Pension Application

Morrison's Pensions

Pension Application for Pardel Cosselman

S.29088
State of New York
Onondaga County
           On this 11th day of September 1832, personally appeared in open court before Daniel Moscley, Vice Chancellor at a Court of Chancery at Onondaga now sitting Pardel Cosselman (1) a resident of the Town of Manilus County of Onondaga and State of New York aged seventy-one 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 the 7th day of June 1832, that he entered the service of the United Sates under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
           That he volunteered for nine months in Col. Willett’s (2) Regiment of the New York Militia under Captain McKean in the month of April 1778 and was stationed alternately at Fort Dayton and Fort Herkimer on the Mohawk River and was frequently sent out on scouting parties and was in some skirmishes with the Indians and Tories near those places; that Col. Henry Van Rensselaer was there at the same time. That he was discharged in December of the same year.
          That in the month of April 1779,(3) he enlisted for nine months, under his father Captain John Cosselman in Col. Clock’s Regiment was stationed most of the time at Stone Arabia on the Mohawk River, was in a Battle fought in that place in the month of August. Thinks Col. Ross and Major Butler(4) Commanded the British and Indians and that place, on the same day was in a battle near Col. Clock’s House.
          Was discharged about the 1st Jany 1780.
           In the spring of 1780 (3) (thinks in the month of April) entered under Captain Terse in Col. Willett’s Regiment for nine months but in the fall of the same year and before the expiration of the nine months he entered under the same captain for three years.
           That his lieutenant’s name was Thornton (5) and his ensign’s name was Johnson that he continued in the service until the close of the war and was discharged in the fall of 1783. That during this time he was at Fort Plain, Fort Herkimer and Fort Schuyler and was in a Battle at Johnstown. (7) Thinks it was in the fall of the year 1781.
           That he has no documentary evidence in his possession of his service and having never to his recollection a written discharge.
           That he was born at Stone Arabia in the County of Montgomery, the 15 March 1761. That he has no record of his age. That he lived in Stone Arabia when called into the service and lived in that place until the year 1806. That he then removed to Manlius where he now lives and has so lived since 1808. That owing to impaired memory he finds it difficult to call to mind dates of his service, names of officers &c that he has no other proof of his service except what is annexed and further that in stating the name of the Col. under which he first entered me might be under a mistake being not quite certain whether it was Col. Willett or Col. Van Rensselaer, both of which officers he was acquainted with during his service in the Revolutionary War.
            He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. That the names of persons in his neighborhood known to him and who can testify as to he character and veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolutionary War.
            Allan Bricol, and Thaddeus Patten, Sworn this 11 Sept. 1832.
            Daniel Moscley, Circuit Judge.
Pardel Cosselman (his mark)

Page one of the letter in the pension folder is missing.
Here is Page Two.
            The data furnished in regard to Pardel Cosselman are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim S.29088, based on his service in the Revolution.
            Pardel Cosselman (the name appears also Casselman), the son of John Cosselman, was born March 15, 1761, in Stone Arabia, Montgomery County, New York.
            While a resident of Stone Arabia, New York, he enlisted and served as private in the New York troops as follows: from some time in April 1778, in Captain McKean’s Company under Colonel Willett or Colonel Henry Van Rensselaer, was in skirmishes with the Indians and Tories on the Mohawk River ans was discharged in December, 1778; from some time in April 1779, in Captain John Cosselman’s (soldier’s father) Company in Colonel Klock’s Regiment and was discharged January 1, 1780; from the spring, 1780, in Captain Tearse’s Company, Colonel Willett’s Regiment, was in the battle of Stone Arabia and in the battle just following near Colonel Klock’s house, was in the battle of Johnstown and was discharged in the fall, 1783.
            The soldier moved in 1806 from Stone Arabia, New York, to Manlius, Onondaga County, New York.
            He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832, while a resident of Manlius, Onondaga County, New York.
            In March 1836, the soldier was living in Upper Canada and stated then that he was to move to Michigan Territory to be near “his child” and many relations who resided in that territory.
            Anne Eliza Casselman made affidavit at that time in Michigan Territory but her relationship to the soldier was not stated. The name of the soldier’s wife was not given.
            Pardel Cosselman died April 29, 1837

End Notes for Pardel Cosselman S29088
by James F. Morrison

1. He signs his name as Pardel Cosselman. His name is Bartholomew but he used Peartly, Bartle, Bartley, etc. and also used for his last name Keaselman, Casselman, Kasselman, Castleman, Casselman, etc.

2. He is wrong in his remembrance which he alludes to because of his age. He enlisted in April 1779 in Captain Robert McKean's Company in Col. Henry K. Van Renselaer's Regiment of New York State Levies.

3. Pardel served in this company in 1780. This company of Rangers was raised only for 1780. Revolutionary War Rolls 1775-1783, series M 246, Roll 73, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

4. The Battles of Stone Arabia and Klocksfield were fought on 19 October 1780. The British forces were under Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Johnson and the Indians were mostly under Captain Joseph Brant.

5. He enlisted in 1782 in Captain Simeon Newell's Company in Lieutenant-Colonel Marinus Willett's Regiment of New York State Levies. On the 5th October 1782 Pardel enlisted for 2 years into Captain Peter B. Tearce's Light Infantry Company in Col. Willett's Regiment. Pardel is listed as deserting on 16 June 1783. On the payroll it lists several 5 months and 15 days, total wages are £37.60..0 paid 26..60.., balance due 10..0..0 He is not listed as rejoining the regiment or obtaining a substitute. Revolutionary War Rolls 1775-1783, Series M 246, Roll 78, National Archives, Washington D.C.

6. His lieutenant in Tearce's Company was John Thornton and the Ensign was Witter Johnson [Johnstown].

7. Pardel is not listed in Willett's for 1781. He never mentions his service in Colonel Jacob Klock's Regiment of Tryon County Militia [2nd Regiment] but his name appears on Captain Rudolph Koch's [Cook] Company and Captain Henry Miller's Company. He would have been in Miller's Company in 1781. Pardel would have enlisted in 1777 when he turned 16. The Battle of Johnstown was fought on the 25th October 1781. The British were under Major John Ross, Captain Walter Butler, and the Indians under Captain Gilbert Tice [Tavern Keeper in Johnstown on S. William St., Johnstown].