Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12562, Richard Cornell, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York
Cornell, Richard
NUMBER
S. 12562
carded
Page 2

37 [illegible number]
[illegible numbers]
8992
New York
Richard Cornell
of Cayuga Co in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Hobber of the [illegible] commanded 
by Col. Thomas in the N.Y. area
[illegible] for 15 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of May
1833 and sent to
A Gould Auburn
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $100.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 25.00
[Two lines indicating total]
$125.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book [illegible] Vol. 4 Page 49
Page 3

Richard Cornell
13.784
Page 4

State of New York
Cayuga County ss on this 18th day of September 1832
personally appeared in open court before the Court of
Common Pleas in and for said County. William Oakley
of Fleming in said County & being duly sworn says that
he is aged about sixty four years, that he is well
acquainted with Richard Cornell of Auburn in
said County and was well acquainted with him
during the Revolutionary war, that they both resided
about four miles distant from each other during
said term. he this deponent in the town of White Plains
and the said Cornell in the town of Searsdale in
the County of Westchester in the State of New York. 
that said place was between the American and
the British lines. that during said term he un=
=derstood that said Cornell was frequently engaged
in the service as a soldier in the militia. that
he saw him at one time in said service, armed
and equipped, that from his situation it was not
possible for the said Cornell to remain at home,
and be considered a friend to his country.
That during said war he was acquainted with
& knew Captain.. Hobbie, & Col Thomas Thomas
to be officers in the militia in the County of Westchester. 
that the said Cornell has al=
=ways sustained a fair character as a moral 
man and a man of truth and veracity.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Asahel Fitch judge
William Oakley
And the said Court certify their opinion that 
the said William Oakley is a man of truth and
veracity-
Asahel Fitch judge
Page 5

State of New York
Cayuga County ⎬ I Benjamin Oakley of Skaneateles
in the County of Onondaga in said State do certify
that I am sixty two years of age that I am
well acquainted with Richard Cornell of Auburn
in Cayuga County and was well acquainted with
him in the time of the Revolutionary war - 
that I am brother of William Oakley who has
subscribed and sworn the preceeding affidavit
that I have examined the said affidavit
and fully concur in the Statement therein made
worn
& subscribed in open Court the
day &year aforesaid
---
Asahel Fitch Judge
Benj Oakley
And the said Court certifies that said Benjamin Oakley is a man of truth & veracity-
Asahel Fitch Judge
Page 6

State of New-York
Cayuga COUNTY, ss. On this 18th day of September AD 1832
personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga and state of New-York, now setting, Richard Cornell
a resident of Autum
in the County of Cayuga
and State of New-York, aged Seventy two 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 under the following
named officers, and served as herein stated. That in the month of September A.D.
1780, he left the town of Scarsdale in the County of Westchester
in the State of New York where he then resided and joined
a company of Militia at Bedford in said County under the
command of Captain-- Hobbie in Col. Thomas
Regiment, that he continued to serve in said company
part of the time under Colonel. Thomas & part of the time
under Col. Jamison as a guide to the continental troops
under said Jemison for a term of three months, that said
service was all in the County of Westchester on and near the lines between the American and British armies, that in the
month of April AD 1781 he again entered the service of the
United States in the company of militia commanded by
Captain --- Hobbie
in Colonel-- Thomas, Regiment that
he continued to serve in said company part of
the time under Colonel--- Thomas & part of the time
as a guide to the continental troops under the command
of Captain Fog who he he thinks belonged to the Rhode
island line for a term of four months.  That in the month of September in the same
year 1781 he again entered the service in the company of
Militia commanded by Capt Hobbie in the Regiment commanded by Col Thomas that he continued to serve in said
company under
Col Thomas for a time of three months, and also frequently during
said term served as a guide for different detachments of the
continental & other troops. that all of said service
in was in the
County of Westchester aforesaid,.that in the month of May AD
1782 he again entered said service in the company of militia
commanded by Capt Hobbie in the same Regiment as
above stated and continued in said service part of the
time as a guide for a term of two months, that during the
month of September October & November of the same
year 1782 he was again in said service in the militia
Page 7

under the Command of Capt Hobbie in Col Thomas Regiment and continued to serve for a term of three months, that all of his said services were in and about the said County of Westchester, that the reason of his being so frequently called to act as a guide was that he was well acquainted with the ( geography crossed out) different roads and passes throughout the said County of Westchester that during said time of service he saw (& knew crossed out) the following named officers to wit Col Burr, Gen Piersons, Col Jamison, Capt Fog.
That he has no proof of said services & is unable as he believes to procure any - except the accompanying.

He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state or territory.
                         Richard Cornell

Sworn
Asahel Fitch
Page 8

We, Gardner Baker a Clergyman residing in Auburn in Cayuga County and John Seymour residing in the same town do herby certify, that we are well acquainted with Richard Cornell who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration that we believe him to be 72 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.
  Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid . 
  Gardner Baker 
Asahel Fitch judge
John Seymour


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 Gardner Baker who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Auburn and John Seymour who has also signed the same, is a resident in Auburn and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Asahel Fitch judge

I Michael S. Myers Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga and State of New York, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of Richard Cornell for a pension.
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court the 18th day of September AD 1832.

M. S. Myers
Page 9

13784

Ricd Cornell


admitted

15 mo Private



A Gould esq.
Auburn, NY
Page 10

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 Richard Cornell

Period when the
rendered.
"joined militia" 1780
again entered
the service 
1781
again in
Sept (entered) 1781
again in May (entered) 1782
Sep. Oct. Nov.  1782 ┃

Duration of
claimant's service.
years
months
3
4
3
2
3
 days

Rank of
the
claimant.
private
ao
ao
ao
ao
Names and Rank 
of the Company
officers under
whom he served.

Cap Hobbie
Cap Fogx

Names and Rank
of the General and Field officers.
 Col Thomas
Col. Jemison

Battles in which
the applicant was engaged
None

Country through
which he marched.
Westchester

Place of abode
when he entered
the service, and age at the present
period
Westchester
New York
aged 72

Evidence by
which the declaration
is supported

Traditionary
in part & in part positive by same 
witness
---
Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 11

2
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, musicians 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 /
County of / ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of
and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 
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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and 
served in the
(e) regiment of the 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. 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
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  of the Court of
hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of 
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of  & 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 
and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 
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.
(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
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& 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 12

  3

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 before 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 may have died before
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.

[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
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  --- monts, and--- days, I served as a --; 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
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 place. 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.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] 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 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.

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 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.

[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 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.
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 13

in reply to your request of [illegible]
received [illegible]
for a statement of the military history of Richard Cornell
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
S. 12,562.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Sept. 1780
Apr. 1781
Sept. 1784
May, 1782
Sept 1782

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
3 mos
4 "
3 "
2 "
4 "
.
RANK.
Pri
"
"
"
"

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Major Hobby
Major Hobby
Major Hobby
" "
" "
COLONEL.
Thomas Thomas
Thomas Thomas
Thomas Thomas
" "
" "

STATE
N.Y.

Battles engaged in,  V
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scarsdale Westchester Co., N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 8, 1832
Residence at date of application, Auburn, Cayuga Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, 72 yrs.
Remarks: The claim was allowed
There is no data relative to family
Page 14

[seal] Obedience to law is liberty
H.M. Pulsifer
President.

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COMPANY
ROCKWOOD SPRINKLER COMPANY.
CHICAGO.
MANUFACTURERS, ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS
Automatic Fire Extinguishing
Systems.
GENERAL OFFICES
206 LA SALLE ST., CORN EXCHANGE BANK BLDG
WORKS - CHICAGO & WORCESTER, MASS
206 LaSalle St.
CHICAGO.

Oct. 24, 1911.
SUBJECT
In REPLY REFER TO
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: -
Encl.
[handwritten] appld for pens Sept. 18, 1832,
Auburn, N.Y. 72 yrs -
I enclose with this letter a [handwritten]returned memorandum covering
the Revolutionary War service of Richard Cornell and would
ask if your department will supply me with a certified
copy of your record proving the service as indicated, or
of the granting of a pension.
Trusting that this is possible and that you will
advise me the necessary fee for the above, I remain
Yours very truly,
C L Pulsifer
CLP-A
Encl.
[stamp] US pension office Oct 26 1911
Page 15

All Modern improvements and Conveniences with Pleasant Surroundings
First Class Livery Attached
Open all the Year
All Rooms Steam Heated
Baths, Etc.
Located One Block from Depot
In Center of Village
Free 'bus to and from all Trains ┃
Phone Call 34
B. H. & R. Tel. Call 351

GRIFFIN HOUSE
W. W. & H. V. GRIFFIN.
Proprietors.
Riverhead, N. Y., 191
Post Office Box 91
Brooklyn, N.Y. Sept.10
Sept. 10, 1911
Mr. J.L. Davenport
Commissioner of Pensions,
Wash. D.C.:
Dear Sir:
S. 12,562
Richard Cornell (Cornwell: or Cornwall )
died 12 Dec. 1840 in Auburn, N.Y. aged 80y. 10m 8 days: and
was a revolutionary soldier & I suppose a pensioner.
I desire to get his record of service & anything that is
stated about his family as he had 2 wives & 2 sets of children.
John, sent Sept 5 - only Portlock pensioner -

In the Revolutionary army from Virginia, North Carolina or Maryland, it is claimed there were
Willis Portlock: Matthew Portlock: Lemuel
Portlock: Annis Portlock, a woman: descendants claim that all 4 were pensioners. I would like to
get their record & any items about their families.
an early reply will be greatly appreciated.
Page 16

Yours truly,
Wm. A. Eardeley

[stamp] Record Division Sep 11 1911

[stamp] U.S. pension office
D Sep 11 1911
ach. Sept. 12.1911
Page 17

1911. Sept. 16.
Hist. to Wm. A. Eardley, Fr.
1911Nov. 2. Mr. C. L. Pulsifer
12562
INVALID
File No. -- 12,562

Richard Cornell
Priv. Rev. War
---
Act: June 5th 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]