Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 49291, for Abiel Sherman, New York
Page 1

Service
Continental (New York)

Sherman, Abiel

Number 
S. 49291

Content
[?] Mar 11 1761
[?] July 31, 1837. left no widow
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20090 New York
Abriel Sherman
of Dutchess in the State of New York
who was an artificer in the Company commanded 
by Captain Pixt of
the Regt commanded
by Col Lamb in the New York
line for 2 years
Continental
l;llllp-
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 144 Dollars per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Oct
1833
and sent A. Forbus
Poughkeepsie N
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 33, $360.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 72
$432.
Book E
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Vol. 4 Page 7
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No 25444
Abiel Sherman Dutches County
New York
on rolls of
Artificers 2 years
Admitted
Private of Artillery Artificer
2 years
Alexr Forbus Poughkeepsie N. York
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Sir
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Ofice,
183
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Abiel Sherman Dutchess County New York
Period [when life...]
Duration of the claimant's service
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Enlisted 1 May 1778
years months days
2          0           -
Wheelbright
Gen'l Washington and Gen'l Hamilton
Cap Port, Col Lamb
72 years, Putnam County New York
3 Witnesses, papers properly attached
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of } SS. On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank] , with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] & c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3 
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the during of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may 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.
[j2] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Dutchess Com Pleas
At a Court of Common Pleas held at the Courthouse in the town of Poughkeepsie in and for the County of Dutchess on the fourth day of June
in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Present 
Edmund H. Pendleton}
Joseph J. Jackson}
Robert S. Livingston}
Albro Akin} 
Judges
State of New York
Dutchess County ss. On this day appeared in open court before this
court now sitting (the same being a Court of record for said County) Abiel
Sherman of the town of Pawlings in the County of Dutchess and resident
in said town aged seventy two years on the eleventh day of March last 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. On the first
day of May in the year 1778, deponent enlisted at Patterson in Putnam County in the State of New York (then called Fredericksburgh) in the Company commanded by Captain Anthony Post of Artillery artificers attached to Colonel Lambs regiment of Artillery for the term of two years,
Garret Brower and John Johnson were the Lieutenants; that the deponent enlisted as a wheelwright, and joined the company at Patterson, and stayed & worked there the full term of two years except about four months in 1779 the company was sent to West point and were engaged in making gun carriages, and mounting cannon, that after finishing the work at West point, the deponent with the company returned to Fredericksburgh and was there discharged in May 1780 after having served the full of two years. That deponent recollects seeing during his service Gen Washington, & Alexander Hamilton his aid, saw Gen Washington [illegible] by at West point, and in Fredericksburgh, and Pawlings when the army was encamped around Fredericksburgh, that he received a written discharge which has long since been lost. that he has not any documentary evidence of his service; but produces as proof of his service
the affidavits of Davies Sherman, Obadiah Howland, Benjamin
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Cowl and Jethro Sherman hereto annexed. He hereby relinquished
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. Deponent was born in the town of New Bedford in Massachusetts
on 11th March 1761 there was formerly a record of his age in the family bible, but deponent does not now know where it is or what has become of it. His discharge was given by Captain Post and deponent believes was signed by him. Deponent was moved with his fathers family when nine years old, from New Bedford to the town of Pawlings in Dutchess County and has resided in said town ever since, except when in the service as aforesaid, and now resides there.
Abiel Sherman
Sworn and Subscribed
on the [illegible]June 4. 1839
[signature illegible]
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State of New York Dutchess County Ss Jethro Sherman of the Town of Pawlings in the county aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is seventy Nine years of age that this deponent and his brother Abiel Sherman have both resided in the Town of Pawlings in the County aforesaid from their infancy That the said Abiel enlisted in the service of the United States in Capt Posts company of Artificers in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight in the Spring of the year, for two years - that the said Abiel was absent from home in the service aforesaid for the whole of the two years with the exception of short periods when he returned in a furlough to visit his friends - That this deponent frequently and at different times furing both years saw the said Abiel at work in the same aforesaid in the Town of Frederichstown [now Fredericksburgh in Putnam County] about five miles from deponent then residence now the Town of Patterson County of Putman [Putnam] under the command of Captain Post with whom deponent was personally acquainted [signature:] Jethro Sherman 
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 1st day of June 1833 [signature:] Daniel D Akin Justice of the Peace 
I certify that I am well acquainted with Jethro Sherman who has subscribed and sworn to the above afidavit and that I believe full credit is to be given to his testimony as a witness [signature:] Daniel D Akin Justice of the Peace
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State of New York Putnam County: Ss Obadiah Howland being duly sworn deposeth and saith that this deponent is aged about seventy seven years - that this deponent has resided in that part of the state of New York now called Patterson Putnam County nearly sixty years - That in the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty eight this deponent entered the service of the United States by enlisting into Captain Anthony Posts Company of Artificers belonging or attached to Colone Lambs Regiment . this deponent joined the said company in the summer and served therein a term of two years - that previously to this deponents enlisting into the said company this deponent was well acquainted with Abial Sherman now of Pawling, in Dutchess County and State of New York and has been well acquainted with the said Abial ever since that some months previous to this deponents enlistment the said Abial enlisted into the said company and when this deponent entered the company this deponent the said Abial in the service thereof - that the said Abial served therein until his term of two years was fully complete and ended at which time he received an honorable discharge - that for nearly two years the said Abial and this deponent served in said Company and messed together and this deponent was knowing to the said Abial's service in the Company for the whole of the said two years a part of which was at West Point and the other part in that part of Duchess County formerly called Fredericksburgh and further that the said Abial is a man of veracity and his statement entitled to credit 
