Pension Application

W. 3550 (Widow: Maria)
B.L. Wt. 14965-160-55
State of New York
County of Albany SS.
            Derick Hilton (otherwise called Richard Hilton) of the town of Bethlehem in said county, aged eighty-four years and upwards, and a pensioner of the United States under the act of 7th June 1832, being duly sworn and examined, doth depose and say in order to obtain an increase of the pension now allowed him, that in the beginning of the month of September 1776, he entered the company of Captain Mathew Fisher (or Vischer) in the Regiment of Jacob Lansing in the Brigade of Genl. Abm. Ten Broeck as Orderly Sergeant of said company. That immediately thereupon on or about the tenth day of September in the year last named, he marched with his said company to Lake George, and at that place & Fort Edward performed garrison duty, and for about five days of this term of service he went out with a scouting party of which he this deponent had the command. There were as this deponent thinks & if he remembers right about five hundred soldiers at said fort or forts last named—General Gansevoort then a Colonel had for the most of the time command of that garrison at Lake George, and General Ten Broeck of the garrison at Fort Edward aforesaid. The term of this his service at Lake George & Fort Edward, was at first sixty four days or until the 15th day of November 1776.—
            On the 15th day of March 1777, he this deponent was promoted to the office of Ensign in company aforesaid, then having been previously no ensign in said company—on the day following, viz, the 16th day of March 1777 he this deponent marched to Saratoga at which place and also at other forts and passes occupied by the northern American Army he performed duty as such ensign until the 8th or 9th day of March 1777 until the 8th or 8th day of November following or for seven months and twenty-four days at least—on said eighth or 9th day of November following or for seven months and twenty-four days at least—on said eighty or 9th day of November 1777, he this deponent was discharged at Saratoga foresaid—Isaac G. Lansing Lieutenant in said company had during said seven months & 24 days the command of said company, the captain thereof Mathew Fisher being too unwell to engage in active service.
            In the latter part of the month of July 1778, he this deponent marched to the lower fort of Schoharie in the Capacity of Ensign as aforesaid and served as such from the 20th day of July or thereabouts until the latter part of September, and as near as this deponent can recollect until about the 20th day of that month the said James Lansing accompanied this deponent in said expedition also Nicholas Jeroloman at that time Captain Abraham H. Cuyler then the Lieutenant Colonel, or as this deponent thinks then Colonel of said fort. After this deponent had been at said fort a short time an express came giving information that the inhabitants of Cobleskill, (which was situated about 14 miles from said lower fort) had been had been put to death or captured & the town laid waste—A volunteer company of about 25 was formed of the men from Albany County the [?] fort left in pursuit of the enemy—this company or detachment was under the command of this deponent and after a short tour of about four days returned & resumed the performance of Garrison duty at said lower Schoharie Fort. This deponent thinks that the greatest part of the Regiment aforesaid was on duty at said fort at the time last referred to, he remembers that Captain’s Roseboom, Abraham Yates, Grosbeck --& others from said regiment were there with their companies.
            On or about the fifteenth day of June 1779,he this deponent marched with his company aforesaid and as Ensign thereof to Fort Hunter & where he performed garrison duty for about two weeks, thence he proceeded with his said company to fort Plain where he remained on duty for three weeks when he returned home. The other officers of his said company who accompanied him, in this expedition were said Isaac Lansing Lieutenant & said Jerolomon Captain—Colonel Wemple of Schenectada had the command of the whole garrison at said Fort Hunter, and General Robert Van Rensselaer at Fort Plain aforesaid.
            On or about the 15th day of September 1779, he this deponent performed service as Ensign at Fort Paris in Stone Arabia for at least fifty six days or until the beginning of the month of November following or about the 10th day of November 1779. General TenBroeck had the command of said fort, and said Jeroloman Captain & Lansing Lieutenant was aforesaid were the only commissioned officers on duty on this occasion except this deponent.
            On the 20th or 25th day of September 1780, or thereabouts the, this deponent holding the rank of Ensign as aforesaid marched from Albany to Fort Hunter with the same company officers except Captain Jeroloman (who was too unwell to leave home). At Fort Hunter he served and did duty six or eight days, when they were ordered to march to Fort Plain where after remaining a day or two they marched to Fort Herkimer—at this time the enemy retreated—the whole length of this tour about forty five days or ended on the tenth day of November 1780, or thereabout—This was the last time this deponent performed during the war of the revolution.
            And this deponent further saith, that on the fifteenth day of March 1777, as aforesaid he this deponent was a lose ensign of his said company by the unanimous vote of the members of his said company which was the practice at that time. (Signed) Derich Hilton.
            Subscribed & Sworn this 3d day of Feby 1840 before me; and I certify that said Derick Hilton is a credible witness. Wm. Galligars, Com. of Deed.
            Letter written asking for information, dated September Second 1911.
            U an desirous if obtaining some information concerning the army service of my great grand father, Derick Hilton, who served as ensign and lieutenant in Colonel Abraham Cuyler’s Regiment of New York Malitia, Revolutionary War.
            From information at hand I am led to believe that Derick Hilton was a pensioner during the latter part of his life, and until his death which occurred in 1849. I think that the pension allowance was paid to him at the Albany (N.Y) Agency and that after his death, his wife Maria (or Mary) Van Deusen Hilton drew a pension until her death in 1863.
            The information asked for is of especial importance to complete some family records, and I would esteem it a great favor if your office would let me know the date of his enlistment and discharge. If honorably discharged I would like to obtain a copy of the certificate, for which I am more than ready to pay any proper charge.

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