Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43639, John Gridley, Continental
Page 1

SERVICE
Continental

Gridley, John

NUMBER
S. 43639
B.L.Wt. 804 - 200 - Capt Lieut.
Issued Jan. 26, 1790 to
John May assignee
No papers
Page 2

[Left side of page] 
Died
Dec. 1, 1830
[Written sideways] Annulled

[Right side of page]
3044.
New York Roll

John Gridley Captain
Col. Crane [Mass: is crossed out]
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Continental

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence the 30th of March 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th Sept. 1818 and sent to the Rev. Cornelius D. Westbrook Fishkill New York

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818  103.95
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4th Mar 1819  120.00
Arrears 5 Mo 2/31 4/30    $223.95 

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Page 3

State of New York
Dutchess County John Gridley being duly sworn saith that he is now a resident of the Town of Fishkill County of Dutchess and State of New York that he served in the War of the Revollution on the Continental establishment in the Massachusetts Line from the year 1777 till the end of the war as a Captain Lieutenant of artillery part of the time under Captain David Bryant who was killed at the Battle of Brandywine and part of the time under Captain Henry Burbeck of the Sixth Company in Col John Cranes Regiment. That he received a commission as Captain Lieutenant under the seal of the United States [of: crossed out] in the third Battalion of artillery in the army of the United States to take rank from 1 January 1777 Dated 21st April 1780 Signed by Sam Huntington President of Congress and Ben Stoddert Secretary of the board of war - and he received a Brevet Commission under the seal of the United States - of Captain - Dated at Princeton October 1783 Signed Elias Boudinot President Countersigned B Lincoln -
And that he is by reason of his reduced circumstances - his life in need of assistance from his country for support and that he does not nor ever has received or been allowed any Pension from Government of the United States
Page 4

and farther the Deponent saith not

John Gridley

I sworn this thirtieth day
of March 1818 before me
Daniel Verplanck
Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Dutchess
State of N York

I Daniel C. Verplanck one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas in
and for the County of Dutchess in
the State of New York - Do certify
that the above named John Gridley
is personally known to me and
that it appears satisfactory to me
that he served in the Revolutionary
War against the common enemy
as by his oath above is stated and
that the above oath here of together
with on examination of the Commissions mentioned in the affidavit
of the said John Ridley in the evidence
thereof

Daniel C Verplanck
Fishkill Dutchess County March 30th 1818-
Page 5

At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Court House in the Village of Poughkeepsie
in and for the County of Dutchess in the State of New York on the twenty ninth
day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty -

Present the Hon James Emott First Judge
Daniel Verplanck
Thomas Sweet
Enos Hopkins
Esquires Judges

Dutchess County ss: Be it remembered that on the twenty ninth day of June
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally
appeared in the Court of Common Pleas in open court the said Court
being a Court of Record for the County of Dutchess in the State of New York
John Gridley aged sixty nine years resident in the town of Fishkill
in the County of Dutchess and State of New York who being first duly
sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the
Revolutionary War as follows; on the first day of January 1777 he was
appointed and commissioned a Captain in a Regiment of Artillery attached
to the Massachusetts line of the American army of the Revolution
commanded by Colonel John Crane, that he served as a Captain in
said Regiment until the close of the war when he was discharged at West
point that the Commission of the Deponent is now in the War Office
and to which he refers.. and that his original declaration is dated the
thirtieth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
and that his pension certificate is No 2297-
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 prove
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 day of March one thousand eight
hundred and eighteen and that I have not nor has any person in local
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 aware
and by me subscribed to wit.
Real Estate, one lot of land situate in the town of Fishkill in the
Page 6

County of Dutchess aforesaid containing two acres of land with a
house thereon sixteen feet by eighteen one and a half story high with
a kitchen at the north end of the house one story high about
sixteen feet square, the buildings are very old and not worth much
This property is encumbered with a mortgage to Thomas Osborn of
Fishkill for the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars
Personal estate, wearing apparel and bedding excepted as follows
one chest
one trunk
six chairs
one table
one stand
twelve sheep
3 Pots & Kettles
1 Pan, 1 Spider
Notes due to me from
Lewis Hide for $7.00
Benj Green - c.87

The Deponent further saith that in addition to the mortgage above
mentioned he is indebted to sundry persons in about the sum of two
hundred and sixty five dollars - and he also says that his family
for whom he provides consists of himself, his son John Gridley
Junior aged fifteen years and George B Gridley aged twelve years
that his two sons are in health, but are but very little assistance
to the deponent, the Deponent says he is by trade a
Cabinet maker, but from his age and his infirmity having a
local complaint which makes much exertion dangerous he is
unable to labour -

