Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,081, for Thomas Machin, New York
Page 1

Continental (N.Y.)

Machin, Thomas
or
Machen

Susan
NUMBER
W. 17.081
B.L. Wt 1401-300 Capt
Issued Jan 4, 1791
No papers
Page 2

Certificate issued to Thos. Machen, only surviving [?] of Susan Machen, deceased.

Let. to pension agent Albany, NY May 2, 1838
see letters May 20 & 21, 1839 to H.F. Yates
See let to Hon Peter J. Wagner, Dec. 13. 1839 to same

April 21, 1840
to same June 19, 1840
do: to same July 17, 1840
do: to Matthew Birchard July 17th 1840. 
do. to Hon. P.J. Wagner August 12th, 1840. 
do to 3d And Sept. 21,1841
do to J. A. Spencer, U.S.
Atty. Jan. 26. 1842

Albany, N.Y. 2,000
Heir of
Susan Machen, decd
widow of Thomas Machen, decd, the
widow of 
who died on the 1st of December, 1836,
of Montgomery Co. in the State of New York
who was a Captain in the   commanded
by Captain   of the   commanded
in the N. York line for 
2 years Captain
of Artillery, N. Y.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany, N.Y.
at the rate of 600 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 & payable to her to Dec. 1, 1836.
 
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd
day of
May, 1838
and delivered
to
Thomas Machen, Present
[?] to the 1st of December 1836 $3372.50
Semi-annual allowance ending

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d

Recorded by S.A. Elliot clerk
Book A Vol 2 page 113
Page 3

New York
Thomas
Machin
Captain [?] unknown
present rate of Pension $10. per mo
Increase
degree of disability certifies total
[?] of certificate of [?]: Burgess, Oct [?]

Entered P. 11.
granted $20

[unintelligible light writing on the bottom]
Page 4

Charleston 3d November 1814.
-
Thomas Machin
relative
to his application for increase
of Pension

received 23d Nov. 1814
Notes on file under same date
Page 5

Charleston the 3d November 1814
Honored Sir

I was placed on the pension list by
an act of Congress in the year 1806 and
During the session of Congress in the year 1811
I made application for an Increase of pension but
by means of my Examining Doctors not making
their report exact according to Law my
application did not succeed. If I am well informed
the proceedings of my application stagnated [?]
in the office I wish that your honor would
Examine the Records and if it is found
Lawful that I am entitled to an Increase of
pension from my first application I make no
doubt that you will forward the Business in
such a manner that I shall receive it In due
time
I am honored Sir your most humble
Servant Thomas Machin

The Honorable
Manse [?]
[?] at War
Page 6

If anything can 
be done for this 
poor woman I 
wish that it may be
J. M

Memorandum,

On examination of the
roll of New York Invalid pensioners U.S. it
appears that Capt.
Machin was borne on it,
at the rate of $10 per month
to the 3d of March, 1815.
at which time his pension
was increased to
$20 per month, to commence on the 29th of
October, 1814, and
therefore it is not in
the power of the secretary of War, to grant
the increase from 4th March, 1818
the only money in this case, with to [?]
memorial [?]
Page 7

to James Monroe President of the United States
The petition of Susan Machin of the County of Schoharie in the State of New York respectfully represents
That her husband Thomas Machin was a Captain
in Col Lambs Regiment of Artillery during the Revolutionary War
that he served with reputation and unfearfulness [?]
and died on the 3rd April, 1816
leaving your petitioner
and two children
in destitute circumstances.

That in consequence of wounds received during the war, a pension was granted to her late husband on the
4th day of March 1808 at the rate of ten dollars per month that it was intended to grant him 20 dollars
per month at the War office but
in consequence
of some obscurity in the Surgeons Report the Committee of [?] reduced his sum to ten dollars. 

That on the 29th of October 1874 this estate [?] was retired [?] and from that period he was allowed twenty
dollars per month until the termination of his life
That this provisor ought to have selected
the 4th of March 1808 but owing whose unfortunate misapprehension it did not take place.

