Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15871, Robert Ashton, New Jersey
Page 1


New Jersey
CONTENTS
Ashton, Robert
Sarah
NUMBER
W. 15871.
Page 2

1634
New York, Albany
Sarah Ashton, deed
Robert Ashton
died on the
Orleans Co in the State of NJ
was a private of the commanded
by Captain Cavalry of the commanded
by NJ in the Revolution
for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00
per annum, to commence on the 4th day
March, 1836. Cady 7 Octr 1839
Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of
April 1854 and sent to
Hon T.T. Flagler
Arrears to the 4th of House of Reps
Semiannual allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 7, 1838.
Weightman
Page 3

Declaration
State of New York
County of Orleans B. On this twenty second day of
May Eighteen Hundred forty eight personally
appeared before me Henry R Curtis a Judge and
Surrogate of said County Cornelius Ashton of
Ridgeway in said County of Orleans aged
fifty
seven years, who being first duly sworn according to
law, doth on his oath makes 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"" and
of all act passed since the passing of the
said act amending the same. That this deponents
Father Robert Ashton was a citizen of Monmouth
County State of New Jersey and was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and the deponent understood from him
that he served nine months in the year
1782 in Capt Waltons Company of Dragoons, that
he also served other short tours of duty but how
long or under what officers the deponent cannot
say. - That he was married to Sarah Cownover
in Monmouth County New Jersey in the year 1785
or 1786, that his Father the said Robert Ashton
died in Shelby in the said County of Orleans in
the month of November
Ashton, the mother of this deponent, a widow,
Page 4

that his mother remained a widow and died on the
Eighteen hundred thirty nine
4th day of October 1839 in the said town of
Shelby, that she was not married after the
death of her said Husband, that neither his
Father or mother ever received
any pension
from the United States - This Declaration is
made to obtain the pension due to the
mother of this deponent at the time of her
death, and which might have been obtained
by her in her lifetime, had she applied for
the same - That this Deponent or applicant
is the only child of the said Sarah Ashton
her surviving
Sworn and Subscribed on the day and
year above written before
me
Cornelius Ashton
Henry R. Curtis

Surrogate & County Judge of
Orleans County N. Y.
The dates of the death interlined, the date
interlined above is Eighteen hundred thirty nine
H. R. Curtis
County Judge
Page 5

State of New York
Orleans County
Caleb Stillwell being duly
Sworn according to Law on his oath says he was well acquainted with Robert Ashton and
Sarah his wife in their life time and with
their family this deponent supposes and thirds
the said Robert and Sarah were married
before the close of the Revolutionary War and
knows that they lived together and had
several children previous to the year
Seventeen Hundred ninety four that they
lived in Monmouth County State of New Jersey
,when deponent first became acquainted
with them in Seventeen Hundred and
ninety seven that deponent Married Nelly
Conover a sister of the said Sarah and
1848 has been well acquainted with the family
since his marriage
That the said Robert
and Sarah Ashton both died in the Town of
Shelby in this County many years past
but the deponent has no means of stating
the date of their decease but thinks the said
Robert has been dead over twenty years
and the said Sarah Seven or eight years
the deponent is Seventy Six years old
Sworn and Subscribed this
12th day of June 1848
Before me and I certify
Caleb Stillwell
the deponent to be &
Credible Witness
John M. Culver Justice of the peace
Page 6

STATE OF NEW YORK,
Orleans County Clerk's Office.
SS.
I certify that John M [Calvin] Esquire,
was at the date of this affidavit of proof, or acknowledgment of the annexed
instrument, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same: that I am well acquainted with his hand writing,
and verily believe that the signature to said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County
at Albion, this 16th day of October
1848
W. Goodrich
Clerk.
Page 7

It  is generally known by those acquainted with
the name of Conover, that it is a
modern corruption of "Covenhoven. The
entry on the Marriage Record stands thus;
-
-
January 21. 1783 Robert Ashton & Sarah Covenhoven
-
Monmouth County State of New Jersey ┃

Robert Ashton & Sarah Covenhoven
I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the
marriage record, with the exception of the date
which is expressed in the record in fair legible

Charactors & figures as follows: January ye 21, 1783.
I Aaron A Marcellus depose & say that I am
pastor of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Freehold, and have the records of said Church in the Township of Marlboro (late Freehold) in the
County of Monmouth & State of N.J. and that the above is a true extract from the records of said church with the exception above named as certified by
A A Marcellus
[                      ]
1849 Thomas I Beadle Justice
Page 8

STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that 
Thomas
J. Bedle Esquire, before whom
the within affidavit was taken,
was, at the time of the doing thereof, a Justice
of the Peace
in and for the county of Monmouth in said
state, duly commissioned and sworn; that full faith and credit
are to be given to his official attestations, and that the signature
thereto is in the proper handwriting of the said
Thomas J Bedle
-
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office at Trenton
in said state, this twenty fifth day of January A.D. one thousand
eight hundred and forty - nine.
-
Charles G. M. Cluskey
of State.
Page 9

Orleans Co. SS. Halsted H. Parker of said
County being duly sworn deposes and says
that he was personally acquainted with Sarah
Ashton the mother of Cornelius Ashton of said
County, that she resided with the said Cornelius
Ashton person, that he made the office in
which she was buried at her death, that the
said Coffin was made on the Seventh day of
October 1839, and that he attended her funeral
at that time

H H Parkers
Sworn & Subscribed before
me this 8th day of August
1849
F. G. Boardman
Justice of the Peace
Page 10

STATE OF NEW YORK, SS.
Orleans County Clerk's Office
I certify that [HH Boardman] Esquire
was at the date of this, Certificate of Proof, of the annexed instrument, a [Dutton of the River] in and for said County, duly
authorized to take the same: that I am well acquainted with his hand writing,
and verily believe that the signature to said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County,
at Albion, this 7 day of August1849
[DHale]
Clerk.
Page 11

'-
Additional proof
in the case of
Cornelius  Ashton
Son of
the
widow of Robert
Ashton
Samuel Lake

Atty
Page 12

State of New York,
Orleans County Clerk's Office, ss. I hereby certify that Amnon Blair Esq
whose name is subscribed to the annexed proof, or jurat was, at
the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County and duly authorized to take the same, and that his term of office
commenced on the First
day of January, 1848, and will
expire on the Thirty-first day of December, 1851. and that
I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his signature
subscribed to the same is genuine.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and impressed my Official Seal this
Twenty first day of July A.D. 1849
Dan.H. Cole, Clerk
EY Strong Depi Clerk
Page 13

67
1849

State of New York
Orleans County

Caleb Stilwell being duly
Sworn said that he now is in the town ┃
Shelly County of Orleans and State of New York that he is now Seventy Seven years old last January that he was born in the town of
Middletown Monmouth County N.J. and [    ] more than nineteen or twenty years I first become acquainted with Robert Ashton at the last mention place about the year ninety seven
I [    ] here of the said Robert Ashton before the
last mention time and that he was in the army of the United States he was married to Sarah 
Covenhoven a short time before the close of the war as I understood, some time about the
year ninety eight I became intimately acquainted with Robert Ashton his wife and family at this time they had three children Jane Hulda and Cornelius since which time the two Jane and Hulda have died I know ever since her acquainted with the family Cornelius Ashton has always line in the family of Robert Ashton until his death and was reputed to be his son which I have no doubt of I never knew or heard of any other Robert Ashton
Subscribed and
Sworn before me
this 19 day of July 1849
Annon Blair
Justice of the Peace
Cold Stall
Page 14

Robt Ashton
N.
Clerk
Filed in
[Per Ceff]
Suspended
[A. B. True]
Agent in this
Case
No. 22, 1853
Appl. of
Sarah Ashton
widow of

Robert
[Orleans or
W.B
A or B8
L. B. True
[Present]
Page 15

State of New York
Orleans County SS
Cornelias Aghton being
duly sworn before so D W Cole a
justice of the Peace in and for said
deposes and says that he is the any
surviving child of Robert Ashton and Sarah
Ashton. That he was born in the town of
Cranbury Middlesex County New Jersey
on the third day of February 1791. That he
continued to live with his father till his
death which occurred on the 27th day of November1825. That his father moved from the State of New Jersey to Florida in Montgomery County NJ. in the month of November 1802 and that he removed from this place to Orleans County (then [Gerence] County [ever] town of Ridgeway in 1812, and continue to reside at the last mentioned place till his death
Subscribed and sworn
before me this 12th day
of November A.D. 1853
D. A. Cole Justice
of the Peace
Cornelius Ashton
Page 16



STATE OF NEW YORK,
ORLEANS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
I hereby Certify that D. W. Cole Esq.,
before whom the annexed instrument was proved or acknowledged, was at the date of same
[a justice of the peace]
in and for said
County, duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted
with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature
subscribed to said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed
my Official Seal, at Albion, this 16 day of Nov
1853
D. H. Cole Clerk
Page 17

