Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12118., Nathan Baker, Conn.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE  NUMBER
Conn  Baker, Nathan  S. 12118
Carded
CONTENTS
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14976
New York
Nathan Baker
of Riga in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the Comp commanded
by Captain Lacy of the Reg commanded
by Col. Swift, in the Connt
line for 91½

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
at the rate of 25 Dollars 32 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of July
1832 and [illegible] L. Adams Riga

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 33 $56.64
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 14.16
$70.80
Revolutionary Claim,
June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Geo C. Stiles Clerk
Book E Vol.3 Page 26
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To the Honble
Secretary of War of the United States
The Petition of Nathan Baker of the Town of Riga
in the County of Monroe and State of New York humbly
shows that your Petitioner was a private Soldier in
the Revolutionary War in the service of the United States
according to the declaration underwritten: Wherefore he
prays for a pension agreeable to the provisions of an
act of Congress passed the seventh day of June 1832

State of New York
County of Monroe S.
On the twenty seventh of September in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally
appeared before me Joseph Sibley one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the
County of Monroe aforesaid Nathan Baker an Elder
of the Baptist denomination resident in the Town of
Riga in the County aforesaid; aged seventy two years
the fourteenth day of April last 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. he 
enlisted under Captain Thaddeus Lewis of the Town of Woodbury
being in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut
in the Regiment commanded by Herman Swift of
Cornwall in the same County and Starr - of
New Milford in same County was Lieut Colonel
he enlisted for six months from the first day of
June to the first day of December in the year 1776
he was mustered at the Town of Litchfield by Lynde
Lord Esq. - and Marched through Berkshire County
Massachussets and State of Vermont to White Hall
or Hunborough in the state of Vermont there we halted two or three weeks
we then went down the Lake by water and halted
at Mount Independence opposite Ticonderoga
he was there when the British army came up the
Lake and landed at three mile [illegible] and our flotilla
on the Lake was cut off and taken - we continued
there until some of the last days of November we then
Page 4

with the Regiment came by water to the head of Lake George
and then marched by land to Saratoga in the State of New York
and our Regiment was discharged: and every one got home
his best way.-- He arrived at Woodbury aforesaid the fore part of
December-

He further says that in the year 1778 Phineas Baker of said Woodbury
was drafted for Eight months and was a private in a company
commanded by Lieut Smith in Colonel Meggs Regiment
known by the name of the Leather Capps - He this deponent
became the substitute of said Phineas Baker and joined the
Company and Register [illegible] in September at Quaker Hill near the west line
of Connecticut in the State of New York. He attended meeting
one Sabbath when General Washington was present -
He continued there a few weeks and was then detached
on a fatigue party to work on the roads. commanded
by Major Gravenner - He belonged to Capt. Hills company
we worked on the road through Newfairfield New Milford
Woodbury Waterbury to Farmington all in the State of
Connecticut to repair the road-- after serving six weeks
or two months he was relieved by the said Phineas Baker
he returned home late in the fall according to his best recollection

He further says that in year 1779 he was called out as one of the
Militia under Capt. David Leavensworth and March
from Woodbury in Connecticut to Hudson River the object
was to prevent the British fleet from going up said
river and prevent their landing. He was at Fishkill
and Poughkeepsie he served about one
month but does not recollect the officers name that commended
this Regiment.-

He further says that in the year 1780. He was drafted as one of the
Militia in said Woodbury and belonged to Captain
David Leavensworth Company as a guard not attached
to any Regiment we marched to Horse Neck in said State of
Connecticut, and did duty as a guard to watch the
movements of the Enemy - He was on guard when four of
his company were taken by the British - Our company
pursued the British on the road towards New York until
midnight. We then retired back to our post. He was
in the service one month at this time was discharged
at that post in the month of June.

He further says that in the year 1781. He enlisted under Captain
Gidoen Leavensworth for nine month in the service
commanded by Col. Wadsworth - He had the charge of a four oxen
and one horse - went from Woodbury to Newtown and
carried a load of Grain to the French Army at White Plains
in the State of New York. He continued in this service with the
French Army carrying baggage crossed the Hudson River
at Kings Ferry went through the state of New Jersey to Philadelphia where
they halted a few days-- from that to the head of [illegible]
from that to Baltimore and from that to Annapolis
in the State of Maryland - at this place that part of
the times that were not fit for service was dismissed - he
and his team returned back to Woodbury aforesaid
He was in this service about four months. The object
of the enlistment being accomplished. - He began about the
first of July and ended the last October
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He has no documentary evidence, knows of no person whose
testimony he can procure who testify to his service-
He was born in Woodbury aforesaid in the year 1760.
this age was recorded in the Town Records of said Woodbury
and likewise in his Bible
He lived in said Woodbury when called into the above service
He moved after the war to Sandgate in the County of
Bennington & State of Vermont in the month of February
1785. - lived the five years - lived one year in Salem
Washington County lived four years in the Town of
Saratoga in Saratoga County - lived one year in
Manlius in Onondaga County - lived thirty two years
in the Town of Pomfrey in the said last County and four
years in said Town of Riga all in the State of New York
He has never received a written discharge
He relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
except the present. His name is not on the
pension roll.-- He says that Isaac Lacy, Samuel Lacy of Chile, Richard
H. Benedict and Asa Brace Saml H Wheley of Charles Cerotte of Riga
in said county County of Monroe can testify as to his character and their belief of his
service as a soldier of the Revolution 
Nathan Baker [signature]
sworn to and subscribed the day  and year aforesaid

I,  the said Joseph Sibley Judge as aforesaid Certify that the
above named Nathan Baker the applicant cannot from
bodily infirmity attend the Court he having had
shock - and that he signed his name by taking hold of the top
of the pen while another hand guided it
Joseph Sibley
Judge of the County Court
of said County

We Richard H. Benedict a clergyman and Samuel H.
Wheeler - both residing in the Town of Riga in the County
of Monroe and State of New York hereby certify that we
the well acquainted with Nathan Baker who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to
be seventy two 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
Richard H. Benedict
Samuel H Wheeler

I Joseph Sibley Justice as aforesaid declare as my opinion after
the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories 
prescribed by the war department that the above and
applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
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and I further certify that it appears to me that Richard H
Bennett who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman 
and is a resident in said Town of Riga
and that Samuel H. Wheeler who has signed the preceding
certificate is a resident of the same Town and is a
credible person and that their statement isentitled to credit
Joseph Sibley
Judge of the County Court
of said County of Monroe 

I, Leonard Adams, Clerk of the Court of Common
pleas for the County of Monroe do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of
Nather Baker for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office the third day of October
Eighteen hundred and thirty two
L. Adams Clerk

Personally appeared before me the undersigned
a justice of the Peace for the county of Monroe
in the State of New York Nathan Baker
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 not less than
five months and Fifteen days I served as a private 
soldier under Capt Thaddeus Lewis for one
month and fifteen days served as a private soldier
under Lieut. Smith and Capt Hill for one
month as a private soldiers and of capt
David Leavenworth, for one month as a private soldier under Captain David
Leavenworth  worth a second time. For three months and fifteen days as a private soldier 
or teamster under Captain Gideon Leavenworth and for which service I claim a
pension,

Nathan Baker [signature]
Subscribed and Sworn to the 11th day of May
1833 before me
Daniel Kelsey Justice of
the Peace of Monroe Co. N.Y.

I Leonard Adams Clerk of the 
common pleas for the County of Monroe
that Daniel Helsey Esquire before whom
affidavit was sworn, was at the time 
Justice of the peace in and for said Co.
I am acquainted with his hand writing
and are positive that his name subscribed to said as
Acknowledgment is genuine Witness my seal of office
on this seventeenth day of May 1842
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13.428
Nathan Baker
5 P.360
29 Apr 33
Admitted
Private 8 ½ mo $28.32

Team Service rejected
L. Adams
Riga N. York
Page 8

Brief in the case of Nathan Baker
Town of Riga in the State of N York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? it is so certified
3. How old is he? 72 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. ------    Duration of Service.  --- Rank  -- Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
June 1 in 1776 ---6 months--------As A Private  ---Capt Lacy Col. Herman Swift Connect
1778. 1/20 ---6 weeks, or two months  Substitute  Lt Smith Col Meigs
1779 1.-------- about 1 month ------- Private -----Capt Leavenworth
1780 1 -------- 1 month ---------------Private -----Capt Leavenworth
1781  ----------about 4 months -----Teamster ----Capt Leavenworth Col. Wadsworth

5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? County of Litchfield Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence alone
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the are duly
authenticated
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
Wm Gordon Examining Clerk
Page 9

In reply to your request of _____, received  ______ 
for a statement of the military history of Nathan Baker only one 
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
S.1612
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
June 1, 1776
Sept 1777
1779
May 1780
July 1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
5 mo 20 days
1 mo 15 days
1 mo
1 mo
3 mo 15 days

RANK.
Private 
Teamster [last service]

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Thaddeus Lacy
Lt, Smith
Capt. Hill
David Leavenworth
Gideon Leavenworth

COLONEL.
Herman Swift
Meigs
Maj Grosvenor
Wadsworth

STATE.
Conn

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Woodbury Litchfield Co. Connt
Date of application for pension, Sept 27, 1832
Residence at date of application, Riga Monroe Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, b. april 14, 1760 at Woodbury
Remarks: His claim was allowed He was an Elder of the
Baptist denomination There is no family data on file

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6 -- 2856
Page 10

[left side]

1915 July 26. Hist. to Mrs.
R. A. Clarke &c
1923 Sept 24, Frank G. Lewis
nifd. of cost of copies AW
1923 Oct. 2. Copies mailed
to Frank G. Lewis, see
receipt for payment
in S44322, Nathan
Baker, Mass. Troops AW

[right side]
12. 118
REV War INVALID.
File No. 12118
Nathan Baker
Priv. Rev. War
-
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 2
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Nathan Baker which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
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? No
Applicant required to explicitly state each tour of service in definite language
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?yes
VII. Has the Court given their opinion the Judge has
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
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? yes
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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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ 
year _____ months, and ----- days, I served as a _____ For _____ months 
and ______ days , I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 13

3
it is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served.
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. 
It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 14

Az1 Rev Sec
Adams, N.Y.
July 20. 15

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Is there any record in the
Pension Office of the
service of Nathan
Baker who served
in the Rev. War
from the State of
Connecticut
Very truly yours
Mrs. R. A. Clark
Page 15

(MF42) Date Sept. 29.23
Nathan Baker No. 12118
Rev.
Photographic copies wanted  of 1
pieces, consisting of 4 pages
Remarks:
Exr. A.E. Wilson REV WAR SECTION Chief _____ Div.
Law Clerk
Serial No. _____
-
Page 16

[letterhead]
ORGAN NIZED MAY B. 1853  INCORPORATED DECEMBER 1, 1862

THE AMERICAN BAPTIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HEADQUARTERS: 1701 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA
LIBRARY: CROZER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CHESTER, PA.
OFFICERS 
PROF. SPENSER B. MEESER, PRESIDENT
REV. HARRY W. BARRAS, SECRETARY
REV. DANIEL G. STEVENS, TREASURER
REV. FRANK G. LEWIS LIBRARIAN
The Secretary of each Baptist State Convention is
Vice - President ex officio for his State
GENERAL VICE-PRESIDENTS
REV, LEMUEL C. BARNES
REV. DAVID F. ESTES
PRES, JOSEPH W. MAUCK
PROF. ALBERT H. NEWMAN
[end letterhead]

Chester, Pa., Sept. 20, 1923 
U. S. Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

You probably have papers connected with a pension claim made
by Nathan Baker a Baptist minister who was born in New England, lived about
thirty years in Pompey, Onondaga County, N. Y., then seems to have removed
to Monroe County, N. Y., where he is reported to have applied for a pension
about 1832. [handwritten]of Woodbury Conn & Riga NY

You may also similar papers concerning a Nathan Baker who is
said to have lived, perhaps enlisted from, West Stockbridge, Mass., and
may have remained there, but more probably removed to New York, perhaps
into Onondaga County. [handwritten] of Cheshire Mass & Watertown NY

For use in a genealogical quest I need one photostat copy of
any such papers as the above and shall be much obliged if you will let
me know the amount to remit.

With appreciation of your courtesy,

Very truly yours,
Frank S. Lewis
Librarian

[Handwritten left column, by first paragraph] 
S12118
4 pages
[Handwritten left column by second paragraph]
S44322
1 pages]
[Handwritten left column by lower margin]
These are the only ones on file

[stamp]
US PENSION OFFICE
SEP 22 1923
Page 17

Rev. War Section.
Sept. 24, 1923.
Frank G. Lewis,
Librarian: Crozer Theological Seminary,
Chester, Pa.

Sir:

I have to advise you that if you desire photostat
copies of the original papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claims of the only two soldiers of that war
named Nathan Baker found on the records of this Bureau.
the same will be furnished you under the provisions of
the Act of August 24, 1912, at the rate of fifteen cents
a page, with twenty-five cents extra in each case for
certification, if that is desired.

In the claim S. 12118 of Nathan Baker of Woodbury,
Conn. and Riga, N. Y. the number of pages to be copied
is four.

In the claim, S. 44322 of Nathan Baker of Cheshire,
Mass and Watertown, N. Y. the number of pages to be
copied is one

The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau
by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary
of the Interior.

Respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.