Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 45210, Abner Amsdill, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE Mass 
Amsdill, Abner or Amsdell 
NUMBER 45210
CONTENTS
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This certifieth, that Abner Amsdill has served three year in the 5 Massachusetts Regiment being the full term of his Inlistment;  has conducted himself as a good and faithful Soldier, and is hereby discharged the service.

Given under my hand, at Quarter [illegible] [?] this first day of April 1780.
Ezra Newhall Lt Col Comdt
[illegible]
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June 12 1790.       Payment received 
By Seth Balfor Esq ———18 78/90

Abner Armsdill
S.F. 48,  210 Rev War
Mass.
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[left side]
4,569 
Roll of New York 
Abner Amsdell 
Capt Shay Private 
Massachusetts Line in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War 
---
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 2d of May 1818
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Certificate of Pension issued the 26 of November 183 ┃ and sent to Saml Wilkinson Esqr Judge Buffalo New York 
---
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819 3 mo. 30/31 32.00 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819. 48 
Putnam 
==== 
$800

Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1848. Three years
Continued

[right side]
Con'd Nov 16 1822 & sent to 
A.H. Tracy, Buffalo, N.York
Samuel Wilkinson Mass
Lt. Samuel Lake June 24 1861
Date of decree Newt A.B
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[crossed out: Papers of Abner Amsdill a Revolutionary soldier] 
Samuel Wilkison, Esq; 
Judge,
Buffalo Niagara Co New York 
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Abner Amsdell, Massachusetts line, Revolutionary Claim f
---
ound on the rolls of Col. Rufus Putnam's regimt 
---
For testimony relative to the indigent circumstances of the applicant- See endorsement in the case of Thomas Rowley
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State of New York Niagara County ss 
On this 22 day of May 1818 before me Samuel Wilkison one of the Judges of the court of Common pleas in and for the County of Niagara personally appear Abner Amsdill aged fifty nine years let me known who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the follow declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the late and naval service of the United States [crossed out: during] in the revolutionary war, 

that he the said Abner enlisted in the month of April 1777 into Capt Daniel Shays Company in the fifth Regiment of the Massachusetts line of continental troops commanded by Col Rufus Putnam, that the term of his enlistment was for three years, at places in the State of Massachusetts, that he continued to serve in ford regiment the full term of three years as a soldier until the first day of April 1780 when he was honorably discharged from the services by Lieut Col Ezra Newhall at Soldiers fortune on the highlands in the State of New York , that he afterwards enlisted into Capt Sewalls company in the 2d regiment of the Massachusetts line commanded by Col Sprout where he served as a soldier until the and of the war and was honorably discharged
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therefrom at West point in the State of New York. That he was in the battle at Berney heights & in several skirmishes, during the war in one of which he was wounded by a bayonet shot in his body 

that he is in reduced circumstances and and in need of the assistance of his country for apport that the discharge he received for the first three years service is herewith forwarded and that the other discharge is lost, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services, that he is a citizen of the United States and resides in Hamsburgh in the State of New York
Sworn and declared to before me the day and year aforesaid 
[signed]Abner Amsdill
Samuel Wilkison
Judge Niagara Coun

State of New York 
Niagara County ss
I Samuel Wilkison one of the Judges the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Niagara aforesaid do certify that it appears to my full satisfaction that the said Abner Amsdill did serve faithfully in the revolutionary war against the Common evening and I now transmit the providing testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the war Department pursuant to the aforementioned act of Congress dated at Buffalo the 9th day of May 1818 -
Samuel Wilkeson
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State of New York Niagara County ss⎬ 
James Mitchell, Benjamin J Clough of Hamburgh in the County of Niagara came before me Samuel Wilkison one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Niagara and being by me duly sworn severally depose on their oath severally say that they are neighbors residing near the forgoing Abner Amsdell and have been well acquainted with him several years that is advanced in life and so infirm in health as to disenable him from labor-- that they don't know that he is possessed of any property whatever, that he has lately been imprisoned for debt, and that in their opinion and belief he has not and cannot acquire sufficient means for his [crossed out: support] maintenance and stands in absolute need of his country for support 
[signed]Benjy Clough James Mitchell

Sworn & Subscribed the 19 day of Oct 1818 Before [illegible signature] Judge Niagara County 

Niagara Ss 
I the above named Samuel Wilkeson Judge of aforesaid do further certify that the above named James Mitchell Benjamin J Clough are personally known to me to be respectable and credible witnesses, and that from their testimony and from my own personal knowledge I am fully satisfied that the said Abner Amsdell is in indigent circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for the support 
James [illegible]
Judge Niagara
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State of New York Niagara County Clerks office Ss

I Frederick B Merrill Clerk of the County of Niagara do hereby certify that Samuel Wilkison before whom the preceeding affidavit and certificate appear to have been taken is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the county aforesaid acting as such under the authority of this State and that the same so signed in the proper hand writing of the said Samuel Wilkison 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the County seal at Buffalo this second day of May 1818 

F. B Merrill
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Abner Amsdell
4569
March 1818

Con 
JL E
Page 11

State of New York Erie County Ss }
On this twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two personally appeared in open Court viz in the Court of Common Pleas held at the Court House in Buffalo in the for said County of Erie being a court of record and constituted as such by [inserted: the] laws of said State. Abner Amsdell aged sixty four years resident in said County who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served three years in Col R. Putnams Regmentof the Massachusetts line of the Continental troops in the Revolutionary War this from about the year 1777 to about the year 1780 in the company commanded by Capt Danl Shays as will appear more fully by his discharge which he believes to be now on file at the War Office having been sent then with his Original declaration, 

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it or to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818", and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contract or debts due to me nor have I any income other that what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed and which is not worth more than the several sums annexed to the said Articles respectively 
One bed which I think worth --- $15.00
" Bed stand --- 1.00
Three shirts --- 2.75
Two woolen Blankets --- 5.00
One bed quilt --- 5.00
One under straw bed old --- 1.00
One Iron pail pot --- 1.00
One tea kettle --- 1.00
3 Blue White Tea cups & saucers & per as --- 19
Four knives 7 forks old --- .25
One Tea pot Black Tin old --- .75
Four Earthen Bowls --- .40
Four plates 40 cents 1 table 1 Dollar --- 1.40
Three old chairs 75 cents --- .75
====
36.49

Real estate I have none either in Law or equity nor have I any interest in any other legally or equitably
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and I do further swear that I am by occupation a farmer but from age and an affliction of the palsey, I am unable to Labour but a part of my time, that my family consists of myself and my wife Susannah aged about seventy two years who is not able to assist in my support 

I further swear that according to my recollection I applied for a pension on the second day of May 1818 under the aforesaid Act of Congress and subsequently obtained a certificate from the war Department (numbered 4569) & dated 26th November 1818. That I was placed on the New York Agency and further say not 
Abner Annell 

Sworn to & declared in open court the 28 day of August 1822
Jacob A Barker Dep Clk

State of New York Erie County Ss⎬ 
I James Barton Clerk of the County of Erie and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing both and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Record of said Court. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the Total amount of value [inserted: of] property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is thirty six dollars and forty nine cents 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this first day of September AD 1822. 
James L Barton Clerk 
By J A Barker Dep
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State of New York Erie County Ss, 

Abner Amsdell being duly Sworn according to Law on his oath says that he resides in the Town of Hamburgh in said County, that he is a son and heir of Abner Amsdell who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States and died in the said Town of Hamburgh on or about the first of August (or last of July) in the year 1846 as the deponent believes, but the date is made from recollection. The deponent believes his Father Served through the whole of the Revolution to the close of the war and belonged to the Massachusetts line, but he never heard of his receiving Bounty Land, and from the relation of the service by his Father, the deponent believes he was entitled to Land by the the laws of the United States. This affidavit is made in order to asertain whether the said Abner Amsdell, his Father, ever received Bounty Land for his Revolutionary Service or was entitled to it by the laws of the United States-- - --- 

Sworn and Subscribed this 19th day of June 1861 Abner Amsdell 
Before me.- Samuel Lake Commissioner of Deeds of the City of Buffalo
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Before me ---

State of New York, ERIE COU ER'S OFFICE. SS. }
I, OBgADIAH J. GREEN, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, certify that Samuel Lake Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, and whose name is subscribed in the certificate of proof thereof, was at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds, for the City of Buffalo, in the said County, duly sworn and acting as such, and authorized to take the same ; and further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the signature thereto to be his genuine signature. 

