Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25595, William Fones, R.I.
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE | NUMBER
[handwritten:  R.I. | Fones, William |  W.25595
[blank] | widow Dorcas  | B.L.Wt. 27600-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

(20.732)
Buffalo, New York
William [crossed out: Fonis] Fones,
of Erie Co in the State of N. York
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Might of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Dyer in the Rh. Island
line for 8 1/2 mos
-------------------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---------------------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Oct
1835 and sent to Fillmore + 
Heale Buffalo
---------------------------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sept $70.82
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 [Mch 14.16
                                                -------------------
                                                 $84.98
                                                -------------------
{Revolutionary Claims
 Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Go. C. Stiles      C.
Book E. Vol. 4. Page 9
Page 3

Let to Hon M Filmore
5th Febry 1834
letter to  Hon M Fillmore 15 Mch 34
Duplicate issued 2 May 34
& sent to Hon M. Fillmore
See letter to him.
Let to A Sawain June 28. 1843
let to Joseph Riley
May 22 ‘47
Page 4

4947
New York Albany
Dorcas Fones
widow of William Fones
Rhode Island
who served in the Revolutionary
war as a private
------------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
28 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
-----------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the
11th day of July 1849.
and sent to
Hn. H. Putnam
Attica
New York
------------------------------------------
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848 Page 70 Vol 4.
Page 5



Act of March 3, 
47141  April 7/52

Dorcas Fones and 
William Fones, Private

Rev. War
Rev. Pension

New York Feb'y '48-number 494

Ad: 1600 acres May 17/56  

Boynton

[Written across the above information is:  27600 May 23/56]

Moulton Farnham
Attica Wyoming
Page 6

[illegible]
Page 7

deceased [illegible]
Page 8

William Fones
Pension Paper
20472

Wants to be paid at Buffalo agency
Page 9

State of New York Erie County
On this 12th day of June A.D. 1833 before
me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in the said County personally appeared William Fones who being duly sworn deposes and says and that he is the same Identical William Fones named in the annexed declaration made by him on the 25th day of October last past - that from the great lapse of time and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively & definitely to the precise periods of his service as stated in said Declaration but according to his best recollection he served not less than the period said in the grade mentioned below to wit - that he served in Colonel Charles Dyers Regiment in Captain Peter Wrights Company not less than eight months as a private soldier - That the only other Commissioned officer of his Regiment. which he can Recollect was Major Bates and Adjutant Taylor - His lieutenant was John Manchester and Ensign Nathaniel Dyer and the first sergeant was John Pierce and the others names he can't recollect. Charles Berry was one of the Corporals - that all of this service was performed at North Kingston Rhode Island -
That under Major Bates in 1780 he served not less than two weeks in Captain Pierce's Company on New Port Island or Rhode Island as stated in the annexed declaration that Lieutenant Pierce & Ensign [illegible] Northrup were also officers of the company that he then served as a private soldier --   
William Jones
Sworn and subscribed before me this 12th June 1833.
Harry Slade J P

State of New York Erie County 
I  Noah P Sprague Clerk the County of Erie do hereby certify that Harry Slade Esquire before whom the forgoing deposition was taken was on the day of taking the same still a Justice of the Peace in said County duly elected thereon and acting as such - And further certify that the signature to the jurat of the said deposition of "Harry Slade JP"  is the genuine signature of said justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 20th day of June 1833
per Y--     Noah P. Sprague Clerk
                By J. Pierce Deputy
[the document holds a round seal with a serrated edge; no text remains visible]
Page 10

Declaration of a Revolutinary Soldier in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York, Erie County SS
On this 25th day of October 1832 at Aurora in said County before the court of common pleas in said county William Fones, a resident of Wales in the county of Erie and State of New York, aforesaid, aged 87 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.
That in the spring 1778 at North Kingston in Rhode Island when he then resided he entered the service of the United States by joining a Company of volunteer minute men under Capt Peter Wright, Lieut John Manchester and Ensign Samuel Dyer in a Regiment commanded by Col Charles Dyer and of which Major Rates was Major and that the name the Lieut Col he cannot recollect. That the said Company and this deponent were a part of the shore guard in said town of North Kingston until the Enemy left Rhode Island in the year 1779 and the said Company or some part of it were in actual service as guards from the time he entered said Company until the enemy evacuated Rhode Island as aforesaid and that this deponent was always equipped and ready for actual service at a minutes warning and constantly attended the regular parades of the Company every week and was very frequently engaged in skirmishes but was in no battle of any importance. The Skirmishes were when tories and refugees made a landing and burnt houses carrying off (if they could take them), prisoners and cattle. That during the time of his service as aforesaid some of the enemy landed and burnt the house of John Allen and carried off cattle and at this time there was a Regiment of Blacks which he thinks belonged to the Continental establishment came from East Greenwich to North Kingston. This Regiment. Colonel Green commanded and he thinks that Hagg was the name of the major. That at the same time a Lieutenant of Artillery Oliver Cory came down to North Kingston and arrived about the same time or first before the Black Regiment. That during the time aforesaid this deponent was some times on guard two or three nights a week and almost every night during the time aforesaid he was either on guard or at the Quarters of the Troops, and that the squad of the Company to which he belonged mostly quartered at John Dyers the father of Ensign Dyers. That some part of the Company was constantly on Guard Duty and the Company was frequently engaged in repelling attacks of small parties of the enemy who came and burnt buildings and this Deponent was in the service when the Enemy burned the House of Shekely Wescott and Daniel Hall That in March (he thinks), 1780 on the alarm that the enemy were going to land on Rhode or New Port Island
Page 11

John Dyers the father of Ensign Dyers.
That some part of the Company was constantly on Guard Duty and the Company was frequently engaged in repelling attacks of small parties of the enemy who came and burnt buildings and this Deponent was in the service when the Enemy burned the House of Shekely Wescott and Daniel Hall.
That in March (he thinks), 1780 on the alarm that the enemy were going to land on Rhode or New Port Island This deponent again volunteered and entered under Captain Pierce and lieutenant Pierce and Shekley Northrup ensign in Colonel Charles Dyers regiment as deponent thinks Dyer was not there with the regiment but Major Bates had the command. That he entered the service at North Kingstown aforesaid and crossed the Bay at Dikes New Town (now called Wickford) and went on to New Port Island aforesaid then about two weeks doing service in guarding the island. That he recolleck [sic] the Black regiment and recolleck [sic] seeing a regiment of Ray Troops as they were called but does not recollect the names of the Officers of the latter regiment.
That he was born as he believes 18th September 1764 that he has no record of his age and knows of none in Existence; that he lived at North Kingston aforesaid at the close of the War immediately after moved to Hancock Massachusetts where he resided about two years, thence to East Town Washington County New York where he resided ten years thence, to [illegible] Albin Montgomery County New York where he resided about twenty six years and from thence to  Wales Erie County where he has resided about sixteen years and now resides. That he does not recollect of Ever having a written discharge and has no documentary evidence and knows of no other evidence to prove the services above enumerated. That he was not during his service at North Kingston before the British left Rhode Island constantly and continually on on duty but would be on duty for one, two, three or four weeks at a time and continued a few days, sometimes one, two or three days or more in a week and always on duty when there was an alarm which was very frequently, and this deponent from the best estimate he made thinks his services at North Kingston aforesaid were more than equal to eight months and month at eight months constant and continual without being any thing else than a soldiers duty. that he is unable to state the particular period of his services and is obliged to sense it up according to his recollection. That he may be mistaken in the dates of years but he can recollect the terms of his service, or about the length of the time he served more distinctly than he can the date of the year. He further say that Doctor Jonathan Hoyt Dilon Warner Senior Abram Burt Earl Tabor and others in his neighborhood can certify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. That he believes there is no Clergyman resident in the Town where he resides and it would be extremely inconvenient for him to get one to appear in Court in his behalf. 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,
William Fones
Sworn and subscribed this 25
day of October
1832
before me
James Stryker
Judge of Erie County Court
Page 12

We, Alvan Burt & Deloss Warren the said Burt being a resident of Wales & the said Deloss Warren residing in the town of Aurora and County of Erie hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Fones who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 87 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.
Subscribed and Sworn, this 25th day of October [August is crossed out] 1832 before us.

James Stryker
Judge of Erie County Court
Deloss Warren
Alven Burt

Circ Court
Edward Paine of Aurora in said County & one of the Judges of the Court at Common Pleas thereof being duly sworn deposes and says that for about twenty years last past he has been acquainted with William Fones of Wales in the said County of Erie who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration and that the said Earl Tabor [wrong name, s/b Wm Fones] has been constantly in the habit of attending publick celebrations on the fourth of July as a Revolutionary soldier & always been reputed & belived as such and this deponent has no doubt that he actually & faithfully served as such in the War of the Revolution.
Also this Deposant further says that the said William Fones sustains a fair Reputation and his character for truth & veracity is irreproachable.
Edward Paine 

Sworn & subscribed before me
this 27th October 1832 [Judge signature is cut off]
Page 13

And this Deponent further says that the said William Fones sustains a fair Reputation and his character for truth & veracity is irreproachable.
Sworn and Subscribed before me
This 27th  October 1832

Edward Paine
 
James Stryker
Judge of Erie County Courts 

And I the said Judge do hereby certify and declare my opinion after the Investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant William Fones [possibly Jones] was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I the said Judge do further certify that it appears to me that Alvan Bent & Deloss Warren Esquire who have signed the foregoing certificate are residents, the said Alvin of the Town of Wales and the said Deloss of the Town of Aurora & that they are credible persons and that this and each of their statements are entitled to credit  And I the said Judge do further certify that the Hon Edward Paine who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit is one of the Judges of the County Court of the said County of Erie and that his 
statement is entitled to credit  And I the said Judge do further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me in the matter of the application of the said William Fones [or Jones] for a pension.  And I the said Judge do further certify that it appears at satisfactorily to me that the said William Jones could not without too much inconvenience procure the attendance of a Clergyman before me to testify as to his character and services to make the certificate required by the War Department. And I the said Judge do further certify that in consequence of the prevalence of the Cholera in the City of Buffalo in August last when a Term of the Court of Common Pleas of said County should have been held the said Court was not held and that on a representation of the peculiar circumstances which rendered it proper the War Department denied it expedient to permit me the said Judge to receive pension applications, and take evidence thereon until the next term or session of the said Court in December next & no longer which permission or authority was communicated to me the said Judge by a letter beaing date the 21st day of September 1832.  And I the said Judge do further certify that the foregoing proceedings have been had & taken or allowed before me under and by virtue of the authority or permission aforesaid & I have in consideration of the age and Infirmity of the applicant deemed it highly proper and expedient that the said proceedings should be had & taken or allowed before me under & by Virtue of the said permission and authority of the War Department.
Given under my hand & seal at Aurora this 25th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred & Thirty two. 
James Stryker
Judge of the County Courts
Page 14

State of New York, Erie County Clerks office. I Noah P. Sprague Clerk of the said County and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof do hereby testify that the Hon James Stryker before whom the foregoing proceedings in the matter of the application of William Fonis [Fones] for a pension were had [,] was on the day of the date thereof a Judge of the County Court of the said County duly commissioned and sworn & that the signature purporting to be his to the Jurat of the declaration & deposition of the said William Fones, to the Jurat of the joint affidavits of Alvin Bent & Deloss Warren & to the Jurat of the affidavit of Edward Paine to the concluding certificate of the said Judge are all the genuine signatures of the said Judge. In Testimony whereof this I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 8th day of December 1832. 
Noah P. Sprague Clerk of the Common Pleas
Page 15

State of New York
Erie County -On this twenty fifth day May in the year one thousand eight hund and forty six personally appeared before the Hon John Brooks one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Erie being a Court of record Dorcas Fones a resident of the Town of Wales in the County of Erie aged Seventy five years and ten months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled “an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows” and of the provisions of various acts of Congress and joint resolution a joint resolutions since passed amendatory and in continuation thereof that she is the widow of William Fones who was a private in the revolutionary army as appears from a certificate now in her possession and hereto annexed signed by Lewis Cass Secretary of War dated May 3d 1834 and numbered 20732 granting him a pension and the papers on file in the office of Commissioner of Pensions upon which the same was granted to which she refers as a part of this declaration-
She further declares that she was married to the said William Fones on the twenty ninth day of March the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine - That her maiden name was Dorcas Sherman. That the marriage ceremony was performed [text smeared out] of Easton then Satoga now Washington County in the State of New York. That her husband the aforesaid William Fones died in the Town of Wales this County.
Page 16

In the State of New York (where he resided to several years before his death) on the twenty Second day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine that she was not Married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four namely at the time above stated and that she has not since the death of the said William Fones inter married but still remains his widow. That there are no records to her knowledge of said marriage, and that she never received any part of the pension granted to her said husband since his death - and that she never before made any application for a pension –
Sworn to and subscribed Dorcas Fones
the day and year before and above written before me 
John Brooks Judge of Erie Common pleas 

State of New York in County
Erie County –
 I John Brooks Judge of said County Common Pleas do hereby certify that I took the above declaration Dorcas Fones at her dwelling house the Town of Wales and that the reason why said declaration was taken there and not in open Court is that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity she is unable to appear in open Court - that her place of residence is some twenty miles from the Court House of said County 
Dated May 25th 1846
John Brooks Judge of Erie Common pleas
Page 17

Dorcas Fones
47141
Bounty Land Claim
Act March 3, 1855.
Moulton Farnham
Attorney,
Attica, Wyoming Co.,
New York
Page 18

State of New York
County of Erie

On this third day of March A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Dorcas Fones aged 83 years a resident of the Town of Aurora in the County of Erie and State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the Widow of William Fones deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary War[,] but in what company or Regiment he served and when he served or when and where he entered the service or when and where he was discharged she does not know - But he continued in actual service in said war more than Eight months which she knows to be the fact from the reason that he was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty Eight Dollars and thirty three cents and he lived and served in Rhode Island during said War -
She further declares that she is a Revolutionary pensioner of the [unreadable] as the Widow of the said William Fones deceased for his service in said War under the Act of Congress passed
Page 19

February 2d 1848 and her pension certificate bears date July 11, 1849.
She further declares that she has no record proof of his service and she must wholly rely on the Evidence which he filed to obtain his pension.
She further declares that she was married to the said William Fones at the Town of East Town in the State of New York by one Minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Dorcas Sherman and that her said husband William Fones died at the Town of Wales in the County of Erie and State of New York on the 22d day of April A.D. 1839.
She further declares that there is no public record of her said marriage and she has no Family or private record of said marriage and her said marriage and the death of the said William Fones her husband are sufficiently proved in her opinion by the Evidence which she caused to be filed in the Pension Office on which her said pension was granted.
She further declares that she was married at the place aforesaid in the month of March A.D. 1788 and that she is now a Widow and is the Widow of the said William Fones deceased & has not married since his death.
Page 20

She makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the [unreadable] Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855[.]
Attest Daniel F. Cole
Wit[ness] Abbygail Canfield
Wit[ness] Dorcas Fones [signed with "X her mark"]

Mr. Daniel F. Cole and Abigail Canfield [,] Residents of the Town of Aurora in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing Declaration was signed and acknowledged by Dorcas Fones in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
We further depose and say that they are each well acquainted with Mrs. Dorcas Fones [,] the above applicant for Bounty Land [,] that we have known her for 27 years at least - that we knew and were well acquainted with William Fones her late husband and knew him for 10 years previous to his death and that the said William Fones and Dorcas Fones lived together as husband and wife ever since we knew them till he died and were reputed to be so and that we never heard the fact of their marriage disputed or questioned.
We further depose and say that the said William Fones died in the Town of Wales in the said County of Erie on the 22d day of April A.D. 1839 and the said Dorcas Fones is now a Widow and is the Widow of
Page 21

the said William Fones deceased and has never married since his death - and that her said husband was the identical man mentioned as a Soldier in her preceding and annexed Declaration.
Abigail Canfield
Daniel F. Cole

The foregoing Declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and in the year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this Claim.
John W. Hamlin JP

State of New York } SS.
ERIE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE

I, WILLIAM ANDRE, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, certify that John W. Hamlin JP before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, and whose name is subscribed in the certificate of proof thereof, was at the time of taking the same, Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County, duly sworn and acting as such, and authorized to take the same: and further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the signature thereto, to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County and the Courts thereof, the [unclear] day of April A.D. 1855.

W. Andre  Clerk
Page 22

State of New York 
Erie County Ss. 

William Fones of the Town of Wales in said County being sworn says that he is the son of William Fones deceased and Dorcas Fones the widow of the said William Fones - There are no public or family Records of the marraige of the said Dorcas Fones to the said William Fones; [crossed out “and there are no such records of the births of any of the children of the said Dorcas Fones.”].  The said William Fones had a pension certificate when he died for about twenty Eight Dollars per annum which pension certificate was in the possession of the said Dorcas Fones after the death of the said William Fones which Deponent has frequently seen-
The said Doras Fones is the same identical Dorcas Fones who some years ago made application for a pension for the Revolutionary services of the said William Fones deceased.

Subscribed and sworn to this 26 day of June 1849 before me
Alonzo Havens Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with the above named William Fones who has subscribed and sworn to the above Affidavit that he is a man of good character & reputable for truth and veracity & full confidence should be placed in his statement- 

Dated June 26 1849

Alonzo Havens Justice of the peace to get Harry A. Stevens P.N. Wales Center
Page 23

State of New York
Erie County SS - Prince Earl of the Town of Wales in said County being sworn says that he is well acquainted with the within named Dorcas Fones and was well acquainted with William Fones deceased, husband of the said Dorcas Fones and that he died about ten years ago and Deponent knew them both previous to the first day of January in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety four, and that Deponent knows that the said William Fones and Dorcas Fones lived together as man and wife and a husband and wife previous to January 1, 1794 and they so lived together till the death of the said William Fones, and she has remained and continued the widow of the said William Fones ever since his death and is now his Widow.
Subscribed and sworn to this 26th day of June 1849 before me and the said Prince Earl made his mark for the reason that he never learned to write his name & the same was read to him

Alonzo Havens Justice of the Peace
              his
Prince     X    Earl
             mark

State of New York
Erie County SS - Sarah Earl of the Town of Wales in the said County being sworn says that she has heard the above affidavit
Page 24

read, Subscribed and sworn to by Prince Earl and this Deponent knows all the facts therein stated to be true from this Deponent's own personal knowledge.
Subscribed and sworn to this 26 day of June 1849 before me and the said Sarah Earl made her mark for the reason that she never learned to write her name & the same was read to her.
           her
Sarah    X   Earl
           mark
Alonzo Havens Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Prince Earl and Sarah Earl who have subscribed and sworn to the above affidavits hereunto annexed and that they are and each of them is [a] person of good character and are reputable for truth and veracity and that this and each of their statements should be fully relied on

Dated June 26 1849
Alonzo Havens Justice of the Peace
Harry A. Stevens PM Wales Center NY
Page 25

State of New York
Erie County
Clerk's Office
SS - I, M. Bristol [,]
Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Alonzo Havens before whom the above Affidavits of William Fones, Prince Earl and Sarah Earl hereunto annexed were taken and made and by whom the preceding certificates hereunto annexed was made, was at the time of taking and making the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid [,] dwelling therein and duly authorized and qualified to take the same and administer oaths - And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Alonzo Havens, and I verily believe that his several Signatures Subscribed to the said Affidavit and Certificates are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal this twenty Eighth day of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and forty Nine -

M. Bristol Clerk
W Andre Dep Clk
Page 26

State of New York
Wyoming County SS - Moulton Farnham of Attica in said County being sworn says that on the 26th day of June 1849 he was at the dwelling house of Dorcas Fones named and described in the preceding Affidavits hereunto annexed at Wales in Erie County and inquired of her for her family Records or if she had any such Records and thereupon she gave to me a Bible of her and her husband's children which Deponent cut out of her said Bible and which is hereunto annexed on the back of which her son William Fones made his Affidavit and Deponent annexed the said Record to the annexed papers -
Subscribed and sworn to this 28 day of June 1849 before me
Moulton Farnham
Abel Wilder 
Justice of the Peace

I am well acquainted with the above named Moulton Farnham & have been more than twenty years - His character for truth and veracity is good & his statements are entitled to confidence.  I am also well acquainted with Abel Wilder who is an active Justice of the Peace and his own signature is attached to the above Jurat.
July 2, 1849     H Putnam  M.C
Page 27

File No. 25595, Dorcas, widow of William Fones, Revolutionary War.
COPY.
B I R T H S | Y E A R
Elizabeth    |  Born  |  19 of April, 1790
Ruth   |               |  5 of November, 1791
Barbary |                 | 29 January, 1793
Mary |                      | 5 of February, 1795
John
Lymon
Hannah   |   Born the | 20 of April, 183
Daniel
Dewey    |    Born the   |  9 of April, 186
William   |     Born     |    17 of October, 1811
Dorcas    |     Born    |      2 of January, 1814
Sally       |      Born     |     4 of January, 1821
I certify that the above is a true copy of a family record which was returned to Mr. William W. Fones, 619 Russell Ave., Geneseo, Ill., Nov. 5, 1910.
J.C.F. Gordon
Examiner.

[Stamped: Dec 3 1910] The family record mentioned above was sent from this Bureau by J.C.F. Gordon, a clerk in the Army and Navy Div. It is not the practice of the Bureau to return Rev. War records and was done without consulting the Rev. War Section
A Wilson in charge    "
Page 28

No 20472
Wm Fonis 
Erie Co. N. York
Admitted
Private 8 mos & 14 days
Wants to be paid
at Buffalo Agency N.Y. 
5666
1416
-------
7082

2666
160
-------
2826
N. K. Hall Agent
Buffalo N. York
Page 29

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
May 27 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 show 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, showing the Service of William Fones Erie Co N. York
_____________________________________________
Period when the service was rendered.
Col 1778 Minutemen
Col 1780
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days.
More 8 than
About 14
Rank of the Claimant.
Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. 
Capt Wright
Capt Pierce
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col Chas. Dyer
Maj Bates
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
New Port R. Island
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Age of 67
[illegible] [illegible] R Island
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 30

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 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

On this _____day of_____personally appeared (a) before_______A.B. a resident (b) of______ in the county of ______and State, Territory or District of_____aged (c)_________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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year_____, with______and served in the_____(e) regiment of the_______line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered 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_______________of the Court of________do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of_______________for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this____ day of______ &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in_______ and C.D. residing the (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with________, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _______years of age; that he is reputed and believed, the 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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in_______ the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the__________ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I,________Clerk of the Court of__________ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of_______ for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this_____day of____ & c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 31

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 he 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 be fore 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 for in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses , and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[A symbol of a pointing finger] 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] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 32

Rev. and 1812 War Section. 

March 6, 1925.

A. N. Bratton, 
P. O. Box 32, 
Iowa City, Iowa. 

Sir:  

I   I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 25595, it appears that William Jones (pensioned Fonis) was born September 18, 1764, place not stated. 

While residing at North Kingston, Rhode Island, he enlisted in the spring of 1778 and served at various times as a private in Captain^Peter^ Wright's Company, Colonel Charles Dyer's Rhode Island Regiment, until the latter part of 1779, amounting in all to eight months. 

He enlisted in March 1780 and served two weeks in Captain Pierce's Company, Colonel Charles Dyer's Rhode Island Regiment. He was allowed pension on his application executed October 25, 1832, while a resident of Wales, Erie County, New York, and he died there April 22, 1839.
Page 33

Soldier married March 29, 1788 or 1789 at Easton, Washington County, New York, Dorcas Sherman. She was allowed pension on her application executed May 25, 1846, while a resident of Wales, New York , aged seventy-five years and ten months. 

Their Children Were-

Elizabeth | born | April 19, 1790.
Ruth | " | November 5 1791.
Barbarry | " | January 29, 1793.
Mary  | " | February 5 1795.
John | birth not stated.
Lymon | birth not stated.
Hannah | born 	| April 20, “183”
Daniel  | birth not stated
Dewey | born 	April 9, “186”
William | " | October 17, 1811.
Dorcas | " | January 2, 1814.
Sally | " | January 4, 1821.

Respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
Page 34

No 13.357 

May 29/49

Dorcas Fones widow of William 
NY 
act 7 July 1838 
Married 1789 
Husband died 22d April 1839, 

Admd 8 1/2 months pri
$28.33 per annum
from 22 April 1839

Adm'd Acts
43 & 44
‘48
Hon H. Putnam, Attica N Y
Act 7th July  1838
Page 35


State of New York
Erie County Clerks offfice

I Manly Colter Clerk of said County certify John Brooks Esquire whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Jurat & affidavits was at the time of taking  the same a Judge of Erie County Courts duly appointed sworn and acting as such and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said John Brooks and verily believe the signatures thereto, to be his genuine signatures

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 4th day of June AD 1846

Manly Colter Clerk
of said County and of the
Court of Common Pleas thereof.
Page 36

Wm Fones

Issue Duplicate

Hon. M. Fillmore
Page 37

Erie County 

Nathan K. Hall of Buffalo in said County of Erie being duly sworn says that he was & is the agent of William Fones of the Town of Wales in said County and that he forwarded the said papers to the Pension Office at the time they were first sent and also at the time they were sent after an amendment was made to his declaration.

That such application was made under the act of the 7th June 1832 and that he has never had or received any pension certificate or other certificate for the said Wm Fones pay or pension under the said act & that he does not know & has never been informed & does not believe that the said has William Fones has himself received any certificate under said act on that any other person has received any ^such^ certificate for him 
N.K. Hall

Sworn & subscribed before me this [crossed out:17th] 23rd day of March 1834
Geo R. Babcock
Com. Of Deeds
pension
Page 38

<u>Supreme Court</u>
Horatio Stevens 
Vs
James M Smith Jr &amp;; others 
[illegilble] Roll [illegilble]

[Serrated cirle-shaped seal is on the left side of the page]

State of New York
Erie County Clerks Office I Noah P.  Sprague Clerk of said County do hereby certify that George R. Babcock Esquire whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the written affidavid was at the time of taking said affidavit &amp; subscribing his name thereto a commissioner of Deeds in and for said County duly appointed, sworn and acting as such And Also that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said commissioner and verily believe the name “ Geo. R. Babcock” within is the genuine signature of the said Commissioner In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said County this 26th day of April AD 1834 
Noah P. Sprague Clerk By 
John Record Deputy
Page 39

Erie County Ss.  William Fones of the Town of Wales in said County being duly sworn deposes & says that he made an application for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832 and that his papers were made & his business done by Nathan K Hall now of Buffalo in said County who has ben his sole agent in prosecuting his claim for a pension under said act. 
And this deponent further says he has never received any pension certificate & has never seen any certificate or paper showing that his  application has been favourably passed upon at the Pension Office & he does not know or believe that his said agent or any other person for him has ever received any such pension certificate or any certificate  This deponent is entitled to the benefit of the provisions of the said act 
William Fones

Sworn & subscribed before				
me this 16th day of April 
1834 
N K Hall 
Com'r of Deeds for Erie Co

State of New York 
Erie County Clerks Office Ss
I Noah P Sprague Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Nathan K. Hall Esquire whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the above affidavit was at the time of taking said affidavit &; so subscribing his name as aforesaid a commissioner of Deeds in and for said County duly appointed and qualified and acting as such And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Commissioner and verily believe that his name above subscribed is in his genuine handwriting In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said County this twenty fifth day of April 1834 Noah P Sprague Clerk
Page 40

Albany N.Y. Roll Act 7 June 1832,
William Fones + pri.  $28.33 per annum,
To what time last paid? Pd to 4th Mar. 1839. BLB

+ This pensioner is on the old Buffalo Roll, and has never been on the Albany Roll proper-Whenever you enquire for old Pensioners, please give the "County", and then I know the Roll. - yours truly BLB
Page 41

War Department
Pension Office
March 13 1834

Sir,

[Encircled: In the case of William Fones I have the honor to state, that a duplicate certificate could not be issued without filing down the affidavit of the claimant and agent that the original certificate has not been received.] It is certainly advisable that Asel Powers should make out his claim anew, and referring to the former declaration, state any evidence then produced, which he is now unable to procure again
I have the honor, to be,
very respectfully,
Your obd't [obedient] Servant
J L Edwards

Hon M. Fillmore
House of Representatives
Page 42

Attica NY Jun
Col J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Sir, William Fones
was a revolutionary Pensioner- after
his death his widow made an
application for pension but was
refused a I was informed for the
reason that her husband was only
14 years of age when he served--

The agent of the widow now
claims that under the laws enacted 
by the late congress  she is entitled 
to a pension married the proof of
marriage is full enough-  The pension
allowed the husband having conclusive
Evidence of the su? recorded-

I can not informed when the
claims under disallowed- maybe
from 1 to 3 years -

Will you please review the
case and inform me the result-
of the case now given in a 
Given he former disallowance
Surely cannot be the right the
a married nation of the ? and 
allowance of a pension of the
Evidence is sufficient-

Her husband drew only $28.00
per annum - For the accommodating
of the widow an Early ? wanted
much  oblieg your Hab, Serst
                                          H. Pittman
Her names Dorcas Fones
Page 43

[oval-shaped stamp reads: Buffalo NY Feb 13]
Pension Office (For application for Pension) Washington D.C.

[Written sideways on page:

Feb. 17, 1841

Record of
Dorcas Fones

N Y look at Reg -]
Page 44

Feb. 17, 1841

Record of
Dorcas Fones

N Y look at Reg -

[oval-shaped stamp reads: Buffalo NY Feb 13]
[Written sideways down middle of page: Pension Office (For application for Pension) Washington D.C.]
Page 45

Pension office
Washington D.C
Willink. P.O. Erie, Co. N.Y.
July 12" 1847

Sir
Will you have the goodness to inform me if an application has been made for a pension and the papers rec'd al your office in the course of the last year, in favor of Dorcas Fones, Widow of William Fones, a Revolutionary Pensioner, a resident of Wales Erie Co N.Y. (The papers sent if at all by Albert Sawen of Erie Co, near one year since)
If the papers are rec'd please state the prospect whether they will ever be allowed. Which will greatly relieve the old ladies [sic] anxiety, respecting the fate of it, & direct me. 

Respectfully
Yours &c
Joseph Riley
Page 46

No 13[rest of digits are blacked out by smear] 
May 29/41
Dorcas Fones

[circular stamp reads: WILLINK, N.Y. May 23]

May Atty

[Written sideways down center of paper:

Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.

Act July 7, 1838.

[Stamped :PAID]
Page 47

Dear Sir, 
Enclosed is declaration of Mrs Fones- I wish you to let me know whether [underlined: now] upon proof of her marriage being forwarded [crossed out: whether] the laws of Congress entitle her to a pension, the paper [crossed out: became] was mislaid or it would have been sent on before.
Yours Truly
Albert Sawin 
Willink P.O.
April 20. 1847 –

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

The pension certificate was lost and has been detached.
If you come to the conclusion that under the act of Congress Mrs Fones is entitled to pay- I will endeavor to get the other proper proof-
Yours
Albert Savier
Page 48


Pension Papers 
[crossed out: 25]
[circular stamp reads: Willink N.Y. Jun 24]

James L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City 
D.C.
AnnD June 28 1843

[Written sideways on left side of page: June 28 1843
Wm Fones]
Page 49

June 28 1843
Wm Fones.

[Written sideways down center of paper:

Pension Papers 
[crossed out: 25]
[circular stamp reads: Willink N.Y. Jun 24]

James L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
AnnD. June 28 1843]
Page 50

J.L. Edwards Esq  Comm of Pensions

Dear Sir,
William Fones of the Town of Wales Erie Co. N.Y. was a Revolutionary pensioner and died on the 22d of April 1839 leaving a wife Dorcas Fones who remains unmarried & who still lives. Quere?  She having married before Jan'y 1, 1794.  Is she entitled to a pension under the act of March 3d, 1843 commencing aft at the death of her husband

[crossed out: March] June 19, 1843
Yours truly
Albert Lawrie Atty
Willink P.O. Erie County
Page 51

8589.
New York Albany
Dorcas Forcas
widow of William
who was a Private
in the Revo
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of July 1849 and sent to Hon H. Putnam
Attica N.Y.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2 Page 75.
Page 52

27600
Correction 
Act of 53
[illegible]
Page 53

V. W 13357
Dorcus Fones
[illegible; M?]

Sent to Albert Sawin June 11
1847  
Sent to Hon N K Hall  
Jany 20/48

Sent to Hon. H. Putnam
June 8. 49
Act 7 July 1838
Page 54

10,686.
New York Albany
________________
Dorcas Flones
Widow of William who was a pensioner under the Act of 32 and who died on the 22 April 1839 of [long dash] in the State of New York who was a pri (private) in the company commanded by Captain Wright of the regt. commanded by Col. Dyer in the R. Island line for the 8 1/2 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the [crossed out: 4th day of March, 1836] 22 April 1839.
_________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of July 1849 and sent to Har. H. Putnam Attica NY    
Total amount, $ [blank]
[Act July 7, 1838. ]
Recorded by Leo. Shilmas Clerk, 
Book D, Vol. 1, Page 157.
Page 55

[handwritten in upper left corner; V. L. M.]

Rev. War Section.
December 3, 1913.
Mr. Hugh W. Cole,
Geneseo, Illinois.
Madam:-
In reply to your letter dated the 25th and received the 28th ultimo, you are advised that in the claim of Dorcas widow of William Fones, pensioned William Fonis, W.F. NO. 25,595, Revolutionary War, there is no data on file in regard to his or her mother or farther, nor is it stated where Dorcas Sherman Fones was born. Very respectfully,
GM Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 56

[handwritten in upper left corner: A Wilson]
Record Division

Mr. William W. Fones,
619 Russell Ave.,
Geneseo, Ill.

