Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44,843, Abel Ford, Mass. R.I.
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(3-1776)
Service Mass. R.I.
Ford, Abel
Number S. 44,843
contents
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16.997 R
New York
Abel Ford of Rensselaer Co in the state of N York who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel H. Jackson of the Massachusetts line, for the term of 3 years - War

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 20 of April, 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 of May 1820 and sent to James Mallory Esq. Troy, N York

Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1820 184.76
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1820 48.00
22 mo 29/30, 4/31 dols. 232.76

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

continue
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Notification sent the 27th June 2810, to James Mallory Esquire. Troy, N. York

Date of death not on AB
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State of New York Rensselaer County ss
Abel Ford now of the town of Grafton in said county & state being duly sworn doth depose and say that he served in the War of the revolution on the Continental establishment. That he first enlisted in the year 1775 in a company commanded by Capt. Stephen Kimball which company belonged to the 2d Regiment of the Rhode Island line commanded by Col Daniel Hitchcock. That he afterwards enlisted in a company commanded by John Wheeler Capt. in the sixth Regiment of the Massachusetts line commanded by Col. Daniel Nixon in which Regiment he served the term of three years. That he afterwards enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. Blancher in the ninth Regiment of the Massachusetts line commanded by Col. Henry Jackson in which last mentioned Regiment he served three years. That he is & ever has been a citizen of the United States. That by reason of his reduced circumstances is in need of assistance from his Country for support. That he was honourably discharged from the Army at the close of the war but his discharge being lost or distroyed he is unable to provide it & further says not.
Abel Ford - X his mark
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Rensselaer County, ss.
Before me James Mallory one of the Judges of the Common Pleas in and for said county on the second day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred & eighteen came the above named Abel Ford & subscribed the above statement and being duly sworn by and before me made solemn oath to the truth of the matters therein set forth.
James Mallory

State of New York Rensselaer County ss
I certify that James Mallory Esquire whose signature is affixed to the foregoing affidavit was on the second day of April instant one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of said county. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & caused the seal of said county to be hereunto affixed this tenth day of April 1818
Benl Smith Depy. Clk.

Abel Ford's affidavit
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Abel Ford, private
9 Massachusetts Regt.
Jany. 80 to March 83
This person is is so found in Nixons Mass. regt enlisted 24 Feb of 83 yrs but not Jan the 9th Reg.
A correct form of declaration is herewith sent.
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State of New=York, Rensselaer County SS.
On this nineteenth day of May 1818, before me the subscriber, one the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in said county, personally appears Abel Ford aged 64 years, resident in Grafton in the said county who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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." That he the said Abel Ford enlisted in Chesterfield in the state of Massachusetts in Jany. 1780 in the company commanded by Captain Blancher of the 9th Massachusetts Regiment that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States until March 1783 when he was discharged from service in West Point state of New York. That he was in the battles of 
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Jonathan Rouse

I Jonathan Rouse Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Abel Ford did service in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy & that he is in need of assistance from his country for support; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Jonathan Rouse

State of New-York, Rensselaer County SS.
I certify that Jonathan Rouse Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing declaration, was on the thirteenth day of May instant, one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this this twenty fifth day of May A.D. 1818
Joseph D. Selden Clerk
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State of New York Rensselaer County ss.
I do hereby certify that after a careful examination of Abel ford, the same person mentioned in the preceeding declaration, I am perfectly satisfied that he is in very indigent circumstance, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. In addition to his extreme poverty, he has the misfortune to loose his right arm, which renders him unable to labour for his subsistence.
David Buel Junior, one of the Judges of the County of Common Pleas of Rensselaer County 
Dated [illegible] 15th Dec. 1819

State of New York, Rensselaer County ss.
I certify that David Buel Junior, whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate was on the fifteenth day of December 1819 one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the county aforesaid.
in witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said court this 15 day of Dec. 1819.
Joseph D. Selden Clerk
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State of New York, Rensselaer County SS.
On this thirty first day of May 1820 personally appeared in open court, (being a court of record in the for the said county according to the solemn adjudications of the Supreme Court of this state, and being a court which proceeds according to the course of common law; with a jurisdiction unlimitted in point of amount; keeping a record its proceedings; and possessing the power of fine and imprisonment) Abel Ford aged sixty six years, resident in the town of Grafton in said county who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows:
Three years in Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment (ninth of the Massachusetts line) under Capt John Blanchard. That his original declaration under the act of 18 March 1818 was dated second of April 1818. His certificate of pension in No. 16,797.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 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 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 18th of March 1818; 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,
Abel Ford - X his mark

Sworn to and declared on the 31st day of May 1820
Archi Bull Deputy Clerk

State of New York, Rensselaer County SS.
I, Joseph D. Selden, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas held in & for the county of Rensselaer in the state of New York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath & affidavit, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copies from the record 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 property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is thirty nine dollars and seventy six cents. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on the 31 day of May 1820.
Joseph D. Selden Clerk
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State of New York, Rensselaer County SS.
On this thirty first day of May 1820 personally appeared in open court, (being a court of record in the for the said county according to the solemn adjudications of the Supreme Court of this state, and being a court which proceeds according to the course of common law; with a jurisdiction unlimitted in point of amount; keeping a record its proceedings; and possessing the power of fine and imprisonment) Abel Ford aged sixty six years, resident in the town of Grafton in said county who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows:
Three years in Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment (ninth of the Massachusetts line) under Capt John Blanchard. That his original declaration under the act of 18 March 1818 was dated second of April 1818. His certificate of pension in No. 16,797.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 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 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 18th of March 1818; 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,
Abel Ford - X his mark

Sworn to and declared on the 31st day of May 1820
Archi Bull Deputy Clerk

State of New York, Rensselaer County SS.
I, Joseph D. Selden, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas held in & for the county of Rensselaer in the state of New York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath & affidavit, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copies from the record 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 property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is thirty nine dollars and seventy six cents. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on the 31 day of May 1820.
Joseph D. Selden Clerk
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Schedule of all the real & personal estate of Abel Ford (except necessary bedding & clothing). I have no real estate - my personal estate is as follows viz.
2 cows - $30.00
1 [illegible] - $4.00
1 plough share $.75
1 axe - $.50
2 iron pots - $.63
1 spider (crackd) [cracked] - $.25
7 knives & forks - $.37 1/2
4 tea cups & saucers - $.12 1/2
5 earthen plates & 2 milk pans - $.63
2 pails - $.50
1 spining [spinning] wheel - $1.50
1 small wheel - $.50
$39.76

I am by occupation a carpenter. Unable to labor by reason of the loss of my right arm sixteen years. My health otherwise not very good. I have no family.
And I do solemnly swear that the value affixed to the articles mentioned in the foregoing schedule is the true & full value thereof according to the best of my knowledge & belief.
Abel Ford - X his mark

Sworn & subscribed this 31 day of May 1830 in open court
Archi Bull Dep. Clk
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In reply to your request of ____, received ____ for a statement of the military history of Abel Ford a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. File 44843

Dates of Enlistment or appointment. 75
Length of Service. 
Rank. Pvt.
Officers under whom service was rendered. Captain Stephen Kimball, Colonel Daniel Hitchcock
State. R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or appointment. 
Length of Service. 3 yrs
Rank. 
Officers under whom service was rendered. Captain John Wheeler, Colonel Thomas Nixon
State. 6 Mass.

Dates of Enlistment or appointment. *Jany 1780
Length of Service. to Mch. 1783 disc. at West Pt. NY.
Rank. 
Officers under whom service was rendered. Captain John Blanchard, Colonel Henry Jackson
State. 9 Mass.

Battles engaged in
Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Date of application for pension, Apl. 2, 1818
Residence at date of application, Grafton, Rensselaer Co., NY
Age at date of application, 64
Remarks: 1870 had no family
Ver respectfully

*1780 Chesterfield, Mass.
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Troy 15th Dec. 1819
Sir,
I transmit two declarations made by Abel Ford, who claims a pension under the act of Congress of 18th March 1818. The first declaration it will be perceived was sworn to 2nd April 1818. It was drawn by our attorney's clerk, and when the soldier came before me to make oath to it, I examined him and made the interlined - [illegible] which appear on the fact of it. It was mislaid among some papers, and a second declaration was made 19 May 1818, sent to the War Department and returned for further proof, which is herewith furnished.
I am respectfully yrs [yours]
Jas. Mallory

Hon. John C. Calhoun
Secy of War
Washington
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Abel Ford
Mass. line
Col Henry Jackson
1780-1783

Services favored by credible witnesses
to James Mallory Esq.
Admitted

Utica N.Y. June 29
Admt. Gn.
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State of New York Oneida County
Personally appeared before me Josiah Littlefield  a respectable resident of the county with whom I am well acquainted and after being hereby sworn deposeth and saith that he was knowing to Abel Ford serving in the Revolutionary war. The Massachusetts line. Col Henry Jackson Regiment 9th 3d Brigade in company commanded by Capt Blanchard from 1780 untill 1783.
Josiah Littlefield

Sworn and subscribed before me at Verona in the state and county aforesaid this 9th day of June 1812
Stephen Benedict Justice of peace
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Clerks Office Oneida County ss.
I certify that Stephen Benedict was a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Oneida at the time of taking the within affidavit and is duly authorized to take the same as appears from the commission and roll of oaths on file in my office. Witness the seal of said county this twenty eighth day of June eighteen hundred and nineteen.
William P. Herrick Dep Clk
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JRW
No. 44,843 - Sur.,
Revolutionary War.
March 18, 1904
Madam:
In reply to your inquiry of the 4th instant you are advised that the records of this Bureau afford no information relative to the date and place of birth of Abel Ford.
He stated that he was discharged at West Point in March, 1783. There is no evidence in his claim that he deserted.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Helen W. Williams,
30 Washington Avenue,
Rensselaer, New York.
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June 8, 1938
Mr. Edwin E. Ellis
261 Huntington Avenue
Buffalo, New York
Abel Ford, S. 44843
Alpheus Ford, S.C. 12897
BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters of recent date, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Abel Ford who, you state, was born about 1754, served from Massachusetts, was pensioned in 1818 and died November 13, 1855, in Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York, also, the War of 1812 record of Alpheus Ford, born in 1793, in Grafton, New York, where he died March 21, 1873.
The records, requested, are furnished you as follow:

Abel Ford
S. 44843
The date and place of birth and names of the parents of Abel Ford were not given, in claim for pension, S. 44843, based upon his service in the Revolution, which claim is the source of information which follows.
Abel Ford enlisted in 1775, place not designated, served as private in Captain Stephen Kimball's company, Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's Rhode Island regiment, length of tour not given. He afterwards enlisted, date not stated, served as private in Captain John Wheeler's company, Colonel Nixon's 6th Massachusetts Regiment, length of term three years. While residing in Chesterfield, Massachusetts, he enlisted in January, 1780, and served as private in Captain John Blanchard's company, Colonel Henry Jackson's Massachusetts Regiment, and was discharged in March, 1783.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed April 2, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-four years, and a resident of Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York.
In 1820, Abel Ford was still living in Grafton, New York, and stated that he had no family. It was not shown whether he ever married.
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In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of Abel Ford, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Abel Ford, certificate #16997, issued May 18, 1820, rate $8 per month, commenced April 2, 1818, Act 18th March, 1818, New York Agency.

Alpheus Ford
S. C. 12897
The data which follow in regard to Alpheus Ford were obtained from the papers in the claims for pension and bounty land under File S.C. 12897, based upon his service in the War of 1812.
The date and place of birth and names of the parents of Alpheus Ford are not shown.
Alpheus Ford volunteered at Verona, Oneida County, New York, July 4, 1812, served as 3rd Sergeant in Captain Earl Fillmore's company of New York militia, and was discharged January 4, 1813, at Ogdensburg, New York. It was stated that he volunteered to go on board the brig, "Oneida", and that he was in the battle of Sacketts Harbor, names of officers or other details of that service not given.
The soldier applied November 29,1850, for bounty land which was due on account of his service in the War of 1812, at which time he was a resident of Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York. On this application he was allowed eighty acres of bounty land on Warrant 9410, under the Act of September 28, 1850. He applied July 25, 1857, for additional land due on account of his service. He was then still living in Grafton, New York and on that application was granted eighty acres of bounty land on Warrant 47377, under the Act of March 3, 1855.
Alpheus Ford was allowed pension, also, on account of his War of 1812 service, on his application executed June 26, 1871, at which time he was aged seventy-eight years and a resident of Grafton, New York.
The soldier married September 26, 1813, in Grafton, New York, Deborah Whitten. The date and place of her birth and names of parents were not stated.
If you desire information in regard to location of the land granted Alpheus Ford, you should apply to The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and furnish that official the 
-2-
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number of each warrant, the acreage and date of the act under which it was issued.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of Alpheus Ford, you should address the Comptroller General, as in the other case, and cite the following data: Alpheus Ford, certificate #12897, issued February 23, 1872, rate $8 per month, commenced February 14, 1871, Act 14th February, 1871, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

-3-
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8-8.1.
RECORD DIVISION. Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 

Briefed by A Wilson Feb. 14. 1908
Claim No.
Certificate No. 
Claimant
Soldier Abel Ford
Service Mass Service
Additional Service Rev. War
No___ claim, State records ____,190__
No claim, combination records ___, 190__
REMARKS: no widow, no rejected No Invalid other than J.F. 44843
J-8 Chief Division
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Mass
Bedford Iowa Jan 8th/08
Commissioner of Pensions. Dear Sir. Several weeks ago I sent you a communication (with stamp enclosed for return) regarding one Abel Ford a Revolutionary Soldier from Chesterfield. I wrote Lt. Gen'l F. C. Ainsworth thinking Abel Ford was a Renslaer Co. N.Y. Soldier, but since learned that he enlisted at Chaserfield and was under Col's Hitchcock, Nixon and Jackson if you can give me any information as to the Company and Regt. it would be very thankfully received as I desire to establish myself with the organization of the D.A.R. P.S. Please return the former communication of Gen'l Ainsworth in regard to the 1812 Soldier Very Respectfully Mrs. M.C. Connett
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RECORD DIVISION FEB 12 1908 Perhaps I might not addressed the former corrispondence properly I addressed to Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C. no 12

U.S. PENSION OFFICE. A Feb 11 1908
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OWN 
O.W. & N. DIV. APR 30 1907 FILES

Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C. Will you kindly inform me if the application of Abel Ford of Grafton N.Y. for pension states when & where he was discharged from Revolutionary War and oblige. Helen S. WIlliams 40 Washington Ave Rensselaer N.Y. 3-26-07
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OLD WAR & NAVE MAR 8 1904 FILES. U.S.P.B. 30 Washington Ave Rensselaer N.Y. March 4, 1904

Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C. Will you or can you furnish the date of birth, place of birth & date of discharge from the Revolutionary War of Abel Ford who enlisted from Chesterfield Mass. Why I desire the date of discharge is this. "The Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolution" say he is "reported as a deserter" now how could he draw a pension unless there is record of his discharge. If I can get that and his place of birth I can clear his record at the Secretary's office Boston. Please help me out. Helen S. Williams
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30 Washington Ave Bath on Hudson N.Y. Aug 6 1901 To the Commissioner of Pensions Can you give me any information as to whether one Abel Ford of Massachusetts (born in Chesterfield, Hampshire as I think) was a pensioner of the Revolution. If so will you
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send a record of his service. Hellen S. Williams
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44843 INVALID. Revy File No. 44843 Abel Ford Priv. Rev. War Act 19th March 1818 Index: - Vol. 3, Page 175 [Arrangement of 1870.]
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Aug. 14, 1901 Helen S. Williams Bath on Hudson, N.Y. 
Mch 18, 1904 - To above date place of soldiers birth not stated - was discharged in March 1783 No Ev. [evidence] of desertion. 
1907 May 13 History to Helen S. Williams - c
1908 Feby 19 Hist to Mrs. M.C. Connett V.L.M
1938 June 8 Hist to E.E. Elis (Rec [illegible] in c;laim S.C. 12897 of Alpheus Ford) MLB.
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State of New York, Rensselaer County Ss. I Daniel Littlefield of the Town Grafton in the County & State aforesaid being Duly Sworn doth depose & say that in the year 1780 he enlisted in the Town of Chesterfield in the State of Massachusetts and Commanded a Company of Militia & that Abel Ford now of the Town of Grafton in the County aforesaid lived in the said Town of Chesterfield in the year 1780 that this Deponent was well acquainted with the said Ford then & has been every since that when the last three years men were called for: for the Continental Service this deponent was kind of a class to which the said Ford belonged that in consideration of necessary a bounty from the Class said Abel Ford engaged to join the Continental Troops & Serve three years and that this deponent paid the said Ford the bounty & that the said Abel Ford Did Go & Serve for the said chap and this Deponent further says that he is not directly or indirectly interested in said Fords Application for a pension Daniel Littlefield Sworn before me this 12th day of October 1819 William Potter Justice of the Peace 

I hereby certify that Daniel Littlefield the above named deponent is a man of Good Moral Character & a credible witness & that he Subscribed & made oath to the above mentioned. William Potter Justice of the Peace
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State of New York Rensselaer County Ss. I certify that William Potter Esquire whose signature is affixed to the within Certificate was on the day of the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Rensselaer & further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Will Potter and verily believe his signature to be in his own proper handwriting. In witness whereof I hav ehereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the said County this Fourteenth day of December 1819 Joseph D. Seldon Clerk

Ford Application