Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10376, Elisha Bostwick, Conn. Continental
Page 1

(3--1776)


SERVICE                                        NUMBER
Conn              Bostwick, Elisha       S. 10376
Continental

CONTENTS
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[Part of top torn off]
[form partially recreated by transcriber]

[ No. S10376 ]
[ Connecticut ]

[ Elisha Bostwick ]
[ of New Milford in the State of Co]nnt
[ who was a Co Clark__ in the ____]sn commanded 
[ by Captain __Bostwick__ of the] Reg't commanded
[by Col. __Webb__] in the __Conn't__
[line for Ex:  _job_ ] Lieut  13 1/2 mo 
                            ctf 9060

[ Inscr]ibed on the Roll of Conn't
[at the ]rate of 205 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to com]mence on the 4th day of March, 1831

[Certi]ficate of Pension issued the 21' day of March 
1833 and sent D. S.
Boardman Esq New Milford
       Ct.

Arrears to the 4th of March: 33:       $410.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 37     12.50
                                                     ___$512.50__

                                     {Revolutionary Claim}
                                     {   Act June 7, 1832   }

Recorded by [signed] E D Bullock Clerk
Book 6  Vol. 3  Page 3 

[light pencil vertical upper right]
Died Dec. 11 1834

[vertical on lower right]
Set dr and Joy June 17, 1851
Page 3

State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield
Probate District of New Milford  ss

On the 30th day of July AD 1832 personally appeared 
in open Court before the Court of Probate for
said District now sitting at the Milford District,
Elisha Bostwick a resident of said Town, County
and State aged Eighty three 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 act of Congress passed June 7th
1832, That he entered the service of the
United States under the following named Officers
and served as herein stated, to wit. He entered
a Regiment of State troops raised by authority of
the State of Connecticut for the period of Eight Months
the commencing on the first of May 1775 & terminating on the last day of Dec'r following, as the
Sergeant & Clerk of the Company commanded
by Capt Isaac Bostwick of s'd New Milford, whose
Lieutenants were Kimball & Mills & the
Ensign of s'd Company's [illegible] was Brinsmade
The Reg't was commanded by Col. Charles Webb
under him by Lieut Col Street Full Major
Latimer, all of s'd State of Connecticut. The Captains
Page 4

of s'd Reg't were Joseph Hoyt, Edward Shipman,
Nathaniel Tuttle, Isaac Bostwick, R. Peter Pitt
Eli Leavenworth, William Hull, & Nathan Hale
The Comp'y which the Declarant belonged & with
which he served during the whole period of its inlistment, 
as aforesaid in the aforesaid station, while
on its march to the American Army then lying
before Boston was at Hartford in Connecticut
Ordered to Lyme, for the purpose of being guard there
for a short period, from thence to New London, & 
Stonington in s'd State, and soon after joined
said Reg't at Cambridge near Boston in which
and its vicinity to said Reg't continued untill
the expiration of s'd period of service, when the same
was disbanded at Cambridge afors'd on the 31st
day of Dec'r 1775. Immediately thereafter & while
remaining at Cambridge aforesaid on the 31st
day of Dec'r 1775. Immediately thereafter & while 
remaining at Cambridge as aforsaid, Received
a Commission as 2'd Lieutenant in the 19th Reg't of
Continental troops, bearing date the 1st of Jan'y
1776, which is hereunto annexed-- Which said Regt was
then forming by inlistments for the period of
one year & then commanded by the s'd Col Char's
Webb, L't Col. Street Hall continued in the service
the coming year, but Major Latimer who was
very little with the Reg't during the eight Months
service, did not take a commission in the Reg't
as a continental Officer & his place was supplied
by Major Brooks of Massachusetts-
Page 5

In this Reg't the Declarant served in the station
afores'd until the expiration of the year for
which it was raised, during which period he
assisted in seizing Dorchester hights near Boston & [1 illigible] the British army burnt [1 illegible]
town--
was in their retreat from New York, in the battle
the at the White Plains in the retreat through
New Jersey & at the capture of the Hessian troops
at Trenton and at the expiration said
year the declarant with a considerable number
of men & some of the other officers of s'd Reg't at the earnest
request of Genl Washington further
volunteered for the period of Six Weeks ment
following s'd 31st day of Dec'r during which
s'd last mentioned period he was in the battle of Princeton, in a severe skirmish at
Quibbletown in New Jersey. The [1 illegible]
the services performed under said Commission 
were written by the declarant upon the
back of said Commission for his own amusement
& for the information & gratification of his family
more than twenty years ago & to that statement
as a part of his declaration he now refers-
That in the succeeding month of April 1777 he was present & took part
in the action at Ridgefield, & at Compo in the
State of Connecticut, at the former of which Gen'l
Wooster was mortally wounded & both of which
were fought during an expedition by Gen Tryon
for the destruction of the continental Stores at Danbury
Page 6

That in May 1777 he served the Commission also
hereunto ammended, of Lieutenant in the Eighth Company
of the 13th Reg't of Connecticut Militia, which he
continued to hold until further promoted,
and during that time he as such Liutenant
served in
a number of short tours of duty or special calls or drafts of the
Militia the exact length of which it is difficult for
him at this distance of time to assertain; one of s'd
tours of duty was at the Red Mills so called & other
places in the neighbourhood of Hudson's River in the
State of New York in the month of August 1777 of two
or three weeks continuance, another of s'd tours
of duty was upon the Hudson during the expedition
of Sir Henry Clinton & Gen'l Vaughan up
the Hudson in the autumn of the same year
during which Forts Montgomery  & Clinton were
taken & Esopus or Kingston burnt, this tour of
duty commenced about the 1st of October & continued 
until the British detachment retired to
New York about the last of that month or the
forepart of November-- During the month of
July 1779 & while the expedition under the command
of General Tryon, was engaged in in laying
waste the sea coast of Connecticut the [1 illegible]
again served as such Lieut with his company
towit during the sacking of New Haven & the
burning of Fairfield & Norwalk, the exact time
he cannot recollect, but probably not exceeding ten days
Page 7

Soon after the burning of Norwalk as afores'd
the declarant served as such Lieutenant in a
draft of the Militia stationed as a guard at
Horseneck & Bunn Bridge in s'd State of Connecticut the Cap't
who commanded the guard at those places at
that time was Lazarus Ruggles, the declarant
served as Lieu't & John Meewin was Ensign
the exact period of the commencement or termination
 of this last mentioned tour of duty he has
no means of asertaining nor does he recollect any
one whom he now knows to be alive who served with
or under him at that time-- The service according to
his best recollection & belief was performed in the last part of the summer  & the forepart of the fall
of the year 1779 and was for the period of Six weeks
according to his present belief & best recollection
during the time this Declarant served as a Sergeant
to wit in the year 1778, he had a Warrent signed by Col
Webb who commanded the Reg't to which he belonged as
before stated, which Warrant he has not been so fortunate
as to preserve-- He was born at New Milford aforesaid
on the 17th day of December 1748. O.S. as appears
by the Records of Births kept in the Town Clerk's office
of s'd Town of  New Milford in the Town Clerk's office
of s'd Town of  New Milford of which by law the Declarant
has the custody, having for Fifty Four successive
years been elected the office of Town Clerk of s'd Town
Page 8

The whole of the aforesaid period of service
amount according to the aforesaid specifications,
to about Two years some Months
of which the Declarant served as Lieut'n
about Seventeen months, & as Seargeant
& Clerk of company Eight Months. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim what
ever to a pension or annuity except the
present, and declares that his name is not
on the pension roll of the agency of any
State-    Sworn & subscribed on the day & year
first aforesaid.
                             [signed] Elisha Bostwick

And the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary Soldier, and Served as [crossed out: the] States.
                     [signed] Nathanial Perry  Judge
                                  of the Court of Probate 
                                  for said District

State of Connecticut
District of New Milford  ss
I William J Starr Clerk of the
Court of Probate for s'd District do hereby
certify that the forgoing contains the original
Procedings of the s'd Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Bostwick for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of 
said Court this 30th day of July 1832.
                          [signed] William J Starr
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State of Connecticut County of Litchfield
and Prob't District of New Milford  ss
on the 30th day of July 1832 before Mr  Nathaniel Perry
Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for s'd district personally 
appeared in open Court, Reuben Bronson 
of s'd New Milford to s'd Judge well known &
by him deemed to be a credible witness, & having
been first duly sworn according to Law, deposeth
& saith, that he is seventy one years
of age; that from his childhood he has well
known Col. Elisha Bostwick whose name's
subscribed to the foregoing Declaration, & has 
ever lived in his immediate neighbourhood That 
he served in the same company with & under the
s'd Bostwick where a Lieutenant in the two tours
of duty set forth in s'd Declaration as having 
been performed in the months of Aug'st & October
1777 on near Hudson's River- and as well as
members the s'd Bostwick's services in the year
1775 near Boston as a Sergeant, as well as
those in the Continental army as Lieutenant as
stated in s'd Declaration although he did not serve
in the army at that time - and further the Depon't
saith not
                     [signed] Reuben Brownson

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
                        [signed] William J Starr  Clerk
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                                                      MMA
Rev. &1812 Wars Section

                                       February 18, 1928

George Dudley Seymour
129 Church St.,
New Haven, Conn.

Sir:
      I advise you relative to the Revolutionary War pension
claim, Survivor File No. 10376, that Elisha Bostwick's application
for pension was executed July 30, 1832. His commission
was forwarded with his application as evidence in support
of the same, and is an integral part of the pension claim,
and is the record evidence of service upon which his pension
claim was allowed.
He died December 11, 1834.
                                    Respectfully,

                                   WINFIELD SCOTT
                                     Commissioner.
Page 11

ton, where we attacked those of the enemy who were left there killed about 100 & took about 300 prisoners
(it was said that the person of his excellency was too much exposed to the enemys fire) NB:
The body of a British Cap’t by the name of Leslie was found amongst the dead, which was carried in a waggon & the next day buried with the honor of 
War. He was said to have been a Nobleman’s son. General Mercer of the Pennsylvania Militia & sundry other excellent officers and Soldiers were killed
in the battle—The prisoners Being British & some Highlanders with their Scotch Plaid dress were conducted to Peekskill, from whence those of
us who comprised their guard returned to headquarters at Morristown—The enemy  having withdrawn to Brunswick made
frequent excursions after forage & plunder, which rendered necessary we have strong guards on the lines-- I was detached in 
one of them of 300 men under Col’o Scott for a fortnight, during which time we slept on our arms & in our clothes while we 
lay at a place called Quibbletown, had sundry skirmishes with these foraging parties one of which was severe; we drove 
them some time & they begin to leave their waggons, but at last they brought their Artillery to bear upon us & we having none retreated
leaving our wounded in the field there was our Adjutant ---Kaley-- an Active charming Officer, he was wounded in the flesh; on the thigh by a musket ball, he could still walk on the soldiers endeavered to bring him off but being press’d he told them to leave him, saying he
wou’d be a prisoner: but horrid to tell, as soon as they came to him while asking for quarter they took his own Rifle split open & pounded his skull to pieces & then cutting off both shirts of his coat took them off with both pockets & their contents-- and a solder in my 
Platoon—Andreas Cushing was left among the wounded & with the rest were all murdered with the Bayonet by repeated 
 Stabs – they were buried there but Kaley was brought into Camp and buried under arms—Such is British Clemency & mercy! 
and with this tour of Duty my time of service in the Contental Army expired  -- I then returned to head quarters at Morristown Feb 15th 1777, and being discharged from thence waded in the snow on foot home to my fathers house and may I add 
that my heart was impressed with the tenderest sensations, and I trust with Gratitude & thankfulness to God that my life was spared 
when my companions were slain by my side & Oft in their graves.

NB The Logical advice of Col’o Scott when we were going into a skirmish one day I always remember & the glib manner in which he 
spoke it -- said he "Take care now & fire low, bring down your piece, fire at their legs, one man wounded in the leg is better than a dead 
one for it takes two men to carry him off & there is three gone-- leg them, dam ‘em I say leg them." 

When the enemy destroyed the Public store at Danbury April 26, 1777 and burnt the Tavern there was not enough of us existed to make any resistance but the next 
day as they returned by the way of Ridgefield had a skirmish with them there. a number killed on both sides. General Wooster mortally
wounded I saw him a little before the Action began but not afterwards – slept in a barn.—next day got [1 illegible] throu to Wilton – slept that night in Marvins barn -- next day followed them to Compo where we attacked them while going on board their ships – Lt Scaly mortally wounded --  a number of others killed & wounded 

[Written upside down at bottom of page]
[~5 illegible] Revolution [1 illegible] commanded the many [1 illegible} of our Army in the Reg’t of Lt  [1 illegible] being mortally
wounded & the enemy [1 illegible] upon them [1 illegible] his [1 illegible] who was trying to bring him off to [1 illegible] aside out of the road that he might die alone where the enemy could not find and abuse him. John [1 illegible] of our Company was there with him.
Page 12

The peculiar circumstance I here state, as a remarkable occurrence. A Soldier in my family Mess Paul Todd of Massachusetts, in the evening of one day when we had been skirmishing with the enemy on the lines near Brunswick while we were at supper found a 
musket ball lodged in a piece of bread that he had carried all day upon his back in his pack; we immediately made search to find how it got there; but to our astonishment for some time could not find any bullet hole in his pack, but at length it was found on that side of his 
pack which was next to his back, we then searched his clothes & found a bullet in the back of his coat our wonder still increasing he 
stripped off his clothes & found that the ball had passed through all his clothes in a slanting direction first passed through the elbow of his coat then entered the side of his coat under the arm, went into his coat & his vest & shirt so into his pack & bread the force being spent it
lodged there. I will now make some observations upon the amiable & unfortunate Cap't Nathan Hale whose fate is so well known for I was with him in the same Reg’t both at Boston & New York & until the day of his tragic death: & although of inferior Grade in Office was always in the 
habits of friendship & intimacy with him & my reminiscence of his Person, Manners, & character is so perfect that I feel inclined to make some remarks upon them for I can now in imagination see his person & hear his voice.—his person I should say was a little above the common stature in height ,
his shoulders of a moderate breadth, his limbs strait & very plump- regular features -- very fair skin -- blue eyes –flaxen or very light hair
which was always kept short -- his eyebrows a shade darker than his hair  & his voice rather sharp or piercing --his bodily agility was remarkabe
I have seen him follow a football & kick it over the tops of the trees in the Bowery at New York, (an exercise he was fond of) – his mental
Powers seemed to be above the common sort his mind of a sedate and sober cast, & he was undoubtedly Pious, for it was remarked that when any
of the soldiers of his company were sick he always visited them & usually, prayed for & with them in their sickness – a little anecdote I will 
relate: one day he accidently came [3 illegible] his men in a bye place Playing [4 illegible] what are you doing in this 
[2 illegible] won’t do, -- give me your cards, they did so, & he choped them to pieces, & he [2 illegible] in such a manner that the men would 
rather [1 illegible] than otherwise --  his ability [2 illegible] was wonderful he would [2 illegible] the quickest & best of any man. 
Innumerable instances of occurrences which took place in the Army I could relate, but who would care for them; Perhaps it may be thought by 
By some that I have already been at the expense of Probity; nobody in these days feels as I do, left here alone &, they cannot if he would. But to in it is a melancholy 
Pleasure to go back to those scenes of fear [1 illegible] & after the date of 50 years (1826 and in my 78th year) to ruminate upon them when
I think I can do with as Bright a recollection as though they are present. One more reflection
I will make – why is it that the [1illlegible] our Capt Hale should be left & lost in an unknown grave
& forgotten.
The foregoing Statements were [1 illegible] from Memory & recollection & from documents & communications I kept,
                  [signed] Elisha Bostwick

[The following is an article, part of which is cut off, attached at the bottom of the page.]
The Delegates of the United
New York, New-Jersey, Pennsyvania
Land, Virginia, North-Carolina,

We reposing especial trust
 these presents constitute 
Isaac Bostwick Co
Commissioned by Court
on the army of the United Colonies
hostile invasion thereof.  You are
Lieutenant  by doing and pert
charge and require all officers
Second Lieutenants
time to time as you shall receive
Congress, for that purpose appoi
Colonies, or any other your supe
Trust reposed in you. This comm

Attest Cha's Thomas on this
January the first
Page 13

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esquire,
Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the
State of CONNECTICUT, IN AMERICA.
To Elisha Bostwick    Gent. GREETING.
YOU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Lieutenant of the eighth 
Company or Trainband in the 13th Regiment in this state Reposing special
Trust and Confidence, in your Fidelity, courage, and good Conduct, I do, by virtue of the
Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said Company
Lieutenant into your Care and charge, as their
carefully and diligently to discharge that Trust; exercising your inferior
Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Discipline of War; keeping
them in good order and Government; and commanding them to obey you their Lieutenant
for the service of the [1illegible] And you are to observe all such orders and Directions, as from me 
Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant
to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my Hand, and the Seal of this State, in Hartford the 13th
Day of May Anno Domini 1777
By His Honor's Command,
  [signed] George Wyllys Sec'ry                               
                             [signed] Jona'th Trumbull
Page 14

NB Soon after my return from the Army I received a Lieutenants commission in the Militas Captains Commissioner afterwards
and in various terms of duty & in [1illegible] to the close of the War; during the war was in six actions, to wit:
such as White Plains - at Trenton, Princetown - Quibbleton - Ridgefield & Compo. 
In the latter part of the War a Captain.
[signed] Eilsha Bostwick
born in Newmilford
Dec'r 17th (O.S.) 1748


CONGRESS

[left side of paper torn off-some print with it]
Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut,
Pennsylvania - the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Suffex on Delaware, Mary-
and South-Carolina, to    Elisha Bostwick by said Conn't State
and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by
--- and appoint you to be Second Lieutenant 
of Captain 
--- Company in the nineteenth Regiment of foot
--- Charles Webb
--- raised for the defense of American Liberty and for repelling every
--- therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Second
---orming all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
---and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as
--- And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from
--rm this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of
---ted, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United
---ior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the
--ission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
By Order of the Congress,
[signed] John Hancock President
Page 15

C of Shiloh &c In the month of May 1775 I enlisted as Sargent  & Clerk in Cap't Isaac Bostwicks Company, Col'o Charles Webbs Regt,
marched for Boston for 8 months viz from 1st May to last part of Sep't when arrived at Hartford received orders to go by water down Connecticut river to Lyme where we kept guard at Governor Griswolds
house --  left by his family, the enemy being in the Sound; we marched to New London kept guard there awhile -- thence to Stonington & back to New  London, thence
thru'h Norwich, Providence & to Gen'al Washington headquarters at Cambridge -- Encamped on 
Winterhill-- there until first of Jan'y 1776 when
our Reg't was discharged -- I then had the offer of a Lieutenancy in the Continental Army  for 12 months in a new Reg't to be commanded by the same 
Col'o Charles Webb, Street Hall Lt Col'o, John Brooks Major --- Cap't Bostwick went home to New Milford to raise his new company, & I took winter quarters
with the the few men which then inlisted for the coming year at Temple house North of Bunker Hill -- In the Spring, the Reg't being fill'd up we were 
Stationed at Roxbury near Boston neck --  who in the party which on the 4th of March took possession of & fortified Dorchester heights under the
command of Gen. Thomas -- remain'd at Roxbury until the British evacuated Boston on the 17th day of March 1776 upon which our Reg't with
others rec'd orders immediately to return to New York; march'd direct to New London; by way of water to N. York, remained there & on long island 
until the retreat of our Army from New York. The first battle I was in was at the white plains --  our army was defeated Oct'o 29th. Lt Yates
Platoon which was next to that of mine received a Cannon shot which with one ball killed three men, namely Sargent Garret & Smith & Taylor, & Chalsey had one arm taken off by the same ball. Somewhile after had orders to march into Jersey, cross'd the Hudson at 
Peekskill Nov'r 15th --  on our march thro Jersey our General Charles Lee was taken Prisoner by a party of light horse, being put up for
the night a mile or two in rear of our main Army (which was a discouraging stroke for us at the time) continued our march -- crossed the
Delaware & encamped at a place called Newtown on the Pennsylvania side -- and on the 24th of Dec'r our whole Army, being very small
Rec'd marching orders; toward evening  crossed the Delaware for 9 or 10 miles North of Trenton but by reason of ice in the river & the storm
of snow and hail the whole Army did not get across till late at night-- it being dark every officer commanding a platoon for distinction
had a piece of white paper placed on his hat, & each officer having a Watch at the time our line of march began had it set exactly by
the time of his excellency's watch, Soon began our March and march'd in the storm until day break -- a halt was made -- at which time his excellency with his Aids came from the rear encouraging and talking to the Soldiers as
he rode by them toward the front 
the words of his Excellency which I heard I well remember were these "Soldiers keep by your Officers, for Gods sake, keep by your Officers" Spoken with a deep and solemn voice 
it being then twilight; the horses taken out, & the Artillery men harnsse'd and prepaired, marched on & it was not long before we heard the firing of the out Centrys of the enemy  both on the North Road that we were in and that the way in & the road from Princeton into Trenton from the East, & their out
Guards retired firing & our Army taking a very quick march soon entered the town on both roads at the same time; the 
enemy having
scarcely time to parade made but little resistance -- their artillery taken, about one thous'd resign'd their arms [inserted: all Hessians] the remainder crossing
the bridge at the lower end of the town  escaped -- Their commander Col Rhall a Hession officer was mortally wounded & perhaps
15 or 20 kill'd; our loss only one kill'd, two Sgt's & a few Soldiers wounded. March'd the next day with our Prisoners back to our encampment
at Newtown -- there recrossed the Deleware & returned back to Trenton & there the first day of Jan'ry 1777 our year service expired.
Page 16

State of Connecticut}
County of Litchfield and} ss
Probate District of New Milford}
On the 13th day Dec. 1832
before the Court of Probate for s'd District now sitting
at New Milford in s'd district, personally appeared
Elisha Bostwick Esq. of the Town, County & State
aforesaid to this Court well known he being
the same Elisha Botwick who made oath before
this Court on the 30th day of July 1832 to a
Declaration by him made in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress passed June
7th 1832 
to which Declaration he now makes the 
following supplementary addition explanation 
for the same purpose. towit that
in regard to his service in the year 1775 in
Col. Chas Webb's Reg't of Connecticut troops described in his said former declaration, & upon
the back of his said commission refered to
in said declaration his impression there was
& now is, that the Reg't was raised for eight
months,
but in this point he may be mistaken. 
He is entirely certain that he enlisted
for & served during the whole period for which 
such Regt was raised, & that the service terminated 
on the last day of Dec'r of that year.
Page 17

State of Connecticut}
County of Litchfield and} ss
Probate District of New Milford}
On the 13th day Dec. 1832
before the Court of Probate for s'd District now sitting
at New Milford in s'd district, personally appeared
Elisha Bostwick Esq. of the Town, County & State
aforesaid to this Court well known he being
the same Elisha Botwick who made oath before
this Court on the 30th day of July 1832 to a
Declaration by him made in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress passed June
7th 1832 
to which Declaration he now makes the 
following supplementary addition explanation 
for the same purpose. towit that
in regard to his service in the year 1775 in
Col. Chas Webb's Reg't of Connecticut troops described in his said former declaration, & upon
the back of his said commission refered to
in said declaration his impression there was
& now is, that the Reg't was raised for eight
months,
but in this point he may be mistaken. 
He is entirely certain that he enlisted
for & served during the whole period for which 
such Regt was raised, & that the service terminated 
on the last day of Dec'r of that year.
Page 18

by whom he can prove his services, & he is
advised that by the rules established at the
pension office that the testimony of those who
have not personal knowledge of his services,
& of the commencement & termination of the 
same can not be received as legitimate evidence
He has already stated in his former
Declaration, & again repeats, (which is all
the evidence of the act in his power to give)
that he had a Sergeants warrant signed
by Col. Cha's Webb, & served in that capacity
during the whole of the period aforesaid and which
warrant he before stated that he had
not been so fortunate as to preserve; and
now in other words he declares, (as he has
then ment to be understood) that he has
lost it -- He cannot upon reviewing
his former declaration as to the other periods 
of service undertake to state them
with more precision then he has already
done -- He has omitted he fully believes,
one period of service as Lieut't of Militia,
because his recollections of it, are too imperfect to
warrant an attempt to state its duration
and he now begs leave to add, that by reason
of Old age, & consequent loss of Memory, he can 
not swear positively as to the precise length
Page 19

of time of some of the periods of service by him
rendered as stated in his former declaration but according to the best of his memory & belief
he served as a lieutenant as great a length of time as he has
stated in s'd former declaration, exclusive of one tour
of duty which for the reason above
mentioned he has not attempted to state-
                              [signed] Elisha Bostwick

Sworn to & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid --
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
that the above named applicant Elisha
Bostwick was a revolutionary soldier and served
as he has stated in his former declaration made July
30th 1832 & as he states in this his supplementary declaration.
                         [signed] Nathaniel Perry Judge
                                       of the Court of Probate
                                       for said District

State of Connecticut
District of New Milford for
I William J. Starr Clerk of the Court of Probate
for said District, do hereby certify that the foregoing
 contains the original proceedings of the s'd
Court in the matter of the supplementary 
 application
of Elisha Bostwick for a Pension
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said
Court this 13th day of December
D. 1832
                     [signed] William J Starr  Clerk
Page 20

The Hon'b Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington

For the Pension Office

[vertically] 
Jan'y 1833
Page 21

New Milford Con. Dec'r 26. 1832
J.L. Edwards Esq
Sir
your letter of the 8th inst and
companying the application of Elisha Bostwick Esq
for a Pension returned for further proof, has been
rec'd from which it appears that the proofs of
his services as a Sarg't in Webb's Reg't in the year
1775 are not satisfactory as it respects the period
of that service & the grade in which he served.
For you say, "It will be proper for M Bostwick
to prove the time of his entering and leaving the
service at that year, as well as to account for his
warrant which has not been forwarded"--
This is the only fault you intimate in his application
& of course, I presume the only difficulty
in the way of its success. And this difficulty I
hope & trust you will find sufficiently obviated
by the supplementary Declaration aided & counted,
as to the time of service, by the Certificate of
the Secretary of this State herewith transmitted.
The certificate I have procured at Col. Bostwicks
request and it will be seen that the old Gentrys
memory
had been quite imperfect as to the commencement
 of that period of service & of course
of the length of it, the Reg't is now proved to have
been raised for 5 mo's & not for 7 as mentioned
in the Declaration of the part of the applicants
having served for the whole period for which
Page 22

the Reg't was raised, & untill the 31st of Dec'r '75 is proved
by all the evidence in his power towit his own positive 
testimony -- many testimonies might be obtained
of a full perfect belief of Col. Bostwick having served 
in Webb's Reg't or at least in the army lying before
Boston, during the campaign of '75, but he knows of
none who can swear from absolute personal knowledge 
to that fact. I have personally been well
acquainted with Col. Bostwick for more than 40
years, & have known him from my very childhood 
& can safely say, that I have never known a finer
character. It is therefore impossible for me to
doubt of the truth & justice of his application
In which estimation he has been held by his fellow
townsmen & by the Govern'r of this State may be
infered from the fact of his having been a Maj'er
for more than 20 years, & until legally disqualified 
by age, of his having been thirteen or fourteen
times elected a member of the Legislature & from
his having served 55 years as Town Clerk &
Registrar of Deeds in the Town of New Milford from
which office he has recently retired on account
of a rapidly approaching blindness -- I know
very well Sir, that you cannot take my
statements for evidence, & that if you could,
it would not aid the applicant in obtaining the
boon he seeks; but it may tend to excuse the
solicitude which I have manifested
for the success of this application
I am Sir Respectfully yours
                         [signed] D. S. Boardman
Page 23

David S. Boardman Esq.
now at
Litchfield
Con
Page 24

     I, Thomas Day Secretary of the State of Connectient
 and keeper of the Seal thereof do hereby
certify, That by an act of the General Assembly of the
Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecticut, passed 
at a session of said Assembly holden at Hartford 
by special order of the Govonor of said Colony
on the first day of July 1775, it was provided, that in
addition to and reinforcement of the inhabitants in and
by a previous act directed to be assembled, equipped &c. for
the special defence and safety of said Colony, a further
body of fourteen hundred men, exclusive of commission
officers be forthwith enlisted, equipped accoutred and assembled, 
for the same purpose, to serve during the
pleasure of said Assembly not exceeding five months,
and to be led and conducted as the General Assembly
should order and that said inhabitants so to be enlisted 
and assembled, should be formed into two Regiments,
of ten companies each.
      I further certify, that in pursuance of said act,
said Assembly, at the same session appointed Charles
Webb Esq. Colonel of the Seventh Regiment, being
one of the Regiments to be raised as aforesaid:
all which appears of record.
      I further certify, that according to my best knowledge 
and belief, there is no roll or list of the nonconcommissioned
officers and privates in said Regiment remaining or existing 
in the office of the Secretary of this State.

In testimony whereof, I have here
unto set my Hand and affixed the Seal
of said State, at the City of Hartford
the twenty fifth day of December
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
                                  [signed] Thomas Day
Page 25

                                  Hartford, Dec. 25. 1832
Dear Sir
I send herewith for Col. Bostwick's use a
certificate somewhat in the form proposed in
your last letter. The fee including nearly half a
day spent in search is $1 which, if convenient,
you may hand to Geo. C. Woodruff Esq. for me
                                Yours, very respectfully
                                       [signed] Thomas Day
Page 26

March 25,51
Arad Joy's agency
on Bothwicks [Bostwick]
case & Con     w'm

Mr Triplett

[vertical]
Hon Jas E Heath
Court of Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 27

Ovid March 18th 1851
Sir
I inclose my agency in the Bostwick case
which is explained in it.  I am informed
that you will on examining the Commission
on file, find a long statement as to the
serve [sic] in Col Bostwicks own hand, that
on a review of all the papers, you
may discover an increase of pension
due.    Please report to me the result
                           Most Respectfully
                             Your Ob't Serv'
                       [signed] Asad Joy

[signed] Hon Jas E Heath
Court of Pensions
Washington
DC

(Elisha Bostwick
died Dec 11 1834 
[1 illegible] A B)
Page 28

[light pencil upper right] 
           Leave in case

[light pencil slanted upper left]
     Copied from comission 
          of Elisha Bostwick

In CONGRESS

The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York,
New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle,
Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina,
and South-Carolina, to Elisha Bostwick

Gentleman
We reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism,
valour, conduct and fidelity DO by these presents
constitute and appoint you to be Second Lieutenant
of Captain Isaac Bostwicks Company in the nineteenth 
regiment of foot commanded by Colonel Charles 
Webb ----
the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile
invasion thereof you are therefore carefully and
diligently to discharge the duty of Second Lieutenant by
doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging.
And we do strictly charge and require all officers 
and soldiers under your command, to be obedient
to your orders, as Second Lieutenant. And you are to
observe and follow such orders and directions from time
to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress
of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress,
for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for
the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or
any other your superior officer, according to the rules
and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed
in you.
Page 29

This his commission to continue in force until revoked by
this or a future Congress.

Attest              By Order of the Congress,
                Cha Thomson Secy.
                          John Hancock President,
January the first 1776 -
Page 30

A Sketch &c. In the month of May 1775 I inlisted as
Sergeant & Clark in Capt. Isaac Bostwick's Company,
Colo. Charles Webbs Regt, march'd for Boston for 8
months, viz from 1st May to last Decr & when arrived at
Hartford reced orders to go by water down Connecticut
river to Lyme, where we kept Guard at Governor Griswolds 
house
left by his family, the enemy being in the Sound
thence march'd to Newlondon, kept guard there awhile--
thence to Stonington & back to Newlondon, thence thro'
Norwich, Providence on to Genl. Washingtons head quartors
at Cambridge- encamped on Winterhill there remained
until first of Jany, 1776 when our Regt was discharged
I then had the offer of a Lieutenancy in the
Continental Army for 12 months in a new 
Regt. to be
commanded by the same Colo. Charles Webb- Street Hall Lt.
Colo.- John Brooks Major-- Capt. Bostwick went home to
Newmilford to raise his new company, I took winter
quarters with the few men which then inlisted for the ensuing
year, at Temple house North of Bunkers Hill--- In
the Spring, the Regt. being filled up we were stationed
at Roxbury near Boston neck - was in the party which on
the 4th of March took possession of & fortified Dorchester
Heights under the command of Genl. Thomas -remained
at Roxbury until the British evacuated Boston on the
17th day of March 1776; upon which our Regt. with others
received orders immediately to repair to New York; march'd
direct to Newlondon; thence by water to N. York, remain
there and on long island until the retreat of our
Army from N. York -- The first battle I was in was at the

                                3
Page 31

white plains, where our army was defeated Octr 29th.
Lt Yates' Platoon which was next to that of mine received
a cannon shot which with one ball kill'd three men,
namely Serjeant Garret Smith & Taylor, Chilsey had
one arm taken off by the same ball. Some while after
had orders to march into Jersey, cross'd the Hudson at
Peekskill Novr 15th, on our march thro' Jersey our
General Charles Lee was taken prisoner by a party of
light horse, being put up for the night a mile or two
in rear of our main army, which was a discouraging
stroke to us for the time -- continued our march - crossed
the Delaware of encamped at a place called Newtown on
the Pennsylvania side and on the 24th of Decr our
whole army, being very small received marching orders;
toward evening crossed the Delaware 9 or 10 miles North 
of Trenton; but by reason of ice in the river & the
storm of snow & hail the whole Army did not get across
till late at night -- it being dark every officer comanding 
a platoon for distinction had a piece of white paper
placed on his hat and each officer having a watch at the
time our line of march began had it set exactly by the
time of his excellency's watch, Soon began our March
and march'd in the Storm till day break- a halt was
made- at which time his excellency with his Aids came
from the rear encouraging & talking to the soldiers as
he rode by them toward the front & the words of his
Excellency which I heard I well remember were these
"Soldiers keep by your officers, for Gods sake keep by
your officers" Spoken with a deep & solemn voice it

                                  4.
Page 32

being then twilight; the horses taken out, & the Artillerymen
harness'd & prepared march'd on & it was not
long before we heard the firing of the out Centrys of
the enemy both on the North road that we were in & the
road which leads from Princeton into Trenton from the
East; & their out Guards retired firing; & our Army taking
a very quick march soon entered the town on both
roads at the same time; the Enemy having scarsely time
to parade made but little resistance -- their Artillery
taken, about one thousand resign'd their arms all Hessians; 
the remainder crossing the bridge at the lower
end of the town escaped. Their commander Colo. Rhall
a Hessian officer was mortally wounded and perhaps 15 or
20 killd; our loss only one killd, two officers & a
few soldiers wounded. March'd the next day with our
Prisoners back to our encampment at Newtown -- then recrossed
the Delaware & returned back to Trenton & there
on the first day of Jany. 1777 our years service expired. 
And then by the pressing Solicitation of General
Washington a part of those whose time of service was
out, consented on a ten dollars bounty to stay six
weeks longer; & although desirous to return home I engaged
to stay, & made every exertion in my power to
made as many stay with me as I could; and before night
on that same day an express from our piquet Guard informed
that the Enemy were advancing upon us from Princeton: 
an Alarm was made, our Army crossed the bridge and
formed on the South side of the Creek South of the town;
where, in the evening & thro' the night fires were kept

                               5
Page 33

burning, while our army by a circuitous night march
arrived by sunrise the next morning at Princeton; where
we attack'd those of the enemy who were left there killed
about one hundred & took about 300 prisoners- (in this
action it was said that the person of his excellency
was too much exposed to the enemy's fire) NB: The body
of a British Capt. by the name of Leslie was found
among the dead, which was carried along with us in a
waggon & the next day buried with the honors of War- he
was said to be Nobleman's son -- General Mercer of the
Pensylvania Melitia [Militia] & sundry other excellent officers
& soldiers were killed in this Battle--- the prisoners
being British & some Highlanders with their Scotch Plaid
dress were conducted to Peekskill; from whence those of
us who composed their guard return'd to head quarters at
Morristown -- The enemy having with drawn to Brunswick
made continual excursions after forage & plunder which
rendered it necessary we should have strong guards on the
lines. I was detached in one of them of 300 men under
Colo. Scott for a fortnight, during which time we all
slept on our arms & in our clothes while we lay at a
place called Quiboletown [Quibbletown], had sundry skirmishes with
those foraging parties, one of which was severe; we drove
them some time & they began to leave their wagons, but
at last they brought their Artillery to bear upon us &
we having none retreated leaving our wounded in the
field, among which was our Adjutant-Kelley an Active
charming Officer, he was wounded in the flesh of his
thigh by a musket ball, he could still walk on the sol-
Page 34

soldiers endeavoured to bring him off, but being press'd
he told them to leave him, saying I must be a prisoner:-
but horrid to tell, as soon as they came to him while
asking for quarter they took his own Rifle & with the but
of it broke & pounded his scull to pieces & then cutting
off both skirts of his coat too then off with both pockets
& their contents- and a soldier in my late Andrew
Cushman a pleasant youth was left among the wounded.
with the rest were all murdered with the bayonet by repeated 
stabs, they were buried there but Kelley was
brought into Camp and buried under arms- Such is British
clemency & mercy! And with this tour of duty my time of
service in the Continental Army expired. I then return'd
to head quarters at Morristown Febry, 15th, 1777; and being
discharged, from thence waded in the snow on foot
home to my fathers house- and may I add that my heart was
impressed with the tenderest sensations, and I trust with
Gratitude & thankfulness to God that my life was spared,
while alas my companions were slain by my side & left in
their graves.

     NB:- The logical advice of Col. Scott when we were
going into a skirmish one day I always remember, the
glib manner in which he spoke it "Take care now & fire
low, bring down your pieces, fire at their legs, one man
wounded in the leg is better than a dead one, for it
takes two more to carry him off, there is three gone-
leg them, dam 'em I say, leg them."
    When the enemy destroyed the public stores at Danbury
(april 26-1777) & burnt the town, there was not
Page 35

enough of us collected to make any resistance, but the
next day as they return'd by the way of Ridgefield had
a skirmish with them there, a number kill'd on both sides
Gen. Wooster mortally-wounded I saw him a little before
the action began but not afterwards slept in a barn
next day followed them to Wilton slept that night in
Marvins barn next day followed them to Compo where we
attacked them while going on board their ships-- Lt.
Seeley mortally wounded a number of others killed &
wounded.
Colo. Knowlton who commanded the rear Guard of our
Army in the retreat from 
N. York being mortally wounded &
the enemy pressing upon them ordered his men who were
trying to bring him off to take him aside out of the
road that he might die alone where the enemy could not
see him & abuse him John Terrill of our Company was
there with him,
The peculiar circumstance I here state, as a remarkable
occurrence- a soldier in my family mess Paul Todd 
of Massachusetts, in the evening of one day when we had 
been skirmishing with the enemy on the lines near Brunswick 
while we were at supper found a musket ball lodged
in a piece of bread which he had carried all day upon
his back in his pack; we immediately made search to find
how it not there; but to our astonishment for some time
could not find any bullet hole in his pack, but at
length it was found on that side of his pack which was
next to his back, we then searched his clothes & found
a bullet hole in the back of his coat, our wonder still
Page 36

increasing he striped off his clothes & found that the
ball had passed through all his cloaths in a slanting
direction, & passed first through the elbow of his coat,
then entered the side of his coat under the arm, went
thru his coat&  his vest & shirt & so into his pack &
bread, the force being spent it lodged there.
 I will now make some observations upon the amiable &
unfortunate Capt. Nathan Hale whose fate is so well
known; for I was with him in the same Regt., both at
Boston & New York & until the day of his tragical death.
although of inferior grade in office was always in the
habits of friendship & intimacy with him; & my 
rememberance
of his person, manners & character is so perfect
that I feel inclined to make some remarks upon them;
for I can now in imagination see his person & hear his
voice-- his person I should say was a little above the
common stature in height, his shoulders of a moderate
breadth, his limbs strait & very plump; regular features-
fair skin- blue eyes- flaxen or very light hair
which  was always kept short- his  eyebrows a shade darker 
than his hair & his voice rather sharp or piercing-
his bodily agility was remarkable. I have seen him follow 
a football & kick it over the tops of the trees in
the Bowery at New York (an exercise which he was fond of)-
his mental powers seemed to be above the common sort-
his mind of a sedate and sober cast, & he was undoubtedly
Pious; for it was remarked that when any of the soldiers
of his company were sick he always visited them &
usually prayed for & with them in their sickness.-
Page 37

A little anecdote I will relate; one day he accidentally
came across some of his men in a bye place playing cards-  he
spoke- what are you doing- this won't do- give me
your cards, they did so, & he chop'd them to pieces, & it
was done in such a manner that the men were rather pleased
than otherwise- his activity on all occasions was
wonderful- he would make a pen the quickest & best of
any man----
Innumerable instances of occurrences which took place
in the Army I could relate, but who would care for them:
Perhaps it may be thought by by some that I have already
been at the expence of Prolixity: nobody in these days
feels as I do, left here alone, & they cannot if they
would, but to me it is a melancolly pleasure to go back to
those scenes of fear & anguish after the laps of
50 years (1826 was in my 78th year) to rumenate upon
them which I think I can do with as bright a recollection
as though they were present- one more reflection
I will make- why is it that the delicious Capt Hale
should be left & lost in an unknown grave & forgotten.
The foregoing Statements were made from Memory recolection & 
from documents & Memorandoms which I kept.
                                                Elisha Bostwick

   N.B. Soon after my return from the Army I received
a Lieutenants Commission in the Militia afterwards a
Captains commission a served in various terms of duty
                            10
Page 38

in Alarms to the close of the War: during the war was
in six actions, to wit: that at White Plains- at Trenton-
Princeton- Quibbletown- Ridgefield- & Compo- in
the latter part of the War a Captain
                         
Elisha Bostwick
born in Newmilford-
Decr. 17th-(O.S.) 1748
Page 39

[on the left side]
1914 Dec. 1. Certified Copy of Elisha Bostwicks
commission furnished Geo. D. Seyour
1915 Jan. 2. Hist of E. Bostwick to Geo. D. Seymour.    aw
1915 Jan. 22 G. D. Seymour advised where com.
was file etc          aw

1915 Apr 30. Mr Arthur E Bostwick
inf'd that commission could not be given 
him.        aw
1928 Feb. 18 Mr Geo. D. Seymour advised date
of appl. for pensn also in regard to filing of commissionm
& date of death. [name illegible]

[in the center]
10376
INVALID.

File No. 10.376
Elisha Bostwick
Serg Rev War


Act: June 7" 1832
posed
Index: -- Vol. A  Page 39

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[on the right side]
1908 Nov. 18. Copy of statement
relative to Nathan Hale
written by E. Bostwick on
the Margin of his
commission as 2" Lieu't
furnished Hon. J. R. Garfield
Secty Int
1908 Nov. 23. Orig Commisson 
of E. Bostwick 2"
Lieut. 19 Reg. forwarded
to Secty Int. J. R. Garfield
by Comr of Pensions. See
letter of transmittal
endorsed by private
Secty of Secty in
1909 Jan 21. above noted
commissioned returned 
to Record Div. 
Bureau.     aw

1914. Nov. 18. uncertified copy
of statement relative to
Nathan Hale on back of
Elisha Bostwick's com.
furnished to Geo. D. Seyour
who paid NW
Proctor Law Div. 45 cts
for it.
Page 40

[Handwritten at top of page]
In this pension claim of
Elisha Bostwick is a full description
of the person, character etc. of Nathan
Hale, but this writer requested  information in
regard is the place of execution which is not
stated in this claim.

August 27, 193
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Mr. Oscar K. Goll
Managing Editor, Federal Writers' Projects
114 East 32nd Street
New York, New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter of August 10, 1936, addressed
to Honorable George C. Hass, Director of Research and Statistics,
Treasury Department, this city.
You state that according to Stokes' Iconography of Manhattan,
the Pension Bureau has a complete description of Nathan Hale's
martyrdom, which data you seek to aid in your compilation of the
New York City Guide Book and The American Guide Book, so in consequence
of your citation, your letter has been referred to the Veterans
Administration, now custodian of Pension Bureau records, for reply.

Revolutionary War data furnished by the Veterans Administration
are recorded in claims for pension and bounty land which have been
made to the United States, based upon service in that war. In some
instances when old soldiers made their applications for such
compensation, they narrated some outstanding event which transpired
during their service and made a lasting impression. There are more 
than 6,000 such claims on file based upon service in the Revolutionary 
War. Unless note has been made of an outstanding event during 
the years of handling those claims, it is impossible to locate any
particular historical data that might be recorded in a single claim.

A careful search has been made and no record found of any note
in regard to the place of execution of Nathan Hale,

If Stokes, the writer, gave no citation of any particular pension
claim from which he obtained the description of the execution of
Captain Nathan Hale, by which the data could now be located, then as
Page 41

reference which might aid you, B. J. Lossing's "Pictorial Field Book of
the Revolution" is suggested as a source of interest, the second
volume, page 609.
                                  Very truly yours

                                    A. D. HILLER
                                    Executive Assistant
                                    to the Administrator
Page 42

Nov. 18, 1914.

George W. Seymour, Esq.,
Present.

Sir:
                 In compliance with your request of even
date you will find herewith an extract from a statement
made by Elisha Bostwick in his claim for pension, revolutionary
war, Survivors' File No. 10376. The cost of said
copy, as provided by the act of August 24, 1912, is 45 cents.
which may be paid in cash or by money order or check drawn
to the order of the Secretary of the Interior. If by check
the same must be drawn on some bank of this city,
Respectfully,

Commissioner

JP/EOA
Page 43

                      Office of the Secretary,
                      Department of the Interior,
                                     November 23, 1908.

Received of Hon. V. Warner, Commissioner
of Pensions, the commission
granted Elisha Bostwick, herein described, 
the same being a part of the
records in invalid claim, file number
10376 Revolutionary War.

                    [signed] Hugh A. Brown
                                  Private Secretary.

Above commission
returned to files
of Pension Bureau
Jan. 21. 1909. and
was then locked
up in the Record
Division
A Wilson
Page 44

                                     3--1901.

                                     Department of the Interior,
                                       Bureau of Pensions
                                         Washington.
Office of the Commissioner
                                  Eoa

                                               November 23, 1908.

Hon. James R. Garfield,
Secretary of the Interior.

My dear Mr. Secretary:
         I have the honor to inclose herewith in compliance with
your request, received today, the original commission granted to
Elisha Bostwick, Gentleman, as Second Lieutenant of Captain Isaac
Bostwick's Company in the nineteenth Regiment of foot, commanded by
Colonel Charles Webb, Revolutionary War, bearing the signature of
John Hancock, President.
          Among other things endorsed on the commission is a description
of Captain Nathan Hale, a copy of which was furnished you
in a letter from this Bureau under date of the 18th instant.
          When this commission has served the purpose intended will
you kindly return the same to the Bureau in order that it may be filed
with the original papers in the case to which it belongs, file number
10376.
Please endorse the receipt of this commission on the duplicate
letter herewith inclosed.

                                            Very respectfully,
                                [signed] V. Warne
                                              Commissioner

[slanted at bottom left]
See endorsement
on this paper
Page 45

Record Division.
     November 18, 1908.

The Honorable,
The Secretary of the Interior.

Sir:
     In reply to your personal request of the 17” instant, I have the
honor to advise you that in the Revolutionary War pension claim Sur. File
No. 10,376, of Elisha Bostwick, his commission as Second Lieutenant of
Captain Isaac Bostwick's company, Colonel Charles Webb's nineteenth regiment
of foot, signed by John Hancock, dated January 1, 1776, had the following
description of Nathan Hale on its margin.

     "I will now make some observations upon the amiable and unfortunate
Capt. Nathan Hale whose fate is so well known; for I was with him in the same
Regt, both at Boston & New York until the day of his tragical death: & although 
of inferior Grade in office was always in the habits of friendship
& intimacy with him; & my remembrance of his person, Manners & character is
so perfect that I feel inclined to make some remarks upon them: for I can
now in imagination see his person I hear his voice -- his person I should say
was a little above the common stature in height, his shoulders of a moderate
breadth, his limbs strait & very plump; regular features -- very fair skin -- 
blue eyes -- flaxen or very light hair which was always kept short -- his eyebrows 
a shade darker than his hair & his voice rather sharp or piercing -- his
bodily agility was remarkable I have seen him follow a football & kick it
Page 46

over the tops of the trees in the Bowery at New York, (an exercise which
he was fond of -- his mental powers seemed to be above the common sort
his mind of a sedate and sober cast, &  he was undoubtedly Pious; for it
was remarked that when any of the Soldiers of his company were sick he
always visited them & usually prayed for & with them in their sickness.
a little anecdote I will relate: one day he accidentally came across
some of his men in a bye place Playing Cards he spoke what are you doing--
this won't do.-- give me your cards, they did so, & he chop'd them to
pieces, & it was done in such a manner that the men were rather pleased
than otherwise -- his activity on all occasions was wonderful he would
make a pen the quickest & best of any man -- Innumerable instances of occurrances
which took place in the Army I could relate, but who would care
for them: Perhaps it may be by some that I have already been at 
the expence of Prolixity: nobody in these days feels as I do, left here alone
& they cannot if they would, but to me it is a melancoly Pleasure to go
back to those scenes of fear & anguish, & after the laps of 50 years, (1826
now in my 78th year) to rumonate upon them which I think I can do with as
bright a recollection though they were present. One more reflection I
will make why is it that the delicious Capt Hale should be left & lost
in an unknown Grave & forgotten --

The foregoing Statements were made from memory recollection from
documents & Memorandoms which I kept.
(Signed)
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 47

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON

August 26, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA - J/MMHF: MLB

Honorable George C. Hass
Director of Research and Statistics
Treasury Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of August 15,
with which you transferred the letter of Mr. Oscar K. Goll,
New York City, for reply, and requested a copy of that reply.

Mr. Gill was informed in regard to Captain Nathan Hale,
as shown by copy of reply enclosed.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 48

          DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                    WASHINGTON

                                          May 25, 1922.

Honorable Herbert Putnam, Librarian,
Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Librarian
                                                                  Under date of April 25, 1922, you call attention to a document
now in the Bureau of Pensions, -- the commission of Lieutenant Elisha
Bostwick, on which is written a description of Nathan Hale by Bostwick,
and suggest that it be transferred to the Manuscript Division of the
Library of Congress, either as a permanent transfer or as a deposit
subject to recall, if needed by the Pension Office. You state that
under the provisions of the Act of February 25, 1903, the Interior
Department, including the Bureau of Pensions, has at various times
sent to the Library of Congress papers of great historical value to
the students of American history.
    I find that the clause of the Act of February 25, 1903, relative
to the transfer of material to the Library of Congress, reads as follows:
"The head of any executive department or bureau of any commission of the
Government is hereby authorized from time to time to turn over to the
Librarian of Congress for the use of the Library of Congress any books,
maps or other material in the library of the department, bureau or
commission no longer needed for its use and in the judgment of the
Librarian of Congress appropriate to the uses of the Library of Congress."
     It would not appear that the commission of Elisha Bostwick comes
within the provision of the Act of February 25, 1903, as it is not a
part of the "material in the library" of the Pension Bureau, but is an
integral part of the pension claim of said Elisha Bostwick and in the
record evidence of service upon which his pension was allowed. To
withdraw the commission from that claim would leave the file incomplete.
It would establish a precedent for the withdrawal of papers from other
claims that would seriously impair the value of the Revolutionary War
files and records of the Bureau of Pensions.
Page 49

     The Pension Bureau has consistently refused to permit the withdrawal
of commissions or discharges or other documentary evidence on
which action in pension and bounty land claims has been predicated,
and this practice has had the sanction of the Department. As late as
April 30, 1915, the Bureau refused to return the commission of Elisha
Bostwick to Mr. Arthur Bostwick, Librarian of the St. Louis Public
Library, who claimed to be a collateral relative of the soldier and
who desired to place the commission in the 
State Library at Hartford,Connecticut.
    As stated by you, the Pension Bureau has transferred various papers
of historical value to the Library of Congress. This transfer took
place on February 3, 1909, in compliance with an order from the Secretary
of the Interior dated January 30, 1909, directing the Pension
Bureau to transfer to the Library of Congress all documents taken from
Revolutionary War pension claims which come within the provisions of
the Act of February 25, 1903."
     Mr. Gaillard Hunt, Chief of the Division of Manuscripts, Library
of Congress, personally selected the documents held as coming within
the provisions of the act of February 25, 1803, which consisted mostly
account books, private journals, orderly books, a certificate of
membership of the Society of the Cincinnati and a few miscellaneous
paper, but no commissions or discharges were among the documents
selected by him. Presumably at the time the transfer was made to
the Library of Congress of material from the Pension Bureau, these
documents were not considered within the purview of the Act of Congress
authorizing the transfer.
     Be that as it may, the position taken by the Bureau of Pensions in
consistently refusing to part with commissions, discharges or other
documentary record evidence on which title to pension or bounty land was
determined in Revolutionary War claims, for the reason that to do so
would destroy the completeness of the Revolutionary War records and
files and establish a precedent for other withdrawals of documents which
would seriously impair the value of the Revolutionary War records which
constitute an important and much consulted portion of the archives of
the Government, is a sound one and meets with approval.
      Your suggestion that the commission of Lieutenant Elisha Bostrick
be transferred from the Bureau of Pensions to the manuscript Division 
of the Library of Congress is not concurred in.

                     Very respectfully,
          [stamped] (Sgd.) F. M. Goodwin
                                            Assistant Secretary,
Page 50

       [Stamped]
Dep't of the Interior
        Received
        Apr 26 1922
         to Chief Clerk.
Seoy's Off. -Appts Mails & Files

                                   LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
                                          WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN       April 25 1922

Sir:
      The Act of February 25, 1903, authorizes any Executive Department to
transfer to the Library of Congress material suited to the Library's use
and no longer needed in the current business of the Department. Under this
authority the interior Department has at various times sent to the Library
from several of its offices, including the Bureau of Pensions, papers of
great historical value to the students of American history who come to the
Library. There is such a document now in the Bureau of Pensions, the Commission
of Lieutenant Elisha Bostwick, of New Milford, Connecticut, on which
is written a description of Nathan Hale by Bostwick.
       It seems probable that any claim for which this Commission was deposited
has long ago been settled; and it is suggested that the Commission be transferred
to the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, either as a permanent
transfer, or as a deposit, to be recalled if needed by the Pension office. 
The Library has a photolithograph of this document, which it will send
to the Pension Office in exchange for the original, if desired.

                                      Very respectfully,
                           [signed] John Witham
                                                  Librarian
To the Honorable
The Secretary of the Interior
Washington D. C.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, April 26, 1922.
Respectfully referred to the Commissioner
of Pensions, for compliance if consistent and
practicable, through the Department, with the
wishes of the Librarian of Congress in this
matter.
                            [signed] F M Goodwin
                                             Assistant Secretary
Page 51

In Reply Refer To  Rev. War Section.
                                          3 1865
                   DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                           BUREAU OF PENSIONS
                                  WASHINGTON
                                                    April 28, 1922.
The Chief Clerk,
Bureau of Pensions.

Sir:
     In regard to the letter of the Librarian of
Congress dated April 25, 1922, requesting the transfer
to the Library of Congress, under the provisions of the
Act of February 25, 1903, of the commission of Elisha
Bostwick, as Second Lieutenant, of Captain Isaac Bostwick's 
Company of the Nineteenth Regiment of Foot, commanded
by Colonel Charles Webb, which was signed by John Hancock
and dated January 1, 1776. You are advised that the
clause of the Act of February 25, 1903, relative to the
transfer of material to the Library of Congress, reads
as follows:
     "The head of any Executive department or bureau or
any commission of the Government is hereby authorized
from time to time to turn over to the Librarian of Congress,
for the use of the Library of Congress, any books,
maps, or other material in the library of the department,
Page 52

bureau, or commission no longer needed for its use,
and in the judgment of the Librarian of Congress appropriate
to the uses of the Library of Congress."
      It would not appear upon consideration of this
matter that the paper in question comes within the
provisions of the Act of February 25, 1903, as it is
not a part of the material in the library of this bureau, 
but is an integral part of the pension claim,
of said Elisha Bostwick and constitutes a portion of the
record evidence upon which his pension was allowed.
     It is therefore not deemed advisable to withdraw
the commission from that claim, thereby leaving the
file incomplete and establishing a precedent which
would seriously impair the value of the Revolutionary 
War records of this Bureau.
     It is proper to add that the return of this document
has been refused to Mr Arthur Bostwick the Librarian
of the Saint Louis Public Library, who desired to place
it in the State Library at Hartford, Connecticut. Mr
Arthur Bostwick stated that he was a collateral relative
of the soldier.
      The transfer of various papers from Revolutionary 
War pension claims to the Library of Congress, took place
February 9, 1909, in response to an order from the Secretary
of the Interior, dated January 30, 1909, as fol -
Page 53

follows:

"Sir:
In connection with the conference with you
and Mr. Gaillard Hunt, Chief of the Division of Manuscripts, 
Library of Congress, you are hereby directed
to immediately transfer to the Library of Congress all
documents taken from Revolutionary War pension claims,
which come within the provisions of the act of February
25, 1903."
                                Very respectfully,
                                  James Rudolph Garfield,
                                               Secretary.


The Commissioner of Pensions.

       Mr Hunt personally selected, by verbal order of
the Commissioner of Pensions, the documents desired by
him, which consisted mostly of account books, private
journals, orderly books, a certificate of membership
of the Society of the Cincinnati, and a few miscellaneous 
papers, (but no commissions or discharge certificates).
      Some of these, in my opinion, should not have been
transferred to the Library of Congress, not coming under
the provisions of the Act of February 25, 1903,
especially 
the orderly books, which should have been sent
to the War Department, but I had no say in the matter,
it not being left to my discretion but to the personal
Page 54

inclinations of Mr. Hunt.
                           Very respectfully,
                   [signed] W E Wilson
                      Chief of Revolutionary War Section.
Page 55

                                      May 11, 1915.

Mr. Arthur E. Bostwick,
St. Louis Public Library,
St. Louis, Mo.

Sir:
     In response to your letter of the thirtieth instant, 
you are advised that this Bureau does not
consider it wise to comply with your request that the
commission of Lieutenant Elisha Bostwick of Connecticut, 
a Revolutionary War pensioner. Survivor's file
No. 10,376, be taken from the files and given you for
the purpose of depositing it in the state archives
at Hartford, Connecticut.
      The records of Revolutionary War pensioners
constitute an important and much consulted portion
of the archives of the United States Government and
it would not be deemed advisable to impair their value
by withdrawing a commission from one of the claims,
thereby removing the record evidence upon which the
claim was based as well as leaving the file incomplete,
      As the greatest care is taken of said papers it
Page 56

is believed that the public good is considered in
its largest sense by keeping these records intact
at the seat of government where they are most accessible
for historical research.
                                        Very respectfully,
                                [signed] G M Saltzgaber
                                         Commissioner.

[diagonally on the right]
The original of the letter
was acquired by the
Commissioner personally

                           Bostwick - 2 -
Page 57

is believed that the public good is considered in
its largest sense by keeping these records intact
at the seat of government where they are most accessible
for historical research.
Very respectfully,
[signed] G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.

[diagonally on the right]
The original of the letter
was acquired by the
Commissioner personally

Bostwick - 2 -
Page 58

                 TREASURY DEPARTMENT
                OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
                         WASHINGTON
                         August 15, 1936

DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS

Dear Sirs:
      In accordance with recent telephone 
conversation, there
is enclosed a letter from Mr. Oscar K. Goll, Managing Editor,
Federal Writers' Projects, United States Works Progress Administration
for the City of New York, pertaining to official records
of the execution of Nathan Hale.
      Mr. Goll has been informed of this reference of his letter.Will you kindly furnish this office with a copy of your reply?

                            Very truly yours,
                   [signed] Anna M. Michener
                                    Anna M. Michener,
                             Executive Assistant to
                    Director of Research and Statistics.

Revolutionary War Section,
United States Veterans' Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Enclosure.                          [Circular stamp]
                                               Received
                                             Aug 17 1936
Page 59

U. S. WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK
XXXXXXXXXX NEW YORK, N.Y.
114 East 32 Street

Telephone xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Caledonia 5-8948
                                   August 10, 1936
Hon. George C. Hass
Director of Research and Statistics,
Department of the Treasury
Washington, D. C.

My Dear Mr. Hass:
This unit of the Federal Writers' Projects in New York City
is now engaged in the compilation of both the NEW YORK CITY
GUIDE BOOK and THE AMERICAN GUIDE, and we wonder if you
would be kind enough to enlighten us on a certain phase of
the work which we now have in hand covering the Historical
Section of both publications.

As you no doubt know, there has been considerable controversy
over where Nathan Hale was executed. According to Stokes'
Iconography of Manhattan, the Pension Bureau has a complete
description of Hale's martyrdom.

We have been at a loss as to what Department the Pension
Bureau was a part, and therefore, take the liberty of
addressing this letter to you in the hope that you will
forward the same to the proper person in charge of the Bureau
who may be in a position to answer the question for us.

Assuring you of our every appreciation for any cooperation
that you may be able to extend to us in this matter, I am,
my dear Mr. Hass, at all times yours to command.
                   Most sincerely,
    [signed] Oscar K. Goll 
OKG: AB     Oscar K. Goll
                   Managing Editor
                   Federal Writers' Projects
                   U.S. Works Progress Administration.
Page 60

AW
Revolutionary &         This memorandum was prepared
1812 Wars Section.     and given to Dr. A .D. Wilkinson
                                   Asst. Chief Clerk. May 14, 1926. for
                                   Mr McNeely of the Secretary's Office,
                                   the publicity clerk

     When Elisha Bostwick of New Milford, Connecticut,
applied for pension on July 30, 1822, on account of his
services in the War of the Revolution, he filed with his
claim his commission as Second Lieutenant of Captain
Isaac Bostick's Company in the nineteenth Regiment of
Foot, commanded by Colonel Charles Webb; said commission
was signed by John Hancock, President of the Continental
Congress, and dated January 1, 1776.
     On the back and margin of this commission, he wrote
a narrative of his experiences and recollections, which
includes the following statement relative to Nathan Hale.
       "I will now take some observations upon the amiable
unfortunate Capt. Nathan Hale whose fate is so well
known; for I was with him in the same Regt, both at Boston
New York & until the day of his tragical death: &
although of inferior grade in office was always in the
habits of friendship & intimacy with him; & my remembrance
of his person, manners & character is so perfect that I
feel inclined to make some remarks upon them: for I can
now in imagination see his person & hear his voice - his
person I should say was a little above the common stature
in height, his shoulders of a moderate breadth, his limbs
Page 61

strait & very plump; regular features- very fair skin- blue eyes- 
flaxen or very light hair which  was always kept short- 
his  eyebrows a shade darker  than his hair & his voice 
rather sharp or piercing- his bodily agility was remarkable. 
I have seen him follow  a football & kick it 
over the tops of the trees in the Bowery at New York 
(an exercise which he was fond of)- his mental powers 
seemed to be above the common sort- his mind of a 
sedate and sober cast, & he was undoubtedly Pious; 
for it was remarked that when any of the soldiers of his company were sick he always visited them & usually 
prayed for & with them in their sickness.-
      A little anecdote I will relate; one day he accidentally 
came across some of his men in a bye place playing cards-  he spoke- what are you doing- this won't 
do- give me your cards, they did so, & he chopd them 
to pieces, & it was done in such a manner that the men 
were rather pleased than otherwise- his activity on all 
occasions was wonderful- he would make a pen the quickest 
& best of any man---
Page 62

                            BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
                                  Finance Division,

                                     Nov 19, 1914
                              Chief of Law Division

Sir:
I have this day received from
George W. Seymour [crossed out: draft]
[crossed out: No.] Cash [crossed out: for] $ 45/100,
requesting [crossed out: post-office addresses] [inserted: copy of Pension]
papers
as per [crossed out: letter] [inserted: slip] herewith.

[written angled]
Slip to Fin. 11/23/14  JD

Very respectfully,                          [stamp] 
[signed ] W N Campbell              Law Division
Chief of Division.                       Nov 20 1914     
                                                     Received
Page 63

45c [cents]  C. L. W.
Cash 45c recd. Nov. 18/14 from Geo. W. Seymour, City
for uncertified copy of a paper in case of
Elisha
Bostwick  Rev. War, Sur. File No. 10376

ok  RWS                           JM Proctor
                                            Law Div--
                                            11/19/14

[stamp]                               [stamp]
Pension                            Law Division
     A                                 Nov 20 1914
  NOV                                 Received
U  19  S
  1914
Office
Page 64

Mr Geo Dudley Seymour of
129 Church St. New Haven Conn
called at the Bureau Nov. 18.
1914
and got an uncertified copy of that
portion of Elisha Bostwick's commission
relative to Nathan Hale that is on the
attached sheet in lead pencil he pd
Mr Proctor Law Div. 40 cts, for it
also requested to be notified of
cost of copy of everything on commission,
 there are 2287 words
on it and Law Div. was notified
as above Nov. 20, 1914
He also got permission through me
Page 65

from the Commissioner to have a
phot taken of said paper. The com'r
said it could be done in this room
(301) but it could not be taken from
this room. aw Nov. 20, 1914

In copying com. use this lead pencil
sheet for portion about Nathan Hale
Miss C. & I have both reviewed it
& copy of Nov: 18 was made from it.
Page 66

aw
Rev. War Section.

January 22, 1915.

Mr. George Dudley Seymour,
129 Church Street,
New Haven, Conn.

Sir:
       In response to your letter of the 13" instant, relative
to the commission of the Revolutionary War pensioner Elisha
Bostwick as Second Lieutenant of Colonel Charles Webb's Connecticut
regiment, you are advised that it was filed in the
Pension Bureau by said soldier with his application for pension
which was executed on July 30, 1832, and presumably its
existence has been known of ever since that date, but as it
has not always been the practice of this Bureau to keep a
record of persons who examined or copied or photographed
such papers, it is not possible to state how many times it
has been copied or photographed.
                        Very respectfully,
                        [signed] GM Saltzgaber
                            Commissioner.
Page 67

GEORGE D. SEYMOUR,             FREDERIC C. EARLE,
COUNSELOR AT LAW               EXPERT IN PATENT CAUSES

                                     SEYMOUR & EARLE
           SOLICITORS OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN PATENTS
                          SECOND NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
                                         129 Church Street

BRANCH OFFICE                                 
ROOMS 720-726                        
THE LILLEY BUILDING
WATERBURY, CONN.

CABLE ADDRESS:
PATENTLAW, NEWHAVEN      NEW HAVEN, CONN. Jan. 13, 1915.

Mr. G. M. Saltzgaber,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir: -
      I am greatly obliged for your informing letter 
of
January 2nd. 
Since that date a whole army of Bostwicks have arisen 
to do honor to their ancestor or relative, Elisha Bostwick, now
brought into prominence through the publication of his personal
description of Captain Nathan Hale.
       Antiquarians are now disputing the matter of the
discovery of the document like the cities of Greece claiming the
birthplace of Homer. One gentleman claims that Mr. Garfield
discovered the document and that it has been on public view in the
Library of Congress for six years. To settle this question, may
I now be informed who discovered the document, (I suppose Miss Wilson )
the date of the discovery, the number of copies furnished, and when
and whether or not it was ever photographed prior to the photograph
made of it some days ago for me by a representative of the Norris -
Peters Co.?   I am sorry to trouble you with this, but you are in
possession of the definite information which will clear the matter
up.
        I have had a very courteous letter from Mr. Garfield
who tells me that he gave a copy to Dr. Edward Everett Hale who apparently
did not appreciate its significance, and did not preserve it,
since it is not to be found among his papers.
        Respectfully, [signed] George Dudlay [Dudley] Seymour
Page 68

aw
Rev. War Section.
                                      January 2, 1915.

Mr. George Dudley Saymour, [Seymour]
129 Church Street,
New Haven, Conn.

Sir:
      In response to your letter of the 26th ultimo, you are advised
that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension
claim Sur. File No. 10, 376, it appears that Elisha Bostwick
was born at New Milford, Connecticut, December 17, 1748, (old
style) and was living there when he applied for pension in
1832, at which time he had for fifty-four successive years
been elected town clerk of said place. There is no data on
file as to his family, the pension was allowed to him under
Certificate No. 9,050, and there was no claim for pension
made by a widow, on account of his services.
      He served in 1775, as Sergeant and Clark of Captain Isaac
Bostwick's company, Colonel Charles Webb's regiment, on January
1, 1776, he was commissioned second Lieutenant of Captain
Isaac Bostwick's company, Colonel Charles Webb's 19th regiment
of Foot, and on May 13, 1777, he was commissioned Lieutenant
8th company, 13th regiment Connecticut Militia.
                                    Very respectfully,
                                 [signed] G M Saltzgaber 
                                                          Commissioner.
Page 69

GEORGE D. SEYMOUR, FREDERIC C. EARLE,
COUNSELOR AT LAW EXPERT IN PATENT CAUSES

SEYMOUR & EARLE
SOLICITORS OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN PATENTS
SECOND NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
129 Church Street

BRANCH OFFICE
ROOMS 720-726
THE LILLEY BUILDING
WATERBURY, CONN.

CABLE ADDRESS:
PATENTLAW, NEWHAVEN        NEW HAVEN, CONN. Dec. 26 1914

My dear Miss Wilson,
      It now appears that on account of the absence
of Mr. Babson to whom my letter was made personal, that the Norris
Peters Company delayed in having the desired photographs made.
However, I have now received prints. They were damaged in transit
and must be done over again; but such things will happen. I propose
to send you shortly a copy of the Saturday Chronicle, giving some
account of the discovery of the manuscript and reprinting it.
I was disposed to mention your name in connection with the matter.
but was so doubtful of the propriety of doing so, that I finally
omitted it. Of course I did not discover the document, but was
inserted to have put it off, [ but the opportunity was too timely to (i.e. the printing of it) be disregarded. 
There is a great deal of interest just at present in the
Hale. Now I should like to get more information about Elisha Bostwick
to whom we are so much indebted. As I did not have a copy of his
entire pension file, I shall be obliged if you will send me his
address at the time he made his application, and let me know whether
or not his pension was continued to his widow after his death, which
I judge was not the case. He came from New Milford Conn. where there is 
a large family of Bostwicks, and where perhaps I may find something
about him, but the best way is to begin with him where he was last
Hoping that this is proper information for me to ask for in this way,
Page 70

and with the Season's Greetings, and many thanks to you for your
interest and assistance, I am,
                               Very truly yours,
                               [signed] George Dudley Seymour

[typed in lower left corner]
Miss Wilson,
Bureau of Pensions,
U. S. Pension Office, Washington.
Page 71

December 1, 1914.

Mr. George Dudley Seymour,
#139 Church Street,
New Haven, Connecticut.

Sir:
      In compliance with your request of the 24th ultimo, you will find herewith a duly certified copy of the commission of Elisha Bostwick, as 2d Lieut. of Captain Isaac Bostwicke's Co. 19th Regt., U. S. A., Revolutionary War, Sur. File No. 10376.
                                          Respectfully

 FP/wno                                       Commissioner
Page 72

[handwritten at top]
Letter to
Miss Wilson
Rev War Section
[illegible]

BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Finance Division

Nov 25, 1914
Chief of Law Div
Sir:
I have this day received from
for that of
George George D. Seymour [crossed out: draft] [inserted: Doc. Stamp 10 c [cents]
and M. O.
No. 734,554 for $3 70/100,
requesting [crossed out: post-office address] [inserted: Certificd copy
as per letter herewith.

[written angled]
Slip to Finance
Div 12/1/14 JP
             Law Div

             Very respectfully,
        [signed] W. N. Campbell
                    Chief of Division.
Page 73

[Hand written at top]                            OK
                                                               [illegible]
POO. for $3 70/100                                     aw                       
[1 illegible] 10c [cents]      wd
GEORGE D. SEYMOUR, FREDERIC C. EARLE,
COUNSELOR AT LAW EXPERT IN PATENT CAUSES

SEYMOUR & EARLE
SOLICITORS OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN PATENTS
SECOND NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
129 Church Street

BRANCH OFFICE
ROOMS 720-726
THE LILLEY BUILDING
WATERBURY, CONN.

CABLE ADDRESS:
PATENT LAW, NEWHAVEN       NEW HAVEN, CONN. Nov. 24, 1915

Hon. G.M. Saltzgaber,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-
Replying to your favor of yesterday, I enclose herewith
U. S. Money Order for $3.70 for which please furnish me a certified
copy of the commission of Elisha Bostwick on file in his pension case,
Survivers' File No. 10376, Revolutionary War. I enclose a ten cent
internal revenue documentary stamp for use in case the document is
not furnished prior to December 1st. In case it is so furnished the
stamp may be returned, it has cost me $10.00 in time to get it.
                            Respectfully,
                      [signed] George Dudley Seymour
Page 74

JP
                                            Nov. 23, 1914.

Mr. George Dudley Seymour,
129 Church St.,
New Haven, Conn.

Sir:
      In response to your personal inquiry of the 18th
instant, you are advised that under the act of August
24, 1912, an uncertified copy of the commission of
Elisha Bostwick on file in his pension case, Survivor's
File No. 10,376, Revolutionary War, will cost $3.45.
       If it be desired that said copy be certified as
correct under the seal of the Bureau, 25 cents should
be added to said amount, and if the copy is not ordered
or it is impossible to make the same prior to the 1st
proximo, it will be necessary to affix thereto a ten-cent
internal revenue, documentary stamp, which stamp
you must forward with your request.
      Please do not include the cost of said stamp in the
money forwarded, but send the stamp itself.
      Money in payment for the copy may be forwarded in
cash or by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary
of the Interior.
                               Respectfully,

                                   Commissioner
JP. /WDC
Page 75

3--094.

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Washington, D.C., Nov. 20, 1914

Respectfully referred to the
Chief of the Law Division
inviting attention to the
attached card

personal insquiry Nov. 8th
19th wants copy of Elisha
Bostwick's comission
MR. GEORGE DUDLEY SEYMOUR
120 Church Street
New Haven Ct

Mr Seymour desires a
copy of the commission of
Elisha Bostwick Rev
War pensioner S. File 10376.
There are 2287 words on
said paper.

A Wilson
Chief Rev. War Section

[on left side]
23
15
115
23
345
25
3.70
Stamp
Page 76

Copy
                                      Nov. 19, 1914.
The Norris Peters Co.,
Washington, D. C.
(Attention of Mr. Babson)

Gentlemen:-
      Yesterday I was shown in the Pension Office a document of
great interest to me, measuring 15 5/16" by 9 13/16". This document
is partly in print and partly in faded handwriting, and has been
mounted between thin sheets of transparent silk.
I wish a photograph
of both faces of the document, and the best photograph that can 
be made of it. My idea was that a stereotype photograph might be
made, but that an ordinary photograph with a fine lens would be better.
At the Pension office they were unwilling to give me any names, and
I said that I would write to you and ask you to give the matter attention, 
knowing that if you did not have just the lens required you
could place the order in the hands of someone who had such a lens
and who would go to the Office and make the two negatives. The document
cannot be taken from the room where it is kept, but the room is
excellently lighted, so there will be no trouble in making a photograph.    I should like two prints from each negative, and also the
original negative; and I think you will not mind my saying that I do not
wish any prints of the negatives retained by you or anyone else.
The writing is of particular interest to me and I wish to use it in
an article before there is any chance of its getting out. I am sure
you will understand this.
Page 77

(The Norris Peters Co. 2)
       I am sending a copy of this letter to the Commissioner
of Pensions, and I attach to this letter my card to Miss Wilson, who
is in charge of the Revolutionary Pension Archives. I told her that
I should send someone from your office with the best lens in
Washington to make the negatives.
Just as soon as I can get my
drawing ready to ship I will write you again with regard to that
matter. Mr. Earle, who had a great attachment for your father,
as did his father before him, wishes to be remembered to you.
Very truly yours,
Page 78

GEORGE D. SEYMOUR, FREDERIC C. EARLE,
COUNSELOR AT LAW EXPERT IN PATENT CAUSES

SEYMOUR & EARLE
SOLICITORS OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN PATENTS
SECOND NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
129 Church Street

BRANCH OFFICE
ROOMS 720-726
THE LILLEY BUILDING
WATERBURY, CONN.

CABLE ADDRESS:
PATENTLAW, NEWHAVEN             NEW HAVEN, CONN. Nov. 19, 1914.

Hon. Gaylord M Saltzgaber,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. Commissioner:
               Recalling my pleasant visit to your office
yesterday, I now write to ask to have you make me a complete copy of
the document shown me by Miss Wilson in the file of Elisha Bostwick in
his claim for pension, Revolutionary service, File No. 10376. This
document is Bostwick's commission signed by John Hancock, containing
upon the back and a portion of the front, a long narrative evidently
in the handwriting of Bostwick and including a description of the
personal appearance and characteristics of Captain Nathan Hale, who
was a member of Bostwick's regiment. I wish a complete copy of all
of the writing upon both sides of the document, and should also like
to have a complete copy of the printed matter forming the commission,
together with the signatures applied thereto, so that the copy furnished
me by you will be a complete copy of the entire instrument.
          Under another cover I am writing the Norris Peters Co. of
Washington asking them to send to your office a photographer with a
lens large enough to make a photographic negative as large as
of the document.
               Thanking you for your courtesy, I am, with great respect,

                               Very truly yours,
                       [signed] George Dudley Seymour 

P.S. I am taking the liberty of sending
you under another cover, my
brochure called "The Familiar Hale".
                                     G.D.S.
Page 79

GEORGE D. SEYMOUR, 
FREDERIC C. EARLE,
MALCOLM P NICHOLS

SEYMOUR & EARLE
TRADE MARKS - COPYRIGHTS
SECOND NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
129 Church Street

BRANCH OFFICE
THE LILLEY BUILDING
WATERBURY, CONN.

 January 13, 1928

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
      I write to ask for the date on which
Lieutenant Elisha Bostwick, a Revolutionary War pensioner, filed his application for a pension. This
will be found in Survivor's File No. 10,376. Also,
I would like to know when Bostwick died, if the file
shows the date, as I should suppose it must, since there
must be a record when the payments to Bostwick were discontinued. 
The file in question contains his commission,
signed by John Hancock, and on this the veteran gave an
account of his services. Can you tell from the file
why he filed this Commission? Was it to support his
claim for a pension? [by hand: That I had imagined was a sworn statement.]
       I shall be greatly obliged for the above
information. My interest in this file proceeds from
my interest in Nathan Hale, since Bostwick's narrative
contains the most detailed description that has come down
to us of Hale's Personal appearance. I am the owner of Hale's
Birth Place and have
written a good deal
about him.

                                             Very truly yours,
[signed] George Dudley Seymour