Morrison's Pensions


Pension Application for James Archer

R.20193
            I James Archer formerly of the County of West Chester, in the State of New York, and now of the City of New York in the State aforesaid, do declare that I enlisted in the Corps of guides authorized to be raised by a resolution of the old Congress in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, and served in the said corps until the termination of War of the Revolution.  That during the whole period whenever any expedition was planned for a Detachment of the grand Army to make an incursion in the enemies lines, I was uniformly selected by the Commander in Chief General Washington, to be one of the guides, both on account of my local knowledge and my fidelity to the cause of my Country.  It is on this long, arduous, and uninterrupted service, that I ground my claim, not on any commission I might have held in the Militia and which possibly may have been given me, from the motives of humane policy to insure my personal safety in the event of capture.  (Signed) James Archer
            Witness my hand this tenth day of July in the year of [our] Lord 1828.
            Before me James Flanagan one of the Justices of the Peace of the City and County of New York in the State of New York personally appeared this day, Major Jacob Vantassel and Captain Daniel Delavan both residing in the City and County of New York and did severally make oath that James Archer by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is known to them and deponent’s of their own knowledge do hereby certify that said James Archer was in the service of the Revolution in manner as therein stated.  (Signed)  Jacob Vantassel, Daniel DeLavan.  Sworn to before me this 10th day of July 1828.  James Flanagan, Justice of the Peace.  New York.

            I Jacobus Dyckman do certify that during the revolutionary war I resided for nearly the whole period in the County of West-Chester was intimately acquainted with James Archer before and during that time.  I know him to have been a very active partisan soldier and to have served as a guide to the American troops stationed on the lines—for a great part of the time.  He duty was arduous and dangerous one, and much confidence was reposed in him from his activity and intimate knowledge of every locality in the County.  I have the fullest confidence in the statement he has set forth in his petition.  He is now infirm and unable to procure support for a large family by his labour.  Jacobus Dyckman.  York-Island.  Feb’ry 18th, 1828.

Letter in folder dated May 2, 1913, written in reply to a request for information.
            In reply to your letter dated the 26th and received the 29th ultimo, you are furnished the history of the only James Archer found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.  In the papers in the claim Rejected File No. 20,193, of James Archer, it is stated that he received a commission in the New York Militia, at an early period of the war, and that from 1777 to the end of the war he served in a Corps of Guides on the lines in West Chester County, New York.  He applied for pension on July 10, 1828, at which time he was seventy-six years of age and resided at 629 Greenwich Street, New York City.  His claim was not allowed for the reason that the Act of May 15, 1826 under which he applied made provision for officers of the Continental Line only.  The date of his discharge and the date and place of his birth are not stated nor is there any data whatsoever on file as to his family.
           
Crampond, February ye 19, 1781.
Sir, You will proceed with the party under your command down towards the enemys lines as far as your prudence shall dictate in order to distress in and to distress them and advance the good of the American Camp all in your power, at the same time making use of the greatest precaution to serve your own retreat.
            I am sir your most obedient and most humble servant.  Hugh Maxwell, Major comd on the Lines.

Commission in favor of James Archer, as Ensign of Cap. Henry Strangs Company of Militia in the County of Westchester, in Col. Samuel D[?] Regiment dated at Poughkeepsie 25th June 1778 and signed by Geo. Clinton

Commission in favor of the same, from the same as Second Lieutenant in the same compy & Regiment as the above, and dated 27 Feby 1779.

Handwritten note, The above could not refer to the claimant who alleges that he served in the Corps of Guides to end of War from 1777, a period covering both of above statements.  Soldier does not claim either of the above and only speaks of any commission “which possibly may have been given me.”

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