Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 2490, John P Critchett, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
britchett John P.
P 2490
CONTENTS

H. 460 John P. Britchett St Lawrence B'd York
147 P 1103
May 18 33
Miss. Heatbrook Ogdensburg N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of  John P. Britchett  6 o of Lawrence in the State of N.Y.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a, Gen.     1 Aug In 1776 5 Private Colt Swartout Colt Swartout   1777 2 " " "   1777  Oriskany 10 " Colt Mosey Colt Webb  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Poughkeepsie N York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? In a certificate of  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not attested as reg d 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
X Commonly called Peacock  is present certification that he  was a deserter from the British service
N. C. H. de la Court Examining Clerk.

Application of John P. Critchett, for Revolutionary Pension under Act of 7 th June 1832-
14400

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of New York } p. County of St Lawrence }
On this twentyfifth day of September in the year of our Lord 1832 appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in the said County, now sitting John P. Critchett, a resident of the Town of Depeyster, in the County of St Lawrence & State of New York, aged 78 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 th 1832. That he entered the service on the first day of August 1776, for five months as a volunteer in the company commanded by Captain Bernardus Swartwout, in Col. Swartwout's regiment in Genl. George Clinton's brigade, in the town of Poughkeepsie in this state & were raised for the purpose of guarding the shores of Dutchess & Westchester Counties. That his company was immediately marched to Fort Washington where they joined Genl. Mifflin's Battalion of Pennsylvanians & marched from there to New York and arrived there shortly after the battle of Flat Bush, & that they made no stop at New York but proceeded to Long Island under the command of Genl. Mifflin & marched to the lines. That some days thereafter all the American forces retreated from the Island, & this deponent went with them to Kingsbridge & remained there a few days, & marched again to White Plains, where he remained till about the 1 st of November, & then marched to Peekskill & thence to Fort Constitution, in the Highlands, where he, this deponent, served out the regular time of his enlistment for five months & was discharged on New Years day 1777 by Capt. Swartwout. That Captain Swartwout then stated that he had orders to raise a company for two months service, when this deponent again enlisted as a volunteer & served the two months at Fort Constitution where he was regularly discharged by Capt. Swartwout & that just before Capt. Swartwout's company left the fort, they were relieved by a company of Artillery raised there & by some New Hampshire troops. That early in the Spring of 1777, he this deponent again entered the public service as a private soldier in the Artillery commanded by Captain Moody when Captain Matchin was wounded in the fort, & was employed in sinking chevaux de frise in the river below near New Windsor near Polypus Island. That he this deponent went up the river with his company in connection with Col. Webb's Regt. of the Connecticut line, & marched under Genl. George

Clinton, as far as Esopus, where the British had preceded them & burnt the place. That he had command of a Government sloop a good part of the summer & carried Genl. Clinton several times. That this deponent with Capt. Moody's company proceeded with all possible despatch with a 24 pounder to Newburgh where they fired on the British shipping as they returned. That this deponent was discharged at New Windsor about the 1 st of January 1778 by Genl. Clinton, when this deponent proceeded to Boston & entered as Boatswain on a Privateer, & had an engagement with a British Letter of marque, whom they took, but the same was retaken by a British man of war, before arriving at Port. That this deponent was returning  while on a voyage  on board the  Exeter Galley from Exeter to Portsmouth  the Exeter Galley from Exeter to Portsmouth in New Hampshire, his native place, when off the latter Harbor he this deponent & four others were impressed on board of the British man of war, theancer, on the 3 rd of June 1774 or 1775 (before the tea was destroyed) & remained there until the beginning of October, when he this deponent deserted at Kennebec & proceeded to Boston. That this deponent in all his enlistments in our service was known & called John Peacock, to evade being recognized as the deserter from theancer man of war should he be retaken by the British. That he has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to testify to his services. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed } the day & year aforesaid }
And to the Interrogatories propounded by the Court this deponent answereth and saith - That he was born in Portsmouth New Hampshire in the year 1753. on the 18 th of September - Has a Record of his age in his Bible, and thinks his Baptism was recorded in the Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, and his age recorded by the Town Clerk - That when he first entered the service he was living at Poughkeepsie and working in the Ship Yard, and entered as a volunteer - that he enlisted afterwards at each term as stated in his declaration -

That for 10 or 12 years after the war of the Revolution he lived in New London Connecticut and followed the sea. When he quit the sea, he removed to Engle in the County of Washington New York State and lived there near 20 years - he then moved to Paolet, Rutland County Vermont and lived there about 6 years - then removed to the Town of Junius, Seneca Co. NY. and lived there about 6 years - then moved to the Town of Depeyster & Lawrence County where he has lived about 7 years & where his son in Law was living. That at each term of service he enlisted voluntarily. That the names of the officers are stated in his declaration as far as recollected -
That he never received any other discharge that he recollects, other than a pass from General George Clinton who observed that he was sorry to part with him - that the paper was worn out & lost -
That he is well known in his present neighborhood and refers to the Rev d Luther Lee and to the persons who have subscribed the annexed Certificate, who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution -
Sworn to and subscribed - }
the day and year aforesaid }
John T. his Critchett mark

I Smith Stilwell at present a resident of the Town of Amegatatie in the County of St Lawrence but for several years past a resident of the Town of Deseronto do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John P Critchett who has subscribed and sworn to the above declara- tion - that I have known him for about ten years, and believe him to be 78 years of age - that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion -
Sworn and subscribed — } Smith Stilwell the day and year aforesaid }
J. Smith (Lk)

I further See a resident Clingyman in the Town of Depyter County of St. Lawrence and State of New York being personal acquainted with John P. Richet of the same place certify that he is commonly reported and believed in the neighborhood where resides to have been a soldier in the American Revolution and that I concur in the opinion and that I believe him to be seventy nine years old. Further See Sworn & Subscribed Sept 24 th 1832 before me Geo. W. Barker J.P.
a revolutionary soldier & served as he states, & the Court further

