Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,324, for John Law, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn

Law, John
Lydia

NUMBER
W.16,324

CONTENTS
Page 2

Let. to Mason G. Smith
July 1, 1840

Dead
Letter to Pen Agt 16. Sep 1840

Albany 5279 
Lydia Law
widow of John Law
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832 and who died on the 26. January 1833 of Genesee Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Clark Conn. of the regt. commanded by Col. Storrs in the Con. line for 14½ months

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 48 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13. day of April 1840 and sent to Mason G. Smith
Perry, Genesee Co. N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of March '40 193.32
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sep 24.16
$217.48

Act July 7, 1838.

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, 
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 87
Page 3

See letter 8 Jan. 1836 to Jno. Fleming P. Agt.
See let Mr. Fleming Augt. 27 '35

27725
New York
John Law
of Gennessee [Genesee] Co in the State of New York who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Clark of the regt commanded by Col Storrs in the Connecticut line for 14 months & 15 days

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 48 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of October 1834 and sent to Gates & Hascall Le Roy

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 120 85
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 24.16
144.99

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. 

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E 2 Vol. 4 Page 42
Page 4

[illegible] 19948
John Law
New York

c all[?]
- j. 

admd.

Gates & Hascall
Le Roy
New York
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 20th. 1833

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

A Statement, shewing the Service of John Law, Genesee County NY-

Period when the service was rendered.
June 1775 Enlisted
1776 Feb Enlisted
1776 June Enlisted
1777 Spring Vol
1778 Feb. Vol
Feb Enlisted

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. 

Months.
7 
2 lacking a short time
6
-----
14½
2
about 1

Days.
["15" crossed out]
[blank]
[blank]
[blank]
[blank]
about 420 days

Rank of the claimant.
Private
"
"
"
"
Marine

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capts
Clark
Mason
Clark
Waterman
Dewey
Hyde

Name and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Cols
Storrs
Col & Major Troop [Throop]
Col Sage
Chapman
[blank]
Capt Hopkins 

Battles in which the applicant was engaged
Bunker Hill
[blank]
[blank]
Long Isld
[blank]
[blank]

Country through which he marched.
Connt.
Mass
NY
Connt.
RI
US. ship Warner

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Aged 75
Windham County Connt.

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary 
Living Witnesses

(continued at bottom of page)

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Vol 1778. Capt Dewey 12 or 15 days Connecticut 
July 1775 " Bliss 1 months Fort Groton - Connt. Col Storrs was Col - 
1781 - Capt Kenyon[?], Col Waterman 10 or 12 days NY 
" " about 12 days NY
Page 6

2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
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 the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of 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 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: 
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.) 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.) 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] 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 day [blank] 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) herby 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 days and year aforesaid. 
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.) 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. 
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [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 witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons- one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:- For ---- year ---- months, and ---- days, I served as a ----. For ---- months and ---- days, I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required. 
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
(j) In a 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 who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only. 
(k) Their traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

The testimony should be certified to be credible - see Note - j-

Dyer Castor
Examg Clerk
Page 8

John Law
Pension papers

19948

died 26 Jany '33
Service under Waterman Dewey & Bliss not sustained by Phelps & dis alld

admd
14½ mo. pri
------
$48 33/100 pr. anm
from 4 mar '31 to 26 Jany '33 to Lydia Law widow of John Law
Page 9

State of Connecticutt [Connecticut]
New London County ss
On this 7th Day of August 1832 - Jacob Clark aged Seventy three years, of Lebanon in sd New London County formerly Windham County in sd State of Connecticutt [Connecticut], being first sworn according to Law, do on Oath testify & say that in the month of April 1775, I was a Soldier in my fathers Company, Capt. James Clarks, (late Colo Jas Clark of sd Lebanon Decd) I was a fifer in sd. Company, the Company was raised in sd. Lebanon, John Law, then of sd. Lebanon & who now is a resident in the Town of Le Roy in Gennesse [Genesee] County & State of New York, was an Enlisted Soldier in sd Company, the Company was a Company of Connecticutt [Connecticut] State Troops, raised by authority of sd. State Connecticutt [Connecticut] our Enlistment was for Eight [illegible] months. the Company marchd. from sd Lebanon to Cambridge in Massachusetts in the lat[illegible] part of April or [illegible] May 1775. the Regiment we Joined was called Putnams Regiment- (sometimes Durkees Regiment, as Col Jno. Durkee afterwards commanded it)- we (viz) were stationed in sd Cambridge, sd. Company was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, during that whole Campaign the Aforsd John Law was with me in sd Company & He - Enlisted the same time I did & we were discharged together, I was well acquanted [acquainted] with the sd. John Law, as he was a native of the sd. Town of Lebanon & shall not soon forget my comrades in that Battle; our Company was on the Left of the Redoubt. Capt Knowlton - afterwards Col. Knowlton was the Senior Officer & commanded as the Capt. the Company returned to sd Lebanon in the month of December 1775 the sd. John Law was wounded in the arm in the Battle of Bunker Hill aforsd. and I further say that I Iately found an old receipt amongst my fathers papers, which was a receipt, for the bounty, & first months, pay of sd Company, to which receipt which is dated 25th May 1775 the aforsd. John Laws name is annexd. & which receipt I have forwarded with my application for a pension to the War Department - & further say not-
Jacob Clark

State of Connecticutt [Connecticut]
New London County ss
On this 7th day of August 1832 Jacob Clark aforsd. personally appeared before me & made solemn oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed contains the truth, & I Do Certify that the sd Jacob Clark is a credible person 
In testimony I have hereto set my hand & seal the Day & year last[?] aforsd. 
Wm L Williams Just Peace & noty Publick in aforsd County & State
Page 10

State of Connecticut
New London County ss
On this 7th Day of August 1832 Asahel Gay of Lebanon aged seventy six years in the County of New London aforsd. personally appeared before me & first being Duly sworn according to Law Do, on Oath testify & say- that in the month of June 1776 I was the Drummer in Capt James Clarks Company of State Troops raised by authority of the State of Connecticut, & that sd Company Enlisted for Six months, we marchd. from Lebanon aforsd. to New London in Connt. & saild. from thence to New York with a Capt Harriss who commanded the vessell [vessel] we saild in,- we [illegible] a long passage- after we arrived in New York we joined Colo [illegible] Regt. & were ordered by Genl Washington (Viz the Regt) to garrison Govrs. Island in the harbor of newyork [New York], we did Garrison the Island untill [until] Genl Washington evacuated the City, when we were ordered [illegible] & Retreated, from the sd. City, under Genl. Putnams orders & kept with the Army of Genl Washington untill [until] our time of Enlistment expired. the regiment was discharged at a place called [illegible] in sd State of New York (if I recollect right) on Christmas day 1776. during all sd. tour of Duty (which was more than S[illegible] months) while we were in the Regt. John Law formerly of the sd. Town of Lebanon now a resident of Le Roy, Gennesse [Genesee] County & State of newyork [New York] was an Enlisted Soldier in sd. Company with me, & did duty all the time I did. I was well acquainted with sd. John Law; he had three brothers &[?] Cousins in sd. Company viz. Consider Law, James Law, & Joseph Law. & further Deponent saith not. 
Asahel Gay

State of Connecticut
New London County ss
on this 7th Day of August 1832 Asahel Gay the afo[illegible] Deponent personally appeared before me & made oath that the above Deposition by him subscribed contains the truth. In testimony I have hereto set my hand & seal the day & year last aforsd. & I further certify that Asahel Gay is a credible person. Wm L. Williams Just. Peace & Noty Publick in [illegible] for sd. County, & State of Connt
Page 11

State of New York 
Genesee County Ss
On this 25th day of October 1832 personally appeared ["in open Court" crossed out] before ["the" crossed out] William Mitchell  one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County John Law a resident of the town of LeRoy in the County of Genesee and State of New York aged Seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. to wit. on the last day of May or first of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy five he enlisted under James Clark Captain of a Company of State troops In a Regiment commanded by Colonel Storrs first called Putnams Regiment in Brigadier General Putnam's Brigade, that General Ward was commander of the army at that time, that Daniel Tilden was first Lieutenant & Andrew Fitch second Lieutenant and Thomas Bill Ensign of the said Company into which he enlisted, That a man by the name of Durgy [Durkee] was Lieutenant Colonel & a man by the name of Johnson was major of the said Regiment commanded by Storrs that he resided in the town of Lebanon in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut at the time of his entering the service of the United States as aforesaid, from Lebanon he was marched through Windham, Pomfret Killingsly  [Killingly] & Dedham & to Cambridge where the troops were stationed, that he enlisted as aforesaid for the term of seven months, that while serving under that enlistment he was in Bunker Hill battle, that after the term of his enlistment had expired he served fifteen days longer at the earnest request of the officers of the Army. That he was then discharged honorably. That he received a written discharge from Lieutenant Colonel Durgy [Durkee] aforesaid, Colonel Storrs being sick at that time as he believes - That in the forepart of February Seventeen hundred and seventy six, he enlisted under Captain Jeremiah Mason who commanded a company of
Page 12

State troops, that Andrew Waterman served as Lieutenant Elias Bliss as ensign of said Company. That Dyer Troop [Dyar Throop] commanded the Regiment to which said company belonged but whether said Dyer [Dyar] was a major or Colonel he does not know, that he enlisted for two months, that he resided at the same place as when he first enlisted, That the troops in which this deponent was were marched to Brooklynne [Brookline], so called, near Roxbury in Massachusetts state, that on the 4th of March in the year last mentioned in the night he went with the troops under the command of General Thomas on to Dorchester heights and built two redoubts whilst constantly exposed to the fire of the enemy, That he was engaged with the troops in building a redoubt on Dorchester Point, and also a Battery near Castle Williams, that the British troops left Boston, and this deponant [deponant] and the American troops were dismissed which was a short time, to the best of his recollection, before the expiration of the two months for which he enlisted, but he believes the two months expired about the time of his arriving at his home at Lebanon aforesaid. That in the first part of June in the year last aforesaid he enlisted under Captain James Clark for the term of Six months, That he resided at that time at the town of Lebanon aforesaid, That said Clark enlisted soldiers for the state troops, That Lieutenant Ebenezir [Ebenezer] West, and Ensign Ichabod Bosworth were in said Clark's company. That Sage was Colonel and Russell Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment to which said Clark's company belonged. That he went with the troops on board of Captain King's schooner at Norwich landing and from thence sailed for New York that the vessel was nearly a week on the way before arriving at New York, That he was landed at New York & stationed for a short time in a house in Broadway, from thence was ["marched on to Gover" crossed out] stationed on Governor's Island, & remained there until the next day after the retreat of the American troops from Long Island, That at this time General Putnam commanded the division to which this deponant [deponent] belonged. From Governors Island, he retreated with the troops under a heavy five of the enemy from Long Island
Page 13

to New York, from thence to Harlem, from thence to Mile Square from thence to White Plains, That at the expiration of his said term of six months he was honorably discharged, by Lieutenant Colonel Russell who then commanded the Regiment to which the company in which he served belonged- That he was acquainted with Colonel Knowlton who was killed at the Battle of Harlem, during his last term of service before mentioned, & also with a Colonel Latimer during the same term of service- That in the spring of the succeeding year to the best of his recollection he volunteered with the Militia under Captain Andrew Waterman for two months as he believes that he then resided at the said town of Lebanon, that a man by the name of Chapman commanded the Regiment to which said Waterman's company belonged, and Latimer was Lieutenant Colonel as he believes, that he was marched to Fort Trumbull New London, Connecticut & stationed there during the said Two months for which he volunteered, at the expiration of said two months the volunteers were dismissed but no written discharges were given on that occasion- In the fore part of February ["Eighteen" crossed out] Seventeen hundred & ["Eighty" crossed out] Seventy eight he volunteered under Captain Dewey, he resided in the same town of Lebanon, That Captain Dewey commanded a company of Militia volunteers and marched from Lebanon aforesaid to Providence in Rhode Island, that he served about one month under Captain Dewey at Providence, That General Spencer commanded at Providence at that time, That on the 26th or 28th day of February he enlisted under Captain Dyer Hyde, Captain of Marines of the United States Ship Warren of 36 Guns, Commanded by Captain John Hopkins of Rhode Island, That Phipps was first Lieutenant and Page second Lieutenant and Joseph Shields Boatswain & McIntosh Chief Gunner & Marvin Chief Carpenter, on board of said ship. That he enlisted to assist in taking the ship through the British fleet which was then blockading the harbor to a port of safety- They got the ship under weigh [underway] in the night and came along side of a British 40 Gun ship that lay at anchor in the harbor, which fired heavily with large & small arms and the vessels were so near that he could see the eyes of the British sailors, One shot from the British vessel passed through the waist, one shot cut the crotchet yard in two, one shot carried a swivel[?] away out
Page 14

