Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14484, for Sylvanus Simmons, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental (New York) Simmons, Sylvanus
NUMBER
S. 14484
carded
Page 2

14.124
New York Albany
Sylvanus Simmons decd
of Cattaraugus Co. in the State of N.Y.
who was an artillery artificer in the Compy commanded
by Captain Young of the Regt commanded
by Col Baldwin in the N.Y.[crossed out] {starred}
line for two years
Incofrom H144
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 24 Dollars 0 Cents per
annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
& endg 11 November 1839
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of
Septr 1837 and sent to
L. M. Drury Esq
Arrears to the 4th of Canandaigua
Semi=anl. allowance ending
New York
Revolutionary Claim, ⎬
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by H. R. Weightman Clerk,
Book E2  Vol. 4  Page 69
---
{starred}
Continental Line
Records corrected Nov. 5/06
---
E. 4. 76

Let to P. [illegible] 7 Oct 51
Page 3

14680
Sylvanus Simmons
application
R
affidavits of this mans
service are with the
Clerk of the House of
Representatives presented
to the Com. on pensions
by Hon P. L. Tracy from
this State last Session
please send for them 
S. Lake
Agt.
Springville
N Y
Page 4

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}SS  On the 3d day of October
1832 personally appeared before the Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas in & for said County now
sitting Sylvenus Simmons a resident Ellicottville in
the said County & State aged Eighty one 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 provisions
made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th
1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United 
States in the year 1777 with James Youngs
and served in a Regiment of Artificers
commanded by Col Baldwin, New York Line
under the following named officers, that he
entered the service in August in the year
1777 for three years under the said Captain James Young
and served under him about nine months when
the said James Young was take sick & left the
Army, and Capt Nathaniel Purdy was assigned to
the Command of the Company and had the Command
of the same about one year when Capt. John
Shepard was appointed to command the Company
under whom this deponent served until August
1780 when he was discharged at Fishkill
by Capt. Shepard and afterwards received a written
Discharge from Col. Baldwin who was stationed
on the North River below the highlands the name
of the place not recollected, that the whole
three years Service was performed in Col Baldwins
Regiment, that the Company was stationed on
the North River, and was marched from that station
only once which was as follows. The Deponent with
about one hundred artificers were detached from
Newburgh & went into the State of New Jersey
to build a Bridge for the accommodation of the
army in their march towards Philadelphia
The Deponent thinks it was in the summer of
the year 1778, and from thence they returned back
Page 5

to Fishkill. During the service above mentioned
the Deponent worked on Stony point Fortification,
West Point, Kings ferry at Verplanks Point Fort &
Born proof which was taken by the British
soon after it was built. he assisted in sinking
the [illegible] in the North River
at Polipus Island above the Highlands and
in putting the great chain across the
at Fort Montgomery. That Genl George Clinton
was commander in chief of the forces on the
North River Station Col Dubois was stationed
at Fort Montgomery, that he was in no battles
That Fort Montgomery was taken while he
was in the service and the Company to which
he belonged were ordered to march for the
defense of the fort, but the fort was taken
before they arrived. That they met Col. Dubois
with a part of the troops which escaped from
the fort. He hereby relinquishes every claim
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 
Sworn and subscribed the
3d day of October 1832 
before me 
Dan Allen Senior Judge
Sylvanus Simmons
and the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion, that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary Soldier and served as
he states
Dan Allen
Israel Day
Andrew Mead
Judges of said County
Page 6

I John W. Stanton Clerk of the Court of
Common pleas in & for said County certifies that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Sylvanus Simmons for a pension-
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and Seal
of Office the 3d day of
October 1832-
---
John W. Stanton, clk
Page 7

Application for a transfer
State of New York
County of Herkima ss: On this Eighth day of May 1834
before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the
said County of Herkimer personally appeared
Sylvanus Simmons who on his oath declares that he
is the same person who formerly belonged to the
Company commanded by Captain James Youngs
in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Baldwin
in the service of the United States; that his name was
placed on the pension roll of the State of New York
and payments to be made at the City of New York
by the President of the Branch Bank of the United States
Agent for paying pensions in the Agency of N.Y.
that his name was subsequently transfered to the
Agency at Buffalo N. Y. and payments to be made
at Buffalo N. Y. by the President of the Branch Bank
of the United States Agent for paying pensions in the
Agency of N.Y. that at the time of said transfer he
resided at Ellicotville in the County of Cattaragus
N.Y. that he removed from thence to Concord in the
County of Erie N.Y. and that he removed from thence
to the Town of New Port in the County of Herkimer
the State of New York and where he intends to remain
and he wishes his pension to be made payable at the
City of New York in future as most convenient and
that his reason for removing to said Town of New Port
in the County of Herkimer and State of New York
were to live with his wife and children who are living
there. That he is badly afflicted with the shaking palsey
so he cannot write and that he has therefore made his
mark to the signature of his name subscribed to this
affidavit
Sworn and subscribed to
his
before me the day and
year aforesaid-
Hiram Nolton Just Peace

his
Sylvanus X Simmons
mark
Page 8

State of New York
County of Herkimer S. Alexander H. Buell of the
Town of Fairfield in said County being duly
sworn according to law doth on his oath depose
and say that he now is and for many years past
has been acquainted with Sylvanus Simmons
who is described in and made oath to the within
affidavit and this deponent well knows him
the said Sylvanus Simmons to be the same person
described in and who has sworn to the within
affidavit and further saith not-
Sworn to and subscribed
this 8th day of May
1834 before me
Hiram Nolton Just. Peace

Alex. H Buell
---
State of New York
County of Herkimer ss: Be it Known that I
Hiram Nolton before whom the foregoing affidavit
of Alexander A. Buell was sworn do hereby certify
that the said Alexander H. Buell who has sworn to
and subscribed the foregoing affidavit before me is 
a person of veracity and that said oath is entitled to
full credit and belief. Given under my hand this
8th day of May 1834 - Hiram Nolton Just Peace
----
State of New York
County of Herkimer 
Clerk's office ss:  I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the said County
of Herkimer do hereby certify that Hiram Nolton before whom
the foregoing affidavit of Sylvanus Simmons and Alexander H. Buell
purport to have been sworn and taken was at the date of the same a
Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Herkimer duly 
commissioned and qualified according to law and that I am acquainted 
with the handwriting of the said Hiram Nolton and do believe
his signature to each of said affidavits is genuine - In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
official seal this 12 day of May
1834.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk
[illegible] F. E. Spinner Dept
Clerk
Page 9

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
September 24th, 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", The widow of Sylvanus Simmons,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N.Y. Agency, at
the rate of one hundred & forty four Dollars 
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1839.
to the 11th Nov. 1839. the day of his death,
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 10

Sylvanus Symmons
Power of Attorney
&
Certificate of
Probate Court
Sept 10
Page 11

State of New York
County of Cattaraugus  ss
I Russell Lamb County
Judge & Surrogate of said County hereby
certify that satisfactory evidence has been
exhibited to the Surrogate Court of said
County that Sylvanus Symmons deceased
was a revolutionary portion of the
United States at the rate of $144. per annum
that he died on the Sixteenth day of December
in the year eighteen
hundred and
thirty nine (1839)-- that he left no widow
now living - and that he left six
children 
only. now known to be living whose
names as follows, Thomas Symmons, Polly
Vedder, Abigail Hall, Ambrose Symmons,
Sally Perry & Noah Symmons
[Crossed out sentence]
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand
& the official Seal of the
said County on the twentieth
day of May 1851
Rensselarr Lamb
County Judge
acting as Surrogate
Page 12

Know all men by these presents that we
Thomas Symmons Polly Vedder & Abigal
Hall heirs at Law of Sylvanus Symmons (a
Soldier of the Revolution) do hereby constitute
and appoint Leander M Drury (atty at Law
Canandaigua) our true and Lawfull attorney
for us and in our name to present and collect
any claim which we may have against the
Government of the United States on account
of Services rendered by said Sylvan Symmons
he to present & collect the same and do all
nessisary business as full and perfect as we could ┃
were we personally present
Given under our hands at Cattaraugus
this 15th day of May 1851
Thomas Symmons

in the presents of Jacob Millholen as
to Polly Vedder
her
Polly X Vedder
mark
Abigail Hall

State of New York
Cattaraugus County ⎬ SS
On this fifteenth day of May
1851, before me Selleck St John a Justice of the peace
in & for said County Came Abigail Hall to me
personally known to be the person above described
and acknowledged the execution of the above power
of attorney for the purposes therein mentioned
Selleck St John

State of New York Cattaraugus County}SS 
on this twenty second day of May 1851 before me
Jacob Milllholen a Justice of the piece in and for said County Came Polly
Vedder and Thomas Symmonds known to mee  to bee the persons Above
described discribed   Continued in the on the next page
Page 13

and acknowledged that they executed the above power of
Atorney for the purposes therein mentioned
Jacob Millholen} J.P.
Page 14

14680
Sylvanus Simons
Cattaraugus county
New York

S. Lake
Springville
N. York
Page 15

BRIEF in the case of Sylvanus Simmons
of Cattaraugus County in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 81
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Enlisted In 1777
Duration of Service.
Years Months Days.
3
Rank.
As a
Artificer
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt James Young, Col Baldwin
Capt Young was succeeded by Capt Purdy,
Capt. Purdy, by Capt. Shepard
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Neither
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Not connected as required
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
F. E. Bradford
Examining Clerk.
Page 16

August 22, 1932

BA-J/AWF
Sylvanus Simmons
S. 14484

William E. Jackson
96 West Buffalo Street
Warsaw, New York.
Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter requesting
information relative to Increase Jackson and Sylvanus
Seaman, soldiers of the War of the Revolution

Revolutionary War data furnished by this
office are obtained from claims made to the United States
for pension and bounty land based upon the
military service of soldiers in that war.

A search of the records fails to show such
claims on file on account of the services of Increase
Jackson.

You are furnished herewith the record of Sylvanus
Simmons. This is the record of the only soldier
by that name (searched under all spellings of the surname), found on file in the Revolutionary War records
of this office.

The data which follow were obtained from the
papers on file in pension claim, S. 14484, based upon
the Revolutionary War service of Sylvanus Simmons, his
personal signature.

He enlisted sometime in August, 1777 and served in Captains James Young's, Purdy's, John Shepard's company in 
Colonel Baldwin's Regiment of Artificers, until discharged
sometime in August, 1780.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
Page 17

October 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Ellicottville,
Cattaraugus County, New York, then aged eighty-one
years.

He moved from Ellicottville, to Erie County, New York, from there to Newport, Herkimer County, New York,
where he was living in 1834 and stated that his wife and
children lived there.

The soldier, Sylvanus Simmons, died November 11,
1839, leaving a widow, her name not given.

In 1851 the following children survived -Thomas
"Symmons"(his personal signature), Polly Vedder, Abigail
Hall, Sally Perry, Ambrose Simmons, and Noah
Simmons. The personal signatures of Ambrose & Noah
not shown in the claim.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 18

14484
INVALID.
Rev War
---
File No. 14.484
Sylvanus Simmon
Artificer Rev. War
-
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 343
{Arrangement of 1870.}
---
1932 Aug 22
[illegible]
E. Jackson
Page 19

14,124
New York
Sylvanus Simmons
of Cattaraugus in the State of N York
who was an Artificer in the Compy commanded
by Captain Young of the Regt commanded
by Col Baldwin in the N York [crossed out and starred]
line for 2 years
[starred] Continental Line
Records corrected Nov. 5/06[illegible]
-----
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 144 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-----
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of May
1833 and sent to Samuel
Lake, Springville, Erie Co. of N.Y.
-----
Arrears to the 4th of March 1893        $288
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 1833. 72
-----
$360
-----
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 4  Page 76
Page 20

July 30. 1833. Sent notices, see tranfer book
June 18. 1834 transfd to New York City from the
4 September 1833 - notice sent to Hon. A. Mann by
H.R. on the same day
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1st April
1838 from 4 Sep 1839 to 11th Nov 1839 the day of his death
Agt notified 7th Oct 1840

20 May 1834 see [illegible]
agt. to know when 
last paid
Page 21

War Department
Pension Office
January 3d. 1834
Sir
Herewith I enclose you a form, by which
you must be governed in your application for a transfer.
respectfully
your obt servt
J.L. Edwards
Mr Sylvanus Simmons
Little Falls, P.O.
Herkimer County, N. York
Page 22

Sylvanus Simmons, de
NY
2 yrs Arty Artifr
Inc to $240 per ann
dedg former payts at
$144 per annum
comg 4 March 1831 &
endg 11 Nov 1839,
payable to
Tho Symmons,
Ambrose Symmons,
Noah Symmons
Polly Vedder
Abigail Fall &
Sally Perry, only
suvig children
Albany
L.M. Drury
Canandaigua
NY
Page 23

Albany Pension Agency
Sept. 22d 1851
James E. Heath Esq
Com of Pensions
Sir,
By your letter of the 19th inst
we an instructed to pay the children of Sylvanus Simmons
dec'd, at $240, from 4 March 1831 to 11 December 1839, when
he died.  We find on reference to entries of war Books that 
the balance due him, at the rate of $144 was paid at the
Treasury to the 11th November 1839- the time of his death.
Which of these dates, Vz-- December or
November,
is truth, we have no means of ascertaining, but there is
evidently a mistake in one or the other - We shall wait
your further instructions, before paying-
Very Respectfully
Your obed Sevt
Thos W. Olcott
Pensn agt for
L. Jenkins
Page 24

Brief in the case of Sylvanus Simmons, decd late of
Cattaraugus County and State of New York
act 7 June 1832.
Claim, (original, or for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Allowed as Artillery artificer at $240
per annum, deducting former payments
at $144 per annum.
Enlisted subsequent to 11 February 1778
Name and residence Agent
L. M. Drury
Canandaigua
N. Y.
S. Cole
Examining Clerk.
Page 25

Sylvanus Simmons
New York
Page 26

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Sylvanus Simmons of Cattaraugus County, N.Y. which require
further proof or explanation.

1. 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 he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout 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
VIII. 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 distinguished
from any other seal?
yes
Page 27

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?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
No
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? No
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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
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.
Page 28

3
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 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 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.
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 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating
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 the 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.
Page 29

Warsaw  NYork
Aug 2 1932

Veterans administration Bureau
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Have you any information concerning
one Mr Sylvanus Seaman who according 
to my state census of 1790 lived in Town of Rye
Westchester County NYork & he was an enlisted
man in the line of artificers serving under
Lt. Col. Baldwin during the revolutionary 
War, this information was gleaned from the book
NYork in the revolution. He was born
March 1-1757 & had two wife, the first was
Nancy Gedney & the 2nd Lou Champion.
2nd Have you any information relative
to one Mr Increase Jackson, who according 
to NY state census of 1790 lived in Town of Washington
Dutchess County, NYork who also
served as an enlisted man in the NY
state militia during Revolutionary War.
He was married but wife is unknown.
If you can give me any data about the
above persons, it will be greatly
appreciated. I remain
Yours very truly
William E Jackson
Warsaw NY
96 West Buffalo St
Page 30

Springville N.Y.
July 2
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
Transfer
Page 31

Springville June 29th--33
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir my Pension
Certificate is Numbered 14.124 dated
the 9th of May 1833, allowing me a pension
of $144 per Annum during life, is made
payable at the U.S. Branch Bank in the City  
of New York. - Please direct the payment
thereof at the U.S. Br. Bank in Buffalo
Nathaniel Rochester is President thereof--
am verry much oblige
Your Hb. Servt.
Sylvanus Simmons [signature]
Sylvanus Simmons