ELIAS VAN AUKER REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION, STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK Contributed by: Leigh Jones (leightj@mail.ptd.net) ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** Revolutionary War pension file of Elias Van Auker of Howard, Steuben County, NY. On file in the National Archives, Washington, DC. [New York line # S 11599] . State of New York Steuben County SS. On this 16th day of October in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas now setting, Elias Vanauker, a resident a resident of the town of Howard in the said County of Steuben aged seventy-three years in December 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 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he first entered the service in June 1776 under Capt Moses Cortright, Lieut. John Van Tuyle and Ensign Martin Cuykandall, at Minisink Orange County and State of New York where he then resided. This applicant marched with said Company to Fort Montgomery on the North River and remained there about four weeks and was there discharged, not in writing -- Col Ellison Commanded this Regiment Lieut. Col. Thurstin and Major John Decker. That in the month of September or October same year this applicant performed another tour of duty under Lieut. John Van Tuyle (Capt Courtright was suspected of being a Tory and was confined in goal, entered the service at Minisink of aforesaid, where he then resided-- Marched from thence to Fort Montgomery and remained there on duty about one month, and was there discharged. Did not receive a written discharge. That in year 1777, he again entered the service as a three months man and as he thinks early in the month of September of that year. At Minisink of aforesaid, where he then resided under the Command of Lieutenants John Van Tuyle and Martinus Decker, but he is not quite sure Don't recollect the names of the other officers - Marched early in September from Minksink to Fort Montgomery -- was at the said Fort when it was taken in October 1777, but made his escape with the company -- Marched the next day after the Forth was taken to Newburgh: thence to Banks Bridge at the Walkill, where he remained a short time --- was then ordered to Esopus, and arrived there the day Esopus was burnt -- and after remaining there a few weeks, was ordered to Newburgh where he was discharged in December early in December 1777. Lieut Van Tuyles Company, at Fort Montgomery was attached to Col Browns Regiment as he thinks. The Fort was Commanded by Ensign Clinton - Did not receive a written discharge. That in the month of April, of the year 1778 he again entered into the service of the United States as a Militia man, at Minisink, in the County of Orange State of New York, where he then resided under Capt Levi Van atter, Lieutenant Welhelmus Westfall and Martinus Decker under the Command of Major John Decker built a Fort at Minisink for the protection of the inhabitants continued to do duty until December following -- During that summer he was almost constantly out on scouting parties while out on one occasion under the command of Lieutenant Decker with a party of men took four prisoners who came from New York and were going to Nagara. The name of one of them was Robert Land. They were put in goal at goshen Orange County -- This applicant was discharged at Minisink aforesaid but did not receive a written discharge. That he again entered the service of the United States in the month of April in the year 1779, where he there served under the same officers last mentioned, and did duty in the said Fort at Minisink and on scouting parties until the Fort was captured by the Indians and Tories on the 24th of July of the same year. That at the time said fort was taken this applicant was out of the fort, and not knowing that the Fort was taken, and while returning to the fort, the party to which he belonged was attacked by a large party of Indians and tories, and he was wounded; returned into another fort that had been evacuated by our people and there defended themselves, one of our party was killed; During the engagements in and out of the Fort this applicant received two wounds one through his thigh and the other through his arm. After this the inhabitants all fled and the Militia were discharged the last of July 1779 -- not in writing, having served three months -- He was confined about three months with his wounds and was at his own expense for medical and other attendance That in the month of March in the year 1780 he resided a place called the Drowned Lands in Orange County & State of New York, and at that place enlisted for nine months as he deposes in the Militia, under Captain Abraham Westfall, Lieutenant John English and Ensign Timothy Coleman. The Regiment was Commanded by Col New Kirk but was not all at any one time stationed at the same place - Major Dewitt commanded the detachment to which this applicant belonged -- was stationed in the Town of Minisink and was employed in scouting parties and in protecting the inhabitants Dont remember the names of any other officers was discharged in December of the same year having performed a tour of military duty of nine months -- did not receive a written discharge He has no documentary or other proof of said services except the affidavits of Henry Van Etten and Martin Cuykendall hereto appended That he was born in the year 1759 -- at Minisink in Orange County state of New York Has no record of his age -- lived when called into service as stated above -- Since the war lived at Minksink --- at Beach Woods, Luzern County Pennsylvania --at near Ithaca Tompkins County New York --- at Newtown Tioga County New York -- and in Howard, Steuben County where he now lives called into service in the manner herein stated -- have already stated the names of the officers & circumstances as of service as far as he can, and also as it regards his discharges Can swear as to his character for Veracity and their belief of services as a soldier of the Revolution by James Loghry and Daniel Hornilter Stephen Smith James Loghry He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pensioners annuity 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 [signed] Elias Vanauker M L Ramsly Dep Clk Steuben County We Stephen Smith and James Loghry residing in the town of Howard County of Steuben and the State of New York hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elias Vanauker who has described and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; That he is reputed and lives in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn and published this day and year aforesaid M L Ramsly Dep Clk Stephen Smith Steuben County James Loghry From the Revolutionary War pension application of Elias Van Auker of Howard, Steuben County, NY. On file in the National Archives, Washington, DC. [New York # S 11599] Affidavit by Henry Van Etten made on October 2, 1832, to substantiate the Revolutionary War service of Elias Van Auker. State of New York} County of Cayuga }S. S. Henry Van Etten of the town of Sempronius in the said county bring duly sworn says that he is aged Seventy two years on the fist day of May last-- That he was well acquainted with Elias Van Auken now of Howard in the county of Steuben in the state aforesaid during the Revolutionary war, and he is now well acquainted with him. That the said Elias Van Auken was in the service of the United States in the month of October in the year 1777 immediately after the British army had captured Fort Montgomery this deponent served in the same Company with him. The said Elias Van Auken marched from the Minisink settlement in the western part of Orange County in the State aforesaid under the command of Lieuts John Van Tuyl and Martinus Decker of the Militia and went to New Windsor on the bank of the Hudson River and from thence to Banks Bridges, and despondent believes that said Elias Van Auken went from the last mentioned place to Esopus (now Kingston) in Ulster County ~ deponent thinks that said Elias Van Auken was at that time in said service one month perhaps more. That said Elias Van Auken in the latter part of November 1778 went in company with deponent and a few others under the command of Lieut. Martinus Decker from the settlement of Minisink in pursuit of four men that were carrying dispatches from the British at New York to the hostile Indians at Niagara they went about twenty five miles and overtook and made prisoners two of the men -- to wit, Robert Land and Edward Hicks, who were afterwards taken into the state of New Jersey and delivered to Gen. Pulaski, That from the opening of the Spring of 1778, to the end of the war the Militia in the western part of Orange County were almost continually in the service guarding the frontiers against the hostile Indians and Tories and this deponent has frequently seen said Elias Van Auken during that time doing duty as a soldier on the frontiers such as scouting and guarding at the block houses. That in the month of July the 19th 1779 when the Indians attacked and destroyed the Minisink settlement the said Elias Van Auken and deponent while returning from a funeral were met by a party of Indians and Tories near a block house called Van Aukens Fort, the said Elias Van Auken was wounded in his thigh and arm while he and the deponent were trying to gain the fort, they however got in and with a few others having in all only six muskets defended and kept said block house with the loss of one man killed in the fort This fort was the only one in the settlement that was no taken and burnt by the Indians, deponent does not now recollect whether said Elias Van Auken severed at any time under enlistment, but from the nature of the service in which he has seen him he has no doubt but that the said Elias Van Auken served as a soldier in the Militia at least three years during the Revolutionary War. Subscribed and Sworn (signed) Hanry VanEtten the 2 day of October 1832 before me Cornelius Cuykendall, Justice of the Peace I certify That I am aquatinted with the above named deponent, That he is of good repute and as a witness is entitled to full credit. C. Cuykendall [The above Hanry (Henry) Van Etten made an affidavit for his sister, Blandina Van Etten Westfall in 1840, to confirm her identity, marriage to Abraham Westfall and Abraham's Revolutionary War service. The signature on the two documents are of the same person. Henry and Blandina Van Etten were the children of Anthony Van Etten & Aanna Decker---LJ] From the Revolutionary War pension application of Elias Van Auker of Howard, Steuben County, NY. On file in the National Archives, Washington, DC. [New York # S 11599] Affidavit by Martin Cuykendall, made on October 2, 1832, to substantiate the Revolutionary War service of Elias Van Auker. State of New York} Cayuga County }S.S. Martin Cuykendall of Owasco in said county being duly sworn says That he was aged sixty eight years on the 18th day of February last, That he was during the Revolutionary War well aquatinted with Elias Van Auken now of the town of Howard in the County of Steuben in said State of New York and is now well aquatinted with him; That in the year 1780 this deponent saw the said Elias Van Auken in the service of the United States at the piqueted house of Jacob Shimer (commonly called Shimer's Fort) in the Minisink Settlement in Orange County, he served in Capt. Abraham Westfall's Company in Col. Paulding's Regt. /Major Thomas DeWitt/ the said Elias Van Auken entered the service early in the spring and continued in said service for the term of eight or nine months as this deponent now recollects; this service was on the frontiers guarding against the Indians and tories, the troops were raised by having the militia classed and each class to furnish one soldier for the term of eight or nine months, deponent has at times from the spring of the year 1778 to the fall of the year 1781 frequently seen the said Elias Van Auken in the said service as a soldier in guarding the frontiers in the western part of Orange County against the Indians and Tories, deponent understands at that time that Elias Van Auken was wounded by the Indians and tories when they attracted the block house called Van Auken's Fort, deponent does not now recollect whether said Elias Van Auken served more then once under enlistment, but from the nature of the service on the frontiers in which this deponent has seen him serve this deponent thinks he must have served at least three years as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Subscribed and sworn to this 2~ day of October 1832 (signed) Martin Cuykendall before me Cornelius Cuykendall Justice of the peace I certify that I am well aquatinted with the above named deponent. That he is of good repute and as a witness is entitled to full credit. C. Cuykendall State of New York Cayuga County Cl I Michael S. Myers Clerk of said county do certify that Cornelius Cuykendall before whom the within affidavits --------to have been sworn was at the dates of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said county And that I am aquatinted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavits to be his proper handwriting and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office, this nined day of October A.D. 1832 Cayuga County S. S. M. S. Myers Clerk per P. N.(?) Myers ___ Clerk [All the above is in the same handwritting; P. ? Myers signed for M. S. Myers.] 8215 New York Elias Van Anker Of Steuben Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Cortright of Reg. Commanded by Col. Ellisson in the New York line for two years Elis Van Auken Records Corrected June 29 ---- Inscribed on Roll of New York At the rate of 80 Dollars per annunm to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificates of Pension issued the 20 day of March 1833- and del' to D _ Arrears to the 4th of March '33_____________$160.00 Semiannual allowance ending 4 Sep '33________40.00 ____________________________________$ 200.00 Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by Ino Croswell Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 34.