Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4827, for David Taylor, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental
CONTENTS
Taylor, David
Ester
or Esther
Conn res in 1818
NUMBER
W. 4827.
B. L. Wt 522.-160-55
Page 2

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire SS
John Tullar aged 85 years
a resident of Egremont in the County
& State aforesaid being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was
well acquainted with David and Ester Taylor &
after they were reported to have been married
they lived within three fourths of a mile
of Deponent. Deponent heard and believed
they were married & knew them to live
together as husband & wife for a number
of years previous to Eighteen hundred. During
that time they had two children Huldah
and Lovisa which were both living in
Eighteen Hundred & Eighteen Have since heard
the children were both dead Heard say
and believes the said David Taylor served
as a Drummer in the war of the Revolution
& was a Pensioner at the rate of 96 Dollars
per annum That the said Ester resides
in Granville in the State of New York
& has made application for a Pension -
That the said David Taylor was for many
years previous to his death a wandering
vagrant And further this Deponent saith not
John Tullar
Subscribed & sworn to this
17th day of October A.D. 1854 Before me Samuel C Newman Justice of the Peace
Page 3

I S.C. Newman do hereby certify that
John Tullar who is described in and who
executed the foregoing Deposition is a person
of known credibility and the statement by him
made concerning said David & Ester Taylor
and their children can be relied on
Samuel C. Newman Justice of the Peace
I Samuel C Newman do hereby certify that
my name signed to the Deposition of John Tullar
with the initials S.C. Newman was scratched out
and the name written in full by me
Samuel C. Newman Justice of the Peace
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire SS
Clarissa Parsons aged 57
years a resident of Egremont in the County
and State aforesaid being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that
David and Ester Taylor formerly of the said
town of Egremont in the County and State
aforesaid had two children Huldah and
Lovisa Taylor that in the fall of Eighteen
hundred and nineteen Lovisa came to Deponents
Fathers house was sick & died at said house
in December Eighteen hundred and nineteen
Deponent recollects the date of Lovisa's death
by reference to date of deponents marriage
which took place in January Eighteen hundred
twenty Deponent further states that Lovisa
was twenty two years of age at the time of
her death & that Huldah Taylor was two or
three years older. Deponent was well acquainted with the said David & Ester Taylor
They lived within half or three fourths of a
mile from deponents Father & Deponent,
always understood & believed that the said
David & Ester Taylor are married & never
heard the marriage doubted Deponent has
always heard say that the said David Taylor
Page 5

was a soldier & a Drummer in the war
of the Revolution & afterwards a Pensioner
at the rate of 96 Dollars per annum
and that the said Ester Taylor is still
a widow & resides in Granville in the
State of New York & has made application
for a Pension That the said David Taylor
was for many years previous to his death
a wandering vagrant & further the deponent
sayeth not
Clarissa Parsons
Subscribed & sworn this
17 day of October A.D. 1854
Before me
Samuel C. Newman Justice of the Peace

I S.C. Newman do hereby certify that Clarissa
Parsons who is described in and who executed
above Deposition is a person of known
credibility and the statement by her made
concerning said David & Ester Taylor and their
children can be relied on
Samuel C. Newman Justice of the Peace

I Samuel C. Newman do certify that my name
signed as S.C. Newman Justice of the Peace above
was scratched out and the name written in full on
the line below by me
Samuel C Newman Justice of the Peace
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire SS.
Gorton Race Resident
of the town of Egremont County and
State aforesaid being duly sworn according to
Law do depose and say that I hold
the office of Town Clerk for the town of
Egremont that I also held said
Office in the year Eighteen hundred
and thirty seven and that the Town
Records of said town of Egremont
are all destroyed by fire in that year
that there is no records of Marriages
or Births previous to that time in said
town of Egremont and further deponent
saith not
Gorton Race
Subscribed and
sworn to this sixteenth
day of
October A.D. 1854
Before me Samuel C. Newman Justice of the Peace
Page 7

I Samuel C. Newman do hereby
certify that Gorton Race described in
and who executed the foregoing Deposition
is a person of known credibility and
do further certify that the initial S. signed
to said Deposition as Justice of the Peace
before the remainder of my name was scratched
out and the word Samuel written in its
place by me
Samuel C. Newman Justice of the Peace
Page 8

Commonweall of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I, CHARLES SEDGWICK, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth
for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Samuel C. Newman
Esquire, whose signatures are affixed to the certificates on the paper hereto annexed, was, at
the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly
commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth.
and that full faith and credit are and
ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with
the handwriting of the said Samuel C. Newman
and
believe his signatures to said certificate are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas for
said Commonwealth, this twentieth day of
October in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty four
Charles Sedgwick Clerk.
Page 9

New York 1167
Ester Taylor,
widow of David,
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
96 Dollars "".
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
15th day of March 1855.
and sent to
R. S. Gallaher
Presort
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under
1848, Page 8 Vol
wan Apl 21 1855
LP. Howard May 5. 1858
Page 10

5346} Act March 3 1855
Rec March 19. 1855
Esther Taylor (widow)}Drummer & Pensioner
David Taylor
---
War of the Revolution
Col. Cranes Regt:
Mass. Contl line.
Boynton
Unit 160 day
May 25/55
Boyth.
Warrant No 522 Resd May 25/55
R. A. Gallaher 

July '48 - 1167
Vol L - page 1.
Page 11

Notification sent July 21
Thomas Chester Esq. Hartford, Conn.
And
Prev. 18/54

from (2,683)
Connecticut
to Massachusetts
David Taylor a private
Connecticut line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on
the 8th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 of Septemr
and sent to the care of Jonathan
Brace Esqr Hartford Connecticut
Arrears to 4th of Septemr 1818 39.2
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4 March 1819 48
$87.2
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
5 years 78
Cont
Berlin, Hartford County
Page 12

David Taylor 1st died 6 Feb 1833.
Arrears of pension to the day of his death
were paid to Chester Markham, his
administrator
Page 13

State of New York
Washington County ⎬ SS
on this seventeenth day
of March AD 1855 Personally appeared before me
a Justice of the Peace within and for the County
and State aforesaid Esther Taylor aged 78 years
and a resident of the County of Washington and
State of New York who being duly sworn
according to law declares that she is the
widow of David Taylor deceased
who served
as a drummer in the war with Great Briton
during the revolution and a Pensioner of the
United States at the rate of Ninety six dollars
per annum under the act of 1818 and that she
was married to the said David Taylor in the
year seventeen hundred & ninety four that her
maiden name was Esther Winchell and that
her said Husband died in the year Eighteen
Hundred and thirty three or thirty four and
that she is now a widow and for the proofs
of those facts she refers to her application for
a Pension under the act of 1878 and she makes
this declaration for the purpose of obtaining
Bounty Land to which she may be entitled
under the act of March the 3 AD 1855 never having
received nor applied for Bounty Land under
this or any other act of Congress
Esther Taylor
her x mark
witness
Reuel Pember
Page 14

Personally came Samuel Hills and
Edward Hills residents of the County of
Washington in the State of New York who upon
oath declare that they are personally well acquainted with Mrs Esther Taylor and saw her make
her mark to the foregoing declaration that
they know her to be the identical person therein represented and that she is now a widow
Samuel Hills
Edward Hills

The forgoing declaration and affidavits were sworn
to and subscribed before me this seventeenth day
of March A D 1855 And I certify that I believe
the claimant to be the identical person she
represent herself to be and that the witnesses
are credible persons and that I have no
interest in this claim
Reuel Pember Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
WASHINGTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,}SS.
I do hereby certify that Reuel Pember Esquire,
whose name is subscribed to the declaration affidavits & certificate 
hereto annexed, was on the 17th day of March
1855, the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, sworn
and qualified by law to act as such Justice & to take such affidavit
and that the signature of said Justice subscribed
thereto is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said County this 17th
day of March A. D. 1855
N B Milliman
Clerk.
Page 15

5346
Declaration of
Mrs Esther Taylor
Widow of
David Taylor
Drummer, Revolution, Mass
for
Bounty Land
act 1855
No thirty one
Filed March 20/55
by R. H. Gallaher
Atty
Page 16

David Taylor
Admitted
Drummer - reenlisted
1. Feby '80
Page 17

State of Con
County of Hereford}ss
David Taylor of Berlin in sd County being
duly sworn doth depose & say that he served in the
revolutionary war on the continental establishment &
in the corps of Artillery for more their four years-
That he entered the service in the month
of January AD 1778 to serve as a private or drummer for during the
war & faithfully served until the month of
January AD 1783 when on account of disability
incurred while in the service of his Country he was
discharged from the service-- which sd discharge is now
lost. He belonged to Capt Stephen Bucklands, & afterwards
to Capt Thomas Fore's company & Col John Crane's
Regt of the Artillery & Massachusetts line - at his discharge
he belonged to the Regt of Invalids-
That he is a resident citizen of the U. States
has never had a pension - is in reduced circumstances
& in need of assistance from his Country for support.
David Taylor
his x mark
Sworn to & subscribed
this 8th day of April 1818
mark
Before me
Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court
for the County aforesaid
Page 18

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
and County of Hartford.} ss. Hartford
I JONATHAN BRACE, Judge of the County Court, within and for said County,
the same being a Court of Record, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction
that David Taylor who swore to and subscribed
the foregoing affidavit, served as a private & drummer in the Revolutionary
war against the common enemy, and on the Continental establishment, for
at least the term of nine months, and is a resident citizen of the United States, in
reduced circumstances, and in need of assistance from his country for support.
His discharge he also swears is lost.
And in addition to the proof contained in
the foregoing affidavit, and in support thereof, I further certify that it is proved to
me by the testimony under oath of George Lyman & James Ensign
who are credible witness that the said Taylor
served in the revolutionary war, as aforesaid;
and from the like testimony of the same witnesses & others that the
said Taylor is in reduced circumstances, and in need of assistance
from his country for support.
In testimony whereof, I have cause the seal of the said 
Court to be hereunto affixed, and subscribed my name at
Hartford aforesaid, this 14 day of April
A. D. 1818.
Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court for the
County of Hartford aforesaid
April 14. 1818 Sealed with the seal of said Court
by direction of the Honorable Jonathan Brace who
is the Presiding Judge of said Court
Thomas Chester Clerk
Page 19

David Taylor
2683
March 1819
Page 20

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, County of HARTFORD,
ss. County Court or Court of Common Pleas, holden at Hartford in said
County, on the
5 Tuesday of February 1821
by order of the Chief Judge of said Court
On this 5th day of Feby. 1821 personally appeared in open Court,
the same Court being a Court of record for said County, having the power of fine and imprisonment,
David Taylor aged 58 years, resident in
Berlin in the County of Hartford,
who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary
War, as follows: I enlisted in 1777 into Capt Bucklands
company & Col. John Crane's Regt of the Connecticut
line continental establishment for during the war &
served till the close thereof & was honorably discharged. my original application was
April 8, 1818 my pension certificate No 2683
"And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States
on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any
manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to
bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled ""An act to provide for certain
persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,
passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any
property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is
contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
I have no property either real or personal
I am by occupation a farming day-laborer
but am not able to do more than one days labor
in a week - I have a bad rupture & have nearly
lost the use of one hand - I have no family
Without my country's aid I must be dependant
or public charity for my support & have
heretofore before the receipt of my pension
been assisted by the Town Feby 5. 1821
Att. N. Johnson
David
Taylor's
x mark
Page 21

Sworn to and declared by said David Taylor
on the 5th
day of February 1821 before said Court, and it is the opinion of said Court that the 
said David Taylor has no property
I, Thomas Chester
Clerk of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
of Hartford aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy
of the record of said Court. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 6th
day of February 1821.
Th. Chester
Clerk of the County Court or Court of Common Pleas in and for
said County of Hartford.
Page 22

State of New York
Washington County} ss.
On this 11th day of May
A.D. 1853 Personally appeared before the undersigned
one of the assistant Judges of the County Court
in & for the County & State aforesaid, the same
being a Court of Record, Ester Taylor a
resident of Granville in the county of
Washington & State of New York. Aged 75
years, who being duly sworn according
Law, doth on her oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain
the benefits of the provisions made by the
act of Congress part July 29th 1848.
Granting half pay to certain widows
That she is the widow of David Taylor
formerly of Hartford, Connecticut, who
was a private in the war of the Revolution
& Served in the Massachusetts Line, as a
drummer, & also a Pensioner at the rate
of ninety six Dollars per annum under
the act of 1818. & Resided in Berkshire
County Massachusetts, she further declares
that she was married to the said David
Taylor about the first of October in the
year seventeen hundred & thirty four in
Nobletown, now called Hillsdale, in the
County of Columbia County in the
State of New York, By Syn James Bryan,
that her husband the aforesaid David
Taylor, Died about the year A.D. 1834 &
she further declares that the aforesaid
David Taylor was for many years previous
to his death, a wandering Vagrant &
Page 23

consequently, his death cannot be accurately
established, that she was not married
to him prior to his leaving the service, but
the marriage took place previous to the
Second of January Eighteen hundred, viz.
at the time above stated, She further declares
that she is a widow, & that she has no
Records by which she can establish this
marriage & that she is unable to write
her name, & that she has not the necessary
means of support, but is dependent on
charity, further the declarant sayeth not.
Sworn to & Subscribed on the day & year
above written before me,
Ester Taylor
her x mark

Subscribed and sworn
this 11 day May 1853
before me.
William Hotchkiss
Assistant Justice of Washington County Court
I Judge above named
do hereby certify 
I Do hereby certify that I know Ester Taylor
who is described in and who executed the foregoing declaration and I believe her to be a
person of truth & veracity and I further certify
that she is unable to appear in open
court in account of bodily infirmity
and that I believe her statement to be
true
William Hotchkiss assistant Justice
of the Washington County Court
Page 24

STATE OF NEW YORK,
WASHINGTON COUNTY,} ss.
I, NATHANIEL B. MILLIMAN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that
William Hotchkiss Esquire,
whose name is subscribed to the certificate & just at the end of the
annexed instrument in writing, was on the day of the date of the said certificate,
a Justice of Sessions in and for said County, duly elected and
sworn and qualified by law to act as such
and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of
the said Justice, and verily believe the signature to said certificate to be
genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed the seal of said County, this 15th
day of
June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-four 
N B Milliman Clerk.

No 13.69
Esther Taylor
wid of David
New York
July 28, 1848
Page 25

Additional
Evidence
in case of
Esther Taylor
widow of
David Taylor
(Drummer)
for Pension
Under Act 1848
Filed Jany 12/15
for L. P. Howard
By R. H. Gallaher
Page 26

State of Vermont
Bennington County}ss
I. Thomas Back being duly sworn
according to Law do depose & say that I am
seventy six years of age and a resident of
Peru in the County & State aforesaid & this
deponent further states that he knows
Esther Taylor which resides in the Town of
Granville County of Washington & State of
New York and who made application for
Pension in May AD 1853 under act July 29th
1848 on account of her husbands Services
as a soldier in the war of the revolution
and who resided in Berkshire County
in the State of Massachusetts and received
a pension at the rate of Ninety Six dollars
per Annum under the act of 1818, in the
fall of (1794) Seventeen Hundred and Ninety
four this deponent was present and saw
the said Esther and David Taylor stand
up and were pronounced husband and
wife & were lawfully Married by James
Bryan Esq a Justice of the Peace of
Nobletown, Columbia County & State of
New York this deponent lived with said
James Bryan during the year of Seventeen
Hundred Ninety three and Ninety Four
said Bryan kept a Public House within
two miles of the State line of Massachusetts
the reason that this deponent knows the
said Marriage was in the fall of Seventeen
Hundred and Ninety four is that it was
the second year this deponent resided
with said Bryan and four years before
said Bryans Death which was in Seventeen
Page 27

Hundred and Ninety Eight, and the same
day of said Marriage said Bryan
killed his Hoggs for this deponent
recollects said Bryan offered said David
Taylor the Hoggs Plucks for their wedding
if they would carry them home and said
Taylor did carry them home this deponent
recollects the Marriage of said David &
Esther Taylor for the following reason
first, on account of said Taylor having
been often at said Bryans House and was
often drunk, also on account of said
Taylor being a Drummer and drummed
on all public days and at many other
times while at said Bryan and often 
obtained his liquor in that way and
was always telling his sufferings while
a soldier in the war and was known
by all as Major Taylor, after said
Marriage said David and Esther Taylor
Resided in the Town of Egremont, Berkshire
County & State of Massachusetts and raised
a family of two children whose names
were Huldah and Lovisa and this
deponent knows the said Esther
to support the family for the said
Taylor spent his earnings for sum
and shamefully abused his family
while Drunk, after said Taylor secured
his pension they resided a part of the
time in Sheffield, Berkshire County
Massachusetts and for many years
previous to said Taylors Death he
traveled from place to place, and after
the reputed death of said Taylor
Page 28

said Esther removed to the Town of
Granville in the State of New York
where she now resides in a destitute
condition and has no bed save one of
straw. is thinly clad and without
the means of support and this
deponent believes suffers daily with
cold and for the want of food, and
this deponent has seen said Esther
within a week past and knows said
Esther to be the Identical person that
was Married by said James Bryan
as before stated, the said Louisa
Taylor died in the fall or winter of
Eighteen Hundred and Nineteen in the
said Town of Egremont above mentioned
and her Sister Huldah Taylor was alive
when this deponent moved from Egremont
Six years after the death of the said Lovisa
Nobletown where said James Bryan resided
has since been called Hillsdale and
further this deponent saith not
Thomas Bark
Subscribed and sworn before me this
twenty third day of November AD 1854
M. A. Ford Justice of the Peace
I, M. A. Ford do hereby certify that Thomas
Bark described in and who executed
the foregoing deposition is a person of
Truth and veracity
M. A. Ford Justice of Peace
Page 29

State of Vermont
Bennington County SS.} 
I Henry Kellogg County Clerk of said Bennington County & Clerk of the
County Court of said County do certify that
Martin A. Ford by whom the within affidavit was
taken & certified as Justice of the Peace was at the date
thereof & still is a Justice of the Peace within & for said
County of Bennington duly qualified by the laws of the State
of Vermont to administer oaths & that the foregoing signature M A. Ford with which I am well acquainted. I believe
to be the genuine signature of the said Martin A. Ford.
and that said affidavit is taken & certified agreeably to the
laws of Vermont - In testimony whereof I have subscribed
my name as Clerk & affixed the seal
of said County Court at Bennington in
said County of Bennington this 24th day of
November A.D. 1854 -
Henry Kellogg Clerk of
Bennington Co Court
Page 30

POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all Men by these Presents,
That Esther Taylor resident of 
Granville County of Washington State of
New York do hereby select, ordain, constitute and irrevocably appoint, with power of
substitution R. H. Gallaher of Washington D.C.
true and lawful Agent and Attorney, for me and in my name, place, and stead to examine into, enter,
prosecute, file and defend; before the proper Department of Government, or other Tribunal; any claim, or
in my behalf, or in which I may be legally interested; by virtue of my husband's service in the Revolutionary War
November 17th 1854. in presence
Reuel Pember
Esther Taylor
her x mark
Page 31

State of New York
County of Washington
---
On this seventeenth day of November One Thousand Eight Hundred
and Fifty four before me, Reuel Pember
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, duly authorized
by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
Esther Taylor
the identical person whose name is attached to the
annexed Power of Attorney, and being duly questioned, acknowledged the same to be her deed, as specified.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my name, the day and
above mentioned.
Reuel Pember Justice of the Peace
Page 32

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
WASHINGTON COUNTY,} SS.
I Nathaniel B. MILLIMAN, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that
Reuel Pember Esquire,
whose name is subscribed to the certificate of acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, was
on the day of the date of the said certificate, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected
and sworn and qualified by law to take the proof and acknowledgment of deeds, &c., and that I am well
acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the signature to said certificate to
be genuine. And that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this
State.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said
County, this 22d day of November in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
N B Milliman Clerk.
David Taylor
act 1818 - N.Y.
Page 33

Affidavit
of
Chester Markham
in case of
Mrs Esther Taylor
widow of
David Taylor
Filed Jany 12/55
for L. P. Howard
By R. H. Gallaher
Page 34

State of Massachussets
Norfolk County} ss.

I Chester Markham
Being duly sworn according to Law
doth depose & say, that I am 61 years of
age & a resident of Wrentham in the
County & State aforesaid. & this deponent
further states that I resided in the Town of
Cornwell, in Litchfield County in
the State of Connecticut. In the year
Eighteen hundred & thirty three, & kept
a publick house in said town of
Cornwell, & This deponent further states
That David Taylor, a soldier in the
War of the Revolution, & a Pensioner.
at the rate of ninety six Dollars per annum
under the act of 1818. who received his
pension in the City of Boston in the
State of Massachusetts & Died at this deponent's house in the said town of Cornwell
on the six day of February Eighteen hundred
& Thirty three, & the said David Taylor
was a wandering Vagrant traveling
from house to house & was blind &
the said Taylor's place of Residence was
not known to this deponent. The said
David Taylor was sick when said
Taylor came to this deponent's house
& remained sick untill his death.
This deponent dose not recollect
of ever hearing said Taylor or any
other person, Speak of said Taylor having
on not having a wife, or Children,
Page 35

& This deponent never had any
knowledge
of said David Taylor's family or relations
& This deponent further states that the
town of Cornwell Litchfield, County Connt.
where this deponent reside when said
David Taylor died, is Twenty five miles from
Egren Berkshire County Massachusetts. & this
deponent was never informed whither the
said David Taylor, left a wife & children
at his death, or not, & further this deponent
sayeth not. Wenthouse January 9th A.D. 1855
Sworn to & subscribed this
9th day of January A.D. 1855 Chester
Markham
Before me Samuel Warner Jr Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am well
acquainted with Chester Markham
described in & who executed the
forgoing deposition. & I know him
to be a person of Known Credibility
Samuel Warner Jr
Justice of Peace
Page 36


Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK ss.
I, ERRA W. SAMPSON, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record,
within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Samuel
Warner Junior Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly
appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and
that his signature to the annexed Certificate
is genuine and true.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of
the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this ninth
day of January A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Ezra W Sampson Clerk.
Page 37

State of New York
Albany County SS.
Ruben S Clark
being duly sworn doth depose say
that he is sixty nine years of
age and a resident of Watervited
in the County & State aforesaid
& this deponant further States
that he was in the Town of
Egremont in the County
of 
Berkshire in the State of Massachusets & resided within
half a head of David Taylor
& was well acquainted with
said David & Ester his wife
& this deponant was repeatedly
at said Taylor's house to hear
said Taylor play and his drum
& all his sufferings during the
time he was a Soldier in the
war of the Revolution this
deponant has repeatedly heard
said Taylor call said Ester
his wife & heard Taylor say that the
the said Taylor & said Ester
went to the Town since called
Hillsdale in the State of New
York & were married the deponent
knows said David & said Ester
lived together as Husband &
Wife as early as Seventeen hundred
& Thirty four & they raised two
children whose names were Huldy
& Lovisa the said Huldy Taylor
was at least Eleven years of age
Page 38

at the time of the great Eclips
in the year Eighteen hundred &
Six this deponent was Twenty one
years of age the same month &
year of said Eclipse in A. D.
1806. for that reason this deponent
reckollets the ages of said David
& Esters children & the number
of years said David & Ester had
lived together as husband & wife
previous to said Eclips this
deponent never heard the marriage
of said David & Ester disputed
& it was universally believed that
said David & Ester were married
this deponent thinks said Lovisa
Taylor was two years younger
them her Sister Huldy said
David Taylor was often drunk &
whipped his wife & children this
deponent last saw said David
Taylor Egremont Massachusetts
& said Taylor informed this deponant
that said Taylor had buried
both of their children & the said
Taylor had procured a Pension
at the rate of $96.00 per year
for his services in the war of the
Revolution this deponant has
seen said Ester Taylor two or
three times since the reputed
death of said David Taylor &
said Ester is still a Widow
& resides in Granvill in the State of
Page 39

of New York & is poor & wholly
dependant on charity & this
deponent knows said Ester to be
the identical person that resided
in Egremont in the State of
Massachusetts & as this deponant
verily believes is the lawful wife
of the said David Taylor whom
is a Pensioner at the rate of
$96.00 per annum & resided in
Berkshire County Massachusetts & further
this deponant sayith not
Sworn to an Subscribed
this 3d day of November Ruben W. Clarke
AD 1854 before me
Martin Misme
Justice of the Peace
Watervliet Nov 3d 1854
I Martin Winnie do hereby certify
that I am acquainted with Ruben
Clark described in & who executed
the foregoing deposition & I know
him to be a person of Known credibility & I further certify that the
word county was inserted between
the Second & Third lines from the
bottom of the foregoing deposition
before the same was signed
Martin Winnie Justice of the Peace
Page 40

State of New-York,
City and County of Albany, Clerk's Office.} ss. 
I, Robert Harper, Clerk of the said City and County, and of the Courts of
Record therein, do hereby CERTIFY, that Martin Hinne -
whose name is appended to the annexed Certificate & the front of the
annexed affidavit - was, on the day of the date
thereof, to wit on the third day of November 1854 a Justice of the Peace in and for
the County of Albany, duly authorized to administer oaths for general
purposes; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Martin
Hinne and verily believe
that the signature to the said certificate & final are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, this 3rd
of November 1854.
R Harper Clerk.
Page 41

State of New York
Columbia County] ss.
Samuel Bryan of
Lawful age, & a resident of Hudson in
the County & State aforesaid, Being
duly sworn doth depose & say, that
James Bryan of Nobletown, since
called Hinsdale in said County & State,
was deponents father, & from Records
of Court held by said James Bryan
in said Nobletown, & now in deponants
possession, Deponant Knows that his
father was a Justice of the Peace,
from seventeen hundred ninety to
seventeen hundred ninty eight,
That being the time of his death, & further
deponant sayeth not.
Sworn to & subscribed, the Samuel Bryan
Twenty ninth day of October
one thousand Eight hundred &
fifty three Before me.
Seymour L. Stebbins
Justice of the Peace
Hudson N. Y.

I do hereby certify that I know Samuel
Bryan, who is described in & who sined
the forgiving deposition & I know
him to be a person of Known credibility
& his statement can be relied on.
Seymour L. Stebbins
Justice of the Peace
Page 42

State of New York,
Columbia County Clerk's Office.} ss.
I, D. C. Nasrus, Clerk of the County of Columbia, do hereby certify that
Seymour L. Stubbins whose name is
subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument,
was, at the time, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and duly authorized
to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said
Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine. And
that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the State of New York.
TESTIMONY Whereof I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the seal of said County, this 29
day of October A.D. 1853 
D. C. Nasrus Clerk.
Page 43

West Troy n.y.
Nov 11"/54
Sir
Reported in 1835. the commissioner of Pensions
to all the Revolutionary pensions, under the
differant acts. I copy the following from
his report.
Hartford County Connecticut.
David Taylor Dd.
a private received $96 per annum.
amount (illegible) was 175.22. Was in the
(illegible) line. Placed on pension Roll
Nov 18" 1818. Commencement of Pension.
May 8" 1818, aged 57 - suspended under
act May 1st 1820.

The next one was Hartford County, Conn.
David Taylor, a private received $96 per annum. 
[illegible] was 1,231,20 cents, was a continental
commencement of Pension, May 8" 1818. aged 71 -
Pensioned under act March 18" 1818.

This appears to have the same name [illegible] 
Hartford County Connt.
David Taylor a
Private, recd $80 per annum, same recd
arrears $240. was a continental, [illegible]
on pension Roll, [illegible] 23" 1833. commencement
of Pension. March 14" 1831.
Page 44

Berkshire County Mass.
David Taylor 1st
a private recd $96 per annum [illegible]
recd. [illegible] $383.46, served in the
Mass Line, was placed on the pension
Roll, Sept 18" 1828, commencement of
pension April 8" 1818, aged 70. & was
transferred from Connecticut.
There appears to have been three David Taylors of
the same name, & all pensioned under the
same act of 1818, & recd $96 per annum.
The first one named (illegible) under act
May 1st 1820. The next one was a continental
soldier, & was first pensioned under act of
March 18, 1818, & afterwards under act of
(illegible). The third one served in the Mass.
line, & was transferred from Connecticut
to Berkshire County Mass. The fact
of the alleged husband of Ester Taylor
Residing in Berkshire County, & receiving
his pension, as a resident of that County,
is the principal reason that we claimed
him as the husband of Ester Taylor.
Will you please to carefully examine the papers
on file in your office, on which the three
Taylors are pensioners, every one that
knows Mrs Ester Taylor the alleged widow
of David Taylor, is satisfied she is the lawful
widow of David Taylor who was a
Pensioner & resided in Berkshire County Mass.
I feel confidant the David Taylor referred to
in your report of the [illegible] must be
the one described as David Taylor [illegible]
Page 45

who was suspended under act
March 1st 1828, For the commissioner in
his report (referred to) makes mention
of David Taylor, who is described as
serving in the Mass Line, & who was
placed on the Pension Roll Sept 18" 1815.
& was transferred from Connecticut. having
been suspended. This examination
of the evidence before you. I hope it will 
prove satisfactory, I am satisfied that it is
a just claim.
yours Truly
James C. Harris
By
L. P. Howard

Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington City. D.C.
Page 46

This stone is erected to perpetuate the memory
of James Bryan Esqr who died June the
Eleventh Seventeen hundred and ninety
eight in the Sixty first year of his age

I Quincy Johnson do hereby certify that the
above is a true copy of the
Inscription on the town stone of James
Bryan Deceased with the exception of the
Dates which are expressed on said
Stone in large legible figures as follows
June the 11th 1798
Dated at Hillsdale 
October the 17th 1854
Quincy Johnson Justice 
of the Peace in the town of
Hillsdale Columbia
County and State of
New York
Page 47

State of New York
Columbia County SS.} Charles Crow
being first duly sworn doth depose and say
that he is thirty three years of age was born
in the town of Hillsdale in Columbus County
and State of New York that he has lived in said
town ever since and that he is now Clerk of
the said town and that there is no record of
marriages in his office and never has been
to the knowledge of said Deponent and further
this Deponent states that the said town of
Hillsdale was formerly called Nobletown
Charles Crow
Sworn and subscribed
this 17th day of October 1854
before me
Quincy Johnson Justice of
the peace

I Quincy Johnson do hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with Charles Crow
who is described in and who executed the
above Deposition and I know him to be
a person of known credibility
Quincy Johnson Justice
of the peace

Columbia County,
Clerk's Office,} ss.
I, D.C. Neefus
Clerk of the County of Columbia
Do hereby certify, That Quincy
Johnson before whom the affidavit purposes
to have been sworn, was on the day of the date of the same,
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. And
further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of
the said Justice, and verily believe the name of the said
Justice subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper
hand writing and signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the
said County, this 18 day of October 1854
D.C. Neefus Clerk.
Page 48

David Taylor
Application
Transfer
Page 49

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Berkshire - ss.
On this fifth day of June 1826, before
me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of
Berkshire - personally appeared David Taylor
who, on his oath, declares that he is the same
person who formerly belonged to the company commanded
by Captain Stephen Buckland in the regiment commanded
by Colonel John Crane in the service of the United States; 
that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of
Connecticut - from whence he has lately removed;
that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of
Massachusetts where he intends to remain, and wishes his
pension to be there payable, in future; and that his reasons for
removing to the State of Massachusetts
are the better to find employment & support among
his acquaintances & friends
Sworn and subscribed to, before
me, the day and year aforesaid.}
witness R. H. Barnard
David Taylor
his x mark
Robert. H. Barnard Jus of the Peace

NOTES. -- The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature
must be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, setting forth that the person
taking the testimony is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the
signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The
person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit.
The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also have the
authentication as above required.

