Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 1179, Seba Higley, Mass. New York
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(8-1776)
Service Mass - Higley, Seba - Number W 1179
Service New York - Higley, Bethiah - Number B.L. Wt. 19765-160-55
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153.288
Presented by William Hotchkiss  [Chrsthathone?]
Warren? Co N York
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State of New York
Warren County } ss

On this Second day of May A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Five Personally appeared before me William Hotchkiss a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Bethiah Higley aged sixty Four Years a Resident of the Town of Chester, County of Warren in the State of New York, who being duly sworn according to Law, declares that she is the widow of Seba Higley deceased, who was a Revolutionary Soldier a Private, and who was a Pensioner of the United States at the Rate of about Forty Dollars Per Annum  as near as she can recollect - She further declares that she is the identical Bethiah Higley who made a declaration in order to obtain the Benefits of the pension made by the Act of Congress Passed on the 3rd of February 1853  granting Pensions to widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary war. She further declares that she received a pension Certificate issued by the Secretary of the Interior, R. McClelland and Examined and countersigned by L.P. Waldo Comr of Pensions, given at the department of the Interior the 31st day of October 1853 - Recorded in the Pension office on the Roll of Pensions under Act February 3rd 1853. Page 76 - Vol. A. -  G T Getty Clerk - Granting her a pension of Thirty Six dollars and Sixty Six Cents per Annum, commencing on the 3rd February 1853 and continuing for life unless she should again marry in which case the Pension is not Payable after the time of such Marriage. and she now refers for the [partionlay?] of her husbands Services and for Proof of his Marriage to the Paper, on file in the Department upon which she
Page 4

obtained her pension Certificate above  fath. and she further declares that she is now a widow.
 she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which She may be entitled under the Act Approved March 3rd 1855, she also declares that she has not received a Warrant for Bounty land under this or any other Act of Congress. nor made any other application therefor.    Bethiah Higley

 We William H Green and David W Leggett Residents of the Town of Chester: County of Warren in the State of New York, upon oath, declare that the foregoing declaration was Signed and acknowledged by Bethiah Higley 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, And we further declare from our personal Knowledge that she is now a widow
 William H Green  David W. Leggett
 The foregoing declaration and affidavit  Sworn to and Subscribed before me in the day and year above written: and I Certify that I know the affiants to be credible Persons, that the claimint [sic]  the Person she represents herself to be, and that I have no Interest in this Claim -
  William Hotchkiss Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Warren County Ss} I Hereby Certify That William Hotchkiss Esq before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made is and was
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is the Person she represents herself to be, and that I have no Interest in this Claim
  William Hotchkiss Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Warren County Ss}  I Hereby Certify That William Hotchkiss Esq before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made is and was at the time before Taking the same an acting Justice of the peace within and for said County and State aforesaid an Commissioned and Qualified and that his signature is  Genuine
  In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of My Office this 15th day of May 1855
  Thomas Archibald Clerk
Page 6

State of New York
Warren County Ss. At a Surrogates Court held at Caldwell in and for the Said County, before me Orange Ferriss County Judge and Surrogate of the Said County on the 13th day of august 1853, personally appeared before the Said Court Bethiha Higley a resident of the Town of Chester in the County of Warren and State aforesaid, aged Sixty two years, who first being duly Sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress on the 3d of February AD 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; that She is the Widow Seba Higley who was a Revolutionary Soldier and a pensioner of the United States for revolutionary Service at the time of his death, at the rate of thirty Six dollars per Annum, payable at the Albany new York Agency, and for a particular account of his Service, reference is had to the papers and proofs on file with his original application. [
 she further declares that she was married to said Seba Higley on the fifteenth day of October AD (1824) eighteen Hundred and twenty four; that her said Husband died on the 15th day of April eighteen Hundred and forty nine; that she was not married to him prior to the Second day of January eighteen hundred, but at the time above mentioned, She further declares that she is now a widow. - - -   Bethiah Higley
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
 Orange Ferriss County Judge Warren Co
Page 7

At a Surrogates Court held at the town of Caldwell in & for the County of Warren & State of New York on the 13th day of August 1853
 Present Orange Ferriss County Judge & Surrogate   on the day & at the place aforesaid appeared Bethiah Higley in open court and subscribed the within declaration and thereupon  being duly sworn did depose & say that the said declaration so subscribed by her was true.
  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the surrogates seal of said County this 13th day of august 1853
 Orange Ferriss Warren County Judge & Surrogate
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State of New York,
Warren County, Harriet Lake and Elizabeth
H. Seggett Being duly sworn according to
law, on their oaths say, they were each person
ally well acquainted with Seba Higley and Bethiah Mead before their marriage, that they were lawfully married in the town of
Chester in Saw County, on the fifteenth day of
October AD, 1824 by Roswell Kelly a minister
of the Methodist Church in presence of these deponents and many other micheepes. That they 
lived together and sustained the relations of
Husband and wife until the death of the 
said Seba Higley and that he died in the
said town of Chester on the fifteenth day of 
April 1849, and that the said Seba Higley
was at the time of his death a Revolutionary
pensioner of the United States and that the said Bethiah Higley is now a widow.
   The deponents are related, but have no interest
in making this deposition
Sworn and Subscribed  {  Harriet Lake
this 9th day of August  {  Elisabeth H. Leggett
1853 Before me -          {
William Hotchkifs Justice of the peace 

I certify that I am personally acquainted with
the above Depondents, that they are persons of good character and entitled to credit, and I
believe and disinhushing
William Hotchkifs, Justice
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State of New York   }
Warren County p   } I Thomas Archibald Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that William Hotchkifs Esq. before whom the widow applicant
purports to have been sworn was on the Aug 9 dateof said applicant a justice of the peace in and for the county and that I am well acquainted with the hand Writing of said Justice and verily believe his name
Subscribed to the widow affidavit be a complete to be his personal hand writing and a signature
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and offer the seal of the Said County this 15th day of August 1853
Thomas Archibald, Clerk
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2720
New York,, Albany
Bethiah Higley
widow of Seba Higley
who served in the Revolutionary 
war as a private
N Y Service
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 36 dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3rd February, 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the
31st day of October, 1853
and sent to
W. Hotchkifs
Chestertown
Warren Co.
NY
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 76 Vol. a
 x
Page 11

153,288  { Act March 3/53
              } May 30/55
Bethia Higley
Wid
Seba Higley, Priv
Mafi Contl, line
Revolutionary
War

(superscript)
No 19765 of April 4/56


Pensioner under act Feb 3/53
NY Feb 53 - 2720
Wm Hotchkifs, April 1 1856
Boynton
Page 12

24.545
New York
Seba Higley
of Chester in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Camp commanded
by Captain Parker of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Bradford in the New York 
line for 11 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension ifsued the 20 day Dec
1833 - and Sutta J.A. Paddock

Arrears to the 4th of April '33 $91.66
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 ma' 34  18.33

$111.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7 1832}
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles clerk
Book 3 Vol. 4 Page 111
Page 13

On the first of July the army marched to the south, went into the State of New Jersey, spent the summer and fall in defending the state from the British, who were in New York, was there at the Treason of Arnold, and I saw the Execution of Major Andre. On the 4 of December the Army broke up and went into winter quarters at West Parish, on the same road we went down on, What was called Waynes Hall.
On the 1st of January 1781, The new arrangement took place. Two regiments but without little Fischer were many officers discharged. The Regiment reviews to the change was commanded by said Col. Brooks until were put together under the command of Col. Bradford, given name was not decided, it was known as the 7th Regiment (Maybe Chuiretts)
On the 5th of January 1781 he received his discharge from Benjamin Warren Capt. commanding in the absence of the Col.
Once Lieutenant Sutton Trowbridge commanded after we left Albany on our way to West Point, and commanded until we arrived.
In December again at West Point, after going forth to New Jersey, and then Capt. Jonas Parker took command of the Company.
Saw Genl Washington, Genl Green, Steuben, St. Clair, Isiah Sterling and Putnam while in New Jersey and south of West Point. And also Brigadier Genl Glover, Patterson, Samuel and Colonels Brooks, Tuppen, Bradford & Marshal of Genl Patterssons Brigade.
Have no documentary evidence of any kind, and knows of no person where can testify he can Incieve, who can testify to his service

1 Was born in the town  Lewisbury in the county of Stafford, in the State of Connecticut in the year 1762
2 Has no other records Official what has been handed or transferred from Bible Tribune
3 Was living in New Lebanon in the county of Albany, in the State of New York when he entered the service. Has since the Revolution lived in the town of Golfbridge in the county of Miapacheuttes about four years, then moved into Hebron, Washington County, State of New York, lived there about 16 years, then moved to Chester in the county of Mercer in the State of New York where he now lives and has lived since that time
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...ate of New York}
...unty of Warren }

On this nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Personally appeared in open court before the judges of the Clerk of Common Pleas now sitting, Seba Hipley of the town of Chester
in the county of Warren and State of New York, aged seventy years of age the twentieth of October next - Who brings duly sworn according law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congrefs dated June 7th, 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he entered the service as a volunteer sometime in October not far from the middle of the year 1778, and joined the 7th Mapachusetts Regiment, in their Nationek at Cherry Valley in the State of New York. Lived then at the time he volunteered in the town of New Lebanon in the county of Albany in said State.
That sometime in November of the same fall  Brands & Butter with their savage, tories and British attacked the garrison burnt the town, and murdered the inhabitants and killed Colonel Alden. Where given name, he does not recall , he was commander of said 7th Regiment, but were repulsed with considerable loss. At the time he joined the Company, it was commanded by Lieutenant Nathaniel Rowley, the captain was absent, The ensign named does recollect one of the sargents was named David Darrow he was the orderly. In the spring of 1779, the Regt was divided & he went with General Sullivan towards the Indians at the west & a part of the Regiment went to Schoharie, with which he went. Half of the time he was at the fort before, at said place and half of the time at fort Dubois at Cobbles Hill, seven miles distant, under the command of Col. Norman. The company was commanded by Thaddeus Noble, the Lieutenants name was Samuel Rexford, the Ensign's name was Toule, given name he does not recall.
The next spring, 1780, the Regiment was united and was posted on the North River, It was then under the command of Colonel Brooks(believe his given names was Admerius) . Marched to the place by first going to Albany coming over the Breakbush and marching down the east side of the Hudson River to FishKill down towards West Point and their camp.
Page 15

Other than those already named, were any other circumstances. He has received a discharge from Capt. Benjamin Warren captain commanding, but has lost it, when he cannot say.

That elder Norman Fox, formerly a resident of the town of Chester, a clergyman and Hobby Mead, one of the judges of the court of common pleas in said county, a resident of the town of Chester, to whom he is known in his neighborhood can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever both pension or annuity seeks the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed, the day and year first aforesaid.
Seba Higley
Thomas Archibald, Clerk

The Norman Fox lately and for many years a resident of the town of Chester, in the county of Warren and State of New York and a resident of the town of Queensbury in said county for the last six months (a clergyman) and Hobby Mead one of the judges of the court of common pleas of said county and a resident of the said town of Chester do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Seba Higley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and he lived in the neighborhood where he resides. That he has been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. And also that he remains in the opinion of the neighborhood where he resides a good character for veracity and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and Subscribed this nineteenth day of September 1832
Norman Fox
Hobby Mead
Thomas Archibald, Clerk
Page 16

Know the said court whereby 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 the Edler Norman Fox, who has opened preceding certificate is a clergyman and resident at Queensbury in the county of Warren and until within ___ months a resident in the town of Chester in said county. And that Hobby Mead who also signed the same is a resident residing in the town of Chester and is a credible person and is one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Thomas Archibald, Clerk of the court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Seba Higley for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal of my office this seventeenth day of September in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Thomas Archibald, Clerk

I am well acquainted with Seba Higley the above named applicant for a pension. He is an honest and excellent man, and no one that knows him would doubt the truth of his statement with or without asking.
Nath'l Pitcher S.M.C
Sept. 5 1833
I further state that Seba Higley has ever been reputed to have been a revolutionary soldier
Nath'l Pitcher

11144
In the matter of
Seba Higley
Revolutionary Claim
Page 17

11,144
Seba Higley
Admitted
Private 11 months
On rolls, Brooks Regt
6 mo in 1780
&
of witnesses for other service
Rec'd.
27 Sept 1832
27 Dec "
P-184

J.A. Paddock
Glens Falls
Warren Co.
N. York
Page 18

11,144
BRIEF in the case of Seba Higley - Chester,
Co. of Warren in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 70 years
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed.

Period: Oct in 1778
Duration of Service: (Indefinite)
Rank as a: Private
Names of General and field Officers under whom he served:
Col. Alden of Brooks
Col. Bradford, Cap. Is N.
Warren, & J. Parker

5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Lebanon, Albany Co. New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Trady
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned
W. Fawcett
Examining Clerk
Page 19

Eng Co, 1852
Appl of Bethia Higley, widow of Seba Higley, Warren Co.
N.Y.
$36 2/3
24545
on 3rd Feb, 1853

Rw

No Agent

Department of the Interior
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 20

State of New York }
Warren County  }  LS
Town of Hague, 

Robert Pratt of said town, being duly sworn according to law Deposith and saith that he is sixty nine years of age and he further saith that he was personally acquainted with one Seba Higley in the year 1779 and that he knew the said Higley to be a soldier in the War of the Revolution in the said year 1779. in the following manner sometime in the month of May in the year 1779, the said Hiley and myself went from the town of New Lebanon, then in Albany County in said State for the term of four months in a company commanded by captain Thadeus Nobles and Samuel Rexford was Lieutenant. Went directly from New Lebanon to Albany and from Albany to Schohary and there said Higley and myself saw the greatest part of the time for the term of four months, though some little part of the time we were at a place called Cabuskill after we had stayed and performed the duty soldier for the said term of four months, we started to gather for to return home to New Lebanon and had not gone but a short distance be fore an express over took us and called us to return to the fort in consequence of the indians making an attack on the fort, then the said Higley and myself remained at Schohary until sometime in the month of October in said year of 1779 and we further... (unclear, cut-off)
Page 21

or Yeoman and further saith that this said Higley is now living and present at the town of Chester in said county as he is informed and further saith not.
Subscribed and Sworn
This 28th day of May AD 1833 
before me
Robert Pratt
Calvin Barnard Justice of the Peace

State of New York, County}
of Warren S_____________ }
J. Thomas Archibold
Clerk of said county do certify that Calvin Barnard before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been swornwas, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county and that I am well acquainted with his had writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit is to be his proper name &writing & signature
Witness of my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of July 1833

iV Thomas Archibold, Clerk
 & F.D. Burlingame Drp
Subscribed and sworn on this 28th day of May, 1833 and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Robert Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit and that he is a credible personand that his statement is entitled to credit.
Calvin Barnard, Justice of the Peace
Page 22

State of New York }
Warren County f  }

I Thomas Archibald Clerk of Said County do certify that Calvin Barnard by whom the Annexed Certificate purports to have been subscribed was, on the day of the date of same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the annex certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witnefs my hand and seal of office this 30th day of August, AD 1833 
Thomas Archibald, Clerk
Page 23

State of New York }
Warren County vc }

Stokes Potter of the town of Athol in said county being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is 74 years of age, that he knows Seba Higley of Chester in the County of Warren and that he knows him to have been a soldier in the war of the Revolution. That he was with him at Cherry Valley as soldiers together in a company commanded by Lieutenant Nathaniel Rowley. That they were under the command of Colonel .... Alden of the 7th Massachusetts Regt. That he cannot recall the date of the year precisely but knows it was soon after the capture of Burgoyne in the fall of that year. The same fall that Cherry Valley was burnt and further that he knew Dan Higley, brother to the said Seba Higley. That they were soldiers together under the command of the same officers and at the same place for the space of one month at least when they were dismissed and returned to their former place of residence. Further saith not.
Subscribed & Sworn
Before me this 17th day of August 1833
Stoakes Potter
And further certify that Stoakes Potter, the subscriber of the above affidavit is a person of fair character and his word is entitled to credit
Elisha Pendell, Justice of the Peace
Page 24

State of New York }
Warren County  }
I Thomas Archibald, Clerk of the said County do certify that Elisha Pendell before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name submitted to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 20th day of August 1833
Thomas Archibald, Clerk
Page 25

Seba Higley of Chester in the county of Warren State of New York, being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he, this deponant engaged in the service of the United States some time in October in the year 1778 and joined the 7th Massachusetts regiment commanded by Col. Alden, then lying at Cherry Valley in the State of New York, some time the same fall (This deponant thinks in November) the Town was destroyed by a party of Indians, Torys and British. Col. Alden was killed, the town burnt and the inhabitants murdered, all that could not reach the fort. The next spring the regiment was divided. A part went to the west in Sullivan's expedition in the year 1779 to subdue the hostile tribes this year.
I (Seba) was stationed at Scharrie then on the lines as a guard on the frontier, the next year 1780 he was united with the regiment at West Point sometime in July and the Regt was under the command of Col. Brooke. Soon after the army moved to the south. Went into the State of New Jersey where we spent the residue of the campaign was at Tapan. And at the treason of Arnold and the execution of Major Andre. About the first of December the army moved back to West Point where I stayed till the 5th of Jan, 1781 when I was discharged from the service at the time the new arrangement took place my discharge was signed by Benjamin Warren Capt Comdg in the absence of Col. Brooke. I belonged to Jonas Parker's Company Col. Brooke Regt and Brigadier General Patterson's Brigade. I am now 66 years of age
Page 26

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act entitled "An act for the relief of Certain Surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution" approved on the 15th of May 1828. I, Seba Higley of the town of Chester in the county of Warren in the State of New York, do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution as a Private and served as such to the time when the new arrangements took place in the army under the resolves of Congrefs of the 3rd and 21st October 1780 and was discharged the Army in the month of January following - at which period I was in the Company commanded by Capt. _____ Rowley
in the Regiment then commanded by Col. Alden and after Col. Alden was killed joined the Company of Capt. Jonas Parker in the regiment under the command of Col. Brooke and that I remained in said regiment until I received my discharge, which I received from Capt. Benjamin Warren in the absence of Col. Brooke, and that I was entitled to the pay of eighty dollars under the resolves of Congrefs pasfed the 15th of May 1778. Which said discharge has been lost or destroyed many years ago - and I further declare that I was not on the fifteenth day of March 1828 on the pension list of the United States.
Subscribed this 2nd day of February 1829
Seba Higley
Page 27

State of New York }
Warren County F  }

Before me Alanson Fox
a Judge of County Court in said County duly Empaneled to administer oaths in said County, Personally appeared this day, Lothrop Burge and James Mead - of said town and county, who did severally make oath that Seba Higley by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally  reputed and believed to have been a private and Soldier of the Revolution in manner as therein stated.
Signed,
Lothrop Burge
James Mead
Subscribed and Sworn this 2nd day of February, 1829.
A. Fox Judge of Warren County Court

State of New York }
Warren County F  }
I Thomas Archibald Clerk of Court of Common Pleas of the County of Warren in the State of New York do certify that Alanson Fox before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn was at the time of taking said affidavit a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whenof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 20th day of March in the year of our lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Nine
Thomas Archibald, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Warren
Page 28

Pension Off.
Oct. 17th '33
Sir,
Please certify the date of Seba Higley's death pension act of June '32 as 36.66 per annum, N. York.
Respond
F. Burt Esq. }
Burgr.   }
S. Cole
for Common.


Seba Higley, Act 1832
$36.66 per annum - Died 15th April 1849, paid to his death.
F. Burt
Administrator
Page 29

State of New York
Warren County Sp.
Bethiah Higley being duly sworn according to law on her oath says that she, the deponent, made application for a pension under the Act of the 3rd of February 1853 as the widow of Seba Higley deceased who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the time of his death.
That in addition to the facts stated in her declaration, the deponent says there is no public record of Marriages kept in this State to her knowledge and that she has no certificate of her marriage or private record thereof - That her declaration was made on or about the thirteenth day of August, 1853 - and that she has made no other application
Sworn and subscribed this 20th day of October 1853. 
Bethiah Higley
Before me, and I certify the deponent is the person described in the foregoing affidavit. That I have no interest in the claim made by her for a pension and am not concerned in it's prosecution.
William Hotchkifs, Justice
Page 30

State of New York }
Warren County Sp. }
Harriet Lake and Elizabeth H. Leggett, being duly sworn according to law on their oaths say that they reside in Chester in said county, that they and each of them were present at the marriage of Seba Higley and Bethiah Mead on or about the fifteenth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and twenty four, that they were well acquainted with the parties previous to their marriage and have been since to the death of said Seba Higley, and that he died in the town of Chester in said County of Warren on or about the 15th day of April, 1849, leaving Bethiah Higley his widow, who is still a widow and is the identical person who has signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit. The Deponents further say that they are not interested in making this affidavit or in the pension applied for by the said Bethiah Higley.
Harriet Lake
Elisabeth H. Leggett
Sworn and subscribed this 20th day of October 1853 Before me and I certify the deponents are credible persons
William Hotchkifs, Justice
Page 31

State of New York
Warren County Sp.

I Thomas Archibald, Clerk of said County do hereby certify that William Hotchkifs, Esq before whom the attached affidavits perports to have been sworn was, on the day of the date of said affidavits a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Warren, Residing in the said County duly elected and sworn and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe his name subscribed to the written and accepted affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature.
In Testimony where I have hereto set my hand & offer the seal of this said County at Caldwell, this 21st day of October 1853
Thomas Archibald, Clerk
Page 32

N. Y.
Bethiah Higley
Widow of Seba
Act 3 Feb. '53
Page 33

Chestertown Warren County
N. York 24th October 1853

Hon. L.P. Waldo  }
Coms of Pensions }

Dear Sir,
Enclosed please find affidavit of Mrs. Bethiah Higley - supplementing to her declaration made about the thirteenth of August last. And accompanying affidavit as to of and would say that any communication with regard to her application for pension may be assigned to me agreeable to the request of Mrs. Higley.
Very Respectfully,
Cons Of Same
William Hotchkifs

P.S. Addup P.O. Chestertown, Warren Co. N.Y.
Page 34

Brief in the case of Bethiah Higley widow of Seba -
Chester County and State of New York
act 3 Feb 1853

Claim ("original" or "for increase")
Proof exhibited (If Original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state substance
Husband pension at 36.66 per annum act of June 1833
Marriage (Record evidence disclaimed)
& Identity as also a pensioner's death on 15 Apl 1839 proved by witnefs certified to be credible

(if for increase)
Has additiona; evidence been filed since admission of the claim? If so, what?


Name and residence of Agent,
W. Hotchkifs Esq  }
Chestertown Warren Co. ,N.Y. }

McRae Examining Clerk
Page 35

Chestertown }
NY 25 Oct }
Free
Hon. L.P. Waldo
Commifsions of Pensions
Washington City, DC

(faint/across)
Geddes  Bethiah said Seba 76

(break-2nd document)

Chestertown
Ms NY ag
Free

S.P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Washington D.C.

(faint/across)

1853 Revo

(faint across/reverse)

H
Wm. Cole
Page 36

11,144

Seba Higley
Page 37

11,144
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Seba Higley mm 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?
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?  So, Found on Rolls for enlistment service of 6 mo in Brooks Regt. in 1780 - Any claim beyond that must be established his credible witnefs.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  He has
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  He has.
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  Yeas
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?  (faint) No
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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?  He has
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? He has
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?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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?
XVI. Are the papers autheticated as the regulations direct? They are
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them are 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 consequence of 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."
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3 
It is i9mportant in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicants 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 thier affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of leaving 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 authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape of narrow ribbon, the end 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.
Page 40

No. 3 .473
N.Y.
Act 3 Feb '53
Bethiah Higley
widow of Seba Private

Allowed  36.66 per annum
Commifs . 3 Feb. '53

Albany

W. Hotchkifs Esq
Chestertown
Warren Co.
N. Y.
Page 41

No. 2.943
New York
Bethiah Higley
Wid of Seba.
Act. 3 Feb 1853
1853 3 Oct. Set to claim
Page 42

3-068
(old No. 3-649)
Bureau of Pensions.

Seba Higley

Mrs Addie D. B. Mitchell
951 Ornge St.
Los Angeles
Cali_

Mrs. H.A. Engle
128 Maryland Avenue
Washington DC
"The Burtholdt"
(Oath)
Page 43

Ms. Warner,
Please send statements as per addresses on the other side of slip. 
Bryant

(over)
Page 44

1179
3-068
(Old No. 3-649)
Bureau of Pensions
Seba Higley
July 2, 1829
Chester N. Y.
Oct. '78 New Lebanon N. Y. - Mass.
Lt. Romely
Capt. Nobles
Col Alden
Col. Vroman
Col. Brooks
Bdr. Bradford
Pvt to July 5, 1781
Bat Cherry Valley No. B. M.
Witnessed Execution of Maj. Andre
Born Simsbury Conn. 1762
Mar. Bethiah Mead
Oct, 15 1824 Chester N. Y.
Died April 15 1849
Page 45

Inc.
The Honorable the Secretary of the Treasury U. States
Washington City
Page 46

Chester, Warren County, N. Y.
March 23rd 1829
The Honorable the Secretary of the Treasury
find Enclosed. I send you the papers of Seba Higley, a resident of our town, for a pension. Accompanying the same is a statement made by Mr. Higley giving a detailed account of his services in the Revolution. Mr. Higley is a man of great integrity and of good moral character, has held many important town and county offices, but he has become reduced to poverty and advanced in age, he now asks of his country to realize to him some support in his declining years- as a compensation for his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Believing that his case is one which would entitle him to the benefits of the Act, he has furnished his application for the same, which I must hope will be granted.
I am your abject servant
Hanson Fox
Page 47

Frm. Act / '53 N.Y.
Boynton
Page 48

as
19.765

Ner. Ames
Page 49

March 2, 1904 - His to
Mrs. H.A. Engle, City &
Mrs. Addie D.B. Mitchell
Los Angeles Calif.

Rev. War Widow, &c.
1179
Bethiah Higley
Widow
Seba Higley
Priv. Rev. War.
Act. Feb. 3, 1853
Index-Vol. A, Page 333
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 50

Act - 1828
Papers to be filed with Ad. on Wid.
File # 1179
Page 51

Seba Higley - Soldier
Capt. Rowley's Co.

New York
Widow file no. 1179

{Act 1828}
{Not Allowed}