Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,635, for Ethan Osborn, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Osborn, Ethan

NUMBER 
S. 4635
B.L.Wt. 34953-160-55

CONTENTS
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New Jersey 31,679 
Ethan Osborn of Cumberland Co. in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Bebee [Bebee] of the regt commanded by Col. Bradley in the Con line for 9 months.  
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey the rate of 30 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Dec 1839 and sent to Elias P Seeley, Bridgeton, West N. Jersey 
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 39   255.00 
Semiannual allowance ending Mar ‘40   15 
$270.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7,1832}   
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E. A 2  Vol 3 Page 153 
Let to Hon. T.J. York 14. 1839. 
13. 1841. see let to Dickinson, Pen agt [pension agent] 
order to pay 18th Sep 1842. 
Order to pay 9 Sept 1842 
1889 Jany 9  Benj B Osborn - history Prior 
July 27 93 mil History furnished [unreadable] 
217893
Died May 1, 1858
Dec A. B. [agency book]
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217,893 Act 3d March 
Octo 13 / 55
Rcd?  Ethan Osborn
Pens
Capt Bebee [Beebe]
Col Bradly [Bradley]
No. 34953 issued July 31 / 56
Revolutionary War
N. J. June 32 31679
Ad: 160 ac July 29/ 56
Boynton
Leonard Lawrence
Cedarville
N. Jersey
Nov 13/56 – Instructions for Duplicate to Agent – Cedarville New Jersey RDC
Vol 0 = 115
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BOUNTY LAND CLAIM
of Revd Ethan Osborn
of Cedarville N Jersey
war of the Revolution

Leonard Lawrance Attorney.
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No. 221. 
Application for Bounty Land Warrant. – 
Printed and sold by Clark & Son 
08 Deck St.
Declaration to be made by a Person who has never before had a Land Warrant, or made a Declaration therefor. 
1 State of New Jersey 
County of Cumberland } ss  
On this Twenty second day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, Leonard Lawrance a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid,  
Revd Ethan Osborn aged 97 years, a resident of Cumberland Co in the State of New Jersey who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Ethan Osborn who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution connected with the army in the retreat from New York across the Jerseys, Company commanded by Capt Bebee [Beebe] who was under Col Bradley in the war with Great Britian 
that he enlisted at Litchfield Connecticut on or about the April day of A. D. 1776 for the term of Eight months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days, and was honourably discharged at or near Newark N. J. on the month of December A.D. 1776 
Ethan Osborn 
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3d, 1855. He also declares that he has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor. 
We, Enos S Gandy a resident of Cedarville New Jersey  and James Powell - a resident of same place in the State of New Jersey Cumberland Co.; upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Ethan Osborn in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. 
Enos S Gandy 
James Powell 
THE forgoing Declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the Affiant to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be and that he interest in this claim.  
Leonard Lawrance 
Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey 
County of Cumberland } ss 
I hereby Certify, that Leonard Lawrence Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my Office, as Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, this Ninth day of October 1855. 
E E Sheppard Clerk 
The COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS will please deliver or forward to Leonard Lawrance Esq. Cedarville NJ as my Attorney, the Warrant to which I may be entitled. 
Ethan Osborn
WITNESSES PRESENT. 
Enos S. Gandy
James Powell
BOUNTY LAND CLAIM 
Of Rev’d Ethan Osborn
of Cedarville N Jersey
War of the Revolution
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Ethan Osborn 
Act, June 1. 1832 
Col. Bradley 
Capt. Bebee } Connt   
Admitted 
Private 9 months 
Elias P. Sealy Esq 
Bridgetown
Page 8

State of New Jersey County of Cumberland SS
On the twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, personally appeared in open court before William B Ewing, Daniel M. Woodruff, Dan Simkins, John Garrison, George Harris and John L. Ware Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said county of Cumberland, now sitting, Ethan Osborne a resident of the township of Fairfield in said County of Cumberland and State of New Jersey aged eighty one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 (1832)

That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the spring of 1776 he enlisted as a private in Captain Bezaleel Beebe's Company, in the County of Litchfield, State of Connecticut in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Philip B. Bradley to serve seven months, he marched with said company to New York and was at that place when the declaration of Independence was proclaimed with roaring cannon on the 4th of July 1776, the Regiment then went over into Bergen County New Jersey, then marched to Bergen Point near the British fleet, after the British took possession of New York the Regiment marched up the North River near to Fort Lee, he then went over the river with the said Regiment to Fort Washington on York Island, he returned to Fort Lee & remained there till the surrender of Fort Washington in which the main body of said Regiment were captured. Soon after he marched with a fragment of said Regiment to Hackensack and to Newark and Elizabeth town & from there in to Brunswick, to Princeton and Trenton New Jersey so that he was in the whole retreat through New Jersey with Washington's army, in the rear guard, and several times the British troop pressing on our rear, near Trenton was passed over the Delaware River into the
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State of Pennsylvania, he was attached to the Brigade Commanded by General Mercer.  On the 25th day of December 1776 he was discharged at or near Carrols Ferry having served out the seven months the period for which he enlisted.   
This Declaration further states, that he the said Ethan Orsborn served another campaign in the army of the United States as follows to wit. That in spring or early in the month of June of 1780 he enlisted in a company attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Bezaleel Beebe of Connecticut, and marched to Horse Neck, near the British lines above New York.  The Regiment went out one day in pursuit of some British & Tories called Cowboys, (as they had come up to Steal Cattle) while running they shot and killed a soldier, by the name of Barns and wounded Lieutenant Bastwick.  He saw the Surgeon at the Ball out of said Lieutenants shoulder, he was out in the service of the United States under this enlistment two months or a little more, when he was discharged on account of ill heath.  
When the said Applicant performed the Military service named in the foregoing Declaration he resided in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut.  In the year 1788 he came to Fairfield in the County of Cumberland, New Jersey and has resided there ever since that time, he has no documentary evidence.  He was born in Litchfield in the State of Connecticut in the year 1758. The Interrogatories having been answered satisfactory to the Court.   
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in any State.   
Ethan Osborn
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Open Court 
N.B. The two obliterations on the first page & interlineation made before taking the oath. 
W. B. Ewing presiding Judge
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We Jonathan Brooks a Clergyman, residing in Bridgeton, in the County of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, and Elias P. Seely residing in the same place, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the Revd Ethan Orsborn who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be Eighty one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.   
Jonathan Brooks
Elias P. Seeley
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court
W. B Ewing 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, and upon putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the said 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 Jonathan Brooks is a Clergyman Resident in the County of Cumberland New Jersey, and that Elias Seeley who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place and is a Creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to full weight and credit.  
W. B. Ewing 
Dan Simkins 
John S. Ware 
I Josiah Fithian Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County of Cumberland in the State of New Jersey, Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of the Revd Ethan Osborn for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 
In Testimony whereof of have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office the twenty fourth day of September, A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty 
Josiah Fithian Clk
Page 11

In addition to the foregoing declaration of Ethan Orsborn under oath, he further declares under oath, that the reason why he did not apply for a pension sooner are first, because the Witnesses who was knowing to his military services in the army of the United States resided so far distant from the residence of the applicant being two hundred & fifty miles distant, and in the second place because, his Salary as a Minister of a Presbyterian Congregation at Fairfield where he resides, till of late was sufficient to afford him a comfortable support, but in order for the congregation to procure for him a colleague, he gave up two fifths of his Salary so that at the present time a small pension would contribute to his support & comfort.   
Ethan Osborn
Sworn & subscribed In Open Court the day & year aforesaid September 24, 1839 
W. B. Ewing Pres Judge 
I further certify that the above affidavit was taken in open Court and at the same time with the other affidavit herein before stated the 24th of September 1839. 
Josiah Fithian Clk  
33,330
Act. June 1 1832 
Col Bradley
Capt Beebe } Connt
Admitted 
Private 9 months
Page 12

