Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,897, for Paris Rathbun, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Rathbun, Paris
Phillips, Elizabeth (Former widow)
NUMBER
W.24897

CONTENTS
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ed
H R Mygatt May 18 1854
To the same July 29/54

5692
New York Albany
Elizabeth Phillips widow of Paris Rathbun formerly RI
who served in the Revolutionary war as a private.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848 & ending 15th April 1850

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of June 1837 and sent to H.R. Mygat Oxford N.Y.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, page 168 Vol. 4
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State of New York
Chenango County Clerk's Office, ss
I, Horace S. Read, Clerk of said Count, do certify, that Uri Tracy Esq., before whom the annexed instrument was proved or acknowledged, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly authorized and qualified to take the same. And further: That I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the signature thereto, purporting to be his, is genuine, and that the said instrument is executed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official seal, at Norwich, this 2d day of May 1854
H S Read, Clerk
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Elizabeth Phillips
late
Elizabeth Rathbun
widow of Paris Rathbun
N. York
Act July 4 1836
Says she was married in June 1779

Thos Lumpkin
Present
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State of New York
Chenango County ss
On this twenty fifth day of June 1849 personally appeared before the County Court of said County of Chenango and State of New York held at the Court house in the VIllage of Norwich in the said County of Chenango the same being a Court of record. Elizabeth Phillips a resident of Oxford in said Chenango County and State of New York aged eighty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 entitled "an act granting half pay to widows or orphans where their husbands and fathers have died of wounds in the military service of the United States and for other purposes and to obtain the benefit of such other acts of Congress as may apply to and her application for a pension. That she was the widow of Paris Rathbun who was a private in Colonel John Tophams regiment of Rhode Island State Troops during the war of the Revolution That she knows that said Paris Rathbun was in service during the Revolution and that she was informed by her said husband and believes him that hew as absent in service in the same regiment for more than three years but that she does not recollect the name of the Captain of the Company in which he served. That he served under several enlistments and that she cannot write during from infirmity of memory arising from old age, particularly the time when he entered or left the service, but she distinctly recollects that he was in service after their marriage. That he resided in the town of Exeter in the state of Rhode Island where he entered the service and that he was absent from service less than a week at the
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house of their marriage. That she cannot more fully state the details of his service and that she has no documentary evidence in support of the service except the affidavit of Benjamin Cowell which is intended to be hereunto forwarded. She further declares that she was married to the said Paris Rathbun at West Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island by Elder Elisha Greene on the day (forgotten) in the month of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight (1779) That the said Paris Rathbun at that time was a resident of Exeter and adjoining town to West Greenwich. That her name before her first marriage was Elizabeth Rathbun. That her first husband the said Paris Rathbun died about twenty five years ago in the town of Oxford in Chenango County aforesaid but she cannot specify the day month or year. That she was married and that she was married to him prior to his last service as above stated. That after the death of said Paris Rathbun and about (if ten years ago but the date she cannot recollect at Woodhull in the County of Steuben and State of New York. She was married to Joseph Phillips. That said Joseph Phillips died at the town of Addison in said County of Steuben and State of New York on the 27th day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight (1848) That she is a widow.
Elizabeth Phillips
Sworn to and subscribed in open court on the day and year full above written. Before me
N. Pellet
Clerk of the County Court of said County of Chenango
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State of New York
Chenango County ss
David Rathbun being duly sworn says that he resides in Norwich Chenango County and State of New York, and was seventy two years of age in October last. That he is a half brother of Paris Rathbun who died in Oxford in said Chenango County about twenty five years ago, and was in attendance at his funeral. That the said Paris Rathbun left him surviving his widow Elizabeth Rathbun who was resided at Oxford in the County of Chenango and State of New York and who until recently had resided for some years at Addison in the County of Steuben and State of New York, with her last husband Joseph Phillips, who is now reputed to be dead.
That about the ear 1808, deponent removed from Exeter in the State of Rhode Island, to the town of Oxford in said Chenango County and State of New York. That said Paris Rathbun had previously removed from said Exeter and that previous to the removal of said Paris Rathbun from said Exeter, this deponent and said Paris Rathbun lived together in said Exeter for many years. That deponent has frequently heard his brother the said Paris Rathbun talk about the war of the Revolution and of his services therein, and understood from his said brother that he was in the Revolution from more than three years, which deponent believes true. That is was reputed in said Exeter that said Paris Rathbun was a soldier of the revolution, and his service in the revolution was a frequent subject of conversation in said Exeter. That deponent well recollects of said Paris Rathbun's returning from the
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war of the Revolution, but deponent was too young at the time to remember the names of his officers, place or time of service, but recollects that on his return from the war he wore a three cornered soldier's hat bound with white tape or ribbon.

That before the close of the war but the precise time deponent does not recollect, the said Paris Rathbun was married at West Greenwich near to said Exeter in said State of Rhode Island, to wife Elizabeth Rathbun, a daughter of Thomas Rathbun, by one Elder Greene of the Baptist Church. That deponent knew of the marriage at that time and soon after saw the said Paris and Elizabeth who lived together as husband and wife until his death at Oxford aforesaid; And that they were reputed among their relatives and friends to have been married at the time aforesaid .
David Rathbun

Sworn to before me this 7th day of July, 1849. And I certify that I am well acquainted with the said David Rathbun and that he is a man of credibility, and that his mind is not impaired by age.
D. Brown Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Chenango County ss
Allen Rathbun being duly sworn says that he resided in McDonough in said Chenango County, and will be sixty nine years of age in April next. That he is the half brother of Paris Rathbun who died in Oxford in said Chenango County about twenty five years ago, and was in attendance upon him for some time previous to his death and was present at his death. That the said Paris Rathbun left him surviving his widow Elizabeth Rathbun, who now resides at Addison Steuben County and State of New York, and still remains his widow. That about the year 1805 deponent moved from Exeter in the State of Rhode Island to the town of Norwich in said Chenango County. That deponent and his brother said Paris Rathbun had previously lived together in said Exeter. That deponent had frequently heard his brother the said Paris Rathbun talk about the war of the Revolution and of his services therein, and understood from his said brother that he was in the Revolution for many years and in one term of service for three years. Which Deponent believes true. That it was reputed in said Exeter that said Paris Rathbun was a soldier of the revolution, and his service in the Revolution was a frequent subject of conversation in said Exeter.
Allen Rathbun
Sworn to before me this 23d day of January 1849 and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said Allen Rathbun and
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that he is a man of credibility, and that his mind is not impaired by age. The word "brother", was interlined before the words "said Paris", before execution.
D Brown Justice of the peace

State of New York
Chenango County ss
I, Nelson Pellett clerk of the County Court of said County of Chenango and Clerk of the said county of Chenango do hereby certify that on the twenty fifth day of June 1849, Elizabeth Phillips appeared in open court at a term of said court held at Norwich in said county of Chenango, and made oath in open court to the above declaration subscribed by her.
I also certify that David Brown the person subscribing the above affidavits was at the date of each of said affidavits a Justice of the Peace of said county of Chenango, and duly authorized to take the same. And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said David Brown, and verily believe that the name David Brown subscribed to the said affidavits, is his proper and genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said county this third day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one.
A Purdy Clrk
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Revy Widow, &c
File No 24897
Elizabeth Phillips
formerly Wid of
Paris Rathbun
Priv Rev War
Act Feb 2nd 1848
Index: Vol P. Page 129
(Arrangement of 1870.)
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11127
New York Albany
Elizabeth Phillips widow of Paris Rathbun who died on the [blank] of Chenango in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by [blank] in the N.Y. line for twelve months.

Subscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of June 1837 and sent to H R Mygat Eq Oxford N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of [blank
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]

Revolutionary Claim Act July 7, 1838.

Recorded by H R Weightman Clerk
Book D, Vol.  Page 203
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New York Albany
Elizabeth Phillips Decd
widow of Paris Rathbun
who was a Private
in the Revoluton

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 40 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 10th day of June 1837
and sent to 
H.R. Mygatt Esq
Oxford N.Y
(Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.)
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 92
Page 18

14845
Elizabeth Phillips Dec'd
formerly widow of 
Parish Rathbun
N.York
Act 7 July 1836 &c
Ser Thos Lumpkin May 24/51
July 7/38
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Oxford, Chenango Co. N Y
Feby 6 1851

Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Within you have declaration of Elizabeth Phillips, who was the widow of Paris Rathbun, for a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836. By the proofs within you will find that said Rathbun was a private in Col Topham's Rhode Island Regiment. The proof by Benjamin Cowell shews eighteen months service at least. The widow in her declaration claimed that he was in service more than three years. She informed me that her husband was an applicant for a pension under the Act of 1818, and she thought his application under that Act will shew the particulars of his service. Will you examine the applications under the Act of 1818 for evidence of his service? The proof shews the marriage to have been in 1779 before the last service, and that there is no record of the marriage. You will find the affidavit of Elisha Sweet most satisfactory as to the marriage.
The proofs also shew the death of her husband Paris Rathbun, her marriage to Joseph Phillips, and the death of Joseph Phillips on the 27th December 1848.
Since the applicant's declaration made before the proofs were complete, the applicant has died
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leaving her surviving her children
Charity Wilcox
Gideon Rathbun
Amy Husted
Cynthia Wells
Amos Rathbun and
Lyman Rathbun
Her death was April 18, 1850. You will therefore please send me certificate for said children and I think you will find full two years service, and that the pension will be under the Act of July 4 1836.
As this is an old case you will confer a great favor on the parties if you will give this your immediate attention.
I am Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant
Henry R Mygatt
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Elizabeth Phillips dec'd
formerly widow of Paris Rathbun
N.York
adm'd 12 mon pri - $40
per ann. Commencing 4 March '31 & ending

Elizabeth Phillips dec'd
Formerly widow of Paris Rathbun New York
Act 7 July '38 &c &c
Adm'd 12 mo pri $40.00
per annum, commencing 4t March 1836 and ending 15 Apr 1850 when she died except 2 years.

Payable to Charity Wilcox, Gideon Rathbun, Amy Husted, Cynthia Wells, Amos Rathbun & Lyman Rathbun only surviving children

Sent to H.R. Mygat
Oxford N.Y
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I find Paris Rathbone on the roll of Capt Benjn Wests Co Tophams Regt from the 21 March 78th to 20 Feby '79 The roll for the other months is not on file. They were [illegible] for 12 mo
Kirby
May 31/51
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Capt West
Paris Rathbun - only . 21 March 78 for 12 mo
on roll taken Sept 13 78
Oct. 17
Nov 10
Dec 6
Jany 79
Feby 20 79
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Providence July 13 1854
Dear Sir
In reply to yours of the 8th inst relative to the "depreciation of pay" allowed Paris Rathbun, a soldier in Col Tophams regt, it must be remembered the [british pound sign]21.3.0 was for depreciation only. In 1777 1778 & 1779 continental paper money was, upon an average in the above years about 50 percent below silver & gold. I have not the scale of depreciation before me but believe it was about this. The nominal sum therefore due him was [british pound sign] 42.6.0. This was the pay of a private for more than "eighteen months" at the rate of 62/3 dollars per month N.E. currency - the rate established by Congress.
Again, look at this case in another point of view. The pay of a private was [british pound sign]24 per an. Now if Paris Rathbun served only "12 months" the depreciation was a small trifle, as he was allowed [british pound sign] 2.130 of full pay or less than 10 percent discount.
I am Respectfully 
yours
Benja Cowell

Henry R Mygatt Esq
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probably been many of Col. Topham's regiment pensioned, and the rate of commutation satisfactorily established. The papers filed by me in your office in May last will show the names of the children entitled to the increase of the pension.
I am very Respectfully
Your ob.t Servt
Henry R Mygatt

L. P. Waldo Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Oxford Chenango Co. N.Y.
J.E. Heath Esq
(Commissioner of Pensions)
Sir
On the 6th of February last I mailed to you on behalf of Charity Wilcox, Gideon Rathbone and the other children of Elizabeth Rathbone deceased, declaration with proofs to obtain the pension due to Elizabeth Rathbone at the time of her death. The applicants beg me to ask your early examination thereof. Although the papers have been in your office but a little time yet they have become impatient, and one of them, Gideon Rathbone, an intemperate wandering man, has alarmed the other children by saying to them that he was going to obtain the pension for his own use, that he had employed a Mr. Babcock of Cortland County, and that he, Babcock, promised to obtain the pension by May for him. That said Babcock understood the secrets of the pension office, and could obtain immediate attention. I am desired by the children other than Gideon to ask that you would not regard Mr. Babcock as their agent, but that you will address me only on their behalf. Trusting that I may receive an early reply.
I am, Your obt Servant
Henry R Mygatt
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence ss
I Albert G Greene, clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in said State do hereby certify that Charles Hart who has signed the within certificate, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said City, duly elected.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court this 29th day of March A.D. 1849
Albert G Greene
Clerk
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Lumpkin
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Whereas my mother Elizabeth Phillips late widow of Paris Rathbun has made an application claiming a Pension for the services of her husband Paris Rathbun now therefore I Gideon Rathbun of Oxford Chenango County N Y do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas Lumpkin of Washington City DC my true and lawful attorney and agent for me and in my name to prosecute the claim above mentioned
Gideon Rathbun
Dated Oxford
April 10th 1851
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I Elisha Sweet of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island on oath do testify and say that I am now eighty seven years of age, that I was formerly well acquainted with Parris Rathbun formerly of Exeter in said State, we were boys together, born and brought up near each other, he lived near the line of West Greenwich which Jarvis Exeter and I lived in West Greenwich close by Exeter so that we were near Neighbors, I have a distinct recollection of his Marriage, he married Elizath Rathbun a girl by the same name, he was married in the year 1779. Elder Elisha Greene married them. I remember the year but not the Month. I have reason to remember his marriage for  I courted her before his marriage and wanted to have her myself but was too young. I also remember the year of her marriage from the circumstances that it was the year before General Rochambeau arrived in Newport with a French Army whom I served a month on the Island of Rhode Island and frequently saw the French Troops. I also remember that Parris Rathbun was an Enlisted Soldier in Col Tophams Regiment of R.I Troops I kept a school in Exeter a number of years
Elisha Sweet {- his mark.

Witness Jona Nichols
State of Rhode Island Kent sc
In West Greenwhich October 12 1850
Personally appeared before me the above named Elisha Sweet and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed. I further certify he is a Credible witness he used to be a school master but from old age and Infirmity in his hands he cannot now write his name
Jona. Nichols Just Peace
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I John James of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island &c do on oath testify that I am town clerk of said town and have in my Custody by virtue of my said office the records of births and marriages which have taken place in said town. And I further certify that after a diligent examination of the records I cannot find any record of the marriage of Parris Rathbun to Elizabeth Rathbun and I also certify that I have reason to believe and know that many marriages have taken place in said town which have never been recorded.
I further certify that Elisha Green was formerly an Elder of a Baptist Church in said Town as appears of word by his signature & that fact and I have further ascertained that he kept no marriage records which he solomined
John James Tn Clk
West Greenwich

Kent ss
West Greenwich October 26th, AD 1850
Sworn to & subscribed before me, by the said John James who is known to me to be the town clerk of said town
Benjamin R Hoxsie Justice Peace
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State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Kent sc
I Joseph J Tillinghast of East Greenwich Clerk of the Supreme Court of said State, within and for the County of Kent, being a Court of Record: do certify that Jonathan Nichols subscriber to the oath under the affidavit of Elisha Sweet and also that Benjamin R Hoxsie subscriber to the oath under affidavit of John James as annexed to this certificate are both Justices of the Peace for the Town of West Greenwich in our said County, dully appointed and commissioned by the Governor of this State and that full faith and credit is due each of them in all their official acts
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this first day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty
Jos. J Tillinghast Clerk of said Court
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State of New York
County of Chenango SS
I, Nelson Pellett clerk of the Supreme Court holden at Norwich in Chenango County, in and for said State of New York, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence had been exhibited to said Court at a Special term thereof holden at Norwich aforesaid on the first Monday of February in the year 1851, that Elizabeth Phillips was an applicant for a pension from the United States: that she was a resident of the town of German in the said County of Chenango in the State of New York, and died in the said town of German Chenango County in the State of New York, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty, on the fifteenth day of April; that she left her surviving her children Charity Wilcox residing at Oxford in said County of Chenango, Gideon Rathbun residing in the town of German in said Chenango County, Amy Husted, residing in the town of Woodhull in the County of Stueben in said State of New York, Cynthia Wells of the State of Pennsylvania, Amos Rathbun of German Chenango County aforesaid, and Lyman Rathbun of Oxford in said Chenango County. That all of said children are over the age of twenty one years.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Norwich Chenango County this third day of February in the year one thousand and eight hundred and fifty one.
A Prudy clrk
Clerk of the Supreme Court
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AW

Rev. & 1812 War Section.
July 19, 1926 

A.F. Tower-Waggoner,
225 Lovering Ave.
Buffalo, N. Y.

Madam: 
I have to advise you, that if you wish photostat copies of papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 24897 of Elizabeth Phillips, on account of the services of her former husband, Paris Rathbun, who did not apply for pension, the same will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification, if that is desired.

The number of pages to be copied is thirteen.

The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau, by money order, or certified check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, (not to the order of the Commissioner of Pensions).

Respectfully,
Winfield Scott [signature]
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 38

Elizabeth Phillips former wid of Paris Rathbun
W24897
13 pages
225 Lovering Avenue
BUffalo, N.Y.
July 6, 1926

To The Commissioner of Pensions
(Rev and 1812 War Dept)
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
What will be the cost to one of photostat copy of the application for Rev. pension of one Paris (or Parish) Rathbone, who served as a Private in Capt Benjamin Went's Co., Col John Topham's Regt (in, prob. 1776 - 1778 and 1779,) of Rhode Island. He probably served from Exeter R.I.
Very respectfully,
(Mrs) Alice F Tower Waggoner