John Gridley
Sworn this 29 day of June 1820
in open Court John Johnston Clerk -

I John Johnston Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County
of Dutchess in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing oath
and schedule are truly copied from the Records of said Court, and I further
certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in
value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is as follows
the value of the real property is six hundred dollars subject to the said
mortgage of three hundred & fifty dollars leaving for it two hundred & fifty dollars
and the value of the personal property is twenty dollars-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affirmed
the seal of said Court this twenty ninth day of June 1820
Page 7

April 20, 1935

John Gridley-S.43639
John Gridley-S.32137
showed by W

Norman G. Cridley, M.D.
108 South Main street
Horseheads, New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
records of Captain John Gridley, of Colonel Crane's Regiment of
Artillery, who settled at Fishkill, New York and of John Gridley,
who served as a private from Medfield, Massachusetts, both soldiers
of the Revolutionary War.

The records of those soldiers are furnished herein.

John Gridley
S.43639

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 43639, based upon the military
service in that war of John Gridley.

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
John Gridley are not shown.

John Gridley was commissioned, April 21, 1780, captain lieutenant,
to rank from January 1, 1777, served in Captain David
Bryant's and Henry Burbeck's Companies, Colonel John Crane's 3"
Regiment of Continental Artillery: he was in the battle of Brandywine,
where he received a wound the nature of which was not stated,
and where Captain Bryant was killed, and in the battles of Germantown
and Monmouth in October, 1783, he was commissioned captain
by brevet and continued to serve until the end of the war. His place
of residence at the time he entered the service was not shown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 30,
1818, at which time he was a resident of Fishkill, Dutchess County,
New York, and gave his age as sixty-six years. In 1822, he stated
that he was aged seventy-six years.

Soldier
in Heitman
Bath
Capt in
2" Cont
Artillery.
Page 8

John Gridley died December 1, 1830, place not shown.

In 1820, the soldier stated that his family then residing
with him consisted of two sons, John Junior, aged fifteen years
and George E., aged twelve years. No names of any other children
are shown and there are no data in regard to soldier's wife.

John Gridley
S.23137
W should be

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23137, based upon the military
service of John Gridley in that war.

John Gridley was born at Roxbury, Massachusetts. The date
of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.

In 1775, while residing at Medbury, Massachusetts, John Gridley
joined a company of minute men, commanded by Captain Man or
Mann, and on April 19, 1775, upon receipt of news of the battle
of Lexington and Concord, marched in said company to Cambridge,
Massachusetts shortly after his arrival here, enlisted in Captain
John Boyd's Company, Colonels Heath and John Greston's Massachusetts
Regiment: was in the battle of Bunker Hill; volunteered
for the expedition to Canada, served as a private in Captain
Ward's Company, Colonel Benedict Arnold's Regiment, marched to
Quebec enduring many hardships on the journey, and was in the attack
on that city, December 31, 1775, when he was taken prisoner
and held in confinement, a part of the time in irons, until August,
1776, when he was placed on board a ship and taken to New York,
and in September, 1776, was released.

After the Revolution, he resided at Petersham, Worcester
County, Massachusetts, for a while, then moved to Middleburg,
Schoharie County, New York, where he died September 15, 1824,
aged about seventy years.

The soldier married August 20, 1780, in Petersham, Massachusetts,
Anna Rixford. Both were then of said Petersham. The
date and place of birth of Anna and the names of her parents are
not stated.
Page 9

Anna, widow of John Gridley, was allowed pension on her application
October 7, 1838, at which time she was aged
seventy-seven years and resided in Middleburgh, New York.

No reference was made to children.

Very truly yours

A. D. MILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 10

COPY

Honorable P. B. Porter
Sec'y of War

War Department
Pension Office
November 17, 1828

Sir:

The commissions of John Gridley are in this office. The first is
dated April, 1780 which gives him rank as Captain-Lieutenant in Crane's
Artillery from January 1, 1777. The second is dated in October, 1783.
The rolls do not show the length of his service but his commissions
prove sufficiently that he served to the end of the war.

J. L. E.
Page 11

OFFICE HOURS
1-3 AND 7-8

TELEPHONE
M'WS. 206

NORMAN G. GRIDLEY, M. D.
105 SOUTH MAIN STREET
HORSEHEADS, N. Y.

April 13, 1836

Veterans Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

I am writing to ask if you would
kindly inform me if you have any record
of the application for pension or pension record
for the Revolutionary War service of:
1. Captain Lieut John Gridley of Col. Crane's Regiment of Massachusetts Artillery.
(settled in Fishkill, N.Y.)
2. Private John Gridley of Medfield, Massachusetts -
served in Captain Sabin Man's, Captain John Boyd's Company; 36th Mass. Regiment.

Any information you can give me will be
greatly appreciated.

Very truly yours,
Norman G. Gridley
1st. Lieut. Medical Corps Reserve

RECEIVED
APR 14 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM
READER f 5
Page 12

1936 Apr 28. Hist To
Norman G. Gridley EL

43639
INVALID.
Revy

File No. KS.639
John Gridley
Capt Rev War

Act: 18 March 18
Index: - Vol. 3, Page 205
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 13

List of officers belonging to the 3rd Battal of Artillery
in the service of the United States Commanded by Col
John Crane at disbandment of the Revolutionary army

on local Point the 10th of June 1783

Name: John Crane
Rank: 1
Commission: Colonel
Dead

Name: John Popkins
Rank: 2nd
Commission: Lieut. Col.
Custom House Office Boston

Name: William Perkins
Rank: 3
Commission: Major
Dead

Name: William Treadwell
Rank: 1
Commission: Captain
Dead

Name: Benjamin Frothingham
Rank: 2
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: Winthrop Seargent
Rank: 3
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: William Seward
Rank: 4
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: Nathaniel Donnell
Rank: 5
Commission: Ditto
Living poor in Jersey

Name: Henry Burbick
Rank: 6
Commission: Ditto
At New London, complaining poverty.

Name: John Lillie
Rank: 7
Commission: Ditto
Dead

Name: Thomas Voss
Rank: 8
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: Thomas Jackson
Rank: 9
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: Samuel Shaw
Rank: 10
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: William Johnson
Rank: 1st
Commission: Capt. Lieut.
Ditto

Name: John Callender
Rank: 2nd
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: John Gridley
Rank: 3rd
Commission: Ditto
Living in poverty at Middleburgh

Name: Jacob Kemper
Rank: 4th
Commission: Ditto
Dead

Name: John Peirce
Rank: 5th
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: John George
Rank: 6th
Commission: Ditto
Ditto

Name: Constant Freeman
Rank: 7th
Commission: Ditto
3rd and in Navy Department

Name: James Gardner
Rank: 8th
Commission: Ditto
Dead
Page 14

[Column headings from previous page: Name. Rank. Commission. Remanded./

James Hall. 9th. Ditto [Capt. Lieut].  Ditto [Dead].
Charles Knowles. 10th. Ditto. Ditto.
Daniel Jackson. 1st. First Lieut. Ditto.
William Price. 2d. Ditto. Ditto.
Daniel Jackson. 3d. Ditto. Ditto.
Samuel Jeffords. 4h. Ditto. Ditto.
Florence Crowley. 5h. Ditto. a galant qood officer but died in the poor house.
Abjah Hammond. 6h. Ditto. Living in NY in [illegible]
George Ingersoll. 7h. Ditto. Dead.
John Howell. 8h. Ditto. Ditto.
William Andrews. 9h. Ditto. Ditto.
David Mason. 10h. Ditto. Ditto.
John Liswell. 1st. 2d Lieut. Dead.
Joseph Bliss. 2d. Ditto. Ditto.
Samuel Cooper. 3d. Ditto. Still living in N York
Benj'n Eaton. 4h. Ditto. Dead.
Moses Porter. 5th. Ditto. [illegible] B.G. & living in Boston
William Moor. 6h. Ditto. Dead.
Edward Blake. 7h. Ditto. Dead.
Ebenezer Jackson. 8h. Ditto. living at Augusta Georgia
Aaron Pardie. 9h. Ditto. Dead.
John Austin. 10. Ditto. Ditto.

Then you will observe - out of 43. Revolutionary characters of one Regiment there remains but 10. and I believe the circumstances of all are but wretched except one or two - The extent of war the [illegible] 10th Eustis now member of Congress was personally acquainted with the whole as also my most esteemed friend Col C [illegible] who them I appealed for the truth of the above
[illegible]
Page 15

The papers on which this is written does not seem to be hand made and therefore not of the era of the Rev.
there is no date and no signature which in parts
its value.
Nor is any mention of it made in the claims of
John Gridley
Capt. Cont. Art.
SH 3639
from which it was taken
Page 16

John Gridley, captain.
Hon W.W. Van Wyck, H.R.
Age 69. Served from 1777 to 1783.
1 son, 15 years of age & 1 of 12 years
Property - two acres of land, with a house thereon, furniture, &c a Cabinet maker by trade. The property is valued at $600, subject to a mortgage of $350. Since his name was dropt from the roll all his property has been sold.

