Morrison's Pensions


Pension Application for Frederick Sammons

S.11350

State of New York
Montgomery County
Thomas Sammons of the Town of Johnston County of Montgomery, former being duly sworn says that his brother Frederick Sammons who is an applicant for a pension was to this deponents knowledge actively engaged as a partisan soldier a great number of times during the Revolutionary War that he was frequently sent out with the Militia on scouting parties which was a dangerous, laborious service that to his knowledge, he the said Frederick frequently turned out and did duty under arms at various places and under various officers in the County of Tryon, now Montgomery County.

And this deponent further states that he this deponent and his brother the said Frederick Sammons were both taking prisoners on the 22 day of May 1780 that this deponent made his escape from the same day but his brother Frederick Sammons remained a prisoner and was taken a prisoner to Canada where he remained till the fall of the year 1782 when he made his escape from the enemy which this deponent well recollects he arrived at Schenectady and wrote to father. I went with a wagon and fetched him and a Mr. McMullen who made his escape with him to the place wherein I said.

THO. SAMMONS

Subscribed and sworn to this 28 day of May 1833 and I certify that the said Thomas Sammons is a person of the first respectability and a credible witness.

Before me, Aaron Harring Jus. Peace of Montgomery County NY State.

State of New York
Montgomery County
On this 24th day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared before the Honorable Abraham Morrell Peace Justice of Montgomery County, Frederick Sammons, aged seventy six who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed April 10th, 1806 and the several acts amounting the same. On the twenty second day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty while in the services of the United States and in arms at Johnstown NY he this claimant was commanded by a superior force of the enemy to lay down his arms and surrender himself a prisoner of war and as such was marched from Johnstown aforesaid to Canada where he was detained as a prisoner two years and four months or thereabouts. That during the period of his captivity aforesaid, he this claimant was inhumanly treated by the enemy and received wounds and contusions that has rendered him and invalid from that time to this day and in all human probability he must so remain during the remainder of his life. Which wounds and disability were received and now are of the nature herein after so stated. Now that when conveyed d to Canada he was lodged in the fort at Chamblee where being confined he found means to escape the 13th day and made his way through the wilderness to Otter Creek in the State of Vermont where he was taken sick, here he was discovered and taken by the enemy and being unable to travel was carried to the shore of the lake and precipitated down the slope thirteen or fourteen feet perpendicular on rocks and stones whereby he received a wound to his body and a contusion on his right knee. The joint of which hinders him movement in being calcified and stiffened. From thence he was put on board and imprisoned back to Chamblee and there confined in irons for the space of fourteen months in which time he was not allowed to see the sun. The severity of the irons was such that the shackles wore the flesh to the bone of his legs and induced an extensive “bruising, inflammation and indolent ulcers” which has proved incurable and rendered him incapable of procuring his support by manual labor and the known wound and disabilities he now claims to be placed on the invalid pension roll of his country.

He further declares that he continued in service during the whole time that he was severally attacked on for which he engaged except the tour when he was made a prisoner, was absent from his company on leave of his officer and after his disability was in captivity to near the close of the Revolutionary War. That since he left the service his mode of life has been that of moderation and compromise endeavoring to live the life of a Christian and rendering to every man his best due. That his employment having been that of a mechanick having carried on the burden of shop joiner, employing workmen laboring himself occasionally as far as his health would permit. That since leaving the service as aforesaid he has resided four year in Ulster County three years in Dutchess County and the reminder of the time ehre he now resides in Johnstown, Montgomery and in the State of New York.

For the proof of which statements as set forth from this declaration he must defend in part to the affidavit of Forgeift Patchin to be found the declaration of this claimant for a pension under act of 7 June 1832 now in the files at the War Department (said Patchin now deceased)

And he further declares that the reasons why he has not made an application for a pension for service from the United States he has been unable to support himself to this time but his advanced age and sickeness in his family now induced him to make this application that he is not on the pension list of any state or territory. Subscribed and sworn to the day and year above written before me.

Signed Fred’k Sammons.

Abrm Monell, First Judge of Montgomery County NY


Application for Frederick Sammons, Invalid Pension

Mr. Richard Davis and James W. Miller practicing physicians and surgeons, Johnstown, Montgomery County, State of New York, so certify that we are personally acquainted with Frederick Sammons. The person mentioned in the affidavit of ??? hereunto ??? and have this day examined the legs of the said Frederick and from such examination we are fully satisfied and believe that the cause mentioned in the annexed affidavit has produced the demise of the legs of the said Frederick and our examination of the inflammation and indolent ulcers under which he now labors, and that they are incurable and at his advanced age about se4venty seven years, wholly disabled him for labor which requires much bodily exercise dated this twenty second day of December 1836.
James N. Miller MD
Richard Davis MD

The following is very difficult to read, so the transcription may not be accurate.

Can’t read where this deposition was taken.
May 10, 1845

This may certify that I was taken a prisoner in the spring of the year eighty by Captain Joseph Brandt and a party of Indians and Tories commanded by Brandt and conveyed by them to Niagara and given up to the British from thence sent down to Montreal in Canada from thence sent to Chamblee where I was close confined for the space of about two years in which time I became acquainted with Frederick Sammons and his brother Jacob who was captured as they told me by a party of the enemy to the United Stated commanded as they told me by Sir John Johnston. I understood the Sammons were captured in Montgomery County so Sammons was confined with me in the prison in Chambly for the space of about ten days until it came to their turn to carry out our necessary tub and bring our allowance of Spruce? Beer ordered by the doctor of the Garrison in consequence of our having been serving by our close confinement and lying in irons when out of the Garrison said Sammonses set down the tub and made their escape from the guard across the plains to the woods. In about five or six weeks afterwards Fred’k Sammons was brought back to the garrison in a most deplorable condition from this suffering as he told me in trying to make his escape from the enemy and as soon as he was scarcely able to walk he was again put into the prison with me and inhumanely ironed and in that condition kept under his irons was about covered with the rotten flesh occasioned by having the scurvy from thence he with myself and others was conveyed up the river to St. Lawrence about forty miles from Montreal and confined upon and island called fortimer or Talbe Island from which place Frederick Sammons made his escape by swimming the St. Lawrence, a distance of about four miles and further this deponent knows nothing of the sufferings only what Sammons told him that he suffered everything but death in getting home through wilderness and I for myself do believe that no man living has suffered more for the Independence of his country then said Frederick Sammons has. Given under my hand the date as within mentioned.
Subscribed and sworn before me. (Signed) Freefit Patchin.

State of New York
Montgomery County

On this 21st day of September 1837 personally appeared in open Court before Aaron Horning, Samuel A. Gilbert, John Hand, Henry Diefendorf? and Abraham Morrel, Esquire, Judges of the County Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Montgomery now sitting Frederick Sammons a resident of the Town of Johnstown in the County of Montgomery aged seventy seven 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 dated June 7th 1832.

That he entered into the service of the United States under the following. Names of officers and service as herein stated.

A statement of the services done by Frederick Sammons in the Revolutionary War aged 77, years and three months.

The first was in guard ordered by Capt. ??? at his house in 1776 with others, three days.

Next at Sand Flatts head quarters as Timothy Leandersey Commanded by Captain John Davis, I think ten days.

Next was ordered by Capt John Davis to go with him in hunt some Tories who kept concealed to go off to Canada in this town we took Sheriff White and delivered him in Johnstown. I had two days.

Next I was ordered by Col. Fisher to go with some men to hunt some Tories whose names was given me Safer Sneeke? and Siser Simons and two more we got them all but one and delivered them to Johnstown goal, three days.

Next I was ordered in a detachment of our Militia Commanded by Major Calarons? Sent to pursue a trove of Tories and we went from Caughnawaga to Balstown and overtook them one way, joining with Balstown where they had killed a yoke of oxen and was preparing their knapsacks for their journey to Canada 66 of them were taken prisoners without firing a gun and made their escape William Wallace, myself and 10 more of our militia was ordered to pursue after them we overtook the 2d day where they was dispersed, five of them prisoners and lodged them in Johnstown, goal, 7 days.

In January 1777 there was a draft made of every man in the whole of our Militia in Genl Herkimer’s Brigade. Col. Cox was appointed our commander, I served in Capt. Saml. Pettingils Company when organized we was marched to Ticonderoga where we did duty until the ice went out of the Lake. I think 90 days.

After I returned from Ticonderoga I was a scout with Solomon Woodworth near Johnstown, Woodworth herewith had the command, out 6 days.

About the first of May, I was ordered by Col. Fisher to run a scout with Henry H. Vrooman and John Frey. I had the charge out 5 days about the last of May I was employed by Lieut Col. Volkert Veeder in running scout with Henry H. Vrooman and Jonathan ???, I had the charge, out 7 days.

About the first of July the whole of Militia of Col. Fisher’s Regiment was ordered to meet at the Village of Johnstown. I was employed the same time by the Col. To run a scout from there to Fort Miller? ??? Sacandaga. Lieut Cooslin? And John Van ??? and turned out voluntarily with them was out 8 days. Took some prisoners here. (Can’t read this section, he gives the name of a Tory.) brought him to Johnstown goad and was continued in that service until the whole of the Militia was ordered out to meet Genl Herkimer at the German Flats. Except here five days on our march ??? was informed there was some Indians preparing themselves to ? upon the inhabitants when his men were gone, immediately ordered out company back Capt John Fisher to the Village of Johnstown and ordered out with men to scout that part north of the lake and return by way of Mayfield. I was out eleven days the Oriskany Battle was fought before I returned.

I was on duty until Genl. Arnold went up with his Brigade to relieve the garrison at Fort Stanwix. I with 30 more of our Militia ordered the army of whom McMaster was one who was appointed our Capt. and commander the same order with the regular troops when we came within 12 or 13 miles of the fort and our express sent by Gansvoort informing Arnold that the British had raised the siege and some of the volunteers was dismissed immediately afterwards there was a detachment of our Militia ordered to join our Army at Stilwater commanded by Lietut. Col. Volkert Veeder. I was employed two days to procure wagons and carry our baggage did duty in Capt. Abraham Veeder’s Company and when we came to our army I was briefly employed as pilot to scouting parties of the regular troops. Our Militia was discharged about the ___ Oct 1773. Col. Fisher’s Regiment was ordered to Sacandaga. I served in Captain Abraham Veeder’s Company where we built a large blockhouse, out 10 days.

Next the whole of the Militia of Col. Fisher’s Regt was ordered out, we were marched up to Canajoharie head quarters at Gosse Van Alstine’s part of the Regt was discharged, to Fort Plain and I think 16 days.

Two companies ordered out of Col. Fishers Regt to garrison the Block House at Sacandaga and keep and keep our daily scouting. I was under Capt Fisher, one month.

Next the whole of the Militia was ordered out of Fisher’s Regt and marched to Canajoharie head quarters of Martin Van Alstine’s. I served in Captain Abraham Veeder’s Company one week.

Next the whole of the Militia of Col. Fisher’s Reft was ordered out and marched to Cherry Valley. I served Capt Abram Veeder’s Company 3 or 6 days.

1779. Col. Fisher’s Regt was ordered to Stone Arabia where I did duty in Captain Abraham Veeder’s Company and (can’t read this sentence) by order of Col. Fisher part of companies kept guard at the Caughnawaga Church commanded by Capt. John Fisher. I did duty 6 days some time in the fall Fishe’s Regt was ordered to march to Bowman’s Creek where I did duty in Veeder’s Company until the Regt was dismissed.

1780. In April was ordered by Col. Fisher to do a scout with ? men. Out six days.

In May the whole of Fisher’s Regiment was ordered to the village of Johnstown where I did duty in Capt. Veeder’s for one week.

At the same time Capt. Wemple with some more of our Militia Officers deserted to the enemy. I was sent out to search some Tory Houses with Abraham Davis and 2 more in searching Philip Cline's house and barn, I found John Coyne knapsack after he surrendered himself. I was out 1 day and night.

