Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,257, for Garret Reed, New York
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(3-1776) 

SERVICE 
New Jersey 
New York: 

Reed, Garret 
or Garrett 

NUMBER S.14.257 
Carded.

CONTENTS
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New York 20389 
Garrett Reed of Chenango in the State of N.Y. who was a Sergt & pr. in the Company command by Captain Denton of the Regt commanded by Col. Clinton in the State Troops line for 
19 mo. 12 ds Serg 97. “
3 Mo. 15 ds private 11.66
108.66
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 108 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Septr. 1833 and sent to J R Pikes Clerk - Norwich N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Septr. 1833. 271.65 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34  54. 33. 
[total] $325.98 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by W. Franciois [Franciosi?] Clerk
Book E. Vol. 4. Page 74. 
N. J. and N. Y.
Records completed. 
Nov. 5, 1906.  [initials]
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State of New York
Chenango county } Ss
On this 6th day of September 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Hon Robert Monell Vice Chancellor of the sixth circuit of the State of New York at a Court of Chancery held at the town of Sherburne, County of Chenango, now sitting – 
Garrett Reed a resident of Sherburne in the County of Chenango and State of New York aged 77 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 7th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated –
1st on the 20th of June in the year 1775 he enlisted at Warwick Orange County New York in Captain Daniel Dentons Company in the third Regiment of New York State Troops commanded by Colonel James Clinton, Lieutenant Colonel Wyncoup. the Lieutenants in the company were first De Hant 2d Hamilton Jackson. Joined the Company at Goshen & the Regiment at New Windsor both in Orange County New York went from New Windsor to Albany from Albany to fort George under General Montgomery from fort George went to Ticonderoga from that place went of St Johns & Chamblee [Chambly] was at the taking of both those places from St Johns went to La Praria [Prairie?] from thence to Montreall [Montreal] after taking Montreall went to the mouth of the Sorell & assisted in taking the shipping at that place then went back to Montreall that that he enlisted for six months & while at Montreal his time was out & he was regularly discharged that he enlisted & served as a Sergeant the same
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day that he was discharged from Captain Lintons Company he reenlisted for three months in another company in the New York State Troops but can not recollect the names of the Company or Regimental officers. Capt Denton Returned from Montreal with the prisoners & he the applicant went on under General Montgomery to Quebec & was in the action when the assault was made on that place on the last day of December 1775 & was amongst those troops who went against the upper town  after the action retreated from Quebec under General Arnold & at the expiration of his enlistment was discharged at the Camp near Quebec that in this three month he also served as a Sergeant 
2d on the 17th of June 1776 he enlisted in Captain William Blains company in Colonel Isaac Nichols Regiment in General George Clintons Brigade of New York State Troops or in the New York line does not know which - enlisted for this service at Warwick Orange County New York for five months & served during the whole time as a sergeant  went to Tapan [Tappan] New York & from there to Kings Bridge where he joined the Regiment went from thence to Long Island was in the Battle on Long Island after the Battle went to New york & then to Kings Bridge from there went to frogs point & back to Kings Bridge from there was in the retreat to white plains from there to peekskill & at the expiration of the five months was discharged at Peekskill 
3d some time in the month of July in the year 1777 went in Captain Minthorns Company of
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detached Militia  Col Wisner Regiment from Warwick aforesaid to fort Montgomery for one month  served that month as Sergeant and at the expiration of that time was discharged at fort Montgomery thinks that General Clinton commanded the post
4th in Sept 1777 was called out in Capt Minthorns Company to perames [Paramus] & other places towards New York guarding the lines & was out at this time twelve days served as Sergeant & at the end of twelve days was discharged at Warwick 
5th some time in October 1777 went from Warwick aforesaid in Capt Minthorns Militia company in Colonel Hathorns Regiment from Warwick Went to New Windsor & from there up the River to Esopus as the British shiping went up & was in service this term just about a month but cannot state to a day served as a Sergeant & was discharged at Warwick on his return in this town saw continental troops who were dressed in British uniform but does not know the names of their officers also saw a spy hung at Hunly on an apple tree who swallowed the silver ball 
6th some time in June in the year 1778 went in Capt Minthorns Militia Company from Warwick aforesaid to hackensack in New Jersey for one month on guard  this was a draft of one third of the Militia at the expiration of this month Captain Minthorn agreed with Captain Blain & staid a month in his room & applicant staid a month for Thomas De Kay under Capt Minthorn 
about the expiration of this month there was an alarm & Col Hathorn came down with the Regiment & staid a short time & the applicant volunteered & staid a month making three months
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in the whole which he served as a Sergeant in this tour was on guard at & Near Hackensack & was discharged at Warwick on his return – 
7th some time in the month of June 1779 went in a Militia company on a tour of duty from Newtown Sussex County New Jersey under Capt Jacobus Edrel for one month as a private Soldier guarding the lines at & about Passaic Bridge in New Jersey & on the expiration of the month was relieved & went home – 
8th some time in August 1779 volunteered in Capt Richard Edrels Company of Militia and went to Minisink to guard against the Indians for two months  while at this place old Wyoming was cut off & applicant went out in a detachment to meet the inhabitants carry them provisions & aid them in this was a horse company & applicant served the two months as a private Soldier volunteered at New Town in New Jersey and was discharged at that place on his return – 
