Morrison's Pensions


Pension Application for John Helmer or John P. Helmer

S.22827
State of New York
Onondaga County SS.
            On this Twenty Seventh day of November 1820 personally appeared in open court being a court of record proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of [?] and keeping a record of their proceedings, John Helmer aged sixty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the act of Congress of the 18 of March 1818 and 1st of May 1820 that he the s’d John Helmer enlisted for six months in the fore part of the Revolution in the company commanded by Captain Jacob Seaver, in Col. Willett’s Regiment at the German Flats, in the State of New York that while in that company he assisted in building Fort Stanwix and was in a battle, with the Indians before that place, and that in or about the month of August 1775, he enlisted during the war in Captain Damwood or Damuth’s company in Col. Lewis Dubois Regiment in the line of the State of New York on the Continental establishment that he continued to serve in s’d company until about the month of April 1777 when the company was disbanded being almost disbanded being almost destroyed that he then went immediately into the service of the United States and served under different officers until he was ordered by General Sullivan at Tioga Point to attach himself to his army, and served as a Batteaux man on board of the boats on the Susquehannah river and was with his army in the Battle of Newtown that after this he was taken prisoner by the Indians in the service of the enemy and was detained a prisoner in Canada until the close of the war of the Revolution, that while a prisoner in Canada his sufferings were very great being for the most part of the time in Irons, the scars of which are now to be seen upon him.  And in pursuance of the act of the 1st of May 1820, I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with an intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an Act of provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nore has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts of debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed and by me subscribed.
            Schedule of the property of John Helmer above named.
1 cow wort [worth?] $12.00
1 do [ditto]   10.00
1 kettle  2.50
1 raizor   1.00
1 pot   .62 ½
1 bake pan 1.75
2 pails  .50
5 [keekers?]   1,00
5 cups & saucers   18 12/
[fold in paper]  18 ½
1 milk cup .25
2 pweter Basons  .50
1 Tea Pot  .18
2 dishes  .50
3[angers?]  .75
2 plates  .50
1 hand saw  1.50
1 old table   .50
3 old chaaris.  .50
7 knives & forks    .50
5 spoons   .31
1 chest   1.75
Shoemaking tools    .50
2 axes   2.00
1 wheel   1.00
One real   .50
1 silver broach   .12
1 knife  .25
1 pr. Spectacles   .25
1 Tobacco box  .12
2 barrels  2.00
$45.21 ½
            Whole amt of property necessary bedding and clothing excepted.  (Signed)  John Helmer.
            And if do further declare that my occupation is that of a Tailor but that I am now unable to labor at anything.  That the number of my family is four.  My wife Mary Helmer aged fifty two years, able to labor for the most part of the time, my son John Helmer Jr. who is twenty seven years old, able to support himself, my son Henry Helmer, aged 15 years able to labor and my daughter Eve Helmer aged thirteen not able to support herself.  (Signed) John Helmer
            Subscribed and sworn in open court this 27th day of November 1820.  Johsua Forman first Judge of Onon. Comm. Pleas.

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