Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,895, Abner Wood, R. I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Wood, Abner
S 11,895
CONTENTS

20. 514 New York
Abner Wood
Madison in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Miles of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cook in the Arm. time for Full Term
R. S. Lines. Records corrected June 14/46.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Sep. 1833 and to the A. S. Sloan Monroeville
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 200 Semest. allowance ending 4 Mo. 34  110
$ 310
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. } To C. [Signature] Clerk,
Recorded by Book E Vol. 18 Page 39

State of New York } Madison County - } ss. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace of the town of Eaton in the said County, Abner Wood who being duly sworn de- poseth and saith that in the year 1777 he was drafted and served in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island four Months that his term of service, commenced in the Month of January 1777. And that he served four Months during the year 1777. as a substitute for his Brother, Reuben Wood, in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island. And that his service during the eight Months in the year 1777 consisted in guarding the shores at Little Compton and Newport and that he served the said eight Months under Capt. George Simmons and Lieutenant Stephen Pearce in Col. Pardon Gray's Regiment. That in the year 1778 he, this deponent was drafted and served four Months in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island. That during the same year 1778 he served four Months as a substitute for his Brother, Reuben Wood, in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island. And that during the year 1778. this de- ponent's father, Peleg Wood, was drafted in the Senior Class of the Rhode Island Militia, and that he, this deponent served as a substitute for his father two Months in that year, 1778. And that the ten Months service performed by this deponent, in the year 1778, was performed in guard- ing the shores opposite to  at Newport, and in the expedition of Genl. Sullivan on to the Island of Rhode Island. That the ten Months service was performed under Capt. George Simmons & Lieutenant Stephen Pearce & in Col. Pardon Gray's Reg- iment & while on the Island, in the Brigade Commanded by Genl. Ezekiel Cornell. And that in the year 1779. he, this deponent, served seven Months in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island under Capt. George Simmons & Lieut. Stephen Pearce & in Col. Pardon Gray's Regiment. a part of which seven Months he served for himself and a part of said time he served as a substitute for his Broth- er, Reuben Wood. Deponent served in the year 1779. up to the time the British left Rhode Island, which, he thinks,

was in the latter part of October in that year - The periods, which deponent served during the war, are as follows. viz - in the year 1775. three months " " 1776 four months " " 1777. eight months " " 1778 ten months " " 1779 seven months.
Making in the whole two years and eight months . And further this deponent saith not - Subscribed & sworn to this 28 th day of May 1833. before me -
Abner Wood.
Perly Munger Justice of the Peace
Madison County ss. I certify that I am well acquainted with Abner Wood, who has Subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit before me, and that he is a man of truth and veracity and that his statements are entitled to credit.
Perly Munger Justice of the Peace
State of New-York Madison County Clerk's Office } ss: I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Perly Munger before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to the above Certificate, was, at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and Certificate, to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 29 th day of May 1833 - A. S. Sloan Clks.

Declaration of Abner Wood in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. State of New-York
Madison County } ss: On this Eighthday of October 1832 personally ap- peared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison, being a Court of Record for the said County (made such by the laws of the State of New-York) Abner Wood , aged seventy four 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 7. 1832. - that he en- listed in the Month of June in the year 1775 in a volunteer Com- pany of Militia in the State of Rhode Island in the County of New-port & Town of Little Compton under the Command of Capt. James Pearce and served, during that year in said Volunteer Company more than three Months. - that he enlisted as a Minute Man, and that the said three Months Service during that year was actual service & performed at New-port in Rhode Island - that in the year 1775 in the Month of September he enlisted as a private into a Company of State troops raised by the State of Rhode Island which Company was commanded by Capt. Henry Wiles in a Regiment Commanded by Col. John Cook and that he served in said Company & Regiment for the term of three Months at New-port in said State. And that in the latter part of December 1775. he was drafted and served as a private in a company of Militia Commanded by Capt. George Simmons in a Regiment Commanded by Col. Pardon Gray One Month - And that during the years 1776, 1778 & 1779, he was drafted in each of said years in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island & served the greatest part of those years as a drafted Militia Man. That his principal service was in guarding the shores at New-port but was called off to protect other places in case of any emergency & when the British committed any depredation or outrage. and was taken on to the Island of Rhode Island under Gen. Sullivan. And that he served during those years under Capt. George Simmons, Lieutenant Stephen Pearce (whose affidavit accompanies this application) and Ensign Philip Scabury. And that part of the time he served during those last three years, he served in consequence of his being drafted, and a part of the time he served as a substitute for his Brother, Reuben Wood, who was drafted and he, the said declarant, served in his place.

And that his service in the whole considerably exceeds the term of two years - And that he has no documentary evidence whatever in his possession to substantiate his services - Except the affidavit of Stephen Pease his Lieutenant Declarant further states that he was born in the town of Little Compton, County of Newport & State of Rhode Island in the 1758 - that he lived at Little Compton at the time he entered the service as above stated, and that he now resides in the town of Eaton in the County of Madison above said - And that Brigade Gen. Ezekiel Cornell commanded the Brigade in which he served - And that the Black Regiment (so called) commanded by Col. Greene of the United States troops were on Rhode Island at the time he was called on to the Island - that Gen. La Fayette was with Gen. Sullivan in the expedition to Rhode Island & that Cols. Crary & Topham commanded two Regiments at the time the Troops were on the Island -
The applicant further states, in answer to the interrogatories put to him by the court, that he has no record of his age in his possession, but supposes there is at Little Compton in Rhode Island where he was born - that he has already stated where he resided at the time he was called into the service & that he continued to reside at Little Compton in Rhode Island where he was born until about the year 1870. And that he then removed to the town of Madison in the County of Madison & State of New York & resided there until about two years ago, when he removed to the town of Eaton in the County of Madison where he now lives - that the manner of his entering the service has already been stated - that he never received a written discharge from the service but was always discharged by parol - That he is known to Bennet Bicknell, Otis P. Granger, Eben Blakeman, Clark

Tillinghast Elder David Blakeslee and many others re- siding in his neighborhood, all of whom can testify as to his character for truth, veracity, and good behaviour and their opinion as to his services as a soldier of the Revolution - And I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state - Sworn to and subscribed this Abner Wood , eighth day of October 1832 - in open Court before me. A. S. Sloan Clk.
We, David Blakeslee, a Clergyman, residing in the town of Eaton in the County of Madison & State of New- York, and Eben Blakeman, residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abner Wood, who has subscribed and sworn to the above dec- laration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution; and that he is a man of truth and veracity, and his statements are entitled to full credit and belief - Sworn to and subscribed this David Blakeslee 8 th day of October 1832. before Ebenezer Blakeman me, in open Court - A. S. Sloan Clk.
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 David Blakeslee, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Eaton in the County of Madison & State of New York; and that Eben Blakeman, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Eaton and is a Credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit -
I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Abner Wood for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this ninth day of October 1832 -
A. S. Sloan Clk.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Abner Wood S.F. 11895-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1775- 3 mos. Pvt. James Pearce ✓ R.I.   Sept. 1776 3 mos. " Henry Wiles John Cook   Dec. 1776 1 mo. " George Simmons Pardon Gray   Jan'y 1777 8 mos. George Simmons Pardon Gray   * 1778 10 mos. George Simmons Pardon Gray   1779 7 mos. George Simmons Pardon Gray  
* 2 mos of this service has substituted for his father Peleg Wood.
Battles engaged in, 1 Residence of soldier at enlistment, Little Compton R.I. Date of application for pension, Oct 8 1832. The ch. was at Residence at date of application, Patson Madison Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, born at Little Compton, R.I. in 1758 Remarks: 1

State of New York } Oneida County } ss: Stephen Pearce of Paris in the County of Oneida, being duly sworn, deposeth and says that he is well acquainted with Abner Wood of Eaton in the County of Madison, and has been acquainted with him for the term of sixty five years past - That in the year 1775 this deponent and the said Wood resided in the town of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island - that the said Wood enlisted at Little Compton aforesaid in the Month of June in the year 1775, as a private in a volunteer Company of Militia in the Rhode Island line, Commanded by Captain James Pearce, and that the said Wood served three Months in said Company under said enlistment and was at the expiration of said three Months honorably discharged - that said three Months service was in the service of the Continent and in actual service - That in the Month of September in the year 1776 the said Abner Wood enlisted as a private in a Company of Rhode Island State troops Commanded by Captain Henry Wiles in Col. John Cook's Regiment for the term of three Months - that said Wood served three Months in said Company under said enlistment in the service of the United States - That in the latter part of December 1776 the said Wood was drafted as a private in a Company of Militia Commanded by Captain George Simmons in a Regiment Commanded by Col. Pardon Gray and served one month and was honorably discharged - that the said Wood served two years in the Militia of the State of Rhode Island (as this deponent believes) in the years 1776-1777-1778 & 1779 & this deponent further says that said Wood is a man of truth & that his statement is entitled to credit
Sworn & subscribed } This 27 Day of May 1833 } Before me
Stephen Pearce
Very Doolittle Justice of the peace

Oneida County ss - I certify that I am well acquainted with Stephen Pearce who has subscribed & sworn to the within affidavit & have known him for 34 years past - that he sustains a good moral character & is a man of truth & veracity & that his statements are entitled to full credit & belief
Uri Doolittle Justiced the Peace
Clerks Office Oneida County ss H. George Brown Clerk of said County do certify that Uri Doolittle Esq before whom the the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn to at the date of the same one the Justices of the peace in and for said County that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper handwriting & signature
Witness my hand & seal of office at Utica this 27 th day of May 1833
Geo Brown Clerk
W. J. Read D y Clerk

Archman
11895
INVALID.
File No. 11895
Ebner Wood Pioneer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 Page 415
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rehran
11895 INVALID.
File No. 11,895
Ebenezer Wood Pier River War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A Page 415
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Aug 28 96 Local pound to Miss Elma Wood, Evansville Ind.
Apr. 28/98 Miss H. W. Boyden Chicago, Ills.
Mar. 14, 1905 - King to Mrs. Stella K. Bolster Cincinnati N.Y.
1911 Apr. 11 Hest. to Fallie C. Winter V.L.H.
1912 Jan 17. Capt. AW Wood info. copies not furnished

W
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
The Record and Pension Office at Washington has referred me to you for further information in regard to Abner Wood's service in the Revolutionary War .
He was born in Little Compton, R. I. in 1758, died in Morrisville, N. York 1838.
We have always believed that he served the full seven years of the war in Rhode Island and that he did not give up his residence there until 1810. He drew a pension .
There is no record of his name

Cincinnatus, N.Y. Cortland Co.
Feb. 20. 1904.
Bureau of Pensions. Washington, D. C.
Desirous of joining the D. A. R. or Daughters of the Revolution I am trying to find about my ancestors - First. Captain Atner Root He came from Stafford, Conn. was buried at White- Stone Allega Co. N.Y.
Ezra Rockwell who was granted lot: 78 in town of Taylor, N.Y. He came from Lenox, Mass. located on Lot 78 in 1793- Mitchell Knighman I only know he served in the Revolutionary War-

Please send information to Mrs. Stella Kingman Bolster Cincinnati Cortland Co. New York.

1827 S St., N.W., Washington, D.C., Jan 15, 1912.
Chief of Bureau of Pensions, Dept. of Interior, Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
I am informed that about 1832 or 1833 my great grand- father Abner Wood, a resident at that time of either Madison Co., or Oneida Co., New York, applied for and was granted a pen- sion, by the United States Govern- ment.-
I am desirous of obtaining a copy of all the papers in con- nection with the service of Abner Wood during the War of the Rev- olution, including his applica- tion for pension etc.
Will you kindly have inclo-

cated to me the proper method to be pursued in obtaining a copy of those records in the case that are on file in your Bureau?
If possible, I should like to obtain a photograph of the old gentleman's original application.
This is for a family record.
Very respectfully
A. W. Wood,
Captain, U. S. Navy.

Madison, Ind. April 4th. 1911.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.:-
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly inform whether you have on your rolls, the name of one Abner Wood, who fought in the war of the Revolution. He was the son of Phebe Wood, & served in what was termed the Connecticut-Troops commanded by Captain George Simmons & Colonel Pardon Grey.
Very Respectfully yours,
Fallie C. Winter.
"Winterwold", R. R. 5. ⑤
Noa

111895-
APR 6- 1911

DIAMOND ISLAND SORGHUM. DIAMOND ISLAND TOMATOES DIAMOND ISLAND CORN DIAMOND ISLAND TOBACCO.
DIAMOND EYE CIGARS. SAMOA ISLAND COFFEE GRINNELL CLUB CIGARS.
BEMENT & SEITZ COMPANY,
SUCCESSORS TO Bement & Seitz
WHOLESALE GROCERS.
CORRESPONDENCE LEWIS SEITZ
G. W. BEMENT, SR., PRESIDENT. JNO. GILBERT, VICE-PRESIDENT. LEWIS SEITZ, SEC'Y AND TREAS.
EVANSVILLE, IND.
Aug. 24 1896
Pension Officer,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Enclosed find stamp for reply. Will you please be kind enough to advise me what record you have of one Abner Wood, a private in the Revolutionary War , and say where and under whom he served? Abner Wood was born in Little Compton R.I., but moved to Madison New York and later to Morrisville N.Y.; so it is probable he was enrolled in one or the other of these states.
If it is not convenient for you to furnish this data, please say whom to address, and very much oblige
Yours truly,
(Miss) Elma Wood.
#119 Washington Av.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abner Wood  Mc a cus in 6 th NY Inf which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No
Applicant required to furnish the date & length of each term of military service rendered by him, with the names of his officers
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ——— year ——— months, and ——— days, I served as a ——— For ——— months and ——— days, I served as a ———; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

SW. War. January 17, 1912.
Captain A. n * Wood, U. S. A. # 1827 S Street, N. W. Washington, D. C.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 15" and received the 16" instant, you are advised that owing to lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, this Bureau is unable to furnish full copies of papers in Revolutionary War pension claims, but any one designated by you may examine and copy the papers in the claim of Abner Wood, Sur. File No. 11,895, Revolutionary War.
Permission to photograph such papers is only obtained by personal application to the Commissioner of Pensions.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Wood, Abraham GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8870 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 11, 1789
To Jonathan Dayton, assignee
*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.