Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9986, for Abraham Philips, New York
Page 1

SERVICE: New York
Philips (or Phillips), Abraham
NUMBER: S. 9986
carded
Page 2

Albany 28,741 
Abraham Philips 
of Montgom. Co. in the State of N. York 
who was a Pr. & Boatman in the company commanded 
by Captain Davis of the Regt. commanded 
by Col. Veeder in the N York line for 
10 months & 21 days Private} 
9 mos 23 days Boatman} $65.86

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany 
at the rate of 65 Dollars 86 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of July 1837
and sent to Thos Sammons, Esqr Present 

Arrears to the 4th of Mar [blank] 
Semi-anl. allowance ending [blank] 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk 
Book E.2. Vol. 4 Page 54
Page 3

[SEAL]
State of New York}
Montgomery County} ss.
On this twentieth day of September one thousand Eight Hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before Aaron Haring, Abraham Morrell, Henry I Davendorff, John Hand & Samuel A Gilbert Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Abraham Philips of the town of Ephratah County of Montgomery & State of New York aged Eighty year & Six months 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, That he belonged to the Militia and served under Captain John Davis and draughted to go to Ticonderoga in the winter of 1776 & 1777 while there was under the Command of General Arnold and was there about three months in actual Service all this time. ["about 3 mo" noted in margin] When he returned he was again to Captain Davis Company of Militia & commanded by Col Veeder, he then was marched to Oriskany and was in that battle on the 6th day of August 1777 -- at this battle Captain Davis was slain & his company dispersed, that he this deponent then enlisted into the Naval or Batteaux service under Capt Simon Degroff and served in that Company one campaign of nine months ["9 mo Batteaux" in margin], that he was employed in this service on The Mohawk River between Schenectady and Fort Stanwix and on the Hudson River from Albany to Fishkill and Kings Ferry, that he helpt ferry Washingtons army over the river at the latter place which he thinks was in the year 1778 under said Degroff. That after this he was enrolled in Captain Volkert Veeders Company of Militia and served in said Veeders Company until the end of the war. And this deponent further says that his service was of various Kind a part of the time he transporting provisions with his team part of the time he was scout[in]g & keeping the Indians & Tories from committing depredations on the inhabitants on the then Frontier. He this deponent further says that he served more than two years in the War of the revolution ["more than 2 years" in margin] -- in active Service alternately [?] & he knows of no other proof that will [obscured] any more than he has set forth. 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 4

of any state. To the questions directed to be propounded he answers 
he was born in the Town of Johnstown then called Caughnawaga in the month of March 1752. That his uncle had his record of his age but is not certain that it is there now. That he lived in the town of Johnstown in said County then & he has lived in said County ever since the war & living now in Ephratah. That he was called into the service as is stated in said declaration but principally by volunteering & being [turned?] out by his non- commissioned officers. That he was acquainted with the following officers General Arnold General Schyler [sic] Genl Renselear [sic] General Herkimer Col Willet Col Cox Col Jacob Klock. That he never had any discharge but a verbal one. That he is acquainted with Samuel Waters, Peter Gitman Thomas R. Benedict Charles Gitman & many others that will attest to his veracity 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid ["Sworn" in margin]
Abraham (X his mark) Philips

State of New York} 
Montgomery County} ss.  
William Wallace of the town of Ephratah being duly sworn deposeth & say that he was acquainted with Abraham Phillips at Ticonderoga & was in that expedition which lasted about three months & further this deponent says that he knows that the aforesaid applicant was down on the River as states ferrying Washingtons army across the river & he this deponent believes that the applicant has served as stated in his declaration & further says not. 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid ["Sworn" in margin]
[Signed] Wm Wallace
Page 5

We Abraham Van Horne a Clergyman residing in the town of Johnstown & William Wallace of the town of Ephratah hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Phillips, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 80 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
[Signed] Abraham Van Horne [illegible]
[Signed] Wm Wallace

