Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12702, John Christiance, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Christiane John
112702
boarded
CONTENTS

New York 21, John Christiane
of Saratoga in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Co. of Inf y commanded by Captain Black of the Brig commanded by Col Yates in the N York troops, for 9 mos. this
See letter Aug. 1834 to P. Agt.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, & commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Mar. 1831 and sent to John Philcalf Northumberland
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834 $ 90:00 Semest. allowance ending 1 st Sep r 34 15:00 $ 105:00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo B. Whiting Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 4 Page 130
16

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832
State of New York Saratoga County p. On this fiftieth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga in said State of New York John Christance a resident of the town of Northumberland in the County of Saratoga and State of New York aged Seventy years and eight months, 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 7. 1832.
That he enlisted and sworn in the army of the United States in January in the year 1777 with Captain John Clute of Schenectady in the State of New York and went immediately into the service, and served in his Company in the Batavian Service for the term of one year and was discharged in January following. Col. Christopher Yates Col. Hay, and Col. Morgan Lewis had command of the Company of Capt. Clute at different times during that year. At the time he enlisted as above he was a resident of Schenectady in the State of New York.
That in the month of January 1778 he enlisted again in the army of the United States with Capt. Jacobus Peake of Schenectady aforesaid for one year and served in his company in the Batavian Service for the term of one other year until January then next, when he was again discharged. The same Colonels Yates, Hay, & Lewis had Command of the Company of Capt. Peake in which he served this year also.
In the latter part of the year 1777 he served on the North River attached to the army under the Command of General Schuyler, the latter part of the year under the Command of General Gates. That he was engaged with the Company of Capt. Clute in 1777 in taking and removing the Stores of General

Burgoyne's Army
In the year 1778 he served in the Company of Capt. Pease on and in the neighborhood of the North River aforesaid principally south of the City of Albany the latter part of that year up the Mohawk river near Fort Schuyler, has no written Discharge, if he ever had any it is lost
He further states that the pay for which he en- listed and served for the year 1777 was half a dollar per day, and for the year 1778 one Dollar per day
He hereby relinquishes every claim what- ever 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
his John X Christance mark
Thomas Palmer Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named appli- cant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
I Thomas Palmer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Christance for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and Seal of Affix this Fifth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Thomas Palmer Clerk

Amendment to Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832.
State of New York Saratoga County ss. On the twentieth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me Harvey Granger Dequin one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Saratoga at the dwelling house of the said John Christance in the town of Northumberland in said County the said John Christance a resident of the said town of Northumberland aged seventy one 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 7 th June 1832.
That in the month of April in the year 1779, The Company of Militia to which I belonged Commanded by Capt. Van Epps, of Col. Abraham Wemp's Regiment was ordered into the service of the United States, we were placed under the command of Col. Peter Gansevoort belonging to Genl. Clintons Brigade (of the regular troops) The said Company of which I was one joined said Regiment at Schenectady we went to Sackendaga we built a block house and I was discharged with said Company at Sackendaga I was in the service at this time as a private four weeks
In October 1779 on half the Company of the said Capt. Van Epps of which I was one was ordered into the service by the said Col. Abraham Wemp, and joined Genl. Ten Broeck's corps we were stationed at Fort Paris or Stone Arabia Montgomery County New York I was in

28 28
the service at this time as a private. Four weeks and was discharged at Fort Arabia
In September 1881 Capt. Van Epps Company of which I was one were again ordered out into the service and went and joined Col. Merriam Willets corps at Johnstown we were in the battle between Sir John Johnson's party and Col. Willets Corps the action in which Butler was killed after the battle the Regiment to which I belonged attended the prisoners to Albany, I served on this occasion two weeks, as private and was discharged at Schoharie today
In March or April 1882 I enlisted in a Company of Cavalry belonging to the New York State Troops commanded by Capt. Guy Young as a private for the term of nine months and joined the Regiment commanded by Col. Merriam Willets and went to Fort Plain where I was stationed for three or four weeks that during said term Capt. Guy Young resigned & the Company to which I belonged was commanded by J. Ellis A. Forde, after having been at Fort Plain 3 or 4 weeks I was out with a small party commanded by Lieut. Christopher Peck to Fort Clyde, from there we went to Fort Herkimer where the Regiment again joined and remained at Fort Herkimer until the end of his term of enlistment and was then discharged in the month of January 1883 by his commandant J. Ellis A. Forde, served at this time 9 months
In answer to interrogatories put to him by the Judge he says.
105
That he was born at Schoharie in the State of New York the 24 th of December 1761

2 a There was a record of my age on the Church Books in Schenectady, where I believe it now is I know of no other
3 rd When called into the service I lived at Schenectady aforesaid, and lived there about three years after the Revolutionary war, then removed to what is now the town of Northumberland in the County of Saratoga where I have lived ever since and now live
4 th was called into the service the first mentioned short terms by order from the Captain of the Militia Company and the last stated term of 9 months by enlistment
5 th The names of some of the Officers which I recollect who were with the troops when I served are Gen. Clinton, Col. Peter Gansevoort, Col. Merinus Willet, Capt. Young Lieut. Yates Lieut. Van Voorst, Lieut. Vandenburg
6 th I never received any written discharge from the three short terms of Militia service, but was discharged verbally by the Commandant, From the 9 months term I received a written discharge from Ellis A. Fonda, it is lost I know not what has become of it
7 th I am well known in my present neighborhood to Gen. Herman Gansevoort, Col. Jeremiah Terhune, Jonas Olmsted Esq. Postmaster, Samuel Lewis Esq. Nathaniel McCallum Esq. Conrad Cramer Esq. who can testify to my character for veracity &c.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Harvey Granger Judge of Saratoga County Courts
John his X Christians mark

State of New York 3
Saratoga County ss We Robert Washburn a Clergyman residing in the town of Northumberland in said County and John Metcalf residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Christance who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventyone 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 & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
Robert Washburn John Metcalf
Harry Granger of Saratoga County Clerk
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I do further Certify that it appears to me that Robert Washburn who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman residing in the said town of Northumberland, and that John Metcalf who has also signed the same is a resident of said town of Northumberland and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
And I do further Declare my opinion that the said applicant is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend the Court -
Harry Granger of Saratoga County Clerk Judge
State of New York 3
Saratoga County ss J. Alpheus Goodrich Clerk of the County

of Saratoga do Certify that Harvey Granger before whom the foregoing proceedings on the application of John Christianson purport to have been had, was at the date of the said proceedings a Judge of the County Courts in and for said County; And that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said proceedings to be his proper hand writing and signature -
Witness My hand and seal of Office the thirty first day of December 1833. J Woodrich Clerk

5699
John Christian
x 2 years Ballantyne
See N. York Rolls
+ disallowed - - no evidence
young land
Admitted Private qms
5.11.12.17
proofs
6 Apr 32 10 Dec 32
John Aldcroft Northumberland New York
1143

BRIEF in the case of  John Christianae  of  Wathenbula  in the State of  New York  (Act 7 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? Seventy years & 8 months  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.     In 1777 Jan'y 1 privat Genl John Clinton Col Yates, Col Day & Col Lany   1778 Jan'y 1 " Capt. Jacoby Peak.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Schenectady New York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? neither  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Knapp Examining Clerk:

Reahan
12702 INVALID.
File No. 12702
John Christian Phil. Rev. war
Act: June 4th 1832
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mechanics Bank
New York August 6. 1834
Sir
I enclose for your examination the Papers in the case of John Christiance who died before the Pension Certificate was issued. You will please notice that the Power of Attorney is dated on the 12 th of May, so that the time allowed for payment will shortly expire - I can state in explanation, that the Papers were presented here some time ago & refused on account of informality -
I am Very respectfully Your Ob t Servt.
J. H. Fleming Presd t Spn. of.
J. L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions.

Christiana

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 Christiana which require further proof or explanation.
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X.
Battalion service under the quarter Master Genl is not embraced by the Act - It provides for military service alone in one of its branches. He is required to establish his other alleged service according to the regulations.