his X mark Obadiah Howland 
Subscribed and sworn the 1st day of November `1832 before me [signature:] Frederic Stone first Judge of Putnam County Courts
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State of New York Putnam County Ss Benjamin Cowl duly Sworn deposeth and saith that this deponent is aged about seventy years - that this deponent moved to the place now called Patterson in Putnam County in the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty nine where this deponent has generally resided ever since - that in that year this deponent became acquainted with Abial Sherman who now resides in Pawling in Dutchess County and has been well acquainted with said Sherman ever since. that this deponent in the year first aforesaid and the next year thereafter frequently saw the said Sherman and at that time and ever since this deponent understood as well by conversations with the said Sherman as by the general reports that the said Sherman had enlisted and belonged to Captain Anthony Posts company of Artificers which company belonged or was attached to Colonel Lambs Regiment That the Term of service of the said Sherman was reputed to be for two years which this deponent has always understood and believes the said Sherman fully served out and further that the said Sherman is a man of veracity and his statements entitled to credit [signature:] Benjamin Cowl 
Subscribed & sworn the 1st day of November 1832 before [signature:] Frederic Stone first Judge of Putnam County Courts
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State of New York Putnam County Clerk's office } SS I Jonathan Morehouse clerk of the County of Putnam & of the Courts of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Frederic Stone whose name is subscribed ["as" is crossed out] to foregoing affidavit aa the first judge of the Court of said County and duly subscribed by the laws of said State to administer oaths. And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge & verily believe the signature "Frederic Stone" subscribed to said affidavit are genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court the 3d day of November 1832 [signature:] J Morehouse -
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Dutchess County SS: Darius Sherman being duly sworn in open Court doth depose and say that he was seventy years old on the seventh day of December last that he resided in the town of Schodac [Schodack?] in the County of Rensselaer in the State of New York. that he knows Abiel Sherman now here present that the deponent and said Abiel are brothers. that this deponent knows that the said Abiel Sherman enlisted and served in Captain Anthony Posts Company of Artillery Artificers for the full term of two years as he has stated in the foregoing declaration that this deponent enlisted in the same company on the same day with the said Abiel, for the term of two years, served out the full term with the said Abiel and was discharged the same day with him at Fredericksburgh. That deponent was present with the said Abiel in said service during the whole of the said two years, except the three or four months said Abiel and the greater part of the Company were at West Point, this deponent and one other carpenter and two black smiths, then remaining at Fredericksburgh This deponent has heretofore made application for a pension for such his service and has received a pension Certificate for one hundred and forty four dollars per annum. [signature:] Darius Sherman 
Sworn and subscribed fourth June 83 [?? date faded] in open Court [signature:] Henry France Clerk 
And the said Court doth hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was an artificer in the Revolutionary war and served as he stated. And the Court further certified that Darius Sherman who has made and subscribed the above affidavit is resident in the town of Schodac in Rensselaer County is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit. And also that the said Abiel Sherman produced to the Court as further evidence of his service the affidavits of Obadiah Howland, Benjamin Cowl and Jethro Sherman hereto annexed 
I Henry J. Braver Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
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of Abiel Sherman for a pension. Also that Daniel D. Akin before whom the annexed affidavit of Jethro Sherman purports to have been sworn and subscribed was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of the County of Dutchess duly Commissioned and Sworn. that I am acquainted with his hand writing and that his signature to the said affidavit and certificate is in his proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and the seal of the said Court this fourth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. [signature:] Henry France Clerk
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June 8, 1949. 
[illegible initials] 
BA-J/ADT 
Abiel Sherman, S.49291 
Mr. Edwin N. Ellis 239 Huntington Avenue Buffalo, New York 
Dear Sir: Reference is made to your letter relative to Abiel Sherman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. 
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.48281, based upon the military service in that war of Abiel Sherman.
Abiel Sherman was born March 11, 1761, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown. When about eight years old he moved with his father's family to Pawling, Dutchess County, New York. 
While a resident of said Pawling, Abiel Sherman enlisted May 1, 1778, served as wheelwright in Captain Anthony Post's Company of Artificers, Colonel Lamb's Regiment of Artillery and was discharged in May 1780. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 4, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Pawling, New York. 
He died July 31, 1837, place not stated, leaving no widow, but the following children: Henry Sherman, Hiram Sherman, Drucilla, the wife of Henry Howard 2d [or 2#] , Eliza, the wife of William Taber, all of Pawling, New York, and Olive, the wife of Stephen Packham, living in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York, their ages are not shown. 
In 1833, one Obadiah Howland, about seventy-seven years old, was living in Patterson, formerly called Fredericksburgh, Putnam County, New York, and had resided there nearly sixty years, no relationship to the family was stated.
Page 16

