Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11170, Rowland Cotton, Conn. Continental War Of 1812
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(3—1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Continental
War of 1812  
Cotton, Rowland
NUMBER
S. 11170
Carded
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31,443
District of Columbia
Rowland Cotton decd
Erie Co. in the State of N.Y.
who was a Sergeant in the Compy 
commanded Captain ~~
of the Regt commanded by Col ~~
in the Revolution
line for Conn. & Continental Line
Inscribed on the Roll of Washington City
at the rate of 120 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Ending 11 June 1847
Certificate of Pension issued the 8" day of Decr. 1851 and sent to J. J. Coombs Esq
Arrears to the 4th of
Present
Semi-annual allowance ending
Incd from $88
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
ordered by J. R. Weightman Clerk,
[Bo]ok E. Vol. 6½ Page 8.5
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State of New York
Erie County Ss. on this twelfth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared in open court in the in the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Erie in the state of New York. Rowland Cotton a resident of the home of Attica in the county of Genesee in the state of New York (aged seventy nine years, March 22, 1838 (inserted above the next line)) who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit 
of the pension made by the act of congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the 
army of the United States in the month of December 1775 in Captain Stephen  [illegible] 
in Colonel John [illegible] Regiment of Connecticut troops in the Continental 
service for the period of one year.  That immediately after his enlistment he joined his regiment at Cambridge in the state of Massachusetts and remained at that place during the Siege of Boston until that city was evacuated by the British. On the seventeenth day of March 1776, that he was then ordered with the rest of his Regiment to the city of New York in the State of New York, and landed in the City on the tenth day of April 1776, where the Regiment continued until it was time to go into tents, in the [illegible] In the month of Jul he went with his Regiment to Powder Hook, near the
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City of New York, in the State of New Jersey, where he remained with Colonel Dergy's Regiment until the month of August when he was taken from Colonel Dergy's Regiment & placed in a Regiment of Rangers under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Ruonlbow, who died patrole duty up and down the Long Island Sound from Throgs Neck, to York Island until the month of October thereafter. That while he was attached to the Regiment of Rangers he was under the command of Captain Stephen Prome, and during that tour of duty was present, on the thirteenth day of September at a skirmish with some boats from some British Men of War laying in the sound who attempted a night landing and were driven off. that on the fifteenth day of September the skirmishing party returned to Harlem the Regiment where Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton then was. That the army that night continued retreating up the River, and Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton's Regiment Covered the retreat of the army, that the next morning at sunrise Lieutenant Colonel K Knowlton marched back to Harlam Heights with his regiment & attacked the Bristish front, and after firing seven rounds a man,, a retreat was ordered, that on the retreat, the Regiment met a Reinforcement and returned and made a second attack upon the British right wing that Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton was there killed, and the enemy was driven back and the Regiment occupied the
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same ground, from which it retreated in the morning, that
it was the estimated by his commanding officers that one of four of the Regiment of Rangers were killed. That on the
Seventeenth of September Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton was
buried by his Regiment under arms -and this deponent
attended as one of the troops at the funerals - That the
remains of Lieutenant Colonel Knowltons Regiment were
then put under the Command of Captain Stephen Browns
under whos charge they remained about two weeks, when
they were ordered to join Colonel Durgys[? Durkee's]Regiment again
which they did at the town of Bergens in the County of Hackensack in the State of New Jersey-
That the army then
retreated from Bergens to the English neighborhood, and
Colonel Durgy[?Durkee], Regiment was stationed at Fort [illegible] where
they remained until the general Retreat of the army through
the State of New Jersey -to the Pennsylvania shore-
where they arrived the last days of November of the first of
December. That they remained doing duty up and down
the Delaware River without tents, or Covering untill Christmas
[illegible], that the Army was divided into three [illegible] and ordered to Cross the Delaware River. That Colonel Durgys[?Durkee's] Regiment, composed part to the American under the Command of  General Washington. That he was present at the Battle of Trenton,
with said Regiment, when the Hessians, were captured, that the next evening the army recrossed into the State of Pennsylvania with the Prisoners
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that they remained in Pennsylvania till the last day of December when the Regiment of Colonel Duggagan crossed and went into the town of Trenton. That his enlistment expired on the first day of January 1777. That General Washington then issued a proclamation that any of the troops whose tours had expired, might volunteer for the month of January, and that for so doing they should have ten dollars born by and their months pay. That this deponent with about [unk] their of Colonel Dergy's Regiment volunteered to serve out the month of January. That on the second day of January, the British army, came close, and the American Army retreated across the said Frank Creek, when they [unk], and remained in till dark. That Colonel Dergy's Regiment, was then attached to General Marcus' Brigade. That at dark the army took up their ling of march, and marched to Princeton, New Jersey, where about [unk] a the [unk] of the third of January an actor took place in which General Hendee was killed, and the enemy was defeated, and many of them taken prisoner. That the Army, then marched into Morris County, New Jersey and Colonel Dergy's Regiment and the rest of the Army were at a place called "Pluck town", where he remained untill the first of February when he was discharged and returned to Pomfret in Windham County in the State of Connecticut where he was first enlisted and where he then resided
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That on or about the first day of March 1777, he again enlisted in Captain Stephen Brown's Company in Colonel Dergy's Regiment in the Connecticut line, in the Continental Army for the term of three years. That in the month of May following he joined the Regiment with his Company at Peckskill, and [unk] and there doing duty untill the month of September following. That Colonel Durgy's Regiment then composed part of General McDougal's Brigade. That in September General McDougal's Brigade was ordered to march into the State of Pennsylvania and join the main army under the command of General Washington at Skeppack. That they marched to Skeppack where they remained untill the third day of October then after at night, when they were marched to Jerusalem, where an action took place, and the American army fell back to Skeppack again. That the army remained doing duty in the State of Pennsylvania until the month of November where Colonel Dergy and Colonel Chandler's Regiment of Connecticut Troops was detached from the army and ordered to Mud Island in the Delaware River nine miles from Philadelphia, where they remained untill the evacuation of the Fort at Mud Island, while at Mud Island there was a continual canonading from the British Sloops of War untill the Fort was evacuated during which Captain Brome his officer was killed. That the Regiment then marched to Woodbury in the State of New jersey, and from thence into the State of Pennsylvania, where they joined the main
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Army near a place called Crooked Billet. That Lieutenant Beriah Bile was appointed to the command of the company formerly commanded by Captain Stephen Brown. That the army continued doing duty in Pennsylvania, untill the month of December, when they marched into winter quarters at Valley Forge where they remained during the winter. That in the spring of 1778 the army marched from Valley Forge, through the State of New Jersey, that on the twenty eighth day of June they fought the battle of Monmouth, where Colonel Dergy was shot through both hands. That he was in this action attached to Major General See;sdivision, and General Fanhaim's Brigade. That that day the Brigade was under the immediate command of Colonel Dergy, and Colonel Dergy's Regiment was under the command of Colonel Sumner. That from that place they marched to White Plains, when the army was encamped for some weeks, and untill the month of December when the Eight Connecticut Regiment went into winter quarters at Reading in Danbury County in the State of Connecticut. That in the spring 1779, they were attached to General Parson's Brigade, the Regiment still being under the command of Colonel Dergy, and opened the campaign on the Highlanos near Peckskill, on the Hudson River, that there was not much active service done that season, the Troops remaining encamped along the River at various points. That in November the Brigade crossed the River with the army for the purpose of going into winter quarters at
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Morristown, New Jersey. That a few days after the fervor from battle he was warranted as a Corporal, of the Company to which he was attached, and when the army went into winter quarters at Morristown he was promoted to the post of first sergeant in the company. That in the month of February 1780, Colonel Dergy's Regiment and the rest of the Connecticut line, including the Brigades of General Parsons and General Huntington, was ordered to the vicinity of Staten Island. That Colonel Dergy's Regiment was [unk] at Westfield in the State of New Jersey. That Captain Bile resigned during the year and Captain Samuel Cleft of Plainfield in the State of Connecticut was appointed to the command of the company. That in the month of April he was discharged, his term enlistment having expired and his discharge was signed by Colonel Jonathan Meigs of the Connecticut line who was then in command of the Brigade which discharge was afterwards destroyed by fire when his house was burned, about the year 1810. That after his discharge he returned again to Pomfret Windham County in the State of Connecticut, his place of residence. That in the spring of the year 1781, he again enlisted in the Connecticut line in the Continental army in the company company commanded by Captain Lemuel Cleft at Plainfield in the State of Connecticut, as a Sergeant, that he continued with Captain Cleft as a recruiting sergeant, untill the month of
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June, when he was ordered to join the Regiment in the Connecticut line formerly under the command of Colonel Dergy, but which was then under the command of Colonel Thomas Grosvenor of Pomfret in the State of Connecticut. That he joined his Regiment in the vicinity of West Point on the coast side of the Hudson River, that he continued there untill the campaign opened upon the White Plains. That Colonel Grosvenor's Regiment and Colonel Olney's Rhode Island Regiment had a skirmish with the enemy at Spikendents Creek near Shingsbridge, after that he was camped upon White Plains with the rest of the army. That in August, Captain Cleft & his company were detached as a part of a Battalion of Light Infantry and placed under the command of Colonel Alexander Hamilton, and were marched by land to the head of the [unk] River, where we embarked in vessels and were transported to Jamestown on James River, and were marched from thence to Williamsburgh Virginia, where we were united with the division of the Army under the command of the Marquis De La Fayette. From Williamsburgh we were marched to Yorktown, and were present at the siege of Yorktown, and were part of the detachment that stormed the right hand redoubt under the command of the Marquis De La Fayette on the night of the 14th of October 1781. That they remained at Yorktown untill the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and
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on the ninth day of November there after we were embarked on board of vessels for the north and landed at the head of the Elk River, from whence we were marched to the Hudson River, where we again joined the regiment under the command of Colonel Grosvenor, and wintered in the vicinity of West Point at a place called the Connecticut huts. That Captain Cleft and his company were continued in the Light Infantry and deponent was his orderly sergeant, and in the spring of 1782 were attached to a Regiment of Light Infantry under the command of Colonel Smith in a Brigade commanded by Samuel B Webb a Colonel in the Connecticut line, from Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut, and were the advanced guard of the army that campaign. That at the close of the campaign Captain Cleft and his Company were again attached to Colonel Grosvenor's Regiment, which they joined at West Point, where they went into winter quarters in the latter part of December of that year. That about that time Colonel Grosvenor' resigned his commission, and the Regiment was put under the command of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who continued the command untill June 1783 when deponent was discharged at West point. That his discharge was given by Brigadier General Jedediah
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Huntington by order of General Washington, which discharge was burned up in or about the year 1810, when deponents house was burned. That the reason why he did not make his declaration in the County of Genesee, is that he has resided there but about two years, and is a stranger to the Court in that County, that previous to his removing to Genesee County he had resided in Erie County for the period of thirty years and was known to the Court, and many of the citizens, which made it more convenient for him to make his application in Erie County. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a Revolutionary pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is only on the pension Roll of the agency of the State of New York as an Invalid Pensioner for services rendered during the late War of 1812.

Rowland Cotton

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Cyrus K. Anderson Clerk
By R. W. Padelford Depy

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
Frederic P Stevens
Judge of Erie County Common Pleas

I Cyrus K Anderson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Erie in the State of New York
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do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said count in the matter of the application of Rowland Cotton for a pension, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twelfth day of June Eighteen hundred thirty eight.
Cyprus K. Anderson Clerk
By R.W. Padelford
Deputy
[seal]
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District of Columbia
Washington County} ss.
On this 9th day of September 18514, before me, a Notary Public in and for said County & District personally appeared S. H. Cotton of Milwaukee Wisconsin, who being duly sworn according to law upon his oaths declares, that he is the son of Rowland Cotton deceased, who was a revolutionary pensioner on the New York roll, at the rate of $88 per annum, under the act of 7th July 1832.
He further declares, that he believes his father served in the revolutionary war, one year as a private, three years as a corporal, and more than two years as a sergeant in the Continental line of Connecticut. That after having served one year as a private, and three years as a corporal as aforesaid, he enlisted, in the spring of 1781, in the company of Capt. Clefts, in the regiment formerly commanded by Col. Dergy, last than commanded by Col. Grosvenor, and served in said company, as a sergeant, from the time of said enlistment, to the close of the War, in June 1783, when he was discharged at West point. He believes said company was transferred several times to other Regiments, and that when his said father was discharged, at the close of the War, he belonged to the Regiment then commanded by Col. Zebulon Butler.
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He however refers to the declaration made by his said father in his life time, and which is on file in the Pension Office, for a more full and particular statement as to his said services. He further states that he always understood that his said father in his life time, that his said last mentioned enlistments was for the term of during the war, and that he was discharged at the close of the war, and he believes such to be true.
He further declares that his father the said Rowland Cotton died in Semper County, New York, on the 13th day of June 1848 leaving no widow surviving him, but leaving this declarant, Samuel Cotton, of Jackson County, Iowa, Mary Cotton of Wyoming County, New York, David H. Cotton of Erie County, New York, & Elijah H. Cotton of Wyoming Co, NY his only surviving children.
He makes this declaration, on behalf of himself, and the other surviving children aforesaid, for the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 15th of May 1828, and for an increase of the pension allowed said Rowland Cotton under the act of 7th July 1832. and he hereby constitutes and appoints J. J. Coombs of the city of Washington, his attorney to prosecute
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his claim, and receive such certificate as may be issued thereon.
He further states that although his said father claimed a pension for services as a sergeant, yet he was only allowed in the grade of a corporal; but the affiant has just been informed that there are rolls in the Pension Office which ought to show whether he was not a sergeant after the spring of 1781, and which he believes were not examined on the former adjustment of said Pension. He asks that the tolls may be carefully examined, with a view to ascertain whether his said father did not serve as a sergeant, and also, whether he did not enlist the last time, for the time of "during the war," and that such increase of pension may be allowed, as the case whence found in the rolls will warrant.
S H Cotton

Sworn and subscribed before me this ninth day of Sept AD 1837.
N Callow
Notary Public
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Browns Co Durkee's Reg
Enlisted April 20 1777 made Corp 1st Sept 1777
Col Zebulon Butler Reg [illegible]
En Jan 17 81 for three years Serg
3 years
Jan 7 '83 Serg- Cleft
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February 19, 1938
Rowland Cotton
S. 11170
Mrs. H. A. Pennebaker    BA--J/AWF
Tulare, Box 967
California

Dear Madam:

  Reference is made to your letter in which you
request information in regard to Rowland Cotton, who
served in the Revolutionary War from Connecticut, also in the War of 1812 from the State of New York.
  The data which follow concerning Rowland
Cotton were obtained from papers on file in pension
claims, under S> 11170, based upon his service in
the War of the Revolution, and upon his disability
incurred while in the War of 1812.
  Roland Cotton was born March 22, 1759, place
not stated, nor were the names of his parents given.
  While residing in Pomfret, Windham County,
Connecticut, Rowland Cotton enlisted sometime in
December, 1775, served as a private in Captain
Stephen Brown's company, Colonel John Durkee's and
Colonel Knowlton's regiment of Rangers, with the
Connecticut troops, until sometime in February, 1777.
He enlisted March 1, 1777, served as private, corporal,
and 1st sergeant in Captains Stephen Brown's,
Beriah Bill's, Lemuel Clift's companies, Colonel John Durkee's
regiment, and in Colonels Thomas Grosvenor's,
Alexander
Hamilton's, Smith's, and Zebulon Butler's regiments,
and was discharged in June, 1783 at West Point, New
York. During his service he was in the battles of
Harlem Heights, Trenton, Delaware with
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General Washington, in the battles of Princeton,
Germantown, Fort Mifflin, wintered at Valley Forge,
in the battle of Monmouth, and in the siege and
surrender of Yorktown.
  Rowland Cotton served in the War of 1812, from
December 16, 1813, as Captain and Acting Brigade
Quartermaster under Brigade General Timothy S.
Hopkins in the New York Militia, he was wounded in
the knee in the retreat from Black Rock, December
30, 1813, and was discharged January 26, 1814.
  He was allowed pension from January 27, 1814,
on account of disability resulting from the above
noted wound. He was living in 1817 in Buffalo,
New York.
  He was allowed pension on account of his
service in the War of the Revolution, on his appli-
cation executed April 13, 1818, then living in
Buffalo, New York. He was, also, allowed pension
under the Act of June 7, 1832, on account of his
service in the War of the Revolution.
  On June 12, 1838, Rowland Cotton was living
in Attica, Genesee County, New York, where he had
lived about two years, having formerly lived in
Erie County, New York. He died June 11, 1847 or
June 13, 1848 in Genesee County, New York. He
left no widow at his death, name of his wife, not
given, nor were there any details as to marriage.
  The following children survived their father,
Rowland Cotton, and were residing in 1851 as
follows--
    Lester H. Cotton of Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
    Samuel Cotton of Jackson County, Iowa;
    Mary Cotton of Wyoming County, New York;
    Daniel H. Cotton of Erie County, New York;
    Elijah H. Cotton of Wyoming County, New York.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Erie Common Pleas
In the matter of
Rowland Cotton a 
Revolutionary Pension
Declaration
[illegible] Webb w
Aug 79
on Apl 20-77 corpl
corpl 1 Sept
Admd
2 years Corpl
88$
F.G. Stanley
Buffalo
N.Y.
Page 21

Payable on the 4th March and
4th September of each year,
by the Pres of the Branch Bk. of U.S.
in the City of New York.
No pension is payable until 
the arrival of one of the other
of the above dates, after the
issue of a Certificate.

Registered, by BLBeall
Clerk, in book B, volume 5th
page 204
Page 22

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United
States, of the 18th March, 1818, ______________
Rowland Cotton late a Corporal
_______________ in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed
on the Pension List, Roll of the New York ____
Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to com-
mence on the thirteenth day of April __ one thousand
eight hundred and eighteen ________________

  Given at the War Office of the United
States, this twentieth day of
March -- one thousand eight
hundred and twenty.

J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.
Page 23

In reply to your request of         , received         for a statement of the military history of Rowland Cotton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension of file in this Bureau.

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Dec. 1775
Length of enlistment: to Feby 1777
Rank" Private
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain Stephen Brown, Colonel John Durkee Knowlton's Rangers
State: Conn.

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Mch 1, 1777
Length of Service: to April 1780
Rank: private, corporal 1st Segment
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain Beriah Bill & Samuel Swift, Colonel John Durkee

Dates of enlistment or appointment: Spring 1781
Length of Service: to June 1783
Rank: 1st sergeant
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain Lemuel Clift, Colonel Thomas Grosvenor & Alexander Hamilton & Smith & Zebulon Butler

Battles engaged in, Harlem Heights, Trenton, Princeton, Germantown, Fort Mifflin (Mud Island), Monmouth, siege & surrender of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pomfret, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Apl 13, 1818. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Buffalo, New York
Age at date of application, 79 yrs, Mch 22, 1838, & resident of Attica, NY
Remarks: he also served in the War of 1812, from Dec. 16, 1813 to Jany 26, 1814 as Capt. & acting Brigade Quartermaster under Brig. Genl. Timothy S. Hopkins NY militia and sustained wound of knee in retreat from Black Rock December 30, 1813. Rowland Cotton died June 13, 1848 in Genesee Co NY, leaving no widow but the following children only in 1851, Samuel, Mary, Daniel H., Elijah H. & Lester H. Cotton. There is no further family data on file.

Respectfully,

Commissioner

Knowlton killed at Harlen Hgts,
Stephen Bromm killed at Mud Is. fort
Durkee shot thru both hands at Monmouth
Page 24

Box 967, Tulare, Cal., January 25, 1938
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.  Re: Revolutionary War record of
Rowland Cotton

Dear Sir:

  The Adjutant General's Office of the War Department has referred me to
you for some information I am seeking and I shall be most appreciative if
you can give me any assistance in this matter.
  I am desirous of verifying the information given below, regarding the
service record of Rowland Cotton. He was the grandfather of my paternal
grandmother, and spent his last years in her home. The data given below
was taken from his obituary, printed in The Attica "Telegraph" a newspaper
"printed in the Village of Attica July 2, 1847", (New York)
  "As a boy he rode his horse to notify General Israel Putnam of the
trouble at Lexington.
  "In October 1775 he enlisted in Col. Durkie's (perhaps misspelled)
Regiment of Connecticut troups at Boston, at the age of 17 years.
  "March 17, 1776 he took part in the Siege of Boston.
  "Served 4 years as Orderly Sargeant in Cleft's Light Infantry.
  "At Capture of New York.
  "At Siege of Mud Island.
  "At King's Bridge.
  "At Frog's Neck Aug. 27, 1776 and Harlem on the Sounds.
  "Dec. 30, 1776 at Trenton.
  "Recrossed the Delaware with Washington Xmas night 1776.
  "Winter at Valley Forge.
  "Winter quarters at Morristown.
  "January 13, 1777 at Princeton.
  "Sept. 11, 1777 at Brandywine.
  "Sept. 13, 1777 at Germantown.
Page 25

Veterans Administration 2.
Re: Revolutionary War Record of
Rowland Cotton
  "Among the American forces driven by Bergen across New Jersey and Delaware
into Pennsylvania, where during December, their sufferings were indescribable
without tent or covering at night.
  "At taking of Stony Point, July 16, 1779
  "Marched to Virginia and joined the main army under Gen. Lafayette
   "One of the storming party at the right hand redoubt at Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis, Oct. 19, 1781,
  "He was in 7 general actions, 2 sieges and 1 storm.
  "Again in 1814 at Black Rock (is this in New York State, he had moved 
to Buffalo about this time) he was called to take up arms for his country.
  He came from Pomfret, Conn. and was the son of Samuel Cotton and Mary Dresser Cotton of Pomfret.
  Any information or verification of the above data, that you can
give me, will be greatly appreciated. Perhaps you can tell me what
occupation he followed. Possibly farming, but I have never learned and
additional information you may have will be gratefully received.
Anything at all will be most acceptable.

