Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16987, Ezra Ferris, Continental N.Y.
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Continental New York
Ferris, Ezra Charity
W. 16987
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Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 11 April 1838 to 6 of the 9 children from 11 March 1840 to 14 July 1841. Agt notified 25 Feb 1842.

Paid as above from March 4th 1840 to January 14th 1841. Agent notified April 22 1841

Albany 3124
Charity Ferris
widow of Ezra Ferris
who died on the 5th November 1833
of Saratoga Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Shepherd of the regt. commanded
by Col. Wesenfol, in the N. York
line for 15 months, 19 days N.Y.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 52 Dollars 10 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension filed the 19 day of Nov. 
1839 and sent to Stephen S. Seaman, Saratoga Springs N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '39   $442.85
Semi-annual allowance ending in Mar '40  $26.05
_____
$468.85
____
Revolutionary Chain,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3

Recorded by D. Brown
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 108
Page 3

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832

State of New York
County of Genesee SS on this sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Court of
Common Pleas holden in & for the County of Genesee and State of New York at the Court House in the village of Batavia in said County now sitting Ezra Ferris a resident in the town of Middlebury in the County of Genesee aforesaid aged Seventy two 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 7, 1892.  That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein stated - that in the month of December in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six he this deponent resided at a place called
Fredericksburg Precinct in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York and volunteered as one of the Militia of said State in the Company of Capt Joel Mead in the regiment of Col Henry Luddington and marched with said company to White plains in the County Westchester and served for the period of six weeks in protecting the forage of the country until it could be saved from the power of the British Army then in possession of New York

That in the Spring of Seventeen hundred seventy seven he was a volunteer in the Militia
from the same company under Capt Mead & in Col Luddingtons regiment and marched to Ridgefield & arrived there at the time Gen Worcester was killed in the skirmish at that
place after Danbury was burned that he marched from there to keep where the British embanked  That he was absent at this time  about one week.  That in the summer of the year 1777 he was in service as a volunteer
he was out at several other times and one of them was at the time fort Montgomery was taken that being near the lines he was constantly called upon,  upon sudden alarms
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[written in on the top left of page}
1.19

and emergencies and was out for longer and Shorter periods during the season as occasion demanded and this deponent further saith that in the month of December in the year 1777 one Josiah Kilburn came to this deponents residence in the County of
Dutchess aforesaid with orders to enlist ten meen [men] as teamsters to drive teams belonging to the Continental service  That the said Kilburn Stated that he had enlisted the ten; but two of them had been taken sick and were unable to enter upon from and he requested this deponent to enlist in the room and of said delinquest for the term of one year in said service and this deponent did enlist for the said term of one year as substitute as
this deponent believes for a pension by he name of Branson (but he cannot be confident that is the name)  That he immediately entered upon the care and charge of said teams & that in the spring after he had
engaged under the command of Col Sidney [Sidney is crossed out] Udney Hay in
carrying supplies to the army near Fishkill untill the latter part of the summer when he was transferred with the teams of to West point and was employed in the direction of Francis Chandenat in drawing timber or home proofs until his year expired and he was
discharged, that the said Josiah Kilburn received a discharge for the said ten men enlisted by him including this deponent but no discharge was given to this deponent other than the said General discharge given to said Kilburn and this ponent further saith that in the month of August in the year 1781 he volunteered as one of a regiment of Militia which was required from the County of Dutchess aforesaid for the term of
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four months That the said regiment rendered
at Fishkill and marched from thence to Westpoint when after staying some time they were ordered to Saratoga and then were discharged at the expiration of the said four months

And this deponent iand then saith that he was born of Greenwich Fairfield County Connecticut on the first day of September 1760 & as he learned from the Record kept by his parents in their family Bible a copy of which record he transcribed into his own family bible.  Since the revolution I have kept all this home in the State of New York one year in the town of Hillsdale Columbia County about eight years in the town of Nassau in the county of Rensselaer about eight years in the town of Half Moon and fifteen years in the town of Milton in the Court of Saratoga from where he removed abraod four years since to the Town of Middlebury in the County of Genesee and State of New York where he now resides. and this deponent further saith that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service  That the   Reverend Joseph Elliott of the Town of Middlebury & General Phinehas Stanton
live near & are acquainted with this deponent & can testify as he said to his character and in  regard to the greatest opinion that he had been in the service of his County  He hereby relinquished every claim whatever 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

Ezra Ferris [signature]

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court 

Timothy Fitch [signature] Clerk
Page 6

Mr. Joseph Elliott a clergyman residing in the
town of Middlebury in the County Genesse &State of New York and Phineas Stanton residing in Middlebury hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ezra Ferris who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe he is to be seventy two years of age that he is enlisted and released in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur on that opinion 
Joseph Elliott
P. Stanton
Sworn & subscribed this day & year aforesaid in open court
Timothy Fitch Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare True opinion After the investigation of the matter & after further interrogations [described]by the war department about the above named applicant was as revolutionary soldiers and served as he states and the court further it appears to them that Joseph Elliot who had deposed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman, the resident in the town ofMiddlebury in said county and that Phineas Stanton who here also deposed the same as a resident of the said town of Middlebury and is a credible person & that his statement is [relevant] to credit
Isaac Wilson
Sullivan 
Robert Earl
James Taggart
Judges of [ illegible] of Common Pleas
Of Genesse County in the State of New York
I Timothy Fieleh clerk the lower Court of Common Pleas of common of the county of Genesee in the state of New York to here by certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Erza Ferris for a [Purpose]
In testimony whereof of I have hereunto h set my hand and seal of office this 16th day of October in the year of one thousand eight  hundred and thirty two 
Timothy Fitch clerk
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16058
Erza Ferris
E
[illegible]
John B. Thomas
Wyoming, Genesee County
N.York
Page 8

War Department,
Pension Office
183

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

Period when the service was requested:
Dec. 1776
Duration: 1 month 14 days
Rank of the claimant: pri
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served: Cape Mead
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers:
Col Henry Luddington
Country through which he marched: White plains
Place of abode when he entered the service, and again at present period: Fredericksburg. Present county of Duchess
Evidence by which the declaration is supported:
?

Period when the service was requested:
1777
Duration: 7 days
Rank of the claimant: pri
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served: Cape Mead
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers:
Col Henry Luddington
Country through which he marched: Buffalo?
Place of abode when he entered the service, and again at present period: N. York

Period when the service was requested:
1777
in this year he served as a volunteer, he was out at 
? at other times upon sudden alarms, that in December 1777 he enlisted as a Teamster in the Continental service that part of this time he was under the command of Col Udney Hay in carrying suppliers to the army near Fish Kill, afterwards transfers to a command of Francis Chandenat, hauling timber

Period when the service was requested:
17781
Duration: 4 months 4 days
Rank of the claimant: arrangement of militia
Country through which he marched: Fish Kill Saratoga
Place of abode when he entered the service, and again at present period: Dutchess aged 72 years

to ? Col Weinsenfels page 34, I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State Troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:

The Regular Troops.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
Persons employed in the Naval service.
Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of _____} ss.
County of _____ }

On this ___ day of _____, personally appeared (a) before _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory, or District of _____, A. B., a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____, and State, Territory, or District of _____, aged (c) _____ years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____, and served in the (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers: _____

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term or enlistment, specify the periods distinctly, and name his officers, &c., as in the first term or enlistment.) In all cases, where the applicant performed militia service, it is particularly desired that he should specify the country through which he marched, the day and year of entering and leaving the service, and to whom he belonged in the militia, volunteers, or navy.]

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

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

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

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

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

Clerk of the Court

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

We, W. A., B., & C., Clergyman, residing in the _____, and C. D., residing in (the same _____, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

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

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

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

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

Clerk of the Court
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...will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.

All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (k) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia:

Where and in what year were you born?
Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
(To a Soldier.) Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
(To an Officer.) Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are required to attest their opinion of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

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

The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party himself, and the Court is requested to be very particular in the inquiry, as to the belief in general, and as to all circumstances that have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants may make Judge or Court by reason of inability or infirmity, may make the declaration required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper County; and the Judge or Justice will enter the proceedings of the case upon their records, and will certify that it appears that he acted in the capacity above stated.

Whenever any individual makes application under the law, the Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or the Clerk of the Court of Record, under their hands and seals, will certify to the Secretary of State or Territory, of the proper State, or Territory, and will transmit to him a full record of the declaration made before them. They can prove their signature as Judge or Justice of the Peace, and that the record is sealed in due form.

When applicants state the name and service in the militia of any person who may have served the same term, and the said applicant cannot provide proof, they shall nevertheless take their declaration under oath before the said Court, and the Court shall certify whether the facts as declared seem credible, and they will provide any known officer who may be available to confirm these facts. Evidence produced must state in detail the term served, officers, locations, and notable events, taken under their own signature and court seal, showing the records of service within the period declared.
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THE
NEW TESTAMENT
OF OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR
JESUS CHRIST,
TRANSLATED
OUT OF THE ORIGINAL GREEK;
AND
WITH THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS
DILIGENTLY CONPARED AND REVISED

NEW YORK:
PRINTED BY SAGE AND CLOUGH,
For S. Campbell, E Duyckinck, T. & J. Swords, P. A. Mesier, T. S. Arden, and Sage & Thompson
1803
Page 12

Ezra Ferris, Born Monday Sept 1st 1760 deceased Nov 1833 age 73 years 2 mth 4 days

Charity Ferris, Born Saturday Dec 25th 1761
Married Sunday Oct 29th 1779

Archibald Ferris, Born Sunday Sept 10th 1780, deceased Apr 30th, 1801

Rachel Ferris, Born Friday May 31st 1782

Betsey Ferris, Born Friday July 23rd 1784

Phebe Ferris, Born Friday March 18th 1786

Reuben Ferris, Born Friday March 20th 1788

Sarah Ferris, Born Friday April 9th 1790

Deborah Ferris, Born Friday March 23rd 1792

James Covel Ferris, Born Friday March 14th 1794

Jane Ferris, Born Monday Feb 8th 1796

Richard Jacob Ferris, Born Sunday Aug 26th 1798

Joseph Ferris, Born Thursday May 8th 1800

Anna Ferris, Born Thursday Jan 20th 1803, deceased Jan 21st Aged 17 hours

Ann Eliza Ferris, Born Tuesday Nov 27th 1804, deceased Sept 18th 1805
Page 13

State of New York
County of Saratoga S

Be it known that before one George G Scott the undersigned, a judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for said ? personally appraise Sarah Ferris of Ballston Spa in the county of Saratoga in the State of New York aged Forty nine years; who being first duty sworn according to ? doctor defense and say that Ezra Ferris lates of the Village of Wyoming in the County of Genesee in the State of New York deceased was her father and that Charity Ferris now a resident in Ballston Spa in the ? ? is her Mother;  And that the ? is the original family record his father's family kept ib his Family Bible, and written by him, an affair by the hand writing with which his ? is well acquainted and ? believes the same was kept in his fathers family from her earliest recollection to the period of his decease and since the period to the present time it has been, and now is in her mother's possession. And further the said Ezra Ferris died, in the Village of Wyoming in the County of Genesee in the State of New York in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty on the fifth day of November; that he left the above. Named Charity Ferris his lawful widow and that she has not since been married but continues to be the widow of the afore save Ezra Ferris deceased, and now resides in the Village of Ballston Spa in the county of Saratoga Springs in the state of New York and is the identical person applying for a Pension  ? the ? of July 4 1836 paped by ?, ? and subscribed before me this 27th day of April 1839
Page 14

And I the afore said Judge hereby certify that it satisfies ? appears to most the within named Sarah Ferris is to person of fair charity, and is a credible ?. And also that she is usable to write her name by reason of a ? in her ?

Geo G Scott Judge of Saratoga Springs ?

state of New York
County of Saratoga Springs:

Deborah Fox of Ballston Spa in said County, ? being duly ? says that she is aged. Forty seven years; that she is one of the children of Ezra and charity Ferris named within and sisters of Sarah Ferris who subscribed and swears to the within affidavit that she this deposed knows that the facts contained in the within affidavit are true
Subscribed and sworn this 14th day of April 1834 before me

Geo G Scott Judge of Saratoga Springs ?

 And I the said judge hereby certify that the name Deborah Fox is a person of fair character and her statement is entitled to fair confidence and credit
Geo G Scott Judge of Saratoga Springs ?
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[round seal affixed to top of page]

State of New York
County of Saratoga ss:

On this 27th day of April 1839, personally
appeared before the Honorable George G Scott a Judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Saratoga in the State of New York; Charity Ferris a resident of the Village of Ballston in the County of Saratoga in the State of New York aged seventy seven years the 25th day of December last who being  duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provsion made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1836: 2d section,  That she is the widow of Ezra Ferris who was a private soldier in the Militia and Army of the United States in the war of the Revolution; That he the said Ezra
Ferris resided in Fredericks Town in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York when he entered into the service of the United States as a private and served under the officers named
in his declaration for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, as she is informed and believes That in the year 1832 or 3, when her said husband resided in the Village of Wyoming in the County of Genesee
in the State of New York, he the said Ezra Ferris applied for a Pension under the aforesaid Act and that John B Shinner Esquire of the Village of Wyoming was his Agent and
that she is informed and verily believes the declaration and papers in support of his claim to a Pension were by his said Agent transmitted to the War Department at Washington to which papers the Department is refered for the account of the Revolutionary services of the said Ezra Ferris (her husband)
and the names of the officers under whom he served of which she has no documentary or other proof and knows of none except that which is contained in the papers above
refered to, no copy has been taken of his papers to her knowledge
Page 16

She further declares That she was married to the said Ezra Ferris At Fredericktown In the county of Duchess New York on the 29th day Of October in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine; That her husband, the aforesaid Ezra Ferris Died on the 5th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Village Of Wyoming in the County of Genesee in the state of New York and that she has Remained His widow ever since That furnish us with More Appears by reference to the proof hereto amend.
Charity Ferris Her markX
I swear and subscribed To, On the day and year above written.
Before me
Gel G Scott judge Of Saratoga County
And I, the said judge hereby That it Satisfactorily appears to me the above named Charity Ferris a reason of bodily infirmities is unable to attend the court and that sheis unable to write her name by reason of a trembling her hands
Geo G. Scott
Judge of Saratoga County
Page 17

August 17, 1932.
BA – J/ILL
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Erza Ferris
W.16987

Mrs. Seward McDonald
Penn Yan
New York.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made To your letter requesting the record Of Ezra Ferris, A revolutionary war soldier.
The data furnished herein Are obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim W. 16987, based upon the service of.Ezra Ferris in that war.
Ezra Ferris was born September 1, 1760 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
While a resident of Fredericksburg, Duchess County, he enlisted in December 1776 and served six weeks as private in Captain Joel Mead’s company, colonel  Henry Ludento’s New York regiment; he enlisted in the spring of 1777 and served one week at Ridgefield, when that place was attacked, and during that year served on several other short tours on alarms, one when Fort Montgomery was taken, specific dates not given, under Captain Joel Mead and ColonelHenry Ludenton; he enlisted December 1, 1777, served as a teamster under Captain Josiah Kilburn, conductor of teams, and under Colonel Udney Hay, was later transferred and served under Captain Francis Chandonet , length of this service about nine months: he enlisted in August 1781, and served four months as private in Captain Shepherd’s company, Colonel Weisenfels’ New York Regiment: the entire length of his service was about sixteen months.
Following the war, the soldier resided in New York State, one year in Hillsdale, Columbia County, about eight years in Nassau, Rensselaer County, about eight years in Half Moon and after that, in Milton, Saratoga County, until about 1828, when he moved to Middleburg, Genesee County.
In 1832, the soldier resided in Middleburg, New York. He died November 5 [8],1833 in the village of Wyoming, Genesee County, New York.
Page 18

Erza Ferris married on Sunday, October 29, 1779 in Fredericktown, Dutchess County, New York, Charity; She was born Saturday, December 25, 1761, place not stated.
Charity Ferris, The soldier’s widow, was allowed pension Her application executed April 27, 1839, At which time she was a resident of Ballston spa, Saratoga County, New York.
She died January 14, 1841.
The family record of the soldier and his wife shows the following names:
Archibald Ferris born September 10, 1780 Died April 30, 1801.
Rachel Ferris born May 31, 1782.
Betsy Ferris born July 23, 1784.
Phoebe Ferris born March 18, 1786.
Ruben Ferris born March 20, 1788.
Sarah Ferris born April 9, 1790.
Deborah Ferris born March 23, 1792.
James Covel Ferris born March 14, 1794
Jane Ferris born February 8, 1796.
Richard Jacob Ferris born August 26, 1798.
Joseph Ferris born May 8, 1800.
Anna Ferris born January 20, 1803: died January 21 age 17 hours old.
Anna Eliza Ferris born November 27, 1804, died September 18, 1805.
In 1839, Sarah Ferris and Deborah Fox, daughters of the soldier and his wife, were residents  of Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, New York.
The above record that of the only soldier named Ezra Ferris found on the revolutionary war records of this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller,
Assistant to administrator.
2.
Page 19

16.987
Charity Ferris
Widow of
Ezra Ferris
Pri. Rev. War
Act:July 4th 36
Index:Vol. A Page 234
Arrangement of 1870

1932. AUG. 17. Hist. To Mrs. Seward McDonald-ILL
Page 20

4500
[illegible] Aaron Nash, Agent
20-‘39
Act 4 July ‘36
Page 21

Rev.
Ezra Ferris
New York
Suspended act 7 jan’32
Letter 31 Oct 1833
To
John B. Skinner
Page 22

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Second Comptroller's Office,

March 17th 1842


Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," he of nine childn  of Charity Ferris, decd, a
Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany NY. Agency, at the rate of Fifty two Dollars and
ten Cents per annum, under the law of the 4th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 1840, to the 14th January 1841

Respectfully yours,

Albion K. Parris [signture]
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 23

Amendments to the Declaration of Ezra Ferris to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832.

State of New York
Genesee County ss: On this 24th day June
A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Middlebury in the County of Genesee aforesaid Ezra Ferris of said Town to me personally known who being duly sworn doth
depose & say,

1st  That at the service periods when he performed service as mentioned in the annexed Declartion in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832, he served as a private.

2nd That in the Spring of 1777 the second period of service mentioned in said Declaration when this Deponent marched to Ridgfield from thence to [?] he actually served seven days as a private under Captain Mead & Col Luddington.

3rd That in the summer or fall of 1777, & he cannot from lapse of time & loss of memory state the month or day & of the month precisely, but he believes it was the month
of September, he was called out with the body of the Militia of Dutchess County under Captain Mead & Col. Luddington to defend the lines, as it was expected the enemy would make an attack upon some place on the North River - that this Deponent marched to
Peekskill & was actually in service as a private
for the period of eight days: - That during the
summer or fall 1777 about the time this Deponent was called into the service as a private in the Militia
Page 24

One Huddleston was arrested for holding communication with the Enemy,  - was taken before the Committee of Fredricksburg Precint & was by the said Committee committed to the custody of this Deponent to take him to Head Quarters - that this Deponent was actually engaged in the charge & having custody & case of the said Huddlestone for the period of five days.

4th  That on the first day December 1777 he enlisted as Teamster in the Continental service for the period of one year under Josiah Kilburn the Conductor of the teams - That he was actually employed in taking care of the governments teams from the said first day of December until the first day of April thereafter
at Fredricksburg Precint in County of Dutchess  
That on the said first day of April he commenced carrying supplies under the command of Col Udney Hay to the army at Fishkill & Newburg & was actually employed in such service for at least three months - That he was transfered with the teams to West Point & was actually engaged as a teamster in the service under the direction of Francis Chandenat in drawing timber for works for the public defence for the period of at least two months. -

5th  That on the first day of August 1781 the last period of service mentioned in the annexed Declaration he volunteered as one of the Militia, under Captain Shepherd & Col Wesinfelt [Weisenveldt].  Tthat he marched from Fishkill to West Point, from thence to White Plains & from thence to Saratoga in the Company of the said
Page 25

[round seat at top of page]

Ezra Ferris [signature]

Subscribed & sworn this 24th day of June, A.D. 1833 before me
Chauncy Potter [signature] Justice

State of New York
Genesee County SS:

I Timothy Fitch, Clerck of said county certify 
that Chauney Potter before whom the above affidavit purports to have been taken and made was at the date of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this fifth day of July 1833-

Timothy Fitch [signature] Clerk
By B. Pringle Dep. Clk
Page 26

Penn Yan N.Y.
July 26/32
Dept. of Interior 
Bureau of Pensions. Rev. Soldiers
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen,
Will you please send me any data you have, if any, relative to Ezra Ferris, a Revolutionary Soldier 
NY only one on file

Stamped: Revolutionary & 1812 Wars
                    Bureau of Pensions 
                     July 27 1932
Page 27

from New York State

Thanking you, I am
Yours very truly,

Anna B. McDonald [signature]

Address
Mrs. Seward McDonald
Penn Yan,
N.Y.
Page 28

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

Second Comptroller's Office,

Jany 20th. 1842.

Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, Five of the nine childn. of Charity Ferris decd a
Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Fifty two Dollars and
ten Cents per annum, under the law of the 4th July 1836, have been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1840, to the 14th Jan'y 1841.

Respectfully, yours,

Albion K. Parris [signature]

Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 29

Treasury Department 
Second Comptroller’s Office
Jan’y 25, 1842.
Sir
Under the date of the 6 th April, 1838, entitled 
“An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, “We of the 
[qheld] of Charity Ferris,Dec, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, , NY agency, at the rate of Fifty two dollars and 10 cents per annum, under the law of the 4th July 1836, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of March 1840 to the 14th Jan’y 1841.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller 
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 30

Aaron Nash
Aug 20 ‘39
06
Page 31

War Department
Pen: ok
Aug 10, 39
Sir
The claimant, Charity Ferris Widow of Ezra Ferris Died under the Act Of 4 July 31 Has been examined And filed.
No statement or proof of service is furnished as the regulations require while reference is made for both to an alleged application of her late husband under the act of 18 March 1818
There are no papers On file in his Name or As an applicant from NY Under that all Nor Does it appear That he applied From that state.
No reason is assigned for his failure to Apply under the act of 7 June 32.
Her claim applied under such circumstances will not be allowed unless the rules are fully complied with as to the specification & proof of service.
Aaron Nash, Esq.
Ballston
N.Y.
Page 32

Ballston Spa Apr 29 1839

Sir

Enclosed herewith you will receive the Papers of Mrs Charity Ferris widow of Ezra Ferris deceased applying for a Pension under the Act of Congress
passed July 4 1836: 3d Section, which please to exemine and make returns thereof to me at this
P. O. as early as may be convenient.

Very Respectfully
Your most Obt Servant

Aaron Nash [signature]
Jan Nash
I,
J. L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 33

4500
May 4
NY
[crossed out]
4 July 1836
Page 34

Oct. 18, 1839 
N.Y.
J.S. Edward’s Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
War Department 
Washington 
D.C.
Page 35

Schenectady Oct 12th 1839
J.S. Edward’s, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
The widow of the late Ezra Ferris long ago engaged me to search for documentary proof in support of her claim for a pension. I have at last discovered the enclosed document which I think will prove conclusive in reference to at least 12 months service. I had no hand in preparing the papers originally, yet from the description of her husband’s service as detailed to me by the widow, I feel satisfied that the Erza Ferris alluded to in the document is the same Erza Ferris in whose behalf a claim for a pension is preferred. Possibly service beyond 12 months may be proved by the papers on file in her case.
I hope this document enclosed will prove serviceable to you in the examination of other claims now pending before you.
The widow informs me that Mr. Nash of Ballston N.Y. volunteered to prosecute her claim . Her pension certificate, if allowed,  she desires may be sent to the care of her son-in-law “Stephen S. Seaman, Esq. Congress Hall, Saratoga Springs.
I am very respectfully yours oft sent
G.F. Gates
Page 36

Charity Ferris widow of 
Erza Ferris for a 4500
Pension under 3 section the act of July 4, 1836 transmitted to Washington 
April 29,1839
4500
Charity Ferris
N.Y.
Act 4 July 31
M79-a-33
Married 29 Oct. 1779
Husband died 5 Nov. 1833
Col Weisenfeles- Capt Shepherd 
Sr. Roth pays 34
Admitted
Private 15 mo & 5 days
Stephen S. Seaman Esq.
Saratoga Springs 
N.Y.
A Nash Agent
Ballston Spa
Page 37

State of New York
County of Saratoga
I Alpheus Goodrich Clerk of the county of Saratoga aforesaid Do Certify that George G. Scott before whom the annexed Declaration purports To have been sworn and Before whom The annexed affidavits purports To have been sworn to as at the dates thereof A judge of the court of common pleas In  And for the said County, and that I am Acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe His name Subscribed to this said declaration And to the said affidavits And also to the certificates, to be his proper handwriting and seal of office This 27 day April 1839
A Goodrich Clerk
Page 38

10058
Application of Ezra Ferris
For The benefit of the act of Congress
Prepared June 7, 1832