Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22831, Reuben Hill, New York
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Service.            Hill, Reuben.          Number
                                                          S.22831
                                                         B.L.Wt. 30625-160-55
Content
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30 613
Reuben Hill
New York
Admitted
Private 7 mo & 12 days
$26.66
Return[ed]

H.W. Jackson Esq.
Harannas
N. York
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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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

1780 1 12 Private Col Van Renselaer 69 yrs           
Cap Shaw
1781 4 Private Col Miller
Cap Livingston  
Nov 1782 or 1783 2 Private Cap Leonard
 7 12

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant
James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
           
The claimant must determine whether it was in Nov. 1782 or 83 he entered the service
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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 County of
88.

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 she 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. [pointing finger] 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 [blank]
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.

I 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 putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as she 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 can not 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
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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 if detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicatnts 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 botn?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some 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 solider. 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 product 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 in a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will also certify, and hey 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 a 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 Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of 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 so 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 by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For _ 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 the precision of 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. 

Made of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or any papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 

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 administrate 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 case 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.
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137793. Act [illegible]        Apl 3/56
 June 11

Reuben Hill
Capt A. Livingston
Col Willet
En 1781 Aug
Dis Dec 1781

Revolutionary War 
Capt Saml Shaw 1779
Col Van Rensalar six Weeks
[illegible] 156
[BOY  L?]
E M Haines
Wauhegan
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288 69. Let Hon E. B. Washburn
 Jany 16/56
New York
Rueben Hill
of Collin in the State of N.Y.
who was a private in the Company, commanded by Captain Shaw of the Regt commanded
 by C Van Rensselaer in the New York Militia
 line for [?] month years & 12 days  $261.66

Inscribed in the Roll of New York
at the rate of 24 Dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Aug, 1834 and [?] H.W. Jackson Esq
Ha...? N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March ‘ 36 - $73.98
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept  - 12.33

                       $86.31
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7 1832
Recorded by Vinal Luce
Book E Vol. 4th Page 112
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157793
Bounty Land
Act of 30 March 1855
Claim No
of
Reuben Hill
E.M. Haines Atty
Waukegan Ill
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State of Illinois )
Lake County )

On this twenty-third day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace of this and for the County and State aforesaid Reuben Hill aged ninety [years?] and five months years a resident of Wauconda in the State of Illinois who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Reuben Hill who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Abraham Livingston in the First Regiment of [left blank] commanded by Colonel Willet in the War with Great Britain, known as the Revolutionary War, that he enlisted at Albany in the State of New York on the first day of August, AD 1781 for the term of four months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days and was honorably discharged at Fort Herkimer on the first day of December AD 1781, that he was stationed at Fort Herkimer and that he was in the Battle on West Canada Creek fought during his service in said war.  He further declares that in the year AD 1779 he served six months as a volunteer private at Fort Edward in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Shaw in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Van Rensaler.

He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the Act approved March 3rd 1833.  He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.

Reuben Hill [signature]
Page 10

We Nathan Hubbard and George S. Griswold residents of Wauconda in the State of Illinois upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Reuben Hill in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.

Geo S Griswold [signature]
Nathan Hubbard [signature]

The foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.

Justus Bangs [signature] | Justice of the Peace

State of Illinois
Lake County

I the undersigned Clerk of the County Court in and for said County do hereby Certify that the said Justus Bangs whose name is subscribed to the above certificate was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Lak aforesaid and that I believe the signature of the said Justus Bangs thereunto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court of said County this 29th day of May AD 1855.

James C. Biddlesone {signature] Clerk
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30.615 _
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State of New York
Tioga County SS

On the fifth day of March personally appeared in open court before me Justice of the court of common pleas in & for the county of Tioga now sitting,  Reuben Hill a resident in the Town of Catlin in the county of Tioga, State of New York, age sixty nine years last January, 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 as a private under the following named officers & served as herein stated.  He volunteered as a private with the militia in the fall of 1780, at Saratoga in the State of New York and marched from that place under the command of Colonel Van Renselaer in a company commanded by Captain Samuel Show, does not now recollect any of the other officers, he marched from Saratoga to Fort Edward, in the State of New York, & remained in the Service of the United States at Fort Edward for six weeks,  he was there discharged.  He cannot now recollect the day he entered the army or the day he left it at this time, but he does know that he served six weeks and during this time the Indians destroyed much property about Fort Anne.
He entered the army of the United States as a volunteer & served as a private a second time in the Militia of the State of New York, at Albany on the first day of August, 1781 in a regiment commanded y Col Harminus Willit the company was commanded by Captain Abraham Livingston--Lieutenants were one Hoftrosser [?] & Trotter.  He then marched from Albany to Schoharrie, on the Mohock river, from thence to fort Plain & thence to Herkimer at which place he was discharged on the first day of December 1781 being a period of four months during which time there was a battle with the Indians at West Canada Creek which he was in.
Then entered a third time in the Militia of the State of New York as a private & as a substitute for Thomas Frisby, on the first day of November in 1782 or 1783 cannot now
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recollect which at Schectady Schenectady in the State of New York was in a company commanded by Captain Leonard, cannot now bring to recollection any of the field or staff officers.  He remained in the Service of the United States as such substitute until the first day of January then next following, & was then discharged at Schenectady, at which place he remained, this term of service being a period of four months.  He cannot now recollect any of the regular officers, there were some regular troops at Herkimer--but the officers names he has forgotten.  He has no documentary evidence & that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service.
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.  He is not acquainted with any clergyman?] in his town.

Reuben Hill [signature]

Sworn and Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid.
[illegible]

We Consider B Evans and David W. Frost of this Town of Catlin, Tioga County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ruben Hill, who has subscribed & 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 [been?] a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Consider B. Evans [signature]
David W Frost [signature]

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
[illegible signature]

[illegible] in said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above Reuben Hill was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states, & the court further certify that Consider B Evans and David W Frost are residents in the Town of Catlin Tioga County, are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.

W. Darling [signature] Senior Judge
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I Green M. Tutthill Clerk of the court of common pleas in and for the County of Tioga do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of Reuben Hill, an applicant for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have presented my hand and seal of office this fifth day of March 1834.

Green M. Tuthill [signature]

The following interrogatories were proposed [?] by the Court.
1  Where & in what Year was you born?
A  I was born in the Town of Goshen, County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, in the Year Seventeen hundred & sixty five
2  Have You any record of your age & if So where is it?
I have no record of my age
3  Where were You living when called into Service and where have you lived since [question mark struck out] the Revolutionary War and where do You live now?
At the time I was called into the Service I lived at little Hoosack Ransalaer County, & State of New York.  Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in the County of Washington, State of New York, moved from that place to Delaware County New York & I now live in the Town of Catlin Tioga County New York.
4  How were You called into Service: were You drafted, did You Volunteer, or were You a Substitute & if so for whom?
I volunteered twice and once I was a substitute for Thomas Frisby.
5.  State the names of Some of the regular officers who were within the troops where You Served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of Your Service?
Page 15

At fort Herkimer there was a company of artillery of regular troops.  I do not recollect any of the officers names.  I can give no further details of my Service there than stated in the body of my declaration, owing to loss of memory.
6  Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so, by whom was it given & where is it?
I never received a written discharge from the Service.
7  State the names of persons to whom you are known in Your present neighborhood, & who can testify as to Your Character for veracity, & their belief of Your Services as a Soldier of the Revolution
[Illegible] 
John P Cornel.
Page 16

[handwritten] S.22831 M.C.S. [handwritten]

Rev. [illegible] 1812 Wars Section

November 25, 1924

Mrs. A. E. Hart
2403 Vineyard Ave.
Los Angeles, Calif.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.22831, it appears that Reuben Hill was born in 1765 at Goshen, Litchfield County, Connecticut.

While a resident of Little Hoosick, Rensselaer County, New York, he enlisted in the fall of 1780 and served six weeks as private in Captain Samuel Shaw's Company, Colonel Van Rensalaer's New York Regiment.

He enlisted August 1, 1781, as private in Captain Abraham Livingston's Company, Colonol Marinus Willett's New York Regiment, was in a battle with the Indians at West Canada Creek, and was discharged December 1, 1781.
He enlisted November 1, 1782, as private in Captain Leonard's New York Company, and was discharged January 1, 1783.

He served six weeks in 1814 as Wagon Master, was engaged in conveying baggage from Utica to Fort Niagara.
Page 17

He was allowed pension on his application executed March 5, 1834, at which time he resided at Catlin, Tioga County, New York.

In May, 1855, he was a resident of Wauconda, Lake County, Illinois, and then stated that he was ninety years and five months of age.

There is no data on file relative to his family.
The above noted is the only Reuben Hill, of Litchfield County, Connecticut, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

Respectfully,
Commissioner
Page 18

State of New York
Tioga County
________________

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in [illegible] the County of Tioga who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he now recollects (that the term of Service mentioned in his declaration for a pension, in which he states that it was in the year 1782 or 1783) was in the year 1782, & the reasons why he now recollects it to be in that year as that the Northern troops were disbanded in the month of January then following, which was in the year 1783.

Reuben Hill [signature]

Sworn and subscribed this 27th day of June 1834 before Mr. Thomas Mills JP

I certify that I am well acquainted with Reuben Hill who has Subscribed the above affidavit & that he is of good moral character, & that his oath is entitled to full credit and belief
Thomas Mills JP [signature]

State of New York
Tioga County
I Green M Tuthill Clerk of said County do certify that Thomas Mills Esquire before  whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn and by whom the [Certifi?] above appears to have been subscribed was on the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County, & that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature subscribed thereto to be genuine--Witness my hand and seal of office this the [?]th day of July AD 1834
Green M. Tuthill Clk  [signature]
Page 19

If you want a
Coppy of my Sertificate
(illegible)
Page 20

Revolution War

in 1779 I vollinteard [sic] My Service in the Defense of My Country under the Command of Capt Samuel Shaw in Col Vanrancelars [sic: Rensselaer] Regiment for six weak [sic] Stationed at Fort Edward

in 1781 Enlisted for four Months under Capt Abraham Livingston in Col Willets Regiment [illegible mark] for four Months Stationed at fort Herkimer on the Mohawk River was in the Battle of  west Canada Crick with Brants indians and Capt Butters tory Rangers and on the first Day of [caret, insertion: December] was Discharged

the War of 1812.  I served as private in 1814  I servd as Waggon Master Six weaks [sic] in freighting Baggage for the Army from Utica to fort Niaggara [sic]. I am Ninety years Six Months and twelve Days old.  I Beg My govrment [sic] to assist me a few Dollars for my Support in old age.

Esqr Hains [probably references E. M. Haines] your Assistance I Crave you can Coppy [sic] a 
["Si?te" probably "certificate" given pg. 15] if you Obtain anything Make it Paible [sic] at Springfield Ills
yours truly
Reuben Hill [signature]
Page 21

Additional Evidence
No 157,793
Reuben Hill 
Apl
[illegible initials overlying 3rd and 4th lines]

Hon J. Minot  Commr of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Reuben Hill
Boynton
Page 22

30.625

Unable to transcribe
Page 23

[Document left side:]

22831
INVALID.
----------
File No. 22831
Reuben Hill
(illegible)
----------
Act: (illegible)
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 155 [1?5]

Arrangement of 1870.

[Document right side:]

1912 Mch. 6. Hist. to (illegible) John C. Black &
1924, Nov. 25 - (illegible)
Mrs. A. E. Hart
(illegible)
Page 24

United States Civil Service Commission
Washington, D.C.
March 2, 1912
Hon. James L. Davenport,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Commissioner Davenport:
A young man, C. W. Sowles, 505 South State Street, Belvidere, Illinois, writes me to help him secure information about one Reuben Hill, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who lived in New York until the early 40's, who then moved to Wauconda, Illinois, dying there in 1858. The claim [handwritten insertion: on me], of the young man who writes me for information about this old soldier arises from the fact that his father was a private soldier, a corporal, a sergeant, and a lieutenant in my regiment. Won't you be able to get the information?
I am not certain about the spelling of his first name. It may be Reuben; it may be Ruben; but whatever it is, unless the records of his payments has been destroyed, it seems to me that possibly without very much trouble your office could give the information desired, namely, in what organization of New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, did this old man serve?
With very pleasant recollections of my interview with you the other day, I am,
Very truly your friend,
(illegible: John C.?) Black
Page 25

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Will you be kind enough to let me know if Reuben Hill was a pensioner of the Revolution or if his widow rec'd a pension.
I find a pension notation "Reuben Hill of Connecticut R[illegible]007" & notice that R means his pension application was rejected at [illegible].
The Reuben Hill I refer to was born in 1766 in Litchfield Col, Conn, a son of B[illegible] Hill, also a soldier.
Thanking you for your kindness, 
Yours sincerely
Mrs. A. E. Hart 
2403 Vineyard Ave
Los Angeles, Calif
Page 26

March 6, 1912

Hon. John C. Black,
U.S. Civil Service Commissioner
Washington, D.C.

My dear General Black:

In response to your letter dated the 2" and received the 5" instant, requesting information for Mr. C. W. Sowles of # 505 South State Street, Belvidere, Illinois, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in claim, Sur. File No. 22,831, Rev. War, it appears that Reuben Hill was allowed pension on his application executed March 5, 1834, at which time he resided at Catlin, Tioga County, New York.
He stated that he was born in 1765, at Goshen, Litchfield County, Connecticut, and resided at Little Hoosick, Rensselaer County, New York, when he served as a Private in the New York Militia as follows.
Volunteered in the Fall of 1780, in Captain Samuel Shaw's company, under Colonel Van Rensselaer, and was stationed at Fort Edward, six weeks.

Enlisted August 1, 1781, in Captain Abraham Livingston's company, Colonel Marinus Willett's regiment, and was in the engagement at West Canada Creek; four months.

Enlisted November 1, 1782, in Captain Leonard's company,
Page 27

Sur. File No. 22,831 - 2
and was stationed at Schenectady, two months.

In an undated communication, stating that he was ninety years, six months and twelve days old, he requested to be paid at Springfield, Illinois, and stated that during the War of 1812 (this section is crossed out in the text)
He served six weeks in 1814, as Wagon Master, freighting [struck out, replaced by handwritten conveying] conveying army baggage from Utica to Fort Niagara.
For the date and place of soldier's death, and name of the person to whom the arrears of his pension were paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, giving him the following data:
"Reuben Hill, Ctf. No. 28,869, issued August 12, 1834, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the New York Agency."
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

[handwritten] N.B. Miss Wilson requested information of the Auditors Office, but "report could not be furnish within any stated time" (illegible)
Page 28

157,793
Page 29

Waukegan Illinois
May 29th 1833
Sir
Herewith find the application of John Drake and Reuben Hill for Bounty Land under the Act of March 3 1883
Very Respectfully
your able servant
E.M. Haines
Hon L.P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 30

Additional Evidence
Reuben Hill
Application No. 157,793
Page 31

Waukegan Ills May 12th 1856
Sir
Yours of April 3. which is received, stating
that the application of Reuben Hill ch
157.793 for Bounty Land under act March 3/55 was suspended because the service of the
applicant does not appear of record in your
office; To which I would say that his
name is on the Pension Roll at Albany
N. Y. and he receives a pension from the
Government for services in the Revolution
How can he receive this without good
evidence at some of the Departments
of his service which must amount to
record evidence. I shall be pleased to be advised further in relation to the matter.
Yours Respectfully
E.M. Davis
Hon J Minot
Com of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 32

23.33
1.11
22
24.66
NY
Aug. 4th
Retd
ANA 28 [Postage stamp]
James L Edwars [sic] Esquiar [sic]
Commision of Pension
Washin [sic] City DC
Page 33

Havana Tioga County, NY
J L Edwards, Esquire
Sir
I have got a further affidavit for Reuben Hill, an applicant for a pension  and I forward the same together with his other papers relating to his pension hoping that the same may be sufficient to entitle him to the bounty of his county.
Yours Very Respectfully
H M Jackson