Morrison's Pensions
Pension Application for Joseph Nellis
S14017
September
17, 1832, Joseph Nellis states he is a resident of the Town of Oppenheim,
County of Montgomery, State of New York, formerly Tryon County, aged seventy-three
years the 17th day of April last and who being duly sworn in according to
law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the Act passed by Congress June 7th 1832. He
was born on April 17, 1759.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers
here mentioned and served as herein states that in January 1775 he went in Company
with General Philip Schuyler to Herkimer for the purpose of holding a treaty
with the different tribes of Indians which took about fourteen days from which
time he always kept himself in a state of readiness until the sixth day of August
1777.
And
that he was enrolled in the year 1775 in a company of Militia commanded by
Capt John Hess belonging to Colonel Jacob Klock’s Regiment and that
said sixth day of August 1777 he the said Joseph was ordered out to Oriskany
Battle but that when he was on his way to Fort Dayton in the now Herkimer,
formerly in Tryon County where he stayed on guard for some time but uncertain
as to the length of time.
In the fall in November 1778 he served as a Private in Captain John Hess Company
to the siege of Cherry Valley and pursued the enemy, how long he does not recollect.
And
that he was once stationed at Fort Plank as a ? for about three weeks and
at Reimasneder’s Bush Fort for several weeks as a guard to protect
said forts both having been in the County of Herkimer formerly the County
of Tryon.
And also that he was stationed at Fort Plank for sometime that the years and
length of time he does not particularly recollect.
And that he was engaged in pursing the enemy composed of a party of Tories
and Indians who destroyed lives and buildings at Timmerman’s Fort in
now Oppenheim then Palatine (St. Johnsville) for about thirty miles into
the wilderness.
That
in October 1780 he was engaged in Brown’s Battle on the west at the
engagement commonly called Failing’s and Klock’s Battle.
And that he was also engaged as a teamster under the orders of General Sullivan
in conveying boats from the Mohawk to Lake Otsego.
And also by order of Colonel Willet he was engaged as a teamster to supply Fort
Plain with wheat from Turlough?
And
that in the supply of Fort Stanwix he was also employed as a teamster to
furnish provisions for the United States Army.
And that in the forepart of the summer season in the year 1781 he went in aid
of Colonel Willett to Turlock (Battle of Sharon) in Schoharie County but arrived
after the battle was fought when he with others found a young man by the name
of Diefendorf who was scalped and took him and those who were with him, returned
with Diefendorf.
And
that in the month of October in the last mentioned year, the said Joseph
was in Johnstown at the Hall Battle, otherwise called Willett’s Battle
under the command of Colonel Willett during the Battle.
And
that in conformity with beginning May 27th 1775, he during the whole of the
Revolution did keep himself armed and ready with a musket, powder and balls,
ready at a moments warning according to said resolution, and that this claimant
hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a Pension or Annuity except
the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the
Agency of any other state. (Signed) Joseph Nellis
Sworn
to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Geo D. Ferguson,
Clerk.
Return to opening page of Morrison's Pensions