Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15202, for Benjamin Race, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New York    
Race, Benjamin      
NUMBER 
S. 15202

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

1425  New York  14490
___________________________

Benjamin Race

Of Columbia in the State of N. York
who was a Corp.& Priv.- in the Comp.
commanded by Captain Kline in the Reg't.
commanded by Col. Thompson in the
N.Y. line for 8 mos. Corp & 8 mos. & 8 days Priv.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
the rate of 56 Dollars & 82 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May
1833 and Jno. D. Parker, Hudson

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 $113.64 
Semiannl. allowance ending 4 Sep. '33" $28.41
---
[total] $142.05

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by G.C. Stiles, Clerk,
Book E, Vol. 4, Page 73

Date of death not on G.B.
Page 3

21425
Benjamin Race
Columbia county
New York

16 mo.  8 ds.
aom'd
8 mo  corps
8. mo. 8 ds. priv
______________


26.66                      36
     88                        8
                               _____________
                               21.28
29.28                       
-----------
[total] 56.82

John D. Parker , Clk
   Hudson N. York
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
183

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 Benj Race, Columbia Co., N.Y.

Period when the service was rendered:
(1) Volunteer 1775
Duration of claimant's service: 2 months
Rank of the claimant: Private
Names & Rank of the Company officers under whom he served: Capt. Kline
Names & Rank of the General & Field Officers:
Col. Livingston
Battles in which the applicant was engaged:
Duanesburk
Country through which he marched: Schenectady, Duanesburk
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period:  80
Livingston Manor, N.Y.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported: 1 traditional witness; a witness to
part of service as set forth

(2) Volunteer, 1776
3 months
Capt. Kline
Country marched through:  Halfmoon, Stillwater
(3) Volunteer, 1777
8 months
Rank:  corporal
Officers:  Capt. Kline
Country marched through:  Albany
(4) 1776
2 months
Rank:  Private
Captain:  Capt. Elliott
Country marched through:  Fort Edward, Fishkill
(5) X*  14 days, 24 days
Captain:  Capt. Robertson
[total service] 16 mo., 8 days

*X - amended declaration makes 16-1/2 months' service

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

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 persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 
DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of } ss. On this ___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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)_____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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I, _______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 days 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 application 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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a Soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
To an Officer: Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
(a)The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. (b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he 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 person or persons 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; places where the service was performed, that the applicant served with all 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 fix 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.
 [picture of a pointing finger] 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

State of New York
Columbia County
City of Hudson   } ss: 
On this tenth day of August in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Justice of the Justices Court in & for the City of Hudson now sitting  - it being a Court
of Record having a Clerk Seal,  Benjamin Race, a resident of the Town of Copeck [Copake] in the County of Columbia and State of New York, aged Eighty years last April 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 Seventh one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two. That he entered
the service of the United States under the following officers & served as herein stated.
First in the spring of seventeen hundred and seventy-five, there was an alarm that the
enemy were about to make an attack upon the
Schenectady, and while deponent resided in what was then called the Town of Livingston Manor, the militia were called out, and deponent entered the company commanded by Capt Leonard Kline as a private.  This company was in the Regiment commanded by
Col. Livingston; Samuel Tenbrock was Major and Robert Van Rensselaer General.  Deponent marched with the company of Capt Kline to Schenectady while then the Indians made their apperance at Duanesburg and deponent was one who were ordered to that place to repel them.  Deponent remained at Duanesburg and Schenectady about two months.  The company was then discharged and returned home.
In the year seventeen hundred seventy six
deponent again volunteered and marched in the Company commanded by Capt Kline to Half moon point & Stillwater, remained at those two places three months, this
year.  The next spring 1777, early in March, he,
according to his best recollection, he volunteered in the company of Capt Kline and by him was appointed a corporal of said Company; marched to Albany & from
Page 8

there to Fort Edward arrived there and at Lake George three months, then returned home with the company. In a few days there was an alarm again and Captain Kline's Company again volunteered and deponent again entered his company as a Corporal and marched to Fort Edward and from there to Bennington; arrived there four days after the battle
between the British troops under Col. Baum and the Americans under Genl. Starke from Bennington.  Deponent marched with the American troops to Fort Edward. Deponent was discharged at Fort Edward and returned home.  It was late in the fall before he got
home.  This last tour deponent says he was out
all of five months, making the whole time deponent was out the year Eight months. Deponent says In was at Fort Edward when Burgoyne surrendered - deponent further says that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six in the fall of the year he marched as a private in the Company commanded by Capt Elliott to FishKill; remained there about two months. While there helped to build
the Barracks.  Deponent says during the war he was out many different times after the Tories; recollects of being out with Capt. Elliott one time two weeks; this was at the time Capt Cooms was robbed; at an other time he was out with Capt Robertson three or four weeks-
In answer to the Interrogatories put to him by the Court, deponent answering says he was born in April Seventeen hundred & fifty two in the town of Livingston Manor now town of Ancram in said County of Columbia and State of New York.
Deponent has no record of his age that he can now find;  deponent resided when he was called into service in said town of Livingston Manor
Page 9

now called Copeck [Copake] in said County of Columbia and State aforesaid, which is the adjoining town to Ancram and within one or two miles of where deponent was born, and where he has ever since lived and where he now lives.  
Deponent says he entered the service as a volunteer, never went as a substitute for any person - Deponent cannot now recollect the names of any of the regular officers; Van Rensselaer was the General; Livingston was the Colonel, and Samuel Tenbroek was
the Major.
Deponent has now no recollection of ever having any written discharge - deponent
never had a commission.  Deponent is acquainted with John A Decker, Adam Fritts & Cornelius William, who are his neighbors, and he thinks they will certify as to deponent's character for truth & the belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution; and this deponent further declares that he knows
of no living witnesses of his said service Except Willke Jonas Farmer,  who went with witness in Capt Kline's Company in the year 1777 when Burgoyne was taken and Andrus A Race who was with deponent at Fishkill about two months and at the North Half Moon Point & Stillwater.  Deponent has no documentary
testimony-- that he hereby relinquishes all claims to any pension or annuity except the present.  Deponent's name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
[signed] Benjamin Race (X) his mark

Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
Hiram Wilbur, Clerk
Page 10

there to Fort Edward; remained there and at Lake George three months, then returned home with the company.  In a few days there was an alarm and Captain Kline's Company again volunteered and deponent again entered his company as a Corporal and marched to Fort Edward and from there to Bennington;  arrived there four days after the battle
between the British troops under Col. Baum and the Americans under Genl Starke.  From Bennington deponent marched with the American troops to Fort Edward. Deponent was discharged at Fort Edward and returned home.  It was late in the fall before he got
home.  This last tour deponent says he was out
all of five months, making the whole time deponent was out this year eight months. Deponent says in was at Fort Edward when Burgoyne surrendered - deponent further says that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six in the fall of the year he marched as a private in the Company Commanded by Capt Elliott to Fishkill; remained there about
two months, while there, helped to build
the Barracks.  Deponent says during the war he was out many different times after the Tories; recollects of being out with Capt. Elliott at one time two weeks  - this was at the time Capt Cooms was robbed.  At an other time he was out with Capt Robertson three or four weeks.
In answer to the Interrogatories put to him by the Court, deponent answering says he was born in April Seventeen hundred & fifty two in the town of Livingston Manor, now town of Ancram in said County of Columbia and State of New York.
Deponent has no record of his age that he can
now find - deponent resided when he was called into service in said town of Livingston Manor
Page 11

State of New York
Columbia County
City of Hudson } ss:
I, Cornelius Williams, resident of the town of Copeke [Copake] in Columbia County do hereby certify that I am sixty six years of age. During the Revolutionary war, I resided as a resident of what was then called the Town of Livingston Manor in said County of
Columbia, now called Copake, and within one mile of where I was born & where I have ever since resided and still reside.  I was during the Revolutionary war well acquainted with Benjamin Race who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, and have been well acquainted with him ever since having always, since the Revolution, resided within
three or four miles of him.  Deponent says he
distinctly recollects of said Benjamin Race having one of deponent's father's horses to make a team to to go as a teamster to the north in the service of the United States. Deponent verily believe said Benjamin Race
to be Eighty years of age; that he is reputed
& believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I do fully concur in that opinion.
[signed] Cornelius Williams
Sworn and subscribed
this 19th day of Sept 1832
Hiram Wilbur, Clerk

State of New York
County of Columbia
City of Hudson } ss: 
I, John A Decker of the Town of Copake 
in said County do hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with Benjamin Race who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration and have been so acquainted with him for forty years last past.  I believe him to be Eighty years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
Page 12

and that I fully concur in that opinion.
[signed] John A Decker
Sworn & subscribed this 19th
Sept 1832 before said Court
Hiram Wilbur, 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. And the Court further certifies that it does appear to them that Cornelius Williams and John A Decker
who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the Town of Copake in said County of Columbia and are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit.
-
I Hiram Wilbur, Clerk of the Justices Court in and for the City of Hudson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Race for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of my office this
20th September 1832
Hiram Wilbur, Clerk
---
Page 13

State of New York
Columbia County ⎬  ss:
City of Hudson
On this 26th day of December in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justice of the Justice Court in & for the City of Hudson in said County of Columbia and State aforesaid which Court is now sitting, Benjamin Race a resident of the town of Copake in said County of Columbia being duly sworn according to law, says he is the Identical Benjamin Race who did on the tenth day of August last, make the foregoing declaration
before the above mentioned Court in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the United States passed on the seventh day of June 1832, and the said Benjamin Race doth now upon his oath aforesaid make
the following additional declaration in order the more fully definitely & explicitly to satisfy the war department of his said service in the Revolutionary war, and in answer to the fifth interrogatory and the Ninth Interrogatory in the brief from the war office, deponent
says that it was according to the best of his recollection, the forepart of the month of May 1775 that he was first called out in Capt Kline's Company as stated in his said declaration, and that he was in the service this tour two months; & in the forepart of July he was discharged at Albany & returned home. That it was
as near as he can recollect the month of June
1776 that he took the second tour in Capt Kline's Company and went to Half Moon & Stillwater & remained in service this tour three months.  And in the month of September
of the same year he was discharged at Stillwater and returned home.  He further says that the next tour was in the month of March 1777, & he believes the forepart of March of this year he went in Capt Kline's
Company and at this time he was a Corporal in said Company & marched to Albany & Fort Edward as is stated in his declaration.  That he remained in service
Page 14

this tour three months and was then in the month of June of same year discharged at Fort Edwards and returned home.  Deponent further says that shortly after he got home and he thinks the last of June 1777, he went again in Capt Kline's Company as stated in his declaration and he was discharged the very
last of November.  That he was out this tour
five months & was discharged at Half Moon.
Deponent further says that the service at Fishkill as mentioned in his declaration stressed his mind at the time he made the declaration until after the other services were taken down; that it was about the first of October of 1776 that he went to Fishkill and was discharged the first of December, having served then two months.  That he was
out after the Tories at least six weeks.  Deponent further says that he is very infirm and scarcely ever goes from home; that there is no clergyman, nor has there been for many years past within eight or ten miles of where deponent resides; that there is no one clergyman with whom deponent is acquainted who can testify for him or give any certification.  That by reason of his old age and
great infirmity & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the exact day he was discharged or entered the service but he is positive he was out as above stated & that he served in the service of the United States during the Revolution more than
sixteen and a half months-
[signed] Benjamin Race (X) his mark
John D. Parker, Clk

I, John D. Parker, Clerk of the Justice Court in and for the city of Hudson do hereby certify that the within proceedings are a matter of record on the minutes of said Court of the tenth day of August last and the 19th & 20th of September last, the days of the date within specified & that the above of the 26 Instant being the amended declaration of Benjamin Race is the original proceeding as appears by said Record in the matter of the application of said Benjamin Race. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office this 26th December 1832.
John D Parker Clk
Page 15

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
January 19, 1926

L. V. Wellner
333 West 23rd St.,
New York City

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15202 it appears that Benjamin Race was born in April 1752 in Livingston's Manor, the part which was later Ancram, Columbia County, New York.
While a resident of Livingston's Manor, the part which was later Copake, Columbia County, New York, he enlisted in May 1775 and served two months as private in Captain Kline's*
Company, Colonel Livingston's New York
Regiment.
He enlisted in June 1776, served three months as private in Captain Kline's New York Company and about October 1, 1776 enlisted and served two months in said Company.
He enlisted in March 1777, served three months as corporal in Captain Kline's New York Company, and the last of June 1777 enlisted and served five months as corporal in
said company.
He also served a tour of two weeks in Captain Elliott

*[handwritten note in margin: "I did not use 'Leonard' as the given name, as it was Capt. 'Conrad' Kline."]
Page 16

New York Company, and a tour of three or four weeks in Captain Robertson's New York Company, the dates not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832 while a resident of Copake, New York.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

[handwritten note: "Date of death not on" AB]
Page 17

15.202
INVALID
File No.   15.202
Benjamin Race
Pri & Corp. Rev. War
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 309
{Arrangement of 1870}

1926- Jan-19-Hist.  to L.V. Wellner
1933-Sept 22-Ad. L.V. Wellner
rel. to Benj. Race.
1936-Oct 1- Hist to Mrs. H. V. Stacy. EL for ? H F.
Page 18

Department of the Interior,
Interior Department Bldg
Washington.
D.C.

Commissioner of the
General Land Office.

[circular postmark:  NEW YORK NY SEP 2 1933
1 PM ]
[circular mark:  RECEIVED SEP 12 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS.ADM. READER #64]
[square postmark: RECEIVED SEP 5 1933 G.L.O.]
Page 19

261 W. 22nd. St.,
New York, N.Y. Set. 24, '33.    

Commissioner
of the General Land Office,
Washington, D.C.

       Dear Sir:-
              Will you kindly send me particulars regarding Government lands, as to Homestead, land grants etc.
          Does a pensioner of the Revolutionary or other Wars, have grants awarded to them?  Benjamin Race, was in the 10th. Albany New York Regt in Revolutionary war. Tunis Race, son of the above was Lieut Col. in the 165th Regt. New York in War of 1812. I am a descendant of these men.

          Kindly send me the addresses of the Land Offices, and etc.

                 Yours truly,
                        L.V. Wellner.
Page 20

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
GENERAL LAND OFFICE
WASHINGTON

1508624 "K" MKH

SEP 9 - 1933

The attached communication has been
received by the General Land Office and
is referred to the Director of Pensions, Veterans' Administration, for further reply and the writer so advised.
D. Parrott
Acting Assistant Commissioner.

[circular stamp: SEP 12 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV. VET. ADM. READER# 64]

2 encl.
RaS 9-7-kes.
Page 21

                          333 West 23d. Street
                          New York, NY, Nov 28, 1925

The Commissoner
Of Pensions
Washington , D.C.

Dear Sir,
     Will you kindly inform me if I can obtain the pension record of Benjamin Race who served in the 10th Albany County New York Militia in the Revolution.  I also desire information in regard to  Tunis Race who was an Ensign 1812. in Robt T. Livingston Rgt. Columbia County Militia.  Captain 1813. Second-Major. 1814. and Lieut-Colonel 1817. of the 165th Regiment New York Militia.  I would like to obtain the pension, land bounty right record of the two above mentioned men and if ever taken up- I would like to also obtain the
Page 22

above information of Gideon P. Wolcott, and John A. Wecker - who were Captains at one time of the 165th. Regt.
     I would be pleased to hear from you at an early date- Was referred to your office by the Adjutant-General's Office Washington. D.C.

                 Yours Truly
                    L.V. Wellner
Page 23

[circular postmark:  U.S. PENSION OFFICE A
NOV 30 1925]
Page 24

Aug 13 1936
11 Auburn Rd
West Hartford, CT

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir,
Please send me all that your records may contain of the following Revolutionary War Soldiers, all believed to be of same family name, although, it is not thought so by some, but 3 different spellings are used in my own family, those of records & in printed books, are are Rosay, Rasey, Racey, Race, Raze, Rase, Razee, Raycey, Razay, Racver, Razor, Raysey, Rascey and others.

Joseph Raysey of Wrentham Mass
Cuff Razaray  of Abington Mass.
George Race of Mass
William Race of Mass
One William Rasa of Greenwich Mass.

Benjamin Race was placed on pension Roll of Columbia Co. N.Y. 1832 at the age of 80 for service of private Corporal in New York Continental Line, data regards last payments of Pension.
Elisha Razor or Rasor, Conn. & Privateer Pen. # 8625
Simeon Cooper of near Lake Champlain possibly of Vermont side of this place or in Clinton Co. New York which borders on
Lake C - on the west, his father, was I believe Thomas Cooper. I am very anxious to find his mother's maiden name as she was also mother to my James Rasey; he was my great grand father and his father died and his mother

[circular mark:  RECEIVED AUG 16 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS. ADM. READER #7]
Page 25

married a Thomas Cooper; he died 1818, and his father and grandfather were a Revolutionary War Soldier, we have no data of him, there would be no pension for him, and probably not for his father.
And have you any data of these soldiers of East Windsor, CT, Levi, Asa, Eali, Jonathan Fish (mother, Dorothy Fish), Benjamin Fish, Elijah Fish.
Some were fathers of families and were Revolutionary War soldiers and were also in the War of 1812, this may be only tradition, I am not sure, I am looking for an Aaron Fish, born abt. 1780 and of East Windsor and if you find an Aaron in any family mentioned here just make a note of others found and send me that one family, as given in your records for the present.  I am very grateful.
Thank you kindly.
Thank you sincerely. 
Very truly yours,
(Mrs. H.V.) Harriette V. Stacy

[circular stamp:  RECEIVED AUG 15 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM. READER #7]
Page 26

Enc.
United States
Department of the Interior
General Land Office
Washington.
In reply, please refer to 15-8624 "K" MKH
Information
Mr. L. V. Wellner,
261 West 22nd Street,
New York, New York.
My dear Sir,
Referring to your communication of September 2, 1933, you are advised that bounty lands for services in the Revolutionary War were granted to certain soldiers by the United States Government as well as by some of the original states, including New York. The United States Government also issued bounty land warrants for services in the War of 1812.
Examination of the index in this office of the name of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War who received bounty land warrants fails to disclose the name of Benjamin Race. It may be that he received a land warrant from the State of New York. In that case information concerning same may be obtained from the Commissioner of the Land Office, Albany, New York.
Page 27

This office does not maintain and index of the names of the soldiers of the War of 1812 who received bounty land warrants, except the names of those whose warrants were located in Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois. Examination of such index has been made in an effort to identify a land warrant issued to Tunis Race, but without success.
As the director of Pensions, Veterans' Administration, this city, has a more complete record of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War and of the War of 1812 who received bounty land warrants, your communication has been referred to that official for further reply.
Very respectfully,
J. R. Bennett
Acting Assistant Commissioner.
Page 28

October 1, 1936
Mrs. H. C. Stacy
11 Arburn Road
West Hartford, Connecticut
Dear Madam,
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Joseph, Cuff, George, William (2), Race, Rasee. and various other spellings. Benjamin Race, pensioner of Columbia County, New York, in 1832, Elisha Race, R.8625, Simon and Thomas Cooper, Levi, Asa, Eli, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Elijah Fish, one of whom may have been the father of Aaron Fish, born in 1780, and may have served, also in the War of 1812.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War and War of 1812 data, and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of those wars. The records of Benjamin Race and Elisha Razar, described above, are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 29

Mrs. H. V. Stacy
11 Arburn Road
West Hartford Connecticut
Dear Madam,
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15302, based upon the military service of Benjamin Race in the war.
Benjamin Race was born in April 1752 in Livingston Manor, the part which was later Ancram, Columbia County, New York. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Livingston Manor, the part which was later Copake, Columbia County, New York, he enlisted in May 1775, and served two months as private in Captain Kline's Company, Colonel Livingston's New York Regiment; he enlisted in June 1776, served three months as private in Captain Kline's New York Company, and about October 1, 1776, enlisted and served two months in said company; he enlisted in March 1777, served three months as corporal in Captain Kline's New York Company, and the last of June 1777, enlisted and served five months as corporal in same company: he also served a tour of two weeks in Captain Elliot's New York Company and a tour of three or four weeks in Captain Robertson's New York Company, the dates not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, while a resident of Copalce, New York.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner. Benjamin Race (S. 15202), you should address the comptroller general, General Accounting Offices, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Page 30

Benjamin Race, Certificate No. 14490, issued May 27, 1833, rate $56.82 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.

Elisha Razar
R. 8625
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 8626, based upon the military service of Elisha Razar.
Elisha Razar was born December 10, 1753. The place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Hyde Park, Lamoille County, Vermont, Elisha Razar applied on June 17, 1851, for the pension which might have been due on account of his services in the Revolutionary War and alleged that he volunteered in Norwich, Connecticut, in March 1779, on board a privateer vessel commanded by Captain Hardin, sailed for the coast of England, was in an engagement with the ship "Snow", a vessel engaged in East India trade, loaded with specie and sugar, captured that vessel and took her into New London:  that after this, he was in another engagement when his ship fell in with a British ship having an American ship under guard, recaptured the American ship and took both into New London; length of this service, nine months: that in 1781, he was called out at the siege of Fort Griswold and the burning of New London, and that he was wounded in the groin while serving as a guard on the outside of Fort Griswold and was there at the time of the surrender of said fort; that the length of this service was more than three months.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service of six months in a regularly organized military corps, the privateer service not being provided for in the pension law under which he applied.
The date of death of Elisha Razar is not shown and there are no data as to wife or children. An older brother is referred to, his name not given.
Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 31

September 22, 1933

BA-J/MMHF/eel
Benjamin Race-3.15202

Mr. L. V. Wellner
261 W. 22nd Street
New York, New York
Dear Sir,
Reference is made to your letter of September 2, 1933, addressed to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, which has been referred to this office for further reply in regard to bounty land and pension that may have been awarded Benjamin Race of the Revolutionary War and Tunis Race, of the War of 1812.
This office has no further information in regard to Benjamin Race that was furnished you on January 19, 1926. His was the record of the only Benjamin Race found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The War of 1812 records have also been searched and no record found of an application for pension or the issuance of a bounty land warrant on account of the services of Tunis Race.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 32

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

January 19, 1926

L. V. Wellner
333 West 23rd St.
New York City

Sir,
I have to advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services.
A careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of Tunis Race, John A. Decker, and Gideon P. Wolcott as described by you.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner.