Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,270, John Watts, New York
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[Pre-printed document]
Service
New York [handwritten]
Watts, John
Martha
Number
W. 18.270 [handwritten]
Contents
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[Pre-printed document, handwritten details]
[   680   ]
FAMILY RECORD
DEATHS.				DEATHS.
Daniel Wright senior Born in year 1725
Abigail his wife. Born in the year 1722
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[Pre-printed document, handwritten details]
[   679   ]
FAMILY RECORD
BIRTHS.				DEATHS.
A RECORD OF THE AGE AND MARRIAGE OF John Watts & his family
Who was born July the 6th 1746 & married to Martha Wright
May the 11th 1778 who was born February the 25th 1754
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[Pre-printed document, handwritten details]

13.309 H
New York
John Watts
[illegible] in the State of New Yor
Who was a Sergeant in the regiment commanded b
Colonel Dubois of the New York 
Line, for the term of one year

Inscribed on the Roll of New York 
At the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
The 14 of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th of July 1814 
And sent to John Patterson Esq
Carmel New York
Arrears to 4th o f Mar. 1819  		85.56
Semi-anl. All’ce ending 4 Sep. 1819	48.00
					$133.56
10 Mo   17   4
               30  31   
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Putnam Cy [handwritten]

[Left side of page features handwritten message]
Notification sent to Walker Todd Esq. on the 
21st June 1820 at Carmel N. York
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[Handwritten document]
State of New York
Dutchess County ss
On this seventh day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before Daniel D. Akin one of the Judges of the Court of common please in and for said County, Martha Watts widow of John Watts Desd – aged eighty four years, a resident of the town of Pawling in the County of Dutchess and State of New York, who first being duly sworn according to law, That Supplementary to what she has before stated in a Declaration to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 14th 1836, Granting Pensions to certain widows, that after the said John Watts returned from the service rendered in the New York State line for the term of twelve months by which the said John Watts was a pensioner under the act of 1818. The said John Watts returned to the town of Fredericks in the County of Dutchess now known as the Town of Patterson in the County of Putnam to reside with his brother Robert Watts then a resident of the sd town of Patterson and did reside with the said Robert Watts untill the said John Watts [lined out illegible] was called into the service in Captain David Heacocks company in Col. Henry Ludingtons Regiment on or about the first of March seventeen hundred and seventy eight and served in the said Captn David Heacocks company in Col Henry Ludingtons Regiment in the sd town of Pattersson at and about the Episcopal church and Gristmill that was occupied with the Public stores and also several artifisers shops were at the same place and occupied by artifisers making utencils for the use of the Army. The sd John Watts was in and with sd Captain David Heacocks company from the first of March until the following [inserted: winter] as late as December 1778 or January 1779 and should think [inserted: he served that] that season at least nine or ten months most of the time as a gard about said Public stores at sd Episcopal church and Gristmill there in
[end of page]
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[Handwritten document]
The said town of Patterson in the County of Putnam and that the said applicant was married May 11th 1778 and that her husband John Watts was in the service as before stated until the following winter. That her name before her marriage was Martha Wright and that the Clergyman that officiated on that occasion was Reverend David [Close?] pastor of the Presbyterian church of the town of Patterson int eh County of Putnam then the Town of Fredericks in the County of Dutchess.
Martha Watts [handwritten signature]

Subscribed and sworn the 7th day
Of December 1838 before me

Daniel D. Akin Judge of Dutchess County Courts 
Upon the examination of the above named Martha 
Watts she appears very intelligent for a person 
Of her age and I can see no reason why
Full credit should not be given to her testimony
Daninel D Akin Judge se [handwritten signature]

State of New York
Dutchess County ss
I, Daniel W. Bradley, Clerk of the County of Dutchess, aforesaid do
Certify that Daneil D Akin Esq. whose name is on this [illegible] twice written was on the day of
The date of such signatures a Judge of the County Courts of said County, dwelling in said County
Residing in the town of Pawling duly commissioned and sworn, and that the two signatures above
Written are genuine and in the proper hand writing of the said Judge.
In testimony whereof I have [illegible] set my hand and affixed
The seal of the Court of Common Please of the said County this 
8th day of December A.D. 1838.
Davd. W. Bradley [handwritten signature]
Clerk
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State of New York County of Putnam [unknown] On this 14th day of April 1818 before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for the said County of Putnam personally appears John Watts aged seventy two years resident in the Town of Patterson in the said County in the said district, who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain [unknown words] in the land & Naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" That he the said John Watts enlisted in the Town of Fishkill in the State of New York in the company commanded Captain James  Rosecrans under the command of Col Lewis Dubois in the latter part of the month of February or first part of March in the year 1776 & continued to serve in the said corps in the service of the United States until about the first  of January following about ten & a half months when he was discharged from the service, and that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support & that he has no other evidence in his possession except the following of his said services

John Watts

Sworn to & delivered before me the day & year aforesaid

John Patterson

State of New York County of Putnam James Stater being before the                                                                                                                                  subscriber one of the Judges as aforesaid duly sworn doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with John Watts in the year 1776 during said year from the last of February or first of March he this deponent served in the same company with the said John Watts, the said John performing the duty of sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain James Rosecrans in the regiment under the command of Col. Lewis Dubois & that General James Clinton was the superior officer, and that he this aforementioned  

County of Dutchess
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[Handwritten document]
Putnam County [illegible] I John Patterson do certify that James 
[illegible]Watts the person who made the above [peitiion?] is a man of veracity and know ways  [illegible] to best of my knowledge
On [illegible] May the 7th 1819

John Patterson one of the 
Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County
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was discharged at the same time with the said John Watts after a service of ten & a half months at a place called fort Montgomery on the west side of the Hudson
James Slater [signature]

Sworn to & declared before me the day & year aforesaid
John Patterson [signature]

I John Patterson Judge &c as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Watts did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding
declaration against the common enemy & I know him to be in regard [illegible] & I now have transmit the procedings and testimony when & had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the
aforementioned act of Congress Dated April 14th 1818
John Patterson [signature]

Putnam County
Clerks Office SS,

I James Townsend Jr Clerk of the County of Putnam do certify, that John Patterson before whom the preceding procedings were had at the date thereof was & still is one of the
Judges of the said County. In witness whereof
I hereto affix the seal of said County & subscribe my name this 2nd day of May 1818
James Townsends Jr [signature] Clerk

[round seal on left side of page next to above paragraph]

[written vertically at bottom of page]

John Watts
Sergeant
1776 to 1777
Dubois; N. York Regiment

Line must be stated & the deposition of 2 witnesses that the applicant served served [second served is crossed out] as stated (the witnesses certified the regiment & credible by the Judge) is required, applicant not being on roll.  Also Judge to certify he is knowing to the reduced circumstances.
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Dutches County ss. 

Personally appeared before me this fourth day of May one thousand eight hundred & nineteen Daniel Annan of the town of Fish Kill [Fishkill] a person well known to me to be of
& unimpeachable veracity & a man of property who being duly sworn deposes & says that he is sixty six years of age that he has been acquainted with John Watts an applicant for a Pension from the United States since he the said Annan was sixteen years of age that in the year seventy six [in the year seventy six is crossed out] he served with the said Watts in Army of the United States in the year One thousand seven hundred seventy six in the revolutionary war in the regiment commanded by Col Lewis Dubois & in the company of Captain James Rosencrants in the N York line for the term of Ten months & that the said Watts served as a Sergeant in the said Company
Daniel Annan [signature]

Sworn before me this 4th May 1819
Daniel C Verplanck [signature]
One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Dutchess

Dutchess County ss
I Daniel C Verplanck do certify that Daniel Annan the Person who made the above deposition is a man of Property & Veracity. May 4th 1819
Daniel C. Verplanck [signature]
One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Dutchess-
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I W. Henry Buckley Dep Clerk of the County of Dutchess in the State of New York do hereby certify that Daniel C Ver Plank before whom the written affidavit was made was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County duly Commissioned and sworn and that the written are his signatures

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affirmed the seal of the Court of Common Please of said County this fourth day of May one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.

W. Henry Buckley
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State. of New york
County of Putnam
For On this 8th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court in the court of Common Pleas held at the courthouse in Carmel in and for the county of Putnam before the judges of the said court it being a court of Record created such by the statute of this State proceeding according to the common law (XXXXXXX) unlimited jurisdiction as to amount John Watts aged seventy three years and eleven months resident in the Town of Patterson in said County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows. That he enlisted in the hear 1776 in a company commanded by Capt. James Rosecrants in the Town of Fishkill in New York in the regiment commanded by Lewis Dubois under the command of James Clinton and after his enlistment he went with the company to fort Montgomery & remained there until three weeks after the expiration of his time, that he was at Kings Bridge when the English attacked fort Independence & was engaged in the affair.  That he is now a pensioner of the United States inscribed on the pension list rolls of the number of his pension certificate is 13,309
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war (xxxxxx) on the 18th March 1818 and -
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State. of New york
County of Putnam
For On this 8th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court in the court of Common Pleas held at the courthouse in Carmel in and for the county of Putnam before the judges of the said court it being a court of Record created such by the statute of this State proceeding according to the common law (XXXXXXX) unlimited jurisdiction as to amount John Watts aged seventy three years and eleven months resident in the Town of Patterson in said County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows. That he enlisted in the hear 1776 in a company commanded by Capt. James Rosecrants in the Town of Fishkill in New York in the regiment commanded by Lewis Dubois under the command of James Clinton and after his enlistment he went with the company to fort Montgomery & remained there until three weeks after the expiration of his time, that he was at Kings Bridge when the English attacked fort Independence & was engaged in the affair. That he is now a pensioner of the United States inscribed on the pension list rolls of the number of his pension certificate is 13,309
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war (xxxxxx) on the 18th March 1818 and -
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and that I have not [nor] has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts as [detits?] due to me nor have any income other than what is contained in the  schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed 
Schedule of Property 
Real estate sixteen acres of Mountian Land 
Personal 
1 Cow 1 Cupboard 1 Desk 1 pair hand bellows [bearthem?] plates 6 knives and forks 6 cups [+?]sauce [cup?] 3 milk
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V3084
In the matter of
the pension of
Martha Watts
Martha Wats

Vol. 



V.l 9. p. 70- $0.34
2 (xxxxxx) 1780
Admitted
Private 12 mo (xx) day
at 4. July 1836

Hon. G. Feters
Home (xxx)
(xx)
Hon. Nath. Jones

HR
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State of New York
Orange County {illegible} on this fourth day of January in the year of one and one {illegible} and eight hundred and thirty eight
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and after her marriage her said Husband was frequently out for short periods. some times one week at other two weeks. some times he was drafted and went out for certain services and periods. that she always understood from her said Husband and others that at such times he went down to guard the lines on the North River and was at White Plains and Danberry. but from age and defect of memory this Deponent is unable to state the services of her said husband with any greater particularity. She further declares that she was married to the said John Watts at the house of her brother in Law Moses Sackrider in Fishkill in the County of Dutchess in the State of New york by the Rev Nathaniel Close who then resided at N Patterson in the town of Franklin in said County of Dutchess now in the County of Putnam on the Eleventh day of May 1778.
that she has her family Record and her said marriage is wrote down therein by her said Husband as having taken place on that day. That her said Husband John Watts died on the first day of March 1823 and that she has remained a widow ever since that there are no witnesses now living who were present at her marriage that she recollects. that she always understood from her late husband that after he enlisted as above stated he acted as and done the duty of orderly Sergeant in the said Company to which he belonged. that her said Husband in his life time had been a pensioner of the United States for services rendered. The
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United States during the war of the Revolution
and on the sum of $96 annually for two years- that under the construction put upon the act of 1818 by the pension department has said Husband was [word crossed out] taken off the pension Roll for having too much property and not being in the destitute circumstances of [illegible] contineplates (as was determined) by said act, as the understood and was informed by her said Husband and now refers the department to the paspers on file in the case of her said Husband pension as testimony in her present application
Martha X her mark Watts

Subscribed and sworn this fourth day of January 1838 before me

Jas G. Clinton [signature]
a Judge of the County of Common Pleas in & for the County of Orange

I certify that upon this fourth day of January 1838 personally appeared before me the above named Martha Watts, and that I am satisfied from a personal inspection and Examination of her that she is unable from old
age and bodily infirmity to attend a court of Record.
Jas. G. Clinton [signature]
a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Orange
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STATE OF NEW YORK,
ORANGE COUNTY,
88.
I, LEBBEUS L. VAIL, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange, De Hereby Certify, That James G Clinton before whom the foregoing Officiant was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in, and for said county: and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verify that the signature to the said Officiant of Certificate is genuine. 
IN WITTNESS WEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 6th day of January 1838

Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk
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State of New York 
Orange County of John Walls of the town of Fishkill in the County of Dutchess + State  aforesaid being duly sworn before me Alexander C. Mulliner one of the Justices of the  Peace in + for the County of Orange aforesaid doth depose and say that he is the Son of Martha Watts of Fishkill aforesaid who is the Petitioner for a Pension for services rendered by her husband John Watts (since deceased) in the Revolutionary War. ANd that this deponent is now fifty two years of age. That for the last forty years he has known + been acquainted with the family record right by his said father and mother. And as appears by said Record Right in the family Bible Martha Walter (former by Wright) was married to the said John Watts father of this deponent on the Eleventh day of May one thousand [crossed out words] seven hundred and seventy Eight in the handwriting of the said John Watts since deceased. 
And this deponent further saith that his said Father John Watts deceased, died at the town of Patterson in the County of Putnam in the state afore said on the first day of March one thousand Eight hundred + twenty three. And further this deponent saith not. 
John Watts
Sworn to Subscribed this 1st day of January 1838 before me note this words Eight hundred and thirty erased before[illegible]

A [illegible] a Justice of the Peace in + for said County Orange County as I Alexander C Mulleniex a Justice of the Peace in + for said County as hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with John Walts who has subscribed the above officiant and that he is a Creditable witness- Given under my hand at Newburgh in said county this first day of January 1838. A.C. Mulleniex
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STATE OF NEW YORK
ORANGE COUNTY, SS:

I, LEBBEUS L. VAIL, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Orange, Do Hereby Certify, That Alexander C. Mulliner before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was, at the time of taking the same, a 
Justice of the Peace in and for said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit & certificate is genuine.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 6th day of January
1838
Lebbeus L. Vail, [signature] Clerk

[round seal on left side of page]
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State of New York
County of Putnam ss. 

Daniel Haynes of the town of Patterson in the County of Putnam and State of New York aged seventy four years, personally appeared before Joseph Newberry one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County, who first being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, that he was acquainted with John Watts Desd [deceased] of the town of Patterson in the County of Putnam and have been for
Fifty nine years or more, whose widow Martha
Watts, now a resident of the town of Pawlings in the County of Dutchess, an applicant for a
pension. This deponant saith that early in the spring of the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight and as near as this deponant can recollect in the first part of the month of
March in the sd year of Seventeen hundred and seventy eight this deponent was with his Father Assa Haynes when he was drawing sawlogs to the Sawmill, and going to sd [said] Sawmill we passed by the Episcopal Church where the continental stores were kept and a Millitary gard was kept at that place and also seveal shops of artificers, there at that place making utentials for the Army. I saw the Malitia company at sd [said] Episcopal Church as a military gard at that place under Captain David Heacock in Col Henry Ludington's regiment and my Father pointed out John Watts to me as the man that had fought a desperate battle with one Benj Franklin of that place that was much talked about, from that
time I became acquainted with the said John
Watts, and this deponant frequently saw the
sd [said] John Watts in and with the sd [said] Capt David Heacocks company in the sd [said]  Col Henry Ludingtons Regiment, from the sd [said] first of March 1778. nearly once every month
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month from that time untill the next winter
following, from the time I first saw the sd [said] John Watts, untill the last, that I saw him in the said services nine or ten month and since the revolutionary war have been acquainted with the said John Watts as long as he lived, dated this 3d day of December 1838
Daniel Haynes [signature]

Subscribed and sworn this 3d day of December 1838 before me
Joseph Newberry [signature] Justice of the peace

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the sd [said] Daniel Haynes and that he is a person of truth and his statement is entitled to credit
Joseph Newberry [signature] Justice of the peace
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State of New York
Putnam County ss.
David C. Delavan Clerk of the Presbyterian Church of the town of Patterson in the County of Putnam on this third day of December eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before Joseph Newberry one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith and saith, that having examined said church record to find the record of the Marriage of John Watts to Martha Write and find Recorded therein in the hand writing of Reverend David Close Pastor of sd [said] Church and his record of marriage entered by him commenced August 11th 1773 and the last entered by sd [said] Paston February 1779 and find Recorded this -

November 23 1777
Joseph Leach
Else Ward [name is underlined]

January 1778
John Birdsley
Rebecca Lot [name is underlined]

John Watts
Write [name is uderlined]

Isaac Garrage
Hufton [name is underlined]

David Lindsey
[space] [underlined]

William Gilbert
[space] [underlined]

a Soldier [underlined]

October 24 1778
Collman Chase
Elizabeth Burch [name is underlined]
Page 25

I David C. Delavan above named deposed and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the presbyterian  Society in Patterson Putnam County and that the above is a true extract from the records of the said Society.
David C. Delavan [signature] Clerk of the Said Society

Sworn before me December 3d 1838
Joseph Newberry [signature]
Justice of the peace

I certify that I am acquainted with the above named David C. Delavan and that his statement is entitled to credit
Joseph Newberry [signature]
Justice of the peace

[round seal on left of page]

State of New York
Putnam County SS

I William H Stoat Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Joseph Newberry before whom the foregoing affidavits was taken was at the time of taking such affidavit a Justice of the peace in and for said County residing in said county commisioned and sworn and duly authorised to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verity believe that the name of said Justice subscribed to the said certificate and before whom the same and purported to be taken is genuine In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County this 14th day December 1838
W H Stoat [signature] Clerk
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Putnam County ss. 
Joseph Watkins Being duly sworn doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with the small
peace of land on which John Watts resided in the Town of Patterson in Putnam County & which he sold to his son David Watts by deed dated October 18- 1820 for the consider
ation of Seventy five Dollars and this deponent further says that the sum of Seventy five dollars is as much as the said property was worth in cash at the time of the sale & he does not believe that more than that sum could have been got for it in cash.
Joseph Watkins [signature]

or it in cash.

Ralph Watkins
Sworn & Subscribed before me Rufus Fancher,
one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace
in and for the County of Putnam the 17 day
of September in the year 1821
Rufus Fancher [signature] Justice of the peace

This may certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Watkins and his Character stands fair as to truth & veranty
Rufus Fancher [signature[ J.P.

Putnam County Ss. 
Noah T. Ferry being duly sworn doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with the small
peace of land on which John Watts resided in the Town of Patterson in the County of Putnam & which he sold to his son David Watts by deed dated October 18. 1820 for the
Consideration of seventy five Dollars, and this deponent further say, that the sum of seventy five dollars is as much as the said land was worth at the time of the sale. & he does not believe that more than that sum could then
have been got for it in cash. 
Noah T. Ferry [signature]

Sworn & Subscribed before me Rufus Fancher one of the parties assigned to keep the peace in & for the County of Putnam the 17 day of September in the year 1821 
Rufusr Fancher [signature] Justice of the Peace

This may certify that I am well aquainted with
Noah I [illegible] the above subscribed witness & that he is a man of truth & veracity
Rufus Fancher [signature] J.P.
Page 27

State of New York
Putnam County Ss.
David Watts being duly sworn doth depose and say that he purchased of his Father John Watts of the Town of Patterson in the County of Putnam & State of New York, the small piece of rough land on which he the
said John resided, by deed given the 18th of October 1820 that the consideration of the purchase was seventy five dollars, that the sum of seventy five Dollars as a full & fair price  for the same, that the said sum of seventy five Dollars, has been all paid by this deponent, towards the debts which the said John owed at the time of the conveyance, & secured to be paid by this deponent in satisfaction of the said debts so for as the 
same would extend
David Watts [signature]

Sworn & Subscribed this 24th day of September 1821 before me Rufus Fancher
one of the Justices of the peace in for the County of Putnam in the State of New York
Rufus Fancher [signature] Justice peace
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State of New York
County of Putnam ss. 
John Watts being duly sworn doth depose and say that at the time he was stricken off from the pension roll, he was owing to the following person the sums set opposite to there names as follows to wit 

To Robert Watts - $5.00, 
Henry & Harry Hoyt $25.55
Doct Ebz Fletcher - 13.40
Adonirum Lodge - 12.50
David Watts - 1.52
Elijah Dean - 1.96
Lewis Stebbins - 1.00
Joseph Watkins - 1.00
Crosby & Hoyt - 18.00
Robert Grant - 0.25
Lewis Ludenton - 0.31
Hoyt & Delavan - 1.00
Henry S Jones - 7.70
John Rumsey - 1.50

That immediately after this deponent was stricken off from the pension roll, Henry & Harry Hoyt above named prosecuted him for the amount of their account & recovered Judgment thereon that this deponent had no other means of satisfying the judgment
without the sale of his real estate, that he sold it to his David Watts for seventy five dollars which this deponent then believed to be a fair price for the  same, that the said David has paid the said sum & obligated himself to that 
amount towards satisifying the debts which this deponent then owed as above set forth
John Watts [signature]

Sworn & Subscribed before me Rufus Fancher one of the Justices of the peace in and for
the County of Putnam in the State of New York the 24th day of September 1821
Page 29

Putnam County
Clerks office in the
State of New York Ss

I James Towner Clerk of the said County of Putnam do hereby certify that Rufus Fancher before whom the annexed affidavits purport to have been taken was at the time of the taking thereof a Justice of the peace in & for the said County of Putnam, duly authorized to administer oaths & that full faith & credit ought to be given to his official acts.  And I no further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Rufus Fancher  & verily believe his signature to the said affidavits to be his hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said offer & subscribed my name this 30th day of November 1821
James Towner [signature]
By Orrin M. Armstrong Dept the

[round seal on lower left side of page]
Page 30

July 14, 1938.

Mrs. John Plantings
109 College Avenue
Poughkeepsie, New York.

BA-J/ILL
John Watts
W. 18270

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Watts of Dutchess County, New York, whose widow, Martha Watts, received a pension in 1841, also, information in regard to John Davis and John Griffin who served in the same
regiment with said John Watts.

In order to identify the record of the particular soldiers with the name John Davis and John Griffin in whom you are interested, it is essential that you furnish the approximate dates of birth and death of each, also, their residences at enlistment and after service.  The record of John Watts is given herein as found in pension claim, W. 18270, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

John Watts was born July 6, 1746; the place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York, he enlisted some time in February 1776, served as sergeant in Captain James Rosekrans' company, Colonel Lewis Dubois' New York regiment, was stationed first at Fort Montgomery, was in the engagement when the British attacked Fort Independence and was discharged after service of almost one year. He enlisted sometime in March 1778, served at various times until the winter of 1779 as private in Captain David Heacock's
company, Colonel Henry Ludington's New York regiment, in all between nine and ten months; a part of this time he guarded the public stores in the Episcopal Church in Fishkill.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 14, 1818, at which time he resided in Patterson (formerly called Fredericks ) Putnam County, New York. The soldier died there March 1, 1823.

John Watts married May 11, 1778, Martha Wright, her name shown also Right and Rite; she was born February 23, 1754. They were married at the home of her brother-in-law, Moses Lackrider (?), in Fishkill, New York, by the Presbyterian Minister, David Close.
Page 31

Martha Watts, the widow of John Watts, was allowed pension on her application executed January 4, 1838, at which time she resided in Pawling, Dutchess County, New York.

In 1821, David Watts made affidavit in behalf of his father, John Watts, the Revolutionary War soldier, in Fishkill, New York. In 1838, John Watts, another son, was a resident of Fishkill, aged then fifty-two years. There are no further data in regard to the children of John Watts and his wife Martha.

John Watts had a brother, Robert Watts, who was living in Fishkill, New York, in 1778.

The following data are recorded also in this claim -

"Daniel Wrigh , senior, born in year 1725
Abigail his wife born in the year 1722."

The relationship of these persons to Martha, the soldier's widow, was not stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following:

Martha Watts, widow of John Watts, 
Certificate #2466
Issued December 31, 1838
Rate $40.11 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of July 4, 1836
New York Agency.

Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

2.
Page 32

Putnam County
State of New York

Certified Copy of
John Watts declaration
of Pension Roll

Patterson
13.309

Con
Page 33

State of New York
County of Putnam SS

On this Eleventh day of October 1820 personally appeared in open Court in the Court of Common pleas held at the Court House in Carmel in and for the said County
of Putnam before the Judges of the said Court it being a Court of record created such by the statute of this state proceeding according to the course of common law and possessing [illegible] Junsdiction as to amount John Watts aged seventy four years and three months resident in the town of Patterson in said
County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, that he enlisted in the year 1776 in a company
commanded by Capt James Roscutts for ten months in the town of Fishkill in New York in the Regiment commanded by Lewis Dubois and under the command of James Clinton and after his enlistment he went with the company
fort Montgomery and remained there until three weeks after the expiration of his time that he was at Kingsbridge when the English attacked fort Independance and was engaged in that Battle that he has been a pensioner
of the United States inscribed on the pension list Roll of the New York agency at the rate of Eight Dollars per month commencing on the fourteenth day of May 1818 and that the
number of his pension certificate is 13.309

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what contained in the
Page 34

Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed and I do further swear that I made a declaration similar to the preceeding at the June term last past of this Court and the same
was forwarded to the Secretary at War with a schedule of my property which was therein valued at fifty five dollars besides my debts that in consequence of the amount of my property I was informed that I was stricken from the Roll of Pensioners that since that information I have been compelled to sell the small real estate which I then owned to pay the debts which I then owed that after applying the avails of said sale to the payment
of my debts so far as the same would extend there still remained two Judgements against me one for twenty five dollars & fifty five cents and the other for thirteen Dollars and forty cents both unsatisfied
John Watts [signature]

Schedule of property
Real Estate home - Personal Estate. One Cow 1 Cupboard 1 [illegbile], 1 hand bellows 6 earthen plates, 6 knives & forks.  6 Cups & Saucers.  3 milk pans, 1 Small looking Glass, 6 old chairs, 1 Shovel tongs, 1 Iron hammer, 1 meat [illegible], 2 tin pails. 1 Churn. 1 Spinning wheel, 1 serun of bees, & this deponent now owes the two Judgements above mentioned.

The family of this Deponent consists of himself aged 71 years & 3 months from age physical complaints the loss of the sight of one eye is unable to labor but little, Martha Watts the wife of this deponent aged 65 years no infirmity but that of Age

John Watts [signature]

Sworn and subscribed in open Court this 11th of October 1820 before me 
Rowland Bailey [signature] Clerk of said Court
Page 35

Putnam County
State of New York SS

[round seal is on left side of page]

I Rowland Bailey Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court, and
I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Seventy Seven 50/100 Dollars.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 23rd day of November 1820
Rorland Bailey [signature] Clerk
Joseph Benedict [signature] Deputy Clk.
Page 36

EVERETT R. DAVIS 
LUMBER, MASONS’ AND BUILDERS' SUPPLIES Arlington Siding 
R. D. No. 3, POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.
PHONE 959

RECEIVED
JUN 21 1938

June 17, 1938
Bureau of Pensions 
Department of the Interior 
Washington D. C. 

Gentlemen;

Will you please send me the pension record of John Watts of the Revolutionary War, who enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of the Dutchess County Milita under Col Abraham Brinkerhoff and Col Jacob Griffin (pp 138 N.Y. in the Rebolution as Colony and State)

His widow Martha Watts is listed in the Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary Service with names, ages and places of Residence printed 1841 —-- page 105 
The wifes name was Martha Watts Ae 80 and she resided June 1, 1840 with Stephen Worden, in Dutchess County 

I am very anxious to have this information and have been told that you can give me this for which I shall be most grateful. 

Also can you tell me if there were pensions issued for a John Davis and a John Griffin who fought in the same Regiment. If so, could I have those records. They areall ancestors of mine and in the confusion of that particu,lar period of history the information and records were very sketchy. Especially so, since the church records are very incomplete.
 
Very truly yours
Ruth Davis Plantinga
(Mrs John Plantinga ) 
109 College Ave 
Poughkeepsie N. Y.
Page 37

Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 18.270
Martha Watts
Wid. of
John Watts
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index: - Vol. M, Page 3111

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[top right of page]
1938 - July 14
Mrs. John Plantings [illegible] history - JLL
Page 38

War Department
Pension Office
Nov. 23. 1838

Sir,
In reply to that part of your letter of the 24th ult. which relates to the claim of Mrs. Martha
Watts, I have to state that it appears that the claimant's husband served 12 months in the New York Line. By the terms of the act of July 7. 1838, a copy of which is herewith enclosed you will be able to determine whether Mrs. Watts is entitled to the benefits thereof. If the
claimant has changed her Agent, she will signify it in a letter to that effect.

I am respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards [signature] 

John Holmes, Jr, Esqr.
Pawling
Dutchess County
N. York
Page 39

Pawling Dec 7th 1838

Sir,

Eager & Mace Esqr were my agents to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836   I have changed my agent from them to John Holmes Senr of the town of Pawlings in the County of Dutchess

I am respectfully
your obt servt
Martha Watts [signature]

J. L. Edwards Esqr
commissioner of Pensions
Page 40

[several different areas of text, some written horizontally, vertically or crossing over one another]

W NY June 28
Peleg Smith
app act 28
M. Watts
Pen 1828

Pawlings NY
Service 253
April

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D. C.
Page 41


Pawlings Dutchess County
New York
June 22 1839

Sir
Peleg Smith made application for a Pension under the act of the 15th May 1828.  The evidence last transmited was examined July 10th 1835 and the answer he received, that
by that evidence he belonged to the Militia
consequently not embraced by the act.  He would wish to know whether there is sufficient evidence on file to entitle him to any pay under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

I am sir respectfully
you obt Servant
John Holmes [signature] Junr.
now agent for Peleg Smith

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, John Watts was a Pensioner under the act
of 18th May 1818, and drew payment to 4th day of March1820. Then by some reason he was debared, after that the sd [said] John Watts lived three years wanting four days - I would wish to know the reason of the payment being with held and also whether there has been any thing done to get him rein stated before his death,
J L Edwards
Com. of Pensions
John Holmes Junr. [signature] agent for Martha Watts widow of John Watts

Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions
Page 42

[several areas of text, some wrtitten horizontally, vertaically or on top of each other]

V 2055
Sept. 29
N.Y.
7 July 1838

Pawling N.Y.Sept. 25

J. L. Edwards, esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 43

Pawlings Dutchess County Septr 24th 1838

Sir,
I forward the papers of Anna Dean an applicant for a Pension, if any thing should
be wanting in her case please to inform me as
her agent

John Holmes Junr [signature]

In the case of Martha Watts widow of John
Watts desd. made an application some time last fall, her papers made out at Newburgh
Orange County and State of New York, she says was rejected on account of the marriage being after the service proved that is the service was in 1777 and the Marriage in May 1778, term of service thus proved she thinks was ten months, and is unable to find any other proof of service since the marriage, her said husband John Watts was a Pensioner
under the act when none but them that was
in indigent circumstances were entitled - we would wish to know if her papers are sufficient
to entitle her to the benefit of the act of June 7th 1838 if those papers are on file in your office
John Holms Junr [signature]
Page 44

[several areas of text, some wrtitten horizontally, or vertaically]

Jan. 11. '40
M. Watts

C. John T[illegible]
M. C.

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington City DC
Page 45

House of Representation Jany 11th 1840

Hon. J. L. Edwards-

I have the honor to inform to you a letter [illegible] by me upon the ubject of a pension or allowance to Mrs. Watts, the widow of John Watts.  Your answer to the contents of the letter (to me) at your enlist convenience will much oblige, 
yours respectfully
Charles Johnston

N.B. [illegible] the letter to me, with your [illegible]
J. J.
Page 46

Hon. C. Johnston

15 Jan. 1840

G. C.

Record 749 page 173
Page 47

War Department
Pension Office

15, Jan 1840

Sir
In reply to the letter of Charles Johnston Esqr [Charles Johnston Esqr is crossed out] John Holmes Jr, Esqr [illegible word that is crossed out] respecting the [illegible words crossed out] pension of the late John Watts [word is crossed out] who was this husband of Martha Watts, I have the honor to state that there is no [is no is crossed out] was no arrears of pension due the claimants husband at the time of his death - If he had established his claim, which it seems he did not, under the act of 1820 his pension on the commenced at the time of doing the testimony, but in his claim to be continued in the roll was never admitted. [illegible two words are crossed out] nothing was due to him under that act

Mr. Johnston [Johnston is crossed out] Holmes letter is herewith returned

GC

Hon. Charles Johnston
House Reps
NY
Page 48

[written horizontally on page]
3084
Jan 12.
M at
N.Y.
[illegible]

Hon. Nathl Jones
H R

[written vertically on page]
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Dept
Page 49

H. Reps. 12th Jany 38

Sir.
I enclose and send to you the papers of Martha Watts who applies for a Pension in right of her decd husband

I am very Respectfully
Your &c

Nathaniel Jones [signature]

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 50

[illegible] ab

O Titus

Martha Watts

Hon. O. Titus
HR
Page 51

War Department
Pension Office
January 29. 1838

Sir,
The papers of Mrs. Martha Watts, widow
of John Watts, have been examined and filed. The evidence in regard to the claimant's marriage is not satisfactory.  The leaf containing the family register in which her marriage is said to be recorded, should be transmitted to this Office.

To sustain this claim it is necessary that it
should be made to appear that the claimant's husband was in actual military service after the date of her marriage. By the statement in his declaration under the act of 1818 it would seem that he quit the service in January 1777.

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

J.L. Edwards [signature]

Hon. Nathl. Jones
House of Representations
Page 52

[left side of page]
John Watts
Sergeant
76 to 77
Dubois N. York
Regt.

Admitted

[bottom left of page]
14 Apl

[top right of page]
John Watts
Pension application
Page 53

Thomas Martin

[illegible]
Page 54

State New York Putnam County 

I Thomas Martin being by me the subscriber one of the Judge as aforesaid duly sworn
doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with John Watts in the year 1776 that during said year from the part of March or the first of April eh this deponent [illegible] 
took the place of my Brother Gersham Martin who served with the [crossed out word] John Watts as a Sergant likewise; I served with [with is crossed out] for my Brother for some weeks and did his duty as a sergant untill my Brother Returnd home [home is crossed out] then I went home & was general times [illegible] the west side of Hudson River at Fort Montgomery.  and saw the said Watts on duty in Capt James R[illegible]s company and and Col Lewis Dubois Regt. and under General James Clinton in New York line & I saw the sd [said] Watts doing duty in sd [said] company in the latter part of January in the same year 
to the part of January in the same year at one of the times that I went to see my Brother at said fort he this deponent further to say that he is now in the sixty fourth year of his age.

Thomas Martin [signature]

sworn before me the 7th day of May 1819
John Patterson [signature]
on of the Judge's of the Court Common Please in sd [said] County.

Putnam County SS.
I John Patterxon do certify that Thomas Martin the person who made the above Depotion is a man of Pro[illegible] & Veracity and know ways consistent ot my knowledge and Belief - May the 7th May 1819 
John Patterson [signature]
of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the said County
Page 55

[written faintly on top left of page]
Mr. Edwards
recd. 5 Decr 1821

[written vertically on page]
Carmel NY
30 Novr

free

Hon. Joln C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
Washington City
Page 56

Carmel Putnam Co. NY. 30 Novr 1821

Sir
I enclose some affidavits relative to the disposition of the property of John Watts a revolutionary soldier, he has been stricken from the pension roll & made application to be restored, but the manner of disposing of his property was required at your department before
he could be restored, have the goodness to direct your answer to me at this place,

Respectfully Sir I am your obt Servt
Walker Todd [signature]

Hon: J C Calhoun
Sec. at War
Page 57

[written horizontally on page]
Pension Office
30th June 1829.

[written vertically on page with some words overlapping those written horizontally]
Carmel NY
26 June

Free

Hon. John H Eaton
Sec. of War
Washington City Dist Col

[written horizontally but upside down on page]
Pension
Page 58

Carmel Putnam Co N.Y. June 26. 1829

Dear Sir
John Watts who lived in this vicinity was originally placed on the list of pensioners, & for a year or two recd a pension under the first act of Congress giving pensions to the soldiers of the revolution. His name was stricken of
from the roll on account of the property he possessed.  This was done without apprising him of the intention to do so

As soon as it was known for what cause he was stricken from the roll he renewed his application (in 1820) & has not been apprised of the result of his application. I forwarded
his papers & shortly after the Clerk of this County recd a letter from Mr Edwards acknowledging the receipt of the papers &
promised to apprise him (the Clerk) of such determination as should be made in relation to the matter. I understand no information has been received at the Clerks office

John Watts, the soldier, died before any information whatever was received.  recently his widow has been informed that his name was restored to the list of pensioners & that he was enti-
Page 59

tled [entitled, completes the word of previous page] to a pension.  for the time between that when his name was stricken of the roll up to his death. The widow is a very aged woman & covered with misfortunes & poverty.  if any thing
can be obtained it would afford some comfort & in some measure relieve the wants of age & indigence

Have the goodness to cause the necessary information to be communicated to me, in relation to this matter.

The number of Watts's pension certificate when he was put upon the roll was 13.309 of the New York agency

Respectfully his I am your obedient Servant
Walker Todd [signature]

Sec at War
Page 60

Certified Copy of the Decleration of

John Watts
State of New York
Putnam County

already on the Pension
Roll [Roll is underlined]

(13.309)
not entitled
Sept 1819
Page 61

Putnam County ss.

Benjamin Pugsley being duly sworn doth depose & say that he is well acquainted with the small piece of land on which John Watts resided in the Town of Patterson in Putnam County & which he sold to his son David Watts by deed dated October 18. 1820 for the consideration of seventy five dollars, and this deponent further says that the sum of seventy five dollars, in as much as the said property was worth in cash at the time of the sale, & he did not believe that more than that sum could then have been got for it in cash -
Benjamin Pugsley [signature]

Taken & subscribed before me Rufus Fancher once of the judges to keep the peace is and for the County of Putnam 18 day of September 1821
Rufus Fancher [signature] Justice of the Peace

This may certify that I am acquainted with Benjamin Pugsley his Character stands fair as to truth & Verasity.
Rufus Fancher [signature] Jts of Peace

Rufus Fau
Page 62

N. York
Martha Watts
Letter to Hon N. Jones 29 Jan. '38.
to J. Holmes (sic) 23 Nov. 1838
See No. 3084, Act 4 July '36.

Act. 7 July 1838 or July '38
Page 63

New York 2,466

Martha Watts widow of John Watts who died on the 1st of March 1823 of Orange Co. in the state of N. York who was a private in the company commanded by captain N.Y. of the right commanded bu Col Dubris in the N York line for 12 months and a day

Inscribed on the roll of New York the rate of 40 dollars 11 cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of Dec. 1838 and sent to 

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. ' 38   300.82
Semi-annual allowance ending in    20.05
Page 64

See letters 6th of July 1821 to R. Bailey and W. Todd, July 1, 1829.

John Watts dropt (sic) from roll in 1820.

Dead.  See letter from W. Todd within, letter to J Holmes, Jr, June 29, 1839