Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5,663, for Ezekiel Ransom, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn. and Mass.
Ransom, Ezekiel
Lucinda
NUMBER  W. 5.663
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Or Tra [transfer] Apl 12 36
Transf to Michigan from 4 March ’35 - April 25 ‘36
Order to pay 26. June 1839 
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 4 Nov 1838 the day of his death. Agent died 24. Jany 1840. 
No 18,877 
Michigan 
Ezekiel Ransom of Windham Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Coomes of the Regt. commanded by Col. Jackson in the Mass. Troops 11 months & 3 days. 
Inscribed in the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 37 Dollars -  per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Octr 1833 and sent to E. Ranson 
P.M. Townshend, Vt 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833   92.50 
Semi-ant. allowance ending March 34  18.50 
$110.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk 
Book E  Vol. 3  Page 88
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Reported  
4723. 
Michigan 
Lucinda Ranson 
widow of Ezekiel Pansom who served in the Revolutionary war , as a private 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 37 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Apl 1849 and sent to E. P. Hastings Detroit Mich 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page  377 Vol. 2
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Elisha Ransom
Depsn.
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I Elisha Ransom of Chazy County of Clinton and State of New York of lawful age depose testify and say that I am an elder brother of Ezekiel Ransom of Townshend County of Windham and State of Vermont.  That our father once resided in Colchester in the State of Connecticut where my brother Ezekiel was born,  from Colchester my father moved to Shelburn in the State of Massachusetts. While we lived at Shelburn my brother Ezekiel went into the American Army of the Revolution.  He enlisted for the first time according to my best recollection in the spring of the year 1779 and he continued in the service to considerable part of the time during the years 1779, 1780, 1781. During the said service they were to New London in the State of Connecticut to West Point in the State of New York, and to the North in the vicinity of Lake George & Champlain. The actual dates of his several enlistments and the length of time that he served under each I cannot recollect. 
I have frequently heard my Brother Ezekiel converse about his revolutionary services and have heard him relate many occurrences of his different campaigns, but from age & defect in memory cannot state more particularly than I have done, above further say not. 
Elisha Ransom his mark
State of New York
Clinton County ss}  
Sorn &  Subscribed 26 Day of March 1833 before me H Graves 
Justice of the Peace 
I certify that Elisha Ransom  In whose presence I read the foregoing Deposition, well known to me that he is a credible person and that he stated that all the parts therein were true and subscribed to the same by making his mark, he being blind, Not able to write his name. 
H Graves Justice of the Peace
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State of New York 
County of Clinton ss} I Nathan Taylor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton do hereby certify that Harry Graves Esq. the person before whom the within deposition was executed was at the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace residing in the said County of Clinton, Sworn and duly authorized to take such depositions and that I believe his signature to the same Genuine.   
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this twenty seventh day of March A.D. 1833.  
Nathan Taylor Clerk
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X    5430
Lucinda Ransom
of Ezekial
Michigan
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State of Michigan ss.  
On this first day of June Anno Domini Eighteen hundred & thirty nine personally appeared before the Circuit Court of the County of Kalamazoo & State of Michigan Lucinda Ransom a resident of the town of Kalamazoo in the County of Kalamazoo aged sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath in open Court make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July Seventh Anno Domini Eighteen hundred & thirty eight entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows”.  That she is the widow Ezekiel Ransom who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution and who left the service about the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty one, according to her best recollection & belief, having served as she thinks under three or four several engagements.   She thinks he was in the service nearly as quite all the time for the period of four years, tho' he was unable to prove the whole of said service by means of the death of so many of his Comrads. The Service period at & for which he enlisted she is unable to state definitely nor does she recollect the precise time of his entering the Service: that she does not recollect distinctly the names of the officers under whom he served but thinks a Captain Story was one of them.  That her said husband resided in the town Shelburne in the County of (then) Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, when he entered the Service. That he entered the Army as a volunteer and during the period of his service was
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was at New London Conn. at Ft. Edwards on the Hudson River, at Ft. George, on Lake George, at Saratoga, and at West Point.  That he was at West Point at the time of the apprehension, trial & Execution of Maj. Andre and that he was during one of his campaigns in the State of New Jersey.
And she further says that her said husband was in receipt of a pension from the United States at the rate of thirty seven ($37.00)  dollars per annum in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three and until his death and was inscribed on the Pension List Roll of the Vermont Agency, in that State of she believes, October sixteenth Anno Davie Eighteen hundred & thirty three, and resided at that time in the town of Townshend in the State of Vermont, and that he was transferred from the Roll of Vermont to that of Michigan to take effect from & after the 4th March 1835.   
She further declares that she was married to the said Ezekiel Ranson on the twenty fifth (25) day of May in the year seventeen hundred and ninety one (1791), that her husband the aforesaid Ezekiel Ramson died on the fourth (4th) day of November in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty eight (1838) that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the Army but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four (1794), to wit at the time above stated.  
Lucinda Ransom
Sworn & subscribed on the first day of June in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty nine in open Court. 
Luther H Trask Clerk
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I Epaphro Ransom Judge of the Supreme Court to the State of Michigan & Ex officio Presiding Judge of the Circuit Court of the County Kalamazoo aforesaid, do hereby certify that Luther H. Trask who hath subscribed the foregoing jurat was at the date thereof & still is the Clerk of said Circuit Court duly qualified to act in that behalf.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this first day & June AD. 1839 Epaphro Ransom
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Samuel H. Ransom aged thirty seven years being first duly sworn deposes and says that he is the son of Lucinda Random that she has lived in deponents family since the death of her husband, that in the month of January Eighteen hundred and forty four the deponents dwelling was burned, and that the family Record commencing with Gen. Samuel Fletcher the father of Lucinda Ransom and continued as the family record of Ezekiel Ransom was contained in a large Bible and was burned with the dwelling, and this deponent further says that the paper unto attached is in the hand writing of my father Ezekiel Ransom and was written on a leaf of his record Book and I have known it as long as I can remember any thing.   
Saml H. Ransom 
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 17th day of June AD 1847 and I certify that the said Samuel H. Ransom is a credible witness. 
Epaphro Ransom 
Chief Justice Supreme Court State of Michigan
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State of Michigan, 
Supreme  Court 3rd Circuit } ss I Edmund Rice Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State Michigan, for the 3rd Circuit, do hereby certify that the Honorable Epaphro Ransom before whom the annexed foregoing affidavit appears to have been taken & whose name is subscribed thereto known to me to be in his own proper hand is the Chief Justice of said Supreme Court , and to his acts as such full faith and credit ought to be given as well in the County of this State as thereout.  
In Witness whereof hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 18th day of May, in the year 1847 Edmund Rice Clerk
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Ezekiel Ransom Born October 6th 1763 
Lucinda Fletcher Born November 10th 1772 
May 27th 1791 Ezekiel Ransom & Lucinda Fletcher was Married   
Septr 6th in 1792 Mirinda Ransom Born 
Feby 23th in 1793 Philinda Ransom Born 
Jany 7th 1796  Fanny Jones Ranssom Born 
March 23th in 1798 Epaphroditus Ransom Born 
August 22th in 1800 Farnsworth Fletcher Ransom Born 
Novemr 21th in 1802 Roswell Ransom Born 
Feby 21th in 1805 Elexis Ransom Born 
Feby 15th in 1807 Sophia Ransom Born 
Decemr 30th in 1808 Clarisa Ransom Born 
Decer 28th in 1810 Sammuel Herelton Ransom Born 
In 1812 Decemr 7th Lucinda Laurett Ransom Born 
In 1816 August the 18 James Wells Ransom Born
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1810
Continue
Brot forward                 $1.75
Novr. By surveying Road for the Town  1.17
By cash                           3.25
                                        6.17
By cash                           1.20
                                        7.37
1813     Contra                6.
10 March by an order on the transfer  $8.25
1918 Amount of Debt brot forward    $3.52
May 8
27 July ½ day to see about Benbee family 0.38
25 Sept ½ day on town business    0.38
1817
8 Decmr Began to find Grandfather Wellington Wood
9th July Plowed Land
16th one bushel Corn and oats  0.67
One bushel rye and Milling     1.25
7th ½ Cheese                             0.60
1 ½ bushel peas & oats            1.50
6th ½ wheat flour       
½ bushel corn                           0.50
Septr 6r to the Town by Cash $1.
Nov’r by Cash received of the [unreadable] 7.31
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No 25217
Ezekiel Ransom Windham County
Vermont
Roll - 6 Mo
Mich Jackson
Admit
11 mos 3 days
E. Ransom Post Master, Townshend
Windham County Vermont
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
4 June 1833
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 compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Ezekiel Ransom Windham County Vermont
Period when the service was rendered.  Sub [substitute] 1 Mar 1779   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  9 Months   Rank of claimant.  Private   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.  Capt Loomis  Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.  69 years County of Hampshire Massachusetts   Proof by which the declaration is supported.  Traditionary evidence certified credible & four depositions, papers properly authenticated
Period when the service was rendered. Entered 1779   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  6 Months  Rank of claimant. Private  Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.   Cap. Brooks
Period when the service was rendered.  Entered 1st May 1780  Duration of Claimant’s Service.   6 Months  Rank of claimant.  private   Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.   Col Jackson
Period when the service was rendered.  Entered July 1781    Duration of Claimant’s Service.   3 Months  Rank of claimant. Private  Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.   Genl Stark
Period when the service was rendered.  Entered 1782   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  2 months 3 days  Rank of claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Officers under whom he served.   Cap Gray
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
It cannot readily be admitted that service of the character above stated is insusceptible of proof, and the regulations require the best that the applicant can procure should be furnished. This note is only intended to apply to the two first tours, the evidence as to the others is satisfactory.
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2            
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 in stance, 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 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in 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) 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 that of 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 revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter 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 hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has 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 day 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 Revolutionary 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 contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. 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 commission ; 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 services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon 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  2            
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 in stance, 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 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in 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) 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 that of 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 revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter 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 hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has 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 day 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 Revolutionary 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 contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. 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 commission ; 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 services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon 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
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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 attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be 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 given 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 Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he 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. 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 Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed his genuine signature.          
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 declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person 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 - months and --- days, I served as 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 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 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 places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; 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 opinion 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 papers.               
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.
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Ezekiel Ransom 
Petition for a Pension State of Vermont Windham County Supreme Court February Term A.D. 1833 
James Elliot Clerk
25217
Page 20

