Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4587, for Joseph Lyons, Vermont
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Green Mt. Boys
Vt.

Lyons, Joseph

NUMBER
S.4587

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Ohio - 13084

Joseph Lyons.
of Athens Co. in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Compy. commanded
by Captain Hall of the Regt commanded
by Col. Warner in the Mass* Green Mt. Boys +  Vt
line for 9 months
*N.H. (Not Mass.) [This line has been crossed off]
Records corrected Apr. 25, 1904

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension ifsued the 10. day of May 1833 and sent to Hon T. F. Winton Gallipolis Ohio

Arrears to the 4th of March. 1833. 60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833. 15.00
$75.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W R Johnes Clerk
Book [illegible] Vol. 8. Page 15.
Page 3

Joseph Lyons - Declaration
filed October 13th 1832
H. Barttell Clerk
20784
Page 4

State of Ohio}
Athens County} sct.

On this 13th day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the President Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Joseph Lyons a resident of Athens Township in the County and State aforesaid aged 77 4 day, 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as is herein stated, that is to say, that he the said Joseph Lyon at Bennington in the State of Vermont in January 1776, about the middle of the month as he verily thinks; being positive that it was immediately after the news of Montgomery defeat and death was received in Bennington, inlisted into the company of Captain Hall of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, in the regiment commanded by Col. Seth Warner, the term of his said inlistment the deponent does not recollect with certainty but is confident that it was either 9 months or 6 months.
That on the next day after his enlistment the said deponent commenced his march with the said company to join the American forces in Canada, under the command of General Arnold That the route of said company was from Bennington direct through Skenesborough. Thence to LaPrairie, and the next day into Montreal then occupied by the American forces. That the whole march aforesaid, exceptinth eight or ten miles, was on the ice, the weather being very severe. After remaining at Montreal about a week, the deponent with said company proceeded with all dispatch to the head quarters of the American army near Quebec; all the way on the River S Laurance, where after a fatiguing march of 5 or 6 weeks in the whole they arrived without any loss of their number, although many of the company were  badly frozen and crippled.
That about 3 or 4 weeks after his said arrival near Quebec the deponent was sent with a party formed of detachments from his own and several other companies, under the command of Captain Allen, (brother of Ethan Allen) to the Isle of Orleans to build and prepare a fireship, for the purpose of destroying the named ships in Quebec harbour; that the said fireship was completed, but the object was frustrated, by the matches on board of the fireship being too quick and the fire consuming the sails of the
Page 5

fireship before she reached her destination, she was borne away from the enemy ships by the current and did them no harm. That after several weeks, on the approach of several enemys ships of war up the river the whole party on the island returned to the shore hoping to join the main body near the city which it could not effect until after several days being prevented by a body of the British detached for that purpose who got between us and our army; that when the deponent overtook the army it was on its retreat about twenty miles from Quebec on the river, a large proportion of the men being sick with the small pox and destitute of provisions, general orders were given to the companies to make the best of their way to Montreal, and thence over the lakes to our respective homes. That the Deponent did return home with all practicable expedition, and arrived according to his best recollection about the middle of June 1776. at which time the season having of the corn was nearly finished. having been absent in the aforesaid service, during which he suffered great and uncommon hardships.
The Deponent further states and declares, that in 1777. in the latter part of June, the day he cannot remember, at Halifax in Vermont the deponents home, he inlisted in the company of Rangers commanded by Captain Goodenow of Guilford, for the term of 6 months or 9 months the Deponent has forgotten which; that during said period of inlistment he was continually and actively engaged in scouting parties, through Rutland Castleton, Manchester and the frontier settlements, that at the time of the capture of Burgoyne army the deponent was on his route from Skanceborough [possibly Sceneborough] to Saratoga with cuttle and prisoners consisting of a few of the British soldiers and a number of Tories taken by our party. That about two weeks after Burgoynes capitulation the service of Rangers not being longer thought necessary the party to which I belonged, and the whole company, as the Deponent believes, was discharged and permitted to return home and no part of his company, as he ever heard, was afterward called out into service. 
That the deponent afterward resided with his fathers family in Halifax for 3 years or about that time, and then removed with his said family to Salem; County of Washington New York State, where after a few years he removed to Hartford, in New York State, there lived until 1794 when he removed to Ohio tarrying some months by the way in Redstone Pennsylvania; thence he went down to Marietta, and lived there and in that neighbourhood, and thence removed to Athens near the Hockhocking where he lived ever since. That his principal occupation during all these periods has been farming, and occasionally working at carpenters and shipwrights business until about fourteen years ago he became totally disabled
Page 6

from labour, in consequence of [illegible] and of a severe injury to his knee received several years before.
That the deponent does not know the particular day of his birth, but believes that he became 21 years old a few months before my first entrance into service aforesaid, in 1776. but this he knows that the age of his eldest child Mary Bell is 53 years. that his eldest grandchild is 34 years of age. that the number of his grandchildren is about 40 and his great grandchildren 10 in number. 
That he never received any written certificate of discharge of which he has now any remembrance. and that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to the deponents said service, or any past thereof
And he hereby relinquishes every claim what ever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
And the said Deponent states that he has through life endeavored to support a good and unexceptionable character. and of this he thinks he may safely appeal to all the citizens of Athens Township and County where he has resided more than 20 years, and particularly refers to Ebenezer Dorr Esq. Joseph B Miles, John Perkin, Josiah Coe and Reverand Enos Thomson.
Joseph Lyons

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Henry Bartlett Clerk

We Enos Thompson a clergyman residing in the county of Athens aforesaid, and Josiah Coe residing in the same county hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Lyons, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to be a revolutionary soldier, and that we concur in that opinion.
Enos Thompson
Josiah Coe
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Henry Bartlett 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 if appears to them that the said Enos Thompson is a clergyman, resident in Athens County aforesaid, and that Josiah Coe who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same county, and is a
Page 7

credible person, and their statement is intitled to full credit.
I Henry Bartlett Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Joseph Lyons for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this thirteenth day of October A. D. 1832.
Henry Bartlett Clerk
Page 8

Rev. &1812 Wars Section.

September 24, 1928.

H. F. Charters,
Bank of Italy,
Eureka, California.

COPIED BY ADY

Sri:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 4587, it appears that Joseph Lyons enlisted at Bennington, Vermont in January 1776 and served five months as a private in Captains Hall's and Allen's Companies in Colonel Seth Warner's Green Mountain Boys and went on the Expedition to Canada; and enlisted in June 1777 and served four months as a private in Captain Goodenough's Company of Vermont Rangers.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 13, 1832, at which time he was living at Athens Township, Athens County, Ohio, aged seventy-seven years.
In 1832 he stated that his eldest child, Mary Bell, was fifty-three years old, and that he had forty grandchildren, the oldest of whom was thirty-four years old, and ten great grandchildren, but did not mention their names.
There are no data as to a daughter Elizabeth.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 9

N.20784
Jos. Lyons
13084

Adm for 9. Months
from 1776

Hon:
Mr Vinton
Galliopolis
Gallia Court
Ohio
Page 10

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Lyons which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

V. *Has he mentioned 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? no

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? and if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 11

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV. (Cross symbol) If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. (Cross symbol with a bar at the bottom) Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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.
Page 12

3

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 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 by clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(Cross symbol) QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
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 claimants 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.
(Cross symbol with a bar at the bottom) 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 paper 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.
(Right pointing hand symbol) In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 13

Inv. File #4587,
Joseph Lyons,
Rev. War.

Nov. 8, 1905.

Sir:
In response to your letter, dated October 30, 1905, and received in this Bureau November 1, 1905, you are advised that the residence of Joseph Lyons on October 13, 1832, was Athens Township, Athens Co., Ohio.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Mr. C. M. Carter,
#65 Corcoran Building,
Washington, D. C.
Page 14

CABLE ADDRESS
BANKITALY

13044
Bank of Italy
NATIONAL TRUST & SAVINGS ASSOCIATION
HOME SAVINGS BRANCH

EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

November 23, 1927.

U. S. Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
My wife is very desirous of obtaining all possible information regarding Joseph Lyon or Lyons who enlisted at Halifax, Vermont in the Revolutionary War. He served in Captain Levi Goodennaugh's Company and also served under Captains Hall and Allen and Colonel Seth Warner of the Green Mountain Boys.
He applied for a pension on October 13, 1832, at the age of 77 years his residence then being Athens Trap, Athens County, Ohio. We would like to ascertain if the pension was granted and if you can give us any information as to where he was born, date of his birth, where married, name of wife, names of children and any information regarding the births, marriages or deaths of his immediate family.
We would be particularly pleased to learn anything of interest regarding his daughter Elizabeth Lyon.
Thanking you in advance for any assistance you can give us and enclosing a stamped envelope for your reply, I am
Sincerely yours,
H. F. Charters
Vice Chairman of Advisory Board
HFC:AS

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
NOV 29 1927
Page 15

Portland, Ore.
Nov. 12th 1909.

Dear Sirs:
I would like a little information about an ancestor of mine, Joseph Lyon or Lyons by name, who enlisted in the Revolutionary War at Halifax Vermont. Please tell me first if his name was Lyon or Lyons, (2) where he lived after the war when drawing his pension from the govt., (3) the name of his daughter, who, I understand, drew his pension after his death, and her residence at the time, and if you can the year of his enlistment, how old he was at the
Page 16

time, and the year of his death, also I would appreciate anything else you know about him, and the names of any people or societies who could tell me something of his genealogy and descendants.
Thanking you for your kind attention, and expectantly awaiting your answer I am.
Yours Truly
Henry Smith
341-11th St.

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
NOV 17 1909
Page 17

CHARLES M. CARTER,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
65 CORCORAN BUILDING,
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

PRACTICES BEFORE THE
COURTS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
PATENTS.

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Stamp mark:
OLD WAR & NAVY
NOV 2 1908
FILES

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
NOV 1 1905

Oct 30 '05

Hon Commessioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Dear Sir
Mrs L. F. Gover, wife of ex Senator L. F. Grover of Portland Oregon wishes the Last Post Office address of Joseph Lyons who applied for a Pension Oct 13 1832, aged 77 years, after service in the war of 1812
1st enlistment Jan 1776 Mass, under Capt Hall, Col Warner.
2nd enlistment Jan 1776 State of Vt. Capt Goodenow.
Residence Halifax N. Y. Marrietta Ohio, and Athens Athens Co Ohio
As above stated she wishes the town, Co, and State when he applied for a pension Oct 13 1832 and oblige
yours truly
C. M. Carter
Page 18

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. DIV.
MEMORANDA

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.

Full name of solider:
Jospeh Lyon or Lions spelt both ways

Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
New Hampshir also Connecticut ) Cant gve Couty

Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
About - 1830 - 2 Athens County Ohio

Date of death (as near as possible):
after 1835 -

Christian name of widow:
do not know

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
do not know but desire information

Remarks:
I am of opine there was but one Joseph Lyon & he was from Connecticut in this war of 1775-80
may have been [illegible] & this is what I desire to settle - by any inquiry
Wm F Boogher
1339 F St - Room 6

6-870
Page 19

3-464.
O. W. & N. Div. F. S. Ex's

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Dec. 29, 1894.

Respectfully returned to
Mr. Wm. F. Boogher,
1339 F. St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C.

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
JAN 8 1895

For purposes of identification please fill out the enclosed slip as fully as possible with information relative to the Joseph Lyon whose military services you wish to establish.
Return your letter of Dec. 10th with reply.

Wm Lochren
Commissioner.
(o 6-059)
809b40m
Page 20

In view of a statement that a pension was granted on account of the services of your ancestor, it is suggested that a full statement of his service can probably be obtained upon application to the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., in whose office are filed the pension records of the Revolutionary war.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
F. C. [illegible]
Chief, Record and Pension Office
Per
(800e)
Page 21

Mrs. Mars Wagar
317 Franklin Ave
Cleveland,
Ohio

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE.
F
JAN 30 1904
Page 22

Stamp mark:
OLD WAR & NAVY
DEC 27 1894
FILES

Stamp mark:
U S PENSION OFFICE
G
DEC 24 1894

Washington D C Dec 20 1894
To The Hon Coms of Pensins
My Dear Sir
Will you have the kindnefs to Inform me from what County in New Hampshire or Connecticut one Joseph Lyons or Lyon enlisted from the Caracter of Service date of Enlistment and whether he received bounty Lands. The printed List of Pensioners under the act of June 30 1834 to March 3rd 1835 published by the Secretary of War gives a Joseph Lyons or Lyon their residing in Athens County Ohio as of the New Hampshire Continental Service there was also a Joseph Lyon of Connecticut in the Revolutionary Army but I do not know the Caracter of Service. I desire to have all the Information your office will [illegible] as to both these [illegible] persons - I am of opine they are one and the Same person and that for [illegible] [illegible] above referred to is an [illegible] that it Should be of Connecticut Instead of New Hampshire
Thanking you in advance as for your kind reply I have the honor to remain
[illegible] yours
Wm. F. Boogher
Room 6 1339 F St NW
over
Page 23

Stamp mark:
U S PENSION OFFICE
G
DEC 24 1894

Washington DC Dec 20 1894
Their was also one Samuel Gardner of New Jersey In the Revolutionary army I desire to know date of his enlistment Caracter of service the County from which he enlisted length of service and wither also received Bounty Lands - and any other information your records will Supply that I may Identify Said Samuel Gardner or Gardiner with his family
The Information as to either Joseph Lyon or Samuel Gardner is desired for Family History only and for no other purpose again thanking you for you kind attentins and reply I have the honor to remain
Faithfully yours
Wm F. Boogher
Room 6 - 1339 F St NW

To the Hon 
Wm Lochren
Coms of Pensions
Page 24

Cleveland. O. Jan 27".
4587
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington. D. C.

Will you kindly send me the war record of Joseph Lyons who died in Athens Co. Ohio Placed on the pension roll in 1833, Aged 75, for service in the New Hampshire Continental Line, He was my great grand father.
Respectfully yours
Mrs. Mars Wagar
317 Franklin Ave.
Page 25

4587
Rev War
INVALID.

File No. 4587
Joseph Lyons
*
Privt Rev War

Act: June 7. 1832
Index: Vol. A, Page 231
(Arrangement of 1870.)

*New Hampshire
Record Completed
Apr. 25, 1904 [This entire section is crossed off.]

Jan. 16/95 Sent Hist to Wm F. Boogher Washington D. C. F S.
Jan. 24/95 Wm F. Boogher advised no men. is made of family except eldest daughter Mary Bell. M.E.L.
Feby 24, 1904 Hist to Mrs. Mars Wagar Cleveland Ohio
1905 Nov 6. Residence at application to C. M. Carter. M. B. H.
1909 Nov. 29 Hist. to Henry Smith [illegible]
1921. Apr. IV. Hist to H. M. Townsend asst see letter in Justus Reynolds. S40319
1928. Sept. 24 - Hist to H. F. Charters awf
Page 26

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Joseph Lyons Sur. File 4587

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Jany 1776
June 1777

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
5 mos.
4 mos.

RANK.
Pvt
"

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Hall - Allen
Goodenough's 

COLONEL.
Seth Warner
Rangers

STATE.
Green Mountain Boys
Vt.

Battles engaged in, Can Ex under [illegible]
Residence of soldier at 2d enlistment, Halifax Vt. [This answer has been crossed off.]
Date of application for pension, Oct. 13 1832 His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Athens Twp Athens Co. Ohio
Age at date of application 77 yrs
Remarks: In 1832 his eldest child Mary Bell was 53 yrs old. There was at that time forty grand-children the oldest of whom was 34 yrs and 10 great grandchildren, no names are stated.
Page 27

Supplementary Declaration of Joseph Lyons.
State of Ohio, Athens County ss. Personally appeared before the court of Common Pleas, at a Special session of said court holden at Athens, in and for the said County Joseph Lyons of said County whose name is subscribed to the paper to which this declaration is annexed, being an application for a pension for him performed in the war of the Revolution, who being duly sworn, doth on his oath make the following declaration, supplementary to the declaration by him made before this court at its late term in October 1832, which this is annexed.
That he the said Joseph Lyons, by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, cannot swear positively to the precise day or time of his several inlistments, or to the precise length of his service, but that according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods herein mentioned below, and in the following grade that is to day
That from about the middle of January 1776. to about the middle of June 1776. he served as a private in the company of Captain Hall in Colonel Seth Warners Regiment Five months
Also that from sometime in the latter part of June 1777. until about two weeks after the capture of General Burgoynes army and until the first part of October 1777. he serviced not less than four months. as a private in the company of Captain Goodenoue. making in the whole full nine months of actual service. and that for said 9 months of service he the said Joseph Lyons claims a pension
Sworn to in open court Joseph Lyons
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 12th day of March A. D. 1833.
Henry Bartlett Clerk