Research by J. Kelsey Jones:
James Seeley born 9 July 1760 (date from pension application; age on cemetery memorial would place birth at Dec 1758) resided at Smith's Cove, Orange County and while residing there enlisted in the American Revolution (pension file S11366). James removed with his parents to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey and there married 2 March 1780 (date not confirmed) Ann Westlake, often known by the common nickname of Nancy, born 8 December 1762 (calculation from age at death on cemetery memorial) daughter of Samuel Westlake and Sarah Welling of Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey who were connected with the large iron works in Hardyston and who removed to Virginia after the Revolutionary War. Most deeds were signed as Ann, but some as Nancy. Her memorial in the family cemetery is inscribed with Nancy. In James deposition for a pension he stated - "that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport." James was too young to appear on the 1780 and 1781 assessment lists of Hardyston. On 3 November 1788, lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. James was enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1790 with one male over age sixteen (born before 1774), three males under age sixteen (born 1775-90), and two females in the household.
On the 8 April 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall and Adam Seely conveyed 246 acres to John Smith. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely.
On the 26 April 1791, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill's land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Seely, Sarah Seely, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:25-6).
On the 19 June 1792, Nathaniel Seely Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife; Addam Seely; James Seely and Anna his wife of the Town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 577 acres to Timothy Smith late of the County of Orange and State of New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr, Elizabeth Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Addam Seely, James Seely, and Anne Seely. Witnessed by John Durham, Jr., John Smith, Abner Wells (Tioga County Deed 1:30).
On the 27 June 1792 John Waier and wife Sarah of the Town of Chemung, County of Tioga conveyed 214 acres to James Seely of the same place, part of lot 102 of 414 acres patented to John Waier. Witnessed by Mercy Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:27).
Nathaniel Seely, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, James Seely and Nancy his wife, and Addam Seely of the town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 592 ¾ acres to Josiah Seely, Jr., of Orange County, New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Adam Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Timothy Smith (Tioga County Deed 1:44-5).
On the 18 July 1792 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; James Seely and Ann his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife conveyed 589 acres to Adam Seely, part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Samuel Edsall (Tioga County Deed 1:33).
On the 18 July 1792 James Seely and Ann his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, and Adam Seely and Keziah his wife conveyed 311 acres to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, and Addam Seely. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely, Keziah Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:34-5).
A petition was presented 3 June 1793, by Amos Park, James Cameron, Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., Henry Sterrett, Peter Loop, Jr., Nathaniel Teal, James Seeley, John Crabtree, to the grand lodge F. & A. M. of New York, for the the establishment of a lodge at New Town, which application was granted 18 June 1793, under the name of Union Lodge, No. 30. The first meeting of the lodge was held at the house of John Konkle, in the village of New Town, 26 Aug 1793 with the following officers elected - President, Amos Park, W. M; James Cameron, S. W; Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., J. W; Peter Loop, Jr., Sec.; John Konkle, Treasurer; Nathaniel Teal, Tiler; James Seeley, member; Abiel Frye, Vistor.
James appears on the 1794 tax list.
On 10 Sept 1795, James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown mortgaged 114 acres to Timothy Smith and John Smith of Seely Creek (Tioga County Mortgage 1:27).
On 25 September 1795 James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 100 acres to Timothy and John Smith of Seely Creek in the town of Newtown, part of lot 102. Signed James Seely and Anny Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Benjamin Littleton (Tioga County Deed 1:155).
James appears on the 1 October 1798 assessment list.
James was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1800 with three males under age 10 (born 1791-1800), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), the column for males of age sixteen and under age twenty six is torn, the column for males of age twenty six and under age forty five is torn, one male over age 45 (born before 1755), two females under age ten (born 1791-1800), two females of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (born 1756-74).
On 10 April 1792, Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.
On 15 November 1803, James Seely and Ann, his wife, and Caleb Smith and Hannah, his wife, all of Tioga County conveyed a sawmill and implements, being part of of land patented to John Waier in the town of Newtown along the highway and Seely Creek. Signed James Seely and Caleb Smith. Witnessed by James Matterton and Abner Hetfield (Tioga County Deed 2:170).
On 2 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy his wife of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 170 acres to Solomon L. Smith of Newtown, part of lot no. 102 and part of 428 acres granted to John Waier and transfered by him to James Seely, out of which is deducted ¾ acre conveyed to Ralph Bevier. Signed James Seely and Nancy Seely. Witnessed by Abner N. Hatfield, John Waier, Archibald Marvin (Tioga County Deed 2:324).
On 20 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy, his wife, conveyed 5 acres to Howes Goldsbough on Seely Creek, mentions mill race, and part of land conveyed from John Waier to James Seely. Signed James Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Lemuel Gaylord (Tioga County Deed 2:468).
On 21 April 1806 James Seely of the County of Tioga conveyed to Howes Goldsbough as clarification by conveyance on 15 Nov 1803 a sawmill with implements, said deed to include mill dam and land. Signed by James Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Nathaniel Seely (Tioga County Deed 2:407).
James and Nancy left the Seeley Creek Valley and removed a few miles south into the hills of Tioga County, Pennsylvania in an area that became Jackson Township, settling on a high elevation at what became known as Seeley Hill, west of Millerton. James was enumerated in 1810 in Delmar Township (Jackson Township not yet formed), Tioga County with two males under age ten (born 1801-10), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), three males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), one male over age forty five (born before 1765), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), and one female over age forty five (born before 1765). James acquired lands from the William Bingham estate on 17 May 1810 (Deed 1:166). On the 1812 assessment, James had 200 acres, 1 horse, 2 oxen, and 3 cows. James appears on a special assessment of Tioga and Delmar Townships, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, dated 7 October 1814 when it was submitted to the commissioners of Tioga County. This was a special tax enumeration of the two townships that existed in the entire County at that date. James Seeley is listed as age 54, farmer. On the 1816 assessment there was listed 110 improved acres, 160 acres wild land, 2 houses, 3 cows. James and Nancy were included in the enumeration of their son Westlake's household in Jackson Township in 1830.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at the Court house in the Village of Elmira in and for the County of Tioga and State of New York. On this 4th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges aforesaid being a Court of record because made so by the Constitution and laws of the State having by law a clerk and seal now sitting James Seely a resident of Southport in the County of Tioga and State aforesaid aged seventy two years the ninth day of July last 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted in the month of July 1776 for one year under Captain Thomas Moffat but when he started on his march to New York his Captain was unwell and Lieutenant Joshua Brown took the command of the company - he was under the general command of Col. Isaac Nichols who then lived in Goshen, Orange County - the was march'd to the City of New York when General Sullivan and Lord Sterling commanded the American forces - the country though which he passed during this term of services was at the City of New York and its vicinity and along up the North River - he was in the battles of Kingsbridge and White Plains and was at Fort Washington, which was under the command of Col. Morgan, when it was surrendered to the British late in the fall he served out the term and was regularly discharged - soon after the expiration of this term he volunteered to go against the Indians and tories on the frontier of Orange County and upon the Delaware River and especially in that region call'd the Minisink Country - he turned out for no definite period but for as long as circumstances might require - he cannot designate any particular officer or company to which he was attach'd as he was at times under different officers and attach'd to different companies - he understood that their orders issued mainly from Col. Jacob Stroud - That the general nature of his service was garrison duty, scouting parties, watching the tories, spying out the Indians by occassionally pursuing their tail - he was in many skirmishes and one or two smart brushes with the Indians. In this way he continued and in this line of service for upwards of two years and was not finally dismiss'd till in 1780. He has no documentary evidence of his services - neither does he know of any person except Silas Hall whose testimony he can procure who can testify to them. And to the several interrogations put by the Court to him he says that he was born in the town of Oxford in the County of Orange and State of New York on the ninth day of July in the year 1760 - that he has a kind of memorandum or family record of his age somewhere in his possession from which and his full recollection of it as handed him by his parents he verily believes his age to be as stated - that when he entered the service he lived at a place called Smith's Cove in the County of Orange aforesaid - that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport upon the waters of Seely Creek where he has lived upwards of forty two years - that in all his service he was a volunteer that he knew Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Clinton and Col. Stroud - that he never received any other discharge than a verbal dismissal - that he would refer to his honor the first Judge of the Court, his father Capt. William Baldwin and Thomas Maxwell Esquire of Elmira - to Caleb Baker Esquire, Col. Solomon L. Smith, Doct A. Gates White and William Jenkins, Esq of Southport as persons acquainted with his reputation for truth and their belief in the truth of the forgoing declaration - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. James Seely.
James was inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of $80 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831, certificate of pension issued 22 November 1832. James died 5 Apr 1837. Nancy was evidently the female of age 70 and under age 80 (born 1761-70) enumerated in the household of son Westlake in Jackson Township in 1840. Nancy died 5 May 1841 buried with James in Seeley Hill Cemetery, Jackson Township. Seeley Hill Cemetery is a small cemetery enclosed by a stone wall in a relatively excellent state of preservation for its age and was the burial site for the James Seeley and Nancy Westlake family and descendants for many years. The cemetery is on the north side of Skyline Drive beside the road at the highest point of Skyline Drive.
The age on his memorial would compute to a different date of birth than what James furnished in his pension application. His brother, Israel was born in 1758 (provided his memorial is correct), presumably the pension application date of birth of 9 July 1760 being the correct date.
James Seeley born 9 July 1760 (date from pension application; age on cemetery memorial would place birth at Dec 1758) resided at Smith's Cove, Orange County and while residing there enlisted in the American Revolution (pension file S11366). James removed with his parents to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey and there married 2 March 1780 (date not confirmed) Ann Westlake, often known by the common nickname of Nancy, born 8 December 1762 (calculation from age at death on cemetery memorial) daughter of Samuel Westlake and Sarah Welling of Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey who were connected with the large iron works in Hardyston and who removed to Virginia after the Revolutionary War. Most deeds were signed as Ann, but some as Nancy. Her memorial in the family cemetery is inscribed with Nancy. In James deposition for a pension he stated - "that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport." James was too young to appear on the 1780 and 1781 assessment lists of Hardyston. On 3 November 1788, lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. James was enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1790 with one male over age sixteen (born before 1774), three males under age sixteen (born 1775-90), and two females in the household.
On the 8 April 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall and Adam Seely conveyed 246 acres to John Smith. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely.
On the 26 April 1791, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill's land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Seely, Sarah Seely, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:25-6).
On the 19 June 1792, Nathaniel Seely Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife; Addam Seely; James Seely and Anna his wife of the Town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 577 acres to Timothy Smith late of the County of Orange and State of New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr, Elizabeth Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Addam Seely, James Seely, and Anne Seely. Witnessed by John Durham, Jr., John Smith, Abner Wells (Tioga County Deed 1:30).
On the 27 June 1792 John Waier and wife Sarah of the Town of Chemung, County of Tioga conveyed 214 acres to James Seely of the same place, part of lot 102 of 414 acres patented to John Waier. Witnessed by Mercy Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:27).
Nathaniel Seely, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, James Seely and Nancy his wife, and Addam Seely of the town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 592 ¾ acres to Josiah Seely, Jr., of Orange County, New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Adam Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Timothy Smith (Tioga County Deed 1:44-5).
On the 18 July 1792 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; James Seely and Ann his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife conveyed 589 acres to Adam Seely, part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Samuel Edsall (Tioga County Deed 1:33).
On the 18 July 1792 James Seely and Ann his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, and Adam Seely and Keziah his wife conveyed 311 acres to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, and Addam Seely. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely, Keziah Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:34-5).
A petition was presented 3 June 1793, by Amos Park, James Cameron, Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., Henry Sterrett, Peter Loop, Jr., Nathaniel Teal, James Seeley, John Crabtree, to the grand lodge F. & A. M. of New York, for the the establishment of a lodge at New Town, which application was granted 18 June 1793, under the name of Union Lodge, No. 30. The first meeting of the lodge was held at the house of John Konkle, in the village of New Town, 26 Aug 1793 with the following officers elected - President, Amos Park, W. M; James Cameron, S. W; Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., J. W; Peter Loop, Jr., Sec.; John Konkle, Treasurer; Nathaniel Teal, Tiler; James Seeley, member; Abiel Frye, Vistor.
James appears on the 1794 tax list.
On 10 Sept 1795, James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown mortgaged 114 acres to Timothy Smith and John Smith of Seely Creek (Tioga County Mortgage 1:27).
On 25 September 1795 James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 100 acres to Timothy and John Smith of Seely Creek in the town of Newtown, part of lot 102. Signed James Seely and Anny Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Benjamin Littleton (Tioga County Deed 1:155).
James appears on the 1 October 1798 assessment list.
James was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1800 with three males under age 10 (born 1791-1800), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), the column for males of age sixteen and under age twenty six is torn, the column for males of age twenty six and under age forty five is torn, one male over age 45 (born before 1755), two females under age ten (born 1791-1800), two females of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (born 1756-74).
On 10 April 1792, Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.
On 15 November 1803, James Seely and Ann, his wife, and Caleb Smith and Hannah, his wife, all of Tioga County conveyed a sawmill and implements, being part of of land patented to John Waier in the town of Newtown along the highway and Seely Creek. Signed James Seely and Caleb Smith. Witnessed by James Matterton and Abner Hetfield (Tioga County Deed 2:170).
On 2 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy his wife of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 170 acres to Solomon L. Smith of Newtown, part of lot no. 102 and part of 428 acres granted to John Waier and transfered by him to James Seely, out of which is deducted ¾ acre conveyed to Ralph Bevier. Signed James Seely and Nancy Seely. Witnessed by Abner N. Hatfield, John Waier, Archibald Marvin (Tioga County Deed 2:324).
On 20 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy, his wife, conveyed 5 acres to Howes Goldsbough on Seely Creek, mentions mill race, and part of land conveyed from John Waier to James Seely. Signed James Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Lemuel Gaylord (Tioga County Deed 2:468).
On 21 April 1806 James Seely of the County of Tioga conveyed to Howes Goldsbough as clarification by conveyance on 15 Nov 1803 a sawmill with implements, said deed to include mill dam and land. Signed by James Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Nathaniel Seely (Tioga County Deed 2:407).
James and Nancy left the Seeley Creek Valley and removed a few miles south into the hills of Tioga County, Pennsylvania in an area that became Jackson Township, settling on a high elevation at what became known as Seeley Hill, west of Millerton. James was enumerated in 1810 in Delmar Township (Jackson Township not yet formed), Tioga County with two males under age ten (born 1801-10), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), three males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), one male over age forty five (born before 1765), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), and one female over age forty five (born before 1765). James acquired lands from the William Bingham estate on 17 May 1810 (Deed 1:166). On the 1812 assessment, James had 200 acres, 1 horse, 2 oxen, and 3 cows. James appears on a special assessment of Tioga and Delmar Townships, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, dated 7 October 1814 when it was submitted to the commissioners of Tioga County. This was a special tax enumeration of the two townships that existed in the entire County at that date. James Seeley is listed as age 54, farmer. On the 1816 assessment there was listed 110 improved acres, 160 acres wild land, 2 houses, 3 cows. James and Nancy were included in the enumeration of their son Westlake's household in Jackson Township in 1830.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at the Court house in the Village of Elmira in and for the County of Tioga and State of New York. On this 4th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges aforesaid being a Court of record because made so by the Constitution and laws of the State having by law a clerk and seal now sitting James Seely a resident of Southport in the County of Tioga and State aforesaid aged seventy two years the ninth day of July last 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted in the month of July 1776 for one year under Captain Thomas Moffat but when he started on his march to New York his Captain was unwell and Lieutenant Joshua Brown took the command of the company - he was under the general command of Col. Isaac Nichols who then lived in Goshen, Orange County - the was march'd to the City of New York when General Sullivan and Lord Sterling commanded the American forces - the country though which he passed during this term of services was at the City of New York and its vicinity and along up the North River - he was in the battles of Kingsbridge and White Plains and was at Fort Washington, which was under the command of Col. Morgan, when it was surrendered to the British late in the fall he served out the term and was regularly discharged - soon after the expiration of this term he volunteered to go against the Indians and tories on the frontier of Orange County and upon the Delaware River and especially in that region call'd the Minisink Country - he turned out for no definite period but for as long as circumstances might require - he cannot designate any particular officer or company to which he was attach'd as he was at times under different officers and attach'd to different companies - he understood that their orders issued mainly from Col. Jacob Stroud - That the general nature of his service was garrison duty, scouting parties, watching the tories, spying out the Indians by occassionally pursuing their tail - he was in many skirmishes and one or two smart brushes with the Indians. In this way he continued and in this line of service for upwards of two years and was not finally dismiss'd till in 1780. He has no documentary evidence of his services - neither does he know of any person except Silas Hall whose testimony he can procure who can testify to them. And to the several interrogations put by the Court to him he says that he was born in the town of Oxford in the County of Orange and State of New York on the ninth day of July in the year 1760 - that he has a kind of memorandum or family record of his age somewhere in his possession from which and his full recollection of it as handed him by his parents he verily believes his age to be as stated - that when he entered the service he lived at a place called Smith's Cove in the County of Orange aforesaid - that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport upon the waters of Seely Creek where he has lived upwards of forty two years - that in all his service he was a volunteer that he knew Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Clinton and Col. Stroud - that he never received any other discharge than a verbal dismissal - that he would refer to his honor the first Judge of the Court, his father Capt. William Baldwin and Thomas Maxwell Esquire of Elmira - to Caleb Baker Esquire, Col. Solomon L. Smith, Doct A. Gates White and William Jenkins, Esq of Southport as persons acquainted with his reputation for truth and their belief in the truth of the forgoing declaration - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. James Seely.
James was inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of $80 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831, certificate of pension issued 22 November 1832. James died 5 Apr 1837. Nancy was evidently the female of age 70 and under age 80 (born 1761-70) enumerated in the household of son Westlake in Jackson Township in 1840. Nancy died 5 May 1841 buried with James in Seeley Hill Cemetery, Jackson Township. Seeley Hill Cemetery is a small cemetery enclosed by a stone wall in a relatively excellent state of preservation for its age and was the burial site for the James Seeley and Nancy Westlake family and descendants for many years. The cemetery is on the north side of Skyline Drive beside the road at the highest point of Skyline Drive.
The age on his memorial would compute to a different date of birth than what James furnished in his pension application. His brother, Israel was born in 1758 (provided his memorial is correct), presumably the pension application date of birth of 9 July 1760 being the correct date.
Research by J. Kelsey Jones:
James Seeley born 9 July 1760 (date from pension application; age on cemetery memorial would place birth at Dec 1758) resided at Smith's Cove, Orange County and while residing there enlisted in the American Revolution (pension file S11366). James removed with his parents to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey and there married 2 March 1780 (date not confirmed) Ann Westlake, often known by the common nickname of Nancy, born 8 December 1762 (calculation from age at death on cemetery memorial) daughter of Samuel Westlake and Sarah Welling of Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey who were connected with the large iron works in Hardyston and who removed to Virginia after the Revolutionary War. Most deeds were signed as Ann, but some as Nancy. Her memorial in the family cemetery is inscribed with Nancy. In James deposition for a pension he stated - "that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport." James was too young to appear on the 1780 and 1781 assessment lists of Hardyston. On 3 November 1788, lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. James was enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1790 with one male over age sixteen (born before 1774), three males under age sixteen (born 1775-90), and two females in the household.
On the 8 April 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall and Adam Seely conveyed 246 acres to John Smith. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely.
On the 26 April 1791, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill's land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Seely, Sarah Seely, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:25-6).
On the 19 June 1792, Nathaniel Seely Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife; Addam Seely; James Seely and Anna his wife of the Town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 577 acres to Timothy Smith late of the County of Orange and State of New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr, Elizabeth Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Addam Seely, James Seely, and Anne Seely. Witnessed by John Durham, Jr., John Smith, Abner Wells (Tioga County Deed 1:30).
On the 27 June 1792 John Waier and wife Sarah of the Town of Chemung, County of Tioga conveyed 214 acres to James Seely of the same place, part of lot 102 of 414 acres patented to John Waier. Witnessed by Mercy Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:27).
Nathaniel Seely, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, James Seely and Nancy his wife, and Addam Seely of the town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 592 ¾ acres to Josiah Seely, Jr., of Orange County, New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Adam Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Timothy Smith (Tioga County Deed 1:44-5).
On the 18 July 1792 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; James Seely and Ann his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife conveyed 589 acres to Adam Seely, part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Samuel Edsall (Tioga County Deed 1:33).
On the 18 July 1792 James Seely and Ann his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, and Adam Seely and Keziah his wife conveyed 311 acres to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, and Addam Seely. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely, Keziah Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:34-5).
A petition was presented 3 June 1793, by Amos Park, James Cameron, Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., Henry Sterrett, Peter Loop, Jr., Nathaniel Teal, James Seeley, John Crabtree, to the grand lodge F. & A. M. of New York, for the the establishment of a lodge at New Town, which application was granted 18 June 1793, under the name of Union Lodge, No. 30. The first meeting of the lodge was held at the house of John Konkle, in the village of New Town, 26 Aug 1793 with the following officers elected - President, Amos Park, W. M; James Cameron, S. W; Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., J. W; Peter Loop, Jr., Sec.; John Konkle, Treasurer; Nathaniel Teal, Tiler; James Seeley, member; Abiel Frye, Vistor.
James appears on the 1794 tax list.
On 10 Sept 1795, James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown mortgaged 114 acres to Timothy Smith and John Smith of Seely Creek (Tioga County Mortgage 1:27).
On 25 September 1795 James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 100 acres to Timothy and John Smith of Seely Creek in the town of Newtown, part of lot 102. Signed James Seely and Anny Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Benjamin Littleton (Tioga County Deed 1:155).
James appears on the 1 October 1798 assessment list.
James was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1800 with three males under age 10 (born 1791-1800), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), the column for males of age sixteen and under age twenty six is torn, the column for males of age twenty six and under age forty five is torn, one male over age 45 (born before 1755), two females under age ten (born 1791-1800), two females of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (born 1756-74).
On 10 April 1792, Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.
On 15 November 1803, James Seely and Ann, his wife, and Caleb Smith and Hannah, his wife, all of Tioga County conveyed a sawmill and implements, being part of of land patented to John Waier in the town of Newtown along the highway and Seely Creek. Signed James Seely and Caleb Smith. Witnessed by James Matterton and Abner Hetfield (Tioga County Deed 2:170).
On 2 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy his wife of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 170 acres to Solomon L. Smith of Newtown, part of lot no. 102 and part of 428 acres granted to John Waier and transfered by him to James Seely, out of which is deducted ¾ acre conveyed to Ralph Bevier. Signed James Seely and Nancy Seely. Witnessed by Abner N. Hatfield, John Waier, Archibald Marvin (Tioga County Deed 2:324).
On 20 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy, his wife, conveyed 5 acres to Howes Goldsbough on Seely Creek, mentions mill race, and part of land conveyed from John Waier to James Seely. Signed James Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Lemuel Gaylord (Tioga County Deed 2:468).
On 21 April 1806 James Seely of the County of Tioga conveyed to Howes Goldsbough as clarification by conveyance on 15 Nov 1803 a sawmill with implements, said deed to include mill dam and land. Signed by James Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Nathaniel Seely (Tioga County Deed 2:407).
James and Nancy left the Seeley Creek Valley and removed a few miles south into the hills of Tioga County, Pennsylvania in an area that became Jackson Township, settling on a high elevation at what became known as Seeley Hill, west of Millerton. James was enumerated in 1810 in Delmar Township (Jackson Township not yet formed), Tioga County with two males under age ten (born 1801-10), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), three males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), one male over age forty five (born before 1765), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), and one female over age forty five (born before 1765). James acquired lands from the William Bingham estate on 17 May 1810 (Deed 1:166). On the 1812 assessment, James had 200 acres, 1 horse, 2 oxen, and 3 cows. James appears on a special assessment of Tioga and Delmar Townships, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, dated 7 October 1814 when it was submitted to the commissioners of Tioga County. This was a special tax enumeration of the two townships that existed in the entire County at that date. James Seeley is listed as age 54, farmer. On the 1816 assessment there was listed 110 improved acres, 160 acres wild land, 2 houses, 3 cows. James and Nancy were included in the enumeration of their son Westlake's household in Jackson Township in 1830.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at the Court house in the Village of Elmira in and for the County of Tioga and State of New York. On this 4th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges aforesaid being a Court of record because made so by the Constitution and laws of the State having by law a clerk and seal now sitting James Seely a resident of Southport in the County of Tioga and State aforesaid aged seventy two years the ninth day of July last 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted in the month of July 1776 for one year under Captain Thomas Moffat but when he started on his march to New York his Captain was unwell and Lieutenant Joshua Brown took the command of the company - he was under the general command of Col. Isaac Nichols who then lived in Goshen, Orange County - the was march'd to the City of New York when General Sullivan and Lord Sterling commanded the American forces - the country though which he passed during this term of services was at the City of New York and its vicinity and along up the North River - he was in the battles of Kingsbridge and White Plains and was at Fort Washington, which was under the command of Col. Morgan, when it was surrendered to the British late in the fall he served out the term and was regularly discharged - soon after the expiration of this term he volunteered to go against the Indians and tories on the frontier of Orange County and upon the Delaware River and especially in that region call'd the Minisink Country - he turned out for no definite period but for as long as circumstances might require - he cannot designate any particular officer or company to which he was attach'd as he was at times under different officers and attach'd to different companies - he understood that their orders issued mainly from Col. Jacob Stroud - That the general nature of his service was garrison duty, scouting parties, watching the tories, spying out the Indians by occassionally pursuing their tail - he was in many skirmishes and one or two smart brushes with the Indians. In this way he continued and in this line of service for upwards of two years and was not finally dismiss'd till in 1780. He has no documentary evidence of his services - neither does he know of any person except Silas Hall whose testimony he can procure who can testify to them. And to the several interrogations put by the Court to him he says that he was born in the town of Oxford in the County of Orange and State of New York on the ninth day of July in the year 1760 - that he has a kind of memorandum or family record of his age somewhere in his possession from which and his full recollection of it as handed him by his parents he verily believes his age to be as stated - that when he entered the service he lived at a place called Smith's Cove in the County of Orange aforesaid - that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport upon the waters of Seely Creek where he has lived upwards of forty two years - that in all his service he was a volunteer that he knew Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Clinton and Col. Stroud - that he never received any other discharge than a verbal dismissal - that he would refer to his honor the first Judge of the Court, his father Capt. William Baldwin and Thomas Maxwell Esquire of Elmira - to Caleb Baker Esquire, Col. Solomon L. Smith, Doct A. Gates White and William Jenkins, Esq of Southport as persons acquainted with his reputation for truth and their belief in the truth of the forgoing declaration - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. James Seely.
James was inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of $80 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831, certificate of pension issued 22 November 1832. James died 5 Apr 1837. Nancy was evidently the female of age 70 and under age 80 (born 1761-70) enumerated in the household of son Westlake in Jackson Township in 1840. Nancy died 5 May 1841 buried with James in Seeley Hill Cemetery, Jackson Township. Seeley Hill Cemetery is a small cemetery enclosed by a stone wall in a relatively excellent state of preservation for its age and was the burial site for the James Seeley and Nancy Westlake family and descendants for many years. The cemetery is on the north side of Skyline Drive beside the road at the highest point of Skyline Drive.
The age on his memorial would compute to a different date of birth than what James furnished in his pension application. His brother, Israel was born in 1758 (provided his memorial is correct), presumably the pension application date of birth of 9 July 1760 being the correct date.
James Seeley born 9 July 1760 (date from pension application; age on cemetery memorial would place birth at Dec 1758) resided at Smith's Cove, Orange County and while residing there enlisted in the American Revolution (pension file S11366). James removed with his parents to Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey and there married 2 March 1780 (date not confirmed) Ann Westlake, often known by the common nickname of Nancy, born 8 December 1762 (calculation from age at death on cemetery memorial) daughter of Samuel Westlake and Sarah Welling of Hardyston, Sussex County, New Jersey who were connected with the large iron works in Hardyston and who removed to Virginia after the Revolutionary War. Most deeds were signed as Ann, but some as Nancy. Her memorial in the family cemetery is inscribed with Nancy. In James deposition for a pension he stated - "that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport." James was too young to appear on the 1780 and 1781 assessment lists of Hardyston. On 3 November 1788, lot 100 of 2,553 acres was surveyed to Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., James Seeley, Adam Seeley, Abner Hetfield, and Samuel Edsall in what is now the Town of Southport, Chemung County, New York. They also acquired lot 143 of 1,426 acres. James was enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1790 with one male over age sixteen (born before 1774), three males under age sixteen (born 1775-90), and two females in the household.
On the 8 April 1791 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall and Adam Seely conveyed 246 acres to John Smith. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely.
On the 26 April 1791, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., James Seely, Samuel Edsall, and Adam Seeley conveyed 250 acres to Abner Hetfield (mentions boundary of Benjamin Tuthill's land and land sold to John Smith and John Boyers). Signed in the presence of John Woodard and John Cameron. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Elizabeth Seely, James Seely, Anny Seely, Samuel Seely, Sarah Seely, Addam Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:25-6).
On the 19 June 1792, Nathaniel Seely Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife; Addam Seely; James Seely and Anna his wife of the Town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 577 acres to Timothy Smith late of the County of Orange and State of New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely, Junr, Elizabeth Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Addam Seely, James Seely, and Anne Seely. Witnessed by John Durham, Jr., John Smith, Abner Wells (Tioga County Deed 1:30).
On the 27 June 1792 John Waier and wife Sarah of the Town of Chemung, County of Tioga conveyed 214 acres to James Seely of the same place, part of lot 102 of 414 acres patented to John Waier. Witnessed by Mercy Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:27).
Nathaniel Seely, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, James Seely and Nancy his wife, and Addam Seely of the town of Chemung and County of Tioga conveyed 592 ¾ acres to Josiah Seely, Jr., of Orange County, New York. Signed by Nathaniel Seely Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Adam Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, James Seely, Nancy Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Timothy Smith (Tioga County Deed 1:44-5).
On the 18 July 1792 Nathaniel Seely, Junr., and Elizabeth his wife; James Seely and Ann his wife; Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife; Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife conveyed 589 acres to Adam Seely, part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Nathaniel Seely, Junr., Elizabeth Seely, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth Hetfield. Witnessed by Samuel Seely and Samuel Edsall (Tioga County Deed 1:33).
On the 18 July 1792 James Seely and Ann his wife, Abner Hetfield and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel Edsall and Sarah his wife, and Adam Seely and Keziah his wife conveyed 311 acres to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., part of a tract of land granted by patent 28 Feb 1791 in the town of Chemung, County of Tioga to Nathaniel Seely, Jr., James Seely, Abner Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, and Addam Seely. Signed by James Seely, Ann Seely, Abner Hetfield, Elizabeth Hetfield, Samuel Edsall, Sarah Edsall, Adam Seely, Keziah Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Samuel Seely (Tioga County Deed 1:34-5).
A petition was presented 3 June 1793, by Amos Park, James Cameron, Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., Henry Sterrett, Peter Loop, Jr., Nathaniel Teal, James Seeley, John Crabtree, to the grand lodge F. & A. M. of New York, for the the establishment of a lodge at New Town, which application was granted 18 June 1793, under the name of Union Lodge, No. 30. The first meeting of the lodge was held at the house of John Konkle, in the village of New Town, 26 Aug 1793 with the following officers elected - President, Amos Park, W. M; James Cameron, S. W; Nathaniel Seeley, Jr., J. W; Peter Loop, Jr., Sec.; John Konkle, Treasurer; Nathaniel Teal, Tiler; James Seeley, member; Abiel Frye, Vistor.
James appears on the 1794 tax list.
On 10 Sept 1795, James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown mortgaged 114 acres to Timothy Smith and John Smith of Seely Creek (Tioga County Mortgage 1:27).
On 25 September 1795 James Seely and wife Nancy of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 100 acres to Timothy and John Smith of Seely Creek in the town of Newtown, part of lot 102. Signed James Seely and Anny Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Benjamin Littleton (Tioga County Deed 1:155).
James appears on the 1 October 1798 assessment list.
James was enumerated in Newtown, Tioga County (that portion that became Southport, Chemung County), New York in 1800 with three males under age 10 (born 1791-1800), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), the column for males of age sixteen and under age twenty six is torn, the column for males of age twenty six and under age forty five is torn, one male over age 45 (born before 1755), two females under age ten (born 1791-1800), two females of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1785-90), one female of age twenty six and under age forty five (born 1756-74).
On 10 April 1792, Newtown was erected from the Town of Chemung and comprised present Southport, Elmira, Catlin, Veteran, Big Flats, Horesheads, and a portion of Ashland in present Chemung County and Catharine, Montour, and Dix in present Schuyler County.
On 15 November 1803, James Seely and Ann, his wife, and Caleb Smith and Hannah, his wife, all of Tioga County conveyed a sawmill and implements, being part of of land patented to John Waier in the town of Newtown along the highway and Seely Creek. Signed James Seely and Caleb Smith. Witnessed by James Matterton and Abner Hetfield (Tioga County Deed 2:170).
On 2 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy his wife of Newtown, County of Tioga, conveyed 170 acres to Solomon L. Smith of Newtown, part of lot no. 102 and part of 428 acres granted to John Waier and transfered by him to James Seely, out of which is deducted ¾ acre conveyed to Ralph Bevier. Signed James Seely and Nancy Seely. Witnessed by Abner N. Hatfield, John Waier, Archibald Marvin (Tioga County Deed 2:324).
On 20 May 1805, James Seely and Nancy, his wife, conveyed 5 acres to Howes Goldsbough on Seely Creek, mentions mill race, and part of land conveyed from John Waier to James Seely. Signed James Seely. Witnessed by Adam Seely and Lemuel Gaylord (Tioga County Deed 2:468).
