Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,457, Isaiah Tower, Mass.
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Servo\ice
Mass.

Tower, Isaiah
Sylvia

Number
W.19.457
Page 2

2921
New York  Albany
Sylvia Tower
widow of Isaiah Tower
Mass
who served in the Revolutionary war, 
as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
___Cents per annum, to commence on the
4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
10th day of Jany 1849
and sent to 
B.V.S. Vedder
Schenectady
N.Y. 

recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 2, 1848, Page 225  Vo. 4
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[left side of document]
Let. to G.F. Yates Apl 30 1835

Dup. Certificate issued and forwarded 
to care of G.F. Yates, Schenectady, 
N York  May 28 1835

[right side of document]
20,099

New York 
Isaiah Tower
of Schenectady in the State of N York who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Every of the Reg. commanded by Col. Doud on the Massachusetts line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York 
at the rate of 80 Dollars ___ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of (?) 1832 and sent to E.F. Yates Schenectady

Arrears to the 4th of No '33   $160
Semi-anl, allowance ending 6 Sept  '33  $40
Total $200

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Go C Stiles  Clerk, 
Book E  Vol. 3  Page 80
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No 18439
Isaiah Tower
.
Admitted
Private 2 years &
upwards - $80
Giles F. Yates agent
Schenectady NY
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office May 23 1835
Sir
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of July6 7, 1832, has 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 rules and the regulations will show 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.
Statement, showing the Service of Isaiah Towers of Schenectady Co. New York

Period when service rendered: Enlisted 1775
Duration of service:  8 months
Rank: Private
Name & Rank of Company officers: Capt. Daniel Egery-Lieut. M. Pickens
Name & Rank of Gen. & Field Officers: Col. Danielson--Col. Bond
Battles engaged in: 
Country marched through: To Brookline & Roxbury
Place of abode when enter, & current age: New Bedford, Bristol Co. Mass. Aged 72
Evidence by which Declaration is supported: Traditionary

Period when service rendered: Enlisted 1775
Duration of service: 1 year
Rank: Private
Name & Rank of Company officers: 1 Lieut. (illegible) Bowman--2nd Lieut. Parker--Ensign Thos. Marshall
Name & Rank of Genl. & Field Officers: Col. Bond
Battles engaged in:
Country marched through: To Boston, New York, Ticonderoga

Period when service rendered: Enlisted 1776
Duration of service 6 months
Rank: Private
Name & Rank of Company officers: Capt. Dillingham
Name & Rank of Genl. & Field Officers:
Battles engaged in:
Country marched through: New Bedford Fort

Period when service rendered: Drafted 1777
Duration of service: 2 months
Rank: Private
Name & Rank of Company officers: Capt. Manass.-Sgt. Compton
Name & Rank of Genl. & Field Officers: Genl. Frances
Battles engaged in:
Country marched through: Rhode Island

Period when service rendered: Drafted: 1780
Duration of service: 3 months
Rank: Private
Name & Rank of Company officers: Capt. Timothy Page
Name & Rank of Gen. & Field officers:
Battles engaged in:
Country marched through: To West Point & White Plains

Period when service rendered: Sub-1782 or 1783
Duration of service : 8 months
Rank: Private
Name &U Rank of Company officers: Capt. Fuller
Name & Rank of Genl. & Field officers:
Battles engaged in :
Country marched through: West Point, New Burgh

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

+see note by Agent
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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 persons, 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 Ste, 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1932. 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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (hand/finger pointing) 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 not (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 declarations; 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 the 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 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 application 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, where he procure such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and is 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
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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 was, 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 & 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 ever 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 the 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 he 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 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 each 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 each 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.

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarand 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 that the periods mentioned below, and is the following grades:--For......year..............and....,,.months, and.......day, 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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was eighter 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 as the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached therin 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.
(hand/finger point) The notes from (a) to (j) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. the proof required by 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 declarations.
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Isaiah Tower was born at Cohasset State of Massachusetts March 29th 1760     R.Stile

Family Record
Isaiah Tower senior may well remember The 15th day of August 1836 and the consequence of what took place on that day any Lasting Desire is that it may be a blessing to me through the (illegible) of God.
Isaiah Tower was born at Cohasset State of Boston March 29th A. D. 1760
Silvia Tobey was born at New Bedford State of Boston September 29th A,D, 1767
They were Married april 22n A.D. 1787
Childrens Marriages asunder
Rhuamy was Married the 22nd of May 1807
Elisha was Married the 1st of June 1815
Isaiah Tower Jr. was Married to Polly Sherburn
February 23d 1825
Joseph Tower was Married to Elizabeth Richards Augt. 29th 1832
John Tower was Married to Eunice C. Schauber
29th Dec. 1830
Jeremiah B. Tower was Married to Mary Burghoff Sept. 11. 1833
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Family Record
Childrens Births asunder viz.

Elisha was born at New Bedford May 10th 1788
Rhuamy was born at Duanesburgh September 9th 1790
Benjamin T was born as above Mar 22nd 1793
Isaiah was born as above March 7th 1795
Silvanus was born as above March 12th 1797
John was born as above August 17th 1799
Jeremiah B. was born as above December 8th 1801
Deborah was born as above December 8th 1801 the 2 former were Twins
Joseph was born as above November 16th 1803
Silvia was born as above March 7th 1805
Stephen was born as above March 8th 1808
Zacheus was born as above February 7th 1811
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State of New York
City & County of Albany ss.
On this 19th day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty six, before the Justices Court of the City of Albany (the same being a Court of Record) held before the Justices thereof, in said City, personally appeared Silvia Tower a resident of the Town of Duanesburgh, in the County of Schenectady, aged seventy eight years & upwards, 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 passes July 7. 1838, & the acts of 3d March 1843 & 17 June 1846, supplementary thereto granting pensions to widows in certain cases.
That she is the widow of Isaiah Tower who was a private in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War, and at the time of his death, a Pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7 1832.
She further declares that she was married to the said Isaiah Tower on the twenty second day of April in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, in the Town of New Bedford in the state of Massachusetts. That she  was the daughter of Zachary Tobey of that town and was married at her Father's home. That the leaf hereto annexed is taken from an old family Bible and contains a true band of the date of her marriage as aforesaid and the dates of the births of the children of herself & the said Isaih Tower.
That the said band of her marriage & of the births of her children was  made by Schenectady in the Town of Duanesburgh about thirty years ago, and was taken from another band in an old family Bible which was about worn out. That her husband the aforesaid Isaiah Tower died on the twenty seventh day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty six; 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 & ninety four viz. at the time above stated.
Silvia Tobey Tower
Sworn to & subscribed in open court on the day & year above written. Witness the seal of said Courts and the signature of the Clerk thereof this 19th day of February 1846.
D. Hold Clerk
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State of New York
Albany Justice's Court ss
Stephen G. Tower of the Town of Duanesburgh, in the County of Schenectady, being duly sworn deposeth that he is thirty seven years of age & a (illegible), and is one of the Children of the written named Isaiah Tower & Silvia Tower & that his father the said Isaiah died on the twenty seventh day of January last past, in this deponent's house in the Town of Duanesburgh, leaving the said Silvia his widow & she still remains his widow. The deponent further saith the band hereto annexed was taken from an old family Bible, have in this Deponent's possession-and that he has known said record ever since he was a child, and believes it to be about thirty years old and has doubt that the written statement by his mother respecting the same is correct & true.
Stephen G. Tower
Sworn to & subscribed in open court, this 19th day of February 1846
D. Holt, Clerk
It is hereby certified by order of the Justice's Court that the above named Stephen G. Tower is a credible witness. Feby 19th 1846 D. Holt, Clerk
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18439
In the matter of the application of
Isaiah Tower for a pension

Proceedings 
Rec 23d Nov 1832
No 42
to the care of Giles F. Yates
Schenectady N.Y.
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State of New York
County of Schenectady SS.
On this thirteenth 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 in and for said county now sitting Isaiah Towers a resident of the town of Duanesburgh in said county & state, 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 benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
He was born in the town of Cohassett in the County of Norfolk, in the State of Massachusetts on the twenty-ninth day He has no record of his age except a memorandum thereof left him by his parents.
When he was called into the service of the United States in the army of the revolution, he was living in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts and since the revolutionary war he has live in said town of New Bedford & at Hardwyck and about 44 years ago, he removed to & he now lives in the town of Duanesburgh aforesaid.
He entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In the month of April 1775, he enlisted for the term of Eight months in the Continental line. The names of his field & Company officers whom he recollects was Colonel Danielson, Captain Daniel Egery, Lieutenant John Pickens. The place of his enlistment was New Bedford aforesaid
After his term of service in said
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Company had expired, to wit, on the first day of December 1775, he enlisted for the term of one year in said Company then in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Bond. His other Company of officers were Bowman 1st Lieutenant-Parker second Lieutenant-Thomas Marshall ensign.
In his first enlistment he marched to Brooklyn & Roxbury. In his second enlistment he marched to Boston & aided in driving the British from Boston & marched from thence to New York. In the month of May 1776, he marched to Ticonderoga served there and at other places in that vicinity.
At the conclusion of his second engagement he enlisted in Captain Dillingham's Copany of State troops & served for the term of five months at New Bedford Fort.
In the year 1777, or 1778 he was drafted for the term of two months in Captain Manassah Compton's Company of Militia & was during this engagement with General Spencer's expedition to Rhode Island.
In the year 1780, he was again drafted for the  term of three months in Captain Timothy Page's company & militia & served during this engagement at West Point & White Plains & was at the last place attached to a covering party to Sheldon's corps of horse.
In the year 1782 or 1783,  he was a substitute for one Noah Hatch in Captain Fuller's Company in the Continental line & served therein for term of eight months
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In the year 1782 or 1783 he was a substitute for one Noah Hatch in Captain Fuller's Company in the Continental line & served therein for the term of eight months at West Point, Newbergh & other places.
Adjutant General Hand was with the troops where he served in this engagement.
I never fell to his lot to engage in any battles or skirmishes
Page 16

THE FOLLOWING are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew, or who were with the troops where he served, and such continental and militia regiments or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect, viz: Captains Kempham, Parkins, General Washington, General Greens, General Putman, General Paten & his Brigade, General Knox & many others
He never received any written discharge from the service.

He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose tesimony he can procure who can testify to his service except those whose depositions & certificates have been forwarded to the War Dept. on a former application under said act*
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution to wit, John Titus & Julius Bolles

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.
Isaiah Tower
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year first afforesaid}
John S. Vrooman, Clerk

We, John Titus residing in the town of Duanesburgh in the county of Schenectady aforesaid, and Julius Bolles residing in the City of Schenectady do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Isaiah Tower 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 the opinion.
John Titus
Julius Bolles
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid}
John S. Vrooman Clerk
AND THE SAID COURT do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Titus who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Duansburgh aforesaid and that Julius Bolles who has also signed the same, is a resident in the city of Schenectady aforesaid & both are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit, and the court further certifies that it appears to them no clergyman lives in the vicinity of said applicant and that those that live in said town cannot be produced in court without too much effort & inconvenience. I the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Schenectady do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaiah Town for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the office this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John S. Vrooman, Clerk.
Page 17

*Mr. Tower stated to me when I enquired of him if he could procure any affidavits of his services, that several months ago he had forwarded the affidavits of General Wm. North Aid-de-camp to Baron Steuben & others to the war Department. I remember that several time previous to the sitting of our County Court called upon me to make out his papers, but I informed him nothing could be done until the sitting of said Court. He then told me he could not wait so long and would prepare his own papers.
G. F. Yates
Page 18

Isaiah Tower to me well known for many years as an industrious & reputable farmer in the county of Albany & Schenectady was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army for a long period, but in what Regiments I do not know, but this I well remember & know that he was in the line of the Regular Army of the United States and what is well remembered by me is that in 1783, He was taken from his Regiment & Company then at or in the vicinity of Newburgh and served as a bargeman in the barges of Brigadier General Hand.
aid de Camp to Baron Steuben
William North
Experience
June 19 1832
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County of Schenectady
Benjamin M. Mumford of the City of Schenectady in said county being duly sworn saith that he is intimately acquainted with the handwriting of the within named General William North & verily believe that the signature to the within certificates purporting to be his is the own proper handwriting of said William North, and this deponent further saith that said William North now resides in the town of Waterford, County of New London in the state of Connecticut. B. M. Mumford
State of New York
City & County of Schenectady SS
I David Boyd Notary Public duly commissioned & sworn dwelling in said City, do hereby certify that the above named Deponent Benjamin M. Mumford
Page 20

to me well known, personally appeared before me & made oath that the facts set forth in said Deposition by him signed are true and correct. And I further certify that said Benjamin Mumford is a gentlemen of respectability & credibility & that his statements are entitled to full credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal this twenty eighth day of November one thousand eight hundred & thirty-two.
D. Boyd
Notary Public
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State of New York
Otsego County SS
Zoath Tobey of the town of Butternuts in the County and State aforesaid being by me duly sworn according to the laws of the State of New York deposeth and saith that he is personally acquainted with Isaia Tower of the town of Duanesburg in the County of Schenectady and State aforesaid and has been so acquainted with him for fifty five years and upwards. That this deponent knows and now recollects that said Tower inlisted into the service of his country in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five for the term of eight months to go as then said to Boston and that he went acordingly and as he thus understood served there how long this deponent cannot now state but believed the term of his enlistment. That he enlisted under Capt. Daniel Egery in Col. Danielson's regiment. that in the next year 1776 as this deponent believes said Tower again inlisted under said Egery for the term of a year according to the present belief of this deponent allthoug he will not at this time pretend to state positively as the length of time to go to Ticonderoga and that he went but whether he served out his time or not he cannot now state but thinks that after he had been gave some length of time he was taken such and returned home so, but whether before the expination of his (illegible) or not this deponent cannot state. That in the year 1777 or 8 said Tower inlisted for the term of three months. That this deponent inlisted at the same time with said Tower and they served out the time together. That the said Tower afterwards went
Page 22

out privaturing as it was then called and was taken prisoner and confined for some length of time but this deponent cannot state how long he was a prisoner. That this deponent is now old and his memory some what i(illegible) and cannot now distinctly recollect dates but the facts above stated and set forth are true according to his best recollection and belief and further saith not.
Zoath Tobey

Subscribed and Sworn before me this 14th day of June 1833
Benojah Davis  Just. peace

State of New York Otsego County SS
Cornelius Jumme, Luther M. Skidmore and Ansol C. Moore to me personally known being by me duly sworn do depose and say that they are and ^have been acquainted with Zoath Tobey above named and do know that he signed and swore to the above affidavit and that they should place the (illegible) confidence in whatever he should state relative  to any fact. That he is a man of unimpeachable character for truth, veracity and integrity & that they have been acquainted with him for many years and that he has always sustained the same character and further say not.
Cornelius Jumee
L. M. Skidmore
A. C. Moore

Severally and respectively sworn and did subscribe the above affidavit in my presence this 14th day of June 1833
Benojah Davis Just. peace
Page 23

Otsego County SS.  I Benojah David the Justice within named before whom the within affidavits were made to wit the affidavit of Zoath Tobey^ Luther M.. Skidmore and the affidavit of Cornelius Jumme and Ansel C. Moore do certify that I am well acquainted with the said Zoath Tobey Cornelius Jumme Luther M Skidmore and Answl C Moore and know them to be man of credibility and that that their statements within contained are entitled to full confidence and that I do give the fullest credit and confidence thereto. 
In testimony where of I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th of June 1833
Benojah Davis Just.pc

State of New York
Otsego County SS   I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said county do certify that Benojah Davis Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county; and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name thereunto, subscribed to is his proper handwriting and signature. Witness my hand & Seal of office this 15th day of June 1833
Horace Lathrop
By G. A. C. Luce Depty.
Page 24

State of New york
County of Schenectady, SS.
On this thirtieth day of August A. D. 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the county of Schenectady in the Sate aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, Silvia Tower, aged eighty years a resident of the town of Duanesburgh in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, 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 the 2d day of February, 1848, granting pensions to the widows or persons who served during the revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Isaiah Tower, who was a private in the army of the revolution, and on account of whose services as such private, she was pensioned under the act of Congress passed June 17, 1844 and drew a pension at the rate of Eighty Dollars ($80) per annum under # said act. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Silvia Tower
In presence of
Stephen B. Tower
John N. Barley Jr   Sworn & Subscribed on the day and year above written before me
B. V. S. Vedder, J.P.

I certify that the above declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration.
B.V.S. Vedder J.P.
Page 25

State of New York
County of Schenectady, SS
Clerk's Office

I, Silas H. Marsh, clerk of the County of Schenectady, do hereby certify, that Benjamin V.S. Vedder Esq., before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified as such; that that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Benjamin V. S. Vedder and verily believe that the signature to said Affidavit and Certificate is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this 30th day of August 1848.
S. H. Marsh, Clerk
Page 26

County of Schenectady SS
On this fifteenth day of May 1835, before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, personally appeared John A. Hower Guardian of Isaiah Tower a lunatic-who on his oath-declares that the said Isaiah Tower is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Daniel Egery in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Daniel Danielson and subsequent to the year 1776, by Colonel Bond in the service of the United States; That the name of said Isaiah was placed on the pension roll of the state of New York. That he received a certificate of that fact under the signature & seal of the Secretary of War, on or about the month of July or August 1833, if this deponent remembers right. That for some time after the receipt of said certificate by said Isaiah the same was retained by said Isaiah in his custody and possession untill the time this deponent was appointed his guardian by the Chancellor of this state, to wit on the 19th day of March 1834. that said Isaiah refused to give said certificate up to this deponent, but from time to time permitted Giles F. Yates of the City of Schenectady who drew up his pension papers for time, to copy the same in the affidavits necessary to enable him to draw his pension money. that the last payment on the said certificate was made in the fall of 1834, since which time this deponent has made diligent search for said certificate but cannot find it. That in the fall of last year, this deponent for the Box coat or outer garment of said Isaiah lying in a public road at a distance from his residence either thrown away or dropped by said Isaiah. That this deponent had previously seen said certificate in said coat. that being the place where he was in the habit of keeping the same. That this deponent
Page 27

examined the papers in the pockets of said coat, but could not find it, nor can he find it elsewhere, & is satisfied that said certificate is lost.
Sworn this 15th day of May
1835. before me with the words last year written (illegible)
John H. Van Eps, Justice of the Peace

County of Schenectady SS--Giles F. Yates of the city of Schenectady in said county, being duly sworn, saith, that he well knows Isaiah Tower to be the same person described in the affidavit of John A. Tower & that said John A. Tower is the guardian of said Isaiah as above set forth. This deponent further saith that he has acted as agent or attorney for said Isaiah and also for said John A. Tower since his appointment as guardian as aforesaid. That the facts set forth in the above affidavit of John A. Tower relative to this deponents acting as such agent in drawing up the pension papers of said Isaiah & the affidavits & power of attorney & other documents necessary from time to time to draw the pension money of said pensioner are substantially true & correct. That since the drawing up the papers necessary to receive the pension money due said Isaiah up to the 4th of September last, this deponent has never seen said Certificate.
G. F. Yates
Sworn this 15th day of May 1835 before me
John H. Van Eps Justice of the peace
And I the said John H Van Eps Justice of the peace in & for said county of Schenectady do hereby certify that said John A. Tower and Giles F. Yates the foregoing deponents are men of veracity as witness my hand this fifteenth day of May 1835
John H. Van Eps Justice of the peace

State of New York
County of Schenectady ss
Clerk's Office
I Johathan C. Burnham clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do certify that John H. Van Eps above named was a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly commissioned and sworn to take affidavits & at the time the above affidavits were so taken before him.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 15th day of May A. D. 1835.
Jon. C. Burnham Clerk
Page 28

Isaiah Tower New York
Rev Priv
Apl 30

J. L. Edward Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington D.C.

(post mark)
Sch'dy
26 Apr 1835 (hand written)
Page 29

Schenectady April 23d 1835

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

The guardian of Isaiah Tower, a pensioner under the act of 7th June 1832, has lost or rather, the lunatic has lost his pension Certificate. Will you be kind enough to send me the form requisition to enable him to procure a new certificate.
I am very respectfully 
your obt. servt.
Giles F. Yates
Page 30

Albany February 19. 1846

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I enclose the application of Mrs. Silvia Tower widow of Isaiah for a pension under Act 17 June 1844 with her declaration & proof.
I am Sir,
Very respectfully
Your Obed. servt.
Leml. Jenkins
Page 31

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 19457
Sylvia Tower
widow of 
Isaiah Tower
Pri. Rev. War

Act: Feb 2d '48
Index: Vol. M, Page 249


[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 32

May 22, 1903 Hist to
Mrs F. D. Ellison  Belmont Mass
Page 33

Miriam Colson, married about 1783-4
Elisha Thayer of Braintree^ Mass, wife Anna Grover married about 1762
Isaiah Tower of Hingham Mass. wife Lydia Gill married Dec. 18, 1760

Yours respectfully,
Mrs. F. D. Ellison
Belmont, Mass.

(round stamp)
U. S. Pension Office
May 19 1903
Page 34

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir;
Please send military history of the following if pensioners of the Revolutionary War.

Elisha Peal of Hingham, Mass.
wife Lydia Tower, married Oct. 29, 1780.

Ephraim Drake of Norton or Easton Mass.
wife Abigail Ripley, married April 23, 1771

Robert Erskine of Abington, Mass wife
Page 35

178
Silvia Tower, widow
of Isaiah Tower,
Private soldier 2 years

$80 per annum commence
January 22. 1846
Albany Roll
Act 17 June 1846

married 22 April 1787
husband died Jan. 22. 1846

Cert. to
Lemuel Jenkins
Albany N. York
Page 36

May 25

Post mark
Sch'dy
May 21, 1835 (hand written)

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

issue a new Certificate
Page 37

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner &

hi
I forward you enclosed the necessary affidavits to enable the guardian of Isaiah Tower to obtain a new pension Certificate under the act of 1832.
I am your &
G. F. Yates

Schenectady May 20 1835
Page 38

178
Albany, N. York
Silvia Tower
widow of Isaiah Tower
who was a private
in the Revolution & died 22 January 1846

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 dollars.......cents per annum to commence on the 22d January 1846
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of April 1846 and sent to Lemuel Jenkins, Albany, N. York

{Act of June 17, 1844]
Recorded in Book 2
Vol. 1 Page 183