State of Vermont 
Windham County ss}  On this 14th day of February anno Domini 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont now sitting held in and for said County Ezekiel Ransom of Townshend in said County aged sixty nine years last October 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  
That in the first of March 1779 he resided at Shelburn in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts that on that day he went to New London in the State of Connecticut and engaged in the Militia service of that State in the army of the Revolution by taking the place of a man by the name of Harding for nine months under the command of Captain Loomis and was stationed at Horseneck three or four miles from the city of New London and served out the full term of nine months service as a constant guard. There was no continental troops there and was regularly discharged, but has no written discharge and knows of no testimony to prove the same.  
That after the expiration of said nine months service and at the same time at said New London he enlisted in the service of the United States under a Captain Brooks for six months in the Connecticut State troops and was ordered to keep garrison at said New London that he served out his term of six months and was regularly discharged, but had no written discharge and knows of no testimony to prove said service.   
That about the first day of June 1780 he enlisted for six months, passed muster at south Hadley went to Springfield,  near there connected to Lieutenant Miller and officer of the continental army  to West point where the Joined Col Henry Jacksons Regiment and Capt  Storys company - soon marched into the State of New Jersey then back to the State of New York.   Saw Major Andre executed & I felt extremity sorry that it was not Arnold.  In the fall of the year return to Winter quarters at West point - that he served and his regular term of six months and was honorably discharged by Col Jackson & had a written discharge - that he sent his discharge to Boston to get  his pay and has not seen it since and knows
Page 21

not where it is.   That the knows of no testimony to prove said service except the testimony of Elisha Ransom herewith sent.   
That same time in July 1781 he enlisted at the office of Shelburn for three months, went to Albany and there to Saratoga and was there stationed under Genl Stark in Capt Oliver Shattucks Company and was discharged a few days after the notice of the surrender of Gen Cornwallis having served out the full term of three months at the expiration of which he enlisted or volunteered for three months under the command of Captain Gray, but cannot say whether a continental or militia officer, rec’d the promise of being in garrison at Fort Edward, but was kept almost continually on scout upon and near Lake George & Champlain.  After remaining in the service about nine weeks the weather growing cold he was discharged.  He knows of no testimony to prove either of said three months service except the Dep. of Thomas Horsley herewith sent. [unreadable] age and defect of memory he cannot specify the particular days of enlisting & [unreadable] the service of the United States as he verily believes he served the periods of time specified above, being thereby seven months and one week.   
That he was born in the town of Colchester in the State of Connecticut in the year 1763. 
There is a record of his age in the Town Clerk office in said Colchester. 
That he resided at said Shelburn at each of said times of entering the service - that since the Revolution  he lived in Shelburn till 1788 then moved to Westfield Vermont where he lived 8 years & returned to Shelburn aforesaid & lived there 4 years then moved to said Townshend where he now resides. 
While at Westpoint  Gen Steuben was there also the [unreadable] Col Kosciuszko - there was the Pennsylvania troops & New York troops as I understood.  That he does not without difficulty the names of the other officer or the names of any regiment of troops. 
That he never received any written discharged except the aforesaid one from Col Jackson. 
And the names Chapin Howard & John P. Marsh of said Townshend to whom his is at present known
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and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier the Revolution.  
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension annuity except the present and declares that his name on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Ezekiel Ransom 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year of said in Court and by order of Court 
James Elliot Clerk 
We Chapin Howard & John P. Marsh residing in the Town of Townshend in said County of Windham hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ezekiel Ransom who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Sixty nine 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 the opinion. 
Chapin Howard 
John P. Marsh 
sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  In Court and by order of Court 
James Elliot Clerk 
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 certifies that it appears to them that Chapin Howard & John P Marsh who had signed the preceding certificate are residents in said town of Townshend and that their statement is entitled to credit, with this that the clergyman in said Townshend has very recently settled and cannot testify to the matter of the 
[unreadable] certificate.
I James Elliot Clerk of the Supreme Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ezekiel Ransom for a pension.   In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14th day of February Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
[14th Feby 1833.] James Elliot, Clerk
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O.W.&N. Div
L. W. B.
W. 5663
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 10th, 1896. 
Madam:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Ezekiel Ransom, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on February 14th, 1833, at which time he was residing at Townshend, Vermont, and 69 years of age, and his pension was allowed for eleven months and three days' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Loomis and Col. Henry Jackson. He enlisted at Shelburne, Mass. 
His widow, Lucinda, to whom he was married May 25th, 1791, made an application on June 1st, 1839, at which time she was residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and 67 years of age, and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as above set forth. 
The soldier died November 4th, 1838. 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner
Mrs. John W. Clampitt, 
Janesville, Wisconsin.
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V.L.M.
Rev. War Section. 
August 14, 1912. 
Mrs. Ruth M. Ransom, 
Alexandria Bay, N. Y. 
Madam: 
In addition to the military history of Ezekiel Ransom, W. File No. 5,663, Rev. War, you are furnished the following data as to his children: 
Mirinda Ransom,       born September 6, 1792.  
Philinda Ransom,       born February 23, 1794. 
Fanny Jones Ransom, born     January 7, 1796. 
Epaphroditus Ransom, born    March 24, 1798. 
Fansworth Fletcher Ransom, born August 22, 1800. 
Roswell Ransom,    born November 21, 1802. 
Elexis Ransom,         born February 21, 1804. 
Sophia Ransom,        born February 15, 1807. 
Clarisa Ransom,      born December 30, 1808. 
Samuel Haselton Ransom, born December 23, 1810. 
Lucinda Laurett Ransom, born    December 7, 1812.
 James Wells Ransom, born  August 18, 1816. 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner
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8312 
Michigan 
Lucinda Ransom 
widow of Ezekiel Ransom who was a Private in the Revolution 
Husband died 4th Nov. 1838. 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 37 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of Jany 1848 and sent to Hon. C. E. Stewart H of Reps
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.] 
Recorded in Book A  Vol. 2  Page 241 
Reported
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10397 
Michigan 
Lucinda Ransom 
Widow of Ezekiel Ransom who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 4th November 1838 of Kalamazoo in the State of Michigan who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Coomes of the Regt. commanded by Col Jackson in the Revolution for 11 mo 3 day.  
Inscribed on the Roll of Detroit at the rate of 37 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836, under W Reso 23rd Jun 2 1845. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 Jany 1848 and sent to Hon C. E Stewart, H Reps 
Total amount - $185.00 
[Act July 7, 1838.] 
Recorded by the T. Lumpkin Clerk 
Book D Vol 1. Page 469. 
Reported
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Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 5663 
Lucinda Ransom  
Widow  
Ezekiel Ransom 
Pri Rev War
Act: Feby, 28 ‘48 
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 148 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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June 10 ‘96 recd [unreadable] to Mrs Jno W. Clampitt Janesville Wis
LMB
Jan 3 ‘97 Mrs E. M. Walker Chicago Ill
See Wid. 24218
Feb. 23 ‘98 Mr. W. C. Ransom Saint Joseph, Mich – 
Corr (Wid. 24.208) 
1912 Aug 15 Hist to. Ruth M. Ransom
Page 29

Let to Mr. Kendrill July 6th '47
Page 30

Lucinda Ransom 
Michigan
Rejected
See let 12th Jun 1839 to E. Ransom 
husband dead after passage of the 7 July 1838 
Act 7 July 1838
Page 31

Act ’43 9 413 & W. Ross 373
No 5430 
Lucinda Ransom 
wid of Ezekiel 
Mich Act 7 July 1838 and joint resolution of 23 Jany 1845 
Adm [admitted] 11mo. 3 days per $37.00 per annum
From  4 March 1836 
Admd  2 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 
$37.00 per annum 
Hon C. E. Stewart House of Reps
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Ezekiel Ransom Michigan, transferred from Vermont Act 7 June 1832 $37.00 pr annum 
To what time was he last paid?
G. C. A.  
Pension Office Jany 17 1848  
Died 4th Novr 1838 Paid to his death
B.B. 18th
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Ezekiel Ransom Dept
Page 34

Epaphro Ranson of Townshend and County of Windsor & State of Vermont of thirty five years of age do depose testify and say, that I am the Son of Ezekiel Ransom of the town Townshend  aforesaid that I have very frequently heard him say that he was a soldier of the American Revolution. I have again & again from my childhood upward heard my father relate occurrences that passed under his duration while in the service - particularly of his having left his family home & entered the service at New London, when little more than fifteen years of age.  Of his march into New Jerry & both of the many privations & hardships endured in that march,  of the treason of Arnold & the execution of Maj. Andre, of Genl Steuben as a skilful tactician & rigid disciplinarian - of having visited the Saratoga Springs, went out with scouting parties,  also the Glennis Falls and Lake George and to describe the appearance of what for him was called the High Rock Spring - said it alluded to the curiosity of the Soldiers,  ever since I have been old enough to know & understand any thing it has been understood & remained in our family & I think in the neighborhood generally, that my father was two years a soldier in the Revolutionary War. And further say not. Epaphro Ransom
Page 35

State of Vermont 
Windham County ss} The within & foregoing deposition of Epaphro Ransom, Sworn to and subscribed this 13th day of March 1833 
Before me Wm R. Shafter Justice of the Peace 
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with above named Epaphroditus Ransom, who made & the within deposition, and that he is a credible person 
Wm R. Shafter Justice peace
Page 36

State of Vermont 
Windham County Court Clerk's Office  
New Haven April 20. A.D. 1833 
I certify that Charles Phelps, Chapin Howard, William R. Shafter and Thomas Barber, Esquires, are Justices of the Peace for the County of Windham aforesaid; and that the signatures to the annexed affidavits purporting to be theirs, respectively, are genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County Court on the day and year above written – 
James Elliot, Clerk
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State of Michigan 
Kalamazoo County} ss 
On this eighteenth day of June AD 1847 personally appeared before me this Justice of the Supreme Court and presiding Judge of the third Judicial Court in the State of Michigan, Lucinda Ransom resident of Kalamazoo in the County of Kalamazoo in the State of Michigan aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.” That she is the widow of Ezekiel Ransom a soldier in the Revolution and a pensioner.  She further declares that she was married to the said Ezekiel Ransom on the 25th day of May seventeen hundred ninety one, and that her husband the aforesaid Ezekiel Ransom died on the third day of November Eighteen hundred and thirty eight, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place
Page 38

previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated.
Lucinda Ransom 
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, and I further certify that the said Lucinda Ransom is by reason of bodily infirmity unable to attend in open Court 
Epaphro Ransom Chief Justice  Supreme Court State of Michigan & Ex. Off Pres. Justice Cir  Court Kal. Co.
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STATE OF MICHIGAN, 
KALAMAZOO COUTY CLERK'S OFFICE} SS. I MERRITT D. COBB, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Kalamazoo, and State of Michigan, do hereby certify, that Epaphro Ransom before whom the annexed instrument in writing purports to have been proved or acknowledged was at the time the certificate of such proof or acknowledgement bears date was presiding Judge of the Circuit Court in and for said County, duly qualified and sworn and authorized by the laws of said State to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature subscribed thereto to be genuine.   
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Circuit Court at Kalamazoo this Eighteenth day of said in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.  
M. D. Cobb CLERK
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I Epaphroditus Ranson being duly Sworn do depose and say that I am fifty years of age. That I have from my earliest recollection been well acquainted with Mrs. Mehitable Munn, sister of my mother Lucinda Ransom, That Mrs. Munn is a Lady of Superior mind, and intelligence and well educated, but has for many years been unable to write on account of having the palsy in her right arm and hand. That Mrs Munn retains all her faculties as much as any person of her age. 
I further say that I have soon the family record in an account book belonging to my father Ezekiel Ransom, That I know it to be his hand writing, and several of the first entries there made have existed as long as I can remember and further say not. 
Epaphro Ransom 
State of Michigan 
Kalamazoo County } ss I certify that the Hon Epaphroditus Ransom, on the 25 day of December 1847 personally appeared before me the undersigned and made an oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and at the same time Subscribed the same, and further certify that the said Epaphro Ransom is a highly credible witness 
Ebenezer Hoskins Justice of the Peace
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State of Michigan, 
County of Kalamazoo} ss I Merritt D Cobb Clerk of said County of Kalamazoo, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that Ebenezer Hoskins whose name is subscribed to the Certificate or proof of acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and therein written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment Justice of the Peace for said County, duly Sworn and qualified, and duly authorized to take the same: AND FURTHER, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate or proof of acknowledgment is genuine. I FURTHER CERTIFY that said Instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of this State. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County, at this 25th Kalamazoo this 25th  day of December A.D. 1847. 
M. D. Cobb Clerk
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APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER. 
County of Kalamazoo ss 
On this Fifth day of March 1836, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Kalamazoo personally appeared Ezekiel Ransom who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Storis in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Jackson in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Vermont from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the Territory of Michigan where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of Vermont to the Territory of Michigan viz: that he might live with his children who reside in said Michigan & that he might there invest his property.   
Ezekiel Ransom
Sworn and subscribed to before me. the day and year aforesaid. 
Isaac Vickery Justice of the Peace 
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
Page 43

I Epaphro Ransom of lawful age depose & say that I was well acquainted with Ezekiel Ransom who made & subscribed the within & foregoing affidavit, that the Ezekiel Ransom described in said affidavit is the same person who took the within & foregoing oath & the same person, named in a pension Certificate dated Oct 16. 1833 & numbered, 18877
Epaphro Ransom
Sworn & Subscribed to before me this 5th day of March AD. 1836 
Isaac Vickery - Justice of the Peace 
I hereby certify that Epaphro Ransom who made & subscribed the last foregoing affidavit is well known to me, & that he is a person of veracity – 
Isaac Vickery Justice of the Peace
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Territory of MICHIGAN, 
Kalamazoo County Clerk's Office } ss.I Stephen Vickery Clerk of the Circuit Court of Michigan, for the County of Kalamazoo, hereby Certify, that Isaac Vickery before whom the foregoing Affidavit appears to have been taken was at the date of said Affidavits acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned, qualified and sworn and by the Laws of said Territory duly authorized to take the same, and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the within and foregoing signatures of Isaac Vickery to be genuine. 
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court this Twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six 
Stephen Vickery clerk
Page 45

Kalamazoo, Mich June 3. 1839 
Sir
I enclose the statement of Mrs. Lucinda Ransom, widow of Ezekiel Ransom, a soldier of the Revolution, which statement was subscribed and sworn to in open Court being the Circuit Court for Kalamazoo County, on the 1st day of the present month, as you will see by the certificate of Luther H. Trask, the Clerk of said Court.   
Mrs. Ransom requests me to forward it as her declaration made for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;” and if it should be informed, or if any further information or any explanation should be required she begs you will address her son, the Hon. Epaphroditis Ransom of this place, to whom she requests you also to forward the proper evidence, if her claim should be allowed.   
I have the honor to be sir very respectfully Your  Obt Servt 
Lucius Lyon Darlington
James L. Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions
Page 46

Bank of Michigan Detroit June 14, 1839 
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir, 
I forward herewith Martin Dubois and John Thompsons vouchers suspended from my [unreadable] of Septr 30. 1837 for the reasons endorsed thereon.   
I have to say by way of explanation that they were paid by my Clerk during my absence from the City in ignorance of the rule requiring a special order for payment.  
$18,877
Also Ezekiel Ransom paid by me within reference to my Books under the impression that he had been but recently transferred and that the note requiring a special order was not applicable to the case.  I have retained this Voucher for the purpose of procuring one to submit for your decision but have ascertained that the Pensioner is dead.   
If these explanations are not sufficient to justify the allowance of these vouchers I will be thankful for any direction as to the course proper to be pursued. 
I am for respectfully your Obt Serv 
E. P. Hastings Pension Agent
Page 47

W. Cole
[stamp] DETROIT Mich APR 13
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington DC
Page 48

Pension Agency Detroit Ap. 10. 1849 
J.L. Edwards Esq 
Commissr of Pensions 
Sir 
I enclose the declaration of Lucinda Ransom widow of Ezekiel Ransom in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of Feby 2d 1848.  
I am respectfully your Obt Servant 
E. P. Hastings Pension Agent
Page 49

Jany 11 1848
Ransom
D. C. 
Chas E. Stuart
HR
Page 50

Kalamazoo Dec. 25. 1847 
Sir
Herewith I forward the deposition of Hon Epaphro Ransom in the matter of the application of Lucinda Ransom for a pension.   The affiant having been for years chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and now Gov. of the State, I trust full credit will be given to his testimony. The testimony of Mrs Munn shows positively that Ezikiel Ransom and Linda Fletcher were married in May 1791 if his testimony gains full credit. It would be sufficient to prove any part in a civil or criminal trial. 
From your letter of July 6 1847 I infer that you do not give full credit to the testimony of Mrs Munn because she is [unreadable]. This erroneous impression is entirely removed by the testimony of Judge Ransom. So for from being [unreadable] Mrs Munn is a Lady of the highest talents and intelligence, and from one of the most talented families in New England.  Permit me to make remark on the evidence afforded by the word on the Account Book of Ezekiel Ransom. The testimony of
Page 51

Judge Ransom shows that the first entries must have existed 30 or 40 years.  If a record is made so long ago that the party making it could have no object in fabricating evidence to prove the [unreadable] it ought to be established, or for any other important purpose, and that were made by a person having a knowledge of the facts contained.  It is difficult to see how it would engrain [unreadable] in authority by additional age.  
The record  of Maj. Ezekiel Ransom was made by himself 40 years ago; when the facts were in his knowledge and [unreadable], and when he could have had no inducement to write ought but the truth. The it [unreadable] this record could impose part of a genealogy which would establish the title to property to any amount.  From the best consideration of the rules of evidence I believe the record entitled to full credit.  
I have no additional evidence as to the service of Ezekiel Ransom and probably more exists. I have supposed that the same testimony which gave the soldier a pension gave it to his widow,  at least such has been the instruction in several cases that have when within my knowledge
Page 52

if my anxiety to have this aged widow share in the Bounty of the Government has led me to express myself with undue [unreadable] I hope it may be pardoned.
Any communication granting the pension or otherwise may be addressed to me or to Mrs Ransom, but we shall be glad to hear at your earliest convenience. 
I am Sir very Respectfully Your obedient Servant 
Mitchell Hinsdill 
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Page 53

Bank of Burlington April 19th 1836 
Sir
In answer to your enquiry of the 12th inst I have to inform you that Ezekiel Ransom a pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832 at $37 per annum has been paid to the 4th of March 1835.
I am, very respectfully Your Obt Servt 
Ebenezer T. Englesby 
Agent for paying U. States Pensions 
Mr Wm Weston 
James L. Edwards Esq 
Comr of Pensions
Page 54

I Thomas Hosley of Chesterfield County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire of lawful age do depose testify and say that in the year 1781 I was a soldier in the American Army of the revolution. Maj. Ezekiel Ransom now of town and County of Windham State of Vermont was a soldier in the army at the same time, the both enlisted for the term of three months in the town of Shelburn in the State of Massachusetts we served in Captain Oliver Shattucks Company and Col. Stors’ regiment.  We marched to Albany and from thence to Saratoga in the State of New York and were there stationed under Genl Stark.  Both served out our full term of three months at the expiration of which I returned home to Shelburne but said Ransom did not return with me. While out in that Campaign I was informed by said Ransom that he had been out in the Continental service in the previous years 1779 & 1780 & I think it was then understood & believed in our company that he had been in the army those years. I recollect he used to be called "the old Soldier” on account of his having been much in the service before that time.  And further say not. Thomas Hosley 
State of New Hampshire Sworn 
County of Cheshiress}
Sworn & subscribed this third day of April 1833 
Before John Kneeland Justice of the Peace
Page 55

I certify that Thomas Hosley who made & subscribed the within deposition is well known to me & that he is a credible person. 
John Kneeland Justice of the Peace 
Cheshire April 8, 1833 
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Court in said county certify that John Kneeland is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and I believe that the two foregoing official signatures are in his own hand writing. 
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature 
S Hale Clerk
Page 56

[stamp] WHITESTOWN N.Y. AUG 19
free
Mr. E. Ransom
Townshend
Vermont
Page 57

Trenton Oneida Co. N.Y. 
Sir 
I have received your favor of July 29th and shall answer it so far as my knowledge extends. I was at New London in 1778. Capt Chapmans Compy, Major Ledgard commanding there; I was at Horse Neck in 1780 under Capt Smith, Colonel Beebe's Regiment. There was another Regiment commanded by Colonel Wells, the under officers I was not acquainted with.  In 1781 I was there Horseneck, Capt Edwards Compy and Major Shipman Commandant, Genl Waterbury Commanding, there were 2 Regiments there then Major Humphrey commanding one. These troops were Connecticut State Troops and stationed at Hore neck and White plains from 1778 to 1782. You may get information at Saybrook for the year 1779 by applying to Constant Webb who now lives there and was stationed at Horse Neck in 1779.  
Yours &c 
Saml Church  
Mr. E. Ransom
Page 58

Sally Boardwell of Montague County of Franklin State of Massachusetts, of lawful age depose testify & say that I am a Sister of Ezekiel Ransom of Townshend County of Windham and State of Vermont, that said Ezekiel was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. My fathers family resided in Shelburn in said Franklin County during the war of the revolution, my brother Ezekiel as I then understood & believed was in the service of the American Anny considerable portion of the time for several years but the precise time of his enlistments and the exact periods of time that he served, I do not recollect.  I have repeatedly heard him state the service & incidents connected with his service in the revolutionary war, and I believe it has always been understood & believed by our family & those who know him that he was a Revolutionary Soldier.   
Sally Boardwell 
State of Massachusetts 
County of Franklin ss} this fifteenth day of March 1833 
Before me John Wilson Justice of the Peace
Page 59

I certify that Sally Boardwell who made & subscribed the within deposition is well known to me that she is a credible person.
 John Wilson Justice of the Peace
Page 60

Franklin ss Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Franklin do hereby certify that John Wilson Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been made and sworn to is a Justice of the Peace for the said County. And that his name subscribed to the several certificates subjoined to the said affidavit is his true and proper signatures. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Greenfield on the sixteenth day of March A.D. 1833 
E. Alvord Clerk
Page 61

Washington April 9, 1836 
Sir,
I enclose you herewith the pension certificate of Ezekiel Ransom, a Revolutionary Pensioner at the rate of $37 per annum, accompanied by his application for a transfer from the Pension Agency of Vermont to that of Michigan, made out in due form.  
Very respectfully Your most Obt Servt
Lucius Lyon
James L. Edwards Esq. Comr of Pensions
Page 62

13.391 June 25 ‘47
M. Hinsdill to the Secretary of War 
Kalamazoo Mich 
June 18 ‘47 
Application for Pension for Widow Lucinda Ransom 
H148. Rec June 26 /47 
Pension Office
Page 63

Kalamazoo Michigan June 18. 1847
Sir
I herewith enclose to your Department the Declaration of Widow Lucinda Ransom to prove a pension under the act of July 7, 1838. 
No. 1 contains the widows declaration  
No 2 Shows there is no record of the marriage 
No 3 shows the loss of the family record by fire 
No 4 shows the marriage in in fact.
Ezekiel Ranson was a soldier in the Massachusetts line in the Revolution and was a pensioner several years previous to his death and his last payment was made at Detroit and his certificate surrendered to Mr. Hastings Pension Agent. I presume all the proof will be any found in the War Department.  Anyy communication on the subject may be made to me. 
I am Sir very respectfully your Obedient Servant 
Mitchell Hinsdill
 Hon. Wm L. Marcy Secretary of War Washington
Page 64

TREASURY DEPARTMENT 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
January 9th 1834 
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 Widow of Ezekiel Ransom a Pensioner on the Roll of the Michigan the rate of Thirty seven Dollars  per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1838, to the 4th Nov. 1838. the day of his death.  
Respecfully, yours 
Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller. 
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
Page 65

I Mehitable Munn of Springfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged seventy six years do depose testify and say that I am acquainted with the widow Lucinda Ransom of Kalamazoo in the State of Michigan. She is a sister of mine and was married to Ezekiel Ransom as near as I can recollect in the 25th day of May AD 1791.   I was present at there wedding and saw them married & I remember it was the evening before the Bay State Election so called, and they were married I believe by Silas Howard a Justice of the Peace, who then resided in said Townsend & since deceased. Major Ransom resided in New Haven a few years after their marriage thence to Shelburn Massachusetts, where they resided  a few years and they then moved to Townsend and when they continued to reside until they moved to Kalamazoo. 
The marriage took place at the dwelling house of our late Father, Genl Saml Fletcher of said Townsend.  
Mehitable Munn her mark 
State of Vermont 
Windsor County ss} At Springfield in said County of Windsor March 25. 1847. 
The Mehitable Munn to me known as a credible witness, personally appeared and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed by making her mark in my presence, contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth Before me 
Saml W. Porter Justice Peace
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STATE OF VERMONT, 
Windsor County ss }  I Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that Samuel W. Porter is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 30" day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signature foregoing is genuine.  
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, at Woodstock, in said County of Windsor, this eleventh day of May A.D. 1847 
Norman Williams Clerk
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Declaration   
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of February 2d 1848 entitled "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and soldiers of the war of the Revolution” 
State of Michigan 
County of Kalamazoo } On this 5th day of April 1849. personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Lucinda Ranson a resident of Kalamazoo in the County of Kalamazoo in the State of Michigan aged 76 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the follow declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d day of February 1848, granting pension to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary  war. That she is the widow of Ezekial Ransom, who was a private in the war of the Revolution, but do not know in what regiment, and that she is the same a dividual who drew a pension under the act of June 17, 1844 at the rate of thirty seven dollars per annum. She further declares the she is still a widow. 
Lucinda Ransom
Sworn to and subscribed on the day year above written 
Before me Ebenezer Hoskins 
State of Michigan, 
County of Kalamazoo} ss I Amos D Allen Clerk of said County of Kalamazoo, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that whose name is subscribed to the Certificate or proof of acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and therein written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Ebenezer Hoskins for said County, and qualified, and duly authorized to take the same: AND FURTHER, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate or proof of acknowledgment is genuine. 
I FURTHER CERTIFY, that said Instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of this State, 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said  County at Kalamazoo this Sixth day of April A.D. 1849 
Amos D Allen Clerk
Page 68

I Emery Cathan of Townshend in the County of Windham and State Vermont of lawful age testify and say that I am  Town Clerk of said Townshend and as such keeper of the records of Marriage in said Town, I further testify that 1 have carefully and critically examined the record in said Town for the purpose of finding a record of the marriage of Ezekiel Ransom formerly for a great many years resident in said Townshend with his wife reported to be known as a Widow and a resident in Kalamazoo in the County of Kalamazoo in the State of Michigan,  the marriage said to have been consecrated about the year 1792. I further testify that although I had made complete and diffuse search for the record aforesaid, I have been wholly unable to find any such record, and further the deponant saith not. 
Emery Cathan Clerk 
Subscribed and sworn to this 30th day of January 1847 
before me A E Howard Justice of the peace 
State of Vermont 
Windham County Court Clerk's Office [unreadable]  February 1st 1847 
1 certify that Aurelius E. Howard is a Justice  of the Peace in and for said County duly   Commissioned and qualified, that his commission bears date the 26th 1849 and will expire on the 30th day of November 1849 and that his signature above written is genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court the day and year first above written 
Attest Marshall Miller, Clerk
Page 69

I Elisha Barnard of Shelburn County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do depose testify and say that Ezekiel Ransom was a of Townshend County of Windham and State of Vermont formerly resided in said Shelburn that the said Ezekiel Ransom was Soldier the revolutionary war,  he enlisted into the continental service of the  American Army in the in the year one thousand seven hundred eighty.  I enlisted at the same time. We marched in Company from Shelburn and were mustered at South Hadley from thence we marched to Springfield in said State of Massachusetts and from thence we were conducted by Lieut. Miller, an officer of the Continental Army to West Point in the State of New York where we both joined Capt. Story's Company and Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment and that the said Ezekiel Ransom & I the said Elisha Barnard served in the same Company regiment aforesaid for the term six months and further saith not.   
Elisha Barnard 
State of Massachusetts 
County by Franklin  
Sworn & Subscribed this tenth day of March 1833 
Before me  Elam Kellogg Justice of the Peace
Page 70

I certify that I am well acquainted with Elisha Barnard who made & subscribed the within deposition and that he is a credible person. 
Sam Kellogg Justice of the Peace 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Franklin SS. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the County of Franklin do hereby certify that Elam Kellogg Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit of Elisha Barnard purports to have been made and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Franklin, and I believe his name subscribed to the two certificates thereunto subjoined to be his genuine signature. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Greenfield this nineteenth day of March A.D. 1833 
E. Alvord Clerk
Page 71

Benj Murdock’s depo
Page 72

I Caleb Garfield of Townshend County of Windham and State of Vermont of Lawful age certify and say that I have been acquainted with Mr. Ezekiel Ransom of Townshend and County and State aforesaid for about twenty two years and in the Course of my acquaintance with him I have frequently heard him state circumstances connected with his revolutionary services, particularly with regard to his service at or near New London in Connecticut.   I have frequently heard him say that he was in the service at that place fifteen or Eighteen months and also with regard to this service in the vicinity of Ticonderoga but the length of time in that service I do not recollect. I have always understood him to say that his services in Connecticut was only about half his Revolutionary services.   I further state that he is a man entitled to implicit credit.  
Townshend Vt. 17th April 1833 
Caleb Garfield 
Sworn and subscribed this 17th day of April 1833 Before me Chapin Howe Justice of the Peace 
I certify that Caleb Garfield who made and subscribed the above affidavit is well known to me & that he is a credible person 
Chapin Howard Justice of the Peace
Page 73

The affidavit of Phineas White of Putney in the County of Windham and State of Vermont who testifies and says that he has been well acquainted with Major Ezekiel Ransom of Townshend in the County and State aforesaid, for thirty years last part and that said Ransom has sustained the reputation of a worthy respectable Citizen of undoubted truth and veracity, and that he has heard the said Ransom, heretofore, repeatedly speak of his having served as a soldier in the Revolutionary Army - and that he does not entertain the least doubt of the said Ransom, having served in the War of the Revolution, the full term as he has heretofore declared and testified.   Phineas White  
State of Vermont 
Windham County ss} Subscribed and sworn to this 6th day of  March 1833 
Before me Wm R Shafter Justice of the Peace 
I certify that I am well acquainted with the Hon. Phineas White who made & subscribed the foregoing deposition & that he is a credible person. 
Wm Shafter Justice of the Peace
Page 74

