Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 11,942, Elijah Adams, New York

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New York                                                Adams, Elijah                                                    8.11.942

                                                                                                                                                      carded


A. June 10, 1753. Hartford Co. Conn.
res at & in 1832 Troy, Rensselaer Co. N.Y.
d. Mar. 2, 1841, widow Elizabette

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Set to Pensioner 29 April, 1835
Set to Pensions Agent 29 April 1835 cannot be found
Letter to Archibald
Bull March 24th 1842

L. Brown. Oct. 6. 1842,

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S11942
6464
New York
Elijah Adams
of Rensselaer in the state of N. York
who was a Private & Serg. in the Company commanded by Captain G___ of the Regt commanded by Col. Schuyler in the N. York
line for 1 Month a Sgt.
11  Months & 22 ds Pri.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 44 Dollars 08 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Feby. 1833
1833 -.-     and (illegible) Piersen
Arrears to the 4th of September. 1832  $66"12
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4_. '33       $22"04
                                                                    $88"16

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Geo. B. Stiles Clerk
Book D.  Vol.5  Page 60

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Elijah Adams
Application for
Pension


204.90

aomd
1 mo Sergt
11. 22 day Pri

12.22.

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State of New York
Renselaer County 
On this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas called The Mayors Court of the City of Troy, now sitting Elijah Adams a resident of the City of Troy in the County of Reselaer & State of New York aged seventy nine years who 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 7. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated.
Colonel Stephen J. Schuyler, Lieutenant Henry K. Van Renselaer (who succeeded Col. Schulyer in his command) and Major John Fonda.
Company officers Captain Henry Gardiner who was succeeded by Captain Christopher Tillman (who was afterward succeeded in the command of the Company by Capt. Henry Daukes) Lieutenant Jonathan Severs, Ensign John Clark, Orderly Sergeant George Boyes.
That he entered the service under the above named officers as a private & volunteer in or about the month of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred& seventy six. And that the same year re received the appointment of Sergeant. And that he continued in the service of the United States until the close of the war.
That immediately after his enrollment he was marched to Fort Ann by the way of Saratoga& Fort Edward and served in that town one month.
That in the Spring of (1777) in February he enlisted in the Batteau Service under Captain John Cole for ten months. That he was engaged from the time he enlisted until the river opened in cutting timber which was used in building fortifications, and after the river opened they were engaged in boating on the North river, and that he continued in that service Three months, 
when he procured another person to take his place & who served out his time
That in the spring of the year (1778) he was engaged with William Duer & others on the Island between Troy & Albany in putting up fish for the army six weeks.
That in the fall 1778 in September he again entered the same Company and Regiment, and that he was selected together

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with a number from his regiment, and the regiment of Col. Philip Schuyler, and were placed under the command of Col. Schuyler, and were marched to Beaver dam, and assisted in removing the people from that place to Greenbush in Rensselaer County, and was out on that tour one month.
In 1779 he went one tour to Fort Edward and was out three weeks.
That in the year 1779 he also went one tour to  Saratoga & was out three weeks. That he went another to Saratoga and he thinks in the year 1780 and was out one month.
That in the year 1782 he was also marched as far as Hoosick and served two weeks-
The year Cornwallis was defeated 1781 he went out as far as Schenectady, and served two weeks-
That in the year 1778 immediately after he got thro' putting up fish he was put on the watch on the North river-Station from Landingburgh to Schodick, and that he served on that watch three months-
And that he served all that time after he left the Batteau service as a private.
Answers to the interrogations proposed by the War Department-.
1. That he was born in Hartford County State of Connecticut on or about the tenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three.
2.That he had now in his possession a record of his age.
3.That at the time he entered the service of the United States he resided in what is now called the City of Troy and that he has ever since the revolution, and does now reside in the City of Troy, County of Rensselaer & State of New York.
4. That he volunteered.
5. That he recollects Colonels' Gansevoort and Van Schaick of the regular line-and Colonels Philip Schuyler and Peter Gates of the Militia-
that his

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quarters were at Landingburgh, and that he kept himself ready at all times to be called out in service-
And that when he was at home and not engaged in service abroad he was frequently out on scouting expeditions-
6.That he never received a written commission or discharge and that he has no documentary evidence.
7. That he is known in his present neighborhood to George Tibbits, Jeremiah Daucky, Stephen Warren and others who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
That he never was in any battle-
That there is no clergyman residing in his vicinity of the said Elijah Adams who is sufficiently acquainted with him to certify in his behalf-
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 to a subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Archibald Bull Clerk
Elijah Adams

Rensselaer County
City of Troy
Thomas L. Spotten being duly sworn doth on his oath this fourth day of December 1832 in open Court depose and say that he is seventy one years of age, that he is well acquainted with Elijah Adams who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that he served in the same regiment with the said Elijah Adams; That he was with him in the service in putting up fish, and also in the tours to Fort Edward, to Saratoga, to Hoosick, to Schenectady, and in the service of Three months on the watch; and that he knows that the said Elijah Adams was out on all the other tours and the service mentioned by him in the foregoing declaration and that the served as stated in the foregoing declaration and that the said Elijah Adams has

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always sustained a good moral character, and that his character for truth and veracity is good-
Sworn & Subscribed December 4 1832 in open 
Court
Thomas Lewis Spotten
Archibald Bull Clerk
Rensselaer County
City of Troy 
Israel Anthony of the town of Schaghticoke Rensselaer County being duly sworn says that he served in the revolutionary war, that he is well acquainted with Elijah Adams and that he was acquainted with him during the war and that he knows that he served during the revolutionary war-and that his character for truth and veracity is good.
Sworn and Subscribed on December 4 1832 in open Court
Israel Anthony
Archibald Bull Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states-And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the said Thomas L. Spotten who has signed the foregoing declaration resides in the town of Landingburgh, and the said Israel Anthony who has also signed the foregoing affidavit resides in the town of Schaghticoke in the County of Rensselaer and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I Archibald Bull Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas called the Mayors Court of the City of Troy do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elijah Adams for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourth day of December 1832-
Archibald Bull Clerk

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Elijah Adams
20.490

admd


Pierson

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20490
Brief in the case of Elijah Adams
County of Rensselaer in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2.If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?-
3. How old is he? 79.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Duration of Service.Rank. Names of general and Field Officers under whom he served.
Vol in 1776 Sept., 1 month, Sergeant. Capts. Gardiner & Tillman, Major Fonda, Col. Schuyler-
Enlisted 1777 Spring, duration 3 months as a private, Capt. John Cole-
1778 Spring, 42 days, ("do"=ditto) (private), Capt. Gardiner, Col. Schuyler.
1778 Septr., 1 month, (private), none mentioned (ditto)-
1779, 21 days, (private), none mentioned.
1779, 21 days, private, none mentioned.
1780, 1 month, (private), none mentioned.
1782, 14 days, (private), none mentioned.
1781, 14 days, (private), none mentioned.
Totals=112-90=22
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Troy N.Y.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence mentioned in the case above

1778, 3 months, private, none mentioned-

Examining Clerk.
F. Waugh
Feb. 13. 1833.

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Troy N.Y. Oct. 1. 1842
L. Brown Atty.
Enc. pension papers of
Eliz. Adams.
B367. Rec Oct 4/42
Pension office
_5672.  NY
July 4, 1836
Eliz. Adams
32

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Troy Oct 1st 1842
Hon John C. Spencer
Sect of War-
Dear Sir. enclosed are the papers in reference to the claim of Elizabeth Adams of this City. widow of the late Elijah Adams now deceased-
You will confer a great favor by examining her rights in the matter of certifying to whatever may be proper in the premises.
I am informed that the said Adams never has received from the department any thing excepting the amount for the term of one year from the 4th March 1831. And why, we cannot understand. And it is presumed she is entitled not only to something in arrears & due him before his decease, but also to something of a pension since his decease.
Your earliest attention to the matter will relieve a needy & decripid old lady.
(Yours Respectively)
L. Brown Atty for
Elizabeth Adams.

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11942
Invalid
File No. 11942
Elijah Adams
Priv Rev War

Act: June 07" 1832

Index:-Vol. A, Page 3

[Arrangement of 1870.]

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[handwritten]

11
333
[line]
366[3 (unclear)]

[number - unclear]
36.66
2.42
[line]
44.08

22
11
[line]
2.42

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elijah Adams [name handwritten] which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes [handwritten]

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes [handwritten]

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? [line, handwritten]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes [handwritten]

V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes [handwritten]

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No [handwritten]

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes [handwritten]

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes [handwritten]

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes [handwritten]

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 [handwritten]

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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and other respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes [handwritten]

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes [handwritten]

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 description that such proof cannot be had?  [line, handwritten]

XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness of witnesses as to his service? yes [handwritten]
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 [handwritten]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  [line, handwritten]

XV. Does it appear from any papers that the witness was in such a condition, or of such an age, as to have personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes [handwritten]

XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes [handwritten]

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

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

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

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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 [italics] about three or four [end italics] 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. [italics] Proof of Service. [end italics]
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. [italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [end italics]
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.

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In the matter
of
Elijah Adams

Cert of decease. from 
clerk of Rensselaer
County N.Y.




13367

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State of New York
Rensselaer County
I Charles Hooper Clerk of the County of Rensselaer do hereby Certify, that it was satisfactorily proven by testimony adduced to the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Rensselaer, now in Session That Elijah Adams late of the City of Troy in the County aforesaid was in his life time & at the time of his death a United States pensioner. That he died on the Second day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty one. and that he left Elizabeth Adams his widow surviving him.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name affixed, the seal of said County this Sixteen day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two.
Chas HooperClerk of Renss. Co.

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Mar 21. 1842
Revolutionary Claims

James S. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

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Troy March 18. 1842.

J. S. Edwards Esq.
Sir
Elijah Adams a Revolutionary pensioner act of 1832. was as it appears on application for his pension at the pension office in the City of Albany suspended on the 4th September 1834.
 It is not understood why the payment of the pension was suspended - Will you have the goodness to inform me at your earliest convenience the reason of the suspension -
Yours &c.
Archibald Bull

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A. Bull
March 4th 1842

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Pen H
March 24th '42
Sir,
In answer (illegible) enquiry respecting the case of Elijah Adams of Rensselaer Co I would refer you to the enclosed copy of my letter to him of 29 Apr. 1835
Archibald Bull Esq
Troy
N.Y.

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19 April
,1835

96



[illegible] Vol 25 1/2 Page 486

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War Department
Pension Office
Apr 28, 1835
Sir,
On reviewing the evidence upon which your claim to a pension was allowed under the act of June 7th 1832 it is evident that it was inadvertently admitted; The Batteaux Service and that of a watch from Schoduck to Lunsingburgh and that also of putting up fish which constituted a large portion of your claim cannot be allowed (..........illegible)

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L. Brown
Oct. 6. '42

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76
Pen H
Oct, 6. '42
Sir
In the case of (?) Elizabeth Adams informally submitted upon a mere statement & a certificate of the (illegible) which are herewith returned, I have to inform you that her late husband was not entitled to a pension under the act of 7 June '32 although by inadvertence he did enjoy one for a short time-
You are referred to M. Bull for the reasons of suspending his pension & rejecting his claim
The last term of service in the compl. certificate was rendered by a different Elijah Adams- He set forth no such service under Capts Van DerHeyden & Dericker in whose companies Elijah Adams is credited with service but less than 3 months.
S. Brown Esq
Troy. N.Y.