Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22562, Benjamin Webster, Conn. Navy
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Navy
Webster, Benjamin
Lydia.
NUMBER 
W. 22562
CONTENTS
Page 2

Albany, N. York 7166
Lydia Webster decd.
Conn
widow of Benjamin Webster 
who was a Private 
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. & end 4th November 1844 when she died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25. day of July 1845. and sent to A. J. Lyon, Rushford, N. York 
Payable to Sophia Webster, Phiana Cole, Asahel Webster, Lucy Gardner, Laura Hulburt, Lydia Webster, and Lovica Webster, children of said Lydia Webster, decd

[Acts of March 3, 1843. & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 2 Page 90

Refd. see letter
clo to A.J. Lyon & P. As [Illegible] 2d
Sept. 1845-
Lter to A. J. Lyon 13 D[Illegible] 1845
" to same person & 3d
[Illegible] 1. Sept 1847.
Page 3

New York 24.596
Benjamin Webster
of Alleghany Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Sergent of the regt. commanded by Col. Sherman in the Ct. pri line for 9 mo 

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Jany 1834 and Sent to Hon E. Howell H Reps-

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $75.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending In March '34 - 15.00
______
$90.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams, Clerk.
Book C Vol. 4 Page 128
Page 4

Benjamin Webster
Allegany Co N York - Afft
Done-
23404

c.c.[Illegible]:
Rolls of
Col Sherman

Admitted
Private 9 months

Hon. E Howell
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
June 3 1833 
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. These 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 Benjamin Webster 
[Column headers:] Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service Years. Months. Days. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported. | 

April 1777
[Illegible]
8 + 7
-
Private
Capt Sergent
Colo Sherman
-
North River to West Point
72 years East Hartford Cont.
[Illegible] of a Clergyman

Augt 1778
"a[Illegible]"
2
-
"
Capt Pipkin
Col not recordd, Genl Sullivan
Rhode Island
-
-
a living Witness -

Spring 1779 "about" "Brig Dean"
-
4
-
Marine
[Illegible]apt Buckley
-
-
-
-
[Illegible] certified - or credible

Time of service not Stated
-
-
-
Private
Lt Wyde
Col Allen
-
Guarding  Prisoners
-
-

for 10 days 
-
-
-
-
Lt Wyde
-
-
March to Ticondaroga & Green Point
-
-

[Total of months column]
9 

& pay rolls
sent May 7 1782
[Illegible] Dec 6

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

No evidence that the Brig Dean was a public Ship and service on board private armed ships is not provided for
[Illegible] search [Illegible] at the Navy Dept.
E H
Page 6

2 
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 person, 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 provion [Sic] made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and 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 enered [Sic] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [Symbol of hand pointing right] 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 day 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 applicacation [Sic] 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 7

3 
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 every 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 he [Sic] 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 his 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 enquiry 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.

[Footnotes:] 
[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 period or periods 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; the particular place of 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.
[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 affix 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. 
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 8

Allegany County ss Perez Kingsley being duly Sworn before me the under Signed Justice of the Peace deposes and Saith that he has been acquainted with Lyda Webster from her infancy and that She is his sister and further Saith that he was present at the marriage when She was married to Benjamin Webster which was Solemnized at the Town of Shaftsbury in the State of Vermont in the Year AD 1786 and that he has been acquainted with Benjamin and Lyda Webster ever Since the marriage untill the death of the Said Benjamin Webster which occured the 19th day of November 1840 and they parties lived together as husband and wife at the time of the death of the Said Benjamin Webster further this deponent Saith not Sworn before me the 26th of January 1844
Wm Carroll J.P.
P[Illegible] Kingsley [signature]

I William Carroll a Justice of the peace of the County of Allegany do Certify that I am acquainted with Perez Kingsley and have ful confidence in his morality and believe him to be a man of the Strictest Truth and verasity Dated at Burns the 26th day of January 1844
Wm Carroll JP
Page 9

Perez Kingsley
affidavit
Page 10

Allegany County
Clerks Office ss W. Windsor Clk of Said County Do hereby Certify that Wm Carroll Esqr before whom the preceeding Affidavit was taken was at the date of the Same a Justice of the peace in & for Said County duly authorized to take the Same and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name Subscribed thereto to be his proper hand  & writing - Witness my hand the Seal of Said County this 26th day of Jany 1844
William Windsor Clerk
Page 11

State of New York
County of Allegany On this Seventh day of February in the year Eighteen hundred & forty five personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Sophia Webster a resident of the town of Caneadea in Said County aged fifty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July the 7th 1838 Entitled an act Granting half pay & Pensions to Certain Widows that she together with Phiana Cole, wife of Hezekiah Col of Caneadea Allegany County & State aforesaid Asahel Webster of Truxton & County of Cortland & State aforesaid Lucy Gardner Wife of Seth Gardner residence unknown Laura Hulburt wife of Erastus Hulburt of the Territory of Wisconsin County town unknown Lydia Webster & Lovica Webster of the town of Caneadea County of Allegany & State of New York are all & the only heirs of Benjamin Webster & Lydia his wife or that were living at the death of the said Lydia their Mother & that her father the said Benjamin Webster was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of thirty Dollars a year & that he resided in the town of Caneadea County of Allegany & State of New York at the time he obtained his Pension & that her father the said Benjamin Webster was married to her mother the said Lydia Webster at the town of Shaftsbury County of Rutland & State of Vermont on the thirtieth day of September 1784 & that her father the said Benjamin Webster died at the town of Caneadea in the County of Allegany & State of New York on the nineteenth day of November 1840 & that her mother the said Lydia Webster remained his Widow until the 21st day of November 1844 when she died at the town County & State last aforesaid
Page 12

& that her mother the said Lydia Webster had a Claim pending at the Pension office for a pension at the time of her death by a reference to the papers now on file in the  Pension Office the foregoing fact will appear & by the proof hereunto annexed
And she further declares that Abraham J Lyon of the town of Rushford County of Allegany & State of New York is the duly authorised Attorney & Agent for the heirs to present this Claim to the Pension Office & receive their stipends for them & further this deponent says not
her
+ 
mark
Sophia Webster

Taken in Open Court the day & Year first above written
W Windsor Clerk

State of New York
County of Allegany ss I William Windsor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Allegany holden in & for said County do hereby Certify that satisfactory Evidence has been Exhibited to said Court that Benjamin Webster was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of thirty dollars per annum & was a resident of the town of Canadea County of Allegany & State of New York & died at that place on the 19th day of November 1840 that he left a Widow who remained his widow until the 21st day of November 1844 when she died & that she left seven Children whose names are Sophia Webster Phiana Cole Asahel Webster Lucy Gardner Laura Hulburt Lydia Webster & Lovica Webster -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at Angelica this 7th day of February in the year Eighteen hundred & forty five
Wm Windsor [signature] Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegany County
Page 13

State of New York
Allegany County ss George Webster of the town of Cuba in said County, aged 59. years being duly Sworn deposeth & Saith that he is the Son of Ashbel Webster & Mercy Webster his wife who were both pensioners of the United States. & that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Webster who was also a pensioner of the United States And with Lydia Webster, his wife both now deceased. And that he has been acquainted with them from his earlyest recollection in the year 1794 the said Benjamin Webster & Lydia his wife lived & cohabited together as Husband & wife at the town of Hampton in the County of Washington and State aforesaid. And had at that time three Children and that he has known them ever since up to the time of their death. And that his uncle the Said Benjamin Webster died at the town of Caneadea in the County of Allegany in November A.D. 1840. And that the said Lydia Webster remained his Widow, untill her death, which took place in November A.D. 1844. at the town of Caneadea aforesaid. And further the deponent Saith not.
George Webster
Sworn & subscribed before me the 17th A.D. 1845.
Wm Hicks a Judge of Allegany Co. Courts
Page 14

State of New York
Allegany County SS Plumley Webster of the town of Cuba in Said County being duly sworn deposeth and Saith That he is in the 67 year of his age. That he is a son of Ashbel & Mercy Webster. And that he is well acquainted with all the facts set forth in the within affadavit of George Webster. And that they are true. And that this deponent remembers that the Said Benjamin & Lydia Webster resided & cohabited together as Husband and Wife in the year 1789. And had at that time one child. And have lived together ever Since untill the time of their death, as Stated in the Said Affadit of George Webster. And that they had a number of Children. And further Saith not. 
Plumley Webster [signature]
Sworn & Subscribe May 17th - 1845 before me Wm Hicks a Judge of Allegany County Courts

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with George Webster & Plumly Webster the foregoing Affiants and that they are men of undoubted verasity.
Wm Hicks
Judge &c
Page 15

State of New York
Allegany County
Clerks Office ss I William Windsor Clerk of Said County do hereby certify that William Hicks before Whom the preceeding Deposition was taken was at the date of the Same one of the Judges of Allegany County Courts in and for said County duly commissioned and Sworn and authorised by law to take the Same and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name Subscribed thereto is his genuine Signature - Witness my hand hereto and the Seal of Said County this 20th day of May AD 1845
William Windsor Clerk
Page 16

23404
In the Matter of the application of Benjamin Webster for a Pension -
Declaration - And Afft-

I hereby certify that the within papers passed through the houses of the Clerk in the same state they now are - Jany 8th 1834
E Howell
[Illegible] Congress
Page 17

State of Newyork
Allegany County, ss. I Ashbel Webster of the town of Cuba in the Said County, of Allegany, and State of New york the Brother of Benjamin Webster in the annexed declaration named of the age of Seventy three years Next March, being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith that Benjamin Webster went into the Army in the year 1777 from East Hartford State of Conneticut under the command of Captain Abijah Savage Colonel Shermans Regiment of the United States troops enlisted as a Soldier for Eight Months Marched the Same Season from Hartford to Peekskill and there Stationed went up and down the river frequently at the time General Clinton came up and burnt Esopus and after the British returned to Newyork he went to East Chester and remain there about a Month and then Marched to West point and assisted in building the fort at that place and remained untill the 25th December at which time he was discharged and then returned home.
In the year 1778 he enlisted for two Months and under the command of Captain Richard Pipkin and Marched from East Hartford to Rhode island and there was Stationed until ordered off by General Washington on the account of the British Blockading the Island after fighting two days. then returned home
And this deponent further Saith that he went into the Navy at two different times in the year 1779 as near as I can Recollect and was out about two Months Each time
And this deponent further Saith that towards the close of the war he was taken prisoner by the British and Kept thirty days
Page 18

And this deponent further Saith that the Said Benjamin Webster has resided Since the war in Granville in Washington County State of Newyork also in Cortland County in the State of Newyork and at this time in Caneadea Allegany County and State of Newyork.
I was then twenty one years of age and was in the Service a part of the time myself and well knew what Service my brother did in the Army and therefor cannot be Mistaken in regard to the Service which he did as a Soldier, and I confidently believe and have no doubt that he Served as a Soldier as I have above set forth and further this deponent Saith not
Ashbel Webster [signature]

Sworn and Subscribed this 30th day of October 1832 before me
H. Miller J.P.

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Ashbel Webster the above deponent, that he is a respectable old man & that his statement is Entitled to full credit & belief - Henry Miller Justice

Allegany County
Clerks Office ss I Judson W Sherman Clerk of Said County do hereby Certify that Henry Miller before whom the above Affidavit  purports to have been Sworn was upon the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace of Said County And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name Subscribed thereto to be his own proper hand writing Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 31 day of October 1832
J W Sherman
Page 19

State of New York
Allegany County ss On this 30th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Allegany and State aforesaid now sitting, Benjamin Webster a resident of the Town of Caneadea and State aforesaid aged seventy two 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 Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832-
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated Viz-
That in the month of April in the year 1777, he enlisted under one Serjeant Day in the company commanded by Captain Adijah Sergent & Lieutenant Kimbly, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Sherman, at East-Hartford in the State of Connecticut, for the term of eight months. That he marched with the regiment to a place called Dugal town on the west side of Connecticut river, and then to Kingsferry on the East side of the north river - and from thence to the Town of Hurly on the said north river, where the regiment remained a short time, and then marched to East-Chester near White-plains and from there to West-point, where the regiments were stationed until sometime in the month of December following, when they were dismissed, but he did not receive a written discharge - Colonel Webb, and Colonel Meigs were regular officers and had the command of two regiments of regular troops that were in the detachment to which he belonged - General Putnam was there, and he thinks that he was commander in Chief on that station - That he lived at the said Town of East-Hartford when he enlisted -
Page 20

That in the month of August as he thinks in the year 1778, and while he resided in the said Town of East-Hartford, the Militia in that part of the Country were ordered out en-masse to repel the invasion of the Enemy on Rhodeisland - He was in the company commanded by Captain Richard Pipkin - the company did not join any regiment until after they arrived at Rhodeisland, and he does not recollect the name of the Colonel - He was in the battle at that place under the command of General Sullivan - After the battle the Army retreated to the Town of Tiverton, where he was dismissed by his Captain, but did not receive a written discharge - This was sometime in the month of October following, and he thinks about two months after he was ordered out-
That sometime in the Spring of the year 1779 (but the day or month he cannot State) he enlisted under Captain Buckley, who commanded the American Armed Brigg called the "Brig Dean" and served as a Marine on board the said Brig during two Cruise's, in one of which they went South of the Equator, and took some prise's - He was in this service about four months, And was dismissed by the Captain at Newlondon in the State of Connecticut, but did not receive a written discharge - Lieutenant Omstead was second in command on board the Brig -
That at the time Colonel Ethan Allen commanded at Ticonderoga he was employed with a number of other men by Colonel Allen, to escort a party of Tories, from the American to the British lines under a flag of truce, commanded by Lieutenant Ebenezer Hyde - On their arrival at the camp of the Enemy they were arrested by order of the British officer, and he together with others of the party
Page 21

was confined on board of one of the Enemies Armed vessels for thirty days, during which they suffered very much from close confinement and bad treatment - He was discharged from arrest at the expiration of the thirty days and returned to the Town of Puttney in the State of Vermont about fifty miles from Bennington, where he resided at the time he was employed by Colonel Allen - This was in the latter part of the Summer, but he cannot state the precise time -
He was in the Militia service at the time they were called out on the alarm occasioned by the Massacre of the inhabitants by the Indians at Cherry Valley, and was in the company commanded by Lieutenat Ebenezer Hyde - The company marched in pursuit of the Enemy, to Mount-Independence and then crossed the Lake to Ticonderoga and then marched to Crown-Point, and from there to Gillevers creek, when they ascertained that the Indians had made their escape into Canada - And the company returned to the said Town of Puttney where he resided, and where he was dismissed by Lieutenant Hyde - That they furnished their own provisions & were absent eight or ten days -
That he removed from the said Town of Puttney to the Town of Westfield in the County of Washington in the State of New York where he resided a number of years - that he then removed to the Town of Truxton in the County of Cortland in the said State of New York where he resided about thirty years - And then removed to the said Town of Caneadea in the County of Allegany where he now resides - And that he has no record of his age that he knows of -
That Elder Evans, John Phelps & Ashbel Webster have known him a number of years, and
Page 22

testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the revolution -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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-
his
++
mark
Benjamin Webster

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
JW Sherman Clk

We John P. Evans a Clergyman residing in the Town of Belfast - and [the name John Phelps is lined through] Hugh Magee residing in the Town of Angelica - hereby certify that we are well acquainted Benjamin Webster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two 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 -
John P Evans [signature]
H. Magee [signature]

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid-
JW Sherman Clk

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 John - Evans who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said Town of Belfast
And that John Phelps who has also signed the same, is a resident in
Page 23

the said Town of Angelica - and is a credible person, and that their Statement is entitled to credit -
John Griffin
Josiah Utter
Asa A Allen
Judges

I Judson W Sherman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Allegany do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Webster for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 30th day of October in the year 1832-
JW Sherman Clk
Page 24

Free

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

May 31 '45
NY
July 7, 1838
Lydia Webster decd

24596

[Postmark reads:]
RUSHFO[Illegible]
NY
May 2[Illegible]
Page 25

Rushford May 23 1845
Sir
Enclosed I send you the Claim of the heirs of Lydia Webster formerly Widow of Benjamin Webster both deceased this Claim was pending at your Office at the death of the widow and I would refer you to Evidence now on file in your office to Suport the Claim. Your Revision in the Case will be thankfully received
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
A J Lyon

Hon JL Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 26

FREE

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

[Postmark reads:]
ANGELICA N.Y.
FEB 15

10366 Feby 21 1844
NY
Lydia Webster
7 July 1838
Page 27

Rushford Feb 15 [Year marked out and rewritten] 1844

Sir
Enclosed I send you the papers Containing the Claim of Mrs Lydia Webster widow of Benjamin Webster for a pension under the act of the 7th July 1838 I have enclosed the letters of the Town Clerk of the Town of Shaftsbury Vermont where the took marriage took place if it is nessary that the evidence Contained in his letter should be proved by Affidavit and duly authenticated it can be complied with
I have the Honor to be your Obedient Servant

A J Lyon

Hon J L Edward

Direct to A J Lyon Rushford Allegany County NY
Page 28

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7. July 1838, Lydia Webster, decd late of N. York, widow of Benjamin Webster, who was a Private in the Revolution, was entitled to a pension at the rate of Thirty Dollars per annum, and having died on the 4th November 1844, the amount due, from the 20th November 1840 to the 4th March 1841, is payable to Sophia Webster, Phiana Cole, Asahel Webster, Lucy Gardner, Laura Hulburt, Lydia Webster and Lovica Webster, children of said Lydia Webster decd.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 25 day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned.

Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 29

Payments to be made at New York
by Presd. Mechanics Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of New York

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 4 Page 128 by W. L. Williams Clerk.
Page 30

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin Webster of the State of New York who was a private in the revolutionary war is entitled to receive - thirty - dollars and - - cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this eighteenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty=four,
Lew Cass [signature]
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned
J L Edwards [signature]
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 31

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22562
Lydia Webster
wid of
Benjamin Webster
Priv Rev. War
Act March 3d /43 June 17th 1844
Index : Vol. M, Page 323
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 32

File No. 22,562 - Lydia - wid. Benj. Webster
Service on Brig Dean - & Escorting Tories & Confinement on prison ships

File No. 25,963 - Rebecca, wid Allen - 
at hanging of And[Illegible] &c-
Page 33

Payable to Sophia Webster, Phiana Cole, Asahel Webster, Lucy Gardner, Laura Hulburt, Lydia Webster and Lovica Webster, children of said Lydia Webster decd.

New York 9504
Lydia Webster, decd.
widow of Benjamin Webster who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 19th Nov. 1840 of Allegany Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Sergeant of the regt. commanded by Col Sherman in the Connt mil. for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 30 Dollars - per annum, to commence on the 20. November 1840

Certificate of Pension issued the 25. day of July 1845, and sent to A.J. Lyon Rushford, N. York

Total amount $

[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D Brown, Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 1. Page 187

Re[Illegible]d. see letter
Page 34

State of New York
Allegany County ss Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Allegany, Benjamin Webster, 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-Viz-
For eight months I served as a private in the year 1777 - For two months I served as a private in the year 1778 - For four months I served as a Marine on board the Brig Dean in the year 1779 - And I did other service, but at what time I cannot State - And for such service I claim a pension-
Benjamin Webster [signature]

Sworn & subscribed this 9th day of August 1833 - before me
Henry Miller Justice

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Benjamin Webster the above named deponent, that he is a respectable & worthy old man, and that his Statement is entitled to full credit and belief -
Henry Miller Justice
Page 35

Allegany County Cle[Illegible] Office ss
I Judson W Sherman Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Henry Miller before whom the within affidavit purports to have been Sworn was at the date of the Same one of the Justices of the peace of said County And that I am acquainted with his hand writing & believe his name Subscribed thereto is his genuine Signature Witness my hand & seal of Office this 9th August 1833
J W Sherman Clk

Benjamin Webster-
Page 36

State of New York
Allegany County
On this fifteenth day of December 1843 personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Said County of Allegany Lydia Webster a Resident of the Town of Caneadea in the County of Allegany and State of New York aged Eighty one years who being duly Sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the following declaration in Order to obtain the benefeit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 7. AD 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widdows 
that She is the Widdow of Benjamin Webster who was a private in the War of the revolution as She verily believes will appear by reference to his papers now on file in the pension office or War department that he drew a pension at the rate of thirty dollars per Annum under the act of Congress passed June 7. AD 1832 that he resided in the Town of Caneadea in the County of Allegany and State of New York at the time he drew his pension and that his pension Certificate is now in her possession and will be returned herewith and She further declares that She was married to the Said Benjamin Webster in the Town of Shaftsburry in the State of Vermont by Esquire Wright on the 30 day of September 1786 that her husband the aforsaid Benjamin Webster died on the 19 day of November 1840 in the Town of Caneadea in the County of Allegany State of New York
Page 37

that She was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January AD 1794 viz at the time above Stated and that She has no family record of her marriage to the Said Benjamin Webster or the ages of her Children being thirteen in Number which She had by the Said Benjamin Webster.
her
X
mark
Lydia Webster

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written Before me
A J Lyon One of the Judges of Allegany County

I hereby Certify that from personal Examination of the above named Lydia Webster I am fully Satisfied that She is unable from age and bodily infirmity to appear in open Court
A J Lyon Judge of Allegany County

Allegany County
Clerks Office SS I William Windsor Clerk of Said County do hereby Certify that Abraham J Lyon before whom the above Affidavit was taken was at the date of the Same One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Said County and duly authorised to take the Same - And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name Subscribed thereto is his genuine Signature

Witness my hand & Seal of Said County this 14th Feby 1844 - 
William Windsor Clerk
Page 38

Shaftsbury Ny
1834
Dec 30

A. J. Lyon Esqr
- Rushford -
Allegany Co
N. Y.

10366
Lyd[Illegible] Webster
NY.
Act 7th July 38

[Illegible] 86
husband died 19th Novr 40
Widow died 1844
Page 39

Shaftsbury December 26th 1843
Sir - I recieved your [Illegible] of the 18th this day and in return Say that I have diligently Searched the records of this town for the purpose of finding the record of the Marriage you mentioned of Benjamin Webster to Lydia Kingsley but do not find any such record - & Esq Wright has been dead many years and at that early time of the Settlement of this place there were but seldom any marriages recorded, I have Searched the record before & Since the time you mentioned
Your Obt Servt
Hiram Barton T. Cle[Page torn]

A J Lyon Esqr
Page 40

Robert Renwick Esq
Belfast
NY

[Postmark reads:]
[Illegible] NY
JAN [Illegible numeral with 10 handwritten over it]
Page 41

Rushford Jan 10 1844
Dear Sir You will see by this that there is no Record of the Marriage of Mrs Webster
the first Grade of proof is the Town or Church Record the 2 is the family Record the 3 is a living witness 
I wish you to see the Old Lady and Learn where the Living witness live and take measures to get the widow the witness must appear before a Justice and make an affadavit that he or she was present at the mariage the time when on the place where by whom and have the Justice Certify that the witness is a person of Truth and verasity and then Get the County Seal to make it Complete

I understood there was 2 living witnesses not far off
Attend to it Imediatly or write me
Yours Truly
A J Lyon
Page 42

No 10.366
Lydia Webster decd
Widow of Benjamin
NY
Act 7 July 1838

8014
758

Admd 9 mo pri
$30/00 per Ann
commencing on 20 Nov 1840 and terminating on 4 March 1841 - Payable to Sophia Webster, Phiana Cole, Asahel Webster, Lucy Gardner, Laura Hurlbert, Lydia Webster and Lovica Webster, only Surviving Children decd -

aomd Act 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844, $30/00 [Illegible] from 4 March 1843 to 4 March 1844. Payable to the above children
A. J. Lyon
Rushford
Page 43

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the laws of the United States, of the 3d March 1843 and 17th June 1844, Lydia Webster, decd late of New York, widow of Benjamin Webster, who was a Private in the Revolution, was entitled to a pension at the rate of Thirty Dollars per annum, and having died on the 4th November 1844, the amount due from the 4th March 1843 to the time of her death, is payable to Sophia Webster, Phiana Cole, Asahel Webster, Lucy Gardner, Laura Hulburt, Lydia Webster and Lovica Webster, children of said Lydia Webster, decd.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 25 day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty=five.
Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned.

Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 44

10

Honr. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

[Illegible postmark other than handwritten numeral 9]

Sept 13 45
Lyd Webster
NY roll
7166 43
Page 45

Rushford Sept 6 th 1845
Sir
You will see by the Enclosed letter that we have been unable to draw the money on the Certifficates recently Issued from your Office in favour of the heirs of Lydia Webster widow of Benjamin Webster - 
Sophia Webster is the person entitled to the money She having taken Care of her mother and the one with whom She lived and And She tells me that no other one of the heirs pretend any Claim to the money whatever 
She procured a release form all the heirs living in this County - or four of them - the others She does not know where they are now thinks one of them is in Canida and has not heard from any of them for the last two years
She went before our Surogate with proof and procured a Certificate that She was empowerd to receive the money 
In Giving him a letter of Administration on her mothers estate which has been rejected by the pension agent at Albany 
We are therefore under the necesity of refering to you for directions how to proceed on to get an Order on the pension agent at Albany to pay the money over to Sophia Webster he not giving us any directions what further to do
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
A J Lyon

Hon J L Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 46

30

Honr. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

[Illegible postmark]

Dec 13 '45

Mr Evans
Page 47

Rushford [Illegible] 5th 1845

Dear Sir
You will see by The enclosed papers that we have again failed in drawing the money on the Certificates of pension Issued to the heirs Lydia Webster
My Agent at Albany Mr Hill writes me that Mr Olcott says that if we will send the papers to you and you will write on them Excepted that he will pay the money to Sophia Webster -
No one pretends any Claim to the money but her
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Srvt
A J Lyon

Hon J L Edwards
Com of pensions