Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,644, Abraham Dewitt, Penn.
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SERVICE
Penn
Dewitt, Abraham
or
Dewit

NUMBER
S. 31,644
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[left-hand side of page]

Pen. Agt. Albany June 6, [illegible-date not clear]

[right-hand side of page]

New York 24.565
----------------------------
Abraham Dewitt
Steuben Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain C Mather of the regt- commanded by Col Hashley in the Penna
Line for 9mo/16 dys
24565 ctf
----------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 31 Dollars 76 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-----------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Jany 1834 and sent to
Hon: C. Howell H Reps.
---------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $79.40
Semi-anl. allowance ending 2d March 34 15.88.
$95.28 [double underlined]

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.      }
      
Recorded by W.L. Williams Clerk, 
Book E   Vol. 4   Page 96
Page 3

23388
In the matter of the application of Abraham Dewit - for a Pension - 
------------------------------
Declaration - 
Applicant served 10 months - 

I hereby certify that the within papers passed through the hands of the clerk in the service State in which they now are - Jany 3rd 42 [?]
Howell
M [?] Congress
Page 4

State of New York }
Steuben County    } Ss

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Steuben - Abraham Dewit 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 this service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grades viz - six months I served as a private in the year 1781 - for one month as a private in the year 1782 - for one month as a Captain in the year 1782 - for one month and fifteen days in the latter part of the year 1782 and the beginning of the year 1783 as a private - and for such service I claim a pension - 
[signed] Abraham Dewit x his mark

Sworn & subscribed this 17 }
day of June 1833 before me -} 
June 1833
David Kimball Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named deponent Abraham Dewit, that he is a respectable and worthy old man and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief - 
17th June 1833
[signed] David Kimball J.P.

State of New York
Stuben County Ss
I William H Bull clerk of the county of Steuben do hereby certify that David Kimball is a magistrate as above duly authorised [sic] and I am well acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his seg nature to the above is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 29. August AD 1833
[signed] Wm H Bull
[signed] David Kimball Justice of the peace
Page 5

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Bradford County Ss

[seal] Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bradford on this Eleventh day of October AD 1832 personally came William Dewitt of Ridgebury Township in the County aforesaid well known to me and of good repute for truth for truth [sic] and veracity who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that sometime in the spring of the year 1777 Abraham Dewitt (now of the Township of Jersey County of Steuben and State of New York) was at Horns fort on the west Branch of the Susquehanna River then an Indian frontier and that said Abraham and this deponent volunteered in the Company of Capt Weirich and remained in actual service in and about the aforesaid fort for more than a year, that some time in the year 1778 the Company to which they belonged and the whole garrison marched down the River to Andrews fort where they remained a short time and marched to Northumberland where the said Abraham Dewitt and this deponent both Enlisted in Capt. Morrows Company and Col. Hartley's Regiment and marched from there about thirty miles up the west branch of the river and built Fort Muncy, where they remained about six months for which term they had enlisted, and after said term had expired the said Abraham Dewitt again volunteered and served in the garrisons of various forts and in scouting parties in several different companies and continued in actual service excepting at short intervals untill [sic] the end of the war.
William his x mark Dewitt

Sworn & subscribed before 
me this 11th day of October 
AD 1832
John L. Webb
justice of the peace
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Bradford County
[seal affixed]
I James P Bull Clerk of the Court of Quarter Session of the County of Bradford in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania do hereby certify that on the 1st day January AD 1828 John G Webb was known & recognized in the courts of said county as an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Bradford and has ever since and still is known & recognized as such And I do also certify that John Mitchell was returned to this office as duly elected constable of the township of Eagleburg in said County for the Years 1828.1829 & 1830 and that said elections respectively were duly confirmed by the court and the said John Mitchell appointed constable of Ridgeberg township for the years aforesaid and served as such during said years and also that Epenetus F Webb was also returned as duly elected Supervisor of said township for the Year 1830 & that said election was duly confirmed by the court and the said Epenetus F Webb appointed supervisor of the township of Ridgeberg and served as such during said year And I do also certify that John L. Webb & Isaac Cooley now are and for the last six months have been commissioners of the county of Bradford and during that time have acted as such

Witness my hand & seal of said Court at Towanda in said county the 15th day of June AD 1832
for J.P. Bull clerk 
E. S. Goodrich
Page 7

State of new York}
Steuben County  }
Ss 
On this 16th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas of the said County of Steuben, and State of New York, now sitting Abraham Dewit, a resident of the Town of Jersey in the said County of Steuben and State of New York aged sixty 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 7th, 1832 - 

That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated - Viz -

He enlisted sometime in the month of April in the year 1781 in the regular service for the term of six months, in the company commanded by Captain Mather and Lieutenant Pettytrue, in the regiments commanded by Colonel Markley, and that he was stationed at a place called Wallis fort, thirty two miles above the Town of Northumberland on the Susquehannah [sic] river, in the State of Pennsylvania - that during the time he was stationed at fort Wallis he was out on several expeditions against the Indians, and at one time was as far as Tioga point - that he continued in the service until the expiration of the time for which he enlisted, when he was dismissed by his Captain, but did not receive a written discharge.

That soon after he was dismissed from the regular service, he went into the service as a volunteer, and served as a guard in conducting some boats on batteaux with provisions and arms for General Sullivan's Army, to Tioga point - that he was under the command of Lieutenant William Campbell and was engaged in this service about one month. 

That a short time after his return from
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Tioga-pointe, he was out on an expedition against the Indians, as far up the west branch of the Susquehannah [sic] river as the Big-Island-at this time he had the command of a company of about forty men, and that while they were at the https://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.png Big-Island, they were attacked by the Indians that they defeated the Indians and obliged them to retreat up the river-that he was in the Service at this time four or five weeks-he was chosen Captain by the company-

That he belonged to the minute-men, as they were called, and he was in the service several times after those above stated, as that part of the Country was much exposed to the incursions of the indians, and the militia were often called out alarms occasioned by the attacks of the Indians-but he is not able to state the particulars of this service, which was hazardous and extremely harassing-that he was out sometimes in this service ten or fifteen days at a time, and in the whole he was engaged six or eight weeks-

That while he was in the regular service and stationed at Fort Wallis, there was another company of regular troops at that post, which was commanded by Captain Walker, who was a Continental officer-

That he was at Wyoming at the time Colonel Butter commanded.

He was born in the county of Sussex in the State of New Jersey, in the month June, ( but he cannot state the day of the month) in the year 1764-
He has no record of his age, it was destroyed by accident a number of years ago-
That when he first went into the service he lived in the Town of Sunbury, in the County of Northumberland in the State of Pennsylvania
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branch of the Susquehannah river - and that he continued to reside at that place until eighteen or twenty years ago, when he removed to a place earlier called Shugar Creek, in the County of Bradford in the said State - that about sixteen years ago he removed from that place, to the town of Jersey in the County of Steuben in the State of New York - where he now resides.

He never received a written discharge from the service - and he knows of no person who can testify to his service - that Benjamin Hewit, William Conlogue and John Dyre, have known him a number of years in the neighborhood where he now resides, and will testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service, as a Soldier of the revolution - 
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 - 

Sworn to and subscribed }
the day & year aforesaid }
Abram  his x mark Dewit

M.J. Rumsey, Twp Clk
Steuben County

We David Kimble residing in the Town of Jersey in the said County of Steuben, and Jedediah Miller residing in the Town of Jersey in the said County - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Dewit, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a
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concur in that opinion = 
Sworn and subscribed}
the day & year aforesaid-}
[signed] David Kimball
[signed] Jedidiah Miller
[signed] M S Rumsey Dep. Clk
Steuben County

And the said Courts 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 David Kimble, who had signed the preceeding [sic] certificate, is a resident of the said Town of Jersey and that Jedediah Miller, who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Jersey in the Said County of Steuben and that they are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit-
[signed] Geo C Edward
[signed] Henry S Williams
[signed] Ezra Chapin

I Martin S. Rumsey, Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Steuben do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Dewit [sic] for a Pension -
 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this Sixteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two - 
[signed] M S Rumsey Deputy Clk
Steuben County
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Abraham Dewitt
Steuben Co N York

23.388
Esq. Kimball
Jersey -
Done

e.c.

Admitted 
Private 9 mo & 16 days

30
1.76
--------
31.76
--------
63.52
15.88
--------
79.40

Hon E. Howell
H R [written in pencil at bottom of page]
Page 12

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 shew what is necessary to be done.  Those 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, shewing the Service of Abraham Dewitt
Period when the service was rendered.
April 1781 {and} 4 or 5 weeks
Duration of the claimant's service. 
Years. __ Months.  6  {and} 1  Days. __
Rank of the claimant.  Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.  Capt Mather  Lt. Campbell
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Harkly
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. __
Country through which he marched.  Montreal & Wallis Fort in Pennsl'a  Tioga Point
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  68 years
Northumberland Co Pennsy'a
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  Traditionary (illegible) Wm Dewitt whose deposition are defective

The deponent says that he was out at other times (illegible). See William Dewitts deposition

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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[A page of regulations; breaks added for clarity of transcription.]

2 [Centered, the page #]

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, mucicians 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 } ss.
County of                                }

On this [space] day of [space] personally appeared (a) before [space] A B. a resident (b) of [space] in the county of [space] and State, Territory or District of [space] aged (c) [space] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [space], with [space] and served in the [space] (e) regiment of the [space] 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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [A stylized hand pointing to the following] 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 [space]

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 [space] of the Court of [space] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [space] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [space] day of [space] &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 [space] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [space], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [space] 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 days 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 [space] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [space] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, [space] Clerk of the Court of [space] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [space] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [space] day of [space] & 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
Page 14

[Breaks added for clarity of transcription]

3 [Centered, the page #]

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?

   {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 be
fore 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 [rest of line illegible due to crease in page] 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.

-- [Footnotes below; brackets in the original]—

 [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 mention 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 of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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. 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 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: [space] For [space] year [space] months, and [space] days, I served as a [space]; 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 a 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.
  [k] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
  [l] 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 not 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.  [Centered]

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. [Centered] 

  [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 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.

[A stylized hand pointing to the following] 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 to 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 15

Isaac Dewit
Affadavit & Power of Atty

Isaac Dewit
Pensioner Act 1832

To Sec Papers
24565

L B True
Agent n this Case
Page 16

Abraham Dewit Pensioner
Wid death
Act 1832 / 34 Pensionee $31.76 per an
died 15 June / 53 - Increase
Pa Militia
Proof of Service on file & write Pa
[illegible] a descendent of [illegible] in the State of New York who Bring Duly Sworn according to law declares that he is the son and Heir at law of Abraham Dewit Deceased who was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served Seven monthes in the forces raised in the State of Pennsylvania that a pension was drawn by Said Abraham Dewit To the amount of thirty two dollars a year up to the fourth day of March AD 1853 Since which time nothing has been received by Said Abraham Dewit on either of his heirs and that He died on the tenth day of June AD 18[illegible] and that he left no widow and that There is now living but one other child of said Abraham Dewit Except this applicant and it It is understood and Believed that There are arrearages of Pension and other Claimes due for said services Now due for the [illegible] of all this is to Finally and Irrevocably Appoint and Empower L. B. True of Washington District of Columbia As my true and lawful Attorney with Power of substitution to Investigate Substantial demand and receive the [illegible] of said claim or claims and to say and do all things Relative [ilegible] hereby qualifying Every thing said or done By said Attorney as his substitute in [illegible] Hereof also everything all powers of Attorney or other authority previously given for any such purpose. In witness whereof I have herewith set my [illegible] above mentioned.
State of New-York, ---Steuben County Clerk's Office, ss :
I, CHARLES CAMPBELL, Clerk of said County, and Clerk of the Courts of Record in and for said County, do hereby certify that Chester Whitaker Esquire, before whom the annexed instrument in writing was proved of acknowledged, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with his had writing, and verily believe that the signature to said Certificate is genuine, and that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, and of said Courts, at Bath, this 13th day of March A. D. 1854
Charles Campbell Clerk.
Page 17

State of New York 
County of Steuben SS
On this the fourth day of March A D 1851 Personaly appeared Before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace Within and for the County and State afforesaid Isaac Dewit aged Fifty Six Years a Resident of Bath in the State of New York who Being Duly Sworn according to law declares that he is the son and Heir at law of Abraham Dewit Deceased who was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served Seven months in the forces Raised in the State of Pennsylvania that a pension was drawn By Said Abraham Dewit To the amount of thirty two dollars a Year up to the the fourth day of March A D 1853 Since which time nothing has Been (illegible) By Said Abraham Dewit or Either of his heirs and that He died on the tenth day of June A D 1853 and that he left no widow and that There is now living But one other child of Said Abraham Dewit Except this applicant and It is understood and Believed that there are arranges of Pension and other Claims due for said services Now therefore the true intent of all this is to Certify and Irrevocably Appoint and Empower L. B. True of Washington District of Columbia as my true and lawful Attorney with Power of substitution to Investigate Substantiate demand and Receive the (illegible) of said claim or claims and to say and do all things Relative thereto hired, Ratifying Everything said and done by said Attorney or his substitute in virtue Hereof also Revoking all powers of Attorney or other authority previously given for any such purpose. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal the day and Year first above mentioned.
Isaac Dewit {X is his mark}
Attest (illegible)
LeRoy Gaylord
Subscribed sworn to and acknowledged Before me the day and year First above dedicated and I hereby certify that I have no interest whatever in said Claim.
Chester Witaker  Justice of the Peace
Page 18

September 30, 1937

Abraham Dewitt
S. 31644
William Dewitt
W. 729
BA-J/AWF

Mr. Frederick R. Townroe
721 North Sixth Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you
request the Revolutionary War records of Abraham Dewitt who served from Pennsylvania, and later lived in Steuben County, New York, and William Dewitt who
served from Pennsylvania, and later lived in Indiana.
The data concerning Abraham and William Dewitt furnished herein were obtained from claims for pension based upon their service in the Revolutionary War.

Abraham Dewitt - S. 31644
The data which follow relative to Abraham Dewitt were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 31644, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
Abraham Dewitt was born in June, 1764 in Sussex County, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not stated.
While a resident of Sunbury, Northumberland
County, Pennsylvania, Abraham Dewitt was stationed at "Hornes" Fort on the western branch of the Susquehanna River, under Captain Weirich, and remained in that
neighborhood for about one year. He enlisted in the month of April, 1781, served six months as private in either Captain Mather's or Morrow's company, Colonel Hartley's Pennsylvania regiment, stationed at Fort
Wallis, and was out in several expeditions against the In
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Indians, and assisted in building in Fort Muncy. He served in 1782, one month as a private under Lieutenant William Campbell. He was elected captain of a company in 1782, and served four or five weeks in scouting after the Indians, and in one skirmish. He continued to serve until the close of the war in alarms of a few days at a time out against the Indians.
Abraham Dewitt moved after the Revolution to "Shugar Creek", Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and thence to Jersey Township, Steuben County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832, then living in Jersey Township, New York, where he had lived about sixtten years.
He died June 15, 1863, leaving no widow. There are no data in the claim concerning his wife. His son, Isaac Dewitt, was fifty-six years of age in 1854, then a resident of Bath, Steuben County, New York; he referred to one other child then living, no name given. There is no further reference to children.
William Dewitt in 1832 was a resident of Ridgebury Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania; he stated that he served wtih Abraham Dewitt at "Hornes Fort under Captain Weirich, and also with him under Captain Morrow. There was no relationship shown between the Abraham and William Dewitt.

***************
William Dewitt - W. 729

The data which follow concerning William Dewitt were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W.729, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
William Dewitt was born March 18, 1763 in Fredericktown, Frederick County, Maryland. The names of
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his parents were not stated.

While residing in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, William Dewitt enlisted April 1, 1780, served nine months as a private in Captain Thomas Cluggage's company, Colonel Piper's Pennsylvania regiment, marched to a fort at the lead mines in Bedford County, where he was stationed during the whole time of his enlistment.

He continued to reside in Pennsylvania for twenty years after the Revolution, then moved to Kentucky and lived eighteen years, thence to Indiana.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 14, 1832, while a resident of Switzerland County, Indiana.
He died in Switzerland County, January 31, 1838.
William Dewitt married in the month of December, 1804, Elizabeth Conner or Connor, a widow, whose maiden name was White. The widow stated that she was married to William Dewitt in Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky, aslo, in Scott County, Kentucky. The marriage bond was dated December 5, 1804 in Campbell County, Kentucky.
The widow, Elizabeth Dewitt was allowed pension on account of the servce of herhusband, William Dewitt, on her application executed April 8, 1853, at which time she was aged seventy-five years and living in Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana. 
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to children.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Abraham Dewitt - Act '32
Albany NY
To what time last paid?
Pd at City NY to 4 Sep 1824
JH
Two different pensioners. This man was paid at Albany to 4 Sept 1835 and will be paid to March 4, 1837.
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Mechs & Farmer's Bank
Albany Pension Agency
August 14.1837.
James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissr. of Pensions, 
Sir,
In pursuance of the suggestion contained in your letter of the 6th of June last, respecting the case of Abraham DeWitt, you wrote some time since, to Henry D. Williams Esquire, one of the Judges of Stuben Co. making inquiries on the subject. Mr. Williams is the Magistrate before whom the papers no in your files were [illegible], and from his official station as such & from information, we believe him to be a respectable man & worthy of credit.
I enclose the affidavits of Isaac D. Littell & the Pensioner, lately received from Mr. Williams.
Should any further action in my part in this matter, be required, be pleased to instruct me in relation to it.
I am, Sir, very respecty Yr. Obt. Sevt.
Tho M Olcott
P[illegible]Pen Agent
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Mech's & Farmer's Bank
Albany Pension Agency
May 31. 1837.
James L. Edwards Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
Abraham DeWitt, a Pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832, claims pay in the enclosed (illegible) from 4 Sept. 1835 to 4 march 1837 - shall we pay him?
I am, Sir,
very respectfully
your ob't Serv't.
Tho. M. Olcott
 Proth Pen ag
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State of New York
Stuben County - Ss - Abraham Dewitt of Orange in said County a Pensioner. being Duly Sworn, Says that he is the Indentical person named in the original Certificate Number 24.565 and that he has had his papers made out for the purpose of drawing his pension every Six months. for the last eighteen months. and appointed one Isaac D Little of Bradford in said County his agent to draw Said pension and thus deponent has been informed by the Said Isaac D Little. that the papers were not made out right. And he has been trying to get them made out right. And at last being so often disappointed by the papers being wrong, I applied to N. S. Williams Esqr of Tyrone in Said County - in the Month of May or June last & he made out my papers. And in said papers L D Abell of Albany NY was appointed my agent. And this deponent, further says, that he has not received any thing on account of his pension since the 4th day of September 1835 And that it was then drawn by one [illegible] of Orange then Jersey in Said County - further this deponent sayeth not.
Abraham Dewitt
Dubscribed & sworn this 18th day of July 1837 before me Henry S Williams JP
(A Judge & man of credibility - see Agent's letter)
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[letterhead]
[upper left]
Frederick R. Townroe
721 North Sixth Street
Harrisburg, PA.
[upper right]
Monetary
Membership 
and Publicity
Campaigns

[stamped]
Received Sep 21 1937
Mail SUB-DIV
Bets Adm.
Reader #17

Sep 20 1937
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C>

Att A.D. Hiller
Dear Madam
Thanking your department for fast favors. I again ask your assistance.
Will you kindly send me the Revoltuionary Record of ABRAHAM DeWITT who served in Pennsylvania, from Northampton Co. and later was in Steuben Co N.Y.
I am particularly anxious to also learn his children names and their family connections.
Also I would like the record of his brother WILLIAM DEWITT who after the war lived in Tioga Co Pa and removed to the state of Indian we believed.
Very truly yours
FR Townroe
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31644
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31,644
Abraham Dewitt
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 107
(Arrangement of 1870.)
1932 - Sept 30 - [illegible]
R. Townroe [illegible]