Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11278, for Seth Ranney, Connecticut
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SERVICE  Conn.
New York
Ranney, Seth
NUMBER  S. 11278
carded
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20.982
New York
Seth Ranney
of St. Lawrence Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain – of the Regt commanded by Col Berry in the Connt * line for 9 months
Conn & N. Y. *
Records completed Nov 10 / 05
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 dollars – Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Oct 1833 and sent to R. H. Gillett Ogdensburgh
Arrears to the 4th of Sept ’33  $75
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar ’34   15
$90
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol 4 Page 118
See Letter to Hon L. Williams, 6 Jan 1836, letter to Hon R. H. Gillett June 29 1836
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No. 21.342
Seth Ranney
St. Lawrence Co. 
N.Y.
Admitted
R. H. Gillett Esqr
Ogdensburgh P. O.
St. Lawrence Co. N.Y.
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
May 28, 183
Sir. 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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  Seth Ranney St. Lawrence County New York
Period when the service was rendered.  Draft 1779  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  6 months Rank of claimant.  Private   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.  Colonel Berry, General Sage  Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.  73 years  Middletown Connecticut  Proof by which the declaration is supported.  Traditionary
Period when the service was rendered.  Vol, not stated   Duration of Claimant’s Service. about 3 Months Rank of claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.   Colonel Whitney
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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:  
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 in stance, 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 A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in 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) 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 the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]            
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only that of Agency in the State of    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]            
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of for a pension.               
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.            
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.          
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has 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 in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.               
I, Clerk of the Court of contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. 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
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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 (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.    
1. Where and in what year were you born?                
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?          
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?               
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?              
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.           
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.         
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject     
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.        
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed 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 declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.        
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.     
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.    
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.        
Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year - months , and days , I served as a - months and --- days, I served as 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 the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.    
[f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.  
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.               
Mode of authenticating papers.              
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.         
Proof of Service.         
[j]  In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.     
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.  
Daniel D. Davidson, exam clerk
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Seth Ranney
21342
Admitted
Private 9 months
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York 
St. Lawrence County } ss 
On this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared before John Fine Esquire First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of St. Lawrence Seth Ranney a resident in the town of Oswego in the County of St. Lawrence in the  State of New York aged seventy three years last February who being first duly sworn according to law depose & saith & 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 & served as herin stated. 
That he was born at Middletown in the State of Connecticut on the Seventeenth the day of February 1759 & he continued to reside there with his parents until he was twenty one years of age except when he was called away during the Revolutionary war & that he was employed during that period, except when absent, as above stated, in working on his father’s farm.  That during the Revolutionary war, & he believes to wit the 24 1779, he was drafted into the service as one of the Connecticut Troops, for [unreadable], that the time of mustering was in the summer season & at the time of mustering which was at Middletown aforesaid, one Brooks was Captain, & one Berry was Col of the Regiment & one  Sage was General, said Sage resided of Middletown aforesaid.  When declarent with his regiment
they have seen with destroyed & cannot be found.  After returning to New Lebanon declarent remained about four years, during which
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York 
St. Lawrence County } ss 
On this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared before John Fine Esquire First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of St. Lawrence Seth Ranney a resident in the town of Oswegatchie in the County of St. Lawrence in the  State of New York aged seventy three years last February who being first duly sworn according to law depose & saith & 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 & served as herin stated. 
That he was born at Middletown in the State of Connecticut on the Seventeenth the day of February 1759 & he continued to reside there with his parents until he was twenty one years of age except when he was called away during the Revolutionary war & that he was employed during that period, except when absent, as above stated, in working on his father’s farm.  That during the Revolutionary war, & he believes to wit the 24 1779, he was drafted into the service as one of the Connecticut Troops, for [unreadable], that the time of mustering was in the summer season & at the time of mustering which was at Middletown aforesaid, one Brooks was Captain, & one Berry was Col of the Regiment & one  Sage was General, said Sage resided of Middletown aforesaid.  When declarent with his regiment
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left Middletown, they went to Fishkill on the Hudson River & staid there some time, but he cannot state how long. During the time this declarant was stationed at Fishkill the company with which he was went to West Point when he was there at West Point a chain was put across the Hudson river to prevent the British vessels passing up the River & while he [unreadable] the British one night cut the chain & then passed up the River & Soon after burned Esopus village,  as soon as the British had burned Esopus, his company returned to Fishkill & remained there a short time, perhaps a month then he & his company went up the Hudson River, opposite Esopus.   When we were on our way up, the British fired at from their ships, but no was killed by them.  The British ships anchored their vessels opposite Esopus & the Regiment with which declarent  was marching under Col. Berry, pitched their tents on the opposite shore in the woods.  It was then [unreadable] over in the American army that Burgoyne & the forces from New York turned to form a junction of Albany, if they old possibly effect it.  After remaining there a short time but declarant cannot say how long the regiment returned to Fish Kill & the whole were discharged by the Col -.  Declarent had a discharge from Col Berry & from his Captain the said Brooks,  Declarant cannot state the time of his discharge, but thinks it was in the winter as he believes he was at Fishkill of Christmas.  This declarent returned to Middletown aforesaid
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During this period declarant served the full period of six months & he supposes it have been in the Connecticut state troops.  
Declarent had now become of the age of twenty one years & left his home, his parents & went to the town of New Lebanon in the state of New York to live. As this latter place there was an alarm given of the arrival of Burgoyne at Saratoga & declarent volunteered to go & aid in taking him. At this time one Gilbert was captain, one Rexford was Lieutenant, & one Walker was Ensign, one Whitney of New Caanan was Colonel. There is no inlistment for a particular period of time. The Regiment proceeded up to Saratoga & did assist in the taking of Burgoyne.  Declarent well recollects seeing said Burgoyne move [unreadable] his  camp with his hat off, his sworn under his arm & his soldiers laid down their arms, declarent believes they marched out with the buts of the muskets near the [unreadable] & forward of their bodies they all ground of their army at once.   Declarant further recollects that Gen Burgoyne was taken to the [unreadable] generals tent & treated with the utmost kindness.  Declarent was discharged of Sarotoga - he received a written discharge which was signed by Capt Gilbert & Col Whiting.  This term of service lasted about three months after which declarant returned to New Lebanon.  Both of the discharges, above mentioned left with some old papers many years ago with declarants brother at Rome in the State of New York & they have since been destroyed & cannot be found.  After returning to New Lebanon declarent remained about four years, during which
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period declarent married.   Declarent after the experation of said four years went to Sharon in the State of Connecticut where he resided about four years & then removed with his family to Whitestown in the State of New York where he resided about one or & then removed to a town formerly called Fort Stanwix & resided there about seven years & then went into Upper Canada where he remained about four years & then removed to the town of Oswegatchie in the State of New York, where he has resided until the present time.   Declarant has no record of his age from which he can state his age & he declares from his own recollection/  .
Declarent is so decrepit that he cannot attend the County Court or any other Court of record in the County of St. Lawrence & were he at Canton where the Court was held he could not get up the stairs of the Court House, if he was there. Declarent further saith that he has no evidence of his services further this his own statement & he knows no person who can testify to any facts [unreadable] & declarent further says that he is well acquainted with the Reverend Nathaniel Huse, a Clergyman residing in the town of Oswegatchie & the Hon Louis Hasbrouck & David C. Judson who can testify to his character & that they believe him to be of the age he represents himself to be & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution. 
Seth Ranney
Sworn before me Decr 4 1832
John Fine First Judge of said Ct.
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We Nathaniel Huse, a Clergyman residing in the town of Oswegatchie & David C. Judson one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & of the County of St. Lawrence & Guy Hasbrouck a Senator Elect in the State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Seth Ranney, who has subscribed & sworn the annexed declaration, & that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; & that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.   
Nathaniel Huse
D. C. Judson
Louis Hasbrouck
Subscribed & Sworn before me December 4th  1832 
R.H. Gillet Com of Dec 
I John Fine First Judge of St Lawrence county State of New York do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant Seth Ranney was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and I further certify that I am well acquainted with Rev Nathaniel Huse and David C. Judson & Louis Hasbrouck who have signed the preceeding Certificate.  That the said Nathaniel Huse is the Clergyman of the Episcopal Church in the Town of Oswegatchie in said county and the said David C. Judson and Louis Hasbrouck are residents of the village of Orangeburgh in said Town County. That they are all credible persons and their statement is intitled to credit and I further certify that the said Seth Ranney cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court  Dec. 4 1832 
John Fine - a Judge of St. Lawrence N York
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State of New York 
St. Lawrence  County} ss  I Alvin C. Low Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of St. Lawrence do hereby certify that the Hon John Fine before whom the foregoing declaration of Seth Ranney purports to have been subscribed and sworn to and whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date of the same First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County duly Commissioned and Sworn and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and verily believe that his signature to the said declaration and certicate are genuine.  
And I further certify that Ransom H Gillet Esq before him the forgoing affidavit of the Rev Nathan Huse, David C. Judson and Louis Hasbrouck Esquires were made was on the day of the date of the same a Commissioner of deeds in and for said County duly authorized  to take the same and that his Signature of which I am well acquainted I verily believe to be genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 13 day of December 1832 
A. C. Low Clk
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State of New York 
St Lawrence County } ss On the 15th day of June 1833 Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of St. Lawrence, Seth Ranney who being duly Sworn deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades: For six months as a private of one period & I also served three months as a private one other period making in the whole nine months & for such service I claim a pension. Deponent saith that he cannot state any thing more fully than he has done in relation this services in the annexed papers.   
Abijah Abbott JP
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State of New York 
St. Lawrence County } ss 
I Alvin C Low Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Abijah Abbett before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been made was at the date of the Same a Justice of the Peace in & for the said County duly elected & sworn, and that I am well acquainted with hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace and verily believe that his signature to the said affidavit is genuine.   
In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal the said County this 12th day of July 1833.
A. C. Low Clerk
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11278
Rev War INVALID  
File No. 11,278 
Seth Ranney 
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7th 32 
Index: Vol. A Page 309 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Jany 6 1835 
Sir
The amount due to Mrs. Betsy Chambers on account of the pension of her dead Father Seth Ranney will be paid by the Agent at Albany 
where the other children will be paid I would advise you send the papers *  J. W. Olcott Esq who is cashier of the Bank where the pensions are paid.
I have no doubt but he will forward to you the amount due
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provided the surrogates certificate has been filed there to prove that Mrs Chambers is the daughter to the deed Ranney. 
To Hon Levi Williams 
H of R. [House of Representatives]
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To Gillett
Voucher returned because same had been altered.
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Division.
Examiner
Department of the Interior.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington.
Hon.
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Washington Jan 4th 1835 
Sir
On send you the papers of Betsey Chambers suing in right of her Father a portion of the pension to which he was entitled at the time of his death.  I will thank you to give me all the information you can on the subject so that I may know what to communicate to the [unreadable] person 
interested 
I am Sir your Obt Sert 
Lewis Williams 
James L Edwards Esqr