Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2589, Reuben Buckman, Mass. (N.H. Or Vt.)

Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.
(N.H. or Vt.)

Buckman, Reuben
Mercy

NUMBER
W. 2589
B.L.Wt. 7098-160-55

CONTENTS

Page 2

[verso] 

15
Berkshire

[recto]

27.004
Massachusetts
Reuben Buckman Berkshire in the State Mass'tts who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Oliver of the Regt. commanded by Col. Whitney in the Mass'tts line for 2 years
_______
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass'tts at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Dec. 1833 and sent to H. W. Bishop Lenox
______
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '23    $200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4M. '34  40
$240
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2. Page 42.

Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this second day of October, A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, Reuben Buckman a resident of the town of New Marlboro in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

That he was born in Athol in the County of Worcester in the Comth. of Massachusetts on the twenty eighth day of May 1759 and resided in said town at time of the Revolution - that Sometime in October 1775 (as he thinks) he volunteered for a six weeks term of  service in Capt. Oliver's Company, that said Company was mustered at Barre, in said County of Worcester and marched to Roxbury, near Boston, where Gen. Ward commanded (as he thinks) at which place he served out the term of his enlistment. that soon after he returned to Athol, he again volunteered and returned again to Roxbury, where he served under the same Captain. For two months, as he believes - that soon after that term of service expired (some time in the Spring of 1776, as he believes) he again volunteered or enlisted for eight months. He has forgotten the Captains name, who commanded the Company but thinks [illegible] Whitney was the 1st Lieut. George Cutting was the orderly sergeant - the Company was in Col. Whitney's Reg - and Gen. Ward's Brigade - marched to Boston, when the Company was mustered and after

Page 4

wards ordered to Noddle's Island in Boston harbor - from Noddles Island went to Nantasket when he helped to build a fort - he remained at Nantasket during the rest of his term of service and was then dismissed and went home - after returned to Athol, he visited an Uncle at Coleraine in New Hampshire, where he was when troops were called for to go to Bennington in July or August 1777. that he volunteered for one month into the Vermont service and served during that time under Lieut Fay - that he was at the battle of Bennington, where he received a severe wound in his right breast - Lieut Fay (who belonged to Bennington was killed in the battle - Col. Stark commanded the Troops - after the battle he enlisted ( at Bennington) into the Massachusetts troops, in a volunteer Company, commanded as he thinks by Capt. Young - does not recollect that the Company was attached to any Reg't from Bennington he marched with the Company to Albany N.Y. where the company was stationed some time, he cannot remember how long - from Albany he marched to Niskeuna where the company remained during the term of service for which he enlisted (three months) and that he was there discharged and returned home - Afterwards (sometime in the year 1778) he volunteered or enlisted (as he believes for three months) as one of the guard for the prisoners taken with Burgoine, he was stationed at Rutland, Worcester Co. Mass. where he served out the time of his enlistment - a man by the name of Graves was one of the officers but whether he was a Capt. or Lieut he cannot recollect and he remembers the name of no other officer - thinks then was but in company of guards - very soon afterwards be enlisted into the same company, for another term of three months and ['marched' crossed out] served that term at Cambridge in Mass. to which place the prisoners were marched - In 1779 he again enlisted, for four months (as he thinks) into the same company in which he served in 1776. he believes the Commander was Capt. Whitney Sergeant Cutting was still the orderly, the Regiment was commanded by Col. Whitney in Gen'l Heath's

Page 5

commanded by Col. Whitney in Gen'l Heath's Brigade - marched to Providence R.I. where he was stationed sometime and then marched to Boston neck. on Rhode Island at [illegible] Newport, where he served out the remainder of the time of his enlistment - there were two companies stationed at that place and his company was stationed at our Hazzard's the other company at our Selden's - Sometime (as he believes) in June 1780 he enlisted for six months into the Regular Army, to fill vacancies - he was mustered with others at Springfield Mass. by Esq. Ely who was the muster master and marched directly to West Point from there he was ordered to Robinson's farms where he was attached to Capt. Cushing's company - (in Col. Vose's Reg't (1st Mass.) - Glover's or Lowell's Brigade - Stone was a Lieut in his company & Bowles the adjutant of the Reg't from that ['company' crossed out] Regiment he was transferred to Col. Shepard's Reg't of Light Infantry - Gen'l Poor's Brigade & Lafayette's Division, by order of Baron Steuben - he marched into New Jersey and served in New Jersey during the Campaign, when the Reg't returned to West Point where, having served his term out he was discharged sometime in Dec'r 1780. Porter was the Brigade Major and Cowles the adjutant in Shepard's Reg't his discharge was sent to Paymaster Lucas at Boston, to obtain the arrears of his pay and was never returned -

