Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24198, Reuben Finch, New York
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New York Finch, Reuben Anna N.24198
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Duplicate pened 13 May 34 and sent G F. Yates, Schenectady N.Y.

2989 New York
Reuben Finch of Schenectady in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company 
commanded by Captain Wood of the Regt commanded by Col Malcolm in the New York (illegible) for 23 months and 20 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 78 Dollars 84 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of December 1832 and sent to G.F. Yates Schenectady N.Y.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $118.26
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '33 39.42
$ 157.68

{revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk, Book D Vol. 5 Page 88.
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5.693
New York, Albany
Anna Finch widow of Reuben who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 78 Dollars 84 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of June 1831 and sent to B. V. S. Vedder Schenectady N.Y.
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 79 Vol. 4.
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13558
Anna Finch, widow of Reuben NY Act 7 July 1838
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State of New York Schenectady County} SS- On the seventh day of September AD 1847, personally appeared before the Court of Common Plea & of the county aforesaid, Anna Finch, a resident of the city of Schenectady in the county aforesaid aged Eighty four-years, who, being first duly Sworn according to law doth on her oath, depose & say: That she is the widow of Reuben Finch, who was a "private in  the Revolutionary Army", and drew a pension of Seventy-Eight & 84/100 dollars per annum in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832. She doth further depose and say, that she was married to the said Reuben Finch on the thirteenth - day of February in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty_ that her husband the aforesaid Reuben Finch died on the eighth day of April 1847 in the city of Schenectady aforesaid.
Anna her X mark Finch
Sworn &. subscribed in open Court before me this 7th day of September 1847 J. St Marsh Clk Witness B.V.S. VEDDER
State of New York Schenectady County} p:_ I certify, that on the 7th day of September, 1847, personally appeared before the County Court of the county of Schenectady aforesaid, Anna Finch, above named and who, being first duly Sworn according to law
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did on her oath, depose & say, that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit by her subscribing are true.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court the day and year last aforesaid

S.H. Marsh Clk

13558
Anna Finch
Widow of Reuben
NY
Act 7 July 1838
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FAMILY RECORD
MARRIAGES.
Reuben Finch & Anna Townsend Was Married February the 13 in the year 1780

[possible illegible]

Reuben Finch was born March the 3 day 1758
Anna Townsend was born January the 18 day 1762

Lewis Finch and Elizabeth VanVranken was Married March the 1 day in the year of our Lord 1808
Joseph Finch and Elizabeth Cambell was married December the 3 day in the year of our Lord - 18
Livinus Lansing and Salla Finch was Married February the 28 [illegible]
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FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS.
Nathaniel Finch was Born June the 22 1785

Lewis Finch was born August the 27 in the year 1788

Joseph Finch was born November the 11 in the year 1790

Johiada Finch was born June the 24 in the year 1793

Salle Finch was born on August 25 1796

Isaac Finch was born September the 23 1799

Benjamin Finch was born September the 3 in the year 1802

Dirck Romain Finch was born November the 22 in the year 1807
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FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.

[struck out; in the wrong column]
Nathaniel Finch departed this life in the year 1806 on the 14 day of January being 20 years & 6 months and 23 days old

DEATHS
Nathaniel Finch

Johiada Finch departed this life May the 4 1794 aged ten months and ten days 

Nathaniel R Finch departed this life January the 14 aged twenty years six months and twenty three days

Dirck Romayn Finch Departed this life July 15 1810

Reuben Finch Departed this Life April the 8th 1847

Lewis Finch Departed this Life Feb 17 1849
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Reuben Finch [illegible]
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State of New York
County of Schenectady
On this the thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of common Please in and for said County now sitting Reuben Finch a resident of the City of Schenectady in said county and state, aged upwards of seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
He was born in Fredericksburgh in the then county of Dutchess, now in the county of Putnam, in the State of New York on the third day of March 1759. He has no record of his age except that contained in his family Bible.
When he was called into the service of the Unites States in the army of the revolution, he was living in Fredericksburgh aforesaid and since the revolutionary he has lived in the same place, also in the county of Albany, and he now lives in the said City of Schenectady and has lived in said city for about thirty six years last past. 
He served under six different engagements in manner and for the terms, and under the officers herein after stated.
On or about the first day of August 1776, he enlisted at Fredericksburgh aforesaid in Captain Comfort Luddington's company of State Troops in the regiment commanded by Colonel Swarthout. His other company & field officers whom he recollects were John Monroe Lieutenant, & Bunschoten Major & Gabriel Adjutant. He served in this company for the term of five months. In this campaign he marched from Fredericksburgh aforesaid to New York City,
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from thence to Long Island, was in the battle on Long Island (which took place on the 27th August 1776) and marched with the American troops from there to New York & then retreated from New York to Kingsbridge and from thence marched to White Plains. The regiment to which the claimant belonged was ordered to Elizabetown, and after remaining there a short time marched to Fishkill, where he served out his five months aforesaid.
In the month of April 1777 he was drafted to serve in Colonel Henry Luddington's regiment of militia in the company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Scribner, and he served in said company for the term of three months and was engaged in guarding Fredericksburgh aforesaid where a Company of officers belonging to the American army was then stationed. About ten days after the expiration of the said three months he enlisted in Captain Elijah Townsend's company of state troops under command of said Colonel Luddington and served for the like term of three months in guarding Westchester County. In this engagement he was in several skirmishes with parties of refugees who annoyed the Inhabitants of this County.
Some time in the month of October 1778, he served for the term of one month in guarding the frontiers of Orange County, in Captain David Waterbury's Company of Militia in Colonel John Field's regiment. He enlisted in said company at Fredericksburgh aforesaid and was discharged at Minisink where he for the greater part of said month served. 
Of the other officers in this company he remembers only Lieutenant Elijah Fuller.
On the first day of April 1779, he enlisted for the term of nine months at Fredericksburgh aforesaid in Captain Robert Wood's company in the regiment under the command of Colonel William Malcomb in which Albert Pauling was then
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Major in the line of the State of New York.  He saved out said term of nine months in said company and was discharged on the first day of January 1780 at Stony Point.