The 22nd day of May my father’s house was surrounded by about 600 British and Tories at brake of day my older brother and myself was for making defense not knowing the number as I shoved my musket out the window to fire there was about 50 muskets presented at me. My brother took hold of me and asked for quarters. They answered they would give us quarters if we did not fire, we give up our arms and surrendered our selfs prisoners and we was tied together with a rope and traveled that way to Canada. I was prisoner for two years and four months.

Deponent gives answers to the questions proposed.

I was born the 4 July 1760 in the Town of Chainwinking, Ulster County in the State of New York.

I have a record of my age in my family Bible and in the church book when called into service. I lived at Johnstown, Tryon, now Montgomery County and has lived here almost ever since. I went into the service as a draft and volunteer. The regular officers under whom I served were Capt. Sool at Ticonderoga, Col. Fisher in the Militia. I am very lame and inform and unable to support myself and family, the reason is before mentioned. (Can’t read a sentence.) Thomas ??? and ??? almost in the neighborhood.

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity from the United States except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state only that of the State of New York as a bounty given to him by act of the legislature for his services and suffering during the Revolutionary War, April 20th 1823. (Can’t read the sentence.) ….injury which he sustained while in service and as a prisoner during the said times.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. (signed) Fred’k Sammons
(signed)) Geor. D. Ferguson, Clerk)

A Statement of The Services Done by Frederick Sammons in the Revolutionary War. Aged 72 years ? months.

The first was on guard ordered by Capt. Wemple at his house in Januray 1776 with Wallace Folkers, I think 3 days.

Next, at Sand Flatts he and quarters at Timothy Leandursey Commanded by Capt John Davis, I think 10 days.

Next was ordered by Capt. John Davis to go with him to hunt some Tories who kept ?? to go off to Canada in this time we took Sheriff White and delivered him in Johnstown Goal, 2 days.

Next I was ordered by Col. Fisher to go with 4 men to hunt some Tories whose names was given to me (unsure of names) Traser, Smike, and Platoo from Warren’s Bush Peter Bowen and 2 more we got them all but one and delivered them on to Johnstown Goal, 3 days.

Next I was ordered in a detachment of our Militia Commanded by Maj’r Blavens sent to pursue a trove of Tories we went from Caughnawaga to Balstown and overtook them one days journey north of Balstown where they had killed a yoke of oxen and was preparing their knapsacks for their journey to Canada, 66 of them was taken prisoners without firing a fun 14 made their escape, William Wallace, myself and 10 more of our Militia was ordered to pursue after them we overtook the 2d day were they was disposed we took 5 of them prisoner and lodged them in Johnstown Goal, 7 days.

In Jan 1777 there was a draft made of every 4th men in the whole of our Militia in Gen’l Herkimer’s Brigade, Col Cox was appointed our Commander. I served in Capt. Sam’l Pattengals Company and when organized we was marched to Ticonderoga were we did duty until Ice went out fo the Lake, I think 90 days.

After I returned from Ticonderoga I run a scout with Solomon Woodworth and John I. Kinderson. Woodworth had the command out 6 days.

About the 1st of May I was ordered by Col. Fisher to run a scout with Henry H. Vrooman and John Frey, I had the charge, out 5 days.

About the last of May I was employed by Lieut Col. Volkert Veeder to run a scout with Henry H. Vrooman and Jonathan Runyans. I had the charge, out 7 days.

About the first of July the whole of the Militia of Co. Fisher’s Reg’t was ordered to march at the Village of Johnstown and was employed the same time by the Col. To run a scout from thence to Fort Miller by way of Sacondaga Sam’l Coplen and John Van Antwerpen Jr. turned out voluntarily to go with me, we was out 4 days and took one prisoner Mr. Borgains Camp and brought him to Johnstown Goal and was continued in that service until the whole of the Militia was ordered out to meet Gen’l Herkimer at the German Flatts except 4 or 5 days when on our March the Col. Was informed there was some Indians preparing themselves to fall upon the inhabitants when the men were immediately ordered, one company back, Capt. John Fisher, to the Village of Johnstown and ordered me with 2 men with me to run a scout West and North of the lake and return by the way of Mayfield. I was out 7 days the Oriskany Battle was fought before I returned, I was on duty until Gen’l Arnold went up with his Brigade to relieve the garrison at Fort Stanwix. I with 30 more of our Militia entered the army as volunteers of whom David McMaster was one who was appointed our Capt. and came under the same order with the regular troops when we came within 12 or 18 miles of the fort sent an express out by Gansvoort informing Arnold that the British had raised the siege and gone off, the volunteers was dismissed immediately afterwards, there was a detachment of our Militia ordered to join our army at Stilwater Commanded by Lieut Col. Volkert Veeder. I was employed two day to procure wagons to carry our baggage did duty in Capt. Abrahom Veeders Company but when we came to our Army I was chiefly employed as Pilot to scouting, parties of the regular Troops our Militia was discharged about the ___ of October.

1778. Col. Fisher’s Regiment was ordered to Sacandaga. I served in Captain Abraham Veeder’s Company where we built a large blockhouse, out 10 days. The whole of the Militia of Col. Fisher’s Regt was ordered up to Canajoharie head quarters at Gosse Van Alstine’s part of the Regt was sent to Fort Plain and I think 16 days.

Two companies was ordered out of Col. Fisher’s Reg’t to garrison the Block House at Sacondaga and keep out and ??? I served under Capt. John Fisher one month.

Next the whole of the Militia was ordered out of Fisher’s Reg’t and marched to Canajoharie Head Quarters at Martin VanAlstin’s. Scouted in Capt. Abraham Veeder’s Company one week.

Next the whole of the Militia of Col. Fisher’s Reg’t was ordered out and marched to Cherry Valley. I served Capt. Abraham Veeder’s Company 5 or 6 days.

1779. Col. Fisher’s Reg’t was ordered to Stone Arabia where I did duty in Capt. Abraham Vceeder’s Company and Head Quarters at Col. Brown’s. By order of Col. Fisher part of 2 companies kept guard at the Caughnawaga Church Commanded by Capt John Fisher. I did duty 6 days. Sometime in the fall Fisher’s Reg’t was ordered to march to Bowman’s Creek where I did duty in Veeder’s Company until the Reg’t was dismissed.

1780. In April I was ordered by Copl. Fisher to scout with 2 men out six days.

In May the whole of Fisher’s Reg’t was ordered to the Village of Johnstown where I did duty in Capt. Veeder’s for one week. At the same time Capt. Wemple with some more of our Militia officers and Tories deserted to the enemy, I was sent out to search some Tory Houses with Abraham Davis and 2 more in searching Phillip H. Clines house and barn, I found John Conyore’s knapsack after he surrendered himself, I (was) out 1 day and night.

The 22d day of May my Father’s house was surrounded by about 500 British and Torys at break of day my elder brother and myself was for making defense not knowing the number as I shoved my musket out the window to fire there was about 50 muskets presented at once my brother took hold of me and asked for quarters. They answered they would give us quarters if we did not fire. We give up our Arms and surrendered ourself prisoners we was tied together with a rope and traveled that way to Canada I was a prisoner two years and 4 months.

Answers to questions proposed.

I was born on the 4th July 1760 in the Town of Chainwinking Ulster County in the State of New York.

I have a record of my age in my family Bible and in the church books.

When called into service I lived at Johnstown Tryon (now Montgomery) County and lived there almost ever since. I went to the service as a draft and volunteer. The regular officers under whom I served were Col. Peat??? At Ticonderoga. Col. Fisher of the Militia.

I am lame and infirm and unable to support myself and family.  I am known to the judges before mentioned and my Brother Thomas Sammons, and David Cady, and John W. Cady,??? members of Congress to Nathan Sourls? The present members, and to every one almost in the neighborhood.

Return to opening page of Morrisons's Pensions

Copyright © 1998, -- 2005. James F. Morrison and Berry Enterprises. All rights reserved. All items on the site are copyrighted. While we welcome you to use the information provided on this web site by copying it, or downloading it; this information is copyrighted and not to be reproduced for distribution, sale, or profit.