Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,780, James Holmes, Conn.
Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Holmes, James
Rhoda J.

NUMBER
W. 25,780
B.L. Wt. 13886-160-55

CONTENTS

__________________________________
Page 2

6166

New York 6166
_____________________________
James Holmes
of Westerlo in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Miles of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brady in the Govnt: - - - line for 8 mons. & 24 d 
_______________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of New York----
at the rate of 29 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Feby 1833--and sent to Hon. G. Y. Laney [?]
_______________________________
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1832                  $44"95
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '33 14"65
                                                                 $58"60
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Geo C. Stiles Clerk,
Book D Vol 5 Page 145
Page 3

New York 3544 Albany.    R. Holmes, [Dec?]
Rhoda J. Holmes
Widow of James
Con Holmes
Who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 29 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued
15th day of Feby 1855
and sent to in lieu of one dated Jan'y. 31/54

Samuel H. Marks
Albany N.Y

Record on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 76 Vol. A
Page 4

115.145)  [?] 3/55
[?] 3/55

Rhoda J. wid
James Holmes Pri. 

Rhoda J. Holmes wid: of
James Holmes, Priv 
Ct: State Troops
Rev. War

wid: 160 Acres Jany: 11/56.
W. S. [?] Boyton
Samuel Jenkins
Albany N.Y.

[Written on top of document]
No 13886 [?] Jany 12/06

[written on the side]
April 23/57   Auth J.B. Bennett [?]
Vol. [?] 53
Page 5

No. 2138
James Holmes
Laid by for answer of Lucy Senate

[?] roll of Capt Miles- Col P. Bradley
recp cash 20 June 1776 - - Bundle 20

J.B. Moore
[?]

[written over the top] 
24
11
___
214

26.60 
  2.64 
_____ 
29.30
Page 6

No. 2138
Brief in the case of Deacon James Holmes of Westerlo [strikethrough] of [strikethrough] Albany Co in the State of New York
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Before a Judge

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? It does

3. How old is he? Seventy four years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[4 column table]
Period. | Duration of Service, years: Duration of Service, months: Duration Service, days | Rank, as a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.|
| ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- |

In 1776 from 20 June to 16th July 1777 | - 7. 24 | private | Connecticut troops Capt. Benj'n Mills Compy & joined Col. Brady's Regt in New Jersey |
October 1777 | - 1 - | private | Capt. Wm Burrill Compy Col. Bunds [?] Count. Fritz |

5. In what battles was he engaged? taken prisoner at Fort Washington

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Salisbury, Connecticut

7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Has forwarded documenting proofs to Washington, presumed to be in the hands of some of the clerks of the Senate or H.R.

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The documenting papers are about as stated in N.Y. his character is certified by the Judge of the Court under seal

I Certify that the foregoing statement and answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

Chas. G Wilson Examining Clerk.
Page 7

Deacon Holmes
2138
August 20 1832
Pension Office
No papers
adm d
8 mo 24 pri
Page 8

State of New York
Albany County ss.
On this 20th day of July 1832 personally appeared before Joseph B. Moore a judge of the county Courts of the County of Albany and State of New York Deacon James Holmes a resident of the the town of Westerlo in the county of Albany and State of New York aged 74 years upwards who being first duly sworn according to Court, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
That he entered the said service in the town of Salisbury in the State of Connecticut and enlisted as a private in Capt Benjamin Mills company on the 21st June 1776.  He resided in the said town of Salisbury at that time, and he was immediately marched in the said company directly to the city of New York, where he staid two days & then to marched across the river to Bergen Point in the State of New Jersey where he and the said company joined Col. Bradley’s regiment.  He continued at this place in keeping guard untill in the fall of the same year and until after the Battle on Long Island and then marched up to Fort Lee in the said state, where they staid sometime.  He was then marched with a detachment under the command of Lieunt. Col. Hobbie, across the river to Fort Washington, which was commanded by Colonel Magaw, where he continued untill that Fort was taken by the British under the command of Gen'l Howe - He was taken a prisoner at that same time, and was marched from the said Fort to Harlem and from there to New York
Page 9

and was confined in a church where he staid two weeks, and was then taken + put on board on a vessel in the North river and then sailed round into the East river, where he staid untill he was taken sick with the Small Pox, and was then carried to the hospital in New York; and from there he was taken by Levi Allen a brother of Colo Ethan Allen, who was also a pensioner and boarder out at a private house. He continues there untill he was discharged an Parol, about the first or fourth of February 177, and he then returned home. Before he could be discharged he was obliged again enter the service of the United States against the enemy or British that he arrived home at Salisbury in Connecticut on the 14th February 1777 very much enfeebled and worn out with fatigue and disease. There he was unable to do any kind of work until the summer or fall after- About the first of October 1777  He again entered the fair service as a volunteer at Salisbury in the said State of Connecticut and joined Capt William Burrils regiment, and marched to Redhawk in Dutchess County where he staid untill the British burnt [illegible], and joined Colo Burril regiment. He went from there up the river (in consequence of the British vessels having [illegible] up the said river) to Livingston Mills + from there to Livingston Manor- and staid there untill the fair vessels had [illegible[ back down the river. He then dismissed and returned home and was not in the Army afterward, because he did not consider himself at liberty to go into the U.S. Army in consequence of his
Page 10

Parol above mentioned. He was out the last time one month - That he has deocumentary evidence sent affidavits to above his services as above states, at the city of Washington as he believes. That his hapens and documents were sent to congress and are now in the hands of the clerks of congress or in the War Department as he understands and believes. He resides 20 miles from the city of Albany where the courts of record for the county of Albany are held, he is very infirm and his eyesight is very much afflicted and he does not feel able to travel that distance from his home to attend the court. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. He happens were sent by judge ... than a member of congress and conssts of the affidavit of his captain & record of his enlistment. 
James Holmes

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me. 
J.B. Moore Judge of Albany County Court. 

And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion , after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department the above and applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and that the said applicant cannot attend the court by reason of badly infirmity. 
J.B Moore 
Judge of Albany County Court
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State of New York
Albany, County

Clerk office
I Conrad S. Ten Eyck Clerk of the city and county of Albany do hereby certify that Joseph B. Moore before when the within declartion was from over who has made the within certificate is a judge of the county courts of the county of Albany and state of New York and that the signature J.B. Moore to the said declaration and certificate is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county this day of July 1832.
C.A. Ten Eyck Clerk
Page 12

115,145

Application of Rhoda J. holmes
(revolutionary)
For bounty land, under act March 3, 1855, Sec. 8. 

Claims 160

Presented by Lem.l Jenkins of Albany N.Y. 

Farley Fisher Justice of the Peace
Page 13

No. 5. 
Declaration
Of a revolutionary wido who claims a land warrant under act of March 3, 1855.

Sate of New York, County of Albany

On this seventh day of April AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peach within and for the county and state aforesaid, Rhoda J. Holmes aged seventy five years, a resident of Westerlow, in said county in the state of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of James Holmes, deceased who was a private in the war of the revolution and was a pensioner made the act of June 7, 1832  at $29.30 per annum. That she is now a penrioner in the roll of the Albany pension agency made the act 3rd Feburary 1853 and her pension certification being date the fifteenth day of February 1854 his numbered 3544. That this proof of her marriage and of her said husband  douth is now on file in the pension office at Washington with the other proofs in which her said pension was granted to his proof she refers. 

She further states that she was married to the said James Holmes in Bethlehem on the tenth day of October AD 1826 by John Chester of Albany a Clergyman and that her name before her said marriage was Rhoda J. Anable that her said husband died at Westerlo Albany County on the twentieth day of September AD 1837 and that she is now a widow. 

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855 and she hereby reqeusts the Commissioner of Pensions to forward her warrant to Lemuel Jenkins Albany, NY and appoint him my attorney to receive the same for me. 
Rhoda J. Holmes

We Abijah C. Disbrow and Samuel L. Anable residents of Westerlo Albany County in the state of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Rhoda J. Holmes in our presence, and that we beleive from appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. 
Abijah C. Disbrow
Samuel L. Anable

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim. 
Farley Fish
Justice of the Peace
Page 14

State of New York
County of Albany

I Robert Harper clerk of the said county, do hereby certify that Farley Fisher was on the day of the date of the within certificate a Justice of the Peace within and for the said county duly appointed and qualified and that the signature thereto purporting to be his genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 1st day of May AD 1855.
R. Harper clerk

State of New York
Albany county

Abijah C. Disbrow and Samuel L. Anable being only sworn depos that they an will acquainted in the written named Rhoda J. Holmes and that  ever saw the death of the within named James Holmes she has continued to her and now is his widow .

Sworn to the subscribed this 30th day of April 1855 before me and I certify that the above deponent are known to me and are credible witness. 
Abijah C. Disbrow
Samuel L. Anable
Page 15

State of New York
County of Albany
I Robert Harper clerk of the said county do hereby certify that Farley Fisher was on the day of the date of the within certificate a Justice of the Peace within and for the said county duly appointed and qualified and that the signature thereto purporting to be his genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 1st day of May AD 1855.
R. Harper Clerk

State of New York 
Albany County
Abijah C. Disbrow and Samuel L. Anable being duly sworn deposed that they are well acquainted with the within named Rhoda J. Holmes and that over saw the death of the within named James Holmes she has continued to be and now is his widow. 
Sworn and suscribed this 30th day of April 1855 before now and I certify that the above department are known to me and are credible witness. 
Farley Fisher
Justice of the Peace
Page 16

State of New York
City & County of Albany
On this twelfth day of December AD 1853 personally appeared before the Justice Court of the city of Albany in the state of New York, Rhoda J. Holmes a resident of the town of Weterlo in the county and state of aforesaid aged seventy three years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed on the 3d February 1853 granting pensions to widows of person so he served in the revolutionary war: that she is the widow of James Holmes who was a private in said war and who drew a pension   under the act of 7th June 1832 at the rate of $29.30 per anum as well more fully appear by refference to his papers now on file at the pension office in Washington. 
She further declares that she was married to the said James Holmes on the tenth day of October AD 1824. That the said husaband died on the twelth day of September AD 1834. That she was not married to him prior to the second of January 1800 but at the time above stated.
She further declares that she is now a widow. 
Sworn and subscribed on the day and your above written before the justices court of the city of Albany. 
Rhoda J. Holmes

In testimony where of I have hereonto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said justice court. 
H.P. Nugent Clerk
Page 17

State of New York
Albany Justice Court

I Henry P. Nugent clerk of the Justices court of the city of Albany do hereby certify that it has been this day provided to the satisfaction of said court by the testimony of Samuel L. Anable of the town of Westerlo in the county of Albany aforesaid that James Holmes late pensioner of the United States did at his residence in the said town of Westerlo on the twelfth day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven leaving a widow whose name is Rhoda J. Holmes and who is  now living in said town of Westerlo and still receives the widow of the aforesaid James Holmes deceased. Deponent states that he was present at the time of the death of the said James and saw him die. 
Witness David Russell William C. Schuyler, Henry P. Nugent Justices of said court & the seal thereof this 12th day of December in the year 1853.
H.P. Nugent Clerk
Page 18

State of New York
City & County of Albany

Levi Holmes a resident of the town of Westerlo in the county of Albany aforesaid being duly sworn saith, that he is sixty nine years old and upwards. That he is a son of James Holmes deceased who was in his lifetime a pensioner of the united states, deponent further saith that an old account book of his said father now in his posission contains an original family records of which the following is a true and correct copy 
Viz - "James Holems was born at Salesbury February 14th AD 1758, was married to Lucy Barber June 20 D 1780 my wife was born at Torrington December 18, 1757. 
Bejons was born at Salisb 7 Nov 1781
Levi was born at Salisbury December 31, 1783
her own we lost
Lucy was born at Salisburg December 19, 1788
Lov was born at Rump Vill July 16, 1790
James was born at Rump Vill August 14, 1792
John was born at Rumpvill February 12, 1795
Lois was born at Rumpvill May 1, 1797
Augustus was born at Rumpvill August 31, 1800
My wife Lucy died September 4th, 1812. I was married to Lucretia WRight December AD 1812
William born September 25, 1813
Death of my wife Lucretia December 21, 1825 was married to Rhoda J. Anable October 10 AD 1821
James Holmes died Sept. 12, 1837
And deponent further saith that the above record with the exception of the last entry relating to his death is all in the hand writing of his father the said James Holmes deceased. 
Levi Holmes 
Sworn to and subscribed on this 17th day of December AD 1853 before William and J. 
Certify that the above name Levi Homed is known to Me and that he is a
Page 19

credible witness and I further certify that from an examination of the account book and the above record therein contained I have no doubt that said record is genuine and I further certify that I am not in any way interested or concerned in the clearance of Rhoda J. Holmes to a pension. 
H.L. Godfrey
commission of deeds

State of New York,
City and County of Albany, Clerk's Office,
I, Robert clerk of the said City and County, do hereby certify that H.L. Godfrey whose
name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument in writing and endorsed thereon was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment a commissioner of deeds in and for the city aforesaid dwelling in the said city and duly authorized to take the same that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said commissioner and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement genuine and that the said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the state of New York. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 17 day of Dec. 1853
R. Harper Clerk
Page 20

Oct. 12, 1910
Mrs. Free L. Paine
Boone Iowa
Revy [handwritten]
Widow, &c.
File No. 25780
Rhoda J. Holmes
Widow of James Homes Priv. Rev. War
Act: Feb 3 "1853
Index:=Vol. A, Page 354
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

[check mark]
13.886
Neo [illegible]
Page 22

No,, 3,946
Sylvia J. Holmes
Wid:  of James
Set: to S.H. Mark, 23d Dec/53

Act. 3d, Febry: 1853
Page 23

Pension Office
7th Jany 1856
In: 12 Sep. 37
Please Certify in time to which the within named pensioner was paid on the date of his death.
Very Respectfully,
W Cole
For the [illegible]
James Holmes, Act 1832
$29.30 per annum
Died 12 Sept 1837 Paid
F. Burt Auditor
Francis Burt Esq
[illegible] Auditor Reading (?)
Page 24

3544
New York Albany
Lydia J Holmes Widow of James
who served in the Revolutionary Was, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 29 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853
Certificate of Pension issued 31st day of January 185? and sent to Saml H. Marks Albany NY
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 76 Vol. A
(32)

[all crossed out]
Page 25

Rhoda J. Holmes
James N.Y ad 53

Inq. about back pay
Page 26

Rochester Nov 20 1857
Mr. President
Sir, please pardon me for trespassing on your time once more. I received my  Land Warrant very soon after I wrote you + many thanks for the same. + now I want to know why I can't draw the back pay which Mr. Holmes would have drawn if he had lived or if I had made application for the same soon after my husbands death, I suppose it would have been granted + I need it now as much as I ever shall as I have been very sick for 7 weeks but am quite comfortable now. Mr. Holmes Dies 18,43 which
Page 27

would make 10 years that I have never received if you could send me that amount it would relieve me very much indeede these troublesome times excuse all mistakes + except my best wishes
Rhoda Holmes
James Buchanan
Page 28

Rochester N.Y.
Apl 11, 1837
Dear Sir;
I send the enclosed as requested by Mrs. Rhoda Holmes, an applicant for a bounty land warrant.
Her application was sent in Apl 1855 + I have sent a clerks certificate before.
Please return the warrant as early as possible as the old lady is impatient.
Yours Resp M
J.B. Bennett
Page 29

State of New York Albany CO
Charles Hyndman a resident of the town of Westerto in the County + State aforesaid being duly sworn according to law Deposeth + saith that he that he is fifty four years old that he has resided in said town for the space of forty eight years last past. That he was well acquainted with James Holmes late a pensioner of the United States of the town of Westero in said county now deceased. That the said James died in said town on or about the year 1837 that he left a widow named Rhoda J. Holmes. who is still living in said town and still remains the widow of the said James Homes deceased. Deponent further saith that the said James Holmes and Rhoda J. Holmes were persons in good repute in [illegible] community where they resided that they were reputed to have been married in the fall of the year eighteen hundred twenty six that they lived together as husband + wife from  the time of said marriage untill the time of the Death of said James and deponent further saith that he has no doubt that they were husband + wife + that he never heard the fact called in question
Charles Hyndman
Sworn and subscribed on this 29th day of Dec A.D. 1853 before me Farley Fisher Justice
Page 30

Albany County
I certify that I am well acquainted with Charles Hyndman above named and that his statements are entitled to full credit and I further certify that I am in no way interested or concerned in the claim of Rhoda Holmes for a pension nor in the prosecution thereof. Farley Fisher Justice of the Peace
Page 31

State of New York
Albany County Js. Abijah C. Disbrow a resident of the Town of Westerbo in the county and state aforesaid being duly sworn according to law deposeth + saith that he is Fifty Nine years old, that he has resided in said Town for  the space of Twenty Eight year last past. That he was well acquainted with James Holmes late a pensioner of the United States, of the town of Westerbo in said county now deceased.
That the  said James died in said Town on or about the year 1837: that he left a widow named Rhoda J. Holmes who is still living in said Town and still remained an widow of the said James Holmes deceased-. Deponent further saith that the said James and Rhoda J. Holmes were persons in good repute in the community where they resided. That they were  reputed to have been married in the fall of the year Eighteen Hundred and twenty six. That they lived together as husband and wife, from the time of said marriage until the time of the Death of said James. And Deponent further saith that he has no doubt that they were husband and wife and that he never heard the fact called in question.
Sworn to and subscribed on this 29 day of Ed AD 1853 before Mr. Farley  Justice of the Peace 
On this 29th day of Dec 1853 before me Farley Fisher Justice
Abijah C. Disbrow
[illegible word written across letter]
Page 32

Albany County Js-
I certify that I am well acquainted with Abijah C. Disbrow above named and that his statements are written to full credit and I further certify that I am in no way interested or concerned in the claim of Rhoda J. Holmes for a Pension, nor in the prosecution thereof.
Farley Fisher Justice of the Peace
State of New York
City and County of Albany, Clerk's Office SS:
I, Robert Harper, Clerk of the said City and County, do hereby CERTIFY, that Farley Fisher, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgement of the annexed instrument in writing, and endorsed thereon ,was, at the time of taking such Proof or Acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same: That I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of Proof of Acknowledgement is genuine: And that the said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the State of New York.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, this 30 Day of December 1853
R. Harper Clerk
Page 33

Brief in the case of Lydia J. Holmes, widow of James Albany County and State of New York.
Act 3d Feby, 1853
Claim, (original," or "for increase") [for increased crossed out]
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 7" June, 1832.
Recomd evidence + parole proof of marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Page 34

Albany December 30th 1853.
Sir, your letter of the 23rd Decr [illegible] requiring additional proof in the case of Lydia [crossed out] Rhoda J. Holmes widow of James, late a Pensioner of the United States of the county of Albany N. Y. was duly wed, and I herewith include the affidavits of Charles Hindman + A.G. Disbrow both credible and respectable persons- which I trust will be satisfactory-  I have supposed that a certified copy of a family Record containing a Record of marriage was sufficient.
I am sir with much respect
Your obt servt
Saml. H. Marks
L. P. Waldo Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 35

Feb. 14. 1835
Issue New Certificate in the name of Rhoda J. Holmes in lieu of that of 31 Janr which was erroneously issued in the name of Lydia J. Holmes
( cancel rets certificate)'+ notify pension agent of the correction.
Alb ? Agcy
S.H. Marks
Albany NY
Page 36

Albany February 10th 1836
L.P. Waldo Esq.
Commissioner of Pension
Sir, I herewith enclose the Pension certificate issued to "Lydia J. Holmes" it should have been "Rhoda J," as the Declaration was made in the name of "Rhoda J Holmes" according to the copies of her papers, kept by her.
I [illegible] the mistake was accidental on the part of the clerk who filled up the certificate.
I am Sir
With due respect
Your Obt Sert
Sam. H. Marks
Page 37

The Deposition of Benjamin Mills taken at the request of James Holmes- and sealed up by me
Roger Mills Justice of the Peace
Page 38

Benjamin Mills of New Hartford in Litchfield County & State of Connecticut of Lawful age testified and says that in the year one thousand Seven hundred & seventy six he was a Captain in the Continental army in Col. Phillip B. Bradly [illegible] and in the same year James Holmes then of Salisbury in said county and then about eighteen years of ate enlisted into his company and that the said Homes served as a private in my Company from June untill November of the same year when the said Holmes was while in said service was taken prisoner by the Enemy at Fort Washington and was released by the Enemy on [illegible] about the first of February one thousand Seven hundred & Seventy Seven and further the deponent saith  not
Benjamin MIlls
Page 39

State of Connecticut Js. County of Litchfield June 16th AD 1829-
Then personally appeared Benjamin Mills the Subscriber to the foregoing deposition and being by me duly Sworn made Solemn oat that the facts contained in the foregoing deposition are true and I further certify that the said Benjamin Mills is well known to me and that he is intitled to full credit
Certified by me
Raven Mills Justice of the Peace
Hon said County of Litchfield
Page 40

J.B. Bennett - 
               Court of Deeds
Sate of New York }
Monroe County   }
Clerks office ss.    }

I certify that J.B. Bennett Esq.is & was a commissioner of deeds in & for said county that his term of office commenced on the 24th day of January 1855 and expired on the 23d, January 1857, and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this eleventh day of April 1857
William N. Sage Clerk
Page 41

Albany December 17, 1853
L.P. Waldo Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir, I herewith enclose the Declaration of Rhoda J. Holmes, widow of James Holmes deceased, for a pension under Act of 3d February 1853 together a certificate of the Albany of the said James, containing a record  of the Marriage of said James and Lydia J. Holmes- all which I trust will be sufficient to Establish her claim-under said Act.
I am sir
With much respect 
Your Obt. Servt
Saml H. Marks
Page 42

Payment to be made at Albany by Pension Agent
Agent for paying Pensioner, in the Agency of New York
payable on the 4th of September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853, Page 76 Vol. A
G.T. Getty Clerk.
Page 43

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853,
Lydia J. Holmes widow of James Holmes who was a private in the revolutionary war,  is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Twenty Nine dollars and thirty cents per annum, commencing on the 3dc of February 1853, and continuing  for life, unless she should again marry, in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this thirty first day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
R. McClelland
Secretary of the Interior
Examined and Countersigned,
L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions.
{written over the top of page: Cancelled  New [illegible] in names of Rhoda J. Holmes