Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,321, Rice Beckwith, New York.Vt.
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SERVICE                 NUMBER
New York        Beckwith, Rice           S15,321
VT 
carded
CONTENTS
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 [14768 struckthrough]14133 Ohio Pittsburgh [New York struckthrough]
Rice Beckwith
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 Allen in the Vt: Me une for 24 mo 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York  at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of May 1833 and Sent to J. D. Woodward Plattsburg
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending  4 Sept 40.00 $200.00 
{Revolutionary Claim,  Act June 7, 1832.} Recorded W. L. William, Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 44 
[right side]
Lett. Dudley Baldwin Sept 16 '36- (Wa.)
 do-do - Dec 8 '36 
Ira C. Dec 28 ' 36
Transfd  to Ohio Pittsbg fr. Alby. fr. 4 March 1836- Jany 14, 1837- 
1886 Aug '19 Paul Beckwith -present- history
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Rice Beckwith
Rev Pension Pa (illegible)
2 years
(illegible) J Douglas Woodward
Plattburg NY.
14768
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[handwritten letter]
MRS. WILLIAM COWELL
['2008 Rebecca Street' crossed out] Box 1262
Sioux City, Iowa

March 5, 1934

U. S. Pension Bureau
Wash. D.C.
[receipt stamp: RECEIVED MAR 7 1934 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM READER [illegible]]
My Dear Sir,
Will you kindly furnish me with some information from the pension papers of certain Beckwiths in order to help me untangle the family record - 
Daniel the father b. in Lyme, Conn. 1731 and died in Plattsburg, NY. you have already told me did not receive a pension. Some data about him may be found on the papers of his sons - I hope - Grant Beckwith - his name on the Soldier's monument in Manchester, Vt. Lived there many years but died in Plattsburg - Clinton Co - N.Y. - Jan. 22, 1838 age 73 - I fail to see how he could have served in the Rev. if he was b. in 1765.
And I dont see why he was named Grant after a first wife is he was child of the second - If he rec'd a pension please give me all the data you can find especially place of birth - Grant's wife was Mersy (called Mary) His brother Rice - Roice - Royce - I've seen it spelled all way was born in Lyme - Conn. Served from Manchester, Vt. died in Cleveland Ohio & he was a pensioner - Will you please give me what data you have on his papers -
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I cannot state the names of the Regular officers who were with the Troops where I served more particularly than above
The names of Persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood and also can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my Services as a Soldier of the Revolution are Kinner  Newcomb, Grant Beckwith Joshua Hillyard Henry Purday Heman Smith James Brand Peter Weaver. Jonathan Hunter Noyes P Gregory Dr. Patchin and others - 
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. 
/s/X his mark Rice Beckwith
Sworn to and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid in open Court before me}
/s/Geo M Beckwith acting Clerk of Clinton Com. Pleas
We Josiah Wilcox a Clergyman, residing in the town of Plattsburg in the County of Clinton and State of New York and Daniel Beckwith residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted that we believe him to be seventy five 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. 
/s/Josiah Willcox
/s/Daniel Beckwith
Sworn and Subscribed the fifth day of October 1832 in open Court before me
/s/Geo M Beckwith acting clerk of Clinton Com. Pleas
And the said Court do hereby certify and declare their 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. and the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Josiah Wilcox - who has signed the preceeding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in town of Plattsburg in the County of Clinton & State of New York and that Daniel Beckwith - who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a ['Cler' crossed out] resident of the same town and is a Credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit 
I George M Beckwith Acting Clerk of said County and of the said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rice Beckwith for a Pension - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this fifth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty two. And I further certify that J Douglas Woodward before whom the annexed affidavit of Robert Clark Dayton was taken and sworn on the 13th day of July 1832 was at the time a notary Public in & for said County & that the signature to the jurat of said affidavit is the genuine hand writing of the said Notary Public. And being well acquainted with it - and I further Certify that John Warford before whom the annexed affidavit of John Roberts was taken and sworn on the
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twenty sixth day of July 1832 was at the time a Judge of Clinton County  Court and that his signature to the jurat of said affidavit is genuine I being well acquainted with his hand writing Witness my hand & official seal October 5 1832 Geo M Beckwith Acting Clerk
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[addressed envelope]
[postmark: CLEVELAND O. SEP 8] FREE
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
[margin notes: Sept 14. 1836 Ohio Mr. Burdine Rice Beckwith ['N.YR' crossed out] Alby. Ohio Pittsbg]
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State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County }ss On this Sixth day of September before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Cuyahoga, personally appeared Rice Beckwith ['of the' crossed out] who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Comstock in the Regiment commanded by Colonel (forgotten) 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 in Ohio
/s/Rice Beckwith
Sworn and Subscribed to before me the and year Aforesaid} /s/Geo Hoadly Justice of the Peace
State of Ohio 
Cuyahoga County} ss. September 6. 1836 - I Geo Hoadly a magistrate in the county above named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence viz the affidavits of Noble Payne & Joseph Wylie - that Rice Beckwith 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 numbered 11,133 and bearing date at the War Office the 11th day of May 1833 - Given under my hand the day and year above written at Cleveland
/s/Geo. Hoadly Justice of the Peace
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The State of Ohio Cuyahoga County ss.
I H Rice Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that George Hoadley Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, was at the date thereof and now is a Justice of the Peace within & for said county, duly commissioned & qualified & to all whose official acts full faith & credit are & ought to be given. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Cleveland, this seventh day of September A.D. 1836. 
/s/H. Rice Clerk
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J.L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions    Dear Sir
Mr Beckwith wishes to be transferred to the Pittsburg Agency, 
I mention it because many of our applications for transfer have been 
have been answered by transfer to Cincinnati
Respectfully yours
Dudley Baldwin
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14.768
Rice Beckwith Clinton Co N York
admitted 24 mo Private.
J L Woodward 
Plattsburg N.Y.
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BRIEF in the case of Rice Beckwith of Clinton Co in the State of N York 
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 75 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period.|Duration of Service.(Years,|Months,|Days.)|Rank.(As a)|Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.(Gen.)|]
Feby In 1776|(1|[blank]|[blank])|Private|Capt Vosburgh Col'o Windkoops(Wynkoop)|
April 1778|([blank]|8|[blank])| " |Capt Odel Col'o Allen|
April 1779|([blank]|6|[blank])| " |Capt Smith Col'o Allen|
March 1780|([blank]|1|[blank])| " |Capt Barney Col'o Pearl|
[end of columns]
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Manchester Verm't
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary - his discharge
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct ['Papers not attach'd as req'd' crossed out]
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
/s/Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
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March 30, 1934.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. William Cowell
Box 1262
Sioux City, Iowa
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Rice
and Grant Beckwith, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office
are obtained from claims made to the United States for
pension and bounty land based upon military service of
soldiers in that war.
Rice Beckwith
BA-Jady
March 30, 1934.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. William Cowell
Box 1262
Sioux City, Iowa

