Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21171, Ebenezer Gay, Mass.

Page 1

(8-1776)

Service: Mass.
Number: W21171
Gay, Ebenezer
Hannah

Page 2

 21.'734
Massachusetts
*************************************************
Ebenezer Gay  [note (22)] 
of Norfolk in the state of Mass
who was a private of [illegible] the comp commanded by Captain Whitney of the regt commanded by Col. Brewer in the Mass line for 5 months pri of Artil 14 months 19ds pri of Inf
*************************************************
Inscribed by the roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 69 Dollars 33 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
*************************************************
Certificate of pension issued the 24 day of Oct. 1833 and sent to J. Ware Dedham
*************************************************
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '33               $173.87
                 
Semi-annual allowance 
ending [illegible}                                  $34.77                                     
                                                                *******
                                                              $208.64

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by G C Stiles Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2 Page 30

Page 3

3134
New York
***************************************************
Hannah Gay, widow of Ebenezer Gay who was a private Inf and Art 76 in the Mass Line.
[modern? note added (25)]
***************************************************
Inscribed in the roll at the rate of 69 dollars and 59 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843
***************************************************
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of December 1843 and sent to G Davis, New York.
***************************************************
{Act of March 3, 1834}
Recorded in Book A  Vol 1  Page 106

Page 4

Ebenezer Gay
19452

Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts [modern? note (2)] 

County of Norfolk ss. On this 21st day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the honorable John M. Williams of the court of common pleas now sitting at Dedham in and for said county, Ebenezer Gay a resident of Needham in said county, aged seventy seven years, who first being 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, A.D. 1832.

That he was born at Needham on the sixteenth day of September A.D. 1733 and that there is a record of his birth in the town records in Needham: that he was in the United States service from the seventeenth day of April A.D 1775 to [then crossed out] about the first day of May A.D. 1775 as a private in the infantry: that he was residing at Dedham when he entered the service: that he volunteered as a Minuteman and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Ebenezer Battle: that he marched from Dedham: that he served with [blank] [crossed out: of the regular]: and [blank] regular officers were known to him: that he was in Lexington battle and at the end of his service received a discharge from [the-crossed out] at the verbally at Cambridge: that he left the service on about the fifth of may A.D. 1775 and since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Dedham or Needham [183-Crossed out] and Westborough

ALSO: that he was in the United States service from [the-crossed out] about the first day of May A.D. 1775 to [the-crossed out] about the first of January A,D. 1776 as a private in the infantry: that he was residing at Dedham when he entered the service; that he enlisted for eight months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt' Daniel Whitney Col. Jonathan Brewer: that he marched from Dedham: that he served with [blank] of the regular troops; and Gen. Washington & Gen. Green regular officers were known to him: that he was in Bunker Hill battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge verbally and left the service on or about the first day of January A.D. 1776

[something blotted out here]

ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of July [blank[ A.D.  1776; to the [blank] day of December A.D 1776 as a private in the [Infantry-crossed out] Artillery that he was residing at Dedham when he entered the service: that he enlisted for five months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Stow [Col. Hawe-crossed out] of Dedham, Col/ Ralph Wheelock & Genl. Gates: that he marched from Dedham to Ticonderoga through Keene and Skeensborough: that he served with [blank] of the regular troops; and [blank[ regular officers were known to him in no battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge [illegible mark]verbally, and left the service on or about December 1776.

Page 6

he was at Dorchester Heights five days in March 1776 under Capt. Battle & Col McIntosh as officers by the certificate annexed. He was in the service at Rhode Island from May 8th to July 8th 1777 two months and one day by certificate from the Secretary of [?]that he was at Block Island under Nathaniel Kingsley one or two months in1778 that he was in the service of U.S. from about the first of November 1779 to about the first day of February 1780 as a private in the infantry that he was residing at Dedham when he entered this service that he enlisted for three months [illegible] under the command of Sargent Daniel Ware but does not recollect any Captain or Leiut that he marched from Dedham to Greenbush then to [illegible] back to Greenbush was in no battle & was discharged verbally at Greenbush on or before the first of February 1780.

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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.

Ebenezer Gay [above his name the word 'his' and over his name a black + and under the + the word 'mark']

[Signature: J.M. Williams J.C.C.P] 
[crossed out: we Elijaj Dewing] residing in the [crossed out: the town of Medway] and Nathanial Chickering residing in Dover hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Gay who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven 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. [crossed out: the first [illegible] in the campaign to Greenbush] and [crossed out: [illegible] was with [illegible] the campaign to [illegible] Ticonderoga
Sworn and subscribed  aforesaid.
[Signature: J.M. Williams J.C.C.P. [followed by a bracket and the Signature: [crossed out: Elijah Dewing] Signature: Nathanial Chickering]
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court ,further certify that it appears to them that [crossed out: [illegible]] Nathaniel Chickering who has signed the preceding certificate, is a [blank] resident in the town of Dover; and that [blank] who has also signed the same is a resident  in [blank] and credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.

[Signature: J.M. Williams J.C.C.P.}
I Jarius Ware Clerk of the Court of Comm Mass do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Gay for pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
[Signature: Jarius Ware]

Page 7

State of New York
County of Richmond [bracket and illegible symbol]

On this fourth day of December 1838 June [illegible] appeared before Richard D Littell of the court of Common Pleas of said county M. Hannah Gay resident of Port Richmond in the County of Richmond aged eighty one years who first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" That she is the widow of Ebenezer Gay who was a soldier in the Revolutionary  War, and for such service received a Pension therefor, and continued to draw said pension to the time of his decease, under the act of 7th june 1832, and was upon the Massachusetts Roll.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Ebenezer Gay on the 24th day of October 1782 by the Reverend Samuel West of Needham of the State of Massachusetts that her husband, the aforesaid Ebenezer Gay did on the 12th day of December 1835 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above stated, and that she was not intermarried since the death of said husband.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written before [signature: Richard D. Littell Judge] [Signature: Hannah Gay] I hereby certify that in consequence of age and

Page 8

infirmity of Mrs. Hannah Gay the within named  [illegible] is incapable of attending court,  [signature: Richard D. Littell Judge]

Page 9

This document sits on top of another document which is partially obscured.

[ At the top of the page is an image of a shield and on the shield is an image of a sun rising over mountains and reflecting in water. Above the shield is an eagle, wings spread, and eagle is looking to his right. Under the seal is a banner that reads EXCELSIOR. On either side of the shield stands a female figure dressed in Greek fashion. The one on the left is holding a sword in her right hand and a scale from her left. The one on the right holds in her left hand a long pike with a knit hat hanging on the end. Her right hand rests on the shield.]

 State of New York, County of Richmond } s.s.
I, Walter Betts clerk of the county aforesaid, do hereby certify that Richard D. Littell Esq. whose name is subscribed to the [crossed out: certificate of the [blank] of the annexed Instrument and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of said certificate, a judge of the court in and for said county, residing in the said county, commissioned sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said judge and verily believe that the signature of the said certificate is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said county, the fifth day of December 1838.
[Signature: Walter Betts. Clk

Page 10

State of New York
County of Richmond } [letters illegible]

On this fourth day of December 1838 before Richard D. Littell one of the judges of the court of the court of common pleas of said county personally appeared Samuel Davis and Lucinda R. Davis of Port Richmond County of Richmond and state aforesaid, and made oath in due form of law, that they are personally acquainted with Mrs. Hannah Gay who is an applicant for a pension under the Act of 7th July 1838, that she was the wife and is now the widow of Ebenezer Gay deceased, and that she has not intermarried since the death of her late husband the said Ebenezer Gay deceased.

[Signatures" Sam Davis  Lucinda R. Davis

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above 

Written below
[Signature Richd D. Littell Judge

I hereby certify that the above named Samuel Davis and Lucinda R. Davis are credible witnesses.

[Signature] Richd D. Littell Judge

Page 11

[This document appears to sit on top of the prior document. page 10]

[ At the top of the page is an image of a shield and on the shield is an image of a sun rising over mountains and reflecting in water. Above the shield is an eagle, wings spread, and eagle is looking to his right. Under the seal is a banner that reads EXCELSIOR. On either side of the shield stands a female figure dressed in Greek fashion. The one on the left is holding a sword in her right hand and a scale from her left. The one on the right holds in her left hand a long pike with a knit hat hanging on the end. Her right hand rests on the shield.]

 State of New York, County of Richmond } s.s.
I, Walter Betts clerk of the county aforesaid, do hereby certify that Richard D. Littell Esq. whose name is subscribed to the [crossed out: certificate of the [blank] of the annexed affadivit and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of said certificate, a judge of the court in and for said county, residing in the said county, commissioned sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said judge and verily believe that the signature of the said certificate is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said county, the fifth day of December 1838.
[Signature: Walter Betts. Clk

Page 12

I certify that Ebenezer Gay according to records of the First Congregation Church of Needham [illegible] December 12th 1835

[Signature: William Ritchie Pastor] of said curch and society

Page 13

Ebenezer Gay of Dedham was married to Hannah Clark od Dedham. The above is the true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures as follows 
October 24 1782   [Signature William Ritchie]

