Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2108, Gershom Cohen, S.C.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Cohen, Gershom
Rebecca
NUMBER
R. 2108
CONTENTS
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State of New York
City & County of New York SS

On this fifteenth day of November 
1838 personally appeared before 
the undersigned, Mrs. Rebecca Cohen, a resident of the 
said city of New York, aged 76 years, who being duly 
sworn according to law doth on her oath make the 
following declaration in order to be entitled to the 
benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress 
passed July 7th, 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and 
pensions to certain widows, that she is the widow of 
Gershon Cohen late of Charleston decd. who was a private 
volunteer soldier during the war of the Revolution, and 
served in the service two years. As deponent has reason to 
believe in the following manner to wit - He at the 
commencement of the war took up arms against the 
British and served 12 months and more before the 
surrender of Charleston in May 1780. During this time, 
he served at the expedition to drive the British out 
of Savannah in October 1779. The name of the corps in 
which nor the officers under whom he served, Deponent 
cannot now recall to her recollections. Said Gershon 
Cohen also served at the Siege of Charleston and when
the town surrendered, he was made a prisoner while 
under arms, and retained so a prisoner 12 months.
Deponent further declares she was married to the 
said Gershon Cohen on the 17 August 1779 in the city 
of Charleston, So. Ca. and that her Husband the aforesaid 
Gershon Cohen died in said city on 24th December 
1802 and that she has remained a widow ever 
since that period as will more fully appear by
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references to the proof hereto annexed. 
Rebecca Cohen

Sworn to and subscribed 
before me the day and year 
above written & I also certify 
the credibility of the affiant. 
M. Ulshoeffer
First Judge of Common Pleas
New York
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Rebecca Cohen dec
widow of Gershom
---
South Carolina
---
Act 4 July 1836
---
Suspended
---
F. L. Brockett, Atty
Alexandria, Virga.
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SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
Printed and sold by Wm. Riley, 41 Broad-street

The State of South-Carolina.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT
I, Philip Cohen of Charleston in the state 
aforesaid, son of Rebecca Cohen widow 
of Gershom Cohen, deceased, a Revolutionary Soldier 
do make, constitute, and appoint F. L. Brockett Esquire 
of Alexandria Virginia, my 
True and Lawful Attorney for me and in my name to prosecute 
any claim to a pension to which 
I am entitled as the son of the said 
Rebecca Cohen, widow of Gershom Cohen 
deceased, either in right of my said 
father or mother, as widow aforesaid 
and I do hereby authorise my said attorney 
to examine all papers and documents 
in relation to said claims on file in the 
department in Washington City and to file additional 
evidence 
with power also, an Attorney or Attorneys, under name for that purpose, to make and 
substitute, and to do all lawful acts for effecting the Premises hereby ratifying and confirming all 
that my said Attorney or his Substitute or Substitutes, shall do therein, by virtue thereof,
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this nineteenth 
day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
fifty two.
Philip Cohen

SEALED AND DELIVERED IN THE PRESENCE OF
C. R. Brewster

Be it Known, That on the nineteenth day of November one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty two and in the seventy seventh year of the Independence of 
the United States of America, before me, C. R. Brewster 
Notary Public, by Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the State, duly commissioned and 
sworn, came Philip Cohen of Charleston in 
the state of South Carolina known to me 
to be the son of Rebecca Cohen widow of Gershom 
above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed my seal of Office, at
in the State of South-Carolina, the day and year last mentioned.
C. R. Brewster
Notary Public for 
Charleston District
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herein specified a Legal & binding-
Signed Gershom Cohen
Witness
Philip Minis
Jacob Cohen

Personally appeared before me on this thirteenth day of November 1838. Mr Hartwig Cohen who being duly sworn maketh oath that the aforegoing is a literary & correct translation of the marriage Contract made by Gersham Cohen as translated from the Hebrew certificate placed in the possession of Mr Hyam Cohen Son of the said Mrs Rebecca Cohen widow and now a resident of New York.
Hartwig Cohen
E.W. Bounetheau
Justice of the Quorum
Q.U.

State of South Carolina
County of Charleston
On this 3rd day December 1838 personally appeared before the undersigned Mr Hyam Cohen, aged 50 years a resids. of the City of Charleston who being duly sworn according to Law Deposeth, that the original Marriage contract between his father & mother in the year 1779 of which the foregoing translation has been made by the aforesd. Hartwig Cohen of Charleston is in deponents possession & Deponent saith that the signatures thereto of Gershon Cohen his father and Jacob Cohen one of the witnesses, is known to Dept. and deponent saith that they are genuine
Hyam Cohen
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year above written & also certify the credibility of the affiants
P Cantwell Not Pub
& Qu for sd. Court So. Ca.
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On the fourth day of the week and the sixth of the 
month of Ellul anno mundi 5539, corresponding with 
the year 1779, in the City of Charleston when Gershon 
Cohen, the son of Philip Cohen, said to Rebecca the 
Daughter of Abraham Sarzedas, be my lawful 
wife according to the Laws of Moses and of Israel. 
I will endeavour to maintain you in a respectable 
manner, as is the duty incumbent on a 
Yehuda (or Jew) to maintain & respect his 
Lawfull wife.
I will also give you a dower of Two 
Hundred Silverlings due to you as a nedunya [Aramaic: dowry]
according to the Laws of Moses, your clothing, 
food, pocket money. I shall live united to you 
as is the custom of the world. The aforesaid 
Rebecca Sarzedas, consents to become his Lawful 
wife.
The portion she brought with her is 
received a/ Seven Hundred & fifty pounds, the 
Dower given by her groom, three hundred & 
fifty pounds, which added to the two hundred 
Silverlings makes in the aggregate the sum 
of One thousand one Hundred & ten pounds 
and I the said bridegroom, do bind myself 
& my Hiers after me to this marriage Contract 
the amount of dower & marriage portion to 
be paid from the best of my estate.
That this is a Lawful Marriage Contract
I the bridegroom Gershom Cohen give 
a token of possession and acknowledgement 
to the said bride, Rebecca, daughter 
of Abraham Sarzedas, that all that is
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Widow of 
Gershom Cohen
Act 4 July 1836
Suspd.
S.C.

Papers for 
Geo C. Ames
or
F.L. Brockett
Mr Anderson
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Alexa Dec 21, 1853

Sir,
I desire to see the papers in 
the case of the heirs of
[marginal note]S.C.
Gershom Cohen
under act of July 36
Suspended

If I am not at the office when the 
papers are out, Mr Ames can see
them.
Resp
F L Brockett
Atty
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Dr. Jacob De La Motta
Certificate
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New York, September 4th 1838
This is to certify that the undersigned frequently heard his father the late Emmanuel De La Motta, who served in a voluntary corps at the Siege of Savannah (Ga) during the Revolutionary Struggle with Great Britain, speaks of the services and active part taken by the late Mr. Gershom Cohen in this conflict, such the Contest with the British forces during this period. He is confident in stating that Mr. Cohen was spoken of as having been actively engaged in achieving the Independence of this country.
Jacob De La Motta M.D.
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REJECTED
2108
P.O.
Rebecca Cohen
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
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4193
Rebecca Cohen
S.C.
Let to Secy. of War
17 May '39
2108
Act 4th July 1836
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Rebecca Cohen
widow of Gershom
SC
Act 36

[sideways]
By order of the C - C - Nov 7 52
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Mr Cohen
affidavit Olshen
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State of New York
I Philip Cohen son of Gershom & Rebecca Cohen do solemnly swear that I have frequently heard my Father Gershom Cohen, speak of the battles he was engaged in during the Revolutionary war when he took up arms in defence of liberty & the losses he had sustained, that he was at the siege of Savannah when Pulaski was killed, also in service at Charleston So Carolina when he was taken prisoner of War. I think he said his commander or the officer that commanded the regiment or Battalion he was attached to was Col Lushington. He died in the City of Charleston in King Street on the 24 day of December 1802 - My Mother Rebecca Cohen has never been married since - she is now 76 years of age, has lost the sight in one eye and has within the last year been operated on for Cataract in the other and can now see very imperfectly. She now resides with me in the City of New York at my Residence No 569 Broome Street
P Cohen
Sworn to before me this 23d Oct 1838
Edwd. Taylor
Aldr. & Justice of the Peace for the City of New York
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Mrs R Cohen
Mr Cardoza
Certif Trustee Ch
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State of South Carolina
District of Charleston
We the Trustees of the Hebrew Congregation of Charleston So Carolina hereby certify, that, it is the opinion of this Community that Mr Gershom Cohen decd. was married in the year 1779 or 1780 to Mrs Rebecca Cohen Widow that he was always regarded as a Revolutionary soldier, and that she was esteemed as a respectable married lady, we also certify that said Gershom Cohen died in the year 1802, and that the statements of the Mrs Rebecca Cohen, the Widow of said Gershom Cohen are entitled to full credit, and we do therefore recommend her case to the favorable consideration of the Department. In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names, and affixed the seal of the Congregation this 30 day of September 1838 and we also certify that the records of the church were burnt or destroyed in the year 1790 and in the month of April 1838
Nathan Hart
H.M. Hertz
Abrm. Ottolengui
Attested
S Valentine Secty.
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State of So Carolina
City of Charleston
Personally appeared before me Doctor David Sarzedas, aged 78 years a resident of Charleston, who being duly sworn, deposeth that he was in Charleston, when the French Fleet under the command of Count De Estaing [Comte d'Estaing] appeared in the months of August or September 1779 on our coast bound for Savannah, for the purpose of uniting with the American forces then under the command of General Lincoln, to make a joint attack on the British navy then fortified in Savannah.
These circumstances excited the Georgians late residents of Savannah who were in Charleston, to unite in volunteering their services in joining the Southern Army.
A meeting took place amongst the old residents of Savannah, that had taken refuge here, and as well as I can remember Many of them agreed to go to Georgia, and if they were successful in the enterprize to get an early possession of the property they were obliged to abandon on this occasion a division took place, some went on by Land and others with whom I joined in going on board the French Fleet & contained on board the admirals Ship/ Lanquedoc of ninety guns / until
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the landing was made at Beauley's in Georgia, when the line of march was taken up for Savannah and myself & companions joined in the advance infantry and soon encamped before the fortified city of Savannah, on my arrival at that place. I recognised several of my friends & acquaintances from Charleston, who had volunteered their services, amongst them was my Brother in Law Mr Gershom Cohen, who was in the action in storming the British lines in which we failed of success - soon after the americans were dismissed and returned to their homes.
Mr Cohen as well as myself returned to Charleston where we rested peacefully untill Lord Cornwallis laid siege to the City of Charleston, when all the citizens were Stationed during the time of fortifying and doing duty in defence of the place, untill the surrender, when the town fell into the hands of the British army.
And deponent further saith that the said Gershom Cohen, was made a prisoner by the British, at the time of the surrender of Charleston in May 1780 and remained so a prisoner like the rest of the Militia - who were taken under arms at the same time, and deponent saith he has season to believe that Mrs
Rebecca Cohen, the widow of said Gershom Cohen was married to said Gershom Cohen in the year 1779 or 1780, and that said Gershom. Died in the year 1802
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and that said Mrs Rebecca Cohen's Statements are entitled to full faith and confidence-
D. Sarzedas
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27 day of Septemb 1838, and & also certify the credibility of the affiant
P Cantwell not public Q.U.
for Charleston Dist SoCa
"1779 or" 1780 first inserted in last 
line first place P Cantwell NP QU
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State of South Carolina
City of Charleston
On this 29th day of September 1838 Personally appeared before me, Mrs Sarah Cardoza aged 73 years a resident of Charleston, who being duly sworn deposeth, that she was acquainted with Mr Gershon Cohen late of Charleston deceased during the war of the Revolution, that she remembers of his having gone in the expedition to Savannah in the year 1779 as a volunteer soldier, and of his return after the unsuccessful assault upon the same to Charleston, Deponent saith that said Gershom Cohen, served at the Seige of Charleston in May 1780, when it surrendered, he was made a prisoner of War on parole, and remained so a prisoner to the Enemy 12 months. Deponent saith, she is also well acquainted with Mrs Rebecca Cohen the widow of said Gershom Cohen, and has every reason to believe she was married to said Gersham Cohen in the year 1779 or 1780, and that said Gershom Cohen died in the year 1802 and that the said Mrs Rebecca Cohen, was always esteemed in this community as a respectable married lady, whose statements are entitled to the fullest credit.
Sarah Cardoza
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year above written. I also certify the credibility of the affiant. "1779 or" on 18" line first indented.
L Ryan - not pub & QU for Cd Dist So Ca
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State of South Carolina
District of Charleston SS

Office Court Common 
Pleas Charleston

I Charles C Strohecker Clerk of the Court 
of Common Pleas for the District of Charleston South 
Carolina, hereby certify that Patrick Cantwell, 
Lawrence Ryan, and E W Bounetheau 
are magistrates, and that the signatures 
purporting to be theirs attached to the annexed 
papers are genuine. I further certify that 
Mrs Judith Abrahams, Mrs Sarah Cardoza, 
Doctor Jacob De La Motta, Dr D Sarzadas, the 
trustees of the Hebrew Congregation of this City, and 
Magr. Phillip Hyam and Hartwig Cohen are 
reputable and their statements entitled to 
credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of my 
office this 3rd day of December 1838.

Charles C Strohecker
Clerk of the Court of Common
Please for Charleston District
So Carolina
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Mrs R Cohen Call
Mrs J. Abrahams
C1863
4193
4 July '36
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State of South Carolina
District of Charleston
On this 27th day of September 1838, personally appeared before the undersigned Mrs. Judith Abrahams aged 75 years a resident of Charleston, who being duly sworn deposeth that she was personally acquainted with the late Mr Gershon Cohen of Charleston, that she knew him during the war of the Revolution, to have served in said war as a volunteer private soldier against the British, that, she has every reason to believe he served at the Seige of Savannah, and at the Seige of Charleston, and from her recollection of these times and of his services she has no doubt he served under arms during said war of the Revolution 12 months. Deponent saith that at the surrender of Charleston in May 1780 to the enemy said Cohen was made a prisoner of war on parol, and was so detained more than 12 months, for the war in Charleston during the whole of this period. Deponent saith she is also well acquainted with Mrs. Rebecca Cohen the widow of said Gershon Cohen and has every reason to believe she was married to said Gershon in the year 1779 or 1780, and that, said Gershon died in the year 1802, and that said Mrs. Rebecca Cohens statements are entitled to full credit and deponent saith she was present at the wedding between the said Gershon Cohen and the said Rebecca Cohen.
Judith Abrahams

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written and I also certify the credibility of the affiant.
P Cantwell Not Pub & QU for 
"1779 or" on the 25" being first inserted P Cantwell NP QU
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REVOLUTIONARY PENSION CLAIM.
ACT OF 4 July 1836
Rebecca Cohen,
Widow of Gershom
---
South Carolina
---
Suspended
---
POWER OF ATTORNEY TO EXAMINE CLAIMS.
---
CHARLES C. TUCKER
Attorney, Present.
24. Aug. '54
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Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents: That I Philip Cohen son and Administrator of Rebecca Cohen, deceased, do hereby constitute and appoint CHAS C. TUCKER, of Washington City, D. C., my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Rebecca Cohen, Widow of Gershom, for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of July 4, 1836, or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all 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, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things that I might or could do, were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 21st day of August 1854.
In presence of two witnesses
R. Roy
S. S Allemong

STATE OF South Carolina COUNTY Charleston District
On this 21st day of August 1854, before me a magistrate in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Philip Cohen and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.
C B Mathews Magistrate

STATE OF South Carolina
Charleston District
On this 21st day of August 1854, before me the undersigned a magistrate in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Philip Coehn a resident of said County, and made oath according to the law that he is the identical person who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
C B Mathews
Magistrate
Philip Coehn

STATE OF South Carolina
District of Charleston
I Daniel Horlbeck Clerk of the Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas hereby certify that C B Mathews Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 21 day of Aug 1854
Danl Holrbeck
C.G.S.&C.P.