State of New York St Lawrence County } ss I Alvin Clevon Clerk of said County do hereby certify that George W. Backus before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been made was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and sworn and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace and truly believe that his signature to the said affidavit is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 27 th day of September 1882
A Clevon Clerk

W th Joel J Emmes a clergyman, residing in the Town of Hammond near Depueyter and Joseph Shaw—residing in the Town of Depueyter S t Lawrence Co. hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John P. Critchett—who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about 78—years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion— Sworn to & subscribed } Joel J Emmes the day & year aforesaid } Joseph Shaw J Cunn Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matters & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states, & the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Joel J Emmes—who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town of Hammond near Depueyter and that Joseph Shaw who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Depueyter—and is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit. John Ross H. S. King & coadjutors
I Alvin C. Low Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in the County of S t Lawrence Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John P. Critchett for a Pension—
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 25 th day of September in the year of our Lord 1832.
J Cunn Clk

I Alvin C Low Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of St Lawrence Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of John P. Critchett for a Pension - And that the signature of "John Fine First Judge of St Law Ch," subscribed to the said declaration and proceedings, is well known to me, and that the same is his proper hand writing, And that he was, and is, duly commissioned and sworn and acting as such Judge.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 8 th day of June in the year of our Lord 1833. —
A C Low CLK

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. Q
ay
August 23, 1937
Clara V. Critchett 113 Haskell Ave Battle Creek, Mich.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 2490, it appears that John P. Critchett, applied for pension September 25, 1832, while a resident of DePeyster, St. Lawrence County, New York, and alleged, that while residing at Poughkeepsie, New York, he entered the service in August 1776, and served in Captain Bernardus Swartwout's Company, Colonel Swartwout's Regiment, also served in Captain Moody's Company of Artillery, after which he went to Boston and entered as Boatswain on a privateer, and had an engagement with a British Letter of Marque.
The claim was not allowed as there was no proof of service, as required by the pension laws.
It also appears in said claim, that John P.

Critchett was born September 18, 1753 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and that "before the tea was destroyed" he was pressed on the British Man of War "Cancer" and deserted from it, and that in all of his enlistments he was called John Peacock, for fear the British would recognize him as a deserter, and would be retaken by them.
He stated that after the Revolution, he lived for some years in Washington County, New York.
He had a son-in-law (his name not given) living in DePeyster, New York in 1832; and in 1853, his son Jedediah is referred to. No further family data.
The above noted John Critchett or John Critchett is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1870.
RECEIVED
2490
P. O.
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension
Alleges:
"not on the rolls-no proof
Re-enlisted:
of service"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for _____
, 18
1927-aug 23-11:01 to Clara V. Critchell copy

John P. Britchett
Not on Rolls of Moodie's Campy in Lamb's Nest

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John P. Britchett & Lawrence G. Wyatt which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? No III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? No VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
• QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

New York
Rev:
John P. Critchett
Suspended
let at Hasbrouck 24 Sep 33
Lores Wilson Btk 15/53
2490
Act 7 Janu 32

C. Washburn
24 Sep 1833
OC
Re. vol. 10
Pa 249

War Dept Pension Off Sept 24 1853
Sir:
The claims of Noah Palmer & Solomon Crops have been examined & suspended for further proof, they each allege a service which must be susceptible of proof and the regulations require the best evidence in the power of Claimants to produce. They should at least shew that they have fruitfully exerted themselves to obtain it when it is most likely to be found. John P. Critchett's alleged service in Capt. Moody Compy. of Artillery is not supported by the rolls of Moody's Company of Lamb's Bty. of Artillery which are believed to be full & accurate. We should therefore sustain that part of his claim by two credible witnesses. The papers in the above cases are placed on file.
act T. Greene
L. Hasbrouck exd Pegdensburg N.Y.

Bed Poygan P. L. November 28/52
Dear Sir,
I like the liberty to inform you that I applied Alfred J. Weeks to obtain a pension for my mother, Fathiah Cutchel, on the account of her father, John P. Cutchel, deceased many years ago, and I have written Mr. Weeks in relation to his report of death and have only received one letter since that immediately on our receipt of the report of of Money entitled to him by the heirs of the said John P. Cutchel to receive the pension for them.
Yours Sir as I am unsuccessful in obtaining any information in relation to the method of obtaining said pension or any information in relation to Mr. Weeks where he is or what he may be doing or any knowledge in relation to the pension he was legally empowered to obtain. Will you have the goodness to answer this letter and very much oblige your humble obedient servant,
Soren Wilson
Mr. Weeks stated his residence to be in New Bedford, Mass.

Loren Wilson Oct 15/33

143 Pension Office Octo 13-1853
Sir
The case of John P. Critchett of NY has not been allowed because he failed to show that he rendered any service. Perhaps the Comptroller of NY may be in possession of some information in his favor.
Loren Wilson Esq
De Peyster Lawrence Co NY

Levi Gray Smithville Postmaster
Joseph Shaw
Nathan Dean
Jesse M'Gurny
Steven Raynor
John Wilson
W

113 Haskell Ave, Battle Creek, Mich. Aug. 16, 1927.
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
In reply to your questions concerning Revolutionary soldier, John Gritchett I will say that I think he was born about 1756 and enlisted from Dover, N.H. I am sure that he went to Washington Co. N.Y. after the war and that his wife's name was Grace Otis. Where he was born or where, or when he died I do not know.
I would appreciate any information you can give me concerning this man - both military and personal. Did he have brothers or cousins in the war and what were their names?
Yours respectfully, Clara V. Gritchett.