Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16114, Sylvester Finney, Conn. New York
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.
New York

Finney, Sylvester

NUMBER
S.16114

Carded

CONTENTS
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[RIGHT PANEL]

14824.  14824
Ohio  Pittsburgh  New York

Sylvester Finney
of Henderson in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Carter of the Regt commanded by Col --- in the New York & Conn line for 13 months 

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of July 1833 and sent Hon M. Hoffman Herkimer NY

Arrears to the 4th of Mar ’33                $86.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th of May ? 33  $21.66
                                                                    --------
                                                                   $108.32

[Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 56

[LEFT PANEL]

[?] for [?] 31. March 183- to Pen agt 24. April 1838

To Ohio Pittsburgh fr 4. Sept 1839
3 May 1838. To Pensioner Oberlin 
Lorain County Ohio

See letter to Hon. J. H. Bronson 
H. R. Jan. 4. 1839

See let to Hon. J. H. Bronson, (enclosing copy on let Jan 4, 1839)
May 25, 1839

Letter to T. ? C. Chittenden 7. Feb. 1840
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No 12037
Sylvester Finney
Ob.5.14.17

T C Chittenden
Adams
Jefferson Cy
NY
Page 4

Typed form completed in handwriting

No. 12037
BRIEF in the case of Sylvester Finney of Henderson County of Jefferson in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

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

3. How old is he? Seventy three years - 73

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
6 column table
|Period| Duration of Service. Years.| Duration of Service. Months. | Duration of Service. Days.| Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served Gen.|

|Enlisted in the early part of December In 1776| --- | about 4 | --- | private |Capt. Samuel Carter, Cont Troops |

|Sometime in July 1777 volunteered|---| between 3 & 4 months | --- | private | Capt. Joseph Carter|

|early part of December following volunteered| --- | until sometime in April following, at least 4 months | --- |private |Col. Mead’s regt, Capt Peter Mills |

|Sometime July 1779 volunteered | --- | about 2 months | --- | private | Col. Sam’l Canfield’s regt, Capt Joseph Carter, Gen Putnam |

and was at various times during the year out on different duties at least one year independent of this other service.

5. In what battles was he engaged? not any

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Kent, Litchfeld County, Connecticut

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Chas. G Wilcox Examining Clerk.
Page 5

State of New York
Jefferson County} ss

On this 11th day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Jefferson aforesaid now sitting Sylvester Finney a resident of the town of Henderson county of Jefferson & State of New York aged seventy three years the 18th day of March last, 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 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served herein stated towit: In the early part of the month of December 1776 but on what particular day in said month he is unable to state he enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel Carter of the New York state service for an indefinite period & served under said Capt Carter until the last of March or first of April following. He resided at the time of his enlistment in the town of Rush [?], County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, when he enlisted - Immediately after his enlistment he marched with the company through Dutchess County to New Windsor upon the Hudson River and was there employed in Garrison duties & in building a [?] defense on said River a little below said New Hudson during the aforesaid term of service - The engineer employed them was named Neatilus [?], who called himself a
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British deserter, but afterwards found to be a spy from the enemy - Governor George Clinton of the State of New York was frequently there examining & superintending the [?] of the work & the fortification on the bank of the river - There were quite a number of cannon placed on the bank of the river in a breast work, for the purpose of guarding the river & preventing the enemy from going up the river - He knew one Capt Baldwin and several other officers who were stationed there but is unable to recollect their names - There were from there to [?] and were employed there, which he continued. He was discharged by Capt. Carter, according to his best recollection & belief the last of March or first of April 1777, together with the whole company to which he belonged & returned home, having served according to his best recollection & belief about four months. Some time in the month of July 1777, and at what particular day he cannot state he volunteered for an [?, friend?], in the town of [?] aforesaid in a company commanded by Capt. Joseph Carter of the Connecticut Militia &
went immediately into service at Fishkill, [Peekskill & other places on the  Hudson River. He continued in the said service, as a soldier until the latter part of October & after the surrender of Burgoyne, on the list of service [?] following when he was discharged at Peekskill & went home, having served at this time according to his best recollection & belief
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between three & four months - His duties during this period were [?] & standing upon guard  - Genl Putnam had the command of the Division to which this deponent belonged during this period of service & had the actual command & was with his division during the whole time. Deponent knew him very well - He also knows Col. Van Der Burgh & Maj. Bircham who belonged to the service while there - During this period of service after the British had taken Fort Montgomery from them in the month of October & according to his best recollection & belief about the middle of October, he was sent from Fishkill, with a detachment of fifty men under the Command of Capt Carter, together with Maj. Bircham to bring in a Regiment commanded by Col Van Der Burgh, which Regiment, was refractory & had refused to obey the order of their Col. & were scattered about in different places in Dutchess county - Col. Van Der Burgh had ? a lost the conduct of his Regiment to Genl. Putnum who sent out the detachment aforesaid to bring them into the discharge of their duties - We were about from ten to fifteen days  & succeeded in finding him seventy to our hundred of the men & brought them to Col. Van der Burghes house which was about two or three miles back from the Prison & delivered them to him & left them, under the care of the Col. & Maj. aforesaid - We returned from Col. Van der Burghes under the command of our Capt Carter, to the main
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army at Fishkill. the army at that time & place was immensely large, consisting of many thousand men. After his return home & in the early part of December following he again volunteered in a company commanded by Capt. Peter Smith of the Connecticut Militia at his place of residence for an indefinite time of service & went immediately into service & rendezvoused[?] at Horse neck on Low Pitt in Connecticut - The business of the troops was to guard & protect our frontier, from the British & horse-boys. The Regiment to which he belonged was commanded by Col. Mead - The Company to which deponent belonged consisted of ninety six Privates, under officers - The names of the officers of the company excepted their Captain he does not recollect, as he has become quite infirm and his memory has failed - His employment during this period was guard duties & sentry. He was some of the time at Rye Bridge, when a Piquet guard was constantly [?] & at other times at New Rochelle, East Chester, New Castle & White Plains & other places not recollected - There was at this time their a Regiment of Continental troops commanded by Col. Meigs & called Southern Cape ? stationed at or near New Castle - This Regiment was constantly engaged in annoying the enemy. The British were there in possession of Long Island, making New York their head quarters - He continued in service at this term until some time in April following, when he was discharged at Horse Neck.
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He was at that time engaged in taking care of & nursing Sargeant Silas Curtis who was sick -Capt Martin Curtis a mother of the Sargeant who came to assist him however, & deponent went with him, by permission of his Capt. Mills - He then went home with Sargeant & Capt. Curtis who resided in the same town with deponent - He served at this term a least four months, according to his recollection & belief - In the year 1779 & some time in the fore part of the month of July according to his best recollection & belief he again volunteered as a soldier at the place aforesaid, for an indefinite period, in a Commanded by Capt. Joseph Carter of the Connecticut volunteers or militia - the Regiment was commanded by Col. Samuel Canfield - He went immediately into service at a place called Red Mills or Fredericksburgh on the River Hudson & on the east side - Here he performed garrison duties - served on guard & in scouting frontier - He remained there about two months & was discharged in  September [?] following & went home - Genl. Putnam had then command of the Division to which deponent belonged - There were several Continental Regiments stationed there & in that neighborhood at the time - He recollects Col. Swift, Col. Starr & Maj. Sedgwick, whom he knew, at the time - He was never engaged in any action with the enemy - He was at various other times, than those above stated during the war of the Revolution, engaged as a soldier & in actual service - some times about a week at a
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time & from that, to five weeks at a time, but it is impossible for him to [?] the time - He believes & therefore states that the whole of those short periods of service will account to at least one year - He was some of these times called out when alarms - some times to guard & protect the frontiers some times on scouting frontier - He lived in a part of the county which was much exposed to & harrasad[?] by the enemy - He never had any written discharge & has no documentary evidence in his possession relating to his services & that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure in relation to his services excepting Judah Eldred whose deposition is hereunto annexed - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity expect the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
Sylvester Finney [signature]

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
P. Burchard Clerk

Ws Holland Weeks residing in the town of Henderson aforesaid Amasa Hungerford residing in the same place nearby certify that we are acquainted with Sylvester Finney who has subscribed & sworn the the above declarations that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution that we concur in the opinion that his declaration is entitled to full credit

sworn under oath
the day and year aforesaid

H.  Weeks
Amasa Hungerford
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FREE

Free

[There is a stamp]
OBERT
MAR
22
O

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Revolutionary Claim} Washington City.
Page 12

Oberlin Lorian Co. Ohio  23 March 1838
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Dr. Sir.
I am intitled to a small Pension for Revolutionary Services My name (Sylvester Finney) is on the Pension Roll of the State of New York. Having buried my Dr. Wife & broken up housekeeping I have removed to the place where this letter bears date to reside with a son. I have made out my Papers in due form as I supposed to draw my Pension in this State but they are returned with the information that I must obtain, from you. a transfer of my name & Pension from the State of N. York to the Pittsburgh Agency. This is new to me & there is no one here, as this is a new Place, who knows any thing of the requisite forms of a request for such a transfer. Will you my Dr. Sir have the goodness to transfer my pension so that it can be drawn at Pittsburgh Pa of if any more formal application is necessary please let me know the form & I will comply with the necessary steps of order.

I have children living in N. York, Michigan & Ohio. Should I live, I wish to spend the above time with them all & Reside the remainder of my life among them. As they all have families & none of them is forehanded I wish to continue to draw my Pension so as to be able to bear my own expenses at least from one to the other. I wish therefore to be informed whether my Pension can be so arranged that I can draw it in any of the states where I am at the proper season for making out my papers. The Amount of Pension to which
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I am intitled, & for which I have a certificate, is 43.33 per annum. My last place of residence before comming here was Brownville Jefferson County NewYork. I have lived in that county  ever since I became a Pensioner until within six months last.

An immediate answer to this will my Dr Sir confer a favor upon a Revolutioner.

With sentiments of due respect
I am your humble servant

;signature]Sylvester Finney

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
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Mr. Fred Whitney
Henderson
New York

Dear Sir:

I advise you from the paper in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16114, it appears that Sylvester Finney was born on March 15, 1759 at Kent, Litchfield County, Connecticut. 

While a resident of that place he enlisted and served as a private as follows: from December 1776, four months in Captain Samuel Carter's New York Company; from July 1777 between three and four months in Captain Joseph Carter's Connecticut Company. from December 1777 four months in Captain Peter Mill's company in Colonel Mead's Connecticut Regiment; from July 1779 about two months in Captain Joseph Carter's Company in Colonel Samuel Canfield's Connecticut Regiment; he served various other tours during the Revolution, amounting to about one year in all, a part of which time he served in Captain Chapman's company and in Colonels Swift's ad Mosley's Connecticut Regiments. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832 at which time he was living in Henderson, Jefferson County, New York
Page 15

In 1838 he was living with his son in Oberlin, Lorain Country, Ohio and then stated his wife was dead and that his children were living in Michigan, New York and Ohio but he gave no names.

This is the history of the only solider named Syvester Finney that is found on the Revolutionary War Records of this bureau. 

Very truly yours,

Earl D. Church
Commisioner
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1828 papers to be filed with ad our Inv File # 16,114
Page 17

Sylvester Finney - Pvt
Conn line

New York -

Exct one old Book & Ref
wid - inval - other old book

#16,114 Adt - Inv
Evidence insufficient
Oct 1828

of Sylvester Finney  Rev.
Come line 
New York
Page 18

Sylvester Finney
910
2368.2792.3121
Recvd June 1824

58
Revolutionary Claims 
Henderson N.Y S. June
H. Weeks, P.M.
Free

A. Dickins, Esq.
Acting Secretary 
City of Washington D.C.
Page 19

Henderson June 4 AD 1824

to the Secretary of the Tresury I would request you to send the old revolutioner another pattern. I have sent for one again ? ? one & that ? ? that won't ? answer the purpose & now six ? years to send another & send one that will this time & if not today with the old revolutioner any longer. I have heard of one man that was in ? with ? about one hundred mile from me ? and ? for assistance &  I am going to see him & if I find him ?  I want you thouts tell me what ? say to answer the purpose tell me whole ? ? not slinker? with the old revolutioner pleas ? this from yours Sylvester Finney to Secretary of the Tresury
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Respectfully referred to the Secy of the Treasury, and the writer informed thereof 
War Dept. Pension Office
26 Sept 1831
 
Henderson, N.Y.) 19 Sept  
H. Weeks, P.M 
Lewis Cass L.L.D. Secretary of War, 
City of Washington D. C
Page 21

Rec.  Sept. 26, 1831                                                   4093
Henderson, N.Y. 19 Sept. 1837

Sir, 

Yours of the 7th inst. is received, enclosing the affidavit of David Andrews, which I had sent to the War Department, in order to obtain a pension, for which I had presented my petition  to Mr. Easton and to Mr. Ingham, to whom I had sent an affidavit given by Judah Eldred of  Winfield, Herkimer County, New York, which affidavit and petition are probably on file, either in the war or Treasury Department.  Judah Eldred was not a pentioner, because he never requested or needed it, though he was a soldier (a sergeant) in the American Revolutionary army.  [ cross out]  This affidavit is compessed as follows, viz.

State of New York
Herrkimer County

Judah Eldred of the town of Winfield - County aforesaid, being duly sworn doth depose & say, that he is well acquainted with Sylvester Finney and was during the American Revolution, that the said Sylvester Finny enlisted in the early part of the war in the American Revolution, in a company commanded by Captain Chapman, in Col. Swifts' Regiment Connecticut Line, during the war, as he then understood, and that he saw the said Sylvester Finny from time to time in the Regiment until the close of the war, when he was discharged at Peekskill on the Hudson River in the State of New York and that he was considered a faithful soldier  & and never deserted the cause of his country.
Judah Eldred

Sworn before me
this 19th of Sept. 1829
Nicholas Smith, J.P.

I hereby certify that Judah Eldred who took the  foregoing oath, is a credible witness.
Nicholas Smith, J.P.
Page 22

Herkimer County 
Clerk's Office ⎬

I Abijah Beckwith Clerk of the Court of the County of Herkimer in the State of New York do hereby certify that Nicholas Smith before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace for the said County and duly empowered to administer oaths. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of the said Court this 19th day of September, A.D. 1829. 

Flavius J. Littlejohn, Dep. Clerk

 Another affidavit, besides the above, was required by the Department, that one might be given by a person whose name is on the "List of the names of the officers & Soldiers who have been found entitled to the benefits of the act of the 15th of May, 1828, for the relief of certain surviving officers & Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution". I have therefore, accordingly obtained and forwarded the affidavit of David Andrews of Ellisburgh, Jefferson County, State of New York, a personal acquaintance, whose name is on the List. As it is all that was required. I trust it will be satisfactory.

 I return David Andrews' affidavit, not knowing what else to do with it-- hoping you will not send it back any more, but send in the pay.

 I am, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant 
Sylvester Finney 

This certifies that I think Mr. Finney is a proper person on whom to bestow a pension according to the intent of the law. 
 
H.Weeks, P. M. of Henderson, N.Y.
Page 23

Names 
Sylvester Finney

Rank 
Soldier 

Line 
Connecticut 

Residence Henderson, Jefferson County, New York



offer
Page 24

Rey 25, Jany 1832 4282
Henderson January 13 18032 Dear Sir

Has and saw advertisement in a paper
that Col John Nichols was going to tary at Washington with a view to assist the revolutionary soldiers to get their pensions Now Sir tak hold of my cas my [illegible] and filed in Presurs offis
I have fought much and received no benefit
Now Sir if their is such a Gentleman their
please take up my case & let an old revolutioner owe his good fortune to the honorable Gentleman & one that need it for he is as poor as the Hunts mans dog that had to get his ass paints? [illegible] against a stump when he went bark to help him from filing cas in ? jail.

yours &c Sylvester Finney

in Tinde the advertisement which
induced me to write to your honour

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER.-Mr. John Nichols, formerly a colonel in the army of the
revolution, and said to be the last surviving
colonel but two of that army, advertises in
the Washington papers that he intends remaining in that city this winter, for the purpose of affording advice & assistance to
such persons as have claims upon the United
States for services performed during the
revolution. To those who are indigent
will render his services gratis.
Page 25

Fru
James L Edwards Esq
Come of Pensions
Washington

mail

Postmarked
ADAMS NY
May 6

N.Y. Vetn
Page 26

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Adams (Jefferson: Co.) May 6th 1833

Hon. J. S. Edwards,

Sir,
I enclose an additional app. of Sylvester Finney to obviate the objections made by the Department to his application for a pension
The reason why the paper was not attached to this and with the original papers, you will see is because on the printed sheet enclosed. 

I hope soon to receive favorable information in relation to this as well as the other papers which have returned soon.

Form Obt Set
J. C. Chittenden
Page 27

Henderson, N.Y. 16 Jan. 

H Weeks, P. M.      Free 

Hon. Louis McLane 
Secretary of the Treasury 
City of Washington D.C.
Page 28

January 13 D 18032 

Mr treasurer 
pleas to let me no what you ment by letting me no that my oficials were both filed in the clerks ofis & say no more for if no it was sufficient with the other ? to in sent my name on the on the new list & to in sert my name on the penstion
List and sent me my due according the act

Sylvester Finney

P.S. Pleas sir to hand this other over to Col Nichols if he is there
Page 29

Rec'd Sept, 20 1831

War Department, Pension Office 
September 26, 1831

Sir,
 It is believed that the enclosed letter and affidavits respecting the case of Sylvester Finney, may have been intended for your Department, as the petition referred to by Mr Finney is not in this office. I have referred them to your supposing them to relate to a claim under the act of May 15, 1828.

I have the honor to be Very respectfully 
Your Obt. Servant. 

