Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,665, Silvanus Finch, New York
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New York
Finch, Silvanus
S 10,665
carded
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(20,524)
New York
Silvanus Finch of Chenango Co in the State of N. York who was a Dragoon &c in the Comp. commanded by Captain Lane of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hopkins in the N. York line for 9 mo. [illegible] $167.88
15 [illegible] $41.72
33.44  $209.60
50
$83.44

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 83 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sep. 1833 and sent to B. Niles Cincinnatus

Arrears to the 4th of Sep [illegible] $209.60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 [illegible] 41.72
$251.32

{Revoluntionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go.C. Stiles Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 4, Page 86
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15924
Sylvanus Finch
Chanango County New York

Barak Niles
Cincinnatus 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 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, 
(this: }). 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 Sylvanus Finch, of Chenango Co NY

Period when the service was rendered. Enlisted 1777
Duration of the claimant's service. 3 Months.
Rank of the claimant. Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Lieut Baker
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched. Fredericksburg to the Red church
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 70 Dutchess Co. N.Y.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary

Period when the service was rendered. Substituted 1778
Duration of the claimant's service. 3 or 6 months
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Geo. Lane
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col. Hopkins
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched. Nine [illegible] Fish hill
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  Same
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

Period when the service was rendered. Enlisted 1780
Duration of the claimant's service. At least 9 months
Rank of the claimant. part of a horse [illegible]
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Delaware
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Morisina Delnarys Milles
Country through which he marched. Westchester Eastchester
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  Cortland Manor
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Living witness

Period when the service was rendered. Enlisted 1781
Duration of the claimant's service.  9 months
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Morgan
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.

Period when the service was rendered. Volunteered 1782
Duration of the claimant's service.  9 months
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.  Capt. White
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col. Weiservelt
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched. Fishhill
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  Dutchess county
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Living witness

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

Applicant does not state with precision his service as private of Infantry and as a trooper
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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 roll3 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 } 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 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, and the country through which he march. > This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of    

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.    A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I     of the Court of     do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of     for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this    day of      &c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the     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 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 clergy man, 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 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 on credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favoragle 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) interrogatoreis 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 s substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Milita 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 viciinity 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 examintion, 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 cerify 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 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 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 examintion of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of emory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For ______ 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 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 on the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[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 devise 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 cerificate 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 a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the otaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper office, under his seal of office. (Silvanus Finch is not certified credible)
> 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.
[] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State of New York
Broome County ss}
Alpheus Finch of Conklin in
the County of Broome & State of New York having been
duly affirmed according to Law saith that
he knows of his brother Sylvanus Finch having been
a soldier in the Revolutionary War and
as he believes in the year 1782 that at that
time the said Sylvanus was with his Regiment
on the West side of the Hudson River in the
County of Ulster & State of New York he further
says that he cannot at this time recollect the
names of the Capt. of the company or other
officers of the Regiment in which his brother
served & further saith not
Alpheus Finch
Broome County ss On this 22nd day of August 1832
before me personally came Alpheus Finch to
me known and solemnly declared & affirmed
according to Law that the above deposition
by him subscribed is true
Geo Park Justice
of the peace
I further certify that I am well acquainted with
the above named Alpheus Finch and
that he is a man of truth and credibility.
Geo. Park
Justice of peace
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State of New York, Broome County ss
J.B. Marvin Clerk of said county do certify that Geo. Park Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit purport to have been taken was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for this county and I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature of Geo. Park is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said county this 22 day of August 1832
B. Marvin Clerk of Broome Com. Pleas
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of New York, County of Chenango ss
On this ninth day of October in the year 1832, personally appeared in open court before, John Tracey, Levi Bigelow, Charles York, Nathan Taylor, and Hezekiah Read, judges of the court of common pleas, now sitting, at the court house in the town of Norwich in and for the county of Chenango aforesaid, being at the October Term of the said court, Sylvanus Finch, a resident of the town of Pitcher in the said county of Chenango and state of New York, aged seventy 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.
That he was born, at Frederickburgh in the county of Dutchess & state of New York, in the year 1762; that he does not know there is any record of his age.
That in April, he thinks, 1777, he enlisted, as said Frederickburgh, he being then a resident of that place, for the term of three months, under Lieut. Cyrus Baker, and as his waiter, and went with said Lieut. Baker & his company of about fifty men, into the service of the United States therefore, at said Fredericksburgh and were stationed there as a guard. The guard house was between the red church and the Baptist church. Lieut. Bakers men were much of the time at the red church, and there was a company or party of artificers at the baptist church. That he there served his term of three months out, in keeping guard, at said place, and was then dismissed there. He recollects Sergeant Ferguson belonged to their company and there was a corporal, and he does not remember any
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other officer being with them. Nor were there any other troops in their company, or at said station.
That he again, in the year, 1778, he believe, that it might have been in 1779; in September, he believes, being just after harvest, enlisted as a volunteer for a certain number of men a [illegible], who were to furnish a man; he thus enlisted under Capt. George Lane for 3 or 4 months, and he cannot recollect which; and know it was one or the other. Lieut. Stewart, he believes was the person in command of the company. The company joined the regiment of Col. Hopkins of Nine Partners. The said regiment was stationed at Fish hill, or it lay there and in its neighborhood during this term of his enlistement. Thinks Major Paine was second officer of the regiment. There were no other troops in company. They built a redoubt while there. The other services were there of common duty, drilling & - there was no enemy at hand. At the end of his term of enlistment he was then dismissed. He enlisted this tour at said Fredericksburgh, where he lived.
That he again in the month of May, be believes, enlisted at Cortland to Manor, 1780, in the company of Capt. Samuel Delavan, Lieut. Benjamin Jones. This was a company of horse, or cavalry - but a part of the time did duty on foot. Said manor where he enlisted was in the county of [illegible].
The said company was attached, he thinks, to no particular regiment this year. But its particular duty and object was to guard the property and country from the [illegible] of the enemy in this region wherever it was most wanted. That he went out with his company, though Capt. Honeywell commanded the company that day, (Capt. Delaware not being then there,) with a party, and burnt [illegible] in order to break up or destroy the tories or refugees who were at that place.
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The party on said occasion was divided in these companies or divisions - Col. Hull commanded one - He thinks Major Tallmadge did another - and Capt. Whiting did the third. That he, the declarant, was under that commanded by said Whiting.
Before we went to burn, it was agreed to set fire in those places at the same time - it was in the night time - after doing it, the orders were to return to the place of rendeavous at Col. Delaney Mills. We accordingly went and set fire to said Morriforma as agreed - this was in January he thinks, 1751. After setting the fire, our party returned to Col. Delaney Mills, about day break, before the others did, and were very soon attacked by a party of the enemy from behind the stone wall. Honeywell, commanded the horse in which this declarant was, & Capt. Whiting the infantry - the fire of the enemy rather broke us - we soon formed again, and received a second fire - we marched a little distance and found ourselves between two fires of the enemy. In this place I had my horse killed under me - our forces soon passed on one side and retreated to join Col. Hull, and Major Talmadge parties at Capt. Chester, where we met also Gen. Parson's Brigade. There the enemy attacked us again - The enemy consisted of both horse and foot - Col. Hulls regiment had an engagement with the refugees. The enemy on seeing Gen. Parsons brigade, and receiving a fire from two field [illegible] of his men, as he supposed, they soon retreated and the matter or skirmish ended.
After this Col. Hull went into winter quarters as he supposed, and the declarant to his common duty of protection as before. During the year, he served with his said company, though under different officers occasionally, but was considered of the company of said Capt. Delavan for the term of one year, except that he was sometimes at house for a week perhaps - sometimes perhaps a little more than a week, and often times less - stood ready for the year, and always went when wanted. He thinks
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he was out, in the service, this tour or year, as much, at best as nine months, from the time of his first entering in May, 1750, to the latter part of March, 1751, when he was dimissed, as he thinks, at said Frederickburgh. He was during said nine months service in the county of Westchester, considerable of the time, and along from that place to Dutchess County, as the line of duty required.
That he again in the spring of the year 1751, enlisted under one Daikins, a recruiting officer, at said Fredericksburgh, but shortly after falling from a horse and breaking two ribs, in the presence of said officer - and being thereby disabled he did not join his company - but as soon as able returned the service as a drover under Capt. Morgan, and was to have soldiers pay - that he went & joined Col. [illegible] Wells at Fishkill and assisted in driving a drove of 247 head of cattle, as he thinks, to the [illegible] - went to the army with them, which was then stationed at Fredericksburgh in Virginia. The army consisted of French & Americans - arrived soon after Lord Cornwallis was taken - Col. Wells & his son, and one Beckwith, & one list, assisted in driving said drove. On delivering this drove, he returned to Capt. Morgan at Newtown, in the State of Connecticut, & there took 4 head of cattle more of Capt. Morgan and drove them to Continental Village, below Fishkill, at which place his time of nine months being out, which was in January 1752, he went home. He was in this service nine months.
That he, again, in April 1752, on a class of men, at said Fredericksburgh, wanting to raise a man, enlisted, as the man, in the company of Capt. Andrew White - in the regiment of Col. Weisenvelt. The other company officers were Lieut. George Weisenvelt and Lieut. Conner - and said Conner, also did the duty of quarter-master to said regiment. That he joined said company & regiment at Fishkill. There was no regiment there, nor any troop
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except said regiment of Col. Weisenvelt. Capt. Livingston was the muster master of the regiment. On the regiment being organized, the Col. took his station at Marbletown. Capt. White, with part of his company, including this declarant, lay at Nipenook, at the Mills. Lieut. Weisenvelt, with another part of our company lay at Grimhill. Lieut. Conner, who acted as quartermaster, was at Nipenook, at the Fort, the others were kept by him. That he stayed there in said company and regiment in the service of his country for nine months from and after his enlistment. The duty was guarding the frontiers against the Indians. That at the end of said nine months he was discharged there at said place. The regiment was discharged by companies. That he received a written discharge from his Captain, but it is lost.
That he has no documentary proof of his services, and that he knows of no person he can procure to prove the same, except the accompanying affidavits of his two brothers.
That he is known to Abel Chandler & Elijah Fanton Jr. in his present neighborhood, who can testify in regard to his character for veracity, and as to their belief of his services as a soldier in the revolution.
That after the revolutionary war he first resided  at Hudson for about two and half years, then at Shinderhook 4 or 5 years, then at Loodach about 4 years, then at Schoharris about 10 years. And that he has resided, at Pitcher aforesaid, his present residence ever since, being [illegible] years last past.
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.
Silvanus Finch