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 revolutionary soldier and served as he states 
And the Court further the Certifys that it appears to them that Abraham Van Horne is a clergyman resident in the town of Johnstown and that William Wallace who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Ephratah and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
And that he is the identical William Wallace who in open Court hath Sworn to the above or foregoing affidavit 
I George D. Ferguson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Abraham Phillips for a pension 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of my office this twenty first day of September 1832 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson
Page 6

State of New York} 
Montgomery County} ss. 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County Abraham Philips 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 three months ["3 mo" in margin] (from Decr 1776 to March 1777) I served as a private at Ticonderoga, as a drafted Soldier from the Company of Capt John Davis while at Ticonderoga was attached to the company of Capt Quackenbush the Col was a stranger to me or if I did know him I have forgotten his name my General was Gen Arnold -- For four months ["4 mo" in margin] (from April 1777 to 6th day of August same year) I served as a private in Capt John Davis Company Col Klock's regiment -- for nine months (from August 1777 to May 1778) I served as a private in the naval service under Capt Simon Degroff  -- and for one year and six months I served as a private Soldier in Captain Volkert Veeders Company and for such Service I claim a pension 
Abraham (X his mark) Philips
Subscribed and Sworn this 24th day of May 1833 
before me
[Signed] Henry M Livingston Justice Peace
Page 7

State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks office Ss
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the
Court of Common pleas of Montgomery County
do hereby certify that Henry M Livingston
before whom the within affidavit purports
to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a
Justice of the peace of the said County and that I
am well acquainted with the hand writing of the
said Justice of the peace & verily believe that the
name of said Justice subscribed to said affidavit is
Genuine; and I certify that Amos Rood before
whom the annexed affidavit of Adam Miller
purports to have been sworn was on the date thereof a
Justice of the peace of said County, and that I
am well acquainted with the hand writing of
said Justice & verily believe that the name of said
Justice subscribed to said affidavit and also to
to the certificate of Character of said Adam Miller
is Genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of Office this 11th June 1833
Geo: D. Ferguson
Page 8

August 1, 1939. 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
BA-J/CC
 Abraham Philips (or Phillips) 
S. 9986

Mr. Earl Phillips 
Rock, Kansas. 

Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Abraham Phillips of New York. 
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim S.9986, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Abraham Philips, and is the record of the only Abraham Philips of New York found in the Revolutionary War pension files. 
Abraham Philips was born in March, 1751, or 1752, in "Caughnawaga", now Johnstown, (then Tryon County) New York. Names of his parents are now [s/b not] shown.
While a resident of Johnstown, Tryon County, New York, Abraham Philips enlisted in September 1775, served at various times as private and batteauman to 1783, amounting in all to more than two years, in Captains John Davis', Samuel Pettingill's, Simon DeGraff's, Dockstader's, and Volkert Veeder's companies, Colonels Frederick Fisher's, Ebenezer Cox's, Wayne's, Veeder's, Willet's and Klock's New York Regiments, and was in the battle of Oriskany. 
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed September 20, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Ephratah, Montgomery County, New York. 
No reference was made to wife or children. In 1832, he referred to an uncle and cousin, their names not stated, and no further family data are shown.
Page 9

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of Abraham Philips, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: 
Abraham Philips 
Certificate #28741 
Issued July 8, 1837 
Rate $65.66 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
New York, Albany Agency. 

Very truly yours 
G. H. SWEET 
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 10

Left side:
1909 Jay 21. Hist to Mrs. E. T. Persse V.L.M.
1930 Sept 10 Caroline U. Philips adv- no law under which descendants entitled to pen. MMHF 
1930 - Oct. 21 Paul E. Acker advised descendants not entitled to pen. etc.  MMHF
1939 - Aug. 1 Hist to Earl Philips cc

Right side:
Rev War
986
INVALID.
File No. 9986 
Abraham Philips 
Priv. Rev. War 
Act: June 7th 1832 
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 275 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

New York 28.741 
Abraham Philips 
of Montgomery in the State of New York 
who was a Private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Davis of the Regt commanded
 by Col Veeder in the New York line 
for 10 months 21 days 

Inscribed on the Roll of New York 
at the rate of 35 Dollars 67 Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of May 1834 
and sent to Hon C. Mc Vean H.Reps 

Arrears to the 4th of March '34 	$107.01 
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 4 '34 17.83 
[=] $124. 84 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Saml. H. Page Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 115
Page 12

Act 7 June 1832
Abraham Phillips
Suspended
22 Feb. 1834
See letter to
Thos. R. Benedict
Ephrata [sic] N.Y.

Revo.
Act 7June 1832
Abram. Phillips
Suspended
See letter to 
Thos. R. Benedict
Ephratah N.Y.
18 Oct. 1833
Page 13

Ephratah NY 21 May 1834 
Sir
I am instructed by Mr Abraham Phillips to Say that he will accept a pension according to the time Mentioned in the note of Mr Edwards to you of the 9th instant -- will you have the goodness to procure his Certificate and forward it as Soon as Convenient Respectfully yours &c 
Thomas R. Benedict 
Hon C McLean 


Adam Miller being Duly Sworn Says [he is] personaly acquainted with Abraham Philips that he Knows said Philips Served in the revolutionary war Nine Month under Simon Degraff captain the Servis was Done the year after ariskinay* battle & the Servis was done without into mission [intermission] all in the State of New York
Adam (X his mark) Miller
Subscribed & Sworn this 19th day of September 1832 before Me 
[Signed] Amos Rood 
one of the Justis of the peace of Montgomery State of New York 
I am acquainted with the above Deponent & believe & know him to be a man of truth & Varasity
[Signed] Amos Rood Justis Peace
* Oriskany
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Ephratah NY
8th Jany
Free [postage
War Department
Pension Office
Washington City
DC

33.33
+2.33
[=] 35.66

Crosswise:
New York
Returned
15 Jany 1834
Page 15

Ephratah NY 8th Jany 1834 

Sir
Enclosed I forward the renewed application of Mr Abraham Philips with the additional proof of William Wallaces affidavit. All I can say is I hope he may be Successful and receive a Small Stipend to Smooth the few remaining days he has to Sojourn here below 
Yours &c 
[Signed] Thomas R Benedict
Page 16

Ho Rep

Hon J L Edwards
Pension Office

Crosswise:
N.Y.
Abraham Philips
Hon C McVean
Page 17

Ho Rep
April 28, 1834 

Dr Sir 
I send you the Enclosed affidavit as additional proof. Pleas to attend to the Case as soon as convenient 
Very Respectfully 
Your obt Servt
[Signed] C McVean

 J. L. Edwards Esqr
Page 18

Payments to be made
at New York
by Prest. Merch's Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of
New York

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E Vol. 4
Page 115. by
Saml H. Page Clerk.
Page 19

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. 

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abraham Philips of the State of New York who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Thirty Five dollars and sixty seven cents 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 31st day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four
[SEAL]
[Signature torn off]
Examined and Countersigned}
[Signature torn off]
Page 20

Ho Rep

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Pension Office

Left: NY
Right: Hon C McVean
Upside down:
Thomas R Benedict
Hon C McVean
Page 21

Washington 
May 27 1834

Sir 
I am instructed to procure the certificate of Mr Philips according to the terms specified in the letter which you did me the honor to address to me a few days since 
Very Respectfully 
Your Obd Servt 
[Signed] C McVean

J.L. Edwards Esqr}
Page 22

Admitted 
Private 10 mo & 21 days 

Hon C McVean 
House Reps N.Y. [U.S.?]
Upside down: 11,698
Page 23

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abraham Philips which require further proof or explanation.
 I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes  
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? no
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 [sic] of pension he is entitled? no Applicant required to furnish the date & length of each tour of service, and the names of officers under whom rendered, and the best evidence he can obtain to substantiate his declaration 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 
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? yes
Page 24

2 
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? yes 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 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? yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? ---
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? yes
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? 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 25

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 three or four months is too 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. [This Quere is bracketed]
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 in properly attached to the certificate.
Page 26

29,761
Abraham Phillips
Application for Pension
Admitted
Private 10 mo. & 21 days
& Boatman 9 mo 23 days
[=] 19 mo. 14 days
& In Capt Simon DeGraffs
Pay roll

Thos. Sammons Esqr
Present

Right side [part of another page]
that 21st day of December 1803.
Geo. D. Ferguson.
Page 27

State of New York}
Montgomery County} 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of of the peace in and for the said County of Montgomery William Wallace of the town of Ephratah who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with Abraham Philips during the whole period of the revolutionary war, That he this deponent was a commissioned officer in the Continental Army, and has a knowledge of most of the events during the war in what was then Tryon County New York, That he has read the declaration of Abraham Phillips and believes it to be in all respects true. That he belonged to the Company of Captain Davis and performed  a tour of three months at the Fort at Johnstown in 1776, he knows of his own knowledge that the Militia of which Capt Davis Company was one relieved the Regular Troops at the Fort. That this deponent knows that the said Philips served as he states at Ticonderoga being also in service at that post. That he saw him in the Marine Service under Capt Degraff and also knows him to have been in the service during the campaign of 1777-78-79 & 80 as stated, that he was at all times a good soldier and faithful to his Country 
[Signed] Wm Wallace 
Sworn and subscribed this 11th day of December 1833 before me 
[Signed] Henry M Livingston J. P. 

I hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with William Wallace the above named deponent and that he is of a good Moral Character and that he is a man of truth and veracity and that his Statement is entitled to Credit 
[Signed] Henry M Livingston J.P
Page 28

State of New York,}
Montgomery County.} ss: 
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry M. Livingston, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been & who has subscribed the within certificate was on the date of said affidavit a Justice of the Peace in & for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit & certificate is Genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 21st day of December 1833 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson
Page 29

[Ribboned seal]
State of New York 
Montgomery County ss 
On this 18th day of December one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before Abraham Morrell Samuel A Gilbert John Hand Henry J. Deifendorf and David Spraker Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting in and for the County Aforesaid Abraham Philips a resident of the Town of Ephratah in the County of Montgomery and State of New York Aged Eighty two years and Eight Months 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, viz That at the Commencement of the war in the year 1775 he this Applicant then resided in the town of Johnstown then Tryon County State of New York and was enrolled as a private soldier in the Militia Company of Capt John Davis Col Frederick Fisher's Regt and Gen Nicholas Herkimer's Brigade, That in September in this year (1775) this applicant with the company of Capt Davis entered the Service by the orders of Col Fisher and was Stationed at the Forts at Johnstown and Caughnawaga where it had become necessary to keep a Guard to watch the Tories and Indians in the Johnson Interest, that this tour was for three months ["3 -" in margin] and which this applicant performed in actual Service, that in January 1776 by orders of General Herkimer was again ordered into Service and rendevouzed [?] at Caughnawaga and stationed in the Fort (block House) at that place for one month under the aforesaid Capt Davis and Col Fisher ["1 -" in margin], from this time Febry 1776 to the month of December following he continued to do such Militia Service as he was ordered by his officers Several times called out on Short tours of a few days at a time, that on the 1st of December he was Drafted from the said Company of Capt Davis and detached to the Company of rangers Commanded by Captain Samuel Pattengall Lieut Mindert Quackenboss (who this applicant in his former declaration through mistake stated as Captain) and marched to Ticonderoga under the Command of Col Ebenezer Cox at Ticonderoga was under the command of Cox, Afterwards General Wayne, that this tour of Service continued untill March 1777 a period of three Months ["3 -" in margin], at the expiration of which the detachment returned to Tryon County and this applicant was again attached to the Company of Capt Davis Col. Fishers Regiment. That in June of this year (1777) he Marched with the Company and was Stationed at Fort Herkimer by orders of General Herkimer and in July by orders of the General and Col Cox Marched to Unadilla was present at the conferance of these officers with the Indians. That they returned to Fort Herkimer and Marched from there to Oriskany, was in the battle at that place on the 6th of August ["- 21" in margin, subtotal "7.21"] That after the Battle he with the remaining of the Company Returned to Fort Herkimer (Capt Davis having been slain at Oriskany) was acquired under Lieut Nicholas Dockstader that he remained at the Fort untill December when he with the Company recd a verbal discharge and returned to Johnstown having performed a Tour of six months ["6 -" in margin]. That on the first of April 1778 he the applicant enlisted into the naval Service under Capt Simon Degraff (this being a Company of Marines under the immediate Controll and Command of Gen Schuyler.) that he Continued in this Service engaged in the Hudson & Mohawk Rivers untill the first of January 1779 the full period of Nine Months the term of his enlistment when he was discharged at Albany and returned by the way of Schenectady to his former residence and was again enrolled in the Militia Company of Capt Dockstader and in which
Page 30

he continued to the end of the war that in June 1779 by order of Col Veeder performed a tour of three Months ["3 -" in margin, subtotal "10.21"] at the Fort in Johnstown which ended the first of September That the Applicant in April 1780 by orders of Col Veeder was Stationed with the Company of Capt Dockstader at the fort at Caughnawaga and performed duty during the whole campaign of this year actualy [sic] engaged in the Service his Country, was engaged in Campaign the full term of Six months did not return home untill late in the fall, from this time to the end of the the war he was occasionally Called to keep guard at the forts on the Mohawk river but the particular towns he cannot now Particularise [sic]. That he served with the regiments of Col Fisher & Col Cox, and knew Col Willet, Gen Herkimer and Gen Wayne. That He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State. 
To the questions directed to be propounded by the Court he answers as follows,
1st That he was born at Johnstown in March (the day not recollected) 1751
2nd That he has not nor never had any record of his, has kept the knowledge of his age by tradition handed down by his Uncle & Cousin 
3rd That he lived in Johnstown When he entered the service and has ever lived in that town and in Ephratah Since the Revolution 
4th That he was called into the Service in the first instance by being ordered out by Superior officers of Competent authority and at other times by being drafted, Enlisting &c as Stated in the above declaration 
5th That General Washington General Sullivan Gen Schuyler, Col Cox. Col Fisher & Col Veeder was with the Troops where he served. That he was with Col [?] afterwards Gen Waynes Continental Regt at Ticonderoga and with Col Willets at Oriskany and with Col Cox' Col Fishers and other Militia Regts on the Mohawk River and in Tryon County and that the general circumstances of his Services was the defence [sic] of the frontiers. 
6th That he never rec'd any other than a verbal discharge from his Services
7th That he is acquainted with the Revered Ezra B. Gilbert and Philip G Miller and others who can Testify to my Character for truth & veracity and their belief of my Services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Abraham (X his mark) Philips
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson Clk
We Ezra B Gilbert a clergyman Residing in the town of Ephratah and Philip G. Miller residing in the same town hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Philips who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty two years old 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.
[Signed] EB Gilbert
[Signed] Philip G. Miller 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid [Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson, Clk. 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investication [sic] of the Matter and after putting the interogatories [sic] prescribed by the war department that the Above Named Applicant was a Revolutionary
Page 31

soldier and served as he States. And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Ezra B Gilbert who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Ephratah and that Philip G. Miller who has also signed the same is a resident of the town of Ephratah and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Phillips for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 21st day of December 1833. 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson
Page 32

Ephratah NY
21st June
Free [postage]
T.R. Benedict
PM
Hon J.L. Edwards
Washington DC

Crosswise:
Addl. Proof
Abm. Phillips
NY
Addl. Proof
Page 33

Ephratah NY 21st June 1833 

Sir 
The inclosed is offered as further proof of the Services of Abraham Philips a Revolutionary Soldier whose application I forwarded to your office last week, if this should add any thing to his claim please take the same into consideration
Respectfully yours &c 
[Signed] Thomas R. Benedict
Page 34