The name of soldier's wife was not stated, and there are no further family data. Very truly yours HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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OLD WAR INVALID. 
File No 49291 Abiel Sherman Artificer, Rev. War 
1911 Nov. 2. Hist to Frank D. Sherman ¢1940 June 8. Hist. to Edwin Ellis ADgov.
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20.898 [?? overwritten, difficult to read] New York 
Abiel Sherman of Dutchess in the State of N. York who was a Priv of Artif. [artificer] in the Comp commanded by Captain [illegible] of the Reg. commanded by Col. Lamb in the N. York line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 100 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Aug. 1832 and Sent to A. [last name and next two words illegible] 
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '81 $200 
Semi-ant. allowance ending [illegible] 50
$250
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. } 
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 79
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Payments to be made at N. York by Pres. A.S.M.M Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of N. Y. Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. Vol. 3 Page 79. by B. C. Stiles Clerk.
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WAR DEPARTMENT. Revolutionary Claim. 
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abiel Sherman of the State of N. York who was a Private of the Artil'y in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive One hundred dollars ["and cents" is crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1881, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. 
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 2 day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three [signature:] John Bob Actg Secretary of War John Robb 
Examined and Countersigned. } [signature:] Ja Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.
[hand-written vertically across the text of this page:] Cancelled
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June 18, 1803 
N. Y. 25444 
War Department 
Pension Office
Washington
[circular stamp:] POUGHKEEPSIE N. Y. JUN 6
Page 22

To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir I enclose papers on the application of Abiel Sherman for a pension. When the case is decided it is requested that return be made to me at Poughkeepsie, New York I am [signature:] Alex Forbus June 6. 1833. 
[faded illegible circular stamp]
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House of Regresentatives June 4 1844 
J L Edward Esq Comr of Pensions 
Sir will you oblige me by informing me to what time the pension of Abiel Sherman *, an invalid revolutionary pensioner, was paid; and also by furnighing me with a copy of such forms or requlations as regulate the payment of pensions accrued befor the death of such pensioner remaining unpaid. An early attention to this will be appreciated by your reply Hen. [or Hon] C. Murphy 
[note in left margin:] *he died about 6 years ago, leaving his pension it is said, serve each year [illegible]
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[upper left corner of page is torn off, missing] 
___ to your request of [blank] , received [blank] ___ent of the military history of Abiel Sherman ___ of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, your will find below the desired ___ion as contained in her (or his widow's) application for pen- ___ file in this Bureau. 
S file 49291 

DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. mAY 1 1778 
LENGTH OF SERVICE. to [illegible] 1780 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain. Anthony Post Colonel. Lamb 
STATE. 2 Contl Arty. 
Battles engaged in, [blank] 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [illegible] 
Date of application for pension, [illegible] 1832 
Residence at date of application, Pawling Dutchess Co N Y Age at date of application , 
Remarks: [several lines of response, faded, illegible] 
Very respectfully, Commissioner. 
6--2836
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158 West 105th Street. New York. Oct. 18,1911. 
Dear Sir: May I ask for such records as the Bureau of Pensions may possess of 
Brothers } 
Jethro Sherman (or Shearman) 
Abiel  "  " [Sherman (or Shearman) ] 
Darius   "  "  Sherman (or Shearman) 
It is known that theses men served in the Revolutionary War, and of Abiel it is said that he received a pension after he was 72 years of age. They were natives of Massachusetts but resided in Dover, Dutchess Co. N. Y., during the period of the War. 
Very respectfully yours, [signature:] Frank D. Sherman. 
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Page 26

[circular stamp:] RECORDS DEIVISION OCT 19 [illegible year] 

[circular stamp:] U. S. PENSION OFFICE H OCT 19 1911 
Eg OCT 23 1911
Page 27

[circular insignia:] OFFICE OF AUTDITOR FOR INTERIOR DEPARTMENT 

TREASURTY DEPARTMENT  Washington, June 4, 1910. 
The Commissioner of Pensions, Sir: In reply to your letter of 1str intent (Record Divisoin), your are informed that, according to the latest account rendered by the U. S. Pension Agent, at New York, N. Y., the records of this office show payments to have been made ["to" is crossed out] in case of Abiel Sherman, Artificer, Revolutionary War, certificate No. 20096, at $144.00 per annum ["month" is crossed out] , to Hiram Sherman, for himself and other heirs, to July 31, 1837, date of the pensioner's death. He left no widow: the surviving children were Henry Sherman, Hiram Sherman, Drucilla, wife of Henry Edward, 2nd, Eliza, wife of William Tabor, all of Pawling, Dutchess Co., N. Y. The pensioner resided in Dutchess Coi., for sixty-three years, and previously in New Bedford, Mass. 
Letter herewith returned. Respectfully, H. C. Shober Auditor. [signature:] J. B. Belt Deputry Auditor. 
Form 3327 [??] illegible] Nov. 23-40 [illegible] 
[circular stampr:] U. S. PENSION OFFICE F JUN 6 1910
Page 28

[circular stamp:] RECORD DIVISION JUN 6 [year illegible]
Page 29

GCK [initials?] 
3--397. (Old No. 3--309.) 
Record Division. Wid. File No. 19354 Abiel Sherman Rev. War. 
Case on desk of AW., Ex'r. 
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, Washington, D. C., June 1, 1910 [corrected from 1900] 
SIR: For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of Abiel Sherman pensioned under the Act of June 7, 1832 by certificate No 20096, issued Oct 14, 1833 at the New York Agency showing date of his death ["date" is crossed out] and names of persons to whom last payment of his pension was made, and any data on file relative to his family. (Mary Sherman was erroneously allowed pension on this mans service on Erf 4063 issued Aug. 21. 1844 at the Albany, N. Y. Agency, Act July 4. 1836.) Very respectfully, [signature:] J. L. Davenport, Commissioner. 
THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT, Treasury Department. 0-2 
[circular stamp:] U. S. PENSION OVVICE F JUN 6 1910
Page 30

[circular stamp:] RECORD DIVISION JUN 8 [OR 6, year faded, illegible]
Page 31

TELEPHONE: WICKERSMAN 2-7373
[letterhead:]
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
EMPIRE STATE SOCIETY
ORGANIZED FEBRUARY 11, 1890
HEADQUARTERS: HOTEL PLAZA
FIFTH AVENUE AT 59TH STREET
NEW YORK, N.Y.

EDWIN E. ELLIS
ASSISTANT STATE REGISTRAR
239 HUNTINGTON AVENUE
BUFFALO, N.Y.

[circular time stamp with arrow indicating approximately 11:15] 
RECEIVED May 1 1940
Mail Sub-Div
Vets. Adm.
Reader #25

April 29, 1940

Mr. A. D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: Will you kindly send me data from the pension claim of ABIEL SHERMAN 
He was born in New Bedford, Mass. in 1761 and died at Quaker Hill, Dutchess County, N. Y. in 1837. His wife's name was Johanna Howland. He served during the Revolutionary War as an artificer, enlisting May 1, 1778 under Colonel John Lamb of the New York Continental Line.

Thank you for a prompt reply to this inquiry.

Very truly yours,
[signature]: E. E. Ellis 
ASSISTANT STATE REGISTRAR