Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,389, Reuben Whitcomb, Mass. N.H. Vt.
Page 1

Whitcomb, Reuben  W. 4389
Esther

Service
Mass., N. H., Vt.
Page 2

Pittsbg.  31.760
Ohio
Reuben Whitcomb

(paper torn on left edge)
---boga in the State of Ohio,
---Private in the Company commanded
---Goodenough of the Regt. commanded
---Herrick in the Vermont
---6 1/2 mos.

---on the Roll of Ohio
---the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Center per annum
---commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of June 1840 and sent to hon. John W. Allen
house of Representatives

Arrears to the 4th of March 1840 $194.94
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. '40 $10.83

$205.77

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm. C. Zantzinger, Clerk
Book E.2 Vol. 5, Page 158

(right side)
let. hon. J. W. Allen 14 July 1840 do. to (illegible) & Pittsbg agents Sept 24. 1840
do. to Pittsbg agent and i Lapham Sept. 30, 1840
let 1 Feb. 1842 Hon  . S. J. Andrews
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
State of New York
Wayne, County
On this 8th day of August 1832, personally appeared before me David Eddy one of the Judges of the (county-crossed out) courts of Wayne County in the state of New York, Reuben Whitcomb of the Town of Williamson County and state aforesaid, aged seventy five , 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 inlisted as a private in the company commanded by Captain Corlish Regiment commanded by Col. Bette Brigade commanded by Gen. Reed for one year. Gen. Gates commanded the army. Entered the service in the month of Jany. 1776 and (illegible cross outs) and in the Town of Westminster State of New Hampshire. That he went through the woods with Arnold upon the Kenebeck River and so on to Quebeck. Was not in the battle returned by the St. Lawrence River Lake Champlain  and was discharged at Mount Independence near Ticonderoga. Had no written discharge and that in the month of June or July 1777 he was drafted to go to Bennington Vermont. Went to Manchester in said state from thence to Bennington when he procured (illegible) orders and raised a Company of 55 men called Green Mountain Rangers where he received a Captains commission signed by General Hathaway & Samuel Robbinson, his company was attached to Colonel Herricks Independent Regiment the whole army commanded by General Stark was in the Bennington battle. Received a wound in the hip the musket ball remains still in his flesh. From thence he marched ? That is to say Herricks Regiment to Lancelot Vermont from thence by order of General Gates he marched to Stillwater was in all the fighting that was done about Stillwater and Burnsides Heights was present at the surrender of Burguoin from thence he went back with his Regiment to Lancelot again from thence to Castleton from thence he marched to Ticonderoga Fort with a 
(illegible) to retake it. (illegible) near of said fort take 500 persons commanded the fort 7 days until the ammunition was expended raised the seige took water and went to Diamond Island ^in Lake George. He was in a sloop had the command of it advanced to Diamond Island was defeated, had to tow the (illegible) ashore and blowed it up. This expedition was commanded by Col. Brown and Herrick from thence he marched over the mountain to White Hall and thence to Castleton Vermont and there discharged after having commanded the company . In actual service six months from thence he returned home to Putney in Vermont. And that in the month of June of the year 1778 or 1779, he cannot positively remember he volunteered as a private for nine months
Page 4

in a company commanded by Captain Graton Regiment commanded either by Col. Graton or Nixon cannot positively remember which Nixons Brigade, Regular troops. Marched from Springfield Massachusetts to Westpoint state  New York there he continued until his term of nine months was expired received a written discharge which discharge and commission we destroyed by fire in the Town of Clarendon and State of Vermont. He returned to Putney from thence he moved to the Town of Northfield State of Massachusetts and that he removed from there to Clarendon Vermont from there to Camilus in Onondaga County State of New York from thence he removed to Williamson Wayne County state aforesaid where he now resides.
Reuben   X   Whitcomb
his mark

Sworn and subscribed before me the 8th day of August 1832

We Andrew Cornwall and Jeremiah B. Selby residing in the Town of Williamson County of Wayne and State of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Whitcomb who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Andrew Cornwall
J. B. Selby
Sworn and subscribed this 8th day of August 1832
David Eddy

And I David Eddy one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in and for the County of Wayne & State of New York do hereby declare my opinion that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and I do further certify that it appears to me that Andrew Cornwall  & Jeremiah B. Selby who have signed the preceeding certificate are residents in the Town of Williamson County of Wayne and State of New York are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and I do further certify that in my opinion the above named Reuben Whitcomb on account of bodily infirmity is unable to attend the County Court.
Witness my hand the 8th August 1832
David Eddy
Page 5

State of New York
Wayne County ss
I Cullen Foster Deputy Clerk of said county do certify that David Eddy before whom the Declaration of Reuben Whitcomb (hereupon written) purport to have been sworn and whose name appears to the accompanying Certificate, was at the date thereof a Judge of the County Courts of said County duly appointed and sworn and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature of said Judge under said Declaration and Certificate to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the ninth day of August A.D. 1832.
Cullen Foster Dep. Clk.
Page 6

5336
Ohio--Clev.
Esther Whitcomb dec'd
widow of Reuben Whitcomb who died on the 7 Nov. 1843 of..........in the State of Vt. who was a private in the .......commanded by Captain.......of the .......commanded by........in the ........line for Revolution.
Inscribed on the Roll of Cleveland at the rate of 51 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 7th November 1843 & ending 22 March 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of June 1855 and sent to B. B. Chapman Elyria, O.

Arrears to the 4th of ..........
Semi-annual allowance ending 

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1836}
{Section the   }

Recorded by R. McRae, Clerk
Book D Vol 2 Page 404
Page 7

State of Ohio 
Lorain County SS
Be it known that on this 19th day of November A. D. 1853 before me John M. Vincent a Notary Public in and for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Elizabeth Warney aged forty seven years and a resident of the township of Brownhelsm in said Lorain County & State of Ohio, who being first duly sworn according to law on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress passed June 7th 1832, July 7th, 1838 and the several acts amendatory thereto passed for the benefit of the officers & soldiers of the Revolution & their widows that she is one of the surviving children or Reuben Whitcomb who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 at the rate of $21.66 per annum and resided in the Willoughby Lake County Ohio where he died November 9th 1843, and at his death left a widow named Esther Whitcomb to whom he was married about the close of the Revolutionary War and previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred ninety four, and who was the mother of this declarant and died in East Cleveland Cuyahoga County & state of Ohio on the 22d day of March 1848 and was at the time of her death a widow having never intermarried after the death of her said husband Reuben Whitcomb. That when said Reuben Whitcomb applied for his pension he claimed to have performed over two years service during said war but for the scant of sufficient proof he was allowed for something over six months service to wit three months and nineteen days as a private in Captain Goodnoughs company in Col. Herricks Regt in 1777 and three months & two days as a private Capt. Oliver Shattacks company in 1781. That from evidence recently discovered it appears that in addition to the above named services he served as a private for nine months in Capt. Nells company in the Continental service during the year 1779 and again as a private for eight months under Captain Thomas Whipple at Rutland Vermont from April 20th to Dec. 20th 1780. The declarant therefore asks that the pension of the said Reuben Whitcomb be increased accordingly and that a pension be granted on account of his widow from the death
Page 8

of the said Reuben to her death as aforesaid. That they had resided at Putney Vt., Northfield Mass & Clarendon Vermont, at Williamson New York and Willoughby Ohio. That she has heard said mother  say that her said husband serve three moths after their said marriage and that when they married they lived about twenty miles from the Vermont State line & she cannot say positively whether the marriage took place in Massachusetts or Vermont but her impressions are that it was in Vermont as she has heard her say that they went twenty miles in order to save being published as was the custom where she then resided. That the following are the names of the surviving children & the only surviving children of the said Reuben & Esther Whitcomb, deceased viz. Rufus, Elisha & Polly Whitcomb, Arvilla Carpenter & Elizabeth Warner. That Rufus, the eldest of said children is now over seventy years of age and the declarant is the youngest of the five above named.
Elizabeth Warner
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year above written.
John M. Wincent
Notary Public

