Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5249, Thebus Hotchkis, Conn.
Page 1

(S-1776)
 
Service
Conn.

Hotchikis, Thebus

Number
R. 5249

========================
CONTENTS
Page 2

Papers in case of
Thebus Hotchkis
Ohio, [unknown] (183_)
Page 3

POWER OF ATTORNEY- Revolutionary Pension Claims.
          ========================
Know all Men by these Presents, that We Edward Hotchkis & Miles Hotchkis by authority of our Father Thebus Hotchkis do 
hereby constitute and appoint Samuel A. Peugh of Washington City & of the District of Columbia our true and lawful Agent & Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of our Father Thebus Hotchkis for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, that may be due; and hereby authorize our said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate we wish made payable to ourselves 

to appoint one or more substitute under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things t& we might or could do when I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that our said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises hereby all other Powers of Attorney 
      Witness our hands and seal this 29th day of December A.D. 1857. I made in the premises
               (signatures) Edward Hotchkis.  (seal)
                                          Miles Hotchkis  (Seal)

Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Asaph Turner
E.H. Peugh


State of Ohio.   }
County of Ashtabula} ss:

On this Twenty Ninth day of December A.D. 1851 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Edward Hotchkis & Miles Hotchkis and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be their act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
                    In Testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand the day and year aforesaid } 
              Asaph Turner J. Peace
Page 4

Claim of
Act of
STATE of Ohio
County of Ashtabula
day of December
Be it Known, That on this Twenty ninth
A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty one, before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Edward & Miles Hotchkiss resident of Genera in said County, and made oath according to law that they are the sons of Thelus Hotchkiss of the same County and state, who was a Revolutionary Soldier, or was in the revolutionary service. That he was heretofore & is now hereby, an applicant for a Pension informed that the said Pension ought to be allowed; that they are directly interested as claimants in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as their Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and
year aforesaid, before me.
Edward Hotchkiss
Asaph Turner Peace.
Miles Hotchkiss

I Asaph Turner
Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that Miles Hotchkiss and Edward Hotchkiss who executed the foregoing paper  are respectable residents of this County, and are I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Asaph Turner J. Peace
Clerk of the
Court in the County
and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
before whom the
foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is
signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed my official Seal, this [no entry] day of
A. D. 185_.
Clerk.
Page 5

State of Ohio    }
County of Ashtabula } SS.


It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me Asaph Turner a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, that- Thebus Hotchkis was an Applicant for a Revolutionary  Pension of the United States

*crossed out* 
that ____ was a Revolutionary Pension of the United States at the rate of $ ____ per annum 

*handwritten*
and that he now lives in the County & State aforesaid
*crossed out* 
eighteen hundred

*handwrtten*
and that he is now living with the following named children,  Edward Hotchkis, Miles Hotchkis, David Hotchkis, Anna Lockwood, Molly Moore's, Ester Glovins, Sally Cowles, Amelia Hotckis

and that 

the only surviving child         of the aforesaid.


In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this twenty ninth day of December one Thousand eight hundred and fifty one.
                    (Signature) Aseph Turner (seal)
                                      Justice of the Peace
Page 6

State of Ohio.    }
Ashtabula Co. Ss}

I Solina Hendry of Ashtabula in the County of Ashtabula & State of Ohio, aged seventy four years last November, being firtst duly sworn according to law, do on oath depose & say that I know that my brother Thebus Hotchkiss, then of Waterbury in the State of Connecticut and now of Geneva in s'd  Ashtabula County, enlisted into the Public Team Service of the United States, in the spring of the year 1781, before the spring's work was commenced, on my father's farm and returns late in the fall of the same year or in the fore part of the winter of 1782. I never understood that his s'd service was under a civil contract, but did understand & it was said at the time, that he enlisted into the regular services, as a Teamster of the Public Team Services. My brother, Roswell Hotchkiss who now lives in Harpersfield in the State of New York was in the Revolutionary army at the time that my brother Thebus enlisted. 
And further this deponent saith not.  
                                  her x mark
                                Solina Hendry (signature)
Sworn to and Subscribed before
Me, this 12th day of April A.D. 1843
Peter Markell J. Peace (signature)
Page 7

Thebus Hotchkiss
Ohio--Dec 1832


Hotchkis, Thebus
Conn. R5249
Page 8

                  Power of Attorney
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or Heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.
 State of Ohio 
County of Ashtubula

     Be it known that before me Asaph Turner a Notary Public personally appeared Edward Hotchkiss aged 54 years who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the -son- of Thebus Hotchkiss who was a Revolutionary Soldier of the State of Connecticut and that he died on the 12th day of April 1852 and that his mother, named Sarah Hotchkiss died on the 20th day of September 1840 and that they were married on the 20th day of March in the year 1784 and that they were residents of Waterbury in the State of Connecticut and that they resided there twenty years, and that he resides in the county and state first above written he further stated that his father serviced as a Teamster and made an application for a Pension in the year 1825 or six and never received any thing  the application was made from the town of Geneva, Ashtubula County, Ohio 
And that furthermore BY THESE PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints and fully empowers and authorizes irrevocably and with powers of substitution J.R. Powers of Livenia Perrigosk his true and lawful Attorney for him and in his name and stead, to examine into, prosecute, to demand and to receive from the United States Government Officers his rights in al and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land, that may be due him as the said of Thebus Hotchkiss who died  leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law, custom or equity he is or may be entitled, and for good and sufficient reasons do hereby revoke and countermand any and all other Powers of Attorney or other authority that may have been heretofore given. And that his said Attorney shall be entitled to one fourth of all moneys collected by him. 

*circular stamp* 
The National Archives of the United States 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF he has on this Second day of February 1855 hereunto signed his name and affixed his seal. 
Witness W.L. Hoskins
Witness Miles Hotchkiss 
        Edward  Hotchkiss 

Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Edward Hotchkiss to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged. & that he is a man of respectability & a man of truth and veracity and that I am not interested in any monies in the above claim
                                         Asaph Turner Notary Public within & for said County

State of _______
County of ________
*Seal covering text on right side*

It is hereby certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court   ______ that ________ th
acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the ___________
I further certify that __________ Esq., before whom the prec
Attorney were made and acknowledged, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and 
the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine. 
                   In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and 
                 this ______ day of _______
Page 9

                                        27 9
Thebus Hotchkiss
Page 10

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.
State of Ohio
Ashtabula County

On this seventeenth day of September AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Ashtabula aforesaid, Thelus Hotchkiss, a resident of Geneva in the County of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, aged sixty 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 Act of Congress[illegible] June 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States on the first day of April 1781 by enlistment (as a volunteer) for the period of nine months from that date, and was to receive eight dollars per month; that he was engaged in what was then called the waggon service, and served under Langford Carter or Carty a conducter so called, in said service under the direction of Roswell Ransom a commissary or officer in that department; that on entering the service he was directed to repair to Hartford, and from there to New Marlborough where he met the company to which he belonged, that they were then ordered to Hartford from whence he assisted in transporting cannon and other military stores to a place called Continental Village opposite West Point on the Hudson; that from thence he went with the Army to White Plains; that when the Army under Genl. Washington marched into the Southern States in the summer of 1781, he accompanied it, crossed the Hudson River at Dobbs Ferry, went to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Head of Elk and finally to within a few miles of Yorktown, that he was then ordered back to the Head of Elk where he stayed until the Army under Washington returned from the South and then attended it on its march to the North; that he left the Army about the first of November at the Highlands near West Point, and returned home to Waterbury in Connecticut, where he arrived about 25 the of December 1781, and where he had
Page 11

