Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17003, Charles Cushman, Conn
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn
Cushman, Charles
Gates, Desire
Former Widow

NUMBER 
W. 17003
Page 2

Agt 4 April 1840

To Albany N.Y. from 4 March 31831
29 April 1840 Notification to S.C. Underhill
Kingsbury, N.Y.

See letter to S.C. Underhill, 5th May 1840

New York Albany 
[crossed out] 3207

Desire Gates, formerly widow of Charles Cushman deceased who died on the 13th of January 1810 - of Rutland in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Swift of the - commanded by - Conn in Connecticut line for 6 mos. private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 20 Dollars - cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of January, 1840 and sent to Jesse Gove, Rutland, Vermont.
Arrears to the 4th of March, 1831 $180.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 10.00
$190.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3rd
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk 
Vol. 2 Page 36
Page 3

Wm Haswell Esq
Deposition
Proof of decease of 
Charles Cushman

Jesse Gove, Esq.
Rutland
Vermont
Page 4

I, Wm. Haswell, of Bennington, in the County of Bennington, and State of Vermont, aged forty nine years, testify and say that on examination of the Records in my custody as Clerk of said Town, I have not been able to find any record of the births of children of Charles and Desire Cushman - I also say that I find in Book 3, page 320, a record conveying Ninety Acres of Land to Charles Cushman, dated 18th November, 1771 - I was well acquainted with the said Charles & Desire Cushman from my childhood, they being the intimate friends of my parents, and know that they co-habited as husband and wife. I also say that I was well acquainted with five of the children of said Charles and Desire, to wit, Sally Sears, Abigail Hills, John Charles, and Nathan Cushman; I further testify that the monument erected to the memory of said Charles Cushman in our burial ground in this village, bears the following inscription, viz. "The Saint at Rest. Mr Charles Cushman exchanged with rapture the pains and toils of Earth for the joys and nest of Heaven, Jan'y 13th, 1810, aged 62 years." "Death full in view, the Saint exulting cried, Sweet grace, sweet savior, previous grace, & died"
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I further testify that said Charles and Desire Cushman were both members of the finest Congregational Church in Bennington, and were highly respected. - And further saith not.
Wm. Haswell
Sworn to and subscribed, July 23 AD. 1839, before me
O.C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace.

I further certify that William Haswell is town clerk of the town of Bennington, and much respected as a man of truth, and that his testimony is worthy of full faith & credit.
O.C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace.

State of Vermont
Bennington County Ss.
I Henry Robinson, Clerk of Bennington County Court, hereby certify that Orsamus C Merrill Esq. is a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Bennington aforesaid; duly qualified by law to take the depositions, & that his above signature is genuine - 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & official seal of our Court at Bennington this Twenty third day of July AD. 1839.
Henry Robinson
Page 6

Dear Sir,
The enclosed depositions, I hope will be satisfactory & of use. A number of the same amount may be obtained. I was acquainted with Charles & Desire Cushman as early as 1795 - and with their children and some of them intimately. In this their place of residence, there never was any doubt of the fact of Charles & Desire Cushman's being lawful husband & wife. Their reputation was as irreproachable as the best of our population.
I have examined the baptismal record of our church but find nothing. I suppose in the Probate Records Desire Cushman was recognized by that Court as the wife of Charles Cushman in the settlement of [crossed out] ^ his estate.
I suppose the expenses incurred will amount to $4.00 & some cents over.
Yours respectfully,
O. C. Merrill
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Silas Wallbrige's & Martin Norton's Depositions
Mrs. Desire Gates' claim
Page 8

I Martin Norton of Bennington, in the county of Bennington and state of Vermont, aged 74 years, being duly sworn depose, testify & say, That I emigrated to Bennington aforesaid January A.D. 1780, and have been an inhabitant of said town ever since - I very soon after my removal to Bennington became acquainted with Charles Cushman and Desire Cushman his wife; [crossed out] residing for many years not more than one mile distant from them. They lived together as husband & wife, & were reputed husband & wife, until the death of Mr. Cushman. When I first knew them they had two or three children - they raised up a large family of children, and their grand children, many of them I have known, and some of the reside near me at this day. I know the said Charles & Desire were not only reputed husband & wife but respected in that relationship, and as parents, and were in good repute as moral & Christian people. Mr. Cushman was a member of the Church in this town in good & regular standing for a long series of years, and in that connection was regular & exemplary in all his conduct - & his wife Desire Cushman was esteemed a good & exemplary woman - & both were ranked as among the most respectable inhabitants. I [crossed out] ^ understand Mr. Cushman was in public service during the revolutionary war, & never doubted it, but I had no personal knowledge of it, I ^ can give no particulars.
Martin Norton

State of Vermont
Bennington County Ss.
Bennington, July 17 A. D. 1839.
Personally appeared Martin Norton who in my presence subscribed the foregoing deposition, and made solemn oath that the facts therein stated are true. I further certify that Martin Norton, to me well known for many years, is a man respected, and a credible ^ person, and that his evidence is entitled to full credit. 
O. C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace.
Page 9

I Silas Walbridge of Bennington, county of Bennington & state of Vermont, aged 80 years, being duly sworn, testify, & say - That I was acquainted with Charles Cushman and Desire Cushman wife of said Charles, soon after they came to Bennington to reside, which was some years before the revolutionary war commenced - that they cohabited together as husband & wife until the death of said Charles - that they lived together in that relation in good repute and were respected. That ^ they had sons & daughters born to them, and they & their children for many years ^ were among the most respected families of the town of Bennington. There was no man and woman in Bennington who led a more exemplary course of life in general opinion.
I further say that at the time said Charles Cushman was doing duty in the public service in the revolutionary war, that he & his ^ wife Desire were living together when he was at home as husband & wife, and they had several children at that time.
That Desire Cushman was the reputed lawful wife of Charles Cushman at the commencement of the revolutionary war, & previous to that event, and that they lived together as such during the whole period of the said Charles Cushman's residence in Bennington, & until his death.
And further saith not.
Silas Walbridge

State of Vermont
Bennington County Ss.
Bennington, July 18 A. D. 1839.
Personally appeared Silas Walbridge, who in my presence subscribed the foregoing deposition, and made solemn oath that the facts therein stated are true.
I further certify that Silas Walbridge to me well known, is a credible person & respected citizen, and that his evidence is entitled to full credit.
O. C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace -
Page 10

State of Vermont
Bennington County Ss.
I Henry Robinson Clerk of Bennington County Court hereby certify that Orsamus C. Merrill was & is a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Bennington aforesaid. duly qualified by law to take depositions & that his above signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & applied the seal of our said County Court at Bennington this Eighteenth day of July A.D. 1839.
Henry Robinson
Page 11

4896
Mrs Desire Gates
Declaration
formerly widow of 
Chas Cushman

Act 4 July 36
adm.d
6 mo/ri
20$
Page 12

State of Vermont,
Rutland County Ss.
On this 22nd day of June, 1839, [crossed out] personally, appeared before the Hon Probate Court of the District of Rutland in said County, desire Gates, a resident of Pittsford in said County, aged 86 - 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 4, 1836, and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3, 1837: that she was married ^ to Charles Cushman, late of Bennington, Vermont, deceased, who was a private in the American revolutionary army, and served in a Company commanded by a Capt. Couch from Connecticut, for the term of six months, in the year 1777; she believes the Company belonged to Col. Swift's Regiment of Connecticut troops, but is not certain whether it was not a Col. Store's from Connecticut, and must refer to the accompanying depositions of Federic Cushman, a brother of the said Charles, and to the deposition of Silas Walbridge, and to the Certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut; as, also, to the Rolls of Connecticut now in the War office of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Charles Cushman on the 11th day of May in the year seventeen hundred and sixty nine; that her husband, the aforesaid Charles Cushman, died on the thirteenth day of January, eighteen hundred and ten; that she was afterwards married to Nehemiah Gates, who died on the 14th of March 1835; and that she was a widow on the 4th of July, 1836 & still remains a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
her mark [hand drawn X] Desire Gates 
Witnesses to the signing, 
Daniel Smith
Jesse Gove
Page 13

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written; before me, in open Court.
A. L. Brown Judge

State of Vermont 
Rutland County Ss.
I, Frederick W. Hopkins, Clerk of the Probate Court of the District of Rutland in said County, do hereby certify, that the Hon. Ambrose L. Brown is Judge of said Court; and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name at Rutland in said Probate District, this twenty second day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
And I do hereby further certify, as aforesaid, that the signature of the said Brown to the certificate subjoined to the annexed affidavit of Jesse Gove is genuine; and that the said Judge is authorized by law to take acknowledgements of affidavits in the manner there written.
Given under my hand, the seal of said Court the day and year herein above last written.
F. W. Hopkins
Page 14

