Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21660, Othniel Belden, Conn. Continental
Page 1

Service - Conn.
Continental

Belden, Othniel
or Belding, Sarah


Number - W21660
Page 2

Massachusetts  621

Sarah Belden
widow of Othniel Belden

who died on the 19th, Dec. 1834
of Hampden Co. in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Wright of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Phillips in the Conn. 
line for 18 1/2 months.


Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 61 Dollars 67 cents per annum,
to commence on the 18th December 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of March  1837 and Sent to J. Willard 
Springfield, Massachusetts

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837    $370.02
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Spet. 1837  $30.83

Arrears paid to 19 Dec. 1834 
the day of his death to be 
deducted.

$400.85


{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1836.}
Section the 3

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book ----- Vol. 1, Page 45


1890 Letter to Pension Agent May 8
July 25 G.E. Hatch History   Prior
Page 3

1598    15590

Massachusetts
Othniel Belden

of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Wright of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Phillips in the 
line for 18 months and 15 days.

Ct. Cert 

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 61 Dollars 67 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of June
1833 and sent to William Ward
Worthington Mass.

Arrears to the 4th  of March, 1833  $123.34
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833  $30.?

$154.17


{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J.W. Clagett Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2 Page 7
Page 4

Othniel Belden

Declaration


22764



Address to William Ward
Worthington
Mass.
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts


Hampden County ss.

On this 10th day of October 1832 personally appeared before me the Hon. Oliver B. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting Othniel Belden a resident of Chester in the County of Hampden aged Seventy Seven 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, 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz.
About the first of January 1776 I enlisted at Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut for one year into the Company of Capt. Samuel Wright, of Glastonbury and the Regiment of Col. Samuel Willys and marched to Boston where we continued till the British evacuated that place.  We then left Boston by the way of Providence and New London where we embarked by water, for New York and joined the army there and continued with it till sometime in the Autumn where I was taken very sick after getting somewhat better I received a furlough till I should be able to do my duty which did not happen till my time had expired and for several months afterwards I received pay for one year.
In the month of August 1777, I enlisted at Wethersfield into Capt. Elias Williams in the regiment of Col. Thomas Belden and marched immediately to Fishkill from there we marched up  the River under General Putnam to Red Hook watching
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the British shipping till after the surrender of General Burgoyne and when we returned to Fishkill when I was dismissed.  I was in the service something more than two months.

In November 1777 I volunteered at Wethersfield under Major Chester Willis as a guard to a party of the prisoners of Burgoyne's Army to the Highlands. We proceeded to Springfield in Massachusetts and took charge of the prisoners there and guarded them to near the Highland when we delivered them over to a corps of the American Army where we were dismissed by Major Willis, and returned home.  I was in this service six weeks.
1 1/2 months

In July 1781 I enlisted at Wethersfield for three months into the Regiment of Col. Hezekiah Willys of Hartford. the names of my Captain I have forgotten.  marched from  Wethersfield down the river towards Saybrook and from there across towards New London and spent the time in Cutting brush wood for and preparing fascines wherever we could find it and was then saved for fortifications on Long Island and New York. till my time expired.
3 months

I have made search for witnesses of the three last periods of service but cannot find any now living but I aver that the service was performed by me. I was born in Wethersfield in the year 1755 and continued to live there till 1799 when I removed to Chester where I have resided ever since.
I have no recollection of ever having a discharge.
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 whatever.

Othniel Belding

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
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We John Grant a Clergyman residing in the town of Chester and Joshua Stevens residing at the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Othniel Bleden who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven 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. And we further certify that said Belden sustains a good character for veracity and we have no doubt of the truth of the facts stated in his declaration.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

John Grant
Joshua Stevens


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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Grant who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Chester and that Joshua Stevens who had signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Othniel Belden for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

Justin Willard
Register
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampden


On this fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Oliver B. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County now sitting at Springfield in said County, Sarah Belden of Chester in said County widow of Othniel Belden late of said Chester deceased and being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836. viz - 
That she is now seventy five years and seven days of age. that she was married to and became the lawful wife of said Othniel Belden at Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut on the twenty fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight that said Othniel Belden had previous to said time of our marriage been in the service of the United States as a revolutionary for a short period - but was not under enlistment at the time of our marriage - that a short time after our marriage said Othniel Belden again entered the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution his service was at New York fort I believe and then he performed another tour of duty and I think two more near New London, the whole period of his service since our marriage was about a year and a half or two years and was between the time of our marriage and sometime in the year
Page 9

seventeen hundred and eighty one - as near as I can recollect from the recollection of the fact that his last tour of duty was after my oldest son was born viz. in the fall of the year 1779  - My said Husband received a pension of about $63 per annum under the act of June 7th, 1832 until the time of his death.
And my own recollection being very general and imperfect I refer to the declaration and accompanying evidence made by him ( and papers on file, as  I suppose at the War Office) for the purpose of obtaining his aforesaid Pension.  I have no other documentary evidence of his service, having sent his Pension certificate to Boston in order to get the arrearages of his pension, up to the time of his death - which I have received.
I further declare that my said Husband Othniel Belden died at said Chester on the nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty four - and that I have remained unmarried since that time and am now his lawful widow.
I was married aforesaid by a clergyman by the name of Marsh of which marriage I have no documentary evidence except for the certificate of Caleb J. Gurney present senior Pastor the Church in Wethersfield successor of said Marsh, which is hereunto annexed.

Sarah Belden
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Hampden ss. January 14th 1837
Then Sarah Belden above named personally appeared in open court before me the subscriber Judge of said Court and and subscribed and made oath to the aforesaid declaration

Oliver Morris Judge of Probate


And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after due examination of the said Sarah Belden and of the other testimony in the case, that all the acts therein stated are true - 

I Justin Willard Clerk of the said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Belden for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield this fourteenth day of January 1837.

Justin Willard Clerk
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22764

Othniel Belden

Mass.


Private 18 months 15 days




William Ward
Worthington Mass.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers 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 Othniel Belden
Hampden Co. Mass.

Period when service was rendered - 

Enlist 1776
Enlist 1777
1777
1781


Duration of the claimant's service - 

1 Year
2 Months
1 Month, 15 days
3 Months

Rank of the claimant - 

Private - all times

Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served - 

Capt. Wright
Capt. Williams

Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers - 

Col. Willis
Col. Belden
General Putnam
Col. Willis
Col. Willis

Battles in which the applicant was engaged - 


Country through which he marched - 
Boston
Providence
New York
Mass.
Long Island
New York

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period - 

77 years
Wethersfield
Mass.

Evidence by which the declaration is supported - 

Traditionary
2 Living who Testify to apart of service


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 un guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval service
4. Indian spies
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of                                 } ss.
On this     day of     personally appeared (a) before                    A. B. a resident (b) of     in the county of      and State, Territory or District of      aged (c)    years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)     , with    and served in the     (e) regiment of the       line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. --> This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn 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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                    of the Court of           do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of           for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this     day of      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of the applicants, making such declarations, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will made and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                         and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                 , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be     years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the 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. and C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the        
I,                Clerk of the Court of          do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of               for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this    day of    &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 14

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated, will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one can attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where if it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you live now?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
6. To a Soldier} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court of County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting his services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ---- year ---- months, and ---- days, I served as a ------. For --- months and ----- days, I served as a ------; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officer, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court if always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
--> The notes [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 15

Sarah Belden
widow of Othniel
Mass.

