Recently the Drowned Lands Historical Society was donated an 1825 map copied by a member of the Wilcox family, showing lot owner names. The lots were sold by someone named "Alexander McGregor", which was a name unfamiliar to me. The total acreage owned was enormous, around 4,000 acres supposedly, so this was a puzzle.
While looking for information we discovered and were able to contact a 4th great granddaughter of Alexander McGregor, in England: Janella Horne. We've found some interesting information; he apparently never lived in the black dirt area, but had made efforts to drain the land, and had raised hemp on it. Indeed, in the land titles, the land was described as "The Drowned Lands, or Hemp Lands".
Copied below is some of the information we have been able to glean:
1. Excerpt from :"THE CHEECHUNK AND DROWNED LANDS, The Outlet Ditch or Canal Which
Changed the Course of the Wallkill" by Frances E. Borland-Wilcox
"Miss Nettie H. Wilcox, granddaughter, has in her possession an old
map, dated Feb. 31. 1825, which is a copy of the original deed made
in Liverpool, England. The inscription at the top of the map reads,
"Plan of Hemp-lands in Goshen in the State of New York, North
America, distance from the city 60 miles. About 3804-1/2 acres, the
property of A. MacGregor, Esq. of Liverpool."
Portions of this land were sold by A. MacGregor to the following as
marked on this map: Benj. Davis, Caleb Smith, Robert Ferrier, Heirs
of Kortright, J. and N. Wheeler, Wm. Finn, Robert Carr, Heirs of
Armstrong, Wm. Rainer, George D. Wickham, Jonathan Burrell and
daughters, Heirs of James VanHorn, John Fergerson (sic), Hannah
Forgerson, Samuel Kimbers, John Wisner, Israel Owen, Nathaniel Roe,
Samuel Knapp, Peter Bertholf, Wm. Swan, Benj. Sammon, Inman Walling,
Dr. Gillespie, Hez. Lorrings, A. MacGregor."
2. from "Laws of the State of New York":
Chap. 243.
AN ACT for the Relief of Alexander MacGregor.
Passed April 17, 1826.
WHEREAS Alexander MacGregor, late of the city of New
York, merchant, now of Liverpool, in Great Britain, a citizen of the
United States of America, has by his petition represented, that he is
tbe owner of a dwelling-house and certain lots of ground in Riving-
ton-street, in the city of New- York, and also of about four thousand
acres of the Drowned lands or Hemp lands in the county of Orange,
upon which he has recently expended a large sum of money in drain-
ing, ditching and improving the same, and that all his children now
living are natives of Great Britain, and praying that upon his de-
cease his said children may be permitted to take and held the said
real estate as if they were citizens : Therefore,
That from and after the decease of the said Alexander MacGregor, It shall and may be lawful for his
heirs or devisees to take and In^d (the dwelling-house, lots of ground,
lands and premises above mentioned, with the hereditaments and
appurtenances, to them respectively, and to their' heirs and assigns
for ever, and to have and dispose of the same and of the rents,
issues and profits thereof, in like manner, and as fully, to all
intents and purposes, as they might or could do if they were naturally
born citizens of this state : Providently That no alienation of the
said premises shall be good and effectual in law, other than to a
citizen of the United States : And provided also, That nothing here*
in contained shall be taken to bar, preclude, or in any wise to affect
the title which any citizen of the United States may have to
the said premises.
3. Biographical register of Saint Andrew's society of the state of New York .. (1922)
Author: MacBean, William M. (William Munro), 1852-1924
Volume: 2
p. 338
#607 ALEXANDER MacGREGOR.
Alexander MacGregor was one of four brothers who came to this country
from Thornhill, Perthshire. Mr. William Wood, however, in his Autobiography.
states that he believed that MacGregor was a native of Kirkintilloch, Dumbartonshire. Mr. MacGregor engaged in the dry goods business in New York as junior
partner in the firm of Thomson & MacGregor, and this firm dissolved September
1, 1797. In 1798, his brother John and he formed the firm of John & Alexander
MacGregor, at 190 Pearl Street, carrying on there a large wholesale dry goods
business. In December, 1802, he advertised that he was "intending for Europe"
and offered for sale houses in Greenwich and Gold Streets and a country house
within a mile and a half of the Coffee House. His store, then in Pine Street, was
four stories in height and fire-proof. He left New York and went to Liverpool,
where he became a great cotton merchant. He joined the house of J. & A.
Dennistoun, the senior partner, James Dennistoun, of Golfhill, near Glasgow, being
the grandfather of William Wood, our future president. In 1823 Mr. MacGregor
lived in one of the pleasantest villas erected about 1801 on the hill south of St.
George's Street, forming the tongue of land at the junction of St. George's Hill
and Netherfield Road. MacGregor Street commemorates the name of the quondam
proprietor. About 1826 Mr. MacGregor became manager of the branch of the
Bank of England. Mr. Wood states that the word picture of Osbaldistone and
Tresham in Rob Roy might have been drawn from Alexander MacGregor. He
was an overbearing and disagreeable man but a clever merchant. He married
Helen I'lnlay, widow of Major Finlay of the Engineers, military secretary to the
Duke of Richmond. They lived in good style on their estate at Everton, near
Liverpool. Mr. MacGregor died in Manchester, England, December 6, 1828. His
will was probated in New York, December 18, 1828. Alexander MacGregor,
Junior, his nephew, and Andrew Foster, were the New York executors.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Blogging Warwick History
Who found this 1773 English halfpenny long ago in Lewis Park? You'll have to catch up on Warwick blogs to find out!
Once upon a time learning about Warwick history was confined to perusing the standard dusty tomes – fun in itself, but sometimes hard to get the resources. Now a new generation of Warwickians is turning to the web to share memories and do research.
Recently Bob Schmick began his “Hometown Warwick NY” blog (http://hometownwarwick.blogspot.com/) to share information about the Miller farm of his boyhood, which has now been demolished for a shopping center. The blog has grown into a wonderful treasure trove of reminiscences of daily life in our town during the 1940’s and beyond, with interesting side trips down the dirt roads of history. You can see photos of the long-gone rickety bridge over the railroad tracks on Sanfordville Road, see the only existing photos of the John Blain family headstones near Shoprite (some of which have since disappeared), learn what it was like to shop before the mega malls at Middletown and Woodbury, and much more.
Another new blog is Terry Hann’s “Warwick New York Local History” (http://www.warwicknewyorklocalhistory.blogspot.com/ ), which is a continuation of his volunteering for many years transcribing hundreds significant articles on our history from microfilm of our local newspapers, and his research on historic homes in the area. Recent features are the history of the Oakland Theater and the memoirs of the late Roy Vail of New Milford, one of our most treasured historians.
There are a number of other local history blogs and websites, started over the years— Ed Winchester has “Warwick Town Scrapbook” ( http://www.townscrapbook.com/ ),
dedicated to Warwick in the 1940’s and 1950’s – great shots and memories of classmates and the community – and Femi Roecker created “Bellvale School Homepage” (http://www.bellvale.net/ ). Marty Felder’s page on the history of the Lehigh and Hudson River Railway (http://lhr.railfan.net/ ) is also a popular resource.
The Albert Wisner Library hosts “Warwick Valley History” and the “Warwick Heritage Database”, which include historic maps of the town and hundreds of articles on significant events and people—just go to http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/ and click on “Local History”. They also have the “Warwick History & Heritage” blog at http://warwickhistory.blogspot.com/ .
There simply isn’t any excuse any more not to know more about the history of your local community— just point and click!
If you know about other local history websites, let us know! Email Sue Gardner at sgardner@rcls.org.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Militia Men and Mountain Railways
Unless you are a member of the Orange County Historical Society, you may have missed the fact that two articles of interest appeared in the November, 2008 issue of the Orange County Historical Society Journal (Vol. 37):
Orange County Militia During the American Revolutionary War
by Alan Aimone reviews the movements and activities of the local units, with extensive notes and bibliography.
Construction of the Sterling Mountain Railway
by Rodney P. Johnson gives the history of the railroad that served the Sterline mines.
You can also see some of the Sterling Railway collection, which has been scanned by the Tuxedo Public Library, by going to www.hrvh.org (Hudson River Valley Heritage) and searching for keywords sterling railway.
Copies of the journal are in the local history collection of the AWPL, and individual issues may be purchased from the Orange County Historical Society.
Orange County Militia During the American Revolutionary War
by Alan Aimone reviews the movements and activities of the local units, with extensive notes and bibliography.
Construction of the Sterling Mountain Railway
by Rodney P. Johnson gives the history of the railroad that served the Sterline mines.
You can also see some of the Sterling Railway collection, which has been scanned by the Tuxedo Public Library, by going to www.hrvh.org (Hudson River Valley Heritage) and searching for keywords sterling railway.
Copies of the journal are in the local history collection of the AWPL, and individual issues may be purchased from the Orange County Historical Society.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Aerial Views of Warwick Village
The Historical Society owns two aerial view maps of the Village of Warwick which show the tremendous growth of the village between 1887 and 1923:
Section of the 1887 Map
Showing the area of Lewis Park and the Old School Baptist Meeting House:
The 1923 Aerial View map of the Village on the Warwick Valley History Website:
http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/Factsandhistory/History/1923WarwickAerialSmallerGrayscale.jpg
is fun to compare to the 1875 map recently distributed by one of our local realtors, which is also online on the Library of Congress Website:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/map_item.pl?data=/gmd380/g3804/g3804w/pm006510.sid&itemLink=r?ammem/gmd:@field(NUMBER+@band(g3804w+pm006510))&title=Warwick,+N.Y.+1887.+&style=gmd&legend=
...And to the present day, which you can view if you download Google Earth (free)http://earth.google.com/(once you've downloaded, just type in Warwick New York)
If you'd rather look at it on Google Maps, here is a link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.258822,-74.357035&z=17&t=h&hl=en
.....HOW MANY BUILDINGS CAN YOU FIND WHICH ARE NO LONGER THERE?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
New! Revolutionary War Pension Files & Map
We recently asked for volunteers to help transcribe the newly found pension files, and nine people offered to help! We will post some of them here. You can view new ones as well as the complete transcriptions and images of the original documents on the Warwick Heritage Database (click on the link below, and click "view" on the far right of the screen next to the entry, to see the whole record):
http://www.refworks.com/refshare/?site=01002978336000000/1264529/_82,101,118,111,108,117,116,105,111,110,97,114,121,32,87,97,114,32,80,101,110,115,105,111,110,32,38,32,83,101,114,118,105,99,101,32,82,101,99,111,114,100,115&enc=y
You can see a map of the area drawn during the war, which helps you identify the places talked about, (which was discovered in the files of the Hessian State Archives in Marburg, Germany), thanks to Rick Mourek and the West Jersey History Project:
http://www.westjerseyhistory.org/maps/revwarmaps/hessianmaps/index3.shtml
Revolutionary War Pension File
Name: Burt, James
Pension Number S 12,388
National Archives Record Group M804
Transcription by Peggy Johnson, 2008
(excerpt from file- initial deposition)
State of New York
Orange County
On this fourth day of September one thousand and eight hundred and thirty two- personally appeared in open court before the jurors of the common please in and for said County (being in County of Record), now sitting James Burt a resident of Warwick in said county and state, aged seventy two 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, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Deponent saith that he was born in the year 1760 as he believes and, as appears by his fathers family record in deponents possession. That he was living in said town of Warwick when he first enlisted in November 1776, as a sergeant in the Battalion of Major Henry Wisner in Colonel William Allisons Regiment of militia for and served nearly three months. In this service deponent was mustered and marched to Chloster in New Jersey, near the British Lines – to Hackensack, English Neighborhood, Hoboken, Fort Lee + other places near the Hudson River and in the month of January was in a skirmish with the enemy at Bergen Woods where deponent with his companions in arms took six of the enemy prisoner of war. Deponent saith that he was orally discharged from this campaign in the month of February. Deponent further saith that in the month of March following (1777) he volunteered as sergeant under Captain John Minthorn and under Major Henry Wisner aforesaid and marched in pursuit of a gang of Tories who were going to the British; overtook and captured seventeen of this hostile band near Newfoundland in New Jersey and committed them to gaol- on his return home he immediately volunteered in said town of Warwick as sergeant under Captain William Blain, as one of the corps called Rangers. This service consisted as deponent saith, in patroling the mountains and ferreting out Tories and small parties of British who committed robberies and murder among the whig inhabitants- was thus engaged for two—months including a march to Ramapo, Nyack and the Hudson River, which latter place was then their headquarters + from whence his corps would frequently visit Chloster and other places in its vicinity checking, and occasionally capturing marauding parties of the enemy. Deponent saith that he was discharged from this command about first of June following. Saith about first of July of this year(1777) he volunteered as sergeant in Captain John Minthorn’s company-was marched to headquarters at Ramapo, was engaged in the like service as last aforesaid, in that and the vicinity of Tappan for one month. On the following last of August or first of September on a requisition of troops from Col. John Hathorns Regiment by order of Gen. George Clinton, deponents father, then aged sixty years, went as deponents substitute to Fort Montgomery + Clinton and served one month. On the approach of the British fleet up the Hudson and previous to the capture and fall of said Forts, by order of Gen George Clinton, the whole of deponent’s regiment marched to Ramapo where information reached them of the fall of said fortress. From Ramapo, deponent marched with the Warwick and Goshen Regiments to New Windsor to prevent the enemy’s landing at that place-saith that he was
….at this time the enemies fleet sailed up said river and burnt the town of Kingston. From New Windsor deponent was detached by order of Gen Clinton, to guard a Brigade of Waggons conveying French Muskets from Boston to Washington’s Army in Pennsylvania- This campaign as deponent saith lasted two months. Early in the spring of 1778 deponent marched under Captain Andrew Miller of Col. John Hathorns Regiment from among the Troops to form a force to escort General Wayne’s prisoners to Easton in Pennsylvania from which latter place deponent returned to Warwick aforesaid and immediately marched for the Minisink frontier to repel the hostile invasions of the Indians under Brant, but before his Battalions reached the Delaware River, met our retreating troops returning from the Battle field on the Lacawaxen where this enemy’s superior force had obtained the victory. Deponent saith that he was in the service at this place two months. Deponent saith that early in September following deponent was one constituting a quota of troops called to Fishkill on the eastside the Hudson river under the command of Colonel Hathorn and Gen George Clinton and served three months as sergeant aforesaid- was discharged in December following- Immediately on deponents return home a requisition was made for teams to transport clothing which had been forwarded from Boston to the continental troops then laying back of Watney Plains re as Morristown in New Jersey, saith that he went with his team taking two hogsheads of clothing which he conveyed to our army, saith that he spent two or more weeks in this service in which time he endured the greatest sufferings in his life from the immense quantities of snow through which he traveled and from the severity of the frost. In the spring of 1780 deponent served under Captain John Minthorn in the vicinity of Ramapo one month and in the summer of the same year one month under Captain Miller aforesaid, and in the same quarter. In this year (1780) deponent saith he served as sergeant under Captain Richard Baily and ….? John Kenedy at least two months on and along to Ramapo thence to Pompton in New Jersey, thence to Paramus, to Tappan, thence to headquarters at Ramapo, was out in this service one month. In the first of June following was ordered under Captain John Minthorn in said Hathorns Regiment and again marched to Ramapo in which vicinity+ on the lines, deponent ….? and …?. In this year (1778) by order of the Commander in Chief a requisition of men and teams were made early in September from his neighborhood to build Fort Putnam and deponent ….? And with a double team and wrought in the action of that fortress one and a half months and on the completion of which he returned home in the latter part of October. In the early part of November following deponent again marched to the Minisink frontier under Captain Andrew Miller and served half a month. Deponent saith that in the same autumn he served under Captain John Minthorn one month in and about Ramapo, Hackensack and other places near the lines. Deponent further saith that about the last of March or first of April 1779 he was again marched to Ramapo under Captain Andrew Miller as he believes and served one month. The first of June following was again at Ramapo under Captain John Minthorn and under Colonel John Hathorn and marched there to Stony Point on the Hudson river and where deponent’s Regiment lay until a short time before the taking of that Fortress by Gen. Wayne. After the same was taken deponent was
selected the Minisink frontier, being stationed apart of this time at the stockade at Martinus Decker’s settlement.
In the year 1781 deponent saith he was in the service as usual under the aforesaid commanders at Paramus, Hackensack and along the lines in various other places, with his fellow soldiers in army against the common enemy- in all, at least two months or more.
Deponent further saith that in the spring of 1782 he was marched under the command of Major David Mc Camly again to the Minisink border, on occasion of an expected attack by the Indians, of the exposed inhabitants in that region and remained with his Battallion in this + position about half a month, when the said Battallion was discharged- deponent further saith that he, at no times received a written discharge from service from any officer.
Revolutionary War Pension File
Name: Bennett, Gershom
Pension No. R 756
National Archives Record Group M804
Transcribed by Paul Greiner, 2008
(excerpt from file- initial deposition)
Declarations
In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed
June 7th 1832
State of New York
County of Steuben ?[obscured]? october 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judge of the Court of Common Please of said County of Steuben. Gershom Bennett a residentof the town of Tyrone in the County of Steuben aforesaid and State of New York aged Sixty Seven Years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his own make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated. That he was born in the town of Warwick, County of Orange and State of New York on the 20th day of November 1765.
That he has no record of his Age knows his age from what his parents told him. That when first called into service he was living at the ?...place of his birth. That when he first entered the service (which was ?when? in his 14th year of age) he took the place of his brother MitchellBennett who was hurt by a fall from a waggon the wheels running over him. This was in the spring of the year 1779 as deponent thinks and the Company was
commanded by Capt. Westfall of Naversink in Orange County aforesaid and by Lieutenant John English of the same place. cannot recollect the names of his field
officers, but his [1]Col. resided a little ?word obscured? Peen Pack Orange County. Marched on to this Frontier where the Naversink empties into the Delaware River. Was
quartered at Chamber's Fort at the forks of the Naversink. Was out at this time nine months and lay at this place during the whole of said tour. was discharged when his time was out and went home. remained there till spring of 1780 early in April went as a substitute for one Isreal Rickey of Sussex County New Jersey in Capt. Pattersons Company & Lieutenant Benjamin Morse of same County. Cant remember the names of his field officers?then? marched on to the Delaware River opposite Milford. and was there stationed and built a block house while there and remained there to the end of the tour for which they were called which deponent is sure was as long as three
months & thinks longer. Capt. Harbus Company of ?nine? Months were there from? Sussex County New Jersey was stationed there at same time. deponent was dismissed and went home. And in a few days was ordered out and marched to Chambers Fort near the junction of the Naversink & Delaware in Capt. David McCamlys Company and stayed there some time. Thinks three months. was dismissed and went home. a few days after
he was again called out. on an ?alarm given perhaps to??...? Capt. McCamly. Col. Wisners regiment Genl. Hawthorns Brigade. went home and was soon after drafted and sent again to Warwick and served out his tour the length of which he does not recollect, but thatit was long enough to get his class certificate for 25 Acres of Land. At this time was attached to Capt. John English’s Company. from this time up to the close of the Revolutionary War. deponent was almost continually engaged in the service (except in the heart of Winter) on scouts, alarms etc. that he was in active service as ?much? [crossed out] twenty seven months. that ?...? discharges. That he never received a commission. That in 1783 he removed to Northumberland, Pennsylvania resided there till 1790 or 91. Then removed to Chemung Tioga County, New York and remained there till 1803 or 1804. then removed to the then Town of ?Frederickstown? now Tyrone in Steuben County New York where he has continued to and still does reside. That he is well acquainted with ?Hank? Williams knows Abraham ?Flut? and Silvanus Arnold in his present neighborhood and with ?[title?]? David Bartly Coryell of
Urbana in said county Steuben who can also testify to his ?character? ?[obscured]? and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution. That he has no documents nor evidence of his ?services? and knows of no ?person in? the county who can testify to his Services except Benjamin Sutton of Romulus, Seneca County New York. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or Annuity except the present and declares that his name is not of the Pension Rolls of the Agency of any State. Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before.
Revolutionary War Pension File
Name: Burt, Thomas
Pension No. S 2,314
National Archives Record Group M804
Transcription by Penny Steyer, 2008
(excerpt from file- initial deposition)
At a special court held pursuant to the Regulations of the War Department in such case made and provided before the Hon. Grant B. Baldwin, first Judge of Tioga County in the State of New York, at the dwelling house of Thomas Burt in the Town of Chemung in the said County and by adjournment at the House of John G. McDowell, Esquire in the same Town on the second day of October, 1832.
State of New York §
Tioga County §
On this 2nd day of October, 1832 personally appeared before the Judge before named, who is the first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tioga and State aforesaid which is a court of record because made so by the Laws and Constitution of the State having by Law a clerk and Seal, Thomas Burt, a resident of the Town of Chemung, County and State aforesaid, aged eighty years the twenty-sixth day of May last 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. About the first of April, 1776 he enlisted in the company of Captain William Blain in the Orange County Militia in the State of New York in the Regiment of Col. Beardslee of Warwick in the same County for the term of nine months and was marched on to Long Island where he remained till after the battle and the retreat of the American forces which he thinks took place in August in all which he took an active part. He was then at the Harlem Heights, Kingsbridge and White Plains and in the engagements at those places; he was then stationed at New Windsor on the North River where he remained till the expiration of the term and for two months longer; he was then dismissed and returned home about the first of March, 1777. In May following he had to turn out voluntarily or stand a draft; he chose to volunteer in the company of Captain John Wood of Goshen, Orange County aforesaid, and in the same Regiment of Col. Beardslee as this time he volunteered for no definite period but with an understanding that he should continue as long as the exigencies of the service should require. On these conditions he continued thence forward in the service for upwards of five years with the exception of a short recess each winter to go home for a month or two. At different times during this service he was under the command of Col. Hathorn who was commissioned a Brigadier General towards the close of the war. His service was divided between the North River and the frontier of Orange County and the Delaware River; he was stationed at Fort Montgomery, at Newburgh, New Windsor, Stony Point, Haverstraw and West Point on the North River at different times; while at Haverstraw he was under the command of Col. Odell; he was stationed at West Point about the time the Treason of Arnold was discovered, which he thinks was in the year 1780. He was honorably dismissed [from] the service in the fall of 1782 by General Hathorn. He has no documentary evidence of his said services neither does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to them.
And in answer to the several interrogatories put to him by the Judge aforesaid he says that he was born in the Town of Warwick, County of Orange and State of New York on the twenty-sixth day of May, 1752; that he had a record of his age in his Bible till within a few years and that he believes some of his children have taken it out to copy into theirs and is not positive where it now is, but he has no shadow of doubt that his age is as above stated. That when he first entered the service as before stated in the year of 1776 he lived in the place of his nativity, Warwick aforesaid, that after the close of the Revolutionary War he continued to live in the same place till he settled at his present residence in Chemung, where he has lived upwards of forty –three years, that in all his services aforesaid he was a volunteer. That the names of some of the regular officers who were with the Troops where he served are Gov. George Clinton, Gen. James Clinton, Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Wayne, Gen. Hathorn, Col. Beardslee, Col. Dubois and Col. Livingston and Col. Odell and their respective regiments though his recollection in relation to the Troops is very indistinct at this late day; but the officers he paid more attention to at the time and are yet fresh in his remembrance.
That he never received any formal discharge from the service and that he would refer to the Hon. John. G. McDowell, Asahel Buck, Esq, Isaac Shepherd, Jacob Lowman and Jacob ??, Esquires, all of Chemung aforesaid and who are well acquainted with his reputation for truth and veracity and who can testify to their belief in the truth of the foregoing declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim, whatsoever to an annuity or pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid§
G.B. Baldwin
First Judge
Tioga County
(Signed) Thomas Burt
http://www.refworks.com/refshare/?site=01002978336000000/1264529/_82,101,118,111,108,117,116,105,111,110,97,114,121,32,87,97,114,32,80,101,110,115,105,111,110,32,38,32,83,101,114,118,105,99,101,32,82,101,99,111,114,100,115&enc=y
You can see a map of the area drawn during the war, which helps you identify the places talked about, (which was discovered in the files of the Hessian State Archives in Marburg, Germany), thanks to Rick Mourek and the West Jersey History Project:
http://www.westjerseyhistory.org/maps/revwarmaps/hessianmaps/index3.shtml
Revolutionary War Pension File
Name: Burt, James
Pension Number S 12,388
National Archives Record Group M804
Transcription by Peggy Johnson, 2008
(excerpt from file- initial deposition)
State of New York
Orange County
On this fourth day of September one thousand and eight hundred and thirty two- personally appeared in open court before the jurors of the common please in and for said County (being in County of Record), now sitting James Burt a resident of Warwick in said county and state, aged seventy two 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, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Deponent saith that he was born in the year 1760 as he believes and, as appears by his fathers family record in deponents possession. That he was living in said town of Warwick when he first enlisted in November 1776, as a sergeant in the Battalion of Major Henry Wisner in Colonel William Allisons Regiment of militia for and served nearly three months. In this service deponent was mustered and marched to Chloster in New Jersey, near the British Lines – to Hackensack, English Neighborhood, Hoboken, Fort Lee + other places near the Hudson River and in the month of January was in a skirmish with the enemy at Bergen Woods where deponent with his companions in arms took six of the enemy prisoner of war. Deponent saith that he was orally discharged from this campaign in the month of February. Deponent further saith that in the month of March following (1777) he volunteered as sergeant under Captain John Minthorn and under Major Henry Wisner aforesaid and marched in pursuit of a gang of Tories who were going to the British; overtook and captured seventeen of this hostile band near Newfoundland in New Jersey and committed them to gaol- on his return home he immediately volunteered in said town of Warwick as sergeant under Captain William Blain, as one of the corps called Rangers. This service consisted as deponent saith, in patroling the mountains and ferreting out Tories and small parties of British who committed robberies and murder among the whig inhabitants- was thus engaged for two—months including a march to Ramapo, Nyack and the Hudson River, which latter place was then their headquarters + from whence his corps would frequently visit Chloster and other places in its vicinity checking, and occasionally capturing marauding parties of the enemy. Deponent saith that he was discharged from this command about first of June following. Saith about first of July of this year(1777) he volunteered as sergeant in Captain John Minthorn’s company-was marched to headquarters at Ramapo, was engaged in the like service as last aforesaid, in that and the vicinity of Tappan for one month. On the following last of August or first of September on a requisition of troops from Col. John Hathorns Regiment by order of Gen. George Clinton, deponents father, then aged sixty years, went as deponents substitute to Fort Montgomery + Clinton and served one month. On the approach of the British fleet up the Hudson and previous to the capture and fall of said Forts, by order of Gen George Clinton, the whole of deponent’s regiment marched to Ramapo where information reached them of the fall of said fortress. From Ramapo, deponent marched with the Warwick and Goshen Regiments to New Windsor to prevent the enemy’s landing at that place-saith that he was
….at this time the enemies fleet sailed up said river and burnt the town of Kingston. From New Windsor deponent was detached by order of Gen Clinton, to guard a Brigade of Waggons conveying French Muskets from Boston to Washington’s Army in Pennsylvania- This campaign as deponent saith lasted two months. Early in the spring of 1778 deponent marched under Captain Andrew Miller of Col. John Hathorns Regiment from among the Troops to form a force to escort General Wayne’s prisoners to Easton in Pennsylvania from which latter place deponent returned to Warwick aforesaid and immediately marched for the Minisink frontier to repel the hostile invasions of the Indians under Brant, but before his Battalions reached the Delaware River, met our retreating troops returning from the Battle field on the Lacawaxen where this enemy’s superior force had obtained the victory. Deponent saith that he was in the service at this place two months. Deponent saith that early in September following deponent was one constituting a quota of troops called to Fishkill on the eastside the Hudson river under the command of Colonel Hathorn and Gen George Clinton and served three months as sergeant aforesaid- was discharged in December following- Immediately on deponents return home a requisition was made for teams to transport clothing which had been forwarded from Boston to the continental troops then laying back of Watney Plains re as Morristown in New Jersey, saith that he went with his team taking two hogsheads of clothing which he conveyed to our army, saith that he spent two or more weeks in this service in which time he endured the greatest sufferings in his life from the immense quantities of snow through which he traveled and from the severity of the frost. In the spring of 1780 deponent served under Captain John Minthorn in the vicinity of Ramapo one month and in the summer of the same year one month under Captain Miller aforesaid, and in the same quarter. In this year (1780) deponent saith he served as sergeant under Captain Richard Baily and ….? John Kenedy at least two months on and along to Ramapo thence to Pompton in New Jersey, thence to Paramus, to Tappan, thence to headquarters at Ramapo, was out in this service one month. In the first of June following was ordered under Captain John Minthorn in said Hathorns Regiment and again marched to Ramapo in which vicinity+ on the lines, deponent ….? and …?. In this year (1778) by order of the Commander in Chief a requisition of men and teams were made early in September from his neighborhood to build Fort Putnam and deponent ….? And with a double team and wrought in the action of that fortress one and a half months and on the completion of which he returned home in the latter part of October. In the early part of November following deponent again marched to the Minisink frontier under Captain Andrew Miller and served half a month. Deponent saith that in the same autumn he served under Captain John Minthorn one month in and about Ramapo, Hackensack and other places near the lines. Deponent further saith that about the last of March or first of April 1779 he was again marched to Ramapo under Captain Andrew Miller as he believes and served one month. The first of June following was again at Ramapo under Captain John Minthorn and under Colonel John Hathorn and marched there to Stony Point on the Hudson river and where deponent’s Regiment lay until a short time before the taking of that Fortress by Gen. Wayne. After the same was taken deponent was
selected the Minisink frontier, being stationed apart of this time at the stockade at Martinus Decker’s settlement.
In the year 1781 deponent saith he was in the service as usual under the aforesaid commanders at Paramus, Hackensack and along the lines in various other places, with his fellow soldiers in army against the common enemy- in all, at least two months or more.
Deponent further saith that in the spring of 1782 he was marched under the command of Major David Mc Camly again to the Minisink border, on occasion of an expected attack by the Indians, of the exposed inhabitants in that region and remained with his Battallion in this + position about half a month, when the said Battallion was discharged- deponent further saith that he, at no times received a written discharge from service from any officer.
Revolutionary War Pension File
Name: Bennett, Gershom
Pension No. R 756
National Archives Record Group M804
Transcribed by Paul Greiner, 2008
(excerpt from file- initial deposition)
Declarations
In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed
June 7th 1832
State of New York
County of Steuben ?[obscured]? october 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judge of the Court of Common Please of said County of Steuben. Gershom Bennett a residentof the town of Tyrone in the County of Steuben aforesaid and State of New York aged Sixty Seven Years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his own make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated. That he was born in the town of Warwick, County of Orange and State of New York on the 20th day of November 1765.
That he has no record of his Age knows his age from what his parents told him. That when first called into service he was living at the ?...place of his birth. That when he first entered the service (which was ?when? in his 14th year of age) he took the place of his brother MitchellBennett who was hurt by a fall from a waggon the wheels running over him. This was in the spring of the year 1779 as deponent thinks and the Company was
commanded by Capt. Westfall of Naversink in Orange County aforesaid and by Lieutenant John English of the same place. cannot recollect the names of his field
officers, but his [1]Col. resided a little ?word obscured? Peen Pack Orange County. Marched on to this Frontier where the Naversink empties into the Delaware River. Was
quartered at Chamber's Fort at the forks of the Naversink. Was out at this time nine months and lay at this place during the whole of said tour. was discharged when his time was out and went home. remained there till spring of 1780 early in April went as a substitute for one Isreal Rickey of Sussex County New Jersey in Capt. Pattersons Company & Lieutenant Benjamin Morse of same County. Cant remember the names of his field officers?then? marched on to the Delaware River opposite Milford. and was there stationed and built a block house while there and remained there to the end of the tour for which they were called which deponent is sure was as long as three
months & thinks longer. Capt. Harbus Company of ?nine? Months were there from? Sussex County New Jersey was stationed there at same time. deponent was dismissed and went home. And in a few days was ordered out and marched to Chambers Fort near the junction of the Naversink & Delaware in Capt. David McCamlys Company and stayed there some time. Thinks three months. was dismissed and went home. a few days after
he was again called out. on an ?alarm given perhaps to??...? Capt. McCamly. Col. Wisners regiment Genl. Hawthorns Brigade. went home and was soon after drafted and sent again to Warwick and served out his tour the length of which he does not recollect, but thatit was long enough to get his class certificate for 25 Acres of Land. At this time was attached to Capt. John English’s Company. from this time up to the close of the Revolutionary War. deponent was almost continually engaged in the service (except in the heart of Winter) on scouts, alarms etc. that he was in active service as ?much? [crossed out] twenty seven months. that ?...? discharges. That he never received a commission. That in 1783 he removed to Northumberland, Pennsylvania resided there till 1790 or 91. Then removed to Chemung Tioga County, New York and remained there till 1803 or 1804. then removed to the then Town of ?Frederickstown? now Tyrone in Steuben County New York where he has continued to and still does reside. That he is well acquainted with ?Hank? Williams knows Abraham ?Flut? and Silvanus Arnold in his present neighborhood and with ?[title?]? David Bartly Coryell of
Urbana in said county Steuben who can also testify to his ?character? ?[obscured]? and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution. That he has no documents nor evidence of his ?services? and knows of no ?person in? the county who can testify to his Services except Benjamin Sutton of Romulus, Seneca County New York. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or Annuity except the present and declares that his name is not of the Pension Rolls of the Agency of any State. Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before.
Revolutionary War Pension File
Name: Burt, Thomas
Pension No. S 2,314
National Archives Record Group M804
Transcription by Penny Steyer, 2008
(excerpt from file- initial deposition)
At a special court held pursuant to the Regulations of the War Department in such case made and provided before the Hon. Grant B. Baldwin, first Judge of Tioga County in the State of New York, at the dwelling house of Thomas Burt in the Town of Chemung in the said County and by adjournment at the House of John G. McDowell, Esquire in the same Town on the second day of October, 1832.
State of New York §
Tioga County §
On this 2nd day of October, 1832 personally appeared before the Judge before named, who is the first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tioga and State aforesaid which is a court of record because made so by the Laws and Constitution of the State having by Law a clerk and Seal, Thomas Burt, a resident of the Town of Chemung, County and State aforesaid, aged eighty years the twenty-sixth day of May last 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. About the first of April, 1776 he enlisted in the company of Captain William Blain in the Orange County Militia in the State of New York in the Regiment of Col. Beardslee of Warwick in the same County for the term of nine months and was marched on to Long Island where he remained till after the battle and the retreat of the American forces which he thinks took place in August in all which he took an active part. He was then at the Harlem Heights, Kingsbridge and White Plains and in the engagements at those places; he was then stationed at New Windsor on the North River where he remained till the expiration of the term and for two months longer; he was then dismissed and returned home about the first of March, 1777. In May following he had to turn out voluntarily or stand a draft; he chose to volunteer in the company of Captain John Wood of Goshen, Orange County aforesaid, and in the same Regiment of Col. Beardslee as this time he volunteered for no definite period but with an understanding that he should continue as long as the exigencies of the service should require. On these conditions he continued thence forward in the service for upwards of five years with the exception of a short recess each winter to go home for a month or two. At different times during this service he was under the command of Col. Hathorn who was commissioned a Brigadier General towards the close of the war. His service was divided between the North River and the frontier of Orange County and the Delaware River; he was stationed at Fort Montgomery, at Newburgh, New Windsor, Stony Point, Haverstraw and West Point on the North River at different times; while at Haverstraw he was under the command of Col. Odell; he was stationed at West Point about the time the Treason of Arnold was discovered, which he thinks was in the year 1780. He was honorably dismissed [from] the service in the fall of 1782 by General Hathorn. He has no documentary evidence of his said services neither does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to them.
And in answer to the several interrogatories put to him by the Judge aforesaid he says that he was born in the Town of Warwick, County of Orange and State of New York on the twenty-sixth day of May, 1752; that he had a record of his age in his Bible till within a few years and that he believes some of his children have taken it out to copy into theirs and is not positive where it now is, but he has no shadow of doubt that his age is as above stated. That when he first entered the service as before stated in the year of 1776 he lived in the place of his nativity, Warwick aforesaid, that after the close of the Revolutionary War he continued to live in the same place till he settled at his present residence in Chemung, where he has lived upwards of forty –three years, that in all his services aforesaid he was a volunteer. That the names of some of the regular officers who were with the Troops where he served are Gov. George Clinton, Gen. James Clinton, Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Wayne, Gen. Hathorn, Col. Beardslee, Col. Dubois and Col. Livingston and Col. Odell and their respective regiments though his recollection in relation to the Troops is very indistinct at this late day; but the officers he paid more attention to at the time and are yet fresh in his remembrance.
That he never received any formal discharge from the service and that he would refer to the Hon. John. G. McDowell, Asahel Buck, Esq, Isaac Shepherd, Jacob Lowman and Jacob ??, Esquires, all of Chemung aforesaid and who are well acquainted with his reputation for truth and veracity and who can testify to their belief in the truth of the foregoing declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim, whatsoever to an annuity or pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid§
G.B. Baldwin
First Judge
Tioga County
(Signed) Thomas Burt
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The "Mormon War"
A few days ago one of our volunteers, Ivy Tulin, was going through some letters that had been given, and discovered a few by James Monroe Burt (1816-1884). He was a Warwick man who followed the call to "go West", stopping first in Illinois and later founding the city of Oroville, California during the gold rush.
Astonishingly he was in Illinois earlier than had been realized, and this letter puts him on the inside circle of the controversies over the Mormon movement. Joseph Smith and his followers had established at Nauvoo, Illinois. The letter was written just before Smith and a few other followers were murdered by a mob at the jail. They had given themselves up to answer allegations about the destruction of a printing press that opposed the Mormons.
This document is significant because there are few who would've known about the governor's plans; perhaps Burt was involved because he had done legal work on the case (he was a lawyer).
*********************
Letter from James Monroe Burt in Quincy, Illinois to his brother Thomas in Warwick NY
Donated to the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick by Burt Carroll in 1973
June 24th 1844
Dear Tom,
Your last was duly received a few days since, for which I am much obliged. If you had not taken sure much censure upon yourself for your neglect I should have felt disposed to give you a damn right lashing-- But as you plead guilty, and throw yourself upon my mercy, I do hereby most freely pardon and forgive you—that is on condition that you keep your promises in future—you ought certainly write three times to my once—because you have everything to write about that interests me, while I can say nothing of much interest to you.
I shall write this note in much haste—its object will be to give a correct account of the Mormon War which I presume you have some little curiosity to be informed of. I sent papers to you by last weeks mail which contained all the facts up to that time—since then much excitement has prevailed in Hancock and surrounding counties—Governor Ford is now upon the ground, and been endeavoring to settle the difficulties by an attempt to persuade Jos. Smith and others engaged in the destruction of the Press to give themselves up and abide the due course of the law—this has failed. On Saturday last the Governor ordered out the militia in Hancock, McDonough, Schuyler & Brown counties and the Indipendant (sic) companies of this city—So great is the excitement that the people are high, as 5000—these will fight desperately for their Prophet.
We have information this morning from the seat of the disturbances, that an attack will be made upon Nauvoo—if an attack is made the loss will be very great, and dreadful slaughter will follow. The anti Mormons in my opinion will have the worst of it on the first attack. Altho’ the general opinion is, that war and extermination will be the result, I think differently. Smith has too much sagacity to encounter the militia of the state—He will make some show of fight—but when the militia march into Nauvoo the will find that the Mormons have laid down their arms, and that those for whom writs have been issued will have made their escape or secreted themselves so that they cannot be found—of course the militia would not shoot down defenceless men and woman—I shall not close this until tomorrow and if anything transpires worthy of note I will inform you.
June 25—6 o’clock.
A messenger from Carthage in Hancock County has this moment arrived, bringing the information that Js. Smith and all others named in the writs issued against them have delivered themselves up and are now in Carthage undergoing an examination before the magistrates—the arms of the Mormons on the demand of the Governor were also surrendered.
Smith and his brother Hyram, and the 12 counsellors of the city—are those who are undergoing the examination, the court is mearly a court of enquiry—have power only to recognize to the circuit Court of the County for trial—they will all be held to bail I suppose—and this is all the information of importance up to this time.
(two paragraphs about family finances omitted)
We have had a very wet and rainy spring, until within a week past it has rained almost constantly. The Mississippi is “booming high” as is also the Missouri. And very great damage has been done the corn crops here in consequence of the rainy season will be cut off almost entirely.
I conclude this hasty scrawl wishing you every blessing,
Your affectionate Brother, J.M. Burt
A few days ago one of our volunteers, Ivy Tulin, was going through some letters that had been given, and discovered a few by James Monroe Burt (1816-1884). He was a Warwick man who followed the call to "go West", stopping first in Illinois and later founding the city of Oroville, California during the gold rush.
Astonishingly he was in Illinois earlier than had been realized, and this letter puts him on the inside circle of the controversies over the Mormon movement. Joseph Smith and his followers had established at Nauvoo, Illinois. The letter was written just before Smith and a few other followers were murdered by a mob at the jail. They had given themselves up to answer allegations about the destruction of a printing press that opposed the Mormons.
This document is significant because there are few who would've known about the governor's plans; perhaps Burt was involved because he had done legal work on the case (he was a lawyer).
*********************
Letter from James Monroe Burt in Quincy, Illinois to his brother Thomas in Warwick NY
Donated to the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick by Burt Carroll in 1973
June 24th 1844
Dear Tom,
Your last was duly received a few days since, for which I am much obliged. If you had not taken sure much censure upon yourself for your neglect I should have felt disposed to give you a damn right lashing-- But as you plead guilty, and throw yourself upon my mercy, I do hereby most freely pardon and forgive you—that is on condition that you keep your promises in future—you ought certainly write three times to my once—because you have everything to write about that interests me, while I can say nothing of much interest to you.
I shall write this note in much haste—its object will be to give a correct account of the Mormon War which I presume you have some little curiosity to be informed of. I sent papers to you by last weeks mail which contained all the facts up to that time—since then much excitement has prevailed in Hancock and surrounding counties—Governor Ford is now upon the ground, and been endeavoring to settle the difficulties by an attempt to persuade Jos. Smith and others engaged in the destruction of the Press to give themselves up and abide the due course of the law—this has failed. On Saturday last the Governor ordered out the militia in Hancock, McDonough, Schuyler & Brown counties and the Indipendant (sic) companies of this city—So great is the excitement that the people are high, as 5000—these will fight desperately for their Prophet.
We have information this morning from the seat of the disturbances, that an attack will be made upon Nauvoo—if an attack is made the loss will be very great, and dreadful slaughter will follow. The anti Mormons in my opinion will have the worst of it on the first attack. Altho’ the general opinion is, that war and extermination will be the result, I think differently. Smith has too much sagacity to encounter the militia of the state—He will make some show of fight—but when the militia march into Nauvoo the will find that the Mormons have laid down their arms, and that those for whom writs have been issued will have made their escape or secreted themselves so that they cannot be found—of course the militia would not shoot down defenceless men and woman—I shall not close this until tomorrow and if anything transpires worthy of note I will inform you.
June 25—6 o’clock.
A messenger from Carthage in Hancock County has this moment arrived, bringing the information that Js. Smith and all others named in the writs issued against them have delivered themselves up and are now in Carthage undergoing an examination before the magistrates—the arms of the Mormons on the demand of the Governor were also surrendered.
Smith and his brother Hyram, and the 12 counsellors of the city—are those who are undergoing the examination, the court is mearly a court of enquiry—have power only to recognize to the circuit Court of the County for trial—they will all be held to bail I suppose—and this is all the information of importance up to this time.
(two paragraphs about family finances omitted)
We have had a very wet and rainy spring, until within a week past it has rained almost constantly. The Mississippi is “booming high” as is also the Missouri. And very great damage has been done the corn crops here in consequence of the rainy season will be cut off almost entirely.
I conclude this hasty scrawl wishing you every blessing,
Your affectionate Brother, J.M. Burt
Friday, November 23, 2007
Revolutionary Trials
During and after the Revolutionary War, Congress made several categories of pension available to those who served. There were invalid, widow, and service pensions based on need. As with all government entitlement programs, a certain amount of red tape, backpeddling, and confusing rules ensued. Sometimes many, many pages of handwritten statements and depositions were filed for just one case.
Recently, some of these records (previously available on microfilm) were scanned and made available on the service Footnote. com; we are in the process of finding and retrieving these records on Warwick's men (who mostly served with Col. Hathorn's regiment), because they give details on the individuals, their families, and acquantences, that were otherwise unrecorded. They also give details on what exactly Hathorn's men were up to during the war. Hardcopy of these will be made available at the library.
In the meantime, here is one transcribed example. Azariah Ketchum's house on Church St. is now a museum of the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick. He was the master carpenter for the Old School Baptist Meeting house.
State of New York
Orange County
On this fourth day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County (being a Court of ?) now sitting Azariah Ketchum of Warwick Orange county and said State aged seventy seven years, who being fist 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 serviced as herein stated.
Deponent saith that he was born in Bedford in West Chester County, in said State, on the 18th day of February in the year 1755, as he believes, and as he has often read the same in his father’s family Record. That deponent was living in said town of Warwick where he first entered the services of the United States. Saith that in the month of April as he believes, in the year 1776, he volunteered in the company of Militia commanded by Captain John Wisner, Asa? Wisner being Ensign and belonging to Colonel John Hathorn’s Regiment, and as a corporal in the said company, was mustered for one month; was marched to fort Constitution on the side the Hudson River, where his company was attached to or commanded by Colonel Newkirk; at this place deponent was employed with his company in building said Fort, up to the end of the month, Deponent further saith that he volunteered and served two months at Fort Montgomery, in the same summer (1776) under Captain John Minthorn, Lieutenant Nathaniel Ketchum & George Vance—his Regiment commanded by Colonel John Hathorn. Deponent further saith that in the same Year he was a volunteer in the company of Captain William Blain in Colonel Nicoll’s regiment and served one month at White Plains—saith that he was in the Battle and fought the Brittish Troops on the 28th day of October of that Year, was personally acquainted with and was there under he Orders at several times, of Generals Putnam and George Clinton. Deponent saith that in the winter of 1777 he served as corporal three months under Captain John Minthorn, laying or being stationed at Chloster near the Hudson River. During the same year deponent saith that he served as a corporal under Captain Daniel Gore at the Susquehannah out along the Indian frontier for the space of five months. Was a volunteer under the command of Captain Minthorn four months at West Point in the year 1778, and also one month at Ramapo. Was marched to and lay one month at New Windsor and Fishkill in the year 1779, being as deponent saith in the month of November. Deponent further saith that in the Year 1777 he was ordered under Lieutenant Nathaniel Ketchum and marched to New Windsor, thence to Esopus or Kingston and from thence went as an escort to continental Waggons from Boston to Easton in Pennsylvania. This service deponent believes lasted about two months. Saith that he was stationed one month at Goshen to guard the prisoners there, at the time the Notorious Claudius Smith and his band were executed. Deponent further saith the he served as Corporal aforesaid under Captain John Minthorn two months at different times on the Minisink frontier. Also under the same Captain and in Colonel John Hathorn’s Regiment deponent served three months at other periods at Haverstraw and West Point. Beside frequent excursions which he performed with his fellow soldiers in arms in ?illegible word? the depredations of the Tories who haunted and robbed the Wig inhabitations along the River towns. Deponent declares that the whole time which he faithfully served his country in the Revolutionary War and in the capacity of corporal in the Militia, amounted to more than two Years. Saith he, deponent, never received any written discharge from the service. Deponent further saith that he is acquainted with John C. Murphy, a clergyman who resided in his neighborhood and who will testify as to his belief of his having been a solder of the Revolution ?known? from general reputation as to his credibility. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
(signed) Azariah Ketchum.
In open court the day and year aforesaid
Asa Deming, clerk
Recently, some of these records (previously available on microfilm) were scanned and made available on the service Footnote. com; we are in the process of finding and retrieving these records on Warwick's men (who mostly served with Col. Hathorn's regiment), because they give details on the individuals, their families, and acquantences, that were otherwise unrecorded. They also give details on what exactly Hathorn's men were up to during the war. Hardcopy of these will be made available at the library.
In the meantime, here is one transcribed example. Azariah Ketchum's house on Church St. is now a museum of the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick. He was the master carpenter for the Old School Baptist Meeting house.
Deposition for Revolutionary War Pension of Azariah Ketchum
National Archives Publication No. M804 Pension No. 16,316
Transcribed by S. Gardner, 2007
National Archives Publication No. M804 Pension No. 16,316
Transcribed by S. Gardner, 2007
State of New York
Orange County
On this fourth day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County (being a Court of ?) now sitting Azariah Ketchum of Warwick Orange county and said State aged seventy seven years, who being fist 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 serviced as herein stated.
Deponent saith that he was born in Bedford in West Chester County, in said State, on the 18th day of February in the year 1755, as he believes, and as he has often read the same in his father’s family Record. That deponent was living in said town of Warwick where he first entered the services of the United States. Saith that in the month of April as he believes, in the year 1776, he volunteered in the company of Militia commanded by Captain John Wisner, Asa? Wisner being Ensign and belonging to Colonel John Hathorn’s Regiment, and as a corporal in the said company, was mustered for one month; was marched to fort Constitution on the side the Hudson River, where his company was attached to or commanded by Colonel Newkirk; at this place deponent was employed with his company in building said Fort, up to the end of the month, Deponent further saith that he volunteered and served two months at Fort Montgomery, in the same summer (1776) under Captain John Minthorn, Lieutenant Nathaniel Ketchum & George Vance—his Regiment commanded by Colonel John Hathorn. Deponent further saith that in the same Year he was a volunteer in the company of Captain William Blain in Colonel Nicoll’s regiment and served one month at White Plains—saith that he was in the Battle and fought the Brittish Troops on the 28th day of October of that Year, was personally acquainted with and was there under he Orders at several times, of Generals Putnam and George Clinton. Deponent saith that in the winter of 1777 he served as corporal three months under Captain John Minthorn, laying or being stationed at Chloster near the Hudson River. During the same year deponent saith that he served as a corporal under Captain Daniel Gore at the Susquehannah out along the Indian frontier for the space of five months. Was a volunteer under the command of Captain Minthorn four months at West Point in the year 1778, and also one month at Ramapo. Was marched to and lay one month at New Windsor and Fishkill in the year 1779, being as deponent saith in the month of November. Deponent further saith that in the Year 1777 he was ordered under Lieutenant Nathaniel Ketchum and marched to New Windsor, thence to Esopus or Kingston and from thence went as an escort to continental Waggons from Boston to Easton in Pennsylvania. This service deponent believes lasted about two months. Saith that he was stationed one month at Goshen to guard the prisoners there, at the time the Notorious Claudius Smith and his band were executed. Deponent further saith the he served as Corporal aforesaid under Captain John Minthorn two months at different times on the Minisink frontier. Also under the same Captain and in Colonel John Hathorn’s Regiment deponent served three months at other periods at Haverstraw and West Point. Beside frequent excursions which he performed with his fellow soldiers in arms in ?illegible word? the depredations of the Tories who haunted and robbed the Wig inhabitations along the River towns. Deponent declares that the whole time which he faithfully served his country in the Revolutionary War and in the capacity of corporal in the Militia, amounted to more than two Years. Saith he, deponent, never received any written discharge from the service. Deponent further saith that he is acquainted with John C. Murphy, a clergyman who resided in his neighborhood and who will testify as to his belief of his having been a solder of the Revolution ?known? from general reputation as to his credibility. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
(signed) Azariah Ketchum.
In open court the day and year aforesaid
Asa Deming, clerk
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