Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28938, Josiah Wells, Conn.
Page 1

Conn.
Wells, Josiah
S28938
Page 2

Albany 31,551
Josiah Wells
of Montgy. Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Pr. & Sgt. in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. Waterbury in the Con. State. Troops for Pr. 10 mos.            33.33 1/3
                 Sergt. 26 days         4.33 1/3
                                             $37.66 2/3

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 37 Dollars 66 2/3 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Nov., 1838 and sent to Collins Odell, Mayfield, NW

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '38                  282.49
Semi-annual allowance ending Nov. '39   18.83
                                                              $301.32

                             Revolutionary Claim,
                             Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book 6.2 Vol. 4 Page 82
Page 3

State of New York
Montgomery County

Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in & for said county Josiah Wells, who, being duly sworn says 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 7 months I served as a private draft under Capt Smith: For 3 months I served as a private under Capt Smith: For 1 month I served as a Serjaent (Sargeant) under Capt Yates; and for such service I claim a pension. He was not engaged in any cibil (civil?) pursuit, for the time during which the service was performed.

Sworn and Subscribed this 24th day of June

Before me the word Serjeant (Sergeant) underlined

Aaron Harrington, Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks office

I George D. Ferguson clerk of the board of Common plead of Montgomery County, do hereby certify that Aaron Harring Esgn before whom the above affid and purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace of this said County: & that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice of the Peace and hereby believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit is genuine.

The testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 24th June 1833.

Geo D. Ferguson
Page 4

Josiah Wells
Application
21816

Said certificate to Jno V Beary
John Stowe M.C. N.Y

Admitted:
Private 10 months
Srgnt   0.26 days
          ____________
             10.26

Collins Odell, Esq
Mayfishe (?)
New York
Page 5

State of New York
Montgomery County

On this 2oth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two (1832), personally appeared in the open court before the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Montgomery, now sitting. Josiah Wells, a resident of the town of Johnstown in the county of Montgomery and state of New York, aged seventy seven (77) years on the twenty third (23rd) day of September past past who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated:  Your applicant says that he drafted in the service of the United States sometime in the month of April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six (1776), in a company of Connecticut State troops under one Captain Smith, Lieutenant Blackman the other officers of the company he does not recollect in Colonel Waterbury's Regiment, of which on Hobbie was Major & Nathaniel Judson, Adjutant, that he drafted for seven months and served the full term of his seven months. Your applicant says that he drafted and went from the town of Studdford in the Parish of Riplow then called, now called Huntington in the county of Fairfield State of Connecticut, to the city of New York and from thence to the city of Albany, from thence to Ticonderoga from thence to a place called the Island of Oar, from thence to St. Johns Canada, were (where) they lay siege of the British Garrison they went to Montreal, where and at which place his time expired and he was verbally discharged, he does not recollect the day of the month he was discharged but knows it was sometime in the month of November of 1776.  That this regiment belonged to and was commanded by Gen Schuyler part of the time while they were out and the remainder of the time by General Mongtomery & Wosten.  Your applicant says that again in the year of 1777 on the first of December drafted in the Connecticut State Troops and continued upon duty some time in that month, the day of the month he cannot state that he went for three months and served the full term of three months; that he at this time went under Captain Smith and the same officers as above. State except adjutant Judson, that he went from the same place as above. States
Page 6

to Kingsbridge near the City of New York, your applicant says that in the fall of the year 1777, before he entered into the three months he volunteered in the service in a single company command by one Captain Yates. the other officers he does not recollect, that he went from the same place as before. States, to Poughkeepsie and some distance above that place along the North river to prevent the British from destroying and laying waste to the surrounding Country; that he was out at this time at least one month: Your applicant says that he has been out as a volunteer two or three times over and above the times as above Stated. but one week at one time and at the others a day or two at a time: He was born in Standford Connecticut (illegible) in the year 1754:  He has no record of his age: He resided at Standford during the Revolution and at the time he was called into service and has since the Revolution Resides at his present pace of residence He knows of no person by whom he can prove any of his services He has never received a written discharge: He is acquainted with the following persons residing in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution: to wit He knows of no regiment or offices of the regulars that served with him & recollects no other material circumstances as already stated by him. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name (?) is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state: He says he has served as a private for 9 months or more but 9 months is what he claims pension for.

Josiah Wells
+
mark

Sworn to I subscribed in open Court the 20th Sept 1832
Geo D Ferguson, Clerk
Page 7

We, Abraham Van Horn a Clergyman residing in the Town of Johnstown and John, Willow, residing in the Same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Josiah, Well, who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration,  that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Abraham Van Horn [illegible]
John Willow
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year [illegible]
Geo. D. Ferguson, clerk

And the Said Court do here by declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories furnished by the deponent, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and Served as he States; Since the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Abraham Van Horn who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Johnstown, and  John Wallace who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town and is a [illegible] in that this statement is entitled to credit.
I George D Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court on the matter of the application of Josiah Wells for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have herewith set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of September 1832
Geo. D. Ferguson
Page 8

No 21816
Josiah Wells
N York.
Susp?
John V. Barry 
Johnstown
Montgomery Co.
New York
Page 9

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 show what is necefsary to be done. These points would which your attentions 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A Statement, showing the Service of Josiah Wells Montgomery.        NY 6.

{Column 1: Period when the service was rendered} 
Profits 
April 1776

Dec 1  1777    
Drafted

1777. fall of 
Val

xxxx volunteer two or three term as xxx and above the term as an above staxx but 1 week at one time
Page 10

2
REGULATION UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1932
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 "volunteers," 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 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 [blank] ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] of [blank] aged {c} [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank](e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [blank]
{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 country 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. [illegible] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the miitia, volunteers, mavy, &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 [blank]
Sworn 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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of  the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 day 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. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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 witnesses cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will [illegible] 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 is in comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 11

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?
  6. {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 enquiry 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.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will fol
low the rule laid down for his guidance
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 sale
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served
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, shall the different grades in which he served, in language
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:--For years, and
seven days, I served as 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 that reasons,
to definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the mint, without specifying the tours, the names of the others, 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 place, where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competentthority
, 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required
The Clerk must give his certificate in every care
The Christ, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no risk
he that of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
Page
Mode of authenticating papers
In every instance where the rectificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which he
the other papers that the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must
under the seal of the of the catalyer offers, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly married in the certinate
Proof of Service.
In case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
in the affidavits the time of the claimants entering the settler, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well
that which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the
the official character and signature of the magistrate must be entitled by the proper officer, under his seat of the
we all equally applicable in the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rife in
applies to counsel only
in the
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the best
The answers to the parties at all be willing, and sent to the War Deparim
with the declaration
easter
Examl Clerk
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Page 12

In reply to our request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Josiah Wells a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [strikeout (or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. File 28938
[column titles]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment | Length of Service | Rank  | Officers under whom service was rendered subtitles] Captain  Colonel | State

May 1775 [interlineated "ok"] | [strike out "7"] 10 mos. Private | Captain Joseph Smith| Colonel Waterbury | Connecticut

Fall 1777 [interlineated "ok:] | 1 mo. | Sergeant | Captain John Yeats | Colonel Jonathan D[illegible]  | [blank]

Dec 1, 1777 | 3 mos | [blank] | Comstock | Canfield | [blank]

Battles engaged in, taking of St. Johns
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stratford, Fairfield, Conn
Date of Application for pension, Sept 20, 1932
Residence at date of application, Johnstown, NY
Age at date of application, b. Nov 23 1754, Stratford, Conn.
Remarks: His claim was allowed.

Very respectfully,
{office note: 3 mos Dec 76 77 cannot be verified by Conn books Waterbury was [illegible] and captured before that.
[illegible] 3 mos under Canfield cannot be verified by Conn books either.
add his 7 and 3 equals 10 mos. under Joseph Smith.
Page 13

Reva
New York
Suspended act 7 June 32

Letter 29 Oct 1933 to J. V. Berry
Letter to Hon. N. J. Bovie Apr 8 1836
Let [letter] to Wm [William] McConnell May 27 1837
to Collins Odell 11 Aug 1837, to same July 26, 1838
Page 14

State of New York
County of Montgomery
Be it known that before me Wm M Connell, a Justice of the Peace of the county aforesaid came Josiah Wells of Johnstown in said county, and being sworn in due forms of law, deposeth and saith that he is the identical Josiah Wells mentioned in the annexed affidavits of (?Agar?) Tomlinson, Nathan Lewis and Ephraim Wooster, that he served as a private in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War, and the times and places, and under the officers in the said affidavit mentioned and was discharged as therein mentioned, having served one year as aforesaid; that in the month of September 1832 he made an affidavit and declaration, and applied for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832, which he was informed was not then granted.  to him for want of sufficient proof of his said service; which he thinks he has now obtained, as will be seen by said affidavits, and therefore prays that a pension may be granted him under the said acts. His original declaration he thinks is probably remaining in the Pension Office at Washington. He also deposes and saith that he resided in the town of Huntington / Parish of Ripton / County of Fairfield / State of Connecticut in the time of the Revolutionary War, at which place he was born, from whence he removed about fifty years ago to the town of Johnstown in the county of Montgomery aforesaid where he now resides; and that he was eighty two years old the twenty third day of November last as appears by the records of his age now in his possession.
Josiah.  X(his mark) Wells
Sworn and subscribed this 16th day of February 1837
before me  [illegible] Wm McConnell, Justice of the Peace
Page 15

State of New York, Montgomery County Clerks Office
I , Richard H, Cushing Deputy Clerk of the County of Montgomery do certify that William McConnell Esq whose name is subscribed to the jurat of the written affidavit was on the day of the date of the same a justice of the peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe that the signature of said Justice subscribed to the jurat of the written affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand an affixed the seal of said County this 18th day of February 1837.
R. H. Cushing Dep Clk
Page 16

Agur Tomlinson of the town of Huntington (Parish of Ripton) County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut a Pensioner of the United States 80 years of age Deposeth and Saith that he was intimately acquainted with Josiah Wells during the Revolutionary War who as Deponent understands and believes it now residing in Johnstown County of Montgomery and State of New York, who testifys and says that the deponent and said Josiah Wells both inlisted in said Ripton Parish into Capt. Smiths Militia foot company, and Col Waterburys Regiment for seven months, campaign on the first Monday in May 1775. Said Parish at that time being in the town of Stratford Marched from Ripton to New York from New York took Shipping for Albany and for there Marched for Montreal was at the taking of St Johns Fort and at the end of 7 months was both discharged with deponent in said campaign both enlisted together and both discharged together at Montreal and that said Wells served seven months faithfully in this company as a private soldier 1775.
Also testifys and says that he and said Wells both enlisted together again in said Parish in the month of December 1776 into Capt John Yates foot troops company for two months in 
Col Hookers regiment and Marched from said Ripton down on the lines near York Island at Kings Bridge and served together in said company there for two months faithfully was both.
Page 17

discharged near Kingsbridge and both returned home to the Parish together - saw Capt Smith, and Capt Yates Companys both belonged to the Connecticut State Troops.
[signed] Agur Tomlinson
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield s.s.
Bridgeport January 25 1837 personally appeared Agur Tomlinson and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition who I certify is a person well known to e and is a credible witness,
Sworn and subscribed before me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss Bridgeport
I Roswell S. NIchols, Clerk of the Probate Court within and for the District of Stratford in said Fairfield County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Sherman and Samuel Beardsley are both Justices of the Peace in and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and qualified that their commissions will expire in June 1837 and that the signature of Isaac Sherman to the (Deposition of Agur Tomlinson is his genuine signature. Also the signature of Samuel Beardsley to the (Deposition of Ephraim Wooster and Nathan Lewis, is his genuine signature.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Probate Court this 28th day of January AD 1837
R. S. Nichols Clerk
Page 18

Nathan Lewis of the town of Huntington Parish of Ripton County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut a pensioner of the United States 81 years of age deposeth and saith that he was intimately acquainted with Josiah Wells during the Revolutionary War who is deponent understands and believes is now residing in Johnstown County of Montgomery and State of New York who testifies and says that deponent and Josiah Wells both inlisted in said Ripton Parish into Captain Comstock Militia foot Company Colonel Canfield Regiment for three months campaign in the forepart of December 1777 said Parish at that time being in the town of Stratford Marhill from said Ripton to sawpits in the State of New Your and served together in said company there for three months faithfully was both discharged at the sawpits and both returned home to said Parish together. Said Capt Comstock's company belonged to the Connecticut State Troops
[signed] Nathan Lewis
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss Huntington January 26 1837
personally appeared Nathan Lewis subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a person well known to me and is a credible witness
Sworn and subscribed before me
Lemuel Beardslee Justice of Peace
Page 19

Ephraim Wooster of the town of Huntington (Parish of Ripton) County of Fairfield and State of Connecticutt a Pensioner of the United States 82 years of age Deposeth and Saith that he was intimately acquainted with Josiah Wells during the Revolutionary War who as Deponent understands and believes is now residing in Johnstown County of Montgomery and State of New York who testifies and says that he Deponent and Josiah Wells both inlisted in said Ripton Parish into Capt Joseph Smiths Militia foot company and Col Waterbury's Regiment for seven months compaign on the first Monday in May 1775 said Parish at that time being in the town of Stratford. Marched from said Ripton to New York from New York took Shipping for Albany and from there Marched for Montreal was at the taking of St Johns Fort and at the end of 7 months was both discharged at Montreal. Said Josiah Wells went with Deponent in said campaign both inlisted together and both discharged togeter at Montreal and that said Wells served seven months faithfully in this campaign as a private Soldier in 1775
[signed] Ephraim Wooster
State of Connecticutt
County of Fairfield ss Huntington January 26 1837 personally appeared Ephraim Wooster and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a person well known to me and is a credible witness.
Sworn and subscribed before me
Lemuel Beardslee Justice of Peace
Page 20

Josiah Wells
Free
M.J. Bovee
J.L.Edwards Esq
Washington DC
Hon M. J. Bovee
NY
Afl4
Page 21

Washington April 2nd 1836
Dear Sir
Will you do me the favor to state the reason at large why the case of Mr. Josiah Wells of Johnstown in my district is not allowed a pension as a soldier in the Revolutionary War - if you will oblige your friend
[signed] Matthias J. Bovee
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Page 22

J.L. Edwards Esq or other Persons
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Jo Wells May 5
Josiah [strike out "Watts"] 
Ordn NY
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Mayfield, Montgomery County New York April 29 1837
Sir,
Sometime about the middle of Feb. last Mr. Josiah Wells of Johnstown, the the above named County a Soldier of the Revolutionary army was sworn before me, a Justice of the Peace of said County, respecting his service in said Army and his application for a Pension under the act of 7th June 1832 which with other papers respecting the same were forwarded by Mail to you at Washington, requesting an answer directed to him at Kingsboro in said county. He has received no answer and now wishes me to write to you and request an answer without delay. He wishes to know whether his said papers have been received whether they are sufficient or what further is required for him to obtain a Pension. As he is olde and infirm and lives some distance from the P.O> at Kingsboro he requests the answer be directed to me in Mayfield aforesaid.
Respectfully yours
Wm McConnell
Commission of Pensions
Washington
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Collins Odell P M
Mayfield New York
Page 25

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Ct
June 27th 1837
On application for evidence of the service of Josiah Wells. I have examined the books and papers remaining in this office relating to the Revolutionary War and find an certify as follows viz:
"A pay abstract for Capt John Yeats company in Col Whitings Reg't of Militia in the state of Connecticut for a short campaign at the Fishkill in Oct 1777 commanded by Lieut Colonel Jonathan Dimon - Josiah Wells Sergeant In service 26 days."
The above is the only instance in which I have been able to find the name of Josiah Wells on the books and papers in this office.
[signed] Wm Field Comptroller
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Dear Sir,
I am not able to furnish you with any proof of service in 1775 or 1776 many of the Pay Books containing the mens names are not in this office. Nathaniel Blackman was a Lieut [lieutenant] under Yates in the same company with Wells.
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Josiah Wells
[illegible] Mayfield July 19 Free
Honorable Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia
Now at NY July 23
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Mayfield July 19th 1838
Honorable Commissioner of Pensions
Sir in your last you stated that the claim of Josiah Wells was established to 26 days services only as a Sergeant and by the certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut. further you stated that if the claimant served as he alleged in Col Waterburys regiment and evidence of it might be had on application to Wm Waterbury of the town of Stamford Connecticut I have wrote to said Waterbury and to the Post Master of Stamford and can get no return and not knowing what services have been admitted as proven by the Affidavits of A Tomlinger Ephraim Wooster and Nathan Lewis which Affidavits were sent you previous to my having anything to do in the case at the request of applicant I [illegible] you to state whether you have received those Affidavits and if you have whether they establish any services if any what length of time it appears from the statement of the claimant and his friends that they do not understand whether you have received those affidavits or not In answering this you will much oblige the applicant
[illegible] yours [signed Collins Odell
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Mayfield August 5 Free
Hon J. L. Edwards Pension Office Washington City District of Columbia
NY August 9
Proof for Josiah Wells
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Mayfield August 3rd 1837
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir  Inclosed and forwarded you the [illegible] and certificate of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut in relation to the Revolutionary services of Josiah Wells  It appears from said certificate that he was in service and it appears from the Statement of the Comptroller that many of the payrolls containing the names are not in that office.
In consequence of Mr. McConnell moving a way from this place the busines in regard to Mr. Wells pension has been placed in my hands and having not seen the former proofs and declarations on the subject of his services I do not know what further is necessary if anything but what has been stated to me and from my acquaintance with Mr. Wells all that he is verry old and forgetful and have not the least doubt but [illegible] he has served all the services he state. If there is anything further necessary please to be so g[illegible] as to inform me and if not you will please  to direct this certificate to me if his claim is admitted
[illegible] Yours respectfully 
Collins Odell
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NY Sept 29
Add proof Josiah Wells

Mayfield Sept 25th Free
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
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Mayfield Sept 25th 1838
Honorable J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir I herewith transmit to you the affidavit of William Waterbury of the State of Connecticut in relation to revolutionary services of Josiah Wells if the proof is satisfactory you will please forward the certificate me at Mayfield Montgomery County New York if there is anything further necessary please inform  I am your obedient servant Collins Odell [illegible]
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28938
Invalid, Rev War
Files: 28,938
Josiah Wells
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7, 1839
Vol 9, page 443

1912 Jan 30 Hist to Mrs. John J Kinney
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Benton Harbor Mich [Michigan] Jan [January] 14 1912
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir will you kindly tell me the name Malachi Merry is on the pension rolls of the American Revolution. He was my great-great grandfather and was born in Scotland 1741-12-21 [December 21 1741] and later lived at Marthas Vinyard, Mass. [Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts]
Family records show that he served in the Am. Rev. [American Revolution] 
Does the name Andrew Abrams (or Abraham) appear on the
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Another ancestor who served in the Rev. was Josiah Wells.  He served [S. 28938] in Capt. Smith's Company 3rd Connecticut, Regular 1775.  He was a Sergeant in Capt John Yeats company of Col. Samuel Whiting Regiment of Connecticut Militia.  He was discharged at Fishkills Oct 17, 1777.  He was at one time taken prisoner.
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and confined in the Old Sugar House in New York.  What records have you, if any, concerning fusions received by him?
  Another ancestor Peter Clayton was a [ pirate] in Capt. Jacob Stokes Co. 10th Penn.  Reg. commanded by Col Richard Hunifiton. The record speaks of his enlisting Jan 14 - 1777, taken prisoner Mar 7 - 1778  [?] July 23 - 1778.  He also served in Major James

STAMPED: Pension Office Jan 18 1912
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Penn. Reg. Is his name on the pension rolls of Rev. war? If so will you kindly give me what facts you can regarding him?
I will be very grateful for any facts you care to give me regarding these four men. I am especially anxious to obtain facts regarding the first two I have mentioned.
Thanking you for this favor. I am Sincerely
[signed] Myra Merry Kinney

Mrs. John J Kinney
301 Pipestone Street
Benton Harbor Mich

If you have not these records could you suggest where they could be found?
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Mrs. John J. Kinney,
   301 Pipestone Street
       Benton Harbor, Mich.

Madam:
  In response to your letter dated the 14th and received the 18th instant, you are advised that the Revolutionary War pension records fail to afford any information in regard to Malachi Merry and Andrew Abrams or Abraham described by you.  
  Such Revolutionary War muster rolls as are now in the possession of the Government are in the custody of the Adjunct General, U. S. A., War Department.
  Rolls and other records are sometimes found in the Archives of the States in which the soldiers enlisted.

Very Respectfully, 
Commissioner.