Morrison's Pensions
Zenas Barker: A Forgotten Incident
By James F. Morrison
The following
incident was copied from THE FRONTIERSMEN OF NEW YORK, JEPTHA R. SIMMS, GEO.
C. RIGGS, PUBLISHER, 1883, VOL. II, pp 532-533. Simms relates a forgotten
incident in Barker's life during the WAR OF INDEPENDENCE, which
even Barker didn't relate in his pension application. It appears that the
names of the other scouts are to be forgotten through the lapse of time.
A
Race for Fort Herkimer.-In the fall, as believed,of 1781, a scout
of seven men was sent from this post,for observation,down the river,to
discover,if possible,the foot-prints of an enemy. Only one name of the
party has been preserved,and that was Zenas Barker. The scout proceeded
nearly seven miles and met with nothing unusual; but before returning,they
visited the apple-orchard (upon Fall Hill) of George Henry Bell's desolated
homestead; and had just seated themselves under a tree to enjoy the luxury
of its ripe fruit,when they heard, near by,a shrill Indian whoop. Springing
to their feet, they discovered a party of Indians,whose number exceeded
their own,about to enter the orchard near them. Their only chance for life
was in instant flight,which they fortunately made in the direction of their
fort.
Leaping
a fence into the road,they were fired upon,but escaped unharmed; and then commenced
a race for life. For some distance they all kept out of the way of their pursuers;but
at length Barker,the youngest of the scouts,began to lag and would,if unassisted,soon
be overtaken. Two comrades lent him helping hands, and he was saved. To increase
their speed the scouts unwisely cast aside their guns,and when a single shot
would have told,they could not make it. After a race of an hour or more-for
seven miles was calculated to try the mettle of friend or foe-they were all
nearing the fort,and all but one of the enemy had slackened pace;but the leader
was so intent on killing one or more of the three who were still behind,that
he seemed reckless of his position. Several rifles at the fort were brought
to bear upon him,and the instant his exposure came they fired,and his death
followed the report. His temerity had cost him his life. The rest of the party
escaped on the back track.-Reuben Barber,a nephew of Zenas Barker.
Pension Application for Zenas Barker - NO. S12116
State of New York
Erie County SS:
On this
7th day of December 1832 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas
now sitting at Buffalo in the County of Erie Zenas Barker a resident of Buffalo
in the County of Erie & State of New York aforesaid and 67 years and upwards
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 passed June
7, 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following
named Officers & serve as for herein stated. That he was born on the 25th
day of January in the year 1765 in the Town of Northbury now Plymouth in the
County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, that he served with his father
from Northbury aforesaid when hw was six or seven years of age to New Lebanon
in the State of New York where he continued to reside until the winter of 1781
when he enlisted in Capt Skinners' Company on Col. Willett's Regiment of New
York State Troops for three years. That he marched [from is crossed
out] in the spring of 1781 to Albany where he remained in the service under
Major Hitchcock of the said Regiment who was during that time stationed at
Albany. The other Officers of his Company & Regiment he cannot recollect.
The next
year (1782) he the said Zenas Barker was transferred to Capt. Cannons Company
of the same Regiment. The other Officers of his company he cannot recall.
That his
Company was stationed at Schoharie ubtil the fall of 1782 the said Company
was ordered to Fort Plain on the Mohawk River and there continued until it
was disbanded. This applicant never was in any battle but was frequently out
in scouting parties.
That the
subaltern officers in Capt Cannons Company were several times changed which
is probably one reason that he does not recollect them. That he served during
his term of service and before he was discharged not less than two years and
six months as a private soldier.
Has no Record
of age & know of none in Existence. Was living at New Lebanon in the [County
of was crossed out] Kings District (Columbia County) State of New York when
he entered the service and has lived in the State of New York ever since the
Revolutionary War and since the year 1804 he has been a resident of Buffalo.
Entered
the service as a volunteer. That he resided at New Lebanon aforesaid until
just before he came to Buffalo to reside.
That he
was discharged at Schenectady in the State of New York on the sixth day of
January 1784 and then & there recieved a written discharge which was signed
by Peter B. Tearse then being the commanding Officer the Col & Major both
being absent which said discharge he haspresented and which is hereto annexed.
And this
declarant further states that the Revd William Spelton is a Clergyman resident
in Buffalo aforesid near his residence and that General Herman B. Potter & Philander
Bennet fisrt Judges of the County Court, of the County of Erie aforesaid with
many others have for a long time past resided & now reside in his neighborhood
and can testify to his character for truth & veracity & their belief
of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
That he
has no documentary Evidence Except the discharge hereto annexed and knows of
no person who can testify to the services above stated Except Hezekiah Dibble
whose affidavit is hereto annexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a Pension, or annuity, except
the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the
Agency of any State
Sworn and subscribed this 7th Zenas
Barker
day of December 1832
Noah P. Sprague Clerk
of Erie Common Pleas