Morrison's Pensions
Pension Application for George House
S19340
State of New York
Herkimer County
On the twelfth
day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of
the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Herkimer, now sitting George
House of the Town of Warren, County of Herkimer, State of New York aged seventy
six years of age who being first duly sworn according by law doth on his oath
aforesaid and make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit
of the Act of Congress passeth the seventh day of June 1832, do make the following
declarations that he enlisted in the services of the United States under the
following named officers and serviced as herein after stated.
And this
deponent further saith that he was born in the Town of Canajohary, County of
Tryon, now the Town of Danube, County of Herkimer, State of New York and that
when he first entered the service of the United State he resided in the now
Town of Minden as aforesaid and County of Montgomery State aforesaid.
This deponent
further saith that he does not recollect the year he first enlisted into the
service of the United States but says according to the best of his recollection
that he enlisted in the month of July (1) under Capt John Winn, Lieutenant
Lawrence Gross, the enlistment took place in the now town of Minden by Sergeant
Elias House, for during the war this deponent further saith that he thinks
that this enlistment took place shortly after the commencement of the war and
was enlisted as a private soldier.
This deponent further saith that after being so enlisted as aforesaid this
deponent was ordered to go to Canajohary and after arriving at that place
was passed muster and took the oath of allegiance, this took place in the
presence of my officers of the company to which I belonged to wit, Capt.
John Winn, Lieutenant Lawrence Gross and Second Lieutenant Peter Shremling
(2) and after the company being so organized we commenced our march proceeded
to Springfield, Otsego County from there to Cooperstown in said county, remained
there sometime during which time I was sent out in scouts among the detachment
to Unadilla, German Flatts, says others on arriving at German Flatts we received
a paper for us to carry to our officers in order to show that we were at
that place on the aforementioned scouts.
This deponent
further saith that sometime in the winter of said year we left Cooper Town
from there to Springfield there we remained until the spring following thence
the company recontinued their march from thence to Johnstown from thence to
a place called Philadelphia Bush, (4) there we lay sometime in going out on
scouts at diverse and different places to wit to Sacandaga, Lake George about
fifty miles, to Sandy Hill, Saratoga &c.
This deponent further states on arriving at Sandy Hill aforesaid the company
there present were ordered on parade and Sergent Jacob Weefer (5)disobeyed
the order of Capt. John Winn when said Capt. gave said Weefer (Weaver) such
a mortal blow with a musket which caused Weefer’s death he surviving
only few days.
In consequence of the death of said Weefer, Capt. John Winn fled and left
his company and was pursued by a file of men and was taken on the Susquehannah
River and brought back to Canajohary there this deponent stood guard over
his body a number of days and untill he the said Capt. was taken to Albany
there confined in the Goal of that County. This took place sometime
in fall of said year and then this deponent quit the service the company
being much disorganized and scattered that they all quit it and this deponent
proceeded home, this deponent further saith to the best of his recollection
he served under said Capt. John Winn, Lieutenant Lawrence Gress, Second Lieutenant
Shremling, not less than one year and five month, this deponent further saith
that when he enlisted under said Capt John Winn he enlisted for during the
war and that they enlisted as Rangers and were known as a company of Rangers
and during our term of service we rendered no other service than Ranging
and Scouting from place to place until the company became disbanded as aforesaid.
This deponent
further saith that the year after the Battle of Oriskany (6) early in the spring
of said year he this deponent, enlisted in the service of the United States
for the term of nine months under Capt. Dickson (7) of Cherry Valley as a private
soldier this enlistment took place in the Town of Springfield Otsego County. After
my enlistment I proceeded to Albany under the command of said Capt Dickson
after arriving there the company under the command of Capt. Dickson and another
company commanded by Capt. Gray was ordered to take possession of a number
of boats said to have been taken from Burgoine something like twenty in number
and we proceeded down the river with said boats to a place called Tarry Town,
there we remained some time in ferrying soldiers across the river this was
General Washington’s Army (8) which we ferried across the river, thinks
in the Jerseys from thence back to Albany there I remained on duty in boating
up the river and back until the close of the year and on the Eavening before
new year I received a written discharge by Capt. Dickson which said discharge
is since lost, this ended my nine months term of enlistment.
And this deponent further saith that he enlisted in the service of the United
States the third time for the term of nine months, I was entered into the
company commanded by Capt. Samuel Gray (9) as a private soldier this enrollment
took place early in the spring of afore mentioned succeeding year the year
after the above mentioned this deponent says cannot recollect the year this
enrollment took place but says he was enlisted at or near Fort Windecker
now Montgomery County and after being so enlisted I was ordered to go to
Schenectady and on arriving there we were set a boating on the Mohawk River
up and down the river and we continued that kind of business during the summer
season under the command of Capt. Samuel Gray, Colonel Brown (10) who was
afterwards killed at Stone Arabia, Montgomery County and was discharged as
this deponent thinks at Schenectady by Capt. Samuel Gray by a verbal discharge
this ended my third enlistment of nine months.
This deponent further saith that he enlisted the fourth time early in the
spring of the following year, cannot give the year when this enlistment took
place but says that this enlistment was at some place along the Mohawk thinks
at Canajohary for the term of nine months under Capt. Lefler (11) Company
as a private soldier and commenced my service at Schenectady and continued
my service with boating service during the whole summer season and ended
my term of nine months enlistment and received a verbal discharge by Capt
Lefler. This deponent does not know but this last enlistment may not
be this third enlistment in place of the fourth.
This deponent further says that he enlisted a fifth time in the war of the
Revolution a term of nine months as the deponent thinks in the year 1781
at Fort Windecker by or under Capt Lawrence Gross (12) as a private soldier
and under the amediate [immediate] command of Colonel Marinus Willett. I
remained at said Fort Windecker the time of about two and a half months during
which time I had the command of said fort which command I received from Capt
Lawrence Gross and after remaining as long as before stated, I went across
the Mohawk River in order to get permission to supply the fort when I was
taken prisoner by the enemy’s Indians and conveyed to Canaday there
was keep by them eleven months and got my liberty to go about and went from
place to place and afterwards made my escape and came back this whole time
of my absence was about one year and two months. (13)
This deponent further saith that he served in the War of Revolution not less
than the period mentioned below and the following grades to wit.
The four
years and ten months I served as a private enlisted soldier and for such
service I claim a pension.
This deponent further saith that eleven months out of the above estimate
of Revolutionary service I was a prisoner of war among the enemies Indians
in Canaday &c.
This deponent further saith that his second, third and fourth enlistment
as above mentioned to wit under Capt. Dickson, Capt. Samuel Gray and Capt.
Lefler was rendered in the War of the Revolution exclusively in the boating
service, this service was rendered principally on the Mohawk River from the
City of Schenectady to Fort Stansicks (Stanwix) and places intermediate except
my second enlistment above mentioned was rendered in the boating service
in the North River as before stated. (Note the Hudson was called the
North River in the early days.)
This deponent further saith that my services on the Mohawk River as a boatman
consisted in carrying military goods, stores, ammunition, arms, equipage
Cannons &c &c from Schenectady to Fort Stanwicks and other forts
intermediate. (in between)
This deponent further saith that his first enlistment commenced soon after
the commencement of the War of the Revolution and that he this deponent entered
into the United States Continental troops for during the war and the company
to which he belonged was known as a company of Rangers does not at present
recollect other such company was attached to one regiment or not said companys
business seemed to be to Range thru the country and go on scouts from place
to place in this company I served one year and five months until said company
became disbanded.
This deponent further saith that the several companies commanded by Capt.
Dickson, Capt. Samuel Gray, Capt. Lefler and Capt. Gross afore mentioned
served under the amediate command of Colonel Willett.
This deponent further saith that he was born in the now Town of Danube, Herkimer
County State of New York does not recollect the year positively but believes
to have been born in July 1757, says that he has no record of his age, says
that he resided in the now Town of Danube, Herkimer County State of New York
when he first enlisted in the service of the United States in the War of
Revolution and since the war he resided in the aforementioned town from thence
to the Town of Stark, Herkimer County from thence to the Town of Springfield,
Otsego County, New York from thence to Warren my present place of residence,
Herkimer County.
This deponent further says that he entered in the War of the Revolution as
a private soldier says had not never been drafted neither a volunteer nor
a substitute.
This deponent further saith that the regular officers who were with the troops
where I served were Colonel Willett, Colonel Brown, Capt. John Winn, Capt.
Dickson, Capt Samuel Gray, Capt. Lefler, Capt Lawrence Gross. Said
Gross was Lieutenant under said John Winn, Lieutenant Shremling, General
[Nicholas] Herkimer, Colonel [Ebenezer] Cox and Major [Andrew] Finck.
This deponent further says that he had got but one written discharge that
was from Capt. Dickson which is lost and all other discharges were verbal.
This deponent further says that the following persons are to me personally
known and reside in my ammediate neighborhood who can testify to my character
and their belief of my services as a soldier in the War of the Rrevolution
to wit, Peter Bellinger, Joakim Van Volkenburgh, Henry House, John Duesler &c.
This deponent further says that he never received any annuity or pension
from government or under any law of the United States providing for the officers
and soldiers of the Revolution hereby relinquish every claim to a pension
or annuity except the present passeth June 7th, 1832. And declares
that my name is not on any pension list of any agency or any State.
This deponent further says that he has not obtained the evidence of a clergy
neither is there any clergy now living to this deponents knowledge who can
testify to this deponents age.
This deponent further says that he has no documentary evidence showing any
of the services of this deponent in the War of the Revolution. (His
Mark) George House
Sworn in open court February 12th 1833. Julius T. Nelsoir?, Clerk
We, Thomas
Hall of the Town of Stark, Herkimer County and John Duesler of the Town of
Danube, County of Herkimer both of the State of New York do hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with George House who has sworn and says further
the above declaration we believe him to be seventy six year of age, that he
is reputed and believed in his neighborhood where he resides to have been a
solder of the Revolution, that we concur in that opinion. (his Mark)
John Duesler, (Signed) Thomas Hall
Sworn and subscribed in open court February 12, 1853.
Julius T. Nelsoir?, Clerk
State of New York
Herkimer County
Town of Danube
Came before
me 1833 16th April, Abhm George N. Schuyler Esqr, one of the Justices of the
Peace in and for the County of Herkimer, State of New York, David Schuyler,
now of the Town of German Flatts, County of Herkimer. That County of
Herkimer State aforesaid who being duly sworn depose and saith, that he has
been personally acquainted with George House present applicant for a pension
and a resident in the Town of Warren, county aforesaid before the War of the
Revolution during the said War and since the War of the Revolution.
This deponent
further saith that in the year 1781 or 1782 he this deponent and said George
House enlisted as private soldiers in the service of the United State in the
War of the Revolution in the company commanded by Capt. Lawrence Gross at fort
Windecker for the term of nine months, early in in the spring of said year
in the then County of Tryon and now County of Montgomery and State aforesaid.
This deponent
further saith that after being so enlisted this deponent and said George House
was stationed by order of said Capt. Gross at said Fort Windecker in order
to guard said fort and that after remaining at said fort about two and half
months by order of said Capt and under the amediate command of Colonel Willett
myself and said George House were sent to cross the Mohawk River in order to
procure provisions and supplies for said fort.
When said George House and this deponent were taken prisoner of the enemies
Indians and taken to Canaday then was keepby them as prisoner for more than
one year when said George House was set at liberty to go from place to place
when at a suitable opportunity said George House made his escape and returned
to his country.
This deponent further saith that during the time we were taken prisoners
as before mentioned I was in company with Said George until we arrived in
Canaday and after arriving there I more or less saw him every month or more
then one year and until said George House made his escape as before mentioned.
This deponent further saith that it was perfectly understood during the whole
War of the Revolution that said George House was and had enlisted in the
service of the United States almost every summer during the whole war and
that said George House had been in the boating service for several summer
seasons on the Mohawk River as well as on the North or Hudson River and that
in the early part of the war said George had enlisted in the Company of Rangers
under the Command of Capt. John Winn.
This deponent further saith that he was well satisfied that said George House
served during the princible part of the War of the Revolution from the reason
that said George had entered several different tims [sic] for nine months
in the vicinity of Fort Plank or Tryon County and that from the many conversations
on the subject of his different enlistments and the general talk at that
time and since, do not therefore hesitate in making the above statements. (Signed
with his mark) David Schuyler
Sword and subscribed before me this 16 day of April 1833. G. N. Schuyler
J.P. of the Town of Danube.
State of New York
Herkimer County
Came before
me, Cornelius Ten Eyck Van Horn Esqr, one of the Justices of the Peace in and
for the County of Herkimer in State of New York. Christian House (14)
of the Town of Stark, Herkimer County that aforesaid who being duly sworn depose
and saith that he was well acquainted with George House present applicant for
a pension before the War of the Revolution during the war of the Revolution
and since the War of the Revolution.
This deponent
further saith that shortly after the commencement of the War of the Revolution
he this deponent saw George House aforesaid on duty and serve as a private
soldier in a company of Rangers then lying at Cooperstown Otsego County under
the command of Capt John Winn and Lieutenant Lawrence Gross and an other officer
by the name of Shremling the first two officers to wit, Capt John Winn and
Lieutenant Lawrence Gross are well and had been personally known to this deponent
and do further state at the time this deponent saw said George House in the
amediate service of the United States and under the command of said Capt. John
Winn &c he this deponent was informed after making the necessary inquiries
that said George House was an enlisted soldier into the company then laying
there that the company to which he enlisted was a company of Rangers and that
said George House had enlisted in said company for during the war, does not
recollect the precise year when the deponent saw House as aforesaid.
The deponent
further saith that at the time when this deponent was with General Washington’s
Army and was crossing the North River at Tarry Town near White Plain that he
this deponent saw said George House imployed in the boating service in ferrying
the army across the North River (Hudson) and that after some inquires was informed
by said George House that he said House was enlisted in the Boating Service
under Capt. Dickson and that his said Enlistment was for nine months.
This deponent
further saith that at an other time when this deponent was in the service
of the United States it was of the Revolution at Fort Stanwicks in guarding
the fort and that during which time he this deponent saw said George House
imployed in the boating service carrying military goods and arms, equipages
provisions &c
up the Mohawk River to said fort to supply said fort. This deponent
further saith that he This deponent lay and was stationed at said Fort Stanwicks
for something like one year in guarding said fort under the immediate command
of Lieutenant Colonel Van Dyck, Major Craim, Capt Andrew Fink &c &c.
This deponent
further saith that during which time I this deponent frequently saw said George
House in the course of the summer season in the boating service and that he
this deponent saw said George House often in the course of the summer does
not hesitate on saying that said House was constantly imployed during the summer
season and that Said house had been an enlisted soldier of the term of nine
months in the boating service does not know the officers under whom he served
but recollects to have seen said House under the command of some regular an
officer commanding said boat & further saith not.
(Signed with his mark) Christian House
Sworn and
subscribed this 15th day of February 1833 before me.
Corns. T.E. Van Horne, Justice.
I hereby
certify that I am personally acquainted with the before named Christian House
and that his evidence may be relied upon as being just and true.
Corns. T.E. Van Horne, J.P
End
Notes
By James F. Morrison