Allowed
J. C. C.
Page 17

2297
New York Roll.
[checkmark] John Gridley  4
[Massachusetts Art is crossed out] Captain 1777. 6 years
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month, to commence on the 30th of March, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 of Aug. 1818. and sent to Danl. C. Verplank, Esq
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
[Semi-anl. all'ce ending is crossed out] 3 months 2/31 & 4/30 $103.95
======
$103.95

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Crane
Fishkill, Dutchess Co.
Discontinued
Page 18

Act of [illegible] sent to {illegible] Poughkeepsie
20th July 1820
Page 19

New York
John Gridley,
of Dutchess Co in the State of New York
who was a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Crane of the [Massachusetts is crossed out] line, for the term of six years.
Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 30 of March 1818.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 of Aug. 1818 and sent to Danl C. Verplank
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
---
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 - $103.95
[Semi-anl all'ce ending is crossed out] $103.95
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
[Illegible] of May 1822
Page 20

Identification of the statement ? May 1832 addressed
and ? to W. W. Van Wyck, H.R.

Dropt from the Roll under Act 15 May
1828  ? Nov 1828 to the Pension
Agent.
Page 21

Revolutionary Claims

Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.

Treasury Department,
[added by hand "18 Nov 1828"]

Sir: 
I have the honor to inform you, that [added by hand "John Gridley"] formerly [added by hand "Capt Lieut"] in [added by hand "Col Crane's"] Regiment of the[crossed out] [added by hand "Artillery of the"] line of the Continental Army; and who has heretofore received a pension at the [added by hand "New York"] agency, has been admitted to the benefits of the abovementioned act.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[added by hand "Richard Rush"]

the Hon. the Secretary of War
[added by hand "No 117"]
Page 22

[added by hand "No of Annual Payment = 240"]


Revolutionary Claims

Treasury Department

[added by hand "6 Nov 1828"]
[added by hand "John Gridley"] of [added by hand "Fishkill"] in the County of [added by hand "Dutchess"] in the State of [added by hand "New York"] has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such [added by hand "to the end of the war,"] at which period he was a [added by hand "Captain"] in [added by hand "Col Crane's"] regiment of the[crossed out] [added by hand "Artillery of the"] line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1788; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since[crossed out] [added by hand "from"] the 3rd of March, 1826, [added by hand "to the [?] dept 1826, $20 per month"] dollars[crossed out], paid to him by the agent in the State of [added by hand "New York."]
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
[added by hand "By Order of the Secretary"]
[added by hand "Jeff Dickins"]

Treasury Department,
Third Auditor's Office,
[added by hand "7th November 1828"]

It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to [added by hand "John Gridley, Lieutenant"] in the[crossed out] [added by hand "Crane's Artillery"] line[crossed out], amounting to [added by hand "Two Thousand"] dollars.
It further appears that [added by hand "John Gridley"] is not on the pension list of the [added by hand "New York"] agency, as has been since the [added by hand "3d March 1826"] at the rate of [added by hand "Twenty Dollars"] per month.
[added by hand "Peter Hagner Aud"]
Page 23

Revolutionary Claims.

Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828. 

Treasury Department,
15 Nov 1828.

The annexed paper, relating to the claim of John Gridley under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether a commission, and, if so, what commission, [added by hand "or the evidence of his rank"], was received at the War Department, from the claimant on an application stated to have been heretofore made be him for a pension.

[added by hand "Richard Rush"]
The Hon. the Secretary of War.

[added by hand "Letter from the War Department 17 Nov 1828"]
Page 24

Washington May 3rd 1822
Sir
Since I was at the war office this morning I have recd. a letter from John Gridley, which I enclose. The old man beggs hard, and not without  a reason he is not only poor, but unwell, and probably will not live long to enjoy the little he may receive - this I state from personal knowledge, as he lives my neighbourhood - He very truly says, that his all has been taken from him by his creditors. To [unclear] him, I think will not only be an act of justice, but humanity.
I have also recd. information from Mrs Van Negs after being made acquainted with all the facts, she fully acquiesces in the decision of the court at West Ton [unclear] against her son, and acknowledges her gratitude to you, for your promising to restore him next Janry. provided his improvement at home enable him to join his class at that time.
Yours respectfully etc. Wm. W. Van Wyck
[unclear] J. G. Calhoun
Page 25

Fishkill
March 29th
free
Wilm. W. Van Wyck Esq.
In Congress
Washington City
Page 26

Fishkill April 29th 1822
Dear Sir
I find by the proceedings in the Senate that the bill for the relief of those revolutionary soldiers who were struck from the pension rolls by the [unclear] of war has been rejected & being by various causes reduced to an absolute necessitous situation, at 75 years of age to old & infirm to work & without the means of paying my board I am constrained to apply to you to interest yourself on my behalf.
The only course that appears to me as offering a prospect of success to petition Congress directly for relief that is to have my name
Page 27

placed on the pension list, my being struck from the list was unjust in as much as it was well known that at the time I did not actually possess property to an assessment sufficient to exclude me from the benefits of the law, altho nominally I was in the possession of a few acres & which was taken from me in immediately after my pension was stoped & the consequence thereof that is the mortgage was foreclosed & my little house & lot was sold. I am led to believe that some [unclear] before [unclear] have been made to the Secy of war which had to the striking off of my name, perhaps the Secy. would give you all the information on that subject in his possession if applied to I can notify them
Page 28

has been as I suspect unfair statements made ask for the name or names of the persons, but would [unclear] you to make the inquiry if you can consistently that you may be able from your knowledge of my situation & the truth of the whole case, be able to correct any unfavorable impression they may have made.
If any other course appears to you better that the one I have suggested I wish you would accept it.  I am really in of assistance from my Country, I [unclear] my County services & I only ask to be so far assisted as to  be above actual want.  I have been at board 2 years without any means of paying & without the prospect of any [unclear] from the justice of the govt.
Your obdt. sevt.
John Gridley
N.B. I believe that Mr Smith of Maryland knew me while attached to Genl. Southwood brigade. If it is the same he will know something of my services.
J.G.
Page 29

Major C Van Venter
New York 13th October 1821

Dear Sir,
At the request of Sargent Benjamin Lathem who you no doubt would recollect, has forwarded to from Doctor Swift to enable him to obtain a pension. I have known Sargent Lathem for many years and always considered him as a vigilant, trusty, and correct non-commissioned officer and verily believe that his present debilitated state was produced by his being and faithful service in the United States Army, and that his claim on the County of his Country is preferable to many who saying it, and should be much gratified if you can, in any way, promote the acquirement of the relief he solicits.
Be pleased to inform me if anything has been  decided on respecting Captain John Gridley
latter application for a renewal of his pension. He is far beyond description. 
I counsel Mr. Edward on the subject in July last, but have heard nothing since, all well in haste.
Yours truly,
Sami Cooper
Page 30

New York 2nd. July 1821
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
At the request of Capt. John Gridley (with whom I have been acquainted since the commencement of our revolutionary War), I herewith forward the Documents required in your letter to William H Buckley Esq. of the 20th of May last and really hope for his sake, they may prove satisfactory and be the means of his obtaining a pension certificate as I do think his past services and present [unclear] intitle him to a just claim on the bounty of his country - and should be most gratified in his success. When the Honble. Secretary of War concedes to grant the certificate It is the request of Capt. Gridley that you would inclose it to your Respectful & very ([unclear} Serv.
Saml. Cooper
Page 31

Dear Sir, My situation is hard to think that
I must be struck of the Pension List who has done so much for his Country. General Washington left my name in Congress to Call for Service that I am my Country when
I took land how baggage the armis amenition
that was sold to Congress. I never received any pay and being wounded at the Brandywine action when I left the Army. I did not want, but now, I am poor and in want and seventy years of age and not able to work and when I received pension struck of I had to quit my
home and give it all up and now nothing to live on.  It is hard as I was so much in debt that my property is all gone and no home. I wish you to reconsider my case. 
You are the only man that can help me and I beg of your favor to help me Sir. I send you my last warrant in this letter for you to reconsider my case.
Page 32

This letter is from Captain John Gridley late a pensioner of Massachusetts or New York line.
[illegible]
Page 33

State of New York

Dutchess County ⎬
I, Jacob Van Ness, Clerk of the County of  Dutchess and Clerk of the Court of 
Common Please do hereby certify that James
W. Oppie before whom the within and annexed affidavits were taken and sworn, was on the days when the said affidavits were taken and sworn, a Commissioner for said County of Dutchess duly commissioned and sworn and as such Commissioner duly authorized by the laws of said State, to take any affidavits or other oaths to be read or used in any Court of Record in this State and
that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said James W. Oppie and verily believe the signature subscribed to the said affidavits as
Commissioner is the proper handwriting of the said James W. Oppie.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court this
Eighteenth day of June one thousand Eight hundred and twenty one. 1821
Jacob Van Ness
Page 34

Dutchess County } Thomas Osborn of the Town of Fishkill in the said County, being duly sworn doth deposes and say that he this deponent died on the thirteenth day of January 1821.
Received of John Gridley one hundred & eighty dollars. It being part of the money his property sold for on the sixth (6) day of January 1821.
Sworn the 12th day of June before me
Thomas Osborn
J. W. Oppie Commissioner to take Affidavits.
Page 35

Dutchess County SS James Given of the town of Fishkill in the said County being duly sworn doth depose & say that he this deponent did on the thirteenth day of January 1821 Received of John Gridley forty nine dollars & Eighty nine Cents in full, which was part of the money that the Property of John Gridley & sold for on the Sixth day of Jany 1821, and this deponent further saith not.
[Signed] James Given
Sworn before me this 11th day of June 1821-
[Signed] Jas. H. Oppie Commissioner to [illegible] &c
Page 36

Dutchess Com pleas
Cornelius C Van Wyck

John Gridly
This is to Certify that on or about the first day of November 1820 a Bond & Mortgage was left in my hands to be foreclosed again the above Defendant to the about of three Hundred dollars with interest for two or three years, I then advised the defendant to confess Judgement on the Bond as it would be less expensive, the defendant did accordingly on the 17th of the same month Confess a Judgement on the said Bond & I issued an Execution on the said Judg't for three hundred & Sixty three dollars & Eighty seven cents and the Sheriff of the County of Dutchess sold the Property of the said Defendant on the 6th day of January 1821 for six hundred & twelve dollars & the sheriff costs was Eighteen dollars & twenty Eight Cents making in all Debt & Costs $382.11 Cents leaving a ballance due of $229.89 cents which I am convinced he has paid out to others who he was assisted by which was not sufficient to pay all the demands that was against him dated this 5th day of June 1821
[Signed] Jas W. Oppie Plffs Atty
Page 37

I Gilbert Ketcham late Sheriff of Dutchess do hereby certify that as sheriff of said County I did on the 6th day of January 1821. Sell the property of the within named defendant, John Gridley on the execution & for the sum within mentioned. Dated 6th day of June 1821.
[Signed] Gilbert Ketcham
Late Sheriff

John Gridley & wife to Cornelius C Van Wyck
Mortgage Dated 10th May 1802 in consideration of $250- on two lots of land in the Town of Fishkill in the County of Dutchess containing two acres of land be the same more
or less.
[Signed] Jacob Van Ness Clerk of Dutchess County
Page 38

[Address written sideways on the page]
FREE
J.C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
Washington City

[Written on left side of page]
Mr. Gridley was written to April 29 1822 to produce a copy of the mortgage and sent to care of C Borland Jr. H R

[Written upside down on page]
N.Y.
Rec'd 29 Mar.1821
Page 39

Rec'd 29 Mar.1821
N.Y.

[Address written sideways on the page]
FREE
J.C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
Washington City
Page 40

State of New York Poughkeepsie March 26 1821
Hon J. C. Calhoun Secretary at War
Sir
About two months since I enclosed to the war department a copy of the oath and Inventory of John Gridley a Captain in the Revolutionary Army for the purpose of having his name continued on the Pension Roll, and requested you to forward his certificate to me, you will confer a favor on Capt Gridley by examining his papers and forwarding the certificate to me as soon as convenient.
If the papers have not been received at the War Office please inform me and I will procure another copy and forward it immediately
I am Sir with great respect your most Obedient Servant
[Signed] Wm Henry Bulkley

546 [Circled in lower left corner of page]
Page 41

New Winsor December 22 1820
Dear Sam 
I am at Judge Morrells he desire to write to the Sectry of War and desired him to look over my situation that I am in when I received my Penchon Struck of the List my Cretors all call on me and drove hard so that I was oblidge to give up all and now I dont owe anything and In my Seventy year and not able to work what to do I no not it his hard that I should be cast of to beg I am a shamed and to steel I will not you must do for me what you can and if any further is to be dun to I wish the secetry of war to send to you
Yours
[Signed] John Gridley
to Major Samuel Cooper
New York
PS. I wish you to Direct all for me
Page 42

To Major Samuel Cooper New York
Page 43

Capt. Gridley's
Papers
Hon. W. W. Van Wyck
See letter A May 1822.
Page 44

Dutchess Com Pleas
Cornelius C Van Wyck
v
John Gridley
I James Oppie Plaintiffs attorney entered up a Judgement in the above entitled suit November 17th 1820 by Confession for the penal sum in the Bond which was [illegible]-- $500-
17th November and paid execution for - $353  I am agg
Costs taxed - - -  - - 10
Making in all - - - - $363
The Defendants property was sold on the Sixth of Jany 1821 for
$602-
Sheriffs fees on the sale - - - $-18.28
Making in all - - - - - - $381.28
Paid James Given - - - 50
Paid Thomas Ausbern - - - - 180.72

The affidavits of James Given & Thomas Ausbern of Receipts have been forwarded to the war Office Some time since
James W Oppie Pltffs Atty
Page 45

Oath & Inventory of Capt. John Gridley a Revolutionary Officer.
Page 46

At a Court of Common Pleas held at [the: is crossed out] Poughkeepsie in and for the County of Dutchess in the State of New York on the sixteenth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty one the said Court being a Court of Record for the said County of Dutchess
Present James Emott First Judge
Judges
Abraham D Van Wyck
Thomas Sweet
Enos Hopkins

Dutchess County SS Be it remembered that on the said sixteenth day of January aforesaid John Gridley appeared in the said Court and in open Court on his oath declares that he the said John Gridley on or about the twenty ninth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty did appear in this Court and did then in open Court on his oath, he having been duly sworn according to law, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, on the first day of January 1777 he was appointed and commissioned a Captain in a Regiment of Artillery attached to the Massachusetts line of the American Army of the Revolution commanded by Colonel John Crane. That he served as a captain in said Regiment until the close of the war when he was discharged at West point that the commission of the deponent is now in the war office & to which he refers. That his original declaration was dated the thirtieth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and his pension certificate was No 2297. And this deponent now further declares that he did on the said twenty ninth day of June aforesaid take and subscribe the oath in such case made and provided and did then and there exhibit an Inventory and schedule of his estate and effects as follows
" Real estate, one lot of land situate in the town of Fishkill in the
" County of Dutchess aforesaid containing two acres of land with a
Page 47

" house thereon sixteen feet by eighteen feet one and a half story high
" with a Kitchen at the north end of the house, one story high about
" sixteen feet square, the buildings are very old and not worth much.
" This property is encumbered with a mortgage to Thomas Osborn of
" Fishkill for the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars
" Personal estate wearing apparel & bedding excepted as follows 
" one chest  one stand
" one Trunk  twelve Sheep
" six chairs    3 Pots & Kettles
" one Table   1 Pan/ Spider
Notes due to me from Lewis Hyde for $7.00 
Benjn Green 4.87
The deponent further saith that in addition to the Mortgage above
"mentioned he is indebted to sundry persons in about the sum of two
"hundred and sixty five dollars." This deponent further saith that this Court then and there affixed a value to the said real and personal estate as will appear by reference to the records of this Court and the copy thereof in the War Office to which this deponent refers. This deponent afterwards received notice that he was no longer continued on the pension list-
And this deponent now here further declares on his oath and says that since his exhibiting the schedule of his estate as aforesaid and since the receipt of the said notice to wit on the sixth day of January now Instant all the estate and property of this deponent liable to execution, was sold by the Sheriff of Dutchess County by virtue of an execution issued on a Judgment fairly and bonafide obtained in favor of Cornelius C Van Wyck in this Court on the bond accompanying the mortgage mentioned in above Inventory - that said Judgment was obtained and said property was sold bonafide and without the procurement of this deponent or any other person
Page 48

with his knowledge for the purpose of bringing himself within the provisions of the Act of Congress - 

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of any 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 day 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 to wit - 2 notes of Lewis Hyde and Benjamin Green aforesaid makers insolvent - The deponent has no other property, wearing apparel and bedding excepted - That this deponent has to provide for himself and his son George & Gridley aged 12 and a half years - That this deponent is aged sixty nine years and rising, is by trade a cabinet maker, but is unable to labour and is dependent upon others for his support.
John Gridley

Sworn in open court this sixteenth day of January in the year 1821
John Johnston Clerk

 I John Johnston Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and Schedule are truly copied from the Records of said Court - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty one
John Johnston Clerk
Page 49

WAR DEPARTMENT

Revolutionary Claim

I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March 1818. -
John Gridley late a Captain in the Army of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New York Agency, at the rate of twenty dollars -- cents per month, to commence on the thirtieth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this twenty eighth day of September one thousand eight hundred and eighteen

J. C. Calhoun
Secty. of War
Page 50

Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
Consd. with
Invalid file
#44,180
Page 51

1160

Revolutionary Claims

I John Gridly of Fishkill in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York do hereby declare that I was an officer in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution and served as such to the end of the war in Colonel cranes Regiment of Artillery, at which period I was a Captain in th third Regiment of the Massachusetts line.

And I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay, which sum was offered, by a resolve of Congress, of the 22nd of March, 1783, instead of the half pay for life to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21st of October 1780. And I do further declare that I have received of the United States as a pension  since the 3d day of March 1826, the sum of twenty dollars per month, up to the 4th day of September 1828, paid to me by by the agent for paying pensions in the State of New York. Witness my hand this 3rd day of October 1828.
John Gridly

Before me David Smith a Justice of the peace in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York, personally appeared James Gwin and Joseph J Jackson of the said County, who did genually make oath that John Gridly by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is genually reputed and believed to have been an officer in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand this third day of October in the year 1828.
David Smith

I Clapp Raymond Clerk of the Court of the County of Dutchess in the State of New York, do hereby certify that David Smith before whom the foregoing affidavits were given, was at the time a Justice of the peace of said County, and duly empowered to administer oaths. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court this 4th day of October in the year 1828.
Clapp Raymond Clerk
Page 52

John Gridly
Captain
Col: Crane's regt Massachusetts line.

Papers sent by Honble. W. Tallmadge of N. York
Page 53

Fishkill 30 March 1818

Honoured Sir,
I take the liberty to enclose to you an application of Captain John Gridly to the war department for a pension agreeably to the late act of Congress. He is quite needy and not sufficiently healthy to earn his living by bodily labour. He was an useful officer in our revolutionary war and was wounded in the battle of Brandywine. - Will you be so good as to hand the application to the Secretary of war and give the Captain such assistance in obtaining the object of his application as you can consistently give him? In so doing you will confer a particular favour on Captain Gridley and much oblige many of your friends in Fishkill. With sincere wishes for your health, and prayers for your safe retur to the bosom of your family and the circle of your friends I remain
Dear Sir your friend & Hon Serv.
Cornelius D Westbrook

If you can conveniently do it I wish you would let me know the result of the Captains application

Hon. James Tallmadge Jun

(illegible) 5 March

Cornelius D. Westbrook is a respectful clergyman in my district - I am not acquainted with Capt. Gridly.
Respectfully James Tallmadge
Hon. Secretary of War
Page 54

IN PURSUANCE
of an ACT of
CONGRESS
of the Third Day of SEPTEMBER
A.D. 1789
John Gridley "Esquire
is to rand as Captain by Brevet
in the ARMY of the UNITED STATES
of AMERICA
GIVEN under my Hand
at [unclear] the Tenth
Day of October 1783
B. Lincoln John [unclear] [unclear]
Reference may be had to Col. Constant Freeman respecting Capt. Gridley
Page 55

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To John Gridley Esquire  Greeting. We, Reposing especial trust a Captain Lieutenant in the Third Battalion of Artillery in the Army of the united State to take rank as [unclear] from the first day January 1777 - You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Captain Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do directly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders as Captain Lieutenant And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from this or a future Congress of the United States Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance  of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
Witness His Excellency Saml Huntington Esquire President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 21st day of April 1780, and in the fourteenth year of our  Independence.
Saml. Huntington
Entered in the War Office
and [unclear] by the Board
Attest. Ben Stodard Secretary of the Board of War
Page 56

Dutchess County
District of New York, SS.
On this eighth day of August, 1819, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of the United States for the said district, personally appears John Gridley aged sixty six years, resident in the town of Fishkill in the said district, 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 John Gridley [enlisted in: crossed out] entered the army [in the state: crossed out] of the of the United States as Captain in the company commanded by Captain David Briant in Col Cranes Regt. of Artillery Massachusetts line in the year 1777 and continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States until the end of the Revolutionary war, when he was discharged from service in the year 1783 in the state of New York that he was in the battles of Brandywine, Monmouth & Germantown, &c. &c. 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.
[Signed] John Gridley
Daniel C. Verplanck one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Dutchess
I, Daniel C. Verplanck Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said John Gridley did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; 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. I further certify that John Gridley is in indigent circumstances.
[Signed] Daniel C. Verplanck.
SEAL OFTHE COURT

I certify that Capt Gridley made application to me for a Pension on or before ye 30th March last-
[Signed] Daniel C. Verplanck
Page 57

I Jacob Van Ness Clerk of the County of Dutchess and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County in the State of New York do hereby certify that Daniel C. Ver Plank before the within affidavit was made was at the time one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County acting under the authority of said State and that the within are his signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Court and subscribed my name this seventeenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
[Signed] Jacob Van Ness
[Round seal is illegible]
Page 58

I Received the application of Capt. Gridley from the Rev'd Mr Westbrook
in april-- while at Washington & enclosed his letter & the application to the pension office with it up in the house-{illegible] it was taken over by the Door keeper
of
James Tallmadge
7th August 1818