Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19384, for John Sniffen, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
New York

Sniffen, John or Kniffen
Mary Ann.

NUMBER
W. 19384

CONTENTS
Page 2

4705
New York City

Mary Ann Sniffen
widow of John Sniffen
[illegible] Kniffen
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

NY
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars 44
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
17 day of Apr. 1849 and sent to 
Robt B Boyd
New York City

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act January 2, 1848, Page 187 Vol. 4.
Page 3

Date of death
not on AB
Page 4

1789
April 21 Do Henry Grigg & Elizabeth Bush
Do    26 Do John Kniffen & Mary Ann Mead

I certify that the above is a true copy of the record of Marriages in the record Book of the second Congregational Church in Greenwich, Connecticut And that the above marriage of John Kniffen & Mary Ann Mead is recorded in said Book in the words & figures as above set forth & that the same as above set forth is a
true & exact copy taken from said Record
Book

Jonas Mead [signature] Clerk of the second
congregational Church in Greenwich Connecticut

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield SS Stamford Probate District

Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District on this 19th day of September 1840 - Jonas Mead of Greenwich in said District and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Certificate by him subscribed.  I further certify that said Jonas Mead is a credible person and, as I verily believe, is Clerk of the second Congregational church in said Greenwich 

J.B. Ferris [signature] Judge
Page 5

The name of Sniffen was formerly pronounced and spelt "Kniffen" as I have been frequently informed by my father & grandfather.
Elijah F. Purdy [signature]

Sworn before me the 30th day of [this entire line is crossed out]

Sworn before me this 25th day of Nov. 1840 - 
Joseph Hoxie [name is underlined]
Clerk Court Comm Pleas

Adm 18th paid
City of New York
Sept 23d 1840 [this line is underlined]
Page 6

STATE OF NEW YORK.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, SS.
I JOSEPH HOXIE, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Richd Reed whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the
proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the
time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Commissioner of Deeds for said City and County, dwelling in the said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized
to take the same. And further, that I was well acquainted with the handwriting of such
Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature of said certificate or proof of acknowledgment is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 25th day of Nov 1840.
Joseph Hoxie [signature] Clerk.

STATE OF NEW-YORK.
City and County of New-York, SS.
I JOSEPH HOXIE, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Judah Hammond whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Marine Court dwelling in said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same.  And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 25th day of Nov 1840.
Joseph Hoxie [signature] Clerk.

[circular seal is on lower left of page]
Page 7

City & County of New York SS. John Sniffen of
said City being duly sworn says that he is the
Son of John Sniffen and Mary Ann Sniffen that the said Mary Ann is now the Widow of the said John Shiffer deceased and that they were the same persons mentioned and set forth in the annexed certificate of Marriage by the name of "John Kniffen" which was the ancient mode of spelling & proving said name and some branches of the same family still retain the same mode of Spelling and pronountation.
Jno Sniffen [signature]

Sworn to before me this 24th day of September 1840
Richd Reed [signature]
Comr. of Deeds

Marion Court
City of New York SS. This is to certify that the foregoing and annexed affidavits and documents are satisfactory ans [illegible] to me of the facts therein stated.  Dated New York, September 26th. 1840
Judah Hammond [signature]
Justice of the Marine Court
Page 8

State of New York 
City & County of New York SS.
On this 26th day September AD 1840 personally appeared before the Marine court
Mary Ann Sniffen a resident of the City County and State of New York aged Seventy three 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 provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:"

That she is the widow of John Sniffen who was a private Soldier in the Army of the American Revolution.  She further declares that she was married to the said John Shiffer on the twenty fifth day of April 1789 that her husband the
aforesaid John Sniffen died on the twenty Sixth day of April 1812 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four [illegible] at the time above stated and that the ancient mode of spelling and pronouncing his name was John Kniffen and was so spelled and recorded in the Book of records of the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich in the State of Connecticut
Mary Ann Sniffen [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before 
Judah Hammond [signature]
Justice of Marine Court
Page 9

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 - 525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C. ,_______, 19___

W19384

In reply to your request of___, received ___ a statement of the military history of John Sniffen ot Kniffen a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1777

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1 year

RANK.
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Benj Stevens
John Thomas
David Hobby

COLONEL.
Thomas Thomas

STATE.
N.Y.

Battles engaged in, none stated

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Harrison Purchased Westchester Co. N.Y.

Date of application for pension, Sept. 26, 1840.  Her claim was al.

Residence at date of application, New York City

Age at date of application, 73.

Remarks:  
Sol. the sone of James, was born in Westchester Co. N.Y., date not stated. He mar. at Greenwich Conn. April, 1789 Mary Ann daughter of Gen.  John Mead.  He died April 1872 place not stated.  They had several children only name on record is of son John.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 10

7225 [underlined]

New York

Mary Ann Sniffen
widow of John Sniffen or Kniffen who was a private in the Connecticut [Connecticut is crossed out] NY {NY is written in] line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued this 19 day of August 1845 and sent to Robt. B. Boyd.
No. 108. 2d Street,
New-York

[Act of March 3, 1843.
& 7 June, 1844..

Recorded in Book A
No. 2d, Page 86

No 841 [written vertically in the middle of the page]
Page 11

7671.
Mary Ann Shiffen
New York
let to Hon W. B. MaClay
June 12 '49

Act July 1838.
Page 12

7671
NY
Suspended
Let to S. Spencer
Sept. 1841
Hon. J. J. Roosevelt
January 12th 1842 [checkmark]
Jan Feb 24 1843 [checkmark]
Act 7. July 38
Page 13

[left side of page]
Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 19384
Mary Ann Sniffen
Widow of
John Sniffen
Pri. Rev War

Act: Feb 2d 48

Index: -- Vol. M Page 230
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page]
1919 Nov. 24, Hist. to
Mrs F. H. Garver, and
1925 May V. Copies delivered to
Comr. of Pensions for Gen. Sniffen
Page 14

Gen. C. C. Sniffen 
The Ontario
Washington D.C.

wants certf'd photos of 9 pages from 
Rev. War pension claim,
W19384 of
John Sniffen.

paid Apr. 27. 25 $1.60/100

A E Wilson
Chief Rev. & 1812 Wars Sect.

[rectangular stamp at bottom left of page]
FINANCE DIVISION
APR 27 1925
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 15

3-2233          113
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division

April 27, 1925.

Chief Rev Sect Division. [Division is crossed out]

I have this day received from Gen. C. C. Sniffen cash No. for $1.60 requesting 
photostat copy
post office address [this line is crossed out]

as per letter herewith
[written on an angle]
Copies delivered to Commissioner of Pensions for Gen. Sniffen 
AW
May 5 25

O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
H. C. L.

[written on angle]
OKTCY
Page 16

Request for Photostating
(To be prepared in duplicate)

M 6

Ex, AW

OFFICE OF CHIEF CLERK

Job No. 2014

Date May 2 . 25

Subject John Sniffen. Rev. W 19384

(No.) 1 copies of (No.) 6 pieces consisting of (No.) 9 pages to be forwarded when completed to the Rev. & 1812 Wars Sect. Division [Division is crossed out].

Remarks:

Approved:
AE Wilson
Chief Sect.

Chief Clerk.
Page 17


[circular stamp in top left corner]
US PENSION OFFICE
D
NOV 14 1919

Rev. Sec.

Dillon, Montana
Nov. 8. 1919

Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C

Dear Sir:- I am attempting to trace my ancestry, with a view to becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The name of my Revolutionary ancestor was Jonathan Sniffer [name is underlined].  No ha at all [written above name] His home was
Page 18

at Kings Bridge, Town of North Castle, West Chester Co. New York.

Can you tell me the date of his enlistment, his
services and his discharge

If you do not find a Jonathan Sniffen or Sniffin, (for different members of the family have spelled it both ways) W.19384 of W.Co. NY [written in below "both ways" do you find a John Sniffen for he probably was called "John" as my uncle is. If you find a
Page 19

John Sniffen from Kings Bridge, Town of North Castle he may be the one.

Also I would like to ask about another Revolutionary ancestor Aquilla Davis [name is underlined]. Sent S35882 [written above Aquilla Davis]  I am told that he served as sergeant in a compnay of the 4th Virginia [4th Virginia is underlined] regiment in a Batallion composed of
men from the different regiments, commanded
by Lieutenant Pasy, in 1782. If you find records
to verify this statement
Page 20

If you have any further information about either
of these men. I would be glad to have it.

Thanking you in advance
I am
Respectfully yours
Edna Sniffen Garver [signature]
(Mrs. F. H. Garver.)
Page 21

Repd. [right side of page]

New York 8484

Mary Ann Sniffen

widow of John Sniffen 
                        Kniffen

who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 25th April 1812 of N. York Co. in the State of N York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Stevens
regt. commanded by [blank] in the Connt. [Connt. is crossed out & NY is written in] line for 6 months & 4 days

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 20 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of
June 1844 and sent to Pensioner
No. 108, 2nd Street, New York

Total amount, $102:20

[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 1 Page 181
Page 22

New York City Roll
Act July 7. 1838
from 4 Mar 1836 to 4th March 1841
6 mo 4 days private
$20.44 pr ann

send cab to
Pensioner
No. 108 Second St.
NYork
Page 23

Washington June 3 - 44

Sir
I have been requested by one of my constituents to obtain some information in regard to an application made some three years ago, to place upon the pension list the widow of a soldier of the Revolution of the name of Sniffen.  Accompanying the
application were a certificate from the Comptroller of the State of New York of a service of 6 months & 8 days of one John Kniffen that was the [illegible] the name was then spelt an affidavit of E F Pardy that this
was the mode by spelling a certificate of the marriage & Be so good as to give me any information in your power with as little delay as possible, & direct to me at Fullers Hotel in this City
your
WB Maclay
Page 24

J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 25

House of Reps
Jany 10th 1842

Mr Roosevelt's compliments to Mr. Edwards and would be much obliged for the necessary information to answer the enclosed letter from one of his constituents.
Page 26

New York April 12th 1849

Col. J. L. Edwards

Sir
With this you will receive the affidavit for a renewal of Pension Certificate for Mrs. Mary Ann Sniffen - which please forward to me having acted as her attorney in this matter for the last 6 years to you may percion in reference to receipts on file I happen in your office
Very Respectfully
Your ob. Serv
Robt B Boyd [signature]
Page 27

[stamp]
PAID

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D. C.

[round stamp]
NEW YORK
JUL
2

[written vertically on right side of page]
Jul. 5. 1845.
[illegible] to case of Mary Ann Sniffen
Page 28

New York July 2d 1845

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
Enclose statement the declaration pursuant to 
to print form for the purpose therein stated of Mrs. Mary Ann Sniffen a resident in my family at No. 108 Second St in this City.  your promt attention to the matter will relieve the anxiety of an aged woman and much oblige

Your Obt Sevt
Robt B Boyd [signature]
Page 29

June 1744

Mary Ann Sniffen

Accepts pension
6 mo 4 days as a private
$

[written vertically on page]
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[written horizontally on page]
111
  37 [underlined]
148
Page 30

New York June 14th 1844

Dear Sir
Having been informed by yours of the 12th
instant that a certificate will be made out (or granted) upon my signifying my assent thereto allowing me to receive my pension as the widow of one of the Soldiers of the Revolution

I hereby signify my assent to receive the same and request that said Certificate may be forwarded to my address No 108 Second Street New York or to such place in said City as shall be designated by the Department

Respectfully Yours
Mary Ann Sniffen [signature]

Witness } Sherburne Sears
Page 31

New York 14th July 1841

Sir
I herewith return the application for a pension of Mrs Mary Ann Sniffen, widow of John Sniffen decd. together with the certificate of the Comptroller of this State

Very Respectfully
your Obt Serv
Sylvester Spencer [signature]

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 32

letter to Hon. M Maclay
Sent by Messenger who brought this letter
Page 33

Would you be as good as to call upstairs at the pension office & see if they have an answer in the case of Sniffen [Sniffen is underlined]
Comm.

[written on lower portion of the page]
Pension Office - 
M. Maclay [illegible] wishes to know whether any that answer there in the case of Sniffen [Sniffen is underlined]

John Clift [illegible]
Page 34

STATE OF NEW-YORK.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } SS.

I, James Conner, CLERK of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for the said City and County, being a Court of record, DO HEREBY CERTIFY,
That Clarkson Crolius before whom the annexed
deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Judge of said Court for said City and County, duly appointed and sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, the 14 day of Apl 1849
James Conner [signature] Clerk.

[round seal on lower left of page]
Page 35

State of New York 
City of New York } SS

On this 9th day of April one thousand eight
hundred and Forty nine personally appeared before me the Alderman of the seventeenth Ward of the City and County of New York Mary Ann Sniffen a resident of the City of New York in the County of New York aged 81 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2d day of February 1848 granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the
Revolutionary War

That she is the widow of John Sniffen who was a private in the Regiment of New York Militia
commanded by Colonel Thomas Thomas and that she received under the act of June 17th 1844 a pension of Twenty Dollars and Forty Cent per Annum.  She further declares she is still a widow

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me to whom the deponent is personally known
C Crolius [signature] [illegible] 17th Ward
Page 36

Mary Ann Sniffen
N. Y.
act 3 March 43
$44 - 


Robt B. Boyd Esq
108 Second St
New York
Page 37

State of New York 
City of New York }  SS

On this second day of July 1845 personally
appeared before me one of the justices of the peace of the said City Mary Ann Sniffen a resident of the City of New York in the County of New York aged Seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd of March 1843 and 17th June 1844 granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John Sniffen who was a private in the Regiment commanded by Col Thomas and served as such private in the company commanded by Captain Hobby & Thomas, as by refference the affidavit, and passing on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions
at Washington will more fully appear and deponent further says that she received the
annual amount of Twenty dollars and forty cents under the act of July 7th 1838, and deponent further declares that she is still a widow
Mary Ann Sniffen [signature]

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me,
F. A Tallmadge [signature]
Recorder of the City of New York
to whom the said deponent is personally known
Page 38

STATE OF NEW-YORK
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } SS.

I, James Conner, CLERK of the City and County of New-York, [crossed out text] DO HEREBY CERTIFY That Frederick A Tallmadge before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, Recorder of said City and Ex 
Officer a Justice of the Peace in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and authorized by the laws of this State to take the same; and that I believe the Signature of said F. A. Tallmadge thereunto subscribed is genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said [crossed out text] County, the 2d day of July 1845.
James Conner [signature] Clerk.

[round seal on lower left side of page]
Page 39

Hon. J. D. Roosevelt
HOL
Page 40

State of New York
West Chester County SS.

Samuel Miller (one of of the Survivors of the Revolution and now receiving a pension for his services) being duly sworn deposes and says that he was well acquainted with John Sniffen the Husband of Mary Ann Sniffen that said John Sniffen was born in Westchester County and lived at Harrison Purchase in said County at the time he entered the service

this Deponent further says that said John
Sniffen was the son of James Sniffen and that
said James Sniffen and his son John Sniffen were both attached to the same Regiment to which [to which is crossed out] to which this Deponent belonged, commanded by Colonel Thomas Thomas of the New York Line and [crossed out word] stationed on the lines in said County. that said John Sniffen first belonged to the company commanded by Capt Benjamin Stevens and was afterwards attached to the same company to which this Deponent belonged under the command of Capt John Thomas and thinks said John Sniffen was at one time attached to the company under the command of Capt. Hobby.
this Deponent "
Page 41

further says that said John Sniffen after the war was over was married to Mary Ann Mead daughter of General. John. Mead of the Connecticut Line and that said Mary Ann is the widow of John Sniffen aforesaid [text crossed out]

This Deponent further says that to the best of
his knowledge and belief the said John Sniffen
served in said Regiment for about one year and further this Deponent saith not.
Samuel Miller [signature]

Subscribed and sworn to before me this the 20th day of August 1842
Nathan Green [signature] Justice of the peace
Page 42

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th day of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following
certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:

[column 1]
1777 Oct 9

[column 2]
42.259 John Sniffen Pri

[pricolumn 3]
16
6 mo

[column 4]
10
4 days

[column 5]
8
pri

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, May 19 1841}

I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 9 now remaining in this office,
and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz :

First-under Capt. John Thomas in Col. Thomas Thomas Regiment.

Second, " "

Third, " "

Fourth, " "

Fifth, " "

Sixth, " "

Seventh, " "

Eighth, " "
[same info for all]

W.W. Tredway [signature]
Dept. Comptroller
Page 43

[illegible] 1666 [crossed out]
7671
Mary Ann Sniffen
NY
act 7 July 38
M 89.d13-
Sylvester Spencer Esq
N. York,
Agent
Page 44

State of New York City
City & County of New York } SS

I Samuel Miller of the town of North Castle County of Westchester and State of New York appearing before Richard Reed a commissioner of Deeds and being by him duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with John Sniffen of the town of Harrison and State of New York, now deceased the late husband of Mary Ann Sniffen both before and subsequently to his intermarriage with the said Mary Ann, that the said John Sniffen & Mary Ann lived together from the time of their intermarriage to the time of his death and raised several children

And this deponent further saith that he knows of his own knowledge that the said John Sniffen in or about the year 1777 or 1778 served as a private solider in the Army of the United States during part of the Revolutionary War. Depont has frequently seen him on duty and understood and believes he was regularly intested under the command of Captain Benjam Stevens and Lieutenant Abraham Waring.  Said Sniffen was reputed to be a good and faithful solider as ever lived+ & Deponent recollects distinctly to have seen him on duty under the command of said Captain Stevens and afterward under Captain David Hobby.  Deponant does not recollect the term of time which he served his country in manner aforesaid. It might have been for one or more years and Deponant believes more than either

+ the words "as ever lived" in the twenty fifth line interlined before
Page 45

Sworn to by the said deponent

Sworn to before me this Eighth day of September 1840
Sanuel Miller [signature]

Richd Reed [signature]

Commissioner of Deeds No 14 Chambers Street New York

I certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Samuel Miller for evert thirty years and that he is a man of truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full confidence
Elijah F. Purdy [signature]
Oct 10th hand
City of New York
Ochtober 23rd 1840

Sworn before me this 25th day of N ovember 1840
Joseph Hoxie [signature]
Clerk Court Com Please
Page 46

STATE OF NEW-YORK.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK 

I, JOSEPH BOXIE, Clerk of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Richard Reed whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the
time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Commissioner of Deeds for said City and County, dwelling in the said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized
to take the same. And further, that I was well acquainted with the handwriting of such
Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature of said certificate or proof of acknowledgment is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 29th day of Nov 1840.

Joseph Hoxie, Clerk
Page 47

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Sniffen, Nehemiah 
GRADE Private
LINE New York

WARRANT  NUMBER 7773
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED June 9, 1971 to David Hawkins, assignee

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.