Eliada Orsborn of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut aged Seventy Eight years having been first duly cautioned & sworn according law depose & say that the Revd Ethan Orsborn of the Town of Fairfield in the County of [unreadable] & State of New Jersey formerly of said Litchfield is my brother.  That in the year 1780 in the spring or early in the month of June in that year my brother aforesaid at Litchfield Enlisted into a company belonging to a Regiment commanded by Col Bezaleel Beebe of said Litchfield in the service of the United States to serve two or three months which I cannot say I know that the said Ethan Osborn left my fathers house immediately after his said Enlistment & & marched as it was said with Col. Beebe to Horseneck that the said Ethan Orsborn was absent until some time in the in the month of August 1780 when he returned home have always understood & have no doubt but that he was in the service of the United States from the time of his enlistment until his return as aforesaid & I have further understood from the said Col Bezaleel that the said Ethan Osborn was his Clerk [unreadable] tour of duty.   I am very confident that the Tour was for three months of this however I am not entirely certain and futher the Deponent saith not.  
Dated at Litchfield this 9th day of May 1839 
Eliada Osborn 
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss Litchfield Be it remembered that on the 29th day of May AD 1839 Personally appear before me Morris Woodruff a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid Eliada Osborn of said Litchfield to me well known to be a gentlemen of good character who is entitled to credit and made solemn oath to the truth of the forgoing Deposition by him subscribed    
Morris Woodruff Justice of the Peace
Page 13

I William Beebe of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut aged Fifty seven years having been first duly cautioned & sworn according to Law & Depose & say that I am a son of Col. Bezaleel Beebe of Litchfield and that I have often seen the muster rolls which were kept by him during the Revolutionary War & at the time he the said Bezaleel Beebe was Captain in the service of the United States that I recollect well of having seen upon some of the rolls aforesaid the name of Ethan Orsborn have often heard my Father speak of the said Osborn having service under him that the muster rolls aforesaid have long be lost & I am unable to state what become of them & further the Deponent saith not.  
Dated Litchfield 27th May 1839 
William Beebe 
State of Connecticut
Litchfield County Litchfield 27th May 1839 
Personally appeared William Beebe the above Deponent who to me is well known to be a man of good character & entitled to credit & subscribed to the above deposition in my presence and made solem oath to the truth of the same Before me 
Morris Woodruff Justice of the Peace
Page 14

I Gersham Gibbs of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut aged Eighty Eight years  having been first duly cautioned & sworn according to law depose & say I am well acquainted with the Revd Ethan Osborn formerly of said Litchfield now of the Town of Fairfield, Cumberland County in the State of New Jersey that in the spring of the year & I think in the month of May AD 1776 enlisted into a company of Infantry Commanded by Captain Bezaleel Beebe in Col Philip B Bradley’s Regiment in the service of the United States, & soon after my enlistment I went with said Company to the City of New York & was in N York & belonged to a Company at the time that the declaration of independance was declared to wit on the 4 July 1776 after that I marched with company into the State of New Jersey Bergen Point in State after this I went with Compy to Fort Lee in the State of New Jersey or New York nearly opposite Fort Washington, & while at Fort Lee my Father supplied in my place as a substitute & I returned home.  The said Ethan Osborn enlisted into the same company with me & was a member of said company & served therein at the various places above named with me & when I left Company to return home as aforesaid this Ethan Osborn was then a number of Company & I left him in the service of the United States at Fort Lee as aforesaid and further the Deponent saith not. 
Dated at Litchfield the 29th day May 1839 from 
Gersham Gibbs 
State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss Litchfield 
Be it remember that of the 29 day of May AD 1839 Personally appeared before me Morris Woodruff a Justice of the peace for said Litchfield to me well known to be a gentleman of good character & who is entitled to Credit & subscribed the above deposition in my presence and made solemn oath to the truth of the same 
Morris Woodruff Justice of the Peace
Page 15

