Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,381, George Decker, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Decker, George
S 30,381
CONTENTS

19396 Kentucky
George Decker Mayville in the State of Kent- who was a pr in the co command by Captain McLean of the up command by Capt Drake in the N.Y. State time for 17 years
29 Nov 42 p
Inscribed on the Roll of Kent the rate of $6 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Sept 1833 and Roads Faith Monticello bears to the 4th of March 1833 Pensional allowance ending Sept 28 33
$141.60
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 7
1890 Nov 11 Mr Beckwith - history in person Prior
3rd Aud. May 11/55 J. C. G. Kennedy May 16/55

9488 mile George Beckin 100 S. Beck Pension
Kent
Sept 25

State of Kentucky, Wayne County } Sch
On this 28 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Wayne County now sitting George Decker, a Resident of Wayne in the County of Wayne and State of Kentucky. aged ninety years old the first day of January 1833, 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 Congress passed June the 9 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States as a private under the following named officers and served as here in stated.
That the said George Decker was born in the high lands of New York, near the New Jersey line county of the State of New York in 1743 or 1744 and was drafted for 8 months I think & taken in the Spring of the year 1775 in said county the name not recollected, and under Capt Jackson his christian name not recollected

and under Col. Drake, his christian name not recollected. and under General Scott I think Charles, the name or number of the Regiment I do not recollect, in first marched to the Delaware River on the frontiers in New York, I remained there for some months, we then marched to the north River and was generally engaged in building forts & repairing others, we afterwards marched to Stony Point. We then marched with the main army, and was discharged late in the fall not far from Stony Point. The main army I think was commanded by General Scott and General Wayne. I was discharged By my officer in writing, but have lost my discharge of my said Term of 9 months.
Shortly after I returned I got man- ied. And about 4 or 5 months before the Battle of Long Island I was again drafted for 9 months Term in my said county its name not now recollected, and served the full term of 9 months as a private under Capt- Trout, his christian name not recollected, Lieutenant Dacken - his christian name not recollected But a Brother to my former Captain, & Sergeant - Fackiner his christian name not recollected, & commanded I think again by Col. Drake. General Scott & Gen Putman. We marched I think from home towards the north River

not far from Stony Point & Kingsbridge. Then we took shipping & went down and landed in the city of New York, thence we marched to the White Plains, between the North & East Rivers. and then and in the neighborhood we had some small engagements or skirmishes with the British. We remained there I think a few days or weeks, we then marched back to the city of New York. I was then taken sick & put in the Hospital a few weeks, I afterwards got better and returned to my company. We were then ordered over to Long Island, Being not yet well, I still followed my company and Officers and marched with them. I was in the Battle of Long Island commanded by General Washington, & many other Officers not now recollected. Besides my own... About one o'clock in the night after the Battle we retreated off the Island to the city of New York. and we remained there a short time, I had some small engagements, and we then retreated up North River near Kingsbridge, and there we lay till we were discharged the precise time not recollected. But the snow at the time was up to my shoulders. I was regularly discharged By my Captain Wood in writing. But have lost both of my discharges, for said 57 months for which I claim a pension I lived and was born in the State of New York near Goshen the county seat. But the name of the County is forgotten for about 35 years. After wards in Virginia Rockbridge county three years

then in north Carolina. In Guilford County 4 years Then on Holston in Washington County Virginia 4 years Then I moved Back to North Carolina, the same place I left, then back to Holston the same place I left, then to Kentucky, first in Pulaski County. Then in the County of Wayne then in Cumberland County, and then into Wayne County, where I now live, I have lived about 22 22 years, except one year in the state of Indiana that I lived in the time of the said George Decker have no Documentary evidence & know of no person whose testimony I can procure, who can testify to my services in the country
I the said George Decker hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the Present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and sub- scribed the day and year aforesaid
his George + Decker mark
We Adam Vickery a clergyman residing in the county of Wayne and Thomas Forster residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Decker who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him then 89 years of age past that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a sol- dier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Adam Vickery Thomas Forster

And the said board do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing interrogatories pre- scribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the board further certifies that it appears to them that Adam Vickery who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, President in the county of Wayne and that Thomas Stearns who has also signed the same is a Resident in the said county of Wayne & is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Archibald S. Dobbins J. P. Roger Potts J. P. Charles Higginbotham J. P.
Shelbyville Wayne County June 21 st
I William Simpson Clerk of the County Court of Wayne do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Becker for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal having no seal of office as get up hereon this 29 th day of June 1838 & in the 42 nd year of the Commonwealth W. Simpson Clerk

October 24, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Honorable John M. Robison Member of Congress Barbourville, Kentucky
GEORGE DECKER S. 30381 BA-J/MLB
My dear Mr. Robison:
You are furnished herein the record of George Decker as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 30381, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
George Decker was born January 1, 1743 or 1744, near Goshen in the highlands of New York State near the New Jersey line. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in the place of his birth, George Decker enlisted in the spring of 1775, served as private in Captain Jackson's company, Colonel Drake's New York regiment, stationed part of the time on North River where he assisted in building some forts and in repairing others and was discharged after having served eight months. He enlisted about four or five months before the battle of Long Island, served nine months as a private in Captain Wood's company, Colonel Drake's New York regiment, and was in the battle of Long Island and in the retreat from New York, also in some skirmishes with the British in the neighborhood of White Plains.
The soldier resided near Goshen, New York, about thirty-five years then moved to Rockbridge County, Virginia, where he lived three years, thence to Iredell County, North Carolina, where he remained four years, then moved to a place on the Holston River in Washington County, Virginia, for four years, then back to the same place in North Carolina, from there back to the same place on the Holston River in Virginia, thence to Kentucky where he lived first in Pulaski County, then Wayne County, next Cumberland County, and from there back into Wayne County.
George Decker was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, while a resident of Wayne, Wayne County, Kentucky, where he had lived twenty-two years with the exception of one year

which he spent in Indiana. He died November 29, 1842, in Pulaski County, Kentucky.
The soldier, George Deeker, married shortly after his first tour of service in the Revolution, but the date and place of his marriage and name of wife were not stated.
Reference was made to a daughter of George Deeker who survived him but her name was not given.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name of the person paid, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
George Deeker Certificate # 19390 Issued September 2, 1833 Rate, $56.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act June 7, 1832 Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

October 24, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Honorable John M. Robison Member of Congress Barbourville, Kentucky
cur GEORGE DECKER S. 30581 BA-J/MMHF:MLB
My dear Mr. Robison:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request for one of your constituents the Revolutionary War record of George Decker, a pensioner who resided in Pulaski County, Kentucky, the Revolutionary War record of William Sawyers, and the Mexican and Civil War record of Colonel John Sawyers, of Tennessee.
In order to identify the Revolutionary War record of a William Sawyers, it is requested that your constituent furnish as much as possible of the following data: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow. The record of George Decker is furnished herewith as found in pension claim, S. 30581, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Your letter has been referred to the proper source for reply in regard to Colonel John Sawyers.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
It expressed it thus, as a copy of his letter had been sent to Archives, see note in red pencil on his let. herewith - F

JOHN M. ROBSION NINTH KENTUCKY
MEMBER: COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES JUDICIARY REVISION OF LAWS
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
October 19, 1936. Barbourville, Kentucky.
Hon. Frank T. Hines, Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C. Dear General:
Send to Mrs. Fench Mary Bldg 185-1 One of my constituents is anxious to know the war record of George Decker , a Revolutionary war veteran, who applied for a pension from Pulaski County, Kentucky about 1832. He believes that this George Decker is his great-grandfather. His grandfather, Andrew McDonald Decker, came from Pulaski County, married his grandmother and moved back there. He also had a great-uncle named George Decker. It is thought that the first George Decker, in applying for a pension, might have mentioned the names of his wife and children, father and mother, and so on.
Any information which your office can furnish will be very greatly appreciated.
This constituents, who, by the way, is a World war veteran, is also anxious to find out something about the war records of his mother's family, the Sawyers. Col. John Sawyers, a brother to his grandfather, fought in the Mexican and Civil wars, having enlisted from the State of Tennessee. He thinks the name of his great-grandfather Sawyers was William . m. W.C. 485764 m.c
Your co-operation in furnishing this information, I am sure, will be very gratefully received.
Sincerely yours,
J. M. Robsion
Copy of this letter routed to National Archives on case of John M. Sawyers W.C. 485764

1936 Oct 24 Hist. to Hon. J. M. Robison (to Co. Mar. 1936) m. 19
30 381 Rary INVALID.
File No. 30 381
George Decker Sci Reo. m.
Act: June 1 st 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 107
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Treasury Department, Third Auditor's Office. May 15. 1855.
Sir,
I return herewith the papers in the case of George Becker, a pensioner of Ky. and have to inform you that it appears on the records of this Office that he died 29 Nov. 1842, and that his pension has been paid in full to the day of his death.
I am, Sir, your Obedient Servant. Robert Minton Auditor
S. P. Waldo, Esq. Commr. of Pensions.

Washington 8 May 1855.
Sir
The daughter of Geo W Deck- er a pensioner who died in Pulaski Co Ky - has applied to me to procure for her an allotment due her father on his pension act.
You will greatly oblige me by giving any information in possession of the Pension Office respecting such bal & inform me whether any such be admitted.
I have the honor to be Sir
Very Respectfully Harold Waldo Yrs W Servt Com d of Pensions Jas. C. Kennedy Wash o 11

No. 22840.
Kentucky
from 1875 previous 107 months, $56.66 2/3 100
Roder Garth Monticello, Ky
Form No. 100. (Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page)

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Geo. Decker which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? ys II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? ys III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? ys IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? ys V. * Has he mentioned 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? ys VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? ys VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? ys VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? ys IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? ys X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, is a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
of office  None  The Clerk has not seal

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his service and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 99
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? —
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 99
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? —
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? —
XVI. # Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Pro #
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 715
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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.
† QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
# In every case when the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.

Monticello / July / 1833
My Dr Sir,
I have inclosed five "Declarations for Pension" amended the with the seal of the court and county of Wayne as required. It was lately that one could be procured. The names are Charles Washam - Ino. Davis Wm Johnson. - George Decker Robert Blakely. I hope they may succeed. They are needy. & I think meritous Ino L. Elliott } Rodas Gartin