Morrison's Pensions


Pension Application for James Seaman or Seamen

W.24927 (Widow: Catharine) Married April 1786.  James died 11 Feb. 1837.
New York Marine Court.  In the matter of the application of Catharine Seaman, Widow of James Seaman.
            On this sixth day of April 1839 personally appeared before the Marine Court of the City of New York, Catharine Seaman a resident of the City of New York and State of New York aged seventy three years in October next, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of 1838, or any other act granting her a right to a pension.
            The said Catharine saith that she intermarried with James Seaman late of the City of New York deceased in April of the year 1786 at Poughkeepsie in the State of New York by the Rev’d W. Riesbach.  That she had by her said husband twelve children, the eldest of whom if living would have been fifty two years of age.  That deponent lived with her said husband until his death which took place in the City of New York on the 11th February 1837.  And that she is his widow still and has never married to any other person.
            That her said husband always from the time of her marriage claimed to have served in the Revolutionary War for a long period as a shipwright and artificer; and that he  worked on the vessels building at Fort Pitt Pa., building boats and at the Chevaux de frieze at Newburgh on the North River and on some vessels building at Poughkeepsie; that she verily believes he was in such service for more than two years.
            That he enlisted in a company of Artificiers at Philadelphia and carried his musket from Philadelphia to Fort Pitt.  That the only individual now living that she knows who was with him is Joseph White of Oyster Bay, who belonged to the company, who enlisted at Philadelphia and also worked at Newburgh.
            That she has heard long conversations between said White and her husband as to their Revolutionary Services and does not doubt but that they were both enlisted artificers.
            That he said husband some five or six years since applied for a pension, but that the papers were then not deemed sufficient, but that since the roll of said company has been found and was forwarded to the pension office at Washington last winter on the application of said White for a pension.
            And she refers to said papers.
            Deponent saith that her husband belonged to the company of Captain Stephen Seaman and in proof of their being a company of Artificers she annexed a copy of an order from Gov. George Clinton, dated 24 March 1779 in possession of Alexander J. Millers family.
            And that she relinquishes all claim to any other than the present pension; and that her name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any other state.  (Signed) Catharine Seamen
            Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.  John B. Scott.  Justice of the Marine Court.

State of New York
Court of Common Pleas in & for the City & County of New York.  In the matter of the application of James Seaman for a pension.
            On this 22nd day of April in the year eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared before the said Court James Seaman a resident of the City & County of New York aged 72 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States as a volunteer doing duty as an artificer in the year 1776 under the command of Captain Stephen Seaman.  That his first service was on Lake George building flat bottomed boats.  That by trade he is a ship carpenter.  That his father was a ship carpenter & Captain of said company.  That he was employed as such artificer for 3 or four months on lake George, when the British burnt their Baots & the Barracks.  Gen Morgan Lewis had charge of the works as Quarter Master.  Deponent continued with the company who were ordered to Poughkeepsie—was there employed building boats for West Point & drew both rations & pay there.  Helped to build at Wappingers Creek (Near Poughkeepsie) a Schooner called the Peggy Hay and continued with the company employed on the North River until 1779, when an order came to enlist volunteer Artificers for Pittsburgh.  Deponent enlisted then being 18 years of age under the command of said Stephen Seaman & volunteering to go to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania & passed through New Jersey to Philadelphia crossed the North River at Newburgh and slept one night at Trenton.  Our company & deponent remaining two or three weeks at Philadelphia, armed at Philadelphia or on the route up to Pittsburgh cannot be certain which.  Drew his musket & continental stores there—went up by the way of Lancaster & Carlisle, crossed the Susquehannah, stayed 3 or four days at Carlisle, crossed the mountains at a place called he believes Bedford.  The detachment from Philadelphia Pa was about 80 strong, all artificers encamped at Pittsburg thinks in April 1779 or 1780.  Went over the River Monongahela, encamped under the mountain, there was a garrison, Genl. Broadhead commanded—Deponents company reported for orders to him.  Deponents company was marched back to Philadelphia where he was discharged.  This was in September following.  Deponent then returned to Poughkeepsie and entered again with the said Captain Seaman as a volunteer doing duty as an artificer & helped to construct boats & works on the river.  Deponent says that at different times he did more than three years actual service as a Volunteer and frequently doing duty with Muskets.  That Joseph White of Oyster Bay is the only person alive who was in the same company.  That Morgan Lewis, Quarter Master General, knows deponent.
            That deponent was born at Oyster Bay in the State of New York in 1761, has no record of his age—removed to the city before the Revolutionary War.  That since the war he has resided in the City of new York—that he has held for some time a small officer under the cooperation of said city given to him on account of his revolutionary services.
            He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and doth declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
            Deponent fled from the City of New York when the British took possession and was at Poughkeepsie with his father when he first entered the service, now resides at New York.
            In addition to the officers mentioned, a Col. Ray had command of us on the North River for some time.
            One Major Ebenezer Young had also command of deponent’s company on the North River, under as he believes Col. Ray & Morgan Lewis.  Was discharged at Philadelphia has not kept a discharge.
            Alderman Palmer is the Magistrate of Deponents War & well knows deponent.  Genl. Morton also knows deponent.  The Reverend Mr. Murray is the clergyman residing near deponent & whose church he attends.  (Signed) Ja
mes Seaman
            Subscribed & sworn in open court the day & year aforesaid.  Abm. Asten, Clk.

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