9th in the year 1780 was in Capt Vances Company of Militia from Warwick aforesaid in two short tours of duty on guard at Tapan [Tappan] & in that vicinity 15 or 16 days in both tours but can not recolect the time of year as a private Soldier & was discharged at Warwick in his return each time –
he does not recolect as he ever had a written discharge if he ever had them they are lost & that he has not any documentary evidence whatever –
and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service That he was born at Jamaica Queens County State of New York in the year 1755  - and is now 77 years of age -
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[blot obscures some of the text]
… [that] he knows of no record of his age 
… [that he] was living at Warwick Orange County… [State of] New York when called into service at … except in the year 1779 when he was living at New Town in the State of New Jersey 
That since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Warwick Orange County Albany, Albany County Columbus Chenango County and for the last twenty years in Sherburne Chenango County where he now lives, all the above mentioned places in the State of New York – 
he states the names of the folowing persons to whoom he is known in his present Neighbourhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity & belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution Viz Lyman S. Rexford Harry N Fargo and Elijah E Merrill all of Sherburne 
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 – 
[signed] Garret Reed
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Robt Monell Vice Chancellor 
We Benjamin Rowland a Clergyman Residing in the town of Columbus Chenango County and John Mathers residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Garret Reed who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 77 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion –
[signed] Benjn Rowland   John Mather
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid –
[signed] Robt Monell  Tice Chaneller
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And the said Court does hereby declare his opinion after the investigate 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 him that Benjamin Rowland who has signed the preceeding Certificate is a Clergiman resident in the town of Sherburne aforesaid and that John Mather who has also signed the same is a credible [illegible, person?] and that their statements are entitled to credit –
[signed] Robt Monell Vice Chancellor
I Jonathan L. Woods Clerk of the Court Chancery of the State of New York for the sixth Circuit of said State, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Garrett Reed for a pension –
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 6th day of September 1832.
[signed] Joseph D. P. Freer
Deputy Clerk 
Jonathan L. Woods Clerk &c
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Affidavits of
Saml. Ketchum &
others -
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State of New York 
Orange County } ss. In the matter of Garret Reed on application for the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 
On the 28th day of August in the year 1832 before me came Samuel Ketchum of Warwick, in said County, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with Garrett Reed during the revolutionary War, that he believe, said Garret to be of the age of seventy six years. That deponent and the said Garret were fellow soldiers in Captain William Blain’s Company and in Colonel Isaac Nichol’s Regiment and under General George Clinton, for the period of five months in the year 1776. That deponent further saith that from his knowledge of said Reed's services during the Revolution he verrily believes that said Garret performed many other terms of service Deponent saith that the said Garret Reed acted in capacity of Sergeant during the aforesaid five months service 
[signed] Samuel Ketchum
Sworn and subscribed to me on the day and year aforesaid 
[signed] Nathaniel Jones Commissr of Deeds &c. 
On the day and year first above mentioned, also personally came before me, James Burt of Warwick aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with Garret Reed from the year 1775, up to the termination of the Revo- [Revolutionary]
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[Revo]lutionary War. That deponent believes the said Garret to be seventy five years of age - That deponent cannot, from his recollection, specify, with precision the amount of time which said Garret served in the war of the revolution, but declares, as his belief, that the said Garret performed much duty in that struggle as a faithful and good soldier, and has been with said Reed often on the Lines in Arms against the Enemy.
[signed] James Burt
Sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year first above mentioned 
[signed] Nathaniel Jones Commissioner
On the day and year first above mentioned, also appeared before me, Joseph Benedict of said town of Warwick who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with Garret Reed from his youth, that he believes the said Garret to be seventy six years of age. That in July 1775, deponent saith that said Garret lived in said town of Warwick and in deponent's father's family - and that he knew said Garret to enlist in July of that year for six months, under Captain Daniel [illegible] in Colonel James Clinton's Regiment under General Montgomery - and was marched to Canada, during which time deponent believes said Reed acted as Sergant. Deponent further saith that he was knowing to said Reed’s Enlisting and serving under Captain William Blain in Colonel Nichol’s Regiment five months in the year 1776. Saith further, that he knew
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of said Reed’s frequently rendering other service as Sergeant in the Militia. that deponent was at two several times with said Reed in said service and does not hesitate to declare that the said Reed was more than one year faithfully engaged as a revolutionary soldier and in the capacity of - sergeant 
[signed] Joseph Benedict 
Sworn & subscribed to the day and year first aforesaid before me, 
[signed] Nathaniel Jones Commissr of Deeds &c.

State of New York 
County of Orange } ss  I Asa Dunning Clerk of the County of Orange and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of orange do hereby certify that Nathaniel Jones Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits (of Samuel Ketcham James Burt & Joseph Benedict) were sworn, was at the time a commissioner and duly empowered to administer Oaths –
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this thirty first day of August 1832 
[signed] Asa Dunning
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I Nathaniel Jones before whom the within affidavits were taken do hereby certify that Samuel Ketchum James Burt & Joseph Benedict who have signed & Sworn to the within affidavits are all credible persons & that their statements are entitled to full credit 
Dated Warwick in said County of Orange N.Y. this first day of June in the year 1833. 
[signed] Nathaniel Jones Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas and formerly Comissioner in and for said Orange County

Affidavits of Saml. Ketchum & others -
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Garret Reed's Declaration &c

14441.
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Sir you will perceive by the within Declaration that Mr Reed stated that he knows of no one by whoom he could prove his services & accompanied as it is with affidavits it may need some explanation 
I had written to Orange County for Mr Reed for the purpose of getting affidavits a long while before he made his declaration & not having received any answer supposed that the persons were dead or removed 
after making his declaration they were received & it was thought but to append them to this declaration with this Explanation in preference to being at the trouble & expense of making another
When you have passed uppon these papers you will please communicate to me at Columbus, Chenango, Co. N. York 

Very Respectfully yours 
[signed] Isaac Jones Jun

Hon. Sec of War -.
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14.441 
Garret Reed 
Chenango Co N York 
5.14.16. 
[illegible]
Admitted 
Sergeant 19 mo & 12 days 
Private 3 mo & 15 ds 
May 15 33

J. K. Pike, Clk.
Norwich N.Y.
[crossed out: Columbus N.Y.]
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Brief in the case of Garrett Reed of Chenango 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? 
3. How old is he? 77 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period.   |   Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days.  |  Rank.  As a  |  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Gen.  |
20th June In 1775  |  6 Months.  |  Sergt.  |  Capt Denton Col. Clinton  |
  |  3 Months.  |  Sergt  |  officers names not recollected  |
1776  |  5 Months.  |  Sergt  |  Capt Blains Col Nichols  |
July 1777 1 Month.  |  Sergt  |  Capt Minthorn Col Wisner  |    |
Sept 1777  |  12 Days.  |  Sergt  |  Capt Minthorn  |
Nov 1777  |  1 Month  |  Sergt  |  Capt Minthorn Col Hathorn  |
June 1778  |  3 Months.  |  Sergt  |  Capt Minthorn Col Hathorn  |
June 1779  |  1 Month.  |  Private  |  Capt Edrel  |
Augt 1779  |  2 Months.  |    |  Capt Edrel  |
June 1780  |  15 or 16 Days.  |    |  Capt Vance  |
[END OF TABLE]

5. In what battles was he engaged? Long island
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Orange Co. N York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not [illegible] as reqd
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned
[signed] Richard Cutts Examining Clerk.
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14.257
Rev War
INVALID. 
File No. 14.257 
Garrett Reed 
Pri & Sergt. Rev. War 
Act: June 7, 1832 
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 313 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Garrett Reed
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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 Garrett Reed Chenango N York  which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  y
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? y
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  no
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? y
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? y
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? y
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?
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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? y
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
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? 
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? y
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No.
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? y
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? y
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 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 --- For --- months and ---- days, I served as a --- and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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June 10th 1833 
Sir I herewith return the papers in the case of Garret Reed (which were returned for corrections,) with the corrections required when you have passed uppon them please communicate the result to me at Columbus Chenango County N. York the papers when returned were by mistake sent to E. B. Prindle Norwich twenty miles from this 
Respectfully yours 
[signed] Isaac Jones Jr.

J. L. Edwards Esqr
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State of N York
Chenango County } ss Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in & for the County of Chenango Garret Reed who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 one year seven months & twelve days I served as a sergeant, for three months and fifteen days I served as a private and for such service I claim a Pension
[signed] Garret Reed
Subscribed and sworn June 8th 1833 before me 
[signed] Mills Landon Justice of the Peace 
State of New York 
Chenango County ss  I Jarvis K. Pike Clerk of the said County certify that Mills Landon before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same
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One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine handwriting and signature
Witness my hand and seal of Office this 8th June AD 1833 
[signed] P. B. Rundle Dep Clerk