Rev
No.
WIDOW, & c.
File No. 15871
Sarah Ashton
Widow of
Robert Ashton
Pri Rev War
---
Act July 7th 38
Index: Vol. A Page 20
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

L. B. True
D I [said]
you a Bond- that [leas]
the name original of
Robt Ashton - I fear
he may be unable to get more-
[Place]
Page 19

Why the agent should be unwilling to comply
with the requirement of this office to furnish
an autograph of Robert Ashton from
his private papers, I cannot understand, unless
he fears that it would discredit the ajourned
identity - S.G.D.
Page 20

Power of Attorney by
Cornelius Ashton
to
Peter Sake
 of Yates
[



]
Hon
L.L. Flaglor
N. R.
Page 21

POWER OF ATTORNEY.

Know all men by these presents that I Comelius Aston (son of Robert Ashton) of the 
town of Ridgeway, County of Orleans, and
State of New York have made, constituted, and appointed, and BY THESE PRESENTS do make, constitute and appoint Peter Saxe of Yates County & State afore said my lawful attorney for me and in my name, place, and stead to apply for & receive from the Commissioner of Pensions - at Washington D.C.
any pension certificate, that may
be issued to me as the only surviving child of Robert Ashton of Shelby, Orleans Co N. Y. (now deceased ) on account of the Military services
of my late father Robert Ashton - also authorizing my said attorney to apply for & receive the money from the Pension Agency in & after a certificate is issued - I hereby revoke a letter of attorney which I gave in this case. to L. B. True & Peter Saxe giving and granting unto him my said attorney, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes, as I might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney or his
substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 21st
day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four
SEALED AND DELIVERED IN 
PRESENCE OF
[BH Hilbert]
Cornelius Ashton
D. A Chesebrough
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF NEW YORK,
County of Orleans SS.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the 21st day
of March one thousand eight hundred and
fifty four before me, personally appeared, Cornelius Ashton above named who is to me known to be the person described
in, and who executed the above Letter of Attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my
name, the day and year last above written.
Barach H Gilbert Justice of
the Peace
Page 22

STATE OF NEW YORK,
ORLEANS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
I hereby Certify that Barach H Gilbert Esq.
before whom the annexed instrument was proved or acknowledged, was at the date of the same Justice of the Peace in and for said
County, duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe that his signature subscribed
to said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed
my Official Seal, at Albion, this 23 day of March 1854
Dan H Cole Clerk
Page 23

13876
Cornelius Ashton
Claim for
pension due his
Mother Sarah Ashton
Samuel Lake Atty
Buffalo NY
.(A)
8
Robert Ashton 8 mos
days as Pvt . of Capt
Wattin [illegible] NJ

See the name of Robt
Ashton or Capt Jno
Watton's Roll in Book
March18th J Ryl 1780
In the back 2 N book
Page 24

State of New York
Niagara County ss. Polly Randolph
being duly sworn according to law on her
oath says that she was born in the
County of Monmouth New Jersey and was well

acquainted with Robert Ashton &
Sarah Cownover before and after their marriage, that they were married in the said County about the year seventeen hundred eighty seven that she well recollects the time, but she was not present at the marriage, and
therefore the testifies to that fact from the common report and understanding at the time - The deponent now resides in Somerset in the County of Niagara and is eighty eight years of age, she has been personally and well acquaint
ed with the family, and knows that the said Robert Ashton and Sarah lived together and Sustained the relations of Husband and wife until the time of his death, and had several children all of whom she believes are dead
except Cornelius Ashton who now resides in Ridgeway in the County of Orleans in this state
Sworn and Subscribed
this 8th day of June
1848 and certify the witness to be a
credible witness
Lorenzo Thayer J.P. 

Polly Randolph
mark
[Winney]
Page 25

Niagara County
Clerks Office 
I hereby certify that Lorenge
Thayer was a Justice of the Peace at the time
of taking the foregoing affidavit and duly qualified by law to take such affidavit & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe the signature to said Certificate is his genuine official signature
Witness my hand & seal of
Office the 9th day of June 1848
John [Van]
Home Clerk
Page 26

State of New York
Orleans County B. Christopher Whaley being duly sworn according to law, on his oath says, he was well acquainted with Robert Ashton in his lifetime  and with his family, that the said Robert Ashton died in the town of Shelby in said County twenty years past or more the date of the death he has no means of ascertaining with certainty leaving Sarah Ashton his widow, that the said Sarah Ashton died in said Town of Shelby on the fourth day f October in the year 1839 (Eighteen hundred thirty nine.-
The Deponent was the attending family
physician and testified to the death of the said Sarah Ashton from his recollection and knowledge of the fact, and having reference
to his books of account kept at the time
The Deponent has been acquainted with the
family many years, and he believes Cornelius
Ashton of Ridgeway in this County to be the
only child of the family now living
Sworn and subscribed the
12th day of June 1848
Before me-

