Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,480, Joshua Burnham, Conn.
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE Conn. Burnham, Joshua 28 NUMBER R. 1480
CONTENTS
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Heirs of 
Joshua Breveliam 
NY. act June 7 1832 
Rejected Case
J D Woodward Atty
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State of New York 6th County of Rensselaer 
On this 6th day of March 1854 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Susan T. Durham -- a resident of the town of Lansingburgh in said County aged 21 years and made oath according to law that he is directly interested in a claim against the United States for certain areas or increase of pension, supposed to be due to him as one of the Heirs of Joshua Burnham deceased who was a soldier of the Revolution and he hereby appoints J. DOUGLAS WOODWARD, Counsellor at Law, of Plattsburg, N. Y., his Attorney to prosecute said claim, and examine all papers and documents in relation thereto, on file in any of the Departments at Washington City or elsewhere, and to receive from the officer authorised to issue the same, a certificate for any arrears or increase of pension to which Deponent may be entitled, and to do all other acts and things in and about obtaining such arrears or increase of pension as Deponent might or could do, were he personally present at the doing thereof; and he hereby revoke all former powers if any inconsistent with the above, and authorizes he said Attorney to appoint Attorneys, one or more, under him, for any or all the purposes aforesaid, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever Deponent's said Attorney or those appointed under him shall lawfully do or cause to be done in the premises. In witness whereof the said Deponent has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. the presence of M. L. Filley a Louisa Burnham Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged, before me, on the day and year first above mentioned, and I believe the Deponent to be directly interested in the claim above mentioned, and the identical person therein alleged and described, and I have no interest in the result of said claim and am not concerned in its prosecution. M. L. Hilley Justice Peace. County of State of 1 S. I, the subscriber, Clerk of said County, certify that before whom the above affidavit and Power was sworn and acknowledged on the day of 185 was at said time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified, and that I verily believe his signature above written to be genuine; and I have no interest in the result of the claim to which the foregoing paper relates , and am not concerned in its prosecution. Witness my hand and official seal at in said County this day of 185 ( L. S. ) Clerks
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34,837
Joshua Burnham
was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states
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State of New York
Rensselar County
---
Is on the 18th day of September
personally appeared in open Court before the
Court of the City of Troy now setting Joshua
Burnham a resident of the town of Lansingburgh in the 
County of Rensselar State aforesaid aged Seventy Six 
years, who being first duly sworn according to law. Doth
on his Oath, make the following declaration, in order to 
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th
1832 - That he entered the service of the United States 
under the following named officers and served as herein stated
In the year 1778 I went from the Town of Norwich
in the State of Conneticut in the month of July under
Capt Wheler, and went to Rhode Island, was under Col
Preson was a part of the time on the Island of Newport
and was at the battle of New Port on Rock Island Gen l Sullivan
at this time I was in the service three months
-
In the year 1779 In July I took the place of Eli
Burnhan under Capt Carrean and went to Fort
Trumble, Col Ledggerd was the Comanding officer
at this time I was a substitute for said El who
paid me Twenty dollars.
In the year 1781 I went from Norwich to New Londen
under my old Capt Carrean as a Volenteer, and was
again under Col Ledgend who was killed in Groton
Fort at this time I served fourteen days
I further declare that I know of no person
whose testimony I can procure who can testify to
my services-
I hereby relinquish ever claim whatever to a Pension or annuity
Except the present, and declare that my name is not on the
Pension Roll of the agency of any State-
The words Rhode Island interlined
before executed
sworn to and subscribed
Joshua Burnham
the day and year aforesaid
in open Court
Geo. Wheeler Clerk
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State of New York  Rensselaer County
Mr P. L. Whipple a clergyman in said Town and Ebenezer C. Barton residing in the town of Lansingburgh in the County of Rensselaer hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Burnham who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration  That we believe him to be seventy six years of age, and 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.
Phineas L. Whipple
E. C. Barton

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
15 day of September 1838 in open Court
Geo Wheeler Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states

I George Wheeler Clerk of the [illegible] Court of the city of Troy in the County of Rensselaer do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original [illegible] of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua Burnham for a pension.  The testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of said court the 15 day of September 1838
Geo. Wheeler Clerk  

34,837
Joshua Burnham
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
R. 1480
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., __,19__
In reply to your request of __, received __
for a statement of the military history of Joshua Burnham
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.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.| LENGTH OF SERVICE | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | State
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL
July 1778 | 3 mos | Pvt. | Wheeler | Presson | Conn.
July 1779 | 3 mos | | Carean | Ledyard
Sept, 1781 | 14 days | Carean | Ledyard
Battles engaged in, Newport
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Norwich Conn
Date of application for pension, Sept 8, 1838.
Residence at date of application, Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, 76 yrs,
Remarks: In 1854 Susan T. Burnham aged 21 years & a
resident of Lansingburgh N. Y. Stated that she was one of the
heirs of Joshua Burnham deceased. Relationship
is not stated. His claim was not allowed as he
failed to furnish satisfactory proof of service as
required by permissive laws
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6 -- 2856
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N. York 34,837
Joshua Burnham
let to claimant 20 June 1839
to W.C. Follett 7. August 1839
to same 4. Dec. 1839
to same and 13th 1840
Rejected
as to M.L Filly Oct 10. 1845 (general letter)
1480
Act June 7, 1832
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June 28
By
Notice
Joshua Burnham
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
FREE
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Lansingburgh June 24th 1839
Sir,
Your letter of the 20th Inst was duly received by
Joshua Burnham, and by your request in your
I Transmit you his Original Declaration as
requested
I am Respectfully
Your Humble Serv
William C. Follet
J. L. Edwards
Coms of Pensions
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N.Y May 10
Add proof
Joshua Burnham
Oct 38
Letter [?] vail
9 Oct '38 [?]
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Edwards Esqr
Commissioner Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Troy 7th May 1839
Sir
At the request of Judge Burnham
I forward you his amended Pension
application
Very respectfully
EC Barton
J.L. Edwards Esq
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Jan 6.
[?]
[?]
Josh: Burnham
NY
James L. Edwards
Com: of Pensions
Washington City
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Lansingburgh June 1st 1839
Sir
I understand by Mr Ebin Barton
my Attorney that some time since he
sent my papers on to your office for
a Pension, and so long a time having
elapsed though that they might be mislaid
and therefore write for information on the
Subject -
J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
I am Yours
Respectfully
Joshua Burnham
P.S. direct your further communication
to William C. Follet Esqr Lansingburgh Rensael
ar County N.Y.
J. B
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20 June 1839
OC
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367
War Department
Pension Office
20. June 1839
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 1st as I am I have to state
that your supplemental declaration appears here been
received on the 10th also - Before an examination can be had
it is necessary that the original declaration which forms
a part of the case, should be returned to this office
Mr Joshua Burnham
Lansingburgh
N.Y
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2217 Colo Ave
Colorado Spring
Colorado.
Rev/K
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC.
[Stamp: Record Jan 7 1921]
[Stamp: Pension U. Jan 6 1921 S Office]
Dear Sir:
Will you please
look over your files
and give me what
genealogy you have
R 1480
Joshua Burnham, who
served in the Revolutionary
War. (rank not shown, in listing)
served under Capt Thomas
Wheeler's Company, Col Chapman
Volunteer Connecticut Regt.
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of volunteer Militia. He entered
the service Aug-3, 1777, and was
discharged Sept 12, 1778 .Have you
any record of his wife, and his
son Elijah & his wife. the
son Elijah- moved to Vermont
(Brookfield) then a son
of Elijah. James Burnham
fought in the war of 1812
as a private to Captain John
Wheatleys Company and
(Fifields) Vermont militia,
commenced service Sept 17
1812-
I want the record of
Joshua, his son Elijah & wife 
and his son James & wife.
I shall- appreciate this
information if you have
it or can advise me where
to write for it.
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Sincerely and
Thanking you
in advanced I our
Lillian Burnham Morrison
2217 Colo. Ave
Colorado Spring
Colorado
[Stamp: Record JAN 7 1921 Division]
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1921 Feby 11 Hist. to Lillian B. Morrison 1480 P.O. Joshua Burnham
Service:
Enlisted:____18
Discharged:____18
Application filed:___18

A ges: Printed List of Rejections
(1852) shows cause of his
Re-enlisted: pension as follows "he is
required to furnish some proof
from the office of the Connecticut
Comptroller
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.  Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
18
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Mr Burnham
Troy N.Y.
'32
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Troy   5 - October 1838

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

I enclose herewith Mr. Burnhams application for a pension - Mr Burnham is a very respectable citizen of my district and was formerly one of the Judges of the Court of this County.

When the examinations of his application shall have been completed you will please direct them to me.

Very respectfully  Your Obt Servt
Henry Fail
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To the Hon Department of the Interior

You will Pleas [Please] to allow my agent Thomas Simkin to Examine the Papers on file in your office upon the Application of Joshua Burnham for a Pension Under the Act of 1832

Yours Respectfully,
William C Follett
At for Josh. Burnham
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[Lower lefthand margin] The word "not" interlined between the fourth & fifth lines from the bottom before executed
[Illegible], Wheeler Clerk
[Top]
State of New York
Rensselaer County
On this 3rd of April 1839
personally appeared in open Court before the Jurtriy Court of the City of Troy, now sitting Joshua Burnham a resident of the Town of Lansingburgh in the County of Rensselaer and State aforesaid aged seventy six 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 - In the month of July 1778. I went from the Town of Norwick on
the State of Connecticut to Rhode Island under
Captain Wheeler and Col. Presson was in the service three months at this time was a part of the time on the Island of Rhode Island and was in the battle on the Island under General Sullivan
In the spring or summer of 1779. I took the
place of Eli Burnham who was a draft I was
under Capt. Carean at this time and was stationed at New London under Col Ledgerd said Eli paid me twenty dollars for taking his place I served three months at this time
In September 1781. I went as a volunteer
from Norwick to New London under Captain
Carean and was again under Col Ledgerd, who
was killed in Groton Fort I served about two
weeks at this time
I further declare that I know of no
person whose testimony I can procure to
prove my services
I further declare that the reasons why
I have so long delayed applying for a pension
are - I did not [inserted] for some years after the passage of the Pension Act of 1832 - know of the provisions of said Act and I did not until last summer understand that by a regulation of the department
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I could procure a pension without the testimony of some person or persons who knew of my services
Sworn to and subscribed } Joshua Burnham
the day and year aforesaid }
in open Court
Geo. Wheeler Clerk
State of New York
Rensselaer County ⎬ We Phineas L. Whipple a Clergyman in said Town and Elenezer C Barton
residing in the Town of Lansingburgh in the County of
Rensselaer hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Burnham who has subscribed and sworn
to the foregoing declaration. That we believe him to be Seventy Six years of age, and that he is reputed
and retired in the neighbourhood when he resides
to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that
we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this }
day of April 1839 in open } Thomas L. Whipple
Court by P. L Whipple by }    E C Barton
E. C. Barton C. May 1839
Geo. Wheeler Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after
putting the interogations prescribed by the War
department that the above named applicant
was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
Geo. Wheeler Clerk
I George Wheeler Clerk of the Justices Court of the City of Troy in the County of Rensselaer do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua Burnham for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of said Court the 6th day of May 1839
Geo. Wheeler Clerk
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Comptroller Office
Hanford Oct 31 1838
I certify that on application for evidence of the survey of Joshua Burnham who claims service in the War of the Revolution under Cap Joseph Carean, No Pay Roll of Cap Joseph Carean can
be found in this office. That in Pay Table Book I find the following Entry Aug 27 1779 War. Do To order on Teas Pay Roll his Company Station
at New London L1960. 16.5 To ditto at New London Alarm L25[ crossed out] Nov 13 1781 United States Dcs To order on Treas of Cap. Joseph Carean Militia to West Point Is wages Bounty Roll Subsister L827.11. 8 Corresponding entries are to be found in Harlcells receipts
Henry Kisbourn Comp
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[illegible]
7 Aug 1839
OC
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148

War Department
Pension Office
August 7. 1839

Sir

The original declaration of Joshua Burnham is received.  It is adjudged that the claimant [text crossed out] served 3 months [text crossed out] under Capt Wheeler [text crossed out] in the State of Rhode Island in 1778. 3 months under Capt Carew in 1779 & 14 days in 1781 - Of the service of Capt [text crossed out] Wheeler there is no evidence whatever If [text crossed out] he served as stated [text crossed out] the [illegible]ment of his [illegible] may be found in the office of the Comptroller of Connecticut

William C. Follett Esqr,
Lansingburgh N. Y.
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W. C. Follet
4. Decr 1839
O C
Page 31

39

War Department
Pension Office
Dec 4. 1839

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 30th August last [text crossed out] relative to the case of Joshua Burnham I have to inform you that his papers have again been examined & his claim refuted

William C. Follet Esqr
Lansingburgh New York
Page 32

FREE

J L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
[text blackened out]

LANSINGBURGH
N. Y.
AUG 6

L. C. 

Burnham
Page 33

Lansingburgh  Augt.

Sir

In answer to yours of in the case of Joshua Burnham I have to say that there can be no records found in the office of the Com[illegible] and therefore Mr. Burnham afft must be taken

I am Yours
Respectfully
Wm C. Follet

P. S. Let me hear the result immediately, as the person is very old
W. C. F.
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LANSINGBURGH N Y AUG ["2" or "3"]0

Sept 3.

NY
Mr Sher
Jurat

FREE

J. L. Edwards
Commn of Pensions
Washington City
Page 35

Lansingburgh  August 30th 1839

Dear Sir

Yours was duly received in the case of Joshua Burnham saying that the three months service under Capt Wheler could not be allowed.  Ebenezer Barton who rote [wrote] you on the case, says that he sent you a letter from the Secretary of Connecticut stating that there was no Record of that service returned - therefore Mr. Burnhams affidavit must be taken as it is
I am Yours
Respectfully
William C. Follet Esqr

J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Page 36

W. C. Follett
Augst 13th '40
A. C.
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164

Pen Off
Aug. 13th '40

Sir

In answer to yours of 6 inst in relation to the claim of Joshua Burnham in which you say there are no records of his alleged service in the office of Comptroller, I have to state that that fact is fatal to his case - 

The first term in Sullivans expedition to R. I. is greatly overated [overrated? overstated?] at three months & the militia tours to the Forts of New London Griswold & Trumbull are understood to have been but 2 months - This reduces the length of his alleged service below 6 mo even if there was proof that he was really engaged in the three tours set forth in his declaration - The failure to find in the Secy' office at Hartford authority for calling out the militia at the designated periods & in that of the Comptroller evidence of the payments to the officers, is very conclusive against the claim.

Wm C. Follett [illegible] Lansinburgh N. Y.