Sir;
In response to your letter dated the 26th and received the 28th ultimo, you are advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim Wid. File 25595, of Dorcas widow of William Fones; said Dorcas stated in her application for pension which was executed May 25, 1846, that she was seventy-five years and ten months old, (date and place of birth not stated), that her maiden name was Dorcas Sherman and that she was married to William Fones on March 29, 1789, at Easton, Saratoga Co. (later in Washington Co.) New York, and that she had no knowledge of any record of said marriage. There is no data on file in regard to his or her mother and father or their families.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 57

[handwritten in upper left corner: [illegible]]

A. & H. Div.

File #25595
Dorcas, Widow of 
William Fones,
Revolutionary War.

Nov. 5, 1910

Mr. William W. Fones,
619 Russell Ave.,
Geneseo, Ill.

Sir: 
In response to you letter dated the 28th ultimo, received the 31st, requesting the return of the Bible record furnished by the above-named claimant for use in her above-entitled claim for pension, you will find the same herewith.
Very respectfully,
[unsigned]
Commissioner.
(Enclosure)
Page 58

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau:  William Fones wide File 25595 Pensioned Fonis
______________________________________________________________
[handwritten in upper left: May 6, 1909]
Date of Enlistment or Appointment | Length of Service | Rank | Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered:   Captain | Colonel | State

Spring 1778  |  8 mos. | Pvt. |  Peter Wright  | Charles Dyer | R.I.
March 1780  |  2 months  [written over: until latter hars 1729] | Pierce |  Charles Dyer

Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, North Kingston, RI
Date of application for pension, Oct 24, 1832.  His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Wales, Erie Co NY
Age at date of application, September 18, 1764 died at Wales NY Apr 22, 1839
Remarks:  Soldier married at Easton, then Saratoga later Wash'n Co. N.Y., Mch. 29, [superscripted: 1788] 1789.  Dorcas Sherman   She was allowed pension on an  application executed May 25, 1846 while a resident of Wales N.Y. aged 75 yrs + 10 mos.  Children Elizabeth G. April 19, 1790,  Ruth b. Nov 5, 1791, Barbary b. Jan 29, 1793,  Mary b. Feb 5, 1795,  John Lymon dates of birth not stated, Hannah b. Apr. 20 "183". Daniel date of birth not stated.  Dewey b. Apr 9 "186", William b. Oct 17, 1811.  Dorcas b. Jany 2, 1814, Sally b. Jany 4, 1821
[illegible]

Very respectfully,
Page 59

[diamond-shaped stamp in upper left corner: INTERSTATE ASSOCIATION OF RETAIL SECRETARIES [illegible] I A R S 1919]

Iowa City Credit Bureau
Office of the Secretary
A. N. BRATTON
214 1-2 East Washington St.

Phone 240
IOWA CITY, IOWA

[Round stamp in upper right corner: RETAIL CREDIT MENS NATIONAL ASSN ORGANIZED 1912]

Jan. 26th. 1925
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
The War Department referred me to your department for any possible information regarding the Revolutionary History of William or Daniel Fones.
Wm. Fones dies in 1839 and is buried at Wales Center N.Y. His wife Dorcas Sherman Fones received a war widows pension . Can you verify this. The name may be spelled Fones, Founes or Fownes . Have you any record of service of Wm.
Daniel Fones died in 1791, wifes name -Mercy. Have you any record of service . 
If there is any charge for this information advise and I will remit. 
Yours very truly, 
A. Bretton

[round stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE  A Jan 29 1925]
Page 60

HUGH W. COLE
LAWYER

Genesco, Ill. November 25, 1913.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
My Dear Sir:- It has become material for me to prove the parentage and birth place of Dorcas (Sherman) Fones, who was the wife of William Fones (pensioned as "Fonis") William Fones was a private in Peter Wright's Co., Col. Chas Dyer's Regiment Rhode Island Troops in War of Revolution.
Record Div, V.L.M.
Wid.File 25595 Revolutionary War.
After his death she was allowed a pension on application executed May 25, 1846. 
Will you kindly examine the application of Dorcas Sherman Fones and the papers in your office and imform me, if possible, where she was born and the name of her parents if same is shown in application
Awaiting your reply I am, Very truly yours,
Hugh W. Cole[signature]
Page 61

Geneseo, Ill.
Oct. 28th 1910.
Written to the Pension. Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am going to ask you to look up a few papers for us which has been sent in about 50 or 55 years ago for a pension by Dorkas Fones, the Pension was granted the war of 1812 and these papers were taken from the old bible which has her maiden name on and also her birth and where she was married, and we
Page 62

Now would like for to have these papers look up as it is the only thing that whole's us from setting up a big fortune. We will be pleased if you have not got the leaves from the bible, for you to send us a copy of them which you surly must have we are not able to offer you any reward for looking up these things for us just now but if you can possibly find the papers we soon can send you in something and will be glad. Please do your best to find these
Page 63

papers for us and send them at once. Now the application for the Pension was sent in from [illegible] County, New York. This woman was our grate grandmother she was a Turk and grate grandfather was a Englishman. We enclose you a envelope to answer so hope you will help us out by sending the papers
We Remain yours
Respt.
Mr. William W. Fones
Geneseo.
619 Russel Ave. Ill.
Page 64

3 871.
RECORDS DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by [handwritten: [illegible] Nov 29, 1910]
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier [handwritten: Wm Fones]
Service [handwritten: Rev]
Additional Service
No___claim, State records___191___
No claim, combination records____,191___
REMARKS:
[handwritten: No OW [Old War] Inv. File or Rej. except OW  Wid File 25595]
Page 65

[word cut off: TS] to Pensioners under

NAME OF PENSIONER.    |  CE [word cut off]
Geneseo, Ill.
Nov. 26th 1910
Washington Pension Bureau
Dear sir:
As we have fillled out the slip the best of our knowledge. please try and look up the papers if their be any mistake as we need them very bad. if you have the papers of William Fones Mother, Father, Sisters + Brothers record which he sent in at time of his applying for his Pension. we think if you look on his enlistment papers you will find the record of just what we have asked for. If so please send us a copy of same. if you have any leaves please send them also.
I remain yours truly
Mr. William W. Fones. 

[round stamp:
U S 
PENSION OFFICE
B
NOV 14 1910]
Page 66

[round stamp:
U S PENSION OFFICE
D
NOV 28 1910]

[round stamp:
RECORD DIVISION
NOV 28 1910]

Not necessary 
to send stamps 
to this Bureau.
Herewith 4 one cent stamps 
returned
Mail Sec.
J.R.B
P.S.
As you sent us the
one leaf you did not
send the leaf of her
family record. (Dorcas,
William Fones, wife, Fones).
Dorcas Fones applied for her
pension 51 years ago, and 
[surely] she sent in her 
family record of her 
mother, father, sisters & brothers.
if you have any such records
please send them also.
Page 67

William W Fones
Geneseo, Illinois
619 Russel Ave.

[round stamp:
RECORD DIVISION
NOV 28 1910]

[round stamp:
U S PENSION OFFICE 
D
NOV 28 1910]
Page 68

[handwritten: 25595]
8-049.
Ex. [handwritten: J.R.B.] Div. [stamped: MAIL DIVISION]
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C., [handwritten: Nov. 14 1910]
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained. Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
No. of claim,________
Name of soldier, [handwritten: William Fones]
P.O. address of [crossed out: soldier] [illegible]
[handwritten: Residence at time of enlistment North Kingstown R.I.]
Company [handwritten: Peter Wright and [long dash] Pierce]
Regiment [handwritten: Charles Dyer]
State where enlisted [handwritten: Rhode Island
enlisted twice first spring of 1778 2nd time in March 1780]
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
[handwritten: Names of officers given above]
Return attached letter with reply.
[signature: J.L. Davenport]
Commissioner.
0-4
[handwritten: under address on back of this slip]
Page 69

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Briefed by [handwritten: L.D.L]
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier [handwritten: Wm Fones]
Service [handwritten: N.Y. or R.I.]
Additional Service [handwritten: Rev. War]
No.____claim, State records______, 190___
No claim, combination records___, 190___
REMARKS:
[handwritten: No claim except W. # 25595]
0-8            Chief Division
Page 70

3 871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by [handwritten: GW]
Claim No.
[handwritten: O. W. Wid. File 25595.]
Claimant
Soldier [handwritten: Dorkas Fones]
[crossed out: Service] [handwritten: William Fones]
Additional Service
[handwritten: War. 1812]
No.____ claim, State records____  , 191__
No claim, combination records______, 191__
Remarks:      

[oval stamp:
CHIEF'S DESK
ARMY and NAVY 
NOV 3 1918
DIVISION
U S BUREAU OF PENSIONS]

[Signature: G. C. Kniffin]
6-1944   Chief Division
Page 71

The Rock River Traction Company
Office of General Manager

[handwritten in upper right:  War]

Hugh W. Cole,
President And General Manager

[handwritten in upper left: Rev]
[handwritten in upper left: 25595] 

Geneseo, Illinois. April 23-1909

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Sir:-
I have been referred to you office by the Hon. Secretary of War for information as to one [underlined:William Fones], who was a soldier in the War of the [underlined:Revolution]. 
The information I have is that he was born about 6 miles from  Providence R.I. and moved to Broadalbin N.Y.
It is uncertain whether he enlisted from Rhode Island or New York, but the memorandum on the back of the enclosed letter by the Secy. of War would possibly indicate that he entered the service after moving to New York.
He married in 1788 on Dorcas Sherman, [underlined: and she drew a pension] after his death. She died either at Braodalbin or Willink , N.Y.
Your records of the pension granted to Dorces Fones, widow of William Fones ought to lead us to the information desired.
I would like information if it can be found at to [underlined: date of birth] of William Fones ? When you have located the pension of Dorcas Fones, you can probably find what facts are of record as to birth of William Fones; place of enlistment; Number of Company and Regiment or name of same.

[round stamp to right side: U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
APR 26, 1909]

Would like to know, 
Date of birth of William Fones  ?
Date of death     ?
Date of enlistment and discharge  ?
Name of Company, Regiment and State?
(date of death would probably be shown in widow's application for pension.)
Very truly yours, 
[signature:Hugh W. Cole]
Page 72

[handwritten in upper left: Reg]
WIDOW, &c.
File No. [handwritten: 25595]
[handwritten: Dorcas [crossed out:Fonis] Fones
wife of
William [crossed out: Fonis] Fones
Pri Rev War]
Act: [handwritten: Feb 2nd 1848.]
Index:  Vol. [handwritten: A], Page [handwritten: 250]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 73

1909 May 6 Hist to Hugh W. Cole V.L.M.

1910 Nov 5 Bible record Sent to - W.NW Jones See copy JMH
Dec. 3, 1920. Wm W. Jones inf'd of widow's age, maiden name, date & place of marriage & no data on file relative to his or her father & mother or their families.  
AW.
1913 Dec. 3  Hugh W. Cole names of parents of soldier or his wife not stated nor the place of her birth.
1925 - March 6 Hist. to A.N. Bratton