Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,542, for Simon Newcomb, New York
Page 1

SERVICE
New York

Newcomb, Simon

NUMBER
s.15,542

carded

CONTENTS
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14457
19831  {crossed out] New York [end crossed out]
Ohio

Simon Newcomb
of Clinton Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt' commanded by Col. Graham in the N. Y. mi line for 11 Mo 27 d. 

Inscribed on the Roll of New York the rate of 39 Dollars 66 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and Sent to J. Douglass Woodward Plattsburg

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833     $79.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept-   19.83
                                                           _______
                                                           $99.15

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book C  Vol. 4  Page 26

See Cir. Tra - Sept. 14. '35
To O. Pittsb.g fr 4. Sept '34
- Sept 24' 1835 -

Dead - let WA Wheeler
Sept 23 1846.
HH Bostwick 15th Nov. 1854
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address J Douglas Woodward
Plattsburg. N. Y.
Page 4

State of New York
County of Clinton

William Barker of Peru in County aged Seventy Seven years being Duly Sworn says that he was well acquainted with Simon Newcomb a resident of Plattsburg in said County during the revolutionary war and knows that said Simon was a private in Capt Morton Smith's Company New York militia and served four months in that company in the year 1776.  Said Newcomb entered said Company at Nine Partners Dutchess Co N. Y. in the month of May or June. & served until October or November of the same year.  Deponent served with said Newcomb in said company during all of said time.  Deponent & said Newcomb both enlisted together at Nine Partners for four months and were discharged together at the same place of enlistment. - next Christmas.  Said Newcomb & Deponent enlisted at Nine Partners into the same company and said Newcomb served in said company as a private with the deponent three months longer & we were both discharged at Nine Partners.  during this three months we were stationed at Valentines Hill NY & in scouting about there. & during the first four months we were engaged in picking up Tories & were under the command of the Committee of Safety.   Don't remember their names.  To Deponents formal knowledge said Newcomb served seven months of actual service during the revolution in said company there was no Col the first four months.  We were under Col Graham the last tour of three months.

[crossed out]
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 4th day of  [end crossed out]

Deponent saw said Simon Newcomb in service of United States at the taking of Burgoyne and further saith not.

[signed]
William Banks
X his mark

day of November 1832  [illegible]
deponent is a credible person.
[signed]
Caleb [illegible]
& Supreme Court Commissioner
Page 5

On this fourth day of October 1832 personally appeared before me William Banks to me well known & who cannot write his name and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the within affidavit by him Subscribed and I certify that Deponent is a credible person & witness.
[signed]
[illegible] Skinner Justice of the Peace
Page 6

State of New York
County of Clinton

Kinner Newcomb of Plattsburg aged seventy six years being Duly sworn says that Simon Newcomb applicant for a pension is a Brother of Deponant & enlisted at Nine Partners Dutchess Co N.Y. the fore part of June 1776 with Deponant into Capt Melanthon Smith, Company of New York Rangers or Militia for four months.  We had no Colonel. Stephen Haight was our Lt.  Said Simon served in said Company with me at Nine Partners NY in guarding & apprehending tories and at Verplank Point Poughkeepsie & on Peekskill mountain until the the four months for which we enlisted had expired & said Simon was discharged at Nine Partners.  He actually served in said Company four months to Deponants knowledge.  Said Simon was discharged with Deponant.  Perhaps we served longer than four months but I don't recollect that we did so as to swear to it.

In December 1776 said Simon enlisted as a volunteer under the same officers at nine partners for three months & served this Deponant verily believes two months & a half when the whole Company was discharged.  Deponant recollects the time said Simon entered and left the service.  He left the last of February 1777 & returned to Nine Partners where Deponant then resided.

That Said Simon enlisted again in August 1777 at Nine Partners into Capt. (Deponant thinks Capt's name was Verrick it might have been Rouse) Company Col Grahams New York militia for three months (Lt Ingalls).  Deponant enlisted at the same time & was with said Simon & marched with him to Lansingburg & there joined the Regiment attached to Genl Glovers Brigade - we marched from there to Stillwater & Bemis Heights & there encamped until the 16 October 1777 when Burgoyne retreated & we pursued & on the 19th of the same month we captured his army.  We then returned to Albany from thence to Esopus where we had nothing but roasted apples to eat.  The three months for which we enlisted expired at Esopus & we were discharged at that place.  Said Simon served his time fully out these months.  Deponant understood at the time and now believes  the same to be true that said Simon served six weeks in 1779.  Three weeks in Capt. Ostroms Company Col. Fraziers New York Regt. militia & three weeks in Cap Herricks Company, same Regt. [crossed out text] Deponant resided at Nine Partners at the time & new that was when said Simon [illegible] & left the service. [end crossed out text] - (Deponant thinks said Simon served longer than he has stated in his declaration & that he has omitted to state a three months time.) - Deponant has no doubt said Simon served Eleven months & longer as a private in the revolutionary war. 

note enter "officers" instead & two lines erased before swearing & signing.

Sworn and Subsribed before me this 22nd
day of November 1832 & I certify that Deponant is a credible person.

Caleb Nichols
Supreme Court Commissioner
Page 7

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.

State of New York
County of Clinton

On this Ninth day of November 1832 personally appeared before John Warford Esquire one of the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton (the same being a Court of Record) Simon Newcomb a resident of Plattsburg in said County aged Seventy Eight - years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

I was born in the town of Nine Partners in the County of Dutchess and State of New York. - on the thirtieth day of November 1753.  I have a record of my age in my family bible which I have had more than forty years.  I have recently referred to said record.
I resided at Nine Partners N.Y. and enlisted at that place the forepart of June 1776 into Capt Melanton Smiths Company of Rangers New York State Troops. for four months (we had no Colonel. Stephen Haight was our Lieutenant & one Holmes I think was Ensign) William Bankes & Turner Newcomb entered the same Company with me at the same time - I served at Nine Partners in guarding and apprehending tories until the month of August 1776. when I marched through FishKill & PeeksKill N. Y. to Verplank Point. N.Y. and was at the latter place when the British Ship Asia 74 & some other small vessels came up the North River and anchored opposite Verplanks Point.  I served there in watching the motions of the enemy & preventing them landing until about the first of September of the same year when I went up towards White Plains and I served between those places and on PeeksKill Mountain and on the lines until the forefront of October 1776 when I returned to FishkKill and from thence to PoughKeepsie and served there in guarding prisoners until the last of October 1776 when I marched to Nine Partners. (12 miles distant from Poughkeepsie) & was there discharged having served in said Company the time for which I enlisted and one month longer making five months which time I actually served as a private in said Company having entered therein as a volunteer. - I received no written discharge. After my discharge I remained at Nine Partners N.Y until the 10th December 1776 where I again enlisted at that place as a volunteer in the same Company for three months & marched from there to White Plains & staid there awhile & then went on to Valentines Hill and was engaged in
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a skirmish with the British at that place.  i served at Valentines Hill until the last of February 1777 where I was discharged I think in West or East Chester N.Y. having served my three months for which I enlisted without two weeks. (making this time of service two months and a half & a little over. the whole Company was discharged when I was.  I believe that the reason why we were discharged before our time had fully expired was that our services could then be dispensed with for the remainder of the time (2 weeks). during this two months & a half service I was attached to Colonel Grahams New York State Troops - I had no written discharge.

After being discharged I remained at Nine Partners until the 10th of August 1777  I again enlisted at that place as a volunteer private in Captain John Rouse's Company Col. Grahams New York Regt. of State Troops for three months. (Lt. Ingalls) marched from there to Lansingburg N.Y. and there joined the Regiment we were attached to Genl Glovers Brigade. - marched from thence to Still Water & Bemis Heighths and there encamped and laid there the Sixteenth day of October 1777. when Burgoyne retreated and we pursued and on the 19th of the same month we captured his army.  I was engaged in Gnl Gates division at the time of the Battle.  after the surrender of Burgoyne I returned to Albany with our Regt. and then we marched down the North River to a place called Esopus N.Y where we arrived about the last of October 1777. & where we remained until the tenth of November 1777 where my time was out and I was dismissed with my Company at that place having served my time three months fully out.  I had no written Discharge - After my discharge I returned to Nine Partners NY & remained there till June or July 1778 where I turned out with the whole militia forces.  I served under Capt Elijah Herrick  Col Frayer's Regt. NY militia three weeks.  we marched through PeeksKill FishKill to where the British were lying and remained there about eight days when we commenced our march back again.  I was discharged with our company at Peekskill landing having served three weeks.  This was an alarm and every true man turned out.  The next year 1779 I went again into service at Nine Partners into Captain Ostrams Company Col Frayers Regt. New York militia marched from that place to PoughKeepsie Fishkill & PeeksKill and after serving three weeks I was discharged at PeeksKill NY in July 1779.  This three weeks service was all in the month of July 1779 .  our whole company was Discharged with me - I returned then to Nine Partners N.Y. and resided there.
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till 1783 when I moved to Pittstown N.Y. where I resided there till 1786 when I moved to Plattsburg N.Y where I have ever since resided and where I now reside.

The names of persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution are Isaac Kinner, Jonathan Hunter, John Palmer, Hiram Roberts, Prentiss Storrs Daniel Robinson. Benjamin F Fisk. Isaac Kinner Newcomb. Hon John Warford Hon Caleb Nichols, & the whole neighborhood.
I have no documentary evidence and know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service except Isaac Kinner Newcomb and William Bankes whose affidavits will accompany this declaration.

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State. I actually Served during the Revolution one year and some services not enumerated as a volunteer private. --

Sworn and Subscribed to before me this Ninth day of November 1832 and I Certify that the Deponant is a credible person and that he has been satisfactorily proven to me that he was sick & unable to attend the last October Term of the county Court of said County. (the only Court of record held in said County since the act of Congress of July 7 1832) in consequence being severely affected in his eyes and with a fever.  And I further Certify that he is still unable by reasons of bodily infirmity to attend Court.  One of his eyes has run out so that he is entirely blind of it, and he is still very weak & feeble, and Subjected to dizziness.
[signed]
John Warford  Judge of Clinton Common Pleas Counsellor xc.

I the Subscriber a Judge of the Court of Commons Pleas of the County of Clinton and State of New York do hereby declare my opinion after 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.
Plattsburg.N.Y. November 9 . 1832.

[signed]
John Warford Judge
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Clinton County  We Josiah Wilcox --a Clergyman residing in the town of Plattsburg in the County of Clinton & State of New York and Kinner Newcomb residing in the same town hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Simon Newcomb who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy Eight years of age;  that he is reputted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we Concur in that opinion.
[signed]
Kinner Newcomb
Josiah Wilcox

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 22d Day of November 1832 and I certify that the said Josiah Wilcox is a Clergyman resident in the said town of Plattsburg in said County and that Hon Kinner Newcomb -- who has also signed the same is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

[signed]
J Douglas Woodward
Notary Public

An I the Said Judge do further Certify that it appears to me that Josiah Wilcox who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Plattsburg aforesaid and that Kinner Newcomb who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Dated Plattsburg NY. November 22. 1832.

[signed] 
John Warford
Judge of Clinton County
Courts. Counsellor xc
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I the Subscriber Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Judge in the matter of the application of Simon Newcomb for a Pension.
And I further Certify that St. John B. L. Skinner Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit of William Banks was taken and Sworn on the fourth day of October 1832. was at the time a Justice of the Peace and in and for the said County & that his Signature to the jurat of said affidavit is genuine I being well acquainted with his hand writing  That Caleb Nichols before whom the annexed affidavit of Hon Kinner Newcomb was taken and sworn on the twenty second day of November 1832 was at the time a Supreme Court Commissioner in & for said State residing in Plattsburg in Said County and that his Signature to the jurat of said affidavit is genuine  I being well acquainted with it.  I also Certify that John Warford before whom the annexed proceedings in the case of Simon Newcomb applicant for a pension were taken was at the said times therein mentioned to wit the ninth day of Nov. 1832. & the 22d Nov. 1832 was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton & that his signatures to said Papers are genuine  I being also well acquainted with his hand writing.  I also Certify that I Douglas Woodward before whom the annexed affidavits of Rev Isiah Wilcox & Kinner Newcomb were respectively taken was at the time a Public Notary in and for said State residing in the town of Plattsburg & that his Signature to the jurat of said affidavits is genuine  I being well acquainted with his hand writing. & that the seal an impression from which is made upon wax is also genuine.  In testimony of all which I have hereto set my hand and seal of office & fastened the said papers with affixes of red tape piping and said seal this twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
[signed]
Nathan Taylor  Clerk by
Smith Mead     Deputy.
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Simon Newcomb

Albany 
to
O.Peterb.g

Paid to 4' Sept. 1834 -ser
Nathan Mason 24,866
O Peterb.g --


[upside down] FREE [end]
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Paid to 4' Sept. 1834 - su
Nathan Mason 24,866
O Peterb.g --

[stamped]CLEVELAND SEP 4 O.

[upside down] FREE
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State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County

On this fourth day of September 1835. before me, the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Cuyahoga, personally appeared Simon Newcomb who, on his Oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company Commanded by Capt John Rouse, in the Regiment Commanded by Cole Graham in the Service of the United States that his name was placed on the Pension roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the State of Ohio where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable in future.  The following are his reasons for removing from the State of New York to Ohio (Pittsburg Agency).  He wishes to reside with his children, who had all removed to this State.

[signed]
Simon Newcomb

Sworn and Subscribed to, before 
me the day and year aforesaid
[signed]
Geo. Hoadly 
Justice of the Peace

State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County

September 4th 1835.  I Geo Hoadly a Magistrate in the County abovenamed do hereby Certify that I have this most satisfactory evidence in the affidavit of Benjamin F. Fish whose veracity may be depended on, that Simon Newcomb who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of identity, is the identical person named in the Pension Certificate which he has exhibited before me number (4445) and bearing date at the War Office the 27th day of May 1833.  Given under my hand this day and year above written at Cleveland.

Geo. Hoadly
Justice of the Peace
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J.L Edwards, Esq.

Sir, the preceeding appliction is to take effect from Sept. 4th 1834 and to be transferred to the Pittsburg Agency. Probably there is an error in the numbering of the Certificate as by reference to other certificates of nearly the same date the numbers are found very different, but his number is as written on the preceeding page 144,451.

I remain yours most respectfully,
Dudley Baldwin

Cleveland Sept. 4, 1835
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Malone, Franklin Co. N. Y. Sept 12 1846.
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Sir.
Simon Newcomb, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the U. S. died in the year 1841, leaving a widow to whom he was married in 1811.

Will you have the Kindness to inform me whether there is an Act under which the widow may be pensioned, and much oblige.

Yours truly.
William A. Wheeler
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No 19831
Simon Newcomb
Clinton Co. N. York

Admitted.
11 mo. 27 days Private.

36.66
 2.97
39.63

J. Douglas Woodward 
Plattsburg N. York
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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 show what is necessary to be done.  These 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 Simon Newcomb Clinton Co. N.York

[headings]

Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service | Years.| Months.| Days.| Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | County through he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

[body]

Enlisted 1776 ||5||Private|Cap Melancton Smith ||Fishkill Peekskill | Age is 78 Nine Partners N.Y.||

" in Oct 1776 ||2|15||||||||Verplank Point|||

Enlisted 1777||3|||State Hosp |Col Grahams NY||Poughkeepsie|||

Militia 1778 |||21|Cap Rouse State solp |||White Plains |||

Militia 1779 |||21||Cap Herrick Gen Gates|Saratoga|Valentines Hill

|||11|27||Cap Herrick Cap Ostrums Company | Col Frayer Lansingburg StillWater Bemis Heights Albany Eposus Peekskill Fishkill|||

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. 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 } 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 ___  ages (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 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which 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 ___
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 _____ 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.]
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 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
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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 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?}
6. {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 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 in 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 claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his 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 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 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.
[ ] 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 in 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 21

Rev. & 1812 War Section

February 4, 1927

Henry C. Statham
The University of the State of New York
Albany, NY

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim; S. 15542, it appears that SIMON NEWCOMB was born November 30, 1753, in Nine Partners, Dutchess County, New York.

While a resident of said place he enlisted and served as a private with the New York troops as follows:

From June, 1775, five months in Captain Melancton Smith's company.
From December 10, 1776, two and one half months in Captain Melancton Smith's company in Colonel Graham's Regiment; he was in a skirmish at Valentine's Hill.
From August 10, 1777 until November 10, 1777, in Captain John Rouse's Company in Colonel Graham's Regiment; he was at the capture of Burgoyne.
From June or July, 1778, three weeks in Captain Elijah Herrick's Company in Colonel Frayer's Regiment.
In July, 1779, three weeks in Captain Ostram's Company in Colonel Frayer's regiment.
Page 22

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 9, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Plattsburg, Clinton County, New York.

He moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1835 for the purpose of being with his children (names of children not stated). 

He died in 1841 leaving a widow whom he had married in 1811 (her name not stated). 

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner
Page 23

No rejected claim

[illegible]

Dec. 10, 1908
Page 24

Dept. P
15542  
INVALID.

File No. 15542
Simon Newcomb
For Rev War

Act:  June 7" 32
Index:--Vol. 1, Page 269

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nov18, 1908. And. for Int. for date of death. A.E.P.

1927 Act. 4 - hist. to Henry G. Statham M.C.S.
Page 25

The University of the State of New York
The State Department of Education
Albany


Division of Archives and History
Alexander C. Flick, State Historian
Director

December 7, 1926 - 

United States Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War Section 
Washington, D.C

Dear Sir:

I am looking for the Revolutionary war record, if such is available, of the following New York State men:

Simon Newcomb, a resident of Nine Partners, Dutchess county
Martin Stover of Pittstown, Rensselaer County
Robert Flack of Hebron

Any information that you can supply me with from the records on file in your office will be greatly appreciated. 

Thanking you for this assistance, I am
Very truly yours
Henry G. Statham

HGS-S
Page 26

Treasury Department
Washington, Dec. 8th 1908

The Commissioner of Pensions:

Sir:

In reply to your letter of 18th , you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered by the U.S Pension Agent, at Pittsburg, the records of this office show payment to have been made to Simon Newcomb certificate No. 14451 at $39.66 per 12 months to March 1840
Page 27

3-397
(Old No. 3-399)

A.E.P (Ex'r)

Record Division
S. File No. 15542
Simon Newcomb
Rev. War

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions

Washington, D.C., November 18, 1908

Sir:

For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of Simon Newcomb pensioned under the Act of June 7, 1832 by certificate No. 14451, issued May 27, 1833. Pittsburgh, Ohio Agency, showing date of last payment of pension to whom paid and date of soldier's death.

Very respectfully,

V. Warner
Commissioner

The Auditor for the Interior Department,
Treasury Department.
Page 28

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration

Name  Newcomb, Solomon
Grade Private
Line Virginia

Warrant Number 12437
Acreage 100
Issued July 14, 1792
to Robt. Means, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.