Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10876, Abel Horton, R.I. Vt.
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(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|
R.I.|Horton, Abel|S. 10876|
Vt.|[blank]|[blank]|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS  carded
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[verso]

Burlington Vermont 18.93
Abel Horton 18932 Rutland in the State of VT who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Always in the Reg't commanded by Comstock Col. in the Cont line for 21 months R.I. and Vt. Line Records corrected July 28 :03
Reduced from $85=
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 70 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Apl. 1837 and sent Jesse Gove Rutland Vt
______
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1837  $420.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  35.00
$455.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E2 Vol. 3 Page 74

[recto]

Let Agent Apl 25.37
let to Hon W Slade. Mar. 3 1843
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[addressed envelope]

Mar 2d 43
Abel Horton

J. L Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions

Hon W Slade HR.
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[handwritten letter]

House of Reps. March 2, 1843.

Sir.
One of my constituents informs me, by a letter just received, that Sophia Horton sent to your office last December through R. R. Thrall Esq of Rutland, the necessary papers to establish her claim to a balance of pension due her late husband, Abel Horton, from the 4th of March to the 24th of August 1842, and asks me to ascertain whether there has been any action in the case. Please enable me to reply, at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully I am obedient servant
/s/William Slade

J. L. Edwards Esq
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Abel Horton Esq

8 mo. Sergeant
5 - Corporal
23  Private
_____
36.

No. 3443
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STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY, ss.}
On this 23d day of July A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland dis't now sitting, Abel Horton Esq a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 76 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 service as herein stated. In 1776, he lived in Scituate, R. Island, & immediately after the battle of Lexington, he volunteered & marched to Cambridge under Capt. Davis, & remained in service about a month, when he returned home, & enlisted in Capt. ['Davis:' crossed out] Kimball: Company, Lt. Smith, Ensign Angel, Col. Hitchcock, Lt. Col. Cornwall, & Maj Angel, for eight months, & served out his time - marched to Roxbury where he was during the Battle at Bunker hill - after Gen'l Washington came in, he was stationed at Prospect hill & help'd build the Fort - & when his time expired he volunteered at the request of Gen'l Washington, but has lost it about five months of this he was corporal. In the spring of 1776 he enlisted for eight months in Capt. Olney: company, Lt. Fenner, Ensign Williams, Col. Lippet: Reg't Lt. Col. Comstock, Maj: Tew - during this service Lt. Fenner was promoted to be Captain - served at Newport awhile, marched to New York, & was there when the enemy drove them out, retreated with the army to Haslam, White plains & Stamford, where he was sent with the [illegible] & wounded after the battle of Whiteplains, where he was discharged in Jany. 1777, having served eight months and was sergeant - his discharged was signed by Dr. Fenner of the Hospital, by order of Genl Washington, but has lost his discharge. He was in the battle of White plains. In the spring of 1777 he served one month, being ordered out to guard the lines, the enemy being at Newport, in Capt. Hopkins: company, but does not remember his other officers - he served at Norwich, R. Island - soon after he was drafted for another month to go on the expedition under Gen'l Spencer, & served in Capt. Smith: company, Col. Brown: Reg't & served on board the boats near Howland: ferry. In 1778 her served another month, being drafted, in the expedition under Gen'l Sullivan, was in the battle on R. Island, where across Howland: ferry - served in Col. Brown: Reg't under Lt. Thos. Collins but has forgotten the names
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of his other officers. From 1776 to 1779 inclusive, whilst the enemy were in possession of Newport, his place of residence being near the lines, he was very often called out on alarms, he should think 20 times in a year, & served from 2 days to a fortnight at a time but he is unable to particularise at this length of time - then short periods could not amount to less than one year service. He made a computation of his services soon after the war closed, & made out his services to amount to three years on the whole. When serving in 1775, he served with 2 others R. Island Reg'ts commanded by Col. Varnum & Church - also Col. Stark: of N. Hampshire. In 1776 with Col. Olney: Reg't He knew Gen'l Washington; Green, Spencer, Sullivan, Lafayette, Gates & many others. 
He has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services, except he supposes he can prove part of his services by Caleb Howland of Brandon. He was born in Scituate, R. Island, the 14. July 56 - where it is recorded, & he also recorded it in his Bible. In 1780, he removed to Danby, Vermont, where he has ever since lived, & having been a magistrate & member of the Legislature several years, is known to most of the inhabitants - there is no clergyman in the place
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.
/s/Abel Horton
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.} /s/R.C. Royce Reg'r
We James W. Daniels, ['a Clergyman' crossed out] residing in Danby and Galen J. Locke residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abel Horton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 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. 
/s/James W Daniel
/s/Galen J Locke
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.} /s/R.C. Royce Reg'r
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 James W. Daniel who has signed the preceding certificate, is a ['Clergyman' crossed out] credible person resident of Danby and that Galen J. Locke who has also signed the same, is a resident of Danby and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Rodney C. Royce Reg't ['Clerk' crossed out] of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abel Horton Esq for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7th day of August A.D. 1832
/s/R.C. Royce Reg'r
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[typewritten letter]

Rev. and 1812 War Section. 
[margin note: own]

November 1, 1926

Mrs. John P. Dagnan
1128 6th St. S. E. 
Minneapolis, Minn

Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers im the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 10876, it appears that Abel Horton was born July 14, 175 in Scituate, Providence County, Rhode Island.
While residing at said Scituate, he served in the Rhode Island Troops, as follows - 
From April 19, 1775, one month as a private in Captain Jeremiah Davis' Company, Colonel Chad Brown's Regiment.
From in May 1775, nine months as private and corporal in Captain Stephen Kimball's Company, Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's Regiment.
From the spring of  1776, eight months as Sergeant in Captain Jeb Olney's Company, colonel Christopher Lippett's Regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains. 
in the spring of 1777, one month as private in
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[typewritten letter]

Captain Isaac Hopkins' Company, Colonel Chad Brown's Regiment; in the fall of 1777, one month in Captain Coomer Smith's Company, Colonel Chad Brown's Regiment, in Spencer's Expedition. 
In 1778, one month in Captain Isaac Paine's Company, Colonel Brown's Regiment, and was in the battle of Quaker Hill.
In 1780, he moved to the state of Vermont, and from then until in 1783, he served at various times, in the Vermont Militia under Captains Ebenezer Willson and Thomas Rowely, Jr., amounting in all to three months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 23, 1832, while a resident of Danby, Rutland County, Vermont.
He died August 24, 1842, leaving a widow Sophia, there is no further data on file relative to her, and no data on file as to children. 
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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[verso truncated]

Mass.
30/97 WLC
L.H.

[center]

10876
Rev War INVALID.
File No. 10,876
Abel Horton
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. A, Page 179
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]

Sept. 30/97 Miss Arvilla Harvey. Newton Highland
June 24-1902 Lucy W. Horton St Joseph Mo
Apr 8/03 copy of letter of sept to same party in person
April 24.1909. Hist to Miss Arvilla Bush
1911 Mch. 6. Miss Lucy W Horton E.
1913, Apr. 16. Hist. to Mrs. Neville Adams. F.W.
1914. Feb. 28. Hist to Mrs. J. H. Johnson F.W.
1921. Nov. 19. Hist. to Jno. J. Round. AW
1926 Nov. 1      "    "   Mrs. J. P. Dequair AWF
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[verso]

Vermont 
Abel Horton of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Srt. cop & Pri in the Company commanded by Captain Olways of the Reg't commanded by Col. ['Comstock' crossed out] in the Cont ['Mass'tts line for' crossed out] Militia - ['8 As Sgt.
  5  "  Cop'l
  8  "  Pr' crossed out] Reduced
40.00
18.34
26.66
$85.00
21. pri
______
Inscribed on the roll of Vermont at the rate of 85 Dollars ['Cents' crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
living but doubtful
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Nov'r 1833 and Sent to R. Temple. Rutland. Vt
______
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - 212.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch '34. 42.50
R.I. & Vt. Line.  $255.00
Records corrected July 28 '03
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 - Page 70

[recto]

let pensioner 28 Feby 1835
 " Jesse Gove 16 June 1835
See Lett. Hon. Wm. Slade May 24th 1836
let to Jesse Gove Aug 27. '36.
in clm. of Jos. Randall, S. 22453
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Abel Horton
75 - Davis Browns 1 mo pri X discharged immediately X
75 Kimball Cornwell 8 mo pri 24 mo Corpl. vol 1 month
76 Olney Lippett 8 Serg't no warrant
77 Hopkins Brown 1 pri
77 Smith  " 18 - 
78 - Lt. Collins [illegible]
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admit 21 months
Page 14

Hon. W. Slade
March 3d 1843
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[handwritten letter]

Pen off
March 3d 43 [margin note: 70]

Sir
In answer to yours of inst I have the honor to inform you that it does not appear by our books that any papers have been rec'd from Mr. Thrall, or any other person in the case of Abel Horton dec'd - The application for the balance due him from 4 March 42 to 24 aug the day of his death should be made at the Agency in Vermont

Hon. Wm. Slade
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[handwritten letter]

Rutland 7. Sept'r 1835.

Sir:
I now inclose you the explanation in the case of Abel Horton, asked for in your letter to me, of the  16. June last.
I take leave to add, that mr. Horton is one of our most respected citizens: having been, for many years, representative of the town where he resides, to the Legislature of the State, and a Magistrate of the County; from both of which stations he has long since retired, on account of bodily infirmity, arising from exposure and hardships in the service. 
I am very respectfully Sir your obt Servant
/s/Jesse Gove

To Hon'ble James L. Edwards, 
Comm'r of Pensions
City of Washington
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Abel Horton Esq 
$85
Payments to be made at Burlington, Vt by Prest M. L Br Bank Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of Vt.
Nov. 12 1833 of Danby 52 years - previous of Scituate R.I.

Issue new Certif. for 21. mo pri
70$

Jesse Gove Rutland Vt.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 3. Page 70 by John T. Sprague Clerk.
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abel Horton of the State of Vermont who was a Private, Corporal, and Sergeant during the Revolutionary War. is entitled to receive Eighty-five dollars ['and cents' crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 2d day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty=three
/s/Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

[official seal affixed]
Examined and Countersigned.}
/s/J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
[overwritten: Cancelled]
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[addressed envelope]

Vt June 15. 
[postmark: RUTLAND VT [illegible date]]
Free
Hon'ble James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
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Abel Horton
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State of Vermont
Rutland ss}
On the 23d day of July 1832 personally came before the undersigned authority, Caleb Howland, a credible witness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say, that he is acquainted with Abel Horton Esq of Danby [illegible] was acquainted with him during the Revolutionary war - this deponent served in the same Reg't/Col. Lippet:/ in 1776, with said Horton eight months, & was then well acquainted with him - And further says not - 
/s/X his mark Caleb Howland
/s/Paul Spoon Jus, Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland ss} I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that Paul Spoon Jr before whom the above affidavit was taken, is a Justice of Peace for said County, duly commissioned - and that the above is his signature.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court at Rutland this 24th day of July 1832
/s/R. Pierpoint
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Abel Horton

There is a reason assigned why the aff't of a clergyman is not provided R. T. 
notified

admit 
8 mos Sergt
5 " Corp
8 " Private

/s/R. Temple
Rutland Vt.
With a Letter
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Solomon Howard which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank] 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He has.
V. *Has he mentioned 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? X He has, except the small periods making 1 year.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? He has 
VII. Has he made the relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the other under the Act of June 7, 1832? He has
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? They have
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? He has 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? It is & distinguishable

[margin note: Some farther proof of service ought to be produced in support of this claim - ]
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Has not
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? There is not.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?He has
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? It does
XVI. ↕Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? they are
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? they are.

EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
*QUERE V. 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______; and for such service I claim a pension.”
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.

↕QUERE XVI. 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 pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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[handwritten letter]

Rutland Vt. 8 June 1835

Sir:
In your letter of the 23d of February last to Abel Horton of Danby, Rutland County (whose name stand on the printed pension roll ['at' crossed out (p 124) you are pleased to say, that "before orders can be issued for receiving the payment of his pension under the act of 1832, an explanation must be made in detail, as to his rank, and the authority under which it was held, as well as what has become of the usual evidence supporting it."
For the purpose of ascertaining what, Mr. Horton was advised, would be the best evidence in his case, and as long since as the 6h of April last, I addressed a letter to the Secretary of Rhode Island (in the service of which state or among whose troops Mr. Horton claims to have performed) stating his services, and the names and rank of the several officers under whom he inlisted, served, &c. or and requested proof of the services. Having no correspondent myself in the City of Providence, when the Secretary was supposed to reside, and not having the address of the Secretary, I inclosed my letter to the Postmaster of that city, to be forwarded. That gentleman, however, being absent at the time of its arrival & for some weeks afterwards, my letter to the Secretary did not reach its address, until a few days before the 23d ultimo: on which day, the Hon. Henry Bowen of Providence acknowledged the receipt of my letter of the 6th of April, above mentioned. I mention this circumstance - tho' it may be unnecessary - but merely to shew, that Mr. Horton has made no unnecessary delay in collecting his proofs. Mr. Bowen states, that " there are no documents in the Secretary's Office by which the services alluded to can be ascertained" and adds, that "we have an entire record of the officers appointed during the war, but no rolls of enlistment. &c." With this meager proof from Rhode Island, where Mr. Horton expected to obtain the most ample official testimonials, he is at a loss how to proceed, without further advisement from you. And, especially, he would like to be advised, what proof will be acceptable, "as to his rank, and the authority under which it was held"? And, as to the above phrase, "the usual evidence" -
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[handwritten letter]

whether it is meant to refer to that sort of evidence pointed out by the "Instructions of the War Department" issued in conjunction with and appended to, the act of June 1832; or, to some other modes or forms of proof?
Awaiting your convenience for a reply, 
I remain, with great respect, Sir, Your obt. servt.
/s/Jesse Gove

To Hon'ble James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
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[addressed envelope}

Vt Feb 16
[postmark: DANBURY VT FEB 12]
FREE

M J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City
Page 29

I George Round of Clarendon in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont being Eighty seven years of age do testify & say that I was born in the town of Rehoboth in the State of Massachusetts I lived in the town of Gloucester in the State of Island in the year 1775 was at that time & for some years previous well acquainted with Abel Horton who then lived Scituate near where I resided & I further say I have ever since known him & he now lives in Danby in  the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont in the year 1775 in the Month of  May the s'd Abel Horton enlisted into Capt Stephen Kimbals Company of Rhode Island State troops for the term of Eight months & he soon after marched to Boston & as near as I can recollect was absent nine months on duty 
/s/George Round
Clarendon August 12th 1833

State of Vermont
Rutland County} Clarendon August 12 AD 1833 then personally appeared George Rounds the signer of the above affidavit & after being duly cautioned made solemn oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth before me
/s/Daniel S Ewing Justice Peace 

I certify that George Rounds the signer of the above affidavit is a man with whom I am well acquainted & I believe him to be a man who is entitled to full credit as to truth & veracity.
/s/Daniel S Ewing
Page 30

State of Vermont
Rutland ss } 
On the 10th day of Sept. 1833, personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for said County of Rutland, Abel Horton Esq. of Danby an applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn Deposeth & saith in addition to his declaration of 23 July 1832, that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear particularly as to the precise length & periods of all his services nor all his officers names, but from the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades, namely - For Eight months he served as sergeant - for five months as corporal & for Eighteen months as private - and for such service he claims a pension. 
Sworn before me the day & year afores'd
/s/R. Temple Jus. Peace
Page 31

I Oliver Thayer of Hampton in the County of WAshington and State of New York aged seventy three years who being duly sworn testify & say that im the year 1775 I was well acquainted with Abel Horton now of Danby in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont - I further say that he did duty as a Soldier with some eight months in Col. Daniel Hitchcocks Regiment & Gen'l Nathaniel Greens Brigade - I further say that in the year 1776 that said Horton was engaged with me in the Battle fought at the White plains. - I further say that I have since frequently conversed with said Horton in relation to his services in the Revolutionary army & well recollect his relating the particulars of his services for one month in Gen'l Spencers expedition against Rhode Island in the year 1777. and I have no doubt but he performed the services as he has stated - and further say not
/s/Oliver Thayer

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss} Personally appeared Oliver Thayer the signed of the above affidavit made solemn oath that the same is assignable to truth
Before me /s/Almon Warner Justice Peace

I hereby Certify that Oliver Thayer who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit is personally known to me & iis a credible witness
/s/Almon Warner Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that Daniel S. Ewing, Robert Temple & Almon Warner, before whom the annexed affidavits were taken, are Justices of the Peace for said county duly commissioned. And that their names subscribed thereto and in their own hand writing, respectively - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court at Rutland this 9. Oct. 1833
/s/R. Pierpoint
Page 33

[handwritten letter]

Rutland Vt. 18. Aug. 1836

Sir - 
Since the receipt of your letter of the 15th of September last, Mr. Abel Horton of Danby has not been able until to day to come to this place. I have shewn him your statement, wherein you are pleased to allow him the following terms of service only:
In 1775, under Capt. Jeremiah Davis 1 month
 " 1775, under Capt. Stephen Kimball 8 mos.
 " 1776, under Capt Job Olney 8 mos.
 " 1777, under Capt. Coomer Smith 1 mo.
Amounting to 18 months.
This abatement of his services is so considerable, that he directs me to say - respectfully - that he should not have been more surprised, had his claim for services in Rhode island been altogether disallowed. Most assuredly, he adds, if he performed any portion of those services, he performed all he has claimed; and that, too, in the several grades of private, corporal, and Sergeant, as set forth in this declaration.
The witnesses, Caleb Howland, George Rounds, and Oliver Thayer, to whose depositions he has refered in his supplemental declaration - and which he says were communicated with the first - even personally knowing to what they then stated; and he would as soon doubt his own identity, as their testimony. How that may be, I know not; but certain it is, that Mr. Horton needs no testimony, other than his long and well spent life, both as a private citizen and as a legislator in our General Assembly, to establish in this vicinity his fair fame for all the qualities that should adorn an upright man. With the frankness, therefore, which is characteristic of the State from which he emigrated to this, he swears, that his truth has never before been called in question. You will excuse me for remarking that I am now but the more 
[illegible] of Mr. Horton, who feels that his claim has not been appreciated in the manner
Page 34

[handwritten letter]

and to the amount which he knows full well that his services were rendered. He claims, therefore, that his services should be computed as a Corporal, and a Sergeant, as stated in his declarations; and that there should be added, to the time already allowed in your form of the 15th of Sept'r 1835, one month as a volunteer under Washington, after the expiration of the 8 mos. commencing in May, 1775; and one month in 1778, when he states, among other circumstances, that he was in the battle of Quaker Hill - a fact - I take leave to remark, which few intelligent men would be apt to forget. In stating this last month's service, he has related, in his supplement, that he had forgotten both his Captain's and Ensign's names, but gives Thomas Collins for his Lieutenant. He now bids me say that from recollection he has ascertained that the name of his Captain was Isaac Paine; and his Ensign Enoch Hopkins.
In behalf of Mr. Horton, I do most respectfully request, that you will be pleased to review his claim, in connexion with his proofs, and send him a Certificate for such amount as, the whole premises considered, he may be entitled to. His former certificate is herewith returned.
I am very respectfully Sir Your obedient servant
/s/Jesse Gove
Page 35

[handwritten letter]

Danby Rutland County Feb 7th 1835

Mr. J. L. Edwards - 
Dear Sir.
I am one of the pensioners under the last Pension act and Robert Temple of Rutland was my agent to obtain my pension. I was born in the town of Scituate State of Rhode Island on the 14th of July 1756. and shall be 74 years old next July - The first Service that I did was on the 14th day of April 1775 at the battle of Lexington in Massachusetts under Capt. Jeremiah Davis as a volunteer I think I was in the service at that time one month or more - The next Service that I did I enlisted into the Army for eight months under Col. Daniel Hitchcock Ezekiel Cornwell was my Leu. Col. and Israel Angel was Major and I served my time out for which I enlisted. This Service was performed at Roxbury in J. Plains and went from there onto Prospect Hill and there served the eight months out. I should think that I served about half of this time as Corporal - I took a discharge at this time from Gen Washington which is lost - I belonged to the State of Rhodeisland and did this service on the Rhodeisland Troops 
After this Gen. Washington requested Volunteers and I served one month more under the same officers as a Volunteer. The next service that I performed I enlisted for eight months ['into' crossed out] the RhodeIsland troops under Capt. Job. Onley Lieutenant Arthur Fenner Ensign John Williams Col. Christopher Lippet Lieu.Tenant Col. Adam Comstock and Major James Tue - I went on to New Port Island and was them some time went from there to New York was in the battle at White Plains was sick and confined at ['New York' crossed out] Stamford in Connecticut in the Hospittle until some time after my time had expired and was discharged at that place - This service was performed in the year 1776 - Most of this time I served as Sargent.
In 1777 I was drafter for one month in the Militia of Rhodeisland under Capt. Isaac Hopkins and served my time out and was discharged I then in the same fall I was drafted again for one month and served my time out under Capt. ['H' crossed out] C. Smith as an oarsman -
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[handwritten letter]

I was drafted again in the Spenser Expedition for one month and served under a Captain whose name I have forgotten My Lieutenant was Thomas Collins - I served this time out - I served a number of other times and how I can not remember nor under what officers. I was an inhabitant of Rhodeisland most of the time when the service was performed and served before the war was ended and was taken out a number of times in this State - I made a computation of the time that I served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution some time afterward and it amounted to about three years but it is impossible for me to recollect all the time that I served at this time - 
I belonged in Danby County of Rutland and State of Vermont when I made application for a pension and I made application to R. Temple.  I thereto state I was sworn to my statement of my services in the Army before Robert Pierpoint then Judge of Probate within and for the district of Rutland. The amount per annum of my pension is Eighty five dollars and I have accrued pay to the d4th day of Sept'r 1834
/s/Abel Horton
Page 37

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss}
On this first day of August, 1835, personally came before the undersigned authority, Abel Horton of Danby in said County, to me well known, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say, in application of his declaration heretofore made under the act of Congress passed the 7. June, 1832, as follows:
1. - That in 1775, he resided at Scituate in the County of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, he volunteered for one month in a Company then commanded by Capt. [margin note: 1 - ] Jeremiah Davis in Col. Chad Brown's Regiment, to go to the battle of Lexington - went as a private - The Regiment marched on to the ground, but the British [margin note: 1.] had retired before our arrival.
2. - In May, 1775, after the battle of Lexington, he inlisted for 8 months in Capt. Stephen Kimball's Company in the Regiment whereof Daniel Hitchcock was Colonel, Ezekiel Cornwall Lt. Colonel, and Israel Angell Maj'r Served at Roxbury, Jamaica Plains, &c. Served the latter half of this term [margin note: 9] as a Corporal. Was discharged at Boston, as a Corporal, by orders as it was said of Gen'l Washington. 
3. - At the end of this term of 8 months, Gen'l Washington gave out orders, requesting volunteers, until the new recruits should arrive; saying that our immediate return upon the expiration of our terms would leave the lines too weak. Perceiving the necessity of the case, deponent volunteered for another month, and served out the term as a private.
4. - In the spring of 1776, deponent inlisted again for 8 months in the Company commanded by Capt. Job Onley, in the Regiment whereof Christopher Lippett was Colonel - Adam Comstock, Lt. Col. and James Tue, Maj'r. Arthur Fenner was Lt. and John Williams, Ens'n of the Company.
During this term, Capt. Onley was taken ill and resigned - and was succeeded in the Command of the Company by Lt. Fenner p Ens'n Williams was at the same time promoted to Lieutenant - and Wm. Poolin was appointed Ensign.
Were stationed a spell at Newport, R. I. - from thence were marched to King's bridge ['on Manhattan Island' crossed out] and Fort Washington on Manhattan Island.
Performed duty, most of this term, as a Sergeant and drew pay as such. Deponent does not recollect ever to have received a Sergeant's warrant - those that did duty as
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Sergeants were so entered on the rolls. During this term of service, deponent became sick and leave, and about 3 months before his term was out, he was left at the Hospital at Stamford in Connecticut. After he recovered his health, and after the completion of his term, [margin note: 8-] he was discharged from thence, as a Sergeant. His discharge was signed by Richard Turner, the head Doctor, was by orders, as he said in his discharge, of Gen'l Washington. This discharge, deponent has long since lost.
5. - In the spring of 1777, deponent was drafted for one month, in the Company commanded by Cap'n Isaac Hopkins [margin note: 1] in Col. Chad. Brown's Regiment. Served at Warwick, R. I. among the militia guard, as a private.
6. - In the fall of 1777, deponent was drafted for one month, in what was called Spencer's expedition. Was placed on board of a boat, during the time, as an oarsman. Took the boats at Warren, went up on the east side of [margin note: 1-] the Island into a gut in Tiverton, to coming troops at an appointed time across from ['Is' crossed out] Fogland's ferry to some other point. After the troops were on board, the enemy fired upon the boats - dispersed there - when the expedition was abandoned. Coomer Smith was deponent's captain - Chad Brown, Col. 
7. - In 1778, deponent was drafted for one month, and served in Sullivan's expedition. Was in the battle of Quaker Hill - and with the army when it retreated in the night at Howland's Ferry. Served this time as a private. Deponent has forgotten [margin note 1-] the names of his Captain and Ensign in this month: his Lieutenant's name was Thomas Collins.
From this time, until the spring of 1780 (when deponent emigrated to his present residence in Vermont) he was often called upon to perform short tours of duty in Rhode Island - several times he was drafted for 15 days at a time, and he verily believes as many as six different times - but he cannot, at this late day, recollect the particular places, where, nor the officers under whom, he thus served, but the service was done on the Rhode Island shores, principally at Warwick. 
After deponent moved to Vermont, it was about 3 years before the war closed. During the time, he belonged to the militia company then organized there. Was frequently ordered to turn out, and did turn out, with the Company on short tours of duty, to the Stockade forts at Rutland, Castleton, Pittsford &c - but was never out as much as a month at any one time - tho' he believes that the whole of his services while in Vermont amounted to about 3 months. Capt. Ebenezer Willson first commanded the company, and Capt. Thomas Rowley jun'r commanded last, during
Page 39

my services last above mentioned.
As to his rank as corporal, and Sergeant, as before stated, this deponent cannot more distinctly declare than he has done, by what authority or by what officer he was appointed as corporal, and a Sergeant. He knows that he performed those duties, as above related; and if he ever had a Sergeants warrant, he never thought it of sufficient importance to be preserved.
The further evidence of his appointment must therefore be with the Company, and Regimental Books belonging to the corps where he performed the services, and to which books this deponent, now knowing where they are, cannot have access. 
For further details of his services, this deponent refers to the depositions of Caleb Howland, George Rounds, and Oliver Thayer, heretofore transmitted with his former declaration, to the Secretary of War.
/s/ Abel Horton

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss} Subscribed by the said Abel Horton and sworn to before me, the day and year first above written.
/s/William Page Jus Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss} I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that William Page is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and that his signature above is genuine
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 7th day of August AD 1835
/s/R. Pierpoint
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[handwritten letter]

To. Pension Office Washington D.C.

[margin note: OW & N]
[receipt stamp: O. W. & N. DIVISION JAN 20 1902 RECEIVED]

Dear Sir - 
Will you kindly send me the military record of Abel Horton A revolutionary soldier who entered the Army of Revolution from The State of Rhode Island - I believe - and drew a pension from the State of Vermont
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[handwritten letter]

and oblige - 
Sincerely your etc.
/s/Lucy W. Horton
485 S. 12 Street
St. Joseph Missouri

January 13, 1982 -
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[handwritten letter]

MRS. JOHN P. DEGNAN
1126 6TH STREET S. E. 
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Department of The Interior: - 
Bureau of Pensions - Washington D.C.
Rev. War. Records Section.

Sir: - 
The Widow of Abel Horton of Scituate Providence Co. R. I. applied for his arrears pension - up to Aug 24-1842 She must tell you some dates in this application - Please give me as much as possible - as to where born &  of whm & where married & died - & dates. if I tell you He was born July 14 - 1756. in Scituate, R.I.
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[handwritten letter]

& I know that later he moved to Danby - Rutland Co. Vt. It will help you to get the same Abel H - 
He was a member of Vt. Legislature & a magistrate of Rutland Co. Now where can I find out about the wife's lineage. 
I  am most interested in her parentage at present. Please suggest and Thank you.
/s/Marion H. Degnan.
1128 - 6 St S.E.
Minneapolis Minn.
Page 44

[receipt stamp: U. S. P. B. OLD WAR & NAVY SEP 25 1897 FILES]
[receipt stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE H. SEP 23 1897]
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[handwritten letter]

51 Hyde St.
Newton Highlands Mass.

U. S. Pension Bureau,
I want to get a copy of the pension papers or certificate of a Revolutionary soldier. His name was Abel Horton and in 1840 he was drawing a pension and was then living in Clarendon Vermont. 
I am not sure from what place he  enlisted
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[handwritten letter]

but think it was Rehoboth, Mass.
If you will let me know the cost of getting this copy I will send the money at once as I am in haste to get it. 
Yours truly, 
/s/Arvilla T. Harvey.
Sept 2, 1897.
Page 47

[receipt stamp: RECORD DIVISION MAR 12 1909]
[receipt stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE A MAR 3 1909]
1087✓
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[handwritten letter]

MANSEL H. BUSH,
No. 101 Melville Avenue,

Dorchester Center, Mass., March 1st 1909

Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir
Will you give me the war record of a Revolutionary soldier named Abel Horton. He lived in R. I. during the war but moved soon after to Danby Vermont where he lived many years. Afterwards moving to Clarendon Vermont, where he died in 1842 at the age of 86 years. 
He lived with his son, Hopkins Horton, and was drawing a pension at the time of his death. Thanking you in advance for your trouble, 
I remain Yours Respectfully 
/s/Arvilla Bush
101 Melville Ave
Dorchester Mass.
Page 49

[receipt stamp: RECORD DIVISION MAR 1 1911]
[receipt stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D MAR 1 1911]
[date stamps: MAR 2-1911 MAR 4 1911]
ACR aw
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[handwritten letter]

3-525
O.W. & N. Division
J.R.W.
O.W.& N. F. 10,876 Ins. Rev. War.

Dept of Interior:
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington D. C. 

Please send me the military history of Abel Horton a Sgt in American Revolution, whose claim was allowed for pension.
Very Respect,
/s/Miss. Lucy W. Horton
(Daughter of Revolution)
St. Joseph. Missouri
405 So. 12th Street,
Page 51

[receipt stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D APR 10 1913]
Page 52

[handwritten letter]

Alton April 8th 1913
To the Record Div. of the Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions.

Wishing to become a member of the D.A.R. I am trying to fill application blank of same, and in filling it, I am required to give reference, by volume and page, to the documentary, upon which I found my record.
Will you please send me a statement of the military history of Abel Horton. He resided in Scituate Providence Co. R. I. at time of enlistment
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[handwritten letter]

an in Danby, Rutland County Vermont at time of affiliation
The said Abel Horton is my ancestor upon whom I claim the eligibility of joining the D. A. R. 
Trusting I shall receive a reply at an early date, of his War history, and also the volume and page, & here found.
I remain /s/Mrs. Meville Adams
Alton New Hampshire
Box 225.
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[handwritten letter]

Minneapolis Minn. 2005 - 2 Ave. South
Feb. 19 - 1914
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -
Will you please send me certificate of service and copy of Pension Papers of Abel Horton - He probably applied for his pension from Rutland, Vt. - He was placed on the pension roll Nov. 2 - 1833 - 
There were two Abel Hortons who were in The Revolution from Rhode Island probably - one a private in Capt ['Nath' crossed out] French's Co. Col. Christopher Lippett's Regt 1776 - 7 -
Also an Abel Horton, private, Corporal and a Sergeant R. I. Continental line - a pensioner residing at Rutland
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[handwritten letter]
[receipt stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D FEB 21 1914]

Vermont - These two men mentioned also may be one and the same man I am told - 
I trust the pension papers will give something definite, and disclose the name of his wife - 
Very Respectfully Yours
/s/Mrs. J. H. Johnson
2006 - 2 Ave South
Minneapolis Minn.

Regent Minneapolis Chapter D.A.R.
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[typewritten letter]

PITTSBURG, PA. LAWRENCE, MASS. LACONIA, N. H. 
J. S. ROUND & CO. 
WATCHES, DIAMONDS AND JEWELRY
734 WASHINGTON STREET

[margin notes: Rev. Sec. ew ✓2 cl-stamped & envelope enclosed EB.]

BOSTON, MASS., Nov. 2, 1921. 192

Pension Department,
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:
I believe that on the pension rolls there was a Revolutionary soldier by the name of Able Horton. Whether you furnish information of this kind or not, I do not know, but if you do, you will confer a favor on me if you will give me the name of this man or his wife or any children. If you can give me this information it will be greatly appreciated.
If your department does not furnish information of this kind or if it charges a fee for this service, I wish you would advise me. If your Department does not furnish this information, will you please advise me how to go about it to obtain it?
Thanking you in advance for any information you may give me, I am
Very respectfully yours,
/s/J. J. Round

[receipt stamp: RECORD DIVISION NOV 5 1921]
[receipt stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE A NOV 4 1921]
Page 57

Madam,
In reply to your request of 1 ult, received 3" inst for a statement of the military history of Abel Horton. S.F. 10.876. a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ('or his widow's' crossed out) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[margin note: *British had retired when he arrived at Lexington.]
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|]
Apr ['14' crossed out] *19, 1775|1 mo|Priv|(Jeremiah Davis|Chad Brown)|R. I.|
May 1775|9 " |Pri and Corp|(Stephen Kimball|Daniel Hitchcock)| " |
✓Spring 1776|to Jany 1777 8 "|Sergt.|(Job Olney|Christopher Lippett)| " |
Spring 1777|1 " |Priv|(Isaac Hopkins|Chad Brown)| " |
Fall 1777|1 " | " |(Coomer Smith|Chad Brown Spencer's Expn)|c " |
 - 1778|1 " | " |(Isaa Paine| - Brown)| " |
['Mar 1776-1779|1 year|cpl|(various alarms.|[blank])|' crossed out] | " |
" 1780 - 1783|3 mos|Priv|({Ebenezer Willson Thomas RowleyJr| ✓ )|Vt.|
[end of columns]
Battles engaged in, ✓White Plains, Rhode Island and Quaker Hill
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate. Providence Co. R.I.
Date of application for pension, July 23. 1832. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Danby, Rutland Co Ct. from Spring 1780
Age at date of application, born in Scituate, R.I. July 14, 1756.
Remarks: He was dead prior to 1843 leaving a widow Sophia [multiple erasures] no further family data. He was for seven years a member of the Vt Legislature [multiple erasures]
Very respectfully,