[Geo. Chorthrof]
Justice of the Peace
I certify that the Deponent is a practising
Physician and Surgeon of good reputation
and that his deposition is entitled to full
credit and belief. 
Justice of the Peace
[Geo. Chorthrof]
C. Whaley
Page 27

STATE OF NEW YORK,
Orleans County Clerk's Office

I Certify that [G C Northrop] Esquire
was at the date of this affidavit of Proof, or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly
authorized to take the same: that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the signature to said Certificate is genuine
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County
at Albion, this 16 day of October
H Goodrich
Clerk.
Page 28

State of New York
County of Orleans. I Henry R Curtis Surrogate
of said County do hereby certify that at a Surrogate Court held in and for said County on the 17th day of October 1848 it was proved
by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to
the said Court viz from an examination of
Cornelius Ashton and the affidavit of Doctor
Christopher Whaley & Caleb Stillwell hereto
annexed. that Sarah Ashton late of the Town
Shelby in said County, died on the fourth day of October Eighteen hundred thirty nine, that at the time of her death she left no husband
her surviving but left Comelius Ashton her only surviving child that he is her only surviving child & is over twenty one years of age.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed the Seal of the said
Court this 17th day of October
1848
Henry R. Curtis
Surrogate
Page 29

Buffalo January 31 1849
To Commissioner of Pensions
Please acknowledge the receipt of
these papers as they will probably remain for
some time on file before a decision can be
had. In due time please advise me of the decision. It appears, the parties were married earlier than the son supposed, but not having any family record it is not surprising that he should not know the precise date; nor is it singular that an illiterate man should not know that originally his mothers name was spelled different from what the same families now spell it, Mary Names of the Dutch have undergone several changes within the last hundred years-
Respectfully Yours
Samuel Lake
Buffalo January 31 1849

Note I feel ashamed of these papers, they were written in great hurry, and the attachment by the Surrogate was done in my absence [bringingly]
Page 30

[


]
Department of State
Trenton N.J. Aug 2 49
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 17th
[selt]. I have to inform you that I have
no original paper or return of the names
of Capt John Walton's Co. of dragoons
stationed at Freehold, N.J. on file in this office, therefore I cannot make a Certificate. I have a private list of said Company on which is the name Robert Ashton, age 19. Abode Freehold
entered the Co. March 4 1782, these facts
are on file at the pension office attached to the papers of Mrs Margaret Walton widow of Capt John Walton Thomas Ashton belonged to the same Company
The person to whom the Certificates of
pay for militia or State service in Monmouth
Co, was given was without doubt for the service of Robert Ashton performed in Capt Waltons Company, to whom you refer. Thomas Ashton received the same amount in one [Cert]
that Robert received in two viz [26.14.4]
Although Thomas Ashton joined the Co.
Page 31

according to my list on the 4th Feb 82
one month earlier than Robert
I [    ] returned  the two dollars
you [    ]  to me
Very respectfully
[Trotter]
Charles G M Chesney

I have been very sick for more
the two months which will
[act] for apparent delay

Samuel Lake Esq
Page 32

Springville One Co. N.Y.
J.L. Edwards Esq
Aug. 30, 1849
Com of Pensions
Sir, I herewith enclose affidavit of death of widow, and also Letter from Charles McChesney Esq. Stating the service, the reasons why he cannot give  an Official certificate, and referring to the records of the Company in which Robert
Ashton served on file in the Department All of which I hope will be satisfactory and that after so long delay, the claim will be allowed. I cannot 
perceive how stronger testimony can be made without a resurrection of the old Captain himself
Respectfully Yours
Samuel Lake
Page 33


1832
JEHeath Esq
Buffalo March 29th
Comof Pensions
Sir. The last letter in retain to the claim
of the Heir of Sarah Widow of Robert Ashton
a Rev Soldier is dated Oct 31 1849.
I think a little should be conceded treasonable
presumption, as circumstantial proof to the point producing conviction upon the mind is more reliable them [position] for circumstances court commit perjury. The son stated the service from the relations of his Father the name of his mother marriage & their residence. Record proof shows him to be correct (except date of marriage) and to the service having been performed, except it does not State in Capt. Walton Co. Robert Ashton
of Monmouth Co. was allowed $26-14-54
for service soon after the war pay for a private a year or more, no witness has or can be found to prove that Robert Ashton served in Capt. Walton Co. & was allowed the and above for the services, Witnesses are dead
dead - If then was another Robert Ashton
without an affix of [Jnr] or 2 his name on the Rolls or who had been allowed a pension for similar service from Monmouth County
Page 34

