Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1, Joseph James Abbey, Conn.

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(8-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Abbey, Joseph James
or James
NUMBER
R.1.
CONTENTS

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State of Newyork
Delaware County

On this ninth day of January 1837 personally appeared before the Hon. Amos Douglas Esquire one of the Judges of the County Courts within and for the County of Delaware.
James Abbey or resident of the Town of Sidney in the County of Delaware in the State of Newyork aged seventy six years and six months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the beneift of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832. That he enlisted as a private Soldier in the Army of the United States (he thinks) in the year 1780 or 1781 for the term of three years in the Connecticut line under the following named Officers viz that he Enlisted at the Town of Preston in Connecticut in the month of May either in the year 1780 or 1781 in the Company Commanded by Captain Stephen Potter - that the Ensign's name was Galpin or Calpin who was promoted while the said Abbey remained in said Company - that according to his best recollection Zebulon Butler Commanded the Regiment - that his brother Joseph Abbey and George Wine both enlisted at the same time and state with him and for the same Term That they joined the Army at the [illegible] in the Highlands opposite West Point some time that season - And that some time after the joined the Army he said James Abbey was taken out of the Company and put into the armory shop or Business he being a Blacksmith by trade or profession and was employed in that Business under John Rockwell at the Highlands and other places about from one year to eighteen months and was then returned to the line in the same regiment and remained until said term of 3 years was nearly expired when he was Discharged at West Point with Joseph Abbey and George Wine and the three years men Generally - that he had on regular Discharge which was burnt and destroyed with the House about sixteen years ago - that he has not now any Documentary or other evidence of his said services but that hereto annexed - that he has applied to the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut who informs him that his officers' names are found - but that the

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The muster rolls or returns are defective or not found in his office - that said John Rockwell is not living - nor any one that he knows of by whom he can prove his said services more fully than he now does - that from or by reason of his Age and infirmities he has lost his memory and cannot now recollect the dates and events that this took place so as to represent them correctly - but thinks the records of the Connecticut Regiments discharged at West Point at the close of the War will show his services and Discharge - and also the intervals of the Armory under said Rockwell - that he hereby relinquishes any claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency of any State -
That the reason why he has not made application for pension before this is because he did not intend ever to apply as long as he could support himself by his labor - but now from his age and bodily infirmities he is unable to labor but very little and having no property he is unable to support himself without the Charity and Assistance of his neighbours - 
Sworn to and subscribed - James Abbey
the day and year aforesaid
before Mr. Amos Douglas one of the Judges of the Court of [illegible] Pleas in and for the County of Delaware being a Court of record
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states - and I further certify that it appears to me that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity (particularly the Rheumatism) attend the Court. Dated January 9 1837
Amos Douglas Judge Ass.

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State of New York
County of Delaware I Crawford B. Sheldon Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware do certify Amos Douglass Esquire the person before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been Sworn was at the date the Same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware duly Commissioned and Sworn, and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and that his name subscribed to the said affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Said County January 30 1837
C B Sheldon Clerk

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Joseph James Abbe
Application for Pension
Act June 7 1832
Supplemental Papers

JE Harvey Esq.
Present
Aug 3 1844

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Supplemental Declaration     
State of New York      
Delaware County}  ss.     
 On this twenty third day of May A.D 1844 personally appeared before me Parker Fletcher James Abbe of the town of Sydney in said County of Delaware who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following supplemental declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Provision made by an act of Congress dated June 7, 1832. That seven or eight years ago he made a declaration under said act and entrusted his papers to Judge Beach who Declarant believes sent them to Washington but meeting with some difficulty abandoned the claim unless declarant would advance money to continue the same which owing to Poverty Declarant was unable to pay.  And more recently that his claim has been urged by lawyer Page but nothing accomplished. And Declarant further saith that he made out his original papers as James Abbe believing that he was known by that name in the Army, but that his real name is Joseph James Abbe his having been thus baptized by the Rev. Mr. Barrett at Hopkinton Mass. when an infant. And Declarant further saith that he proved his service in the Connecticut Line by two respectable witnesses viz. John Warren and David Hull who served with him, agreeable to the rules adopted by the War Department, And further saith not.        Joseph James Abbe his mark   
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid before one Parker Fletcher.    Justice of the Peace         
I hereby certify that Joseph James Abbe by the infirmity of old age does not [unreadable] by much. Parker Fletcher Justice of the Peace

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State of New York
Delaware County
Elected Office
I Crawford B Sheldon Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Parker Fletcher before whom the within affidavit of Joseph James Abbe... to service been taken, was at the time charged a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elec-ted Sworn and further that his signature to the [illegible] of said affidavit appears to be genuine.
With my hand I affix each seal this 26th day of July AD 1844.
CB Sheldon Clerk

Joseph James Abbe
Applicant for Pension Act from June 7 1832
Supplemental Papers

J.E. Harvey Esq.
Present
Aug 3 1844

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3-8
(8--1776) 2 7 6-16
SERVICE     NUMBER
bonm Abbey, Joseph James R.I.
James ov
CONTENTS
8

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary's Office, Boston July 23, 1844

I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed application Samuel D. Davenport was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,

in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are an ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

John G. Paepey
Secretary of the Commonwealth

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Commonwealth of Mass.
County of Middlesex
Hopkinton July 20th 1844

I J. C. Webster, the subscribed do hereby certify that it appears by the Register of Baptisms connected with the First Church in Hopkinton that the following is a true extract.
"1765. April 21. John Abbes child was baptized Joseph."
J. C. Webster, Pastor of First Church
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex July 20th A.D 1844
Sworn to Before me
Samuel D Davenport Justice of the Peace

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Boston, 23 July 1844      
Dear Sir       
I last wrote you 19th. Enclosed please find afdt. of the baptismal name of Joseph Abbe, also cft. of wid. of Nathan Evans - my correspondent says - "I have exd. these town records but find nothing - I find the record of her. Matthew Evens mar. to Martha Bowker on the Church B’l  July 21, 1774 instead of 1769 as you state it must be the same one as there is no other Evens on the book. - As to Mr Abbe the only name on record is Jos. and of course it must be the same one, there is no other Abbe baptised on said record. If everything is not done as it ought to be return the papers + I will make it right. Fees $3.00 paid out $2.00 of it" Paid now D. as above 3.00 less 50 cents balance due me 2.50.     
Truly yrs LM Stone     
W.B. Pierce Esq.

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State of New York
Otsego County I Levi Evans of the town of Unadilla in the said county aged fifty nine years being [illegible] deposeth and with that a number of years ago Joseph James Abbe of the town of Sidney in Delaware County made application to him for assistance to obtain his pension that he then prepared papers agreeable to his statement then made which deponent then and still believes to be true that said Joseph James Abbe then informed deponent that he had a double name but believed his name was entered upon the army role as James Abbe he made out his papers in the name of James Abbe although his name was Joseph James Abbe and never let them know that he had any other name he considered however that it was Joseph under the circumstances to write his name James Abbe and deponent further saith that at that time said Joseph Abbe was introduced to a fellow soldier by the name of Joseph Batterson who had served in war of the Revolution with him but whom he had not met with since that at first they did not recollect each other but that upon conversing together and relating circumstances which had transpired in the army they remembered each other well and conversed for a long time together relating circumstances which had occurred in the army and which took ____ dishonestly and well so that deponent was then ____ erroneous that they had served in company together and that each Abbe account of his service was true which opinion he has never had occasion to change theory always known the said Joseph Abbe to be a man of faith and veracity who is and always has been reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
Subscribed and sworn the fifteenth day of October 1844 before me and I testify that said Levi Evans is a credible witness
Bevil GW Saunders Justice of the Peace
-Levi Evans

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State of New York Otsego County Clerks Office}  ss.     I, George B Wilson Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Bevil G W Saunders Esquire before whom the within affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking the same acting justice of the peace in and for said county duly elected and qualified and authorized by law to take the said   And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and verify his signature within written to be genuine       
In testimony Where of I have set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this 19th day of October 1844 Geo B Wilson clk

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[stamp upper right illegible] 
W.B. Pierce Esq.
Albany
N.Y.

