Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11.941, Levi Adams, Conn. Vt.
Page 1

(3--1776) 
SERVICE Conn. Vt. Adams, Levi 
NUMBER S.11.941
carded.
CONTENTS 
b. Feb. 17, 1754, Oswago, Dutchess Co. N.Y.
res. during Rev. Canterbury, Windham Co. Conn. + Pawlet, Rutland Co. Vt.
res. in 1832 Ripley, Chautauqua Co. N.Y.
Page 2

Paid at the Treasury [illegible: paper torn]
the Act of the 6 April [illegible: paper torn]
from 4 March to 4 Sept 1839. Agt. [Agent] notified 8 July 1840 
--------------------------

Date of death not on viz -- [written vertically from top to bottom on right side of page]
Page 3

[preprinted form with written responses] 
14144 14144 [number repeated in original] 
14846 [crossed out on left side of page] 
New York
----------------------
Levi Adams of Chautaque [Chautauqua] Co in the State of New York [page torn] 
who was a private in the Company [page torn] 
by Captain Butts of the Regt. [page torn] 
by Col. McLauren in the CT * [page torn] line for 9 ms 6d,.
Conn. and Vt* May 31/05
Records completed Ss. 
---------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars 66 Cents per an [page torn] to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of May 1833 and Sent to T. A. Osborn Mayville
-----------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831 $ 61.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept -- 15.33
$76.65 
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by W L Williams 
Book E Vol. 4 Page [page torn]
Page 4

Declaration of Levi Adams for 14846 [checkmark]
a pension under act of 1832 [underlined] 
Connecticut & Vermont Militia _ 
T.A. Osborn Agent Mayville Chau. Co. N. York

adm'd 9 mo. 6 ds. pri 

Passed [bottom right corner of page]
Page 5

Declaration, of Levi Adams, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
State of New York Chautauqua County } Ss 
On this 12th day of October, 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Chautauqua Levi Adams, a resident of the county [crossed out] town of Ripley in the county aforesaid, aged seventy nine years on the seventeenth day of February next, 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 & served as herein stated [inserted]. On the 12 day of September 1776. he then residing at Canterberry Windham County, Connecticut volunteered for a period of two months, & served under Capt. Sherebiah Butts, & Lieut. Ephraim Lyon & marched from thence, through Lebanon New Haven & Stamford to Westchester, where they built a fort & remained stationed some time, when they were ordered to White Plains & on the 28th October 1776 declarant was engaged in the battle at that place. A short time after they marched in the night to North Castle Heights, where declarant was dismissed about the 12 of November 1776. without any written discharge, but as militia men are now generally dismissed from parade. 
Very soon after his return, declarant still residing in Canterbury & in the fall of 1776 enlisted under Capt. Sanford Kingsbury, Lieut. Gamaliel Ripley & Ensign Abbey, in Col. McLarens Regiment. He marched through Plainfield, Volentown [Voluntown] & Coventry to Providence & remained stationed there for three or four months, when he went to Bristol & remained there until discharged in the spring of 1777 in the manner before mentioned, after a service of five months the period of his enlistment.
That in the month of July, or during the harvest in 1777 declarant still residing in Canterbury, again volunteered & served two weeks under Capt. Perkins & marched through Norwich to New London & served that period when he was dismissed as before. 
That as he believes early in the summer of 1778 declarant again volunteered & served two weeks under Capt. Tiba Hunt & marched through Norwich to New London, served two weeks & was dismissed. On each of these two last occasions, they were called out for the protection of New London, as it was apprehended from the British shipping in the Sound that the enemy meditated an attack upon it.
About the first of March 1780, declarant then residing in Pawlet, Rutland County Vermont, where he had moved a few days before, he volunteered under Capt. John Stark & Lieut. Samuel Willard & marched through Granville to Skenesborough now Whitehall. He went in pursuit of a party of Indians who had the
Page 6

night before burnt the house & barn of Col. Skeen & murdered a soldier & an old man & woman, who lay dead in a house about a mile from Skeens, when declarant passed.  He was out about five days on this expedition. In the same season, he again volunteered under the same officers & went to Castleton & from there to Ticonderoga [inserted] on an alarm, & was out again about five days; He passed through Pouttney & encamped the first night, on the ground when Col. Warner had his battle.
About the last of August or first of September 1781 he again volunteered under Capt Samuel Willard & Lieut. Elisha Fitch, & marched to Castleton & staid [stayed] there about two weeks; The next year, about the same season of the year, he again volunteered under the same officers & served at Blanchard's Mills in Castleton about two weeks longer, making in all a period of actual service of nine and 1/3 months. He has no documentary evidence & knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
   And in answer to the particular interrogatories of the court, now here, he says,
1. I was born in the town then called Oswago, Dutchess County New York, Feb. 17. 1754
2. I have a record of my age, but have not it with me having left it at home.
3. I was living when first called into service in Canterbury, & after wards in Pawlet as stated, & since the Revolutionary war, have lived in Pawlet 'till 1794, when I removed to Milford, Otsego County, & lived 'till 1826 when I moved to Ripley in the county of Chautauqua & have ever since resided there.
4. I was called into service by voluntary enlistment, never having been drafted & never having served as or by a substitute
5. There were many Regular & Continental regiments with whom I served, in my first campaign, among them I recollect Col. Durger & regiment from Norwich, Col. Johnson & Regiment, Gen Lee, Gen. Washington & Gen. Putnam. The circumstance of my service are above set forth.
6. I never received any written discharge, but was dismissed as militia companies usually are from parades.
7. I am known to Samuel W. Ingraham a clergyman, Ebenezer Ward & others in my present neighborhood, & who I presume can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.  Levi Adams [signature] 

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid } B Wielworth Judge Chau Com [Chautauqua Common] Pleas
Page 7

Chautauqua Westfield [crossed out] & about 5 miles from Levi Adams in

We Samuel W. Ingraham, a clergyman residing in the town of Ripley & County of Chautauqua and Ebenezer Ward, residing in the same place [crossed out] town of Westfield in same neighborhood [inserted] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Levi Adams, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age on the 15 day of February next, & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. SW Ingraham [signature] Ebenezer Ward [signature]

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid } B Wolworth Judge Chau Com Pleas

And the said court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel W. Ingraham who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Ripley in the county of Chautauqua, & that Ebenezer Ward who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same town, & is a creditable person, & that their statement is entitled to credit.  } Judges

I, James B. Lowry Clerk of the court of Common Pleas, in & for the county of Chautauqua, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Levi Adams, for a Pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 12th day of October 1832. James B. Lowry Clerk
Page 8

14,846
Levi Adams
adm'd
T. A. Osborne
Mayville, Chautauque Co. N. York
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 183
Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew [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, [crossed out] shewing [showing] the Service of Levi Adams of Chautauqua County. New York.
-------------------------------------
[table with 11 columns and 10 rows including row of column headings]  
[column headings] Period when the service was rendered [written vertically bottom to top] | Duration of the claimant's service. Years. | Months. | Days | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported. |

Vold 1776 | | 2 | | Pri; | Capt Butts | Col. | Battle of White Plains | then Connecticut | Canterberry Windham County Connec. | Traditionary Evidence 
& Soon after | | 5 | | " | Kingbury | McLaren | | to White Plains | | | 
" 1777 | | | 14 | " | Perkins | | | then R. I. | | | 
1778 | | | 14 | " | Hunt | | | then Vt | | | 
1780 | | | 5 | -- | Stark | | | | | |
" | | | 5 | | " | | | | aged 79 years | |   
1781 | | | 14 | | Willard | | | | | |
1782 | | | 14 | | | | | | | | 
| | | 9 | 6 | | | | | | |

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 10

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, 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 day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion [provision] made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers the time he left the service; (and if 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. [symbol of a hand pointing to the right:] 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.] [square brackets in original]

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 Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] [square brackets in original]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] [square brackets in original]

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 A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [application] of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 11

3
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 Count 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 he 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 Justice of the peace, the certification 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 he 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 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 duty sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -- For ___ year ___ months, and ___ days, I served as a ___ . For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___ ; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine 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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served; 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, providing 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.
[graphic of closed right hand with index finger pointing] 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.
Page 12

April 2, 1936
Levi Adams - S.11941
BA-J/AWF

Mr. Robert W. Allen
199 West Pearl Street
Coldwater, Michigan

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Jonathan Adams, who died October 17, 1844 in Chautauqua County, New York, and the Revolutionary War record of Levi Adams, pensioned while residing in Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to show a claim for pension on file based upon the service of a Jonathan Adams as described by you.
The record of Levi Adams which follows was obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 11941, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
Levi Adams was born February 17, 1754 in Dutchess County, New York; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut, Levi Adams enlisted September 12, 1776, served two months as private in Captain Sherebiah Butt's Connecticut company, and was in the battle of White Plains. Shortly after his return home, he again enlisted and served five months in Captain/ Sanford Kingsbury's company, Colonel McLaren's regiment. He served in the summer of 1777, two weeks in Captain Perkins' company, and served two weeks in the summer of 1778 in Captain Ziba Hunt's company; both of
Page 13

these tours was [crossed out] were for the protection of New London.
The soldier, Levi Adams, early in 1780 moved to Pawlet, Vermont, and about the first of March, 1780, served five days in Captain John Stark's Vermont company in pursuit of Indians, he served again in 1780, five days in Captain John Stark's company, on an alarm to Castleton and Ticonderoga. He served in August or September, 1781, two weeks in Captain Samuel Willard's Vermont company, and was stationed at Castleton, and in the next year served two weeks in Captain Samuel Willard's company, stationed at Castleton.
He continued to reside in Pawlet, Vermont until 1794, when he moved to Milford, Otsego County, New York, and in 1826, moved to Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed, October 12, 1832, then a resident of Ripley. 
The papers in this claim contain no reference to the family of Levi Adams.
If you desire information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should write The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and give the following:

Levi Adams Certificate # 14144 Issued May 11, 1833
Rate $30.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 14

[left side of page] 
Mch. 2, 1896 
Soldier pensioned to Worthington C. Ford Esq.
B Statistics
-----
1936 April 2 - list to Robert W. Allen Army

[right side of page] 
Rev War [written vertically bottom to topof page] 
11941  INVALID. 
----
File No. 11,941 Levi Adams Pri. Rev. War
-----
Act: June 7, 1832 
Index:-- Vol. A Page 3
[Arrangement of 1870.] [square brackets in original]
Gen notes by N.D.A.  Dec. 13. 1883
Page 15

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Second Comptroller's Office, June 29th, 1840
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," Levi Adams, -- a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, NY, Agency, at the rate of Thirty - Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, to the 4th Sept. 1839. 
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris [signature] Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
Page 16

[round office stamp in top right corner of page; outer edge is a clock face with inner arrow pointing to number 3, words "RECEIVED MAR 10 1936" but rest of printing illegible] 

[letter head] Robert W. Allen
199 West Pearl Street Coldwater, Michigan
March 7, 1936. 

The Director of Pensions,
Revolutionary and War of 1822 [corrected to 1812] Section,
Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:-
Will you please inform me whether or not the records of your department show a Revolutionary War service for Jonathan Adams, [underlined] who died in Chautauqua County, New York, October 17, 1844, aged about 86? Did he ever apply or receive a pension? Jonathan Adams was probably a resident of Amenia, Dutchess County, New York, at the time of the Revolutionary War, and may have served with any of the following state troops, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts, as this section of Dutchess County was a disputed territory among these four states. Jonathan Adams probably removed from Amenia, in 1797, to Middlefield, Otsego County, N. Y. and later to Ripley, Chautauqua County, N. Y. His wife's given name was probably Asenath. They had sons and daughters; Moses, Jonathan, Seymour, Levi, Rhoda, and Asenath.

Also, I would like the complete pension record of Levi Adams, a Revolutionary Soldier, who died in Ripley, Chautauqua County, N. Y., December 26, 1833. He was granted a pension in 1832, while a resident of Ripley. He was born February 17, 1754, in Dutchess County, New York.

Jonathan Adams was my great-Great-great-grandfather, and I believe him to have been a brother of Levi.
Yours truly, Robert W. Allen [signature] 
Robert W. Allen, Member; Michigan Society, S. A. R., N. E. His. Geneal. Society.