Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20854, Waldo Cheney, Conn.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Cheney, Waldo
Priscilla

NUMBER
W. 20854.


CONTENTS
[blank]
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4896

Vermont 
============

Priscilla Cheney
widow of Waldo Cheney dec'd.
Conn.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 31 July 1834 
of Windsor in the State of Vermont
who was a Corporal in the compy commanded 
by Captain Manning of the regt. commanded
by Col. Grosvenor in the Conn.
line for 8 months.

============
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 29 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

============
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day Jany
1840, sent to Hon H Hubbard L.U.L.?

============
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1839 $102.67
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar '40 14.66
=====
117.33

============
{ Act July 7, }
{1838.}

Recorded by D.M Hindy Clerk
Book A. Vol 2 Page 36.
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3684

Vermont
============
Waldo Cheney

of Windsor Co in the State of Vermont
who was a Corp & Sergt. in the Company commanded
by Captain Manning of the Regt commanded
by Col Grosvenor in the Connecticut
line for 1 year Sergeant ---- $60.00
8 months Corporal ---- $29.33
--------
$89.33

============
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 89 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

============
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of Dec.
1832 and sent to the Hon. H. Hubbard
House? Rep?

============
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832    $133.99
Semi=anl. allowances ending 4 March 1833    44.66
----
$178.65
----


{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk
Book D Vol. 4 Page 98
Page 4

State of Vermont }
District of Windsor } On this seventh day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in the open court, before the Probate Court of said district, now sitting, said court being a court of record by the laws of this state, Waldo Cheney, a resident of Weathersfield in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged eight three years, who being first duly sworn, 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 was born in Pomfret in Connecticut, on the 7th day of July 1749, that he supposes his birth is recorded in the town clerk's office in said Pomfret; - it is also recorded in his family records at home. That he resided in Woodstock in Connecticut, when he entered to service, and during the revolutionary war, when not in the service, - that after the Revolutionary war, he went to Brookfield Mass & resided about 18 months, from there he moved to Weston, Mass. - from there to Putney in V.t lived there about four years - from there he moved to Reading V.t & lived 3 or 4 years, then he moved to Weathersfield, there to Baltimore, V.t. & there back to Weathersfield, Vt. where he now resides. -

That he entered into the army of the United States, [^in the year 1775] under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

Soon after Lexington Battle, he enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Ephraim Manning, Lieutenant William Lyons, Ensign William Manning, Orderly Sergeant Samuel Morris (who afterwards had his arm broken at the battle of White Plains) in the Regiment commanded (he thinks by Col Grosvenor, that he the declarant served [illegible and crossed out] in the Connecticut line on the Continental establishment [^or Connecticut State Troops], served as a corporal of the company. - that he enlisted at Woodstock
Page 5

where he then lived, marched directly to Brookline in Massachusetts, and was soon stationed at Cambridge on the hill called Prospect Hill, above the colleges, old General Putnam commanded there, was at the station on prospect Hill during the time of Bunker hill Battle -- served there till the expiration of the term of his enlistment being eight months, and was dismissed - had a written discharge which he has lost-

That in the year 1776 he again enlisted into the Army of the United States, for the term of one year, under Capt. Benoni Cutter, of Killingly, Lieut. Lyon, and William Manning Ensign. Samuel Morris disorderly Sergeant, in the Regt commanded by Colonel Andrew Ward, in the Connecticut line - after enlisted went to Killingly, from there to Norwich Landing, then to New London, then to New York, up the Sound -- were driven out of New York by the enemy, crossed North River to Paulus hook, was stationed for a while at Kingsbridge. After this was in the Battle at White Plains - served as a Sergeant from the commencement of this enlistment to the battle of White plains. when Morris, the orderly Sergeant had his arm broken and the declarant  took his place, and served as orderly sergeant for the remainder of the year -

After the Battle of White plains, he with about 400 of the troops, were stationed to guard the lines and there were some skirmishes with the enemy -

That he served the full term of his enlistment being one year as Sergeant, and was discharged at Morristown N.J. which discharge he has lost.-
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That he has no documentary evidence and can prove his service by no other testimony than what accompanies this declaration -

He hereby relinquishes 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.-

He states the names of Jewett Boynton and William Nichols, as persons, to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services, as a Soldier of the Revolution
[signature: Waldo Cheney]


Sworn to and subscribed }
the day and year aforesaid }
[signature: Jabez Proctor Judge]


We Jewett Boynton and William Nichols, residing in the Town of Weathersfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Waldo Cheney, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty three years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood, where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to, and subscribed } [signature: Jewett Boynton]
the day and year aforesaid } [signature: William Nichols]

[signature: Jabez Proctor Judge]


And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that 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
Page 7

them, that Jewett Boynton and William Nichols, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents in the town of Weathersfield aforesaid, and are credible persons, and, that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signature: Jabez Proctor Judge]


I, Reuben Washburn, Register of the Probate Court within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Waldo Cheney, for a Pension.

[seal]

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this seventh
day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
[signature: Reuben Washburn]


[written sideways on right: Waldo Cheney]
Page 8

State of Vermont }
Windsor County ss } On this 4th day of August AD 1838 personally appeared before me Samuel W. Porter one of the assistant Justices of Windsor County Court, (said [^court] being a court of record [^of Common Law Jurisdiction?] having the power of fine and imprisonment) Priscilla Cheney a resident of Weathersfield in the County of Windsor aged Eighty five years, (who cannot from bodily infirmity attend court) who, being first duly sworn, according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Waldo Cheney who was as I verily believe a private and Sergeant in the Revolutionary war, from information derived from him after our marriage, but in what company & Regiment he served, the period thereof, or the time of his enlistment or his discharge, or under what officer, he served I cannot recollect. I think he resided in Pomfret or Woodstock, Connecticut, at the time he performed the service - & I believe he informed me he served under two enlistments - I have no evidence of his [^service] except what I have stated and the evidence which he furnished the war Department and upon which he was placed upon the Pension List Roll of the Vermont Agency under the act of the 7th June 1832 - He made his declaration I believe before the Hon Jabez Proctor then Judge of Probate for the District of Windsor in said County of Windsor, to which declaration and evidence I refer the Department -- soon after my husband's decease I think in the Fall of 1834 I drew the arrears of pension due to my husband at the time of his decease and surrendered his pension certificate, the number of which I do not recollect. - nor do I remember the amount of pension which he annually was entitled to receive -

She further declares that she was married to the said Waldo Cheney in the fall of the year I think of 1777 - that her husband the aforesaid Waldo Cheney died on the 31st day of July AD 1834 - That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above
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stated - the day & month I cannot recollect -

[her X mark]
[signature: Priscilla Cheney]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written - having subscribed the above by making her mark

Before me Saml. W. Porter assistant Justice
of Windsor County Court
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I Jerusha Gilbert of Cavendish in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged sixty eight years do testify and say that Priscilla Cheney of Weathersfield in said County and State aforesaid, the widow of Waldo Cheney late of sd [said] Weathersfield deceased, is my sister. Said Waldo at the time of his decease which was the 31st July 1834 was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, my sisters maiden name was Priscilla Bowen. She was married to said Waldo at the dwelling house of her Father Silas Bowen who at the time lived in the West Parish of Brookfield Mass, by the Revd. Ephraim Ward, the Presbyterian pastor over the Church in said Parish-- I was present and saw them married which took place in the year 1777 or 1778, but which year I do not distinctly remember, and I think it was in the fall of the year -- not long after their marriage they moved to Putney Vermont where they lived a few years & from thence they moved to Cavendish aforesaid and since up to the period of said Waldo's death he resided in Reading Baltimore & Weathersfield - in which latter town Waldo died - & since his decease said Priscilla has resided in sd. [said] Weathersfield & has not been again married but still remains his widow. I further say that during the last forty years I have resided within about six miles of my sister and during the period aforesaid our families have visited each other more or less every year and further I say not 

[signature: Jerusha Gilbert]


State of Vermont }
Windsor County ss } At Springfield in said County aforesaid personally appeared before me on the
4th day of August AD 1838, Jerusha Gilbert, to me known as a credible witness, and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

[signature: Sam W. Porter Assistant Justice of Windsor County Court]
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State of Vermont }
Windsor County } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Samuel W. Porter is a Judge of Windsor County Court duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures to the foregoing two papers are genuine -

[seal]

Given under my hand & the seal of said County Court the 27th November 1838.
[signature: Benj Swan Clerk]
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I, Seth W. Field, Clerk of the Town of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts hereby certify that the following is a transcript from the Records of said Town Viz-

Published, Waldo Cheney & Priscilla Bowen both of this Town August twelfth One thousand seven hundred & Seventy Eight And I certify that this is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on record in fair legible figures as follows Augt. 12, 1778 -

I, Seth W. Field above named depose and say, that I hold  the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me - -

And I further certify that owing to the deranged State of the Town Records, in consequence of a part being destroyed or lost, I have not been able to find the Record of Marriage of the above named Waldo Cheney & Priscilla Bowen
[signature: Seth W. Field] } Clerk of the Town of Brookfield for the year 1838-

Worcester ss. Novr. 6th 1838 personally appear Seth W. Field above named & made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him signed. Before me [illegible] Jus. Peace


I Allen Newell Clerk of the first Congregational Church in Brookfield, in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts hereby certify, that the following is a transcript from the Records of said Church, viz. Married by me Ephraim Ward Waldo Cheney to Priscilla Bowen September third one thousand seven hundred and Seventy eight -----

And I certify that this is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on record in fair legible figures as follows, Sept. 3, 1778-

I Allen Newell above named depose and say: that I hold the office of Clerk in the Church aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Church, with the exception above named as certified by me 

[signature: Allen Newell Cler.]

Worcester ss. Novr 6th 1838 Then personally appeared Allen Newell above named & made oath to the truth of the facts set forth in the above certificate by him subscribed before me [signature: [illegible] Jus. Peace]
Page 13

Waldo Cheney
Vermont

Admitted
1 year Sergt 60.00
8 mo Corp. 29.33
$89.33

Hon H Hubbard
Hos of Reps
Page 14

Brief in the case of Waldo Cheney of Weathersfield by, of Windsor in the state of Vermont.
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a court or a judge? Court
2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?3. 
3. How old is he? 83
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period: In 1775, 1776
Duration of service:  1 year, 8 months.
Rank: Corporal, Sergeant
Names of general and field officers under whom he served:
 As Corporal, under Capt. Manning, Col. Grovesnor
As Sergeant, under Genl Putnam, Capt Cutler, Col. Ward
Continental [illegible], Connecticut line.
5. In what battles was he engaged:  White Plains
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Woodstock, Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect? Correct
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Jas S Willing, Examining Clerk
Page 15

Rev WIDOW &c
File No. 20854
Priscilla Cheney
widow of
Waldo Cheney
Corp, Rev War
Act: July 7, 1838
Index: Vol A, Page 132
[arrangement of 1870]
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5352
Let. sent to W. Rother
26th July '39
Hon H. Hubbard, 11 Dec. '39

Act 7 July '38
Page 17

Priscilla Cheney

Hon. H. Hale
H R
Page 18

I certify that Priscilla Cheney at the time she made oath to her declaration, before me, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled "an act grating half pay and pensions to certain widows", was confined to her bed and in the opinion of the undersigned, unable to attend court.  Given under my hand at Springfield in the county of Windsor, this 1st day of Sept. 1839
.Sam. W. Porter, late assist. Justice of Windsor County Court
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5302
Priscilla Cheney
Wid of Waldo
Vt.
Act July 7, 1838
married '78
died 1834

Allow 8 mo. corporal
$29.33 per annum

Hon H. Hubbard
U S S
Page 20

Hon. J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 21



Springfield, Vermont  1839

Hon J L Edwards

Sir,
Herewith you have the declarations and witnesses of the following named widow made before me, in order to obtain pensions,
Lydia Chapin
Sarah Glinney
Anna Fillous
Lydia Leland
Chloe Robinson
Sarah Bennett
Priscilla Cheney
Prudence Kirk
Polly Chase
Deantha Haskell

Yours respy,
Saml W. Porter
Page 22

Vt. 
Add proof
Priscilla Cheney

Salmon F. Dutton
Cavendish, Vt.
Nov 20
Page 23

I Isaac Gilbert of Cavendish in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged Seventy years do depose and say that I became acquainted with Waldo Cheney late of Weathersfield deceased about fifty years ago - we married sisters and I have often from the time of our first acquaintance and prior to the year 1818 as well as since heard him say that he was in the Revolutionary service. He often related anecdotes that occurred while he was in the revolutionary service but I am not able to repeat them-- He spoke of his being a sergeant and of being out upon service - for the last 45 years I have resided in Cavendish and said Cheney during this period to the time [duplicated: to the time] of his death which was about four years since resided in Cavendish Reading Baltimore Weathersfield and Springfield in this State and at no time more than six miles distant from my place of residence - I recollect a few years since [extra word?: of] his receiving a letter from John Murray (who at the time I believe resided in Cleaveland [Cleveland] Ohio) requesting his affidavit of said Murray's Service in the revolutionary war - he did not give it however because as he told me that he (Murray) belonged to another Regiment from the one he served in, but that Daniel Bowen of Reading was in his? Murray's Regiment & [illegible] was probably knowing to his service. Said Cheney was a revolutionary pensioner at the time of his decease and his widow Priscilla is now living & resides at this time in sd. Weathersfield, but lately resided in sd. Springfield, - and further this deponent saith not --

[signature: Isaac Gilbert]


Sworn to and subscribed this 1st day of November, 1839,
Before me Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of Probate for the district of Windsor, Vt.
Page 24

I Benjamin Page of Weathersfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont of lawful age, being sixty six years old, do depose and say that I became acquainted with Waldo Cheney late of Weathersfield deceased forty years ago and from that time for the period of two years immediately succeeding I boarded in his family and ever since till the time of his death which took place four years ago last July, I have been a near neighbor to him & until 5 or 6 years past we lived within one mile of each other -- I have often heard him say prior to & since 1818 that he was in the Revolutionary service - have heard him relate anecdotes of occurrences which happened while he was in the service - of being out upon scout among the Cow Boys - that he was in a skirmish with the enemy, but the place I do not recollect, in which his orderly sergeant was killed [^or wounded] & that he was soon after appointed a Sergeant & served as such until he was discharged and on his way home from the army after his discharge his knapsack was stolen  and he lost his discharge, papers and all his clothes except what he had on his back-- I do not recollect the names of any of the officers under whom he served or the years in which he served altho I have often heard him mention the names of officers with? whom he served. He repeatedly told me that he served twenty months - He was a Revolutionary pension at the time of his decease and his widow Priscilla Cheney is now living and resides in Weathersfield in this County -
[signature: Benjamin Page]

The words "or wounded" interlined before signing 
Attest Thomas F. Hammond, Judge.