STATE OF CONNECTICUT 
Litchfield County } ss 
I Origen S. Seymour of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that  Morris Woodruff Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by law authorized to administer Oaths and to take the acknowledgment of Deeds. And that this commission was dated on the 27th day of May A.D. 1838 and will expire on the 20th day of June, A. D. 1834. and that the foregoing usual signatures purporting to be those of said Justice are genuine.   
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this 29th day of May A.D. 1839 
Origen S. Seymour Clk
Page 16

James Birge of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield State of Connecticut aged Eighty years having been first duly cautioned & sworn according to law Depose & say that I am well acquainted with the Rev’d Ethan Orsborn formerly of said Litchfield now a Presbyterian Minister residing in the Town of Fairfield Cumberland County & State of New Jersey & have known him will from the time of his youth to the present time, that in the year 1776 & I believe in the month of May 1 the said Ethan Orsborn who was thereon inhabitant of said Litchfield, enlisted into the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution in a Company Commanded by Captain Bezaleel Beebe in a Regiment commanded by Col Philip Bradley to serve until the 25th day of Decr 1776 (if I am not mistaken), I myself enlisted at Litchfield at the same time into the same Company & said with the said Ethan Orsborn in said Company until the 25th 1776 at which time we were discharged at Carrolls Ferry above Trenton N Jersey.  Soon after the enlistment a Litchfield the said Ethan Orsborn was marched with said Company to N York I recollect of being in York with the said Orsborn at the time the Declaration of Independance was promulgated (viz ) July 1776, we were after sent to March to N Jersey & was at Bergin Court and in other places a short time at Fort Kee from thence went to Hackensack & was finally discharged at Carrolls Ferry as above stated.   I served in the same company with the said Orsborn from the time of his enlistment to the time of his Discharge and further the Deponent saith not.   
Dated at Litchfield this 27th May 1839 
James Birge
Page 17

State of Connecticut Litchfield County Litchfield Be it remembered on this 27th Day of May AD 1839 Personally came before me James Birge Esqr of said Litchfield the Signer of the within & foregoing Depention, to me well known and is entitled to credit and made oath to the truth of the present Depositions by him subscribed 
Before me 
Morris Woodruff   Justice of the Peace
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October 26, 1936 
BA-J/MCS 
Ethan Osborn, S.4635 
Mr. E. E. Ellis 
261 Huntington Avenue 
Buffalo, New York 
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Ethan Osborn, a Revolutionary War soldier who was born August 21, 1758, and died in Fairfield, New Jersey, on May 1, 1858. 
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.4635, based upon the military service of Ethan Osborn. 
He was born in 1758 in Litchfield, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given. While a resident of Litchfield he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: from April, 1776, until December 25, 1776, in Captain Bezaleel Bebee's company in Colonel Philip B. Bradley's regiment; from June, 1780, two months in Colonel Bezaleel Bebee's regiment. 
Ethan Osborn was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1839, at which time he was living in Fairfield, Cumberland County, New Jersey . In 1855 he was living in that county. 
He died May 11, 1858. 
His brother, Eliada Osborn, was living in Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1839, at which time he was seventy-eight years of age. There are no further data relative to the family of Ethan Osborn. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 19

1892 May 24 Hist to Bull Hurd St Paul JS 
Apl 13-1900 Mrs Geo. M. Ustick Washington O. H. Ohio 
1915, Aug. 19. History to B.B. Osborn FW 
1924 July 19, Benj. B. Osborn adv of Cost of Copies mailed to Benj B. Osborn AW
1925 Oct. 16. Copies mailed to Benj B. Osborn, AW 
1936 Oct. 26 Hist to Mrs E.  E. Ellis MCS 
Rev War 4635
INVALID. 
File No. 4635
Ethan Osborn  
Pri N.J. Line  
Act: June 7, 1832 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 280 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

34953
Rev Acres
Page 21

Let W.D. Barrett 14 Nov 35.
Susp’d [suspended]
Do Do [ditto] 19 May 36
Let to Hon. W.N. Shinn
15 June 1835 Let to Hon T. Lee, Feb 3 1837
Page 22

Cedarville N.J. Free
Act 23d / 56
Hon J. Minot
Pension Office
Washington DC
Page 23

B.B. Osborn
1623 H. St. NW
Washington D.C.
Aug. 18, 1913
Page 24

House of Representatives 
Decr 13 1839 
Dear Sir
I am requested by the Revd Ethan Osborn of Cumberland County New Jersey to enquire of you the State of Claim for a pension, the papers were forwarded sometime age to your office.   
Will give be kind enough to inform me as early as your business will permit whether the papers are sufficient to entitle him to procure a pension for him. 
Please let me hear from [unreadable] 
Very respectfully 
T. Jones York 
To Col. Edwards 
Dep of War
Page 25

Fairfield, Cumberland Co. New Jersey 19th Dec. 
Dear Sir, 
No dout, too many receive pensions who have no reit [right] to them according to law so that it is entirely reit, & the duty of Govern’t to use precaution in order to reject false claims as well as to grant those which are just. 
The first reason you mention for rejecting my claim is that the answers to the interrogatories shod [should] be embraced in the declaration. I have been credibly informed that this was not required by directions from the pension Department & I can perceive no difference it cord [could] make in the real Evidence of those answers.  
The next reason is Certificate of Comptroller County Clerk of Connecticut in relation to each term of alleged service shold be procured.  This was done, Mr Wolcott (the County Clerk) has certified that Joseph Adams was a Justice of the Peace, legally commissioned & qualified; & that the signatures of said Adams are genuine & his proper hand writing.   Consequently the Affadavits, to which he has set his hand must be genuine & according to law.   
As an additional reason you add “the regulations require the best evidence in the power of Claimants to produce." Entirely rit [right]; & this I have done. But after more than 50 years nearly all my fellow soldiers were gone, & the Muster roll was gone; & at my age I cannot well go to my native place 250 miles, to procure additional Evidence
Page 26

The last reason that the full term of seven months was not served out, appears to be not valid according to law because I was dismissed on furlo [furlough] only a few days (6 or 7 think) before the end of the term. But a dismission on furlough is only a leave of absence from the Army, & never stop the wages, as a full discharge from the service does so that the depositions of the witnesses were strictly true in a legal sense for according to law, & according to all the rules of war, actually served to the end of my enlisted term.   
Besides the two terms specified in the declaration, I went out in the Militia several times.  I went when the british came up & burnt the Stores in Danbury, & I went to guard the provision & ammunition Waggons towards the North River, & at other times; but for which I make no claim.  
If the pension is granted, with a clear conscience I shall enjoy the benefit of it: if it is refused, I shall submit to the providence of God, still believing that I shall live all days of my appointed time, without it.
But whether granted or refused, I shall still join in a cordial Amen to “long live our Republic.”
Yours respectfully 
Ethan Osborn 
Pastor of the presbyterian Congregation in Fairfield aforesaid
Page 27

Bridgeton West New Jersey 
October 18, 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq 
Sir, 
I enclose the Papers of Ethan Orsborn for a pension, the affidavits accompanying the Declaration were taken in another State & appear to be correctly done.   
After you have examined the case have the goodness to write & inclose to me the certificate if granted. 
I am very Respectfully Yours &c
Elias P. Seeley
Page 28

Leonard Lawrance 
Cedarville N. J. 
217.893  Eathan Orsborn Pro of claim filed 
34.953  160 
Jany 31 / 56
Doc [unreadable]
Page 29

Cedarville Oct 23d 1st
Sir
I have this day received a letter the Pension Office dated Sept 24 in relation to a Land Warrant.
On the 11th Oct 1855 I forwarded to the office with several others (all of which I have received with this exception), an application of the Revd Ethan Osborn a Revolutionary soldier, the return is dated Oct 13 1855 his number then stated as 217.893.   Some time since I received a notice that his warrant had been issued and forwarded the 5 or 6 of August last.  As I have never received it and I know it has never come to this office I have been led to make enquiry for it.
Yours respectfully 
Leonard Lawrance 
Their was a power of Attorney to the application to be forwarded to me
Page 30

No 33.330 
Ethan Osborn 
New Jersey 
Let. 14 Nov. ‘35 to W.D. Barrett 
Wm D Barrett Esqr  
Present
Page 31

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.            
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.    
1. Where and in what year were you born?                
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?          
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?               
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?              
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.           
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he 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. one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject     
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.        
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed 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 declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person 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 declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.     
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.    
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.        
Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year - months , and days , I served as a - months and --- days, I served as 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 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 in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.    
[f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.  
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.               
Mode of authenticating papers.              
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.         
Proof of Service.         
[j]  In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.     
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 32

V.L.
367453 
JUN 10 1893
908 Walnut St 
Philadelphia Pa 
June 7, 1893 
Ethan Osborn enlisted in Litchfield Conn  Capt. Bezaleel Beebe, Col Philip B. Bradley, War of the Revolution 
E. O. Thompson 
Asks for certified copies in duplicate, covering the second of service of above named man, for Sons of the Revolution purposes 
1 Encl.
O W & N Dec 
Record and Pension Office, 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Washington, June 10, 1893 
Respectfully returned to 
Mr. E. O. Thompson, 
No. 908 Walnut Street, 
Philadelphia, Pa., with the information that the records of the Revolutionary War are filed in the Pension Office and in the Department of State. Communications of this nature should, therefore, be addressed to the Commissioner of Pensions, and to the Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
One encl 
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE D JUN 15 1893
[stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY FILES JUN 17 1893
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR
F. C. Ainsworth 
Colonel, U.S. Army, Chief of Office.
Per HL
Page 33

BENJAMIN THOMPSON 
E.O. THOMPSON JR.
MANAGERS
ESTABLISHED AT 
245 BROADWAY NEW YORK
908 WALNUT ST PHILADELPHIA
1338 CHESTNUT ST. PHILADELPHIA
177 TREMONT ST. BOSTON
E. O. THOMPSON TAILOR – CLOTHIER - & IMPORTER
NO. 908 WALNUT ST.
PHILADELPHIA June 7 1893
The Honorable, the Secretary of War Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir:- Will you please cause to be sent to me certified copies in duplicate covering the record of Ethan Osborn's services in the Revolutionary Army, the dates of his enlistment and his discharge. The attached paper may aid you in finding the same.   
If you will write me the cost of the same I will remit it at once. 
Yours respectfully, 
E.O. Thompson 
for Benj Thompson
Page 34

March 27
Hon H. Clay Evans
Dear Sir
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE K MAR 30 1900
[stamp] U.S.P.B. OLD WAR & NAVY FILES APR 2 1900
Will you kindly me information in the D.A.R. interest regarding Rev Ethan Osborn, born in Litchfield, Conn. Aug 21st 1758 & died May 15 1858 in Fairfield N. J. 
Was in the Revolutionary war during the campaign of 1775, with the under Washington’s immediate command.
As my great grand father, I am anxious to trace back and will be my much obliged for any information of pension &c  
Very truly yours
Mrs. Geo M. Ustick
 Washington C. H. [unreadable]
Page 35

BENJAMIN THOMPSON 
E.O. THOMPSON JR. MANAGERS 
ESTABLISHED AT 
245 BROADWAY NEW YORK 
908 WALNUT ST PHILADELPHIA 
1338 CHESTNUT ST. PHILADELPHIA 
177 TREMONT ST. BOSTON 
E. O. THOMPSON TAILOR – CLOTHIER - & IMPORTER 
NO. 908 WALNUT ST. 
PHILADELPHIA June 13 1893 
The Honorable, the Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir:- 
Will you please cause to be forwarded to me the information requested in the enclosed letter.
I should much be pleased to forward you the amount necessary to pay for the same upon notification.
Yours truly, 
E.O. Thompson 
for Benj Thompson
O
Page 36

1076 
St Paul Minn 
April 7, 1892. 
Hurd Rukard 
Requests record of Ethan Osborn who was a pension roll up to 1858 for service in Revolutionary War. 
AL WG&L
Department of the Interior 
April 13, 1892 
Respectfully referred to Commissioner of Pensions and writer so informed. 
E M. Dawson 
Chief Clerk
[stamp] U.S.P.B. OLD WAR & NAVY FILES APR 14 1892
Page 37

The Washington Life Ins. Co. of New York 
Cor. Courtland and Church Streets 
W.A. Brewer Jr. Prest 
Wm. Haxtun, V.P. & Sec’y
RUKARD HURD. 
GENERAL AGENT FOR MINNESOTA. 
32 EAST 4TH STREET, 
ST. PAUL, Minn. April 7 1892 
Department of the Interior 
Washington D.C 
Gentlemen:- 
Over two weeks ago I wrote for record of Ethan Osborn (Rev) who was on Pension Roll (up to 1858) for services A Revolutionary War - and have had no reply. Kindly look this up and oblige.
Yours &c
Rukard Hurd
Page 38

[stamp] Sons of the American Revolution 
Sons of the American Revolution 
Buffalo Chapter
OFFICE OF THE 261 REGISTRAR 
261 HUNTINGTON AVE. 
BUFFALO, N. Y. 
September 30, 1936 
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Exec. Secy. to the Administrator 
Veterans Administration, 
Washington, D.C. 
My dear Mr. Hiller, 
Will you kindly give me what information you can about ETHAN OSBORN who was born in Litchfield, Conn. on Aug. 21, 1758 and died in Fairfield, N.J. on May 1, 1858, and whose wife was Elizabeth Riley Osborn. 
I have been given the record that Ethan Osborn's pension was number 4635 and that it was issued in 1839. I am anxious to know if this reference is correct and also wish any detailed information you may have as to his service in the Revolutionary War, family, etc. 
Thank you for your usual prompt attention. 
Very truly yours 
E. E. Ellis 
Registrar.
[stamp] RECEIVED OCT 2 1936 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM READER #29
Page 39

WCS
IN REPLY REFER TO 
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 3-1865 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
WASHINGTON 
July 21, 1924
Benjamin B. Osborn 
1211 Chestnut St., 11th Floor
Phila., Pa. 
Sir: 
I have to advise you that if you desire photostat copies of the original papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.4635, of Ethan Osborn of the Connecticut Troops, the same will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification if that is desired. The number of pages to be copied is eight. The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior. 
Respectfully, 
Washington Gardner 
Commissioner
14
8
12.0
2.5
14.5
Page 40

3-2233 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
Finance Division 
Oct. 7, 1926. 
Chief Rev. Section 
I have this day received Benj Brown Osborn M.O. [money order] 761400 for $1.45 requesting
photostat copy  } as per letter herewith OK & CY
copies mailed & Finance Div notified 
AW Oct 16 25
[unreadable] OF CITY TRANSIT
11TH floor 
1211 Chestnut St. 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
October 6th 1925
[stamp] FINANCE DIVISION OCT 7 1925 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[unreadable]
instructions contained in enclosed [unreadable] herewith the sum of One dollar and [unreadable]
 to defray charges for copies and [unreadable] of original papers, in the Revolution- [unreadable] 4635 of Ethan Osborn for the Con- [unreadable]
OK & CYU
Respectfully
Benj. Brown Osborn
Benj Brown Osborn
[unreadable] documents have become illegible in [unreadable] kindly have a skilled penman touch them [unreadable] them photographed.  
? vandal
B. B. Osborn
Page 41

Request for Photostating 
(To be prepared in duplicate.) 
3-2006
Ex. AW
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK 
Job No. 2538    Date Oct. 10. 25. 
Subject   Ethan Osborn Rev. S.4635, 
(No.) 1 copies of (No.) 2 pieces consisting of (No) 8  pages to be forwarded when completed to the Rev. & 1812 Sect Division. 
Remarks: 
A. E. Wilson 1
Chief Sect.
Approved Chief Clerk
OF CITY TRANSIT
11th floor, 
1211 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
October 6th 1925. 
[stamp] FINANCE DIVISION OCT 7 1925 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 42

Request for Photostati
(To be prepared in dup
Job No. 2538
Subject Ethan 
1 copies of 
forwarded when complete
DEPARTMENT OF CITY TRANSIT 
11th floor, 
1211 Chestnut St., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
October 6th 1925. 
[stamp] FINANCE DIVISION BUREAU OF PENSIONS OCT 7 1925
The Commissioner of Pensions, 
Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
(Revolution and 1812 Wars Section), 
Washington, D. C. 
Sir: 
Pursuant to instructions contained in enclosed communication, I enclose herewith the sum of One Dollar and Forty-five cents ($1.46), to defray charges for copies and certification thereof of original papers, in the Revolutionary War Pension Claim S. 4635, of Ethan Osborn, of the Connecticut Troops. 
OK & CFU
Respectfully, 
Benj Brown Osborn 
Benj. Brown Osborn.
BBO-F
Enclosures 
Money Order. 
Letter.
 P. S. Should these ancient documents have become illegible in up before having them photographed. 
B. B. Osborn.? 
Vandal
Page 43

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
[seal]
DEPARTMENT OF CITY TRANSIT 
PHILADELPHIA
ELEVENTH FLOOR 
1211 Chestnut St., 
WILLIAM S. TWINING DIRECTOR
GEORGE R. ATKINSON ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
JOHN J. EGAN, SECRETARY
HENRY H. QUIMBY CHIEF ENGINEER
June 14, 24 
The Department of the Interior, 
Pensions Bureau  Washington, D. C. 
Attention of the Commissioner
Dear Sir: 
Will you kindly have transcribed and sent to me, to above Address, copies of the documents on file in your Dept relating to the military services of one Ethan Osborn, who was a pensioner of the War of the Revolution and served I believe in the Connecticut Line, (he lived to the great age of 100 years) and died in 1858. There are among the papers letters from his commanding officers, the Colonel of his regiment & perhaps others, of which I would much like to have copies.   
Very truly yours,
Benj, Brown Osborn  
8 pages S. 4635
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE JUNE 17 1924
Page 44

MCS 
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
July 21, 1924 
Benjamin B. Osborn 
1211 Chestnut St., 11th Floor 
Phila, Pa.
Sir:
I have to advise you that if you desire photostat copies of the original papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.4635, of Ethan Osborn of the Connecticut Troops, the same will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification if that is desired. 
The number of pages to be copied is eight. The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior. 
Respectfully, Commissioner
Page 45

In reply to your request of – received - for a statement of the military history of Ethan Osborn, 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. S. 4635 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  Spring 1776   LENGTH OF SERVICE. 7 or 8 mos.  RANK,   Pri.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Bezaleel Bebee  Colonel Philip B. Bradley  STATE Conn.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.   June 1780  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  2 mos.   RANK,  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED  Colonel Bezaleel Beebe
Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Litchfield Conn.  
Date of application for pension, Sept 4, 1839. His cl. was al [his claim was allowed]  
Residence at date of application, Fairfield, Cumberland Co N. J. 
Age at date of application, 86 yrs, born in Litchfield Conn in 1758 
Remarks: There is no data relative to wife or children.
For date of last payment of pension and to whom paid, apply to the Auditor for the Int. Dept. Treas. Dept. citing the following data, Ethan Osborn, Cert No. 31679, issued Dec. 6, 1839, Act June 7, 1832, N. J. Agency
Very respectfully Commissioner.