Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43,872, for John Punderson, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
New York

Punderson, John

NUMBER
S. 43.872

CONTENTS
Page 2

New York Rolls
No 1656.

John Punderson,
Capt Wadworth

Ensign
New York Line,
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 25th of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 30. of June 1818,
and sent to Morris German,
Esq. North Norwich, New York

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
4 months 10/30          $86.66


{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

Year
1776.

P. Clinton

Continued [in pencil]

Chactonaugh, Chenango Co.
Page 3

District of New York} ss:
On this ninth day of October one thousand eight hundred and twenty one personally appeared in open Court in the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Chenango and State of New York being a Court of Record for the said County, John Punderson aged Seventy five years resident in the town of MacDonough in the County and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: In Clinton's Regiment in a company commanded by Captain Increas Childs & in the New York line, that he entered the service as Ensign early in the year 1776, and continued in the service in the company aforesaid as Ensign until November 1777.  That the commission of this deponent as Ensign was forwarded to
the war department when he applied for his pension certificate. That the date of this deponents original declaration, according to the best of his recollection, was the twenty fifth day of April 1818, and the number of his pension certificate was 1656. And I do
solemnly swear that I was 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 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
Page 4

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 1818, 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. Necessary Bedding & clothing. Pocket Dictionary.
One Bible, Sutcliff on the introduction of Christianity, Watts Lyric poems, Military Instructor by a General officer. A number of Pamphlets, the original cost of which
was probably one or two dollars

John Punderson [signature]
---
The declarant also states that his occupation is farming. that his health and bodily infirmity are such that he is unable to labor. The number of his family is four. consisting of himself his wife and two orphan children. His wife is 56 years of age. One of the children about eleven years & the other about thirteen years of age. That his wife is infirm and unable to labor much.  The children have a maintenance secured 
to help to prevent them from coming to want during their minority.

[signed] John Punderson

Sworn to and declared by John Punderton
on the Ninth day of October 1821 before Uri Tracy, first Judge 

Tilly Lynde
John Noyes ⎬ Judges
Page 5

John Punderson's
Soldier papers
Page 6

State of New York
Chenango County } ss:
On this the 25th of April in the year of our Lord
1818 before me Obadiah German first Judge
in the Court of Common pleas in the aforesaid County, Personally appears John Punderson, aged Seventy one, resident of MacDonough in the afforesaid County who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the provision of the late 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." That he the said John Punderson being then a resident of Dutchess County in the State of
New York in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six was Commissioned as Ensign in the Revolutionary War and joined the United States army at Fort Constitution on the Highlands in the State of New York and was attached to the company commanded by
Capt Childs and the Regiment commanded by Col James Clinton and he further says that he was in the Battles at Stillwater at the taking of Gen Burgoyne and that he continued to serve in the above mentioned Corps or in the service of the United States untill some time in the mouth of October or November shortly
after the capture of Gen Burgoyne when he the said John Peterson Resigned and left the Army
the reasons of which Resignation as well as that of a number of other Officers who left the Regiment
Page 7

at the same time was the appointment by
Congress of several young men over them [who had] no right to the Rank and the said John Punderson further declares that he is in Reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support and that he has no further evidence now in his power of his said service as Except the certificate of Obadiah German Esqr and
the Commission which is herewith transmitted to the war Department.
[signed] John Punderson
Sworn to and declared before
the day and year afforsaid
[signed] Obadiah German

State of New York
Chenango County } ss:

I, Obadiah German first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the afforsaid County do certify that it appears to my satisfaction
that the said John Punderson did serve in
the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common Enemy and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of
Congress.
Dated at Norwich this
the 25 of April 1818
Obadiah German
Page 8

State of New York
Chenango County 
I hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with John Punderson for about forty years and now have a perfect recollection of his
Services in the Continental army during the
Revolutionary war and have not the least
doubt of the Correctness of his declaration under
oath before me
Dated at Norwich this 25th day
of April 1818
Obadiah German
Page 9

John Punderson's
soldier papers

State of New York
Clerks Office Chenango County
Apl 25th 1818-
I hereby certify that Obadiah German within named Esquire is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid
and duly authorized to act as such by taking the oath prescribed by Law for that purpose & his signature being to me known ----
Michael G Bright Dep Clk
of Said County
Page 10

Reply to Numorich
Page 11

To the honorable James Barbour
Secretary of War
The reply of John Punderson
a pensioner to the memorial of Sundry inhabitants of the County of Chenango
in the State of New York dated 10th June
1826 containing charges against said
Punderson, whereon the payment of his
pension has been suspended. --
Said Punderson prays leave to represent that he is about Eighty years of age, that he has no property or means whereby himself and his wife can be supported, excepting that afforded
by the pension, the payment whereof has been suspended. That he is not guilty of the fraudulent disposition of property imputed to him in said memorial, but that the facts
alluded to therein are as follows
In 1813 the undersigned John Punderson was the owner of a lot of land in McDonough
and County of Chenango of about 100 acres valued at that time from 500 to 600 dollars.-- He was then about 67 years of age, his family
consisted of a wife, two daughters, and three
grand children - old age and infirmity unfitting him for hard labour, said Punderson in the year
1813 entered into an agreement with Isaac J. Stratton, his son-in-law, whereby said Punderson
Page 12

was to convey in fee simple to the said Stratton
the farm aforesaid in consideration of said Stratton's supporting the grand children, and
giving to said Punderson a lease for life of said farm -
That this Deed and life lease of the farm, were in said year 1813 executed by the parties. 
But said Stratton within a few days afterwards, and before he had entered into possession of
said farm discovered that demands were likely to arise against said Punderson upon the pretext that many years before he had acted as executor of one Fish, deceased, for which
reason, he, the said Stratton, was disinclined to enter upon the aforesaid farm, whereupon the following arrangement took place between
the parties - said Punderson agreed &
consented to surrender the said life lease and all right to the possession of the farm under the same and the Stock of said farm to the said Stratton, he, the said Stratton, agreeing
to continue the support of the said three grand children, and
Page 13

to pay them one hundred and forty Dollars &
otherwise agreeing to pay to each of the two daughters of said Punderson then unmarried,  the sum of one hundred dollars. -- That this
arrangement was immediately, that is in the year 1813 carried into effect by the surrender and cancellation of the said life lease and by the yielding to the said Stratton of the possession of said farm and stock.  -- The undersigned doth represent that the 200 Dollars which were to be and which have
been paid to his two daughters by said Stratton and 140 dollars to be paid to the three grand children, together with the agreement to support the three grand children, which has been thus far performed, constituted, in the opinion of the undersigned, a full and valid consideration for the conveyance of the farm & stock aforesaid.
That although the undersigned and his wife have since 1813 continued to reside with the
said Stratton, and been kindly treated by them, yet the undersigned doth declare that he hath no legal or equitable claim for support, or for money or for anything of or from the said
Stratton for or on account
Page 14

of the aforesaid farm or for or on account of any other matter or thing excepting possibly a part of the pension money already received
and that the undersigned and his wife at their
advanced age, now, that the pension of the former is Suspended, and at the mercy
of the said Stratton and subject at his pleasure to be turned houseless and pennyless upon the world
The undersigned therefore humbly prays, that upon an examination of his case and of the documents establishing the above facts hereto annexed you will see fit to cause the suspension of his pension to be removed
and that he be restored to the full enjoyment
of the same.
[signed] John Punderson

McDonough
Sept. 19th 1826 }
Page 15

Chenango County,
We the undersigned inhabitants of the County
of Chenango & State of New York Do certify
that we have been acquainted with the above
named John Punderson for many years.---
That his character is that of a moral and
religious man, and that we have no reason to doubt or suspect the truth of the above
statement.
Mc Donough
Sept. 19th 1826

Austin Hyde
Henry Mygatt
Samuel Shimowry
A. A. Franklin
William Mygatt
Jed Chapin Junior
Randell Mane
Erastus Perkins 
Nathaniel Otis Pastor of the Baptist Church in Oxford
In'l Van Wagenen
Perez Packer
Austin Rouse
Isaac Sherwood
Samuel Ross
Noah Nichols
O. Miller
A. Sobdell Sr.
Erastus Smith
Ira Willcox
Ramon Rathbone
Benjamin Randall
Seth Curtis
Page 16

Names
Joseph L. Bube
Chester Moor
Lemuel Ludden
Gates Wilhof
Harry Dodge
John H Hill
Walter Oghttensbanks
Harris Barnes
Martin Dodge
Lonnen Tunan
Thuer Fish
Emmes Lake
C. L Corbin
Elijah Baldwin
Elijah Barry
Worthy T Cook
I hereby certify that I am personally
acquainted with most of the above
signers and consider them as men
of the first respectability and
standing in society
P. Randall Clk
of Chenango County
Page 17

To the Hon. James Barbour
Page 18

Lydia M. [cut off} ..eld, NY.
[cut off] -tter to Miss -Westfield NY

43872
INVALID
Rev'y
File No. 43,872
John Punderson
Pri Rev War

Act:  18th March '18
Index: --Vol. S, Page 406
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 21/97 Miss [cut off]
Patcher, Westf...[cut off]
See Inv. 14,089
Jan. 22/98 Le[cut off]
L.M. Patchen -
Page 19

New York
John Punderson,
Ensign, Revo. at $20
per month. Placed on
roll 30 June 1818 & continued thereon.
Suspd 21 August 1828
Suspension removed. See
letter to Uri Tracy, Esq.
Oxford, N.Y. Oct 3d 1826, and to the
Pension Agent of N.Y.
Lett. H.R. Mygate May 5, '37
Page 20

To the Hon James Barbour Esq
Sec'ty of War
The memorial of the undersigned Inhabitants of the County of Chenango in the State of New York Humbly Sheweth
That John Punderson of the Town of 
Ma Donough in the County of Chenango now is & for Several years last past has been on the list of Pensioners, at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month for Services rendered  by him as an officer, during the Revolutionary War. Your
memorialists are informed & believe, that the bounty of the Government, was intended for those only who were poor & destitute & who actually stood in need of such assistance for their comfortable subsistence.
If such is the Spirit of the act, We do not apprehend that John Punderson previous
to the passing of the Pension Law in 1818 was the owner and proprietor of one hundred acres of Land, with the Buildings thereon, lying in the said Town of McDonough in the County
of Chenango and worth at a reasonable computation Fifteen hundred Dollars free from all incumbrance
Page 21

some time previous to 1818, the said
John Punderson conveyed the said farm to his
Son Isaac J. Stratton, (who is now a wealthy
Farmer residing on the same premises), and took from the said Isaac J. Stratton a Bond
for his maintenance during life which
agreement was in full effect & operation
when Congress passed the Law in 1818, making provision for the officers and soldiers of the Revolution.  At this time the said
John Punderson (with a view of bringing
himself within the provisions of said act)
made a Voluntary Surrender, without any
consideration to the said Isaac Stratton of
the said Bond for his maintenance & has since that time, received his Pension as one of the poor & necessitous Officers of the Revolution,-
Your memorialists therefore pray that an investigation may be instituted to correct this abuse & they pledge themselves, substantially
to establish the facts above stated.
In Testimony whereof
Page 22

we have hereunto set our hands this 10th day of June 1826.

Names

Rupert W. Morley
Nehemian Lumbar
Amos Cook
William Warrin
Eli Parring
Matthew Calvert
Amos S. Lawton
Martines B. Dillenbach
William Wilcox
Amos Breed, Jr.
Lem'l Luddon
Joshua Dellinback
Samuel Neti
Rudolphus Roun
Wm. Brown
Thomas Sans
Page 23

Russell Morley's Oath
Page 24

To the honorable James Barbour
Secretary at War.-
Chenango County} ss:  I Russell W. Morley
maketh oath and saith -- That he caused a statement relative to the Pension of John Punderson to be drawn and signed and
transmitted to the Secretary at war whereon the aforesaid Pension has been suspended. --
The said Morley now saith that the above statement was made upon information which
appears to be wholly unfounded. --
That it was founded upon the declaration of one Nehemiah Dunbar which declaration
this deponent has discovered to be destitute of truth.-- This deponent has had difficulty
with a member of John Punderson's family
which induced him to make the above unfounded complaint. He now feels that
he has injured an innocent man whose character as a religious and moral man is above reproach.  -- He therefore makes this public
Page 25

avowal of his error as a reparation of the injury he has inflicted on the reputation of the said John Punderson whose pension he therefore prays may be restored.
[signed] Russel W. Morley

Sworn & Subscribed
before me this 22
day of September 1826
---
A. A. Franklin
Justice of the Peace
Page 26

Contract
Page 27

Macdonough September 21. 1826
To all whom it may concern - this may certify
that we are well acquainted with John Punderson, a pensioner, and Russel Wittonly and that in our opinion said Punderson is a worthy Citizen and an honest man and said Morley entirely the reverse, and is in our opinion a very troublesome person of very doubtful character as it respects his truth and veracity and we have no doubt of his, Morley's, being the means of sending a memorial to his Honor James Barbour, Secretary at war, praying for the Suspension of said John Punderson's Pension and we do believe that said Morley was moved thereto through Spite
and malice in consequence of A Difficulty existing between said Morley and one of
said Punderson's relations; we do believe also that in that case said Morley was all together to blame.
[signed] Martin Dodge
Gates Willox
Henry Dodge
O. H[illegible]
J. F. Hill
James M. Fish
Page 28

Hon'able
James Barbour
Sec'y at War
Washington
Page 29

Norwich Sept 24th 1826
The Hon'able James Barbour
Sir,
John Punderson, a pensioner has exhibited to me his papers relative to his pension - I
have no personal acquaintance with Mr Punderson; but he is reputed a moral and religious man.-  I am well acquainted with
many of the signors to his reply to the
paper whereon his pension has been suspended. ---  They are men of respectable
Standing and character in this part of our state.  -- I think you may place confidence in their representations.--
I also know Amos A. Franklin to be at present a Justice of the peace of the County of Chenango in the State of New York. --
Page 30

Under all circumstances, it would, in my opinion, be an act of Justice to restore Mr Punderson to his pension.
Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Lot Clark

P.S.  Uri Tracy, Esq., has been twice a Representative in Congress, Shff. & Clerk of this County and first judge of our Court, & is now one of our most respectable citizens.
Mr. A. Hyde is also highly respectable.  L. Clark
Page 31

Oxford Sep. 22nd 1826
Chenango County } ss:  Uri Tracy & Austin
Hyde of Oxford Maketh Oath & saith.
That they are respectively acquainted with
the the farm formerly of John Punderson in 
McDonough & containing about 100 acres & which was in or about the year 1813
conveyed to Isaac J. Stratton. --
That in that year, 1813, The deponents should
have considered the farm aforesaid to be worth not to exceed Six hundred dollars.
[signed[ Uri Tracy
[signed] Austin Hyde
Sworn & Subscribed
this 22nd day of September
1826 before me
A.A. Franklin
Justice of the Peace
Page 32

Leonard Landers
Oath

Lemuel Ludens
Oath
Page 33

Macdonough September 20th 1826
To the Honorable James Barbour
Secretary of war 
I Lemual Luden the undersigned of the Town of MacDonough aforesaid and County of Chenango in the State of New York Do Solemnly swear and affirm in the presence of Almighty God that I have never put my Name
or caused it to be put to Any instrument
whatever touching John Pundersons
Pension nor do I no [know] any reason why
any such instrument should have
been got up at all unless to spite the
family.
[signed] Lemuel Ludden
Affirmed and subscribed this 20th day of
September 1826 Before me
Gate Willcox one of the Justices of the
peace of Chenango County NY
Page 34

Thi Dillenbeeks

The answer to Lot Clark
Norwich NY
Page 35

German September 21. 1826
To the Honorable James Barbour
Secretary at war  - we the undersigners
beg leave to say that Russell W. Morley influenced us by repeated requests to sign a memmorial praying for the suspension of
John Punderson's Pension and finally we did
sign said memorial though very much against our will (said memorial was dated 10th
of June 1826) and here we beg leave
to state that we were wholly unacquainted with said Punderson's circumstances and [crossed out: therefore acknowledge that we were wrong] we pray therefore that you will be pleased to strike our Names off from said
memorial as we hereby withdraw our complaint. (a part of the 5th line and the sixth line erased before signing.)

Martines B Dillenback
I Martines Dillenback
do hereby sign
my sons name for him
Josharay Dillenback

Martines B Dillenback
Page 36

Nehemiah Dunbar
Oath
Page 37

Macdonough September 23d 1826
To the Honorable James Barbour Secretary
at war
I Nehemiah Dunbar hereby declare
 that Russel W Morley was
the cause of my signing A Memorial
Dated 10th June 1826 praying for the
Suspension of John Punderson's
Pension and I find upon examination
that I was misinformed respecting
said Punderson's Circumstances
and I hereby request that my name
may be struck from said memorial
as I hereby withdraw my complaint.
[signed] Nehemiah Dunbar
the last line wrote after signing by my consent
Nehemiah Dunbar
Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty
fifth day of September 1826.
E.L. [illegible] Justice of the peace
Page 38

John Punderson's
Commission as Ensign
Page 39

43782
Found mutilated.
Page 40

IN CONGRESS

The DELEGATES of the UNITED COLONIES of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New Castle, Kent and Suffolk on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to John Punderson, Gentleman -----
WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity,
DO by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Ensign of the seventh Company of the Second Regiment of the New York Forces--
in the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof.  You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of an Ensign by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto by [missing a piece of the document] charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be [missing a piece of the document] ensign--- And you are to observe and follow such [missing a piece of the document] Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the Un[missing a piece of the document] of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the [missing a piece of the document] the United Colonies, or any other your superior Officer, according to the [missing a piece of the document] in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you.  This Commission to continue in [missing a piece of the document] or a future Congress.  
Dated the Twenth Seventh day of [cut off]
Attest.:  Chas. Thomas, NY  
John Ha[cut off]
Page 41

Clerk's Certificate
Page 42

State of New York
Chenango County Clerks Office } ss:
I hereby certify that Amos A. Franklin, Eliakim C Corbin, Elijah Barry & Gates Willcox are at this
time, and have been for six months
immediately preceding this date hereof, acting Justices of the peace in and for said County. Commissioned and duly sworn as such and
Also that Isaac Sherwood Esq
now is and has been for six months
immediately preceding the date hereof
Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of said County.
In testimony Whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said County this 25th day of
September 1826
P. Mandall Clk
of said County
Page 43

Matthew Calvert
recantation
Page 44

Macdonough September 23d 1826
I Matthew Calvert of the Town of
MacDonough and County of Chenango
State of New York beg leave to state
to the Honorable James Barbour Secretary
at war that Russell W Morley presented to
and requested me to sign a Memorial dated June 10th 1826 praying for the suspension of
John Punderson's pension and the said Calvert did Sign the same but I now think I was misinformed respecting said Punderson's circumstances and do therefore request
my name might be Struck from said Memorial
as I hereby withdraw my complaint.
[signed] Matthew Calvert
Page 45

Amos Cook's
recantation
Page 46

To the Honorable James Barbour, Secretary of War
I, Amos Cook having been called upon by Russel W. Morely to sign a remonstrance against the proceedings of John Punderson, a revolutionary pensioner, stating that he the said Punderson had used fraudulent means to obtain said pension and that the signors of said petition believed it ought to be suspended, which facts appeared so well supported by circumstances and sundry other petitioners that I said Cook signed it; but I have since seen documents that convince me that I have been misinformed; and I further state that I have known said John Punderson for several years and have always believed him to be a man of piety and morality and never doubted his veracity except in the above case in which I think I was misinformed, and I therefore desire that my name may be erased from said petition or memorial.-----
German, September the 21st 1826
[signed] Amos Cook
In presence of Seth Balcom }
Page 47

Lawton & others
Page 48

MacDonouogh September 19th 1826

To the Honorable James Barbour Secretary of war.  We the undersignors beg leave to represent that they were influenced by Russel W. Morley to sign a memorial dated June 10, 1826 praying for the suspension of Mr. John Punderson's pension, in consequence of said memorial said Punderson's pension is suspended.
We the said undersignors were then of the opinion that said Punderson was not entitled to his pension, but since that time we have had the opportunity to examine the case and are fully of the opinion that he, the said Punderson, is justly entitled to his pension, and here we would remark that said Punderson is a very worthy man of good moral character and we are sorry that we ever undertook to injure said Punderson's character and should never have done it only as we were influenced by Morley.
[signed]
Amos S. Lawton
William Willcox
Eli Worthing
Alan? Wariner?
Page 49

John Punderson

Con'd Nov. 24, 1821
and sent to John Tracy, Oxford, N.Y.
Page 50

Chenango County
Clerk's Office } ss:

I Jess Randall, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chenango do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and
Schedules thereto annexed are truly
copied from the Records of said Court.
And I do further certify that is the opinion of said Court that the total amount and Value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is 
Eight dollars. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on this Ninth day of October 1821.
Jess Randall Clerk
Page 51

War Department
Pension Office
3 October 1826

Sir: 
The suspension of John Punderson's pension
has been this day removed, and the Agent has been directed to pay him as usual on the production of the proper vouchers.
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J.L. Edwards


Uri Tracy Esq.
Oxford
New York
Page 52

[There is nothing legible on this page.]
Page 53

North Norwich April 27 1818
To the Hon the Secretary for the Department of War
Enclosed is the app of Ensign John
Punderson of the Revolutionary Army
who from his reduced circumstances 
in life wishes to obtain the provisions
of the late act of Congress.  Therefore if
his credentials are sufficient to entitle
him to the same pleas to Signify
to me at North Norwich Chenango
County, and obl. your humble Serv't.
Harris German
Page 54

War Department,
PENSION OFFICE,
Novr 24th 1821.

SIR:
You are hereby informed that the Schedule of your property has been examined, and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
You will be paid, at the ensuing semi-annual payment in March next, the sum that may be then due from the time of suspending
your pension. Funds for the purpose will be transmitted at that time; but no arrearages will be paid previous thereto.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards

To Mr. John Punderson
U. S. Pensioner
Chenango County
New York
Page 55

War Department,
Pension Office,
7th Septr 1826

Sir,
Agreeably to your request, of the 21st ultimo, I herewith transmit to you, a copy of the communication on which the payment of your pension has been suspended.
I am, respectfully,
Yr. Obt Servt.
J.L. Edwards


Mr John Punderson,
McDonough, N.Y.
Page 56

Oxford Sept 23. 1826
Hon'ble Secretary of War

Sir,
I have investigated the papers respecting John Punderson's Pension and am fully persuaded that the remonstrance or the original Statement of Morley and others was a
transaction originating in envy and supported
by malice. The persons who put their names to
that paper are generally obscure characters, many of them poor drunken rascals whose names could be obtained to any thing for a glass of Whiskey.  Morley with all his addresses, and he is not deficient in this respect, could not obtain the signatures of any
of the respectable inhabitants. The persons whose names are now sent forward in support of Mr. Punderson are the most respectable citizens of the neighborhood in whose opinions and statements you may have full confidence. Being entirely unacquainted
with you, I beg leave to refer you to the Vice
President, Mr. Wagner of the War Dept., Mr. Bradley of P. Office Dept., or Mr. Joseph Gates, Printer, for any information you may wish of my standing in Society.
Most respectfully
Your humble Serv't
Uri Tracy
Page 57

L.W.R.
I. 43872.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 22, 1898.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were
pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay
rolls of the Revolutionary War and the
War of 1812 as are now in the possession
of the Government are on file in the
Record and Pension Office, War Department.
Original rolls and other records
pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the
archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.

REVOLUTIONARY.

Madam:-
Replying to your request for further information concerning John Punderson, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that the papers on file in his claim for pension do not show that he held the rank of a lieutenant while in the service. Your attention
is invited to the note in the upper left hand corner of this sheet.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Miss L. M. Patchen,
Westfield, N. Y.
Chaut. Co.
Page 58

[circular stamp} U.S. PENSION OFFICE. D
JAN 5 1898
Page 59

Jan. 3rd 1898
Department of Interior

[rectangular stamp:  JAN 6 1898
FILES.]

Dear Sir
In reply to my questions concerning my
great-grandfather, John Punderson, you reply- that he was Ensign 1776 in New York
troop under Col. Clinton.  I find in Rev. Rolls
" Lt Col. Frederick Wessenfels (Lenies) -
John Punderson Nov. 2nd 1781
Lieutenant.
Did not he rank as Lieu.?

Very respectfully-
(Miss) L.M. Patchen
Chaut. Co. Westfield, N.Y