Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23320, Moses Holmes, New York
Page 1

Service
New York

Holmes, Moses
Betsey

Number
W. 23320
Page 2

14,324   Increase  (Illegible)

New York

Moses Holmes, decd
of Pembroke Co in the State of New York
who was an asst. comy in the Northern 
Dept. commanded by Gen. Schuyler in the
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 600 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. & end 24 April 1842, when he died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Augt.
1850 and sent to Hon. S. A. Douglass, S.M.S

Increased from $480.00

Semi-annual allowance ending 

Payable to his only surviving children
Wm. Holmes, Fanny Cuthbert & Phebe Smith

{Revolutionary Claim, Act. June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. B. Chase, Clerk,
Book E2  Vol. 4 Page 32

Reported
exo W.S.A.
Page 3

488
New York
Betsey Holmes
widow of Moses
who was a Asst. Com'y
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 200 Dollars - cents per annum, to 
commence on the 4th day of March 1843

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of June 1843 and sent to Putnam & Hoyt, Utica, N.Y.

[{Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 17, 1844]

Let to Hon. H. Putnam
Apl 16, 1851
Let to A Ray 27 Dec 1853
Page 4

Biblical text...
The End of the Apocrypha

Moses Holmes, Junr, son of Moses Holmes, Esq. by Kezia, his wife.  Born March ye 11th Old Stile or March 22d  N. Stile 1748

Betsey Graves Wife of Moses Holmes, Junr, Married June 1, 1780, was born January 10th --- 1760. N. Stile being ten years ten months& 4 days odds in their ages

Phebe Holmes Daughter to Moses & Betsey Holmes were lawfully joined in Marriage to Calvin Smith by Bridley Brooks Esq., Bloomfield, June 2, 1815

Harvey Smith son of Calvin & Phebe Smith his Wife was Born March 2, 1816 & deceast May 19, 1816

Phebe moved to Pomfret, Chautauqua County 30 May 1816
Page 5

A Family Record of Moses Holmes's Household

Betsey Holmes, Daughter to Moses & Betsey Holmes
born on Saturday, December 23rd AD 1780

John Holmes, son of Moses Holmes & Betsey his wife
Born on Sunday, Decr 15 AD, 1782

Electa Holmes Daughter, to Moses & Betsey Holmes
Born on Wednesday, October 27 AD 1784

Lydia Holmes, Daughter to Moses & Betsey Holmes
Born on Saturday Feby 3rd A.D., 1787
and deceased Monday, August 6th AD 1787

Louisa Holmes, Daughter, to Moses & Betsey Holmes
Born on Saturday, Jany 11th AD 1789
and Deceased June 23d AD 1809

Henry Holmes, son to Moses Holmes by Betsey, his wife
Born on Monday, March 28th AD 1791
and Deceased, on Tuesday, May 24th AD, 1791

Fanny Holmes, Daughter, to Moses & Betsy Holmes
Born on Sunday, March 25th AD 1793

Phebe Holmes, Daughter, to Moses & Betsey Holmes,
Born on Sunday, April 24th AD 1796

Wm. Moses Holmes son, to Moses & Betsey Holmes
Born on Saturday, June 23rd, 1798
Page 6

No. 5668
June '42

Betsey Holmes
NY
Act 4 July '36

m 80 d 42

D

4
Page 7

No 1

State of New York
Genesee County:

On this seventeenth day of June in the year 1842, personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Genesee Betsey Holmes a resident of the town of Attica in the county of Wyoming and State of New York aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on her oath 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 Moses Holmes, who was an assistant commissary in the Revolutionary war and served during the war for which he enlisted, but the particulars of his service she cannot particularly state and she refers to his Pension Declaration under the Act of the 7th June 1832 and the papers accompanying the same for proof of his services.

She further states that her late husband, Moses Holmes, in a recent application for an increase of pension has set forth his services only for the term of four years, as he had been informed and believed that two years service only was necessary to be set forth in order to secure an increase of his pension, when in truth this Declarant believes and knows that he served for a longer period and as she believes for and during the war.

She further declares that she was married to the said Moses Holmes on the first day of June in the year one thousand and seven hundred and eighty, that her husband the aforesaid Moses Holmes died on the twenty fourth day of April last past and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the
Page 8

proof hereto annexed:  And she further declares  that she has a Family Record of her marriage in the Family Bible in the hand writing of the said Moses Holmes which is hereto annexed and that said Bible, has always been in her possession.  And she further declares that her  husband, the said Moses Holmes a Pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832 at the rate of two hundred dollars per annum and she now makes applications for an increase of said Pension and for whatever balance may be due her from the 4th  March 1831 over and above the said two hundred dollars.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, in open  court before me
H. U.  Soper, Clerk

Betsy (X her mark) Holmes

No. 2

State of New York
Genesee County:
Lemuel B. Cuthbert, Calvin Smith and William M. Holmes, of the County of Wyoming, in said State, the said Cuthbert residing in Bennington and the said Smith and Holmes residing in Attica in the said county of Wyoming, being duly sworn do depose and say that they are well acquainted with Betsey Holmes who has made her mark to and subscribed the foregoing Declaration and her late husband Moses Holmes.  That the said Moses Holmes died on the 24th day of April last and left his widow, the said Betsey Holmes, who has remained unmarried ever since:  that these deponents have been
Page 9

acquainted with have known the hand writing of Moses Holmes for more than twenty five years and believe that the family Record of the marriage of the said Moses Holmes and Betsey Graves is in the hand writing of the said Moses Holmes and that the said Record of the said marriage has been there ever since they first saw said Record, to wit, for more than twenty five years.
Sworn and subscribed 
the 17 June 1842 before me
Richard Smith, Justice of the Peace

Lemuel B. Cuthbert
Calvin Smith
William M. Holmes 

of said county and I certify that the said Lemuel B. Cuthbert, Calvin Smith, and William M. Holmes are credible persons and of veractiy.
Richard Smith, Justice do.

State of New York
Genesee County:
I Horace U. Soper, Clerk of the said county do certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings on the application of Widow Betsey Holmes on her application for a Pension: that the annexed Family Record was cut from a Family Bible by me and annexed hereto.
That Richard Smith Esq. was a Justice of the Peace of the said County at the time of taking the foregoing affidavit and that his name subscribed to the certificate of taking the same is his hand writing. 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 17th June 1842.
H. U. Soper, Clerk
Page 10

Feb. '33

Moses Holmes' Declaration 
18347

Please, Direct to H. U. Soper, Esq., 
Batavia, Genesee County, N.Y.

Examined

A

Adm't

20 mo. asst. commissary

grade of an Ensign

1
Page 11

Declaration of Moses Holmes, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of New York
Genesee County:

On this fifteenth day of October in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting in the town of Batavia in and for said county, in said State, being a Court of Record and having a seal, Moses Holmes, a resident of the town of Pembroke, in the count of Genesee and State of New York, aged eighty four years on the 22nd March 1832, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated . - 
That on or about the last of May or the first of June 1775, while he resided in Tyringham, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in the Massachusetts militia in Capt. Jacob Brown's Company, that John Holmes of Sheffield, was 1st Lieutenant, that Rufus Allen was 2d Lieutenant and was in Col. James Easton's Regiment and under Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler
that his company marched directly to Albany, then to Ticonderoga and was there  joined by other companies from Ct., that they rendezvoused at Crown Point,
that after he arrived at Ticonderoga, Gen. Schuyler sent for applicant and having examined his qualifications, took him out of the company and appointed him commissary and gave him charge of the stores- 
and that he remained there in that capacity until the 26th March 1776- 
that on that day he made a settlement of his commissary account with Walter Livingston, Deputy Commissary General for Northern Department and John N. Bleecher, Esq the assistant and Secretary of Walter Livingston
that he was allowed at that time for his service for nine months and twenty six days - that this settlement was made at Albany and that he was then ordered immediately to Saratoga Falls, to receive and collect provisions and forward to the different posts- 
that soon after he arrived at the Falls, Mr. Livingston was superseded by Elisha Avery who wrote
Page 12

to applicant to remain at his post until further orders
that he (stay)ed there till some time in the next fall in 1776 when he was ordered by Mr (Major?) Avery to Fort Ann where he remained till the fort was evacuated, the barracks there burnt and the stores and provisions were destroyed which was on the 8th July 1777
that Gen. Schuyler then ordered him to follow the army to Fort Miller where he remained three or four weeks
that he was at Fort Edward, five or six days with his stores, but as the enemy were close at hand, we retreated to Saratoga Falls where we remained some days and then marched to Stillwater and remained there a short time when he was taken sick with the measles and went to Albany where he remained sick for a number of weeks which he thinks was in October 1777 -
that when he began to recover he took some of commissary accounts and went home to make them out and draw them (?) off -
That he remained at home until the winter of 1778 when he joined Gen Sullivan's expedition to Newport Rhode Island and was appointed  Deputy Commissary to Gen. John Tylers Brigade
That Solomon Southwick was Deputy Commissary General in the Eastern Department - That Samuel Chapman was Col. of the Regiment and was his bail for the faithful performance of his duties in the sum of fifteen hundred dollars
that he followed the army 39 days and was entitled to pay like other soldiers and that all the commissaries were obliged to give bail, that he went to Newport and remained there with the Brigade and after having served 39 days he went home.  
That in the summer of 1779, James Gray, Dep. Com.y Gen. for the Northern Department ordered him go to Coxsackie with the army to protect the inhabitants while harvesting -
That he gave bonds as before and remained there more than one month and then returned home
That he was in no battle except a small skirmish while he was at Fort Miller,
that he had sent off, provisions, tallow, hides, etc  under the guard of Gen Nicholson's Brigade to sent a fleet of batteaus to Saratoga Falls
that here he was exposed to a small scouting party of the enemy about thirty in number who were skulking along the River, when they were discovered and
Page 13

put to rout by a handful of men.
That he never received any discharge from the service and has no documentary evidence of his services except a scrap of his old commissary account which he has found among his papers. that he knows of no person living by whom he can ?? his services -
That he was born on the 22nd March 1748 in Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut.
That since the war he has resided in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Mass about 2 years, in Lenox, same county, about 2 years, in Fairhaven, Rutland County, Vt about 7 years, in Galloway, Saratoga Co., NY about 3 years, in Milton, same county, 3 years, in Ballston, same county 2 years, in Galloway again 3 years, in Kingsbury, Washington County, N.Y. 2 years, in Johnstown, Montgomery Co., 3 years, in E. Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N.Y. 6 or 7 years, in Barre, Orleans County, between one and two years, and in Pembroke where he now resides about three years
That he has no Record of his age except a Record which applicant copied from the Bible of his father.
That William Brown and and William Cuthbert live in his neighborhood, are well acquainted with him and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension  or an annuity except the present and declare that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.

Moses Holmes

Subscribed and sworn to the day & year  aforesaid in open court
Timothy Fitch, Clerk
No. 2

We, William Brown and William Cuthbert. the said Brown residing in Batavia in said county of Genesee and State of New York and the said Cuthbert, residing in Pembroke in said County, hereby certify that they are well acquainted with Moses Holmes who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty four years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and
Page 14

And that we concur in that opinion-
William Brown
William Cuthbert

Subscribed and sworn to the day of the year aforesaid in open court
Timothy Fitch, Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and that he served as he states.  And the said Court further certify that it appears to them that William Brown a resident of the same County of Genesee and William Cuthbert residing in Pembroke in same County who have signed the foregoing Certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Isaac Wilson
Robert Earll Jr.
William Mitchell

I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Genesee in the state of New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Moses Holmes for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of October 1832

Timothy Fitch, Clerk
Page 15

Rev'y Widow, &c

File No. 23320
Betsey Holmes 
Wid of 
Moses Holmes
Asst. Comm'y

Act:  March 9th, 1843
June 17th, 1844

Index;  Vol. A Page 351

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 16

Let to Hon. S. A. Douglass
March 27, 1850

488
New York   Albany
Betsey Holmes
widow of Moses Holmes
who was an Asst. Commissary
in the New York Line [16] for 20 months

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 200 dollars 
- cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of June 1843 and sent to 
Putnam & Hoyt
Attica, Wyoming County, New York

[Act of March 3, 1843]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 (?) Page 107
Page 17

14324
New York

Moses Holmes
of Pembroke in the State of New York who was 
ass't commiss'y in the Northern Department commanded by Gen. Schuyler in the line for 20 months

29

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 200 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of May 1833 and sent to Hon. P. L. Tracy, Batavia N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 - $400.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep 33 $100.00
                                                      $500.00

{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832}


Recorded by Jno Cromwell, Clerk

Book E Vol 4   Pg 60

Letter to Hon. P.J. Wagner, 11 March 1840
" to G.F. Yates Aug'st 27th, '40
To same, Sept. 18, 1840
do. to same, Oct. 28, 1840
"   "        ", June 22, 1841
to A. Ray, October 1, 1842
to same 6 Oct. 1842
Page 18

New York  7165 
Betsey Holmes
widow of Moses Holmes
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June '32 and who died on the 24th April, 1842. 
of Wyoming Co. in the State of N. York
who was asst. commissary in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by Genl. Schuyler in the New York line for 20 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 200 Dollars [blank} cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of April 1843 and sent to A. Ray, Present?  

Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
                        $1000.00
21

[Act July 7, 183?]
Recorded by H. (?) M. Stewart Clerk

Book A, Vol. 2, Page 84
Page 19

Increase 32753(crossed out) 14324  A
New York
Moses Holmes dec'd
of Pembroke Co. in the State of New York
who was an ass'y com'y in the Northern Dept. 
commanded by Gen. Schuyler in the line for 24 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 480 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 and end 24 April 1842 when he died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of July 1850 and sent to Hon. S. A. Douglass, S.U.S. (?)