of the foretop, one shot struck the bits close by where the main Hallyard [halyard] was belaid [belayed], and a great number of small shots in the side of the American vessel, but no man on board was killed- The British were firing in the meantime from the fort. We then stood S. E. by S. next morning saw two frigates in chase of us, kept much the same course until we discovered Bermudas to the East of us, During the preceding night we encountered a N.E. snow storm and it was so cold that many froze their hands & feet- We proceeded along the west side of Bermudas & captured the British ship Neptune, Captain Smallwood Commander We then stood southerly until we got into what the sailors call the calm Latitude. We then tacked about for Boston Harbour, On the way to Boston we took a small snow[?] & sent her into Bedford. The British retook the first vessel which we captured, and burnt the other when they burnt Bedford, We made land East of Newburyport and lay their awhile at anchor, We then took a pilot on board & sailed up the bay- On passing Castle Williams we were saluted from the Fort & one man lost his arm at the Fort on that occasion- we arrived safe at Hancock's wharf in Boston Harbour, The object for which he enlisted having been accomplished he was thereupon dismissed, but no written discharges were given to him or others on that occasion. The time that he was engaged in the last mentioned service and in going home to Lebanon was about six weeks- The same year last aforesaid he volunteered under Captain Dewey and went to New London & staid [stayed] ten or twelve days, this was on a sudden alarm when the British fleet appeared off New London Harbour, he then resided at the said town of Lebanon. In 1779 in July he volunteered under Captain Bliss and went to Fort Groton and served there one month, the service for which he and other militia was required was to guard Fort Griswold. Colonel Storrs commanded the regiment to which he belonged. Major Ledyard commanded the Fort and Captain Latham the artillery, he then lived at Lebanon aforesaid - In 1781 he had then moved to New Lebanon
Page 15

in the State of New York, and volunteered under Captain King on an alarm that the Indians were coming down near to where Burgoyne was taken, he went from New Lebanon to Schenectady, Colonel Waterman commanded the Regiment General Gansevoort's Brigade and served on that occasion ten or twelve days. In a short time after & during the same season he went again with Captain King on another alarm to Saratoga, Bemus [Bemis] heights, and served on the last occasion about twelve days- And he further says that while residing at New Lebanon aforesaid he had there his written discharge herein before mentioned, and after removing from the said town of New Lebanon, to the town of Granville in the said State of New York he has not seen or been able to find his said discharges, and verily believes that they were lost in removing from New Lebanon to Granville aforesaid, or destroyed with some old papers which he left at New Lebanon- and that he has no documentary evidence that he knows of in relation to his said service.- He hereby relinquishes every 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 was born in the year 1757 at Lebanon in the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut. There was a record of his age in the town Clerk's office of Lebanon aforesaid as he has been informed & believes to be true. He has also seen a memorandum of his age in his fathers bible, but he cannot now State where said Bible is, after the Revolutionary war he moved from New Lebanon in the State of New York to Granville in the same state where he resided there about Eight years, from Granville he moved to Wells & ["Hubbletown" crossed out] Hubbaton [Hubbardton] in the State of Vermont at which place he resided ten or twelve years, he then moved to Orwell in the said state of Vermont where he resided about six or Eight years, he then moved to LeRoy in the County of Genesee & State of Newyork [New York] where he has since resided & now resides,- Luther
Page 16

Curtis and William Holbrook Esquire live in his neighborhood and are known to him, and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution
John Law 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
William Mitchell 
a Judge of Genesee Com. Pleas 

We William Holbrook & Luther Curtis residing in the town of LeRoy county of Genesee do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Law who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
William Holbrook
Luther Curtis
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
William Mitchell 
a Judge of Genesee Com. Pleas 

And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I do further Certify that it appears to me that William Holbrook and Luther Curtis who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Leroy and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit- And I the said Judge do further certify that the above named applicant is unable to attend court by reason of bodily infirmaty [infirmity] and that the foregoing declaration of the said applicant, and the certificate of the said William Holbrook & Luther Curtis were taken at the residence of the said applicant at the town of LeRoy aforesaid 
William Mitchell 
a Judge of Genesee Com. Pleas-

John Law-
Page 17

State of New York 
Genesee County ss
I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said county certify, that William Mitchell before whom the foregoing affidavits and proceedings purport to have been taken, had and made was at the date thereof one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county and that I am well acquainted with the ["affidavits" crossed out] signature of the said Judge subscribed to the foregoing affidavits and proceedings and verily believe the same to be genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this twenty first day of November 1832 
Timothy Fitch clerk 

of February seventeen hundred and seventy six, he enlisted under Captain Jeremiah Mason who commanded a company of
Page 18

State of New York
Genesee County Surrogates Court
Lydia Law being duly sworn in open court deposeth & Saith that she is the widow of John Law late of the town of Leroy in the County of Genesee and State of New York- That the said John Law died on the twenty sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three at his dwelling house in Leroy aforesaid. That the said John Law was seventy five years of age in August previous to his death and that he was a soldier during the revolutionary war between the United States and Great Britain as the deponent has repeatedly been informed and verily believes, being the same person who applied for a pension from the United States before his death- That the said John Law left the deponent his lawful widow and the following named persons his only heirs at law now living, to wit, Elijah Law, Betsey Everts, Simon Law, Polly Blakely, Lucy Miller, Abagail Newton, Sophia Law who all reside in the said County of Genesee, Hira Law who resides in the Territory of Michigan Zera Law who resides in the state of Ohio Wealthy Olcott who resides in the County of Niagara in the State of New York being the children of the said John Law and the only ones now living, Charlotte Cooley, Ebenezer Cooley & Andes Cooley children of Lydia Cooley deceased the daughter of the said John Law- The said ten children and three grandchildren being the only decendants [descendants] of the said John Law now living, who are his heirs 
Lydia her X mark Law
Subscribed & Sworn to this 17th day of May A.D. 1834 Before me 
Ebenezer Mix Surrogate
Page 19

Genesee County ss. Simon Law being duly sworn open court deposeth & saith that he is the son of John Law late of the town of Leroy in the County of Genesee in the state of New York deceased - That the deponent has heard the foregoing affidavit of Lydia Law read in open court and that the facts therein stated are true 
Simon Law
Subscribed & Sworn to this 17th day of May A.D. 1834 
Before me 
Ebenezer Mix Surrogate 

State of New York 
Genesee County 
Surrogates Court 
I Ebenezer Mix Surrogate of the county of Genesee in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavits of Lydia Law and Simon Law were taken before me in open count and that the said deponents are creditable witnesses 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my official seal and signature at Batavia this seventeenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four -
Ebenezer Mix Surrogate
Page 20

6704
Declaration &c of Mrs. Lydia Law, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838.

Married 26. July 1790
Husband died 26 Jan 1833

Col Storrs
Capt. Clarke 
Connt

Admitted
Private 14 mo & 15 days

Mason G. Smith, Agent
Perry, Genesee Co. N. York.
Page 21

Declaration of Lydia Law, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."

 State of New York 
County of Genesee, SS. 
On this 8th day of January 1840, before me, Rufus H. Smith, one of the Judges of the Courts, in and for said County, personally appeared Lydia Law, a resident of the town of Gainesville, in said County, aged sixty-five years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled, "An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows:"- That she is the widow of John Law, who was a soldier of the Revolution, and was pensioned for his services, under the act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832;- that the said John Law, resided in the town of Le Roy, in said county, at the time he was pensioned as aforesaid. 
She further declares that she was married to the said John Law, at the town of Granville, in the County of Washington, in said state, on or about the twenty-sixth day of July, ~ ~ ~ ~ in the year seventeen hundred and ninety;- that the marriage ceremony was performed by John McWhorter, Esquire, and took place at his house;- that her maiden name was Lydia Broughton, and that she was the second wife of the said John Law;- that her husband, the aforesaid John Law, died on the twenty-sixth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three; that she was not married to him
Page 22

prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety- four, viz. on the twenty-sixth day of July in the year seventeen hundred and ninety, as before stated. She further declares that she has no family record of the marriage aforesaid;- that there was a record of the same in the family bible of the said John Law, which was destroyed many years ago, by children at school. 
Lydia her X mark Law
Witness: Mason G. Smith 
Sworn to and subscribed, by mark, on the day and year first before written, before me;- And I certify that the said Lydia Law, is not able; by reason of bodily infirmity, to attend the court;- and further that she subscribes by mark, because she alleged that she never learned to write, and cannot write her name. Rufus H. Smith
Page 23

State of New York, 
County of Genesee, SS. 
Patience Wakefield, of the town of Warsaw, in said County, being duly sworn deposes and says, that she was sixty-six years of age, in April last;- that she has resided in said town of Warsaw, thirty-two years last past, that previously she resided with her father in the town of Granville, in the County of Washington, and State aforesaid, over twenty six years; that her father's name was John McWhorter, who died in said town of Warsaw over twenty-five years ago;- that in the summer of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety, John Law, and Lydia Broughton, came to the house of this deponent's father, at Granville aforesaid, and were married by this deponent's father, who was a Justice of the Peace at that time, for said County of Washington;- that this deponent was present at the marriage, and saw the ceremony performed; that to the best of this deponent's recollection the said marriage took place towards the end [written over something else] of the month of July, of the year 1790, and shortly after the death of the first wife of the said John Law;- that this deponent was well acquainted with the said Lydia, who had lived in the family of this deponent's father, in the spring preceding the marriage aforesaid;- that the said Lydia was sixteen years of age, in the spring preceding her marriage, and this deponent was one year older than the said Lydia; that this deponent was acquainted with the said John Law, who resided about one mile and a quarter from her father;- that this deponent believes that her said father, the said John McWhorter, kept a record of the persons married by him, but that she does
Page 24

not know of the existence of any such record at the present time, and verily believes that said record has been lost or destroyed. 
Patience Wakefield 
Sworn to and subscribed, this 9th day of January, 1840, before me, 
Mason G. Smith, 
Commissioner of Deeds. 

I certify that the before named deponent, Patience Wakefield, sustains a good character for truth and veracity, and in my opinion her statement is ["in my opinion" crossed out] intitled to full credence 
Mason G. Smith 
Commissioner of Deeds.
Page 25

State of New York, 
County of Genesee, ss.
Betsey Everts of the town of Covington, in said county, being duly sworn, deposes and says, that she was fifty-six years of age in the month of February last;- that she is a daughter of John Law, late of the town of LeRoy, in said County, deceased;- that on the fifth of sixth day of June, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety, the mother of this deponent, the first wife of the said John Law, died, at Granville, in the County of Washington, and State aforesaid, where the said John Law, then resided;- that Lydia Broughton lived in the family of this deponent's father, during the sickness, and after the death of this deponent's mother; that about six or seven weeks after the death of this deponent's mother, the father of this deponent, and the said Lydia, left home together, and told the children of the said John Law, that they were going to Esquire McWhorter's, about a mile and a quarter distant;- that on the following morning the said John Law, called his children together, and told them that he was married to Lydia, and that they must obey her, and call her mother;- that the said John Law and the said Lydia continued to live together until his death;- that the said John Law died at LeRoy, in said County of Genesee, on the twenty-sixth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three;- that this deponent saw him after he was dead, attended his funeral and saw him buried;- that the said Lydia now resides in the town of Gainesville in said County of Genesee, and has not been married since the death of her husband, the said John Law, but still remains his widow;- that the said John Law kept a family record on a blank leaf of his bible;- that this depo[nent]
Page 26

[depo]nent has understood and believes, that the said bible was carried to school to be used as a reading book, by the children of the said John Law, where the said record was lost or destroyed, and that this deponent has seen said bible since the said record was torn out, and knows that said bible does not contain the record aforesaid.
Betsey Everts 
Sworn to and subscribed this 10th day of January, 1840, before me; and I certify that the said deponent sustains a good character for truth and veracity, and that in my opinion her statement is entitled to full credence. Mason G. Smith 
Commissioner of Deeds.

State of New York
Genesee County ss.
I, Horace U. Soper, Clerk of said county certify that Rufus H Smith was a Judge of the County Courts of the said county at the time of taking the foregoing declaration and that Mason G. Smith was a Commissioner of Deeds at the time of taking the foregoing affidavits and that I am well acquainted with their hand writing and do verily believe their signatures to the respective certificates of taking the same to be genuine 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal this 13th January 1840 H.U. Soper
Page 27

Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 16,324
Lydia Law
widow of 
John Law
Pri Rev War

Act July 7th 1838
Index: Vol. A, Page 419
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 28

LeRoy Aug 28. 1836 
Dear Sir, 
We received the papers in the case of John Law an applicant for a pension this morning - we are unable to ascertain the cause of the papers being returned unless under note j- we have examined the papers and find that the magistrates have certified to the credibility of the witnesses - As to the pensioner amending his statement, it is impossible for he has been dead some time and we apprehend, that in as meritorious case as this is well established to be, the office will not be disposed to reject a claim entirely, for some technical omission which cannot now be supplied- We hope sir, you will reperuse the papers and if any thing material is wanting inform us and we will relinquish the hope of procuring the allowance of this claim by the office at once- We remain very respectfully yours &c 
Gates & Hascall
Page 29

LeRoy augst 29- N.Y.

N.Y. ["Sept. 30" crossed out]

retd. case

[illegible]

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington [illegible]
Page 30

LeRoy Aug 28. 1836 
Dear Sir, 
We received the papers in the case of John Law an applicant for a pension this morning - we are unable to ascertain the cause of the papers being returned unless under note j- we have examined the papers and find that the magistrates have certified to the credibility of the witnesses - As to the pensioner amending his statement, it is impossible for he has been dead some time and we apprehend, that in as meritorious case as this is well established to be, the office will not be disposed to reject a claim entirely, for some technical omission which cannot now be supplied- We hope sir, you will reperuse the papers and if any thing material is wanting inform us and we will relinquish the hope of procuring the allowance of this claim by the office at once- We remain very respectfully yours &c 
Gates & Hascall
Page 31

Pension Office, 
July 1, 1840. 
Sir, 
The difficulty you apprehend from the date of the powers of attorney from the children of Mrs. Lydia Low [Law], late of Gennessee [Genesee] county, whose arrears of pension are payable on 4th of September next will be removed upon application to this Office 
I am, respectfully, 
your obt. sert. 
J L Edwards 

Mason G. Smith, Esq. 
Perry, 
Gennessee [Genesee] Co. 
N. York.
Page 32

Albany Pension Agency
Sept. 11, 1840.
James L Edwards Esquire,
Comr. of Pensions, 
Sir,
In the case of Lydia Law dec'd, the children apply for payment [illegible] the arrears due, on the enclosed papers - 
The powers of Attorney bearing date more than 90 days ago, I submit them for your instructions. 
Very respectfully 
Your Obed Sert 
Thos W. Olcott
Pension Agent
for[?] L Jenkins
Page 33

PERRY N.Y.
JUN 23

L. Law
N.Y.

on roll
act 38

FREE

J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington
D. C.
Page 34

Perry, Genesee Co. N.Y. 
June 23, 1840 
Sir,
Mrs. Lydia Law, late of the town of Gainesville, in this County, in whose favor a Certificate of Pension was issued on the 13th April last, under the act of July 7, 1838, died on the 16th of February last, pending her application. Since the receipt of her pension certificate, and before it was known that certificates issued after the 4th of March last, were not payable until the 4th of September next, the pensioner's heirs, six in number, with the husbands of four of the heirs, made & executed the necessary powers of attorney for drawing the arrears of her pension. These powers of attorney, with the proof of heirship, &c. and the pension certificate, have been transmitted to Albany and were presented to the agent for paying pensions on the 13th inst. at which time the pensioner's name had not been received by the agent, from the pension office; consequently, no payments were made thereon.- On the 4th September next, by existing regulations, new powers of attorney will be required, which can only be procured at considerable trouble and expense;-- it is therefore, respectfully solicited, that the objection which will then exist to the powers of attorney, which have been presented to the agent, may be waived, and that if found to be correct,
Page 35

in all other respects, that their payment may be authorised. [authorized], notwithstanding their bearing date more than sixty days previous to the time of payment.
I am very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
Mason G. Smith.

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 36

Perry, Genesee Co. N.Y. 
January 13, 1840.
Sir, 
With this, I enclose the papers of Mrs. Lydia Law, who claims the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838. As no legal provision existed for the record of marriages in this state, prior to 1828, it is deemed unnecessary to procure evidence of the non-existence of any record of the claimant's marriage, in the town clerk's office of the town of Granville, N.Y. at which place the witnesses allege the marriage ceremony was performed. I also enclose a memorandum which has been preserved in the family, made by the physicians who examined the body of the first wife of the claimant's husband. The date of this, will corroborate the testimony of the witnesses in regard to the date of the second marriage, which they state took place soon after the first wife's death. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 
Your obt. servt. 
Mason G. Smith. 

J.L. Edwards, Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 37

Memorandum of the post mortem examination of Mrs. Law, first wife of John Law.
Page 38

State of New York 
Genesee County SS 
I, Leonard Anson a Clergyman residing in the town of Stafford in said County hereby certify that I was well acquainted with John Law who subscribed ["the" crossed out] and sworn to the foregoing declaration and continued to be acquainted with him up to the time of his death which happened some time about a year ago, that I believe he was seventy five years of age at the time of his making said declaration, that he was reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided at the time of making said declaration, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion 
Leonard Anson
Sworn and subscribed the 5th day of March 1834 before me 
Augustus P. Hascall a Justice of the Peace in & for said County 

Genesee County SS. I hereby certify that it appears to me that Leonard Anson who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Stafford in said County, and that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit 
Augustus P. Hascall justice of the Peace 

State of New York 
County of Genesee ss. 
I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of the county of Genesee, certify that Augustus P. Hascall before whom the above affidavit was sworn to was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and that his signature subscribed to the above affidavit and Certificate is genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this tenth day of March 1834 
Timothy Fitch Clk 
By B. Pringle Dep Clk
Page 39

[illegible]

Messrs Gates & Hascall
Le Roy
New York
Page 40

By an authenticated copy of a pay roll of the 6th Co. 3rd Regt. raised by order of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut May 1775, it appears that John Law served therein as a private from the 15th day of May 1775 to the 15th day of December 1775, being seven months. Of this company, James Clark was Captain - Daniel Tilden 1st lt - Andrew Fitch 2nd Lt. & Thomas Bell Ens. Israel Putnam commanded the regiment. 
The records of the State of Connecticut show that six battalions were raised in June 1776 to serve untill the 25th of December 1776 Col. Comfort Sage was appointed to command the 3rd Regt. & James Clark was one of the Captains therein. The books of the Pay Table show that he received pay for service But no roll of the regiment, or company has yet been found. July 2nd 1776 Major Giles Russell was appointed by Council of Safety Lt. Col. [illegible] Danielson resigned. 
The journal of the Council of Safety shows that on the 18th of March 1776 ten companies were ordered to be drafted from the 4th-9-16 2-7-10 & 25 Regt of Militia- Col. Mathew Talcott was appointed to command this battalion. And on the 1st of April 1776 a draft of one fourth part of the 1st-5-11-12-19 21 & 22 Regt of Militia; & one company from the 3rd Regt. & one coming from the 8th Regt. It does not appear who commanded this
Page 41

detachment. 
It appears by the books of the Pay Table that the wages of Col. Chapmans regiment of militia "while stationed at New London are charged to the United States under" date July 8th 1777. But no roll of this regiment has been found. 
No account of Capt. Deweys company has been found. - 
Aug 12th 1834 I certify that the foregoing to be true 
E Phelps late Comptr

["Roger Huntington[?] Esq" crossed out]
Page 42

Sir
Annexd., I send all the proof to be found regarding John Law's service. The Comptroller is absent on a journey, & I could not therefore obtain his certificate.- If required by Col. Edwards, with whom I am well acquainted, let it be transmitted to me, & I will obtain the Comptrollers certificate.
I am very 
respectfully
[illegible]
E. Phelps

Fee $2
Page 43

The Body of Mrs Law being Duly searched being aged about thirty two years old ware [was] found as follows (viz) first after opening the thorax we found the first appearance natural but after examining the Left Lobe of the Lungs ware [was] affected with small pustules on its lower Part and in its upper Part ware [was] a Considerable Quantity of Pus but not exceeding four Ounces and an adhetion [adhesion] of the length of about 3 Inches to the Plura and the Right intirely [entirely] free from any Infection more than what would be any Person so immatiated[?] [emaciated?]
2dly by searching the heart twas found  intirely [entirely] Natural
3dly Piercing through the Diaphragm the liver was found Dilated to a very Considerable bigness in its Right Side but no appearance of Disease the gallbladder was not more than  half its natural bigness of*[?] 4thly the Bowels  ware [were] in a state of sphacalation [sphacelation] for nearly two thirds their extent ~
5thly by Examining the Vagina found it and the falopian [fallopian] tubes natural [illegible] the Body of the Uterus[?] at its extremity[?] Part [illegible] nearly forming to [illegible] universal Infection but no pus formed and a  general Contraction of all these Parts ~ 
Granville June 6th 1790 ~
Wm Livingston Physn
Saml. Frisbie Physn 
* The Right Kidney in its Pelvis Contained Pus ~