State of Ohio
Lorain County ss
Be it known that on this nineteenth day of November A.D. 1853 before me John M. Vincent a Notary Public duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Henry and William H. Warner both of lawful age and residents of the township of Brownhelm Lorain County and state of Ohio, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on their oaths depose and say that they were personally acquainted with Reuben Whitcomb who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7th 1832 and resided in Willoughby Lake County  in the state of Ohio, & that he died on the ninth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and forty three & at his death left a widow Esther Whitcomb who survived her said husband until the twenty second day of March in the year eighteen hundred and forty eight when she died in the township of East Cleveland Cuyohga County & state of Ohio & was a widow at her death having never intermarried after the death of her said husband Reuben Whitcomb & was at her death upwards of eighty years of age & left five surviving children only & whose names
Page 9

are Rufus, Elisha and Polly Whitcomb, and Arvilla Carpenter and Elizabeth Warner and are now surviving and are likewise the children of said Reuben Whitcomb & Esther his wifek rufus the eldest beeing now over serventy years of age & Elizabeth the youngest forty seven years of age. Deponents had often conversed with the said Reuben Whitcomb & his wife Esther about his revolutionary services & after the death of the said Reuben his said widow ruquested Henry Warner on their affiants to try and aid her in obtaining a pension as the widow of said Reuben
Henry Warner
Wm. H. Warner
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year above mentioned & I further certify that the said deponents are citizens of this county & persons entitled to full credit.
John M. Vincent
Notary Public

On refering to the original papers of said Reuben Whitcomb in Pension Office will be forward the affidavit of his said widow Esther Whitcomb then his wife who testified to a knowledge of her said husbands service and (illegible) the fact that she was married to him soon after the close of a nine months term & that affidavit was made when the fact of her marriage could have had no kind of reference or interest in the case now presented but fully corroborates the statements above made
Page 10

State of Ohio
Lorain County SS
I Philemon Bliss Judge and Clerk of the Probate Court holden at Elyria in and for the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court by the affidavits of Henry, William H. & Elizabeth Warner who are persons entitled to credit, that Reuben Whitcomb was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7th 1832 at the rate of $21.66 per annum, was a resident of the township of Willoughy Lake County & state of Ohio where he died on the ninth day of November eighteen hundred and forty three and at his death left a widow named Esther Whitcomb to whom he was married about the close of the Revolutionary War and prior to the first of January seventeen hundred ninety four, and she survived the death of her said husband Reuben Whitcomb until the twenty second day of March Eighteen hundred and forty eight when she died in the township of East Cleveland Cuyohoga County Ohio and was at the time of her death unmarried and the widow of said Reuben Whitcomb & has five children only now surviving and whose names are Rufus, Elisha, and Polly Whitcomb, Arvilla Carpenter and Elizabeth Warner, and they are the children of said Reuben & Esther Witcomb and the eldest is now over seventy years of age. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Elyria this 21st day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and fifty three.
P. Bliss, Probate Judge
(seal)

In the event of the allowance of this claim the Court will please not issue a certificate until an Administrator is appointed in whose name it is desired the certificate should issue, on account of the children being separated at some distance from each other.
Page 11

Town Clerk's Office
Putney Dec. 24, 1853

H. Z. Chapman Esqr.
Dear Sir
I rec'd your letter bearing date the 12th Nov. and agreeable to your request I examined the records of the Town of Putney, I did not find the marriage  of Reuben Whitcomb and wrote you immediately and also have made further examination and have not found either the marriage or the births of his children on the records. There is not but a very few marriages recorded previous to A.D. 1800 to be found.
Yours Truly
Wm. Houghton Town Clerk
Page 12

Northfield Jan 7, 18th 1854

Mr. Henry G. Chapman
Dear Sir
Yours of Dec 19th was duly received. I have made and examination of the Town Records agreeable to your request but I do not find any evidence of the marriage of Ruben Whitcomb and Esther Bacon, or the birth of any of their children upon record.
Respectfully yours
Charles Osgood, Town Clerk of Northfield
Page 13

Nov. 19, 1853
Clarendon Rutland County Vermont

Mr. Chapman Sir, Your letter of the 12th ins. came to hand & in answer I would say that after examining the Records faithfully I do not find any record of Reuben Whitcomb marriage nor the names of any of their children births. I do not find the name of Whitcomb on the records of this Town. Upon enquire I find Mr. Whitcomb lived but a short time in this town & moved to Shrewsbury in this county. If you should want any further information on the subject I will do any thing I can to help you.
Yours in hart H. Hodges, town Clerk
Page 14

Washington February 20/54
The certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts August 13, 1853 which accompanied these papers has been this day returned to me.
B. B. Chapman
for H. Z. Chapman
Page 15

WCD

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

April 25, 1928

Richard T. Eastell
Vandergrift Building
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sir:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.4389, it appears that Reuben Whitcomb was born in 1756 in Worcester, Massachusetts.
While living in Putney, Windham County, Vermont (then called Hampshire Grants) he enlisted January 1, 1776, as a private in Captain Daniel Carlisle's company in Colonel Bedel's New Hampshire Regiment, and served one year.
In June, 1777, he was commissioned captain in Colonel Herricks Regiment of Green Mountain Rangers and served six months; at the battle of Bennington he was wounded in the hip by a musket ball and he was also in both battles of Stillwater and at the capture of Burgoyne.
He enlisted in June, 1780 and served as a private in Captains flower's and Greaton's companies in Colonel Greaton's or Nixon's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged late in February, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1832, at which time he was living in Williamson,

(hand written in margin-"this office did not recognize service as captain but pensioned soldier as pvt. as a Reuben Whitcomb was found on Vermont rolls as serving as pvt. under Herrick in 1777. As case contains no evidence in contradiction of soldier's own statements & that of witness to effect that he did serve as Captain I gave credit for service as such. This was in 1780 as was year of Arnold's betrayal.
Page 16

Wayne County, New York.
He died in Willoughby, Ohio, November 9, 1843.
He married around the close of the Revolution, Esther Bacon.
She died in East Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, March 22, 1848, leaving the following children: Rufus who was living in Indiana in 1855; Elisha of Lucas County, Ohio; Polly Witcomb; Arvilla Carpenter of New York State; and Elizabeth Warner of Brownhelm, Lorain County, Ohio.
No charge is made for this service and one dollar, the amount of your check, will be refunded to you in due time.
Respectfully.
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
Page 17

No 15,169
Esther Whitcomb dec'd
widow of Reuben 
Ohio

H. Z. chapman 20 May 1856
B. F. Jackson Ap. 2 1855

No. 8134
Act 4 July 1836 to which act transferred from that of 7 July 1838

Act 7th July 1838
Page 18

(right side)
Reuben Whitcomb
Ohio
suspended

let 16 May 1840
Hon. J. Z. Allen
do. 4 June 1840

Act 7 June 1832

(left side)

John JL
John Eeee
L Edwar
John
Page 19

Pension Office
June 20, 1855
Sir
Please state to what time the pension of Reuben Whitcomb Ohio roll act of 1832 was paid
Very respectfully
S. Cole
for commr.


Rt. J. Arkinson Esq.
3d audr.
Page 20

Reuben Whitcomb paid to 4 Sept. 1843
Robt. J (illegible)
auditor

June 20/55
Page 21

Elyria Lorain Co. Ohio
January 28th 1843
Hom. Comm. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Sir
Inclosed be pleased to find application for an increase of the Revolutionary pension of Reuben Whitcomb, deceased late of Ohio under act of June 7th 1832.
Very Respectfully yours
Henry Z. Chapman
Page 22

Elyria Lorain Co. Ohio
March 25th 1854

Comm. of Pension
Sir
Herewith please find Certificate of the service of Reuben Whitcomb to be used in the application for increase of his pension under Act of 1832. This to be filed with the other papers which were forwarded to the Pension Office in Jany last.
Very Respectfully yours
Henry Z. Chapman
Page 23

Hon. J. W. Allen transmitted to this office May 15, 1840 a letter from J. M. Henderson Esq. which was returned with a letter from this office to Mr. Allen, from the purport of which it would appear that a statement was made of service having been performed by Reuben Whitcomb, in Captain Shattack's company of Massachusetts troops instead of Captain Greaton's company as alleged in the declaration of Whitcomb. On reffering to Captain Shattack's company rolls the applicant name was found thereon and service in said company allowed.
Pension Office
June 29, '41
Page 24

Let. from the Cincinnati agent rec'd 24 Sept 1840 (handed to commr.) stating that no payment had been made by him to Reuben Whitcomb and that he had kept his name from the roll.
m.
Page 25

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 4389
Esther Whitcomb
Wid.
Reuben Whitcomb
Pri. Rev. War

Act: July 4 1836
Index: Vol. M, Page 339

[Arrangement of 1870]


1928 Apr. 25 hist. to Richard. T. Eastell
Fin. Div. 
notified 1$ to be refunded
M.C.S.
Page 26

suspend
(rejected-crossed out)

see letter 1 Nov. 1832 to claimant
(New York-crossed out)

Act June 7 1832
Ohio
see letter 17 July 
1837 S. Sterling
do. 16 Augt. '37
let. 23 Dec '37 Hon'l
W. Allen
Page 27

No.
Reuben Whitcomb, dec'd
Ohio

Revy
Act June 7 1832
Page 28

15822

3-2233

BUREAU OF PENSION
Finance Division

Apr. 5, 1928
Chief Rev. and 1812 War Section
I have this day received from R. T. Eastell
check in the amount of $1.00 requesting photostat copy as per letter herewith.

C. J. Randall
Chief, Finance Division
N.C.L.

Apr 26 1928
finance Dav. notified verily
to be refunded
Page 29

(hand written note) Hist. sent Apr.29
& $1.00 to be retuned as per letter

Richard T. Eastell
Vandergrift Building
Pittsburgh, Pa. 

April 24, 1928

Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:

Under date of April 4th I wrote you enclosing a check for $l.00 requesting certified copy of pension granted Ruben Whitcomb, Revolutionary War Pensioner, Fil W-4389. To date I have not received a reply and I am writing to inquire if you received the above mentioned letter?
Yours very truly,
R.T. Eastell

(3 identical stamps-U.S. Pension Office 
Apr 25  1928)
Page 30

Reuben Whitcomb, deceased
Ohio
Act June 7 1832
Admitted
15 1/2 mos. private at $51.66 per annum from March 4th 1831 to ov. 9th 1843 when he died. Deducting former payments to Sept. 4 1843 at $21.66
also Esther Whitcomb, decd. widow of Reuben (same please)
Act of July 4th 1836
admitted at $51.66 per annum from Nov. 9th 1843 when he died, to mar. 22, 1848 when she died.
Certificates payable to Henry Warner her adm. for the benefit of Rufus Whitcomb
Elisha Whitcomb, Arvilla Carpenter & Elizabeth Warner-the only surviving children
Atty
B. B. Chapman
Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio
Page 31

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston:
March 15th  1854

(State seal)

I Hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Reuben Whitcomb is borne on Description List of men received of the Hon. Noah Goodman, Superintendant for the County of Hampshire to serve in the Continental Army for nine months agreeable to a resolve of the General Court of the 9th of June 1779 from Bernardston, in Wells Regt. Wolsworth's Comp. Age 21. Stature 6 feet. Hair-brown.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Thomas Whipple's Comp. of Guards, doing duty at Rutland commencing April 20. discharged Dec. 20 1780. 8 mos. 1 day.
Also in Capt. Oliver Shattrack's Comp. Lt. Col. Barnabas Sears Regt. from the County of Hampshire, engaged Aug. 12. discharged Nov. 8 1791. 3 mos. 2 days.
Page 32

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this office in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
C. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 33

Application for certificate of Revolutionary services made by the child of the party who rendered the service.
State of Ohio, County Lorain, township of Brownhelm.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the rolls in his office of the service of Reuben Whitcomb who was a soldier in the Revolution. He was a native of the town of Worcester in the state of Massachusetts where he was born in the year 1756. That in the year 1780 in the town of Barnardston & state of Massachusetts he volunteered as a private for nine months under Captain Graton and was marched to Springfield and West Point and served some of the time under Captain Flowers. He also served three months under Captain Shattack of Massachusetts Militia in 1781.
Elizabeth Warner
Witness my hand this 20th day of December A. D. 1852 Signed by said Elizabeth Warner in my presence & sworn to.
B. B. Chapman, Notary Public for Lorain Co. Ohio
Reuben Whitcomb was also in service in 1776 under Gen. Reed but cannot say whether Mass or not
Page 34

Reuben Whitcomb
Ohio   act 32

Cole
Page 35

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office Boston;
March 15th 1854

Sir
Yours of March 6th has been examined. I am not able to give the facts in the case more fully.
Our rolls are imperfect and I cannot show the service of Reuben Whitcomb more definibly that the certificate specifies. The fact that he enlisted and that the Col. name was Wells and the Capt. name Wolsworth is all the record shown.
Most Cordially 
your obt. sevt.
N. Lyman Strong

B. B. Chapman Esqr.
Page 36

Washington Jan. 28/42

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I take the liberty to send you the enclosed letter, and to request such a statement of facts as will enable me to answer it.
I am sir, very respectfully your obt. svt.
S. J. Andrews
Page 37

House Reps
Jun 10/40

Sir
I enclose to you a certificate to be used in the case of R. Whitcomb -suspended
Very Resp.
J. W. Allen


Col. Edwards
Page 38

Mr. Evans
(Post mark) Willoughby O. Sep 25

Free
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 39

Willoughby Lake County Ohio
Sep. 24th 1840

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Sir,
The Agent for paying Pensions in Pittsburgh, informs me that the name of Reuben Whitcomb was by mistake placed upon the roll for Cincinati. He also informs me that in order to have the error corrected it is necessary to send you the certifficate. I therefore enclose the certifficate at Mr. Whitcombs request. I presume that you will return it without unnecessary delay.
Very Resptf. yours
J. Lapham
Page 40

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier June 5. 1840


I hereby certify that there is on file in this office a paper purporting to be a Pay Roll of Capt. Levi Goodenough's Company of Rangers in Col. Samuel Herrick's Regiment raised by the State of Vermont, on which Roll, in the list of privates, is the name of "Ruben Whicomb" with an allowance for 109 days service commencing August 10th and ending November 24th on said Roll is a receipt endorsed dated February 1778.  Said Pay Roll appears to have been duly approved and paid.
Given under my hand and the seal of this office this fifth day of June A. D. 1840
Ferrand F. Merrill
Deputy Secretary of the State
Page 41

Hon. J. W. Allen
H.R.
Page 42

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier, March 26, 1839

I, Chauncey L. Knapp, Secretary of said state, do hereby certify that there is on file in this office a paper, purporting to be a " a pay roll of Capt. Levi Goodenough's Company of Rangers in Col. Samuel Herrick's Regiment raised by the State of Vermont". I further certify that the name of Reuben Whitcomb, a private, appears upon said pay roll, with an allowance for one hundred and nine days service annexed. I further certify that the said pay roll appears to have been examined, allowed and ordered to be paid, by a committee appointed for the purpose and that the same was duly paid by the Treasurer of the State of Vermont.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Montpelier this 26th day of March, A. D. 1839
Chauncey L. Knapp
Secretary of State
Page 43

July 10 1840
Ohio

Col. Edwards
Pension Office


Hon. J.W. Allen
H. R.
Page 44

House Rept.
July 9/40

Sir-
Enclosed is a letter from J. Lapham with a cf. of the Sec. of State of Vermont as to R. Whitcomb to whom a pension was recently granted but at a small rate.
Respt.
J. W. Allen


Col. Edwards
Page 45

4133
Reuben Whitcomb
Ohio
admitted
Pr. 6/mos. $21.66
Cap. Goodenough Col. Herrick Vt.

Act of June 1832

Hon. J. W. Allen
H. R.
Page 46

House Repts.
May 15 1840

Sir-
Some months ago I sent you some papers on an application of Reuben Whitcomb for a pension. The application was suspended or rejected. I herewith send you a letter from J. M. Henderson containing some further information which may be of use in the investigation.
Very Resp.
J. W. Allen

Col. Edwards
Page 47

Hon. J. W. Allen, M.C.
Washington, D. C.

Post mark-Montpelier, Vt. May 23
Page 48

Secretary's Office
Montpelier, Vt. May 27, 1840

Sir,
In reply to your note of 19th inst. I have to state, that the Revolutionary Pay Rolls in this office were several months since examined by me with reference to the case of Reuben Whitcomb of Ohio. All the evidence of service to be found on these papers was forwarded but the office fee $2.00 has not been received.
If contrary to my expectation, any further evidence  be found, on a further examination, shortly to be made, it will be certified and transmitted to your address.
The file of rolls, it ought to be added, is imperfect. In consequence of this, a negative certificate has often been of service to applicants.
Very respectfully
Cl. L. Knapp

Hon. John W. Allen
Page 49

Lowell March 26th 1855

Mr. Waldo
Will you please inform me whether or not one Reuben Whitcomb who served in the Revolution not less than six months & probably more would not have been entitled to pension money under the act of Congress march 18, 1818 concerning soldiers who left service poor & destitute or didn't the act of Congress June 15, 1839 receive a proportional part of two years (illegible) serving out less than six months.  Said Whitcomb's name may be on the muster roles of his regiment. He died in Washington Vt. 1840 his widow died about a year 0illegible). He enlisted for the war & went from Bradford or Hampshire (illegible) Would he have been entitled by any act of Congress for a pension or bounty land if so cannot his children obtain & get the back pension money in which he would be entitled. Give me (illegible) information. & oblige
B. F. Jackson
Page 50

Reuben Whitcomb Declared Aug. 8 1832
That he enlisted under Capt. Carlisle & Col Bette in Genl. Read's Brigade in Jany. 1776 for 1 year private in Westmorland N. H.
went thru the woods with Arnold to Quebec
Disch? at Ft. Independence &c,
in 1777 raised a comp. Green Mtn. Rangers and made Capt. in Col. Herrick's Ind. Regt. Stark;s Brigade. Wounded in the hip at Bat. of Bennington.
Thence to Stillwater & in the fights there-Returned to Castleton & then to Ticonderoga. Besieged the fort-raised the siege & went to Diamond Island in Lake George attacked the Island-was refuted. Towed his vessel ashore & blew her up. This service 6 months
From June in 78 or 79 served as private (volunteer) 9 months in Capt. Greaton's company in Greaton's or Nixon's Regt.
Nixon's Brigade-served at West Pt.
Page 51

Decl. 29th July 1837
1st Jany 76 to 1 Jany 77
June 77 -- 6 months-Capt. to Dec.
1780 middle of June to last of Feby 81-Private volunteer--Resided in Putney-was hired by a class in Bernardston, Franklin Co., Mass. Mustered at Springfield & marched to West Pt.
Was in Capt. Flowers company was transferred to Capt. Greaton's company.
Was at West Pt. at time of Arnold treason

Admitted June 16, 1840 for 6 1/2 mons. service as Private in Goodenough's Company in Herrick's regt. on Cert. of Secy. of Vt., June 5, 1840 of service of 109 days from Aug 10th to Nov. 24th 1777 & w mos. 3 days in 1780 Shattack's rolls-Mass militia from Hampshire Co.
Subsequent-
Cert. of Secy. of St. of Mass. dated Mar 8. 1855
Reuben Whitcomb on roll of 9 mos. (illegible) for Hampshire- returns made by Noah Goodman Mass. Age 21-6ft-brown hair from Barnardston, also Springfield. Oct 19 1779
Justin Ely Commissioner
Reuben Whitcomb from Bernardston
Page 52

Capt. Thos. Whipple's Guards at Rutland  commencing Arp. 20th 1780 for 8 mos. to Dec. 20  8 mos. 1 day as private
Capt. Shattuck's comp. Mass Service Regt of Lt. Col. Barnabas Sears from Hampshire Co for 3 mos. from Aug. 12 to Nov. 8 '80 3 mos. 2 days including travel-private
To identify him with the 9 mos. service in 79-80 the affidavits of Elizabeth, Henry & Wm. Warner of Lorain Co., O. made Feby. 17, 1855 states that the claimant was in person of the same description given in the return of Noah Goodman Inspector &c.
These witnesses also swear that Whitcomb claimed to have been in the 9 mos & 3 months service in 79-80 & 81 & that this 3 months service was after his marriage. They swear that the eldest child Rufus is 75 years old and that Esther the widow always claimed that she was 21 when Rufus was born & she died Mar 22, 1848 aged 89, which would make her 21 in 1780.
Page 53

Rufus Whitcomb dec'd
& Esther Whitcomb dec'd
(illegible)
Page 54

Brief in the case of Esther Whitcomb, deceased, widow of Reuben Whitcomb
Lorain County and State of Ohio
act July 4th 1836 and Reuben Whitcomb, decd. for increase under act of June 7 1832
Claim ("original" & " for increase")
Proof Exhibited (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Reuben Whitcomb pensioned under act oif 1832 at $21.66 and paid to Sept 4gh 1843 died Nov. 9th 1843. Death of Reuben proved by (illegible) and certified by Probate Judge as also the widowhood of Esther, and her death, March 22, 1848. and that Rufus Whitcomb, Elisha Whitcomb, Arvilla Carpenter and Elizabeth Warner are her only surviving children.
Henry Warney, A Jur. certified-bond $1000

Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Certificate of the Secy. of State of Mass. showing that 9 months more service was performed by Reuben than he was before allowed for-confirming his own declaration and containing a personal description of Whitcomb which is confirmed by three witnesses.
That the marriage of Reuben & Esther was before the last period of his service is proved by the testimony of three witnesses.
S. G. Dodge
Examining Clerk

Name and residence of Agent
B. B. Chapman
Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio
Page 55

March 1840
R. Whitcomb

Col. Edwards
Pension Office

Hon. J. W. Allen
H.R.
Page 56

House Reps.
June 1/40

Sir-
In accordance with your suggestion under date of May 16th in reference to the suspended application of R. Whitcomb, I wrote the Sec. of St. of Vermont & herewith enclose his reply.
Very Respy.
J. W. Allen
Page 57

NB
Co. not the times of service in Capt. Shattuck's Co. & in Capt. Carlisle's entitle to a pension at some rate?
Page 58

NB
Mem'm of 
J.W. Allen
(illegible) Ohio

Hon. J. W. Allen
H. R.
Page 59

Case of Reuben Whitcomb of Ohio

The undersigned leaves for examination the new affidavits of Oliver Harmon & Esther Whitcomb.
He understands that a new declaration was filed under the instructions of July 17 1837 herewith.
And he leaves also the letters from the Dept. of July 17 1837 & Aug 16 1837.
J. W. Allen of Ohio
(H.R.)

Dec 22/37
Page 60

Power of Attorney to examine the papers of Reuben Whitcomb
Rev. Pensioner Lake Co. Ohio
Act of June 7th 1832
Page 61

Know all men by thee presents that I Elizabeth Warner of Brownhelm, Lorain County Ohio & daughter of Reuben Whitcomb deceased, late of Lake County Ohio and a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under act of June 7th 1832 do hereby constitute & appoint B. B. Chapmen of Elyria Ohio my true & lawful attorney to prosecute the claim of myself and the other surviving children of Reuben & Esther Whitcomb to any amount of Revolutionary pension that may be due and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all the papers & documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional evidence or arguments & to receive the Certificate that may be issued for said claim & to appoint a substitute or substitutes under him & to do all other acts that I may or could do were I personally present hereby ratifying & confirming all that my said attorney shall lawfully do in the premises.
Elizabeth Warner (hand drawn seal)
Witness my hand & seal this 26th day of March A. D. 1852
Signed & sealed in the presence of
Henry Warner
S.Bagg

State of Ohio
Lorain County SS
On this 26th day of march A. D. 1852 before the (illegible) a Notary Public in & for the county aforesaid personally appeared Elizabeth Warner above named & acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned & I do further certify that she did make oath that she was directly interested in said claim. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day & year aforesaid.
S. Bagg    (seal)
Notary Public
Page 62

Check #551 $1.00
(stamped)_ FINANCE DIVISION
Book Keeper's Desk
Apr 6 1928
Bureau of Pensions

April 4, 1928

Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Bureau
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir;
Enclosed herewith please find my check for $1.00 for which please send me certified copy of pension granted Reuben Whitcomb, Revolutionary War pensioner, File W.4389.
If this is not the proper fee, kindly advise me & I will remit.
Yours very truly,
R. T. Eastell


RTE..EH.
Page 63

4133
Reuben Whitcomb
P. O. 15 Aug. 1832

Lewis Cass Secretary at War
Washington


Lyons (illegible)
Page 64

Affidavit of Oliver Harmon in the case of Reuben Whitcomb
Page 65

State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County SS

I Oliver Harmon of Kirtland Granger County, Ohio of lawful age upon oath do depose and say that I am now eighty years of age, that at the commencement of the Revolutionary war I resided at Rupert in the state of Vermont and before the close of the war I removed to Rutland in Vermont and after the close of the war became personally acquainted with Reuben Whitcomb who is now an applicant for a pension. That I knew Mr. Reuben Whitcomb during the war by a reputation-that I was personally acquainted with Colonel Herrick under whom Mr. Whitcomb served and knew from general report that Mr. Whitcomb served under him and from what I know and heard at the time and from conversing with Mr. Whitcomb and learning his knowledge of men that served in the war and circumstances that then took place I have no doubt that he served under Col. Herrick as he alleges as follows that he had a captain's commission that he entered the service in June 1777 and left it as he alleges in December of the same year, that he served six months at this period.
I do further certify and say that I have no doubt as to the truth of his statements of service in the year of 1776 under Major Butterfield in Col. Bedel's Regiment that he entered and left the army at the time and in the manner as he alleges. Nor do I entertain any doubt as to his services in the year 1780 under Col. Graton, that he served the time he alleges to wit eight months and a half. that I am acquainted with William Slade, Member of Congress from the State of Vermont and am personally known to Mr. Slade who can certify as to my character for truth and veracity and further this deponent saith not.
Oliver Harmon
Willoughby September 12th 1837
Subscribed and sworn before me this 12th day of September 1837.
John M. Anderson
Justice Peace
Page 66

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Oliver Harmon the above named deponent and I do further certify his character for truth and veracity is unimpeachable.
Willoughby September 12th 1837
John M. Anderson
Page 67

The State of Ohio
Cuyahoga county, ss
I Harvey Rice Clerk of the Court of Com. Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that John M. Handerson Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken and who has thereunto subscribed his name officially, in his own proper hand writing, was at the date of the said affidavit and now is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified, and to all whose official acts full faith and credits are due and ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Cleveland, this 9th day of Oct. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
H. Rice Clerk
Page 68

S896
Aug. 10. 1837
Pension office

To Secretary of War      Free
Washington City D. C. 

Ohio Act 1832
Page 69

Willoughby August 3d 1837

Sir
The within contains the application of Reuben Whitcomb of this place for a Pension under the act of Congress of 1832
Your &c.
Lord Sterling

Secretary of War
Washington City
Page 70

Willoughby
July 7th 

To the Secretary of War
Washington D. C.


S865
13 July 1837
Ohio
Page 71

To the Secretary of War
Washington D. C.
Page 72

Willoughby Cuy. Co. Ohio July 3 '37
Sir
A Revolutionary soldier by the name of Reuben Whitcome resides in this town and is about to become a town pauper-according to his statements there is no doubt of his title to a pension under the act of Congress passes 1832.
The state that he made application from after the act was passed and received an answer ^ from the then head of department, that the statements contained in his affidavit were found to be pretty correct but that his name was not found upon the pay rolls of the New hampshire troops (one year of his service being in the year 1776 with the N, hampshire Troops) and also stating that his papers were duly filed &c. Mr. Whitcomb resided in the town of Williamson County of Wayne & State of New York at the time of making the application. He is now eighty years of age has no one to provide for him and unless he can obtain his pension must become a town charge. He has applied to me to renew his application and I wish to inquire whether the papers already on file will answer or whether it is necessary to make new ones. & whether the objection made as above stated (to wit that his name was not found on the pay rolls &c. is a good objection to allowing his pension for evidence of his term of service which he states to be about eighteen months. The veracity of the man I am told and have not doubt of the fact can be established by reputable witnesses. Your &c
Lord Sterling

To the Secretary of War
Page 73

4133
Reuben Whitcomb
S890
Ohio
not on Capt. Carlisle & Col. Bedel in (faded)

6 mon. 77 as Capt. in Herricks (faded) by the records of (faded)

Vol 4-25  6 mo. men of Barnardston

Vol. 22 page 210 Capt. Shattuck Mass. Mil. on roll for 3 mo 2 days in 1780-1781

See Index No. 5
Page 74

State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County SS
On this 29th day of July A.D. 1837 personally appeared before me Simeon Fuller associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio, Reuben Whitcomb a resident of Willoughby in the County of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio aged eight years who being first fully sworn according to law, doth on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he entered the service on the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six and left the service on the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy  seven having served one year. That his field officers were General Reed (does not recollect his given  name) Colonel Bedel and Major Isaac Butterfield Company officers were Captain Daniel Carlisle Lieutenant Benjamin Whitcomb Uncle to the declarant. That he resided in the town of Putney in the County of Windham and State of Vermont then called Hampshire Grants-that he was a volunteer that he was not in any battles during his period of service. That he marched with the Newhampshire troops from a place in the state of Newhampshire on the Connecticut River called Number four since called Charleston nearly opposite to Windsor, that they marched up the Kenebeck River through the woods and came out at a place in Lower Canada
Page 75

on the St. Lawrence River called the Cedars and there made a station. The he was sick at that place having taken bad colds in marching through the woods. that after he had nearly recovered his sickness he had the small pox. While at the Cedars he was carried up to a point three or four miles above the camp and there remained with the sick. That he was there when the Indians plundered the forts, that Major Butterfield commanded the troops at this fort as Colonel Bedel was absent at the time the British and Indians under the command of Capt. Forster made their appearance at the fort. He thinks that he left this place in May or June and went to Ticonderoga & from there to Mount Independence. There General Gates took command of the Northern Army. That General Gates called on Lieutenant Whitcomb to go on a scouting party which he did and took with him the declarant and one Jonathan Wright and went down to a place called Abrahams Plains. There they waylaid the Road to see what discoveries they could make. A Brigade or Regiment of British troops passed the road, soon after General Gordon passed. Lieutenant Whitcomb drew his piece to shoot him. The other (illegible) stated as it would endanger their lives. Lieut. Whitcomb replied he knew what he was about & shot and killed General Gordon. they then fled to a cedar swamp & there concealed themselves for three days as they were pursued by the Indians. After the Indians had given up the pursuit and retired from the swamp
Page 76

they returned to camp having been about 18 days-afterwards on the first of January A. D. 1777 as his time had expired, was discharged and went home to Putney where he had formerly lived and resided until he went into the service a second time. That he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person who can testify to this period of service. That he knew General Arnold and was personally known to General Gates.
That he entered the service again in the month of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven cannot recollect the day of the month and left the service in the month of December the same year. That he Received a Captains Commission and served as Captain for six months. The  field ofricers were Colonel Herrick and Major Waite, that the company officers under him were Lieutenant John Hitchcock Ensign Lyman, Sergeant David Foster-that the Regiment to which he was attached were call the Green Mountain Rangers or boys, that he was a volunteer. The Regiment Col listed at Bennington Vermont. At that place had an engagement with a British Regiment commanded by Colonel Baum/ General Starks commanding the american forces. The battle was fought in the month of August. That he was in the battle and received a wound in his hip and the ball is still in his leg. That Colonel Herrick's Regiment was then sent to Pollet in Vermont & there made their head quarters
Page 77

Whilst there General Gates invited Colonel Herrick's Regiment to join his army at Still Water. Colonel Herrick took the vote of his Regiment whether they should go or not and they voted that they would go and accordingly went. Colonel Herrick's Regiment consisted of five companies & about two hundred and fifty men-that he was in the battle at Still Water on the nineteenth day of September & continued under General Gates until the surrender of Burgoyne's army then marched back under Colonel Herrick to Pollet in Vermont their head quarters. From there to Bennington, from Bennington to Casselton and from Casselton they went to the Narrows on the Lake above Whitehall. from there to Ticonderoga-Col. Browns Regiment-joined Colonel Herricks at the Narrows and marched with them. That they took about five hundred prisoners at Ticonderoga. that they stayed at Ticonderoga about seven days and retreated from there to Diamond Island and from there to Whitehall over the mountains. that Brown's Regiment then left Colonel Herricks, that Colonel Herrick remained there until the declarants time expired being six months and was then discharged. that he cannot recollect the day of the month. that he knew Colonel Morgan, General Schuyler, General Lincoln of Massachusetts that he has no documentary evidence of this period of service and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to this period of service.
That he again entered the service of the United States in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty
Page 78

about the middle of June (cannot recollect the precise day of the month) and left the service about the last of February following (cannot recollect the precise time) that his field officers were General Nixon & Colonel Graton-company officers were Captain Graton. That he was in the service eight months and a half. That he resided in the town of Putney, his former place of residence and was hired by a class in Barnardton, Franklin County, Massachusetts that he mustered at Springfield Massachusetts & marched from there to West Point. That there men were raised to supply vacancies in the Continental troops-that the company at Springfield was under charge of Capt. Flowers who was taken sick soon after the company started from Springfield and he (Whitcomb) was put in charge of it by Capt. Flowers & marched them to West Point. After serving at West Point he (Whitcomb) was taken out of this company and put into Captain Gratons by order of General Steuben. That the troops with which he served were continental troops. That he was at West Point at the time of Andres treason and the execution of Major Andre. That he knew General Washington and saw him at West Point. That he has no documentary evidence of this period of service and knows of no persons whose testimony he can procure who can testify to this period of service. That he was born in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty six in Worcester Massachusetts and is now in his eighty first year. That no record of his age as it was burnt in the town of Clarendon, County of Rutland & state of Vermont by the burning of the house in which he lived. That since the Revolutionary war he has lived in the town of Clarendon
Page 79

in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont. Afterwards that he resided in the town of Williamson in the County of Wayne & State of New York, resided there nearly thirty years, moved sometime in July A. D. 1836 in Willoughby Cuyahoga County & state of Ohio and resides there at this time. Received discharges from the service the first year by Col. Waite, the second period he discharged his own men, the third period received a discharge from the surgeon. All of which are burnt. That he had a commission signed by Hathaway (cannot recollect his Christian name) all of which were burned when his house burned up in Clarendon. that he is acquainted with Michael Stearns & Neham White, Chancey Fuller, Y. R. S. Freeman, David Hutchinson Thomas J. Strong & Willliam Hutchinson in his preset neighborhood & that he believed the above named persons will certify to his character for veracity and to their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Page 80

he states. And the said Simeon Fuller does hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before him in the matter of the application of Reuben Whitcomb for a pension. And the said Simeon Fuller does hereby further certify that the applicant cannot by reason of bodily infirmity attend the courts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of July A. D. 1837
Simeon Fuller (hand drawn symbol/seal)
Associate Judge

State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County SS
I Mordecai Morton being sworn according to law do depose & say that at the request of Reuben Whitcomb I wrote his name to the above declaration and that the said Reuben Whitcomb thereupon made his mark.
Mordecai Morton

Sworn to & subscribed before me this thirty first day of July A. D. 1837 and I do hereby further certify that the following words to wit "the camp" "commanded" & "him" which own the second page in the above declaration and the words "in Worcester Massachusetts" which own on the fifth page, and the word "testify" which own on the sixth page in the above declaration were interlined before signing.
Simeon Fuller (hand drawn symbol/seal)
Associate Judge
Page 81

The State of Ohio,
Cuyahoga County, ss
(seal)
I Aaron Clark Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that Simeon Fuller Esquire before whom the foregoing examinationn was taken, and who has thereunto subscribed his name officially, in his own proper hand writing, was at the date of the said proceedings and now is one of the associate Judges of said Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio duly commissioned and qualified, and to all whose official acts full faith and credit are due and ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony wehreof, I have hereunto subscribed  my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Cleveland, this first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Aa. Clark Dep. Clerk
Page 82

We Wakeman Penfield a Clergyman residing in the township of Willoughby in the County of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio and Nahum White residing in the same place hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Reuben Whitcomb who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him &to be of eighty years of age, and 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.
Wakeman Penfield
Nahum White

Subscribed and sworn to before me Luther P. Bates a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Cuyahoga & State of Ohio, And I do hereby certify that Wakeman Penfield who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the township of Willoughby in the said County of Cuyahoga and that Nahum White who has also signed the same is a resident in said township of Willoughby an is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of July A. D. 1837.
Luther P. Bates
Justice of the Peace
Page 83

The State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County, ss
(seal)

I Aaron Clark Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that Luther P. Bates Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, and who has thereunto subscribed his name officially, in his own proper hand writing, was at the date of the said affidavit and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the township of Willoughby in said county of Cuyahoga, Ohio  duly commissioned and qualified, and to all whose official acts full faith and credit are due and ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Cleveland this first day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Aa. Clark Dep. Clerk
Page 84

Affidavit of Ester Whitcomb
Page 85

State of Ohio
Cuyaahoga County SS

Before me Andrew Cozan, a Justice of the Peace in & for said county personally appeared Ester Whitcomb wife of Reuben Whitcomb who being duly sworn deposes & says that she and said Reuben Whitcomb, the person who is now an applicant for a pension previous to the year 1777. I understood that he soon afterwards went into the service of the United States in the Revolutionary was and also that he was a Captain in Colonel Herricks regiment that he was at the Battle of Bennington and at the taking of Burgoyne and that he was wounded in the battle of Bennington and I know that he still carries the ball in his thigh. I became acquainted with said Whitcomb in the year 1780 and knew at that time he entered into what was called the nine months service and went to West Point, he was gone about eight months and a half, he came home sick & I attended him in his sickness. I afterwards married said Reuben Whitcomb, always heard him called Capt. Whitcomb by the Revolutionary soldiers. The old soldiers often (illegible) him, heard them tell of many things that took place in the army, heard them tell about going through the woods to Quebeck, heard of his being in a great many battles of catching tories. I know that he had discharges from the service for I have seen and read them and heard they were burnt by the burning of the house in which he lived in Clarendon, Rutland County & State of Vermont.
Ester Whitcomb
  X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Andrew Cozan
Justice of the peace
Page 86

The State of Ohio,
Cuyahoga county, ss
I Harvey Rice Clerk of the Court of Com. Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that Andrew Cozad Esqr before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, and who has thereunto subscribed his name officially, in his own proper hand writing, was at the date of the said affidavit and now is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified, and to all whose official acts full faith and credit are due and ought to be given throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Cleveland, this 9th day of Oct. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
H. Rice Clerk
Page 87

Washington City June 15th 1855

Hon. Comr. of Pensions
Sir;
I herewith enclose additional evidence in support of the claim of Esther Whitcomb of Ohio widow of Reuben, made under act of July 4th 1836 but improperly filed under act of July 7th 1838.
This case was first brought to my attention by Benj. Woolsey Esq. of Willoughby Ohio, who assured me of the general opinion entertained in that neighborhood where Reuben Whitcomb had resided of the injustices done him in not awarding a greater allowance of pension.
Said Whitcomb in his first declaration made in 1832 sets up over two years services in different terms. His first service being in the Campaign to Canada under Arnold and of which
Page 88

I believe there are no rolls in the Pension office but a fact then unknown to claimants generally. His next services claimed was for six months service under Col. Herrick in 1777 and the rolls in the Secy of State's office Vermont show 3 months and ten days service.
Thirdly claimed to have in June 1778 or 1779 (mark the date) he volunteered for nine months in continental service and was marched to Springfield Mass &c.
As no record of his services was found in the Dept. his claim was rejected.
But again in 1837 at Willoughby Ohio over fifteen years afterwards & then nearly eighty years of age he makes a second application for pension and sets up the same service as before, except he raised the date in the last term, but is more definite by adding the places of enlistment at "Barnardston" and the fact of being "mustered at Springfield".
Oliver Harmon witness testified to his belief of the service.
Page 89

& Esther Whitcomb his wife, testified to her knowledge of his service in the nine months enlistment. Reference again being had to the records of Vermont & Massachusetts evidence of 3 months & 10 days in 1777 & 3 month & 2 days in 1781 could only be found and a pension of $21.66 granted. 
In 1853 application being again made to the Secty. of State of Mass, the service of said Whitcomb for the nine months in 1778 and eight months in 1780 has found of record and have this claim for increase.
May 20th 1854 (see letter to me) the claim for increase was refused, but followed by a verbal explanation to this affect. "That if on a further investigation it should prove that the Reuben Whitcomb in the case bore the same description as to Stature, color of hair &c. as given in the Certificate of the Sec'y of State of Mass. then to be
Page 90

formally considered.
Whereupon further investigation being had it is found (sec. testimony accompanying this) that said Reuben bore the description then given, also further investigation of the records of the Secy. of Mass being had, it is found that said Reuben Whitcomb was mustered into service at Springfield as set forth in his declaration. (see Certificate attached)
the marriage of aid Reuben & Esther is shown by the affidavit of said Esther made in support of the original claim of Reuben in 1837, in which she states that the "took care of his while sick on his return from the nine month service & afterwards married him"
Also witnesses (Henry, Wm. H. & Elizabeth Warner testify to the general understanding of the performance of the three month term after the marriage, also to the age of Rufus their eldest child & which clearly established the date of the marriage as early as 1780
Page 91

and more than one year prior to the close of the last term of service.
Attention is particularly called to the certificate of the character of the last named witnesses as given by the Judge before whom their testimony was taken.
Respectfully Yours
B. B. Chapman
P. S. Let the certificate which may be issued in the case be addressed to me at Elyria, Lorain Co. Ohio
B.B.C.
Page 92

Washington City D. C.
March 6th 1855


Hon. Secy. of State
Boston, Mass.
Sir,
In (August-crossed out) March 1854 you furnished me with a Certificate of the Rev. services of Reuben Whitcomb by which it appeared that he enlisted into the nine months ^service from Barnardston in 1779l I was present when you made out the certificate and in addition to what you certified said Reuben Whitcomb's name appeared upon an old list of soldiers furnished I think to a Col. Ely of Springfield. My object in writing this is to ask for a certificate of all that may appear concerning said Reuben Whitcomb on said return made to by said Col. Ely. An early reply to this would much oblige.
Very Respectfully Yours
B. B. Chapman

P.S. Mr. W. L. Strong may remember me from the fact that the Secy. furnished me with a set of the Reports of the debates of the Convention called to form a new constitution & my residence was Elyria O.

 (in left margin) P. S. If the list gives the names of any others as furnished from Barnardston please give them.
Page 93

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office Boston
March 8th 1844

(state seal)

I Herby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Reuben Whitcomb is borne on "a return of the 9 mos. me for the County of Hampshire, raised in consequence of a resolve of the General Court of June 9, 1779 made by ne, Noah Goodman, Supert. Age 21 Stature 6 feet, Hair Brown; from Bernardston. Also Springfield Oct 19 1779. I hereby certify that I have received of the Hon. Noah Hampshire the before mentioned men for the 9 os. service agreeable to a resolve of the General Court of the 9th June 1779."
"Attest Justin Ely, Commissioner"
of whom Reuben Whitcomb is one of the men from Bernardston.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Thomas Whipple's Comp. of guards doing duty at Rutland commencing April 20, 1780 for 8 mos. from April 20 1780 to Dec. 20 1780 8 mos 2 day as private.
Page 94

And I further Certify, that, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 95

State of Ohio
Lorain County ss
On this 17th day of February A. D. 1855 in open Court before the Probate Court in and for the County & state aforesaid the same being a Court of Record personally appeared Elizabeth Warner aged forty eight years, Henry Watner aged fifty three & William H. Warner aged twenty nine and all residents of the township of Brownhelm Lorain County & state of Ohio who being first duly sworn according to law doth on their oaths say that they were formerly very intimately acquainted with Reuben Whitcomb who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States who died in Willoughby Lake County & state of Ohio on the ninth day of November A. D. 1843 and at his death left a widow named Esther Whitcomb who continued the widow of said Reuben Whitcomb until her death which took place in East Cleveland Cuyahoga Co., Ohio March 22d 1848. That said Esther Whitcomb left several children of whom now only four now survive viz. Rufus Whitcomb the eldest aged seventy five and resident of Indiana, Elisha Whitcomb of Lucas County Ohio, Arvilla Carpenter of state of New York & Elizabeth Warner of Brownhelm Lorain Co., Ohio.
Deponents have often conversed with said Reuben concerning his revolutionary service and particularly so with Esther his wife and well remember of his claiming to have been in the nine months and three months service and that the three moths service was performed by said Reuben after his marriage to said Estheer, & these facts they well remember. They also well remember that said Rufus her & Reuben's eldest child of seventy five years of age from this fact that said Esther always claimed to have been twenty one years of age when said Rufus was born and she was eighty nine years of age at the time of her death as above stated. The remembrance of these facts are in part owing to the fact that said Esther at the time of her death lived in the same family with these deponents & applied to them after her said husbands death to aid her in obtaining a pension. That these
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deponents well remember that said Reuben Whitcomb was a man six feet in height of blue eyes & in prime had brown hair one of thee deponents Henry says that it is thirty one years since he first became acquainted with said Reuben Whitcomb and the other Elizabeth had known him all her life and she as one of the surviving children of said Reuben & Esther Whitcomb asks that a Certificate of Pension may issue in this case and be made payable to Henry Warner Administrator for the benefit of the surviving children above named.
Elizabeth Warner
Henry Warner
Wm. H. Warner
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court before me the day and year above written. And I further certify that deponents are personally know to me and they are persons whose intelligence, (illegible) circumstances and general Character entitle their testimony to full reliance and the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit were fully discussed and understood by said deponents.
Wm. F. Lockwood
Probate Judge
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State of Ohio
Lorain County ss

I William F. Lockwood Judge and clerk of the Probate Court holden at Elyria in and for said county & state aforesaid do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court by the affidavits of Elizabeth, Hen & Wm. H. Warner who are persons entitled to credit, that Esther Whitcomb who was the widow of Reuben Whitcomb, died in the township of East Cleveland Cuyahoga County & State of Ohio on the twenty second day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and forty eight and was at the time of her death unmarried & the widow of said Reuben Whitcomb, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States and died in the township of Willoughby, Lake County in the state of Ohio on the ninth day of November in the year Eighteen hundred and forty three. That said Reuben and Esther left several children of whom only four  now survive and whose names are Rufus Whitcomb of Indiana aged seventy five years, Elisha Whitcomb of Lucas Co. Ohio, Arvilla Carpenter of the state of New York and Elizabeth Warner of said Lorain County Ohio, and I further certify that Henry Warner of said Lorain County & state of Ohio was on the 17th day of February was legally appointed and qualified as the Administrator of the above named Esther (Reuben-crossed out) Whitcomb deceased and gave bonds in the sum of one thousand dollars. The word "Reuben" erased.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Elyria the 17th day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty five.
Wm. F. Lockwood
Probate Judge