Page 6

Answers to the Questions propounded__

1st   I was born at Athol May 28, 1759__
2nd_I have no record of my age__
3rd_I lived while in the service at said Athol_have lived in several plans since the Revolution and have resided in New Marlboro about 44 years__
4th_ I volunteered in all my services in the army.
5th_ I have stated all I can recollect_ having been in feeble health for many years am unable to state more particularly __
6th__ I received but one discharge which as I have stated, I sent to Boston__
7th__ I am acquainted with most men in New Marlboro and he neighboring towns but refer particularly to Salmon Kasson, Edward Stevens, & Warren Wheeler  Eight of New Marlboro James Baldwin of Egremont High and the Rev Levi White of Sandisfield__

For proof of his services he refers to the annexed depositions of Amasa Buckman & Thomas Patterson

Page 7

Rueben Buckman
May
Private 2 years
Athol

16-16 of
May 24 1833
P. 405
13988


H W Bishop Esq
Lenox, Mas

Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Reuben Buckman Co of Berkshire in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period.|Duration of Service.(Years,|Months,|Days.)|Rank.(As a)|Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.(Gen.)|]
In 1775 enlisted|([blank]|1|14)|private|Cap Oliver|
1776 volunteered|([blank]|2|...)| " | " |
"soon after " " |(.. |8|[blank])| " |Col Whitney forgot the Capn|
1777 " |( .. |1| ... )| " |Lieut. Fay Col Stark|
" enlisted|( ...|3| ...)| " |Cap Young|
1778 " |([blank]|3| ...)| " |Cap Young|
[end of columns]

5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle of Bennington & wounded
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Worcester Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary two Living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are not certified agreeably to the regulations

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
/s/George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

"very soon after"
enlisted ....3. private|Off was forgotten
1779 " ...4 " |Cap Whitney & Col Whitney
1780... " .....6 .. " |Cap Cushing Col Vose
______
2 Years 7 m 14 days

Page 9

2949
New York Albany
Mercy Buckman
ow of Reuben Buckman
who served in the Revolutionary 
was, as a private
Mass Line
==============
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
=========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 
21st day of Nov, 1853
and sent to 
L. M. Drury
Canandaigua 
N. York
===========
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 88 Vol. A

32

[left side of page]
Date of death not on ab__[written vertically]
Reg [illegible] ?5 No56/27

Page 10

State of New York
County of Genesee ss 
On this twenty first day of ['July' crossed out] November 1851. personally appeared before the subscriber County Judge of said County Mercy Buckman resident of the town of Darien in said County aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the law of 29th Jul 1848
This declarant states that she is the widow of Reuben Buckman deceased who was a soldier of the revolution and a pensioner of the United States - that he resided at the time of his death in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts and drew his pension in that state - that he drew 183 00/100 per annum and that he died on the sixteenth day of March -  in the year eighteen hundred and forty two - and that since his death she the declarant was not again married - 
Declarant states that she was married to the said Reuben Buckman on the 18th day of September in the year seventeen hundred & ninety nine (1799) as will appear by the annexed family record. which is the family record of her family & contains as she knows a true statement of the time of her marriage with the said Reuben Buckman. Declarant states that her maiden name was Mercy Blackmer and that she resided at the time of her marriage in the

Page 11

town of New Marlborough in the State of Massachusetts - but that she was married in the State of New York in the town of Hillsdale - And further says not 
/s/X her mark Mercy Buckman

Sworn & subscribed to the day + year first above written
Before me - /s/Horace U. Soper, Judge of Genesee County - 
I hereby certify that by reason of old age + bodily infirmity the above named declarant is unable to appear in open Court. I further certify that satisfactory evidence was adduced before me that the above named Reuben Buckman died on the 16th day of March in the year 1842 and that the said declarant has not again married but remains his widow.
And I further certify that the said Mercy Buckman made her mark as above and was unable to write her name on account of old age - 
/s/Horace U. Soper Judge of Genesee County

Page 12

Children

Paul and Meribah Blackmers
That were born at N, marlbough

Susanna, Born December 11th 1755 Thursday noon

Phebe, Born September 4th 1758:  Monday 5 o'clock m

Joseph, Born June 3d 1760 Tuesday 8 o clock morning

Isaac, Born Dec 22 1762 Wednesday 10 o clock m

Peter, Born May 31st 1765 Fryday [sic] 10 o clock Night

Titus, Born Dec 3d 1767  Thursday 4 o clock morn

Meribah Sept 4th 1770  Tuesday 11 o clock morning

Huldah Born Oct 1st 1773 Fryday 11 o clock Night

Mercy Born Jan 5th 1776 Fryday 2 o clock Afternoon

Ezra Born April 12th 1778 Sabbathday at noon

Hira Born Oct 9th 1781 Tuesday 4 o clock morning

Phoebe Died Oct 18th 1788 at 11 o clock at Night Being 30 years 1 month and 14 Days.

[illegible] Died Oct 20th 1792 Monday Aged 22 year 4 months and 26 days

Page 13

[verso]
Blessings to the fearers to God.
[margin note: Before Christ cir 397.}] 16 ❡ then they that feared the LORD spareth one to another; and the LORD hearkened and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him for then that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
[margin note: |Or, special treasure.] 17 And they shall be mine, faith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my || jewels; and I will spare then as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.
CHAP IV.
1 Gods judgment on the wicked, 2 ❡ and his blessing on the good. 4 ❡ He exhorteth to the study of the law, 5 ❡ and telleth of Elijahs coming and office. 
For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh

[recto]
P. IV. The study of the law recommended.
shall burn them up, faith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. [margin note: Before Christ cir. 397.}]
2 But unto you that fear my name shall the [a]Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; [margin note: [a] Luke 1.78.] and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, faith the LORD of hosts.
4 Remember ye the [b] law of Moses my servant, [margin note: [b] Exod. 10 3.] which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you [c] Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: [margin note: [c] Matth. 11.14. Mark 9. 11. Luke 1.17]
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The End of the OLD TESTAMENT.

Paul Blackmer Born Dec'mr 4th 1730 was in Rochester County of Plymouth Mass. Meribah Warshburn Born in Plympton County of Plymouth Massachusetts March 15th AD 1736
Paul Blackmer was Married to Meribah Warsburn July 4th 1754
Meribah Blackmer Died April 7th 1804 Age 60 years + 23 days
Paul ['paul' crossed out] Blackmer Died August 1st 1804. Aged 73 years 7 ms 27 days
Mercy Blackmer was Married to Rueben Bucknam Sept 18th 1799
Meribah Blackmer was Married to Daniel Bush January 18th 1813

Page 14

Mercy Buckman
Wid of Reuben
N. Y. 
Act 29 July 1848

Let June 25, 1852

Direct to L. M. Drury
Canandaigua
N Y

Page 15

State of New York
Genesee County} ss: Hannah McIntyre, of the town of Canaan in said county being sworn deposes and say that she is the wife of Herman McIntyre, of said town and that she is a daughter of Mercy Buckman who has sworn to the foregoing declaration and this Deponent further says that she is aged fifty years and was born on the 18th December 1800 in the town of Newmarlborough, Mass, that she has a family Record of her birth, in the Family Bible, now produced and exhibited to Judge Soper - but which she is unwilling to have cut from the Bible. and further says not
/s/Hannah McIntyre
Subscribed and sworn this 21st day of November 1851 before me by Hannah McIntyre, whom I know and certify to be a person of truth and veracity and I further certify that I examined the Family Record in the Bible as set forth in said affidavit and that it appears from said Record that the said Hannah McIntyre was born on the 18th December 1800 - 
/s/Horace M. Soper, Judge of Genesee County

State of New York
Genesee County } ss: I, Merritt G. Soper, Clerk of the said county do certify that Horace M. Soper was Judge of Genesee County at the time of taking the foregoing declaration and affidavit and that his signatures to the certification of taking the same are his hand writing. - 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 24th November 1851 - 
/s/M. G. Soper clk

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Commonwealth of Mass
Berkshire ss} 
I hereby certify that I am Clerk of the Town of Newmarlboro in said County and keeper of the Records of said Town and that I have examined the Records of Marriages and Publishments and that their is no record of the Marriage or Publishment of Reuben Burkman and Mercy Blackmer or either of them Given under my hand and oath of office this 12th day of March 1852
/s/Augustus Turner Town Clerk

Our clerks have an oath of officer I suppose it would add nothing unless I got a certificate from our Court of Common Pleas if I should go before a Justice of the Peace and make oath to the above
/s/A Turner
P.S it is 22 miles to our County Clerks office
/s/A Turner

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State of New York
County of Ontario} SS
Hira Blackmer a resident of the town of Farmington in said County and State being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath deposes and says That he is a native of the town of New Marleborough, in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts that he is the brother of mercy Buchman, and that he was seventy years of age in the month of October last past; that he was present at the time his said sister Mercy, was married to Reuben Buckman that they were married in Hillsdale, Columbia County in the State of New York, that this deponent, at the time of their said marriage was according to the best of his recollection about eighteen years of age, or nearly so; this deponent further states that the marriage of his said sister Mercy and the said Reuben Buckman tool place according to the best of this Deponents recollection sometime in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety nine. (1799) but at what time in said year he cannot state with certainty. This deponent further states that in the month of November in the year eighteen hundred he went to Savannah in the State of Georgia, and that the said Reuben Buckman and and the said Mercy this Deponents sister were then living in said town of New Marlborough as man and wife. And further this deponent saith not.
/s/Hira Blackmer
Subscribed and sworn to this 4th day of March A. D. 1852.
Before me /s/Ezra Peirce Justice of the peace in & for Said County

Page 18

State of New York
County of Ontario} SS
I Ezra Peirce - a Justice of the Peace within and for said County do hereby certify that Hira Blackmer, who subscribed the foregoing affidavit, is a person of sound and mind; and whose testimony is entitled to credit and belief;
/s/Ezra Peirce Justice of the peace.

State of New York
Ontario County Clerk's Office} SS. I, Reuben Murray, Jr., Clerk of said County Do Hereby Certify, That Ezra Peirce Esquire, before whom the annexed instrument was subscribed and sworn, was at the time the same purports to have  been so subscribed and sworn, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, sworn and authorized to act as such. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of such Justice and verily believe his signature subscribed to the jurat of said affidavit, to be genuine. 
[county seal affixed] In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said County, this 19th day of March 1852.
/s/Reuben Murray Jr CLERK.

Page 19

[verso]

56127 Act March 3/55
April 9 /55
______
Mercy Buckman widow of Reuben Buckman Priv
Pensioner No 2949
Mass Cont'l line.

Boynton
NY Feby 53 - No 2949

Ad: 160 Acres Sept:29" 1855.
Boynton
[overwritten: wt No 7098 iss Oct 7/55 Rdw]
______
Lemuel Jenkins
Albany N.Y. 

[recto]

Cir: to S. Jenkins. Sept 20/55

Vol. B2 - 136. -

Page 20

56127
========
Application of
Mercy Buckman
(Revolutionary)
FOR BOUNTY LAND,
Under act March 3, 1855, Sec. 8.
============
Claim 160 acres


Presented by Lemuel Jenkins _ Albany NY

Page 21

No. 5. DECLARATION
Of a REVOLUTIONARY Widow who claims a Land Warrant under Act of March 3, 1855.

State of New York
County of Genesee} On this thirty first day of March, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, Mercy Buckman aged seventy nine years, a resident of Darien, in said County in the State of New York, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Reuben Buckman deceased, who was a private in the War of the revolution and a Pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832 - and drew a pension of $80 per annum - That she is now a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany Pension agency, at the same rate, under the Act of 3d February 1853, and her Pension Certificate bears date the 21st of November 1853, and is numbered #949
That the proof of her marriage and of her said Husband's death is on file in the Pension Office at Washington, with the other proofs upon which her said pension was granted - + to which she refers.
She further states that she was married to the said Reuben Buckman - in Hillsdale N.Y. on the Nineteenth day of September A. D. 1799 by one Esqr. Bryant a Justice of the peace and that her name before her said marriage was Mercy Blackmer that her said husband died at Chester Mass ['on the [blank] day of [blank] A. D. 18' crossed out] , and that she is now a widow. she further says that she does not now remember the time of the death of her said Husband, that she thinks he has been dead fourteen years or therebouts - 

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855, and she hereby requests the Commissioner of Pensions to forward her warrant to Lemuel Jenkins of Albany and appoint him my attorney to receive the same for me. /s/X her mark Mercy Buckman

We Herman McIntyre and Horace H. Chapin residents of Darien in the state of New York upon our oaths declare, that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mercy Buckman in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. 
/s/Herman McIntyre
/s/Horace H Chapin

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
/s/Thomas Riddle, Justice of the peace.

Page 22

[printed document with fill ins]


STATE OF NEW YORK,}
County of Genesee}

I, M G Soper  Clerk of the said county, do hereby certify that T. Riddle was on the day of the date of the within certificate, a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, duly appointed and qualified , and the the signature thereto, purporting to be his, is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 4th day of April A. D. 1855.

M. G. Soper Clk

Page 23

February 15, 1935

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Reuben Buckman-W. 2589
BA-J/AWF


Mr. Alanson I. Root
2424 Nottingham Avenue
Hollywood, California

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Reuben Buckman (Bucknam), Revolutionary War soldier, wounded at Bennington, served with the Massachusetts troops, and was pensioned under the Act of 1832.

The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 2589, based upon the service of Reuben Buckman or Bucknam, during the War of the Revolution.

Reuben Buckman, the name also appears Bucknam, was born May 28, 1759 in Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts .  The names of his parents are no given.

While residing in Athol, Massachusetts , he volunteered in October 1775, served three months and two weeks as private in Captain Oliver's Massachusetts Company.  He enlisted in the spring of 1776, served eight months under Lieutenant Whitney, Colonel Whitney's Massachusetts regiment, and assisted in building a fort in Nantasket.  While visiting an uncle (his name not given) in Colerain, New Hampshire, he volunteered in July or August, 1777, served one month under Lieutenant Fay and Colonel Stark, and was in the battle of Bennington, where wounded in his right side.  He enlisted in Bennington and served 
in Young's company.  He returned to Athol and volunteered in 1778, served six months under Captain or Lieutenant Graves guarding prisoners taken at the surrender of Burgoyne.  He served four month in 1779 in Captain Witney's company, Cole-

Page 24

2-

nel Whitney's Massachusetts regiment. He enlisted in June, 1780, served in Captain Cushing's company, Colonel Vose's 1st Massachusetts regiment, was transferred to Colonel Shepard's regiment, and was discharged in December, 1780. 
The soldier, Reuben ['Blackmer' crossed out] Buckman was allowed pension on his application executed, October 2, 1832, then a resident of New Marlboro, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where he had lived about forty-four years.
The soldier married September 18, 1799 in Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York, Mercy Blackmer of New Marlboro, Massachusetts. Mercy Blackmer of New Marlboro, Massachusetts. Mercy Blackmer was born January 5, 1776; she was the daughter of Paul Blackmer and his wife, Meribah Washburn. The said Paul Blackmer was born, December 4, 1730, and his wife, Meribah, was born March 15, 1736; they were married July 4, 1756, she died April 7, 1801 and he died August 1, 1804.
The soldier died March 16, 1842 in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
His widow, Mercy Buckman (Bucknam), was allowed pension on her application executed, November 21, 1851, at which time she was living in Darien, Genesee County, New York. She was still residing there in 1855.
Hannah, daughter of the soldier and his wife, Mercy, was born December 18, 1800 in New Marlboro, Massachusetts; she was the wife of Heman McIntyre in 1851 and then residing in Darien, New York. There is no further reference to children.
Amasa Buckman or Bucknam, brother of the soldier Reuben Buckman or Bucknam, was born in the year 1762 in Athol, Massachusetts, and in 1832 made affidavit in Dutchess County, New York.
The following data are also furnished you relative to the children of the above mentioned, Paul Blackmer

Page 25

                               3-

and his wife, Meribah :

Susanna     born  December      11, 1755
Phebe           "      September      4,   1758, died October 18, 1788
Joseph          "       June                3, 1760, died October 29, 1792
Isaac             "       December       22, 1762
Peter             "       May                 31, 1765
Titus             "        December         3, 1767
Meribah        "        September       4, 1770, married Daniel Bush, January 18, 1813

Huldah          "         October          1,  1773
Mercy            "          January          5, 1776
Ezra               "           April             12, 1778
Hira               "           October         9,  1781, residing in Farmington, Ontario County, New York in 1852.



                  Very truly yours




  
           A. D.  HILLER
           Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Page 26

[verso]

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 2589
Mercy Buckman Widow Reuben Buckman 
Pri. Rev. War
______
Act: Feb 3, 1853
Index: - Vol. A, Page 100

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]

1886 - May 27 Hist to Miss Sara Buckman awf.
1935 - Feb. 15 - hist to Alanson J. Root atty

Page 27

[addressed envelope]

[postmark: CANANDAIGUA N.Y. NOV 14]

L. M. Drury
Canadaigua, NY.

Hon L. P. Waldo
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington D. C.

[overwritten: Nov. 17, 1853.
Appl. of Mercy Bucknam widow of Reuben, Mass 27004 Genesee co., N. Y. acj 1/53. Rev. 1853 Revo]

Page 28

✓
70 : 98

160 ann

Page 29

No. 1113 - 
Nancy Buckman wid. of Reuben - N. York
Let} June 28th, 1852
L. M. Drury

Rejected
Act 29th July 1848

Page 30

[addressed envelope]

56127
Nancy Buckman wid Reuben AO 53 - 2949
Boyntons
[postmark: ALBANY N. Y SEP 25]

J. Minot Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Page 31

Pension Office September 19/53

Sir 
Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c 
/s/S. Cole for comm'r

F Burt Esqr
3 and Present

Reuben Buckman,
Act 7th June '32. $80.00. pr. an.
Paid to 4th March 1842, no date of death on our Books.

/s/F. Burt
Auditor.

Page 32

Pen:act 53. N.Y. 
Boynton

Page 33

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Pension Office, Official Business

July 13, 1853.

Appl. of Mercy Bucknam, widow of Reuben Bucknam,

Act 3d Feby. 1853.

act 2g J. 48 sus

Allowed $80 per annum to convene Feb, 3 - 1853

L. M. Drury, Canandaigua, N. Y.

Page 34

No 2615

Mercy Buckman widow of Reuben Buckman 
Let to L. M. Drury
Sept. 21/53
Gray

Page 35

No. 56127
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.

Received April 9, 18['7' crossed out] 55
______
Reuben Buckman

Warrant 7098-160-55.

Lemuel Jenkins
Albany N. Y.

Page 36

Reuben Buckman
New Marlboro
application for Pension
13.988

Page 37

Amasa Bucknum being duly Sworn. Saith that according to the record of his age that he was born in the year 1768 in the Town of Athol County Worcester & State of Massachusetts and thinks he was in the eleventh year when the Battle of Lexington was - Can Remember distinkly of hearing allarm guns fired when the news of he Battle arived in Town - that he thinks that his Brother Reuben Bucknum was then in his Sixteenth years and that he well remembers that his Brother Reuben soon after the Battle went from home to go to the Army and thinks that he was gone Six weeks before he returned - and further he saith that Subsequently and he thinks the next Season that his Brother Reuben was enlisted in a Six or eight month service and went from home to join the Armey and fully believes that he served his time out - and furthermore he saith that he remembers that his brother Reuben was Sundery times in the case of the Revolutionary war Mustered Out and went to serve in the Army Particularly when the Battle of Benington was but he cannot now recollect the Length of time that his brother was gone & Likewise in the Latter Part of the war that he went to the Suthard to joint the Continental Army and when he Returned told a Great many Incidents of what happened in the Army & of Lafyette Hudang &c 
/s/Amasa Bucknum

Sworn & Subscribed before me the 17th day of September 1832
Daniel Hebard one of the Justice of the peace in and for s'd Dutchess County State of New York

Page 38

[state seal affixed]

STATE OF NEW-YORK
County of Dutchess,} ss. I, HENRY I. TRAVER, Clerk of the County of Dutchess, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Daniel Hebard Esqr before whom the annexed affidavit was made and whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the attestation of the same, was when the said affidavit was made an Acting Justice of the Peace - in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, duly commissioned and sworn - 

AND FURTHER, That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County, the Seventeenth day of September A. D. 1832 - 
/s/Henry E Traver 

State of New York, Dutchess County ss.} Daniel Hebard the within named Justice of the peace in and for the said County do ['herey' crossed out] hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Amasa Bucknam and that his character for truth is good and his Credibility as a witness may be fully relied upon
/s/Dan'l Hebard Justice of the peace

Page 39

State of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss.} I Thomas Pattison of the Village of Ithaca County of Tompkins State of New York being duly sworn do on oath declare that I am well acquainted with Reuben Buckman who now resides in New Marlborough in the state of Massachusetts that I was a soldier in the Army of the United States in the year A. D. 1780, that myself and s'd Buckman was in said army and served in the same company together commanded by Capt. Daniel Cushing and that s'd Buckman served a period of six months that I first saw him at Robesons farms + we were together in the same troop and that last time I saw him was at West Point.
/s/Thomas Pattison

Sworn + subscribed the 17th day of July A.D. 1832 before me. - 
/s/Levi L. Smith Justice of Peace

Page 40

Sworn + subscribed the 17th day

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Levi L Smith Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine. 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twelfth day of November A. D. 1833. 
/s/Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

I hereby certify that Thomas Pattison who made oath before me of the truth of foregoing declaration is a man of truth + veracity - 
/s/Levi L. Smith Justice of Peace
New Marlborough Berkshire Co. Mass November 7th 1833 -

Page 41

We the subscribers residents of the Town of New Marlboro in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify - That we have been well acquainted with Reuben Buckman of said NewMarlboro' for more than twenty years past; that we believe him to be seventy three years old, that it is the general opinion and belief in his neighborhood that said Buckman was a Revolutionary Soldier and that said Buckman is a man of truth and veracity - 
/s/Edw. Stevens
/s/Warren Wheeler

Berkshire Co: NewMarlboro September 1, 1832. Then the subscribers to the above certificate personally appeared, signed the same in my presence and made oath to the truth thereof
Before me /s/Benjamin Sheldon
Justice of the Peace

Page 42

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Benjamin Sheldon Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Second day of October A. D. 1832.
/s/Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

Reuben Buckman
New Marlboro
application for Pension 13.988

Page 43

witness

I Levi White a Clergyman residing in the Town of Sandisfield  County of Berkshire Commonw'lth of Massachusetts hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Reuben Buckman and that I have been acquainted with him for more than thirty years past & that I believe him to be seventy three years of age & that the s'd Reuben Buckman is a person of truth & veracity
/s/Levi White.

Sworn & subscribed this 28th day of August 1832
Before me Jabez Bosworth Justice of the Peace

Page 44

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Jabez Bosworth Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Second day of October A. D. 1832.
/s/Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

Page 45

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State    S. Reuben Buckman
witness /s/W P. Walker 

['We [blank] a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and [blank] residing in [blank] hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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. Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.' crossed out]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation. of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, prescribed by the War Department, that the above based applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Levi White who signed the ['preceding' crossed out] annexed certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire and that Warren Wheeler + Edward Stevens, Esq'rs of ['and that' crossed out] New Marlboro' who ['has also' crossed out] have signed the ['same, is a' crossed out] annexed certificate are residents in the town of New Marlboro in the County of Berkshire ['and [blank] of [blank]' crossed out] and are ['a' crossed out] credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Reuben Buckman for a pension.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this second day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two 
/s/Henry W Bishop - Register of Probate

Page 46

State of New York
Genesee County ss: Herman McIntyre being duly sworn doth depose and say that he knows and is well acquainted with Mercy Buckman and has been for Thirty years last past and that he knows her to be the same and identical person she represents herself to be and that she is the widow of Reuben Buckman deceased late a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Eighty Three dollars per annum, and that  since the death of the Said Reuben she the said Mercy had not again married - And further deponent saith not
/s/Herman McIntyre
Subscribed & sworn this 5th day of November 1853 before me 
/s/Edgar. C. Dibble County Judge of Genesee County 
in the year eighteen hundred & fifty two -

Page 47

State of New York
County of Genesee ss. 
On this Fifth day of November 1853. personally appeared before the subscriber a County Judge + Surrogate for said County. Mercy Buckman resident of the town of Darien in said county aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly sworn doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed Feb. 3. 1853
This declarant states that she is the widow of Reuben Buckman dec'd late a resident of the town of Sheffield County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts who was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $83 - per ann. and who died on the Sixteenth day of March in the year eighteen hundred & forty two - Declarant states that she was married to the said Reuben Buckman on the 18th day of September in the year 1799 - and for the evidence of said marriage she refers to the papers heretofore filed by her under the act of ['Feb' crossed out] 29th July 1848.
Declarant further states that since the death of the said Reuben Buckman she has not again married but remains a widow. 
/s/Mercy Buckman
Subscribed to + sworn the day + year first above written. Before me
/s/ Edgar C Dibble County Judge of Genesee County

Page 48

['State of New York
County of Genesee ss I Edgar C. Dibble county  Judge in s'd Court hereby certify that I depose and say [illegible] have been married Mercy Buckman [illegible] to affirm in' crossed out] open court.
I further certify that the foregoing declaration together with the affidavits of Herman McIntyre ['are' crossed out]  hereto annexed furnished satisfactory evidence to me that the said Mercy Buckman is the identical person she represents herself to be as the widow of Reuben Buckman dec'd late a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $83. per ann. - and a resident of the State of Massachusetts - and that since his death the foregoing declarant has not again married - 
[court seal affixed] I testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Fifth day of ['November 1853' crossed out]
['Edgar C Dibble County Judge of Genesee County' crossed out]

Page 49

State of New York
Genesee County Court ss I Edgar C. Dibble County Judge of Genesee County do hereby certify that Mercy Bucknum on the Fifth day of November 1853 appeared in open court and made the foregoing declaration which together with the affidavit of Herman McIntyre to said declaration attached was satisfactory evidence to said Court that the said Mercy Bucknum is the identical person she represents herself to be as the widow of Reuben Bucknum deceased late a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $83 per annum and a resident of the State of Massachusetts, and that since his death the foregoing declarant has not again married
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of the County Judge and Surrogate of our said County to be hereunto affixed this Fifth day of November 1853
/s/Edgar C. Dibble County Judge and Surrogate of the County of Genesee

Page 50

[addressed envelope]

Free
G. N. Briggs

Hon J. L. Edwards 
Coms'r of Pensions
Present 

Hon G N Briggs

Page 51

[addressed envelope]

Free
G. N. Briggs

Hon J. L. Edwards
Coms'r of Pensions
Present

Hon G N Briggs

Page 52

[handwritten letter]

Washington 31 Dec 1833

Sir
I am requested to inquire after the case of Reuben Buckman + Luther White of Mass. applicants for pensions under the law of 32. White surrendered his certified under the law of 1818 in order to avail himself of the provisions of the late law - to obtain a sergeants pay - Then send any papers which may be made out for them to me - 
Respectfully yours
/s/G. N. Briggs

Hon J. L. Edwards

Page 53

13988
Reuben Buckman

H. W Bishop Sr.
Lenox Mass

Page 54

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Reuben Buckman which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

Page 55

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he proved a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? ['yes' crossed out] No
XV. Does it appear from any of the p apers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ↕Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [blank]
[annotated: U 2]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ______year______months, and______days______, I served as a______; and for such service I claim a pension.

Page 56

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodies corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the tie during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of  his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
↕QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
⇨In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany papers.

Page 57

Brief in the case of Mercy Bucknam widow of Reuben Genesee County and State of New York 
act of February 3 - 1853
______
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a private in Massachusetts line 2 Yrs & pensioner of US. under act of June 7, 1832 at $80 per annum - paid to the 4th of March 1842 & died 16th of March 1842

Allowed $80 per annum to commence February 3, 1853
(If for increase.) Has the additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by credible witness and record
Death by credible witnesses
Identity & Widowhood proved by credible witness 

Name and residence of Agent
/s/L. M. Canandaigua N. Y. 

Examining Clerk.
/s/J. L. Gray

Page 58

[handwritten letter]

Canandaigua - N. Y. 
Nov 14, 1853

Sir:
Herewith you will receive the declaration of Mercy Buckman widow of Reuben, under act 3d Feb. 1853 - 
Upon an examination of the Pension Roll - it occurs to me that all the parties have been mistaken as to the amount Reuben Buckman drew per ann - It was $80. instead of $83. I believe.
At any rate the papers filed by him will disclose the truth - 
Very respectfully &c. 
/s/L M Drury

Hon L. P. Waldo
Washington D. C.

Page 59

[handwritten letter]

Canandaigua NY - 
Jul 8th 1853

Sir:
I wish to call you attention to the claim of Mercy Buckman widow of Reuben ['under' crossed out] of N. Y. ['widow' crossed out] under act 29th July 1848 - 
The proof of marriage was not deemed sufficient to establish it under that act - but it is believed it is sufficient to establish it under the act of 3d Feb. last
Very respectfully &c
/s/L M Drury

Hon L P Waldo 
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Page 60

[handwritten letter]

Albany Sept. 25, 1855

J. Minot Esq.
Com'r of Pensions, 

Sir, 
I have received your letter of the 20th inst. respecting the claim (No. 56.127) of Mercy Buckman, Widow of Reuben, under act 3d March 1853, requiring I send evidence of his services.
Please sent me an abstract of his declaration, that I may cause search to be made for such evidence, from the proper source - 
I am, sir, with great respect
Your obt Serv't
/s/Lemuel Jenkins

Page 61

[handwritten letter]

MISS SARA A. BUCKMAN
215 WEST JACKSON ST.
FREEPORT, ILL. 

Mch. 23rd 1926.

Mr Commissioner, 
Washington D. C. 

Dear Sir: - 
Was there a Pension allowed to Reuben Buckman for services in Revolutionary War: 
Enlisted from Athol, Mass. 
Private in Capt. Jo'than Houghton's Co. Col. Sam'l Denney's 2d Regiment., General Fellows Brigade, 
Service from Oct. 24, 1779 to Dec. 1779

Page 62

[handwritten letter]

2.

MISS SARA A. BUCKMAN
215 WEST JACKSON ST.
FREEPORT, ILL.

at Claverack, Roll dated Petersham, mustered out of service & settled at Bennington, Vt.
William Buckman was his father. 
Please give me all data.
Your's most respectfully
(Miss) Sara A. Buckman.
215 W. Jackson St.
Freeport Illinois

Page 63

[typewritten letter]

Alanson I. Root
2424 Nottingham Avenue
Hollywood, California

19 January 1935.

Veterans Administration, 
Revolutionary Division, 
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen:
Please send me a copy of what data you have on Reuben Buckman (Bucknam), who was placed on the pension roll in 1832. 
He served on the Massachusetts Line and was wounded at Bennington. 
Stamped return envelope enclosed.
Yours truly, 
/s/Alanson I. Root
Alanson I. Root

[annotated: Encl Ok [initial]]

[receipt stamp: RECEIVED JAN 24 1935  MAIL SUB. DIV. VETN. ADM. READER 23]

Page 64

[typewritten letter] 

[annotated initials: AWF]

Rev. and 1812 War Section.

May 27, 1926

Miss Sara A. Buckman
215 W. Jackson St
Freeport, Ill

Madam: 

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 2589, it appears that Reuben Blackman was born May 28, 1759 at Athol, Massachusetts.
While residing there he enlisted and served as a private as follows - 
From October 1775, three months and two weeks in Captain Oliver's Massachusetts Company.
From the spring of 1776, eight months in Colonel Whitney's Massachusetts Regiment.
While visiting an uncle (whose name is not given) at Colerain, New Hampshire, he volunteered in July or August 1777 and served one month under Lieutenant Fay and Colonel Stark and was at the battle of Bennington, where he was severely wounded in right breast.
Soon after the battle, he served three months in

Page 65

[typewritten letter]

Captain Young's Massachusetts Company; and in 1778, served six months under Captain or Lieutenant Graves and guarded the prisoners taken at the surrender of Burgoyne. 
In 1779, four months in Captain Whitney's Company, Colonel Whitney's Massachusetts Regiment; and from June 1780, six months in Captain Daniel Cushing's Company, Colonels Vose's and Shepard's Massachusetts Regiments. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, while a resident of New Marlboro, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He died in Berkshire County, March 16, 1842.
Soldier married September 18, 1799 at Hillsdale, New York, Mercy Blackmer, she was born January 5, 1776 at New Marlboro, and was allowed pension on her application executed November 21, 1851, while a resident of Darien, Genesee County, New York.
Hannah McIntyre, born December 18, 1800 is  the only child mentioned.
The widow Mercy, was the daughter of Paul Blackmer, born December 4, 1730 in Rochester, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, and Meribah Warshburn, born March 15, 1736 at Plympton, Massachusetts. They were married July 4, 1754. He died August 1, 1804 and she died April 7, 1801. 

Respectfully, 

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.