permission to remain a week or until the first of January 1782 and was to have then reported himself at Hartford to receive his pay and discharge; that before the expiration of the time he was to remain at home he was taken sick of the Small pox and was not able to go to Hartford a the time appointed, in consequence of which he never received any discharge from the service.  He further states that previous to the period of his enlistment he resided in Waterbury in the State of Connecticut; that he resided in the same place for about four years after leaving the service and that he has since resided in the States of New York and Ohio and now resides in the county of Ashtabula, township of Geneva in said State of Ohio.  He further states that he was born in Wallingford in the State of Connecticut in the year 1764 and that he believes that there is a record of his age in that town, but that he has no authentic record in his [illegible].  He further states that he knows of no person whose testimony he can obtain who can testify to his services above specified.  He refers to the Rev Perry Pratt and Maj. Levi Gaylard of Genevea aforesaid and Samuel Hendry Esq of Jefferson in Ashtabula County as persons to whom he is known and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his [illegible] solder of the Revolution.  He hereby
Page 12

And the court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations transcribed by the war Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Perry Pratt who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the County of Ashtabula and that Levi Laylands who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
The State of Ohio
Ashtabula County⎬
I Sam Hendry Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas of said County of
Ashtabula do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings ┃
of the said Court in the matter of the
Application of Thelus Hotchkiss for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Jefferson the Eighteenth day of September AD. 1833-
Sam Hendry Clerk P. Tem

In amendment of the foregoing declaration, I Thelus Hotchkiss, on this Eleventh day of April 1843, further declare on oath, being first duly
sworn according to law, that the service which I rendered, as set forth in the foregoing declaration, was in the public team coverage
service and not under a civil contract. I further state that I am hard of hearing & did not probably understand the said first made declaration, distinctly, as it was read to me, or
I should have made declaration of this fact at that time.
Thelus
Hotchkis

State of Ohio  
Ashtabula Co.⎬
On this eleventh day of April 1843, personally appeared before me the said Thelus Hotchkiss & subscribed & made solemn oath to
the foregoing amended declaration appended to his first declaration which, was made
in open court, on the 17th September 1833. I further certify that from the infirmities
the applicant is unable to [illegible] in court
John Sherman
Associate Judge of Ashtabula County and State of Ohio
Page 13

Act of July 14th and March 3, 1823

Rejected

5249

P.O. Thebus Hotchkiss
Page 14

27.794
Thebus Hotchkiss
Ohio

HR Gaylord 29 April 1834-
H. Stelle Aug 23 1843-
Hon J R Giddings Aug 5, 1846-
N Leake Aug 18 1847-
S.A. Peugh Feb 4 1852.  Same Feg 11, 1852-
W. G. Wade May 25, 1853-
S.A. Peugh Oct 12 1853-
Same March 15 1854-
S.R Powell Aug 1 1855

5249

June 7 1832
Page 15

I assign my aging to N. Leak Esq

Arad Joy
Page 16

To Hon J L Edwards Court of Pensions, [illegible] I have appointed Arad Joy of [illegible] my agent to investigate my claim to a pension.

Dated Ohio  Dec 1846
Thelus Hotchkis
Page 17

Jan 13, 1853
 
Rel: to claim of Thebus Hotchkis

W. G Wade
Present
Page 18

Thebus Hotchkiss
Suspended 347 P
I have long had 
this case in charge
from 
Arad Joy
Page 19

Sir
If consistent will you be kind to answer the  enclosed request. 
                          Respectfully 
                          M. Endigs

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 20

*Left side bifold paper*
Thebus Hotchkiss 
                 Ohio

See letter 29th April
1834.
 To H. R. Gaylard
         General
            Ashstabula

Seet to H. Stelle Aug. 23. 12/3
How, 2 Residdings
August 3, 1848
N. Leake, August 1847
S.A. Peugh Feb. 4 1852
same Feb 21 1853 WSW (crossed out)
                           (over)

act June 7 1832


*Right side*
S.A. Peugh Feb. 11/[cutoff]
WG Wade
       May 26/6[cutoff]

Letter to S.A. Peugh
         Oct'o 12, 1853

S.R. Powell Aug. 1/55
Page 21

*left tri-fold paper section*

S.A. Peugh
care of
Thebus Hotchkiss

*center trifold paper section upside down*
 Mr. W.G. Wade
 
W. City
    D.C. 


*right trifold paper section*
[faded text illegible]
Sus'd  Ohio

Thebus Hotchkiss
Susp./32 Ohio
Page 22

                            Washington City D.C.
                                7th Jany. 1852

Mr. W.G. Wade
Dear Sir
                The name of the case of mine in Ohio is Thebus Hotchkiss. Susp'd.  
Please get the papers out
I will about in a few days perhaps until Wednesday next. 
                                      Respy
                                         S.A. Peugh

{P.S. Should you find any evidence upon which to establish this case you can take charge of it for our own benefit.}

S.A.P
Page 23

Thebus, Hotchkiss
Ohio 182 Sept.






A. K Markland
Page 24

                                Washington City.  Oct. 29 '56

Geo. C. Whiting Eg. 
Comm. of Pesnions
     Dear Sir.
 As the attorney for S.A. Peugh Esq., I respectfully call your attention to the case of Thebus Hotchkiss of Ohio 1832 se'd
the objection heretofore urged against the allowances of said claim was that Sangford Carter under whom he alleges to have some was not a Continental Major Conductor, I think you will fund in your office evidence of his having been a Continental Conductor. I will point it out to the examiner when the case comes up for adjudication.
               I am  Sir Very Respectfully
               your Ob't Sert
                  A.H. Markland  (signature)
Page 25

Thelus Hotchkiss
Ohio
Act of June 1832

Geo C Ames
Present
Page 26

To the Hon Geo C Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions

Please accept Geo C. Ames Esq of Washington DC as my substitute to examine the claim of Thelus Hotchkiss of 
Geneva, Ashtabula County Ohio.

L. Maltbey, Attorney for the claim of Thelus Hotchkiss

Locke, Cayuga County N.Y.
17th Nov 1856
Page 27

Washington DC
12th January 1853

Sir,

In compliance with the request of S.A. Peugh Esq contained in his letter herewith enclosed, who is the authorized attorney of the claimant, I have examined the papers of Thelus Hotchkiss suspended Act '32 Ohio, and have the honor to respectfully request that the same may be re-examined in connection with the papers of or evidence found with the purposes of Bessel Phelps pension Act '32 Vermont, who maintain in his statement relative to his own service that Langford Carter was a conductor of ammo, and [illegible] reference to the papers of Joseph Beckwith, pension Act '32 N.Y. for services with Roswell Ransom conductor, under whose command claimant states his service was performed in part which evidence it is believed will be abundant to remove the existing objections to the [illegible] of this claim.

I am Respectfully [illegible] W G Wade

J.E. Heath Esq
Assessor of Pensions
Page 28

J. E. Heath [unknown]
    Sir, 
In the case of Thebus Hotchkiss he swears to 80 of months service in the Wagon Department in Connecticut on Continental establishment, His statement is established by the approval of Levi Gaylord a pension on the Ohio agency as $144. & the Captain whom be service as pension as Conducter of teams. 
    The. Comptroller of Ct. Concludes the evidence of the military character of the several as well as the allowance of the case of Ripley.
   In addition to this is the evidence of Selina Handley & the [unknown] Thebus Hotchkiss all of which go confirm his statement. & History establishes the first of the march of of the army south at the time spoken of by the claimant.
His [illegible] hoped that this old Soldier ( who yet lives) may enjoy the little bounty granted in a pension for 8 months served say $64 because.
                                        Respectfully
                                              S.A. Peugh

My letter of Attorney is free in the case
H.P
Page 29

    Willoughby Ohio
                        July 17th, AD 1855
L.P. Waldo Commissioner

Dear Sir, 
                 Herewith I send you the Pension Claims of John Pearce & Edward Hotchkiss, also the evidence in [illegible] of the claim of John Pearce for his father Capt. Lawrence. S. Pearce with a Family Record of Capt. Lawerence, S. Pearces which I know that they must have been married before the close of the war. I hereby request you to an application that was made by and of the heirs of Cap't Lawrence. S  Letttice Pearce whose name is Elizabeth Hilliman, the application I believe was made in the year AD 1852. & placed in the hands of F.E. Kapler of your place & the Proof was made at that time. I believe by a living soldier that knew Lawrence S. Pearce in the service if that is anything was wanted in addition to allow.   [end of page]
Page 30

These claim is Please inform and what it is at this place.
            Yours with Respect   &c. &c.
                          S.R. Pawell
Page 31

*bifold left side text*

Comptroller of 
Connecticut
15th March 18__
R_ 18
no and
Cor of     Hotchkiss
Page 32

Comptrollers Office
Hartford March 15th 1852

S. A. Peugh Esq.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 9th (illegible) with $3 dl enclosed has been received, and that amount placed to your credit.
I have examined the documents in this office, and also the Wadsworth books at the Historical Society, and do not find the name of Thelus Hotchkiss on them. I find under date Jan. 13th 1781 on the Journal of the Governor & Comittee of Safety, an order "to deliver to --- Carter a conductor of Teams one hundred & fifty weight of beef, & one hundred & fifty weight flour for the use of the Public Teams."
The Christian name of Carter is not given but it undoubtedly relates to the Carter who was he Conductor under whom Hotchkiss served.
If you wish a certificate in this case of what is found you will please send me two dollars or if not one dollar for the search.
I am very respectfully 
Your obedt Servt
Geo. Robinson
For Comptroller
Page 33

State of Ohio             }
Ashtabula County Ss}.    I Levi Gaylord, being eight three years old last march, and being duly sworn do depose and say that I have been acquainted with Thebus Hotchkiss, formerly of Waterbury in the State of Connecticut and now of Geneva, in the County of Ashtabula & State of Ohio ever since he the said Hotchkiss was ten years of age. That I know the said Hotchkiss enlisted, in spring of the year 1781, into the public waggon service. I never understood that his said service was rendered under a civil contract, but it was understood & believed by me and by all other at the time & ever since, so far as I know, that since service of the said Thebus Hotchkiss was rendered in the public team service & under the authority  of the United States, at any rate it was always so reported in the neighborhood when we then resided.
Said Hotchkiss returned home from the public service, about the same time that my brother Jedediah Gaylord did, which was in December 1781, I think.
 I further state that the said Thebus Hotchkiss has always sustained a good moral character. And further this deponent saith not, & ought that my presents residence is in Geneva above mentioned. 
                                  Levi Gaylord (signature)

Sworn to and Subscribed before
me, this 11th day of April AD 1843
       peter Markell, J. Peace
Page 34

The State of Ohio Ashtabula County SS
I A C Hubbard, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that John Sherman, who has in his own proper hand writing subscribed the annexed certificate, is now, and at the date of said certificate, was an associate Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified according to the laws of the State of Ohio. I do further certify that Peter Markell is and at the date of the annexed certificate, by him, in his own proper hand writing subscribed, was a Justice of the Peace in said County of Ashtabula, duly commissioned and qualified agreeably to the laws of the State of Ohio.
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at Jefferson this 15th day of May AD 1843.
A. C. Hubbard Clerk
Page 35

I Roswell Hothkiss of West Harpersfield in the County of Deleware and Sate New York age eighty years being first duly sworn according to Law do on oath depose and say that while I was in the Army Encampt (encamped) at White Plains if I mistake not my Brother Thebus Hotchkiss cald (called)on me and said he had enlisted in the Team Service and was with others going to the south with Stores for the Army at that time I understood from him and afterward from the Family and others that he was engaged in what was then cald (called) the Continental Service and support was paid by the General Government I never knew or heard of any civil contrail as it Respects my Brothers Publik (public) service. 
                               Roswell Hotchkiss (signature)
State of New York    }
Delaware County Ss }

Sworn before this Eighth
day of May 1843
Matthew McLaughry
Justice of the Peace

State of New York  Deleware County S.

I Crawford B. Sheldon Clerk of the County of Deleware do certify that Matthew McLaughry Esquire before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Deleware duly elected and sworn, and further that the signature above written is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto et my hand and affixed the Seal of the Said County. May 10th 1843.
Page 36

I Roswell Hotchkiss of West Harpersfield in the County of Delaware and State New York aged Eighty Years being first duly sworn according to said do on oath depose and say that while I was in the Army eneampt at White Plains if I mistake not my Brother Thebus Hotchkiss cald (called) on me and said he had enlisted in the Team Service and was with others going to the South with Stories for the Army at that time I understood from him and afterwards from the Family and others that he was engaged in what was then cald (called) the Continental Service and supposed was paid by the General Government I never knew or heard of any civil contrail as it respects my Brothers Publik (public) Service.  
                               Roswell Hotchkiss (Signature)
State of New York.     }
Delaware County Ss. }


Sworn before this Eighth
day of May 1843
Matthew McLaughry
Justice of the Peace 

State of New York Delaware County S.
      I Crawford B. Sheldon Clerk of the County of Delaware do Certify that Matthew McLaughry Esquire before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Delaware duly Elected and Sworn, and further that the Signature above written is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of the said County. May 10, 1843.
                    C. B. Sheldon Clerk (signature)
Page 37

Sir It has been found extremely difficult to prove the Team Service. Some of it being rendered under civil contract and some in the Pubic Team service. 
    Capt. Samuel Risley, well known as a conductor of Teams, applied for a pension. He served in the early part of the war as a soldier, and subsequently as a conductor of Teams. He was allowed a soldiers' pension, but his claim as a conductor was rejected. Subsequently said about the time of his death, I must in at [unknown] of the Council of Safety, the widow of which I furnish you a copy and the Commission found it satisfactory  and granted Capt. Risley a Captains pay. George Risley, or  as he spells his name Wrisley, a brother who served under Capt. S. Risley as a Teammate have a full pension allowed service on this testimony. Hoping it may prove support in your brothers case. 
                   I am very Respectfully,
                         Gideon Welles  (signature)

11th Febry 1843

R. Hotchkiss Esq.
Page 38

R. Hotchkiss Esqr. P. M.
West Harpersfield
Delaware Co
N.Y.
Page 39

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford
11th Feby 1843

The following is a correct copy from the record of the Council of Safety, under date of Jany 13th 1782-viz-
"The Governor having given orders upon Daniel Pitkin of Hartford, to deliver Samuel Risley a conductor of Teams one hundred & fifty weight of Beef, & like quantity of flour for public use, which is approved -
Voted on order on Daniel Pitkin of Hartford be drawn to deliver Carter a Conductor of Teams, one hundred fifty weight of Beef and one hundred fifty weight flour, for the use of the Public Teams (illegible) be accountable."
(Copy given to D. Q. M. Pomeroy)
A true copy certified by Gideon Welles Comptr.
Page 40

Department of State
Washington, February 10, 1852

This certifies that, in the Old Congress Papers No 173, Vol 3, P 141, there is a Return of Teams hired and employed by Nehemiah Hubbard, D. 2. M. G. Augt 1779" signed by Nehemiah Hubbard, in which under the head "Conductors" appears the name of "Roswell Ransom."
W Hunter
Acting Chief Clerk
Page 41

Jan. 8, 1847
     L
Powers of Attorney
in attain pens.


*Sideways text*

Hon. J.L Edward
Court of Pensions
Present
Page 42

                       Washington  Jan 6, 1847
Sir,
 I enclose powers of attorney in several cases of applications for pensions, which have been transferred to me by A. Joy Esq. of N. York Viz. the widow of Nath'l Palmer Dec.'d who was himself an applicant under the case of 1832 before his death, also that of Thebus Hotchkiss of Ohio, also that of the son of Hugh Gunion Esq.  and applicant from This, also Mrs. Betsy Brister of N.Y. act of '36 & some of the children of Benjamin Smith presently of N.Y, but who died in Michigan, applied under N.Y 1852 & served several of my claims the revolution & Mrs. Lois Cole's heirs also, whose application was made from Connecticut under the law of 1836. all of which cases I am desired of having reported to one or permitted personally to examine the papers filed. 
                Very Respectfully
                   Your Obt. Servt.
                    Nathan Leake (Signature)

Hon. J.L. Edwards
  Com. of Pensions
       Present
Page 43

                          June 27, 43
Ohio
1832
Thebus Hotchkiss
 

*Circular stamp*
Painesville Ohio
 Jun 23


*Sideways text*
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.   
                D.C.

*stamp*
FREE
Page 44

Painesville, Lake County O. June 22, 1843

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. Pensions

Dear Sir,
Herewith, I send you sundry papers in support of the claim of Thelus Hotchkiss to be enrolled as a revolutionary pensioner consisting of the following, [illegible].

1. His original declaration, with the amendment
2. The deposition of Levi Gaylord
3. The deposition of Solina Hendry
4. The deposition of Hon. Roswell Hotchkiss, all which are duly authenticated.
5. The certificate and letter of the Comptroller of Connecticut-from all which it seems to me to be put beyond all doubt, that Thelus Hotchkiss did serve in the Public Armed Service, and is justly entitled to a pension.  By the Comptroller's certificate, it appears that both Daniel Pitkin and Saml Risley were engaged in the public service, and that Carter was also engaged in the Public Pension Service as a conductor and the claimant declares that when he enlisted he was placed under the direction and command of this Carter.  

The testimony shows that his service was not, at the time, conditioned to be under a civil [illegible], but was said to be in the public service. He is now some 80 years of age-quite infirm, and sustains an irreproachable character.  I hope you will give prompt attention to this investigation of the subject and without delay place his name upon the roll of pensioners, to draw back from the time of making his first declaration.  His children are poor and unable to support him, and he is therefore compelled to labor daily with his hands, to obtain support. 

It seems from the letter of the Comptroller, that the claim of Capt. Saml Risley to a pension as a conductor of the army was ultimately allowed, on the same testimony, which is now furnished from the records of Connecticut as furnishing satisfactory evidence that he and all under him, of course, were engaged in the Public Armed Service. 

If you require any further testimony, please write me, and if, what I said is deemed sufficient, (as I confidently trust it will) please send his certificate [illegible] to me at this place.

I am [illegible] very respectfully, 
Horace Steele
Page 45

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State of Ohio
Ashtabula County on this fifteenth day of April A.D one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Ashtabula aforesaid Thelus Hotchkiss a resident of Geneva in the county of Ashtabula and state of Ohio, aged sixty nine years and eleven months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States on the first day of April 1781 by enlistment as a volunteer for the period of nine months from that date and was to receive eight dollars per month that he was engaged in what was then called the waggon service and enlisted and served under Lanford Carter a conductor so called in said service under the direction of Roswell Ransom and sometimes under the direction of Isom Chapman, Ransom was called a forage master and Chapman a conductor in that department. In entering the service he was directed to New Marlborough when he met the company to which he belonged; that they then received Teams and were ordered to Hartford from whence he assisted in transporting cannon to the military stores to a place called Continental Village opposite West Point on the Hudson, and from whence he went with the Army to White Plains but does not recollect the names of any field officers on said march.  He was at White Plains two weeks.  The Army at White Plains was under General Washington. The Army then marched under Washington into the southern states which was in the Summer of 1781.  He accompanied it, crossed the Hudson River at Dobbs Ferry where the teams were loaded with boats.  The army marched on to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Head of Elk and within a few miles of Yorktown when General Knox sent him back towards Head of Elk after some oxen that were left.  After finding the oxen Isom Chapman ordered him
Page 46

to the head of Elk County to the orders of General Knox where he staid (sic) until the army under Gen. Washington returned from the South and then attended it to the North while on its march; that he left the army about the first of November at the Highlands near West Point and returned home to Waterbury in Connecticut about the 25th of December 1781 and where he had permission to remain a week or until the first of January 1782 and was then to have reported himself to Hartford to receive his discharge and his pay that he was taken sick of the small pox and was not able to go to Hartford at the time appointed in consequence of which he never received any discharge from the service. He further states that previous to the period of his enlistment he resided in Waterbury in the state of Connecticut that he resided in the same place for about four years after leaving the service and that he has since resided in the states of New York and Ohio and now resides in the Township of Geneva in the County of Ashtabula and state of Ohio. He further states that he was born in Wallingford in the State of Connecticut the 19th day of May 1764, that he has a record of his age in his family Bible which was copied from his father's record; he further states that he knows of no person whose testimony he can obtain who can testify to his service above specified; he refers to Rev. Perry Pratt, a clergyman and Major Levi Gaylord of Pension officers and Samuel Hendry Esq of Jefferson in said county of Ashtabula as persons to whom he is known and who can testify as to his character for veracity to their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.  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.
Thelus Hotchkiss
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year before written 
Lemuel Moffitt Associate Judge

I Perry Pratt clergyman residing in the county of Ashtabula in the vicinity of Thelus Hotchkiss do certify that I am well acquainted with said applicant who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be sixty-nine years and eleven months of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  Perry Pratt

Lemuel Moffitt  Associate Judge
Page 47

I Levi Gaylord residing in Geneva in the County of Ashtabula
State of Ohio do certify that I am well acquainted with Thebus
Hotchkis who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Declaration;
 that I believe him to be Sixty-nine years & Eleven
months of age also that I have been acquainted with said
Thebus Hotchkis for Sixty years or more at the time he states his
services to have been performed in the Revolution I resided in the Town of
Waterbury in the County of New-Haven State of Connecticut; I did not
see him while in the service but think he was gone from April to
some time in December I saw him soon after his return to Waterbury
December it was generally reputed & believed in the neighberhood
 & town where he resided before & after said service that he
was a soldier of the Revolution & I believe the same myself
I also certify that he is reputed & believed in the Neighborhood
where he now resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
& I concur in that opinion
Levi Gaylord
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year
afforsaid Lemuel Moffitt Associate Judge

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after
the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories 
prescribed by the War Department that the above
named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and
served as he states. And the Court further certifies that
it appears to them that Perry Pratt who has signed
the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman resident in the
township of Geneva in the County of Ashtabula and that
Levi Gaylord who has also signed the certificate immediately 
preceding is a resident in Geneva aforesaid
and that both of them are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Page 48

The State of Ohio
Ashtabula County

I Sam Hendry Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas
of said County of Ashtabula
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Thebus
Hotchkis for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Jefferson
the 16th day of April AD. 1834 - Sam Hendry Clerk. P. Tem
Page 49

27. 791.
Thebus Hotchkis
Ohio

Return

Harvey R. Gaylord
Geneva
Ashtabula County
Ohio
Page 50

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
11th Nov. 1833
Sir: 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
On this   day of   personally appeared (a) before   A. B. a resident (b) of   in the county of  and State, Territory or District of   aged (c)   years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)   , with   and served in the (e) regiment of the   line, under the following named officers:   
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of   
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.   A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
    of the Court of  
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of   for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
   day of   & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the   and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with   , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be   years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after [illegible] prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the   and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the   and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,   Clerk of the Court of   do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of   for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal   of office, this   day of   & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 52

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary [illegible] do you now live?
How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity ; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration [illegible]
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, [illegible]
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For —year —months, and — — days, I served as a — —. For — months and — days, I served as a —; and for such service I claim a pension." It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which [illegible] the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must [illegible] the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.