Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10937, for Reuben Kelsey, Connecticut
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.


Kelsey, Reuben

S. 10937

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

20.588
New York
Reuben Kelsey
of Herkimer in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Comp commanded 
by Captain Baldwin of the Regt. commanded 
by Col. Ely in the Connt
line for 16 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Sep.
1833 and Sent to H. Nolton Fairfield

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 $133.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4m '24 26.66
$159.99

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 64.

Dead - Let to E C Pinney
June 24. 1843
Let to G F Yates Sep 8, 1843
Died Feb. 19 - 1839 - AB
Page 3

No 16127 Kelsey
Ruben [Reuben] Kelsey
Herkimer Co
N.Y-

Admitted
Private 16 months

[illegible initials]

Service as a Teamster &
last tour of 2 mo disallowed

106.66
26.66
133.32

Hiram Nolton
Fairfield
Herkimer Co.

N.Y Herkimer Co
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
May 16 1833 

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 Ruben [Reuben] Kelly [Kelsey] Herkimer Co N.Y.

[Column headers:] 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. | 

Enlist April 1777
8 [Months] 
Private
Capt Baldwins
Col Ely -
[illegible]
69 years Town of Killingworth Connecticut
B. D[illegible]

Enlist Ap 1778
8 [Months]
Capt Baldwin
[illegible]
Ap 1777 for 8

Enlist Ap 1779
8 [Months]
Capt Nettleton
White Plains
he has other [illegible] omited months at [illegible] evidence

[illegible] time of year not stated -
2 [Months]
Capt Butler
Head of Elk - Maryland

This was in the H[illegible] Company - states his time
2 [Months]
N. Jersey Westpoint Danbury Horse Neck

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 5

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 person, 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 [Sic] 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 [Sic] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [Symbol of hand pointing right] 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. 
[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 _____ do 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 [Sic] 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 6

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 every 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 [Sic] 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 his 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. 

[Footnotes:] 
[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 _____ 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 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 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 of 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. 
[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 7

Reuben Kelsey
application and
Testimony for a 
Pension
16127
Page 8

1
State of New York
County of Herkimer ss 
On the 8. day of Oct. 1832. personally appeared in Open Court of Common pleas in and for the said county of Herkimer, no sitting Reuben Kelsey, a resident in the town of Newport, County of Herkimer and state of New York, Aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on [illegible] the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 1832 - - That he enlisted in the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here in stated. - That he enlisted in the Town of KillingWorth in the state of Connecticut, in the month of April 1777, in Capt Josiah Baldwins company and Col. Elys Regiment in the Connecticut line of state troops for Eight months, and was stationed at New London about four months, then marched to Rhode Island and was stationed there about four weeks, then marched to White Plains in the state of New York, and was stationed there until the expiration of the term of enlistment, and was there dismissed and returned home to Killingworth, had no written discharge -
And he enlisted the second time under the same Capt. Baldwin in the month of April 1778. in the said town of Killingworth for Eight months, in the said Connecticut line of state troops, and was stationed in the town of Killingworth and served in the Captains Guard, served the whole Eight months and was dismissed, has no written discharge - And he enlisted the third time at Killingworth in April 1779. under Capt. George Nettleton, who had the command of the teams and Baggage, and served under Capt. Nettleton Eight months, and was at "Head of Elk" in the State of Maryland, at the time of the Battle at Yorktown when Gen. CornWallis was taken, then marched through the state of New Jersey to West Point,  then crossed the river and Marched to Danbury in Connecticut, and from there home to Killingworth and was dismissed, had no written discharge -
And the said Reuben Kelsey further says that in addition to before mentioned three tours
Page 9

he enlisted into the Light=Horse, under Capt. Butler was stationed at "Horse Neck" served in this town two months, Capt Butler was from Middletown - dos not recollect the time of year, or the year itself that he served under Capt Butler - And the said Reuben Kelsey declares that he served the United State in the said Several tours or enlistment two years and two months -
And he dos not know of any person by whom he can prove his service, (except Benjamin Dewolf David Buell and Ebenezer Redfield and Jeremiah Stephens whos affidavits are annexed to this declaration) and he has no other documentary evidence than the annexed papers - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state or County and the said Reuben Kelsey declares that he was born in Killing worth in the said state of Connecticut, November 8. 1763. And lived in said town of Killing worth at the time he entered the services and after the expiration of the war remained there several years and then removed to Herkimer County where he still lives, in the town of Newport -
Reuben Kelsey [signature]

Sworn and Subscribed before
me in Open Court this 9th day
of Oct 1832
F.E. Spinner Dpt Clerk

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 - [Words "And the Court further cer" are crossed out]
Page 10

[Words "tifies that it appears to them" are crossed out]

I Francis E. Spinner Deputy Clerk of the County of Herkimer and of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Kelsey for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 9th day of October 1832

F.E Spinner [signature]
Dept Clerk
Page 11

Middlesex County s   I John Fisk Clerk of the County Court of said County of Middlesex do certify that George Carter, Esq is a Justice of the peace within and for the said County of Middlesex as per commission on file in my office and that his name subscribed to the within Deposition is his proper hand writing and Signature.

[Circular seal at left]

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Middletown in said County this 17 day of July AD 1832.
Jn. Fisk Clerk

In the Matter of
R. Kelseys
application for
a Pention
B. Dewolfs
Affidavit
Page 12

Benjamin Dewolf of the town of Newport, County of Herkimer & State of New York (now a pentioner) being duly sworn saith, that he is well acquainted with Reuben Kelsey of the same place - and the said Dewolf further saith that the said Reuben Kelsey enlisted in the town of Killingsworth in the State of Connecticut on or about the first of April 1,777 in Capt. Josiah Baldwins Company, and Col. Eli's Regiment for one Campaign of Eight months in the Connecticut line and the said Kelsey served out his time of Eight months in the Said Campaign -
Benj Dewolf [signature]

Sworn and subscribed
before me the 11. day
of July 1832 -
Sherman Wooster as
Judge of Herk. Com. Pleas

I David Buell of Killingworth County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I know the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition are true
David Buell [signature]

State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss Killingworth the 17th day of July AD 1832, Be it remembered that on the day afore said, David Buell whom [illegible] to be a man of truth veracity equal to mankind in general who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, appeared before me, and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth made solemn oath to the same deposition
Before me George Carter
Justice of the Peace for
Middlesex County
Page 13

I Ebenezer Redfield of Killingworth County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I am well acquainted with Reuben Kelsey of the town of New Port in the County of Herkimer and state of New York and that said Kelsey during the Revolutionary was an inhabitant of Killingworth and was stationed there a part of the time on guard under the command of Capt Josiah Baldwin

Ebenr Redfied [signature]

State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss Killingworth the 17th day of July AD 1832

Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid Ebenezer Redfield who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, appeared before me and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth, made solemn oath to the same deposition.

Before me 
A
George Carter Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County

I Jeremiah Stevens of Killingworth county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I know the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition are true
Jeremiah Stevens [signature]

State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss Killingworth the 17th day of July AD 1832. Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid, Jeremiah Stevens who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition appeared before me and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth made solemn oath to the same deposition

Before me
B
George Carter Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County
Page 14

I consider the foregoing deponents Ebenezer Redfield and Jeremiah Stevens both of them to be persons of truth and veracity equal to mankind in general

July 17th 1832
C
George Carter Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County ss 
I John Fisk Clerk of the county court of said county of Middlesex do certify that George Carter Esquire is a Justice of the peace within and for the sd county of Middlesex as per commission on file in my office and that his name subscribed to the preceding Certificates marked A. B & C are his proper hand writing and signatures.

[Circular seal affixed at left]

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Middletown in said County this 17th day of July AD 1832.
Jn. Fisk [signature] Clk
Page 15

April 11, 1938.

Mr. Roger F. Williams
2 Rock Street
Alexandria Bay, New York.

BA-J/ILL
Reuben Kelsey
S. 10937

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Reuben Kelsey, a pensioner of Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York.

The data which follow are found in pension claim, S. 10937, based upon service of Reuben Kelsey in that war;  he was the pensioner of Herkimer County, New York.

Reuben Kelsey was born November 8, 1763, in Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Killingworth, Connecticut, he enlisted about April 1, 1777, and served eight months as a private in Captain Josiah Baldwin's company, Colonel John Ely's Connecticut regiment, stationed at first in Connecticut, and afterwards in Rhode Island. He enlisted in April 1778, and served eight months in Captain Josiah Baldwin's Connecticut company, stationed most of the time at Killingworth. In July or August 1779, he enlisted and served two months in Captain Butler's Light Horse Company, stationed at Horseneck, Connecticut. He enlisted subsequently and served eight months under Captain George Nettleton who commanded the team and baggage service, and was stationed at the "Head of Elk" in Maryland at the time of the surrender of General Cornwallis.

The soldier resided in Killingworth, Connecticut, several years after the expiration of the Revolutionary War, then moved to Herkimer County, New York.
Page 16

Reuben Kelsey was allowed pension on his application executed October 8, 1832, at which time he resided in Newport, Herkimer County, New York. He died February 19, 1839, survived by his widow Elizabeth Kelsey, who resided in Newport, in 1843. They were married October 16, 1786; her maiden name is not shown, and no reference was made to children of this soldier.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 17

Sept. 18, 1843.
Sir:  No claim has been asserted in behalf of Elizabeth Kelsey, widow of Reuben Kelsey, Dec'd, late pensioner under the Act of June '32. An inquiry was made by Mr. Pinney in June last and the regulations were forwarded to him for the purpose of preparing her claim.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To Giles F. Yates,
Schenectady, N. Y.
Page 18

Division.
Examiner.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington.

Hon.
Page 19

To J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions

The undersigned respectfully represents that She has for some time past, had a claim for a pension pending before you, and she is unable to understand from her late agent Edward C Pinny Esq, the reason of the delay in granting her pension, or what the objections are to its allowance. She has engaged Mr Giles F. Yates of Schenectada to act for her in the premises, and wishes to have your communications on the subject of her pension - claim addressed to Mr Yates.

Her husband's name was Reuben Kelsey, and he received a pension of $53.33 per annum, and she was married to him on the 16th day of October 1786

Your obt Servt
Elizabeth Kelsey [signature]

Newport Herkimer Co. June 19 1843
Page 20

FREE

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

July 17 '43
NY

[Circular postmark reads: TROY N.Y. JUL 14]
Page 21

Schenectada July 13 1843
Sir:
I send enclosed an authorization for me to act in the case of Elizabeth Kelsey an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 July 1838.

From the widow's representations to me, it seems that the only objection to the allowance of her claim, was that she was not a widow at the time the law passed -

I am very respectfully
your obt Sevt
G. F. Yates [signature]

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Page 22

FREE

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City

June 23d 1843
Reub. Kelsey
NY [illegible]
Page 23

Newport, Herkimer County, New York -

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir - Reuben Kelsey of this Town was a pensioner under the Law of 1832, as I am informed, and Died in 1839, leaving a Widow to whom he was married in 1786 - I wish to know, if consistent with the rules of the Department to give such information, whether she is entitled to a pension - She is now a Widow -
I am Sir your obt Sevt
Edward C. Pinney
Page 24

2 Rock St.
Alexandria Bay. N.Y.
March 24, 1938

Veteran's Administration
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen: -
Reuben Kelsey who had lived in Connecticut before he settled in Fairfield, Herkimer Co. N.Y. was living there in 1832 when he was placed on the United States Pension Roll.
I would like an abstract of the Pension papers of Reuben Kelsey of Fairfield, N.Y. I wish War record, family data about wife children etc
Thank you.
Very Truly,
Roger F. Williams

[Circular date/time stamp reads:]
RECEIVED
MAR 25 1938
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
[illegible] No. 19
[Approx] 3PM
Page 25

10937
INVALID.
Rev War
File No. 10,937
Reuben Kelsey
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7'' 1832
Index :-Vol. A, Page 203
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1938 - April 11 - Hist. to Roger F. Williams - JLL
Page 26

In the matter of the
application of
Reuben Kelsey for a
pension under the Act
of Congress passed June 7-
1833 -

Declaration & 
Amendments -

Hiram Nolton
Fairfield
Herkimer County 
N. Y.
Page 27

State of New York
County of Herkimer ss: Benjamin DeWolf of the Town of NewPort in said County aged Sevnty three years and upwards being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he this deponent is well acquainted with Reuben Kelsey of the same place and this deponent saith that he knows of the said Reuben Kelsey serving in the War of the Revolution as follows:
that the said Reuben Kelsey enlisted as a volunteer in the Town of Killingsworth in the state of Connecticut where they both then resided into Capt. Josiah Baldwins Company in Col. Ely's Regiment on or about the first of April 1777 and this deponent also enlisted into the same Company and this deponent saith that he this deponent and the said Reuben Kelsey served together as privates in said Capt. Baldwin's Company Eight months and they were then discharged from said services near White Plains in the State of New York but received no discharge in writing and this deponent also saith that soon after they had enlisted as aforesaid Capt. Baldwins Company was marched to New London & was stationed there & he this deponent & the said Reuben Kelsey were employed during the term they were stationed at New London in Constructing a Fort on Winthrop's neck and they continued at said station between three or four months and he this deponent & the said Reuben Kelsey were then marched with Capt. Baldwin's Company in Col. Ely's Regiment to the State of Rhode Island for the purpose of making a descent upon Rhode Island under the Command of Gen. Spencer -
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After Gen Spencer's Expedition was given up Capt. Baldwins Company with Col Ely's Regiment were marched back to New London & from thence they were marched to White Plains and Capt Baldwins Company was stationed at White Plains and he this deponent & the said Reuben Kelsey were engaged at said station in standing Sentry and in guarding the lines and they were both discharged after serving Eight months as above stated and this deponent saith that the officers under whom they served were Capt Baldwin, Lieut Lefingwell Col. Ely Lt Col Arnold & this deponent saith that he is a pensioner of the United States -
Benj Dewolf [signature]

Subscribed & sworn
to this 25 day of
May 1833 before me
Richard Herendeen Justice Peace
Herkimer County ss: On this 25 day of May 1833 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace of said County personally appeared the above named Benjamin DeWolf and subscribed & was sworn by me to the foregoing affidavit and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said Benjamin Dewolf and his is known to me to sustain a fair character for truth veracity & credibility and his statement is entitled to full credit & belief

Richard Herendeen Justice of the Peace of Herk. County

Following the affidavit of Reuben Kelsey is the certificate of the Clerk that Richard Herendeen & Hiram Nolton are Justices -
Page 29

State of New York
County of Herkimer ss: Reuben Kelsey of the Town of New Port in said County being duly sworn saith that he this deponent made his declaration in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County on the Eighth day of October in the Year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7'' 1832 & which said declaration & papers proving his said service are hereunto annexed & this deponent saith that the Hon. Judge Wooster, who had the charge of his said application is dead and this deponent further saith that for the purpose of specifying more definitely the length of service this deponent served in the war of the Revolution he has appeared before Hiram Nolton an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County to make the following affidavit Viz: Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in & for the said County of Herkimer Reuben Kelsey who being duly sworn according to law deposith and saith that by reason of old age & 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 - This deponent saith that he recollects with certainty that he enlisted as a volunteer at Killingworth in the State of Connecticut in the month of April 1777 into Capt Josiah Baldwins Company in Col. John Ely's Regiment (this deponent believes Col Ely's Christian name was John) in the Connecticut line of State troops for Eight months and this deponent was marched with Capt Baldwins
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Company & Col. Ely's Regiment to New London and he was stationed at New London about four months and this deponent was employed to work on the Fort which was then building on Winthrop's neck as this deponent believes it was called near the mouth of the Harbor and this deponent was then marched in his said Company with Col Ely's Regiment to Rhode Island & was stationed there about four weeks and this deponent was then marched in his Company with Col Ely's Regiment to White plains in the State of New York & was stationed there until the Expiration of the term of his enlistment, this deponent was marched to the State of Rhode Island with the view to make a descent upon Rhode Island under the Command of Gen. Spencer - Rhode Island was then in possession of the Enemy; the Troops did not go on to Rhode Island & then this deponent was marched to White plains as above stated - This deponent was employed at White plains in keeping guard on the lines - This deponent saith that there were Continental Troops at White plains & he saw Capt Baldwin there who was a regular officer & this deponent was acquainted with him at Killingworth where he lived - This deponent cannot tell the names of any other of the Continental officers but this deponent saw regular officers at White plains; and this deponent saith he served Eight months & was then discharged near White plains sometime in December 1777 but he received no discharge in writing - The officers under whom this deponent served during said Eight months were Capt. Baldwin Col. Ely, Lieut Lefingwell - Lt Col. Arnold
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And this deponent saith that he enlisted as a volunteer at Killingworth in the State of Connecticut into Capt Baldwins Company in the month of April 1778 for Eight months in said Connecticut line of State Troops & was stationed in Killingworth aforesaid and served at said station in Capt Baldwin's Company as a guard against the Enemy they frequently coming on shore to take cattle & provisions and one one Sunday Capt. Baldwins Company took about forty refugees or Tories on a small Island near the main land and this deponent served under Capt Baldwin's guard an aforesaid Eight months & he was then discharged but received no discharge in writing - This deponent was not engaged in any Civil employment during said Eight months service - this deponent was discharged in the month of December 1778 at Killingworth aforesaid - The officers under whom he served were Capt Baldwin - The Company did not serve in any Regiment as this deponent remembers but the said Company was ordered out by the State at said station for a guard.
And this deponent saith that he enlisted as a volunteer at Killingworth aforesaid into Capt George Nettleton's Company, who had Command of the teams & baggage in the services and this deponent was marched in Capt Nettleton's Company to White plains (this deponent enlisted as aforesaid into Capt Nettleton's Company Eight months and this deponent was then marched across the north river near West Point Fort & thence through New Jersey to Philadelphia & from thence to the "Head of the Elk" now in Maryland which was at the
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time Lord Cornwallis Army was captured by Gen. Washington at the Battle of York Town & After the battle of York town this deponent was marched back through Philadelphia New - Jersey to West Point & then crossed the north river & was marched to Danbury in Connecticut and this deponent was then discharged at Danbury in December but cant say what year and this deponent served Eight months under Capt Nettleton This deponent received no discharge in writing The officers under whom this deponent served were Capt Nettleton Lieut not recollected Capt Nettleton's Company was called out of the Conductors in the service - And he took charge of the teamsters & baggage of Gen. Washington's life guard and was employed to defend it - This deponent frequently saw Gen. Washington and several other general officers Also Gen. La Fayette who was in the [illegible]  of Gen. Washington's army - And this deponent saith that he well recollects that he served the length of time above mentioned - And this deponent also saith that before the last mentioned service under Capt. Nettleton  as above stated he this deponent enlisted as a substitute for Benjamin Merrill at Killingworth aforesaid into Capt. Butler's Company of dragoons in the state serving for two months and this deponent was marched with Capt Butler's Company to Horse Neck & was stationed at Horseneck and this deponent served on guard on the lines and this deponent served [illegible] months at said station under Capt Butler & this deponent was there discharged but received no discharge in writing
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This deponent does not recollect in what year or time of the year he performed said service under Capt Butler but this deponent believes he enlisted & went into said service about the beginning of harvest in July - This deponent was born at Killingworth aforesaid on the 8" November 1763 and has a record of his age at home and this deponent saith that he was living in Killingworth in the State of Connecticut when he was called into the service and this deponent saith that he knows of no persons by whom he can prove his Revolutionary Services Except Benjamin DeWolf David Buell Jeremiah Stevens & Ebenezer Redfield whose affidavits are hereunto annexed and this saith he claims a pension for the services hereinbefore set forth - and further this deponent saith not
Reuben Kelsey [signature] 

Subscribed & sworn
to this 31st May
1833 before me
Hiram Nolton
Justice of the Peace of Herkimer County

State of New York
Clerks Office
County of Herkimer ss: I Julius C. Nelson Clerk in and for said County of Herkimer do hereby certify that Hiram Nolton before whom the foregoing affidavit of Reuben Kelsey purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly qualified according to Law and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Hiram Nolton and that his name subscribed
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to the Said affidavit is his proper handwriting and signature - And I do further Certify that Richard Herendeen before whom the affidavit of Benjamin Dewolf hereunto annexed by a wafer and tape paper[illegible] under the seal of my office of Clerk aforesaid was at the date of the said affidavit of Benjamin Dewolf a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County of Herkimer duly qualified according to Law and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Richard Herendeen and that I do believe that his name Subscribed to the said affidavit of Benjamin Dewolf [illegible] his proper handwriting and signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of the said office of Clerk this Fourth day of June in the year One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three  -
Julius C. Nelson Clerk

[Piece of paper with seal affixed over ribbon at left]