Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,354, for Abiel Sherman, New York
Page 1

[doc is printed form]
(3-1776)
SERVICE           NUMBER
New York     Sherman, Abiel    W.19.354
    or Shearman
    Mary
CONTENTS
b Mar 7.1744.
d July 31. 1834
Page 2

[doc printed, written, folded & damaged]

[left fold]
Dropt from the Rolls
16 May 1831 under [illegible]
March 3. 1819
Restored to the roll July
13th 1832 pension to
Commence August 5th 1831
New Certificate issued
and sent to the Honble
WL Maury Senate US
rate of pension Four dollars
per month
Dead- let to Hon H.C. Murphy June
5. 1844

[right fold]
New York
Abiel Sherman private
(Revy war)
Captain Delanan's company of the army
[illegible] the Revolution N.Y. Troops
Ratio of disability, one half
Date of discharge,
Time of closing the testimony,
scribed on the Roll of New York
at $4. 80/100 Dollars per month, to commence on the
1 April 1777-
rtificate of Pension issued the 16 of March
1787 and filed within
Arrears to 4th of
Semi-anl. all'ce ending
Act of the 22 April 1786
record Book D. Vol 5
age 44
BLB
Page 3

[doc is printed, written, folded & damaged]

[left fold]
4063
Albany N York
Mary Sherman, Deceased,
widow of Abiel Sherman
NY
who died on the 31 July 1834
of Rensellear in the State of NY
who was an [word crossed out] in the Co commanded
by Captain [word crossed out] of the reg. commanded
by Col Lamb [name & rank crossed out] in the NY [crossed out]
line for 2 years [2 words crossed out] aw.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 144 Dollars---Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1831. 31 July 1834 & Ended 2nd
Novem 1840 the day of her death.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of July [crossed out] Augt [inserted]
1844---and sent to Wm
Valentine Albany NY
Arrears to the 4th of
Semiannual allowance ending
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act July 4, 1836}
{Section the 3d}
Recorded by F.L. Swann, Clerk
Book C  Vol. 1 Page 1218

[right fold]
Pay to Thomas Sherman,
Phebe Palmer
Anna Bouten
Stephen Sherman, Lewis Sherman
David Sherman
Hannah Betts, Sally Hodges
Mary Fancher and to the
Admr of Enock Sherman decd
Letter to Hon. R. Holloway
September 18. 1850
Anna
Page 4

[doc is written & folded]

[left fold]
5954 [partially underlined]
Mary Sherman
Decd
NYork
Act July 4th 36
M [illegible] a 34
Admr
2 years Artificer
$144--- [underlined]
commencing on 31 July 1834
and terminating on the 2d
November 1840 the day of
her death payable to her
children

[right fold]
[word crossed out 3954
[word crossed out]
Sept 11th 1843 [date crossed out]
Page 5

State of New York}
Rensalaer County } ss On this Eleventh day of September one
thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared in open
court at Troy Justices Court Tng [crossed out] of the County of Rensalaer & State
aforesaid the same being a court of record, Thomas Sherman a resident
of Nassau in said county and State Aged fifty seven Years who first --
being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following
declaration in behalf of the children of the late Mary Sherman
widow of Abiel Sherman both now deceased, in order to obtain the
benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress & passed July 4th
1836 That he is a son Abiel Sherman & Mary his wife above
named That his said father, the said Abiel Sherman was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war and at the of his death a pensioner of
the United States That his said father was for many years an invalid
pensioner which pension was stopped for a few Years and that a Year or
two previous to his death he again became a pensioner of the United
States & believes it was made under the Act of 7th June 1832 That his said 
father the said Abiel Sherman died in the county of Rensalaer and
that aforesaid on the thirty first day of July one thousand eight
hundred and thirty four That during the aforesaid war his said parents
resided in Westchester County & State aforesaid That he has always
been informed and verily believes that his said parents were married
in the aforesaid County of Westchester That he has also been informed
and verily believes that his said parents were married on the fifteenth
day of November one thousand seven hundred and Sixty seven That
his said mothers name before marriage was Mary Bouten he further
declares that his said mother the said Mary Sherman did not marry
after the death of her said husband the said Abiel Sherman but
remained a widow until her death and that she died on the second
day of November one thousand eight hundred and forty That at 
the time of the death of my mother the said Mary Sherman she left
her surviving ten children viz Thomas Sherman, Enoch Sherman, Phebe Palmer 
widow of Fennor Palmer & Anna Bouten wife of John Bouten of Nassau Rensalaer
County N.Y. Stephen Sherman, and Lewis Sherman of Bern Albany County
N.Y. David Sherman of Troy Rensalaer County N.Y Hannah Betts wife of Josiah
Betts of Onandaga County N.Y. Mary Fancher wife of Seth Fancher of Hastings
Oswego County N.Y. & Sally Hodges wife of Nehemiah Hodges of Mansfield...
....Tioga County
Page 6

Tioga Caounty & State of Pennsylvania That Enoch Sherman one of the within
named children died on the ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred
and Forty Two [inserted] and that the remaining nine within named are her only surviving
children and that each of them are over twenty one Years of age and in
support of which and the claim of said children, would refer to the  proof
herewith furnished and also that which may appear on file in the Pension
Department---
Sworn to and Subscribed before me}
this 11th day of September 1843}    Thomas Sherman
Hiram Taylor one of the Justices
of the Justices Court Troy
The word "Two" was inserted in the 3d
line from the top before sworn to
Hiram Taylor

Renselaer County ss   I William Hagen clerk of the
Justices Court of the city of Troy in said county a
Court of Record do herby certify that on the eleventh day
of September 1843 Hiram Taylor was a Justice of the
Peace for said county and one of the Justices of said Justices
Court & the signature above is his genuine signature.
Witness my hand & the seal of the
said court at Troy this eleventh day
of September AD 1843
Wm Hagen clerk
Page 7

Certificate of Court
Sept 11th--1843
Page 8


State of New York}
County of Rensalaer} ss I William Hagen Clerk of the Justices
Court of the city of Troy the same being a court of record, do hereby certify
that at Troy in said court held in and for said county before the
Justices thereof at Troy, on the 11th day of September one thousand
eight hundred and forty three, it was proved by the addition of
 testimony satisfactory to said court that Abial Sherman late of
the Town of Nassau in said county died on the thirty first day of
July one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, that at the time
of his death was a pensioner of the United Sates and left a widow
viz Mary Sherman who remained a widow until her death and
that she died on the second day of November one thousand
eight hundred and forty, and at the time of the death of the
said Mary she left the surviving the following named children
viz Thomas Sherman, Enoch Sherman, Phebe Palmer widow of Fennor Palmer
deceased, and Anna Boutin wife of John Bouton of Nassau Rensalaer County
N.Y. Stephen Sherman and Lewis Sherman of Bern Albany County N.Y.
David Sherman of Troy Rensalaer County N.Y. Hannah Betts wife of Josiah
Betts of Onondaga County N.Y. Mary Fancher wife of Seth Fancher of
Hastings Oswego County N.Y. & Sally Hodges wife of Nehemiah Hodges of 
Mansfield Tioga County, Pennsylvania That Enoch Sherman one of the
above named children died on the ninth day of August one thousand eight
hundred and forty two [inserted] and that the remaining nine above named are her
only surviving children and that each of them are over twenty one Years of
Age---- In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my
name and affixed the seal of the said Court this 11th day of September
one thousand eight hundred and forty three---
Wm Hagen  clerk
The word "two" in the fifth line 
from the bottom was inserted before
the execution of the paper or
instrument Wm Hagen clk
Page 9

marriage

[illegible stamped seal]

William Valentine Esq
Albany
NY
Page 10

State of New York}
County of Westchester} ss   I Reuben Frame hereby depose
and say that I am the present Pastor of the Presbyterian
Church in the town of Lewisboro formerly town of South
Salem in said county, that I am informed and verily
believe that the Revd Solomon Mead deceased was formerly
Pastor of said Church and that I have examined the
records of marriages purporting to have been kept by him
and which is now in deponents possession & having received
the same from Martin Mead son of the said Revd Solomon
Mead deceased and verily believe the said record to be
original and genuine. I further depose and say there is
recorded on said record the marriage of Abial Sherman
to Mary Bouten as having taken place on the fifteenth
day of November one thousand seven hundred and 
sixty seven except that the date is expressed on the
said record in fair legible figures as follows viz
November 15 1767       Reuben Frame Pastor
Sworn to and subscribed
this 26th day of December
1843 before me      Thomas Mead Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with
the Revd Reuben Frame the above deponent and that he is
the Pastor of said Church as set forth by him and that his
statements are entitled to full credit---
Thomas Mead Justice of the Peace

State of New York}
Westchester County} ss    I Charles A Prudy clerk of the county of
Westchester do hereby certify that Thomas Mead Esq before 
whom the preceding deposition was and by whom the preceding
certificate was given, was on the day or the dates thereof a
Justice of the peace in and for said county elected and 
sworn and duly authorised to act as such Justice
And that I am well acquainted with the hand
writing of said Justice and believe his signature thereto
to be genuine
Page 11

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the
said county the 28th day of Dec 1843
Charles A Prudy Clk
Page 12

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

By Richard Varick & Richard Platt
of the City of New York Esquires
This is to certify that in the pursuance of the Law
of the State of New York Entitled "An Act making
provision for the Officers, Soldiers, and Seamen who have
been disabled in the Service of the United States"
Passed the 22nd of April 1786 We have examined Abiel
Sherman of Salem in the County of Westchester
Cooper and find that during the late War he inlisted
in a Company of Rangers in the Service of the United
States commanded by the late Captain Samuel
Delaven; That while in the Company and Service
aforesaid to wit on or about the tenth Day of January
in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and seventy seven in an Engagement with the Enemy
near Fort Independence he received a wound in his
right Hand by a Musket Ball which has rendered
him incapable of obtaining a Livelihood by his
Trade or other hard Labor; That on the seventh Day
of this Instant March he was forty three Years of
age; Wherefore in Pursuance of the Law aforesaid
We do further certify that upon the principles of the
Page 13

[page 2 of multi-page doc]

the Act of Congress of the seventh Day of June 1785
the said Abiel Sherman is entitled to receive from
the Treasury of this State a yearly Pension of thirty
six && Dollars from the first Day of April
& & & in the Year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred [word inserted] and seventy seven, if not before paid.

Given under our Hand this
sixteenth Day of March 1787
Rich Varick
Rich Platt
Page 14

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

This third day of August in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and thirty four It is hereby
Certified that Abiel Sherman, formerly a private in a 
company of Rangers in the service of the United States commanded
by Captain Samuel Delevan, the regiment not being known, is
considered incapable of performing the duty of a soldier by reason
of wounds or other injuries inflicted while he was actually in the
service aforesaid, and in the line of his duty, viz, as a private
soldier, to the aforesaid company of Rangers.

By satisfactory evidence and accurate Examination
it appears that on or about the tenth day of January in the
year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven being engaged
with the British Troops at or near a place called Fort Independence
in the State of New York, he received a wound to his right
hand by a musket ball by which the two bones or outward bones
of the hand were fractured in a severe manner; and the tendons
upon the back of that part of the hand fractured, entirely severed,
by reason whereof the Corresponding tendons upon the inside of
the said hand, have become so contracted as to draw the fourth
and fifth fingers close to the palm thereof and thereby depriving
him in a great degree of the use of that hand in the
performance of his ordinary labour
and he was and is thereby, not only incapacitated for military duty,
but in the opinion of the undersigned, is one half disabled from
obtaining his subsistence from manual labour. 
Saml McClallan Surgeon
Ebenezer D. Basset Surgeon

State of New York
Renssalaer County ss     I John Koon one of the Commissioners
to take affidavits and acknowledge deeds [illegible] in and for the County
of Renssalaer do hereby certify, that, on the third day of August
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one Samuel 
McCallan of the town of Schodack and Ebenezer D. Basset of the town of Nassau
of the said count of Rensselear, to me known to be persons
who subscribed the above certificate, and of reputable standing
Page 15

[page 2 of multi-page doc]

as surgeons appeared before me [3 words inserted] and being by me duly sworn respectively
stated, upon oath, court, that the above certificate by them made
and subscribed was in all things true.
J. Koon  Comr Rc

State of New York}
County of Renssalaer} ss     I Archibald Bull Clerk of the said 
County do certify than John Koon before whom
the within certificate purports to have been sworn
was at the date of the same on of the Commissioners
in and for the said County and that I am
acquainted with his handwriting and verily
believe his name subscribed to the above
certificate of the execution of the within certificate
to be his proper hand writing .
Witness my hand and Seal of office this 5 day of August 1831
Archibald Bull Clerk
for N. Howard New York
Page 16

Sir
Pursuant to the instructions contained in the las communication from I.S. Edward Esq. I herewith transmit the certificate of the surgeons in all things conformably thereto, which I trust will be satisfactory.  It would have prevented much trouble and delay of specific information could have been given in the first instance as to what would be indispensible in this case to entitle the old man to his pay.  This is not a case of original application for a pension or a certificate, but simply for the continuation of that pension which has been awarded as early as 1787.  It is within the knowledge of the department that Sherman received at and after the rate of $4.80 per month up to September 1823. from which time he has not received any thing.  the reason of which is fully set forth in the affidavit of John I Schermerhaus & Enoch Sherman heretofor sent.  that pension at and after the last mentioned rate had been received from the certificates of the same surgeon whose affidavits I enclosed in my last communication from Troy, in their affidavits the surgeons stated the disability to exist to the same extent it always had, for a long series of years past.  hence I inferred that it was a matter of course to continue at least the payment of the same sum per month as was allowed up to Sept 1820.  the disability being the same.  But it appears from he last laconic communication from the department that I was mistaken; If any thing more is necessary I sincerely hope I may at once be entrusted with it to the end that hope too long deferred may not make the heart entirely sick,     Yours respectfully, S. Koon
P.G. Randolph Esq
active Secretary at War -
P.S. Dilrect to Napan post office  Renf. Co. N.Y.
Page 17

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Abiel Sherman, who served under Captain Delavan, in the New York militia from Westchester County and while serving at Fort Independence was wounded in his right hand, and who married Mary Bouten.

You are furnished herein the record of Abiel Sherman whose name appears in the claim, also, as Shearman, the data of which were obtained from pension claim, W. 19354, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Abiel Sherman was born March 7, 1744; the place of birth and names of his parents are not given.

While a resident of Westchester County, New York, Abiel Sherman enlisted, date not stated, served as a private in Captain Samuel Delavan's company of rangers and in Colonel Thaddeus Crane's New York regiment, and while serving in line of duty near Fort independence, was in an engagement there with the British troops, January 10, 1777, in which he received a sever wound in his right hand by a musket ball, length of service not stated.

On account of disability resulting from the above-noted injury, the soldier was pensioned from April 1, 1777, by the State of New York, while a resident of Salem, Westchester County, that state.  He moved May 11, 1793 to Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York, and while residing there, was subsequently pensioned by the United States from August 5, 1831.  He died July 31, 1834, in Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York.

Abiel Sherman married Mary Bouten, November 15, 1767, in South Salem, Westchester County, New York; the date and place of her birth and names of parents are not shown.  She died November 2, 1840.
Page 18

Abiel Sherman's widow, Mary, was survived by the following named children, whose ages were not stated:

Thomas Sherman
Enoch           "      who died August 9, 1842
Phebe Palmer, who in 1843 was the widow of Fennor Palmer
Anna Bouten,     "     "    "   was the wife of John Bouten, of Nassau, N.Y.
Stephen Sherman  "    "    "  was a resident of Berne, Albany Co., N.Y.
Lewis            "          "   "   "   was a resident of Berne, Albany Co., N.Y.
David           "           "   "   "   was a resident Troy, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Hannah Betts,          "    "   "   was the wife of Josiah Betts, of Onondaga Co., NY
Mary Fancher,          "    "   "   was the wife of Seth Fancher, of Hastings, Oswego Co. N.J.
Sally Hodges,          "      "   "  was the wife of Nehemiah Hodges, of Mansfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

In 1831, one Thomas Sherman and Enoch Sherman were both residents of Nassau, New York, their relationship to soldier not stated.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 19

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

No. 19354
Mary Sherman
Widow of
Abial Sherman
(illegible)  Rev War
Act:  July 4th  36
dex: - Vol.  M    Page 208

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 20

Oct 20, 1904  his to
Mrs. H.L. Bennett  Rochester NY

above history was furnished before soldiers claim was consolidated with widow  June 7, 1910
1912 Mch. 28 Hist to Frank D. Sherman Esq. & 
1937 Apr. 13 - Hiel  to Sarah D.
Masten   MLB
Page 21

28172
INVALID
Revy War
File No. 28172
Abial Sherman
(illegible) Rev War NY regt
Act:  April 22  1786
Index:- Vol. 2, Page 365
(Arrangement of 1870]

(written sideways along right side of page)
June 7, 1910
consolidated with O.W. Wid File 19.354

Oct 17-1902
Anna L. Sabin
Moline Ills
______________________________
Jany 6, 1904  Hist
Fred. K. Prince  Chicago Ill
___________________________________
Sept. 23, 1904  Hist to
Mrs. H.L. Bennett, Rochester, N.Y. C
_______________________________________
The above letters were written before this claim was consolidated with widow's file no 19354. on June 7, 1910  aw
Page 22

V  No. 5954
Mary Sherman
Dec d   N.York
----
Suspended

William Valentine  Mar 27 '43-

Act July 4th  '36
Page 23

Abiel Sherman
placed on N.Y.
Invalid Roll
1787
_________________
See letters to J. Koon
Apl 28, 1831 &
May 14, 1831:  also
to Pen Aqt  May 14, 1891
________________________
(D ropt from Rob)
May 11, 1831
______________
letter to J.Kone  June 13,
1831 do. to same 11 July 1831
Page 24

Abiel Sherman
N. York  Invalid
_______________
placed on Roll 1787
________________
(image of hand pointing to the right)   Dropt.   See letter
within alluded to J.Koon
9 Aug 1831  Jo to same, Sept.
14, 1831
Page 25

3-871
RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Briefed by  A.E. Wilson
Claim No. ____________
Certificate No.  ______________
Claimant ____________________
Service  ____Rev__________
Additional Service ________________
No. ________claim, State records ______ 190___
REMARKS:
Ms. O.W. Wid. Ind or Ref as above would 
pensioned for disability a
S.F. 281721 resident of Salem Westchester Co. NY
during Rev & until 1793.  (illegible) to Nassau N.Y.
there up to 1831  Prvt (illegible) 
Ranson under Col. Thaddeus Crane
born 1744
W.F. 1935H  this is the widow of above noted soldier and she was erroneously allowed pension as widow of Abiel Sherman (see File No. 49291)
who was an (illegible) Col. Gamil's regt. born 1761 and only 6 years old when said woman was married in 1767.  She was a resident Pawling N.Y.
Page 26

Abiel Sherman, Invalid Roll, New York
Be pleased to say to what time, and at
what rate, he was last paid
Pension officer
June 5, 1844
pst.  4 March 1834 @ $4 for Mo   JH
Page 27

To what time, and at what rate, was Abiel Sherman, N. York Invalid, last paid?
Respectfully,
J.L. Edwards
War Dept. Pension Office
April 28, 1831

H. Whetcroft,
or either of the gentlemen
in the Paper Dept. of the 3 (illegible)

Paid to the 4 Sept. 1823 at $4.80
Resptfly
H Whetcroft
Page 28

Albany Sept 12th  1843

Sir

I herewith enclose the declaration and proof in the application of the children of Mary Sherman widow of Abial Sherman, deceased, under the Act of 4th July 1836. --

The documents being quite definite and conclusive, I would respectfully submit the claim without comment. --

I am yours very respectfully
an ob Servant
Wm Valentine

J.S. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

P.S.  It may be proper to remark that the marriage certificate was procured at that time with a view of them presenting the claim but has been neglected until the present time.
I am  Wm Valentine
Page 29

Albany Jan 6 1844
Mr J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
At the request of Mr Wm Valentine I
inclose the papers of the additional proof
in the case of the widow of Abial Sherman
or the heirs which I have no doubt will be fully
Satisfactory  Please Sir to inform Mr Valentine
of their reception before he leaves Washington
if you Receive them in time and you will
confer a great favor on him
Yours Truly Wm Valentine
for A Bruce
Page 30

[doc is folded; a large 'X' is written thru the center portion of the doc]

Marriage Certificate [line underlined]
So Salem    To be delivered to
July 11      H Gallup or D. Sherman 
                 Only

Col John H. Smith
White Plains
Westchester Co
NY

Left with me by
H Gallup Esq
[illegible]
Page 31

State of New York}
Westchester County} ss
Martin Mead of the town of South Salem in said
court being sworn in due form of law deposeth and saith
that the Reverend Solomon Mead deceased (deponents Revd
father) was a Presbyterian minister, and was pastor of the
presbyterian church and congregation in said South Salem
from the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty two to the
year one thousand eight hundred, as appears by the Records
kept by deponents said Revd father, which records are now in
deponents possession--Deponent further saith that a list of the
marriages Solemnized by the said Revd Solomon Mead deceased
is contained in said record; and by the said record it appears
that Abiel Sherman was married to Mary Bouton [name underlined] November
fifteenth one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven; by the
said Revd Solomon Mead deceased which record of marriage
is in the hand writing of deponents said Revd Father as deponent
believes he being well acquainted with the same, and further
deponent saith not--         Martin Mead
Sworn and subscribed this
10th day of July 1839 before
me     Thomas Mead Justice of the peace

I do hereby certify that I an well acquainted with Martin
Mead the above deponent and that he is a man of truth and
veracity --    Thomas Mead  Justice of the peace
Page 32

State of New York}
County of West Chester} ss
I John H. Smith Clerk of
the Said County Do hereby certify that Thomas Mead
before whom the within affidavit of Martin Mead purports
to have been taken was on the day of the date thereof
a Justice of the peace as written -- and that the within
signatures to [illegible] and certificate of Character
purporting to be his is the genuine Signature of the
said Thomas Mead Esqr
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said
County this 12th day of July 1839---
John H. Smith Clk
Page 33

[all entries on this doc have been 'x'ed thru]

South Salem July 10th 1839
Col John H. Smith
Sir
I enclose a jury list for the
town of South Salem--and request you to affix
your certificate to the affidavit and return the same
by mail---
Respectfully Yours
Thomas Mead

Certificate of Marriage
of Abial Sherman & Mary
Bouton To be returned
to Daniel C. Sherman of [illegible]
of Albert Gallup of Albany

[written vertically to right of illegible stamp] 
Thomas Mead Esqr
South Salem
Wes Co
N.Y.
Page 34

5954
Mary Sherman decd
N.Y.
Act 4 July 1836

Admd    see slip
          erroneous
2 years Artificer [line crossed thru]
$144 per annum [line crossed thru]
Commencing on 31st July 1834
and terminating on 2d Novem
1840 the day of her death
payable to Thomas Sherman Enoch [crossed out]
Sherman [crossed out], Phebe Palmer widow of
Fennor Palmer, Anna Bouten wife
of John Bouten, Stephen Sherman
Lewis Sherman, David Sherman
Hannah Betts wife of Josiah Betts
Mary Fancher wife of Seth Fancher
Sally Hodges wife of Nehemiah Hodges
& admd Enoch Sherman decd--
Wm Valentine
Albany, N.Y.
Page 35

July 11 1832
Report
Pension
Office

Hon.
Lewis Cass, $4 from 5 Aug 1831
Secretary of War
Washington
Page 36

Washington 16th July--
My dear Sir:
I wish to call your attention to
the enclosed Petition which is from a very
worthy citizen in the County in which I
formerly resided. I hope there will be
no difficulty in the way of Granting
his application.
Yours se
WL Marcy
Page 37

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

Dear Sir
I had the honor not long since to 
receive a communication from Mr [crossed out] J.L. Edward Esqr of the
Pension office in relation to the application of Abiel
Shearman of the town of Nassau, Rensselaer County
for a new certificate and for his pension from
the 4th of September 1823 up to the present time, In
which communication Mr Edward is pleased to 
intimate that the Secretary at War had papers upon
the Case of Sherman and has decided that by reason
of his having neglected to comply with the Requirements
of the Act of Congress of 1819, by procuring
the affidavit of two respectable surgeons of the
continuance of the disability for which the pension
was originally allowed, at such times as is required
in and by the said act. In Explanation I send
herewith the affidavits of Doctors Bassett & McClallan
two surgeons of Eminent Standing, both moral & professional 
as also the affidavit of Enoch Sherman and John J
Schermerhorn, which fully Establish the identity of
the applicant with the individual named in the Certificate
of Richard Varick and Richard Platt Esquire
and also conclusively shew the continuance of the
disability and the reasons why he has not made
the regular semi annual application for his
Pension since the 4th of September 1823; hence
I cannot doubt that the department will feel not only
justified but bound upon principle of Equal justice
to Award to him the arrears of his Pension and a 
continuance of it hereafter at the last rate of allowance; 
I could have procured many more affidavits from
individuals of the first respectability as to the identity
of the applicant and the continuation of the disability, he is
now 87 years of age and his circumstances render it
indispensable that the required relief should be afforded &
any thing further should be required as to the [inserted] disability or
Page 38

[page 2 of multi-page doc]

respectability of Sherman, or those who have made
affidavits in his behalf I can procure the affidavit
or certificate of General John E Wool of 
the U.S. Army fully corroborative, as to the [inserted] standing and
respectability of all the persons whose names have been
sent on to Washington Connected with the present
application  let me hear from you soon
Yours respectfully
J. Koon
Hon. J. H. Eaton  Sec at War---
Nassau June 8th 1831---
Page 39

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

To the Hon. the Secretary at War of the United States

Whereas, I Abiel Sherman of the town of Nassau
in the County of Renssalaer and the State of New York, by virtue of a 
certificate issued by Richard Varick and Richard Platt, bearing 
date of the sixteenth day of March 1787 and now on file
in the War department, have received a certain sum of money
in said certificate mentioned as a pension for a certain wound
and disability as in said certificate also particularly set forth,
from the first day of April one thousand seven hundred and
seventy seven, with some additions to said sum for the latter
part of said period, up to the year one thousand Eight
hundred and twenty three, And whereas, owing to an Entire
misunderstanding as to what was required of me to Entitle me
to a continuation of such pension from the year last above
mentioned, I have not received any part thereof from said year
up to the present time although the same disability continued
during the whole of the intervening period; And whereas some
time in the month of March or April of the year one thousand
Eight hundred and thirty one, I Employed John Koon
of the town of Nassau, aforesaid, to confer with the proper office
of the said War Department as to the proper means to be adopted
to procure the Continuation of such pension for the future and to
obtain, if practicable, the back pay which had accrued thereon from
the year one thousand Eight hundred and twenty three. And Whereas
such proceedings were thereupon had, that the said War Department
adjudged and determined, as I am informed by a communication
from J.L. Edwards Esqr bearing date the 9th day of
August AD 1831. That the evidence adduced on my part was
sufficient to authorize the Secretary of War to place my name
again on the Pension Roll: but that, agreeably to the Construction
given to the Act of March 3rd 1819 the amount claimed
from 1823 to the present time could not be paid. And
further that if I was willing to recover what the law allowed,
a new pension certificate would be granted for me on my signifying
my acquiescence in the decision of said department.
But if I refuse to accept the pension from that date I could
not obtain relief but by a special act of Congress. And
whereas, as I am informed and verily believe, the said John Koon
did thereupon signify to the said department my willingness
to acquiesce in the above mentioned decision thereof upon con-
Page 40

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condition that my right to apply to Congress for such special
act, should not, thereby, be bared or impaired. And Whereas the
said J.l. Edwards Esqr by his letter bearing date the 14th day
of September 1831 sets forth the final determination of the said War
Department in the premises, in the words following, to wit "Sir, In
"reply to that part of your Letter of the 29th ultime which
"relates to the Case of Abiel Sherman I have to inform you that
"a pension certificate cannot be issued for him until he makes
"an application in writing and signifies his determination in
"the case either to accept of what is offered by the department
"conditionally or relinquish his claim to back pay"
Now therefore I, the said Abiel Sherman, do
hereby fully consent and agree to accept the said pension
certificate from the date above mentioned conditionally, [underlined] that is, that
I do not, thereby, waive my right to apply to Congress for such
back pay. And I do hereby Expressly signify my determination
to that effect and make application for such new certificate.
Given under my hand at Nassau aforesaid the nineteenth
day of June AD 1832--
Abiel Sherman [a '+' and the words 'his mark' are written over the signature]
Signed in the presence of
J. Koon

State of New York}
Rensselaer County ss}  I Certify that on the nineteenth
day of June AD 1832 appeared before
me Abiel Sherman to me known to be the person described in and
who Executed the above acceptance of Pension Certificate and acknowledged
that he had duly Executed the same for the uses and purposes therein
mentioned
J Koon  Comssd
Page 41

[remnant of a seal in upper left corner]

State of New York}
RENSSELAER COUNTY}ss

I HEREBY CERTIFY that John Koon Esqr whose signature
is affixed to the above Certificate of acknowledgment, was on the day of the date of the same, one
of the Commissioners of the County of Rensselaer, duly authorised to take such
acknowledgment and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner
and verily believe the signature "J Koon," thereto subscribed,
to be his proper hand writing.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the Seal of said County,
this 21st day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Archibald Bull Clerk
for N. Howard  [illegible]
Page 42

State of New York}
Rensselaer County} sc     Ebenezer D. Bassett of the town of Nassau
in the County of Rensselaer, physician and Surgeon, being duly sworn
doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Abiel
Shearman of the said town, and that he has been his family physician
for the last sixteen Years and has visited his house and seen him
during Every year of said period. That when he first became 
acquainted with the said Abiel Shearman he laboured under a
disability in, and was almost Entirely deprived of, the use of his right
hand, which disability, as he has always been informed by the said
Shearman and his family, was caused by a wound from a 
musket ball received from the enemy [4 words inserted] while Engaged as a soldier in the revolutionary
war; That this deponent has Examined the said Abiel Shearman
several times and certified as to the continuance of the disability
previous to the fourth of September one thousand Eight hundred
and twenty three, upon which Certificate and the papers connected
 therewith, as this deponent has been informed and believes, the said
Abiel Shearman regularly received his pension. And this
deponent further says that he has this day again Examined
the said Abiel Shearman, that the same disability as to the use
of his right hand [inserted] still continues the same [2 words crossed out] as it always has been
Ever since this deponent first became acquainted with him 
and to the same Extent as is set forth in the original 
certificate of Richard Varick and Richard Platt Esquires. Given
on the sixteenth day of March 1787--and which certificate
the deponent has frequently seen in the said Shearmans
possession and which as he is informed is now on file in the pension 
office at the City of Washington.
Ebenzr D. Bassett
Sworn and subscribed the 23rd}
day of May AD 1831 before me}
J. Koon Commssr}
Page 43

State of New York}
Rensselaer County sc}    Samuel McClallan of the town of
Schodack in the County of Rensselaer aforesaid, Physician & Surgeon,
being duly sworn doth depose and say, that he has been acquainted
with Abiel Shearman of the town of Nassau in said county for
the term of Eighteen Years last past, and that when he first
became acquainted with him that he discerned that he laboured under a
considerable disability in the use of his right hand, occasioned as
this deponent was informed, by the said Abiel Shearman, and has
Ever since understood, by a wound received by him from a 
musket ball during the war of the revolution and whilst Engaged
with the enemy; that this deponent has known [2 words illegible] the
said Abiel Shearman Ever since, that he has been called upon
several times as a Physician and Surgeon to Examine the said
Shearman, as to the continuance and Extent of the disability in his
hand as above mentioned, and has certified thereto, upon which certificates,
in connection with the other necessary papers, this deponent
been informed and believes, the said Shearman has drawn
a pension for such disability, That the deponent has again
this day Examined the said Abiel Shearman, and the Extent
of the disability in his right hand: that from such Examination
he finds that the disability continues to the same
Extent that it did when first he knew the said Abiel Shearman
and that it has been the same from the time he first
became acquainted with him up to the present time, that it--
now is: And this deponent further says that the disability is
such at the present time as almost Entirely deprives him of
the ability to use his hand in the performance of labour, and
continues to the same Extent as is set forth in the certificate
of Richard Varick and Richard Platt purporting to bear date
the 16th day of March 1787. And further this deponent says not.
Sworn the 23rd day of}           Saml McClallan
May AD 1831 before me}
J. Koon Commssr}
Page 44

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

State of New York}
Rensselaer County ss}       Enoch Sherman of the town of Nassau
in the County of Rensselaer being duly sworn doth depose and say
that he has been acquainted with [inserted] Abiel Shearman of the town of Nassau
for forty years and upwards last past; that the said Abiel Shearman
removed from the town of Salem in the County of Westchester, to the town
of Nassau where he now resides on the Eleventh day of May
in the Year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three, where
he has resided ever since, That at the time of his removing as
aforesaid to the said town of Nassau he had a certificate, which had
been granted to him by Richard Varick and Richard Platt Esquires
bearing date the sixteenth day of March 1787, by which he was
Entitled to receive a pension of thirty six dollars per Year from
the treasurer of this state, by reason, and on account of a 
disability caused by a wound received from a musket ball in the right
hand during the revolutionary war, in an Engagement with the enemy
near Fort Independence, and whilst belonging to a company of rangers
commanded by Captain Samuul [crossed out] Samuel Delavan; that the said Abiel
Shearman, to the knowledge of this deponent, always received his pension
at the rate in the said certificate mentioned from the time he first knew him [7 words inserted] until some few years
prior to the [inserted] year one thousand Eight hundred and twenty four, when it was
increased to upwards of fifty dollars per year; that said Abiel Shearman
Continued to receive it regularly until the year one thousand Eight
hundred and twenty three or twenty four, at which time the papers were made
out as usual and sent with Captain John J Schermerhorn, of the town of
Schodack in the County of Rensselaer, to the City of New York to whom
was also delivered at the same time a power of attorney to receive the
money thereon. That this deponent saw the said John J. Schermerhorn
shortly after his return from New York, who informed this deponent that
he had presented the said papers at the usual place and had applied for
the money, but that the person or persons there informed him that, they
did not pay that kind of pensions any more, and that thereupon
he was obliged to return without the money: of all which this
deponent informed the said Abiel Shearman. And this deponent further
says that the said Abiel Shearman has always laboured under the same
disability in the use of his right hand Ever since he first knew him,
that he is now Eighty seven Years [3 words underlined] of age and upwards and has for
Page 45

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a number of years past been unable to manage his affairs
without the assistance of others, That owing to his extreme old
age and the information so as aforesaid received from the said
John J Schermerhorn, the said Abiel Shearman, and those who transacted
his business for him not knowing what measures to adopt and
verily believing that a law had been passed whereby he the said Abiel 
Shearman had been deprived of his pension, suffered the pension
to remain uncalled for until the present spring; when upon
taking control he, this deponent, as the agent of the said Abiel Shearman
took the original certificate from the said Abiel Shearman and
at his request delivered the same to John Koon of the village of
Nassau to be sent to the City of Washington to enable J. L Edwards
Esqr of the pension office, to give a satisfactory reply to a letter
which had been theretofore sent to the war department in relation to
the said matter. And the deponent further says that he knows
the said Abiel Shearman to be the same Abiel Shearman described
and mentioned in the said certificate; and he also knows that the
information so as aforesaid given by the said John J Schermerhorn was
the sole cause of his not making the necessary semi-annual application
& proofs in order to  obtain his pension, since the year
one thousand Eight hundred and twenty three, as the disability
has always continued to the same Extent as when this deponent first knew
him; And the deponent further says that he is enabled to speak thus
positively in relation to the above matter from the fact that he has always
since his recollection resided with or within a quarter of a mile of the said
Abiel Shearman and intimately acquainted with and Engaged in the transaction
of his business, and further this deponent says not---
Sworn the 24th day of }          Enoch Sherman
May 1831 before me}
J. Koon Commssr}

State of New York}
Rensselaer County ss}   John J Schermerhorn of the town of 
Schodack in the said county being duly sworn doth depose and say that
he is well acquainted with Abiel Shearman of the town of Nassau
an invalid revolutionary pensioner, that this deponent has sometimes
received the pension for the said Shearman in the City of New York
Page 46

[page 3 of multi-page doc]

that the lost money which he has any memorandum
of receiving for the said Shearman, has the sum of twenty
Eight dollars and and Eighty cents which he received at
the loan office in the United States Branch Bank in the
City of New York, in the month of November in the year of
of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and twenty three, that
the papers were again prepared by the said Abiel Shearman
and delivered to this deponent in the spring of the Year
one thousand Eight hundred and twenty four, at which
time this deponent again called for the money at
the said office, and on presenting the papers, one Mr Ogilive
according to the best of this deponents recollection informed
him that they did not pay the money on those certificates
any more (meaning the Certificate of Richard Varick & Richard
Platt to the said Abiel Shearman a copy of which was annexed
to or incorporated with said papers) and that in order to
draw the money as theretofore it would be necessary to send
to Washington and get some new order or certificate to entitle
him to the money. whereupon this deponent returned
without the money and shortly after his return he saw
Enoch Sherman, and informed him as near he can now
recollect in substance of what was stated to him at
the office as the reason for not paying the money
as usual---and further says not
John J. Schermerhorn
Sworn the 26th day}
of May 1831 before me}
J. Koon Commssr}

I Certify that Ebenezer D. Bassett and Samuel McClallen
above named are practising surgeons of good standing and respectability
and that Enock Sherman and John J. Schermerhorn are persons of good
character and that all four are entitled to full credit and belief
June 8th 1831                      J. Koon Commssr
Page 47

State of New York
Rensselaer County Clerks office ss [line underlined]}  I hereby certify that John Koon before
whom the foregoing affidavit was taken or sworn was
on the day of the date that the annexed & foregoing affidavit
purports to have been taken a Commissioner in & for
the said County, duly authorised to take the same, and
further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing
of the said Commissioner and verily believe that the signature
"J Koon" thereto subscribed is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the
seal of said County this 31 day of May 1831
Archibald Bull Clerk
for Nathan Howard Jand Depy

State of New York
Rensselaer County Clerks office ss} I hereby certify that Ebenezer D. Bassett
and Samuel McClellen whose names is subscribed
to the foregoing affidavits made by them were each regular
practicing Physicians at the time of making said
affidavits & for a long time previous & up to this date
& also regular practicing Surgeons in the County of Rensselaer
as appears by the Licenses filed in the office
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set may hand & affixed the
seal of said County this 8 day of June 1831.
Archibald Bull Clerk
for Nathan Howard Jand Depy
Page 48

Comptrollers Certificate
Sept 12th 1843
Page 49

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of
the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the
following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:
Nov 2 1777  | 20334 Abial Shearman Serjt | 1 | 3 | 6
"   15. 1781   | 38463   do   Serjt  | 37  | 7  | 2 1/4

STATE OF NEW YORK}
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, September 12, 1840}
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 58 now remaining in this
office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the
following officers, viz:
First-under Capt. Gideon Seely  in Lt Col Gilbert Drake Regt.
Second " " Samuel Lawrence " Lt" Thaddeus Crane "
Third " "  "  "  "
Fourth " "   "   "  "
Fifth "  "   "   "   "
Sixth  "  "   "   "   "
Seventh  "   "   "   "   "
Eight  "  "    "  "    "
Ninth  "  "    "   "   "
Tenth  "  "   "  "    "
Philip Phelps
Dep Comptroller
Page 50

Comptrollers Certificate
Sept 12th 1843
Page 51

Personally appeared before me John Quick Esquire
one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Westchester
in the State of New York Abiel Shearman and made
oath that he was examined by Richard Varick and
Richard Platt Esquires appointed by the State for that purpose
and obtained a certificate setting forth that he was a private
in a Regiment of Westchester County Militia under the
Command of the late Capt Samuel Delavan and since
under the Command of Lieut Col Thaddius Crane and
that he was disabled by a Wound from a Musket Ball
in his right hand and that he resides in the County of
Westchester and further Saith not
Sworn before me}     John Quick Jus
this 30th Day of May 1787}
Abiel Sharman Invalid pri from the 1st day of April
1777 to the 1st June 1787 is 121 months; he recd pay for
9 mo 3 Days
111 Mo 27 D a 24/ pm          134. 5. 7
audited 11 Jun 1787

Audited July 24 1788
Abial Sherman appeared before me Nathan
Rockwell one of the Justices of the Peace of the County
of Westchester and State of New York and made oath
that he was examined by Richard Varick and Richard
Platt Esquires appointed by the said State for that purpose
and obtained a Certificate setting forth that he was a
private in a Regiment of Westchester County Militia
under the Command of the late Capt Samuel Delavan
and since under the Command of Lieut Col Thaddius
Crane and that he was disabled by a Wound from
a Musket ball in his Right hand and that he
resides in the County of Westchester and further saith
not. Abial Sherman
Sworn before me this 26th day May 1788 -- Nathan Rockwell
From 1st June 1787 to 1st Jan 1788 7 mo at 24/per Mo   8.8.
Page 52

Reced 11th July 1785 of Lieut Col Thads Crane
a State certificate for thirty seven pounds Seven shillings 
and two pence in full for Service in his Regt in the year
1779. 1780. & 1781        37. 7. 2
Abial Shearman

I hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the
Books of Receipt. as for original remaining in this Office
and also the written is a true extract from Books
of Invalid Pensioners

Comptrollers Office}    Philip Phelps
Albany Sept 12th 1843}    Dep Comptroller
Page 53

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

To the Honorable John H Eaton Secretary at War
Sir
Permit me to ask of you information,
if it is to be obtained from your department, relative to certain pensioners
Embraced within the provisions of the laws, referred to in the 
certificate subjoined, which is in the words following that is to say
"By Richard Varick & Richard Platt of the 
City of New York Esquires,
This is to certify that in pursuance of the law of the State
of New York Entitled "An act making provision for officers,
soldiers and seamen who have been disabled in the service of the
United States" passed the 22nd of April 1786. We have examined
Abiel Sherman of Salem [underlined] in the County of Westchester {underlined], cooper and
find that during the late war he Enlisted in a company of Rangers
in the service of the United States command by the late Captain
Samuel Delavan; That while in the company and service aforesaid
to wit on or about the tenth day of January in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven in an Engagement
with the Enemy near Fort Independence he received a wound in his
right hand by a musket ball which has rendered him incapable
of obtaining a livelihood by his trade or other hard labor: That
on the seventh day of this instant March he was forty three
years of age. Therefore in pursuance of the law aforesaid
we do further Certify that upon the principles of the Act
of Congress of the seventh day of June 1785 the said
Abiel Sherman is entitled to receive from the Treasurer of this
State a yearly pension of thirty six dollars from the first
day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and seventy seven if not before paid
Given under our hands this sixteenth day
(Signed)    of March 1787
Rich Varick
Rich Platt
It will be proper for me to inform you that the above pension
Page 54

[page 2 of multi-page doc]

was duly paid, to the person named in the said certificate
until the year 1823, and for the last 3 or 4 years previous
to that year, he received a much larger amount annually
than the sum therein mentioned: That in the year 1823 he
sent as usual to New York for the money when his papers
were sent back and no money paid but from what cause
he is unable to state. That since the time above mentioned
he has been almost constantly confined by ill-health and
hence has not resorted to any means whereby the matter
could be Explained. It may also be proper for me further
to state that I have recently called at the Office of
the Secretary of State of the State of New York but can
obtain no intelligence from thence Except that it is the
opinion of Archd Campbell Esqr the deputy Secretary that
the class of pensioners Embraced by the law above mentioned
have been transferred to the United States for payment by
some arrangement between the U.S. and the State of New
York, will you have the Kindness to give me all the
information in Your power on the subject and
thereby confer a favor upon the Old Soldier
And Yours very respectfully
J. Koon
Nassau Rensselaer County
State of New York
P.S. The money I understand was received from a Matthew
Clarkson Esqr of the City of New York
J.Koon
Page 55

Sir
Yours of the 18th of April instant has just
arrived, and from it I perceive that you have laboured under the
Erroneous impression that the inquiry contained in my first letter related
to the case of Samuel Delavan, when in fact it was intended
for the benefit of the person to whom the certificate was originally
granted, that is, Abiel Sherman, who belonged to the
company of Captain Samuel Delavan, at the time of receiving the
wound for which the pension was granted: You request me
to send the original certificate, (a copy of which was
heretofore furnished) for examination; and in accordance therewith
I Enclose herein the said Original Certificate for your Examination,
with the request that, after having subjected it to the
necessary Examination You will be pleased to return the same to me
together with the result of said Examination, and the conclusion
to which have arrived therefrom---
I am Yours respectfully--
J. Koon
Nassau Renss County N.Y.}
To the Secretary at }          April 23rd 1831--}
War Washington}
Page 56

[doc is written & stamped]

[written vertically along left margin starting from top]

War Dept
August 9th 1831

Pension}
Office}

[central body of doc]
The Hon The Secretary at War
Washington City
District [underlined] of Columbia [underlined]

[diagonal stamp] 
STEAMBOAT

[postal stamp]
NEW YORK
AUG
7
Page 57

To the Honorable the Secretary at War of the United
States
Sir,
I enclosed herein the
affidavit of the Surgeons in the case of Abiel Sherman
pursuant to the requirements of the printed sheet enclosed
in the last communication from J. L. Edwards Esquire
I sincerely hope it may be found satisfactory, for unless
something be done soon the Old Gentleman will be beyond
the need of his Country's assistance; the facts disclosed
by the papers heretofore transmitted will doubtly
entitle him to back pay from Sept 1823.
Yours very respectfully
J. Koon
August 6th 1831--
V.B. Please direct your communications
in answer to the above to me at Nassau
Renss. Co-- as heretofore---   J. Koon
Page 58

Nassau  Renss. Co. N. York  May 7th 1831--
To Hon J. H. Eaton Secretary at War,
Sir
Pursuant to the requirements
contained in yours of the 28th Ultime per J.L. Edwards Esquire
I herewith send you the necessary proofs of identity as to Abiel
Sherman---    You will please in return advise me as to
the mode of preparing the papers in order to draw the money
the amount and whether he will be entitled to the
arrearages of which I cannot entertain a doubt; And
in find all necessary information on the subject and
confer a favor upon
Yours very respectfully
J. Koon
Page 59

State of New York
Rensselaer County ss    On this fourth day of May 1831,
before me, the Subscriber, a justice of the peace for the said County
of Rensselaer personally appeared Abiel Sherman of the town of Nassau
in said County, who, on his oath declares that he is the same person
who formerly belonged to the Company Commanded by Captain Samuel
Delavan in the Regiment afterward as he believes [4 words inserted] commanded by Colonel Thaddeus Crane
in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the
pension roll of the State of New York, but has never received a
formal certificate, nor any certificate, except that heretofore granted
to him by Richard Varick and Richard Platt, which is now in the files
of the war department, and now wishes to obtain one.
Sworn and subscribed to before}     Abiel Shearman [a '+' and the words
me, the day and year aforesaid}        'his mark' are written over the signature]
W P Heermans  Justice}

Rensselaer County ss:   Thomas Sherman of the town of Nassau in the  County
aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well
acquainted with Abiel Sherman, and has known him for the last thirty
years, and further, that he well knows him to be the same person 
described in the above affidavit, and also the same person described
in the Certificate of Richard Varick and Richard Platt heretofore transmitted
by John Koon to the Secretary at War and now on file in the war office
at the City of Washington as appears by the Certificate of J.L. Edwards to that
Effect, and further says not.
Sworn and subscribed the fourth}    Thomas Sherman
day of May AD 1831 before me}
WP Heermans}

I William P Heermans, the above named Justice of the peace of the County
of Rensselaer, and the same justice before whom the above affidavits
were taken do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Sherman,
who took and subscribed the above affidavit and that I know him to be a person of
veracity and entitled to full credit and belief.
WP Heermans
Page 60

State of New York}
County of Rensselaer ss}    I Archibald Bull Clerk of the said County do certify that
William P. Heermans before whom the within affidavits 
purports to have been sworn and also by whom the within certificate
is subscribed was at the date of the same one of the 
Justices of the Peace in and for said County and that I am
acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his
name subscribed to the said affidavits and certificate to be
his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of office this sixth day of May 1831
Archibald Bull
Page 61

158 West 105th Street.
New York, Feb'y 27: 1912

Hon. J.I. Davenport;
Commissioner of Pensions.

Dear Sir:
I beg to ask for the official records of the
following named Revolutionary War soldiers
who are named as pensioners, all of them
residents of the state of New York:
W19354  1. Abiel Sherman - of Rensselaer County *
S28874    2. Job Sherman - of Albany County
S23908    3. Edmund Sherman - of Saratoga County
S14433    4. Peleg Sherman - of Otsego County for Feb 29 1912

*There was a pensioner of same name in Pawling, Dutchess Co., 
whose record I already have.

Pray let this request await its proper time
for consideration. My applications for aid
from your Bureau are of necessity frequent
and numerous, but there must come an end
to the Sherman soldiers in the Revolutionary
War--and to my requests.
Very respectfully yours,
Frank Dempster Sherman
Page 62

[mail room stamp]
PENSION
D
FEB
U.  28  S.
1912
OFFICE

[inverted stamp]
FEB 29 1912
Page 63

158 West 105th Street.
New York, March 19. 1912

Hon. J.I. Davenport;
Commissioner of Pensions.

Dear Sir:
To my application for records of Rev.
Soldiers - previous.
1. Abiel Sherman - of Rensselaer County, New York  W19354 
2. Edmund Sherman - of Saratoga County, " S23908 
3. Job Sherman - of Albany County, " S28874 
[preceding paragraph 'X ed' thru with words other [illegible]
sent in February, may I add one more?
4. John H. Shearman - of Rhode Island.
(His full name was John Higginbotham Shearman.
and his wife's name was Lucy (Sheldon).
Very respectfully yours,
Frank Dempster Sherman

P.S. I shall be glad to receive the
foregoing four records at the convenience
of your office.
Page 64

[mail room stamp]
PENSION
D
MAR
U.  20  S.
1912
OFFICE

20 [written diagonally]
Page 65

W  Sherman Historical Association
HON. MARK ROGER SHERMAN    |TO COMPILE AND PUBLISH    |COL. FRED'K C. PIERCE
A.B-LL.B      | THE SHERMAN GENEALOGY         |Secretary and Treasurer
President           |                 |Member American Historical
Vice-President Western State Bank      |    } Association and society of American
     |   | Authors, also author of the 
    |    | Field, Foster, Whitney, Fiske, Fisk,
    |    | Pierce, Peirce, Pearce, Forbes, Forbush,
    |    | Gibson and Batchelder Genealogies.
   
CHICAGO, ILL, P.O. Box 244, [illegible]26  1903
 
Hon E.F. Ware Commissioner
[illegible]
Will you please send me the
 record  of  service and such
other historical matter as
is to be found in 
the pension papers of
Abiel Sherman of New York
State a revolutionary pensioner
I particularly [illegible] the place
of his birth.
Thanking you for your courtesy
[illegible] Frank C. Pierce

[mail room stamp]
PENSION
DEC
U.  28  S.
1903
OFFICE
Page 66

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

March 16-1937.
Veterans Administration, Bureau of
Revolutionary War Pensions
Washington D.C.
Will you kindly send me the
pension record of Abiel Sherman
who was a private in Col. Drakes
regiment, Capt Delavan's Co. in the
4th regiment New York State
Militia, Westchester Co. New York,
and who was shot through the
right hand at Fort Independence
Jan 10-1777. Cooper, Salem, Westchester
Co. New York. Also I would like
to know if the pension record tells
anything about where he was from
Page 67

[page 2 of multi-page doc]

or who his father and mother
were. His wife was Mary Boughton.
Thanking you for any information
you may be able to give me.
Sincerely,
Sarah D. Masten
South Schodack,
New York.
Page 68

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

22 Vick Park A, Rochester N.Y.
Sept 28, 1904
Bureau of Pensions:
Thanking you for
your record of Abiel Sherman sent
Sept 23. I will say that there must
have been two [underlined] Abiel Shermans receiving
pensions in N.Y. State.
My g.grandfather Abiel Sherman
was born in Pawling, Dutchess Co. N.Y. in
1761 [underlined] and lived there all his life. He
received a pension, of which I have proof
in a letter written at the time of his
Page 69

[page 2 of multi-page doc]

death. He also received Bounty land
in Lewis Co. this State. His name
will be found in "N.Y. in the Revolution"
page 242 in a list of Dutchess Co. Militia
with "Land Bounty Rights" - and also
I think in other lists. I do not know
what his services were but am sure your
records must give them, as he assuredly
drew 2 pensions. Will you kindly send
me his record?
The Abiel Sherman whose record
you sent me was born in 1744 and
resided in Nassau, Rensselaer Co. at the
time of application, unless a mistake
was made in your record.
There is a tradition in the family
that Abiel Sherman with his father
Page 70

[page 3 of multi-page doc]

and brothers who manufactured wagons, built
gun carriages for the army of the Revolution
at Peekskill or Pawling where the army was
stationed at one time. Hoping to hear from
you soon and thanking you in advance for an
early reply I am
Yours Truly
(Mrs. H.L.) Amanda S. Bennett.

[pension office mail room stamp lower right corner]
Page 71

[Pension Office mail room stamp]
Page 72

[page 1 of multi-page doc]

22 Vick Park A, Rochester N.Y.
Sept. 13. 1904.
Bureau of Pensions:
Will you kindly send
me the record of Abiel Sherman [name underlined] who
received a pension for his services in
the War of the Revolution in the State of
New York? He resided in Dutchess Co.
and was my great grandfather. Also
will you tell me if Philip Price [name underlined]
received a pension. He resided in
Frederick Md. but may have served
in Pennsylvania as he had lived
there in Carlisle, previously
Page 73

[page 2 of multi-page doc]

Will greatly appreciate an early
reply
Yours Truly
(Mrs. H.L.) Amanda S. Bennett
Page 74

[two pension office stamps]
Page 75

Moline, Ill., Aug 7, 1902.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
From Daughters of the Revolution in this City, I understand
that you look up records of Revolutionary soldiers giving sufficient data
to establish one's rights to membership in said society. If this is true,
I should like the record of Abial Sherman [name underlined] who was in Col. Thaddeus Crane's
4th. Regiment of New York. I understand his name appears on the New
York list as a pensioner.
Thanking you for any attention you may give this request, I am,
Respectfully,
Anna L. Sober.

[2x pension office mail room stamps follow}
Page 76

[doc is printed & written; contrast enhancement was used to aid transcription]

In reply to your request of ---, received---
for a statement of the military history of Abiel Sherman
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.     W File 19354

[following is a table with these column headings]
Col 1 = DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
Col 2 = LENGTH OF SERVICE
Col 3 = RANK
Col 4 = OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
Col 4a = CAPTAIN
Col 4b = COLONEL
Col 5 = STATE
Data line 1=  |   | Private | Samuel Delavan | Thaddeus Crane | N. York
Data line 2 = Jan 10, 1777 in an engagement near Fort Independence he sustained
Data line 3 = a musket ball wound of right hand, from which he was pen-
Data line 4 = sioned Apl 1, 1777

Battles engaged in, near Fort Independence
Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Date of application for pension, certificate May 4, 1831
Residence at date of application, Nassau, Rensselaer Co, NY
Age at date of application, 43 yrs old Mch 7, 1787
Remarks: Sol mar South Salem Westchester [inserted] NY  Nov 15, 1767 Mary Bouten
d. July 31, 1834,
she d. Nov 2, 1840 leaving child Thomas, Enoch, [crossed out] Stephen, Lewis, David,
Phebe wid of Fennor Palmer, Anna wife of John Bouten, Hannah wife of Josiah Betts,
Mary wife of Seth Fancher, Sally wife of Nehemiah Hodges, & Enoch who d. Aug 4, 1842.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
4043b5m3-09     I-2
Mch 7, 1787 he was 43 yrs of age
43 [underlined]
1744
Page 77

[seal for Office Of Auditor for Interior Department in upper left corner]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Washington, June 4, 1910.

The Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of 1st instant (Record Division),
you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered
by the U.S. Pension Agent, at  New York, N.Y.
the records of this office show payments to have been made to [crossed out] in case of [inserted]
Abiel Sherman, Private, Revolutionary War, certificate No. none,
at $ 4.00 per month, to Chester Griswold, Attorney for the pensioner,
to March 4, 1834. The pensioner was alive and had resided in Nassau, Rensselaer Co., N.Y. for forty years, and previously in Salem, Winchester Co., N.Y.
Letter herewith returned.
Respectfully,
H.C. Shober
Auditor
by J.B. Belt
Deputy Auditor.
Form 3577                         [Pension Office mail room stamp}
Ed. Nov, 25-08-2,500
Page 78

[page left blank]
Page 79

GCK [upper right corner]
3-397
(old no 3-399)            Case on desk of
Record Division          AW Ex'r
Ser File No 28172     Department of the Interior,
Abiel Sherman          BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Rev. War
                               Washington, D.C. June 1 1910
SIR:
For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to
furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of
Abiel Sherman
pensioned under the Act of Apr 22, 1786 for disability by certificate
No. no number,  ctf issued Mar 16, 1787  New York Agency,
showing [crossed out] dropped from rolls May 14, 1831, restored to roll July 13, 1832;
please if possible state date of death, names of persons to 
whom last payment of his pension was made and any data on
file relative to his family.
Very respectfully,
J.L. Davenport,
Commissioner
THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT,
Treasury Department    

[2x gov't mail room stamps]
Page 80

[page left blank]
Page 81

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES     Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51        BOUNTY LAND WARRANT CARD*
12-5-41

Name Sherman, Abner   Grade Drummer Line Crane's Continental Artillery
                                                                                      (Masschusetts)

WARRANT
NUMBER   5094    ACREAGE   100    ISSUED June 4, 1789
                                                                               to---not shown---

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse-
quent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.