Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9819, Nathaniel Cumings, Vt.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE  NUMBER
VT. Cumings, Nathaniel W.9819
Comings
or Cummings

CONTENTS Sally
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16036  14235
New York
Nathaniel Cumings
of Monroe Co in the State of New York
who was a private in the Company command
Captain Fish of the regt command
Col Fletcher in the Vt line
for 8 mo

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of May
1837 and sent to
Moses Chapin Rochester
---
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $53.32
Penn. allowance ending Sept 13.33
$66.65 
 Revolutionary Claim,
⎨Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book E Vol 4 Page 49
Page 3

6573
New York Albany
Sally Cummings
widow of Nathaniel Cummings
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a N. Y. private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
24 dollars 66
cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued
22d day of March 1859
and sent to 
George Hastings,
Mt. Morris,
N. York
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 14 Vol. H
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Nathaniel Cummings
16038
Page 5

State of New York
County of Monroe ⎬ ss: On this eighteenth day of October in the
year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges
of the Court of Oyez and termines in and for the County of Monroe
State of New York, to wit Hon. Addison Gardiner, Circuit Judge, and James
Smith and Samuel Castle, Judges of the County Court of said County, said Court
being a Court of record and now sitting
Nathaniel Cummings, a resident of the town of Brighton, in
the County of Monroe and State of New York, aged sixty nine
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his
oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832

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

In April 1781 at Putney in the State of Vermont he volunteered
for nine months in the Vermont militia then detached for the public
service and was enrolled in the company of Captain Fish of
Townsend, Vermont - his Lieutenant was Johnson (of Putney), his
Ensign not recollected. He was in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Fletcher of Townsend, the major is forgotten. Each town
was required to raise a quota of men for nine months. Putney
and Townsend raised this company. He marched directly to
Castleton in Vermont by the way of Westminster, Newberry and
Manchester. The regiment was stationed at Castleton to guard
the frontier-- no other troops were there, - another body of militia
were stationed at Pittsford a few miles north east of Carleton
and another body at Skeensboro in New York (now Whitehall)
General Enos had command of the whole and visited the station
at Castleton occasionally, and at last one reviewed the forces
there. Captains Brookings, Blakesly and Stark commanded companies there

While thus stationed at Castleton, he was once marched
with about fifty soldiers as a scout under Lieutenant Johnson
over to Mount Independence-- no troops were then at that place
he staid there one night and then returned to Castleton.
once he was marched to East Bay about eight miles from Castleton
and then continued by water in boats through Skeensboro
to near Ticonderoga, and there met a small party bearing our
flag of truce with which they had been to Canada, and returned
with them. It was supposed this excursion was to meet the
flag. At Skeensboro a few militia and some officers among 
whom was Colonel Ethan Allen joined the troops from Castleton
and went north with them.

Once in the fall some British prisoners were brought to Castleton
a Lieutenants guard among whom was said Nathaniel
Cumings went to conduct the prisoners to Mount Independence
and staid there a fortnight waiting for the British to
come there with a flag to remove them before the flag arrived
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another party of troops from Castleton visited Mount Independence
on a scout, he made arrangements with one of them to stay in
his place and he marched back with the last named party to
Castleton, In November or December 1781 the troops were disbanded 
at Castleton, he marched for home with Captain Fish's company 
passed through Manchester, crossed the Green Mountains
at or near Jamaica, - passed through Townsend to Putney -
received no written discharge. Was on service just about eight months
but whether a few days more or a few less than eight months he cannot state
8 months [in margin]
He further states that no other facts are within his recollection 
which he thinks useful in the investigation of his claim to a
pension - that he has no documentary evidence, and that he
knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure, who
can testify to his service, - and that no clergyman lives near him
nor has he personal acquaintance with any one in this part of
the country, who can testify or certify concerning him, (that he
was on duty until the winter rendered the frontier safe),

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an
nuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on
the pension roll of the agency of any State
Nathaniel Cumings
Sworn to and subscribed in open court 
the 18th day of October 1832, erasures &
noted below,
L. Adams Clerk

and in answer to the following seven Interrogatories propounded

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 service.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so
by whom was it given, what 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 said Nathaniel Cummings, says:
1. To the first interrogatory, that he was born in the town of
Nottingham in the State of New Hampshire, Oct 3, 1763
Page 7

2 To the second, that his birth is entered on the town records
of Nottingham as he believes, that his father kept a family
record and wrote the time of his birth in a little book, which
book if now in existence he thinks is in Thetford, Vermont. That
he made a copy of the record from said little book some twenty
years ago, and which copy is now here in court.
3 To the third, that he was living in Putney, Vermont when
called into service and resided there until the year 1784 when 
he removed into Westmoreland, State of New Hampshire
where he resided a few years and then removed to Thetford, Orange 
County, Vermont, where he resided until 1812 and then
removed to LeRoy, Genesee County, New York where he resided
until March 1831 and their removed to Brighton, State of New York
where he has continued to reside until now
4. To the fourth, that he volunteered as is before set forth
5 To the fifth that he has made a full statement of officers
regiments and Circumstances of service as he is able, in the preceeding
declaration. Captain Starks commanded a company of Rangers
from Powles Vermont, at Castleton
6. To the sixth, that he received but one discharge as before stated
and that was not in writing
7 To the seventh, he would state the names of the following
persons, his neighbors, Abel Dinsmore, Isaac Waring, William
B. Alexander, Nathaniel Draper, Imer Reynolds, James
Waring, Roswell Lockwood and Henry Case all of said town of
Brighton.
Nathaniel Cuming,
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court the 18th day of October
(there being two materials &
two interlineations L. Adams
Clerk

We William B. Alexander, a Justice of the peace, and Abel 
Dinsmore, both residing in Brighton, County of Monroe and State of New York
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Cummings
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration:
that we believe him to be sixty nine 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.
W. Alexander 
Abel Dinsmore
Sworn and subscribed in open
Court this 18th day of October 1832

L. Adams Clerk
===
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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 William B. Alexander who has signed the pre
ding certificate is a Justice of the peace resided in the
town of Brighton, County of Monroe and State of New York and
that Abel Dinsmore who has signed the same is a resident
in said Brighton, that both are credible persons and the
their statement is entitled to credit. Dated Rochester October 18, 1832
A Gardiner
James Smith  Judges of the court of Oyez and Terminus for Monroe Cty NH
Sam'l Castle
James Smith
I Leonard Adams, Clerk of the said Court of Oyez and terminus
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original 
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Nathaniel Cumings for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office being the seal of said
Court this eighteenth day of October 1832.
Adams Clerk
Page 9

State of New Hampshire
County of Cheshire
Town of Jaffrey
Extract from the records
of the said town of Jaffrey

"Married by Rev. Laban Ainsworth January 
twenty Eighth Eighteen hundred and three 
Nathaniel Cummings of Thetford to Sally
Stickney of Jaffrey."
Recorded by David Smiley Town Clerk

I certify that the above is a true copy of the
record with the exception of the date and 
figures, which are expressed in the record in
fair legible date and figures as follows
"Jany 28th 1803"
John Fox
Town Clerk of Jaffery

I John Fox Clerk of the town of Jaffrey
above named depose and say that I hold
the office of town Clerk of the said town of
suffice and that the above is a true extract 
from the record of the said town of
Jaffrey with the exception above named as 
certified by me -
John Fox
Subscribed & Sworn to before me
this twenty seventh day of March A.D. 1858
and I certify that I am not interested as agent or attorney 
herein -

John A. Prescott Justice of the Peace
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State of New Hampshire 
County of Cheshire
I Edward Ferrar
Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of New Hampshire
within and for the County of Cheshire certify that John
A. Prescot before whom the within affidavit was
taken was at the time his certificate purports to be
dated a justice of the peace in and for said County
of Cheshire duly commissioned and sworn and
authorized by law to take depositions and administer
oaths and that the signature thereto purporting to be
his is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
this thirtieth day of March A.D. 1858
E. Farrer Clerk
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State of New York
County of Monroe ss Sally Cumings in 
addition to her declaration heretofore
made for the purpose of obtaining a
pension as the widow of Nathaniel Cumings 
after having been duly sworn doth do
pos. and say ---
That in or about the year
1846. a man about sixty five years
of age calling himself Phanuel Love-
joy for came to the residence of deponent in
the town of Irondequoit in said County
stating that he had then come from the
State of Ohio; That he was then an en
tire stranger in the neighborhood and
to deponent, that after a short acquain
tance with him this deponent was mar
ried to him. The remained with depo
nent at her said residence about a year
That he represented himself to be an un
married man, but after he had lived
with deponent for about a year this
deponent accidentally found a letter
written by him to his son in which he
referred to his wife their living the mother
of said son whom he left in the poor
house in the County of Mercer & State of
Pennsylvania; that this deponent on
making this discovery sent said Love-
joy away: that as deponent is inform
ed he went to the town of Alden in the
County of Erie & State of New York & 
remained there with one Benjamin
about two years when he left the
said town of Alden, since which
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time this deponent has received no
intelligence from him whatever &
she has now no knowledge or inform
ation whether said Loveloy is now
living or not that this deponent in
her former declaration above refer
red to stated that she had not
been married since the decease of
the said Nathaniel Cumings for
the reason that she considered per
the reason that she considered her
said marriage with said Lovejoy as
entirely void on account of his having
another wife living, and this depon
ent had wholly repudiated such
marriage as invalid.
Sally cumings
The above named Sally Cummings
on this twenty sixth day of April 1858
personally appeared before me
& made oath in due form of
law that the foregoing statement
by her subscribed is in all respects
true. And I hereby certify that I
have no interest in the pension for
which she makes application or in
her application therefore-
James Swayne
Justice of the peace of
Monroe County
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STATE OF NEW YORK,}
MONROE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE,}
ROCHESTER.} 
I, William N Sage, Clerk of the County of Monroe, of the County
Court of said County, and of the Supreme Court, both being Courts of Record having
a common Seal, do certify that James Swayne
Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit in writing was taken, was at the time
taking such affidavit, a
Justice of the Peace
in and for said county, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with
his hand writing, and verily believe that the signature to the Jurat to such affi-
davit is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the
seal of said County, at Rochester, this 24 day of April
A.D. 1858
William N. Sage Clerk.
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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 show 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, showing the service of Nathaniel Cummings Monroe
New York
Period when the service was rendered.| duration of claimant's service.| Years. Months. Days.| Rank of the claimant. |Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.| Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers.| Battles in which the applicant was engaged.| Country through which he marched.| Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.| Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
________________________________________
April 1781| - 8 -| Private| Capt Fisk Luet. Johnson| Col. Fletcher| None| Marched directly to Castleton view muster then to Eastbay and to Mount Independence| Putnery Vermont aged sixty nine years| tradition

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," militia, and volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, 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.
Sate Territory, or District of}
County of} ss.
On this  day of personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District
of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and
served in the (e) regiment of the 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 serv
ed under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers) the 
town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service, the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per
sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[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 revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I  of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of     
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
  day of    &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the  and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revo-
lutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of 
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this day of  &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commis-
sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the ser-
tices of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each persons
Page 16

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 has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. {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 rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were 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 claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the 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 clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly worn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----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 phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the miliia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that 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 in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [j] in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants 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 credibly 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 [a] to [i] are 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 indispensible in militia cases [l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 17

 New York
of Monroe
Monroe County Court
In Open Court
June 13th 1857
Present
George G. Munger
County Judge
On this thirteenth day of June 1857
before the County Court of the County of Monroe
held within and for the County and State afore
said personally appeared Sally Cumings
aged Eighty-six years a resident of the town of
Irondequoit in the County of Monroe and
State of New York who being duly sworn ac
cording 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 on the 3d of February 1853
granting pensions to widows of persons who 
served during the Revolutionary war:
that she is the widow of Nathaniel
Cumings deceased who was a private 
in the Revolutionary Army of the United States
, and served in the war of the Rev
solution, and continued in actual 
one in said war for the term of nine
months; and was honorably discharged
from such service.
That she cannot state the company
in which her said husband served or
the regiment or the names of any of the 
officers under whom he served, but she prays
leave for information in reference thereto to
refer to the declaration of her said husband
 on file in the Pension office of
Page 18

The United States at Washington
That she cannot state when her said
husband entered said service or when he
was discharged but prays leave of these
points to refer to the said declaration of
her husband,
That her said husband was a
pensioner of the United States under the
act of 1832 at the rate of twenty-six dol
lars per annum which was paid to him
as she believes at the agency in Albany in
the State of New York,
she further states that she was
married to the said Nathaniel Cumings
in Jeffrey in the State of New Hampshire
on the
day of January A.D. 1843 by
one Laban Ainsworth a Methodist Minister
and that her name before her marriage was
Sally Stickney, that her said husband
died on the nineteenth day of April 1843
That she was not married to him prior to ┃
the second of January Eighteen hundred
but at the time above stated. And she further
states that there is no public or private
record of the said Marriage so
far as she has any information or belief
That she knows nothing about his Certificate
 of discharge & therefore cannot
file the same with this declaration
That while her husband drew his
said Pension he resided in the city of
Rochester in the said County of them
in & State of New York
Page 19

And further she declares that she
is now a widow.
she hereby appoints George Hastings
Esq. of Mount Morris in the County of Livings
ton and State of New York her attorney
with power of substitution to prosecute
this her claim for a pension, to receive the
certificate when issued, and to do all
other acts necessary and proper in the prem
She further states that the pension
certificate of her said husband was left
in the hands of Moses Chapin Esq of the
City of Rochester aforesaid and is informed
that the same is mislaid or lost,
Sally Greening
Sworn to and subscribed before
me on the day and year first above
mentioned, and I hereby
Certify that
inherent Sally Cummings and
believe her to be as is above stee
ted, and that she is of the age
above stated and further that
I am not interested in this her
claim as attorney or otherwise
Witness my hand and the
Seal of said Court affixed by
order of said Court now in session
George G Munger
 Judge
Page 20

we have heard
late of New York
county of Manor SS
On this thirteenth day
of June A.D. 1857 personally appeared be
fore me the undersigned County Judge
in & for the County of Monroe aforesaid
James Hart and William Shepard of the
town of Prendegist in the said County of
Manner who are to me well known and who
are credible witnesses, and who being by
me duly sworn, depose and say, that they are
such will be acquainted with Mrs. Sally Cumings
the above applicant for a pension that
they have known here for Twenty
years
last past: that they were acquainted with
Nathaniel Cumings her late husband
having known him for (10) years
previous to his death; that they the said
Nathaniel Cumings, and Sally Cumings
lived together as husband and wife and
were reputed so to be, that the said Nathan
Cumings died on or about the 19th
day of April 1845; and that the said
Salle Cumings has been since that day
and still is reputed to be his widow which
deponents believe to be the fact that deponents
never heard the fact of the marriage of the
said Nathaniel Cumings and Sally Came
mind has been
reputed to be a widow
 and that her said husband was
the identical man mentioned as a pension
in her declaration above: and further
Corn
Page 21

that they were present and saw the said ┃
Sally Cumings Execute the foregoing of
affidavit make oath to the same before George
G. Meinger, in due form of law, and that
they deponents do reside in the County afore
said Witness
James Hart
William Shepherd
13th day June 1837
in to & subscribed this
13th of June 1857 before me
Geo. G. Ringer
Monroe Co Judge
to of New York
or County SS. Moses Chapin being
duly sworn maketh oath and saith
that he was acquainted with Nathaniel
 Cumings the husband of Sally Cumings
above named in his lifetime, and
knew him to be a Revolutionary Pensioner
of the United States, that this deponent
had the pension certificate of the
said Nathaniel Cumings in his 
possession and as his attorney drew papers 
and assisted him to draw his pension during several
years and the last time in the year 1845, that
deponent does not know what became of said
original pension certificate after that time, but
from careful search is able to state confidently that the
same is not now in his office or possession
Page 22

and does not know where it is. 
Moses Chapin
Sworn to and subscribed this
13th day of June 1857 before me
Geo G Munger
STATE OF NEW YORK.
MONROE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE
ROCHESTER.
A. D. 1887
Judge
Clerk of the County of Monroe, of the County
Court of said County, and of the Supreme Court, both being Courts of Record having
a common Seal, do certify that Jo Hunger
Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit in writing was taken, was, at the time of
taking such affidavit,
Monroe to Jude
in and for said county, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with
his hand writing, and verily believe that the signature to the Jurat to such affidavit
is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the
Seal of said County, at Rochester, this 25 day of June
William Page, Clerk.
Page 23

WIDOW
File No. 9819
Sally Cummings
Widow
Nathaniel Cummings
Privt Rev War
Act: Feby 30 1853
Index: -- Vol.
Page 161
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 24

6493
Sally Cummings,
widow of Nathaniel
New York
Monroe Co
Geo Hastings Jr 17, 1837
Hastings & Brigham Ap. 1488
Lot February 1853
Page 25


Hon G. Whitney
H. Reps
April 12 /58
Comrs of Patent
Sir
I have the honor
to transmit the communication
of the Hon Geo Hastings & the
accompanying papers for your
favorable consideration
your Obt Sert
Saml G Andrey
Page 26

Rec'd
ed to peace; many on 19th Apl.
5.3 with
Geo. Hastings,
Mt. Morris, N. Y.
Page 27

Mr Morris Apl Hen 1858
Com of Pensions
Dr Sir
Some time since we sent the 
application of Sally Cummings
for the pension as widow
of Nathaniel Cummings a
Revolutionary Pensioner
the application on sus
pended on two grounds
want of sufficient proof
of her marriage
because there was so
Evidence of a second marriage
We send a certificate
which we presence will of
date the first objection-
Page 28

and also explanatory
affidavits which
may we hope may
cover the second.
for & we fully believe that
she ought to receive the
pension. We have presented
the case as an act of charity
on our part, without the 
expectation of benefit to or
ourselves
Yours
Hastings & Bingham
N York
Page 29

N.Y.
Mt Morris Mar 1859
Hon Comr of Pensions
Sir
some time since I sent
to your department 
the application
of Sally Cumings widow
of Nathaniel Cumings
for a pension. Nathaniel
Cumings was a Rev. Pensioner.
 The application
was suspended for the proof for
One difficulty
and I believe the only one
which has not been removed
was a supposed marriage
 since the death of
the pensioner about
a year ago
Page 30

I took an additional affidavit
 from her and some
affidavits from the highly
 respectable neighbors of
hers all of which I supered
I had enclosed to you
On looking over some pay
is here I find her of
fallen still with me
which I now enclose the
other affidavits I think I
must have sent
It seems to me that in
the circumstances hereby
must be presumed to be a
dealt of his supposed mere
wage with the applicant
we are really an obstacle
in the any of the applicant
 Under the Statute
of this State an absence
of five years raises a
presumption in favor of the
Page 31

death of the absentee 
I have taken up this case merely
as an act of charity to a
very poor & dependent widow
. It is quite out of my
line or I presume I should
have attended to it more
faithfully-
I believe the application
 to be a Meriton
one & trust the papers may
now be found in conformity
city with law & the regular
of your department.
Hoping to hear soon from
the case I am yours
truly

Geo Hastings
Page 32

W. Morris June 30 187
Lin Co N Y
Hon Com of Pensions
Sir
herewith the application for
Sally Cummings for a
pension which I trust
will be found in
form proper
yrs
Geo Hastings
Page 33

3d Auditors
July 14
Sir
Office
1
Nathaniel Cummings
Albany N.Y. roll, under
Act of June 7, 1832, at
$26.60 per annum, appears
to have been paid to
4th of March 1845.
the
The arrears do not appear
to have been paid.
Very Respy
the Common
Andian
Geo. C. Whiting Esqr
Commr of Pensions

very respectfully,
Pension Office, July 13, 1857
for the Commissioner
his widow, if she drew the arrears
death of within named pensioner and name of
The Third auditor will please certify the date
Page 34

Respectfully referred to the
This editor for report of the date
of death or last payment,
Geo C Whiting
Commissioner
3d Auditor's office
Sir
March 21 
Nathaniel Cummings,
Albany N.Y. under act
of 1832 appears to have
been paid to March 4 1845
R Jommin
Auditor
Page 35


Sally Cummings
Wid: of
Nathaniel
Admit for $26.600. A
Com Feb. 3, 1853, and in
Sec Act
Cert to
Geo. Hastings
Mt. Morris, N Y
Page 36

. Office
March 21 1859

Sir
In answer to your letter of the 16th Inst.
I have to state that the pension which Thomas
Harris, would have been entitled to under the
Act of June 1832, had he survived the
passage of said act, would be at the
rate of $80. per annum. His widow
was therefore entitled to about $46, when
she died
This amount will be paid to the
Children of the parties upon this
application being made there for the
Marriage of the parties
their deaths & the number & name,
of their children should be proven,
Page 37

Brief in the case of Sally Cummings widow of Nathaniel,
Monroe County and State of New York
act 3 Feb 1853
Claim, (original" forced
Proof exhibited, (if original
is it documentary, traditionally or supported by rolls
Husband was pensioner under the Act of 7, June 1832, at the
rate of $26.66 per annum
Marriage provenly record evidence
thereof Soldier died April 19", 1845, as appear from Paral
proof & Report of their Auditor
Satisfice
Widowhood is
Establish
has additional evidence been filed in the admission to a claim
Geo. Hastings Esqr
M Morris
N. Y.

Examining Clerk.
Page 38


State of New York
Monroe County ss
James Hart being
duly sworn says that he was well 
acquainted with Nathaniel Cumming in
his lifetime & resided within Eighty rods
of his residence and he knew Sally Cumings
 wife of the said Nathaniel Cumings
during the lifetime of the said 
Nathaniel & has known her ever since & has 
resided in the immediate neighborhood of
the said Sally since the death of the
said Nathaniel Cumings. That Eight
or nine years ago a man by the name of
Lovejoy who was an entire stranger in
the neighborhood came to the house of
the said Sally Cumings & remained there
a year or more. That there was newcomer
in the neighborhood that they were married
& it was also rumored that the said Lovejoy had
another wife living, that the said Lovejoy
 six or seven years ago left the
said neighborhood & has not since return
to the knowledge of this deponent, nor
has he since that time resided with the
said Sally Cumings. and that it is reported
and generally believed in the neighbor
hood that said Lovejoy is now dead
and this deponent further says that
he has no knowledge that the said Lovejoy
were married to the said Sally Cumings
 further there is above stated
Sworn & subscribed this
third day of March 1858
James Hart
Daniel Wood
commissioner of Deed Justice of the Peace
Page 39

State of New York
Monroe County SS
William Shepard of
Irondequoit in said County being duly
sworn says that he resided in the immediate
 neighborhood of Nathaniel Cumings
in his lifetime & has resided in the
immediate neighborhood of Sally Cumings
Widow of the said Nathanel Cumings
since his death has been well acquainted with
her & her circumstances; this deponent
further says that he has heard read the fore
going affidavit signed by James Hart &
knows the contents thereof and that their
Circumstances relating to the supposed marriage of the said Sally Cumings
and one Lovejoy
by and the residence of the said Lovejoy with
the said Sally are correctly stated
in said affidavit that said
 Lovejoy left the said
neighborhood about Eight or nine years ago
& has not since returned thereto, nor has
he since lived with said Sally Cumings
and that it is reported & believed in said
neighborhood that said Lovejoy is now
dead. That this deponent has no knowledge 
that the said Sally Cumings has
been married since the death of the said
Nathaniel Cumings except from 
as above stated,-
Sworn
& subscribed this William Shepherd
third day of March 1858
before me Daniel Wood
Coun of Deeds & Justice of the Peace
Page 40

State of New York
Monroe County SS
I certify that I am well
acquainted with James
Hart & William Shepard named in
the foregoing affidavits by them respectfully
signed- that their statements
 are entitled to full credit &
that I have no interest in the application
 of Sally Cumings for a pension
Dated March 3, 1858
Daniel Wood
Justice of the Peace
William N. Sage Clerk
Page 41


STATE OF NEW YORK.
MONROE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE,
ROCHESTER.
William N Page
I, W. Warren Williams, Clerk of the County of Monroe, of the County
of said County, and of the Supreme Court, both being Court of Record having
a common seal, do certify that Daniel Wood
Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit in writing was taken, was, at the time
taking such affidavit, a Justice of the peace
in and for said county, duly authorized to take the same; that
I am well acquainted with
his hand writing, and verily believe that the signature to the Jurat to such affidavit
is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said County, at Rochester, this third day of March
A.D. 1858.
William N. Sage Clerk