Rice Beckwith
BA-J/ady
S. 15331

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Rice
and Grant Beckwith, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

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

A careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Grant Beckwith.


The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.15321, based upon the military service of Rice Beckwith, in that war.

Rice Beckwith was born November 20, 1757 in Lyme, Connecticut. No reference is made to his parents.

While a resident of Manchester, Vermont, he enlisted in February 1776, served as private in Captain Forgison's and Herman Vosburgh's Companies, Colonel Wynkoop's New York
Regiment and was discharged February 26, 1777. He enlisted in April 1778, served three months as private in Captain Jacob Odel's Company and five months in Captain
Comstock's Company in Colonel Ebenezer Allen's Vermont Regiment. He enlisted in April 1779 and served six months in Captain Smith's Company, Colonel Ebenezer Allen's Vermont
Regiment. He enlisted in March 1780 and served one month in Captain Barney's Company, Colonel Stephen Pearl's Vermont Regiment.

About 1800 he moved from Manchester, Vermont, to Plattsburg, New York.
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He was allowed pension on his application executed October 4, 1832 while a resident of Plattsburg, Clinton County, New York.

He moved from New York State to Ohio in 1836 to reside with his children, no names are given and no reference is made to soldier's wife.

In 1832 soldier stated that he found the record of his age in the Bible of his brother, Grant Beckwith, no other information in regard to Grant Beckwith is given.

One George M. Beckwith was Acting Clerk of Clinton County Court of Common Pleas in 1832, his age or relationship to soldier not stated.

One Daniel Beckwith was living in Plattsburg, New York, in 1832, his age or relationship to soldier not stated. There are no further family data.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

Date of death not on A.B. [Handwritten]
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Rice Beckwith
N.Y. S. F. 15321
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Hinderhook Sept 26 77

This Is to Certify that the [illegible] Has Served In my Company as a Privateman & has Dun his Duty well In that Having & Is hereby Discharged from said Company

Herman Vosburgh Cap
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15321
INVALID.
File No. 15321
Rice Beckwith
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Opposite page
1934 Mar 30 Hist to Mrs
William Cowell A D Y
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Rice Beckwith which require further proof or explanation. 
I. 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? [blank] 
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 amount 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 other 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
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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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank] 
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? yes 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 ? [blank] 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
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? [blank] 
XVI. ↕Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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______; and for such service I claim a pension.
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[addressed envelope]
[postmark: CLEVELAND O. DEC 17] FREE
[margin notes: Dec 24 Mr Brandon Clev] 
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County ss

Be it known that before me, a Justice
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
Personally appeared Rice Beckwith and made Oath that he is the identical Rice Beckwith who served under the following officers in the Revolutionary War viz - Gen Schuyler, Col. Wyncoop, & Capt Forgison and also that he has sometimes been obliged to make a mark
instead of writing his name, to various instrument of writing, in Consequence of Sore Eyes, which has afflicted him more or less
for Several years.  Sworn and Subscribed before me this 16th day of Decem 1836 before me Rice Beckwith
Geo. Hoadly
Justice of the Peace
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Cleveland Decem 16 1846
L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions-

Sir-- On opposite page you have Mr Beckwith's affidavit, to explain some discrepances in his application for transfer-- which I hope will be Satisfactory as the old man has nothing but his pension to live on, and is very much in want

I also send herewith Elijah Cheney's application for a pension, I am not accustomed to making applications for pensions therefore do not know how near these papers will cCme to the
Mark but hope that they will at least, be a correct beginning

I remain Sir very Respectfully
Yours (Dudley Baldwin)

P.S. I have not procured the County Clerk's Certificate to Mr Hoadley's Signature, because you already have that in the application, and by Comparing, you will see there is no mistake in this Signature

I do not know but our affairs might be facilitated at times by your being better acquainted with me, if so, would refer you to Mr Whittlesey, M. C. from an adjoining district, with Mr Sloan from this district I am unacquainted

I remain &c D. B.
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[handwritten letter]
Mechs. & Farmer's Bank
Albany Pension Agency
January 3d 1837.

James L. Edwards Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions, 

Sir,
In reply to your letters of the 29th & 29th alt'o I have to state that Rice Beckwith, a Pensioner under the  act of June 7, 1832, at $80 per ann: and William Bennett, a Pensioner under the same act, at $78.31/100 per ann: were, each, last paid to the 4th of March 1836. 
I am, Sir, Very respectfully Your obed't Ser't
/s/Tho. M. Curtt
Pres'd & Pen Agt.
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Cleveland Ohio Novm 30, 1816
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions Sir, On the 16th of last Septem I Sent you Rice Beckwith's application for a transfer of his pension Sometime after I received from the Pension Office a letter containing some objections to the transfer, and saying that somethings must be explained  I wrote in answer, and as supposed rendered all satisfactory-- but mentioned if they were not, that additional evidence of Mr Beckwith, identity could be procured if necessary. Since then I have heard nothing from the office. Mr Beckwith is daily enquiring of us about it and I should be glad if you would inform me whether or not a transfer will be granted,
Respectfully yours
(Dudley Baldwin)

P.S. I have been asked a number of times lately about a law which gives a pensions to Revolutionary Soldier's widows-Not being a lawyer, and not knowing of any such law I was not able to give satisfactory answers, will you sir be so kind as to inform me in your next about it.
Yours
D.B.
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Royce Beckwith Case -
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State of New York
Clinton County ss. Robert Dayton of Plattsburg in said County aged Seventy two years being duly sworn says he has lived neighbor to Royce Beckwith of Plattsburg for thirty years past; and
has always during that time, understood and
believed that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. Deponant was a teamster a short time in the revolutionary war & has frequently talked over old revolutionary matters with said Beckwith & further that said Beckwith, is a man of Strict truth, integrity and honesty - Deponant verily believes that said Beckwith did Serve in the Revolutionary war as he states, and he is generally reputed and always has since Deponants acquaintance with him, been reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution.
Robert Dayton

Sworn and Subscribed to
this 13th day of July 1832 & ⎬
I certify deponent to be a
Credible person & witness
J Douglas Woodward
Notary Public

State of New York County of Clinton. On this 13th day of July eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Public Notary in & for said State residing in Plattsburg N.Y. Robert Dayton of Plattsburg to me well known and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above affidavit by him subscribed. In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand &
official Seal this\\e day and year last aforesaid
J. Douglas Woodward
Notary Public
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Rice Beckwith
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State of New York
County of Clinton ss. John Roberts of Plattsburg in said County being duly sworn says that to the knowledge of Deponant Rice Beckwith served in the Revolutionary war in the services of the United States during the years 1778. 79 & 80 ['also' crossed out] more than one year. - I served with him a considerable part ( I should think almost a year) of the said time. I understood during the revolution that said Rice Beckwith had served a year in 1776 & 77. in Col Windkoop's (Wynkoop) Reg't New York line. 
Deponant verily believes that said Rice Beckwith did actually serve two years in the revolutionary war. Deponant is now seventy two years old & was a soldier in Capt Bronson's Comp'y & Col. Warner's Vermont Regiment - 
/s/John Roberts
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 26th day of July 1832 and I certify that Deponant is a credible person} 
/s/John Warford Judge of Clinton County Courts
State of New York
County of Clinton ss. I the subscriber a public Notary in and for the State of New York residing in the town of Plattsburg in said County of Clinton do hereby certify that John Warford before whom the above affidavit of John Roberts was taken and sworn was at the time a Judge of Clinton County Courts and that the signature of the said Judge is in his genuine hand writing I being acquainted with it. - 
[notarial seal affixed] Witness my hand and official seal at Plattsburg this 24th day of July 1832. - 
/s/J. Douglas Woodward
Notary Public
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[handwritten letter]
MRS. WILLIAM COWELL
['2008 Rebecca Street' crossed out] Box 1262
Sioux City, Iowa
March 5, 1934

U.S. Pension Bureau
Wash. D.C. 
[receipt stamp: RECEIVED MAR 7 1934 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM READER No [illegible]]

My Dear Sir, 
Will you kindly furnish me with some information from the pension of certain Beckwiths in order to help me untangle the family record - 
Daniel the father b. in Lyme, Conn. 1731 and died in Plattsburg, NY. you have already told me did not receive a pension. Some data about him may be found in the papers of his sons - I hope - Grant Beckwith - his name on the Soldier's monument in Manchester, Vt. Lived there many years but died in Plattsburg - Clinton Co - N.Y. - Jan. 22, 1838 age 73 - I fail to see how he could have served in the Rev. if he was b. in 1765. 
And I dont see why he was named Grant after a first wife if he was child of the second - If he rec'd a pension please give me all the data you can find especially place of birth - Grant's wife was Mersy (called Mary) His brother Rice-Roice-Royce - I've seen it spelled all ways was born in Lyme Conn. Served from Manchester, Vt. died in Cleveland Ohio & he was a pensioner - Will you please give me what data you have on his papers -
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[handwritten letter]
His last wife was Marion.
These three - father and two sons all are said to have served in the Rev. Material concerning each other may be found on each other's papers - Daniel's wife was Sarah - I do hope you can solve the riddle - Daniel lived 1st Lyme, Conn. 2nd I think in Charlotte precinct Duchess (Dutchess) Co - N.Y. - where some of his ch were born, next in Manchester, Vt. unless he did not stay in Charlotte precinct as long as I surmise - Last in Plattsburg, N.Y. - Grant - the same - But Royce (Rice) I know less about as I know not of descendants - only that he was a pensioner living in Cleveland, Ohio - Especially do I hope to learn where Grant was born. 
Can you look up the papers of both Grant & Royce? I thank you - 
Very truly - 
/s/Mrs. Cowell
Box 1262
Sioux City