Judge Lloyd Beall 


Hon. S. M Lane
 Secretary of the Treasury
Page 30



 James L. Edwards Esquire 
Commiss. of Pensions 
War Dept 
City of Washington

Mr Evans 
afl30
Page 31

MECHANICS' & FARMERS' BANK. 

Albany Pension Agency, 
April 27, 1838 

JAMES L. EDWARDS, Esquire, 
Commissioner of Pensions, 

Sir, In reply to your letter of the 24th inst.
 I have to state, that Sylvester Finney
a Pensioner under the Act of June 7, 1832
at  43 33 /100 at - Dollars per annum was last paid to the 4 day of Sept. 1837 -

I am, Sir, 
Very respectfully,
Your obt serv't,

 Tho W. Olcott
 PRES'T AND PENSION AGENT.
Page 32

Hon. J L Edwards
Court of Pensions
Washington DC

Mail 
[Postmarked]
WATERTOWN NY
May 18

Frank May 23
NY


??
Page 33

 Watertown N.Y. 
May 18th 1839 

Sir

In January or February last I requested that the Pension Papers of Sylvester Finney, of Jefferson Co N. Y. might be reexamined, under the allegation from him that he had proved two years and three months services and that he was only allowed [ul]one year[/ul] & three months - and he claims that his pension ought to be increased and if it could not be increased upon the present papers he desires to know what the deficiency is in the proof- 

I think you will find some letter or statement from me on the subject.

I have no recollection of ever receiving any answer from you on this subject and can find none among my papers and he says that no answer was ever sent
Page 34

to him- 
Permit me to call your attention to it and to request that the papers may be examined and an answer given to me

Very Respectfully 
Yours &c 

J H Brinson 

To James L Edwards
Page 35

Mailed Dec 18 NY
Sylvester Finnney

Jas L Edwards Esq
Pension Office 

Hon. J H Bronson JP
Page 36

 Ho. of Reps 
Decr 17. 1838 
Permit me to enquire whether any & what action has been had at your office on the application of Sylvester Finney of Jefferson Co. N.Y. for a pension
 He says he made proof of two years & 3 months service and that on the first Examination you allowed him only one yr & 3 mos. that the papers were again returned for further examination, since which time he has heard nothing about the application
 Permit me to call attention to the case and to request that the papers may be again examined if that has not already been done
 Very Respectfully J HBronson 
J L Edwards Esq.
Page 37

S Finney
Page 38

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sylvester Finney which require further proof or explanation. 
 1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
 IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes 
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? No   did applicants supplementary affidavit 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
 VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
 IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 39

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes 
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
 Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
 XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1 & 2 Invid affidavit
 EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
QUERE V. In a case 
where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recolelection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For year   months and - days, I served as a -. For - months and days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 40

3 It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 

aide the affidavit of Mathew Keith taken before 
Judge Osgood & certified to by Michael Hoffman member of Congress from Herkimer & sent on to the Department with the applicants original Declaration. The reason why the original papers of Mr Finney & his affidavit herewith retuned are retired to the Department together is that the declaration  was sent to Mr Hoffman to certify as required by objection No 14. 
He instead of returning them to me after certifying did what he supposed would be perfectly satisfactorily sent them directly to the Department not knowing  that any thing also was to be done to the papers Yours Respectfully 
T. C. Chittenden
Page 41

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER. 
State of Ohio 
County of Loraine
On this 10th day of April 1838, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Loraine personally appeared Sylvester Finney who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Companies commanded by Captains Joseph Carter, Samuel Carter & Peter Mills in the Regiment commanded by Colonels Mosley, Canfield & Mead in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Ohio where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The followare his reasons for removing from New York to Ohio (Pittsburgh Agency) tovil to reside with his son who lives in the County & State aforesaid 
Sylvester Kinney 
 Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid: Harvey Gibbs Justice of the Peace
 The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
 The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed. In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers. -- In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 42

● State of Ohio 
Lorain County
April 10th 1838
I Henry Gibbs in & for the County  above named do hereby certify April 10th 1838 that I have the most satisfactory evidence namely the oath of Charles G. Finney who is a person of veracity, that Sylvester Finney also has this day appeared before me to take the oath of Identy is the identical person named in the Pension certificate which he has exhibited before me Numbered 14827, & bearing date at the War Office the 7th day of July 1833 & signed by John Robb acting Secretary of war.
 Given under my hand at Russia on the 10th day of April 1838. 
Harvey Gibbs Justice of the Peace 
State of Ohio Loraine County 
 I E. H. Leonard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Loraine in the State of Ohio, do by these presents certify & make known that Harry Gibbs before whom the foregoing Deposition & acknowledgment were taken & who has thereto in his own proper hand writing subscribed his name was at the time of taking such deposition & acknowledgement & now is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & sworn & to all whose official acts as such full faith & credit is & ought to be given, throughout the United States & elswhere  
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court at Elyria in said County this day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight.
E.H. Leonard Clerk
Page 43

Sylvester Finney, 
12037
Pension files
12
Judah Eldred Aff 
For Sylvester Finney
 unditailed service disallowed
 aomd
 Bropri ?
$43.33 Hon M Hoffman
Page 44

Herkimer County 
I  Judah Eldred of the Town of Winfield in the County of Herkimer duly sworn that he is was Seventy Eight year of age, to the account reckoning of this deponent well acquainted with Sylvester Finney of the Town  Hudson in the County of Jefferson and State of New York.That this Deponent was acquainted the said Finney, during the Revolutionary war that in the latter part of the year 1776 and in the early part 1777 this deponent and  the said Sylvester Finney served together in the construction of a Cheuveux de Freeze which was built on the Hudson River a short distance  below the Village of New Windsor
That the said Finney and this deponent regularly certified for  said service in a company command by Captain Samuel Carter during the time of our service and were under  the control and direction of George Clinton who was the Governor of the State of New York.
 and who almost  daily visited & examined the progress of the work. 
That said Company in which this deponent & said Finney enlisted belonged to the State of New York, That according  to the ? recollection of this deponent, this performed  service from the month of November until said term   in the month of March following 
that the party again in  said service treated a jct of Ranachs  for the accommodation on the soldiers of the Hudson at the pier where said Cheuveux de Frieze was built - That said works was built under the direction of a person who referred to himself to have him a direction
Sylver
Page 45

from the British Army, and who afterward proved to be a spy from said Army and returned to it. That during said period this deponent and said Finney aided in the construction of Fortifications upon the west side of said River, to guard the said Cheuvaux de Frieze 
That when said Finney  and this deponent do saith or aforesaid they both were in the State of Connecticut. 
That afterwards, but at what particular year this deponent  cannot now distinctly recollect.
 the said Finney served with this deponent as a Soldier in the Connecticut militia, a tour of duty for two months in a company commanded  by Captain Peter Mills, in a Regiment commanded by Col Mead.  
Said service  was performed at various points and places upon then being in the state of Connecticut & New York. This deponent cannot specify which of the years,   that this deponent did serve upon at different times, and at this point this deponent cannot specify the years  the said Finney served with this deponent.
Said Finney served at that time in the Town of Kent in the County of Litchfield & of Connecticut & this deponent  served in the said Town. 
That at another period, and according to this deponents recollection in the year 1779 the said Finney and this deponent served together for about the period of Two  Months, in a company commanded by Capt Carter in Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Canfield, said service was principally performed at Fredericksburg in the State of New York 
That on several other occasions, during the American Revolution, this deponent knows that said Kinney was detailed as a Soldier and was
Page 46

absent from his house, as this deponent then understood, and now believing in  the service of the State Troops of Connecticut, that according to this bit information and estimate that this deponent can now form, the said Finney in these last named services, must have been cemplloyed in all service there one year- 
That said Finney  served in the service first above named , in constructing  said Chevaux de Frieze and  then works stated above, from the month of December until then said Finney & this deponent was discharged in March.
 - - Sworn to September 3, 1834 before me Michael Hoffman 
First Judge of
Herkimer Co N York
{And this deponent further saith that he is now afflicted by a paralytic affliction , which renders it impossible or this deponent to write his name}. 
 Judah Eldred his mark 
signed in Juris of Lauren Fres

 State of New York 
Herkimer County SS
  Mathew Keith of Winfield in said County being duly sworn saith, that he is and long has been with me personally acquainted with Judah Eldred of Winfield the deponent to take above affidavit, and that he is a man of good character for truth and veracity and entirely worthy of credit and further this deponent saith not: 
 Matthew Keith 
Sworn and subscribed
April 24th 1833 before me
 and I certify that Matthew Keith the deponent is known to me and is entitled to full faith & credit.
Alijah Osborn a Judge of the Herkimer County
Counseled in said superior court
Page 47

State of New York 
Herkimer County SS
 I. Julian C. Nelson, Clerk of said County do hereby certify that  Michael Hoffman is first --- of the County Court for said County, that his name affixed to the within affidavit is in his own hand writing & the Court of Common Pleas is a Court of Record - In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Hub. Sep 3. 1832- Julius C Nelson Clerk
Page 48

P. Burchard Clerk
 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter & after pulling interrogations presented by the War Department that the above mentioned applicant was a revolution any soldier & strue as he states. And the court further states that it appears to them that Holland Meeks who has signed the proceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident of the town of Henderson aforesaid & that Amos Hungerford who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place of an eligible  persons & that then statement is entitled to credit
 Peleg Burchard Clerk of the Court of common pleas in for the County of Jefferson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sylvester Finney for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 11th day of September in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty two P Burchard Clerk
Page 49

Revolutionary Claims
Free H Weeks, PM
Henderson, N.Y. 28th July
Hon A. Dickins,
Acting Secretary of the
Treasury Department
City of Washington
Sylvester Finney 910
2568.2792.3121
Rec 3 Aug ??
Page 50

Henderson July 28th 1821 to the treasury department
have written to James L Edward & he tells me
that through apply to this Department for he has
Nothing to do with it. I do not understand it for his
Dates pention offis & yet he has nothing to do with
but however I will write to you again all you need
is my rite & hope to obtain is some whose
had an answer from the acting Secretary wishing
for further proof of her Now sir I have someone 
that was in actual servis with me & I am going to
see if I can find him get in the land of living
of
want you should to me that he must say I
realy need his pention ought to have
want you to accurately point the
Steps late to obtain any rifle & Do it promptly
for if I can obtain it it will be of no servis but
little time therefore by you to do it
jointly this from you so
to see of the Treasury Department Sylvestor Finney
Page 51

Revolutionary Claims
Free H. Weeks, P.M.
Henderson N.Y. 2 Oct
Hon Mr. Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury
City of Washington
D.C.
Page 52

910
2368.2792.3121
Page 53

8 Oct 
Henderson October 2 AD 1829
 Now to the Secretary of the treasury  now Dear Sir 
after much sourcing & Search I have been able to render in contestable evidence of my actual servis 
PS this with the other writings in your passion will answer the purpose yours to Survey
Sylvester Finney
Page 54

910
Revolutionary Claims
 Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers
of the Army of the Revolution"approved 15th May, 1828. 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
24 Jany 1829. 
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Sylvester Finney under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any records in the War Department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive, the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution. 
R Rush
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR. 
War Depart: Bounty land office 
the records of this office do not show that  Sylvester Finney of the Connecticut line ever received or is entitled to bounty land of the United States
 Robert Tayler 
27 Jany 1829
Page 55

 REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS. T
REASURY DEPARTMENT. Sept 1, 1828 
┃ Sylvester Finney of town of Henderson in the County of Jefferson in the State of New York, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled ""An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution, "" approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a private in captain Chapman's company in Col. Swifts regiment of the Connecticut line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office. 
By order of theSecretary
 A. Dickins 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 6th September 1828 
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to-- in the--.
 It further appears that Sylvester Finney, is not now on the pension list of the any- agency and has not been so since the 3. March.1826
The name of Sylvester Finney cannot ┃ be found among those of the Connecticut line, to whom ┃ . Certificates for the gratuity of Eighty Dollars, were issued- Otto Hagner And
Page 56

State   of New York County of Jefferson SS
Personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid, Sylvester Finney who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent  loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less that the periods mention below in the following grades For Four months in my first tour. Three months in my second tour; For four months in my third tour: For Two months in my fourth & at least One year at various times in the manner mentioned in my declaration.
 I served as a private soldier; & for such service claim a pension.
 That I was born the 15th March 1779 in the town of Kent County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut and further he saith that the record of my age is my family bible now in my possession and further in Suith 
Sylvester Finney)
 Sub scribed & sworn to this 11th of April 1833 before me.
Benjamin Wright one of the Judge of Jefferson Courts N. Y.
Page 57

I Peleg Burchard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in for the County of Jefferson do hereby certify that Benjamin Wright,  before whom the within affidavit to as taken is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County & authorised to administer oaths and that I  am acquainted with his  hand writing and signature to be genuine in testimony whereof heard accounts. Set my hand & seal of office this 30 day & of April, 1833.
 P. Burchard Clerk ---
Page 58

Revolutionary Claims
Free
{H. Weeks, P.M. Henderson, N.Y. Dec 28
Hon Richard Rush
City of Washington,
D.C.
Page 59

Rec 7 Jany 1829 
Henderson December 26th 1828
Dear Sir
revolution wishes to address you on his resolution Claim I saw on Tues to us from Col Aaron Ogden  wishing the resolutions to being on these Claims I filed forswore with my claim as ? by the public aisle & forward under the to him & told to him likewise.
 I know he sent me & if what I have written was not sufficient to ? & let me & he sent me two blanks, one for declaration and the other for your attorney  both of which we received & he wrote to me he has received  them &would attend to my buisness as soon as possible 
that letter bore date of August 20 that is the last heard from him in his publication that he states would I now their money & sent it together if they would direct that post office should send it & he further stated if they would at all they would draw from April  3. 1826
 I have written to him one time but have received no answer & now is wish you to call on him or his office and you will find my writings & proceed as the act directs. Such delay as those of the col are irksome to the poor old revolutioner when he ? & penniless looking at every mail in hopes of relief we all no that the gratest temporal blesings flow  to this land of all and under heaven & the whole under God floes from the revolutioner & now is, with your immediate attention to this business & if you are going to do something for us you must do it soon on or it will be forever too late this from you humble Servant Sylvester Finney to the Hon Richard Rush is to direct the post office of the County of Jefferson State of New York.
PS I wish sir in some of your communications you would answer what is to become of ?
Page 60

(3-1776)
Service Number
Conn.
Finney, Sylvester S. 16114
New York.
Carded
Contents
Page 61

1611 INVALID. 
File No. 16 .114 
Sylvester Finney Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:---Vol---,Page---
 Arrangement of 1870.} 
912 Oct. 9 Hist to Chas. F. Copeland V. L. M. 
1929 Oct. 30. hist to Fred Whitney Ness
Page 62

United States Post Office
Holdrege Nebraska Oct 2, 1912
Commissioner of Pensioners 
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly inform me 
if there are any records pensions given
any of the following parties for service in
The Revolutionary War? I identify them as
plainly as possible.
Capt. Samual Curtis and John Edwards, Corporal
served in same company, known and published
in “Vital Records of Charlton” as “The
South Company of Charlton” Mass. I think
it was a part of Col. Learnard’s Regiment.
Both lived at Charlton, Mass., and responded
for Battle of Lexington on alarm of Apr
19,1775, served at Bunker Hill and at least
a part of Siege of Boston. Wife of Capt Curtis
was Mary Town. John Edwards married a 
daughter of Capt Curtis named Sabra or 
Sabery spelled both ways. John Edwards was
later styled “Lieutenant” which might have been
a State militia title.
Page 63

United States Post Office
Have you any record of military or naval
service of one Sylvester Finney or of a Mr.
Finney who might have been his father.
Sylvester Finney was born at Kent Conn. Mar 15
1759, resided at at Kent and Warren Conn.
Married Rebecca Rice of Danbury Conn. 
Are there and records of such service by
a Mr Chapman of Hampton Conn or 
a Mr Rice of Danbury or Kent Conn.?
Thanking you sincerely for any obtainable
information I am
Very truly yours
Charles F. Copeland
Holdrege
817 Arthur St.
Nebraska
Capt Curtis died 
between Apr 12 and 
June 2 1777, was
he wounded in
the army?
Data of service for
any named is
wanted
Page 64

Revo
Henderson N.Y.
Aug. 12 – 1929
Commissioner
of Pensioners
Washington
D.C.
Stamp
(PENSION
X
U. S.
OFFICE
AUG
15
1929)
Dear Sir,
I would like to get
the war record of my great-great grandfather Sylvester
Finney who was a soldier
in the Revolutionary war
He was a resident of
Warren Litchfield Co. Connecticut 
at the time of enlistment.
I would be very thankful
for any information you may
be able to give me
I have written the war department.
They report they can find no
such record.
Very truly yours
Fred Whitney
Henderson
N.Y.
Jeff. Co.
Page 65

RD DIVISION
3---525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., _______________, 190__

In reply to your request of _________, received __________ 
for a statement of the military history of Sylvester Finney [written] 
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired 
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL.
STATE.

Dec 1776 | 4 mos. | Pob [?] | Samuel Carter |         [check]        |   N.Y.
July 1777 | 3 mos. |             | Joseph Carter  |         [check]        |   Conn.
Dec 1777 | 4 mos. |             | Peter Mills       | Mead                  |
July 1779 | 2 mos. |             | Joseph Carter  | Samuel Canfield | 
[check]    | [check] |             | * Chapman [crossed out] | Swift [crossed out] |
[check]    | [check] |             |       [check]      |  [slash] Mosley    |

Battles engaged in, _____________
Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Date of application for pension, 
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application, 
Remarks: In 1838 Soldier referred to his wife who was dead
and to his children who were living in N. Y. , Mich, and Ohio
no names are stated.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner