Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W.16,344, for Stephen Mather, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE                                                                     NUMBER
Conn.                      Mather, Stephen                      W. 16.344 
                                           Elizabeth

CONTENTS
Page 2

to Saml A. Brown, Nov. 8. 1839
same person 2d March 1841.
Letter to 3d Auditor 27 June 1841.
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the
Act of the 6th April 1838 from
8 June 1837 to 12 Sep 1839. Agt
notified 12 July 1841.

Albany 4375
Elizabeth Mather
widow of Stephen Mather
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832
and who died on the 7th June 1837
of Chautauque Co in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Palmer Conn, of the regt commanded
by            in the Con .          
line for 17 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 8. . June 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Oct
1839 and sent to Saml A
Brown Jamestown, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 37                           126.37
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar. 40.       28. 33
                                                                      $155.20
(Act July 7,}
(1838.       )

Recorded by D. Brown                           Clerk,
Book  A.   Vol.   2      Page  89
Page 3


New York 14.663

Stephen Mather
of Edmonton in the State of N.Y.
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Palmer of the __________  commanded
by ________ in the Continental
line for 20 months
Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y.
at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of June
1833 and sent to
Henry Sill, Burlington, Otsego Co
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833                                          $133.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "                                         33.33
                                                                                               $166.65.
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
       Act June 7, 1832. ⎬
Recorded by T. P. Francion Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 4 Page 67
Page 4

Stephen Mathers
Declaration




Henry Sill
Page 5

State of New York
County of Otsego ⎬ Ss  On this 26th day of April 1833 personally ap-
peared before James C. Walworth Esqr one of the Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Stephen
Mather a resident of the town of Edmeston in said County
aged 74 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 was born in the town of Lyme New London County in the State of Connecticut on the 9th day of February 1759 there is a Record of
his age there on the town Record the has also a County Rec-
ord at home. That he resided in Lyme aforesaid at the
commencement and through the whole of the Revolutionary war
that he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein stated
In the first place  On the 1st January 1777 at Lyme aforesaid. He enlisted
under Ensign John Griswold in Captain Palmers company of
Connecticut State troops for the term of one year that he im-
mediately entered the service under the command of Ensign
Griswold Capt. Palmer,( Capt. Palmer ??? in Stonington) Company was divided into several sections and stationed along the sea shore from Saybrook to Stonnington the section he was in was stationed in Lyme
and was commanded he Ensign Griswold our quarters were
near Governor Griswolds our duty was to guard the shores
from the incursions of the enemy he continued in this
8 mo service till the expiration of eight months 1st October 1777
when his Father hired a substitute by the name of John
Anderson to take his place who served out the remaining four
 months of his term of service.  There was a guard kept 
at this Station near Governor Griswold the greatest
part of the time during the war and there was a guard house
 there
In the second place - He entered the service at Fort Trumbull
at New London in Captain Hardy s Compy who commanded
there in the month of January 1779 as a substitute for
his Father John Mather who was drafted from what
was called the alarm list for the term of one month
1 mo that he served out this month as a waiter to Lieutenant Sylman
Smith of said Company and immediately on his return
home from this service he was drafted himself from the
militia for the term of one month and was ordered
back to Fort Trumbull aforesaid and he again entered
the service there in the month of February 1779 and the duty
he did this month was to stand centinel at the Light House
Page 6

On the sea shore near said Fort. He continued in this
service till his term of one month had expired when he
was dismissed. but owing to the infirmities of old age
and the consequent loss of memory he cannot recall the officers
names that had command of the Fort during this last
mentioned term of service
In the fourth and last place At Lyme aforesaid in Feb. 1780 he enlisted
again under John Griswold who was now promoted to the office
of Lieutenant and had the command of the guard at
the before mentioned guard House near Governor Griswolds;
for the term of one year. That he entered the service in
said guard under Lieutenant Griswold on the 1st March
1780 and he continued to serve in said guard at
said Station near said Governor Griswold's House
for the purpose of guarding the sea shore and the
House and the person of the said Governor from
the enemy for the term of nine months till the 1st December 1780 when he hired a man to take his place as a substitute by the name of
David Ransom who took his place and served till
the said guard was dismissed
That since the war he was lived in Bennington in the State
of Vermont from thence he removed to Galway in Saratoga County
in New York from there he came to Kings County where
he now resides. He recollects Col Parsons afterwards Gen-
eral Lieutenant Reed and Gr. Marks Higgins never served
with any regular troops knew Governor Mathew Griswold
He never had a written discharge
Samuel Campbell late member of Congress Deacon David
Dickey and Joshua Lamb Post Master are his neigh-
bours and have testified to his character for truth
and veracity and their belief of his services their afi-
davit accompanies his first declaration, as also does
Stephen Taylor a Clergyman and London Arnold's
a Justice of the peace, that he has no documentary evi-
dence and that he knows of no other person
whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service
except brother Joseph Mather and James P. Denison
whose affidavits also accompany his first declaration and
an additional one which accompanies this declaration
Page 7

that he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or
Annuity except
the present, and declares that his name is not in the Pension
Roll of any State
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me
Louis C Harmsworth a                         Stephen Mather  
Judge of Otsego County Court

And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the war Department, that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
James C Walworth a
Judge of the Otsego County
Courts

State of New York
Otsego County ⎬ss:         I Horace Lathrop, Clerk of
the said County do hereby certify that
James C Walworth before whom the foregoing
Declaration of Stephen Mather purports to
have been sworn, & whose name is subscribed
to the above certificate, was at the date of the same one of the
Judges of Otsego County Court, duly appointed &
sworn & authorized by law to administer Oaths &c, and that
I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his
name subscribed to the said Declaration, and certificate, to be
his proper hand writing & signature. Witness my hand, and
Seal of Office this 14th day of May 1833.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk,
Page 8


TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office
July 1st 1841
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," the children of Elizabeth Mather
decd a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N.Y. Agency, at
the rate of Fifty Six Dollars and 66 Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th July 1838, has
been paid at this Department, from the 8th of June 1837
to the 12th Sept. 1839
Respectfully yours,
Albion E.. Parker
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 9

Chautauqua County ss
Joseph Mather of
the town of Villenova, in the County of
Chartanqua  aforesaid and State of
New York, aged & 82 years, being duly
sworn doth depose and say, that
Stephen Mather late of Ellington, Chautau-
qua county deceased was his brother
that the said Stephen Mather & this de-
ponent were born in the town of
Lyme & State of Connecticut that
they lived in said town until they
were upwards of thirty years of age,
he does further depose and say
that he was well acquainted with Eliza-
beth Peck in her youth and has known
her ever since, that the said Eliza-
beth was born at Lyme aforesaid
and in 1772 was Married to his
brother the aforesaid Stephen
Mather at Lyme aforesaid, that
he was not present at the marriage
but was then living in the town of
Lyme aforesaid that he has
been intimately acquainted with
the said Stephen Mather and the
said Elizabeth his wife ever since,
that when this deponent lived in
Chenango, County N.Y. the said Stephen
Mather & family lived within 4 miles
of  this deponent and they often vis-
ited together - This deponent further
saith that the said Stephen Mather
and Elizabeth his wife, lived hapily
Page 10

together as man and wife & that they
had a large family of children &
He does further depose and say 
that the said Stephen Mather was
a soldier of the revolution that
he was a pensioner as this depo-
nent has seen his certificate and
that Elizabeth Mather who is now
an applicant for a pension is the
identical person was the wife and is
now the widow of the said Ste-
phen Mather deceased, the aforesaid
Pensioner
Sworn & subscribed
this 28 day of                               Joseph Mather 
June 1839
Joshua Mather Justice Peace

I certify that Joseph Mather the above
deponent is a person of ????
truth & veracity, and that full faith
and credit ought to be given to
his testimony
Held at Villanova June 26. 1839
John Mather J P

State of New York
County of Chautauqua Ss 
I George W. Tew Clerk of said County certify that John
Mather Esq. above named was at the date of the foregoing pro-
ceedings a Justice of the peace of said County, duly elected and
sworn that the signatures above subscribed, purporting
to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto
set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 29 June 1839
G. W. Tew Clerk
Page 11

Chautauque County ss
George Anderson being
duly sworn doth depose and say that he
is a Justice of the peace in the town of
Ellington & County aforesaid, and
that he is well acquainted with Eliza-
beth Mather the above applicant for
A pension, that Stephen Mather & his
wife Elizabeth came to the town of Elling-
ton to reside about four years ago,
that they were near neighbors to
this deponent, that they and their
families, were intimate, and that
that intemacy continued as long
as the said Stephen Mather lived
that they had a family of children
that it was universally believed they
were married, and this deponent
is of that opinion, that they lived
happily together as man and wife,
that they were universally esteemed
as honest, respectable citizens, and that 
the said Stephen & Elizabeth were, and
the said Elizabeth is now universally
considered to be a person of stout
truth & veracity, that he should be-
lieve that she is of the age he repre-
sents herself to be in the above declara-
tion, and that he confidently believes that 
she was the lawful wife of the said
Stephen Mather that she is now his
widow and has not been married since
his decease -
                           George Anderson
Sworn in open Court
G. W. Tew Clerk
Page 12

These are to certify whom it may concern that Stephen
Mather and Elizabeth Peck both of Lyme were lawfully
married together the fifth day of September A.D. one
thousand seven hundred and eighty two by me
Stephen Johnson Pastor of the
first Church in said Lyme
Recorded ye twentieth day of January one thousand
seven hundred and eighty three
By John Lay 2d Register
That it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the
date which is expressed in the record in fair and legible fig-
ures as follows. "5th day of September A.D. 1782 and 20th
day of January 1783"
                                Certified by Joshua R. Warren
                                               Town Clerk
Town Clerks Office
Lyme Connect't
January 22d 1839
I Joshua R. Warren above named
depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in
the Town of Lyme in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, and that the above is a true extract
from the records of said Town with the exception above na-
med as certified by me.
Joshua R. Warren
Town Clerk

State of Connecticut
County of New London  Ss  Lyme March 25th 1839
Personally appeared Joshua R. Warren Esq
and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by
him subscribed - I further certify that the deponent is
personally known to me- is clerk of the Town of Lyme- and
a credible person
Stephen Lord Justice of Peace
Page 13

I, ROYAL B. KINMAN Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the seal thereof,
do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
THAT Stephen Lord Esq
is
and for more than six months last past, has
been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of
New London in said State, duly appointed,
commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by
the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and
to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to
take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates
thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be
given to the official acts and attestations of the said Lord
in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed
the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 9th day 
of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 39
And I certify that the signature of said Lord
Royal B. Kinman  Secretary.
Page 14

Elizabeth Mather
5815



Jamestown N. Y.
S. A. Brown Atty
Page 15

State of New York
Chautauqua County Ss
On this 29th day
of June 1839 person-
ally appeared before the Judges of
the Courtt of Common Pleas in and
for the County aforesaid, at the
court house in May sitting the
said Court being a Court of record
Elizabeth Mather, a resident of the town
of Ellington in the County of Chautau-
qua aforesaid, aged Eighty years,
who being first duly sworn, accor-
ding to law, doth on her oath, make
the following declaration, in order
to obtain the benefit of the provis-
ion made by the act of Congress,
passed June 7 1838, entitled, "An act
granting half pay and pensions
to certain widows" That she is the
Widow of Stephen Mather, who
was a private in the army of the Rev-
olution, that she was not married
to the said Stephen while he served as 
a soldier, but she was well acquainted with
him then, as they both were born
in the same town, namely Lyme, County
of New London & State of Connecticut
that she lived a considerable part of
the time in the same house, with her
said husband during the war, and
that she well knows that he served
as a soldier, that he left home as
such, that he was at New London
for some time, and that he did
duty as a soldier for some time as she
confidently believes in the town of Lyme
Page 16

aforesaid, that he was stationed
as a guard on the sea shore at
Lyme aforesaid, that his station
was about six miles from their
dwelling house, that the party of whom
one was her husband that was stationed
at Lyme aforesaid was under the
command of one Lieutenant John Griswold
that she does not recollect the names
of his officers while he was at New
London, that she does not know how
long he served for a certainty, but
she is confident he was absent
for Lyme as much as 18 or
20 months, and it was universally
said & believed that the said Stephen
Mather was a soldier, and this depo-
nent is confident that he was for
as much time as is mentioned above
She further declares that she was
married to the said Stephen Ma-
ther on the fifth day of September
in the year seventeen hundred and
and eighty two at the town Ellington
aforesaid, by Stephen Johnson a cler-
gyman that her husband the afore-
said Stephen Mather died on the seventh
day of June 1837, at the town of Ellington
aforesaid, that she was not mar-
ried to him prior to his leaving
the service, but the marriage
took place previous to the first
of January, seventeen hundred
ninety four, to wit, at the time 
above stated-
Page 17


She does further depose and say, that 
She & her husband left Lyme  about
one year after the war, that they
moved to Bennington, Vermont.
and lived them till 1791, from there they
moved to New Galloway, Saratoga Co.
N. Y. from there they moved to
Edmeston Otsego Co. N. Y,, at which
place, her said husband was
placed on the pension list for
Edmeston they moved to Ellington
aforesaid in May 1836, that
this deponent has lived there
ever since  She does
then say She
cannot write
her name on account
of her right hand
being cut off
Sworn to and submited 
on the day & year aforesaid. 
G. W. Tew Clerk
                                                   her
                                  Elizabeth   X   Mather
                                                mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after
the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant Eliz-
abeth Mather was the lawful wife of the said Stephen Mather
who was a pensioner, and that she is now his widow and that 
She is of the age She represents herself to be, that she was
married at the time & place stated in her declaration as also
appears from the certificates hereto annexed. And it also
appears to the said Court that George Anderson who was sworn in open Court is a Justice of the peace of said County, and a reputable citi-
zen & that his statement is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed my seal of office, the day & year aforesaid
G. W. Tew Clerk
Page 18

25.200
Steven Mather
Otsego County
N.Y.
service as waiter & senti-
nel disallowed
admitted
17 mo pri
$56.66

Henry Sill
Burlington
Otsego Co
N Y
Page 19


WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
NY
A Statement, showing the service of Stephen Mathew Otsego Co.

Period when the   Duration of the      Rank of          Names and rank of the Field of-   Age at present,
service was           claimant's service      the              ficers  under whom he served.    and place of abode     Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Rendered              yrs  Mths  Days      claimant.                                                              when he entered
.                                                                                                                                           the service.
Entered Jany 1777        8                   Private           Capt. Palmer                                   74 years                      Witness Joseph Mather
until Oct 77                                                              Lieut Griswold                                 Lyme                          certified credible by
Sub Jany 79                  1                   Waiter             No Field Off-                                 New Lon-                     the Commissioner of Deeds
                                                                                 cers stated                                     don Co.                       No traditional evidence
drafted                         1                     Sentinel                                                                 Conn.
Feby 79
Feby 80)
until Dis)                      9                                           Lieut Griswold
                                                                                 guard Lt Governor
                                                                                   London
                         ------------------                    
                                17


I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 20

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army.
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged.
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1 The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of )  Ss.
                  County of            )
On this              day of               personally appeared (a) before 
       A. B. a resident (b) of                 in the county of                  and State, Territory or District
of     aged (c)       years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)        ,   with          and
served in the               (e) regiment of the                    line, under the following named officers:

(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched . This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                                  A. B.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                                         of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of                                             for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of                                                             & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                                             and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                                                        , who was
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revo-
lutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                                      Clerk of the Court of                                  do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this         day of                          & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commis-
sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the ser-
vices of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 21

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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 at-
tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-
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 giv-
                        )  en, and what has become of it?
 ( To an Officer )    Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
                             has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-
tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of 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 is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can pro-
cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the 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------- For months and --- days, I served as a ------------and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent au-
thority; 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 union 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 paper.

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
John N Ashton
Page 22

O: H. & N.                                                 C
Seward Nebraska
November Seventh 1906
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Bureau. Washington D.C
My Dear Sir
Will you kindly ex-
amine the records and ascertain
if there is on file an application
for pension - or if names are on
pension list of either or both
of the following parties whose
descendants claim for their
Revolutionary Service
Henry Bolton Hagerstown, Mis
Stephen Mather Entered army from Connecticut
died in Chautauqua Co. N. Y. 
I have been advised that
16344
Page 23

you are the one to whom I
should apply for such information
Any assistance you can
render me in that matter
will be gratefully received.
Very Cordially Yours
Ida Wood Atwater
Regent Margaret Holmes Chapter
Seward Nebr.

Address
Mrs N. A. Atwater
Seward
Nebr.
Page 24

Santa Barbara
California
To the Bureau of Pensions
Will you please send me
the proof of service of any
Ancester Stephen Mather
who enlisted at Lyme Conn
in Jan 1777 aged Eighteen
Granted pension June 18, 1839
died the following September
Also of William Fulson
who was my fathers Great-
Grandfather Enlisted in
Vermont
Yours Sincerely
Mrs Caroline Fulson Lute
1621 Laguna Street
Santa Barbara
California
Page 25

1906 Nov. 22. History to
Mrs. W.A. Atwater-
1913 Mch 19 To Mrs. Caroline N. Lecte.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 16.344
Elizabeth Mather
widow of
Stephen Mather
Pri Rev War
Act July 7th 38
Index: Vol.  M  , Page  8

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

4375
New York
Act July 7. 1838

Elizabeth Mather
Married 5 Sept. 1782
Husband died, 7 June 1837
Admitted
Private 17mo - $56.66
Page 27

New York
Revo
Stephen Mather
Suspended
let H. Sill 3 Apl '33

7014
Act 7 June 1832
Page 28

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7014
Stephen Mather
ce:
ed:                            ,18
arged:                      ,18

cation filed:              ,18
Consolidated with
OUWid. File #16344
es!
Page 29

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
of  Stephen Mather 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.
W.16344
DATE OF ENLITMENT	LENGTH OF	RANK	OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVISE WAS RENDERED		STATE
 OR APPOINTMENT	SERVICE		                             CAPT		COL		
							
Jany  '77	                         9 mos		                        Palmer		  √		                                                Conn
Jany  '79                         	1 mo *		                        Hardy		  √		
Feby '79		                1   "                                             √                    √		
Mch 1 '80	                9   "		                            Lt John Griswold	  √
May 1, 1780	4 mos	Pvt	Ezekiel Hall		Starrs		

* served as substitute for his father John Mather.
Battles engaged in,   √
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Lyme Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept 7 1832, His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Edmeston, Otsego Co. N. Y.
Age at date of application, b. Feby 9 1759 at Lyme Conn.
Remarks: Soldier mar. at Lyme Conn Sept. 5 1782 Elizabeth Peck
born at Lyme; he died June 7, 1837 at Ellington, N. Y. & she was all'd pension
on her applc'n June  28 1839 age 80 yrs res Ellington, Chautauqua Co. N.Y. She died
Sept. 121839; names of children not stated
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

2058163m11 - 05
Page 30


Mather

Hon J.L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington


Nov 7
Page 31


Jamestown N.Y. Oct. 29th. 1839
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir
on the 24th inst I recd
from you a certificate of Pen-
sion for Elizabeth Mather widow
of Stephen Mather, at $56.66 per an-
num commencing on the 4th of
June 1837- I wrote to Mrs Mather
who lived in Ellington about 14 miles from
this Village and I have just got
information that she is dead - 
that she died on the 12th ult-
I do not know how to make
out the papers in order to get the
arrears of her pension
She was living with Ira Day her
son in law, a very reputable far=
mer in Ellington when she died, who
will administer or her estate if neces-
sary Wife you send me forms
or instructions ( as I presume you keep
them for general information), applicable in a
case of this kind & Oblige - Saml A. Brown
Page 32

Mar 1. 1841

Mr Evans

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 33

Mar 1. 1841
Mr Evans



Hon J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 34

Jamestown N.Y. Feby 19, 1841
Hon J.L. Edwards-
Sir - In the case of the heirs of
Elizabeth Mathar I send you her cer-
tificate , the power of the heirs, and
the certificate of our Court show-
ing who the heirs are
The expense will be so much
that it is not thought advisable to
get the share that will belong to the
heirs in Gennesee County - Namely the
children of Nathan B. Griffen
since the certificate was made by
the court. Mr Gregory changed his
place of residence from Otsego to
Chenango County, counties which adjoin
I have sent the papers to you, with
the request that you will make
an order (as I understand you have
no dominion) that the amount due the
heirs be send at the pension office
in Albany. If Mr Griffens children are
entitled to a part evendraw the order for
??? much less- yours Saml A Brown
Page 35


5815
N Y     July 20
July 7 1838

                                                           FREE
Hon J.L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 36


Jamestown N.Y. July 12. 1839-
Hon J.L. Edwards-
Sir Enclosed I send
you the papers of Elizabeth Mather
an applicant for a pension
Her husbands certificate I believe
is returned to the War Office
Yours very Respy
Saml  A. Brown
Page 37

11,366
Stephen Mather
Edmeston
Otsego Co
New York


C. 14.16.
Jny 7 55



P. Master
New Berlin
Page 38

11.366
BRIEF in the case of   Stephen Mather,   Edmiston
Co of Otsego           in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73 years
State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.   Duration of Service.      Rank.             Names of General and field Officers
                                                                             under whom he served
              Years  Months  Days    As a                 Gen.
1777                     9                    private             Capt. Palmer
1778                     1                  substitute          Capt. Hardy
   do                      1                    private            ( Officer not recollected)
1779                     8                        "                   ( no officr. mentioned)
Years,

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lynn, Mass.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,
        by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Witness for the last term &
        Trady
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
above mentioned.
* Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
   above mentioned
W. Fawcett
Examining Clerk.
Page 39

11366
Stephen Mather
no officers in '79
Page 40

11366
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Stephen Mather                which require  
further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He has
V. Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension
he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?  He has
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Has
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? He has
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
It is & is so distinguishable
Page 41

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?   No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office?    It has
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?    It does
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct   No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 ______________ For _________ months
and __________days, I served as a- ___________________ and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 42

                                                 3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of
the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about the four months to
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
Page 43


Albany
Stephen Mather Act June 7, 1832 to what time
paid?
V L
Died 7 June 1837 pd to that period
J H
Page 44

Stephen Mather
25200
Page 45


State of New York
Churango County. Joseph Mather of the
Town of Sherburne County and State aforesaid
being duly sworn deposeth and saith that
he is well acquainted with Stephen Mather
of the town of Edminston Otsego County and
State aforesaid, that Stephen is his this deponants
brother-- that Stephen served in the Revoluton-
ary War to the knowledge of this deponent at
the time and places as follows, to wit,, he
(Stephen) enlisted together with this deponant
the 1st of January 1777 at Lyme in Con.
in Capt Palmers Company - that they enlisted
for one year - Enlisted under Ensign Griswold
and served under said Griswold in Lyme-
Capt Palmers Compy was divided into four
parts or quarters, one quarter placed under
Ensign Griswold-- their duty was to guard
the sea shore through the town of Lyme, a
distance of nine miles-- one quarter of said
Company, was placed under Capt Palmer in
Stonington this quarter of the company guarded
the sea shore in the town of Stonington and
made it their quarters at a small fort in
said Town - the other two quarters of said
company were placed in the towns of
New London & Seabrook under the first
and Second Left Tenants, whose names
this deponant does not recollect to
guard the shore in said towns-- said
Stephen served Eight months, at the which
term his Father hired a Substitute to take
his place, by the name of John Anderson
His next service was one month in the month
of January 1779 as a Substitute for his Father
John Mathers - served this month under Capt
Page 46

Hardy at Fort Trumbull in New London - served
as waity for Left. Sylvinas Smith his next
(1m) service he was drafted for one month as soon
as he came home from his last service, which
was in the month of February 1779. - served at
time at Fort Trumbull also, his duly at this
time was to stand on guard at the light-
house, in the night time-
His next service he enlisted for one year
under the before mentioned Griswold who at
this time had become Left Tenant-- Enlisted
(9m) in February 1780 and served nine months
and then hired one David Ranson as a Substitute
to take his place-- this nine months service
was in Lyme aforesaid - to guard the sea
shore and also to guard the Lieut Governor
(Matthew Griswold's) house-- And this depo-
nant further says, that the above is all
of the service done by the said Stephen in the
Revolutionary war that he this deponent
recollects and further saith not
Sworn and subscribed to this                              Joseph Mather
25 day of April 1833 before
me Elijah E Merrill Commissioner
                        of Deeds
I hereby certify that Joseph Mather who swore to and
subscribed the above affidavit is to me well known
that he is of Good moral character and entitled
to credit - April 25, 1833
Elijah E Merrill

State of New York
Chenango County Ss   I James K Pike Clerk of
said County do certify that Elijah E Merrill
before whom the preceding affidavit purports to
Page 47

have been sworn and whose name is signed
to the preceding certificate of credibility was at
the date of the same a Commissioner of
deeds &c In and for said County and
that I am acquainted with his hand wri-
ting and well believe his name subscribed
to the said affidavit and certificate
to be his genuine handwriting and signature
Witness my hand and seal of
Office this 25th day of April
1833
P. B. Rudle
Dep Clerk
Page 48

Affidavit of Joseph
Mather of the Service
of Stephen Mather



11366
Page 49

State of New York 
Chenango  County ss Joseph Mather of the town of Sherborn
in the County aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth
and saith that Stephen Mather of Oswego County is a brother of his
and that he is well acquainted with him (Stephen)
and this deponant further saith that Stephen
Mather served nine months in the Revolutionary
War in the year 1777 in Capt. Palmer's Compy
of Stonington County all of the above service of
nine months was done in the town of Lyme
County of New London Cont. and further
this deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed before                     Joseph Mather
me this 25 day of July 1832
Milo Hunt Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am acquainted with the above
named Joseph Mather and have been for ten or
fifteen years and that he is man of truth and
veracity and a respectable inhabitant of the
town of Sherburn
Milo Hunt Justice of the Peace
State of New York
ChenangoCounty ⎬ I James K. Pike Clerk of the said
County, do certify that Milo Hunt Esq. before whom the
preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at
date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and
for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand
writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said
affidavit and also to the said Certificate to be his gen-
uine hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and seal of Office at Norwich
this 26th day of July A.D. 1832
P. B. Rudle  Dep Clerk
Page 50

State of New York
County of Otsego Ss
Personally appeared before me the
undersigned a Judge and Justice of the peace in and for
the County of Otsego Stephen Mather who
being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason
of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot 
recollect the names of the Office that he served under the
term of one month that he served at Fort Trumbull
at New London in the year 1778 he knew Lieut
Reed and quarter Master William Higgins he also
knew General Parsons of the regular army. He never had a
written discharge-- the month he seved under
Capt Hardy he did duty as a waiter to Lieut
Smith the remainder of the time he did duty
as a guard. The reason that he did not
get the affidavit of a Clergyman was there
was none residing within 12 miles of him
who knew any thing about his service
                                               Stephen Mather
J. Walworth a Judge and
Justice of the Peace of
Otsego County

State of New York
Otsego County Ss. I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said
County do certify that James C Walworth before
whom the preceding affidavit purports to have
been sworn was at the date thereof a Judge of Otsego
County Courts & that I am acquainted with his
hand writing verily believe his name subscribed to the said
affidavit to be his own proper hand writing & signature
Witness my hand & seal of Office this 6th day of February
1833
Horace Lathrop
By Thos A Cory Deputy
Page 51

State of New York
Otsego County
On the Seventh day of September
1832 personally appeared in open Court before the honourable
Robert Howell vice Chancellor of the Court of the
State of New York at a court of Chancery held at
Pittsfield in the County of Otsego, now sitting

Otsego County State of New York Stephen Mather a
resident of the Town of Edmeston in said County and
state aged 73 years who being first duly sworn according to
law doth on his oath make the following delarations
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
That he entered in the service of the United States under 
the following named officers and served as herein stated
1st That he enlisted in Capt Palmers Company of Connecticut State
Troops for one year in the year 1777 and served nine
months when his father hired a substitute to complete
the term all of the above service was done in the Town of
Lyme County of New London Connecticut
2nd that in the year 1778 he served one month
as a substitute for his Father under Capt Hardy
in Fort Trumbull at New London Connecticut
that in the same year he was drafted and served
one month more in the same place cannot recollect
the names of his officers
3rd That in the year 1779 he inlisted under Lieut John
Griswold for one year and served eight months of the
time when he hired a substitute to complete the term
the above eight months service was done at Lyme
aforesaid
He further saith that he was born in the year 1759 at
Lyme in the State of Connecticut that there is a record of
his age in the said Town was living there during the war
of the revolution mooved from there to Bennington in
Vermont from there to Galway in Saratoga County N.Y
Page 52

from there to Otsego in the County of Otsego from there
to Edmaston in said County where he has lived about
thirty years and now lives he has no documentary evidence
and knows of no persons who can testify to his service
whose testimony he can obtain except James Dinson
and his brother Joseph he mentions the names of the
following persons to whom he is known in his present
neighbourhood who can testify as to his character for veracity
and belief of his revolutionary services viz. Samuel
Campbell State member of Congress Joshua Lamb Esq
Postmaster Columbus Corners and Deacon David
Dickey of Edmaston he hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present and declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn & Subscribe a
the day and year aforesaid                         Stephen Mather
Robt Monell
Vice Chancellor

And the said Court does hereby declare his
Opinion after the investigation of the matter
and after putting the interrogation 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 him that Samuel Campbell Joshua Lamb
and David Dickey who have signed the preceding
certificate are credible persons and their statements
is intitled to credit
Robt Monell
Vice Chancellor
I Jonathan L. Woods Clerk of the Court of Chancery
this sixth circuit of the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Mather for a pension - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 7th day of September
1832       Jonathan L Woods Clk

Stephen Mather
Page 53

State of N. York
County of Otsego
I certify that I am well acquainted with
the within named persons Samuel Campbell
Joshua Lamb resident of Columbus, Chenango County
and David Dickey a resident
of Edmaston in the County of Otsego who
made the within affidavit before Philo
Bennett Esq , and that they are respectable
and credible persons and their statements
are entitled to belief and I also certify
that Philo Bennet the Magistrate before whom
they made the within affidavit is a member of
our State Legislature and is now
absent attending the same
Given under my hand this 4th day of February 1833
J. C. Walworth     or
Judge of Otsego County
Court
Page 54

We Samuel Campbell Late members of Congress from
Columbia County of Chenango & State of New York
and Joshua Lamb Post Master at Columbus Corners
County and State aforesaid, and Deacon David
Dickey of the Town of Edmaston in the County of
Otsego and State aforesaid all being neighbors &
having reside din the neighborhood with
Stephen Mather from fifteen to twenty years
Hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with
the said Stephen Mather who has subscribed &
Sworn to the above Declaration that we believe
him to be seventy three years of and that he is
reputed and believed in the neighborhood when
the swears to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and Subscribed                   Saml Campbell
the 24th day of AugustJ                     
in the year 1829                             Joshua Lamb
before me
Philo Bennet Justice of the Peace                  David Dickey 

State of New York
Otsego County SS: I Horace Lathrop Clerk of said County do
certify that Philo Bennett before whom the above affidavit
purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date thereof
a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly qualified
as such & that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily
believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his own proper
hand writing & signature Witness my hand & the seal of office this
10th day of Sept 1832
Horace Lathrop Clerk
By Thos. H   Cory Deputy
Page 55

State of New York
County of Otsego Ss
I certify that I am well acquainted with
James Denison who made the within affidavit
and that he is a respectable and credible
Person and that his statement is entitled
to belief - and I also certify that Philo
Bennet the Magistrate before whom he made
the within afft. is a member of our State
Legislature and is absent attending the same
and that said Denison is a resident of the town of Edmaston in said County
given under my hand this 4th day of Feby. 1833
James C  Walworth            as
Judge of Otsego County
Courts
Page 56

State of New York
Otsego County Ss   I James Denison  of the Town of
Edmaston in the said County duly
sworn deposeth and sayeth that he was well acquain-
ted with Stephen Mather in the year 1779 that 
the said Stephen served eight months under Lieut John
Griswold in that year in Lyme in Connecticut an
enlisted soldier in the war of the revolution and that
this deponent enlisted and served with him in the 
same company
                                               James P Denison
Subscribed and sworn
before me this 29th day of August 1832
Philo Bennet Justice of the peace

State of New York
Otsego County ⎬ SS. I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said County do
certify that Philo Bennett before whom the preceding
affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of
the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said 
County & that I am acquainted with his hand writing
& verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit
is his own proper hand writing & signature Witness my hand &
seal of Office this 16th day of Sept 1832
Horace Lathrop
By Thos. K. Cory Deputy
Page 57

We  ???  Stephen Taylor and London Arnold
Esq of the town of Edmaston County of Otsego
and State of New York do hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with the Said Stephen
Mather and have been for thirty years or thereabout
who has subscribed and Sworn to the above
Declaration that we believe him to be Seventy
three years of age that he is reputed and believed
in the said town to have been a soldier of the
Revolution and that we concur in that
opinion
Sworn and Subscribed
the 1st day of February 1833
before me
Newell Talbot Justice of the Peace              Stephen Taylor
                                                                        London Arnold

I certify that ??? Stephen Taylor and London Arnold
Esq's are personally known to me and I believe
them to be men of truth and veracity
Newell Talbot  Justice of the Peace