Very truly yours,

Mrs. Ha Pennebaker
Page 26

F E Clemens
PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA 4/13/17
Dept. of Interior
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
  Would you please give me
Captain Rowland Cotton's record
or the needed information to entitled
me to be a member of the D.A.R.
  He was my great grandfather.
  Thanking you in advance
for the information.
Respectfully yours,
(Mrs.) Edith C. Clemens
Page 27

Revolutionary & 1812
28465
INVALID.
Papers with
owdm File 11170
File No. 28.465
Rowland Cotton
Capt. No. S. I.
Act 24th April 16
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870]

Feb 1/98. Hist. & copies of papers to [illegible] C.S. Colton [illegible] "The Cairo" City
Page 28

1917Apl. 23, Hist. to Mrs. Edith C. Clemens 
1938 Feb 19. hist to Mrs. H. S Pennebaker
aw
Rev War 11170
INVALID
File No. 11,170
Rowland Cotton
Pri. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 29

Respecting apl. for increase, see letter to Hon. D. Chase, Sen US May 19th 1828.
Increase to $25 per month on the 3d July 1828, commencing 26 June 1828, & new certificate issued and sent to A. H. Tracy Esq Buffalo NY- see letter to F. G. Stanley 18 April 1838 & Hon. N. P. Tallmadge, Senate, 17 May 1838

New York
Rowland Cotton
Captain & Acting
Brigade Quarter Master
[unk] Hopkins Brigade of N York
militia in the service of the U.S.

Ratio of disability, One half.
Date of discharge or
time of last payment} 26th Jany 1814.

Inscribed on the roll of New York
at $12 50/100 per mon to comm 27 Jany 1814.

Cert of Pension issued March 1818, and
sent to Hon, J. C. Spencer of NY House 
of Representatives U.S.

Arrs to 4th Mar 1818 49 9/31 mos   $616.13
6 mos ending 4th Sept 1818            $75
                                                        ----------
                                           Dolls     $691.13

"Act 24th April 1816"
Page 30

Capt. Rowland Cotton
Will Mr. Cook be pleased to certify to what time Captain Rowland Cotton, was last paid, and also to the signatures of Genl. Hopkins, and Doctor Ebenezer Johnson.
As Capt. Cotton acted as aid-de-camp to Genl. Hopkins it is very probable that they were both paid by the same paymaster, and perhaps you may recollect who paid Genl. Hopkins' Brigade.

War Dept.
Pension Office
Jany 27

delayed until Mr. Spencer furnished the name of the Paymaster in question. Jany 28, 1818 SD
Page 31

I certify that on the morning of the 30th of December 1813 I say Capt Benton Cotton suffer [3 illegible words] by two men on their retreat from Black Rock S closely [illegible word] by the injury. A from his espression at that time I considered his surely injured in consequence of his [illegible word] north the enemy early that morning during which time I was attend to the Mentita as Surgeon Mate his health since that time  [2 illegible words] much infirmed
Ebenezer Johnson Surgeon Mate
Buffalo August 4th 1817
Page 32

I certify that I commanded a detachment of New York militia in the service of the United States, as Brigadier General in the fall and winter of 1813 & 14 and that Captain Rowland Cotton [unk] as my [unk], and that on the 30th of December 1813 in the battle at Black Rock while in the line of his duty he received a wound in the knee by a fall which has overcome great lameness. Given under my hand Buffalo this 29 day of July 1817.
Timothy S Hopkins [unk]

State of New York
Niagara County ss.
On this 29 day of July personally appeared before me the abovenamed Timothy S Hopkins and made oath that the facts set forth in the above certificate are just & true.
Sworn & subscribed to before me at Buffalo
E St John Justice of the Peace
Page 33

State of New York
Niagara County-Js
I, Frederick B Merrill Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Ezra St. John before whom the written affidavit appears to have been made is a Justice of the peace in and for said county acting under the authority of this State and that the Sauee so signed is his signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed the county seal at Buffalos this twenty ninth day of July eighteen hundred and seventeen
F: B Merrill
Page 34

Ebenezer Johnson & Daniel Chapin Physicians & Surgeons, being duly sworn depose and say that they have examined the wound recd by Capt. Rowland Cotton at the battle of Black Rock, and that the said wound, disabled him one half & that he is entitled to a pension according to that rate of disability.
Ebenezer Johnson
Daniel Chapin

Sworn & subscribed before me this 7 Jan 1818
Saml Wilkeson JP
Page 35

State of New York
Niagara County Ss

Albert Reynold Charls H Averill being duly sworn doth affirm & say E. Johnson & D Chapman are practicing physicians & surgeons of reputable standing
Charles H. Averill
Albert Reynolds

Sworn & Subscribed
before me this 7th Han 1818
Saml Wilkeson
Page 36

may certify that Capt. Rowland Cotton of Buffalo was since he received a hurt at Blackrock about the 30th Decr. 1813 has been lame in the knee &  affected with pains in the breast & sides which at times confine him entirely & subject him to severe indisposition & pain constantly trouble  him
Daniel Chapin Physician
Buffalo 27th Aug. 1817
Page 37

Niagara County
State of New York} ss. 
On this 3d Sept 1817 personally appeared before me Saml Wilkeson one of the Judges of said County Asa Rice & being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Docts Daniel Chapin & Ebenezer Johnson and knows them to be practicing physicians and surgeons of respectable standing and further saith now.
Asa Rice

Sworn & subscribed before me this 3 Sept 1817
Saml Wilkeson
Page 38

Capt. Rowland Cotton
Will Mr. Cook be pleased to certify to what time Captain Rowland Cotton was last paid, and also to the signatures of Genl. Hopkins and Doctor Ebenezer Johnson.
As Capt. botton acted as aid-de-camp to Genl. Hopkins it is very probable that they were both paid by the same paymaster, and perhaps you may recollect who paid Genl. Hopkins Brigade.
War Dept.
Pensions Office,
Jany 27. 1818

delayed with W. Spencer provides the name of the Paymaster in question. Jany 28. 1818-JD
Page 39

I testify that I paid Captain Rowland Cotton acting Brigade Quarter Master of Brigadier Genl Timothy S. Hopkins Brigade of New York Militia, called out by State authority from the sixteenth day of December 1814. Given under my hand at Albany this 6th day of February 1818.
Sl Edmonds Pay M Genl

The signature of Sl. Edmonds is genuine.
Treasury Dept 3d Auditors Office 
16 March 1818
Tho Cook

The pay of Brigade Q Master
per month 50 Dollars
T.C.
Page 40

Rowland Cotton is inscribed on the
List of Invalid Pensioners of the United States
as a Captain, at the rate of $12.50 per month
and appears upon the Books of this office to have
been paid up to the 4th September 1820.
Second Comptroller's Office
R.C> does not appear
to have received any pay  April 17th 1822
as Revolutionary Pensioner.
A. Nail
Page 41

Certificate from 2nd
Comptroller's Office
Page 42

State of New York
Niagara County}
Ephraim Backer of said county being duly sworn deposeth and sayth that he was personally acquainted with Rowland Cotton about the year 1781 & 1782 and that the said Cotton was then serving in the 1st Connecticut Regiment of Continental troops against the common enemy, this deponent cannot state the precise time in which he knew the said Cotton in service but believes it was more than nine months.
Ephraim Backer

Sworn to and subscribed this 22d day of April 1818 before me
Ch Townsend
Page 43

State of New York
Erie County Ss
We the subscribers practicing physicians and surgeons of the town of Buffalo County of Erie and State of New York do certify that after a careful examination of the case of Rowland Cotton who is now on the pension list role of New York; we are of opinion that his disability which is attributable entirely to the injury he received while in the service of the United |States has increases vis the original degree of disability was caused by a rupture of the capsules and crucial ligaments of the left knee joint, which injury has gradually produced an enlargement of the joint with stiffness and immobility attended occasionally with great pain, and also emaciations and debility of the inferior portion of the extremity: that further that the degree of disability under which he labours is total being far more than the original degree of disability for which he was placed on the pension rolls and being altogether attributable in our opinion to an aggravation of the original injury
J Trowbridge
John E Marshall

Subscribed and Sworn 
this 26th of June 1828
Before me 
Stephen G Austin
Justice Pece

State of New York}
Erie County SS}
I certify that I am well acquainted with the physicians and surgeons who signed the above certificate and that they are highly reputable in their profession
Stephen G Austin
Justice Peace
Page 44

State of New York}
Erie County SS}

I Jacob A. Barker Clerk of the County of Erie do hereby certify that Stephen G. Austin whose name is subscribed to the {illegible word] at of the within affidavit & the certificate was on the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Erie duly elected and sworn and acting as such and that the signature thereto subscribed is the proper handwriting of the said Justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County at Buffalo the 26th June 1838
Jacob A. Barker Clk
Page 45

Burt and Goodrich
27 March 1822
f
Honble Albert H Tracy
Member of Congress 
Washington City
[stamp] BUFFALO NY MAR 24
Page 46

Buffalo March 26 1822

Dear Sir
The object of our writing you at this time is this that Capt Cotton is a pensioner in Consequence of Wounds Received in the Late War and received his pay regularly until of Late. We received A letter from New York this afternoon stating that his name had been struck from the list of pensioners, the Difficulty we suppose is this that after the Law was passed granting pay to Revolutionary Soldiers for Services performed by them in that War He made an application and was placed on the List of pensioners and of Course his name was found as A pensioner in the Revolutionary Was as well as the Late War - his papers were made once to receive his money as A pensioner in the Revolutionary War but not paid nor ever has been as soon as he ascertained that it not be proper to receive pay from both, he made   a Certificate on oath that he never received any money as A Revolutionary pensioner and authorized the Secretary at War to erase his name from the List of Revolutionary pensioners But not from the late war
Page 47

We can see no reason why he should not be paid as a pensioner in the Late War - Because he was examined by 2 surgeons But a short time since and they Gave a Certificate agreeable to such Which entitles him to pay as an invalid, we presume the is some misunderstanding a the War Office respecting this case and we wish you as A friend of his and ours to take the trouble to go to the war office and have this Business explained so that there will be no more difficulty respecting this business We presume if a proper statement is made from you to the Secretary at War stating the facts  he will direct him to be paid and his last War Certificate the facts are there that he has never [illegible word] any money as A revolutionary pensioner But is a proper subject to receive a pension in the Late War. Agreeable to the Law in that case. By attending to this you will for him an obligation on Capt Cotton as well as on your friends
Bene J Goodrich

A H Tracy Esq
Washington City
Page 48

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 49

Buffalo Erie Co N,Y
February 12 1838
Sir
Rowland Cotton a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of 18 March 1818 has called a me with his pension certificate. The certificate is dated the twentieth day of March 1820.  draw eight dollars per month to commence on the thirteenth day of April 1818 and is signed by the Hon John C. Calhoun as Secretary of War, and was registered by B. L. Beale Clerk in Book B. Volume 5th page 202.- The pensioner has [illegible] drawn a single dollar of the money since receiving the certificate and has never executed a power of attorney-without the assistance of his pension, but that now requires it- He has never been struck from the Roll. and as he is desirous of drawing it on the next semi annual draft he wishes you to forward.
Page 50

the necessary direction for his government in drawing the papers. If I recollect aright an affidavit of identify will be necessary-The space of drawing will be about twenty years, and he is also desirous to know whether the necessary [illegible] will be provided and to what agency he should direct his papers
Please give me an early decision
I remain very Respy Yrs
Frederick G Stanley
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
P.S. [illegible] me in case you deem it advisable a necessary refer you to Hon Willard Gillman M.C. as to the character & standing of the Pensioner
Page 51

State of New York}
Wyoming County ss.}
At a Special term of the Supreme Court held in upon the County of Wyoming at the Court House in the Village of Narsan on the 20th day of October A.D. 1857. M. Taggart Justice

It is hereby ordered to be certified that satisfactory evidence, has been this day presented to this Court, now in session, that Rowland Cotton, late of said County (formerly part of Coughin County) who was in his life time a Revolutionary Pensioner on the New York Roll, died in said County on the eleventh day of June A.D one thousand eight hundred and forty seven leaving no widow surviving him, but leaving Samuel Cotton, of Jackson County, Iowa. Mary Cotton of Wyoming County New York, Daniel Cotton of Erie County New York, Elijah Cotton of Wyoming County New York and Lester H Cotton of Milwaukie Wisconsin his surviving and only surviving children.
In (illegible) any where of, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 31st day of October 1851.
Ransom B. Crippen Clerk
Page 52

Brief in the case of Rowland Cotton
Erie Co County and State of New York
act June 7, 1832
Claim (: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?
Rolls shoe that claimant
served 2 years as a Sergeant
beside having served previously
2 years as a Corporal
Name and residence of Agent.  F H Davidge
J. J. Coombs                               Examining Clerk
Washington
Page 53

Washington, Sept. 9th 1857
Sir:
Enclosed you will please find the declaration of L. H. Cotton, a son of Rowland Cotton deceased, late a revolutionary pensioner on the New York roll claiming a pension under the act of 15th May 1828, and an increase of pension under the act of 1832.
Mr. Cotton is firm in the belief that the last enlistment of his father in the spring of 1881, was for the term of "during the war." He says he is very clear in his recollection, that his father always so stated. From the facts that he was discharged at West Point in June 1783, I am strongly of opinion that he must have been a war's man, and that the rolls and military records in the Pension Office will, on thorough examination, establish the facts.
At all events, he is clearly entitled to a pension in the grade of a sergeant under act of 1832.
There are in the Pension Office two rolls of Capts. Clift's Co. for March and April 1783, in Col. Butters regt. showing that he was a sergeant. See also final settlement certificate, Vol. 1, page 52, where he is paid for services to 1st June 1783 $107.20
Page 54

Also, at page 59- payable up to same date, of $32.
Very respectfully your obt servt
J. J. Coombs

J. E. Heath Esq
Page 55

Buffalo June 12, 1838
Sir
I send you the declaration of Rowland Cotton to obtain a Revolutionary Pension under the act of 7th June 1832, and by way of additional proof send a [unk] certificate of pension granted to him under the act of 1818. If the granting of a certificate in this case, stops the Invalid Pension of Captain Cotton, he does not with it, as he prefers if he can draw [unk], to rely upon the Invalid Pension. But if the old soldier can get both, to see [unk] his descent to the grave please forward me the certificate under the act of 7 June 1832.

I remain very respy yrs
Frederick G. Stanley

George Wm Crump Esq
acting Comr of Pensions
Page 56

Free
Geo Wm Crump Esq
Acting Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
285
Mrch 18
Rowland Cotton
[stamp] BUFFALO N.Y. JUNE 12
Page 57

OG Free
J.L. Edwards Pensions Office
War Department
Washington 
Increase to $25 per month commencing June 26, 1828
Page 58

Buffalo N. Y June 1828

J. L. Edwards, Esq

Dear Sir

Capt. R. Cotton whose application for an increase of pension was presented to your office on the 16th [illegible] by its Hon Mr. Chase has requested me to forward the enclosed amended [illegible] certificate which he hopes will prove satisfactory.  I will add that Capt. Cotton is a very meritorious citizen who in addition to his services during the last war was in regular service for more than seven years during our revolutionary struggles and it will afford us all much pleasure if the proofs he has addressed shall warrant the extended relief.  Gen. Porter the Secy at War is well acquainted with him and the [illegible] whose certificate is enclosed and if you shall feel doubts on the case I would respectfully suggest the propriety of referring it to his decision.

I remain [illegible]
your obt svt
Albert H. Tracy
Page 59

George Boyd Esqr
Page 60

I transmit to Mr. Boyd herewith the papers of Capt. Rowland Cotton, for a pension; and request from him as early an attention to them as may be consistent with his [illegible].

J. C Spencer

[illegible] June 26, 1818
Page 61

George Boyd Regr
Pension Office
War Department

to be examined
Page 62

House of Representatives February 12 1818
I enclosed to Mr. Boyd the certificate of Gen.  Edwards in the case of Capt. Rowland Cotton, which I hope will be sufficient to authorise the Secretary of War to place him on the pension
list
J.C. Spencer
Page 63

From Hon: J. C. Spencer
House of Representatives M.S. 12th February 1818. enclosing Genl. Edmond cert in the case of Capt. Rowland Cotton's application for pensions, Recd.
Page 64

Free
J.L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington 
Conn May 16
Rowland Cotton
Jom N.P. Tallmadge
Senate NS
Page 65

Senate Chambers
[illegible] 15th 1838
J.L. Edwards Esq
Dr. Sir-
Will you examine the enclosed papers in relation a suspended pension and give me an answer in relation to it and oblige
Your obd servt
N.P. Tallmadge
Page 66

No 31.443
Rowland Cotton
New York
Act June 7. '32
Increased allowed
from $88. per an 2 
years as Corporal to $120. 2 years as Serg
from Mar. 4. '31
until June 11. '47 as
[illegible] former payt
Samuel Cotton
Mary Cotton
Daniel Cotton
Elijah Cotton
Lester N Cotton
payable agency D.C.
J. J. Coombs Esq.
Washington
Page 67

Rowland Cotton
see Capt. Cleft's rolls. Col. Butlers Regt
Vol. 2 Conn. Rolls- sergt
Final settlement certificate,
V. 1 p. 52 59
Page 68

Washington, Sept. 8th 1851
Sir:
Please let J. J. Coombs see the pension papers of my father. He was a revolutionary Pensioner on the New York roll, under the act of 1832, I think. His name was Rowland Cotton.
L. H. Cotton

Mr L H Cotton is a old acquaintance of mine he is now in the city and is desirous of obtaining information respecting the services of his father as above requested.
Nicholas [unk]

Dept Into
Sept. 8, 1857
Page 69

16.582
R
New York
Rowland Cotton
of Buffalo in the state of New York
who was a Corporal in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Durkee of the Connecticut  & continental line for the term of three years 
Inscribed in the Roll of New York
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 13th of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th of Mar 1820
and sent to the Hon AH Tracey
House of Representatives
rears to 4th of March 1820 $181.83
mi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 180 48
22 mo 4/21 18/30 $ 239.83
x and continental
Act  Nov 27. 1906
[Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818}
Page 70

New York (A) 31443
Rowland Cotton,
of Erie Co in the State of N. York
who was a Corpl in the compy commanded
by Captain L. Brown of the regt commanded
by Col. G. Perry in the Connecticut
line for 2 years Corporal.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York [unk]
at the rate of 88 Dollars per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued 19th day of June,
1838- and sent to F. G. 
Stanley, Buffalo, N. York

Arrears to the 4th of March 1838   616.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. "  44.00
                                                         ----------
                                                         $660.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk
Book E2 Vol. 4  Page 12


Vol 1
Letter J J Coombs
Dec 4/51
[last two lines unreadable]
Page 71

Pension Claim
of
Rowland Cotton

admtd
Apl 20 1777 3 years
Capt 1 Sepr 1777
[illegible]
Admd

papers
Page 72

Rowland Cotton being duly sworn sayeth that he owns no lands and that the personal property which belongs to him does not amount in value to the debts which he owes, that he is in indigent circumstances, and needs the assistance of his country for support.
Rowland Cottin

Sworn to and subscribed this 15th January 1820 before me
Ch: Townsend

Stephen K. Grosvenor and George Coit being duly sworn say that they are personally acquainted with Rowland Cotton that he is a person of credibility, and from the above affidavit and their knowledge of his circumstances, believes him to be in indigent circumstances, and to need assistance for support.
Stephen K. Grosvenor
Geo. Cait

Sworn to and subscribed Jany 15, 1820 before me
Ch: Townsend
Page 73

State of New York
Niagara County ss.}
Be it remembered that on this thirteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me Charles Townsend one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Niagara personally came Rowland Cotton to me known and being by me duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposed and on his oath says that he is a citizen of the United States residing in the town of Buffalo and State of new York that he is by reasons of his reduced circumstances in life in need of assistance from his country for support, and the said deponent further says that he enlisted in the continental service in the regular army in the month of February 1777. That he belonged to Captain Stephen Browns company in the first regiment of the Connecticut line commanded at the time of his enlistment Col John Durkee, that he afterwards belonged to Capt Samuel Clefts company in the former regiment. That faithfully served as a private and non commissioned officer in the said regiment from the year 1776 to year 1783, when he was duly and honorably discharged from the service at West Point in the State of New York. That his discharge which he then received was burnt in his house in the year 1786- this deponent further says that he does not enjoy any pension whatever under the government of the United States, and that he is justly and fully entitled to the benefit of the 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 March 18, 1818.
Rowland Cotton

Sworn subscribed the   before me
Ch. Townsend
Judge of Niagara County
Page 74

State of New York
Niagara County ss. Ephraim Backer of Buffalo having duly sworn says that he was acquainted with Rowland Cotton during the revolutionary war and that he knew that he served as a sergeant in the first regiment of the Connecticut line of troops for more than one year.
Sworn & subscribed the 12th day of April 1818 before me
Page 75

State of New York
Niagara County}
I do hereby certify that on this thirteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me Charles Townsend one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County personally appeared with named Rowland Cotton who made oath to and subscribed the within affidavit. Being personally acquainted with Mr. Cotton I am satisfied from the said affidavit that he served in the war of the revolution for the times states by him and that the facts mentioned within are true.
Dated April 13, 1818
Ch: Townsend
Judge of Niagara County

I Charles Townsend Judge as aforesaid do certify that from the annexed affidavit of Rowland Cotton, George Coit, Stephen K. Grosvenor as well as from other circumstances I am satisfied that that the said Rowland is indigent and needs assistance for his support.
Dated Niagara County Jan. 15, 1826
Ch: Townsend
Judge
Page 76

State of New York
Niagara County Clerks Office} ss.
I Roswell Chapin Deputy Clerk of the county of Niagara do hereby certify that Charles Townsend before whom the within affidavits appear to have been taken, is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, acting under the authority of this State and that the within are his signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the County Seal at Buffalo this 18th day of April 1818.
Roswell Chapin Dep Clks

as to service the Judge's certificate incomplete