Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7819, for Roswell Osborn, Vermont
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Service:  VT

Osborn, Roswell

R.7819
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Hon J L Edwards
Com'r Pensions
Pension Office
Washington DC
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Chittenango, Oct. 1, 1834

Sir.

A communication from you of the 25th ult in relation to the application of Roswell Osborn, for a pension under the Act of June 7, 32, is now before me; from which it appears you must labor under some mistake as to the services Osborn alleges in his declaration. He does not State he enlisted or served in Colonel Warners regiment. He says "in 1777 he volunteered to serve for three years in the Vermont Troops," "under Capt Nathaniel Seely." This was the verbage given to his statement. He did not mean to be understood as belonging to any corps called State Troops but volunteers or Vermont Troops, who had agreed to serve for
three years.  Capt. Seely he informed me held the roll which he signed and which was headed with such an agreement.

As I understood from his story-- the corps in which he served was no other than volunteer Militia-- who had waived a draft by volunteering for three years. It was such service he means to be understood claiming under. I have understood by many credible persons that there were a number of such companies organized in Vermont at the time Osborn avers to have served-- and it is known that the service such  corps was most effectually applied by Genl Gates and Schuyler in the destruction and capture of the enemy's forces under Burgoyne. He further says-- "he marched to Bennington, Vt. under Capt Seely, where the company joined the regiment." Not the Regiment of Col. Warner-- but that of Colonel Samuel Robinson who was his Colonel as he states-- and as you will perceive by again refering to his declaration.
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He says "Col. Warner had the command at Bennington", &c. but not that he ever served in his regiment or under his immediate command.

There may have been a Captain Abner Seely in Col. Warner's regiment and also a Captain Nathaniel Seely in the volunteer or Militia troops. I have no doubt the identity of Captain Nathaniel Seely can be established. As Osborn told me, I think, that Seely was a near neighbor of his father at the time he entered the service and afterwards. That he had known him until his death which occurred in Washington Co. some years since and that he had seen one of Seely's sons within a few years.

On account of Osborn's decayed and imperfect faculties, I was under the necessity of taking much pains in investigating the grounds for his claim to a pension. And from the examination of the matter I have had-- I am abundantly convinced that he served as he states. I cannot but think his declaration will appear more clear and sufficient to your honor, upon a re-perusal. It seems to me to establish more than a prima facia case.

I have conversed with several reputable persons who say they have heard Osborn recount his Revolutionary service, from twenty to thirty years since. And from what I learn, I very much doubt that an individual can be found in the town where he resides, acquainted with him, who does not believe he served, as he states, in the Revolutionary Army.

In preparing Osborn's application, I had the act of 32 with the instructions promulgated by the Ho. of Reps. and to which instructions I supposed the Application strictly conformed. I was not advised of the necessity of stating "the reason why he had delayed his application" but that might have been readily given.

About the first of August, 32 Osborn ap
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applied to your department for a pension through D.B. Cady of this place--who in May following had the papers returned to him-- as being insufficient in form- and not authenticated. Cady then told Osborn, as I have been informed, that he could not get a pension unless he could obtain two living witnesses-- and declined taking any further trouble in the matter without his fees. Osborn's destitute
condition prevented his making any advances and as he knew of no persons living whom he could procure to testify to his services-- he despaired of ever getting a pension. So the matter rested until a few weeks since - when one Ephraim Osborn, whose affidavit is attached to his Declaration, having heard of his still being alive, and knowing of his having served with him in the Revolutionary Army, called upon him to procure his affidavit, to prove his Ephraim Osborn's services. This circumstance caused him to renew this application, & through me, for a pension.

Osborn has been a very respectable man and so long as his faculties held out, was a preacher in some sort of religion.  His only misfortune is his poverty- being now dependant upon his grand children for his daily subsistence. He can do nothing for himself and his friends, who are in limited circumstances, are unwilling to hazard the expense of a dubious search for living witnesses, who can testify to his services-- having no knowledge of any now. They could make no very great exertion, without expending the amount of a great proportion of the old gentlemans pension should he obtain it-- and thereby neutralize any benefit he might receive from it.

For myself I will do any thing I can consistently that may be pointed out by the depart(ment)
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(depart)ment to assist in establishing his claim for a pension.  But I am inclined to think your honor, upon a re-examination and perusal of his declaration, will deem his claim already sufficiently established and place his name upon the pension roll before it be too late.

I am very respectfully Your Ob'd Servant

Th J Sutherland

Hon J L Edwards
Com'r Pensions
War Department
Washington DC
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Roswell Osborn
NY

Hon J L Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
City of Washington DC
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Byron June 19th 1839

Sir:

I am requested to write to the Commissioner of Pensions concerning an application for a revolutionary Pension
made by Roswell Osborn. The papers were forwarded from the County of Oneida and prepared by Sullivan as agent. Sullivan is the same man who has figured so largely in the Canada affar under the title of General Sullivan and the applicant thinks that he has received the certificate and by means of forged papers drawn the money and applied it to his own use and I understand by him that Sullivan is a husband of a grand Daughter of the applicant and perhaps the Connecticut has emboldened the agent to take liberties which he would not otherwise have done. Mr Orsborn was formerly a resident of this town and removed from here to the County of Oneida about fifteen years ago where he became so reduced in property that he was transported to the poor house. Some time last autumn a son of his residing in Byron removed him to this town from Oneida County about four or five weeks ago. he is quite aged being Eighty Seven years old last march and I find his memory
as well as his other faculties are very much impaired and his eye sight has totally failed. He wishes me to write as his agent and enquire whether there has been a pension certificate granted on his application? when granted and to whom sent? if granted whether it is within the knowledge of the Hon. Comm'r of Pensions whether any money has been drawn on the Certificate when drawn to whom paid etc
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If he has been found entitled to a pension and the certificate has not been forwarded he wishes it to be sent to me as his agent to the post office in Byron Geneva Co N. Y. If the Certificate has not been made out and further evidence is necessary I wish to be informed what more is required and I will as his agent endeavor to complete the
business. If a certificate has heretofore been sent on the application and is in the hands of Sullivan or any other person I should wish to learn whether the Pensoner cannot cancel that certificate and receive a new one in stead
as there is no doubt of the truth of his Statement that he has never received a cent on account of the application nor ever seen the certificate. I am with respect and esteem your obdt sent

Saml. Taggart

J. L. Edwards
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Application for a pension

N Y original
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832

State of New York
Madison County SS. 

On this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, personally appeared before the Hon. John B. Yates, First Judge of the Court of common pleas of the County of Madison, Roswell Osborn a resident of the town of Sullivan in the County of Madison and State of New York, aged eighty two 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

That the entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated:

In the Autumn of A.D. 1776 he volunteer'd at Pownal, in the State of Vermont in a company of Infantry Militia under one Capt. Nathaniel Seely of Pownal. The name of his Lieutenant was Abraham Gardner, of Pownal, and one Card of Pownal, was Ensign. He was attached to the regiment of Colonel Samuel
Robinson, of Bennington, Vt. The Lieutenant Colonel's name he does not recollect. Samuel Safford of Bennington was Major. He marched from Pownal to Cambridge in the State of New York, under the
command of Capt. Seeley and from thence to Skeinsborough, where the company joined the regiment. He then marched with his company which was again detached from the regiment, to Castleton, where they were stationed a few days - and from thence marched to Bennington and from
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thence back to Pownal, where he was dismissed and the company disbanded. During this expedition he was in service about one month as a private. The duty the company performed was detecting and apprehending tories - and securing provisions for the American forces.

On the first of March (the 4th or 5th day as he believes) in A.D. 1777, he volunteered at Pownal, Vt. to serve for three years, in the Vermont Troops, under Captain Nathaniel Seely of Pownal who held the enlisting roll which he signed. His Lieutenant was Joseph Briggs of Pownal, and one Watson of Pownal was Ensign and he was himself orderly Sergeant. From Pownal he marched to Bennington under the command of Capt. Seely, where the company joined the regiment of Colonel Seth Warner of the Continental Line, or perhaps of the Vermont Line, as he may not rightly have understood the service.  Had the command at that place, as he now recollects and had a regiment under his command, well equiped-- which was called "Warner's Regiment". Samuel Robinson was his Colonel. the Lieut Colonel he does not recollect - Samuel Safford was Major and one Joseph Fay was Adjutant. The officers of the regiment were frequently superceded and changed and he was commanded many times by officers who were strangers-- and whose names he never learned. among those under whose command he was at different times, he recollects Major Sideon Bronson, Major Sawyer, Major or Colonel Wright, and he thinks one Hopkins served some time as adjutant, and afterwards as Major. There were a number of field officers, of the Continental line at Bennington while he was there but whose names he never learned or has forgotten. From Bennington he marched with his regiment under the command of Colonel Robinson to Castleton where the regiment was stationed un(til)
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(un) til after the battle of Bennington. In the month of May, as he now recollects, he marched from Castleton to Fort George, with two companies under the command of a captain whose name he does not recollect. A report had been received at Castleton that depredations had been committed upon the whigs at Fort George, by the Tories and Indians and that some persons had been murdered. On this account the expedition was dispatched. From Fort George he marched with the detachment immediately back to Castleton. In the same month, as he now thinks, he marched from Castleton with the whole regiment to
Hubbardton Vt. At Hubbardton, one Major or Colonel Brownson took the command. At Hubbardton he done garrison duty a short time and then Marched back to Castleton with the regiment which place was considered their head quarters. He was much of the time out in small detachments for the purpose of detecting and apprehending tories, and in securing provisions. They were called Light Troops-- and his uniform consisted of a rifle frock and trowsers-- though his arms were a musket and bayonet and the duty they performed was that of light Infantry or riflemen. He had just came into camp at night from a scout when the information was received at Castleton, that the British forces were marching into Bennington and
before morning he marched with the whole regiment for Bennington, where they arrived a distance of fifty or sixty miles, on the evening of the next day which was that of the battle. General Stark was the commanding officer at that place. The Hessian prisoners which had been taken during the day were confined in the Meeting House, and his regiment when they arrived were placed around the meeting House as a guard. From Bennington. he had leave of absence to go home, where he remained
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two days-- and then returned to Bennington, and again joined his regiment from whence they Marched for Stillwater with their whole forces immediately and took with them five pieces of brass cannon the Americans had taken from the Hessians under Colonel Baum. In their way from Bennington they marched through St. Croix, (as the place was then called), Hoosick, and Schaghticoke, to Mathew's Mills - crossed the river at Stillwater Falls in a scow and then marched up to Bemis Heights. General Gates had the command in person when they arrived at that place, and the whole of his forces were present. His regiment was some of the time under the immediate command of Col. Morgan, who was the commander of the rifle corps. He now
recollects no officers of the Continental Line except General Gates, the Commander in chief, General Schuyler, General Arnold, Colonel Morgan, and Colonel Duane. When he arrived at Stillwater, the British forces were at Saratoga. Three or four days after his arrival at Still water he was detached with fifty men, under the command of one Lieutenant Coffin himself Sergeant - and one Corporal Baker and paraded at the door of the quarters of General Gates-- where they received orders from General Gates in person to cross the Hudson at Stillwater Ferry and take a position on the East side of the river for the purpose of cutting off
the supplies of provisions and cattle which the Tories were driving in to the forces of General Burgoyne, which they immediately proceeded to effect. After crossing at the Ferry they marched up the river towards Saratoga to a place then called the Quaker Settlement, at which place they were informed that a Tory in the neighborhood had collected a number of cattle, which he was about to drive into the British - They ambushed their men  and the
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Lieutenant with himself proceeded to a little frame cabin, in which it was reported the Tory was secreted, where they found him in the Chamber and captured him by breaking the door. and he bound him in the first instance with his cravat which he took for the purpose from his neck-- they then made a signal for their men to advance. Lieutenant Coffin then told the Tory if he did not immediately disclose where his cattle were secreted he would have him shot upon the spot. The Tory sobbed and said they were behind an adjacent piece of woods-- to which place Corporal Baker was
sent with a file of men and brought seven very beautiful far ox n. The Tory he then bound with a cord, who, together with the cattle were sent in with an escort of four men to the American Camp. He then marched with the detachment up the river to Battenkill-- and then to the bank of the river-- from which the British drove them with their field pieces. The detachment then returned to the Ferry, and crossed over to the American camp. He remained in camp no longer than was necessary to draw a supply of provision-- when they returned to the east side of the river-- reinforced by a by a Lieutenant (whose name was Beagle), a Sergeant and about twenty-five or thirty men. Then proceeding up the river to near the Quaker settlement. while marching through the wood, they discovered the track of a sleigh, although it was then only in the month of September or October--
from which circumstance they concluded game was ahead-- and so followed the track for a short distance.  When they soon overtook a Dutchman and his wife, with a pleasure sleigh, drawn by a pair of the largest oxe he ever saw, in the best possible condition for beef, in their sleigh they had a quantity of Butter and
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cheese and were cutting their way through the wood, to the bridge Burgoyne had thrown across the river for the purpose of facilitating the receipt of supplies of provisions for his army. But they took possession
of the whole convoy and sent it in safety to the American Camp. Shortly after the detachment returned to camp and in a few days his his regiment was detached from the main army under the commany of Colonel Robinson to cut away and destroy the bridge which had been thrown by the British across the river to accommodate the receipt of supplies. He crossed over with the regiment to the East side of the river and then marched up to the Bridge. But when they arrived there-- they found the British had raised redoubts on each side of the Bridge and were prepared to protect it with field pieces. When not having any field pieces himself-- Colonel Robinson thought it not advisable to make an attempt for its destruction, and accordingly marched back to camp. The next day he crossed the river again with his regiment accompanied by Colonel Dewey's Regiment and four field pieces for the purpose of destroying the Bridge. But when arrived there again They found the British had cut away the Bridge at the east end and suffered it to swing down the river on the West side, and had removed from their redoubts with their guns. The two regiments then immediately returned to camp. At the battle on the 19th of September, he was on the East side of the river. After this his regiment was detached from the main army, and with Colonel Dewey's regiment was stationed at Mathew's Mill, near Tomhannock for the purpose of more effectually preventing supplies of provisions being sent into Burgoyn. To which place he marched with his regiment where he was when the battle on the
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7th of October took place at Still water-- and where he remained with his regiment until after the surrender of Burgoyne. He then returned home to Pownal, where he remained a short time on leave of absence-- and was then in Winter quarters until March 1778, when he was ordered down the Hudson. But his father being unwilling to have him leave that part of the country-- hired for him a substitute and obtained a discharge which he received about the middle of March 1778, having served a little more than a year as a Sergeant. His discharge has been lost many years since.

In the month of April, as he now thinks, A.D. 1778, immediately succeeding an alarm was spread through the country that the British and Indians were committing depredations upon the shores of Lake Champlain and volunteers were beat up for. and he again volunteered in a company of Infantry under one Captain Joseph Briggs in which he served as a private for about three months. Colonel Robinson was again his Colonel, and his Lieutenant Colonel was Herrick. The Majors name was Chipman and one Hassett, as he now thinks was Adjutant. Does not recollect the name of any of the other officers. He marched from Pownal where he volunteered under the command of Captain Briggs to Bennington, where the company joined the regiment of Colonel Robinson. From Bennington he marched with the regiment to Wood Creek-- from thence to Hubbardton. at Hubbardton he done garrison duty three or four weeks-- and then marched
from Hubbardton to Fort Ann, and there was dismissed, some time in the month of July
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In the autumn of A.D. 1779 in the month of September as he now thinks, he again volunteered under Captain Briggs at Pownal, and marched to Bennington and from thence to Fort Edward-- and from thence to Fort Ann, where he was dismissed after having served two months or a little more, as a private.

He further states that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service, except Ephraim Osborn of the town of Northumberland in the County of Saratoga and State of New York, whose affidavit duly attested, is hereunto anexed.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Roswell Osborn

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me 

B. Yates

We, Nicholas N. Bort, a Clergyman, residing in the town of Lenox, County of Madison and State of New York, and Jairus French, residing in the town of Sullivan, in said County of Madison, near to the residence ofthe above mentioned Bort, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Roswell Osborn, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty-two 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.

Nicholas Bort
Jairus French

Sworn and subscribed year  and day aforesaid 

B Yates, First Judge of Madison County Court
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and the said Judge doth hereby declare his opinion
that of to the investigation of the matter, and
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by 
War Department, that the above applicant was 
Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
And the said Judge doth further certify that
he is well acquainted with Nicholas N Bort,
who has signed & he is preceding certificate 
knows him to be a clergyman resident in the
town of Lenox, in the County of Madison, and
that Carius French who has also signed the same
, is a resident in the town of Sullivan
in said County of Madison, and that he knows
him to be a credible person, and that their statement
 is entitled to credit
And the said Judge doth further certify, that
he is of opinion that the said Applicant, from
age and bodily infirmities, is unable to attend
at the settings of any court of record, in this
County of New York
J.B. Yates
Madison County SS I Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk
of the County of Madison do hereby certify that the
Hon. John B. Gates, before whom the fore
going Declaration and affidavits purport to have
been made and sworn to, was on the day of
the making and execution of the same First
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the
County of Madison, Commissioned as such and
duly authorized to perform any duties of said
office. And I do hereby further certify that
am acquainted with the handwriting of
the said John B. Yates, and verily believe his
name subscribed to the declaration, certificate
and affidavits hereunto amassed are his own
proper hand writings and signatures
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In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my official
seal of office this 20th day
September, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-four
Allen
Asson Clk
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the interrogatories prescribed by the war department
and propounded by me to Roswell Osborn
an applicant for a pension under the act
of Congress passed January 7th, 1832, he
upon his oath make the following an
were the
first Interrogatory-- He says he was born in
New Haven, in the State of Connecticut on the
11 of March A.D. 1752
the second-- He says he had until recently a
Bible which he purchased when about twelve
years of age in which was then entered by
his father a record of his birth. The Bible
he left with his son at Byron
the third-- He says he was resided with his
father at Pownal, in the State of Vermont,
when he was first called into service. That
from Pownal he removed to Gaston in the
State of New York, where he resided 12 or 14 years
from thence he removed to Florida, N. Y.
where he resided for 4 years -- from & hence re
moved to Sanger field N.Y. and then shortly
to the adjoining town of Paris where he
resided 10 or 12 years -- from thence he moved
 to Verona, N. Y. where he resided or
5 years and from thence he removed
to Byron, in the western part of the
State of New York where he resided 8 or 10
over, and then removed to the Town of
Sullivan, where he has since resided
the fourth-- He says he first entered as a vol
unteer, then enlisted for three years, and at
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time mentioned he entered and
Volunteer
the fifth-- He states the substance of his
claration
the Sixth-- He says at the time he furnished a
substitute he received a discharge signed
by Captain Nathaniel Seely- which has been
destroyed, as he supposes for many years
the 7th. He says-The Rev. Nicholas N. Bort,
Thomas French, and many others, will certify to
his character for truth and veracity
J. B. Gates.
First Judge of the
County of Madison,
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We whose names are hereunto subscribed
I do hereby certify and state, that we have
been acquainted with Roswell Osborn, (an applicant
for a pension under the act of Congress,
sed June 7, 1832, for more than ten years part
that we believe him to be eighty-two
years of age - that ever since we have been
acquainted with him, we have understood
that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary ar
my - that it is so universally believed in & he
neighborhood where he resides and that we
concur in that belief. And we do further
certify and state that we believe the said
Roswell Osborn to be a man of truth-- that
he copies the most unimpeachable character
for truth and veracity and that he would
be believed on oath by all to whom he
known. Sullivan, Madison Co. NY.
August 21st, 1834. Hanna S. Prime
A. Brooks
Chamas Campbell
W A Brown
Jonas Brown Jr
Charles M. Brown
said Stocking
William Herrick
Isaac H. Mason
Charles Freeman
Harvey Kennedy
Nichols port.
Asa lady
Jonas Brown
in Campbell
 French Justice of the peace
S. Bucher
fourth says the first entered as a volunteer
then enlisted for three years, and at
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subsequent times mentioned he entered and
State of New York
Madison County SS. Jonas Brown, Jr. a resident
of the town of Sullivan in said county, being
duly sworn according to Law, doth on his
oath depose and say, that he is intimately ac
quainted with George J. Munroe, Ashley Brook,
Aaron Brown, Jonas Brown Senr. Charles M.
Brown, Jared Stocking, William Campbell
Asa Lady and Smith Cady, whose names
are subscribed to the within certificate and
that each and every of said persons are
reputable citizens of & he said town of Sub
livan. And he doth further depose and say
that he is acquainted with the handwriting
 of each of said persons-- and that he
has seen them severally write and that he
verily believes that the several names of the
above mentioned persons, within subscribed,
are the time, and proper signatures of the
said several persons. And he doth further
depose and say that Nicholas N. Bort, whose
name is within subscribed, is a reputable Cler
gyman of the town of Lenox, in said coun
ty of Madison. And further this deponent
saith not.
Sworn and subscribed
Jonas Brown, J.
before me this 1
5th
day of September, 1834.
James French Justa
son,
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State of New York 
Madison County  SS. Thomas J. Sutherland
Gentleman, one of the Attorneys of the Supreme Court
of the State of New York, being duly
sworn doth depose and say that he is a
quainted with Stephen Freeman, Albert Eldred
William Herrick, Hiram Brown, Isaac Free
man, Charles Freeman, A. T. Mason, Harvey
Kenedy and Thomas Campbell - that he saw
them write & heir respective signatures to the
certificate hereunto anexed and that they
are all reputable citizens of the town of
Sullivan in said County of Madison
further this deponent saith not.
Sworn and subscribed
before me & his
M. J. Sutherland
13th day of September 1834
J.B. Yates First Madison
County Courts
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State of New York
Saratoga County SS
On this 25th day of August A.D.
1834, personally appeared before me, the undersigned
justice of the peace, Ephraim Osborn, a resident
of the town of Northumberland in said County
of Saratoga, of the age of seventy years, who
being by me duly sworn according to law doth
on his oath depose and say: -
That Roswell Osborn, now of the town of Sullivan
in the County of Madison and State of New York
, an applicant for a pension under the
act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, is a dis
tant relative of this deponent, and that he
believes him the said Roswell to have been
eighty-two years of age on the 16th day of
March last that he was intimately acquain
ted with the said Roswell from some time
in the year A.D. 1779, when he & his deponent
was then about eight years of age) until the
year A.D. 1786. when the said Roswell removed
from the town of Pownal in the State of Ver
month- at which place the father of this de
ponent, as also the father of the said Roswell
resided during the above-mentioned period, 
that he this deponent and the said Roswell re
sided with their respective fathers in the said
town of Pownal, during & the whole period of
the Revolutionary War except the times and
periods during which, they, this deponent and
the said Roswell were serving in the Amer
can Army
And this deponent further saith, that on or about
the first of March, A.D. 1777 - he & his deponent
then a boy about 13 or 14 years of age, substituted
for his father, who had been drafted
in the Militia for three months service
and joined a company of Infantry under & be
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command of one Captain Nathaniel Seely of
which company & he said Roswell was then Orderly
Sergeant, that the said Roswell Marched from Pownal
to Bennington with said company under the command
of Capt Seely where the company was joined to the
regiment of one Colonel Samuel Robinson of Bennington
, the name of the Lieutenant Colonel he does
not recollect the Major was one Samuel Safford and
one Joseph Fay was Adjutant- that from Bennington
the said Roswell marched with the regiment to
Castleton, where they were stationed for a short
time that in the month of April (or first part of May
the said Roswell Marched with two companies on an
expedition to Fort George, New York, and from thence
back to Castleton and from thence marched with
the regiment to Hubbardton, Vermont, where he re
mained a short time doing garrison duty-- from
which place & his deponent returned to Castleton, and
was dismissed, his term of service having expe
red, leaving the said Roswell in the service, as
Orderly Sergeant of said company and that he
at that time understood, and now verily believes
that the said Roswell was in the service, from
the time he left him at Hubbardton until the
March following, when his father, (Roswells pro
cured a substitute for him-- and he was dischar
Ged.
And & his deponent further saith, that the said Roswell
volunteered in the Militia, at Pownal, aforesaid
in the month of April A.D. 1778 and joined a
company of Infantry under the command of
one Captain Joseph Briggs, and served & herein, as
had on the
a private, for the period of the monies immedi
ately succeeding his entering & herein-that & his
deponent volunteered and joined & he said com
marry under the command of Captain Briggs
at the same time-- and served three months
together, and at the same time with the said
Roswell - that the Troops were called out on a
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account of an alarm having been spread through
the country, that the British and Indians were
committing depredations upon the shores of Lake
Champlain that the said Roswell and this de
ponent marched with said company under the
command of Captain Briggs, from Pownal
to Bennington, at which place the company was
joined to the regiment of Colonel Robinson, of
which one Herrick was Lieutenant Colonel-- one
Chipman Major, and one posset Adjutant- that 
said Roswell & he marched with the said
regiment from Bennington to Wood-creek-- from
hence to Hubbardton, where he done garrison duty
three or four weeks, and then marched with the regiment
to Fort Ann, where, in the month of July, as he now
thinks, the said Roswell was dismissed from the service
and went home-- leaving this deponent still in the
service, where he remained for about two months on
this deponent further saith, that in the Autumn
of A.D. 1779, in the month of September as he now
thinks, the said Roswell, as also this deponent, again
volunteered under Captain Briggs, at Pownal, a
foresaid and marched from thence to Benning
ton and from thence to Fort Edward and from
thence to Fort Ann, where, in the month of No
vember as he now thinks,) & he company was 
dismissed and they went home-- and that he verily
believes that the said Roswell at this time served
two months or more as a private.
& his deponent further saith, that he now recollects that the
said Roswell was out some time in the Militia in
the Autumn of A.D. 1776 - that he saw him march
way with Captain Seely's company-- but does not know
how long he was gone-- nor where he marched. And
further this deponent saith not.
Sworn and subscribed 
other
before me this 25th
day of August AD. 1834. Father Mella
Helen
Justin of the Peace
Page 29

Aug. 28. 1834
many years.
with Ephraim Osborn
I concur in the above State
have been acquainted
Aaron Nash
one by one
the matter of
Roswell, Osborn
an applicant for
a pension under the
act of Congress
passed June 7.
Ephraim Osborn's Affida
Thomas J. Sutherland
Atty at Law
Chittenango, Madison
New York
Agent
of New York
Saratoga County I Alpheus Goodrich Clerk of
the County of Saratoga do certify that Nathan
McClitten before whom the within affidavit
purports to have been sworn, was at the date
of the said affidavit a Justice of the peace in
for the said County, and that I am acquainted with
his hand writing & verily believe his name
Subscribed to the and leffidavit, & the Certificate
thereon to be his proper hand writing & signature
Witness my hand and seal
of Office this 27th day of August
1834 A Goodrich Clerk
Page 30

Certify that the above-named Ephraim Osborn
is reputed in his neighborhood to be a man
of unblemished character, and that I have
been acquainted with him for the last Eighteen years
, during which time I have lived near him
and known him well and believe him to be
a man of truth, and have no doubt he would
be believed on oath wherever he is known. I
have myself since I have been acquainted with
him understood, and it is so believed in the
neighborhood that he served as a soldier
in the Revolution
or & Cumberland, August 25th 1834
Nathl McClellan Justice of the Par
most readily concur in the above statement.
William Perry Justice of insane
Agent
a pension under
New York
with Ephraim Osborn
many years. He is a
credible witness
John W. Taylor
Aug. 28, 1834.
the act of Congress
passed June 7, 1832
Witness my hand and
an applicant for
Thomas C. Sutherland
I have been acquainted
┃ purports to have been sworn, was at the date
Chitten before whom the within affidavit
of the said affidavit a Justice of the peace in
my
of Office this 27th day of August
I concur in the above Statement
made by the Hon. J. W. Taylor
Aaron Nash
concur in the above representation
of Ephraim Osborn Sept 5th 1834
Page 31

compay joined the regiment of Col Robinson
from Bennington he marched with the regt
to Wood Creek from thence to Hubbardton
At Hubbardton he done garrison three or four
weeks and then marched from Hubbardton
to Fort Ann, and there was dismissed.
the Autumn of 1779 in & be month of September as
he believes) he again volunteered under Capt
Briggs, at Pownal, and marched to Bennington
and from & hence to Fort Edward and from
thence to Fort Ann, where he was dismissed after
having served two months or a little
more as a private
Page 32

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWFeel
Mr. K. D. Kelsey
Box 54
Reading, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
August 7, 1929
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, R. 7819, it appears that Roswell Osborn
was born March 16, 1752, in New Haven, Connecticut.
He applied for pension September 13, 1834, while residing
in Sullivan, Madison County, New York, and alleged
that while residing at Pownal, Vermont, with his father,
whose name is not stated, he enlisted and served with the
Vermont Troops as follows:
In the fall of 1776, one month as private in Captain
Nathaniel Seely's Company, Colonel Samuel Robinson's Regiiment
; from March 4 or 5, 1777, to in March, 1778, as or
derly sergeant in Captain Nathaniel Seely's Company in
Colonel Seth Warner's or Colonel Samuel Robinson's Regiment
; from in April, 1778, three months as a private in
Captain Joseph Briggs' Company, Colonel Samuel Robinson's
Regiment; from in September, 1779, two months as private
Page 33

in Captain Briggs' Company.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish
proof of the alleged service.
It also appears in said claim that he moved about
1786, from Pownal, Vermont, to Easton, New York, where
he resided twelve or fourteen years; then moved to Florida,
New York, and lived three or four years; then moved to
Byron New York, and lived eight or ten years, and then
moved to Sullivan, New York.
It is stated that he had children by his first wife
and a son by a second wife, who lived in Byron, New York,
and had a large family; his grandchildren are also referred
to.
The names of his wives, children and grandchildren
are not given.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 34

1929, Aug. 7. Hist. to
R. M. Kelsey
Calif.
1929 Aug. 24, Photos mailed
to W.G. Osborn & Fin Div.
wife, A. D. Y.
 March 3
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
The printed list of 1852
shows reasons for sus-
Alleges:
Newston
Re-enlisted: I. as appears
from the letter of the Sec.
of the State of Vermont the
records afford no trace of the
Attorney:
service in question, it is
doubtful if the applicant be
sustained
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
18
Page 35

Roswell Osborn
New York
Suspended
25 Sep 34
7819
Act 7. June
Page 36

 Taggart
3 Sep. 1839
Page 37

War Department
Pension Office
Sir
Sep. 3 August 1839
In reply to your letter of the poling
the claim of Roswell Osborn I have to hold that the further that of the
of the claimant
there is if as appears
from the letter of the Secretary of State of Vermont
the records furnish no evidence of the
service in question it is say doubtfully whether 
can be contained
application by any satisfactory proof
Samuel Taggart Esqr
Byron
New York
Page 38

S. Taggart
28 June 1839
Page 39

War Department
Pension office
28. June 1839
In reply to your letter of the 19th instant native
to the claim of Roswell Osborn on applicant for
pension under the act of June 7th 1832 I have to
at that examination of this case
that the
militia of the State of Vermont in the
the Secretary L Knapp Esq.
claimant's revolutionary
of the same may be had-
Ann Taggart Esq
Byron
N.Y
Page 40

Sutherland
Chittenango NY
J T Sutherland
13th Oct 1834
Page 41

Marble
Pension office
Oct 34
In reply to yours of first I
have to state that there is no knowledge
of any such as that which according to
your explanation of Roswell
Osborn's declaration he rendered under
Col Robinson of Vermont- If he did not
belong to Warners Regt why is the adjutant
Bronson of Warners Regt the adjutant
of that to which Osborn belonged &
Capt Hopkins of Warner's Regt in Command
of him at any time? If the service was one of
volunteer militia as you assent, it was
composed of short terms under calls as
all other minute men & each term
should be seperately recited in relation
to period & grade & the papers
originally made out in the benified
of the act of June I should be retened
-Having once been acted upon by
the Dept they become a necessary part of
the claim in every subsequent action
if you persist in maintaining that the
for an uninterrupted service of 3 years
service was that of Volunteer military
it
will be necessary to
the
Page 42

the authority for accepting & embodying them
with the regular for 3 years- The kept
possesses no knowledge of any such authority
& hence the inference that he intended
to allege service in Warners Regt and
that he had mistaken the christian name of
Capt Seely-- You will be good enough
to communicate this letter to the
W. R. Fuller which will
supersede an answer to his
of 6 inst which was received
after this had been written. There is no suspicion
as to the general character of the claim - but
the Depart, must be satisfied as to the authorie
for a service which the Militia in their ording
obligations were neither bound or required to
perform, and which if they did render
must have been under some special law
that to show
Chittenango
N. Y.
Sutherland
13th Oct 1834
Page 43

Thomas
Sept 5
Talland
the
1834
O. C.
Recd Vol. 33 pa 146
Page 44

War Department
Pension Office
Sept 1834
The claim of Roswell Osborn has been examined & for
headed Allege that he enlisted in March 1777 in Capt Nath
July Company Col Warners Regt for three years and fered untill March
1778 as a Sergeant when his father procured a substitute The company
roll of Capt Abner Seely (then was Capt Nath. Seely) in that set
for that period does not bear his name
they also shew that the company
was incomplete having but six men at one period & 14 at a nother & the office
of it resigned in June 1778 - Nor is his name borne on the rolls of either
of the other seven companies of that Regt under these circumstanes that
Service
should
could not be admitted unless it is established by two credible witnesses who
State particularly the term and manner of entering and leaving the found
The remainder of his alleged service is insufficient to entitle him to the
provisions of the act of June 7th 1832 some reason should be given why he has
delayed his application to this time
It is papers are placed on our files
Thomas
Sutherland Esq
Chittenango
New York
Respectfully
Your Obt Serty
Page 45

Sutherland
with a note
yours under date of Sept 28th- 34 in reply
to the application
Mr Roswell ardor of this
for a pension
at his request I take the
liberty
conveying to you information as
powers
in relation to the claim of Osborn
On the 13th day of Sept. 1832, the applicant appeared
before me (then a Judge of this County & made oath
in the trial form to as declaration which was
forwarded to the Department by his
B. Cady & shortly afterwards returned with the
allowing
objections on 1st "not authenticated
time
not accursedly
stated" "no living
witness no reason why
a perusal of this
application I found that the objection were
all will taken. The services of Mr I were very
Page 46

imperfectly set forth and in a manner evincing
another quarance of military discipline and
organizationthere
defects however ought not to
be attributed to Me - the fault he arose
to with his agent. Since the return of the
papers Mr Lutherland informs me
that he
has been
employed as the agent of Mr O & a new
application has been forwarded a copy of which is
now before me - on reference thereto it does
not appear (as stated in your note of the 25th to
that the Declarant alleges that he enlisted
in
11
March 77 in Capt. Nath July's company, Col.
11
Warner Regt for 3 years & He merely states
that Col. Warner commanded at Bennington
to which place declarant was marched after
in enlistment under Capt Nath Seely at
to
Pantal- explicitly overs that Samuel
Robinson was his Colonel
ite
that his Major's
name was Samuel Safford
the name of his
Lieut Col he does not recollect-
Page 47

R. Osborn
very poor & very aged, but a very
worthy man - too
poor & infirm to sustain the
expense & Julian of
looking up witnesses be
his claim - to the same causes should
attributed the delay in renewing his application
anything
suspicious can be informed from
that circumstance. I
trust the claim
O. will receive an
early & favorable
return
Repectfully
your
Robt Burt
Wok Fuller
Page 48

Hon J. L. Edwards Comm of
Pensions
Washington
City
Page 49

Sir
Byron August 20th 1839
Soon after the receipt of yours of the
28th of June I wrote to C.L. Knapp L
Secretary of State of the State of Vermont
the Childred is his answer to my
communication it appears that the papers
are imperfect and he finds nothing to
amount to any evidence of the Claim of
Raborn for a Pension you write that this
was suspended in October 1834 for further
proof as Mr Osborns memory is so completed
by estrated with regard to any thing that
transpired within a few years past that
I find it impossible from him to leave
any thing in the way of proof that has been
forwarded or that may be wanting will you
be kind enough to write what proof have
been forwarded and what further is required in
order to obtain a certificate and if possible
of
will endeavor to obtain it
of his services entitle him to a pension
he is really in need of it his Elder children
by his first wife had him put into the poor
house in Oneida Co. his son by a second
wife brought him to this town from thence
although a poor man and quil a family of
children to support. in which account I feel
and on that he should obtain a pension of
his services have been such as to merit it
am with respect Your obedient sent
Lank Taggart
Hon J.L. Edward
Com of Pensions
N.B. as I was about starting on
a journey when I wrote to the ser
of Jument. I requested him to
forward the evidence to L. Clark
Esq who engeged to forward
it to the Depart this will
explain why the letter is set to him
Page 50

Loren Clark Esq
Byrer
Genesee County
N. York
Page 51

State of Vermont
Secretary of State Office
Sir
Loren Cla
Montpelier Aug. 8. 1839
After a careful examination of the
papers in this office, I have not been able to
find the name of Roswell Osborn. The
papers are imperfect.
The fore for trouble is
Respectfully
Esq.
Merrill
Dep Sec of State
I should have stated before that Mr
Saml Paggest wrote to this office for proof of the
service of Mr. in the Revolutionary War, and
directed the answer to be forwarded to you.
Page 52

Haverhill St
Reading Mast
Commissioner of Pensions
May 3 - 1929
Dear Sir
Will you please have
the records examined for one
Roswell Osborn, while residing
in N. Y. State his application
under act of 1832. I think, was
rejected, for want of sufficient
evidence - reference made to
Page 53

of Vermont
Family tradition claims he was an
Any out four in roundabout
1750 - living in Albany
Co. N.Y. 1790. Berge Tennessee
Co. after 1813 The Rejected
Pension List. says of Sullivan
Co. of Madison -
Yours very truly
of State
Box 54 Reading Mass
K. W. Kelsey
Page 54

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
All inquiries regarding this should refer to Requisition No.
PHONE Branch 476
3474
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
August 15, 1929.
CHIEF, Division of Publications,
Room G 137.
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE,
EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 24 pages from Revolution
ary War pension claim of Roswell Osborn, R. 7819, Vt. Troops.
No. of copies 1 of each Shall form be kept standing?
days
For further information see Mrs. M. M. H. Finch
55033
541.
Room No. Phone No.
Margaret M H. Finch
A
NOTE: No
Chief Clerk of Bureau.
Chief of Branch XXXX
order made ""SPECIAL"" unless statement showing necessity is written
below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
Say
12
Duplicate
Multigraph
Mimeograph
Folding
Assembling
Stapling
●
Electric typewriter
Addressograph from lists
Envelopes, size
Proof list
Labels (submit sample)
Fill in letters
CHECK WORK DESIRED
single or double space?
one side or both sides?
once or twice?
Once?
Twice? Side?
Photostat x
Blue Print
Size actual
End?
Remarks
Fill in addresses?
Size.
Facsimile signature?
Facsimile signature?
Dated?
Cards, size
┃ Pay rolls
┃ Corrections
Tabulation sheets
Official use?
Repay? Yes. $3.60
Official use?
Repay?
.
(OVER)
Page 55

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal
reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks
bureaus.
( Date )
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
Make new addressograph plate
Change present addressograph plate
Destroy present addressograph plate
as follows:
Now reads
Should read
Operator
Remarks:
Operator
Remarks:
On list
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made
Date
Operator
MULTIGRAPH
Type set by
MIMEOGRAPH
Date
Cut by
Date
Page 56

Washington, D. C.
August 15, 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions,
FINANCE DIVISION
BOOK KEEPER'S DESK
AUG 16 1929
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Dear Sir:
Please furnish me photostatic copies of twenty - four
pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Roswell
Osborn, R. 7819, Vermont Troops, uncertified.
Very truly yours,
Cash -
$300
W. E. Osborn
441 Nuber Avenue
Mount Vernon
New York
Received payment,
$3.60
August 15, 1929.
Ada De Young.
Rev.&1812 Wars Section.