On 21 April 1806 James Seely of the County of Tioga conveyed to Howes Goldsbough as clarification by conveyance on 15 Nov 1803 a sawmill with implements, said deed to include mill dam and land. Signed by James Seely. Witnessed by Abner Cashaday and Nathaniel Seely (Tioga County Deed 2:407).
James and Nancy left the Seeley Creek Valley and removed a few miles south into the hills of Tioga County, Pennsylvania in an area that became Jackson Township, settling on a high elevation at what became known as Seeley Hill, west of Millerton. James was enumerated in 1810 in Delmar Township (Jackson Township not yet formed), Tioga County with two males under age ten (born 1801-10), two males of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), three males of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), one male over age forty five (born before 1765), one female of age ten and under age sixteen (born 1795-1800), one female of age sixteen and under age twenty six (born 1785-94), and one female over age forty five (born before 1765). James acquired lands from the William Bingham estate on 17 May 1810 (Deed 1:166). On the 1812 assessment, James had 200 acres, 1 horse, 2 oxen, and 3 cows. James appears on a special assessment of Tioga and Delmar Townships, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, dated 7 October 1814 when it was submitted to the commissioners of Tioga County. This was a special tax enumeration of the two townships that existed in the entire County at that date. James Seeley is listed as age 54, farmer. On the 1816 assessment there was listed 110 improved acres, 160 acres wild land, 2 houses, 3 cows. James and Nancy were included in the enumeration of their son Westlake's household in Jackson Township in 1830.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at the Court house in the Village of Elmira in and for the County of Tioga and State of New York. On this 4th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges aforesaid being a Court of record because made so by the Constitution and laws of the State having by law a clerk and seal now sitting James Seely a resident of Southport in the County of Tioga and State aforesaid aged seventy two years the ninth day of July last 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted in the month of July 1776 for one year under Captain Thomas Moffat but when he started on his march to New York his Captain was unwell and Lieutenant Joshua Brown took the command of the company - he was under the general command of Col. Isaac Nichols who then lived in Goshen, Orange County - the was march'd to the City of New York when General Sullivan and Lord Sterling commanded the American forces - the country though which he passed during this term of services was at the City of New York and its vicinity and along up the North River - he was in the battles of Kingsbridge and White Plains and was at Fort Washington, which was under the command of Col. Morgan, when it was surrendered to the British late in the fall he served out the term and was regularly discharged - soon after the expiration of this term he volunteered to go against the Indians and tories on the frontier of Orange County and upon the Delaware River and especially in that region call'd the Minisink Country - he turned out for no definite period but for as long as circumstances might require - he cannot designate any particular officer or company to which he was attach'd as he was at times under different officers and attach'd to different companies - he understood that their orders issued mainly from Col. Jacob Stroud - That the general nature of his service was garrison duty, scouting parties, watching the tories, spying out the Indians by occassionally pursuing their tail - he was in many skirmishes and one or two smart brushes with the Indians. In this way he continued and in this line of service for upwards of two years and was not finally dismiss'd till in 1780. He has no documentary evidence of his services - neither does he know of any person except Silas Hall whose testimony he can procure who can testify to them. And to the several interrogations put by the Court to him he says that he was born in the town of Oxford in the County of Orange and State of New York on the ninth day of July in the year 1760 - that he has a kind of memorandum or family record of his age somewhere in his possession from which and his full recollection of it as handed him by his parents he verily believes his age to be as stated - that when he entered the service he lived at a place called Smith's Cove in the County of Orange aforesaid - that after the close of the Revolutionary War he lived several years in Sussex County, New Jersey from which place he moved to the Town of Elmira now Southport upon the waters of Seely Creek where he has lived upwards of forty two years - that in all his service he was a volunteer that he knew Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Clinton and Col. Stroud - that he never received any other discharge than a verbal dismissal - that he would refer to his honor the first Judge of the Court, his father Capt. William Baldwin and Thomas Maxwell Esquire of Elmira - to Caleb Baker Esquire, Col. Solomon L. Smith, Doct A. Gates White and William Jenkins, Esq of Southport as persons acquainted with his reputation for truth and their belief in the truth of the forgoing declaration - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. James Seely.
James was inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of $80 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831, certificate of pension issued 22 November 1832. James died 5 Apr 1837. Nancy was evidently the female of age 70 and under age 80 (born 1761-70) enumerated in the household of son Westlake in Jackson Township in 1840. Nancy died 5 May 1841 buried with James in Seeley Hill Cemetery, Jackson Township. Seeley Hill Cemetery is a small cemetery enclosed by a stone wall in a relatively excellent state of preservation for its age and was the burial site for the James Seeley and Nancy Westlake family and descendants for many years. The cemetery is on the north side of Skyline Drive beside the road at the highest point of Skyline Drive.
The age on his memorial would compute to a different date of birth than what James furnished in his pension application. His brother, Israel was born in 1758 (provided his memorial is correct), presumably the pension application date of birth of 9 July 1760 being the correct date.
Inscription
JAMES SEELY,
Died
Apr. 5, 1837,
Aged 78 years
3 Mo. & 12 Da.
Family Members
Siblings
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