Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 22247, Jonathan Foster, N.H.

Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
N.H.

Foster, Jonathan

NUMBER 
S 22247

CONTENTS

[handwritten in upper right corner] c

Page 2

9282

Vermont

Jonathan Foster
of Orleans in the State of Ver. 
Who was a pri [private] in the Com [Company] commanded by Captain [crossed out name: illegible] Connor of the Reg [Regiment] commanded by Col' [Colonel] Webb in the [crossed out: Connt] N.H. [New Hampshire] line for 8 mo. Musicians 2 mo and 6 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Ver.'
at the rate of 34_ Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of April 1833 and sent John W. Smith Esq. [esquire] Chelsea. VT

Arrears to the 4th of March: 33.' | $69.32
Semi-anl. [semi-annual] allowance ending Sep. [September] 4. 33.' | 17.33
 | $86.65

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk.
Book E_ Vol. 3_ Page 64

Page 3

3591

Jonathan Foster

Declaration

Tunbridge Vt. [Vermont]

Please to Make return to John W Smith . Chelsea Orange County Vermont

Page 4

Jonathan Foster. No. 19

Page 5

State of Vermont,
ORANGE COUNTY SS.
}

At Chelsea in said County on this 21st" day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon [Honorable] [illegible] Hutchinson Daniel Cable & Shamus four justices of the County.

[crossed out word: the] Court of Orange County, no setting, being a Court of Record Jonathan Foster a resident of Tunbridge in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged 74 years who being first 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  [number??] [illegible] and [sworn??] as herein stated - that in the year 1775. he resided in Salisbury in the county of Hillsborough, & State of New Hampshire - that same time in the month of December 1775 he enlisted in Capt [Captain] Samuel Cannon's Company of New Hampshire Militia in the Regiment Commanded by Col. [Colonel] Webbs [crossed out: Regiment] for the term of two months and was ordered to Winter Hill so called in Charleston, Massachusetts and march then immediately after enlistment and that he was stationed apart of the time on Winter hill and a part of the time in Cambridge College buildings, which was used for Barracks - that he continued there till the expiration of the two months & was then & there [illegible] discharged some time in February following - Also that about the Last of June or First of July 1776 he again enlisted in [P"??] service in the New Hampshire Militia in the Company commanded by Capt James Sepherd & in the Regiment commanded by Col. Myman for the term of six months as he thinks, that immediately after enlistment he & his Regiment marched to Ticonderoga in the State of New York, the Small Pox [prevailed??] at Ticonderoga & they were ordered to Skeensboro (Now Whitehall) & remained there about one month & from there marched back to Mount Independence - that they [patrolled??] up & down the Lake in batteaux - they remained at mount Independence during the term of his enlistment and that he was then [honorably??] discharged at the expiration of his term of Enlistment - Also that same time in the months of June 1777 he volunteered in the New Hampshire Militia as an [Alarm??] in the company commanded by Capt Ebenezer Webster - that no Regiment was formed.  that he marched with his company forthwith from Salisbury to Hubbardston & he thinks in Vermont - this being the time that Ticonderoga was taken by the British when they arrived at Hubbardston - they met the American troops retreating * returned with them and [illegible] absent on this alarm from two to three weeks - 

Also that some time in the Month of July 1777 he again enlisted in the service of the United States in the New Hampshire Militia in the Company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Webster in the Regiment commanded by Col Thomas Stickey in Gen. [General] Stark's Brigade for the term of two months, that immediately on his enlistment he marched from Salisbury to Bennington in the State of Vermont by the way of [Manchester or Winchester] at [torn paper has obscured the rest of the line]
[illegible] two or three weeks that he was in the Party [illegible] under Col [Nichols?] to attack the British works at Bennington and was entirely engaged in that battle - that they then [paraded or marched?] to [B..s?] Heights so called in New York and there remained until he was discharged - that he was verbally discharged at [B...s?] Height some time in the month of September of that year - at the expiration of his enlistment - that he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person whose intimacy he can draw on. except the deposition of James Johnson

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not the Pension Roll of the agency of and State to his Knowledge

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 

Jonathan Foster

H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk


We Calvin Noble [Minister??] [illegible] residing in Chelsea in said County of Orange and Josiah Dana residing in the said Chelsea hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonatha Foster who is subscribed and sword to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

Calivn Noble
Josiah Dana
H.E.G. McLaughlin 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 certify that it appears to them that Calvin Noble who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Chelsea in said County, and that Josiah Dana who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk


H.E.G. McLaughlin Clerk of the Court of Orange County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said [obscured by tear] in the matter of the application of Jonathan Foster for a pension.  In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of [Office?] [this?] 24th day of August A.D. 1832.

H.E.G. McLaughlin CLERK.

Page 6

No 3591

Vermont

Admt

8 mo [months] private
2 mo 6 days musician
$34.66

J.W.Smith Esq [Esquire]
Chelsea VT

Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Foster of Tunbridge County of Orleans in the State of Vermont 

(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? | 74
4. | State his service, as directed in the form annexed.


Period. | Duration of Sevice. | Rank. | Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.
 | Years, Months, Days. | As a | Gen. [General]

Jun [June] In 1775 | 2 [months] | Private | Capt [Captain] J Cannon. Coln [Colonel] Webb
July 1776 | 6 [months] | do | Capt Sheppard. Coln Wyman
June & Junly 1777 | [2/2??] | do | Capt Webster, Coln Stickney Genl [General] Stark.

5. | In what battles was he engaged? | Bennington
6. | Where did he reside when he entered the service? | Salisbury, New Hampshire, County of Hillsboro
7. | Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? | Living and Traditionary
8. | Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? | Correct

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

Jas S Wilman Examining Clerk.

Page 8

[Handwritten in upper right corner: MMI&F??]

Rev.&1812 Wars Section [Revolutionary]

December 16, 1925

Mrs. T. C. Gordon
Westerly, R.F.D.# 1
Rhode Island.

Madam:

I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War Pensioner Jonathan Foster, S. 22247, did not serve in the Connecticut Troops,nor does it appear that he ever lived in Connecticut.

He lived during the Revolution at Salisbury,Hillsboro County, New Hampshire and served in the troops from that state and was pensioned [crossed out text] from Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont.

The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a Jonathan Foster of Connecticut,or to any Lawton Foster

If you desire the history of the above named pensioner, please so state and the same will be furnished you,or if you desire the history of any other Jonathan Foster,please furnish as much as possible of the following data and a careful search will be made in your behalf -- approximate

Page 9

dates of birth and death,places of residence before and after service and the given name of his widow.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Page 10

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

I. | Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? | It does
II. | Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? | He did
III. | If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? |
IV. | Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? | He has.
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? | He has
VI. | Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? | He has
VII. | Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? | He has
VIII. | Has the Court given their opinion? | They have
IX. | Has the Clerk given his certificate? | He has
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?  | It is & distinguishable

Page 11

2

XI. | Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary services? | He has
XII. | If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, it there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. | If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannoth be had?
XIV. | [cross symbol] If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? | It was
XVI. | [double cross symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? | They are
XVII. | Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered? | They are

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 description 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 his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served no 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."

Page 12

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rand he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

[cross symbol] QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.

In the 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.

[double cross symbol] QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Page 13

This letter was written for Mrs. J.C. Gordon _ R.F.D. 1 _ Westerly, R.I., but was not sent tho she asked for S.22247 and said he was a Conn. [Connecticut] pensioner.

See Carbon of reply to here & this will remain in the claim until her reply.

[Handwritten initials]

She wrote again - see her letter of Jan [January], 8 - 1926 - no reference by her to my letter of Dec [December], 16 - 1925 - So Miss Wilson said send her a negative _ See Carbon copy - 

This pencil letter remains to the copied for any other inquiries in the future

Page 14

[letters written in top left corner]

I have to ad. you that from the papers in the Rev. War [file?] cl - S.22247 it ap. that Jonathan Foster while a res. of Salisbury, Hillsboro Co. N.H. enl in Dec. 1775 and serv. 2 mos. as file in Capt. Samuel Connor's Co., Col Webb's N.H. Regt=
(Ok'd by Miss Wilson - No way to prove he was not N.H.)

He enl. in July 1776 & served 6 mos. as fife in Capt. James Shepherd's Co; Col. Wyman's N.H. Regt.

He vol. on an alarms in June 1777 & serv. 2 or 3 wks in Capt. Ebenezer Webster's N.H. Co.

he enl. in July 1777 serv. 2 mos. as fife in Capt. Ebenezer Webster's Co, Col Thos Stickney's N.H. Regt. & was in the bat of Bennington

He was al. pen. on his ap. ex. Aug. 21 - 1832 wh. a res. of Tunbridge, Orange VT. aged 74 yrs.

There is no data on file as to his family

This letter is [ready??] to copy when called for.

(Date of death not on a B.)

(over)

Page 15

Westerly R.I [Rhode Island]

Jan [January] 8. 1926
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir : 

After two years we are still searching for the right Jonathan Foster who was a Revolutionary Soldier, and again appeal to your records for help.  We now believe he was the one who was in Capt. Benj West's Co. Col Stantons Regt., Enlisting in Stonington Ct. May 2. 1777.  We believe he was the Son of Jonathan Foster and Anna Lawton Foster and was born in Hopkinton R.I. July 23, 1757.

Respectfully Yours
Mrs Timothy C Gordon
RFD1 Westerly R.I

[stamp with circle outline: U.S. PENSION OFFICE L JAN 9 1926]

Page 16

[initials seen on other documents at top right, illegible]

February 15, 1926

Mrs. Timothy C. Gordon
Westerly, R.F.D.# 1
Rhode Island

Madam:

Jonathan Foster born July 23, 1757 in Hopkinton, Rhode Island and who enlisted in Stonington, Connecticut May 2, 1777 and served in Captain Benjamin West's Company, Colonel Stanton's Regiment.

E. W. MORGAN
Acting

[handwritten] Written negt. form 3-2027

Page 17

RFD 1 Westerly R.I.

Nov 6. 1925

U.S. Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Sirs:-

May I have data concerning the Revolutionary War record, ancestry, descendants, etc which you may have of Jonathan Foster Pension No S22247,  He was a Connecticut pensioner.  We have a tiny inkwell handed down from my g.g.grandfather and Lawton Foster, and given him by his brother Jonathan Foster who had carried it through the war.  Lawton Foster was born in 1767 and was a son of Jonathan Foster of Stonington.  Any help in our search will be greatly appreciated.

Very Truly Yours
Mrs. J.C.Gordon

[stamp with circle border: U. S. PENSION OFFICE NOV 10 1925]

Page 18

GEO. S. FOSTER, President
JNO. WILSON, Manager.
JNO. WILSON, JR., Secretary.

Western Forge and Rolling Mills,
IRON AND STEEL FORGINGS,
...SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF...
THE WILSON STEEL SHOES AND DIES
FOR STAMP MILLS.

OFFICE, 422 WASHINGTON AVENUE.

WORKS: EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLS.

St. Louis, Mo. Aug 28, 1895

G. Lochren
Commissioner
Washington D.C

X.

Dear Sir:-

Will you kindly furnish me a statement of the Military record of Jonathan Foster who served in the Revolutionary War.  He was born in 1758 at Salsbury [Salisbury] N.H. and I presume Enlisted from there.

I desire to get a complete record to keep with our family records.

Respectfully yours
Geo. S. Foster
3855 Delmar Ave.
St Louis Mo.

Page 19

22247

Revolution INVALID.

File No. 22, 247
Jonathan Foster
Pri Rev [Private Revolutionary] War
Act : June 7th 32"
Index :--Vol. 2, Page 140

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Geo. S.
re., 
M.E.C.

Sept [September] 8/95 Hist. to Foster, 3844 Delmar A
St. Louis, Mo. [Missouri]
1925- Dec. 16. Mis. J.C. Gordon advised not of Conn. etc.
1926- Feb. 15. Mis. [illegible initials]
J.C. Gordon advised no Jonathan Foster as described in her letter of Jan. 8- 1926. [same illegible initials]

Page 20

I James Johnson of Salisbury in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, and was seventy two years of age last January - depose & say that some time in the month of December in the year 1775 I enlisted as a soldier in Capt Samuel Connors Company of New Hampshire Militia, that I enlisted at said Salisbury, and the next day marched for Winterhill in the State of Massachusetts and there I served two months.  I further depose and say that I have been well acquainted with Jonathan Foster of Tunbridge in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, & formerly of said Salisbury. that said Jonathan Foster enlisted in said Capt Samuel Connors Company of New Hampshire Militia, he enlisted at Salisbury and marched to [ Winder Hill in the State of Massachusetts & then he served two months, I think he served as a fifer in said Company - I think that said Capt Samuel Connors Company belonged to Coln [Colonel] Webs [Webb's] Regiment-  I further depose and say that some time in July 1776 I enlisted in Capt James Shephard Company & Col Wyman Regiment of New Hampshire Militia for six months, and marched from Salisbury aforesaid for Tyconderoga [Ticonderoga] in the state of Newyork [New York] and served during the term of said enlistment.

I further depose and say that said Jonathan Foster enlisted at the same time that I did, & in the same Company & Regiment and served the whole term of six months and did the duty of a fifer.

I further depose & say that I am well knowing to the fact that said Jonathan Foster sometime in July 1777 enlisted at said Salisbury in Capt Ebenezer Websters Company & Col Thomas Stickneys Regiment of Militia for two months & marched from said Salisbury to Bennington in Vermont & was in the Benning fight, & from there he went to Saratoga & served during the term of his enlistment

I think he served as a fifer during the term.  I was in the same company during the most of the time.  I further depose and say that said Jonathan Foster the petitioner for a pension is above seventy four years of age & is the [crossed out: about] same Jonathan Foster of Tunbridge in the County of

Page 21

State of New Hampshire

Merrimack SS
August 10th 1832
}

Personally appeared James Johnson subscribed to the above depotition,- a man of good character for truth,- and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition

Before me
Samuel C. Bartlett Jus. [Justice] Peace


The State of New Hampshire

Merrimack ss.

I moses Eastman Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature within and for said County, do hereby certify that Samuel C. Bartlett whose is subscribed to the above Certificate as at the time of executing the same a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and I believe the same to be his genuine signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court and subscribed the same with my own hand this Fourteenth day of August, Anno Dominie 1832

Moses Eastman