Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,106, Seth Baker, Conn. Conn. Sea Service.
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( 2 - 1776 ) SERVICE Conn Conn. Sea Service CONTENTS Baker, Seth NUMBER S. 23106
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24 New York 
Seth Baker of Herkimer Co in the State of New York who was a Pr. & Sergt in the Compy commanded by Captain Hoyt of the Regt commanded by Col Webb in the Connect line for 9 months Sergeant 12 months Private Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 85 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.  

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Mar 1834 Mann, and sent to Hon A. Ho. Reps 

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 34 $255.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 34 $42.50 $297.50 

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. 

Recorded by J. Cromwell Clerk Page 109  Book E Vol. 4

no death date
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Seth Baker 14450
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State of New York Herkimer County ss

On this Eighth day of October 1832 personally
appeared before me Sherman Wooster a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer  & State of New York Seth Baker a resident of the town of Fairfield in the County
of Herkimer and State of New York aged seventy eight 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 1775 with Joseph Hoyt then Captain but afterwards Colonel in the United States army in a regiment at that time commanded by Colonel Charles Webb

That this deponent enlisted at Norwalk, Fairfield County in the State of Connecticut in the spring of 1775. That to the best of this deponent's recollection on Chandler was the Lieutenant Colonel, that said Chandler was also an eminent physician.

That Mathew Midd of the town of Norwalk aforesaid was Major a part of the time that at the time they first went out said Chandler
was the Major but was soon after promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The quartermasters name this deponent does not recollect at this distance of time but his residence was in the town of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut. The paymaster
name this deponent does not recollect. The surgeon’s name was Cogsdell. The adjutants name was Webb a son of Colonel Charles Webb & this deponent believe his name also was Charles and the regiment to which this deponent belonged was a uniform regiment, being a Coat of green & this deponent believes it to be the first Uniform Regiment that was organized in the American Army.
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That Joseph Hoyt was the captain of the Company in which this deponent enlisted, that Allen Wright was the first Lieutenant as this deponent believes and John M. John was second Lieutenant, who was afterwards a Captain in the United States Army that Eben, Ebenezer Umpstead was the ensign of said Company. That this deponent was dismissed in the fail of 1775 (their being discharge given) at the close of the campaign together with the regiment.

That soon after this deponent enlisted the regiment to which he belonged marched to Horse Neck in Connecticut or the edge of New York. The regiment was taken from Horse Neck to Newhaven by water & marched from thence to Boston when it arrived a few days after the battle of Bunker Hill & this deponent thinks they were on their way when the battle was fought. That his regiment lay in right of Bunker Hill during the same, but was not in any engagement during the summer.
That this deponent, early in the spring had as this deponent believed in the month of May 1776 enlisted in the Company of Gamaliel Northup with the same subaltern officers under which he served in this year preceding in a regiment commanded by
Colonel Williman Chandler (before mentioned) was with them & this deponent thinks he was Lintenant Colonel & this deponent thinks Mathew Mead was Major & this deponent knows that said
head was that summer with the regiment & Cogsdale was with the regiment as surgeon that Summer. That this deponent enlisted in Norwalk in the State of Connecticut & marched to New York when it remained until they went to Flatbush where they remained until the army retreated from Long island to New York when this deponent thinks they remained there three or four
weeks
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From thence the army of the regiment to which this deponent belonged retreated to Harlem Heights where they remained to the best of this deponents recollection four or five weeks. And then retreated from place to place until they arrived at Peekskill where they remained until in the fall when they marched back
towards New York; were at Wrights Mills a part of the time & several other places the names of which this deponent does not now recollect & the regiment was dismissed by expiration of time of enlistment in the fall & served in this town dep months no written discharges being given. That the regiment to which this deponent belonged was with this on Long Island at Flat Bush, composing a guard of 1000 men, that they were relieved of the guard that relieved theme were attacked the following night by the British & nearly all made prisoners.

That this deponent next enlisted as a sergeant of Marines in the Sloop of War Schuyler David Hawley Commander, mounting six guns and manned by 60 men. That during the summer said Sloop captured fourteen or fifteen sail vessels of most of them vessels most of the vessels engaged in supplying the enemy with provisions. This enlistment was at Norwalk aforesaid for nine months that the vessel was discharged in the fall of Captain Hawley was put in command of the ship Defence & this deponent
together with the remainder of the crew of the Schuyler were dismissed no written discharge being given 

That this deponent while on board of the sloop Schuyler received ten dollars per month as wages besides prize money which was paid in Continental no which together with all the pay that this deponent received was in continental money & that most of it was very much depreciated at the time in this deponent received it.
And this deponent further states that he was well
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From thence the army of the regiment to which this deponent belonged retreated to Harlem Heights where they remained to the best of this deponents recollection four or five weeks. And then retreated from place to place until they arrived at Peekskill where they remained until in the fall when they marched back
towards New York; were at Wrights Mills a part of the time & several other places the names of which this deponent does not now recollect & the regiment was dismissed by expiration of time of enlistment in the fall & served in this town dep months no written discharges being given. That the regiment to which this deponent belonged was with this on Long Island at Flat Bush, composing a guard of 1000 men, that they were relieved of the guard that relieved theme were attacked the following night by the British & nearly all made prisoners.

That this deponent next enlisted as a sergeant of Marines in the Sloop of War Schuyler David Hawley Commander, mounting six guns and manned by 60 men. That during the summer said Sloop captured fourteen or fifteen sail vessels of most of them vessels most of the vessels engaged in supplying the enemy with provisions. This enlistment was at Norwalk aforesaid for nine months that the vessel was discharged in the fall of Captain Hawley was put in command of the ship Defence & this deponent
together with the remainder of the crew of the Schuyler were dismissed no written discharge being given 

That this deponent while on board of the sloop Schuyler received ten dollars per month as wages besides prize money which was paid in Continental no which together with all the pay that this deponent received was in continental money & that most of it was very much depreciated at the time in this deponent received it.
And this deponent further states that he was well
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equipped as a minute man in the town of Norwalk in the State of Connecticut & when not in actual Service was ready to comply with the duties of the same & that at two different time this deponent was called out on an Alarm & remained in the service for about a month at each time. The first line at Stamford in the State of Connecticut and another time at Horse neck for about the same time period. That the first time that this deponent was
called out after he became a minute man was at the time Fairfield in said State was bound by the British & that this deponent was called out very frequently as a minute man sometimes two of the times a week. That a regiment of Tories stationed at Lloyds neck on Long Island about six miles from the residence of this deponent & that parties came over almost every night & kept the country in a constant State of Alarm. That this deponent resided during the whole of the war when not in actual service at Norwalk in the State of Connecticut & acted as a minute until its termination.

That the number of the Regiment to which this deponent belonged he does not know, nor does he know that the said regiment ever had a number. And this deponent further states in the Campaign of 1776 he was a corporal in the Company to which he belonged and that the amount of his wages per month he does not precisely recollect

He herby relinquishes every pension whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state and no documentary evidence and on the the serving that by and on the
he may obtain a pension. Seth Baker before Sherman Wooster
Judge of Herkimer County This day of October 1832
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I a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer and State of New York hereby declare my opinion that the above named Seth Baker was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states And I also further certify that he is unable to attend & appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity

I Julius C Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer do hereby certify that is a judge of this Court
that his signature to the above certificate and also to the above affidavit is in his own proper hand writing with which I am well acquainted and that the foregoing contains the original proceed
ing in the matter of the application of Seth Baker
for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this day of October one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
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We Arnold Wood and Elijah Jackson residing in the town Fairfield, in the County of Herkimer and state of New York do hereby certify, that we well acquainted with Seth Baker who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn to and subscribed before me Sherman Wooster a judge of Herkimer County to Oct. 8. 1832 Sherman Wooster Arnold Wood Elijah Jackson

State of New York County of Herkimer I Sherman Wooster a Judge of Herkimer County Courts do hereby declare that after investigating the matter, and after putting the questions and interrogatories prescribed by the department, my opinion is, that the said Seth Baker the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states; I do certify that I am well acquainted with Arnold Wood & Elijah Jackson who have signed the preceding certificate & know respectable and credible persons, residing in the town of Fairfield in the said County of Herkimer and that their statement is entitled to full credit and belief This 8th day of October 1832 and I do further certify that Seth Baker the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity
attend the Court Sherman Wooster
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State of New York
Herkimer County
Clerks Office
SS

I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of Herkimer County do certify that Sherman Wooster Esqr before whom the foregoing Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was on the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and duly authorized to act as such, and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge, and verily believe his name
Subscribed to the said Certificate to be his proper hand writing and Signature
Witness my hand and seal of Office this 9th day of October
1832
Julius Peterson Clerk
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14.450
Seth Baker
Herkimer Co N York
5.16
P 399
Hon A Mann 
Little Falls
Herkimer Co
N Y
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BRIEF in the case of Seth Baker of Herkimer in the State of N York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is her? 70 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. 
Duration of Service.Years, Months,
Rank. As a
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
In 1775
May 1776
6 months
6 months
9 months
Private
Private
Sergt of Marines
Capt Hoyt Col Webb
Capt Northrup Col Chandler
Capt Hawley (Sloop Shuyler)
The deponent claims the services as a Minute Man

5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Fairfield Co Con
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not attached [illegible]

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
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12 mo pri
9 Sergt Marine
9 mo Sergt Marine
12 mo pri
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Herkimer County SS Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the peace of the town of Newport in  the County of Herkimer and State of New York Seth Baker who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively 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 six months and ten days I served as a private in a
regiment commanded by Colonel Charles Webb in
the year 1775
For six months I served as a private in a company
commanded by Captain Garfield Northup in the year 1776
For nine months I served as a sergeant of marines on board of the Sloop of war Schuyler David Hawley Commander, and as to the above periods I the said Seth Baker swear positively to the precise hight of time which I served, and I further states that I served as a minute man engaged in actual service at different
periods according to my best recollection & belief at least four months & for such service I claim a pension.

And this deponent further states that he was born on the second day of March 1755 in the State of New York in a place thus called Salem about sixteen miles from the line of Connecticut. And he further states that he has no record of his age nor has he any other means of knowing it than by recollection & calculation
And this deponent further states in answer to the fifth interrogatory prescribed by the war department in addition to the facts and circumstances heretofore set forth and accompanying this affidavit, that at the time this deponent was discharged the first season they lay in sight of Boston, that a large number of troops
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were discharged at the same time, and that General Sullivan requested a part of the troops to remain a few days as he feared if they all went to gether, that the British would come out and attack them and that nearly all of the regiment to which this deponent belonged staged ten days logs and this deponent further states that he does not know the number of any of the regiments with which he served, and it is his belief that the privates in general did not know the number of the regiments with which they served and this deponent further states that General Washington Sullivan & Putnam were with the army in which this deponent served the first campaign and General Washington and Putnam the second Campaign And this deponent further states that in answer to the 7th interrogatory prescribed by the war department that Westal Willoughby late a member of Congress from this County Abijah Mann Junior member of Congress elect from this County Simeon Ford of Herkimer in this County Olney Harris David Ford Daniel present neighborhood to whom I knowing Brayton & William Griswold an persons who can testify to the facts required in said interrogatory and further this deponent saith not The above named Seth Baker appeared before me & after having the above affidavit read over & amended sworn that the facts therein stated were true to the best of his recollection & belief Dated July 29th 1833 Reynolds Martin State of New York Justice of the Peace Herkimer County SS the I Julius C Nelson Clerk of the said County do certify that and
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Marvin Esq before whom the above Affidavit purports to have been Sworn, was, on the day of its date one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to administer oaths, and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily belive his name subscribed to the said Certificate is his proper hand writing and signature-
Witness my hand and seal of Office at Herkimer this 30th day of July 1833
Julius Eiken Clerk
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., 

In reply to your request of, received, for a statement of the military history of Seth Baker soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired iformation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension file in this Bureau.

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
Spy 1775
May 1776
May 1777

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
6 mo tods
6 mos
9 mos
at various times 9 mo

RANK
Pvt
Corp
Sgt of Marines
Minute man 

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPTAIN
Jos Hoyt
Gamaliel Northrup
on Sloop of War “Schuyler” David Hawley Commander
Officer not stated

COLONEL
Chas Webb
Silliman

STATE
Conn

Battles engaged in, at burning of Fairfield
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Norwalk, Conn
Date of application for pension October 8, 1832 Al.
Residence at date of application, Fairfield, Herkimer, NY
Age at date of application, B Mar 1775 in Salem, NY
Remarks: no fam data

Respectfully, Commissioner
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23106
INVALID
File No. Revolution 23,186
Seth Baker
Sergt Rev War
Act June 7 1832
Index: Vol 2, Page 22
[Arrangement of 1870]
1922, Jan 21, hist to Miss Mabel
C. Fuller Esq

Revo:
New York
Suspended Act June ’33
Seth Baker 
See letter 21 October 1822
to J. C. Ropley
letter 28 July 32 to Hon A Mann
See case Peter Naval [illegible] R-10859
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Seth Baker
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Seth Baker which require further proof or explanation.

1. 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? no
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
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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? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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. 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? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? 1 2 5-7

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.
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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 be clearly shown 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.
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. 

QUERE XVI. 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 certificatemust 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.
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.
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Seth Baker, Esq
Middleville, Herk County
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War Department
Pension Office
26 October 1833

Sir,
The papers in support of the claim of Seth Baker have again been examined and placed on our files.

The specification in regard to the minute service alleged, not having been given as required, the case is suspended.  The claimant should produce his [illegible] or Sergeant of Marines. 

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J L Edward
Comm of Pensions
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Herkimer County ss
Personally appeared before me in the town of Fairfield
and County of Herkimer state of New York this the 9th day
of November Seth Baker and testified that he received a warrant as Sergeant of Marines from David Hawley Captain of the Sloop of War Schuyler in the month of May A.D. 1777 and that he kept said warrant in his possession until the year 1793 when he received a commission as Ensign of a company of Light Infantry in the Regiment of Militia in the County of Saratoga State of New York whereof John Vanderbergh was Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. After receiving this commission considering the warrant of no value it was consequently mislaid and lost, and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn before me this 9th day of November 1833
Reynolds Maroin Justice of the Peace

Herkimer County Clerks Office ⎬ss
I Julius C Nelson Clerk of the said County do Certify, that Reynolds Maroin Esqr. before whom the foregoing Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, on the day of its date a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to act as such Justice. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name
Subscribed to the said Certificate is his proper hand writing and
Signature - In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the Seal of the said County this Eleventh day of November 1833.
Julius C Nelson Clerk
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Add'l Proof
Seth Baker NY
papers on file
FREE
Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City 
Pension Papers
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Little Falls November 14th 1833
Sir
Enclosed is an additional affidavit of Seth Baker taken before the same Justice that the supplemental affidavit now of file in your department was taken of a further certificate of the Clerk of Herkimer Common Pleas as to the official signature of said Justice.

It contains all the information which is is in our power to give in relation to said warrant.

Respectfully your Obt Servt
Thomas C Ripley
J L Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
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Washington 22 Feb 1834
Hon J L Edwards
Sir
I ask leave to say in respect to the claim of Seth Baker for a pension - that he has resided in the same town with me ever since I was a boy - that he has sustained a fair character and lived as an exemplary and honest farmer - He is now very infirm and I think incapable of making out papers understandingly and it is not in my opinion probable that he can produce in his present condition any further evidence of service. I have not the least doubt of his merits and integrity as a faithful soldier in the war of the Revolution.
I am respy your ob ser
A Mann Jr MC
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Hartford, Conn
31 North Beacon Street
January 5, 1922

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, DC

Dear Sirs:
Will you please send me copies of the Pension Records of the following at your earliest convenience, -
Arnold, John S 19183
Baker, Seth  sea service S F 23106

The descendants of these men are anxious to prove their claims in order to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Kindly let me know the charges.
Very truly yours,

(Miss) Mable C Tuller

US Pension Office
Jan 7 1922