I, Jesse Gove of Rutland in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont; of lawful age, depose, testify, and say that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Desire Gates, whose declaration is hereunto annexed, and know that she hath not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband, Nehemiah Gates, who died at said Rutland on the 14th of March, 1835. And further this affiant saith not.
Jesse Gove

State of Vermont
Rutland County Ss.
Be it known, that on this 22nd day of June, 1839, before me, Ambrose L. Brown, Judge of the Probate Court in and for the District of Rutland in said County personally appeared the above named Jesse Gove, to me well known, who hath subscribed the preceding affidavit in my person, and made with in due form of law, that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth. And I do hereby certify that the said affiant is a credible witness.
A. L. Brown Judge
Page 15

Fred K Cushman's Deposition
Homer E Hubbel Esq
July 15, 1838
Mrs. Desire Gates' claim
Page 16

I Frederick Cushman of Georgia in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont of Eighty years of age depose & say that my brother Charles Cushman enlisted into the service of the United States for six months in the revolutionary war - the exact time I cannot recollect but know it was previous to Bennington battle - I believe the said Charles was in the battle of Bennington. the Captain's name within which he enlisted I think was Couch - the Colonel's name I believe was Storer - I enlisted at the same time - The Regiment I recollect came on ^ from Connecticut to Bennington, Vermont where my brother Charles & myself resided & was not full when it came & was considerably recruited in said Bennington. My brother the said Charles served out the full time of his enlistment viz. six months - My belief is that the said Charles was out in the war of the revolution in the United States served as other times & more than I have above stated, but the precise time or times I cannot recollect - The said Charles was station a while at Whitehall, then Stansborough, N.Y. & afterwards at Ticonderoga & further this deponent saith not - 
Frederic Cushmore
July 12 1838
State of Vermont
Franklin County Ss.
Georgia July 12, 1838. The personally appeared Frederick Cushman & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is [illegible] before me
Hon. E. Hubble Justice Peace
Page 17

I certify that the within named Frederick Cushman is a man of truth & veracity.
H.E. Hubbell Justice Peace
Page 18

No time to write.

Yours respectfully
H E Hubbell

$5.00
Page 19

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section

February, 1929

Mrs. Mamie Marsh
1520 - 6th Avenue
Fort Dodge, Iowa

Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.17003, it appears that Charles Cushman, while residing at Bennington, Vermont, enlisted in 1776 and served six months as a private in Captain Couch's Company, Colonel Swift's Connecticut Regiment. He was also in the battle of Bennington and had other tours of service, no officers or details given.
The soldier married, May 11, 1769, at New Preston, Connecticut, Desire Branch.
He died, January 13, 1810, at Bennington, Vermont, aged sixty-two years. She married Nehemiah Gates, who died, March 14, 1835.
She was allowed pension on account of the services of Charles Cushman on her application executed June 22, 1839, at which time she was living at Pittsford, Rutland County, Vermont, aged eighty-six years. In 1840, she
Page 20

was living at Kingsbury, Washington County, New York, with her daughter, Mrs. Desire Underhill. Her grandson, Samuel C. Underhill, was thirty-two years old in 1840 and living in Kingsbury, New York.
The following are the children of the soldier and his widow, Desire: Sally Sears; Abigail Hills; John Cushman; Charles Cushman; and Nathan Cushman.
The soldier's brother, Frederic, testified in the case in 1838, and stated that he served with him in the year 1776.

Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner.
Page 21

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
17.003
Desire Gates
Former Widow of Charles Cushman
Pri Rev War

Act: July 4th 36
Vol. A, Page 264

1929 - Feb 2 - Hist to Mrs. Mamie Marsh - see her letter in Frederic Cushman S.10512 cert.
Page 22

Rev. B. B. Parson's Depo
Hon. D.B. Brinsmaid
Certificate
Mrs. Desire Gates' Claim
Page 23

I Benjamin B. Parsons of Washington in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut do testify and say that I am the Pastor of the Congregational Church in New Preston in the town of Washington aforesaid and keeper of the Records of said Church that from said Records it appears that the first entries were made at or near the commencement of the ministry of the Rev. Jeremiah Day in the year 1770 and that his predecessor the Rev. NW. Windhams left no records of any kind ^ to my knowledge I would further certify that there is no record in the Congregational Church in the society of New Preston, town of Washington, of the intermarriage of Charles Cushman & Desire Branch by the late Rev. Noah Wadhams deceased formerly minister of said Church and by whom it is said the said Desire claims to have been married to said Cushman at said New Preston aforesaid now included in the limits of the town of Washington on or about the 11th day of May in the year 1769. And further the deponent saith not.
Benjamin B. Parsons

The records to my knowledge were interlined before the affidavit was signed or sworn to.
D. B. Brinsmade
Page 24

State of Connecticut
District of Washington Ss. July 18th 1839
Personally appeared in open Court Benjamin B. Parsons the signer of the foregoing affidavit to me personally known and to whom endability. I hereby certify and make oath to the facts stated in said affidavit and I further certify that the records of said Congregational Church were presented in Court and that no records appear on the face of them extending back of the year 1770 the first entry being in that year.
There is no record of the intermarriage of Charles Cushman with Desire Branch by the late Rev Noah Wadhams deceased formerly a minister of said Church and by whom as stated in Court the said Desire claims to hhave been married to said Cushman at said New Preston now in the limits of the town of Washington on or about the 11th day of May in the year 1769.
In confirmation of which I have caused the seal of said Courts be affixed and signed the same with my hand.
Daniel B. Brinsmade Judge of Probate for the District of Washington
Page 25

Rutland Vt. 14 Nov. 1839

Sir - 
I transmit herewith the declaration and proofs of Mrs. Desire Gates for a pension in consideration of the services of her first husband, Mr. Charles Cushman, deceased.
The proofs consist of the several depositions of Mr. Frederick Cushman, Wm Haswell, Silas Walbridge, Silas Walbridge, and Martin Norton; a certificate from Henry Kilbourne Esq Comptroller of Connecticut; Rev Benj B. Parsons' deposition, and Hon. Dan B. Brinsmaids Cert. therein relation to the marriage record. 
Be pleased to communicate to me.
I am very respectfully
yours in service
Jesse Gove

James L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 26

April 20 1840
Revoltionary

J L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
City Washington 
D.C
Page 27

Montpelier 15 April 1840

Sir
Desire Gates a pensioner on the Roll of this Agency at $20.00 as per annum under the Act of 4 July 1836 has never received any payment at this agency but payment is due her from 4 March 1835.
Respectfully from
Augustine Clark
Pension agent
Vermont

J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pension
Washington

A [illegible] in disposition has prevented a [illegible] reply
Page 28

3207 Desire Gates
Ny 1836
Page 29

Albany Pension Agency
Augt. 26 1840

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,
By your letter of the 29th of April last, we were intimated to inscribe on your book, the name of Desire Gates, transferred from Vermont & to pay her from 4 March 1831, at the rate of $20 per annum. And we paid her accordingly on this 15th May last.
By your last semi annual report of charges, received on the 17th with an instruction to pay her from the 4th of March 1836.
Be pleased to inform me from which period she ought to have been paid.
I am sir, 
very respectfully
Your obed servt
Tho W Olcott
Probate Agent
Page 30

State of New York
Washington County Ss.
On this twenty fourth day of February 1840, before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. personally appeared Desire Gates, formerly widow of Charles Cushman, deceased, who on her oath declares that she is the same person whose name is inserted in a pension Certificate, whereof the following (I certify) is a true copy "War Department Revolutionary Claim. I certify that in conformity with the 3rd section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Desire Gates of Vermont, formerly widow of Charles Cushman deceased, who was a private in the war of the revolution, is entitled to receive twenty dollars per annum during the time she may remain unmarried, commensing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September. Given at the War Office of the United States this twenty first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty.
J.R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
Examined & Countersigned 
J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
That her name was placed on the pension Roll of the State of Vermont, from where she has lately removed; that she now resides in Kingsbury in said County of Washington in the State of New York, where she intends to remain, and wishes her pension to be there payable in future. The following are her reasons for removing to Kingsbury aforesaid: that after the decease of her second husband, Nehemiah Gates, she was alone; and on that account, and the infirmities of age, she prepared to reside with her daughter, Mrs. Desire Underhill, of said Kingsbury, with whom she now resides.
her mark [hand drawn X] Desire Gates

Subscribed and sworn to before me, the day and year aforesaid
A. F. Hitchcock Justice
Page 31

I, Samuel C. Underhill, of Kingsbury in the County of Washington and State of New York, aged thirty two years and upwards, do depose, testify and say that Mrs. Desire Gates who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding affidavit, is my maternal Grand Mother; and that I know her to be the identical person she has described herself to be in her said affidavit.
Samuel C Underhill

State of New York
Washington County Ss
Be it known, that on this 24th day of February 1840, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the above named Samuel C. Underhill, to me well known, who hath subscribed the foregoing affidavit in my presence, and made oath in due form of law, that the same contains the truth, and nothing but the truth. And I do hereby certify that the said witness is a person of veracity.
A. F. Hitchcock Justice Peace
Page 32

State of New York
Washington County Ss
I, Edward Dodd Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify, that Adolphus F. Hitchcock Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, as above written; and that the foregoing several signatures to the annexed affidavits of Desire Gates, and Samuel C. Underhill, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony, whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name at Argyle in said County, this twenty fourth day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty.
Edward Dodd Clerk
Page 33

May 2. 1840
Pension Office
M W Evans
[sideways]
[illegible] NY Feb 25
Free
Hon J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
City of Washington
.
Page 34

Kingsbury Feb. 25 1840

Hon. J. K. Poinsett

Dear Sir
Enclosed are the affidavits of Mrs. Desire Gates and accompanying papers are her application and wishes that her pension may be payable in the city of [crossed out] Albany State of New York.
You will please direct the certificate or necessary papers in their matter to the undersigned "Kingsbury County of Washington and State of New York" or to Desire Gates of the same place.
Samuel C Underhill
Page 35

May 5, 1840

[crossed out]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
city of Washington

Kingsbury
April 30 1840
Page 36

Kingsbury Washington County
April 30 1840

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Dear Sir,
I enclosed in a letter to you some time in February last the affidavit of Desire Gates of this town requesting a transfer of her pension payment from Mount Pelier [Montpelier] Vermont to Albany in the State of New York. And requesting that you would send the necessary certificate thereof, to me directing to me in Kingsbury in the County of Washington and State of New York.
I have not received any answer and the Old Lady (Desire Gates) is in want of her pension money. and is desiring to learn where she must apply to get her money.
Please write me in the receipt of them.
Yours Respectfully
Samuel C Underhill
Page 37

Silas Walbridge's 
1st Deposition
Mrs. Desire Gates' claim

Jesse Gove Esq
Clerk Dist of
Rutland Vt
Page 38

I Silas Walbridge of Bennington, county of Bennington, State of Vermont, aged 79 years, being duly sworn, testify & say - 
That I was well and intimately acquainted with the late Charles Cushman for a great many years. That some time before Bennington battle, ^ about a year previous, I think in the months of July or August in the year 1776, Charles Cushman enlisted into a Connecticut Regiment, my recollection is that he enlisted in the month of July, or August, the exact time I cannot recollect. And that he served out the period of his enlistment as I understood, and returned home the following winter, I remember it was snowy & cold, I think it was in the month of January.
My recollection further is, that Col. Swift commanded the Regt. into which Charles Cushman enlisted - I recollect seeing Col. Swift with the Regt. repeatedly while the Regt. was in Bennington. The Regt. tarried here some days.
I further testify, that I understood Charles Cushman was in the battle of Bennington, and that he was out in other tours of service during the war of the revolution, and I have no doubt of it - but the places, time or times of his service I cannot relate, as I belonged to another Regt. a part of the time of my service.
And further saith not
Silas Walbridge

State of Vermont
Bennington County Ss
Bennington, August 15, A. D. 1838.
Then personally appeared Silas Walbridge who signed the foregoing deposition in my presence, and made solemn oath that the facts therein stated are true, before me.
O. C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Silas Walbridge and that his testimony is entitled to credit. 
Attest -
O. C. Merrill, Justice of the Peace
Page 39

State of Vermont
Bennington County Ss

I Henry Robinson Clerk of Bennington County Court, herby certify that Orsamus C. Merrill Esq. Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Bennington, duly qualified by the Laws of this State to take Depositions & that his foregoing signature, to the Deposition of Silas Walbridge is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of our said County Court at Bennington this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1838
Henry Robinson
Page 40

Ben: Aug. 15th 1838.

Dear Sir,
A slight indisposition has prevented my attention to your request at an earlier day - I have obtained the Deposition of Mr. Walbridge & gathered from him all the facts, that he can well recollect in relation to Mr. C. Cushman's enlistment file. Mr. Walbridge is somewhat an old man - & has the memory of an old man - but he is a respectable & credible man - I hope his Dep will be [illegible] to Mrs. C.
I am Sin Yours,
Henry N Robinson
Jesse Gove Esq
Col. Merrill wishes you to give him credit $1.00 on some unsettled business between you & him HM.
Page 41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Cushman, Daniel
GRADE Private
LINE Connecticut

WARRANT NUMBER 5655
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Apr. 12 1792
To - not shown -