Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 863., John Bishop, N.H.
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(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
N.H.|Bishop, John|R.863.|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS
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John Bishop
19926
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State of New York
County of Columbia
On this 22 day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable Medad Butler a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Columbia, John Bishop a resident of the town of Canaan County of Columbia and State of New York, aged ninety 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 
that he enlisted in the Army of the United States for one year at the I
town of Haverhill and State of New Hampshire Nov. 2, 1775 was mustered and organized some time the last of the same month at the town of Orford about 8 or 10 miles from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, and served under the following named officers
viz. Capt. Samuel Young, Lieut Benjamin Whitcomb,  Orderly Sargeant John Young. Colo. Timothy Bedell. Major Butterfield after drawing his snow shoes and three days provision, marched with the Regiment by marked trees in three days, to Onion River; There on the ice marched to St. Johns, thence marched to
Chamblis Fort, Thence on ice down to Savel, thence to three Rivers.  thence to Point Chambeau and from thence to Quebec in Lower Canada about 15 miles from Point Chambeau; he arrived as he believes two or three days after the battle at that place and death of General Montgomery; General Arnold his command at the place, the American Army, from this place he with the army march 
to the River Sorel, hire General Thomas who then commanded
died of the small Pox, thence marched to Fort Chambly, thence
to St John, thence to the Isle aux Noix, thence to the Isle aux Mot
and to Mount Independence, at this place his term of enlistment
expired and he was discharged but immediately enlisted again for three
years, which was on or near the first of Nov. 1776 as he belong
under the following named officers viz. Capt. Jason Wait, Lieut Williams,
Ensign Perkins, Colo. Joseph Selly,  Liut Colo. George Reed
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Major Gilbert, Brigadier General Poor, was there Billeted out during the winter at Charlestown No. 4 in New Hampshire, in the month of April 1777 he joined the American army again at Ticonderoga then commanded by General St. Clair, Thence retreated by orders into Vermont as he thinks and believes and was engaged in the battle of the 7 July. Thence marched to Fort Miller, thence to Fort Plain, Thence was ordered to back to Stillwater remained there untill the first fight, so called, on the 19 September, was in that Battle, Thence to Saratoga was in the Last Battle before the Capitulation of the British army under Burgoyne to the American under General Gates, Thence to Kings ferry and he with the American army went into Winter quarters at Valley Forge, and in this place as in others, he suffered with hunger and cold, In the month of June 1778 marched to Monmouth and was in the Battle at that place and received a slight wound in his left leg, Thence went to White Plains. Thence to Hartford in Connecticut after prisoners for the purpose as was said of exchanging, returned with them to the Hudson's River. Thence marched to Danbury where with the army went into winter quarters, in the Spring of 1779 he went to West Point, remained there till the month of June about the 19 and then left the army with the knowledge of his officers, having told them he would, because they had returned him during the war; when he had enlisted but for three years, he went into the tower of New Malbury Massachusetts, was not pursued, nor advertised as he verily believes, Thence went into the town of Granby Connecticut, and lived with one Lemuel Kilborn a while, Thence went to Moretown in Conn. and lived with one Joseph More, thence to Southwalk in Massachusetts, where he was married 5 of Oct. 1780. and after about 4 years from leaving the army, and a residence of between 3 and 4 years in Southwalk, he came to live in Kings district Albany County, A Colony of New York, at this place he has resided for nearly 49 years.
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state
/s/John Bishop
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Before me /s/Medad Butler
And the said Judge doth hereby declare his opinion that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, And further that the said Applicant is from bodily infirmity, unable to attend the Court
/s/Medad Butler a Judge
State of New York
Columbia County} I, Joseph D. Morell clerk of the said Court do certify that Medad Butler Esq. before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with hand writing of the said Judge and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper hand writing and Signature - 
[court seal affixed] Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 28th day of November 1832
/s/J. D. Morell
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No 19926
John Bishop N.Y. 
863
m notes of Col Cilley
I - Rejected
Enl'd Nov 16 1776
departed 28th May 
J G. Ford, Red Rock Canaan
['John Castle Cayuga' crossed out]
Columbia County
Red Rock P. Officer NY
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 
[blank] 183[blank] 
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 show 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 John Bishop Columbia County NY
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered|Duration of the claimant's service.(Years.|Months.|Days.)|Rank of the claimant.|Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.|Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers|Battles in which the applicant was engaged.|Country through which he marched.|Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.|Evidence by which the declaration is supported.|]
Enlisted Nov 2. 1775.|(1|[blank]|[blank])|Private|Capts Young|Cols Bedell|None|N.H. St Johns Canada|Age 92. Haverhill N.H.|Traditionary|
Nov 1776.|(Left the army|June 19|1779)|[blank]|Wait|Sally|Stiller at Saratoga Monmouth|NH Vt. Pa NJ. Can NY|[blank]|[blank]|
[end of columns]
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 et 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 entered 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 [blank] 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] 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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a RevoIutionary 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank]&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
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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 the 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 most 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 loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au 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 ____ . For ____ months 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 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 declaration is 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 or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no 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 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 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 [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.
[margin note: /s/Dyer Castor Exam Clerk]
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State of New York
Columbia County ss.  On this 27 day of August 1833 before me personally appeared Joseph G. Fort a Resident of the town of Canaan County and State aforesaid of Lawful age, who first being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that he (this Deponent) wrote or drew the preceding declaration of John Bishop last of town of Canaan, deceased, that the said John Bishop died on the 1 day of June 1833 before the the preceding declaration was returned or received from the war department for amendment, thus rendering it wholly impossible to mend the declaration in the usual way by the declarant's own oath - This deponent further saith that the decarant told this  Deponent at the time of making out the declaration, that he the declarant did receive a discharge at the termination of the first enlistment for one year, but had lost it; and that he received no discharge in the subsequent enlistment for three years as stated in the preceding declaration, and that it was the omission and fault of this deponent's not so noticing it, and that he had no documentary evidence to prove his services and that he knew of no one by whom he could prove his services - and further this deponent has been engaged by those concerned to procure direct testimony to prove his servicers, & having made due diligence, has not been able to procure any other testimony than that which is hereto attached, and further this Deponent saith that the said John Bishop
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has left a widow by the name of Lydia now a resident of the said Town of Canaan who is in indigent circumstances, and further this Deponent saith not
/s/J. G. Ford
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Before me /s/H. D. Ford Justice
I certify that Joseph G. Ford is a person to me well known and is a man of truth and veracity
/s/H. D. Ford Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Columbia County} I, Joseph D Morrell Clerk of said County do Certify that Joseph G. Ford before whom the affidavits of William Lee and David Ford & Amos Starks purport to have been sworn, and by whom the succeeding Certificates of Credibility was subscribed was at the dates of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the said County and duly authorised to take said Affidavits. Also that the said Hiram D. Ford before whom the Affidavit of Joseph G. Ford purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that I am acquainted with their hand writing and verily believe their names subscribed to the said Affidavits and certificates to be their own proper hand writing and signature. 
[court seal affixed] Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 28 day of August 1833. 
/s/J. D. Morrell Clk
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John Bishop
Act 1832. N. York
Rej'd
A. Hillabrand
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State of New York
County of Columbia ss}
Be it known, that on this 10th day of December A.D. 1852 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared 1 Thomas Bishop resident of 2 Chatham 4. Corners in said County, and made oath according to law that 3 He is the identical son of John Bishop who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 4 [blank] that 5 he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim. 
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, to prosecute the claim of 6 John Bishop for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to received for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D.C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the  premises. 
7 /s/Thomas Bishop
Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said 8 Thomas Bishop to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged. 
9/s/J Sutherland Jr Justice of the Peace
State of New York
County of Columbia ss} 
It is hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Superior Court of the State of New York that 9 Thomas Bishop the party who was sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the 10 Son of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that 11 James Sutherland Jr Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine. 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this Thirteenth day of December 1852
12 /s/John R. Currie Clerk
1. Claimant's name or names in full. 2. Post Office address.
3 "That he is the identical man, " or "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c.
4. Leave this line blank. - 5. "He is," "she is," or "they are." - 6. Revolutionary soldiers' full name. - 7. Claimant's signature. - 8. Claimant's name. - 9. Magistrate's signature.
10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of." = 11. Magistrate's name. - 12. Clerk's signature. 
N.B. - Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.
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In reply to your request of [illegible], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of John Bishop 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. [margin note: own] R. File 863 - 
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICW WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|]
Nov. 2 1775|1 year|[blank]|(Samuel Young|Timothy Bedel (Bedell)|N.H.|
Mar 1776|to June 19, 1779|[blank]|(Jason Wait|Joseph Cilley)|[blank]|
[end of columns]
Battles engaged in, Hubbardton, two battles Stillwater & More, where wd, left leg.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓ Enl. at Haverhill N.H.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 22, 1832.
Residence at date of application, 92 yrs.
Remarks: Sol. was at Southwalk Mass. Oct. 5, 1780 - He died June 1, 1833 leaving his widow Lydia Bishop a res. of Canaan aforesaid. His son Thomas was alive in 1852. This claim was never allowed for the reason that soldier died without furnishing proof of service as required by the Act June 7 , 1832 under which he applied.
Very respectfully, 
[blank] Commissioner.
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[verso]
1912 Jan. 10. History to Mrs. Ella M. Wooster E
1913 Feby 11 to Mr. F. L. Wooster
1916 Nov. 8. Hist. to W. W. Cone. E

[recto]
[blank] Ex'r. INVALID.
no. 863 [margin note: REJECTED]
['Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.' crossed out]
John Bishop
P.O. [blank]
Service: [blank]
Enlisted: [blank], 18[blank]
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank]
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank]
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]
Page 16

S. M. Knight Aug 22/53
Revo: New York
['Suspended' crossed out] Rejected - act 7 June '32
letter 2 Nov'r 1833
J. G. Ford
(over)
Page 17

[ONE CENT stamp]
[margin notes: Rev Svc R863 has part of service 3✓
[postmark: NEW BRITIAN CONN. JAN 2 1912 5 PM]
POSTAL CARD
THE SPACE BELOW IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY. 
Det of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE. JAN 8 1912]
THE SPACE BELOW MAY BE USED FOR CORRESPONDENCE. 
Mrs. Ellen M Wooster
50 Walnut St
New Britain Conn.
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[handwritten letter]
Jan 2 - 1912
Sirs: Will you kindly send me the Military Record of John Bishop a Rev soldier from New Hampshire. Co of Jason White commanded by Col Cilley 1776-7 
In 1780 was private in 3rd Co. same Reg. In 1781 was Searj (sergeant) in Co of Capt Josiah Munroe in 1st N. Hampshire Reg. Perhaps was also chaplain in a Reg-Family History calls him and Episcopalian Rector and had Enos and several other sons in Rev. War with him. Can you give name of wife, time & place of their marriage & deaths - 
/s/Mrs. E. M. Wooster
address over -
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State of New York
Columbia County ss On this 13 day of August 1832 before me personally appeared, William Lee a resident of this town of Canaan County of Columbia and State of New York, aged 68 years, who first being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say, that he this Deponent was well acquainted with John Bishop late of the town of Canaan to whom this Deponent saw him and swears to the proceeding declaration and that this Deponent had been acquainted with him for at least 48 years, living during that time in the same neighborhood and town with him and further this Deponent has often heard one John Thompson who as he informed this Deponent was a sergeant in General Poor's Brigade say that he knew of the said Bishop belonging to the revolutionary army and that he was with him and further this Deponent saith that the said John Thompson, was esteemed a man of truth and veracity, and this Deponent from the relation given by the said Thompson together from the general report in the neighborhood, has good reason to believe and does believe that said John Bishop served at least two years in the Revolutionary war and further this deponent saith not. 
/s/William Lee
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me /s/J. G. Ford Com. &c.
Page 20

We David Ford and Amos Stark Clergyman residing in the town of Canaan County of Columbia and State of New york, hereby certify, that we were well acquainted with John Bishop late of the town of Canaan, deceased; who it appears subscribed and swore to the above declaration, and we do hereby certify that we were acquainted with the said John Bishop and had been acquainted with him, (living in the same neighborhood and town) at least 45 years, previous to his decease which was on the 1 day of June 1833: that we believe him to have been 92 years of age; and that the belief is general (and no doubts, as we believe, have ever existed),  in the neighborhood that he was a Soldier of the Revolution and served at least two years therein and we unhesitatingly concur in that opinion
/s/David Ford
/s/Amos Stark
Sworn and subscribed this 12 June 1833
Before me /s/J. G. Ford Commissioner &c. 
I certify that the above named David Ford and Amos Stark are well known to me, and that they reside in the neighborhood the place of residence of the said John Bishop deceased, and they are also known to me as being Clergymen
/s/J. G. Ford Com. &c.
Page 21

[handwritten letter]
Washington
June 8th 1853.

Hon L. P. Waldo
Com'r of Pensions

Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith a power of attorney executed by the heirs of John Bishop dec'd of the State of NYork whose claim under act of July 7th 1832. has been suspended. 
I hope to be enabled to file additional evidence in the case sufficient to establish the claim before it comes up for examination 
Very Respectfully Your Obed't Ser't.
/s/S. M. Knight
Page 22

[handwritten letter]
New Britain Conn. Feb 1 1913

The Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen;
Can you give me the military record of John Bishop who was a revolutionary soldier who lived in Gunthwait (New Hampshire?) was in Jason White's company Col. Cilley's regt 1776-7
In 1780 was private in 3rd Co same reg't
in 1781 " sergent " Capt Josiah Munroe's company 1st N.H. reg't?
I desire to know in addition his birth place and name of wife and whether he had a pension.
Also I would like the record of Walter Wooster revolutionary soldier from Connecticut whose widow Ursula Beebe Wooster had a pension until her death i 1846. She lived in Naugatuck or Waterbury Ct.
Respectfully
/s/F. L. Wooster
85 Columbia St.
New Britain Conn
Page 23

[handwritten letter]
Revolutionary 
Brandsville, Mo. Oct 11, 1916.
[margin notes: mail FCG Rev Sec]
Commissioner of Pensions:
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the record of the Service of John Bishop who served in the New Hampshire Reg. in 1776-9. 
His wife was named Lydia. Has a son named Thomas. John Died in Canaan N.Y. June 1, 1833 age 92 yrs.
I was told abt 10 yrs ago, to refer you to "File 863. I.S.C." Rev. War. The information I rec'd then was from an individual, not connected with your department; to the effect that John applied for a pension in 1832 but died before proof was made.
Will you kindly give me what information you have, of his service and of his family. and greatly oblige
Yours Very truly,
/s/W. W. Cone.