IN TESTMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and the Courts thereof, the Seventeenth day of June A. D. 1841. 

S. C Adams Clerk
Page 15

Rev. and 1812 
Wars Section. 
AWF


December 15, 1930 Mrs. C. F. Strong 
59 N. 171st Street 
Flushing, New York. 

Dear Madam: You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 45210, that Abner Amsdill ( pensioned as Amsdell ) enlisted in Greenwich, Massachusetts in April 1777 and served in Captain Daniel Shays' Company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's Fifth Massachusetts Regiment , was in the battle of Bemis Heights, and was discharged April 1, 1780, from the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment. He afterwards enlisted and served in Captain Sewall's Company Colonel Sprout's Massachusetts Regiment, and served until close of the war. He stated that he was in several skirmishes , one of which he was wounded by a bayonet in his body. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 2, 1818, at which time he was living in Hamburg, New York , and was aged fifty-nine years. 

In 1820, he stated that his wife, Susannah, was aged seventy-two years. In 1861, his son Abner stated that the of August 1846. There are no further data as to family. soldier died in Hamburg, New York the last of July or first of August 1846. There are no further data as to family.

Very truly yours, E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissione
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[left side, partially obscured]
Buffalo NY
---
, Hart
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Hist to 
innell

[center]
45210
Revy INVALID
File No. 45210
Abner Amsdell
Pri. Rev. War

Act: 18th March 1818

Index:- Vol 3, Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870]

[right side]
Oct. 15 1901
Dr. Jno R. Gray
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Jany 14 - 1903 J. Harry Hanks 
---
Mch. 14, 1903- Mrs. Rachel A. G. Irving N.Y. 
---
1909 June 7. Hist. to Jane Carpenter 
1930. Dec. 15 - Hist to Mrs. F. Strong and
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O. W. & N. Div. 
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, Washington. D.C.
Oct. 12, 1891. 
Respectfully returned to the writer, who is requested to furnish, for purposes of identification , as much as possible of the informal tion called for below. 
Wm Lockson 
Commissioner. 

Full name of soldier: Abner Amsdell. 
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Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.) Deerfield, Franklin Co. Mass.
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Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.) Hamburg, Erie Co., N. Y. 
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Date of death (as near as possible): Fall of 1851. 
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Susan, died 1844, before her husband. 
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Did either he or his widow receive a pension? It is reported by relatives that he did receive a pension. 
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Remarks: 
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Your name and address 
Dr John R Gray Seventh Street, Buffalo, Erie Co., N. Y. 

233862m
Page 18

Rev Ext 
[postmark: PENSION OFFICE JUN 24 190 ]

Abner Amsdell 
N.Y. Act  18, Jn 1818- No B.L. Joseph 

[sideways]
FREE
Jos A. Barrett Esq
Comr of Pensions  
Washington DC

[postmark: DEF FA
JUN 01 1887 N.Y.]
Page 19

45,210 
Abner Amsdell 
---
May 2, 1818 - 59 
[crossed out: Niagara] Erie County.  N.Y 
---
Apl 77 Mass 
Capt. Daniel Shay Col Rufus Putnam 
Put 3 yrs
[crossed out: Capt Sewall Col Sproat to end of war]
---
Bemis Heights
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N. Yk. 71
Rec'd 1 October. 1829
[postmark: BUFFA ]

Abner Amsdell
March 1819
Nov 16 1822
Com'd A. H Macy
Buffalo

[written on top]
Calhoun
Sec. of War
Massachusetts
Page 21

J L Edwards Esq Pension Officew

Buffalo New York
23 Sep 1822

Sir
Enclosed is the deposition and oath of Abner Amsdill a soldier of the revolution whose pension has been suspended,  & the papers are found satisfactory as I perceive they will be please advise me of the continuance of his pension 
Respectfully your obt Servt 
Albert Tracy
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Old cased
[postmark BUFFALO NOV 9 NY]
Free
Hon. John C. Calhoun
War Department 
Washington

[upside down: Admitted]
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Buffalo New York 5 Nov 1818 

Hon Jus C Calhoun

I again enclose to the war department the pension papers of Abner Amsdill with additional and I presume satisfactory evidence of his claim 
wet repect 
Saml Wilkison
Page 24

