Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18138, for Alexander Thompson, New York
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SERVICE
Continental and U.S. Army

Thompson Alexander 
Amelia
N.Y. residence

NUMBER 
W.18128.
B.L. Wt 2191.200. Lieut.
Issued May 19, 1790, No papers

CONTENTS
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[NOTE: COPY IS TOO DARK TO TRANSCRIBE OTHER THAN A FEW WORDS HERE AND THERE]
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880
Declaration 2353

Admitted Lieut of Artillery 2 years 

Col Hook 
Present
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State of New York} Ss

On this ninth day of October 1838 personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Orange Amelia Thompson, a resident of West Point, in the County of Orange, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to the 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 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
that she is the widow of Abraham Thompson, who was a Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution, (by appointment) that he performed duty in that Army previous to, and after the age of 16 years--that he received his appointment in May 1779--that he was in the Battles of Springfield and Yorktown, at the taking of Cornwallis, to her certain knowledge--and she thinks he was also in that of Brandywine and others--but of this latter she is not able to certify to--  That he served under Colonels Lamb, Stevens and Willet, that he accompanied the latter in an attempt to surprise the British Garrison at Oswego, which occurred in February 1783, during which expedition, from severity and exposure, both of his feet were frozen, and were near being amputated, but were finally saved therefrom by the kind attentions of an indian--
That he was also sent this the Order of His Excellency General Washington, as Flagg--"To announce cessation
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of Hostilities on the Northern Frontier in April 1783, which duty was promptly and efficiently executed, to the satisfaction of all concerned--tho' through much personal suffering and at the peril of his life.
That at the close of the Revolution, he was retained in the service--but subsequently resigned.  He however was reappointed a Captain in the Army of the U.S. in 1793--
And finally died in the service at West Point in September 1809--that the declarant was married to the said Alexander Thompson on the fourth day of March 1784, and has remained a widow every since his death.

Amelia Thompson

Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first above written before me}
Jas. [James] G. Clinton a Judge of Orange County Common Pleas.

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Amelia Thompson in the foregoing declaration named, and believe that her statements therein contained are entitled to full credit--And that the said Amelia Thompson is from old age and bodily infirmity unable to attend a Court of Record--Dated October 9, 1838

Jas. G. Clinton a Judge of Orange County Common Pleas.
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H Armstrong
Newburgh
NY
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Application for a new Certificate
State of New York
Orange County} Ss
On this seventeenth day of September 1840 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Orange personally appeared Amelia Thompson who on her oath declares that she is the same person whose name was placed on the pension roll of the State & City of New York that she received a certificate of that fact under the signature & seal of the Secretary of War granting to deponent as the widow of Alexander Thompson deceased who was a Lieutenant of Artillery a pension at the rate of Four hundred dollars per annum, which certificate on or about the tenth day of September in the year 1840 at or near the Mechanics Bank, in the City of New York after drawing her pension, her said certificate was lost by her daughter Amelia C. Thompson as deponent is informed and believes to but true, & further says not.

Amelia Thompson

Sworn & Subscribed to before me this 17th day of September 1840

H. Armstrong
Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Orange County} Ss
Amelia C. Thompson of said county being duly sworn deposes & says that she is the daughter of Amelia Thompson who made & subscribed the foregoing affidavit, That she knows that her mother the said Amelia Thompson was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress Passed July 7th 1838, at the rate of four hundred dollars per annum as the widow of Alexander Thompson deceased who was a Lieutenant of Artillery that she has often had the pay certificate of her mother in her possession & has drawn her pension for her, that this deponent [struck through:  that] on the tenth day of September instant [struck through:  this deponent] was present with her mother the said Amelia Thompson at the office of the agent for paying pensions in the City of New York that after her mother drew the half year-s pension due to her on this 4th day of September instant, the pay certificate of her mother was handed to this deponent & by her put into her workbag & which was lost out of said work bag near the Mechanics Bank in the City of New York, on the said tenth day of September instant.  And that
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deponent knows [struck through:  she] her mother the said Amelia Thompson to be the widow of Alexander Thompson who was a Lieutenant of Artillery & that her said mother is the identical person named in an original pay certificate which was lost by this deponent as aforesaid.  And further deponent says not.

Amelia C. Thompson

Sworn to &  Subscribed before me this 17th day of September 1840.  The words "that" "this deponent" were erased & also the work "the" was erased & the word "her" written over such erasure before execution.

H. Armstrong
Justice of the Peace

I the undersigned Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavits of Amelia Thompson & Amelia C. Thompson were respectively made do certify that I am well acquainted with them and believe them to be persons of truth and veracity & their statements under oath entitled to full credit & belief.

H. Armstrong
Justice of the Peace
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United States of America
State of New York Orange County Ss:

I William Fullerton a Notary Public duly sworn adn commissioned dwelling in the village of Newburgh do certify that I am well acquainted with Herman Armstrong, that he is a Justice of the Peace presiding in the Village of Newburgh aforesaid in said County and that the signatures of "H. Armstrong" attached to the within affidavits and certificate are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office thie Eighteenth day of September in the year One thousand Eight hundred and forty

William Fullerton
Notary Public
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Letter to Col Hook
U S A 

Mrs. Thompson

to be returned
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Rec'd 13 Octr [October]

West Point NY
October 10th, 1838

Colonel,
I Herewith have the Honor, to enclose the necessary papers in relation to the claim of my Mother in Law, Mrs. Amelia Thompson.  The Commissions held by Mr. Thompson in the regular Army of the United States after the Peace, I have not deemed necessary to forward--but they can at any time be furnished, if required.
As regards the testimony of the officers under whom he served during the Revolution, it is impossible for us to obtain it, as I believe they have all passed away "to that Bourne, from whence no trav'ler returns"--with the exception of Lemuel Lewis, who might possibly give some additional evidence, had we been able to see him--but he was absent from the City, and not expected to return under several weeks.   I presume however, that from what we have been able to collect and obtain, there can be no dificulty in the case.  Colonel Lambs' certificate will no doubt be sufficient evidence of his Service.
I have also thought that it might not be improper, but useful in the investigation of Mrs. Thompson's claim, to forward two little manuscript maps, doubtless drawn by Mr. Thompson himself, (the one shewing the route taken by Colonel Willet in his attempt to surprise the British Garrison at Oswego, certainly was, as Mr. T. accompanied him.)   The Letters marked A. and B. were written by him to his Brother, and will shew that he was in the service, and also evinces the Spirit which actuated him.  The
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Maps and Letters, Mrs. Thompson would like to have returned, if it should not be considered necessary to retain them.
I am requested by her to day, that all expenses incurred by Colonel Hook in the settlement of her Claim, she will cheerfully & freely re-imburse--and bids me tender to you for her warmest thanks for your kindness in attending to her business--and trusting that you may meet a higher reward than is in her power to bestow.
Should any thing further be necessary--please have the goodness to inform us--and I trust we will be able to furnish it.
Be pleased Colonel, to accept of our united expressions of Esteem and gratitude.
I am Most Respectfully
Mary W. Thompson
for 
Mrs. Amelia Thompson

To
Lt. [Lieutenant] Colonel
J.H. Hook
U S A [United States Army]
Washington 
D.C.
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In the matter of proving the marriage of Amelia De Hart (now Amelia Thompson) to Alexander Thompson.}

State of New Jersey.
Essex County Ss.}
Personally appeared before me James Hanson one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Essex, at Newark in the County aforesaid on the Twenty ninth day of October in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, Jesse Baldwin of the City of Newark in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he knows Amelia Thompson who now resides at West Point in the State of New York, to be the widow of Captain Alexander Thompson deceased:  that the wife of this deponent now deceased was a sister of the said Amelia, and that this deponent was present at the marriage of said Alexander Thompson to the said Amelia:  that it was performed at the house of Colonel William De Hart, the Brother of the said Amelia, at Morristown in this State, in the month of March an don or about the fourth day thereof in the year of Our Lord One thousand [struck through:  eight] seven hundred and eighty four, by the Reverend Dr. Johnes Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown:  That the above named Alexander Thompson was a Lieutenant in the American Army during the Revolution, and was afterwards a Captain of Artillerists and Engineers in the United States Army, and that he died at West Point about the year 1809.  And further this deponent saith not.

Jesse Baldwin

The word "eight" being erased in the eight line from the bottom, and the word "seven" being interlined before the execution hereof.  Sworn and Subscribed to before me James Hewson Justice of the peace as aforesaid, Oct 29th 1838.}
I do hereby certify that Jesse Baldwin the above named deponent is well known to me, and is a man of the highest respectability, and as to credibility stands irreproachable in this community.  October 29th 1838
James Hewson Justice of the peace.
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State of New Jersey
County of Essex} Ss:
I Elias Van Arsdale Junr [Junior] Clerk of the County of Essex and of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do hereby certify that James Hewson before whom the foregoing affidavit of Jesse Baldwin was made and taken, at the time of taking the same, was and still is one of the Justices of the Peace of said County duly Commissioned and sworn:  and that the signature "James Hewson" affixed to the Jurat of said affidavit, and to the certificate thereto annexed, is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of Office at Newark in the County aforesaid the Twenty ninth day of October A.D. Eighteen hundred and Thirty Eight--1838.
E Van Arsdale, Jr. Clrk [Junior Clerk]
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Write immediately
[Ink stamp:  WEST POINT NY SEP 16]

Sept 20 47
Amelia Thompson
New York 43 
278-43
[illegible]

Hon. J. L. Edwards
City of Washington
D.C.
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West Point, Sept. 30th 1844

Sir
I called at the Pension Office in N.Y. some weeks ago.  Mr. Irvine mentioned, all the Widows of the Officers of the Revolution that received pensions, could get a form at his Office, which would enable them to draw the money.
My Sister call'd this week, to get the money for my mother Mrs. Amelia T.  He said that the Law had passed, but Congress had not appropriated any money for that purpose.
Mrs. Thompson will be under many obligations to you, if you will be kind enough, to let her know immediately all concerning it.
Respectfully
 M A. Thompson

Hon. J. L. Edwards
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Rev. A1812 Wars Section      [Illegible initials]

August 26, 1926

Mrs. A. E. Powell
704 Gladstone Hotel
62nd St. & Kenwood Ave.,
Chicago, Ill.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 18128 it appears that Alexander Thompson was commissioned May 31, 1779 Second Lieutenant in Colonels Lamb and Stevens' Second Battalion of Continental Artillery.
He was in the battle of Springfield, at the Siege of Yorktown, and in February 1783 in Colonel Willett's expedition against Oswego, when his feet were frozen.  He was sent to the Northern Frontiers to announce the cessation of hostilities in April 1783.
At the close of the Revolution he was retained in the service and subsequently resigned, but was appointed Captain of Artillerists and Engineers in the United States Army.  He died in the service at West Point, NY in September 1809. His age is not given.
Soldier married March 4, 1784, Amelia DeHart.  They were married at the home of her brother Colonel William DeHart

[Marginalia:  "Battle of Brandywine omitted as it was prior to any of this service & widow was uncertain", "He was appointed Captain of US. A. in 1794 not 1793, so date omitted."]
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in Morristown, New Jersey.  She was allowed pension on her application executed October 9, 1838 while a resident of West Point, Orange County, New York, aged seventy-seven years.
Thier [Their] daughter Amelia C. Thompson was living in Orange County, New York in 1840, another child, M. A. Thompson was living in West Point, New York in 1843, and their daughter-in-law Mary W. Thompson was a resident of said West Point in 1838.

Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.

widow's sister
Mrs. Jesse Baldwin of N.J.
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Rev
WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 18,128 
Amelia Thompson widow of Alexander Thompson
Lieut Rev War

Act : Feb 2d 48 
Index:-Vol. M , Page 272 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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June [day illegible] 1902 
Alex R. Thompson  N.Y. City
1926 Aug 26  Hist. to Mrs. A. C. Bevell   [illegible initials]
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[left side]
Duplicate Certificate issued 6th October 1840, and sent to A Armstrong Newburgh, New York
Let to Pensioner Sept 15. 1842.

[right side]
New York  880 
Amelia Thompson widow of Alexander Thompson who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the month of September 1809 of Orange Co. in the State of N. York who was a Lieut. of Artil. in the ---- commanded by Captain --- of the Regt commanded by Cols. Stevens & Willett in the Revolution line for 2 years 

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 400 Dollars --- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Nov 1838 and sent to Col. J.H. Hook, Present 

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. ‘38 1000.00 
Semi-annual allowance ending 6 May ‘39   200.00 
[totals] $1200.00 
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk 
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 106
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[left side]
New York 278 
Amelia Thompson widow of Alexander Thompson who was a Lieutenant of Artillery in the New York line for 2 years 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 400 Dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of June 1843 and sent to Pensioner West Point New York 

[Act of March 3, 1843.] 
Recorded in Book A  Vol. 1.  Page 115.

[right side]
Rep
Let to Miss M. A. Thompson Sept 20, 1844.
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[stamped FREE]
Hon J. L. Edwards
City of Washington
D.C.

M Cole

[postmarked West Point N.Y. Oct 16]
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[NOTE: COPY IS TOO DARK TO BE LEGIBLE]
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THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
For Alexander Thompson Gent Greeting We, Reposing especial trust & confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, Do by these presents constitute and appoint you to a second Lieutenant in the second Battalion of Artillery in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the 31st day May 1779. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a second Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command to be obedient to your orders as second Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed a Committee of the States or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States or any other your superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue inforce until revoked by this or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
Witness his Excellency Saml Huntington Esqr, President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 21st day of April 1780, and in the fourth year of our Independence.
[signed] Saml  Huntington President 

Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board 
Attest 
[signed] Ben Stoddard Secretary of the Board of War
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West Point, Oct. 16th 1848

Sir
We received this morning a copy of an Act of Congress, making further provision for Widows of Officers of the Revolution.
Sept. 23rd Mr. P. Irvine of New York sent the necessary papers to Washington, to obtain a Certificate for my Mother Mrs. Amelia Thompson of West Point.
Mr. Hart the Pension Agent in New York, said that he could not pay any Money, except my Mother received a Certificate from Washington, relating to an Act that passed Feb. 2nd 1848.
I Mr. Edwards will be kind enough to send the Certificate to my Mother, as soon as possible, we will consider ourselves under great obligations to him.
Please direct to Mrs. Amelia Thompson, West Point.

Most Respectfully
M. A. Thompson

Hon. J. L. Edwards
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Cole

A. Thompson

[ink stamp:  WEST POINT DEC 15 NY]
[ink stamp:  FREE]


Hon. J. L. Edwards
City of Washington
D. C.
Page 29

Hon. J. L. Edwards
City of Washington
D.C.
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West Point, Dec. 15th 1848

Sir
I beg leave to return for correction the within Certificate, which is by mistake made payable at Albany, instead of New York, where I have always drawn my pension heretofore, and where it is far more convenient for me to receive it.--
Please make the correction, and return the Certificate immediately that I may have an opportunity of drawing the amount due, before the River closes.

Yours Respectfully, &c.
Amelia Thompson

Hon. J. L. Edwards
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[illegible--? A]

J L Edwards Esqr [Esquire]
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington

Sept 21 1840
Mr Evans

[ink stamp:  NEWBURGH SEP --rest illegible]
Page 32

Newburgh Sept 18th 1840

Dr [Dear] Sir
Enclosed I send you the affidavits of Amelia & Amelia C. Thompson to procure a new pay certificate under Act of Congress passed July 7 1838, which has been lost.

Yours &c
H. Armstrong

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
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473

attach certificate
change & send to 
C. F. Belknap
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State of New York
Orange County Ss.
On this Eleventh day of April one thousand eight hundred & forty three, personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace in & for said County Amelia Thompson--a resident of West Point in the town of Cornwall in the County of Orange aforesaid aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3rd day of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.  That she is the widow of Alexander Thompson--who was a lieutenant of artillery and that she received the annual pension of four hundred dollars under the at of July 7, 1838.  She further declares that she is still a widow.

Amelia Thompson

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
C. F. Belknap
Justice of the Peace
in & for Orange County

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Amelia Thompson above named declarant and believe that she is a person of veracity and her Statement entitled to full credit
April 11th 1843
C. F. Belknap
Justice of the Peace
in & for Orange County
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State of New YOrk,
Orange County} SS.
I, Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange Do Hereby Certify, that Chauncey F. Belknap 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:  and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Affidavit is genuine.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seals of the said County, the 13th day of April, 1843

Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk

473

attach certificate change & send to C. F. Belknap
Page 36

State of New York
Orange County}  
[struck through:  personally appeared before me]
On this eighteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight before me, Isaac Faurot a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Amelia Thompson, a resident of West Point in said County of Orange, aged Eighty eight 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 on the 2nd Feb. [struck through:  May] 1848, Granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, That she is the widow of Alexander Thompson who was a Lieutenant of Artillery in the War of the Revolution, and that she received a pension at the New York City pension agency of Four hundred Dollars per Annum under Act 17th June 1844.
She further declares that she is still a widow.

Amelia Thompson

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day & year above written,
before me
M. A. Thompson
Isaac Faurot Justice of the Peace in and for Orange County
Page 37

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the foregoing declarant, and that sheis the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in her declaration.
Isaac Faurot Justice of the Peace 
in and for Orange County.

West Point
Sept. eighteenth 1848

State of New York
Orange County Ss.}
I, Albert S Benton Clerk of the County Court in and for said County of Orange, do hereby certify, that Isaac Faurot, before whom the within declaration was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the Said County; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said declaration is genuine--In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Said County this twentieth day of September 1848
A. S. Benton Clerk
Page 38

[ink stamp:  U. P. D. Old War & Navy Files  Apr 21 1902]

3-068
(Old N [illegible]   6-20

Bureau of Pensions.
Record of 
Lieut Alex. Thompson
Doughty's Co. [Company]
Lambs Reg't  Artillery
Continental Line N.Y.

&
of Lieut. Col Alex. R Thompson 6th US Inf [Infantry] in Florida Indian War.
Ale R Thompson
15 Wall St.
N.Y City

[ink stamp:  Chief's Desk  Old War and Navy Division  Apr 21 1902]

Mr. Warner:
Please send what you find.
Bryant
Page 39

Gladstone Hotel
62nd ST and Kenwood Ave.
Chicago,

June 30 1926
Bureau of Pensions--
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:
Please advise me if my great grandfather, who fought in the Revolutionery [Revolutionary] War, ever received a pension--
His name was Alexander Thompson.  He joint Colonel Lambs' N.Y. Regiment in 1777, became Lieutenant, and at the close of the War was stationed at West Point, was made Captain and died in 1808.
Any information will be appreciated.
Yours truly
August E. Powell

Address
Mrs. A.E. Powell
704 Gladstone Hotel, Chicago

[partial ink stamp:  U.S. Pension Office H Jul 8 1926]

[partial ink stamp:  Pension  H]
Page 40

[illegible]

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
City of Washington
D.C.

June 8 1843
[illegible]
[illegible]
Amelia Thompson

[ink stamp:  West Pont NY Jun 6]
Page 41

West Point, June 6th 1843

Sir
Some considerable time has elapsed since Mr. C. F. Belknap from New Burgh filled up the paper, relating to my mother's pension. We thought all had been done that was necessary but we have not heard any thing concerning it since.
My Mother though [thought] it best to write to you, & request, that you would be kind enough to send her the Certificate.----Please direct to Mrs. Amelia Thompson, West Point.

Very Respectfully
M. A. Thompson

Hon. J. Edwards

N 473 Act Mar 3d 1843
Amelia Thompson
NYork [New York]
Page 42

[ink stamp:  PAID]

Paid

[illegible]

Mr. J. Edwards
City of Washington
D.C.

Am'd Sept 15 1842

Sept 15, 1842
Amelia Thompson
NY [illegible] 38
Page 43

West Point, Sept. 12th 1842

Sir

We see by an act of Congress, that certain Widows, of the Officers of the Revolution, are to have their pensions continued --- Mama has received her pension for five years --- I take the liberty of addressing you, because you will know what is proper to be done.
Every thing necessary, relating to my father, Capt. Alexr Thompson, has already been proved.-- If there is any form to be used, Mama will consider herself greatly indebted to you, if you will be kind enough to let her know.
Please to send a certificate, & direct to Mrs Amelia Thompson, West Point.
Most Respectfully, 
[signed] M. A. Thompson.

Mr J. Edwards.