Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,745, Peter Foster, Conn.

Page 1

(3--1766)

Foster, Peter
Tammy

SERVICE
Conn.

NUMBER
W. 14,745

CONTENTS

Page 2

Massachusetts 1559

Tammy Foster, - widow of Peter Foster, - who died on the Septr [September] 1805, of Berkshire in the State of Mass. [Massachusetts] who was a private in the compy. [company] commanded by Captain _ of the Regt. [Regiment] commanded by Coll [Colonel] Durkee & Wyllis in the Connt. line for Mass

2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massts. at the rate of 80 Dollars _ Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of November 1837, and sent to M.R. Lanchton, Pittsfield, Mass.

Arrears to the 4th of Septr [September] 1837 | $520.00
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar '38 | 40.00
 | $560.00

{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d}

Recorded by D. Mc Curdy, Clerk, 
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 50.


Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the C. [Congress] April 1838 from 4th Sept 1837 to 1 April 1838 the day of his death. Agt notified 10. March 1840

Page 3

V2128

Tammy Foster
widow of Peter Foster decd. [Deceased]
Mass. [Massachusetts]

Married 1771
died 1805

[illegible] private
$80 per ann [annum] [Comy??]
4 March 1831.

[illegible]
Cont. Cont. line
Col. Wyllis regt

M.R. Lanchton Esq
Pittsfield Mass


Henry W Bishop - Register of Probate

Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

County of Berkshire, ss.

ON this seventh day of [crossed out: May] June A. D. 1837. 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, Tammy Foster, (widow of Peter Foster), a resident of the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged about eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on h[crossed out: is]er oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed Ju[crossed out: ne]ly 4 1836 [crossed out digit] _ granting half pay to widows & orphans.

That Peter Foster [crossed out: he] entered the service of the Untied States under the following named officers, and served as [crossed out word] according to my best knowledge and believe stated. and set forth in an annexed copy of sundry records from the Comptrollers Office, dated at "Hartford, Connecticut, twenty third of January 1837," the depositions of Matthew Hale, Daniel [Wilez??], James R. Wier & others, That I was married to said Peter Foster at Glastonbury in Connecticut, by the Revd, [Reverend} John [Bells??] some few years before the war, but the precise year I cannot tell.  That my husband, Peter Foster, was a soldier and served in the army a number of years, but how many I do not recollect, but according to my best recollection about seven years.  He was at home several times on a furlough, and returned again to the army.  I have had ten children by said Peter, five sons & five daughters; some of them were born before, some during & some after the war.  My children are all dead except two, Peter and Chole _ and that all of them, had they lived, would have been over eighteen years of age at the death of their father.  Some several years after the war, we removed to Catskill New York and resided there one or two years, we then went, to a place called Scotts Patten, in N.Y. where we resided for sometime.  My husband was taken sick in June & died in the month of September, following, of a disease called the consumption_ the year I cannot tell, but think it was about thirty two years since.  After the death of my husband, I removed to Pittsfield, Mass.  There I have since resided in the family of my son, Peter Foster.  I further depose that, I am the widow of Peter Foster, and that said Peter was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and that before & during the war I was acquainted, when at Glastonbury, with Matthew Hale, Daniel Miles & James R. Wier, at that time, all of Glastonbury _ and that from age and infirmity I am unable to be more particular in my statement.

Tammy Foster X her mark

Attest to the Mark of Tammy Foster M.R. Lanckton

Page 5

Subscribed & sworn to before me the day & year aforesaid.-

William P. Walker Judge of Probate

I Henry W Bishop_ Register for 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 Tammy Foster for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office of said Court of Probate this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven-

Henry N Bishop_ Register of Probate.

Page 6

1771. May 27th. Peter negro belonging to Timothy Hale Senior & Tammy negro belonging to Daniel Hale both of Glastonbury were married.

I certify that the above is a true copy of the record of marriage kept by the late Rev.d [Reverend] John Eells and now in my possession as his sucessor in the pastoral office.

Samuel H. Riddel

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
}
Glastonbury

On this 25th day of January AD 1837 personally appeared Samuel H. Riddel signer of the above certificate and made a oath to the truth of the same before me

George Marrick [Jus??] [Justice] of Peace
Hartford County

Page 7

I Mathew Hale aged seventy six years of Glastonbury in the County of Hartford, depose and say that I was well acquainted with Peter, a negro and slave to Timothy Hale Before the Revolutionary war.  That he married a slave of Daniel Hale before said War, by the name of Tammy.  Said Peter is the same person who appears [on??] the records of the late John Eells as Peter negro.  I lived within half a mile of said Peter at that time.  That said Peter served in the Revolutionary army under the name of Peter Foster I know him by that name in Col. Wyllys' regiment during the revolutionary War.  I served sometime in the same regiment. And further the deponant saith not.

Mathew Hale

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
}
Glastonbury

On this 25. day of January 1837 personally appeared Mathew Hale signer of the above deposition and made oath to the truth of the same before me

George Merrick Jus [Justice] of Peace
Hartford County

Page 8

I Daniel Miles aged Eighty six of Glastonbury in the County of Hartford County testify and say that I was well acquainted with Peter, a negro man and before the revolutionary war was a slave to the late Timothy Hale._ that I lived very near said Hale in the same town.  That said Peter is the same person who appears on the records of the late John Ealls as Peter negro that I was well acquainted with his wife before the revolutionary war_ Her name Tammy and salve to Daniel Hale.  They were married before the Revolutionary war.  Peter enlisted in the army under the name of Peter Foster.  I knew him in the army by that name of Col. Wyllys' Regiment.  I served sometime in the same Regiment; Peter was gone from Glastonbury after 1777 and this deponent believes served from that time to the end of the war.  I know this Peter negro to be the same who married Tammy and went into Wyllys' Regiment under the same name of Peter Foster as aforesaid.  And farther the deponent saith not.

Daniel Miles

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
}
Glastonbury

On this 25th day of January 1837 Personally appeared Danile Miles and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me

George Merrick Jus. [Justice] of Peace
Hartford County

Page 9

I Peter Foster of Pittsfield in the county of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts, depose and say that, from the best information I can obtain I was born in Glastonbury, in the county of Hartford & State of Connecticut; and that I am about sixty four years old.  I further depose that from my earliest recollections I lived in said Glastonbury, and that I remained there until I was about fourteen years of age, when I went to live in Newington.  While I was at Glastonbury I lived with my mother Tammy Foster, & Peter Foster was the reputed husband of said Tammy, and the father of myself & the other children & we called him father.  I then believed & still believe, that Peter & Tammy were legally man & wife.  While I resided in Newington my father & mother removed from Glastonbury and went to Catskill, in the state of New York.  They afterwards removed to a place called Scotch Patten; where they resided for some years.  My father died at said last mentioned place, as I am informed & verily believe.  At the time of his death, I lived in Pittsfield, Mass.  I further depose, that my father has always been reputed to be a soldier of the revolution; and that I recollect that, while we lived in Glastonbury, he was at home, once or more, on a furlough I further depose, that after the death of my father my mother came to Pittsfield where she has since resided _ and that Tammy Foster, the applicant for a pension, is the same person that was the reputed wife of Peter Foster, & that Peter & Tammy, as I believe, were married by Revd John Eells of Glastonbury.

Peter Foster X his mark

Attest to the mark of Peter Foster
M.R. Lanckton
}

Page 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Berkshire ss-

I Henry W Bishop - Register of the Court of Probate for said County do certify that Matthias R Lanckton before whom. the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time of the taking thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified _ that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & know that the [illegible] purporting to be his [illegible] to the certificate below is genuine _ In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court this seventy day of June AD 1837

Henry W Bishop_ Register Probate.

Berkshire ss. Lenox, Mass. June 7th 1837

Then personally appeared Peter Foster and made oath that the affidavit by him subscribed on the opposite side of this sheet contains the truth & the whole truth & nothing but the truth.  Before me M.R. Lanckton Justice of the Peace

I, Certify that I have long been acquainted with the within named Peter Foster and that he is a person of good moral character and also for truth & veracity, and that in my opinion is entitled to full faith & credit [crossed out: illegible] 
M.R. Lanckton
Justice of the Peace

Page 11

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make know to whom it doth or may concern,

THAT George Merrick Esquire, is, and for more than six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds and to certify the same;  also to administer oaths to witness and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said George Merrick in Court and Country. 

In testimony, whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 25th day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and farther certify that the above is the genuine signature of George Merrick

Royal R Hinman Secretary

Page 12

Rev WIDOW, &c. am

File No. 14,745-
Tammy Foster
Widow of Peter Foster
Pri Rev War [Private Revolutionary War]


Act: Juny 4th 36
Index:-Vol. a, Page 248

[Arrangement of 1870]

Page 13

FOSTER, PETER
(CONN.) W-14745

Page 14

Bill of Sale of Tammy and Sabra her Daughter Mar. [March] 8th. 1788

Page 15

Know all Men by these Presents that I Daniel Hale of Glastonbury in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut for the Consideration of Twenty pounds Lawful Money to me in hand paid by Peter Foster of Glastonbury aforesaid have bargained, Sold, made over and Delivered and by these Presents do bargain Sell make over and deliver unto the said Peter Foster One certain Negro woman named Tammy with one [illegible overwritten word] of her Children a Daughter: [crossed out: named the [illegible] of [illegible] and the other] named Sabra about twenty months old

To have and to hold the above said bargained Promisses with the Appurtenance to the proper use and [illegible] of him the said Peter Foster for ever, hereby Covenanting and agreeing that I have good Right and Lawful Authority to Sell the above said Negro woman and Child [crossed out: ren] and I have above done and that they shall be well holden into the said Peter Foster for ever without the Lawfull Lett or disturbance of me my Heirs &c. or any other person or persons whatsoever.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8th Day of March AD 1788

Daniel Hall

Signed Sealed & delivered
In presence of
Johah Hale
David Hale Jun

[stamp with circle border] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES [illegible]

H. Glastonbury August 29 1837
John Mosely

Page 16

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office
February 18th, 1840

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The childn [children] of Tammy Foster, decd. [deceased] a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars [crossed out: and Cents] per annum, under the law of the 4th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. [September] 1837. to the 1st April 1838, the day of her death.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Page 17

[checkmark]
Tammy Foster
Widow of Peter Foster decd. [deceased]
Mass. [Massachusetts]
[Sus.??] let M R Sanchton
July 20. 1837
to the Sept [September] 14 1837

Page 18

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connecticut
23 January 1837

On application for proof of the Revolutionary service of Peter Foster I have examined the records of that service remaining in this office, and find and certify as follows: -

In the Books continuing the record of the settlements with the troops of the "Connecticut Line of the Continental Army", I find the name of Peter Foster, as a private, in Colonel Samuel Wyllys' Regiment "from March 27. 1778, to 1 January 1780_ 1 Year 9 Months & 4 days."

And also in the same records of settlement &c. as above described, the name of Peter Foster, as a private in Colonel John Durkees Regiment "from 1 January 1781 to 31 Decemr. [December] 1781_ 1 Year."  And that in addition to his regular pay there was interest and gratuity allowed him.  I also certify that the different periods of service of the "Connecticut Line." were kept separate in these Books, and separate settlements made with therefor; as "service before 1780" _ "service in 1780." &c.

Certified in absence of the Comptroller
by me
Royal R Hinman Secretary of said State

Page 19

I James R. Wire, of Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts, aged eighty five years; depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Peter Foster, of Glastonbury in Connecticut, before the Revolutionary War, and also, Tammy Foster his wife.  I further depose that, Peter Foster, [crossed out: that] served in the war aforesaid, and was the reputed husband of Tammy Foster, now of Pittsfield Massachusetts; and that the said Tammy, now making application for a Pension is the same person that was then the reputed wife of the said Peter.  I further depose that I knew the Rev.d [Reverend] John Eellz of Glastonbury aforesaid, and that he was a settler minister at said place before 1771. and for sometime afterwards.  I further depose that Peter Foster, the son of the aforesaid Peter Junior, & Tammy, now resides in Pittsfield aforesaid aid; and that Peter junior & Tammy had a family of several Children, but the number I do not distinctly recollect.  I further depose that I have often heard that said Peter was dead, and altho [sic] I was not present at his death, yet from the circumstances I have no doubt of the fact.  I further depose that said Tammy Foster, is a person of good reputation for truth and veracity among her neighbors, and further the deponent saith not. 

James R Wier

Berkshire ss. Pittsfield, Mass.  March 17th 1837

Now personally appeared James R. Wier and made oath the that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true Before me. M.R. Lanckton Justice of the Peace and I hereby certify that I have long been acquainted with the above named James R Wier, that he is a person of good reputation for truth & veracity & that in my opinion is entitled to full credit
M.R. Lanchton
Justice of the Peace

Page 20

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Berkshire ss.

I Henry W Bishop Register of the Court of Probate of said County do certify that Matthias R Lanckton before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time of the taking thereof a Justice of the Peace within and for said county duly commissioned and qualified. that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & know that the signature purporting to be his subscribed to the foregoing certificate of the oath of the aforenamed James R Wier is genuine_

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Seventh day of June AD 1837

Henry W Bishop Register of Probate

Page 21

I Daniel Miles of Glastonbury in Hartford County and the State of Connecticut aged Eighty Seven, depose and say that before the Revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Peter Negro, a colored man, that he married Tammy Negro, a colored woman; That during the revolutionary war said Peter enlisted in Col. Willis' [Wyllys] Regiment, by the name of Peter Foster, and served under that name and was ever after known by that name.  It was customary at that time when Negroes enlisted to assume some name.  I knew many instances of this kind.  I know that the Negro man in Willis' Regiment during the revolutionary War, by the name of Peter Foster, was [illegible] he belonged to Daniel Hale, called Peter Negro, and the same man who married Tammy Negro, and I know him to be the same negro who was the late husband to Tammy Foster

Daniel Miles

State of Connecticut.
County of Hartford
}
ss. Glastonbury

On this 19th day of August 1837 Personally appeared Daniel Miles signer of the foregoing Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same before me. & I hereby certify that from my personal knowledge he is a [credible??] witness & entitled to credit.

George Merrick Justice of the Peace


State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
}

County Clerk's office

I, Philo A Goodwin Clk [Clerk] of the County and for sd [said] County of Hartford do herby certify that George Merick Esq whose name is is [sic] subscribed to the above certificate is an acting justice of the peace within and for sd County of Hartford [illegible] commissioned & qualified as appears to me [aforesaid??] in my office, that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine & that full faith & credit are due to his official acts

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of sd County Court this 3rd day of October A.D. 1837 & [illegible] my name the day & year aforesaid.

Philo A. Goodwin Clerk

Page 22

I Matthew Hale of Glastonbury in Hartford County and State of Connecticut aged Seventy six depose and say I was well acquainted with Peter Negro, a colored man, that he belonged to the late Daniel Hob of this town. That when he married Tammy Negro, he was called Peter Negro; that he afterwards enlisted into Willis' Regiment and served sometime during the Revolutionary War, by the name of Peter Foster. I know Tammy Foster of Pittsfield Massachusetts to be the same person who married Peter Negro & who afterwards served in Willis Regiment under the name of Peter Foster. I was born & brought up within our [illegible] of the late Daniel Hob, the master of said Peter, and the facts I refer to are within personal knowledge. And further the Deponent saith not

Matthew Hale

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
Glastonbury

On this 19th day of August 1837, personally appeared Matthew Hob signer of the foregoing deposition and under oath to the truth of the [illegible]. And I hereby certify that from personal knowledge he is a credible witness, and his  story 
[illegible]

George Merrick Justice of the Peace

Page 23

I John Moseley of Glastonbury in Hartford county and State of Connecticut aged sixty eight years depose and say that I was well acquainted with Peter Foster a negro man and Slave owned by the late Daniel Hale of this town: That I was born and have ever lived within half a mile of where the said Daniel Hale lived and died: That said Peter when the slave of said Daniel was called Peter Negro, and that afterwards the said Peter was called Peter Foster. That I was also acquainted with Tammy Negro, and recollected her marriage being spoken of in town with said Peter, and that I knew them afterwards to lived together as man and wife. And I further depose and say that I am well acquainted with the signature of the late Daniel Hale; that the instrument exhibited to me, and by me marked A was signed by my hand, purporting to be a bill of sale of Tammy & her daughter Sobia to said Peter Foster and signed by said Daniel Hale is in my opinion his own proper handwriting and I am also acquainted with the hand writing of Sarah Hale and David Hale Sr. who signed said instrument as witnesses, that they are both dead and in my opinion said signatures are respectively their proper signatures. And I have a distinct recollection of hearing it said at the time that said Peter Forster had purchased his said wife Tammy & her daughter Sabia, of their master said Daniel Hale. And further the deponent saith not.

John Mosely

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford}
Personally appeared on this 23 day of August AD 1837, John Moseley signer of the foregoing Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same before me and I hereby certify that from my personal knowledge he is a creditable witness & entitled to credit.
George Merrick Justice of the Peace