Interesting War Stories, Pensions, and Information from Wills
1. Nicholas Christman
NOTE: There were actually 3 Nicholas Christmans. This Nicholas is a true hero of the American Revolution, but he was not the Tryon County Militia Scout as his new grave monument in Lasselsville says. This is 0304 Nicholas who was in the New York Line. My research shows the militia scout to be 0206 Nicholas. (I designed a fool proof coding system back yonder just to sort out all of the different Jacobs and Nicholas' and Catherines, etc) 0304 Nicholas was a cousin married to the sister of 0206 Nicholas (see here). I have studied it carefully, and the following pension of 0304 supports my conclusion. Nowhere does it say that 0304 was a scout. That distinction goes to 0206, and, although he died poor as dirt and apparently without honor for his war service, before we start I want to acknowledge 0206 Nicholas as being the true militia scout and a hero of the American Revolution. How can I be certain that they were two different people? This is from the will of 0206 that I have in my files:
“I have never received any bounty lands for my service during the war of the revolution and always believing that there are lands of value in reserve for me either by the United States or the State of New York, in case any shall be obtained, or the value thereof be allowed for my service as aforesaid, I hereby give and bequeath the same to my daughter Mary ...” - Oct 3, 1845
He was so dirt poor that he could only leave his daughter a hope. (I think he was disrespected because he was half Indian like I argue in the story) Also, back yonder my grandmother took my dad to the grave of 0206 Nicholas and he roughly plotted the location for me on This Sketch before he died. It's on the old Faye Heroth farm in Ephratah. Apparently I'll have to go up there and find it myself. (That's a hint for one of you Christman yankees up there reading this)
The 3rd Nicholas was 0102 Nicholas. He was older than the other two. His son was 010202 Jacob Christman who was young and fought late in the revolution. Jacob's pension is listed below as you scroll down the page. There's much more about this there.
With that being said, here is Dan Mead reading the SAR prayer of dedication at the newly placed memorial stone for his ancestor, 0304 Nicholas Christman, during the American Revolution. Thanks Dan!
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Pension Application for 0304 Nicholas Christman (Cristman)
S.44757
State of New York
Herkimer County SS (Subscribed and Sworn)
On this sixteenth
day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me David Holt one
of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county and state aforesaid,
personally appears Nicholas Christman aged sixty-two years resident in the Town
of Palatine in the County of Montgomery in the state aforesaid, the said Nicholas
being to me well known, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision
made by the late Act of Congress entitled “An Act to Provide for Certain
Persons Engaged in The Land and Naval service of The United States in the Revolutionary
War.”
That the said
Nicholas Christman enlisted in the then County of Tryon in the state aforesaid
in a company commanded by Captain Christopher P. Yates (1) in the then Second
Regiment of Infantry Commanded by Col. Goes Van Schaick (2) in which said company
and regiment the said Nicholas served and was present at the taking of St. Johns,
Chamblay [Chamblee] and Montreal.
That after
the campaign of one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, he the said Nicholas
re-enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Ten Eyck (3) from which he was
transferred to Maj. Cochran’s company in the detachment commanded by Col.
Peter Gansevoort (4) in which regiment the said Nicholas remained in the service
of the United States for more than three years. (5)
That he did
serve in the whole in the Continental Establishment, against the common enemy
for about five years.
That he was
honorably discharged from the United States service at Morristown in New Jersey
but at what time he cannot now recollect as he has long since lost his discharge
that he was in the Battle of St. John’s of Chamblay, of Johnstown (6) in
New York and at the siege of Fort Stanwix under the command of Colonels Gansevoort
and Willett. And that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need
of the assistance of his country for support. And that he has no other
evidence of his service nor his power then this his own declaration and these
depositions of Andrew Finks and John Wetherston (7) which are herewith annexed. And
he hereby relinquishes all pensions heretofore granted from this State or the
United States to this deponent.
(his mark) Nicholas Cristman
Subscribed, sworn to and declared before me this day and year aforesaid. David
Holtz
State of New York
Montgomery County
Court of Common Pleas
On this
14th day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court being a court of record
for the said County of Montgomery in the said State of New York proceeding
according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in
point of amount and keeping a record of it proceedings, Nicholas Christman,
residing in the Town of Palatine in the said county, aged sixty-four years
in October last according to the best of his knowledge and belief who being
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the
Revolutionary War as follows. To wit:
In the campaign
of seventeen hundred and seventy-five, he served in the then second New York
Regiment commanded by Colonel Goose Van Schaick he being a private in Captain
Christopher P. Yates company. That during that campaign he was at the
taking of St. Johns Chamblew and Montreal soon after which his term of service
expired. That he then reenlisted a private in Captain Ten Eyck’s
Company, same regiment and marched to Quebec in which service he continued
until the last of June or beginning of July in seventeen hundred and seventy-six,
that he then returned to his place of residence in the County of Tryon, now
County of Montgomery and state aforesaid.
That in
seventeen hundred and seventy-seven he again enlisted into the same regiment
and that time commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort and continued in said regiment
until the time of his discharge which was in seventeen hundred and eighty at
Morristown in the State of New Jersey at which may fully appear by reference
to his declaration and in the office of the Secretary of war and dated sixteenth
day of April eighteen hundred and eighteen or thereabouts.
He received
a certificate from said war office, dated sixteenth July eighteen hundred and
eighteen No. 1201.
And I the
said Nicholas Christman do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of
the United States on the eighteenth March in the year eighteen hundred and
eighteen and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner
disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent hereby so to diminish
it or to bring myself within the provisions of “An Act to Provide for
Certain Persons Engaged in The Land and Naval service of The United States
in the Revolutionary War”, passed on the eighteenth day or March eighteen
hundred and eighteen. And I have not nor has any person in trust for
me any property or securities or contracts or debts due to me. Nor have
I any income other that what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed
and by me subscribed.
(his mark) Nicholas Christman
I'll check this again but, as I recall, Mary died first and Nicholas lived with his son Henry until he died. I think it was in German Flatts (Columbia). Then apparently Henry buried Nicholas next to Mary back in Lasselsville (Ephratah).
Sworn to
and declared on the fourteenth day of June 1820 in open court before me, Wm
McCarthy, Clerk
Schedule
1 cow, $12.00,
I bed and bedding $12.50, 8 sheep $8.00.
That his
occupation is that of a common laborer and but of poor ability to pursue that
owing to advanced age and one stiff arm. That his family consists of
the following viz: Mary, his wife aged fifty-seven, considerably smart and
healthy, Henry his son aged thirteen years he is and is likely to be dependant
from a fever sore on his left leg and Eve thirteen years old & slender. That
he has been ordered by a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Palatine to quit
the town on the grounds that his legal settlement was elsewhere.
1 tea kettle,
1 iron kettle, 1 ??? kettle, 1 small iron kettle, 1 trammel, 5 earthen plates,
5 chairs, 1 table, 5 knives and forks, 1 teapot, 6 tea cups and saucers. Everything
in the house is not in the whole worth more than $8.00.
(his mark) Nicholas Christman
S.44757
State of New York
Herkimer County SS (Subscribed and Sworn)
On this sixteenth
day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me David Holt one
of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county and state aforesaid,
personally appears Nicholas Christman aged sixty-two years resident in the Town
of Palatine in the County of Montgomery in the state aforesaid, the said Nicholas
being to me well known, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision
made by the late Act of Congress entitled “An Act to Provide for Certain
Persons Engaged in The Land and Naval service of The United States in the Revolutionary
War.”
That the said
Nicholas Christman enlisted in the then County of Tryon in the state aforesaid
in a company commanded by Captain Christopher P. Yates (1) in the then Second
Regiment of Infantry Commanded by Col. Goes Van Schaick (2) in which said company
and regiment the said Nicholas served and was present at the taking of St. Johns,
Chamblay [Chamblee] and Montreal.
That after
the campaign of one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, he the said Nicholas
re-enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Ten Eyck (3) from which he was
transferred to Maj. Cochran’s company in the detachment commanded by Col.
Peter Gansevoort (4) in which regiment the said Nicholas remained in the service
of the United States for more than three years. (5)
That he did
serve in the whole in the Continental Establishment, against the common enemy
for about five years.
That he was
honorably discharged from the United States service at Morristown in New Jersey
but at what time he cannot now recollect as he has long since lost his discharge
that he was in the Battle of St. John’s of Chamblay, of Johnstown (6) in
New York and at the siege of Fort Stanwix under the command of Colonels Gansevoort
and Willett. And that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need
of the assistance of his country for support. And that he has no other
evidence of his service nor his power then this his own declaration and these
depositions of Andrew Finks and John Wetherston (7) which are herewith annexed. And
he hereby relinquishes all pensions heretofore granted from this State or the
United States to this deponent.
(his mark) Nicholas Cristman
Subscribed, sworn to and declared before me this day and year aforesaid. David
Holtz
State of New York
Montgomery County
Court of Common Pleas
On this
14th day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court being a court of record
for the said County of Montgomery in the said State of New York proceeding
according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in
point of amount and keeping a record of it proceedings, Nicholas Christman,
residing in the Town of Palatine in the said county, aged sixty-four years
in October last according to the best of his knowledge and belief who being
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the
Revolutionary War as follows. To wit:
In the campaign
of seventeen hundred and seventy-five, he served in the then second New York
Regiment commanded by Colonel Goose Van Schaick he being a private in Captain
Christopher P. Yates company. That during that campaign he was at the
taking of St. Johns Chamblew and Montreal soon after which his term of service
expired. That he then reenlisted a private in Captain Ten Eyck’s
Company, same regiment and marched to Quebec in which service he continued
until the last of June or beginning of July in seventeen hundred and seventy-six,
that he then returned to his place of residence in the County of Tryon, now
County of Montgomery and state aforesaid.
That in
seventeen hundred and seventy-seven he again enlisted into the same regiment
and that time commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort and continued in said regiment
until the time of his discharge which was in seventeen hundred and eighty at
Morristown in the State of New Jersey at which may fully appear by reference
to his declaration and in the office of the Secretary of war and dated sixteenth
day of April eighteen hundred and eighteen or thereabouts.
He received
a certificate from said war office, dated sixteenth July eighteen hundred and
eighteen No. 1201.
And I the
said Nicholas Christman do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of
the United States on the eighteenth March in the year eighteen hundred and
eighteen and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner
disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent hereby so to diminish
it or to bring myself within the provisions of “An Act to Provide for
Certain Persons Engaged in The Land and Naval service of The United States
in the Revolutionary War”, passed on the eighteenth day or March eighteen
hundred and eighteen. And I have not nor has any person in trust for
me any property or securities or contracts or debts due to me. Nor have
I any income other that what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed
and by me subscribed.
(his mark) Nicholas Christman
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I'll check this again but, as I recall, Mary died first and Nicholas lived with his son Henry until he died. I think it was in German Flatts (Columbia). Then apparently Henry buried Nicholas next to Mary back in Lasselsville (Ephratah).
Sworn to
and declared on the fourteenth day of June 1820 in open court before me, Wm
McCarthy, Clerk
Schedule
1 cow, $12.00,
I bed and bedding $12.50, 8 sheep $8.00.
That his
occupation is that of a common laborer and but of poor ability to pursue that
owing to advanced age and one stiff arm. That his family consists of
the following viz: Mary, his wife aged fifty-seven, considerably smart and
healthy, Henry his son aged thirteen years he is and is likely to be dependant
from a fever sore on his left leg and Eve thirteen years old & slender. That
he has been ordered by a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Palatine to quit
the town on the grounds that his legal settlement was elsewhere.
1 tea kettle,
1 iron kettle, 1 ??? kettle, 1 small iron kettle, 1 trammel, 5 earthen plates,
5 chairs, 1 table, 5 knives and forks, 1 teapot, 6 tea cups and saucers. Everything
in the house is not in the whole worth more than $8.00.
(his mark) Nicholas Christman
2. John Christman
01050103 Joseph Nicholas Christman (b.1 Sept. 1802) (John's Grandson)
JOHANNES CHRISTMAN. During the Revolutionary War he possessed 100 acres of land in theJohan Jost Petrie Patent (Certificates of Quit Rent Remissions, Mss #A1228).
CHRISTMAN, Nicholas, Herkimer, is probably the oldest resident of Herkimer county He was born September 1, 1803. He was a carpenter and joiner and afterwards a farmer, which he has been for fifty-six years. He owns sixty acres of land and thirteen milch cows, and does dairy farming. He has been commissioner of highways. In 1829 he married Hannah Woliver, and they have eight children living, five of whom are married and three are yet home. Mr. Christman\rquote s greatest pride is that his family has always been most agreeable and congenial. His grandfather, John Christman, took an active part in the Revoluntionary War, and was in the burning of the old mill in Little Falls, by the Indians and Tories.\par }
- Taken from History of Herkimer County by George A. Hardin and Frank H. Willard, published in 1893.
The Burning of the Old Mill at Little Falls
0105 John Christman in the Revolution (Grandfather)
It was at about the same time that a party of Tories and Indians made a descent upon the small settlement at the Little Falls of the Mohawk, for the purpose of destroying the mills erected at that place by Alexander Ellis. This gentleman was a Scotch merchant, who, under the favor of Sir William Johnson, had obtained a patent of the wild mountain gorge through which the Mohawk leaps from the upper into the lower section of the valley. He had himself returned to his own country; but his mills were particularly important to the inhabitants, and also to the garrisons of Forts Dayton and Herkimer,-more especially since the burning of the mills at the German Flatts by Thayendanegea two years before. Hence the present expedition for their destruction; which was easily accomplished-the enemy having stolen upon the settlement unawares, and the flouring mill being garrisoned by not more than a dozen men. Only a few shots were exchanged, and but one man was killed -Daniel Petrie. As the Indians entered the mill, the occupants endeavored to escape as fast as they could-some leaping from the windows, and others endeavoring to conceal themselves below. It was night, and two of the number, Cox and Skinner; succeeded in ensconcing themselves in the race-way, beneath the water-wheel-Skinner having previously made fight hand to hand, and been wounded by a cut from a tomahawk. Two of their companions, Christian Edick and Frederick Getman, leaped into the race-way above the mill, and endeavored to : conceal themselves by keeping as much under water as possible. But the application of the torch to the mills soon revealed the aquatic retreat, and they were taken. Not so with Cox and Skinner, who survived the storm of battle, and the mingled elements of fire and water ; the showers of coals and burning brands being at once extinguished as they fell around them, while the water-wheel served as an effectual protection against the falling timbers. The enemy retired after accomplishing their object, carrying away five or six prisoners. - Life of Joseph Brant-Thayendanegea, by William L. Stone. Volume II, Buffalo: Phinney & Co., 1851. Chapter II
3. Marc DeMooth & Catherine (Christman)
Marc DeMooth married 0301 Catherine Christman
General Herkimer's Scout
Marc Demuth was a Sgt. in the 1769 German Flatts militia. Later he became a Captain of the Rangers and one of the scouts sent to Fort Stanwix by General Herkimer. He was shot in the arm and taken prisoner at (Read About 1780) German Flatts in 1780. The family later lived in the Deerfield area.
George Washington Papers
The Library of Congress, 1741-1799:
Series 4. General Correspondence. 1697-1799 German Flatts, New York,
Safety Committee to Albany, New York, Committee and Goose van Schaick,
August 9, 1777
The following excerpt is a transcription of that letter from History of Herkimer County by Benton on page 168 regarding the fact that Marc Demuth was one of General Herkimer's Fort Stanwix scouts:
"German Flats, Committee Chamber, August 9th, 1777"
"Gentlemen: Just arrived Capt. Demuth and John Adam Helmer, the bearer hereof, with an account that they arrived with some difficulty at Fort Schuyler, the 6th of the month, being sent there by order of Gen. Herkimer. Before he set out for the field of battle, he requested some assistance from the fort, in order to make an effort to facilitate our march to the fort. Two hundred and six men were granted. They made a sally, encountered the enemy, killed many, destroyed the tents of the enemy, and came off victorious to the fort. The commander (of the fort) desired them to acquaint us, and his superiors, that he is wanting assistance, and thinks to stand out so long that timely assistance could come to his relief."
"PETER J. DYGERT, Chairman."
Children Captured By Indians
The following excerpt is from History of Herkimer County by Benton on page 194 regarding 030102 Marcus Demuth (b.abt. 1762) and 030103 Frederick Demuth (b. 1764)
".... two small boys of this family were carried into captivity by the Indians during the war. They were taken at the river bank near Fort Herkimer. At the restoration of peace one of them returned to his family and remained with them, but the other having been adopted into the family of an Onondaga chief, had become so much attached to Indian customs and habits that he could not be induced to quit his savage roaming life. When grown up to manhood he would often visit his relatives who lived not far from the Onondaga reservation and remain with them over night, but he would not on any occasion sleep upon a bed. A blanket and the floor yielded all the sleeping luxuries he required or would indulge in, and it was not often he could be induced to prolong his visit longer than one night. He spoke the English, German and Indian very well, and was often very useful in promoting a friendly intercourse between the whites and Indians."
