Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17720, Arnold Dickens, New York

Page 1

(3—1776)

SERVICE
New York

Dickens, Arnold
or Dickins
Rachel

NUMBER
W17720

Page 2

Connecticut 3433

Rachel Dickens
widow of Arnold Dickens Jr:
who was a private  N, Y. in the N. York line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Dec. 1843 and sent to Harvey Smith
Ridgefield Cont

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1  Page 66

Page 3

State of New York}
Westchester County} ss

On this fifth day of October in the Year of our Lord 1839.  Personally appeared before William Jay one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County, Rachel Dickens a resident of the town of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy four years, who first being ^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 7th July 1838.  That she is the widow of Arnold Dickens Junr - Desd - who ^as she is informed & verily believes was a private in Captain Ephraim Lockwoods company in Col. Thaddeus Cranes Regiment and Daniel Purdy a Lieutenant in the same company, and that the said Arnold Dickens Junr entered the service of the United States on or about the first of April 1779 under Captain Ephraim Lockwood and Daniel Purdy the Lieutenant, at North Salem in the County of Westchester the said Arnold Dickens Junr. then a resident of that place and that the sd Arnold Dickens Junr. had a father then liveing by the name of Arnold Dickens and resided in the town of North Salem in Westchester County, but it was Arnold Dickens Junr that entered the service under the said Captain Ephraim Lockwood in Col. Thaddeus Cranes Regiment the first of April 1779.  at the town of North Salem as a malitiaman and served in the said Mlitia company whenever called upon which was most of the time continually from the first of April 1779 to November 1781.  was computed to be six months in each year viz 1779, 1780, and 1781 and that whenever the sd arnold Dickens Jr was allowed to go home from the sd service was ordered to be ready at a moments warning with arms and accouterments together with four days provision, to march when called for, and did serve at North Salem and from there to the town of Bedford about the lines as a guard and from Bedford to North Castle about the lines and to York town and Peakskill and White Planes             [end of page]

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Page 4

and the time that the said Arnold Dickens Junr was in actual service from the said first of April 1779 to November 1781. was eighteen Months as computed by one of the Comissioned officers ^under whom he served in the service at the same time viz Daniel Purdy a Lietenant in the sd Captain Ephraim Lockwoods company in Col. Thaddues Cranes Regiment.
She further declares that she was married to the sd Arnold Dickens Junr on the first day of November seventeen hundred and eighty six by Rev. Solomon Mead then a pastor of the presbytarian church in South Salem in the County of Westchester and that her name before marriage was Rachel Benedict and that Arnold Dickens Senior was then living at North Salem, and that her husband the aforesaid Arnold Dickent Junr died on the 26th day of Auguat 1834.  and that she has remained a widow ever since that period.  that she was not married to him prior to his leaveing the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated
Rachel [X her mark] Dickens

Sworn & subscribed before me this}
5th day of Oct 1837}
William Jay, one of the Judges of West Chester Common Pleas

West Chester ss - I hereby certify that from Mrs. Dickens personal appearance, her age, & the information I have received respecting, I believe she could not be carried to court without very great personal inconvenience & perhaps hazard & that I have no reason to question the truth of her declaration
5th October 1839
William Jay, a Judge of West Chester Common Pleas.

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State of New York}
Westchester County}  ss

Martin Mead of the town of Lewiston late town of South Salem in said county being sworn in due form of law deposeth and saith that the Reverend Solomon Mead deceased deponents Rev's father was a presbyterian minister and was pastor of the presbyterian church and congregation in said town from the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty two to the year one thousand eight hundred as appears by the Records kept by deponents said Rev'd father which records are now in deponents posession.  Deponent further saith that a list of marriages solemnized by said Rev'd Solomon Mead deceased is contained in said record in his own hand writing with which deponent is well acquainted—
Marriages
No 461  Arnold Dickens & Rachel Benedict november 2  1786?  
November second seventeen hundred and eighty six—  I hereby certify that it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is [illegible] on the record in fair legible figures as above—
I Martin Mead above named depose and say that the record above refered to is now in my possession and that the above is a true extract from the said record with the exception above named as certified by me—
Martin Mead

Sworn before me the 22nd day of May 1840 before me
Thomas Mead Justice of the peace
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Martin Mead

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the above deponent and that his statements are entitled to full credit—
Thomas Mead Justice of the peace

I would state that I am informed by the agent for Mrs Dickens that the affidavit of the marriage of Mrs Dickens taken on the 28th day of September 1839 before me was not correct in giving the date of the marriage  it should have been November 2nd 1786— Having at the time of taking the affidavit taken one dated the first day of the month I suppose the mistake occurred from the circumstance—
Thomas Mead Justice of the peace

State of New York}
Westchester County} ss

I Thomas H Fisher Acting Clerk of the County of Westchester and also Acting Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County Do Hereby Certify That Thomas Mead Esq before whom the within Deposition of Martin Mead was taken was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Westchester Commissioned and Sworn and duly Authorized to take the same, and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice of the peace and verily believe that the signatures purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testamony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Said court and County - this 30th day of May 1840
Thos. H Fisher Act Clk.

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Page 7

Note:  Document appears to be an envelope

Pawlings N. Y.
July 

free

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

Writing on side:

July 30 1840
Rachel Davis
Cutee Holmes

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Pawlings Dutchess County New York
July 27th 1840

Sir
I recd a certificate for Rachel Dickins of the State of Connecticut widow of Arnold Dickens Desd for 25.66 per annum for five years payable at Hartford the 4 September next dated 8th June 1840

Have the honor to state that it would be much more convenient for her to receive the payment at the city of New York, as the business of the place is mostly done at city of New York - therefore if it is consistent, would consider it a favor to have the place of payment changed from Hartford to city of New York-
I am respectfully your obt Servt
John Holmes Junr
agent
Hon. J L Edwards

Sir
I recd a Certificate for Cutee Holmes widow of John Holmes Desd for 47.98 commenceing on the 25 day of December 1839, dated 5th June 1840 which would leave a balance in [illegible] us from 4 September 1839 to 25 Decemr. 1839 the original certificate was returned with the papers on file - would ask your Honor whether there is any thing more to be done before the said widow ^is entitled to receive such arearage
I am respectfully your obt Servt
John Holmes Jun.
Hon J. L Edwards

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Page 9

N. York
Rachel Dickons
let. to J. Holmes Jr. 10. Dec. 1939
to same 7. May 1840



Act July 1838

Page 10

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 17720
Rachel Dickens
Wid of
Arnold Dickens
Priv. Rev. War

Act:  March 3, 1843
Index:—Vol. A, Page 184

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 11

Pawlings
May 25th 1840

Sir
I enclose the certificate from the records of the Revd Mr. Mead in the case of Rachel Dickens widow of Arnold Dickens Jr.  If the day of the month stated in the declaration, respecting the marriage differs from the inclosed certificate one day, I would state that the declaration was drawn in conformity to the date given in the first certificate of sd marriage - In your letter of May 7th says that the comptrollers certificate shows but 7 Months and 21 days service - I would refer you to the 8- certificate which was 23.2.6 2/3 - which I think makes more time than stated in your letter -

Page 12

Note:  Document appears to be an envelopt

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


Written on end:
6262
Oct 25
N. Y.
July 7. 1838.

Round stamp partially faded:
POUGHKEEPSIE N. Y. 
22

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Pawling Dutchess County
October 21st 1839

Sir
I have enclosed two applications for Pensions.  when examined plase send the result to me and you will oblige your friend-
I am respcfully
Your Obt St
John Holmes Junr
agent

Hon. J L Edwards

Copyists note:  copied as per original document with errors

Page 14

Document appears to be an envelope

FREE
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

 Written on end:

June 5. 1840
NY.

Add proof
Rachel Dickens

Illegible writing

Page 15

Document appears to be an envelope

FREE
J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Written on end:

Feb. 12. 1840
Supplementary declaration
Conn
Rachel Dickens
Sec No 6262
7 July 1838

Rachel Dickens
wid of Arnold

Page 16

3879
Rachl. Dickens


$25.66 per ann

Harvey Smith
Ridgefield
Con

Page 17

I Stephen Pardee of Lewiston, in the County of West Chester and State of New York Aged Sixty years being first sworn according to Law, do testify depose and Say - That I am well acquainted with Rachel Dickins who hath signed the foregoing declaration.  That I reside in the same neighborhood.  and do know that She is the Widow of Arnold Dickins dec'd - That She obtained a pension under the Act of July 7. 1838. for and on account of the revolutionary services of her said Husband.  the Annual Amount of which was twenty five dollars and Sixty Six Cents - Deponent assisted her in collecting the proof necessary for her to establish her claim, and further that, She is a person of truth and veracity, and her Statements are intitled to full credit-
Stephen Pardee

Sworn and Subscribed at Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield, this 26th day of June 1843.  And I Certify that the deponent is a Credible Witness.
Harvey Smith Just. of peace

Page 18

Clerk's Certificate.    
Sold by Croswell & Jewell, No. 2 Street's Building, New Haven.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,              }
County of Fairfield                         }
COUNTY COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE.} SS. Bridgeport August 10th AD 1843

I, William N Noble Esq., Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of Fairfield and keeper of the seal thereof, and of the Commission of the Justices of Peace for said County, hereby CERTIFY:—
THAT,
Harvey Smith Esquire was on the 26th day June 1843 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, with power by the laws of this State, to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgment of DEEDS and other instruments; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature to this instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and seal of the said Court this 10th day of August 1843
Wm. N. Noble Clerk.

Partial imprint of a seal is present but illegible

Page 19

6262
Rachel Dickens

Married 2d Nov 1786
Husband died 26 Aug 1834

Col. Thomas - }
Capt. Lockwood }  N.Y.

Admitted
Private 7 mo & 21 days

Page 20

State of New York}
County of West Chester}  SS.

I John H. Smith Clerk of the said County and Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the said County.  Do hereby Certify - That William Jay whose name is subscribed to the taking of the annexed and foregoing affidavit of Rachael Dickens was on the day of the date in which the ^same purports to have been taken as Judge of the Court of Commpn pleas as aforesaid - and that Epenetus Wallace before whom the affidavit of Daniel Purdy purports to have been taken was at the time of taking the same a Commissioner of deeds, and that Thomas Mead before whom the annexed affidavit of Martin Mead was taken was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace.  And also that Silas Finch before whom the affidavit of Deliverance Purdy was ataken [sic] was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace - And further that the said Wm. Jay, Epenetus Wallace, Thomas Mead and Silas Finch were duly commissioned & sworn and duly authorized to take the annexed and foregoing affidavits, and that the foregoing signatures to the jurats and Certificates of Character are genuine—
In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 12th day of October A. D. 1839
John H. Smith Clk

Note:  There is an imprint of a seal which has been blacked out.

Page 21

Left hand page:

Let to Jno Holmes Jr, July 31. 1840.


Right hand page.

Connecticut 5492
Rachel Dickens
widow of Arnold Dickens, Junr.
and who died on the 26. August 1834 of Fairfield Co. in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Lockwood of the regt. commanded by Col. Thomas in the N. York line for 7 months & 21 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 25 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of June 1840 and sent to John Holmes Jr. Pawlings, N. Y.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1840        102.64
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sept 12.83
$115.47
 
{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A.   Vol 1 .  Page 175

Page 22

State of New York}
Westchester County}  S.

Daniel Purdy of the town of North Salem in the County of Westchester and State of New York, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States aged eighty four years Personally appeared before Epenetus Wallace a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County, who first being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith That he was well acquainted with Arnold Dickins ^Junr of the town of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut ^but formerly of North Salem in Westchester County N. Y. whose widow Rachel Dickins is now an applicant for a Pension and have been for seventy years or more.  That he was knowing to the said Arnold Dickins Jr. Volunteering into the service of the United States in Captain Ephraim Lockwoods ^Malitia Company in Col. Thadeus Cranes Regiment in the Spring of the year 1779 as early as the first of April 1779.  and this Deponent being a Lieutenant in the sd Captn Lockwoods Company in Col. Cranes regiment and the sd Arnold Dikins Jr a soldier in the same company and served in the said company from the first of April 1779.  at and about the lines from North Salem to Bedford and North Castle and well recollects that the said Aronld Dickins Junr. being in and with the sd Captn Lockwoods company whenever they was called upon from the sd first of April 1779 untill the fall of the year 1781.  this deponant well recollects that when the soldiers were allowed to go home they were ordered to be ready at a moments warning with their arms and accouterments with four days provisions, and verry believes that the sd Aronld Dickins Jr  was in actuall service at least six months in each year viz 1779. 1780 and 1781 - in the sd Captn Lockwoods Company in Co. Ths. Cranes Regiment and this deponant a Lieutenant in the same company at the same time and the sd Arnold Dicking Junr a soldier at the same time as above stated
Daniel Purdy
Sworn and subscribed this 24 day of September 1839. before me
Epenetus Wallace Comr. of Deeds

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Page 23

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the within Daniel Purdy and that his statement is entitled to full credit
Epenetus Wallace.
Comr of Deeds

Page 24

State of New York}
Westchester County} SS.

Deliverance Purdy of the town of Somers in the County of Westchester and State of New York aged seventy three years, personally appeared before Silas Finch a Justice of the peace in and for said County, who first being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith, That he was well acquainted with Arnold Dickens Junr. of the town of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and have been for sixty years or more whose widow, whose widow [sic] Rachel Dickens now a resident of the town of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut is an applicant for a pension.  That this deponant was knowing to the said Arnold Dickens Junr. entering into the service of the United States at North Salem under Captain Ephraim Lockwood ^ and Daniel Purdy a Lieutenant in Col. Thaddeus Cranes Regiment in the spring of the year 1779 - as early as the first of April 1779 - and and marched from North Salem to Bedford there to the white planes - and was in the service at that place for some time there from the white planes to the town of Bedford about the lines then from there to North Salem and this ^deponant was in and with the said Captn Ephaim Lockwoods company all most continually untill winter and this deponant well recollect that the sd Arnold Dickens ^Junr was a soldier at the same time in the same company with this deponant, and well recollects that he often saw the said Arnold Dickens Junr. in the said Captn  Ephraim Lockwood Company and Daniel Purdy the Lieutenant in Col. Thaddeus Cranes Regiment both in the year 1780 and also in the year 1781 and this deponant was often in the same company with the said Arnold Dickens Junr. and part of the time this deponant was in the team service  [end of page]

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Page 25

in the year of 1780 and the year 1781. so that this deponant was not all the time in the service in the years 1780. and 1781.  This deponant further saith that he was personally present when the said Arnold Dickens Junr. and Rachel Benedict were joined in Wedlock by the Revd. Solomon Mead at South Salem in the County of Westchester the first day of Novr. Seventeen hundred and eighty six - This deponant saith that at the time the said marriage took place by the sd. Revd. Solomon Mead, the said Arnold Dickens Jr. had a father by the name of Arnold Dickens then liveing in the town of North Salem and had ^a wife liveing with him at the time of the said marriage by the name of Caty - this deponant further saith that he married one of the daughters of Arnold Dickens of North Salem by the name of Abigail Dickens and ^sister to the said Arnold Dickens Junr. who was the soldier that done the service as above stated and was the identical Arnold Dickens Junr. that was married to the said Rachel Benedict at South Salem by Revd. Solomon Mead November 1st ^first 1786. in the presence of this deponant, and that the said Arnold Dickens Junr. Died August 26th 1834.  and that the said Rachel Dickens has remained a widow ever since that period.  and that the said Arnold Dickens ^Senior died at Somerstown Westchester County and also Caty his wife died since the year eighteen hundred, and Arnold Dickens ^Senior died about the year 1811.
Deliverance [X his mark] Purdy
Subscribed and sworn this 7th day 
of October 1839 before me
Silas Finch Justice of Peace

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Deliverance Purdy and that he is of good moral character and his statements entiled to credit
Silas Finch Justice of the peace

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Page 26

State of New York}
Westchester County} SS.

On this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord 1840.  Personally appeared before Thomas Mead a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Rachel Dickens, widow of Arnold Dickens Jr. Desd. a resident of the town of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy four years.  who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following supplementary declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838.  That she is the widow of Arnold Dickens Jr. ^who was a Private in the war of the Revolution.  and that her said husband did not make an application for a Pension in his lifetime not to her knowledge or belief
Rachel [X her mark] Dickins
Subscribed and sworn this
5th day of February 1840 before me
Thomas Mead Justice of the peace

I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Rachel Dickens the above deponent and that her statements are entitled to full credit.  And that she made her mark from want of education—
Thomas Mead Justice of the peace

State of New York}
County of Westchester} SS

I Thomas H Fisher Acting Clerk of the said County and also of the Court of Common pleas for the said County Do Hereby Certify That Thomas Mead Esq before whom the above deposition of Rachel Dickins was taken was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Westchester and duly authorized to take the Same.  and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and [missing words] in that the signature purporting to be his is genuine  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said County this 7th day of February 1840
Thos H Fisher Act Clk
 Note:  A seal was applied to the above lower left of the last paragraph but has been covered.

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Page 27

The Number and Amount of Certificates issued by the Treasurer of the State of New York for [illegible] and Militia Services continued from Book VII.

To whom given
1781 Novem'r 15 38562  Arnold Dickins Jr. Priv
23   2   6 2/3 

State of New York}
Comptrollers Office}
Albany Jany. 8. 1840.}
I hereby Certify the above to be true Extracts from Book 8 now remaining in this office, and also that it appears from the same Book that the said Dickins Jr Served the term above [illegible] under Capt Ephriam Lockwood and that on the 26th December 1781.
Thomas Thomas [illegible] Colonel.

Bates Cooke
Compt.

Copyists note:  Misspellings & errors are from original document.

Page 28

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County       }  SS.

On this twenty sixth day of June AD 1843 - personally appeared before me Harvey Smith a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Rachel Dickins, a Resident of the Town of Ridgefield in said County of Fairfield Aged Seventy Eight years, who on being 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 3rd day of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary War.  That She is the widow of Arnold Dickins who was a private in Capt. Ephraim Lockwoods Co in Col Thads. Cranes Regiment in which he served.  And the Annual Amount of the Pension which she received under the Act of July 7, 1838 was twenty five dollars and sixty six cents ($25.66)— She further declares that she is still a widow; and has not intermarried since the death of the said Arnold Dickins
Rachel [X her mark] Dickins
Witness  Stephen Pardee   Harvey Smith

Sworn and Subscribed this 26th day of June}
one thousand eight hundred and forty three}
before me.  And I hereby Certify that the 
declarant is well known to me and her statements are entitled to full credit—
Harvey Smith  Justice of the Peace

Page 29

State of New York}
Westchester County}  SS

Martin Mead of the town of South Salem in said county being sworn in due form of law deposes and says that his deponents father the Rev'd Solomon Mead deceased was a Presbyterian minister and was pastor of the presbyterian church and congregation in said South Salem from the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty two to the year one thousand eight hundred as appears by the records kept by the said Rev'd Solomon Mead deceased which records are now in deponents possession—  Deponent further says that a list of the marriages solemnized by the said Rev'd Solomon Mead deceased is contained in said record and by the said record Arnold Dickens was married to Rachel Benedict November first one thousand seven hundred and eighty six the record of which marriage is in the hand writing of deponents said Rev'd father as deponent believes he being well acquainted with the same—
Martin Mead
Sworn and subscribed this 28th day
of September 1839 before me
Thomas Mead Justice of the peace

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Martin Mead the above deponent that he is of good moral character and that his statements are entitled to full credit—
Thomas Mead Justice of the peace