Your petition therefore from that the secretary be allowed
at the rate of ten dollars a month from the 4th day of
March 1808 the 29th of October 1874 his firm
justly due to her husband if alive
Susanna Machin
Page 8

New York.
Mrs Susanna Machin
applies for arrearage of
pension which she states
was justly due her late
husband Capt Thomas
Machin & late an Invalid
Pensioner of the U.S.
It appears that the said
Thos Machin, was placed on
the Pension list of the U.S.
by Law of 25 April, 1808
at 10 per mo: to commence
on the 19th Mar 1808 and
was increased to $20 per
month to commence on the
29th October, 1814 by law 3rd March 1815.
It further appears from notes
made on a Journal kept in
the Pension Office, in March
1812, that the date of the
certificate of the examining
surgeons, (by inference from
which it would appear that the
party was totally [totally is underlined] disabled)
was dated 19th March, 1812
however this certificate not
being considered sufficiently [unintelligible]
a subsequent application
was made as appears by
the accompanying papers,
on which the increase of
$20 per month was granted
by Congress, to commence
on the 29th Oct. 1814,
the day on which the second
examination was made by
the Surgeons.
The Widow of the deceased
pensioner now claims the
arrearages which might be
justly due to her husband
if was he living at this time,
which would appear to be
at the rate of $10 per month
from the 19th March, 1812
(the day on which the first
examination took place, in
consequence of his application
for an increase of pension;)
to the 29th October, 1814,
and not from March, 1808
as the applicant supposes.
War Department,
Pension Office,
Nov 7th 1818
Page 9

State of New York
Montgomery County ss. Thomas Machin of the town of Charlestown
in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn says that
he was fifty two years old on the 17th day of July last that
he is the sole surviving child of Thomas & Susan Machin now
deceased and named in the annexed papers and letters. That this
deponent never had but one sister who was named Phebe who
was about one year and eight months older than this deponent
who is now dead. That after the most diligent search this
deponent has not been able to find any record of the Marriage
of his father & mother except what is contained in the annexed letters
nor has this deponent after the most diligent search been able
to find any living witness who was present at the marriage of
this deponents father & mother aforesaid, nor does this deponent believe
that there is any person now living who was present at their
Marriage. This deponent says that his said Father & Mother have
reputedly during their life time told this deponent that they
were married by a clergyman by the name of Lockwood at the
House of one Timothy Duning at Goshen in the County of Orange
& State of New York on the 22nd day of August 1782 which
this deponent believes to be true; and this deponent knows that
ever since he had any recollection his said Father & mother lived together
as man & wife up to the day of the death of this deponents father
and that the deponents father Thomas Machin died at Charlestown
aforesaid on the 3rd day of April 1816 and this deponent further says
that his mother Susan Machin & the wife of the said Thomas Machin
did remained his widow up to the day of her death which took
place at the place aforesaid on the 28th day of December 1833 [?]
And this deponent further says that there was an entry of
Marriage of his Father & Mother aforesaid in an old family bible
to them belonging in their life time made in the hand writing of
deponents father but that the same was about ten years since destroyed
probably by this deponents children, and that it is not now to be
produced but this deponent has a distinct recollection that it was
there stated that they this deponents Father & Mother were married
on the 22nd day of August 1782  And this deponent further says
Page 10

that the annexed letters and papers were formed by this deponent
amongst the papers of deponents Father left by him at the time
of his death and this deponent has no doubt but that they were
written at the time they purport to be, and that they are true & genuine
papers and this deponent says that no information can be obtain although
he has made diligent seach of the said Lockwood who married his this
deponents Father & mother & that the During family when they
were married as aforesaid are as deponent has been informed & believes
all dead except one son of about the same age of deponent and
deponent further says that his Father Thomas Machin is the same
Thomas Machin who was put on the Pension Roll in 1808
and whose pension was raised in 1814 and that it also appears
from papers & commissions in possession of deponent & found amongst
the papers of deponents father that deponents father served as Captain
of Artillery & Engineers during the Revolutionary war and further
says not

Sworn & subscribed this 5th day of April
1838 before me
D. F. Saria Judge
of Montgomery County Court

Thomas Machin

State of New York Montgomery County ss. I certify that I am
personally & intimately acquainted with the above named
Thomas Machin that he is reputable & that his affidavit
is entitled to full credit April 5th 1838
D. F. Saria Judge of
Montgomery County Court
State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerk's office I do hereby certify that the
above named David F Saria Esquire whose name
is subscribed to the Jurats of the preceeding
affidavit & proceedings appear on the day of
the date of the same a Judge of the Montgomery
Page 11

County Courts and duly authorized by law to administer
oaths and that his signature subscribed to the same is
Genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & seal of office this 5th day of
April 1838
A.J. Comrie Clerk
of Montgomery County
Page 12

October 13, 1911
Hon. Eben W. Martin,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Martin

In response to your personal request of the 12"" instant, I have the honor to advise you that the papers in claim Wid. File
No. 17,081, Rev. War, show that Thomas Machin was appointed, August 21,
1780, Captain of Colonel John Lamb's regiment, Continental Artillery,
length and particulars of service not stated and he was pensioned for
wound of breast.
It is further alleged that he married at Goshen, New York, August
22, 1782, Susanna Van Nostrand daughter of James Van Nostrand;
died April 3, 1816, at Charlestown, New York, leaving widow Susanna and Phebe 1 year and 8 months older that Thomas born July 17, 1785, who were their only children.
Very respectfully,
First Deputy Commissioner.
Page 13

Machin, Thomas
Cont. (N.Y.) W17081
Capt Thomas Machin
forward per Capt [?]
Newburgh
Page 14

New York May 25th 1785
Dear Sir
You will believe me when I tell
you that I was very happy to meet our old
Friend Peter Nestle here, and that it would
have been greatly augmented had you but
been with him. Since I left you I have
been at Dedham except Six months which I
spent in the West India. I have not as
yet been able to fix in any business.
Am bound from this place to Boston tomorrow
and from thence shall return immediately
to New Haven where I propose spending the
summer unless I find some unexpected
opportunity of going into business. Six
days a gone I was at Hopewell and had
once concluded to make you a visit, but
found it impossible for want of time as
some affairs of importance hurried me back to
New Haven. I had forgot to inform you
that I lived with a Merchant in Boston five
or six months, and believe I should have
done very well had he not have failed,
as he was an old friend of mine and was
disposed to help me
Page 15

Carlisle NY
Nov 13
I remember this one [?]
get the papers for me [?]
Nov 17 '47
Wid Tho Machin
N.Y. [?] 36

James L. Edwards Esq
commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 16

Carlisle Schoharie Co
November 11th 1847
James L Edwards Esqr
Sir
It is supposed that
Thomas Machin obtained same arears of pension
amounting to over $3,000 as heir at Law of his
Mother who was widow of Thomas Machin a
Captain in the war of the revolution
The old Lady died in December 1835 but it
appears that he procured some ignorant persons
to make affidavit that she died a year after
wards to bring the claim within the act
passed I believe in 1836
It is evident that
subbornation of perjury was committed and if 
he obtained the pension in this case upon such
evidence a gross fraud was perpetrated upon
government
I wish to procure from
the propper department information so authenticated
so to be evidence in a court of Justice
Will you be pleased to forward to me by
mail such information as may be in your possession
at your earliest convenience 
Very Respectfully
Geo Bowne [?]
Page 17

"At a Council of Appointment held at Kingston the 12th of
March 1783
Present
His Excellency Governor Clinton President
The Honorable
Jonathan Lawrence
William B. Whiting 
John Haring
Esquires members
The following persons being commissioned officers
in the Regiment of Artillery of this State in the service of the
United States whereof John Lamb Esquire is Colonel and entitled
to promotion.
Resolved that by and with the advice and consent
of the Council of Appointment Thomas Machin be and he
is hereby appointed a captain in the said Regiment vice
Jeremiah Wool resigned and that his commission bear date
the 21st day of August 1780."
State of New York
Secretary's Office
I certify the preceding to be a
true extract from the minutes of the Council of appointment of this
State in this Office.
Given under my hand and the seal of this
Office at the City of Albany the 6th
day of April A.D. 1838.
Archd Campbell
Dep. Secretary
Page 18

BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Office First DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
October 12, 1911.
Colonel Kniffin,
Chief Record Division:
Please furnish Hon. Eben W. Martin, M.C., with such information
as the records of this Bureau may contain relative to the service during the Revolutionary war of Thomas Machin or Thomas Machen, (Continental Line, N.Y.)
It seems that soldier was a pensioner under wid file [certificate is crossed out] number 17081.
L. Stillwell
Acting Commissioner

SEAL:
First Deputy
M.
Oct 12 1911
Commissioner
Page 19

28076
Consolidated W. 17081
INVALID
under Revy [?]
File no. 28,076
10
Thomas Machin
Capt
Act:
Index: Vol. 2 Page 255
Arrangement of 1870
Page 20

1911 Oct. 13. Hist to Hon Eben W.
Martin 
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17081
Susan Machin
Widow of
Thomas Machin
Capt Rev War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: Vol. M, Page 8
Arrangement of 1870
Page 21

Susanna Machin NY Act 4 July '36 when paid & how much
G.W.C. [?]
$600
12 Dec 39
Died 1 Dec 1836 p% that period
2/4 [?]
Page 22

Thomas Machin
Captain Invalid
Roll of New York
Be pleased
to say to what time and
at what rate he was last paid
Pension Office
Dec. 10. 1839
Died 3 April 1817 pd at $20 pm
LH [?]
Page 23

Copy
U.S. Attys Office
Utica N.Y. 16 Sept. 1841
Sir
In the case of Thomas Machin, I desire to be
furnished with authentic evidence of the fact, that on the 5th May 1838 the sum of $3444.28 was paid
him by the Pension Agency at Albany.
Will you also furnish me the name of the
Agent at Albany at that time.
I am Sir
Very respectfully
Signed,
P. A. Spencer
U.S. Atty

Hon. Charles B. Penrose
Sol. of the Treasury
Page 24

Dec 10
W
Eliz Cockran
NY nlc 38 [?]
Tho. Machin 
Jho NY nlc [?]

Free
P.J.Wagner
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
D.C.

P.J. Wagner
Hon. P.D. Wagner [crossed out]
H.R.
Page 25

Washington, D.C. Dec. 9, '39
Dear Sir
do me the favor of sending me answers to the
the interrogations of Mr Cumming at your earliest
convenience & with as much minuteness or possible.
you will readily perceive the importance
of them.
I know "Tom Machin" well. He is a "case"

Let me also ask the like attention to enclose
Letter of Mr Randal
Respectfully yours &c
P.J. Wagner
Page 26

[unintelligible] his June 4, 49
Thomas Machin, did,

Mr. P.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
N.Y.

Eagle Harbor
June 4
Page 27

4 June 1849
Monday
Eagle Harbor June 4 1849

Sir I take the liberty to ask of you if the back pension of Cap. Thomas Machin who served
in the Revolutionary war has been taken up if it has one half of it is facts

Thomas Machin Jr is or was entitle (sic) to one half of this pension. Sir my mother is entitle (sic) to one fourth of it and she is a poor woman and if there is any way of getting it it
would help her very much

If you will inform me whether it has been taken up or not I will try to do something about it

Your obedient servant
A S Hill

Eagle Harbor
Orleans Co
N.Y.
Page 28

Office of the Solicitor of the Treasury
Sept 20 1841

Sir

I enclose herewith a copy of a letter just received from the Attorney of the United States for the Northern District of New York, in relation to the case of the United States vs. Thomas Machin, for money fraudulently obtained at the Pension Agency in Albany, New York.

I shall be obliged by your furnishing this office at your earliest convenience with the evidence required by the Attorney and also with the name of the Agent at Albany in May 1838.

Very respectfully yours
B. F. Pleasants Clk,
Off. of Sec of Treasury

To
James L. Edwards Esquire
Comm. of Pensions
Page 29

Fort Plain, N.Y. August 6 '40.

Dear Sir

The letter you just received from me was written in presence of Machin. He is not aware of 2 year limitations and hence wishes the Papers. Perhaps it may be well.

He asks time and that debt be secured by Mortg. on real estate or Judgt. I suppose and am sure indeed he cannot pay before or by the 18th. inst. If you think it better to take security by Judgt. or Mortg. than to prosecute him for the money, with me.  If so, I will act by consent and approbation of Benton, U.S. D. Atty.  I would insist on [illegible] many at last. Of thoughts expedient, give us full discretion. I knew I could bring him to his "[illegible]" and I will bring him to the "Mark" (with interest?)

Truly yours,
P. J. Wagner

Written sideways:  Answer this directly and oblige him and me
Page 30

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington

July 26 1842

If this is a [illegible] in which Machin can be proved against criminally. I think [illegible] 


J. C. S.
Page 31

Albany 21, Mar. 1842
J.L. Edwards Esq

Sir, We have finally succeeded in arresting Thomas Machin and holding him to bail at the penit. of the United States in a suit to recover back these thousand one hundreds of dollars obtained from the gov't by a fraud on the pension Laws. He called on me at this place yesterday and proposed to give a judgment for the amount and interest provided he could have time given to pay it in five annual installments with annual interest. The [illegible] with int. now due might be over $4,000. The Judgt. will be a lien on a farm of about
Page 32

four hundred acres in Montgomery County worth probably six or seven thousand dollars in these [illegible] times. He says he owes about
two thousand dollars besides, now secured on the farm. He gives this among other reasons why
it will be out of his power to pay the Gov't sooner.

Will the Department inform me what I shall do in the matter?

I shall remain in this City until the close of next week when I shall return to Utica.

With high regard
I have the honor to be
You obt. Not
J. A. [illegible]
Page 33

P.J Wagner
M.C.
James S Edwards Esqr
Commissr Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 55

5th February 1783 from
Mrs.  E. Porter

Letters
Page 68

State of New York
Montgomery County [Illegible]  Ruth Gost of the town of Johnstown in the county and State aforesaid being duly sworn says that she was Sixty four years of age in the month of December last. That she has been personally acquainted with Thomas Machin & Susan Machin of the town of Charlestown in the County and State aforesaid ever since the Revolutionary War that during the Revolutionary War she this deponent resided at Huntington on Long Island in the state of New York. She further says that Susan Machin before her marriage to Thomas Machin now deceased was Susan Van Nostrand and that she the said Susan and her father James Van Nostrand resided during the Revolutionary War on the Island aforesaid That the said Susan when married was at her Brother in laws at Goshen in Orange County in said state - and this deponent further says that said Susan Machin was aunt to this deponent and deponent has a distinct recollection that after it was reported that said Thomas Machin and the said Susan were married and whilst the deponent was a small Girl, the said Thomas & said Susan came to the house of deponent on the Island aforesaid on a visit and this deponent has no doubt of the fact that when the said Thomas Machin and the said Susan wife were at her fathers house as aforesaid as man and wife was before the close of the Revolutionary War.  And this deponent further says that she has always understood that the said Thomas Machin was an officer in the Revolutionary War. That the said Thomas and Susan had but two children one a Girl by the name of Phoebe and the other a son by the name of Thomas & that Phoebe was the oldest of the two and that she the