Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.16,631., Josiah Beardsley, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE | NUMBER
Conn. | Beardsley, Josiah | S.16.631
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

New York 28.552
Josiah Beardsley
of Otsego Co in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Doolittle of the Regt commanded by Col Waterbury in the Connecticut Militia line for 20 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of April
1834 and sent to A. Cook Jr.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $199.98
Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 4 '34 33.33
$233.31
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Samuel H. Page Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 116.
Page 3

[text is very faint and barely legible]
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Act 
of Congress passed June 1832

State of New York }
Otsego County} On this 16th day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Josiah Beardsley a resident of Butternuts in the County of Otsego and State of New York aged seventy six years who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the ben of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he was born in the town of Stratford in the State of Connecticut in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

That about the first of May one thousand seven hundred and seventy five he enlisted under Ebenezer Banks then Ensign in Fairfield under Capt Doolittle Albert Chapman Lieutenant in Col Waterbury's Regiment of Militia of State troops for the term of six months

Went from Fairfield to New York thence by way of Albany to Lake Champlain then in boats to St. John's where they besieged the fort about twenty six days when it was surrendered at which time he was on guard. Then went to Passaic where they stayed [illegible] days to recruit them to Montreal which was evacuated the day before they arrived. Stayed at Montreal a few days & returned home by way of Ticonderoga Lake George Albany and so on to Fairfield their time expired about four days after

BEARDSLEY, JOSIAH
Page 4

they left Montreal - and that he served out the full period of his enlistment. Genl Montgomery Commanded at St. John where he frequently saw him.

Then again about the last of April or first of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six at Fairfield he enlisted under Ebenezer Banks, then Lieutenant thinks the Captains name was Reed Went from Fairfield by water to New York was there some before it was evacuated before which the sick were taken to New York ^New Jersey^ he went to attend the sick. was himself then taken sick, remained there sick but within a short time before his six months service expired when he joined the Company a little above White Plains where he was discharged & returned to Fairfield at the expiration of the six months service - Then again in the fall of seventeen hundred and seventy seven he enlisted and served for five months under Lieutenant John Odle in Fairfield Connecticut - and belonged to a Lieutenants Guard stationed there for the purpose of Guarding the place - and belonged to the Militia

Then again in seventeen hundred and seventy eight he was draughted [drafted] & served two months stationed at Horseneck, under Capt Eliphalet Sharp in guard and watching for the enemy- other troops were stationed there at the same time but he cannot recollect the names of the officers; Capt Thorp resided in Fairfield at that time-

Again in seventeen hundred and seventy nine his enlisted under Capt Eliphalet Sharp Isaac Jarvis lieutenant stationed at the Fort as Battery called Black ^Rock^ served six months, or more during which time the enemy burnt Fairfield = Capt Thorp Company was stationed at Black Rock as a Guard and remained there at this time the full period of six months - was engaged in skirmishing during this campaign -

And that he has a record of his age in his [illegible] and that he has no documenting evidence to prove his service by and has never received a written discharge
Page 5

And he further states that he was born in the Town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield Connecticut in the year 1756, has now a record of his age in his Bible in his possession. That he was living at Fairfield in the County of Fairfield, Connecticut at each and every time he was called into the service as above stated, and continued to reside in the County of Fairfield until the year one thousand eight hundred and ten when he removed into the Town of Butternuts in the County of Otsego in the State of New York where he has ever since, and now resides. The manner of being called into the service was above stated, and the names of the officers under whom he served are as fully set forth as he can now recollect the same - and that he never received any written discharge from said service according to his present recollection and belief, and also that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service - and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
[signature] Josiah Beardsley

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid}
[signature]Horace Lathrop Clerk

I General Jacob Morris of the Town of Butternuts in the County of Otsego and State of New York hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Josiah Beardsley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that I believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where

JOSIAH BEARDSLEY
Page 6

he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion, and that he is a man of good character and entitled to full credit
[signature] Jacob Morris
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signature] Horace Lathrop Clerk

And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after an investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that Josiah Beardsley was a soldier of the revolution & served therein as he states and Court further certify that it appears to them that Gen'l Jacob Morris of Butternuts who has signed the preceding Certificate & Samuel Wakefield & John Bryant of Butternut who have signed the certificate hereto attached are credible persons & their statement is entitled to credit
J. O. Morris}
S. Page} Judges
J. C. Wadsworth}
Page 7

No [illegible]
Josiah Beardsley NY
A. Cook Junr Agent
Cooperstown
New York
Page 8

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew [sic] what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing [sic] the service of Josiah Beardsley of Otsego Co. New York
[11 column table]
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. | Years. | Months | Days. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Ranks of the Company officers under whom he served | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

Enlisted 1775  | [blank] | 6 | [blank] | Private | Capt. Doolittle, Lieut Albert Chapman, Ensign Ebenezer Banks | Colo. Waterbury, Gen'l Montgomery | [blank] | from Fairfield to New York- [illegible] Lake Champlain to Fort St, Johns, to Sophrarie to Montreal, returned , burning Ticonderoga, Lake George, Albany | Fairfield Connecticut - Aged 76 | Traditionary
Enlisted 1776  | [blank] | 6 | [blank] | nursed the sick | Lieut Ebenezer Banks, Capt Meed | [blank] | [blank] | to New York, to Newaark, New Jersey | [blank] | [blank]
Enlisted 1777  | [blank] | 2 | [blank] | Private | Lieut John Oule | [blank] | [blank] | near White Plains | [blank] | [blank]
Drafted 1778  | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | Capt. Eliphalet Thorp | [blank] | [blank] | to Horseneck | [blank] | [blank]
Enlisted 1779  | [blank] | 6 | [blank] | [blank] | same, Lietu Thrace Jarvis | [blank] | [blank] | to Blackrock | [blank] | [blank]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions

Claimants are required to produce the best evidence in their power and it can not be readily admitted that the above allegations of service are insusceptible of proof. The applicant swears that he cannot produce [illegible] - his case is within the instructions of the Department, and he has done all in his power: Gen. Jacob Morris who was an
officer in the Revolutionary War, is one of the witnesses, and it appears to 7:
 7: me that the presumption that his services are susceptable (sp?) of proof is rebutted by the applicants [illegible] that he cannot cfr and [illegible] a witness [illegible] them.
[signature] [illegible]
Page 9

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," Militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance,  make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1822.
State, Territory, or District of}
County of} ss.
On this _____day of _______ personally appeared (a) before _____A. B. a resident (b) of ______ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) ____years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____(e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service (and of the served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  _____A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ & c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the muster, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the service of each person
Page 10

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
6. {To an Officer { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[footnotes]
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in  which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule/
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months, and _____days, I served as a _____. For months _____ and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months", is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the Militia, &c. without specifying  the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[ ] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 11

September 30, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BAMS
Josiah Beardsley
S. 16631

Nellie Beardsley Holt
10 Sunset Terrace
West Hartford, Connecticut

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, Josiah and Samuel Beardsley.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war. A careful search of the records fails to show such claim on file on account of the service of any soldier named Samuel Beardsley.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 16631, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Josiah Beardsley.

He was born in 1756 in Stratford, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: from about the first of May, 1775, six months in Captain Doolittle's company in Colonel Waterbury's regiment and was in the siege of St. Johns; from about the last of April or first of May, 1776, six months in Captain Tatmon Reed's company in Colonel Silliman's regiment and was in the battle of White Plains; in the fall of 1777, two months under Lieutenant John Odell as guard at Fairfield, Connecticut; in 1778, two months under Captain Eliphalet Thorp as guard at Horseneck; from the spring of 1779, six months in Captain Eliphalet Thorp's company in Colonel Dimon's regiment and was at the burning of Fairfield.
Page 12

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832, at which time he was living in Butternuts, Otsego County, New York, having moved there in 1810 from Fairfield County, Connecticut.

In 1832 it was stated that Josiah Beardsley was formerly of Huntington, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

He died August 6, 1842.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 13

State of New York}
Otsego County} SS. I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said County do certify that Samuel C. Gilbert before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in for the said County that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature Witness my hand & seal of office this 19th day of Oct 1832
[signature] Horace Lathrop
By Theo: N Gore Deputy

In the Matter of
Josiah Beardsley
Page 14

Mr Samuel Wakefield a Clergyman residing in the town of
Butternuts County of Otsego and State of New York and
John Bryant residing in the same place hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Josiah Beardsley
that we believe he is seventy six years of age That 
he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where
he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that Opinion
[signature] Samel Wakefield
[signature] John Bryant

Gilbertsville Otsego County
October 13th 1832
Subscribed & Sworn before me this 13th day of October 1832
Albert C Gilbert Justice of Peace

[round stamp] NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

BEARDSLEY, JOSIAH

Samuel Wakefield, a clergyman residing
Page 15

Josiah Beardsley
Pensioner
A Cook Jun Atty
Cooperstown N.Y.
 Adm'd
20 mo. pri
[lined out "80"] $66.66
Page 16

I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas has in & for the County of Otsego do certify that the above contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Josiah Beardsley for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office the 19th day October in the year 1832
[signature] Horace Lathrop Clerk
Page 17

1933. Sept. 3. hist to Elizabeth Warner M.C.S.
1935. Sept. 30, hist to Nellie Beardsley Holt M.C.S.

16,631
INVALID.
File No. 16,631
Josiah Beardsley
Pri. Rev. War
---
Act: June 7 1832
-
Index: --Vol. 1 Page 423
[Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 18

New York
Revol:
Josiah Beardsley
Suspended
See letter to
A Cook
8 August 33
Act 7 June 32
Adm'd
Page 19

Add'l evidence
NY
Sam'l Short
Services
FREE
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Oct 17
Page 20

Cooperstown Octr 14. 1833-
I enclose afft of proof of Service in case of Josiah Beardsley whose papers were put on file & his claim suspended as I was advised by letter dated August 8-- 1833- these affts were made [illegible] after his original papers were made, but did not come to his hands till lately-
I also send an afft in case of Samuel Short whose case is also suspended as advised by letter of the 5- August last. he has taken all the [illegible] he possesses [illegible] and has obtained only this afft- if it is [illegible] sufficient the department will file and advise me
Yours &c
[signature] A. Cook Jun.
Page 21

[circular postal stamp] PROVIDENCE RI [illegible] 23
A. Cook Jun. Esq
Cooperstown
Otsego Co.
New York
Page 22

Providence Aug 27. 1833
Sir
There are no documents in the Secry's office by which the enlistment or service of Privates in the several regiments raised by this State during the Revolutionary war can be ascertained. The appointment of officers is matter of record.
Yr Obt Servt
[signature] Henry Bowen Secry.
A Cook Jr Esq
Page 23

I Ephraim Nichols of the Town & County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut Aged Seventy three years, being duly cautioned and Sworn do testify say that I am personally acquainted and knowing to the Services in the Revolution War, of Josiah Beardsley formerly of the Town of Huntington in the County & State aforesaid, now a resident in the Town of Butternuts, Otsego County & State of New York, that the said Josiah Beardsley Enlisted with me in the Spring of the year 1776 in Capt Talmon Reeds Company in Coll'r Tillmans Regt of State Troops, in which Comply we the S'd Beardsley & myself served togeather [sic] on a tour of Duty to New York, and was in New York at the time the City was evacuated by the American Troops, was at the Battle of White Planes [Plains], and was discharged at a place called North Castle in the State of New York on Christmas day after serving the full sum of Six months And further the deponent saith not Dated at Fairfield aforesaid this 31st day of Oct 1832 
[signature] Ephraim Nichols

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield} SS. Fairfield Octr 31. 1832 the foregoing Deposition of Ephraim Nichols was taken subscribed & Sworn to before me, and further I Certify that the Deponent is a man of the first standing in County & of undoubted Truth & Veracity
[signature]Jamiah Sturges Justice of Peace
Page 24

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} SS  I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Jeremiah Sturges Esquire before whom the foregoing Depositions of Eleazer Bulkley, Ebenezer Banks and Ephraim Nichols were taken, is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths: I further certify that the official signatures to the Certificates on said Depositions are all genuine & in the proper handwriting of the said Jeremiah Sturges. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 31st day of October AD 1832
[signature] Thomas B Osborne Clerk
of said County Court
Page 25

I Eliazer Bulkley of the Town & County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut Aged Sixty Nine years being duly cautioned and Sworn do testify & say that I am personally acquainted and knowing to the service in the Revotionary War of Josiah Beardsley formerly of the Town of Huntington in the County and State aforesaid, now a resident in the Town of Butternuts. Otsego County & State of New York. that he s'd Josiah Beardsley Enlisted with me early in the Spring of the year 1779. in Capt Eliphalet Thorps Comp'y Isaac Jarvis was Lieut. and I think in Col. Dimons Regt of State Troops in which Comp'y. We served together for six months or more as a guard of the Sea Coast of said Fairfield and was stationed in the Fort at Black Rock in S'd Fairfield and in the time we were in service as aforesaid. The said Town of Fairfile was burnt by the Emmy - and further the deponent saith not dated at Fairfield aforesaid this 31st day of Oct 1832
[signature] Eleazer Bulkley

State of Connecticut}
County ofFairfield} SS. Fairfiend Octr 31. 1832 the foregoing Deposition of Eleazer Bulkley was taken subscribed & Sworn to before me and further I Certify that the Deponent is a man of the first standing in County & of undoubted Truth & Veracity
[signature] Jeremiah Sturges Justice of Peace
Page 26

I Ebenezer Banks of the Town & County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut Aged Seventy Nine years, being duly cautioned & Sworn do Certify & say, that I am personally acquainted & knowing to the services in the Revolutionary War, of Josiah Beardsley formerly of the Town of Huntington in the County & State aforesaid, and now a resident of the Town of Butternuts in Otsego County State of New York, he the said Josiah Beardsley Enlisted as a private Soldier [lined out "Early"] in the Spring of the year 1775 [illegible] Mr, J Thorn held an Ensign Commission in the State Troops in the Company commanded by Captn Doolittle in Col Waterbury Reg't in which Company he the S'd Beardsley by served between six and seven months on a tour of Duty to Canada & was at the taking of St Johns and Montreal, when I think he said Beardsley was Discharged late in the fall or winter of the same year And further the deponent saith not. dated at Fairfield aforesaid this 31st day of October 1832
[signature] Eben'r Banks

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield} SS. Fairfield Oct'r 31. 1832 the foregoing Deposition of Ebenezer Banks was taken Subscribed & Sworn to before me and further I Certify that the Deponent ^is a man^ of the first standing in Society & of undoubted truth and veracity
[signature] Jeremiah Sturges Justice of Peace
Page 27

Pension Office
Washington, D. C.
Will you kindly send me the Rev. War records of Samuel Beardsley, Oct. 5, 1777. and any other data concerning him.
Also that of Josiah Beardsley, S 16631.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nellie Beardsley Holt,
10 Sunset Terrace,
West Hartford, Conn.
[signature] Nellie Beardsley Holt
Page 28

Bridgewater, Conn
Sept 6, 1933
Pension Office
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Kindly send me any information concerning the application for pension of Josiah Beardsley S. 16631
Yours Truly
[signature] Elizabeth Warner
?
[circular stamp] RECEIVED SEP 8 1933 MAIL SUBDIV VETS. ADM. PENSION
Page 29

September 13, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Josiah Beardsley
S. 16631
BACS/MCS
Elizabeth Warner
Bridgewater
Connecticut
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Josiah Beardsley, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 16631, based upon the military service of Josiah Beardsley.
He was born in 1756 in Stratford, Connecticut.
While a resident of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: from about the first of May, 1775, six months in Captain Doolittle's company in Colonel Waterbury's regiment and was in the siege of St. Johns; from about the last
of April or first of May, 1776, six months in Captain Tatmon Reed's company in Colonel Silliman's regiment and was in the battle of White Plains; in the fall of 1777, two months under lieutenant John Odell as guard at Fairfield, Connecticut; in 1778, two months under Captain Eliphalet Thorp as guard at Horseneck; from the spring of 1779, six months in Captain Eliphalet Thorp's company in Colonel Dixon's regiment and was at the burning of Fairfield.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832, at which time he was living in Butternuts, Otsego County, New York, having moved there in 1810 from Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Page 30

In 1832 it was stated that Josiah Beardsley was formerly of Huntington, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
He died August 6, 1842.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family,
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
assistant of administrator
See agency Book