Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18236, John Wasson, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
New York

Wasson, John
Betshannah

NUMBER
W. 18236

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

20.604
New-York
John Wasson
of Chenango in the State of New York
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Grose of the Regt commanded
by Col. Willett in the New York
line for 9 mos

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 30 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Sep
1835 and sent to P. B. Prindle
Norwich

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33                $75
Semi-anl. allowance ending-- M. 24   $15
[total]                                                   $90

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June, 1832.}

Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 39
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4632
New York Albany
Betshannah Wasson
widow of John Wasson
who served in the Revolutionary
war N. Y. as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
30 Dollars ---- Cents per annum, 
to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848. 

Certificate of Pension issued the
30 day of Mch 1849
and sent to
W. Hubbard
Norwich
Chenango Co N.Y.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 242 Vol. 4
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No 18275
John Wasson Chenango County
New York
Admd [admitted]
P B Prindle Norwich Chenango
County New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this  Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, shewing the service of John Wasson Chenango County New York

Period when the entered.
31 Mar 1781

Duration of the claimant's service.
9 months

Rank of the claimant.
private

Names and Rank of the Company officers  under whom he served.
Cap Gros

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col. Willet

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Skirmish at West Canada Creek

Country through which he marched.
Marched to Helderbergh [Helderberg]
Albany County
to Fort Stanwix
Fort Dayton
Fort Herkimer

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period
68 years
Schenectady 
County New York

Evidence by which the declaration is supported
traditionary evidence & Documentary, one living witness, Clergymans certificate &c
witnesses certified credible 
papers not property attached-
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 1832,
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of
 [blank] in the county of  [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c)[blank] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)[blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] 
(e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he the Agency in the State of
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.    A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of
[blank] & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
[blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
To a Soldier, Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer, Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what one has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates,
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general; and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State of Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the declarant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A> B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, accordingly to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -- For ____year ____ months, and ____ days I served as a _______. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a ______; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrases about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps
called into to service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service
was performed; he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certification of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must in all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State of New York
Chenango County SS:
On this 14th day of February 1845, personally came before me a Judge of Chenango County Court, Betshannah Wasson a resident of Norwich in said County and State, aged seventy Eight years and upwards, and being duly sworn according to law, makes this declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7. 1838 and the acts amending or extending the same viz:
Her maiden name was Betshannah Gibson, a daughter of John Gibson of Schenectady: he was born on 19th of May 1766, and was married to John T. Wasson at Schenectady, on the 14th of February 1792 by George Wasson Esq a Justice of the Peace of that Vicinity: Her bonds of Marriage had been published in the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectady and it was her intention to have the minister of that Church Marry her, but from his inability to attend the ceremony was solemnized by Mr Wasson as above. Her husband died at Norwich aforesaid, on the 25th day of January 1839,
She refers the Department, for proof of her husbands services, to his papers on file. She  would sooner have made this declaration, but did not, until recently know of the law for her benefit. Her husbands pension under the law of June 7, 1832, was $30. per annum. Her age and infirmities render it impracticable for her to attend Court to make this declaration. She has never intermarried since her husbands death
Betshannah Wasson
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Subscribed and sworn
to this 14th day of February 1845 and I certify that I am satisfied that from her age and the 
severity of the weather, she cannot attend Court to make this declaration
Philo Robinson Judge
of Chenango County Courts

Chenango County Ss: Sophia Ransford of Norwich in said County being duly sworn says she is 40 years of age and upwards and is a daughter of the above deponent with whom she has always resided: that her father died on the 25th day of January 1839 leaving her mother a widow and that she has continued his widow ever since and has never intermarried since his death
Sophia Ransford

Subscribed and sworn to this 14th day of  February 1845.
and I certify that the above Sophia Ransford is a woman of entire credibility, and I am satisfied that the above Betshannah Wasson is the true widow of the within named John T. Wasson the Revolutionary Pensioner-
Philo Robinson Judge of Chenango
County Courts

Chenango County ss: Sophia Ransford of  Norwich in said County aged 41 years in March coming, says, on being sworn, that she is the only child of the within named John T Wasson and that he had always lived with him until his death; that his manner of writing his name was sometimes with the "T" as a middle letter and sometimes without it; that the letter as she has always understood from him was assumed in his early life, to distinguish him from a cousin named John Wasson - and that in his middle life and afterwards he very often wrote his name without the "T". She has papers of his
in her possession now with the name written by him both ways
Sophia Ransford
Sworn and subscribed the day aforesaid and I certify the above Sophia to be a woman of credibility
Philo Robinson Judge of Chenango County Courts
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Chenango County N. Chauncy Gibson of Norwich in said County aged 62 years and upwards, being duly sworn says, that he lived in Schenectady at the time his sister Betshannah Gibson Married Mr John T. Wasson, that he was in his tenth year: he was present at the wedding and saw them married by Squire Wasson a Justice of the Peace. His brother James Gibson, and Nancy Wasson (the sister of the said John T.) "stood up" with him at the ceremony. This deponent knows how old he was at the time from the time he has lived in this Country. It was over fifty two years since. His brother James Gibson is dead and Nancy Wasson has removed to the Western part of this State.
This deponent says that Mr Wasson's name was written sometimes with and sometimes without a "T" deponent has for the greater
part of his life, been his neighbor, and should himself have directed a letter to him as "John Wasson", tho' sometimes, he has written it "JOHN T. Wasson" He thinks the T  was omitted mainly in his later years. He knows that John Wasson the Revolutionary pensioner, his neighbor is the same individual who married his sister and who sometimes wrote his name John T. Wasson, The persons are identical.
Chauncey Gibson 
Sworn and subscribed this 14th February 1845, and I certify the said Chauncey Gibson to be a credible person
Philo Robinson Judge of Chenango County Courts
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Judge Philo Robinson's signatures are exemplified in the Clerks
certificate at the end
Page 12

John T. Wasson [illegible] Betts Hannah Gibson
beyde [both] van [by] Schenectady
Bevistight

On the 23 day of December 1844 Jacob Van Vechten Pastor of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Schenectady came before me and being by me duly sworn deposes and says
that the foregoing is a true copy of an original entry in the Register of Marriages kept by the proper officers of said Church and further that the entry of which the foregoing is a copy stands between other registry of Marriages of the State of January 6th 1792 & February 5th 1792, and further that the true translation of the same is as follows-
John T. Wasson with Betts Hannah Gibson
both of Schenectady
Sworn & Subscribed to before me this 23d December 1844
D.P. Forrest
Justice of the Peace

Solemnized--
Jacob Van Vechten
Pastor of the Reformed
Dutch Church 
Schenectady
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STATE OF NEW-YORK,
County of Schenectady,
CLERK'S OFFICE. ss.
I, SILAS H. MARSH, Clerk of the County of Schenectady, Do hereby certify, That David P. Forrest Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified as such; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said David P. Forrest and verily believe that the signature to said Affidavit and Certificate is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County,
this 24th day of December 1844
S H Marsh Clerk
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State of New York
Albany County
James D. Wasson the Postmaster of the City of Albany being sworn says, that he is the only Surviving son of George Wasson who was a Justice of the Peace in what is the now County of Schenectady in this State, and who died in the year 1802 that his father was the only magistrate of that name of whom this deponent ever heard of residing in that county; that he was well acquainted with his father matters & is satisfied that he kept no record or entry of any Marriage he may have solemnized & Justice He has this day made examination and search for such [illegible] or docket among his father papers & is utterly unable to find any  only memorandum or record of any marriage
Sworn and subscribed this 14th January 1845, before me and I certify that know the said son and that he is a credible person
James D. Wasson
[illegible] Wasson
Judge Albany County Courts
[illegible] Just of Peace
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State of New York
Albany County  ss 

I William Mix Clerk of the said County do
hereby certify that Robert J Hillen before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the Jurat thereto a Judge of Albany County Courts and authorised [sic] to administer oaths and take
affidavits and that his name subscribed to said jurat is his proper hand writing and signature-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of the said County this 22d day of January 1845
William Mix Clerk
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State of New York
Chenango County SS:
Mary Pellet, the widow of Hezekiah Pellet deceased, of Norwich in said County being duly sworn, says, that she is the sister of Betshannah Wasson of Norwich who is the
widow of John Wasson deceased a Revolutionary pensioner: deponent resided, at the time her sister married, in Schenectady about two miles from the house of her father where he sister lived. Deponent was not present when her sister was married to the said John Wasson, owing to her children being sick with the small pox: but she recollects that the
marriage was fifty three years ago this present winter, she knows the time because her son John Pellet was then three years old, and he is now fifty six and further, she knows it because she has resided in this County fifty two years, and her sister was married to Mr Wasson at least one year before she removed to this County
Deponent says that she is Eighty four years
of age and upwards and that she is between five and six years older than her sister Betshannah. Her sister not married as she has always understood and verily believes by
Squire Wasson, a Justice of the peace of Schenectady, who resided in the neighborhood, and she was married at her fathers house.
Mary Pellet

Subscribed and sworn to this 15th day of February 1845 before me and I certify the deponent to be a woman of entire credibility
H Hubbard
Justice of the Peace
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No 11670
Betshannah Wasson
Copy
Declaration
Under July 7, 1838.
[illegible] d 39
N. Y
Recd Feb 21 1845
admitd
8 mo 11 days /pri
$27.88

from 25 Jany '39 the day of her husbands death.
also act 3 March

No. act 1843 7842
No. act 1841- boy
J. B. Prindle
Norwich
N.Y
Page 18

State of New York
Chenango County
I, John Latham, Clerk of the said County
do certify that Philo Robinson whose name is signed to the jurat of the preceding affidavits &c. of Betshannah Wasson Sophia Ransford and Chancey Gibson, was at the date of the same a Justice of Chenango County Court, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signatures above are genuine.
I also certify that Harvey Hubbard before whom the preceding affidavit of Mary Pillet purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace of said County duly elected and qualified and that his signature above is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said County this 17th day of February 1845.
John Latham Clerk
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I was well acquainted with the deceased pensioner John Wasson or John T. Wasson, and was acquainted with him nearly forty years ago, that the applicant lived & cohabited with him as his wife for many Years, is within my personal knowledge and know that she was reputed to be his wife. The witnesses, who reside in Chenango County, are highly reputable. I do not know the
the others.
Febry 21 1845
Smith M. Purdy
Page 20

John Wasson
Pension Papers
18275
address all papers to
P. B. Prindle
Norwich
Chenango
N. Y.

Almd.
9 mo. pri
Page 21

State of New York
Chenango County Amended Declaration
On this 28th day of May 1833 personally appeared before me the under signed a Justice of the Peace of the town of Norwich in said county John Wasson who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he served as he has stated in his declaration as a private in the New York line in the New Series, under Captain Gross, and Col Willet for the full period of nine months and for that time he claims a pension he further states that during the said period of nine months for which he served and claims a pension he was not engaged in any civil occupation or pursuit but was engaged exclusively in the Army which he believed then and does now was called out by the authority of this State
John Wasson

subscribed & sworn this 28th May 1833 before me (the word "April" erased & "May" inserted)
James Thompson Justice of the Peace
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State of of New York
Chenango County Ss
I Jarvis K. Pike Clerk of the said County certify that James Thompson before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace of the said County and that I am acquainted with
his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and seal of office this 3d June 1833
P. B. Prindle
[illegible] Clerk
Page 23

State of New York
County of Chenango
On this [illegible] day of October A D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting.
Present  Judges
John Tracy
Nathan Taylor
Levi Bigelow
Hezekiah Reed
Charles York

John Wasson a resident of the town of Norwich in the County of Chenango and State of New York aged sixty eight years and upwards who being this day sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
In 1781 wither the last day of March he enlisted at Schenectady, Schenectady County State of New York for nine months (each company in town were divided into classes and each class had to furnish a man he enlisted as a man for one of the classes), into what was called the New Levies in a company  commanded by Lawrence Gros of Canajoharie Montgomery County (then Tryon County), State of New York Captain one Simmons first Lieutenant, Simon Froman Second Lieutenant one Hutten of Albany third Lieutenant the regiment to which his company was attached and belonged was under the command of Marenus Willet Colonel one Troop Major. Jellis A Fundy [Fonda] Adjutant Seth Rowley Sergeant Major, knows not who was the General, and the regiment was never reviewed by a General at the time he enlisted he  passed muster at Schenectady was mustered by Jellis A Fundy that he was employed by the class as mentioned before and enlisted to the said Jellis A Fundy received from the class at the time of enlistment fifty dollars as a bounty. in four or five days after time of enlistment went with that part of the company
Page 24

which was raised at Schenectady to Heldebergh [Helderburg ?] Albany County, and there was also a company of Continental
soldiers of Colnel [sic] Cortlands regiment and about fifty Oneida Indians under the command of an Indian called Colonel Lewy who marched down with his company. they went to attack Brandt whom report said was at that place but not finding him after scouring the woods returned to Schenectady the next day and then remained in Schenectady about a week and then went up the Mohawk river in boats with his company or as many of them as was then raised to Fort Stanwix New [illegible]which was then occupied by a company of Continental
soldiers of Colnel [sic] Cortlands Regiment, went up for the purpose of carrying provisions to the company at the Fort remained at the Fort one day and then returned back down the Mohawk to Fort Plain where his company joined his regiment and was there stationed that being the rendezvous of his regiment remained a part of the summer at that place some part at the Fort Dayton & a part of the time at Fort Herkimer but does not recollect
the precise time he was at each as he was not at any time in other place over two or three weeks at a time and also in the time was sent out on scouting parties, and some time in October was engaged in a skirmish with the British tories [sic] and Indians said to be under the command of Major Ross which skirmish was about a mile [illegible] of Johnstown Village in Montgomery County (then Tryon County) and which skirmish lasted most of the afternoon and about dusk those under the
command of Major Ross of retired leaving the ground in possession of the Americans about four hundred and fifty under the personal command of Colnel [sic] Marinus Willet first commenced the skirmish or battle but before it was finished they were joined by the rest of the regiment send some militia and it was said at the time there were about nine hundred of the enemy-- in the next morning the most of the regiment under the command of Colnel [sic] Willet marched for West Canada Creek Herkimer County (then in Tryon County) for the purpose of enter
Page 25

cepting the enemy but when they reached the place they had all crossed the creek and the main body had marched on leaving one Company under the command of Captain Butler as it was said, as a rear guard and to prevent the Americans from crossing the creek had a skirmish with this company which was a short one Captain Butler being killed in short time and they retreated, and a few were taken prisoners, and after crossing the creek followed the enemy about five miles and then camped
for night and then next morning marched back to  Fort Plain and remained there a few days and then was one that went down to Albany to escort the prisoners captured at the skirmish at West Canada Creek remained at Albany only one night and then returned to Fort Plain and there remained until the expiration of the nine months for which he enlisted and then received a written discharge from his Captain
which is hereunto annexed, was engaged in no battles or skirmishes except those aforementioned Sergeant Orderly, Peter Young Canajoharie 2d Sergeant Reuben Brainer of New Cannan [sic] also called Chatham in Columbia County N Y Corporal Joseph Crawford of Schenectady Moses Van Camp a Sergeant of Canajoharie Ephraim Ketchum Sergeant of New Canaan, Henry Flanders Jacob Flanders. Henry House Henry Tick Peter Fox all
of Canajoharie privates, all served in the company to which he belonged
and he further states that he has no documentary evidence of his services except his written discharge hereunto attached, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services except
Seth Howley of Norwich whose affidavit is hereunto annexed
Page 26

In answer to the interrogatories required to be put by the War department to applicants for pensions he answers as follows viz

1st was born in the town of Schenectady Schenectady County New York on the eighth day of June 1764
2nd Has a record of his age in a family bible which he has copied from the record of his father which was destroyed in moving
3rd He resided at the time he enlisted at Schenectady and resided there after his service until the year 1793 and then moved to the town of Norwich Chenango County New York and remained a year and then moved to Guilford Chenango County and remained there until 1895, and then removed back to Norwich and there resides now and has ever since resided
4th He enlisted voluntarily into the service as stated in his declaration enlisting for the class which was obliged to furnish a soldier
5th His discharge was a written one and is hereunto annexed
6th He knew Captain Elsworth Captain McKeen Captain White and Captain Phelps who were captains in the same regiment but knew no other regimental officers besides those mentioned in his declaration. The general
circumstances of his services are stated as fully in the body of his declaration as he can recollect them
7th He gives the name of Perez Randall late Clerk Jarvis K. Pike Clerk Samuel Pike Justice of the Peace James Thompson Justice of the Peace Cyrus Wheeler Merchant Benjamin Chapman Merchant David E Bedford Merchant Truman Enos, Tanner all of Norwich Chenango County, his present Residence as men to whom
he is known and who can testify to his  character for
Page 27

veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution

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
John Wasson

Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J K Pike Clk

We Jedediah Randall a Elder & clergyman of the Baptist Church residing in the town of Norwich and Truman Enos of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Wasson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be sixty eight years and upwards 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 and that we have never heard any doubts expressed by any person as to his having been such soldier
Jedediah Randall
Truman Enos

Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid
J K Pike
Page 28

And the said court do hereby declare their  opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jedediah Randall who has signed the preceding certificate is a Baptist Elder or Clergyman, resident in the town of Norwich County of Chenango and that Truman Enos who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town County aforesaid and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Chenango County N. York
Jno. Gray 
Hez. Read
Charles York 

State of New York
Chenango County Ss
I Jarvis K Pike Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Wasson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this ninth day of October 1832
P. B. Prindle
Dep Clerk
Page 29

State of New York
Chenango County town of Norwich Ss.

Seth Rowley of the town of Norwich County and State aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is seventy five years old and that he is well acquainted with John Wasson of the said town County and State and knows of his enlisting about the last day of March or First of April in the year 1781 & serving in a company commanded by one Lawrence Gross Captain one Froman Lieutenant and the regiment to which his company belonged was commanded
by Col Willett one Troop Major, this deponent
belonged to another company in the same regiment and he knows that the said John Wasson Served in the said Company for nine months and the principal part of his service was at Fort Plain and this deponent knows of the said John Wasson being discharged at Fort Plain at the expiration of the nine months for which he enlisted as this deponent was informed and believes the said John Wasson enlisted at Schenectady and further this deponent saith not
Seth Rowley
Subscribed & Sworn this 1st day of Oct. 1832  
Before me Charles York Judge of Chenango Co. Courts [illegible text]
Page 30

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with
Seth Rowley and believe him to be a person
of truth and veracity
Charles York Judge &c

Chenango County Ss
I James K. Pike Clerk of the said County do certify that Charles York before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County and that I am acquainted with his
handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and to the preceding certificate of Character to be his genuine handwriting and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Office the ninth day of October 1832
P B Prindle
Dep Clerk
Page 31

Fort Plain the 29 December 1781
John Wason [sic] the Barer Soldier in Capt Gros
Company in Col Willets Regt of Port Levis
inlisted [sic] for nine Months is hereby Discharged from the service
L Gros Capt
Page 32

9349
New York
Betshannah Wasson
widow of John Wasson
who was pensioner under the Act of 32
and who died on the 25 Jan 1839
of Chenango in the State of NY
who was a Pri in the Co
commanded by Captain Gross of the
Regt commanded by Col Willet
in the N.Y. line for 8 mo. 11 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 27 Dollars 88 Cents 
per annum to commence on the
25 Jany 1839

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of
May '43 and sent to
P B Prindle, Norwich New York

Total amount $[blank]
[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by F. L. Swann Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page
Page 33

6936
Albany
New York
Betshannah Wasson
widow of John Wasson
who was a Private
in the N York Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
27 Dollars 88 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of May '45 and sent to
P. B. Pringle
Norwich
N. Y.

[Act of March 3 1843]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 90

2 Certs.
1 act 1838
1 act 1843 &c.
Reps.
Page 34

N.Y. No 11670
Betshannah Wasson
New York
Let to Hon S. M. Purdy
Feb 26. 1845
Let to W. B. Prindle, May 12/45.
Act July 7. 1838
Page 35

6936
New York Albany.
Betshannah Wasson
widow of John
who was a private
in the New York Line
Increased from $27.88

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
30 Dollars
00 Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
30 day of Mch 1849
and sent to
H. Hubbard
Norwich
Chenango Co. N. Y.

[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June
17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 90
Page 36

9349.
New York Albany
Betshannah Wasson
Widow of John
who was a pensioner under the Act of 32
and who died on the 25 Jany 1839
of Chenango in the State of N.Y.
who was a Pri in the compy
commanded by Captain Gros of the
regt commanded by Col Willett in
the N.Y. line for 8 months & 11 dy
Increased from $27.88

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 30 Dollars
--- Cents per annum, to commence on the 25 day of January, 1839

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of
March 1849 and sent to
H. Hubbard Norwich
Chenango Co NY
Total amount, $[blank]

{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by Leo. Jenkins, Clerk
Book D Vol 1 Page 533
Page 37

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18236
Betshannah Wasson
Widow of
John Wasson
Pri Rev War

{Act: Feb 2d 48}
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 310

{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 38

James L Edwards, Esq.
Comm of Pensions
Washington

May 23
Recd Betshannah Wasson

26.66
1.22
27.00

[stamp]
York [illegible]
Page 39

Norwich, N.Y. May 19, 1845.

Sir

In answer to your letter of the 12th instant.
proposing to allow a pension of 8 months and 11 days to Betshannah Wasson, widow of John Wasson, I state that she will accept the pension for that time.
It is true that Mr Wasson in his declaration alledged [sic] but 9 months service. It does not follow, howover that he did not perform other service than that. It has often occurred that an applicant omitted to alledge [sic] all his service, from a belief of the impracticability of  establishing it and an apprehension of endangering the whole, from a failure to establish a part. Whether this is M Wasson's case is not now known
If he is the identical John Wasson of Captain Newells Compy an attempt will be made
to establish the fact by proper proof.
With great respect
P. B. Prindle

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Page 40


Norwich March 17. 1845.
Sir
Pursuant to your directors in your letter
of Feby. 26 1845. to Hon. S. M. Purdy of the
Hse of Representatives in the application of Betshannah Wasson widow of John Wasson under the act of July 7 1838 I Have have procured and herewith send you the
Comptroller's Certificate of such matters as a Record furnish
With respect
Your Obt Servt
P. B. Prindle


Jas L Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Page 41

Hon S. M. Purdy
House of Rept
Page 42

Norwich. Feby. 17. 1845

Hon. S. M. Purdy

Dear Sir
I enclose the declaration of the widow Wasson for a pension under the act of 1838
The marriage is I think pretty well established by the testimony here sent. If she had secured the services of the functionary who published her at the marriage ceremony, it would have been complete. As it is, it is quite good:
The Commissioner may require the discrepancy in the name to be explained. Mr John Wasson applied for the pension and to John Wasson, the certificate was granted The marriage was to John T. Wasson. His daughters affidavit, with Chauncey Gibson's, show how this was. He dropped in his after life the "T". in writing his name and I saw many papers in the hands of Ransford in which the name is written indiscriminately. Will you, on presenting the papers to Mr Edwards, append your certificate to the fact that he was always known as uncle "John Wasson" and that you believe him to be the identical person who is the deceased pensioner.
Mrs Wasson never drew the small arrearage of her husbands pension. I have just
Page 43

made out the powers for that purpose and with them have sent Mr Wasson's original pension
certificate to Albany. When they reach Washington, the Clerks Certificate will contain full proof of Wassons death, the time of it &c.
With respect
Yr Obt servt
P. B. Prindle
Page 44

Betshannah Wasson
July 7. 1838
Controller Certificate
Page 45

30th Nov 1781, John Wasson, private, L19 14  8
31st Decr 1781, John Wasson, private, L2  13  4
30th Nov, 1781 John Wasson, private, L19  5  2
31st Decr 1781, John Wasson, Private, L2   13  4
31st Decr 1782, John Wasson, Private, L20 10  8
[total]      8 Months

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, March 12th 1845
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 1 of 2, now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
First-under Capt. Stephen White in Col. Marinus Willett Reg
Second  Capt. Stephen White in Col. Marinus Willett Regt
Third Capt. Lawrence Gross  in Col. Marinus Willett Regt
Fourth Capt. Lawrence Gross  in Col. Marinus Willett Regt
Fifth Capt. Simeon Newell  in Col. Marinus Willett Reg

On examining an original Pay Roll of Col
Willett in 1781. the above No. three & four viz:
(John Wansen) appear as John Wauson and
the order on Col Willett for the above appears to be Signed John Wasson.
No Pay Rolls of Col Willett appear for the year 1780
Philip Phelps
[illegible] comptroller

No claims by John Wasson
21.19
20
639
558
27
5490
2743
Page 46

[postmark]
Norwich NY
[illegible] FEB

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
(D. C.)

Cole 
BW
M
Page 47

Norwich February 5th 1849

J. L. Edward Esq
Comm of Pensions

Dear Sir

Enclosed & send you the declaration of Mrs Betshannah Wasson; & hope it may receive an early attention
I write to call your attention to the declaration of Rhoda White sent by me to you in September last, Mrs. White absolutely requires the small amount granted her by the Pension department to live comfortably. If there were any reasons for refusing her application on
account of any defect in her papers I hope I may be notified thereof, that I cause the defect to be remedied
Yours Respectfully
H Hubbard
Norwich Chenango Co NY
Page 48

Admd Act '38
Comy 25 Jan 1839
at $30 per annum,
ded'g [deducting]former pay
at $27.88 per an.
Admd Act [illegible]
at $30 per annum,
deduct as above,
Admd Oct 48
at $30 per an.
Page 49

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of
Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled "An act
making further provision for surviving widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."

State of New York
Chenango County SS.

On this 5th day of February 1849 personally appeared before the subscribed a Justice of the Peace of the County of Chenango. Betshannah Wasson a resident of Norwich in said County aged eighty-three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Wasson who was a private in the Revolutionary Army but in what Regiment or corps the is unable to recollect from old age; has for information on that subject she refers to the papers on file in the Pension office at Washington on the application of this declarant for a pension. That under the act of 17th June 1844. and March 3, 1843 & she drew a pension of Twenty seven dollars and eighty -eight cents per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow. The further declares that her husband John Wasson, drew a pension for services during the Revolutionary War, and that during the time he drew said pension he resided in Norwich, Chenango County and State of New York, and that previously he resided
Page 50

in Milford in said County & State aforesaid
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written upon
Betshannah Wasson
H Hubbard
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Chenango County. Ss
I hereby certify that the above declarant is personally known to me
to be the same person who drew a pension
under the act of 3d March 1843 and of 17th
June 1844. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of Feby
1849
H Hubbard
Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW YORK,
CHENANGO COUNTY,
County, this 5th day of
I Nelson Peller Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Harvey Hubbard, the person subscribing the annexed Instrument and before whom the same was taken, was, on the 5th day of Feb. 1849 therein mentioned, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Chenango; and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily
believe that the name subscribed to the said Instrument is his proper and genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said County, this 5th day of Feb. A.D. 1849
Nelson Peller Clerk