Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5,880, Peter Colt, Conn.

Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.

Colt, Peter
Sarah

NUMBER
W.5.880

CONTENTS 
(Rest of form is blank)

Page 2

1915
New Jersey
Sarah Colt
widow of Peter Colt dee?
who died on the 17 March 1824
(Conn. is written across the above line)
in the State of New Jersey who was a deputy 2.n Master Gen. e commanded by Captain ——- of the ——- commanded by ———in the
——— one for upwards of 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey (paper ripped)
at the rat of 600 Dollars —— Cents, per (paper ripped)
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of April 1838. and delivered to Hon. P. Dickerson

Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $ 4200.
Semi=annual allowance ending4 Sept. 30. $300.
(Total) $4500

{Revolutionary C (paper torn)
Act July 4, 18 (paper torn)
Section the 3 (paper torn)

Recorded by Dyer. Castor.
(Torn and folded bottom of page) 
A.     Vol. 2 (?)  Page 1.

Page 3

Geo A. Ryerson
Clerk of the Court of the
Common Pleas of the County of
Passaic as in my hand and
the seal of the said Court -

13181
Sarah Colt
wife of Peter

2 yrs [illegible]. 2 M Pvt
---
320$
no deduction -

Hon. Philemon Dickerson
Present-

Page 4

State of New Jersey
County of Passaic
ss:
A.D. 1838

On this Sixth day of February personally appeared before the Court of Common pleas of said County, Sarah Colt, a resident of Paterson, in the County aforesaid, aged Eighty 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 1836: That she is the widow Peter Colt who was a Revolutionary officer; that the said Peter Colt, in the latter part of the month of April in the year 1775, entered the Revolutionary service as military Secretary to General Wooster of the Connecticut line, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and served in that office but a short time, & immediately upon his resignation in the month of May in the year 1775, the said Peter Colt was appointed Deputy Commissary General, for the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and for that portion of the State of New York, on the East side of the Hudson River and South of the North line of the State of Massachusetts, and served as such officer until the Peace.
(over)

Page 5

she further declares that she was married to the said Peter Colt on the Nineteenth day of October in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six, that her husband, the aforesaid Peter Colt died on the Seventeenth day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty four; and that she has remained a widow since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto Annexed.
Sarah Colt 
Sworn to and subscribed 
on the day and year above 
written.  Before me 
Geo. A. Ryerson 
Clerk of the Court of the 
Common Pleas of the County of 
Passaic as in my hand and 
the seal of the said Court

Page 6

State of New Jersey, Passaic County, ss,
Before me John Parke, one of Justices of the peace for the said County, personally appeared Mrs. Sarah Colt widow of Peter Colt decd and being duly sworn according to law, Saith and further declares, that her Marriage with Peter Colt her late husband took place at the house of her Father Daniel Lyman Esqr in New Haven - and that she was married by the Revd Jonathan Edwards, Pastor of the second presbyterian Church in 
New Haven - she further states that when the British attacked New Haven, they destroyed every thing which they did not take away with them, that was in the house of her Father, he being an active Whig, among the rest the family Bible and other family records and she further says that her late husband settled up & closed his accounts, after the peace, as Deputy Commissary General at Hartford Connecticut with General Wadsworth, who was Commissary General on the day month & year herefore declared under Congress that the papers, vouchers &c. were left in Hartford, Connecticut with his Nephew Elisha Colt, when he Peter Colt removed to New Jersey, and that in subsequent removals, she believes said Books & vouchers have been lost or destroyed as being of No Value and further saith not 
Sworn before me the 10th day 
of March, A.D. 1838
Sarah Colt
John Parke Justice of the peace

Page 7

State of New Jersey
Passaic County ss.
I do hereby certify that John Parke esqr by and before whom the foregoing deposition or affidavit was taken and sworn to, is one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Passaic, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature "John Park" subscribed thereto is his sign and genuine signature and proper hand writing- 
[seal]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said County of Passaic, this twelfth day of March Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight 
Geo. A. Ryerson Clerk of the said County of Passaic

Page 8

State of New Jersey, Passaic County ss.
Before me John Park one of the Justices of the Peace, for the said County personally appeared Hannah Lyman, the sister of Mrs Sarah Colt widow of Peter Colt. deceased, and being duly sworn according to law, Saith 
that she resided in New Haven, Connecticut, with her Father Daniel Lyman Esqr and was present at the Marriage of her sister Sarah above mentioned, with Peter Colt, decd. the said Marriage was at the house of her father and was performed by the Revd Jonathan Edwards, in the month of October, after the War of the Revolution was commenced but the day and year she does not distinctly recollect. and further saith not.
Sworn before me, the 10th day
of March, A.D. 1838
John Parke Justice of the peace
Her \ Mark
Hannah Lyman

Page 9

State of New Jersey
Passaic County SS.
I George A. Ryerson Clerk of the said County of Passaic, Do hereby certify that John Parke Esqr by and before whom the foregoing deposition or affidavit was taken and sworn to is one of the Justices of the peace in
and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature "John Parke" subscribed thereto, is his genuine signature
and proper hand writing-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said County this twelfth day of March
Anno Domini eighteen hundred and
thirty eight -
Geo. A. Ryerson Clerk

Page 10

Department of the Interior
Pension Office
Washington D.C. July 1857
I George C. Whiting Commissioner of Pensions, do hereby certify
that the foregoing paper was filed among the papers of the Pension Office on the application of Sarah Colt widow of Peter Colt an officer of the revolutionary army for a pension; and that a pension was granted to her as the widow of said Peter Colt under the act of Congress, granting pensions to the widows of Revolutionary Officers, and that the said affidavit
was filed in the Pension Office for the purpose of establishing the marriage of the said Peter Colt and Sarah Colt, and that the said marriage was established by this, and other affidavits, to the satisfaction of the Department.

Page 11

[illegible] Lyman Esq
Philadelphia Febr  1. 1783

Dear Sir,
Being detained here longer than I expected
when I left home, & uncertain how much longer I shall
be from my Family, take this earliest opportunity
of writing you since the receipt of Brother Elihu's
Letter which came to hand last evening by Mr Mears
If I return by Kings Ferry, I will endeavor 
to see Mr Beckman respecting the mortgage
on the New Milford Land, & come to some compromise
with him about them. - Elihu mentions your 
anxiety to see me, on my return, on some business that
you have much at Heart. From his manner of
writing I conclude it respects the mortgage on
the Oyster point & at Newhaven. - As I involved
myself in your concerns, not for my own advantage,
but yours, I have no wish to take any
benefit of the Depreciation of the Money, whilst
I was responsible for your Debt of which you are
sensible was a house Money one, as those Gentlemen
to whom I became bound, were willing to receive
the Money, at the Time I paid them. Those payments
you will

Peter Polt ab [left margin]

Page 12

will recollect were made with your answer.

As the war has continued thus long, I cannot say that
that transaction has been detrimental to my
affairs; but had this Quarrel been made up in
Reason for Great Britain, as most people then hoped
& expected it would have been, the Debt I incurred on
your account would have embarrassed me
exceedingly.
To put you out of all doubt that
respecting my views & Intentions, with regard
to this Matter, I claim repayment of the real value
of the Money I paid Miss Brooms & that at the time
I paid up your Notes to them, & not the value of
the Notes when we jointly executed them. This
gives you the advantage of whatever depreciation
happened to the Money in the Interim. - I think no
other person would make this sacrifice; but as your
Ease & Happiness was what induced me to involve
myself in your Fortunes, I claim no Benefit,
which the Law would give me, from Contingences
which I did not foresee. -  Justice to my own
Family & Children of which are also yours I will not allo

COLT, PETER
(CONN.)  W 5880

Page 13

me to make you any other proposal. -
as you have had the use of the land & I shall expect
the usual Interest for the use of my Money.

I shall have it with you to fall
on the Method of repayment, either in land or cash
as you judge most, for the Interest of the rest of your
Children; only observing, that should we return to Newhaven,
as I yet hope to do, part of that Interest would be convenience 
for me.

Should you make your Will, before I have
the satisfaction of seeing you, I hope you will pay particular attention, in the distribution of your Interest
to your youngest daughter; - Sally is married, & in
some measure provided for; tho far from being in so
easy circumstances I can wish truth over as the
Business I have done, would naturally lead you to
believe. - I have not fatened on the spoils of my
Country, nor increased my Fortune in their 
Service. - But, we are established in some way of
Living, & have made some Friends who will be
use full to us when this war shall cease. - This
is not the case with the Youngest. - She is yet to be
provided for,- As to your Sons, it is not of so
much consequence to establish them, they
being Boys.

Page 14

(Conn.)
5880
Boys, can better ruffit-Besides, they
can do themselves Justice, if the world attemp
to oppress or injure him; therefore they
will find more Justice from the world. This,
unhappily is not the case with females: For
this reason also, you will reflect, what is in
Justice due to Mr Lyman, & make such provision
for her, in case she survives you, as your present
circumstances will admit of bearing in mind,
that your misfortunes & Alness have occasioned
her much more hard service, than either of
you had a right to expect at the time you
became connected together. You see I write
you freely. It is with perfect good will, & I
trust it will be accepted.
with every wish
for your happiness, & that your old age may
not be too much clouded, you may set
assured of my Friendship to you & yours, & command
it accordingly
remember me affectionally
to all our friends at Haven - ad-
COLT PETER
Yours P. Colt

Page 15

Treasury Department
3d Auditors Office
10th April 1838
Sir
In reply to your application of this morning,
for information in relation of the Revolutionary services of 
Peter Colt, I have to state that it appears from the Account
books of the Revolutionary Army, on file in this office that
Peter Colt, Esqr Dpy Comy Genl of Purchases" was charged
in December 1777, with the sum of $17,000, received from
Ebenezer Hancock-

I am very Respectfully
Your most Obt
Peter Hagner Aud

Governor
Philemon Dickerson

Page 16

Copy
State of New Jersey, Passaic County ss
Before me John Park one of the Justices of the
for the said County personally appeared Hannah Lyman, the
Sister of Mrs. Sarah Colt, widow of Peter Colt deceased, and being duly
sworn according to law, saith that she resided in New Haven Connecticut
with her Father Daniel Lyman Esq. and was present at the marriage
of her sister Sarah above mentioned with Peter Colt decd the said
Marriage was at the house of her father and was performed by the
Revd Jonathan Edwards in the month of October, after the war of the
Revolution was commenced, but the day and year she does not distinctly 
recollect, and further saith not   Hannah Lyman  X her mark
Sworn to me the 10th day
of hand A.D. 1838
John Parks Justice of the Peace

true copy from the original  S Cole CC
Pension Office
20 July 1837.

Page 17

D Sir
as it now manifestly appears that Peter Colt
was Deputy Commissary Genl, and that he was married
in 1776. The only remaining question refers to the time
of his service as Dep Comm Genl

upon this subject I enclose an extract from his own
account of his services by which it appears that he served in
that capacity from 1777 till the change was made in
the manner of supplying the army after which the
engaged in the same service in supply my the
French Army-

This statement is entitled to qual credit and I think
without further evidence it would be satisfactory,
But fortunately for Mrs Colt it is confirmed by the proceedings 
of Congress. You will find by reference to the 3 Vol:
of the Journals of Congress, (page 32) That as early as
the 24 of Aug. 1778. he was recognized as acting in
that capacity. The charge in the manner of supplying 
the army did not take place until the 30 of
Nov 1780 as appears by the resolutions of of Congress
of that date in page 557 of the same Book
and the French Army and not arrive here until
after that time. so that it appears most conclusively

Page 18

That Mr Cole served more than 2 years in the capacity
of Depy Comp Genl in the United States Service
besides services in the same capacity for some
time, under the State of Connecticut
I am very Respectfully yrs
Ph Dickerson
Ap 10 1838

J L Edwards Esq
Comm

Page 19

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connecticut
March 20th 1838
I certify that Peter Colt Esq is charged on the
table Books in this office as follows, to wit,
1777 July 3 For 14 & Blankets dld by the Q.M. of Wallingford ret-14 -5-4
1781 Sept 5" 40 Barrels of Pork dld David Trumbull order
by Thomas Fanning to act
further certify that Peter Colt Esq. is named in
said books as Assistant Quarter Master,
Wm Field Comptroller

Page 20


Extract from the Ledger kept at the Treasury and
containing accounts which were connected with the Revolutionary War

"Dr. Peter Cole, late Deputy Commissary Gen of purchases, his a/c in old [illegible]
1795 
July 17- To Accounts opened in the Commissary's Depart.
$6198"
1787
Aug 14. By Michl Hilliger -- $6198
Commissary's Depart.
$6198"
Treasury Department
Registers Office April 10, 1838
[illegible]
Regr

Page 21

1915
New Jersey
---
Sarah Colt
widow of Peter Colt deed
who died on the 17 March 1824
of in the State of New Jersey
who was an asst Quarter Master commanded
Conn for upwards of 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per an.
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10
day of Apl 1838
and deliverd to
Hon. J. Dickerson
---
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1838. 2240
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep. 38 160
$2400

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3rd
Recorded by Geo. Wm Crump Clerk
Vol. 2 Page 125.

Page 22

Paterson N.J. 12th Feby 1838
Sir,
by the request of Mr C. Deverney Jr. Esqr of
Utica Oneida County, under Lyon Sundry Documents
relating to the application of the Widow Sarah Colt of this place
for the benefit of the late Pension Law
viz. Mrs Colts, Declaration-
a certificate of the Revd James Fisher witness Judge [illegible]
an affidavit of the Honl T. Pitkins
also a letter from the Honble P Dickerson our late Gov
to yourself and letters to Col A Ogden now in Wash
on the same subject & which I have therefore enclosed to you
with the request you will have the goodness to send to the 
Post Office
---
Col Ogden was acquainted with the late P.
Colt dcd,  during the war & since that period
many years,
If the papers are not in proper form and
order, now sent, be pleased to inform Mr Ogden should
he call on you-
Be pleased to communicate the result of
this application to Mr Deverney, above named as to account
due and yearly allowances
you will do me a favour of you will cause the
rest of the documents to be acknowledged here- and
probable result [illegible] his use
Very Respectfully
Your obt svt
John Colt
J. L. Edwards Esq
Com Pensions
Washington

Page 23

State of New York
Rockland County ⎬Ss.  on this eighth day of
February in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty eight Before me
a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in
for said County, Personally appeared
Samuel Fisher of the Town of Ramapo in
said County to me personally known and
made oath that for about twenty eight years 
he has known Mr Sarah Colt of Paterson
in the State of New Jersey, widow of Peter
Colt late of Paterson deceased that the said
Sarah Colt was reputed to have been married
to the said Peter Colt & was his wife during the
Revolutionary war, and that the deponent
has known them to live together as man & wife 
about fourteen years previous to his death
that she has since his death which took place
on the Seventeenth day of March Eighteen
hundred and twenty four, remained his
widow. And further this deponent saith
not
Subscribed and sworn       Saml Fisher
to on the day and year
above written. Before me
Edward Suffens 
first Judge of Rockland
County.


Turn over

Page 24

This is to certify that I am well acquainted with
the within named Samuel Fisher and have
been for many years and that he was Pastor
of the Presbyterian Church in the Town of Paterson 
in the County Essex now the County
Passaic for many years, and that was also well
acquainted with Peter Colt before his death and
I am now acquainted with his widow, Sarah
Colt, Witness my hand this tenth day
of February A.D. 1838
John Parke Judge
of Com. Pleas for the
County of
Passiac

State of New Jersey
Passaic County
I George A. Ryerson Clerk of the said
County of Passaic do hereby certify that
John Parke, named in the above certificate is a Judge of
the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County
of Passaic, That I am well acquainted with the handwriting
of the said Judge, and verily believe that the signature
John Parke subscribed to the above certificate, is his genuine
signature, and proper hand writing -
In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and affixed the seal of the said County
this tenth day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and
thirty eight-
Geo. A. Ryerson Clerk

Page 25

State of New Jersey
Passaic County SS.
I George A. Ryerson Clerk of the Superior
Court of Common Pleas in and for the said
County of Passaic, Do hereby certify that John Parke by and
before whom the within statement was subscribed and sworn
to is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly
commissioned and sworn. That I am well acquainted with
the hand writing of the said Justice, and also of the deponent
William Colfax and verily believe that the signatures 
"John Parke" and "Wm Colfax" to be the genuine signatures
and proper hand writing -- In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name, and affixed
the seal of the said Court this
twenty third day of March in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty eight -
Geo A Ryerson Clerk

Page 26

I William Colfax, an officer in the Revolutionary
army was well acquainted with the late Peter Colt
of Paterson New Jersey, deceased, during the said war and
since that period
my acquaintance with him began I think
in the year 1777- at all events after Col. Wadsworth was
appointed Commissary General, & the said Peter Colt then
acted as Deputy Commissary, which situation he held until
Wadsworth and Carter supplied the French Army by
Contract - Mr Colt was then employed by them but
in what capacity I can not say.
Paterson N.J.         Wm. Colfax
20th March 1838

State of New Jersey
Passaic County ss
Before me John Parke one of the Justices
of the peace of the said County personally appeared William
Colfax and being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that the
above statement is just and true to the best of his knowledge
and belief (and signed his name thereto in my presence)
Sworn to before me this
20th day of March, AD. 1838
John Parke Justice of the peace

Page 27

Dr Sir
I understand that Mr Sarah Colt is
about applying for a Pension under the late law of congress 
upon that subject. -I was well acquainted with
the late Peter Colt Esq from the year 1816 until the time
of his death in 1824, I have been informed by him, that
he acted as a commissary during the revolutionary war
, and have no doubt of the truth of the information
My wife's mother who is 89 years old, now resides with me
and the informs me that she recollects seeing Mr Peter
Colt during the revolutionary war, and that he was in
the service, but in what capacity he cannot recollect
Mrs Sarah Colt who now resides in this town, is the widow
of Peter Colt Dcd and has resided in this place with
her family ever since the death of her Husband
I am intimately acquainted with all the family and
take great pleasure in saying, that full confidence may
be placed in their representation, or the representatives of
either of them
I am yours my Respectfully
Phil Dickenson
Feby 7. 1838

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions⎬

Page 28

Extracts from a memorandum made by Peter
Colt Decd for the benefit of his Children
when I quit the army as an officer I recd a propose
from Col Son Fitch, my next door neighbour, who
was the resident Commissary of the County of New
Haven (one such being appointed by the State in Each
County) to do all the out door business of that department 
as this would not interfere with the settlement
of my [illegible] concerns with Capt Howe, but might so
help in the disposal of most of our joint stock
I accepted this offer, which led to my future employment
in the Commissary department used in Congress
during the residue of the contest for our 
Independence. I was the deputy Commissary General
and had all Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut
 and that part of the State of New York East of the
Hudson as far north as the north line of Massachusetts, 
incomparably the most important division of
the United States that fell to any Deputy.
In consequence of my Engaging in the Commissary
department, became acquainted with Col Jos
Trumbull the Commissary Genl under the State of
Connecticut & who was appointed to the same
office under congress when they assumed the
direction of the war & the supplying the army

Page 29

when Col Jos Trumbull resigned his appointment
of Commissary Genl on account of some improper
[illegible] Mr Buchanan of Maryland was appointed
his successor, but soon found himself quite inadequate
to that office, from want of a general knowledge
of the resources of the country & the means of calling them
into operation, the consequence of this resignation & the
knowledge which Genl Green as well as the commander
in chief had gained of the activity, integrity, and
knowledge of Col Wadsworth who had served as Deputy
Quartermaster Genl with the army under the 
immediate command of Genl Washington. He was
appointed [illegible] Genl & with whom I served the
residue of the war, until the army was supplied by
contract, after which I served under him & John B
Church with the French Troops under Genl Rochambeau

when the British made an inroad into Connecticut
& burnt Danbury &c I found it necessary to remove
my wife to Farmington where our first child (a son)
was born in Aug 1777. as no new inroad was
made we removed back to New Haven in the fall
and having engaged under Mr Buchanan the commy
Genl I was under the necessity of being much from
home during the winter of 1777 & 1778. I in the spring
of 1778, I was advised when Col Wadsworth became
Commr Genl to remove from New Haven to Hartford, not

Page 30

only as more central but as more safe from
capture by the Enemy as Hartford was the crowded
with refugees, a suitable house could then be be procured 
in town, & we went to Hartford west division
to a house of Col Wadsworth on a farm of his
at the End of one year, this house was wanted
for a long Island farmer who had fled from
the British lines, and as I did it occupy the
farm, but the house only. I gave it up & removed
to Weathersfield where we resided until Decr 1782
& where [illegible] Lyman Colt & Sarah Colt
were born

District of Columbia Ss.  Ph. Dickinson being duly
sworn on his oath saith that he was well acquainted
with Peter Colt Decd in his life time
as is one of his [illegible] & is well acquainted with
his hand writing, having often seen him
write. and further this deponent saith that
he now has in his possession a memorandum
Short history of the life of said Peter Colt all of
which is in his own proper hand writing, and
that the foregoing are true extracts from said
History, and further that there is nothing in said
History which tends to contradict or rebut the
facts stated in these extracts. and from the

Page 31

information record by this Deponent as well
from the said Peter Colt in his life time as
from others. He is well satisfied that the
[illegible] set forth in said tract & in said
History are true
Sworn this 11th of April  Ph. Dickenson
AD 1838                        ⎬
Rob Getty
J Peace

Page 32

JB
John Colt Esq
Paterson
New Jersey

[illegible] only

Page 33

New Haven March 12, 1838
J. Colt Esq Dear Sir yours of 2d was recd in due course & would have been
some answered but for my confinement to the House ---
you will refer to my letter I think you will not find the
word West Haven in it-- In my researches I ascertained that
Mr Edwards was the Pastor of the White Haven society at ┃
the time of your Mother Marriage. He was settled in 1768-
since I see yours of 2d inst I have had the whole records & the files
examined & there is not a Marriage recorded from the time
Mr. Edwards was settled to the present time nor is there any
on file - The Town Clerk informed me that it had been the
practice for some Clergyman to hand in Marriages for record,
but Mr Edwards had never done it in a single instance-
The Church over which Mr Edwards was settled was organized from the
1st Congregational Church in this Town & was called the White Haven
Society-- subsequently there was some difficulty in the Society &
a part of the members seceded & formed a society called the Fair
Haven Society, neither of which flourished much & both having 
become destitute of Pastor, a proposition was made to unite
which was agreed to under the name of the United Society,
which still continues-- For the above information I am indebted to
Deacon Bostwick of said United Society who saw the necessity of
your having the testimony & consequently has been very thorough in the
search-- I offered to pay him, but he would not take any thing
I do not think there is any record of your Father Mother Marriage in this
City. Mr Lyman says she has often heard her husband tell of in
going to call the minister to perform the marriage ceremony & that he
was present, & that Mr & Mrs Rice were sent for. You can judge whether such
testimony would be of any use - she has examined Mr. Lymans papers for the
purpose of finding something that might be of use to you & has found a letter
written by your father just before the close of the revolutionary war to his

Page 34

his father Danl Lyman Esq in which he speaks of Brother Elihu
I think this letter, which I enclose contains very strong circumstantial
evidence that the marriage took place during the revolutionary
War or [illegible] to the close of it which is a point I suppose very important for you to establish Since writing the above I have taken another look at the enclosed & think it conclusive on the point you wish to establish-
The first paragraph mentions that he had a family at that time as well as
calling Mr Lyman Brother Elihu - If necessary you can probably show
he had no other Brother Elihu - In a subsequent part of the letter when
he says Justice to my own family & Children (which are also yours)
& also -most for the interest of the rest of your Children &c

& what is directly in point "Sally is married & in some measure provided
for dese which I suppose is your mother-
I shall make some further enquiries of Mr Lyman when I return
home & if I got any information or find any other papers that will be
of use to you I will forward them immediately-- The enclosed was handed
to me after Dinner & I had no time to read it and make the necessary enquiries
explain my being in doubts to your mothers name-
I hope this will enable you to substantiate the claim & accomplish your
 wishes in regards to it.
All Well
Yours Respectfully
H. Sanford

Page 35

John Colt Esq     New Haven March 16. 1838
Dear Sir
yours of 14th [illegible] is at hand stating that the
letter from your Father of Feby. 1783 supplies all the evidence
wanting on the subject of the Marriage, which I am very much
gratified to her. On the subject of service I supposed you had
sufficient evidence & if you have any, I think his letter will
corroborate it, for I got the impression from the hasty perusal
which I gave it, that he was then in his country's service,
but had not gathered on its spoils-- I was so engaged the
afternoon that W Lyman handed me the letter (I get anxious
to enclose it to you by next mail,) that my attention was not
drawn to any other point them that of the marriage, & I hardly
knew what I wrote myself on what that letter contained but I hope you will find in that
sufficient to accomplish the object in view
Mrs Lyman take a deep interest in the subject, I should judge about
the same as you do, she was engaged yesterday & all this forenoon in
the search, examining papers, but without avail-
My Father says he knew Mr Colt in the Army & thinks he was Commissary
 or asst Comp but thinks you may find proof in the War
Office of that appointment, but not [illegible], it being an
appointment made by the General-
I should suppose Miss Hannah Lyman would recollect something
on the subject
your svt
[illegible] Sanford
Since writing the above Mrs Lyman has found a letter from which I
should think your father had something to do with the Army & although it contains 
no positive evidence yet as it is dated a year previous to the other I have thought
proper to enclose it-- There is nothing or among her papers that gives any light
on the subject -- From the enclosed you will observe that your fathers expectation of

Page 36

seeing his family as soon as may or June following depended in his
view on the circumstance of the Troops going northward

Page 37

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5880
Sarah Colt
Wid, of Peter Colt
Deputy 2nd Mr Genl, Rev.
Act:-----
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 143
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 38

D Sir
I enclose several additional documents
in support of the claim of Mrs Sarah Colt for a pension
1. Her own Deposition proving the marriage to
2. Deposition of Jno Caldwell as to service of P. Colt
3. Deposition of Wm Colfax as to service of P. Colt
This deponent is the last survivor of the Military
family of Gen Washington
4. Deposition of Hannah Lyman as to the marriage
of Mrs Sarah Colt
5. Certificate of Wm Field Comptroller as to service of P. Colt
6. Letter of H. Sanford, [illegible] one of Pl. Colt to his
Father in Law
7. Letter of H Sanford [illegible] one of similar kind
8. A memorandum made by P. Colt in his own hand
writing - The greater part of this document has
to bearing upon the case, but refer you to the 4th
Sheet for the history of his connection with the army
and I submit the whole document as being more
satisfactory, than extract would be as
this document was made out some 12 years

Page 39

ago. it appears to me to be entitled to great confidence-
I was intimately acquainted with Peter Colt and
can testify to the hand writing of this document
But the family, are not willing to part with it
and have authorised me to have a copy made
or such [illegible] as might be considered necessary

I therefore submit the whole case, and all adopt
such course as you may think proper
It appears to me that the case is fully made out
and from my knowledge of all branches of the
family. I have no doubt of the truth of their
representations-
[illegible]
Ph. Dickinson
May 7 1838
J.L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions

Page 40

Payment to be made
at Trenton
by D. Dickinson Esq
Agent for paying Peners
, in the Agency of
New Jersey

True a certificate
according to the
alteration made in
this & notify the
P. agent of the charge
Gov Dickenson will be
at the office very soon
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A Vol. 2
Page 125 by
Geo. Wm Crump Clerk

Page 41

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the 3d section of the law
of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Sarah
Colt of New Jersey
widow of Peter Colt deceased
who was a Deputy Commissary General
in the Revolutionary Army
is entitled to receive six hundred dollars
per annum, during the time she may
remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831
and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of
September:
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this Tenth eleventh day of
April one thousand eight
hundred and thirty Eight

Examined and
Countersigned.}


1

Page 42

Timothy Pilkins
[illegible]
in care Mrs. Sarah Colt

Page 43

State of New York
Oneida County ss:
On this twenty ninth
day of January, in the year of our Lord one
thousand Eight hundred and thirty Eight
before me Hiram Denis, Judge of the Fifth
Circuit in the State of New York, personally
appeared Timothy Pitkin, & made oath,
that for between fifty and sixty years
he has known Mrs Sarah Colt of Paterson in
the State of New Jersey, widow of Peter Colt,
late of Paterson, deceased; that the said
Sarah Colt was married to the said Peter
Colt & was his wife during the Revolutionary war
; that she has since his death which took
place within a few years since remained
his widow
Sworn to & subscribed   Tim Pitkin
on the day & year above
written. Before me
H. Denis
Circuit Judge

State of New York
Oneida County     ⎬ ss:
I James Dean Clerk of the
said county, certify hat the
Hon Hiram Denis by & before
whom the foregoing  deposition
or affidavit was taken & sworn
to is first Judge of the fifth Circuit
of the said State, duly appointed commissioned 
& sworn; that I am well acquaint

Page 44

D. Lyman Esq.
N Haven
Peter Colt

Page 45

Dear Sir Feby 13th 1782
In consequence of some
addional Business which I have ┃
to settle here before I can set
out for Virginia - am prevented
from coming to N Haven as
I proposed & taking you
on my way will be very 
inconvenient, as I must go as
high as Fishkill to cross the
Hudson-- yesterday Mr Flint
arrived from Virginia-- says
the Troops are now lying still,
but expect to move to the north
and again as soon as the Season
will admit of it-- should this
conjecture

Page 46

conjecture prove true 1
I shall hope to see my family in
May or June at longest when
will attend to the settlement of
our debt & the Mortgage on
the land. should I never return
as all men are liable to death I
must depend on your doing Justice
betwixt my children & yours, as
to the running act it can be 
easily reduced to hand Cash &
the balance struck - I think
I once gave you a copy of it if
not wish you the first time
you are here, to get Elisha
to make it out pray furnish
him with all the charges of cash

Page 47

Cash & you have against
me - I find you charged
with 4 hard Dollars  for knives
& fork have furnished you
&, if not these ought
not to be charged - as they were
to pay my Extra Expences
at your house about that season
as to the Mortgage the whole
land at that time would not
have discharged the debt that
was my idea-- but at the time
the Mony was actually paid
suppose it would have done
more - on every principal of
Justice, suppose I am entitled
to the value of the many when paid
as the Notes were paid by your consent
but I must bid your advice
P. Colt

Page 48

I John Caldwell of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut being over eighty years of age depose and say that I was acquainted with Peter Colt during the whole period of the Revolutionary War and that nearly the whole period of that war, he assisted Colonel Wadsworth who was Commissary General. 
What was his title or commission I am not able to state, but I will recollect his services and that they were of several years continuance and continued according to my best recollection to the close of the war. March 21 1838.
[signed] John Caldwell
State of Connecticut
Hartford County
Sworn to and subscribed this
21st day of March AD 1838
before me Nathan Johnson Just. Peace
I certify that the deponent is a credible a credible person and that his statements are entitled to full credit
Nathan Johnson Just. Peace

Page 49

I Isaac Spencer of Hartford in the County of
Hartford and State of Connecticut being over
Seventy Eight years of age depose and say
that I first became acquainted with Peter
Colt towards the close of the year 1777
or early, in the year 1778 when he came to
Providence to make arrangements for
the supply of the Army in the capacity
of assistant in the Commissary Department
I know that he was with All Wadsworth
during most of the Revolutionary War
but in what capacity I cannot now State.
Isaac Spencer
-
Co
State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
Sworn to and subscribed this
21st day of March AD 1838
Before me Nathan Johnson Just. Peace
I certify that the Deponent is a credible person
and that his statements
are entitled to credit.
Nathan Johnson Just Peace

Page 50

State of Connecticut
Office of the Secretary of said State
March 21st AD 1838
I hereby certify that the
aforenamed Nathan Johnson
is a Justice of the peace within
for the County of Hartford as appears
of record in this
Office, and has been
for more than six months last part
and that the within signatures are
his genuine signatures to me as
personally known
In Testimony of which I have
in my capacity of Secretary of State
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of this State in the City of
Harford in said State at 
the date above
Royal R Hinman Secretary of
state

Page 51

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES  BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*  Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12 - 5 - 41

Name Colter, James  Grade Private  Line Pennsylvania


WARRANT NUMBER 9118   Acreage   100  Issued September 3 1791
   to not shown-
*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 records in The National Archives.

Page 52

Conn.
Colt, Peter
Sarah
W.5.880