Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23557, Jonathan Belcher, Continental Mass.
Page 1

(8-1776)                                     
SERVICE 
Continental
Mass.
Belcher, Jonathan
Sarah
NUMBER
W23557
CONTENTS
(blank)
Page 2

(3027)

New York Roll

Jonathan Belcher
Private
May to June. 1 year, 2 weeks.
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 16. of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 of Sept 1818
and forwarded to Stephen Phelps, Esq Canandaiqua Ontario County New York

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819

$37.06 + 48.00 = $85.06

Arrs 4 mos 19/30

{Revolutionary Claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}

Jackson
continues
Canandaiqua Ontario 
[illegible]

Let to WJ Boltim July 1845

[illegible side note]
Page 3

7319.
New York
Sarah Belcher
Mass.
widow of Jonathan Belcher,
who was a private, 
in the Massachusetts line. 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Oct '45
and sent to Lewis Belcher, 
Sec, 
Calhoun County, 
Michigan

Act of March 3, 1843 + 17 June, 1844.

Recorded in Book A. Vol. 2 Page 71. 

[Right of page]
Susp. Lee letter to Pay. Aug 18, 1846
let to J. F. Curtis Sept 15 '46
Name Octo. 26, '46. Nov. 24.
[stricken through] Same March 19th 1847
Go to Pension Agent Mar 19-4[illegible]
Page 4

FAMILY REGISTER
(double line)
Thomas J. Belcher was
Born June 11, 1801
Elizabeth Belcher was
Born July 29, 1803
Sarah Belcher was
Born October 26, 1834
(double vertical line separating to the right)
Thomas J. Belcher and
Eliza Wilson was 
married November
the 25, 1830
Page 5

FAMILY REGISTER.

Jonathan Belcher Born March 18, 1753
Sarah Belcher Born July 18, 1767
Lewis Belcher Born April 23, 1791
Zavan Belcher Born Feb. 27, 1793
Shelley Belcher Born March 14, 1794
Uriah Belcher Born March 2, 1795
Hannah Belcher Born Feb. 14, 1796
Iley Belcher Born June 13, 1797
Jonathan Belcher Born Oct. 8, 1798
Thomas Belcher Born June 11, 1801
Iley Belcher Born August 25, 1804

DEATHS
Iley Belcher Died August 20, 1797
Jonathan Belcher Died February 14, 1826
Sally Holcom Died October 30, 1829
Page 6

FAMILY RECORD. 

MARRIAGES.

Galvin Belcher was married as follows - on the 16 May 1818 to Fanny Willson.
Page 7

Zavan Belcher Born February 27 in the year 1793
Fanny Belcher Born Sept. 22th, 1799
Page 8

Jonathan Belcher

Copy -

[handwriting at the bottom of the page scribbled out.]
Page 9

Northern District of New York,
County of Seneca SS.
On this fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, personally appeared in open court, (being a court of Common Pleas, holden in and for the county of Seneca, in the district aforesaid, and a Court of Record, proceeding according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings and having a common seal,) 
Johnathan Belcher, aged 67 a resident in said district, Wolcott in the county aforesaid, who being first duly according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: 
that he enlisted in Capt Banisters Company Colonel Sussppions Regiment in Massachusetts its Regiment & was Discharged the close of the War on the 10th of July 1783 from Capt Hastings Company & he believed in Colonel Henry Jacobsons Regiment the 4th Massachusetts Regiment and that his [illegible] application was made the 16 day of April 1818 and that the number of his certificate 3027 and that his family consist of his wife Sarah aged 53 years. Iley aged sixteen years his daughter that he is by occupation a farmer 
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. 
Schedule [signature] Jonathan Belcher - 

SCHEDULE
Real Estate - none
or personal items
Jonathan Belcher

Sworn to & declared in open court 4th Oct. 1820
J.H. Halsey Clk.

I, Jehiel H. Halsey, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Seneca, do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration - and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said court, and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is 00 - - dollars and 00 -- cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this fourth day of October, 1820. 

J.H. Halsey Clerk of the Court of common pleas in & for Seneca county

No inventory presented J.H. Halsey Clk.
Page 10

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress of the 7th July 1838 entitles "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" - 
State of New York
Wayne County - 

On this second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one personally appeared before me Hiram P Jones a judge of this court of common pleas [illegible] and for the county of Wayne Sarah Belcher a resident of the town of Butler in the county of Wayne aforesaid aged seventy three years this 18th day of July [illegible] posts who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress  papered July 7th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" that she is the widow of Jonathan Belcher who was a private in the army of the Revolution of the Massachusetts Line in the sixth regiment. That he was a part of the time in Captain Banister's Company Colonel Tupper's Regiment part of the time in Captain Fox's Company Colonel Booth's regiment and part of the time in Colonel Jackson's Regiment. That the said Jonathan Belcher after serving different periods in the War of the Revolution enlisted in the spring of the year 1781 or 1782 for three years in the said Massachusetts Line or for + during the war and when at the time of the enlistment in [illegible] in the State of Massachusetts and the said Jonathan was regularly discharged for this service of the United States in the year 1783 and received a regular discharge - That this [illegible] is giving the [illegible] of this said Jonathan
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Belcher at the time of the enlistment as aforesaid the terms of service officers names under which he served and this time of enlistment she speaks from what she heard him say After he came out of service That she understood from him, that before he enlisted as aforesaid for three years he had been in the service of the United States in the army of the Revolution at several times and she begs leave to refer to the declarations made by the said Jonathan Belcher to obtain a pension under the Act of Congress passed March 18, 1818 and to be placed back upon the pensions role after the pay had [illegible] stopped under said act and also she would refer to the affidavits and discharge therewith filed to establish the fact of the said Jonathan's service in the War of the Revolution the different times and the length of time he so served and to establish the fact of his honorable discharge and the officers names & regiments in which he served and when he enlisted and where his service was performed. She further declares that the said Jonathan Belcher was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress papers 18th March 1818. That she has frequently seen the same but the same is lost or destroyed but when or where or how she cannot state {not knowing} and she further says that this said Jonathan Belcher was in the Army of the Revolution form the time of his enlistment as foresaid till the close of the war when he was discharged. as she has been frequently told by said Jonathan died to establish the fact of which she refers to said declarations of said Jonathan and the affidavit & discharges therewith accompanying now on file in the office of the secretary
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of War of the United States.
That from a memorandum which she has from the Department of War in a letter directed to said Jonathan Belcher the said Jonathan was placed upon the pension roll in the year 1820 and his certificate was numbered 3027. She further declares that she was married to the said Jonathan Belcher in the month of September in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety on Thursday  in the latter part of that month she cannot not state from the great length of time since past. that she was married at the house of her brother John Drake who then lived in the town of Yountay[?] in the county of Suffex in the state of New Jersey by a minister of the Gospel of the Congregational order by the name of Serly who was then a [illegible] minister in that place. 
That she has no record proof of her marriage and that if she ever did have a record or memorandum of her said marriage the same was put into a chest with other old papers and books which were destroyed by mice. 
That her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Belcher died on the fourteenth day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty six at Butler in the county of Wayne aforesaid of a disease called a consumption.
That she was not married to him prior to his learning the [illegible] but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz. at the time above stated. That she now remains the widow of Jonathan Belcher and has not been married to any other person.

Sarah Belcher her mark X

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before Hiram P Jones a Judge at Wayne County Courts
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State of New York
Wayne County

I Hiram P Jones a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Wayne do hereby certify that the said Sarah Belcher who has subscribed and sworn and sworn to the above declaration is not able by reason of advanced age and bodily infirmity to appear in open Court to make the above declaration and that she can not write her name by reason of old age and disability and I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Sarah Belcher and that she is a reputable person and that her statements may be relied upon as the truth. Given under my hand this tenth day of July 1841. The word "proof" partly [unk] [unk] also word "sworn" figures "18" erased the words "afore" & "to" underlined before the foregoing paper were executed.

Hiram P Jones
A Judged of Wayne County Courts

State of New York
Wayne County Clerks Office

I James Hawley Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Hiram P Jones Esq whose name appear to the above certificate was on the day the above certificate was signed, was a Judge of Wayne County Courts in and for said County, duly appointed and sworn and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and his signature as subscribed above is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 3d day of July 1841.

James Hawley
Clerk Wayne County
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State of New York}
Ontario County} ss
Jonathan Belcher of the town of Canandaigua in the County of Ontario and State of New York and formerly of the town of Stoughton in the County of Suffolk in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly cautioned and sworn doth on oath [illegible] depose say and declare that he is a native citizen of the United States and that he served the Country in the Revolutionary war against the Common Enemy and that he the deponent enlisted in the year 1778 for nine months in Captain Chase Company at West Point and at the expiration of the aforesaid nine months he received an honourable [honorable] discharge and that he enlisted for one year in  1779 in the waggon department in Capt Wells Company of Artilery [Artillery] in the Massachusetts Line and that he received an honourable discharge at Newburgh in the state aforesaid from General Thompson Commandant of the Artilery and that he enlisted in 1782 for three years in Captain Cox Company and that he dose [does] not recollect the nos or names of Regiments he was from time to time transferred to but that he was ^honourable [honorably] discharged from  Colonel Henry Jacksons Regiment in the Masssachusette Line in the Continental service and that he received his discharge from the hospital from General Washington by  the hands of doctor Adams Surgeon of  the Hospital at New Windsor in  the state aforesaid in the month of August 1783 and that he is 65 years old and in indigent circumstances and needs the assistance of his Country for support and he therefore prayes  [therefor prays] that his name may be placed on the pension list persuant [pursuant] to an act of Congress the 18th day of March 1828 "Entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval  Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War"
Page 15

and further the deponent saith not.

Jonathan Belcher

Sworn to declared & subscribed this sixteenth day of April 1818 before me.

Stephen Phelps
A Judge of the Court of Common Please in and for the County of Ontario and State of New York

Ontario County

I Stephen Phelps a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Jonathan Belcher did serve int eh Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy and I now transmit the testimony and proceedings taken and had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the aforementioned Act of Congress.

Stephen Phelps

Canandaigua
April 16th 1818
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Claim of Jonathan Belcher
April 16th 1818

To Stephen Phelps
Canandaigua
Ontario, N York
Page 17

State of New York
Ontario County

On this fifth day of September [unk] before me Stephen Phelps a Judge of Ontario Common Pleas came Jonathan Belcher the applicant named in the preceding declaration who being by me first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in addition to the said foregoing declaration that the name of the Captain first mentioned in said declaration was Daniel Shays instead of Chase which was a mistake of the Clerk and that the name of the Captain mentioned in the last mentioned three years enlistment was Fox instead of Cox which was also a mistake of the Clerk who wrote the same and that the said Capt. Foxes Company belonged to the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Colonel Brooks, and that he has lost his discharge and cannot obtain any further evidence of his service but is here with transmitted.

Jonathan Belcher

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.

Stephen Phelps

Ontario County

I Stephen Phelps a Judge of Ontario Common Pleas do certify that I know the said Jonathan Belcher the applicant aforesaid to be in indigent circumstances and need of the assistance of his Country for support and  and have no doubt of his performing the service stated in the said declaration.

Stephen Phelps

Canandagua September 5th 1818

The honorable the Secretary of the War department will please forward my certificate (if allowed) to Stephen Phelps Esq [unk] [unk]

Jonathan Belcher

April 10, 1818
Page 18

State of New York
Ontario County Clerks Office

In testimony that Stephen Phelps whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Ontario and that the same is his signature i hereunto subscribe my name and affix the county seal at Canandaigua this 24th day of April AD 1818.

Hon Mc Nau Clerk
Page 19

Lee, Michigan
9 Sept. 1845
Lewis Belcher
for a pension for his mother

To the secretary of the war department
At the city Washington 
District of Columbia

Sarah Belcher 
Mrs [illegible]
[illegible]
Page 20

Lee Calhoun Co Michigan
September 9, 1845
Secretary of the War department at the City of Washington

Sir I wish you to inform me of my Mother can get my Fathers pension. my Father name was Jonathan Belcher Sarah Belcher's my Mother is his widow her marriage was proved to you some long year ago but the time of her marriage was not. You sir her family reasoned that my Father kept is lost but I have a copy of it that i took in my own hand from after his death now if that will do and you can grant her the pension then let me know and if not let know [unk] [unk] and a poor man and my Mother is have. You sir write and let me know all about it direct your letter to Albion Calhoun County Michigan. Please sir don't grant it to any one untill you hear from me, Again let me know what testimony you must have to grant her the pension. Dear sir do let me know all about for I have not had any schooling and when I was twenty one years old I could not read my own name in print and when  I was twenty eight years old I could not write my own name and have not been school one day from that to this.

I are your most obedient

Lewis Belkner

V.B. my father was in the war between 1776 and 1783 he obtained cert pension at your office in the year 1818 I should think.
Page 21

Cayuga NY
Jany 23/46

Anonymous

Mr. Thos L Marcy
City of Washington

Sarah Belcher is not entitled to the pension she draws.

[illegible] 23/46 
Pension Office

Sarah Belcher
NY
caveat

Mr. Thos. L Marcy
City of Washington
Page 22

Cayuga January 23 1896
Mrs. Wm L. Marcy Secretary of War Department
Sirs, an old man informed me thereto Sarah Belcher who stands recorded as Pensioner at your office is not Jonathan's lawfull widow for he had a former wife who was living as late as eighteen hundred and eighteen in the state of Ms: which can be proved by Mr. Peters and Mrs. Fisher now living in this state. I think that they should prove this not or the pension should be stopped 
but you know best and I think if the pension is not stopped this statement will be forwarded to you. I have nothing against the pensioner nore am I akin to the pensioner but I feel myself a friend to the publick and I think that pensions should not be granted to any one but to whome they are due
Page 23

April 17, 1940

BA-J/AWF
Jonathan Belcher
W. 23557

Mrs. Vernon L. LeMaster
309 Whitman Street
Rockford, Illinois

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Jonathan Belcher who was allowed pension on certificate # 3027 and who died February 14, 1826, in Butler, Wayne County, New York.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, W. 23557, based upon military service of Jonathan Belcher in the Revolutionary War.

Jonathan Belcher was born March 18, 1753, place not stated, nor were the names of his parents.

While residing in Needham, Massachusetts, Jonathan Belcher served as a private in Captain Banister's company, Colonel Tupper's Massachusetts regiment, dates of this service not given. He enlisted in West Point, sometime in 1778, served nine months in Captain Daniel Shay's Massachusetts company. He enlisted sometime in 1779, served one year in the "wagon department" in Captain Wells' Massachusetts company of artillery. He enlisted in the year 1782, served in Captain Fox's company, and Captain Hastings' company in the Ninth Massachusetts regiment, and in Colonel Brooks' Massachusetts regiment, and in Colonel Brooks' Massachusetts regiment, and in Colonel Henry Jackson's Fourth Massachusetts regiment, and was discharged in the month of August, 1783.

Jonathan Belcher was allowed pension on his
Page 24

application executed April 16, 1818, at which time he was living in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, and stated that he was formerly of Stoughton, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He had at one time lived in Goshen, orange County, New York.

The soldier, Jonathan Belcher, was living in 1820 in Wolcott, Seneca County, New York. He died February 14, 1826, in Butler, Wayne County, New York.

Jonathan Belcher married on Thursday in the latter part of September, 1790, in Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey, Sarah Drake of Goshen, New York, where her father's family then lived. They were married at the home of her brother, John Drake. The said Sarah Drake was born July 18, 1787, the names of her parents were not stated.

Reference was made to a former wife of Jonathan Belcher, who died in Massachusetts; her name was not given, nor are there any data in this claim in regard to their marriage.

The widow, Sarah Belcher, was allowed pension on her application executed July 2, 1841, at which time she was living in Butler, New York. She was living in said Butler, in 1846, with her son-in-law, Abial Lewis who was aged then about forty-six years, the name of his wife not designated.  

The following family data are shown in the claim-
Lewis Belcher  born April 23, 1791
Zavan Belcher born February 27, 1793
Salley Belcher born March 14, 1794
Uri (?)  Belcher born March 2, 1795
Hannah Belcher born February 18, 1796
Iley (daughter) Belcher born June 13, 1797, died August 20, 1797
Jonathan Belcher born November 8, 1798
Page 25

Family data continued

Thomas I. or J. Belcher   born June 11, 1801
Iley "   " August 25, 1804

Thomas I. or J. Belcher married November 25, 1830, Eliza Wilson, born July 29, 1803. Sarah Belcher was born October 26, 1834.

Salley Holcom (Holcomb) died October 30, 1829. Elishama Holcomb was living in 1844, in Brutus, Cayuga County, New York, his relationship to Sally Holcom was not stated.

Lewis Belcher, the eldest son of Jonathan Belcher, and his wife, Sarah, was living in 1845, in Albion, Calhoun County, Michigan; their son Zavan Belcher, was living in 1845., in Columbus, Franklin County, New York, he married May 16, 1819, Fanny Willson who was born September 22, 1799; Thomas I. or J. Belcher, son of Jonathan Belcher, and wife Sarah, was living in 1844, in Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York.

Hannah Davis a resident of Butler, New York, in 1844, stated that she was the fourth child of Jonathan Belcher, and wife, Sarah, and at that time was aged forty-six years. The name of Hannah Davis' husband was not given.

In 1841, John Drake, brother of the widow, Sarah Belcher, was seventy-six years of age, then living in Jasper, Steuben County, New York, and referred to his son born a few months after the marriage of his sister, Sarah (Drake) Belcher; her brother, Daniel Drake, was seventy-two years old, in 1841, then a resident of Mentz, Cayuga County, New York, he stated that he was married in July, 1791. Thirza Buck, sister of the widow, Sarah Belcher, was sixty-four years old in 1841, then living in Mentz, New York. In 1844, Annis Buck, sister of the widow, was sixty-six years old, and a resident of Peoria County, illinois.

In 1845, David G. Drake was aged eighty-six years,
Page 26

45

and living in Chester, Orange County, New York, and referred to his daughter, Susan, born December 22, 1791. In the same year one Jane Randolph, aged seventy-nine years and living in Norwich, New York, stated that she was "brought up" with Sarah Drake, near Goshen, New York. It was not shown that they were related to the family.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data in regard to family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Sarah Belcher, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:

Sarah Belcher, widow of Jonathan Belcher
Certificate # 7319
Issued October 6, 1845
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1843
Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844
New York Agency

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 27

State of New York
Cayuga County

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Samuel Drake of the town of Meat, in said County, aged seventy seven years the 28th day of February last, after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, that from the earliest period of his recollection, he has been personally acquainted with Sarah Belcher of the town of Butler in the county of Wayne, widow of the late Jonathan Belcher, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States, that she is the sister of this deponent, and that this deponent was also well acquainted with the said, Jonathan Belcher, for the last fifty nine or sixty years, up to the time if his death, that this deponent first became acquainted with the said belcher in the town of Goslin, in the county of Orange, in the State of New York, when this deponents father then lived, That this deponents aforesaid sister  Sarah was said to have been married to the said Jonathan Belcher, in the fall of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety. That the fact, and circumstances in relation to said marriage, as follows, vix In the fall of te year 1790, the said Sarah whose maiden name was Drake, left the her fathers house in Goslin aforesaid, in company with the said Belcher, to go to her brother, Joshua Drake, who then lived in [unk] in the State of New Jersey about thirty five miles distant from his father, for the purpose of being married. The said parties, returned in a few days after, and said they were married, and this deponent learned soon after from his brother, Joshua, that they were married at his house, This deponent well recollect, hearing it talked of in his fathers family at the time that they were married, keeping house together are living together, as husband and wife. This deponent says he cannot be mistaken at out the time the said Belcher was married because he knows the said Belcher was married or said to have been married, nearly a year before this deponent was married, and this deponent well knows that his [unk] marriage took place, in the month of July 1791, this fact this deponent established by a record, as well as by his own recollection of the fact, also he well recollects the first child of the said Belchers, and the present widow Belcher, was born about the same time this deponent was married. That they present applicant for a pension, widow Sarah Belcher is the identical person & widow of the late Jonathan Belcher who was married to him at the time and place as above stated, and that she continued from that time to live with hi as his wife until his death, which


Belcher, Jonathan
Page 28

took place in the month of February 1826, leaving his widow Sarah Belcher who is still a widow. 
Subscribed and sworn before on this 21st day of August 1845.

James Pine Justice of the Peace

i certify that I am well acquainted with Daniel Drake the above named officiant and have been for the last fifteen or twenty years that he is a man of good moral character and reputation that his faculties are good and is impaired by age and that his statement may be relied upon as the truth. Dated [unk] this 21 day of August 1845.

James Pine Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Cayuga County Clerks Office

I, Phillip Van Arsdale Clerk of said County do hereby certify that James Pine Esquire was on the 21st day of August AD 1843, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected & qualified and that the foregoing is his genuine signature. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of he Court of Common Pleas of said County this 21st day of August AD 1843.

Ebenezer R Cobb
Dep Clerk

answer to John F Curtis Huron Wayne Co NY
Page 29

1908 Apl 3 Hist to Grace Raymond Hebard 
1918 Nov 16 Hist to Edward N Walton
1940 April 17 hist to Mrs Vernon L LeMaster

Rev Widow &c

File No. 23557
Sarah Belcher wid of Jonathan Belcher
Priv Mass line

Act March 3rd 1843 June 17th, 1844

Index:- Vol a, Page 54

[Arrangement of 1870]

Let to Robert Galles,
Dec 20th 1844
Let to J F Curtis May 28 '45
Act 7th July 7, 1835
Page 30

7920
NY
Letter to Dennison Robinson
14 Sep 1841. do R Gaultt,
Mar 1 1843 {to Fred Joy 15 Oct '44}
Let to R Gaultt Sep 16, 1843
Let to R Gaultt July 13 1844
act 7 July '38

9648
New York
Sarah Belcher
widow of Jonathan Belcher,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818, and who died on the 14 February, 1826 of Wayne in the State of N.M. who was a private in the     commanded by Captain     of the     commanded by     in the Massachusetts line for 2 years.

Subscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars    cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of October, 1845 and sent to Lewis Belcher, Sec, Calhoun County, Michigan

Total amount $400.00

[Act July 7, 1838]

Recorded by U U Stewart Clerk, Book D Vol 1 Page 529
Page 31

Oct 17. 1846
Letter [illegible]
Sarah Belcher 
Get No. 

[written over preceeding sideways:]
Hon J.L. Edwards 
Comm of Pensions
Washington  City D.C.

[stamp] LYONS N.Y. OCT 13
Page 32

Huron Wayne Co Mi Oct 7 1846

Hon J L Edwards

Sir

Presuming that the letter recd at your office (alleging that Jonathan Belcher had a former wife & which caused the suspension of the pension pf Sarah Belcher his present widow) caused from an ungrateful son of his (Lewis Belcher) of Michigan (either directly or indirectly). the enclosed proof is furnished to show the reason why this unfounded charge was made. The facts are briefly these that from same leave contrary to the wishes of Wid Belcher her pension certificate were issued & sent to her son Lewis of Michigan, it was contrary to her wishes because her son had opposed her in the prosecution of her claim to a pension and refused to render that aid that was in his power, unless his mother would give him part of the pension, thus he wrote her, in answer to a letter I wrote him in the spring of 1845 requesting him to make an affidavit in favor of his mother, but never intimated to be that is father had a former wife. He obtained the certificate of his mother, cause a journey of 500 miles, for the purpose of cheating his aged inform & suffering mother out of $200 and would
Page 33

have succeeded had it not been for the interference of disinterested friends of the old lady, who by stratagem obtained the certificate, drew the money and placed it in the hands of a responsible man to be kept for the benefit of the widow. The son was exasperated & then for the first time threatened to stop the pension unless his mother gave him part of the pension money. Should you honor restore the pension, you will do the widow a favor by satisfying her of that fact.

I am respectfully yours

John F Curtis
Page 34

Weedsport Cayuga Co New York
Feb 23, 1844

Sir

The claim of Sarah Belcher for a pension was sent to your office about three years since under the act of July 7, 1838. I enclose you two letters from your office. After the receipt of the Clerk of the Court of Jupser New Jersey the County in which the claimant was married. Stating there was no record previous to 1795 after the receipt of the second procured an affidavit from a sister of the applicant which I forwarded to you. Since which I have heard nothing till I recd your letters of the 17 inst enquiring when her claim was presented and under what act. Will you please advise me on the subject as soon as possible. The claimant is in very low circumstances and is very anxious to know the result. Is more proof necessary?

I am Sir your obt servt

Robert Gallt

James L Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington City DC
Page 35

Pension Office
June 1st 1843

Sir,

In the case of Sarah Belcher, I have to inform you that the objection to the allowance of her claim is the want of record evidence of the marriage.

I am very respectfully your obt servt,

J L Edwards 

Robert Gales Esq
Weedsport
New York
Page 36

Huron Mi
Nov 7

Nov 12 46
rejected 
Sarah Belcher


Hon J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 37

Huron Wayne C NY Nov 7 1846
Hon J L Edwards
Sir -- Yours of 26 Oct Relative to the suspension of the pension of Sarah Belcher Widow of Jonathan Belcher is Rec'd and by Request of the widow I beg leave to reply -- "You say that the proof furnished, goes for to show, that the letter which caused the suspension of Mrs. Belchers pension was written in a malicious spirit, but it discloses also, that her husband had been previously married, and you require proof of the death of the first wife prior to the second Marriage - Mrs. Belcher stated in her affidavit that her husband told her previous to her marriage to him that he had been married, and that his wife was dead - and that she had never heard anything to the Contrary. Now if this statement proves that Jonathan Belcher had been previously married; does it not also prove that his wife was dead. Is it just & right to believe the former part of the statement  & disbelieve the latter. Especially when Circumstances go far to corroborate the latter. The statement must have been voluntary being heard before his second marriage & Certainly bares evidence of Sincerity - If true that Belcher had a former wife living after the second marriage.
Page 38

is it hardly passable that the latter wife would have been allowed to spend nearly a whole life in the enjoyment of domestic peace & happiness, without ever knowing of the existence of the former wife. But Lewis Belcher states in a letter that his father had a former wife living as late as 1816, now it can hardly be possible for the son to know that fact & not the matter. The matter is certified by a Judge & Justice (now on file in your office) to be a respectable person & states under oath that she never know of the existence of a former wife. While the sons statement is made in the town of Setter, baring evidence of being written under the influence of a spirit of revenge & ingratitude promising proof which he had not nor never will furnish. Mrs Belcher had respectable brothers & sisters, who will testify that they never herd or knew that the former wife of Jonathan Belcher was living since his second marriage. Mrs Belcher cannot procure any proof relative to the death of the former wife. She knows of no person living that knew the former wife, if there was one, she does not know where such former wife or her friends resided and at present has forgotten her name
Page 39

Now I ask you to give these circumstances a personal examination and if consistent with your views of equity give Mrs Belcher her pension, which from present appearances will not be enjoyed but a few months at most.

Very respectfully yours

John F Curtis
Page 40

State of New York
County of Wayne SS. Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county. Hannah Davis of Butler in said county aged forty six years after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that widow Sarah Belcher who made application for a pension under the law of 1888 as the widow of Jonathan Belcher late a pensioner of the United States is this deponent's mother and that the said Jonathan Belcher was this deponent's father, that this deponent is the fourth child of her said father and mother all of single births and that her eldest brother is fifty three years of age that when this deponents mother made application for a pension as this deponent believes she forwarded with her application and proof a family record containing the age if the deponent and her brothers and sisters which was the old family record kept by this deponent. Said father & mother in the life time of her said father to was as this deponent has every reason to believe entirely true that this deponent's father died on the 17th day of February 1826 leaving as his widow this deponent's said mother Sarah Belcher who still remains a widow.
Sworn & subscribed before me Hannah Davis this 7th day of June 18[..]
Austin Roc J.P.
I certify that the above named Hannah Davis is a highly respectable person. Wm J. Bottum
Page 41

State of New York
Wagner County Clerks Office ss:
I hereby certify, that Austin Roe Esqr
was, with the day of June Instant
a Justice of the peace in and for said
County, duly qualified; and that I
am well acquainted with hand
writing and verily believe his signature
to the within certificate to be genuine
Witness my hand and seal of office, June
15. 1844,
Daniel Chapman
Clerk said County
I hereby  certify that the within named
Hannah Davis according the best of
my knowledge is a person of hand
and veracity
Austin Roe J. P.
Page 42

State of New York
Cayuga County

On this 6th day of May in the year 1844, personally came before me Hiram McCarty a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cayuga aforesaid Thomas Belcher a resident of the Town of Aurelius in the Said County, aforesaid, aged forty three years on the 11th day of June 1844, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath depose and say that he is a song of Jonathan and Sarah Belcher that the family Register hereunto attached is a true copy of the original Family Register which was kept by the said Jonathan Belcher in his own hand writing and copied by him to said Thomas Belcher in the year 1833 and by him kept the Original of which is Supposed to have been torn from the family bible of the Said Jonathan and Sarah Belcher by some person unknown and is now lost and can not be found or accounted for and that there is no other Register Except the one hereunto attached as he believes. 

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me 
Thomas L. Belcher

Hiram McCarty, Justice of the Peace

Cayuga County & Plaintiff that the above named Thomas L. Belcher is a a credible writup and that his statements can be noticed on Dated [Unreadable] 1844

Hiram McCarty Justice of the Peace
Page 43

State of New York
Cayuga County

On this 8th day of May in the yar 1844, personally came before me Henry R. Filley a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cayuga aforesaid Elishima Holcomb a resident of the Town of Brutus in the County aforesaid who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath depose and say that he was acquainted with Jonathan Belcher and Sarah Belcher and is now acquainted with the said Sarah and knows their family bible, and has examined the same and that the Family Register has been by some person unknown, torn from the same and is lost and can not be accounted for, and that he believes the account to be a true copy of that Original as was Rept. by the said Jonathan Belcher.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me
Elishima Holcomb

Henry R. Filley, Justice of the Peace
Page 44

State of New York
Cayuga County
Clerk of the said County of Cayuga to certify
that Hiram McCarty on the 6th day of May
instant & Henry R. Tilley on the 8th day of
May instant were justices of the Peace
& for the said County duly appointed &
qualified to act as such, and that the signatures
 on the within sheet, are their genuine
signature.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of said County
this 14th day of May AD 1814
Philip Van Arsdale
-
Clerk
Page 45

State of Ohio}
County of Franklin} ss.
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid,
Zavan Belcher of Columbus in said county aged fifty two years the 27th day of last February after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith -
That Sarah Belcher of Butler in the county of Wayne and state of New York who is applying for a pension as the widow of Jonathan Belcher who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States is this deponents mother and that the said Jonathan Belcher was this deponents father -
That this deponent saw parents were living together as husband and wife at the time of the deponents first recollection, and continued to do so until the death of this deponents said father.
That this deponent said parents had one son nearly two years older than the deponent, that was own brother to this deponent.
That the attached family record is a true record of the age of this deponent and the ages of children.
That the age of the deponent was copied from an old ancient family record of this deponents said fathers family which is now [illegible]. 
That this deponents age was copied on the attached record - twenty two years [illegible] and has been kept in the deponents family as a true record to refer to and this deponent believes it to be correct.
Z Belcher

Subscribed and sworn before me ]
This 22 day of Sept. 1845 }
W. T. Martin JP

Answer to John F Curtis, Huran, Wayne Co, NY
Page 46

I certify that the within named Laren Belcher who has signed the foregoing affidavit is a Respectable person and worthy of court.
Page 47

State of New York,
Steuben County  Be it remembered that this day
John Brake of the town of Jasper in said County
aged Seventy Six years personally came before
me Benjamin S Brundage Justice of the
peace in and for said County and being
by me duly sworn deposed & saith that he
is personally and well acquaint with Sarah
Belcher of the town of Butler in the County of
Wayne that he is brother to said Sarah and
was present and saw her married to Jonathan
 Belcher late of the said town of Butler
that he was acquainted with said Belcher before
the marriage that from the lapse of time he
cannot give the precise date of the marriage
but from circumstances and particularly from
the age of one of this deponent's sons in a few
months after the marriage he feels satisfied
it was in the fall of Seventeen hundred and
ninety that they were married by a congregational
Minister named July in the town of
Wantage in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey

Sworn & Subscribed before me
his
this 17th day of Feb 1841
John Drake
B. S. Brundage J.P
mark
I Benjamin S Brundage a Justise of the peace and
for the County of Steuben do certify that I am
acquaint with John Drake the above deponent
and that he is a respectable man and his statement
may be retull [ineligible] on as true
B S Brundage J R
State of New York
Steuben County ⎬ I William Hamilton Clerk of the said County
do Certify that Benjamin F. Brundage before whom
the proceeding affidavit purports to have been sworn
was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of
the peace in and for the said County of Steuben
Page 48


and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and
verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit,
and certificate to be his proper hand writing and Signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 22d day of February A.D. 1841.
Wm Hamilton Clerk
by Peter Halsey Dep Clk
Page 49

State of New York
County of Wayne
Personally appeared before
the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for
said County Abial Lewis of Butler in said County
after being duly sworn according to law deposeth
and saith- that Sarah Buller widow of Jonathan
 Belsher who was a soldier and a Pensioner of
the United States is this deponents Mother in law and
Resides with this deponent. That in the
month of November 1845, Lewis Belcher the oldest
son of the said widow, who resides in the State of
Michigan came to the house of this Deponent, and
proposed to his said mother that if she would give
him one third of her pension he would obtain it for her
that no other person but him could get it-- his said
Mother finally consented to give him of her pension
for obtaining it not knowing at that time that the
pension certificates were issued after the said Lewis
had obtained his mothers signature to a contract
Pending her to give him one third of her pension, he
produced her certificate, and told his said mother he
had already procured her pension -- His said mother
soon after learned that she was indebted to other persons
for the Establishment of her Pension Claim- that her
said son had obtained the Pension Certificate and
-ently--[ineligible] That he had and deception in procuring her
Contract for one third and refused to comply with Contract
that the said Lewis was highly displeased, and told his said
Mother that he would steal her Pension if possible If she
did not do as he agree-- this deponent has known the
said widow Belcher and her late Husband for the last
twenty six years, has never heard it said that the said
Jonathan Belcher had a wife living subsequent to the
Marriage of the present widow Sarah. But has always
understood that the said Jonathan had a former wife who
died previous to manage to his present widow Sarah
Subscribed & Sworn before me
This first day of October 1846
Abial
his
in
for
of
I certify that the above named Abial Lewis is a man of
truth & veracity and highly Respected as such
be
Page 50

State of New York }
County of Wayne } ss.

John Weskot of Butler in said
County being duly sworn deposith & saith that he
lives near Neighbor to Abial Lewis who has signed the
within affidavit. That he is well acquainted with
Widow Sarah Belcher who resides with the said Abial Lewis.
That last Fall - (thinks it was in November) he was at
the House of the said Abial Lewis, and there Saw
Lewis Belcher a son of the said Sarah Belcher who was
said to reside in the State of Michigan - and then herd [heard]
a Controversy between the said Lewis Belcher his Mother &
others in Relation to the Pension of the said Sarah Belcher
and from what this deponent then saw & herd. he is shure [sure]
that the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit of Abial Lewis
is Substantially Correct
John Weskott

Subscribed and sworn before me }
This first day of October 1846 }
Austin Roe J P }

I certify that the above named John Weskot is a
Respectable man and fully to be Believed.
Austin Roe J P
Page 51

State of New York
County of Wayne
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Sarah Belcher of Butler in said county aged seventy eight years after being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and saith. That she is the widow of Jonathan Belcher who was a soldier and a pensioner of the United States. That she was married to the said Jonathan Belcher as stated in papers now on file in the Pension office at Washington. That previous to he marriage to the said Jonathan he informed her that he had been married but that his wife was dead. that this deponent has never since known or believed that her late husband had a former wife that was living subsequent to he marriage to the said Jonathan.
Subscribed & sworn before me This [.....] day of [.......] 1846 Sarah K Belcher

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Sarah Belcher. That she is a highly respectable old lady. That her memory and mind appears to be good.
[illegible[
Page 52

State of New York
Wayne County Clerks office. I hereby certify that
Austin Roe Esq. before whom the within affidant
were taken was at the time of taking such a
Justice of the peace in and for said County
and duly authorized to take the same,
and further, that I am well acquainted with
the hand writing of said Justice, and verily believe the
several signatures within, purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the court of Common Pleas of said
County at Lyons this twelfth day of October A.D. 1846,
Alex B. Williams
herein of Wayne Co
Page 53

State of Illinois
Peoria County ss
On the seventh day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared before me William Martin a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Annis Buck a resident of Peoria County aged sixty six years who being by me duly sworn according to law doth on her oath depose and say that she is a sister of Sarah Belcher an applicant for a pension that the said Sarah was married to Johnathan Belcher by a congressional minister in town of Wantage in Sussex and state of New Jersey in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine at the house of John Drake her brother and that the family record of her father is lost she further states that there is no record with any of the brothers or sisters to her knowledge and she further states that the marriage was opposed by her father and that they left her fathers ostensably [ostensibly] on a visit to her brother John Drake and were married during their absence.
Annis Buck
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me
William Martin
Justice of the peace
I certify that the above named deponent is a person of strict truth and veracity.
William Martin Justice of the peace
State of Illinois Peoria County sch 
I William Mitchell clerk of the county commissioners court of said county do hereby certify that William Martin Esquire whose name appears subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date thereof and still is as acting Justice of the peace of said county of Peoria duly commissioned and qualified as appears of record in [strike out "and"] my office and that as such full faith and credit are due to all his official acts In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Peoria this twelfth day of October AD 1844
William Mitchell Clerk
Page 54

State of New Jersey
Sussex County ss
I John H. Hall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county of Sussex and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the marriage record of the county of Sussex aforesaid is kept in my office as clerk of said county that previous to the year 1795 there was no law in New Jersey upon the subject of marriages and no record was by law required to be kept that the marriage of Jonathan and Sarah Belcher is not on record in my office and the laws of New Jersey permit marriages to be proved by circumstances and do not require a registry of them to be produced.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court at Newton in said county of Sussex this fourteenth day of July in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and forty three and of the independence of the United States the sixty eighth
John H Hall
Page 55

Weedsport, Cayuga Co. New York
July 22, 1843
Sir,
In the case of Sarah Belcher a Claimant of
a Pension, I have diligent search, and can
find no record of her marriage, as you will see
by the annexed certificate: there is no family
record to be found. Please advise me on the
Subject as soon as conveniently you can, and if
there is any thing more to be done in her case I
will try and do it-
I am Sir, Your Obt Servt
Robert Gallt
James L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 56

State of New York
Ontario County ss
Lewis Belcher of the town of Canandague in the county aforesaid being sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is well acquainted with Jonathan Belcher of the law town of Canandague and that he the deponent has lived in the same house with the said Jonathan Belcher and that he the deponent has often seen a discharge of the said Jonathan Belcher signed by Gen. [General] George Washington he believes that the last time he said it was about two years since and [illegible] [strike out "there"] saith not
Lewis Belcher
Sworn & subscribed this fifth day of September 1818 before me
Stephen Phelps a Judge of Ont. Com. Pleas
I certify that Lewis Belcher the above mentioned deponent is a credible witness
Stephen Phelps, J Judge [illegible]
State of New York
Ontario County Clerks Office ss.
In testimony that Stephen Phelps whose name is subscribed to the above affidavits and certificate was on the day of the date of the same and still is a Judge of Ontario Common Pleas and that the same is his signature I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county at Canandaigue this 10th day of September 1818
Hu McNau Clk [clerk]
Page 57

Sarah Belcher
Pension Paper
No 7920
Vol 32. 72 enlisted
8 May 1782-2 years
to Augt 1783 when discharged -
Rolls 10 Regt
enlisted 14 June 78
enlisted War. In Genl Dept
5 day 78.
comd
2 years pri
80
Acts 38-43 & 44
Lewis Belcher Esq
Lee Calhoun
Michigan
Page 58

State of New York
Wayne County ss
Be it acknowledged that before me Hiram P. Jones a judge of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Wayne aforesaid personally appeared Abial Lewis of the town of Butler in the county of Wayne aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he isa forty one years of age that he is well acquainted with Sarah Belcher of Butler in the county of Wayne aforesaid the widow of Jonathan Belcher deceased that she was well acquainted with Jonathan Belcher deceased in his life time that he died in the said town of Butler on the 14th day of February 1826 of the consumption that he saw him often when he was sickly and was present at his funeral that the said Sarah Belcher now remains the widow of the said Jonathan Belcher and has not marriage any other person.
Abial Lewis
Subscribed and sworn to before me this second day of July 1841
Hiram P Jones a Judge of Wayne County Courts
I do hereby certify that Abial Lewis is a person of good reputation and his statements may be relied upon as the truth this I certify from the knowledge I have of the man.
Hiram P. Jones
A Judge of Wayne County Courts
Page 59

State of New York
Wayne County Clerks Office SS I James Hawley Clerk of said County
Hereby Certify that Hiram P. Jones Esq whose name appears to the within
Certificate was on the day the within Certificate purports to have been signed
a Judge of Wayne County Court in and for said County duly appointed
and sworn and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing
and his signature as subscribed to the within Certificate is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas
of said County this Third day of July 1841
James Hawley Clerk
Wayne County
Page 60

State of New York
Cayuga County ss
Be it known that before me Denison Robinson a commissioner of deeds in and for the county of Cayuga aforesaid personally appeared Daniel Drake of the town of Mentz in the county of Cayuga who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is aged seventy two years and in his seventy third year that he is well acquainted with Sarah Belcher now of the town of Butler in the county of Wayne that that the said Sarah is a sister of this deponent. That the said Sarah was married to Jonathan Belcher now deceased in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety at the residence of John Drake this deponent brothers in the state of New Jersey as this deponent was informed at the time of said marriage. That the said Sarah was so married to said Jonathan Belcher in the month of September of that year according to his best recollection and he knows that fact from the fact that this deponent was married in the month of July in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety one a little than a year from the time of the marriage of the said Sarah as aforesaid that this deponent was not present at the said marriage but that he believes
Page 61

the Marriage did take place
as aforesaid and at the time
and place aforesaid. That this
deponent never understood that the
legality of said marriage was
Eller questioned or doubted. That the
said Sarah always lived with
the
said Jonathan Belcher from
the time of said marriage till the
time of his death as man and
wife and the said Sarah
and several children by
said Jonathan. That this
Deponent has been well acquainted with said Jonathan ever
since said Marriage with said
Sarah until his death. that
this deponent known 
the said Jonathan was in his
life time a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States
that he has seen the said
Jonathan Belcher's certificate
entitling to a pension
Daniell Drake

Sworn and subscribed
before me this 26th day
of June 1841

Denison Robinson
Comr of Deed
State of New York
Cayuga County ss. I certify that I am well
acquainted with Daniel Drake the person
described in and who signed and sworn
to the above affidavit and I further certify that he is a reputable man, and that
his statements may be relied upon as the
truth-- The word "him" in the Affidavit
was interlined be its execution
Denison Robinson
Comr of Deeds
Page 62

State of  New York
Cayuga County ss 
Be it known that before me Denison
Robinson a commissioner of Deeds in and for said
County of Cayuga personally appeared Thirza
Buck of the town of Mentz in the County of
Cayuga who being duly sworn by me according to
law deposeth and saith that she is aged
sixty four years and is in her sixty fifth
year. that she is well acquainted with
Sarah Belcher now of the town of Butler
in the County of Wayne Widow of Jonathan
Belcher deceased that the said Sarah
is a sister of this Deponent that the said
Sarah Belcher was married to Jonathan
Belcher in the year one thousand
seven hundred and ninety or the year
One thousand seven hundred and ninety one
in the fall of the year at the then residence
of John Drake this Deponents Brother
this the State of New Jersey as this deponent
was informed  at the time which she verily believes
to be true that the reasons she knows it
was in one of the years above named was
that this deponent was either in her thirteenth
or fourteenth year of his age at the time
of said marriage. That this Deponent was not
present at said Marriage
but resided in her
fathers family at the time in the town of
Gosham in the County of Orange in the State of
New York and was informed of said
marriage in her fathers family at the
time it took place that this Deponent never
heard or understood that the legality of said
marriage was doubted or questioned. That the
said Jonathan Belcher and Sarah Belcher
always lived together as man and wife from
the time of said Marriage until his death
which happened on the fourteenth day
of February 1826 at the town of Broth
aforesaid and that the said Sarah
Page 63

Belcher now remains the widow of the said
Jonathan Belcher and has
not intermarried with any other person
sworn and subscribed
before me this 26th day 
June 1841 -
Thirza Buck
D Robinson
Comr of Deed
State of New York}
Cayuga County ss}
I certify that I
am well acquainted with Thirza
Buck the person who has subscribed
and sworn to the above affidavit
and that she is a reputable person
and her statements may be relied
upon as the truth-
Denison Robinson
Comr of Deed
State of New York}
Cayuga County Clerk's Office} SS 
J. William Richardson Clerk of the County of Cayuga
Do Hereby Certify that Denison Robinson Esq
before whom the annexed instruments in writing
and the preceeding affidavit taking
were proved or acknowledged was at the time taking
and the taking of such affidavits
said proof or acknowledgment a commissioner of deeds
in and for said County, duly authorised to take the same, and that I am
well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signatures to the
annexed Certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine-
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Court of Common
Pleas of said County and subscribed my name this thirteenth day of July 1841
Geo Warren Justice
Deputy Clerk
Feb 9, 25
Page 64

State of New York
County of Wayne ⎬ ss On the 8th day of February 1847
Personally appeared before the Subscribed
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County
Daniel Drake of respectable characters aged Seventy
eight years after being duly sworn according to law
deponeth and saith that from his earliest recollections
was well acquainted with Sarah Belcher of Batten
in said County widow of Jonathan Belcher Deci and
who was a pensioner of the United States; that this deponent
acquaintance with this said Jonathan Belcher commenced
about the year 1786, as he recollects it was about four years
previous to his marriage to the present widow Sarah
Belcher who was this deponents sister, that this deponents
acquittance with said Belcher commenced in the Town of
Goshen Orange County NY where this deponent then lived
that this deponent soon became verry intimate with the
said Belcher and learned from him that he was from
town Benton in the State of Massachusetts that he had then
married and that his wife was dead that this deponent
believes that such was the fact from the following circumstances
namely, That while the said Belcher was living in Goshen
as here  stated his neighbours and friends from Massachusetts
where he had formerly lived frequently called on him both
before and after his marriage to the present widow, and this
deponent is sure that it was not then intimated talked of, or
believe, that the said Belcher had a former wife living at
the time of his marriage to the present widow but on the contrary 
it was then reported and believed that the said Belcher's
for wife was dead previous to his marriage to the present
widow
Daniel Drake his X mark
Subscribed and one before me}
this 8th day of February 1847}
Geo E Dill J.P.
I certify that the above named Daniel Brake, is a highly
Respectable person. That his character for truth and
Veracity is Good
Geo. E Dill
Page 65

State of New York}
Wayne County claims Office} SS: I hereby certify that
Geo E. Dill Esqr. before whom the within
affidavit purports to have been taken, was at the
time of being such a Justice of the peace in
and for said County, duly elected qualified
and authorized to take the same. Further that I am
well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice
and verily believe the signatures to the within affidavit
& [illegible], purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand &
affixed the seal of the County of Common pleas of said
County this tenth day of February A.D. 1847.
S. B. Gavitt Dep Clerk
Answer to John F Curtis Huron NY
Page 66

State of New York}
Orange County} SS. Personally appeared before
the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the
this County aforesaid David G Drake of the town of
Chester in said County aged Eighty Six years
after being duly sworn according to law deposeth
and Saith that from the earliest period of his
Recollection he has been personally acquainted 
with Sarah Belcher who is applying for a pension
as the widow of Jonathan Belcher late a Soldier in
the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the
United States. That he was also well acquainted with
the said Jonathan Belcher before his marriage to the
Said Sarah whose maiden name was Drake and
after said marriage - This deponent was not present
at the marriage of the said Jonathan Belcher to the
said Sarah Drake but he well recollects, that they
were said to have been married. That they lived
together as husband and wife and had children. That
he is shure thinks Marriage took place fifty four or
fifty five years since. Thinks the marriage took me in
in 1791. This deponent deposeth and saith that the marriage of the said parties took place previous
to the birth of his daughter Susan, and by referring to his old original family Record he finds
that his daughter Susan was born December 22d 1791
That the said applicant the said Sarah Belcher is
the same person that was said to have been married
to the said Jonathan Belcher fifty four or fifty five
years Since
David Drake his X mark
Subscribed and Sworn before me} 
This 3rd day of April 1845}
Chas. H. Smith Justice of the peace of said County
I certify that the above named David G Drake is a highly respectable 
person and worthy of Credit
Chas. H. Smith Justice
Page 67

State of New York}
Orange County} ss. Personally appeared before the
Subsciber a Justice of the peace in and for the County
aforesaid I am Randolf a resident of Norwich in
said County aged Seventy one years, after being
duly sworn according to law deposeth and Saith
That from her earliest recollection she was personally 
acquainted with Sarah Belcher who is applying
for a pension as the widow of Jonathan Belcher
That she was also well acquainted with the said
Jonathan Belcher before his marriage to the said
Sarah when Maiden name was Drake. That this
deponent and the present applicant for a pension
Widow Sarah Belcher, was brought up together and
lived near together in the town of Goshen in this
County until some years after the marriage of
the said Sarah Belcher - that this deponent was
hearted in 1788 - of this fact this deponent was
married in 1788-of this fact this deponent thinks
she cannot be mistaken as she establishes her own
Marriage by an old original family Record which is
over fifty years old. That she well recollects that the
said Jonathan Belcher was said to have been married
to the said Sarah Drake two or three years after
the marriage of this deponent. That they lived together
after their marriage as husband and wife until
the death of the said Belcher and raised a family of
Children. That they had two children born {illegible]
to the first of January 1794 that the present
applicant Widow Sarah Belcher is the same person
that was said to have been married two or three years after
this deponent was married, and that she is now a widow
Jane Randolph
Subscribed and sworn before me}
this 3d day of April 1845}
Alsop V . Arpen
Justice of the Peace
I Certify that the above named Jane Randolf is an old
inhabitant of this County and a highly Respectable person
Alsop V Arpen Justice
Page 68

State of New York} 
Orange County} SS. I John C. Wallace, Clerk of the County
of Orange, Do hereby certify that Alsop V. Aspell and Charles
H. Smith whose names are subscribed to the Certificate of the
proof or acknowledgements of the annexed affidavits and thereon
written were at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgements
Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling
in the said County Commissioned and sworn and duly authorized 
to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted 
with the hand writing of the said Justices and verily
believe that the signature to the said Certificate of Proof
or acknowledgement is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the Seal of the said County the 4th day of April 1845
John C. Wallace C Clerk
Page 69

Answer to John F Curtis Huron Wagner Co NY
Page 70

167920
July 19, 1841
N.Y.
July 7, 1838
Sarah Belcher
Honl John Bell
Sec.y of War
Washington City
Page 71

Houn, John Bell
Secy of War
Sir
Enclosed I send you the
Declaration of Sarah Belcher (widow
of Jonathan Belcher deceased) together with
affidavits for the purpose of obtaining her
pension under act of 7th July 1838
The early attention of the Department
is desired.
I am Respy yr Obt Sevt
Denison Robinson
Port Byron Cayuga Co
New York
July 14. 1841-
Page 72

Weedsport Cayuga Co New York
May 15, 1844
Sir
In the case of Sarah Belcher, an applicant
for a Pension, I send you enclosed all the family
record, that I am able to procure. Will you
please inform me in relation to her case soon
I am, Sir, your obt Servt
Robert Gallt
Jas L. Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 73

Apl 8 1844
Mr Ames
Sarah Belcher
James L Edwards
Court of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 74

Weedsport Cayuga Co New York
April 3. 1846
Sir
Mrs Sarah Belcher is anxious to hear
what disposition has been made of her claim
for a Pension will you please inform her;
I am Sir Your Obt Servt
Robert Gallt
Jas L Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 75

James L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City D.C.
May 31 1843
Sarah Belcher
Page 76

Weedsport Cayuga County N.Y.
May 25, 1843
Dear Sir
Will you please have the goodness to inform
me, what disposition has been made of the case
of Sarah Belcher, Widow of _ Belcher said to
have been a Revolutionary pensioner under the
act of 1818. She states that some three or four
years ago she made application for a pension and
did not succeed. Will you tell me how far
The progressed, and what evidence is lacking in her
Case
Respectfully your Obt
Servt
Robert Gallt
Jas. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 77

Huron NY
Aug 26th
J. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Aug 20 / 95
[illegible]
Sarah Belcher
Page 78

Huron Aug 26th 1845
Sir
Permit me to call your attention and
more to the case of Sarah Belcher Widow of
Jonathan Belcher of New York. I am not in possession 
of all the proof that has been offered in
this case previous to its coming into my
hands. If there is not conflicting proof-- I think
the case will now be judged fully made out,
The Widow now asks for a full and carefull
investigation of all the proof in the case, now
on file, and if she is entitled to a pension she
wants it, if not she does not ask for it-
This is probably her last effort & she has no family
Record that is available-- than is no record of marriages 
kept in the town when she was married
than is no church Record of her marriage
or Baptism of Children. The proof already offered 
is the best that the nature of her case will
admit, and all that she can procure. She therefore
leaves it in your hands, and asks that Justice
may be done her
Truly Yours &c
John B Curtis
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Coms of Pensions
Washington
Page 79

Oct 9. 1845
Adalter case
Sarah Belcher
43.7319
J.L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washingtons
Page 80

Sir
Washington Oct 9th 1845
Sir
I herewith enclose some additional proof
in the case of Mrs Sarah Belcher of New York
an applicant for the benefits of the
act of Congress of 7 July 1838, which was forwarded 
to me by Mr J.F. Curtis of Huron
N.Y. and who informs me that in the latter
part of August he enclosed to the office in
this case, the affidavit of Daniel Drake, &
also wishes that the enclosed may be filed
with the same, so that they may both be
examined together as the claim has not since
been reported to him, he also informs me that
this is the best evidence that can be procured
in the case & trust that they will be found
to be in connexion with the other altogether
satisfory, & that the certificate may be issued
and sent to me, as he has engaged me to attend
to it for him
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant
Nathan Leake
Hon J.L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
Page 81

Sept 15. '46
10
Hon J.L. Edwards
Com of Pension
Washington City

Sarah Belcher
319.   N.Y.  [illegible] , Act-43
Col Nily
Page 82

Albany Sept 11- 1846
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir will you inform me why the Pension of Sarah Belcher Widow of Johnathan Belcher of New York is Suspend - address me at Huron Wayne Co NY
Yours very Respectfully
John F Curtis
Page 83

July 11 4[?]
Jona Belcher
N.Y. Aug 1818
18
14 Feb 26

10
Hon J.:. Edwards
Washington
D.C.
Red Gree RAY
July 7
Page 84

[illegible] County July 5 1845
Sir
I write you in behalf of the widow of Jonathan Belcher who was a revolutionary pensioner and died on the 17th day of February 1826 having near 5 ½ months pension due upon the certificate which the widow has never recd.  it is suposed [supposed] by her that it has been drawn - if so she wishes to know by whom & at what time &c &c.
Yours &c
Wm. J. Bottum
for Sarah Belcher
Page 85

John F Curtis
Mar. 19. 1847
Page 86

Pen off
March 19th '47
Sir
Instructions have been given to the pen. agt. at Albany to resume payment of the pension of Sarah Belcher under acts of 3 March 43 & 17 June 44 which was suspended by my letter of 18 Aug last.
John F. Curtis Esqr
Huron
N. Y.
Page 87

Feb 18, 1847
Addl. [illegible]
Sarah  Belcher
Huron, NY
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Coms of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 88

Huron Feby. 12th 1867
Hon. J L Edwards
Sir - By the anxious solicitation of Widow - Sarah Belcher, I am constrained to call your attention to her suspended claim and ask you to review the former poof in connection with the enclosed - I ask you to look at the circumstances under which the letter of the son, Lewis Belcher was written - does it not show on the face of it that it was written to gratify a spirit of Revenge & had no foundation in truth - Probably the enclosed affidavit is the last and only proof the widow will be able to make - and your decisions will be final
Very Respectfully &c
J F Curtis
Page 89

July 1, 144
NY
add. proof
Sarah Belcher

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr. Pens.
Washington
D. C.
Page 90

Thomas J. Belcher married November 25, 1830, [crossed out Eliza Wilson]
Eliza Wilson born July 29, 1803
Sarah Belcher was born October 26, 1834

Daughter Hannah (Belcher) Davis resided at Butler, New York, in 1844
Very respectfully, 
GM Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 91

FREE
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC
Page 92


Huron Apl 12th 1845
Hon J. L. Edwards
enclosed is two affidavits in the
Case of Sarah Belcher, which I think will be satisfactory as there is no Town, Church or family Record in existance, except a family Record of Recent  date
Sa ten or twelve years old- man proof of this kind can be produced should the enclosed not be deemed sufficient.
Very Respetfly. Yours &c
John Curtis
Page 93

GRACE RAYMOND HEBARD LIBRARIAN
E. DEAN HUNTON.
LAURA E. BREISCH.
ASSISTANTS
The University of Wyoming
OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN
Laramie
Mar. 23rd, 1908.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: -

Can you advise me where the two following
parties lived and from what state them came,
when they received pensions from the government
for services rendered in the American Revolution. Also if you know dates as to when they
died or of their ages.
Abigale Lewis, from New York State, a fifer
of the Revolution, too young to enlist
but received a pension.
Jonathan Belcher, who also enlisted from
New York State and received a pension
from that State.
No other information can be found on the
subject except Lewis' wife was Iley Belcher,
and Belcher's wife was Sarah Drake.
Respectfully,
Grace Raymond Hebard

n c
Page 94

Rev. H
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send at your early convenience,
Record of Revolutionary War Pensioner, 
Jonathan Belcher
W File 23557
Whatever the charges are let me know please and I shall immediately remit same.
Yours truly
Edward N. Walton
368 N. main St
Kenton Ohio.
11-7-'18.
Page 95

309 Whitman Street
Rockford, Illinois
March 5, 1940

Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

I should like to obtain the war record of one
Jonathan Belcher, a pensioner of the Revolutionary War,
Certificate #3027, New York Agency, who died February 14,
1826 while residing in Butler, Wayne county, New York.
I should like to know where and when he was
born; names of his parents etc. or any other data that you
might have on file.
He was granted a pension in 1818 and placed on
the pension rolls of Canadaigua, Ontario County, New York.
I should like to have a record of his claim upon which
his pension was granted.
The General Accounting Office at Washington,
advises me that letters of administraion were granted to
William Moulton, as administrator of his estate, on June
14, 1826, and that arrears of pension, covering the period
from Sept. 4, 1825, to February 14, 1826, were paid at the
office of Discount and deposit at New York, on August 3,
1826, to Burr Wakeman, as attorney for the administrator.
The clerk of the Surrogate's Office at Lyons,
Wayne county, New York, advises me that the petition is
not on file in his office, just the inventory and a bond.
Can you advise me where I might be able to find this petition? This petition would help me prove my descent thru
one of his daughters.
The pensioner's widow, Sarah Belcher, was also
granted a pension, under Certificate #7313, New York Agency.
The last payment of her pension covering the period from
March 4, 1846 to March 4, 1847 was made at the Mechanics' and
Farmers' Bank at Albany, on April 21, 1847, to John F. Curtis,
as her attorney. Do you have any data on this claim etc?
I am anxious to get this information to ascertain
if this Jonathan Belcher is the same man described in " Mass.
Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution", page 898.
and also to straighten out some genealogical questions I need
to complete some application papers for supplemental membership
in the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Thanking you in advance for any trouble you may
take in this matter, I am,
Yours very truly,
Elizabeth T. Lemaster
(Mrs. Vernon L.)
Page 96

Rev. War Section.
November 16, 1918
Mr. Edward N. Walton,
368 North Main Street,
Kenton, Ohio.
Sir:
.
In response to your letter dated the seventh instant, you
are advised that in the papers in the claim W. File No. 23, 557
Rev. War, it is stated that Jonathan Belcher was born March 18,
1753, and resided at Needham, Massachusetts when he enlisted as a
Private in the Massachusetts troops as follows: enlisted in
Captain Banister's company, Colonel Tupperas regiment, term of
service not stated; enlisted at West Point in 1778, in Captain
Shays' company for nine months; enlisted in 1779, in the wagon
department, in Captain Wells' company of Artillery, served one
year and was discharged by General Thompson at Newburgh; enlisted
in 1782, served under Captains Fox and Hastings, Colonel Henry
Jackson, and was discharged in August 1783 from the hospital at
New Windsor.
He was a widower, and remarried in September 1790, Sarah Drake
of Goshen, New York, at the residence of her brother John Drake
in Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey.
Soldier was allowed pension on his application executed April
16, 1818 while a resident of Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York.
He died February 14, 1826, at Butler, Wayne County, New York, where
his widow continued to reside and was allowed pension on her application
executed July 3, 1841. In 1846 he resided with her son-inlaw Abiel Lewis, at Butler,

Family data.  
Jonathan Belcher born March 18, 173.
Sarah Belcher born July 18, 1767.
Lewis Belcher April 23, 1791.
Zavan February 27, 1792 or 1793, married May 16,1819, Fanny Willson born September 22, 1799.
Salley March 14, 1794.
Uri March 3, 1795.
Hannah February 18, 1796.
Iley June 13, 1797 died August 20, 1797.
Jonathan November 8, 1798.
Thomas J. " June 11, 1801.
Iley August 25, 1804.
Salley Holcom died October 30, 1829
Page 97

Thomas J. Belcher married November 25, 1830,
Eliza Wilson born July 29, 1803.
Sarah Belcher was born October 26, 1834.
Daughter Hannah ( Belcher ) Davis resided at Butler, New York, in 1844.
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.