Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15090, John De Graf, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
De Graf John or De Graaf or De Graff
S15090
barded
CONTENTS
Aug. 17. 1754.

see letter to Hon John L. Sandford June 30, 1841
20649 New York John De Graff Montgomery in the State of New York was a Private in the Rep. commanded Captain Vanpatu of the Col. commanded Col. Wampa in the New York for 17 m. 23.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 59 Dollars 19 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept. 1833 and due to S. Hearing Johnstown
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33 $147.97 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4th '24 29.59 no death date on Agency books $117.56
Revolutionary Claim, Y. Acct June 7, 1832. J. B. Stiles
Recorded by Book 6, Vol. 4, Page 95. Clerk

This  Certifies , that as appears from the Register of Baptism belonging to the PROTESTANT REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH in the City of Schenectady, Johannes , son of Class Degraaf , and Aniantje Schermerhorn his wife, was baptized on the 3 rd day of September in the year, 1754.
Jacob Van Vechten
CERTIFIED,
Schenectady, Oct. 6. 1832.
V. D. M.

State of New York County of Montgomery ss: On this tenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery in the State of New York aforesaid now sitting John Delgraft a resident of the Town of Johnstown of the County of Montgomery aforesaid Aged seventy eight years and 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 of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he was born within a mile and a half of the City of Schenectady in the State of New York in the then County of Albany. where the place is now called Glenville on the nineteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty four the Record of his age is kept in Records of the Prot. Ref. Dutch Church in the said City of Schenectady. a transcript from said Records is hereto annexed as to the Baptism of this depo- nent and this deponent says he has ever since his birth until within about one year resided in the place now called The Town of Glenville near where he was born. for the last year he has resided in the Town of Johnstown in the County of Montgomery and State of New York
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, —

That in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five he was enrolled in a company of Militia of the State of New York. Commanded by Captain John Van Patten. Lieutenant Iunis Swart in the Regiment whereof Abraham Wemple was Colonel and Christopher Yates Lieu- tenant Colonel and Abraham Swarts Major.
That in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six he this deponent with the company to which he belonged was called out by draft to go to Fort Edward and continued there doing military duty as a private soldier for the term of one month on guard and fatigue at the expiration of said term he with the company to which he belonged returned home by order of the Commander 1. month. in chief he had no written discharge
And that in the same year 1776. he went with the said company of John Van Patten (he thinks the Regiment at this and the preceding period also went out) to Fort Ann, in the month of October that he this deponent continued there doing duty as a military private soldier on guard and on fatigue, one month he was called out by the Colonel on a draft at the expiration of which time he was ordered to return home he had no written discharge the Regiment 1. month. was commanded by Colonel Wemple.
And that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven he was marched with the company to which he belonged Viz John Van Patten's

to Beemis Heights he thinks it was on a draft that he was called out this time. This deponent with the company to which he belonged was marched to said Beemis Heights in the aforesaid Regiment to intercept the March of General Burgoine he was there one month including the time he was on his march thither. Left home in September and returned in October after the Surrender of Burgoine, was on guard when the Battle of the taking of Burgoine was fought he had no written discharge was Honorably discharged. -
And this deponent further says that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine this deponent, was called out with the company of said John Van Tatten on a draft and was marched to Stone Arabia at Fort Paris John Myndense had the command of the Fort: Gellis A. Fonda was Major At the Fort. this deponent together with the said company continued doing duty as a private militia soldier at the said Fort including the time spent in marching there one month and a half at the expiration whereof this deponent with the said company returned home having been discharged he had no written discharge this was in the fall of the year 1779. -
And this deponent further says that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven he was

was drafted to go to West Point in the Spring of the year the company to which this deponent belonged was mustered at Schenectady and was commanded by Gellis A. Fonda and one Hermance was Lieutenant of the company does not recollect who commanded West Point at this time. The company was marched to West Point and continued there the term of three months for which he was drafted doing duty as a militia soldier on guard and fatigue and faithfully served his time out at the expiration whereof he was discharged.
3 months
And this deponent further says that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine this deponent was called out with said company of John Van Patten to go on a draft to Schoharie and marched from the said place now called Glenville to a place called the Middle Fort in Schoharie and thence to Vrooman's land and continued there doing duty at said last mentioned place as a private soldier one month and a half on guard and on fatigue Walter Vrooman had the command of the company one month of this time Major Gellis A. Fonda commanded the Fort at the expiration of said term of one month and a half the company returned home this deponent was then discharged from actual duty he had no written discharge he was discharged in the month of October 1779.
1 1/2 months
And in the month of May A.D. 1779. This deponent was marched with a part of said company to Sacandaga to erect a Block House and continued there eight days only.
8 days

