Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12677, John Casten, New York

SERVICE
New York
basten, John
NUMBER
S. 12677
CONTENTS
carded

20-7457 New York John Casten
of Erie in the State of New York who was a Private in the Corps commanded by Captain Norbick of the Dept. commanded by Colonel Richmond in the New York line for Ohio.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Aug. W.P.D. and State Treasurer Buffalo
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 $ 50 Remun. allowance ending 4/12/24 10 $60
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by C. Casten Clerk, Book E Vol. 4, Page 93
Letter to Hon. M. Fillmore 11. Jan. '39, to same 24 " " to same 27 March 1839 to same 10 Jan 1840

John Casten Declaration
20325

[Declaration of a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the MILITIA, to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.]
State of New York, } On this 8th day of December 183 2 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Buffalo, in said County, John Easton a resident of Buffalo in the County of Erie and State of New York, aforesaid, aged 76 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 Congress, passed June 7, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
He was born in the City of New York in August 1757. He has a record of his age at home. When he enlisted he was living in the City of New York & enlisted in Colonel Richmond's Regiment in the City of New York for the term of Six months and served the time out as herein after stated, in which Mc Dougall was General, the regiment was called General Mc Dougall's "New York Caps", under Captain Forbush, about the first of March 1776. Continued in the Barracks until the weather became warm & then encamped near the "New Burying Ground", or "Bulls Head" and laid there until the British forces came up as far as Staten Island, he was employed working on the Forts, Standing Guard &c (and about the last of August or first of September) soon after the Americans were defeated on Long Island removed out as far as Oriskay's Creek & continued there with the regiment until the morning the British landed on York Island, when he got permission of the officers to go to the City to get his clothes, and was unable to return on account of the British having landed. He has lived since the Revolutionary War in New York, Philadelphia, and then in Baltimore, and then again in Philadelphia and then again in the City of New York & then moved to Pulaski County N.Y. State and continued nearly 40 years & then removed to Buffalo aforesaid where he now resides. He enlisted as a volunteer in the N.Y. State Troops (the Drunks) and got a bounty of five dollars a rifle & a pair of Hairy Caps. He did not receive any discharge except permission to get his clothes as above stated. His time had expired for which he enlisted his service and during the British coming and taking possession as aforesaid and he being unable to return to the Army he returned home without his discharge. He does not know of any, that he can prove his service by. He does not remember any of the Continental regiments that were stationed near him during his service, but recollects seeing Generals Washington and Putnam very often & also General Schuyler while he was at work on Parkhill's Fort at New York. Also he states that he served the full term of Six months as above stated. Also he further says that Alva Smith and Sylvanus  Marshall Russell, and Dr. Cyrus Chapman are persons with whom he is acquainted in his neighborhood and who he offers as witnesses to his character for truth and veracity and as to their belief of his being a Soldier of the Revolution. And this deponent further states that he cannot procure the attendance at Court of Chapman to testify as to his character without great inconvenience and trouble.
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,
Sworn and subscribed this 8th day of December 183 2
Wm H Payne Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
John Easton

We, Alva Brown residing in the town of Buffalo and County of Lin and Sylvanus Russell residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Caston who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 76 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.
Subscribed and Sworn, this 8th day of December 183 2
Alva Brown Noah P. Sprague Clerk  Sylvanus Russell of Our Common Pleas
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 Alva Brown who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Buffalo and county of Lin and that Sylvanus Russell who has signed the same, is a resident of the town of Buffalo and county of Lin and an credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Noah P. Sprague, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Caston for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth day of December 183 2
Noah P. Sprague Clerk of Our Common Pleas

20325-
John Casten
Admitted Erie County
Private 6th in New York
Mr. Casten says if his name is not found on the Roll he knows not where to find 2 units to form his service. He says Sgt. Douglass and Corporal McQuane belonged to his Company.
He thinks his name must be found on the roll if there is any roll on file in the War Dept.
His name he says may be on the roll John Causten. That the Country people called his father Casten & in the city he was called Causten or Costen - suppose his name was so on the roll on a diligent search his name is not found I suppose his app must be rejected.
17 June '23
J. V. H. If put on the roll prefer Buffalo signed Hillmore and Hall
Buffalo N. York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 23 1833
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 subjoined 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. These 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 John Casten Erie County N. York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     March 1776 6 pr Capt. Lov- Leish- Col. Rich- mond N. York 76 New York City Traditionary  
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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
A. B.
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) _____ 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 day 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 he 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 places 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 [e] 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.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
E. Newman

Jerusha Canstein
Dec 9 1849.
John Canstein NY Oct 1832
J. J. Coombs Esq. is here - by an attorney to ex- -amine the witness claim for me - L. M. Drury Jan Feb 16. 1852
Ex by Mr Coombs Feb 20 - 52
John Canstein NY DEC 9 1849

PAID
Mr G. L. Johnson
Rochester
N.Y.
Paid 5-
(100)

Collins Inn Co NY Dec 7 th 1849
Mr G L Johnson Dear Sir
When your agent was here last fall I thought to state some cir- cumstances connected with the subject of my husband's pension which may perhaps throw some light upon the affair & better enable you to proceed with the business
My husband enlisted in the service of the United States in the months of Dec February or March 1775 or 76 under General Mc Dougall & in August following (I think) was taken prisoner by the British at White Plains & for eight months was subjected to extra- ordinarily hard fare at the end of which time being greatly in fear of banishment he accepted the offer of an English Boff Tailor to work with him & have the limits of the City He remained in the City of New York working at his trade (be- ing a Tailor) four years during which time he was not allowed to leave the City but was consid- ered their prisoner At the expiration of these four years an opportunity of escape presenting itself he and a comrade improved it but were subjected to immense peril & in fact were fired at several times by the British before they could effect their escape My husband's name now on record at Washington is spelled Causten
Fillmore & Hall of Buffalo did get the business of getting his pension, which he received for several years as the record will show When Fillmore & Hall wrote for it in the name of Causten they received for answer that there was no such name on the record They wrote again in the name of Causten & obtained it The pension he received was for six months service But when he applied through Umphrey Smith for a pension pension

The whole of it was withheld which was some three years before his death Now or Sir I hope you will exert yourself to obtain the first pension for service also the prison pension for eight months if that is all I am entitled to But I think it should be for four years Please preserve the records & papers you remind of me & if you fail in obtaining it return them to me or my son Hiram Yours &c Jerusha J. Cawston mark

June 10, 1940
BA--J/AWF John Casten S. 12677
The Quartermaster General Memorial Branch War Department Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of John Casten who died in 1843, in Erie County, New York.
The data which follow were obtained from claim for pension, S. 12677, based upon the service of John Casten, in the Revolutionary War.
John Casten was born in the month of August, 1757, in New York City. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing in New York City, John Casten enlisted about the first of March, 1778, served under Captain Forblish, in Colonel Ritzema's New York regiment; he was in the battle of Long Island, after which he was taken prisoner and held six or seven months in the Old Dutch Church in New York City; it was found that he was a tailor, and was then employed by the British for four or five years, when he was made his escape, but did not, again, join the army.
After the Revolution, John Casten lived in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, again in New York City, again in Philadelphia, in Dutchess County, New
Tombsite Data only See full history under date of Nov 27-1931

York, thence to Buffalo, New York.
John Casten was allowed pension for six months' service, on his application executed December 8, 1832, then living in Buffalo, New York.
On December 12, 1838, he applied for increase of his pension, and upon reexamination of his claim in 1839, he was required to furnish more specific proof of his service and more explicit explanation of his detention in New York City for such a length of time, which he failed to do, and his name was dropped from the pension rolls.
John Casten was deceased in 1849, date of death not given.
The application for headstone for John Casten is returned herewith. There was no correspondence enclosed.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1909 May 25 Hist. to Mrs. Chas. J. North from Cal. Catalogue p. 1921. Apr. 24. Hist. to W.A. White copy 1931- Nov. 28- " " Louis E. Easton See his letter in Elisha Freeman S44854 copy. 1935- Oct. 24. Hist. & acct. Sec. Sons of Rev of New York State copy 1940. June 10 - Hist. to Tombstone data to Marcus Brusch copy
Rev War
12647  INVALID.
File No. 12,647
John Easton  Prior Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: — Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hon Sir
I have received through the medium and politeness of Mr. McTear one member of Congress a communication from the pension office setting forth the difference which in a former communication I was informed existed in my original and late applications to the pension office for which reason the Department have refused to increase my pension and have also suspended the small allowance which I have heretofore received. The difference alleged is first that there was no captain by the name Gorham in Col. Antioch's or Hethman's Regiment. Secondly relative to the term of time I enlisted for. Thirdly as to my obtaining leave to return home and not afterwards joining the Regiment and lastly that there was no enlistment in the above named Regiments for during the war. In reply to the first mentioned case I positively know that a man by the name of Gorham commanded the company and was called captain by the whole Regiment. But I now recollect since what has been said about it of that the Sergeant telling at the time that Gorham was not the proper for legal captain and that the man who was in fact the proper captain was absent for some time for other at any rate I never saw him and have forgotten what the Sergeant called his name and Gorham commanded the whole time I was in the Service and from this time now I must have made the mistake. In reply to the second case referred to there must be a misunderstanding as to my enlisting for six months only I stated that I was in the Service six months and what time I enlisted but was not so particular as in my last affidavit for I did not then know it was necessary and I being far advanced in years and but partially recovered from a severe fit of sickness at that time and my abilities and natural faculties as to memory and especially hearing were very much impaired I must have misunderstood

and answered the questions incorrectly, if such state- ments are contained in my first application for I did not understand them to ask me how long a time I enlisted for but how long I was in the service, as to my obtaining permission to return home this also a mistake the facts are these I was in the engagement on Long Island after wards our whole force moved off to the City and in a few days marched about five miles above the town where we took up our quarters while we were at the best place I obtained permission to go to my father's about two miles from the camp and on my way was taken prisoner by a British Battalion which had then surrounded them with some others they had taken was sent directly to Long Island where I remained until after the taking of Fort Washington by the British, when we were all taken and confined in the old Dutch Church where I I remained six or seven months my sufferings were such not at this time pretend to describe I being a Taskman by trade they made me the offer that if I would work for the officers they would release me from this last severe confinement and give me better fare I accepted the offer and was detained by them according to the statement made in my late affidavit and never received more than no compensation from them for my work whatever and as near as I could learn they would not exchange me on account of my being of that class of workmen so that my stay among them for so long a time was not voluntary by no means as was suggested but making excuse as soon as I could, as respects them being no enlistments in that Regiment for during the war I cannot tell what to make of it unless the officers did not make the true return or some mistake some way happened about it, be it as it may I surely enlisted during the war and received the bounty of five dollars and uniform which militiamen men never received and was ordered to take post in the aforesaid fort under these considerations I shall finally submit —

The loss to the discretion of the Department - and as I am in indigent circumstances through misfortune and having lost my oldest son in the service of my country in the last war and being between eighty and ninety years of age I should be much gratified in receiving a little help from Government and as I have always reposed the utmost confidence in the present administration I cannot yet believe but that the Department will deal fairly and honorably with me as an apology for the great length of this com- munication I have only to say that I wished to be understood in every particular
Catskill Ems. N.Y. Feb 12 th 1839
Most Respectfully Yours
John Easton
J. G. D. - For all wants Esqrs born of persons
Subsequent to the above should be made Ex not satisfactory

Wor Sir
The undersigned petitioner would most respectfully represent that he enlisted and served in the Revolutionary Army as stated in the following affidavit and your petitioner would further represent that at the time he made his first application for a pension under the law of the United States of the 7 th of June 1832 He neglected to state that he enlisted during war in the regular Army and that after serving about six months was taken prisoner as is stated in my affidavit herewith presented and your petitioner would further represent that the reason of his neglecting to make a full statement of his enlistment and services at the time of making his first application was that he was an aged man and unacquainted with the mode of proceeding in order to obtain a pension and was under the impression at that time that if he satisfied the Department that he served six months that it would be all that would be necessary in order to entitle him to a full pension of ninety six dollars per year and your petitioner would further represent that he has not received but twenty dollars per year under the above mentioned act as your Honor will perceive by the affidavit above referred to your petitioner therefore earnestly solicits your Honor to rectify the original proceeding, and allow him a full pension for time to come and also to make up the arrearages equal to other private soldiers of the then regular Army. Yours as in duty bound will ever pray. Columbia Co. N.Y. Dec 7 th 1838 John Cookson
J. L. Edwards Esq. loss of pension.

One county of John Easton of said county Being Duly sworn deponeth saith that he was one of the Revolutionary Soldiers that he Applied to the proper Department for a pension under the Act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832 and received a pension of twenty Dollars per Annum only And this Deponent further saith He enlisted in March Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six for During the war in General Mc Dougall Brigade and in Col. Artillery Regiment and Received the bounty of five Dollars and this Deponent further saith that he served in said Regiment for the term of six months and that he was then taken prisoner and held as such near five years and part of the time in close confinement and that after his release he never afterwards joined the Army And this Deponent further saith that he never has received any pension at any time whatever except the one above referred to and that he never obtained any Bounty Land. and this Deponent further saith that his release from the enemy was effected by making his escape from New York to Staten island and from thence to the main and this Deponent further saith that when he made his first application for a pension he neglected to state that he enlisted During the war and that he was a prisoner as above stated and this Deponent further saith that he does not know of any one that is now living whereby he can prove any of the above statements, except by this his own affidavit. And further this Deponent saith not.
John Easton
Sworn and Subscribed Before me a Justice of the peace of said county This 12 th Day of Dec r 1838
Witness my hand J. G. Hays

Eric County ss. David Corbin being duly affirmed Depose and Saith that he has been acquainted with John Casten about fifty years that he believes him to be a man of truth and veracity and of fair character and honest reputation and this Deponent further Saith that he himself was a revolution- ary Soldier and has frequently conversed with John Casten about the events of that war and believes from that conversation that the said John Casten was a Soldier of the regular Army in the continental Service and further this Deponent Saith not affirmed and subscribed David Corbin This 13 th Day of Dec 1838 Before me. Humphrey Smith Justice of the Peace
Eric County ss. John Lawton of said County being duly sworn Depose and Saith that he has been acquainted with John Casten for a number years and believes him to be a man of good character and of fair and honest reputation and also believes him to be a man of undoubted truth and veracity. and further this Deponent Saith not. ————— Sworn and subscribed John Lawton This 13 th Day of Dec 1838 Before me - Humphrey Smith a Justice of the Peace of said County

Hon. M. Fillmore
21 March 1839
GC
Bureau MS B 1.6 v. 16 p. 146

War Department Pardon Office
21. March 1839
Sir The statement of John Carter enclosed in your letter of the 20 th ult o  cannot be regarded as a satisfactory evidence  cannot be regarded as a satisfactory affirmation of his detention detention in the City of New York for fit a term years as a prisoner — The reasons assigned, leave it to be inferred that his remaining there for that length of time was voluntary
Hon Millard Fillmore Buffalo N. Y.

War Department Pension Office
Jan 24, 1839
Sir
In answer to the inquiry as to the cause of suspension of the pension of John Easton, it may be said in the first place that the  his the statement in his original declaration and that in his supplemental declaration made for the  purpose of getting his allowance renewed are most materially at variance; In the former it is said that about the 1 March 1776, then a resident of the City of New York, he enlisted in Capt Forbush Company Col Richmond, reg t for six months. When the British landed on York Island he obtained permission to return home and in consequence of the landing of the British did not return to his reg t . It is now said that in March 1776 he enlisted for and during the war and was after 6 months service taken prisoner and detained about 5 years - Since his claim for six months service was allowed the Full Staff roles of Col Ritzunus reg t  4th Sept 1776 have been obtained; No Captain of the name of Forbush belonged to the reg t nor were there any enlistments therein for the war or for more than 12 months and it may be added that the reg t was broken up soon after the battle of White Plains in consequence of the defection of

the departure of the Colonel
Hon. M. Fillmore
21 st June 1839
J. G.
Hon M Fillmore House Reps NY

House of Rep Jany. 9. 1840.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose you a letter from Humphrey Smith, Esq. requesting that John Caston, a Revolutionary prisoner who was stricken from the Roll on account of some discrepancy between his original application, and a subsequent one for the increase of his pension, be restored to his original pension.
I know nothing of Mr Caston but am well acquainted with Mr Smith and think the statement in his letter entitled to entire confidence. I hope therefore it may be in your power as I know you will feel a desire to do what is right in the premises.
Respectfully Yours
Millard Fillmore
J. L. Edwards Esq

Hon. M. Fillmore A.R.

Respectfully,
John Lester - ^, Please inform Millard Atkinson H. of Rep. why his pension is suspended. That is the particular discrepancy between his two applications.

House of Rep. Feby. 20. 1839.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose you a letter in explanation of the discrepancies in John Easton statements.
Your obed. Servt Millard Fillmore
J. L. Edwards, Esq.

Hon M. Fillmore
10. Jan. 1840
GL
Record V. 99 Page 163

War Department
Pension Office
Jan 10. 1840
Sir
In answer to the inquiry in the enclosed letter respecting the pension of John Carten I have the honor to state that Mr Carten cannot be restored upon the pension list unless his claim is supported by documentary evidence - Such for example as record or documentary evidence of his having been paid or regularly discharged from the Company in which it is said the service was rendered
The letter of Humphrey Smith Esq is likewise returned
Hon Mr. Fillmore House Reps US

51 Johnson Park.
Buffalo N. Y. May 15. 1909.
The Pension Bureau Washington D. C.
Gentlemen;
I am anxious to learn the Rev. War Record of John Casten. I find his name on the Pension List of 1881 in Erie Co. N.Y.

If you can in any way aid me to obtain his full record you will greatly oblige
Yours Very truly
Dora B. North
(Mrs. Chas. J.)
12677

Hennedy, N.Y.
March 17, 1931
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
I am writing for the war record of my Great Grandfather John Casten who was a Revolutionary Soldier and was taken prisoner and learned the taylor's trade while in prison. He married Jerusha Gates and lived at one time in Clinton, Dutchess Co. N.Y. where my Grandfather James Casten was born Sept 25, 1801 and James Casten married Amanda Wheeler Oct 29, 1828 who was a daughter of Ira Wheeler of that section and James & Amanda Casten lived at Pleasant Valley N.Y. where a daughter Ann Elizabeth was born to them Aug. 30, 1829. I do not know where or when my Great Grandfather lived when

he joined the army. A copy of Roberts "New York in the Revolution" which gives a list of all New York men who served in the war but does not show the name Casten
He lived to be very old and died in 1843, and was buried in Collins, Erie Co. New York, but his grave has no Revolutionary marker
I have written the above facts to the Dutchess Co. Historical Society and their Secretary writes me he cannot find any thing about John Casten or James Casten.
Please give me all the information your bureau contains in regard to his war record.
If there is any other department for this information turn this over to them.
Very sincerely yours
W. A. Waite

Sons of the Revolution
in the State of New York
Frances Tavern Corner Broad & Pearl Streets New York City
October 1, 1935.
Pension Bureau, Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please send me a copy of the Pension Record of John Casten who was born in New York City in 1757 and died in Collins, New York in 1843. His pension claim number is S-12677.
We require this information to assist an applicant in joining this Society.
Very truly yours,
Assistant Secretary.
FR/

October 24, 1935
John Casten-S.12677 BA-J/AWF
Assistant Secretary, Sons of the Revolution Fraunces Tavern Corner Broad and Pearl Streets New York City
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Casten of New York City, War of the Revolution, as found in pension claim, S. 12677
The data which follow were obtained from the aforementioned pension claim, S. 12677, based upon the service of John Casten in the Revolutionary War.
John Casten was born in the month of August, 1757 in New York City; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in New York City, he enlisted about the first of March, 1776 and served under Captain Forbish, Colonel Ritzema's New York regiment, called General McDougall's "Hairy Caps". He was in the battle of Long Island, after which, he was taken prisoner and held six or seven months in the Old Dutch Church in New York City; it was found that he was a tailor and he was then employed by the British as such for four or five years, when he made his escape, but did not, again join the army.
After the Revolution, he lived in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, again in Philadelphia, again in New York City, in Dutchess County, New York, thence

to Buffalo, New York.
John Casten was allowed pension for six months' service, on his application executed, December 8, 1832, then living in Buffalo, New York.
On December 12, 1838, he applied for increase of his pension, and upon reexamination of his claim in 1839, he was required to furnish more specific proof of his service and more explicit explanation of his detention in New York City for such a length of time, which he failed to do, and his name was dropped from the pension rolls.
He stated in 1839 that he lost his oldest son in service "in the last war", but did not give the name of his son. John Casten was deceased in 1849, date of death not given -
His widow, Jerusha Casten (Causten), in 1849, the referred to his death, but did not give the date of death, nor any data as to their marriage. Her post-office address in 1849 was Collins, Erie County, New York, and she then referred to her son, Hiram. There are no further data as to family, nor is the date of her mar.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Dictated by Mrs. H. 11

November 27, 1931
BA-J/AWF
Mr. Louis L. Casten 115 Hill Street Buffalo, New York.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Casten and Elisha Freeman, soldiers of the War of the Revolution.
Their full histories are furnished herewith, as found in the records of this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

November 27, 1931
BA-J/AWF
Mr. Louis L. Casten 115 Hill Street Buffalo, New York.
Dear Sir:
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.13677, based upon the military service of John Casten or Causten during the Revolutionary War.
He was born in 1757 in New York City.
1776 While residing in New York City, he enlisted in March 1777 and served under Captain Forbish in Colonel Ritzema's New York regiment, called General McDougall's "Hairy Caps". He was in the battle of Long Island, after which, he was taken prisoner and held six or seven months in the Old Dutch Church in New York City. It was found that he was a tailor and he was then employed as such for four or five years, when he made his escape.
He was allowed pension for six months service 1832 on his application executed December 8, 1832 , at which time he was living in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
On December 12, 1838, he applied for increase of pension, and upon examination of his claim in 1839, he was required to furnish more specific proof of his service and more explicit explanation of his detention in New York City, for such a length of time, which he failed to do, and his name was dropped from the pension rolls.
In 1839 he stated that he lost his oldest son (name not given) in service "in the last war". He also stated that after the Revolution he lived in New

York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, again in Philadelphia, again in New York City, in Dutchess County, New York, and in Buffalo, New York.
In 1849 his widow, Jerusha, referred to his death, but did not give the date of death, nor any data as to their marriage.
She referred to her son, Hiram, in 1849. There are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

April 24, 1931
W. A. Waite Kennedy New York
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section AWF:MLB
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12677, that John Casten or Causten was born in 1757 in New York City.
While residing there, he enlisted in March, 1776 and served under Captain Forbish in Colonel Ritzema's New York regiment called General Mc Dougall's "Hairy Caps". He was in the battle of Long Island, after which, he was taken prisoner and held six or seven months in the Old Dutch Church in New York City. It was found that he was a tailor and was then employed as such for four or five years, when he made his escape.
He was allowed pension for six months service on his application executed December 8, 1832, at which time he was living in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
On December 12, 1838, he applied for increase of pension, and upon reexamination of his claim in 1839, was required to furnish more specific proof of his service and more explicit explanation of his detention in New York City, for such a length of time, which he failed to do, and was dropped from the pension rolls. this name
In 1839 he stated that he lost his oldest son (name not given) in service "in the last war". He also stated that after the Revolution he lived in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, again in Philadelphia, again in New York City,

in Dutchess County, New York and in Buffalo, New York.
In 1849 his widow, Jerusha, referred to his death but did not give the date of death, nor any data as to their marriage.
She referred to her son, Hiram, in 1849. There are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner