Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,352, for Joseph Kies, New Hampshire
Page 1

SERVICE
Green Mt. Boys
N. H.
Kies or Kee, Joseph
Mary
NUMBER
W.20.352
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

State of New Hampshire
Cornish Sullivan County ss.
September 15th 1838
Joseph Kee and Mary Nicholds both of Plainfield
were joined in marriage. pr J. Wellman Minister of the Gospel.
Attest John T. Freeman Town Clerk
And I do certify that it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "Joseph Kee and Mary Nicholds both of Plainfield were joined in Marriage August 30th 1773"
I John T. Freeman above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Cornish with the exception above named as certified by me.
[signature] John T. Freeman Town Clerk of said Cornish
Subscribed and sworn to before me
[signature] Orlando Powers Justice of the Peace
Page 3

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss.
I, T. W. Gilmore Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that Orlando Powers is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and that his signature herewith is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of the Court this 21st day of September A. D. 1838.
[signature] T. W. Gilmore Clerk
Page 4

Albany 3356
Mary Kies widow of Joseph Kies who was a Pensioner under the Act of Jun 1832 who died on the 20 August 1834 of Cayuga Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Seely of the regt commanded by Col. Warner in the N. H. line for 15 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 50 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 21 August 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of June 1840 and sent to R. Day Moravia, N. York
Arrears to the 4th of March '40 276.94
Semi-annual allowance endng 4 Sepr. 25.00
[total] $301.94
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book C. Vol 1. Page 120
Page 5

3697
New York
Joseph Kies or Kee
of Sempronius in the Sate of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Seely of the Regt. commanded by Col. Warner in the [New Jersey - crossed out] line for 15 months
Green Mt Boys. & N. H.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 50 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Decr. 1832 and sent to Arte. Cady Sempronius
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1832 $75
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Mar '33 25
[total] $100
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 5 Page 105
Page 6

State of New York
County of Cayuga ss.
On this 20th day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Gershom Morse one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas for the County of Cayuga, Joseph Kies, a resident of the town of Sempronius in in the County of Cayuga & State of New York aged Seventy nine 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 provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. That he enlisted and entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That he enlisted in December 1775, under Abner Seely Captain, 1st Lieut. Levi Willard, 2d Lieut Jonathan Seely in the town of New Plainfield, Cheshire County & State of New Hampshire and was in the regiment of rangers commanded by Col Warner of Vermont. That he marched from New Plainfield to otter creek, from there to Lake Champlain, down Lake Champlain to St Johns, then to Laprarie, then to Montreal where he found Col Warner. From thence to three rivers, then to Quebec. He arrived at Quebec about the first part of March 1776 and was Stationed on the plains of Abraham a short time & went from thence to Isle of Orleans. He was on the Isle of Orleans when a fire ship was prepared and sent up the river to Quebec and he saw the fire ship come down the river on fire. The fire ship run on shore & was burnt up. He continued on the Isle of Orleans until the 6th day of May when he was driven off and forced to retreat by the arrival of the British fleet. He retreated to the woods and was on the march three days & nights without any provisions. On the third day we arrived at point Charles, if I recollect aright on the St Lawrence river where he procured some provisions. He continued on the retreat up the river St Lawrence until he arrived at St Johns. From there he went to Chambly. Thence to Crown point. Then to Ticonderoga. He spent the most part of the remainder of the Season
Page 7

Scouting about the County near Ticonderoga. We finally returned home some time in the winter of 1777 having been on duty something over a year, but cannot recollect distinctly how long, but believes it was about one month making thirteen months duty. I volunteered under Capt Russell in New Plainfield Cheshire County & State of New Hampshire and under Col Jonathon Chan of Cornish, County & State aforesaid & was out about a month. Went to Royalton Vermont, but did not arrive until after it was burnt by the Indians. Followed the Indians to Lake Champlain. Mrs Gilbert went to the Indian Camp & procured the release of nine boys which had been taken by the Indians & returned with them. He volunteered in New Plainfield, County and State aforesaid, under Capt Daniel Putnam of Cornish in the fall of 1777 to go to meet Burgoyne & was out about one month before he reached Saratoga. Burgoyne was taken & he returned home making as he verily believes fifteen months of Service & that he has no documentary evidence of Service & has no other proof except the affidavit of James Walker & do not know of any person whose testimony he can procure.
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 any agency.
[signature] X his mark Joseph Kies
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
[signature] Garshom Morse a Judge of Cay Com Pleas
We George Taylor a Clergyman residing in the town of Sempronius and William Alley residing in Sempronius hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Kies who has
Page 8

Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy nine 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.
[signatures] George Taylor, William Alley
Sworn and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
[signature] Garshom Morse a Judge of Cay Com Pleas
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I the said Judge further certifies that it appears to me that George Taylor who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Sempronius and that William Alley who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Sempronius and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signature] Garshom Morse
And I Garshom Morse one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Cayuga being personally acquainted with Joseph Kie the above names applicant for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 do certify that he is from old age and bodily infirmity unable to attend Court.
[signature] Garshom Morse a Judg of Cay Com pleas

State of New York
Cayuga County ss.
I, Michael S. Myers, Clerk of Said County, hereby certify that Garshom Morse Esqr. before whom his preceding affidavits purport to have been taken and the preceding certificate to have been made, was at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common pleas in Said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavits and certificates to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this Twenty third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
[signature] M. S. Myers Clerk
& P. H. Myers Dy Clerk
Page 9

State of New York
Cayuga County ss.
On the 11th day of June 1819 Personally appeared Before me, Eben Smith Esqr. one of the Justices of peace in and for the aforesaid County, James Walker, and being duly sworn Deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Joseph Kee. Was with him when he enlisted into the service of the United States in the Town of New Plainfield, State of New Hampshire in the year 1775 under Capt Seely in a Regiment of the New Hampshire Line. Afterwards Command by Col Warner of Vermont and he served with him in the same company as near as the Deponant recollects about one year was with him in the attack on Quebeck Retreated from that place with the army. And further this Deponant saith not.
[signature]  James Walker
Sworn before me this Eleventh day of June 1819
[signature] Eben Smith Justice peace
Page 10

State of New York 
Cayuga County ss.
I Michael S. Myers Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Ebenezer Smith Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand seal of office this fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
[signature] M. S. Myers Clerk

Deposition of James Walker

No 4,570
Page 11

4996
Mary Kies
Act July 4, 1836
Married 30 Aug 1773
Husb died 20 Aug 1834

Col Warner
Capt. Seeley
N. Hamp or Vermont

Admitted
Private 15 months

R. Day Esqr.
Moravia N. Y.
Page 12

Declaration 
In order to obtain the Benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.

State of New York
Cayuga County ss.
On this 4th day of January 1840 personally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of the County Courts in for the said County, Mary Kies of the Town of Moravia in said County, aged 87 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. That she is the widow of Joseph Kies who was a pensioner of the United States. She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Kies in the Town of Cornish in the State of New Hampshire on 30th day of August 1773 by the Revd J. Wellman, and that her Husband the aforesaid Joseph Kies died on the 20th day of August 1834 and she has remained a widow since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
[signature] X her mark Mary Kies
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before
[signature] E. Smith Judge of Cay Co Courts
And I the said Judge do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Mary Kies, and do fully believe that she cannot from bodily infirmity attend Court.
[signature] E. Smith Judge of Cay Co Courts
New York State
Cayuga County ss.
I certify that E. Smith Esqr was on the 4th day of January 1840 a Judge of the county courts and a Justice of the Peace in & for said County. That I know his hand writing and believe the signature above purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County this 21st day of Feby 1840.
[signature] G Warner Foster Dep clerk
Page 13