Increased from $400

Payable to surviving children
Wm Holmes, Fanny Cuthbert & Phebe Smith

{Revolutionary Claim, Act. June 7, 1832}
Recorded by J.P. Chase Clerk
Book E2 Vol 4, Page 32

Let Hon. S.A. Douglass Augt. 2/50
of
N. Dist
Page 20

Surviving children
Wm. Holmes
Fanny Cuthbert
& 
Phebe Smith
Letter to Hon. H. Putnam, April 18, 1850
Letter to the Sec'y of the Interior, 
June 28, 1850

14324 Increase A
New York

Moses Holmes, dec'd
of Pembroke Co. in the State of New York
who was an ass't commis'y in the Northern Dept. commanded by Gen. Schuyler 
in the line for 20 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 400 dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 & end 24 April 1842, when he died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Mar 1850 and sent to Hon. S. A. Douglass S. U. S.

Arrears to the 4th of  [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending  [blank]
30 
Increased from $200.00
Payable to surviving children -see back of file
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by J. P. Chase Clerk
Book E2 Vol. 4 Page 32
Page 21

See Vol. 3 Provision Returns

Amount of provisions & stores issued to the Troops in Camp for month of August 1779

Moses Holmes Asst. Com. of Stores  Pot???

James Gray, Dep. Com.
Gen. of Stores
Page 22

Betsey Holmes
NY

Let to Hon S M Gates , Feby 17 '43

Act 7 July '38
Page 23

Copy
Department of the Interior
June 18th, 1850

Sir,
    I herewith return the papers in the case of Moses Holmes, deceased, who is now on the Pension role for twenty months service, as an assistant commissary, and I am of the opinion that he is entitled for service at least until the month of August 1779, being over two years, where it appears by the records in the State Department that he was still and "Assistant Commissary of Supplies."
I am very respectfully your ob't  Ser't.
T. Ewing
Secretary

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 24

Department of the Interior
July 1st 1850

Sir
In your report of the 28th ulto in the case of Betsey Holmes, deceased, widow of Moses Holmes, you state that there was no evidence of his service as private, but as it was found that a man of his name had served as Commissary he was then allowed for all the time he claimed in his amended declaration, to wit 20 months.
I will thank you to inform me where this information is to be found and if you have the same in your office be pleased to transmit it to this Department, for my examination.

I am very respectfully your ob't serv't
Signed, T. Ewing, Secretary

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Page 25

Joint Resolution of March 1851

Following is X'd out:

Betsey Holmes, dec'd
Inc'd to $600 d??
former pay'ts at $200
per annum.  Com'g 
4 March 1843 and end'g 9 Sept. 1843, 
payable to Wm. Holmes, Fanny Cuthbert & Phebe Smith, only surv'g children

Attes'g ? 

Hon. Robt. Smith
Present
Page 26

Washington March 22nd, 1851

Sir,
I respectfully request that the joint resolution of March 1851 be applied to the Widow of Moses Holmes of New York.  I presented the claim through my friend the Hon. S. A Douglass last year for the increase due the children of Moses & Betsey Holmes deceased.

Very Respectfully your Ob't  Serv't
Robert Smith

Hon. James E. Heath
Com'r of Pensions
Page 27

Washington March 22d, 1851

Mr. Cole
Will please deliver the Certificate for the increase under Joint Resolution of March 1851 due the heirs of Moses & Betsy Holmes dec'd of N. York to S.A. Peugh, Esq and oblige your ob't serv't

Robert Smith
Page 28

Attica, Wyoming Co, N.Y.
May  16 1843

Dr Sir,
Enclosed is an application of Betsey Holmes of this place widow of Moses Homes deceased for a pension under act of 3 March 1843. You will please examine her papers and if all is right forward us a certificate for her. Mrs. Holmes is inscribed on the pension list Roll under law of 1838. Perhaps Mr. Alexander Ray of Your City may call upon you in reference to this case if so & he wishes the certificate. You can hand it to him, if not forward it to us soon as your convenience will permit. If there is any difficulty in this case please advise us and greatly oblige
Yours Respectfully,
Putnam & Hoyt
James L Edwards. Esqr
Com'r of Pensions
Page 29

Washington Aug't 13, 1842
Sir
Enclosed you will find a declaration under the Act 4 July 1836 of Mrs Betsey Holmes, widow of Moses Holmes, who was a pensioner under Act 1832 on the New York roll at the rate of $200 per annum (embodied in her declaration) also, she makes application for an increase of the pension of her late husband. He having before his death applied for an increase.  She therefore deems it unnecessary to be more explicit, then to say, the claim is made at the rate of 50$ per mo. ? as an assistant commissary of Issues?.

I find the name of Moses Holmes returned with the assistant commissary under Samuel Gray Dep. Com'y Gen'l in Aug't 1779.  It is alleged by the widow that the service was for more than two years. And it is expected she will receive all the benefit the papers on file in her dec'd husbands card will afford.

I am very respectfully
Your  ?
Ob't Serv"t
Alex. Ray

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 30

Mr Evans will please return the paper of Betsey Holmes, decd in order that the necessary reference may be made to them, to enable us to answer the letter of the Department, of the 1st inst, relative to her case.

Very truly,
J.D. Wilson
Pension Officer
July 3 1850

F S Evans, Esq
Dept Int'r
Page 31

Moses Holmes, dec'd
N. York

increased from $400 to $480 per annum 9 March 1831 to 24 April 1842 when he died,
payable to children

see back of file

Act 7 June 1832

Hon. S. A. Douglass
S. U. S.
Page 32

Washington
Dec'r 27 1853

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com'r of Pensions
Sir
I enclose herewith a letter from Mr. Calvin Smith of Filmore Genessee County New York, who married as I understand a daughter of the late Moses Holmes who was a pensioner under Act 7 June 1837 as Assistant Commissary of Issues and his widow under Act 7 July 1838.

It appears the pension to Moses Holmes and his widow has been increased and the agent in the case represented that Four Thousand dollars and some ten cents arrears was allowed. But it seems the children are not satisfied as they are under of impression a much larger sum as arrears were recovered [received?].

I have no interest in the business, but as the writer has requested information, and proffer he should have it, I have taken the liberty to ask (that I may report to him of amount of increased allowed) in the case of Moses Holmes and his widow. & if her case was one entitled to the Five years pension for the time her husband dec'd.  In favoring me with an answer, be pleased to return me Mr. Smith letter
Very respectfully Your Ob't Serv.
Alex. Ray
Page 33

Senate Chamber July 30th 1850
Washington D.C.

Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Pension Certificate in the case of the children of Moses Holmes of N.Y. as assistant commissary of the Revolutiion giving an increase of penison from 400$ to $480 for two years service.

I am not satisfied with this increase.  Will you inform me why it is that this case has not been admitted at the rate of Pensions usual for this grade of service viz $600 agreeably to the resolves of the Continental Congress of 2nd July 1777 and the 10th May 1779 according to the decision in the cases of Herbert Stiles & Joseph Burnham of Conn. and the in variable practice of the office as I am informed.

