Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13608, for Peter Keyes, New Hampshire
Page 1

SERVICE
N. H. 
New York
Keyes, Peter
NUMBER
S. 13608
carded
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

Peter Keyes
No 4609
Vermont

14

notified that app to obtain cert.

completed
R. Simple

admd
9 mos
$30.-
Page 3

BRIEF in the case of Peter Keyes of Rutland in the State of Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 70
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
| Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. |
| In 1779 | 3 Months. | As a Private | Gen. W. Chapman |
| June 1780 | 6 Months. | do | Capt. Monroe, Col Cortland |
5. In what battles was he engaged? [blank]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth New Hampshire
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & Living
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct except, no certificate of the credibility of the Witness
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signature] Jas Malone Examining Clerk
Page 4

Ar. Tra. Augt 20 '36
do. do. 25 Feby '37
Transfd to Albany from Burlington for 4 Sept '35 - March 7 1837
Paid at the Treasury and the Act of April 8th 1838 from 4th March to the 4th Sept 1841
Agent notified June 29th 1842
Let Andrew Fletcher
Sept 9 1850

Albany 17,607
Vermont [crossed out]
Peter Keyes
Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Monroe of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cortland in the N. H. ma * line for 9 mos.
* N. H. and N. Y. Records completed July 4 06

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of August 1833 and sent to R. Temple Rutland
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 15.00
[total] $75.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 73
Page 5

No 4609
Peter Keyes
Pittsfield
9 mo
Page 6

STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY, ss.
On this 25 day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland Dist. now sitting, Peter Keyes a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In 1779 he lived in Plymouth, New Hampshire & in the summer of that year he was drafted for three months & marched to the Upper Cohoes, to protect the inhabitants against the Indians & served under Lt. Chapman who was the officer in command. Served most of the time in scouting. The place of rendezvous was Strafford. At the end of three months returned home, but recd. no written discharge. In 1780, in June, he enlisted for six months in Col. Courtland's Regt of Light Infantry, N York. Capt. Monroe, Lt. Carter, Ensign Stark, he thinks. Was parted mustered at Amherst, marched to West Point & was there when Arnold sold the place. When he went to Kings ferry & crossed again to New Jersey, marched, he should think, about 40 miles in that State, returned to a place called Soldier's fortune opposite West Point. where he was discharged, but has lost his discharge. He was about 3 miles off when Maj. Andre was hung. He cannot distinguish other Regts. with whom he served. He knew Genl Washington, Lafayette, Poor, (who died while he was in service) & many others whose name he has forgotten. He has no documentary evidence, but has the affidavit of Robert Forres to prove part of his services. He was born at Hollis, New Hampshire, the 26 Decemb. 1761, but has no record of his age. It was recorded in his father's Bible since the revolution. He lived in Plymouth aforesd until about 35 years ago when he moved to Strafford, Vermont where he lived until 14 years ago. He moved to Pittsfield, where he has ever since lived. He is known to the Rev. John Suddard & Deacon Fairbanks, who are present & to
Page 7

most of the people of Peterfield.

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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] Peter Keyes
[signature] R. C. Royce Regr.

We John Suddard  a Clergyman residing in Pittsfield and Luther Fairbank residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Peter Keyes who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
[signature] John Suddard
[signature] Luther Fairbank
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] R. C. Royce Regr.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Suddard who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Pittsfield and that Luther Fairbank who has also signed the same, is a resident in Pittsfield and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Rodney C. Royce Regt of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Keyes
for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15th day of Augt. A. D. 1832.
[signature] R. C. Royce Regr.
Page 8

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
December 23, 1924
Percy G. Smith
33 Hubbard St.,
Montpelier, Vermont.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 13608 it appears that Peter Keyes was born December 26, 1761 in Hollis, New Hampshire.
While living in Plymouth, New Hampshire he enlisted in the summer of 1779 and served three months as Indian Spy under Lieutenant Chapman in the New Hampshire Troops.
He enlisted in June 1780 and served six months as a private in Captain Munro or Monroe's Company, Colonel Van Courtland's New York Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 25, 1832 while a resident of Pittsfield, Rutland County, Vermont to which place he had moved from Strafford, Vermont.
In 1836 he was living in Eagle, Allegany County,
Page 9

New York with his son whose name is not stated.
There is no further data on file as to his family.
In 1836 Peter Keyes, Junior, was a resident of said Eagle, relationship to soldier not stated.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Date of death not on
AB
Page 10

1912 Dec 23 Hist to Percy G. Smith MMH

Rev War
13,608
INVALID.
File No. 13,608
Peter Keyes
Priv Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:- Vol. 1, Page 203
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

PERCY G. SMITH
CIVIL ENGINEER
33 HUBBARD ST.
MONTPELIER, VT.
TEL. 812 R.
Dec. 2, 1924
Bureau of Pensions.
Rev. War Section.
Dear Sirs;
Please send the Rev. war record of Peter Keyes of Plymouth, N. H. and family data. He married Rhoda Durkee; lived at Plymouth, N. H., Pittsfield, Vt., and Eagle, Wyoming Co., N. Y.
Yours truly,
[signature] Percy G. Smith
Page 12

Peter Keys
Burlington, Vert to Albany

Aug 23
Mr. Burdine

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissr. of Pensions
War Department
City of Washington
Page 13

J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
FREE

T. W. Olcott, Esq.
Pension Agent,
Albany, New York.

[stamp] CITY OF [illegible - Fort Covington?] AUG 16
Page 14

ansd Mr. Keyes
Oct 17. '35
Page 15

Rutland Vt. 11 Oct. 1835
Sir,
Your letter of the 5. instant, in answer to mine of the 30. ult. is received, together with its  accompanying blank "application for a transfer."
It is proper for me to notify you, that I cannot, conveniently use this blank for Peter Keyes, for whose use and benefit it seems to have been forwarded to me. Mr. Keyes, on his passage from Pittsfield, Vt. his late place of residence, to the S. Western part of the State of New York merely called on me, and requested me to assist him in getting transfered from the Agency of Vermont, to that of New York. Accordingly, I wrote the letter above mentioned, of the 30. ultim.y, and requested you to address him this a particular Post Office therein mentioned but which I have forgotten, not having retained a copy of that letter, nor taken a memorandum of the place to which Mr. Keyes was removing. Of course, I must refer you to that letter, for information, where to address him.
From the terms of the "application," it appears to be requisite, that it should be executed at the place where Mr. Keyes now resides. Unless otherwise advised, I shall retain the blank, to be used in some other case.
Very respectfully
Your most obt servt.
[signature] Jesse Gove

Honbl. James L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 16

Vt. Feb 12

Pittsfield Vt.
Feb 6th
Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington D. C.
Page 17

Pittsfield Vt. Rutland County Feb. 1835
To the Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
I understand that in consequence of the frauds
committed upon the Government by a certain agent in this County, the further payment of Pensions in this county are suspended and that it is necessary to forward to your office a statement of services &c.
I therefore state that I belonged to the State of New Hampshire when in service, and that I was drafted three months and marched up Connecticut River to the uppermost settlement
on the River as an Indian Spy and served there three months. This I think was in 1779. I then enlisted for six months to fill up the three years men's places under Capt. Munro in Col. Courtland's Regiment. I then marched to West Point and stayed there about a fortnight and then went down the River to Kings ferry and served out my time in that vicinity and was discharged at a place called Soldiers [Fortune].
I served in the whole nine months but was in no [battle]. My six months service was in the Light infantry under M. D. Lafayette while at (I think Elizabethtown) Gen. Poor Died and as I was on sentry I saw his corps carried by to be buried and his horse followed the corps to the grave without a rider or leader.
I resided in this town when I first made  application for a pension, and the testimony was taken before Mr. Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court. My Pension was thirty dollars per annum and I drew up to the 4th of Sept 1834.
Your obt. Servant [signature] Peter Keys
Page 18

Mar 5
Mr. Burdine

[stamp] [illegible] BURLINGTON MAR 1

FREE
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Coms. of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 19

Bank of Burlingotn
Feby 28. 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
Sir
Peter Keys the inscribed on the Roll of this Agency at the rate of $30 pr annum under the Act of 7 June 1832, was last paid by me 4th Sept 1835 as appears by our Book on the 7th Sept 1835.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant
E. T. Englesby Jr..
In R. G. Cole
Page 20

Oct 5
Mr. Burdine
[stamp] RUTLAND [illegible]

Paper returnd Apl 15 '36 (L Jenkins)
Ansd P. J. Oct 5 '35
to Keyes " 17 "

FREE

Honble James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions,
City of Washington
Page 21

Rutland Vt. 30 Sept. 1835
Sir:
Peter Keyes, a pensioner, late of Pittsfield in the County of Rutland, is now here, on his way the town Eagle in the County of Allegany and State of New York, and wishes to be transfered to that Agency, and, aldo, to be informed, where he shall apply for future payments.
Be Pleased to direct to him at the Pike Hollow Post Office.
I am very respectfully
your obt servt.
Jesse Gove
Page 22

[side] Town of Eagle, Allegany Co.

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Allegany
On this 14th day of March 1836, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Allegany personally appeared Peter Keyes who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Monroe in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Courtland
in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Vermont from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of New York where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Vermont to New York vis that he had a son living in the town of Eagle in the State of New York and that he removed for the purpose of residing with him.
[signature] Peter Keyes
Sworn and subscribed to before me. the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] Luther C Peck Justice &c.

>The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
>The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the  pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.

State of New York
County of Allegany ss. 
Peter Keyes Junior of Eagle in the said County of Allegany being duly sworn depose & by me the
Subscriber a Justice of the peace of said County of Allegany and under Oath & say and Peter Keyes the person who
Page 23

made & subscribed the foregoing affidavit is the same and identical person who is inscribed in the said affidavit.
[signature] Peter Keys Jr.
Subscribed & sworn by me this 14th day of March 1835
Luther C. Peck Justice &c.

I Luther C Peck the Justice of the peace above named do hereby certify that I are acquainted with Peter Keyes Junior the person making the foregoing affidavit & that he is a man of truth & veracity. (Dated March 14 1836)
[signature] Luther C. Peck

State of New York
Allegany County ss.
I Judson W. Henman Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Luther C. Peck before whom the foregoing affidavits purport to have been taken was at the date of the same are of the Justice of the peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & sworn.
And further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and that the signature to said affidavits purporting to be his is genuine. Witness my hand & the seal of said County this 2d day of August A. D. 1836.
[signature] J. W. Henman Clk
Page 24

I Robert Forris of Thetford in the County of Orange and State of Vermont of Lawfull age do depose and say that I was personally knowing that Peter Keyes who now lives in the Town of Pitsfield in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont, in the year 1780 enlisted into Capt. Monroe Company of Light Infantry in the United States Service for six months. That I belonged to the same Company and was knowing to his serving the full term of six Months in Colonel Courtland Regiment further the deponent saith not.
[signature] Robert Forris

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.
Thetford 21st July 1832T
Then Robert Forris of Thetford in the County of
Orange & State of Vermont personally appearing
and after being carefully examined and duly
Cautioned made Solemn on oath that the foregoing Deposition by him Subscribed contain the whole Truth and nothing but the truth.
Before William Heaton Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that I do consider the above named Robert Forris to be a man of truth and veracity.
William Heaton Just of Peace
Page 25

[side] Robert Forris deposition

State of Vermont
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that

State of Vermont
Orange County Clerks office August 17th 1832
I H. E. G McLaughlin Clerk of Orange County Court do certify that Wm. Heaton before whome the within affidavit was taken is a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Orange duly authorised to administer Oaths and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed the County seal the day & year above [signature] H. E. G McLaughlin Clerk
Page 26

[stamp] CONCORD N. H. SEP 2

Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D. C.

W. Cole 
wit [illegible]
Page 27

Concord N. H. Aug. 7 1850
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir
Will you have the goodness to send me a copy of the Pamphlet containing the Pension Laws now in force, or an abstract of such Laws. & also inform me whether the name of Peter Keyes has ever been on the Roll of pensioners either in this State of in Vermont. & if yes, whether he still has a pension & for what length of time he has been a pensioner & what sum per annum.
An early reply will oblige
Your obedient servent
[signature] Arthur Fletcher
Page 28

Pike N. Y.
Feb 10

Free

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commr of Pensions
Washington

[illegible] Peter Keyes
Burdine
Page 29

Pike, Allegany Co. New York
July 15. 1837
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Sir 
Peter Keyes application for a transfer was forwarded to Washington in August last by L. Jenkins Esqr. of the pension office in the City of Albany as Mr Jenkins says. The man says that he has heard nothing from the pensions since he sent them & that he supposed that reply would be sent to the pension & that if the same had not been received by the pensioned that it would be proper to redress you on the subject. Three papers have not been recd by Mr Keyes nor has he heard any thing further there is above mentioned in relation to them. I am the agent of Mr Keys in getting payment upon his pensions with this let his request under the Alois of Mr Jenkins sent me through Misses Marvin & Raymond Meredith of Albany. My information in
relation to this subject will much oblige me.
Your Obt Servt
L. & .L. W. Whitcomb

J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Page 30

Rutland Vt. 17. March 1837
Sir:
You will pardon me, I trust, for returning the accompanying letter of the 7 inst., relative to the transfer of Peter Keyes. I am not now his agent, and could not communicate this notice of his transfer, without an expense of postage to him which the old man is ill able to bear,
In September or Oct. 1835, I advised you, that the old man was then on his way, removing from this agency to that of New York, and that he intended to locate himself with his son in the town of Eagle in the County of Alleghany. On the 5th of October, and when Mr. Keyes had perhaps arrived at his new home, you acknowledged the
the receipt of my letter (quoted by you, as of the 30 Sept. I kept no copy.) and inclosed a printed form of an affidavit to be made by him on his application for a transfer, and which, from the terms of it, could not have been made truly, until he should arrive at his new residence in the State of New York. And on the 11th I answered your letter of the 5th of October, referring (I state now
from recollection, as I kept no copy of that letter) to my former letter of the 30 Sept 1835. Since that time, until today when your letter of the 7 inst. came to hand, I have heard nothing of the case.
The town of Eagle is in the N. W. corner of Alleghany, and nearly in the westermost part of New York. And on that account, if there is an Agency nearer, I presume it would accomodate
Mr. Keyes better to be paid there, than at Albany.
I am very respectfully,
Your obt servt
Jesse Gove

Hon. James L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions &c. &c.
Page 31

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 14th, 1842.
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," Peter Keyes a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N. York Agency, at the rate of Thirty Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, to the 4th of Sept 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
COMPTROLLER.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 32

Mr. Burdine
In attention
Mar 27
note a sent to recd
Ks as [illegible] the d
Apl 4 ' 37

Peter Keyes
N. Yk.
June
17609

Honbl James L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 33

[stamp] WASH[ILLEGIBLE D.C. 8

J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions

Jesse Gove Esq.
Rutland Vermont
Page 34

Oct 17.
Mr. Burdine
[stamp] [illegible]

FREE

To Honbl James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington