Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16118, John Foster, Mass. Vt.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Mass.
Vt.

Foster, John

NUMBER
S.16118

CONTENTS 
Carded
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[verso]

18.445
Vermont
John Foster Windsor Co in the State of Vermont who was a private & Sgt in the Company commanded by Captain Crawford of the reg't commanded by Col. --- in the --- line for 
2 mo pri } Mass and Vt
3  "  Sgt }
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Aug't 1833 and sent to G. E. Wales, Barnard
______
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. $50.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  12.50
$62.50
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 3. Page 14

[recto]

Let. Hon. H Everett Oct 8 1834
Date of death not [illegible]
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John Foster - 
No. 5467

Omit
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STATE OF VERMONT,
WINDSOR COUNTY, SS. } On this ninth day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District now sitting, John Foster a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged Seventy five 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in the month of August or first of September 1777 I went to New Braintree to an uncle of mine named Jacob Pepper who had a son by the name of Isaac Pepper about my age who had or was about to enlist in a company in a company of Militia then to be raised to go to Still Water for three months - I agreed with him to enlist in the same company with him - the company was made up of three Towns viz Hardwick, New Braintree & Oakham Massachusetts - Capt John Crawford of Oakham and Lieut Job Dexter of Hardwick - I went to Hardwick they were then enlisting or drafting men - there came a man to me and asked me if I was going to enlist I told him I tho't I should he asked me what he should give me to go for him I told him.
He immediately engaged me - agreed to give me a small bounty I think for his son - took me to the Officer and had my name entered on the roll - I think his name was Portemis - I then agreed with the officers to meet them at Greenwich I then lived with my father in Weare in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts and I was to carry six days provision. The Town was to carry our packs to Bennington
On the morning of the third my Brother went with me to the place appointed, there we met the company and marched to Amherst there we crossed the river into Deerfield - I think we did not leave Deerfield untill the next morning - The Capt then said he should not call the roll again till he got to Bennington - we then each man got to Bennington as we could - I think we all got there the day appointed - we draw provisions and in about five or six marched to Manchester stayed about as long till our Regiment all got on then we marched to White  Creek now called Salem, we stayed one night there. went to Cambridge and stayed there one night, then marched for Stillwater crossed the river on a floating bridge up west of the River and there drew tents stayed there three days after the battle with Burgoyne. then marched to Saratoga there remained untill after he surrendered - then  marched to Albany there pitched our tents on a plain west of the city about eight days - then marched to a place called Plains and there stayed untill our times were out - Our Col. name I think was Cushing - our Major was Rand our Brig. General
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was Jon Warner - Immediately after the Indians came to Barnard in 1780 the Town had a meeting and agreed to petition the Governor for a company of men to be stationed at Barnard as it was a frontier Town - and have said company put under command of Capt Benj'a Cox who was then the Capt of Militia in Barnard - the Town agreed and went on and helped build a fort - Cox soon received a commission from Gov. Chittenden which was dated the 21st of August 1780 to raise a company of Rangers under Maj Allen - Capt Cox sent for me to go to the Fort and I agreed to come there and be commissary - This I give up to Amos Bicknell at his request - I then joined Capt Cox Company as Sargent and the campaign was for three months - we were discharged in November; I think we went there about the 20th of April 1780 - 
When the indians come to Barnard I was out two days - Directly after this went out on an alarm from Indians over the Green Mountains and was then gone five days making seven days & counting - I was born Sept 3d 1757
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.
/s/John Foster
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, } /s/L A Marsh, Register

We, Preston Taylor a Clergyman residing in Barnard and Lem'l Richmond residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Foster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 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. 
/s/Preston Taylor
/s/Lem'l Richmond
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, } /s/L A Marsh, Register

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 Preston Taylor who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Barnard and that Lem'l Richmond who has also signed the same, is a resident in Barnard and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I Lyndon A. Marsh Register of the Court of Probate of the District of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Foster for a Pension. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this ninth day of August A. D. 1832. 
/s/L A Marsh, Register
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O. W. and N. Division.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., [blank], 189[blank]

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of John Foster, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|
Sept 77|3 mo|Sub|(John Crawford|Cushing(?))|Mass|
[end of columns]
Also served 3 months as Sergt under Capt Cox at the fort in Barnard Vt.
Battles engaged in, none
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Weare Mass
Date of application for pension, Aug 9, 1832
Residence at date of application, Windsor Co. Vt
Age at date of application, 75
Remarks: [blank]
Very respectfully, 
[blank]
Commisssioner.

7941 b-3 m
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[typewritten letter]

February 13, 1937
[initials: own]

John Foster
S. 16118
John Tucker
S. 42559
BA-J/AWF

Mr. William W. Neifert
Mount Rainier, Box 121
Maryland

Dear Sir: 

In compliance with your request for the Revolutionary War records of John Foster of Massachusetts and Vermont, and John Tucker of Connecticut and Vermont, you are furnished their records as found in pension claims based upon service in that war.

John Foster - S. 16118
The data relative to John Foster furnished herein were obtained from papers in pension claim, S. 16118, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 
John Foster was born September 3, 1757 in Ware, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Names of his parents were not stated.
While [overwritten: res. in said Ware until his [illegible] John] Foster went to [illegible] to[illegible] his wife,  Pepper, and while there, enlisted with his cousin, Isaac Pepper, sometime in August or September, 1777, served three months as private in Captain John Crawford's company, Colonel Cushing's Massachusetts regiment, and was at the surrender of Burgoyne. He enlisted sometime in April, 1780 and served three months as sergeant
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[typewritten letter]

2-

in Captain Benjamin Cox's company of Vermont Rangers, was in frequent scouting parties against the Indians, and for a time was stationed at the Fort in Barnard, Vermont.
The soldier, John Foster, was allowed pension on his application executed, August 9, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Windsor County, Vermont. 
The papers in this claim contain no reference to wife or children of the soldier. Reference was made to his brother living during the Revolution, but his name was not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following - 
John Foster
Certificate #17445
Issued August 21, 1833
Rate $25.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Vermont Agency.
**********
John Tucker - S.42550
The data which follow were obtained from papers in pension claim, S. 42550, based upon the service of John Tucker in the Revolutionary War. 
The date and place of birth of John Tucker were not shown, nor were the names of his parents stated. 
John Tucker enlisted in the State of Connecticut,
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[typewritten letter]

3-

April 1, 1782 and served nine months as private in Captains Hodge's and Sanford's companies in Colonel Sherman's Connecticut regiment. 
The soldier, John Tucker, was allowed pension on his application executed, September 26, 1828, at which time he was aged sixty-six years, and living in Sandgate, Bennington County, Vermont. he then referred to his family - five sons and two daughters, all of age. 
John Tucker had moved in 1830 to Hartwick, Otsego County, New York to live with his son, Elias Tucker. The name of the wife of John Tucker was not stated, nor were the names of other children given. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following - 
John Tucker
Certificate #19986
Issued October 31, 1828
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced September 26, 1828
Acts of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820
New York Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[typewritten letter]

April 8, 1937.

xxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/ady
John Foster
S.16118

Mr. William W. Neifert
Box 131
Mount Rainier, Maryland

Dear Sir:
You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies of three pages of originals on file in the claim for pension, S.16118, of John Foster, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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BA-J/ady 
Rev.& 1812
No. 368.

April 2, 1937.
War & Navy 970

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
xxxxxxxxxx

Rev. War claim for pension of John Foster, File No. S.16118.

NOT TO BE CERTIFIED.

75¢ - 3 pages [margin note: soldiers appl. for pen, Aug 9, 1832 = 2p append'g Prince Haskell - Aug. 9 1832]
xxxx
Kindly leaver margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in folder with corresponding name and number. The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied. 
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
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[typewritten letter]

April 2, 1937.

Administrator of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:
Please furnish photostatic copies of three pages from Rev. War pension claim, S.16118, uncertified, of John Foster. 
Very truly yours

Remitter: 
Mail to: Wm. W. Neifert.
Box 131.
Mt Rainier Maryland
Received payment
75¢
April 2, 1937.
/s/Ada DeYoung
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section.
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Wm. W. Neifert
Box 131
Mount Rainier Md

Personal request for Rev. War pension claims of - 
John Foster - S. 16118
&
John Tucker - S. 42550
February 5 - 1937
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[verso]

P 16118
INVALID.
File No. 16.118
John Foster
Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 441
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]

1893 Nov 15 Hist W. P. Baxter Box 238 Chicago
1937-Feb 12 - hist to William W. Neifert Esqr
1937 Apr. 8. Photos mailed to William W. Neifert. & Acct Div. atfd. A.D.Y.
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Prince Haskell
Depo. for John Foster

Omit
Page 16

I Prince Haskell of Barnard County of Windsor & State of Vt. of Lawfull age testify that I was acquainted with John foster in the year - 1777 then of the state of Massachusetts in the county of Hampshire & Town of Ware that He served in Capt'n ['Humboldt's Company in Col' crossed out] Crafford's Company & Col. Cushings Regiment of the Massachusetts line for the Term of three months & that I Was in the same company with him & that I Have lived in s'd Barnard & Been Well Aquainted with the s'd Foster More than 40 years & Believe Him to Be a man of Truth & Verassaty
/s/Prince Haskell

State of Vermont
Windsor County ss} At Barnard in said County on the 9' day of August 1832 Personally appeared Prince Haskell signer of the above Deposition and and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me /s/Calvin Greene Justice Peace
I also certify that said Prince Haskell is a credible witness /s/Calvin Greene Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Windsor County ss} Woodstock County Clerk's Office August 14th 1832 I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Calvin Greene is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County and that the ['where' crossed out] within is his signature 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court & subscribed my name the day & year above
/s/Beryl Swan

Omit
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No. 5467
Jno. Foster
Vermont

Admitted
3 mos private 10 - 
3  "  Serg't 15 - 
$25.00

G. E. Wales Esqr
Barnard Vt
Page 19

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jno Foster which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? does
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? did
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? [blank] 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Has
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 amount of pension he is entitled? Has
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Has
VII. Has he made the relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the other under the Act of June 7, 1832? Has
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Have
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Has
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? Was & distinguishable
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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? Has
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank] 
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? [blank]
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? 
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Has Not
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? does
XVI. ↕Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Are 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Are

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______; 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 the 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. 

+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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM - 51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Foster, John GRADE Private LAND Lamb's Artillery (New York)

WARRANT NUMBER 7141 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 16, 1790 to William J. Vreedenburgh, assignee as J. 

*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 dates. 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.