I William Ritchie above named deposing that I hold the office of Pastor of the First [illegible] Congregational Church & Society in Needham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts. and that the above is a true extract from the records of said church with the [illegible] above named as [illegible] by me William Ritchie Pastor of the first Congregational Church & Society in Needham

Needham, County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts Nov. 28 1838
The above named [repeat: named] William Ritchie personally appeared before me & made oath to the correctness of this document.
[Signature: Daniel Kimball] Justice of the Peace

I Jonathan Ellis of Needham, County of Norfolk State of Massachusetts depose today that the above named Ebenezer Gay, pensioner at the time of his decease, having acted at his bequest in obtaining and receiving the same, and after his decease acted on bequest of the said Hannah in receiving the amount due at the time of his decease Needham Nov 28 1838.
[Signature: Jon Ellis]

Personally appeared before me on the day and date above written the aforesaid Jonathan Ellis & made oath to correctness of this statement.
[Signature: Daniel Kimball] Justice of the Peace.

Page 14

Ebenezer Gay
Mass

Private Arty 5[illegible]
Private Infy   14-19
                   _________
                      19-19

[handwritten calculations:

506  [illegible]418
Mar 18 1833
         46,66
           2.09
         20.80
          ______
         26955
19432]

[illegible} Certificate
[illegible] 1833
[handwritten calculations:

139.10
  36.77
________
175.07

[Signature: Jarius Ware]
Dedham
Mass

Page 15

Brief in the case of Ebenezer Gay
In the state of Mass
Act 7th June, 1832

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily injury? [blank]
3.How old is he? 77
State his service in the form annexed.

[This table needs to be extended across the page to interpret]

Period                             Duration of Service                      Rank                             Names of General and Field 
                                        yrs,     months,    days                  as a                           Officers under whom he served
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
enlisted   
17th April in 1775                               about  9                  Private                          Capt. Battle
May 1st 1775                           about 8                              Private                          Capt. Whitney  Col Brewer
1776                                        about  5   [illegible]            Private                          Capt. Stow  Col Wheelock
March 1776                                        about   5                  Private                          Capt. Battle  Col McIntosh
1777                                         about 2          1                  Private                          Capt. Kingsbury    
1778                            [illegible months}        4                 Private                           Capt. Morton      Col Pierce    

5. In what battles was he engaged?  None Mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norfolk Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or rolls? [illegible and crossed out] [illegible] two living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [crossed out] Precise length of service is not given

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature: George Taylor] Examining Clerk

[The following appears to be an addition to the table above.]

1st Nov.11 1779 to 1 Feb. 1780 /   about 3  / Private  / does not [illegible] the officer

Page 16

[handwritten note in top right hand corner: Copied E.E.L.
hist 3-22-'38]

May 22 1940
******************
BA-J/ [something crossed out and arrow leading up to the aforesaid handwritten note]
Ebenezer Gay, W21171

Mrs. W.I Warner
27 Norwalk Avenue
Buffalo, New York

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Ebenezer Gay, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed in a pension claim W.21171, based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of Ebenezer Gay, the only soldier of that name that is found on said records of this office, all spelli gs of the name searched.

Ebenezer Gay was born September 16,1755, in Needham, Massachusetts, and his birth was recorded in the records of that town. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in said Needham, Ebenezer Gay enlisted and served as private with the Massachusetts troops, as follows: from April 17, 1755 [I believe this is an error and should read 1775] to May 1, 1775 in Captain Ebenezer Battle's Company and was in the Battle of Lexington: From May 1, 1775, to January 1, 1776 in Captain Daniel Whiting's Company, Jonathan Brewer's Regiment and was in the battle of Bunker Hill: from some time in March 1776, five days at Dorchester Heights in Captain Battle's Company, Colonel McIntosh's Regiment: from July, 1776, to December 1776, in Captain Stow's Company of artillery, under Colonel Wheelock and went on an expedition to Ticonderoga: from May 8, 1777, to July 8, 1777, in Colonel Titcomb's Regiment and marched to Rhode Island: from March 3, 1778, to April 8, 1778, in Captain James Morton's Company, Colonel Pierce's Regiment and was at Governor's Island (later called Block Island): from November 1, 1779, to February 1, 1780: no officers named except Sergeant Daniel Ware: entire length of service nineteen months and nineteen days, as stated by soldier.

After the Revolution, he lived in Needham and Westborough, Massachusetts.

Ebenezer Gay was allowed pension on his application executed

Page 17

September 21, 1832, while living in Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

He died in said Needham, December 12, 1835. His death was recorded in the records of  the Fist Congregational Church of said Needham.

The soldier married October 24, 1782 , in Needham, Massachusetts, Hannah Clark, date and place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown. Both were then of Needham and were married by the Reverend Samuel West and the marriage was recorded on the records of the First Congregational Church of that town. 

Soldier's widow, Hannah, was allowed pension on her application executed December 4, 1838, at which time she was aged eighty-one years and resided in Port Richmond, Richmond County, Staten Island, New York.

No reference was made to children.

In 1838, Samuel Davis and Lucinda R. Davis,made joint affidavit in Richmond County, New York in support of the widow's claim for pension and in 1839 Samuel and Charles Davis mage affidavit that after the death of her husband, Ebenezer Gay, his widow, Hannah, moved with them to Port Richmond, New York,and that they had all lately moved to New York City, where she was still living in 1843. No relationship of the above named persons with Surname Davis to the widow, Hannah Gay, was stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the death date of soldier's widow, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington D.C. , and site the following data: "Hannah Gay, widow of Ebenezer Gay, certificate No, 3431 listed December 1 , 1843, rate $69.59 per annum commenced March 4, 1843, Act of March 3, 1843, New York Agency."

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

Page 18

New York 4627
****************

Hannah Gay
widow of Ebenezer Gay
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832 and who died on the 12th of Dec. 1835
of Richmond Co. in the State of New York
was a Pvt. Inf. Artil. in the company commanded by Capt. Whiting of the right commanded by Colonel Brewer in the [illegible] line for 
5 mos. Pr. Artil          20.83
14 mos. Pri Inf          48.76
                                *********
                                 69.59
************************************************
Inscribed on the roll of New York
at th rate of 69 Dollars  59 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.
************************************************* 
Certificate of Pension issued the 25, day of Nov. 1839 and sent to Sylvester Spenser, New York
*************************************************Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '39                                  243.56
Semi-annual allowance ending in [illegible]    34.79
                                                                      ********
                                                                      $278.35

{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by D. Brown     Clerk,
Book A   Vol. 2   Page 79

Page 19

3943
Hannah Gay, NY

[crossed out: [illegible] Sylvester Spencer]
May 29, 1839

7 July '38

Page 20

[upper right corner: (11)]

Massachusetts

Ebenezer Gay on roll Act June 7. 1832 at the rate of $69.55 per annum to what time paid?
VL
John Harry Esq.
Died 12th Dec 1835 [illegible]

Page 21

J.L.Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

[round stamp: N E [illegible] August 4

[written at right angle to and on top of text and stamp:] 2722 Aug 7, 1843  Hannah Gay March 3/43

Page 22

(21)

New York August 4 1843
J.L. Edwards Esq.

I [illegible] your the declaration of Mrs Hannah Gay [illegible] Pensioner under the act of 1838 [illegible] 43 with, I trust the necessary evidence of her identity — [illegible] will please enclose [illegible] certificate to enable to obtain her pension payable on this [illegible] 
Please direct [illegible] 85 Amity Street N. York
[illegible] Very Respectfully
Samuel Davis

Her husband was drawing his life pay $8 more than has been [illegible] to her, Will be kind enough to this aged dependant widow to ascertain the [illegible] of this deficiency and if found to be withheld by mistake, I am Confident you will [illegible] corrected not only for the future but for the  [illegible] years.
Respectfully
S. Davis

Page 23

Hannah Gay
N.Y
69.59

S. Davis
New York

Page 24

(20)

Declaration
(20)

Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of an act of congress of the 3d March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7. 1838
State of New York City and County of New York on this 3rd day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appear before the undersigned Judah Hammond, one of the justices of the Marine Court and a Justice of the Peace of the said City of New York Hannah Gay a resident of the said City of New York in the County & of State of New York aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the third of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War that she is the widow of Ebenezer Gay who was a private of artillery and infantry in the war of the revolution and that she received a pension under the act of July 7, 1838 in the New York City agency at the rate of Sixty nine dollars fifty nine cents per annum that she is the widow of Ebenezer Gay who was a private of artillery and infantry in the wat of the [crossed out: war of the] but in what particular regiment or corps,revolution, she by reason of lapse of time and infirmity cannot now recollect,

Page 25

She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn and subscribed
on the day and year above
written before me [signature: J Hammond]
Justice of the Marine Court
and Justice of the Peace
her
Hannah X Gray
Mark

City of New York
Samuel Davis of the City of New York being duly sworn says he is well acquainted with Hannah Gay the above named declarant, and that he know her to be such person as in the foregoing declaration specified, and that she is a person of respectability and veracity and entitled to full credit
Subscribed and sworn
the 3d August 1843
before me
{signature: J. Hammond]
Justice Marine Court.
[Additional Signature: Sam Davis]

I certify that the above applicant is personally known to me 
[signature: J. Hammond]
Justis Marine Court
and Justice of the Peace
City of New York August 3d 1843

Page 26

State of New York, City and County of New York, } ss.