And this deponent further says that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty the Company of said John Van Patten to which this deponent belonged was ordered to be equipped constantly ready for Military duty and that the said Company were in the month of May in the last mentioned year enrolled and continued doing duty until December of the same year as militia men that the Company was stationed in said place now called Glenville and was called out on scouts and to go in pursuit of Indians and Tories at different times during the whole time and this deponent with the said Company was under arms there the whole time from May till December. The Company consisted of about forty men and at a place called Tinkers hill erected a Picket Fort that the Company went out by turns of three four or five at a time to hunt for Tories they were thus employed to prevent the incursions of the Enemy they had no skirmishes with the Enemy this deponent did duty faithfully during the whole time 7 months as private in said Company in manner aforesaid
And this deponent further says that in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one this deponent was called out with the said Company of John Van Patten on an alarm and marched to Palatine and continued out this time doing duty as a Military Soldier two weeks the Regiment was commanded by Colonel Willet this was in the month of October he was then dismissed he had no discharge in writing.
And this deponent further saith that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six this deponent was called out by Order of said Captain Van Patten in obedience to an order of said Colonel Wemple to go to

Johnstown in the County of Montgomery to take in John Johnson and his party and that this deponent did go in said company. That Dennis Swart was Lieutenant of Daniel Toll Ensign that this deponent started the tenth day of January 1776 and was out ten days and was regularly discharged had no written discharge
10 days And this deponent farther saith that in the month of October or beginning of November in the year of our Lord 1776 he was again called out by the last mentioned Colonel & Captain and marched from Glenville aforesaid to Switzer Hill in Johnstown aforesaid and was out as a private and continued three weeks in said service & was then honorably discharged but no written document thereof given to him
3 weeks Your applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed in open court the 14th Dec. 1832
John S. C. Graft Geo: D. Ferguson, Clerk.

THE FOLLOWING are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew, or who were with the troops where he served, and such continental and militia regiments or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect, viz: Abraham Wemple Christopher Yates, Abraham Swift , General Van Rensselaer, Col. Willet
He never received any written discharge from the service.
He has no _____ documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except the depositions hereto annexed .
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit Rev. Abraham Van Horn .
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.
Subscribed and sworn to the } day and year first aforesaid }
Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk. Dec 7
C. Graff
We Abraham Van Horn a clergyman residing in the Town of Johnstown in the county of Montgomery aforesaid, and John Morrill residing in the said Town do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John De Graff who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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 the } day and year aforesaid }
Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk.
Abraham Van Horn John Morrill
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 Abraham Van Horn who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Johnstown, County of Montgomery and that John Morrill who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
George D. Ferguson
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of
Montgomery
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of John De Graff for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____ received for a statement of the military history of John De Graf or De Graaf a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     From 1776 to 1783 Served at various times. in all 17 mos. 23 ds. Pvt. John Van Patten Gillis & Fonda Walter Vrooman Abraham Wemple Wallett N.Y.        
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Glenville N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 14, 1833. This claim was al
Residence at date of application, Johnstown, Montgomery Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, see below
Remarks: He was born Aug. 19, 1754 one and a half miles from Schenectady N.Y. in a place later called Glenville. He was the son of Charles De Graaf and Ariaantje Schermerhorn. There is no further data on file as to his family. His residence in 1840 is not on record.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

15090 INVALID.
File No. 15090
John De Graaff Rev Rev Ma
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 94
[Arrangement of 1870.]
192. Not 39. Hist. of Mary, Mary's husband, Tyler. 11. W. 10. St. N.Y. City. (see cot. in W. 24th & 1. Brn. V. 10. St. N.Y.) and

County of Schenectady to wit: Frederick Van Patten of the Town of Glenville in the County of Schenectady being duly sworn doth depose and say that he this deponent is now and has been well acquainted with John DeGraff now a resident of the Town of Johnstown in the County of Montgomery, ever since he can remember and before the Revolution ary war.—
And this deponent further says he has always esteemed the said John De- Graff to be a person of good Moral Character and believes his general Charac- ter for truth and veracity to be good.—
And this deponent further says that he this deponent is now seventy two years of age and upwards and that he this deponent can not without great in- convenience attend the next Court of Common Pleas about to be held in and for the County of Montgomery at Johnstown aforesaid.—
And this deponent further says That in the time of and during the whole Revolutionary war he this deponent and the said John DeGraff resided in the place now called Glenville within a few miles of the City of Schenectady that is to say the said John DeGraff resided during said war and long since within one and a half mile of said City and this deponent within five miles of said City.—
And this deponent further says

And this deponent further says that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six this deponent first knew him as a soldier in said Revolutionary War at which time he was enrolled in the company of Militia of the State of New York at the place now called Glenville in the company commanded by Captain John Van Patten of which Junius Swart was Lieutenant and this deponent orderly Sergeant and that in the fall of the year last aforesaid the said John DeGraff was marched in said company on duty as a military soldier to Fort Edward and continued out on duty one month
1 month as a soldier in actual service. —
And this deponent further says that in the same year A.D. 1776 the said John DeGraff was called out by order of the Colonel under said Captain in said company to Johnstown aforesaid and continued doing duty as a soldier in said company three weeks when he was regularly discharged from actual duty and returned to Schenectady aforesaid by order of said Commandant. Colonel Abra-
3 weeks ham Wemple. —
And this deponent further says that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty the company of said John Van Patten to which this deponent and said John DeGraff belonged was ordered to be equipped constantly ready for military duty and that the said company were in the month of May A.D. 1780. enrolled and continued doing duty until December of the same year as militia men. That the company was stationed in said Town of Glenville and was called out by Scouts and to go in pursuit of Indians and Tories at different times during the whole

time. and the Company was under arms there the whole time from May till December The Company consisted of about forty men and at a Place called Tinkers hill erected a Picket Fort at the said place now called Glenville that the Company went out by turns of three at a time and some times five to hunt for Tories they were then em- ployed to prevent the incursions of the enemy They had no skirmishes with the Enemy during their said service. - that said John DeGraff did duty all this 7 months. their faithful as a member of said Company. And this deponent further says that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine the said Company of the said John Van Patten was called out to go to Schoharie and marched from the said place now called Glenville to a place called the Middle Fort in Schoharie and thence to Vrooman's land and continued there doing duty at said place one month and a half that said John DeGraff was a member of said Company and did duty faithfully all this time on guard and fatigue Walter Vrooman commanded the Company one month of this time. Major Gellis A. Fonda commanded the fort. at the expiration of the said term the Company returned home they had no discharge in writing. - deponent 12 months This was in the month of October.
Also deponent says that in the month of May A.D. 1779. the said DeGraff went in the said Company to Saendaga to erect a Fort that he was engaged on duty 8 days. as a soldier for eight days only at this time
And further this deponent says not. Sworn before me this 14th day of Decr. 1882 E. L. Davis Notary of the Peace

I Eliza L. Davis, the within Maria Justice hereby certify that Frederick Van Patten who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is a highly worthy and reputable citizen and a man of the most elevated character for truth and veracity and in all other respects highly creditable
Eliza L. Davis, Justice of the Peace
State of New York Schenectady County Clerk's Office
John S. Vrooman Clerk of the County aforesaid. Do hereby certify that Eliza L. Davis Esq. whose name appear to the foregoing affidavit of Frederick Van Patten and the certificate annexed to said affi- avit was a Justice of the Peace of City & County of Schenectady aforesaid at the time of the date thereof & the signature thereof is her genuine signature of Eliza L. Davis Esquire. In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 8th day of Dec. A.D. 1832
John S. Vrooman, Clerk

Montgomery County
Town of Johnstown I, John Van Eps of said Town in said County being only sworn before Andrew Shatuch one of the Justices of the peace of said Town and County makes oath and says that he is well acquainted with John De Graff who now lives in the Town of Johnstown who has formerly lived in the Town of Glensville in the County of Schenectady is lately removed to the Town of Johnstown that he has been acquainted with said John for before the Revolutionary War commenced and ever since that he has been in service with him at different times that he has frequently done Garrison duty with and in company with him he has frequently been out with him on scouting parties that they both belonged to one Company commanded by Captain John Van Patten and Lieut Simon Schuyler which Van Patten second Lieutenant Simon Schuyler was Ensign the Colonel Abraham Wemple commanded the Regiment together with the Bray or Abraham Swift's Militia that they were together at Stone Arabia at Fort Dwight during duty that he was in the service to his knowledge some time before he had said John Van Eps was in or entered the service that he the said John De Graff was principally amongst them at different times and always considered ready at a moment's warning that he always has and does now consider the said John De Graff a man who can be relied on for truth and veracity a man of good habits and moral habits and moral character whose word he should consider good at any time
John Van Eps

The within affidavit sworn and subscribed before me this ninth day of October 1832 Andrew Thatcher justice of the peace
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent John Van Eps who has sworn to the within affidavit and have no doubt as to the statements within made knowing him to be a man of truth and veracity Amsterdam October 9 th 1832 Andrew Thatcher justice of the peace
State of New York
Montgomery County ss — I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, do hereby certify, that Andrew Thatcher, before whom the within affidavit of John Van Eps, purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a justice of the Peace of Montgomery County aforesaid: And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said justice and verily believe that the name of the said justice subscribed to the said affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of December, 1832.
Geo. D. Ferguson

County of Schenectady to wit: John Sanders of the Town of Glenville being duly sworn doth depose and say that he this deponent is well acquainted with John De Graff late of the Town of Glenville now of the Town of Johnstown. that this deponent was acquainted with the said John De Graff during the war of the Revolution and has known him ever since. as a Neighbour, until within one year. — And this deponent further says that he frequently saw him the said John De Graff doing duty as a military soldier during the said Revolutionary war. and that the said De Graff was always reputed and esteemed a good Patriot a firm Whig and a man of truth and veracity and of good moral character. And further this deponent says not. —
John Sanders
Sworn before me this 8 th day of December A. D. 1832
James Caw Mr. Justice of the Peace
I James Caw Just the above named Justice hereby certify that John Sanders who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is highly worthy and reputable citizen and a man of the most elevated character for truth and veracity & in all other respects highly creditable. —
James Caw Mr. Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Schenectady County
Clerk's Office
John Mooman Clerk
of the County aforesaid. Do hereby certify that James Carr Esq. whose name appeared to the within affidavit of John Sanders and the certificate annexed to said affidavit was a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Glenville & County of Schenectady aforesaid at the time of the date thereof the signature thereof, is his genuine signature of James Carr Jun. Esq. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said County this 8 th day of Decr. 1832
John Mooman Clerk

20497 The Pension Papers of John De Graff. handwritten Haring
Send answer to A. Haring Johnstown. Montgomery County N.Y.
Adm 17 mo. 23 d. 1871
Sept 1871 Haring

State of New Jersey Montgomery County } ss
John DeGraff the applicant for a pension Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace of said County who being duly sworn deposes 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 and he feels confident that he served not less than the periods mentioned in his said application and in the grades as a private that he designed by at the time stated less service than he had actually performed because he intended not to charge or state too much or more than he actually served that I was not during the periods of service stated employed in any civil pursuit but the services stated were all military services.
That I cannot state what day of July in 1776 I was called out about the middle of July I cannot state more precisely I know the time of service is correct.
That in the year 1777. I went out about the latter part of September as near as I can state; the period of service is correct as therein stated.
That in the year 1779. in the month of October I did the period of service as therein stated the particular day of the month or the exact month cannot be positive in -
That the service in going to West Point the time is correctly stated that I think it was in 1777 in the month of May that the particular month or day of the month I cannot more precisely state.
That in the year 1779. on the expedition to Schoharie I served the time therein stated that as near as I can state it was about the beginning of September I commenced and I cannot be more exact than I have stated in the commencement or termination of this service.
That in the last mentioned year in the service in going to Sacondaga the time of service is correctly mentioned that said Van Patten was the Captain that Myndert Vromple was Major Commandant that I am unable to state the day of May but know it was in May - either in beginning or ending of this service.
That the services of 1780 are in point of time correctly stated that said Van Patten was commandant that I am unable to state more precisely the commencement & termination of that service than I have stated.

That as to the services to Palatine in the year 1781 the period of time is correctly stated but I am unable to state the precise commencement of term in which more than I have stated in my application.
That as to the services in going to Johnstown in the year 1776 that I am unable to state those services with more precision than is in my application but the length of time is correct.
That as to the services in going to Switzer Hill in the year 1778 that the period of service is correctly stated but that it is out of my power to state with more precision the commencement or termination of this service but I feel confident that I was there in person for because I was home from Fort. Ann only a day or two
Subscribed & sworn to this 13th day of June 1833
Before me Aaron Haring Justice of the Peace
John De Graff
State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks office of George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County do hereby certify that Aaron Haring before whom the above affidavit of John De Graff purports to have been sworn
was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace of said County. And that I can well ascertain by his hand writing and verify believe that his name subscribed to the said affidavit of John De Graff is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th June 1833.
Geo. D. Ferguson