Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9,207, Christopher Colbey, Continental New York

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental New York.
Colbey, Christopher
S 9207
carded
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 27. 520
Christopher Colbey
of Centre Co. in the State of Pa. who was a sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Shaffner of the Regt commanded by Col. ... in the New York Line for ...
2 Yrs Pr. of Cav. $100 M ch 1 st Continental, Dec. 6, 1784. Records completed.
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a at the rate of 100 Dollars & Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Sept r 1831 and sent to ... Belfry, Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '31, 350.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mch '31, 50.00 $400.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. V. Sprague Clerk Book C 2 Vol. 5 Page 10 V
copies of papers sent to Hm. J. Henderson, H.R. Jan 10. 1837

State of Pennsylvania County of Centre
S. W.
On the twenty seventh day of August A.D. one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two. Personally appeared in open Court before me an amiable Thomas Brannan Esquire and his associates Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Centre and State of Pennsylvania, now in Session Christopher Colbey a resident of Logan Township, in the County aforesaid State aforesaid aged Eighty seven years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his solemn oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed the eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
That he, the said Christopher Colbey, entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as, is herein stated. That in the month of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety six, he resided in Albany City, in the State of New York, and in the same month, and year, he entered into the service, and Marching from Albany, towards the North, as a volunteer under General Arnold, and was present and aided, in the capture of Genl. Burgoyne & his army, at Saratoga, when General Gates was the commander & chief, and there was guarded Genl. Burgoyne, to Boston, and from there, I went to Lancaster in Pennsylvania, and on the first of March seventeen hundred & seventy eight, enlisted with Captain John Shaffner, during the war, in Col. Armstrong's Legion, in the Continental Army, as a dragoon, and remained in service, to the close of the war, that he was engaged in the Southern Campaign, under General Gates and was, in the battle of Camden, where he was wounded by a musket ball, that passed through the fleshy part of his thigh; that he laid, in the Hospital, in Wilmington, in North Carolina during that winter, that afterwards, he was marching upon Genl. Laurens who sent him, in seventeen hundred & eighty one, to Philadelphia, and that in that year, in the City of Philadelphia, he received his certificate and honorable discharge; which said discharge was burned, in his house, which was destroyed by fire; That in 1783. he went to live in Smithfield Township, Northampton County, and that about the year seventeen hundred and ninety two, he settled in Logan Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Miles Township, Northampton County, where

has continued to reside up to the present time. That he was born, in Albany, City, in the then Province of New York, in the year one thousand seven hundred & forty five. And the above mentioned Applicant Christopher Colby doth further depose and say, that during on the term thirty & forty years last past, he has resided in Luzerne Township in Centre County State of Pennsylvania, and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever, to any provision or annuity except the present, and declares, that his name is not, on the pension roll, of the agency of any that
Interrogations by the Court
1 When and in what year were you born? Ans. In the year one thousand seven hundred and forty five.
2 Have you any record of your age, if so when is it? Ans. I have not any record, I was born on Christmas day.
3 When were you living when called into service and when have you lived since the Revolutionary War and when do you now live?
Ans.
I lived in the City of Albany, Province of New York, when I first volunteered, in the service - I have lived since, the war, in Smithfield Township, Northampton County, up to seventeen hundred & ninety two. I removed, to Mifflin Township, Northumberland County (now Luzerne Township) Centre County, when I have continued to reside, to the present time.
4 How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute for a substitute for whom
Ans. I first volunteered, at Albany in seventeen hundred & seventy seven, in May & remained in service to the winter of 1778, and then removed to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and enlisted in Lancaster, in the Continental Service, on the first day of March 1778.

5 State the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with the Troops when you were? Such Continental & State Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. I was under Genl. Arrola, as a volunteer, at the capture of Bayonne, Genl. Gates being commander in chief. I was at White Plains, under Genl. Arrola, Genl. Washington being commander in chief. From there, I was marched to the South, and our Regiment, was attached, to the army, under General Gates, commander.
6 Did you ever receive a discharge, from the service and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Ans. I did receive a discharge & certificate, from General  General  Shubrick  Shubrick in Philadelphia, which has been burned, when my house was consumed by fire, in Northampton County Penna.
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known, in your present neighborhood, and who can certify as to your character for veracity, as a thing being, of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer Joseph White a Soldier of the Revolution, knew me in the army, during the war, as a soldier, and has known me in Centre County for many years, and the Honorable Jacob Shyder, one of the associate Judges, of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for Centre County, has known me since my residence, in Centre County.
sworn and subscribed, in open Court this twenty seventh day of August A.D. 1832
[Handwritten signature: J. P. [?]]
Jas. Gilliland Probo
I Joseph White, a Soldier of the Revolution, residing in Milnersburg, Centre County Pennsylvania hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Christopher Colley, who had subscribed to the above declarations, and knew him to be a soldier, in the Revolutionary war, serving in Genl. Arrola's Corps of light dragoons, and frequently saw him in the service and believe him to be eighty seven years of age, that

he is ripe too and he lived to be, in his neighborhood, when he resides a soldier of the Revolution, which fact, is fully known to me
Sworn & subscribed the
27th day of August 1832 in open Court
Jas Gilliland Prothonotary
I do hereby certify that
I Isaac H. Myers, residing in Hoxie Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Christopher Colley, who has subscribed to the above application and he lived here to be Eighty Seven years of age, that he is a veteran, and he lived, in the neighborhood when he lived to have been, a soldier of the Revolution and I concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the
27th day of year aforesaid in open Court
Jas Gilliland Prothonotary
Jacob Kryger
8 6
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, presented by the war department, that the above named applicant, was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them, that Joseph White, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Revolutionary soldier and that the Honorable Jacob Kryger, who has signed, the above certificate, is one of the associate judges of court of common pleas, for Centre County, in the State of Pennsylvania & are residents of the said County of Centre, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court
Isaac Whinnery - (S. H. Myers) I James Gilliland Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for the County of Centre, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Christopher Colley for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of office, of the said Court this 27th day of August A D 1832
Jas Gilliland Prothonotary

31.824
Application Ch. Colby's for a Pension —
for 1776 per Cens 2 yrs $100
Ph. Hale Dellefonte Centre County Pa

State of Pennsylvania } Berks County }
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county, Christopher Kolbe, who being duly sworn doth depose and say, that by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of time which he served, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below. That in the month of May 1778 he volunteered into Captain Bull's company of provincials, and marched from Albany in the State of New York to a station called the "Half moon" where he lay at the "Half moon" to the best of his recollection a year or upwards, till he marched and joined the army marching against General Burgoyne. That Captain Bull and his company were under the command of General Arnold; but he does not recollect the regiment to which they were attached. That he was at the battles of Still-water & Saratoga, and at the surrender of General Burgoyne and marched to Boston as a prisoner of the British troops after their surrender and stayed that he remained at Boston till sometime in the month of February 1778 when Captain Bull's company was dismissed (but he did not receive a discharge - a written one) and he went to Lancaster Pennsylvania where in the beginning of the month of March 1778 he enlisted to serve during the war in Captain John Shaffner's company, in Colonel Mendenhall's Legion. & from Lancaster marched to Tarrytown, on the North river, and stayed there through the summer of 1778. That the Legion went into winter quarters in the winter of 1778 & 79 in the Delaware river in Northampton County and in the Spring of 1779 the Legion marched back to Tarrytown, where they continued through the summer of 1779. That the Legion passed the winter of 1779 & 80 in winter quarters. This deponent thinks in the best of his knowledge in the State of Connecticut, but cannot remember the name of the town or place where they were quartered. That in the Spring of 1780 he marched to the South and was wounded at the battle of Camden, and after he recovered from his wound he waited upon Colonel Lorientin, who sent him to the

best of his recollection in the month of May 1781 he was sent to carry letters to Philadelphia by Colonel Lomen tin, who furnished him with a passport, which this deponent was described by the name of John Wise as he discovered when stopped by the troops on his way (and not before, as he could not read English) that he was directed by Colonel Lomen tin to stay in Philadelphia, till he should come on. That this deponent remained in Philadelphia till Colonel Lomen tin came there in the fall of 1781, and in the May following (1782) he received his discharge from Colonel Lomen tin, but whether as Christopher Golley or as John Wise this deponent knows not as he could not read English. That he then went to live in Berks County Pa., where his house was consumed by fire, in the month of November 1782, and his discharge was there destroyed. That in the Spring of 1783 he removed to Northampton County, and in the year 1792 he settled in Logan Township Centre County where he has ever since resided. That he knows of but one person now living who can testify as to his services, Joseph White of Milesburg in this county, whose deposition accompanied this deponent's original application to the Pension Office and further this deponent says, he not —
Sworn & subscribed this 25 th August AD 1834 before me —
John Wise
James Rothrock
State of Pennsylvania Centre County —
I James Gilliland, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county of Centre, do hereby certify, that James Rothrock is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 26 th day of August AD 1834
James Gilliland Clerk

Bellefonte August 26 th 1834.
A. L. Edward Esq. Sir
When in Washington, in June last, I called at your office, in company with Dr Henderson, upon some pension business. In speaking of the claim of Christophe or Christopher Colby, you spoke of the circumstance, of Colonel Armand's name, being Spelt Armand instead of Armong, (as usually pronounced), as being a suspicious circumstance. The explanatory statement of Mr Colby, on the opposite page, was written by myself, and I was very particular, in taking notice of the manner of his spelling pronouncing the name of Col. Armand, and he, invariably, pronounced it Armong.
The original declaration was drawn up by Mr Potter Esq, a leading gentleman of the bar in this district, indeed the very first, and one, who would, of course, be sufficiently acquainted with the name of Colonel Armand, to spell it correctly. As, however, you will observe, in the original declaration, the name was in the first place written, as if from the applicant's manner of pronunciation, Armong , and afterwards altered by Mr Potter on correcting it, into Armand.
I called on Mr Potter, and this is the explanation given by him, and I have no doubt it is the correct one.
The witness testifies that he knows of but one person living whom can produce prove his services, and the deposition of that one person Joseph White , accompanies the original declaration.
The applicant is an ignorant man, and one, who, not being able to read English, could not at his advanced age, give a narration of his services so clear & succinct, without having actually been an actor in the scenes of which he speaks. On my mind there is no doubt as to the truth of his statement; his words & manner bear the indelible stamp of truth & sincerity.
You will be pleased to learn that there is little doubt but that Dr Henderson will be re-elected by an increased majority.
Very respectfully &c.
B. B. Hall

State of Pennsylvania County of Centre
I James Gilliland clerk of the court of common pleas of Centre County aforesaid do hereby certify that I have examined the papers filed in the Prothonotaries office of said county, by John Christopher Colbey for a pension under the act of 18 th March, 1828, and find that in the statement of his services under said application he speaks of his services in Colonel Armands regiment, but the name is written Arvong and not Armand.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 29 th August 1834
James Gilliland Prothonotary

Rev. War
9204
INVALID.
File No. 9207
Christopher Colbery
Pri. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. Not , Page 75
[Arrangement of 1870.]

FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissaire of Pensions Washington City

Bellefonte September 11 th 1834
Sir
Yours of the 6 th inst returning the papers of Christopher Gable & George Groves has been recd.-
Enclosed I send you the papers of Gable with the deposition of Joseph White, a pensioner of the U States, annexed and hope it may prove satisfactory -
These pension applications are, in general written out, during the hurry and bustle of Court week, and it may happen that they are written with some words differing from the statements of the applicants though in general the same. I have a faint recollection of Groves telling me that he entered, or volunteered to serve during the war, which I may have written "enlisted to serve during the war". I should regret that any mistake of mine should prevent the old man from receiving the compensation due to him from his country, for his services, and shall have his deposition taken & forwarded as soon as possible
Yours Respectfully -
Richd. H. Hal
J. L. Edwards Esq

State of Pennsylvania County of Centre - ss
Personally appeared before the subscribed a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, this 11 th day of September A.D. 1834. Joseph White aged eighty one years the 4 th day of October next whose statement (I hereby certify, is worthy of credit, who being first affirmed according to law, on the on his solemn affirmation deposes and says. That he was well acquainted with Christopher Colbe during the Revolutionary war, at the time the said Colbe was serving in Armand's corps, and this deponent in the 4 th Regiment of light dragoons commanded by Colonel M'Land. That by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot say positively as to what length of time he was acquainted with the said Colbe in the service but that he well remembers of being in a skirmish with the enemy at the White Plains in which a part of Armand's Legion, and a part of the 4 th Regiment of light dragoons commanded by Captain Larkin Smith, where he saw the said applicant Christopher Colbe, that not being in the same corps, he cannot say positively as to the different engagements in which the said Colbe & this deponent served together, and further this deponent saith not
affirmed before me this day & year above mentioned before me
Sam d S. Green
1. b. 60 & 1 th White

State of Pennsylvania Berks County ss
I James Gilliland Clerk of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Berks, certify that Samuel Green is a magistrate as within duly commissioned and qualified, and that the within & foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at office this 11 th day of September AD 1834.
James Gilliland Clerk