Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23613, William Eldridge, New York

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Services: New York
[Heading is not visible]: Eldridge, William
Number: S.23613
Contents: [this section is blank]

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[start of line not visible] See letter to Hon RH
[start of line not visible] Oct 13 1837
[start of line not visible] the Treasury under
[start of line not visible and illegible] the 6 July 1838 fr.
[start of line not visible] 17 Aug 1837 the
[start of line not visible] - Agent note
[start of line not visible] 1838

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New York 27705
William Eldridge
Of [blank space on form] in the State of New York
who was a private in the com commanded
by Captain Baldwin of the regt commanded 
by Col [illegible] in the N York 
Time for 9 months
Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of 30 dollars [written line] cents per annum,
To commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of pension issued the 4th day of Sept. 1834 and Hon R. H. Gillett Ogdensburg
Arrears to the 4th of March 90.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 2 Apr 15.00
[sum total lines] $105.00
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Danl Boyd, clerk
Book E2 Vol. 4 Page 20

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William Eldridge of Lisbon in the County of St. Lawrence and state of New York, age eighty years next March (1833) makes the following declaration in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress paper June 7, 1832 - granting pensions to certain soldiers of the Revolution, to with that he was born in the town of Exeter in the State of Rhode Island about the year 1753, that he resided with his parents at Exeter aforesaid until he was about eighteen years of age when he went to Dover in the county of Dutchess in the State of New York where he worked out by the month during one Summer. In the month of March 1776, the first of the month, he enlisted in said town of Dover for the term of 9 months by one Richard Weaver who was a Sargeant, who had recruiting orders that he muster in said town under Captain Nathan Pierce - his first Lieutenant’s name was Dozenberry, his Christian name he cannot remember his second Lieutenants name was Zephaniah Platt and his Ensigns name was Thornton, but his given name he cannot remember. His Colonel name was Richmore, but his given name he never knew. His Lieut Col name was Weysen Phelphs. This declarant further says that Christopher Penny was his orderly sergeant and one of his sergeants name

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Was Manning. This declarant says that his Captain, the said Nathan Pierce, when his time was about half expired, was taken sick and went home and one Captain Baldwin took his place who continued until the nine months expired. This declarant was discharged at Peekskill by Lieut Col Phelps. His Col was at this time, he understood, enlisted as a Col in the three years service. During this enlistment this declarant was at the following places. He staid in Dover about four weeks to learn to exercise and march and then he went in a sloop with the rest of the Company to New York where he joined his Regiment and he continued in New York until the city was taken as he thinks in 1776. He was in several skirmishes in going up to Kings bridge, near which he lay about four weeks though he was sent about to different places during the time he lay there. After leaving Kings bridge, he marched up towards White Plains and made a stop near there a short time and was then in the battle of White Plains where he lost all his clothes and baggage. After the battle he marched up the River most to Peekskill and lay there at Peekskill until he was discharged, which was between Christmas and new years, having overstaid his time about three weeks. None of Company received written discharges

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But the Company was paraded and all discharged at once. He then returned home and staid but some three or four days and then enlisted and went to West Point. This enlistment was for three months and he continued at the West Point nearly all the time of this enlistment. His Col’s name was Burcham - his given name he thinks was James and he believes he belonged to the malitia. His Captains name was Viele, but his given name he does not know. His Lieutenant’s name he cannot recollect. 
While at West Point he did little except stand given that it was a very cold winter. This declarant was dismissed at West Point about the last of March or first of April 1777, and he did not receive a written discharge. This declarent returned home to Dover and staid but two or three days when he enlisted under the same Captain as a minet man - one Jerry Clark was his Lieutenant. This enlistment was for three months and was spent in going to different points about that vicinity to keep the tories in check and he was discharged in town adjoining Dover and also at adjoining the nine partners which he thinks was then called Swagos - there were no written discharges given at this time which was toward fall he has to think and in the year 1777 as he believes.

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This declarent returned home and staid but a few days before he again enlisted at Dover for a month under Capt. Francis West and Col. Burcham and went across the Hudson River towards the Susquehanna River to keep the Indians in check who had been burning and destroying to a great extent. At the expiration of said month the whole company were discharged at Fiskill by Captain West and declarant returned home. Soon after this the whole of the Regiment of militia was called out to Fishkill and he was under Captain West and Col. Burcham - at this time they expected the British up from New York and when he arrived there a guard was taken out of the Company. Declarent saith that one Sargeant and one Corparel and declarant were taken out of Capt. West’s company and placed under Lieutenant Clapp and then went to Poughkeepsie to guard the the jail where the tories came in prison. Declarant staid at Poughkeepsie about one month. During this last time while standing sentry one night declarent fired at a person who attempted to go off without permission and Governor Clinton came running down without dressing himself, alledging that he thought that the tories had broke jail.

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After being discharged at Poughkeepsie, declarant returned home to Dover. Declarent staid at home about one month and then went up to Granville in New York, with Captain Hodge and Col. King of Cambridge Ny had command of the Regiment. Declarent was out at this time about two or three months - there was no enlistment - all went without enlistment. Declarant soon after enlisted at Shaftsbury Vermont for nine months under Capt John Wheeler his company was never filled out nor was the Regiment, on account of the war being at an end.
During the several periods above mentioned, this declarent serviced as a private soldier, but never received any written discharges and he cannot recollect dates so as to state them correctly. His periods of service were so short, some of them, and he was at so many different places that he cannot state any of them in connection with dates any further than he has done.
This declarent has no evidence of his enlistment and service, except the annexed affidavit of William Trude of what was testified to about thirteen years ago by one Richard Weaver

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As to declarants services declarant further states that he supposes that the oath of said Weaver is on file at the War Department among the papers presented by declarant to obtain a pension under the act of 1818, which application he understands was rejected on account of the services not having been such as would entitle him to a pension under the act. This declarant further states that after the war he resided at White Creek, now in Cambridge in the County of Washington in the state of New York where he married. He then, after living there many years, removed to Hebron in said County and staid there about four and then removed to Warrensburgh in Warren County in Warren County [sic] in the state of New York and staid there about seventeen years and then removed to Middlebury VT and remained there about eight years and then removed into Lisbon in the County of St. Lawrence and state of New York where he now resides. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that

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His name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn and subscribed in open court this 25th day of September

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15.961
William Eldridge
Lawrence Co N York
e.l.
R H Gillet

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WAR DEPARTMENT. Pension Office, 183 
Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Eldridge 
[TABLE]
Period when the service was rendered   |  Duration of the claimant's service. Years Months Days┃ Rank of the Claimant ┃ Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.  |  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. ┃ Battles in which the applicant was engaged. |  Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when entered the service, and age at the present period.  |  Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
March 1776 | 9 [Months.] | Private | Capt Peirce Capt Baldwin  |  Col Richmore  | White Plains  | Station at West Point  |  80 years [illegible] N York  |  Traditionary  |
1777  |  3 [Months.]  |    |    |  Capt Veile |  Col Barchem  |    |    |    |
1777  |  3 [Months.]  |     |    |  Capt Veile  |        |      |     |     |
[1777] |   1 [Month.]  |     |    |   Capt West  |  Col Burcham |     |     |     | 
[1777] |  abt 1 [Month.]  |     |    |   Capt West  |  Col Burcham |     |     |     | 
[1777] |   2 or 3 Months |     |    |   Capt [illegible] |  Col King  |     |     |     | 
never called out  |  9 [Months.]  |    |    |  Capt Wheeler  |    |    |    |     |
[END TABLE]

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

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

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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv- 6. {To a Soldier and what has become of it? Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what it has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the ┃ claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. 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 to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his the periods mentioned here and in the following grades: --For---yeardays , I served as a- For -- -- months and --- days, I served as amonths , andand for such service I claim a pension." It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called thority; 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. The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. The opinion of the Court is always required. The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of one, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which conin the habit, or they are uncle, the rich that they are the rite when pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses. who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses , and the character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in ops only. This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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Mr. W. H. Eldridge
City Clerk
Twin Falls, Idaho
Dear Sir:
March 4, 1938

WILLIAM ELDRIDGE
S. 23613
BA-J/MLE
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record
of William Eldridge, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who received
pension while a resident of Lisbon, New York, and who, you state,
died August 17, 1837, in Clarke, Ontario, and you desire to know whether
his widow, Elizabeth or Betsey, who died in July, 1842, at the home of
her daughter, Phoebe Parker, in Hartland, New York, made application
for pension.
You are furnished herein the record of William Eldridge as found in
pension claim, S. 23613, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Eldridge was born in March, 1753, in Exeter, Rhode Island,
where he resided with his parents, their names not given, until about
eighteen years of age, then moved to Dover, Dutchess County, New York.
While residing in Dover, New York, William Eldridge enlisted about
March or April, 1776, served as private in Captains Nathan Pearce's and
Baldwin's companies, Colonel Ritzema's New York regiment, stationed at
different places, was in several skirmishes and the battle of White
Plains and was discharged after having served nine months three weeks,
then returned home. After remaining at home a short time, he enlisted
and served three months as private in Captain Viele's company, Colonel
James Burcham's New York regiment (evidently meant for Captain Vail's
company, Colonel James Vandeburgh's New York regiment, stationed at
West Point and was discharged the last of March or first of April, 1777.
After remaining at his home in Dover two or three days, he again enlisted
and served a tour of three months in Captain Viele's New York company.
He enlisted and served two months as private in Captain Francis West's
company, Colonel Burcham's" New York regiment, a part of the time
engaged in guarding Tory prisoners at Poughkeepsie. After that tour he
remained at home about a month then enlisted and served two or three
months as private in Captain Hodge's company, Colonel King's New York
regiment, further date of enlistment and details of service not given.

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After the Revolutionary War, the soldier resided at White Creek
and at Cambridge, both in Washington County, New York. He married
while living in Washington County; the date of marriage and name of
his wife not stated. After living in Cambridge many years, he moved to
Hebron in the same county, where he remained four years, thence to
Warrensburgh, Warren County, New York, which was his place of residence
seventeen years; from there he moved to Middleburg, Vermont where he
lived eight years, thence to Lisbon, Saint Lawrence County, New York.
William Eldridge was allowed pension on his application executed
September 25, 1832, while a resident of Lisbon, New York.
The soldier died August 17, 1837, in Canada, where he had gone to
live with a relative, whose name and relationship were not stated. He
was survived by a widow, her name not given. She did not apply for pension.
In 1832, soldier's son-in-law, William Trieude, aged forty-two
years, was living in Lisbon, New York, and stated that he had known the
soldier, William Eldridge, nineteen years, but did not given the name of
soldier's daughter whom he married. No further reference was made to
children.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name and
address of the person paid, you should write to the Comptroller General,
General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the
following data: William Eldridge, certificate #27705, issued September
4, 1834, rate $30 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832,
New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

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State of New York 
St. Lawrence County } ss.  On this 7th day of June 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace, William Eldridge, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age & 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 period mentioned below & in the following grades 
For one year & six months I served as a private & for such service I claim a pension 
Deponent further says that he now finds in the affidavit made by him before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas on the 25th of September 1832 that it is stated that he served under Capt Hodge of Granville NY two or the months. Deponent says that & he alteration of the original affidavit from one to two months appears to have been made by the Court & must have been done by the Court not rightly understanding the intentions of declarent  Declarant intended to have [said] [from, crossed out] about a month or two, which deponent cannot state, but he has no doubt of its being one month & he has so counted

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it in his statement above made of his aggregate term of service
Abijah Abbott J. P.

State of New York
St. Lawrence County } ss  I Alvin C Low Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Abijah Abbott before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been Sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly elected & sworn, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 12th day of July 1833
A C Low Clk
[smudge with seal shape inside but no seal]

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State of New York 
St. Lawrence County  } ss:
On this 25th day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two, in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of the Court House in Canton [of, struck out] in said County William Eldridge [written in] who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his declaration: Towit: [to wit]

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State of New York A. Lawrence County [cursive bracket for state and county] William Trude of Lisbon in said County aged forty two years appeared in open Court this 5th day of September 1832 & testified that on or about the year 1819 this Deponent was present of Coldwill in Warren County in the state of New York, whom one Richard Weaver who appeared to have been between fifty & scorn years of age, appeared & testified that he knew the said William Eldridge mentioned in the annexed declaration that he knew him during the Revolutionary war & was in service with him [written in above] in the year 1776 & continued with him nine months & Deponent believes he testifies to said services the same as the said Eldridge has in annexed affidavit. Deponent is a son in law of said Eldridge & has know [known] him nineteen years & has always believed hime to have been a soldier of the revolution & has frequently heard him state most, if not all, of the facts stated in the annexed declaration.

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State of New York
St. Lawrence County } ss.  Peter Welles of Lisbon in said County aged forty five & Seth Robinson of the same place aged sixty six, being duly Sworn listed that they or acquainted with William Aldridge & have known him for about thirty years & have resided near him part of that time & now reside near him & that the said Eldridge has during all that time been reputed & believed by & among all his acquaintances to have a soldier in the revolutionary war & they have both heard him frequently relate many, if not all, the particulars of his services as they are stated & set forth in his declaration hereunto annexed. & they believe his statement to be true.
[signed] P Wells   Seth Robinson  X  his mark
Subscribed & sworn this 25th day of Sept. 1832
[signed] A C Low  Clk

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State of New York 
St Lawrence County } ss  Robert Livington of Lisbon in said County aged sixty one years late one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County being duly sworn & saith that he became acquainted with William Eldridge who has subscribed to the annexed declaration & first knew him about the year 1795 or ’96 - & saw him frequently until 1804 & he has also known him again for about the last three or four years - that Deponent has always understood & reputed & esteemed to have been a Revolutionary soldier & deponent thinks he has always been reputed to have been one by all his acquaintances-- Deponent thinks him of the age of about eighty years & should also believes his statements to be entitled to credit
[signed] Robt Livingston
Subscribed & sworn this 25th day of Sept 1832 before me 
[signed] A C Low  Clk

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[left page]
Wm. Eldridge 
15961
Old papers 
applied for under act of 1818 – 

[right page]
As the declarant resides in the state where the alleged service was rendered, he should produce evidence of it - Hon H H Gilletts letter is deemed a relinquishment except for the 9 mo served by Weaver 

Admd
9 mo pri
30 $
Hon R H Gillett.

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And the said Court do herby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William Trude, Peter Welles & Robert Livingston who have signed affidavits hereunto annexed are credible persons & their statements are entitled to credit.
I Alvin C Low Clerk of the of Common Pleas in & for the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of William Eldridge’s application for a pension 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my said office this Twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
[signed] A C Low  Clk

Page 24

O. W. and N. Division. 3-525. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 190 
In reply to your request of [blank] received [blank] for a statement of the military history of William Eldridge soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
S. File 23.613 

[TABLE transcribed by column]

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
Mch. 1776 
First of 1777
Apl 1777
[check]
[check]

LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
9 mos 3 wks.
3 mos.
3 mos.
2 mos
1 or 2 mos.

RANK. 
Pri

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN.
Nathan Pierce 
Baldwin 
Viele 
[viele]
Francis West 
Hodge

COLONEL. 
Ritzema 
James Burcham 
[check]
Burcham 
King 

STATE.
N.Y.

[note in right margin]
See p. 142 “New York in the Rev” for service in 5th Regt Dutchess Capts Viele (Vail) and West

Battles engaged in, White Plains
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Dover, Dutchess Co. NY.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 25, 1832. Allowed.
Residence at date of application, Lisbon St. Lawrence Co. NY.
Age at date of application, born in Mch 1753 at Exeter R. I. 
Remarks: He died Aug. 17, 1837 

1832 son in law Wm Trieude testified in the case.

Very respectfully,  Commissioner.


31793b5m10-07

Page 25

Record Division.
August 2, 1911.
Mr. William Henry Eldridge,
Twin Falls, Idaho.

Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 24" and received the 28" ultimo, you are advised that William Eldridge, Sur. File No. 23,613, Rev. War, did not sign his name to his declaration, but made his “mark”. 
There is no reference to his wife in the papers on file. 
For the name and residence of his widow, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U.S. Treasury Department, furnishing him the following data: “William Eldridge, Certificate No. 27,705, issued September 4, 1834, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Albany, New York Agency, deceased August 17, 1837. 
Very respectfully, 

Acting Commissioner.

Page 26

[Letterhead]
MAYOR LEM A CHAPIN 
CITY CLERK W. H. ELDRIDGE 
CITY TREASURER C. M. McELWAIN 
CITY ATTORNEY MARSHALL CHAPMAN 

CITY OF TWIN FALLS Twin Falls, Idaho

PAUL R. TABER ACCOUNTS AND FINANCES 
CARL E. RITCHEY PUBLIC SAFETY 
W. E. TAYLOR 
PARKS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY 
LEONARD F. AVANT 
STREETS AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS 
Feb 13, 1938

Gentlemen –

My great-great grandfather, William Eldridge, was a Revolutionary pensioner and died 17 Aug 1837 at Clarke, Ont. He applied for his pension pensioner while a resident of Lisbon N.Y.
I have an abstract of his application and the affidavits in his case, and would like to ascertain whether his widow, Elizabeth, or Betsey, as she was usually called, made application for a pension. If so, I would like such dates and references to members of the family as may appear.

Page 27

She died in July 1842 at the 
home of her daughter, Phoebe
Parker
in Hartland N.Y. 
Yours very true
W H. Eldridge

Page 28

J. S. C 

[postmarked]
U.S. Pension Office. July 28 1911

Page 29

[letterhead]
Eldridge Clothing Company.  Eldridge SPECIAL MADE CLOTHES
MEN'S WEAR EXCLUSIVELY WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
Twin Falls, Idaho July 24 1911 
J.K. Davenport 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir- Referring to your report on Rev. War record of William Eldridge (J.S.C.- Sur File 23.613) I would like to inquire if he signed the application for pension Sept. 25. 1832; or if he was obliged to make his “mark”.  Is there any mention of name of his wife? 
Very respectfully yours 
William Henry Eldridge

Page 30

[postmark]
RECORD DIVISION
Jun 3 1911


[postmark]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
Jun 3 1911

[handwritten note] 
A of June 7, 1911

Page 31

[letterhead] 
Eldridge Clothing Company
Eldridge Special Made Clothes
Men's Wear Exclusively
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
Twin Falls, Idaho May 30 1911
J.L. Davenfort,
Comr Pensions.
Dear Sir - I am in receipt of yours of the 26th containing any valuable information in reference to the Rev. War record of W. 16248 John Eldridge. It just occurs to me that his brother William RI & NY (in whom I am particularly interested) may also have served in this war. May I trouble you to look and see?
Also in regard to one Thomas Emery who may have enlisted with from Jaffrey N. H. or Middlebury Vt
Very truly yours
William Henry Eldridge

S23613 is the one I think for he came from  Exeter R.I. as John did, the only one in [illegible, flat that file?]

Page 32

[left page]
Revolution
23613
INVALID.
File No. 23.613
William Eldridge 
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7" 32 
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 123 
{Arrangement of 1870.] 

[right page]
1911 June 8. Hist. to William Henry Eldridge &c
1911 Aug. 2. above ref to Aud 
1938 – Mar 4 – Hist to WH Eldridge - MLB

Page 33

Admd [Admitted]

Page 34

Ogdensburgh NY
Oct. 6th
Sir,
The widow of William Eldridge deceased has just called upon me for information concerning her late husband's arrears of pension. The old gentleman went to Canada to reside with a relative and was taken sick and did not come over to draw his pension either in September last year nor in March this year and is said have died in August last. These questions present themselves to my mind. Is the widow entitled to the whole sum due? If not, who is? Can she receive it on taking out letters of administration? The sum occurring between March and August is free from doubt. Your direction and advice will enable me to do what is proper for the old lady with the least possible expense.

Your obt sevt
[signed] R. H. Gillet

Col. J. L. Edwards, Comr. &c

Page 35

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 25, 1838
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, the widow of William Eldridge a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of thirty Dollars and "___" - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1836 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1836 to the 17th of August 1837 the day of his death.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present

Page 36

Ogdensburgh Aug 21 184[ ]
Sir,
I herewith enclose you an affidavit in support of the claim of William Eldridge for a pension His papers, I think, are now with you This affidavit shows Eldridge to be entitled to a pension for nine months at least. I do not recollect how much service he proves, but wish you to allow him whatever he now shows himself intitled to & send certificate to me –
Your obt sevt
[signed] R H Gillet 

J L Edwards Esq
Comr Pensions

Page 37

War Department 
Pension Office 
February 21. 1834 
Sir
The papers of Wm Eldridge an applicant for a pension has again been examined - On the first examination they were returned and the applicant required to specify the names of his officers &c. The requisition has not been complied with; it is objected to this claim that the declaration is not supported by any evidence in the Department on the contrary as far as evidence is to be found it is against it-- The first tour is for nine months in Lieut Col Weisenfelt, regiment in Capt Pearce & Capt Baldwins Companies commencing in March 1776 - But Lieut Col Weisenfelt was not in service untill November 1776 and it likewise appears that neither of the Captains mentioned were in that regiment in 1776 or 1777 
There is no evidence likewise that a Col of the name of Burcham was in service as alleged in the second and third tours

Page 38

The affidavit referred to as evidence in support of an application under the act of 1818 does not appear to be on file in this office 
The papers are placed on file 

Hon R.H. Gillett 
House Reps 
N.Y. 

Hon R. H. Gillett
21. Jul. 1834
O, C,

Recd. Vol. 30. Yea. 280.

Page 39

State of New York 
Washington County 
Town of Kingsbury } ss  Richard Weaver being duly sworn doth depose & say that he is about Eighty six years old - that he has known William Eldridge now living in the County of St Lawrence in said State, since the month of April in the year one thousand Seven hundred & seventy six - that in the month of April aforesaid this deponent was Sergeant in the State troops of the State of New York, in the company commanded by Nathan Pierce, - that in said month of April this deponent as such Sergeant enlisted the said William Eldridge, as a private into the said company so as aforesaid commanded by Captain Nathan Pierce, that this deponent enlisted the said Eldredge at the time aforesaid for the term of nine months - and that the said Eldridge served in said Company under said Captain Pierce & under Captain Baldwin until the time this deponents term of service expired which was not until the expiration of the term for which said Eldridge was enlisted. That said company was . in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Ritchmore or Litchmore, in the Second Battalion, Commanded by General McDougal - And this deponent saith that said Eldridge was in the battle at White plains under General Washington - that this deponent enlisted the said Eldridge in Dutchess County in the State aforesaid & served in the same company with the said Eldridge during the said term of nine months for which he was enlisted as aforesaid And further this deponent saith not – 
[signed] Richard Weaver  X his mark
Subscribed & Sworn before me this seventh day of July AD 1834
[signed] Henry B Northup Commissioner of Deeds &c 
And I certify that said Weaver made his mark to the above in consequence [of his being un]able to see to write 
[signed] Henry B Northup, Commissioner &c

Page 40

State of New York 
Washington County } ss:  I Jesse S. Leigh Clerk of the said County, do Certify that Henry B. Northup Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a commissioner of deeds in and for the said County duly qualified and authorized by the laws of said State to administer oaths, and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said commissioner and verily believe his name subscribed to the Jurat of the said affidavit to be genuine and the proper hand writing and signature of said Commissioner 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said County this 7th day of July 1834. 
[signed] J. S. Leigh Clk 

I, Henry B Northup, the within named Commissioner of Deeds do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Richard Weaver, & that Deeds & his character for truth & veracity is unimpeachable & good, so far as I have any knowledge of the same 
[signed] Henry B. Northup