I have the honor to be very
Respectfully Your Obt. Serv't
S. A . Douglass

Col. J. L. Edwards 
Commission of Pensions
Page 34

House of Reps. Feb. 14, 1843

Sir
I have been requested by Mr. Putnam a former member of Congress to call on Mr. Alexander Ray to ascertain what has been done in the case entrusted to his charge of Mrs. Betsey Holmes widow of Moses Holmes for a pension under act of July 1838 -
Mr. Ray informs me he presented the case to you several weeks since, but he has rec'd no reply.  Mrs. Holmes is in advanced age and cannot survive much longer & if she is ever to be benefited by aid from the Gov't it must be soon.  I therefore express the hope that you will if possible take the case up and examine it without further delay & very much oblige Mr. Putnam - 
Your Obt. Serv't
Seth M. Gates

Hon. J. L . Edwards 
Comr of Pensions
Page 35

19

Moses Holmes 
of 
New York

See Journals of C.C. Congress 2 V. 1 page 124
To establish the fact that Walter Livingston was a Deputy Commissary General

Adm'd

Hon. J. Tracey
Page 36

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Moses Holmes 
which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
[blank]

IV.   Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
No.  
An affidavit required setting forth how long he served as private before his appointment - some evidence that the old commissary ofc is in his handwriting should be produced.

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
  Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  Yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?
Yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?
Yes 

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Yes
Page 37

XI. has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their brief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

No

XII. If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

Knows of no one

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

[Blank]

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant’s service?

[Blank]

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 

No [But crossed out]

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered.

One

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. Who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For———year———-months and———-days.  I served as a ———. For——-months and——-days, I served as a ————; and for such service I claim a pension.”
Page 38

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank be held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 39

Attica April 8, 1851

Hon. J. E. Heath

Sir, Moses Holmes was a Revolutinary Pensioner.  He died 24 April 1843.  A pension was granted to his widow and she died 20th Sept. 1846.  The heirs of Mr. Holmes received a certificate or rather two certificates for increase of pension from two to six hundred Dlls per annum.

The heirs now claim or think they are entitled to, the same increase (or to some extent) on the pension granted to the widow and for the time she claim  the pension.  And desire me to write and asurtain what the law is on that point.

Please inform me soon as convenient and if allowable send such blanks as may be proper for the case.  

Yours
H. Putnam
M.C.
NYork
Page 40

Increase
Moses Holmes dec'd
NY
27
Act 7 June 1832

owed 20 mo Asst. Comm'y
$400.00 per annum

from 4 March 1831 to 24 April 1842, the day of his death, payable to William Holmes, Fanny Cuthbert and Phebe Smith, only surviving children of Moses Holmes dec'd, deducting what has been paid at the rate of $200 p ann for the same time.

Hon. S. A. Douglas
Senate 
U States
Page 41

Washington
Jan'y 18, 1843

Sir
I enclose an application in the form of a declaration made by Betsey Holmes for the Act 7 July 1838 as the widow of Moses Holmes, late a pensioner under act 7 June 1832 Albany Agency.

Afte the death of her husband, which took place on the 24 April 1842, she made application for the act 4 July 1836.  Her claim was disallowed as her marriage did not take place till after her husband left the service.

The claim is now made for the act 1838 for 20 months service of said Moses as an assistant commissary of Issues in the Northern Department during the war of the revolution at the rate of $40 per mo. the amount under oath he asserted to have been his monthly pay.

I am yours
most respectfully
Alex. Ray 

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Comm. of Pensions
Page 42

Washington
March 20, 1843

Sir
In compliance with your letter of the 17th ulto. I herewith enclose you a letter from Mrs. Betsey Holmes accepting the proposed allowance of a pension under act 7 July 1838 at the rate of $200 per annum

I am very 
respectfully your (servant?)
Alex. Ray
Page 43

Col. Edwards,
Dear Sir
On examining these papers of Moses Holmes and Betsey his wife, I think it is possible that there should be an increase of pension due the heirs.  Please lay the papers where they may be easy of  access as I may wish to look at them again before long.  The papers in behalf of Mr. Holmes were made out in my office by Mr. Hoyt, my partner

March22, 1850
I am yours
most respectfully
H. Putnam
Page 44

To J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington DC

15
Page 45

Schnectady July 11 1840

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I beg leave to make inquiry respecting the application of Moses Holmes for increased pay made many months ago.  As the applicant is now 92 years of age and very poor, it will be gratifying to have his claim allowed if it is to be before he departs this life.  In consequnce of his extreme age, it will be impractiable to obtain from him a more specific statement of his services than that now before you in his original papers.  The statement or account of his services which I sent you, was drawn up from a memorandum handed to me by J. L. Tracy Esq who although he took a good deal of pains to obtain from the old gentlemen as particular an account of his services as possible yet his memory did not serve him sufficiently well to be more specific than to say he  "acted (?) for more than four years" at Ticonderoga, Fort Ann, Saratoga, Fort Edward, Fort George, Albany, Providence R.I.  and Shinglekill etc..  He speaks of having been sick, during which time of course he did not serve. He says he remained in Providence from Spring till the
Page 46

fall of 1778, or until corn was ripe, but does not say whether he served all that time as a commissary or not.  In the year 1779, he was on duty according to his last statement more than one & less than two months, as a commissary to wit "in the time of harvest," at Shinglekill before referred to, being a place near Coxsackie.  This last service is not set forth or proved by previous papers.  I can furnish documentary proof  of, by reference to the Washington papers in the office of the Secretary of State, to which fact I would call your attention, & pray you to give Mr. Holmes the benefit of.
"Moses Holmes" is there returned as a Dep. Commissary at " Patmiscasink? Northern Dept. August 1779.  Mr. Holmes says he has heretofore furnished sundry leaves of two or three large books of accounts & being all that was left, the remainder having been long since lost and destroyed. [the rage to destroy old paper is very prevalent in this State].  I am inclined to believe that Mr. Holmes was employed as a Commissary occasionally during every year of the war up to 1780 viz from 1775 to 1779 inclusive, or more or less during five years. He has a right to claim to the extent only his original papers agree with that statement or recapitulation of his services given below
In 1775 at least 6 months
In 1776 "            9     "
In 1777  "            6     "
In 1778  "allowing time for sickness 3 months
In 1779  "             1     "
                          25 months
Page 47

Awaiting your reply,
I remain
Your Obt. Servt.

Giles F. Yates
Page 48

Washington Oct. 6th, 1842
Sir
Your letter of the 1st inst. in the application made by the widow of Moses Holmes decd. who was a pensioner Act 1832 New York Agency, you state,  
the increase was refused upon an application made during his life time, unless he could adduce satisfactory evidence  of the length of his service and documentary proof of what he asserted, that his pay was forty dollars per month.
Will you do me the favor to state the period of his service according  to his original statement, also the state or states in which he performed service.  The information is asked with the vein to endeavor to supply the deficiency in the case which you require.  If any such evidence exist.

I am yours
Most respectfully
Alex. Ray
Page 49

B

Fm
P. J. Wagner 
M.C.

Free

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington DC

Report to the Hon. P. J. Wagner
H.R. 

Postmark:
Washington City DC
Mar 8
Page 50

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Enclosed you will receive two affidavits of Moses Holmes now on the pension list under the act of 1832.  Some irrelevant matters were set forth in his affidavits, but they cannot effect the justness of his claim for an increase of pension, which is the object of the present application.  If the documentary evidence now on file with the papers, is objected to, that matter can easily be settled by reference to the Washington papers in the Office of the Secretary of State.  But I  apprehend no difficulty on that score.  He merely wishes to be placed on a footing with his associate Commissaries of the revolution and receive $600 per annum instead of the amount instead of the amount he now receives.

Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt & his Atty.
Giles F. Yates 

Schenectady  Mar. 4, 1840
Page 51

State of New York
County of Genesee

Moses Holmes of the town of Bennington aged 92 years being duly sworn says that while acting as a commissary in the army of he revolution and while stationed at Fort Ann he received 300 skidfuls? skeppets? [illegible] of peas sent them  by Major Jellis Fonda and that this shipment received there at the storehouses and gave a receipt for the same and that there was some misunderstanding at the time as to the prices of freight having been sent arrived by Albany and should have been sent across to Fort Ann and that Major Avery thought the price of freight was too high and this deponent believes this occurred in the year 1776, and that the peas were sent from the Nosi? 

Dated at Bennington this 17th day of February 1840
Moses Holmes

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 17th day of February 1840
BN Folsom Justice of the Peace


{State of New York
Genesee County}

J. Horace U Soper, Clerk of Genesee County, certify that Benjamin R. Folsom was a Justice of the Peace of said county at the time of taking the foregoing affidavits and that his signature above subscribed are his hand writing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 25th February 1840.
N.U. Soper Clerk
Page 52

State of New York
Oneida County

Moses Holmes of the town of Bennington in said county aged 92 years being duly sworn. Says that he enlised in Capt. Jacob Brown's Company in Col. James Easton's Battalion in the spring of the year 1775 (at Tyringham Berkshire Co. Massachusetts and marched to Ticonderoga, and after being there about ten days was taken from the ranks by Gen. Schuyler and appointed commissary (to suceed Commissary Coffin who was dismissed by General Schuyler) and that this deponent kept his office in the redoubt at Ticonderoga that he kept a clerk (Solomon Garfield) and two scalemen in his employ and a Martin (William Herrick) that this deponent was a Commissary for receiving issuing and forwarding Pork, Beef, flour and all kinds of provisions and Lumber.

This deponent further says that he was in the Continental Army and acted as Commissary in the Army for more than four years and
that he was for the most of the time (while not under March) at Ticonderoga, Fort Ann, Saratoga falls, Fort Edwards, Fort George
Stillwater, Albany, Rhode Island (Providence) and Shingle Kill (3 miles west of Cattskill). That he was sick with the Measels at Albany and
after he recovered he went to Rhode Island and Joined Sullivans Expedition there. Was at the Battle near Providence and that this deponent
We consons there and that this deponent was commissary then and that this deponent remained there from Spring til fall in the year 1778 until Com was ripe. That some of the Soldiers took corn out of the field of a farmer
and that this deponent settled with him by giving him an order, and that this deponent was accustomed to settling such claims
in the same way. And that this deponent acted in the Northern and Eastern department through the most of the War.

That as near as this deponent can recollect he went with a small body of Militia in 1779 to Shingle Kill as Commissary
Page 53

and remained there on duty about two months in the time of harvest that he had charge of the provisions and liquor and that he there kept his offices in a building partly a log house and partly framed. that he then returned to Albany. (That he accounted with Major Gary for his expedition to Shingle Kill he thinks) and that he had done business with Major Livingston and Major Avery also as Commissary Generals and that this deponent never had a discharge and considered himself in the employ of the country in the Army of the revolution until the war closed. And that this deponent while at Rhode Island was there joined by the Connecticut     -_____ but never belonged to that ___and that this deponent continued to be a commissary for issuing forwarding and of the issuing department receiving while at Rhode Island 
(Dated at Bennington this 17th day of February 1840)
[signature of Moses Holmes]

Sworn and subscribed before me this 17th day of February 1840 
Bill Folsom Justice of the Peace
Page 54

In the matter of
Moses Holmes 

app for a pension

26
Page 55

Schnectada Sep 4 1840.

J.S. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir.
   I have received your favor of the 27th ulto relation to the claim of [ul] Moses Holmes [/ul]. In answer I beg leave most respectfully to observe, that your letter does not touch the true gist of the question--does not relate to the real matter in controversy. It has all along been admitted that he served for the period set forth in his original papers; but the question is, has he been allowed at the rate of $600 per annum for two year's services. The amount of his present stipend is only for eight months services, and he was placed on the pension roll as early as 1833, at least [ul] three years [/ul] before the pay of Commissaries was [ul] fixed [/ul] at the rate above stated. It is therefore clear that he was allowed for [ul] more [/iul] than one years services according to the old rate of allowance. All we ask then, is, that he receive for his [ul] admitted [/ul] services at the [ul] same [/ul] rate [ul] others [/ul] do.
Page 56

   If his own statements are discredited, that is [ul] another [/ul] question. I have found the name of Mr. Holmes as _____ (no [ul] given [/ul] name stated) several times among the papers of my grandfather Jellis Fonda who held the office of a state agent & as such furnished several commissaries with provisions etc. for their respective garrisons. But this you will say furnishes no proof of any [ul] length [/ul] of service. The remainder of Gen. Schuyler's papers, which I am now in treaty for, will when received doubtless strengthen the statements of Mr. Holmes, which you say, are now feebly sustained. You take occasion to observe that the proof I furnished from the State Department "affords no evidence of his service." It certainly affords the best of evidence of his being on duty as a Commissary at the time stated, though of course it does not show [ul] how long [/ul] he served. Documents proving [ul] length [/ul] of service, can be found only in the Treasury Department, or among the papers of those employed by the government to audit and settle the accounts of Commissaries; and it has been repeatedly asserted that all vouchers of this description have been burnt with the Treasury buildings. An occasional entry like this one I furnished from the State Department is all that can be reasonably expected on the score of [ul] documentary [/ul] evidence from the offices at Washington.
Page 57

You must be aware of the difficulty of obtaining [ul] specifications [/ul] of service from individuals residing [ul] at a distance [/ul], and whom you have not an opportunity of examining [ul] personally, [/ul] but have to trust to others who want experience and are unacquainted with revolutionary matters. This is the case with Mr. Holmes who resides in Genesee County. Not one in five hundred who arrives at [ul] 92 [/ul] years of age, as Mr. Holmes has, can remember as distinctly as he can. If there is any discrepancy therefore in the statement of his services which I furnished and that which Mr. Holmes himself on [ul] two [/ul] occasions before furnished, ___ it is unreal, and if the apparent incongruity is set forth, I will vouch that an explanation can be given, of the most satisfactory nature. If my statement has "thrown distrust and discredit around his claim "it seems but right, that Mr. Holmes should have the opportunity afforded him of clearing up the doubts which have over his case, if there be any. My statement was drawn up from several statements furnished by the Hon. J.L. Tracy who has been for some time in correspondence with me in relation to the claim of his [ul] uncle [/ul] Mr. Holmes. He stated to me among other things, that he "believes Mr. Holmes was in active service 4 or 5 years, and occasionally employed after 1780--that as to many particulars his memory fails. That he is very honest and very poor, and strictly states facts as they occurred." There is no doubt, but that Mr. Holmes served for a longer time than would appear from his original statement, he has rather kept within than gone beyond the mark, yet under the
Page 58

circumstances of the case, he will only ask for that his stipend be increased at the rate stated in the beginning of this letter.

Yours very respectfully,
[signature of Giles Yates]
Atty for applicant

[on left side] In the matter of [ul]Moses Holmes [/ul]

26
Page 59

[postmark Mar 18]
Giles T. Yates Esq
Schenectady
Page 60

State of New York}
Genesee County __}
         Moses Holmes of Attica in the county aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and said that the amount of pay received by him during the time which he served as a Commissary in the Revolutionary army was forty dollars per month, and further saith not.

Sworn and Subscribed}
the 5th day of March 1841 before me}
[signature] Abel Wilder
Justice of the Peace  

Moses Holmes



State of New York}
Genesee County} I, Horace U Soper, Clerk of said county do certify that Abel Wilder was a Justice of the Peace of the said county at the time of taking the forgoing affadavit and that the signature subscribed to the certificate of taking the same is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 11 March 1841 [signature H U Soper]
Page 61

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Claim for Military Service.
[ul] Increase [/ul]
   I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7 June 1832 the pension of Moses Holmes decd late of New York, who was an Asst Commissary of the Revolution, has been increased from four hundred to four hundred and eighty dollars per annum, Commencing 4th March 1831, and ending 24th April 1842, when he died, payable to his only surviving children, to wit, William Holmes, Fanny Cuthbert and Phebe Smith, after deducting what has been paid, at the rate of four hundred dollars per annum.
[circles]
Given at the Department of the Interior,
this 23rd day of July 
one thousand eight hundred and fifty
D.C. Goodacre
Secretary of the Interior.
ad interim
Examined and }
Countersigned.}
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 62

VNo8630
Betsy Holmes
N.Y.
Act 7 July 38
M80.d42
——————award
$200
——————-
E.
5
A. Ray Esq
Page 63

State of New York
Wyoming County } SS

On this sixth day of January 1843 personally appeared before me Abel Wilder a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Wyoming, Betsy Holmes a resident of the Town of Attica in the County of Wyoming aged Eighty two years who being being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Acts of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, and the 23, August 1842 granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the War of the Revolution - 

That she is the widow of Moses Holmes, who was an assistant commissary of (not legible) in the war of the revolution, and late a pensioner on the New York Agency Albany, at the rate of two hundred dollars per annum. She further declares that she was married to the said Moses Holmes on the first day of June 1780, that her husband the aforesaid Moses, died on the 24th of April 1842, and after his death she made application for the Act 4, July 1836, not being considered by the Commissioner of Pensions as entitled to that act. She now relinquishes, her application under act 4. July 1836, for the benefit of Act 7. July 1838 and the 23, August 1842, Claims the benefit of all the papers and evidences filed in the application of her husband under Act 7, June 1832 and her late application under Act 4 July 1836—

She further declares she has not inter-married since the death of her late husband Moses Holmes, and that her marriage took place previous to the 1, January 1794
Page 64

as the evidence on file will show.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me. Albert Miller, Justice of the Peace.

Betsy [Her X Mark] Holmes

State of New York, Wyoming County } SS

I Nelson Wolcott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Wyoming, and Clerk of said County, certify that Abel Wilder is a Justice of the Peace in and for this said County duly authorised to the affidavits in and for said county and was so at the times of taking the foregoing affidavit, And that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this Sixth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three

Nelson Wolcott Clerk of Wyoming County

Loy '43
Page 65

No 3
Amendment to Moses Holmes' Declaration

State of New York Genesee County} SS

On this eleventh day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas now in session in the town of Batavia in and for said county, Moses Holmes, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following amendment in explanation of his declaration made the 15th of October 1832. -- that, by reason of old age, being now eighty four years old,, and the consequent loss of memory he can not swear positively as to the precise length of time of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, it was at least one month that he was in he militia before he received his appointment under the commissary -- that at the time of the settlement of his commissary Accounts with Walter Livingston, Deputy Commissary General, he had  served nine months and twenty six days -- that he continued in the service after this period which was on the 26th March 1776 until the month of October 1777, but that while at home in a poor state of health he was engaged in preparing his commissary accounts -- that he can not be more precise as to the length of his service than he has already stated in his declaration, but he is  positive as to the length of his service from the 26th of March 1776 up to the time of his going home which was at least one year and six (6) months -- that after this period he was in the service at least two months, that he was not engaged on any civil contract--but was in the regular militia as assistant Commissary under his military engagement -- that there is no clergyman of his acquaintance that his advanced age prevent him from attending divine service and for this reason
Page 66

He could not procure any clergyman to prove his character for veracity and his belief in his services -- that and he further declares that the Commissary Account annexed is his own hand writing -- that he had in his possession for a long time most of his commissary accounts but that they are all destroyed except the scrap annexed to his declaration. - 

Subscribed and sworn}
The day and year aforesaid }
In open court}

Timothy Fitch 
Clerk

Moses Holmes

No 4

State of New York}
Genesee County} SS

Lemuel B. Cut Hubert, of Pembroke in the county of Genesee in said state, appeared in open court before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas now sitting in the town of Batavia, in said county, being examined on oath deposeth and saith that he haS been acquainted with Moses Holmes who has made the foregoing affidavit more than twenty one years -- that he has frequently seen in his possession his commissary accounts and is well acquainted with his hand writing -- that he has frequently seen him write and has frequently examined said commissary accounts and compared them with his hand writing and that he has examine the scrap of commissary account attached to his declaration and believes it to be the hand writing of the said Moses Holmes -- and further saith not. 
Lemuel B Cuthbert

Subscribed and sworn}
In open court the 11th day }
Of July 1833}
Three words were lined through
Timothy Fitch Clerk
Page 67

No 5

State of New York}
Genesee County} SS

William M (inserted) Holmes, of the town of Pembroke in the said county, personally appearing in the open court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, now sitting in the town of Batavia, being examined on oath, deposeth and saith, that he is a son of Moses Holmes who has made the forgoing affidavit and is aged thirty two years -- that he has frequently seen in his father's possession his commissary accounts that they are now all destroyed except the scrap attached to his declaration -- that he as frequently seen his father -- write and is well acquainted with his hand writing and has no doubt that the Account attached to his declaration is his hand writing and that it is a part of his book accounts and further saith not. --

Sworne (sworn) and described in open court this 11th Feby 1833 _

William M Holmes
(signature) 

Timothy Fitch \\ clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after having examined Lemuel B. Cuthbert and William M. Holmes who have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits that the testimony is sufficient to establish the fact that the writing sworn to by the said witnesses is the hand writing of Moses Holmes and that it appears to them that the said witnesses are credible (illegible) and that their testimony is entitled to credit. -

Isaac Wilson
S. Cummings
Robert (illegible)
Page 68

State of New York}
Genesee County} SS

(Seal and some damage to document)

I, Timothy Fitch, clerk of the said court of Common Pleas of said county, do certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said court on the application of Moses Holmes to amend his declaration of the testimony of the witnesses adduced by him (illegible) whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11th February 1833. --

And I further certify that the affidavits of Moses Holmes and Lemuel B. Cuthbert and William M. Holmes were attached to the original declaration by the said court and that I have sealed the same with my seal of office.

Timothy Fitch  
Clerk
Page 69

December 1825 David Meads [illegible]
24. [illegible] boats .38
25. 4 wekks board 4.00
January 8 - 4 weaks 4.50
15. Settled with David meeds 12.46
22. by 2 est weaks board 2.25
26. by 5 day board 1.00
06. 1 Axe 1.00
19.51. [illegible] 1.50
7 bushel Corn 1.31
20.12
1.50
18.62
January 30 1826 this day Settled with David medes and found due me 18 dollars and 62 Cen
[illegible] 24 1825 David [illegible] 
by goods 3.72
Page 70

Spreadsheet

Column headings: 
By whom (illegible) | Where to | No. Height | No. (illegible) Nos | Flower | (illegible due to damage to document)

Second row of column headings:
777 | January | Etc | (used by first row) | (used by first row) | Bass | C | L | (illegible due to damage to document)

Third row of column headings:
Jan.y | Fort Ann | 777 | (remainder of headings left blank)

31 | James Johnson | Skeensborough | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 | (remainder of columns left blank)

Feb. 2 (overwriting illegible) | Harman Fort | Lake George | 1 | 2 | (six blank columns) | 7 | (remainder left blank)

7 | James Johnson | Skeensborough | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 23 | (remainder left blank)

(blank) | Stephen Moore | Albany | 1 | 4 | (ten blank columns ) | 3 | (remainder left blank)

(illegible) | Capt Richardson | Skeensborough | 1 | 5 | 5 |  10 | (remainder left blank)

13 | Joel Andruso | Skeensborough | 2 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 2 | 16 | (remainder left blank)

(blank) | Edy Miller | Skeensborough | 2 | 7 | 10 | 19 | 3 | 6 | (remainder left blank)

(blank) | Timothy Edwards | Skeensborough | 1 | (illegible) | 5 | 9 | 3 | 16 | (remainder left blank)

14th | Danl. Campbell | Skeensborough | 2 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 3 | 7 | (remainder left blank)

 (blank) | Tho--. Murray | Skeensborough | 2 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 3 | 14 | (remainder left blank)

19th | ^B Benjamin Lasifs | Ticonderoga | 1 | 11 |  (nine columns left blank) | 25 | (remainder left blank)

28 | (illegible) Yates | Ballstown | (blank) | 13 | (eleven spaces left blank | 6%

To The first of March 1777

(five spaces left blank) | 60 | 119 | (blank) | 17 | (two spaces left blank) | 7 | (two spaces left blank) | 25 | 3 | 6%  

Begin a New (illegible)

(could be initials) W Kf
Page 71

It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to the Surrogate's Court of Wyoming County, in the State of New York before the County Judge of said county having probate process that Moses Holmes was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of two hundred dollars per annum and that he died on the twenty fourth day of April 1842 leaving a widow whose name is Betsey Holmes, who was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of two hundred dollars per annum, & Children whose names are William Holmes  Fanny Cuthbert and Phebe Smith and that the said Betsey Holmes died on the 9th day of September 1843 leaving surviving her three children whose names are William Holmes Fanny Cuthbert and Phebe Smith as the only surviving children of the aforesaid Betsey Holmes, and that they all yet survive.

In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and official seal this 21st day of March 1850.

W. Riley Smith
 Wyoming Co. Judge.
Page 72

County of Wyoming}
State of New York}

On this 21st day of March 1850, Calvin Smith, personally appeared before me W. Riley Smith County Judge of the County and State aforesaid and County Judge of said County & State aforesaid & made oath in due form of law that he is Son in law of Moses and Betsey Holmes that the said Moses Holmes died on the 24th day of April 1842, leaving surviving him these children only, whose names are William Holmes Fanny Cuthbert & Phebe Smith and the said Betsey Holmes died on the 9th day of September 1843, and that the afore named children all yet survive, that they Moses and Betsey Holmes drew Pensions at the rate of $200 per annum each, and that he makes this declaration to obtain any arrears of Pension that may be due them as aforesaid. 

Calvin Smith [signature?]

See replies sworn to before me County Judge of Said County, the 21st day of March 1850.

W. Riley Smith
Wyoming County Judge
Page 73

Moses Holmes. 

20
Page 74

In the matter & of Moses Holmes, under the act of 7th June 1832

To J. L. Edwards Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir.
In your letter of the 18th Sept ulto, you state, that Moses Holmes pay was allowed at $20 per month & with the consent & approbation of the Hon: Mr Tracy, who attended to the adjustment of "his claim". There must be some mistake in reference to this matter, for Mr. Tracy expressly avers in a letter lately received from him, that "the pension was settled years before the rate was established. Mr Holmes says he was old, infirm and entirely destitute of the means of support. The Commissioner of Pensions, as I thought delayed, and I urged him to a decision. I took it for granted, that the pension of $200 was an arbitrary sum settled by him without any precise rule as to the amount. I protest against the conclusion drawn by him, that I consented to a compromise. Such a thing never entered my mind. Nor did I ever know upon what basis he made his calculation as to the time of service." It strikes me, that even if Mr Tracy had consented to a compromise, it should not militate against the claim of Mr Holmes. Mr Tracy had no authority, to barter away the rights of Mr Holmes --
Page 75

2d -- We do not understand what you mean by his being allowed "half pay," nor are we aware, that there are any cases where the law warrants the reduction of pay at this rate.

3d -- you say he was "allowed for 20 months," service as an assistant Commissary of Issues, at $20 per month, after a careful examination of the extent and character of his duties & Now I would respectfully represent, that it no where appears that the character of his duties as an Assistant Commissary of Issues, differs in the least degree from the character of the duties performed by other Commissaries of Issues who have had awarded to them that amount of pay now claimed for Mr Holmes, viz $50 instead of $20 per month.

4th The fact that Mr Holmes was a private soldier when he received the appointment of Commissary is alluded to by you as furnishing a reason why his pay should not be so high as others. Now it is a notorious fact, that a large majority of these commissaries, were taken from among the private citizens of the republic, (& not from the army) and I can enumerate among my own immediate acquaintances four or five, who or whose widows now receive their stipend of $50 per month, & who never belonged to the army at all.

5th You further state, that "these assistant Commissaries when not taken from the line, were paid various rates from that of a Quarter Master Sargent to that of a Lieutenant." I have taken the pains to read attentively all the resolves of Congress from 1775 to 1783 inclusive, and cannot find any ground for such an opinion.

6th You say, that Mr Holmes "did not belong to that class of commissaries, having charge of Depots,
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"whose pensions have been adjusted by the highest rate authorized by the act." I have looked in vain for any resolve of Congress allowing higher pay to those having charge of Depots than to other Commissaries. On the contrary, I find that travelling commissaries received additional pay, & that the Depot system met with little favor, being found more expensive than useful. See resolve of 15, July 1780.

The posts, places, magazines or districts were assigned to assistant Commissaries in the first years of the war. They were appointed by the Dep. Commissary Genrl Resolves of Congress vol. 3, 1777 at page 221.

Resolve of Congress March 16th 1779. "Whereas the issuing Commissaries of Provisions, are by their appointments attached to the particular departments, which from a change of circumstances, & the position of the army, is become inconvenient, Resolved, therefore, that all issuing Commissaries, shall for the future attend to and perform the duties of their office at such place & with such detachment of the army, as shall be directed by  the Commander in chief or  Com. Genrl of Issues".
I am very respectfully your Obt Servt
G.F. Yates
[illegible] Oct: 22d 1840
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Schenectada, Feby 4th 1840
J.L. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:
Moses Holmes enlisted at Tyrringham Mass into Captain Jacob Brown's Company, Col. James Easton's Regiment in the spring of the year 1775, and marched to Ticonderoga.  After he had been there a few days, he was taken from the ranks by Gen'l Schuyler, and appointed a Commissary, to succeed a Mr. Coffin who had been dismissed.  Mr. Holmes continued to act as Commissary for more than four years, serving at Ticonderoga, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Saratoga, Stillwater etc.  While in the service he was ordered to Rhode Island, where he acted as Commissary in the Connecticut line, & thus acted in the Northern and Eastern Departments through the revolutionary war.  He made his returns to Majors Livingston, & Gray & lastly to Maj'r Avery, as Commissaries General.  He was an issuing Commissary of provisions, forage, etc.

The whole of the foregoing facts no doubt fully appear from his papers in the matter of his application for a pension under the Act of 7th June 1832, now on file in your office -- and is deemed only necessary to call attention to them, & have them reexamined, in order to insure an increase of Mr. Holmes's pension.  He served twice as long as the law requires, to entitle him to full pay, & this he asks for.  Mr. Holmes is very poor & is now 92 years of age, and therefore
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what is due to him he would like to receive.

I apprehend that there is not the least
deficiency of proof in his case. He says he furnished several sheets from his books of account as Commissary, and his name will be found among the papers of Genl Washington on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the United States.

Very Respectfully
your obt servt
Giles F. Yates
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letter to Giles F. Yates
June 22nd 1841,
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Schenectada Mar. 30 1841
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

In the investigation of the claim of Moses Holmes under the act of 7 June 1832,
it appeared to be somewhat material to
satisfy you as to the amount of pay
Mr. Holmes actually received while in the
service. His affidavit in reference to that
matter is enclosed.
very respectfully
Your obt servt
G. F. Yates
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Batavax NY May 13. 1833

Dear Doctor

I enclose you back the pension papers of
Moses Holmes. I feel interested in this case not only because this poor old man is in extreme indigences and entirely dependant on charity for his support but because I wrote him from Washington of your assurance that if he would forward competent evidence to prove
that the old tattered account annexed to his declaration [underline begins]was in his original hands writing[underline ends] and account for the nonproduction of the certificate of a clergyman that you would report in favor of his receiving the amount allowed to a commissioned officer of [underline begins]the benefits grade.[underline ends]

All this proof was made out but yet the evidence was deemed not satisfactory

It is impossible for an infirm old man 84 years of age & in extreme indigence and without friends to present the country after proof. He knows not of a witness in the world to prove his service -- and must stand or fall by the papers now enclosed. That he is honest & credible I will vouch. That he tells a plain & probable & consistent story any one at first glance will readily perceive.

You ask for proof to establish the fact that Walter Livingston was Commissary General. I will refer you to the best which I can refer you to and which is [underline begins]incontrovertible.[underline ends] 

[underline begins]Nide Journals of old Congress Vol 2: 124[underline ends] pages
about the middle of page where the accounts of Walter Livingston [underline begins]"Deputy Commissary General"[underline ends] for the Northern Department together with these of [underline begins]General Montgomery Jonathan Brumbull Bur[underline ends] Paymaster General are settled
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by the commissioners of accounts of the army - 

It is impossible to furnish any further evidence And the rejection of these papers in my humble opinion will be equivalent to a denial of justice.

Respectfully yours
P L Tracy
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State of New York}
County of Wyoming} SS

On this twenty second day of April 1843 personally appeared before me Abel Wilder a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, Mrs. Betsy Holmes a resident of Attica in the County of Wyoming aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of congress, passed on the 3rd March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War -- That she is the widow of Moses Holmes who was an assistant commissary of Issues and the annual amount of pension she received under act of July 7, 1838, was two hundred dollars per annum -- She further declares that she is still a widow.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, and I do hereby further certify that Mrs. Betsy Holmes is personally known to me as the widow of Moses Holmes deceased.
Abel Wilder
Justice of the Peace

Betsy [Her X Mark] Holmes
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State of New York}
Wyoming County} SS

I, Nelson Wolcott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Abel Wilder is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine -- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 25th day of April 1843

Nelson Wolcott Clerk
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Attica Wyoming Co. New York
March 10, 1843

Sir,

In your letter of the 17th inst you are willing to grant in my name a pension under act July 7, 1838 at the rate of $200 per Annum. As the widow of Moses Holmes late a pensioner under Act 7 June 1832 New York Agency at the same rate of allowance I do wance as a limit to my claim under your decision.
hereby under oath accept of the proposed allo
I am very
respectfully Your etc
hen
Betsy [Her X Mark] Holmes


{signed on left-side margin}
Witness J.G. Hoyt and A. Wilder

To Jas S Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sworn to and subscribed that day and year above written before me

Abel Wilder
J Peace of said County

State of New York}
Wyoming County} SS

I Nelson Wolcott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Wyoming County and Clerk of said County Certify that Abel Wilder is a Justice of the peace here in and for said County as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is Genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name, this tenth day of March 1843
Nelson Wolcott
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Wyoming County