State of New York} 
Montgomery County} ss. 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Montgomery Lambert Clement of the town of Stratford in said County who being duly sworn deposeth and Saith that he was personally acquainted with Abraham Philips during the whole of the Revolutionary War, That at the commencement of the War the said Philips was enroled as a private in Capt John Davis Company of Militia in Col Fishers Regiment and Gen Herkimers Brigade, That the said Philips was Drafted from said Davis' Company and marched to Ticonderoga under Capt. Quackenbush 1st Jany 1777 and was there Stationed doing duty in field or in garison untill the 1st of April following (being three months) when he again Returned to the Company of Capt Davis and was Stationed at the forts and Stations along the Mohawk river the most of the time keeping Garison at Forts Plain & Herkimer untill the 1st of September in this year, That he the said Philips was at the Battle of Oriskany on the 6th August 1777 That the said to Philips enlisted into the Naval Service under Capt Degraff in Septr of this year and was in actual service in said DeGraffs Company Nine Months and from the first of June 1778 the said Philips was a private in Capt Veeders Company of Militia in Col Veeders Regiment untill the peace in 1783, that the said Philips was to the certain knowledge of this deponent in actual Service of the United States doing duty in the field at Garison (or on Scouts) in Forts Plain & Herkimer for at least two years ordered and Command by officers of Competent Authority with an embodied Corps and not engaged in any Civil Pursuit
Lambert (X his mark) Clement
Subscribed and Sworn this 15th day of June 1833 before Me 
[Signed] Henry M Livingston Justice
Page 35

I do hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with Lambert Clement, that he is a man of truth and veracity and that his Statement is entitled to Credit 
[Signed] Henry M Livingston J. Peace 

State of New York 
Montgomery County 
Clerks office, ss: 
George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County do hereby certify that Henry M. Livingston before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of said County. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice & verily believe that his name subscribed to the said affidavit and also to the above in of certificate of Character, is Genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 17th June 1833.
[SEAL]
[Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson
Page 36

State of New York 
Montgomery County ss.
Adam Miller of Charlestown in the County of Montgomery being duly sworn says that he is now of the age of 84 Years, And was a Soldier of the Revolution and also served in the Boting [Boating] service called Batteauman in the Year 1778 in Capt Simon Degraffs Company & was inlisted in the begining of March and was engaged in cutting and getting out Timber till the River was Navigable for Boats and continued in the service till the 31st Day of December then we were discharged and I was well acquainted with Abraham Philips who served the whole term in said Company of Capt. Simon Degraff
Adam (X his mark) Miller
Subscribed and Sworn to this 12th day of May 1837 Before Me 
[Signed] Myndert Starin } Com of Deeds &c

State of New York 
Montgomery County ss.
On the 12th day of May 1837 came before me Adam Miller who subscribed the above by making his Mark to the above Affidavit it being red [read] to him before signed and is a person to me well known and that he is man of indisputable integraty [sic] and Veracity 
[Signed] Myndert Starin } Com of Deeds &c
Page 37

State of New York 
Montgomery County 
Clerks Office, Ss: 
I George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the County of Montgomery, do hereby Certify that Myndert Starin before whom the within affidavit of Adam Miller, purports to have been sworn, & whose name is subscribed thereto, and also subscribed to the within Certificate of Character of said Deponent, was on the date of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County, and duly authorized by Law to administer Oaths & take affidavits. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe that his name subscribed as is herein before stated is his Genuine signature. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of my office this 21st June 1837.
[SEAL]
[Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson 

Crosswise:
Adam Millers Certificate
Page 38

Montgomery County ss 
Simon Veeder of the Town of Johnston In the County of Montgomery Being Duly Sworn makes oath and Says that he was personally acquainted with Abraham Phillips in the Revolutionary war the he was A Private In Captain John Davis' Company of Militia in the commencement of the Revolutionary war & Served In that Company till Captain John Davis was killed as a Mililia Man & Served with the Company when Called out In Service And Belives Abraham Phillips to be A man of Truth & Veracity & Further Saith not 
[Signed] Simon Veeder 
Subscribed & sworn Before me March 14th 1834 
Abm. A Van Horne Justice of the Peace 

I Hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with Simon Veeder and have been for Several years & that he is a man of undoubted [?] truth & Veracity 
[Signed] Abm A Van Horne Justice of the Peace

State of New York,} 
Montgomery County.} ss. I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Abraham A. Van Horne before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid; & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe that his name subscribed to the above affidavit & to the above certificate is Genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of the said County this 15th March 1834 
[SEAL] 
[Signed] Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk
Page 39

Department of Justice, 
WASHINGTON. 
August 29, 1930 

From Caroline U. Philips, 
1120 Stark Street, 
Utica, N. Y. 

Dated August 25, 1930. 
Subject: Claim for Revolutionary War 
Pension of grandfather.

Respectfully forwarded to 
The Chief Clerk 
U. S. Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C. 

By direction of the Attorney General. 
[Signed] J W Gardner 
Acting Chief Clerk and Administrative Assistant. 

[Receipt mark]
Office of the Chief Clerk
AUG 30 1930
Bureau of Pensions
Page 40

Fonda, New York 
Jan. 2nd, 1909 
Rev
Record Division,
Pension Department 
Washington, D.C. 

Gentlemen, 
I am writing to ask you for any information obtainable from the records in your office of a certain Abram Phillips, who took part in the Revolution. I believe he drew a pension. Thanking you in advance for this information, I am,
Very respectfully, 
Mrs. E. T. Persse 
Fonda, N.Y.
Page 41

ROCK, KANSAS, JUNE 21,1939

VETERANS BUREAU,
DEPT. OF REV. & CIVIL WAR PENSIONS, 
WASHINGTON, D.C.

DEAR SIR: 
FOR FAMILY RECORD PURPOSES WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE SERVICE RECORD OF ABRAHAM PHILLIPS (THE REVOLUTION) BELIEVE HE WAS FROM NEW YORK STATE AND THE TOWN MIGHT OF BEEN WATERTOWN OR ORLEANS. I HAVE NO RECORD OF HIS WIFE OR HIS PARENTS. IF POSSIBLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE H THIS ALSO. 
Yours Truly, 
[SIGNED] Earl Phillips
[Receipt mark]
Received JUN 24, 1939
Page 42

10 /9 /30 
Gentlemen: 
I am writing in the interest of Mary Elizabeth Philips Jones. and Caroline Ursila Philips, grand-daughters of Abraham Philips mentioned in "Revolutionary Claim " - original of which they hold - copy of which I am forwarding you. 
These sisters claim nothing was ever paid to their Grandfather on this claim during his lifetime [underlined], he died August 14 1857. They hold records here in proof of this, I am simply writing as a friend, have no other interest in this except that they are both needy, and if you have no proof of this
Page 43

claim having been paid to Abraham Phillips, during his lifetime, as the sisters maintain has not been. They should be paid this claim as heirs of Abraham Philips. 
Please investigate this matter and you may report direct to them, residence of these sisters (very elderly) is 1120 Stark St. Utica NY. 
The certificate they hold is marked with pen and ink viz (This certificate issued in lieu of one dated May 31-1834) (which is cancelled)
Page 44

Just why Original of May 31- 1834 was cancelled I cannot say. 
These sisters maintain no payment on this was received by their Grandfather [underlined]. Consequently they as heirs claim they are entitled [underlined] to 65.86 per year from May 31-1834 until Augt 1st 1857 - or (23 years and 3 months) or $1531.24 plus interest for 23 years and 3 months (Compounded) 
Kindly investigate and report to them, mailing copy of your report to me.
A prompt reply will be appreciated 
Yours very truly 
Paul E Acker 
110 Lexington Place
Utica NY.
Page 45

WAR DEPARTMENT 
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM  Copy of Certificate

I certify that in Conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, (Abraham Philips) of the State of New York who was a private and Boatman in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive sixty five dollars and eighty six cents ($65.86) 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 each year. 
Given at the War Office of the United States this eight day of July 1837. 
[Signed] S. Cooper 
Acting Secy of War 

Countersigned
J.L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 46

[Receipt mark] Office of the Attorney General AUG 27 1930
[Receipt mark] Office of the Chief Clerk Bureau of Pensions AUG 30 1930

No 1120 Stark St. Utica, N.Y 
August 23rd 1930 

Wm Mitchell 
U. S Attorney General

Dear Sir, 
I am writing you for information on Government [illegible]. In my Grandfathers Effects (Abraham Philips ) I have a "Revolutonary Claim" worded thus, "I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the Seventh of June 1832, Abraham Philips of the State of New York, who was a Private and boatman in the War of the Revolution is entitled receive Sixty-five dollars and Eighty six cents, per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the Fourth day of March 1831 and payable annually on the Fourth day of March and the Fourth of September in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States, this Eighth day of July
Page 47

One Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty Seven," 
Signed by S Cooper, Acting Secretary of War 
Examined and countersigned by J.L. Edwards, Com. of Pensions." 

This claim was never paid to Abraham Philips, during the rest of his life. He died on August First, 1857, Twenty-six years after the Pension was granted. My Grandmother (His Widow) never received any. My Father, their only child, never received anything from the Government on it. I am the last of the name and being now Seventy-nine years old, and disabled I would like to know if I am not entitled to at least, the small sum, from 1831 to 1857? Trusting you will give me attention and enclosing stamps for reply
Very Truly Yours 
[Signed] Caroline U. Philips
1120 Stark St. Utica, N.Y.
Page 48

U.S. Seal of 1832 on Claim.
Page 49

A report by telephone from the General Accounting Office on Sept. 3, 1930 stated that the date of soldier's death was not recorded in the papers there, but that he was last paid on Mch. 17, 1841 which covered the period from Sept. 4, 1840 to Mah. 4, 1841, the he was living then in Ephratah, New York where he had resided for 40 years, & prior to which he resided in Johnstown NY 
MMHF
Page 50

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Abraham Philips Sur. Fil 9986
TERMS OF ENLISTMENT OR APPROINTMENT | LENGTH OF SERVICE | RANK | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED (CAPTAIN/COLONEL) | STATE
1775 | served at various times amounting to two years | Pvt. | CAPTAINS John Davis, Samuel Pettingill, Simon Degraff, Dockstader, Volkert Veeder/ COLONELS Frederick Fisher, Ebenezer Cox, Wayne, Veeder, Willet, Klock | N. Y. 
Battles engaged in, Oriskany 
Residence of soldier at enlistment Johnston in then Tryon Co. N.Y. 
Date of application for pension, Sept. 20 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Ephratah, Montgomery Co N.Y.
Age at date of application, born at Johnstown Mch 1751 or 1752. 
Remarks:
Page 51

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 
MMHF 
October 21, 1930. 

Mr. Paul E. Acker, 
110 Lexington Place, 
Utica, New York. 

Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letter of October 9, in behalf of Mary Elizabeth Phillips Jones and Caroline Ursila Philips, who state that they are granddaughters of Abraham Philips (S.9986) a Revolutionary War soldier whose pension certificate was issued May 31, 1834 and later cancelled. 
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau show that a certificate was issued to Abraham Philips on May 31, 1834, for $35.67 per annum for services as a private, which certificate was surrendered, and another was issued on July 8, 1837 for $65.86, upon the consideration of additional service as batteauman, which pension the soldier himself received.
On September 10, 1930, Caroline U. Phillips of 1120 Stark Street, Utica, New York was advised that there is no provision of law under which descendants of soldiers of the Revolutionary War are entitled to pension. 
Very truly yours, 
E. W. MORGAN, 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 52

September 10, 1930 

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
MMHF: MLB

Caroline U. Philips 
1120 Stark Street 
Utica, New York 

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter of August 25, 1930, addressed to Hon. William Mitchell, United States Attorney General, and which has been transmitted to this bureau for reply.
You are advised that there is no provision of law under which descendants of soldiers of the Revolutionary War are entitled to pension. 
The records show that Abraham Philips (S. 9986), who you state was your grandfather, was a pensioner of the United States. 
Very truly yours 
E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner