Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13434, Paul I Hochstrasser, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Hochstrasser, Paul D.
S 13434
leaded
CONTENTS

74442
19841 New York Paul D. Hoekstra Albany Co in the State of New York who was a privat in the Company command by Captain Grotes of the Infy command by Schuyler in the N. Y. Arty time for 7 mos for 3. Sgt Co
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 38 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and sent to J. B. Moore Rensselaerville
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $76. 11 Pensant. allowance ending Sept 19. 1833 19. 11
$95.82
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 10

in the
Paul J. Hookstra
19834
J.B. Moore agent Ranpallesville

State of New York
Albany County S.S. On this 20 th day of November 1832 personally appeared before Joseph B. Moore a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany in the State aforesaid Paul J. Hochstrasser a resident of the town of Bern in the County of Albany and State of New York aged 71 years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. (1832)
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
That he entered the said service at the then town of Guilderland in the County of Albany and State of New York having been drafted and joined Capt. Grotis company and Col. Schuyler's regiment for the term of one month and was immediately marched to Schoharie where he served out his term of one month and was then dismissed. He joined the said company in the spring of the year 1776 and served as a private soldier.
He again entered the said service about the last of September or first October 1777, he having been discharged and went for his Claps and was immediately marched to Saratoga and there joined Capt. Nicholson's company and served as a private soldier one month and was at the surrender of Burgoyne and was marched down with the Army to Albany after Burgoyne surrendered and was there dismissed.

He again entered the said service having been drafted and joined Capt Grotis Company and was marched to Schenectady in the month of June 1778 and there served as an Orderly Sergeant one month and fifteen days and did garrison duty -
In the fall of the same year 1778 He was again called out, the militia being called for, and joined Capt Grotis Company and Colo Schencklers regiment and was marched to Saratoga, and there served as an Orderly Sergeant, one month and fifteen days and was then dismissed -
He again entered the said service at P'keepsie aforesaid a volunteer and joined Capt Grotis Company and he thinks in Colo Leuckenbach's Regiment in the Spring of the year 1779 and was immediately marched to Schoharie and was there stationed some times at the Upper Fort, sometimes at the Middle Fort and often at the Lower Fort , that he served under different officers at these Forts all of whose names he does not now recollect. He served at this time Five months , from the first Spring or fore part of the summer of 1779 to the fall of the same year, as a private soldier, - and was at Schoharie at the time that place was burnt -
He was in the actual service of the United States in the Revolutionary war in an embodied Corps and served as an Orderly Sergeant three months as a private soldier Seven months , making

Served as an Orderly Sergeant  three months as a private Soldier  Seven months , making in the whole Ten months and for such service he claims a pension -
He was born in Germany on the 12 th day of September in the year 1761 and was removed from Germany to the city of Albany at the age of two years as he has (always understood and believes to be true, - and removed from Albany to the said town of Guilderland in the County of Albany when he was a boy where he resided at the time of entering the said service at the several periods above mentioned, After the war he removed to Hosick in Rensselaer County where he lived two years, and from there he removed to the said town of Berne his present place of residence where he has lived for the last 26 years.
He has been a record of his age in his fathers family Bible, but he does not know what has become of it.
Colo. Nipow. Genl. Rates.
and others whose names he does now recollect were with the troops he served with. He recollects that he saw Genl Washington once at Albany - He does not now particu- larly recollect what Continental or mi- lita regiments he served with
He never recd
a written discharge. He was in a skirmish with the British and Indians, at Schoharie and was in the engagement at the taking of Burgoyne
He is known to Melachi Whipple Esq. Johan Fort Dietz. Jacob Settle Esq, David Reinhart. Colo. Jacob J. Meidman John J. Shaper

and others who reside in his present neigh- -bourhood and who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annu- -ity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any state -
He is now very lame and unwell with the Rheumatism and has a very bad Cough, and is entirely unable to leave his home. He resides 22 miles from the City of Albany where the Courts of Record for the County of Al- -bany are held and it is wholly im- -possible for him to travel that distance to attend the court even if he is de- -prived of a pension on that account
He has no documen- -tary evidence in relation to his service nor can he procure any person to testi- -fy to his services except the persons who have made affidavits hereto annexed although he has made diligent enquiry to find witnesses -
Sworn to and Subscribed Paul J. Lockhart the day and year aforesaid Before me
J. V. B. Moore Judge of Albany County Courts

Albany County Courts
We William Brown a Clergyman residing in the town of Knop in the County of Albany in the State of New York and Capt John F. Shafer residing in the town of Bern in the said County and State aforesaid hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Paul J. Hochstrasser who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 years of age and upwards; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
William Brown John F. Shafer
Sworn and subscribed the day and year afore- said Before me
J. D. Moore Judge
of Albany County Courts
State of New York
Albany County, S.S. I the subscriber a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany do hereby Certify and 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 I am well acquainted with William Brown and John F. Shafer who have signed and sworn to the preceding Certificate that the said William Brown is a Clergyman residing in the said Town of Knop and that the said John F. Shafer is a resident of the said Town of Bern and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I do also Certify that the

said Applicant cannot attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmity and that I have attended at his place of residence, and heard from him to the foregoing declaration - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20 th Day of November A.D. 1832
J. B. Moore
State of New York
Albany County ss I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the City and County of Albany do hereby certify that Joseph B. Moore before whom the within declaration and Certificate and affidavit hereto annexed were sworn and who has made the above Certificate is a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany in the State of New York and that the signature "J. B. Moore" to the said declaration, certificates and affidavit is his genuine signature. And I do further certify that James Patten before whom the affidavit of Michael Barkley was sworn (which said affidavit is hereto annexed) and who has made a certificate under the said affidavit is a Justice of the Peace of the County of Albany and that the signature "James Patten" to the said affidavit and Certificate is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County this day of November 1832
C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

State New York ss: Michael Barkley of Guilderland in the County of Albany and State aforesaid being duly sworn makes oath and says that he is acquainted with Paul J. Hochstrasser of Born in said County and that he this deponent knows that Paul J. Hochstrasser served in the Militia of the State of New York in the service of the United States in defence of the United States in Capt John Groats Company and in other company of Militia of the State of New York in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War ten months as a true and faithful soldier and that he this deponent served as a soldier in the said John Groats Company at the same time with Paul J. Hochstrasser and further saith that Paul J. Hochstrasser served as first sergeant in said John Groats Company and further saith not his Michael Barkley Subscribed and sworn this 23 d day of June 1832 before me James Patten Justice of the Peace
Albany County ss I James Patten a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County do hereby certify that I am now acquaint- -ted with Michael Barkley who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit, that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand the day and year aforesaid - James Patten

State of New York Albany county ss
Peter Decker being duly sworn says that Paul P Hochstrasser in the affidavit of Michael Barkley hereto annexed mentioned is the Identical person by the name of Paul P Hochstrasser who has made the first affidavit hereto annexed according to the representation of the said Michael Barkley and further saith not
Sworn before me this 30th day of June 1832
Peter Decker
John Hart Compt

State of New York
Albany County ss. Francis Shaper residing in the town of Berne in the County of Albany and State of New York aged 72 years and upwards being duly sworn deposes and says that he well knows Paul J Hochstraper late a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and knew him perfectly well in the said War. And this deponent further says that he well knew the said Paul J Hochstraper when he belonged to Capt Erote's Company in the service, and frequently saw him doing duty in the said Company at Schenectady and Schoharrie in the year 1778 1779 as a soldier in the said War
That he understood and believes that the said Paul J Hochstraper was in the said service at the taking of Burgoyne in the year 1777. but that he does not now particularly recollect of seeing him there -
That he this deponent cannot at this time write his name in consequence of disease
Sworn and subscribed
this 20 th day of November
1832 Before me
Francis his  X Shaper mark
J. B. Moore Judge
of Albany County Court,
Albany County ss. I the subscribed a Judge of the Court of the County of Albany do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Francis Shaper who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Witness my hand this 20 th November 1832
J. B. Moore

no 19834
Paul Hoekstra
Albany Co. N. York
admitted.
3 mo. Sergeant 7 mo. Private
23. 33 15. 00 38.
L. B. Moore age
Rensselaer Co. N. York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Paul J. Hochstrasser Albany Co.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Drafted 1776 1 Private Cap Grotus Col Schuyler Schoharie pg 1271   rent for 1777 his Clapp 1 Cap Nicholas Saratoga Saratoga Albany 60 N. York Testimony   Drafted 1778 1 15 Major Sergt Cap Grotus   Call out 1 15 Col Duane Col Schuyler Schoharie Michael Dorelay as to 10 months   Coz 1779 5 Private Francis Shafir  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c. ]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever 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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

June 15, 1931
Mr. William A. Saxton Office of the Adjutant General Albany, New York
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MCS:MLB
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 13434, that Paul I. Hochstrasser was born, September 12, 1761, in Germany. When two years of age he came to Albany, New York, and moved to Guilderland, Albany County, New York, when a boy.
He enlisted in the spring of 1776 in Guilderland, New York, and served one month as private in Captain John Groot's company in Colonel Schuyler's New York regiment. He enlisted late in September, or early in October, 1777, and served one month as private in Captain Nicholson's company, and was in the battle of Stillwater and at the surrender of Burgoyne. He enlisted in June, 1778, and served one month and fifteen days as orderly sergeant in Captain Groot's New York company. He enlisted in the fall of 1778 and served one month and fifteen days as orderly sergeant in Captain Groot's company in Colonel Schuyler's New York regiment. He enlisted in the spring or summer of 1779 and served five months as private in Captain Groot's company in Colonel Quackenbush's New York regiment and was in a skirmish at Schoharie. See New York Rev.
After the Revolution he lived in Hoosick, Rensselaer County, New York, and in Berne, Albany County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 20, 1832, at which time he was living in Berne, New York.
There are no data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

1931 June 15 hist. to Mr. Wm. A. Sattler. See letter in clus. of Esau King S. 23720. M.C.A.
13434 INVALID.
Reuben
File No. 13, 434
Paul J. Hochstrasser
Sergt. Rec. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 179
[Arrangement of 1870.]