Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,903, Joseph Curtis, Vt.

Page 1

(3-1776)

[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Vt.|Curtis, Joseph|W. 23,903|
[blank]|Adelia|[blank]|
[blank]|or Delia|[blank]|
[end of columns]
CONTENTS

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[verso]
Vermont 18.942
Joseph Curtis of Bennington in the State of Vermont who was a Sgt+Copl in the Company commanded by Captain Underhill of the Regt commanded by Col. Paul in the Vermont line
1 Mo + 22 days Copl.   $6.30
9  "  Sgt                         45.00
______
$51.30
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 51 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Nov'r 1833 and Sent to Sam'l Swift, Manchester, Vt
______
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - 128.25
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch '34 25.65
______
$153.90
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 3 Page 581

[recto]
let 13 March 1840
New J D. Doty

Page 3

[verso]
5105
Vermont Poultney,
['Albany, N. York' crossed out]
______
Adelia Curtis widow of Joseph Curtis who was a Corporal + Sgt. in the Vermont Line
______
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 51 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 18" day of March 1844 and sent to Robert Galt
Weedsport New York
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 104

[recto]
Rep/ 18 Mar "44
let to R Galt Jan 16 '45.
Cer to Pension Agt. 15 Sep 1847.
To Poultney Vermont from 4 March 1847. 22 Sep 1847 
Notification to S. Swift Bennington Ver't

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[677]
FAMILY RECORD.
[verso]
MARRIAGES.
March the 4 AD 1784
Joseph Curtis & Dillay Mead his wife was Marrd.
Births - 
February the 4 1785
Clarey Curtis the Daughter of Joseph & Dilla his wife Was Born - 
February the 10 AD 1781
Truman Curtis the son of Joseph & Dilla his wife was Born
November the 27 AD 1789
Nancy Curtis the daughter of Joseph & Dilla his wife his born - 

[recto]
['MARRIAGES.' crossed out]
Births
June the 11th AD 1791
Pratt Curtis was born the son Joseph & Dilla his wife - 
July the 5 AD 1793
was born Electa Curtis the Daughter of Joseph & Dilla his wife - 
January th3 1896
then was born Lewis Curtis the sone of Joseph Curtis & Dilla his wife - 
November the 18 AD 1806
then was born Betsey Dodge the Daughter of Thomas Dodge & Asenath his wife 
May th4 1815 - Pratt Curtis & Lovina Morse Married -

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[678]
FAMILY RECORD.
[verso]
BIRTHS.
Joseph Curtis - 
Son of Zachariah Curtis 
Was born Januar th28 AD 1719
Dilla Mead the wife to the
abovesaid Joseph was - 
born the 18 Day of May
['AD 1766' crossed out]
AD 1766

[recto]
BIRTHS.
Lewis Curtis son of Lovina
+ Pratt Curtis born
June th23 1816
Betsey Sophia Daughter
of Pratt Curtis and
Lovina born May 2,
1819 - 
Thomas F. Ward
Son of Thomas + Clarissa
Ward was Born Apr 80
Augt 1820
18 [illegible] 8" Apr 1838

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[margin note:  Curtis Eggleston E Eggleston]

[679]
FAMILY RECORD.

[verso]
[margin note: Births Deaths]
BIRTHS.
Bonapart Lapish
born July 1804
May th14 AD 1805 then died
Zachariah Curtis ['father' crossed out]
Father of Joseph Curtis

[recto]
DEATHS.
October the 16AD 1804
then

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[680]
Marriages - FAMILY RECORD.
FAMILY RECORD

[verso]
['DEATHS.' crossed out]
Clancy Curtis
[margin note: Jany] Was Marr'd Jonny
[margin note: th 11-] ['Tomas' crossed out] [margin note: 19-] Thomas 
Ward
[margin note: 11th ofJuly 1819] was married - 
Eluta Curtis to - 
Don C. Dodge by
Joseph Leach Esquire
[margin note: Sept 5-1818] Around Eggleston and
Nancy Curtis was married by
Samuel Benedict Esqr - 

[recto]
DEATHS.
Dan C. Dodge died in 
the Town of Geddes + State
of N. York August 25th 1832
______
Thomas Ward died in 
The Republic of Texas
Mouth of the Brasos
River City of Velasco
Sept 27th 1837 -

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State of Vermont
County of Bennington ss} On this 4th day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Myron Clark, Judge of the Probate Court for the Probate District of Manchester in the County of Bennington + State of Vermont now sitting, Joseph Curtis a resident of the Town of Dorset in said County of Bennington aged 73 years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. - That he was born in the Nine Partners so called in America Precincts, since Then, in the County of Duchess + State of New York on the 28th day of January 1759. - knows of no Record of his age except the Record kept in the family when he lived until sometime in the month of March 1773. when he removed to the said Town of Dorset, where he has ever since resided.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was enrolled as a minute man so called at said Dorset, in the fall of the year 1777. in the company then commanded as he now believed by Capt. Abraham Underhill Lieut. Dunning (whose christian name he thinks was Richard) + Ensign Ephraim Reynolds in the Vermont Militia - that he had now no recollection of having been called out until some time about the latter part of Septr or beginning of October, 1778. when as he now thinks, he was called upon to go to Rutland as a guard - that he accordingly was out + marched under the above named Officers from said Dorset to said Rutland in said State of Vermont. where they were stationed as a [illegible] guard, under the command of Col. Ira Allen, as he now believes for six weeks exclusive of the time of going +  returning which occupied about one week longer that said company was then dismissed + he returned home to said Dorset - that in the fall of the year 1779 + as he believes in the latter part of Sept. or first of October, he was again called out to go to Castleton in said State of Vermont, + he went as volunteer in the same Company, then commanded as he believes, by Capt. John Gray + Lieut Isaac Underhill (the name of the Ensign he has forgotten,) + in the same Regiment still commanded as he thinks by said Col. Ira Allen, in the Vermont militia, marched to said Castleton + was stationed at the Fort at that place, at least six weeks as he now believes extension of time spent in going + returning which he thinks must have been one week more - believed that Gen'l Ethan Allen commanded said Fort at that time - said company was then dismissed + returned home to said Dorset - that again in the fall of 1780. + he thinks at about or near the same season of the year he was again called upon + did turn out, in the same Company of Vermont militia, then commanded by the same last mentioned Officers, + same Regiment, then commanded

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or news the same season of the year he was again called upon to turn out in the same company of Vermont militia then commanded by the same last mentioned officer, as a regiment then commanded by Col Stephen Pearl that they again marched from said Dorset to said Castleton where they were stationed at said fort still commanded as he believed by the Gen'l Ethan Allen, for two months as he now believes, exclusive of the time of going and returning when they were again discharged by parol, + returned to said Dorset then- that again in the fall of the year 1781. + not far from the same season as above he was again called upon + turned out in the same Company of Vermont militia then commanded by the same last above mentioned Officers, + in the same Regiment still commanded as he thinks by the said Col. Pearl, + marched again to said Castleton,  where they were stationed at said Fort, and the mills at that place, then for a part of the time, as he thinks under the command of Gen'l Enos, as long as two + a half months, according to his present recollection when said Company were again discharged and returned to said Dorset -  that afterwards in the fall of 1782 + as he thinks about this same season as before, he was once more called out, + went as a volunteer in the same company of Vermont militia, + commanded by the same Officers as last above, + in the same Regiment still commanded by said Col. Pearl, as he now thinks, once more to said Castleton where he was stationed at said Fort, still as believes under the Command of ['Ethan Allen' crossed out] Gen'l Enos, about 6 or 7 weeks, when they marched from there to Fort Anne in the State of New York, where they tarried about one fortnight thence to said Dorset, where they were dismissed leaving him absent from home in the whole about 9 or 10 weeks as he [margin note: 9 weeks] now believes - that sometime in the month of March 1782 or 1783. + which he cannot now distinctly state, he was again called out in an alarm, + went as a volunteer with a part of the said company of Vermont militia, then under the command of the said Lieut Isaac Underhill to Mount Independence in the State of Vermont + opposite to Ticonderoga in the State of New York, + he thinks that the said Genl Ethan Allen was then in command + that they then found that the said alarm was existed in consequence of a large number of [illegible] which had been collected in a body to remove the families of the Tories from the States into Canada - that they were then dismissed, + he returned to his home in said Dorset, having been absent in the whole about or as much as 8 days - that during the whole of time + times, services + excursions about seven times above mentioned, except the first time which he turned out + went to Rutland (when he served as a Corporal,) he held the rank + did the duty of a Sergeant in said company + for the latter part of the time officiated as orderly or first Serg't - that from the lapse of time + the decay of his health + memory, both of which are much weaker of late, he hath forgotten many of the incidents + wants of the several times of service + campaigns above mentioned, + positively the times + seasons + names of Officers

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State of Vermont On this 6th day of August in the year 1832
& in some particulars he may have been mistaken but so far as stated he believed that his is generally dramatically correct that he had no documentary evidence to substantiate his said statements he does not know of any living witnesses whom he can procure to proved his said service except in a small part but believes that is able to corroborate his said statements by the opinions understanding & belief of his respectable neighbors that his nearest clergyman residing in that part of the said Town of Dorset where he lives is the Rev. John Whitehorse whose affidavit he expects to be able to obtain; Also the affidavit of another respectable neighbor Mr. Joseph Morse each of whom has lived near and has been well acquainted with him for a great number of years, also with the general understanding as to his said services. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Joseph Curtis
We John Whitehorse a clergyman residing in the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont aged 66 years & Joseph Morse resident of the same place, aged 62 years hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Curtis who had subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is respected 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 this day and year aforesaid. John L. Whitehorse; Joseph Morse
And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion after this 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 stated and the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Whitehorse who had signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said Town of Dorset and that Joseph Morse who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town of Dorset and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit. Sworn and certified by and before me, Myron Clark Judge of Probate Court

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I Henry Robinson register of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applicatio of Joseph Curtis for a Pension:
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name I have affixed the seal of our said Probate county at Manchester this fourth day of August A.D. 1832 and of the independence of the United States the 57th
Henry Robinson Register
State of Vermont
Bennington County} On this 15th day of July 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bennington and State of Vermont the above named Joseph Curtis of Dorset in and said County 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 & times 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 one month twenty two days I served as a Corporal for nine months I served as a Sergeant, five months of which at first or on duty sergeant and for such service I claim a pension. Joseph Curtis
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before M L Bennett, Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont
Bennington County Js} I, Henry Robinson, Clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that Milo L. Bennett Esq whose signature appears was at the date there of a Justice of the Peace for said County duly qualified by Law to act as such & that his signature I believe to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of our said Court at Manchester this 17th day of July AD 1833. Henry Robinson

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State of New York
Cayuga County} Js: On this ninth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forty personally came before me Augustus F. Ferris a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid, Addelia Curtis a resident of the Town of Brutus in the said County aged seventy four years on the eighteenth day of May last past, who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 Entitled the Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows: That she is the widow of Joseph Curtis who was a Revolutionary Soldier and that she was married to this said Joseph Curtis in the town of Manchester in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont at the house of her father, Mr. Timothy Mead by Elder Elisha Cornwell a Baptist Clergyman on the fourth day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty four; and he died on the twenty Seventh day of December Eighteen hundred and thirty three at the town of Dorset in the County of Bennington aforesaid and that she was not married to him prior to him leaving service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen Hundred and ninety four to wit at the time aforesaid: She further declares on the oath aforesaid that the said Joseph Curtis was a pensioner at the time of his death and was a resident of the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennington aforesaid at the time he first received his pension and remained a resident of the same place until his death which took place as aforesaid and that there are no records of the marriage to her knowledge: and that she does not know what has become of her husbands original pension certificate and she knows of no evidence of records that she can procure except the record of the evidence on which her husband was pensioned which record is in the pension office.

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Cayuga County Js: I certify that the within named Addelia Curtis who took and subscribed the said declaration is a person of truth and veracity and that full credit is to be given to her statements and that from bodily infirmity she is unable to attend in open court to make her declaration. Dated July 9, 1840 Augustus F. Ferris } Judge of the Court of Cayuga County
State of New York 
Cayuga County} Js: On this ninth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forthy personally appeared before me Augustus F. Ferris a judge of the courts of Common Pleas of the County of Cayuga aforesaid, Electa M. Crane, a resident of the Town of Brutus in the County aforesaid aged forty six years who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath depose and say: that she was personally acquainted with Joseph Curtis and Addelia Curtis named in the foregoing declaration and is now personally acquainted with the said Addelia and that the said Joseph Curtis was --- and a resident of the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennington and state of Vermont as stated in the said declaration where he drew his pension; and that she was present at the death the said Joseph Curtis which took place on the twenty seventh day of December eighteen hundred and thirty three at the Twon of Dorset aforesaid and that Addelia Curtis aforesaid is and has remained his widow ever since his death having never since been married and that from bodily infirmity she is unable to appear in open court to make her declaration. Subscribed and sworn the day and year above written before me, Augustus f. Ferris Judge / Electa M. Crain
Cayuga County Js: I certify that Electa Crane
who swore and subscribed the above affidavit is a person of truth and veracity and that full credit is due to her statements.
Dated July 9 1840
Augustus F. Ferris Judge of the Court

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State of New York
Cayuga County}: On this ninth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forty personally appeared before me Augustus F. Ferris a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cayuga aforesaid Philip P Crain, a resident of the Town of Brutus in the said county who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth see his oath, depose and say that he is thirty six years old and that he was personally acquainted with Joseph Curtis and Addelia  Curtis named in the foregoing declaration and is now personally acquainted with the said Addelia Curtis and that he was at the house of the said Joseph Curtis on the evening after his burial; that he died on the twenty seventh day of December Eighteen hundred and Thirty Three [1833] in the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennington and the state of Vermont and that he was a pensioner as stated in his declaration and that Addelia Curtis is and has so remained his widow ever since his death aforesaid. Philip P. Crain
I subscribed and sworn the day and year above written before me: Augustus F. Ferris, Judge
Cayuga County Js: I certify that Philip P. Crain who made and subscribed the above affidavit & is a person of credibility and that his statements are entitled to full credit. Augustus F. Ferris
Dated July 9, 1840
State of New York
Cayuga County} On this ninth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forty, personally appeared before me, Augustus F. Ferris, a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in the County of Cayuga aforesaid, Josiah Curtis, a 
resident of the Town of Elbridge in the County of Onondaga and State of New York who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, depose and say that he was personally acquainted with Joseph Curtis and Addelia Curtis named in the foregoing declaration and is now personally acquainted with the said Addelia and that he was present at their marriage and saw joined in wedlock. The marriage ceremony was performed by Elder Elisha Cornwell, a Baptist Clergyman on the fourth

Page 15

day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty four at the house of Timothy Mead, the father of the said Addelia, in the Town of Manchester in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont and that the said Addelia is and has remained the widow of the said Joseph Curtis. He further saith in his oath aforesaid that he was eighty years old last April and that to his personal knowledge the said Joseph Curtis was a Sergeant in the Militia of the State of Vermont in the Revolutionary War and was called into service in Capt Abraham Underhill's company in a Regiment Commanded by Col. Commander Gideon Bronson and that he was called into service at different times during the war. He does note this was the amount of service performed: Josiah Curtis
Subscribed and sworn the day and year above written before me Augustus F. Ferris, Judge of Cayuga County
Cayuga County J: I certify that Josiah Curtis who made and subscribed the above affidavit is a person of credibility and this his statements are entitled to full credit. Augustus F. Ferris, Judge of the Court
Dated July 9, 1840

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for a statement of the military history of Joseph Curtis a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and his wido's application for pension on file in this Bureau. Wid. F. 23903
Dates of Enlistment or appointment , length of service Rank, officers under whom service was rendered, state
Sept or Oct 1778, 1 mo 22d, Capt, Abraham Underhill, Ira Allen, VT
Sept of Oct 1778, 7 wks, Sergt, John Gray, Ira Allen, VT
Fall '80, 2 mo, John Gray, Stephen Pearl, Vt
Fall '81, 2 1/2 mo, Ord Segt, John Gray, Stephen Pearl, Vt
Fall '82, 9 or 10 wks, Ord Sergt, John Gray, Stephen Pearl, Vt
Mch '82 or '83, 8 days, Ord Sergt, Lt James Underhill, —, Vt
Battles engaged in: none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Dorset, Bennington Co, Vt
Date of application for pension, Aug 4, 1832, His cl was at
Residence at date of application, Dorset, Vt
Age at date of application: born at Nine Partners, Amena Precincts Duchess County, Jan 28, 1759. He died Dec 27 1833 at Dorset, Vt
Remarks: Soldier mar at Manchester Bennington Co Vt Mar 4, 1784, Adelia or Delia, dau of Timothy Mead. She was allowed a pension on an ap ex July 9, 1840 while a res of Brutus, Cayuga Co., N.Y. 
Very respectfully Frank G. Curtis, Atty
and copy of family record
Commissioner

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Widow, &c.
File No. 23903
Adelia Curtis
wid of 
Joseph Curtis
Sergt Vermont Line
Act: March 3rd '43
Index. Vol A Page 163
Arrangement of 1870

Feb 3, '08 Hist. and copy of family to Frank G. Curtis, Atty.

1908 Oct 27 Frank G. Curtis informed the Hon. Edward B Vreeland that only one copy sent of each record. AW.

Page 18

7219
N.Y.
Rejected
See let to Robt Gallt, Augt 28, 1840

Act 7 July '38

by coupling her with the wrong
Jos. Curtis it was rejected
see letter.

let to R Gallt Mar 29 1843

Page 19

New York 7788
Adelia Curtis
widow of Joseph Curtis
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 27th Dec. 1833
of Cayuga Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Corporal Sergt in the company
commanded by Captain Underhill of the regt commanded by Col Paul in 
the Vermont line for 1 mo 22 days Corp
9 mo Sergt
Inscribed on the roll of Albany 
at the rate of 51 Dollars and 30 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.

Certificate of pension issued the 12 day of October 1843 and sent to Robert Gallt, Weedsport, N.Y.
Total amount, $256.50
Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by D. Brown, Clerk 
Book A Vol 2 Page 93

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7217
Addelia Curtis
NY
Act 7 July '38


Robt Gallt Esq
Weedsport 
NY

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Weedsport, Cayuga County, New York July 11, 1840.
Dear Sir:
I send you enclosed the papers of Addelia Curtis praying a pension. You will please communicate to me on the subject as soon as convenient. 
Respectfully yours,
Robert Gallt

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

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I, William M. Sperry, a resident of the Town of Manchester in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont, aged thirty eight years, do testify, depose, and say that I hold the office of town Clerk of said town of Manchester and that I have thoroughly examined the Town Records of said town & cannot find the marriage of Joseph Curtis to Delia Mead, nor the births of any of children, therein recorded in either of the Volumes of Records of said town in my possession, that I find that there are a few of the leaves of the first volume of said record which are in some way missing, which Volume being the Records of said Town down to June 2nd A.D. 1784; that I also find many marriages recorded in that Volume.
Wm. M. Sperry Town Clerk
State of Vermont}
Bennington County} Be it known that on this 22nd day of July 1843 by the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in aforesaid county personally appeared the above named William M. Sperry to me well known, & made oath in due form that the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit are true according to his best knowledge & belief.
Attest Danl [Daniel] Roberts Jr. Justice of the Peace

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State of Vermont}
Bennington County}
I, Samuel H. Blackmer, Clerk of Bennington County Court, do hereby certify that Daniel Roberts Junior is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 9th day of November A.D. 1842 and will expire on the 30th Day of November next & that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Daniel Roberts Junior & verily believe that his signature is genuine.
In writing, whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said County this 8th day of August A.D. 1843.
Samuel H. Blackmer, Clerk

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referred to Mr. Edwards
as service admitted under Act 7 July 1838
To the Hon James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Admitted by 
Corporal for 
1 month & 22 days Corporal
9 months as Sergeant

Samuel Swift Esq.
Manchester, Vt [Vermont]

Page 25

Manchester Oct 14. 1838
To the Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Hon. Sir, About or nearly one week since, I 
received your folder enclosing the original Declaration of Joseph Curtis, 
requiring certain explanations, resetting from his amendatory statement & also that the papers upon which the Duty was drawn should be connected together agreeably to the established rule and the last requisite I immediately processed with & for this he sent word to Esq Curtis informing him of the 
difficulty suggested & requesting him to come & see me on the subject but I have not seen him as yet & as I am apprized that he is in a very infirm state of health, it is not probable that he will be able to come here for some time 
personally and as I believe that I am without him satisfactorily to make the requisite explanations, I have concluded to return the papers with my statement alone. 
Upon an examination of the Declaration, it will be seen that he stated his first time of service when as he says he acted as Capt at six weeks, exclusive of the time occupied in going & returning which he estimated at about one week. When the declaration was sent back for his supplementary affidavit his resolution had become more clear and distinct as to his said tours of service from certain circumstances brought to his mind from which he was induced to lengthen some of those periods and this for one but ultimately upon advise not to do so except to call or calculate 4 weeks as a month, to allow 8 days for the time spent in going & returning to the places of duty & in rallying & calling the men of his company together for which he supposed himself entitled to remuneration & to be best into the amount

Page 26

Upon the same rule, I believe, it will be found, that there is no discrepancy between the original & duplicates & the supplementary statement as to his other tours of service. The next term as stated is likewise for six weeks, exclusive of the time spent in going fraternizing (?) which he calculated at one week more. 

The next term is for two months as he stated beside the time allowed for going fraternizing, called one week more. 
The next term of duty he estimated at two months ---exclusive of the time in going fraternizing as before.
The next tour of duty he estimated as occupying 9 or 10 weeks, which I set down at 9 w or two months & one week.
The next tour of service he estimates at 8 days which I added to the others , makes (exclusive of the first time (in which he served as a Capt), nine months, one week, & 1 day, allowing 4 weeks (where he estimates in weeks) for one month—the whole of these periods of service, however, he has estimated & stated but 9 months is his supplementary statement, although he was inclined to think it was much longer, if as he supposed that it would be right to allow him for the time occupied in going and returning, but if not, that time can be deducted from the amount as stated.  
I have also received a further communication respecting the application of _____ _____ rejecting his claim and the proof exhibited. I would inquire whether this certificate office's  respectable neighbors as to his belief of his service. I will see if anything in his case, I am told that such can be processed and that they have no doubts of his claim for a pension. He is, I believe, the only applicant who has applied this age, whose memory has been at all impaired by -- but still he stated so many [inside details] of the War in which he has participated, and so many circumstances in relation them to what I can

Page 27

not but believe that he actually served during the greater part of the period of the War
& others, I understand, are of the same opinion— The circumstances of his name not being found upon any of the Rolls, I --- acknowledge is calculated to excite suspicion but his I believe would not be a solitary case, if it was so, that he might have served to supply the place of some other ones enlisted whose names continued on the Roll or his name might have been misspelt or it might have been omitted on the roll by the very circumstances by him that he served at least for the first part of his term as a waiter to the Captain. Also, his age, I am told that his elder Brother and others make him 2 or 3 years older that he stated himself to be. Kindred have when speaking of his age when he entered the service make it so likewise. As to the case of Mr. John Austin, whose application is also for the present rejected, it is difficult; his memory is broken by the infirmities of age principally, I suppose, but I have no doubt of his service nearly as he stated them, but he now lives remote from the friends & companions with whom he has associated & has has no one interested in his behalf, capable of handling up proving the company. Jacob, knows of no one man alive whom I can add to obtain the requisite information that might ___ ____ the life, an willing to attest to his honesty if this will supply the deficiency in his statements.
I am, Hon, Sir, very respectfully,
Yours
S. Swift

Page 28

Sept 21 '47
Mr. ---
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Dept.
Washington City.

Page 29

Mechanics' and farmers' Bank
Albany Pension Agency
Sept 18. 1847

James L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, 
In reply to your letter of the 15th -- [April?]
I have to state, that Adelia Curtis
a Pensioner under the Act of March 3d AD 43 at 57.30 dollars per annum was last paid to on the L day of March 1847.
I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
D. W. Gl*lt
Pes't and Pension Agent Mr.
L Jenkins.

Page 30

Sept 61847
Delia Curtis VT
asking to be transferred


Mr. Evans
Hon.  Samuel S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D. C. 

Free

Page 31

Sep 6 1847
Delia Curtis Vt.
Asking to be transferred
-red-

Mr. Evans

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Page 32

Manchester Augt 30th 1847

Hon. J. S. Edwards,
Hon. Sir, Enclosed I transmit to you the application of Mrs. Delia Curtis for a transfer of her pension from the State of New York to the Agency in this State and if consistent she wishes that the tranfer might embrace or include the payment which will --- and become due on the 1st of September so ...ensuring that she may be authorized to receive the same at the Pension Agency in Poultney in this State. 
Very respectfully, I am, Honorable Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
S. Swift

Page 33

7217
Addelia Curtis
NY
Act July 7th '38

---
1 mo 22 days Corp
9 mo     Serg
____
$51.30 per an.
_____
Robt Gallt Esq
Weedsport, N York

Page 34

State of Vermont
Bennington County, SS
Be it known, that on this twentieth day of
January 1853 before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared J. S. Curtis, Esq. a resident of Dorset in said County and made oath according to law, that he is an heir of Joseph and Delia Curtis who were pensioners of the United States at the rate of fifty one dollars 20 cents per annum; that he believes said pensioners were entitled to a higher rate of pension-according to the rank and service of said Joseph Curtis in the Revolution that he is directly interested as aforesaid, as a claimant, and makes this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining such income or arrears of pension as may be due under any of the laws, regulations, or decisions have been or may hereafter be adopted. The said affidavit further declares that he hereby constitutes and appoints Gen. Henry Robinson of Bennington Vt to be his attorney and agent to prosecute said claim with power of substitution to examine all papers and documents in relation to it and to do all things necessary and lawful in the premises except drawing the money which will be hereafter provided for. J. L. Curtis
Herman Morse Justice of the Peace. 
I further certify that J. S. Curtis Esq above named is a respectable resident of this County and is as I believe directly interested in said claim and acknowledge the above power of attorney to be his act and deed. Herman Morse Justice of the Peace.
State of Vermont
County Clerk's Office} Bennington, ss
I, Samuel H. Blackmer, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Bennington, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that Herman Morse Esq was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the foregoing jural and certificate is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds and Depositions, and to administer oats, &-c.

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Weedsport Cayuga Co New York August 11. 1842
Sir: In the case of Adelia Curtis, widow of Joseph Curtis, an applicant for a pension, I have to state that I have caused the marriage records of the Town of Manchester in the county of Bennington State of Vermont to be searched, which results as you will see in the enclosed certificates. I know of no other proof of the marriage than what you already have that can be procured. Will you please advise me on the subject soon? 
I remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, Robert Gallt


James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Page 36

Declaration
In order to obtin the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain ----- who have received pensions under the act of July 7th 1838. 
State of New York
Cayuga County } On this 22 day of ---
in the year 1844 personally appeared before me, David Ward, a Justice of the Peace of the said County of Cayuga, Adelia Curtis, a resident of the Town of Brutus in the County and State aforesaid age 77 years on the 17th day of May 1843 who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War that she is the widow of Joseph Curtis who was a revolutionary solder and served as a private; the regiment she does not know; that he was a pensioner but does not know at what rate per annum he was pensioned. That she was pensioned for five years under the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 at the rate of fifty one dollars and 22 cents per year as she believes which pension she received in full up to the 4th day of September last past and that she was married to the said Joseph Curtis in the Town of Manchester, County of Bennington and State of Vermont at the house of her father Timothy Mead are the fourth day of March in the year 1784 by Elder Elisha Cornwell a Baptist Clergyman and that her husband the said Joseph Curtis died on the 27th day of December in the year 1833 in the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennington aforesaid and further declares that her said husband received his pension under the Act of June 7, 1832.

Page 37

and that she still remains his widow having since never been married. 
Adelia Curtis
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid before me.
David Ward, Justice of the Peace

Cayuga County J: I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above married Adelia Curtis and believe that she is a person of credibility and that her statement may be fully relied on. 
David Ward, Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Cayuga County Clerks Office: I Philip Van Arsdale, Clerk of the said County of Cayuga do certify that David Ward Esq was on the 22nd day of February instant a Justice of the Peace in the said County duly appointed and qualified and that the foregoing are his genuine signatures. With my hand } seal of Office of said County this 23rd day of Feb 1844
Philip Van Arsdale, Clerk

Page 38

State of Vermont
County of Bennington
On this 30th day of august 1847, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the peace in the aforesaid county of Bennington, personally appeared Delia Curtis now a resident of the town of Dorset in said County, who on his oath declares that she is the same person who is the widow of Joseph Curtis deceased who performed various military services during the Revolutionary war and who therefore in his lifetime received and enjoyed a pension from the United States under the Act of June 7, 1832. that her name was placed on the pension roll of the state of New York from whence she has lately removed that she now resides in the state of Vermont where she intends to remain and wishes her pension to be there payable in future. The following are the reasons for removing from the State of New York where she had two daughters residing with whom she lived to the said town of Dorset in said State of Vermont that she has property there and a son residing with whom she wishes to live and spend the remainder of her days, where her said husband lived and died and was buried. Delia Curtis
Sworn & Subscribed to the day and year aforesaid before me: Herman Morse, Justice of the Peace.
I, Pratt Curtis, a resident of the town of Dorset aforesaid, aged fifty six years do testify depose and say that I am well acquainted with both these above applicants & that they are both credible respectable persons. Attest Herman Morse, Justice of the Peace

Page 39

Ad Curtis
$57.30

Robert Galt
Weddsport, N. York

Page 40

Weedsport Cayuga New York Feb 24 1844
Sir: I sent you the papers Adelia Curtis a claimant for a pension under the act of March 3, 1843 in April last. I am informed that they are not found on the register of New York claims. I therefore send new ones. 
I am, Sir, your humble servant, Robert Gallt

James L. Edward Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Page 41

Weedsport Cayuga County New York August 8 1843
Sir: I send you the family records of Joseph and Adelia Curtis which is as yet all the record of her marriage that can be found. I also send her declaration claiming a pension under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1843. 
I am Sir your humble servant

Robert Gallt
James L. Edward, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

P.S. Can you advise me in the case of 
George Jewel. I have stated to you probably all that can be proved in his case and do not wish to be to unnecessary expense as he has no means of paying. R. G.

Page 42

[illegible]...refer to auditor, Pension Office, Jan 13, '45 

James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Recd 13 Jany '45
McRandall

Page 43

Weedsport, Cayuga County, New York Jan 9, 1945
Sir:
Will you please inform me how much pension per year was drawn by Joseph Curtis of Bennington, Vermont. His widow, Adelia Curtis and her friends think there is a mistake in her pension. They alledge that he drew $100. per year, that he died in December and that she received $26 and some cents which was due him from the 4th September to Dec the time of his death. The widow draws $52.32 I believe per year. If there is a mistake she would be glad to be advised of it. 
I am, Sir, respectfully yours,
Robert Gallt
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Page 44

State of New York
Cayuga County} On this 5th day of August in the year 1843 personally appeared before me Phineas F. Willson, a Justice of the Peace of the said county. Philip -- Crane, a resident of the Town of Brutus in the said county who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that the family record which is hereunto attached is the family record of Joseph Curtis and Addelia, Delia, or Dilla Curtis, now his widow and an applicant for a pension that their family Bible from which the said record is now taken is and has been many years in his possession that he was well acquainted with the said Joseph Curtis and Addelia in his lifetime that he was acquainted with his hand writing and believes the said record is in his hand writing from the commencement to the birth of Dilla Mead, now the widow of the said Joseph, with the exception of the record of the marriage of Pratt Curtis and Sabina Morse May 4th 1815 that the record of the marriage of Andrew Eggleston and Nancy Curtis Sept 5, 1811 and the death of Dan C. Dodge August 5, 1832 is in the handwriting of Andrew Eggleston and that he does not know in whose hand writing the remaining part of the record has been kept.
P.P. Crain
Subscribed and sworn the day and year above written before me, Phinehas F. Wilson, Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named deponent is a reputable witness and that statemnts may be relied upon.
Phinehas F. Wilson, Justice of the Peace

Page 45

State of New York
Cayuga County} On this 5th day of August in the year 1843 personally came before me Phineas F. Willson, a Justice of the Peace of the said County of Cayuga, Edwin Gli* resident of the Town of Elbinger in the County of Onondaga
who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that the family record hereunto attached is the family record of Joseph and Addelia, Delia, or Dilla Curtis, his wife, now widow, and an applicant for a pension. That he was acquainted with them in the life time of the said Joseph Curtis and is now acquainted with the said Addelia that he was well acquainted with the house visiting of the said Joseph Curtis during his life and that he verily believes the said record is in the hand writing of the said Joseph Curtis with the exceptions mentioned in the foregoing affadavit [sic] of Philip Crain, and further saith not
sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me} Edwin Glynn
Me, Phinehas F. Wilson, Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am acquainted with above named deponent and that his is a credible writing. 
Phinehas F. Wilson, Justice of the Peace

Page 46

Weedsport, Cayuga County, N.Y. March 11, 1845
Dear Sir:
In the case of Addelia Curtis, widow of Joseph Curtis the following is a copy of a letter from Pratt Curtis of East Dorsett, Bennington, Vermont and son of Addelia Curtis to Philip P. Crain of this place.
Friend Crain in respect to mother's pension of which I drew a copy of your letter and presented to S. Swift for his consideration. He has written to Washington and gives me the following returns stated as you see below.
Pension Office November 2, 1842
Sir, Mrs. Sarah Curtis, widow of Joseph Curtis deceased, late pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832 and whose claim was presented you in 1833 and who died in December of that year made application from Wisconsin and was allowed a pension under the Act of 4th July 1836. Equal to that which was allowed her late husband.
I am very respectfully yours J L Edwards
Swift writes to me thus, "You will perceive by the above that there is some mistake in some way and that the widow who recd the pension is a different person from your mother whose Christian name I think is Deliah.
I received this written instrument on Jan 10th of this year. There must be some rascality in some quarter. Where I cannot tell but wish and hope it will be ferreted out by some one. If Swift has obtained my father's pension unlawfully as your letter states I hope he will be handled for so doing. He is all the time enquiring about my mother when he sees me.

Page 47

and relate "I wish your mother had called on me I could have obtained her pension without any trouble. He appears to be greatly interested or troubled about this pension business and I do not know what to think about his anxiety of the whole matter. I shall inquire into this and wish you might through that same man who asked for our mother's pension by your request. Signed Pratt Curtis
To Philip P Cran
Dated March 1843
in August 1840
I made application for Addelia Curtis, widow of Joseph Curtis at the request of Mr Philip Crain, a son in law of the claimant. Her claim was denied on the grounds that her busband had been wrongfully pensioned. It appears from the above communication purporting to be a copy of one from to Mr. S.S. wife that then is Sarah Curtis in Wisconsin drawing a pension. As the widow of Joseph Curtis. So you will see there is inequity some where. With your assistance I think it can be ascertained where the trouble lies. Mr. Joseph Curtis lived in Town of East Dorset in the County of Bennington, Vermont when he was pensioned and had lived there from a child and died there. Mr. S. Srofts presented his claim for a pension. 
Can you inform me what part of Wisconsin Mrs. Sarah Curtis lives in: who made her claim for a pension and where she draws her money; I fear there is forgery or perjury or both in the matter.
Mrs. Adelelia Curtis was married in East Dorset and lived there with her husband til he died in Dec 11, 1833.
Respectfully yours Robert Galit
James L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City., D.C.

Page 48

P.S. If consistent, will you have the goodness to send me the Pension Laws of the last session of Congress. If so you will confer a great favor as I can not procure them here. R. G.
TLE

Page 49

See no 7217 see no 7217

Page 50

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of July 7th, 1838
State of New York,
Cayuga County} On this 28th day of April in the year 1843, personally appeared before me
Phinehas F. Wilson, a Justice of the Peace of the said County of Cayuga, 
Addelia, sometimes called, Addelia, Dellia, and Dilla Curtis, a resident of the Town of Brutus in the County of Cayuga, aged 76 years on the 18th day of May 1842 who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of Joseph Curtis, a Revolutionary War Soldier. she further declares that she was married to him the Town of Manchester in the County of Bennington, and State of Vermont at the house of her father, Timothy Mead, on the Fourth day of March in the year 1786, by Elder Elisha Cornwell who was a Baptist Clergyman and by law authorized to perform the marriage ceremony. 
That her husband, Joseph Curtis, died on the 27th day of December in the year 1833 at the Town of Dorset in the County of Bennnington and State of Vermont and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving in the service but at the time aforesaid. She further declares on her oath aforesaid that her said husband was a pensioner under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832 at the time of his death: She does not now

Page 51

remember, at what amount per year he was pensioned. That he was a resident at the Town of Dorset, aforesaid when he was pensioned; that she, this deponent, has not obtained a pension under the act of July 7th, 1838, but has made an application undersaid act and believes that she is entitled to the benefits thereof: That she cannot testify to the particulars of her husband's stories, and that she knows of no evidence of services by which she can be benefited except the evidence on which her husband was pensioned, which is believed now to be on file in the Pension Office at Washington: and that she is now the widow of the said Joseph Curtis, having never been married to any other person.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me} Adelilla [Dillal] Curtis
Phinehas f. Wilson, Justice of the Peace
Cayuga County Js: I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named deponent and that she is a person of credibility and that her statements can be relied on.
Phinehas F. Wilson, Justice of the Peace

Page 52

Phinehas F. Wilson Master of the place
Cayuga County Js: I certify that I am personally
acquainted with the above named deponent and ...
New York State
Cayuga County} ss,
I, William Richardson, Clerk of said County, certify that Phinehas F. Wilson Esq. was on the 5th day of August 1843, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified: And that I know his hand writing, and believe the signature on the annexed instrument, purporting to be his, is genuine, futher that the written depositions were take in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County and set my hand this 7th day of August 1843.  N. Richardson, Clk.

Page 53

Frank G. Curtis, Attorney and Counselor at Law
Jamestown, N.Y.
Offices 54-55 Fenton Building
Home Phone --- Bell Phone ---
Jamestown, N.Y. Jan. 24th, 1908
Pension Office
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
In about the year 1840 one Mr. Gault of Jordan, Onondaga County, New York, applied at your office for a pension, not for himself, but for one Deliah [ Dilla / Delilah ?] Mead Curtis, the widow of one Joseph Curtis. Accompanying said application for a pension was a leaf relative to family connections and genealogy, taken from the family Bible of either Joseph Curtis, or his father, Zachariah Curtis. 
I am extremely desirous of recovering said leaf of said Bible, if possible, or at least a copy thereof, and I also desire to know what engagements said Joseph Curtis took part in during the Revolutionary War, or what connection he had with the Continental Army
during the Revolutionary War, as well as his father, [the] said Zachariah Curtis. Said Joseph Curtis and said Zachariah Curtis, I think, lived in East Dorset, Bennington County, Vermont at the opening of the Revolutionary War.
Your kindness in aiding me in this matter will be very deeply appreciated. If you cannot help me, will you refer me to some one who can?
Thanking you for your kindness, I am
Yours very truly,
Frank G. Curtis

Page 54

February 3, 1908
Mr. Frank G. Curtis,
c/o 5455 Fenton Building
Jamestown, New York.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 24th and received the 27th ultimo, you are herewith furnished with a copy of the family record in the claim of Adelia widow of Joseph Curtis. Wid. File 23,908 [8 or 3]
March the 4 AD 1784 Joseph Curtis & Dillay Mead his wife was Marrd.
Febuary [sic] the 1 1785, Clarey Curtis, the Daughter of Joseph & Dilla, his wife, was Born
February the 10 AD 1787 Truman Curtis, the son of Joseph & Dilla, his wife, was born.
November the 27 AD 1789, Nancy Curtis, the daughter of Joseph & Dilla, his wife, was born.
June the 11th AD 1791, Pratt Curtis was born, the son [of] Joseph & Dilla, his wife
July the 5 AD 1798, ware born Electa Curtis, the Daughter of Joseph & Dilla, his wife
January the 3 1796, then was born Lewis Curtis, the son of Joseph Curtis & Dilla, his wife
November the 18 AD 1806, then was born Betsey Dodge, the Daughter of Thomas Dodge & Asenath, his wife.
May 4, 1815, Pratt Curtis & Lovina Morse [were] married.

Page 55

Wid. File 23, 903

Joseph Curtis son of Zechariah Curtis was born Januar th 24 AD 17- (illegible)
Dilla Mead the wife to the above said Joseph was born the 18 Day of May AD 1766
Lewis Curtis Son of Lovina & Pratt Curtis born June 23 1816.
Betsey Sophia, daughter of Pratt Curtis and Lovina born May 2, 1819
Herman C. Ward, son of Thomas & Clarissa Ward was born April 8, 1820
18 this April 1838
Bonapart Lapish born July 1804
May 14, 1865 died Zechariah Curtis, Father of Joseph Curtis
October 16, 1804, then Dyed [sic] Lewis Curtis, the son of Joseph Curtis and Dilla, his wife
26 Jun 1831 then died Truman M. Curtis, son of Joseph & Delia Curtis
Joseph Curtis, son of Zachariah Curtis, died Dec 27, 1832 in the 75th year of his age.
Nancy I-- Ward born Sep--
Claresy Curtis was Mard [sic] January the 11 1819 to Thomas Ward
11th of July 1819 was married Electa Curtis to Dan C. Dodge by Joseph Leach Esquire
Sept 5, 1811, Andrus Eggleston and Nancy Curtis was married by Samuel Benedict Eqr.
Dan C. Dodge died in the Town of Geddes & State of N. York August 25th, 1832
Thomas Ward died in the Republic ofTexas Mouth of the Brasos River City of Velasco Septr 27, 1837
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Page 56

Hon. Edward B. Vreeland
Salamanoa, N.Y.
Mr dear Mr. Vreeland:
In reply to your letter dated the 21st and received the 23rd instant, and the enclosed letter of Mr. Frank C. Curtis of 54 Fenton Building, Jamestown, New York, I have the honor to advise you that Mr. Curtis was furnished the military and family record o Joseph Curtis *idd. File No. 23,903) on February 3, 1908; and owing to lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, this Bureau is unable to furnish more than one record of a soldier to each person, and for the same reason complete copies of papers are not furnished. Any one appointed by him may examine and copy the papers in said claim.
The Revolutionary War pension records fail to afford any information relative to Zephaniah or Zepheniah Townsend, Ephraim Bemis, Josiah Curtis and Timothy Mead described in said letter of Mr. Curtis. 
Very respectfully, 

see negative clips

Acting Commissioner.
Mr. Vreelands letter and Mr. Curtis letter were returned with originals of this letter.