 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? no no  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no no  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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no  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? no  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? 1. 2. 6. 7 
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 the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

J. L. Edwards Aguin
Commission of Pensions
Washington City

Northumberland Saratoga Co. N York
July 3 d 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq re
Sir
I herewith enclose the papers of John Christensen with amendments - The testimony of living witnesses to 9 months service and traditional evidence of same 10 weeks besides -
Supposing that the Batavian service mentioned in his original Declaration would be considered service within the act of Congress (and that amounting to two years) he was advised at that time not to take the trouble to procure the testimony respecting the service which he now exhibits, the witnesses living at a distance and himself very infirm and feeble
I am very Respectfully
Your Ob. Serv t
John M c Neal

State of New York } County of Schenectady }
Ys: Jelles A. Forda of the City of Schenectady formerly a Captain in the Reg- iment commanded during the Revolutionary War by Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett being duly sworn saith that he knew John Christiansen now of the Town of Northumberland land County of Saratoga and State of New York, by whom the annexed declaration is subscribed during the said Revolutionary war and knows that the said John Christiansen was a private soldier in said Regiment for more than nine months during said war. That the said John Christiansen was a pri- vate during part of the said nine months in the company in said Regiment command- ed by this deponent, and this deponent gave him a discharge when the said Regi- ment was disbanded and further saith not.
Sworn this 13 th August }
1828 before me }
by whom the annexed declaration is subscribed
Jelles A. Forda
S. W. Jones - Judge of Schenectady County Common Pleas -

State of New York } Schenectady County. } 3
John Bonny of the City of Schenectady being duly sworn saith that he was a soldier during the Revolutionary war in the years 1781 and 1782 and that during that time he knew John Christians also now of the Town of Northumberland county of Saratoga mentioned in the within affidavit to have also been a soldier during said war in the Regiment commanded by Marmaduke Willet. That said John Christians remained in said Regiment until at or near the time when the same when the same was disbanded.
John Bonny
Sworn this 13 th day of August 1828 before } 3
L. W. Jones a Judge of Schenectady County Court of Com. Pleas.
1828 papers to be filed with the Gov. Secy #12.702

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the revolution," approved on the 15 th of May 1828, I John Christianse of the Town of Northumberland in the County of Saratoga in the State of New York, do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the revolution for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination, at which period, I was a private in Captain Jellison & Fonda's Company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Marinus Willett New York line. And I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty Dollars, to which I was entitled under a resolution of Congress passed the 15 th May 1778. And I further declare that I was not on the fifteenth day of May teenth day of May 1828 on the pension list of the United States, nor have I ever been on said pension list.
Witness my hand, this thir- teenth day of August 1828. John his  Christianse mark
Filed 1828.
D. Doyel
Before me Samuel M. Jones Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Columbia in the State of New York, personally appeared Jellison & Fonda & John Christianse in the foregoing depositions, who did swornly make oath that John Christianse by whom the foregoing declaration is subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the army of the revolution in manner

stated in the annexed affidavits by them subscribed. S. W. Jones is Judge etc.
I John Woodman Clerk of the Court of the County of Schenectady, in the state of New York, do hereby certify, that Samuel W. Jones before whom the foregoing affida- vits were sworn, was at the time a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Schenectady, and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this thirteenth day of August, Anno Domini 1825.
John S. Vrooman
John Schuyler

Matter of John Christiane a pensioner
Admitted Private quarters
John Melcalf Esq. Northumbrland New York

State of New York Madison County ss:
I, Ellis A. Fonda of Sullivan in the County of Sullivan aforesaid, being duly sworn, depose & say that John Christian of Westerlo in the County of Saratoga is well known to this deponent as having been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War - and this deponent further saith, that in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Two, the said Christian belonged to a Company commanded by Captain Geo Young in Colonel Marcy's Willet's Regiment - That after the resignation of said Young in the year, this deponent commanded the same Company  with another Company to which said Christian then belonged - That said Christian faithfully discharged the duties of a Soldier in said Company for the term of Nine months for which term he enlisted, & was regularly discharged by this deponent in the month of January, (according to his best recollection) One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Three - And further this deponent saith.
Sworn & subscribed this 18 th day of March 1833 before me Morris Gates Warner Commissioner
Ellis A. Fonda
This certifies, that Ellis A. Fonda who was sworn, & subscribed the above affidavit before me, is known to me, that his reputation for truth & veracity is unquestionable - Dated Mar. 8. 1833 -
Morris Gates Warner
State of New York Madison County ss:
I Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Morris Gates Warner before whom the preceding affidavit was taken & subscribed, was at the date of the same a Commissioner of the Court in said County, that I am acquainted with his hand writing, & believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be to be his proper hand writing & signature -
Witness my hand & Seal of Office this twenty fifth day of March 1833 -
A. S. Sloan - Clerk E. B. Barnard - Dept. C.

State of New York
County of Schenectady ss. John Bonney of the City of Schenectady being duly sworn deposes and says that John Christians in the year one thousand eight seven hundred and eighty two then of the Town of Schenectady in the County of Albany and State aforesaid and now of the Town of Northumberland in the County of Saratoga and State aforesaid entered the service of the United States under the following Officers and served as hereinafter stated - he enlisted in a Company of Levies belonging to the State Troops in Colonel Marinus Willett Regiment commanded by Captain Guy Youngs and by Adjutant Dillis A Fonda after the resignation of Captain Youngs as a private for the term of nine months and continued in the said Company and performed his services faithfully during the whole of the said term of nine months. That the said company was first stationed at Fort Plain and after remaining there about three or four weeks was divided into several divisions and sent to different parts That the division in which said Christians belonged was commanded by Lieutenant Christopher Peck and sent from Fort Plain to Fort Glyde that said division did not join the division in which this deponent belonged till he arrived at Fort Herkimer where the division of said Peck had already been a few days. That this deponent

had been at and came directly from General Herkimer's residence at Little's Fort Herkimer where he was commanded by Lieutenant Van Deburgh and that most of the divisions assembled at Fort Herkimer and remained there about three months when the [?]
STATE OF NEW-YORK, County of Schenectady, Clerk's Office.
I, JOHN S. VROOMAN, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said county, DO CERTIFY,
that Henry Fuller whose name is subscribed to the CERTIFICATE , of the proof of the annexed affidavit
and endorsed thereon, was on the day of the
date of the said CERTIFICATE , a commissioner of Deeds
for the said county, commissioned, sworn and duly authorized by law to take the proof and acknowledgements
of DEEDS and discharges of MORTGAGES, &c. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand
writing of the said Henry Fuller Henry Fuller said Henry Fuller
and truly believe that the signature of Henry Fuller subscribed to the said CERTIFICATE , is the proper hand writing of the
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the SEAL of the said court, this thirteenth day of March 1837.
John S. Vrooman (Clerk)
County of Schenectady p. Giles F. Yates of the City of Schenectady being sworn depos- es and says that he is personally acquainted with the above-named John Barney that he has known him several years that he has always considered him a credible person and that the above affidavit is entitled to credit.
G. F. Yates
I Samuel W. Jones a judge of the County Courts in and for Schenectady County do certify that on the 13 th day of March 1838 personally appeared before me Giles F. Yates to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing affidavit and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. S. W. Jones

had been at and came directly from General Herkimers residence at Little to Fort Herki- mer where he was commanded by lieuten- ant Van Deburgh and that most of the divisions assembled at Fort Herkimer and remained there about three months when the said term ended and the Company was discharged.
John Barney W
Sworn and subscribed before me this thirteenth day of march 1833.
Henry Fuller
Commissioner of Deeds &c
County of Schenectady p. Giles F. Yates of the City of Schenectady being sworn depos- -es and says that he is personally acquainted with the above-named John Barney that he has known him several years that he has always considered him a credible person and that the above affidavit is entitled to credit.
G. F. Yates
I Samuel W. Jones a judge of the County Courts in and for Schenectady County do certify that on the 13 th day of March 1833 personally appeared before me Giles F. Yates to me known to be the person described in and who executed to the affidavit by him subscribed and above written, and I further certify that he is a credible person and worthy of belief - S. W. Jones

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Christie James GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8278 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED January 28, 1791 to be not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.