Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1264, John Gaffit, N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service  Number
NH
Gaffit, John
W1264
or
Gaffitt
BL Wt 3130_100_Fifer
Issued Nov. 10. 1789
No papers
Catharine
Page 2

851 
New York 
John Gaffitt 
Musician 
New Hampshire Line 1780 4 years 
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 2nd of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th of June 1818 and sent to the Pensioner [illegible]
of [illegible] New York
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1818 ~ $40.80
[illegible] $40.80
{Revolutionary claim.}
{Act 18th-March, 1818}
[illegible]
Certified
Page 3

[illegible]
Page 4

No 2628
New York, Albany
Catharine Gaffitt
Widow of John Gaffitt
who served in the Revolutionary 
War, as a Musician
New Hampshire Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the
24th day of October
and sent to
Wm Valentine
Albany. N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 74 Vol. A
18
Page 5

John Gaffitt
851
Sept 1870
Col
Page 6

NEW-YORK MAYOR'S COURT.
Sold by J.B. Jansen
In the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court
of the City of New-York, held at the City-Hall, in and
for the said City, before the Judges of the same Court,
of June
term, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty
PRESENT the Honorable Peter A Jay Recorder--
City of New-York, ss. Be it Remembered, That on the first day of July
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty
personally appeared in the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the city of
New-York, in open court, the said court being a court of record for the city and
county of New-York, according to the charter of the said city and the laws of the state of
New-York, John Gaffitt
aged fifty nine years,
resident in the same County of New York aforesaid
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he
served in the revolutionary war as follows: That he enlisted in the
year 1780 and served as a musician
in the first man of the First Regiment
to him there troops which said
and was commanded by Capt Monroe
and that the said [illegible Deppent] so ordered to serve as a Musician
in said Company untill the year 1783
when he was discharged
⎬
-
and that his original declaration is dated the second
day of April
one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that his pension certificate No. 851
Page 7

AND I do solemnly swear
that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the
18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner,
disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring
myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, ""An act to provide for certain
persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war,"
passed on the 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: and that I have
not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to
me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and
by me subscribed, to wit:
Real Estate, None
Bureal Estate
as follows -
a small wooden building or dwelling house
to be given up at the experation of the lease
one feather bed 2 [illegible] heads
20
two Beacons 12
one Dog Chans 6
One Rdy Coupet 5
two plandous [illegible shovel] tongs 4
 the
one Cooking Stove 10
One cot & two  bedsteads - 5
Coll Kitchen furniture 10
one old walsh 6
70
And I do further certify that my family consists of my wife
Rachel aged 58 years who is infirm, one daughter [illegible]
aged 17 years and in orphan child aged twelve years
and a very aged helpless mother in law when I have entirely
to support. and faith that I have for six years been sorely
afflicted with a rupture and for years with a general [illegible rity] attended with the sitting of God which has
actively 
disabled me doing hard labor here now a
Componing employment which affords a very scanty Substence and soon frequently disqualified from doing any
business by bodily weakness so that I know not how long
I shall be able to attend to and employment at all and
that my debts amount to three hundred and twenty eight
dollars which I am bound to pay and that the debts due
come amount to the sum of Sixty one Dollars same are
doubtful.-
John Gaffit
Sworn in open Court this
1 day of July 1820
Benjin Ferris CLK
Page 8

the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Honorable the
Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the
premises, as is by law in such case made and provided. And in support of the facts
above set forth, the said John Gaffit 
refers to the
affidavit of
or his honourable discharge signed
By G Washington to will more fully affirm
the same being hereunto annexed
John Giffit
City and County of New-York, ss. John Gaffit
of the City and County of New-York, being duly sworn, saith, that the matters by
him set forth in the foregoing Declaration, are in all respects just and true.
Sworn before me this second
day of April
1818,
R Riker
John Gaffit
City and County of New-York, ss.
Bezl Howe
being sworn, saith, that he is well
acquainted with the above named John Gaffit and
that the facts set forth in his affidavit is true and
[illegible Vennor] in the Company that belonged to as a fifer
Bezl Howe
Sworn before me this
day of April
1818
R Riker
Page 9

State
.
New-York, ss.
Printed by E. CONRAD, Franchester
To the Hon. Richard Riker
Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the
Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a
Court of Record of the State of New York.
The Declaration under Oath of John Gaffit formerly a Soldier
engaged in the Service of the United States
entionary War, now a citizen of the United State and resident of
the City and County of New-York, respectfully sheweth,
THAT the said John Gaffit
sometime in the
month of Jun 1780 he enlisted in Capt
Comp
any of the New Hampshire Regt for and during the
war and served as a fife during the same till the
time of his discharge in June 1783

And the declaration further sheweth, that the said John Graffit
is now a citizen of the United States, resides in the city of New York, and is by reason
of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for
support
being very poor and fifty six years of age
and upwards -

Therefore the said
John Guffit conceives
himself
entitled to the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An
Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the
United States in the Revolutionary War," approved 18th March, 1818, and requests
your Honor will examine into the truth of the matter aforesaid, certify and transmit
Page 10

I Benjamin Ferris
Clerk of the city and county of New-York.
and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the city of New-York,
Do hereby certify, That the foregoing deposition and the schedule thereto annexed,
are truly copied from the records of the said Court: and I do further certify, that it is the
opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the
aforesaid schedule is about one hundred Dollars
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said
Court, this fourth
day of September 1820
Benjn Ferris CLK
Page 11

[illegible]
Page 12

Albany Justices Court
Justices
Justices Court
David Russell
[most of the document is illegible]
Catherine Gaffit
D Russell Justice of the Peace
Page 13



[illegible document]

These are to Certify, That in the city of New
York, on the. [illegible] day of [illegible] in the
year of our Lord eighteen hundred and [illegible]
the rites of MATRIMONY were solemnized
, according to law between
by me.-

the Peace
Catherine Gaffitor
on the days then in the five and
the eight hundred and found there by the
Parkinson then Pastor of the first part such
New York as will also appear by the mere certificate
her marriage as afore which certificate of marriage may
given to her by said Poster and is engine & correct. the
further declare that her husband the said John affitt
aforesaid did in the City of York in the twenty sixth
day of August in the sin on the sight her
thirty four and that he is a seal
W
was further saith that her name before are ye to
fitt Catharin Baker wide for Butler & his de
he
Catharin Book
Sabin & Sworn to in open
Court this 12th day of September
before
D. Rupell
Justice of
Page 14

I Henry P. Nugent Clerk of the
Justices Court for the City of albany, it
being a Court of record do hereby certify
that I am well it officially acquainted with
David Russell a Justice of the Peace and
also Justice of the Justices Court of the City of
Albany, and that the signature 
"D Russell Justice of the Peace to the foregoing
affidavit of Catherine Gaffitt, is his genuine
signature and that full faith a credit
may ought to be given to his official acts
Witness my hand and the seal
of said Court this 12th day of
September A.D.
1853.-
H P Nugent
Clerk
Page 15

Service N.H.
Gaffit, John or Gaffitt
Catharine
Number W.1264
BL.Wt 3130. 100_fifer
Issued Nov. 10, 1789
No papers
Page 16

[Illegible document]
Sale
Jane Tuton
a
2
to
his wife
the
then to
12th
C. Ten Eyck
Comr of Deeds
William
Preton
---
-
for
2
William Sutton
Jane Seton
that Wm Fenton and Jane Linton are credit and
State of New York,
City and County of Albany, Clerk's Office.
.
Harper
I, Robert of Clerk of the said County of
Record therein, do hereby CERTHY that
whose name is appended to the penal
. Ten Eyck
annexed affidavit
thereof, a Commissioner of Deeds
the City of
the
was on the day of the date
and for
of Albany, duly authorized to administer at my general
purposes; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Com-
Miner
that the signature to the said
verily believeis

the
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at 16
of Sept 1853
R Harper
Download

Prev
16
of 43
Page 17

State of New York
City + County of Albany
Albany Justice Court
_________ " ___________

On the 17th day of September 1853 it was ______ by the adduction of the annexed testimony which is satisfactory __________ Court, that John Gaffitt a ____________ of the United States died in the city of New York on the twenty-six day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven. And at the time of his death left a widow Liz Catharine Gaffitt who resides in the city of Albany and is now a widow. ____________
 
In testimony when of I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed the official Seal of said Court the name being a court of record, the day + ______ first above written.

H. P. Nugent Clerk
Page 18

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 

January 26, 1924. 

Mrs. Arthur H. Fitzpatrick, 
646 Springdale Ave.,
Fast Orange, N.J. 

Madam: 

I have to advise you that from the papers in pension claim w.1264 it appears that John Gaffit enlisted in January 1780 and served as a Fifer in Captain Munroe's Company, Lieutenant-Colonel George Reid's New Hampshire Regiment, until discharged June 7, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 2, 1818, while living in New York City, aged 56 years. He died there August 26, 1837. 
In 1820 he referred to his wife, Rachel, aged 56 years, and a daughter, Jane, aged 17 years. 
He married in New York City December 16, 1823, Catherine, widow of Abner baker (her maiden name was Brooks). She was allowed pension on her application executed September 12, 1853, while living in Albany, New York, aged 76 years. 
There is no further data on file as to his family. 
Respectfully, 

Commissioner.
Page 19

HEAD-QUARTERS, JUNE    1783

THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the 
Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive
Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation
thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON 

[handwritten] Gaffit, John
N.H. w. 1264
Page 20

BY HIS EXCELLENCY
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq. 
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the
United States of America. 

THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof 
in the [illegible] Regiment, having faithfully
served the United States [handwritten] three years
and being inlisted for the War only, is 
hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army 

GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the 

By HIS EXCELLENCY'S 

Command, 


REGISTERED in the Books
of the Regiment 
Adjutant 

THE above 
has been honored with the BADGE OF MERIT for [handwritten] three 
years faithful Service.
Page 21

[blank page]
Page 22

Gaffit, John
N.H. W1264
Page 23

2 (o superscript) Act Feb 2, 1853
Sept. 19, 1853
No 3359
Appl. of Catharine Gaffin, widow of John, Albany Col, N. Y. 
[Written perpendicular to above]
L. P. Waldo Eqe
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
[some writing over Waldo name]
HZZ
S. 18
Rev
Wm Valentine, 
Albany, N.Y.
Page 24

Ab $96 per an
Act Feb 3.53
Page 25

Brief in the case of
Catharine
widow
of
of John Giffit
County and State of New York
act Feb. 3. 1853
Claim, (original, for increase - strike through)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.  

Husband Pension, under act March 1818
[marriage- strike out] at $96 per ann. Marriage proved
by certificate of Clergyman and marriage,
death of husband & identity proved by testimony of
William and Jane Suter, whom certified to be credible
Death 26th Aug. 1837.
(If for increase.)

Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Page 26

Letter
Gaffit
Page 27


Albany N.Y. Sept 17th 1853
Sir
Enclosed are the papers in the application
of Catherine Gaffitt widow of John Saffitt Decd for
the benefits of the 2d Section of the Act of Feb 3 1853
I am yours very repectfully
Wm Valentine
L. P. Waldo Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
⎬
Page 28

[This is a blank form]
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.

In reply to your request of ____
received ____
for a statement of the military history of ____
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.
{column headings]
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
RANK,
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. COLONEL. 
STATE.
Battles engaged in, _______
Residence of soldier at enlistment _____
Date of application for pension, ______
Residence at date of application ________
Age at date of application, _________
Remarks:
6 -- 2856
Respectfully,

Commissioner,
Page 29

IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. War Action.

Joseph Gavit,
a 1864
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
July 31, ***0
Joseph Gavit
New York State Livrary,
Albany, New York
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 1st [regiment?], you are  [illegible] that for information relative to the location of
the original Revolutionary War rolls of the State of New Hampshire
from which the print  [two words illegible]of that at [illegible 2 words], you should [several illegible words] of New Hampshire.

[illegible] rolls of Revolutionary War are in the possession of the United State Goverment, are in the custody of the Adjutant General, U. S. Army Department.  There are no [2 illegible words] of [3 illegible words] in this Bureau,  the same having [3 illegible words] list of Congress to this War Department.
The Bureau  regrets that it is unable  to aid you further in this matter.  

Very respectfully
[unable to read signature]
Acting Commissioner.
Page 30

646 Springdale Avenue
East Orange, New Jersey

December 18/23

U. S. Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:

Will you kindly send me a copy of the Revolutionary War Record of my ancestor 

John Gaffit-

who was a revolutionary __________ and whose record
Page 31

I am told is "on file in the Revolutionary War Records ________ of the U S Bureau of ______ as "____ file 1264"

Thanking you I am Very Truly yours
Clara C Fitzpatrick

Mrs Arthur H. Fitzpatrick
Page 32

[handwritten ans 1-26-24]
646 SPRINGDALE AVENUE
EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY
January 21, 1924
Revolutionary War Record Dept .
U.S. Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC
Gentlemen
-
Will you kindly send
me a
certificate of the
service of my great great
Grand father John Gaffit
Page 33

Widow File 1264) in the
New Hampshire Line, and
Obligh
very truly yours
Clara C. Fitzpatrick
Wm. Arthur H. Fitzpatrick -
Page 34

New York State Library
Albany July 16, 1920
24
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am very grateful, though my persistence may
not appeal to you in that character, for your reply of the
24th ult. to my query of the 12th, and particularly for
the tracing of John Gaffits signature. my daily occupation
like yours, requires patience with persistent folks, so I
take the liberty of restating in another way my last
query which obviously has no recorded relation to
Widow File 1264, whose history I received from you some
reta
My puzzle is as follows:
In vol of the printed Revolutionary Rolls of New Hampshire
606 appears the following:
11 ┃
Return of the men's name who are during the war
in Capt. Eben Frye's Company First N.H. Regt. towns
where belonging and town engaged for
(Line 8) Fife John Gassett) Londonderry 1 Londonderry
(over)
X
Apr. 7, 1777
Ebenr Try Capt
on page 591 of the same volunce it is explained that this
Page 35

also in vol 3. 1. 725
"The following is in the army during the war
John Gaffit
Londonderry.
Page 36

Gavitregiment

under Col. Cilley was brigaded with the 2nd and
N. H. under Genl Sullivan with headquarters at
Ticonderoga, where they remained until the approach of
Burgoyne in July of that year
there on p. 276 of Ore. 2
the statement is made "The rolls of those troops who
took part in the battle of Oct. which caused the
surrender of Burgoyne on the 17th will following article
Gen. Povis Brigade, comprising the three New Hampshire
Continental regiment commanded by Colonels Cilley,
Scammell accoheed, were prominent in the Battles of
the 19th of September and the 7th of October-- They were
paid by continental paymasters, consequently the roll
are not in the possession of the state
If you have not those rolls, can you tell me who
has them? The date (Apr. 1777) agrees with the statement
made by his Grandson as to his age (15) when John
Gaffit first enlisted. I would like very much to find that
in that original roll of the 1st New Hampshire either
Garrett has been taken for Gassett, or the "" has been
taken for "S." When John Gaffit moved to New York
he spelled his name for sixteen years Garret, changing
back when the pension law of 1818 went into effect
I am well aware that your office does not exist for
my especial benefit, and that Washington is imprintably
not, but - who else can peter about this
again thanking you
for your assistance
Very Truly Yours
Sevor Lanan my Latha
Jothart
Page 37

New York State Library
Albany, May 15, 1920
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
26127
Dear Sir:
WOOD
I am in search of particulars relating to
my own Great Great Grandfather, who received a
John Gaffit, paid
Regiment, in which the New Hampshire Rolls show
him as having enlisted about April 6. 1111, apparently
for the duration of the war, and was finally discharged
after bad in me in
services, in Portsmonth
N.H. and in Rhode Island, sometime in the
What I would like to get is his birth date; record of her
service; wife's name in full, and children's names of
they received his person after his death. Also, could
you give me reference to Feastery dept, as to date of
last payment and of his dead
and his residence
This man was born John Gavet of Salem Mass
but he away from home at 15, and enlisted under the
spelling as born, at Londonderry. His interest
in his people, from whose persecution he ran away as to
Page 38

sufficient to make his father's name much
with his telling
I shall be pleased with whatever you
can send me
Very truly yours
Joseph Gavit
-
New York State Mary
Son
Page 39

New York State Library
All Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, DC
Dear Sir
I thank you for the full reply in yours of
June 9th replying to my query of May 18th, but
am disappointed in the statement as to service
I would like very much to show that the John
Gassett who served in Capt. Eben try's company
of the 1st N.H. Regiment was this same John Gaffit,
enlisting (original) at Londonderry
the long
of Gaffett having been printed as " in Vol. 3
1
606 of the New Hampshire Rolls; also John
gaffet " 2465, and very often elsewhere,
always from Londonderry
it Is
it asking too much
to request verification and reply. John Gaffit enlisted
at the age of 15 as a musician, and
all the details seem to tally with the age given
in the printed Pension Roll of 1844. The
Page 40

New York State Libray
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, DC.
Joseph Gavit
N.Y. State Library Albany N.Y.
if no other & beat off
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
signature [illegible]
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
RECORD DIVISION

Dear Sir
I thank you for the
June 9th replying to my que
am disappointed in the
I would like very much to
Gassett who served in
of the 1st N.H. Regiment in
enlisting (original) at London
of Gaffett having been
66 of the New Hampsh
Gaffet V.2 P 465.
always from Londonderry
to request verification a
enlisted at the age of 15
all the details seem to to
in the printed Pension
A.

Briefed by and June 24, 1920
Orig.
Cert.
Claimant Gaffit
Soldier Gassett or Gavit John or any spelling
No.   Claim, service record  191
clerk
no claim, Alph'b record 191
clerk
REMARKS: No claim as
above the
only John Gaffitof
N.H. furnished June
9.
1946
Chief Division.
Page 41

Variation, in spelling is common also in
his real family name: Gavet, Govett, Gavitt.
While in New York respelled it Garret, until
the pension law appealed to him, when he changed
to Gaffit
Thanking you in advance
Very truly yours
Jas Gavit
New York State Mary
Albany
SU
44
1920
S.
F
Page 42

of
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
Catharine Gaffit
Widow
John Gaffitt
Most Rev. War
---
Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index:--Vol.
, Page 262
[Arrangement of 1870.]
M
and
and this only John
Joseph Gavit
7
to
June 9. History
under any spelling of name) of N.H. Tro
my
event of my
of
of the pub
my one of you no 61
Page 43

Respectfully referred to the
3d
Auditor for date of
death of pensioner, and
time of last payment
F. Burt Esq
Respectfully
Sandita
Cole
Oct. 17.53
For Commission
John Gaffitt, act 1818
$8.00 p.an. Died
26th August 1837
Paid to his death
F Bink
Auditor