Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9989, for William Popham, Delaware
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental
Delaware.
Popham, William
NUMBER
S.9989
B.L. Kt. 1765-300. Capt
Issued Sept. 27, 1790.
No papers.
CONTENTS
Page 2

  
Agent notified Feb. 26, '42
of his admission under act 1832
and dropt from Roll^ of the act of 15 May 1828
let to D. D. Addison Mar 11th 1843
-
" " Secretary of War July 7. 1843
L.P.W. Balch, Sept. 14. 1846

Date of Death [illegible] A B

31.923
New York City
William Popham
of N. York in the State of N. York
who was a Major in the
command
by Captain
of the Regt commanded
by
in the New York
line for 2 years,
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York, City
at the rate of 600 Dollars Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Feby: 1842 and sent to C.D. Lewis Esqr. N. York.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '24           1500.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 11.}    300.00
March 1842}
                                                        $6600.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Theo L Moody Clerk
Book E.2 Vol. 4 Page 55
Page 3

[Centered] Declaration
On the Tenth day of February 1843
personally appeared before me, John H.
Lyell a Public Notary, William Popham
a resident of the City of New York, in the County of
New York
who being duly sworn according to
law, doth on his oath make the following
declaration; that he was a Major of Brigade,
and aid de Camp to the Baron Steuben, during the revolutionary war
, that he received a Pension under the act
of 15th May 1828 at the rate of Four hundred
and eighty dollars per annum, since
which his name has been dropped from
that Roll, and placed on that of the
act of June 7th 1832, at the rate of Six
hundred dollars per annum, and
now claims for arrears of Pension from
3d of March 1826 under the act of 15th May
1828, to the 4th of March 1831 which
time the increase from four hundred and
eighty to six hundred dollars per annum
commenced. And further deponent

STATE OF NEW YORK.}
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, } ss.
I, NATHANIEL JARVIS, CLERK of the City and County of New-York, and also
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CER-
TIFY, That J.H. Lyell
before whom the
annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Notary
Public in and for the said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that I believe the signature of said Notary thereunto subscribed is genuine. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 11 day of Feby 1843
Natl Jarvis Clerk.
Page 4

[Centered] Declaration
On the Tenth day of February 1843
personally appeared before me, John H.
Lyell a Public Notary, William Popham
a resident of the City of New York, in the County of
New York
who being duly sworn according to
law, doth on his oath make the following
declaration; that he was a Major of Brigade,
and aid de Camp to the Baron Steuben, during the revolutionary war
, that he received a pension under the act
of 15th May 1828 at the rate of Four hundred
and eighty dollars per annum, since
which his name has been dropped from
that Roll, and placed on that of the
act of June 7th 1832, at the rate of Six
hundred dollars per annum, and
now claims for arrears of Pension from
3d of March 1826 under the act of 15th May
1828 to the 4th of March 1831 which
time the increase from four hundred and
eighty to six hundred dollars per annum
commenced. And further deponent
saith not.

Sworn to and subscribed on the
day and year above written
[Signature] Wm Popham
Sworn to before me this
Popham
Tenth day of February 1843
J.H. Lyell Not Rob.

[Illegible seal]
Page 5

I,
and presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the City
and County of New York, do certify that NATHANIEL JARVIS,
whose name is subscribed to the within Certificate, is Clerk of the
City and County of New York, and also Clerk of said Court of
Common Pleas, duly elected and sworn, and that full faith and
credit are due to his official acts. I further certify, that the seal
affixed thereto is the seal of the said Court, and that the attestation
thereof is in due form of Law.
Dated at New York, the
1841.
Page 6

Bounty Land was granted by the United States in the year 1790 to William Pophan
who is returned on the list of Revolutionary Officers as a Captain in Hazens Regiment
Wm Gordon
---
Regiment
Nov. 9th 1841
Page 7


July 11, 1932
BA-J/AWF
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
William Popham
S. 9989
Mr. H. Van Cortlandt Fish
51 East 42nd Street
New York City
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to William Popham, who served during the Revolutionary War
The data furnished herein were obtained from
ham.
the papers on file in pension claim, S.9989, based
upon the Revolutionary War service of William Popham.
He was commissioned in January, 1776, Second
Lieutenant in Colonel John Haslet's Delaware regiment,
in November of same year he was appointed Captain in
Colonel Moses Hazen's regiment, was in the battle of
Brandywine, and in June, 1778 was appointed Aide-de-
Camp and Brigade Major to Brigadier General James
Clinton, and after the capture of Cornwallis, was
appointed Aide-de-Camp and Deputy Inspector to Major General
Baron Steuben and continued to serve as such
until the army was disbanded.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
June 3, 1828, at which time he was living in
Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York.
In 1842 he was living in New York City and was
ninety years of age.
His son, William S. Popham, was a resident of
New York City in 1842.
There are no further data relative to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 8

Nov 19
Act of Conn
William Popham
appt for increas
under act 1828
Rejected
[Black Stamp] NEW YORK NOV 17

sce letters to C.D. [illegible]
Hon. S. L. Southard, April
3. 1840
To Hon. John Q. Adams
May 26, 1840.
see letter Aug. 17. 1840 to the
J. Q. Adams do. to Lewis 
Pierce same day
Free David de Southland

John Q Adams Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 9

416 n. a st
[Black Stamp] PENSION OFFICE U.S. A SEP 3 1925
Wellington Kansas
8-31, 1925
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sirs, Will you please
send me any record
you have of the following
soldiers of ^the war of American
Revolution?
I desire
this information that
I my join a patriotic
society:
1. John Wyckoff of N.Y. in
Abraham Brinckerhoff's
Regiment.
2. William Popham 2nd
Lt  of Col. John Haslet's Del.
Regt.
Page 10

3.
William Popham Capt
in Col. Moses Hazen's Regt.
4. William Popham of
5th New York Battalion
5 Andrew Herriot.

Yours truly
Susie Wyckoff
[Black Stamp] PENSION OFFICE U.S. A SEP 3 1925
Page 11

35.049.
William Popham
N. Y.
Act 7 June 1832.
application
for increase
under above act
Rejected
---
see correspondence on Index
under Act 15 May 1828
Let to Hon J. Q. Adams
May 26, 1840
" Giles F. Gates Dec 1. 1840
do. to Sec. War 10 Nov 1841 & 9 Feb.
1842 - do to W. D. Lewis, Feb
21, 1842 -
Issue a certificate for
Major William Popham
U.S. Army
act 7 June 1832-(deducting payments under
Act May 15, 1828, at $40
per month, from 4 March
1831 to the last payment
under that law)
$600 per annum to
Com : 4 March 1831
-
New York City Roll.
-
Send Cert: to [W crossed out]C.D.
Lewis, Esq. New York
[Handdrawn hand point to] Drop the name
upon the role of 1828.
Page 12

1925 - Sept 14 - Hist to Susie Wyckoff awf
1932 - July 11 -  "        " H Van Cortlandt Fish cuoy

9989
INVALID.
File No. 9989
William PophaM
Major Rev.War
---
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 299
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Feb 26. 1842.
Wm Popham  sce
James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
[Black Stamp] NEW YORK FEB 24
Page 14

Rev. and 1812        aug
War Section.
Susie Wyckoff
Wellington,
Kans.
Madam:
September 14, 1935
I have to advise you from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 9989, it appears
that William Popham was commissioned in January 1776, Second Lieutenant in Colonel John Haslet's Delaware Regiment, in November of same year
he was appointed Captain in Colonel Moses Hazen's
Regiment, was in the battle of Brandywine and in
June 1778 was appointed Aide-de-Camp and Brigade Major to Brigadier General James Clinton and after
the capture of Cornwallis in 1781, he was appointed
Aide-de-Camp and Deputy Inspector to Major General
Baron Steuben and continued to serve as such until
the army was disbanded.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-
Page 15

executed June 3, 1828, while a resident of Scarsdale,
Westchester County, New York.
In 1842, soldier was ninety years old and
living in New York City.
Son, William S. was a resident of New York City
in 1842.
There is no further data on file as to his
family.
In order to make a proper search of the records
for soldiers named John and Samuel Wyckoff, some of
the following data is essential: approximate dates of
birth and death, places of residence at enlistment
and after service and given name of widow.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 16

TELEPHONE MURRAY HILL 2-1924
CABLE ADDRESS, GASREIN NEW YORK
(Circled) Rev
George Gascoigne
REAL ESTATE
51 EAST 42ND STREET
NEW YORK
May 31, 1932
Director of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
 Subject: MAJOR WILLIAM POPHAM - 1752 - 1847
Dear Sir:
According to records in the headquarters of the Sons
of the Revolution in New York, Major William Popham was Aide-de-Camp to General James Clinton, 1777 - 79, and Aide - de - Camp to
Baron Steuben in 1781.
I am under the impression that at one time he was
on General Washington's Staff. If so, I would appreciate
your sending me the dates of this service.
The War Department in Washington referred me to you.
Very truly yours
[Signature]
H. VAN CORTLANDT FISH
R /

[Black Stamp] RECEIVED JUN 1 1932 RECEIPT SECTION PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION [Time arrow 3:35]
Page 17

[Black Stamp] PENSIONS OFFICE U.S. S JUL 8 1925
Wellington Kansas
July 3 1925
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sir, Will you kindly send
me a copy of any record
on file of the following
soldiers of the War of the
Revolution? 1[# circled]. William Popham
2nd Lt. under Capt. Henry Darby's
Co. of Col. John Haslets Del. Reg.
2.[# circled] William Popham, Capt. of Col. Moses [Hano crossed out] Hazen's Reg. 3.[# circled] William Popham, Brigade Major, 5th New York Battalion under Col. Dubois 4. [# circled] John Wyckoff - [probaly crossed out] probably from state of New York or
neou-
Page 18

5 [# is circled] more
New Jersey and
the
Samuel
Wyckoff from New York or
New Jersey
I desire this information
that I
may join a patriotic
organization
Yours truly
Susie Wyckoff
Page 19

J L Edwards Esq
Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Lordtown VA    5
Sep 9 3
Major Popham
NY
Lhbw [illegible]
Page 20

Lee Town Jefferson County Va
7 Sept 1846
Dear Sir,
Due to my departure from
New York, I received your letter concerning
Major Pophams claim & left it with him.
He is prepared to show by good
competent testimony, that from 1778 to
the close of the war, he held the rank of Major,
although you say that he was only a
Captain - The question is if he does so prove
his majority is he entitled to a greater
pension that he now receives. On the
point I will thank you to write
to him on the receipt of this letter
Direct the letter No 122 Waverly place New York.
Very respectfully
your said servant
L.P.W. Balch
Page 21

Ap. 14
Report of Com Pensions
in case of Capt Popham
Page 22


Pension Office.
April 14. 1841.
Sir,
In conformity with your instructions, I have
carefully examined the case of Major William
Popham. The case is briefly this:
Major Popham's li- [text missing]neal rank at the end of the revolutionary war, was that of a Captain. As such he received his commutation pay, and as such he has been paid 
his pension under the act of the 15th of May 1828.
He claims higher pay, on the ground that he was an
Aid de Camp at the end of the war: That
office conferred on him no higher rank in the
line. He was, it is true, a Major by courtesy,
but still a Captain only in the line. The law
of May 1828 directs, that the pension shall be
paid according to the rank in the line which
the officer held. Major Popham's pension is
therefore paid at the rate allowed by law
and cannot of course be increased.
I have the honor to be
Very Resptfy Your Obt. Servt.
J. L Edwards

Hon. John Bell
Secretary of War.
Page 23

New York, Feb. 5, 1842.
Charles D. Lewis
Asks reexam of Maj. Wm .
Popham's claim
L23. Rev Feby. 1842.
Pension Office
report :no
Secy of Wars decision
inside.
Conv.
Page 24


Sir
I had the honor to receive from letter
enclosing
one from the Commissioner of Pensions in relation to
the claim of my friend Major William Popham for
Pension under the act of 7th June 1832. Fully
believing in the merit of this claim I trust you will
pardon me for again calling your attention to the
matter
In the letter referred to, it is stated that in
no instance had a pension been allowed for services either as Brigade Major, Aide de Camp as Deputy Inspector. I think I can direct the Pension Commissioner to one instance of my own knowledge when the Rank ^& pension of Major was allowed to an officer
who filled the Office of Aide de Camp to in Major General. I allude to the case of Col. Robert Troup
Col. I entered the army as a Lieutenant was
taken prisoner at the Battle of Long Island was
exchanged and without having been promoted in
the mean time, was made Aide de Camp to Major General
Gates. He was subsequently appointed by
Page 25

Congress a Lieut. Colonel and Deputy Adjt.
of the Northern Army, but if I mistake not, it will
appear from the Documents on file in the Pension
Office in relation the matter of the application
of his widow Jennet Troup for Pension under the
act of July 1838 that his service after his appointment
to a Lieutenant Colonely did not exceed fifteen
Months. Notwithstanding a Pension of $600 per
annum was granted. It is true Col. Frank held
the Rank of Major (as is stated in the Certificate
of General Lewis), while Aide de Camp to General Gates, ^
an act of Congress gave him that Rank
but has it not been shown that Major
Popham held Rank in a similar may and for
similar services? The Rank in the line held by
Col. Troup at the time he acted as Aid de Camp was only that of a Lieutenant and the Rank of Major Popham was that of a Captain - Let a Pension of $600 is allowed in one case and refused
in the other. From the decision in the case of
Wm Troup I take it the precedent has been
establish

To show the great injustice of the distinction
drawn by the Pension Commissioner. He admits that
an ensign who filled the Office of Commissary and who
received a Pension of $240 per annum under the act of
May 1828 may by relinquishing his pension under that
Page 26

Act receive the additional benefit of the Act of June 1832. Yet denies it to one of the most Gallant Officers of this Revolution who resigned his Office as Captain in the line and accepted that of Aide de Camp and Brigade Major to a Major General

I cannot but hope that a re-examination of this claim will induce you to acknowledge it a just one and that the view I have taken of it in the several Letters addressed to your Department is correct

I have the honor to be his with the highest report Your Most Obt Servant
Charles D Lewis
New York Feb 5th 1842

Hon. John C Spencer
Secretary of War
Page 27

James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir

I enclose you the necessary
Afft. and letter to establish the claim of Major
William Popham under the act of 7th June 1832
This old certificate he has lost which fact is
mentioning in the affidavit enclosed
I remain his
Very respectfully hum Obt Servant
C D Lewis
New York Feb. 24th 1842
Page 28

James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pension
Page 29

Pension Agency
New York Feb 21. 1842
Sir
Herewith I transmit the application of
Major William Popham for a new certificate. This
officer is a Pensioner on the Rolls of this Agency
under act 15th May 1828, with the rank of Capt.
and at the rate of 480 dollars per annum
I am desired by him, a veteran of 90
years, to solicit an early attention to his application,
that he may not be delayed in the receipt of
his pension beyond the regular period of payment.
Very respectfully
Your obedt Srvt
Pierce M Irving
J L Edwards Esq
Com ^of Pensions
Page 30

Feb 15 43
Wm Popham
N.Y WC 32
arrear
for [illegible] act 1828
J. L. Edward Esqr
Commisioner of Pensions
D.D. Assn in Prevt.
Page 31


Washington Feby 14.th 1843
Sir,
Enclosed you will find
the application of Major William
Popham for arrears of pension due
him, under the act of 1828.
from
the 3d of March, 1826 to the 4th of
March 1831.
Major Popham was erroneously
placed on the Pension roll under
act of 1828, at the rate of $480, instead
of $600 pr an. and recently applied
and obtained an increase to $600 under the
act of 1832. This application for
increase should have been made under the
act of 1828; but, owing to the ignorance
of the Laws by the parties concerned
[of the- crossed out] it was made under the
act of 1832.
Major M. now claims under the
act of 1828, the difference between
$480 & 600$ pr.an. from the 3d of March
1826 to the 4th of March 1831.
Respectfully
Page 32

Respectfully requesting an early
answer
I am, very respectfully
Yr.Mo.Obt.St.
D. D. Addison
J.L. Edwards Esqr.}
Comr of Pensions}
Page 33

Dep. of War
Wash. Sep. 25th 41.
Sir,
Your letter of the 18th May last in relation to
the claim of Mj W. Popham for an increase of his pension was duly received and it is to be regretted that its consideration, necessarily postponed at the time
has by the continued intervention of matters more imperatively
claiming the attention of the Department, been
withheld until this late day.
You contend on behalf of Maj. W Popham
that while under the act of May 15th 28 he receives only the pay of a Captain ($480) he might by relinquishing his pension under this act and claiming under the
act of 7th June 1832 receive[d- crossed out] the higher pay ($600)
due to a Brigade Major, Aide de Camp or Deputy
Inspector.
In the communications which have, from time to
time, been made to you by the Commis^n of ^Pensions [Indian affairs- crossed out], he has very correctly assumed that Capt or (by
curtesy Major Popham's having [illegible = crossed out] acted as Brigade Major, and aid de Camp or incidentally
to his aideship as Deputy Inspector did not involve
Page 34

any promotion as to actual bank, but [still- crossed out] left him
a mere Captain of the line- as such indeed he was
reported at the end of the war and his commutation
pay was awarded accordingly.
The decision of attorney Genl. Taney cited
in your argument as authority entirely at variance
with the Commissioner views, was made in a case
by no means parallel.
There the claimant under the
act of '32 was an actual, substantive officer
acting under [his commission - crossed out] ^a formal appointment his commissary in the
present case the claimant is merely a captain of infantry, performing for certain periods, either as Brigade
Major Aide de Camp or Deputy Inspector, duties on
which as an officer of the Army he was subject to
be detailed.
In every view of the case the Department
is constrained to sustain the commissioner's rejection
of the claim.
Very respy
Your Ob. Svt.
C. D. Lewis Esq
New York City
Act Sec of War


C.D. Lewis 24 Sept 1841
Recorded MBry
April '46
Page 35

Pension Office, Feb. 9: 1842,
Commissioner's reply in relation
to Maj Wm Popham's claim
to a pension
Page 36

Pension Office,
Feby 9. 1842,
Sir
In the enclosed letter from Mr. C. D. Lewis
relative to the case of Captain William Popham
the case of Mrs Janet Troup, widow of the late Lt.
Col. Troup is cited, and the writer asks whether
"it has not been shown that Major Popham held
rank in a similar way, and for similar services."
To which, I reply in the negative. The case
of Col. Troup is very different from that of Capt.
Popham. Troup is recognized as a Major, in the
Journals of Congress of the 4' of October 1777 and
on the 4' of May 1778 he was appointed Deputy
Adjutant General, with the ^rank of Lieut. Colonel. In the
grades of Major and Lieut Colonel, he served
full two years, and his widow was therefore
entitled to $600 per annum, the highest pension.
Not so the case of Major Popham. The latter is
always styled a Captain. His appointment in
the Brigade Staff conferred on him no additional
rank. If however, he can prove that
he was regularly appointed an Aide to a Major
Page 37

General with the rank of Major, and in that capacity served two full years, then he may
to obtain a pension of $600 per annum
but not otherwise,
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully,
Your, Obed: Ser:
J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions

Hon. John C. Spencer
Secretary of War

Hon. John C. Spencer
Secretary of War:
Page 38

James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 39

Brooklyn Nov 14th 1839
Sir
I have the honor to submit for your
consideration the accompanying affidavits &c to
support the claim of Major William Popham
for an increase
of Pension under the act of
15th May 1828.
Major Popham
held the office of Captain in
the Delaware
Regiment until the year 1778
He was then taken into the Military Family
of Brig. General James
Clinton and served
his Aide de Camp and Brigade Major until
sometime in the year 1781 when he received the
appointment of Aid de Camp to Major General
Baron Steuben which office be accepted and
filled until the close of the war
The series above named are well known to
most of the Revolutionary Officers at present
living in New York and vicinity and can be
more
particularly and fully proven if necessary.
but presuming
that sufficient evidence exists in
your office. I have not thought further at
Page 40

this time to address any thing further in sufficiency of his claim
New York November 14th 1839
thing further in support
I have the honor to be
Your most Obt servant
Charles D Lewis
James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 41

L.150-
Com. requested
to report on   April 14th 1841
Pension Office
Report - Recd.
Hon. John Bell
Secretary of War U.S.
Page 42

Newyork April 8th 1841
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that nearly
two years since
I was applied to by Major William
Popham of this City to obtain for him the increase of
Pension to which he is entitled under the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832. He now received but $480 per annum under the act of May 15th 1828 the pay of a Captain
of Infantry altho he served during the Revolution in other
and light capacities which under said act of June 7th 1832
firstly entitles him to the largest amount
allowed by the
War Department, to wit, the sum of six hundred dollars
per annum. I have repeatedly urged upon the Commissioner
of Pensions the merits of this claim, but after long delays
I
have
only received evasive and unsatisfactory replies in
no case touching the merits of the case and evidently
prepared without the slightest examination. Thus the rights
of one of the most gallant Officers of the Revolutionary Army
have been shamefully evaded, or at best his application has
been treated with gross neglect. In proof of this I would
respectfully submit for your consideration the following
statement. All the particulars of Major Pophams Revolutionary services
hereinafter related are the same as set forth
in his declaration filed in the matter of his application
Page 43

for increase of Pension
"In the month of January 1776 Major Wm Popham was appointed a
Lieutenant in the Delaware Regiment commanded by Col
John Haslet and served until November of the same year
That in said month of November he was appointed Captain in
Col. Moses Hagens Regiment and served therein during the year
1777 and part of the year 1778. That in the month of June
1778 he was appointed Major of Brig. General James Clintons New York 
Brigade in which capacity and in that of Aid de Camp
he served until after the Capture of Lord Cornwallis when Genl
Clinton retired from the service. That immediately thereafter he
was appointed aide de Camp to Major General Baron Steuben
in which station and that of Deputy Inspection he served until
the army was finally disbanded".
Thus you will [illegible] observe that it is clearly set forth
and the proof is abundant that Major Popham served not
only
as a captain of Infantry on account of which he
receives a pension of $480 per annum under said act of 1828
but that he served also as a Brigade Major, Deputy Inspector
Aide-de-Camp to a Major General for either of which services
he is entitled to a Pension of $600 under said act of 1882
Had he never served in Hagers Regiment the Commissioner
would not pretend to deny him $600 per annum as a Brigade Major or Deputy Inspector ^in addition to Aide-de-Camp [illegible sentence crossed out] but he avails himself of the phraseology of the Act of June 7. 1832 to deny to Major Popham the benefits of his Impressive service hereinfore mentioned and confine his Pension to that of a
Page 44

Captain of Infantry. To show how grossly he is in the wrong
I would
take the liberty to call your attention to a decision
of the late attorney General the Hon. R. B. Taney contained
in document No. 126 Page 47 being the last official publication
of Pension law now in force. The case submitted to the attorney
General was that of one who had held the lined Rank of Ensign
and was afterwards a Commissary. We argued as follows "If the
"Commissary
had held no Rank in the line he would be entitled
"to his Pension because he was not provided for by
the act of
"1828. Did the Law intend to draw a distinction between persons
"who had performed the same description of duties, and to give
"to one what was refused to another for the like service? I
"think not. Such a discrimination would have no foundation
"in justice" and be extremely decided that he was entitled to
the Pension of a Commissary upon relinquishing his claim as
Ensign. The case of Major Popham is strictly analogous. The act of 1828 did not provide for a Brigade Major, Deputy Inspector or Major
by aide-de- Camp, he therefore was allowed the pay of a Captain only under said act, but he is now
prepared to relinquish his claim as Captain upon receiving
the
amount to which he is evidently entitled as Brigade
Major & under the act of 1832. Why he has been so long
denied this evident right I cannot pretend to say, but he
has now full confidence that under the new & more intelligent
& vigilant administration it will speedily be awarded to him
or at least a satisfactory explanation given.
I would therefore
in behalf of Major Popham respectfully request that the
Commissioner of Pensions be instructed to award full justice in
this premises. Distaining of success myself I have
Page 45


intrusted the case to Giles Gates Esquire of Schenectady N.Y. but
as I have heard nothing from
him I have been instructed to
write to you.
I would in this connection take the liberty to inform you, that the
course pursued by the Pension Department for the last
few years
has been unsatisfactory to a multitude of applicants
In some instances replies to applications have been delayed
for many months even as long as six months and when
they
have been received
they have contained but a part of the
objections
which were afterwards made, that justice has
been delayed for years and applicants have died without
receiving
the rights. It has been thought by some that
such a
course is adapted to secure and prolong business for
the Department but with how much justice I cannot
pretend to say. The friends of the new administration feel
happy
the assurance that all such abuses will be speedily counted
I have the honor to be
Yr Hom ms Obt Servant
C D Lewis
L.158-
Com requested report on April 14th 1841
Pension office
Report - rec?
Hon. John Bell
Secreatary of War U.S.
Page 46

James L. Edwards Esq
Comis Sioneer of Pensions
Page 47

Sir
Under the Act of Congress of 15th of May 1828
I receive a
Pension of $480 per annum
I
informed by Mr Lewis my attorney that it is the
decision of your Department that I can relinquish
the pension under that act and receive the additional
benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 Jun 1832
I am a resident of the City of Newyork
and my services in the war of the Revolution war
as
following
In the month of January 1776. I received
Commission as 2d Lieutenant in the Delaware
Regt. commanded by Col John Hazlett I
continued in such Regiment as Lieutenant until
the month of November of the same year when I
received the appointment of Captain in the Regiment
Commanded
by Col Moses Hagen. In the year
1778, I was appointed Aid de Camp and Major
of Brigade to Brig. General James
Clinton and
continued to act as such until the capture of Cornwallis in 1781. I then received the appointment
Page 48

of Aid de Camp and Deputy Inspector to Brig
Major General Baron Steuben and continued in
service as Deputy Inspector until the Army was
finally disbanded.
That while acting as Aide
de Camp I received the pay of a Captain in the
line and the additional pay of 24 dollars per
month
I [Illegible] enclose the affidavit which
I trust will be satisfactory
to the Department
I remain Sir
Very Respectfully Hum Obt Servant
W. Popham
a90
New york Feb. 24th 1842
2 Edward E
Com of Pensions
Page 49

State of New York City}
& County of New York}
I William Popham of
the City of New York aged 90 - years being
duly sworn do depose and say that I was an Officer
in
the Army of the Revolution in the Continental
Line. That in the year 1778 I was appointed
Aide de Camp to Brig General James Clinton and
continued to act in that capacity and as Major of Brigand
until after the capture of Cornwallis in 1781. I then received the appointment of Aide de Camp and Deputy
Inspector to Major General Baron Steuben and
continued in service as much until the Army was
finally dissolved. That while acting in the capacities
above named I received pay equal to that of a
Major
and according to the best of my recollection
64 dollars per month. That the Pension Certificate
I received under the act of May 15th 1828 has been
last and I cannot find the same after having
made diligent search
W. Popham
Page 50

I Judah Hammond one of the Justices of the Marine Court of the City of
New York
do hereby certify that the foregoing deposition was sworn
& subscribed by William Popham the person within named
to ^ before me on the 23d day of February 1842
and that I am
will acquainted with said Deponent
and that his oath is entitled to full credit
Judah Hammond
Justice of the Marine Court
City & County of New York SS I Nathaniel Jarvis
Clerk of said County do hereby certify
that Judah
Hammond before whom the foregoing Deposition of
William Popham was made was at the date thereof
a Justice of the Maine Court of said City of New York
duly commissioned and qualified and that his
signature to the Certificate subjoined is genuine as
verily believe
Witness my hand and official
Seal this 24th day of February
One thousand eight hundred
& forty two
Nath Jarvis Cle
Page 51

Nov 27. 40
jnab 
N.Y.
[Black Stamp] SCHENECTADY N.Y. NOV 28
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 52

(Copy)
Pension Office
May 26. 1840
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the letter of Messrs.
Lewis & Pierce respecting the case of William Popham, a Pensioner
under the act of May 15, 1828, and in reply to state that his present
allowance that he is ^all that he is entitled to receive under subsisting laws.
The rolls show that he was a Captain in the line of Hazen's
regiment, and part of the time in the Staff as a Brigade
Major and Aid de Camp, and by reference to the act of
June 7, 1832, you will perceive that the pension is to be
ascertained by his full pay in the line according to his rank.
It therefore follows that a Captain's full pay is all that
he is entitled to as his rank in the line was limited
to that of Captain

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Sevt.
(signed ) J. L. Edwards

.J. Q. Adams
House of Representations
Page 53

Schenectada, 23 Nov 1840.
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
The case
to which the annexed letter refers has been
placed in my hands to be presented to
Congress. But as it ^is more property cognizath
before you, and ^believe that an unfavorable
decision has been induced in consequence
of the claim not having been presented in
its true light, I take the liberty to call
your attention again to the subject.
In reply to said letter I would
state, that the act of 7th June 1832, is
not confined in its provisions to those
who served" in the line" of the army. Had
Popham never served in any other capacity
than that of Brigade Major & Aid decamp
he would nevertheless be entitled to $600
per annum the pay of "a captain in the line"
, being construed by the War Department
in cases where the applicant held a higher
rank than that of a Captain, to mean
the pay of an Artillery captain, who was a
Captain in the line as much as a Captain
of Infantry. Now the resolves of Congress
show that aids to Major Generals, rank &
receive the pay of Majors. Should Popham
receive a less pension, because he has
poned to be a Captain of Infantry, before
he was promoted to the rank of Br. Mjr [illegible]. D. C.?  He would moreover be entitled
to $600 per annum on account of his
service as a Deputy Inspector General
Page 54


under Baron Steuben

I am very
Respectfully your obt Servnt
G.F Yates.


P.S. Major Popham in an interview I
had with him a few days since, instituted a
comparison between his own claim & that of Genl Morgan Lewis, who was at no time in the
field of battle, while he (Popham) was constantly
in the field. He thinks his rank & long
services should entitle him to the highest
pay the law will allow.
G. F. Y-
Page 55

Application of
William Popham
for Increase of Pension
act of 15th May 1828
Page 56

State of New York
County of New York SS
Charles D Lewis of
of New York being duly sworn deposeth and
saith that the following is a true Copy of a letter
purporting to have been written by Baron Steuben
to Lord Sterling contained in one of the volumes of
manuscript letters now existing in the Library of the
New York Historical Society entitled" Letter from Baron
Steuben 1781 to 1783" viz
"My Lord
"Captain Popham one of my Aide de Camp
"will have the honor of delivering this and assuring
"you of my respect and best wishes for your Lordships
health
"The necessity of the New Hampshire Brigade being
"mustered has induced my detaching him of my family
"for this purpose the more so as the Inspector and his
"Assistants are both absent I have ordered him to apply
"for your Lordships orders upon all occasions and
"especially for a Board of Officers and Surgeon to
to
"inspect the invalids in the Brigade. He will present
"your Lordship with his instructions and be honored
"with your commands. October 1. 1782"
"Lord Stirling"
And further Deponent saith not
Charles D Lewis
On this 14th day of November 1839 personally appeared
Page 57

before me Charles D Lewis and made oath to the aforegoing
affidavit and I certify that I am well acquainted with
the saith Charles D Lewis and that his oath is
entitled to credit
Joseph Strong


State of New York City
& County of Newyork SS
I Joseph Hoxie, clerk or said
City & County of New York do hereby certify that
Joseph Strong before whom the aforegoing deposition
of Charles D Lewis was taken was at the date
thereof a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said
County and that I have examined his signature
to said deposition and that the same is genuine
Witness my hand & official
Seal this 14th day of November
One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
Joseph Hoxie, Clerk
Page 58

I certify that I have known Major
William Topham about sixty years. That
he entered the military Service of the United States at the commencement of the revolutionary War, in a Delaware
Regiment That
he was subsequently taken from the line of
the army and appointed Major of Brigade,
to the Brigade commanded by Brig. General
hearted for
James Clinton, in which capacity he aided for
several years, and was then appointed an aid to the
Baron Steuben; in which situation he served
to the close of the War-
Given under my hand this 14th
day of Novem 1839
Morgan Lewis
late Maj Gen in the U.S. Army -
Page 59

Hon J.L. Edwards.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 60

Brooklyn Augt 13. 1840
Sir
We would take the liberty to call your attention
to the application of Major William Popham
for Increase of Pension under the Act of May
1828 transmitted to you through the Hon John
Quincy Adams
Upon the 25 May 1781 the following
resolution was passed by Congress
"That officers not annexed to any line
"serving in the family of the Commander in
" Chief.
and those serving as Aid De Camps with
"other General officers retain the rank they
" now hold, and shall be eligible to command
" upon detachments when the Commander in
" Chief or Commanding officer of a "department shall think proper
At the time the above resolution
was passed Major Popham was Major
to
the New York
Brigade commanded by Brigadier General James Clinton. Evidence of
this fact you undoubtedly have.
Immediately after the Surrender
of Lord Cornwallis, to wit in the fall of 1781
Popham was appointed Aid De Camp
to
Major General the Baron Steuben in which
capacity he served until the close of the war
still retaining his rank as Major under the
provisions of said act of Congress, independant
of the rank to which he was entitled as
aide to a Major General and as Deputy Inspector, which station he also filled under
Baron Steuben.
In consequence he received from the
Page 61

State of New York, 2000 Acres of Land the amount allotted
by the State to Majors, which may be
seen by reference to the "Balloting Book" of said
State.
Captains received but 1500 acres of Land
as may also be seen by reference to said Book.
We would respectfully solicit a reconsideration
of this claim.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Lewis & Pierce

P.S.
In Connolly's
original return contained
in the "Balloting Book" above refered to "William
Popham is returned as entitled to 2400 acres of
Bounty Land. See page 92
On the 173 page of said book is the following entry
"Popham, William, Major"

Stephen McDougall received a Majors allowance of Bounty Land, and was returned as Major
for solely on account of his being Aide De
Camp to Alexander McDougall a Major General. Was not Popham entitled to the same
rank on account of his being Aide
De
Camp to Major General The Baron Steuben?
See Balloting Book 60 page
Hon J L Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Page 62

application of
Major Wm Popham under
act of 1832
Page 63

Schenectada Decr 7th 1840
To J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I have
received your letter of the 1st inst. in reference to
the application of William Popham, under the
act of 7th June 1832.
 I have examined and
reexamined
said act in reference to this
case as well as such decisions of the Attorney General so as ^relate to cases of a similar character, & I
cannot understand why Major Popham is
denied an increase of pension.
The law in question provides
not alone
for "officers of the line", but also for
those of the
"State troops, volunteers & Militia"
& If we are to interpret the words of the
act literally, as to the amount of the pay
to be drawn by those entitled, how can officers
of the State troops or militia received pensions, who never held any
"rank in the line"?
The words of the
act are express, that "the
amount "of" pension shall be "full pay
"in said line according to rank" to, and there
is no other
provision for officers of the
State troops or militia. They are all alike
to receive the amount of their full pay in
the line. Now many of them, never held
any "rank in the
line", and consequently
they be not entitled to pensions at all if
we are to give so strict an interper-
Page 64

tation to the words above quoted. The
meaning however is obvious, and has never
been questioned, that officers who served
apart from, or out of the line, are also
entitled according to their rank not in the
line, but according to their "constructive
rank" (as established by express law) in
the army of the United States. On this
ground
Major Popham claims an increase
of pension
He held
the rank of Major, and
served in a Capacity which entitles him to
$600 per annum, under the provisions of the
act, as repeatedly decided. It seems absurd
to suppose, that the rank which
he previously held in Hazen's Regiment,
should deprive him of the benefits of the
rank of Major which he held under
Baron Steuben. If he had held the
rank of Corporal only, he might with
equal justice & propriety, have been adjudged
pension of only $100 per annum, although
afterwards he had held the highest office in
the army
That "the pay of his lineal rank
does not determine or should not determine
the amount of his pension, is clear from
the decision of the Attorney General of the
United States made on the 18th May 1833 in
the case of a Commissary to which I pray
leave to direct your attention. The attorney General says-
"By a literal
construction of the "first section of the
act of 1832, every officer
Page 65

" who had served to the end of the war as Ensign
" and who during the time that he was Ensign
" filled the office of Commissary" (or any other
office not of the line) "would be excluded
"from a pension under the" act of 1832." The
"third section of the law shows, that it was not
" designed to exclude any of those who had
"pensions under other acts of Congress "Major
Popham has a pension under the act of 1828
" when the pensions of the act of 1832, were
"more favorable to their interest"
(Major Pope
have presumes that he may be entitled to the
pay of an Infantry Contain under the act
of 1828, and now applies under the act of 1832,
because it is more favorable to his interests)
"Did the law intend to draw a distinction
"between persons who had performed the same
"description of duties, and to give to one what 
"was refused to another for the like services?"
(are then not aid-de-camps who receive $600
per annum, & why is it refused to Major Popham?)
I think not. Such a distinction
"would have no foundation in justice. The
"exclusive words in the first section ought to be
"confined to cases in which the party claims
"in the same character in which he is in
"titled under the act of 1828, & for the same
"description of service" to
I would accordingly respect &
fuly
solicit a reconsideration of the
claim of Major Wm Popham
Very truly, 
Your mo: Obt Servt
Giles F. Yates
Page 66

Payment to be made
at
by
Agent for paying Peninsioners,
the Agency of
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book
Vol.
Page
by
Clerk.
Page 67

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832
William Popham of New York City, who
was a Major in the War of the Revolution, is entitled to receive Six Hundred
dollars per annum, commencing on the
4th of March 1831, during his natural life,
and payable semiannually on the 4th
of March and 4th of September in every year
all payments made him under the act of
May 15th 1828 at the rate of Forty dollars
per month ^[pens- crossed out]  
after the 4 of March 1831
must first be deduct.
Page 68

application for a new
Certificate
by Capt Wm Popham
Page 69

Application for a New Certificate.

City and County of New York Ss: On this
nineteenth day of February AD 1842, before me, Pierce M. Irving, a Notary Public
duly commissioned and sworn, dwelling in
the City of New York, personally appeared
William Popham, who, on his oath, declares
that he is the same person who was a
Brigade Major in the service of the United States
in the war of the revolution: that
his name was placed on the pension
roll of the State of New York; that he
received a certificate of that fact, under the
signature and seal of the Secretary of
war; which certificate, within the last six
months, has been lost, but when or where
or how deponent does not know and therefore cannot state - And deponent further
maketh oath that he has made, and
caused to be made diligent search and
inquiry for the same,
but cannot find it.
W. Popham

Sworn & subscribed before me
the day and year aforesaid
Pierce M. Irving
Notary In the
City and County of New York ss:
William S. Popham of the City of New York, Merchant,
being duly sworn, deposes and says that
he is the son of the above deponent, and
knows him to be the person described in
and who signed the foregoing affidavit
and further that he is fully satisfied of
the less of the certificate therein described.
Wm. S. Popham
Sworn and subscribed before me Feb
19th, 1842
Pierce M Irving, Notary Public
Page 70

I hereby certify that William S. Popham, who
signed the foregoing oath of identity, is a person
of veracity
Pierce M Irving
Notary Public

City & County of New York s:
I, Nathaniel Jarvis
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the
City and County of New York,
do hereby certify
that Pierce M Irving is a Notary Public, duly
commissioned and qualified, and
that his
three signatures herein before written are
genuine.
Given under my hand & seal this
twenty ^first day of February A D. 1843
Nath Jarvis, Clerk
Page 71

No of org Paint 16.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
9th June 1828
William Popham
of Scarsdale in the County of West Chester
in the State of New York has applied to the Secretary
of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving
officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution,” approved on the 15th of May, 1828.
He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end
of the War,
at which period he was a Captain in
in [the -crossed out] Col Moses Hazen's regiment of the Continental
line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve
of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March,
1826, Nothing
[dollars, paid to him by the agent
in the State of- crossed out]
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated
by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary
A. Dinkins-
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
June 10. 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for
the commutation of five years full pay to Capt. William Popham
or Moses Hartmounting to Five thousand four dollars
It further appears that he is not not now on the pension
list of any
agency, and has been since the 3 March
1826
Peter Hagner And
Page 72

No of org Paint 16.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
9th June 1828
William Popham
of Scarsdale in the County of West Chester
in the State of New York has applied to the Secretary
of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving
officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution,” approved on the 15th of May, 1828.
He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end
of the War,
at which period he was a Captain in
in [the -crossed out] Col Moses Hazen's regiment of the Continental
line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve
of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March,
1826, Nothing
[dollars, paid to him by the agent
in the State of- crossed out]
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated
by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary
A. Dinkins-
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
June 10. 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for
the commutation of five years full pay to Capt. William Popham
or Moses Hartmounting to Five thousand four dollars
It further appears that he is not not now on the pension
list of any
agency, and has been since the 3 March
1826
Peter Hagner And
Page 73

Clayton & Van Norden, Printers, 54 Pine-street.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an Act entitled, "AN ACT FOR
THE RELIEF OF CERTAIN SURVIVING OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE REVOLUTION,
approved on the 15th day of May, 1828, I, William Popham
of
Scarsdale
in the
---
County of Westchester in the State of
New York do hereby declare, that I was an Officer in the Continental Line of the Army
of the Revolution, and served as such to the end of the War
at which period I was a captain in the
Regiment commanded by Colonel Moses
Hazen in the line of the continental
army and Mayor of Brigade & Deputy
Inspector in the family of Major General
the Baron Steuben.

And I also declare, that I afterwards received Certificates (commonally called Commutation
Certificates) for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay; which sum was offered by the resolve
of Congress, of the 22d of March, 1783, instead of the half pay for life, to which I was entitled
under the resolve of the 21st of October 1780.
and I further declare that all my
regimental papers with my commission as
captain dated in November 1776 together
with all my baggage were lost at the
Battle of Brandywine 
W. Popham

Witness my hand
this 3d day of June in the year 1828
before me
RR Ward
Clerk
BEFORE ME, Richard R. Ward a Commission
duly empowered to administer oaths &
in the City & County of New York in the State of New York personally
appeared, this day, Lebbeus Loomis Esq and Richard Platt Esq of the
said County, who did severally make oath, that William Popham by whom the
foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been an Officer in the
Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this Third
day of June
in the year
1828
RR Ward
Commissioner &
Page 74

State of New York,}
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK,} ss.
I, NICHOLAS DEAN, Clerk of the City
and County of New-York, and Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the said City and County, do hereby Certify,
Richard R. Ward Esqr before whom
the annexed depositions were made, was on the day
when the same were so made a Commissioner duly
appointed and Sworn and by law authorized to
administer Oaths, and take affidavits to be used
in all courts of Record within the State of New York
S
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court ^and County, this fifth day of June 1828
N.Dean
Page 75

New York 5th June 1838
Hon. Richard Rush
Treasury Department
Washington
Sir,
I have the honor to inclose
papers in behalf of Major William Popham of
Scarsdale, West Chester County in this State
made out in conformity to the forms of your
Department in compliance with the act for the
relief of certain of the surviving
officers &
soldiers of the Revolution
Major Popham request that
Communications for him may be addressed
under cover to me in the City of New York;
I have made out papers for a number
of the officers, and as I do it without fee
have an additional reason for hoping
that they may be found satisfactory to
the Department
I have the honor to be
with perfect respect
yr obt Servt
Richard R Ward