PENSION: John Gott; Austerlitz; Columbia co., NY submitted by Donald E. Lampson, (dlampson @ earthlink.net) Revised with assistance of David See. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** (DECLARATION) State of New York} }Ss.: Columbia County} On the 22 day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable ******* Butler, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Columbia, John Gott, a resident of the Town of Austerlitz (formerly King's District), County of Columbia and State of New York, aged 70 years, who after 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 7 June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In 1777 in the fore part of the month of July he was drafted and organized at Greenbush under Capt. Salsbury, Lieut. John Muncey, Ensign John Calendar (Kalender), Orderly Sergeant Nathanial Curtis - Colo. William Whiting, Lieut. Colo. Asa Waterman. From thence crossed the Hudson River into Albany. Thence marched to Fort Edward. While at this was on Guard and on duty as a private almost every day in removing ammunition and provisions from Fort George to Fort Edward. Thence with the American Army retreated to Moses Creek. Thence Snute's Kill; near this place his much esteemed Lieut. John Muncey was mortally wounded by attack by the enemy whilst on ascout (a scout?). Thence retreated to Saratoga. Here this applicant had the measles. He well recollects that the night before the pustules made their appearance he lay all night under a wagon. During the night a rain fell, which running through the wagon left him in a puddle of mud and water. In the morning he was placed in a cart and carried and left in an uninhabited house and there left for three days without the attendance. After recovering somewhat from his sickness he was told by his officers if he could get home to go. He accordingly returned home, which was about 48 miles from his residence in Kings District, Albany County and State of New York, now town of Austerlitz, County of Columbia and State of New York. After his return he was unable to leave the house for at least a week. He arrived at his Residence about the first of October. The remaining part of the Company recruited with him, soon after the surrender of the British Army to the Americans, which was the 17 October 1777. He was out during this Campaign as he verily believes 3 months. In 1778, about the first of August, was drafted on a months tour, under Capt. John Salisbury. He thence went to Albany, thence to Schnectady. Thence to Cherry Valley, there under the command of Colo. Alden and Colo. Stacy. He helped build the fort. It was named or Christened as he terms it. Whilst he was there recollects it from the firing from the block fort whilst he was nearly under the muzzle of the guns not knowing that the firing was to take place, which somewhat startled him. - The fort was named Alden in honor of the Colo. who superintended the building or erection of the Fort. He recollects it was the time of green corn when he was there for he got some, which he thinks was or must be same time in the month of September, in which month he returned home. This tour of service as he verily believes was 1 month. In 1779, in the forepart of the month of October was drafted in the forepart of the month of October under Capt. Ebenezer Cady in Colo. .Asa Waterman's Regiment of militia. He was organized at Fishkill. He did duty as a private. Other Regiment stationed there, Colo. Heathorn's, Colo. Graham's and Colo. Dubois'. He served term of service out or until he was dismissed, which was he verily believes 3 months. In 1780 in the month of October, some time in the forepart, was called out or detached on alarm. He was organized at the Village of Johnstown so called under Capt. John Salisbury, Colo. William Whiting, Lieut. Colo. Asa Waterman. Went to Albany, thence to Schenectady. Twice over night billeted out. In the morning marched to what was then called Warrensbush, as he thinks. Came in sight of the fire caused by the Indians and (Refugees?) Burning hay, grain houses, Barns, trees, and everything almost that would burn that the Enemy could lay their hands on. They shot cattle in the fields, hogs in the pen &c. The next day a little before sunset he with the detachment came in sight of the enemy who were retreating. An action commenced but the firing soon ceased in a measure from the Enemy's retreating. He this applicant fired seven rounds as he thinks and believes. Darkness soon put an end to the pursuit for that night. Had pursued them as he thinks near the Mohawk River. Thence were ordered back and did go back about 3 miles. The next morning pursued the enemy past Fort Herkimer towards Onieda Lake till the Enemy got aboard the boats. Thence returned to Fort Herkimer where he tarried some time whilst some were permitted to return home. Was there on guard and duty at the Fort for about 5 weeks and then dismissed. Was out in his term of service from from the commencement to the time he was dismissed one & half months (1 1/2 months). In 1781 in the fore part of October was drafted, Capt. John Salisbury, Colo. Asa Waterman. After organization *** went to Saratoga. Was there on Guard and other duties of a Soldier, and finding no enemy to fight returned home about 1 month from the time he left it. (1 month) In answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the war department: 1. He saith he was born in the town of Hebron, County of Hartford and State of Connecticut in the month of March 1762. 2. He has no other record of his age than that transmitted to him by his parents. 3. He lived in Kings district, county of Albany and Colony of New York (now town of Austerlitz, County of Columbia & State of New York) not to exceed two miles from his present residence when called into service and where and where he has resided ever since the war. 4. He was called into service by draft in all the terms of service or campaigns. 5. That in the first term of service, 1777, saw General Schuyler, General Arnold and General Gates. In 1778 saw Colo. Alden & Colo. Stacy. In 1779 saw Colo. Graham, Colo. Dubois and Colo. Heathorn. In 1780 saw Militia officers General Van Rensselaer, Colo. John McKinstry, Colo. David Pratt and Major Jacob Ford. In 1781 he saw Colo. Asa Waterman and none others, he being the Commanding officer at that Place. 6. That he never received a written discharge as he recollects, but he was honorably dismissed and was told to return home. 7. That he is known to David Ford and Jesse Maxfield who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief as to his being a Soldier of the Revolution. The applicant does not know of any others by whom he can prove his services than those whose depositions are hereunto attached, after making and using all due diligence in search of such proof and has no documentary evidence to prove his services. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on any Pension Roll of any agency of any State. /s/ John Gott Sworn to and subscribed The day and year aforesaid Before me /s/ ***** Butler (Certifications omitted.) _____________________________________________________________ (Statement of Russell Audrey) State of New York } }Ss.: County of Columbia} On this 6 day of December in the year 1832 before me personally appeared Russell Audrey, a resident of the Town of Austerlitz, County of Columbia and State of New York, aged 71 years of age, who after being duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted John Gott of the Town of Austerlitz aforesaid, has known him many years, and has heard the declaration which the said John Gott has subscribed and sworn to, read, and this deponent verily believes from the relation of his (John Gott's) campaign in the year 1780 in the month October to Warrens**** and to the Mohawk River, and to Fort Herkimer, is substantially correct, as it relates to that campaign,. This deponent was a member of the same army, though he belonged to a different Regiment from the said John Gott, Col. Kinstry's Regiment - That this deponent knew of Colo. William Whiting's Regiment being there, but does not distinctly recollect the said John Gott, but does not doubt but that the said John Gott was a member of the army of that campaign and served as he states. And further said deponent saith not. /s/ Russell Audrey Sworn and subscribed The day and year aforesaid. J. G. Ford _____________________________________________________________ (1939 Letter from pension office) November 15, 1939 Mrs. Abram Burdick RA-J/ILL 90 Elm Street John Gott Onenta, New York W. 25636 Dear Madam: The data which follows were found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 25636, based upon the service of John Gott in the Revolutionary War. John Gott was born in March 1762 in Hebron, Hartford County, Connecticut: the name of his parents were not given. At the time of the Revolutionary War , he lived in King's District, Albany County, New York, later Austerlitz, Columbia County, New York. John Gott enlisted and served as private on different tours in the New York troops, shown as follows: from early in July 1777, three months in Captain John Salsbury's company, Colonel William Whiting's regiment, engaged first at Fort Edward and Fort George, and later near Saratoga in August 1778, one month in Captain John Salsbury's company, a part of the time at Cherry Valley, from early in October 1779, three months in Captain Ebenezer Cady's company, Colonel Asa Waterman's regiment; from October 1780, about six weeks in Captain John Salsbury's company, during which he went in pursuit of the Indians who were burning homes and grain, and exchanged fire with them; and in October 1781, one month in Captain John Salsbury's company, on guard at Saratoga, New York. The soldier continued to live in Austerlitz, Columbia Count, New York. John Gott was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, at which time he resided in Austerlitz, New York. He died there March 20, 1838. The soldier married October 15, 1781, Sarah Rowland, the daughter of John Rowland, who lived in King's District, Albany County, New York; They were married at her father's home. Sarah Gott, the soldier's widow was allowed pension on her application executed March 10, 1840, at which time she was aged seventy four years; she resided then in Austerlitz, NewYork. She applied April 3, 1855 for the bounty land which was due under the Act of March 3, 1855 on account of her husband's service in the Revolutionary War; She resided then in Austerlitz, New York. Warrant # 19761 for 160 acres of bounty land was issued in her behalf. She died July 31, 1858. In 1840, Story Gott, a brother of the soldier, John Gott was a resident of Austerlitz, New York, aged seventy- four years; he stated that he and Fanny Woolcott were attendants at the marriage of his brother and Sarah Rowland. In 1840, Nicholas Howland, Sarah's brother, was a resident of Austerlitz, New York, aged seventy years; he was present at the marriage of his sister to John Gott. There are no further data pertaining to the family of this soldier. If you desire information in regard to the location of the land which was granted for the service of John Gott in the Revolutionary War, you should apply to the Commissioner, General Land Office, this city, and furnish the following data: warrant # 19761-160 acres, Act of March 3, 1855. Very truly yours, A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant To the Administrator. _____________________________________________________________ (Note: John Gott served in Colonel William Whiting's 17th Albany Militia Regiment of Kings Didtrict. Asa Waterman was a Lieutenant Colonel of the same Regiment.