Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,646, Seth Berray, Conn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Berray, Seth
Anna

NUMBER
B.L.Wt. 30610-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

2646
New York
Seth Berray
of Victor in the State of New York who was a Private in the ----- commanded by Captain--- of the Rgt. commanded by Col. Waterbury in the Connt. line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollar -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Nov. 1832 and sent to Hon W Dixon

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  $60
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Ma '33    20
(total) $80

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk
Book D. Vol. 5 Page 69
Page 3

(left side)
Date of widows death not on AB.

(right side)
5661
5661
New York
Anna Berray
widow of Seth Con who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars --Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of May 1851 and sent to S Scudder Randolph N.Y.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 14 Vol. 4
Page 4

183.809
Act Mar 3
June 30} '55
Berray
Anna widow of Seth Berray, Priv
Capt Smith
Col Waterberry  U.S. Vol
Ent 1781
Dis  1782
Rev. War
Revolutionary Pensioner
N.Y. Leby 48-5661
AD:160 AG from 6/56
B (ill)
Spencer Scudder
Randolph Cattaraugus Co.  N.Y. 
(right bottom corner)
Vol B-94
Page 5

9242
Seth Berray

Thomas Beals 
Agent
Canandaigua
Page 6

State of New York Ontario County ss.

On this twenty eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the County Court now sitting, Seth Berray a resident of the Town of Victor County and state aforesaid, aged sixty seven 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 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

1st - At the town of Sharon County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, on the 1st day of March 1781 he enlisted for one year in Captain Smiths Company in Colonel Waterburys Regiment, Colonel Humphrey commanded part of the time. He believes Colonel Waterbury was promoted. He was called "Brigadier" first formed at Palmer Hill near Stamford and done duty there - at Horse Neck, Stamford Middlesex, Grenwich, North Street Kingstreet, Standwich, being the frontier while the British were in New York, was in no engagement until the 15th February 1782. Was then attacked by the British, a party of about 300 foot and sixty horse, who were repulsed and we followed them 14 miles to Maroneck Bridge. We had a man killed named Dickson and two others wounded, one of whom was Ensign Willson. He was discharged 1sr. March 1782 at Stamford, and then went home to Sharon. Had no written discharge. At this time Colonel Campfield came from Connecticut and took the command of the Corps to which he belonged. He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person now living who served with him. 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
Page 7

of any state, was born in Salisbury in Connecticut 29th of August 1765 has no record of his age, lived in Sharon about 4 years after the war and then removed to the town of Walton in the County of Delaware and State of New York, lived there 27 years and then removed to the town of Victor where he now resides.
He knows the Reverend Reuben Parmelee and Eleazer Boughton of the town of Victor
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforementioned in this court. 
(signature of) Seth Berray

We Reuben Parmele a Clergyman and Eleazer Boughton residing in the town of Victor in the County of Ontario and state of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Seth Berry who had subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.
(signatures of ) 
Reuben Parmele
Eleazer Boughton

And the said court do hereby declare their decision 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 Reuben Parmele who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of Victor and Eleazer Boughton who has signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person,
Page 8

and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Charles Crane, Clerk of the said court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Seth Berry for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this first day of September A.D. 1832
(signature of) Charles Crane
Page 9

State of New York
County of Cattaraugus}ss
On this 24th day of April 1850 personally appeared before the subscriber, county judge of the county courts of Cattaraugus county, Anna Berray, a resident of the town of Randolph in the county of Cattaraugus, aged Seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on her oath, make the following declartion in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838 entitled "An Act Granting half pay and Pensions to certain Widows" And such other provisions in relation thereunto as may have subsequently been made by Congress, That she is the widow of Seth Berray who was a private in the Revolutionary Army, and who was at the thime of his death a Pensioner of the Untied States and held a certificate under the seal of the War Department of the United States, dated 30th November 1832, and recorded by Geo. L stiles, Clerk in Book D, Vol 5, Page 69 and that she has no other documentary evidence to support her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said Seth Berray in October in the year seventeen hundred and eighty nine, but she does not recollect the day of the month, and has no record or other means to refer to to ascertain the day, that her husband the aforesaid Seth Berray died on the fourteenth day of May in the year eighteen 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 and ninety four, viz; as this time above stated, She further swears that she is now a widow and that she has made an application in 1847 for a pension but that this is the first declaration made by her for the purpose of obtaining a pension. 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Rensselaer Lamb County Judge
(signature of) Anna Berray

I certify that the above named Anna Berray is unable to write her name by reason of an affliction of the nerves caused by a shock of palsy.
Rensselaer Lamb
County Judge
Page 10

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}ss

James G. Johnson, clerk of the County Courts, in and for the County of Cattaraugus, do hereby certify that Rensselaer Lamb Esq. who name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement County Judge in and for said County, Commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such County Judge and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine, and that said Instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand affixed the Seal of said Court and County at Ellicottville, the 27th day of April 1850. 
J.G. Johnson
Clerk.
Page 11

The applicant receives a widows pension and proof of her marriage and the death of her husband is on file in the Pension office or offices of Secretary of the Interior.
Page 12


State of New York
County of Cattaraugus ⎬ss
On this thirty first day of March A.D.
one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Anna Berry, aged eighty one years, a resident of Randolph Cattaraugus County in the State of New York, who being duly sworn
according to law, declares that she is the widow of Seth Berray, deceased, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Smith in the regiment of Infantry
commanded by Colonel Waterbury in the Army of the Revolution and in the
Revolutionary War, A.D. 1781, that her said husband Enlisted at Sharon in the state of
Connecticut on or about the___day of ___A.D.
1781 for one year and continued in 
and continued in actual service in said war for the term of twelve months and was honorably discharged at or near Horse Neck N.Y. on or about the----day of ----A.D. 1782

She further states that she was married to the
said Seth Berry in Walton in the County of Delaware and State of New York in October A.D. 1789 by Platt Townsend Esq. a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Delaware, and that her name before her said marriage was Anna Goodrich, that her said husband died at Randolph in Cattaraugus
County on the 14th day of May A.D. 1846 that no public record of the said marriage was ever made, that a family record of said marriage was destroyed by fire many years ago, and no such record now exists, and that she is now a widow
She makes this declaration for the purpose of
obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the
the "Act approved March 3, 1855"
Anna
her
mark
Berry
Page 13

Mr Samuel Ewing and Margaret Ewing residents of Randolph Cattaraugus county in the State of New York, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Anna Berray in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statement of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Saml. Ewing
Margaret Ewing

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant in the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Spencer Scudder, Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}ss
I, Enos H. Southwick, clerk of the county court of the county and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that on the thirty first day of March A.D. 1855 Spencer Scudder was a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said county this twenty seventh day of June  A.D. 1855 
(signature)
E. H. Southwick Clerk
Page 14

No 9242
Seth Berray


Thos Beals
Canandaigua N.Y.
Page 15

Brief in the case of Seth Berray
of Victor in the state of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in open court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? Sixty seven years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
In 1781  1 year as a private, Col. Waterbury

5. In what battles was he engaged? None named

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sharon Connecticut

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence alone

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
the papers are correct in form and authentication.

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Wm Gordon Examining Clerk
Page 16

No 13479
Anna Berray
wid of Seth
NY
Act 7 July 1838
Married (ill) 1789
Hus died 14 May 1846
 Adm 1 yr. for $40 per an
Cong 14-day 1846
Act 17 June 1844
'48
Abbey

S. Scudder
Randolph N.Y.
Page 17

State of Pennsylvania
Erie County ⎬ ss. 
Harris Johnson of Wattsbury, Erie County, personally appeared before
me Hiram Moore a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid and made
oath in due form of law, that she is the
widow of Shubael Johnson, that her maiden
name was Harriet Goodrich, that she formerly
resided with her parents in Walton, in the
County of Delaware in the State of New York
, that Anna Berry of Randolph in the
County of Cattaraugus and State of New York
is her sister and resided in her fathers family
with this deponent in Walton, and this deponent further says that whilst they so reside in Walton aforesaid, a marriage was contracted by the said Anna then Anna Goodrich, with a certain Seth Berray that this deponent was present at the said marriage of the said Seth Benay and Anna Goodrich, and that Platt Townsend Esquire afficiated at the said marriage as a justice of the peace in and for said County of Delaware.
And this deponent further saith that the said
Seth Berry and his wife Anna aforesaid resided
for a few years at Walton aforesaid, afterwards
they removed with their family to Victor, in the County of Ontario in the State of New York and since to Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus aforesaid
And this deponent further says that since their
removal to Randolph aforesaid she has seen and visited with her sister Anna Berry aforesaid and that the said Anna is the identical person named in the presence of this deponant to Seth Berray aforesaid at Walton aforesaid by the said Platt Townsend in
the month of October in the year one thousand seven
hundred and eighty nine
Sworn & Subscribed this 28 day of April
1847 before me
H. Moore
Harriet Johnson
Page 18


State of New York
Cattaraugus County ss. Be it known that before me
Spencer Scudder, a justice of the Peace in and
for the County aforesaid personally came Marin Scudder, to me known, and made oath in due form of law, that his age is fifty six years of age that he was a resident of Victor in the County of Ontario in said State from the year 1792 until the year 1833 since which time he has been a resident of Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus, with the exception of the year 1839 and 1840 when he was a resident of Ohio, that in the year 1815
Seth Berray moved with his family from Walton
in the County of Delaware and State of New York, as this deponant was then informed by them and since has learned from others who still resided in Walton aforesaid, and settled in the town of Victor aforesaid near the residence of this deponent, since which time this deponant has been personally and intimately acquainted with the said Seth Beray, his family and his friends, and the history of the said Seth & his family as he has learned it from them and others previous to their residing in Victor, and from personal acquaintance with them since that time, and the said Marvin upon his oath aforesaid says that in the month of May 1836 the said Seth Berray came with his family to reside in Randolph aforesaid about three miles from the residence of this deponant when they have resided since that time to the present, That about the middle of the month of May 1846 the said Seth Berray died at the residence of his son Henry L. Berry in Randolph, that the said Seth was a pensioner of the United States, that Anna Berray
who was then residing and is now with her youngest son Henry S. Berray aforesaid in Randolph aforesaid, is the widow of the said Seth Berray
Page 19

deceased. And this deponant further says that he is acquainted with the children of the said Seth and Anna Berray, that there are five sons and eight daughters of whom Azel is the oldest and Henry S. the youngest, that he is personally and intimately acquainted with the said Azel who no resides in Wisconsin that his age is fifty seven years or nearly so, according as this deponant was informed soon after the said Seth & family came to Victor aforesaid in 1815 and as he has been informed since as to his age and becoming a voter when attaining his majority, and this deponant further says that he has examined the affidavit subscribed and sworn to on this 29th of April last, before Spencer Scudder, a justice as aforesaid, by the said Anna Berray and also one made on the same day by Henry S Berray and finds that they fully and fairly accord with the facts as they have come to this deponant by his personal knowledge (since 1815 to this present time), and the information he derived from the family this family upon their first coming to Victor aforesaid of their history pevious to 1815, which facts are suported (sp) by information derived from the friends of this deponant then and still living in Walton aforesaid and which this deponant is well satisfied are true.
Sworn & subscribed this 30th
day of September 1847 before me
Spencer Scudder, Justice of the Peace
(Signature ) Marvin Scudder.
Page 20

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}ss
I, Spencer Scudder, a magistrate in the county above named, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Anna Berray, Henry S. Berray and to the time of his decease with Seth Berray the persons named in the accompanying affidavits. That since the said Seth Berray came to reside in Randolph in said county (in the year 1836) I have usually prepared his papers for drawing his pension at the Albany Agency, that the certificate in the possession of Anna Berray is the same on which he held and from which I prepared his papers as aforesaid, that it is No 2646, Recorded by Geo. L. Stiles, Clerk in Book D, Vol. 5, Page 69, that the said Seth Berray is the identical person named therein, and that the said Anna Berray is the widow of the said Seth Berray, And I further certify that the said Anna & Henry S. Berray and Marvin Scudder the persons making affidavits are of respectable character, honest and reputable citizens of Randolph aforesaid. And I also certify that I have been personally acquainted with the said Seth Berray & his family since they removed from Walton in Delaware County & came to Victor in the county of Ontario, and I also became acquainted with their history previous to this removal to Victor aforesaid, and I fully believe that the facts stated in the accompanying affidavits made by Anna Berray, Henry S. Berray, Marvin Scudder and Harriet Johnson, are true, 
Given under my hand, at Randolph, on the 7th day of June 1847
Spencer Scudder, Justice of the Peace.
Page 21

Mrs. Grace L. Louthan
Primghar
Iowa
Dear Madam:
May 6, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SETH BERRAY
W. 24646
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Seth Berray who was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, served from Connecticut in the Revolution and later moved to Walton, New York.

The record of Seth Berray follows as found in the papers of the claims for pension and bounty land under File No. W. 24646 based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Seth Berry was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, August 29,1765; the names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut, Seth Berry enlisted March 1, 1781, served as private in Captain Smith's company, Colonels Waterbury's and Humphrey's Connecticut regiment, was in an engagement February 15, 1782, when they were
attacked by three hundred sixty British troops who were repulsed and pursued fourteen miles to Maroneck Bridge; he was discharged
March 1, 1782, after which he returned to his home in Sharon, Connecticut.

After the Revolutionary War, the soldier lived in Sharon, Connecticut, about four years, then moved to Walton, Delaware County, New York, where he lived twenty-seven years, and in
September, 1815, moved to Victor, Ontario County, New York.

Seth Berray was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, while a resident of said Victor New York. He continued to live in Victor, New York, until May, 1830, when he moved to Randolph, Cattaraugus County, New York. He died there
May 14, 1846.
Page 22


Seth Berray married in October, 1789, at Walton, Delaware County, New York, Anna Goodrich, who lived in said Walton with her
parents, whose names were not stated.

Anna Berray, widow of Seth, applied for pension April 29, 1847, on account of his service, at which time she was aged
seventy-three years and a resident of Randolph, New York, where she lived with her youngest son, Henry L. Berray. Her claim was allowed.

While still residing in Randolph, New York, Anna Berray applied March 31, 1855, for bounty land which was due her also.
on account of the service of her husband, Seth, in the Revolutionary War. She was granted one hundred sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 30610, under the Act of March 3, 1855.
It was stated that Seth and Anna Berrey had five sons and eight daughters, but the only names designated were those of the
oldest son, Azel Berray born April 27, 1790, and who in 1847 was living in Racine, Wisconsin, and of the youngest son, Henry L.
Berray, before mentioned, who was born June 21, 1812, and with whom the soldier and his wife, Anna, lived in Victor and afterwards in Randolph, New York, and at whose home the soldier died.

In 1847, Mrs. Harriet Johnson (whose maiden name was Goodrich), a sister of soldier's wife, Anna, was then the widow of Shubael Johnson and living in Wattsburg, Erie County,
Pennsylvania; she had formerly lived with her parents in Walton, New York.

In 1850, one James G. Johnson was Clerk of Cattaraugus
County Court of New York; no relationship to the family of Shubael and Harriet Johnson was stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of soldier's widow, Anna Berray, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Anna Berray, widow of Seth, certificate 5661,
issued May 19, 1851, rate $40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848,
Act of February 2, 1848, New York Agency.

If you desire information relative to the location of the bounty land granted Seth Berray's widow, Anna, for his service,
Page 23

you should apply to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and furnish that official the number of the warrant, the acreage and date of the act under
which issued.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 24

Mrs. Roy Beckwith
820 Tolusa Avenue
Alliance, Nebraska
Dear Madam:
November 27, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXX
Seth Berray,
W. 24646
Michael Goodrich, S. 43628
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Seth Berry who served in the Revolutionary
War from Salisbury, Connecticut, and married Anna Goodrich, and of Michael Goodrich, Senior, of Salisbury, Connecticut.

You are furnished herein the records of the only soldiers named Seth Berry and Michael Goodrich found in the Revolutionary War
records of this office. The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claims based upon their service in
the Revolutionary War.

Seth Berray
W. 24646
Seth Berrey was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, August 29, 1765; the names of his parents are not given in the claim.

While residing in Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut, he enlisted March 1, 1781, served as private in Captain Smith's company,
Colonels Waterbury's and Humphrey's Connecticut regiment, was in an
engagement February 15, 1782, when they were attacked by three hundred sixty British troops who were repulsed and pursued fourteen miles to Maroneck Bridge; he was discharged March 1, 1782, after
which he returned to his home in Sharon, Connecticut.

After the Revolutionary War, the soldier lived in Sharon, Connecticut, about four years, then moved to Walton, Delaware County, New York, where he lived twenty-seven years, and in September, 1815, moved to Victor, Ontario County, New York.

Seth Berrey was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, while a resident of said Victor, New York. He
Page 25

continued to reside in Victor, New York, until May, 1836, when he moved to Randolph, Cattaraugus County, New York.

The soldier died May 14, 1846, in Randolph, New York.

Seth Berray married in October, 1789, at Walton, Delaware County, New York, Anna Goodrich, who lived in said Walton, New York, with her parents (names not given).

Soldier's widow, Anna Berray, applied for pension April 29,1847, aged seventy-three years, while living in Randolph, New York,
with her youngest son, Henry L. Berray. The claim was allowed. She was still living in Randolph, New York, in 1850.
(There is an illegible note written in pencil here between paragraphs.)

It was stated that the soldier, Seth Berry, and his wife, Anna, had five sons and eight daughters, but the only names given
were those of the oldest son, Azel Berray born April 27, 1790, and who in 1847 was living in Racine, Wisconsin, and of the
youngest son, Henry L. Barray, before mentioned, who was born June 21, 1812, and with whom the soldier and his wife, Anna, lived in Victor and afterwards in Randolph, New York, and at whose home the soldier died.

In 1847, Mrs. Harriet Johnson (whose maiden name was Goodrich) a sister of soldier's wife, Anna, was then the widow of Shubael
Johnson and living in Wattsburg, Erie County, Pennsylvania; she had formerly lived with her parents in Walton, New York.

In 1850, one James G. Johnson was Clerk of Cattaraugus County Court of New York; no relationship to the family of Shubael and
Harriet Johnson was stated.
(Very faint pencil notes that are illegible)

Michael Goodrich
S. 43628
The date and place of this soldier's birth and names of his parents are not shown in the claim.

Michael Goodrich (who was not referred to in the claim as Senior) enlisted in Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut, in the
spring of 1775, served seven months under Major Samuel Elmore in Colonel Hinman's Connecticut regiment. He enlisted February 1,
1776, served as sergeant in Captain Oliver Parmelee's company, Colonel Charles Burrall's Connecticut regiment, and was discharged
---
Page 26

about November 27, 1776. . He afterwards served in the Connecticut militia, dates of service and names of officers not given, and
during this service he was in the battles of Crompo Hill and at the taking of Burgoyne.

Michael Goodrich was allowed pension on his application executed June 8, 1818, at which time he was aged "seventy-one years
and upwards" and residing in Walton, Delaware County, New York.

In 1820 the soldier was still living in Walton, New York, and at that time referred to his wife, Martha, aged seventy years.
No reference was made in the claim to children.

Michael Goodrich died August 17, 1825.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 27

In reply to your request of____, received ____
for a statement of the military history of Seth Berray 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. 
No File 24646

Dates of Enlistment:
Mch 1781 Enld. at Stanford

Length of service
1 year March 1782

Officers under: Captain Smith

Colonel:
Waterbury
Humphreys

Battles engaged in, Feby 15, 1782 attacked by 360 British Troops whom they repulsed and pursued 14 miles to Maroneck Bridge.

Residence of Soldier at enlistment, Sharon Conn.

Date of Application for pension, Aug. 28 1832. 
His claim was allowed.

Age at Date of application, born Aug 29, 1765, at Salisbury, Conn
Remarks: Sol. Mar. Walton N.Y. Oct 1789 Anna Goodrich, he died May 14, 1846 at Randolph, Cattaraugus Co. NY where he resided in 1847 at 73 years and he was also pensioned.
Very Respectfully
(written on the bottom left corner)
Sharon Conn to abt 1787
Walton, NY to 1815
Victor " to 1836
Randolph " 
(on the right bottom corner)
5 sons 8 dau--only names stated 
1. Yougest child, Henry L Berray b. June 21, 1812
2. Oldest Azel Berray b. Apl 27, 1790 res Racine, Wis 1847
Page 28

O. W. & N. Div.
-
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
M. E. C.
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 12, 1894.

Sir:
Referring to your personal request for the military history of Seth Berray, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised
that he first entered the service from the town of Sharon, Connecticut on March 1, 1781, and served one year as a private in Capt. Smith's company, Col. Waterbury's regiment. During this time he was stationed at Horse Neck, Stamford, Middlesex, Greenwich,
North Street, King Street, Stanwich, &c. He participated in an engagement with the British on the 15th of February, 1782. No
further details of his services are given.

He was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, August 29, 1765; lived in Sharon about four years after the war, and then removed to the town of Walton, New York, where he lived twenty-seven years and then removed to the town of Victor, Ontario County, New York.
He married Anna Goodrich in October, 1789, at Walton, and died May 14, 1846.
Very respectfully,
Mr. James H. Gillis,
Room 64, Atlantic Building, 
City, Acting Commissioner
Page 29

MRS. GRACE LOUTHAN
4 -1 -1940
Primghar, Iowa

U.S. Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen
Will you please advise me
if your records show that a pension of
half pay was ever granted to Seth. Berray born
in Salisbury, Connecticut in 1764
and enrolled as a minute man in the
Connecticut militia during the
Revolutionary War? Seth Berry
later went to Walted, New York to live
Any information you can give will be greatly
appreciated

Yours truly
Grace L Louther
Page 30

Loveland Colo. 6-26-1913

Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C.

Will you kindly give me the military history of Seth Berray or (Berry) a soldier of the Revolutionary War who enrolled as a minute man in the Connecticut Militia and was afterwards pentioned. (sp) 
Also the military history of Michael Goodrich who was in the battle of Quebec at the time Gen. Montgomery was killed. 
And that of Major Beebe who was said to be on Gen Washingtons staff.

Yours very respectfully
Mrs. Lucinda Ingham
Loveland 
Colo
R.F.D. #1
Page 31

CR    Maupin, Wis Jan. 5 1903

Commissioner Pensions
Washington D.C.

Will you kindly send me some
information regarding some Revolutionary
soldiers, Minute men, who drew
pensions after Revolutionary War-
Seth Berry and John Butler
who enlisted from Connecticut-
Would like to know the time they
served; from what place they enlisted,
in what capacity they served
Also same of Dearborn Heath, who
served in same war, enlisted from
either Vermont or Mass. and oblige,
Yours respectfully,
Marion Heath
Maupin, Wis
(Stamped with the U.S. Pension office seal dated Jan 8 1903)
(Stamped with Dep War & Navy May 10 1903 Files)
---
Page 32

(left top side of page)
Mail Hist. to J.H. Gillis
Atlantic Bldg. City (ill)
-----
Jany 14-1903
Marvin Heath, Maupin Wis
------
1913 July 9 History to Mrs Lucinda Ingham &
1933 Nov 27 Sent to Mrs Roy Beckwith
See ltr. in clin 43628 Michael Goodrich
1940, May 6 Hist to Mrs Grace L Louthan MLB
(Main page)
24646 Widow, & c.
File No 24646
Anna Berray Wid of Seth Berray
Priv. Revl. War
Act Feb 2nd 1848
Index: Vol A, Page 55

(Top right margin)
June 16/14
Porm (?) 64

(Bottom of the page)
(ill) 13479
Anna Berray NY
Let. to Spencer Scudder Nov 8th '47
Let same day 21/50
Same Apl 14/51

Act 7 July 1838
Page 33

670  New York a
Anna Berray
Widow of Seth
who was a private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 40 dollars per annum, to commence on the 14th day of May 1846.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of May 1857 and sent to S. Scudder, Randolph, NY
Acts of (march 3 1843 strike through) & June 17, 1844
Recorded in Book A, Vol 2, page 261
Page 34

183.801
(the rest of the page appears to be ink bleed through from the front)
Page 35

Randolph, Cattaraugus Co.
N.Y. June 27th 1855

Sir,
Enclosed are the applications of Sanford Bell, Benjamin Van Campen, Joel Scudder and Anna Berray for Bounty land under the Act of March 3/55, Whenever acted upon or disposed of please address me at the place above named.
Yours Respectfully,
Spencer Scudder

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Comm. of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 36


Randolph, Cattaraugus Co
N.Y. Dec. 23rd. 1850.

Dear Sir
enclosed with this is a declaration
made by Anna Berry widow of Seth B.
who was a Pensioner of the U.S. This 
declaration is made by her for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of 1848 for widows of Revolutionary pensioners &c. She has once before made a declaration, but not correctly understanding the instructions she received from the Department, it was made under the law of 1838, and because she was not a widow until 1846, her claim was rejected. The declaration with the proofs accompanying
the same are on file in your department
to which please refer for the necessary proofs
in her case, If a pension is allowed her
can she also claim for a pension from the
time of her husbands death May 1846 to 4th
March 1848?
Yours Respectfully
Spencer Scudder

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Count of Penning
Washington D.C.
Page 37

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}ss
On this fourteenth day of
December 1850 personally appeared before the Subscriber, Rensselaer Lamb, Judge of the County Courts of Cattaraugus County, State aforesaid Anna Berray, a resident of Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus aforesaid, aged
Seventy six 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 29th July 1848, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving widows of Officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary army", That she is the widow of Seth Berry who was a private in the Revolutionary Army, and who was a Pensioner of the United States. She further declares that she was married to the said Seth Berry in the month of October A.D. 1789 but the precise day the declarant does not recollect, that her husband the said Seth Berry died on the 14th day of May A.D. 1846 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January eighteen hundred, viz: at the time above stated
she further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has before made application for a pension, which application was rejected, because it was made under the act of July 7. 1838, under certain instructions from the Pension Department, which misled the
declarant in making said application, that the
proofs accompanying her aforesaid
 application were filed on or about the 8th. Nov. 1847 and May 21, 1850 to which she would refer the Commissioner of Pensions

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Anna Berry (mark)
Rensselaer Lamb
County Judge
I certify that the above named Anna Berry is unable to write her name by reason of debility caused by old age
Rensselaer Lamb
County Judge
Page 38

State of New York
Cattaraugus County, Clerks Office}
I, James G. Johnson, Clerk of said county and of the courts thereof, do hereby certify that Rensselaer Lam Esq, before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn to & subscribed, was at the date thereof County Judge in and for the said County of Cattaraugus NY, Commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to administer oaths &c. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said County Judge, and verily believe that the signature to the certificate of the said affidavits is genuine. 
In Testmony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of the said County at Ellicottville, this 16th day of December 1850

J.G. Johnson Clk
By C.L. Smitt Dep. clerk
Page 39

Randolph Cattaraugus Co.
New York, Oct 21, 1850

Sir
In Oct or Nov. 1847 I prepared some papers for Anna Berry widow of Seth Berry who was a
pensioner of the U.S. & who died in May 1846. She by those papers made application for a pension as such widow and by a letter of yours dated Nov. 8. 1847 was informed that the papers had been placed on file under the act of 7 July 1838, and was directed that the applicant should file a declaration in
conformity with instructions (which were enclosed) under that act.  The widow was on a visit to Pa. & I did not get ready to forward the declaration & the proofs until May last, when I received information from your Dept. under date of May 21, 1850 that "the Supplemental declaration of Anna Berray widow &c for the benefit of the act of July 7. 1838 has been filed
and examined. The Secretary of the Interior having recently decided that no widow of a Revolutionary Soldier is entitled to the benefit of the above act unless she was such at the time it was passed, Mrs. Berray's claim is rejected, as it appears that she did not
become a widow until the 18th day of May 1846
It seems that the declaration was made & filed under the first act when it should have been under a subsequent one, and if it had been made
Page 40

under the proper & subsequent act. I know
that she is entitled to a pension and that she
needs it, and that it is the desire on your
part to afford every necessary facility which
it is in the power of your department to afford
in aid of the applicants for the government bounty.,
It appeared to me that the proofs
were sufficient to have entitled her to the pension and I now wish to call your attention to the matter and beg of you, information and advice as to the proper & necessary steps to be pursued by her under the existing circumstances.  Will it be necessary for her to make a new declaration & if so under what act, & will not the proofs already taken & on file be sufficient?
 I wait a reply at your earliest convenience
I am &c
Yours,
Spencer Scudder

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 41

Randolph, Cattaraugus County
New York May 6 1850

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Dr Sir,  
Enclosed I forward you the declaration of Anna Berray widow of Seth Berray late a Pensioner of the United States, and the affidavit of Mrs. Harriet Johnson a sister of the said Anna, as proof of the marriage, which with the evidence furnished by the papers forwarded to your Department and filed 1st to 8th Nov. 1847
it appears to me will be sufficient to establish her claim. Her husband was drawing a pension at the time of his death, and I do not suppose that any question can arise as to his being entitled to it & the proof of the marriage would be sufficient in legal proceedings in this State, there is no documentary evidence of the marriage and the laws of this state
do not require any, but the is the proof by one
witness of respectability who was present at the ceremony and with others, also of long and
continued cohabitation.  Whether sufficient or not I shall expect to hear from this matter with as little delay as possible
I wish also to enquire if an officer in the Revolutionary Army who died in 1802 would, on sufficient proof of his services during the war, have any claim that would entitle his widow or children to bounty land,
pension, or arrearages of pay? Will you have the kindness to reply to the above inquiry
Yours Respectfully
Spencer Scudder
Page 42

Spencer Scudder, Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}ss

I, Francis E. Baillet clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Spencer Scudder Esq. is a Magistrate as above, commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to take Oaths and Affirmations and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 11th day of May 1847
F.E. Baillet clerk
Page 43

Randolph, Cattaraugus County
New York, May 5, 1851

Dear Sir
Enclosed you find the applications of Ben. Van Campen and A.G. Bush for bounty land under the Act of Sept. 28, 1850, which please place on file and when acted upon inform me of the action had. 
You will also find the affidavit of Anna Berray (widow of Seth Berray) relating to the proof of her marriage, I would beg leave to refer you, to her previous affidavit on file in your office, and also the affidavit of her sister, Harriet Johnson, who was present at the marriage, and the only witness who was present now living. I would also respectfully refer you to the opinion of Attorney General B. F. Butler of Aug. 18 1837, as to what is or is not required to this validity of a marriage under the laws of the State of New York, and I would further state, that no record of a marriage is required to be made, or kept, by any one acting on the occasion of a marriage, in the capacity of a minister of religion, or magistrate--and such record is seldom kept, but on the application of either of the parties to the marriage, the person officiating as minster or magistrate are required to give a certificate of marriage Such I believe has ever been and still is the law in this state. The death of Seth Berray took place in May 1846, he drew his pension up to March 4, 1846, will this widow be entitled to the pension from the time he last drew to or only from the time of his death, under this application.
Yours Respectfully
Spencer Scudder

Hon. J.E. Heath
Comm of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 44

P.S. Seth Berray, the husband of Anna Berray, drew a pension of $40 per annum. Why was he not entitled as well as other privates to $96 and cannot the widow obtain that amount and arrearages?  Will you do me the favor to reply to the foregoing enquiry.
Yours Respectfully
S. Scudder

Hon. J.E. Heath
Comm. Pens & c.
Page 45

State of New York
County of Cattaraugus}ss
Be it known that before me Spencer Scudder, a Justice of the Peace within and for the said county, personally appeared before me Anna Berray, widow of Seth Berray, late a pensioner of the United States, deceased, and made oath in due form of law, that she was married to the said Seth Berray, in the month of October, in the year One Thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, the particular day of the month this deponant cannot recollect, that at the said marriage of this deponant with the said Seth Berray, Platt Townsend Esquire, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county of Delaware in the State of New York, officiated as a magistrate in performing the marriage ceremony, that the only witness or other person or persons present at the said marriage, no living, is Harriet Johnson a sister of this deponant, And this deponant further says that she has ever been informed and has ever believed that in the State of New York, no formal solemnization of marriage by a minister, clergyman or magistrate is necessary to its validity that the laws of the state have never required or provided for any formal registration or record of marriages by those officiating on such occasions, or by any other persons or authority whatsoever, and that the only record ever made of a marriage so far as this deponant knows or has ever seen practiced, is an entry in the "Family Record" kept in the "Family Bible", which entry or record is usually made once one individual of such particular family so keeping such record, And this deponant further says that the only record of the marriage of this deponant as aforesaid, made or kept by any person, was
Page 46

was an entry in the "Family Record", kept in the bible belonging to this deponants family, and if any other record of said marriage was ever made, this deponant has no knowledge thereof. And this deponant further says that many years ago, the family bible, containing this entry or record of this deponants marriage as aforesaid was burned up together with the house in which this deponant and her family resided, and the contents mostly contained in said house, and the "Family Record" was thereby destroyed and lost, And this deponant further says that she has caused a search to be made by William Townsend, son of Platt Townsend who officiated at said marriage as aforesaid, since deceased, of the books, records and papers of the said Platt Townsend, which are in the possession of the said William, that after the strictest and most diligent search and examination of said books, records and papers no record whatsoever of any marriage has been discovered or found, and this deponant further says that the highest testimony, and the best evidence which is in existence in regards to this deponants marriage, is of the character already before the Pension Department, to wit, the evidence of the said Harriet Johnson the only witness of the said marriage, together with the statements of this deponant and others who have had many years acquaintance with this deponant, which evidence in due form is on file in the Department of the Commissioner of Pensions at Washington. 
Anna (her mark) Berray

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25th day of April 1851, and I hereby certify that from long disuse of the pen and the infirmities of age, the said Anna Berray is unable to write her name and is thereby under the necessity of making her mark for her signature, & whose character for credibility is good.
Spencer Scudder
Justice of the Peace
Page 47

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}ss

I hereby certify that Spencer Scudder Esq. before whom the foregoing application was made, and who signed his name to the Certificate thereof, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for said County commissioned and sworn and duly authorized to administer oaths and that his signature to said certificate is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the County Court of said Count at Ellicottville this 3rd day of May 1851
J.G. Johnson, clerk
By C.S. Truitt, Dep. Clerk
Page 48

30, 610 (?) 

(ill two words at bottom of page)
Page 49

State of Pennsylvania
Erie County ⎬
 Be it known that before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the
said County personally appeared Harriet Johnson and made oath in due form of Law, that she is a sister of Anna Beray, widow of Seth Berray deceased, late of Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York, that the said Anna's maiden name was Anna Goodrich, that in the month of October
in the year 1789, at the town of Walton in the County of Delaware and State of New York, the said Anna was united in marriage with the said Seth Berry and that Platt Townsend, Esquire, then a justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Delaware and duly authorized, officiated at the marriage of the said Seth Berry and Anna aforesaid and this deponant was present at the said marriage and witnessed the same. That the said Anna lived with the
said Seth Berry in Walton aforesaid, and afterwards in Victor, Ontario County in the State of New York and afterwards in Randolph aforesaid and so continued to live with the said Seth Berray until the time of his decease
Sworn and subscribed this
14th day of March 1848 before me
John J Smith Justice of
the Peace
(signature of Harriet Johnson

State of Pennsylvania
Erie County} Ss 
I John R Smith a justice of the Peace in and for said County and who administered the oath to the above named Harriet Johnson in the foregoing affidavit sworn to and subscribed by her before me, do hereby certify that I am personally and well acquainted
with the said Harriet Johnson and know that
her character for reputability and credibility is unquestionably good and her statements may be relied upon as true, and that I am fully satisfied of the truth of the statements made by her in the above affidavit. 
Dated March 14th 1848
John R. Smith
Justice of the Peace
I am fully satisfied of the truth of the statements made by her in
the above affidavit, Dated March 14th 1848. John R Smith
Justice of the Peace
Page 50

State of Pennsylvania
Erie County }ss
I, (ill name) of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that John R. Smith Esquire before whom the written proceedings were held and taken was at the date thereof and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified & that the signatures written on this (ill) purported to be his are genuine.  Witness my hand and the seal of County Court at Erie this 15th day of March AD 1848
Nelson (?) [next two words of the name are illegible}
Page 51

13479  Oct 1847
(vertically) Paid 
Anna Berray
Wdo of Seth
NY
Act 7 July 1838
(vertically) 30
(written vertically below)
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 52

Randolph, Cattaraugus County
State of New York, Oct 7, 1847

Sir,
Enclosed I send you some affidavits & certificates in the matter of Anna Berrays claim to receive the Pension granted by the United States to Seth Berray, deceased, her late husband. You will please examine and do what may by you be deemed proper. She is poor and unable to employ an attorney or one who make it his business to transact business of this kind, I presume that the matter will receive the proper attention from you without the personal attendance of a party or an attorney or agent on her behalf, and shall in due time expect to be informed of whatever action you may take therein.
Respectfully
Your Obd. Sevt
Spencer Scudder
Page 53

State of New York
Cattaraugus County}ss
Be it known that before me Spencer Scudder, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Anna Berray and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of Seth Berray, deceased, that the said Seth Berray died at Randolph in said county on the 14th day of May 1846 aged eighty one years, nine and a half months, that it the time of his death he had in his possession an original certificate of which (I certify) the following is a true copy

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Seth Berray of the State of New York, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army, is entitled to receive forty dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the  United States this 30th day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Examined and Countersigned
J.S. Edwards
Lew Cass Secretary of War

That the said Seth Berray is the identical person named in the said certificate, and that as such person he drew or received the pension named therein, up to the 4th day of March 1846, that at the time of his death aforesaid he had been a resident of Randolph, in said county, during the time since the last day of May 1836, that previous to that time he had been a resident of the town of
Page 54

Victor, in the county of Ontario, and state aforesaid since the month of September 1815, and that the said Anna upon her oath aforesaid further says that her maiden name was Anna Goodrich, that her marriage with Seth Berray took place in the month of October in the year 1789, in the town of Walton in the County of Delaware in the state of New York, that Platt Townsend, Esquire, then a justice of the peace in and for said County of Delaware, officiated at the said marriage, that this deponant and her husband the said Seth Berray, continued to reside at Walton aforesaid, until September 1815 when the removed with their family to Victor, in the county of Ontario and State of New York where they resided until May 1836 when the removed with their family to Randolph in the county of Cattaraugus aforesaid, arriving upon the last day of May 1836 aforesaid where they continued to reside at the time of the death of her husband the said Seth Berray, which took place on the 14th day of may 1846, and which place is still the place of residence of this deponant.  
And this deponant further says that she now lives in the family of her youngest son Henry L Berray with whom her husband Seth Berray lived at the time of his death in May last, that she has lived with the said Seth Berray as his wife since the time of their said marriage to the time of his said death nearly fifty seven years, wanting only the time intervening the 14th day of May 1846 & the following October.
And this deponant further says that she does not know of any legal or equitable reason why she should not receive the pension granted as aforesaid to her late husband the said Seth Berray, which her husband claims
Anna (your mark) Berray
Sworn and subscribed this 29th day of April, 1847 before me
Spencer Scudder, Justice of the Peace
Henry L Berray Witness
Page 55

State of New York
Cattaraugus County ⎬
 Be it known that before me Spencer
Scudder, a justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Henry L. Berry, to me known, and made oath in due form of law that he is as he has been informed and instructed from his youth of the age of thirty four years- the 21st day of June last, that his birth was on the 21st day of June in the year 1812, that he is the youngest child of Seth Berray and Anna Berray, that the family
consisted of five sons and eight daughters, the oldest of whom is Azel Berray now a resident of Racine in the State of Wisconsin, that his age is fifty seven years the 27th day of this present month according as this deponent has been instructed and as the several ages of
the children have been understood and kept, and this deponant further says that from his earliest recollection he was a resident with his father the said Seth, of Victor in Ontario County & State aforesaid until he removed in May 1836 with his father and mother
to Randolph in the County of Cattaraugus where he still resides. That his father Seth Beray resided with this deponent until the day of his death which occurred on the 14th day of May last at the age of eighty one years, that at the time of his death he had in his possession an original certificate of which a true copy is included in the affidavit of Anna Berray hereto annexed, that under and by virtue of said certificate he drew the pension named therein to the 4th of March previous to his death, and this deponant further saith that the said Anna Berray the mother of this deponent and the wife of the said Seth Berry was and still is a resident in the family of this deponant, that she is the widow of the identical Seth Berray named in said certificate and whose death
is named above.
Henry L Berray
Sworn and subscribed this 29th day of 
April 1847, before me
Spencer Scudder, Justice of the Peace
Sworn & Subscribed this 29th day of
Henry L Berry
April 1847 before my
Spencer Scudder, Justice of the Peace.ss