Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13652, for Ephraim Kidder, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE 
New York
Kidder, Ephraim
NUMBER
S. 13652
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

20.152
New York
20, 152
===================
Ephraim Kidder of Yates Co. in the State of N York who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Salisbury the Regt. commanded
by Col ________ in the N York line for 1 Year
=====================
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Aug 1833 and Sent to M. Pay
Rector
====================
Arrears to the 4th of M ' [illegible] $80
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 
'0[illegible] 20
=============
$100 

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Geo C Stiles, Clerk
Book E[?] Vol 3 Page [illegible]
Page 3

14.453
Ephraim Kidder
Yates Co York


4.5.14.16.
P396
Admitted
Private 12 months

May 1h 33
Martin Gay
Benton, Yates Co NY
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Ephraim Kidder 
of Yates Co in the State of N York,
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

[All questions #1-8 are typed on a form, and all answers are handwritten:]

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?  [not answered]

3.  How old is he?  78 Years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

[The following are column headings written horizontally across the page with vertical lines to form columns :]

Period.
Duration of Service. [under this heading is written:] Years, Months, Days.
Rank. [under this heading is written:] As a
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. [under this heading is written:] Gen.

[handwritten under the above column headings Is the following:]

[written under heading "Period."] 
Janry - In 1776  

[written under "Duration of Service."]
1 [written under "Months,"]

[written under "Rank. As a"]
Private

[written under "Gen. under Names of General and Field Officers ..."]
Capt Salisbury

1 Sept 1776 [written under "Period."]
3 -  [written under "Months,"] under "Duration of Service."]

" [written under "Rank. to indicate copy of the word above which is "Private"]

[written under "Gen. under Names of General and Field Officers ..."]
Capt Spencer

1 Augt- 1777 - - [written under "Period."]

3 [written under "Months," under "Duration of Service."]

 " [written under "Rank. to indicate copy of the word above which is "Private"] written under "Rank. As a"]

Capt. McKinster [written under "Gen. under Names of General and Field Officers ..."]

Fall - 1780 [written under "Period."]

1 [written under "Months,"] under "Duration of Service."]

Capt. Hogeboome [written under "Gen. under Names of General and Field Officers ..."]

The dep in at claims for - 4 months service at different times as a Militia Man


5.  In what battles was he engaged? None

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Albany Co N.York

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  By a living witness

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? Papers not attachd 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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Case of 
Ephraim Kidder [name underlined]
Page 6

State of New York
County of Yates SS
On this twenty Eighth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of
of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting: Ephraim Kidder, a resident of Benton in the County of Yates and State of New York, aged seventy 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; In the winter of 1779 he belonged to Captain Salsbury's Company of Minute Men-and in the
month of January of that year to the best of his recollection he was called out under the said Capt. Salsbury on an expedition, against the tories, at a place called Johnstown, on the Mohawk River in the State of New York where it was understood they were assembled- in considerable numbers, under Sir William Johnson - that the said Capt. Salsbury with
his company of Minute Men (the said Ephram Kidder being one of said company as aforesaid) marched from Spencertown in the County of Albany (now Columbia) & State aforesaid
to Greenbush, crossed over to Albany, then to Schenectady and from thence to Johnstown, a considerable distance up the Mohawk River - The tories capitulated, and delivered their arms, and Sir William Johnson gave hostages as the said Ephraim understood for their future good behaviour--
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After this affair he returned home to Spencertown having served in that expedition one month-
And the said Ephraim Ridder further declares that about the first of September 1776 he was drafted and sent to Fort Montgomery on the
West side of the Hudson River under Captain Spencer where he served three months- thinks it was some time in December when he returned home, that during his stay at Fort Montgomery he worked at the Batteries and kept guard - the British shipping lay in the River below them - that it was expected they would come up and attack the Fort - that he assisted in putting a chain across the
River to prevent the British shipping from passing up-- General Washington came to Fort
Montgomery once during his stay there, and gave orders about placing the Canon so as  most to annoy the enemy in case he attempted to come up-- that he was sent down the River
once to watch the motions of the Shipping-

After his time was out he was discharged and returned home-
And the said Ephraim Kidder further
declares that about the first of August 1777- he was drafted to go against the Northern British army under General Burgoyne - that the company to which he belonged rendezvoused at Greenbush on the East side of the Hudson River under Captain McKinster and Lieutenant Samuel Utley - that he marched from Greenbush to Stillwater where they encamped - that he kept guard and done duty at Stillwater  was there during the first action with Burgoyne
on the 19 September - that after the second battle on the 7th of October he followed the British army to Saratoga, where he was put on guard - Lay on his arms for several
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successive days and nights, on the ground.
The nights were cold and frosty, and he the said Ephraim got sick from this exposure so that he was unable to march with the army 
The British army surrendered to the Americans under General Gates.  Saw them march out and lay down their arms.  After the surrender he was put on board of a Boat and was taken to Halfmoon - from there to Albany- where he lay a number of days and was discharged- that he returned home ["about" crossed out] in November, and was out in the Campaign not less than three months.  It was called the Three months service, ["Three months service" underlined] and he staid his time out and was discharged.
And the said Ephraim Kidder further declares that in the Fall of 1780 he was called out on an expedition, up the Mohawk River against the Indians & Tories under the celebrated Indian chief Brant, and one Col. Butler, who it was understood committing great depredations along the valey of the Mohawk.
They rendezvoused at Greenbush & from there to Schenectady & so on up the River, and fell in with enemy at a place called Canajoharrie, where they had a pretty smart skirmish, in which his Lieutenant, DeLong was wounded in the breast - Several others were killed and wounded in this skirmish - The tories and Indians were defeated and fled, and the Americans pushed them about three days but not overtaking returned to Fort Herkemer and from there the militia returned home.  In this expedition he was out one month and was commanded by Capt. Hogebome [Hogeboom] and Lieutenant Francis DeLong
And the said Ephraim Kidder further declares that he was called out a great number
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of other times during the Revolutionary War on short tours of duty, against the Indians and Tories beside those before mentioned, at Still Water, Livingston Manor, and other places under Capt. Allen and other officers whose names are not now recollected.  That the precise length of time he was out in these expeditions, or the particular times at which they occurred, he cannot now tell, but that they could not in all have been less than four months.
And the said Ephraim Kidder further declares that he has no documentary evidence whereon to rely - that he never had any written discharge  as he recollects, but when he had served his tours of duty was verbally discharged by the Captain or other commanding officer - That 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.
And the said Ephraim Kidder further declares that he was born in the town of Nine Partners in the County of Duchess and State of New York in the year 1754.  Has a record of his age in his Bible - -
that he was living during the Revolutionary War in the town of Spencertown, in the County of Albany and State of New York, (now Hillsdale Columbia County N.Y.) - that about the year 1799 he removed to the town of Jerusalem Ontario County N.Y. (now Benton Yates Co) where he still resides that he was called into the service by being drafted or otherwise called out in cases of alarm or sudden emergency by the whole company being ["called" crossed out] warned out en mass.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. -  
[signed] Ephraim Kidder
[signed] T.J. Nevins dep. Clerk
Page 10

We John Goff a clergyman residing in the town of Benton, Yates County N. York and Elijah Spencer, late a member of Congress, residing in the same place hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Kidder who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be - seventy eight 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 day and year aforesaid 
[signed] T.J. Nevins
Dep. Clerk
[signed] John Goff
[Signed] Elijah Spencer

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 War Soldier and served as he states - And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Goff who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Benton, County of Yates & State of New York, and that Elijah - Spencer late a member of Congress who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit -

I George Shearman clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Yates, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of
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the application of Ephraim Kidder for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of - -office this 28th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
[signed] George Shearman
Clerk
[signed] Thomas J. Nevins
Dep. Clerk

[There is a faint circular seal, but it is illegible.]

State of New York}
Yates County} ss
Truman Spencer of Benton in the County of Yates and State of New York, being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, that he was well acquainted with Ephraim Kidder during the Revolutionary War, and from that period till the present time - that the said Ephraim Kidder resided in the Revolutionary War at Spencertown in the County of Albany & State aforesaid, and that this deponent resided there also - that it is now Hillsdale Columbia County - that in the winter of 1776 the said Ephraim Kidder belonged to Capt Salsbury's Company of minute men and was called out on an expedition against the tories to Johnstown, up the Mohawk River, under the said Captain.  That this deponent knew of his going and returning, and that it was so understood in the neighborhood at the time that the said Ephraim had been on an expedition against the
Page 12

tories up the Mohawk River, and this deponent verily believes that to have been the case & that he must have been absent on that expedition at least one month -
And this deponent, further saith, that in the Fall of 1776 Ephraim Kidder was drafted and sent to Fort Montgomery on the Hudson River under Capt Spencer - that the Said Ephraim was gone as this deponent should suppose three months.  That this deponent was not with him but, knew for what service he was drafted, that he went away as was then said and believed in the neighborhood to Fort lMontgomery and after being absent untill late in the Fall or Winter the said Ephraim returned, having served as this deponent then believed, and still believes his time out, which this deponent should think was three months or more -
And this deponent further saith that in the summer of 1777 Ephraim Kidder was drafted to go against the Northern British Army under General Burgoyne - That he did so go, and as this deponent understood was at the taking of Burgoyne - that after the surrender of Burgoynes Army the said Ephraim returned home - should suppose he was gone three months- that he knew Capt McKinster and Lieutenant Samuel Utley well, and that the said Ephraim went under those officers
And this deponent further saith that in the Fall of 1780 according to the best of this deponents recollection, the said Ephraim Kidder was called out on an expedition against the tories and Indians, at a place on the Mohawk River called Canejoharrie where it was understood they had assembled in considerable numbers under the famous
Page 13

Brant and one Col Butler.  That he went under Capt Hogebome and Lieutenant Francis DeLong.  and as this deponent understood had an engagement with the enemy at Canejoharry - that the said Ephraim was gone some time, and from the distance he must have marched, the nature of the country through which he had to pass and the enemy he had to contend with, it could not have been less than a month -
And this deponent further saith that the country at and near where the said Ephraim and this deponent lived during the Revolutionary War was frequently alarmed by the depredations of the Indians and Tories and that he recollects that the said Ephraim was frequently called out, on these short and sudden expeditions.  How long he has no means of ascertaining exactly - but so far as he does recollect, and from being well acquainted with the [illegible] of the times in the town where they resided he is fully of the opinion that the said Ephraim must have served at least four months beside those before enumerated, or one year in the whole -
And further this deponent saith not
[signed] Truman Spencer

Subscribed & sworn
August 9 1832 before me}
[signed] Saml Gage
Justice of the Peace
Page 14

Recapitulation [underlined]

1 month at Johnstown
3  at Ft. Mongomery
3 - Saratoga
1 - Canajoharry
4 - On Frontiers
____
12 ms [months]

State of New York}
County of Yates ss}  I George Shearman clerk of the said County of Yates do hereby certify that Samuel G Gage Esq before whom the foregoing proceedings purports to have been had was on the day of the date thereof an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county and duly empowered by law to administer oaths.  And I further certify that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature to the foregoing proceeding to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said county at Penn Yan this 24th day of September 1832
[signed] George Shearman Clerk

[There is a faint circular seal on left side of page, but it is illegible.]
Page 15

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Yates in the State of New York, Ephraim Kidder, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and 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 grading - For 1 month I served as a soldier at Johnstown in the N. York Militia - For 3 months as a soldier at Ft Montgomery in the . York Militia - For 3 months I served as a soldier at Saratoga in the N York Militia - For 1 month I served as a soldier at Canajoharry in the N. York Militia and For 4 months on the Frontiers, as a soldier in the N. York Militia - and for such service I claim a pension -
[signed] Ephraim Kidder

Subscribed & sworn}
May 21. 1833 before me}
[signed] Saml. G Gage J.P.

I hereby certify that Truman Spencer the witness who testified to the services of Ephraim Kidder above named is a person of credibility and his testimony is entitled to full credit & belief
[signed] Saml. G Gage
Justice of the Peace

Benton Yates Co, N.Y.}
May 21. 1833 -}

State of New York}
County of Yates ss:}  I George Shearman clerk of said county of Yates and of the court of Common Pleas thereof Do hereby certify that the foregoing attending to the clerks ^seal^ contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter - of the application of Ephraim Kidder for a Pension.  And I further certify that Samuel G. Gage Esquire before whom the above Affidavit of Ephraim Kidder purports to have been sworn, and also whose name is subscribed
[There is a seal affixed to the bottom left of page]

[The following is written sideways on center, left side of page:]
In the matter of Ephraim Kidder
Pensioner
14438
Page 16

to the above certificate of credibility was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county sworn and duly authorized by law to act as such.  And that I am well acquainted with his the said Justices hand writing and verily do believe his signatures to the said Affidavit, and certificate subscribed to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof at Penn Yan this 21st day of May 1833.
[signed] George Shearman Clerk
Page 17

[Image is a page folded vertically down the middle.]

[On left side of page:]
1910 May 31. Hist to Geo. W. Carpenter c

[On right side of page:]

Rev War [handwritten sideways]

13.652
INVALID.

File No. 13,652
Ephraim Kidder
Pri. Rev. War
___________

Act: June 7th 1832

Index:-Vol. 1, Page 208

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

[Image is a page folded horizontally along center of page.]

[On top of page written sideways on left side:]

Kidder 

L. G. T.

[On bottom of page:]

[There is a circular stamp at top:]

RECORD [at top of circle]
DIVISION [at bottom of circle]
[In center of circle:]
MAY 
20
1910

[Circular stamp at bottom:]
PENSION [at top of circle]
OFFICE. [at bottom of circle]
U. [on left side of circle]
S. [on right side of circle]
[In center of circle:]
E 
MAY 19
1910
Page 19

33 Clinton Avenue.
Albany, N.Y. May 17, 1910

Inv. File 13,652. [in a different handwriting]
MAY 20 1910 [stamped upside down]

Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir -
Ephraim Kidder served in Revolutionary War as private in New York Militia.  The commencement of his pension was March 4, 1831, and he was placed on the rolls August 8. 1833, aged 79 years - Yates County, New York.  Any data concerning himself or his family
Page 20

that may be found in his application, I shall be glad to have.  With thanks for the courtesy, I am
Respectfully yours,
[signed] George W. Carpenter Jr. [or possibly Sr.]