Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,834, John Castle, New York

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Service: New York
Castle, John
Lydia
Number: W23834

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14376
New York
John Castle
of Columbus in the State of NY.
who was a Private in the 6 om  commanded 
by Captain Waleman of the Reg commanded 
by Col Schuyler in the NY.
line for 6 months Increased to 7 mo
1r Saff $5 -  $23.33

Inscribed on the Roll of NY.
at the rate of 20 Dollars 1 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of May
1833. and sent to I J Ford 
Cayuaga - Columbia P.O. NY.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833              $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 1833      20
                                                                   -------
                                                                   $60.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E Vol. 20. Page 30
Sent to Afficient. Canaan
Columbia, Co.  NY.

I. J. Ford Esq, informed of the Direc=
tion of the Certificate, July 29, 1833

let to Isaac Lawrence
12 Sep '33.
Certificate returned a dead letter and sent to I. G. Ford Esq
Canaan, NY.  Feb. 1834.

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State of New York
 County of Columbia   On this 22 day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable Medad Butler one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Columbia, John Castle a resident of the town of Canaan County of Columbia and State of New York aged eighty six years, who first 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 service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the month of July 1777 about the first he was drafted and organized at New Concord, as called, under Capt. Ebenezer Benjamin, Lieut. Jonathan Ford, 2 Lieut. John Muncey orderly sergeant Abel Lord, Colo. William Whiting LCol. Asa Waterman.  There he marched to Albany then to Fort Edward commanded at the time by General Schuyler was a guard and various scouts, and performed duty in removing ammunition and provisions from Fort George to Fort Edward.  He retreated with the American army before Burgoyne to Moses Creek and thence to Snutes Kill, where his scout John Muncey was mortally wounded on ascent, thence retreated to Stillwater, and from thence to Saratoga.  He here was permitted to return home to attend to some farming business about the middle of August.  He served in this tour as he verily believes 11/2 months.  In 1778 in the fore part of June as he thinks, was attached or ordered out to form a guard at the Execution of seven men, refugees and spies, that were to be executed at Albany.  Went under Major Martin Berber, saw the men hanged and formed the guard, as was expected, but after this he was

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with others was drafted and marched to Johnstown and to Sacondago, and there was an scouts and guard till some time the fore part of July.  Was thus suffered to come home.  The term of this service was as he believes 1 month.  In 1779 the fore part of June he was drafted and under Captain Ebenezer Benjamin, went to Albany, thence to Sehenetada was billited out at the place for about one week, thence went to Johnstown, here Capt John Salsbury was permitted to detach from other sompanies a comapny of men for scouts and he this applicant was one detached, and was an scouts almost every day, and freed from the duty of guard whilst in Canh(?), was at this place about 2 weeks, thence went to Sacondago, staid a few days.  Thence back to Johnstown staid about one week, thence went to Fort Ann, and to Fort Miller, between Fort Ann and Fort Miller saw a painted Indian at a distance, recalled the words he uttered which were "chopon chopon" and instantly darted into a swamp or marchy piece of timberland and was seen no more by him or any of the party, he returned from from this service about the middle of July making as be believes One and a half month service (1 1/2 month).
In 1781 about the first of October was ordered out under Capt. John Davis - Orderly Sergeant Stephen Morse, went to Stillwater, and joined Colo. Asa Hutchinson's Regiment.  Thence went to Saratoga was on guard and so forth till finding no enemy to encounter was permitted to return home some time the

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State of New York
County of Columbia
On this 22 day of October 1832
personally appeared before the Honorable Medad Butler one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Columbia, John Castle a resident of the town of Canaan County Columbia and state of New York aged eighty six years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth as 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, and service as herein stated
In the month of July 1777 about the first he was drafted and organized at New Concord as called, under Capt. Ebenezer Benjamin, Lieut. Jonathan Ford 2, Lieut. John Muncey, orderly sergeant Abel Lord Colo,  William Whiting Colo  Asa Waterman.  thence he marched to Albany then to Fort Edward commanded at that time by General Schuyler was on Guard and various scouts, and once performed duty in removing ammunition and provisions from Fort George to Fort Edward. He retreated with the American army before Burgoyne to lose creek and thence to Snuteskill, where his Lieut. John Muncey was mortally wounded [], thence retreated to Stillwater, and  from thence to Sarratoga, he here was permitted to return home to allince to down farming [] about the middle of August he served in this tour as he verily believes  1 1/2 month
In 1778 in the fore part of June as he thinks was detached or ordered out to form a guard at the Execution of seven men, refugees and spies, that were to be executed at Albany went under Major Martin Bube, saw the men hanged and formed the guard, as was expected, but after this he was