Captain Mark Damuth was a trusty friend of General Herkimer, and his brother George, of Deerfield, was a lieutenant, and John, another brother, a lieutenant in the battle of Oriskany. Frederick, Richard, and other Damuths were also in the struggle. George Damuth, a nephew of Captain Mark, was captured by the Indians when an infant and ever afterwards bore the marks of his captivity in his cut-ears and nose-ring, which his grandson and the late David Gray, as boys, well remember. His wife Caty was a Christman, another family who fought in the struggle against Great Britain for American independence. - BARTOW, PIERREPOINT Family Sketches of Herkimer County, N.Y., Our County and Its People A Descriptive Work On Oneida County, N.Y. By Daniel E. Wager, 1896
Old Yare
1. The Damooth, Demoot, Demuth, and Teymouth (or Damewood, as anglicized) family, as the name was variously spelled, seems to be nearly extinct in the male line; but very few of that name can now be found in this section. They were prominent in the valley of the Mohawk in the war of the Revolution and fought bravely on the side of the colonies, and suffered severely, by reason of their activity pm the side of the cause they had espoused. John Jost Teymouth (or Damuth) was born in 1700 and in 1757 was living at Little Falls, and owned land there. He went to Deerfield in 1773, but was driven out in 1776 and returned to the German Flats. His son, Capt. Mark Damuth, was born in 1730, and in 1773 went to Deerfield and was also driven out, as stated in a former chapter. In 1777 he was captain of Rangers, was shot through the arm, taken prisoner and his name is recorded in the list furnished at the Oriskany Centennial Celebration in 1877. He returned to Deerfield in 1784. A daughter married Col. Nicholas Harter, and old and aged resident of Deerfield and of Utica. George Damuth is supposed to have been a brother of Captain Mark, of the Palatine District, before the Revolution, but in 1784 went to Deerfield with Mark. In 1786 he lived at "Old Fort Schuyler", and in 1787 leased two hundred and seventy three acres of land of Rutger Bleeker, one of the proprietors of Cosby Manor. He died before 1790, leaving a widow and a number of sons. One of the sons was a boatman in the employ of John Post, a merchant, tavern keeper, and trader at Old Fort Schuyler in 1790; another son remained with his mother on the farm of Peter Smith; another son went to Sackett's Harbor; George Demuth, another son, was called "Old Yare", was a boatman, and when an infant was captured by Indians, who cut his ears and put a ring in his nose. When eighteen years old he escaped and served in the war of the Revolution. At one time an Indian threw a knife at him, which entered his body and which he bore until he reached his home. After the war he lived in Deerfield; he married a daughter of Jacob Christman, and early settler at Fort Schuyler. The late David Gray, of Marcy, when a boy, remembered "Old Yare", with his pinked ears and the ring in his nose. George was living as late as 1832; he was buried at Herkimer. In 1775 George Damuth was adjutant in the 9th company, 4th battalion of the regiment of which Han Yost Herkimer was colonel. The descendants of the Damuth family are scattered; some went to Onondaga county, some to Wisconsin, and some to Missouri. The male members are
nearly extinct; quite a number are yet alive of the female line. In 1789 there was a Mr. Demuth living in a log house,
on the site of St. Peter's church, where St. Leger planted his batteries at the siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. - Our County and Its People, A Descriptive work on Oneida County, New York, edited by Daniel E. Wager, The Boston History Company, Publishers 1896
4. Frederick Christman
FREDERICK CHRISTMAN. During the Revolutionary War he possessed 100 acres of land in theRudolph Staley Patent (Garret Y. Lansing Papers 8:5).
Frederick Christman is on the Oriskany Monument
Pension Application for 0302Frederick Cristman
R.1941
(There is another Frederick Christman R.1942)
State of New York
Herkimer County
On this nineteenth
day of October 1832 personally appeared before me John [?] one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Herkimer, at the
Town of Columbia in the said County, Frederick Cristman, a resident of the
said Town of Columbia, County of Herkimer and State of New York aged eighty
four 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.
That he first
entered the service of the Untied States in the Spring of the year 1777, in the
month of March, in the Company of Militia, in the company of Militia commanded
by Frederick Getman as Captain, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Peter Bellinger,
but that he does not recollect any considerable service in which the said company
was engaged during the Spring of that year—during the summer his [?] and
said company lay at Fort Herkimer on the south side of the Mohawk River in the
former Town of German Flatts for some weeks, and then they were ordered to march
and did march to Fort Dayton on the north side of the said river, in the present
Town of Herkimer where they lay a few days, and then they marched under General
Nicholas Herkimer, to the relief of Fort Stanwix, there [?] by the enemy. That
on the [?] from Fort Dayton to Fort Stanwix, this claimant was in the company
commanded by Captain Frederick Frank, who commanded the said company in the battle
of Oriskany in which this claimant was engaged under General Herkimer, whereof
this claimant was wounded in said battle in the knee, that the incursions belonging
to the enemy Indians to take the scalp of the General Herkimer but he was defended
by his men, and they did not succeed in their attempt. That after the Oriskany
the General Herkimer returned home to his residence at Fall Hill, and this claimant
and his company returned at the same time to his residence at a place called
Fort Herkimer. That he was out on this tour of duty including the time
that he lay at Fort Dayton two weeks or more.
That during
the remainder of the year 1777 he stood sentry in the Fort at Fort Herkimer,
and was in the actual service in garrison in frequent scouting parties, and
on the [?] after the Oriskany Battle and before the close of the year at least
for the term of three months.
That during
the campaign and season of 1778 this claimant performed garrison duty in the
said company and regiment at Fort Herkimer and Fort Dayton for a considerable
part of the term until the winter of 1778-9; but this claimant cannot state the
precise time during which he was so engaged—that he was frequently
out on scouts and that during that season he was marched to Unadilla, near
to which it was said that a treaty was made between our people and Col. Brandt
who commanded the forces of the Enemy consisting of British and Indians that
was gone in the said tour to Unadilla about two weeks.
That in
the Spring of the year 1779, and sometime in the month of May, and which this
claimant was one of the company aforesaid commanded by the said Frederick Frank,
in the Regiment commanded by the said Col. Peter Bellinger, and which he this
claimant was performing garrison duty and was away acting as a sentinel at
Fort Herkimer aforesaid under arms, he was taken prisoner by a party of Indians
in the service of the British, and was taken by them, through the woods to
Montreal in the Province of Lower Canada, where he was kept a prisoner, being
some part of this time in close jail, for about fifteen months.
That from
the time he was so taken prisoner by aforesaid until he returned to his residence,
this whole time was sixteen months.—That he was not discharged from
his said imprisonment; But that he continued to make is escape in company
with Jacob House?, Timothy Newton, Nicholas Woolever and others; that this
claimant and said Jacob House, Timothy Newton, and Nicholas Woolever were
fellow prisoners and all made good their escape, but the others who started
with them fell back, and did not return with them to their homes and he knew
Col. Butler in Montreal, but does not recollect any other British officers.
That he returned
from Canada late in the year 1780 and was during the remainder of that year,
and during the succeeding year 1781 engaged a considerable portion of the time
in performing garrison duty at Fort Herkimer aforesaid, in scouting parties,
and in standing guard at various places; but owing to the great age and infirmity
of mind and body this claimant cannot recollect the particulars of the last [?]
and the particular times, and the duration of each particular services; nor can
he recollect with any certainty the particular services as it regards their number
or duration which he las referred to and particularly stated in this declaration. He
verily believes that he has omitted many services and tours of duty which
he cannot recollect sufficiently to describe them.
That excepting
the time of his [?] and prisoner as aforesaid, which he distinctly remembers,
he cannot detail much of the various services which he has performed; although
he says he was every year during the existence of the war, engaged for more
than half of that time in actual service in the militia.
He hereby
relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
(Signed with his mark) Frederick Christman
Sworn to
and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. John Mahon one of the Judges
of Herkimer Common Pleas
We. Henry Helmer residing in Columbia and Adam Helmer residing in the same
place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Frederick Cristman
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him
to be 84 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion.
(Signed with his mark) Adam Helmer
(Signed with his mark) Henry Helmer
John Mahan one of the Judges of the Herkimer Common Pleas
Certificate of the Judge
And I, the
said John Mahon, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of
Herkimer aforesaid, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of
the matter and after pulling the interrogatories presented by the War Department,
that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he
states.
And I do
further certify that it appears to me that Henry Helmer and Adam Helmer, who
have signed the preceding certificate, are residences of the Town of Columbia, and
credible persons, and this their statement is entitled to credit.
And I do
also certify that the said Frederick Cristman cannot from bodily infirmity
attend the place of holding county of record in and for the county of Herkimer
October 19, 1832.
John Mahon one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the
County of Herkimer.
State of New York
Herkimer County
I, Julius
C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, do
hereby certify that John Mahon Esquire who has signed the foregoing Declaration
and Certificate is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said
County which said Court is a Court of Record; and that his signature annexed
to the said declaration and certificate respectively is his genuine signature.
In the testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, the twenty-fifth day
of October 1832.
Julius C. Nelson, Clerk
Letter included in the Pension Folder
April 1, 1932
Mr. B. A. Crisman
510-512 Broad Street
Dear Sir;
The data
furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary
War claim for pension, R.1941, based upon the military service of Frederick
Cristman in that war.
Frederick
Cristman was born in 1748, in Herkimer, Herkimer County, New York. Immediately
after the Revolution, he moved to Columbia, Herkimer County, New York.
While residing
in Columbia, New York, he applied for pension on October 19, 1832, and stated
that while residing at Fort Herkimer (later German Flats), in New York, he
volunteered in March, 1777, and served in Captain Frederick Gettman’s
Company, colonel Peter Bellinger’s New York Regiment, length of this
service not sown; that in the summer of the same year, he marched in Captain
Frederick Frank’s Company under General Herkimer to the relief of Fort
Stanwix and was in the Battle of Oriskany, where, he stated, he was wounded
in the knee; that during the remainder of the year 1777, he stood guard at
Fort Herkimer and was out on scouting parties: in 1778, he performed garrison
duty at Fort Herkimer in same company and regiment and during this service
went on a tour of two weeks to Unadilla when a treaty was signed between the
Americans and the Indians under the chieftain Brandt; that he had considerable
service until the winter of 1778 and 1779; that in May, 1779, he served as
a guard at Fort Herkimer under Captain Frederick Fran, and Colonel Peter Bellinger;
and that during this service, he was taken prisoner by the Indians, carried
to Montreal and held for fifteen months when he made his escape, and returned
home in 1780, and that he was engaged during the remainder fo that year and
for a considerable period in 1781 on garrison duty and scouting parties.
His claim
was never allowed for the reason that he died between the date of his application
for pension and August, 1833, without completing his claim.
There are
no data as to his family.
Very truly
yours,
A.D. Hiller,
Assistant to Administrator.
R.1941
(There is another Frederick Christman R.1942)
State of New York
Herkimer County
On this nineteenth
day of October 1832 personally appeared before me John [?] one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Herkimer, at the
Town of Columbia in the said County, Frederick Cristman, a resident of the
said Town of Columbia, County of Herkimer and State of New York aged eighty
four 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.
That he first
entered the service of the Untied States in the Spring of the year 1777, in the
month of March, in the Company of Militia, in the company of Militia commanded
by Frederick Getman as Captain, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Peter Bellinger,
but that he does not recollect any considerable service in which the said company
was engaged during the Spring of that year—during the summer his [?] and
said company lay at Fort Herkimer on the south side of the Mohawk River in the
former Town of German Flatts for some weeks, and then they were ordered to march
and did march to Fort Dayton on the north side of the said river, in the present
Town of Herkimer where they lay a few days, and then they marched under General
Nicholas Herkimer, to the relief of Fort Stanwix, there [?] by the enemy. That
on the [?] from Fort Dayton to Fort Stanwix, this claimant was in the company
commanded by Captain Frederick Frank, who commanded the said company in the battle
of Oriskany in which this claimant was engaged under General Herkimer, whereof
this claimant was wounded in said battle in the knee, that the incursions belonging
to the enemy Indians to take the scalp of the General Herkimer but he was defended
by his men, and they did not succeed in their attempt. That after the Oriskany
the General Herkimer returned home to his residence at Fall Hill, and this claimant
and his company returned at the same time to his residence at a place called
Fort Herkimer. That he was out on this tour of duty including the time
that he lay at Fort Dayton two weeks or more.
That during
the remainder of the year 1777 he stood sentry in the Fort at Fort Herkimer,
and was in the actual service in garrison in frequent scouting parties, and
on the [?] after the Oriskany Battle and before the close of the year at least
for the term of three months.
That during
the campaign and season of 1778 this claimant performed garrison duty in the
said company and regiment at Fort Herkimer and Fort Dayton for a considerable
part of the term until the winter of 1778-9; but this claimant cannot state the
precise time during which he was so engaged—that he was frequently
out on scouts and that during that season he was marched to Unadilla, near
to which it was said that a treaty was made between our people and Col. Brandt
who commanded the forces of the Enemy consisting of British and Indians that
was gone in the said tour to Unadilla about two weeks.
That in
the Spring of the year 1779, and sometime in the month of May, and which this
claimant was one of the company aforesaid commanded by the said Frederick Frank,
in the Regiment commanded by the said Col. Peter Bellinger, and which he this
claimant was performing garrison duty and was away acting as a sentinel at
Fort Herkimer aforesaid under arms, he was taken prisoner by a party of Indians
in the service of the British, and was taken by them, through the woods to
Montreal in the Province of Lower Canada, where he was kept a prisoner, being
some part of this time in close jail, for about fifteen months.
That from
the time he was so taken prisoner by aforesaid until he returned to his residence,
this whole time was sixteen months.—That he was not discharged from
his said imprisonment; But that he continued to make is escape in company
with Jacob House?, Timothy Newton, Nicholas Woolever and others; that this
claimant and said Jacob House, Timothy Newton, and Nicholas Woolever were
fellow prisoners and all made good their escape, but the others who started
with them fell back, and did not return with them to their homes and he knew
Col. Butler in Montreal, but does not recollect any other British officers.
That he returned
from Canada late in the year 1780 and was during the remainder of that year,
and during the succeeding year 1781 engaged a considerable portion of the time
in performing garrison duty at Fort Herkimer aforesaid, in scouting parties,
and in standing guard at various places; but owing to the great age and infirmity
of mind and body this claimant cannot recollect the particulars of the last [?]
and the particular times, and the duration of each particular services; nor can
he recollect with any certainty the particular services as it regards their number
or duration which he las referred to and particularly stated in this declaration. He
verily believes that he has omitted many services and tours of duty which
he cannot recollect sufficiently to describe them.
That excepting
the time of his [?] and prisoner as aforesaid, which he distinctly remembers,
he cannot detail much of the various services which he has performed; although
he says he was every year during the existence of the war, engaged for more
than half of that time in actual service in the militia.
- That he was born
in the present Town of Herkimer County of Herkimer and State of New
York in the year 1748. - That he has a record
of his age in his house at Colombia aforesaid. - That he lived when
called into service at Fort Herkimer now the Town of German Flatts,
County of Herkimer aforesaid, and that initially after the Revolutionary
War he removed to his present residence in the Town of Columbia aforesaid,
and where he has ever since resided. - That he always entered
the service as a volunteer. - That he has never
served as he recollects with any regular troops. That
he knew General Schuyler and saw him at Fort Dayton, when he also saw
Col. Gansvoort—That he recollects Col. Willett and his Regiment
besides the Regiment of Coll. Bellinger to which he belonged. - That he never received
any written discharge. - He states the names
of Henry Helmer and Adam Helmer as persons to whom his is known in his
present neighborhood, and who can testify to his character for veracity
and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution—He
has no documentary evidence and knows no person whose testimony he can
procure, who can testify to his service.
He hereby
relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
(Signed with his mark) Frederick Christman
Sworn to
and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. John Mahon one of the Judges
of Herkimer Common Pleas
We. Henry Helmer residing in Columbia and Adam Helmer residing in the same
place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Frederick Cristman
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him
to be 84 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion.
(Signed with his mark) Adam Helmer
(Signed with his mark) Henry Helmer
John Mahan one of the Judges of the Herkimer Common Pleas
Certificate of the Judge
And I, the
said John Mahon, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of
Herkimer aforesaid, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of
the matter and after pulling the interrogatories presented by the War Department,
that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he
states.
And I do
further certify that it appears to me that Henry Helmer and Adam Helmer, who
have signed the preceding certificate, are residences of the Town of Columbia, and
credible persons, and this their statement is entitled to credit.
And I do
also certify that the said Frederick Cristman cannot from bodily infirmity
attend the place of holding county of record in and for the county of Herkimer
October 19, 1832.
John Mahon one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the
County of Herkimer.
State of New York
Herkimer County
I, Julius
C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, do
hereby certify that John Mahon Esquire who has signed the foregoing Declaration
and Certificate is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said
County which said Court is a Court of Record; and that his signature annexed
to the said declaration and certificate respectively is his genuine signature.
In the testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, the twenty-fifth day
of October 1832.
Julius C. Nelson, Clerk
Letter included in the Pension Folder
April 1, 1932
Mr. B. A. Crisman
510-512 Broad Street
Dear Sir;
The data
furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary
War claim for pension, R.1941, based upon the military service of Frederick
Cristman in that war.
Frederick
Cristman was born in 1748, in Herkimer, Herkimer County, New York. Immediately
after the Revolution, he moved to Columbia, Herkimer County, New York.
While residing
in Columbia, New York, he applied for pension on October 19, 1832, and stated
that while residing at Fort Herkimer (later German Flats), in New York, he
volunteered in March, 1777, and served in Captain Frederick Gettman’s
Company, colonel Peter Bellinger’s New York Regiment, length of this
service not sown; that in the summer of the same year, he marched in Captain
Frederick Frank’s Company under General Herkimer to the relief of Fort
Stanwix and was in the Battle of Oriskany, where, he stated, he was wounded
in the knee; that during the remainder of the year 1777, he stood guard at
Fort Herkimer and was out on scouting parties: in 1778, he performed garrison
duty at Fort Herkimer in same company and regiment and during this service
went on a tour of two weeks to Unadilla when a treaty was signed between the
Americans and the Indians under the chieftain Brandt; that he had considerable
service until the winter of 1778 and 1779; that in May, 1779, he served as
a guard at Fort Herkimer under Captain Frederick Fran, and Colonel Peter Bellinger;
and that during this service, he was taken prisoner by the Indians, carried
to Montreal and held for fifteen months when he made his escape, and returned
home in 1780, and that he was engaged during the remainder fo that year and
for a considerable period in 1781 on garrison duty and scouting parties.
His claim
was never allowed for the reason that he died between the date of his application
for pension and August, 1833, without completing his claim.
There are
no data as to his family.
Very truly
yours,
A.D. Hiller,
Assistant to Administrator.
5. Jacob Christman & Margaret Christman Cunningham
Note: Margaret was married to William Cunningham of the Committee of Safety. Andrew Cunningham, related, was captured, tortured, and cannibalized by the Indians at Wood Creek near Fort StanwixBrother & Sister
First Settlers of Whitestown (Utica)
 |  |
In 1786 a survey of Cosby Manor and a map of it were made by John R. Bleeker, son of Rutger Bleeker, one of the owners. On that map appear two log houses located near the ford across the Mohawk on the east side of Genesee street, and one house on the west side of that street.¹ Improvements had also been made a little further westward,
somewhere between the present lines of Broadway and State streets; and there were also improvements near the present eastern limits of Utica. The occupant of the house nearest the river, on the east side of Genesee street, was John Cunningham, his neighbor beside him being George Damuth.¹ Bagg's Pioneer says: "The resident on the opposite side of Genesee street was Jacob Chrisman. The settler towards the west was McNamee, and the clearings on the eastern borders of the city were designated as those of McNamee and Abraham Bloom." Moses Foot, who settled in Clinton in 1787, while on his way there, slept in the log house belonging to John Cunningham, one of these early settlers, who informed Foot that he (Cunningham) had half an acre cleared in 1785. Hendrich Salyea was another settler there in 1787.
The father of Pomroy Jones, who passed through Old Fort Schuyler (Utica) in January, 1787, to Dean Patent, says there were then three log houses at Old Fort Schuyler. The foregoing settlers around Fort Schuyler were not permanent; they were men mostly engaged in boating, or in the Indian trade. The house above mentioned as being occupied by (0103)Jacob Christman, west of Genesee street, must have been occupied in March, 1788, when Whitestown was formed, by William Cunningham (married 0104Margaret Christman), leaving the same house to the west of that line;" so that act of 1788 says.
It is not possible at this late day, and with the scanty material at hand, to locate the exact date, nor the priority of their coming to Oneida county, of those who came along in 1785, 1786, and 1787. The United States census of 1790, elsewhere published, will tell very nearly who were here on the first Monday in August, 1790. It is pretty well established that those whose names have been already given were in this vicinity as stated. It is also pretty certain that about 1786, Gen. George Doolittle came from Middletown to Whitesboro, and there located; he was twenty six
years old, yet he had served in the Revolutionary army; he became a prominent personage in Oneida county.
Along about 1785 there also came to Deerfield another colony of emigrants from down the valley, viz.: Peter, Nicholas, and George Weaver, George Damuth, Nicholas and Philip Harter. Nicholas Harter married a daughter of Capt. Mark Damuth (Marc DeMooth married 0301 Catherine Christman). When Nicholas Harter was a lad he was perfectly familiar with all of paths and Indian trails which led up the Mohawk, and across the country of Canada via Black River, or via Oneida Castle to Oswego. both of the Harters and the Weavers were in the Revolutionary war, as ere about all of the Mohawk Dutch. Nicolas died July 25, 1854, aged ninety four years. - Our County and Its People, A Descriptive work on Oneida County, New York, edited by Daniel E. Wager, The Boston History Company, Publishers 1896
According to Bleecker's map of 1786, it appears that clearings had then been made on lot No. 86, designated as McNamee and Abm. Broome's "improvements" lying on both Bides of the Plate Kill, that the " old fort" was upon lot No. 93. that two houses belonging to Cunningham and Damuth stood upon lot No. 94. (at lower end of Genesee Street,) that the house of Mr. Christman stood upon lot No. 95, and that McNamee had an " improvement" upon lot No. 96. These houses, clearings, etc., were upon or near the old road to Fort Stanwix, corresponding nearly with Main and Whitesboro Streets.
On the 7th of March, 1788, the town of German Flats. Montgomery Comity, (Tryon County formed March 12, 1772, from Albany, name changed to Montgomery in 1784,) was divided, and the town of Whitestown formed, with less than 200 inhabitants. The new town was bouuded on the east by a line crossing the Mohawk at the fording place near the house of John Cunningham, which stood near the site of Bagg's Hotel, at the lower end of Genesee Street, and running thence north and south to the bounds of the State and included all west of that line.
So deep was the mud in the road, now Genesee Street, that the children had to be carried to the \ogpalacc previously erected, where they all arrived " cold and uncomfortable." The persons then residing here were Uriah Alverson, John Cunningham, Jacob Christman. and Widow Damuth, and their families, and probably some others named elsewhere, or whose names have not been ascertained. Christman served as a boatman for Mr. Post several years, and removed to or near the farm now owned by Colonel Nicholas Smith, in the east part of the town. - Annals and recollections of Oneida county By Pomroy Jones
6. Jacob Christman
010202 Jacob Christman (b.1763) Jacob fought in "The Battle of Johnstown" and was shot three times in the leg. The family moved to Amboy in Jefferson County.
sp Helena Dygert (b.1767)
sp2 Maria Marlena Dygert (b.1771)
Pension Application for Jacob Christman, Corporal
S.12461
State of New York
County of Oswego
On this twentieth
day of February Anno Domini, One Thousand eight hundred and thirty three in open
court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county now sitting
Jacob Christman a resident of the Town of Amboy in the County of Oswego and state
aforesaid aged sixty–nine years and seven months 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 on the
first day of April 1781 as this deponent believes he enlisted into the army of
the United States in a company commanded by Henry Vanderwarker, Capt., Col. Van
Rensselaer’s (1) Regiment, Lieutenant French Putnam (2) afterwards
promoted to Captain. Other officers unknown or at this time not in the
recollection of this deponent, that he entered the service on the day he enlisted
and was discharged there form on the first day of January thereafter at Fort
Plain. That he was born at a place called Stone Arabia, Minden, (3) Montgomery
County, New York and there enlisted and entered the service against the Indians,
British and Tories. ; That he was in the battle fought at or near Johnstown
against the Indians when Butler was killed the latter part of July or August.
(4) That his duty and scout was about Fort Plain and Johnstown and about the
Mohawk during the whole of the time of his enlistment that besides Capt. Vanderwarker’s
company, there were parts largely attached to the service into which this deponent
was engaged, Capt. Putman’s Company, (5) Capt. Snell’s Company, (6)
Capt. Van Rensselaer’s Company, (7) Capt Coopman’s Company (8)
and others this deponent cannot name.
Colonel’s
Willett, Brown (9) and Van Rensselaer. (Read About The Battle Of Stone Arabia) Brown either was or acted as general
that this deponent served as Corporal during the whole of his enlistment, that
during the battle he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls. That
he has no documentary testimony in his possession of his service or his discharge. And
that he now knows of no person by whom he can prove his services. That
he moved from Stone Arabia to Snell’s Bush, from Snell’s Bush
to Danube and from Danube to Williamstown, now Amboy, county of Oswego where
he was residing.
And that
he hereby relinquishes every claim 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 in the Union.
Sworn to and
subscribed the day and year aforesaid. D. McPherson, Dep. Clk
(Signed) Jacob Christman (10)
Letter included in the pension file for Jacob Christman
December 10, 1933
Mr. Roger F. Williams
2 Rock Street
Alexandria Bay, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference
is made to your letter relative to Jacob Christman, a soldier of the Revolutionary
War.
The data
contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary
War claim for pension, S.12461, based upon the military service of Jacob Christman
in that war.
Jacob Christman
was born in Stone Arabia or Minden, Montgomery County, New York [Minden is
south of the Mohawk River, Stone Arabia is north of the Mohawk River and to
the east of Minden] date not given and no reference is made to his parents. NOTE: At the start of this page I said there were 3 Nicholas Christmans. Jacob's father was 0102 Nicholas. That's the family that survived the massacre at Palatine Village in 1757. 0102 Nicholas probably moved down river (like many others did) to Minden near the Upper Castle where uncle 02Jacob was a renter, and then later circa-1763 over to Stone Arabia (Ephratah) when uncle 02Jacob moved there. And if he did, then Nicholas was around that "Indian thing". And if that's the case, then his wife Susanna (no last name) might have been a Indian, and that would make this Jacob half Indian, which is something he would not want prudjudice white guys approving pensions to know about. Just a thought. And I'll bet I'm right.
While a resident
of Stone Arabia, or Minden, New York, he enlisted April 1, 1781, served nine
months as corporal in Captain Henry Vanderwarker’s Company, Colonel Van
Rensseleer’s New York Regiment and was in the battle of Johnstown where
he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls.
He moved
from Stone Arabia, New York, to Snellsbush, thence to Danube, thence to Williamstown
later Amboy) New York.
He was allowed
pension on his application executed February 20, 1833, at which time he was
aged sixty-nine years and seven months and a resident of Amboy, Oswego County,
New York.
There are
no family data.
In order
to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and
possibly the date of death of soldier, you should apply to the Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and
cite the following:
“Jacob Christman, Certificate No. 20907, issued October 21, 1833, rate
$33.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York
Agency.”
Very truly
yours,
A.D. Hiller
Executive
Assistant to the Administrator
S.12461
State of New York
County of Oswego
On this twentieth
day of February Anno Domini, One Thousand eight hundred and thirty three in open
court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county now sitting
Jacob Christman a resident of the Town of Amboy in the County of Oswego and state
aforesaid aged sixty–nine years and seven months 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 on the
first day of April 1781 as this deponent believes he enlisted into the army of
the United States in a company commanded by Henry Vanderwarker, Capt., Col. Van
Rensselaer’s (1) Regiment, Lieutenant French Putnam (2) afterwards
promoted to Captain. Other officers unknown or at this time not in the
recollection of this deponent, that he entered the service on the day he enlisted
and was discharged there form on the first day of January thereafter at Fort
Plain. That he was born at a place called Stone Arabia, Minden, (3) Montgomery
County, New York and there enlisted and entered the service against the Indians,
British and Tories. ; That he was in the battle fought at or near Johnstown
against the Indians when Butler was killed the latter part of July or August.
(4) That his duty and scout was about Fort Plain and Johnstown and about the
Mohawk during the whole of the time of his enlistment that besides Capt. Vanderwarker’s
company, there were parts largely attached to the service into which this deponent
was engaged, Capt. Putman’s Company, (5) Capt. Snell’s Company, (6)
Capt. Van Rensselaer’s Company, (7) Capt Coopman’s Company (8)
and others this deponent cannot name.
Colonel’s
Willett, Brown (9) and Van Rensselaer. (Read About The Battle Of Stone Arabia) Brown either was or acted as general
that this deponent served as Corporal during the whole of his enlistment, that
during the battle he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls. That
he has no documentary testimony in his possession of his service or his discharge. And
that he now knows of no person by whom he can prove his services. That
he moved from Stone Arabia to Snell’s Bush, from Snell’s Bush
to Danube and from Danube to Williamstown, now Amboy, county of Oswego where
he was residing.
And that
he hereby relinquishes every claim 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 in the Union.
Sworn to and
subscribed the day and year aforesaid. D. McPherson, Dep. Clk
(Signed) Jacob Christman (10)
Letter included in the pension file for Jacob Christman
December 10, 1933
Mr. Roger F. Williams
2 Rock Street
Alexandria Bay, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference
is made to your letter relative to Jacob Christman, a soldier of the Revolutionary
War.
The data
contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary
War claim for pension, S.12461, based upon the military service of Jacob Christman
in that war.
Jacob Christman
was born in Stone Arabia or Minden, Montgomery County, New York [Minden is
south of the Mohawk River, Stone Arabia is north of the Mohawk River and to
the east of Minden] date not given and no reference is made to his parents. NOTE: At the start of this page I said there were 3 Nicholas Christmans. Jacob's father was 0102 Nicholas. That's the family that survived the massacre at Palatine Village in 1757. 0102 Nicholas probably moved down river (like many others did) to Minden near the Upper Castle where uncle 02Jacob was a renter, and then later circa-1763 over to Stone Arabia (Ephratah) when uncle 02Jacob moved there. And if he did, then Nicholas was around that "Indian thing". And if that's the case, then his wife Susanna (no last name) might have been a Indian, and that would make this Jacob half Indian, which is something he would not want prudjudice white guys approving pensions to know about. Just a thought. And I'll bet I'm right.
While a resident
of Stone Arabia, or Minden, New York, he enlisted April 1, 1781, served nine
months as corporal in Captain Henry Vanderwarker’s Company, Colonel Van
Rensseleer’s New York Regiment and was in the battle of Johnstown where
he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls.
He moved
from Stone Arabia, New York, to Snellsbush, thence to Danube, thence to Williamstown
later Amboy) New York.
He was allowed
pension on his application executed February 20, 1833, at which time he was
aged sixty-nine years and seven months and a resident of Amboy, Oswego County,
New York.
There are
no family data.
In order
to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and
possibly the date of death of soldier, you should apply to the Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and
cite the following:
“Jacob Christman, Certificate No. 20907, issued October 21, 1833, rate
$33.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York
Agency.”
Very truly
yours,
A.D. Hiller
Executive
Assistant to the Administrator
7. Catherine Hiser & Christian Schell
Catherine Hiser is the daughter of 04 Elizabeth Christmannin & John Peter Hauser
John Christian Shell
Conversations of Abm M. Casler, & his sister Mrs. Howard Fuller, of Cold Spring, Cattaraugus Co: NY. Feb. 17-'[18]50
Shell's Defence - Shell's block-house was four miles from Fort Dayton in a northerly direction, on the height of land. Shell & 3 sons with him - two of whom were grown - were at work in the field, seeing the Indians, they all escaped to the house. (Another grown son of Shell's was then in the main army with Gen. Washington). Two young twin sons about 7 or 8 years old, were out playing some distance from the house, in a different direction from the others. Several Indians persued them on their flight towards the house - a large dog with the boys kept between them & the Indians & kept the latter somewhat at bay, - & probably wd. have escaped but for a fence near the house, in climbing which they were overtaken & captured.
The house was made fast - the small children put under the bed; & guns and ammunition brought speeding into requisition. An Indian fell dead close to the house; Shell & his sond pulled up the floor, only a hole under the sill & pulled in the dead body, & got his powder horn - & then replenished their scanty supply of powder. Afterwards wounded McDonald, & drew him in, & also got his ammunition.
The Indians made several attempts to fire the house, but could not succeed in making the fire burn. While fighting Shell kept singing his hymn (not go up stairs, as Stone says, to sing it) - but sung & fought together, combining faith & works; & the battle continued until after dark, when it began to slacken. Shell arranged a ruse - & stole out & crept off some distance & ascended a tree, & called out in a loud voice - "Shell! hold out - Capt. Small is coming to your relief: which way had he & his men better approach?" One of the boys, as concerted, made the necessary reply. The Tories & Indians hearing this, made themselves scarce. Shell now returned, packed up his valuables, & with his family left for Fort Dayton. McDonald was left in the house with victuals before: Shell was apprehensive that the enemy might return, perhaps with a reinforcement. Next morning a party came from the fort, conveyed McDonald there - he soon after died of his wound. McDonald knew Shell before the war- & knowing the patriotic ardor of the family, their destruction was attempted.
The next year John Christian Shell, the head of this family, was killed in harvest time- his two grown sons then taking turns in guarding the field. A party of Indians stole upon the Shells, killing the old man & mortally wounding one of the sons - who, however, still kept loading & firing, determined with his brother to protect their father from being scalped. The other brother also kept up a brisk firing - The Indians drew off through the wheat, the Shells being in the open field. Signs were afterwards discovered in the wheat where the Indians had dragged off their dead or wounded.
The Casler family is related to the Shells.
John Fults, Sr. - Eaton's Bush P.O., Herkimer Co: N.Y. (or Little Falls, if there is no P.O. at Eaton's Bush) can tell of John Shell, a descendant of John Christian Shell: Fultz, Shell & Geo. Bellinger, all reside in the same neighborhood, & all married sisters of my informants' father. - Richd Casler (uncle informants) if living, resides near Fultz - was in Oriskany & Johnstown battles.
SOURCE:LYMAN DRAPER MANUSCRIPTS, WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WISCONSIN, SERIES F, VOL. 10, pp 127-130.
Schell’s Defense of his Castle
Schellsbush, so called after Christian Schell, its principle settler, was in the town of Herkimer, at that period three or four miles from Fort Dayton. Schell had erected a blockhouse on his farm early in the war, in which he continued to reside, with his family, undisturbed, until the afternoon of August 6, 1780, when the enemy, 66 strong, under Lieut. McDonald, attempted td storm the little fort. --Campbell first mentioned this invasion in note “J” of his Annals, but the note seems to have no text elsewhere. The -note shows, in doggerel verse, that this invasion occurred Aug. 6, but does not state the year. The verse says of the invaders- " The Indians were 48, and tories full 16." Col. Stone places the transaction in 1781, and Benton copies the date from Stone. As stated by Campbell, the Indians stole the march on Schell, the next year and compassed his death ; which I am satisfied ,occurred in 1781. Hence, I place the attack on the blockhouse in 1780 ; at the same time in which Brant struck the Canajoharie settlements.
Schell was fortunately in his house with his wife and three grown up sons. His two youngest boys, eight or ten years of age, had been sent to a neighbor's to borrow a fan with which to clean grain, and were taken by the enemy while returning. "McDonald's Party surrounded the house and made great efforts to force an entrance, two of them getting a rail, with which ,they attempted to open the door. Schell and his sons from loop holes kept firing upon the invaders with telling effect, while Mrs. Schell, with an axe did good execution by striking down the guns thrust through the crannies to fire on the inmates; thus bending the barrels and rendering them useless. One of Schell's sons making an opening in the roof, drew a bead upon the feathered head of an Indian and shouted : “Take care of your eyes! " The Indian looked up as a bullet crashed through his brain. After the battle had lasted some time, McDonald came to the door and demanded a surrender, promising good usage, etc.; but exposing himself to the fire of an inmate, a ball shattered his leg. Quickly Schell unbarred the door, and, seizing the leader, drew him in and secured the door before the astonished crew could prevent it. With McDonald a prisoner, the inmates no longer feared the burning of the fort, which had been threatened.
A Successful Ruse
Twilight was gathering when Schell, apprehending some desperate effort of his foes, adopted a successful ruse. An outside cellar door had an underground -enterance toward Fort Dayton; and from this, Schell, unobserved, gained a little distance from the fort, when, at the top of his voice, and the great dismay of his foes, be shouted " Capt. Small, advance upon the right; and you Capt. Harter, take the left, and surround the enemy." In the next moment the latter fled precipitately, not doubting but two companies of rangers were surely approaching. The Schell family, leaving their prisoner well cared for, lost no time in making their flight to Fort Dayton.
The next morning a strong party from that fort visited Fort Schell, and learned from McDonald that his followers returned, surprised to find him alone, and still more, perhaps, to learn that the two companies of rangers had not wheeled into line. They found he could not be removed with safety, and left him, with a promise of kind treatment to the Schell boys, if their commander was properly cared for. The loss of the enemy was severe. Col. Stone says they had 11 killed and six wounded. Benton copies this and adds that, " nine out of 12 wounded, which the enemy started with, died before they reached Canada." It is believed that their loss, in killed and wounded, was at least 20-a pretty dear attempt to capture or destroy one family. Lieut. McDonald was borne to Fort Dayton on a litter, made of two poles and a blanket ; and on the way, Adam Hartman, fixing his bayonet, with a feint movement said he would help carry him. He would, no doubt, have killed him had he not been a prisoner. Dr. William Petrie amputated McDonald's leg, but could not staunch the wound, and he bled to death. A rumor was current that the old doctor bad purposely let him bleed. This was not generally believed. The captive Schell boys came back at the end of the war. They were treated kindly on their way to Canada. The enemy were pursued by troops from Fort Dayton to their camp fires, but they succeeded in making their escape to Canada. John Dockstader and Adam Hartman were of the pursuing party, as the former assured the writer in September, 1849, at which time he was 93 years old, with a clear, intellect, and verv retentive memory.
Schell Removes to Fort Dayton
He at once abandoned his back-woods farm and occupied a hut in the Fort Dayton inclosure. The following summer (1781) he, with Adam Hartman, of whom I have elsewhere to speak, cultivated land together. Hartman lived just outside the pickets. They were hoeing corn on the flats near where the bridge now crosses the river, between the villages of Herkimer and Mohawk, June 24 and when Schell and his four sons, Christian, Demas, Frederick and Marks, were ready, after dinner, to go to work, Hartman, said, "You go on, I will soon come along." On their arrival at the field the father started to go round it to see if everything was right. Oats were growing upon one side of the corn, and in the oats Indians were concealed, with wild lilies over their heads. As Schell came near to the oats he was fired upon and fell, with a bullet through his stomach. Seeing his sons about to flee, he called to them not to let his scalp go to Canada; when they halted, and one of them shot down his father's murderer. Two Indians sprang to catch their falling. comrade, when Demas, with his gun loaded with buck-shot, drew up to fire, as a bullet passed through his own breast. His blood wet the priming of his gun, which prevented its discharge. His son Frederick also received a bullet through his thigh which laid him up for months. The firing hastened Hartman and others on the way, who were soon on the ground. The firing also drew troops from the fort, and the Indians abandoned further attempts to procure scalps and fled across the river.
Schell and his wounded sons were taken to the fort and properly cared for, but he and Demas both died on the following day, greatly lamented. Mr. Schell was an ardent Christian, honoring his profession. A short time before his death, his neighbor, Hartman, left him praying fervently for his enemies. Some one met him soon after and inquired the condition of the sufferer. In no very good humor he replied much as follows -- "There's Schell in there; he's going to die, and he's praying for the I poor Indians !” It's well worth while for him to pray for them d-d Indians, as came here to kill him."
The account of the Schell family was obtained at interviewed with Lodowick Moyer and John Dockstader, corroborated by other old people of Herkimer county: they were mainly from Dockstader. He was a son of George Dockstader, and at our interview was living a mile above Herkimer village. He was in the Oriskany battle under Capt. Henry Harter, and was near Gen. Herkimer when he fell.
Excerpt from: Frontiersmen of New York vol.2, by Jeptha Simms
8. Johann Jacob Christman
Tories Captured & Tortured at Fort Paris
02Jacob Christman was undoubtedly the first of that name who became a resident of Palatine. He settled at an early date on the farm now owned and occupied by Hannibal Gray, Esq. He was born, probably in Germany in 1706. was married in 1718. and died at Stone Arabia, April 29th, 1789. 0203 Jacob, jr., his son, participated somewhat in the Revolution. He lived at that time where James Christman, his grand-son, now resides. Passing Mr. Gramps's sugar bush one evening on his way from Fort Paris to his house, he discovered several tory scouts bivouacked there, and, without being observed by them, returned to the fort with the information. A detachment was immediately sent out, which soon returned with the tories as prisoners. It is said that while at the fort they were tortured to some extent, Click the Fort Paris link above. Read a few accounts. You'll want to kick the shit out of them too for the purpose of making them confess to their being tories, and the nature of their visit in this vicinity, but to no purpose. They should have tried water boarding - Beers "History of Montgomery & Fulton Counties"
No Pension, Just a Interesting Will
In the name of God amen, I Jacob Christman of Palatine, being of sound Mind and Memory do make and constitute this my last Will and Testament and in revocation of all former Wills and Testaments in manner and form as follows;
First I give and bequeath to my Sons William and Frederick Lot No. Ninety-three in Stonerabie Patent being the home farm containing 94 Acres, also the Stock and farming Tools equally divisible between them or their Heirs forever and the same William and Frederick hereby bound in are jointly or separately to pay my Wife Anna twenty four pounds every year so long as she remains a Widow for her separate maintenance if she ask it they shall pay one hundred Dollars to my Daughter Mary; and one hundred and fifteen Dollars to my Daughters Anna and Sally each; and to my Daughter Catherine ten Dollars;
I bequeath to my Son Jacob Seven hundred and fifty Dollars. Furthermore I herein name my Son Adam my Executor.
Lastly I give to my above mentioned Daughters my body being decently buried, all monies due to me equally to be divided after the payment of Seven hundred and fifty Dollars to the said Jacob. Amen.
July 18th, 1811
Witnessed by: Stephen Cogswell & Samuel Gray
Klock's Regiment of the Militia in 1776
Found within Jacket 121 of the National Archives Revolutionary War Rolls (Series M246) is a document entitled a Memoran[du]m how much money each man Capt Fox Christopher Wm. Fox's Company is to receive for the last Milage, Subsistance, and Pay Rolls which pre-dates the Battle of Oriskany.
Klocks Regiment 1776 -
Many named on the list are missing from post August 1777 payrolls. For example: George Snell was killed at Oriskany. James Billington, who was married to Jacob and John Christman's sister Elizabeth, was killed at Oriskany. George Schaco (Jaco) who married Margaret was also killed. Furthermore, all of the Snells except Peter and Jacob were killed at Oriskany, and Captain Fox's arms were shattered at Oriskany according to the pension of Jacob Snell, who had a long and distinguished service but was only a drummer during the date of the list.
These are the names on the list:
Christopher Fox; Cap t ; Peter Laux Lieu t ; Henry Miller d o ; Samuel Van Etten Ensign; Peter Paris Clerk; Peter Sutz Sergeant; Bartholomew Sheffer d o ; Sergeant George Snell d o ; John Casselman d o ; William Schultz d o ; John J. Schultz d o ; William Duzler d o ; John Streher Clerk; Drummer Jacob Snell; Fifer John Sutz; John Backus Corporal; Malger Bader d o ; Lewis Rickart d o ; Henry Becker d o ; Jacob Christman d o ; George Laux d o ; and, Lewis Nellis Private; Adam Emgen; Cunrad Hiltz; Henry Laux; John Fluno; William Laux ; Henry Shultz; Jacob Schultz; John Klock; John Staring; John Miller; John Ketman;John Ketman Jun r ; Thomas Keman; George Ketman; Frederick Empie; [torn] Empie; Baltus Koch; John Snell Sen r ; Adam Walter; Henry Salsman; John Christman; Adam Laux; Julius Bush; Christian Plapper; William G. Laux; William Fox; Peter Fox; Christopher Fox; John Shultz; Frederick Ketman; Peter A. Laux; Jost A Laux; George Moore; Casper Koch; John Lasher; Jacob Empie; John Salsman; Adam Gerster; William Jones; George Jaco; Garret Marseles; Richard Casselman; Peter Snell; John G. Snell; Christian Getman; George Salsman Sen r ; Philip Fykes; Jacob Walter; George Hawk; George Salsman, Jun r ; Christian Krass; George Reiser; Mathew Van Camp; William Strout; Michael Shareman; Richard Laux; Dewalt Merkill; Jacob Mekill, Henry Moore; George Kerwaga; James Billington; William P. Fox; Adam Coppernoll; Jacob Horn; Jost Snell; Henry M D. Markill; Cunrad Pease; William Kern; John Habels; Christopher Gerahn; Jacob Mohr; William Laux Sen r ; Henry Salsman Sen r ; Michael Bader Sen r ; William Laux, Jun r ; Jacob Laux; Philip Empie; John Empie, Jun r ; Peter Kiltz; Henry A. Laux; Christian Timmerman; Philip DeHarsh; Michael Bader Jun r ; John Casselman; John Casselman Jun r ; Bartholomew Casselman; Jeremiah Stoneberg; Peter Shutt; Henry Smith; Nicholas Smith; Cunrad Hart; Nicholas Wallarad; and Jacob Apley.
9. James Billington & Elizabeth (Christman)
James Billington is on the Oriskany Monument
James Billington was married to 0205 Elizabeth Christman
He was Killed at Oriskany
This comes from the pension application of Daniel Hart
That
in the spring of the year 1777 a company of Rangers (as they were then called)
was raised in Palatine in the county of Tryon New York, (now Montgomery County
New York) for the purpose of scouting and acting as spies upon the Indians
who frequently attacked the settlements.
That
the company was principally raised of men from Stone Arabia (a settlement
in Palatine), that he enlisted in said company in the spring but cannot recollect
the precise day or month. That he enlisted for nine months the time for which
the company was raised. That the company was divided in four parties each
of which was to be out a week and then one of the other parties relieved them
or took their place and as changed through the season.
That
he was out his portion of the time and traversed the county in watching and
observing the Indians from Stone Arabia through Johnstown and Mayfield to
Sacondaga Lake and back, this served principal places of watching although
they were put in other directions occasionally and he remembered going down
the Susquehanna a short distance at one time when the Indians that murdered
a family in Springfield or Cherry Valley did then retreated down the Susquehanna.
They were in readiness to march whenever called upon and raised for that purpose.
That
he does not know to what Regiment they belonged to any, one Klock was colonel
of the militia in that section at the time but whether they belonged to his
regiment or not, he cannot say that when they were not out on duty they remained
at their own residences in Palatine. That the company in which he enlisted
and served as aforesaid was the company of Capt. Christian Gettman and the
Lieutenant was James Billington NOTE: The Getman farm in Ephratah (AKA Fort Getman)had formerly been owned by Hendrick Sixt who was 02Jacob's brother-in-law from Germany. and the Ensign was Jacob Sammons and the orderly
sergeant John Smith the same one who is mentioned as being orderly sergeant
in the company of Capt. Gates when on the Canada expedition.
That
during this nine months service he went out with his company which was called
out by Genl Herkimer and went with Lieutenant Billington Capt Gettman did
not go out at this time, and the company to relieve Fort Schuyler (Fort Stanwix).
That
while out at this time they had the engagement with the British and Indians
usually called Oriskany Battle at which Genl Herkimer was wounded and Lieutenant
Billington killed or taken prisoner as he never saw him after, that they were
defeated and came back and the company dispersed.
He was Killed at Oriskany
This comes from the pension application of Daniel Hart
That
in the spring of the year 1777 a company of Rangers (as they were then called)
was raised in Palatine in the county of Tryon New York, (now Montgomery County
New York) for the purpose of scouting and acting as spies upon the Indians
who frequently attacked the settlements.
That
the company was principally raised of men from Stone Arabia (a settlement
in Palatine), that he enlisted in said company in the spring but cannot recollect
the precise day or month. That he enlisted for nine months the time for which
the company was raised. That the company was divided in four parties each
of which was to be out a week and then one of the other parties relieved them
or took their place and as changed through the season.
That
he was out his portion of the time and traversed the county in watching and
observing the Indians from Stone Arabia through Johnstown and Mayfield to
Sacondaga Lake and back, this served principal places of watching although
they were put in other directions occasionally and he remembered going down
the Susquehanna a short distance at one time when the Indians that murdered
a family in Springfield or Cherry Valley did then retreated down the Susquehanna.
They were in readiness to march whenever called upon and raised for that purpose.
That
he does not know to what Regiment they belonged to any, one Klock was colonel
of the militia in that section at the time but whether they belonged to his
regiment or not, he cannot say that when they were not out on duty they remained
at their own residences in Palatine. That the company in which he enlisted
and served as aforesaid was the company of Capt. Christian Gettman and the
Lieutenant was James Billington NOTE: The Getman farm in Ephratah (AKA Fort Getman)had formerly been owned by Hendrick Sixt who was 02Jacob's brother-in-law from Germany. and the Ensign was Jacob Sammons and the orderly
sergeant John Smith the same one who is mentioned as being orderly sergeant
in the company of Capt. Gates when on the Canada expedition.
That
during this nine months service he went out with his company which was called
out by Genl Herkimer and went with Lieutenant Billington Capt Gettman did
not go out at this time, and the company to relieve Fort Schuyler (Fort Stanwix).
That
while out at this time they had the engagement with the British and Indians
usually called Oriskany Battle at which Genl Herkimer was wounded and Lieutenant
Billington killed or taken prisoner as he never saw him after, that they were
defeated and came back and the company dispersed.
Daniel Hart Pension - James Billington Killed -
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