Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5275 1/2, Michael Foster, Penn.
Page 1

Service
Penn.
                              Number
Foster, Michael    W. 5275 1/2
Sarah                      B. L. Wt.     27638-160-55
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24511
New York
Michael Foster
of Ulster in the state of New York
who was a private in the Comp commanded
by Captain------of the Rep. commanded by Col. Butler in the New York time for 1 year

_______________________________________
I ascribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
_______________________________________

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Dec. 1833 and sent to Hon. Award
_______________________________________

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33         $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 M'34 20
                                                             $120
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles  Clerk
Book E VOL. 4. Page 101
Page 3

(two sided document)
left side

Aaron Ward M 22 1856
J. Jay Langdon Ins 13/58

right side
New York 2.428 City
_______________________________________
Sarah Foster
widow of Michael Foster
Penn
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
_______________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars
---Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853
_______________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th  day of Oct. 1853 and sent to 
Aaron Ward
Sing Sing
N. Y.
_______________________________________
Recorder on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 73. Vol. A
Page 4

(open paper that was folded with writing on both sides and diagonal)

left side
84,550 Mar. 3. 1853
Apr. 20. "
______________________________
Sarah Foster, widow of
Michael Foster, Pvt.
______________________________
Capt.
Col.

Enl.
Dis.
Revolutionary War
________________________________
Pensioner
_________
N.Y.  Feb 53-2428
_________________________________
AN:160 AC May 20/56
Boynton
M
-----
Boynrt
___________________
W. F. Purdy
Tarrytown
N. Y.
diagonal
27638 is May 24/56

right side
Cir. W. F. Purdy, Nov: 12/55
let   W. F. Purdy Nov 23/55
Page 5

28177
In the matter of the application of Michael Foster on a Pension.






No rolls of this service alleges that after the year's enlistment expired Capt. Spaulding refused to discharge him--This requires more direct proof tan the affirmation of his brother that he was absent from home for the time-brother 11 or 12 years old.
___________________________________
Adm'd
12 mo pri
Page 6

State of New York
County of West Chester SS

On this 26 day of September 1833 personally appeared before me Ezra Lockwood a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Westcheter
Michael Foster--a resident of NorthCastle in the said county and state age seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In the year 1775 or 1776 this deponent cannot recall the year with greater certainty or accuracy. Two volunteer companies were raised from the neighborhood of Susquehannah in the State of Pennsylvania one which was under the command of Captain Dirgy and the second was commanded by Captain Ransom, while both of these volunteer companies were laying at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania this deponent enlisted in the company under the command of Captain Dirgy during the winter of 1775 or 1776. The Regiment to which the whole companies belonged was under the command of Colonel Dirgy. Before the above companies left Valley Forge the captains of each resigned, and the vacancy in both officers was filled by the Lieutenant of the second company by the name of Spaulding who united the companies into one and was the commander. 
Within six weeks after this declarents enlistment the whole volunteer company was marched to the Town of Lancaster in Pennsylvania, the company remained at Lancaster about two months and was then marched to Susquehanna at Susquehanna the company into which this
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declarant had enlisted was placed under the command of General Sullivan who came as this declarant thinks with an army to Susquehanna and who was for some weeks engaged in making a road through the great swamp-
This Lieutenant was not at any time in any actual engagement with the British army during the time of his enlistment, but was engaged in frequent skirmishes with the Indians and it was for the defense of the inhabitants near the Susquehanna, against parties of Indians who made daily attacks upon the American settlements, that the volunteer Company into which this declarant was enlisted was marched from Lancaster. Before making Susquehanna the Indians had driven most of the inhabitants from that place, many of whom were met by the companies approaching for their defense. 
This Declarant at the time of his enlistment in the volunteer company first commanded by Captain Dirgy was a resident of Susquehanna Township and went from thence with one Nathan Stout, and joined the company which had been mostly raised in the neighborhood from which this declaring enlisted, at Valley Forge
The officers whose names this declaring can recall were as this deponent has stated Captain Dirgy Captain of the 1st Volunteer company, Captain Ransom Captain of the 2nd Volunteer company. After the names of 2 companies Captain Spaulding formerly Lieutenant in the 2nd company-
The names of Field Officers were
Coln'l Dirgy, Colonel Butler and General Sullivan.
This declarent cannot state more particularly the names of the officers, or the times when they were in command.
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The names of the Sergeants in the company were ___Ingerson, Pauldingh and O'Niel, John Spaulding was the Captain's naives-The names of the privates this declarent cannot recollect further than John Woodcocks, Derrick Woodcocks, William Cornelius, Nathan Stuart and Frederick Follet, the said Follet declarant remembers was wounded in several places by the Indians and scalped, But afterward wholly recovered-
This Declarant further states that he remained inn the service eighteen months altho he had enlisted into for one year. That the Captain who gave this declarant his discharge from the army was Captain Spaulding who refused to grant the same, or pay this declarant at the end of the year after declarant had enlisted but required that he should serve 18 months. At Susquehanna declarant received his discharge from Captain Spaulding and went into the State of New York where his father had remained in the town of Greenburgh in the county of Westchester, that this delarents mother met him and took his certificate and discharge and what has become of the same, declarant cannot state. At the time declarant enlisted he was of the age of 18 years, and that he knows of no person except his brother who can testify to his service nor does he know that there are any of the officers or privates whom this deponant know during the war are living. and whose testimony can be obtained.  An aulmant saith that during all the time he was in the service of the United States being 18 months
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he was continually on duty--and at no time left the company but was ready and active in every contest with the Indians. And at no time was engaged in any civil or other office; nor at any time Engaged in Business other than as a Soldier on duty, during the 18 months he was in the service or at any other time during the war.
That this declarant is known in his present neighborhood to Dr. David Palmer a physician and____________________________________
William M. Mitchell all residing Whiteplains in the county of West Chester and within one and half miles of this declarants residence who can testify to this declarants character for truth & veracity, this declarant can not name any clergyman who can certify for him as he is not known to any in the neighborhood, as the clergymen are Methodists who are constantly changing their residence and then who were lately in this neighborhood have removed, where this deponent can tell or find them. That the other persons named can testify as to this deponents reputation & their belief as to his Revolutionary service and (unreadable) he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Declarant further states that he cannot say more particularly than he has done the places through which he passed in his reaccount, as he was unacquainted with the country and has not much of his recollection in consequence of his age and infirmity. 
Michael Foster
X his mark
Sworn & subscribed before me this 26th day of Sept 1833
Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges as in aforesaid county.
Page 10

RE David Palmer Physician and William M. Mitchell Attorney at Law, residences of White Plains in the county of West Chester and State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Michael Foster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion We also believe him to be a man of truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit and belief
David Palmer
Wm. Minott Mitchell

Sworn & subscribed before me this 26th day of Sept. 1833
Ezra Lockwood One of the Judges in and fore said County

And I the said Ezra Lockwood Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of West Chester County do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution as he states. And I the Judge further certify that it appears to me that David Palmer and William M. Mitchell residents of the Town of White Plains in said County of West Chester are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to full credit and belief.
And I do further certify that the said Michael Fisher is aged and infirm and from bodily infirmity cannot attend court to make his declaration. 
Ezre Lockwood
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The following interrogations were preformed by the said Judge to the said Michael Foster

1. When and in what year were you Born
Answer
I was born at Haversham in the county of Rockhand and the State of New York as I am informed and believe on the 21st July 1758
2nd Have you any Record of your age and if so what is it 
Answer
I have no record of my age nor have I any other evidence of my age than from information I have received from my parents who are now deceased. The family record which once contained the time of my birth was last or destroyed during the war!
3rd Where were you living when called into the service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and there do you now live.
Answer
I lived in Susquehanna Township, the county I cannot now remember in the State of Pennsylvania, when I enlisted in the service of the United States in the volunteer company attached to the continental army and since the war I have resided in the Town of Greenbough, in the town of Harmon & in the town of North Castle & county of Westchester and
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near to each other. I now reside and have for many late years in North Castle aforesaid.
4th. How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute for whom
Answer
I enlisted as a volunteer as stated in my preceding declaration.
5th State the names of your Regular officers, who were with the Troop where you served, such continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Answer
The only officers I can now recollect are Colonel Dirgy who had the command of the Regiment at the time I enlisted, Colonel Butler, who had command at Susquehanna but I do not now remember whether Coln'l. Butler commanded a Regiment at Susquehanna. I think he was a resident of Susquehanna and took command of some militia companies there at that place-General Sullivan was in command at Susquehanna and I was discharged the day before he left there and went up the river. Captain Dirgy commanded the company I enlisted in at the time of my enlistment, Captain Ransom had the command of another volunteer company. Both companies were afterwards united and commanded by Captain Spaulding who had been lieutenant under Captain Ransom. The Regiment in which I was enlisted was of the Continental army and I have not any recollection of the officers belonging to any Militia Regiment
6 Did you receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
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Answer
My discharge was given me by Captain Spaulding and was lost or destroyed soon after I left the army but by what means I cannot now tell
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior, you service as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer-
I name Dr. David Palmer and William M. Mitchell residing in the town of White Plains in the county of Westchester and State of New York who can testify as to my character for veracity and good behavior my age and my service as a Revolutionary Soldier.
I Nathaniel Bayles clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of West Chester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before Hon. Ezra Lockwood a Judge of the said Court in the matter of the application of Michael Foster for a pension-
And I do further certify that the said Ezra Lockwood Esq. was a Judge of the said Court at the time when the amended declaration of the said Foster was sworn to before him, that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Ezra Lockwood and do believe his signature to the several papers hereunto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of office this 26 day of September 1833
N Bayles Clk.
Page 14