David Taylor was a Drummer
Page 50

Berkshire ss. June 5. 1826
I Jonathan Church of Sheffield in the County of Berkshire
Commonwealth of Massachusetts do state upon oath
that David Taylor within named is well known to me
as the same person he is described in his within affadavit
& that he has always understood & believed that David
served as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution
& is the identical person to whom a pension was
granted while resident in the State of Connecticutt -
Jona. Church

Berkshire ss. June 5. 1826
Personally appeared before me Jonathan Church 
& made oath to the above affadavit by him subscribed, I hereby
certify that sd. Church is a person of veracity -
Robert L Barnard Jus. of the Peace
Page 51

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire SS.
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Courts within & for
the County of Berkshire do certify that Robert F. Barnard Esq. is
one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified as such & acting under the authority of said
Commonwealth - that full faith & credit are &
ought to be given to his acts & attestations done in that capacity
that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & that the foregoing
signatures purporting to be his are genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial
Court this 28th day of June A.D. 1826.
Chas Sedgwick Clk.
Page 52

Saratoga Springs ny
Dec 19"/54
Dear Sir.
your favor of the 14" last is before
me. I have Seen Mrs Taylor, & asked her
the questions named in your letter, Taylor,
& his wife resided in Egremont, Berkshire
County Mass when he left her, in 1817.
The neighbors that lived near them, tell me that
Taylor was a poor, drunken, worthless, ugly
man & when drunk, would whip his
wife & children. In the fall of 1817, he wanted
his wife to go with him to Hartford County &
she refused to go, he whipped her & threatened
to kill her, if she did not go, She & her
daughters took refuge with the neighbors & threatened to have him arrested, & he left town
without them. & she was informed went
to Hartford Conn. & did not return untill
January 1820, during that time their younger
daughter died. on his return he informed his
wife that he had obtained a pension & wanted
her to go with, & reside with him in Sheffield
Mass. She & her daughter went with him in
1821 to Sheffield Mass. In the Spring he wanted
her to go with him to Hartford, She would
Page 53

not & he whipped her again, he then left
home & from that time he continued to
Ramble from place to place, a miserable
drunken, ugly vagabond. So says more than
twenty
of the most respectable [illegible]
of Berkshire Co. He traveled from
Berkshire Co Mass. to Hartford Conn time
after time, & where ever he stade over
nite, they let him sleep in the house he
was sure to shit in bed. He would some
times remain with his family, three or
four months at a time, David Taylor had a
Brother that was a pensioner, & Resided in
Colbrook Conn., the Last David was
there his brother threw him out of doors,
& they never knew what became of him.
I mention this fact to show you what
a worthless vagabond he was,  There in
in Shefield Mass, told me, he was the attorney that received Taylors money for him. But
I forget his name. It is an easy matter to
identify her husband if I knew the time, place,
& name of the attorney & some of the officers
before whom the papers were executed the
last time all three of the David Taylor received
their last pension, one of the David Taylors.
Page 54

died in Cornwell, Conn, on the 6 of Feb
1833. If you can can inform me relative to
the other two, so that I can find the place
where they last resided. I can without
difficulty identify the husband of Ester Taylor
for he was a Drummer & at his death, & for
some time previous it is said he was
Blind, is known by some as old Blind
Taylor, & by others, as Major Taylor, for he
claims to have been a Drum Major in
the War. His widow does not know that he
was discharged on account of any disability or that he was disabled. She never
saw him untill 1793. If there was a David
Taylor that resided in Berkshire County Mass,
& Received his pension in Hartford Conn,
he may be the one, one thing is sure.
She had a husband, his name was David
Taylor, he was a pensioner, & resided
part of the time in Berkshire County Mass,
whether he was transferred from Conn. to Berkshire
County, I am unable to say. Mrs Taylors husband
commenced his ramblings in 1817, & left his
wife & family in Egremont Mass. - Continued to ramble as I am informed as long
as he lived, From the reputation Taylor has
Page 55

he would as soon as [illegible] swore he had no family, for he left them [illegible].
Please without delay to inform me, the
time & place, of the residence of the Taylors
when they received their last pension & I
will Identify the husband of Ester. I will
accept of your proposition. If you are successfull I will give you $13". I want you to put
it through as soon as possible. I am afraid she will die. The Commissioner of
pensions informs me that one David
Taylor died in the town of Cornwell Conn.
on the 6" of Feb 1833. If you can inform me
all the particulars relative to the other two, I
will go down. &- See which one of them
was the old blind Taylor, the old Drummer, 
please to let me hear from you [illegible]
of this & oblige, Inclosed I send you Thomas
Backs deposition.
Yours in haste.
L. R. Howard

R. H. Galleher Esq
Washington City
D.C.
Page 56

State of Newyork
Washington County SS.
I Ruben Van Guilder
aged 68 years and a resident of Granville in
the County & state aforsaid being duly sworn
according to law doth depose and say that I am
well acquainted with Esther Taylor resident of
Granville County & State aforsaid and who made
her declaration for a pension in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of July 29th AD 1848 on the
Eleventh day of May AD 1853 on account of her
Husbands services as a soldier in the War of the
revolution & this deponent knows the said Esther
to be the identical person who was the reputed
wife of David Taylor a soldier in the war of the
revolution and a pensioner at the rate of ninety
Six Dollars per anum under the act of 1818
and who was transfer from Hartford County
Conneticut to Berkshire County Masschusett and
who resided in Egremont Mass previous
David Taylor receiving his pension and after
wards said Taylor resided in Sheffield Berkshire
County County Mass this deponent was well acquainted
with said David & said Esther Taylor and was often
at said Taylors house and has repeatedly heard said
Taylor call said Esther his wife and this deponent
knows the said Taylor and the said Esther to have
lived together for a great number of years as
husband & wife and raised two children whose
Page 57

names were Huldah & Lovisa said Taylor was
often drunk and abused his wife and children
and previous to said David Taylor obtaining
his
pension the said Esther was compelled to support
the family by her own industry and this deponent
knows the said Taylor to have been a wandering
vagrant some years previous to his death and
since the reputed death of the said Taylor the said
Esther has resided in the said town of Granville
Washington County & State of New York and is
still a widow this deponent verily believe she is
the lawfull widow of said David Taylor aforesaid
and she is wholly dependent on charity for her
support further this deponent saith not

Subscribed and sworn to before me
on this 17th day of November AD 1857
Reuel Pember Justice of the Peace
Ruben Guilder
his x mark
And in presence of
Reuel Pember Witness

I Reuel Pember do hereby certify that I am well
acquainted with Ruben Van Guilder described
in and who executed the foregoing deposition
I know him to be a person of credibility
Reuel Pemper
Page 58

State of New York
Washington County SS
I Stephen Van Guilder
aged 64 years and a resident of Granville in
the County & State aforesaid being duly sworn
according to law doth depose and say that
I am well acquainted with Esther Taylor
resident of Granville and County & State
aforesaid and who made her declaration for
pension under the act of July 29th 1848
on the Eleventh day of May AD 1853 on account
of her Husbands services as a soldier in the
war of the revolution and this deponent
knows the said Esther to be the identical
Person who was the reputed wife of David
Taylor a soldier in the war of the revolution
and a pensioner at the rate of Ninety six dollars
per anum under the act of AD 1818 and who
resided a part of the time in the town of
Egremont and a part of the time in the town of
Sheffield in the County of Berkshire in the
State of Massachussett this deponent was well
acquainted with said David Taylor and has often
heard said Taylor call said Esther his wife
and the said David and the said Ether lived
together as Husband & wife and raised a family
of two children whose names were -
Page 59

Huldah and Lovisa said David Taylor was
often drunk and abused his wife and family
previous to said Taylor receiving his pension
the said Esther was compelled to support the family
by her own industry said Taylor was for
many years previous to death was a wandering
Vagrant and since the reputed death of the
said Taylor the said Esther has resided in
the said town of Granville in the State of
New york and is still a widow and dependent
on charity and this deponent verily believes
that the said David & the said Esther were lawfully
Married and further this deponent saith not
Stephen Van Guilder
Sworn to upon me this
17 day of November A D 1854
Reuel Pember Justice of
the Peace
I Reuel Pember do hereby certify that I am
well acquainted with Stephen Van Guilder described in and who executed the foregoing
deposition and I know him to a person of known
credibility
Reuel Pember
Page 60

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
WASHINGTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,} ss.
I do hereby certify that Reuel Pember Esquire,
whose name is subscribed to the depositions & certificates
hereto annexed, was on the 17th day of November
1854, the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, sworn
and qualified by law to act as such and to administer oaths &c
and that the signature of said Reuel Pember subscribed
thereto is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said County this 18th
day of November A. D. 1854.
N. B. Milliman Clerk.
Page 61

State of New York
Washington County} ss.
I Stephen Van Gilder being duly
sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that I am
64 years of age, and a resident of the Town of Granville
in the County and State of foresaid, that I was well
acquainted with David Taylor, that was a soldier
and a drummer in the war of the Revolution, and
a Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of ninety
six dollars per annum, under the act of Eighteen Hundred
and Eighteen, 1818, and had his Pension transfered
from Connecticut, to Berkshire County Mass, and received
his Pension in the City of Boston in said State of
Mass, and this deponent knows that said David
Taylor was a wandering Vagrant, and traveled from
House to house, and from Town to Town, from
Eighteen Hundred and twenty to the time of his
death, and was absent from his family, five and
ten months at a time, and was blind, for more than
two years, previous to his death, Eighteen Hundred
and Thirty three, this deponent was informed that said
David Taylor was dead, but this deponent does not
recollect the exact time, or place, of his death on
account of said Taylor, being a wandering vagrant and
was from home at the time of his death, but this deponent
was informed that said Taylor died in Litchfield County
Connecticut. And this deponent is well acquainted with Ester
Taylor, that resides in the Town of Granville, in the County
of Washington in the State of New York, who made her
declaration on the Eleventh day of May A.D. 1853, for the
purpose of obtaining a Pension, under the act of July 29th
1848, and this deponent knows the said Ester to be the
identical person, that lived with said David Taylor
(above described) in Berkshire County Mass, as his wife, and
raised a family of children, and this deponent believes
Page 62

that said Ester, and said Taylor were Lawfully Married
and after the reputed death of said Taylor said Ester
removed to said Town of Granvill, where said Ester
has resided ever since, and further this deponent sayeth
not, Sworn to and subscribed
This 20 day of February A.D. 1855,
Stephen Van Gilder
Before me Revel Pember
Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with
Stephen Van Gilder described in and who executed the
forgoing deposition, and I know him to be a person of
known credibility, and I believe his statement in the
foregoing deposition to be true
Revel Pember
Justice of the Peace
Page 63

State of New York
Washington County,} ss
I Ester Taylor being duly sworn
according to Law, doth depose and say that I am the
Widow of David Taylor (Dec), who was a soldier and
a drummer, in the War of the Revolution, and a
Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of ninety
six dollars per anum under the act 1818, and had
his pension transfered from the State of Connecticut
to Berkshire County Mass, and received his Pension
in the City of Boston, in said State of Mass, and
this deponent further states that the said David
Taylor was for many years, previous to his death,
a wandering vagrant, and was from home the most
of his time from A.D. 1820, untill his death, and was
from home at the time of his death, and consequently
this deponent does not know the exact time or
place of said David Taylors death but was informed
in A.D. 1834, that said David Taylor was dead, and died
somewhere in the State of Connecticut, but was not
informed where or when he died, but his death occured
as early as Eighteen Hundred and thirty three or four
said David Taylor, was blind for two or three years
previous to his death, and further this deponent sayeth
not,
Esther Taylor
her x mark
Sworn to and subscribed
this 20 day of February A.D. 1855
Before me Revel Pember Justice of the Peace
Revel Pember witness
the Peace
I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Ester Taylor
described in and who executed the above deposition and
I know her to be a person of known credibility, and I
believe her statement to be true
Revel Pember
Justice of the Peace
Page 64

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
WASHINGTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,} ss.
I do hereby certify that Reuel Pember, Esquire,
whose name is subscribed to the Depositions & certificates
hereto annexed, was on the 20 day of February
1855, the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, sworn
and qualified by law to act as such Justice & to administer oaths & affirmations
and that the signature of said Reuel Pember subscribed
thereto is genuine.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said County this
21st day of February A. D. 1855
Geo B Gerow Dep Clerk.
Page 65

State of New York
Columbia County} ss

Samuel Bryan of lawfull age resident
of the City of Allen County aforesaid being
duly sworn doth depose & say that James
Bryan deceased of Noble Town now called
Hillsdale in said County & State was
this deponents father & all books & papers
belonging to said deponents father to
deponents knowledge are now in this deponents possession & that this deponent
has examined said books & papers, & finds
no record of any marriages from the
year seventeen hundred & ninety up to
March Seventeen hundred & ninety six
& said books contain a record of but few
marriages in the year seventeen hundred
& ninety six and none after that. Said
books contain records of courts held by
said James Bryan as a Justice of the
peace in said Noble Town from seventeen hundred & ninety (illegible) to seventeen hundred and ninety eight. That being the time
of his death & further deponent saith not
Samuel Bryan
Subscribed & sworn
before me this 18th day
October 1854
Jas. H. Van Ness Justice
of Justices Court
Page 66

Columbia County,
Clerk's Office,}ss.
I D.C. Neefus
Clerk of the County of Columbia,
Do hereby certify, That Ja K. Van
Ness
before whom the affidavit purports
to have been sworn, was on the day of the date of the same,
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County.
And
further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of
the said Justice, and verily believe the name of the said
Justice subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper
hand writing and signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the
said County, this 18 day of October 1854
D.C. Neefus Clerk.
Page 67

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Bryan who executed
the within deposition and know him to
be a person of Known credibility
Herein October 18th 1854
Jas. K. Van Ness Justice of
Justices Court
Page 68

West Troy N.Y.
Nov 20th 1854.
Sir.
Your report of the 13" [illegible]. In 
the case of Ester Taylor is before me.
you say that application should be
made to the Clerk of the town where
they were married for some record
of that event. application has been
made, to the clerk, of the town where
they were married, also to the clerk
of the town, where they resided, after
they were married & reference has
been made to the Books & papers of
the justice, that married them, that
there is no records of that or of every
[illegible] event, & all that proof
on file in your office. the widow
declared, in her declaration, that she
had no records to establish her marriage.
Inclosed I send you the depositions of
Ruben & Stephen Van Gilder Identifying
Ester as the widow or reputed widow of
David Taylor a pensioner that resided in
Berkshire County Mass. If you will please
to carefully examine her case, the papers
on file in hopes it will prove
satisfactory, for the widow is entirely destitute & has nothing but a bed of straw to
lay on & but one dress on earth.
yours in haste
James C. Hams
by
L. P. Howard

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
City D. C.
Page 69

West Troy ny.
August 23 /54.
Sir.
Inclosed I send you Ester Taylor
application for a pension. She having
made the application through Mr Pane
& he soon after died without presenting
her claim, please inform me what
further proof you request & oblige me.
Yours &c
James C. Harris

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington city
D.C.
Page 70

Abstract
of
Office Letter
Rejecting
case
to
J. C. Harris
Nov 27 /54
Page 71

Pen office
Nov 27/54
Sir: I have filed affidavits of Reuben
and Stephen Van Guilder, which accasioned
your letter of 20th, and yet am informed that
since my letter of 13th inst - it has been discovered by reference to Record in third audition
that Esther Taylor was not the widow of the
David Taylor who was a pensioner in connect act 1818 and transfered to Mass -
That David Taylor died at the house
of Chester Markham, Cornwall Conn -
6 Feby 1833, leaving neither widow, child
or children - Markham administered
on the Estate and drew balance due
said Taylor for $40.33 Aug 31 - 1834 -
"The whole claim of Esther Taylor
is entirely fallacious" -
Page 72

Letter from
L. P. Howard
to
R.H. Gallaher
in case of
Esther Taylor
widow of
David Taylor
for Pension
under act
1848
Filed Jany 12/55
R. H. Gallaher
Page 73

Boston Mass
Jan 20"/58
Dear Sir.
Inclosed I send you Chester
Markham & Thomas Back depositions in
the pension claim of Mrs Taylor.
That proof before the probate court of
Litchfield district Court, that David
Taylor left no widow, or Children
turned out precisely as I thought it
would. Taylor went to Markham's house
a vagrant & a begger, & sick, of course
could not turn him away, not one
person in town knew anything more
or as much of him as Mr. Markham
He died & Mr Markham made an affidavit that such a man died at such 
a time at his house & that he left no
family to his knowlege, of course he [illegible]
the evidence all it would have in order
to obtain the arears due him, six credable
witnesses have sworn that Taylor was a
wandering vagrant for some years previous to his death. Six have sworn that he
was a drummer & have sworn, they believed
they were lawfully married & one that
he was present & saw them married
Page 74

I went to Litchfield Court to see if I
could find the Judge of Probate that held
the office at the time that evidence was
taken by the court. But the Judge was
dead & there was no evidence to be found.
I was under the report of finding
Chester Markham himself, & have drawn
his deposition as strong as it would do ask
him to swore to. I did not want to ask
sware that he misrepresented the matter
at the Judge in 1833. of course he knew more about Taylor than any other man in Cornwell. & you see what he has sworn to, that
matter was not spoken of & I know of nothing
more that can be done or is necessary to be
done, I did think. I would present Mr Backs
deposition to the probate Judge in Cornwell & have him certify that Taylor who
died at Markhams left a wid whose name
was Ester Taylor in their certificate in deposition both to you. But I concluded
a certificate from the Probate Court, based 
on that, or any other deposition, would
not be of any service. All the depositions
mentioned, and on file in the pension
depart, save one that I inclose in this
letter, I hope the proof is satisfactory in that
you will put this claim through without
delay. Try & put it through without any more
Page 75

expence or trouble  & without delay.
direct your letters to me at Saratoga
Springs N.Y. yours in haste
L. P. Howard

R. H. Gallaher Esqr
Washington City
D. C.
Page 76

West Troy  n.y. 
Nov 14"/54,
Sir.
Yours of the 13th ins. is before me.
David Taylor formerly of Hartford, Connecticut
was transfered from Hartford County
Connecticut to Berkshire County Mass.
Ester Taylor has been identified as the widow
of David Taylor. who was a pensioner under the act of 1818, & Resided in Berkshire Co
Mass, you say application should be made
to the town Clerk, where they were married
for some record of that event, & that it
must be shown, that no public, or
private record exist. before probate proof
will be considered.
Sir you have acknowledged the receipt of
evidence now on file in your office.
That there is no public or private records
by which the marriage of David & Ester
Taylor, can be established.
The Widow declares she has no private
record to establish her marriage. The
Town Clerk, of the town in which they
were married, swore there was
no Records of any marriage in the town
where they were married. Town Clerk
of Egremont Mass where the parties resided
after they were married swore the records
were all destroyed by fire. you have
acknowledged the receipt of all that evidence
which is on file in your office,
yours &c
James C. Harris
By
L. P. Howard

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D. C.
Page 77

Washington
Brief in the case of Ester Taylor widow of David
Washington County and State of New York
act July 29 1848
Claim, ("original", or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the acts of 1818 & 1820 at
$96 a year, (service proved in his papers)
The date of her marriage & her identity as the widow of the
pensioner are the one points necessary to be proved in her
case, and also date of his death.
Identity and what station & date of his death proved by
Chester Marham, Samuel Bryan, Reuben S Clarke
Thos. Back
Charles
[illegible], Stephen Van Guilder and various other witnesses,
all properly certifed - The fact of Marriage before 1800
proved by Thos. Back who was present at the marriage and who
lived in the family of the Justice who performed the ceremony, and
knows it was before 1800, because he lived with said Justice from
1792 to 1794 and said marriage occured while he lived with him, and
the Justice who married them died in 1798. Reuben S Clarke knew them as
man & wife as early as 1794, & Saml Bryan, a son of the Justice certifies that
his father died in 1798, of course, if his father married them he did so before
1798, which entitles her to the benefit of the act of July 29 1848
Name and residence of Agent
R. S. Gallaher Esq
Present
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 78

West Troy n.y.
Oct 24"/54
Sir.
your favor of sept 14" is before
me. Inclosed I send you depositions
showing there is no Public Record
of the marriage of Ester Taylor. In
her declaration she states she has
no Records to prove her marriage
you are doubtless aware there were
three David Taylors. all receiving $96
per annum. Ester Taylors husband
was transferred from Connecticut to
Berkshire County Mass & was
placed on Pension Roll Sept
18" 1818. & not transferred from
Hartford Connecticut.  He resided
Berkshire County Mass.
Hope the inclosed papers are
satisfactory, Mrs Taylor is a
county pauper & is suffering
Page 79

For the comforts of life.
Please report at your earliest
convenience.
your &c
J. C. Harris
By
James R. Howard
Page 80

Saratoga Springs n.y.
Apl 16"/55
Sir.
David Taylor a Revolutionary soldier
& a Pensioner of the United States under the
act of 1818, & who died at the house of Chester
Markham in the town of Cornwell in the
State of Connecticut on the 6th day of February
1833. Please inform me if his widow Ester
Taylor is intitled to receive the arrears of
Pension due her husband at his death &
you will confer a favor.
Yours &c
L. P. Howard
Page 81

Sir
your favor of the (illegible) is before
me. Inclosed I send you the (illegible) Deposition In referance to the marriage of
of David & Ester Taylor. I hope the
inclosed deposition will be
satisfactory. Should it not prove 
to be. Will you please inform me
what you will require. By me forward
to the pension roll & find there were
three (illegible) of the same name
formerly residing in the State of 
Connecticut, all receiving $96 per annum.
I am informed that David Taylor
from Litchfield County Connecticut was
never married. The one we (illegible)
was formerly from Hartford Connect.
was transfered from there to Birkshire
County Mass, served in the 
Massachusetts Line, was placed
on the pension roll Sept 18" 1818
Will you please to examine all the
papers on file in your office, see
if the David Taylor, now refer to
in your (illegible) report, was not
one of the other two.
Page 82

at the time you speak, David Taylor
making a deposition in 1821.
he had one daughter alive, that
fact is well known, for a number
of years previous to his death; he
was a drunken, wandering
vagrant, I can procure twenty
Depositions from Berkshire County
Mass & from Connecticut to that affect.
The old Lady is entirely dependent on
charity.
your &c
James C Harris
by
L. C. Howard

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 83

Rutland Vermont
Dec 10th 1852.
Sir,
I received your circular, Will you
please to inform me on what terms
you will prosecute, claims placed in
your hands for that purpose. There is some
Revolutionary Claims in this vicinity. I
will furnish the necessary evidence &c.
There is also information of another
character that I want, it is this.
Guernsey Childson, was a
Soldier in the late war, in the war of
1812, & drew Land, Guernsey Childson 
was a Private Thomtons Light Artillery
& owns the lott, the deeds have been
destroyed, & I want to find where the
Soldier resided at the time he made
the application for his Land. His original
application on file in the third
auditors office at Washington, you
Page 84

[illegible] have the agency of Claims in
this State, & also in York State,
If you want my assistance in procuring
evidence in any of your claims,
I will exchange service with you
even handed, If not please to write
& send me your terms, I know of a
Small pension claim, that I will
go shares in, providing you will do
me the favor to inform me up to
what date David Taylor, a Revolution
any soldier & Pensioner, at the rate
of 96 Dollars per annum, under act
1818, & a resident of Berkshire Co
Mass, I want to know the last time
he recd his Pension, the name of
the attorney that received it for him
& the name of the Justice of the
Peace before whom the papers were
executed, this is for the purpose of proving
his death, I cannot find at what place
he died, & consequently fail to prove that
he is dead, or the exact time of his death
Page 85

that information can also be
procured at the third auditors office,
have the goodness to write to me
on the receipt of this, & you will
oblige.
yours &c
H.L. Paine

R_ H. Gallaher Esq
Pension agent
Washington Cty
D. C.
Page 86

Ester Taylor, wid.
of David,
Washington Co. N.Y.
admd July 29 1848
$96 per annum for
4 March 1848.

Cert to
R. Gallaher Esq
present
Page 87

Treasury Department,
Third Auditor's Office.
Nov 25 1854

Sir,
In answer to your letter of yesterday,
I herewith enclose to you the voucher of 
David Taylor, 1st, agreeably to your request.

I am,
Sir.
your obt. servt.
Rob Johnson
Auditor
Page 88

Saratoga Springs
Dec 11" 1854.
Sir
Inclosed I send you a power of attorney from
Ester Taylor, who made application for a pension
under the act of 1848. on account of her husbands
services as a soldier in the war of the revolution,
& who was a pension under the act of 1818. &
resided in Berkshire County Mass. Mrs Taylors agent
Mr Harris died ten days since in Wisconsin.
his widow is a sister of mine, & she informs me
that her husband was [illegible] your [illegible]
But does not know the amount.
Mr Harris has left his family destitute but
she is anxious to settle his affairs as far as is in
her power, on the receipt of this please inform
me what you will put Mrs Taylors claim
through for & call it all square, or I will
give you $65 & call it all square, on condition
you will put this claim through. I know of but
three things, that will enable me to Identify
the husband of Ester Taylor from the other Taylors.
He was a drummer & is said to have served in that
capacity, in the war, he resided a part of the
time in Sheffield Berkshire County Mass - some of
the papers on which his attorney received his
money were dated & executed in Sheffield.
For one or two years prior to his death, he
was partially or totally blind. & it is possible
gave that as a reason for not writing his name
on the receipt of this. please examine the papers
on file. & send me the particulars, concerning
all three of the David Taylors, the place of their
residence, the name of their attorney, the 
name of the officer before whom the papers were
executed by the set time they received their
money.
Page 89

that will enable me to find where her husband
died. The husband of Ester Taylor was well known
[illegible] knew him, I have sent a man down
there on purpose to find where he died, but
no one knows where, or when he died, all they
knew was, that he was a pensioner at the note
of $96 per annum, & was a David & drunken miserable 
wandering vagabond. If everyone let him stay all nite with others to sleep in the house, he was shure to [illegible]. They had two children
one died in 1819, the other was alive in 1826.
& went to reside in Hartford Conn. please to
examine the claim & report to me at this place
at your earliest convenience & you will confirm a
favor. The old Lady will not live long & what
is done must be done soon.
yours is haste
L. R. Howard

R. H Gallaher Esq
Pension & Land agent
Washington City
DC.
Page 90

P. O. Granville, N.Y.
Jan. 16, 1855
M. Naldo.
Dear Sir - Yours of 5th came duly
to hand, and in reply would state
that I am credibly informed that there
is such a person (Esther Taylor) of
whom you make enquiry - living in
this town; she is the widow of
David Taylor; is 80 or 90 years of
age; is the widow of a Revolutionary
soldier; her husband died, I learn,
about the year 1840, and was married
to him at an early age. There is
also residing in this town a gentleman
named Revel Pember, who is at present
a Justice of the Peace.
Respectfully yours,
M Strong
Page 91

Pension Office,
Nov. 18. 1854.
Sir:
I herewith submit the papers on which
David Taylor was originally inscribed on the Connecticut Roll under the Acts of March 18, 1818 & May
1820, at the rate of $96 per annum, and subsequently on
the Mass Roll under the same acts and will be obliged
if you will state to what time his pension has been
paid - and especially to whom the arrears due at his death
were paid.
I am respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
S P Wales
Commissioner.

R. J. Atkinson, Esqr
3d Auditor.
Page 92

P.O. Granville, N. Y.
Feby 28. 1855
L. P. Wald
Sir - I have not until today been
able to reply to your last letter
making enquiry in relation to David
Taylor. Mr. Stephen Van Guilder (a 
gentleman whose statement can be relied
on) has made affidavit that said
Taylor died about the year 1833 in
one of the New England States. does not
state the fact from his own personal
knowledge, but upon reliable information.
The widow of said Taylor, now living in
the town, make an affidavit to
the same effect.
This all the information I have
been able to obtain in the premises.
Will be pleased to prosecute any
further enquiries you may be disposed
to request.
Very Respectfully yours
M. Strong,
Page 93

Saratoga Springs n.y
Apl 31st/55-
Sir
David Taylor, a Revolutionary
soldier & a pensioner of the united States
died, & left a widow. Is his
Widow intitled to the arears of pension
due her husband at his death, or
an administrator intitled to
it. please inform me & oblige.
yours &c
L. P. Howard

Commissioner of
Pensions Washington city
D.C.
Page 94

R. S. Gallaher
Dec 26

No 1369
Ester Taylor
widow of David
NY
Jas. C. Harris Sep 4 1854
J. C. Harris 13 Nov. 1854.
Let sd dated Nov. 18/54.
Let sd dated Nov. 24/54
Let J. C. Hamp Nov. 27/54
3d dated. Nov. 27/54

July 29 1848
Page 95

1369
Ester Taylor
Widow of David
NY
Jas C. Harris Sep 4 1854
"  "  " 13 Nov 1854
third and Nov 18 1854
J. C. Harris Nov 27 1854
Third and Nov 27 1854
Postellester at Granville NY
Jany 5 1855
May 30 1855

July 29 1848
Page 96

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 48274
Esther Taylor
Widow
of David Taylor
Pvt. Rev. War
---
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:--Vol. H, Page 262
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Barton
Page 97

29" July, 48,
N. York roll.
B Wythe
Page 98

522
160
Page 99

No. 5346
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Mar 19, 1855
Esther Taylor, wid of
David Taylor
Col Canes
Rev. War.

Warrant No 522
Alld 160 acres May 25/55
N. H. Gallaher
Present