Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16682, for Reuben Post, Vermont
Page 1

SERVICE
Vt

Post, Reuben
Ester

NUMBER
W. 16682
Page 2

[left side of page]

Reported
Paybe to Reuben

Poss,
Haddassch Abbott,
Noah Post,
Elias Post,
& Lucy Smith

Only children surviving
Letter to Honl Preston
King  March 19:1850

[right side of page]
New York 
====
Esther Post, Decd
Widow of Reuben Post.
who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank]
and who died on the in vt August 1815.
of St Lawrence in the State of N  York
who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regs commanded by [blank]
in the Revolution for 2 years
======
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836 to the 15th of Sept. 1839 when she died
======
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of June, 1849, and sent to B. G. Baldwin, Esq
Potsdam, New York
=====
Total amount, [blank]

[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Rh Lumpkin Clerk,
Bood D   Vol. 1    Page 2[8 or 0] 3
Page 3

Dorset Wa March 24 1824
The within affidavits of H. Morse & Abigail Kent were taken and sealed up by me
G B Southworth Justice Pease
Misses Dart & Baldwin
Pottsdam
N.Y.
Page 4

State of Vermont
Bennington County ss Town Clerks office town of Dorset

I Herman Morse do hereby certify that I am town Clerk of the town of Dorset County & State aforesaid & have the custody of the records of said town, that I have made an examination of the records of said town & can find no evidence of marriage of Reuben Post to Esther Haiman.  But I find the following record of the births of the family of Reuben Post & Esther his wife in the words & fires following to wit--
Lydia Post daughter of Reuben Post & Esther his wife
was born on the 21st day of May----1784
Hadassah Post was born on the 13th Feb at Dorset 1786
Elias Post was born on the 26th of Feb -----1788
On the 1st of Feb 1790 two infants born and on the 7th & 8th of Feb. both died
Amanda Post born on the 12th of April ----1792
Noah Post born on the 19th of August ----1794
Lucy Post born on the 1st of October----1796
Herman Morse Town Clerk

Sworn  & subscribed this 12th day of March AD 1845
Before me
G B Southworth Justice Peace

My fee 34¢ H Morse
Page 5

Abigail Kent of Dorset in the County of Bennington State of Vermont of lawful age being duly sworn to deposes testify & say that I was present & witnessed the marriage of Reuben Post to Esther Harmon in the town of Dorset County of Bennington State of Vermont that they were married by John Shumway Esq I believe, but in what year I cannot now recollect- and further the deponent saith not.
Abigail Kent

State of Vermont Bennington County ss
Dorset March 13th 1845  
There Abigail Kent of Dorset in the County aforesaid personally appearing & after being lawfully examined & duly cautioned made solemn oath, the the foregoing deposition by her subscribed, contains the truth, and nothing but the truth, -Before me, G.B. Southworth, Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Bennington County ss
[seal]

I Samuel H. Blackmer Clerk of Bennington County Court do hereby certify that Grudrin B Southworth whose name is prefixed to the above was at the date thereof an acting justice of the peace within & for the County of Bennington & that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said G. B. Southworth & believe his signature to the above to be genuine--In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said County this 15th day of March AD 1845__
Saml H Blackmer Clerk
Page 6

Bill of fees

H Morse for examining records, & copy &c  0.34
Justice fees in attendance & travel to administer oath  0.34
Abigail Kent Deponent  0.34
Justice fees in taking deposition 0.34
Travel to her resident 3 miles   0.18
_____---$1.54
County Clerk Certificate $0.25
The above bill of costs was taxed & allowed 
$1.79
By e G B Southworth Justice Peace
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Declaration

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"

State of New York
S.Laurence County ss

On this sixteenth 16th day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas at a Court held at the Court House in Canton in said County of S. Laurence Rueben Post, a resident of the town of Norfolk in said County, aged 44 years on the 10th day of October last, who appears for himself as such as in behalf of Hadassah  wife of Samuel Abbott, Noah Post & Elias Post all of
Hopkinson in said County, and Lucy wife of Ira Smith of Ohio and the said Reuben Post being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"_
That they, the said Reuben, Hadassah, Noah, Elias, & Lucy are the children & only children now living of Reuben Post, and Esther Post, now both deceased, the said Reuben Post deceased having been a private & sergeant as this declarant believes, in the revolutionary war.  This declarant further states that his said father performed much service in the revolutionary was as he has always understood and believe true that his dad father died when this declarant was young but he remembers hearing him speak of his service in the war and believes he did serve in the Continental army several years.  He cannot tell any particulars about his services neither the names of the officers under whom he served nor the places where he served - and he knows of no documentary evidence of such services except the tow papers [illegible]
Page 8

annexed which have always been preserved in his said father's family every since he can remember one of the papers is a discharge signed by Thomas Lee Capt dated Dec 31st 1779 certifying that the said deceased had served as a faithful soldier in an independent company of Rangers in the continental Service in the years 1777.78.& 79.  The other paper is a Sergeants warrant signed by E. Wolbridge Lieut Col Commander sealed and dated Sept 15. 1781 appointing the said Reuben Post [illegible] second Sergeant in Capt Saxton's Company in his Regiment.
And this declarant further saith that the said Reuben Post deceased died in the month of August 1815 on the 1st or 2nd day he is not certain in the said town of Hopkinton and that he never received any pension for his said revolutionary services as he has always understood and believes__  And he further saith that the said Esther Post his mother, died in said town of Hopkinton on the 15th day of September 1839 that she was entitled to a pension under the act of July 7th 1838 aforesaid as he  believes as the widow of the said Reuben Post deceased but that she died without ever drawing any pension--that she often talked about making an application for a pension under said act but she was old and feeble and before she employed any assistance about it she was taken sick and died.  that the heirs have made frequent inquiries 
about the pension but never until within a few months could learn with any certainty that they were entitled to draw the pension to which their mother was entitled at the time of her death.  This declarant further saith that he has [illegible] considerable  inquiry & examination to be made but has not been able to ascertain the precise time of the marriage of his said father and mother but has always understood
Page 9

and now believes it was as early as the year 1781 or 1782.   that he has caused to be procured the accompanying affidavits of Abigail Kent of Dorset B Vermont, a sister of his said mother showing her marriage by John Thuneway Esq but not the time when and also of Hermon Morse town clerk of said town of Dorset, showing the record of the births of the children of said Reuben & Esther his wife, as far down as to that of Lucy on the 1st of October 1796, and showing the first child Lydia, now deceased, to have been born May 21, 1784. the record as far as it goes correspond with the recollection and beliefs of this declarant as [illegible] from the family.  and he further states that the said Reuben & Esther had two other children afterwards Elias Post born in the month of September 1798 and his Declarant born October 10, 1800.  That he and his said sister Hadassah & Lucy and his said brothers Noah & Elias are the only children of his parent now living and they reside as aforesaid neither the town or County in Ohio in which Lucy resides being known to him.
And the Declarant further states that he has caused to be procured the accompanying affidavit of his Uncle Elias Post of M. Holly Vt in respect to the services of his said father in corroboration  of the documentary evidence hereunto annexed.  And he further states that he has always understood and believes his said father was born in Saybrook, Connecticut in October 1760 and moved to Rutland Vt, and was married to his mother the said Esther in Dorset Vt in 1781 or 1782 and afterward removed to Bristol Vt and lived there until 1804 when he moved to Hopkinton in said County of St. Laurence N. Y. where he & his said wife lived until they died as above stated and that his said mother lived a widow from the time of the death of his said
Page 10

father until shed died never having married again.  And this Declarant saith that the said Esther was married previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four but not prior to the said Reuben Post leaving the service as he supposes although of this he is by no means certain and that she died on the said 15th day of September 1839.  And he further saith that there is no family record kept in the families of any of his brother or sisters as he can [illegible] showing the time of the marriage of his said parents, but he has no doubt they were married as early as [illegible] the years above stated.  And he further saith that the other children residing in the said County of Sr. Laurence concur with him in this application and he 
hereby applies for an allowance to the said five children of [illegible] pension as their said mother was entitled to receive under the said act at the time of the death, believing it to be a [illegible] pension either as private or sergeant from the fourth day of March 1836 to the 15th day of September 1839, the time of the death of their said mother, on account of the revolutionary services of their said  father as aforesaid__
Reuben Post

Subscribed & sworn this 16th day of April 1845 in open court before me
Martin Thatcher Clerk

