Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,625, Seth Barnum, Conn.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE   NUMBER
Conn.   Barnum, Seth  W. 21,625
              Abigail
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[Two column document - First column]
New York - 859
Abigail Burnum, widow of Seth Barnum, Deceased, Conn, who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the 26th of December, 1809 of N. York in the State of N. York who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain N. Benedick of the Regt commanded by Col. Waterbury in the Connecticut line for 7 months 1 day.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 76 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of November, 1838 and sent to Capt. Geo. Mills, No. 1, Avenue C, N. York.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1838 = $82:60
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. '39 = 16.72
[Total]  # 99.32

{Act July 7, 1883.}
Recorded by G.A. Elliot, Clerk
Book A, Vol. 2 Page 67.

[Second column]
Let to J.R. Barnum Jan. 24, 1837.
__
Letter to Pen. Age 20. June 1839
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1016
Declaration of Abigail Barnum before the Court of Record and the certificate of Clerk of Court.
Joseph R. Barnum's affidavit of the said Seth Barnum's death; and that of Abigail Barnum is now Seth's widow.
Cornelius R. Disoway's affidavit of his knowledge of the respectable standing of Joseph R. Barnum, the Son of Seth Barnum.
Abigail Barnum's affidavit of the Identity of the family record.
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affidavit to the time of the death of Seth Barnum and of his widow Abigail Barnum.

In Marine Court, New York

I, Joseph R. Barnum residing at number two hundred and eighty four Broome Street in the city of New York, do set forth and declare, that I am a native of the town of Danbury, county of Fairfield, and the State of Connecticut that I have resided more than sixteen years, last, past in the city of New York, except about one year & six months, during which I resided in Jersey City, directly opposite to New York on the west shore of the Hudson river: that I am now more than forty six years of age, that with the exception of my residence in this city and vicinity, I lived during the former period of my life, primarily in my native town aforesaid: That I am well known in this city and can give satisfactory refferences [references] to moral character and that I am the sone of Seth Barnum Deceased formerly of Danbury aforesaid, county, and State above named; and of Abigail Barnum, widow of the aforesaid Seth; now living with me at the above named residence in the city of New York. And I do further set forth and declare that my father Seth Barnum aforesaid died on the 26th day of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and nine in the bosom of his own family, in the Town of Westmoreland, County of Oneida and State of New York; whither he had removed them, in the Spring, next before his decease, from his native Town, where he had always previously resided. Which aforesaid time, place, and circumstances of his decease are attested by the family record of the fact, in the hand writing of my eldest brother Noah Barnum, made at the time of his decease; and by many living witnesses. And I do further declare, that my mother, the aforesaid Abigail Barnum, is the widow of Seth Barnum aforesaid; she having never been married to any other man. In witness of the above I thereunto subscribe my name this 30th day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Sworn on the thirty first day of August 1838 in the Court.   Joseph R. Barnum.
[A partially illegible sentence follows the signature, but ends with...] Marine Court
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In Marine Court
State of New York
City and County of New York} M. Cornelius R. Disoway of the said City, been duly sworn doth depose and say that he is and for some time past has been acquainted with Joseph R. Barnum the deponent, mentioned in the within affidavit that said Joseph R. Barnum is a respectable citizen.
Sworn in open court Judah Hammond one of the Justices of the Marine Court. } Cor. R. Disoway

New York August 31, 1838
In the Marine Court
The foregoing annexes in their written affidavits are satisfactory evidence to me of the truth of the facts therein stated.
Judah Hammond one of the Justices of the Marine Court.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838. A.D.
5)
State of New York } s.s.
In this twenty ninth day of August in A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the Judge of the Marine Court, Abigail Barnum a resident of the City of New York, County of New York, aged Seventy-eight years, and three months, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pension to certain widows": That she is the widow of Seth Barnum, who was a private in the Company of Captain Noble Benedict of the regiment of Forces of the United Colonies under the command of Col. David Waterbury, raised in the Colony of Connecticut; that the said Seth Barnum enlisted in the aforesaid company consisting of an infantry company of one hundred men, in the month of April, A.D. Seventeen hundred and seventy-five, in his, the aforesaid Seth's, native town of Danbury, County of Fairfield, & State of Connecticut, for the purpose of a campaign to the north of seven months, or more, in the service and defense of his country, in the war of the American revolution; that the aforesaid Seth Barnum actually went on to the north in said company and joined the northern army near Lake Champlain, passing through the city of Albany and a place named "Halfmoon"; And was at, and assisted in, the siege and capture of Fort St. John, situated on Sorell River, in the month of October, and fore part of November of the aforesaid year of our Lord 1775. She further declares that the aforesaid Seth served in said campaign more than seven months, having not returned until after the settling in of the following winter; and that although she was not at that time married to the aforesaid Seth yet, she received letters from him during his absence, and often heard him speak afterwards of the above, and other scenes & trials through which he passed, during the above named Services: Proof of which Services, both documentary & personal, will accompany this declaration. And She further declares that the aforesaid Seth Barnum performed other services in the war of the revolution previous to the marriage, the particular proof of which, cannot, at this late period, be presented by her; other than that
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he enlisted in the defence [sic] of his native State at the time Danbury was burned, and the Battle of Ridgefield took place, in which General Wooster was mortally wounded. Her Husband was one of about half dozen young men who volunteered to harrass [sic] the British troops on the night in which Danbury was burnt; who surprised & fired upon their sentinels station upon the bridge in the main street; killing one & wounding another and thereby giving the British General & his troops considerable alarm. She further declares that she was married to the said Seth Barnum on the twenty seventh day of May in A.D. seventeen hundred and seventy  seven; that her husband, the aforesaid Seth Barnum died on the twenty sixth day of December in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and nine, as the family records will show; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service in the war of the revolution, but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, Viz. at the time above stated, as the accompanying evidence from the family record, & personal affidavit will satisfactorally [sic] show. And that she is still the widow of the said Seth Barnum.
[signed with the note "her mark"] Abigail Barnum
Subscribed and sworn by the said Abigail Barnum at her residence number two hundred and eight four Broome Street in the tenth ward of the City of New York she being too infirm to go to court before me.
Judah Hammond one of the Justices of Marine Court of the city of New York.
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Affidavit to the Identity of the family Record.
On this 29th day of August in A.D. 1838, personally appeared Abigail Barnum a credible witness in her keeping the family record of Seth Barnum has been and who produced a Bible containing said record, which she declares is the first & the true record of the family of Seth Barnum her deceased husband; and that said record has been and is still in her keeping; which aforesaid record declares [that] Seth Barnum [was] born [on] the 3rd [day of] November A.D. 1754; [That] Abigail Barnum [was] Born May the 27th A.D. 1760; [That] Seth Barnum was Married to his wife Abigail Bears in the year of our Lord 1777, [And] Seth Barnum died December 26th A.D. 1809 in Westmorland N.Y. Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above written.
[Signed with the note "Her mark"] Abigail Barnum
Subscribed and sworn by the said Abigail Barnum at her residence Number two hundred & eighty four Broome Street in the Tenth ward of the City of New York as she is too infirm to go to court.
Judah Hammond one of the Justices of the Marine Court of City of New York, the day and for that purpose above written.
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I John Barberie Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby Certify that Judah Hammond is one of the Justices of the said Court and that the said Court is a Court of Record and that the signatures of the certificate annexed are his genuine signature.
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STATEMENT OF ABIGAIL BARNUM
I, Abigail Barnum, now residing at No 284 Broome Street in the city of New York, do set forth & declare, that, I was born in the Town of New Fairfield, Fairfield County and State of Connecticut on the 27th day of May A.D. seventeen hundred and sixty, being the daughter of Thomas Bears, sometime since deceased: all of which aforesaid facts the records of the aforesaid will attest. I more over declare that I am now the widow of Seth Barnum deceased, who was born in the Town of Danbury, County and State aforesaid; on the 3rd day of November A.D. seventeen hundred and fifty-four as his own family records will show and who always resided in the last above Town, County, and State, until the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and nine, and in which A. on the 26th day of December 1809 he, the aforesaid Seth Barnum died, in the bosom of his own family, in the Town of Westmorland, County of Oneida, and State of New York, as his family records of the fact in the hand writing of my eldest son Noah Barnum made at the time of the death of the aforesaid Seth, will show, and as could be proved by several living witnesses if it were requisite, one of whom herewith is presented, and also to the fact, that I am now the widow of the aforesaid Seth Barnum in the accompanying affidavit of Joseph R. Barnum my son who was well known to the facts sworn to. And I do further declare and set forth that I was married to the aforesaid Seth Barnum on the 27th day of May A.D. seventeen hundred and seventy seven by Ephraim Hubbel Justice of Peace at my fathers home in the Town of New Fairfield, County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, proof of which is presented in my family record, and by the accompanying affidavit of my sister Hannah Brush, of the last aforementioned Town, County, & State and who acted in the capacity of Bride's Maid on the occasion of my Marriage. and with a view to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th A.D. 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" that I was well acquainted with the aforesaid Seth Barnum more than two years previous to the time of our marriage, and that he the said Seth enlisted by Capt Noble Benedict of the said Danbury in the spring, I think, April A.D. 1775 in order to serve his country in the war of the American revolution in a  campaign of seven months, or more, to the North: which aforesaid company belonged to the Regiment of Col David Waterbury of the Colony of Connecticut. And I clearly remember that he, the aforesaid Barnum, actually went went on to the North in the aforesaid
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campaign, having during his absence frequently wrote home to me and his Friends. And it is my firm belief and conviction that he, the said Seth, was engaged with others in the autumn of A.D. 1775, in the siege and capture of Fort Johnson on Sorel River, having often heard him speak of this and of the circumstances connected with that, and various other trying events, through which he passed during the aforesaid campaign.  I firmly believe that the aforesaid Seth Barnum, moreover, served out the full campaign for which he enlisted, having not returned home until the settling in of winter following all of which I hope to be able to give satisfactory evidence of.
That my deceased Husband, Seth Barnum, done other service for his country previous to our Marriage, I fully believe, he having among other things, enlisted in defence [sic] of his native State at the time Danbury was burnt, and the battle of Ridgefield took place in which General Wooster was mortally wounded. My husband was one of about half a dozen young men who volunteered to harass British troops on the night in which Danbury was burnt, having surprised and fired upon their sentinels stationed upon the bridge in the main St. killing one, and wounding another; and thereby giving the British General, and his troops, considerable alarm. Witness my mark to the above August 13th, A.D. 1838.
[signed wit the note "her mark"] Abigail Barnum
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I, Hannah Brush, Widow of Amos Brush and daughter of Thomas Bears, both long since deceased all of the Town of New Fairfield, County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut doth say this and declare that Abigail Barnum, native of the aforesaid Town, County, & State and now living at No. 284 Broome St., New York, is my sister; that the said Abigail is about two years and seven months younger that myself; that she was born in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & Sixty on the 27th day of May in the records of the Town aforesaid will show. And I do further set forth declare that the aforesaid Abigail, my sister, was married to Seth Barnum of the Town of Danbury, Fairfield County & State aforesaid on the day she, the said Abigail was seventeen years of age; Viz on the 27th day of May A.D. seventeen hundred and seventy seven; and that the Marriage service was performed by Ephraim Hubbel Justice of the Peace in the upper society of the Town of New Fairfield and that I acted as the bride's maid on the occasion of her marriage. And I do moreover declare that the aforesaid Seth Barnum enlisted in the infantry of the town of Danbury & County and State aforesaid, in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & seventy-five, in the month of April according to the best of my recollection: the object of which said enlistment was a campaign to the north, to serve his country in the revolutionary war. The captain, under whom he served, according to my best recollection, was Noble Benedict of Danbury County and State aforesaid. And I do distinctly & clearly remember that the aforesaid Seth Barnum actually went to the aforesaid campaign to the North having often heard my Brother Joseph Bearss of New Fairfield aforesaid since deceased, speak of the service of the aforesaid Seth Barnum and campaign; he, the aforesaid Joseph, having served at the north about the same time. I would further state, that I am acquainted with Jerusha Bulkley, widow of Rev. Nathan Bulkley, deceased, and daughter of Joseph Barnum Senior, all of Danbury County and State aforesaid. I am also acquainted with Matthew Wilkes, son of Matthew Wilkes, deceased, both of the aforesaid Town, County, and State, and I have the fullest confidence in the testimony of the two above named witnesses, in witness of whereunto subscribe my mark in New Fairfield on the 16th day of August A.D. 1838.
[signed with the note "her mark"]  Hannah Brush

Fairfield County of New Fairfield August 16th A.D. 1838
Hannah Brush was examined cautioned and sworn to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed & that she is a credible witness before me  J.T. Barnum Justice of Peace.
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I, Eliphalet Brush, a native of the Town of New Fairfield County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut; now residing in the Town of Ridgebury County and State aforesaid, being nearly ninety years of age, do set forth and declare that I was personally acquainted in the American revolution and afterwards with Seth Barnum of the Town of Danbury, Fairfield County, and State aforesaid: And I do Declare that I was with him on the night in the month of April A.D. 1775 in which Danbury was burnt. He, the said Seth, Myself, Joseph Bearss, Jonas Brush, Amos Brush, and two others, all young men, volunteered together to harrass [sic] the British troops on the aforesaid night and fired upon their Sentinels, killing one and wounding another at the Bridge of a stream crossing the main street of said Danbury and thereby gave them, the said British troops much alarm. And I would further state that I was well acquainted with the aforesaid Seth Barnum from a child.
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[The following are the only words on the page]
The leaf
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State of New York
City & County of New York}
I, Abigail Barnum of said city being duly sworn do herewith present the leaf from the family Bible of Seth Barnum my deceased husband; wherein said leaf contains the original and true record of our family; and which in connection with the said family bible has been in my own keeping since the death of my husband, [an illegible insert] A.D. 1809, and is still in my safe keeping: in witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my mark this 22nd day of October A.D. 1838.
[signed with the note "her mark"] Abigail Barnum
Sworn at her residence No. 284 Broome Street in the City of New York, she not being able to appear before me.
[signed] Judah Hammond one of the Justices of the Marine Court of the City of New York

State of New York
City & County of New York} In Marine Court October 22, 1838
I, Joseph R. Barnum, of said City, Son of Seth Barnum, deceased and of Abigail Barnum his widow, do declare and say that I (being now more than forty-six years of age and perfectly familiar with the hand writing of my deceased father, Seth Barnum, and also with the hand writing of Noah Barnum my eldest brother and with the hand writing of other members of the family) and do firmly believe and say that all of the records of the family of Seth Barnum afore contained on the leaf of the family Bible afore presented by the aforesaid Abigail Barnum is in the hand writing of Seth Barnum aforesaid; excepting the three last entries contained in the aforesaid family records.
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his son Joseph was born June the [illegible] A.D. 1793
his sone Roderick R was Born June the 16 A.D. 1794.
[illegible] Bears was Born October the 14, 1796
[illegible] Barbara born December [illegible] 1798

his daughter [illegible] was born November 14th 1802

Seth Barnum died December 26, A.D. 1809 in Westmorland N. York
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[The following is a page from a Bible.]
CHAP IV.
God's judgment on the wicked, and his [illegible]
For behold, the day [illegible] that shall burn as an a oven and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be rubble, and the day at cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But unto you that fear my name shall  the fun if  [illegible] with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth and d grow up as calves of the field,
3 [section illegible]
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will fend you b Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, left I come and I smite the earth with a curse.
[illegible]
The End of the Old Testament

[The following is written on the page following the Bible passage.]
Seth Barnum Born November 3 A.D. 1754
Abigail Barnum Born May the 27 A.D. 1760
Seth Barnum was Married to his wife Abigail Bears in the year of our Lord 1777.
his son Noah was Born January the 9 A.D. 1778
his Son Luther was Born December the 15 A.D. 1779
his Son Simon was Born December the 26 A.D. 1780
his Son Martin was born in December the [illegible] A.D. 1783
his Son Thomas was Born October the 27 A.D. 1785
his Son Daniel was Born [illegible] 1788
his Daughter Mabel was born [illegible] 1790
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[The item below was put on top of the document with the signature of Judah Hammond that appears in the next image.] 

STATE of NEW YORK,
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK} ss.
I, Joseph Hoxie, Clerk of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Judah Hammond before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Judge of the Marine Court in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that I believe the signature of said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 29 day of Oct 1838.

[signed] Joseph Hoxie Clerk.
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record. The first of which said three last entries I believe to be in the hand writing of Lyman Barnum, Son of aforesaid Seth Barnum: The second of said three entries I believe is the hand writing of Mabel Barnum, daughter of said Seth and Abigail Barnum: and the third of the entries which is the record of the death of Seth Barnum aforesaid I duly believe and am convinced is in the hand writing of  Noah Barnum eldest son of Seth Barnum aforesaid.
[signed] Joseph R. Barnum

[Signed] Sworn in open court the 22nd Day of October 1838 before Judah Hammond Justice of the Marine Court

City and State of New York
I hereby certify that the within written affidavits are satisfactory evidence to me of the facts therein stated. Judah Hammond Justice of the Marine Court of the City of New York dated the 22nd day of October.
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[This is a pre-printed form, but the handwritten entries are too faint to read. Only the pre-printed items are transcribed.]
sion on file in this Bureau.
Dates of enlistment or appointment.
Length of service.
Rank.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain.
Colonel.
State.

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension,
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application,
Remarks:

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
I-2
4043b5m3-09
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Dec - 5 - 1902
Eben Lewis Barnum
Worcester, Mass
April 1, 1918
Mrs. P.S. Davis

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21625
Abigail Barnum
Wid of Seth Barnum
Prv. Rev. War
Act: July 7th '/38
Index: -Vol. A, Page 38
[Arrangement of 1870]
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3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions.
Briefed by Geo M. Moore
Claim No. [Crossed out and replaced with] March 26, 1910
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier Seth Barnum
Service Conn. Rev.
Additional Service

No  claim, State records  , 190
No claim, combination records  , 190
REMARKS

[Illegible] W. J. Wm Rusabom
except W.F. 21625

0-8    Chief Division
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N. York
Abigail Barnum
let to. J.R. Barnum 9. Oct. '38

Act 7 July 1838
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[The following is upside relative to the address noted.]
Accompanying are the presented regulations under which I endeavored to [illegible] the claim of Mrs. Barnum


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Prisons
Washington City
(D. C.)
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Hon J. L. Edwards 284 Broome Street New York Oct. 22nd 1838

I received your evidence [illegible] with it those papers which I sent you in relation to Mrs. Abigail Barnum's claim to a pension under the Act of Congress of July 7, 1838 with the exception, that I have not [illegible] papers which I sent of evidence of the service of Seth Barnum deceased, and Husband of the above widow Abigail. The papers [illegible] believed to be evidence [illegible] Viz. the affidavits of Matthew Wilkes and Jerusha Buckley, Both of Danbury, Fairfield Co., State of Conn. in reference to the enlistment and service of the said Seth in the war of the revolution A.D. 1775. The affidavit of Mrs. Hannah Brush of New Fairfield of the aforesaid County and State in refference [sic] to the same circumstances of the Marriage of her Sister, the said Abigail: and in refference [sic] to the service of the aforesaid Seth in his campaign to the North in the said year of our Lord 1775. And also the certificate of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut of the precise time of entering the service and of his discharge, a copy of which I have by me. Agreeable to your request I now transmit to you the leaf of the family bible containing the family record. The deposition of my mother to the identity of said records, and my own deposition relative the hand in which the record is made, all of which together with the papers you returned all of which, I transmit in care of Capt. Geo. Mills of this City, who visits the Capital.
Very Respectfully,
Jos. R. Barnum
J. L. Esqr.
ps Will your honour [sic] have the kindness to return the leaf when the purposes for which it is sent are accomplished.
J.R.B.
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Jan 24.
Ab Barnum
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commission of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Mr. J. L. Edwards (284 Broome St.) New York January 21, 1839

Honoured [sic] Sir
I received from the war office through Capt. Geo Mills of this city a certificate of five years pension, under, or in conformity to the act of July 7th, 1838, to Mrs. Abigail Barnum, my mother, and widow of Seth Barnum deceased, who was a private in the war of the revolution, and died December 26th 1809. Which certificate entitled the said Abigail to receive five years pension, at the rate of thirty three dollars, and forty four cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of the said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death. Dated November third 1838, and signed by the Secretary of war, and countersigned by yourself.
Recorded in the Pension office, in Book A, Vol. 2, Page 67 by S.A. Elliot Clerk. Now all this looks very well, but behold, it brings no specie!! The poor old widow who has been depending on me for more than ten years would have been sadly disappointed had she lived to know that her pension certificate was good for nothing. But happily for her, she died, in just twenty-two days from the date of the certificate: Viz. on the twenty-fifth day of November 1838. But the object of this communication is
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is to repeat my request that you would be kind, and exceedingly obliging as to return to me the family records, contained on a leaf of the old bible. Though small, and old, yet, your honor will please to recollect, that it is my Fathers's only family record. I am Very respectfully your Obt. Servt. 
Jospeh R. Barnum

To J. L. Edwards, Esq.

PS. We cannot very well help entertaining the hope here, that the Honourable [sic] Gentlemen in Congress, who are drawing the 8 dollars per diem, and who objected to the appropriation of money to meet the little pittance granted, to the infirm widows of the deceased revolutionary soldiers who are so fast passing of these mortal shores, will come to their senses, or sensibilities, before the close of this session. 
J.R.B.

PS. 2  If Commodore David Porter  is in Washington, you would highly oblige me, by giving him information of this knowledge, of my character, which you possess. It may possibly be of considerable service to me in reference to Prize money, which I wrote to him about, short time since. You can say to him, if you please, that I Married William Whitney's Sister, who with his other sisters, wishes me to act as their agent in the affair.

J.R. Barnum
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Mechanics Bank
New York, 17th June 1839

Sir
I enclose for your examination, the papers in the case of Mrs. Abigail Barnum deceased, a pensioner under the act of July 7th, 1838 at $33 44/100 per annum.

The attorney (one of the children) informed me that the Heirs reside in different parts of the United States, and that he has not been able to obtain power of attorney from Martin Barnum, Ira Barnum and Parlina Sizer, and requests that you will allow the payment to be made to the other Heirs retaining, the amount due to those who have not yet applied.
In consequences of the delay in collecting the different powers of attorney, they are now some of them over ninety days date, and the attorney begs the favor of you to waive that objection in this particular case. 
James L. Edwards, Esq. }  Very Respectfully
Commissioner of Pensions}  Your obt. Servt. 
Washington}   J. Knapp [illegible]
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J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

[The following is upside down on the page.]
N.V.
Abigail Barnum
7 July 38
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J. L. Edwards Esqr.    New York August 31st 1838
Sir, Wishing to be placed on the Pension list under the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 in favor of certain widows of revolutionary soldiers, I herewith present you with a series of papers which it is hoped contain evidence sufficient to support my claim to a modest Pension, by virtue of the service of my Deceased husband Seth Barnum. For your convenience I have caused to be numbered & filed the different documents which are herewith presented. Please send me your answer at your earliest convenience, directed to me, or my son and agent Joseph R. Barnum No 284 Broome St. New York, with which Joseph R. I am residing.
I am very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. [Obedient Servant]
[signed with the note "her mark"] Abigail Barnum
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V1016
1st. Abigail Barnum's Statement.
2nd. Hannah Brush's affidavit of Abigail Barnum's marriage, and of Seth Barnum's Services.
3rd Jerusha Bukley's affidavit of the services of Seth Barnum.
4th Matthew Wilkes' affidavit of the services of Seth Barnum - all with the certificate of the clerk of the county of Fairfield, Ct.
5th Certificate of Henry Kilbourn Comptroller of the State of Conn.
6th Declaration of Abigail Barnum before the Marine Court including the certificate of the Clerk.
7th Affidavit of Joseph R. Barnum of the time of Seth Barnum's death and that Abigail is Seth's widow.
8th Affidavit of C. R. Disosway of his knowledge of Joseph R. Barnum.
9th Affidavit of Abigail Barnum to Identify &c of the family records.

[The following is upside down relative to the above test.]
Matthew Witkey's and Jerusha Butkley's affidavits
Page 33

I, Matthew Wilkes, of the Town of Danbury, Fairfield County, and State of Connecticut, do set forth and declare, that I am a native of the above named town, county, and state; that I am now more than seventy-four years of age; being the son of Matthew Wilkes, sometime since deceased. And I do further declare, that I was well acquainted with Seth Barnum, son of Joseph Barnum, Senior, of the aforesaid town, county, and state; that we were born, and brought up within one mile of each other; that he, the said Seth Barnum, was several years older than myself. And do further set forth, and declare, that I clearly and distinctly recollect, and firmly believe, that the aforesaid Seth Barnum enlisted, in the Spring of the year of our Lord, seventeen hundred and seventy-five, in an infantry company of one hundred men, under the command of Captain Noble Benedict of the aforesaid town, county, and state, to serve his country in the war of the American revolution in a campaign of seven months or more to the north. And that Thadeus Hoyt, Drak Hoyt, Aaron Barnum, and John Barnum , all of our neighborhood, enlisted at the same time in the same company. I moreover, was knowing to the aforesaid Seth Barnum starting or setting out, and going on to the north with the aforesaid company and I recollect that he, the said Seth, and the others aforesaid neighbors who enlisted at that time frequently wrote home to their friends informing them of their conditions, and, success, &c. I moreover recollect, that the aforesaid Seth Barnum was engaged while on the aforesaid campaign, in the siege and taking of Fort St. John on the Sorel river; having often heard him speak of the circumstances connected with the siege and capture thereof. And it is my firm ?? that the said Seth Barnum served during the full campaign for which he enlisted, having returned home among the last who returned home that winter from the north. In witness whereof,  hereunto affix my mark and seal this 21st day of August, A.D. 1838.
[signed with the note "his mark"]  Matthew Wilkes

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County, Danbury, August 21st 1838
[illegible] Matthew Wilkes a creditable witness and [illegible] of the truth of the above Deposition by him. Subscribed before me Samuel F. Barnum Justice of the Peace.
Page 34

I, Jerusha Bulkley, Widow of Rev. Nathan Bulkley deceased of the Town of Danbury, Fairfield County, and State of Connecticut, do set forth and declare, that I am the daughter of Joseph Barnum Senior, formerly of the aforesaid Town, County, and State, long since deceased; that I am now about seventy-six Years of age; that I had a brother named Seth Barnum, who was born in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and fifty-four as records will show. And I do further set forth and declare, that I clearly and distinctly remember, that in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy-five, in the month of April, the above said Seth Barnum enlisted as a soldier, to serve his country in the war of of the revolution: having joined, at the above mentioned time, in the company of one hundred men, enlisted by captain Noble Benedict, in the town, county, and State aforesaid for the purpose of joining the northern army: which aforesaid company belonged to the regiment of colonel Waterbury. And I further declare, that myself and my sister, Mary Barnum, rode out, and saw the aforesaid Seth Barnum start in the said campaign, on a northern campaign of seven months or more: and that although there were some of the above campaign who obtained furloughs, the aforesaid Seth Barnum, served out the full campaign, and returned home in cold weather. I moreover declare, that according to my best recollection, knowledge, and belief he, the aforesaid Seth Barnum, enlisted , in the month of November, of the aforesaid A.D. 1775, at the siege, and capture Fort St. John on the Sorel River: having often heard him speak thereof. And I do clearly remember, that my mother, and myself took a pillow case, and went to Major Ezra Stark's Stone in the Village of Danbury aforesaid, and brought one quarter of a hundred weight of sugar for the purpose of preparing current wine, and cherry preserves, for Seth to enjoy on his return home: and having prepared them, waited until we almost despaired of his return home the following winter. In witness whereof I hereunto affix my hand and seal this 21st day of August A.D. 1838.
[signed] Jerusha Buckley

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County, Danbury} August 21, 1838 Personally appeared Jerusha Buckley a credible person said under oath to above deposition subscribed before me. Samuel F. Barnum Justice of the Peace
Page 35

[The part of the image above the seal is the document in image 32]
1st. Abigail Barnum's Statement.
2nd. Hannah Brush's affidavit of Abigail Barnum's marriage, and of Seth Barnum's Services.
3rd Jerusha Bukley's affidavit of the services of Seth Barnum.
4th Matthew Wilkes' affidavit  of the services of Seth Barnum - all with the certificate of the clerk of the county of Fairfield, Ct.
5th Certificate of Henry Kilburn Comptroller of the State of Conn.
6th Declaration of Abigail Barnum before the Marine Court including the certificate of the Clerk.
7th Affidavit of Joseph R. Barnum of the time of Seth Barnum's death and that Abigail is Seth's widow.
8th Affidavit of C.R. Disosway of his knowledge of Joseph R. Barnum.
9th Affidavit of Abigail Barnum to Identify &c of the family records.

[This was at the bottom pf the image.]
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County} I Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Samuel T. Barnum Esquire whose own proper signatures known to me to be genuine are annexed to the Certificate & the Depositions hereto attached is now for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace within & for said Fairfield County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions. Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 21st day of August A.D. 1838.
[signed] Thomas B. Osborne Clerk
Page 36

Abigail widow of Seth Barnum
act 7 July '38
----
N. York Roll
---
$33.44 per annum
Private 7 mo. 1 Day
---
Sent cert. to Capt Geo. Mills, No 1, Avenue C, New York
Page 37

3

of his service, and before the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, such widow shall be entitled to receive, for and during the term of five years from the fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, the annuity or pension which might have been allowed to her husband, in virtue of said act, if living at the time it was passed: Provided, That in the event of the marriage of such widow, said annuity or pension shall be discontinued.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That no pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer of any right, claim, or interest, in any annuity, half pay, or pension granted by this act, shall be valid, nor shall the half pay, annuity, or pension granted by this act, or any former act of Congress, be liable to attachment, levy, or seizure, by any process in law or equity; but shall enure wholly to the personal benefit of the pensioner or annuitant entitled to the same; and that, before a warrant shall be delivered to any person acting for or in behalf of any one entitled to money under this act, such person shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, to be administered by the proper accounting officer, and put on file, that he has no interest in said money, by any pledge, mortgage, transfer, agreement, understanding, or arrangement, and that he does not know or believe that the same has been so disposed of to any other person.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of War shall adopt such regulations and forms of evidence, in relation to applications and payments under this act, as the President of the United States may prescribe.

Approved, July 7, 1838.

A RESOLUTION 
For the benefit of the widows of certain revolutionary officers and soldiers.
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the benefits of the third section of an act entitled "An act granting half pay to widows or orphans where their husbands and fathers have died of wounds received in the military service of the United States in certain cases, and for other purposes," approved the fourth day of July, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, shall not be withheld from any widow whose husband has died since the passage of the said act, or who shall hereafter die, if said widow shall otherwise be entitled to the same.
Approved, July 7th, 1838.
Page 38

[The top part of the image is largely unreadable.]

[The bottom part of the image is the same in image 36.]Abigail widow of Seth Barnum
act 7 July '38
----
N. York Roll
---$33.44 per annum
Private 7 mo. 1 Day
---
Sent cert. to Capt Geo. Mills, No 1, Avenue C, New York
Page 39

[There are two postmarks, one which is unreadable.]

PENSION
E
MAR U. 19 S.
1910
OFFICE

MAR 21 1910
Page 40

Comm, 
I find that Joseph Barnum was with Capt. Hickocks at Danbury. Ezra Starr, Maj 3. Reg. Light House. Thanking you in advance for the information. I remain yours very truly,
(Mrs.) P.S. Davis
610 Continental Blvd. Denver, Colo.
March 16 - 10
Page 41

J. L. Davenport, Commissioner.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly inform me if the two following men have any military history recorded in your office in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Barnum
Seth Barnum
both of Danbury
Page 42

[The page contains an image of a postmark.]

PENSION
U  NOV  S
1902
OFFICE
Page 43

28 Preston St. Worcester Mass Nov 12, 1902
[Following is a postmark] WAR & NAVY
NOV 15 1902
FILES
P. B. [End postmark]

To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
In looking up the Barnum Genealogy I find out that the records were cut out of the family bible of Seth Barnum and sent to Washington in order to get his Pension. He was a member of the 5th Conn. Reg 6th co. from May to Dec 1775. In making enquiry of his god son Noah Knapp Barnum, Brooklyn N.Y., about the family he informed me that he had sent me all that he could but if I could get a copy of the Records from the Pension office he would give me more data than he could. Seth had 4 or 5 Brothers, one of which died in the old Sugar House in NY city and another in the prison ship Jury. Is there any way to get their names. His Brothers were Joseph, John, Gabriel Asher & one account says, there was a Noah also, but I have no proof of that. Hoping that I shall be able to get the above.
I am Respectfully yours Eben Lewis Barnum