Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 20454, for William Lee, New York
Page 1

(3-1776) 

SERVICE 
New York 

Lee, William 
Sarah 

NUMBER 
W 20454 

CONTENTS
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5657
New York
Sarah Lee of William Lee, decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832, and who died on the 24 Nov’r 1836, of Columbia Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Kline of the regt commanded by Col. Platt in the N. York line for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 24th day of Nov 1836. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of July 1840, & sent to Wheeler H. Clarke, Hudson N. York 
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1840 $87.44 
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sep ‘40 13.33 
[total] $100.77
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. McCurdy [or D. M. Curdy], Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2, Page 87. 


Letter to W. H. Clarke 3 Dec. 1840

Date of death not in A B
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14448
21491 New York 
William Lee of Columbia Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Kinn of the regt. command by Col. Platt in the N. Y. [illegible] line for 8 mo. 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and Sent to J. G. Ford  Red Rock 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $53.32 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 13.33 
[total] $66.65 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams  Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 4  Page 65
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State of New York
County of Columbia } ss.
[On this X] day of October 1832 personally appeared [before] Honorable Medad Butler one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Columbia, William Lee a Resident of the town of Canaan County and State aforesaid, aged sixty eight years, who first being 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 officer and served as herein stated 
In the fore part of October 1779 he went as a substitute for his father Cyrus Lee, was recruited for three months as New York militia, under Capt. Roger Kinne Lieut Moses Jones Ensign Jakeway Orderly Sergeant Lyman Jackson a Sergeant George Anderson, belonged to Col. Platts Regiment when organized at Fishkill, other Regiments present Lieut. Colo. Asa Waterman's, Colo. Heathhorns Colo. John Graham's Col. Lewis Debois Colo. Roswell he thinks did duty as a private on guard, was out on various scouts, and was on Governor George Clinton's guard for one week during his attendance at these places, and served the times out.
On the first of July 1780 volunteered for three months under Capt Elijah Bostwick Lieut John Calendar, Orderly Sergeant Samuel Brown was organized at Fishkill in Colo. John Grahams Regiment Lieut Colo. Livingston, Major Woolsey, Adjutant Fundey Quarter Master Sergeant William Truesdale went from Fishkill to West Point, saw a man hung at this place as a spy, as he was informed he this applicant was on duty at this place every day with others for about three weeks in carrying cannon shot and cannon and other munitions of war from the fort down to the water side &c. as was said for the Grand Army at the South, from thence went to Stoney Point from thence to Haverstraw from thence to Daubse’s [Dobbs] ferry, whilst at Daubs's ferry an armed Brig belonging to the enemy ran in a bar or aground in Tappan Bay
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after some exchange of shots she succeeded in getting off thence were ordered back to West point did not stay more than two hours thence went to Fishkill Landing, went aboard of the Boats and sailed to Albany the Regiment now was by companies sent different ways, from this place went to Fort Edward thence to the block house Garrison so called, built by the Stillwater and Ballston militia, he after the expiration of the term Recruited for, did volunteer with many others to stay one month longer till they were relieved by other militia companies, making 4 months service in this campaign. 
On the last of September or first of October 1781 volunteered under Capt. John Davis orderly sergeant Stephen Morse organized at New Concord so called, and joined Colo. Asa Waterman's Regiment at Stillwater Adjutant Jonathan Warner went to Sarratoga in consequence of the news that the Enemy had crossed over from Canada, served in going and coming and reckoning the time spent there in all one month 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension, or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Role of any agency of any State
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Answers to Interrogatories
1  He was born in the town of Lyme County of New London and now State of Connecticut on the 24 of October in the year 1764
2  He has had an attested copy of his age from the town Register of the town of Lyme, but it is misplaced or lost 
3  He lived when called into service in 1779 in Kings district County of Albany and Colony of New York, and in the two following campaigns he lived about 4 miles distance from the place where he lived in the first campaign and where he has for the most part of the time resided since the revolutionary war and where he now resides 
4  He was a substitute in 1779 for his father Cyrus Lee in 1780 volunteered and in 1781 also volunteered 
5  He saw General Benedict Arnold and General Poor at West point General Glover, General Patterson & Colo. Hamilton 
6  He does not recollect that he ever received a written discharge but was told that they were ready but did not take the trouble to get them, in the last campaign he thinks they were dismissed 
[signed] William Lee
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Before me 
[signed] Medad Butler
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21491
Wm. Lee 
N.Y.

admitted 8 mos $26.66 

J. G. Ford
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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Pension Office, 

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

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period when the service was rendered  |  Duration of the service Years. Months. Days.  |   Rank of the claimant.  |  Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.  |  Rank of the General and Field officers.  |  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  |  Country through which he marched.  |  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  |  Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  |
Sub. Octr ’79  |  3 Months.  |  pr.  |  Cap Kinn  |  Col Platt  |    |    |  68 Albany Co N.Y.  |  Trady & witnesses  |
Vol. July ’80  |  4 Months.  |  pr.  |  Cap Bostwick  |  Col Graham  |    |    |    |    |
Vol.  ’81  |  1 Month.  |    |  Cap Davis  |  Col Waterman  |    |    |    |    |
8, Months 
[END TABLE]

I am, respectfully 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 
DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory or District of County } ss.
On this ___ day of ___ personally appeared (a) before __ A.B. a resident (b) of ___ in the county of ___  and State, territory or District of ___  ages (c) ___ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ___  , with ___ and served in the ___ (e) regiment of the ___ line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which marched. [ ]This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ___
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. ____ A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I _____ of the Court of ____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ___for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ___ day of ___&c. 
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
 (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ___ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ___ , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ___ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 ___ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3 
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?}
6. {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?}
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can 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. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is 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 the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must in 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 claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his 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 age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For __ year ___ months , and ___ days I served as a ___. For ___ months and ___days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.   Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 in 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.
[signed] W. L. Williams  Cx Clk
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7083
Mrs. Sarah Lee. (1838)
agent 
Wm. H. Clarke 
Hudson N. York
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 Entitled “An act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows" 
State of New York 
Columbia County } ss. On this 8th day of May 1840 personally appeared before me Daniel B. Cady first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in for said County, the same being a Court of Record - Sarah Lee a resident of the town of Canaan in said County aged 74 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 congress passed July 7th 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows” 
That she is the widow of William Lee who was a private or corporal in the war of the Revolution and who drew a pension under act of 7th June 1832 to his statement reference is made for proof of his services 
That she was married to said William Lee at Norfolk in Connecticut on the 
Fee for attention to the above subject $1 -
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10th day of October 1788 by a man by the name of Wilcox as I think - I have no family record. I have only one child a daughter who now resides with me named Lydia Lee; she was born the 15th January 1789 
That her husband said William Lee died on the 24th November 1836. that she has not intermarried but continues the widow of the said William Lee 
Sworn & Subscribed this 8th day of May 1840, before me 
[signed] Daniel B. Cady First Judge Col. Co. Courts Counsellor, &c.
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Lydia Lee her account Book Lydia Lee was Born the year 1789 the 15 of january Rote this March the 28 AD 1813
State of New York 
Columbia County } ss. I, Lydia Lee of Canaan in said County being sworn say I am the daughter of said above named William & Sarah Lee. That I was born, as my parents informed me, on the 15th day of January 1789 the above attached record was made by me & is in my hand writing & written by me the 28th March 1813 as stated on said Attached paper – I am the oldest & only child of said William & Sarah Lee -
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my said father William Lee died on the 24th November 1836. my said mother is the widow of my said father & has not intermarried since his death.
[signed] Lydia Lee
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 8th day of May 1840 
[signed] Daniel B. Cady First Judge Col. Co. Courts Counsellor, &c.
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Norfolk October 22 1839 
Dear Sir 
I receivd yours of Octr 15th requesting further examination of the town records for the Marriage of Wm Lee to Sarah Comstock - having very faithfully examined the records for that purpose, I have to say I do not find their names in the records of the town of Norfolk, which I have searched from beginning to end, not knowing what blank space might be occupied for the purpose as the records were in those days very irregularly managed. As our Law required untill a few years past, the Man who was maried must obtain from him who performed the rite a certificate of their mariage & get it recorded in the town where it was performed or where He resided. In several years past it has been otherwise - the Clergyman or Magistrate who performed the rite must present a certificate & see it recorded & pay the fee – 
I think it very probable that Mr Lee did as many at that time & since have done, put off attention to this subject for a more convenient time & of course omitted it entirely. 
I believe Elder Babcock is still living in Colebrook in this State but probably is so superameated [?] or the time so long gone by as not to be able to give any information respecting the business - They were not then required by law to keep a record of those person they maried it was some time done for their own pleasure. 
Yours Respectfully 
Auren Roys T. Clerk 
W. H. Clark 

Fee for attention to the above subject $1-
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State of New York 
Columbia County } ss I Wheeler H. Clarke of Hudson in said County being sworn say I called upon Auren Royes at Norfolk Connecticut who with me Examined the Records of Marriages in his office, but could not find the marriage of said William & Sarah Lee. I informed said Royes that Mrs. Lee said the man’s name who married them was either Wilcox or Babcock and we together looked over such Records as we could there find, said Royes said he would sometime at his Leisure look over the records again & if he found their marriage he would send me a certificate 
I subsequently received the foregoing letter and thereupon wrote to Connecticut and received in answer the annexed letter of Enos North (Wheeler, H. Clarke) 
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 10th May 1840 
[signed] Spencer Whiting Justice
I further testify that I have been acquainted with Lydia Lee above named for upwards of thirty years last past She is of good moral character & entitled to credit
[signed] Wheeler H. Clarke 

I hereby Certify that I am acquainted with the above named Wheeler H Clark and he is entitled to Credit
[signed] Spencer Whiting Justice of the Peace

Wheeler H. Clark – Esqr,
Hudson N.Y.

A Royes Letter

Royes Letter
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Enos North Letter
Sarah Murdock Drew her husbands pension by the name of Sally

Colebrook Ct
Dec 4  free

Enos

Wheeler H Clarke
Hudson, Newyork
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Colebrook Dec. 2 1839 
Dear Sir 
I Received your letter of enquiry
I bring some proof [illegible] my assistant not [illegible] about it has gone to his [illegible] have called [illegible] Babcock for information he tells [illegible] of marriages he informed me that his father was a [illegible] Certificate as he [illegible] Clark for [illegible, reports?] I have had some partial acquaintance with him for some 35 or 40 years his mind now is somewhat impaired as I am informed when I called on him he appeared very well for so old a man he never was magistrate but has been a Clergyman until he was 70 years old and as preachd Considerable since that time 
Respectfully yours 
[signed] Enos North P. M.

To W. H. Clark
Hudson
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State of New York 
Columbia County ss:
Be it known that on this 8th day of May A.D. 1840, before me Daniel B. Cady First Judge of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County, the same being a Court of Record, personally appeared Sarah Lee named in the foregoing declaration & Subscribed & sworn to the said Declaration on her oath by me in due form of law administered. 
And I hereby certify that said Sarah Lee is by reason of age & infirmity unable to appear before a court of Record, she residing about Seventeen miles from the nearest place where such courts are held in & for said County. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & added my office the day & year above written. 
[signed] Daniel B. Cady First Judge Col. Co. Courts, Counsellor, &c.
State of New York 
Columbia County } ss. I Killian Miller clerk of said county do hereby certify that Daniel B. Cady named above & in the annexed papers was at the date thereof first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of
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said county & that Spencer Whiting, before whom the annexed deposition was taken a Justice of the peace in & for said County at the date thereof & I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Judge’s & Justice’s hand writings & verily believe the signatures above purporting to be theirs is in their own respective hand writing & signatures and that said Court of Common Pleas is a Court of Record. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 19th day of May 1840. 
[signed] Killian Miller Clerk 

7083
Mrs, Sarah Lee. (1838)
agent
Wr. H. Clarke
Hudson N York
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November 13, 1936 
William Lee-W.20454 
BA-J/AWF 
Mrs. B. A. Crittenden 
134 Grove Street 
Rutland, Vermont. 
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to William Lee, who served in Captain Elijah Bostwick's company, Colonel Graham's New York regiment in the Revolutionary War. 
The data furnished herein were obtained from pension claim, W. 20454, based upon the service of William Lee in the Revolutionary War. 
William Lee was born October 24, 1764 in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut. He was the son of Cyrus Lee, name of his mother not given. 
While residing in King's District, Albany County, New York, he enlisted early in October, 1779, served three months as substitute for his father, as private in Captain Roger Kinne's company, Colonel Platt's New York regiment. He moved to Canaan Columbia County, New York, and enlisted July 1, 1780, served four months as private in Captain Elijah Bostwick's company, Colonel Graham's New York regiment, and was in a skirmish at Dobbs Ferry. He enlisted in the fall of 1781, served one month in Captain John Davis’ company , Colonel Asa Waterman's New York regiment. 
William Lee was allowed pension on his application executed, October 13, 1832, at which time he was living in Canaan, New York. He died November 24, 1836.
William Lee married, October 10, 1788 in Norfolk,
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Connecticut, Sarah Comstock. 
The widow, Sarah Lee, was allowed pension on her application executed May 8, 1840, at which time she was seventy-four years old, and a resident of Canaan, New York. 
Their daughter, Lydia, was born January 15, 1789, and in 1840 was living in Canaan with her mother; she then stated that she was their “oldest and only child”.
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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40 3 4
36 11 24
3. 3. 10

80
6.66
.77
87.44

7053 
Sarah Lee 
of William 
New York 
admitted 
Pr & Ens  $26.66 
Cap Kline Col. Platt, N.Y 
died 24 Nov 1836 
Act 7 July 1838 
Wheeler H. Clarke 
Hudson N.Y.
Page 25

State of New York 
Columbia County ss. On this 13 day of October 1832 before me personally appeared John Castle of the town of Canaan County of Columbia and State of New York aged 86 years who being duly sworn according to Law, doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with William Lee of the town of Canaan County and State aforesaid, and has been acquainted with him for many years, that he knew the said William Lee to be in the service of the United States in the year 1781 in Capt John Davis Company of Militia this Deponent being in the same company, and served with him the said William Lee at Saratoga in the year aforesaid, and further this Deponent saith not 
[signed] John Castle
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Before me 
[signed] Medad Butler 
I certify that the above named John Castle is known to me and that he is esteemed a man & of truth & veracity 
[signed] Medad Butler
Page 26

State of New York
Columbia County } I Joseph D Monell, Clerk of the said County do Certify that Medad Butler Esqr. before whom four of the annexed affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, and also that Joseph G Ford before when one of the affidavits purports to have been taken was at the date of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the said County And that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and Commissioner and verily believe their names subscribed to the said affidavits to be their proper hand writing and Signatures 
Witness my hand & Seal of Office this 28" day of November 1832 – 
[signed] Jos. D. Monell
Page 27

Wm. Lee
21491
Page 28

State of New York 
County of Columbia ss. On this 13 day of October 1832 before me Personally appeared Story Gott a resident of the town of Austerlitz aged 68 years, and being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath depose and say that he has heard the Declaration of William Lee hereunto attached, read, and his relation of the campaign and service under Capt Roger Kinne is related with such precision there no doubt remains in this deponent’s mind but what the said William Lee belonged to the said Company and served as he there states, this deponent being a member of the same company [crossed out: with] but does not distinctly remember the said William Lee, but from conversations with the said applicant in relation to the campaign aforesaid the said applicant has related facts known to this Deponent which fully confirm him, this Deponent, in the belief that the applicant served as he has stated and is entitled to full credit and belief 
And this Deponent further saith that he has been acquainted with the said Applicant for many years, and that he is esteemed and considered a man of strict truth and veracity, and further this Deponent saith not 
[signed] Story Gott
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before me 
[signed] Medad Butler a Judge of Columbia County Common Pleas 
I certify that the above named Story Gott is well known to me, and is a man of truth and veracity and entitled to full credit 
[signed] Medad Butler
Page 29

We David Ford a Clergyman residing in the town of Canaan and Joseph G. Ford residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Lee who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 68 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 
[signed] David Ford  Joseph G. Ford
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Before me 
[signed] Medad Butler a Judge of Columbia County Common Pleas 
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And that he is unable from bodily infirmities to attend the Court. And the said Judge further certifies that it appears to him that David Ford who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Canaan and that Joseph G. Ford who has also signed the same, is a Resident of the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
[signed] Medad Butler
Page 30

State of New York 
County of Columbia } ss
On the 20th day of September 1832 personally appeared before Joseph G. Ford Commissioner &c Thoda Norton of New Lebanon in said County of Columbia who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that he was well acquainted with one William Lee now a resident of Canaan in said County of Columbia that he knew said Lee to be a soldier in the service of the United States in a Company commanded by Captain Elijah Bostwick in the fall of the year 1780  that said company was at duty West point when he this deponent joined it and that said Lee was then a member thereof and as he then understood said Lee was recruited when the company was first organized some time before this deponent joined it and he & said Lee continued in said Company together till it was dismissed and according to the best of this deponents recollection served about three months after he joined the company and he distinctly remembers that they served longer than the company was recruited for but how much does not distinctly recollect and further that this deponent is sixty nine years of age 
[signed] Thoda Norton
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me 
[signed] J. G. Ford Com. &c. 
And the said commissioner doth hereby certify the he is well acquainted with Thoda Norton who has subscribed and sworn the foregoing affidavit and that his character for truth & veracity is unimpeachable and that full faith and credit may be placed on his testimony 
[signed] J. G. Ford Com. &c.
Page 31

WASHINGTON October 26, 1931 
BA-J/AWF 
Mr. Stanley M. Lee 
566 Territorial Road 
Benton Harbor, Michigan. 
Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letter relative to William Lee, who served in the New York troops in the War of the Revolution. 
You are furnished herewith the record of the only soldier named William Lee who served with the New York troops, that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim, W. 20451 based upon the military service of William Lee in the War of the Revolution. 
William Lee, the son of Cyrus Lee, was born October 24, 1764 at Lyme, New London County, Connecticut. 
He enlisted early in October, 1779, while residing in Kings District, Albany County, New York, and served as a substitute for his father, three months as private in Captain Roger Kinne's company in Colonel Platt's New York regiment. 
He moved to Canaan, Columbia County, New York, and enlisted July 1, 1780 and served four months as private in Captain Elijah Bostwick's company in Colonel John Graham's New York regiment, and was in a skirmish at Dobbs Ferry. He enlisted in the fall of 1781 and served one month in Captain John Davis' company in Colonel Asa Waterman's New York regiment. 
He was allowed pension on his application exe- [executed]
Page 32

[executed] cuted October 13, 1832, then a resident of Canaan, New York. 
He died November 24, 1836. 
He married, October 10, 1788 at Norfolk, Connecticut , Sarah Comstock. 
She was allowed pension on her application executed May 8, 1840, then a resident of Canaan, New York, and was aged seventy-four years. 
Their daughter, Lydia, was born January 15, 1789, and in 1840 was living in Canaan, with her mother. She stated that she was their “oldest and only child”. 
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
Page 33

134 Grove St. 
Rutland, Vt., 
Oct. 19, 1936. 
U. S. Bureau Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen,- 
If you have a pension record for the following soldier will you kindly give me all particulars stated therein: 
William Lee served in Dutchess County in the Revolution; in company of Capt. Elijah Bostwick, 3d N.Y. Regt., under Col. Morris Graham. 
Thanking you for an early reply, I am 
Yours very truly, 
[signed] Lula J. Crittenden 
Mrs. B. A. Crittenden.

[stamp] 
RECEIVED
OCT 21 1936
MAIL SUB-Div.
VETS. ADM. 
READER 29
Page 34

Stamp Enclosed 
Benton Harbor, Michigan.
October, 5, 1931. 
Earl D. Church, 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir: 
[handwritten note] only N.Y. Rev.
Please advise if you have any information pertaining to WILLIAM LEE who served in Captain Theodotius Fowler's company of the 2nd regiment of the New York Line commanded by Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt in the Revolutionary War? 
Very truly yours 
[signed] Stanley M. Lee 
Stanley M. Lee, 
566 Territorial Road, 
Benton Harbor, Michigan.

[stamp] 
RECEIVED
OCT 7 1931
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION
Page 35

[left side]
1936. Nov. 13. Hist to Mrs. B. A. Crittenden awf 

[right side] 
Rev 
WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 21404 Sarah Lee Widow [crossed out: Williamson]
William Lee
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1833 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 429 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 36

W. H. Clarke
3 Dec. 1840

GC


Record 30 page 352
Page 37

Pension Office 
Dec 3, 1840 
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 24th ult Relative to the service for which William Lee was pensioned under the act of June 7, 1832 I have to state that he was allowed for 3 months under Capt Kinney Col Platt in 1779 4 months under Capt Bostwick in 1780 and one month under Capt Davis in 1781 all he claimed 
GC

Wheeler H. Clarke Esq 
Hudson 
New York
Page 38

Wm Lee Alby. Act 7 June ’32 to what time paid?
Pen Office 
July 21, 1840 

$26.66
died 1836
Decd 24th Nov 1836 pd to that period
JH
Page 39

Pension office 

J. L. Edwards Esquire 
Comr. of Pensions 
Washington

7053 
May 22 1840 
NY.
July 7. 1838

[postmark]
HUDSON N.Y. 
MAY 19
Page 40

Hudson New York 
May 19th 1840 
Sir,
Enclosed I send the application of Sarah or Sally Lee, widow of William Lee late a Pensioner 
We presume the evidence afford by the proof adduced by Mr Lee will satisfy you as to his services.
We have not been able to find any Evidence of Mr Lee’s marriage, nor have we found any living witness who was present at the marriage. The daughters deposition is annexed and a record made by her many years ago of her own birth which shews that there can be no doubt about the date of the Marriage – 
Mrs. Lee informs me she obtained the arrears of Pension after the death of her husband and she thinks in that application her name was written Sally which I believe is considered synonymous with Sarah, and is in her neighborhood more in ordinary use than Sarah. 
Respectfully yours, 
[signed] Wheeler. H. Clarke 

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 41

Pension office 
Hon. J. L. Edwards, 
Comr. of Pensions 
Washington

Nov 30. 1840
[illegible] NY

[postmark]
HUDSON N.Y.
NOV 27
Page 42

Hudson N York Nov 24. 1840 
Sir.
In the case of Mrs Sarah Lee widow of Wm. Lee who in his life time obtained a pension of $26.66 per annum, permit me to enquire. 
Whether he did not assert more service than he was allowed for. 
Did he assert service under Capt Elijah Bostwick in Colonel Grahams Regt in 1780 if he did how much was he allowed for it,
I find William Lee served in 1781, in Capt Kings Company Col. Watermans regt in Capt John Davis Company in 1781 same Regt. 
I find him also in Capt Kinneys Company Col Platts regt. 
If it is all the service of the same William Lee & his statement will shew that fact, then I apprehend that you have not allowed a sufficient sum, 
As Capt Bostwicks company in 1780 were 8 or 9 mos men,
I wish you would inform me what he States & for what service you allow 
Respectfully yours
[signed] Wheeler H. Clarke 

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Page 43

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES  Form VAM-51  12-5-41 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 

NAME  Lee, William  GRADE Sergeant Majo  LINE  Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9852  ACREAGE 100    ISSUED  November 5, 1789 to – not shown – notation: “on file, not delivered”
*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 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.