Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,083, James Gates, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE CONN GATES, JAMES  NUMBER 23,083
POLLY
Page 2

8878 ILLEGIBLE
VERMONT
POLLY GATES DEC D WIDOW OF JAMES GATES WHO WAS A PRIVATE IN THE REVOLUTION FOR 12 MONTHS
INSCRIBED ON THE ROLL AT THE RATE OF 40 DOLLARS 00 CENTS PER ANNUM, TO COMMENCE ON THE 4TH DAY OF MARCH, 1843.
END 3 SEPT 1845 WHEN SHE DIED 
CERTIFICATE OF PENSION ISSUED THE 21 DAY OF AUG 1850 AND SEND TO WM. IAN MEACHAM HINSE OF RIPS
ACTS OF MARCH 3, 1943, & JUNE 17, 1844
RECORDED IN BOOK A VOL. 2 PAGE 3
PAYABLE TO ONLY ILLEDGIBLE CHILD ILLEGILBE
LAURA GATES
Page 3

JAMES GATES AGED 65 YEARS OF [ILLEGIBLE] IN THE COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN AND STATE OF VERMONT BEING DULY SWORN AND DECLARED AND DAY THAT HE ENTERED INTO THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY IN THE MONTH OF JUNE 1775 BY ENLISTMENT TO SERVE FOR FIVE MONTHS IN THE COMPANY OF CAPT REUBEN BOSTWICK IN COL CHARLES WEBBS REGIMENT IN THE CONNECTICUT LINES, AND THAT HE SERVES OUT THE FULL [ILLEGIBLE] OF HIS ENLISTMENT, AND WAS THEN REGULARLY DISCHARGED AND THAT IN THE MONTH OF MAY 1778 AT SALLISBURY CON. HE ENLISTS FOR SEVEN MONTHS TO SERVE IN THE COMPANY OF CAPT. BENJN MILLS IN COL BRADLEYS REGIMENT IN TEH CONNECTICUT LINE, THAT DURING THIS TERM OF SERVICE HE WAS IN THE BATTLE OF YORK WASHINGTON, HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER BY THE BRITISH AND SO KEPT, FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, WHEN HE WENT HOME ON PAROLE - [ILLIGIBLE]  FURTHER DAY THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED A DISCHARGE - THAT HE IS AN AMERRICAN BORN - NOW IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN A [ILLIGIBLE] CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT HE [ILLIGIBLE] IN REDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE AND IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE OF HIS COUNTY FOR [ILLIGIBLE]
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AND THAT HE HAS NO OTHER EVIDENCE NOW IN HIS POWER, OF HIS [ILLIGIBLE] SERVICES- JAMES GATED
SWORN TO, DECLARED AND INSCRIBED BEFORE ME THIS 18TH DAY OF APRIL 1818
 TRUMAN CHITTENDEN YOUTANT JUDGE OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY COURT
I TRUMAN CHITTENDEN [ILLIGIBLE] JUDGE OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY COURT, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, THAT IT APPEARS TO MY SATIFIFACTION, THAT THE [ILLIGIBLE] NAMED JAMES GATED DID SERVE IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AS STATED IN THE PRECEEDING [ILLIGIBLE] AFFADAVIT, AGAINST THE COMMON ENEMY, AND I NOW TRANSMIT THE PROCEEDINGS AND TESTIMONY TAKEN AND HAVE BEFORE ME TO THE [ILLIGIBLE] FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR, PRESUENT TO THE DIRECTION OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ART OF [ILLIGIBLE], BURLINGTON VERMONT APRIL 18 1878
TRUMAN CHITTENDEN [ILLIGIBLE] JUDGE OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY COURT
COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE BURLINGTON VERMONT I NATHAN B HASWELL, CLERK OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY COURT DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT TRUMAN CHITTENDEN BEFORE WHOM THE [ILLIGIBLE] AFFIDAVIT AND CERTIFIICATE AS GIVIN IS ON [ILLIGABLE JUDGE OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY COURT, DULY QUALIFIED ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THIS STATE, AND THAT THE [ILLIGABLE] ON HIS OWN [ILLIGIBLE] HIS TESTIMONY WHEREBY I HAVE [ILLIGIBLE] MY HAND AND [ILLIGIBLE] THE SEAL OF THIS COUNTY TO BE [ILLIGIBLE] TO THERE [ILLIGIBLE] THIS 18TH DAY OF APRIL 1878. NATHAN B HASWELL
[STATE OF VERMONT CHITTENDEN COUNTY SEAL ON LEFT SIDE]
Page 5