I Nathaniel Jarvis, Clerk of the City and County of New-York 
[crossed out: and clerk of the Common Pleas for the said city and county]
Do hereby certify that Judah Hammond before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, Justice of the Marine Court and Justice of the Peace in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that I believe the signature of said Justice thereunto scribed to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal the said [crossed out: court and] County the 4th day of August 1843

[faded mark of seal]  Nath Jarvis Clerk

Page 27

Miss Gay, Ebenezer W21171
Hannah

Page 28

(18)
New York 5th October 1839
Sir
I herewith return the papers in the case of Mrs Hannah Gay, received with your Letter of the 4th [Allterno?], I have been requested to enclose also, the Letter  of Mr Samuel Davison of the [Mitnipes?] in the case, and one from J. J. Coddington Esq Postmaster of this city,

Very Respectfully,
Your [Obt Servt?]
Sylvester Spencer

James S. [pelcocall?] Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Page 29

S. Spencer
4 Sep 1839
OC

Page 30

48
(16)
[Was??]
Pension Office
Sep 4, 1839
Sir
The Affidavit is made by Samuel & Charles Davis in the case of Hannah Gay is herewith returned -- Her [wilucser?] should be according to the rules of this office be [Certififuce?] ^credible by a Judge or Justice of the Peace
A Notary Public may authenticate a paper but
in support of [accusions?] in this office
[witucph?] should be jurors before a Magistrate

Sylvester Spencer Esq
New York

Page 31

New York Sept 20 1839
Geo W. Crump Esq (17)
[illegible] sir, The applicant , Mrs. Hannah Gay, is quite aged & dependent yet highly worthy of the quantity which Congress has so justly bestowed, on them who took an active part in obtaining our Independence. Your early attention to their application will confer a great favor on one, who is highly deserving
Ys very Respectfully
Saml Davis

New York Sept 24.39
Dear Sir
I have been personally acquainted with Mr Saml Davis for many years. He is I believe a Gentleman of Integrity and respectability and aid you can give him in promoting his application will be confering a particular favor on your friend & obt Servant
J J Coddington
To/ The Honl J R Poinsel Secr War

Page 32

N.Y.
Hannah Gay
admd 38
No 4627

Page 33

New York 10th June 1839
(15)
Sir 
Your letter of the 29th Ultimo [?], in the case of Mrs Hannah Gay, widow of Ebenezer Gay, has been received, and I now enclose additional proof in her case,
I also enclose the applications for pensions under the act of 7th July 1838, of Mrs Hannah Higgins, widow of Isaac Higgins, and Mrs Elizabeth Blauvett widow of Frederick Blauvett,
I am Very Respectfully
your Obt Servt
Sylvester Spencer

James S Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Page 34

June 13.
N.Y.
appl proof
Hannah Gay

Sylvester Spencer
N. York.

Page 35

(14)
State of New York
City and County of New York} Ss
On this eighth day of June 1839 before the subscriber a Notary Public in and for the State of New York, residing in the city of New York, personally appeared Samuel Davis, and Charles Davis, of said city and County, and made oath in due form of law, that they have been long acquainted with Mrs Hannah Gay, who is an applicant for a pension under that act of July 7th 1838,
That the said Hannah Gay, is the identical person who was the wife, and is the widow of Ebenezer Gay deceased, who was the soldier who resided at the time of his death, in the town of Needham in the State of Massachusetts a pensioner under the Act of June 7th 1832, that these Deponents resided in the town of Canton about twelve miles from Needham at the time of the death of the said Ebenezer Gay, and were well acquainted with all the affairs of the family of the said Ebenezer Gay, that after the decease of the said Ebenezer Gay, these Deponents, together with the widow of Ebenezer Gay, Mrs Hannah Gay, removed to the city of New York, and at the time of the execution of her papers in order to obtain her pension as such widow, on the fourth day of December 1838 were residing at Point Richmond (Staten Island) in the county of Richmond and State 
over

Page 36

of New York, but, have recently removed to the city of New York where they now reside,
Saml. Davis
Chas. Davis
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first within written before me
Sylvester Spencer
Notary Public
I certify that the above named Samuel Davis and [illegible] Davis are credible witnesses,
Sylvester Spencer
Notary Public
Resworn before me this 23d day of September 1839
Wm Inglis associate Judge 
New York Common Pleas—

Page 37

STATE OF NEW-YORK
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, ss.
I Joseph Hoxie, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Sylvester Spencer before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, Public Notary in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that I believe the signature of said Notary thereto subscribed is genuine. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 23rd day of Sept 1839.
Joseph Hoxie
Clerk.

STATE OF NEW-YORK
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, ss.
I Joseph Hoxie, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Wm Inglis, Esq before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, Associate Judge aforesaid Court in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that I believe the signature of said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 23rd day of Sept 1839.
Joseph Hoxie
Clerk.

Page 38

Sylvester Spencer
May 29, 1839.
O.C.

Page 39

529
War Department
Pension Office (13)
29 
May, 1839
Sir
The papers of Mrs Hannah Gay widow of Ebenezer Gay have been examined and filed — The claim [crossed out] [crossed out] must be identified as the widow of the soldier who resided at the time of his death in the town of Needham in the State of Massachusetts — a pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832 before this claim can be admitted

Sylvester Spencer Esq
New York

Page 40

4627 
3943
Hannah Gay
wid of Ebenezer
N. York
Act 7 July, 1838.

Married Oct. 24. 1782
Husband died 12 Dec 1835

Col Bauer [?]
Capt Whitney

Admitted
Private artillery 5 Nov
do Infantry 14 [illegible]

Sylvester Spencer Esq
New York

Page 41

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfork
I Jonathon H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Norfolk hereby certify that Samuel Kimbale is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Norfolk afore
& that his signature in this paper is genuine &
clear.  In Testimony herefor

Page 42

Massachusetts (10)
Ebenezer Gay ad June 7, 1832 pensioner at the rate of $69.55 per ann to what time June?
VL
Died 12th Dec 1835 prt. that preced
H

Page 43

Supplementary declaration of Ebenezer Gay applicant for a pension (9)

I Ebenezer Gay of Needham, in addition to my former declaration before the Court of Common Pleas on the 21st September last on oath depose & say that the following is a summary of my Revolutionary services viz.
month  day
1st service} As a minuteman at Lexington & Cambridge in April 1775} 0 .. 9

2d service} as a private in the eight months service as proved by the deposition of Josiah Richards & in part by the certificate of Secretary of State in 1776} 8 .. 0

3d service} As a private in Artillery at Ticonderoga 1776 as proved by the testimony of Nathaniel Chickering who testifies that I was in that company with him & said Chickering has already been allowed his pension for said service} 5 .. 0

4th Service} at Dorchester Heights on March 1776 as appears by certificate of secretary} 0 .. 5

5th Service} At Rhode Island from May 8 to July 8th 1777 as by Secretarys certificate} 2 .. 1
____
15 .. 15
carried over
X

Page 44

                               months days
brought forward ___ 15 .. 15

6th Service} At block Island, formerly called Governors Island under Capt James Morton & Lieut. Math. Kingsbury as appears by history, certificate at the close of it the Lieut. not being mentioned in 1778} 1 .. 04

7th Service} At Greenbush, [illegible] [illegible] in 1779 & 1780 as appears by the deposition of Elijah Dewing who testifies that he was with me on that campaign under command of Sargent Daniel Ware — we were ordered on under said Sargent to file up numeraries but were never called upon, expecting to be called into actual service but were not} 3 .. 00
____
19.19

Making the precise length of my services to be nineteen months and nineteen days for which I claim a pension. I did suppose that my services were sufficiently proved by those who were in the service with me — by the certificate of the Secretary & my own oath but I  have now obtained in addition the certificate of the Rev. Wm Ritchie our Clergyman as before.
In answer to the 6th Interogatory of the department I say that I never had a written discharge to my recollection 
Ebenezer Gay
his X mark

Page 45

Norfolk June 27th 1833
Then personally appeared the abovenamed Ebenezer Gay & made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed by his mark
before me
Jonathan H Cobb
Justice of Peace
Norfolk Ss. Comm#th of Mass ts
Jona H Cobb Esq above named is still a Justice of Peace for sd County sworn & qualified to discharge the duties of sd office. and his signature above is genuine — [illegible] my hand & seal of the Supr Jud Court July 6. 1833
Jairus Ware

June 26th 1833
Then personally appeared William Ritchie of Needham in the County of Norfolk, a respectable Clergyman and respectable and credible witness, and testified on oath, that he has been well acquainted with Ebenezer Gay for a number of years, the same Ebenezer Gay who has just this month to the above declaration & sworn to the same, that he believed him to be seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution: & that he concurd in that opinion
before me
Israel Whitney
Justice of the Peace
X

Page 46

Supplementary Declaration
Ebenezer Gay

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk Ss. 
I Jairus Ware Clerk of the Judicial Court in & for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that Israel Whitney Esq within named is a Justice of peace in & for said County duly appointed commissioned & qualified to discharge the duties of said Office, and that his signature within is genuine & true. And further I certify that Rev Wm Ritchie named within, is the Minister of the first Parish in Needham worthy & respectable in his profession
In witness whereof I have this sixth day of july AD 1833 set my hand and affixed the seal of the Sup: Jud: Court of said Commonwealth
Jairus Ware

Page 47

19452
Ebenezer Gay
Mass

It having been recently ascertained that there are Rolls of service of the Mass. Militia & state troops in the office of the Secy of the state of Mass
[crossed out]
application must be made to that office for evidence of the claimant's service
Augt 27 1833

Jairus Ware
Dedham Mass

Page 48

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claims of Ebenezer Gay 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, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?  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?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period 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?

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's seal affixed ? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

Page 49

                                    2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergymen and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?   Certificate of a Citizen

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit had not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No

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 ?

XIV. If the applicant's name is found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?   
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
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the  regulations direct? Yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such and age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ? Yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as regulations direct? Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not,  which of them is not so answered?

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 and 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 grades;  
For       year        months, and           days, I served as a          For         months and       days, I served as a          : and for such service I claim a pension.

Page 50

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 shewn 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 embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison and for the time 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must 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 the papers.

2

Page 51

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. (4)
[under seal] K ss.
I, JAIRUS WARE, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of [under seal] Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that [first name under seal] Adams & Jonathan H. Cobb Esquires,
and Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that respective signatures to to the depositions annexed are genuine and true. 
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth hereunto at Dedham, this sixth day of December A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jairus Ware.

Page 52

I Elijah Dewing of West Midway in the County of Norfolk of [crossed out] seventy one years of age depose & say that I knew Ebenezer Gay of Needham in the Revolutionary war and was with him in the service of the U.S.  from about the first of November 1779 to about the first day of February 1780 as privet in the Infantry, that he was residing at Needham when he entered the service  he enlisted for three months and served for the period aforesaid, under the Command of Sargent Daniel Ware but I cannot recollect any Captain or Lieut, that he marched from Dedham to Greenbush, thence to Schoodek and thence back to Greenbush, was in no battle, and was discharged verbally at Greenbush, on about the first day of Febry 1780 I further say that I was in the same Company with the said Ebenezer Gay in the Campaign aforesaid 
Elijah Dewing

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss Sept the 26, 1832
Then the above named Elijah Dewing personally appeared And made oath to the truth of the forgoing deposition By him subscribed I further certify that he is a credible Witness
Levi Adams, Justis peace

N. B Mr. Dewing the deponent was expected to have testified at the County for the Applicant, but not being present when this court was called his deposition was taken a few days afterwards as above — Mr Dewing lives twenty miles from the Court

Page 53

I Josiah Richards of Dedham in the County of Norfolk of eighty two years of age depose to say that I know Ebenezer Gay of Needham in the Revolutionary war and was in the service with him in the eight months service as it is called in 1775 he was a private & enlisted for eight months I saw the person aforesaid in the same company with me Capt Daniel Whitney Col. Jonathan Brevans Regimenty  
Josiah Richards
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk Sept. 21, 1832
Then the above named Josiah Richards personally appeared & made [ ] with truth of the forgoing deposition by him [ ]
You then certify that he is a credible witness
Jonathan H Cobb
Jonathan Brevens

Page 54

Certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts

Page 55

Commonwealth of Massachusetts     (1)
Secretary's Office, Sept 20 1832
I hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Ebenezer Gay has served under
Dates of Service
Year enlisted discharged Captains Colonels term of Service  M  Days
1775 May 11 not on roll D Whiting Brewer Three months five days  3 . 5
1776 March not on roll E Battle M Intosh Five Days  0..5
1777 May 8 July 8 Ditto . . Titcomb Two months & one day   2 . . 1   5m . 1 day
Edward D Bangs [  ]
I further certify that saide Ebenezer Gay's name is on a Roll of Capt. James Morton in Col. Peirce's 
Regiment, on duty at Governor's Island: and is stated [  ] to have served from March 3 to April 8th 1778-----------and that I have found no other Rolls containing an accounting of his service.  Edward D Bangs [  ]

Page 56

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Sec. office, Sept 14 1833.
I hereby Certify; that no other Rolls than those within mentioned are to be found in this Office relating to the Service claims of Ebenezer Gay
Edward D Bangs [Scy  ]

Page 57

March 22, 1938
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mrs. John D. Dehn
4706 Lafayette Avenue
Buffalo, New York
BAJ/EEL
Ebenezer Gay-W.21171

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the pension record of Ebenezer Gay, of Massachusetts, who received pension October 24, 1833, on account of his service in the Revolutionary War.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed in pension claim, @21171, based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of Ebenezer Gay.