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Boston, 22nd Jany. 1845

Dr Sir, 
Yrs. of 20th inst. not nec. until this morning owing to the late arrivals of the cars, I see at once the unpleasant + unfortunate situation you are placed in by the deception practised upon you by interested parties + so far as any aid I can render to set the matter right with the Dept. it shall be promptly done. I will go by the cars courtroom to my Fathers (who resides in the town adjoining Hopkinton) + get him to visit + personally examine all the records there + obtain such an affidavit as would be useful in the case. The J Peace who prepared the former affidavit states in his letter enclosing it that there was no other Abbe baptism on the records. If this is so & clearly shown, it will do away with the implication in the last part of the Com.rs letter. I shall return by the morning train + you shall hear from me as soon as the papers can properly be obtained.
Very truly yrs. 
L.M. Stone

W.B. Pierce Esq.

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Joseph James Abbe

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State of New York
Albany County

David A Leighton of Middleburgh in Schoharie County NY of lawful age, being duly sworn deposeth + saith that he was employed by Joseph James Abbe of Sydney, Delaware County N.Y. to assist him in obtaining his pension. That he had never seen said Abbe previous + being thus employed. That said Abbe then informed Deponent that his name was Joseph James Abbe but that he made out his original pension papers by the name of James Abbe. That he further informed Deponent that he was baptized Joseph James Abbe by Rev. Mr. Barrett of Hopkinton, Mass. That he never at any time informed Deponent that he had a brother by the name of Joseph or of any other name, who served in the army. Deponent has never until the present time heard that he had a brother by the name of Joseph or of any other name, but that said Abbe repeatedly + expressly informed Deponent that his own name was Joseph James, + that he was thus baptised as aforesaid. And Deponent further saith that he employed William B Pierce of Albany N.Y. to present to this pensions claim of the said Abbe, and that he communicated to the said Pierce all the above facts received from the said Abbe upon which the said Pierce prepared the necessary papers, that

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at the request of this Deponent, said Pierce applied for the record of baptism of said Joseph James Abbe and Deponent does not believe that said Pierce ever and said applicant Abbe, or ever had communication from him except through this Deponent as within particularly set forth.
Subscribed + sworn this 30th day of January 1845 before me + I certify that said David A Leighton is a credible witness.
R S G Bancroft
Court of Deeds

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Ex'r. INVALID

no

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873
REJECTED
James Abbey
full name Joseph James Abbe

New York

June 7 32, 


List of rejected claims printed in 1852, shown cause of rejection as follows: "An attempt at fraud - see letter Feb 10, 1845, to W. L. Dayton"

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STATE OF NEW YORK
CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY, CLERK'S OFFICE
SS.

I, WILLIAM MIX, Clerk of the said City and County, do hereby CERTIFY, that R S G Bancroft, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of Proof or Acknowledgment of the an-nexed instrument in writing and endorsed thereon, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same: And that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said R S G Bancroft and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official seal, the 31 day of January 1845.
William Mix Clerk

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1 
New York

James Abbey

Set to  Hon. L. Page

22 March 1837
+ Samuel Gordon
+ Harvey Oct 28th 
13 Jan 1825

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Joseph J Abbe
Applicant for pension
Act June 7 1832

Presented by 
W.L. Dayton 
ass.

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Joseph J Abbe
Applicant for pension
Act June 7 1832

Presented by
 W.L. Dayton
 ass.

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Mr Abijah H Beach
Umadilla
Otsego County
New York

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Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connecticut
March 29th 1836

Sir
Since forwarding a certificate of the services of Mr James Abby in war of the Revol-ution I have found the name of Capt. Stephen Potter, that is, on the Records of the Committee of Safety under date of July 26th 1780 in following Resolve,
Resolved that the following appointments of Offices be made in the Connecticut Regt. in the Continental Amry, and among other names is that of Stephen Potter who is named as appointed Capt under this resolve.
I feel bound to give you this informa-tion because I think I was not able to certify to this fact in the certificate which I sent you.
Very Respectfully Yours
Wm Field Comptroller

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33.864
James Abbey
Act of June 7, 1832

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Please direct the result of the enclosed application to his Hon Shawn Page or to James Abbe at the Umadilla Post Office in Otsego County - St. of New York

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State of New York Otsego County} ss    
John Warren of Umadilla in Otsego County aged 76 years last June being duly sworn according to law doth Depose and say that he enlisted for Serving the war of the revolution that he served over six years in the Regiment commanded by Col. Herman Swift - that some time in the year 1781 while in the Huts of the Highlands State of New York, he said Warren went to the Armory shop to get his gun mended which was broken that he handed it to Rockwell the foreman [unreadable] of the shop, who referred him to Abbey who was then at work there lived in the Huts - that Abbey took the gun and mended it and did it well in a workman like manner- that said Abbey belonged to the same brigade with himself but didn't know what regiment - that he said Deponent has no Doubt but does verily believe that James Abbey of Delaware County now applying for a pension is the same Abbey who mended his gun as aforesaid.     
John Warren Sworn      
Sworn to and subscribed this 27 day of Jan 1837 before me Sheldon Griswold      
I also certify that the above named John Warren is personally know to me as a man of truth and veracity and a lawful Witness.      
Sheldon Griswold J. Peace      
State of New York Otsego County}    I George C Clyde clerk of said county do duly certify that Sheldon Griswold Esquire before whom the two foregoing affidavits purport to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the said two affidavits a justice of the peace in and for the County of Otsego duly elected and qualified according to Law. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe his name subscribed to each of said affidavits, and to the two foregoing certificates of credibility and identity are his genuine hand writing and  signatures -    Witness my hand and seal of office this 10th day of February AD 1837 George C. Clyde Clerk

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State of New York
Otsego County

David Hull of Umadilla in Otsego County, seventy two years of age - who being duly sworn according to law doth Depose and say - that he served in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War in Captain Stephen Potter's Company in Col. Zebulon Butler's Regiment in the Continental line - said deponent further saith that he is Personally acquainted with James Abbey of Sydney in Delaware County who is now applying for a pension - that according to the best recollection and belief of him this Deponent - the said James Abbey joined the Army at the Highlands opposite West Point in the year (he thinks) 1781 and went into the same Company and Regiment with him x. and that he the said Abbey was taken out of said Company and put in to the Armory Business under Colby or Rockwell and thinks it was under Rockwell after Colby left the Business what length of time said Abbey worked there he cannot say Deponent further saith that he was well acquainted with Joseph Abbey and George Wine who joined said Regiment with said James Abbey but not in same Company - that said James Abbey lived in the same Hut with this Deponent that said Abbey is now destitute of property and is unable to support himself by what little labor he can do -
David Hull
Sworn to and subscribed this 27th Day of Jan 1837 before me Sheldon Griswold
I also certify that the above named David Hull is known to me as a man of truth + Veracity and as a creditable and lawful witness
Sheldon Griswold

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Hon. S. Page
March 22 1837
C.L.

Recd. Vol. 45. pa. 236

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War Department      
Pension Office      
March 22 1837       
Sirs      
The papers of James Abbey an applicant for a pension under the act of 1832 have been examined and placed on file - It is alleged by Mr Abbey that he enlisted in 1780 or 1781 in Capt Stephen Potters Company Col Zebulon Butters regiment for three years - that sometime after he was transferred to an Armory shop continued therein under the direction of John Rockwell the full term of his enlistment. The roles of Col Butlers regiment have been carefully examined, but the name of the claimant is not borne thereon - nor is his name in the list of final settlements Certificates nor upon the role of Artificers upon both of which it should appear of the

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Service described has actually been redacted If the claimant was one of the Levies to fill up the continental regiments in 1780 proof of it may be had by application to the Comptroller of the state of Connecticut    Hon S. Page   Unadilla  New York
Hon S. Page March 22, 1837 CC recd. Vol 45 pa. 236

Hon. S. Page
Umadilla
New York

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Washington March 22 1842
Dr Sir
I have the honor to inclose you this
additional certificate of William Fild late
and whom present
Comptroller of Connecticutt touching and
bearing in the application of James
Abby for a pension. Will it vary the
decision which you had made in his
case or in any degree strengthen his
claim to a pension? I will be obliged
to you for a brief statement of the grounds
in which his application was rejected and
of the existing obstacles of any in the way
of his being placed on the pension
roll.
Your Respectfully
S Gordon
Mr. J.L. Edwards

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Hon J. Gordon

March 25, 1842

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Pen Off [Pension Office]   466       
March 25th 42     
Sir      
I have the honor to inform you that the certificate of the Comptroller of Connt. [Connecticut]  found enclosed in yours of 22 inst respecting the case of James Abby proves no more than what was already established by the rolls that Stephen Potter was a Capt in the Connt Line   -     
This claim is asserted for an enlistment & service of 3 years in that line & the rolls which are believed to be full & compleat do not bear his name G Nathl & Joseph Abby according to the rolls rendered a term of service in that line corresponding with the service that set forth by claimant as to date & length & company & Regiment      
Hon Saml Gordon H. R.

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State of New York
Otsego County 
                                 Abijah H Beach of the town of Unadilla in said county aged 80 years being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph James Abba of the town of Sidney Delaware County NY and has been acquainted with him for at least twenty years last past and defendant further Saith that at the request of his agent Livi Evans I drew the said Abbas pension + about eight or nine years ago, two witnesses was sworn one by the name of David Hull of the town of Unadilla who has since departed this life and defendant further saith that is not positive to the other witness was but thinks it was Joseph Batterson who is also deceased and defendant further saith that when Abba called upon Hull to learn that he knew respecting his revolution - any services the said Hull while he was in the army of the Revolution , Hull then saith a soldier came thine by the name of Abba and served in the ranks for some lengths of time he being a blacksmith by trade was transferred to the armory as he thinks was supervised by one Rockwell. Sometime after this Hull was at the armory and saw said Joseph James Abba to work at a gun while station at the High Lands opposite west point and defendant further Saith it is reputed and believed in this vicinity that the said Abba served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and I fully concur in that opinion. ("Hull then states" in the lives before signed) sworn before me November 26 1844 
                  Abijah H Beach
CHC Noble
first judge of Otsego county, and I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Abijah Beach +have been for many years, + I always lived near neighbor to him from my childhood and that he has been many years

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a magistrate of this town of Unadilla and
formerly a Judge of the County Courts of
this County of Otsego, and is in all respects
a reputable & trust worthy man, & of unquestionable truth & veracity, and on whose statements the most entire reliance may safely be placed.
                                     Dated November 26, 1844
                                     Ch C. Noble
                                     First Judge of 
                                     Otsego County

State of New York
Otsego County Clerks Office 
                                                }   I George B
                                                }   Wilson Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Hon C. C. Noble before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken and who subscribed the above certificate was
on the date of the same First Judge of Otsego County and duly empowered and qualified by law to take the same and further that I am well acquainted the hand writing of the Hon C C Noble aforesaid and verily believe the above signatures to be genuine
                 In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of
said County this 7th day of Dec 1844
                                            Geo B Wilson Clerk