Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,128, John Foster, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New York 

Foster, John 
Susannah

NUMBER W. 21128

CONTENTS
Page 2

9620
New York, Albany

Susannah Foster, decd [deceased] widow of John who was a private in the Revolution
N.Y.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843 & end December 1st of 1844.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Augt [August], 1855 and sent to HN Teel
Geneva N. Y.

[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book H Vol. 2. page 719
Page 3

Ian Forster was born April 3, 1785
Elizabeth Forster was born Jan 23, 1788
Nathaniel Forster was born March 14th 1790
Phebe Forster was born June 15th 1792
Edward Forster was  born Jan 14th 1794
Sarah Forster was born  August 14th, 1796
William Forster was born February 10th 1799
Nehemiah Forster was born Jan 20th 1803
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THE NEW TESTAMENT

B.B.

LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST,

TRANSLATED OUT OF THE ORIGINAL GREEK AND WITH THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED.

HARTFORD CONNECTICUT
Printed and sold by
HUDSON & GOODWIN
1812
Page 5

Province of Canada SS
County of Elgin 
 
On the twentieth day of December AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, personally appeared before the judge of the county in open court here at Aylmer within and for the County of Elgin & Province of Canada aforesaid Hannah Hooker aged fifty one years & upwards a resident of the County & province aforesaid who being first duty sworn in according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows”  That she is the child of Susannah Foster who was the widow of the identical John Foster who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.  That the said John Foster this deponent's father enlisted in December AD one thousand seven hundred and seventy six for during the war that in the month of September of the year following (1777) he received a wound in the left knee from a musket ball which disabled him but she has heard verily believes that he continued in said war in Captain Hallett’s Company in the second Regiment of the New York Continental line till some time in the latter part of January AD one thousand seven hundred eighty at which time he received an honorable discharge.  That he after wards went to Elizabethtown in the state of New Jersey where he married Susannah Wilgers in the year AD one thousand seven hundred and eighty three.  That they
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only the date of the births of their children should be entered therein and she further swears that she had the identical leaf in her possession for the space of thirty years and that the leaf which she has this day presented to this court and which is marked B is a true copy of the original as written as above stated, the date of marriage being as above stated left out.  She further swears that she was present when the source was so written & believes it to be a true copy of the original with the above named exceptions and that it was so written by one Daniel Clark by direction of her Mother Mrs. Susannah Foster she further swears that the said leaf is the only record of the family of the said John and Susannah Foster she has any present knowledge of and she further swears that this marriage of her said father was recorded are the original having taken place as stated above and written on the leaf marked B -  on the grounds above stated and she further swears that the said Susannah was never again married that she died in the town of Bayhoun in the County of Elgin Province of Canada the first day of December AD one thousand and eight hundred and forty four at the house of her daughter
Page 7

Resided in said town about five years and then removed to the town of Marlborough in the County of Ulster in the state of New York and continued to reside in said County, town & state from seventeen hundred & eighty eight with his family until about the year seventeen hundred and ninety six when he again removed with his family to New Baltimore in Green County & state aforesaid where he remained until the year eighteen hundred and fifteen in the month of Dec when he died having previously fractured his leg - She further declares that the said John Foster did receive a provision written for remembrance that he has frequently told her and others in her presence that he was [illegible] as above stated since that he was a cripple in the left knee to her knowledge up to the last period of his life.  She further swears that the said Susannah Foster removed with a part of her family & this [illegible] away the number? A number of years after the Death of the said John Foster in the said town last mentioned [illegible] about the year one thousand and eight hundred & sixteen the old bible which continued the original family record of marriage births & deaths being nearly worn out & the [illegible] & after [illegible] it was deemed advisable to have it transcribed and a new one was entered but it [illegible] of the [illegible] of the leaf the said Susannah in the dependent’s presence that the date of marriage  of herself and the said John Foster the father & mother of the family should be [illegible]
Page 8

Phebe after having resided with her in the said town for the space of about seven years and she further swears that her said mother did never make application for a pension.  And she further and lastly swears that the family of the said John & Susannah Foster consisted of eight children in all but at her death.  Phebe, Sarah, & this deponent were the only ones living and now but herself & Sarah Crossett remain.

Hannah Hooker

Sworn to and subscribed in open court before me on the day and year above written

D.J. Hughes
Judge of the County Court in and for the County of Elgin and as such sitting and Acting as Open Division court _ in the Province of [illegible] 

Canada 
County of Elgin
[illegible]

I William Campbell Clerk of the Second Division Court for the County of Elgin do hereby Certify that the forgoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Hannah Hooker for a pension in right of Susannah Foster in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of December A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty four

William Campbell
Clerk of said Court
Page 9

Provence of Canada 
County of Elgin 
SS

Personally appeared before me as a judge of the county and division courts within and for the county and Provence [Province] aforesaid at the courthouse in the village of Aylmer in session on the 28th day of June in the year A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five,

Hannah Hooker aged fifty two years, a resident of the village of Aylmer in the county and provence aforesaid and who being duly sworn according to law says on her oath that she is the child of Susannah Foster deceased who was the widow of the identical John Foster also  deceased, who was a soldier of the Revolution in the continental line of the state of New York, in the company commanded by Captain Hallett in Col [Colonel] Van Courtlandt’s Regiment.  That the said John and Susannah Foster were married several years previous to AD one thousand seven hundred and ninety four that their family consisted of the following named children, to whit John Foster Jr. born April 5th A.D. 1785, Elizabeth Foster born January 23rd A.D. 1788, Nathaniel Foster born March 14th A.D. 1790, Phebe Foster born June 5th A.D. 1792, Edward Foster born January 14th A.D. 1794, Sarah Foster (now Crossett) born Aug. [August] 14th A.D. 1796, William Foster born Feb. [February] 10th A.D. 1799.  Hannah Foster (now the widow of Ralph Hooker) this deponent, born Jany 20th A.D. 1803.  She further swears that she was informed by her said mother and verily believes that her sister Elizabeth Foster died in the state of New Jersey.  That Edward and Nathaniel died in the state of New York.  She further swears that she has no recollection of seeing the said Elizabeth, Edward and Nathaniel.  That her father died in the state of New York, the evidence of said death together with other evidence in support of the said Susannah’s claim to pension has been transmitted to the pension office in the city of Washington.  She further swears that she resided several years with her brother John then a resident of the state of Vermont, that the said John Foster Jr. died
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in the year A.D. 1831 at Putney in the said State of Vermont, and some time in the year AD 1833, while yet a resident of Vermont she deponent received information from her relations in the State of New York that her brother William had died that year which she believes to be the fact. she never since having heard him spoken of in any other way them as being dead, she further swears that her sister Phebe was married to Joseph Crossett, in the State of New York and afterwards removed with her said husband to the township of Bayham in the County of Elgin & Provence of Canada that a few years afterwards her sister Sarah with John Crossett moved to the same locality with her sister Phebe and about the year AD 1838 her said sister Phebe went to the United States and returned with her mother the aforesaid Susannah Foster, and subsequently she this deponent moved to the same neighborhood in the said township of Bayham with the last named persons she further swears that her said mother continued to reside with Phebe and was not again married but remained the widow of the aforesaid John Foster her (deponents) Father and that she the said Susannah Foster died at the residence of her said daughter Phebe in the aforesaid township of Bayham County of Elgin & Province of Canada on the first of December in the year AD one thousand Eight hundred and forty four she further swears that the only heirs or legal representations of the said widow at the time of her death were Phebe Sarah & this deponent (Hannah), that the aforesaid Phebe died at her residence in said township on the fifth day of June AD 1842 leaving no heirs (never having had any) the proof of the said deaths &c [etc.] has also been transmitted to the Pension office aforesaid, she further swears that the only heirs or legal representatives of the said Widow Foster deceased who were living after the fifth day of June AD 1849 are Sarah Crossett Wife of John Crossett [illegible] and herself (this deponent_ and that the said Sarah Crossett now resides in the township of Bayham aforesaid_
Hannah Hooper
Page 11

The above was sworn to and subscribed before me in open court on the day and year above written.

David John Hughes
Judge of the County and Division Courts for the County of Elgin in the Province of Canada

We the Rev’d [Reverend] Francis Berry a minister of the Gospel, residing in the village of Aylmer, county of Elgin & Provence of Canada and Peter Springsted ~ residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hannah Hooker who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit, that we believe her to be fifty two years of age that she is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to be the child of Susannah Foster deceased who was the widow of John Foster a Revolutionary soldier as she has set forth above and we concur in that opinion and that we further certify that from our personal knowledge of her character that we believe her statement as appears above to be true and entitled to full credit and further that we have no interest in the claim.
Francis Berry
Peter Springsted

Sworn to and subscribed in open court this day and year above written.  And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after satisfactorily interrogating the above named affiants that the said Hannah Hooker is the identical person she represents herself to be in the above and that this court have no doubt of the truth of her statements therein contained and they believe them to be the facts, and that Sarah Crossett, and the above named Hannah are the only legal representatives of the said Susannah Foster deceased and it is further certified that it is known to this court that the Rev’d Francis Berry is a minister of the gospel
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residing in the Village of Aylmer aforesaid and this Peter Springsted, is a respectable person who is entitled to full credit.

D.J. Hughes
Judge of the County and Division Courts for the County of Elgin and Province of Canada 

I William Campbell Clerk of the second division Court in the county and Provence aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of right of Sarah Crossett and Hannah Hooker as the only legal representatives of Susannah Foster to receive the amount of Pension due her at the time of her death in virtue of the services of her husband John Foster in the Revolutionary war, and further certify that David John Hughes  Esquire whose genuine official signature appears above is a Judge of this Court duly appointed and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.

In testimony whereof I hereunto to set my hand and seal of my office this 28th day of June A.D. 1855.

William Campbell
Clerk Second Division Court for the County of Elgin
Page 13

Commission of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Susannah Foster
NY died 1818

CANADA 10 C      1/6

(Postmark) Suspension Bridge N.Y. [New York]Jan 4
(Postmark) Suspension Bridge N.Y. Jan 4
(Postmark) AYLMER U.C. [United Canadas] Janry [January] 2/55
(Postmark) [illegible]
(Postmark) VIENNA U.C. JA 2 1855
Page 14

Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C
[stamp] FREE

Susannah Foster 
Wid [Widow] of John 
New York died 1838
Free

[postmark: GENEVA N.Y OCT 25]
Page 15

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C. 

Susannah Foster
John _NY_  [New York] [illegible] 1838
Colo

W

[postmark: AYLMER U.C. [United Canadas] July 14 [18]55]
[postmark: VIENNA U.C. JY 18, 1855]
[postmark: INGERSOLL U.C. JY 19, 1855 O]
Page 16

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
United States

Paid 29 1/.v
PAID 10cts [cents]

Susannah Foster
John NY [New York]_ 1838

TooLate

[postmark: AYLMER U.C. [United Canadas] April 26/53 [1853]]
[postmark: [illegible] U.C. AP 27 1855]
Page 17

Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.

[crossed out: CANADA 10 Cs]
[stamp with circle border: 6n]

Susannah Foster
John NY [New York]_ [illegible] 1838

[postmark: AYLMER U.C. [United Canadas] May 26/55 [1855]]

[crossed out stamp: TooLate]
Page 18

Rev WIDOW, &c. am
File No. [Number] 21128 
Susannah Foster 
Wid. of John Foster 
Priv Rev.[Private Revolutionary] War 
Act: March 3d '/43 [1843] June 14th '/44 [1844]
Index: -- Vol. [Volume] A Page 249
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

[stamp: CANADA] [mail stamp: 6D]
[stamp: Too Late]

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Susannah Foster
John _ NY_  [?Jun?]1838

[postmark:] Aylmer U.C. [United Canadas] May 8/55 [1855]

[postmark:] [??]DON MY [May] 9 [1855]
Page 20

Free #
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[postmark: Aylmer U.C. [United Canadas] June 29/55 [1855]]

Susannah Foster
John_ NY [illegible] 1838

[other illegible or partial postmarks]
Page 21

11775
New York 
Susannah Foster decd.
widow of John 
who died on the 
of     in the State of 
who was a private in the command 
by Captain       of  the      command
by             in the Revolution
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany 
at the rate of 80 Dollars    Cents 
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of 
August 1855 and 
Arrears to the 4th of H N Teel 
Semi-annual allowance ending Geneva NY 
Revolutionary Claim
Act July 7, 1838  
Recorded by G T Getty Clerk
Book H. Vol.2 Page 56
Page 22

No 15,219 
Susannah Foster decd.
Widow of John
NY
H.N. Teall Sept 25 1854 
H.N. Teall 31th Oct 1854 
H.N. Teall Nov 8 / 54 
H.N. Teall  8 Dec, 1854
"  "   "       Jan 11 1855 
"  "   "       May 4 1855 
"  "   "       May 17 1855 
"  "   "       June 2  1855 
"  "   "       July 12 1855 

July 7 1838
Page 23

No 15,219 
Susannah Foster decd
Widow of John
NY
H.N. Teall Sept 25 1854 
H.N. Teall 31th Oct 1854 
H.N. Teall Nov 8 / 54 
H.N. Teall  8 Dec, 1854
"  "   "       Jan 11 1855 
"  "   "       May 4 1855 
"  "   "       May 17 1855 
"  "   "       June 2  1855 
"  "   "       July 12 1855 

July 7 1838
Page 24

Susannah Foster 
N.Y. -[sus] 1838  
GENEVA N.Y  Nov 2 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C 
FREE
Page 25

FREE
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C 
GENEVA N.Y Nov 3
Page 26

[illegible mail stamp: ?SEP 20 NY?]

[mail stamp: FREE]

[crossing writing, addressed to]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Susanna Foster_ wid
of John
NY_ Original
________________________
John Foster was
a Invalid pensioner
on NY roll
papers burnt
Page 27

Provence of Canada
County of Oxford    SS

On this twenty third day of December AD
one thousand Eight hundred and fifty four ┃
personally appeared before me a justice of
the peace within and for the County and
Provence State aforesaid John Mansfield aged
seventy nine years and upwards a
resident of the town of Norwich in
the County and province aforesaid
who I certify to be respectable and
entitled to full credit and who
being duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath swear that he was
well acquainted with John Foster and
Susannah his wife and their family
that he first knew them in the year
seventeen hundred and ninety seven
at which time he deponant resided
in the County of Green in the State of
New York and in the immediate
neighborhood of the said John Foster
that during his deponant's residence
as aforesaid he has several times heard
the said Foster relate his service in
the war of the Revolution that at
the breaking out of said war or near
that time he the said Foster enlisted
to serve during the war and served
in the Company commanded by
Captain Hallet in the 2nd Regiment of
the New York Continental line that
in the month of September of the year
one thousand seven hundred and
Page 28

Seventy seven he the said Foster was
wounded by a musket ball in the
left Knee while in or during the
engagement with the enemy under
command of General Burgoine
that he said Foster became a
cripple in consequence of said wound
that in the year one thousand
Seven hundred and Eighty he
received an honorable discharge
he further swears that the said
left leg of the said John Foster
was stif and much shorter
than his right one and he used
a steel supporter for the crippled leg
which was secured to his body
by a strap, he further swears
that he is certain that the said
Foster was in receipt of a pension
by reason of said wound (but
does not now recollect the amout
per year, at the time he deponent
first became acquainted with
him and during the period he
deponent remained in his vicinity
or neighborhood, he further says
that in the year one thousand
eight hundred and five he Deponent
removed from Green County to
Genesee in the State aforesaid
that while on - a visit to his friends
in his former place of residence in
the year Eighteen hundred and
fifteen the said John Foster died
and he deponant was in attendance
at his Foster's funeral and he
further says that at the state
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of his first acquaintance with
the said Foster's family as above
stated it consisted of several
children same of them were
then in business as mechanicks
he further swears that he has
no interest in making the above
statement but that they are true
and correct to the best of his
knowledge and belief
John Mansfield

Sworn to and subscribed
before me the day and year
above written G W Carder J.P.

Justice of the peace
within and for the
County & province
aforesaid
This may certify that the names of the
children put upon the margin were placed
then before John Mansfield Oath was taken
W Carder J.P.

* whose names
are as follows
John
Elizabeth
Nathaniel
Phebe
Edward
Sarah 
William
Hannah

the two
latter
was born
during his said 
acquaintance
Page 30

Provence of Canada
County of Oxford Scilecit
I hereby certify that George Washington Carder whose
name is set and subscribed to the Jurat of the before 
written Affidavit subscribed by John Mansfield
As a Justice of the Peace of the County of Oxford and that
I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said
George Washington Carder and that the name G W
Carder is in the proper handing of the said George Washington
Carder and that the said Justice of the Peace is authorised to 
administer oaths. And I further certify that the Court
of General quarter Sessions for the said County is a 
Court of Record. Given under my hand and the seal of the court of Quarter Session for the County of Oxford
this
This 2nd day of December AD
W. Lapenchan
Justice of the Peace
for the County of Oxford
Page 31

Province of Canada
County of Oxford

Personally appeared before me George W.
Carder one of Her Majesty's Justice
of the Peace in and for the said county aforesaid-
John Mansfield aged seventy six years and supposed a resident of the town of Oxford in the provence aforesaid whom I know to be destitute and entitled to full credit who being sworn according to law says
he was personally acquainted with John Foster a Revolutionary soldier and
lived with his wife about the year one thousand eight hundred and three and
so afterwards and further sayeth that he has frequently heard the said
John Foster say that he was in the continental army and this deponent
knew him be he a cripple being wounded in the left knee by a ball. Knew him to get a pension 
about the year 1815 and that this deponent resided in the same
county in the State of New York and believes him to be the
identical John Foster in Question he telling his Captains name Hallet
and other things relative to the was as this deponent has heard him tell and he further sayeth that his knowledge of the family from there [sic] youth's  and [illegible] he says that for the wife of John Crossett and Hannah the wife of Ralph Hooker
are the two daughters of the said John Foster and Susannah his wife
and that the said Sarah and Hannah are the two living heirs and now
residing in the County of Elgin and Provence of Canada and that the said
John Foster and Susannah was man and wife or lived together as such and on 
his death Susannah his widow--moved to Canade Bayham where she
died about AD 1844.
Page 32

and this deponent further says that he has no interest whatsoever 
in any claim the heirs and legal representatives of the said John
Foster & Susannah his wife may have against the United States
(signed) John Monpelier (?)
Witnessed R.W Brown-- Sworn to and Subscribed before me this
Eighteenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
(signed) George W. Carder J.P.
Justice for the said county of Oxford

Province of Canada
County of Oxford
To wit
I James Barr Clerk of the fourth
division court of said county of Oxford
am personally acquainted with
George R. Carder and his hand with & I certify
that he is a legal Justice of the Peace in and for  this
said County of Oxford.
James Barr
Page 33

Province of Canada
County of Elgin
to wit
}

Personally appeared before me Andrew Moore Esquire one of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Elgin aforesaid William Crossett a resident of the township of Bayham in the County aforesaid whom I know to be respectable and entitled to full credit and who being fully sworn according to law says he was personally acquainted
with Susannah Foster widow of John Foster a Revolutionary soldier and pensioner and was so called and that she moved from the States to Canada in Bayham in his neighborhood 
about the year 1837 and lived in that place the remainder of her life and died about the first of September 1844. He further says he was well and personally acquainted with a
good part of the family, their Son John & Phebe who are now dead, and Sarah and Hannah now living in said county Elgin and the only two living of the family he says his long acquaintance with the family for about thirty years he dose [does] verily believe them to be the identical family they Represent themselves to be and further says he has no interest what ever in any claim the heirs & legal representatives have against the United States.

William Crossett

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of September 1854 at Bayham

Andrew Moore JP [justice of the peace] in and for the Said County of Elgin
Page 34

Canada
County of Elgin 
To Wit
William Campbell Clerk of the Second Division Court for the County of Elgin and personally acquainted with the within named Andrew Moore and his hand write and do certify that he is a legal justice of the Peace in and for the County of Elgin
William Campbell
Page 35

Province of Canada
County of Elgin
To Wit

Personally appeared before me Andrew Moore Esquire one of his Majesty's Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Elgin for said John F. Crossett and Eliza Grisdale Residents of the Township of Bayham in the said County of Elgin whom I know to be respectable and entitled to full credit and who being duly sworn according to law says they was personally acquainted with Susannah Foster widow of John Foster a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner about the year 1837 until the day of her death which was 1st December 1844, and about the year 1837 she moved from the States to Canada in the Township of Bayham where these Deponents did reside and that they all lived in a Neighbourhood in the said Township of Bayham the Remainder of her life time whittch was about seven years and that they have heard her say she was the widow of John Foster a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner and that he was a cripple being wounded in the left Knee and he drew a pension and died in York State they further Say they have been well aquainted with Some of her children for twenty five years now residing in the Said County of Elgin and that Sarah and Hannah are the only two now living more children there were but are dead according to the Records of the Family which is as follows Viz
John Foster and Susannah Wilges was Married AD. 1783 in York State
John Foster died A.D. 1815 in York State
Susannah Foster died Decem.1st 1844 in Canada

John Born April 5" 1785 T.S. Died November 1831
Elizabeth Born January 23" 1788 T.S. Died Nov 1814 York S
Nathen Born March 14 1790 T.S. Died 1791
Phebe Born June 5" 1792 T.S. Died Aug 5 1849 Canada
Edward Born January 14" 1794 T.S. died 1797 Y.S.
Sarah Born Augt 14" 1796 T.S.
William Born Feb10" 1797 T.S. died 1819
Hannah Born January 20 1803 T.S.
The deponent further says that they have Examined the family record whitch is contained in an old Bible kept by a Member of the family that the above is a true copy of the original and from this knowledge of the family they have every reason to and verily believes it is a true Record of the events as they [illegible] to the Marriage Births and Deaths of Said family
Page 36

And these deponants further swear that they have no interest what ever in any claim the heirs or legal representatives of the said John Foster and Susannah his wife may have against the United States
John F Crossett
Eliza Grisdale
Witness B.M. Brown

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 4th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fifty four at Bayham in the said County of Elgin
Andrew Moore JP
In & for the said County of Elgin aforesaid

Canada
County of Elgin 
To Wit
I William Campbell Clerk of the second Division Court the County of Elgin am personally acquainted with the above named Andrew Moore and his hand write and do certify that he is a legal Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Elgin
William Campbell
Aylmer 18' October 1844
Page 37

{Aylmer} July 21 1855
Dear Sir
excuse me while I address you on a subject which my sex seldom interferes with. as I am a widow I have no one to speak for me. my case which has been prosecuted by Mr N Teall now of Aylmer has been very tedious and somewhat expensive to me and my sister we should be glad to know what causes the delay.  I saw your letter of the 10 last night Mr Teall says he has answered the requirements of the law which he has in his possession I dont know myself when the requirements of the law are met but I wish to know whether the deficiency is in executing of the business on the amount of evidence if the former I should wish to put a stop to his proceeding any further if he is incompetant as it is constantly paying out money for nothing. but if the later. I dont know that I can add anything esential if you carefuly
Page 38

examine the evidence of Mr Mansfield that went with the Declaration last winter and those from Green Co NY with the rest that have gone from here John Crossetts the last I think you will find a large amount of evidence but if we failed in any one point please explain and we will do what we can we did not intend the last proceeding of the Court merely as evidence but Mr Teall said it was to get the Judge's Certificate which seemed to be deficient in the Declaration last winter Now as I am a poor widow and my hard earned shillings are all needed. as for the support of my children I should be glad to have the case Decided as soon as possible and if the Gratefull Souls of our Country
Page 39

have anything in reserve for the widow of the wounded soldier it will be received with gratitude by her children.
Yours respectfully
Hannah Hooker
to the Commisioner of Pensions
please answer
Page 40

Letter of July 12 - Affidavit of Hannah Hooker, not evidence -
Requirements of letter of 8th
November last insisted on
Page 41

STATE OF NEW YORK
Green County Clerk's Office. 

I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Lewis Crandell Esqr [Esquire] before whom the annexed Deposition were made, was at the date, thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same, and that the signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 7 day of April 1855

Jacob Van Orden, Clerk

[Note laid crosswise and obscuring a handwritten letter]
Page 42

State of New York
Town of New Baltimore
County of Greene
Personally came Clarissa Baker aged Seventy five years, a resident of the Town of New Baltimore and County of Greene, person whom I well know and whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, She enjoying good health and sound mind and retentive memory and who being duly sworn according to the law says she well knew John Foster a revolutionary invalid pensioner. She further swears that she well recollects the said John Foster from the facts that he was quite lame, having been (or so he reported) wounded in the revolutionary war.  She further sears that Susannah was the name of said John Foster's wife, of this she is confident from the fact. She was called throughout the community, Old Aunt Susannah the wounded soldier's wife. She further swears that the said John and Susannah Foster lived together as husband and wife and this relation was so considered to be a legitimate one, by those who best know them. She further swears that the said John & Susannah Foster reared up a family of children and well recollected that the names of some of those who were the oldest to be John, Betsy, Phobe and Sarah all of whom called the said John and Susannah Foster father and mother & were so reported to be.  And she further swears that she resided for many years in the immediate vicinity with the said John Foster's family in the town & County aforesaid. 
Subscribed and (covered text) Leanise Baker
this 23rd day of Feb
before me
Lewis Cran
Justice of
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State of New York}
Town of New Baltimore}
County of Greene} SS.

Personally came Leonard Haight aged sixty five years a resident of the town of New Baltimore and County of Greene, [a] person whom I have personally known for several years & whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who being duly sworn according to law says that he well knew John Foster a revolutionary invalid pensioner and who was reputed to have served under Captain Hallett &  in Col. Van Cortland's [sic] Regiment and he further swears that said John Foster was lame in his left knee, wore a steel supporter fastened to his body by a strap and that said leg was shorter than the right one, and he further swears that he was empowered by the said John Foster in the years 1812, 13 & 14 and to actually draw from the agent for paying pensions in the city of New York his pension due him from the General Government, and he further swears that the said John Foster died on the [blank] day of September 1814 says he knows that the said John Foster died at the time as above stated from the fact that the birth of his first child occured in October of that year (1814) and that such an event took place the following month in which the said John Foster's death transpired. and this deponent further swears that he knows that the said John Foster was a pensioner at his death from the fact that he [crossed out two lines of text, illegible] John Foster came to the deponents house a short time before he died to give him a power of attorney to obtain said pension that he remembers that he heared [sic] the said John Foster say that he served under Captain Hallett & in Col Van Cortland's [sic] Regiment

[signed] Leonard Haight

Subscribed and Sworn to this 23d Day of Feb 1855 before me
[signed] Lewis Crandell Justice of the peace
Page 44

State of New York
Town of New Baltimore
County of Greene
Personally came Joseph Sherman aged Sixty eight years, a resident of the town of New Baltimore and County of Greene, person whom I well know and whom I certify to be respectable & entitled to credit and who being duly sworn according to law says he well knew John Foster a revolutionary invalid pensioner who was reputed to have served under Captain Hallett & in Col Van Cortland's Regiment and also to have been pensioner on account of a wound in his left knee from a musket ball & this deponent further swears that the said John Foster wore a Steel Spring or support which was fastened around his body by a leather strap & that the wounded leg was Shorter then the right one, the deponent says he recollects the Steel support from the fact that the said John Foster was nicked named Steel Shins - And this deponent further swears that Susannah was the name of the said John Foster's wife this he recollects from the fact that said wife was not generally called Mrs Foster but old Aunt (Suesy) or Susannah. This deponent further swears that the said John & Susannah Foster lived together as husband & wife & were so reputed to be. And this deponent further swears that the said John & Susannah Foster were house keepers in this town (New Baltimore) and raised up a family of children and recollects that some of the eldest were called John, Betsey & Sarah called the said John & Susannah Foster father & mother and that the legality of this relation was not questioned in the Community where the said Foster family resided. And this deponent further swears that he was in a position to know the above facts as he was empowered by the said John Foster previous 
over
Page 45

to 1813 and did draw his pension from the agent for paying pensions in the City of New York & also from the fact that he resided in the immediate vicinity with the said John Foster & family for a series of years & that he still resides within a few rods of the dwelling where the said John Foster expired but dose [sic] not recollect the day month nor year that he did not having any fact recorded by which to determine the exact time but believes his death occured a short period before War 1812 closed
[signed] Joseph Sherman

Subscribed and sworn to this 23d day of Feb 1855 before me
[signed] Lewis Crandell
Justice of the Peace

Joseph Sherman the above named Deponent further deposes and says that he knows that the above named John Foster came to New Baltimore aforesaid to reside in the year 1797 from the fact that he has now in his possession a ledger containing items of credit in favor of the said John Foster for blacksmith work and also for money obtained on pension in the years 1797, 1798 & 1799 one of which Items aforesaid is in the hand wrighting [sic] of this Deponent, and this deponent further swears that when the said John Foster first came to New Baltimore to reside to Wit: in the year 1797 the said John Foster and his wife Susannah had children to appearance of the age of eight or ten years old.
[signed] Joseph Sherman
Subscribed and sworn to this 4th day of April 1855 before me
[signed] Lewis Crandell Justice of the peace
Page 46

State of New York
Town of Greenville
County of Greene  SS Personally came Rebecca Powell at aged Seventy four years, a resident of the County & State aforesaid person whom I well know & whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit who being duly sworn according to Law. Affirms (she being a member of the Society of Friends) that she well knew John Foster a revolutionary invalid pensioner & so reputed to have been this she recollects from the fact that he was quite lame was reported to have been wounded in the revolutionary war. She further affirms that Susannah was the name of the said John Foster's wife of this she is Confident because she was called by her neighbors old Aunt Sukey or Susannah She further affirms that the said John & Susannah Foster lived (or Cohabited) together as man & wife & were so reputed to be. She further affirms that the said John Susannah Foster raised up a family of children & well recollects the names of some of those who were the eldest to be John Junior Elizabeth & Phebe all of whom with those who were younger called the said John and Susannah Foster father & mother & such a relation was considered to be a legal one throughout the communities both while they resided in the town of Marlborough Ulster Co & State aforesaid & Subsequently in the town of New Baltimore County & State aforesaid. She further affirms that she was in a position to know the above facts on account of her residing in the same vicinity with the said John Foster and family from her childhood onward (except a brief interval) for many years She well reccollects that the said John Foster was a pensioner about the year 1790 from the fact that in leaving that time they for New York City in order to obtain his pension, her mother sent by him a quantity of beeswax to sell & on his return the fact came out that he had sold said beeswax & spent the proceeds together with most of his pension money & at this time the said John & Susannah Foster had two or more children who called them father & mother & were so reputed to be. She remembers the time from the fact that her mother died some three years afterwards at which time she was thirteen years of age as near as she can recollect & that when she was sixteen years of age she moved to New Baltimore when very soon
Page 47

afterwards the said John Foster & family moved to the same place & was (the said John Foster) employed by her father (being in the business of Ship building) to do his black smith work having been employed by him while at Marlborough in the same business.
She further affirms that she was informed that the family of the said John Foster (& verily believes) that they did move to Canada such being a general report among her acquaintances.
[signed] Rebecca Powell
Sworn & Subscribed to before me March 21st 1855.
[signed] Samuel Dodge Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the words inserted between the lines 32 & 33 &34
"was near as she can recollect" was so inserted before the said deponent aforesaid subscribed her name
[signed] Samuel Dodge Justice of the Peace

She the deponent further affirms that the said John and Susannah Foster were living  (or cohabited) together previous to the year 1790 as man & wife were so reputed to be at which time their eldest child John Junior was about four or five years of age.
[signed] Rebecca Powell
Sworn & Subscribed to before me this day March21st 1855
Samuel Dodge Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
Greene County Clerk's Office. I, JACOB VAN ORDEN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Samuel Dodge Esq before whom the annexed Deposition was made, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same, and that the signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 7 day of April 1855
J Van Orden
Page 48

Province of Canada
County of Elgin SS
On this sixteenth day of March A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and province aforesaid John Crossett jun aged twenty nine years and upwards a resident of the County of Elgin & province aforesaid and who I certify to be respectable and entitled to full credit and who being duly sworn according to law says that he was well acquainted with Susannah Foster the widow of John Foster a Revolutionary soldier that about the year AD 1838 she came to the town of Bayham in the then County of Middlesex now Elgin and in the immediate neighborhood of this deponent and that she continued to reside with her daughter Phebe for the space of about six years that he deponent had almost daily conversations with the said Susannah during the time last mentioned that she frequently told him of the Revolutionary service of her husband the aforesaid John Foster that he served in the State of New York and that the said Foster was wounded in the left knee and he received a pension in consequence of said wound that he died in the State of New York and that she afterwards lived with her son John a few years then with her daughter Hannah till her daughter Phebe came for her & she returned with her to this deponent personal knowledge where she lived as above stated. He further swears that the said Susannah died on the first of December
Page 49

AD one thousand Eight hundred and forty four at her said Daughter Phebe's house in the town of Bayham aforesaid that he deponent was present at her death and funeral he further swears that the said Phebe continued to reside at the same house and died on the fifth day of June AD 1849 reputed to be just fifty seven years old, he deponent was also at her funeral he further swears that he has frequently heard the said Susannah speak of others as her children besides those mentioned above to wit Elizabeth, Nathan, Edward, Sarah, and William but he knows of none now living except Sarah and Hannah & who are residents of Elgin County & Province of Canada. He further swears that he has no interest in the claim to pension of the heirs of the said John & Susanna Foster

John Crossett Jun
Sworn to and subscribed before me this Sixteenth day of March AD 1855.
Province of Canada
County of Elgen  SS
James Brown J P C E
I hereby certify that James Brown is a legal Justice of the peace within and for the County of Elgin in the province aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & that the above is his genuine official signature In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of my office this 16th day of March AD 1855
William Campbell
Clerk of the Second Division
Court for the County of Elgin
Page 50

Geneva N.Y. Sept. 20th 1854

Hon'd Sir

Enclosed please find application of Hannah Hooker & Sarah Crossett heirs &c. of John Foster & Susannah his widow for Pension if there is anything lacking to establish the claim & for me to obtain the money there on please inform me at the earliest practable [sic] period & it will be forwarded agreeable to the several laws & [illegible] of Congress in which I hear the claimants I believe are entitled to pension from 4 March 1836 to Dec 12 1844 or 4 March 1848 under Act 17 June 1844_ this being my first case presented for pension please indulge me with an early notice and much oblige
Your Very Respectful Sevt
H. N. Teall

It is stated to me from Albany that the said Foster did not in all probability recieve the amt awarded to him from 1780 to 1786_ will you please exam[ine]
Page 51

his account & inform me of all he has rec'd or if any thing was due him as above upto the date of his death

H.N.T.

It is stated that the Treasurers books do now show the payment of the above Audit _ &c.
Page 52

Geneva Nov 2/54

Hon'd Sir

In my letter to you this morning in answer to yours relative to the claim of John Fosters heirs ss the Widows Pension I omited [sic] important fact which is that I am fully prepared to show by certificate and other authority that there was no other John Foster who ever served in Capt Hallett's Company in the Rev War neither were there any other who served long enough to entitle them to pension all the John Fosters other than the Father to the heirs fo hom I at put together cannot raise the amt of pay up t[?29?]_

I presume you have the records from the state & for your response
Page 53

please allow me to give you the name as record of all the John Fosters
who served in this State Capt. & Col [Captain & Colonel] name & time of [receiving?] certificate of pay

[Name & Rank | Date | Capt. & Col. names]
John Foster Private | Nov [November] 10-1781 | Capt Thos [Thomas] Skinner Lt Co [Lieutenant Colonel] M. Willet 
J. F. [Lieut?] | Apl [April] 25 1778 | Capt A. McNitt Col Williams
J. F. Private | Nov 4-1779 | Capt McKitt Col A. Webster
J F | Nov 10th 1782 | Capt J. Ruff Lt Col S Clyde 
J F | Aug [August] 31 1780 | Capt D Williams M [Major] Grahams Reg
J F | Oct [October] 15 1780 | Williams M Graham
J F | Nov 15 1781 | Capt B Chapman Lt Col T. Crane 
J.F. | June 7, 1780 | Ensign John [Cripple?] Col P Vaness

these are all who is recorded as serving in this State in Rev War except that old Cripple John Foster [illegible] and proof as I thought of whose service in now before you as there appears no doubt of the justness of our
Page 54

Claim of course we can not abandon it and will furnish you just what you require if we can the one who made out the papers never saw the records neither did any of the witnesses but made out their case from their own knowledge of it so I am told by my friend Mr B. M. Brown of Canada and he further said that each witness as also the claimants are respectable and entitled to full credit - will you please let me know if the same persons are required to state in a court of record what has already been stated with additional facts etc. and how we must send the old records whether in the bible as it is or cut it out and have it certified to as being the original. have you recd [received] the claim of Ennis widow of Wm [William] Nelson for pension which I forwarded [illegible]
Yours very truly
H N. Teall
Page 55

Aylmer Elgin Co. Canada West Jany 2d/55

Hon'd Sir

Enclosed please find the declaration of Hannah Hooker in the claim of Susannah Foster,
At the time the Court held its session here, Sarah Crossett was (from bodily infirmity) not able to attend as their power for me to act is in your hands I thought the preceed[ing] declaration sufficient in law_ You will also please find the affidavit of John Mansfield touching the same case, I made out the statement in his presence just as he told me and am free to say if he was in your presence for 12 hours & you should question him minutely you would be satisfied to liquidate the claim without further evidence but if you require more and are not satisfied without it we can furnish it although it will be only to corroborate the facts already set forth and the parties are not in command of much cash at present Mrs Mansfield told me that in addition to what her husband has sworn to she was present at the birth of Hannah the youngest child of John & Susannah Foster & knew the family by name and from her description they must be of the ages stated in the record on the old leaf these old people I find to be respectable and in good standing in the Church to which they belong it is not believed that either of them would misrepresent under oath especially where they are not interested, I have rec'd from a friend dated at Albany Dec 23/54 the following touching the case "on the reception of yours touching the several cases you mention I wrote immediately but have received only from Joseph Sherman a son of Paul Sherman Esq who says that he recollects John Foster being at his Father's and that he done [sic] his pension business _ drew his pension from the New York city Pension Agent He also informed that all of John Fosters [crossed out papers] pension papers were turned over to C.D. Hall Esq who done [sic] his business from 1805 onward, Mr Hall has
Page 56

been Dead several years but his son tells Mr Sherman that he has his Fathers papers in two places but will make the investigation_ My object in writing to Mr Sherman was to acertain [sic] under what act Mr Foster drew his pension then I shall be prepared to go to New York and obtain proof of amount of Pension received,

The claimants told me that Paul Sherman was [illegible] get the money as pension for their Father but they did not know of any of the Sherman's family were still living there. I knew nothing of the facts but wrote to my friend at Albany_ and it is as above quoted from his letter & if you insist we will get the evidence of Mr Sherman &c. but the monies to pay the expense is hard for the claimants to furnish_

The court will be in session in the County where Mrs Nelson Widow of William Nelson resides on the 18th of the present month after which I hope to present her claim I have not yet seen the old lady but [illegible] for the first time saw her son who is a practicing Physician _ intelligent & highly respectable & an honorable who told me enough to satisfy me that the claim is perfectly just_ I do not like to leave this place for home untill [sic] I bring these cases to a satisfactory termination for the Claimants when that is accomplished I expected to return again to Geneva N.Y.

Please find enclosed application of William Mires for Some Warrant for services in the Florida War

I have the honour [sic] to be Sir
Your Very Respectfull [sic] & true friend
H. N. Teall

P.S. On the receipt of the letter above referenced to I wrote answer that I thought I had sufficient evidence to satisfy you in the Foster Claim & he need go to no further expense untill [sic] I knew you require it_ will you please give the subject your earliest attention? 
H.N.T.

Mr Mires claim taken out
Page 57

Aylmer May 26th 1855

Honored Sir

Yours of the 17th was just received in the copy of yours of the 8th November last in the case of Susannah Foster whom you was [sic] so kind to send allowed me to make an explaination [sic], The Declaration of one of the heirs was made before a court of Record as it was therein stated and the reason given in my letter accompanying it why the other did not appear, that she was sick at the time and could not. the courts in this Province are held sometimes-but never more than two days in each division by a law this county court has been divided and they are like our circuit in the [illegible] each has its seal and keeps its own records and each division is stated by law a court of Record the judge of the district or county presides at the setting in each division. Is not that declaration propertly authoritative? I supposed it was. I have a letter from BM Brown stating the record of Marriage etc was in an old bible and untill [sic] I came here supposed it to be so but when I found it as the leaf you have attached to Declaration I told them the difficulty and before I proceeded sent to an honorable agent who has been long engaged in the business to know if a word of the birth would be admissable as circumstantial proof of marriage he answered in the affirmative that after getting your permission to make the declaration here I made and the case as well as the known nature at the time would admit of. afterwards in some other evidence that evidence in the opinion of competent lawyers and honorable, the fact that John Foster of Captain Hallets Company and Von Cortlandt Regiment was an invalid pensioner drew his pension from 1814_ and was the husband of Susannah the mother of these two heirs and that to previous to 1794_ some years if such evidence is admissable [sic] will you please
Page 58

inform me if it is necessary to strengthen this evidence by records and whether they are too be admitted with out such records (I ask only that the claimants can not blame me as I am in rather a delicate situation being among strangers and a man full of energy in opposition to me without cause this fact I am able to establish I have done some business with John S. Edwards, esquire and (I presume you know him) have no fear that he will give me a very bad name) In reading Attorney Generaol Buttlers letter to Honorable J.R. Panset on the subject of marriage dated Aug 18-1837.  I can hardly think you will have any doubt of the facts relating to their rite being legal between John and Susannah Foster and that too previous to 1794 which entitles her to pension under act of 1838. from 1836 the Death of said Susannah we think as clearly established but we can get more witnesses on that front if you wish  will you please inform me if I am right in supposing that the remaining point to complete the evidence is the certificate of the court of  record that these 2 sisters are the only remaining children of the said John and  Susannah Foster if this is the point and it can be got honestly it shall be but not otherwise by any exertion of me I sent my mother's application for Bounty land under act March 3-1855 which I hope and presume has been received-the heirs in Foster case have made every effort in their power to find a public record of marriage but thus far have failed the name of a niece of John living a short time since in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who states she lived with J and S Foster about this time the oldest son was a [underlined] baby that you see was long before 1790   
I have the honor to be Your Very Respectull friend H.N. Teall
Page 59

Aylmer May 9th 1854
Hon and Sir
yours of the 4th is right and I very much regret that the evidence in the case of Susannah Foster does not meet your views, the letter of the 8th Dec was soon after its receipt taken out of my possession & I can not find it I had a letter from you I think after it presenting the claimants to make their declaration in Canada & the courts here are different from those in the states the judge of the Court took Hannah Hooker's application in open Court her Sister being sick at the time could not attend & as they had given me power & the court sets but one day & she can not write I thought your requirement & permission was thus far fulfilled then it remained to prove the heirship & Death &c of John & Susannah Foster which old agents who have executed the papers evidence &c now say the
Page 60

the claim is fairly established these agents have obtained pensions in just such cases they say I am young in the business & have depended on their information in this case & in the absence of the letter you speak of in your last I am at a loss what your requirements are beyond what I have already proven will you please inform me to oblige I am fully satisfied the claim is just and Alburg agents say fairly proven I had no hand in geting the evidence from N.Y. but the reputation of my friend there is unexceptionable his name A.T. Teall, he writes me he consulted with agents at Alburg who directed him how to proceed. I took your letter of a later date then the one you refer to for my guide in ? this declaration. My Friend John S. Edwards informed me that claimants could make declarations in Canada which would be admited It will be a difficult task to [illegible] witnesses to [illegible] court of
record in such cases. Very Respectfully H N Teall
Page 61

Aylmer Elgin County [illegible]July 18th 1855
Hon & Sir
Yours of the 12th instant in relation to the claim of the heirs of Susannah Foster widow of John of New York is received. You desire the facts numerated in your letter of the 8th November last to be established by the legal evidence of the highest grade the claimant can provide That Sir has already been done and to the full extent of the law, and to a greater extent than you have required in some other cases to my certain knowledge and I can not imagine the object unless it be to deprive the claimants of their just and legal right or desire that you continue to create requirements in those claims which I have presented under the laws existing pensions, which you consider to be [illegible] are arguably the impossibilities of an honorable mind to fulfill after families have been scattered for years and living in one section of the world and another in another. I ask who but the members remaining of the family can possibly know- their true state and the number remaining at a certain period?
You have legal evidence of the service of John Foster from the proper department of the State of New York,  you also have from New York Legal evidence of the identity of this service John Foster and his wife Susannah as being such long previous to 1794 and the names of some of the children who were born previous to 1790 you have there legal evidence
Page 62

Pearing that this same Susannah came to the Province of Canada and the time when and at what place she died and the number of heirs living and dead also & the [illegible] in your possession as that their in Commissioner of Pensions or another is acting in that capacity The Clerk of this division and district having been personally acquainted for some good years was even last year satisfied of the truth of her statement and gave his certificate which I sent you which you considered of no weight although it was in conformity to laws and regulations adopted by the Secretary of war again you reject the opinions of the officers composing the court ([illegible] Peter Springsted is one of them) the Judge, Clerk and  all in this [illegible] require persons to give evidence (equally unknown to you) which it is reasonable to believe would be far less weight, in the opinion of any court in this or a similar case, than those on which this certificate is based, It happens that the men composing this court are honorable and statements and will not give an opinion which they do not have the strongest grounds to believe true and their opinion is deserving of as much respect in a legal point of view as any court in the world I will know that the documents or their Attorney has used no other than honorable exertions in proving this claim and if it was not within my knowledge that others have had claims allowed thus with less evidence then has been produced in this case I would not be encourage to remain
Page 63

here as long as I have, but when I knew my clients to be honorable, and their title to possessions legally just_ I am not disposed to be bluffed off by enquiries such as they have been sent ...[illegible]... of the claims I have presented without tendering the cause. I am very willing to meet every legal requirement in every case I have the honor to present but when they are in a shape that no live man can meet them and am fully satisfied that you know they must be sent without committing a [illegible] and I feel it my duty to use plain language in answer to them. will you please inform me what you allow on claimant's evidence in said case and [illegible] me [illegible] equally as truthfull in and that of a similar nature and giving us a reason for that rejection that the witness is in conflict by reason of her interest in the claim I deem it my right and privilege  to ...[illegible]... this fact, I sent last April, the application for Bounty under  act of March 3rd 1855. of Polly Teall (my mother) but as yet have not been noticed I suppose you have received my letter of 4th instant 55 the claim of [illegible] Nelson Widow of William Nelson of  New York a continental soldier of Captain  [illegible] Colonel [illegible] Regiment which I presume will be sufficiently satisfactory explanation to enable you to determine which of the two William Nelsons of the 5th Regimen[illegible here [illegible] and in whose service you cannot legally withhold the amount claimed
Page 64

I [?cant soft?] this amount to 4 March last but to the present time there will be more of course I must ask you to forward the missing papers to [illegible] How many in that claim and expect you to do [illegible] an early day and also in the claim of heirs of Susannah Foster witness you can satisfy me  on the question above written 

I think I can satisfy you on the subject of marriage [?record?] in the case of Sarah Jones but if you really [ink blot] want to examine the [illegible] you well know to be the year on the possibility of any person to [?must?] in an honorable [illegible] I have confidence that you on your [illegible] from office will send the requirement [illegible] in your letter to me on the subject of the claim of Sarah Jones widow of Ebenezer of Ill [Illinois] and in which I presume you know & my explaination I have no desire [illegible] a resonable requirement or the law which was intended to expose it, but which I [crossed out] request to ...[illegible].. I cannot entertain any other idea thenthat it was made, to get an exception[?merely?] you see by the evidenc [illegible]case that has moved from NY long before there was any law to give him [pause?]_ I think if you cannot I can satisfy you why he did not apply of course his evidence could [?get?] in writing in her ...[illegible]... till 1853_ I have no intention to abandon these claims but shall use [illegible] in your successors hands if you will not [illegible] them and in the mean time send you others which rae now mature

Very Respectfully
HN Teall

It is not in the power of [illegibl] Foster to adduce further proofs at present but the evidence already in the department ...[illegible]...
Page 65

Aylmer Elgin Co. June 29 1855
Hon and Sir,
Here with please find the proceedings of the Court in the Widow Foster's Claim.
In looking at your letter of Nov 8th 1854 (which you was so kind as to send me a copy and for which please accept my thanks) and compairing it with that of the 2d June 1855 - I am led to believe you will be fully satisfied to grant us the money on the accompanying paper taking into account her evidence already addressed in the case.
I had not the power to get into my hands the paper marked No 2 in pacil which you refered to in the letter first named and done what I conceived to be right without it Mrs Hooker is in much need of assistance from some source having a family depending on her exertions, and as this claim is a just and legal one and which the court expected (after knowing the law) that she or they (the two) ought to receive it I have a hope that they will soon receive it as I am quite satisfied that no case under the same circumstances could have been more clearly shown, there has been duly search for a publick record of Marriage but it is probably lost & had I not been misinformed about the old leaf in the bible previous to leaving home the expense incurred for seaking a publick one of the marriage might have been spared but under the present state of the case taking into account the evidence adduced on that point by
Page 66

Widow Powell and the explenation [sic] given of the fact by the claimant in her declaration once the opinion of Attorney Genl Butler as I have already quoted it can hardly be thought that point will be required to be established clearer than already has.

The identity of John Foster the husband of the said Susannah & the Father of the applicants cannot, I think, be unsatisfactory to you the evidence from Haight and Sherman shows so clearly_ that he was the identical person represented by the claimants and Mansfield, although at that time neither of them knew that Sherman and Haight were living or if so where they could be found, the fact of their obtaining the old man's pension was mentioned to me only as a circumstance that Sarah Crossett and Hannah Hooker knew their Father did receive a pension from some source on account of the wound he received while serving in said Revolution and as to the time of his death they stated to me it occured [sic] about the close of the war of 1812 they having no other circumstance to fix their time and the descrepensy [sic] on that point is explained by the books of Haight or Sherman etc.

Will you please reply at your very earliest convenience?

I am Sir your Respectfull Friend
and obedient servant
H.N. Teall
Page 67

Geneva November 2- 1854

Honored Sir
Yours in relation to the proof etc. to establish the claim of the heirs of John Foster to pension was duly received this morning and  in answer permit me to enquire if the family Bible must be sent for your inspection. I suppose it will be inconvenient to do it_ and that was why we sent a certified copy. will the leaf on which that record is be admissable if it is cut from the bible and forwarded?

I am but a novice in this kind of business but hope to improve and be assured that your instructions will always be most thankfully received and duly appreciated. if I can not sustain a case honorably I do not wish to act in it. I have several other cases maturing-this case was described to me in a letter dated June 26th 1854
Page 68

by my friend of whom I think I spoke in my last either accompanying the case of Widow of William Nelson or the proof you speak of receiving in the Foster Case (& I have no hesitation in saying that his word can be fully relied on as fact) as follows "I got last week from the heirs of John Foster a revolutionary Solider, he was bdly wounded discharged in consequence of his being wounded under a pension for life he died about AD 1815 or 1816 & his pension stoped [sic] his wife lived & remained his widow until 1844 in the fall then she died leaving two heirs both girls. Hannah the author of this claim states that her father John Foster was a cirpple during his life after the war was born on Long Island N.Y. lived served & died in N.Y. State was a noted Blacksmith for edged tools & war impliments &c.
Page 69

She has none of her Father's pension papers and nothing that I could find but an old Bible with the family record in and this most bloted [sic] out, she thinks she or they can identify her kinship by going to New York State where they used to live, this statement is the only ground on which I can commence the claim and taking it in to consideration and comparing it with the record as found after I read the statement I cannot think there is any doubt in the justification of the claim. My friend left for Canada on the 31st October feeling quite satisfied as I am that the case is clear_ the case was all made out before you sent instructions and I would not trouble you with this but I wish to be informed if a new declaration before a court of Record is indispensable and if the old record must be sent with the bible or separate hereafter I will try to fulfill the
Page 70

rules as far as I can know them I have abandoned other business for this & expect to do something in it hereafter & am more anxious to do right then a stranger might imagine Mr Arad Joy of Ovid whom I presume you know as he has been in the business for years know me & without permition [sic] from him or his knowledge of it I take the privaledge [sic] to refer to him_ I have no desire to boast of my grandness, but rather be known by my acts_ I only metion this that you can feel safe in taking this description of the Foster case & compare it with the resorce & proof afterwards hoping it my have some weight in the case only to save time & expense for my friend told me there are many others whose eveidences he has if what was sent is not sufficient I have never seen the claimants neither do I expect to neither in the Nelson case_

I am Very Truly
Your Respectfull [sic] friend
H N Teall MD

I have a pretty full description of the William Nelson case before I got copy of record & it corresponds as near as any they can where a record not known you see the 4 -5 are returned by Secretary of War and evidence of his services neither of which did he notice till the very moment I enclosed it to you_
Page 71

Geneva Oct 25 1854
Hon & Sir
Enclosed please find some additional proof of the service of John Foster which I presented for your consideration in the latter part of Sept last my Friend sent it to me together with that already presented but it was not authenticated & hence I returned it to be it is stated that there are several others who were well acquainted with Foster who can & will swear to the fact of his being a cripple and receiving a pension & thus he had frequently told them of his being in the army & recd wound &c but they reside a distance apart & the expence we think unnecessary unless required to procure them will you please inform me soon on the case

Yours truly
H N. Teall
Page 72

Aylmer Elgin Co C.W. April 26/[illegible]
Hon and Sir
Enclosed please find additional evidence in the suspended case of heirs of Susannah Foster Widow of John Foster a Revolutionary soldier & Invalid pensioner from the State of New York
The parties have been to much pains in procuring it for they will know the claim is a just one the evidence from N.Y. speaks for itself I have no acquaintance with them. I know John Crossett Jun- he is a son of Sarah Crossett one of the heirs he has a family of his own & consequently no interest in the claim legally his Grand Mother Foster I am told while she lives with his Aunt Phebe was most of the time not to exceed 40 rods from his Fathers house & of course he must have been in a position to know the facts of which he testifies
Page 73

There appears some difference in the state of the declarants & the N.Y. witnesses in reference
to the death of John Foster the former have nothing to give them but memory & the latter it appears have something more & at the time of making out their papers it was not really know that the evidence now produced could be obtained or that the persons who gave it were in existence they mentioned the name of his Pension agts & after they were found they also (the agts) refered to others who knew the facts - and the result of our efforts I presume you will deem sufficient to allow us the claim 
Please reply at your earliest convenience my object in staying here is only to assist those claimants who reside here & who sent their cases to me at Geneva I have Mrs Nelsons nearly prepared for your examination if I had not trusted to another to make out her papers in
Page 74

the first start it would not have been presented through a magistrates court. I directed the man but he prefered to take his own course & wished me to present the papers just as I recd them. The claim is just & I think will be satisfactoraly proven I mearly mention this that you consider I am still at the claim I sent application for L. W. under act of March 3. 1855 for William Morton but have not been informed that it has been received
I have the honor to be Sir
Your very Respectfull Friend
H. H. Teall
Phebe & Sarah daughters of John & Susannah Foster married Brothers by the name of Crossett & moved to the near town of Bayham in Canada a short time after the old man died and lived where their farm joined till Phebe & her husband died-Sarah resides at the same place near Hannah came some years after wards. The evidence I enclose
Page 75

is from Joseph Sherman, Leonard Haight, Clarissa Baker, Rebecca Powell; & John Crossett Jun
if the evidence is still [deficient is crossed out] insufficient to establish the claim & draw the cash please inform me on what particular point you wish more clearly proven.
H. N. Teall
Page 76

State of New York
Comptrollers Office
Albany
July 10, 1854

I certify that the name of John Foster appears among other names in a "Return of Officers + Men belonging to Col. Smith's Regiment Joined Col. Livingston's detachment Nov 1, 1776" which Return remains in this office. It further offers that said John Foster was a private and that the famous named (Officers (UNK)) in said returns was transfered to the 4th Regt. Continental Line according to Order Rec from Brigadier General George Clinton for Certificate of Col. Livingston on said Return. 

That it also appears by a "subsistance Role" in this office "of a Company of Ranger Commander by Capt. Alex Baldwin raised in once for the County of Albany Commanding the 1st March 1777." That John Doster was allowed L 3.. 5.. 9 for Rations for 6 weeks + 4 days Ending April 16 1777. 

That the name of John Foster also appears among others in a list of (UNK) remaining in this office were examined by Dr. Charles McKnight + certified by him to Rich Varick + Rich Platt Esquires, that the Examination appears by said hist. to have been made May 27, 1786, And that the name of John foster also appears in a list of Depositions + certificates for (UNK) drawn by pair Varick + Platt under the Law of April 22, 1786, (UNK) to the afornamed to list of (UNK) Examined by Doct. McKnight. 

I further certify that I find the name of
Page 77

J. Foster with others in a list of names of persons in this office, said List is headed as follows

"Amt. of depreciation charged by the State of New York as having paid the Second Regiment | 17.292"9"1
Add for an omissn. [omission] in acct [account] of T. Courtney sergt. [Sergeant] W.186 | 10"-"-
  | 17.302 " 9" 1

"Deductions made on Examination being for deaths discharges &c &c {Etc. Etc.] previous to 10th April 1780"

The name is given with two others in the order they appear in said List
"181 A. Burgess | Sergt | disch [discharged] Apr. 16.79 [1789] | -£72"18
184. J. Foster | P. [Private] | [dills?] Jany [January] 23.80 [1780] | - 77"5"5
185. H. Cole | P. | died Oct. 18.77 [1777] | - 10"12"11

And I further certify that the name of Jno [John] Foster appears on the 33d page of a Book remaining in this Office Entitled "Pay abstract for 1780" that said Foster appears to have been a private in Capt. Parsons Company of the First Regiment and that he has received or was Allowed £13.6"8.

Philip Phelps [illegible]
W.P. Haswell
Clk [Clerk]
Page 78

By Richard Varick and Richard Platt of the City of New York Esqrs
This is to certify that in pursuance of the Law of the State of New York Entitled "An Act making provision for Officers, Soldiers & Seamen who have been disabled in the service of the United States" passed the 22d of April 1786 we have examined John Foster of the City of New York labourer and find that he was a private soldier in Capt. Jonathan Hallet's Company in the second New York Regt. in the service of the United States commanded by Col. Philip Van Courtlandt, that while in the service aforesaid in the Company & Regiment aforesaid to wit, on the 19th day of September in the year 1777 at Stillwater, he received a wound in his left knee by a Musket Ball from the enemy under the command of Lieut Genl Burgoyne, which wound has in a great measure deprived him of the use of his leg; and that on the 15th day of August last he was Twenty nine years of age, wherefore in pursuance of the law aforesaid We do further certify that upon the principles of the Act of Congress of the 7th day of June 1785 the said John Foster is entitled to receive from the Treasurer of this State a yearly pension of Sixty dollars
Given under our hands this 28th June 1786. 
Rich Varick
Rich Platt

Peter T. Curtenius Esq
Auditor of the State of New York
Page 79

John Foster came before me Jeremiah Wool one of the Justices of the City & County of New York in the State of New York & made oath that he was examined by Richard Varick & Richard Platt Esquires appointed by the state for that purpose & obtained a certificate setting forth that he had served as a private in Capt Hallet's Compy. in Col. Van Courtlandt's Regt in the service of the United States & that on the 19th Sept 1777 he was disabled by a wound in his left knee & that he resides in the City of New York
& further saith not."
"John Foster"

"Peter T Curterius Esq
John Foster "
Auditor of the State of New York"
The Jurat of the Justice to the above deposition does not appear on the record.

"John Foster from 23d Jany 1780 to 1 June 1786 being 6 yr. 4 mo & 7 days at 5 Dolls p month $152"9"4
"Audited 1st July 1786."

John Foster came before me Jeremiah Wool one of the Alderman of the City of New York and made oath that he was examined by Richard Varick & Richard Platt Esquires appointed by said State for that purpose and obtained a certificate setting forth that he had served as a private in Col. Van Courtlandt's Regiment in the service of the United States, that whilst in said service he was disabled by a wound in his left knee and that he resided in the City of New York and in the State of New York [York is crossed out] Jersey from 1st June 1786 to
Page 80

the 1st Jany 1788 and that he has received no pension during that time"
"John Foster"
Sworn before me this 24th day of May 1788"
"Jeremiah Wool Ald."

"State of New Jersey July 6, 1787 I do hereby certify that the bearer John Foster has not received any certificate from me as an Invalid to receive Pension from the Treasurer of the State of New Jersey"
"Isaac Smith Aud. for said State"

From 1 June 1786 to 1 Jany 1788 is 19 months at 4 of P Mont is 38"-"-"
"Audited June 13th 1788"

":John Foster came before me Wolvert Ecker Esq one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace in and for the County of Ulster in the State of New York and made oath that he was Examined by Richard Varick and Richard Platt Esqrs appointed by the said State for that purpose and obtained a certificate setting forth that he had served as a private in Captain Jonathan Halletts Company in Colo. Philip Van Courtlandts Regiment in the service of the United States of America and that whilst in the said service at Stillwater he was disabled by receiving a wound in his left knee with
Page 81

a musket Ball, that he now lives in the town of Marlborough County aforesaid and further saith not."

"Signed" "John Foster"

"Sworn before me this twenty day of May 1789"

"Wolvert Ecker, Justice of the Peace"

"John Foster from 1st day of 1788 to 1st day of 1789 is ______ months a 4 of [illegible] mo.
£ 24 ..-..-"

"Audited June 10.1789"
State of New York, Comptroller's Office. Albany July 10 1854.
I certify that the foregoing am true copies of entries made in Books remaining in this office purporting to be books of Record of certificates concerning Invalid Pensioners, that the same are correct transcripts therefrom and of the whole of said original entries relating to the above named John Foster-
H.B. Haswell, Clk.    Philip Phelps, [illegible]
Page 82

State of New York
[image blurred]
Secretary's Office
Albany July 13th 1834

I certify that it appears from the Military Register of the New York Continental Line of the Revolutionary Army, remaining in this office, that John Foster enlisted in Capt. Hallatt's Company in the Second Regiemnt on the 2d December 1776 to serve during the war and was discharged January 23, 1780

[signed] A.G. Johnson,
Dep. Sec. of State,
Page 83

No 15,219

Susannah Foster Decd [deceased]
Widow of John
NY [New York]

July 7, 1838
Page 84

Canada
County of Elgin
To Wit
I William Campbell Clerk of the Second Division Court in and for the said County of Elgin do certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to me that John Foster and Susannah Hilges was married in A.D. 1783 and that the said John Foster Died in A.D. 1815 that Susannah remained his widow and Died December the first 1844 and that there is now but two Heirs living to wit Sarah the sixth child born August 16th 1796 and Hannah the eighth child born January 20th 1803 others born 1785-1788-1790-1792-1794 1799 but are all Dead and that the said Sarah and Hannah are both resident in the said County of Elgin

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Aylmer this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four
William Campbell
Page 85

Canada
County of Elgin
To Wit
I William Campbell Clerk of the Second Division Court County of Elgin hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the within named Phillip Hodgkinson Esquire and also with his hand write and do certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that he is one of Her Majesty's  Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Elgin

Aylmer 16 August 1814]

William Campbell
Page 86

Provence of Canada County of Elgin, To Wit
Be it known that before me Philip Hodgkinson Esquire one of Her Majesty's of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid.
Personally appeared before me Sarah wife of John Crossett and Hannah wife of Ralph Hooker who made oath in the form of law that they are the children of John Foster the identical person who was an invalid Pensioner and Revolutionary soldier and lived with his wife who are now dead and to whom a certificate of Pension was issued which is now lost with other papers  and their reliance is on [their?] 
evidence and other proof, for support of their claim. they
further say the said John Foster their Father was in the Continental Army in Captain Halls Company
in the 2d Regiment and was discharged in
1780 being wounded in the left knee. that the deceased Pensioner resided in the State of New York Previous to his death which was in 1815 and Susannah his wife Resided after the death of John Foster her husband and previous to her death in Canada with her ]illegible] which was in A.D. 1844 when she died.

They make this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining what ever is due or may be found to be due their 
Parents John Foster and Susannah his wife in any of the acts of the United States

Sarah Crossett X her mark
Hannah Hooker X her mark

Sworn and Subscribed this Sixteenth day of August AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty four
Philip Hodgkinson, J.P. Co. [Justice of the Peace County of] Elgin
Page 87

State of New York Ontario County
Horace N. Teall being duly sworn says that the within power of attorney, has not been and is not given to him by way of assignment or pledge or sale of the pension or claim of the parties making the same. 
H N Teall 
Sworn to before me September 20 1854
Charles Holger Justice of the Peace

[inverted text:]
Provence of Canada
County of Elgin
To Wit
On this 16th day of August AD one tgousand eight hundered and fifty four personally appeared before me Sarah Crosset wife of John Crosset and Hannah Hooker widow of Ralph Hooker and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be their act and deed.
Philip Hodgkinson
Justice of the peace in and for the county of Elgin
Page 88

Provence of Canada
County of Elgin
To Wit
On this 16th day of August AD one tgousand eight hundered and fifty four personally appeared before me Sarah Crosset wife of John Crosset and Hannah Hooker widow of Ralph Hooker and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be their act and deed.
Philip Hodgkinson
Justice of the peace in and for the county of Elgin
Page 89

Know all men by these Presents that we Sarah Crosset wife of John Crosset and Hannah Hooker widow of Ralph Hooker, both of the county of Elgin in the Provence of Canada Children and legal representatives of John Foster a prisoner Revolutionary soldier and Susannah his wife who is now deceased do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint H. N. Teall of the Village of Geneva in the state of New York our true and lawful attorney for us and in our names to examine into and prosecute any claims that may be due or found to be further children and legal representatives of John Foster & Susannah his wife in virtue of the said John Fosters service in the Revolutionary War and the Several Acts and Resolutions of Congress relative there to and that might have occured to either of the said parties and not downed by them during their lifetime and now due to their legal representatives and to receive the Certificate of Pension when issued by the Department or the money there on we here by confirming what to ever our said attorney may do or cause to be done legally either in person or by Substitution in  the Prosecution of said claim we revoking any others authority we may have given to any other Person or Persons in the (illegible) what so ever.
In witness where of we have here written set our hands & seals this 16th day of August, one thousand eight hundred and fifty four
Sarah X her mark Crossett Hannah Hooker
Signed (illegible) Delivered in presence of Philip Hodgkinson Benjamin M Brown
Page 90

Susannah Foster, decd. [deceased] 
Brief
Page 91

Brief in the case of Susannah Foster widow of John
Resident in Elgin Co Canada Registered in State of New York- Albany Agency act July 7. 1838
Claim ("original")
Proof exhibited, (if original) Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
John Foster- who served in Hallett's Compy Van Conttandt's Regiment N.Y. Counte Line from Dec 2 1776 to Jary 23 1780- was an invalid prisoner under the act of June 1785 and paid at $60 per annum to Sept 4, 1815- it is proved by panol. died Dec 1815.
Susannah, identified as his widow by numerous witnesses, and to have remained his widow from his death to her's, is proved by panol to have died in Elgin Co. Canada- Dec 1st 1844- and to have remained his widow-
(if for increase Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?) (crossed out)
Marriage- as early as April 5th, 1785- is proved by family register and the testimony of witnesses to cohabitation years before 1794- that Hannah Hooker and Sarah Crossett are her only surviving children, is proved by panol. S.G. Dodge Examining Clerk. Name and Residence of Agent H. N. Teel Geneva N. York
Page 92

Susannah Foster deceased widow of John Foster New York- (Albany agency) Act July 7. 1838- 
Admitted husband 2 years and more private of infantry 
New York Continental Line
at $80 per annum, from March 4th, 1836 to December 1st 1844- excepting 2 years.
Certificate payable to Hannah Hooker and Sarah Crossett [sic] her only surviving children
Attorney
H.N. Teel
Geneva, New York
Page 93

John Foster died Decr [December] 1815
Widow died Decr 1st 1844
Hannah Hooker & Sarah Crossett