State of New York
Cayuga County ss.
On the 14th day of February 1840 personally appeared before me Ebenezer Smith a Justice of the peace in and for said County George W. Kies a resident of Moravia County & State aforesaid, who after being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare and say, that he was well acquainted with Joseph Kies late of Moravia deceased, and was present when he died. That he died on the 20th day of August 1834. And this deponant further says that he is acquainted with Mary his widow of the said Joseph Kies, and that she still remains his widow not having married since the decease of her Husband the said Joseph Kies,
[signature] George W. Kies
Subscribed to and Sworn this 14 day February 1840.
Before me
[signature] E. Smith Justice peace
And I the said justice do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Geo. W. Kies and that he is a person of truth and veracity and his testimony is entitled to credit and belief.
[signature] E. Smith Justice Peace
Page 14

November 27, 1933.
BA-J/ady
Joseph Kies or Kee
W.20352
Miss Etta S. Tarbell
Groton
New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter with further information in regard to the Revolutionary War soldier Joseph Kies.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service of a Joseph Kies, under any spelling of the surname, who it is shown rendered the service stated by you. The record of Joseph Kies or Kee, W.20352, has been found whose wife was Mary, as stated by you. His record is given below as found in the above claim
Joseph Kies or Kee enlisted in New Plainfield, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, in December 1775, served in Captain Abner Seelye's New Hampshire Company and in Colonel Warner's Regiment of Rangers and was in the attack on Quebec; length of service thirteen months. He then enlisted and served about one month in Captain Russell's Company, Colonel Jonathan Chase's New Hampshire Regiment. He enlisted in the fall of 1777 and served about one month in Captain Daniel Putnam's New Hampshire Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832 at which time he was seventy-nine years old and a resident of Sempronius, Cayuga County, New York.
He died in Moravia, August 20, 1834.
Soldier married August 30, 1773 in Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, Mary Nicholds or Nichols. They were both then residents of Plainfield. 
Soldier's widow, Mary, was allowed pension on her application executed January 4, 1840, at which time she was aged eighty-seven years and a resident of Moravia, Cayuga County, New York.

Did not put cont. on the jacket because could not find sol. in this organization after it became cont.
Page 15

In 1840 one George W. Kies was living in Moravia, New York, his age or relationship to soldier not stated. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator

Date of widow's Death not on A.B.

Adj. Genl. of Vt. report for Ctf. returned to writer.
Page 16

4996
Mar. 5, 1840
NY
4 July 1836
Mary Kies wid of Joseph

Moravia N. Y.
28 Feby.

FREE

Col. J. L. Edwards
Comr. Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 17

Mar[illegible] 1840
Col. J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
I send you herewith the Declaration and papers of Mary Kies widow of Joseph Kies late a pensioner of the U. States, asking for a pension.
And am Sir Very Respectfully,
Your Friend &c.
[signature] R. Day

P.S. The pension Certificate of Joseph Kies has been heretofore sent to he pension office to obtain his back pay &c.
R. D.
Page 18

State of New York
Cayuga County ss. 
Roswell Fridman of the Town of Niles in the County aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and Saith that he was well acquainted with Joseph Kee  and Mary Nichols previous to their Marriage and also at the time of their Marriage in One thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy three. That he was married by the name of Joseph Kee and that he after the commencement of the war, was a Soldier and then called and wrote his name Joseph Kies and deponent further Saith that he was well acquainted with said Joseph Kies since his Marriage in One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy three untill his death and knew him to have been a pensioner and a man of good moral character and of truth and veracity. And this deponent further saith that he is at this time and has been well acquainted with Mary his now widow of said Joseph Kies. That she is the same Mary Nichols that was married to said Joseph Kies in One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy three and she has since her marriage called and wrote her name Mary Kies and that she Sustains and ever has a good moral character and entire credit may be given to her statement and further this deponant saith not.
[signature] Roswell Fridman
Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of February 1840.
[signature] Isaac Odell Justice peace

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above names subscriber Roswell Fridman and that he sustains a good moral character and that entire credit may be given to his statement.
Dated at Niles this 4th day of February 1840.
[signature] Isaac Odell Justice Peace
Page 19

New York State,
Cayuga County, ss.
I WILLIAM RICHARDSON, Clerk of said County, certify that Isaac Odell Esq. was, on the 4th day of February 1840, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified: And that I know his hand writing, and believe the signature on the annexed instrument, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County, and set my hand this 21st day of February 1840.
[signature] Geo Warner Foster Dep clerk
Page 20

State of New York
County of Cayuga ss.
On this 7th day of Number 1832 personally appeared before me Jonathan Hussey one of the Justice of the peace for the town of Sempronius County & State aforesaid Daniel Reynolds and made oath in due form of law that he was acquainted with James Walker for a number of years & that he recollects the time when the said Walker was in the town of Sempronius at the time in which his affidavit bears date which he the said James Walker made in favour of Joseph Kies in proof of his claim to a pension and that the said James Walker was always reputed to be a man of truth and veracity and that I should consider his affidavit dated June 11th 1819 in proof for said Joseph Kies as entitled to full credit.
[signature] Daniel Reynolds
Sworn to & Subscribed before me the year aforesaid.
[signature] J. Hussey J. P.

State of New York
Cayuga County 
Clerk's office ss.
I Michael S. Myers Clerk of said county do certify that Jonathan Hussey Esq. by whom the above affidavit purports to have been taken was on the seventh day of December 1832 a Justice of the Peace of said County commissioned & sworn and authorized to take the same; and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his signature to said affidavit to be genuine. Witness my hand & official seal this 7th day of December AD. 1832.
[signature] M. S. Myers
Page 21

I certify that I am personally acquainted with Daniel Reynolds who made the within affidavit and have been acquainted with him for a number of years and that he is reputed as a man of truth and veracity and that his entittled to full credit.
[signature] J. Hussey J. P.
Dated Sempronius December 7th 1832

art
admitted
15 mo priv:
50$
Page 22

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Kies which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [blank]
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [blank]
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? [blank]
V. *Has he mentioned 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? [blank]
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [blank]
VII. Has he made relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [blank]
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [blank]
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [blank]
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? [blank]
Page 23

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? [blank]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]
XIV. + If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank]
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no. The official character of E. Smith is not certified.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [blank]
--- 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] . For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 24

8
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 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
Page 25

Revy 20-352
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20352
Mary Kies widow of Joseph Kies Pri Rev War
Act July 4th 36
Index: Vol. A, Page 413
[Arrangement of 1870.]
N. H.

1933 Nov. 27. War [rest is illegible]
Page 26

[stamp] {illegible]
{stamp} RECEIVED NOV 16 1933 MAIL DUR.DIV.
VETS. ADM. [illegible] 11
Page 27

Groton N. Y.
Nov. 6 1933
Dear Sir:
Can you furnish information concerning Joseph Kies, a revolutionary war soldier. Joseph Kies was buried in a small unkempt cemetery near here, and that his grave may have propper care. I ask for his time of enlistment where he fought (or served) did he draw pension and any information you may give.
James F McKinley refers me to you, as prior records are either incomplete he thought that his application for pension would
Page 28

contain much more desirable information. I know he was in Col. Joseph [illegible] Reg. Vermont Militia. Can you give me any other information.
I thank you in advance
Sincerely
Etta S. Tarbell
(Mrs. R. C.)
Page 29

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
November 14, 1933.
IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/ady
Miss Etta S. Tarbell
Groton
New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to one Joseph Kies, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data given by you are not sufficient to enable this office to make a proper search of the records.
As a means of identifying the particular record in which you are interested, should it be on file, as much as possible of the following data are essential: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Kindly return these letters should you reply.
Very truly yours,
[signature] A. D. Hiller
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

The wifes name was Mary. I'm enclosing all information I have been able to get. Hope this may help.
Sincerely
Ellie S. Tarbell
(Mrs. R.C.)

[stamp] RECEIVED NOV 16 1933 MAIL [ILLEGIBLE]