Sworn to and subscribed this 1st day of November, 1839 before me,
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of Probate
for the district of Windsor, Vt
Page 25

State of Vermont }
District of Windsor, ss. } I, Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of Probate for said district, hereby certify, that Isaac Gilbert and Benjamin Page, who have severally sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavits, are persons of truth and veracity, and that the statements by them respectively made, are entitled to full credit and belief.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of Nov. 1839. Thomas F. Hammond, Judge


State of Vermont }
District of Windsor ss. } Probate Registry for the District aforesaid

I Salmon F. Dutton. Register of the Probate Court for the District of Windsor aforesaid hereby certify that Thomas F. Hammond, before whom the foregoing Affidavits of Isaac Gilbert and Benjamin Page were severally sworn to and subscribed, is Judge of the Probate Court aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record, and that the signature annexed to the respective certificates of the oath as well as to the certificate of the credibility of the said affiants, purporting to be the signature of him the said Thomas F. Hammond, is his own proper and genuine signature.

[seal] 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Probate Court and subscribed my name at Cavendish in said District, this twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
[signature: Salmon F. Dutton, Register.]
Page 26

Comptrollers Office

Cleaveland [Cleveland] Sept 24th 1823

Sir - It is at the request of an old friend of yours and your families that I address this letter to you, or either of you - Mr John Murray who in his younger days says he was intimately acquainted with Mr Cheney and wife, and likewise with Mr Daniel Bowen, and at this time solicits their aid and assistance, to enable him to obtain his right. He states that he was in the revolutionary War in the year 1776, and that you are knowing to the same, which service he is unable to prove, on account of death, removals &c., & any other than by some of your assistance. It is his request that Mr Cheney, and Mr Bowen, or Mrs Cheney, either two of the three would befriend him so far as to make affidavit before some Magistrate that they were knowing to his going into the service and serving as above, and when the Justice has taken the Deposition, it will be necessary that the Clerk of the County Court should make his certificate that the Justice who took the deposition, was a Justice at the time of doing the business, all this is necessary to enable Mr Murray to obtain his pension-

Mr Murray has been an unfortunate man, and is reduced on account of his tender feelings towards other people, not by any bad conduct of his own, for he is esteemed a very worthy man, and is broke down with old age and  infirmities, and stands in need of the bounty of his Country which your assistance may enable him to obtain
Page 27

Comptrollers Office

I hope therefore you will befriend your old friend, so far as to comply with his request without delay, in so doing you will serve the cause of humanity, and be the means of administering comfort and consolation to one of your youthfull [youthful] companions who is in need- Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you -

I would inform you that Mr Sherwin and myself enjoy as good health as we can expect, at our time of life, and hope a kind providence has preserved you, and yours in health, we are well provided with the comforts of life.

I would again solicit your attention to the case of Mr Murray, hoping you will not neglect an opportunity of doing so much good to your old friend, who is so worthy of your assistance, and forward the deposition to me enclosed in a letter, directed to Cleavland [Cleveland] in the County Cuyahoga, State of Ohio -

Pleas [please?] to accept of our good wishes for your health and prosperity. I am with respect your old friend and humble servant
[Signature: Ahimaaz Sherwin]


Mr. Waldo Cheney or
Daniel Bowen
Mr. Murray sends his kindest regard to you all, hoping you will aid and assist him agreeable to his request
Page 28

Comptrollers Office

Hartford Oct 21 1839

I certify that an application for evidence of the services of Waldo Cheney in the Revolutionary War 8 mo [mos] as corporal under Capt Manning in 1775 and 12 months part of the time as Sergeant under Cap Cutler in Col Wards Regiment in 1776- that I have examined the Books & papers remaining in this office and find on a Pay Roll of the 7th Company 3rd Regiment raised by order of Gen Assembly Court 1775. Cap. Eph Manning the name of Waldo Cheney commenced pension as corporal May 11, Time of discharge Dec 14 having served 7 mos 3 days 

That no Pay Roll of Cap Cutler can be found in this Office - That on Pay Table Book is the following a/c

Cap Benoni Cutler / Col. Wards Regt Dr.
1776 July 2 To Order on Tres in a/c his Company [pound symbol] 172.0.0
[signed] Henry [illegible] [illegible]
Page 29

Priscilla Cheney
5352

Priscilla Cheney
Vt?

Act 7 July 38
M 78. d 34


S. W. Porter
Springfield
Vt.