Married 24 Dec. 1778

old case


Admitted

18 1/2 mos - private

61.66

deduct - died 18 Dec. 1834 and paid up
Page 16

I Sylvester Belden of Chester in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose and say that I am the son of Sarah Belden who has this day made her declaration before the Judge of Probate for said County in order to obtain the benefit of the Pension act of July 4, 1836 that I know her late husband, my father died at Chester aforesaid on the nineteenth day of December AD 1834 and that said Sarah my Mother has remained unmarried ever since that time and is now the lawful widow of said Othniel.  I further state that I obtained the annexed certificate of the Rev. Caleb Tenney, and that he ? and gave me the same on the 8th day of January AD 1837 - although I find he has dated it on the same day of Jan. 1836.

Sylvester Belden


Hampden Co. 
January 14th 1837 then personally appeared Sylvester Belden above named and subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit before 

Oliver Morris Judge of Probate
Page 17

on the 8th day of January AD 1837 - although I find he has dated it on the same day of Jan. 1836.

Sylvester Belden



This certifies that in the records of Marriages kept by Rev. John March, Pastor of the First Church in Wethersfield, Conn. and my immediate predecessor, it stands recorded in the hand writing of the Rev. Mr. Marsh, that on December the 24th 1778,  - he married Othniel Belden and Sarah Lindsy, both of Wethersfield.

Certified by me, Wethersfield, January 5, 1836.

Caleb J. Tenney Senior Pastor of the First Church in Wethersfield
Page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampden ss.


I Justice William Clarke of the Probate Court within and for said County the same being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Oliver R. Morris before sworn the foregoing Deposition of Sylvester Belden was sworn to and subscribed is a Justice of the Peace and this Judge of the Probate Court within and for said county and is in within capacity duly authorized to administer oaths in ? and that his signature subjoined to the certificate of said Jurat is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Probate Court at Springfield this seventeenth day of January AD 1837.

Justice William Clarke
Page 19

February 29, 1936
xxxxxxxx

BA-J/WCS
Othniel Belden, W.21660


Mrs. Maud Belden Perry
120 Grove Street
Roseville, California


Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of February 20, 1936, in which you request the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, Elijah and Othniel Belden. 


Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war.  A careful search of the records fails to show such claim on file on account of the service of an Elijah Belden, searched under all spellings.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 21660, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Othniel Belden or Belding.

He was born in 1755 in Wethersfield, Connecticut.  The names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of Wethersfield, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows:  from about the first of January, 1776, one year in Captain Samuel Wright's company in Colonel Samuel Wylly's regiment; from August, 1777, two months in Captain Elias Williams' company in Colonel Thomas Belden's (relationship not shown) company; from sometime in November. 1777, six weeks under Major Chester Wells and was engaged in guarding prisoners of Burgoyne's army; from July, 1781, three months in Colonel Hezekiah Wylly's regiment.

In 1799 he moved from Wethersfield to Chester, Hampden County, Massachusetts.




Othniel Belden or Belding was allowed pension on his application execute October 10, 1832, at Chester, Massachusetts.

He died December 18, 1834, in Chester, Massachusetts.

The soldier married December 24, 1778, at Wethersfield, Connecticut., Sarah Lindsy of that place.

She was allowed pension on her application executed January 14, 1837, at which time she was aged seventy-five years and seven day and was living in Chester, Massachusetts.

It was stated that their eldest son (name not given) was born in the fall of 1779.  A son, Sylvester Belden, was living in Chester, Massachusetts, in 1836.

The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.

Very truly yours,


A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 20

Center

Widow & C.

File No. 21.660

Sarah Belden

widow of 
Othniel Belden
Priv. Rev. War



Act:  July 4th, 1836

Index:  Vol A, Page 54


[Arrangement of 1870]


Left side

History
Agard.
Mass.

