Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,942, Henry Courter, New Jersey

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Service.                                    Number
New Jersey.  Courter, Henry  W18942
Courter Ann

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20645
New York
Henry Courter
of Monroe in the State of New York who was a single in the Camp commanded by Captain March of the Reg commanded by Col. Ewing - in the N Jersey line for 9 m. [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 35 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept. 1833 and Courter L. Adams Rochester
Arrears to the 4th of Sept $87.50
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 m. 24  17.50
= $105.00
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by go C Stiles Clerk
Book E Vol. 4, Page 93
let to C. Fppt Kime 23 1843
"""" Mrs. Ann Courter Sep. 14.1843

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5645
New York Albany
Ann Courter
Widow of Henry Courter N.J.
who was a Pri + Sergt. in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 35 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of June, 1844 and sent to 
Pensioner
Meridan
New York

Recorded

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Declaration of Henry Courter

State of Henry ash Manor Jr.

On the second day of October 1832 [illegible] Court before the Justice of [illegible] of [illegible], for other county of Manor [illegible] sitting, Henry Courter, resident of the town of [illegible] in the County of [illegible] aforesaid aged Eighty years, who being duly sworn and [illegible] to law doth under his oath - make the following declaration, in order to obtain [illegible] of the Act of [illegible], passed June 7th 1831.
I Henry Courter was born at [illegible] in the County of Morris State of [illegible], October 17, 1752 Now record of which I have in my bible which mothers given [illegible] resident at Prinston Plains until 1784, now moved to Bergan Co., NJ where I resided until 1811.  Then removed to Meridian where I have [illegible] resided -
In 1776 I volunteered under Capt. Ward, for one month, I believe in March Genl Wines commanded we marched to Ney York our company was infantry [illegible] erecting a fort at the James town army ground - 
Then [illegible] year I was Drafted for a month, then enemy [illegible] in Newyork was marched to Elisabeth town to guard

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The time Provost was our enemy, Capt. [illegible] of Chatham, being promoted was our Colonel 
Same year, volunteer for one month under Capt Ogden, our company was detached to chop wood for a fire over at Pompton slayed in casting Build a military [illegible] for government.
Then 1777 I volunteered one month + went to December under Capt. Deboo, Wines General, Esopeno was the [illegilbe] 
Our [illegible] was called out under General wines, under Col Seeley, Jarhaun ensign.  I was at [illegible] when it was burnt, Mr. Caldwells was not.  was premises the enemy to Elizabethtown and took more than fifty. Hephram's the same evening took another party of about the same number + the [illegible] + clothes. [illegible] served a month after [illegible] I served one month, the officers I can't recollect - 
I was next called to Thatchers creek in Morgan County.  When the British were lying at [illegible] Banks, Deboo Capt. In 1778 one month serving on the lines near Elizabeth town under him. I have forgotten my official. I was also detached the same year for Sergeant of a ground to guard sixty five prisoners in Morris town jail one month not far from Monmouth battle

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In the winter of 1780, was on a Sergents guard, on the lines, to guard the tropes between Morris town + newyork, our army under Washington being there at Morris town
The militia to which I belonged were directed into classes+ called out by the class - we were on the alert during this time I well recollect being in this tension as much as eleven months, but I cannot recollect all the circumstances
I never had any written discharge. I hereby relinquish all claims to a pension in annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the agency pension roll of my state, + I know of no person who can testify to my services
For my character I refer to the Honorable James North + Timothy Barnard Esq's of Mendon
Henry Counter
J. Cutter Dep. Clerk

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Ann Courter

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State of NewYork } SS
Monroe County }

On this Tenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty nine Personally appeared before Ashley Sampson Phelander House+ Alfred Jones, Esqs [illegible] of the County Court for Monroe County being a Court of Record

Ann Courter a resident of the Town of Mendon in the County of Monroe and State aforesaid Aged Eighty Two years, who being first duly sworn according to Las, 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 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to Certain Widows. That she is the widow of Henry Courter who was a sergeant in the Revolutionary Army in the Militia in the State of Newjersey and a pensioner of the United States, and held a Certificate issued from the War office of the United States on the 26th day of September 1833, by which he was entitled to received Thirty five dollars per annum during his Natural Life, which Certificate appears to be recorded in the pension office, in Book E. Vol. 4th Page 93. by Gos. Steler, Clerk She further declares that she was married to the said Henry Courter on the ninth day of June in the year seventeen hundred and ninety Two, that her husband the aforesaid Henry Courter died on the fourteenth day of September one thousand Eight hundred and thirty eight, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, [illegible] at the time above stated, that she has no record evidence of her marriage,
Ann Courter X her mark
Sworn + Subscribed before the said Judges in open court this 10th day of June 1839.
Ephraim Goss clk
Monroe County.

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State of Newyork
Monroe County, [illegible]
Rachael Thomas of Farmington in the County of Ontario and state of Newyork age fifty Eight years on the ninth day of January 1839. Who being duly sworn says she ha been well acquainted with Henry Courter deceased a Revolutionary soldier and Ann Benson who is the mother of the deponent and now the widow of the said Henry Courter deceased, this deponent further says she was present in the year of our Lord one thousand seen hundred and ninety two on the ninth day of June and saw the said the said Henry Courter married to the said Ann Benson her mother at the Town of Totoway in the County of Bergen [County/crossed out] and State of Newjersey, and knows that the said applicant is the same person who married the said Henry Courter on the said 9th day of June 1792 + further says not.  Rachel Thomas

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 10th day of April 1839
John Peirce Junior } a Commissioner of Deeds Monroe  Co I certify that rachel Thomas the above named despondent is respectable and Intitled to credit 16th April 1939
John Pierce [illegible]} Commissioner for Bush County

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Rachael Thomas
Affidavit [underlined]

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State of Newyork }SS
Monroe County}

Sarah Moore of Mendon in the County of Monroe and State aforesaid being duly sworn, says she is as fifty two years old on the fifth day of October Last past and is the daughter of Henry Courter and a daughter by his first wife recalls distinctly the death of her mother, and also the marriage of her father Henry Counter deceased, was present at Lotoway Bergin County and State of New Jersey and since the said Henry Courter married to Ann Benson on the ninth day of June 1792 Which said Ann Benson is still living and the widow of the said Henry Courter and has not been married since the death of the said Henry Courter which happened on the fourteenth day of  September in the year 1838. and further says that + that the said Henry Courter was a pensioner  Sarah Moore

Sworn + Subscribed before me this 10th day of April 1839
John Peirce Junior } A Commissioner of Deeds Monroe Co.

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State of New York }
Monroe County SS }
I certify that I John Pierce Jr. Esquire, was at the time the within affidavits proport to have been taken a commissioner of deeds in and for said county, authorised by law to take the same, and tht I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine - Where to my hand and seal of office, this fourteenth day of June 1839.
 Ephraim Goss clerk

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Ann Courter &
Sarah Moore &
Rachael Thomas
Affidavitt [sic] 5673

Act July 7. 1838

Married 9th June 1792
Husband died 14 Sept 1838

Not until [crossed out]

[illegible]
9 mo pri
1 [illegible] Sergt
$35.

Hon. T.J Patterson
H. R.

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13.075
Henry Courter
Monroe C N York

aomst

16
P 37

4 May 33

70
1750 =
87.50

L. Adams clk
Rochester N Y.

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BRIEF in the case of Henry Courter of Monroe Co in the State of N York
(Act 7th Hune, 1832.)

1. Was the declartion made before a Court or a Judge? Open court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he? 80 years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. |  Duration of Service. | Rank.| Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

| | Years, Months, Days | As a | Gen.

In 1776 | 1Month | Private | Capt. Ward Genl Wines
In 1776 | 1 Month | " | Capt. Ward  Col. Ewing
In 1776 | 1 Month | " | Capt Ogden
In 1777 | 1 Month | " | Capt Debon Genl Wines
In 1777 | 1 Month | " | Capt. Seely Genl Wines
In 1777 | 1 Month | " | Officer not recollected
In 1778 | 1 Month | " | Capt. Debon
In 1778 | 1 Month | " | Officer not recollected
In 1778 | 1 Month | srgt | Officer not recollected

5. In what battles was he engaged?  None 1780

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service: Morris Co N Jersey

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by  traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Papers are attached as required

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

The Claimant says that he was in service eleven months


Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.

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1375

aom D
9 mo pri
1 m Sergt.

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State of New York }
Monroe County SS }

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of Monroe County Courts.  Henry Courter who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he does recollect that he served the length of time mentioned in his declaration but that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise time he entered the service, or left the same but that he did serve the period mentioned below and in the following grades. 1776 For three months at different times as  a private 1777 For four months at different times as a private 1778. For two months one month of which I served as a Sergeant and one month as a private 1779 For one month as a private 1780 For one month as a private  Henry Courter


Sworn and Subscribed before me this 6th day of June 1832

James Smith Judge of the County Courts of Monroe County

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Rev WIDOW, &C.
aom
File No. 18942
Ann Courter Widow of Henry Courter Sergt. Rev. War

Act: March 3rd 1873
Index. - Vol. A, Page 151

[Arrangement of  1870.}

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V
N York
Ann Courter
let to Peter Price 21 Sept. 1839
let to C. Forte, May 2. 1843
let to C. Forte June 23 1843
let to Claimant Sept 14 1843

Act July 1838

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8283
Albany, New York
Ann Courter widw of Henry Courter who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 14 Sept. 1838 of Monroe C. in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Ward of the reg. commanded by Col. Ewing in the N. Jersey line for 9 mon. private 1 mon. srgt.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 35 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to comence on teh 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of April 1844 and sent to Hon. T. J. Patterson War Dep.

Total Amount, $175.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by F. L. Swann Clerk
Book D. Vol. 1 Page 151

aepo 9 Apl. 1844

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Elias Smith of Mendon in the County of Monroe deposes + says, that for thirty years, last past he has known Henry Courter of Meridian, he knew him in Newjersey, it always since he knew him been expected that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war - and that he believes his age to be as he referred unto it - and he believes him to be a man of veracity + his statement in truth to credit  Elias Smith

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 27th day of Sept 1832 
James Smith Judge of the County Courts of Monroe County

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I Francis Smith a Clergyman residing in the town of Mendon hereby certify that I am well acquainted wit Henry Courter an applicant for a pension, that I have been acquainted with him more than thirty years, that he has since I became acquainted been reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that his statement is entitled to credit.  Francis  Smith

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 28th day of Sept. 1832

James Smith Judge of the County Courts of Monroe County

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We, John Moore of Mendon in the County of Monroe State of Newyork hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Henry Courter who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration + I believe him to be eighty years of age, I lived in the town of [illegible] in the state of New Jersey at the time he was served have known him ever since, was home after honored what was revolutionary [illegible]other on Sermons Days, I believe him to have been a revolutionary + think same to be a man of veracity.
John Moore
J. Cutter Dep. Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the months + formatting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served in the states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that that [illegible]who has signed one of the enclosed certificates knew to before James Smith esquire one of the Judges of this court is a clergyman resident in the town of Mendon + that John Moore + Elias Smith the signers of the other certificates are

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residents in Meridian are credited persons, and their statement is entitled to credit.

[illegible] }
Joseph Sibley }
Jared Carthy} Judges of the County Court for Monroe County 


I Leonard Adams Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Monroe, hereby certify that the foresaid contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter.

In Testimony certifies for a pensioner. whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this foresaid day of October  1832
L. Adams Clerk

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State of New York } SS

On this 8 day of May 1843 personally appeared before the subscribed - a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Mendon in the County of Monroe Ann Courter a resident of the Town of Mendon in the County of Monroe aged eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the acts of Congress, passed July 7, 1838 and the 23 of August 1842 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War That she is the widow of Henry Courter who was a Sergeant in the Militia Co their Deponent has been her husband Henry Courter say and appear by his Pension Certification now present, known noting about the services rendered by him. She also declares she was married to the said Henry Courter on the ninth day of June one thousand seven hundred and ninety two that her said husband Henry Courter died on the fourteenth day of September eighteen hundred and thirty eight that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four via at the time above stated. She further declares that she has not been married since the death of her said husband Henry Courter but is still a widow.  Ann Courter X her mark

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Charles Foote Justice of the Peace

State of New York }
Monroe County SS }
I do hereby certify that at the dater of the above affadavit Charles Foot Esq. was a Justice of the Peace in and  for the said county duly qualified according to law to take the same . And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of same Justice +j believe his signature above is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Please of said County this 18th day of May 1843.

Jno Smith Clerk of Monroe County

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Commisioners of Pensions
To J L. Edward, Esq Sir enclosed I send you the original Pension Certificate of Henry Courter late the husband of Ann Courter the within named She was under the necesity of making her mark here In addition to the within I certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Ann Courter and have been for more than 20 years that I was well acquainted with her said husband Henry Courter that he executed the paper before and by  me on which he drew his last payment in Sept. 1838 a few days before he died. Please direct your communication to me on Ann Courter at Mendon
Respectfully yours,  Charles Foot, J.P.

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July 17, 1843
Town of Mendon County of Monroe N.Y.

Commisioner of Pensions, Washington 
Sir, The papers and instructions relative to the Pension of Ann Courter were duly received You will percieve by the enclosed letter from J. l. Edwards that the original papers of the said Ann Courter made by Peter Price Esq. of the town of Rush in this County and authenticated by the Judge of our County Court are now on file in your office the object of the within affidavit is to show the identity of the person of Ann Courter.
Respectfully your obedient servant
Charles Foote
If anything can be done for the said Ann Courter it is deniable it should be done soon for she is living wholly on charity.

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State of Newyork } SS
On the third day of October 1845 personally appeared before the Court of Common Please of the County of Monroe Ann Courter of the town of Mendon in said County aged eighty six (86) years who being first duly 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 and the 23 of August 1842 granting pensions to Widows of persons who served in the War of the Revolution. that she is the Widow of Henry Courter who was a Seargent in said Revolution (as this deposed has been informed by her said husband Henry Courter and as he was declared to be in his Pension Certificate now present No further attempt is made to prove his services as they were deemed sufficient in the letter read from the Pension Office dated 14 September 1845) She also declares she was married to the said Henry Courter on the ninth (9) day of June seventeen hundred and ninety two (1792) That her said husband the said Henry Courter died on the (14) fourteenth day of September eighteen hundred and thirty eight (1838) that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four (1794) this at the time above stated and she further declares that she has not been married since the death of her said husband Henry Courter but is now a Widow and she further declares that there never was any record of her marriage to her knowledge by her said husband or any where else that she never had a child by her husband the said Henry Courter that her Daughter Rachael by a former husband was present at the time the marriage took place and was eleven (11) years old also Sarah Courter a Daughter of my said husband by a former wife who was then five (5) years old was present both of which continued to live in our family until they arrived at Womanhood when affidavit's are herewith enclosed And further this Deponent declares that she was married to the said Henry Courter by a Clergyman by the name of Shoemaker who was an old man at the time of the said marriage and as this Deponent has been informed has been dead for more than twenty years, this Deponent formally resides in Newjersey but has resided in the town of

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Mendon where she now resides for the last thirty years That Ralph Vanhowten whose affidavit is here with presented was present at my said marriage with the said Henry Courter
Ann Courter X her mark
Sworn in open court this 3rd day of October 1843 
J. Cutler Dep clerk

I Jeremiah Cutler Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Please of the County of Monroe do hereby certify that I am the person who administered the oath to the within said Ann Courter in open Court in presence of Samuel Miller the presiding Judge and his two associate Judges and that I am well acquainted with the said Ann Courter and also with her daughter Rachael Thomas whose affidavit accompanies this and that I am doing the business of the off of James W. Smith who is Clerk of the Court of Common Please and of the County of Monroe I further certify that the said Ann Courter and Rachael Thomas are of good moral character and I further certify that I am well acquainted with Charles Foote who drew this and the accompanying affidavit that he is and has been a Justice of the Peace for several years past I further certify that I am well acquainted with Ralph Vanhowton whose affidavit accompanies this certificate and that he is of good moral character
Jeremiah Cutler Dep Clerk

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J L Edwards, Esq.
Pension Agent Washington 

5929
Ann Courter 
act '43
$35 per an

To the Pensioner at
Mendon N. York

Page 31

State of New York }
Monroe County } SS

On this 16 day of May 1844 personally appeared before me Squire Goff one of the Justices of the Peace of said county of Monroe Ann Courter of Mendon in said county to me personally known to be the widow of Henry Courter late of Mendon in said count aged eighty seven (87) years who being duly 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 on the 3rd of March 1843 granting pension to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War that she is the widow of Henry Courter who was a Seargent in said Revolutionary War (as the Deponent has been informed by her said husband the said Henry Courter and as he was declared to be in his pension Certificate now present) and that the anual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 17, 1838 was thirty five Dollars (35) a year
Ann Courter X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Squire Goff J.P.

I hereby certify that the reason why the said Ann Courter makes her mark instead of writing her name is that she has lost the use of her right hand
Squire Goff J.P.
Charles Foote

State of New York }
Monroe County SS}
I certify that Squire Goff Esq. was on the day of the date of the above affidavit a Justice of the Peace in + for said county and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine
Witness my hand and seal of office this twentieth day of May  1844.
Charles J. Hill Clerk

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State of New York } SS

On this third day of October 1845 personally appeared before the Court of Common Please of the County of Monroe Rachael Thomas of the town of Mendon in said County of Monroe aged sixty three (63) years next January who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order that Ann Courter may obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the daughter of the said Ann Courter by a former husband that she was present when her mother the said Ann Courter was married to the said Henry Courter (11) years old and continued to reside in the said Henry Courter family  until she arrived at the age of fifteen years and that the said marriage of Henry Courter and the said Ann Courter took place in June seventeen hundred and ninety two  (1792) according to her best knowledge and belief that she has lived near and been acquainted with the said family of the said Henry Courter until he died which was on the 14 day of Sept. 1838 and the at the said Ann Courter the mother of this deponent has since the death of her said husband resided with the deponent who is now in a state of widowhood that the deponent never saw or heard of any record of the marriage of her said mother the said Ann Courter no has the said Ann Courter had any children by the said Henry Courter to the knowledge of this deponent and has never been married since the death of her said husband but is now a widow  Rachel Thomas

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written by and before me in open court Judge present as mentioned in my Certificate amend to the affidavit of Ann  Courter
J. Cutler Dep Clerk

Page 33

State of New York } SS

On this 3 day of October 1845 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Monroe Ralph Vanhowten  who being sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration for the benefit of Ann Courter that he is now or will be seventy (70) years old the 25 twenty fifth day of December next that he was present when Ann Courter was married to Henry Courter that they were married in the state of New Jersey in   June seventeen hundred and ninety two (1792) he well remembers the time from the fact that he was married himself the next year and he knows that he was married in seventeen hundred and ninety three (1793) that he has been acquainted with the family of the said Henry Courter and Ann Courter ever since that they never had any children to his knowledge of this deponent, that he now lives in the city of Rotchester and has lived there for twelve (12) years last, past Ralph Vanhowton X his mark

Sworn in open court this 3rd day of October 1843
J. Cutler Dep Clerk

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Mendon NY }  free
Feb 20}

Thos. J. Patterson. M. C. 
Washington D.C.

N Y
Ann Courter


See Oct. for A. E.

Hon.  T J Patterson HR

Page 35

Mendon Monroe County State of New York
February 19, 1844

To the Honorable Thomas J. Patterson Esq.
Dear Sir,  I hae been engaged during the last season in trying to get a Pension for Ann Courter the Widow of Henry Courter who was a pensioner of the Revolution while he lived I have received several communications from the pension Agent Mr. Edwards the last of which I herewith enclose on receipt of which we immediately took the affidavit  of the said Ann Courter and her daughter who was eleven years old at the time of the marriage of her mother and was present also that of a man in Rotchester (whose name I have forgotten) who was acquainted with the County Clerk who Certified to his good moral character they were all sworn in open court at the October term set forth in their several affidavits and or nothing has since been heard from them we fear they may have miscarried or much more time has elapsed since writing than usual We therefore wish you to make some enquirey at the office and see what has been done or whether anything will be done in the Pensions and have the goodness to write us on the subject If anything can be done for the old lady it is important that it be done soon for she is entirely destitute and living wholly on charity An as I have not the honor of being personally acquainted with you I applied to my neighbor Y S. Stone for the following introduction
Very respectfully your obedient servant 
Charles Foote

The Hon. T J. Patterson

Dr. Sir I am well acquainted with C Foote Esq. he is one of our most respectable inhabitants he has been an acting magistrate in Mendon for the last twenty five years, his statements may be relied on I am well acquainted with Ann Courter and know her to be verry kneedy. I was also acquainted with Henry Courter her husband and know him to have been a

Page 36

Oct. 9 1845

J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir enclosed I send the affidavits of Ann Courter Rachel Thomas and Ralph Vanhowten which were made in open court as therein mentioned we expected to have taken the affidavit of Sarah Moor as mentioned in Mrs. Courter affidavit but she could not be got to court Mrs. Ann Courter had a Brother present at her marriage with Henry Courter who is now living some sixty or seventy miles from her whose affidavit she has sent for but has not yet received it and may not but if received it will be forwarded She has not attempted to prove anything about his service understanding by yours of the 14 of Sept. that sufficient had been proved on that head Ralph Vanhowten says he never could write was the reason of his making his mark and Ann Courter has lost the use of her right hand
Respectfully your Obedient Servant
Charles Foote

Page 37

Rush June 20   Free

Hon. Secretary of War
Washington District of Columbia



5673 June 25
NY 7 July 1838
act '82

Pension Office:
Ann Courter
mo: of Henry

Page 38

Honorable Secretary at War

Inclosed is the application of Ann Courter, the widow of Henry Courter, late of Mendon in the County of Monroe and State of New York and a Revolutionary Soldier and pensioner.

Please send your Communications on this subject to Peter Price, Esq. of Rush Monroe County and State of New York and it will immediately reach the applicant.

I remain sir your Obedient + humble Servant

Peter Price

Hon. Secretary of War

Page 39

Free

J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington

Mendon
April 27

May 2 '43
com
Ann Courter
N. Y. [illegible]

Page 40

Mendon Monroe County
Newyork April 27, 1849

To the Honorable J l Edwards Commissioner of Pension Sir Mrs. Ann Courter having made application for a Pension by her Agent Peter Peirce Esq. of Rush received from you a note of which the following is a copy War Department Pension Office Sept 21 1839
Sir the papers of said Ann Courter widow of Henry Courter have been examined It appears that the claimants husband died after the passage of the act of July 7 1838 Her claim is not therefore embraced by that act and is consequently rejected The papers are placed on file I am respectfully your Obit Servant
signed J L Edwards

The law respecting Widow Pensions having been amended (or I believe) so as to include the above can and I  further suppose the necessary paper an vouchers have been forwarded to you office by Esq. Price to entitle her to the benefit of said law She therefore prays that her name may be inscribed on the Pension roll and a benefits thereof be forwarded to her at Mendon.
If the papers and vouchers now on file in your office are insufficient to establish the claim of Mrs. Courter you will please give the necessary instruction and direct to the subscribed at Mendon.
The Certificate of Henry Courter formerly the husband of Ann Courter is recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol 4 Page 93 I am respectfully your Obet Servant
Charles Foote

Page 41

Ann Courter

J L Edwards
Com. of Pensions

Peter Price Esq.
Rush N. York

1853
1757 
______
..96

Page 42

War Department
Pension Office
Sep. 21 1839

Sir, 

The papers of Mrs. Ann Courter, widow of Henry Courter, have been examined.  It appears that the claimant's husband died after the passage of the act of July 7 1838. Her claim is therefore not embraced by the act, and is consequently rejected.  The papers are placed on file.

I am respectfully 
Your Obet. Servt.
J L Edwards

Peter Price  Esq
Rush
N. York

Page 43

Henry Courter

Page 44

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

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the periods of the war when he served? No

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under who he served, in conformity with the regulations? No

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

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XI. Has the applicant, obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes

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

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No

XIV. (+) If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
 If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes

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

XVI. (++) Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seen interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
____________________________
EXPLANATORY NOTES.

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

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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(+) QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
(++) QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[hand pointing right] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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Pension Office
September 14, 1843

Madam,

The additional Declaration in the case of Ann Courter, claiming a pension under the act of July 7, 1838, has been examined and placed on file.  There is no sufficient evidence of the time of the marriage in this office, and as the alleged date 9 June 1792 approaches very nearly to the limit of the law, January 1st 1794 the proof must be clear and undoubted. A copy of a public record of the event, the original family record containing, the dates of the births of children, or documentary evidence of the relation of husband and wife prior to the date above named January 1 1794, constitutes the best evidence and if practicable, must be had. The proof of Henry Courter's service is deemed sufficient.

I am respectfully,
Your ob Servant
J L Edwards

Mrs. Ann Courter,
Mendon
New York

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Courter, Philip GRADE Private LINE New York

WARRANT
NUMBER 6908 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Jan. 12, 1792
to David Weaver, assignee

___
#The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office record in The National Archives.