Morrison's Pensions
Pension
Application for John D. Nellis
R.7582
John
applied for his pension on 11 day of December 1839 before the Court of
Common Pleas of Oneida County. John
D Nellis was a resident of Whitestown, aged 84 years.
He
made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress passed June 7th1832.
That
he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers
and served herein stated.
That
he was born in Canajoharie, now Oppenheim, in Montgomery County on the 10th
day of December 1755. That he is recorded
in the family Bible of his father now in his possession.
That
he was living at said Town of Canajoharie when called into service and resided
there until about 1781 when he removed to Minden in same county and remained
there until 1808 when he removed to Lenox, Madison County and from thence
in 1816 to Whitestown aforesaid where he now resides.
That
about the year 1775, though he cannot state the precise time, he was called
out and he believes, all the regiment was called out and went to a place called
Remendsnydersbush and Royal Grant in Herkimer County NY in Col. Jacob Klock’s
Regiment in Capt John Hess Company, but the other officers he does not recollect
and served according to the best of the deponents belief at least ? weeks.
That
the same year according to he best recollection he was called out to ? in
Capt Hess company on a scouting party to a place called Jersey Field, Herkimer
County and was in the service at least one week.
That
the next year he believes in service he was called out to the company under
Capt Hess and was marched in what is called Fall Hill on Mohawk River and
stationed near the home of the late Genl Herkimer under whose command they
were at the time. His best recollection
for the term is two weeks.
That
not far from the same time Col. Clock’s Regt was called out to a place called
Fort House and Fort Plank near Fort Plain and was in the service at this time
for at least ten weeks.
That
not far from this same time he was called out and stationed at Stone Arabia
and was in actual service at that time for at least one week.
That
he also in the fore part of the war, each company was regiments of a certain
number of men either by draft or volunteer, that this deponent volunteered
the term and marched to Fort Dayton, Herkimer and remained there in actual
service to the best of his recollection three months.
That
he believes the next winter another draft was made, and this deponent volunteered
from Captain Hess’ Company and he thinks he was three months draft and that
they were taken in sleight to Ticonderoga.
That the draft was made the first part of winter and he recollects
the ice was about breaking up when they were discharged and they were obliged
to wade a creek in their return. Capt
Waggoner commanded on one occasion and that he was in the service at this
time he thinks at least three months.
Then
in the year 1779 (confusion of the year here) when Burgoyne was taken, a draft
was taken from the company and which this deponent belonged and he believes
Capt John Hess was in command, this deponent volunteered and went to Saratoga
with Capt or Lieut Waggoner, and was discharged a short time before the battle
at which Burgoyne was taken and this deponent was then in service according
to his best recollection at least three months.
In
the year 1777 and as he believe in August he was called out with the whole
of Col Klock’s, Col Waggoner’s and Col Fox’s regiment in General Herkimer’s
Brigade, was called out to Fort Stanwix and was attacked near Oriskany Creek
by the Tories and Indians in what was called the Oriskany Battle and when
Gen Herkimer was mortally wounded, this deponent was in the heat of said battle
and returned home after service about two weeks.
That
this deponent was in Johnstown Battle as he believes in 1781 in Captain Lipe’s
Co. and was in the heat of the battle and was in actual service here for one
week.
That
while this deponent lived in Canajohaire and in the year 1780 the deponent
lived as a neighbor to Colonel Klock and within one mile of him and this deponent
and was employed by Colonel Klock as an express rider whenever the Colonel
was called out and often when he was not called out and he was often an express
rider in with ongoing as a private in Capt Hess company in various places
at different time as he was called on for that purpose and furnished himself
with arms and accouterments and kept himself in readiness at all times.
When
called on to carry an express and was detailed by Colonel Klock for that purpose
and had his orders to which effect.
And
that in the service this deponent was engaged in as express rider at least
one year and he refers to affidavit of Henry H. Smith in this service.
This
deponent cannot state with more particularly these services rendered by him
but he served in addition as much as two months in other services the particulars
terms he cannot state.
This
deponent married the widow of Solomon Keller Feb’y 15 1780, who was killed
in Oriskany battle August 1777 and that in 1780 and from after the marriage
he went from Canajoharie to Fort Stanwix under the command of Capt John Hess
and what while he was absent in this Canajoharie the Indians and Tories burned
Fort Plain and farms was burned the house and barn of the wife of this deponent
and the term of service at this time was at least two weeks.
This
deponent knows and was present at the time and saw the burning of his father’s
(David Nellis) house and barn set on fire by the Indians and Tories.
That
the service he fully believes was the whole of at least two years and and
? months, and only had part of the other time as an express rider. He was in actual and bonafide service.
That he has no knowledge of any other witness than John Yordan and Henry H. Smith whose affidavits are hereto annexed with and which by ?? and by stating clearly his services in many different and trying scenes and occasions.
John D. Nellis.