Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,910, for Silas Mead, New York
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Service Continental New York
Mead, Silas S.13,910 carded
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8850

New York
Silas Mead
of Niagara in the State of New York who was a private in the Copy commanded by Captain Livingston of the Reg. commanded by Col. Wisenfelt in the New York line for 9 months
N.Y. and Continental 

Records completed Oct 4 06 R

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of  30 - Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence in the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of April 1833 and sent to R H Steven, Lockport N York

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 &60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1838  15
$75
{Revolutionary  Claim,}
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E Vol 4 Page 25

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838from 4th Sept 1837 to 4 Sept 1838. Act Notified 7 Aug 1839

Paid as above from 4 Sep 1839 to 4 march 1840, agt notified 11 Nov. 1841
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State of New York}
County of Niagra}
On this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before me Joel McCollum one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and General Session of the said county of Niagara now sits Silas Mead a resident of the Town of Somerset in said County of Niagara and State of New York aged seventy years on the sixty day of May last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath ma[] the following declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated That he resided in the year 1782 at Amenia Precinct in Dutship [Dutchess] County in the state of New York.  That about five hundred men were musturd at Fish Kill in said County.  That the militia companies were divided into class of about nine and each class were to send one person into the army or one was to be drafted from among each class, that he went into the service as a substitute for one class on a term of service of nine months when he arrived at Fish kill he was under the command of Captain Livingston in the Regiment of Colonel Musenfills where he underground one month after this he was one of eighty selected by Capt. Matcham belonging to Col. John Lambs regiment of artillery Genl Knox's Brigade and under
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him marched to West Point where he removed desiring the [] space under Capt. Moody of the same regiment that he was then taken from there to Cook for General Knox's Barge crew for one month while the regular cook was making tents when he returned to his company and then remained to his company and there remained until he was regularly discharged or dismissed by the officer having command he then went to his in Aminea precinct in said county Dutchess County under the command of a Seargeant whose name was Shiff Morgan.
That he has no other documentary evidence except two affidavits hereto annexed that he knows of no person else by whom he could prove the above statements.
That 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 or territory of the United States- Silas Mead
Sworn & Subscribed this 4 day of September 1832 J McCollum Judge of Niagara County Court
And as Judge Court do hereby declare []
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We Jehiah Wirner a clergyman residing in the town of Somerset in the County of Niagara and State of New York and David Wirner of New York and residing in the town of Somerset hereby certify that we are acquainted with Silas Mead who has sworn the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides known been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Jehiah Wirner David Wirner
Sworn & Subscribed this 4 Set 1832
before me in open court Henry Cutler Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of Niagara County
And the said court do hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter after putting the interrogatories [] by the war department that the above named Silas Mead was a revolutionary soldier
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and served as he states and this court further certify that it appears to them that Jehial Wirner and David Wirner who signed the preceding certificate residing as stated in their certificate are persons entitled to [] credit.
J McCullum
F Butterfield
D Alvord  Members of the Court

I Henry Cutlin Clerk of the said court do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Silas Mead for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have here to set my hand & seal of office this 4th day of Sept 1832
Henry Cutlin Clerk
12,161
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No. 12, 161
Silas Mead

R.H. Stevens
Lockport Ny
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BRIEF in the case of Silas Mead
County of Niagara in the state of N York  (Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before Court of a Judge: Court
2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 70
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed.
Period in 1782
Duration of Service
years -
Months 9 
Days -
Rank As a drafted

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Cols. Weesenfill & Lamp Capt. Livingston, Matcham & Moody

5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dutchess Cty
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions
8. Are the papers defective to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Levin Belt
Examining Clerk.
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In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of 5 Feb : 13,910. Silas Mead, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT 
 In April 1782 soldier enlisted as a RANK private in Capt Livingstons co Col Weitenvelts N.Y regiment and after 1 mo. was transferred to Capt Matchins co Col. Lamb's regt of art; later served under Capt Moody Col. John Lamb's regt: and as cook for Gen'l Knox's Barge crew ; 9 mos

Battles engaged in None Stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment Amenia Precinct Dutchess Co NY
Date of application for pension, Sept 4 1832 ; claim allowed,
Residence at date of application, Somerset Niagara Co. NY
Age at date of application 70 years.
Remarks
Very respectfully,
Mrs. William G Letchworth
98 Anderson Place.
Buffalo N. Y.     
Commissioner.
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Rev War  13, 910
INVALID.

File No. 13, 910
Silas Mead
Priv Rev War

Act June 7 "1832
Index :-Vol. 1 Page 254

1906 Nov. 2. History to Mrs. Wm G Letchworth MMS
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I Shieff [Shiff] Morgan of Shellum in the County of Chittenden and state of Vermont of lawful age being duly sworn do depose testify and say that 500 men were mustered at Fishkill NY In April 1782 myself and Silas Mead now of Somerset in Niagara County New York were 2 of that number as nine months service we were in Capt Livingston Company Weisonfelts Regiment after rendezvousing  there for one month said Mead and I were 2 out of 80 selected by Capt. Matcham belonging to Col. Lambs Regiment of artilary [artillery] Genl Knoxs Brigade and under him marched to west point were we remained under Capt Moody of the same Regmt during the summer sd [said] Mead was taken from them to cook for Genl Knoxs Barge Crew and then staid till the [] took when he returned to his Company and there served the remainder of his term of nine months when it was dismissed by the Commanding officer
and further I say not
Shiff Morgan

State of Vermont}
Chittenden County ss}
Shelburn Nov. 10th A.D. 1831  I have Shiff Morgan of Shelburn in sd [said] county of Chittenden personally appearing and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before me
Levi Comstock Justice Peace
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I Samuel Pangbourn of West Point in the County of Essex and State of New York, of lawful age, being duly sworn do depose, testify and say That in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty two, at West Point ' being there in the service of the United States as a soldier in the Regiment of Col. John Lamb and at this time detached as a Barge man for Genl Knox Barge that I there became acquainted with Silas Mead now of Somerset in the County of Niagara in the State of New York, who then belonged to Capt Moody's Company of said Regiment That said Silas Mead was at this time detached for and did the service of a Cook, on board the same Barge in which I was employed And further I say not Samuel Pangborn

State of Vermont}
Addison County ss}
Addison November 15th 1831 Then Samuel Pangbourn of West Point in the County of Essex and State of New York, personally appearing and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by his subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before me Arzah Crane Juse [Justice] Peace

State of Vermont}
Addison County SS}
I Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify that the above named Arzah Crane, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was, at the time a Justice of the Peace, authorized to administer oaths.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Middleburg in said County this sixteenth day of November 1831.
Saml Swift Clerk
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No. 12 161

Silas Mead

R. H. Stevens
Lockeport NY
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Mead which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinquished from any other seal? yes
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not be produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. [] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI []Are the papers authenticated as the regulation direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? No

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rand he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  That 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 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 shewn 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 severed 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the services, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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.
[] In every case where the clerk of court, or other certifying officer, 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. It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rand he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  That 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 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 shewn 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 severed 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the services, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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.
[] In every case where the clerk of court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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TREASURE DEPARTMENT.

Second Comptroller's Office,
July 25th, 1839

Sir :

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Silas Mead, a Pension on the Roll of the Albany NY Agency, at the rate of thirty Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837, to the 4th Sept. 1838.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K Parris Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.


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O.W & N

{Stamp O.W.&N. DIV. OCT 27 1906 FILES}


To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you kindly send the record of Silas Mead of Niagara Co. New York in the pensions list of 1831 to me?

Thanking you in advance for your courtesy
I am respectfully yours
Mrs. Wm C. Letchworth

98 Anderson Place
Buffalo, NY
October 24/1906

{STAMP; PENSION A OCT 26 1906 US OFFICE}