Francis Becraft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 12 Jun 1761 - Hudson, Albany Co, NY
Christening:
Death: 2 Nov 1852 - Schoharie, Schoharie Co, NY
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
Military, 1782
Revolutionary Roster Census, Federal, 1810 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co, NY
Roscoe, p52:
"We were fortunate to find in the possession of Henry Cady, (a descendant of Colonel Peter Vroman,) the well preserved muster-roll, bearing the date of 1782, which we here copy.
Many of those whose names are upon it, were active loyalists through the war, and why they were retained upon the list, we are unable to tell. It includes all that were liable to military duty in the whole Schoharie settlement, and will give an idea of the sparse population of the territory."
sec No. 3 -- Jacobus Deitz, Adem Deitz, Adem Deitz, Jr., Hendryck Deitz, Jury Ball, Hendrick Crosspile, Counrade Swarts, William Becraft, Jr., Francis Becraft, Johannis Eker, Nicolas Eker, Johannis Cher, Jr., Peter Snyder, John Tomson, Charles Heflig, Jacob Heflig.
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Note: I believe section three is a list of the Beaverdam settlement. In all Roscoe lists 23 sections, containing 357 men. Many of those listed above have been confirmed as Revolutionary veterans from the 3d Co Beaverdam.
ROSCOE, William E. History of Schoharie County. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co., 1862; Microfilm. The Cox Library; County, State & Local Histories. Tucson AZ: Americana Unlimited, 1974. Reprinted.
Francis Becraft Census, Federal, 1830 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co, NY
Francis Becraft Pension, Pension File Extract, 12 Nov 1832
12 November 1832 Pension, Pension File Extract, 12 Nov 1832 in Schoharie Co, NY
Affidavit of William Ball
Residence: Berlin, Albany Co., NY
Age: 69
State of New York
Schoharie County
William Ball of the town of Berlin in the county of Albany and state of New York, aged sixty nine years who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Francis Becraft who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and was well acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War and he knows he was in the Revolutionary service at Beverdam in the county of Albany in Captain Dietz's company under the command of Lieutenant Shultes in the year 1779 and in the year 1780, and he thinks, in the year 1881. That he served in the year 1779 about six or seven months according to the best of his recollection; and the next season the said Francis Becraft served at the new fort; and he, this deponent thinks, the said Francis Becraft, served there the season following but can't say how long he served but thinks it was from Spring till in the fall of each year. That this deponent believes he served as he stated in his declaration. That he is reputed to be a man of truth and he knows him to be of the age he has stated.
William Ball
Sworn and subscribed
This 12th day of November
1832 in open court
John Gebhard Jr., Clerk
File #12192 Pension, Pension File Extract, 12 Nov 1832 in Schoharie Co, NY
Francis Becraft
Original Declaration for pension
12 November 1832
State of New York
Schoharie County
On the twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the court of Oyer and Terminer, held in and for the county of Schoharie and state afore said, now setting Francis Becraft, a resident of the town and county of Schoharie and State of New York, age seventy three years and five months, 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, and served as herein stated.
He entered the service as a volunteer in the month of August, he thinks it was, in the year 1778, in captain William Dietz's company in colonel Peter Vrooman's regiment, the company was then commanded by Lieutenant Mattice Shultes, Captain Dietz having been a few days before taken prisoner by the Indians, and his father, mother, wife and all his children murdered and scalped by the Indians, and he taken to Canada where he died as was reported. The company was stationed at [Westmaris]? Fort at a place called Bever Dam in Albany County in the State of New York about ten or twelve miles from the lower fort in Schoharie, that he joined the company there, and continued to serve in it for the space of three months and was discharged at the Fort in the month of November; that his discharge was not in writing. That when he entered the service he lived at a place now called Rensselaerville in the county of Albany and State of New York.
That in the spring of the year 1779 in the month of April, he thinks it was, he again entered the service as a volunteer in the same company and regiment and was stationed at the same fort above mentioned. That he continued to serve in the company till sometime in the month of November when he was discharged at the place aforesaid.
That again in the spring of the year 1780, he entered the service in the same company and regiment and was stationed at the same place as before, and continued in the service till sometime in November when he was discharged. That during this term of service they were a good part of the time employed in building another fort at Bever Dam aforesaid about two miles from the one where they were stationed.
In the spring of the year 1781, sometime in the month of April, he thinks it was, he entered the service again as a volunteer in the same company and regiment as before stated, that they were stationed at the new Fort in Bever Dam aforesaid in the county of Albany aforesaid. That he continued to serve in said company till late in the fall when he was discharged at the Fort aforesaid. That he was not in any battle but his chief employ was in standing guard and scouting.
That again in the spring of the year 1783 he volunteered in the same company and regiment aforesaid, at the place aforesaid, and continued to serve in said company for about a month when they were all discharged.
That he was in the service of Captain Dietz's company then commanded by Lieutenant Shultes, at Bever dam aforesaid, in all, about two years and six or eight months according to the best of his recollection.
He was born in Hudson in the county of Columbia and State of New York the 12th day of June 1760 ~ That his age is recorded in the High Dutch reform a church Book at Schoharie, now county of Schoharie the city of Hudson in Columbia County, and the State of New York. That he was living in a place called Rensselaer Vill in the County of Schoharie Albany and State of New York when he first entered the service. That he has lived ever since the revolutionary war in the town of Bern in Albany County, till about twenty years ago. He moved to the town and county of Schoharie and State of New York, where he has lived ever since and now lives. That he entered into service each time as a volunteer - He does not remember the names of any regular officers who were with the troops where he served or of any continental or militia regiments other than the regiment he belonged to. He never received a written discharge. That he is known to the following persons in his present neighborhood who he thinks can testify to his character for [uranty]? and their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution. To wit, Ezer Nethaway, Pelet Nethaway, Robert Burton, Christian Wever, Christian Shafer, John Ingold, Jabez W. Throop, and others.
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 other state.
NB. In the first page in the 14th line from the top the word "been" is intended and in the 18th line the word "in the State of New York" intended. In the 22 line the word "now" intended. In the 34th line the word "were" intended. In the 16th line of 2nd page the words "the high" erased. In the 17th the words "Dutch reformed Schoharie now county of Schoharie" erased and the words "the city of Hudson in Columbia county" intended. [Whiwise]? the letter "a" 18th line the word "Schoharie" was before ex [untron]?.
Sworn to and subscribed his
The day and year aforesaid Francis Becraft
In open court. mark
John Gebhard J. Clerk
12 November 1832 Pension, Pension File Extract, 12 Nov 1832 in Schoharie Co, NY
Affidavit of Jacob Shultes
Residence: Knox, Albany Co., NY
Age: 72
State of New York
Schoharie County
Jacob Shultes of the town of Knox in the county of Albany and state of aforesaid, aged seventy two years who being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Francis Becraft, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing and was well acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War and he knows that the said Francis Becraft was in the Revolutionary service in Captain Dietz's company then commanded by Lieutenant Shultes in the years 1778 and 1779 at Bever dam in the county of Albany and state aforesaid. That this deponent was orderly sergeant of said company during that time and he believes that the said Francis Becraft served in said company as he has stated in his declaration. And further that the said Francis Becraft is reputed to be a man of truth and this deponent believes him to be of the age he states.
His
Jacob X Shultes
Mark
Sworn and subscribed
The 12th day of November
1832 in open court
John Gebhard Jr., Clerk
12 November 1832 Pension, Pension File Extract, 12 Nov 1832 in Schoharie Co, NY
Affidavit of Matthias Reinehardt
Residence: Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY
Age: 69
State of New York
Schoharie County
Matthias Reinehardt of the town and county of Schoharie being duly sworn according to the Law, doth depose and say that he is in the sixty ninth year of his age and that he is well acquainted with Francis Becraft of the town and county of Schoharie and was well acquainted with him in the Revolutionary War; and he knows that the said Francis Becraft was in the Revolutionary service in the year 1781 and 1782. That it was about the first of May 1781 that he firstly saw him in the service in Bever dam in the county of Albany and state aforesaid. That he was in Captain Dietz's company in Colonel Vrooman's regiment. That this deponent belonged to the same company and regiment. That this deponent volunteered in the same company about the first of May and he knows that the said Francis Becraft was in the service at that time and continued in it till late in the month of November, according to the best of his recollection.
That this deponent was in the same company and regiment in the year 1782 and he knows that the said Francis Becraft was in the same company and regiment from about the first of May 1782 till sometime in November, should say it was part the middle. That the said Francis Becraft was in the service when this deponent entered it in each of the above years, but can't say how long he had been in when this deponent entered.
Matthias Rheinhardt
Sworn to and subscribed
This day and year aforesaid
In open court
John Gebhardt Jr., Clerk
We [???] Matthias Reinhardt who has subscribed [???] the above affidavit is a reliable witness.
Wm. Shann, Judge
John Gebhardt Jr., Clerk
12 November 1832 Pension, Pension File Extract, 6 Jun 1833 in Schoharie Co, NY
And the said court do hereby declare this opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
Judges of
Oyer & Terminer
V. W. [???], Circuit Judge
William Bakman
Henry Shafer
Wm. Shann
We certify that Francis Becraft, the applicant, and William Ball and Jacob Shultes, the persons who have sworn to the annexed affidavits are reputed to be men of truth~
Judges of
Oyer & Terminer
Wm Shann
William Bakman
Henry Shafer
I John Gebhardt, Junior, Clerk of the court of Oyer & Terminer do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Francis Becraft for a pension.
In testimony where of, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this office this 12th day of November 1832.
John Gebhardt Jr., Clerk of
Schoharie County Court of Oyer and Terminer
Annexed Declaration Pension, Affidavit for widow Margaret Reinhart Dietz, 10 Jul 1839
Francis Becraft
6 June 1833
State of New York
Schoharie County
On this sixth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the court of common pleas of the county of Schoharie and state of New York now setting, Francis Becraft, named in the annexed declaration, who being duly sworn according to the Law, doth in addition to what he has stated and sworn to in his declaration, doth further say, that in the year 1780, he entered the service in the month of April but cannot state the day of the month but is confident it was as soon as the tenth of the month, and that he was not discharged till as late as the 20th of November according to the best of his recollection.
And that in the year 1781 he entered the service in April thinks it was the fore part of the month but does not know but that it was as late as the middle of the month, that he continued in the service till in the month of November as late as the 20th he thinks, if not later, but can't swear positively as to the day of the month.
And this deponent further saith that on the fourth or fifth of April 1872, at Bever dam in the county of Albany and state of New York, he entered the service as a volunteer in the same company and regiment he before served in, but the company at this time was commanded by one Adam Dietz. That they were stationed as what was called Switz Kill Fort, at Beverdam aforesaid. That his chief employ was standing guard and scouting. That he continued in the service till late in November, he thinks it was as late as the 20th at least, when he was discharged at the Fort aforesaid. That this term of service should have been stated in his original declaration and that he was not apprized of its omission till his papers were returned.
His
Francis X Becraft
Mark
From the Affidavit of Francis Becraft of the Town and County of Schoharie, New York, being duly sworn doth depose and say that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army and is now a pensioner under the laws of the United States. This deponent further says that during the Revolutionary War he served as a Private in a company commanded by Captain Adam Dietz in the County of Albany during which time the said Adam Dietz had the command of the Switz Kill fort in the said County of Albany. The said Adam Dietz did duty as a Captain and commanded a company in which this deponent was a Private in the said County of Albany, during the War of the Revolution, for the term of two years and states _________. He had the command of said Company at the time that Peace was declared and for about two years previous there, that said Company according to the best Knowledge of this deponent belonged to a Regiment commanded by Colonel Vrooman and says as described above. Residence, Albany Daily Argus, 24 Sep 1850 in Fox Creek Bridge, Schoharie Co, NY
Subscribed and sworn before me the 10th day of July, 1839.
Mr. Francis Becraft, who resides with his son, Jacob Becraft, near Fox Creek Bridge, entered upon his 101st year of his age in July last. He reads the finest print without glasses. Betsey Caesar, a colored woman, residing in the family of Mr. C. H. Schaefer, near this village, is 105 years old. She was captured in Africa when young and brought to this country and enslaved. (Schoharie Patriot) Obituary, Boston Evening, 8 Nov 1852 in MA
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyschoha/miscell.html
Remarkable Family Longevity. Died in Schoharie, N.Y. 2d inst., Francis Becroft, a revolutionary soldier, aged 102 years. When his father was 105 and his mother 102 years of age, they mounted the same horse and together rode... Obituary, New-Hampshire Patriot, 17 Nov 1852 in NH
Francis Becroft, a revolutionary soldier, died at Schoharie, N.Y. on the 2d just, at 11 o'clock, A.M., aged 102 years. When his father was 105 and his mother 102 years of age, they mounted the same horse and together rode from Borst's Mill in the town of Middleburgh to visit a ...
Parents
Father: William Becraft
Mother: Maria Mareitje Ekkerzon
Spouses and Children
1. *Catherine Dietz
Marriage: 24 Dec 1785 - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Schoharie, Albany Co, NY
Status:
Children:
1. William Becraft
2. Elizabeth Becraft
3. Maria Becraft
4. Margaretha Becraft
5. Annatje "Anna" Becraft
6. Peter Becraft
7. Jacob Becraft
8. Sarah Becraft
Notes
General:
Ancestry.com, William Knox, wknox1@msn.comMarriage Notes (Catherine Dietz)
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyschoha/miscell.html
Mr. Francis Becraft, who resides with his son, Jacob Becraft, near Fox Creek Bridge, entered upon his 101st year of his age in July last. He reads the finest print without glasses. Betsey Caesar, a colored woman, residing in the family of Mr . C. H. Schaefer, near this village, is 105 years old. She was captured in Africa when young and brought to this country and enslaved. (Schoharie Patriot) - Albany Daily Argus, September 24, 1850.
** New reference **
"We were fortunate to find in the possession of Henry Cady, (a descendant of Colonel Peter Vroman,) the well preserved muster-roll, bearing the date of 1782, which we here copy. Many of those whose names are upon it, were active loyalists throug h the war, and why they were retained upon the list, we are unable to tell. It includes all that were liable to military duty in the whole Schoharie settlement, and will give an idea of the sparse population of the territory."
sec No. 3 -- Jacobus Deitz, Adem Deitz, Adem Deitz, Jr., Hendryck Deitz, Jury Ball, Hendrick Crosspile, Counrade Swarts, William Becraft, Jr., Francis Becraft, Johannis Eker, Nicolas Eker, Johannis Cher, Jr., Peter Snyder, John Tomson, Charles Hef lig, Jacob Heflig.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyhamilt/bios/Becraft1.html by Joan Murray adds...
Francis was a resident of Rensselaerville, Albany Co., NY when he enlisted for service in the Revolutionary War in August of 1778. He served through November of that year at the fort at Beaver dam, Albany County, NY in Capt. William Dietz's company, in Colonel Peter Vrooman's regiment. The company was at that time commanded by Lieutenant Mattice Shultes, "Captain Dietz having been a few days before taken prisoner by the Indians, and his father, mother, wife and all his children murdered and scalped by the Indians, and he taken to Canada where he died as was reported." Francis served from April to November in each of the next four years in the same regiment. For the first two years he served at the "old" fort and was mainly employed building the "new" fort, called Switz Kill Fort, a few miles from the old fort in Beaver dam. The next two years were served at the new fort, where Francis was employed standing guard and scouting. Again, in the spring of 1783, Francis reported for duty. After one month he was discharged.
The Following spring, Francis and Catherine were married. They resided in Bern, Albany Co., NY until about 1810, when they moved to Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY where they resided until their deaths. Francis is listed on the 1840 Schoharie census as a pensioner living with his son, Jacob. In 1850, Francis was still living with Jacob, near Fox Creek Bridge, in Schoharie. According to the 1850 census, Francis was aged 100 and his occupation was listed as farmer.
1
MARR: Barker #1620. 1785 Schoharie Lutheran Church Frantz Becraft to Catherine Dietz.
Frantz s/o William Becraft and Maria.
Sources
1. Joanne Murray (lajkam@gmail.com), The Becraft Family of Morehouse (http://hamilton.nygenweb.net/bios/Becraft1.html).