In this engagement he did duty for about four months at a place called Marbletown, and other places on the western frontier & for the remainder of said term under General Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians & at Stony Point aforesaid where he remained till the expiration of said term and was then & there discharged.

On or about the first day of September 1780, he was ordered out in said Captain Scribner's company of militia & served for the term of one month at Fishkill in guarding the Continental Stores.

During the portions of time in which he did not serve in the engagements aforesaid he performed duty in said Company of Captain Scribner in various short tours as a scout and otherwise of a few days each which in the whole he thinks would amount to nearly two months; but he cannot specify the particular periods.

He made application for a Pension under the act of 1818 he thinks in the month of May 1829 and was unsuccessful for the reason alledged (sic) that he did not serve for nine months in the continental establishment.

The following are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew or who were with the troops when he served, and such continental & militia regiments or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect [illegible] General Washing, General Sullivan, General Clinton, General Scott, General McDougall, General Nixon of the Virginia line; Colonels Malcomb, Spencer, Meigs, Webb (of the Connecticut line) Cortland, Weisenvelt, and their regiments, and many others.
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He never received any written discharge from the service.

He has no documentary evidence & knows of no person who testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except those whose depositions are hereto annexed, and those whose depositions are on file in the War Department. viz Major Albert Pawling & Foster Finch

The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood & who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution: viz Isaac De Grraff & Julius Bolles

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 any State.  A bill was reported in his favor at the last session of Congress, but not acted on, so he was informed by the representative in Congress from this District, for the reason that the late law made provisions for his case.

Reuben Finch
Subscribed & sworn to the day and year aforesaid
John S Vrooman, Clerk
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Rev. and 1812 War Section.

January 26, 1925.

Marion Pearse, 
Palo Alto, Box 593,
Cal.

Madam; 

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 24298 [underlined], it appears that Reuben [underlined] Finch was born March 3, 1758 or 1759 in Fredericksburgh, Dutchess County, New York. 

While residing at said place, he enlisted and served as a private in the New York Troops as follows-

From August 2, 1776, five months in Captain Comfort Ludington's Company, Colonel Swartwout's Regiment and was in the battle of Long Island.

From April 1, 1777, six months under Captains Nathaniel Scribner and Elijah Townsend in Colonel Henry Ludenton's Regiment. 

From in October 1778, one month in Captain David Waterbury's Company, Colonel John Field's Regiment.

From April 1, 1779, nine months in Captain Robert
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Wood's Company, under Colonel William Malcomb and Albert Pawling, and was in Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians.

From September 1, 1780, three months in Captain Soribner's Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed in 1832 at which time he was a resident of Schenectady, New York, and he died there April 8, 1847.

Soldier married February 13, 1780, Anna Townsend, who was born January 18, 1762, and she was allowed pen-sion on her application executed September 7, 1847, while a resident of Schenectady, New York.

Their Children-
Nathaniel born June 22, 1785, died Jan 14, 18[illegible]
Lewis born August 27, 1788, married Elizabeth VanVranken March 1, 1808, he died February 17, 1849.
Joseph born November 11, 1790.
Johiada born June 24, 1793, died May 4, 1794.
Salle or Salla born ----- 25, 1796, married Levinus or Livinus Lansing, Feb. 28, 1814.
(illegible) born September 23, 1799.
Benjamin born September 3, 1802.
Dirck Romain or Romayne born November 22, 1809, died July 15, 18-

Respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
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Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 24198
Anna Finch
Wid. of Reuben Finch
Priv Rev War

Act Feb 2 1848
Index: Vol A, Page 239
[Arrangement of 1870]

1924 Mch 11 His to Angelita M Pearce AWS
1925 Jan 26 " " Marion Pearse AWS
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No 13558
Anna Finch
NY
Let to Hon Hugh White
Feb 7th '48
let to same March 10 '48
" B.V.S. Vedder Oct 20/20
" do Jan 15/50

741

Oct 7 July 1838
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676
New York, Albany
Anna Finch
widow of Reuben
who was a Private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 78 Dollars 84 Cents per annum, to commence on the 8th of April 1847

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of June 1837 and sent to  B.V.S. Vedder Schenectary, NY
[June 17, 0844]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 75
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Columbia County
Town of Taghkanic

Personally come before me the undernamed a Justice of the Peace of [illegible] Town and County, Betsy Lapham of the Town of Taghkanic in the County, who after being duly sworn by a Justice, did depose and declare that she is now seventy two years of age, was Born in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York and is the sister of Reuben Finch of Schedectady in [illegible] state and that She was at the wedding when her Brother Reuben was married to Anna Townsen by a Baptist Priest and see them married -- this was about the year seventeen hundred and eighty. She was born in Dutchess County
[signed] Betsy Lapham
X her Mark

The above ascribed and Sworn before me this 29th day of June 1837 -
Henry Avery Justice of the Peace
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No No 741
Anna Finch wid of Reuben
N.Y
Act 17 June 1844
[illegible]
$78.84 per ann

8 Apl 1847, when he died

[illegible] sent to B. V.S. Vedder Schenectady
N. Y.
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Schenectady, (NY) Sept 16 1830
Sir - Inclosed, please find certificate of the Town Clerk of Kent, Putnam Co., procured in the matter of the claim of Anna Finch, widow of Reuben Finch, for a pension, on account of the revolutionary services of her husband.  On account of territorial divisions since 1780, I have had great difficulty in tracing the old town of Frederickstown, Dutchess Co., & in getting at the records; and had despaired of so doing, when I mailed the family record to you a few weeks since.  I presume this will complete the evidence in the case.

Inasmuch as the claimant is very old, poor & feeble, and that the claim has been pending before me since 1847, I hope you will consider it entitled to your early action.

The Seal of the Co. Cl has made a very faint impression, and you will have to exert your vision some to see it.  It is, however, there.

Very respectfully,
B.V.S. Vedder
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No 13558
Anna Finch
Widow of Reuben
NY
Act of July 1838

Certificate of death of Reuben Finch
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Schenectady County
Surrogates Court
SS

I Samuel W. Jones County Judge of Schenectady County performing also the duties of Surrogate of said County Do certify that on this sixth day of September in the year (1847) one thousand Eight hundred and forty seven [illegible] proof was made before me that Reuben Finch late a Pensioner the United States is dead and that he died in the City and County of Schenectady on the Eighth day of April last past.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Surrogates Court of said County this sixth day of September in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty seven -
S.W. Jones
County Judge
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State of New York
County of Dutchess SS:

I Joseph T. Adriance, Clerk of said County of Dutchess do hereby certify that as such Clerk, I have the custody of the records of said County, including the certificate all religious societies of every denomination, organized and incorporated within the limits of said County; that I have made due search amongst the records and files of this office for evidence that any society or Church of the Baptist denomination, was incorporated in said County, as early as the year 1780, and that I have been able to find no such evidence, and have no knowledge that any exists.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this eighth day of August one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
Jos T Adriance Clk
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State of New York
County of Putnam &
Town of Kent is,

I David S. Wright town Clerk
of the town of Kent in said County do hereby
certify that the said town is the identical town
which was formerly in the year 1780, known and designated as Frederickstown in Dutchess County, that as the Clerk of the said town of Kent, I have the custody of the records and papers filed in the Clerks office of said town of Frederickstown, that I have made diligent search amongst the said records and papers, and that there is no record or paper filed, purporting to be a certificate of the copy of a certificate or other evidence of the marriage of Reuben Finch to Anna Townsend in said Clerks office or among said Records or papers. 

August 30th 1850

David S Wright
Clerk of the town of Kent, County of Putnam
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
by
JOHN YOUNG,
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

It is hereby certified that James Storm was clerk of the County of Columbia in this State on the 3d day of July 1837 duly appointed and sworn and that Richard Carrique was Deputy Clerk of said County on the said day: That I verily believe the signature Richard Carrique" to the annexed certificate to be the proper hand writing of the said Deputy and that full faith may be given to his official acts.

In Testimony Whereof, the Great Seal of the State is hereunto affixed. Witness my hand, at the City of Albany, the Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

John Young

Passed the Secretary's Office the 11 day of January 1848.
Archd [Archibald] Campbell Dep Sec of State
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Columbia County,
Clerk's Office,
SS

I, James Storm, Clerk of the county of Columbia, Do hereby certify That Henry Avery before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn, was on the day of the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county.  And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the name of the said Justice subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the said county this third day of July 1837

In the absence of James Storm
Richard Carrique
Deputy Clerk
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Schenectady, N.Y. March 12, 1851

Sir, In a letter dated January 15th, you inform me that the application of Anna Finch, widow of Reuben Finch, for a pension, under the Act of 7th July 1838, is obstructed by a decision of the late Secretary of the Interior, but that a certificate can issue for her under the Act of 2 Feb 1848 if she will accept of it.  The bearer of the letter ( a friend of mine then on a visit at Washington) informed me, in addition, that it was expected that some action would be had, before the adjournment of Congress, by which she would be entitled to certificate under the Act of July 7, 1838, or March 3, 1823. If any thing has occurred to entitle her to such a certificate, please forward it at your earliest convenience, as she has been awaiting the result of her application since sometime in 1847. And if there is no prospect of anything better, you may forward her one under the act of 2nd Feb 1828.
Very respectfully,
B.V.S. Vedder (signature)

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Washington 24 Jany 1848
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Dr Sir
Herewith I send you the papers of Anna Finch, which appear to be all right, if the evidence of marriage is satisfactory.  Please examine, and favor me with your decision, and oblige

Yours etc,
Hugh White (signature)
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Schenectady, N.Y. Feb 25.1850

Sir

In regard to the application of Anna Finch, widow of Reuben Finch, for a pension, you wrote me sometime since, as follows: -"Before any satisfactory adjustment of her pension can be made, the certificate of the Controller of New York, showing the amount of payments made to Reuben Finch, under the several officers under whom he claimed to have served, must be forwarded."
Accordingly, I send you herewith the required Certificate of the controller, and I will thank you to furnish me information as to what its effect will be when the claim of Anna Finch for a pension, before I proceed in quest of additional evidence in her case.  Proceedings were suspended, about a year ago, in consequence of the death of her son, Lewis Finch, who had the control of them; and she now intends to carry them forward to a conclusion, without [illegible] delay. By a compliance with my request, you will much oblige.
Yours, etc
B.V.S. Vedder

(No. 13.558, I believe)
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Schenectady City, N.Y.}
January 18, 1848}

