Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2,781, Thomas Foster, R.I.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE | | NUMBER
R.I. | Foster Thomas | W 2781
| Esther |

CONTENTS
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15.369
from [crossed out: "New York"] to R Pennsylvania

Thomas Foster Foster of Burlington in the state of New York who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond of the Rhode Island line, for the term of one year.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 4th of May 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22 of October 1819 and sent to John Russell Cooperstown N. York

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819 15. 28/31 & 1/30 128.28
Semi-anl. All'ce ending 4 March 1820 48
$176.28
{Revolutionary Claim, Act 18th March 1818}

continued
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Notification sent to Samuel Maffet Esq 4 June 1831 Wilkesbarre PA
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4944
Pennsylvania
Esther Foster widow of Thomas Foster decd who was a R.I. pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 16 October 1831 of Luzerne in the State of Penna who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Gibbs of the regt commanded by Col Richmond in the R. Island line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 80 dollars ---- cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.

Certificate of pension issued the 25 day of Jany 1840 & sent to Hon. DD Wagner H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1839 $280.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 40 40
$320.00
{Act 7 July 1838.}

Recorded by DM Curdy Clerk
Book A Vol. 2 Page 151
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Thomas Foster Private
1 Year in Col. Richmond's regiment R.I. line
76 & 77

Serviced proved by one(?) credible witness
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State of New York, Otsego County ss
Thomas Foster being duly sworn saith he is a resident of the town of Burlington in the county aforesaid and has served in the War of the Revolution against the common enemy for the term of nine months and longer at certain periods of the war herein after mentioned on the Continental Establishment and is yet a resident citizen of the United States and by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for support. And this deponent further saith he never has received any pension from the United States and doth hereby relinquish his claim to every pension that may have been heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States excepting and reserving to himself that the right to claim and he does hereby claim a pension under an act entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed the 18th of March 1818. And this deponent do further declare under oath that the time he entered the army of the United States in the War of the Revolution aforesaid on the Continental Establishment the officers under who he served the line to which he belonged together with the time and manner of his leaving the service are all correctly set forth according to the best knowledge and recollection of this deponent in the following manner that is to say he the said Thomas Foster is sixty-one years old and that he enlisted into the Army of United States on the 17th day of January 1776 in Capt Josiah Gibbs Company in Colonel Richmonds regiment of  Infantry in the Line of Rhode Island for the term of one year.
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and he this deponent served the said term in said Company and Regiment which was stationed the most of the said year on Newport untill the enemy took that place said company retreated on to the main land where he continued in said corps until the 17th day of January 1777 when this deponent was duly discharged. And he this deponent in the Spring of the year 1778 enlisted into the service of the United States in Capt John Carrs Company in Colonel Archibald Grays regiment in the Line of Rhode Island for the term of one year or thereabouts said regiment in the first part of the campaign was stationed at Bristol Rhode Island and from thence marched to Howlands Ferry and crossed over to Rhode Island under the command of General Sullivan and continued with said Regiment on said Island untill the army crossed over to the Main and he this deponent continued in said service under the aforesaid officers untill the term of Enlistment was ended which was on the 16th day of March 1779 when this deponent was discharged from said service by the proper officer.
Thomas Foster
Sworn and declared to this 4th day of May 1818
Before me Edward Pratt a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Otsego County
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Edward Pratt Esq Judge
Burlington, Otsego County New York

Thomas Foster 
Rhode Island line
Revolutionary Claim

The only person of this name is found on the rolls in Col Henry Sherburne's regiment and is stated to have deserted in February 1780. If the applicant be the same person, his claim is inadmissable.
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State of New York Otsego County SS

Lathrop Benjamin of the Town of Burlington in said County being duly sworn saith that he is personally well acquainted with him the said Thomas Foster and has been so acquainted with him the said Thomas Foster -- the applicant above named for seven years and during that time the said Thomas Foster has sustained a good character for truth and veracity and he this deponent verily believes that full credit ought to be given to the declaration of the said Thomas Foster when under oath. Lathrop Benjamin

Sworn and declared the 4th day of May 1818 before me Edward Pratt a Judge of Com. Pleas of Otsego County

State of New York Otsego County ss
I Edward Pratt one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do certify that I am satisfied the said Thomas Foster served in the Revolutionary War as aforesaid against the common enemy for a longer term than nine months as stated in the affidavit of the said Thomas Foster hereunto annexed. And I do further certify that full credit is due to the deposition of the above named Lathrop Benjamin and also the evidence on which I have founded my judgement is contained in the affidavit of the said Lathrop Benjamin and I now transmit the testimony and proceedings taken and had thereon to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. May 4th 1818
Edward Pratt
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State of New York Otsego county ss

John Eldred of the County of Susquehannah and State of Pennsylvania aged sixty five years being duly sworn saith. That he was born and brought up in the same neighborhood with Thomas Foster of the town of Burlington County of Otsego and State of New York and who is nowhere present. And this deponent further saith that he served as a soldier in Colonel Richd Olneys regiment one year and from the best of recollection it was from the spring of 1778 until in the spring of 1779 and this deponent knows the said Thomas Foster served during this period in Gray's regiment and was honorably discharged by Captain Carr. This deponent has no recollection that the said Thomas Foster ever served in Col Sherburns regiment and further saith not. John Eldred his mark X

Sworn and subscribed before me this 26th day of July 1819 John Russell

Otsego County ss I certify that John Eldred and [illegible] Whitford are credible witnesses. July 26th 1819 John Russell Judge of Com. Pleas
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State of New York Otsego County Ss. Stertely Whitford of the town of Milford and County aforesaid aged sixty two years being duly sworn saith that he became acquainted with Thomas Foster of the town of Burlington and County aforesaid, about fifty years ago - That he inlisted together with the said Foster in the spring of the year 1778 under one Captain John Carr in Colonel Crary's regiment belonging to the Rhode Island line which inlistment was for one year and this deponent further said that he together with the said Foster served in said regiment until the 16th day of March 1779 when they were both honorably discharged by Captain Carr aforesaid belonging to Colonel Archd Crary's regiment - And this deponent saith that he has no recollection that the said Thomas Foster was served in a regiment commanded by Col. Henry Sherbourne and further the deponent saith not. Sworn & Subscribed before me this 26th day of July 1819 his mark X Stertely Whitford John Russell Judge of Com. Pleas
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State of New York Otsego County Ss. I certify that Thomas Foster by reason of his reduced circumstances in life is in need of assistance from his country for support. July 27 1819 John Russell Judge of Com. Pleas.

State of Newyork Otsego County Clerk's office Ss. I certify that John Russell whose signature appears on the foregoing papers is a Judge of Com. pleas for said County and that the signatures are genuine. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court of Com. Pleas for said Court this 27th day of July 1819. Geo Morell Clk.
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Thomas Foster 

Crary> Regt. was not Continental from 78 to 79 - the claimant must prove his service in Richmond Regt. in 76
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State of New York Otsego County Ss. Amos Perkins of the town of town of Lisbon & County aforesaid being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Thomas Foster now present and the applicant before named and has been acquainted with the said Foster from his childhood & upwards. This deponent further saith that he together with the said Foster, inlisted in the winter of the year 1776, into Captain Josiah Gibbs company in Col. Richmond's regiment belonging to the Rhode ISland line, which inlistment was for one year and this deponent knows that the said Foster served during said year and was honorably discharged in the State of Rhode Island - and further this deponent saith not. Sworn and subscribed before me this first day of October 1879. Amos Perkins, John Russell Judge of Otsego Com. Pleas. Otsego County Ss. I certify that Amos Perkins is a credible witness. Oct. 1 1819 John Russell Judge of Com Pleas
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Thomas Foster 15369 Transfer
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State of Pennsylvania Luzerne County Ss. On this   day of November AD 1820 before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne aforesaid being a Court of Record of unlimited jurisdiction personally appeared Thomas Foster now of Greefield Township Luzerne County and State aforesaid Entity of Otsego County State of New York who being first duly sworn according to law did declare that he served in the last service during the Revolutionary War in the line of the Rhode Island troops in Captain Josiah Gibbs Company of Colonel Richmond's regiment one year 1776 and served fifteen months in the State service in Captain John Carr's Company Colonel Archibald Crary's regiment as now particularly appears from his original declaration on file in the office of the war department and his pension certificate is dated 22d day of October one thousand eight hundred and nineteen & number 15869. And I the said Thomas Foster do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March AD 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent to dimish it so as to bring myself within the provisions of the Act of Congress passed on the 18th day of March AD 1818 entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war. And that I have not nor has any other person in trust for me securities contract or debt due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed and by me subscribed Sworn and Subscribed in open Court 8 Nov. 1820 Thomas Foster A Beaumont Prob. 
Estate Real None
Personal Five Cows 15 $38. Two Hogs 3 6  [Illegible]  2.50  [illegible] 3.00 1 [illegible] 1.50  1 [illegible] 3.00  1 Small Kettle .75 1 red feather [illegible] & Cloth 5.00 [illegible] 2.00 Plates & Crockery 2.00 1 [illegible] tub .50 [illegible] four chairs and 1 table 1.00 [illegible] baskets corn 15.00 Eight [illegible] Rye 3.00 $75.25
Many of the above articles have been purchased with my pension money. I am by profession a farmer and am 64 years of age and have a wife Hester aged 50 years and five children living with me. Trulove 24 Esther 21 Alpah 18 Fanny 16 Thomas J 14. I was confined 18 years by the rheumatism and am still affected by it. I lost a son in December last I removed from Burlington Otsego County New York and now live in a house first [illegible] for me by my son on land which he has purchased and not yet paid for. I have been enscribed on the NewYork agency and should like to be continued on it. Sworn and subscribed in open Court 8 Nov. 1820. Thomas Foster. A Beaumont Prob.
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In the matter of Esther Foster's Application for Pension Depositions Hon D. D. Wagener HR
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State of Pennsylvania Wayne County Ss. William Foster of Clifford township in the County of Susquehama aged seventy nine years being duly affirmed doth affirm and say that he is the brother of the late Rhomas Foster a private soldier in the army of the Revolution and a pensioner under the act of 1818 and who died in Benton Township in the County of Luzerne in October in the year 1831 or 1832. That at the time said Thomas Foster was married deponent resided about one or two miles from him in the town of Scituate in the County of Providence and state of Rhode Island. That previous to said marriage deponent saw one of the notices that it was then customary to put up in public places previously to marriage giving notice thereof. That deponent was invited to the wedding of his brother the said Thomas Foster and Esther Foster his subsquent wife, (then Ester Wells the daughter of James Wells) but he did not attend the wedding. That after the wedding, deponent attended the infair of the wedding party of said Thomas and Esther at the house of Joseph Howard who kept a grocery in the town of Scituate, afterwards called Foster. That the time appointed for said marriage to which deponent has referred above was previously to said Esther being eighteen years of age and deponent thinks it was
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late in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine. That in the next Spring deponent moved the said Thoms and Esther to the house which the said Thomas had built in the same township and that the said Thomas and Esther continued to cohabit together as husband and wife to the said time of the eath of said Thomas Foster. That deponent heard they were married and has not the least doubt but that such was the fact. That within a year or two after said marriage the said Ester had a child named Polly who afterwards marriedOwen Garnes and that the said Esther continued to have children and deponent thinks to the number of ten or eleven while she lived with the said Thomas. That the said Thomas never had any other wife so far as deponent knows or believes. and the said Esther has not been married since the death of her said husband. This deponent further says that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of said Thomas Foster and that he has examined the paper purporting to be the leaf of a book hereto annexed marked A and that he verily believes the entried upon said paper to be in the hand writing of said Thomas Foster. That deponent saw the said leaf cut out of a bible by Earl Wheeler of Bethany in said County of Wane on the 14th January instant. That the said Thomas Foster was four or five years older that this
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deponent, and he therefore believes the entries upon said paper as to the age of said Thomas to be correct William Foster Affirmed and Subscribed Jany 15, 1840 before me a justice of the peace in and for said County of Wayne Thos. Spangenberg J.P. 
Wayne County Ss. Harly Hobbs of Benton township in the County of Luzerne aged forty four years or thereabouts being duly affirmed doth affirm and say that he has been acquainted with Thomas and Esther Foster for about twenty years. That during the life time of the said Thomas Foster, since deponant's acquaintance with him, he resided in Greenfield township and removed from there to Benton township formerly Nicholson where he died on the sixteenth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty one. That said Thomas Foster in his life time drew a pension. That deponent has frequently heard the said Thomas speak of events in his life, such as his being in the revolutionary war, his removal from Rhode Island to Vermont state; thence to New York state, and thence to Pennsylvania. That deponent is acquainted with eleven of the reputed children of the said Thomas and Esther viz. Polly, wife of Owen Garnes, Sally, wife of Abraham Bless, Charlotte, whose husband deponent does not know, Selinda wife of Bates, James [illegible] Freelove, wife of Hiram Stark, Esther wife of deponent, Alpa widow of Elijah Hobbs decd.
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Fanny, wife of Calvin Lane & Thomas J decd. That judging from the looks and appearance of said Polly and from his knowledge of the members of the family deponent believes the said Polly is from fifty eight to sixty years of age. That said Thomas and Esther were reputed as husband and wife and lived and co-habited together as such, and deponent never heard nor has he any reason to suspect nor does he suspect that either of them was ever married to any other.
This deponent further says that he has seen said Thomas Foster write, and he has inspected the paper hereto annexed marked "A" and he believes the entries upon said paper to be in the handwriting of the said Thomas Foster. That said paper is a leaf of a bible which was in the possession of said Thomas Foster in his lifetime and was out [illegible] by Earl Wheeler of Bethany, Wayne Co on the 14th of January instant, and is the same to which James Foster referred in his deposition heretofore forwarded to the pension department. That the said James Foster has removed into the western country, deponent does not know where precisely, but supposes in the western part of New York state. Further deponent saith not. 
[signed: "Hurly Hobbs"]
Affirmed and subscribed Jany 15 1840 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Wayne. Thos. Spangenberg J.P.
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Wayne County ss
Earl Wheeler of Bethany in the County of Wayne aged thirty eight years being sworn says that he cut the paper hereto annexed marked "A" from a bible first produced to deponent by James Foster on the occasion of taking the deposition of said James before the Hon Wm Jessup Prest Judge in the matter of the application per pension by said Esther Foster under the act of 1836 which paper, if deponent mistakes not, was in part copied into said deposition of said James and forwarded to the pensions department. Deponent has no doubt from its appearance that it is the same bible and the same leaf of the bible to which the said James in his said deposition refers.
Deponent further says that he has been for some years acquainted with the abovenamed William Foster and Hurly Hobbs. With the said  William he has been acquainted for twelve or thirteen years. And has had good opportunities for forming an acquaintance with his character. With the said Hurly Hobbs he has not been so fully acquainted though he has often seen and heard of him. Deponent never heard anything against the character of either and of the characters of truth for truth and veracity from all he has heard, seen, and known, he has formed a decidedly favorable opinion.
[signed: "Earl Wheeler"]
Sworn and subscribed before me a justice of the peace in and for said county of Wayne Jany 15 1840 Thos. Spangenberg J.P.
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Wayne County ss
Leonard Graves, of Bethany in said county of Wayne, prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county aged thirty four years, being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he has been acquainted with the above named Hurly Hobbs for twenty years, that he never heard anything against his reputation that so far as deponent knows and believes its regard deponent would have no hesitation in believing him under oath.
[Signed: "L Graves"]
Sworn and subscribed Jany 15 1840 before me a justice of the peace in and for said county of Wayne
Thos Spangenberg J.P.
I Thomas Spangenberg Esquire a Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Wayne do certify that the above named William Foster, Hurly Hobbs, Earl Wheeler and Leonard Graves are credible witnesses.
Thos. Spangenberg J.P.
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State of Pennsylvania
Wayne County ss
I Leonard Graves prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county do certify that Thomas Spangenberg Esquire whose name is affixed to the above jurats is at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county of Wayne duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to administer oaths and that the said signatures "Thomas Spangenberg J.P." affixed to said jurats and certificate of credibility of witnesses, (William Foster, Hurly Hobbs, Earl Whelan and Leonard Graves) are the genuine signatures of said Thomas Spangenberg Esquire, that I saw him write the same.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office the 15th day of January A.D. 1840 
L Graves 
Prothonotary
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Thomas Foster
His Book
Thomas Foster
Born in the year 1757
January the 10 AD 1757
Esther Foster
Born March the 16 1762

Price of this Book three dollars and a half

[handmarked: "A"]
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V 4321
Esther Foster
Pennsylvania

Capt Gibbs Col Richmond R.I.
2 years under this enlistment, the last under Col Olney
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State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne Ss
On this twenty ninth day of March A.D. 1839 personally appeared before William Jessup Esquire, President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania Esther Foster a resident of Benton township in the county of Luzerne and state of Pennsylvania aged seventy seven years, who being first duly [crossed out: "sworn"] affirmed according to law, doth, on her [crossed out: "oath"]
affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 1836: That she is the widow of Thomas Foster who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served under Captain Josiah Gibbs in Rhode Island and was a pensioner under the act of Congress of 18th March 1818 as by reference to a certificate thereof under date of 22d October 1819 numbered 15369 will more fully appear. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Foster in the month of November before she was 18 years of age (1779) that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Foster died on the 16th day of October 1831 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
[crossed out: "Sworn"] Affirmed to and subscribed on the day and year above written before Wm Jessup Prest. Judge
Esther Foster being entirely blind & unable to see the paper I put her name at her request Wm Jesssup
I certify that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court.
Wm Jessup Prest. Judge
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Luzerne County SS
William Foster of Clifford township in the county of Susquehanna aged 78 years being duly affirmed doth affirm and say, that he is a brother of said deceased Thomas Foster. That during the time the said Thomas served in the war of the Revolution they both resided when at home in the town of Scituate in the County of Providence and state of Rhode Island and continued to reside there some years (say 7 or 8 years) after the war, when they both removed to the town of Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont where they resided a number of years (say about 11 years) when the said Thomas removed to Otsego Co New York state and this affirmant soon after to Cambridge Washington Co New York state and subsequently they both removed to Luzerne County Pennsylvania where they have remained ever since.
That during the revolutionary war when this affirmant was about 18 years of age (1779) he well recollects seeing one of the written notices (which in those days in the state of Rhode Island it was customary to put up in public places previously to an intended marriage) of his brother Thomas' intended marriage to the said Esther, whose maiden name was Esther Wells. This affirmant saw said notice and was invited to the wedding at the house of James Wells in said town of Scituate, but he neglected to attend. The day after the wedding however, which was in October or November, this affirmant went in company with the same Thomas and wife Esther
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from the house of James Wells to his brother Samual Fosters and attended the wedding party there. Deponent then understood and now believes his brother Thomas and the said Esther were married by a certain Baptist Priest names Caleb Nichol and they the said Thomas and Esther have lived and co-habited together as husband and wife from that time to the death of the said Thomas in October 1831. They have had a family of eleven children some of whom are yet living.
Affirmant further says he well recollects his brother serving in the army of the revolution and thinks the said Thomas first enlisted for a term of 15 months for the defence of the state and after the expiration of that term he again enlisted for another term of 15 months. And at the expiration of the last mentioned term he thinks he was married as aforesaid. After his said marriage this affirmant thinks the said Thomas enlisted as a minuteman and he is positive that the said Thomas went out and served as such once or twice after his said marriage down by the seaside at Bristol and he thinks said Thomas served as a minuteman after his said marriage at Providence & Warren also. This affirmant thinks the said Thomas served at different times under Captain Josiah Gibbs and John Carre and Col. Richmond but he is not positive as to the length of the time he served under each. This affirmant is positive the said Thomas never had any other wife than the said
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Esther above named Taken and Subscribed this 29th day of March AD 1839 the said William Foster being a credible witness
[signed: "William Foster"]

Luzerne County ss
James Foster of the town of Greenfield in the county of Lucerne aged 48 years being duly affirmed doth affirm and say that he is the son of Thomas and Esther Foster above named. That from the earliest recollection they have been reputed as husband and wife and he never heard of either being married to any other. That his father's family consisted of eleven children, four of whom are older than this affirmant. That his said father drew a pension of ninety six dollars per year by virtue of the aforementioned certificate from the time of granting the same to the time of his death which took place in October 1831. That he is in possession of the family bible of his father Thomas Foster, that in said bible there is an entry in the handwriting of his said father as follows - "Thomas Foster born Jany 10 A.D. 1757. Esther Foster born March the 16th 1762."
[signed: "James Foster"]
Taken and subscribed this 29 day of March AD 1839. The said James Foster being a credible witness. 
Wm Jessup Prest Judge
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Luzerne County SS
Hurly Hobbs of the town of Benton in the county of Luzerne aforesaid aged forty three years being duly affirmed doth depose and say that he was familiarly acquainted with Thomas and Esther Foster above named for many years previous to the death of the former. That during his acquaintance they have always been reputed as husband and wife nor has he ever heard of either being married to any other. That said Thomas lived a few of his last years with this deponent and died there on the 16th day of October 1831. That during the time he lived with this deponent he drew a pension from the United States of ninety six dollars per year, that the above named William Foster and James Foster are credible witnesses.
[signed: "Hurly Hobbs"]
Affirmed & subscribed the 29 March 1839 before me. The said Hurly Hobbs being a credible witness.
Wm Jessup Prest Judge

Luzerne County ss
Mary Yarnes of the township of Greenfield in said county of Luzerne aged fifty eight years on the 5th day of February last, being duly affirmed doth depose and say that she is the oldest child of Thomas and Esther Foster above named. That she recollects residing with her parents in the town of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island. That they the said Thomas and Esther were then and have ever since been reputed as
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husband and wife and she never heard of either being married to any other. That her father had a family of eleven children by the said Esther. That, so fas as she knows, nine of them are now living, though, some of them are in distant parts. That her said father drew a pension of ninety six dollars per year by virtue of the above mentioned certificate from the granting thereof as he lived. That he died on the 16th day of October 1831.
[signed: "Mary Yarns"]
Affirmed & subscribed this 29th day of March 1839. The said Mary Yarns being a credible witness.
Wm Jessup Prest. Judge
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State of Pennsylvania Luzerne County ss

I Jasper Fassett prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county of Luzerne do certify that the above named William Jessup whose name is attached to the foregoing certificates is the President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial district of Pennsylvania and that the above signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and annexed my seal of office to be affixed the first day of April A.D. 1839
Jasper Fassett Prothonotary
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Information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this bureau. [handwritten: "Thomas Foster W.F. 2787"]

[table with 6 columns as follows: "DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT" | "LENGTH OF SERVICE." | "RANK." | "CAPTAIN UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED" | "COLONEL UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED" | STATE."]

Jany 17 1776 | 1 year | Pvt. | Josiah Gibb | Richmond | RI
Spring 1778 | 12 or 15 mos | | John Carr | Archibald Gravy | 

battles engaged in, [marked with a check]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate, Providence Co R.I.
Date of application for pension, May 4, 1818 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Burlington Otsego Co N.Y.
Age at date of application, b. Jany 10 1757, died Oct 16 1831  [illegible]
Remarks: Soldier married at Scituate , RI 1779. Esther or Hester, daughter of James Wells. She was born March 16, 1762 and was allowed pension on an application executed Mch 29, 1839 while a resident of Benton Twp Luzerne Co Penn.
(family record herewith)
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
1585b3m10-08
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Record Division.
November 29, 1991.

Mrs. Esther H. De Pue,
521 Depot Street
Scranton, Pa.

Madam:
In addition to the military history of Thomas Foster, Wid. File No. 2781, Rev. War, you are herewith furnished the following data as to his family.
There were eleven children.
Mary or Polly born February 5, 1781, wife of Duer Yarns.
Sally - wife of Abraham Bliss.
Charlotte - name of husband not stated.
Selinda - wife of —— Bates.
James -
Asahel -
Freelove - wife of Hiram Stark.
Esther - wife of Hurly Hobbs.
Alpa or Alpah - widow of Elijah Hobbs.
Fanny - wife of Calvin Lane.
Thomas J. -
In 1820 Freelove was 24 years old, Esther 21 years, Alpah 18 years Fanny 16 years and Thomas JJ. 14 years.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 36

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2781
Esther Foster
Widow
Thomas Foster
Pvt RI Line
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:-Vol. A, Page 245
[Arrangement of 1870]
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1911 Nov 29 Hist. to Esther H DePue J.L. Family record also encl.
Page 38

1
Bureau of Pensions
Department of the Interior 
Gentlemen,
I wish to apply to you for information in regard to the military record of one Thomas Foster who was a pensioner of the war of the revolution. as to the date of his enlistment and discharge. Also a copy of his pension certificate if possible. I have copied from an old record in Wilkesbarre then the county seat of Luzerne County in which county he resided
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2
In Benton Township formerly Greenfield. This record stated he has received $1280. 25 cts and that pension commenced payment May 4 1818.
Our records have all been lost and I want authentic authority from government records. I have considerable information from individual recollection & hearsay.
I think he enlisted from Rhode Island or Massachusetts. His wife was pensioned after his death. Her name was Esther Foster maiden name Wells and my father Harly Hobbs assisted them in getting their pension.
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3
as they lived with him at that time.
I wish this record for the purpose of proving I am a lineal decendant for membership in the D.A.R. Thomas Foster was a member of a large family of Fosters in the east Massachusetts & Rhode Island where he resided at the time afterward in Windsor VT and Cooperstown NY and Benton La[illegible] Wayne Co formerly Luzerne where he died. Any information will be very gratefully received
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4
I am a grandaughter of this revolutionary soldier and would like authentic proofs.
Very sincerely,
Mrs. Esther Hobbs DePue
521 Depot St
Scranton PA
Nov 21 1911
Page 42

Esther Foster Pennsylvania
Suspended
Let 28 Augt 1839
E Wheeler

Act 7 July 1838
Page 43

5623
Esther Foster
of Thomas
Pennsylvania
admitted

Pr 2 yrs Capt Gibbs
Col Richmond R.I.

died 16 Oct 1831
Act 7 July 1838

Hon DD Wagener H.R.
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Thomas Foster
Thomas Foster Transfd from New York to Pa 4 June 1821 from 4th March 1820

cont Transfer JLE
Page 45

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Luzerne ss.

On this twentieth day of February 1821, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Luzerne personally appeared Thomas Foster who, on his oath, declares that he is the same persion who formerly belonged to the company commanded* by Captain John Carr, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Archibald Crary in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district or territory) of Pennsylvania where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.

[signed: "Thomas Foster"]
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Dyer(?) one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county of Luzerne aforesaid

NOTE. The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.

* by Captain Josiah Gibbs in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond, and also in the company commanded by *
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Luzerne Co ss
I Samuel Maffet Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Luzerne aforesaid do certify that Thomas Dyer Esquire before whom the within affidavit of transfer was made by Thomas Foster was at the time, and is now, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said county and that full faith and credit are due to all his acts officially done as such as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere. In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, and affixed the seal of said office at Wilkesbarre this twentieth day of February A.D. 1821. The writing on the margin of said affidavit being made by me previous to its being distributed.
Samuel Maffet Prothonotary.
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Mr Edwards,

Sir
You will please with as little delay as possible to examine the enclosed paper and give me your decision.
Yours,
David Wagener House of Rep
Jany 24 1840
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Free
War Department 
Pension Office
Washington
[stamp: "COOPERSTOWN"]
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Free
War Department
Pension Office
Washington
[stamp: "COOPERSTOWN"]
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Cooperstown October 2 1819
Sir
Thomas Foster hath it not in his power to promise two witnesses in this state of NY of his services in Richmonds regt. He thinks that there possibly may be one or more living in the State of R. Island, but he has not seen or heard from them for a great number of years and he is extremely  poor himself and became a cripple which renders it impossible for him to search for further testimony. He sustains a fair character in his neighborhood. 
I am sir, very respectfully Your Obt Servt.
John Russier
J.L. Edwards Esq

case of Amos Perkins taken out.
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WAR DEPARTMENT
PENSION OFFICE
No 15369
4th June 1821

SIR:
You are hereby informed that the Schedule of your property has been examined, and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.

You will be paid, at the ensuing semi-annual payment in Sept. next, the sum that may be then due from the time of suspending your pension. Funds for the purpose will be transmitted at that time; but not arrearages will be paid previous thereto.
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards.

To Mr. Thomas Foster of Luzerne County Pa
Care of Samuel Maffet Esq
Wilkesbarre Pennsylvania
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
PENSION OFFICE, June 4th 1821

SIR,
IN conformity with the regulations of this Department, you have this day been transferred from the Roll of New York to that of Pennsylvania to take effect after the 4th day of March 1820.
I am, Sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards

Mr. Thomas Foster
U.S. Pensioner
Care of Samuel Maffet Esq.
Wilkesbarre Pennsylvania
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Wilkesbarre Feb 28
Free
Hon John C Calhoun Esquire
Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.

288
Recd 6 Mar 1821
Exd
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Wilkesbarre Feb 28
Free
Hon John C Calhoun Esquire
Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.

288
Recd 6 Mar 1821
Exd
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Wilkesbarre Feb 28, 1821
Sir, I enclose the schedule, as certified by my predecessor and also the application for a transfer by Thomas Foster, an old soldier, now a pensioner on the roll of the state of New York. He appears to be poor and needy and is very anxious for a speedy return.
Respectfully yours 
Samuel Maffet

Hon. J.C. Calhoun Esq
Secy of War
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J.L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
My Dear Sir
I enclose you the papers of Widow Foster, and to which I call your prompt attention. Please advise related as soon as you have examined the documentary evidence. 
your friend  David Wagener 
Easter April 10 1834
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Thomas Foster Clifford Susqh. Co. Pennsyl.a 

Payable semi-annually.  The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March next, in the City of New York At the U States Branch Bank

Recorded
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War Department. REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Thomas Foster late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New York Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the 4th day of May one thousand eight hundred an Eighteen. GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 22d day of October one thousand eight hundred and Nineteen. J.C. Calhoun Secretary of War.
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Thomas Foster Pa Act March 1818 to what time paid? Pen. Office April 13 1839 Pd to 4 Sep. 1831 JH
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War Department Pension Office April 13 1839. Sir, The papers in the case of Mrs. Esther Foster, widow of Thomas Foster, decd under the act of 4th July 1836, have been examined and filed with suspended cases. She alleges to have been married in Nov 1779; and it does not appear from her husband's declaration, that he served after March 1779. Unless it can be shewn by the most satisfactory testimony that her husband was called into service after her marriage, by competent authority, in a regularly organized Corps, and the company & regiment designated, as well as the place, or places where the service was performed, a pension cannot be allowed under the Act of 4 July 1836. She may obtain a pension under the act of 7 July 1838 upon making a declaration under that act. The family record should be exhibited. I have the honor to be very respectfully, your obt. servt. J. L. Edwards Hon. D. D. Wagner Easton, Pennsylvania
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V 5623 Esther Foster of Thomas Pennsylvania
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State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne Ss. One the Fourth day of June AD 1839 personally appeared before me William Jessup President a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Luzerne Esther Foster a resident of Benton township in said County of Luserne aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly appirmed according to law, doth, on her affirmation, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed July 7 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay 77 and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Thomas Foster who was a private in the army of the revolution and a pensioner under the act of 1818. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Foster before she was eighteen years of age to wit in November 1779 in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine, that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Foster died on the Sixteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty one. That if her said husband's service in the war of the revolution ended in March 1779 as appears from his declaration on file in the war office, she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, Seventeen
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hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above Stated. Esther Foster, written by me She being from her debility & blindness unable to write her name & at her request. Wm Jessup Sworn to and Subscribed, on the day and year above written before me Wm Jessup Prest. Judge. 
I certify that the said Esther Foster can not from bodily infirmity attend the court. Dated June 4 1839. Wm Jessup Prest. Judge.

State of Pennnsylvania Luserne County Ss. I Jasper Fassett Esqr Prothonatory of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that the above named William Jessup whose signature is attached to the foregoing certificates is a Judge of a Court of record of said County as above stated, and that said signatures are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be affixed the seventh day of June A.D. 1839. Jasper Fassett Prothonotary
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Bethany June 13 1839 J.L. Edwards Esquire Comr of Pensions Sir, Enclosed I forward you Esther Foster's declaration under the act of 7th July 1838, and also you letter to Hon D. D. Wagener forwarded to me by him. Despairing of obtaining Satisfactory evidence of Service of the husband subsequent to the marriage in a regularly organized Corps we have adopted the Suggestion contained in your letter of making the declaration under the act of 1838. The witnesses could Speak of the Service Subsequent to the marriage with certainty, but can not speak of the Corps being regularly organized. We did not deem it necessary to make all the depositions anew presuming those already in your possession would be satisfactory as to marriage &c. Considerable delay has been occasioned in forwarding this declaration in Consequence of the distance of the President Judge from the residence of the applicant. He has very obligingly attended twice at a distance of 30 miles. The pension Certificate, if granted can be forwarded to me at "Bethany P.O. Wayne Co. Penna." I have done all the business. Esther Foster resides nearest (but about 6 miles distant from) Dundaff P.O. Susquehanna Co. Pa. But Considerable delay might be occasioned in Communicating with her there. Maj. Hobbie
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asst. P.M. Genl or Hon. D. D. Wagener will inform you whether the matter can safely be intrusted with me. We have no returns from the case of Mrs Bonham wife of Zedkiah Bonham, late of Mt. Pleasant township Wayne Col. Decd. Have the papers been received? I forwarded them to you some months ago. I am very Respectfully your obt. Serv.t Earl Wheeler Bethany P.O. Wayne Co. Penna. 

Pr. Bonham No. 5244 [illegible] aD 24
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War Department, Pension Office, Aug. 28, 1839 Sir, The declaration of Mrs. Esther Foster under act 7th July, 1838, has been examined and filed with her other papers in this office. Before a final decision can be had, some record proof of the marriage should be exhibited as required in my letter Hon. D. D. Wagener of the 13th April last which is herewith returned to you. If the family record does not contain a record of the claimant's marriage or of the births of her children, the affidavit of the person having charge of the Town or Church records of the town where she was married should be exhibited, shewing what proof of the marriage said records afford. I am, very respectfully, Your obt. servt. J.L. Edwards

Earl Wheeler, Esqr Bethany, Pa.
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free
Bethany Pa Jan 16

Hon. David D. Wagener M.C. Washington City
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Bethany, Wayne Co. Penn'a. Jany 15, 1840. Hon D.D. Wagener Dear Sir, I have the pleasure to acknowledge the rec't. of the President's message from you, a document which seems to command almost universal admiration. Enclosed I take the liberty to forward to you, and through you to J.L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions, some additional pension papers of Mrs. Esther Foster of Luzerne Co., to which I beg the favour of asking your Special attention. A brief history of the application is as follows, to wit. Under the impression, from all the information I could gather, that Thomas Foster the husband had served a short time, after the marriage, in the revolutionary war a declaration was made and depositions taken before the Hon. William Jessup, Prest. Judge, who took pains to go a distance of about 30 miles from home for the purpose. papers were forwarded to you at Easton and a reply was very promptly rec'd. which is herein enclosed. It seems the husband in his original declaration had made no mention of service after March 1779 which was before the marriage. Hence a doubt or presumption arose too difficult of proof to be overcome, that such service was not performed after the marriage which took place in Nov. 1779; yet the high probability is that service was performed
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after the marriage, but we could not shew it to have been under a regularly organized corps and the consequence was we took the recommendation contained in the letter of Mr. Edwards under date of April 13, 1839 was to proceed under the act of 7th July 1838 instead of the act of 4th July 1836, and content ourselves with the 5 years pension. We procured Judge Jessup to go again to Widow Foster and to take another declaration under the act of 1838 which was forwarded to the department under the presumption that the depositions of witnesses taken under the previous application would answer under the last one and therefore that it would not be necessary to swear then over again. We rec'd. for answer the letter herewith forwarded under date of Aug't. 28 1839 requiring evidence which we find it impossible to produce to wit Town or Church records &c. or family records of marriage; yet there is no more doubt of the existence of the fact of marriage as you will perceive from the evidence of Wm. Foster herewith forwarded, and as is apparent from a family of 11 children, the oldest of whom is some 60 years of age or thereabouts, that there is that such persons had an existence. I urge that the circumstances of the family, the number of children, their ages as now proved and heretofore proved before Judge Jessup who saw those very
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children and the indications of their age who Sanctions their testimony by his name and official character as a high public functionary, and the circumstances now and heretofore sworn to by Wm. Foster are better and more satisfactory evidence of the fact of marriage than the positive testimony of one or two witnesses who might be induced to testify untruly. Much time has elapsed in order to search the records in Rhode Island in the towns of Scituate and Foster to find record evidence, which I learn has been done, and nothing found, as will turn out to be the case in 9 instances out of 10. We now send the paper of leaf of the bible heretofore copied in part as to the ages of Thomas and Esther Foster. You will see also the depositions of myself and Mr. Graves our Prothonotary, being the only persons here who were acquainted with the witnesses and to procure Counsel or Judges to go a distance of 30 miles to the residence of Mrs. Foster, she being poor, is a burden which she is unable to sustain from time to time. Already three journies have been made. Two by Judge Jessup and one by myself. Asking your pardon for drawing so largely upon your time in this lengthened epistle, and in similar ones, theretofore. I remain you obliged and obt. Servant. E. Wheeler