Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16086, Gideon Cortwright, Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn.
Cortwright, Gideon
NUMBER
S. 16086
carded.

CONTENTS
Page 2

[2 columns, with mutilated page edges, indicated by ...]
[first column]
[crossed out: Gideon Cortwright ([illegible]) July 26, 1838.]

...in Agent at Albany
... same day to suspend,
...ment of Gideon Cartwright's
...ion.  

[several lines crossed out:] do to C. Dana Oct [illegible] 18[illegible number]8. Copy of first letter furnished Thom S. B. Leonard. April 15, 1840
... S. Joy Novr. 1st, 1843
to A. J Sham 6th 1843
to J. M. Thayer
...Sept 8 1846 [end of crossed out lines]

V. Ellis May 28/51
[illegible] Intr [illegible]
Jany 3.1851
[crossed out:] Let V. Ellis May 4/52.

[illegible] by V. Ellis [illegible]
1850 Returned

[second column]
2474 New York
Gideon Cortwright
Tioga Co in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain [blank space] of the Regt comm...
by Col Stroud in the Pennsylvania
line for 23 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 76 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Feb.
1834 and sent Hon Mr.
...sey Ho Repr.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $191.65
semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 38.33
$229.98
[equation $191.65 + 38.33 = $229.98]

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

Recorded by Jno. Cromwell Clerk.
... E Vol. 4  Page 130
Page 3

State of New York}
Tioga County ss} On this 18th day of June 1833
personally appeared before Elijah Shoemaker one 
of the Judges of the Courts of Tioga County
Gideon Cortwright a resident of the Town of
Tioga in said County, State of New York aged
Seventy two years, who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on his oath, make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit 
of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States
in March A.D. 1779 in the then Township of
Upper Smithfield, Northampton County, now
Delaware Township, Pike County Pennsylvania
that he was drafted into the service in a company 
commanded by Capt John Vannetten of which
David Vanauker was Lieutenant, Cornelius Decker
Ensign, the Battalion commanded by Col. Jacob
Stroud, that he was employed as a ranger or
indian spy - on the Delaware frontier during the
season of that year that he continued in the
Service at the special request of the Captain
till the first of December of that year as ^a private
That in the month ^of April 1780 at the same
place as above he again entered the service 
at the request of Capt. Vanetten that he was
employed in guarding the country from the
depredations of the Indians. The Garrison
or place when he was stationed was in what
was called Vangorder's Fort at Deckertown
that he was in the service the whole
of the time during the season till in December
and was unable to attend to any other business
throughout that period, that he again entered
the Service in March 1781 in Captain John
Vanetten's Company and went to a place called
Dingman's Ferry, that he was stationed there
and employed till in September of that year
in guarding the frontier up & down the river and
Page 4

That in May 1782 he was drafted into the service in a company commanded by Capt John Vanetten David Vanauker being yet Lieutenant & Cornelius Decker the ensign.  That the service performed was in guarding the inhabitants along the frontier from the ravages of the indians that in August of that year he was discharged and went home having served 
in the year 1779 8 months
In the year 1780 7 Do.
in the year 1781 5 Do.
and in the year 1782 3 Do.

Making altogether one year & eleven months which he served during the revolutionary war as a ranger or Indian spy - In answer to the interrogatories proposed by the War department, He says he was born in Walpack Sussex County New Jersey in the month
of January A.D. 1761 that he has no record of his age that he lived in ^now Delaware Township Pike County formerly Upper Smithfield, Northampton Co., Pa. when called into service, where he remained seventeen years, since which period he has lived in Tioga,Tioga County New York.  That he was sometimes drafted and at others voluntarily entered the service that his Colonel was Jacob Stroud & the company officers were John Vanetten, Capt David Vanauker Lieutenant & Cornelius Decker Ensign.  Owing to the exposed situation of the frontier inhabitants, Col. Stroud ordered Capt. Vanetten to keep a part or all of his
company in the service to guard the lives & property of the Citizens, as might be necessary and proper and that there were no regular or Continental Troops in that part of the Country, that he never received a written discharge from the service, that he has no documentary evidence of his service but refers to John Swartwood Daniel Swartwood [words crossed out] & Jane Decker who have a knowledge of his services and can testify to the same and to Horace Agard - and George C Horton to testify as to his character for truth & veracity He hereby relinquishes
Page 5