Sworn to and submited the day and year aforsaid.
J.K. Pike Clk
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We Abel Chandler residing in the town of Pitcher, in the county of Chenango aforesaid, and Elijah Fanton Jr. residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Sylvanus Finch, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy 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.
Abel Chandler
Elijah Fanton Jr.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J.K. Pike Clk

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 soldier of the revolution, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Albel Chandler who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Pitcher in the county of Chenango aforesaid, and that Elijah Fanton Jr. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Jno. Tracy, Levi Bigelow, Hezh Read, Nathan Taylor - Judges

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 Sylvanus Finch for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said clerks office this tenth day of October in the year of our Lord, 1892 and I further cerify that the name of, or Norwich in [illegible] of these proceedings was written on an [illegible] & before the execution thereof. 
J.K. Pike Clk

[illegible] the [illegible] in relation to the affidavit of Simeon Finch [illegible] before signing.
J.K. Pike Clk
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March 31, 1933

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/EEL
Silvanus Finch- S.10665

Mrs. Colin F. Campbell
101-9th Avenue, S.E.
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Silvanus Finch, a solider of the Revolutionary War and a pensioner. 

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.10665, based upon the military service of Silvanus Finch in that war. 

Silvanus Finch was born in 1762, in Fredericksburg, Dutchess County, New York. 

While residing in Fredericksburg, New York, he enlisted and served at various times from April, 1777, until in 1782, one year and three months as a private of infantry; nine months as a trooper in the cavalry, and nine months as a drover under Lieutenant Cyrus Baker, Captains George Lane, Samuel Delavan, Honeywell, Whiting, Morgan and Andrew White, Colonels Hopkins and Weissenfels in the New York Troops. He was in the battle of East Chester. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Pitcher, Chenango County, New York. 

There are no data as to wife and children. 

In 1832, soldier's brother, Alpheus Finch, lived in Conklin, Broome County, NewYork, and brother, Simeon Finch, lived in Lincklaen, Chenango County, New York. 

There are no further family data.
Page 16

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Silvanus Finch(S.10665,  you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data:

Silvanus Finch, Certificate No. 20524, issued September 19, 1833, rate 83.44 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency. 

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

- 2 -
Page 17

Rev. War
10665
INVALID
File No. 10,665
Silvanus Finch
Drag. Rev War
Act: [unclear] 1832
Index; - Vol. A, Pge 125
[Arrangement of 1870]
1917 Oct. 10 Hist. to Inez D. Blond
1918 Oct. 29 Hist. to Mrs Winifred Foley
1933 Mar 26/33 Hist to Mrs J B Meola - EEL
1933 - Mar 31 - Hist to Mrs Colin F. Campbell EEL
1939, Oct. 20 Photo mailed to Mrs. F. C. Finch - E.L.L.
Page 18

Cincinnatus, Cort. N.Y.
June 8th 1833
Sir,
The papers of Mr. Sylvanus Finch have been amended and are herewith returned to the War Department. It is hoped that they are formally & substantially correct. That he rendered the services I feel is beyond all doubt as I know the man well.
When [unclear] upon please return to me and oblige
Most Respectfully yr. obedient s.
Barak Niles
Page 19

State of New York, County of Chanango ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a justice of the peace of the town of Pitcher in said county of Chanango, Sylvanus Finch, of said Pitcher, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades. For one year and three months I served as a private soldier of infantry. For nine months I served as a trooper or soldier in the cavalry. And for nine months I served as a drover - as is set forth in my original declaration to which this is admendatory - and for which services I claim a pension.
I wish to explain that the nine months service, as a trooper or horseman, was done mostly as a horseman. Tho' as stated in my original declaration a part of the time, of said nine months, was on foot. It may be that I was on foot during said nine months for two months; not more, I think. And I call it all as a trooper, because it was so called. The nine months service under Capt. Morgan as set forth is put down by declarant, not knowing whether such service is entitled to any considerations. It is submitted to the Department and further saith not.
Silvanus Finch

Sworn and subscribed this 30th day of May, 1833, before me the undersigned and I certify that I am well acquainted with said Sylvanus Finch and that he is a person of credibility and truth and that his statements are entitled to full credence.
Elijah Fanton Justice
Page 20

State of New York    I Jarvis K. Pike Clerk
Chenango County of said County do certify that 
Elijah Fenton or before whom the within affidavit
purports to have been sworn was at
the date of the same one of the Justices of
the peace in and for the said County
that I am acquainted with his hand writing
and verily believe his name subscribed
to the said affidavit to be his proper
hand writing and Signature -
Witness my hand and seal of
Office this 30th day of May 1833
J K. Pike  Clk
Page 21

Sylvanius Finch
Declaration for pension - 

Simeon Finch
Affidavit

159 %

[illegible]
9 mo - Dragoon.
15 mo - pri [illegible]


33.44
50
----------------
Page 22

Chenango County
-
⎬
Be it remembered that on this 8th day of  [illegible] 1832 before me James Plumb Justice of said County Simeon Finch of [illegible] 
in said County and deposeth and
saith that he is the Brother of Sylvanus Finch of Pitcher in said County that he lived in the family with him during the revolutionary war.  That the said Sylvanus was enlisted Soldier in
Col Wisenfelz Regiment of New York
State Troops. Deponent thinks about
nine months and that the said
Sylvanus at an other time belonged
to a company of Volunteers commanded
by Capt Samuel Delavan and that the
said Sylvanus went actual service a number of times under the said Capt Delavan and further said that the said Sylvanus While in
enlisted Soldier was for same time
employed in [illegible] [illegible] to the
South for the army
Simeon Finch
Taken and subsided
Oct 8. 1832 before
[illegible] Samuel Plumb  J Peace
______________________________________
I the undersigned do hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Simeon
Finch the above named deponent and
that he is a man of credibility & Truth
& that the above [illegible] in the [illegible]
was made before signed,
Samul Plumb Justice Peace [illegible]
Page 23

State of New York
Chenango County 
 I Jarvis K. Pike
Clerk of said County do certify that Samuel Plumb before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County that I am acquainted with his hand writing and only believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his name hand writing and signature

Witness my hand & seal of Office this
ninth day of October 1832
J K. Pike Clk
Page 24

{vertical text} - 12 pages - Silvanus Finch, NY S10665
[illegible]
Minneapolis, Minn
Oct 18 1917.
Dept of the Interior
Washington DC

Gentlemen:
I understand that for a consideration
per page, one may obtain photographic
copies of pensioner application - 

I would like copy
of the appli-
Page 25

"Silvanius Finch 10665
Rev. Mar -"
Kindly advise me
I remain yours truly
Mrs John A Blond
340 Garfield Ave -
Page 26

Norwich N.Y
March 10, 1933
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C

Dear Sir- 
May I receive the Revolutionary War Service
of Sylvanus Finch, whose name appears
on the 1833 pension roll for Chenango County, NY
Thanking you
Very truly yours
(this J.B.}
Grace Ingersoll Meola
*12 Front St.

{Image}:  REC'D
Mar 18 1933
MAIL SUB-Div.
VETS. ADMM.
Reader
#25
Page 27

R.R.2, Olathe, Colorado
Oct. 18, 1918.
U.S. Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
I desire to make application for membership to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and desire to get all the information I can in regard to my ancestors who
were Revolutionary soldiers.
Sylvanus Finch had a pension. He possibly enlisted
Page 28

in Schoharie County N.Y. He died
at Binghamton, N. Y. about September
1843.
Jonas Hinman had a pension. He was born in Lynchfield, Conn and his later address I believe was Pitcher Chenango Co. N.Y.
This is the only information I
have of these two men, but I shall
be very glad to receive what information
you can furnish.
Thanking you for your attention, I am
Very truly yours
Mrs. Winifred Foley.
Page 29

Aberdeen, S. D.
Mar. 13, 1933
Veteran's Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen,
Will you please send me the Revolutionary War Record of Sylvanus Finch? The only
information that I have is that his name appeared on the pension roll, Sept. 19, 1833. He was then 71 years of age and lived in
Chenango County, New York
He served in the New York Militia.
Will you also please give me the
name of his pensioner or pensioners after his death.
Respectfully yours
Gretchen Joubert Campbell

Address
Mrs. Colin F. Campbell
101 9th One S.E.
Aberdeen, So. Dak.
Page 30

B.F.W
RevSec

JOHN A. BLOND, MANAGER
BUSINESS INSURANCE DEPT.

The Horner Agency
McKnight Building, Minneapolis
The Provident Lift and Trust Co.
of Philadelphia, Pa.

Oct. 5, 1917.
U. S. Commissioner of Pensions,
Revolutionary War Dept.,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: Would it be possible for you to furnish date of marriage, birth and wife's name of Silvanius Finch, who served under Lieut. Abraham Ten Eyck, Duchess County, N. Y.

It is my understanding that he availed
himself of Land Bounty Rights instead of the
Pension. Reference to this is made in New York
in the Revolution, Page #49.

This information is desired in order
to qualify for the D. A. R., and I would be
extremely grateful to you for any information
that you would be willing to furnish.
Yours truly,
Inez D Blond,
3407 -- Garfield Ave. S.
Page 31

Sept 26th, 1939

Mrs. F. C. Finch
407 Wilson Lane
Bethesda Maryland

Please furnish 2 pages photo &lt; positive + negative 
stated from Claim S10665 of Silvanus Finch
Page 32

October 2, 1939,

BA-J/ILL [illegible]
Silvanus Finch
S. 10665

Mrs. F. C. Finch
407 Wilson Lane
Bethesda, Maryland

Dear Madam:

You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies, negative and positive, of two pages of the originals thereof, in the claim for pension, S. 10665, based upon service of Silvanus Finch in the Revolutionary War. 

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 33

BA-J/ILL
Rev. & 1812
No. 497

September 26, 1939

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

Navy- Br. 970

Revolutionary War claim for pension of
Silvanus Finch - S. 10665

Actual
2 of each page
1 positive
1 negative

[handwritten]
Two pages selected for copies:
Affid. of Simeon Finch Oct. 8, 1832 = 1p
Affid. of Aepheus Finch Aug 22 - 32 = 1p
[end handwriting]

$1.00 2 pages

Kindly leave margin of 1½ inch at top of each page and return papers in case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word "Omit" written in pencil on these pages not to be copied. 

Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
Page 34

Rev. War Section.
Oct. 27, 1917.
Mrs. John A. Blond,
3407 Garfield Ave.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Madam:

In reply to your letter of the 18"" instant, you are advised that the number of pages in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Silvanus Finch, N. Y. Troops, S. 10,665, of which you
desire photostat copies is twelve. The same will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1913, at the rate of fifteen cents per page with twenty-five cents extra, if
certification is desired, the proper amount should be forwarded by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior
Very respectfully,
[illegible]
Commissioner.

If this letter is replied to and
[illegible] photos of declar. of Oct. 9, 1832 = 6 pages
"                                           " May 30 1833 = 2"
"                                             "Aff of Alpheus Finch = 2 "
"                                                  " Simeon Finch = 2'
___________
12 " total
Page 35

W
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
_____________________________
S. F. 1665
---
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,
19___

In reply to your request of _____,  received ____,
for a statement of the military history of Silvanus Finch a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
{chart}
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Apr 1777
Sept 1778 or 1779
May 1780

Apr 1781 1782

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos.
3 or 4 mos.
9 mos.

9mos.
9mos.

RANK.
Pvt.

[illegible]

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Lunt Cyrus Baker
George Lane
Samuel Delavan
Honeywell
Whiting
Morgan
are  [illegible] White
Andrew Wilson
COLONEL.
as a guard
Hopkins

[illegible]
Weisenvelt

STATE.
N.Y.

Battles engaged in, East Charter
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fredricksburgh,  Dutchess Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Oct 9, 1832.  His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Pitcher, Chenango Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, born in 1762 at Fredericksburgh Dutchess Co. N.Y.
Remarks: If was not stated that soldier was married.
This is the only soldier of this name found on Rev. War records of this Bureau
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

brothers Alphons Finch
   "           Simon Finch

5 -- 2856
Page 36

March 25, 1933

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/REL
Silvanus Finch-S.10665

Mrs. J. B. Meola
12 Front Street
Norwich, New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Silvanus Finch, a soldier of the Revolutionary War
and a pensioner.

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 10655, based upon the military
service of Silvanus Finch in that war.

Silvanus Finch was born in 1762, in Fredericksburg, Dutchess County, New York.

Could not find this town on either atlas.

While residing in Fredericksburg, New York, he enlisted and served at various times from April, 1777, until in 1782, one year and three months as a private of infantry; nine months as a trooper in the cavalry, and nine months as a drover under Lieutenant Cyrus Baker, Captains George Lane, Samuel Delavan, Honeywell, Whiting, Morgan and Andrew White, Colonels Hopkins and Weissenfels in the New York
Troops. He was in the battle of East Chester.

Soldier mostly has also Capt Geo Lane, Saml Delavan, Honeywell & Andrew Withe.

Did not use Col Levi Wells - as the only Col Levi Wells I could identify was of Conn

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Pitcher, Chenango County, New York.

There are no data as to wife and children.

In 1832, soldier's brother, Alpheus Finch lived in Conklin, Broome County, New York, and brother, Simeon Finch, lived in Linclolaen.Chenango County, New York.

There are no further family data.
Page 37

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Silvanus Finch (S.10665), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records
Division, this city, citing all of the following data:
Silvanus Finch, Certificate No. 20524, issued September 19, 1833,
rate $83.44 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.