Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1406, Abel Wright, Vt.
Page 1

Service Vt

Wright, Abel
Ford, Sybel

(former widow)

Number   W. 1406
BLWt 17.868_160_55

Contents
Page 2

[printed and handwritten]

New York
Abel Wright
of Maryland in the State of New York
who was a Lieutenant in the Regiment commanded by
Colonel Warner of the N Hampshire
line, for the term of One Year
-
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 4 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 of April 1821
and sent to John Russell
Cooperstown, N York
Arrears to 4th of March 1821 700.58
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4 Sept 1821. 120.
34 27/30 4/31 
$820.58

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
(1 May 1820 )
V. 5 - p156
Page 3

[printed and handwritten]

2352
New York A.
Sybel Ford formerly
widow of Abel Wright
who served in the Revolutionary war,
as a Lieutenant
N.H. Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
240- Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th
day of October 1853
and sent to R. F. Wakefield
Laurens
Otsego Co NY

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 73. Vol. A

Lett: to B. F. Wakefield Jan 26 /55
Reg 3 m 55 - 84346
Page 4

[handwritten]

84.346} Act March 3/55
April 19/55
Sybil, Ford 12. St;
formerly widow of
Abel Wright [illegible]
Capt: Tho: Lee Independent Rangers
Col. Seth Warner
Vt: line
Revolutionary War
Pensioner under act Feb 3/53.
Ad, 160 Acres Feb: 29.56,
N.Y. Febry 53 2352
Boyton
B. F. Wakefield Esqr.
Laurens, N. Y.
A. N. Markland Present,
B. F. Wakefield
Laurens,
Otsego Co NY
C: A. N. Markland, Nov 10/55
Let B. F. Wakefield, " 23/55
" ", Dec: 20/55
" " " Jany: 21/56
Vol 162. page 142
Page 5

[printed and handwritten]

DISTRICT OF New York, ss
this day thirteenth ['fourth' lined out] day of October ['April' lined out]1819, 
before me, the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Common Pleas
for the said district, personally appeared, Abel Wright aged 72
years, resident in Maryland
in the said district, who, being by me first duly
sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain
the provision made by the late 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." That he the
said Abel Wright was a commissioned Lieutenant by Congress
on ^[insert] or about 8th day of July in the year 1777
in Rutland in the state of Vermont the company commanded by
Captain Thomas Lee of the Regiment commanded by Colonel
Seth Warner in the line of the State of ['Connecticut' lined out] New Hampshire
in the Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the middle of August, 1778, when he was
discharged from service in Rutland State of Vermont on account of sickness
that he was in the battles of Ticonderoga and Bennington and
that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support;
['and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.' lined out]

Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
Abel Wright
John Russell Judge of Otsego Com pleas 
I, John Russell Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify that it appears,
to my satisfaction, that the said Abel Wright did serve in the
revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term
of nine months at one time, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings
and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the
directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance.
of his country for support. I also certify that he made a previous declaration
on the fourth day of April 1818.
John Russell
Judge of Otsego Com: pleas
SEAL OF THE COURT
Page 6

[handwritten]

State of New York}
Otsego County ss }
Personally appeared before me
(One of the Judges of the Court of Common
pleas for and in the County of Otsego) Jonathan
Partridge of the Town of Sullivan County of Tioga
and common Wealth of Pennsylvania Deposes
and says that on or about the tenth day of July
in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy
seven that he the deponent enlisted as a soldier
under Lieut. Abel Wright under the command
of Capt. Thomas Lee unto a company which
had been raised for an Independent Company
of Rangers, but were ordered at this time to join
the continental Establishment. Accordingly
our said company immediately was annexed
to the Regt commanded by Col Seth Warner
in the continental line, and ever after continued
in said Regt - And your Deponent further 
testifies that the above named Abel Wright did
serve in said Regt in the office of first Lieut.
for more than one year after deponent joined
said company and further said deponent saith not
Jonathan Partridge [signature]
Sworn and subscribed before me this 11th day of August 1819.
John Russell [signature]
Judge of Com: pleas.
Page 7

[handwritten]

State of New York
Otsego County County Clerks office ss.
I certify that John Russell before whom
the within affidavit appears to
have been taken was at the time
of taking the same a Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas in & for
the County of Otsego duly qualified
as such & that the signature of
the said John Russell is genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of said County this
11 August 1819
Jno Morell Clk
Page 8

[handwritten]

State of New York}
Otsego County ss.}
Personally appeared before
me (one of the Judges of the court
common pleas in and for the county of Otsego)
Nathan Rowley of town of Covington County of
Tioga Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and deposes
and says that Abel Wright was first Lieut. in
Capt. Thos Lee's Company in Col Seth Warner's
Regt in the continental Establishment
New Hamshire [sic] Line and that he the deponent
Joined said Co of which said Wright was Lieut
in the year 1777 and was knowing
to said Wrights service in said line
for more than one year; and further,
Deponent testifies that he knows Jonathan
Partridge to be a man of good moral character and 
^[insert] that his testimony ought to be accredited and further Deponent says not
Nathan Rowley
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 16th of August 1819}

John Russell
Judge of Com pleas
Page 9

State of New York Otsego County Clerks Office 
I Certify that John Russell was at the time of taking the within affidavit a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said county & that his signature within is his own handwriting given under my hand & the seal of the court of common Pleas for said county this 16th August [1819] Ariel Spoford Dep Clk
Page 10

Abel Wright Lieutenant 77 to 78 
Warner N. Hampshire Regt.
A
4 Apl. 1818
Page 11

The Judge must certify, that the witnesses proving claimants service are entitled to [ ]
- it is also desirable, for them to state that his commission was granted by Congress
Page 12

Lieut. A. Wright
The circumstance of his being commissioned by Congress is not confirmed by the witnesses nor the manner of his discharge or leaving the service.  The Judge should certify (if satisfied) to the credibility & disinterestedly of both witnesses. 
The affidavit now in the War Depart: of Lieut. Sam. Beech of Whiting State of Vermont a Pensioner, established the fact that Capt. Thos. Lees company was on the Continental establishment Oct. 9 1821
Saml Beech
Vermt Roll
Page 13

State of New York}
Ortego County ss.}


 Nathan D. Wright Pastor of the Baptist Church in Maryland County and State aforesaid being duly sworn saith that he acquainted with Nathan Rowley of Covington who made the foregoing affidavit, and know that the said Nathan is a man of truth and veracity.-
                                           Nathan D. Wright


Sworn & Subscribed before me this 27th day of December 1819}.                           
John Russell, Judge of Comm. pleas

 Ortega County I certify that I am satisfied that full credit ought to be given to the testimony of Nathan Rowley-- Given under my hand this  27th day of Dec 1819
John Russell
Judge of Comm. pleas
Page 14

Tioga County ss.

Sir,
Personally came before the Honourable
Ira Kilburn Esq associate Judge in and for
the County of Tiago. Nathan Rowley who on
his solemn oath deposeth and saith, that
in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and
Seventy seven he was in Capt Thomas Lee Company of Continental Rangers raised for three years by order of the old Congress and that Abel Right was first Lieutenant of said Company and did continue to serve in saying the whole year; and I do know that important
towers of duty was entrusted to his command
by the General while the British lay siege to
Ticonderoga, and after the retreat he was order
to take the command of a Company and go nearly fifty miles within the enemies lines and being of some continent at shores left on Otter Creek which he effected without loading a man and returned back to Bennington after the battle had commenced and went immediately into action with his command in the year seventeen Hundred and set eight he was discharged from said Company by hiring a substitute on the account of all health and the local situation of his family.
I was then with the Company at Rutland
Fort and I never heard anyone say but
that his discharge was Honourable and I
do further say that I am not no way interested
in his getting his pension and further
Page 15

the sd deponent saith not--Nathan Rowley

Nathan Rowley on this 20th day of Sept 1820
who is a man of undoubted truth and veracity
and instrumental swore to and subscribed the above instrument in my presence-
                           Ira Kilburn associate Judge

I assent that Jonathan Patridge become
refurt and consent is dead, and that while
living, from my own knowledge, and from
common reputation he was a man of truth
and might be believed on oath
                               Ira Kilburn Associate Judge

Tioga County ss}
State of Pennsylvania }
Prothonotary's office}
Uriah Spencer Prothonotary of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for the County of Tioga
do certify and make known that Ira Kilburn is was at the time of signing and taking the foregoing Deposition certifying the same
associate Judge of the County of Tioga
in the State of Pennsylvania that the signature
is his proper handwriting and that full faith
and credit are due to his acts as such. In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of office at MIllsborough this twenty of September AD 1820
Uriah Spencer Proty
Page 16

Abel Wright
Maryland
Original Declaration
April 4th 1810
Page 17

District of New York}
Otigo County ss}

On this 6th day of February 1831, personally offered in open Court being a Court of Record for the said County Abel Wright aged 79 years resident in Maryland in said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: that he was a commissioned
Lieut, by Congress on or about the 10th day of May in year 1777 in Rutland in the State of Vermont in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Lee attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Seth Warner New Hampshire line on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in said corps until the middle August 1777 when he was discharged & the date of his original declaration was on the day of April 11
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of United States on the 18th day of March 1843 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disponed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to dimen it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary war passed on the 10th day of March and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed & by me subscribed

This a correct inventory of my property and household furniture -

No Real Estate.
One Cow.....................................$13.00
one small pine table..........................37
Five intiling chairs 50th ea............ 2.50
A small butter tub..........................  . 37
One half bushel. ...........................    .25
A large dish ketteh .......................  1.25
A small dish ketteh   .....................   .75
A tea ketteh ................................... 1.00
A spider. ........................................   .37
A Camp ketteh  .............................   .37
A shovel & tongs 50 ea ................. 1.00
A pair of Shears .............................  .25
Page 18

Two cran hooks & a tin pail ..................        1.00
Two Small tin pails  ..............................         1.50
Two tin milk pans  ................................         1.50
Three old tin pans. ...............................           .37
Two tin platters a small basin ..............}
Three earthen platters  three bowls .....}
Three & forks Three Spoons .....................     .37
A looking glass ..........................................     .50
Eight tea cups & Saucers ........................      . 37
One tin tumbler & one glass ....................       .12
A sugar bowl tea spoons & one mustard pot. 
One old chest with one drawer & a small old chest. .....................................................      6.00
Two wooden bowls ...................................     .12
One tin dipper ............................................     .9
One flat Iron ...........................................        . 55
A tin blow horn ..........................................      .12
One Candle stick & salt mortar ..................     .12
A Bread Sever .............................................     .12
A Bread tray ...............................................      .12
A pint tin cup       ........................................      .60
A pair of Still yards  .....................................  1.00
One wooden bowl .......................................    .12

                   Debts due to creditors-
Due to Daniel Houghton Esq------------  17.46
Due to Jared M. Chamberlin--------------3.00
Due to Samuel Wakefield-----------------6.00
Due to Thomas Tibble-------------------     .45
Due to James Morehouse----------------  2.50
                                 Whole amount..............37.27



Due to me from Capt Oliver Chappel. ....... 4.41
Due to Russell Chappel ............................. 5.00
Due to Josiah Bidwell. ............................... 3.49
Due to Doctor Spencer .............................  1.45

By occupation a farmer. I have a wife residing
with me who is very infirm. I am lame and
unable to work but little
                                                            Abel Wright

Sworn to & declared on
the 6th day of February 1821
In open Court-Geo. Morell Clk.
Page 19

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
OTSEGO COUNTY CLERK' S OFFICE, } ss.

I, GEORGE MORELL, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Otsego and State of New-York, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court: and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is thirty seven Dollars & twenty two cents
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 12 day of Feb 1828

George Morell, Clk
Page 20

84.346
No

Claim of Widow Sybil-Ford
Act of March 3rd 1855




Filed by
B.F. Wakefield
Laurens Ortega
NY
Page 21

Declaration for a Widow who has never received Bounty Land
===================================
State of New York}
County of Otsego}ss

On this 14th day of April 1855 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid duly authorized to administer
oaths) Sybel Ford aged Seventy eight years a resident of Laurens in the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the late widow
of Lieut. Abel Wright deceased who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, she also says that she is not able to state under what Captain or Colonel he served but would
refer to his affidavit on file, which he made in his life time to obtain his pension and she also states that she must afer you to his affidavit as to the time of his entering and his continuance in the service and also his honorable discharge
will appear in his pension papers on file she further states that she was married to the said Abel Wright in the County of Otsego and State of New York on or about the 27th day
of March 1823-by Edmund Richmond (a Clergyman, and that her name before her said marriage was Sybil Wakefield that her said husband Milford in the County of Otsego & State of New York on the 10th day of June
1827 she further state that she was again married to Anne Ford who died she also refers you to her affidavit which is on file in the pension Office, and all of the papers establish
and granting her a pension under act of the 3rd of 1853 and that she is still a widow

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3rd 1855 never having received Bounty Land under this or any other act nor made any other application for Bounty Land except the present Benjamin F. Wakefield of Laws Otsego Co NY. is hereby
authorized to prevent this claim and to receive any that may be issued hereon 
Sybil Ford
Page 22

AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.
We, Harvey Strong and Horace Grover residents of the County and State aforesaid, upon  our oath declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above Sybil 
Ford in our presence; and that we believe,
from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
And we further declare that we were well acquainted with the said Abel Wright and Sybil Wright his wife now during the lifetime of the former, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to have been so generally reputed. That her said husband, the said Abel Wright-died at Milford Otesaga, NY on or about the 10th day of June-- 1827, and that she is still a widow; and that they have no interest in this claim.
Harvey Strong {SEAL}
Horace Grover {SEAL}

MAGISTRATE' S CERTIFICATE.
The foregoing declaration, and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Martin Bridgeg J.P.
Page 23

STATE OF NEW YORK}
OTSEGO COUNTY CLERK'S}

I, WILLIAM C. FIELDS, Clerk of the County of Otsego, do hereby certify that Martin Budges whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE of the County of Otsego, dwelling in said County, duly authorized to take such proof or acknowledgment, and that
I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that his
signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine, and that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the State of New York
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County, the 14th day of April A. D., 1855
Wm C Fields   CLERK
Page 24

State of New York
Otsego County ⎬ss
On this Twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before the County
Court in and for the County aforesaid, Mrs. Sybil Ford, a resident of Laurens in the County of Otsego and State of New York, aged seventy
six years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit
of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed on the third day of February A.D. 1853; that she was the widow of Abel Wright, deceased, who was a Lieutenant in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary War
, and was pensioned for such service at the rate of two hundred and forty dollars per year, that her husband, the said Abel Wright, deceased,
lived in the town of Milford in the County & State aforesaid and that his pension was paid at the pension Agency at Albany in said state,
She further declares that she was married to the said Abel Wright on the twenty seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty three, at Laurens in the County of Otsego by one Richmond, a
Clergyman; that her husband, the aforesaid Abel Wright, died on or about the tenth day of June in the year Eighteen hundred and
twenty seven; that there is no public or private record of her said marriage or of the death of her said husband; that she was married to him at the time above stated and that he was entitled to said Pension as will more fully appear
by a reference to the accompanying papers and the evidence filed in his application for a pension. She further declares that after the death of her husband the aforesaid Abel Wright she was married to Ansel Ford and that the
said Ansel Ford died in the year Eighteen hundred and
She further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act, and is still a widow, and that she has never before made application for a
Pension.   Sybil Ford

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on the day and year first above written, and I certify that I have no interest in the result of the case and am not concerned in its prosecution

Samuel S. Bowne
County Judge
Otsego County
Page 25

State of New York}
Otsego County}
I hereby certify that Samuel S. Bowne Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration was made, and who has thereunto subscribed
his name, was, at the time of so doing, a County Judge in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, as Clerk of Otsego County and the Court of record thereof this day of AD. 1853
-
STATE OF NEW YORK,}
OTSEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.}
I, WILLIAM C. FIELDS, Clerk of the County of Otsego, do hereby certify that Samuel H Bowne
whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, in the County of Otsego, County dwelling in said County, duly authorized to take such proof or acknowledgment, and that
I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said he, and verily believe that his signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine, and that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of the State of New York.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County, the 26th day of July A. D., 1855

Wm C Fields,   CLERK
Page 26

Mr. Morhland Sir
Will you have the goodness to call in at the Pension Office and see if you can obtain
immediate action upon the Claim of Sybel Ford
late widow of Abel Wight for Bounty Land under
act of March 3rd 1855 whose papers are on file in the Office No 84346. 

for the reason that the Widow (who is my mother) has had a shock of Palsey of late and is in a feeble state and she would like to have the disposal of it while she has her reason
The papers which we made to procure her pension (which she now draws) are sufficient to entitled her to her bounty land without much time & pent to act upon them by a compliance with the above you will confer a great favour

Respectfully B. F. Wakefield Agent 
for Sybil Ford
Page 27

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
______________
File No. 14406
Sybil Ford,
 Widow.
Abel Wright
St. Rev. War
Act Feb. 3. 1853.
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 245

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 28

Free
Hon J. Minot
Commissioner of Pension
Office of the Internal Washington, D.C.
Page 29

5
17.868

Her anns
Page 30

N.Y.
Sybel Ford
Abel Wright


Free
Hon. J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
D C
Page 31

LAURENS                      SYBEL FORD-Wid
JAN 22                         Abel Wring
N.Y.

W' 53  
2352

Commissioner of Pension
Pension Office
Washington City D.C.

Received January 25th .....FREE
Page 32

Se  S. 1853
Let. in  case of Sybel Ford.    LAUREN SEPT. 1

B.F. Wakefield, Laurens, Otesaga Co.

Commissioner of Pensions
Pensions of Office
Washington City, D. C.
Page 33

Sybel Ford wid: Abel Wright

Hon.. J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Office of the Interior Pension Office
Washington City D. C.

LAURENS 
Jan 25
N.Y.
Page 34

LAURENS 
APR 16
N.Y.

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pension
Dept. of the Interior
Washington City, D.C.

84.348
Page 35

Pension Office
Oct 5/53

Sir
Please report time of last payment to or death
of within named pensioner

Respectfully yours
S. Cole
for Commr.

F. Burt Esqr
3 ann Present
Abel Wright   $20.00 pr. month,Act 18th March 1818.
Died 9th June 1827, Paid to his death

F. Burt
Auditor
Page 36

Commr. Act 153 N.Y.
Boynton
Page 37

2352
Sybil Ford N.Y.

Acts 3rd Feb 53
allowed
.
Page 38

No 2999,       Aug 4,  1853.
Appl. of Sybil Ford widow of Abel Wright
Otsego Co.
N. York


S.21
Act 3rd February 1853
Rev.
Allowed $24.0 per ann
Com. Feb 3 1853


B. F. Wakefield
Laurens
Otsego Co, N. Y.
deed 182
.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
PENSION OFFICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS
COMMISSIONERS

[BUD] 1829
Page 39

Sybel Ford wid: Abel Wright

Boynton
J. Minot
Department of the Interior 
Pension Office
Washington City D. C.
Page 40

FREE

84346
Sybel Ford. wid. Abel Wright
Hon. J. Minot
Boynton
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City D.C.
Page 41

Lauren January 14th 1856-

Dr. - Sir
I hope that the within certificate of the Record in of the service of 15 days from the records of the State of New Hampshire, stating the volumes & pages of the records will be satisfactory and that I shall forthwith receive a moment for the County lands due      Sybel Ford

Yours Respectfully
B.F. Wakefield
Agent for Sybel Ford
Page 42

Laurens                              February 25th 1856.

Dear Sir,
I herewith enclose to you a certified copy of the record service of Lunt Abel Wright in the Revolutionary war under the command of Capt
Thos. Lee and in Col Warrens Regiment (as the said Abel Wright alleges in his application for a pension which service continued for the space of about Two years and by the within certificate you will rely perceive
The propriety of his advancement from a Private for The reason that he took the place of Lieut John Mott in said Company December 1st 1778. which time does not agree with his memory of dates when he made his
application for a pension, but here I would suggest the probability that he had confounded the commencement of his service (which was rendered in New Hampshire about the
10th of July 1777. agreeable to the Secretary's certificate (which you have in your possession, from the Territory of this with his service as Lieut I say it would not be a strange occurrence that he should confound the two services or even make the mistake in time for the
reason that he was almost 80 years of age when he applied for his pension and he had been almost a cripple for many years and very much crippled in memory and I hope you will deem this certificate sufficient establishment of record service of Lieut Abel Wright to  entitle his late widow Sybil Ford to her bounty land.

Moment and that I shall see it forthcoming in a few days.

Respectfully yours
B. F. Wakefield agent
Page 43

This case will be admitted if the Applicant can
comply with the act of first of May 1820, for which purpose, a blank Schedule is enclosed
herewith.

Returned this envelope
Page 44

State of Vermont
Office Secretary of State  
Montpelier  February 19, 1856.

I certify that it appears by the files and records in this Office, that on the 12th of February, 1781, a committee appointed by the legislature of this State to examine the circumstances of the muster Roll of Capt. Thomas his company of Independent Rangers in the service of the United States America, and to Col. Warner's Regiment relative to the time enlistment
and discharge of the men whose names were
on said rollmade report to said Legistationthat
suit, Abel Wight took the place of Suit,
John Mott as 2nd Lieutenant in said Company, December 1, 1778, and served in said
Company, in said capacity as 2nd Lieutenant
for nearly two years.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of this Office the day
and year above written.

Charles W. Willard
Secretary of State
Page 45


Laurens                              January 30th 1856

I have before me your letter of the 20 Dec.
which states that on examination you found that
might alleged that he served as Lieut under Capt Lee & Col Warren in the Continental line of the State of New Hampshire and I then wrote to the Secretary & obtained service in that
receive an objection to that evidence because you state that he alleges his service to be in Rutland Vt. (both letters one hand writing.) And now I am prepared to identify it might as the identical wright that service as private at Ticonderoga if I may be permitted to do so in this way by the affidavit of two respectable persons who will make an affidavit that they have or was acquainted with Abel Wright for 30 years and have frequently and repeatedly heard him say that there was an alarm given and he was first called out in the revolutionary service
at Comish, New Hampshire, and marched to
Ticonderoga and that his services at Ticonderoga was the most animated part of his service, in the war and then he was a private
was discharged about the 10th July 1777 and
Then immediately went to Rutland at which was
his native place and his home, and then entered
The service and was appointed Lunt under
Capt This Lee & Col. Seth Warren on or about the 10th of July 1777 and now you will see
The connexion between the time of his discharge from the service and his so entering the service in at which cannot very but a day or two and that is as near as anyone could be
expected to get at tims so long since
Page 46

and as I say I have been acquainted with
Let Abel Wright myself and have worked
with him and for him at different times
for the space of Twenty years of his life and
frequently and often heard him boast of his
service at Ticonderoga. The very service which
is proven by the Secretary of New Hampshire
and if I may be allowed to identify this
service which is shown by the records of New Hampshire to be the service of Lunt Abel Wright the husband of Sybil Ford) by affidavits of respectable persons who have often heard him boast of that service I should be pleased to do so and wish to be informed whether such identifying evidence will be admissible, for I know him to be the Identical man that performed the service which is certified to in New Hampshire and I am not feel willing to give it up
Yours Respectfully
B.F. Wakefield
Page 47

Laurens                                  Dec. 12th 1855

Sir,
Within you will please find a copy of
The letter to which I referred in my letter
of the 19 of Nov.,  so for as relates to the
evidence which you require of fourteen days
service we rely upon this with the evidence which you on referred to (in the widows application as all sufficient. The admission of the department. That he served as Lieut (as I have said in my former letter appears to be more than 14 days
I think you must have put a singular construction upon the 3rd Sec of the Act of March last to say That the 14 days must be established by record evidence for it says that no less time than 14 days shall entitle on applicant to a warrant for bounty land.
Except when the person shall actually have been engaged in battle, on which can one days service is sufficient or if they establish service by record a less time than fourteen days would be dead sufficient, but if the Commissioner holds strictly. That the 14 days must be established by record evidence in each and every can I think he must do good injustice to a portion of applicant who are the most deserving for the reason that You are aware that the Master Rolls of the eastern division of the Army of the nor of the revolution were burned in the Secretary's office and  therefore could not be returned to the department and I think by reference to Lieut. Abel Wright pension papers you will find evidence of that fact in his can and in the absence of that testimony if you do his claim justice you must do as  was done in granting him a pension, and his widow  a Lawyer and Agent by the name of Davenport
who has done the most of any more in this County
Page 48

in procuring land warrants said to me (on the
examination of the letters from the department
objecting to the sufficiency of the evidence which I had presented, immediately it is a quibble and nothing more for the evidence which entitled Lieut. Abel Wright and his late widow, Sybel Ford
1.  a pension is the strongest evidence that
that you can produce and on the same will
I have obtained for warrants for widows in
the town of Horton but if this is a mistake
and you deem the evidence insufficient to entitle the widow Lord late widow Abel Wight to a warrant for bounty lands. I wish you to inform
me without delay to enable me to present the
case to the Court of Appeals.

Yours Respectfully
B. Wakefield }
Attorney for Sybil Ford
Page 49

Brief in the case of Mrs Syll Ford widow of Abel Wright Otsego County and State of New York
act of Feb 3, 1853
_________________________________________
Claim ("origin," "or increase" ) Husband a pensioner under act of March 18. 1818 at
Proof exhibited, (if original.) $240 per annum

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Lieutenant in New Hamp line one yr.

Allowed $240 per annum
(If for increase.)

Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Marriage proved by credible witness
Death" " Auditor, report

Identity " " Credible witness

Name and residence of Agent
B. F. Wakefield
Laurens
Otsego
N. Y.

Examining Clerk.
J. L. Gray
Page 50

Pension Office                             Nov 11th 1855

Sir,
In reply to the enquiry contained in your letter of the 30th July last in relation to a claim for Land County in right of St Abel Wright deed I have to inform you that on examination of his pension papers and also his own affidavit. That he was appointed Lieut July 10th 1777 and was discharged about the middle of August 1780 on account of sickness.
No officer of the Revolution was entitled to the
County land unless he continued in service to the close of the war in 1783 or became supernumerary at same period thereof,

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
S. Cole
For Commissioner of Pensions

To B F Waterfield Esq.
Laurens
Otsego County
N.Y.
Page 51

Laurens Nov 19th 1855

J. Minot Esqr

Sir,
I have before me a letter from The Pension Office stating that the Claim of Sybil Ford for Bounty Land under act of the 3rd of March 1855 No 8346 had been examined and suspended for the reason that the Revolutionary services of Lt Abel Wight, formerly, the husband of the applicant does not appear of record in this Office, and now would say in reply that I now have before me a letter from the Commissioners  of 1853 stating
That on examination of the pension papers and records he found that Abel Wright was appointed Lieut.
July 10th 1777 & was discharged about the middle of August 1780 making about 3 years & one month service as Lieut and then was discharged on account of Sickness and I would refer you to those repay and records which entitled him to a pension of $240 per annum and to the papers of Sybel Ford (The late widow of Abel Wight, which entitled the widow to $240 per annum by virtue of her late husband's services and which she now enjoys, and I cannot see the propriety of exacting
additional evidence to the bounty land then was
required to obtain those pensions. Therefore it appears to me rather to be the hasty decision of a Clerk than the deliberate action of a directing Officer
Page 52

but sir if by thorough examination of the pension papers of St Abel Wright then appears additional service established to entitle the widow to her County Land
I wish you to inform me without delay and I will try and comply with the 2d section of the act which only requires 14 days service and then is 3 years & one month shown by his papers
Your immediate attention to this is correctly solicited

Very Respectfully
B. F. Wakfield} Agent
 for Sybel Ford


Hon J. Minot
Page 53

State of New York}
Otsego County ss}

On this Twenty Sixth day of July in the
year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty three personally appeared before the County Court in and for the County aforesaid Horace Grover and Roswell Hall residents of Otsego County in the State of New York, who,
being first duly sworn, according to law, severally declare and say, that Sybil Ford was the widow of Abel Wright who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary war and was pensioned by the United States for such service in said
war, that they have heard the said parties mutually acknowledge that they were legally married sometime in the spring of the year eighteen hundred and twenty three, that they afterwards lived together as husband and wife and were known and reputed as such throughout the circle of their acquaintance; that the said Abel Wright died in the year eighteen hundred and twenty seven and that she was
afterwards known throughout the neighborhood as his widow and generally reputed to be such. They further declare that the said Sybil Ford was a widow at the passage of the act of the third day of February 1853 and is still
a widow, and that they are disinterested witnesses.
Horace Grover
Roswell Hall

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on the day and year first above written, and I hereby certify that Horace Grover and Roswell Hall are credible Witnesses,

Samuel S. Bowne
County Judge
Otsego County
Page 54

State of New York
Otsego County

I hereby certify that Samuel S. Bowne Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time of so doing, a County Judge in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signed
time thereunto is genuine.

This testimony whereof I have handwriting and affixed the seal of my office as Clerk of the County and the Court of Record thereof this
Page 55

STATE OF NEW YORK
OTSEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

I, WILLIAM C. FIELDS, Clerk of the County of Otsego, do hereby certify that Samuel Bowne
whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment of the County of Otsego County dwelling in said County, duly authorized to take such proof or acknowledgment, and that
I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said day, and verily believe that his
signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine, and that said in
strument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of the State of New York.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County, the 26th day of July A. D., 1853,

W. C. Fields, CLERK.
Page 56

State of New York
County of Cattaraugus,
On this 29th day of June A.D. 1853. personally
appeared before me, County Judge of said County, Samuel W. Wakefield
a resident of the town of Farmersville, in the County of Cattaraugus
& State of New York, aforesaid, who being by me duly sworn, according
to law, deposes & says that Sybil Ford, now residing in the town of
Laurens, in the County of Otsego, and state aforesaid, on the 27th day of March
A.D. 1823, at Laurens, aforesaid, was married by Edmund Richmond, a Clergyman
to Abel Wright, who was a pensioner of the United States, for services rendered by
him, in the Revolutionary War, that deponent was present at the wedding & saw
them legally married at the time above specified, that the said Abel Wright
died the 10th day of June A.D. 1827, at the town of Milford in said County of
Otsego, That subsequently, to wit; on the 4th day of July A.D. 1842 she was married
to Ansel Ford of the town of Franklin, in the County of Delaware and
State aforesaid, at Laurens, aforesaid, by Elder Simpson a Baptist Clergyman
That prior to the first day of July 1850, the said Ansel Ford, died at the town of
Franklin in the County of Delaware aforesaid, that the said Sybil Ford
was a widow at the passage of the act under which she claims a pension,
and that she is still a widow
Saml W. Wakefield
Sworn & subscribed before me, on the day
year above written, and I do hereby
certify that the said Saml W. Wakefield
is a credible witness.-
Chester Howe County Judge
Page 57


State of New York}
County of Callarangus}
Clerk's Office} ss
 I,  Enos H. Southwick Clerk of said County
and of the Courts thereof, do hereby certify that Chester Howe Esquire before whom the foregoing Deposition was sworn to and subscribed and whose name is subscribed to the certificate thereof was, at the date
of the same a County Judge in and for the County aforesaid dwelling in said County, duly elected, sworn and authorized to act as such Judge, and to administer oaths and affirmations. And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said County Judge and verily believe that his signature above written is genuine. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at
Ellicottville the 25th day of July A.D. 1853.

Enos H. Southwick
Clerk
Page 58

Return the Certificate 
to John Russell
Cooperstown N.Y.
The old soldier is very
poor-- if possible, let his
Certificate bear date before
the 4th of March 1821.
Page 59

Dept of War
Pension Office
27th Oct 1820
Sir,
The declaration of Abel Wright together
with the additional testimony of his services in
the War of the Revolution has been examined, and
I have to inform you, that his name will be inscribed
on the Pension List, when he shall have complied
with the act of the first of May 1820; for which
purpose, a blank Schedule is herewith transmitted
Respectfully
Yr Ob St
J. L. Edwards

John Russel Esqr
Cooperstown
NY
Page 60

State of New York
Otsego County
On this twenty fifth day of July in the year of
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before
the County Court in and for the County aforesaid, Eliza Benedict, a
resident of Otsego County in the State of New York, who, being first
duly sworn, according to law, declares and says that Mrs. Sybil
Ford is the widow of Abel Wright, deceased, who was a Pensioner
of the United States for service as Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War;
that she was married to the said Abel Wright, deceased, on or
about the twenty seventh day of March in the year of our Lord
Eighteen hundred and twenty three, at Laurens in the County and
State aforesaid by one Richmond, a Clergiman, that she, this deponent 
was present and saw them married as stated above; that the
said Abel Wright died in the year eighteen hundred and twenty
seven, that she, this deponent, believes that he died in the month of
June, in said year, on or about the tenth day of said month, that
she this deponent had a personal knowledge of his death
having witnessed the same and seen his corpse after his death
aforesaid. She further declares that after the death of the said
Abel Wright his widow, the above named Sybil Ford was married
to Ansel Ford, that the said Ansel Ford died in the year
Eighteen hundred and fifty August 2nd and that the said Sybil
Ford was a widow at the passage of the act of February third 1853
and is still a widow and she swears she is a disinterested witness.
Eliza Benedict
Sworn to and subscribed in open court on the day and year first
above written, and I certify that Eliza Benedict is a credible witness
Samuel S. Bowne
County Judge
Otsego County
Page 61

[entire text has a large X through it]
State of New York
Otsego County
I hereby certify that Samuel S. Bowne
Esq, before whom the foregoing declaration was made
and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was
at the time of so doing a County Judge in and
and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned
and sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of my office as Clerk of Otsego County
and the Court of Record thereof this
Page 62

STATE OF NEW YORK
OTSEGO COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE
I WILLIAM C. FIELDS, Clerk of the County of Otsege, do hereby certify
that Samuel J. Bowne whose name is subscribed to the
certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, was at the time of
taking such proof or acknowledgment a Judge of the County Court of Otsego County
dwelling in said County, duly authorized to take such proof or acknowledgment, and that
I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verily believe that his
signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine, and that said 
instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of the State of New York
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County, the 26th
day of July A. D., 1853
Wm C. Fields CLERK.
Page 63

Laurens Sept 1st 1853
Sir,
Some three weeks since I
sent Affidavits and a Declaration
Soliciting a Pension for the widow
Sybil Ford of Laurens Otsego NY
Calling your Early attention to the
Matter so as to enable her to draw
on the 4th of Sept and I have
not heard from you in any.
I hope and I now beg have
to call your attention to the same
without delay and save
her the expense of employing and
agent in Washington which is
unnecessary if we have such men
in Office as we should have
an answer whether the papers have
come to hand at last is
September
Yours Respectfully
B.F. Wakefield
Aug 4
Page 64

State of New Hampshire 
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE. 

I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the war of the Revolution, which remain in this office, it appears that the name of Abel Wright is borne upon the "Pay Roll of Col. Jonathan Chases Regiment of Militia in the State of New Hampshire, which Regiment went & reinforced the Northern Continental army at Ticonderoga by Major Genl. Folsons Orders May 7th 1777.-  "Rank" "Private" Time of discharge 1777" May 13" "Time in Service 7D. Also I find borne upon Vol. 1. Page 21"C" "Pay Roll of Colo. Jonathan Chases Regiment of New Hampshire Militia Commanded by Major Francis Smith Marched from Cornish & Towns adjacent to reinforce the Garson at Ticonderoga on the alarms June 27th & July 4th 1777" James Allen Wright  "Rank" "Private" Entry June 27" "Discharge July 11" "Time in Service " 15 Days
 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, this Fifth day of January 1856

[Signed} Samuel A. Patter Secretary of State.
Page 65

ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
PENSION OFFICE,
November, 10th 1855.
Sir:
The claim of Sybil Ford
for bounty land under the act of the 3d of March, 1855,
No. 84,346 has been examined and suspended
the revolutionary service of Abel Wright, formerly
the husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this
office
The 3d section of said act requires a service of "FOURTEEN
DAYS" to be established by "RECORD EVIDENCE"
Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim
will be favorably considered.
Very respectfully

J. MINOT.
Commissioner.
Page 66

Laurens January 23d 1855
Dear Sir
I am the son of Sybil Ford of the
Town of Laurens Otsego Co NY formerly the
widow of Abel Wight who was in the army
of the Revolution (now deceased), and the said
Widow is now allowed a pension under the 2nd
Section of the act of the 3rd of February 1853
at the rate of $240. per annum and it is
believed and is the opinion of the most eminent
law Judges and Pension agents in this State
That the aforesaid Widow is justly entitled
to arrears of Pension from the 4th of March 1848
to the said 3rd of February 1853 and agents
are daily offering their services, without compensation
unless they obtain such arrears of pension
and now I would say that if the said
none is entitled to said arrears of Pension
it can as well be obtained without the aid
and expense of agents as with. I was her
agent to procure her pension and she has
given me power of Attorney to prosecute
her claims for said arrears and if she
is entitled to such arrears it must be known
to you honor and you will please answer the above
to the point without delay & much oblige your humble servant
B.F. Wakefield Laurens NY
Page 67

address  B.F. Wakefield
Laurens Otsego NY