Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1490, Jabez Burr, Conn
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn
Burr, Jabez
Mary
NUMBER
R. 1490
CONTENTS
Page 2

Col. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 3

St Albans Ct Jany 3d 1840
Col J. L. Edwards
Sir,
I have been requested by Colo A. Burr, a neighbor of mine, to forward to you the accompanying papers, as additional proof in support of the claim of his mother widow Mary Burr to a pension.
I well recollect of presenting to you the original application of Mrs Burr and recollect the certificate of marriage, and trust that this difficulty is removed by the certificate now sent.
Permit me to add that from my knowledge
of the high standing of Colo Burr as an honest man, I have no doubt of the justice of the claim.
It seems impossible to suppose that he should not have been too well acquainted with the history of his father, to be deceived in the matter
Page 4

Mr Nathan Hoit whose deposition is amongst
the papers sent is also a neighbor of mine, and so far as I know sustains a reputation for truth unimpeachable, and I can not but hope
that you will find sufficient proof of the claim to
justify its allowance.
With high respect &c
Your Obedt Servt
B Swift
PS. I will thank you to communicate to me
as soon as convenient, the result of your examination
B.S.
Page 5

Mary Burr
E
5
Page 6

Extract from the record of marriages 
kept by the Revd Nathaniel Bartlett deceased
"Feby Twelfth Seventeen hundred, seventy seven I joined in Marriage Jabez Burr & Mary
Bartram.
I certify that the above extract is a true copy
from the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows [Feby 12th 1777 ..Feby twelvth Seventeen hundred, seventy seven] 
Jonathan Bartlett
I Jonathan Bartlett of the Town of Reading
County of Fairfield, State of Connecticut depos & say that I hold the record of marriages kept by my Father Revd Nathaniel Bartlett deceased formerly Pastor of the Congregational Church in this Town: and that the Extract above is a true copy from his record of marriages with the exception above named as certified by me-
Jonathan Bartlett -

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} S.S.
Be it known that before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Jonathan Bartlett and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I certify that I am well acquainted with him, know him to be entitled to full credit and confidence
Thomas B. Fanton Justice of the Peace
Page 7

4  3222
Mary Burr
widow of Jabez
Vermont
Act 5 July 36
M77 -
No 1

Opposite page:
One thousand eight hundred & thirty eight
Joseph H Brainerd Clerk of 
Franklin County Court of aforesaid
Page 8

Mary Burr of Fairfield in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont aged 78 years next May in order to entitle her to a Pension from government for Services performed by her Husband in the revolutionary army & makes the following statement -

That she ids the widow of Jabez Burr late of Fairfield in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont - That she was married to the Said Jabez Burr in Redding in the State of Connecticut by Rev Nathaniel Bartlett that her husband   the said Jabez died at Fairfield aforesaid on the 28th day of June 1825 and since that time she has not married but remaineth a Widow  - That before & after her marriage with the said Jabez - he the said Jabez was in the Revolutionary service- That she learned from him that he enlisted in the early part of the war - was stationed a time at New York - was in the Battle on Long Island - in the Battle at White Plains - was with Montgomery at the Siege & taking St. Johns & Chambly, then taken sick with fever again - took a furlough & returned home - that he was at Bennington Battle & at the taking of Genl. Burgoyne - and the said Nary further saith that her husband was many times & much of his time in the army & that both before & after their Marriage -  She the said Mary further saith that three Brigades of soldiers were stationed for winter Quarters in the Town if Redding - the of the general commanding said Brigades was Huntington- Poor & Persons -- that Huntingtons- were in the immediate vcsinity [vicinity] their house- the Commissary store were kept in one part their house & a gard [guard][sic]station there to protect them -  her husband belonged to said Gard -
She thinks he was a Sergt [sergeant] as he appeared
Page 9

to command said Gard [guard]--
one circumstance she very clearly ... one evening word came to her husband that a party called Cow Boys were in the vicinity plundering - her husband called out the Gard [guard] - pursued & took nearly all of them & brot [brought] them into their home that night = The said Mary does not recollect the name of any of the Gard [guard] under the command of her husband except one by the name of Asa Wilson - who has for many years lived a neighbor to her where she now lives - he drew a Pension is now dead -  Two others belonged to said Brigade were stationed at their house- they were tailors- their names were Obediah Gilbert & Nathan Ramsey - The said Nary further saith that after the above service her husband for a long time [word inserted] stood as a Minute Man as they were called - kept a horse & carriage ready was frequently on expedition to Danbury - Fairfield - Horse Neck -Norwalk & one time about two months she thinks at New York or some where that way- at another time he was called upon to go - from sickness or some cause he could not go - he furnished his hired man with horse and equipage & sent him - he never returned - She says after the surrender of Burgoyne she went with her husband to Danbury to celebrate the victory - it was a day of general rejoicing - in the evening sky rockets were thrown up which were the first she ever saw -

The said Mary further says she does not recollect all the names of the Officers under whom  her husband served - She recollects a Col Silivant or Simmons Major Abel ____ Capts Read & Sandford -
Page 10

From is uniform account of said Services - and from hearing converse [sic[ with others who were in the same service the said Mary has no doubt nor never has had any - of the truth of his statements            
                        [Signed]  Mary Burr

Fairfield February 19, 1838
Sworn and subscribed to day and year above written before me George Green Judge of Franklin County Court

I further certify the said Mary Burr is a woman who sustains a good character   this fact I know from personal acquaintance and general reputation
                            [Signed]  Geo, Green  Judge

I further certify that the reason why I have taken the above declaration of the sd Mary Burr is she is aged infirm has a broken or dislocated limb is unable to walk & I do consider that she could not without  [word crossed out] danger appear before a Court  of record for the purpose above set forth  
                            [Signed] Geo. Green Judge
Page 11

[LEFT PAGE]

State of Vermont       I Joseph H. Brainerd Clerk of
Franklin County Js     the County Court of the 
                              County of Franklin aforesaid
[State Seal affixed]     do hereby certify to all
                                   persons to whom these  
                                   presents shall come, that 
                                   George Green, before who Mary Burr made oath to & subscribed her foregoing statement, is one of the Judges of the County Court in and for the County of Franklin aforesaid, for the year ending November 30th A.D. 1838. That I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verify the foregoing signature purporting to be his, to be genuine. and that he is qualified to act as such magistrate.
IN testimony whereof, I have affixed the Sel of the County Court aforesaid, and subscribed my name  to these presents at St. Albans in said County of Franklin, this twenty seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty eight.
           [Signed Joseph H. Brainerd Clerk of
                  Franklin County Court as aforesaid


[RIGHT PAGE]

[Check mark and information crossed out]  

                               3,222
Mary Burr
widow of Jabez
[Conn   crossed out] Vermont
Act 4 July 36
M 77-


N-1

A


1490
Page 12

I Benjamin Wooster depose & say that I have been for the Term of 34____ years last part pastor of the Congregational Church [letter crossed out] Society in Fairfield in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont  That for many years Jabez Burr late of sd Fairfield deceased was a member of sd Church    I was a member in regular standing at the time of his death  That Mary Burr the widow of sd Jabez & Aaron Burr the only child & son of the sd Jabez have been and are now regular members of sd Church & that their statements of faith do command full credit among the people of their acquaintance
   [Signed]   Benjm  Wooster

State of Vermont
Franklin County Js}  Fairfield February 16th 1838

There personally appeared Benjamin Wooster signer of the above affidavit by him subscribed & made solemn oath tha the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth Before me   Joel Barber  Justice Peace

I further certify that Benjamin Wooster's character for truth& veracity has ever been unimpeached & unimpeachable 
   [Signed]  Joel Barber  Justice Peace
Page 13

I certify that my Father Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett deceased formerly for many years pastor of the Congregational Church in the Town of Redding County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut kept a book of Records of Marriages which he celebrated in said Town, which book of Records I have now in my Possession as clerk of sd Church --

I further certify that there stands on sd Book of records the following entry in the hand writing of  my Father Viz - February 12th 1777 I joined the marriage of Jabez Burr & Mary Bartram

Fairfield County Js  Redding December 14th A.D. 1837 personally appeared Jonathan Bartlett & made oath to the foregoing certificate by him subscribed
      Before me 
    [Signed] Jared Olmstead Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County Js}  I Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Jared Olmstead Esquire is now and was on the 16th day of Instant December, a Justice of the Peace within and for Fairfield County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions etcetera, and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Jared Olmstead Esq and [illegible] believe that the signature to the above Certificate, purporting to be his is genuine.  Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 19th day of December AD 1837.
              [Signed] Thomas B. Osborne Clerk
Page 14

[ FIrst line " Acts of July 14, 1802 and March 3, 1873 crossed out]

        1490
 
P.O. Mary Burr
Service:  [blank]
  
             [Stamped] REJECTED

   {No information entered in the rest of the document]
Enlisted:_________________________
Discharged:_____________________
Application filed:________________
...leges:__________________________
Re-enlisted:_____________________
Attorney:________________________
P.O.:_____________________________
_____________Recognized.  __________Contract.
____ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for _________. 18___
Page 15

STATE OF NEW YORK,
Saratoga County Clerk's Office} SS.
  I, Apheus Goodrich, Clerk of the county of Saratoga, Do Certify, That Hugh Alexander, before whom the annual affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county, and that I am acquainted with his hand  writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature.
   Witness my hand and seal of Office, the 31t day of October, 1837
  [Signed]  A  Goodrich Clerk
Page 16

                           No. 3222

Mary Burr W -
Let to B Swift  21 March  1838
 "    "   do  do {ditto] 10. Feby 1840
 "    "    "   "       9 June   1840
  "   "  Nathan Leake  13 Decr  1846
  "   "  H.G. Wade, Nov. 11, 1847
  "   "  Hon H. I. Criger  Apl 3  '49
  "    Respn to Hon W. Graham
             Acting Sec [illegible]   Oct. 17/50
   " J. D. Woodward   [illegible] 9/56
              Act 4 July 1836
Page 17

{ENVELOPE]

[Postage stamp]  PLATTSBURGH  N.Y.
                           NOV 10

[Addressed to] Hon George c. Whiting
                           Comr of Pensions
                               Washington City
                                               D.C.

[Written vertically on left side of envelope]
  Mary Burr
   Jabez    [two illegible words]  1836
       W
Page 18

24 Havanna  N.Y.
Oct 7, 1838
Hon W.T. Jackson
Appeals from the decision 
of Comr. of Pensions 
in care of Mary 
Burr





Refd to Comr of
Pensions for a Refd
Dept [illegible]
Oct 9, 1850
Page 19

An appeal is taken in the case of Mary Burr applicant from Vermont, widow of Jabez.  Her husband was from Redding, Ct, was in service in '75 and '76 and at various other times it is believed a record of his service in '75 and subsequently are in Ct & in your Office, or rather in the Office of Court of Pension.  The Pension Office clerk may have over looked his service under Capt. Zalmon Reed   Col Waterbury in '76 which is correct & due as we will all read, was during is service in part in the horse or Cavalry   May under Jonathan Bartlett Aaron Sanford, Nathan Hoyt - See some service under Col Starr & detached as a guard  etcetera -  He performed service under Genl Sullivan, Genl Putnam and division, may be found in Massachusetts roll & he was also under Col Ezekial Sandford against St. Johns - also under Capt  Lawrence    Lt Whiting - we ask only our just due
Hon A.H.H. Stewart            Yours ty
 Sect. of Interior                        W. T. Jackson
                                                   Havanna
Octr  7  1850
Page 20

Mary Burr, widow of Jabez Burr, an applicant for a pension under law of 1836 from Vermont - please give information what the last action upon the case was, and how much Service the Department admit, & whether the proof of marriage is satisfactory, with a copy of the requisition of the Department are in her case.

March 24, 1849
Page 21

   


Jabez Burr
 Comptrollers Certificate
Page 22

Seal affixed                 State of Connecticut
upper right                 Comptrollers Office
corner of page             Hartford June 12th 1856

I certify, that on application for evidence of the service of Jabez Burr, in a company commanded by Capt Zalmon Reed, in Col. Waterbury's Regiment in 1775, I have examined the documents remaining in this Office and find a roll of Capt Reeds company under the following heading vis, "Return of Capt. Reeds Company in Col Waterburys Regiment for book Rations, commencing 26th June sending 29th November 1777" on which Roll I find the name of Jabez Burr, and opposite said name under the heading :when discharged " is entered 'Oct. 3d"  Col. Waterburys Regiment was called out for service May 1st 1775, and continued in service until December 1775.

I do not find the Pay Roll [last two words underlined] for Capt Reeds Company in this Office.
        [Signed]  Edward Prentis, Comptroller
                          by Geo Robinson  Clerk

[note in lower left corner]
3 mo & 3 days
Qr    + 1775
Page 23

                                             Pension Office
                                             Nov 19, 1856

Sir,

The certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut which accompanied your letter of the 10 inst. shows that Jabez Burr served ten months and three days [last three words inserted] in Capt Zalmon Reeds Company of Capt Waterbury's Regiment in 1775 - but the  [illegible] to the same alleged in 1776 under Capt Sanford of Col Sillimans Regiment and in 1778 under Capt Starr.    Noted in a letter of the Office [last three words inserted] to the Hon Benjamin Swift on the 9th of June 1890, sender in  full [illegible] for the reexaminates [sic]the testimony on the the above date, showed that the admission of the same (5 n or ms) claimed to have then served in the year 1776 [year written above two words crossed out], was made then an imperfect [ illegible] of the facts.  If the claim is further prosecuted ( and it has hereby themselfs [sic] examined  and submitted to the
Page 24

Seoulay or the Jilena in an appeal from the decree of the office) direct and conclusive under of the same claimed to from his service in 1776 & 1778 must produce, or t will not be (illegible) anew, however, that the question as to the payment of arrears of pension due to endows at their deaths to their children has been submitted to the Attorney General and that all cases of that character, as of the service and date of marriage are (illegible) session upon the (illegible)
J.D. Woodward Esq.
Plattsburg
New York
Page 25

Plattsburg, N.Y.  Nov. 10 1856

Sir,
  In a letter from the Pension office dated Feby 10 1840 in the Case of Mary Burr, widow of Jabez, the Court says "5 months under Capt Sanford in N.Y. may be admitted as present proofs."  I now enclose proof of five months & three days service of Jabez Burr  n Capt Read's Co & submit that the evidence on file & now furnished will justify an allowance for ten months & five days & perhaps more.
    Respectfully yours
    J.D> Woodward

Hon Geo. C. Whiting
Comr. of Pensions
Page 26

I Nathan Hoit of Fairfield in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont - aged Eighty three years - depose & say - that in the Year 1775 I lived in the Town of Ridgefield in Fairfield County State of Connecticut.  I was well acquainted with Jabez Burr of Redding in Said County - he enlisted in Capt Talmon Reads Company Col Waterbury's Regiment - went to the North under Genl Montgomery - was at the taking of St Johns Chambly etcetera - term of service I think six months - The next year I think 1776 Said Burr Enlisted in Capt Ezekial Sandford's Compy - Col Silliman Regt went to Long Island - retreated to White Plains the term of Service at that time I think six months the next year I know of his being to the North belonging to Genl Gates Army was at taking of Burgoine [sic] - the name of his Capt I have forgotten  he belonged to the Light Horse at that time - term of service at that time I do not know - but think it must have been as much as nine months   I know he was in service Early in the Spring before the surrender of Burgoine & was not discharged until some time afterward - I remember said Burr was in service at another time was stationed 2 or 3 months at Horse Neck - at another time I think the fall of 1778 & Winter of 79 Genl Huntingtons Brigade was Quartered in Readding [sic] near where I lived - I recollect said Burr was in service
Page 27

the name of his Capt. I do not know - think he belonged to Col Starr's Regt, he was Sergt [sergeant] of Commisary [commissary] gard [guard] - I recollect his taking a number of Cowboys one night - how long he served at that time I do not know -  I lived in the same neighborhood with him & verry [very] imtimabity [intimately ] acquainted - I think he was in the service -either enlisted or in Militia much & most of the time during the war - But at this length of time it is impossible for me to recollect but few circumstanced & I am willing to state anything but what I do verry clearly & distinctly recollect & understand -

Further I say not   [Signed] Nathan Hoit

State of Vermont
Franklin County}  Fairfield  November 2 1839 personally appeared Nathan Hoit signer of the within & above written Deposition & made Oaths  that it is in many particular time & connects according to the best of his recollection
        Before me  [Signed] Jos. Soule Just Peace

I certify that I have for many years been acquainted with the above named Nathan Hoit & believe home to be a man of strait truth & entitled to full confidence & belief      
[Signed]  Joseph Soule  Justice of Peace
Page 28

{Seal affixed in upper left corner of document]

State of Vermont
Franklin County Js}  I Joseph H. Brainerd - Clerk of the County Court for the County of Franklin aforesaid do hereby certify to all persons to whom these Presents Shall come, that Joseph Soule is one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the Co foresaid for the year ending November 30th A.D.1839, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily, believe the signature to the foregoing Deposition , purporting to be said Soule's, as a Justice of the Peace, are genuine and that he is qualified to act as such magistrate in testimony whereof.  I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the County Court aforesaid, and subscribe my name officially to these presents at St Albans in the County of Franklin aforesaid this fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine

Joseph H. Brainers Clerk
Page 29

[ENVELOPE]

[Postage date stamp]  ST ALBANS
                                    [Illegible Date]


[Additional stamp]  FREE

                        Colo. J. L. Edwards
                             Comr. of Pensions
                                 War Dept
                                  Washington
                                                D.C.
Page 30

   St Albans  June 2d, 1840

Sir,
Your favor of the 10th Feby. last and the subject of Mary Burrs application for a pension was duly ntd & delivd to Colo Burr (her son). I have today been furnished with the enclosed statement, not with the intention of forwarding it to you, but as I think you will understand this statement quite as well as I do, and as it will save me (& perhaps you) some time by enclosing it. I have concluded to do so.  Feeling as I do confident of the justice of Mrs Burrs claim, I have gratuitously written you on the subject heretofore, and did not intend to trouble you further but
Page 31

Mrs Burrs friends think that some portions of her testimony has been overlooked in the examination, or that due weight has not been given to it, it is probably difficult if not impossible for her to procure further testimony. And tho' I am aware of the laborious duties of you office and the impraticability [sic] of your giving your personal attention to the examination of every case, yet allow me to ask you if consistent with your other duties, to give this claim your personal & particular examination.  I know you are aware of the difficulty of proving at this late day the services of revolutionary soldiers especially when the soldier is dead, and no doubt you try to make due allowance for this difficulty but it is difficult to discriminate between cases when the applications are from persons of high respectability & those which are not.  In the present case I rely much on the respectability of Mrs. Burr and her son (Colo. Burr) & other friends.
                                  With high respect,
                                  Yours, J.B. Swift
Page 32

March Sanford
  in year 75 ent 10 dec 75  j reed Capt
  Joel Burr     14796
           1.  Reed - Silliman Con line
   76    2.   6  Sanford
   76    3.   6 Reed line
   77    4.   take Burgoyne
   78      aquaint at Reading

  Nathan Hoit (22763)
   75  6 mo  Canada  Cap Reed
   76  6         Sanford, Silliman
   77   think rgmt - no Off
          2-3 at Horse Neck
   78   [illegible] & Reding [sic] Ct  Starr
Page 33

     {Small seal affixed center top of envelope]

                         Mr Willis G. Wade
                                    Rose 
          4 0/0                  Wayne County
                                       New York
Page 34

Fairfield July 19th 1847
Mr Wade   Sir
 In Septr last I rec letter from you together with an order to obtain & examine papers filed in the Pension office at Washington in relation to my Mothers claim or a Pension I signed the order according to your request & directed it back to you- Since that I have recd nothing from you in relation to the matter. I have some anxiety to know the result of the examination - If you will drop me a line upon the Subject you will much oblige me
Respectfully yours,
Aaron Burr

  4 43  
       3 1/2
   ____ 
    221
  1329
   ____
  1550

      43'                   228               1902
      37                       2 pv
    ____                   ____
    066                    438
        4                  1464
   ____                    ----
   1464
6
Page 35

[ENVELOPE]

[Addressed to] 
                                  7    [illegible]
                        Hon J.L.Edwards
                               Comr of Pensions
                                  Washington City
                                                 D C

{Written vertically on left side]
        Novem  1  47
   Asking information note
   Case Mary Burr

Other writing under the note immediately above]
    MBurr
    Oct 29
Page 36

                            Rose  New York
October 27th 1843

Sir. About one year since a letter was forwarded to Mr Nathan Leake requesting an examination of the papers in the claim of Mary Burr an applicant for a pension under act of 4th July 1836, from Vermont, under [illegible insertion] Dec 25th 1845 he writes, "On examination of the rolls of Capt Zalmon Reeds Co. in Col Waterbury Regt. I find his name appears for the services of 1776 for six months these rolls were not in the Offices where her case was first examined. I have in a written communication called the attention of the Office to that fact which cause a reexamination of the case, in connexion [sic] with those rolls & probably be allowed."  Since which time, although reprinted, inquiries have been made, no information whatever has been recd from him.

I beg .[illegible] to be informed of the objections to its admission, - The enclosed letter will show for whose benefit the information is ordered.
                                   I am Respectfully
                                        Your obt Servt
                                             W.G. Wade

Hon J.L. Edwards
   Comr of Pensions
Page 37

pg 39
J.L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington D.C.
October 17, 1850

relative to the case of 
Mary Burr. Paper 16
in number enclosed.
Page 38

                                          Pension Office
                                              October 17 1850

Sir,
    I have the honor herewith to transmit the papers numbering 16, relating to the case of Mary Burr, in which the Hon W.T. Jackson appeal, and a brief of the evidence.
   On examination it will be found that with the exception of the proof of marriage, the extract marked (E5) being on the form, no additional proof has been furnished to establish the service of Jabez Burr as claimed by his widow, Mary Burr.  To bring this case within the law of July 4, 1836, service claimed for in yr[ inserted] 1787 must be established. Mrs. Burr, widow of Jabez Burr, relies entirely on the witnesses, and her declaration contains no specification of service.

Aaron Sanford swore that he served in Captain Zalmon Read's Company in 1775, and that he was Clerk of the company, and has now on his possession a Diary kept by Sergeant Barlow in which he finds the name of Jabez Burr and altho the production of this diary was required by the Commissioner as the only evidence of the fact, it has not been received in tis department.  Nathan Hoit swore to the same service yet he made no mention of it in1834.  Joel Burr alleged one term of 3 and one of 3 months in 1776, and now declares that
Page 39

They were for 6 months each and that the four in 1777 was four months.  Both Joel Burr and Nathan White swore that Jabez Burr was detached from Col Starr's Regiment of the Continental line as a guard on the shores at Reading in 1778, but his name does not appear upon any Continental rolls.  The widow states that her late husband was, after the foregoing service, a minute man - that he often went to Danbury, Fairfield etcetera. She also states that after the surrender of Burgoyne she went with 
her husband to Danbury  to celebrate the victory.  Yet one of the witnesses state that he served nine months, embracing the period of  that event: and of course could not be at Danbury at that time. Joel Burr says that the service in 1777 was four months only but does not give the name of his Captain taking the accounts of the soldier to be correct, this service was not longer than two months.  No documents of any kind from the Comptroller's Office, where the information ought to be found - and in the absence of any Documentary proof, the testimony of the witnesses would not serve to establish the services rendered by Jabez Burr.

                                   I have the honor to be
                                      Very Respectfully.
                                        Your obt Sevt
                                          J.L. Edwards

Honl William A. Graham
Acting Secretary of the Interior
Page 40

State of Vermont County of Franklin SS.
On this 21st day of January 1856 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county personally appeared Aaron Burr a resident of the town of Fairfield in said County aged 71 years and made oath according to law that he is directly interested in a claim against the United States or certain arrears of pension, pay, half-pay  for life, extra pay, Bounty Lands, or allowances, supposed to be due to him as [two word crossed out] the her of Mary Burr, widow of Jabez Burr of the Connecticut line of the Continental Army and he hereby appoints L Douglas Woodward, Counselor of Law, of Plattsburg, N.Y., his Attorney to prosecute said claim and examine all papers and documents in relation thereto, on file in any o the Departments at Washington City or elsewhere, and to receive from the office authorized to issue same, a certificate for any arrears or increase in pension, pay, half-pay for life, extra 
pay, Bounty Lands, and allowances to which Deponent may be entitles, from the United States, and do all other acts and things in and about obtaining such claims which Deponent might or could do, were he personally present at the doing thereof: and he hereby revokes all former powers if any inconsistent with the above, and authorizes his said Attorney to appoint Attorneys, one or more, under him, for any or all purposes aforesaid, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever Deponent's said Attorney or those appointed under him shall lawfully do or cause to be done in the premises.  In witness whereof the said Deponent has hereunto set his hand and seal the ay and time first above written.

IN THE PRESENCE OF
Wm Bridges}               Aaron Burr  (seal affixed]
J.J. Leavitt} 

Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged, before me, on the day and year first above mentioned, and the identical person thereein alleged and described, and I have no interest in the result of said claim and am not concerned in its prosecution.  
      Wm Bridges Justice Peace

State of Vermont County of Franklin SS  I, the subscriber, Clerk of said County, certify that William Bridges before whom the above affidavit and Power was sworn and acknowledged on the 21st day of January 1856 was at said time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified , and that I verily believe his signature above written to be genuine; and I have no interest in the result of the claim to which the foregoing paper relates, and am not concerned in its prosecution.  Witness my hand and official seal at St. Albans in said County this twenty first day of January 1856.

Seal affixed   [Signed] Joseph H. Brainerd Clerk 
lower left 
corner
Page 41

Mary Burr [underlined] widow of
Jabez Burr, s. Aaron
Burr -- Power
Vermont [underlined]
act July 4, 1836 or
July 7 1838
Sec J. L. Edwards letter
to B Fairld March 21
1838





JD Woodward
Presentd
Page 42


[ENVELOPE]

[Addessed to]       J. L. Edwards
                                   Comr of Pensions 
                                        Present


[Written  vertically,  left side of envelope]
                 Dec. 1. 1846
              Powr of Att. case
              Mary Burr
Page 43

Washington Nov 30th 1846

Sir   I enclose herewith the power of attorney in the case of Mary Burr of Vt widow of Jabez Burr and Eldridge Randall also of Vt & request that I may be informed of the condition of their claims respectively, or be permitted personally to examine their papers as it is the wish of the parties that I should at as early a day as may suit the convenience of the Office.

                           I am  Very Respectfully
                               your Obt Servant
                                     Nathan Leake

Hon J.L. Edwards 
Comm of Pension 
Present
Page 44

Fairfield Vermont
Sept 1st  1846
Sir,

This is to request that you permit Att Nathan Leake to examine all papers filed in your Office, relating to the claim of Mary Burr late widow of Jabez Burr, an applicant for a pension under act of July 4 1838 and who died in 1841, and left me her only child , her surviving.

                                     I have the honor to be
                                          Very Respectfully
                                              Your Obt Svt

                                                Aaron Burr
Page 45

I Aaron Burr of Fairfield in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont - Testify & Say that I have often heard my Father Jabez Burr speak of services he did in the Revolutionary war  That in the early part of the War he enlisted & went to N York - Was stationed, I think he said at what was called the upper Barracks, That he served I think he said 3 m:  at that time that he enlisted again and went N York & to Long Island - was in the Battle at that place - I think he belonged to a Division of the Army at that time commanded by Gen Putnam - that they retreated to N York under cover of a thick fog -   From N York they retreated to Harlem & to White Plains - was in the Battle at that place - Said his gun was so hot by firing he could hardly hold the Barrel in is hand - I think he said his term of service at that time was six months - he enlisted again - went to North with Gen Montgomery down Lake Champlain to Isle Auxnoix - from there toward St Johns - Landed about 3 miles above the Fort - was attacked by the Indians - 6 or 8 men killed - that they were buried at the mouth of a Crick on the Bank of the Lake - I know the spot well I have been upon it many times  The army then proceeded on to Chambly - My Father was taken sick with fever & Ague - got a furlow [sic] & returned home - he was at Bennington Battle & the taking of Gen Burgoine [sic]-  I think he Belonged at the time to the light Horse as he termed it - was a Sergt.  Thats the Company to which he belongd, was Sent
Page 46

from Bennington to Albany or some place where Prisoners were sent - Also from Saratoga with prisoners - After the Surrender of Gen Burgoine [sic]- there were 3 Brigades of soldiers stationed in Redding in the vicinity in which my Father & Mother lived one of the said Brigades (viz) Huntington was stationed on my Fathers farm or adjoining - that the stores for the use of said Brigade was kept in my Fathers House & a strong gard [guard] stationed there to protect it - My Father was one of said gard [guard] -  I think he said a Sergt [sergeant]. A. commanded said gard [guard]  I should think from the circumstances I have heard him State in conversation with a man by the name of Asa Willson who was one of said gard [guard] & has long lived a neighbor to us in this place - one circumstance in particular I well remember - a party of Cow Boys, as they were called - came one night into the Town & were plundering - Notice was given to my Father - he turned out with the gard [guard], pursued & took maybe all of them - brot [brought] them to the gard [guard] room  kept them tied untill [until] morning then took them to head quarters -  How long he served at that time I do not recollect hearing him state - I have heard him tell of being out on sort expeditions many times - to Fairfield - Norwalk Horse Neck & once at N York for 2 m:  Those last services mentioned I understood were performed as a Minute Man as they were called - belonging to the Light Horse at that time -  Kept a Horse & Equipage ready at a moments notice -  At one time he was called
Page 47

upon to go on expedition - From ill health or some other cause he was unable to go - he furnished his hired man with horse & equipment & sent him - he never returned - nor did he ever get any pay from Government for horse or equipment which was his private property -  The names of Officers under whom he served I cannot recollect - I have heard him name Capt Silivants or Simmons, Mar Abel, Capt Read. Cap Sanford, Majr Lawrence & a Capt or Lieut Whiting  I think of the Light troops   But within he was under their command I do not distinctly recollect hearing him say -  The above statements I have often heard him make in conversation with myself & at numerous times in conversation with Old Soldiers who were in Service with him & were knowing to the facts -  From his statements & from the statements of others & from numerous attending circumstances - I have not the least doubt in my mind but that all the services named him & many many more has been performed by him  ---- He was a zealous Patriot - And I believe I may proudly say (without the risk of being disputed by any one who was personally acquainted) that he was a brave & enterprising Soldier -
                   [Signed]  Aaron Burr

The reason my Father did not make applycation [sic] for a Pension in his lifetime was because the Acts granting Pension at the time was such as to exclude all that had any property.  My Father - by Industry & Economy had acquired a little property & a tolerable comfortable living -------  A. Burr
Page 48

State of Vermont} Fairfield February 26th AD 
                                            1838
Franklin County Js} Then personally appeared before one Joseph Barber Justice of the Peace Aaron Burr the signer of the foregoing affidavit ay hi subscribed and made solemn oath that the same contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth & I further certify that the said Aaron Burr is universally esteemed a man of fair moral character & that his statements of fact gain full credit where he is known & that I believe him to be a man of truth & veracity.
  [Signed]  Joel Barber Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont} 
Franklin County}

[Seal affixed, left of statement]
 I Joseph H. Brainers Clerk of the County Court in and for the County of Franklin aforesaid, do hereby certify that Joel Barber, before whom Benjamin Wooster and Aaron Burr made oath to their respective & foregoing affidavits,  is one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County of Franklin for the year ending November 30th AD 1838, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Barber, and verily believe that the signature purporting to be his is genuine and that he is qualified to act as such magistrate.

In testimony whereof I have affixed the Seal of the County Court aforesaid  and subscribed my name to these presents at St Albans in said County of Franklin this twenty seventh day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred &  thirty eight
           [Signed]  Joseph H. Brainerd Clerk
Page 49

I hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with the within named Joel Burr for several years, and that his general reputation or truth and veracity is unimpeachable.
       31st October 1837
                             H. Alexander
                                 Justice of the Peace
Page 50

Saratoga County Js
  Joel Burr personally appeared before Hugh Alexander, a Justice of the Peace of said county and making oath and saith that Mary Burr,who is about to make application for a revolutionary pension, is the wife of Jabez Burr, [illegible]. brother of this deponent; and that the said Jabez and sd Mary were married in his presence in the town of Redding, State of Connecticut, by the Revd. Nathaniel  Bartlett, some time in the month of February, 1777, the winter previous to the surrender of General Burgoyne.

And this deponent further saith that Jabez Burr, the late husband of the said Mary, was as a soldier in the revolutionary army, and that his first enlistment was service under Capt Salman Reed in Col. [illegible] Regiment, Connecticut line.  His second enlistment and service was for six months under Capt. Ezekiel Sanford: the third was in the 1776, at which time this deponent and his brother, Jabez Burr, the late husband of the said Mary Burr, enlisted and served under Capt. Salmon Reed in the Connecticut line for six months - and that the fourth period of his service was at the taking of Gen Burgoyne.

After the said Jabez and Mary were married, the length of service rendered between two and three months.  And this deponent further saith that in the year 1778 a commissary store was kept in the house of said Jabez in the town of Redding, over which a guard was kept, and that said Jabez commanded said guards.

And this deponent further saith that his brother Jabez had served in the army f the revolution as a corporal, and also as a Sergeant.
                  [Signed]  Joel Burr


Subscribed and sworn before me
this 31st of October   1837
           [SIGNED]  Hugh Alexander
              Justice of the Peace
Page 51

In the case of the appeal
of Mary Burr
Revolutionary pension

Mary Burr of Fairfield Franklin Co. Vermont, aged 78 years, in order to entitle her to a pension for services rendered in the revolutionary war makes the following statement.

That she is the widow of Jabez Burr, late of Fairfield in the State of Vermont,  That she was married to said Jabez Burr in Redding in the State of Connecticut by Rev. N. Bartlet, that her husband died the 28th day of June 1825 at Fairfield and since that time she has not married but remained a widow  That before and after her marriage with the said Jabez he was in the revolutionary war, that she learned from him that he enlisted in the early part of said war, was stationed a time at New York, was in the battle of Long Island   battle of White Plains, was with Montgomery at St. Johns & Chambly- there taken sick with fever and ague, took a furloug [sic] & returned home, was at the battle of Bennington & the capture of Burgoyne, that he was many times & much more time in the Army - [word crossed out]  both before and after their marriage - that three Brigades of soldiers were stationed for winter quarters in the Town of Redding under the commands of Generals Huntington Poor and Persons. That Huntingtons Brigade was in the immediate vicinity of their house Commissary stores were kept in the immediate vicinity of their house occupying part of it and a guard stationed there to protect them, her husband belonging to said guard.  She thinks he was a Sergeant as he appeared to command said guards, one she recollects that one evening word came to her husband that a party called cow boys were  in the vicinity plundering - who called out to guard, pursued and took nearly all of them and brought them to their house that night.  Does not recollect the names of any of the guards, except one by the name of Asa Wilson  Said Asa drew a pension and is now dead. two others
Page 52

belonging to the same Brigade were tailors, their names were Obediah Gilbert & Nathan Ramsey - that after the above service her husband for a long time stood as a minute man as they were called  Kept a horse & equipage ready, was frequently on expeditions in Danbury, Fairfield, Horses Neck Norwalk and one time about two months at New York or some where that way, and one time he was called on to go - but from sickness or other cause could not go - and furnished his hired man with a horse and equipage and sent him - he never returned.  After the surrender of Burgoyne she went with her husband to Danbury to celebrate the victory - she does not recall the names of all the officers under whom her husband served - she recollects the the[ sic] names of Col. Lieutenant or Simmons - Major Abel -Captain Read & Sandford. From his uniform accounts of said services and hearing conversations with others who were in the same service the said Mary has no doubt nor never has had any of the truth of his statements. (etc.)

Certificate of the Judge of respectability and good character of Deponent from personal knowledge. Benjamin Wooster being sworn says that he has been for the last 34 years last past Pastor of the Congregational Church of Fairfield County of Franklin State of Vermont.  That for many years Jabez Burr was member of said Church and was a member in regular standing at the time of his decease -  that Mary Burr widow of said Jabez Burr and Aaron Burr the only child said Jabez have been and are now regular members of said Church and that their statements of facts do command full credit among the people of their acquaintance -  (B)

Aaron Burr of the town of Fairfield in the County of Franklin State of Vermont being duly sworn, says that he has often heard his Father Jabez Burr speak of services he did in the Revolutionary war - that in the early part of it he enlisted under
Page 53

and went to New York, was stationed at the upper Barracks
as he thinks - that he served he thinks he said 3 months at
that time - that he enlisted again and went to N York and
Long Island was in the Battle at that place. I think he
belonged to a division of the Army commanded by Gen.
Putnam, that they retired to New York under cover of a
thick fog. from New York the retreated to Harlem & White
Plains was in the Battle at that place, said his gun was so
hot by firing he could not hold the barrel in his hands.
thinks he said his term of service at that time was six months
- he stated that he enlisted again & went north with General
Montgomery down Lake Champlain to Isle Auxnoix - from
thence towards St. Johns - landed about 3 miles above the
Fort.  Was attacked by Indians & 6 or 8 men killed.
The army then proceeded on & laid siege to the Fort and
took it & proceeded on to Chambly - his father was taken
sick with fever & ague, got a furlough & returned home
he was at Bennington battle & the taking of General
Burgoine. thinks he belonged at that time to the light horse
as he termed it. was a Sergt of the company to which
he belonged, was sent was sent from Bennington to Alba
NY or some place where Prisoners were sent, also from Same
to go with prisoners. after the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne
there were 3 brigades of soldiers stationed in Redding
in the vicinity of which my father & mother lived, one of
said brigady viz. Huntingtons was stationed on my Fathers
farm or adjoining. that the stores of said Brigade was
kept in my Fathers house and a strong guard stationed
there to protect them, my Father was one of said guard.
thinks he said he was a Sergeant and commanded the guard
has heard his Father state in conversation with a man by
name of Asa Wilson who was one of said guard and has
long lived a neighbour in this place, a circumstance in particu
lar - that a party of Cow boys as they were called came
one night into the Town and were plundering - notice was
given to his father who turned out with the guard pursued
Page 54

and took nearly all of them - brought them to the guard room & left them untill morning.  then took them to head quarters - does not recollect to hear him say how long he served at that time.  has heard him say he was out on short expeditions many times to Fairfield Norwalk Horse Neck & one at N York for 2 months   Those last services he stated was as a Minute Man as they were called - kept a horse & equipage ready at a moments warning - at one time, he stated he was called on an expedition but from ill health or some other cause he could not go, he hired a man and furnished him with a horse & equipment & sent him.  He never returned nor did he ever get any pay from the government for his horse and equipment, does not now himself the names of any of the officers under whom his father served, heard him name Col Silivant or Simmons - Major Abel  Capts Reed, Sanford Capt or Lieut Whiting   Major Lawrence  whether he was under their command  does not recollect his father to have stated - the above statement he has often heard his father make in conversation with himself and in company with old soldiers who were in service with him& knew the facts -
The reason his father did not make application for a Pension in his life time was because the act granting Pensions at that time excluded all that had any property (B)

Nathan Hoit of Fairfield in the County of Franklin State of Vermont being sworn says that in the year 1775 he lived in the town of Ridgefield Fairfield Co State of Connecticut was well acquainted with Jabez Burr of Redding - he enlisted in Captain Salman Reads company, Col Waterbury Regiment went to the North under Gen. Montgomery was at the taking of St. Johns, Chambly etcetera  Thinks the Term of service was six months - thinks the next year 1776 said Burr enlisted in Capt Ezekial Sanfords company - Col Sillimans regiment - went to Long Island - retreated to New York  White Plains & thinks that the time of service at that time was six months - the next year I knew of his being at the North belonging to Gen. Gates
Page 55

army was at taking of Burgoyne - he belonged to the Light Horse does not recollect the name of the captain under whom he served - does not know the term of service at that time, but thinks it must have been as much as 9 months - knows he was in service early in the Spring before the surrender of Burgoyne and was not discharged untill some time afterwards - remembers that said Burr was in service at another time, was stationed 2 or 3 months at Horse Neck = thinks that at another time in the fall of 1778 & winter of 1779 General Huntingtons' Brigade was quartered in Redding near where he lived recollects Burr was in service, the name of his captain does not know. Thinks he belonged to Col. Starrs regiment, he was sergeant of Companys guard, remembers his taking a number of cowboys one night.  how long he served at that time does not recollect, lived in the same neighborhood with him and knew and was intimately acquainted with him, thinks he was in the service- either enlisted or in militia much and most of the time during the war, at this distance of time impossible to recollect but few circumstances (C)

Joel Burr sworn says that Mary Burr now an applicant for a pension is about to make application id the wife of Jabez Burr, deceased brother of the deponent that the said Jabez & Mary were married in his presence in the town of Redding State of Connecticut by the Rev. Nathaniel Bartlet in the month of February 1777 winter previous to the surrender of Gen Burgoyne    says that Jabez was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that his first enlistment and service was under Capt Talman Read in Col. Galmans Regiment Connecticut line.  His second enlistment and service was for 6 months under Capt Ezekiel Sandford - the third was in the year 1776 at which time this Deponent and hos Brother Jabez Burr, the late husband of Mary enlisted and served under Capt. Talman Read in the Connecticut line for six months and that the fourth period of his service was at the taking of Gen Burgoyne - After Jabez - Mary were married the length of service
Page 56

rendered by said Jabez at that time as near as he can recollect about two or three months - In the 1778 a commissary store was kept in the house of said Jabez in the Town of Redding in which a guard was left and that said Jabez commanded said guard, and that his brother John served in the army of the revolution as a corporal and also as a sergeant.  (D)

Aaron Sanford of Redding etcetera being sworn says that in the year 1775 he served in the army as a Clerk in Capt. Talman Read's company - Ezekial Sanford Lieut. Benjamin Nichol Ensign in Col David Waterburys Regiment of Connecticut troops was at the taking of St, Johns and returned home 10th Dec. 1775,. That the regimental book was taken from him by the Capt. is lost -  [illegible word] before him a Diary or Record book that sergeant Aaron Barlow wrote & kept - he was in the same company with him - in this record he finds a muster roll of all the officers and privates of Capt Talman Reads company - in this Record I find the name of Jabez Burr corporal and being with him on one occasion that summer something came to pass that makes him remember him well, he was a Readding man and was well acquainted with him and from the above circumstances of his memory and said Barlows record he thinks there is no special reason to doubt of Jabez being in Capt Talman Reads company     (E)

Extract from the record of marriages kept by the Rev Nathaniel Bartlet deceased:
Feby 12th 1777 I joined in marriage Jabez Burr and Mary Bertram.
  I certify that the above  extract is a true copy from the record with the exception of the date which is entd [entered] upon on the Record in fair legible figures as follows [Feby 12th 177 Feby twelvth [twelfth] seventeen hundred seventy seven] ( ?)

Jonathan Bartlet of the Town of Reading &c being minister [word incomplete
Page 57

says that he holds the records of marriages kept by his father the Rev N Bartlett deceased, formerly Pastor of the Congregational church in said Town and that the extract [word underlined] above is a true copy from his record of marriages with the exception above named as certified by him.                                                            (F)
Page 58

Sir 
Yours of Feby 10th 1840
         - Says the additional evidence in the case of Mary Burr has been examined & filed - That the term  of 5 months in N York under Capt Sandford may be admitted - that the term of service in 1775 may be established by the Rolls in the Comptrollers Office at Hartford - I supposed that service was favored beyond every doubt - By Joel Burr by Nathan Hoit & Aaron Sandford - who says he belonged to the same company was with him the Said Jabez Burr - was with him at the taking of St Johns, Lapara and Montreal, and that there now stands the name of Jabez Burr a Corporal in said Company - if that proof will not Satisfy  ---

The term of Service at he taking of Burgoyne is not proof so clearly as could be desired -  She has not been able to find any one that was in  that service with him -  please examine  Joel Burr Nathan Hoit & Mary Burrs statement upon that point --

The service done in Huntingtons Brigade & as Sergt of guard over Commissarys Store clearly proving - I think [word "of' crossed out] is perty clearly proving   I think this point has not been very carefully examined - [Illegible word] says if her Husband had command of an organized Guard at Danbury over the public Stores the records in the Office of the Secretary will show it -  That he belonged  to any guard at Danbury is not [word inserted] pretended or intimated and I doubt whether the word Danbury [underlined] is to be found in any Statement [word "before" crossed out] related to this case        (over)
Page 59

Mary Burr says [last two words inserted] Huntington's Brigade was stationed for winter quarters in Reading - [next two words crossed out] that the Commissary Stores for the use of said Brigade was kept at their House - that there was a guard stationed there to protect said stores - that her Husband belonged to the Army - was a Sergt & had command of said guard - so says Joel Burr - so says Nathan Hoit -  It is not pretend that this guard was a regular organized guard - but that it was one detached from the Brigade to defend the stores Belonging to said Brigd - The statement relative to this guard are taken to show that Jabez Burr did belong to said Brigade at that time
Page 60

I Aaron Sanford of Redding in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut in the Eighty third year of my age - Deposeth and Saith, in the year 1775 that I served in the Army as a Clerk in Capt Talman Reads Company.  Ezekiel Sanford Lieut. Benjamin Nicholas  Ensn in Col David Waterburys Regiment of Connecticut troops.  I went to the North in said Company, was at the taking the fort at St Johns, present when the little fort (I think at Lapposa) surrendered, went as far North as Montreal, & returned home to my Father's house in Sd Redding the 11 December AD 1775.  My Regimental Book my Capt took from me and it is lost.  I have before me a Diary or Record book that it appears Sergt Aaron Barlow wrote & kept, sd Barlow was in the same Company with me I well remember him( read some of his records and remember some things, and think him correct, for this said record I find a Muster Roll of all the Officers and a private of Capt Talman Reads Company, some of the, I remember some some of the time, Terms to have erased altogether or in part.... of my mind, of their presents in the Army,  For the record of said Company I find Jabez Burr Corporal & being with him on one occasion that Summer something came to pass that seem s to make me remember him well    He was a Redding man I have had some acquaintance with him from the above circumstances of my memory & said Barlows record I think there  record   I think there is no special reason to doubt of Jabez Burr being in said Capt Talman Reads Company of soldiers  Thus I Testify to the best of my remembrance to the true intent & meaning as above written
As Witness my hand July 5th 1839.

                  [Signed] Aaron Sanford

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County}  SS
Be it known that before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Aaron Sanford and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I certify that I am well acquainted with him and know him to be entitled to full credit and conficence
Thomas B. Fanton Justice of the Peace
Page 61

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County}  ss
I, Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut hereby certify that Thomas B Fanton Esq is now and since the 20th day June last past has been a Justice of the Peace within and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and acting as such and duly authorized to administer oaths and take depositions, that his commission is dated the 29th day of May AD 1839 and will expire with the 19th day of June AD 1840 and I further certify that I am acquainted with his hand writing and that signatures to the within deposition of Aaron Sanford and the deposition of Jonathan Bartlett annexed hereto purporting to be the signatures of the said Thomas B Fanton are his genuine signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court at Fairfield the 12th day of July 1839
Thomas Robinson Clerk