I Edward Sumner of Townshend and County of Windham and State of Vermont of lawful age depose testify and say that I have been intimately acquainted with Mr. Ezekiel Ransom of said Townshend for nearly forty years, during which time I have frequently heard him relate the circumstances and dates connected with his services in various campaigns in the Revolution and was in his residence in this town and has by the voice of inhabitant been frequently called to inhabitants place of trust - he has ever maintained a good character an no man is better entitled to implicit credit than Mr. Ransom 
Edw Sumner  
State of Vermont 
Windham County ss Townshend March 13, 1833. 
Then personally appeared the above and who have subscribed to the foregoing affidavit amd made solemn oath that it contained the truth and nothing but the truth. 
Before me Charles Phelps Justice of the Peace 
I certify that the aforesaid Edward Sumner is a person with whom I have been intimately acquainted more than twenty years that his character for truth & veracity is good. 
Charles Phelps Justice of the Peace.
Page 75

I Benjamin Murdock of Townshend, County Windham & State of Vermont of lawful age depose testify and say that I have been intimately acquainted with Maj Ezekiel Ransom of said Townshend for more than forty years, during which time I have frequently heard him relate the circumstances & anecdotes connected with his service in various Campaigns in the Revolutionary War. I have heard his declaration, made before the Supreme Court on the 14th day of Feby. Inst and it compares perfectly with what he has repeatedly told me in [unreadable] the last forty years and I have no doubt of the truth of his declaration for no man is better entitled to implicit credit than Maj Ransom,  he has seen his residence in this town held many office of responsibility, both civil & military for several years represented the town in the State Legislature. 
Benjn Murdock
Page 76

Ezekiel Ransom
Supplemental Evidence
Page 77

The supplemental declaration of Ezekiel Ransom, an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 
I Ezekiel Ransom of Town and County of Windham and State of Vermont do further declare certify and say that I went from Shelburn in in the State of Massachusetts to New London Conn. with my father the first of March 1779, there ware troops there and among them was a man by the name of Harding who was very anxious to return home and at his solicitation and with fathers Consent I inlisted for Nine months and took said Hardings place.  We were stationed all the season at Horseneck, there was only one Company Stationed at that particular place at that time which was the one I belonged to and commanded by Captain Loomis.   I never knew to what Regiment the company belonged, if any or who were the Regimental officers though think there ware other troops on another part of the Neck we were kept there as a guard a Sentinel.   Was placed and continually kept on a rocky Point that projected into the Sea Norwich Point on which vessels  passed going in the direction of New York or Providence.  Our duty was to hail all Vessels passing and repassing and to Learn from whence they were and where bound. The Company occupied as a Barrack A House belonging to a man by the name of Rogers and I well remember that our company was called by the people the "Constant Guard" at the expiration of the nine months I again inlisted for six Months at New London for six
Page 78

and joined a company of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Capt Brooks, who belonged to New London, I do not know to what Regiment the company belonged, if any, nor the Regimental officers.  Our company was Garrisoned at New London during the winter untill the expiration of the six months.  Both Company in which I served some were regularly embodied Corps by what authority they were called into Service I am unable to say being then but a boy I did not inform my self of such matters during the winter that I served under Capt Brooks I was employed in with other soldiers much of time in getting wood for the Garrison down Norwich River the goverment having purchased a large lot of wood up the River and we had to get it down.  I was constantly engaged in the service during the whole of said Term of Nine and six months and was not imployed any portion of the time in any civil persuit since my papers were returned I have sent to New London, Seabrook and into the State of New York in hopes of obtaining Evidence of my services but as yet I have been unable to find or learn of any man now living who was with me in either of said term of service,   I have made every part in my power to the obtain the additional Evidence called for by the commissioner but am unable to prove any other or better Evidence of services than such as I have already admitted and by have to refer you particularly  to the testimony of Elisha Ransom, Sally Boardwell, Thos Horsley,  Caleb Garfield and Epaphro Ransom.
Ezekiel Ransom
Page 79

The foregoing declaration of Ezekiel Ransom was subscribed and sworn to this 4th day of October in the year of our Lord 1833. 
Before me Wm R. Shafter Justice of the Peace 
State of Vermont
Windham County Court Clerks Office, 
New Haven, October A.D. 1833. 
I certify that William B. Shafter Esquire is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the above is his signature. Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court 
James Elliot, Clerk
Page 80

Alexandria Bay, N. Y. August, 8, 1912 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: -- Will you kindly examine the Revolutionary War Records for the record of Maj. Ezekiel Ransom Soldier enlisted first in year 1777, in the militia from Shelburne Falls, Mass. Later served under Capt. Samuel Fletcher with Vermont Continental Troops. was in the expedition against Crown Point, was later promoted and participated in the battles of Bennington and Saratoga. 
If any record is found of Capt Samuel Fletcher of Vermont probably enlisting from Shoreham, will be glad to have this also. Please advise if any fees are required for certificate of service, if such is found. 
Yours Respectfully, 
Ruth M. Ransom
Page 81

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE D AUG 10 1912
Page 82

RECORD DIVISION. C 3 -- 525. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C., 190 
W. F. 5665
In reply to your request of received for a statement of the military history of Ezekiel Ransom 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.  [unreadable]   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  .  [unreadable]   RANK.  Pvt.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.    Captain Loomis .  STATE Conn.   
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  [unreadable]      LENGTH OF SERVICE. 6 months   RANK.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain Brooks   
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. [unreadable]       LENGTH OF SERVICE. 6 months  RANK.    OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.    Captain Story Colonel Henry Jackson  STATE Mass.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  July 1781   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   3 months  RANK.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.    [unreadable]      
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  [unreadable]       LENGTH OF SERVICE.  7 weeks  RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  [unreadable]     
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  [unreadable]          
Battles engaged in,   not stated   
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Shelburne Franklin County, Mass    
Date of application for pension,   [unreadable]      
Residence at date of application,   [unreadable]      
 Age at date of application, b. at Colchester Conn Oct 1 1762  
Remarks: [unreadable]  married [unreadable]   Lucinda Fletcher daughter of Genl Samuel Fletcher of Townshend Vt. [unreadable]  Kalamazoo Mich.
Soldier is referred to a Major Ezekiel Ransom 
Very respectfully, Commissioner.
Page 83

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12-5-41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
NAME   Ransom, George P    GRADE   Private   LINE     Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER  6366  ACREAGE  100  ISSUED  July 8, 1790 
To not shown
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives. registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.