Buffalo June 21. 1861 
J. H. Barnett Esq Comr of Pensions 
Sir - Mr Amsdell who has made the enclosed affidavit feels verry confident that his father never recd Bounty Land and is anxious to present his claim under the old law or the act of 1835, and it will oblige me if you will inform if he ever received a warrant for services in the Revolution 

He belonged to Massachusetts resided in this County when pensioned payable at the Albany Agency. I think if he was a during war soldier, a Warrant has been issued for a large majority of the New placed but a small value upon their claim and sold them for a trifle- 

Respy Yours Samuel Lake
Page 25

OWN
[stamp OLD WAR & NAVY MAR 12 1908 FILE]
Irving, March 7th 03

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions 

I desire to secure information concerning my great Grandfather Abner Amsdell who I have reason to believe was a soldier in the war of the Revolution & that he rec'd a pension 

If this information is correct will to you please instruct me how proceed to secure a detailed account [inserted: or will you be kind enough to send it to me] of his war record, that is the date of his enlistment, Engagements & the date, & the date of his retirement from the army, etc. 

This information is to be used as a passport into the society of the Daughters of the Revolution
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and shall thank you greatly for the information desired. 
Respectfully Mrs. Rachel A. Grennell,
Irving Chaut. Co. N. Y.

RFD. = 2
Page 27

O.W.&N.
GURNEY TENT NO. 636. 


Hart, Mich. JAN 5 1903 

Dept of the Interior 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington D.C 

I desire to secure infor ation concering my Great Great Grand Father, Abner Amsdell who was a soldier in the revolution & rec'd pension for same, I would like his war record, date of enlistment, Engagements, & discharge ● This information is to be used as a passport into the society of the sons of the Revolution Respectfully Yours 
J. Harvey Hanks 
L. B. #65 Hart Oceana Co. Mich.

[postmark]U.S.PENSION OFFICE JAN 9 1903
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Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir;- Will you be kind enough to give me a copy of the records of Abner Amsdell, Pension List 1818 and 1840, Erie Co. N. Y. and send to my address, and by so doing greatly oblige, 
Very truly yours Irene Carpenter 
#2445 Tracy Ave 
Kansas City Mo
Page 29

DR. JOHN R. GRAY, 246 SEVENTH ST. BUFFALO, N.Y. 
GCW OWN

Oct. 12, 1901. 
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, 
I desire to secure information concerning my great, great grandfather, Abner Ansdell who I have reason to believe was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and that he received a pension. If this information is correct will you please instruct me how to proceed to secure a detailed account of his war record, that is, the date of his enlistment, engagements, and the date of his retirement from the army, etc. This information is to be used in the compilation of a biography of that branch of my family, and also as a passport into the Society of the Sons of the Revolution. 

I inclose herewith an information blank filled out in accordance with known facts, and shall thank you greatly for the information.

Respectfully, John R. Gray 46 Seventh Street, Buffalo, Erie Co., N. Y.
Page 30

Flushing NY
November 25

U. S. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C 

Dear Sir Will you kindly send me a copy of the data your records show concerning Abner Amsdell who was born in Deerfield Mass, in about 1750, and who fought in the Revolutionary war as a grenadier and drew a pension 
Thanking you very much
Yours truly 
Eva C. Strong (Mrs C.F.) 
57-N. 171 St Flushing Lot N. Y. City 
[postmark: US PENSION OFFICE NOV 28 1930]
Page 31

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Abner Amsdill a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for sion on file in this Bureau. 
Sur. File 45210 
[table headings]DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. |  LENGTH OF SERVICE. ┃ RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. |  COLONEL | STATE 
[row 1] Apl 1777 | to Apl 1. 80 | [blank] | Daniel Shays | Rufus Putnam | 5 Mass
[row 2] [checkmark] | to end of Mar | [blank] | Sewall | Sprout | Mass
He sustained bayonet wd. of body in one of several skirmishes - not specified 

Battles engaged in, Bemis Heights 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl. at Greenwich, Mass. 
Date of application for pension, May 2, 1818. 
Residence at date of application, Hamburg, NY
Age at date of application, 57 yrs. 
Remarks: His wife Susannah was 72 yrs of age in 1820. In 1821 his son Abner stated that soldier died at Hamburg the last of July or first of Aug. 1846. (No B.L.) 
Ch. not entitled thereto under the 5mos.