to commence on the 1 th day of March, 1836. Voted 16 July, 1839, when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of March, 1845 and sent to J. J. Sherr Brooklyn, New York
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by W. H. Bennett Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 149

1862
Sarah Buckas
NY letter to J. Shaw, Oct. 18. 44
ad 7 July 1838

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15987
Sarah Brock
Daughter of Francis Courtney
Deceased
Act July 7 th 1855
Index: Vol. 4 , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Phœas
Volte.

Whereas, Francis Courtenay in the Year 1775 Enlisted himself in the Service of the United States in the Canada Expedition, on the Very Severe Duty — through the intrepidity of the Frost, had his Eye slightly injured notwithstanding. When he by that means had lost the Use of his Left Eye was Stimulated from Principle of attachment to the Service, to continue from that Early Period to the End of the late Revolution, in the Rank of a Serjeant in the Second New York Regiment his Fidelity in that Station, has at all times been Uniform, as it becomes a good and faith- full Soldier, and deserves the Recommendation of the officers, who were immediately appoin- ted with his Duty.
Fred: Weipenfels-Late Lieut: Col: 1 st Regiment
New York — August 27 th 1789.
C. Weipenfels late Lieut. in 1 st Regt.
To all concerned

I Henry Cornrike do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with Sarah Brock, and that she died in my presence in the town of Lake Pleasant in the present county of Hamilton and State of New York on the sixteenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine; and that it was generally believed that she had been the widow of Francis Courtney, and that George Courtney, and John Courtney named in the foregoing and annexed declaration, are the only children and the only surviving children of the said Francis Courtney by the said Sarah, and that she remained a widow from the time of the death of her last husband until the time she died as above stated.
Sworn & subscribed this 3 rd Signed Henry Cornrike 19 day of June 1844
John C Holmes Clerk
We the undersigned Judges, in and for the County of Hamilton, do hereby declare our opinion, (after the investigation of the matter, and after receiving answers according to the nature of the case as particularly set forth in the foregoing and annexed declaration) that Francis Courtney was a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, and that the facts set forth in said declaration we verily believe to be true, and that the said George & John Courtney are the only surviving children, (as to our knowledge,) of the said Francis Courtney by the said Sarah as named and mentioned in said declaration. Signed by the Judges on the bench to wit — Richard Peck First Judge James Harris Joseph W. Lisk Isiah Morrison Ezra Thompson
State of New York — County of Hamilton } ss: Clerks Office —
I, John C. Holmes Clerk of the Court in and for said County of Hamilton do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Courtney and John Courtney for a Pension, or rather for the arrears of Pension made due their mother by virtue of an act of Congress passed August 23 rd 1842. In testimony whereof I have

hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal established for said Court this 19 th day of June Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
John C. Holmes Clerk

111/62
Sarah Brock and formerly widow of Francis Courtney NY
Act 7 July 1838

Sarah Brock died N.Y.
Oct 7. July 38 increased
2 years Sept 120 $ to 16
July '39 - when she died To Frances John & George Country - Valley Ann Jewell & Mary Ann Brewer only sur- viving children To be paid
Ann H. White N.Y.

Sir,
Broadalbin, Fulton Co. N.Y. Sept. 29. '75
More than a year ago, John & George Courtney applied for a Pension due their mother, (under the act of 1838) the widow of Francis Courtney. Said widow again married, (I believe three times,) and her husbands all died. She died I believe in 1839, and then two sons John & George Courtney being the only surviving children applied for a Pension due their mother at the time of her decease under the act of 1838, and were pensioned at the rate of $35. per annum from the 4 th March 1836 to the day their mother died. The certificate issued from the Pension office some time last spring. They were dissatisfied & so was I, because Col. Weisenfels had given, (as will be seen by reference to the papers on file,) a certificate that their father Francis Courtney had served as a Sergeant from the commencement, until the close of the war. The enclosed certificate fully corroborates the statement of Col. Weisenfels & we now trust that a new certificate will issue to the amount of a full pension. Their mother's name when she died was Sarah Brock. I guess that you will get it all right this time.
Respectfully &c.
John J. Shew
Pension Office - { Vol. 1-3 }

P.S.
This claim has been so long pending, will you please give it immediate attention.

Signal Office, September 24th 1845.
Sir,
I return you the Certificate of the Secretary of War (N.Y.), and request that you will give the name of the claimant (whether dead or alive in whose name the claim is asserted) and also the Act in which you propose to employ it as evidence.
I am, Sir, respectfully, D. M. Tuttle. J. L. Edwards
John S. Shaw, Esq. Prodalbin, New York

Washington 3 rd March 1826
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Dr Sir
I send the enclosed papers for your perusal, and request that you return the letter unless it be an important matter for you to keep in your office. The Judge and Surrogate is personally known to me and full reliance can be placed in his statements.
Respectfully Yours &c
H. White

Jan 10 1875
Supp. devisions of hair & teeth
Sarah Brock, etc.
See over of divisions
Washington City
Ed. A.

Broadalbin, Fulton County, State N. Y.
January 3 rd 1845.
Sir,
Please examine the enclosed explanatory declaration, (and the accompanying testimony,) of George and John Courtney, and return to me your most favorable decision, which will be most thankfully received.
With sentiments of much respect &c. John J. Shaw.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions

Sarah Brock
Manaculans May
May 2 1881
Rev. J. L. Edwards
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Attorney

Broadalbin, Fulton Co. N.Y. May 1 st 1855.
Sir, On the 18 th Oct. '44. a letter was addressed to me, which closed by saying. "The service of Francis Courtney as Sergeant is satisfactory."
The certificate of Colonel Weisenfels which was attached to the original declaration of John & George Courtney stated more than two years service. We had full faith that a full pension would be allowed. About the last of March last I received a certificate from the Pension office allowing them only $35.00 per annum. We solicit the favor that the claim be re-examined, or at any rate explain to us the reason why the allowance was made so small. It would seem as though there was a mistake somewhere, because Col. Weisenfels states particular that " from principle " said Courtney served until the close of the war.
Respectfully &c.
John J. Shaw
Hon. James L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

State of New-York } County of Hamilton } ss Surrogate's Office
I Richard Beck First Judge and acting Surrogate in and for the County of Hamilton. Do hereby Certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me at my Office in open court - in the Town of Wells State and County aforesaid that Sarah Brack late of the Town of Lake Pleasant deceased was formerly Widow of Francis Cauntrey deceased that John Cauntrey and George Cauntrey now of the Town of Lake-Pleasant. State and County aforesaid are the only surviving children of said Francis Cauntrey. That after the said Sarah was married to Barent Haase her second husband she had one child whose name since marriage is Sally-ann Leivell. That she is the only surviving child of the said Sarah by her second husband above named - and that her third and last husband Beman Brack the said Sarah had one child whose name since marriage is Mary- ann Brewer and that she is the only survi- -ving child of the said Sarah by her third and last husband above named. and that they severally reside in the Town of Lake-Pleasant except Mary-ann Brewer who now resides in the Town of Amsterdam County of Montgomery - in the State aforesaid and that each are separately is now over twenty one years of age. and I further Certify that the said Fran- -cis Cauntrey died more than forty years - ago. that her second husband also died in the year 1804. and that her third husband died in the year 1828. and that she the said Sarah Brack also died on the 16 th day of July 1839. leaving the above named persons as over

her children and her only surviving children her surviving, and I further certify that the above facts set forth are derived from two reputable persons now before me upon oath whose names are John C. Holmes of the Town of Lake Pleasant County of Hamilton State of New York and Henry Burtch of the Town Conesville and State aforesaid
I do hereby certify that I have deposited at my house and office as my seal of Office at Wills the Bakery of Hamilton State of New York this 9 th day of February A.D. 1846. Richard Beck First Judge and acting Surrogate of the Court of Hamilton.

11.163
Sarah Brattle
Dec d formerly wife of Francis Courtney NY Act July 7 th 38
Ad d 7 months Aug t
$35 per an.
to commence March 4 th 36 & terminate July 16 th 39. in favor of George Courtney & John Courtney only surviving children of said Sarah Brattle
J. J. Shaw Esq Broad albin N.Y.

11107. June 10 1844 claim for services rendered during the Revolutionary War.
NY
Sarah Cushing acc 7 May 1838 July 10 1840
Spencer July

Lin
Hon. James L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Broadalbin, Fulton County N.Y. July 5 th 1844
Sir,
Please examine the enclosed declaration &c. of George Courtney & John Courtney, only surviving children of Francis Courtney & Sarah his wife, and communicate to me your most favorable decision thereon. I believe that claims of this kind have heretofore been allowed, and if it is admitted that they are entitled to the amount they claim, there cannot be any doubt about the proof of service, nor of the marriage &c. &c. &c. It seems to me that a claim so replete with ample testimony, ought not to be returned to incur so much expense to the applicants as is often done. It is right, however, to have good proof in every case; but when the proof of marriage is as full as it is in this case, and the proof of service as complete as that given by the superior officers in this case, it would appear evident, beyond a doubt that all the facts requisite are before you.
With sentiments of much respect &c John S. Shaw
Hon. James L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions.

Sept. 1. 1895
Adal the cat
Mr. & George
Courtesy
P. V.

State of New York } Secretary's Office }
I certify that it appears by the Military Register in this office that Francis Courtney was a Sergeant in the Second New York Regiment commanded by Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt Captain Hallett's Company - Enlisted December 24, 1776 to serve during the war, and was Mustered to January 1782.
Rich d . Campbell Dep. Sec. of State
Albany August 5. 1845.

Payment to be made at Albany —
by J. W. Alcott —
Agent for paying pension- ers, in the Agency of
New — York
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book D Vol- ume 1 Page 529 by —
Miss Samuel Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th. July, 1838,
Sarah Brock, deceased, who was formerly the widow of Francis Courtney, who was a sergeant in the  Revolutionary War , was entitled to a pension at the rate of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March 1836, and ending on the sixteenth day of July, eighteen hundred and thirty nine, the day of her death, which will be paid upon the production of the proper vouchers to George and Sally Ann Gould and Mary Ann Brock John Courtney, only surviving children, after having deducted the amount, (if any) already paid.
This certificate is issued in lieu of one for $35. which was made payable to George and John Courtney, the only surviving children; dated on the 28th. March, 1845.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this fourth 14th. day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-Six.
Examined and } Countersigned. }

Payment to be made
at
by
Agent for paying pension- ers, in the Agency of
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book Vol- ume Page by
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7. July, 1835,
Sarah Brock, deceased, formerly widow of Francis Courtney, who was a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War, was entitled to a pension at the rate of $35. per annum, commencing on the 4th. of March 1836, and ending on the 16 July, 1839, the day of her death, which will be paid upon the production of the proper vouchers to George and John Courtney only surviving children.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this — 28 th — day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned }
Commissioner of Pensions.