Pension Application

R.9334 (Widow: Hannah) Married Sept. 1781, husband died Oct 1813. Hannah died May 21, 1846.
Declaration: In order to obtain the benefit of the 3d Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.
State of New York
Dutchess County SS.
            On this fourth day of February in the year 1839 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess being a court of record—Hannah Seabury a resident of the Village of Poughkeepsie in said County aged eighty three years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. That she now resides in the Village & Town of Poughkeepsie, of which town she has been a resident since her birth. That she is now in the eighty-fourth year of her age—That she is the widow of John Seabury deceased who was an enlisted soldier in the Revolutionary War & served in the New York State Troops as a Sergeant of Infantry—That about the commencement of the Revolution & according to deponent’s recollection & belief in the year 1775, said John Seabury with others his townsmen, enlisted into a company commanded by Captain Lewis DuBois—afterwards Colonel. That said John Seabury enlisted in the Spring of that year—that deponent recollects the daily training of the company, which its ranks were filled and when its compliment of men was raised, it left Poughkeepsie the latter part of Spring or beginning of Summer in a Sloop for the North, and as was currently reported for the Canadas—That another company of State troops raised in the same town went off at the same time in another Sloop—under command of Captain Andrew Billings—That deponent, in company with a number of other young women, who had friends & acquaintance among the soldiers when down to the river to see the expedition sail. That the Sloops sailed from “Davis’s Dock”—That Isaiah VanDeBogart (Deponent’s Brother), John VanWagner, John Boerum, Moses VanKluck, Moses Kip & John Romeyn were members of the same company with her husband. This deponent further says that about a week after the New Year ensuing, her husband returned home to Poughkeepsie, in company with Deponents Brother above named, John VanWagner & others. That from the date of said John Seabury’s Enlistment to the time of his return must have been about nine months. That deponent recollects the fact of her husband & several others coming home in a sleigh, which they had hired about 40 miles above Poughkeepsie on account of fatigue & the soreness of their feet. That Moses VanKluck, John Romeyn, & Moses Kip did not return with the other soldier of the company, having died during the Expedition—and deponent recollects that mourning was worn by their friends on that account. That as deponent understood, the companies above referred to, had been to the Canadas & were at the surrender of Montreal.
            She remembers also, that the neighboring young men after their return, were in the habit of talking or trying to talk in the French language.
            Deponent further says that subsequently to the year 1776, & as deponent thinks some time in the years 1778 & 1779, said John Seabury was again in the revolutionary Service but how long deponent cannot say—although she thinks it must have been at least six months. She remembers hearing her husband speak of having been under the command of a Captain Swartout. She also recollects that the said John Seabury in company with another man, came to Poughkeepsie, during the years last mentioned (as deponent believes) to attend a quilting at which deponent was present—and that they returned to the army the next day which lay south of Poughkeepsie & as deponent believes somewhere in the Town of Fishkill.
            This deponent further declares that she was lawfully married to the said John Seabury, on or about the first day of September 1781, by Peter Tappan Esquire a Magistrate of the Town of Poughkeepsie. That deponents two brothers, Isaiah & Francis VanDeBogart with their wives, her sister Cornelia whose affidavit is annexed & many others were present at such marriage, none of whom are now living to this deponent’s knowledge save the said Cornelia. This deponent further declares that her marriage to the said John Seabury occurred while he was in the service & several months prior to the expiration of his term of enlistment—That she perfectly recollects visiting the said John Seabury after her marriage to him—That he was then a Sergeant in a company of Revolutionary Soldiers, then encamped with other companies in the Town of Fishkill Dutchess County.
            That this visit must have been about the first of January 1782—That deponent’s brother Isaiah her two sisters & several other acquaintances accompanied her. That the party went in two sleights, on Saturday. That they found the said John Seabury her husband in camp—that he expressed himself pleased with the visit & succeeded in getting a comfortable supper for the party. That they returned to Poughkeepsie the same evening. That deponent’s husband got leave of absence & returned with them, and spent two or three days with deponent at her father’s house. This deponent further declares, that according to the best of her recollection, her husband’s period of service during which they were married as above was for one year & expired with the spring ensuing such marriage.
            This deponent further says that she has no documentary proof of the Military services of said John Seabury.
            That her said husband died about the first of October 1813, and after making a will, a certified copy of which is annexed.
            That some years prior to his decease & whilst looking over some papers, said John Seabury remarked to this deponent, there’s a certificate from Colonel ____. (The name deponent does not remember) I suppose it will never be worth anything to me—“ or words to that effect, which certificate or document deponent has never to her recollection seen since. That deponent is now a widow & as such has remained ever since the death of said John Seabury—not having intermarried since his death.   That deponent is infirm & indigent being dependent on her friends for subsistence.   (Signed with her mark) Hannah Seabury.
            Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me. Danl. W. Bradle, Clerk of Dutchess County.

[There is a deposition from the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church stating that two children of John and Hannah, Catharine in 1783 and Myndert in 1785 were baptized in the church.]

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