Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5422, for Asahel Hurlbut, Vermont
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE                                             NUMBER
Vt            Hurlbut, Asahel                    R5422

CONTENTS
Page 2

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this 4th day of May A. D. 1835. personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting Asahel Hurlbut a resident of the town of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served herein stated: 
That he entered in September 1776 at Arlington in the State of Vermont into a company commanded by Captain Gideon Bronson [Brownson], Lieutenant [illegible] Colonel Seth Warner commanded the regiment-he enlisted for  three years continued in the service untill [until]  the May following I was then discharged on account of the situation of his Mother's family which required his assistance.  The regiment was quartered ready two months at Manchester Vermont-afterwards spent most of the winter at Arlington Early in the spring the company marched to the North to Swanton.  [illegible] & thence upon the line towards Lake Memphremagog looking out for the approach of the British-We [tumor] by a more eastern route through woods much of the way* At the time of enlisting he lived in Arlington; spent some time with his mother at Williamstown Mass.  He was born in Woodbury, State of Connecticut 18th July 1758- had a record of his age in a Bible in his possession.  Since the war he has been in Bennington in  the State of New York County of Queens-Lived 6 years in Conn and I left there about the time of the declaration of the last War & his property was confiscated.  However a  discharge
Page 3

for the service but can not now tell what has become of it-He has no documentary evidence of his service that he knows of no person whose testimony he can produce, who can testify to his service-that he has resided in Bennington in the County of Greene & State of New York for more than three years previous to July last past when he removed to Williamstown aforesaid and that he is better known by the inhabitants of Williamstown than those in Bennington aforesaid-that he deposed while being at Bennington that it was necessary to produce a living witness in regards to his service in the War. which he could not do.  He states this as the reason for not making an earlier application for a pension.  The said applicant refers to Rev Edward  D. Griffin James Meacham- Stephen Hosford, Jesse Sabin Henry L. Sabin as persons residing in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character and the belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
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{Left side]

NO 33.021
Asahel Hurlbut
Application for Pension
Williamstown Mass
May 5 1835

Massachusetts
Asahel Hurlbut

[illegible]

W H Bishop 6 June 35\

[Right side]

33.021

Asahel Hurlbut

Mass.

Act 7 June 32
Page 5

Mr. E D Griffin, a clergyman residing in the town of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire and James H Meacham residing in Williamstown aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asahel Hurlbut who is making application for a pension.  That we believe him to  be seventy six years of age, 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.
James H Meacham
State of Massachusetts
Berkshire for May 2, 1835.
E D Griffin


I Daniel N Dewey a Justice of the Peace with & for the County aforesaid do certify that the above named persons personally appeared before me & made oath in one form of law to the foregoing,.  That I am well acquainted with the said Griffin & Meacham that they are persons of good reputation for truth & veracity.
Daniel N Dewey
Justice of Peace 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.  I Henry W. Bishop, REgister of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Daniel N Dewey Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court this fifth day of May A. D. 1835.
Henry W Bishop Register Probate
Page 6

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the
present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any
State
Asahel Hurlbut
Sworn to, and subscribed. the day and year aforesaid.
1
W. P. Walker Regr Probate
[{We residing in and a Clergyman, residing in the with hereby certify, that we are well acquainted 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.} crossed out]
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 Edward D Griffin who signed the [{preceding} crossed out] annexed certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and that James W Meacham who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker judge of Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Asahel Hurlbert for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty five
Henry W, Bishop Register Probate
Page 7

Williamstown, (Mas.) April 28, 1835
Deacon Asahel Hurlbut, of this town is a man of high moral excellence, entirely destitute of property, in the 77th year of his age.  He was a soldier of the revolution for one year; he was afterwards a minute man for four years, in which time he was often called out & was in several battles.  When the late war of 1812 was declared, he was in inhabitant of Canada, & had an estate there worth $2000.  His two sons being dafaughted [drafted] into the British Army, fled into the United States; from a persuasion that Deacon Hurlbut had advised the measure, he was about to be seized; upon which he fled to his native country.  The consequence was that all his property was confiscated & lost.  Thus from his attachment to his country he was reduced to poverty, & has been destitute ever since.  He most earnestly wish that he may obtain a pension, & fully believe that he is justly entitled to one.
E D Griffin, President of Williams College.
James H Meacham
Comt Member                  
Eli Porter Church Member
Christ W Fenniman Member of Church of Williamstown
Levi Smedley Dean of the Church in Williamstown
Luther Bartlett
Cheny Taft one of the Deacons in the Church of Wm Town
L Emmons one of the Deacons the Church of Wmtown
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33021
Let. [Letter] to H. W. Bishop 6 June 35
to Hon. G. N. Briggs, Sept 17 ' 39- to same Dec.: 21. 1840

J422
Act 7, June '32
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[{Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878.} crossed out]
15298

P.O.  Asahel Hurlbut

Service:

Enlisted :  Revolution    , 18
Discharged:                   , 18

Application filed:            , 18

Alleges:   

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:

P.O.


_____________Recognized,    _________Contra.

__________Cert. Dis.       Searched for _____, 18
Page 10

[{Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1773.} crossed out}]

REJECTED

5422

P.O.
Asahel Hurlbut

Service:

Enlisted:               , 18  .
Discharged:          , 18  .

Application filed   , 18  .

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:

P. O. 


__________ Recognized.    ________Contract.
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[The following written vertically]

Dec 17. 1840
In at map
Asahel Hurlbut
Hon. G. N. Briggs
H.B

[The following written horizontally]
J. L. Edwards
Comissor of Pensions
Present
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Washington 16 Dec 1844

Sir,
I am requested to enquire after the case of Arabel Halbert of Nytown, Mass. He has, his point what would make it any agreeable in his neighbors to have him moved--His honesty and probity--I hasten you with good he has the respect proof,
Yours G.M. Burges
Page 13

Lanesboro {illegible]                      free
Sept 9th

J. L. Edwards Sec
Comsr of Pensions
Washington

[Written lengthwise]

In at Sept 14.
Page 14

Lanesboro Mass 9 Sept 1859

Sir

I am requested to make enquire after the case of  Asahel Hurlbut of Williamstown in this county.  His papers were sent on from two or three since.  When the answer to the application was sent Mr Hurlbut was absent near a year & a half, Since his  your letter is not to be found, will you be so good as to inform me the state of his claim

Yours Respectfully
G. H. Briggs
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston;

May 30, 1845

I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name Asahel Hurlbut is borne as a private upon a pay roll of Capt Israel Harris' Compy, [Company] Col. Benjamin Simonds regt. from the county of Berkshire, on the alarm at the north from Oct 12 to 19, 1780, including 4 days allowed for travel 11 days .  Neither the name of said Hurlbut, or that of Amos Wilkinson, is found upon the rolls of either officers named in the annexed applications or upon any other records in this office.
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[Written vertically]

H + W 
1148  Asahel Hurlbut
1149  Amos Wilkinson

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone and that said application, and the certificate above ser forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

John G. Palfrey

Secretary of the Commonwealth
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LeRoy Genesee Co. N.Y
April St 1845.

Dear Sir.

I am referred to you by the Commissioner of Pensions for whatever proof may be found on your records respecting the service of Asahel Holburt [Hurlbut}, and Amos Wilkinson in the revolutionary War.
These men resided in Williamstown in your State during the War. Were minute men.  Served the principal part of the time in Vermont, were in the  battle of Bennington, [{Captain} crossed out] Samuel Sloan of Williamstown was their captain a part of the time.  Also Captains Samuel Clark Johnathan Danforth, William &c.  There were in tolrable good circumstances until recently which together with some difficulty in obtaining proof is the reason given for defering [deferring] their application until this late day.  The lateness of their application is the only reason offered by the war office for requiring further proof.  As each has one witness testifying to the fact of service besides the usual traditionary proof.
Whether a fee in such case is required or expected by you I know not.  Whatever I do for them is gratuitous for they are miserably poor and if a fee should be required in advance for your services you will please inform me.  As such reference have been made to you before I presume it will not be necessary to state particularly what is wanted only [{such} crossed out]a certificate of such evidence or may appear, or if no such evidence exist then a certificate to such effect.
Very Respectfully yours
A. P. Hascale

To the Secretary of Massachusetts
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No. 35.984

In the matter
of 
Asahel Hulbut [Hurlbut}
Application for a pensnion
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State of New York
Genesee County ss
Asahel Hulbut of the town of LeRoy in said County of Genesee being by one duly sworn depose and says that he is eighty five years of age, that he now resides in said town of LeRoy.  That he makes the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the pension act provided for persons who served in the military service of the United States, during the Revolutionary War.  That at the commencement of siad War and during the continuance thereof I resided in Williamstown in the state of Massachusetts, That in the winter of 1779 I was called out as a minute man under Captain Samuel Sloane to Castleton in Vermont to guard the frontier.  Colonel Seth Warner commanded the Regiment.  I was out five weeks or more at that time.  I was then posted with a company of ten to twelve to guard the stores at Wi;;iamstown from the Tories and scouts from the British Army.  I then acted as sergeant and was employed in that service six months to the best of my recollection and certainly as many as four months, and I was relieved from that service in the fall of that year.  In the year 1777 I was ordered out with other minute men and was under Captain Jonathan Danforth to Bennington and was engaged in the Battle of Bennington I was engaged at that time about two weeks.  In the same year I was ordered out under Captain Sloane and we marched to the town of Hubbardton in pursuit of the British and Tories, secured the frontier and returned after an absence of four weeks.  The whole time was between four and six weeks.  The service year I was ordered out under the same Captain Sloane and went to Tinmouth the services performed were the same as when we went to Hubbardton.  We engaged about four weeks at Tinmouth and the towns round about there.
I was enlisted as a minuteman I think in the year 1778 under Captain Sloane I served as a minuteman under him and Captain Danforth and stood as such for two years and six months mor more.  And as a minuteman I performed the services above mentioned by me sometimes as a private soldier and sometimes acting as a sergeant.  I was frequently called out as scout and to guard public property and serve the country.
Page 20

but the exact times and place I cannot ever distinctly recollect but I do recollect that while I stood as a minuteman for nearly three years I was in actual service a great part of the time and when not  in actual service I could engage in an profitable business from the uncertainty attending my situation.  I have no record or written evidence of my service that I know of.  I should have applied for a pension before but I did not like to call upon my country for assistance until reduced to the necessity of so doing.  I am now so aged and decripid [decrepit] that I need help & therefore ask it.
Asahel Hurlbut

Subscribed & sworn to this 29th day of December 1866 before me Augustus P. Hascall a Judge of Genesee County Court & Counseller [Counsellor] in the Supreme Court

State of New York
Genesee County ss

Asa Goodrich of the town of LeRoy in said count being duly sworn deposes and says that he has been well acquainted with the above named Asahel Hulbut for twenty eight years last past, that he has always sustained a good character for truth and veracity and his statements are entitled to credit that said Hulbut has always been refuted to have served during the Revolutionary War as a minuteman and to have been called out frequently into actual service in  and this deponent has often heard him relate his services in substance as set forth in his foregoing statement
Asa Goodrich

Sworn & subscribed this 30th day of December 1866 before me 
Augustus P. Hascall
Judge of Genesee County Court
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State of New York
                   [section sign]
Genesee County ss 

In the matter of the application of Asahel Hulbut for a pension. Amos Wilkinson of the town of Bethany in the said County being by one suly sworn do deposes and says.  I was acquainted with Asahel Hulbut during the Revolutionary Was.  I am over Eighty three years of age.  I resided at Williamstown in the state of Massachusetts during said war.  I enlisted as a minuteman under Captain Sloane of the Militia Colonel Seth Warner commanded the Regiment.  I served as a minuteman for nearly three years.  I think it was in 1776 that I enlisted.  I was out with said Hulbut at the Battle of Bennington and know that he served then for several weeks.  I also served with him at Castleton in Vermont five weeks or more.  I [illegible] to guard the stores at Williamstown five or six months and said Hulbut served all that time to my knowledge.  We were called out frequently to scour the country & protect it from Tories & scouts from the British Army Come to Hubbardton, Tinmouth, Manchester, Sunderland & other places.  In all which services said Hulbut was called out.  He was enlisted as a minuteman in the same company that I was and we were about always together and served for the same length of time.  We were often called out for the period of nearly three years and to the best of my recollection and belief we were in actual service nearly two thirds of the time.
Amos Wilkinson

Subscribed & sworn this 29th day of December 1866 before me Augustus P. Hascall a Judge of Genesee County Courts


State of New York
              [section sign]
Genesee County ss 

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the before named Asahel Hulbut and Asa Goodrich and that they sustain irreproachable characters for truth and veracity and their statements are entitled to credit.

December 30.1844
Augustus P. Hascall a Judge of Massachusetts County
Page 22

State of New York, 
        [section sign] ss
Genesee County Clerk's Office, 

I certify, that , Augustus P. Hascall before whom the annexed affidavit [{instrument} crossed out] in Writing were taken [{was proved or acknowledged,} crossed out] was, at the time of taking the same, a judge of Genesee County Courts in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same;  And that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature to said certificate is genuine, [{and that the anneed deed is executed according to the laws of this State.} crossed out]

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand affixed my official seal at Batavia, in said County, this 2nd day of January 1845
H. H. Carpenter Clerk.
Page 23

[written vertically along side]

July 5, 1845
Adaleten case
Asahel Hurlbut

[written horizontally]

Free [over stamp]

FRTE

Hon J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City

Pension Papers
Page 24

State of New York
Genesee County ss

On this 20th day of JUne 1845 came before me the subscriber Thomas Cartwright to me personally known and being by me duly sworn deposes and says.  That he is well acquainted with Asahel Hurlbut now of LeRoy in said county an applicant for a pension as a revolutionary soldier and has been acquainted with said Hurlbut for sixty-four years.  That he first knew him in Williamstown in the state of Massachusetts and subsequently and for about thirty years in different places in Western New York.  That said Hurlbut has for many years been a member and deacon in the Baptist Church in good and regular standing and has always sustained a good character.  That he has been reputed to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war and to have served as a minute man.  That he lived in Williamstown aforesaid during the Revolutionary War as I was informed where I first became acquainted with him soon after said War.  I am now seventy eight years of age and reside in the town of LeRoy in the said County of Genesee
Thomas Cartwright
Subscribed and sworn to this 20th day of June 1845 before me
A. P. Hascall
a Judge of Genesee County
Courts be counsellor in the Supreme Court

Genesee County ss

I hereby certify that iz have been well acquainted with the above named Thomas Cartwright for twelve years & upwards last part that he is a person of good character credible and his statement entitled to credit.

Dated 20. June 1845.
A. P. Hascall
a Judge of Genesee County Courts
Page 25

State of New York
                       [section sign]
Genesee County Clerk Office  ss

I H. H. Carpenter Clerk of Genesee County Courts Certify that Augustus P. Hascall is a judge as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my official seal of office and subscribed my name this 21st day of June 1845
H. H. Carpenter
Page 26

Dear Sir,

I send additional affidavit in support of this application of Asahel Hurlbut for a pension.  Permit me to call on your attention to his application in the hope that yo will find the proofs satisfactory

Respectfully yours.
A P Harcall
James L. Edwards Esq.

LeRoy NY. June 30. 1845.
Page 27


Pension Papers

[written vertically]

Jan 9. 1845
Cls.
Asahel Hulbut
&
Amos Wilkinson
June 7. 1832.

[Stamped {FREE]}  Free

Hon James L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
Page 28

LeRoy Genesee Co. N. York
Jany 4. 1845

Dear Sir.

I enclose applications in the cases of Asahel Hulbut and Amos Wilkinson for pensions.  
Be pleased to give them you attention in  their proper order.

Yours Respectfully
A. P. Hascall

James L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Page 29

Paid

[Stamped {PAID}]

[Round stamp {Aug 15}]

Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

45 Hulb

[written vertically on right side]

[{10} crossed out]  

20

Aug 18, 1845

Adalton Case
Asahel Hurlbut
Page 30

Dear Sir

I enclose herein the certificate of the secretary of Massachusetts applicable to the claim of Asahel Hulbut for a pension.  It will be satisfactory I trust, although not containing an account of the services provided for if I recollect these certificates seldom state the services or at most but a small part of the services performed.  

Yours Respectfully
A. P. Hascall

Hon J L Edwards, 

LeRoy N. Y. Aug. 13. 1845

[Stamp {AUG 12}]
Page 31

Free
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Pension Office
Washington City
DC

[{Written vertically on the left side}]

June 6
Revolutionary Claim
hrofs


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June 3