Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16560, David M Defreest, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Defrest, David M. or De Forrest, Rachel
W. 16560
CONTENTS

Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6. April 1835 from 4 March 1837 to 4th 1837. Age notified 23 June 1838.
Paid as above from 4 th Sept 1840 to 4 th Sept 1841. Agent noti- fied July 23 rd 1842.
Albany 1066
Rachel Defreest of David M. Defreest
or died on the 6. April 1835 - Defreest of Albany Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Defreest of the Regt. commanded by Col. Schuyler in the N. York line for 7 months & 19 days N.Y.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 25 Dollars 43 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 7. April 1835
Certificate of Pension issued the 26. day of June 1837. and sent to Lemuel Jenkins, Albany
Arrears to the 4th of March '37. 54.52 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Ex p... 12.71 $ 67.23
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, section the 3 - }
Recorded b- ok A
Clerk, page 129

New York 28.758
See let. to Agent. 11 June '34
David Mc Defrest or Defrest of Rensselaer in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Defrest of the Regt. commanded by Col Schuyler in the New York line for 13 1/2 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 4 5 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June 1834 and sent to Hon. C. Bodle House Representative
Arrears to the 4th of March '34 $135.00 Pension allowance ending Sept 4 th 34 22.50
$157.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam H. Page Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 97

David M Deforest
Suppl. declaration
STATE OF NEW YORK
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress...
to lawfully deposit on his copyright... now sitting... open court before... On the...

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COUNTY of Albany } ss.
On the Seventeenth day of July 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of the Justices Court of the City of Albany now sitting, David M. Deforest a resident of the Town of Greenbush in the county of Rensselaer and state of New York aged Seventy five 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: That he entered as a private in a Company of militia under Captain
Jacob De Freest in a Regiment commanded by Col. Stephen J. Schuyler , and was called out to march to the northward, & was at Stillwater, and at Fort Ann, and Fort Edward, and was in the Battle at Wood creek when Col. Henry K Van Renselaer was wounded, and was at his side at the time; and assisted in bringing him from the field and aided him to get to his residence in the Town of Greenbush; the Col. was shot thro' the thigh, which was broken; the declarer remembers the following named Neighbors who were out in service at the time now alluded to; to wit, Matthew Van Alstyne since deceased; Volkert Vandenberg , also since dead; William Norton who was with him in the battle, also since dead; Jacob Vogel also dead; that the declarer has also been ordered out and did duty on the Mohawk River; and also on another occasion, previous to the battle above spoken of, he has marched to the Northward; and also to various other places, and always turned out & did duty with alacrity; and altho' he cannot after the lapse of so many years state the length of time of each, yet he has no hesitation to state with confidence that the whole period of his services amounted to two years and upwards:
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 to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
J. G. Watson Clerk  David M. Deforest
WE Stephen Ostrander a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Greenbush and David M. Deforest residing in the City of Albany hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David M. Deforest who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy five 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.
J. G. Watson Clerk  Stephen Ostrander Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Blooming Grove
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 Stephen Ostrander who hath signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Greenbush and that David M. Deforest who has also signed the same, is a resident of the City of Albany and is a credible person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I John G. Watson Clerk of the Justices Court of the City of Albany DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of David M. Deforest for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this seventeenth day of July A. D. 1832.
J. G. Watson Clerk

In the Justices Court of the City of Albany
On the day and year within written, in open Court, personally came Jacob Van Alstyne, who is well known to the Justices of this Court, who being duly sworn, deposed & said, that he knows the facts stated in the within declaration, which has been read in his hearing, to be substantially true, and that David M. Defreest who hath subscribed and sworn to the same, is a person of Stanch integrity, and of strict truth and veracity.
Subscribed & sworn this 17 th day of July 1832 J. G. Watson Clerk
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office on the Day and Year aforesaid
Jacob Van Alstyne

David M. Deforest's No 5047 Declaration.
L 6
July 24. 1832
STATE OF NEW-YORK
In order to obtain the proof of the act of Congress passed June 3, 1832.
DECLARATION
David M. Deforest, of the county of ... State of New-York, do hereby certify that on this day personally appeared before me, the person known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing declaration, and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COUNTY of Rensselaer } 83.
On the Second day of January 1833. personally appeared in open court, before the Troy Mayors Court in the said County of Rensselaer now sitting, David M. DeForest  in the county of Rensselaer and state of New York aged 74 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, and served as herein stated: That referring to the declaration made Subscribed & sworn to by him on the seventeenth day of July last before the Justices Court of the City of Albany in open court, and to which and to such parts thereof, and to the affidavits and Certificates made and subscribed by me and by the Rev. Stephen Ostrander and Jacob Van Alstyne he craves leave to refer, he doth hereby make the following Supplementary declaration, in addition to, and explanation of the said annexed declaration, as follows, to wit: that he doth hereby under Oath declare the said former declaration sworn to by me before the Justices Court of the City of Albany, to be true in all its statements and particulars; and that he doth further declare, that in the year 1776 he served as a private for six months; in the year 1777 I served as a private for seven months; in the year 1778 I served in the same grade for three months; in the year 1779 I served in like manner for three months; In 1780 I served in like manner for three months; In 1781 I served in like manner for two months, and in 1782, I served in like manner for one month; for all which services I claim a pension —
Subscribed & sworn to this 2 nd Jan y . 1833.
David M. DeForest
Henry R. Bristol Clerk
Henry R. Bristol Clerk of the Troy Mayors Court of the County of Rensselaer, do certify that the foregoing deposition or declaration, was made, subscribed & sworn to in open Court by David M. DeForest of the Town of Greenbush in said County, and that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the said David M. DeForest was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he has stated. Witness my hand & Seal of Office on the day & year aforesaid.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

N o 599
3. Secs
In the matter of the application of Rachel Widow of David M. Defrest, for a Pension under the Act of July 4. 1836.
Declaration etc
Vol. 5 p 48 $4.29
19 days
Admitted to 19 days
Probate - 7 mo 19 days
Pension to commence 1 st
April 1835
Lemuel Jenkins Esq Albany New York
Let to Lemuel Jenkins 22 Nov. 1836.

State of New York
County of Albany ss. On this eighth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty six, personally appeared before the Justices Court of the City of Albany, (the same being a Court of Record) Rachel Deforest, a resident of the Town of Greenbush, in the County of Rensselaer, and State of New York, aged seventy five years on the 17 th day of May last past, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 1836:
That she is the Widow of David M. Deforest, who was a private in the Militia of the State of New York & served as such private in the Company commanded by Capt. Jacob Deforest, and Capt. a Lieut. Sharp, in the War of the rebellion - and who was a Pensioner of the United States, at the time of his death, under the act of June 7.
1832 - She further declares that she was married to the said David M. Deforest, on the 27 th day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty - that her Husband the aforesaid David M. Deforest, died on the 6 th day of April in the year 1835; and that she has remained a Widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
She further states that her name previous to her marriage was Vanderheyden - Also that the name Deforest was formerly and is still, by some members of the family, written Defrest - That a brother of her late Husband, now residing in Schenectady, writes his surname De-forest - She further states that she was married by

the Rev. Mr. Westerlo, at his House in the City of Albany - and that he was then the Pastor of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in said City -
Given to and subscribed, in open Court, by Rachel de Forest on the day of your first above written John G. Watson Clerk
State of New York Albany County ss. Robert A. Downs of the Town of Green- -bush, Rensselaer County, being duly sworn, according to law, deposits that he is well acquainted with the above named Rachel DeForest; that she was the wife and is now the Widow of the within named David M. DeForest - Given to and subscribed, in open Court, this 8 th day of November 1836 } Robert A Downs John G. Watson Clerk.
Albany Justice's Court ss. I certify that the above named Robert A. Downs is a credible Witness -
By the Court - Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this 8 th day of November 1836
John G. Watson Clerk

I, Lewis Van Kechten, one of the Church Masters of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of Albany, and having the custody of the Records of said Church, hereby Certify that it appears by said Records that David Foreest intermarried with Reachel v d Heide on the 27 th day of Feb. vany in the Year 1780. I further certify that from my acquaintance with the name of Foreest , I believe it is now spelt & pronounced DeForest , & that the letters v d preceding the word Heide mean vander, so that the whole name would be Reachel Vanderheide or Van derheyden as now pronounced & spelt.
Lewis Van Kechten Church Master &c. Albany Nov. 15 th 1836

State of New York Albany County ss. Daniel De Forest of the Town of Greenbush, Rensselaer County, being duly sworn, deposes as follows - Viz - I am sixty two years of age & upwards - David M. DeForest late of said Town, now deceased, was my brother - He died in the year 1835 - and was then nearly eighty years of age - I do not know when he first began to write his name David M. DeForest - But I well recollect to have heard him often speak of his having lived in the Redoubtable war, under Col. Henry Van Rensselaer - I have heard him mention the fact that he was present when Col. Van Rensselaer was wounded, and helped to remove him, and take care of him after he was wounded - Sworn to subscribe this 22 nd day of May 1837 before me Daniel De Forest L. Jennings Comt. of Deeds.
I certify that the above deposition is a credible deposition. L. Jennings Comt. of Deeds.
State of New York Albany County ss. John D. Forest of the Town of Greenbush, in the County of Rensselaer, being duly sworn, deposes as follows. Viz - I am a son of David M. DeForest, late of said Town, now deceased,

and am fifty two years of age - In looking over my Father's papers, I lately found the paper hereto annexed, among them. I am informed by my Mother and believe that said paper is in the hand writing of her Brother, John Van der Heyden, who has been dead many years -
I do not remember that my father ever wrote his name in any other way than "David M. De Forest" but he is no doubt the same person mentioned and intended in the annexed paper, under the name of David De Forest. The family surname is written by some of its members De Forest, and by others, De Forest -
Sworn to & subscribed this 22 d day of John De Forest of May 1837 before me
L. Jenkins Clerk of Deeds
I certify that the above Deposition is a credible Deposition. L. Jenkins Clerk of Deeds.
State of New York Albany County -
§ 35: I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Samuel Jenkins Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits purport to have been subscribed and sworn and whose names subscribed to the foregoing certificates of credibility was on the day of the dates of the same one of the Commissioners of Deeds in and for the said County - and that his name & signature to each is genuine -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the said County this 22 d day of May 1837. C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

Rachel Vanderheyden Born the 17 th May 1761 on Sunday after noon at Five o'Clock the day
Also married or Entard in the holy Bands of matrimony With David De Forest in Year of our Lord 1780 - The 27 th Feb y
Polly Born the 24 th June 1757 wednesday morning Between 3 & 4 o'Clock
Catrina Van derheyden Born on Tuesday the 30 th April 1730 at Sun Rise
Polly departed this Life the 16 th April 1773 aged 15 year 9 months = = 16 days when dyed

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
July 20 th 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
Rachel Defrees,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y., Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and 83 Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1840, to the 4 th Sept. 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
J. Woodruff
COMPTROLLER.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

New York
Rachel Defrest
Widow of David M
Defrest —
Suspended
See Let to L. Jenkins - Nov
27 1836 - to same Dec 13. '36
Let to same Apr 25. 1837

43.33 1.66 45.00
David M. Defust.
New York
Act. 7 th June 1832
Rejected In letter
J. Van Ingen
April 8 th 1833

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 20.
1838.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Rachel De Forest a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N. Y. Agency, at the rate of twenty five Dollars and forty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1831, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1837 to the 4 th of September 1837
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Parrish Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 165-60
Rachel Defreest Widow of David M Defreest Pris New War
Act July 4 th 86
Index: Vol. a , Page 176
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Albany May 22 d 1837.
James L. Edwards Esq u ir, Committee of Pensions, Sir,
In the case of Rachel De Forest, I herewith enclose evidence on the points referred to in your letter of the 25 th ult o — and am,
Sir, very resp y .
Your obed t Serv t .
Samuel Jan King

Recd.
Miss. add. 1836 4 July 1836
James L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions War Department City of Washington.
Ans 7.19

Albany December 2 d . 1836.
James L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir,
I enclose the affidavits of Jacob Van Alstyne, in support of the claim of Mrs Rachel De Greesch -
It appears to me that Mr Van Alstyne's testimony clearly establishes the identity of Mr De Greesch's Husband, as the person who performed the services for which his pension was granted -
I am also of the opinion that it is satisfactorily proved by Mr Van Alstyne's affidavit now enclosed, as well as by his former affidavits in the case of Mr De Greesch, that he was and his Widow now is entitled to the full amount of pension originally allowed to him - I am aware that the Department considers the Rolls as the highest & most satisfactory proof -
But unless there is something evidence in this case, (and I presume there is not) which contradicts the Rolls, I should suppose that said proof from a respectable and credible source, would be deemed satisfactory -
It appears from Mr Van Alstyne's statements that David M c De Greesch served in 1776 under Capt. Van Schoonhoven, & also under Capt. Jacob De Greesch - That in 1777 he served under Capt.

George Sharp; - in 1778 under Capt. De Forest, and in 1779 under Lt. Martins, Sharp - I would therefore respectfully submit that Mrs. De Forest is entitled to the same amounts of pension allowed to her late Husband - If, however, you should be of a different opinion, you will please allow such amount as you think her entitled to -
I am, Sir, very
Respectfully
Yr. obedt Servt
L. Jenkins.

New York
Albany Agency act of 1832
David M Deforest on the roll at the rate of $45. per annum, to what time paid?
Yours & Vance
John Harry Esq. 3 Auditor Office
Dec 6 April 1835 p d to that period
819

State of New-York, City and County of Albany, } 88. CLERK'S OFFICE,
I, CONRAD A. TEN EYCK, Clerk of the city and county of Albany, do hereby Certify, that General Jenkins Esq. whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing and endorsed thereon, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment , a Commissioner in and for the city aforesaid, dwelling in the said city, and duly authorized to take the same: And that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official seal, the 2 d _____ day of December 183 6.
C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk.

This may Certify that I have been Acquainted with David m c Forest from the year 1760 and that he the said David was Enroled in Jacob D e Forest Company of Militia In the year 1775, In Col l Stephen J Schuyler Reg t of Militia In General plus 3 months Brigade, and I was Quarter Master and Adjutant of the said Reg t . That in the year 1776 the said David was Enlisted for in David B Van Schoenhoven Company In making roads and cutting Timber for the Use of the Army Between Fort Edward & Lake George Fort ann and Schuylkill — — — — — 3 Months — 3 the Same year Called out in an Alarm to Fort Edward Did military Duty under Capt c Jacob D e Forest Company — — — — — 3 In the year 1777 was Called out under the Command of Capt c George Sharp and was in the battle at Fort Anna where our Lt Col got wounded and remained with the Army untill the Capture of Burgoyne D e — 6 1778 To Saratoga & Fort Edward under Capt c D e Forest — D e — 3 1779 To Stone Arabia and Johnstown Mont County under the Command of Lt c Martinus Sharp — — — — — Months — 3 Thus far I know of the Service perform by the said, D e D e Forest to the best of my Knowledge
Jacob Van Alstyne

I also certify that I am well acquainted with Rachel Defrest, widow of the within named David M. Defrest. I also formerly knew one David De Forest, a son of Capt. Jacob Defrest, but he was too young to have performed any military service in the Revolutionary War. I also know another David De Forest, who was a cousin of the said David M. Defrest, and older than he was, but I never knew him to perform any military service, except in the year 1776, when I believe he served one term of duty in Capt. Jacob Defrest's Company. I have personally known the within named David M. Defrest, since the year 1768, from which time until the year 1779 he lived next door neighbor to me in the Town of Greenbush. And I know that he was the identical person who served as a private in the Company commanded by his Uncle Capt. Jacob Defrest, as within stated.
I subscribe this 29 th day of November 1836 before me
Jacob Van Alstyne
L. See King Com d of Dents
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Jacob Van Alstyne - that he is a credible witness, to in my opinion fully entitled to credit as a man of strict veracity - and that, except so far as his memory may be defective, I fully believe his statements to be true -
L. See King Com d of Dents

In the matter of the application of David M. Despatch for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832.
Additional declaration sufficient to
adm d
13½ mo. per.
45 $
Hon W. Bodle -

State of New York } Albany Justice Court }
ss. Be it Known that on this 12 th Day of February 1834, personally appeared before the Justice's Court of the City of Albany, (the same being a Court of Record) David M. Defrees of Greenbush, Rensselaer County, an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832, who being duly sworn, deposes & 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;
1. In the year 1776 I served as a private in the Company of Militia, commanded by Captain Jacob Defrees, not less than three months - We were ordered out in September, about the first of that month, and continued in the service at Fort Edward & other places, until the latter part of November or the first of December & were then discharged - Our Regiment was commanded by Col. Stephen S. Schuyler, Lt. Col. Van Rensselaer - I do not recollect the name of the Major - Jacob Van Alstyne was our Adjutant and Quarter Master -
2. In the year  month of June 1777 I served as a private in the same Company, for not less than five months - We were ordered out in the month of June & went to Fort Edward, & did duty there and in that neighborhood, until the month of after Burgoyne was taken, and were discharged in the latter part of October or the beginning of November - On this tour I was in an engagement between our troops & the British at Hoosac Creek about ten miles from Fort Ann - In this battle Col. King Van Rensselaer was wounded, and I was standing near him at the time he was shot - I was the first man that went to his assistance - He was wounded in the thigh - I helped to remove him to Fort Ann - & afterwards to Fort Edward.

3. In the year 1778 I again served as a private in the same company still commanded by Capt. Jacob Defrest, not less than three months - We were ordered into the service about the first of September & went to Saratoga & Fort Edward - We were discharged about the first of December -
4. In the year 1779 I served as a private in the same company, under the command of Lieut. Martinus Schuyler, not less than two months and a half - We were ordered with our Regiment under the command of Col. Schuyler, to go to Stone Arabia & Johnstown in Montgomery County in the first part of September - Here we remained in the service on this tour, until about the last of November -
I was also employed in the spring of the year 1776 in cutting timber and making roads for the Army between Fort Ann & Lake George - about three months & upwards - I was under the direction & command of Captain Brant, Major Schoonhoven, and Harmanus Schuyler - I do not know what rank he held - And Genl. Schuyler sometimes came & examined our work - I recollect helping to bringing Genl. Schuyler & two members of the Continental Congress from in canoe from Skeneateles to Fort Ann - Whether this last service can be considered military service I cannot say - We were allowed 50 cts per diem a day -
Subscribed & sworn to in Open Court This 12 th day of February 1834 John G. Wapson 66th
David Mc L. S. 1834

State of New York
Albany Justice's Court - Be it known that on the 8 th day of February A.D. 1834, personally appeared before the Justice's Court of the city of Albany, (the same being a Court of Record) Jacob Van Alstyne of the city of Albany, who being duly sworn, deposes as follows - I am acquainted with David M. Deforest of Green- -bush, in Rensselaer County, now present, and have known him ever since the year 1768 - I knew him well in the Revolutionary War - He was a private in the company of Militia commanded by Capt. Jacob Deforest, in Col. Stephen S. Schuyler's Adjutant Regiment in General Ten Broeck's Brigade. I was Quarter Master of said Regiment and well recollects that said David M. Deforest served in said company as follows - In the year 1776, I think in the month of September, the company commanded by Captain Jacob Deforest was ordered into service & went to Fort Edward, and was stationed there for some time - I was then ordered to Skaneateles but Fort arm. The whole of the Regiment was in the service at the same time - I was then Quarter Master of said Regiment. I frequently saw the said David M. Deforest with his company, during said time, and know that he served as a private in said company, during that time, not less than three months - The Regiment was discharged the latter end of November, & got home some time in the first part of December -
In the year 1777, in the month of June, the said Regiment was again ordered into the service, and went to Fort Edward, under the command of Col. Stephen S. Schuyler - The said David M. Deforest went with his company on that time, & served as a private -
The whole of the Regiment remained in the service until about the first of August, when one half of them was par-

mitted to return home to attend to their harvest - But the said David M. Defrest continued in the service with that part of his Company which remained at Fort Edward, until after Burgoyne was taken & the whole Regiment was then dismissed - That part of the Regiment that went home in August returned after about a week's absence - The said David M. Defrest served part of the time in said town, in the Company commanded by Capt. Jacob Defrest, and part of the time in the Company commanded by Captain George Sharp - Said David M. Defrest served on the last mentioned tour, as a private in said Companies, not less than five months .
He was in the battle at Fort Ann, between our troops under Genl. Leman, and the British; - in which engagement our Lieut. Col. Henry R. Rensselaer was wounded - And I have heard my brother Matthew Van Alstyne, say many years ago, that said David M. Defrest, helped to carry the said Lt. Col. Van Rensselaer off the field, after he was wounded in said battle - and that he, the said Matthew, was an eye witness to the same - I have also heard Lt. Col. Van Rensselaer himself state the same fact -
In the year 1778 the said Regiment commanded by Col. Stephen J. Schuyler was again called into the service, & marched first to Saratoga & afterwards to Fort Edward, where they were stationed the principal part of the time - The said David M. Defrest was with his Company, served as a private in the same under the command of Captain Jacob Defrest, whom Company still belonged to said Regiment - I was then Quarter

Master & adjutant of said Regiment - he was ordered out about the first of September - and continued in the service until about the first of December & was then discharged - The said David M. Defrest, served as a private in said Company, according to the best of my recollection & belief, on this tour, not less than three months .
In the year 1779, I think in the month of September, the said Regiment still commanded by Col. Schuyler, was ordered into the service, & went on a tour of duty to Horn Arabia & Johnstown, - I was still Quarter Master & adjutant of said Regiment - The said David M. Defrest went with us on said tour in the Company then commanded by Lieut. Martins Sharp - & served as a private in said Company - The command of said Company devolved on Lieut. Sharp, in consequence of Captain Defrest remaining at home - he was engaged on this tour, & served until the latter part of November, - said David M. Defrest was with his Company during that time - he was discharged & returned home about the last of November - said David M. Defrest served on this tour, as a private in said Company, not less than two months & a half - This is all I can state from personal knowledge of the services of the said David M. Defrest, during the Revolutionary War - I recollect his being employed in the spring of 1776 in cutting timber & making roads for the army, between Fort Ann & Lake George - but

I believe it was not considered as Military Review -
Sworn in open court
this 8 th day of February 1834
} Jacob Van Alstyne
John G. Watson clerk
This may certify that Jacob Van Alstyne who subscribed the preceding affidavit is a resident of the city of Albany and a member of the Reformed Prot d Dutch Church well known to the court and is a credible witness -
By the Court J. G. Watson clerk.