Schoharie County NYGenWeb Site
Pension Application of Jacob Enders
The following documents detail the several pension applications by Jacob Enders of Schoharie, known also as ‘Trembling Jake’, for service in the Revolution. His original application, for twelve months of service under the provisions of the congressional act of 1832, provided him with annual pension of $40.00. Later, he believed he should be entitled for credit for additional services rendered irregularly to the militia from time to time as required, and was successful in securing additional benefit, increasing his annual stipend to $52.22. He was unsuccessful in receiving credit for all of the service to which he believed he was entitled, and the final application in this series was submitted when he had reached the advanced age of 90. It appears that he Department of Pensions was never able to identify the Captain Christopher Miller or Moeller under whom Jacob declared he had served from mid-July to mid-October, 1780. Fred Swart
State of New York
Schoharie County, ss
On this third day of October, 1832, personally
appeared in open court before the judges of court of common pleas in the county
of Schoharie now sitting, Jacob Enders a resident of the town of Schoharie in
said county of aged 75 years, who being first duly sworn 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, that he
the said Jacob Enders Enlisted in the town of Schoharie for the term of nine
months on the first of April 1778 in a company of rangers commanded by Captain
John Dietz in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Peter Vroman of the militia in
the Line of the State of New York in the continental Establishment , that in
Schoharie and in that vicinity that he served his term of enlistment out
faithfully and was honorably discharged in Schoharie on the first of January
1779 by Captain John Dietz, that he the said Jacob Enders enlisted again in
Schoharie for the term of three months in July 1780 in the company of captain
Harper in the regiment commanded by colonel Peter Vroman of the militia, that in
October captain Harper under the command of major Wilsey marched off from
Schoharie to Herkimer, at the same time he the Said Jacob Enders was sent on an
Expense to Schenectady, this is the reason that he did not march with his
company to Herkimer, after when he returned from Schenectady he served his term
of enlistment out faithfully in Schoharie under the command of Col. Vroman, that
he was honorably [^discharged] from the three months service in Schoharie by
Colonel Vroman in the State of New York by word, that he humbly 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 of the
united States, that he was born in Schoharie [^August 25th 1757] and
lived in Schoharie ever since the American Revolution.
Sworn and subscribed
the
his
Day and Year
aforesaid
Jacob X Enders
In open court /s/ John Gebhard Jr., Clk
mark
That the said Jacob Enders answered in court that he was on the nine months
service discharged by his captain John Dietz by word, on the three months
service by colonel Peter Vroman by word.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid
his
In open
court
Jacob X Enders
John Gebhard Jr., Clk
mark
We John D. Shafer a Clergyman of the town of Cobels Skill and Jacob Snyder of the town of Schoharie in the county of Schoharie, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Enders who has Subscribed and Sworn the above declaration, that we believe him to be of the age of 75 years, that he is reputed and believe , in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of revolution, that we remain in that opinion.
| Subscribed and sworn in open |  |
/s/ John D. Shafer |
| Court the day and year aforesaid | /s/ Jacob Snyder | |
| John Gebhard Jr., Clk. |
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 John D. Shafer who has signed the
preceding certificate is a Clergyman Resident in the town of Cobelskill and
County of Schoharie and that Jacob Snyder who has also signed the same is a
resident in the Town of Schoharie of Said County and is a Credible person, and
that their statement is Entitled to credit –
/s/ William Beekman
/s/ Marvin Judd
/s/ Wm. Mann
State of New York
Schoharie County, ss
Jacob Becker of the town of Schoharie in said county being duly sworn, doth
depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Jacob Enders of the town of
Schoharie in said county, ever since the american Revolution, that he the said
Jacob Enders Enlisted for the term of nine months on the first of April 1778 in
a company of Rangers commanded by captain Dietz in the regiment commanded by
colonel Vroman of the militia in the Line of the State of New York, in the
continental Establishment, that he the said Jacob Enders Served his term of
Enlistment out faithfully until he was honorably discharged from the Service in
Schoharie in the State of New York.
This deponent further deposed and says that he and the said Jacob Enders served
together in the company and regiment aforesaid and were discharged together as
aforesaid in the State of New York.
Subscribed and Sworn
| The 15th day of July 1832 | |
|
| Before me Henry Shafer | /s/ Jacob Becker | |
| A Judge of Schoharie | ||
| Common Pleas |
I Henry Shafer a Judge of Schoharie court of common Pleas in and for the county
of Schoharie do certify that Jacob Becker as he took the foregoing oath is a man
of credibility and to be believed on oath
/s/ Henry Shafer
State of New York
Schoharie County, ss
William Becker of the town of Schoharie in said county being duly sworn doth on
his oath say that he has been well acquainted with Jacob Enders a resident of
the town of Schoharie in said county, ever since the american revolution, that
the said Jacob Enders Enlisted in Schoharie for the term of three months in July
1780 In the company of Captain Harper in the regiment commanded by colonel Peter
Vroman of the militia, that captain Harper under the command Major Wiley Marched
off from Schoharie to Herkimer, at the time the said Jacob Enders was sent on an
Expense to Schenectady this is the reason that [he] Did not march with his
company to Herkimer; this deponent was informed and believes the same to be true
that the said Jacob Enders after he returned from Schenectady that he served his
term of Enlistment out in Schoharie under the command of colonel Vroman, this
deponent testifies that the said Jacob Enders is a man [of] truth that his
affidavit is entitled to credit.
| Sworn and Subscribed | |
|
| the 15th day of July 1832 | /s/ William Becker | |
| before me Henry Shafer | ||
| a Judge of Schoharie | ||
| common Pleas |
I Henry Shafer a Judge of the court of common Pleas in and for the county of
Schoharie do certify that William Becker who took the foregoing oath is a man of
credibility and to be believed under oath
/s/ Henry Shafer
State of New York Schoharie County ss
I John Gebhard Jr. Clerk of the said county Do certify that Henry Shafer before
whom the two preceding affidavits purport to have been
Sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the
[SEAL]
court of common pleas, in and for the said county; and that
I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to
the said affidavit and the certification of credibility to be his proper hand
writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this third day of
October 1832.
/s/ John Gebhard Jr. Clk.
I certify that the within papers are authentic.
/s/ Joseph Bouck M C
WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity
with the Law of the United
States, of the 7th June, 1832,
Jacob Enders
Of the State of New York
Who was a
Private in the Revolutionary
Army
is entitled to receive Forty dollars
and
cents per annum during his natural life , commencing
on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi=annually, on the
4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this
7th Day of March
one thousand eight hundred and thirty= three
Lew.Cass
Secretary of War
| Examined and | |
| Countersigned |
J L Edwards
77 years July 1834
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Peter Ball, aged eighty two years, who being
duly sworn saith , that he is well acquainted with Jacob Enders and was well
acquainted with him in the Revolutionary war and knows that the Said Jacob
Enders was in the revolutionary service in a trip to Albany, Sandy Hill, Fort
Edward and Johnstown being in service at this time about one month. This trip he
thinks was in the year 1776.
Subscribed and sworn this 16th day of January 1837
before me, Henry J. Moak
J.P.
/s/ Peter Ball
And I certify that the above named Peter Ball
is a man of veracity.
Henry J. Moak, J.P.
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Johannes
Reinhardt, in the seventy ninth year of his age, being duly sworn saith, that he
is well acquainted with Jacob Enders, and well acquainted with him in the
revolutionary war, that they were townsmen at the time of the revolution, and he
knows that the said Jacob Enders was in the revolutionary services of the United
States, that this deponent was away from Schoharie in the service from 1777 till
in the spring of 1780, that from that time 1780 till in the fall of the year
1782, he frequently saw the saidJacob Enders in the services, in Schoharie, in
Captain Stubrach’s company in Col. Vroman’s regiment, and according to the
best of his knowledge he thinks the services of the said Enders exclusive of his
three months services in ’80 would amount to as much as three or four months.
/s/ Johannes Reinhardt
Sworn before me the Eighth day of February 1837
/s/ Charles F. Vogel
Commissioner of Deeds
I certify that the above named Johannes Reinhardt is a man of veracity.
/s/ Charles F. Vogel
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Johan Jost Dietz, in the seventy seventh year of his age who being duly sworn saith, that he is well acquainted with Jacob Enders, and was well acquainted with him before and during the revolutionary war, that they were townsmen together, and he knows the said Jacob Enders was in the revolutionary services. That he enlisted for nine months in a company commanded by Lieutenant John Dietz a brother of this deponent, and he thinks it was in the year 1778, and verily believes the said Jacob Enders served his nine months out. That he understood and believes that he also enlisted and served for three months in the year 1780, but who commanded the company he does not know. And this deponent further saith that he has frequently seen the said Jacob Enders in the services in Capt. Stubrach’s company in Col. Vroman’s regiment before and after his nine and three months services had ended. That he has frequently seen him in the services at different times during the years 1777, 1779, 1780, 1781 and 1782. That the saidJacob Enders was always considered a very true and faithful soldier . that this deponent was in the revolutionary service in Capt. Stubrach’s company in Col. Vroman’s regiment from in the spring of the year 1778 a portion of that and each succeeding year till as late as the middle of September 1782, and from what he has seen and knows of the said Jacob Enders’ revolutionary services he has no doubt that they would amount to more than two years including his nine and three months services under his enlistments aforesaid.
| Subscribed and sworn this 6th day of | |
|
| February 1837 before me | /s/ Johan Jost Dietz | |
| David Miles Justice of the Peace |
I certify that the above named Johan Jost Dietz
is a man of veracity.
/s/ David Miles Justice of the Peace
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Peter Vroman, in the seventy fourth year of his age being duly sworn saith that
he is well acquainted with Jacob Enders and was well acquainted with him in the
Revolutionary War, that they were both residents of Schoharie during the war and
afterwards. That this deponent was in the revolutionary Services in Capt.
Stubrach’s company in Col. Vroman’s regiment for a great portion of the time
from in the spring of the year 1778, till in the fall of 1782. That he has
frequently seen the said Jacob Enders, in the service, in said regiment during
the years aforesaid, and also at various periods before that time. And this
deponent further saith that the said Enders was a good and faithful soldier in
the revolutionary war, and is generally reputed, in Schoharie, where he has
always lived, to have been an active and good soldier during the Revolution. And
this deponent further saith that from what he has seen, heard, and knows of his
services he has no doubt but that they would amount to more than two years in
all.
Subscribed and sworn this 10th
Day of February 1837, before me
David Miles Justice of the
Peace
/s/ Peter Vroman
I certify that the above named Peter Vroman is
a man of veracity.
/s/ David Miles Justice of the Peace
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Jacob Becker aged eighty two years and riding who
being duly sworn saith, that he is well acquainted with Jacob Enders, and was
well acquainted with him in the revolutionary war and was in the revolutionary
services with him in January 1776, at the taking of Sir John Johnson at
Johnstown now in the county of Montgomery in said State, that they were both in
Capt. Mann’s company, that the said Enders was in the services at that time
for 14 days.
That he was with him again in the forepart of summer of the same year, in Capt.
Man’s company marched from Schoharie to Stone Arabia now in Montgomery county
and State aforesaid, he was in the services that time as much as 10 days.
That the said Jacob Enders was in the services at Schoharie the time McDonald
made an attack on the place, about harvest time, in the year 1777, as much as
two weeks. That this deponent was in the service with him at the time in the
same company. That this deponent knows the said Enders was in the nine months
service in Lieut. Dietz’s company in Col. Vroman’s regiment in the year ’78
that this deponent was in the same company & regiment for nine months at the
same time.
That he was in the service with him three times to Schoharie Kill in the year
1777, were gone as much as 12 days - was once with him scouting at Charlotte as
much as four days – was once with him in the service at Fish Lake at Schenevas
Creek about 40 miles off, were in the service that time as much as four days,
this was, he thinks, in 1779. Was also with him Scouting up Schoharie Creek
about 20 miles under command of Lieut. Snyder, was gone about three days – He
also knows the said Enders was in the three months service in the year 1780 and
that his 3 months services ended about the time Schoharie was burnt Oct. 17 of
that year.
That in the winter of 1781 he knows the said Enders was in the service two weeks
keeping garrison at the middle fort. That the said Enders was always called a
faithful soldier and from what he knows of his services and from circumstances
he has no doubt that the said Enders was in the Service more than two years
including his nine and three months services.
Subscribed and sworn this
| 10th day of February 1837 | |
/s/ Jacob Becker |
| before me | ||
| David Miles Justice of the Peace |
I certify that the above named Jacob Becker is
a man of veracity.
/s/ David Miles Justice of the Peace
- - - - - - - -
I Abraham A. Keyser, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of
Schoharie, do hereby certify that the foregoing and following annexed papers
contain the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the
application of Jacob Enders for a pension. And I further certify that Henry J.
Moak, before whom the annexed affidavit of Peter Ball purports to have been
taken, was at the time of taking said affidavit a Justice of the peace of said
county; and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily
believe his signature to the taking of the affidavit and to the certificate
underwritten to be genuine. And I further certify that Charles F. Vogel, before
whom the annexed affidavit of Johannes Reinehardt purports to have been taken,
was at the time the taking bears date a Commissioner of Deeds, authorised to
take affidavits: and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and
verily believe his signature to the taking of said affidavit, and to the
certificate underwritten to be genuine. And I further certify that David Miles,
before whom the affidavit of Jacob Becker, Johan Jost Dietz & Peter Vroman
purport to have been taken was at the date of the taking said affidavits a
Justice of the Peace of said county And further that I am well acquainted with
his hand writing and verily believe his signature to the taking of each
affidavit and to each certificate underwritten to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
My hand and seal of Office, this tenth day
February in the year of Our lord One thous-
and eight hundred and thirty seven.
/s/ A. A. Keyser
- - - - - - - -
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Mattice Ball in the eightieth year of his age who
being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Jacob Enders, and was
well acquainted with him in the revolutionary wars, and knows that the said
Jacob Enders was in the service of the revolution. That this deponent was with
him in the service with a scouting party, and thinks it was Summer of 1777. That
they marched from Schoharie to a place called Niskataw, and to a place called
Hockatock down the Hudson River, is not positive who had command of the company.
That they returned to Schoharie and were discharged , that they were in the
service that time as much he thinks as two weeks, that the company belonged to a
regiment commanded by Major [^Col.] Vroman. He also knows that the said Enders
enlisted for nine months in Lieut. Dietz’s company and has no doubt he served
his nine months out. That he knows that the said Enders was in the service
before and afterwards, that this deponent has frequently seen the said Enders in
the service at different times during the whole war, in and about Schoharie and
other places, and from what he has seen and knows of his services has no doubt
but this would amount to more than two years. That the said Enders was a very
faithful and good soldier.
/s/ Mattice Ball
Subscribed and sworn
This sixth day of March 1837
Before me Henry J. Moak Justice Peace
I certify that the above named Mattice Ball is
a man of veracity.
/s/ Henry J. Moak Justice Peace
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
I Abraham Keyser, Clerk of the county of Schoharie
do certify that Henry J. Moak, before whom the within affidavit purports to have
been taken was at the date of taking said affidavit a Justice of the peace of
said county and further that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily
believe the signature to the taking said affidavit and to the certificate there
under written to be genuine.
Given under my hand and
[SEAL]
Seal of office this 12th day
of August 1837
A.A. Keyser Clerk
- - - - - - -
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
On this tenth day of February in the year of our
Lord One Thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared in open
Court before the Judges of the court of common pleas now sitting Jacob Enders, a
resident of the town and county of Schoharie and state aforesaid, in the seventy
ninth year of his age, who being first duly sworn , according to law, doth on
his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the full benefit of
the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 by an enlargement of his
yearly pension of forty dollars obtained under the act aforesaid.
That
when he made application for a pension he gave in a statement of his nine months
services and the 3 months services, under his several enlistments, and would
also have made a statement of his militia services, herein after set forth, but
was told at the time that such services did not come under the meaning of the
act, and could not be allowed; in consequence of which, that part of his
revolutionary services were left out of his declaration, for which he now asks
to be allowed, and to have his pension enlarged to what he is justly entitled
to. That before his nine and three months services were rendered, he entered the
service of the United States under the following named officers and services as
herein stated.
1776 That in January 1776 he was ordered into the service at Schoharie, now in the county of Schoharie and State aforesaid, in a company commanded by Capt. George Mann and thinks, in Col. Jacob Sternbergh’s regiment of which regiment he thinks Peter Vroman was then Major. That they marched to Johnstown, now in the county of Montgomery and State aforesaid, to assist in taking Sir John Johnson and his men; that after Johnson surrendered the company was discharged at Johnstown, 14 d. and he was discharged with them . That he was in the service that time as much as two weeks.
That in the spring of the same year he volunteered to go with a scouting party
under command, he thinks, of Lieutenant Dubois, but what company and regiment
Dubois belonged to he does not know. That he joined the company at Schoharie,
aforesaid, and marched to Bever dam in Albany
14 d. county, and to Switz Kill, and from there to a place Besich, and to other
places. That he was in the service that time as much as two weeks when he was
discharged on his return to Schoharie with the company.
That sometime about the beginning of June of that year he was ordered into the service in Capt. Mann’s Company in said regiment, that he joined the company at Schoharie, and marched to a place called Stone Arabia, now in the county of Montgomery & State aforesaid. That he was 10 d. in the service at that time as many as ten days and was discharged at Schoharie on his return.
That as early, he thinks, as the middle of July of that year, he volunteered to go out with a scouting party, but who commanded he is not certain, but thinks it was Capt. Hager. He joined the company at Schoharie and marched to Slingerland’s mills, in Albany county, and to a place then called Niskataw and also to a place called Hockatock near Hudson River, and to 21 d. other places. That he was in the service at that time as much as three weeks and was discharged at Schoharie on his return. That the company belonged to the regiment aforesaid.
That in the fall of that year he was ordered into the service at Schoharie
aforesaid in Capt. Mann’s company in said regiment, and marched with the
company to Albany and from there to Fort Edward and to Sandy Hill in said State,
where he helped build a breastwork. That they marched from there to Schenectady,
and from there to Johnstown, now in the
30 d. county of Montgomery and Sate aforesaid, where he was discharged, and was
in the service that time as much as a month.
1777
That sometime in the month of January or February 1777 he was pressed to go with
his sleigh and horses to Albany to carry cannon from
21 d. there to Ticonderoga. That he was in the service that time as much as
three weeks.
That in the spring of the same year he was again called into the service at Schoharie aforesaid in Capt. Stubrach’s company in Col. Sternbergh’s regiment of which he thinks Peter Vroman was Major, as before stated, and had command of the regiment according to the best of his recollection, and thinks it was as early as the 20th of April. That he and others were employed in and about Schoharie and adjoining towns, and elsewhere, in scouting, keeping garrison and other services at various times during the whole year, varying from 22 d. two or three days to five or six days and sometimes upwards. That he sometimes went as a volunteer and sometimes he was ordered into the service; but to state the number of times he was in the service that year he cannot, nor can he state the number of days he served each time, nor can he remember who commanded each time he was out. That they were generally commanded by some subaltern officer of the regiment, and sometimes they had no commissioned officer to command them, that he was generally discharged at Schoharie at the end of each period of service. He was three times out scouting to Schoharie Kill about thirty 12 d. miles off, that it would average as much as four days each time according to his belief; that he does not recollect who commanded them each time; that they were discharged on their return to Schoharie at the end of each period.
He was also twice with a scouting party to Charlotte between thirty and forty miles from Schoharie, that both times would amount to as much as eight 8 d. days, cannot say certainly who commanded them, that they were discharged on their return to Schoharie ho thinks however that Capt. Hager had command.
That he was also ordered into the service in the Summer of that year when McDonald made an attack upon Schoharie, with the tories and Indians under his command; he thinks Captain Stubrach had command of the company till Col. Harper came with the light horse from Albany, then he 14 d. was commanded by another captain till the light horse returned. That he was in the service that time as much as two weeks.
That about the middle of October of that year he was ordered into the service in Capt. Stubrach’s company in Col. Sternbergh’s regiment which he thinks was commanded by Major Peter Vroman who was afterwards Colonel of the regiment. That he marched from Schoharie to Albany with a detachment from said regiment, that when they got to Albany news came that Burgoyne had surrendered, that they stayed there and took charge of some of the prisoners that were sent down. That he was in the service that time, he thinks, 14 d. as much as two weeks and on his return to Schoharie was discharged. That he was in the service during the year he thinks as much as three months.
1778 That he was pressed to go with his waggon and horses in the spring of 1778 to carry baggage from Guilderland, Albany county to Middleburgh, now in the county of Schoharie for Col. Dubois’ regiment, was 3 d. employed he thinks as much as three days, he recollects that the going was very bad and one of his span, a valuable young horse, died after he got home.
That after he returned and, he thinks, as early as the forepart of April of that
year he enlisted for nine months in a Company commanded by Lieutenant John
Dietz, and he thinks the company belonged to what was called Vroman’s
regiment, for which nine months service and three months Service
365 d. under an enlistment in the year 1780 he now draws a pension of forty
dollars per annum as before stated.
1779
That in the spring of the year 1779 and as early he thinks as the middle of
April he was called into the service at Schoharie aforesaid in Capt. Stubrach’s
company in Col. Vroman’s regiment, and served during that year at different
times, varying as to length, according to circumstances, sometimes three or four
days, and sometimes more and sometimes less. His services consisted in scouting,
in and about Schoharie and adjoining towns and sometimes beyond, and in
protecting the inhabitants and their property against the depredations of
marauding parties of Indians and tories which greatly infested Schoharie and
adjoining towns. But to state the number of times he was in the service that
year, and the number of days he served each time he cannot, nor can he state
with certainty who commanded them each time, but thinks Lieutenant Snyder
sometimes commanded and sometimes Ensign Enders, and other subaltern officers,
and sometimes commissioned officers.
That in the summer of that year he recollects he was Sent out with a scouting
party to Schenevas’ Creek now in the county of Otsego, about forty miles from
Schoharie, that they were but four or five in number, that they had no officers
with them; that while there they thought they would try to ketch some fish out
of Fish Lake, and he went a little distance to a creek that empties into the
Lake to hunt for worms, and there discovered that from appearances a party of
Indians fifteen or twenty had just crossed, for the water near the edge of the
creek, where they crossed, was yet turbid, so he considered they were near by,
and he, [^with the others] immediately started for home and lay in the woods
that night and 3 d. returned the next day to the fort, in Schoharie, and were
discharged. Was in the service that time three days.
He
also recollects he was once in the service with a scouting party up Schoharie
Creek about twenty miles, under command of Lieutenant Snyder, 3 d. they were
gone as many as three days, and he was discharged on his return.
That
he was once sent out scouting with a party to Harpersfield, about thirty miles,
was in the service that time as many as five days, and returned to 5 d.
Schoharie and was discharged, but can’t remember who commanded that time –
Capt. Hager sent them. But a good part of his services that year were performed
in and about Schoharie and adjoining towns as before stated. He cannot tell how
many times he was called out during the year and the number of days he was out
each time, but is satisfied that his whole service during the year would amount
to at least as much as two months and a half.
1780
That from in the spring of the year 1780 till about the middle of July of that
year, the time he enlisted in the three months service, he was in the service in
Capt. Stubrach’s company in Col. Vroman’s regiment as much as 26 d. twenty
six days, he was during the time once at Schenevas’ Creek about 40 miles
[^from Schoharie] with a scouting party but does not recollect who commanded nor
the number of days he was gone that time: he remembers that on their return,
they came to a deer lick near where they stayed one night, and he and two or
three others waited at the deer lick. That on their return to Schoharie they
were discharged. He thinks they had no officer with them.
That
about the middle of July of that year he enlisted for three months and served
his three months out for which he, together with his nine months service, draws
a pension, as before stated, of forty dollars per annum. That he was discharged
a few days after Schoharie was burnt, which was past the middle of October 1780.
That
during the fall of that year he was as much as a fortnight keeping garrison at
the lower fort in Schoharie under command of Capt. Stubrach, in 28 d. Col.
Vroman’s regiment, and also about Christmas and New Year he was two weeks more
keeping garrison at the fort aforesaid.
1781
That in the spring of the year 1781, he was again called into the service in
Capt. Stubrach’s company in Col. Vroman’s regiment at Schoharie and was in
the service from spring to late in the fall of the year [^at different times]
and one or two periods in the winter in keeping garrison at the lower fort in
Schoharie, thinks he was [^keeping garrison] as much as two weeks. That he
always turned out when it came his turn to go and sometimes he volunteered when
it was not his turn to go – That Schoharie being a frontier settlement
continued to be infested with hordes of marauding and murderous Indians and
tories, and the soldiers being few, those liable to do military duty had to
serve more, perhaps, than they would have under other circumstances.
He
recollects he was twice with a scouting party to a place called Hillabergh about
15 miles from Schoharie. He thinks both times would make as many as eight days.
That they were discharged each time on their return to Schoharie cannot remember
who commanded.
He
was twice to a place called Durloch now Sharon about 15 or 20 miles from
Schoharie fort employed in scouting in and about the place; that he was in the
service at those two periods as much as ten days he should think; that he thinks
adjutant Schoolcraft commanded at one of the times and he thinks Lieutenant
Snyder commanded at the other: that he was discharged each time at Schoharie on
his return.
He
was once with a detachment of soldiers from Col. Vroman’s regiment down the
Schoharie Creek towards the Mohawk river under command he thinks of Capt.
Stubrach, thinks they were gone as many as five days and on their return he was
discharged at Schoharie.
That
at other times he was in the service in scouting in and about Schoharie for
short periods till late in the fall but cannot state the number of times nor the
length nor who commanded.
14 That in the winter he was two weeks at the middle Fort keeping garrison, and
was discharged there, cannot say who commanded the fort.
90 d. That he was in the service that year he thinks at least one fourth of the
time.
That in the forepart of Summer in the year 1782 he enlisted at Schoharie
aforesaid for seven months in Capt. Gray’s company and thinks the 45 d.
company belonged to Col. Van Shaicks regiment, that they kept their headquarters
at the middle fort then in Schoharie, that he was in the service at that time as
much as one month and a half, then he hired a substitute [^by the name of
William Leek] who served the remainder of the time out.
14 d. That he was in the service after he returned home during the fall he
thinks as much as two weeks in Capt. Stubrachs company in Col. Vromans regiment
in short periods of service.
1
And to the interrogations of the court he answers that he was born in the town
of Schoharie now county
of Schoharie
and State of New York.
2 That his age is recorded, he
thinks, in the Lutheran Church records of the town and county of Schoharie.
3 That he was living in
Schoharie aforesaid when called into the service and that he has always lived
in Schoharie
and now lives in Schoharie.
4 That
he was sometimes ordered into the service, sometimes enlisted and sometimes
volunteered as
before stated.
5 That
he is acquainted with the names of the following officers who were with the
troops at Schoharie
when he served. To
wit, Col. Dubois, Col. Van Shaick, Col. Harper, Col. Vroman, Lieut. Col. Zelie,
Maj. Woolsey, Capt.
Dubois, Capt. Lansing, Capt. Gray, Capt. Hager, Capt. Richtmyer, Capt.
Stubrach, Capt.
Patrick, who was killed at the battle of Cobleskill, & Capt. George Mann,
who before
the war ended
turned tory.
6 That
he never had a written discharge.
7 He
thinks John Becker, Henry Becker, John Enders, William Becker and others who
live in his present
neighbourhood 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 annuity except the forty dollars pension now allowed him, and
except the present claim to have his said pension enlarged to what he deserves
to have; and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency
of any state except as above stated.
| Sworn and subscribed | |
his |
| In open court the day and | Jacob X Enders | |
| Year aforesaid | mark |
A.A., Keyser
Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their
opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogations prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
/s/ William Beekman
/s/ Wm. Mann
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Jacob Enders, of the town and county of Schoharie and State aforesaid, a united States pensioner, being duly sworn, saith that if it is stated in his declaration that his three months services were in Captain Harpers company, it must have been done through some misunder-standing, for he served the three months in Captain Millers company. They kept headquarters at the middle fort in Schoharie, he recollects that Jacob Hochstrasser was Ensign. the company, he thinks, belonged to Col. Vromans regiment.
Subscribed and Sworn
his
This 22 day of September
Jacob X Enders
1837, before me
mark
David Miles Justice of
the peace
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
I William M. Holton Clerk
of the county of Schoharie do certify that David Miles before whom the above
affidavit purported to have been taken was on the day of the date of the taking
said affidavit a Justice of the peace of said county: and further that I am well
acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature to the taking
said affidavit to be genuine.
Given under my hand and seal
of office this 29th day of February,
1838
/s/ William M. Holton, Clerk
[SEAL]
Sir:
Your letter of the 30th of November last in relation to Jacob Enders’ pension business was received. You state therein that it was alleged in his original declaration that he enlisted in April, 1778, in a company of rangers in the command of Capt. John Dietz, Col. Vroman’s regiment, served nine months and was discharged first January 1779; and that in July, 1780, he enlisted again and served three months in Capt. Harpers company, same regiment. To this last objection Mr. Enders says he served the three months in Capt. Millers company, and its being stated that he served in Capt. Harpers company must have been through some misunderstanding: and in anticipation of this objection he made an affidavit on the 22 of Sept. last, correcting the error, which affidavit I herewith enclose to you. This affidavit states that he served in Capt. Millers company in Col. Vromans regiment. It may be, however, that the company belonged to some other regiment. He says the company belonged to the same regiment that Capt. Lansings company belonged to in which William Becker of this place served. And as to Enders’ nine months service in a company commanded by Lieut. Dietz in the year 1778, you say it appears he serves a short tour in that company in 1778. Now, if the pay roll of Dietz’s company is to be received to contradict the testimony of a half dozen credible witnesses, as it was in the case of Jacob Becker, then it would be useless for Enders to prove his nine months services by any more witnesses even if he could find any. There is a species of documentary evidence, however, which I would refer the Department to as proof of Enders’ nine months service, that is the receipt of Lieut. Dietz annexed to Jacob Beckers papers on file in the pension office. It appears from that receipt that Dietz received from Col. Vroman 190 dollars and two pence which he promised to pay Becker, Enders and others, each, 28 dollars 4/8 [four bits, i.e., 50 cents, ed.] and this, too, 27 days after his nine months services were ended. It may be objected in this case as it was in Jacob Becker’s case, that it did not appear that Enders received any part of this money. I think, however, that on reflection you will see that the objection is not well taken, for supposing that Enders had sued Dietz for this money, and had known that Dietz received it and promised to pay it over, and as a consideration for this promise proved the 9 months services &c. Would it be an objection against a recovery that it did not appear that Enders had received any part of this money? But there was another objection to this receipt, in the case of Jacob Becker, viz. That this was bounty money and received in advance. Now if I have a right understanding of the case these nine months services were commenced about the first of April 1778, and ended the first of January 1779, and this money was not received by Dietz until 27 days after the nine months services were fully ended; therefore this money could not have been received in advance. Now if Enders did not serve his nine months in Dietz’s company, why was this 28 dollars 4/8 received by Dietz for Enders and why did Dietz promise to pay it to him? It could not have been for services to be rendered, for Dietz, you will find, never commanded a company of nine months men after the receipt of this money, and it can make no difference whether this was called bounty money or any other money so long as it was not received till after the services were ended; and if Enders had not rendered the services then most certainly Dietz would not have received this money for him and promised to pay it to him. The certificate from the Dep. Secretary of State of New York, which is herewith enclosed to you, shows that there was a law passed the 31 day of March 1778, for raising by draft seven hundred militia, including officers, to continue in service till the first of January 1779. Now, this shows, beyond a doubt, that the money was not received as bounty money in advance as you stated it to have been in the case of Jacob Becker, who served in the same company and at the same time for nine months. This money so far from having been received in advance was not, in fact, received till 27 days after the service had ended by the very law itself.
These facts I should suppose would satisfy the Department, beyond any doubt, that the pay roll of Dietz’s company so far as relates to Enders services is incorrect.
It would seem from your letter that you have other objections in evidence, for you say, "When the requisition is fully complied with, the objections to services alleged, in the supplemental declaration, to have been rendered previous to the year 1778, will be set forth." Now it is very desireable to have all the objections made at once so that they may all be answered at the same time and save trouble, expense and delay; he therefore wished you to send on all your objections that he may answer them as soon as possible so as to obtain a final decision, for if the decision should be against his rights he wishes an opportunity to appeal to congress at the present session.
I am, very respectfully
Your obed’t. serv’t.
Elias Holliday
James L. Edwards Esq.
Com. Of Pensions
Schoharie April 25, 1838"
Sir:
In your letter of the 14th instant,
in relation to Jacob Enders’ claim to a pension, it is stated that he is
allowed for nine months services in Dietz’s company in 1778, and for 6 months
and 2 days established by the rolls of the regiment, and that on returning his
pension certificate, a new one would issue for 15 months and 2 days; I have
accordingly enclosed it to you. It would seem that his three months services
under an enlistment in the year 1780, in Capt. Miller’s company have not been
allowed. The old man would be glad to know whether it is because his name is not
found on Capt. Miller’s rolls or for some other reason, that he may have an
opportunity of correcting any error committed by him.
I am respectfully
Your Obed’t. Serv’t.
Elias Holliday
James L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions
Sshoharie May 16, 1838
Sir:
In you letter of the 26th ult.,
Jacob Enders is required to specify in a supplemental affidavit the date of his
three months tour, and the first name of his Captain, both of which he has done
in the enclosed affidavit.
If this Captain Miller was of German extraction
his name will probably be found written Moeller yet he was called and known by
the name of Captain Miller.
I am, respectfully,
Your Obed’t Serv’t
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Elias Holliday
Com. Of Pensions
| State of New York | |
|
| Schoharie County, | ss. |
Jacob Enders, being duly sworn, saith that the Christian name of Capt. Miller, in whose company he served three months in the year 1780 [^from about the middle of July till past the middle of October] as set forth in his proceedings, he cannot remember with certainty, but believes it was Christopher.
| Subscribed and sworn this | |
|
| 15th day of May, 1838, | his | |
| before me | Jacob X Enders | |
| David Miles Justice | mark | |
| Of the peace |
State of New York
Schoharie County, ss. I William M. Holton,
clerk of the County of Schoharie, do certify that David Miles before whom the
above affidavit purports to have been taken, was on the day the taking bears
date a Justice of the peace of said county, that I am acquainted with his hand
writing and verily believe the signature to the taking said affidavit to be
genuine.
Given under my hand and
Seal of office this 15th day of
[SEAL]
May, 1838.
William M. Holton, Clerk
Schoharie May 19, 1838
Sir:
On the 16th inst. I enclosed to you
an affidavit of Jacob Enders stating that Capt. Miller’s Christian name was
Christopher, and that he served in Millers company from about the middle of July
1780, till past the middle of October. He called on me yesterday to state a fact
that occurred to him viz: That when the soldiers were paid off he sent an order
for his pay, and the person who took the order stated, on his return, that
Enders’ name was there written Renders and if so it will probably
appear in the same way in Capt. Miller’s rolls at the War Department.
Respectfully
Your obed’t. ser’t.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Elias Holliday
Com.Of Pensions
P.S. Enders says he served a number of days
over 3 months.
Schoharie June 9th 1838
Sir:
In your letter of the 25th Ult. In
relation to Jacob Enders three months services in Captain Christian Miller’s
company of Levies in the year 1780, it is stated that "there is no evidence
in the Department that a Captain of that name belonged to the regiment at that
time" and " that if the claimant actually served three months in one
tour under Captain Christopher Miller it must have been in some other
regiment." Now, in consequence of Enders being very confident that he
enlisted in Captain Miller’s company, and that Maj. Woolsey had command of the
Fort where Enders served; and inasmuch as William Becker, who enlisted at the
same time and place in Captain Lansing’s company and served three months at
the same place, or places with Enders, also stated that Major Woolsey had
command of the fort where they were stationed, and that there was a captain
there by the name of Miller at that time belonging to the Levies, I was induced
to write to the Secretary of the State of N. Y. to examine the minutes of the
council of appointment, of that period, to see if Woolsey was a Major and
Christopher Miller a captain in the Levies in 1780; and I have now received a
certificate which is herewith forwarded to you, showing that Woolsey was a Major
and Christopher Muller a captain in said Levies in 1780 – If the captains name
being spelled Muller, instead of Miller, should make an objectionable
discrepancy it can be explained, I presume, by showing that he Millers of German
extraction usually, in those days, spelled their names Moeller and there are
some here at the present day who spell their names Moeller, altho they are
called by the name of Miller . The council of appointment spelled the name
wrong, and as they did the name of Lansing by adding an "h" viz.
"Lansingh". William Becker draws a pension encluding 3 months services
rendered at the same place and time in Capt. Lansing’s company. He and Enders
lived in the same neighbourhood, enlisted at the same time, Becker in Lansing’s
company and Enders in Moeller’s, both served their three months at the same
stations and were both discharged the same time the latter part of October in
the year ’80. Enders and Becker were both unable to tell what regiment these
companies belonged to but supposed them to belong to Vroman’s regiment because
they were stationed and served at Schoharie, but it would seem from the enclosed
certificate that these companies belonged to Col. Du Boys’ regiment; and it
appears from the enclosed certificate that there were but ten captains in the
Levies in the year 1780, those names are given in the certificate, Muller’s
name among the rest; it is therefore most likely that Enders’ name will appear
upon the rolls of some one of the numbers who commanded at the station
aforesaid, and altho’ Enders enlisted in Moeller’s company yet it may be he
was transferred to the company of some other captain who served at the stations
before mentioned during that period. If Enders’ name cannot be found on any of
there rolls and the 3 months services cannot be allowed unless so found, let no
new certificate issue, for he will try to prove these services by such
additional evidence as he enabled to provide and then present his claim to
Congress, for he does not feel willing to lose his right through any neglect of
his captain. He served 9 months in Dietz’s company but his name was not found
on Dietz’s rolls and that part of his claim would have him cut off had it not
been for documentary evidence of the fact found among Col. Vroman’s old
revolutionary papers which proved the service beyond doubt.
I am respectfully
Your obed’t. serv’t.
Elias Holliday
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Com.Of pensions
Schoharie August 22 1858
Sir:
In your letter of the 18th instant,
in relation to Jacob Enders’ claim to three months service in Capt.
Christopher Muller’s company, you say his name is not found on Muller’s
rolls &c. I understand that Enders in his first declaration stated his three
months service to have been in Captain Harper’s company in Col. Vroman’s
regiment, and that there was no such company at the time in Vroman’s regiment.
Enders thought that Capt. Miller had command of the company: in this, however, I
suppose he was mistaken. That he served the three months at the time I have no
doubt, as the services stand proved by a number of witnesses in his first and
second declarations. They all agree, I believe, as to the place and time of his
service. One William Becker of this place enlisted at the same time for three
months in Capt. Lansing’s company in a regiment commanded by Major Woolsey, or
at least that part of the regiment where he served. In his first declaration he
stated that he serves in Capt. Harper’s company, he afterwards, however,
corrected the error by stating that he served in Lansing’s company, where his
name was found for riding of three months. Now Enders and he enlisted at the
same time and place and served at the same place. Enders’ name may, perhaps,
be found in Lansing’s company, where Becker served. Henry Schafer, a
pensioner, and the person who drew Enders’ first pension papers, stated to me
a few days ago, that Enders served in Capt. Harper’s company in Col. Harper’s
regiment, instead of Col. Vroman’s regiment, that he was in the services with
Enders at the time. It may be, therefore, that Enders’ name will be found on
turning to Capt. Harper’s rolls, in Col. Harper’s regiment. I wish you would
examine Capt. Harper’s rolls in Col. Harper’s regiment, and Capt. Lansing’s
rolls in the regiment commanded by Maj. Woolsey and if neither of these rolls
prove his services, and the evidence is insufficient as of services, then he
will have to take up what has been offered him, for he can do no more toward
supporting his claim. The old man is extremely poor and whatever he is allowed
to have he would be glad to have as soon as he can get it.
I am very respectfully
Your obed’t. serv’t.
Elias Holliday
James L. Edwards,Esq.
Com. Of pensions
Schoharie County ss.
Josiah E. Vroman to me personally known being
by me duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was personally acquainted with Jacob
Enders in the Revolutionary war in the years 1779 and 1780 and knows that said
Enders done military duty at the Upper and Lower Forts in the county of
Schoharie. & from the best recollection of this deponent & from Papers
that he has perused having belonged to this deponent’s father who was a
Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, this deponent fully believes that the said
Enders done duty as a Sergeant. This deponent well recollects that he said
Enders went by the name of Sergeant Enders and further saith not.
Sworn and Subscribed to
This 10th day of February
/s/ Josiah
E. Vroman
1846 before me
Charles Watson Justice of the Peace.
I do hereby certify that I now am and have been
personally acquainted with Josiah E. Vroman who made the above affidavit for
over Thirty years last past & know him to be a Person of good standing in
Society and is fully entitled to credit under oath.
Dated January 30th 1847
Charles Watson
Justice of the Peace
State of New York, Schoharie County ss.
Jacob Enders being duly sworn says he has been
ninety years old the 25th day of August last, and that the said Jacob
Enders is now a Pensioner of the United States and receives the sum of fifty two
dollars and twenty two cents yearly, and that he was born and brought up in said
county, and that he was an orderly sergeant under Captain Johannes Dietz, that
when the first Act of Congress was passed, one Henry Shafer, a Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for said county (now deceased) called on him and
said an Act had been passed by Congress giving pensions to Officers and Privates
that had served their Country during the revolutionary war, and having consented
to be my Attorney to obtain said Pension, I told him he must put in my claim as
an orderly Sergeant under Captain Johannes Dietz as aforesaid, the said Shafer
said that it was not necessary as officers and privates received the same pay.
And the said Jacob Enders further says that he has every reason to believe that
had his case been stated to the War Department as he told the said
Shafer, he would have received pay as an orderly sergeant. And the said Jacob
Enders further says that he has every reason to believe that when his case shall
have been represented to the war department in its true light he will not only
receive the pay of an orderly sergeant, but also his back pay, which he has been
deprived of in consequence of the representations of said Shafer as aforesaid.
| Subscribed and sworn before me this | |
his |
| 10th day of February 1847 | Jacob X Enders | |
| John Gebhard Junr. Justice of the peace | mark |
I certify that I have been personally
acquainted with Jacob Enders, the above affiant, for the last twenty years; that
he is a man of truth and veracity, and that his statement is entitled to full
credit.
/s/ John Gebhard Junr.
Justice of the peace
Schoharie County ss.
Bartholomew E. Vroman to me personally known by
me duly sworn deposeth and saith that during the Revolutionary War He this
deponent was personally acquainted with Jacob Enders & knows that said
Enders done Military Duty at the Upper and Lower Forts Situate in the County
Schoharie, and that according to the best recollections of this deponent the
said Enders done duty as Sergeant and was always reputed to be a good soldier.
That the said Enders at the time the deponent was acquainted with him done duty
in a Company commanded by Johannes Dietz. & further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed to
This 10th day of February
/s/
Bartholomew E. Vroman
1846 before me
Charles Watson Justice of the Peace
I do hereby Certify that I am personally
acquainted with Bartholomew E. Vroman who subscribed the above affidavit &
have been acquainted with him for over thirty years & know him to be a
Person of good standing in Society & to be relied on as a person of truth
and veracity under oath.
Dated January 30th 1847
/s/ Charles Watson Justice
of the Peace
A Note to Researchers using this Web-site: As you use this site, please keep in mind the difference between primary and secondary sources and the importance of building a preponderance of evidence. Accept nothing without further checking. It is our hope that through this collection of data from many sources, you will find a piece of the puzzle that you are working on and that may lead you to further discoveries.
Links to external web sites are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or approval of any of the products, services or opinions contained in any external web site.
Welcome Page of the Schoharie County NYGenWeb Site
Page created February 1, 2003