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with others was classed and marched to Johnstown and
to Sacandaga, and there was on scouts and guard till
some time the fore part of July was their suffice to come
home the term of this service was as he believes 1 month
In 1779 the fore part of Jane he was drafted and under
Captain Ebenezer Benjamin, went to Albany, thence to him
was billeted out at that place for about one week, thence
went to Johnstown, here Capt John Salsbury was permitted
to detach from other companies a company of men for scouts
and he this applicant was on detached, and was on
scouts almost every day, and freed from the duties of Guard
whilst in Camp, was at this place about 2 weeks. Thence went
to Sacandaga, staid a few days thence back to Johnstown
staid about one week, thence went to Fort Ann, and to
Fort Miller, between Fort Ann and Fort Miller saw
a painted Indian at a distance, recollects the words he
uttered which were "chop, on chop on; and instantly darted
into a swamp or marshy piece of timber land and was seen
no more by him or any of the party, he turned from this service
about the middle of July making as he believes one and a half
month service (1 1/2 month)
In 1780 in the fore part of September was drafted under Capt
William Warner after organization went to Albany thence
to Schoharie and was on scouts and guard in deferent places
in that there woodsy country and returned home about the
first of Nov. he served in this tour as he verily believes
2 months
In 1781 about the first of October was ordered out under
Capt. John Davis orderly Sergeant Stephen Morse, went to
Stillwater, and joined Colo Asa Waterman's Regiment, thence
went to Sarratoga was on guard and so forth till finding
no enemy to encounter was permitted to return home some time the

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last of Oct. this tour of service was as he verily believes 1 month.
In answer to the interrogations prescribed by the war department
1  He was born in the town of Kent Litchfield County Connecticut 30 day of March 1746 as stated
2  He has no other record of his age there that transmitted to him by his parents
3  He resided in Kings district County of Albany and Colony of New York (now town of Canaan, County of Columbia and State of New York) where he has for the most part of the time resided since the war, and where he now lives
4  He was drafted in all the tours of service
5  He recollects serving General Schuyler, General Arnold, & General GAtes, Colo. Waterman, Colo. Whiting the latter were militia officers.
6  He did not receive a written discharge but was dismissed as he believes the militia generally were
7  He is known to David Ford and William Lee who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution
and further he has made and used due diligence in procuring testimony to prove his services and has not been able to procure any other than what is hereunto attached, and has no commentary evidence to prove his services and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of and agency of any state.  

                                         John Castle
Sworn to and subscribed  the day and year aforesaid
Before me
Medad Butler

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We David Ford, a clergyman, residing in the town of Carman and William Lee residing in the same 
 town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Castle who has  subscribed are sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 86 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that
we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid
before me

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No 19927- 
John Castle 
New York 

admitted 7 mo 

J. G. Ford Canaan. 
[crossed out, John Castle] Cayuga Columbia County Redrock Post Office N York

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War Department
Pension Office
183

Sir:
   The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

NY

A Statement, shewing the Service of John Castle Columbia County

[column headings:  Period when the service Was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration in supported.]

July 1777 July [illegible] Drafted. [blank]. 0. 15. Prv. Capts Benjamin. Cols [illegible] Schuler Whitney Watesmin. [Illegible]. NY. Aged 86 Albany County NY.  [Illegible].

1778 June. [blank] [Illegible] [blank] ". [blank] Maj - Babe. None. [blank]. [blank]. [blank].

1779 June Drafted.  [blank] [blank] About 7. Scout. Benjamin. [blank]. [None]. None. NY. [blank]. [blank].

1780 Sept Drafted. [blank]. 2. [blank]. Warner. 

1781 Oct 1 [blank]. 1. [blank]. ". Davis. col. Waterman. [Illegible]. [blank]. [blank]. [blank].

I am, respectfully,
   Your obedient servant, 
           J. L. Edwards, 
                  Commissioner of Pensions.

Error in the [Illegible] of 1 [Illegible]

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2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: 
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 
DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory or District of County } ss.
On this ___ day of ___ personally appeared (a) before __ A.B. a resident (b) of ___ in the county of ___  and State, territory or District of ___  ages (c) ___ 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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ___  , with ___ and served in the ___ (e) regiment of the ___ line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which marched. [ ]This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ___
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. ____ A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I _____ of the Court of ____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ___for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ___ day of ___&c. 
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
 (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ___ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ___ , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ___ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. ___ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ___ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ___ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I ___Clerk of the Court of ___ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of ___ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ___ day of ___&c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6.  {To a Soldier} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?}
6. {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?}
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must in the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his 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. 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 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 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." 
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 about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.   Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] 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 claimant’s 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.
[ ] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies in continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
[signed] Dyer Castor
Examg Clerk

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A
State of New York
County of Columbia
the
this tenth day of August 1839 personally
appeared before me one of the Judges of Columbia
County Courts Lydia Castle a resident of the town of
West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and
State of Massachusetts aged seventy four years who
being first 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 July 7, 1838. Entitled an
act granting half pay & pensions to certain
widows.  That she is the widow of John Castle who
was (as this declarant has been
informed & verily believes) in the service of the
United States during the Revolutionary war
some considerable time. The evidence of which
service this declarant supposed is on file in
the Pension office in the City of Washington - district
of Columbia. That said John Castle was placed
upon the pension list about six years since as
appeared from a pension certificate formerly
in his posession and which was as this
declarant verily believes surrendered up to the
proper department after the decease of said
John Castle upon this declarant drawing the
arrears of said John Cartle pension from the
time of the last payment preceding his death
up to the time of his death -
This declarant further says that she was

Page 14

married to the said John Castle on the second day
of March (1785)
in the year seventeen
hundred & Eighty five
that her husband the
aforesaid when castle died on the Eighteenth
day of December
Eighteen hundred and
thirty three
that she was not married to him
prior to his leaving the service but the marriage
took place sections to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four (viz) at the time
above stated. This declarant further says that
her maiden name was Lydia Smith and
that she lived in the (now) town of Chatham
in said county about three years
before her said marriage to said John
Castle- that the Reverend John Stevens then
a minister of the gospel in said town of Chatham
married this declarant to said John Castle
at the time above stated. That after their said
Marriage this declarant & her said husband
lived & kept house together in the town of Canaan
in said County & had fourteen children issue
of said marriage
nine of whom are now living. That this
declarant & her said husband lived together
& kept house up to the time of his death in
said town of Cannon. This declarant further 
says that her said husband died at the time
above stated & that since his said death she has
lived a part of the time in the town West Stockbridge alone []
This declarant
further says that her said husbands brother
Sealy Castle & wife & declarants father &
mother & John Smith & Ruth Smith were

Page 15

present at the aforesaid marriage and they are
all now dead. This declarant does not now recollect
that their is any one now living who was present
at the time of her said marriage to said
John Castle --
Witnessed & sworn this
Lydia Castle
18th day of August 1839
before me
---
Josiah Knapp Jr
one of the Judges of
the County Courts
of Columbia County NY
And the said Judge doth hereby declare his opinion
that Lydia Castle who both subscribed & sworn to
the above declaration is the widow of John Castle
whose name is mentioned in the foregoing declaration
& further that she married John Castle aforesaid on
the second day of March 1785.  That the said Lydia Castle is now & has been the widow of John Castle
ever since his death as aforesaid & further that the
said Lydia Castle is of respectable character and
entitled to full credit as a witness & the said
Lydia Castle resides about twenty five miles from
the court house in the County of Columbia & that
owing to bodily infirmity she is unable to attend the court. 
Dated August 13th 1839
Josiah Knapp Jr
One of the Judges of the
County Court of Columbia
County. N.Y

Page 16

New York
4009
Albany
Lydia Castle
widow of John Castle  N.Y.
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
23 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
19th day of Dec 1843
and sent to
P. W. Bishop
Chatham H Corney
New York

Act of March 3, 1843. 
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1.1
Page 104
Rhosted

Page 17

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23834

Lydia Castle
wid of
John Castle
Priv Rev War
Act Mrh 3rd 1843.
Index: Vol     , Page      . 
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 18

Albany, N. York. 5074
Lydia Castle
widow of John Castle, deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832
and who died on the 18 Dec. 1833-
of Columbia in the State of N. York
who was a private in the company
commanded ┃
by Captain Waterman of the Regt
commanded
by Col. Schuyler in the N. York
line for
7 months private

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany 
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.


Certificate of 1Pension issued the 24th day of February
1840 and sent to Hon. John Ely,
House of Representatives

Arrears to the 4th of March, 1840 $ $93.32
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sept
11.66
$104.98
Act July 7,1
1838.
Recorded by S.A. Elliot   Clerk,
Book A  Vol. 2  Page 73

=
Reported February 26, 1840.
Letter to Hon R. McClellan 3
Auds. 29 Decr 1841
---
Paid at the Treasury under the
Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4
March 1840 to 4 March 1841. Agt
Notified 23d Feby 1842

Page 19


State of New York
Columbia County
Elizabeth Holdridge of the town of Chatham
in said County being duly sworn according to law
doth depose & say that the fifty eight years of age
that she is a sister to Mrs Lydia Castle Widow
of John Castle late of the town of Canaan,  deceased
This deponent further says that said Lydia was
married to said John Castle about fifty three
years ago.  This deponent was not present at the
time they were married but will recollect
the time they were married and since that
time till the death of her husband said John
Castle said Lydia & said John lived together
as man & wife raised a large family
of children.  This deponent for a long time
after said Lydia was married to said
John lived within a few miles of them
& was often at their house.  During the
life time of said John, the said John
& said Lydia were reported, understood &
accepted among all the neighbors & friend
as man & wife. This deponent further
says that said John Castle died several years
since at the house of Thomas Bishop in the town of Canaan.
That said Lydia still
remains the widow of said John
she not having intenance to the knowledge
of this deponent since the death of
said John as aforesaid

Elizabeth Holdridge
X her mark
Subscribed & Sworn
this 11th day of October
1839 before me
Charley B Dutcher
●
Commiss of Dew
State of New York
County of Columbia

on the 11th day of October 1839 personally
came before me Elizabeth Holdridge to me well
to be a credible witness made oath to the truth
of the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit
Charles B Dutcher  Commissioner111

Page 20

Columbia County,
SS.
Clerk's Office
Jehoakin A Van Valkenburgh
Clerk of the County of Columbia
Do hereby certify, that Hiram D Ford
before whom the affidavit purports
to have been sworn, was on the day of the date of the same
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County

And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of
the said Justice, and verily believe the name of the said
Justice subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper
hand writing and signature
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the
said County, this 14 day of September 1843
J. A. Van Valkenburgh Clerk

I certify that the above named Declarant Lydia
Castle is well known to me
Hiram D. Ford Justice of
the peace

Page 21

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress
of the 3rd March 1843 granting Pensions for one year
to certain widows who have received pension under the
act of July 7th 1838
State of New York
Columbia County
On this First day of August 1843
Personally apeared before me Hiram D. Ford a
Justice of the Peace of the aforesaid County of Columbia
Lydia Castle a resident of the town of Canaan
in the County of Columbia aged Seventy Eight
years who being first duly Sworn according to
Law doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the
provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d
day of March 1843 granting Pensions to widows of
Persons who served among the revolutionary war
That she is the widow of John Castle Deceased ┃
who was a private Soldier in the army of the
revolution that he served in the Regiment commanded
by Colonel William B. Whiting. The amount of Pension
she Received under the act of July 7th 1838 was
between Twenty and Thirty Dollars annually as near
as she can now recollect the same and that
she has no Record that she can state the amount
definitely.  She further declares that she is
still a widow
Lydia Castle
Sworn to and subscribed on the
day and year above Written before me
Hiram D. Ford Justice of the Peace
-
I certify that the above named Declarant Lydia
Castle is well known to me
Hiram D. Ford Justice of the peace

Page 22

State of New York
Coumbia County
I Joseph D Monell Clerk of the said County
do certify that Medad Butler Esq. before whom the annexed
Affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for
the said County. And also that I am acquainted with his hand writing and 
verily believe that his name subscribed to the said affidavit
to be his proper hand writing and Signature
Witness my hand and seal of Office this
28th day of November 1832
John Monell

Page 23

4006
18. Sep. 1843 [B]
Matthew H Corney
NY
Sept 15th
Lydia Castle
Act 1843.
NY
$23.33 per ann
P.W. Bishop
Chattham 4 Corners N.Y.

Pension Office
Washington D C
J L Edwards Comm

Page 24

Chatham 4 Corners Sept. 15th 1843
J. L. Edwards Esq
Enclosed is the Declaration of a
Widow to entitle her to another years
pension-
I believe the papers are all
right if they are not please write
me at this place
if they are
right and the necessary papers
to entitle her to get the money
Respectfully yours
P. W. Bishop

Page 25

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Jan'y 1st 1842.

Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States,
Lydia Castle
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at
the rate of Twenty three Dollars and 33 Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th July 1838, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1840
to the 4th March 1841.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Page 26

Payments to be made
at the City of New York
by [the part of the Dr] US
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of N.Y.

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 4
Page 50 by
George Taylor Clerk

Page 27

CANCELLED

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States
of the 7th June, 1832, John Castle
of the State of N York
who was a private in the army of the
Revolution
is entitled to receive twenty dollars and
____ cents per annum during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the
4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
 
Given at the War Office of the United 
States, this 20th day of May one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty

Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 28

5074 4 6647
Affidants & Papers
of Lydia Castle
for a Pension
N.Y.
[] 85 [] 33-
[aomd] 7 mo [scri]
more
$23.33
Act '32

No deduction
Hon
[] Ely. H N

Page 29

State of New York
Columbia County []
Thomas Bishop of the town of Canaan┃
in said County being duly sworn doth depose
& say that he is forty eight years of age that he is
well acquainted with Lydia Castle the person
named in the annexed declaration
& accompanying papers, and that he was well acquainted with
John Castle husband of said Lydia
in his life time. This deponent further says
that his acquaintance with said John &
said Lydia commenced about forty years
since, and that since the commencement
of said acquaintance said John & said
Lydia (up to the death of said John)0 lived
most of the time within about two miles of this ┃
deponent, that during this deponents
acquaintance with them they
lived0 together as man & wife & were accepted
as such among all their neighbors and
acquaintances-- that they had a large
family of children, & that this deponent
married one of their daughters in the year
1814 & that since & before this deponents marriage ┃
with said daughter of said John & said
Lydia he was very intimate with them
This deponent further says up to the death
of said John Castle they continued to live together
as man & wife, that said John Castle died
on or about the Eighteenth day of December 1833 in
the house of this deponent in said town of=

Page 30

Canaan, and that since the death of said
John said Lydia has been often at this
deponents house and that she has [remarried ever] since
the death of said John & is now his widow
That said John Castle received a pension
certificate from the pension office for his services
in the Revolutionary war. That said certificate
as this deponent believes
was surrendered as this deponent believes to the proper department
when said the arrears of said Johns Pension
was drawn after the death of said John

Subscribed & sworn
Thomas Bishop
this 13th day of August
1839  Before me
Charles B Dutcher
commissioner of Deeds

State of New York
County of Columbia
SS
on the thirteenth day of August 1839
personally come before me Thomas Bishop
to me well known to be a credible witness
and subscribed & made oath to the truth
of the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit
Charles B Dutcher
Commissioner of Deeds

Page 31

State of New York
County of Columbia ⎬
in the thirteenth day of August
1839 personally appeared before me a commissioner
of Deeds in & for said County Louis Blier
of the town of Austerlitz in said County aged
seventy six years being duly sworn according to
law doth on her oath depose & say that
she is well acquainted with Lydia Castle
was well acquainted with John Castle
husband of said Lydia before his death
That she had up to the time of the death of
said John been well acquainted with them
for forty or fifty years. That during a part of
that time they lived within a few rods of
the residence of this deponent, and during
that time they lived together as a man
and wife & were accepted as such among all
their acquaintances, neighbors & friends,
that they had a large family of children
that this deponent alwas [sic] understood & verily
believed that said John Castle was married
to said Lydia by the reveren*d John
[Stevens] formerly a minister of the Gospel
in the town of Chatham. This deponent further
says that said [Stevens] has been dead a number
of years, and that said John Castle died
in the house of his son in law Thomas

Page 32

Bishop in the town of Canaan in said
County between five & six years ago
Louis Blier
X  her mark

Subscribed & sworn
this 13th day of August 1839 before me
Charles B Dutcher
commissioner of Deeds
State of New York
Columbia County
on the thirteenth day of August 1839
personally come before me Louis Blier to me well
known to be a credible witness & subscribed and
made oath to the truth of the facts [it] faith in the
foregoing affidavit
Charles B. Dutcher
commissioner of Deeds

Page 33

State of New York
Columbia County
On the thirteenth day of August 1839
personally appeared before me a commissioner of Deeds
in & for said County John Harmar of the town of Austerlitz
County of Columbia & State of New York. Aged seventy
seven years who being first duly sworn according to law
doth upon his oath depose & say that he is well acquainted with
Lydia Castle former0ly Lydia Smith, was well
acquainted with her husband John Castle before
his decease. that he was well acquainted with
both said Lydia & her said Husband John
Castle before they were married and had been
so acquainted with them several years before
their said marriage. This deponent before their
said
marriage lived for years within about three miles
of them, he was aware of their courtship was acquainted
with the circumstances of their courtship
This deponent was not present at the the marriage
of said John Castle to said Lydia but well recollects
the time they were reputed & reported to have been
married, this deponent understood that the time
that the Reverend John Stevens then a minister
in the town of Chatham married them. That said Stevens
has been
dead about twenty five years, this deponent
thinks it was about fifty years ago that said John
& said Lydia were married and that from that
time to the death of said John Castle has been
well acquainted with them & has since their said
marriage lived within three miles & sometimes
less of said John & said Lydia, that since the time
they were so reported to have been married till
the death of said John they always lived together
as man & wife & had several children and
were always accepted & reputed by & among all

Page 34

their neighbors & acquaintances as man & wife
this deponent further says that said John Castle
died about five years & a half since, he died within
about two miles of the residence of this deponent.
That during the last sickness of said Castle
this deponent visited him frequently. This deponent
has frequently seen said Lydia Castle Widow of
said John since the death of said John & that
she has not been married since the death of her
said husband but now remains the widow of
said John Castle- that one of their children
now wife of Thomas Bishop of the town of Canaan
now lives within about two miles of this deponent
& has so livedd for twenty five years at least
John Harmar


Subscribed & sworn
this 13th day of August 1839
before me
Charles P. Dutcher
Commissioner of Deeds
State of New York
County of Columbia
SS.
on the thirteenth day of August 1839
personally come before me John Harmar to me
well known to be a credible witness & subscribed
& made oath to the truth of the facts set forth in
the foregoing affidavit
Charles B. Dutcher
Commissioner of Deeds

Page 35

I Waterman Lippett do hereby certify
that I am clerk of the town of
of Chatham in the County of
Columbia & State of New York and
have the records of said town in
my possession & that there is no
record of any marriages Births or
deaths & that there are none now
kept nor has there ever been to0
my knowledge Waterman Lippitt
Clerk of Chatham
State of New York
Columbia County ⎬ SS
on the 9th day of January
A.D. 1840 personally appeared before me
Waterman Lippitt of Chatham and
in my presence signed the above certificate 
& being by me duly sworn according to
law did depose & say that the facts
stated in the above certificate by him signed
are true I also certify that Waterman Lippitt
above named is a man of good moral
character & a credible witness
Sworn and subscribed before me
this 8th day of January 1840 Levi Pitts Commissioner of Deeds

Page 36

Columbia County
Clerks Office

J. Killian Miller Clerk of the County of Columbia, Do
certify that Josiah Knapp Jr before whom one of the
annexed affidavits purports to have been sworn was on
the day of the date of the same one of the Judges of
the County Courts in & for said County, and also
that Charles B. Dutcher & Levi Pitts before the other
annexed affidavits purports to have been sworn was
on the day of the date of the same Commissioners of deeds in and for
said county
and duly authorized to take the same
and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge
and Commisioners, and verily believe their names subscribed to the
said affidavits to be their proper hand writing and signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed
the seal of the said County this 10th day of February 1840
K. Miller Clerk