J.L. Edwards, Esq.}
Commisr of Pensions}
Sir:
You will find, by the accompanying documents, that Reuben Finch, of this State, who was lately a Revolutionary Pensioner of the U.S. died on the 8th of April last, in this city, leaving a widow, 84 years of age, who, as far as her livelihood is concerned, is in a sate of entire dependence- that the marriage took place in 1780. She now feels constrained, by necessity, to make application for a continuance of the said pension to herself, and hopes the evidence furnished will be deemed sufficient to warrant the Department in acceding to her application.
Very respectfully,
B.V.S. Vedder (signature)
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Schenectady (N.Y.) Oct 29.1850
J.L. Edwards, Esq-
Sir: - I was a little surprised, this morning, on the receipt of your communication, under date of the 25th with relation to the claim of Anna Finch, to find it stated therein, that [start underline] claimants declaration which had been returned, for the purpose of having it duly authenticated, had not been sent back to your office.[end underline] That I procured the due authentication to the declaration, soon after it was returned to me; and that I inclosed it, [start underline] together with the record evidence [end underline] to your office, sometime during the past summer, I am prepared to hear evidence to in any manner that can be required. [start underline] There is no fact that I more distinctly recollect, than that of my particular care to send that document and that I did inclose it. [end underline] If the family record was received at your office, the declaration was certainly also received, unless the package was rifled after I mailed it. If the [begin underline] record evidence [end underline] is in your office, the declaration, [begin underline] duly authenticated [end underline], and bearing the number, in figures, it received there, must also be in the office and I can account for your mislaying it only on the supposition that it has been overlooked (it was a small paper) or mislaid. There is not a possibility of my being mistaken what I have said.  If it should be found, please let the case have immediate attention; should it not be found I shall wait for your further orders.
Truly yours,
B.V.S. Vedder (signature)
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Schenectady, Aug.10.1858
J.L. Edwards, Comr of Pensions:

Dr Sir-After the lapse of some two years, occasioned by the death of Lewis Finch, a son of claimant, who moved the matter for her, I forward the additional evidence obtained in the matter touching the question of the marriage of claimant, (Anna Townsend) to Reuben Finch.  The evidence before you now consists of the following:
1. The Declaration of Claimant.
2. The affidavit of Betsy Lapham, that a Baptist clergyman married the parties, etc.
3. The Family Record, certified and sworn to by Levinus Lansing.
5. The certificate that no Baptist church was incorporated as early as 1780 in Dutchess Co., which I suppose rebuts the presumption of any church memo.
It is strongly hoped that this evidence will be found sufficient to warrant an allowance of the claim.
The claimant being now very old, and [begin underline] very poor[end underline], and her claim having been pending before your Department since 1847, it is hoped that it may receive immediate attention, and that no junior claims will be allowed to take precedence of it.
Very Respectfully, etc.
B.V.S. Vedder
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Official Pensions
Samuel Cole, Esq
(Case of Commissioner of Pensions)
Washington - D. C
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Schenectady, June 4, 1851
Samuel Cole, Esq.
At the risk of being deemed out of order, in the premises, I feel constrained to address to you a line or two making same inquiry relative to the claim of Anna Finch, widow of Reuben Finch, for a pension, on account of the Revolutionary services of her husband. The last information received upon the subject was the letter you forwarded by Mr Van First, together with the verbal information received from you through him. You informed me that the proof of marriage, & service were satisfactory, but that, by a decision of &c. She could not avail herself of the act of 7th July 1838, &c. , &c. You also stated that if Mrs Finch would "accept a pension under the act of 2d Feb. 1848," a certificate might be issued I addressed a letter to the department a long time since, stating, substantially, that if the decision of the late Secretary, had not been reversed, or "nullified" and if that was the best you could do for this
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old lady, to forward her a certificate under the act of Feb. 1848, and put an end to her suspense about the matter. To that communication I never received any reply, and remain entirely ignorant in the premises since Jan. last, though bored very frequently by the inquiries of the old lady. Will you please send the same definite information upon the subject, in
the receipt of this? If you will, you will greatly oblige
Your Humb. Servt
B. F. S. Vedder
It is this the advice of Mr Van Vorst, that I have writing to address you on the subject. He thinks you will be able tell me the precise state of the matter.
BVSV
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Schenectady, N.Y. Jan 6, 1850
Hon E. Risley,

Will Mr. R. be good enough to call on the commissioner of Pensions, and ascertain why the claim of Anna Finch, widow of Reuben Finch, deceased late a revolutionary pensioner, has not been allowed? The claim has been pending before the department, since 1847; all the evidence & other documents required by the Comm'r have been fully obtained & forwarded to him, making the case, as I supposed, complete, and yet the widow remains, like her claim, in suspense. I have had the charge of other claims, precisely similar, under the same act, and to be determined by the same kind of evidence, which were allowed; and if this is rejected, I desire to know why the others were not. A note from the department in October last, informed me that claimant could not claim the benefits of the Act of July 7. 1838, because her husband had survived the passage of that act. So was it in the case of Jane Van Eps, widow of John Van Eps, whose case was precisely similar so far as I can see, and yet, no such pretence was set up in her case. I addressed
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the late Commissioner, for explanation, but he has not deemed it worth his while to send me a word in reply. I believe the claim to be a good one, and the evidence I know to be sufficient, and I shall not abandon it till I know the reasons why. The circumstances of the widow, and a proper regard for her rights, forbid it.
Very Respectfully
B. V. S. Vedder
Page 40

State of New York
County of Schenectady
In the matter of the application of Reuben Finch for a pension

Proceedings

No 19

To the care of Giles F. Yates
Schenectady N.Y.

admitted
23mo 20days

Enlisted May 10 1779 to serve
until 1st July 1780 see Rver Capt Mor Col Pauling - 8 mo
Page 41

Schenectady Oct. 12, 1832
I do certify that I have been personally acquainted with Ruebin Finch of this city for more than thirty years past, he is esteemed generally as a man of fair reputation, and I should place the strictest reliance on the truth of any statements he has made in reference to his revolutionary services, I consider him sober honest and decent citizen

John J Degraff
Mayor of the City of Schenectady
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State of New York
Schenectady County SS I, Levinus Lansing of the town of Charlton, in the County of Saratoga, do certify that I am now past fifty-eight years of age; that I was well acquainted with Reuben Finch, the identical person who
was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and died on the 8th day of April, 1847, in the City of Schenectady, that I had been well acquainted in the family of said Finch for the period of as many as thirty-six years prior to his decease, that I know the family Bible of the said Ruben Finch, and saw it in his family as many as thirty six years ago; that the said Bible contained a Family Record of the Marriages, &c, in the family of said Finch; that I am the identical person whose name is recorded in the said Record as having been married to "Salla Finch", on the 28th February, 1847, and that the said record of my marriage is true. And I further certify, that the said Record hereto annexed, and marked or numbered as pages 677 & 678, 679 & 680 is the identical record that was contained in and formed a part of the said Bible, as the same was originally bound; and that the
said record was, this 11th day of July, 1850, severed & taken from the said Bible, by my own hands, in the office & in the presence of B.V.S. Vedder, a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid. And I further certify, that the following is a correct extract taken from the title page of the said Bible, viz: "Philadelphia: Printed and published by Mathew Carey, No. 122, Market Street, April 23, 1806." And I further certify, that the leaf hereto annexed, which contains, in writing, the words following to wit: "The Holy Bible  -  Reuben Finch's Book. Bought April 14. 1810," formed the last unprinted leaf of the said Bible, and was severed therefrom by me, & annexed hereto in my presence. And I further certify that I knew Nathaniel Finch, son of Reuben & Anna Finch, when I was a boy of about eight or 9 years of age, and that he was some years my senior in age; at that time I had not yet become acquainted with any other members of the family. And I certify, that I knew the hand writing of the said Reuben
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Finch, and have no hesitation in saying that the record was commenced, in his hand writing, and that the most of this same is in his hand. And further say not.
Dated Schenectady July 11. 1850
Levinus Lansing

State of New York
Schenectady County SS I, Benjamin V. S. Vedder, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, do certify, that on the 11th day of July, 1850 personally appeared before me, Levinus Lansing, the identical person named in, and who signed the foregoing certificate, and made oath in due form of law, that the statements contained in the said certificate by him subscribed, are true. And I further certify, that I know the said Levinus Lansing personally, and that the statements made by him are entitled to full credit & belief. And I further certify that I saw the Family Bible of Reuben Finch, named & described in the foregoing affidavit, and saw the said Lansing cut out & separate therefrom the Family Record therein contained, and that the Record hereto annexed is the same so separated from the said Bible, and that his description of the said Bible of said Record is true. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this day of year last above mentioned.
B.V.S. VEDDER, Justice of the Peace
Page 44

Schenectady, N.Y. Nov. 28. 1850
J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir, I received, under date of Oct. 25th, a letter from you, saying that the declaration of Anna Finch, returned to me to be properly authenticated, had never been sent back to your office. Also - that, as her husband survived the passage of the act of 7th July, 1838, she cannot claim the benefit of its provisions, in any event.
I replied immediately, informing you that the declaration was, beyond all possibility of mistake, on my part, inclosed to you with the Family Record & affidavit of Mr Lansing and that the receipt of the one, at your office, surely involves the receipt of the other. That, I now repeat, with the same positiveness: but, if not found by you yet, and if it has become necessary to procure another please inform me, and its absence shall be supplied. 
I find in a section of what purports to be the act of 7th July, 1838, a provision as follows, viz: Notwithstanding the husband may have drawn a pension after 7th July, 1838, she (his widow) may also draw under the law passed on that day, if married before 1794. I have furnished evidence, which, I suppose has been received by the department of the marriage of claimant to Reuben Finch in 1780. But if there exists legal impediments in the way of her claiming under the act of 7th July, 1838, is she cut off entirely from all claim to any pension, as the case now remains before you? This is what I desire to know, in order to relieve the mind, if we cannot the wants of the old lady, now an octogenarian. Will you be so good as to inform me?
Very respectfully,
B. V. S. Vedder
I have not yet had the satisfaction of learning whether the Family Record of Reuben Finch, and the certificate from the County Clerk of Putnam Co., as to the non-existence of any public record of the marriage, has been received at your office.
B.V.S. Vedder
Page 45

(Persons making application at the Comptroller’s or Secretary of State’s Office, for searches or certificates of service of any person, in the army of the U. S. during the revolutionary war, should give the name and ranks held by such person; the nature of the service; whether in the Infantry, Cavalry or Artillery, &c.; in the regular army or militia; the names of the officers commanding the regiments and companies at the time of enlistment, service and discharge, as near as can be given. The names should be given with care, and in a legible hand.)
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 service 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: 
1779 June 24 Reuben Finch private No. of Cert issued, 12.551 £ 2┃ 14 ┃ 10  
1779 Novr 24 Reuben Finch private No. of Cert’c issued, 42.806  £ 1 |  11  |  08 
[added to ]  £ 4 | 06 | 06

5 made by Com.


State of New-York,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, February 19, 1858 
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Books No. 9 -- --- now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz: 
1st under Capt. Nathaniel Scribner in Col. Henry Ludington Regiment.
2d under Capt. David Waterbury in Col. Henry Ludington Regiment. 
[signed] W. Hunt Comptroller

Reuben Finch private two entries, as above, amounting to £ 4.06.06 [signed] John Hancock Examining Clerk.
Page 46

In the matter [illegible] of Reuben Finch
Affidavit

No. 19  To the care of G.F. Yates.
Schenectady
Page 47

State of New York
County of Schenectady ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Reuben Finch (who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, at a court by them held on the thirteenth day of October last past, and the said Reuben Finch being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory, & the long period that has elapsed since the revolutionary war, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service in the militia as set forth in said declaration, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades - For One month and twenty days he served as a private in Captain Scribner's company of militia as referred to in said declaration in the last part thereof - he also served (as is set forth in said declaration) as a private for the full term of five months in Captain Luddington's company of State troops - as a private in said Company of Captain Scribner for three months as a private in Captain Townsend's Company of state troops three months - as a private for one month in Captain Waterbury's company of militia - as a private for nine months in Captain Robert Wood's Company of the New York line. & as a private for one month in said Company of Captain Scribner - making the whole period of services as a private soldier in the army
Page 48

of the revolution twenty three months and twenty days, and for such service that said Reuben Finch claims a pension.
Reuben Finch (signature)

Subscribed and sworn}
before me this 26 Nov}
1832}
Hann Fisk (signature)
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
County of Schenectady ss: I, John S. Vrooman clerk of said county, do hereby certify that Harmanus Peek Esq before whom the foregoing deposition of Reuben Finch purports to have been sworn, was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Harmanus Peek and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature -
Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty sixth day of November 1832
John S Vrooman Clerk (signature)
Page 49

Reuben Finch's application for a new certificate
Page 50

Application for a new Certificate 
State of New York
County of Schenectady ss:
On this fourteenth day of April 1834 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Schenectady, personally appeared Reuben Finch who, on his oath, declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the companies commanded by Captain Luddington in Colonel Swartmouth's regiment, by Captain Scribner in Colonel Luddington's regiment, by Captain Townsend in said regiment of Colonel Luddington by Captain Waterbury in Colonel Field's regiment, by Captain Wood in Colonel Malcolm's Regiment, in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York, on or about the 11th day of December 1832. That he received a certificate of that fact under the Signature and seal of the Secretary of War, which certificate he handed over to Giles F. Yates of the City of Schenectady shortly after he received the same to be by him the said Giles F. Yates retained in his custody and possession for the benefit of him this deponent, that this deponent had [here the word "regularly" is struck out] drawn his pay on said certificate up to the 4th Sept 1833, but that on making application to said Giles to prepare his vouchers on which to receive his pay from 4th Sept 1833 to 4th March 1834, said Giles informed him that his said certificate had been lost in transmitting the same to New York to Anthony Carroll and Samuel Jones Mumford Esquires to whom the said Giles had forwarded the same at the instance of this deponent - for the purpose of enabling the said Carrol and Mumford to draw the pension money of this deponent at the pension office in New York
Reuben Finch (signature)

Subscribed and sworn this 14}
day of June 1834 before}
me.
John H. [Van Eps?] Justice of the Peace (signature)
Page 51

County of Schenectady ss
Giles F, Yates of the City of Schenectady in said County, being duly sworn saith that the facts set forth in the preceding deposition of Reuben Finch are substantially true and correct as far as this deponent’s knowledge extends, or he had any participation in the matter - that said pension certificate was as set forth in said affidavit of Reuben Finch forwarded to said Carroll & Mumford upon the presentation of which certificate it was presumed the pension voucher of said Reuben would have been allowed although his name had not yet been returned to the pension office in New York City-- said Carroll & Mumford say they have not received said Certificate, or if they have, it is lost and cannot be found. And this deponent doth further depose and say, that he is intimately acquainted with said Reuben Finch, and knows him to be the identical person to whom said pension certificate was granted, for as this deponent believes seventy Eight 84/100 Dollars per annum and that he is the same person he represents and describes himself to be in his said deposition hereto prefixed- 
[signed] G.F. Yates
Subscribed & Sworn this 15 April 1834 before me 
[signed] John H. Van Eps Justice of the Peace 
I the said John H. Van Eps the Justice aforesaid do certify that Reuben Finch & Giles F. Yates the above Deponents, are both persons of veracity – 
[signed] John H. Van Eps 
I John S. Vrooman Clerk of said Schenectady County, do hereby certify that John H. Van Eps Esq before whom the foregoing depositions have subscribed and been taken, was at the time thereof and is now at the date hereof, one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County & that his signature is genuine. witness my hand & seal of office this (16th day) sixteenth day of April 1834
[signed] John S. Vrooman Clerk
Page 52

New Certificate

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington D.C.
Page 53

Schenectady May 3 1834

J.L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

I have the honor to forward to you enclosed Mr. Reuben Finch's application for a new Certificate under the pension act of June 7 1832

I am yours & c
Giles F Yates
Page 54

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled 
The petition of Reuben Finch of the City of Schenectady in the State of New York
respectfully sheweth 
That your petitioner served as a private in the revolutionary war during four Campaigns one of them for nine months in the Company commanded by Captain Robert Wood in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Malcolm and from this Regiment transferred to that of Colonel Pauling - that your petitioner made application to the war Department for a pension but his claim was rejected on the ground that he had not served nine months in a Regiment which was on the Continental line. For proof of the services of your petitioner and other particulars respecting it, your petitioner begs leave to refer to the Documents affidavits & correspondence which are on file in the war Department, and he is ready to produce such other evidence to substantiate his claim as may be required. Your petitioner therefore prays that his case may receive your consideration, and that such compensation may
Page 55

be awarded as may deemed reasonable.  Your petitioner would further represent that he is very infirm & in reduced circumstances & stands much in need of the aid of his country.

Reuben Finch
Schenectady, Dec 1831.
Page 56

I HEREBY certify, that the accompanying pages numbered
from one to five truly copied from the original in the Department of War. 
J.L. Edwards
BE IT REMEMBERED,  That James L. Edwards, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is charged with the general superintendence of the Pension Business in the Department of War, and with the safe keeping of the Rolls, Books, papers, and Documents, on file in said Department, in relation to said business; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.
Page 57

State of New York
Rensselaer County ⎬ ss

I Archibald Bull Clerk of the County of Rensselaer do hereby certify that I am well and personally acquainted with Colonel Albert Pawling who acknowledged to me in my presence that he executed the above certificate and that the said
Albert is a man of strict honor and integrity
and full faith and credence ought to be
given to his certificate as above made-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County this 23d April 1829

Archibald Bull
Page 58

Petition of Ruben Finch of Schenectady 
Jan 30 1832 
Refd to the Committee or Revolutionary Pensions
[crossed out text]
Mar. 13 1832 
Bill-- No 467 

Eny were at War Office

Bouch Rev. Pen.
Page 59

(Copy)
Declaration in order to be placed on the Pension List under the act of the 18th of March 1818- State of New York 
County of Schenectady } SS.  On this nineteenth day of May Anno Domini 1829, personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County, in open Court, Reuben Finch resident in the City of Schenectady in said County, aged about seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, did on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818, and the 1st May 1820; that he the said Reuben Finch enlisted for the term of nine months on the first day of April, in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine, in the (then County of Dutchess now) County of Putnam in the State of New York in the Company commanded by Captain Robert Wood in the Regiment then under the command of Colonel William Malcom, in which Albert Pawling was then Major, in the line of the State of New York on the continental establishments that he continued to serve in said corps until the first day of January 1780, when he was discharged from the service; at Stony Point in the State of New York - that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present - that his name is not on the pension Roll of any State, and that the following are his reasons for not making earlier application for a pension; to wit, that he was under the impression and had been informed, that applicants under said acts were obliged to make oath that they had no property at all of any kind, and that as long as he could possibly succeed in obtaining a livelihood however scanty, he did not feel disposed to ask the assistance of his country for support- 
And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820, the said Reuben Finch doth further solemnly swear, that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th March 1818,
Page 60

2 
and that he has not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with the intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring himself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War” passed on the Eighteenth day of March 1818, and that he has not nor has any person in trust for him, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to him nor has he any income other than what is contained in the schedule or statement which follows - And the said Reuben doth further swear and declare that he has not been the owner of any real estate whatever for more than twenty-six years last past; that besides his necessary clothing and bedding he owns some cooking utensils and household furniture which are absolutely necessary in his family, worth in all not more than thirty dollars - his occupation was formerly that of an Innkeeper, but for the last eight years he has not had the means to furnish a tavern, and a severe rheumatism with which he is constantly afflicted and his general want of health, have rendered it impracticable for him to pursue any business to procure a livelihood, except cultivating a small piece of land, from the avails of which & the assistance of his friends, he has been enabled thus far to obtain a bare livelihood-- that his family consists only of his wife (named Anna) and himself-- his wife is sixty-eight years of age, does not enjoy good health, and has it not in her power to contribute to the support of his family. On the 18th March 1818, he had property not now owned by him as follows a judgments for about one hundred & fifty six dollars of which I have realized about fifty dollars, the remainder of which judgment is still uncollected & cannot be collected for the reason that the individual against whom this judgment has been obtained has taken the benefit of the insolvent act-- On or about the 18th March 1818, he the said Reuben had book accounts against several individuals to the amount of one hundred and fifty dollars the whole
Page 61

3
of which amount he has lost by the absconding and insolvency of the debtors - he also at that time owned a wagon and two horses, which he has since been obliged to sell for his support  - and the said Reuben doth further swear that he is at present & that he has for several years been indebted to the amount of about three hundred dollars for house rent accrued for and during the last seven years or eight years which he the said Reuben has never been able to pay, and which amount still remains unpaid- 
[signed] Reuben Finch
Declared and sworn to this nineteenth day of May 1829 Reuben Finch in open Court 
[signed] John S. Vrooman Clerk of said Court 

I John S. Vrooman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Schenectady do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of said Court, that the said Reuben Finch did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common Enemy for the term of nine months under one engagement on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing declaration and oath are truly copied from the Records of said Court And I further certify that it is the opinion of said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the statement given in said declaration & oath, does not exceed the sum of Forty Dollars- 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this nineteenth day of May 1829 – 
[signed] John S. Vrooman Clerk
Page 62

4 
State of New York 
Secretary's Office  I certify that Albert Pawling was commissioned as a Major in Colonel Malcom's Regiment in the Army of the United States on the 30th of April 1777 and that he resigned the said Office in the year 1779 as appears by the records in this Office 
Given under my hand and the seal of seal of this Office at the City of Albany the eleventh day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. 
[signed] Archd Campbell Dep. Secretary 

See printed Balloting Book - Resigned Officers page 109 See also Military Register (Manuscript) Col. Malcom’s Regt. Letter P. Both in the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury U.S. 
I hereby certify that some time in the forepart of the Summer 1777 I had the honor of being appointed a Major in the Regiment of the United States Army of which William Malcom was appointed Colonel that I served as Major in that Regiment until the forepart of the Summer 1779 at which time the Regiment was incorporated with Colonel Spencer and lastly that for three campaigns following I was appointed Lt. Colonel Commandant, and served as such of Regiments of Levies raised for the defence of the Frontiers of the State of New York. And lastly that although not from a perfect remembrance of the bearer Reuben Finch having served in my different Regiments yet from certain circumstances I am convinced that he served in my regiment as a private in the Campaign 1779. 
Troy April 23d 1829 
[signed] Albt Pawling
Page 63

We Isaac DeGroff residing in the city of Schenectady in the county of Schmitad aforesaid, and Julius Bolles do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with with Reuben Pinch who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy the years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid Isaac DeGroff clerk. 
John P Vrooman 
Julius Bolles 
AND THIS SAID COURT do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above names applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Isaac Degroff who signed the foregoing certificate is a resident of said city, and that Juliues Bolles who also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, that they are both credible persons and that their statement is entitles to credit and the court further certifies that Foster finch whose affidavit is hereto prefixed, cannot be produced in Court without too much expense & inconvenience to the applicant John S. Roman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of head do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Reuben Finch for a pension. 

in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two 

John S. Vrooman Clerk.
Page 64

Afft of Foster Finch
No 1
Page 65

State of New York 
Albany County } ss  I Personally appeared before me Erastus Williams Commissioner for taking acknowledgements affidavits &c in and for said County of Albany Foster Finch who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is personally and intimately acquainted with Reuben Finch now a resident of the City of Schenectady in the State aforesaid and has so been acquainted with him for more than sixty years past and that he this deponent was present when the said Reuben Finch was enlisted by Capt Wood under Major Albert Pawling in Col William Malcom's Regiment in the year 1779  And further this deponent says that he this deponent did during the nine months service in said Regiment of the said Reuben Finch relieve the said Reuben Finch by taking his place in said Capt Woods Company at those several times for a few day each time by and with the consent and approbation of the aforesaid Captain Wood: and he this deponent further says that he is entirely disinterested in the subject for which this Affidavit is taken and further this deponant saith not 
[signed] Foster Finch
Sworn and subscribed before me the 5th day of May 1829 
[signed] Erastus Williams Com for &c 

I do hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above deponant for more than twenty years past and do believe him to be a man of strict veracity and that the above statement is true 
[illegible, Know?] Albany Co May 5th 1829 
[signed] Erastus Williams
Page 66

STATE OF NEW-YORK. 
CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY, 
CLERK'S OFFICE. } ss.
I, CONRAD A. TEN EYCK, Clerk of the City and County of Albany, do hereby certify, that Erastus Williams whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the due execution of the annexed Indenture or Instrument in writing, and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of the of said Certificate, a Commissioner in and for the City and Count foresaid dwelling in said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorised by law to take the proof and acknowledgment of deeds and discharges of mortgages, &c. AND FURTHER, that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature " Erastus Williams” subscribed to the said Certificate, is the proper hand-writing of the said Commissioner . 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 14th day of May 1829 
[signed] C.A. Ten Eyck   Clerk
Page 67

8 - 1609. 
Department of the Interior. 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
If not called for in 15 days, return to 
COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
[postmarked Washington D.C Mar 12 1924]
[stamped RETURN TO WRITER UNCLAIMED]
[postmarked Pasadena Calif. Mar 25 1924]

No such #
Page 68

1315 E. Colorado Street 
Pasadena Cal.

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C. 

Dear Sir:

Is it possible for you to give me a certificate of the services of Reuben Finch of the Revolution whose wife, Anna Finch, died March 1858? She I believe is buried in the Glenville cemetery somewhere in the state of New York. I wrote you a letter during the past summer naming my ancestor incorrectly- Richard [underlined] Finch I asked you to look up instead of Reuben.
Page 69

I wish to join the D.A.R.'s here.

My father is Franklin Finch Pearson of John Lansing Pearse, born Jan 1st 1849 in West Charlton, N.Y.

John L. Pearse born in Albany, N.Y. Dec. (?)-- died in 1883.

Franklin Finch Pearse son of Sarah Ann (Lansing) Pearse born in West Charlton, Saratoga Co. N.Y. March 27, 1823.  She was the daughter of Sarah Finch Lansing who was the daughter of Reuben Finch who was a soldier or officer in the Revolutionary War.  I will be grateful for your services.

Very truly
Angelita Marion Pearse
Feb 2 1924
Page 70

P.S. My father thinks that Anna Finch wife of Reuben Finch drew a pension (widows) in Saratoga, N.Y.
Page 71

P.O. Box 593. Palo Alto. Cal. 
Jan. 3. 1925
To the Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen: 
Please send me a certificate of the services of Reuben Finch, a soldier of the revolution and my ancestor, whose wife Anna drew a pension in Saratoga New York. 
Yours truly, 
(Miss) Marion Pearse

My father, Franklin Finch Pearse (Pasadena Cal.) son of Sarah Ann (Lansing) Pearse, born in Charlton, Saratoga Co. N.Y. Mar. 27, 1823. She was the daughter of Reuben Finch [underlined] who was an officer in the Revolutionary War and his widow was a pensioner.

P.S. My father's father was John Pearse died in 1883. I wish to become a member of the D.a.R.
Page 72

IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
3 -1865
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
March 11, 1924.

Angelita M. Pearse,
1315 Colorado St.,
Pasadena, Calif.

Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 24198, it appears that Reuben Finch was born March 3, 1759 in Fredericksburgh, Dutchess County, New York, and resided there when he enlisted in the Revolutionary War.
He was allowed pension, for twenty three months and twenty days service as a private in the New York troops in 1832 at which time he was a resident of Schenectady, New York, and he died there April 8, 1847.
Soldier married February 13, 1780, Anna Townsend, who was born January 18, 1762, and she was allowed pen -
Page 73

sion [pension] on her application executed September 7, 1847, while a resident of Schenectady, New York.

Their children-
Nathaniel born June 22, 1785, died Jan. 14, 1806.
Lewis born August 27, 1788, married Elizabeth VanVranken March 1, 1808. he died February 17, 1849.
Joseph born November 11, 1790.
Johiada born June 24, 1793, died May 4, 1794.
Salle or Alla born ----- 25, 1796, married Livinus Lansing, Feb. 28, 1814.
(illegible) born September 23, 1799.
Benjamin born September 3, 1802.
Dirck Romain or Romayn born November 22, 1809, died July 15, 18--

Respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.
Page 74

March 11, 1924.

Angelita M. Pearse,
1315 E. Colorado St.,
Pasadene [Pasadena], Calif.

Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 24198, it appears that Reuben Finch was born March 3, 1758 or 1759 in Fredericksburgh, Dutchess County, New York, and resided there when he enlisted in the Revolutionary War.

He was allowed pension, for twenty three months and twenty days as a private in the New York Troops, in 1832 at which time he was a resident of Schenectady, New York and he died there April 8, 1847.

Soldier married February 13, 870, Anna Townsend, who was born January 18, 1762, and she was allowed pen- [pension]
Page 75

[pension] sion on her application executed September 7, 1847, while a resident of Schenectady, New York. 
Their Children-
Nathaniel born June 22, 1785, died January 14, 1806
Lewis born August 27, 1788, married Elizabeth VanVranken March 1, 1808, he died February 17, 1849.
Joseph born November 11, 1790.
Johiada born June 24, 1793, died May 4, 1794.
Salle or Salle, born ----- [June?] 25, 1796, married Levinus Lansing, February 28, 1814
(illegible) born September 3, 1799.
Benjamin born September 3, 1802.
Dirck Romain or Romayn born November 22, 1809, died July 15, 18--.

Respectfully, 

Commissioner.