Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44714, John Burrows, Navy (R.I.)
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Navy (R.I.)
Burrows, John
NUMBER
S. 44714
CONTENTS
[blank]
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19.425
Albany
New York
John Burrows, of Otsego County in the State of New York, who was a Seaman in the ship Warren commanded by Captain Hopkins of ["the Regiment commanded by Colonel" crossed through] the U.S. Navy ["in the line" crossed through] for the term of one year RI from April 1777 to April 1778.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 20th of April 1825.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th of Apl: 182[5?] and sent to Abijah H. Beach, Unadilla, N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of Sept: 1825 $35.73
[Line crossed through]
[Total] $35.73
{Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820.}
[on right page]
[illegible] to Pen^n 17 Oct 1837.
Order to pay 16 Nov 1837.
Letter to Pen Agt 12 May 1838.
Or to pay agt 19 Sep 1838.
To Albany from 4 March 1838.
27 Sept 1838. Notification
Sent to P.C. Cook Cohocton NY
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such that he is almost intirely unable to work at it - that he has no wife or family - that he has no home of fix^d place of residence - that he has no property or means of support other than the charity of the people - except his clothes which is now on him and two old spare shirts one handkerchief and an old jackett - all worth not exceeding ten dollars - and the coat he has on was given to him by his late Lieutenant Paige - that by reason of sickness he is thus [illegible] and has no schedule to offer to the Court - and that he now absolutely is in need of the assistance of his Country for support and further I John Burrows as aforesaid do hereby solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with the intent so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the Act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities Contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income or property or means of support other than as above stated - 
[signature] John Burrows
Sworn to & subscribed on the 21st day of Jan^y 1825
Abijah H. Beach one of the Judges as aforesaid}
I hereby certify the words (and has no schedule to offer to the Court) between the 8th & 9th lines above and also the words (or property or means of support) in the two last lines above were inserted by me before it was executed & sworn to. Abijah H. Beach Judge as aforesaid.
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State of New York}
Otsego County ss.} On this 31st day of January 1825 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record in and for said County of Otsego personally appeared John Burrows aged sixty six years and eight months, Residing now in the town of Unadilla in Otsego County - who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath aforesaid makes the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress Entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary War" that he the said John Burrows Enlisted for the term of one year on the first day of April 1777 on board the Warren Frigate Commanded by Captain John B. Hopkins on the Continental Establishment that he continued to serve in the said ship in the service of the United States untill the second day of April in the year 1778 when he was discharged from the said Service at Boston - that he went to sea from the port of Providence in Rhode Island and had an engagement with several of the Enemys ships at that time in getting out to sea - that they took the ship Neptune off Bermuda and a British Snow after that and brought her into port that he served faithfully the said term of one year when he was Discharged as aforesaid - that he is now in reduced circumstances - that by reason of old age and bodily infirmities he is unable to perform Manual Labour - that he is a tailor by occupation and his Eye sight is so poor and the shaking of his hands is
[continued]
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State of new York}
Otsego County} On the 7th day of Feb^y 1825 before me Abijah H. Beach a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Otsego being a court of Record - personally came James Cayles a person to me known as a creditable person - who being by me first duly sworn doth Depose & say that he is acquainted with John Burrows and has been personally acquainted with him about sixteen years - has lived a near Neighbor to him at different times - that the said Burrows had property some six or eight years ago that he became involved in debt by reason of signing notes with & for his Sons & Son in Law - that by reason of said debts and by sickness of his Wife and Family he said Burrows is now and has been for three or four years past intirely Divested of property or any means of support whatever - that he is considered in Society as an Honest Industrious and sober Man - remarkably temperate - that by reason of old age and dimness of Eyes he the said Burrows can do little work but is chiefly supported by his Acquaintances - and further said Deponent saith not - 
[signature] James Cayles
Sworn to & Subscribed on the 7th Feb^y 1825 before me Abijah H Beach a Judge as aforesaid}
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State of New York}