State of New York
County of West Chester SS
On this 26 day of September in the year 1833 John Foster of the town of White Plains in the said county being duly sworn before me Ezra Lockwood a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Westchester did depose and say that he is of the age of 68 years and upwards and during the early part of the Revolutionary War resided at Susquehanna in the State of Pennsylvania and in the year as this deponent can recall of 1775. That he is the brother of Michael Foster the declarant in the annexed declaration named, and this dependent well recollects the time when his Brother Michael left his home for the purpose of joining the volunteer company which had been raised from that neighborhood and which then lay at Valley Forge with the Continental army. That this depondent did not see his Said Bother after he left his home as Also mentioned until some months thereafter, when the Indians had made an attack upon the Town of Susquehanna and murdered most of the Inhabitants and this deponent with his fathers family had fled for their lives from Susquehanna and met the company in which this deponents brother was a volunteer, at Lehigh river, That this deponents brother assisted him in crossing the said river, and as this deponent recollects gave him a clay pipe. That the company was then proceeding onwards toward Susquehanna for the purpose of saving the town from the Indians, and this deponent left his said brother in the volunteer company, and did not again see him till the ninth of August 1777, as this deponent remembers it was the year
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after the Battle of White Plains. That this deponent with his father's family after leaving the Town of Susquehanna came immediately to the Town of Greenborough in the county of Westchester and there resided when Michael this deponents brother, returned from the army.
That this brother after his return from the service in the Volunteer Company as above stated frequently and immediately on his return stated to this deponent, the skirmishes that he had had with the Indians and the places he marched through and the events that occurred at Pennsylvania during the service of said Michael and that the same accede with the declaration hereto annexed which he believes the said Michael Foster to be of the age of seventy five years and upwards, and has always been a resident of the neighborhood in which this deponent has lived since the war and know and reputed to remain of varsity. That this said Brother Michael was an active (unreadable) man during the war and was absent from the time he enlisted to the time of his return more than 18 months and this deponent believes that all that time he was in active and continual service. 
John Foster
X his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26 day of Sept. 1833
Ezra Lockwood One of the Judges in and for Said County

I certify the above signature of Ezra Lockwood is genuine and the the above affidavit is part of the proceedings had before the said Judge in this matter
N Bayles clk.
Page 16

West Chester County SS

I Ezra Lockwood a Judge of the court of Common Pleas before whom the above declaration was made, and the proceeding affidavit taken, do hereby certify that John Foster whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit appeared before me at the time therein mentioned and made oath of the truth of the above affidavit and I do hereby certify that the said John Foster is a witness whose statements are entitled to full credibility, and his affidavit to full belief. And I further certify that Wm. M. Mitchell & David Palmer are credible persons and their statements are entitled to belief-
And I do further certify that there is no clergyman who resides in the neighborhood of the declarant who can make oath of his knowledge & of the said Foster or who can testify as to his credibility.
Ezra Lockwood

I Nathaniel Bayles clerk of the county of Westchester do hereby certify that that the signature of Ezra Lockwood Esq on the above certificate is genuine and that he is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of this county.
N Bayles Clk.
Page 17

State of New York
Westchester County SS

On this twenty second day of June-in the year 1853, personally appeared before the Surrogates Court of the said County of Westchester in the State of New York, Sarah Foster, a resident of the town of Mount Pleasant in the said County of Westchester and State afore said aged seventy seven 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 provision made by the law of the United States, passed the third of February, 1853: that she is the widow of Michael Foster, who was a private in the Militia and in actual service during the War of the Revolution and who was placed on the pension list on the third of January, 1834, at the rate of forty dollars a year for such military service, and for the proof of such military service of said Michael this declarant refers to the declaration of the said Michael now on file in the said pension office. She further declares that she was married to the said Michael on the tenth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred at the dwelling house of Stephen Palmer in the town of Mount
Page 18

Pleasant in said County of Westchester the father of Harvey Palmer, whose affidavit is hereto annexed, that the marriage ceremony was performed by one Thomas Dean, then a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Westchester, that her said husband died on the twenty fifth day of November in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty one, that she was not married to him 
second of January 
sand Eight hundred, 
above stated, she 
that she is now a 
Sworn to and subscribed on 
the day and year above written 
before Lewis C. Platt Surrogate 
of the County of West Chester and 
I the said Surrogate to certify 
that I am personally acquainted 
with the said Sarah Foster and 
with Harvey Palmer, the witness to 
her marriage and that their testimony
is respectfully entitled to 
full credit and belief.
In witness whereof I the said Surrogate 
have hereto set my hand & seal 
of office the day and 
year first above written.
L. C. Platt
Judge

printed and handwritten sheet acted to right side of letter
STATE OF NEW YORK,
County of Westchester, SS
I, Robert R. Oakley, Clerk of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said county, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Lewis C. Platt Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Instrument and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace (Crossed out) in and for the said County, residing in Said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws, of the said State. And, further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice(crossed out and Surrogate written in), and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine. 
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County Courts, the 22nd day of June--1853
Robt. R. Oakley Clerk
Page 19

This is duplicate of the last page with the printed document folded back.

Pleasant in said County of Westchester the father of Harvey Palmer, whose affidavit is hereto annexed, that the marriage ceremony was performed by one Thomas Dean, then a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Westchester, that her said husband died on the twenty fifth day of November in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty one, that she was not married to him  second of January  sand Eight hundred,  above stated, she  that she is now a widow. 
Sworn to and subscribed on  
the day and year above written  
before Lewis C. Platt Surrogate  
of the County of Westchester and  
I the said Surrogate to certify  
that I am personally acquainted  
with the said Sarah Foster and  
with Harvey Palmer, the witness to  
her marriage and that their testimony 
is respectfully entitled to  
full credit and belief. 
In witness whereof I the said Surrogate  
have hereto set my hand & 
seal  of office the day and  
year first above written. 
L. C. Platt Judge
Page 20

84.550
___________________________

Application for
Bounty land of
Sarah Foster
under Act of
March 3d, 1855.
_____________________



W. F. Purdy
Attorney
Tarrytown
N. Y.
Page 21

(Copy)
"Department of the Interior
Widow's Pension

I certify in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3: 1853
                 Sarah Foster
widow of Michael Foster
who was a private in the Revolutionary War is inscribed on the Pension List-
at the rate of Forty dollars and--cents- per annum commencing on the 3rd of February 1853 and continuing for life unless she should again marry: in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior this thirteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty three"

"R. McClellan"
Secretary of the Interior"

"Examined & Countersigned"
"L. P. Waldo.
"Commissioner of Pensions"
Page 22

(form letter with portions hand written)

Declaration by the Widow of Deceased Person who has not had a Land Warrant.

STATE OF New York
COUNTY OF Westchester SS

On this twelfth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Sarah Foster aged Eighty years, a resident of the town of Mount Pleasant in said County in the State of New York who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Michael Foster deceased, who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war.
(the next paragraph is crossed through)
"in the company commanded by Captain
the Regiment of 
commanded by
in the war with
declared 
by the United States on the 
day of 18
That her husband 
at 
on or about the 
day of 
A. D. 18 
for the term of
and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days)
Continues-
She further solemnly swears that she is the identical Sarah Foster widow of Michael Foster who is described as such widow in certificate for Widows pension which is now in her possession and a copy of which is hereunto annexed.
(crossed out-and was honorably discharged at
on the day of)
That she has never received any bounty land for her said husband's said service that the present is the only application she has ever made for bounty land. She further states that she was married to the said Michael Foster deceased in North Castle in said County on the____day of ____A. D. ___, by one Thomas Dean____a justice of then peace and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Hatch and that her husband died at said North Castlenon the _____day of _______A. D. 1841, and that she is now a widow, and she hereby authorizes W. F.Purdy of said town of Greenburgh as her atty. to prosecute her said claim and procure her warrant. 
She makes the Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855."
Sarah Foster
her X mark

STATE OF NEW YORK
County of Westchester, SS
I, Robert R. Oakley, Clerk of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Patterson R. Hart Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Instrument, and enforced thereon, was, on the day of then date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, residing in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws of the said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Courts and County, this 17th day of April 1855
Robert R. Oakley Clerk
Page 23

(form letter with portions hand written)
 
 Declaration by the Widow of Deceased Person who has not had a Land Warrant.  

STATE OF New York 
COUNTY OF Westchester SS  

On this twelfth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Sarah Foster aged Eighty years, a resident of the town of Mount Pleasant in said County in the State of New York who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Michael Foster deceased, who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
(the next paragraph is crossed through) "in the company commanded by Captain the Regiment of  commanded by in the war with declared  by the United States on the  day of 18 That her husband  at  on or about the  day of  A. D. 18  for the term of and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days) 
Continues- She further solemnly swears that she is the identical Sarah Foster widow of Michael Foster who is described as such widow in certificate for Widows pension which is now in her possession and a copy of which is hereunto annexed. 
(crossed out-and was honorably discharged at on the day of) 
That she has never received any bounty land for her said husband's said service that the present is the only application she has ever made for bounty land. She further states that she was married to the said Michael Foster deceased in North Castle in said County on the____day of ____A. D. ___, by one Thomas Dean____a justice of then peace and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Hatch and that her husband died at said North Castlenon the _____day of _______A. D. 1841, and that she is now a widow, and she hereby authorizes W. F.Purdy of said town of Greenburgh as her atty. to prosecute her said claim and procure her warrant.  She makes the Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855." Sarah Foster her X mark  

We, Rebecca Porteous and Catharine Harber residents of Mount Pleasant in the State of New York upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing Declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Foster 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.
Rebecca Porteous
Catharine Harber

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.
Patterson R. Hart
Justice of the Peace in and for Westchester County, New York
Page 24

28.177


Michael Foster



admd.


W. Ward

(X through below address)
Wm M. Mitchell Esq
White Plains
New York
Page 25

Nov 20 18__

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace,( thus} ). You will, when you return your papers to the Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compiling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
_______________________________________
A STATEMENT, shewing the Service of Michael Foster

The following is in columns
Period when the service was rendered 1776 
Declaration of the claimant's service
Year +1
Months 6
Days --
Rank of this claimant Private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served Col. Butler
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service--
Proof by which the declaration is supported. One living Witness not Certified Creditable

+ unlisted for now

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions

Without further proof the applicant claim will be admitted for twelve months only
Page 26

of
my upon
men, &c.
Person
the law, as well as persons
as being in actual military 

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Terriory, or District of
County of
On this            day of               personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of               in the county of                and State, Territory or District
of                aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)               , with               and 
served in the               (e) regiment of the               line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
     Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                                                                      A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I               of the Court of               
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of               for a pension.
     In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of               & c.

     If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
     Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
     (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the               and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with               , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be               
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
                              Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
               [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
     And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                Clerk of the Court of               do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
                                                            In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
                                                                           of office, this               day of               & c.

     Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power [underlined]. This is the original discharge or commission; 
but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
     If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 27

[top of page cut off]
1. Where and [cut off]
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where [cut off]
3. Where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. [begin parentheses] To a Soldier [italics]. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer [italics]. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to  your character for veracity, and their belief of your services of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
[begin parentheses] The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. [end parentheses]
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief if general, and whether any doubts have every existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge of Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking of effect of the act of June7, 1832; and in the case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] the declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 recollection, 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."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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' [italics], is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant serviced with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany 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 of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow 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.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 28

Sarah Foster
widow of
Michael Foster
_________________________
Declaration to obtain a Pension
_____________________________
Page 29

Westchester County SS: Harvey Palmer, of the town of Mount Pleasant, in said County of Westchester being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Sarah Foster of the town of Greenburgh in said County, the widow of Michael Foster, deceased: that he was also well acquainted with the said Michael in his life time; that he recollects being present when the said Michael was married to the said Sarah; that the Marriage ceremony took place at the house of Stephen Palmer in the said town of Mount Pleasant and that they were married by Thomas Dean Esq. a Justice of the Peace on or about the tenth day of December-in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred And_____that they after wards went to keeping house in the town of Mount Pleasant in said County, and that they had several children born in lawful wedlock; that they lived together as man and wife in said County until the death of the said Michael which occurred on the 25th day of November in the year one thou-
Page 30

sand eight hundred and forty one at his residence the town of North Castle in said County of Westchester, that this deponent always understood that the said Michael was a soldier during the War of the Revolution and was a soldier inscribed on the Pension List and further this deponent saith not. 
Harvey Palmer

Sworn and subscribed before me this 21st day of June in the year 1853 
Hobby Brown
Justice of the Peace
SS

STATE OF NEW YORK 
County of Westchester, SS
 I, Robert R. Oakley, Clerk of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Hobby Brown Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Instrument, and enforced thereon, was, on the day of then date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, residing in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws of the said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine. 
 In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Courts and County, this 22nd day of June 1853 
Robert R. Oakley Clerk
Page 31

State of New York
County of Westchester SS John Fisher of the town of White Plains in the said County being duly sworn says that he was acquainted with Michael Foster in his life time and with Sarah Foster his widow-and knows the said Sarah to be his widow-That he was present at the funeral of the said Michael-That deponent has no record of the death of the said Michael, and cannot recollect the time of his death with certainty but deponent thinks the said Michael died from twelve to 15 years ago.
John Fisher

Sworn to before me this 29th day of September 1853 and I certify that the said John Fisher is a respectable witness and has held respectable offices in the state of New York

Lewis C. Platt, Esquire
(signature partially covered with another paper)

STATE OF NEW YORK, 
County of Westchester, SS 
I, Robert R. Oakley, Clerk of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Lewis C. Platt Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Instrument, and enforced thereon, was, on the day of then date of the said Certificate, a Surrogate, in and for said County, residing in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws of the said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Surrogate, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.  
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Courts and County, this 29th day of September 1853 Robert R. Oakley Clerk
Page 32

State of New York
County of Westchester SS John Fisher of the town of White Plains in the said County being duly sworn says that he was acquainted with Michael Foster in his life time and with Sarah Foster his widow-and knows the said Sarah to be his widow-That he was present at the funeral of the said Michael-That deponent has no record of the death of the said Michael, and cannot recollect the time of his death with certainty but deponent thinks the said Michael died from twelve to 15 years ago.
John Fisher

Sworn to before me this 
29th day of September 
1853 and I certify that the said John Fisher is a respectable witness and has held respectable offices in the state of New York

L. C. Platt (unreadable)
The County of WChester
Page 33

Aaron Ward
Sept 2/57

Sarah Foster

Pension 1853


New York
Westchester Co.

Sarah Foster
Page 34

Dear Sir

I sent you my checks some time ago which I have no doubt you recieved. I now send the papers relating to Mrs. Sarah Foster pension claim, That you may bring the same before the Court of Claims: You will no doubt be enabled to get copies of the necessary papers at the P. office & I hereby authorize you to act as the atty. of Mrs. Foster. You will find a copy of my letter to the Dept. & the reply of the C. of Pensions. It well has ?? I think to put the decision of the court in the case before the results of Congress. That it will be persented to congress for its action as soon after the commission & the session is possible.
I am with respect
your servant
A. Ward

Sing Sing
Sept 2nd 1857
Page 35

Sing Sing, N. Y.
Nov. 10. 1856

Sir

Mrs. Sarah Foster, widow of Michael Foster deceased, received a pension of $40 per annum under the act of 3rd February, 1853 and she has been informed that a decision has been made, since the date of her certificate, on similar claims, allowing the pension to commence from the 4th of March 1848 instead of the 3rd of February 1853. And in examining the acts of 1848 & 1853, I am satisfied that such was the intension of the framers of the act of 1853.
The 2nd Section of the act of 3 Feb 1853 reads thus: "That the widows of all of officers & & & who were named subsequent to January A. D. 1800 Shall be entitled to a pension in the same manner as those who were named before that date"; And the act of 1848 reads thus: "The widows of all Officers & & & shall be entitled to a pension during such widowhood & &, to commence on the 4th of March 1848, now
Page 36

no day was fixed in the act of 1853 when the pension should commence it is perfectly clear that Congress in using the words: "in such manner as these who were named before that date" intended that the pension should commence on the 4th day of March 1848. That being the day fixed for the commencement of the pension in the act of that year. It is the just & equitable conclusion & I am glad to learn that the widows, who were named subsequent to 1800 are placed on the same footing, so for as regards the commencement of the pension, with these who were named prior to the day.

I am therefore, requested, by Mrs. Foster to ask that her claim may be re-examined & that she may also receive, in lieu of her present pension certificate one to commence on the 4th of March 1848 from which is to be deducted the amount of money recd. by her on her certificate herewith returned.
I have the honor to be with great respect
Aaron Ward

To the Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Page 37

(Form letter with handwritten notes inserted)

Brief in the case of Mrs Sarah Foster widow of Michael
Westchester County and State of New York
act of Feb. 3 1853
_______________________________________
Claim, ("original," or "for increase."
Husband a pensioner under act of June 7 1832 at $40 per annum
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
A private in the New York line one yr.
Pension paid to his death
Nov. 18. 1840

Allowed $40 dollars per annum

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by Harvey Palmer a resident of Mt Pleasant in sd. County-certified to be credible
Death of previous by auditors report
Identity & widowhood by credible witness

Examining Clerk
J. S. Gray

Name and residence of Agent
Aaron Ward
Sing Sing
Westchester co
N York
Page 38

Washington

June 9, '58

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Com of Pensions
Sir: I enclose the authority of Hon. Aaron Ward att. of Sarah Foster a Pensioner under the act of Feb 7 53 authorizing me to act in the case and request my name to be ??
Very respectfully
your ob service. 
J. Jay Langdon
Page 39

Sing Sing, Oct 8th 1853

Sir,

I take pleasure in forwarding the enclosed affidavits in support of Mrs. Foster's claim for a Pension, which explain fully, in my opinion, the descrepencies referred to in your note of the 10th ??.
Mrs. Foster sustains a good character where she is known. I have been acquainted with her son, Thomas R. Foster for many years. He resides in the village and has always sustained the character of a sober, honest and industrious man.--
The Hon. John Fisher, who affidavit drawn by the Surrogate, is annexed to the papers, shows that he was present at the funeral of Mr. Foster, and he identifies Mrs. Foster as his widow.--He thinks that Mr. Foster died some 12 or 15 years ago, but for the reason stated by him he cannot give the precise day of his death. Mr. Fisher represented this county for several years in the assembly of the state, and is a
Page 40

man of high character and integrity, and his testimony cannot be called into question. Mr. Palmer the witness in the declaration on file is one of our most wealthy farmers, and an upright and honorable man, whose testimony is also unimpeachable.
It is proper to say that I make no charge for my services where applications of this character are made by my friends and neighbors. But as Mrs Foster has already been put to great expense in traveling to get the necessary papers, I trust that you will find the documents sufficient for the purpose intended.
I am with great respect
Your Obd. servant
Aaron Ward

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 41

Sing Sing June 23d 1853

Sir

I have been requested by Mrs. Foster to forward the endorsed pension application to the pension department.

You will be pleased to forward the certificate to me as soon as ??

I am with respect
Aaron Ward

To the Commissioner of
Pensions
Page 42

NO 2373
Mrs Sarah Foster widow
of Michael
Let Sept 18/53 Gray
Page 43

(folded document with two sides)
Left side

Pension Office
Sept 5/53

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

Very Respectfully &c
F. Burt Esq.
Aud.
S. Cole
Acting Comm.
Present

Michael Foster, Act 1832
$40.00--p. an.--Died
18th Nov. 1840--Paid to his death

F. Burt
Auditor
Pension off.
Sept 9/53
Please report this evidence upon which above report is based-see evidence within
S. Cole
for Comm.

29 ?? 1841. (over)

right side written bottom to top

Michael Foster Act of 7th June 1832 $40.00 pr. an. Died 18th Nov. 1840, on the oath of Sarah Foster, his widow, this was proven, on the 19th March 1841, before Alexander H. Wells, surrogate of the Court of Westchester at the town of White Plains--Mr. Foster died in North Castle in Westchester County, so his widow proved 19th March '41--he is paid to the time date of his death, as proven on settlement of the New York City account for the 2d gr. 1841.
F. Burt
Auditor
Page 44

Tarrytown
Nov 20: 1855

J. Minot Esq.

Dr. Sir. I rec'd. line from the Department this morning informing me of suspension of claim of Sarah Foster widow of Michael Foster dec'd. 
You say "the Revolutionary service of the hushand does not assure of record in this office"
The applicant is very aged it is difficult to make her understand but I am satisfied that she has no further record evidence to offer her application is No. 84:550 if you will refer to it you will find annexed copy of certificate for pension granted by the department
Page 45

for the services of her husband of which you say there is no record evidence.
It seems to me that if there were evidence sufficient to grant the pension that the pension certificate should be evidence of her right to Bounty land.
If she had written evidence of her husband's service as a discharge or the likes it was most likely sent to the department as evidence after right to pension.
I can send the original certificate for pension but she does not like to part with it unless assured it would be returned. 
Will you please inform me if I shall send you the pension certificate
Page 46

In the case of a lady so aged and apparently deserving as Mrs. Foster I hope the officers of the Department will feel willing to advise tho' it may be contrary to their usual course.
Respectfully
W. F. Purdy
Page 47

(Envelope)

FREE
J. Minot Esq.
Commissioner 
of Pensions &c
Washington, D. C.

(sideways botton to top)
84450
Sarah Foster
wid
Michael

Boyington

(stamped) Tarrytown NY. NOV 21
Page 48

Service                                       
Penn.

Foster, Michael                       
            Sarah                       

Number
W 5275 1/2
B.L. Wt. 27638-160-55
Page 49

Revy WIDOW, &c.
___________________
File No. 5275 1/2
Sarah Foster
Widow
Michael Foster
Pvt. Rev: War
________________
Act: Feby. 3. 1853

Index:-Vol. A, Page 245

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 50

Sarah Foster  s

application

For changing the date
of An. Commencement of her
Pension per 3d Feb 1853
to the 4th March 1848
Page 51

State of New York
Westchester County SS

On this sixth day of November A. D. 1856 personally appended before me a justice of the peace within and for the County of Westchester and State aforesaid Sarah Foster aged (83) eighty three years a resident of the Town of Mount Pleasant County & State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn on her oath saith that she is the widow of Michael Foster deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary War, as will appear by reference to the declaration of this deponent now on file in the Pension Office in the City of Washington that this deponent was, as the widow of said Micheal Foster, inscribed on the pension roll at the rate of Forty dollars per annum, commencing on the 3d February A. D. 1853: that she received a Pension Certificate therefore dated on the thirteenth day of October A. D. (1853) one thousand
Page 52

eight hundred and fifty three, and this deponent further saith that she is advised that she is entitled to a pension to commence on the fourth day of March AD 1848 instead of the third of February AD 1853 and she respectfully submits her claim to the Commissioner of Pensions Therefore hereby yielding up her prior pension certificate and this dependent further saith that she has remained the widow of said Michael Foster ever since his death & she still remains a widow. 
Sarah x her mark Foster
Sworn to & subscribed before me this of November 1856. 
Wm M. Skinner

State of New York
County of Westchester SS
Personally appeared Aaron Ward and Thomas Foster of the Town of Ossining County of Westchester & State of New York, who I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit who being by me duly sworn say that they were present and saw Sarah Foster sign her name by making her (??) the foregoining affidavit: and they further
Page 53

swear that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant and the acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself
(Paper over some of the text)
the deponent do reside
in said County of
Justice of the Peace
Further certify that
Foster is a credible
full belief.
Aaron Ward
Thomas Foster his x mark

Sarah Foster is a 
entitled to full belief
Wm. M. Skinner
Justice of the Peace

(document covering part of letter)
STATE OF NEW YORK,  
County of Westchester, SS  
I, John P. Jenkins, Clerk of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Wm. M. Skinner Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Instrument, and enforced thereon, was, on the day of then date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, residing in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws of the said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.  In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Courts and County, this 8th day of November 1856 John P. Jenkins Clerk.
Page 54

Sware that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that they the deponents do reside in the town of Ossining in said County of Westchester; and I Wm. M. Skinner Justice of the Peace further certify that the said Sarah Foster is a credible witness & entitled to full belief.
Aaron Ward
Thomas Foster his X mark

Sworn & subscribed before me this 6th day of November 1856
Wm M Skinner
Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that Sarah Foster is a credible witness and entitled to full belief.
Wm M. Skinner
Justice of the Peace
Page 55

State of New York
Westchester County } SS
Thomas R. Foster, of the town of Ossining, in the County of Westchester being duly sworn says that he is a son of the within named Sarah Foster, and that the said Sarah in making her declaration for a Pension consulted with this deponant for the purpose of ascertaining the time of death of the deponent's father; and that all the information deponents could give for the purpose of assisting the recollection of his said mother was formed upon the memory of deponent of the event of such death without any record of the time thereof-no tombstone having been erected on his grave, and no entry of the event having been made in any family bible or other book, and that he computed such time from the fact as he supposed that since the death of his said father he resided in the village of Sing Sing in said county; and that he had no record of the time of his going to Sing Sing, and was liable to mistake as to that.
Tho. R. Foster 
his X   mark
Sworn and subscribed before mw this 29th day of September 1853
L. C. Platt Surrogate of the County of Westchester
Page 56

State of New York
Westchester County} SS
Sarah Foster, of the town of Mount Pleasant, in said County of Westchester being duly sworn says that in her declaration for a Pension lately made to the Pension Department she stated the time of the death of her late husband Michael Foster without having any record thereof to assist her memory, and that her computations of time was made by referring to other facts such as the time of her residence at different places, about which she was liable to be mistaken; and that she relied somewhat in making such computations upon her son Thomas R. Foster, who, as deponent believes, had no record or other evidence thereof but who relied upon his memory of the event.
Sarah Foster
her X mark

Sworn and subscribed before me this 29 day of September, 1853
L. C. Platt
Surrogate of the county of Westchester
Page 57

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Foster, Moses GRADE Pvt LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11209 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED no date shown
Same warrant number recorded as issued for service of Wm. Foreman, Pvt. - Md. line.