Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14457, for Miner Sholes, Connecticut
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Conn
Sholes, Miner   S14457
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6785
New York 
Died Dec 15 1842 
Miner Sholes 
of Ostego in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company command by Captain Monville of the Regt commanded by Col. Huntington in the Connecticut line for 13 months  
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the day of March 1833 and Sent to Hon. W. G. Angel  
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. ‘33   86.66 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep.’33. 21.67 
$108.33  
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832} 
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk 
Book E Vol. 4 Page 31 
See letter to Pensioner March 10. 1837 
Dead 
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6 April 1838 from 4. Sep. to 15 Decr 1842. Agt notified 3 Dec 1844
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Adm’d
5.16
P 277
Feb 26 ‘33
N.Y.A.
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16.272  
BRIEF in the case of Miner Sholes  County of Otsego in the State of New York 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he?  71. 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.  Drafted  In 1779 Jany  Duration of Service.  3 Months    Rank.  As a private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt. Montville, Col. Huntington
Period.  Drafted 1781 April  Duration of Service.  3 Months   Rank.  Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Genl. Huntington
Period.  1781 August   Duration of Service.  1 Month  Rank.  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Karew, Col. Huntington
Period.  Drafted 1783 Feb.   Duration of Service.  6 Months  Rank. Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt. Tracy
Period. Sundry times as a Minute Man   Duration of Service.  not stated  Rank.  private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  
5. In what battles was he engaged?  None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New London City Connecticut 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not connected with the Clerk's Seal as required 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
F. Waugh 
Examining Clerk. 
Feb. 22, 1833
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Sept. 20th 1844
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, the child of Miner Sholes, decd., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of forty three __ Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. __ to the 15th Dec. 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
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M Brown Atty 
Miner Sholes 
pensioner 
16272 
undetailed service disallowed 
admd 
13 mo pri 
$43.33
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Otsego Common Pleas October [unreadable] 1832
Declaration in order to obtain the said of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 
State of New York 
Otsego County} ss On this 15th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges then of the court of Common Pleas in for the County of Otsego State of New York & a court of record now sitting Miner Sholes Senior  a resident of the Town of Edmiston in the County & State aforesaid aged 71 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 – 
That he the said deponent in the year 1778. resided in the town of Franklin New London County & State of Connecticut that some time in the month of Jamary 1779. he was drafted from one Capt Johnsons Company of militia in said town of Franklin, & afterwards joined a company commanded by Capt Edgerton of Montville in Col Jabez Huntington Regt & this deponent believes that his company belonged to Genl Zachariah Huntingtons Brigade where he continued for the term of 3 months in the Service of the United States  - that during this service this deponent with the other troops lay at Fort Trumbull in New London Conn at the expiration of which time he was discharged & returned home and this deponent further declares that afterwords according to his best recollection in the month of April 1781. he was again drafted into the service of the U. States for the term of 3 months & served under Capt Joseph Karew or Carew
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in Col. Jabez Huntington's Regt that during the period of this Servoce this deponent & the Company to which he belonged lay in the Town of New London & were employed in building a fort to protect the Town from the incursions of the British.  This fort was more greatly abandoned & never finished.  It was called at that time Fort Nonsense.  At the Expiration of his said term of 3 months this deponent was discharged & returned home to Franklin and further, that in the month of July or August as this deponent recollects he together with the whole of the Company to which he belonged was ordered out on service for one month commanded by Capt Tracy as deponent believes which term this deponent served or New London - at the Expiration of which him he was discharged.  
And further this deponent states that afterwards in the month of February 1783. this deponent was again drafted into the service of the U. States in the Revolutionary War as aforesaid for the period of Six months & this deponent marched to New York & joined a company commanded by Capt Simon Allen in Col Meads Regt - & there remained in the service during the said term when he was discharge returned home. 
This deponent further States during the period of this service this deponent together with his Capt. & 18 or 20 men went out on a Scout & to take some Refugees (4 in number who were lodged in a Tory house just over Kingsbridge. That in the assault on the house this deponent was stabbed in the thigh by one of the refugees with a bayonet the effects of which wound this deponent
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does now & has ever since severely felt the Bayonet, struck the bone of his thigh & has made him lame ever since.  He further States that he applied to Conn’t for a pension on account of his said wound some years since & was told  that he could not prove one because he was not an enlisted Soldier.   This deponent further States when not in actual service he stood as a minute man during the whole Revolution or & was several times called out on alarms, but how long or what times this deponent does not recollect.  
He has no documentary evidence nor does he know of any person living whose testimony he could procure who can testify to his services. He has lost his discharges which he had when discharged as aforesaid Lieuts name in Capt Allens Company in New York was Branham. One of the Corporals name was Swift. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State to his knowledge 
Miner Sholes Senior his mark
He was born in New London Ct. on the last day of December 1760.  He know of his age from his father’s bible at home resided in the Town of Norwich Ct till the year 1816 when he removed to the Town of Otsego New York where he loved about Seven years from there to Somerton in said County his present place of residence where he has ever since resided.  He never had a written discharge from the the He never had a written discharge from the [unreadable] to his knowledge.  
Miner Sholes his mark
Sworn in open court the day and year aforesaid.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk
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and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served or he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John C. Hurlbut who has signed the following certificate hereto attached is a clergyman resident in the Town of Burlington in the County of Otsego & that Amos B. Groves who  has also signed the same is a Coroner in & for the County of Otsego & resident in the town of Edmiston & County aforesaid & that Doctor Halsey Spencer who has signed the other certificate hereto attached is a Physician in a reputable practice in the town & County of aforesaid & that all three of the above named persons are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
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State of New York 
Otsego County } ss 
I Halsey Spencer of the town of Edmiston State & County aforesaid Physician do certify that I am acquainted with Miner Sholes Senior and have been for a number of years last past, and within the time of my acquaintance with the man have often heard him give a relation of circumstances that took place while he was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and in all the relation of circumstances he seemed to be consistent in his story, I have no doubt of his having served as a soldier in the revolutionary war, I have also examined the marks of a wound which he says he received while in the service from an enemy of the point of a bayonet in his left thigh, I should think from the look of the scar that it was done by some pointed instrument, I have no doubt about his having received the wound as he relates. I consider him to be a man of veracity. 
Halsey Spencer Physician
Subscribed and sworn August 15th 1838 before me
Moses B Smith Justice 
State of New York 
Otsego County Ss. I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said County do certify that Moses B. Smith before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in for said County & that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature Horace Lathrop Clerk 
By Thos K Cory Depty
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Otsego County ss We John C. Hurlbut a Clergyman residing in the town of Burlington County aforesaid Amos B Graves residing in the Town of Edmiston in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Miner Sholes Senior who has subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to the 71 years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion having never heard it doubted 
J. C. Hurlbut
Amos B. Graves
Sworn & Subscribed this P. Hulbert 15th day of August 1832 before me 
Halsey Spencer  Justice of the Peace 
State New York 
Otsego County} ss  I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said County do certify that Halsey Spencer before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in for said County that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature Witness my hand & seal of Office this 18th day of Aug 1832 
Horace Lathrop Clerk 
By Thos K. Cory Deputy
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and the said Court hereby declare their opinion after an investigation of the matter & after putting the questions prescribed by the War Department that the said Miner Sholes was a soldier  of the Revolution & served as he states.  And the said Court further certify that it appears to them that John C. Hurlbut who has signed a preceeding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of Benington & that Amos B Graves who has also signed the same is a resident of the Town of Edmiston that Doct. Halsey Spencer who has signed a preceding certificate is a Physician in good practice residing in the son of Edmiston that their statements on entitled they being credible persons 
J. O. Moore 
J. B. [unreadable] 
L Page } Justices
State of New York 
Otsego County}  I Horace Lathrop of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original in the matter of the application of Miner Sholes for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 19th day of October 1832. 
Horace Lathrop, Clerk,
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I certify that the within papers are authentic
W. G. Angel
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N. Y. Garrattsville Feby 28
Referred to the Department of war that of full Justice has not been meted to the old soldier that the president & Secretary of war may give the within such [unreadable, as will procure it for him A. J. 
P 398
March 7, 1837 
Pension Office
Miner Sholes
NY – pvt
6785
His Excellency General
[unreadable]
President of the United States Washington City
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West Burlington February 25 1877 
From a Pensioner on the half pension List [unreadable]  78 years of age and Married.  I am unable to work.  I served 5 years in the Army under General Washington and directly under General Hamilton and employed under Col Mead and Captain Allen and mostly on Volunteer excursions on one of these I received a Bayonet wound in my thigh which though I am a weaver by trade I can neither now walk or work, some of my Neighbours who served less time than I did received full Pension, and I suppose it is in consequence of my Case not having been properly laid before the Government authorities
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and I beg your Excellency for Instructions how I shall proceed in laying before them my case.   Your Excellency firmness and justness in regulating the affairs of this Country, both at Home and abroad gives me confidence you will see an old soldier done Justice to & beg Your Excellency who is an old soldier of the first order of all Nations, I beg your Excellency not to think that I envy any Pensioner what he receives only that many of my Comrades Receive full pension who did not who will not say they performed half the duties I did and who are not half so necessitated for I am
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78 years of age my wife 80 years and have only my Pension to live upon - if your Excellency think any thing can justly be done for me by your Excellency Instructions before you cease to be our President 
I am Your Excellency 
Most devoted Servant 
Miner Sholes 
Please direct for me West Burlington Post Office Otsego County New York State
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July 30, 1935
BA-J/EEL
Minor Sholes - S.14457
Mrs. Mary Pelton
80 South Allen Street
Albany, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Minor Sholes, who served in Captain Carew's Company; the record of Stephen Williams, who was born in 1788, married Eunice Sholes and died in 1847; also, information in regard to Colonel R.M. Sholes, commander 5 Division, New York State National Guard.

The record of Minor Sholes has been found and is given herein as found in pension claim, S.14457, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.  The War of 1812 records were searched and no claim for pension found based upon service of Stephen Williams, described above.  Other records have been searched and no claim for pension identified as that of the Colonel R.M. Sholes.  You did not state the year in which he served in the State National Guard.  It is suggested that The Adjutant General of your state might aid you.

Miner Sholes
S.14457
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months in Captain Simeon Allen's Company, Colonel Mead's Connecticut Regiment, marched to New York, and while stationed there went with a party under Captain Allen to take some refugees who were lodged just over King's Bridge and during the assault, he received a bayonet thrust in his hip or thigh, which caused much suffering and made him lame for life. Soldier stated that during the whole war he stood always ready to be called upon to serve his country at any time and was called out on several tours; dates and names
of officers on these tours are not stated.

After the Revolution, Miner Sholes resided in Norwich, Connecticut, until 1816, when he moved to Osage, Otsego County, New York,
and lived for about seven years: then moved to Edmeston, New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 15, 1832, while residing in said Edmeston.

In 1837, soldier stated that his wife was then aged eighty years but he did not give her name or the date of their marriage. He was
then living in Burlington, Otsego County, New York.

He died December 15, 1842, place not shown.

Children survived him, their names are not given.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
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Rev War 14457 
INVALID. 
File No. 14457 
Miner Sholes 
Pri Rev War 
Act June 7th 32 
Index: -- Vol. 1 Page 345 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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1893, June 21 - Hist. to  Mrs. A. E. Gridley, Washington, D. C. F. S. 
1935. July 31 - Hist to Mrs Mary Pelton EL
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Old War N. Y. P
Washington D.C. 11 May 24" 1893 
Hon Commissioner of Pensions, 
City 
Sir: I would respectfully ask you to give me what information you can, relative to the service of one, Miner Sholes, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War in the State of Connecticut. 
A early reply would greatly oblige 
Very Respectfully, 
Mrs. A. E. Gridley
# 1571 T. St. N.W.
City
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[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE R MAY 26 1893
S.
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[stamp] RECEIVED MAY 27 1935 MAIL SUB-DIV READER 16 VETS ADM.
May 24 19/35
I would greatly appreciate information you might be able to give me, about Minor Sholes who was born in 1760 (or 61) died in 1842 - He enlisted in 1776  & 1781 - as a private in Capt. Joseph Carew’s Company. He was wounded in a skirmish with Tories, in 1783. I believe he was born in New London Conn.  He was my great Grand Father, and I am very anxious to get what data I can about him.  I would also like to know if you could enlighten me any about a Stephen Williams - born May 9 1788 Died Dec. 1847.  Wife was Eunice Sholes - Born Mar 16 1800 - deed – 1871.
I do not know, his birth place - if me can give me any information about the above I would
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as I said greatly appreciated it-- I am respectfully Mrs Mary Pellou 
80 South Allen St 
Albany N.Y.  
Among my papers, I find a picture of a young man in unform on the back or of the picture is written "Col R M. Sholes Commanding Engineers Corps. 5th Division New York State National Guard”  - Can you tell me any thing about him or if not, where I could get the desired information, 
Mrs Pellou
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WB
O. W. and N. Division. 
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D.C. June 1893 
Madam, 
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT.   Jany 1779   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  3 mo    RANK.  Pri    OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain Edgerton Colonel Jabez Huntington   STATE  Conn.. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT.  April 1781   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  3 mo.    RANK.  Pri   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Joseph Carew Colonel Jabez Huntington   STATE   Conn.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT.  Augt 1781    LENGTH OF SERVICE.  1 mo.  RANK.  Pri    OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain Tracy   STATE  Conn.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT.  Feby 1783   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  6 mo.   RANK.  Pri    OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain Simeon Allen Colonel Mead   STATE  Conn.
Battles engaged in  Assault  on a horse with Tories (1783) he received a bayonet wound in thigh  Residence of soldier at enlistment Franklin New London County Conn’t 
Date of application for pension, October 1832 
Residence at date of application, Edmiston, Otsego County N.Y. 
Age at date of application, born Dec. 31, 1760 in New London Conn & died Decr 15. 1842  
Remarks: After the war he lived in Norwich Conn, then 1816 moved to Otsego NY & in about 1823 to Edmiston Otsego County NY 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner
Mrs  A. E Gridley 
1511, T. St N.W. 
City