Otsego County} ss. On the 7th day of Feby 1825 before me Abijah H Beach one of the Judges of the Court of Com^n Pleas in and for the said County of Otsego being a Court of Record - personally appeared Hendrick Speckerman personally to me known as a credible Witness and a Man of truth & veracity who being by me first duly sworn doth depose & say that he is personally well acquainted with John Burrows who now applys for a pension - and that he has been acquainted with said Burrows the last seventeen years now past - that he said Burrows is now in very reduced circumstances having no property Family or home - that he lost his Wife about four years ago after a long sickness - that by means of the expenses of unforseen sickness and by the means of the infirmities of old age he said Burrows has become intirely unable to support himself - having no property or means of support, but the trifling charity of his acquaintance occasionally - Deponent further saith that said Burrows is a Man of steady habbits sober industrious and honest - altho poor by misfortune and since his acquaintance with him - the Deponent saith he has never heard any person say to the contrary and further this Deponent saith not - 
[signature] Hendrick Speckerman
Sworn to & Subscribed the 7th Feby 1825 before me Abijah H Beach a Judge as aforesaid }
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[vertically in left margin] John Burrows
I Abijah H Beach one of the Judges in & for the Cointy of Otsego - as aforesaid do Certify that I am personally well acquainted with Hendrick Spickerman and James Cuyles and do believe them to be credible persons and Competent Witnesses as within named
I do further Certify that I am fully satisfied that the aforesaid John Burrows has not any property or means of support and cannot work any Schedule other than as above put forth and that he needs the assistance of his Country for Support - 
[signature] Abijah H. Beach a Judge as aforesaid
Otsego County}
Clerk's Office } ss. I William Nichols Clerk of the County of Otsego & Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Do hereby Certify that Abijah H. Beach Esquire whose Signature appends to the foregoing Certificate and before whom the foregoing Depositions were taken was on the day of the dates thereof and now is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County duly commissioned and Sworn Given under my hand and the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 18 day of march 1823.
[signature] William Nichols Clk
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport.
I hereby certify that William Wilbour, whose signature, in his own proper hand writing, is affixed to the annexed attestations: was at the time thereof and now is, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport in the State aforesaid duly commissioned under the Seal of said State, and otherwise qualified as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this Fourteenth day of February in the year of our LORD, One thousand Eight hundred Twenty five & Forty ninth of American Independence.
[signature] Henry E. Cranston
[seal with ribbons affixed to left]
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I, the subscriber Lieutenant of the Warren Frigate John B. Hopkins Commander Resident of Providence in the State of Rhode Island Do Certify that I had [illegible] for the above Frigate in December 24th 1777 took Charge on that Day. We sailed from the Port of Providence February 14th 1778. Found onboard among the [word crossed through] Seamen One John Burrows ordinary Seaman Who had Entered on the Ships Books April 1st 1777 - for one year, and was Discharged in Boston by myself Order of Cap^t J.B. Hopkins, April 2nd 1778 after the Cruise and faithful service of his engagement, Was of course engaged with the Ships at Rhode Island in geting to Sea.
[signature] Benjamin Page
Portsmouth Rhode Island
December 20th 1824 - 
Newport ss. in the County of Newport Dec 20 1824
Personally appeared before me the above named Benjamin Page & was duly engaged to the above representation or Statement according to Law.
[signature] Wm Wilbour Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
Newport February 14 1825
I hereby Certify that the above named Benjamin Page is according to the best of my judgement a disinterested & credible Witness.
[signature] Wm. Wilbour J. C. Pleas
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Giles Chester of the town of Groton in New London county of lawful age testifies and says that in the year 1777 he was in Fort Griswold in Groton that as soon as  his time of service expired in that Fort he went to Providence in Rhode Island having previously heard that acquaintance of his by the name of John Burrows then of Groton but now of the State of New York was aboard the Warren Frigate John B. Hopkins Esq commander, that on arriving in Providence which was in the fall of the year 1777 [illegible] onboard said Warren Frigate where he found said John Burrows whom he well knew & who had then been onboard said Frigate as a Seaman for five or six months as the Deponent then understood - that said Burrows sailed in said Frigate with the Deponent who also shipped onboard then out from Providence on a cruize of twelve months, but that said frigate being blocked in by the British did not sail untill much of the term of service of the crew had expired - this Deponent further maketh oath that he continued
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onboard said Frigate nine months or anon in Company with the said Burrows & that at the time the Deponent left said Frigate the said Burrows still continued onboard thereof as a Seaman but at what time the said Burrows was discharged from said Frigate the Deponent knows not - 
[signature] Giles Chester
New London County ss County of New London
December 23 1824
Personally appeared Giles Chester Signer of the foregoing Deposition and made solemn Oath that the same contained the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth according to his best knowledge & Belief
Before  Eben^r Learned Justice of Peace
New London County ss.
I do hereby certify that Ebenezer Learned of New London Esq^r, in whose proper hand writing is the above certificate and the signature thereto, was on the 23rd day of December AD 1824 a Justice of the Peace in said New London County, duly qualified and acting under the authority of the State of Connecticut
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the County Court of said New London County at Norwich in s^d County, this 10th day of Feb^y AD 1825
[signature] Charles Lathrop Clerk
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[from]
Cohocton NY
September 9th
Sept 7
JW Evans
[addressed to]
James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
free
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State of New York
Steuben County}ss.
September 7th 1838
I Paul C Cook a Judge of the County Courts of the said County do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Daniel Reed who made the within affidavit and that the said Daniel Reed is a Man of truth and veracity
Given under my hand at Cohocton on the day and year above written
Paul C. Cook a Judge of the County Courts of Steuben County
State of New York}
Steuben County} 
Clerk's Office} ss.
I, Peter Swart Deputy Clerk of said County of Steuben Do hereby Certify that Paul C. Cook Esquire whose name is above written is a Judge of the County Courts for said County Commissioned and Sworn and duly authorised to act as such. That his Commission is dated on the 14th of April 1834 and will expire in five years from the date thereof, That I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature to the above Certificates to be in his own Proper hand writing
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County at Bath this 8th day of September 1838
Peter Swart Deputy Clerk of Steuben County
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Cohocton Steuben County New York
September 8th 1838
Sir
Annexed I hand you the application of John Burrows a Seaman of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States formerly a resident of the City of New York for a transfer of his name to the Albany Agency that he may there receive his pension in future. payment has been refused him at Albany because his name was not found on the books of that Agency. The payment of his pension has also been denied him in the City of New York because he resided in the Western part of the State of New York consequently his pension papers have been forwarded to Washington and returned before he could obtain his pension which has caused delay & trouble he [illegible] now desirous his pension should be payable in the City of Albany the same as his neighboring Pensioners. His pension papers have been made out for the payment due him on the 4th Instant & forwarded to Albany
Respectfully Yours
Paul C. Cook
J L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
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Invalid
44714
Navy
File No. 44714
John Burrows
Seaman
Ship Warren U.S.N.
Rev War
Act March 18 1818 & May 1, 1820
Index: Vol. [blank], Page [blank]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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John Burrows N York City 18 March 1818
To what time last paid
Pension Office}
16 Nov 183[7?]}
[illegible] 4 Sep 1834
3rd [illegible] not in
JH
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Mechanics Bank
New York 13th Nov^r 1837
Sir
I enclose for your examination the papers in the case John Burrows, a Revolutionary pensioner, at $8 per month, who claims his pension from the 4th of September 1836. Mr. Burrows at present resides in Steuben County, but, Mr. Anderson, the attorney, informs me that he intends returning to this city immediately.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
[signature] Jacob Lorillard [illegible]
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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Mechanics Bank
New York 21st Sept^r 1838
Sir
John Burrows, a pensioner under the Act of 18th March 1818, at $8 per month, mentioned in your Letter of the 19th Inst., has been paid at this Agency, to the 4th March 1838, on the 18th of June last.
I am Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J Lorillard Prest & Pen. Agt.
by Sylvester Spencer
Chf Clk
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
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19593
John Burrows
Otsego County New York
Suspended see letter 28 March 1825 to Abijah H Beach Esqr
[address written vertically]
War Department
Pension Office
Washington City
Free
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Unadilla Otsego County
21st March 1825
Enclos^d are the papers of John Burrows applying for a pension on account of Revolutionary services - 
Ambrose Bennett wished me to refer you to his case - his papers were transmitted last May or June claiming a pension by reason of wounds rec^d in the Late War - his evidence & c. were compleated and sent on to your Office last fall I think in Oct^r - nothing has been heard from his case yet - he wishes to know - 
Yours Respectfully
Abijah H Beach
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Oct 16
M Evans
[address]
J L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District Columbia
Cohocton NY}
October 9th}
free
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Cohocton Steuben County N York
October 9th 1837.
Sir
I am the identical person named in an original Certificate in my possession of which the following is a copy
War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the laws of the United States of the 18th of March 1818 1st of May 1820 and 1st of March 1823 John Burrows late a Seaman in the navy of the Revolution is inscribed on the Pension list Roll of the New York Agency at the rate of Eight dollars per month to commence on the twentieth day of April One thousand eight hundred and twenty five
Given at the War office of the United States this twenty sixth day of April One thousand eight hundred and twenty five
Signed James Barbour
Secretary of War
Examined and Counter Signed 
J L Edwards
I have heretofore resided in the City of New York and untill November 1836 and have since resided in this place I had my pension Power made out for the payment due me the 4th of March last and inserted the Agent for paying pensions in the City of Albany the payment of my pension was refused on the ground that my name was not found in that Pension Office my Agent was informed that it was necessary to have my name transfered from New York where I had previously drawn my pension to the Albany Agency. I have been unable to obtain my pension for the last year
[continued]
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and understanding the transfer of my name to the Albany Agency must be made through you I now ask the favor of having the same done if consistant and as soon as may be convenient
Respectfully Yours
[signature] John Burrows
Witness
Paul C Cook
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State of New York
Otsego County } John Burrows of Unadilla in the County of Otsego personally appeared before me Abijah H Beach a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Otsego aforesaid being a Court of Record & having power of fines & imprisonment and on being duly sworn doth Depose and say that all the property he had in his possession or that he had any claim to or owned in any way on the 18th day of March 1818 - was one Cow worth then 15 dollars one old Mare worth 15 dollars - an old sleigh four dollars - some articles of Common House furniture then worth about forty five dollars - The whole then worth about 79 or 80 dollars - That about six years ago he sold the said old mare for fifteen dollars some part of which 15 dollars was applied to the Doctor for attending on his sick Wife and the residue he received in grain & other necessaries for his Family. The said sleigh being old & broken he sold for four dollars soon after the Death of his Wife 4 years ago last November which was applyed to pay funeral expenses - that the said cow he let his son John have for his work and other necessary means of support estimated at 15 dollars a year ago last July - that his House furniture as aforesaid - has been disposed off at different times since the Death of his Wife to discharge claims by reason of sickness and for his Necessary and common support - that he has now no property or means of support as he stated before that he is by reason of Bodily Infirmity Unable to support himself - and that the reason why he has not applied for [words crossed through] a pension before his late application in March last is because he has not had the means or ability to go to the eastern States to procure the necessary proof of his Services nor
[continued]
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has he now a shilling in money and has not had for some time past - and is so infirm that he is not abel to procure sufficient to support himself - that he has no Family or home as he stated before - and further said Deponant saith Not - 
[signature] John Burrows
Sworn to & subscribed the 20th day of April 1825 before me Abijah H Beach a Judge of Otsego Com^n Pleas }
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Otsego County ss. Nijah Griffith of said County Being duly sworn Deposeth and saith that he is and hath been personally acquainted with John Burrows for twenty years last past and that the Landed property of the said Burrows was sold by Sherriff sail in the year 1816 or 1817 and that the said Burrows hath not owned any Landed property for to this the Deponents knowledge and he verily believes that he hath Not nor any movebel property to any considerable amount further this Deponent saith that the said John Burrows is an old infirm feble man and in his opinion hath not the power Nor Abillity to suport him self further this Deponent saith not
[illegible] 15 April 1825
[signature] Nijah Griffith
the above sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th April 1825
I certify the above Deponent to be known by me a man of credibility
[signature] Daniel Dunbar Justus of the Peace
State of New York
Otsego County Clerks Office } ss. I do certify that Daniel Dunbar whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavits was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace for said County, that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe the Signature to the annexed affidavits to be his proper hand writing
Given under my hand & the Seal of the Court of Common pleas of said County this sixteenth day of April 1825
William Nichols Clerk [Rq F K Corg?] Dep Clk
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Otsego County ss John Burrows of said County being duly sworn doth say that the Before that he hath not claimed or petitioned for his Bounty or Pention was that his wife was sick of the Liver Compaint for sum years and after her Death he was him self so out of health that he was not able to go the Distance of several hundred miles to git such proof as the law required
[signature] John Burrows
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th of April 1825
Daniel Dunbar Justice of the Peace
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Otsego County ss David Claxton of the said County Being Duly sworn Doth Depose and say that he is and hath been parsonely Acquainted with John Burrows for thirteen years last past and hath not known the said Burrows owning any Landed property for eight years last past nor do i believe that he hath oned any in that term of time further this Deponent saith that the said John Burrows is an old in farm feble man and that he verily Beleavs that he the said Burrows hath not the Power nor the abillety to surport him self furhter this Deponent saith not - 
[signature] David Claxton
the above taken ^sworn^ and subscribed before me this 15th April 1825
I certify that I am personally acquainted with this deponent and know him to be a man of Credibility
Daniel Dunbar Justice of the Peace
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The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
Name Burrows, John   Grade Private  Line New Jersey
Warrant Number 8107 Acreage 100 Issued March 11, 1791 to - not shown - 
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent date. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the national Archives.