every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declared his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Gideon Cartwright   his mark
Sworn & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid before
Elijah Shoemaker Judge
We, Horce Agard a Clergyman residing in Nichols & George C. Morton of Tioga Town & County, New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gideon Cartwright who
has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed & believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Horace Agard
George C Sloffen
Sworn & subscribed the day & year
aforesaid before, 
E. Shoemaker Judge 
Tioga County 
We John Swartwood Sam Decker
of Cayuta & Daniel Swartwood of Evin all
of Tioga County, New York, do hereby certify & declare after being duly sworn, that we are well acquainted with Gideon Cartwright who has subscribed the above declaration who resided in the same neighborhood with us
before & during the revolutionary war, that we have a perfect recollection of his being called into service in the year 1779, 1780, 1781 & 1782 in Capt John Hametter's Company which was employed in those years in guarding that frontier settlement & Country from the depredations of the indians, then and about that part of the Country and verily believe
he served as stated in his declaration above
private soldier, the time therein mentioned
to the Township of Delaware Pike County, Pennsylvania
John Swartwood
Jane Decker
Daniel Swartwood    kis mark
Sworn & subscribed this
18th day of June 1833,
before me

Elijah Shoemaker
Judge Tioga Co
Page 6

I Elijah Shoemaker one of the Judges of Tioga County
do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of
the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by
the War department, that the within named applicant
was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and
I certify that Horace Agard is a Clergyman residing
in Nichols and that George Horton is a resident of
Tioga & is a credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit.  And that the statement, affidavit
&c of John Swartwood, Jane Decker & Daniel Swartwood
is entitled to credit and belief, they being persons
of respectability. And that Gideon Cortwright the 
applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend
Court, he being very infirm
Elijah Shoemaker

State of New York}
Tioga County ss.}  Green M Tuthill Clerk of said County
do hereby certify that Elijah Shoemaker
Esquire whose name is subscribed to the
preceding declaration & affidavit, &c.
was on the day the same purports to have
been taken a Judge of the Courts of said
County, that I am acquainted with his
hand writing and believe his signature
subscribed thereto to be his hand writing.  Witness
my hand and seal of Office at Owego this 22nd
day of June 1833.
Green M Tuthill Clk

[written sideways, across the bottom of the page]
A
Gideon Cortwright
of Tioga
Tioga County

Admd
23 mo pri
$76.66

E. Shoemaker
Agent
Nichols
Tioga Co. 
N.Y.
Page 7

[written sideways, on the left side of the page.  Line on far left of page only partially legible]

[illegible] Green [illegible] said County
do hereby certify that Elijah Shoemaker
Esquire whose name is subscribed to the
preceding declaration & affidavit, &c.
was on the day the same purports to have
been taken a Judge of the Courts of said
County, that I am acquainted with his
hand writing and believe his signature
subscribed thereto to be his hand writing. Witness
my hand and seal of Office at Owego this 22nd
day of June 1833.
Green M Tuthill Clk

[right side of page]
A
Gideon Cortwright
of Tioga
Tioga County

Admd
23 mo pri
$76.66

E. Shoemaker
Agent
Nichols
Tioga Co.
N.Y.
Page 8

Moses Cortwright
NY 32 ad

A. H. Markland
Present
Mr Anderson
Page 9

State of New York ]
County of Tioga ] On this 3rd day of Februy
1857 Personally appeared before the Subscriber, 
a Justice of the Peace in and for Said
County Hester Cortright aged Sixty two
year old who on being duly sworn doth
depose and saith that Moses Cortright was a
Revolutionry Pensioner of the United State
previous to his death that the said Cortright
died on the 18th day of August 1846 that he
left a widow him [illegible] named Rachel
Cortright who died on the 4th of May 1850
that they left two children them [illegible]
and only two namely Moses Cortright of
Tioga Co and Hannah Cortright who
Married George Horton and that they
are both of the age of Twenty one year
and upward
Hester Cortwright her mark [X]

Sworn to and subscribed
upon the the day and year
last above mentioned before me
Jared Huntington Justice of the Peace
Page 10

January 3, 1934.
BA-J/ILL [illegible]
Gideon Cortwright
S. 16086

Mr. Charles Cafferty
Apalachin, New York.
Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Gideon Cortright, a pensioner of Tioga
County, New York.

The record of this pensioner is furnished herein as shown
in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16086, based upon his
service in that war. His name was borne Gideon Cortwright on the
pension rolls.

Gideon Cortwright was born in January, 1761, in Wallpack,
Sussex County, New Jersey; the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Upper Smithfield Township, Northampton
County (later Delaware Township, Pike County) Pennsylvania, he enlisted
and served as private in Captains John Van Etten's and David
Vanaken's companies, Colonel Jacob Stroud's Pennsylvania regiment
as follow: in 1779, eight months; in 1780, seven months; in 1781,
five months; and in 1782, three months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed June 18,
1833, at which time he resided in Tioga, Tioga County, New York; he
had moved from Pennsylvania to the state of New York.

The soldier died August 18, 1846. He was survived by his
widow, Rachel, who died May 4, 1830; the date and place of their
marriage, the date of her birth and names of her parents are not
shown.
In 1851, Moses Cortwright and Hannah Cortwright Horton, wife
Page 11

George Horton, were the only surviving children of Gideon Cortwright
and Rachel, his wife; they resided in Tioga County, New York.

In 1850, one Dorcas H. Cortright, as she signed her name,
witnessed the signature of the soldier's son, Moses, and in 1851, one
Hester Cortwright, aged sixty-two years, was in Tioga County, New York.
No relationship of either Dorcas or Hester to the soldier's family
was stated.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.

all read by Mrs. Finch-
Page 12

Revo.
Act 7, June 1832
Suspended
[illegible]
Gideon Cartwright

Sec letter to
E. Shoemaker
Nichols
N. Y.
Oct. 29, 1833

[written in the right margin]
Other [illegible]
Request for
return of
original 
documents
Page 13

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Pension Office, Official Business,
J. Minot
Commissioner.

A. H. Markland, Esq.
Present,
Page 14

Apalachin, Tioga Co, N.Y.
Dec. 8, 1933.

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen;
Would you kindly give me copy of pension application
of Revolutionary soldier
Gideon Cortright [checkmark] OK

Born about 1759
Died Aug. 17 1846 according to his head stone at
Tioga, Tioga Co., N.Y.
Wife Rachel --
Private Penn. Militia
Pensioned Feb. 20, 1834

Yours Respectfully
Charles Cafferty
Tioga County Historian.
Page 15

Correspondence
in the case
of
Gideon Cortwright

[read sideways, on the left, an oval image, with a closed royal crown in the center] THE PATENT ADHESIVE PAPER BAND
Page 16

[Letterhead including logo of an anchor superimposed over a medical caduceus]
United States Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service,
OFFICE OF MEDICAL OFFICER IN COMMAND

Portland, Maine
Sept 22. 1911
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
I request information from
the records of services of the soldiers
named below who served in the
Revolutionary war, viz:-

Gideon Cartwright (Cortwright), (8.16086) living Tioga
County, New York in 1834.

Shubael Claghorn, private and corporal
Col. Blounts, No. Carolina
Reg. 1777-8.  Prob. resided
in Halifax or Edenton
No Carolina.  Perhaps had
son of same name in war.
If so would like pension
record.
Page 17

Yours respectfully
Charles E. Banks M.D.
to US Marine Hospital
Portland, Maine.
Page 18

[left side of page}
16.086
INVALID.

File No. 16.086
Gideon Cortwright
Pri Rev. War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 439

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page]
1911 Sept. 28. Hist. to 
Charles E. Banks M.D. &
from card catalogue

1934 Jan. 4 - Hist. to Charles
Cafferty - I.L.L.
Page 19

Pension Office,
August 29. 1855.

Sir,
I have received your letter of the 24th August
instant, and other papers in the case of Gideon Cortwright,
who was stricken from the rolls as a pensioner.

You are mistake in supposing that this pension was
suspended solely upon the ground that no such service could
have been performed consistently with the laws regulating the
militia of Pennsylvania during the revolutionary war, although
doubt certainly existed as to that fact.

Upon an appeal from the decision of this office in 1851
refusing to restore this pensioner to the rolls the grounds assumed were:
That upon a re-examination made in the case in 1830, it was
found to be [underlined] totally unsustained by evidence. [end underlining] He was informed
of this fact, and the proper course was pointed out.  No additional
evidence, however, was introduced; and the present application
the parties expect, it would seem, to sustain upon the precedent
made in the case of Curtis Bill.  But in that case there was [underlined] evidence
furnished by those who served with him, [end underlining] which in the
present case [underlined] is totally wanting [end underlining].

The decision of the office [underlined] upon this ground [end underlining] was fully
sustained by the then Secretary of the Interior, and cannot now
be disturbed by the production of historical evidence that militia
service in particular localities in Pennsylvania in some
instances and for a length of time was continuous -- In order
to bring this case within the rule which would allow a re- [from next page: examination]
Page 20

[from previous page: re- ] examination upon its merits, evidence not only showing that the service claimed was possible, but that the
claimants father actually performed it, is requisite.
I am, respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. Minot
Commissioner.

A. H. Markland, Esq.
Present.
Page 21

Asks
re-examination
Case Gideon Cortwright
No 1832 admitted
No 24. 741

A. H. Markland
Page 22

Washington Aug 30th 1853
Hon J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions

In reply to your letter of the 29th Inst, respecting
the case of Gidion Cartwright NY 32 ad, I would state
that by reference to Pennsylvania Archives 1779-1781 page
176, you will find the name of Mr Cartwright  mentioned
in the letter of President Reed to Col Jacob Stroud the
officer under whom he served, the name is spelled in
the German way Kortright, but undoubtly meaning
the same man.  On page 202 same volume you will
find an account of the service of the company in which
it is alleged he served, you will also see that his Captain
lived in the same township with him, you will find in
reading the history of that part of Pennsylvania that the
Militia was almost in constant service, if Mr
Cartwright was not in the Service how could he have
Known so much of the service performed, again it has
been entirely overlooked heretofore that he produced the
affidavit of three respectable witnesses who were in a
position to know of his service & who do testify such 
clearly and unequivicley to his service, those witnesses
were never stricken from the pension roll, but upon the
Page 23

the contrary the widow of one of them was pensioned
for his service eleven years after Cartwright was
suspended. I have every confidence that upon a
reexamination of this case you will have no hesitation 
in allowing it or in restoring Mr Cartwright's name 
on the roll.  I refer you specialy to the Pennsylvania
Archives published in 1853 which fully confirm his
statements as to duration of service &c and to the
testimony of Lieutenant John Swartwood, and
Daniel Swartwood who also proves his service &
identity.

I am Sir Very Respectfully
Your Obt Svt
A. H. Markland
Page 24

Penna. Adm 2

Pension Office,
August 29, 1855.

Sir,
I have received your letter of the 24th
August, instant, and other papers in
the case of Gideon Cortwight, who was
stricken from the rolls as a pensioner.

You are mistaken in supposing
that this [crossed out: claim] pension was suspended solely upon
the ground that no such service could have
been performed consistently with the laws
regulating the militia of Pennsylvania during 
the revolutionary war, although doubt certainly
existed as to that fact.

[crossed out: Upon an application of the present claimants
for the restoration}

Upon an appeal from the decision of the ^office
in 1851 refusing to restore his pensioner to
the rolls, the grounds assumed were:
"That upon a reexamination made in the
Page 25

case in 1838, it was found to be [underlined] totally unsustained
by evidence. [end underlining] He was informed of this fact, and the
proper 'course was printed out.  No additional
evidence, however, was introduced; and the present
application the parties expect, it would seem,
to sustain upon the precedent made in the
case of Curtis Bull.  But in that case
there was [underlined] evidence furnished by those who
served with him, [end underlining] which in the present case, [underlined] is totally wanting" [end underlining]

The decision of the office [underlined] upon this
ground [end underlining] was fully sustained by the
then Secretary of the Interior, and cannot
now be disturbed, by the production of
historical evidence that militia service
in particular localities in Pennsylvania
in some instances and for a length of [crossed out: continued for]
time ^was continuous. In order to bring the 
case within the rule which ^would allow [s crossed out] a
Re-examination upon its merits, evidence
Page 26

not only showing that the service claimed was
possible, but that the claimants' father
actually performed it, is requisite
very Respy
S C

A. H. Markland Esqr
Present
Page 27

A. H. Markland
Aug. 24/33.
Page 28

Gideon
Cartwright
NY 1832 ad

A. H. Markland
Page 29

Washington DC Aug 24 1855
Hon J Minot
Commr of Pensions

As the attorney for the heirs of
Giden Cartwright of NY act 1832, [illegible] I ask
that you will cause a re-examination of that claim
with a view to the restoration of his name to the NY 
pension Roll, he was stricken from the pension
roll for evidence that the service performed by him
was continuous, as evidence that the service was
continuous, I ask that you will read the history of
said service to be found in the Pennsylvania Archives
Vol 7 & 8 containing the year 1778 to 1781.  You will
then find that the militia of Northampton County Penna.
were in almost constant service.
Yours &
A. H. Markland
Page 30

Commissioner of Pensions
You will please [illegible]
A H Markland my attorney in prosecuting 
the Claim of Gideon Cortright for a Pension
or Arears
J W Quigg
y

Ithaca Augt 22 1855
Page 31

52.

[checkmark]
Referred to the Commission
of Pensions for a Report.
Dept [illegible]
Decr. 30/51
Page 32

Washington dec 30/51
To the Secretary of the Interior,

Sir,
I ask an appeal from the
decision of the Commissioner of
pensions in the case of Gideon
Cortright of the N Y  line for
a pension to be received.
very respectfully
You ob servt

Vespasian Ellis
Attorney
Page 33

Return to Curley.
Page 34

Department of the Interior
Washington April 30. 1852

Sir
I have to inform you that your decision
in the case of the heirs of Gideon Cortwright
has been affirmed of which you will please
advise Mr Ellis the attorney for the Claimants.
The papers in the case are herewith returned
to the Pension Office

I am very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Alex H. H. Stuart
Secretary

James E. Heath Esqr.
Commissioner
of Pensions
Page 35


May 21/52
Page 36

Pension Office
May 4. 1852.

Sir.
Enclosed you will find a copy of a
letter from the Secretary of the Interior of the
30th ult. affirming the decision of this Office
from which you appealed, in the case of Gideon
Cartwright decd late of N. York

V. Ellis, Esqr
Present
Page 37

[word underlined] Brief

Appeal of the heirs of Gideon Cortwright from Comr. 
of Pensions - Act June 7th 1832.

Statement
Gideon Cortwright was pensioned for 23 months
Service in the Revolutionary War on the 20th Feby
1834, at the rate of $76.66/100 per annum to commence
on the 4th March 1831. - upon his own declaration &
the affidavits of Jane Decker & Danl. Swartwood
dated June 18th 1833. - Decker & Swartwood both
State that they have "a perfect recollection that
Cortwright was called into the service in 1779, 1780,
1781 & 1782." See paper marked "A"
In 1838, upon a reexamination of his papers - Cortwright
was dropped from the Rolls on the ground that the
evidence upon which he had been pensioned
was insufficient -- and died in August 1846. =

The Claim.
Now presented is made by his heirs for the arrears 
of pension withheld from July 26th 1838 to
the 18th day of August 1846 - on the ground
that the pension had been erroneously stopped.
Page 38

See declaration of Moses Cortwright Marked "B".
No additional ^evidence has been presented and the claim 
now rests entirely on the correctness of the Suspension made 
in 1838. -- Respectfully submitted
W. Cleary

[written sideways, on the right}
Brief
Case of the Heirs of
Gideon Cortwright
Encl. Commissioners
Report
Page 39

G. Cortwright
Authority
pension case
examine
Page 40

Commissir of Pension

Will pleas permit
Mr Vespasian Elliss to examine the Pension
Papers in the Case of My Father Gideon
Cortright of Tioga County State of New York
as I am entitled to whatever may be
in the said Case
Moses Cortright his Mark [X]

Witness Dorcas H Cortright 
Dated Owego Nov. 11. 1850

Pensioned, act 1832 in Co. of Tioga N.Y. 
in 1834, & dropt from the roll in 1838.
V. Ellis
Page 41

[strong ghosting from the other side of the page i.e., the next page in this file]

J. M. Thayer
Sept. 8th 46
Page 42

148
Pension Office
Septemr. 8 1841,

Sir,
I return herewith M. Quiggs letter
and in reply have to state that the case
of Gideon Cortwright cannot be reopened
unless the requisitions heretofore required
be complied with, or ^some satisfactory evidence
of his [crossed out: alleged] service be produced.

J. M. Thayer Esq
Present
Page 43

Arad Joy
Nov. 6 1843
Page 44

70
Pen off
Nov. 11 '43

Sir
In reply to your enquiry
in the case of Gideon Cartright
I would inform you that a re-examination 
of his case was made in consequence
of his deposition in the case of Abraham
Shoemaker.  No communication of any
kind respecting his claim had been
recd after its adjustment.  It was suspended
for the reasons assigned in my letter of
26 July 38 and herewith returned.  Untill
he shall comply with its requirements
it is unnecessary to address
letters to this office

Arad Joy Esqr
Ovid
Seneca Co.
N.Y.
Page 45

Washington D.C. Aug 17th 1846.
J.L. Edwards Esq

Sir.
I enclose you
a letter in relation to the claim of
Gideon Cartwright of New York
He being deranged of course cannot
give any information in relation
to his service.  Under these circumstances
I should be glad to know what view 
you would take of the case.

I would thank you to return the enclosed
letter.  Should be glad of an early answer,
as the letter from Mr. Quigg has been
mislaid some time.
Very Respectfully
Your S
Y. M. Thayer
Page 46

J

[Written sideways]
Hon J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington
D. C.
[stamp] FREE

[written upside down]
Sept. 6. 1843
Ret to,
Gideon Cortwright.
NY
Page 47

[illegible] Sept 20,1843

Hon J.L.Edwards
Dear Sir
I enclose the original pension certificate issued to Gideon Cortwright together with the deposition of the Superintendent of the Tioga Co. Poor House, Mr. Bacon.
I beg I may be allowed to state what I learned at the poor house.  Mr. Quigg [illegible] if I am not mistaken, Mr. Bacon also informed me that when Mr. Cortwright rec'd his pension some $400 or $500 it was taken by his son in law and then the son in law would not support him and he was thrown into the poor house. The Superintendent dues the son in law to recover for the mans support and did obtain some $100 or $200.  This displeased the son in law and they say he wrote to your department advising the [illegible] mans pension withheld which was done, he represent that the [illegible] ought not to have a penion and a thousand things about his not serving [illegible]  If such a letter was rec'd and was the cause of the suspension of his pension, I beg I may be allowed to ask leave to remove all such objections, to [illegible] I shall need to know what the objections are
Page 48

I may be allowed to state that he was in his pension from the State of Pennsylvania and I trust that that state granted his pension upon documentary evidence of his services which no doubt [illegible] be procured and transmitted to your department if required, but I may hope that the proof already in your office is ample and abundant to establish his claim to a further pension and I respectfully beg leave to hope that no letter of an [illegible] may prevail to his injury in your office or predjudice his claim to a pension

Respectfully your Obedient
Arad Joy
Page 49

Hon. S. B. Leonard
April 15, 1840.
O. C.
Page 50

Pen Off
April 15, [illegible]

Sir

I have the honor to inform you that the pension of Gideon Cortwright under the Act of June 32 was suspended on 26 July 38 and the reasons assigned to him in the letter of that date a copy of which is herewith enclosed.
In the case of Justus Baker the certificate of the Comptroller of N York showing in general terms that he found no evidence of his service should have been made as required by my letter of [illegible]  There are roles of the alleged service it is believed that fail at [illegible] should appear.  as the roles afford no support to his claim it cannot be allowed upon the present exhibits.

Hon S. B. Leonard
A.R.
Page 51

Cyrus Dana
Oct 10 1838
[illegible]




Record [illegible] page 323
Page 52

War Dept
Pension Office
[illegible] 10.1838

Sir
In reply to your letter of the [illegible] relative to the case of Gideon Cortwright, I have to inform you that his papers were re-examined Mar 26th of July last and his pension suspended for reasons stated in a letter of that date addressed to him at [illegible]   I enclose herewith a copy of that letter.  The statement and proof required have not been produced. 
Cyrus Dana
Owego.
New York
Page 53

War Dept. 
Pen. Off
July 26, 1838

Sir

Upon a reexamination of the evidences upon which your claims was admitted it is very questionable whether you rendered a sufficienty of service to entitled you to the provisions of the act of June
Page 54

[Strong ghosting from the other side of the page]

confirm or discredit each.
The pension Certificate should be returned

Mr. Gideon Cortwright
Owego
Tioga Co
N. Y.

[written sideways, on the left]
Gideon Cortwright
July 26, 1838
O. C.
Page 55

Postmark  Oct. 5, N.Y. with handwritten note of Oct. 10


[ILLEGIBLE]

J.L.Edwards Esquire
Comm of Pensions
Washington D..
Page 56

Oswego, N.Y. October 5, 1838

J.L.Edwards, Esq.
Comm. of Pensions

Dear Sir

Mr. Gideon Cortwright was allowed a pension by a certificate of which the following is a copy.

War Department  Revolutionary Claims
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th of June 1932 Gideon Cortwright of the state of New York who was a private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Seventy-six dollars and sixty-six cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March 1931 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.  Given at the War Office of the United States this 20th day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. 

Lew Cass Secretary of War

Examined and countersigned J.L.Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Upon presenting his claim to receive the same annual payment due September 4th 1838 at Albany Mr. Cortwright was informed that his pension had been suspended by the War Department. 

Will you have the goodness to inform me on what grounds this suspension has been made.

Respectfully Your Obt. [illegible]
Cyrus Dana
Page 57

Payments to be made at New York by the [illegible] Mech. Bank Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of New York 

Recorded in the Pension Office in Book & Vol. 4 Page 130 by Jno Cromwell  Clerk
Page 58

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim

I certify in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, Gideon Cortwright of the State of New York who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Seventy-six dollars a nd sixty-six cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable semi annually on the 4th of March and the 4th of September in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States this 20th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.

Lew Cass
Secretary of War 

Examined and countersigned  
J.L. Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 59

E. Shoemaker's
Affidavit

G. Cortwright's
Claim


Hon N Halsey
H.R.
Page 60

State of New York
Tioga County

On this 19th day of December A.D. 1833.  Personally applied before me Joseph L. Darling one of [illegible] in and for said county.   Elijah Shoemaker of [illegible] of said county who having duly sworn says that in the month of October A.D. 1832 on the application of Gideon Cortwright  he prepared and forwarded to the War Department said Cortwright's declaration and application for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832 that the Declaration was returned with the objections to the same to him the said Shoemaker and sometime in the month of June 1833 said Gideon made and submitted an entire new declaration which proceedings came back before said Shoemaker  who forwarded same to said War Department and supposing the old or first declaration to be of no further service he said Shoemaker threw the same into the fire and burnt it.
Elijah Shoemaker
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 19th day of December 1833  J.L.Darling
State of New  York Tioga County  I Green M. Tuthill, Clerk of said County do certify that Joseph L. Darling,  Esquire before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same one of the judges of the courts of said County.  And further that I am acquainted with his hand writing and hereby believe the signature of said judge subscribed thereto to be genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said county this 19th day of December A.D. 1833  G.M.Tuthill, Clerk
Page 61

State of New York
County of Tioga 

This day Moses Cortwright, son of Gideon Cortwright, who was a revolutionary pensioner came before me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration, witness my hand this 3rd day of February 1851

Jared Huntington, J. Peace
Page 62

State of New York
Tioga County
Surrogate Court

I certify that satisfactory proof by the testimony of credible witnesses has been adduced before me to prove that Gideon Cortwright was a revolutionary pensioner previously to his death and that he died on the 18th day of August AD 1846 leaving a widow Rachel Cortwright of said Giand also two surviving children and no others, to wit, Moses Cortwrgiht and Hannah Horton and that the said Rachel Cortwright widow of said Gideon Cortwright died on the 4th day of May AD 1850   ANd that said Moses Cortwright and Hannah Horton are also the children and only surviving children of said Rachel Cortwright aforesaid. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Surrogate Court of said County at Tioga at [illegible] in said county this 4th day of February AD 1851

Charles P [illegible]
County   Judge of Tioga County 

I hereby certify that on the sixth line from the top of the foregoing certificate the "Gideon" written on an erasure by me Feburary 4th 1851

C P [illegible]
County Judge of Tioga County
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State of New York
Tioga County

I Moses Stevens Cl
Page 64

The declaration of Moses Cartwright, the son of Gideon Cartwright, who states as follows, that his father Gideon Cartwright was a pensioner of the United States for his services in the Pennsylvania Militia at the rate of $1 [illegible] for [illegible] from 4 March 1831 on the New York [illegible] he then being a citizen of New York to wit of Tioga County, that Gideon Cartwright was pensioned in 1832 under Act of June 1832, that in the year 1838 Gideon Cartwright was dropped from the roll on the ground, assumed by the Commissioner of Pensions (but recently reversed in the cases of Curtis Bull, Robert Chase, and others of [illegible]) that the law did not 
embrace those who services were not continuous - that said Gideon Cartwright was [illegible] by the Commissioner of pensions to answer certain questions propounded to him July 2? 1838 by Court of Pensions but that at the time of the reception of the questions propounded said Gideon Cartwright was bereft of his reason and utterly incompetent to answer said questions
Page 65

So continued incompetent to the day of his death to wit on the 18th day of August 1846 - that said Gideon Cartwright left at this death a widow named Rachel Cartwright, who died on the 4th day of May 1850 without ever having received the arrears due to said Gideon Cartwright and that said Gideon left two children only to wit your affiant Moses Cartwright and Hannah Cartwright [illegible] Hannah Horton both still living in the County of Tioga, State of New York - that your affiant is advised that himself and sister (Hannah Horton) are entitled to the arrears which were due to said Gideon at his death, to wit from 4th March 1838 the date of the last payment to said Gideon (as is believed) to the 18th day of August 1846 that day of his death.  Your affiant therefore asks a [illegible] allowance of the same.  Moses Cartwright