Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16835, William Bassett, R.I.

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Bassett, William
Avis

NUMBER
W.16835.

CONTENTS

Page 2

[illegible] hereunto attached is a part
which was transcribed by depend[ents?]
which was a true copy from his original 
has been destroyed nearly twenty 
under the record hereunto attached
[illegible] County State of New York
[illegible]

Family Record.

[left-hand column]
BIRTHS.
Lewis Bassett was born Sept. 2,d 1776
Dorcas Hoxie his wife born March 31, 1782
Elizabeth Bassett was born Oct 23d, 1798
Peleg H. Bassett was born July 21, 1800
William R. Bassett was born April 9th, 1802
Lucy Bassett was born Jul 5th 1805.
Harriett Bassett was born April 13th. 1807
Nathan L. Bassett was born Dec, 6th 1809
Lewis Bassett was born Sept 22 1776

[right-hand column]
BIRTHS.
Samuel C. Bassett was born Jan.. 9th 1811
Clarissa A. Bassett was born Aug.. 13th 1813
Joseph Bassett was born Feb. 13th, 1816.
Sally Emiline Bassett was born July 29th 1817
John Bassett was born Jan. 20th 1819
Hannah Bassett was born May. 22d. 1822
Samuel E Bassett was born Jun 9th 1811-
Clarissa A Bassett was born August 13th 1813.
Joseph Bassett was born February 13th 1818

Family record of Wm Bassetts Son

Page 3

Family Record.

[left-hand column]
MARRIAGES.
Lewis Bassett and Dorcas Hoxie his wife was married in Stonington Oct 23d. 1797 and a few [illegible] as wed
Harry Porter was married to Elizabeth Bassett Feb 12th 1814
Lewis Bassett was married to Ms Grace [illegible] his 2d wife June 9th 1834
P. H. Bassett and Cornelia Clarke were married Dec. 3, 1823
Rodman S. Burdick & Harriet Bassett were married March 4th 1824
Mathew Huffman and Lucy Bassett were Married Mar. 3d 1823

[right-hand column]
MARRIAGES.
Wm. R. Bassett & Ollive Munger were Married Feby 19th. 1829. AD.
Lewis Bassett and Dorcus Hoxie was married in Stonington October 23d 1797.
Nathan L. Bassett And Adelia T. Read his wife were married Jan. the 29th. Brookfield AD. 1833
Samuel C. Bassett And Anne M. Scott his wife were married in Brookfield Jan. 30 AD 1833
Morris W. Uller[?] was married January 6th 1839 "To" Emiline S. Bassett.
Wm. R Bassett & Olive Munger were married February 19th 1829

Page 4

No.  32.435.

New York
William Bassett, of Cortland (in the state of N. York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Wells of the Regt commanded by Col. Noyes in the R. Island line for 6 months 10 days.

Inscribed of the Roll of Albany-at the rate of 21 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27. day of March 1846 and sent to Hon: W.J. Hough, HR.

Arrears to the 4th of March '46 $316.50
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept: 10.55

$327.05
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by (Will?) Stewart Clerk,
Book (illegible) 2d. Vol. 4 Page 8

Page 5

State of New York
Madison County          } ss

William Basset being duly sworn says that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and served Seven Months and and ten days in the Several terms as stated in his decleration[sic] now on file in the Pension office

as follows one term in     1775     for     20     days     Capt Wells
Do -                                  1776     Do     20       Do                Wells
May                                   1777               20       Do                   Do
August                              1777               20       Do                Wells
October                            1777               30       Do                Wells [Gavit][Struck]
August                              1778               30       Do                Gavit
Early in the fall                 1778               20       D                  Wells
late in the fall[?]               1778               30       D                  Wells
  fall of                               1780               30        .                   Allen
                                        ______________________________________________
                                                               220

making in all two hundred and twenty days or seven months and ten days that in the last term in the fall of 1780 he was drafted at Hopkinton State of Rhode Island under Militia officers that after ariving[sic] at New Port [Newport] for some reason or other the Militia officers did not continue the command & he with others was put under the command and care of Capt Allen in Olneys[sic] Regiment and continued in the service thirty days  This is precisely in substance as Stated by him to Joseph Clark[?] when said Clarke made or wrote his decleration[sic] in his presence that having learnt that the proof was satisfactory except the last month he makes this decleration[sic] in explination[sic] thereof and declares that he served the full time of seven months and ten days as stated above  Six months and ten days besides the last town when put under Capt Allen sworn and subscribed before me this 10 th day of March 1846


                                                                   William Bassett [signed]


Wait Clarke     Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named William Bassett sustains an unempeachable[sic] character for truth + verasity[sic] and retains his mentle[sic] and intellectual faculty to a remarkable degree
                         Wait Clarke     Justice of the Peace





*Transcriptor's Clarifications*

1.  [sic] marks words spelt differently than modern versions of the same words by the original author - Justice Wait Clarke.  Many of the spellings found in the document were considered correct or acceptable spellings by the standards of the day.  Those same spellings would now often be considered incorrect or archaic.
2.  Above table shows many "Do" abbreviations.  These are shortenings of "Ditto".
3. Justice Clarke wrote "...unempeachable[sic] character for truth...", in which the word "character" is difficult to make out.  What this shows, when examined, is that Justice Clarke originally wrote "caracter," having forgotten the "h".  He then returned and added it, thereby making it less legible.
4.  In the table it is visible that Justice Clarke had written "Gavit" first, and then crossed his name out and wrote "Wells" just above it.

Page 6

No. 37,104
William Bassett
NY
Act 7 June 1832

Page 7

State of New York  }
Otsego County       } ss

On this 12th day of September 1845 personally appeared before me James C Walworth one of the Judges of Otsego County Counts William Bassett a resident of Plainfield County of Otsego and State of New York aged Ninety two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following decleration[sic] in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated that he resided in Hopkinton County of Washington and State of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War that in October or November 1775 he was drafted under Captain Henry Wells in Hopkinton State of Rhode Island to guard the shores and marched to Boston Neck and continued in the service at that place and vicenity[sic] twenty days when he was discharged.  That in December 1776 he was again drafted at Hopkinton aforesaid into the service of the United States as a private for twenty days under Captain Randall Wells and marched to Boston Neck in the State of Rhode Island to guard the shores and continued in the Service as a private twenty days and was honorably discharged.  Col Joseph Noyes commanded the Regiment.  That in May ["20" written in margin] 1777 he was again drafted into the Service of the United States at Hopkinton aforesaid as a private under Captain Randall Wells [and] marched to Boston Neck aforesaid and served twenty days ["20" written in margin]  That he was again drafted at Hopkinton aforesaid under Captain Randall Wells and marched to Point Juda[sic] [Point Judith] in the State of Rhode Island and served twenty days or more =  This [struck and written over "That"] was in August or September in 1777 = That in October 1777.  he was again drafted at Hopkinton aforesaid for one month under Captain Wells and marched to Providence through Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island and crossed the River below Tiverton from there to Tiverton and remained in the town one month as a private  Col. Jesse Maxson commanded the Regiment while stationed at Tiverton the troops were marched down to the Shore with an intention to cross on to Rhode Island but was finally ordered Back and at the end of one months seven he was honorably discharged.  That in August 1778 he was again drafted for one month under Captain John Gavit Stephen Sanders Sunderland in Col Joseph Noyes Regiment they marched

Page 8

from Hopkinton to Warwick and crossed over to Warren through Bristol and crossed Bristol Ferry on to Rhode Island but finally retreated and crossed the River to Tiverton and after continuing in the service one month he was discharged, while stationed at Tiverton this deponent with part of the forces were directed to make a fortification on a small Island in the River Called Gould Island but the prodject[sic] was abandoned and they returned to the main land and at the end of one month service he was discharged.  That late in the summer or early in the fall of 1778 he was again drafted for twenty days at Hopkinton aforesaid under Captain Wells. and marched to Obdikes Newtown now called Wickford to guard the Shores and continued there twenty days as a private.  That under a resolution of the General Assembly of Rhode Island troops was raised to go to Black Island to remove Stock and other property from the Island under this order he was drafted  under Captain Thomas Wells at Hopkinton aforsaid for one month he with the troops raised were conveyed on to Black Island in a vessel commanded by Capt Sylvester Pendleton he remained in the Service one month and afew[sic] days over  Col James Rhoades commanded the forces on the Island the vessel in which they were conveyed on to Black Island was soon after Captured by the British near Stonington -  That in the fall of 1778 he was again drafted as a private for one month they marched to New Port and after he arived[sic] at New Port he was put under the command of Capt Allen in Col Christopher Olney or Oneys Regiment and was Stationed in the City as a guard and continued there one month when he was Honorably discharged  He hereby relinquishes ever Claim whatever to a pension on annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.  That by reason of old age and infirmity and the consequent laps of memory he cannot swhear[sic][swear] positively as to the precise length of his service but acording[sic] to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grade

Page 9

for seven months and ten days I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension  That the reason he has not before made application for a pension is that he applied to Joseph Clork for assistance in preparing his papers soon after the act of 1832 when he gave said Clark a statement of his services said Clark discouraged him from the extreme difficulty of proving militia service of short tour, and not knowing where to find any testimony until resently[sic] he was informed that Perry Burdick Resided in Cortland County State of New York and was with him and a neighbor and intimate acquaintance during the Revolution whos[sic] affidafet[sic] is hereunto attached sworn to and subscribed the day and year *aforesaid before me
                                    William Bennett [signed]

James C. Walworth a Judge
of Otsego County Courts

I further Certify that the above named William Bassett Sustains a great character for truth and verasity[sic] and that from extreme old age cannot reasonably attend court that I belive[sic] him to be ninety two years of age that he is reputed and belived[sic] in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I fully concur in that belief and that he served to the full length of time Stated by him as near as he can recolect[sic]

J. C. Walworth a Judge
of Otsego County Courts


State of New York
Otsego County Clerks offices}  I George B. Wilson Clerk of said do hereby certify that J.S. Walworth whose name is subscibed to the above affidavit or decleration and thereon written was at the date of the same a Judge in and for the County of Otsego + further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature above written is genuine

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affirmed the one of said County Sept 16.1845.  G.B. Wilson Clk [Clerk]

* Transcriptor's Note *

1.  "aforesaid"  Visible that there are two "f" letters.  This was a mistake on the author's part, as one can see that the second "f" was a lighter shade, and written over with an "o".

Page 10

[Left hand side]
Reported Let. to Hon. John A Dix Feby [February] 7th ‘48 
[Right hand side]
New York 4508 
Avis Bassett
Widow of William Bassett who died on the 24th Oct 1846 of Otsego Co in the State of N.Y. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Wells of the Regt commanded by Col Noyes, in the R.I. line for 6 Mo. 10 days R.I.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 21 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831 [crossed out] Oct. 1846. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Jany [January] 1848, and sent to to the Hon. John A. Dix S. U. States
Arrears to the 4th Semiannual allowance ending 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3rd}
Recorded by Th Lumpkin Clerk
Book C Vol. 1 Page 107

Page 11

State of New York
Otsego County SS

On this seventh day of September 1847 personally appeared before me James Hyde Judge of Otsego County Courts it being a court of [illegible] Avis Basset a resident of Plainfield in the county of Otsego and state of New York aged ninety three years who having first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the ^ pension of the act [inserted above] act of congress passed July 4th 1836. That she is the widow of William Bassett who was a private in the militia of the state of Rhode Island and a pensioner under the act of Congress of 1832 at the rate of twenty one dollars and ten cents per annum as will more fully appear by reference[?] to his original pension certificate hereunto annexed. She further declares that she was married to the said William Bassett in the town of Hopkinton county of Washington and state of Rhode Island in September in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five by Reverend Joseph Davis, pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Hopkinton aforesaid. That her name before her marriage was Avis Burdick. That her husband the aforesaid William Bassett died in Plainfield of Otsego County New York on the twenty fourth day of October one thousand eight hundred and twenty six [written over illegible date]. That she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by the proof here unto anexed [sic] That she has no record or documentary evidence of her marriage that she has been able to find. That Lewis Bassett of Brookfield County of Madison and state of New York is her oldest child and was born about one year after her marriage who is seventy one years of age on the second day of September instant.
Avis Bassett
Her mark X [signature]
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written before me James Hyde Justice of Otsego County Courts

Page 12

State of New York Otsego County SS 
Lewis Bassett being duly sworn says he was seventy one years of age on the 2d day of September [illegible] and is the oldest child of William and Avis Bassett that he resides in Brookfield County of Madison and State of New York and has resided there nearly forty years past that his father has resided in Plainfield Otsego county State of New York more than thirty years before his death within four miles of the residence of this deponent that he has allways [sic] understood from his father and mother that ^they [written above line] had been married about one year when deponent was born That the record of his| [blank area of page]|of his family Record| [blank area of page]| son nearly twenty years past| [blank area of page] |al [word cut off by blank area] family record which| [blank area] |[illegible] his son who then |[blank area] now resides in [illegible] |[blank area of page] | that the above no [word cut off by blank area |[blank area of page]| pensioner of the United |[blank area]| States at the rate of |[blank area]| twenty one dollars and ten cents per annum that he died on the twenty seventh day of October 1846 [the 6 covers a 5] leaving his widow [illegible] [illegible] who still remains his widow and resides with her son William in Plainfield Otsego County and State of New York Lewis Bassett 
Sworn and subscribed this 7th day of September 1847 before me 
James Hyde Judge of Otsego County Courts
I further certify that the above named Lewis Bassett sustains a good character for truth and veracity that the erasure under the [illegible] 6 in the date of 1846 and the word they they were underlined before signing James Hyde Judge of Otsego County Courts

Page 13

State of New York }
Otsego County      }

William Bassett being duly sworn says he is sixty one years of age and resides in Plainfield Otsego County and the State of New York and is the Son of William and Avis Bassett  That his Father resided with him during his life and was a pensione[sic] of the United States at the time of his death at the rate of twenty one dollars and ten cents per annum  That his father the above named William Bassett died at the depononts[sic] house in Plainfield aforesaid on the twenty fourth day of October 1846 leaving his widow him  surviving who still remains a widow and resides with deponont[sic]  That Lewis Bassett is the oldest child of his father and was seventy one years of age on the 2d day of September instant that he has allways[sic] understood from his father and mother that hey had been married about one year when his brother Lewis was born  That his father formally had a family record which he has made delegent[sic] search for but has been unable to find it

Sworn and subscribed this 7th day of September 1866
before me

Judge James Hyde Judge of Otsego County Courts

I further certify that the above named William Basset sustains a good character for truth and verasity[sic]

James Hyde  Judge of Otsego County Courts

Page 14

State of New York,
Otsego County Clerk's Office, ss.} I Chas McLean Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that James Hyde Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit + certificater was on the date of the same the judge of said County, and duly authorized by law to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said James Hyde and verily believe his signature to the said affidavit + certificate is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County, the 10th day of Sept A.D. 1847
Chas. McLean Clerk.

Page 15

Rev [handwritten] WIDOW, &c. [typed]

Om [handwritten horizontally]

File No. 16,835
Avis Bassett
Widow of
William Bassett
Private Rev. War

Act: July 4, 1836
Index : - Vol. A, Page 36

[Arrangement of 1870.]






Title Hon. W. J. Hough
March 3 '46


* Transcriptor's Note *

1.  "Om," annotated above as having been horizontally written, stood for "Organized Militia".

Page 16

V. No 7006
Avis Bassett
N.Y.
Set 6 Joseph Clark
Nov  29th '47

Act 4 July 1836



William Bassett.  N.Y  act 7 June 1832 $21.10 per ann [annum]

To what time was he last paid     }
G.C.A.

Pension Office
Janry[abbre.] 25th 1848 }            Paid the 4th Sept. 1846 *BDB


*Transcriptor's Note*

1.  Middle Initial in final three initials difficult to make out.  Could be a "T", an "L", or a "D".

Page 17

No 37,104

William Bassett
NY

Act 7 June 1832

Adm. 6mo 10 days
sum
$21.10 paid



Hon. W. J. Hough
House of Reps

* Transcriptor's Note *

1. "Admo." - Possibly "Administrator," "Administration," or "Administered"

Page 18

State of New York}     [Seal affixed in upper right of document]
Cortland County ss}

Perry Burdick being duly sworn says he is eighty eight years of of age  That he was born in the State of Rhode Island and resided during the revolutionary war in Hopkinton in the State aforesaid and was well acquainted with William Bassett who then resided in Hopkinton aforesaid State that said Bassett was a soldier Bassett was a soldier with me in the Revolution in Col Joseph Noyes regiment that in December 1776 said regimment[sic] was called into actual service at Boston neck in State aforesaid to guard the Shore the enemy being on the island of New=Port and I was there through the winter spring and part of the summer and according to my best recollection said William Bassett was there    Said Bassett and myself did not belong to the same company he served in Capt Wells company  But how much of the time before mentioned the said Bassett was in the service I cannot state  We were again called into actual service in the fall of 1777 or 1778 at p [struck] Point Judith in Rhode Island and were there several months under the Command of Col Jeesse[sic] Maxson but how long said Bassett was in the servise[sic] at this time this deponent cannot state.               Again in [struck] the fall [struck] next season following the last mentioned servise[sic] we were called into the servise[sic] together at Wickford in State aforesaid and were there about one month -  In each of the two last mentioned place Said Bassett belongd[sic] to Capt Wells company            Our militia was called into the servise[sic] several times in the course of the war when I could not attend by reason of my father's being sick at which times I hired a substitute -         This deponent has Seen a *state=ment of Mr Bassett's servises[sic] in the Revolutionary war

* Transcriptor's Note *

1.  "ss" following "Cortland County" is an abbreviation of "scilicet".

2.  "=" Original author thus annotated the breaking of one word on two lines.

Page 19

make by himself but I was not with him in them all
especially Bristol New=Port [sic] [Newport] and Block Island [illegible] 
but I well recollect the expeditions mentioned by
him and that his company was in the service mentioned
and knowing said Bassett to be a man sustaining a good
character for truth and veracity I believe his statements
to be correct
Perry Burdick
[to the left of Perry Burdick signature]
Subscribed and sworn before
me this 29th day of August
in the year 1845
P. H. Van Schaick [signature underline]
Justice of the Peace _

This is to certify that the above named Perry Burdick sustains a good
moral character _ noted for honesty, integrity, and a strict regard to truth
and at his advanced age _ seems to retain his faculties to a more
than usual degree _ I should consider his affidavit entitled to the
highest credit.
P.H. Van Schaick _________
Justice of the peace

Cortland County
Clerks Office SS
I Samuel Hotchkiss Clerk of said County
hereby certify that at the date hereof the
above P H Van Schaick whose name is subscribed
to the above affidavit and thereon written was at the
date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly
Elected & qualified & further that I am well acquainted with
his signature & verily believe the signature to the above affidavit
to be his genuin [sic] signature
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
said County this first day of September AD 1845
R D Hotchkiss Dep Clk

Page 20

make by himself but I was not with him in them all
especially Bristol New=Port [sic] [Newport] and Block Island [illegible]
but I well recollect the expeditions mentioned by
him and that his company was in the service mentioned
and knowing said Bassett to be a man sustaining a good
character for truth and veracity I believe his statements
to be correct
Perry Burdick
[to the left of Perry Burdick signature]
Subscribed and sworn before
me this 29th day of August
in the year 1845
P. H. Van Schaick [signature underline]
Justice of the Peace _

This is to certify that the above named Perry Burdick sustains a good
moral character _ noted for honesty, integrity, and a strict regard to truth
and at his advanced age _ seems to retain his faculties to a more
than usual degree _ I should consider his affidavit entitled to the
highest credit.
P.H. Van Schaick _________
Justice of the peace

Cortland County
Clerks Office SS
I Samuel Hotchkiss Clerk of said County
hereby certify that at the date hereof the
above P H Van Schaick whose name is subscribed
to the above affidavit and thereon written was at the
date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly
Elected & qualified & further that I am well acquainted with
his signature & verily believe the signature to the above affidavit
to be his genuin [sic] signature
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
said County this first day of September AD 1845
R D Hotchkiss Dep Clk

Page 21

Nov 4, 1845. }
Ada[illegible]tes case  }
Wm Bassett.


[Written Horizontally]
Brookfield  }
Oct 31  }


Paid 10


James, L, Edwards. Esq~
Commisionr[sic] of Pensions
Washington Cty. DC


* Transcriptor's Note *

1. This is an envelope - "Paid" possibly in reference to the postage.

Page 22

Brookfield Oct 31st 1845

Dear Sir

In answer to yours of the 19th instant.  Stating that before the claim can be allowed[struck] or[struck] admited[sic] of William Basset he must show by satisfactory evidence that he was old enough to be enrolled in the militia of R Island in 1775 and by the testimony of some of his old and respectable neighbors that he has allways[sic] been regarded as a revolutionary Soldier.    Persons who were in the service with him whose names are on the pension roll would be the best witnesses in this case.   The latter class is not to be found in this country or in Hopkinton and there does not appear to be but one of his old acquaintances living & remaining in Hopkinton & he never a soldier & if living is very aged and perhaps unable to testify to facts you have  The testimony of Perry Burdick who I beleve[sic] of Cortland County who I supose[sic] is a Pension[er]    And the two whose affidafets[sic] are in closed is all I can find who can testify but if you knew the man as well as I do his own affidafet[sic] or Statement would be satisfactory.  I have got all that is required and hope you will have the goodness to send his Certificate to me by Mail as soon as consistant as the old man is needy & very aged

Please derect[sic] Joseph Clork
Brookfield N York

Very Respectfully Yours,
Joseph Clork

James L Edwards Esq.
Commisioner[sic] of Pensions

Page 23

[Written Vertically on Left Side]
Sept. 23 1848
W Bassett
June 7, 1832


[Written Horizontally]
Brookfield }
Sept 19 }


Paid 20


James, L, Edwards Esq~
Commisioner[sic] of Pensions
Washington City ( DC


[Written Vertically on Right Side]
1775 20
1776 20
1777 20
"        30
1778 30
"        20
"        30
"        30

200
_______
     6.



* Transcriptor's Note *

1. This is an envelope - "Paid" possibly in reference to the postage.

Page 24

Brookfield NY Sept 19th 1845


Dear Sir

I inclose[sic] the decleration[sic] and proof of William Bassett for a Pension & hope and believe the proof will be satisfactory:  Mr Bassett is a man of high standing for truth verasity[sic][?] and retains his intellectual faculties to an unusual degree capable of reasoning forcibly on any subject within his spl[?] has been a leading member [section of paper missing] a Baptest[sic] Church near me for more than forty years. I have been intimately aquainted[sic] with him more than forty years and his own decleration[sic] on any subject is sufficient evidence of fact to satisfy all of his aquaintances[sic]  He made application to one for assistance to pursue[?] a pension soon after the passage of the Act of 1832 and gave me a history of his service it being for short tours & in all honesty[?] enough to allow a pension and then[?] being [illegible] a very aged man & could not receive much above paying the expence[sic] I discouraged him as has been my practice in such cases but on receiving information that Perry Burdich was with him I pursued[?] his testimony which I trust will be satisfactory  Mr Bassett is a very aged [ma]n in poor circumstances and his small pension will be of great consequence to him & I trust you will be satisfied with it.  as[sic] it is allmost[sic] imposible[sic] to find two of those old soldiers who were aquainted[sic] & in the same service

Please derect[sic] Joseph Clork Brookfield NY

[Right Side]
Very Respectfully Yours
Joseph Clork

[Left Side]
James. L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington City



*Transcriptor's Clarifications*

1. [sic] marks words spelt differently than modern versions of the same words by the original author - Joseph Clork.  Many of the spellings found in the document were considered correct or acceptable spellings by the standards of the day.  Those same spellings would now often be considered incorrect or archaic.
2. [?] marks locations at which this transcriptor was unsure as to the word in use due to issues with legibility, but made an educated estimation using surrounding words and similar letters found throughout the document.
3. "Perry Burdich," actually spelt "Perry Burdick," is mentioned in other documents in relation to William Bassett as well. 
4. "[ma]n" in the transcription is due to part of the page missing - only the "n" is visible, but due to the words surrounding, and the context in which previously used, the transcriptionist deduces that this is, in fact, "man".

Page 25

Mr William J Hough
House of Representatives
Washington City
DC

Page 26

Brookfield March 10th 1846
Dear Sir 
I received Mr Edwards letter to you of the 3d instant in which he admits the services of of [sic]William Bassett except the last tour under Capt Allen in Olneys Regiment for one months in 1780 and remarks that by a negation of that service he falls short of six months; but Mr Edwards will observe he served six months and ten days exclusive of that I have the declaration which Mr Bassett gave me & which I took from him first I then wrote the declaration which he swore to before Judge Walworth substantially as the first as I prepare & compared them & all said it was correct making in all 220 days I put each tour in the inclosed [sic] affidafit [sic] & procure in a lengthy declaration he over looked one tour. In relation to his last tour in 1780 for one month Mr Edwards will see that he was not drafted to serve under Capt Allen but after they arrived at New Port he was put under the command of Allen I so have it in his declaration & am sure I rewrote it in the one now in the pension office; if not the error was on me The inclosed [sic] is exactly as he served. From Mr Edwards letter I should conclude he suposed Mr Bassett said and was drafted to serve under Allen. I was in the last war with England & know that at that late date occasionally the Militia were put under the command of the Regular officers in some cases there was dissatisfaction, but in the Revolution it was undoubtedly after the case as at that I read the soldier was not so particular to claim their privileges given them under a Republic form of government. Mr Bassett is a verry [sic] aged man & is deserving to receive what he is justly entitled to & if he is not to have but the six months and ten days allowed I must receive it although [sic] I have not the least doubt he served the 7 months and ten days he is one of the best men I ever knew & would not make a false statement for the whole world I hope Mr Edwards will send you a certificate that you may forward it to me as soon as possible 
Very Respectfully Yours
Joseph Clark
Hon William Haugh
House of Representatives

Page 27

House of Representatives
Washington Feby. [February] 25. 1846 
Hon J.L. Edwards Comr [commissioner] Pensions
Dear Sir I have the honor of transmitting herewith certain pension papers together with a letter which I have just recd from Hon. J Clark of Brookfield Madison Co. N.Y. in the case of William Bassett a revolutionary Soldier, your favorable consideration and early definition of the matter will greatly oblige the applicant.
I am Sir with Esteem
Your Much Obliged and Obt [obedient] Servant
Wm J. Hough

Page 28

[top middle]
7006 Nov.6 47
Avis Bassett
wdw [widow] of William
1836

[rotate page counterclockwise]
[top left of page]
Brookfield N.Y.
Nov. 1st, 1847
[top right of page]
Free
[middle of rotated page]
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City               0C

[rotate original page clockwise]
No 7006
Avis Bassett
wd of William
NY
act 4 July 1836
Married 1775
husband died 4 Oct 1846

Page 29

Brookfield October 29th 1847
James L Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
I inclose [sic] the papers of this Bassett to establish his claim to a pension under the act of 1836 and belive [sic] I have complied with the law & your rules as near as posible [sic] there is no record of this marriage to be found they was married by Joseph Davis formally pastore [sic] of the seventh day Baptist Church Hopkinton & I presume during the continuance of that church they considered it the the [sic] same seventh day church They disagreed on some perticular [sic] points and seperated [sic] but was still the 7th day Baptist Church but was called new lights and continue as a church since my remembrance having been born and lived within one mile of said church until 1800 forty seven years past. I am informed by letter that the records of the old church shows that a member was Tried in the existing church in 1768 who was excused, the charge against her was neglect of attending the church but she proved that she attended Elder Joseph Davis Church which was satisfactory but as there is no records of that church presume nothing further will be required The testimony and family record of Lewis Bassett the oldest child must be satisfactory. The pension is small & cannot be continued long the old lady is feeble & so aged that I think she will not live to know more than once Her son made application to me last winter but she was so aged that I put him off as her pension would not pay the expense but agreed if she lived until Sept I would attend to it she is a worthy old lady, & you will see that his declaration was allowed for 9 tours making about 7 month service during the war. That his declaration was sustain in full by the appointment of the several militia officers under whom he served he was the most onnest [sic] man of his age I ever knew with extraordinary intelectual [sic] faculties with an untarnished reputation & it was remitted to me by one of his near neighbors that he would loose his life before he would misrepresent person direct.  Joseph Clark Brookfield, Madison Co NY 
Very Respectfully Yours Joseph Clark

Page 30

Washington 2. Feb. 1848.
Dear Sir: -
I received from you Yesterday a pension certificate for Avis Bassett widow of Wm Bassett, but I have no Memo to show from whom I received the papers, on which it was issued. I presume it was Judge Clark. Can you inform me? 
Respectfully yours, John A. Dix [signature underline]

Jos. L. Edwards Esq
Commiss. Pensions

Page 31

William Bassett N.Y.
[the following is formatted into 4 columns without column headers]
| 1775 | 20 days| Capt. R. Wells | Marched to Boston Neck |
| 1776 | 20 " | " " " | " " " |
| 1777 | 20 " | " " " | " " " |
 Aug |1777 | 20 " | " " " | " " " |
| " | 30 " | " " " | at Tiverton |
| 1778 | 30 " | John Gavit | " " Col. Noyes |
| ""| 20 " | Wells | at Wickford |
| ""| 30 " | Tho. [Thomas] Wells | Col Rhodes |
| + [faint mark] | 30 " | Capt Allen, Col Olney, at Newport |
_________
7 mo 10

+ not allowed [faint]

[bottom right]
[illegible partial word]

Page 32

No 7006 
Avis Bassett 
wd [widow] of William 
NY 
act 4 July 1836 
adm 6 mo 10 days [illegible] 
$21.10 pr ann 
[illegible] 24 Oct 1846 
Hon John A Dix 
Senate U States

Page 33

Pension Office
January 1848

Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 12 (illegible): I have the honor to inform you that

Page 34

Certificate Concerning Wm [William] Bassett

Page 35

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations 
Washington County Ss ___
Hopkinton Town Clerks office 
February 5th AD 1846 __
I hereby certify that, by diligent search, I can find no record of the birth of William Bassett in this office _ Furthermore that I have reason to believe that formerly, there were many births in this Town which were never recorded _  I knew William Bassett many years ago when he lived in this Town _ and from what I knew of him while here and what I have heard of him since he left this Town. I have reason to believe he is a man of truth and veracity and should think his declaration entitled to credit _
Attest Christopher C. Lewis 
Town Clerk of Hopkinton [underlined]

Page 36

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington County ss. ____
Hopkinton Town Clerks office,
December 23d AD 1847 -
I certify that I have made diligent [sic]
search of the Records in this office, and can
find no Record of the Marriage of William
Bassett whatever. Neither can I find any Rec
of the Births of his children -
Attest
Chrisr [Christopher] C. Lewis Town Clerk 
[signature underline]
I will say furthermore that, having had the
care of the Records of Hopkinton, now thirty
years, I have the fullest confidence, that formerly
many Marriages and Births took place in the
Town of Hopkinton, which were never Record [cut off by slight paper fold]
Hopkinton Decr [December] 23d [23rd] 1847-
Chrisr [Christopher] C. Lewis ----
[signature underline]
[bottom] 25 cts

Page 37

Payment to be made at Albany by T.W. Alcott Agent for paying Pension=ers in the Agency of New York.

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. 20 Vol. 4 Page 8. by (signature illegible)
Clerk.

Page 38

I Elnathan W Babcock depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the first Seventh day Baptist Church in Hopkinton Washington County and State of Rhode Island that I hold all the Records of said Church and there is no records of marriages. I find by said Records that Joseph Davis withdrew from said Church in the year Seventeen hundred fifty-five, I also find by said Records that Elder Joseph Davis had a Church in the year Seventeen hundred sixty-eight. His Church was called the Seperate Baptist or New lights that Church is now extinct, I cannot learn that there is any Records of that church to be found, But there is no dout of the said Joseph Davis being an ordained Elder. given at the Church Clerk office Oct 21st 1847 -
Elnathan W Babcock Ch [Church] Clerk [signature underline]
Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of October in the year 1847 before me Jesse Brown Justice of the Peace

Page 39

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. 
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, William Bassett of the State of New York who was a private is entitled to receive twenty-one dollars and ten cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 27th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty=six, W.L. Marcy [signature] Secretary of War.
 Examined and Countersigned. } J.L. Edwards [signature] Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 40

[upper left hand corner of page is a faint outline of a seal]
State of Rhode Island &c Secretary's Office Decem 12. 1845 I certify, that Joseph Noyes was Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia Kings Co. from June 1775 to May 1779. and that Jesse Maxson was Lieut. Col. of said Regiment from May 1777 to May 1779. 
That in June 1775 the following Company officers were elected Barker Wells Capt Oliver Babcock Lieut Elnathan Wells Ensign} Ist Co [1st company] Hopkinton 
George Thurston 1/2 Capt Matthew Randall Lieut Randall Wells Ensign} 2nd Comp [company] Hopkinton
In May 1776.  The same Company officers, reelected.
May 1777. Elnathan Wells Capt Henry Wells Lieut Sylvanus Maxson Ensign} I Comp [1st company] Hopkinton
George Thurston 1/2 Capt Randal Wells Lieut Joseph Thurston Ensign} 2 Company Hopkinton
May 1778. Henry Wells Capt Sylvanus Maxson Lieut Thomas Wells 1/2 Ensign} I. Co [1st company][illegible] 
George Thurston 1/2 Capt Randall Wells Lieut Joseph Thurston Ensign} 2nd Co. [2nd company]
May 1779. Henry Wells Capt. Sylvanus Maxson Lieut T. Thomas Wells Jr Ensign} I. Co [1st company] 
Second Company [underlined] same as in 1778.
I further certify, that in May 1778. John Gavitt was elected Captain of 2nd Comp in Westerly [underlined] all which appears of Record. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said State of which I am keeper Henry Bowen [signature]
[bottom right of page] (over )

Page 41

I further certify that it appears that William
Allen was a captain in Olney's Regt (Continental)
up to Decem. 31, 1781.
Henry Bowen

Page 42

No [blank]
William Bassett
NY
Letter to Jus. Clark [sic] [Clarke] 18-Oct. 1845
to same Nov 29 '45
[bottom of note]
act 7 June 1832

Page 43

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation Washington County SS }
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of in & for the County of Washington aforesaid Henry Lewis: who being duly sworn says: that he is seventy six years old that he is a resident of the town of Hopkinton County of Washington & State aforesaid: where he resided during the Revolutionary [underlined] War [underlined] & have lived in the said town most of the time since, that he is the son of Mash Lewis who was a Revolutionary Soldier: that he has been personally acquainted with William Basset who was about sixteen or Seventeen years older than himself that said Basset lived in Hopkinton aforesaid during the Revolutionary War & believe that said Basset was drafted at the same time with his father that said Bassett was always known by reputation while in this town as a Revolutionary soldier. that was knowing to his removal some over forty years ago to the State of New York and I believe to the town of Plainfield Otsego County & State of New York that said Bassett always sustained an unimpeachable character as to truth & veracity & believe that any statement that said Bassett may make respect of his service would be correct 
Sworn & subscribed this 5th day of Feb 1846 
Nathan K Lewis Justice Peace
Before me I further certify that the above named Henry Lewis sustains a good character for truth & veracity

Page 44

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations 
Washington SS Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas February 9th AD 1846 I hereby Certify that Nathan K Lewis Esq is one of the Justice of the Peace for [crossed out]the County of [/crossed out] the Town of Hopkinton in the County and State aforesaid that he is duly Commissioned by the Governor of this State and otherwise Legally qualified to act as such and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the Seal of the Court the day and year above written
Matthew Maite Clk [Clerk] [signature underline]

Page 45

State of New York 
Madison County  }SS
James Wamsley being duly sworn says he is eighty years of age that he was born in Rhode Island and lived during the Revolutionary war in the town of Hopkinton County of Washington and State of Rhode Island That he was well aquainted [sic] with William Bassett who then resided in Hopkinton aforesaid but now resides in Plainfield County of Otsego and State of New York That he has been well aquainted [sic] with said Bassett since he has resided where he now does having moved into this neighborhood a short time before said Bassett That said Bassett is ninety two or three years of age being twelve years older than deponent. These facts he knows from the fact of them working together for the same man in Rhode Island during the time of the Revolution that said Bassett was twenty two or twenty three years of age in 1775 that he well recolects said Bassett was a soldier during the Revolution and called into actual service but the perticular periods he does not recolect that said Bassett has allways been regarded as a Revolutionary soldier in Hopkinton and in the place where he now resides that said Bassett is a man of the highest standing for truth & veracity and piety and hes allways been so regarded from his boyhood that this deponent was a soldier in one tour towards the close of the ^war [above line] but is not a pensioner
James Wamsley [signature]
Sworn and subscribed before me 
This 24th day of October 1845 
Wait Clarke Justice of the Peace 
I further certify that the above named James Wamsley sustains a good character for truth & veracity
Wait Clarke Justice of the Peace [signature underline]

Page 46

State of New York
Madison County 
Isaac Whittlesey being duly sworn says that he was eighty years of age on the 29th day of September last that he was born in Stonington State of Connecticut and lived there until about thirty years past when he moved into Brookfield County of Madison and State of New York where he now resides that he was born and lived until about thirty years past within one mile and a half from the residence of William Bassett who then resided in Hopkinton State of Rhode Island that he was intimately acquainted with said Bassett during the whole time of the Revolutionary War and labored with him for different persons that he distinctly recollects that said Bassett was after called into the service as a soldier and more perticularly in [illegible] expeditions but the length of time and the various times he was called into service he cannot recolect but he has no doubts as long as he has stated. This deponent was nearly ten years of age when war was declared and the said Bassett was about thirteen years older than deponent being nearly twenty three years of age in 1775 that he has allways be regarded as a soldier of the Revolution in Hopkinton that said Bassett moved from Hopkinton ten or twelve years before deponent moved from his neighborhood that said Bassett was a man of the highest standing in surety for truth verity and moral worth from his youth to the present day and a man of good information and retains his intellectual faculties to a remarkable degree that he does not know of any Revolutionary pensioner now living in the neighborhood where he and said Bassett formaly lived during the Revolution
Isaac Whittlesey
His mark X [signature]
Sworn and subscribed before me this 29th day of October 1845 Wait Clarke Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named deponent sustains a good character for truth and verasity and from a [illegible] attention
cannot write his name
Wait Clarke Justice of the Peace

Page 47

State of New York Madison County
Clerks office Morrisville Oct. 30, 1845
I certify that Wait Clarke Esq. the Justice of the Peace whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavits and certificate
was at the time the same bear date a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly elected and qualified and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and verily believe his signatures aforesaid are genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the said county this day and year above written

L.S. Bentley clerk