There would appear a necessity of more specific
proof. There is no Robert Ashton on the
pension Rolls nor has been from Monmouth
Co NJ [until] recently placed upon it, and think  this claim should be allowed Will you have the [goodup] to review the testimony and give me the result of  the investigation-The Widow of Capt. Walton of N.J. made application for a pension and same informed that some Records were [formitted] by her as proof and may give the name of Robert Ashton Will you please to refer to her all papers & the proofs and advise me if the name is reported to
Respectfully Yours
Samuel Lake
Page 35

Proof of Service
and Marriage
Page 36

Receipts for cash paid    year's interest on Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.

No. of
Voucher.

No. of
Certif.
268
269

Date.
May 1. 1784
"
SIGNED BY.
Thos Henderson
D

PAYABLE TO.
Robert Ashton
Do

Amount.
£
3. 10.00
23.4.4.

1 y's int.

STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of
New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract
from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared
with the original, now remaining in my office.--And I do
further certify, that Thos Henderson
was,
by an Act passed by the Legislature of this State, December
20, 1783, entitled ""An Act to procure an estimate of the sums
due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the
defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the
settlement of the same appointed a Commissioner for the
County of Monmouth
for the
purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and
Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering
out to each and every person a note for the payment of
what may be justly due.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at
Trenton, in said State, this fourth
day of August
A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty - eight.
Charles G. M. Chesney
Secretary of State.
Page 37

Sarah Ashton Wid Robert Case supended wanting proof of [identity] with the soldiers
if the same name on the Mass. Rolls

Wid died 4 Oct 1839
Dec 22 May 1848
New Jersey Certif. 14 August 1848

The has served 9 months in  1782 in Capt Waltons Co. Dragoons
that he served other short tours
but under what officers or how long can't say

Was married to Sarah Cronover in Monmouth Co NJ in 1785 or 6 (Jan 21/85

Robert Ashton Died in Shelby
Co. of Orleans N.Y. Nov 1825
leaving Sarah Ashton Wid
Wid died 4 Oct 1839
in Shelby County of Orleans NY
He never was pensioned-

Certificate of Court, that Corneling
Ashton is the only surviving son
& Certificate, as to date of death of
Wid, and that she died a wid

[        ] that said Robt & Sarah were Married
fore close of Rev and wife lived together as husband & wife
Page 38

For wanting proof of identity with the 
soldier of  Capt Walkins
dragoons bearing his name

12 June 1848 Caleb Stillwell
Orleans Co. N.Y 19 day July 1849

Henry R. Curtis Surrogate Orleans Co
Date 19 day July 1848

[E.H.] Whaley Orleans NY  June 12/48

Lorenz Thayer Niagara NY

H. H. Parkers Orleans Co Oct 7 1839

Wrote Saxe in this case, requiring him to get
a certain signed and returned as speedily as possible where we would enclose another to be signed by the only son - meaning the power to draw pay
Oct 31/53
Page 39

Sarah Ashton (dec)
[     ] of Robert
David of Robert
Power of Attorney
by
Cornelious Ashton
---
filed Oct. 21
S. B. True,
Agent in this
Case
Page 40

Know all men by these presents;
That I Cornelius Ashton of the County of Orleans and State of New York for and in consideration of do hereby make, constitute & appoint L. Blanchard True of Washington City D.C. & Peter Saxe of Yates [ArlsC. N. York
my true & lawful attorney for me and in my
name to examine all papers filed in any Department or office of Government upon which a Pension is due on account of the Revolutionary services of Robert Ashton & to obtain; by all lawful means any & all
amounts that may be due from the United States to said Robert Ashton by virtue of said service as a private in the Company of Light Horse of Capt Walton in the Regiment of & in the line of the forces of the State of New Jersey
And for good & sufficient reasons I do hereby
Revoke & Cancel, any & all other powers of Attorney & authority which I may at any former time have given to any person or persons for the above specified purposes & I
do hereby vest the same irrevocably in my said Attorney  herein appointed - said L Blanchard True & Peterson 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 4th day of October in the year A D 1853
In presence of
And
[    ]Gowen
D W. Cole
Cornelius Ashton
Page 41

State of New York ⎬ SS
County of Orleans
On this 4th day of October in the year AD 1853
personally appeared before me
D W Cole
a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer oaths & take acknowledgments in & for the County aforesaid Cornelius
Ashton of Ridgeway Orls. Co. N.Y. subscribed to the within acknowledged the within Power of Attorney to be his free act & deed for the purposes therein mentioned: & made oath in due form of law, that he is surviving heir
personally interested as the sole & in said claim
and I further certify that he is personally known
to me to be the identical individual represented
J. W. Cole
Justice of the Peace
Page 42

and I further certify that he [and] personally
known to me to be the identical individual represented
STATE OF NEW YORK
ORLEANS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, SS.
I hereby Certify that D W Cole, Esq
before whom the annexed instrument was proved or acknowledged, was at the date of same a Justice of the peace,  in and for said County duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature subscribed to said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed
my Official Seal, at Albion, this 27 day of Oct
1853
Dan H. Cole Clerk
Page 43

Robert Ashton
Bond for 606.00
Page 44

Know all men by these Presents that I Robert Ashton of the town of Florida in the County of Montgomery and State of New York and holden and firmly bound unto John Van Derveer of the same place in the just and full sum of Eight hundred and twelve Dollars to be paid unto the said Van Derveer his heirs Executors Administrators or assigns to the which pament well and truly to be the maid I do bind my self my Heirs Executors Administrators and every of them firmly by these presents Sealed with my seal dated the sixteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirteen
The Condition of the Above Obligation is such that if the above bounden Robert Ashton his Heirs, Executors Administrators or any of them shall and do well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said John Van Derveer his
heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns the full sum of Four hundred and six Dollars and that on the sixteenth day of March in the year One thousand eight hundred and fourteen with Lawfull Interest yearly from the Date first above written and that without fraud or
further delay then the above obligation to be void and of none effect or else to abide and remain in full force and virtue
Signed Sealed and
Delivered in presents of us
Robert Ashton
Cornelius Van Derveer

Cornelius Ashton
Page 45

State of New York
S.S.
County of Orleans

Personally
appeared before me Darius W. Cole a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid - Daniel [Servofs]- and Christopher [Servofs] both of Orleans County & State aforesaid and being duly sworn according to law depose & say- that they were personally acquainted with
Robert Ashton, deceased, who died on on or about the day of November AD. 1825, in Shelby, Orleans County State of New York & that his widow died in said County October 4th
1839 on or about that we were personally acquainted with the said Robert Ashton from  about AD 1802 till the time of his death-- we knew him to be a man of undoubted truth & veracity & won the respect and esteem of all who knew him- He was regarded as a Revolutionary soldier by the community in which he lived, and by all acquainted with him-- and was so respected on all occasions- Public & private- and especially on the 4th of July that a multitude might be brought if need be to testify to the same things so general was the belief in the Town & community by all who knew him-- & that the said Robert often spoke during his life time of his
Page 46

military services in the New Jersey
Line in the war of the Revolution-
[Medica]N.Y. Nov 12th AD 1853

Christopher

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year above written & I further certify that the above written Deponents are men of high character for truth & veracity, & that their deposition is entitled to the fullest possible credit-
D. W. Cole
Justice of
the Peace
The words "or about" and "Time"
[intorstined] before signing is the
deponent could not [  ]  as to the
present day. D.W. Cole, [   ]

STATE OF NEW YORK,
ORLEANS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, SS. I hereby Certify that D W. Cole Esq.
before whom the annexed instrument was proved or acknowledged, was at the date of same a justice of the peacein and for said
County, duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature subscribed to said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed
my Official Seal, at Albion, this [8]day of Nov
1853
D Cole Clerk
Page 47

[W] Ashton
Certificate
from New Jersey

[   ] to Thomas [T] Flagler

LB True
Page 48


Kenton Jan. 3d 1854
Dear Sir
Your favor of Dec 29. was handed me by [Doct]
McChesney late Sec of State The payment therein refers to of which a certificate was made was taken from a record with payments made by the then Treasurer, and is all in his own hand writing, the Original vouchers never came into this Office, we have therefore no means of obtaining a fee simile of his [   ]

Yours respectfully
[Tho] S. Allison
Sec of State

L. B. [Lively]
Page 49

Enclosed
Certificate
from
N. Jersey
Page 50

Washington
[June] 13/59
Judge Walde
Gov Pensions
Sir
In the case of Sarah Ashton Widow Robert [do] for Rev. [Pea] under act July 1836  I herewith enclose an Official note from the [Comptroller] N. Jersey that no facsimile could be had from that office of the hand writing of Robert Aston
who originated from the same County of N. Jersey in and from which he is abundantly [proven] to have entered the Rev. Army and to have served as well as to have originated 
I am respectfully Yours [  ]
L.B. True
Page 51

Washington D.C.
[Jany] 19/54
Hon
Judge Waldo
commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
In the Claim of Sarah Ashton Wid. of Robert Ashton of N.Y. the Last Report from your office states that proof of Identity is [wanting], that he is the same Robert Ashton who served
in the New Jersey Draggoons, that it is singular if he was that person no one should have remembered to have heard him describe
the character of his services also is there no one who can testify whether he had a relative who served with him
As to Identity with the Robert Ashton who served in the New Jersey Draggoons, that was the identical service declared for before it was known that the Records ofNew Jersey Show a Robert Ashton
Page 52

coming from precisely the same Town County & State that he originated from & was, a Draggoon under the same officers & for the same specified time that he was declared to
have served-- this is all matter of Record from New Jersey filed in the case
Further as to Identity, the man who married sisters with him in the same State, County & place who knew him from his earliest recollections both in Monmouth Co New Jersey & Orleans, New York in which Counties he originated & died testifies that none other of the same name was ever known to him before, & that he was ever known & regarded
as the Revolutionary Soldier of that name, that he resided in New Jersey until 19 years of age & thence until the present in the same State
& County with Robert Ashton, that he was so regarded as a Revolutionary Soldier both in New Jersey & New York & that even before he knew him he was heard to be regarded as such 
Polly Randolph, who if living must
be 94 years of age, testifies that she
Page 53

was born in Monmouth Co New Jersey
& knew them well & intimately even before
their marriage & afterwards in New York
till his death most conclusively testifies
to his Identity
other Witnesses testify in the lease who are certified to as of High Character, that he was ever known & regarded, on all occasion public & private as a Draggoon of N.J. line & all these witnesses in the lease were not only of high character but of great age and knew him as the only man of his name, & that he was ever regarded as a Revolutionary Soldier of the same State & in the same manner as the Rolls prove he did serve so much for Identity
As to the question, 'is there no one who can testify he had a relation who served with him'? this question never required in no case by no one of the Office would as soon have been anticipated as the question whether it was fair
or four weather the day he entered the army or the day he left it. For it is not supposed that the army Rolls state, this man Ashton is not brother to that man Ashton as to its being singular, that if he
Page 54

did serve, that no one can testify they heard him say so -- It is even more singular, astonishing & awful both that men should testify that his service was in the month of everybody & should be induced to sware
solemnly to that fact if it was not so, & if it was so how come they by that knowledge but from
him in his life time, long before the present pension laws for any others existed proof of
identity is conclusive in the Case & few others can be shown more so that has been admitted, we believe. Besides the Revolutionary Records of New Jersey filed in the Case amply accord with the Evidence in the lease & they together fully & conclusively establish him as the identical
Robert Ashton in question

I am respectfully
Yours &c
l.B. True
Agent in the Case
Page 55

Case Sarah
Ashton Widow
of Robert do
Rev Claim
Page 56

Washington D.C
Feb 6/54

Judge Waldo
[     ] Pensions
Sir
I herewith enclose a paper containing the original hand writing of Robert Aston, for whose services in the Rev. in the N.Jersey Line
a claim is now pending in your office
The enclosed evidence has been called for to complete the evidence filed in the case
no reply has been received to my last in the case - compiling the evidence in the case
I am respectfully
Yours
L.B. True
Agent in the Case
-
Page 57

Brief in case of
Sarah Ashton deceased

There was a Deed of date 9th
April 1799 - Signed by
Robert Ashton which
Signature having been
compared with his
original receipt on
the Roll of this Office
clearly proved his
identity with the
soldier who served
in Capt John Waltons
Company. The Deed
has been returned to
Hon J. T. Flagler of H.R.
Charles H. Rhett
[Ex. Clerk]
5th April 1854
Page 58

Brief in the case of Cornelius Ashton, who claims arrears of Pension alledged to be due his mother, Sarah Ashton, as the widow of Robert -

The claimant filed a Declaration dated May 22 1848, in which he states that his father, Robert Ashton, was a citizen of Monmouth County in the State of New Jersey, and was a revolutionary soldier, and the deponent understood from him that he served nine months in the year 1782 in Captain Walton's Company of Dragoons &c. (See papers marked A)

This Declaration was accompanied by a certificate of the Secretary of State of New Jersey of payment to Robert Ashton
of [$26:14:4] for services in the revolutionary war, dated August 4, 1848. The same officer, under date of August 2, 1849 furnished another certificate to the then agent, (not however under seal,) in which the
following statement is made:
"I have a private list of said Company (Walton's
on which is the name of Robert Ashton, age 19 -- Abode Freehold.  Entered the Company March 4. 1782. These facts are on file at the pension office attached to the papers of Mrs. Margaret Walton widow of Captain John Walton. Thomas Ashton belonged to the same
Company. The person to whom the Certificate of pay for militia or State service in Monmouth County was given was, without doubt, for the service of Robert Ashton
Page 59

performed in Captain Walton's Company to whom you
refer. Thomas Ashton received the same amount in
one Certificate that Robert received in two viz. $26 14 4
although he joined the Company, according to my list 4th  February 1782, one month earlier than Robert (see papers marked "B")

Freehold is in Monmouth County. There is
on file in the pension office the original receipts of Walton's Company, subscribed to which are the names of both Robert and Thomas Ashton

It will thus be seen that the record evidence
shows that a certain duration of service was performed by Robert Ashton, who entered Captain Walton's Company of Dragoons in 1782 from the County of Monmouth
New Jersey and as the Marriage, death of parties, [&c] are clearly proved, the only question is whether this soldier
was the father of the present claimant

It will be observed from the dates that the service was described by claimant before the first certificate bears date and further that that certificate furnishes no clue to it. The second certificate which give the date of the
service, the Company in which it was performed, and the place from which the soldier entered the army,
bears date more than a year after the Declaration was filed 

In addition to this, Caleb Stillwell (See paper marked "6") swears that he became acquainted with Robert Ashton, Father of Claimant in 1797, at Middletown, Monmouth County,
Page 60

New Jersey- that he (witness) was born in that County, and resided there for 19 or 20 years - had heard before he became acquainted with
him that Robert was in the revolutionary services and that he never knew or heard of any other Robert Ashton
Polly Randolph, of Niagara County, N. York (see paper marked "A") swears that she was born in Monmouth County (88 years old) was acquainted with Robert and his wife before
and after their marriage - that they were married in said County - that they had three children- one only of whom is living - viz: Cornelius Ashton, who now
resides in Niagara County, New York (the place of residence of Claimant) and finally, the Certificate of Marriage States as follows: (See paper marked "D.)

I Aaron A Marcellas, pastor, &c depose that
I have the records of said Church in the Township of Marlboro, late Freehold, in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey and that the above (the marriage of Joseph Ashton) is a true extract, [&c]

The above synopsis of the proof is submitted to the Commissioner, together with the papers in the case for decision as to its sufficiency to sustain the identity of the soldier as the father of the claimant, the case having been
suspended several times since this proof was filed for additional evidence upon that point.
The other branches of the case appear to be satisfactorily established.
Respectfully
[        ]
Ex Clk
Page 61

Breif in the case of Sarah Ashton decd widow of Robert
Orleans County and State of New York
act 7th July 1838

Claim, (original " or " for increase.)

Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

By the New Jersey Rolls Robert Served 12 months as a Horseman
Robert and Sarah Manied 21st January 1783- proved by church record
Robert died in 1825 - proved by Christopher [Scross]
Sarah died 7th Oct. 1839- proved by H. H. Parker [vc]
Cornelius only child - proved by H. H. Parker
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Hon. J. T. Flagler
House of Representatives
Charles H. Rhett
Examining Clerk.
Page 62

Sarah Ashton
Widow of Robt
Additional
papers filed this
21st Nov. 1853 in
this case
LB True
also Case
of Ann Huddleson
Widow, William do
Examined
which see
wrote N. J. on Saturday Nov. 19/4 
LB True
Page 63

Sarah Ashton deceased
widow of Robert
New York
Admitted.
Act 7th July 1838
12 months Horseman at $50 -
per annum from 4th March
1836 to 7th October 1839, when
she died.

Pay to,
Cornelius Ashton, only
surviving child

Certificate to
Hon. J. T. Flagler
House of Representatives
Page 64

8.22
4.16
12
-----
49.92

83333
416666
12
--------
49.9992

Cole

NM
7.7. Flagler
Ho Repr.
Page 65

P.S,
I hereby authorise you to act for me in
presenting the claim of Cornelius Ashton - for Pension & to receive & forward to me - his Pension certificate in case it is granted by the Court of Pensions to - also please at a proper time return to me the "Letter of Atty"
[      ]
P [     ]
Write as soon as commit as to the success of the claim