Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,187, Stephen Finch, Conn.
Page 1

(S-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Finch, Stephen
Mindwell

NUMBER
W. 24.187

CONTENTS
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New York 27716
Stephen Finch
of Clinton Co in the State of New York
who was a private in the com commanded
by Captain Horwand of the regt commanded
by — in the Connecticut
line for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of October 1834 and Silas Harbbell Champlain N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 34 105.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 35 15.00
[equals] [$] 120.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book E2 Vol. 7 4 Page 28
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Reported let to J.D. Woodward Apl 15 ‘47

4188.
New York Albany
Mindwell Finch
widow of Stephen Finch
who Con was a Private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843
Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of Jany 1844 and sent to J.D. Woodward Plattsburgh N. York
Act of March 3, 1843.
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 117.
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The Record of Stephen finchs Children
My 1 son Stephen was born in Symsbury, august the 4 AD 1779
My 2 son James was born in Southamton, March the 25 AD 1782
My [illegible] in My 1 dauter [daughter] Mindwell was born In Southamton, June the 10 AD 1784
My 2 dauter [daughter] Hopefull was Born in Southamton September the 17 AD 1786
Born
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Stephen finch was Born in Smithfield March the 6. 1754
Mindwell moor was Born in Symsbury September the 18 AD 1761 .
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5883
Mrs Mindwell Finch
Act. July 7, 1838
Mindwell Finch
N.Y.
Act 7. July ‘38.
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State of New York County of Clinton SS
On this Seventh day of June 1839 personally appeared before me William Hedding Judge of said County, Mindwell Finch a resident of [illegible] in said County, aged seventy seven years on the 18th day of September last, who being 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 act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled “an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Stephen Finch who was a Private in the army of the revolution and served nine months the Connecticut militia. He resided in Simsbury Conn & served under Capt Joseph Forward, & made a statement in proof of his services in order to obtain a pension under the act of June 7 1832. His pension certificate for $30 per annum accompanies this declaration.
She further declares that her maiden name was Mindwell Moore, and she was married to the said Stephen Finch at Simsbury Conn by Aaron Jordan Boge a Presbyterian minister on the fourth day of February 1779 Seventeen hundred and seventy nine, and that her said husband died at Dover N.Y. on the Eighth day of April eighteen hundred and thirty nine, having drawn his pension to March 4 1839 — That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service which she supposes to be be allowed to him, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January
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hundred and thir Seventeen hundred and Ninety four, viz at the time above stated. — She has a record of her marriage, & of the birth of her children, which also accompanies her declaration. — the words ‘Eighteen hundred and thir’ erased & ‘ninety four’ written on an erasure before execution.
[signed] Mindwell finch
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 11th June 1839 & I certify that Deponent is a credible person & cannot by reason of bodily infirmity attend Court, she is old & lame & is weak & feeble & has not the entire use of her limbs & resides twenty five miles from where the Courts are held.
William Hedding, Judge of Clinton County Courts

State of New York County of Clinton Ss
I the Subscriber Clerk of said County Certify that William Hedding before whom the foregoing affidavit of Mindwell Finch was taken, sworn on this eleventh June 1839 was at said time a Judge of the County Courts in for said County, & that his signatures above is genuine, & the above are the original proceedings of said Judge in the case of Mrs Mindwell Finch applicant for a Pension. I also certify that William [illegible] before whom the annexed affidavit of Mindwell Blackman was taken & Sworn on the 9th June 1839 was at said time a Justice of the peace & his signature to the front of said affidavit is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & official Seal and fastened these papers together by a piece of red tape the ends of which pass under it. (The
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words ‘peace in and’ erased this twenty fourth day of July Eighteen hundred and thirty nine Smith Mead Clerk
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19679

Stephen Finch

Application [illegible]
Dec 27 33

Silas Hubbell Esq
Champlain
New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office. Dec 27. 33
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 this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the service of Stephen Finch
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. | Rank of claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant JAMES L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Service as Waiter not provided for [in the Act of Congress]
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Regulations under the act of June 7, 1882.

The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteer," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
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, musicians 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, Territory, or District of
County of }
88.

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 (e)           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. [hand pointing to the right] 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. 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
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; 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. {To a Soldier {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. {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 as a soldier 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.
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.
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 is general, and whether any doubts have ever 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 or 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 such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and 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 effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in 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        days, I served as a           . For       months and
        days, and         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, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
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 served 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.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records or 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 line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the with the character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[image of hand with index finger pointing right]
The notes for [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.
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Stephen Finch Mooers Clinton County N. York — 19679
Page 15

State of New York Clinton County ss
On the Fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Clinton aforesaid at the Court house in Plattsburgh, now sitting Stephen Finch a resident in the Town of Mooers in said County of Clinton, aged Seventy eight years & who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. That is to say
That some time in the summer in the year 1776 he entered the law of the United States as a volunture [volunteer] soldier in Captain Joseph Forwards Company of Connecticut militia at Simsbury in the State of Connecticut, and served as a waiter to Captain Forward. Soon after he listed he marched with said company from Simsbury to the City of New York and remained in & about the City under General Putnams command untill the British drove the American Troops out of the City, Then his company with other militia went up the East River to a place called Turkey Bay & remained there untill the British came off of Long Island and attached the Corps to which he belonged & they retreated towards Kings Bridge. After having completed the service of his term of three months, he the said Stephen returned home to Simsbury and was discharged but received no written discharge
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And the said Stephen further states & declares that in the summer 1777 Soon after Bennington Battle he was drafted as a militia Soldier for six months at Simsbury in the State of Conneticut aforesaid, into the Company of Captain Isaac Owen of Conneticut militia and marched immediately with said company on the [illegible] to Saratoga in the state of New York and was in the service and assisted in taking Burgoin, that Burgoins army surrendered, he remained at Saratoga until late in the Fall then returned home to Simsbury and remained in the town until he completed his said term of Six months for which he was drafted; was then discharged but received no written discharge. And the said Stephen further declares that the next thing after Burgoins surrender he was again drafted as a militia soldier in the Conneticut militia at Simsbury aforesaid and served as a [illegible] in the company he was attached to but does not recollect the Captains name but thinks it was Capt Forward or Capt Owen, that he assisted in guarding Burgoins prisoners on the March from Boston through the State of Connecticut to the line of the State of New York, was employed in this service on this expedition some thing over a month as he believes & was discharged. And the said Stephen further declares that some time in the 1778 or 1779, he cannot recollect which, he was again drafted a Militia Solder in the Connecticut militia at Simsbury aforesaid and marched
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under Captain or Colonel Smith with a detachment of Connecticut militia from Simsbury, into the State of New York to a place near Hudson River with an expectation of Crossing into the State of New Jersey. But after remaining for some time, cannot recollect how long, they were ordered back to Connecticut and did return to Simsbury aforesaid. On this expedition the said Stephen states that he served between one & two months and was discharged, and the said Stephen further says that within two or three months after the expiration of the last service, he was again drafted as a solder in the Militia at Simsbury aforesaid, and marched with a detachment of Connecticut Militia into the State of New York to a place near Fishkill, and was employed on this expedition from one to two months. That after this last term of service the said Stephen entered into the continental service as a teamster, and was employed constantly for more than a year in carrying continental Stores from Boston to Fishkill in the State of New York. And he further says that he never received any written discharge of any of his terms of Service as aforesaid and that he has no documentary evidence to prove his terms of Service aforesaid, nor does he know of any witness living that can testify as to his service except Mrs Rosana Moore, who lived a near neighbour to him in Simsbury in Conneticut, whose affidavit is hereunto annexed. And the said Stephen further says that he was born in the year 1754 at Smithfield in the State of Rhode Island & lived there untill he was eighteen years of age then he removed to Simsbury in Conneticut & lived there Eleven years, then removed to Southhampton in the State of Massachusetts, and then fifteen years from there removed to Granville in the Sate of New York & lived there seven years then removed into the County of Clinton where he now lives & where he has lived Twenty four years. And he further States that there is no Clergyman in the Town of
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Mooers where he resides that is acquainted with him or that has been acquainted with him long enough to certify for him. That Samuel Churchill Esquire and Thomas W. Smith are Neighbours of his in Mooers and have been acquainted with him many years. And the said Stephen further states that he relinquishes hereby every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency of any State — has no record of his age —
[signed] Stephen Finch
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court before me Geo M Beckwith, Acting Clerk of Clinton Com. Pleas

We Samuel Churchill & Thomas W. Smith residing in the Town of Mooers — in the County of Clinton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Finch who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion
[signed] Samuel Churchill 
[signed] Thomas H. Smith
Subscribed and sworn this fourth day of October 1832 in open Court before me Geo M Beckwith Acting Clerk of Clinton Com. Pleas

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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Churchill & Thomas W. Smith are residents in the Town of Mooers and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit —
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I George M Beckwith acting Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Clinton do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Finch for a pensions. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this fourth day of October 1832.

Geo. M. Beckwith acting Clerk
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April 7, 1937
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Stephen Finch, W. 24187
BA-J/MCS

Honorable Bertrand H. Snell
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Snell:

Reference is made to your letter (which letter was returned Apr. 7, 1937) of April 3, 1937, enclosing a letter from Mr. Glenn R. Morse of Potsdam, New York, who desires the Revolutionary War record of Stephen Finch who died April 8, 1838.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 24187, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Stephen Finch.

This soldier was born March 6, 1754, at Smithfield, Rhode Island. The names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of Simsbury, Connecticut, having moved there from Smithfield in 1772, he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows; in the summer of 1776, three months in Captain Joseph Forward's company in Colonel Jonathan Pettibone's regiment; from the summer of 1777, six months in Captain Isaac Owen's company in Colonel Wilkinson's regiment and was at the capture of Burgoyne; in the spring of 1778 he served over one month under Captain Roberts or Captain Pettibone and Colonel Phelps and was engaged in guarding prisoners captured with General Burgoyne; in 1778 or 1779 he served between one and two months under Captain or Colonel Smith; two or three months later he enlisted and served one or two months, names of officers not given; he also served one year as teamster and carried stores from Boston to Fishkill, New York, names of officers and time of service not given.

About 1783 he moved to Southampton, Massachusetts. After living there fifteen years he moved to Granville, New York. Seven years later he moved to Mooers, Clinton County, New York.
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Stephen Finch was allowed pension on his application executed October 4, 1832, at which time he was living in Mooers, New York.

He died at Mooers on April 8, 1839.

This soldier married February 4, 1779, at Simsbury, Connecticut, Mindwell Moore who was born September 18, 1761, at Simsbury.

As the widow of Stephen Finch, Mindwell Finch was allowed pension on her application executed June 11, 1839, at which time she was living at Mooers, New York. In 1843 she was living in Louisville, St. Lawrence County, New York.

Children of Stephen and Mindwell Finch:
Stephen  born  August 4, 1779
James  "  March 25, 1782
Mindwell  "  June 10, 1784, married --- Blackmun
Hopeful  "  September 7, 1786

In 1839 Mindwell Blackmun, noted above, was living in Mooers.

In 1832 one Rosanna Moore, aged seventy-four, was living in Plattsburgh, New York, but her relation to the widow was not shown.

There are no further data relative to the family of Stephen Finch.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Revu WIDOW, &c.

File No. 24187
Mindwell Finch
wid of
Stephen Finch
Pri Rev war

Act Mrh 3rd 1843
Index: Vol a, Page 239
[Arrangement of 1870]

1930 May 15- Hist to Mrs. Madge Van Valkenburg
1937 Apr 7 Hist to Hon. Bertrand H Snell for Mrs Glenn R Morse-MCS
1938 Apr 14 further inf rel. to this pen clm sent Hon Bertrand H Snell for Mrs Glenn R Morse
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New York, 7641
Mindwell Finch
widow of Stephen Finch
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died in the 8, April 1839
of Clinton Co in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the company
commanded by Captain Forward in
the regt commanded by                 in
the Connt line for 9 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 30 Dollars 
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of
September 1863 and sent to J. D. Woodward
Plattsburgh, New York

Whole amount due                       $150

[Act July 7, 1838]
Recorded by D Brown, Clerk
Book A  Vol. 2  Page 78
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N. York
Mindwell Finch
let. to J. D. Woodward 26 Oct. 1839
same------ 15 Aug 1842
same, June 6 1843

Act July 1838



Act 7 June 1832
Stephen Finch
Suspended
See letter to 
Silas Hubbell
10, March 1834

admd
Page 25

Mr Blackman, aff
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State of New York County of Clinton ss. Mindwell Finch a daughter of Mrs Mindwell Finch having only sworn says she the Deponent is a resident of Mooers in said County, & that the annexed leaf was taken by her from the family Bible of Stephen Finch, kept by him in his life time, & is as she believes a correct family record of the births of the children of said Stephen Finch & Mindwell his wife. That said record was made more than thirty years ago, as she believes, & has always since her recollection been considered in the family a correct record; that she has been informed & believes that her parents were married on the fourth day of February 1779 at Simsbury Conn. That the aforesaid bible does not contain any record any record of their marriage. That Mrs Mindwell Finch was a resident of Mooers in said County is the widow of Stephen Finch who was a pensioner of the united States & decd on the 8th of April last.

Mindwell Blackman

Sworn & subscribed to before me this 9th day of June 1839 & I certify that Deponent is a credible witness.

Wm Shurtliff Justice Peace
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STATE OF NEW-YORK
COUNT OF CLINTON} ss.

I, George M Beckwith acting Clerk of the County of Clinton, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas if the County of Clinton, Do hereby Certify, That Silas Hubbell whose name is subscribed to the Certificate or Jurat of the annexed affidavit, which purports to have been sworn before him the 2d day of October 1832 and endorsed thereon, was on the day and date of the said Certificate, or Jurat a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County of Clinton, dwelling in said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorised by Law to administer oaths and to take affidavits and to take the proof and acknowledgement of Deeds and discharges of Mortgages, &c. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe that the signature of Silas Hubbell subscribed to the said Certificate or Jurat, is the proper hand-writing of the said Commissioner.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this fifth day of October 1832.
Two interlineations made before signing & sealing

Geo. M. Beckwith acting Clerk
Page 28

I. ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, THAT Jefery O. Phelps Esq and for more than one year last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full powers and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to giver certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Phelps in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 22d day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. And I certify that the signature of said Phelps hereunto annexed is genuine.

R R Hinman Secretary
Page 29

Mrs Mindwell Finch
Record evidence for
her marriage
Page 30

I Daniel Hemenway of Lawful age depose & say that I am paster of the Congregational Church & Society of Turkeyhills in the Town of Grandy Cont. That I was ordained over said Church & Society on the 3d of July Eighteen hundred thirty two, that since my ordination the Church records have been in my hands & that the ancient Church Record Book commences as follows viz
A. Book of Church records in Turkeyhills in Simbury beginning Nov 27 AD 1776 given by Asahel Holcomb Esquire of Mrs Richard Gay & John Thrael & kept by Aaron Jordan Booge Paster of said Chh.
Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able of of the any decease to have these things always in remembrance; (Apostle Peter)- the above is on the first page of said Book & from thence to about the 24th of Nov. 1785 there is entries of Marriages Deaths Births & other events such as are usually recorded in Church records which appear to be very freely entered & fairly & plainly entered in the hand writing of said Aaron Jordan Booge & on the 60th page of said record book which is wholly filled with the record of marriages is the following- Feb. 4 1779 (February fourth seventeen hundred seventy nine) married Stephen Finch & Mindwell Moor both of this place which entry I have no doubt is in the hand writing
Page 31

of said reverend Mr Booge- & from said Nov 1785 until about the 10th of June 1816 said Church records appear to have been kept by subsequently ordained Clergyman & Clerks- I find no entries on said record of the June 10th 1816 & I further state that since my settlement in this place & over this Church & Society I have [unk] have informed that this Town Grants was formerly a part of the Town of Simsbury. N. B. the words "& Society" erased before signed. I further the deponent saith not. Granby Hartford County Connecticut July 17th 1839

Daniel Hemenway

State of Connecticut ss. Hartford County Granby
July 17th 1839
Personally appeared the Reverend Daniel Hemenway signer of the foregoing deposition to me personally known who made solemn oath to the truth of the same & I further testify the same was signed in my presence & that the deponent is a highly credible witness.
Certified Jeffrey O Phelps Justice Peace
Page 32

No 5883
Mindwell Finch
N. York
act July 7th 1838
admitted
9 mos
Priv
$30 per an


J. D. Woodward Esq
Plattsburgh
N. York
Page 33

James L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
D. C.

July 11 1843
NY
addl decln
Mindwell Finch
Page 34

Plattsburgh N.Y. July 5, 1843

Sir,

I enclose the declaration of Mrs Mindwell Finch under the act of July 7, 1838.

Yours respectfully

J. D. Woodward
atty for the widow



James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D. C.
Page 35

James L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
D. C.



Aug 15, 42
NY
Mindwell Finch
Page 36

Plattsburgh N.Y. Augt 8, 1842

James L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions

Sir
If the case of Mrs Mindwell Finch is provided for by the recent resolution of Congress, she wish you to prepare and forward her pension certificate.

Yours Very Respectfully

J. D. Woodward
atty for the widow
Page 37

Mrs S. Finch
Payments to be made
at New York
by Pres if Mechanics Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of
New York

Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E2 Vol. 4
Page 23 by Danl Boyd
Clerk
Page 38

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Stephen Finch of the State of New York who was a private in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Thirty dollars and ----- cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United State, this 8th day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty=four.

Mahlon Doickerson
acting Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned} J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 39

James L. Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Mindwell FInch
N.Y. WA '38

4188-43
Page 40

Plattsburgh N. Y. April 6, 1847

Dr Sir,

I will thank you to furnish me an exemplified copy of the Family Record kept by Stephen Finch including the affidavit of Mindwell Blackman thereto annexed, forwarded to your Office in the case of Mindwell Finch who applied from this County, & was pensioned in 1843 under the act of July 7, 1838. Also an exemplification of the Record of the marriage of said Stephen Finch with Mindwell Moore, & the affidavit of Rev Daniel Hemenway thereto annexed taken before Jeffrey O Phelps, July 17, 1839 & have the whole authenticated under the official seal of the War Department.

I wish to use the above evidence to receive some real property in Liverpool Eng which is said to have belonged to the said Stephen Finch decd & is now claimed by his son Stephen Finch a resident of this County on whose behalf I write. The foregoing proof will tend to establish his heirship.

Very respectfully yours

J. D. Woodward
atty for Stephen Finch

James L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Page 41

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 42

Champlain Feb 6th 1834

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir
I return old Mr Finches papers with an additional affidavit- also a certificate signed by several respectable persons, such a certificate I know is not required. But it can do no hurt it was the old mans fancy. It appears to me that taking his whole statement with all the evidence that there cannot be a doubt but the old man is entitled to a pension. I hope it will be allowed & [unk] as he is in great of assistance being now nearly 80 years old he can not stand it long. I am requested by the following persons (viz Peter St Touqe or St Ours- John Mal Burg Joseph Labo & Peter Labounty) to enquiry what has ever been done with the Declarations & made before the Court of Common Pleas Clinton County State of New York October Term 1832 and forwarded soon after by C. V. Averell Esquire they can get no intelligence from him on this subject as they say. Then were an Canadians & served in the Revolutionary war. Your attention will much oblige your obt servt

Silas Hubbell
Page 43

19679
Stephen Finch
Town of Mooers Clinton
County New York


water 3 mo disabld

admd
9 mo pri
30$
Page 44

State of New York
Clinton County ss:
Stephen Finch named in the foregoing Declaration in order further to amend his said Declaration being duly sworn maketh oath and saith, that when he entered the American service in the summer 1776 as first set forth he was twenty two years old, that he did not first engage as a waiter but as a soldier, that after the command then march, Capt Forward used deponent as a waiter a part of the time. Yet that Deponent always earned a musket and and stood sentry as a soldier and in skirmished & in fight when the British came off of Long Island & carved my musket & had hard service enough I tell you. And said Stephen further saith that when he marched under Capt Isaac Bowen from Connecticut to Saratoga at the taking of Burgoyne, on further reflection & recollection he is confident that Captain Owen Company on arriving was attached to Colonel Wilkinsons regiment. And the said Stephen says that by reason of old age and loss of memory he cannot call ton his mind the names of the Colonels under whom he served except those he has mentioned but that he is particularly sure that he served at the different times as he has before set forth, honestly & faithfully & further cannot say.

Stephen Finch

Sworn and subscribed the 5th day of Feb 1834 Before
Silas Hubbell
Commissioner of Deeds
Page 45

Col. Jas. L. Edwards
Courds
Washington
D.C.
Page 46

Plattsburgh N.Y. July 26, 1839

Col. Edwards

Sir,
I enclose the papers of Mrs Mindwell Finch under the act of July 7, 1838. She wishes her pension certificate sent to me by mail.

Yours respectfully
J. D. Woodward
Page 47

Mindwell Finch decl
act July 7 1838 &
Res. Aug. 6, 1843

12h

J. D. Woodward Esquire
Plattsburgh
N.Y.
Page 48

Declaration under act of July 7, 1838 & resolution of August 6, 1810

State of New York
St Lawrence County ss.
On this 29th day of June eighteen hundred  & forty three personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, Mindwell Finch aged eighty-one years, a resident of [unk] in said County, late a resident of Mooers, Clinton County, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. That she is the widow of Stephen Finch who was a private in the army of the Revolution & served nine months in the Connecticut Militia. He resided in Simsbury Conn. & served under Capt Joseph Burrough & received a pension under the act of June 7, 1832 at $30 pr annum. She further says that her maiden name was Mindwell Moore, & she was married to the said Stephen Finch at Simsbury Conn by Aaron Gordon Booge, a Presbyterian clergyman, on the fourth day of February seventeen hundred & seventy nine & that her said husband died at Mooers NY on the eighth day of April eighteen hundred & thirty nine, having received his pension to March 4, 1839. She was not married to him previous to the first day of January 1794, viz at the time above stated. The proof of her marriage accompanied her pension declaration.

Mindwell Finch

Sworn & subscribed to before me this 29th day of June 18136 & I certify that deponent is a credible person & cannot by reason of bodily infirmity attend Court. She is quite lame & has difficulty to get about & resides family farm where the County Courts are held.

Allen McLeod Jr Justice Peace
the alteration of date was from the 19th to 29th and done before signing.
Allen McLeod Jr J.P.

State of New York
County of St. Lawrence ss.} I the subscriber acting Clerk of said County certify that Allen McLeod Esq before whom the foregoing declaration of Mrs Mindwell Finch purported to have been subscribed sworn on the 29th day of June, 1843, was at said time a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly qualified & I believe his signature to the above affidavit is genuine. Witness my hand & official seal at Canten this 3d day o July AD 1843.

G. B. Eastman Acting Clerk

"Acting" purports to have been subscribed & interlined the certificate not being sufficient with. G. B. E. A. Clk
Page 49

Free

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington



Stephen Finch
Page 50

State of New York
Clinton County ss.
Stephen Finch being duly sworn maketh oath and saith that in addition to the affidavits which he has heretofor made respecting his services in the Revolutionary war, and from careful enquiry from persons living in Simsbury in Connecticut he can now recollect that when he marched to New York in 1776 in Captain Forwards company, Col Jonathan Pettibone commanded the Regiment to which Captain Forward company was attached. That the day after the retreat of our forces from Turtle Bay, Col Smith of New Hartland took command of Captain Forwards company and some other Militia companies, that retreated with is. And deponent further saith that according to the best of his recollection and belief, when he went from Simsbury with the Militia to guard Burgoines prisoners, Captain Roberts or Capt Pettibone commanded the company he belonged to and Col. Phelps commanded the detachment that went from Simsbury. That in 1777 when Deponent went to Saratoga in Captain Owens company Brig Genl Wolcott commanded the Brigade to which Capt Owen belonged. That he was drafted to serve in that campain.

Stephen Finch

Sworn & subscribed to the 15th day of September 1834- note the 6th line [unk] bottom "erased" done before signing.

Silas Hubbell
Commissioner of Deeds
Page 51

Champlain Sep 15th 1834

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir, I enclose to you a supplementary affidavit of Stephen Finch. I trust & hope it will be sufficient with his former papers to make out his claim to a pension. It is clear to me from the evidence that he served as a soldier & a Teamster most of the war, he is in great need of assistance is a worthy old ma I have no doubt but you will go as far as his evidence will warrant in granting a pension. [unk]
Very respectfully your obt svt

Silas Hubbell
Page 52

We whose names are hereunto subscribed do certify and say that we have been acquainted with Stephen Finch of Mooers County of Clinton and state of New York for more than twenty years and believe him to be upwards of seventy years of age and during the time we have been acquainted with him he has been considered an upright honest man and his reputation for truth and veracity at all times good.

Nathan Carver
William Hedding
John J McFadden
Jonathan Scribner
Abram Delong 
Fred W Halsey Minister of the Gospel
Isaac Aldridge Justice Peace
Alexander Townson
William Atwood
Thomas Paine
Stephen Averill
Stephen Atwood
Joseph Churchill

I hereby certify that all the persons whom names are above subscribed are credible and respectable persons William Hedding is now a Judge & Nathan Carver as late Just of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Clinton.
Feby 5th 1834
Champlain Clinton County

Silas Hubbell
Commissioner of Deeds
Page 53

State of New York
Clinton County ss.
Stephen Finch, in order to amend his Declaration made the fourth day of October 1832 before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Clinton aforesaid, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832 doth on his oath further declare as follows viz Before me Silas Hubbell commissioned duly authorized & empowered to take affidavits in & for the County of Clinton personally appeared the above named Stephen Finch to me known to be the person described in & who made the above mentioned declaration who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot [unk] positively as to the precise term of service which he served except his two first terms of service mentioned his said Declaration- but according to the best of his recollection in which he puts confident he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades that is to say- he served at least one month when he went as a private soldier having been drafted into the militia, a soldier for the purpose  of guarding Burgoines soldiers, being persons of war, from Massachusetts line through Connecticut, New York State. That upon reflection & recollection he believes the officer commanding the company he belonged to was Captain Hollebeck but is not sure. And he further declares on oath, that on his fourth term of service as stated in his said Declaration when he was drafted as a militia soldier at Simsbury Connecticut & was marched from there to Hudson River in the State of New York, that he then served not less than a month, that he can
Page 54

not recollect his officers name but is confident that the officer commanded this expedition was one Smith either a Captain or Colonel. And the said Stephen further states that as to his leaving served as a teamster to carry continental stores he has nothing to add to his first declaration only that he served under the following Officers who were termed Canductors that is to say he served under Capt Forward part of the time- Lieutenant Benjamin Trall a part of the time and one Moore dont recollect his title.

Stephen Finch

Sworn the 11th day of July 1833 Before
Silas Hubbell
Commissioner of Deed
& for taking affidavits

State of New York
County of Clinton ss. I Nathan Taylor Clerk of the County of Clinton do hereby certify that Silas Hubbell Esq whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit was on the second day of October 1832 and also on the eleventh day of August 1833 (and still is) a commissioner of Deeds in and for the County of Clinton, dwelling in said county commissioned and sworn and duly authorised by law to take the proof and acknowledgements of Deeds, and also for taking affidavits &c.
And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Silas Hubbell commissioner &c and verrily believe the signature to the above affidavit to be in his proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County on the ends of a piece of red tape passing through the annexed papers this 14th day of August 1833.
Nathan Taylor Clerk
Page 55

State of New York
Clinton County ss: Rosanah Moore of Plattsburgh in said County aged seventy four years being duly sworn maketh oath and saith that she is well acquainted with Stephen Finch now residing in Mooers in said County and had been acquainted with him since the commencement of the Revolutionary war, that in the summer of the year 1776 she lived in Simsbury in the State of Connecticut and remembers perfectly well that the said Stephen entered the company of Capt Forward as a militia soldier and went with the said Capt Forward when he marched his company to go to New York, as it was, said knows said Stephen was gone three or four months before he returned. That in the year 1777 said Stephen with other neighbors of said Rosanah were drafted into Capt Greens company and went, as it was said, to take Burgoin- she recollects that the militia men employed to guard Burgoins person through Simsbury towards New York and believes the said Stephen one of the militia that went to guard the prisoners. This last service was the year after Burgoin was taken.

Rosanna Moore

Sworn the 2d day of October 1832
Silas Hubbell
Commissioner of Deed

And I do further certify that Mrs. Rosanna Moore 
over
Page 56

is a woman of good character and standing and a credible person and her statement is entitled to full credit.
Silas Hubbell
Commissioner of Deeds
Page 57

4037
Mindwell Finch
act March 3, 1843

$30 per a

J. D. Woodward
Plattsburgh
N.Y.

John L Russell Clerk
by S. Islewey Dep Clk
Page 58

Declaration under the act of March 3 1843
State of New York
County of St Lawrence ss.

On this 25th day of September 1842, personally before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Mindwell Finch aged eighty one years a resident of Louisville in said County who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 3d day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, that she is the widow of Stephen Finch who was a private in the Revolutionary Army and as she believes served nine months under Capt. Joseph Forward in the Connecticut Militia.
She was placed on the pension Roll under the act of July 7th 1838 at Thirty Dollars per annum and is still a widow.
Mindwell Finch

Sworn and subscribed to on the day and year first written before me. And I certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence by the oath of John O Riley that deponent is a credible person and the identical person named. The word "under" was erased before signing and the word "two" written on an erasure before signing.
Enos Bench Justice Peace

State of New York County of St Lawrence ss. 
I the subscriber acting Clerk of said County certify that Enos Bench, before whom the foregoing Declaration of Mrs. Mindwell Finch was taken and sworn on the 25th day of Sept 1813 was at said time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and his signature above is genuine as I verily believe, I being acquainted with his hand writing.
Witness my hand and official seal the    day of Sept. AD 1842
Page 59

State of New York
St Lawrence County Clerk's Office } ss. I, John L. Russell Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Enos Beach Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration of Mindwell Finch purports to have been subscribed and sworn was at the date of said declaration a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of St Lawrence, elected and sworn and duly authorized to take the same: and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace, and verily believe that the signature to the said declaration is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County this 26th day of September 1843.

John L. Russell Clerk
by S. Isleway Dep. Clk


4037 
Mindwell Finch
act March 3, 1843

$30 pr an

J. D. Woodward
Plattsburgh
N. Y.
Page 60

Rev. sec asw

Washington, Minn
Apr 20-20
Commissioner on Pensions
Washington D. C. 

Dear Sir;
Can you tell me from what state Stephen Finch enlisted from in Rev War and what regiment he served in.
I am looking up my ancestry in order to join D.A.R. He died in N.Y. and I think he enlisted from N.Y.
Page 61

from there. I have this much data.
Stephen Finch born Mach 6 1754 married Midwell Moor who was norn Sept 18th 1761. They were married July 4th 1779. He died in Mooer N.Y. April 8th 1839.
His son Pliny Finch is my ancestor- but I would like the names of his other children, the name of his regiment and from what state he enlisted. I have to give authentic
Page 62

proof of how I received my information, and I can refer to you, if I can get the desired information. I will enclose self addressed stamped envelopes for reply. Yours very truly
Mrs Madge Van Valkenburg
Page 63

Bertrand H. Snell
31st District New York

Offices of Minority Leader
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

April 3, 1937

Director, Veterans Administration
Revolutionary War Section
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I am enclosing a letter from Mr. Glenn R. Morse of Potsdam, New York, relative to the record of Stephen Finch, who served during the Revolutionary War and died in either Moorestown, N.Y. or Vermont on April 8, 1838.
I would appreciate it very much if you would advise me what record you have of Mr. Finch.

Very truly yours,
B H Snell
Page 64

Bertand H. Snell
31st District New York

Offices of Minority Leader
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

April 8, 1938

Stephen Finch- W. 24187
BA-J/MCS

Veterans Administration
Revolutionary War Division
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:

On April 7, 1937 you sent me a report of the service of Stephen Finch, Revolutionary War.

I have just received the following letter from Mr. Glen R. Morse of Potsdam, N. Y.:

"Some time ago I wrote you regarding the Revolutionary War record of Stephen Finch and you kindly sent me some data regarding him, which was obtained from the Pension Department. His daughter, Orpha Finch, who is my wife's several times removed grandmother, is not listed as one of his children in his pension papers. Would you find out for me the date on which his pension papers were made out- the number of the pension of W. 24187. I have a hunch that Orpha, as well as several other children, was born after his papers were filed.

The same Orpha married John Riley, who received pension from the government for fighting in the war of 1812 and upon his death his wife, Orpha, received a pension. Could you have someone look up John Riley's pension application and let me know what kind of description of Orpha there might be in that Riley pension claim?"

If you send me the information Mr. Morse desires I would appreciate it very much.

Very truly yours,
B H Snell
Page 65

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
H. F. 24187

3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C.,                , 19

In reply to your request of            , received          for a statement of the military history of Stephen Finch a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Date of Enlistment or Appointment: Summer, 1776
Length of Service: 3 mos.
Rank: Pvt
Officers under whom Service was Rendered: Captain Joseph Forward, Colonel Jonathan Pettibone
State: Conn.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: Summer, 1777
Length of Service: 6 mos
Rank:
Officers under whom Service was Rendered: Captain Isaac Owen
State:

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: Spring 1778
Length of Service: over 1 mo.
Rank:
Officers under whom Service was Rendered: Captain Owen or Hollabeck
State:

Date of Enlistment or Appointment: 1778 or 1779
Length of Service: 1 or 2 mos.
Rank:
Officers under whom Service was Rendered: Capt or Colonel Smith
State:

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: 1778 or 1779
Length of Service: 1 or 2 mos.
Rank:
Officers under whom Service was Rendered: no officers stated
State:

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: 1778 or 1779
Length of Service: over 1 yr Teamster & carried stores from Boston to Fishkill, N.Y.

Battles engaged in, capture of Burgoyne
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Simsbury, Conn, moved there in 1772
Date of application for pension, Oct. 4, 1832 Her cl was al
Residence at date of application, Mooers, Clinton Co, NY
Age at date of application, b. Mch 6 1754 at Smithfield R.I., d. April 8 1839 at Mooers N.Y.
Remarks: He was Feby 4, 1779 at Simsbury Conn. Mindwell Moor She was born Sept 18, 1761 at Simsbury Conn & was pens. on an app. of June 11, 1839, while a resident of Mooers, Clinton Co. N. Y. Children were Stephen b. Aug 4 1779, James b. Mch 25 1782, Mindwell b. June 10 1784 mar. Blackman res. Mooers in 1839, Hopeful b. Sept 7 1786. There is no other 
family data on file.

Respectfully,

Commissioner

In 1843 wid. lived in Louisville St. Lawrence Co. N.Y.
Page 66

April 14, 1938
xxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MCS
Stephen Finch, W. 24187
John O'Riley, W. C. 5147

Honorable Bertrand H. Snell
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Snell:

Reference is made to your letter of April 8, 1938, relative to information desired by Mr. Glenn R. Morse of Potsdam, New York. Mr. Morse wishes to know the date the Revolutionary War soldier, Stephen Finch, W. 24187, filed his application for pension and he wishes the War of 1812 record of John Riley who married Orpha Finch, the daughter of Stephen Finch.

The papers on file in pension claim, W. 24187, based on the Revolutionary War service of Stephen Finch show that this soldier applied for pension on October 4, 1832, and his widow, Mindwell Finch, applied for pension on June 11, 1839. It was not essential for the widow, when establishing her claim for pension, to give the names of all her children but just enough family data to establish the date of marriage. The name, Orpha Finch, does not appear in the papers of this pension claim.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W.C. 5147. based on the War of 1812 service of John O'Riley (personal signature O'Riley).

The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.

He applied at Plattsburgh, New York, and served from August 15 or 16, 1813, until November 15 or 18, 1813, as private in Captain Septa Fillmore's company of New York militia. He enlisted August 21, 1814, as private in Captain D. B. Vaughan's or Vaughn's company of New York militia and he stated that he was taken prisoner September 6, 1814, at Plattsburgh and kept under British guard until September 11, when he was marched from Plattsburgh into Canada and at Chambly he was paroled and set at liberty about the first of October, 1814, but on his way home he was
Page 67

stopped at or near the border and was detained three or four days.

On account of his service in the War of 1812, John O'Riley applied for bounty land November 18, 1851, while living in Louisville, St. Lawrence County, New York, aged sixty- three years; he received Warrant 100949 for 40 acres of land on April 18, 1855, and received Warrant 44752 for 120 acres under the Act of March 3, 1855.

John O'Riley died July 16, 1866, at Louisville, New York.

He married November 26, 1809, Orpha Finch at the home of Stephen Finch in Chasy, New York.

As the widow of John O'Riley, Orpha O'Riley was allowed pension on her application executed May 22, 1871, at which time she seventy-seven years of age and was living at Louisville, New York.

In 1871 Eli Lewis, aged eighty-six, and his wife, Hopeful Lewis, aged eighty-four years, residents of Plattsburgh, New York, testified for Orpha Finch, (relationship not given but perhaps she was the widow's sister). In 1873 they stated they had a son born September 6, 1807, and that Orpha O'Riley and her two small children (names not given) boarded with them while John O'Riley was in the service.

There are no further data on file in said claim relative to the family of John O'Riley.

For information relative to the land that was granted to John O'Riley, it is suggested that you address the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, giving the warrant numbers, the acreage and the note under which the land was granted.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator