Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,154, Abel Houghton, Mass
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Mass_______Houghton, Abel________W20254
_________________Relief______________BLW 16107
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Abel Houghton
Hadley in the State of New York
who was Private in the Company commanded by Captain Fisher of the Regt commanded by Col Tyler in the Massachusetts line for 14 months,
___________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 46 Dollars 66cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of December 1832 -and sent to A Goodrich Ballston (?)N.Y
____________________________________________________
Arrears to 4th Sept 1832  - $69.99 
Semi-annal allowance ending 4 March '33 23.33
_____________
$93.32

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

RECORDED BY Jno Cornwell Clerk
BOOK D  VOL 5   PAGE 127
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[scan is completely black]
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[illegible]
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[print on opposite side of page is bleeding through]


12.524
Abel Houghton

Admitted

A. Goodrich
Ballston Spa — N. Y.
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5. State his service as dis[cussed?] in the form [illegible]

[table transcribed by row, headings followed by a colon]
[ROW 1]
Period.: {1st April to 1st June} in 1770 (inlisted0
Duration of Service.: Years, [blank] Months, 2 Days [blank]
Rank.: As a Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.:
Gen. Lieut. Fairbanks guarding prisoners of Burgoynes Army

[ROW 2]
Period.: July 1st 1779 " [inlisted]
Duration of Service.: Years, [blank] Months, 6 Days, [blank]
Rank.: As a " [Private]
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.: Gen. Col. Tyler} Capt Fisher} Masstts lines

[ROW 3]
Period.: July 1t 1780 " [inlisted]
Duration of Service.: Years, [blank] Months, 3 Days, [blank]
Rank.: As a " [Private]
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.: Gen. Capt. Mooers " [Masstts] State Troops

[ROW 4]
Period.: Augt 1781 " [inlisted]
Duration of Service.: Years, [blank] Months, 3 Days. [blank]
Rank.: As a " [Private]
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.: Gen. Col. Luke Rury} Capt. N. Wright} " do do [Massttts State Troops]
[table ends]

5. In what battles was he engaged? none

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sterling Masstts.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditinary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence, and the living
witness who testifies to the 6 mos service in 1779. & the 3 mos service in 1781

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers
are not attached to cas other according to the Regulations

* Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.

[signature] Wm Gordon Examining Clerk.
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[print on opposite side of page is bleeding through]

[top left corner obscuring part of name]
[Ab]el Houghton

12.524
admitted
14 mo
---------
$46.66

send
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[print on opposite side of page is bleeding through]

The pension papers
of Abel Houghton

A Nash [illegible]
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Declaration, in order to obtain the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1882.

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
SARATOGA COUNTY,
} ss.

On this Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in [illegible] court, before the court of
Common Pleas of the county of Saratoga and State of New-York, now sitting, Abel Houghton
, a resident of the Town of Hadley in the county of Saratoga, and State of
New-York, aged Seventy 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 passed June 7, 1882.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

He was born in the Town of Lancaster, now Sterling in the
county of Worcester & state of Massachusetts August 16 1763
the record thereof is in the clerk's office of the town
of Sterling aforesaid—

He is known to Stephen Gray Esq John [Lovless?] of the Town of Hadley
in the County of Saratoga & State of New York and to Benjamin
Coles Esquire & David Rogers of the Town of Corinth in said county who
can testify to his Character for veracity and their belief
of his Services as a Soldier of the Revolution

That he resided at the Town of Sterling in the county of Worcester
in the State of Massachusetts where he enlisted & entered
into the Service in a Company of Massachusetts Levies or state
Troops as a private under Lieutenant Fairbanks [illegible] er to keep
guard over Prisoners Captured with Genl Burgoynes at
Saratoga for the Period of three months on the
1st day of [crossed out: January] April 1779 & served until the 1st day
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in the County of Worcester and state of Massachusetts
in [manner?] following that immediately after his Said
Enlistment he with the comp[any to] which he belonged
Marched to Rutland in t[the] State of Vermont
where he continued doing duty on guard &c at Rutland
aforesaid until the Period of his said enlistment was
fully expired & was dismissed by the said Lieutenant
Fairbanks, at Rutland in the state of Vermont
aforesaid.
Page 11

That he resided at the Town of Sterling in the county
of Worcester in the state of Massachusetts when he
enlisted and entered into the service as a private
in a company of Massachusetts Levies or State Troop
for the Period of Six months on the 1st day
of July 1779 - under Captain Fisher in Colonel
Tyler's Regiment, repaired to Providence in the
State of Rhode Island and Joined the said Regiment
continued there about three months doing duty [crossed out: illegible]
on guard &c then went to Bristol in Boats, was
there stationed in the Meeting-House for a few days
until the British Troops evacuated New Port and
went in their ships to New York. Colonel Tyler
& Colonel Jacob's Regiments of American Troops
took immediate Possession of New Port in the state
aforesaid. Where he this declarent continued with
his company, doing duty as aforesaid until the Period of
his said Enlistment was ended, and at New Port
aforesaid received an Honorable discharged signed by
the said Captain Fish, said discharge has been long
since lost.

He has no documentary evidence of the aforesaid services
Page 12

that he sided [resided?] at Sterling in the county of Worcester in the
State of Massachusetts, when he enlisted and entered into the
service of the United States as a private in a Company of Massachusetts
State Troops for three months on the 1st July 1780
and served until the 1st October following- under Capt
Mooers - at Starling aforesaid. that immediately after his
said Enlistment. Marched [illegible] Butts-Hill in the
State of Rhode-island under [illegible] command of the [illegible]
Mooers, and was employed in erecting a {stone fort?] at that
place. and continued on Fatigue in laboring on the said
until the period of his said Enlistment was expired -
under the Superintendance of the Ingineer. his name is
forgotten & was dismissed by him at Butts-Hill aforesaid
he has no documentary evidence of his said services
that he resided at Sterling aforesaid when he enlisted & entered into the
Copmany of Captain Nathaniel Wright, in Colonel Luke
Rury's Reigment of Massachusetts State Troops for the Peri
-od of three months, in August 1781 at Sterling
aforesaid, a [five?] days after the said enlistment, he marched with
other enlisted Soldiers under the command of the said Captain
Wright to West Point in the STate of New York, and
Joined the Company and Service as a private, keeping
provisions on the Point and some times secued on fatigues
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at West Point aforesaid Recd an Honorable discharge
signed by

That during the Revolutionary War & since that time
he has resided at Storington in the county of Worcester in
the state of Massachusetts, from there to Jeffery in the State
of New Hampshire. from there to the Town of Grafton
in the county of Windham in Vermont State from
there to Albany in the State of New York and from
there of to the Town of Hadley in said state where
he now resides
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[unreadable] every dates whatever to a pension [unreadable] of the agency of my State, 

Sworn and subscribed, the day and your aforesaid. 

in open Court

Signature of Abel Houghton and
Thomas Palmer
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timber

in the year one thousand eight hundred and thrirty two
personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of
the Peace of the said county Ephraim Houghton of the Town of Corinth
in said county aged seventy two years to me well known and who
I hereby certify to be a man of character for veracity and the said
Ephraim being first duly sworn & examined doth depose and say
that he was during the Revolutionary War and is now well acqu-
-ainted with Abel Houghton of the Town of Hadley . . . . .
in the county of saratoga & state of New york aforesaid and
that he knows that the said Abel Houghton did on the 1st July
1779 Enlist into the american service for six months & served
until the 1st January 1780 as a private of the Revolutionary war
in the company of captain Fish in the Regiment of Colonel
Tyler at Sterling in the county of Worcester and state of
Massachusetts that this deponent enlisted as a private at the
same time in the said company and served in company
with the said Abel
until the said 1st January 1780 &
that from Sterling aforesaid he marched to providence in the
state of Rhode island & continued there doing duty as aforesaid
for some months from there to Bristol in Boats and was stati-
-oned in the Meeting-house until the British troops evacuated
New Port when colonel Tylers & Jacobs regiments of American
Troops took immediate possesion and that he the said Abel continued there doing duty as
aforesaid until 1st January 1780 and received an honorable discharge
signed by the said captain at the place aforesaid-

And also that the said Abel enlisted and served in the company
of captain Nathaniel Wright in colonel Rurys Regiment for
three months from the day of August 1781 until the — November
following that he enlisted at sterling in the county of Worcester in the state of
Massachusetts that this deponent Elisted in company with him the said
Abel for the same period in the same company as a private and serv[ed]
with him the said Abel during the said period of three months excep[t]
as herin after stated that he served as follows immediately after his
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said
Enlistment he marched with other enlisted soldiers of whom this deponent was one under the
command of the said captain Wright to west point in the [crossed out: state]
state of New york and joined his company and served as a private
aforesaid in keeping Garrison on the Point and some times served
on Fatigue duty &c that this deponent received a permit or pass
to return home a few days before the period of the said three
months was expired on account of sickness & left him the said
Abel at the place aforesaid on duty, as aforesaid.

Ephraim Houghton

Subscribed & sworn to
the date above written
before me

Stephen [Grays?] Justice of the Peace
Sworn in open Court the Sixth
day of September 1832
Thomas Palmer Clerk
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County of Saratoga ss.

Ephraim Houghton of the Town of Corinth
in the county of Saratoga and State of New york, aged Seventy two years
being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say
that he resided in the Town of Sterling, County of Worcester and state of
[crossed out: New york] Massachusetts in the time of the Revolutionary War that on the
first of July 1779 he enlisted into a company of Massachusetts
State Troops under Captain Fish in Colonel Tyler Regiment for
Six months at Sterling aforesaid and served in said company and
Regiment until the first of January 1780 and that he well
knew Abel Houghton then of the Town of Sterling aforesaid and
who now resides in the Town of Hadley County of Saratoga and
State of New York, and that he also knows that the said Abel
Houghton enlisted in the said company under the said Capt
Fish on the said first day of July 1779 at the same place and
time this deponent did and served during the period of his said
enlistment and was discharged on the said 1s[t] [J]anuary 1780
and that he this deponent and the said Abel Houghton returned
home to Massachusetts in Company & that on the way he saw the
discharge of the said Abel in his possession Signed by colonel
Wood when on our way home, and [crossed out: the] also this deponent doth on
his oath further say that on the 1st of August 1871 he, and the said
Abel Houghton enlisted into the company of Captain Wright
in Colony Rury's Regiment of Massachusetts State Troops at
Sterling aforesaid for three months and that he the said Abel
served during the three months
aforesaid and received a discharge signed by Gens. McDougal
which said discharge this deponent has seen after he returned & it
was in the possession of the said Abel

Ephraim Houghton

Subscribed & sworn to the
Nineteenth day of July 1832 before me

Stephen Gray a Justice of
the peace of the said county of Saratoga

Re-Sworn in open Court the 6th [day of] September 1832
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Brought our [illegible] the [illegible]
I do Certify that Ephraim Houghton of the Town of Corinth—
at the County of Saratoga and the State of New, York—
is a [land?] [illegible] and inhabitant and is willing to do [illegible] in
all prospects and is a man of worth and Warranty—
[illegible] July the 19- 1832 — Stephen Gray Justice
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We, Stephen Grey. & John Douglass, [crossed out: a clergyman,] residing in the Town of Hadley.
county of Saratoga, State of New-York, [crossed out: and residing in]
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abel Houghton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Sixty nine years of age;
that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolutionary war
and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

in open Court

Thomas Palmer Kirk
Stephen Gray
John Loveless

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and
served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Stephen Gray
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a [crossed out: [illegible] resident] [illegible] in the town of Hadley
county of Saratoga, State of New-York, and that John Douglass who has
also signed the same is a resident in the same Town is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Thomas Palmer clerk of the court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Saratoga
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the appli-
cation of Abel Houghton for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 6th day of September
in the year 1832—

Thomas Palmer
Clerk
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is fully stated in my Declaration above
In answer to late 5th question he states that it is as fully
answered above as he [crossed out] recollects
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No. 5
Declaration
Of a Revolutionary Widow who claims a Land Warrant under Act of March 3, 1855.

State of New York
Warren County 

On this 23rd day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the __________county and state aforesaid Relief Houghton aged eighty seven years, a resident of Hadley Saratoga Co in the State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Abel Houghton deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary War and for some particular account & the services of her husband the said Abel Houghton deceased and of the proofs of her marriage with him said (husband (?) is made to the officiation of this (? for a pension in consequence of the Services of her said husband in the Revolutionary War and the accompanying documents (?) then to 

She further states that she was married to the said Abel Houghton in Jeffrey New Hampshire on the first day of April A.D. 1791 by one Labin Ainsworth a Clergyman and that he name before her said marriage was Relief (?) that her said husband died at Hadley (?) on the 28th day of February A.D. 1839, and that she is now a widow. and a pensioner of the United States in consequence of the Revolutionary services of her husband the said Abel Houghton decreased and receives Forth six & 66/100 dollars per annum - by virtues of the Pension Certificate (?) he (?) becoming (?) 12 September 1848  and that she is the identical Relief Houghton (?) in service Certificate (unreadable text).

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may e entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855, and she herby requests the Commissioner of Pensions to forward her warrant to Reuben Wells at (?) NY and appoint him my attorney to receive the same for ma. 

Witness Geroge Burk

Relief Houghton (X Mark)
Page 22

No. 5
Declaration
of the Revolutionary Widow who claims a Land Warrant under Act of March 3, 1855.

State of New York, 
Warren County 

On this 23 day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the _____county and state aforesaid Relief Houghton aged eighty-seven years, a resident of Hadley Saratoga Co. in the State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Abel Houghton deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary War and for more particular account & the service of her husband the said Abel Houghton deceased and of the proofs of her marriage with the said (husband (?) if made to the officiation of this (?) for a pension in consequence of the services of her said husband in the Revolutionary War and the accompanying documents (?) then to 

She further states that she was married to said Abel Houghton in Jaffrey New Hampshire on the first day of April A.D. 1791, by one Labin Ainsworth a Clergyman and and that her name before her said marriage was Relief Dole that her said husband died at Hadley Saratoga NY on the 28th day of February A.D. 1839, and that she is now a widow and a pensioner of the United States in consequence of the Revolutionary services of her husband of the said Abel Houghton decreased and receives Forty six & 66/a00 dollars per annum by virtue if the Pension Certificate in her (?) 12th September 1848 and that she if the identical Relief Houghton (?) in service Certificate being an original certificate

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855, and she hereby requests the Commissioner of Pensions to forward her warrant to Reuben Wells at (?) NY and appoint him attorney to receive the same for me.

Witness George Burk

Signature of Relief Houghton (X Mark)

We Henry Burke and Hannah Burke residents of Hadley Saratoga Co in the State of New York, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Relief Houghton in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. 

Signatures of Henry Burk
Hannah Burk

The foregoing declaration and affidabit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim and I certify that (?) was written over (?) 1791 and that  Hadley was written over 6 months before the execution of the above declaration 

Signature of Reuben Well  Justice
Page 23

State of New York,
Warner County }

I Thomas Archibald Clerk of the said
county, do hereby certify that Reubin Wells was, on the day of the
date of the foregoing certificate, a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County,
duly appointed and qualified, and that the signature thereto, purporting to be his, is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and
subscribed my name this 24th day of April
A. D. 1855.

Thomas Archibald Clerk
Page 24

10, 130
Relief Houghton
NY
Act of July 38. 
M. 92 28 Feb y '89

admid'12 mo. 22 d/?
42.44
from 28 Feby '39 when her husband died
Page 25

State of Vermont
WIndham County ss.

Be it known that before me Hyman Burgess a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Betsey T. Baker of this Town of Grafton in the county of Windham and state of Vermont aforesaid aged Seventy years who being duly sworn according to law doth, depose and say, that she is a sister of Relief Houghton whose name before marriage was Relief Dole, was married to the said Abel Houghton, on the first day of April in the ear of our Lord Seventeen hundred and ninety by the Reverend Laban Aynesworth at the town of Jaffrey in the County of Cheshire in the state of New Hampshire, being the place of Residence of the said (?) Relief and also of this deponent was present at and in (?) the marriage ceremony of the said Relief Dole to the said Abel Houghton, and she further testified that the said Abel Houghton and Relief Houghton lived together as husband and wife from the time aforesaid until the death of the said Abel Houghton;

And further the above named Laban Aynesworth was at the state of said marriage, a Clergyman and Pastor over a Christian Church in the Town of Jaffrey in the county of (?) aforesaid. 

And that the said Relief Houghton is still the widow of the said Abel Houghton deceases and resides in the Town of Hadley in the County of Saratoga in the state of New York 

Sworn and Subscribed the 27th day of May 1842 before me

Signature of Betsy P. Baker  (X Mark)
Signature of Hyman Burgess Justice of the Peace
Witness (Signature unreadable)

And I the above named Justice of the Peace do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction, the above named Betsey P. Baker is unable to write her name on account of the infirmities incidental in extreme old age, and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Betsey P. Baker the above named, that her reputation is fair for truth and veracity and I verily beliee that she is a credible witness and I further certify that an erasure was made on the 12th line and 9"Cheshire") written on an erasure on the (?) line before execution. 

Signature of Hyman Burgess  Justice of the Peace
Page 26

Windham County  County Clerk's Office
New Fane  May 31, A.D. 1843

Marshal Miller, Clerk of said Court certify that Hyman Buress is a Justice of the Peace, with & for said county, duly commissioned & qualified that his commission (?) date November 9th A.D. 1842 & will expire on the 30th day of November A,D 1843 and that his signature, on such, within written is genuine .

In testimony I hereby, I hereto set my hand and affix written seal of said Court the day and year first above written

Attest Signature of Marshall Miller, Clerk
Page 27

State of New York ss.
County fo Saratoga

On this tenth day of April 1839 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Saratoga ages Seventy-two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisiiom made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" that she is the widow of Abel Houghton who was a private in the Revolutionary Army. And further that according to the best of her knowledge information or belier he the said Abel Houghton has said husband resided in Sterling in the County of Worcester in the Sate of Massachusetts where he in the year 1779 entered into the Service of the United States and served as a private Soldier in the War of the Revolution, under Lieut Fairbanks 1st tour & the 2nd terms under Capt. Fish or Fisk.  And further that he the said Abel Houghton, her said husband was a Pensioner of the United States at the time of his decease, at the rate of Forty Six dollars and Sixty six centers per annum under the Act of Congress of the 7 June 1832 his Certificate was numbered 3753; for the names of his officers and the particular circumstances of his Service the Department is referred to his declaration for a Pension under the aforesaid Act, 

   The further declares, shat she was married to the said Abel Houghton on the first day of April in the year seventeen hundred and eighty eight: that her husband aforesaid Abel Houghton died on the Twenty eighth day of February 1839; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. at the time above stated. 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day ad year above written, before
The Court above stated in open Court
m. 80  "per annum" between 19. (?)
above (?) before sworn 

Signature of A. Goodrich  Clerk 

Relief.
Page 28

I Alphens Goodrich Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to this Court that Relief Houghton within named is an Inhabitant now resding in Hadley in the County of Saratoga aforesaid and that she is the identical Relief Houghton widow of Abel Houghton who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and is now deadm 
And I further certify that it satisfactorily appears, that the said Relief Houghton is unable to write her name on account of the infinities of old age. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of April in the year 1839.
Page 29

At a court of Common Pleas held at the Cour House in the Village of Vallston Spa and for the County of Saratoga on the Second Tuesday of April 1839.

April 11

Present
Hon. Thomas J. Marvin
Nicholas D. Boe
George G. Scott
John Gilchrist

In the Matter of Relief Houghton
Widow of Abel Houghton, A Pensioner

The applicant makes declaration on oath in Open Court. And Aaron Houghton, Sworn proves that Abel Houghton was  Pensioner residing in this County, that he died at Hadley on the 28th day of February 1839 leaving Relief his Widow.   Ordered Certificate. 

I Certify the foregoing to be a true copy from the Minutes of said Court
Given under my hand & seal this 5th day of June 1823. 

Horace Goodrich 
Clerk
Page 30

Relief Houghton for 
a Pension under an Act
of 7 July 1838

December 2nd 1843.
Page 31

State of New-Hampshire.
Office of Secretary of State. 

I, Thomas P. Treadwell Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Jonas M. Melville is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Cheshire duly Commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 24th day of November 1839 and will expire on the 24th day of November 1844 and this signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.

Given under my hand and the Seal of Said State this second day of Nov, 1843.

Signature of Thomas P. Treadwell
Secretary of State. 

Seal can be seen in lower left corner.
Page 32

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire S.S. 

I certify that the following is a true extract of a record pf persons joined in marriage (at the town of Jaffrey in the County and State aforesaid) by the Reverend Laban Ainsworth.

Seventeen hundred ninety two 
Abel Houghton   Lesse Dole

I further certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures on the record - 1792--

Benjamin Cutter
Town Clerk of Jaffrey, N.H. 

Jaffrey Nov. 6th 1843

I Benjamin Cutter above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the County, town & state aforesaid and the above is a true extract from the records, of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me. And I further testify that the record of marriage in this Office, during the period of the Revolution and some years subsequent is very imperfect, some are dated & some are without date excepting the date of the year, the marriage of the above named is without date excepting the year and under the same date (to wit) 1792 are a number of other marriages recorded some are dated and some are without date excepting the year and by the (?) and writing all appear to have been recorded at the same time. 

Signature of Benjamin Cutter 
Town Clerk of Jaffrey N.H.
Page 33

State of New Hampshire
Cheshire Co. 

November 6  1843
The within named Benjamin Cutter personally appeared and declared upon oath that the statement in this instrument are true extracts from the records of town of Jaffrey. 

Signature of Jonas M Melville
Justice of the Peace

"B"
State of New Hampshire 
County of Cheshire
(some text crossed out, including the month)  25  1843

And (unclear text) and say that on the day and year within written before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Benjamin Cutter of Jaffrey aforesaid and who is, well known to be the Town Clerk of Jaffrey and who being by me duly sworn according to law deposes and says, that the within deposition to which he has subscribed his name (?) the truth and nothing but the truth. 

Signature of Jonas Melville  
Justice of the Peace

Written sideways in lower left corner: 
Town Clerk Jaffrey
6 Nov 1843
Page 34

State of New York
County of Saratoga  SS.

Be it known that before me Harmon Rockwell a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Relief Houghton widow of Abel Houghton aged seventy six years; who being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that she is the identical Relief Houghton widow of Abel Houghton the (?) for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1832?

She states that in her declaration made before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga on the 10th day of April 1839 she unfortunately made a mistake in the date of the year of her marriage instead of "1788." she ought to have said 1790.

That she discovered the mistake  (after Court) by (?) the ages of her children, that her first born is now fifty two years of age, and the month and day she remembers it was the day of making April Fools, and on the account some of her Friends would not attend the wedding.

Signature of Relief Houghton (X Mark)

Sworn and subscribed this 
14th day of June 1843 before me
Harmon Rockwell Justice
Witness Aaron Houghton

And I the above named Justice do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the above named "Relief Houghton" is unable to write her name on account of the infirmities incidental in old age, her limbs tremble

Signature of Harmon Rockwell
Page 35

State of New York
County of Saratoga ss 

I Horace Goodrich Clerk of said County, do hereby  certify that Harmon Rockwell Esquire whose Signature is set to the foregoing proceedings was on the day of the date thereof A Justice of the Peace in and for said County and dwelling in said County duly Elected and Sworn, and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verify believe the several signatures " Harmon Rockwell " subscribed there to are genuine

In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and affixed an official seal this 17th day of June 1843.

Signature of Horace Goodrich
Page 36

Abel Houghton 
Priv Rev War
Feb 24. 48
Vol. A Page 349

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 37

Document completely blocked out
Page 38

The test of this document is completely blocked out.
Page 39

The text of this document is completely blocked out.
Page 40

[Act of March 3, 1843.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1  Page 261
Page 41

8386

Albany 
New York

Relief Houghton 
Widow of 
Abel Houghton 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 28 February 1839 in Hawley in the State of N.Y. who was a Pri (Private) in the Company of Captain Fisher of the Reg (Regiment) commanded by Col Tyler in the Mass line for 14 months
_________________________________________

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate 
of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum; to commence on the 28 Feby 1839.
___________________________________________

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May 1844 and sent to Hon C Ellis   H Reps

___________________________________________
Total Amount,  $ __________

[At July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by F. L. Swann Clerk, 
Book D  Vol. 1  Page 161
Page 42

# 8386

New York 

Relief Houghton 
widow of Abel Houghton, 
who was a pensioner under the Ace of 1832, 
and who died on the 22 February 1839,
of (?) in the State of NY:
who was a private in the _____________
commanded by Captain Fisher of the 
_____________commanded by Col. Tyler in the 
Massachusetts line for 14 mo. 

_________________________________________________
 Inscribed on the Roll of Albany, 
at the rate of 41 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836 & Ending 28th February, 1839.
_________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Oct 1865 and sent to S. Jenkins Albany N.Yk.

Total amount,  $138.00

[Act of July 7, 1838.]

Remainder of text unreadable.
Page 43

Lucerne NY
Feb 4 1806

Hon J. Minot  (?)

(Many of the beginning text unreadable)  according (?) Certificate of Secy of State of Mss in relation to Relief Houghton application for bounty land

Respectfully & truly
Yor Obt Sevt
Reuben Wells
Page 44

Text is difficult to read 

23 Feb 48 N.Y. 
Boynton
Page 45

Top line unreadable

Written under the 8th (?) of the Act 3  March 1855. The hundred & forty
Page 46

Acy H.1848

Postage Stamp of Albany

Houghton
Relief
Jan 24  1848

Addressed to 
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department 
Washington City
Page 47

Albany  August 8 1845

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions, 

Sir
I (?) the declaration of Mrs. Relief Houghton, the widow of Abel, for (?) of pension under the Act 7 July 1838. 

I am Sir, 
Very Respectfully 
Your Obdt. Servt
Leml Jenkins
Page 48

Postage Stamp of Ballston, NY

June 20 1843

Relief Houghton 

FREE is stamped on the envelope

Addressed to James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 49

First line unreadable

at Ballston T.O. as issued

Very Respectfully 
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant

Aaron Nash
Page 50

Ballstow Spa  June 8, 1843

Sir, 
Inclosed (enclosed) herewith you will receive the papers of Mrs. Relief Houghton widow of Abel Houghton for a pension under the Act of July 7, 1838

And I am aware the papers are imperfect being made before Court in 1839, but it appearing her claim could (?) be allowed because she was not a widow on the date of said (?)

And also the date of the proof of marriage, does not agree with her statement by 2 yekars, 

By a letter from J Place Esquire of Jaffrey. I am informed, "that some year after their probable marriage the records of both Town and Parish were destroyed by fire."  Will you leave the goodness to give me the most favorable instruction in this case, as the widow is my (?) circumstances not able to pay much expenses

I, am Respectfully 
Your Obt. Servant
Aaron Nash

J. L. Edwards  Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 51

Letter from the Com of Pensions
Date  15 Aug 1843
Page 52

An imprint of a stamp is located in the upper left corner. 

In the left margin are the following numbers:
4.3
3.4
2.26
____
2.19
____
12.22

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Secretary's Office 
Sept 29 1813

I hereby Certify, That. from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Abel Houghton of Lancaster is borne from the payroll of Capt Thomas Fish & Col. Tyler from July 28 to Dec. 30 1779 - 4 mos 3 days

The name of Abel Houghton is borne from the payroll of Capt. David Moore Col. Hollet from Augst. to Oct 31 1780 & travel 3 mos & 4 days:: from the payroll of Capt Nathl Wright from Sept 29 to Dec 31 1780 & travel  400 miles, 2 mos 2 days
Upon the payroll of Capt Elias Pratt from April 13th to July 1 1779  2 mos 19 days & all that appears on the rolls in this office. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

Signature of Jno A Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 53

Pension Office, 
August 15  1843

A Stamp impression can be seen in the upper left corner of the document. 

Your Claim under the act of 7 July 1838 has been examined and your papers filed. The alleged date of the marriage should be established by that grade of proof which the record of Towns, and Church, and the registers of families so generally afford. 

Since the adjustment of your husband claim it is known that there are records of the Massachusetts troops at Boston, and as each claimant is required to produce the best attainable proof, it will be necessary to establish by the Certificate of the Secretary of that State, the following (?) of Service; two months from 1st April 1779 under Lieutenant Fairbanks guarding prisoners, six months from 1 July 1779 under Captain Fisher, Colonel Tyler, three months from 1 July 1780 under Captain Mooers, and three months from August 1781 under Captain Nathaniel Wright, Colonel Luke Drury. 

I am very respectfully, 
Your Ob Servant, 
J.L. Edwards

Mrs. Relief Houghton 
Hadley
Saratoga County
Page 54

Relief Houghton 

Admitted

Reuben Wells
Luzerne
NY
Page 55

State of New York 
Saratoga County SS

On the ninth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight persoblly appeared before Harmon Rockwell one of the Justice of the Peace in & for the said County Relief Houghton a resident of Hawley in the said County of Saratoga & state of New York aged eighty three years when being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions by the Act of Congress passed on the 8th February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War that she is the widow of Abel Houghton who was a private in the Massachusetts Volunteers some of the time that he lived in Sterling Massachusetts at the time and went from these into the service that (?) heard hijm tell the names of the officers the (?) but cannot remember the names or either of them nor the regiments he served in and that the annual amount of the pension which received under the Act of 17th June 1866 was forty six dollars and sixty six cents. (The remaining sentence is difficult to decipher.) 

Signature of Relief Houghton (X Mark)

Harmon Rockwell Justice
Page 56

Saratoga Court. I certify that the within name declarant (?) Houghton is personally known to Mrs. H that she (next phrases unreadable) the Act of Congress of the 17th June 1844.

Signature of Harmon Rockwell  Justice
Page 57

Imprint of seal in upper left corner.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Secretary's Office, Boston, 

February 1, 1856

I hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Miliary Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Abel Houghton is borne on pay roll of Capt. Elias Pratt's Company stationed at Rutland from Arpil 12th 1779  2 mos. 19 days as private. 

Also on pay roll of Capt Thomas Fisk's Comp. Col. Nathan Tyler's Regt from July 28th 1779 to Jany 1 1799  5 mos. 7 days as private, from Lancaster

Also on pay roll of Capt. Nathaniel  Wrights Comp Col Luke Drury's Regt. from sept. 27 to Dec 3 1781  2 mos. 26 days, as private. 

In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. 

Signature of F. DeWitt
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 58

Act of March 3, 1855. 
Revolutionary Claims. 

Pension Office, 
Dec 21st 1855.

Sir: 
The claim of Relief Houghton for County lad under the act of the 3rd of March, 1855, No 105221 has been examined and suspended.

The revolutionary service of Abel Houghton the husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this office. 

The 3rd section of said act reqires a service of "Fourteen Days" to be established by "Record Evidence." +

Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will be favorably considered. 

Very Respectfully, 
J. Minot
Commissioner

+ You are referred to the secty: of State Mass: for such evidence, as the (?) alleged Service in Mass:  mil & state Troops at different periods.
Page 59

R. Houghton 
art 43
$46.66 per an


G.G. Scott
Ballston Spa
N. York
Page 60

Ballston Spa  June 26 1844

Sir
Herewith you receive the Declaration of Mr. Relief Houghton for Pension under the Act of March 3 1843 which please to examine and make returns to me at this P.O. early as convenient. 

I am Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant

Signature of Geo. G. Scott

J.L. Edwards Eq
Com. of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
Page 61

Dear Sir        Ballston Spa    Dec 2nd 1843

Herewith you will receive the papers of Mrs. Relief Houghton under the Act of July 1838, as amended which please examine and make return to me at Ballston P.O. 

I am Very Respectfully 
Your Mo Obt Servant

Signature of Aaron Nash

I am L. Edwards Esquire
Com of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
Page 62

10,130

June 13  '43
NY
July 7 1838
Relief Houghton 

Postage stamp of Ballston dated JUne 9

Addressed to Edwards Esquire
Commission of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
Page 63

Mar 30 a844

NY

R. Houghton 
M. Doolittle
O. Brown
J. Peckham
N. Resden


C. Ellis


Addressed to Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington
Page 64

H. of (?)  98 March

Sir
I ask your attention to the enclosed 

respectfully 
C. Ellis
Page 65

State of New York 
County of Saratoga ss:

On this 25th day of June 1866 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Relief Houghton a resident of the Town of Hadley in the County of Saratoga in the State of New York aged Seventy Seven Years: who being firs duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 3rd March 1843 granting Pensions to widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Abel Houghton who was a private of Infantry of the Massachusetts line of the Army of the Revolution and that according to the best of her (?) information on belief her husband the said Abel Houghton resided in the Town of Sterling in the County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts when he entered into the Service of the United States and served as a private of the Revolution and she further states that her husband the said Abel Houghton was a Pensioner of the United States at the time of his death (under the Act of June 7 1832) at the rate of Forty Six dollars and Sixty Six Cents per annum. 

And she further declares that she has received (or is entitled to receive) a Pension from the United States under the Act of Congressed passed 7th July 1838m the annual amount of Forty six dollars and Sixty Six cents, to wit: from the 28th day of February 1839 to the 4th day of March 1841, she further declares that she is still a widow

Relief (her  mark) Houghton 

Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above written before me 
Geo G Scott  Justice of the Peace

And I do hereby certify that Relief Houghton above named is to me known to be the identical person described in the above declaration, and farther the reason why she is unable to write her name is that she never learned to write

Signature of Geo. G. Scott.  Justice of the Peace
Page 66

State of New York
County of Saratoga  Ss.

I Horace Goodrich Clerk of the County Courtof the County for Saratoga aforesaid do hereby Certify that George G. Scott before whom the within proceeding purports to have been taken and done was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and that his Signatures subscrived to each are genuine. 

Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 26th day of June 1844. 

Signature of Horace Goodrich
Clerk
Page 67

To JAMES E.  EDWARDS, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions,

The subscriber a resident of the town of Hadley in the county of Saratoga and State of New York respectfully declares and represents

That she is the Widow of Abel Houghton who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution; that he departed this life on the 28th day of February 1839; That she as his Widow, received a Pension of forty six dollars Sixty Six cents per annum, under the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1888, from the twenty Eighth day of February 1839 aforesaid, when her said husband died, until the fourth day of March, 1841. 

And she now makes application for the arrears of pay due her under said act from the fourth day of Marchm 1836, unto the twenty seventy day of February 1839 

Relief (her X Mark) Houghton

Witness
Stephen Gray
John L . Higgins