Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1842, Elisha Gifford, New York
Page 1

[form] (Rev 1776)

Service New York 

Gifford, Elisha 
Polly

Number  W.1842.
B.L.WC-26036-160-55

Contents:  [blank]
Page 2

8650
New York

Elisha Gifford Putnam Co in the State of New York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Ludington of the Regt Commanded by Col Ferris in the N.Y.  12 mo 17 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 41 dollars 93 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Apr 1833 and sent to Henry B. Cowles, Carmel 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833    $83.86
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sept 1833   $20.96
$104.82

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

  Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 4  Page 20
Page 3

3799 Act March 3 1855
March 19/55

Polly Gifford, widow
of Elisha Gifford Priv

Capt
col   NY Mil

Ent
Dist  Revolut War

Pensioner Records Vol. A page 74.

Feb 53 - 3090

Ad:160Ac May 18/56

B [signature illegible]

Ira Mead Carmel Putnam N.Y. 

Vol. G. 5H.

[scrawled across the face of the document]  No 26.036 of May
Page 4

1890 Mar 23 Van R Gifford, History

Increase No. 3090

New York
Polly Gifford
widow of Elisha Gifford
who served in the Revolutionary war, 
as a Private New York Mil

New York City agency.
Rate 96 dollars o00 cents per annum.
Commencing July 28, 1868

Certificate dates 1st Sept 1869
and sent to Claimant Carmel Putnam Co. N.Y.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 11 o 3. Vol 96
27/68 Jon Smith
Page 5

[Newspaper clipping Dec ? ~1889 & Chicago Daily News]

Soldier Blood in his Veins.

A Veteran Whose Father Fought in the Revolutionary War.
Special to the Chicago Daily News.
NORTHFIELD, Minn, Dec 1? This city  boasts of an old soldier whose father carried a musket in the revolutionary war. His name is Van R. Gifford and he has lived here many years.

Mr. Gifford was born in Kent, N.Y. Nov. 18 1837, and is therefore 52 years old. He came west in 1862 and enlisted in company K, 8th regiment Minnesota volunteers. He served three years as a brave and faithful soldier. At the close of the war he returned to Northfield and has lived here since. He is married and has one son, who lives on a farm near this place.

Elisha Gifford, father of this subject of this sketch, was born in England and came to America when quite young. He served int he revolutionary war with distinction and and for many years drew a pension from the national government. When 80 years old he married a woman aged 20. Four children were born of this marriage.

Mr. Gifford is proud of his soldier blood. He has in his possession some of the weapons which his father carried in the great struggle for Independence and a copy of the will disposing of them. He has a number of affidavits proving that he is what he claims to be, the son of a revolutionary patriot, and is happy in the belief that he is the only surviving soldier of the civil war whose sire found the troops of George III.
Page 6

[newspaper clipping  real estate listings  year & source unknown]
Page 7

1st Brief
No. 10899
Elisha Gifford
Admitted
12 mo 17 days Private

Sept 14 183?
Dec 7 183?

P. 138

Henry B Cowles
Carmel 
Putnam Co NY
Page 8

N: 10899

[form]

Brief in the case of Elisha Gifford of Patterson County of Putnam in the state of New York,
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  In open Court

2. How old is he
83 years 

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Preiod / Duration of service / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

1776  / 3 months / Minuteman / Capt Comfort Ludington
1776 or 1777 / 2 months/ Private / Leuit E. Barnam Capt Thomas
1777 / 7 mo Minuteman / Capt H. Mead
/ 10 mo /   " / [illegible]
 /  2 mo / Substitute / Capt Lake, Col Farris. Cap Crane
/ 1 mo / Substitute
/ 2 mo / guard / Capt Comfort Ludington

5. In what battles was he engaged?  [blank]

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Fredericktown County of Dutchess New York.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  By two living witnesses

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so in what way?
They appears to be in due form.

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

[signed] James Ord  Examining clerk.
Page 9

Polly Gifford
application 
3799
Ira Mead Agent
Carmel Putnam Co
N York
Page 10

Direct to Ira Mead
Carmel Putnam Co
N York

State of New York
County of Putnam

On this 15th day of March AD 1855 Personally appeared before me Polly Gifford aged 54 years a resident of Kent in the State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Elisha Gifford deceased who was a private in the New York militia in the War of the Revolution that the term for which he entered the service and the time he served are contained in the papers accompanying his application for a pension, That her said husband was placed on the pension roll April 22d 1833 at the rate of 41 dollars 93 cents a year. That her said husband died at Kent on the 3 day of June 1837 That she was married to her said husband on the day of May 1830  That her name before said marriage was Polly Washburn and that she is now a widow
And that she now draws a pension for the services of her said husband payable at the New York Agency. That she obtained said pension under the act of February 3 1853 That for proof of her husbands services she would refer to the papers accompanying his application for a pension - That for the proof of her marriage to and of the death of her said husband she would refer to her application for a pension under the act of Feb 3d 1853, That neither she nor her said husband never obtained any land warrant under any act of Congress or applied for any except this application
Page 11

and that the following is a copy of pension certificate
Department of the Interior
Widows Pension
I certify that in conformity with the 2n section of the Act of February 3' 1853
Polly Gifford
Widow of Elisha Gifford who was a private in the revolutionary was is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of forty one dollars and ninety three cents per annum commencing on the 3rd of February 1853 & continuing for life unless she should again marry in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage   Given at the department of the Interior
this 3d day of December 1853
R McClellan  Secretary of the Interior

Examined & countersigned 
L P Waldo Commissioner of Pensions

The foregoing certificate is recorded in the Pension office on the roll of Pensioners under act of February 3d 1853 page 74 vol A 

She makes this declaration to obtain the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act of March 3d 1855
Polly Gifford
Page 12

We Charles Mead of Kent and Allen Hadden of Carmel in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by Polly Gifford in our presence and that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant that she is the identical person & represents herself to be.

[signed] Charles Mead  Allen Hadden

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written & I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and that the claim that I have no interest in this claim 
Ira Mead Clerk of the Putnam Co Court

State of New York County of Putnam ss
I Ira Mead Clerk of the county court in and for said Putnam County do hereby certify that Ira Mead whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing application and affidavit was at the time of signing the same, a clerk of the court aforesaid duly commissioned - sworn and authorized to take the [illegible] according to the laws of this State
In testimony whereof I have here until set my hand and seal of the said Court the 12 day of March 1855   
Ira Mead Clerk of the Putnam Co Court
Page 13

State of New York
County of Putnam   On this twelfth day of September the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court before Frederick Stone Samuel Washburn & Bennet Boyd Esq three of the judges in the Court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Putnam aforesaid, the said Court being now sitting Elisha Gifford a resident of the town of Patterson in the county & state aforesaid, aged eighty three years, he 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 was born in the year 1749 at Norwich in the State of Connecticut
That he has no record of his age now existing. The record of his age made by his father in the family bible, was burnt when the declarants house was burnt some five or six years ago.
That he lived in Frederickstown in the county of Dutchess which is now in the county of Putnam, in the State of New York, he was called into the service ever since the revolutionary war he has lived in the town now called Patterson in the county of Putnam aforesaid of which was formerly a part of the county of Dutchess. He now lives in the said town of Patterson.
That he first entered the service by enlisting into the service called the minute service, but does not know whether it was called the state troops or militia. That he never served as a substitute for any person except upon one occasion herein after to he stated.
That he entered into the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated   The first entered the service by enlisting in the minute service under Captain Comfort Ludington for three months. He believes this enlistment was in the spring of the year 1776  as far as the boats began to move on the Hudson River in the Spring. He marched with the company to Fishkill, & embarked from there & went to New York City, & served thus during the said term of the month at the expiration of which period he was honorable discharged. He does not remember whether the discharge was written or verbal the troops at New York were engaged during this term in batteries
Page 14

He does not remember the names of any field or company officers other than the said Comfort Ludington, Elijah Oakley & John Brady lieutenant, Isabel Berry [illegible], & thinks Swarthout was Colonel.
The declarant was afterwards drafted for eight months service in the militia but on account of the dangerous sickness of his wife hived a substitution by the name of Jonas Yeomans, who performed the service for the whole period of eight months & died a few years afterward.

The declarant again entered the service under Lieutenant Eliakim Barnum for two months & declarant believes in the year 1776 or 1777 & was marched to the fort at the place called constitution island nearly opposite West Point, and remained in garrison there for the said term when he was discharged. There was but one regiment there as he believes. but he does not remember the name of any field or company officers there, except the said Barnum & Captain Stooms nor does he know whether he was in the State troops or militia.

The declarant again entered  the minute service in the year 1777. He marched on a minute warning under Captain Hezekiah Mead to Danbury upon an alarm. The enemy had burned some houses & retreated before Captain Meads Company arrived there, & the declarant returned with the company & was discharged after a weeks service.He does not remember the name of any other officers who were there.

He was again called out on an alarm under Captain Hezekiah Mead, the time recollected, was marched to Fishkill in Dutchess County, therein to Scomboak Plains in Westchester County and after ten days service was discharged. He believes there was but one company engaged in this service, but he does not recollect the name of any other officers.

The declarant again entered the service in the militia for two months under Captain Lake & he believes
Page 16

During the revolution the declarant served as guard upon the road in Frederickstown for one month in one winter and one month in the next winter to watch & protect the county against the depredations of the torries who were then making great ranges - The is not recollected by declarant For the first month above spoken of the declarant stood guard in the road every other night in Frederickstown and the month of the spoken of next winter, stood guard every fourth night  In both instances this service was neutued by the men of Captain Hezekial men & as declarant understood & believed it was by the command of Colonel Henry Ludington

The declarant further states that he resided in Frederickstown before mentioned during the whole revolutionary war and each & every time he entered the service as hereinbefore stated who that the foregoing declaration contains a true statement of the general circumstances of his services in the revolution & the places in which he served, the names of the regiments and officers & other facts & circumstances required by the war department so far forth as the declarant is able to recollect the same.

The declarant was honorably discharged in all the above cases in which he states that he was discharged. They were generally verbal, he recollects that he received one written discharge which was at the expiration of his term of service on Constitution Island, he does not remember by whom it was given nor what has become of it is lost or destroyed. He is not certain that it was preserved until his house was burnt & five or six years ago. if it was it must have been then destroyed, for all his writings & papers of every description ere then destroyed by the fire

He has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can provide who can testify to his services except those whose affidavits are hereto annexed
Page 17

He can support his character for veracity & the belief of his services as a  soldier of the revolution by the following persons amoung others, to whom he is know in the neighborhood, viz Edward Smith now of Carmel in said county & Daniel Kent of Patterson in said county.

We Edward Smith residing in the town of Carmel in county aforesaid, & Daniel Kent of Patterson in said county 

hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Gifford who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to have be Eighty three years of age.  That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion - 

[signed]  Edward Smith  Daniel Kent
Sworn & subscribed the day & yea aforesaid in open court  J. Morehoues Clk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier hence as he states and the both further certifies that the said Edward Smith resident in the
Page 18

town of Carmel & Daniel Kent resident in the town of of Patterson in said County of Putnam who have signed the preceding certificate and are credible person that their statement is entitled to credit. 


Frederic Stone first judge 
Samuel Washburn Judge
Bennet Boyd Judge
Page 19

State of New York
Putnam County   James Colwell of the town of Southeast in the county aforesaid being duly sworn, says, that he is Sixty eight years of age and is acquainted with Elisha Gifford the [smudge] in the foregoing application for a pension & he knows him every since this deponent was a boy. In the revolutionary war, this deponent then residing in Frederickstown in the County of Dutchess which is now the county of Putnam, was drafted into the military service in the seventeenth year of his age for a three months term, this was in the autumn of 1780 as deponent believes. This deponent marched to Fishkill upon his tour of service & joined the company to which he belonged commanded by Captain Lane, the said  Gifford lived at the time south of two miles from deponent & went in company with deponent & others to join the company at Fishkill until the were discharged from this service with other troops then at that period. While the company lay at Fishkill, the said Gifford and this deponent belonged to the same mess & occupied the same tent & from this circumstance the deponent being  the neighbor of said Gifford deponent remembers the said Gifford particularly. They were discharged a little before the tour of  three months was finished, but deponent is confident that the said Gifford & deponent  were in actual service for the full period of two months. Deponent does not remember the names of officers there except Captain Lane, & the orderly sergeant by name of the Parish. 
This deponent now lives about two miles from the residence of said Gifford & has lived in his presence residence since deponent was twenty two years of age, Gifford has lived where he now lives from an earlier period until now. Deponent never served with said Gifford at any other time that that above stated but he heard of other services of his in the revolutionary war & ever since the said Gifford has been reuuState of New York
Putnam County   James Colwell of the town of Southeast in the county aforesaid being duly sworn, says, that he is Sixty eight years of age and is acquainted with Elisha Gifford the [smudge] in the foregoing application for a pension & he knows him every since this deponent was a boy. In the revolutionary war, this deponent then residing in Frederickstown in the County of Dutchess which is now the county of Putnam, was drafted into the military service in the seventeenth year of his age for a three months term, this was in the autumn of 1780 as deponent believes. This deponent marched to Fishkill upon his tour of service & joined the company to which he belonged commanded by Captain Lane, the said  Gifford lived at the time south of two miles from deponent & went in company with deponent & others to join the company at Fishkill until the were discharged from this service with other troops then at that period. While the company lay at Fishkill, the said Gifford and this deponent belonged to the same mess & occupied the same tent & from this circumstance the deponent being  the neighbor of said Gifford deponent remembers the said Gifford particularly. They were discharged a little before the tour of  three months was finished, but deponent is confident that the said Gifford & deponent  were in actual service for the full period of two months. Deponent does not remember the names of officers there except Captain Lane, & the orderly sergeant by name of the Parish. 
This deponent now lives about two miles from the residence of said Gifford & has lived in his presence residence since deponent was twenty two years of age, Gifford has lived where he now lives from an earlier period until now. Deponent never served with said Gifford at any other time that that above stated but he heard of other services of his in the revolutionary war & ever since the said Gifford has been reputed & believed in the neighborhood in which he resides, to have been a soldier of revolution.  & deponent believes the same to be true & never heard anything to the contrary, Deponent believes the said Gifford to be of the age of eighty three years, & he sustains an unblemished reputation for veracity & integrity in his neighborhood.  James Parcell

Sworn & subscribed in open court Sept 12th 1832. J. Morehouse Clk
Page 20

Putnam County   I Jabez Berry of Kent in said county, being duly sworn says that he is acquainted with Elisha Gifford the declared in the foregoing declaration, & has been acquainted with him every [illegible] deponent was a boy - & deponent has lived near the said Gifford from his infancy - In the forepast of the year 1776 deponent thinks in the month of February, the said Gifford & deponent enlisted into the company of Captain Comfort Ludington, in the services called the minute service for three months - the deponent remembers the fact of the said Gifford service as states by said Gifford in his declarations aforesaid in marching to Peekskill & embarking for New York & the service they were engaged in while there the officers stated by said Gifford therein.  He served for the full period of three months and was discharged with deponent. Deponent does not personally know of any other services of said Gifford but is uncertain & believes that he served at other times & periods of the revolutionary war. & said Gifford reputed &  reported believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a [illegible] of the revolutions, [illegible] 

[signed] Jabez Berry
Sworn & subscribed in open court
September 12th 1832   Morehouse Clk
Page 21

[page cut off on top]



State of New York
County of Putnam  I Jonathan Morehouse clerk of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Putnam aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Elisha Gifford for a pension.

In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of officer this fourteenth day of September in the yea one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.

J Morehouse  Clk.
Page 22

[envelope]

Direct Communications to Ira Mead
Carmel Putnam
County New York
Ira Mead
Page 23

State of New York
County of Putnam

On this fourtienth day of April AD 1853 personally appeared in open court before me Ambrose Ryder County Judge of Putnam County aforesaid Polly Gifford a resident of Kent Putnam County State aforesaid aged fifty two years who being 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 February 5, 1853. that she is the widow of Elisha Gifford who was a private in the New York militia who was a pensioner under the law passed June 7 AD 1832 and was placed on the pension roll April 23 AD 1833 and atained his pension money at the Pension agency in New York City. Thus his annual allowance was $41.93 that he resided in the town of Patterson Putnam County State of New York when he first obtained his pension. She further disclosed that she was married to the said Elisha Gifford on the first day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty that her husband the aforesaid Elisha Gifford died on the third day of June one thousand eight hund
Page 24

red and thirty seven, that she was married to him at the time above stated  She further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act and is still a widow and that she has never before made application for a pension. She further swears that she has not preserved a record of her marriage to the said Elisha Gifford that she was married to him by one Jonathan Morehouse Esq who has since moved to the State of Illinois and is now dead that she does not know whether he the said Morehouse preserved a record or not  that it is out of her hands to obtain it if he did.

[signed] Polly Gifford

Sworn to in open court on this day and year above written. 
Ambrose Ryder County Judge of Putnam County

Ira Mead Clerk

State of New York
Putnam County

I hereby certify that I Ambrose Ryder whose genuine signature is affixed to the above declaration before the foregoing declaration was made is Judge of the said County and of the Courts thereof duly commissioned & sworn and that the court aforesaid is a court of record. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said courts this 14th day of April AD 1853

Ira Mead Clerk 

The words genuine signature is affixed tot he above declaration interlined by my
Page 25

State of New York
Putnam County  On this 18th day of April AD 1853 personally appeared before me Elisa Washburn of Carmel county aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law declares that Polly Gifford that she was present & said her married to the within named Elisha Gifford (now deceased) that it was in the month of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty that the said Polly Gifford is now the widow of the said Elisha Gifford that he the said Elisha Gifford died in time one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven & that I am not interested in her application  

[signed] Elisha Washburn

Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year above written & I further certify that I believe the above deposition to be true.

[signed] Ambrose Ryder County Judge of Putnam Co.

State of New York
County of Putnam  On this 18th day of April 1853 before me came personally Hannah Baker of Carmel county aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is acquainted with the within named Polly Gifford that she was present & saw her married to the said Elisha Gifford that said marriage took place in the month of May one thousand eight hundred & thirty that the said Elisha Gifford died in the month of June one thousand eight hundred thirty seven that the said Polly
Page 26

is now & ever since has remained the wife of the said Elisha Gifford and further that she is no way interested in the results of the within Application.

Hannah Beker

Sworn to and subscribed before the day and year above written & I certify that I believe the same to be true.

Ambrose Ryder
County Judge of Putnam County New York

State of New York
Putnam County

I Ira Mead clerk of the county aforesaid & also clerk of the courts thereof which are courts of Record do hereby certify that Ambrose Ryder Esq whose genuine name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavits was at the time of taking the same a county judge of said county duly commissioned & sworn & residing in said county & authorized by law to take the same

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my name & the seal of the county of said county this 19th day of April AD 1853.

Ira Mead Clerk
Page 27

State of New York
County of Putnam

On this 28th day of April AD 1853 Before me clerk of the county court of said county which are also court of Record personally came John Warren Minister of the gospel of the Baptist denomination a resident of Carmel County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is acquainted with the witness named Polly Gifford widow of Elisha Gifford deceased that as minister of the gospel he attended the funeral of said Elisha Gifford in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven & there the within named Polly Gifford is the identical widow of said Elisha Gifford that he knew them to live together as husband & wife & that they were reputed as such.

[signed]  John Warren

Sworn to & subscribed before me this day & year above written in testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of Pu courts of said county of Putnam and I further certify that I believe the same to be true.

[signed] Ira Mead Clk

See next page
Page 28

To the Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, within is the application of Polly Gifford widow of Elisha Gifford deceased, for a pension under the act of Feb last direct communications to Ira Mead Carmel Putnam County N.Y. if any other evidence is wanted please note it in communications
Ira Mean
Page 29

Mch 8, 1896.

Pensioned
Mr. E. Gifford Jr
Somerville

Rev. Widow & C

File No. 18420
Polly Gifford
Widow
Elisha Gifford
Priv. Rev War

Act Feb. 37853.

Index:-Vol. A Page 271

[arrangement of 1870]
Page 30

26036
Page 31

No. 1246

Polly Gifford
widow of Elisha N. York

Let to fr a Mead
30" June 1852

Act Hebry of 53
Page 32

3:Wit: ma  3 June 1837. Boynton
Page 33

Appl of Polly
Gifford widow of
Elisha 
Putnam

N.Y. 32
8650

Apl 3dy Feby 1853
$41.93 per an
Com Feb 3d 1853 
Revy

Mead 
Carmel
Putnam Co
N. York
Page 34

3090

New York City
Polly Gifford

Widow of Elisha
Who served in the Revolutionary 
War, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 41 dollars 93 centers per
annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of Decr 1853.
and sent to Ira Mead Carmel Putnam Co NY

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act February 3, 1853, Page 74 Vol A
Page 35

Pension Office
26" Nov 53

Sir:
Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was [illegible] on the date of his death, 

Very Respectfully.
S. Macco

Com from:
Elisha Gifford Act 1832 $41.93 pr. an. Paid to 4th March 1837, no data on death on the books.

Land S. Reid
Actg Auditor


Francis Burt Esq
[signature illegible]
Page 36

[blank page]
Page 37

Northfield Minn 
Feb 29th 1890

Hon G. B. Rowm

Commisioner of Pensions my Dear Sir, Pleas send me the address of John Mc Williams of Co. E 8 Regt Minn

Also the date of the comishen of Elisha Gifford who was a soldier in 1780 he was an officer in the revolution was pleas send the date of his comishen and how for he served and by who was his comishen granted.

Also that or a copy of the marage certifect of Elisha Gifford and Polly Gifford hi wife they was sent to the Pension office some time in
Page 39

3799
Page 40

Carmel March 15, 1855

Hon L P Waldo Com

Hi Enclosed are the applications of Jeremiah Travis, Abraham Suckrider, Jonathan Washburn, Polly Gifford and Lewis Vail

Please direct returns to yours Respectfully

Ira Mead
Carmel Putnam Co.
N. York
Page 41

Declaration for increase of Pension (under Dec 13 Act of July 27. 1868.

Polly Gifford widow 
Elisha Gifford Dead
P.O. Carmel
Putnam Co
N.Y.
Page 42

Declaration for increase of Pensions under Dec 13. and of July 27, 1868.

State of New York
County of Putnam:

On this 26th day of July A.D.  one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine personally appeared before me a County Judge and for the said Court and State aforesaid Polly Gifford aged sixty eight years a resident of the Putnam town of Kent in the County of Putnam and State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the identical person to whom was granted pension certificate no 3090, payable at New York City, at the rate of Forty one dollars and ninety three cents per annum, issued under the set of February 3rd 1853, that she makes this declaration in order to secure the increase of her pension to which she is entitled under the thirteenth section of the Act of July 27 1868 - and this deponent further says that she has not remarried since the death of her husband Elisha Gifford.  My Post Office address is as follows. Carmel, Putnam Co. N.Y.  

[signed] Polly Gifford
Page 43

Also personally appeared Byron E. Heazen and Charles H. Minor residents of the town of Carmel in the County of Putnam and State of New York, Persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Polly Gifford sign her name to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

[signed] Chas. H. Minor 

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of July A.D. 1869; and thereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim 

Edward Wright County Judge

[seal attached]
Page 44

Also personally appeared Bryon E. Hazon and Charles H. Minor residents of the town of Carmel in the County of Putnam and State of New York, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Polly Gifford sign her name to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

[signed} Chas H. Minor

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of July A.D. 1869; and thereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim

Edward Wright
County Judge of Putnam Co. N.Y.
Page 45

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1858,

Polly Gifford.
Widow of Elisha Gifford.

who was a private in the Revolutionary War is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Forty One dollars and Ninety three centers per annum, commencing on the 3d of 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.

Given at the Department of the Interior, this third day of December one thousand eight hundred and fifty three 

[signature] illegible
Secretary of the Interior

Examined and countersigned.

[signature] illegible
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 46

Polly Gifford

Payment to be made at New York City by
Pension Agent
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the agency of
New York
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March 

Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll
of Pensioners under Act February 3d, 1853, Page 74 Vol A

G. T. Getty, Clerk
Page 48

persons of credibility & that their statements therein are entitled to credit.

Bennet Boyd Judge
[illegible] Foster
Samuel Washburn 

The undersigned concur in the above certificate so far as relates to the Reverend John Warren, but he has no knowledge or information as to said Jabez Berry or James Colwell - Henry Garrison Judge

State of New York
County of Putnam  I Jonathan Morehouse Clerk of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Putnam afore said do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Elisha Gifford for a pension at the February Form of the said court in the year one thousand eight hundred thirty three & the papers here unto annexed contain the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of said Gifford for a pension had at the last September term of said court as certified by me at the said September term of said court & which certificate still remaining attached to the papers hereto annexed.

In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eight day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty three.

J Morehouse Clk
Page 50

Brief in the case of Poll Gifford widow of Elisha  Putnam County and state of N. York
act 3d Feby 1853

Claim, ("original")

Proof Exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under  the act of 7 July 1832.

Marriage proven by three witnesses present at the same.
(if for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so what?  [blank]

[signed] Ira Mead Esq
Carmel
Name and residence of Agent  Putnam county NY

J.C. Boynton
Examining Clerk
Page 51

Pension Office
30th June 1853

Sir

Mrs Polly Gifford widow of Elisha Gifford must file evidence that her husband was reputed to be a Revolutionary pensioner in case she cannot prove that he was a pensioner of the State of New York.

Very respectfully
[signature illegible]
Commissioner

Ira Aread Esq
Carmel
Putnam Co New York
Page 52

State of New York
Putnam County
 Levi Washburn being duly sworn deponent & saith that he was a neighbor & well acquainted with the said Elisha Gifford husband of the within named Polly Gifford during his life time and that during that time he the said Gifford was reputed to be a revolutionary pensioner and that he never heard it disputed that he was such pensioner 
Sworn in open court before Hon Ambroze Ryder County Judge of Putnam County

[signed] Levi Washburn

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of Nov 1853
[illegilbe] made before signing  Ira Mead Clerk of Putnam Co Court
Page 53

Putnam County

Peter R Whitney being duly sworn deposeth saith that he is a resident of Patterson in said county that he formerly lived a neighborhood to the said Elisha Gifford husband of the written named Polly Gifford and that at that time he was reputed to be a Revolutionary pensioner and that this deponent never heard it disputed that he Elisha Gifford was such pensioner.  PR Whitney

Sworn & subscribed before me
the  17th day of Nov 1853 Ira Mead clerk of County court

Late of New York Putnam County
I Ambroze Ryan Judge of the county court of Putnam County do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence viz the affidavits of Peter R Whitney and Levi Washburn who are personally known to me and who are entitled to full credit that Elisha Gifford was a Revolutionary pensioner.
Given under my hand this 22 day of November 1853   Ambrose Ryder County Judge of Putnam County
Page 54

Ira Mead clerk of the county court of Putnam County certify that Ambroze Ryder is the Judge of said court and that Ira Mead before whom the foregoing affidavits  were taken is clerk of said court and that the foregoing certificate of said judge & the signature of the said clerk is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said court and subscribed my name this 22 day of November 1853   Ira Mead Clerk


Direct Communication to Ira Mead Carmel Putnam Co N York