Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44351, James Butterfield, Continental Mass. N.H. And New York

Page 1

(8 -- 1776)

SERVICE
Continental
Mass.
N. H. and New York.

Butterfield, James

NUMBER
S. 44351

CONTENTS

Page 2

3947
Dead
New York.
=================
V James Butterfield.
Captain,
Colo Willett
New York line 1 year
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
=================
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 13th of April, 1818.
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th of Oct. 1818
and sent to John Russell, Esq.
Cooperstown, New York.
=================
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. 4 mos. 22/30. 94.66
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th Nov. 1819 120.00
                 ====
31 Oct 18 $214.66
                  ====
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

Dead -
See roll - 

[RIGHT SIDE]
Died Oct 31- 1818 - From 1835 - List
2 Vol. Page 212. - 
New York List

Page 3

Jas. Butterfield
13 April
Returned for further evidence
Private - 
Correct as to James in 
[FADED, ILLEGIBLE]
Admitted

Col. Willets testi-mony as to J.B.'s service is required

Page 4

State of New York,}
OTSEGO COUNTY,} SS.
I John Russell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid, do certify that I am satisfied the said James Butterfield served in the revolutionary war as aforesaid, against the common enemy, for a longer term than nine months, as stated in the affidavit of the said James -- hereunto annexed - And I do further certify that full credit is due to the deposition of the above named James -- and also that the evidence on which I have founded my judgment is contained in the affidavit of the said James --

Given under my hand at Cooperstown this 13th day of April 1818. - 
[SIGNED] John Russell
Judge of Otsego
Cour. pleas.-

Page 5

State of New York} SS.
Otsego County}

James Butterfield of the Town of Hartwick County and State aforesaid ^ age sixty three years being duly sworn according to law makes the following statement or affidavit in order to inable him to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for Certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" -- 
Deponent saith that he Enlisted in the month of April in the year 1775 in the service of the United States Under a Captain John Moor during the year ending the last of December following and served in the Regiment under the Command of Col. J Starks and further that said deponent did before the first of Jan 1776 Enlist again under a Capt. William H. Ballard for the Term of One Year and served in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Whitecomb and further that said deponent did before the expiration of the Year again enlist for the Term of three years under said Captain Williams H. Ballard and was annexed to the seventh Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry Commanded by Col. Ichabod Alden in the Brigade under the Command of General Nixon where said deponent continued until some time in the month of January 1780 when he was honorably --

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Honorably discharged at West Point and further this deponent saith that some time in the Month of June or July following he received a first Lieutenants Commission in the New York levees and served under Col. John Harper for about one or two months when Col Harper was relieved by Col. Peter Dubois under whom deponent continued in service until some time in December when Deponent was discharged until June following when this deponent was appointed a Captain in the Regiment under the Command of Col. Marinus Willet for three years and Enlisted three recruits that before deponent joined the Regiment he was taken prisoner by the Indians near Cherry Valley and treated as savages usually treat Prisoners that said deponent was taken through the Wilderness by the savages to Niagara and compelled to run the Gauntlet three times at the Risque of his life after which said deponent was taken from the Indians by the British troops and put on Board a Sloop and taken from thence to Carlton Island and there imprisoned forty eight hours twenty four without any thing to eat or drink that said deponent was there ordered on Board said Sloop and taken to Oswegatchie fort and kept under Provost Guard and thirty six hours and treated as the British usually treat Rebel prisoners from thence said deponent was taken down the River Saint Lawrence to Mont Real

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where said deponent was examined before General McLean and sentenced to be imprisoned in the provost prison where he continued until some time in October or November one third of the time in Irons, after which said deponent was taken to an Island in the River Saint Lawrence called Rebel-Island and kept until the ninth day of June following when this deponent together with George P. Ransom and John Brown made their escape by tying their left hands to some slab benches and swimming to the shore four miles and a half from when they made their way through the Wilderness without any food other than roots except twelves ounces of diced beef each for fifteen days when said deponent with his two companions arrived at Castletown in the State of Vermont and further that said deponent had his commission taken from him while Prisoner among the Indians and further that said deponent was at the Battles at the Siege of Boston until the British evacuated the place also at the taking of Burgoyne and in the expedition under General Sulivan against the Indians and this deponent further

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further saith that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his county for support --
[SIGNED] Jas. Butterfield
Sworn before me 
this 13th day of April
1818
[SIGNED] John Russell
Judge of Otsego Cour. pleas.

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November 14, 1936

James Butterfield
S. 44351
BA-J/AWF

Burt D. Harrington, M. D.
517 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn Trust Company Building
Brooklyn, New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Butterfield, pension claim, S. 44351.

The data which follow were obtained from pension claim, S. 44351, based upon the service of James Butterfield in the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of James Butterfield are not given, nor are the names of his parents stated.

James Butterfield enlisted sometime in April 1775 and served in Captain John Moor's company, Colonel J. Stark's regiment, and about January 1, 1776, he enlisted for one year and served in Captain William H. Ballard's company, Colonel Whitecomb's regiment, and before the expiration of the year, he again enlisted and served in Captain William H. Ballard's company, Colonel Ichabod Alden's 7th Massachusetts regiment, and was discharged sometime in January 1780. He was commissioned 1st Lieutenant in June or July, 1780 and served in Colonels John Harper's and Dubois' New York regiments until sometime in December, 1780. He was appointed in June, 1781, Captain of Colonel Marinus Willett's New York regiment, but before he joined the regiment, was taken prisoner by the Indians near Cherry Valley, taken through the "wilderness" to Niagara and compelled to "run the gauntlet" three times; he was taken from the Indians by the British and put on board a sloop and carried to Oswegatchie Fort, then to Montreal, where he was held until October or November,

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part of the time in Irons, thence carried to "Rebel Island" in the St. Lawrence River, was there until June 9, 1782, when he made his escape and swam about four miles to the shore, then through the wilderness reaching Castleton, Vermont in about fifteen days. During his service he was at the siege of Boston, at the taking of Burgoyne, and in General Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians.   

James Butterfield was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Hartwick, Otsego County, New York, aged sixty-three years.

The papers in this claim contain no reference to family.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following data:

James Butterfield
Certificate # 3947
Issued October 27, 1818
Rate $20.00 per month
To commence April 13, 1818
Act of March 18, 1818
New York Agency.

                    Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

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[LEFT COLUMN]

land N.Y
-------------
date of
-------------
Hist to 
[ichigan?]
ayment

[MIDDLE COLUMN]

44351
INVALID.
Revy

File No. 44351
James Butterfield
Capt. Rev War

Act: 18th March 1818
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 69

[Arrangement of 1870]

[RIGHT COLUMN]
July 25-1902
L. Pearl Hall - Cort
---------------------
July - 6- 1902
To above How to get
cash payment
---------------------
Mch. 12-1903-
E.F. Guild, Sagninaw M
how to get date of last p
-----------------------
1915.Nov 5: history to 
Miss Leah A. Day. M.13.11
-----------------------
1923 May 16. Hist to
Mrs. H. C. Benn. AW
1923-Sept. 19- Hist to
Florence L. Blank AWF
1924-July 24- Hist to Mrs. L. J.
Hart. [?]
-----------------------
1928-Feb-24-Hist to
J. C. Manus AWF
-----------------------
1929.May 23-Hist
to W.D. Kirby AWF
-----------------------
1936-Nov.14-list to Burt D.
Harrington-M.D. AWF

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Cooperstown N. York 19. 1818

Sir,

It appears by returns on James Butterfields application that he is correct as to service in Alden's regiment - He cant procure any further evidence of his holding a commission and is willing to be placed on the pension list as a private soldier --

yours respectfully
[SIGNED] John Russell
Judge of Ostego Cm. pleas

Honbl. Sec.y of 
War

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BURT DAVIS HARRINGTON, M.D.
517 OCEAN AVENUE
BROOKLYN TRUST COMPANY BUILDING
BROOKLYN, N.Y.
TELEPHONE BUCKMINSTER 2-0144

October 26, 1936

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:                   Rev. War Section

On September 19th, 1923 you wrote my sister, Florence L. Blank, at 16 Lenox Road, Brooklyn, New York, sending her a transcript on James Butterfield enlisted in April 17th, 1775. This was taken from papers of Revolutionary War Claim S-44351. This much data I have received from Mrs. Blank. Your letter has been mislaid and I am very anxious to get a copy of same.

Will you be good enough to favor me with a copy of this transcript.

Yours very truly.
[SIGNED] Burt D Harrington, MD

BDH:GCK

Page 14

St. John Kansas                        2/11/29

U.S. Pension Dept
Washington D.C.

Dr Sirs
I would like some information about my great grandfather James Butterfield a Revolutionary soldier + [secret?] was pensioned till he died.
Information wanted
Date of Birth
"       "   Marriage
"       "   Death
His wife Kathryne (Runion) Butterfield if records of wives are taken give birth + death if not could you direct where it could be obtained

And Oblige
Respectfully
[SIGNED] W.D. Kirby

Page 15

OFFICE. MAIN 3726           
       
RES. 15316 DETROIT AVENUE
PHONE. LAKEWOOD 2654 J

ANDREWS BROTHERS
REAL ESTATE: INSURANCE
304 ULMER BUILDING
(PUBLIC SQUARE)
CLEVELAND, OHIO

Feby 11/28

Pension Commissioner
Washington DC
Kindly send me the military history of James Butterfield in the Revolution. He enlisted 
1st in New Haven as a Private
2    in Mass            as [seanqeul?]
3    in  N.Y.             as Lieutenant
4    in  N.Y              as Captain June 1782
and as much of his family history
as you have
Resp.
J.C. Manus

Page 16

OFFICE. MAIN 3726

RES. 15316 DETROIT AVENUE
PHONE. LAKEWOOD 2654 J

ANDREWS BROTHERS
REAL ESTATE: INSURANCE
304 ULMER BUILDING
(PUBLIC SQUARE)
CLEVELAND, OHIO

Check# 1284- $2.00

Feby 14/28

Pension Commissioner
Washington DC
Dear Sir
Kind send me the military history of Martin [?], who was a Captain in Harvey Murrys Rangers-a [veamoich?] regiment of the war of 1812 also his family history
Resp
[SIGNED] J. C. Manus

Page 17

Nunn, Colo
June 14-24

Government of the United States
Pension Department
Washington D.C. ---

Kindly inform me if you have a record of a pension paid to James Butterfield who fought in the Revolutionary War. He was a native of New York, but may have enlisted in New Hampshire where he was taken prisoner.
[SIGNED] Mrs. L. J. Hart
Weld Co. Nunn Colo

Page 18

One 2 C stamp [recd?]

Stamp retd - W

Cortland, N.Y.
Nov. 1, 1915
Rev See H

Department of Interior;
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs;
I am writing for Revolutionary records concerning Mayor James Butterfield. I think he came to N.Y. State at the time of the Revolutionary

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War from Brattleborough, Vermont, acting as a scout against the Indians. After peace was declared, he settled in Otsego County, this state (New York State) in the town of Hartwick. He had several children; of these John Butterfield was my ancestor. I desire records for the purpose of joining the D.A.R. and anything that you might find would be greatly appreciated by me. Thanking you for any favors, I am
Very truly,
(Miss) Leah A. Day
Cortland
N.Y.
R.D.

Page 20

O.W. and N. D[?].         3-049           3-525
Ex. AW                     Div. REV WAR SECTION

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 27, 1923.

The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.

[No. of claim, crossed out] First name of widow

Name of soldier. James Butterfield
Record at Pension Office #699793

P.O. address of [claimant, crossed out] Soldier at enlistment + after service

Company Cpt. John Moore Comp.

Regiment Col. John Starks N.H. Regiment

State were enlisted

Date of [enlistment, crossed out]
Apr. 1775-Dec 1775-
Dec 1775-Jan. 1780

[Date of discharge, crossed out]
July 1781-Dec 1781
January 1782-June 1783

If unable to furnish company and regiment give named of commanding officers.
John Moore N. H. Ballard Capts
John Harper Col. Marinus Willett. Col. 

Return attached letter with reply.
[SIGNED] Hays Haymakers
ACTING Commissioner.

6-245[?]

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Florence L. Blank
16 Lenox Rd.
Brooklyn, N.Y.

16 Lenox Road.
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Department of the Interior;
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen --
Will you kindly send me a statement of the military history of James Butterfield a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Thanking you in advance I remain
Very sincerely
|Mrs| Florence L. Blank

June 15th 1923

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MRS. ALONZO NEWTON BENN
4561 WOODLAWN AVENUE
CHICAGO

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions

Gentlemen.
Can you please tell me if Joseph Field who fought in the War of the Revolution in the Third regiment, Dutchess County N.Y. Militia (Land Bounty Rights) and Joseph Field fourth Regiment Westchester County militia N.Y. (Land Bounty rights) under adjutant Thomas Hunt, are the same man any other record you may have

Page 23

MRS ALONZO NEWTON BENN
4561 WOODLAWN AVENUE
CHICAGO

of these two men, dates Etc.
Please give me also the records you may have of Lieutenant James Butterfield Levies under Colonel Lewis Dubois New York State, War of the Revolution. The Men were my great great grandfathers and I am very anxious for any records for D.A.R. purposes.
[SIGNED] Harriet Condee Benn
4561 Woodlawn Ave
Chicago

March 1st 1923.

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74 Prospect St.
Cortland N.Y.

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions

Will you kindly inform me with regard to the dates of birth- + death- of one James Butterfield who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. + enlisted first in 1775 in the State of New Hampshire. I want these proofs for the D.A.R.

[SIGNED] Lina Pearl Hall.

Page 25

74 Prospect Street.
Cortland, N.Y.
July 15- 1902

To the Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.

Messrs: - 
Kindly send me the military record of James Butterfield who was fife major in the revolutionary war.
He was born in the town of Hartwick Otsego Co., N.Y. and died in 1820.

Yours respectfully
[SIGNED] L. Pearl Hall.

Page 26

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
AWF

May 23, 1929.

W.D. Kirby,
St. John,
Kansas

Sir:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 44351, it appears that James Butterfield enlisted in April 1775 and served [under, crossed out] in Captain John Moor's Co - Colonel J. Stark's Regiment, and before January 1, 1776, he enlisted for one year and served [under, crossed out] in Captain William H. Ballard Co, Colonel Whitcomb's Regiment, and before the expiration of the year again enlisted and served [under, crossed out] in Captain William H. Ballard, Colonel Ichabod Alden's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged in January 1780.
In June or July 1780, he was commissioned as First Lieutenant and served [under, crossed out] in Colonels John Harper's and Dubois, New York [troops, crossed out] regi until December 1780. In June 1781, he was appointed Captain of Colonel Marinus Willett's Regiment, but before he joined the regiment he was taken prisoner by the Indians at Cherry Valley, was taken to Niagara and compelled to "run the gauntlet" three times; he was taken from the Indians by the British carried to "Rebel" Island in the St.

Page 27

Lawrence River and on June 9, 1782 he made his escape. He was in the engagements during the Siege of Boston, at the taking of Burgoyne and in General Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1818, while a resident of Hartwick, Otsego County, New York, aged sixty-three years.
There are no data as to the family.
The above noted James Butterfield is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

                               Respectfully,




                                         E. W. MORGAN,
                              Acting Commissioner.

Page 28

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.

February 27, 1928,

J. C. Manns,
304 Ulmer Building,
Cleveland, Ohio.

Sir:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 44351, it appears that James Butterfield enlisted in April 1775 and served under Captain John Moore, Colonel J. Stark's regiment, and before January 1, 1776, he enlisted for one year and served under Captain William H. Ballard, Colonel Whitcomb's regiment, and before the expiration of the year again enlisted and served under Captain William H. Ballard, Colonel Ichabod Alden's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged in January 1780.
In June of July 1780, he was commissioned as First Lieutenant and served under Colonels John Harper and Dubois, New York troops until December 1780. In June 1781, he was appointed Captain of Colonel Marinus Willett's regiment, but before he joined the regiment he was taken prisoner by the Indians at Cherry Valley, was taken to Niagara and compelled to "run the gauntlet" three times; he was taken from the In-

Page 29

dians by the British carried to "Rebel" Island in the St. Lawrence river and on June 9, 1782 he made his escape.
He was in the engagements during the Siege of Boston, at the taking of Burgoyne and in General Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1818, while a resident of Hartwick, Otsego County, New York, aged sixty-three years.
There are no data as to his family.
The above noted James Butterfield is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.

Page 30

R[ev.] War Section.

November 5, 1915.

Miss Leah A. Day.
Rural Delivery,
Cortland,
New York.

Madam:
     In response to your letter dated the first instant, you are advised that from the papers in claim Sur. File No. 44,351, Rev. War, it appears that James Butterfield enlisted in April 1775, + served under Captain John Moore [and, crossed out] Colonel J. Stark's Regt, and before January 1, 1776, he enlisted for one year + served under Captain William H. Ballard [and, crossed out] Colonel Whitcomb's Regt and before the expiration of the year again enlisted + served under Captain William H. Ballard [in, crossed out] Colonel Ichabod Alden's [7th, crossed out] Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged in January 1780.
     In June or July 1780, he was commissioned as First Lieutenant + served under Colonels John Harper and Dubois New York [levies and served, crossed out] troops until December 1780. In June 1781, he was appointed Captain [under, crossed out] of Colonel Marinus

Page 31

Willetts Regt but before he joined the regiment he was taken prisoner by the Indians at Cherry Valley, was [carried, crossed out] taken to Niagara and compelled to "run the gauntlet" three times; he was taken from the Indians by the British to "Rebel" Island in the St. Lawrence river [whence, crossed out] and on June 9, 1782 he made his escape [to Castleton Vermont, crossed out].
     He was in the [battles at, crossed out] Engagements during the Siege of Boston, at the taking of Burgoyne and in General Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians.
     He was allowed pension on an application executed April 18, 1818 while a resident of Hartwick, Otsego County, New York, aged sixty-three years.
     There is no family data on file.
               Very respectfully,
[SIGNED] GM Saltzgaber
               Commissioner.


Butterfield - 2 -

Page 32

Rev. War Section.

                                            September 19, 1923.

Florence L. Blank,
16 Lenox Road,
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Madam;
     I [have to, crossed out] advise you [that, crossed out] from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 44351, it appears that James Butterfield enlisted in April 1775 and served under Captain John Moore, Colonel J. Stark's regiment, and before January 1, 1776, he enlisted for one year and served under Captain William H. Ballard, Colonel Whitcomb's regiment, and before the expiration of the year again enlisted and served under Captain William H. Ballard, Colonel Ichabod Alden's Massachusetts regiment and was discharged in January 1780.
     In June or July 1780, he was commissioned as First Lieutenant and served under Colonels John Harper and Dubois, New York troops until December 1780. In June 1781, he was appointed Captain of Colonel Marinus Willett's regiment, but before he joined

Page 33

the regiment he was taken prisoner by the Indians at Cherry Valley, was taken to Niagara and compelled to "run the gauntlet" three times; he was taken from the Indians by the British carried to "Rebel" Island in the St. Lawrence river and on June 9, 1782 he made his escape.
     He was in the engagements during the Siege of Boston, at the taking of Burgoyne and in General Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1818, while a resident of Hartwick, Otsego County, New York, aged sixty three years.
     There [be, crossed out] are no data [crossed out] as to his family.

          Respectfully,

              Commissioner.