Pension Application

W.4331 (Widow: Annatie or Nancy Van Vaghten) Married July 18, 1777, Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectada by Revd Barent Vrooman, pastor.
“Dauther Mary was born 26 day of June in the year of our Lord 1779, Halana in the year of our Lord 1781 the 22 October, and Mary son John born Mar the 10 1798. Halana Schermerhorn was married to Nicolas Clut September 11th 1799. Halana son Peters was born 31th May Mary 2 son Rykert was born 13th March. Rykert Clut deceased 25th Jul [?] dauter Nancy[?]”
State of Ohio
            On this fourth day of November 1837 personally appeared before me Lemuel Moffitt Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Ashtabula in said State of Ohio Annatie or Nancy Schermerhorn, as resident of the town of Sheffield in the county of Ashtabula and state aforesaid aged eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain he benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Rickert or Richard Schermerhorn who was a private in the company of Militia commanded by Captain Jellis J. Fonda in the Regiment of Colonel Abraham Wemple in the District of Schenectada NY & also a private in the company of Batteaumen, fatigue men and labourers commanded by Capt. Joseph Peck in the Department of the QuarterMaster General in the Revolutionary War as herein after set forth more particularly. She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Schermerhorn on the twenty eighth day of April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven; that her husband, the aforesaid Richard Schermerhorn died on the 25th day of April AD 1814 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed. (Signed with her mark) Annatie Schermerhorn.
            Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me, and I hereby certify that the above named declarant Annatie Schermerhorn is unable to attend court by reason of bodily infirmity and unable to write her name for want of education in the art of writing. Lemuel Moffit, Associate Judge.
            The above named declarant being further duly sworn testified and says, that she was married at the time in her declaration above written set forth at the house of Barent Vrooman in the City of Schenectada NY by the Reverend Barent Vrooman then pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectada, and the following named individuals were the only persons present at the performance of the marriage ceremony to wit. John [R?] Schermerhorn, Amelia Schermerhorn, Halton Spoor, Judah Spoor, Peter Van Olinda, Derick VanVaghten, Mary VanVeghten and that every one of the aforenamed persons have long since depart this life except Derick VanVaghten.
            And this declarant further saith that she hath no record of her marriage aforesaid except that contained in her sermon book that the sheet of paper in said sermon book which contains such record is hereto subjoined.
            And this declarant further saith that her personal knowledge of the services of her said husband extends to the following particulars, to wit, that he served as a private in the company of militia commanded by Capt. Jellis J. Fonda in the Regiment of Colonel Abraham Wemple in the district of Schenectada during the Revolutionary War but for what length of time she is unable to recollect & that during the same war he served as a private in a company of batteaumen, fatigue men and labourers commanded by Joseph Peck in the department of the Quartermaster General in the Revolutionary War but the length of time that has elapsed puts it out of her power to state the length of time he served in either case. (Signed with her mark) Annatie Schermerhorn
            Sworn to and subscribed this 4th day of November before me, Lemuel Moffitt, Associate Judge.

Letter in file dated September 24, 1924.
            I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.4331, it appears that Richard (Rickart or Rikert) Schermerhorn enlisted in Schenectady District, New York, and served as a private in Captain Jillis [Jellis] J. Fonda’s Company, Colonel Abraham Wemple’s New York Regiment, date of enlistment and length of service not stated.
            He enlisted January 1, 1780 and served one year under Captain Joseph Peck in the Department of the Quartermaster General.
            He died April 25, 1814.
            Soldier married April 28, 1777 in Schenectady, New York, Annatie (Ann or Nancy) VanVechten or VanVaghten; she was allowed pension on her application executed November 4, 1837, while a resident of Sheffield, Ashtabula County, Ohio, aged eighty years.
            Children—Mary or Maria, born June 26, 1779; Halana, born October 22, 1781 she married September 11, 1799, Nicolus Clut. Grandchildren John, Son of Mary, born March 10, 1798; Rykert, son of Mary, born March 13, year not stated; Peters, son of Halana, born May 31, year not stated.

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