S. Laurence County ss:  I Martin Thatcher Clerk of said County hereby certify that at a court of Common Pleas held at the Court House in Canton in & for said County on the sixteenth day of April AD 1845 satisfactory evidence was exhibited to said Court [illegible] by the said of Reuben Post the above Declarant.
Page 11

in Open Court & the papers hereunto annexed, that Reuben Post, deceased, named in the above Declaration as the father of the said Declarant served more than two years in the Continental Army and died in August 1815. that Esther Post also named in said Declaration as his wife was lawfully married to him previous to the first of January 1794 and as early as the year 1781 or 1782. that she was entitled to a pension as the widow of the said Reuben Post deceased, under the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, but that she died on the 15th day of September 1839 without drawing the same and that she died as the widow of said Reuben never having been married after his death; and that Hadasseh, wife of Samuel Abbott and Noah Post and Elias Post of Hopkinton and the above declarant Reuben Post of Norfolk in said County and Lucy, wife of Job Smith of some town in Ohio are the children & only children now living of the said Reuben & Esther Post deceased and are all of the full age of twenty one years and are entitled to receive the Pension to which the said Esther Post was entitled at the time of her death as aforesaid - I also certify that Benjamin G. Baldwin before whom the following affidavit of Gilbert H. Covey, purports to be taken was a Justice of the peace of said County at the date thereof and that his Signatures thereto and to the certificate following it are in the proper hand writing of the said Justice with which I am well acquainted. 
[county seal affixed] Given under my hand and the seal of the said County which I have hereunto affixed on this sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty five - 
/s/Martin Thatcher, Clerk.
Page 12

[verso]
11992
In the matter of the Heirs of Esther Post deceased
Application for pension under the Act of 7 July 1838. for widows for services of Reuben Post, dec'd
N.Y.
July 7 1838
Esther Post dec'd
['B. G. Baldwin Potsdam, N.Y. Agent.' crossed out]
Hon. R. H. Gillette
Reg. Treasury 
June 7th '45

[recto]
11992
Esther Post dec'd widow of Reuben ['VT' crossed out] NY
Received June 18, 1845. 
act & July 1838
m. 82 @ 15
claimant died 15 Sept 1839
Page 13

St. Lawrence County ss: Gilbert H. Covey of Potsdam in said County being sworn saith that he is aged 39 years last October that, he has heard the foregoing Declaration of Reuben Post now, and he states that he is son of Lydia, daughter of Reuben & Esther ['Potsdam' crossed out] Post. named in the annexed affidavit of Heman Morse Town Clerk of the town of Dorset, Vt. and David Corey, that his father & mother are both dead.
and he further saith that he can well remember the circumstances of the death of both his grandfather & grandmother Reuben & Esther Post mentioned in said declaration. that he was present at the funeral of both of them and knows that his grandfather died in the month of August 1815 but cannot remember the day, and that his said grandmother died on the 15th day of September 1839. and he further saith that he believes the facts states in the said declaration are all true - and as far as they are within his knowledge he knows they are true. that he recollects seeing the Discharge & Sergeant's Warrant hereunto annexed as long ago as he remembers anything in the possession of his said grandfather and that they have since been preserved in some branch of the family. and he further states that he well remembers of often hearing his said grandfather relates anecdotes & incidents that occurred which he was in the revolutionary war. 
and he further saith that he always understood and believes that his said grandfather and grandmother were lawfully married before the birth of his said mother in 1784 - 
Sworn and subscribed
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before me this 16th day of April A.D. 1845. /s/Benjamin G. Baldwin Justice Peace}
/s/G. H. Covey
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Gilbert H. Covey and believe him to be a person of good character for truth & veracity
Dated April 16. 1845. /s/Benjamin G. Baldwin Just Peace
⇨See the preceding certificate of M. Thatcher Co. Clk. as to the official character of the handwriting of B. G. Baldwin as Justice Peace - 
Brief - 
The Heirs of Reuben Post & Esther Post, being five children, 4 living in St. Lawrence Co. N.Y. & one in Ohio apply for the Pension to which their mother was entitled when she died Sept. 15th 1839 as the widow of their father, under the pension act of 7th July 1838. 
The Declaration of the son, Reuben Post, sets forth the facts. 
The papers annexed are.
1st affidavit of The Town Clerk of Dorset Vt. shewing the records of the birth of all the children but the two last speaking of them as the children of "Reuben Post & Esther his wife." as early as 1784 - 
2nd The affidavit of Abigail Kent that she was present at the marriage, but not recollecting the year - 
3rd. the affidavit of Elias Post, brother of the soldier, shewing some of the services - 
4th The Discharge signed by Capt. Thos. dec. dated Dec. 31, 1779. certifying to 3 years faithful service in 1777, 1778 & 1779 -
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5th A Second Sergeant's Warrant signed by Lieut. Col. Ebenezer Walbridge Dated 15 Sept. 1781.
6th The affidavit of Gilbert A. Covey shewing the death of Reuben Post & Esther Post & otherwise corroborating the facts set forth in the Declaration.
The affidavits are all duly authenticated according to the rules of the Pension Office.
There is no evidence in the papers of service under the Sergeant's warrant but is supposed by the Heirs that their father did continue in the war until its close and served as Sergeant 2 yrs or more. and that the records at the Department of War may shew it, in which case they will be entitled to a pension as sergeant, otherwise as a private.
/s/B. G.  Baldwin Agent for the Heirs.
Page 16

I Elias Post of Mountholly in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont aged 82 years do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Reuben Post in the time of the revolutionary war & that he was my Brother we then resided in Rutland Vt, & that he the said Reuben enlisted in the service of the United States in the year 1777. under Capt. Thomas Lee of Rutland aforesaid & served three years or more & I think he was attached to  Col. Seth Warner Regiment but generally served as a company of Rangers. his Services were some part of the time in Vermont & some part in the State of New York. I recollect My Brother Reuben was called Sergeant for several years but do not recollect ever seeing his warrant but supposes he had one, he was absent from home most of the time until the close of the war after his enlistment and was said to be in the army, came home occasionally on a furlough, &c. I was not in the army with him my service was in the Militia, of short tours generally My Brother My Brother was about 3 years older than my self. and further your deponant saith not
Mt Holly March 12 1845 /s/Elias Post
State of Vt. Rutland County ss} At Mountholly this 12th day of March 1845 personally appeared Elias Post subscriber to the above affidavit and made Oath that the same is agreeable to truth before me
/s/John White justice peace
From personal acquaintance I hereby certify that Elias Post the above named deponent is a man of undoubted truth and veracity & a competent witness. 
/s/John White justice of the peace
STATE OF VERMONT, 
RUTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.}
I, Frederick W. Hopkins, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, do certify that John White Esquire, was, at the date of the Certificate to which this is attached, and qualified and that I verily believe his signature to the same is genuine. 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Court, at Rutland in said County, this thirteenth day of March Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty five. 
/s/F. W. Hopkins
Page 17

I Elias Post of Mountholly in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont aged 82 years do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Reuben Post in the time of the revolutionary war & that he was my Brother we then resided in Rutland Vt, & that he the said Reuben enlisted in the service of the United States in the year 1777. under Capt. Thomas Lee of Rutland aforesaid & served three years or more & I think he was attached to Col. Seth Warner Regiment but generally served as a company of Rangers. his Services were some part of the time in Vermont & some part in the State of New York. I recollect My Brother Reuben was called Sergeant for several years but do not recollect ever seeing his warrant but supposes he had one, he was absent from home most of the time until the close of the war after his enlistment and was said to be in the army, came home occasionally on a furlough, &c. I was not in the army with him my service was in the Militia, of short tours generally My Brother My Brother was about 3 years older than my self. and further your deponant saith not
Mt Holly March 12 1845 /s/Elias Post
State of Vt. Rutland County ss} At Mountholly this 12th day of March 1845 personally appeared Elias Post subscriber to the above affidavit and made Oath that the same is agreeable to truth before me
/s/John White justice peace
From personal acquaintance I hereby certify that Elias Post the above named deponent is a man of undoubted truth and veracity & a competent witness.
/s/John White justice of the peace
...believe his signature to the same is genuine.
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Court, at Rutland in said County, this thirteenth day of March Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
/s/F. W. Hopkins
Page 18

3-525
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C., [blank], 19[blank]
W.F. 16,682
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Reuben Post. a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in ['his' crossed out] (['or' crossed out] his ['widow's' crossed out] son's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|]
Dec. 18, 1776|Dec. 31, 1779|Pvt.|(Thomas Lee|Seth Warner.)|Vt.|
Sept. 1 to|Nov. 20, 1781|2d Sgt.|(George Saxton|Ebenezer Walbridge)| " |
[end of columns}
Battles engaged in, ✓ 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓ 
Date of application for pension by son Reuben, Apr. 16, 1845 The cl. was al
Residence of son Reuben at date of application, Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co. N.Y.
Age at date of  application, [blank]
Remarks: Soldier was b. at Saybrook Conn. Oct. 1760 and mar. at Dorset Vt. in 1781 or 1782. Esther Harmon and died at Hopkinton N.Y. Aug. 1 or 2, 1815. She died at Hopkinton Sept. 15, 1839. 
Children: Lydia b. May 21, 1784 mar: David Covey Hadasseh b. Feby 13, 1786 mr. Samuel Abbott. Elias b. Feby 26, 1788. Amanda b. Apr. 12, 1792. Noah b. Aug. 19, 1794. Lucy b. Oct. 1 1796 mar. Ira Smith. Elias b. Sept. 1798. Reuben b. Oct. 10, 1800. Grand-son Gilbert H. Covey
Respectfully, 
[blank] Commissioner. 
6-2856
Page 19

V 11992
Esther Post. dec'd 
New York
Let to Simeon Smith August 18 '46
Let to Benj, G. Baldwin Oct 12th '48
to same Dec'r 9. '48
Act 7th July 1838
Page 20

Shullsberg Wisc.
May 10, 1914

Will you please send me a copy of the pension application of the following Revolutionary Soldiers
Thomas McClung: The Champaigne CoO  History says he was a Rev Soldier but does not say where he lived while a pensioner: L Sercrel from Pa. probably Lancaster Co.  He was my ancestor and I wish to find though his pension papers.  The names of wife and children and where he died.
Page 21

[handwritten letter]
Also that of Reuben Post who served from Vermont, and whose service was partly recorded in N.Y. 
Cornelius Tyson of South Carolina, my g-g-grand father.
William Hobson of Va. later of N.C. my g-grandfather He was a resident of Cumberland Co. and served in The Revolution according to McAllister's Va. Militia in the Rev. 
I wish these records, so as to learn the names of the wives and children of these men
/s/(Mrs) Josephine Law
Page 22

M1

[round stamp]
PENSION 
D
MAY
U.  14  S.
1914
OFFICE
Page 23

[left side of page]
1914  16 Hist to Mrs. Josephine Law. V. L. M. 
1934 - Jan 16 - Berth P. (Mrs. Robt W.) Cutler adv. name of a son Abraham or [illegible] a daughter in law Jessica not shown  See corres. in David Post . # 18551 [illegible]

[right side of page]

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No.  16682
Esther Port
Widow of 
Reuben Post
Pri Rev War

Act: July 7th 1838
Index:- Vol M  Page 13 [4 or 7]

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

These may Certify to all whoom [sic] it may concern that Reuben Post hath served as a faithful Soldier in an Independent Company of Rangers  In the Contintal [sic] Service in the years of one thousand seven hundread [sic] & seventy seven seventy Eight & seventy nine the company commanded by me____

The Above [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] having faithful served the term he engaged for & the subscriber Do present him these Lines as a Proper Discharge from the Service
This 31st Day of December 1779

Thomas Lee Capt
Page 25

Reuben Post
W. F. 16682
Rev War
Vt.
Page 26

Augt 26/68

Amer

[illegible] of Reuben Post Potsdam
N. Y.
Benj G Baldwin
Potsdam 
N. York
Page 27

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Burlington

I, Elliot E. Kellogg, Deputy Secretary of State for the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that there is on file in said office a paper purporting to be "A pay roll of Capt Samuel Allen's company of
"Volunteers, raised by order of Brig. Genl Allen, commencing the 13th Oct. 1780, and ending the 4th day of Nov. 1780, inclusive, the money being due from the State of Vermont" and that the name of "Reuben Post" appears thereon with an allowance for twenty three days service as "Corporal" from Oct 13, 1780, to Nov 4 1780:  That there is also on file in said office "A payroll of Capt George Sexton's Company of volunteers, belonging to Col Eben Walbridge's regiment, regiment, raised for the defense of the Frontiers the State of Vermont Manchester Dec 20.1781,"  and that Reuben Post is allowed thereon, as Qr.M. [faintly added 81 days sergt] Sergeant, from Sept. 1. to Nov. 20, eighty one days at 1s7d per day:-  That there is also on file in this office a paper
Page 28

of Capt Thomas Lee's Independent Company of Rangers in the service of the United States of America annexed to Col.  Warner's regiment" in which the name of "Reuben Post, private" of Rutland is entered as having enlisted 'Dec. 18, 1776" for the term of 3 years:" - That there is also on file in this office orders and receipts of the following tour.
"Pay Table office Aug 16th 1781.} The Treasurer is directed to apy to Reuben Post, or bearer, six pounds lawful money, it being, in part of depreciation money for service done in Capt Thos. Lee's company, Continental Army. £6. - 
John Fasset 
Tim'o Brownson} Com'rs
Date above. Rec'd of the Treasurer the contents of the above order, in behalf of Reuben Post.
Roswell Post."
"Sir, Please to send by the bearer, the note, or notes, that is due to me from this State of Vermont for service done in Capt. ['Thomas' crossed out] Lee's Company, as you will save me the trouble of making a journey after the same; In doing which, you will oblige To the Treas? 
Rutland June 1, 1783. Yours to serve Reuben Post. 
Treasurer's office, Sunderland, July 4, 1783. Rec'd of Ira Allen, Esq. Treasurer thirty four pounds seven shillings and one penny, lawful money,  on the within order in full for the depreciation, and interest, due to Reuben Post, for service done in Capt. Thos. Lee's Company. 
Samuel Beach."
Page 29

The words "of Rutland" on the opposite page was inserted before the signing & sealing of this certificate.
[seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of this office, at said Burlington, on this 14th day of July A.D. 1848
/s/Elliot E. Kellogg, Dep Secy. of State of Vt.
Page 30

Sept 15 '45
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C. 
ans? Oct. 25, '45
Reuben Post dec'd NY
sent 24 apl to R H Gillet
Hon R. H. Gillet 16 Nov
cl. Est Post dec'd
Page 31

[handwritten letter]
Potsdam N.Y. Sept. 10/45

Dr. Sir.
On the 24th day of last April I sent to Hon. R. H. Gillet, Register of the Treasury to hand over to the Pension Department some papers containing an application for a widow's pension for Eunice Willis, also an application for pension for the heirs of Reuben Post dec'd
The first application was favorably answered some months ago, and the promise rec'd that the 2nd would be attended to shortly. 
since then nothing has been heard of the application for the Post heirs. They desire you to call the attention of the Department to that application and to solicit as early an answer as consistent with the public interest - 
Very Respy Yr Obd't Svt
/s/B. G. Baldwin
Page 32

Washington Aug 15. 1846
Registers Office

Sir.
Will you do me the favor to send me an answer in writing in the case of Esther Post giving the decision if made & if not the reasons for the delay that I may answer, Mr. Baldwins letter __
Much Oblige
Yours Respectfully
Simeon Smith

Geo. W. Crump Esq
Pen Office
Page 33

No 11992
Esther Post dcd
widow of Reuben
NY
Act 7 July 1838

admd 2 years [illegible]
$80.00 pran
from 4 March 1836 to 15 Septm 1839 the day of her death.  Payable to Reuben Post, Haddassah Abbott, Noah Post, Elias Post, and Lucy Smith only surviving children of Esther Post dcd

B. G. Baldwin
Potsdam
NY
Page 34

[handwritten letter]
Ho. of Reps
Jan'y 21. 1850

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Sir
I enclose you a letter from B. G. Baldwin Esq desiring me to obtain the information enquired after from you - I have written to the P.M. Gen'l enquiring as to Dead letter & will communicate his answer to you when rec'd - And will be obliged to you for the information desired by Mr. Baldwin one of my constituents - 
Respectfully Your Obt. Serv't
/s/Preston King
Page 35

[addressed envelope]
[postmark: POTSDAM N. Y. MAR 27] PAID
Hon. Ransom H. Gillet.
Register of the Treasury
Washington D.C.
Page 36

[handwritten letter]
Potsdam N.Y. Mch. 26/46.

Hon. R. H. Gillet.
Dr. Sir. On the 24th April 1845 I took the liberty to send to you some papers upon application for pensions for Mr. Willes of this place and for the heirs of Mr. & Mrs. Post deceased of Hopkinton. Mr. Covey, one of our tavern keepers being a grandson. The pension was granted to Mrs. Willes, but the other application was suspended for further proof. I dislike to trouble you again with the Post case, but your general acquaintance with pension business and the aid which I have rec'd from you in the many pension cases in which I have solicited your aid induces me to trouble you again. If you can spare time from your other arduous duties to present the enclosed papers to the Commissioner of Pensions & have in consultation with him in this case, you will much oblige the heirs of Mrs. Post. 
It will be seen, on reference to those papers on file, that the original discharge of Mr. Post shews that he performed faithful service in the revolutionary war in the years 1777, 8 & 79: and that his widow, whose heirs make this application, was married to him before Jany. 1, 1794, and that the heirs are therefore entitled to a pension. but it seemed to be desired by the Department
Page 37

[handwritten letter]
that more proof should be furnished of the length of time which Mr. Post served. the enclosed affidavits only shew the general reputation of that service for at least three years. only two years service would be necessary to gain the full pension of a private, and it does seem to me that the plain [illegible] from the discharge is that he performed one continuous service in those three years of course he must have served one full year and at best parts of the two others. and I certainly think especially with the additional evidence of reputation of 3 years service. that at least two years service must be satisfactorily proved. 
I hope you will have the goodness to give a little early attention to this matter, and if a pension cannot be granted for full two years service, have one granted for as much as consistent according to the proof. The father & mother both being dead. it is impossible to obtain any further proof - 
Very Respectfully Yr. Obdt. Serv't.
/s/B. G. Baldwin
Page 38

[addressed envelope]
[margin notes: April 20/49 Add'l cl. Esther Post Ans'd 10,656,38 N.Y.]
[postmark: POTSDAM N.Y. Apl 9]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D.C. 
For J. G. Bisset Esq.
Page 39

[handwritten letter]
Potsdam N.Y. 
April 11, 1849. 

J. G. Bisset Esq
Dr Sir In your letter of Dec'r 9th 1848. in the case of Esther Post, dec'd widow of Reuben Post, a revolutionary Soldier, you say sufficient proof is furnished to establish her death, and proof of the marriage & services of Mr. Post had been before furnished, but evidence was then required of the names & places of residence of all the heirs. This evidence was furnished as required and sent to the Department that same month but no return has yet been received.
This case has been before the Department a long time, and this same evidence last required was at first prescribed with the original papers. The heirs are getting very impatient at this long delay, and at their great importunity I write this to ask you if at all practicable, to examine the evidence furnished last Dec'r or first of January, and send a certificate which I trust will now be found proper - 
Very Respy Yr Obt Serv't 
/s/B. G. Baldwin
Page 40

[handwritten letter]
Potsdam N.Y. Oct 26/48.

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions. 
Dr Sir. I sent new affd'ts in case of application of heirs of Esther Post, widow of Reuben Post for pension. 
I believe they must supply all the deficiencies mentioned in your letter to me of the 12th inst. and I hope the certificate may be sent to me as soon as practicable - 
Yours Respy
/s/B. G. Baldwin
Page 41

St. Lawrence County ss: 
Elias Post of Hopkinton in said County being sworn saith that he is son of Reuben Post deceased, who died August 1815 & Esther Post who died September 1839. That his brother Reuben Post who made an application at the last April Term of the Court of Common Pleas of said County for a pension for the heirs of the said Esther as widow of the said Reuben Post deceased, under the act of July 7th 1838. has since that tie removed from said County of St. Lawrence to the West and now resides he believes at Maysville, Chatauqua County, New York. 
And this deponent further saith that he does not know how as when any other evidence can be obtained of the services of said Reuben Post deceased in the Revolutionary War than such as was exhibited by his said brother in his said application, except general reputation of such services. and he furnishes the following affidavit of such reputation. He further saith that he always understood and verily believes that his said father served the full period of those years in the Revolutionary War and that his discharge which he understands was forwarded to the ['War' crossed out] Pension Office with the application for a Pension,
Page 42

shews that he served in the years 1777, 1778 & 1779, and through the period for which he engaged. this deponent saith that he believes the fair construction of said Discharge embraces the full three years above mentioned but if any records or other evidence at the Pension Office or War Department shews that the service did not extend through the three years and for a less period than two years this deponent would signed for the heirs that a pension would be granted for the length of services which these officers to have been performed, as he believes no other evidence can be furnished than such as has heretofore & herewith been furnished - 
/s/Elias Post
Sworn this 6 day of ['February' crossed out] March A.D. 1846 before me
/s/C. S. Chittenden Just Peace
Page 43

St. Lawrence County ss: Artemas Kent of Hopkinton in said County being sworn saith that that he is aged 57 years, that he resides for the early part of his life and until he was about 21 years old in the town of Dorset, Vermont - that he removed into said town of Hopkinton about 36 years ago and has resided there ever since - that while he lived in said town of Dorset he was well acquainted with Reuben Post & Esther his wife then living there and who afterwards moved to, and died in, said town of Hopkinton, that he was also well acquainted with them in Hopkinton, and he further saith that it was generally reputed and believed among the neighbors of said Reuben in Dorset as well as in Hopkinton that he has performed considerable service as a soldier in the revolutionary war. this deponent understood such to be his reputation as long ago as he can remember and this deponent always fully believed that such reputation was correct and that said Reuben did actually perform several years service as a soldier in the revolution, he always understood and believed that he was in the army as many as three years or more - 
/s/Artemas Kent
Sworn & Subscribed Before me 19 March 1846
/s/C. S. Chittenden Justice Peace
Artemas Kent's reputation for truth & veracity I have always considered above reproach 
/s/R. H. Gillet
Page 44

State of New York
St. Lawrence County}ss. 
I Martin Thatcher Clerk of said County hereby certify that Clark S. Chittenden before whom the foregoing affidavits of Elias Post & Artemas Kent purport to have been taken was a Justice of the Peace in & for said County at the dates of said affidavits and that his signature to each of the Jurats of said affidavits is genuine. that I am acquainted with his handwriting - 
[county seal: SEAL OF THE COUNTY, ST. LAWRENCE affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 21st day of March 1846 - 
/s/Martin Thatcher Clerk
Page 45

[verso]
In the matter of the heirs of Esther Post, dec'd
supplemental affd't for Pension. 

[recto]
['No 63562' crossed out]
Jan. 1, 1848. 
Reuben Post, dec'd
Land
Care of B. G. Baldwin
Potsdam, N.Y.
Page 46

State of New York
St. Lawrence County}ss: I Martin Thatcher, Clerk of said County and of the Superior and Circuit Court held therein, hereby certify that at a Circuit Court (being a Court of Record) held at the Court House in the town of Canton in said County, on the Nineteenth day of December A.D. 1848. it was satisfactorily proved to said Court, by competent testimony, that the following are the children, and all the children now living. with their places of residence of Reuben Post and Esther Post his wife formerly of Hopkinton in said County now deceased, to wit:
Reuben Post, formerly of Norfolk in s'd County, now of Maysville Chautauqua Co. N.Y. ] 
Hadasseh, wife of Samuel Abbott, of Hopkinton aforesaid.
Noah Post & Elias Post of said town of Hopkinton, N.Y. 
& Lucy, wife of Ira Smith of Marengo ['St. Lawrence' crossed out] McHenry County Illinois.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Canton in s'd County this Nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred & forty eight. "Marengo" interlined & "McHenry." erased before signing.
/s/Martin Thatcher Clerk
Page 47

State of New York
St. Lawrence County} ss
W. S. Phelps of the Town of Hopkinton in said County being Sworn Saith that he is a Sexton of the Town of Hopkinton that he was acquainted in his Left Time with Esther Post Deseased widow of Reuben Post also deceased and he was Sexton i the said Town of Hopkinton at the time of said Esther Post was Buried and that she ['did' crossed out] died on the 14 Sept 1839 and was buried the 15 day of Sept 1839 is in the burying ground in the said Town and that he was acquainted with the same Esther and her family she was an aged Person and Lived about one a half miles distant from Deponent. Resolve the statement is made from Records Kept by me and also From Recollection of the Facts
/s/Wm. S. Phelps
Before me 23 day of Oct 1848
/s/C. S. Chittenden J.P. 
St. Lawrence County ss: Gilbert H. Covey of Potsdam in said County being sworn saith that he formerly lived in the town of Hopkinton in said County and is grandson of Esther Post deceased mentioned in the foregoing affidavit of Wm. S. Phelps and he went out to Hopkinton and attended the funeral of said Esther Post who died on the 15 day of September 1839. that he saw the corpse of said Esther and saw her buried. and he further saith that one Rev. Mr. Williams preached her funeral sermon, one Doct. [illegible] was her physician in her last sickness
Page 48

and one Mr. Eli Roberts made her coffin and all them, said minister, Physician & coffin-maker are now absent from the said County and deponent believes from the State - 
/s/G. H. Covey
Sworn this 24th day of October A.D. 1848 before me}
/s/Benjamin G. Baldwin Justice Peace
State of New York
St. Lawrence County} ss I Martin Thatcher Clerk of the County of St. Lawrence and also Clerk of the Courts of record directed by Law to be held in said County do hereby certify that Clark S. Chittenden before whom the foregoing affidavit of Wm. S. Phelps purports to have been made was at the time of taking such affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of St. Lawrence duly elected and sworn and authorized to take the same and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and verily believe the signature to the Jurat of his affidavit to be genuine. And I further certify that Benjamin G. Baldwin ['whose' crossed out] before whom the affidavit of G. H. Covey purports to have been made was at the time of taking of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County elected & qualified & duly authorized to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of Such Justice and verily believe the signature to the Jurat of the Affidavit is genuine 
[county seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 25th day of October 1848
/s/Martin Thatcher County Clerk
Page 49

[left margin: State of Vermont]
Ebenezer Walbridge Esquire Lt Colonel 
To Reuben Post Greeting
Reposing Special trust and Confidence in your Patriotism good conduct and Ability I Do Hereby Constitute and Appoint you to be Second Sergant in Capt Saxton Company in my Regiment you are therefore Faithfully and Diligantly to Discharge the Duty of Second Sergant By Doing and Performing all manner of things thereunto Belonging and I Do hereby Charge and Require all NonCommissioned officers and soldiers under the Command to Be obedient to your orders as Serg't and you are to observe and follow Such orders and Directions as from time to time you Shall Receive from me or Either of your Superior officers According to the Rules and Discipline of War in Pursuance of the trust Reposed in you this Shall Be your Sufficiant Warrant Given under my Hand and Seal this 15th Day of September one thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty one
/s/E. Walbridge Lieu't Col'o Command't