HON. J.L. EDWARDS 
PENSION [ILLIGIBLE] 
WASHINGTON DC 
[ILLIGIBLE] HAVING SERVED NINE MONTHE UNDER ONE ENLISTMENT 4-4-10 5-3-6 3-8-4
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STATE OF VERMONTESSEX [ APRIL 25 1840 COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN
THEN PERSONALLY APPEARED BEFORE ME ONE OF THE ASSISTANT JUDGES OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY COURT POLLY GATES OF ESSEX IN SAID COUNTY AGE ABOUT 80 YEARS WHO BEING DULY SWORN ACCORDING TO LAW DOTH ON HER OATH MAKE THE FOLLOWING DECLARATION IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEDIT OF THE PROVISION MADE BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS RATIFIED JULY 4TH 1936. SHE FURTHER STATES THAT SHE IS THE WIDOW OF JAMES GATES LATE OF ESSEX COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN AND STATE OF VERMONT THAT SHE WAS BORN IN CANAAN COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD & STATE OF CONNECTICUT ABOUT THE YEAR 1759- THAT HER NAME WAS POLLY WHITNEY & THAT SHE WAS SOMETIMES CALLED MARY; THAT SHE WENT TO SALISBURY TO RESIDE AT THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN & THAT AT THE AGE OF 19 SHE MARRIED JAMES GATES OF SALISBURY [ILLIGIBLE] THAT THE CEREMONTY WAS PERFORMED BY THE REV. JONATHAN [ILLIGIBLE] THE PRIEST OF THE PARRISH THAT ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER AS SHE THINKS THEY MOVED & SETTLED IN CLARENDON COUNTY OF RUTHANO & STATE OF VERMONT. that THEY RESIDED IN CLARENDON ABOUT FIVE YEARS. THENCE TO HEIRRESBURG VT WHERE THEY RESIDED TWELVE YEARS. THENCE TO ESSEX COUNTY & STATE [ILLIGIBLE] THAT THE SAID JAMES GATES DIED 19 OR 19 YEARS AGO LAST SEPTEMBER - AND NOW RESIDES IN ESSEX AFORESAID THAT HER HUSBAND THE AFORESAID JAMES GATES ENTERED THE SERVICE BY ENLISTMENT IN THE MONTH OF JUNE 1775 TO SERVE FOR FIVE MONTHS IN THE COMPANY OF CAPT. REUBEN BOSTWICK IN COL. CHARLEY WEBBS REGIMENT IN THE CONNECTICUT [ILLIGIBLE], THAT AS
Page 7

SHE [ILLIGIBLE] HE SERVED OUT HIS FULL TERM & GOT A DISCHARGE & THAT IN THE MONTH OF MAY 1776 AT SALISBURY AFORESAID HE ENLISTED FOR SEVEN MONTHS INTO THE COMPANY OF CAPT JENJAMIN MILLS IN COL. BRADLEYS REGIMENT IN THE CONNECTICUT LINE -- THAT IN THIS TERM OF SERVICE HE WAS IN THE BATTLE OF FORT WASHINGTON AND TAKEN PRISONER & KEPT A PRISONER ABOUT THREE MONTHS & THAT HE [ILLIGIBLE] OUT ONCE AFTER THEIR MARRIAGE THAT HE WAS ORDERED AS SHE THINKS TO [ILLIGIBLE]ARE THE [ILLIGIBLE] COURT PERHAPS [ILLIGIBLE]THAT HER IMPRESSION IS THAT HE WAS ORDERED OUT FOR SIX WEEKS AN HE SERVED SIXS SHE CANNOT RECALL [ILLIGIBLE] WHICH & THAT FOR A PART OF THE WHOLE SERVICE HE WAS A SERGEANT.
POLLY GATES
SWORN & SUBSCRIBED THIS 25TH DAY OF APRIL 1840 BEFORE WILLIAM WOOD - ASSISTANT JUDGE OF CHITTENDON CO COURT
I HEREBEY CERTIFY THAT THE APPLICANT BEING AGED & NOT ABLE TO WRITE HER NAME IT WAS WRITTEN BY ANOTHER PERSON AT HER REQUEST. I FURTHER CERTIFY THAT MRS. POLLY GATES THE APPLICANT IS A CREDIBLE PERSON.
WILLIAM WOOD ASSISTANT JUDGE OF CHITTENDON CO COURT
Page 8

State of Vermont
Chittenden County, SS.}

I William Noble, Clerk of Chittenden Count Court, do herby certify that William Wood before whom the foregoing declaration & deposition of Polly Gated was taken and made was at the time of taking taking the same and still is. an assistant Judge of Chittenden County Court, duly commissioned & sworn; and that his name thereto subscribed in his own genuine & proper signature.
I also certify that human Barkey before me whom the forgoing and annexed deposition of John Lyman and Daniel Hutchinson were taken was at the time of taking the same & still is, a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Chittenden, duly commissioned & sworn and that his name thereto subscribed in his own genuine & proper signature. In testimony any whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Chittenden County Court this fifth day of May AD 1840.
William Noble
Page 9

5047
To Hon. J. L. Edwards Pension Commissioner 
Washington D.C.

V5047
Polly Gates
[YR]
Act 4 July 26
Rejected of Admitted under act 7 July 1838
comp.tr. & [wetregs] 
75. 5 
76. 7
12 per
manned in 1780
rejected
under in service after [illegible]
Testimony of D. Hutchinson & John Lyman
by Jeuce V.T.
Page 10

Declaration of Laura Gates 
No. 1
M.
No. 14180
Polly Gates dea., mo of James
VR
Act of 7 July 1838
Manned 1780
husband decd 1820
widow decd, 3rd Sept, 1845
adm'd 12 nw annal
$40.00 p. ann.
per 4 March 1836 to 4 March 41, also act 3 March 43 & 17 [June] $40.00 p. ann. per 4 March 43 to 3 Sept 45 the day of her death repayable to Laura Gates only surviving child
Hon. Jas Mecham
House of Rep.
Page 11

State of Vermont
District of Chittenden SS.}
On this 8th day of February A.D. 1850 personally appeared before the Hon. the
Court of Probate for said district. Laura Gates of Essex in sd district aged Sixty three years and after being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed
July 4th 1836. but should not the proof be found sufficient to entitle her to the benefit of said act then she asks for the benefit of the act passed July7th 1838 of March 3d 1843 and of June 17, 1844 That she is the only surviving child of James Gates and of Pally. Gates deceased late of Essex in sd State. That the said James Gates was a soldier in the Revolutionary army and it is believed by declarant that at the time he entered it he resided in Salisbury Connecticut. and that he rendered some part of the service under one Capt Isaac Bostwick - she does not know what amount of service he rendered but believes for more than
two years-- she has often been told by her parents that in was a prisoner for a period of several months nd that he often spoke of his suffering and privations while so confined. That her father the said James Gates in his lifetime made application for a pension that he was not allowed a pension for the reason as
declarant believes as he was not able to prove service
Page 12

for  nine months  at our time.   That her father the said James Gates was married to her mother whose name was Polly Whitney in Salisbury Cou. in the month of August 1779 by Rev. M. Lee as she believes. that her father the sd James died in the month of September 1823. that her mother  the sd Polly Gates in her lifetime claimed to be entitled to a pension- she believed an application was made about the A.D. 1839. but she is not able to state whether there is any papers are filed in the Pension Office in relation to it. That her mother the said Polly died the 3rd day of September A.D. 1845. And that declarant now asks the the pension due  for late mother be allowed and paid. 
Fanny Gates
State of Vermont
District of Chittenden}

At Burlington on this eight day of February AD. 1850 personally app. before me the above named Laura Gates and made oath that the foregoing declaration by her subscribed is there according to her but, information, knowledge and belief before Charles Adams 
Judge of the Probate Court
Page 13

and I the said Charles Adams do further certify that it was proven to my satisfaction by the applicant of Benjamin Warren & other residents that the said Laura Gates is a person of truth and credibility
Charles Adams Judge
I Bradford Rixford Register of the Probate Court written and for the District of Chittenden & State of Vermont do hereby certify that Charles Adams is the judge of said Court & that the foregoing certificate i by him signed is in his hand writing and that the signature hereto is his hand  writing 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court and subscribed my name at Burlington in said District this 9th day of February A.D. 1850 Branford Rixford Register
Page 14

Certificate of the Town of Salisbury - No. 3
Page 15

State of Connecticut
Litchfield County} ss.
 Salisbury February 18th 1850
I hereby certify that I find upon the records
of Marriages Births and Deaths in my
office the following record in the words as
follows (viz) "Mary daughter of James
Gates & Mary his wife was born in Salisbury June "1st 1781." (Seventeen hundred & Eighty one)
"Clarissa daughter of James Gates & Mary his wife was born in Salisbury 22d October 1782."
And I hereby further certify that I do not
find upon said records the record of the Marriage of said James Gates to said Mary
J Warner
Town Clerk
Litchfield County ss
Salisbury Feby. 18th 150
Personally appeared Donald J Warner subscribed of the foregoing certificate and made solemn oath that he is town Clerk of said town that the above certificate made by him is true
H.G. Vanderson Justice of the Peace
Page 16

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,} ss. Litchfield:
Litchfield County,}
Frederick D. Beeman Assistant Clerk of the COUNTY COURT
of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that H. G. Vanderson of
Salisbury in said County is an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by law authorized to administer
OATHS and to take the acknowledgement of DEEDS. And that his
commission was
dated on the 18th day of June
A. D., 1849, and will expire on the 4th
day of July, A. D., 1850, and that the signature to the accompanying instrument, purporting to be his, is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court, this
20th day of February A.D. 1850
Frederick D. Beeman
Assistant Clerk
Page 17

Rec'd
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23083
Polly Gates
wid of
James Gates
Priv. Rev. War
Act March 3rd /43 June 17 1844
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 265
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

Hon J Micham
[Hium Miy]

5047
( see in the claim/ R.104817 of Levi Dec 5, 1839)
Let. to [tisess] Mr. Bradley,
July 6, 1840
" to same " " 30, 1840-
"    "        " Sep. 1 1843-

Act 4 July 36
Page 19

10964 M
Vermont
---
Polly Gates decd
Widow of James Gates
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died in the year 1823
of Chittenden in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the Company
commanded by Captain
of the
commanded by
in
line for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier
at the rate of 40
Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21,
day of
Augt 1853 and sent to
R
Hon. Jas Meacham

---
Payable to only child Laura Gates
Total amount, $

[Act of July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J.P. Chase  Clerk
Book D Vol. 1  Page 129
Page 20

In the matter of Polly Gates 
Benj. H. Warner
R [Blank] affidavit
no. 2-
Page 21

State of Vermont
Chittenden County
Benjamin F Warner of Essex in
said County & State aged sixty four years after being
duly sworn saith that he is by profession a physician
that he was the attending Physician of Polly Gates
late of Essex deceased. That he attended her in her last
illness and that the died on the 3d day of Sept 1845
Deponent states that the sd Polly Gates was the widow
of James Gates deceased late of Essex, that the said Gates
was reputed & believed by those who knew him to
have been a soldier in the Revolutionary war that
he is acquainted with Laura Gates of Essex in sd County and that she is the only child now living
of the sd James & Polly Gates and that she is a
woman of truth & credibility
B F Warner
Sworn to before me And I certify
he is well known to me & is a person
of truth & credibility
Henry Weed Jus. Peace
[esset] Feb 8 1850
Page 22

State of Vermont
Chittenden County ⎬ Robert Beach of Williston in
said County and State aged Ninety years a soldier
of the Revolution & a pensioner after being sworn saith
That he was acquanted with James Gates who came to
reside in Hinesburgh Vermont about the year 1796. That
town then being the residence of deponent said Gates
lived in Hinesburgh about tweleve years and then moved to Essex V.T when he died about twenty five years ago
Deponent further saith that he first knew the
said James Gates in Connecticut that he was a soldier
in the revolution. deponent was in the service [illegible] 
 [Thucit]
New London was burnt and the said James
Gates was then in the service - he is not able to state
the length of time he served or particulars in relation to
it
Robert Beach
Sworn to before me on this sixth day of
February 1840 And I certify sd Beach is well
known to me & that he is a person of truth &
credibility 
Henry Weed Just. Peace
Page 23

State of Vermont  
Chittenden County, SS. } D.B. Burley
Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby
certify that Harry Weed Esquire, was in the

Eighth day of February  AD 1830 a Justice
of the peace within and for 
 the County of Chittenden
duly commissioned sworn; that I am well
acquainted with his hand writing and know his
signature to the two preceding certificates to be genuine


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said
Court at Burlington in said
County, this Ninth
day of February
---
A.D. 1850.
D. B. Buckley County Clerk
Page 24

Certificate of the County Clerk of Chittenden County
Page 25

State of Vermont 
Chittenden County SS. } 
I Daniel B. Buckley Clerk of Chittenden County do herby certify that Henry Weed Esq was on the 4th and 5th days of September AD 1850 a Justice of the Peace within and for County of Chittenden duly commissioned and sworn. 
In witness where of I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Chittenden County Court this 23rd day of September AD 1850.
Daniel B. Buckley
Page 26

Robert Beach 
Affid.
No. 2nd
Page 27

Robert Beach, a resident of Williston, Chittenden County
Vermont aged Ninety years a pensioner of the United States
under the law of June 7, 1832, and after being sworn

saith, that he was in the service of the United
States for a short period in the A.D. 1781 the year
New London was burnt. That he was aquainted with
James Gates who was in the service at the same time
that deponent moved to Hinesburgh Vermont in the
AD. 1789-That the sd James Gates moved to Hinesburgh
a few years after, when he lived about twelve
years & their removed to Essex in sd County & State,
when the sd Gates died about twenty eight years
go - his widow survived & died about five
years ago - deponent was well acquainted with
Gates until his death & further saith not
Robert Beach

Robert Beach above named personally
appeared before me on the 4th of Sept 1850
& made oath to the facts above subscribed &
 I hereby certify he has been personally known
to me more than forty years, and that
he is a man of truth & credibility
Henry Weed Jus. Peace
Page 28

New York August 16th 1850
Hon James Macham
Sir I take the liberty of entering
to your can the Pension papers of one of your constituents
Laura Gates, of Essex, Chittenden Co. I believe
the papers are according to the rules of the Pension
Office and shall expect a favorable result
so is the declaration, setting forth that she is the
only surviving child of James Gates & Mary or Polly his
Wife and the date of the death of both her parents,
No 2 in the affidavit of Benjaman F Marrow and
Robert Beach proving her statement No 3 is the certificate
 of the Town Clerk of Salisbury - stating that
there is no record of the Marriage of James & Polly (aka Mary)  Gates, but that there is a record of the birth
that of the birth of a child on the
1st of June 1781 - No 4 is the certificate of the controller in of CT proving the service of the said James Gates, in
1775 and 1776, and of his being a prisoner in 1776-
The testimony of Robert Beach establishes the fact
that James Gates was in the service the year that New London was burnt & of this is admitted to the late Polly,
or Mary Gates, marriage took place prior to his last service " sd service  of the Revolution"  - No. 5 is the certificate & seal of Judge Adams relative to the date of  death of Mrs Gates and of the Identity of Lauren
Gates on the only surviving child -
Page 29

If you will present their papers to the Commissioner of Pensions and send me the decision at New York. You will greatly oblige your friend and obt servant.

John K Weed
No 90 First St
New York

(upside down)
To the Hon Hames Meacham M.G.
Washington D.C.

(sideways three lines are illegible)
Page 30

Certificate of the Controller of Connecticut



No 4
Page 31

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford July 25th 1850
I certify that an application for evidence of the service of James Gates in the war of the revolution, I have examined the books and documents remaining in this office relating to that war, and find a document headed "A Pay Role of the 7th Company" of the 7th regiment, Raised [illegible] order General Assembly " Colony Connecticut July A.D. 1776 of which Isaac Bostwick [illegible] states to be Captain, and in which I find the name of James Gates, and opposite his name are the following entries was "/  Private /" in service 5 month/ wages due £10/ When recd Colony Provision [illegible] [illegible] 44 / number of mile home 163. / Due for [illegible] home £0.13.7 / Total around £10.7.7."
I further certify that At a special session of the General Assembly held in June 1776, an act was passed to raise by enlistment, two regiments to reinforce the continental Army in the Northern departments At the same special session [illegible] regiments including the one raised in May, were raised to march immediately and join the continental army  in New York, to be [illegible] in service until the 25th of December 1776. James Wadsworth.
Page 32

"Jr, was appointed Brigadier General. The Colonels were Gold S Silliman of Fairfield, Philip B Bradley of Ridgefield" &c.

I find in a book of the Pay Table Office, now in this office, an account under the following heading "Col. Philip B Bradleys Regt 1776," and in aid account the name of "James Gates" appears, and opposite his name are the following entries viz "Wages L 4.4.10 Mileage L 0.8.4/ Hospital expense L 3.4./ Army and Baggage taken or destroyed L 5.3.6/ Total L 13.0.8."

R. G. Pinney Comptroller
by Geo. Robinson Clerk

I further certify that the James Gates whose service is certified above, is the only person of that name found upon the Records in this Office.

R. G. Pinney Compt
by Geo. Robinson Clerk
Page 33

Bigrate Certificate & Seal
No 5
Page 34

State of Vermont
District of Chittenden}

At a Probate Court held in at Burlington in the district of Chittenden before Charles Adams Judge if said Court satisfactory evidence was [unk] to said Probate Court that Polly Gates late of Essin in said district died on the third day of September AD 1845 and that Laura Gates is her only surviving child.

In witness of which I have hereto set my hand at said Burlington on the day and year first above written.

Charles Adams
Judge

Bradford Rixford Register of the Probate Court within and for the District of Chittenden & State of Vermont do hereby certify that Charles Adams is the Judge of said Court and that the signature to the foregoing certificate is his own hand writing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court and subscribed my name at Burlington within said District this 9th day of February AD 1850.

Bradford Rixford Register
Page 35

Laura Gates
Declaration
Sept. 4, 1850


No 1
Page 36

State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss.}

On this 4th day of September AD 1850 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, Laura Gates, a resident of Essex, in said county aged sixty three years, and after having sworn according to law, makes the following declaration, as an amendment to her declaration made before the Hon Charles Adams in which she claimed are arrearage a pension due her late mother Polly Gates widow of James Gates, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the 3d Section of the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836.

That from recent, and what she believes reliable information, that her mother was married to her father James Gates previous to his last service in the war of the Revolution. That her at that period resided in the town of Sailsbury, in the state of Connecticut, that her oldest sister Polly Gates was born in said town of Sailsbury, declarant states that her mother often related incidents that occurred to her father after their said marriage in connexion with his services, at one time he returned covered with "lice." She now claims the benefit of the act of July 4, 1836m having already received that of July 7th, 1838 and subsequent acts in relation thereto, for further proof she refers to accompanying affidavits.

Laury Gates

Sworn to before me

Henry Weed Just. Peace
Page 37

I hereby certify Laura Gates is personally known to me and and that she is a person of truth & veracity.

Henry Weed Just Peace

Dated at Essex Office Sept 4, 1850
Page 38

Williston Vt
July 8th

Hon. J L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

July 13 1843
Page 39

Williston July 8, 1843

To the Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, I send you the record of Laura Gates accidentally found which will prove the marriage of James Gates & Polly Gates to have been long before the year 1794. Mrs. Polly Fates is in better health than in the year 1840 & in need of assistance.  I will refer you to the testimony now in your possession. The 5 months service by the declaration of James Gates & by the certificate of Henry Kilburn Comptroller of Public Accounts, in the State of Connecticut, ---5 months. 
The seven months service are proved by his declaration including part of the time he was in prison from June 1st to Nov 16th- 5 1/2 months proved by declaration & by the testimony of Elisha Smith of Sheldon Vt. to the surrender of Fort Washington----5 1/2 months; 
three months in prison or in the prison ship --3
---------------------------------------------------
                                     13 1/2 months
Proved by Dec. & by extract from the pay book of the State of Connecticut & testimony of John Lyman & Daniel Hutchinson of Jerico Vt.

Sir, is not Polly Gates fairly entitled to the five years pay of her husband under the act approved July 7, 1838.

Yours with respect,

Timothy M Bradley
Page 40

July 29 1840
Williston Vt
July 20th
Commissioner of Pensions
Free
J.L. Edwards,
Washington D.C.
Vt.
Polly Gates
Page 41

Williston Vt. July 16th 1840

Sir, I recd yours concerning the application of Polly Gates for which I thank you. It is perhaps impossible to prove that part of the service said to be performed by James Gates after his marriage, & on behalf of a worthy but indigent widow I request you to send me as soon as consistent the additional act concerning marriages prior to the January 1794 I have not seen it & I believe it would not be easy for me to obtain it in this quarter. I suppose the declaration must be made & attested arrears & then, I suppose you do not consider the marriage proved I think your directions are to this effect "proof is to be made by the certificate of the clergyman who joined them in wedlock or the testimony of respected persons having knowledge of the fact." The precise time when is not proved. That they were married about the time stated by David Hutchinson & John Syman of Jerico. I have no doubt they requested me to express it in the strongest manner for they were are sure of the fact as they could be of anything they did not see. They are both men of excellent character. I will repeat in substance what I wrote you for I suppose no one examining so many papers can recollect every correspondence. I wrote the Town Clerk of Salisbury long since his name was Benton he said he could find no record of few months afterwards. I wrote another letter & found a new clerk had been chosen whose name was Averil he said he had searched & could find no record after an accumulation of papers for 150 years & such a number of Clerks as there must have been it is no wonder if there should be some confusion of papers it is my opinion the record [unk] be found yet & if you


(distance to Salisbury 200 miles)
Page 42

Say the present proof is not sufficient same  and must go & make a thorough search. Your early attention is requested.

Very respectfully yours

Timo M Bradley

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Page 43

State of Vermont
Chittenden County } Jerico June 30th 1840

There personally appeared Daniel Hutchinson and John Lyman of Jerico County and State aforesaid who testify and say that they are both born in the town of Salisbury, County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, that they in the immediate neighborhood and were well acquainted with James Gates & Polly Gates. That her maiden names was Polly Whitney. That they were both residents of Salisbury. That the said James married the said Polly Whitney as near as they can recollect about the year 1780 that we were then twenty or twenty one years of age. That they well recollect of hearing that they were to be married, and knew by common report the time when they were married, that they did not attend the wedding, that they cannot state precisely the day or date. That a few years after their marriage they moved to Claieudou Vermont and afterwards to Kinesburg, Vt. , and sometime after to Essex Vermont where the said James Gates died seventeen or eighteen years ago. That we have both visited them some years since at their residence in Essex and often seen them from the time of their marriage to the time of his death and that his widow now resides in the said Essex and that we both testified for the said Gates when he applied for a pension under the act of 1818, Out testimony was taken before Joel Brownson Esq. of Richmond, Vt. The said Gates was said to have failed an accounting of not having served nine months at one enlistment and further the deponents say not.

John Lyman
Daniel Hutchinson

Subscribed and sworn before me

Truman Barney Justice Peace

And the said Justice does hereby certify that the said Daniel Hutchinson and John Lyman are men of truth and veracity.

Truman Barney Justice Peace
Page 44

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Pension Commissioner
Washington D.C.
Page 45

Williston, Vt. Apr 28, 1840
Washington D.C.

To the Hon, J. L. Edwards Pension Commissioner

Sir, I send you the declaration of Polly Gates widow of James Gates late of Essex in this county who applied for a pension & also the declaration of James Gates made to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of 1818&, likewise, other testimony taken the same year.

The 5 months service are proved by his own testimony & by the certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut.

The 7 month service are proved by Del & by the testimony of John Lyman & Daniel Hutchinson & also the testimony of Elihu Smith of Sheldore & the certificate of the Comptroller. From June 1, 1776 to the taking of Fact}
Washington Nov 16, 1776} 5 1/2 months
the 3 months the sd Gates was imprisoned} 3"

Making 13 1/2 months

I have not as yet found any thing to corroborate Polly Gates, last specification of service, it may be less or more than six weeks but that he served, more or less after their marriage I have no doubt.

I have examined the continuation of Thomas England by Smollett, or, Bissel for time Fort Washington was taken & find it Nov 16th 1776, I have likewise examined Washington's "Official letters" Vol. 1 Printed by Manning & Loving, Boston 1795 & find the taking
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of Fort Washington was Nov. 16th 1776.

I am aware it may be said that the marriage is not proved quite so satisfactorily as they sometimes are by the record of a town Clerk from a clergymans certificate, but, I do prove the marriage by two of the most respectable men "having knowledge of the fact" not indeed in the same way as if they saw the ceremony, yet it was in a way that they could not be easily mistaken except as to the precise time. I think the testimony is good to prove that the marriage took place previous to the year 1794 (I understand them is a law passed not long since extending the time to 1794, Please send me a copy of the act) I have sent twice to the Town Clerk of Salisbury Connecticut for the record of this marriage & sent to two different Town Clerks as it happened & find no record. I have searched for a family Bible which might contain the record & cannot find any.

Sir, is a Declaration good when sworn & subscribed before a Justice of the Peace & the Justices signature, certified by the clerk of Connecticut of record under seal & some say not yet ut seems to be good according to Sec. 10th of Directory from Pension Office of July 9th 1836 "whenever any official act &." I wish to be certain the expense of hiring a Judge to go a distance
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when the applicant is unable to attend court is enormous. I hope to hear from you on the subject of Mrs. Gates, claim as soon as convenient.
Very Respectfully yours
Timo M Bradley
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Timothy M Bradley Esq
Williston
Chittenden County
Vt.

To the Hon. J.L. Edwards
Pension Commissioner
Washington
D.C.
Compos Letter & Certificate
Page 49

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Feby 13 1840

I certify that on application for widow of the services of James Gates who claim is service in the Revolutionary War under Capt Isaac Bostwick in 1775 for about 6 months and under Capt Benjamin Mills, Col Bradley's Regt in 1776 for about 7 months, was taken prisoner & that I have examined the Books of Pens remaining in this Office, and find in "a Pay Roll of Capt Isaac Bostwick, 7th Company, 7th Regt raised by order Gen Assembly Court 1775 the name of James Gates entered service July 21 time of discharge Dec 21 having served  5 months, that no Pay Roll of Capt Benjamin Mills can be found in this Office, that on Pay Table Book is the following amount-
Capt Benja Mills/ Col. Bradleys Regt
1776 To order on & in Apr his Company (June 19) L 580.0.0
1777 Apr 19 To order on & in Apr his Company raisedJune 1776 Bradleys Regiment  100.00
1779 Mar 5 To order on & Capt Banj Mills his Co, Bradleys Regt in 1776 enlisting [unk] &c   Supra- Bradley Regt  237.4.8
1779 May 5, By his as endured   917.4.8

Militia States ..... Dc
1778 June 6 To order on Ins of James Gates which pension Col Bradleys Regt in 1776 wages 4.4.10 Loss 5.3.6 milage cas 3-8/4 L 13.0.8

Henry Kilbourne Comp
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Hartford Feby 13 1840
Dear Sir
Enclosed you have Certificate of all what can be found in this office as we [illegible] of the services of James Gates in the Revolutionary War which I hope & trust will be Satisfactory for the Service claimed.
Very Respectfully
Your obt servant
Henry Kilbourn

Timothy M Bradley Esq
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the Deposition of Elihu Smith of Sheldon in the County of Franklin & State of Vermont of Lawfull age testify & say that James Gates joined the Continenental service the last of May or the first of June in the
year seventeen hundred & seventy six & remained there untill the 16th day of Novr following at which
time he was taken prisoner at Fort Washington sd Gates belonged to my Company & he remained a
prisoner untill he come out under my parole with me which is as follows I Elihu Smith of the County
of Litchfield & State of Connecticut pledge my faith & word of honor to General How that I will not
bare arms nor Do nor say any thing against his Majestys Government until I am Regularly exchanged
for some person of equal rank Elihu Smith,  Thomas Lawrin, James Wiley witnesses
Sheldon 29th Septr 1818
Elihu Smith [signature]

State of Vermont 
Franklin County ⎬ Sheldon 29th Sept 1818 ss
then Elihu Smith personally appeared & after being carefully examined & duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed contain the whole truth & nothing but the truth
before me
Daniel Smith Just Peace

this may certify that Elihu Smith is considered to be a credible witness certified by me
Daniel Smith Just Peace
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I Nathan B Haswell Cole Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do certify that the within Deposition of the
Elihu Smith was taken to accompany the declaration of James Gates of Essex for a Pension under the act of Congress of March 1818
Nathan B Haswell
Burlington April 5. 1840

Daniel Smith's testimony

[upside down]
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Pension Comm
Washington DC
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We Daniel Hutchinson and John Lyman both of Jericho in the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont
of Lawfull age do testify and say that we were Inhabitants of Salisbury in the State of Vermont in the year 1776 and were well acquainted with James Gates who then resided in Salisbury was knowing to his going as a Soldier in a company in which one Daniel Brinsmaid of Salisbury aforesaid was one of the lieutenants 
in a Company of which we believe was Commanded by Capt Benjn Mills in the Revolutionary Army, we think it was in the month of May same year (Viz) in the year 1776 & was to [illegible] Eight months, and that when Fort Washington was taken by the Enemy he was taken a prisoner as we then understood and verily believe, and was kept in prison until same time in the month of February, we think the last of the month following when he with a number of others returned home & look more like ghosts than men and further saith not

Daniel Hutchinson
John Lyman [signatures]
Sworn to and subscribed  before me this 22 day of July AD 1818 Joel Brownson Just peace

State of Vermont
Chittenden County 
I hereby certify that Daniel Hutchinson and John Lyman the above deponents are persons well known
to me & that they are gentlemen of truth and veracity and that their testimony would be taken in any Court where they were known
Attest Joel Brownson Just peace
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I Nathan B Haswell late Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby certify that the within deposition of Daniel Hutchinson was taken to accompany the [illegible] of James Gates of Essex for a Pension under the Act of March 1818
Nathan B Haswell
Rubin [illegible] April 8 1840

Hon JL Edwards
Pension Commissioner 
Washington D.C.

Daniel Hutchinson
John Lyman

D. Hutchinson
& J Lyman's
Deposition
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Jehial Isham's
Affidavit- and 
Certificate of the
Hon Ezra Meech

No 3
Page 56

State of Vermont
Chittenden County

I, Jehial Isham, being sworn saith that he is an 90 years of age, and a Pensioner of the United States
for services in the Revolutionary War. That he was in Colchester Connecticut until 1789, when he removed to St George, in the County and State above written when he resides at this time. That he thinks New London was burnt in 1781 by order of the Traitor Arnold, at which time there was a general alarm all over the Country & the Militia went out to guard the coast. That he was acquainted with one James Gates, who served in the
said war and was taken prisoner in the early part of it & who died some 15 years since in Essex in said
County & State and that he saw the said James Gates is in the service that year 1781. He knows that it was
that year because it was two years after New London was burnt that this deponent was married, of which event he has a Record made more than fifty years ago - said Record was made under the direction of Deponent, by Isaac C. Isham & is still in the hands of this deponent and is in the letters & figures as follows.
"Jehial Isham, married to Sarah Mobbs, Sept (19th) nineteenth (1783) seventeen hundred & Eighty three", and further this deponent saith not 
Jehial X Isham his mark [signature]
the word before erased and after interlined & the word by erased before signing

Then appeared the aforesaid Jehial Isham & Made Oath to the truth Smith of the foregoing affidavit
I certify that I have been acquainted with him may forty years & that has been considered a man of truth & veracity
Sept 21 1850 Reuben Lockwood Justice of the Peace
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I hereby Certify I am acquainted with Jehial Isham who has signed the within affidavit and he is a man of truth & credibility
Shilburn Sept 23d 1880

I also further certify I am also acquainted with Robert  Beach of Williston who I am told has given an affdt in the case of James Gates and he is well known as an old & respectable inhabitant
Ezra Meech
late member of Congress from the
3rd district of Vermont
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County
I Daniel B Buckley Clerk of the County of Chittenden do hereby certify that Rueben Lockwood Esq. 
was in the 21st day of Sept 1850 a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Chittenden duly commissioned and sworn and I verily believe his signature to the preceding certificate to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the sea1 of Chittenden County Court this 23rd day of September AD 1850.
Daniel B. Buckley
[seal]