Sent to D. Smith



Right side

May 26 - 1894
to Mr. Charles W.
New Bedford

June 5, 1904
Mrs. Samuel 
1913 Dec. 20 copies of 
soldier's and widow's
declaration sent
to Law Drs. for Mrs.
A.B. Yoakum 

1936 Feb. 29th hist. to 
Mrs. Maud Belden
Perry N.C.S.


Othniel Belden  61. 67/100 - Mass. act 7 June when last paid

17 Mar. 37



Othniel Belden

Aug. 77  Elias Williams 2 months
Nov. 77 Chester Willis  1 1/2
81    Col. Hezekiah Wilis 3 months
76 Capt. Wright  - Wyllis 12 months
Page 21

3-816
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
December 16, 1813
Chief of Law Division
Sir:
I have this day received from Anna E Yoakam check No. ---- for $2 80/100.
Case of -------
Certificate No. -----
For certified copies as per letter herewith

Very respectfully,
W. N. Campbell
Chief of Division
Page 22

Worthington Mass. Feb 23, 1833
Hon Lewis Cass
Sir,
I enclose the application of Othniel Beldon for a pension under the law of June 7, 1832, and the affidavits of Jared Goodrich and Thomas Holmes in support of it.
Please to address the certificate to me at the Post Office in this Town if granted.
Yours respectfully
William Ward
Page 23

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} ss.
I, Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for sd County of Hartford, do hereby certify, that Henry Bulkley Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit of Jared Goodrich & Thomas Holmes were respectively taken, was on the twentieth day of February AD 1833, a Justice of the Peace for sd County of Hartford, duly commissioned & qualified according to Law, with full power to take Deposition, administer oaths, &c, & that full faith & credit is due to his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of sd County Court this twenty first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
attest Jared Griswold, Clerk
Page 24

I Thomas Holmes of Wethersfield in Connecticut aged seventy five years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Othniel Belden of Chester in Hamden County Massachusetts and believe him to be about seventy seven years of age and do know that he enlisted at Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut about the first of January 1776 in the company of Capt Samuel Wright of Glastenby and the regiment of Col. Samuel Wellys and that I served with him in the same company we marched from Wethersfield to Boston, where we continued till the evacuation of the British from that place we then left Boston by the way of Providence and New London where we embarked by water for New York and served the army there and that we enlisted for the term of one year.
Thos Holmes

State of Connecticut ss Wethersfield February 20, 1833
Personally appeared Thomas Holmes and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed before me. I further certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Holmes who is a credible person and that his statement if entitled to credit.
Henry Bulkley Justice of Peace
Page 25

I Jared Goodrich of Wethersfield in Connecticut aged seventy two years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Othniel Belden of Chester in Hamdam County Massachusetts and believe him to be about seventy seven years of age and do know that he enlisted at Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut about the first of January 1776 in the company of Capt Samuel Wright of Glastonbury and the regiment of Col Samuel Willys and that I served with him in the same company we marched from Wethersfield to Boston where we continued till the evacuation of the British from that place we then left Boston by way of Providence and New London where we embarked for New York by water and joined the army there and that we enlisted for the term of one year.
Jared Goodrich

State of Connecticut ss, Wethersfield }
On this 20th day of February 1833 personally appeared Jared Goodrich and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed before me and further certify that I am well acquainted with Jared Goodrich who is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Henry Bulkley Justice of Peace
Page 26

Springfield Mass.  June 17th - 37


Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions


Sir:

Enclosed are the papers of Mrs. Sarah Belden in order to obtain the pension as ? in the act of July 1st. 
I wrote to Mr. Calhoun our Rep. in Congress to forward me the act and accompanying instructions to be had - but as I have not received them and may have not formally complied with your regulations. if anything should be wanting, I hope to be informed - The certificate if granted may be forwarded to me or handed to Mr. Calhoun who will undoubtedly be willing to take charge of it.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Justin Willard
on behalf of Sarah Belden
Page 27

21660
War Records of Othniel Belden
Othniel Belden volunteered for one year in June 1776 under Capt Samuel Wright of Glastonbury in Col. Samuel Wyllys Conn Regiment- marched to Boston Mass. and was there when the City was evacuated by the British March 17th 1776 from thence he marched to New London Conn. where he embarked in a vessel for New York City and was taken sick and furloughed but had not recovered when his term expired, and not for some time there after.
In Aug 1777 he volunteered for three months under Capt Elias Williams in the regiment of Col Thomas Belden, going to Fishkill on the Hudson River, after the capture of the enemy of Forts Montgomery & Clinton Oct 6 1777.
Albany-Belden was order under Gen Israel Putnam to move along the banks of the river in order to watch the movements of the fleet to prevent their landing until after the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga Oct 17, 1777 when the fleet sailed down the river. Belden returned to Fishkill and was there honorably discharged. In November of the same year (1777) he served one and one half months in guarding some of Gen Burgoynes prisoner from Springfield Mass. to the Highlands in the Hudson river, and in July 1781 he served 3 months, going to Saybrook [unk] across the Connecticut river to near New London in Col. Hezekiah Willys command where he was employed in cutting [unk] which it was reported would be used on Long Island and at New York.
Page 28

Springfield Mass March 2 '37
Hon J L Edwards
Comr of Pensions
SIr,
On the 14th day of January last I forwarded to the Pension Office the declaration & accompanying evidence of Mrs Belden (I did not take her name or that of her decd husband) in order to obtain the Pension under the act of 1836. This lady belongs to Chester in this County. I presume there can be no difficulty in identifying the papers to which I refer. May I ask the attention of the Depart to this subject to be informed whether the papers have been examined, the result.
Respectfully your obt servt
Justin Willard
atty for Mrs Belden
Page 29

Geo E Hatch Comr
Revy July 22 1890
Othniel Belden
found
Page 30

---COAL OFFICE OF
HATCH & NORTH
301 Main Street.

Hartford, Conn. July 22d 1890

Capt. Chas. . Filer
Dear Sir,
I wish to learn if the name of Othniel Belden appears on the Pension Rolls of the Revolution, I do not know whether he inlisted from Mass. or Conn. My Grandmother Sarah Belden (widow of Othniel) I know was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and I should like to get any information I can about them, I write to you at the suggestion of Chas. F. Brown of this City, as he thought you could give me the desired information.
Yours respectfully
Geo. E. Hatch
Page 31

Commonwealth Bank
Pension Office
Boston 3d May 1837
Sir,
On the 21st March last the name of Sarah Belden widow of Othniel Belden private was reported to this Agency as entitled to receive $61.67 from the 4th of March 1831.
Be pleased to inform me if there is to be any deduction from this amount.
I am, respectfully your obt svt
John K. Simpson [unk] & Pension agent
Page 32

Othniel Belden
Declaration of soldier and widow to be type written 
copied
for Mrs Anna Belden Yoakam
811 First St. N. W.
Washington D. C.
personal inquiry Dec. 10, 1913
For convenience in binding with other papers, the usual margin to be left at left side of sheet, a margin of 1 12/2 inches at right side and two inches at bottom of page

1650 words
total
Page 33

3-094
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C. Dec. 11, 1913
Respectfully referred to the Chief of the Law Division inviting attention to the attached personal inquiry of 
Mrs. Anna Belden Yoakam
811 First St. N. W.
Washington D. C.
who desires the copy of two papers on the Rev. War pension claim of Othniel Belden of Conn. troops Wid. File 21660, the number of words to be copied is 1650

A. E. Wilson
In charge Rev. War Section



claim Othniel Belden, Rev. W 21660-
Mrs Anna Belden Yoakam
811 First St N W
Washington D. C.
personal inquiry
Dec. 10
Page 34

check for $2.80
From Anna E. Yoakam


LAW DIVISION          3-1868       E. O. A.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU F PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C. December 12. 1913

Mrs. Anna Belden Yoakam
811 First St., N. W.
Washington, D. C.

Madam:

Referring to your personal inquiry of the 10th instant as to the cost of copies of two papers on file in this Bureau in the Revolutionary war claim of Othniel Belden, Connecticut Troops, Widow's File No. 21660, you are advised that the act of August 24, 1912, provides that 15 cents per folio shall be charged for copying any portion of the records of the Bureau, with 25 cents additional for certification thereto. Under said Act copies of the two papers referred to will cost $2.80. Upon receipt of that amount in cash, money order, or by check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, your request will receive further consideration.
Respectfully,
G M Saltzaber
Commissioner
Page 35

Wamsutta Club
New Bedford
May 4th 1897
To The U. S. Pension Office
Washington D. C.
Chief Bureau
Sir
I am desirous of a certificate, agreeable to the published "U S Senate Papers" of 1833-35 Vol. 1 Page 138 of the "Census of Pensioners" viz
Othniel Belden,
Private,
Annual Allowance         $61.67
Sums received                152.18
Service, in Connecticut Continental Line and Militia 
Placed on Pension Rolls, June 25th 1833
Commencement of Pension, March 4th 1831
Age, 79
Residence Hamnden Co. Mass.
The above confirming the family traditions but he does not appear on the
Page 36

published records of either
"Conn." or "Mass." of Revolutionary Soldiers.
Chief of Bureau Rolls and Library "Dept. of State" as per correspondence also fails to find his record.
If his pension application can be found on file, the desired parentage, time and place of birth, or other items of genealogy may be obtained from same.
Previous papers from the "Old War Office" many years ago have been lost by the parties who had them.
Fee for above certificate and information if [unk] able sent on notice.
Yours truly,
Chas W Agard
Page 37

Hadley May 17th 1904
To the Secretary of Dept of the interior
Dear Sir,
I have a copy of the war record of my ancestor Othniel Belden given me by a cousin to whom it was sent, from the Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C. dated July 25, 1890 and signed Green B. Raison Comm.
Will you please give me a certificate are a guarantee, send to
Mrs. Samuel D. Smith
Hadley
Mass.
West St.
Page 38

120 Grove Street
Roseville, California
Feb. 20, 1936


Commissioner of Pensions
Rev. War Section
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,

Will you kindly send me the War records of the following:

Elijah Belden Rev. War soldier who died in Mooers, Mooers Forks Cliton Co. New York Feb. 14, 1849; I think he went from Vermont or Conn. 
He was born 1760 Is buried Union Cemetery Mooers Forks.
Wanted for D.A.R. papers


Othniel Belden born 1755; died Dec. 18, 1834 in Chester Mass served in Col. Samuel Wylly's reg. enlisted 1776.  sick in New York City and re-enlisted in 1777. under Capt. Elias Williams 
Served from Conn.


yours truly,

Maud Belden Perry

Mrs. Maud Belden Perry
Roseville California
Placer Co.
Page 39

Law Division
JEM


12-17-13


December 22, 1913


Mrs. Anna Sheldon Yoakam,
811 First Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.



Madam:

Enclosed herewith will be found copies of certain papers on file in the claim of Othniel Belden, Connecticut Troops, Revolutionary War, widow's File No. 21660, duly certified as provided by the act of August 24, 1912, and for which you remitted the sum of $2.80 in payment therefore.

Respectfully,

E.C. Timmon

Acting Commissioner



Finance Div. ado by slip

Law
12-22-13
Page 40

E.O.A.


December 12, 1913.


Mrs. Anna Sheldon Yoakam
811 First Street N.W.,
Washington, D.C.


Madam:

Referring to your personal inquiry of the 10th instant as to the cost of copies of two papers on file in this Bureau in the Revolutionary war claim of Othniel Belden Connecticut Troops, Widow's File No. 21660, you are advised that the act of August 24, 1912, provides that 15 cents per folio shall be charged for copying any portion of the records of the Bureau, with 25 cents additional for certification thereto.
Under said Act copies of the two papers referred to will cost $2.80. Upon receipt of that amount in cash, money order, or by check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, your request will received further consideration.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.