Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12852, John Edwards, N.Y.
Page 1

(8-1776)
Service                                          Number
N.Y.              Edwards, John         S. 12852
Contents
Page 2

14485 New York 
John Edwards
of Suffolk Co in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Griffin in the Regt. commanded
by Col. Livingston in the N. York 
line for 8 months

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 27th day of May 1833--and sent to J. R. Hunting  Smith town [Smithtown]
Arrears to the 4th of May ‘33 $53.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sep 33 13.33 
[summed to] $66. 65 
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles  Clerk,
Book  C.   Vol.  4  Page 18 

[Note on right side of page]
See letter to Mr Fleming & Mr Ames 
May 30. ‘35, relation to transfer

Died Dec. 21 1833.  [initials] AB
Page 3

Declaration of
John Edwards
to obtain a pension
2144

admd [admitted]
8 mo pri
$26.66
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
~
State of New York
County of Suffolk} ss: On this third day of October 1832, personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Suffolk, now sitting John Edwards a resident of the town of Brookhaven in the said County of Suffolk and State of New York aged eighty years and upwards, who 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 officers and served as herein stated viz.
On 1st Jany 1776 enlisted in Captain Daniel Griffin's Company of State Troops at Coram, and passed muster at Middle Island in the said town. He does not recollect that he enlisted for any particular term.  Very soon afterwards the company marched to Shelter Island and were stationed there from this time until Long Island was given up which was a few days after the Battle at Brooklyn. His company officers were Capt. Griffin, Lieutenant  Norton, Sergeant Marvin and Corporal Wm Phillips.  There were three companies belonging to the regiment; one stationed at Oyster Ponds under Captain Roe, and the other at Montauk under Captain Davise. The regiment was under the immediate command of Colonel Livingston, who was with the company on Shelter Island, and obeyed the orders of Colonel (or General) Clinton who was not with the company, and deponent dont know where his quarters were. He does not recollect the names of any other officers. When Long Island was surrendered Capt. Griffon's company left Shelter Island and coming over to Long Island, went as he understood to Connecticut.
Page 5

While the company was thus on Long Island, deponent was taken sick and left by the company and no provision was made for him. His family soon afterwards removed him home and he never afterwards entered the service.  He was thus in active service about eight months and was sick for about three months afterwards.
He was born in the said town of Brookhaven, but cannot state the year, the records of his age which he formerly had and has often seen, having been long since lost.  He is however more than eighty years old. He was living in Brookhaven when called into the service and has resided there since the Revolutionary war.  He voluntarily enlisted and was not drafted nor a substitute.  There were no regular officers nor other regiments with this Company. No important circumstance occurred while deponent so served.  He never received any written discharge and has no documentary evidence of his service. 
John Corwin, Jonathan Worth and David Howell reside near deponent, and can testify as to his character for veracity and as to their belief or knowledge of his service in the war of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declared that his name is not on the pension roll of this agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day of year aforesaid.
John Edwards
Joseph R Huntting CLK
Page 6

I, Jonathan Worth residing in the said town
-----------------
I, John Edwards residing in the Town of Brookhaven in the County of Suffolk hereby certify the I am well acquainted with John Edwards who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed declaration that I believe him to be about Eighty years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier to have been a soldier of the revolution & that I concur in that opinion.
John Edwards
Sworn in open court
this 3 day of October 1832
before Mr Joseph R Huntting CLK
---------------
and service. And from my personal knowledge, from general reputation and from his previous declarations I have no doubt that he served in every respect in the manner stated in his said declaration.
Jonathan Worth
Sworn this 3rd day of October 1832 before me
Joseph R Huntting CLK
Page 7

I, Jonathan Worth residing in the said town of
 Brookhaven, hereby certify that I am
well acquainted with John Edwards who has
subscribed the
foregoing declaration, that
I deponent and eighty six years of age; that I
know of the said John Edward's serving
in
Captain Griffin Company on Shelter Island in the
year 1776, having seen him there;
I
also know of his being sick for about three
months after the company came from Shelter
Island, on to Long Island having visited him
while so sick, and I believe he would have
continued with the company and would have gone
to Connecticut, if he had been able or provision had been
made for him. The said John Edwards is a
man of veracity and deponent has frequently
heard him relate the circumstances of his enlistment
and service. And from my personal knowledge
from general reputation, and from his previous
declarations I have no doubt that he served in
every respect in the manner stated in his said
declaration

Sworn this 3rd day of
October 1832 before me
Joseph R Huntting Clk

Jonathan Worth



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 stated. And that Court
further certifies that it appears to them that
Jonathan Worth & John Edwards who have signed the preceding certificate
are residents in the said town of Brookhaven and
are credible persons & this statements are entitled to credit
Page 8

on Sons and deponent

I, Joseph R Huntting, Clerk of the said Court
of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Jonathan Worth
for a pension-

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this
3rd day of October 1832.

Joseph R Huntting Clk
Page 9

21330

P.250. Vol. 1. Wach. Let
p.12, Vol. 2. Jour. Old Con.
Page 10

State of New York County of Suffolk SS: on the twenty sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and Thirty-- Personally appeared in open Court, in the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Suffolk, being a Court of Record and so constituted by an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, John Edwards resident in the Town of Brookhaven, in the said County of Suffolk, aged Seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the first of May 1820. That he the said John Edwards enlisted for the term of one year on or about the first day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy six at a place called Coram, near the middle of Long Island in the State of New York, in the company commanded by Captain Daniel Griffing in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry B. Livingston in the line of the State of New York on the continental establishment: That he continued to serve until the expiration of ten months when he was attacked and brought low with a fever which confined him to his bed for nearly three months. That immediately before or soon after he was taken with said fever the British took possession of New York City and the company to which he was attached soon after retreated into the State of Connecticut and that in consequence of such sickness he was left behind. That by reason of the severity of said fit of fitness he was unable and unfit to ever join his company afterwards - That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any State except the State of New York. That the reason for his not making an earlier application for a pension that until within a few months he has enjoyed tolerable health (excepting lameness) by reason of
Page 11

which & with the assistance of a minor son he has been enabled to live in a degree comfortable - But that now his health has become impaired and his lameness has increased to a degree that renders him nearly unable to walk at all. That his Son on whom he mainly depended is unable longer to afford him the aid necessary to his situation having no trade or profession and nothing except what he earns or obtains by manual labour - That he ever flattered himself that he should be enabled to live and die comfortably without the assistance of his Country. That the cause of this application is the extreme pressure of his circumstances- 
And in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 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 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 - That since the 18th of March 1818 there have been no material changes made in my property I having owned no property of value then, or at any time since 
That I have a wife, Betsey, aged sixty years and who is unable to assist much towards obtaining a living owing to a weakness and pain in the breast- That the minor son above mentioned and a daughter aged about fifteen
Page 12

years, together with my wife aforesaid, make my family.
That I am by occupation a farmer or a labourer
on a farm and have no means of support but
by daily labour, which by reason of the infirmities of age, great lameness and imperfect state of
health I am poorly able to perform, and
that I am in such indigent circumstances as
to be unable to support myself without the assistance of my country, except by private or public charity--
---
subscribed and sworn in
open Court before the
Judges thereof the day &
year above written-

John Edwards
Page 13

Schedule of all the property of John Edwards, within named, both real and personal -
one Bed & Bedding (Value           $4.00
Five old chairs                                1.00
Six Plates                                        0.50
Six Knives & forks                          0.37½
one axe $0.75- One pot $0.62½-  1.37 ½
one Kettle $0.371/2- One old cow $8.00 - 8.37½
one old table $0.75- Earthen ware $0.25. 1.00
Wearing apparel                               3.00
                                                       _______
Amt                                               $19.62½

Dated the 26th day of May 1830
John Edwards 

I, Joseph R Huntting, Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the County of Suffolk do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the said
Court that the said John Edwards did serve
in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding Declaration against the common enemy
for the term of nine months under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also
certify that the foregoing oath 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 Nineteen dollars and
Sixty two & ½ cents-

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of the said Court on this twenty sixth day
of May 1830 -
Joseph R Huntting Clk
Page 14


Suffolk County ss Obadiah Wells being duly sworn according to law deposeth as follows that is to say-That he this deponent resides in the Town of Riverhead in the said County of Suffolk. That he is acquainted with John Edwards the person mentioned and described in and who has made oath to the annexed Declaration and oath bearing date the twenty sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty - That he, this deponent, was a fellow soldier with said Edwards in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six in the company commanded by Captain Daniel Griffing in the regiment commanded by Colonel Henry B. Livingston, in the line of the State of New York, on the continental establishment. That said Edwards enlisted, as near as he can recollect, about the same time as he this deponent did, viz on or about the first of January one thousand seven hundred and Seventy six. That said Edwards continued in the service until the latter part of September following when the Company to which he was attached retreated into the State of Connecticut, leaving said Edwards behind, in consequence of sickness - That said sickness was severe and was called, the long fever. That said Edwards was in said Company full nine months - and was permitted to remain on Long Island by Captain Griffing who considered him too unwell to retreat with his Company into Connecticut- And this deponent further says that said Edwards enlisted in or near Coram on Long Island and in the State of New York

Sworn the 29th day of
May 1830 before me

George Miller
commissioner of said


Obadiah Walls
Page 15

I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the written named Obediah Wills for several years, and that he is a person of credibility, & worthy of belief under oath 
[signed] George Miller 
the within named commissioner 
Suffolk County 
Clerks office} ss. I Joseph R Huntting Clark of the County of Suffolk Do certify that George Miller whose name is subscribed to the above Certificate is a Commissioner residing in said County and duly authorized by law to take affidavits &c. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 31st day of May In the year 1830 
[signed] Joseph R Huntting
Page 16

Suffolk County ss:  Nathan Davis being duly sworn according to law deposeth as follows that is to say That he this deponent resides in the Town of Brookhaven, in the said County of Suffolk and receives the provision made “for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War” by the Acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the first of May 1820. That he is acquainted with John Edwards the person mentioned and described in and who has made oath to the annexed Declaration and oath bearing date the twenty sixth day of May one thousand Eight hundred and thirty. That he this deponent knew said Edwards in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six at the time he enlisted in the Company commanded by Captain Daniel Griffing, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry B. Livingston, in the line of the State of New York, on the Continental Establishment. That said Edwards, to his knowledge enlisted in the month of January in the year seventy six, aforesaid. That he continued in the service until the Company, to which he, said Edwards, was attached, retreated into the State of Connecticut (by reason of the British taking possession of the City of New York). That said Edwards was permitted to remain behind by Captain Griffing in consequence of sickness. That said sickness was, he thinks, known by the name of the long fever 
[signed] Nathan Davis
Sworn the 29th day of May 1830 before me 
[signed] George Miller 
commissioner of [illegible, Bonds?]
I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Nathan Davis several years and that he is a person of credibility & worthy of belief under oath- 
[signed] George Miller 
the above commissioner
Page 17

Suffolk County
Clerks office}  I Joseph R Huntting, Clerk of the County of Suffolk Do Certify that George Miller whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is a Commissioner Residing in said County and duly authorised by law to take affidavits &c. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County this 31st day of May in the year 1830 [signed] Joseph R Huntting
Page 18

21447
John Edwards
Suffolk County
New York

Admd

Joseph R Huntting Clk
Smith Town
N.Y.
Page 19

WAR DEPARTMENT. Pension Office, --- 183 
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 John Edwards, Suffolk County New York
[TABLE]
Period when the service was rendered  Enlisted 1776 sick 3 mo. | Duration of the claimant's service   8 months. ┃ Rank of the claimant.  private ┃ Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.  Capt Griffin  |  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Livingston  Genl Clinton | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched.  Shetter Island   |  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period  80 Suffolk county N.Y. |  Evidence by which the declaration is supported . tradition witness proves the service of applicant as set forth 
[END TABLE]

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,  
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.

[handwritten note]
Blunder in Clerk's certificate the application was for John Edwards not Jonathan Worth
Page 20

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. of On this DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. Sate Territy, or is County of day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the 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) and served in the (e) regiment of the (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 he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only 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. 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 hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with and C. D. residing in (the same) subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be who has years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. And then will follow the certificate of the Court. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of 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
Page 21

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 giv-
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
Town Ofcer 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.
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.
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---yeardays
, I served as a -. For - months and --- days, I served as a-
-- months, and-
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 a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant
served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority
; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
11
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
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.
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.
are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
J. Bridges
Page 22

March 28, 1934.

BA-J/ILL
John Edwards 
S. 12852

Ruth Edwards 
248 Pearl Street
Springfield, Massachusetts. 

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Edwards, a pensioner of Suffolk County, New York.

The record of the above noted soldier is given herein as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 12852, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

John Edwards, son of David Edwards of Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, was born in Brookhaven in said Suffolk County; the date of his birth and name of his mother are not shown.

While a resident of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, he enlisted January 1, 1776, as private in Captain Daniel Griffing's company, Colonel James Clinton's New York regiment, and served on "Shelter Island" under the command of Colonel Henry B. Livingston until after the British took possession of New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 26, 1830, at which time he resided in Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York. He was then seventy-nine years of age. 

The soldier died December 21, 1833. 

In 1930, John Edwards stated that his family consisted of his wife, Betsey, aged about sixty years, a daughter, aged fifteen years, and a minor son; he did not give the names of his children.

One John Edwards was a resident of Brookhaven, New York, in 1832,
Page 23

and stated then that he was acquainted with the soldier, John Edwards, but he did not state any relationship between them. 
Very truly yours, 
A. D. HILLER. 
Assistant to Administrator. 



2.
Page 24

Pension office
7th June, 1830

Suffolk. C.h. [Court House] N.Y.            free
June 3d 
The Honourable 
John H. Eaton 
War Department 
Washington
Page 25

Suffolk Courthouse June 2nd 1830. 
Sir/
Enclosed is the Declaration, oath, &c. of a Mr John Edwards, an applicant for the provisions made to certain Soldiers of the Revolution. Attached to said declaration and oath are the affidavits of two soldiers, one of which belonged to the same company with Mr Edwards in ‘78 and the other to the same Regiment- 
In preparing the papers I have endeavoured to comply with the regulations of the department as nearly as my knowledge would admit- 
Respectfully 
[signed] Sidney L. Griffin 
[The] Honble 
John H. Eaton 
Secretary of War - Washington
Page 26

John Fleming
May 28. '35

Recd & ansd May 31 '35


[May 30
Mr Stewart


James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

[postmarked New York May 29]
Page 27

John Fleming
May 28. '35

Recd & ansd May 31 '35


[May 30
Mr Stewart


James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

[postmarked New York May 29]
Page 28

Mechanics Bank 
New York 28th May 1835 
Sir,
The papers in the case of John Edwards deceased, a Private at $26.66 per annum were presented this day for payment from 4th September 1833, by which it appears that this pensioner resided in Suffolk County; his place of residence not being reported to me, and consequently not being upon our Books, his name was inserted in the Albany List. 
Will you be pleased to have it retransferred to this Agency 
I am Very Respectfully 
Your Obt Servt 
J W. Fleming Presdt of pens: Agt.
James L. Edwards Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 29

Payable on the 4th March
and 4th September, of
every year, by the 
Presdt U. S. Br Bk
at New York


Recorded by
A G Glynn
Clerk, in Book D
Vol. 5.  Page 83
Page 30

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. 
I Certify, That, in conformity with the Law of the United States , of the 18th of March, 1818 
John Edwards  late a private in Capt Griffins company of Col Livingston's - Regiment in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New York Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the nineteenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 21st day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty
[signed] P G Randolph
[illegible] Secretary of War

Examined and countersigned, 
J.L. Edwards
Page 31

This is to certify that John Edwards, son of David of Suffolk County, Long Island, was a private soldier in Captain Daniel Griffin's Company in the 2d Regiment of New York State Infantry, commanded by Colonel James Clinton, in the year 1776, at which time I was Lieutenant of said company, and that he served in said company as a private until the British Army took possession of the city of New York and our company retreated [to Westchester County, crossed out] into Connecticut and Edwards was left behind. I did not know him to be attached to the service at any subsequent period 
New York September 29th 1829 – 
[signed] Nathaniel Norton
Capt. 4th Regt U.S.A. 

State of New York 
City & County of New York ss --- Personally appeared before me the First day of December 1829 the above named Nathaniel Norton who being duly Sworn doth depose and say that the above certificate is in every respect true and correct and further that the said Edwards served as a private in the same company herein this deponent was a Lieutenant for the space of Nine Months, according to the best of my recollection & Belief 
In witness whereof I have at the said
Page 32

State of New-York, 
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YOBE, } ss.
I, NICHOLAS DEAN, Clerk of the City and County of New York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That 
Washington M Haxton Esq whose name is subscribed to the annexed Notarial Certificate was on the day of the date of said Certificate a Public Notary in & for the State of New York duly appointed & sworn dwelling in the said city
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, this First day of Dec 1829 
[signed] N. Dean
Page 33

City & County of New York affixed my seal of office the day and year last aforesaid and subscribed my name hereunto.
[signed] Washington M. Haxtun 
Notary Public
Page 34

Hon. John H. Eaton
Secretary of War
Washington 
D.C.

Pension Office
Dec. 27 1830
Page 35

Hon. John H. Eaton
Secretary of War
Washington 
D.C.

Pension Office
Dec. 27 1830
Page 36

New York 21st Dec. 1830
To the Secy of War
I feel it my duty to represent to you, that a person from Long Island called on me above a year ago and asked me whether I was a Lieutenant of Capt. Griffin’s company in Col. Jas Clinton's regiment during the campaign of 1776. I answered, that I was; he next asked me, if I knew a soldier in that company, by the name of John Edwards  I told him that I did, he then requested me to certify that fact and without due recollection I did so. Sometime during the past autumn another man of the town of Riverhead, County of Suffolk, Long Island, came to me, in the character of an attorney for said town, which had employed him to obtain pensions for John Edwards and Obadiah Wells. He informed me that by the certificate, which I gave last year he had obtained a pension for John Edwards and now desired me to give him a certificate in favour of Obd Wells. At the mention of both names I now fully recollected that they both enlisted under me to serve in the above company during the campaign aforesaid, recd. their bounty money & subscribed the articles of war. [and, crossed out] Capt. Griffin's Company to which they belonged was one of the three companies raised on the east end of Long Island, which remained there, until the British landed on the west end, we then received orders to
Page 37

cross the sound into Connecticut and join the main army, and then they sd Edwards & Wells deserted, instead of crossing with us, remained and assisted the British during the war. I felt myself obligated to make this communication that the Government should not be imposed on by the said Edwards and Wells. For they are no more deserving a pension than traitor Arnold. They never served one campaign and if any persons have certified that either of them did I know that they have attested to a falsehood 
With assurances of respect and a love to justice I am your friend and a friend to my country 
[signed] Nathaniel Norton 
late a Capt. in the revolutionary army
Page 38

If either of these men are on the Pension list strike it off & give notice that the statement herein contained may be opened to exploration. Dont give the name of the informant 
[signed] J. H. Eaton
18 apt 1831
Page 39

Middle Island Dec 20 [day is uncertain]   [initials] TRE   Jan 7. 1831
The Hon.
James Lent 
Representative in Congress
Washington
Page 40

248 Pearl St. 
Springfield 
Mass.
Veterans Administration 
A.D. Hiller, Assistant 
Dear Sir, 
Please send me any information contained in pension papers of John Edwards Revolutionary Soldier, who shows on report of the Secretary of War in 1835 from Suffolk County, New York State 
Yours truly 
Ruth Edwards

[stamped] RECEIVED Mar 18 1934 Mail sub-div [illegible]
Page 41

45 365 
INVALID.   Revy
File No. 45365 
John Edwards 
Pri Rev War --- 
Act: 18 March 1818 
Index:-- Vol.  3  , Page 148 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 

[handwritten note]
The papers in this claim made under act Mch. 18, 1818 placed with papers in his claim under act June 7, 1832, same man.
Aug. 6, 1929 – [initials illegible]
Page 42

1934. March 28. Hist to Ruth Edwards 
Edwards - I. L. L.

Rev War
12852 
INVALID. 
File No. 12, 852 
John Edward 
Priv. Rev. War 
Act: June 7th 1832 
Index: -- Vol.  Page 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 43

Know All Men by these Presents that I John Edwards of the Town of [Riverhead, crossed out] Brookhaven in the County of Suffolk and State of New York pentioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint Washington Haxtun my true and lawfull atterney for me and in my name to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in the State of New york my Pention from the nineteenth Day of July 1830 to the fourth Day of March 1831 Witness my hand and Seal this 18th day of June 1831 
[signed] John Edwards
Sealed and delivered in presence of David Edwards 
[I Certify that, rubbed off]
State of New York
Suffolk County}  Be it known that on the 18th day of June 1831 before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the said County personally appeared John Edwards above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and Deed. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned 
[signed] David Edwards  Justice
Page 44

recd May 13. 1831
Page 45

New York May 2nd 1831 
This is to certify that we attended Capt. Nathaniel Norton in the month of September 1829 during an attack of Bilious remittent Fever, most of which time the faculties of his mind were considerably impaired as is generally the case in that fever, so that I should consider him incapable of attending to any business; and though it is conceded he yielded his consent to the Signature of the affidavit for John Edwards, yet as he did it in the delirium of fever it could not be legal or valid 
[signed] J. J. Ruton M.D. & George Rogers 
attending physicians

J. L. Edwards Esq 
Dear Sir 
I cannot explain the subject more fully than the above together with my communication to you respecting the desertion of Edwards & Wells of a previous date 
Respectfully Yours 
[signed] Nathl [Nathaniel] Norton
Page 46

20.191 
New York 
John Edwards 
of Suffolk Co. in the State of N. York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Griffin of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Livingston in the New York line, for the term of one year from January 1776 to January 1777. 
Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 19th day of July 1830 
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 of July 1830 and sent to S. L. Griffin Esq. Suffolk C. H. New York 
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1830. 12.38. Semi-anu'l all'ce ending 
$12.38 
Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. 

See letters to Capt. N. Norton & Pension Agent. Dec 27. 1830. Do. to W.M. Haxtun July 16. 1831. = Dropt from Roll 
See letter 11 April 1831 to Agent
Page 47

Suffolk NY
July 15       Jae

War Department
Pension office,
Washington

Pen: to com: 19 July 1830
Page 48

N Y. Suffolk Court house July 15th 1830 
Sir
From your letter of the 28th June last I understand that, by informing you where Capt. Daniel Griffing received his pension perhaps a more satisfactory investigation of the claims of John Edwards and Obadiah Wells, may be had-- I would inform you that Capt. Griffing resided, after the Revolution and until his death in 1824, in a small village [illegible] State of Connecticut, called Killingworth - It is situated on the Long Island Sound not far, I think, from New Haven. 
Captain Griffin was a conspicuous officer in the Revolution and had a large company of soldiers encamped on the eastern extremity of Suffolk County, Long Island in the year 1776. The two claimants, above mentioned, belonged to this Company. There were four companies in that year encamped in Suffolk County, Viz- 
Capt. Daniel Griffing commanded the one at Shelter Island- 
Daniel Roe do.  Oyster ponds (Southold) 
[blank] Rogers do. Sag Harbour 
John Davis do. East ampton. {Easthampton]
These companies were in fact, I now learn, a detachment of Colonel James Clinton's Regiment, but were commanded by Colonel Henry B. Livingston, and these claimants considered themselves his soldiers. Livingston made his quarters at Sag harbour. When the British took possession of the City of New York these companies retreated under him into the State of Connecticut. As he was then perhaps no more than a lieutenant Colonel the rolls of Colonel James Clinton's Regiment may give more satisfactory light on this
Page 49

subject. I enclose the certificate and oath of Lieutenant Nathaniel Norton (a pensioner residing in New York) It has been handed to me by Mr Edwards since my last communication in his behalf to the Department. At the time I prepared his papers he informed me that he had had such certificate and oath, and that it declared him to have been a soldier in 1776 in Henry B. Livingston's Regiment, but that it was lost - The mistake in the name of the Colonel I humbly conceive is an honest one - since Livingston to him was not merely virtually the Colonel but was in truth really so –
It may be proper to inform you that the facts stated by these claimants are corroborated by several old and respectable men who reside in this County. I therefore trust they will be favourably considered by the Department- 
With great respect, &c [signed] Sidney L. Griffin

To J. L. Edwards Esquire 
Washington
Page 50

Pension Office
July 19 1830
Page 51

State of New York
Suffolk County } ss.  Jonathan Worth of Brookhaven in said County being duly affirmed saith that knowing John Edwards, son of David Edwards, to have been in Captain Daniel Griffin's Company in Col James Clinton's Regiment in the year 1776 and knowing said Edwards to be very poor and a fit subject to receive a pension by reason of Revolutionary services, he, this affirmant, sometime in the fall or winter of 1829, went to the house of Nathaniel Norton in the City of New York for the purpose of obtaining his evidence of said Edwards service in said Company of which he, the said Norton was first Lieutenant - That he found said Norton at home & made him acquainted with his business - that said Norton expressed a willingness to bear testimony to said Edwards services and among other things said that he would do it with freedom for he recollected well said John Edwards and his father David also. That this affirmant then went for a Notary Public in order that the business might be done correct & that George Washington Haxton Esqr this affirmant believes was the name of said Notary - That said Notary attended said affirmant to said Nortons house - That said Norton handed him, this affirmant, a certificate informally drawn up of which the said Notary with the permission of said Norton made a copy. That said copy, said Norton, declared correct and said he was willing to attest to it. That a Bible was then handed to said Notary and the oath was administered in the presence and hearing of this affirmant - That there was not a word mentioned by Norton of said Edwards or Obadiah Wells leaving the army without permission - That he, said Norton, spoke of said Edwards & Wells in the utmost good terms - declared them both to have been good & faithful soldiers & to have been under excellent discipline. And further saith not- 
[signed] Jonathan Worth
Subscribed & affirmed this 22nd day of March 1831 before me –
[signed] George Miller Commissioner of Deeds of Suffolk County
Page 52

I George Miller the within commissioner do hereby certify that I am and have been for years acquainted with Jonathan Worth the within affirmant, and that he is a person of veracity and worthy to be believe on his affirmation. dated March 22. 1831 
[signed] George Miller 

State of New York
Suffolk County } ss.  I Joseph R Huntting Clerk of the County of Suffolk and Clerk of the Court of Common pleas do certify that George Miller before whom the above affirmation was taken is a commissioner of Deeds & residing in said County and duly authorized by law to take the acknowledgement of Deeds &c and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Commissioner and verily believe that the Signature is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said County this 25 day of March AD 1831- 
[signed] Joseph R Huntting Clk