Ebenezer Gay was born September 16, 1755, at Needham, Massachusetts and his birth was recorded on the records of that town. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in said Needham, Ebenezer Gay enlisted and served as a private with the Massachusetts troops, as follows: from April 17, 1775 to May 1, 1775, in Captain Ebenezer Battle's Company and was in the battle of Lexington; from May 1, 1775 to January 1, 1776, in Captain Daniel Whiting's Company, Colonel Jonathan Brewer's Regiment and was in the battle of Bunker Hill; from sometime in March, 1776, five days at Dorchester Heights in Captain Battle's Company, Colonel [see transcription of side note below for added information] McIntosh's Regiment; from July, 1776, to December, 1776, in Captain Stow's Company of Artillery, under Colonel Wheelock [see transcription of side note below for added information] and went on an expedition to Ticonderoga: from May 8, 1777 to July 8, 1777, in Colonel Titcom's Regiment and marched to Rhode Island; from March 3, 1778 to April 8, 1778, in Captain James Morton's Company, Colonel Pierce's Regiment and was at Governor's Island (later called Block Island); from November 1, 1779, to February 1, 1780; no officer's named except Sergeant Daniel [see transcription of side note below for added information] Ware; entire length of service nineteen months and nineteen days, as stated by soldier.

After the Revolution, he lived in Needam and in Westborough, Massachusetts. 

[notes from right side of letter in connection to Colonel McIntosh]
JM - McIntosh

[notes from right side of letter in connection to Colonel Wheelock]
verified all service in Mass SoS
SoS said Col. Ralph Wheelock - but there was no Col. Ralph Wheelock in Mass SoS only Ephraim Moses.
Ralph Wheelock was a Capt & it was never shown that he obtained rank of col. so I omitted Chiratiau[?] name.

[notes from right side of letter in connection to Sergeant Daniel Ware]
Could not find him as sergt

Page 58

Ebenezer Gay was allowed pension on his application executed September 21, 1832, while living in Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

He died at said Needham, December 12, 1835. His death was recorded on the records of the 1st Congregational Church of said Needham.

The soldier married October 24, 1782, at Needham, Massachusetts, Hannah Clark, date and place of her birth and names of her parents not shown. Both were then of Needham and they were married by the Reverend Samuel West and the marriage was recorded on the records of the 1st Congregational Church of that town. 

Soldier's widow, Hannah, was allowed pension on her application executed December 4, 1838, at which time she was aged eighty-one years and resided at Port Richmond, Richmond County, Staton Island, New York. 

No reference was made to children.

In 1838, Samuel Davis and Lucinda R. Davis made joint affidavit in Richmond County, New York, in support of the widow's claim for pension and in 1829, Samuel and Charles Davis made affidavit that after the death of her husband, Ebenezer Gay, his widow, Hannah, moved with them to Port Richmond, New York, and that they had all lately moved to New York City, where she was still living in 1843. No relationship of the above named persons with surname Davis to the widow, Hannah Gay, was stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Hannah Gay, widow of Ebenezer Gay (W.21171), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Hannah Gay, widow of Ebenezer Gay
Certificate No. 3134
Issued December 1, 1843
Rate, $69.59 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1843
Act of March 3, 1843
New York Agency,

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

[translation of writing on left side of note for paragraph 6]
I used this data because I felt they relations, probably a daughter

Page 59

April 15, 1940
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C. April 17, 1940
Dear Sirs,
I would like information regarding a Revolutionary soldier by the name of Ebenezer Gay. He was born July 22, 1741. at Dedham Mass. 1st wife, Lucy, died 1777. children Eliphalet, Eleanor, Lucy and Rebecca.
I think he had a second wife Hannah and that they moved to Wendell Mass in 1785:
I would like the data on his pension record.
over.

Page 60

Sincerely
Mrs Wm I. Warner
27 Norfolk Ave.
Buffalo
N.Y.

Page 61

706 Lafayette Ave.
Feb. 27, 1838
[illegible owing to stamp] Pension bureau
Washington D. C.

Sirs:
I have been informed the Pension bureau, would, upon request, furnish the pension record of persons serving in the Revolution. I desire the records of Ebenezer Gay of Mass. who received pension on Oct 24 1833 or applied for pension on that date.
Sincerely Mrs John D. Dehn
706 Lafayette Ave. Buffalo N.Y

Page 62

1938 - Mar. 22 - Hist to Mrs John D. Dehn - Eb
1940 May 22. Hist. to Mrs W Warner E. [illegible] L. copied

Revy
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 21171
Hannah Gay widow of Ebenezer Gay Pri Rev War

Act March 3d 43
Index: Vol. A, Page 265

[Arrangement of 1870]