Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11802, Ebenezer Witter, Conn. Mass. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
born Mass. Sea Service
Witter, Ebenezer
S. 11802
carded
CONTENTS

Ebenezer Witter of Cayuga in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Whitney of the Reg. commanded by Col. Smith in the Cont. time for 3 Years
Conns. Mass. ★ Records completed June 12/05. h
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July 1832 and Ruth A. Gouge Subm
Arrears to the 4th of Ma'32 $ 160 Fem-ant. allowance ending 1832 40 $200
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk. Book E Vol. 3. Page 38.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }

11760 Ebenezer Witter
Obj. 5
P. 351.
X 48 12 3
adm d 24 mofre 80 $
A. Gault Auburn

BRIEF in the case of  Ebenezer Witten  6' of Coayuga  in the State of  North  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years -  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     March In 1778 1 Private Gen. Col. Whitney Col. Smith   June - 07/6 - 6 " Col. Witten Col. Selwyn   July - 1780 Ships Decency Seaman Col. Brown   Summer 1779 - 4 " Col. Witten Col. Leayard   2 or 3 mo "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Preston Co. F.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Coates Examining Clerk.

Ebenezer Witte
11760
Agent A Gould Auburn NY
100
14.

State of New York Cayuga County } ss
Simeon Herrick of Mentz in said County being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with Ebenezer Witter of Scipio in said County and was well acquainted with him in the time of the Revolutionary war - that said Witter enlisted at the town of Preston in the County of New London & State of Connecticut in the company of Captain Ebenezer Witter his father in the month of May 1776 for a term of seven months as he believes that he was a soldier in said company during said term - that said company belonged to the Regiment of Col Selden and joined the Continental army at New York - and continued with said army until the expiration of said term of seven months - that he saw said Witter frequently whilst in said service
Sworn & subscribed the 15 th day of September AD 1832
J. L. Richardson first Judge of Cayuga
Simeon Herrick
I certify that the said Simeon Herrick in my opinion is a man of truth and veracity -
J. L. Richardson first Judge of Cayuga

State of New York Cayuga County } ss
I Michael S Myers Clerk of said County do certify that Joseph L Richardson before whom the within affidavit was made was on the day of the date thereof first judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County - that I am well acquain- ted with the handwriting of the said judge & believe his signature to the said affidavit to be genuine - Witness my hand and the seal of said Court & County this 24 th day of September AD 1832
M. S. Myers

State of New York
Cayuga County } ss on this 24 th day of September 1832 before the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County personally appear Henry Hewett & David Fish of Venice in said County who being duly sworn say that that they are well acquainted with Ebenezer Witter of Scipio in said County and were well acquainted with him in the time of the Rev- olutionary war - that they were each in the service of the United States with said Witter in the company commanded by Captain William Whitney for a term of one year - that said service commenced in the month of March 1778 and ended in the month of March following - that said company was first stationed at New London when it remained un- til the time of Gen Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island when it joined a militia Regiment com- =manded by Col Oliver Smith and marched to Providence from thence to the Island of New Port and from thence said company returned to fort Griswold where it was stationed and continued to serve until the expiration of said term of one year - that said Ebenezer Witter served during during the whole of said term of one year and was honorably dis- =charged at the close thereof
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Isahel Fitch judge
David Fish Henry Hewett
And the said Court are of the opinion that the character of the said Henry Hewett and David Fish for truth & veracity is good Isahel Fitch judge

State of New-York
Cayuga COUNTY, ss. On this 24 th day of September A. D. 1832
personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga and state of New-York, now sitting, Ebenezer Witter a resident of Scipio in the County of Cayuga and State of New-York, aged 71 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 act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832: - That he entered the service under the following named officers, and served as herein stated; -
That in the month of March A.D. 1778 then being a resident of the town of Preston in the County of New London in the State of Connecticut he enlisted into a company of Connecticut State troops commanded by Captain William Whitney , Lieutenant Nehemiah Smith & Ensign George Gallup for a term of one year , that he marched with said company to New London where he was stationed until the time of Gen Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island when said company joined a regiment of militia commanded by Col Oliver Smith and marched to Providence , from thence to the Island of New Port , and was there at the time of the battle. from thence said company marched to Fort Griswold where it was stationed until the expiration of said term of one year when he was discharged and returned home. He further says that in the month of June A.D. 1776. at the town of Preston aforesaid he enlisted into the company of Connecticut State troops for a term of six months in the company commanded by Captain Ebenezer Witter & Lieut. Smith in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Selden & Lieut. Col Scituate and Major Watman & left, that he marched with said company to New York City and joined the american army under Gen Washington where he remained until New York was evacuated, when he retreated with said army to Kings Bridge and from thence to the White Plains and was on the heights north of the White Plains when the battle took place that he continued with said army until the expiration of said term of six months when he was discharged. that he served as waiter to Capt Ebenezer Witter who was his father during said term - He further says that in the February of the year 1780 he shipped at New London on board the vessel called the Discovery , mounting twenty two guns & commanded by Capt Francis Boorn , that he soon after sailed in said vessel to the west Indies where said vessel cruised for some time and then sailed for the coast of France
that whilst near the coast of France in the month of October said vessel & crew had a severe battle with two English vessels which lasted for twelve hours & did not close until after dark, that day when the enemy withdrew that during said action the said vessel grounded and was abandoned by the crew who went into a French port called Bordeaux at which place he entered the French naval service where he continued until the close of the Revolutionary war when he returned home

he further says that in the summer of the year 1779 as he believes he again entered said service, and marched to New London where he was stationed a term of four months. That he does not remember the name of any other officer but Lieut Story - and does not recollect the precise time when he entered the service but well remembers that his term of service was four months. He further says that in the winter following as he believes he again entered said service in the company of militia commanded by Captain Ebenezer Witter his father. that he marched with said company to fort Griswold where he was stationed & continued to serve a term of two or three months under the command of Col William Sedyard. that he never received a written discharge from said service, and has no other proof documentary or otherwise than the accompanying - that whilst in said service he saw Gen Sullivan, La Fayette & others.
He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state or territory sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Isabel Titah Witter
Eleazer Witter

We, Samuel M Plumb a clergyman residing in Fleming in Cayuga County and Zadock Bateman residing in Venice hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Witter who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration; that we believe him to be 70 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
Asahel Fitch judge Samuel M. Plumb Zadock Bateman
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 Samuel M Plumb who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Fleming and Zadock Bateman who has also signed the same, is a resident in Venice and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Asahel Fitch judge
I, Michael S Myers Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga and State of New-York, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Witter for a pension.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name the 24 th day of September A D 1832
M. S. Myers

June 1, 1938.
F. C. Paine Pavilion New York.
BA-J/ILL Ebenezer Witter S. 11802
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Ebenezer Witter who was born October 19, 1761, in Preston, Connecticut.
The Revolutionary War record of Ebenezer Witter is given herein as found in pension claim, S. 11802, based upon his service in that war.
Ebenezer Witter lived at the home of his father, Ebenezer Witter, in Preston, New London, Connecticut, at the time of the Revolutionary War; the name of his mother, age of his father, and the date and place of his own birth are not shown.
Ebenezer Witter enlisted in June 1776 and served six months as waiter to his father, Captain Ebenezer Witter, in Colonel Seldon's Connecticut regiment, during which he marched to New York, was in the retreat to King's Bridge and was near White Plains during the battle there; he enlisted in March 1778, served one year as private in Captain William Whitney's company, Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut regiment, during which service he was in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island and engaged in the battle at Newport. He enlisted in the spring of 1779, served as private in Captains Boseman's and Ebenezer Witter's (his father's) companies under Colonel William Ledyard, a part of the time at Fort Griswold, length of service nine months. He entered the service again in February 1780, as gunner on board the Massachusetts ship, "Discovery", Captain Francis Brown, and in October following, near the coast of France, was in a severe battle with two British vessels, length of this service eight months; at the expiration of that service, at Bordeaux, France, he entered the French naval service, no officers or ships named, and continued until the close of the Revolutionary War, when he returned home.
Ebenezer Witter was allowed pension on his application executed

September 24, 1832, at which time he resided in Scipio, Cayuga County, New York. The soldier was aged then seventy-one years. He made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:
Ebenezer Witter Certificate #14966 Issued July 26, 1833, Rate $80 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Oct. 22, 1962
Dr. Mason, Med. Assn 1926 June 28 - Hist. to Hon. E. H. Hart Faxon for Miss Mary Francis - 1927 Nov. 22 Hist. to Rev. W. E. Miller - MMV F 1937 - Mar. 15 - Hist. to Mrs. George MacDonald - See letter in - John Woods - Rev. W. 16368 - 1938 1938 - June 1 - Hist. to F. C. Paine - S.H.
Rev. Wm
11.802 INVALID.
File No. 11.802
Ebenezer Witter Bri. Rev. Wm.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: - Vol. 2 , Page 411
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York Cayuga County
ss Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said County Ebenezer Witter who being duly sworn says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to his best recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grade For two years and five months I served as a private soldier - and for eight months I served as gunner on board of the ship Discovery and for such service I claim a pension All that I can say respecting the Discovery is that whilst I sailed on board of her - she was a ship of war mounting twenty two guns, and was engaged all the time in war with the English. In my accompanying declaration I have mentioned one term of service (four months) performed during the year 1779. Since making said declaration I have consulted with one who was a soldier with me in that service and I am now satisfied that said service commenced in the Spring of 1779 and continued a term of nine months. I enlisted for said term of nine months into the company of Connecticut State Troops com= manded by Capt Boseman as I believe and Lieut Story. I marched to fort Griswold where I was stationed during said term and was employed in keeping Garrison. Whilst stationed there I marched once to Rhode Island and soon marched back to said fort.
Ebenezer Witter
Sworn & Subscribed the 3 d day of May A.D 1833 before me John Green
Justice of the Peace
I certify my opinion that said Ebenezer Witter is a man of truth and veracity May 3 d 1833 John Green
Justice

State of New York Cayuga County
ss I Michael S Myers Clerk of said county do certify that John Grover before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was on the day of the date of the same a justice of the peace in & for said County - that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said justice and believe his signature to said affidavit and the accompanying certificate to be genuine - Witness my hand and seal of office the 3 d day of May 1833
W. S. Myers Clerk

State of New York
Cayuga County } ss Samuel Branch of Genoa in the said County being duly sworn says, that he is well ac- quainted with Ebenezer Witter of Scipio in said County and was well acquainted with him in the time of the Revolutionary war. that at that time they both resided in the County of New London in the town of Preston and State of Connecticut. that in the winter of 1779 the said Witter left home and he was informed that he had shipped on board of the vessel called the Discovery and gone to sea. that said Witter was absent about three years before he returned home. that he understood that he continued on board of the said ship for some months when an action took place between her crew and two British Vessels. which lasted a number of hours and that during said action the said ship grounded, and was abandoned by said crew who went into a French Port. and that the said Witter then entered the French ser- vice and continued until the close of the war
Sworn & subscribed the 18 th day of September A.D. 1832
John Groves Justice of the Peace
I certify that the said Samuel Branch is a man of truth and veracity. John Groves Justice

State of New York } Cayuga County } ss
I Michael S Myers Clerk of said County do certify that John Grover before whom the within affidavit was made was on the day of the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for said County - that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said justice and believe his signature to the said affi- davit to be genuine Witness my hand and the seal of said County at 15 th day of October A D 1832.
M. S. Myers
With

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
United States Dept of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.

Pavilion N.Y. May 14 '38
Dept. of Int. Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, would you kindly send me record of Revolution- ary service of Ebenezer Witter of Preston Conn. born Oct 19 1761 married Zeruah or Zeruah. Spalding died March 1 1838 He was given a Rev. war claim of land in Scipio Cayuga Co N.Y. in 1832 I believe,
I am very anxious to get his complete record as soon as possible
Yours Truly
F.C. Paine Pavilion N.Y.

SIXTY-NINTH CONGRESS
E. HART FENN, CONN., CHAIRMAN CLARENCE J. MCLEOD, MICH. JOHN E. RANKIN, MISS. ROBERT L. BACON, N. Y. ARTHUR H. GREENWOOD, IND. HAYS B. WHITE, KANS. GEORGE C. PEERY, VA. LLOYD THURSTON, IOWA RALPH F. LOZIER, MO. WILLIAM R. JOHNSON, ILL. MEYER JACOBSTEIN, N. Y. FREDERICK W. MAGRADY, PA. VIRGIL CHAPMAN, KY. HENRY L. BOWLES, MASS. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD, GA. FLORENCE P. KAHN, CALIF. EDWARD VOIGT, WIS.
J. ROBERT CONROY, CLERK
COMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D. C.
June 23, 1926.
She also gave the file records of these claims. Her letter returned to Hon. E.H.F.
Hon: Winfield Scott,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Mr. Scott:-
I enclose herewith letter from Miss Mary Francis of Hartford, Connecticut, asking for the Revolutionary War pension records of Ebenezer and Jonah Witter. If it is possible to supply these records for Miss Francis will you please do so, sending the letter to me so that I may forward it to her.
Thanking you for your attention to this request, I am,
Very truly yours,
EHF/G. Enc. 1.
E Hart Fenn

Pension Department, United States Government, Washington, District of Columbia.
Dear Sirs:-
I am writing you at the request of the D.A.R. who are very desirous to have my daughter Marjorie Elizabeth Perry-McClelland a member of the D.A.R.
They will greatly appreciate your kindness in confirmation of the fact published in the William Clitus Witter's Genealogy that " Ebenezer Witter, the son of Joseph Witter (1696-1791) who was born September 11-1732" was Captain of a Company in the Revolution, from Preston, Conn. "
We would like to secure the death date of this Ebenezer Witter and anything more that you may have regarding his service. The name of his Company and Regiment whatever you may be pleased to contribute.
The Hon. William Clitus Witter in his Genealogy, and which is published and is in the Boston Genealogical Library is my authority for the above quotation concerning our ancestor.
I see the D.A.R. request Volume and Page to the Documentary or other authorities for Military Record.
Yours Very respectfully,
Rev.W.E.Witter(D.D.)
Signed Nov. 19/1927 24 Kingsley Rd. Rochester, N.Y.

Honorable Winfield Scott, Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.
24 Kingsley Road, Rochester N. Y. December, 19, 1928.
Sir:
In reply to your esteemed favor of Nov. 22, 1927 (Rev. & 1812 Wars Section) I wish to express the profound thanks of myself, an old codger in his seventy-fifth year who spent years among wild beasts and wilder men in the Assam range of the Himalayan mountains where, if a hunter, you would revel in getting big game, and also the thanks of my daughter now wife of Major the Rev. Stewart W. McClelland, Monroe Mich.
Little did I think when there that eventually I would be writing to the Pension Bureau at Washington to such a gentleman as you or be under such obligations to you and your helpers, or that I would have a daughter who would be in the direct line so far as ancestry is concerned of Captain Ebenezer Witter and his son Ebenezer, the private and gunner who preceded her so many years ago in and around Bordeaux France during the War of the Revolution, where she was destined to live and labor with her husband, James Perry in meeting our soldier boys of the World War, as their ships entered the harbor and conduct them to the foyers that were in their charge in and around that same City. This is certainly a strange and ever thrilling world and especially for those who venture into the heats of warfare.
Dear James was later murdered in Turkey while on a tour among the many foyers he established in that country immediately after the close of the World War through which they had passed during almost from its opening to the last.
I can not be thankful enough or express my thanks as I would like to do to you and your helpers in giving so kindly the attention you did in helping me to know exactly what I was desiring about the two of a long line of Ebenezer Witters of which my father was one.
Respectfully and gratefully,
W. E. Witter.

M.H.F.
June 28, 1926
Honorable E. Hart Fenn House of Representatives
My dear Mr. Fenn:
In response to your letter of the 23rd instant, with the enclosed letter of Miss Mary Francis of 101 Elm Street, Hartford, Connecticut, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 11802 it appears that Ebenezer Witter, son of Ebenezer, while a resident of Preston, New London County, Connecticut enlisted in June 1776 and served six months as waiter to his father Captain Ebenezer Witter in Colonel Seldon's Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted in March 1778, served one year as a private in Captain William Whitney's Company, Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut Regiment, was in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island and engaged in the battle at Newport.
He enlisted in the spring of 1779, served nine months as private in Captains Boseman's and Ebenezer Witter's (his father) Companies under Colonel William Ledyard at Fort Griswold.
He again entered the service in February 1780 as gunner

on board the Massachusetts ship of war, " Discovery ", Captain Francis Brown, and in October following, near the coast of France was in a severe battle with two English vessels, length of this service eight months, at the end of which service, at Bordeaux, France he entered the French naval service, no officers or ships named, in which he continued to the close of the Revolution and then returned home.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832 while a resident of Scipio, Cayuga County, New York aged seventy-one years, date of birth not stated.
There is no data on file as to his family except the reference to his father.
.....Very.....
Also, from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17793 it appears that Jonah Witter, son of Nathan Witter and his wife Kezia, was born April 20, 1759 in Pomfret (that part which was later Brooklyn), Windham County, Connecticut.
While a resident of Pomfret, Connecticut he enlisted in December 1776 and served three months as private in

Captain William Smith's Company, Colonel John Douglas' Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted in May 1777, served eight months as a private in Captain James Smith's Company, Colonel John Ely's Connecticut Regiment and was in General Spencer's Rhode Island Expedition.
In 1786 he moved to Preston, New London County, Con- necticut where he was allowed pension on his application executed November 19, 1833.
He was at one time a member of the Connecticut State Legislature.
There is no data on file as to his family except the reference to his parents.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
1 enclosure

November 22, 1927
Rev. W. E. Witter 24 Kingsley Road Rochester, N. Y.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 11802 it appears that Ebenezer Witter, son of Ebenezer, while a resident of Preston, New London County, Connecticut enlisted in June 1776 and served six months as waiter to his father Captain Ebenezer Witter in Colonel Seldon's Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted in March 1778, served one year as a private in Captain William Whitney's Company, Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut Regiment, was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition and engaged in the battle at Newport.
He enlisted in the spring of 1779, served nine months as private in Captains Boseman's and Ebenezer Witter's (his father) Companies under Colonel William Ledyard at Fort Griswold.
He again entered the service in February 1780 as gunner on board the Massachusetts ship of war, "Discovery", Captain

Francis Brown, and in October following, near the coast of France was in a severe battle with two English vessels, length of this service eight months, at the end of which service, at Bordeaux, France, he entered the French naval service, no officers or ships named, in which he continued to the close of the Revolution and then returned home.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832 while a resident of Scipio, Cayuga County, New York, aged seventy-one years. Date of birth not given.
There are no further data on file as to his family, than the reference to his father.
This Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records fails to show a claim for such, on account of the services of the above named Captain Ebenezer Witter.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

March 15, 1937.
Mrs. George MacDonald 7931 St. Lawrence Avenue Chicago, Illinois.
BA-J/ILL Ebenezer Witter S. 11802 John Woods W. 18368
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to your Revolutionary War ancestors, listed as follow:-John Adams who was born in 1744 and died in 1811, Asahel Allen who was born in 1742 and died in 1825, Pratt Allen, William Kendall of Springfield, Massachusetts, Captain Ezra Kinne of Preston, Connecticut, John Milroy of New York State, Asa Witter who was born in 1744 and died in 1792, Ebenezer Witter of Preston, Connecticut, who served on the Lexington Alarm, Caleb Williamson of Canterbury, Connecticut, and John Woods who was born in 1750, married Abigail Ely and died in Windsor, Vermont, in 1810.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the John Adams, Asahel Allen or William Kendall described by you, nor of any Pratt Allen, Ezra Kinne, John Milroy, Caleb Williamson or Asa Witter. The records of Ebenezer Witter and John Woods are furnished you herewith as found in pension claims based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
EBENEZER WITTER-S. 11802.
Ebenezer Witter lived at the time of the Revolutionary War at home with his father, Ebenezer Witter, in Preston, New London County, Connecticut; the name of his mother, age of his father, and date and place of his own birth were not given.
Ebenezer Witter enlisted in June 1776 and served six months as waiter to his father, Captain Ebenezer Witter, in Colonel Seldon's Connecticut regiment, during which he marched to New York, was in the retreat to King's Bridge and near White Plains during the battle there; he enlisted in March 1778, served one year as private in Captain William Whitney's company, Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut regiment, during

which service he was in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island and engaged in the battle at Newport. He enlisted in the spring of 1779, served as private in Captains Boseman's and Ebenezer Witter's (his father's) companies under Colonel William Ledyard, a part of the time at Fort Griswold, length of service nine months. He entered the service again in February 1780, as gunner on board the Massachusetts ship of war, "Discovery", Captain Francis Brown, and in October following, near the coast of France, was in a severe battle with two British vessels, length of this service eight months; at the expiration of that service, at Bordeaux, France, he entered the French naval service, no officers or ships named, and continued until the close of the Revolution, when he returned home.
Ebenezer Witter was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he resided in Scipio, Cayuga County, New York; the soldier was aged then seventy-one years. (The date of his birth was not given.) He made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following: Ebenezer Witter, certificate #14966, issued July 26, 1833, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
JOHN WOODS-W. 18368
John Woods, son of Ebenezer Woods, was born in Pepperell, Massachusetts; the day of his birth and name of his mother were not given. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he lived with his father in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
John Woods and his father, Ebenezer Woods, entered service at the beginning of the war, the former as private and the latter as Lieutenant in Captain James Burt's company, Colonel Asa Whitcomb's Massachusetts

regiment, were in the battle of Bunker Hill and continued in service eight months, re-enlisted for one year, during which said John Woods served as private in Captain Sanger's Massachusetts company, specific service of Ebenezer Woods not given. In April 1777, Ebenezer Woods moved with his family to Windsor, Vermont, and in the summer, was appointed Captain of a company of militia, in which company John Woods served from August until December as private, against Burgoyne's Army. John Woods served on different tours in 1780 as sergeant in Captain Jesse Safford's company, and as private in Captains Daniel Smith's and S. Savage's Vermont companies; in 1781, he served as sergeant in Captain Savage's company, also as sergeant in Lieutenant Beriah Green's Vermont rangers, and in the fall of 1781, in Captain Underhill's Vermont company. His entire service amounted to almost one year as private, and ten and one half months as sergeant.
The soldier married about October 10, 1781, in Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont, Abigail Ely, also of Windsor. They lived in Windsor, Vermont, until his death, on October 21, 1810; he died at the home of his brother, Daniel Woods, also of Windsor.
Abigail Woods, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed July 25, 1840, at which time she resided in Barnet, Caledonia County, Vermont. She was then aged seventy-seven years; the date of her birth and the names of her parents were not given.
The children of John Woods and his wife, Abigail, were recorded as follows:
   Abigail  Woods  born  April  6,  1782,  died  June  24,  1808.    John  "  "  May  5,  1783.        Solomon  "  "  August  27,  1784,  died  Aug.  30,  1808    Lucy  "  "  August  12,  1786.        Ebenezer  "  "  November  23,  1787.        Sampson  "  "  October  18,  1789.        Betsey  "  "  June  7,  1791,  died  Sept.  11,  1791.    Frank  "  "  August  10,  1792.        Elgy  "  "  May  27,  1794.        Leonard  "  "  March  13,  1795.        Fanny  "  "  February  22,  1798.        Sophia  "  "  September  27,  1800.        Riley  "  "  November  11,  1802.       
The son Solomon, listed above, died in Sherburne New York; Abigail, listed above, died in Windsor, Vermont.

In 1846, Sampson Woods, the son, resided in Barnet, Caledonia County, Vermont.
In 1842, Lucy Smith, sister of John Woods, the soldier, was a resident of Windsor, Vermont, aged seventy-five years; the name of her husband was not given. In 1841, Daniel Woods, the soldier's brother, was aged seventy-seven years and resided in Windsor, Vermont.
In 1845, Abishai Ely was a resident of Windsor, Vermont, aged seventy-four years; no relationship between him and Abigail Woods, the widow, was stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person apdi, and, possibly, the date of death of soldier's widow, Abigail Woods, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Abigail Woods, widow of John Woods, Certificate #4370 Issued June 19, 1846 Rate $91.50 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831. Act of July 4, 1836. Vermont Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.