Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2972, for Joseph Thomas, New York
Page 1

(3-1776) 

SERVICE 
Continental (New York) 

Thomas, Joseph 
Phebe

NUMBER 
W.2972 

CONTENTS
Page 2

See letters to F. Lusk & P. Agt. Dec. 23 1836 – 

15439 
Pennsylvania 
Joseph Thomas of Susquehanah in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Col Baldwin of the Massachusetts line, for the term of Three years 

Inscribed on the roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 25 of August 1819 

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 of Oct. 18 and sent to Wm Thompson Esq Montrose Pennsylvania 

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819 7/31 4/30  2.86
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4 March 1820 48 
[total] $50.86 
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Page 3

Let to G. M. Phillips 30 Sep 1837
Certificate issued 20th Oct 1851 and sent to A Ray Present 
Let to P. Agt 12 Nov 1851 

5926 
Pennsylvania Phil
Phebe Thomas deceased widow of Joseph Thomas who was an Artificer in the Revolution Increased from $144 per annum
Mass or Md Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the [rate] of 240 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. ending 15 March 1847 

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Sept 1851 and sent to L M Drury Canandaigua NY
(Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 17, 1844.) 
Recorded in Book H [or 4]  Vol. 2.   Page 117.
Page 4

Births of Joseph Thomas and his wife Phebe
Joseph Thomas was born the 2nd Day of may 1761 On Tusday
Phebe Thomas was born the 30th Day of August 1769
Charity Thomas the Daughter of Joseph and Phebe was born on the 2nd day of March 1786
Sarah Was Born the 8th of November 1787 
Abigail the 4th of October 1789
Aaron the 8th of November 1791
Elsey the 24th of December 1793
Elias the 13th of January 1796 
[illegible, probably Mary] the 26th of March 1798 
Joseph the 28th of June 1800 
David the [?]th February 18[01?]
Emiley [illegible]th of august 1802 
[illegible]  was Born February 21st 1808
Page 5

The thirteenth day of the month Adar 17 MACCABEES ordained to be celebrated by the Jews.
rious Lord, having Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.
35 He hanged also Nicanor’s head upon the tower an evident and manifest sign … all of the help of the Lord.
36 And they ordained … with …  common decree, in no case to let that day pass without solemnity, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of their …, which in the Syrian tongue, is called Adat, the day before Mardocheus day,
37 Thus went with Nicanor … time forth the Hebrews had the sity in their power. And thence sill I make an end.
38 And if … well, and as is …ing the story it is that which I desired; but it … and meanly, it is … attain …
39 For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water alone and wine mingled with water is pleasant, and delighteth the taste; even so speech finely framed delighteth the ears of them that read the story. And here shall be an end.

CHAP. XV NICANOR became … with his imagined success, and the victory which he did not doubt but he should easily obtain that he determined, in the pride of his soul, to perpetuate so glorious an action by erecting public monument in memory of it. The conduct of Judas in this juncture, was very different: he placed his confidence not in an arm of Beth, in the strength and prayer of his troops, but in the living God, who had often delivered him in the like emergencies. He reads his soldiers a lecture out of the law and the prophets; recounts the noble exploits of their fathers, and the eminent deliverances they had received from God; tells them of the perfidy of the heathen; and from such kind of … hence encourages them to fight the enemy who had no such helps. And as a further argument for inducing them to behave themselves valiantly he tells them a dream, in which it was plainly intimated to him, that both they and he were under the Divine protection.

Judas’ men were so surprisingly encouraged by this harangue, that they eagerly longed for the engagement. In the mean time Nicanor’s army approached, ranged in order of battle, which Judas seeing after a short … lation to God for success, he joined battle, slew thirty-five thousand of the enemy, and obtained a complete victory. Among the slain they found the body of Nicanor, which occasioned an universal joy among the people, and Judas to shew his resentment at the blasphemies uttered by this impious man, ordered his head and right hand to be struck off, and fixed on the tower in Jerusalem, as a monument of Justice of God on so audacious an … out and given piece meat the fowls. And that the memory of so signal a victory might not be forgotten, an annual festival is instituted to be kept on the thirteenth the notion day of the month Adar, which answers to our February. After this the Jews enjoyed the quiet possession of their city, religion, and liberties
THE END OF THE APOCRYPHA.
Page 6

Conklin, N.Y. Nov 5. 1851 
To J. E. Heath Esq 
Comr of Pensions: 
Sir,- 
You are hereby requested & directed to send any and all Certificates of Pension due to us and each of us or the heirs of Phebe Thomas deceased, widow of Joseph Thomas, an Artificer in the revolution, to L. M. Drury of Canandaigua New York. And you are hereby requested and directed not to sent any such Certificates to David Thomas, administrator, or to his agent, as said David Thomas has no authority to act as administrator or agent for us or any of us, - and his undertaking to act in either of such capacity is contrary to our wishes, and against our consent.
Very respectfully 
Your obt. servts 
[signed] Emily Conklin  Joseph Conklin  Sarah Conklin
Page 7

Claim of the heirs of Phebe Thomas, decd Act of 1838, 1843 & 1844, Pennsylvania Roll 
STATE of Wisconsin 
County of Iowa 
Be it known, That on this Fourth day of August A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty one, before the  undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Elias Thomas, a resident of Linden in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the one of the heirs of Phebe Thomas, deceased (widow of Joseph Thomas, decd.) an Artificer in the war of the Revolution 
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner on the Philadelphia Roll under the Acts of 1838, 1843 & ’44 - at the rate of One hundred and forty-four Dollars per annum; that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim. 
[signed] Elias Thomas
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me. 
[signed] C. M. H. Myer J. Peace.) 

I, C. M. H. Meyer Justice of the Peace in and for said County do hereby certify that Elias Thomas who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth. 
[signed] C. M. H. Meyers. J. Peace. 

State of Wisconsin 
Iowa County 
I, James Hutchison Clerk of the Circuit Court in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that C. M. H. Meyer before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal this 4th day of August A.D. 1851 
attest James Hutchison Clerk. 
Circuit Court Iowa County Wisconsin
Page 8

Penna 1838. 
POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims. 
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Elias Thomas, of Iowa County, State of Wisconsin, a son and one of the heirs of Joseph and Phebe Thomas, both deceased, and late Revolutionary Pensioners of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint George M. Phillips of Washington City D.C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of the heirs of Phebe Thomas, decd. for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to 
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes therein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises. 
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 4th day of August A.D. 1851 
[signed] Elias Thomas
Signed and Sealed in the presence of 
[signed] C. M. H. Meyer   James Glanville 

STATE of Wisconsin 
COUNTY of Iowa } ss:
On this fourth day of August A.D. 1851, before me, the subscriber, a Justce of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Elias Thomas, and acknowledged the foregoing Power, of Attorney to be his act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, the day and year aforesaid. 
[signed] C M H Meyer J. Peace.
Page 9

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County } ss
I, F. M. Williams, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, holden at Montrose in and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before said Court that Joseph Thomas was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum, that he resided at Great Bend in the County & State aforesaid, and died on the twenty third day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty one, - that he left a widow surviving him (Phoebe Thomas) and eleven children, to wit: Aaron, Joseph, Elias, David, Oliver, Charity, intermarried with Benjamin Tyler, Sarah intermarried with Wm A. Conklin, Mary intermarried with Aaron Dexter, Emily intermarried with Joseph Conklin, Abigail intermarried with Thomas Young & Elsy intermarried with David Niver, and that his said widow was in the receipt of a pension of one hundred and forty four dollars per annum - that she resided at Great Bend in the County of Susquehanna & State aforesaid, and died there on the fifteenth day of March eighteen hundred and forty seven, leaving eleven Children whose names are Aaron, Joseph, Elias, David Oliver Charity intermarried with Benjamin Tyler, Sarah, intermarried with Wm. A Conklin, Mary intermarried with Aaron Dexter, & Emely intermarried with Joseph Conklin; all of whom yet survive; and that the said David Thomas (over)
Page 10

is administrator upon the estate of the aforesaid Phebe Thomas, (widow of the said Joseph Thomas) duly appointed and qualified 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Court at Montrose this twenty eighth day of August in the year A.D. one thousand eight hundred & fifty one 
[signed] F M Williams  Prothonotary.
Page 11

Declaration of David Thomas 
State of Pennsylvania 
County of Susquehanna } On this twenty eighth day of August, 1851. personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid (duly authorized by law to administer oaths,) David Thomas, who by me being first duly sworn deposes & says that he is - 47 years of age, that he is son of Joseph Thomas, late of Great Bend, in the County & State aforesaid decd - that his said father was a pensioner of the United States, at the rate of $96.00 per annum, and died at the town of Great Bend in the County and State aforesaid on or about the twenty third day of April AD (1831) eighteen hundred & thirty one, leaving a widow, (Phoebe Thomas) surviving him and eleven children, viz. whose names are Aaron Elias Joseph David, Oliver, Charity intermarried with Benjamin Tyler, Sarah intermarried with Wm A Conklin, Mary intermarried with Aaron Dexter, Emily intermarried with Joseph Conklin, Abigail intermarried with Thomas Young, and Elsy intermarried with David Niver; and that his said widow Phoebe Thomas, resided at Great Bend in the County & State aforesaid, and died there on the fifteenth day of March 1847. having nine children whose names are Aaron Joseph, Elias, David, Oliver, Charity intermarried
Page 12

with Benjamin Tyler, Sarah intermarried with Wm. A. Conklin, Mary intermarried with Aaron Dexter & Emily intermarried with Joseph Conklin, all of whom survive - that he makes this declaration to obtain the benefit of the pension laws in his case made and provided, and that he is administrator on the estate of the aforesaid Phoebe Thomas, (widow of the said Joseph Thomas) duly appointed and qualified as such 
[signed] D. Thomas
Sworn to and subscribed this twenty eighth day of August, eighteen hundred & fifty one before me 
[signed] M. C. Tyler associate Judge 

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County }
I, F. M. Williams, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Hon. M. C. Tyler, is one of associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; duly authorized by law to administer oaths, and that his signatures above written are genuine. 
Given under my hand, and the seal of said Court, this twenty eighth day day of August A.D. 1851 
[signed] F. M. Williams Prothonotary.
Page 13

4822 
Case of Joseph Thomas 
Wm. Thomson Judge 
Great Bend, Pa.
Revd. Sept. 13. 1819 Col Baldwin’s [illegible]
October 1778 
1782 

Services proved by two credible witnesses
Admd
Page 14

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss 
On the 25th day of August A.D. 1819 before me the subscriber an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid Personally appears John Conklin and Elias Conklin who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on their solemn oath depose and say that they were in the year AD 1778 well acquainted with Joseph Thomas whose name is mentioned in the within declaration and that they know he enlisted in the month of October A.D. 1778, into Captain Mills’s Company of Artificers, as within stated, and that he continued to serve and do duty as a private in said company for two years and upwards, and further the deponents saith not. 
[signed] John Conklin  Elias Conklin
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year first above written 
[signed] William Thomson 
I do hereby Certify that the above named John Conklin and Elias Conklin are men of Respectable character and fully entitled to credit for testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this third day of September AD 1819 
[signed] William Thomson 

Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss
I Jabez Hyde Jr Prothonotary of the County of Susquehanna do certify that William Thomson Esquire is and was at the time of taking and signing the within certificate an associate Judge of the County aforesaid and that full faith and credit ought to be given to all his official acts and deeds as such and that his signature is of his own proper hand writing 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Montrose the third day of September AD 1819 
Jabez Hyde Jr. Prothy.
Page 15

Free 
The Honble the Secretary of the Department of War 
Washington

Great Bend Pa. 
Sept. 7
Page 16

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss
On the 25th day of August A.D. 1819 before me the subscriber an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Susquehanna, Personally appears Joseph Thomas aged Fifty nine years, resident in said County, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act 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 Joseph Thomas enlisted in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight in the month of October at Newburgh, in the State of New York into Captain Peter Mills’s Company of Artificers, Colonel Baldwins regiment, and that he continued in said company for upward of two years, and did duty as a private, and that the said company being then broke up, and he the said Joseph Thomas, having enlisted for three years, he was attached to Captn. Patton company of Artillery artificers where he served the remainder of his term of enlistment. That during the time he was attached to Captn. Pattons company, he was marched to York Town in Virginia, and was there doing duty at the time of the Capture of Cornwallis. That his period of enlistment was completed three or four days after said capture, and that he remained with and did duty in said company until they returned to Philadelphia and that then he got his discharge, signed by Genl Knox. That after his return home, in the winter of A.D. 1882, the house where he then lived was accidentally burnt, and his said discharged was destroyed by the fire and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of assistance from his Country for support. 
Sworn and declared to before me the day and year first above written 
[signed] William Thomson 

I William Thomson Associate Judge as above mentioned do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the above named Joseph Thomas did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, and that he now is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of assistance from his country for support, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary of the Department of war pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress 
[signed] William Thomson
Page 17

Phebe Thomas 
Penn 
5 Sept 

Direct to L. M. Drury 
Canandaigua N.Y.
Page 18

State of New York 
County of Broom [Broome] } ss Before me Ezekiel Finch – a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and quallified to act as such personally appeared Emily Conklin a resident in said County aged [blank] years who being first duly sworn according to law makes the following declaration in order to obtain the amount due to the heirs of Joseph Thomas deceased under act of Congress passed 
This declarant states that she is the lawful Daughter of Joseph Thomas a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act passed on the 18th day of March 1818 at the rate of per 96 $ per annum and who served as an artificer in the war of the revolution under Colonel Baldwin in Massachusetts Line That the said Joseph Thomas died in the county of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania on the 23d day of April (1831) eighteen hundred and thirty one - That he left a widow surviving him who died on the 15th day of March eighteen hundred and forty seven whose maiden name was Phebee Tyler that the said Joseph & Phebee Thomas died leaving nine children now surviving them whose names are Charity Tyler Mary Dexter Sarah Conklin Emily Conklin, Oliver Aaron David Joseph and Elias Thomases
and further saith not 
[signed] Emily Conklin
Sworn to and subscribed on this 22 day of October 1850 Before me 
[signed] Ezekiel Finch Justice of the Peace
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I hereby certify from personal knowledge that the aforesaid declarant is the identical person she represents her self to be & that her testimony is entitled to full credit and beliefs 
[signed] Ezekiel Finch Justice 

State of New York 
County of Broom  ss  I E. D. Robinson Clerk of said County certify that Ezekiel Finch Esq is and was at the time of the date of the foregoing declaration an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified to act as such and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and Official seal of said County this 26th day of October 1850 C. D. Robinson Clerk
Page 20

State of New York 
County of Broome  ss  I, E. D. Robinson Clerk of said County do hereby certify that at a Court held in & for said County on the first day of May, 1851. it was duly proved by the exhibition of testimony satisfactory to said Court that Joseph Thomas deceased late of the State of Pennsylvania, a revolutionary Pensioner at the rate of $96 per ann died on the 23d day of April 1831 - that he left a widow surviving him by the name of Phebe Thomas who died on the 15th fifteenth day of March in the year eighteen hundred & forty seven (1847) and that the said Joseph & Phebe Thomas left nine children now living whose names are Charity Tyler, Mary Dexter, Sarah Conklin Emily Conklin, Oliver, Aaron, Joseph, David, & Elias, Thomas 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this first day of May 1851. 
[signed] E. D. Robinson Clerk
Page 21

3372 Mrs Phebe Thomas widow of Joseph Thomas Decd
on roll 

admitted 
P Artificers 2 yrs $144
Col Mills  Col Baldwin Mass
died 26 April 1831 
Act 7 July 1838. 

Hon. Saml. W. Morris 
Wellsboro Pa
Page 22

Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows 
State of Pennsylvania ss
On this twenty seventh day of August A.D. Eighteen Hundred and thirty Eight personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in the County of Susquehanna & State aforesaid Phebe Thomas a resident of the Township of Great Bend in the County and State aforesaid aged sixty eight years the thirtieth day of last August who being 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 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Joseph Thomas who was a Revolutionary soldier & who drew a Pension prior this death, & that after his death she received the amt. which had earned for the part of a year up to the said time of his death.
She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Thomas on the first day of June in the year seventeen hundred and Eighty five - That her husband the aforesaid Joseph Thomas died on the twenty fourth day of April A.D. Eighteen Hundred & thirty one; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen Hundred
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And ninety-four viz: at the time stated.
[signed] Phebe Thomas X her mark
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year written, in open Court before me
[signed] Geo. Walker Prothonotary 

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss } I George Walker Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Susquehanna certify - That Phebe Thomas on the twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and thirty eight, made oath before the said Court of Common Pleas then sitting, that the facts set forth in the foregoing or above declaration, to which she had subscribed were true to the best of her knowledge and belief 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Montrose this twenty second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and thirty Eight.
[signed] Geo Walker. Prot.
Page 24

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss }  
David Thomas of the Township of Great Bend in the County aforesaid and State of Pennsylvania being duly sworn, doth on his Solemn oath depose and say - That Phebe Thomas whose name is subjoined or subscribed to the foregoing Declaration, is the widow of Joseph Thomas deceased. That she is still living, and that she has never been married since the death of the said Joseph Thomas to any one [signed] David Thomas 
Sworn and subscribed before me this 22d day of Nov 1838 [signed] Jesse Lane J.P. 

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss } I George Walker Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Susquehanna do certify - that Jesse Lane Esquire is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the above signatures purporting to be his, is genuine – 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Montrose on this 22nd day of November A.D. 1838 
[signed] Geo. Walker, Proty.
Page 25

April 23, 1937 
BA-J/EEL 
Richard Martin. - S.13841 
Joseph Thomas - W. 2972 
Mr. Arthur H. Mecham 
924 N. Marguerite Avenue 
Alhambra, California 
Dear Sir: 
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.13841, based upon the military service in that war of Richard Martin. 
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Richard Martin are not shown. 
Richard Martin enlisted, place not shown, April 25, 1775, served as a private in Captain John Selman's Company, Colonel John Glover's Massachusetts Regiment, was stationed at Marblehead, Massachusetts. until June 22, following, then marched to Cambridge and served there until October following, at which time his captain (John Selman) and Captain Broughton were selected by General Washington to take command of two armed vessels belonging to the state of Massachusetts, to sail on a secret expedition to intercept two British vessels that had sailed from England bound for Canada loaded with munitions of war. The crews of the two vessels were taken from Colonel Glover’s Regiment and Richard Martin went on board the vessel commanded by his Captain Selman; they cruised for some time and receiving no intelligence of the British vessels, returned to Marblehead, where they arrived about December 1, following, and soon after returned to Cambridge where soldier continued to serve until the last of December of same year when he was discharged. January 5, 1776, he again enlisted and served as a quarter gunner under Captain Edward Fettyplace, stationed at the fort at Marblehead, Massachusetts; length of this service, one year. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, at which time he was aged eighty-five years and resided in Marblehead, Massachusetts. 
There are no data as to soldier's family.
Page 26

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Richard Martin (S. 13841), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and site the following data: 
Richard Martin 
Certificate No. 21677 
Issued October 8, 1833 
Rate, $77.11 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
Massachusetts Agency. 

Joseph Thomas 
W.2972
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.2972, based upon the military service in that war of Joseph Thomas. 
Joseph Thomas was born May 2, 1761. The place of his birth and names of his parents are not stated. 
Joseph Thomas enlisted at Newburgh, New York, in October, 1778, for three years, served for two years as a private in Captain Peter Mills' Company, Colonel [side note: Jeduthay Baldwin Cont. Artificers] Baldwin's Regiment of Artificers, then was transferred to Captain Patton's [side note: Thomas Patten] Company of Artillery Artificers, was at the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis, his term of enlistment expired a few days before the surrender but he continued to serve for sometime and was discharged at Philadelphia, date of discharge not given.  [side note: See hood NY in the Revolution Page 67.]
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 25, 1819, while residing in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where he died April 24, 1831. 
The soldier married June 1, 1785, at Reinpack (evidently meant for Rhinebeck), New York, Phebe Tyler. She was born August 30, 1769. The place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown.
Page 27

Phebe, widow of Joseph Thomas, was allowed pension on her application executed August 27, 1838, while residing in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. 
She died March 15, 1847, in said Great Bend Township. 
Joseph and Phebe Thomas had eleven children, as follows:
Charity Thomas born March 2, 1786, married Benjamin Tyler, no relationship to each other shown.
Sarah Thomas born November 8, 1787, married William A. Conklin.
Abigal Thomas born October 4, 1789, married Thomas Young.
Aaron Thomas born November 8, 1791, in 1839, living in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
Elsey Thomas born December 24, 1793, married David Niver.
Elias Thomas born January 15, 1796, in 1851, was living in Lindon, Iowa County, Wisconsin.
Mary Thomas born March 26, 1798, married Aaron Dexter.
Joseph Thomas, Junior. born June 26, 1800, in 1824, was living in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
Emily Thomas born August 20, 1802, married Joseph Conklin, and in 1850, was living in Broome County, New York
David Thomas born February – 1806 (torn), in 1851, was living in Susquehanna County
Pennsylvania.
Oliver Thomas aged 14 years in 1824.
Nine of the above named children survived their mother; they were Charity Tyler, Mary Dexter, Sarah Conklin, Emily Conklin, Oliver, Aaron, David, Joseph and Elias Thomas. The dates of death of the two deceased daughters, Abigal Young and Elsey Niver are not shown, nor are the dates of marriage of any of the daughters given and no names of wives of the sons. 
In 1819, John and Elias Conklin made affidavit in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in support of Joseph Thomas’ Claim for pensions: No relationship was given to William A. Conklin and Joseph Conklin, who married soldier's daughters, Sarah and Emily.
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
EXECUTIVE Assistant in the Administrator..
Page 28

Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 2972 
Phebe, Thomas 
Widow 
Joseph Thomas 
Art. Rev. War 
Act: March 3, 1843 
Index: - Vol. M, Page 269. 
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 29

1894 Nov. 28 Hist. to F. J. Conklin Brooklyn, N.Y.
M 30/95 [illegible] Hist to Jas. K. Shaw, 259 W. 84th St. New York N.Y.  M. M.EC.
1895 Dec 20 Papers ex by FJC. – above 
1916, Dec. 26. History to Mrs. W. H. Frey  F.W.
1937. Apr 28. Hist. to Arthur H. Mechan see letter in Richard Martin Q. 1341  EL
Page 30

5926 
Pennsylvania, Phil. 
Phebe Thomas 
widow of Joseph Thomas 
who was an Artificer 
in the Revolution 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 144 Dollars   Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843 

Certificate of Pension issued the 6. day of August 1844 and sent to H.H. Sylvester 

{Act of March 3, 1843.} 
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1  Page 137 

Repd.
Page 31

Application to [torn out]
under act 1st of May 1820
Pennsylvania 
Joseph Thomas, Private 
Schedule dated 4th [May 1824.]
12 Sheep $18. - 3 beds & bedding $54.  72 
6 Pigs.  9
A few articles of furniture 15. 
[total] $96
In an affidavit made on the 1st of Sept 1824 claiment states that in 1816, and before the date of the deeds hereinafter mentioned he owned two farms and with a view of bettering his condition he on the 21st of Sept, 1816, purchased of Saml Blair a tract of land for $6000, and as security gave a judgment Bond & Mortgage states that he thought the farms above mentioned and which he wanted to sell would enable him to pay sd Blair, but the fall in the price of real estate to lessened the value of the farms that he sold one of them to sd Blair (in May 1817) for $1600 & in Feby 1819, sold the other farm to Blair for $2500, which with some small payments which he had made reduced the amount due to Blair to the sum of $1862, and a settlement being made he cancelled the old Bonds and gave a new one for sum of $1862, on this said Bond claimant paid on 1st Jany 1822 -$94.78. on 4th March 1822 - $49.39 on 27 June, 1823 $90. which monies he borrowed of Thomas Young. The judgment was assigned by Blair to Wm. Thompson, claimant being unable to pay the interest punctually owing to the fall in the price of all kinds of produce and his age and infirmities, - on the 12th Jany 1824, execution was issued on the judgment above on the 13th of Feby a “coditioni exponas’ was issued and the land sold to Thomas Young for $2600. at the time of sale the debt & interest amounted 2200, and the balance after deducting costs, was applied by sd Young to pay the money borrowed of him as aforesaid. Young took possession of the farm on the 1st March 1824 & claimant now lives with and is dependent upon his son for support, states that during the time the owned farm he was from time to time possessed of a small stock of cattle and some farming utensils &c, that he was obliged to hire persons to do the greatest part of the labor that the proceeds of the farm and what little personal property he had has been expended for paying for said labor and in the support of his family - states as a reason for his not before exhibiting a schedule, that until the sale of his farms he was enabled to gain a comfortable support for himself and family and was in hopes of being able to pay his debts and secure the land, in which he would not again have been under the necessity of asking aid of his country. But since he has been divested of all property, and his increasing age, rendering him unable to support himself he is reduced from a state of comparitive affluence to that of poverty, copies of deed and mortgage and affidavit of sheriff exhibited dated in 1816, 
Claimant aged 64, farmer, wife aged 54, son age 18, and one aged 14 years.
see letters 1 Feb. 1825 to Jan. 27. 1825 & Jan. 10. 1826 
Hon. L. McKean
[4 Mar, 1820),   H. Ross, also letter 29 June 1824. to W. Jessup
[illegible] evidence 1st Sept 1824
Page 32

Pennsylvania - 3372 
Phebe Thomas, widow of Joseph Thomas, decd –
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March 1818. and who died on the 24th of April, 1831 of Susquehanna in the State of Penna - who was a Artfer. In the compy commanded by Captain Mill of the Regt commanded by Col. Baldwin in the Masstts., line for 2 years Artificer 

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia. at the rate of 144 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of July 1834 and sent to Hon. L. W. Morris, Willsboro, Penna –

Arrears to the 4th of March, 1839 $432.00 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 1839  72.00 
[total] $504.00 
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk, 
Book A  Vol. 2  Page 167.
Page 33

[No text visible - all black]
Page 34

Decision [torn out] nded for 
The affidavit [of] Wm. Thompson 
(Affidavit within - also the letter from this office shewing the objection)
arrears to 4th March 1826
1 5/31 mo  9. 29.

14 July / 64

Con.
Pen. to  com: 31 Jan. 1826.
Send notn. To Hon. S. McKean, H.R
Page 35

Phebe Thomas
Pennsylvania
Suspended
let. 29 March 1839
P. Lurke 

Act 7 July 1838
Page 36

Montrose Pa
June 20 

Hon. John C Calhoun
Secy of War 
Washington

565 
Mr Edwards
Joseph Thomas
Recd. 26 June 1824
1st schedule
Page 37

Montrose June 18. 1824 
Please inclose the return to William Jessup 
Montrose Susqa County Penn
[signed] Wm Jessup
Page 38

Letter 
Hon. S McKean H.R.
Recd Feby 7th
Page 39

Washington Feb 6 - 1826 
Sir 
Enclosed herewith is the deposition of Judge Thomson in the case of Joseph Thomas, as required in your note to me of the 10th ult –
I also enclose your note to me and Judge Thomsons letter, for comparison with his deposition, very Respectfully 
your obt servt
[signed] S. McKean

J L Edwards Esqr.
Page 40

Washington, Sept. 27, 1851 
Sir 
Herewith I enclose you the application of Elias Thomas, a son and heir of Joseph & Phebe Thomas, (pensioners respectively under the Acts of 1818 and 1838, on Pennsylvania roll,) for Increase of Pension; the said Joseph Thomas having been an Artillery Artificer in the Regiment commanded by Col. Baldwin, in the War of the Revolution 
Very Respy 
yr obt sert
[signed] Geo. M. Phillips 

J. E. Heath, Esq 
Comr of Pensions
Page 41

Washington 
Sep 6. 1857 
Jas E. Heath 
Com of Pensions 
Sir
I have recd from a genl. in Penna the enclosed application in the case of Phebe Thomas decd. late a pensioner on the pa [Pennsylvania] role under act 38. 
I am informed her husband Joseph Thomas was an artificer. If it be so, & her husband was of Flowers, artifices or of the company entitled to the same rate of pension $240 pr annum: then I hope the allowance will be made in accordance with the period of service performed. She the widow recd $144. a year 
I am very
respectfully 
Your Obt. Sert
[signed]  Alex. Ray
Page 42

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County } ss
I David Thomas of Great Bend in the county aforesaid, [am the] administrator of all and singular the Estate of Phoebe Thomas late of Great Bend aforesaid, and do hereby request the Commissioner of Pension's, U. S. to make the pension Certificate granted to the heirs of said Phoebe Thomas, payable to me the administrator, as aforesaid, for the benefit of the children of the said Phoebe Thomas 
Witness my hand & seal this 11th day of October A.D. 1851. 
[signed] David Thomas 
Administrator of the Estate of Phobe Thomas, decd

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss} I Charles L Brown Register of wills & for granting letters of administration in & for said County do hereby certify that David Thomas Esqr was duly appointed an administrator of the Estate of Phebe Thomas decd on the 26th day of August AD 1851, & that the signature above written purporting to be
Page 43

his is in his own proper hand writing and said signature genuine –
Witness my hand and the seal of said office this 13th day of October AD 1851 
[signed] Charles L Brown 
Register
Page 44

Brief in the case Phebe Thomas, decd late of Susquehannah County and State of Pennsylvania 
acts 7 July 1838, 3 March 1843 & 17 June 1844 
Claim, (“original,” or “for increase.”) 
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
(If for increase.) 
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Allowed as an Artillery artificer at $240 per annum, deducting former payments at $144 per annum 

J. Cole 
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent.
S. M. Drury 
Canandaigua N.Y.
Page 45

E. C Dale, Pension Agent 
Philada. Nov. 13, 1851
Page 46

Pension Agency 
Philad’a Nov. 13, 1851 
Sir: 
The pension of Phebe Thomas, widow of Joseph Thomas, Act July 7, 1838, March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844, the suspension of which you direct by your letter of the 12th inst. was paid by me in full on the 4th instant, to the attorney of David Thomas, Administrator, who by the Pension certificate was authorized to receive it. 
I am, very respectfully 
Your obdt. Servt
[signed] E. O. Dale Pension agt.

J. E. Heath, Esq. 
Commr of Pensions 
Washington City
Page 47

Phebe Thomas, decd
2 yrs Artily Artifr 
Incd to 240.  ded  $144 
Acts 
38 
44 & 44 Evidy 
15 March 1847 
payable to 
Charity Tyler, 
Mary Dexter, 
Sarah Conklin 
Emily Conklin 
Oliver Thomas 
Aaron Thomas 
David Thomas 
Joseph Thomas & 
Elias Thomas 
only sur’g children 
Albany Roll 
L. K Drury 
Canandaigua  N.Y.
Page 48

Hon Samuel McKean 
Representative in Congress 
Washington 

Affidavit of Wm. Thompson 

let 20 Oct 38 F. Lusk
Page 49

Great Bend, Susquehanna County, Pa. January 30th 1826 
Genl. McKean 
Dear Sir. Your letter of the 11th inst has come to hand and I perceive by it that the regulations of the War Department requires that the statement made in the case of Joseph Thomas should be verified on Oath, or affirmation. The regulation I cheerfully submit to as I feel myself incapable of making any statement to a public functionary, to which I would not willingly affirm, I now proceed to repeat the statement made in my former letter to the best of my recollection. In the beginning of the year 1816 Joseph Thomas owned an estate in Wayne County Pa. that was supposed worth $5000. Early in that year, intending to benefit his family he purchased a farm near to my residence for which he agreed to pay $6000, and depended on selling his old farm to pay for it. Soon after he came on to the late purchase a vast depression of all kinds of farming produce took place and the persons whom he expected to have bought his old farm declined purchasing. He finally was compelled to sell it for $4000. He was now $2000 in debt, and the principal part of his personal property had got wasted in making shifts to extricate himself. In 1819 he applied for a pension for his Revolutionary services, and made it appear to the satisfaction of the Court that what he owed on his farm, together with a debtor Judgment against him in in favor of the Landholder from whom he had bought his old place in Wayne County of $300. which judgment was a lien on the farm, and which when he sold it, he had bound himself to the purchaser to extinguish, were more in amount than all the property he possessed were worth. The Court being satisfied of that fact, and of the honesty of Mr. Thomas, certified to his impoverished circumstances, He received a pension under the act of 1818. But on the supplementary Act of 1820 being passed it became necessary for the Court to be more strict in their proof of the indigence of the applicant. Mr. Thomas still lived on the farm, and was told by the mortgage he might continue to do so, and avail himself of any advantage there might be in selling it, Provided he paid up the interest annually. This however after making every exertion he was unable to do, and in May 1824 the mortgagee sold the property that cost Mr. Thomas $6000 at public outcry by the deputy Sherrif to Thomas Young for the amount of mortgage, interest and costs, being about $2300. Nor could that sum have been obtained for it had not the mortgagee at the place of sale given notice that he would accept of the payment in ten equal annual installments, the interest to be paid yearly. 
Thus by the unprecedented depression of Real estate has Mr. Thomas been stript of the earnings of forty years, and now at the age of Sixty five, finds himself near $400 in debt. (The judgment and interest thereon, before mentioned, does now amount to near that sum) Sometime in 1824 he Applied to the Hon. Secretary of War to have his name restored to the pension list, which hitherto has not been done, and I will now mention an
Page 50

incident that I understand has alone prevented it. When Mr Thomas’s property was on sale by the Sherrifs deputy $2300 the amount of debt and costs had had been bid. Soon after a young man of no property bid $2600 but being unable to pay anything, or to give security, his bid was considered nothing, and the previous bidder agreeing to stand by his bid the farm was struck off to him. The Sherrifs deputy who was quite a youth however made the return “sold for $2600 and it was so entered on the Prothonotarys docket I believe that in the application to the Hon. Secretary, The amount of the debt, and the sum the property sold for, were certified under the Prothonotorial Seal. The objection of the Hon. Secretary of War I understand to be "What has become of the surplus of $300, and requires the affidavit of the purchaser to whom or how he paid it.” Now the fact is that the amount of debt and costs, is all that ever was, or is to be paid, and that the mistake, before mentioned, has, I have every reason to believe, subjected the poor old man to much trouble and distress. The purchaser of the property is now deceased, and to show the depreciation of property here, I would inform you that his administrators have in order to get rid of it, have offered to reconvey it under an order of the Orphans Court to the former mortgagee for $2000, and that he will not accept their offer. The probability is that at public sale it would go for less. - of this detail I am personally acquainted with every occurrence was present at the public sale of his property and most of the writings relative to Mr. Thomas’s business has passed under my inspection. I do further say that in the whole of the transactions relative to Joseph Thomas’s property there has been no fraud, no collusion, no cover of property, to ultimately benefit himself or any of his family. On the contrary. That he is very poor, is indebted near $400, and that he lives with one of his sons who rents a farm. I also say that he is a pious and moral person, and is much respected and sympathised with on account of his losses. I have now repeated every thing as far as I can recollect that my former letter contained relative to Joseph Thomas’s business. To day I set out for Montrose to attend Court, and will there affirm to the foregoing statement before a Magistrate, and have the usual authentication attached to it. 
With much Esteem & Regard 
I remain Dear Sir 
your friend & fellow Citizen 
[signed] William Thompson
Page 51

Susquehanna County ss.
On the thirty first day of January A.D. 1826, Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally came and appeared William Thomson to me well known, who being duly affirmed according to Law, doth on his solemn affirmation say, that the foregoing statement, relative to Joseph Thomas, a soldier of the Revolution, (which statement is in his own hand writing) is correct and true, as he confidently believes, and further the affirmant saith not. Witness my hand and seal at Montrose in the County aforesaid the day and year first above written 
[signed] David Post J. Peace  {seal}

Susquehanna County ss.
I Asa Dimock Jr Prothonotary of of the court of common pleas of said County do certify that David Post Esqr. before whom the above affirmation appears to have been made was at the time of taking the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County - duly commissioned and sworn as appears of record - That I am well acquainted his hand writing and verily believe the above signature (David Post) to be in his own proper hand writing 
Witness my hand and the seal of said County at Montrose the 21st day of January AD 1826 – 
[signed] Asa Dimock Jr Prot
Page 52

ansd. Jan. 10. 1826
Page 53

Washington Decr 26 - 1825 
Sir 
Enclosed herewith you will receive the letter of Judge Thomson in reference to the claim of Joseph Thomas. I know nothing of Thomas .. but take pleasure in saying that in my opinion no man stands higher than Judge Thomson in point of honesty truth & veracity - I have no hesitation in judging myself that every fact stated by Judge Thomson is critically true and correct. I would not dare to be this positive if I was not well acquainted with the character of Judge Thomson, if his statement be correct. Joseph Thomas is then beyond dispute entitled to his pension. Can you then rely upon my statement in reference to the character of Judge Thomas? If you accept this and the letter of Judge Thomson as
Page 54

sufficient evidence to support the claim of Thomas you may file them in the office as such if not have the goodness to return the letter of Judge Thomson. 
very Respectfully 
yours 
[signed] Saml McKean 

J L Edwards Esq
Page 55

Great Bend Pa 
Dec 6 

3 ½
J. L. Edwards Esq. 
Commissr of Pensions 
Washington D.C.

Dec 10
Jos Thomas Pa roll 1818

Mar ‘20

P. M. of Washington Please charge what is wright
Page 56

Please direct to me at Montrose Susquehanna Co Pa 
Your obt. Servt 
Franklin Lusk
Page 57

J L Edwards Esq
war depart't
Page 58

Washington Jan 27 - 1825 
Sir
Enclosed you will receive the papers relating of the claim of Joseph Thomas 
Respectfully 
Yours
[signed] S McKean

J L Edwards Esq
Page 59

5011 
Declaration of 
Phebe Thomas 
widow of Joseph Thomas 
act ‘43 
$144 per an

H.H. Sylvester 
Present
Page 60

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County } ss:
On this twenty fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Susquehanna Phebe Thomas, Widow and relict of Joseph Thomas Late of said County deceased, aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law did 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 said Joseph Thomas who was an Artificer in Col. Baldwins’ Regiment in the State of New York as will be fully shown by the papers on file in the Pension Office by which he was entitled and enabled to draw a pension up to the time of his death which was on the 23d day of April A.D. 1831 - that after his death she became a pensioner and drew a pension for five years of Twelve Dollars per month under the Pension Act passed the 7th day of July 1838 as will appear by her papers on file in the Pension Office reference being thereunto had - She further declares that she is still a widow – 
[signed] Phebe Thomas X her mark
Sworn & Subscribed on the day and year first above written before me 
[signed] Charles Dimon J.P. 
Witness to the signature of Phebe Thomas Aron Thomas

3377
Page 61

Susquehanna County ss:
Personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County on this 25th day of October A.D. 1843 Aaron Thomas who being duly sworn according to law did depose and say, that he is well acquainted with the within named Phebe Thomas and that he has known her well for the last 40 years - that she is the widow and relict of Joseph Thomas deceased who was a pensioner up to the time his death in 1831 - that she whose name is subscribed to the within declaration is the identical Phebe Thomas who drew a five years pension under the act of 7th July 1838, as widow and relict of said Joseph Thomas deceased and that the within signature of her name is genuine and was made by her in my presence –
[signed] Aron Thomas
Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th day of October 1843 
[signed] Charles Simon J. P. 

Susquehanna County ss:
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Aaron Thomas - that he is of a good moral character and is to be fully accredited when sworn or affirmed or otherwise and that the signature above purporting to be his is genuine 
[signed] Charles Dimon - Justice of the Peace
Page 62

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County } SS: 
I John Blanding Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that [blank] whose name is subscribed to the foregoing declaration and affidavit of Phebe Thomas and the affidavit of [blank] and the certificate of character of said [blank] is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Susquehanna duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to execute the same and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said [blank] and verily believe the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine –
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this [blank]
Page 63

Free 

J. L. Edwards Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington

1154 Nov 28

Pa
addl proof 
Phebe Thomas

7 July No. 1,154

[postmark]
MONTROSE Pa NOV 23
Page 64

Montrose Novr. 22nd 1838
Dr Sir
Enclosed I direct to you proof of the marriage and identity of Mrs. Phebe Thomas obtained agreeably to your instructions. 
Your obt. Servt. 
[signed] Franklin Lusk 
Atty for applicant 

To J. L. Edwards Esqr. 
Commr. of Pensions 

N.B. Please direct to Montrose Susqa. Co. Pa
Page 65

State of Pennsylvania 
Wayne County ss 
Hannah Bush of the Township of Damascus, in said County being duly sworn, doth on her solemn oath depose and say - That she was present at a marriage ceremony, in the Town of Peinpack [or Rinpack] [Rhinebeck] and State of New York, on the first day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and eighty five, and saw Joseph Thomas married to Phebe Tyler by Mr Van Iniviger then an acting Justice of the Peace in said Township of Peinpack. And further this deponent saith not. 
[signed] Hanah Bush X her mark
Sworn and Subscribed before me this seventeenth day of November A.D. 1838 
[signed] Nathan Skinner Justice of the Peace 
I do hereby certify that the above named Hannah Bush, is a credible person and worthy of belief. [signed] Nathan Skinner Justice of the Peace 

State of Pennsylvania 
Wayne County ss 
I Paul S Preston Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of Wayne County Do Certify, That Nathan Skinner Esquire is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that the above signatures purporting to be his are genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Bethany the 17th day of November A.D. 1838 
[signed] Paul S. Preston Prot.
Page 66

Susquehanna County ss
Phebe Thomas of the Township of Great Bend in the County Susquehanna & State of Pennsylvania being duly sworn, deposes and says that the Record hereto annexed is the Family record of Joseph Thomas deceased and Phebe Thomas, which was this day torn from her family Bible - that neither her Husband Joseph Thomas deceased or herself, this deponent, Phebe Thomas, could write well enough to keep a family Record, but that most of the births were put down on the Record aforesaid by one Daniel Bush more than thirty years ago, and that she can not tell who recorded the births after the year eighteen Hundred.
That she has always kept the Bible out of which the Record hereto annexed was this day taken, in her possession, since it first came into her possession which was before Daniel Bush recorded the Births aforesaid, and that it is her genuine Family Record and has been kept by her as such for at least near forty years 
[signed] Phebe Thomas X her mark
Sworn & subscribed before me the 8th day of April A.D. 1839 
[signed] Charles Dimon J. P.

Susquehanna County ss
Aaron Thomas of the Township of Great Bend in said county & the State of Pennsylvania being duly sworn deposes & says that he is the son of Joseph & Phebe Thomas. That he is forty seven years of age last 8th of Novr. - That the Family Record of Births hereto annexed is the genuine Family Record of his Father's Family - That he recollects to have seen this same record repeatedly since he was ten or twelve years of age, and saw the same this day torn from his mothers Family Bible - All of which is true as this deponent believes 
[signed] Aron Thomas
Sworn & subscribed this 8th day of April A.D. 1839 
[signed] Charles Dimon J. P. 
I certify that Aaron Thomas is a creditable person and worthy of belief, and a man of acknowledged credibility in community. 
[signed] Charles Dimon J. P.
Page 67

State of Pennsylvania
Susquehanna County ss
I George Fuller Prothonotary of the Court of Common Plea in & for the County of Susquehanna, do certify that Charles Dimon, whose signatures are on the other side hereof was an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Susquehanna at the time they purport to have been made to wit: on the 8th day of April inst and that the signatures within purporting to be his, are his genuine signatures – In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my name and affixed my seal of office this 9th day of April AD 1839 
[signed] Geo. Fuller Prot.
Page 68

FREE

J. L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions 
Washington D.C.

Pa.  Apl 15
addl proof
Phebe Thomas
7 Feby No – 1154

[postmark]
MONTROSE Pa APR 10
Page 69

Montrose April 9, 1839 
Dr Sir
Enclosed I send to you the “Family Record” of the births of the children of Joseph Thomas deceased & Phebe Thomas his widow – agreeably to instructions &c & hope that in connexion with the evidence before you will be sufficient to secure to her the pension to which she is unquestionably entitled (as I verily believe) under the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 –
Your obt. servt.
[signed] Franklin Lusk

J. S. Edwards Esq
Commr. of Pensions 

N.B Please direct to me at Montrose Susq’a Co. Pa. 
Yours &c F. Lusk
Page 70

FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq.  Commr. Pensions 
Washington D. C

In at Mar 28
No al.

[postmark]
MONTROSE Pa Mar 23
Page 71

Montrose Susq’a Pa March 22. 1839 
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir 
Several months since I sent to your Department the Declarations & proofs of Mrs. Molly Locke, Mrs Phoebe Thomas, Mrs Elsa Miller, And since of Mrs Summers I do not recollect how long since, but should think 3 or 4 months since I deposited what I supposed to be all the necessary papers (in the 3 first mentioned cases) in the Post Office at Montrose. I have avoided making “frequent inquiries”, in deference to the writs contained in your “circular” which I recd at the time I last made inquiry. But I am now constrained to ask, what is the reason of so great delay? I respectfully solicit a speedy answer to this inquiry. Congress has made ample provision for widows of Revolutionary Soldiers, but it must be of Little consequence to very many of them, if they must be required to wait 4 or 5 or 6 months after making the necessary proof without even hearing from the Department. 
I have more feeling on this subject than I am willing to express, lest you should think me disrespectful - indeed there is considerable feeling on this subject abroad in community. It is unfortunate that so long suspense should fall upon widows; for with them it is intolerable - their feeble shaking nerves can hardly endure it. 
If Mr Edwards had 5 or 6 of them about him. I think he would be induced to quiet their anxieties & importunities by attending to their claims speedily as possible 
Your obt Servt. 
[signed] Franklin Lusk 
Atty. for widows above named
Page 72

Letter of Wm. Thompson (see his affidavit) 

Free 

Samuel McKean Esqr 
Representative in Congress 
Washington

Great Bend Pa 
Decr 20th 1825
Page 73

Great Bend, Susque’a County Decr. 20th 1825 
Samuel McKean Esqr 
Dear Sir
I have to acknowledge your attention in forwarding me the Presidents message. I now adress on behalf of Joseph Thomas a Soldier of the Revolution. He served three years and was present at the scene at Yorktown in Virginia. On the conclusion of the war by commenced farming, and by his industry and economy had by the year 1816 acquired a property that was estimated worth nearby $5000 besides he had reared a numerous family. Early in 1816, intending to benefit his family, he purchased a farm near to my residence for which he agreed to pay $6000, and depended on selling his old place to pay for it. The purchase has proved to be for him most unfortunate. Soon after he came on to the late purchase a vast depression of all kinds of farming produce took place & the persons whom he expected to have bought his old farm declined buying. He finally was compelled to sell it for $4000. He was now $2000 in debt on his last place & the most of his personal property had got wasted in endeavouring to make shifts and turns to extricate himself. Sometime in 1819, he applied for a pension for his Revolutionary services, and made it appear to the satisfaction of the Court that what he owed on his farm, together with a debt on judgment against him in favor of the Landholder from whom he had bought his old place of $300 which Judgment was a lien on the place, and which he had bound himself to the purchaser to extinguish, were more in amount than all the property he possessed was worth. The Court being satisfied of that fact & of the integrity of Mr. Thomas, Certified to his impoverished circumstances. He received a Pension under the Act of 1818, but on the supplementary act of 1820 being passed it became necessary for the Courts to be more strict in their proof of the indigence of the applicant. Mr. Thomas still lived on the farm, and was told by the mortgagee he might continue to do so & avail himself of any advantage there might be in selling it, Provided he annually paid up the interest. That however he was not able to do and in May 1824, the mortgagee sold the property that Mr Thomas had agreed to give $6000 for, to Thomas Young for the amount of Mortgage & costs, being about $2300. Nor could that sum have been obtained for it, had not the Mortgagee at the sale given notice that he would receive the payments in ten equal annual installments, the interest to be paid yearly. Thus was by the depression of the value of Real Estate, an industrious man stript of the earnings of forty years, and left at the age of sixty five, near $400 in debt. (the Judgment in favor of the Land holder mentioned above)
Page 74

and stript of every thing. Some time in the year 1824 Mr Thomas applied to the Hon. Secretary of War to have his name restored to the pension list, which hitherto has not been done, and I now would turn your attention to an incident that alone has prevented it. When Mr Thomas’s property was on sale by public outcry by the Sherrifs deputy $2300, (the amount of debt & costs) had been bid, a young man of no property bid $2600, but being unable to pay any thing or to give security, his bid was considered nothing, and the previous bidder having agreed to stand by his bid, it was struck off to him. The sherrifs deputy who was quite a youth however made the return, "Sold for $2600” and it was so entered on the Prothonotarys docket. I believe that in the application to the Hon. Secretary. The amount of the Debt and the sum the property sold for were certified under the Prothonotarial seal. The objection of the Hon. Secretary of War I understand to be “What has become of the surplus of $300 and requires the affidavit of the purchaser to whom or how he paid it.” Now the fact is, that the amount of Debt and costs, is all that ever was paid, and that the precise mistake above mentioned has been to the poor old man of much trouble & distress. The purchaser of the property is now deceased, & to show you the depreciation of property here I would inform you that his administrators have [illegible] to get rid of the property offered to reconvey it under an order of the Orphans Court to the former Mortgagee for $2000 & that he will not accept their offer. The probability is that at a public sale it will go for less. Of this tedious detail, I am personally acquainted with every occurrence that has taken place since the year 1816. Most of the writings relative to Mr. Thomas’s business has passed under my inspection, I was present at the public sale of his property, and hereby do pledge myself to yourself & to the Hon. Secretary, that in the whole of the matters belonging to Mr Thomas, there has been no fraud, no collusion, no cover of property to benefit himself or any of his family, on the contrary that he is verry poor, is indebted near $400., and that he lives with one of his sons who rents a farm, I also state that he is a pious, moral man, and is much respected, and sympathised with, on account of his losses. Whatever instrumentality you may make use of to get this worthy man a pension, will lay all the thinking part of this community under an obligation to you. I conclude by thanking you for your prompt attention to my communication last year in favor of Ichabod Ward. The worthy old man
Page 75

however departed this life three days before I received your letter, As I formerly resided in Georgia, should any documents be printed relative to the controversy with the Creeks, you would lay me under an additional obligation by forwarding them. With much respect 
I remain
Your obedt Servt. 
[signed] William Thompson
P.S. I hope something will be done for the soldiers of the Revolution “generally" this session, They are now become few, & it will redound to the credit of the nineteenth Congress to be liberal to those respectable men 
yours with Respect 
W. Thomson
Page 76

Joseph Thomas
Page 77

Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss
On this first day of September AD 1824, personally appeared in open court of common pleas in & for said County Joseph Thomas of Great Bend township, an applicant for a pension, and being duly Sworn according to Law Doth on his oath depose & say, that in the year 1816, and before the date of the deeds herein after mentioned this deponent was possessed of considerable property to wit two farms situate in Wayne County and that with a view of bettering his condition he on the 21st day of September 1816 purchased of one Samuel Blair a tract of Land as described in the deed a copy of which is hereunto attached for the sum of six thousand dollars and to secure that sum this deponent executed to said Blair on the same day his judgment Bond & Mortgage, of which mortgage a copy is hereunto attached, 
And this Deponent further states that at the time be purchased as aforesaid He thought the farms mentioned above & which he wished to sell would enable him to pay said Blair But the fall in the price of Real estate, so much lessening the value of the farms that about May   1817 he sold one of said farms to Blair for Sixteen hundred dollars and in February (20th day) 1819 he sold the other farm to Blair for two thousand five hundred dollars which with some small payments which he had made reduced the amount due to Blair to the sum of one thousand eight hundred and sixty two dollars, and a settlement being then made this deponent cancelled the old Bond
Page 78

and gave a new Bond for said sum of $1862 - on which Bond Judgment was [entered?] up on the 12th March 1819. –
On this last Bond Deponet paid as follows 
1st January 1822 $94.78 
4th March 1822 49.39
27th June 1823 90.00
which monies he had borrowed of Thomas Young. - The Judgment was assigned by Blair to William Thomson, who was willing to wait the deponent for his pay if deponent was able to pay the interest punctually, This deponent was totally unable to do, the fall in the price of all kinds of property and the inability of Deponent to attend to his business in consequence of his age and infirmities, convinced Said Thomson said Deponent would not be able to meet the interest Deponent was unable to borrow money and on the 12th of January 1824 Execution was issued on said Judgment which was levied on the said land and on the 13th of February a Venditioni Exponas was issued upon which last writ the land was sold to Thomas Youngs for the sum of twenty six hundred dollars – (See the Record of said judgment, and the Proceedings thereon hereunto attached) 
At the time of the sale the debt & interest amounted to about twenty two hundred dollars and the overplus after deducting the costs was applied by said Youngs to pay the money borrowed of him as aforesaid 
In pursuance of the sale which was made on the first day of March last Young took possession of the farm and is now (by his tenant) in possession of the same and Deponent lives with and
Page 79

is dependent upon his son Joseph Thomas Jr for support –
And this Deponent further states that during the time he has owned said farm (since 1816 he has from time to time been possessed of small quantities of personal property consisting of a small stock of cattle and some farming utensils and the like. That he has been obliged to hire the greater part of his labour done and the proceeds of the farm and his little personal property, have been expended from time to time in paying for said labour and in support of his family –
And this Deponent further states that the reason of his not exhibiting a Schedule prior to the 1st of March 1823 was that untill the sale of his farm as aforesaid he was enabled to gain a comfortable support for himself and family, and was in the hope of being able to pay the debt and secure the same, in which case he would not again have been under the necessity of asking all of his Country - But now by the change of times, his increasing age and the sale aforesaid, he is reduced from a state of comparative affluence and independence to a state of Poverty and dependence - and this deponent also states that he can not recollect particularly the small trades which he has made in personal property since the 18th of March 1818 and that they in the whole have not amounted to more than a verry small sum - and that He has not since the 18th March 1818 disposed of any property other than as herein set forth 
[signed] Joseph Thomas
Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court this 1st day of Sept 1824 
[signed] Asa Dimock Jr Prot.
Page 80

State of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss
I Asa Dimock Junior Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County Do Certify that the within named Joseph Thomas personally appeared in open Court of Common pleas, on the first day of September instant and took and Subsribed the annexed oath, or deposition 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the and the Seal of said County at Montrose this first day of September Anno Domini 1824 
[signed] Asa Dimock Jr  Prot
Page 81

Samuel Blair To Joseph Thomas 
Deed 
This Indenture made the twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixteen Between Samuel Blair of Great Bend township in the County of Susquehanna in Pennsylvania and Mary his wife of the first part, and Joseph Thomas, of the same place of the second part Witnesseth That the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of six thousand dollars. dollars to him in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged Hath granted bargained sold released and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell release and confirm unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns all that certain tract piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in the township of Great Bend aforesaid Beginning at a large heap of stones near the nineteen mile stone in the north line of Pennsylvania Hence West along the State line aforesaid to the Bank of the Susquehanna River where the said State line crosses said river Thence up the West Shore thereof as the river winds and turns to an Elm tree or a stake and stones where the same stood the North west corner of Lot number two, owned by Frederick Henn Thence North Seventy three degrees and five minutes East, by the line of said Lot number two to the heap of stones first mentioned and place of Beginning Containing one hundred and thirty three acres be the same more or less. Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto
Page 82

thereunto belonging and the remainders and reversions, rents issues and profits thereof. To have and to hold the premises hereby Granted with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns to the use of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, and the said party of the first part and his heirs, the premises hereby granted with the appurtenances against all and every person or persons whatsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof is the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns, shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In Witness whereof the said Parties have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written, Saml Blair {Seal}  Mary Blair {Seal}
Sealed and delivered in the presence of Note the erasure of the words “by or under me” in the last line above was done before signing 
Putnam Catlin 
William A Conklin 

Susquehanna County ss
Before me William Thomson Esquire one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas for said County personally appeared Samuel Blair and Mary his wife and acknowledged the foregoing Indenture to be their free act and deed the said Mary being first examined by me apart from her said husband declared in this she acted voluntarily and without
Page 83

constraint Witness my hand and seal this 23d day of September AD 1816 
William Thomson {seal}
Recorded March 25th 1820 

Susquehanna County ss
I William Jessup Recorder of Deeds &c in and for the County of Susquehanna Do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a Deed Recorded in my office in Deed Book No 3 pages 481 & 482 - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Office at Montrose this Eighteenth day of August AD 1824 
[signed] Wm Jessup Recorder 

Joseph Thomas to
Samuel Bain } Mortgage 
This Indenture made the twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixteen - Between Joseph Thomas of Great Bend in Susquehanna County in Pennsylvania of the first part, and Samuel Blair of the second part, Whereof the said party of the first part in and by his entire obligation or writing obligatory bearing [illegible]
Page 84

[illegible] date herewith standeth bound unto the said party of the second part in the sum of twelve thousand dollars, in the manner and at the times herein after mentioned that is to say, one thousand dollars current money of the State of New York on every the first day of May in the year AD 1817 AD 1818, 1819, 1821, 1823, 1825, with lawful interest of Pennsylvania from and after the first day of May next, to be paid annually in the whole sum, as by the said obligation and the condition thereto will fully appear And this Indenture Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the aforesaid obligation and of the Debt therein mentioned and for the better securing the payment of the same at the times and in the manner in the said obligation specified and for the further consideration of one dollar to him in hand paid by the said party of second part at and before the Sealing and delivery of these presents. The Receipt of which is here by acknowledged Hath granted bargained sold, released and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell release and confirm unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns all that certain tract piece or parcel of land, situate lying and being in the township of Great Bend aforesaid Beginning at a large heap of stones near the nineteen Mile Stone in the north line of Pennsylvania thence west along the State line aforesaid to the bank of the Susquehanna River where the State line crosses the said River thence up the shore thereof as the river winds and turns to an Elm tree or a stake and stones where the same stood the north
Page 85

west corner of Lot number two owned by Frederick Henn Thence North Seventy five degrees and five minutes east, by the line of said Lot number two to the heap of stones first mentioned and place of Beginning containing one hundred and thirty three acres be the same more or less (Being the same tract of land and premises which the said party of the second part, by Indenture bearing date the same day and year herewith but executed immediately before these presents, granted and conveyed unto the said party of the first part his heirs and assigns) Together with all and Singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging and the remainders and reversions rents issues and the profits thereof and all the Estate right title and interest of him the said party of the first part his heirs and assigns of in and to the same To Have and to hold the premises hereby granted with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns to the use of the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever. Provided always nevertheless that if the said party of the said party of the first part, his heirs executors or administrators do and shall pay or cause to be paid to the said party of the second part his executors administrators or assigns the aforesaid debt or sum of money in the said obligation and condition mentioned at the times and in the manner therein specified and provided then and from thence forth as well this Indenture as the estate hereby granted shall determine and become void anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding   In Witness whereof the said parties
Page 86

parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written 
[signed] Joseph Thomas {seal}
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of. note the interlineation of Joseph Thomas in the second line & the name of Samuel Blair in the third line was done Before the Execution hereof 
[signed] Putnam Catlin   William A Conklin 

Susquehanna Co ss
On the twenty third day of September Anno Domini 1816. before me William Thomson Esquire one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common [crossed out: pleas] for said County personally appeared Joseph Thomas the Grantor above named and acknowledged the foregoing indenture to be his act & Deed - Witness my hand & seal the day and year just above written 
[signed] William Thompson  {seal}
Recorded November 18th 1816 

Susquehanna County ss
I William Jessup Recorder of Deeds &c in and for the County of Susquehanna Do certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of a Mortgage Recorded in my office in Mortgage Book no 1 pages 423 & 424  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office at Montrose this 18th day of August 1824 
[signed] Wm Jessup  Recorder
Page 87

Susquehanna County 
May Term 1819 
Jessup 29.  Samuel Blair 
Joseph Thomas } D.S.B.
On the 12th day of March 1819 A H Read Esquire appears for the Defendant and confesses Judgment to the Plaintiff for the sum of three thousand seven hundred and Twenty four dollars, with costs of Suit, a release of arrears and Stay of Execution till the first day of May 1820 
Rent Debt $ 1862.00 
Int from 29th Feb 1819
Atty  4.00
Prot  1.00

1st Jany 1822 Record on the above judgt ninety four dollars seventy eight cents 
Saml Blair by his Atty 
Noble Trowbridge 

Feby 20th 1822 The above Judgment assigned to William Thomson Esq (on the Bond on which said Judgt was entered)
Jany 12th 1824 Fi. Fee. Revble to Feby Term 1824 
Feby 13th 1824 Issued Record. Exps Relble to May 5. 1824. 
To the Fi fee above mentioned, the Sheriff Returned as follows to wit "To the Honourable the Judges within named I do certify that by virtue of this writ to me directed I have seized and taken in Execution a certain tract of Land in Great Bend
Page 88

“Bend (a discussion annexed) which remains in my hands unsold which for want of buyers &c & the residue of the Execution of this writ appears in the Schedule hereunto annexed Philander Stephens Sheriff 
“Description of lands levied upon a certain piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in the township of Great Bend. Beginning at a large heap of Stones near the nineteenth mile stone in the North line of Pennsylvania. Hence west along the state line aforesaid to the Bank of the Susquehanna River where the State line crosses the said River thence up the shore thereof as the river winds and turns to an Elm tree or a stake and Stones where the same stood, the north west Corner of Lot No 2 owned by Frederick Henn, thence North seventy three degrees and five minutes East, by the line of Said Lot no 2, to the heap of stones first in [cautioned?] and place of beginning containing one hundred thirty three acres more or less with the appurtenances &c”
“And to the Vendi Exponas before mentioned be returned as follows, to wit “To the Honorable the Judges within named &c I do certify that by virtue of this writ to me directed after due and timely notice by me given of the time and place of sale I did on Monday the first day of March last past, expose the within described premises to sale by public vendue or outcry and sold the same to Thomas Young for $2600 dollars he being the highest bidder and that the highest and best price bidden for the same, which monies I have ready before the Judges within named at the day and place”
Page 89

“within specified as within I am commanded so [Ausious?] 
[signed] P Stephens Shff 

Susquehanna County ss
I Asa Dimock Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record in the above cause & that the returns of the Sheriff thereunto annexed are truly copied at said returns as made by the Sheriff to the said writs –
Witness my hand and the seal of said County at Montrose the first day of September AD 1824 
[signed] Asa Dimock Prot
Page 90

Joseph Thomas
March 1820
Page 91

District of Pennsylvania 
Susquehanna County ss
On this fourth day of May Anno Domini 1824 personally appeared in open Court being the County Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Susquehanna Holden before the Honourable Edward Herrick Esqr President and William Thomson & Davis Dimock Esqrs. his associates, Judges of the same Court, Joseph Thomas aged sixty four years resident in Great Bend Township in said County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows to wit. He enlisted at New Burgh in the State of New York into Capt Peter Mills Company in Col Baldwins Regiment for the term of three years in the year 1777 or 1778 (the precise time he has forgotten) and served the said term out and was discharged at Philadelphia - He was, during the said term transferred from the said Company & Regiment to Capt Patton's Company under General Knox by whom he was discharged (Reference to original application may shew some of the facts which he has now forgotten as he has no copy) 
Pension Certificate No 15459 
Date of original application 25 August 1819 
And I do Solemnly Swear that was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift Sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act 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 hereunto annexed and by me subscribed.
Page 92

Schedule 
12 Sheep - $18.00 
3 Beds & Bedding 54.00 
Kitchen Utensils 10.00 
6 Pigs  9.00
1 wheel  2
Plates &c  3
[total] $96
My occupation is farming but my age prevents me labouring [illegible] My family consists of my wife name Phebe aged fifty four One son aged eighteen named David and one son aged fourteen named Oliver 
[signed] Joseph Thomas 
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court this 4th day of May 1824. 
[signed] Asa Dimock Jr Prot

Susquehanna County ss
I Asa Dimock Junior Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Susquehanna Do Certify that the foregoing oath & the Schedule thereunto attached are truly copied from the records of said Court. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount of the value of the property exhibited in said Schedule is ninety six dollars.
Witness my hand and the Seal of said County at Montrose this eighth day of June in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty four – 
[signed] Asa Dimock Jr. Prot.
Page 93

February 9, 1937. 
Veterans Administration, 
Revolutionary War Division, 
Washington, D.C. 
RE: JOSEPH THOMAS. 
Gentlemen;- 
To assist in geneological research will you be kind enough to search your records for any information you may have on Joseph Thomas, possibly residing in Maine, and born in Scituate, Massachusetts, February 5, 1753. He married Phebe Tyler. 
I shall be grateful for your efforts in my behalf.
Very sincerely yours, 
[signed] Maude Mecham 

Mrs. Arthur Mecham, 
924 N. Marguerita Ave. 
Alhambra, Calif.
Page 94

Rev. War Section,  3-1865   Rev Sec
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
WASHINGTON December 1, 1916. 
Mrs. William H. Frey, 
Springbrook, 
Sand Lake, Michigan. 
Madam:- 
In response to your letter dated the tenth ultimo, you are advised that owing to the large number of similar inquiries and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, this Bureau is unable to furnish the histories of more than two Revolutionary War pensioners to any person. 
In order to identify such a record, in addition to the soldier's full name, some of the following data is essential: names of some officers under whom he served, his places of residence at enlistment and after service, the approximate dates of his birth and death, given name and residence of his widow. 
Very respectfully, 
G M Saltzgraber
Commissioner.
Page 95

In reply to enclosed I name two Ancestors and give data as following: 
Joseph Thomas - born May 2nd, 1761 - Died April 24th, 1831. 
Married Pheobe Tyler - June 1st, 1785. 
In Capt. Mills' Company under Command of Col. Jeduthian Baldwin. 
Mass. Vol. Page 22. 
Bezaleel Tyler 
Born Feb. 26th, 1745 or 6. 
Died July 22nd, 1779 in the battle of Lackawaken by Indians and Tories under Joseph Brant. 
Married Abigail (Calkins) Bush. Place probably Sharon, Conn. about 1787 or 68 
Tyler’s name is second on a Monument erected at Goshen, N.Y. 
Thanking you for attention, I am, 
Yours very truly, 
Grace Conklin Frey 
Sand Lake 
Mich

Thos [Scott?]

[stamp] U.S. Pension Office Dec 11 1916
Page 96

O. W. & N. Division.
F.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D. C., December 5, 1894.
Sir:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Joseph Thomas a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

[BEGIN TABLE]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  |   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   |   RANK.   |  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.   |   COLONEL.   |   STATE.  |
Oct. 1778  |  3 yrs.  |  Pri.  |  Peter Mills   Patton  |  Baldwin – Regt. of Artificers.  |    |
[END TABLE]

Battles engaged in, Surrender at Yorktown.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Newburgh, N.Y.
Date of application for pension, August 25, 1819.
Residence at date of application, Susquehanna, Pa.
Age at date of application, Born May 2, 1761.
Remarks: He married Phebe Tyler on June 1, 1785, and died Apr. 24, 1831. His widow was also a pensioner. She was born August 30, 1769. None of the original papers can be surrendered. 

Very Respectfully, 
Commissioner.

Mr. F. J. Conklin, 
1013 Putnam Ave., 
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Page 97

1013 Putnam ave 
Brooklyn N.Y. 
Nov 5/94 
Wm Lochren 
Com. of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: 
Joseph Thomas was a soldier in the Revolutionary war from Sulivan County  N.Y. He may have resided across the river (Delaware) in Wayne County, Penna. 
He afterwards resided near Gt. Bend, Susquehanna Co, Penna. where he died in 1831. He was born in 1761. His wife Phoebe died in 1847. I am not certain whether either of them ever applied for a pension

[stamp] U.S. Pension Office Nov 7 1894
Page 98

they were ancesters of mine, I would be greatly obliged to you for a statement, should you have it in your files, of his military record and such other matters as you may have relating to same 
Thanking you etc I remain
Your very truly 
[signed] F. J. Conklin
P.S.
If application was made possibly it may have been from Conklin, Broome County, N.Y. 
F.J.C.
Page 99

[stamp]
OLD WAR & NAVY FILES NOV 9 1894

[stamp]
U.S. Pension Office Nov 7 1894
Page 100

1013 Putnam Ave
Brooklyn, N.Y. 
Nov 29th 1894 
Wm Lochren 
Comr of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir 
My application some days since for a statement the military history of Mr Joseph Thomas a soldier in to Revolutionary War was duly answered same reaching me this morning. I find one or two mistakes, however, which I would like very much to have corrected, that there may be hesitancy in admitting me a member of the “Sons of the
Page 101

Revolution” 
1st The name as given of in the statement is “Joseph Thompson” should be Joseph Thomas. 
2d The date of application for pension is given as Aug. 25th 1819 - should it not have been at a later day? perhaps ten years or more. 
I would like to ask if his widow did not receive a pension after his death. And should his original papers be on file at your office are they not obtainable? 
The statement as sent me I enclose 
Yours very truly 
[signed] F. J. Conkling
Page 102

Copy 
Date of Enlistment Oct. 1778
Length of service  3 years
Rank Private
Captains Peter Mills & Patton
Colonel Baldwin - Regt of Artificers 
Battles engaged in - Surrender of Yorktown 
Residence at enlistment - Enlisted at Newburg N.Y 
Date of App for Pension - Aug 25 1819 
(Is it correct?) 
Residence etc Susquehanna Co. Pa 
Age at date of app Born May 2d 1761 
Remarks He married Phoebe Tyler on June 1st 1785, and Died April 23d 1831.- she was born Aug. 3th 1769, 
Joseph Thompson corrected should be Joseph Thomas
Page 103

[stamp]
U.S. Pension Office Dec 1 1894

[stamp]
OLD WAR 7 NAVY FILES DEC 4 1894
Page 104

In reply to your request of ___, received ___ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Thomas a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W.F. 2972

[BEGIN TABLE]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE. |
Oct. 1778 | 3 yrs. | Pvt. | Peter Mills   Patton | Jeduthan Baldwin's regt. of Artificers. | |
[END TABLE]

Battles engaged in, Yorktown.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Newburgh, N.Y.
Date of application for pension, August 25, 1819. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Susquehanna Co. Pa.
Age at date of application, B. May 2, 1761. He died Apr. 24, 1831.
Remarks: He mar at Pienpack N.Y.  June 1, 1785, Phebe Tyler who was born Aug 30, 1769. She was al. pen on her ap. ex. Aug. 27, 1838 while a resident of Great Bend Township, Susquehanna Co, Pa She died Mch 15, 1847.
Children, Charity, b. Mch 2, 1786; Sarah b. Nov. 18, 1787; Abigail b. Oct. 4. 1789; Aaron, b. Nov. 8. 1791; Elsey b. Dec. 24, 1793; Elias b. Jan. 15, 1796; Mary, b. Mch. 26, 1798; Joseph b. June 26, 1800; David 18 yrs of age in 1824; Oliver, 14 yrs old in 1824. Emily Conklin.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

3-2856
Page 105

April 28, 1937 
BA/JMMHF/eel
Mr. Arthur Mecham
924 N. Marguerite Avenue 
Alhambra, California 
Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letters and those of your wife, late February 9, 1937, in which are requested the Revolutionary War records of Henry Allard; John Day, of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, wife Olive; Jonas Robbins; John Guptill, born in Berwick, Maine, baptized March 17, 1756, married Mary Woodman and resided in Gouldsborough, Maine; Richard Martin, born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, baptized July 12, 1747, married Hannah Cruff, and died March 19, 1836; Samuel Swatland or Sweatland; Joseph Thomas, possibly of Maine, born in Scituate, Massachusetts, February 3, 1753, married Phebe Tyler. 
There is no claim for pension on file based upon the service in the Revolutionary War of John Day, as described by you, nor of Henry Allard, Jonas Robbins or Samuel Swatland or Sweatland, the surname searched under all spellings: no record could be positively identified as that of the John Guptill in whom you are interested nor was any record found of the Joseph Thomas, who resided in Maine or Massachusetts or who was born February 5, 1753. The record of one has been found, however, who married Phebe Tyler. The record of that Joseph Thomas and that of Richard Martin are furnished you herewith. 
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator.