Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11823, Asaph Woodruff, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Woodruff, Asaph Ruth
R. 11823
CONTENTS
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9786 Nathan Woodruff asaph Mass ts Act'y to July 38
11823

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss. } On this first day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred forty three, personally appeared before the Hon. Wm. V. Walker Judge of the Court of Probate in & for said County, now sitting, Ruth Woodruff a resident of West Stockbridge in said County of Berkshire aged Seventy six years who being first duly sworn, according to law, on her Oath makes the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows". — That She is the Widow of Asaph Woodruff late of said West Stockbridge, deceased, who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. She cannot state the particulars of his services, of her own knowledge but refers to the accompanying proofs as also for evidence of her marriage to him & of his death. — She further declares that She was married to the said Asaph on the third day of April Seventeen hundred & eighty nine by Wm. B. Whiting Esq., at his House in Canaan, New York. — That her said Husband the aforesaid Asaph died at S d . W t . Stockbridge on the sixth day of February Eighteen hundred & thirty two. — That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four viz, at the time aforesaid. She further declares that she has not intermarried since the decease of the

of the said Asaph but still continues his Violence.
her Ruth Woodruff
S. Aug. 1. 1843.
subscribed and sworn to by the said Ruth Woodruff on the day and year first aforesaid - Before me, William P. Walker Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire county. ss. I Henry W. Bishop Regis- ter of the Court of Probate within & for said County, do hereby certify that the Hon. William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commis- sioned and qualified. That the foregoing con- tain the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of said Ruth Woodruff for a petition. That the foregoing signature purporting to be the signature of the Hon. William P. Walker is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this fourth day of October A D 1843
Henry W. Bishop Reg d Prob.

Ruth No. 100

I Amos Woodruff of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachussetts, aged Eighty years, do testify and say that I am now a pauper in the United States on account of services rendered in the Revolutionary War and that I was the Brother of Asaph Woodruff late of West Stockbridge, deceased, who was also a Soldier in the War of the Revolution & died in West Stockbridge in the Month of January or February 1832, & I attended his funeral, at the time, I cannot state — The said Asaph was some eight or nine years older than myself, He enlisted, as I well recollect, in the Spring of 1776, in a Company then commanded by one Capt. Stockard, as I think, Massachussetts line & marched to the North, & was absent until Sept. or Octo. following when he returned home sick, on furlough, & remain'd till about the expiration of his furlough, which I think he said was sixty days, & then returned to the North, I think to Ticonderoga for the purpose of joining his Company, — & there remained as I heard him state on his return home until the Company was marched to New Jersey, & he went with him & his Company & there on in that vicinity served out the time of his enlistment, which was one year. In the 1777, he went as a Soldier, & was out at the time Burgoyne was taken, but I do not know in whose Company nor how long he served

One Bacon of Sheffield Mass. was an officer in the same Reg't, to which Capt. Stoddard's Company belonged.
The said Asaph was also out on two or three different occasions to find Sarah's bones, but was almost burnt a few days at a time. — I am well acquainted with his Widow Ruth Woodruff now of 2 d West Stockbridge & knew her before her marriage. — her name was Ruth Stone.
They went to Canada New York & were married. — I recollect the fact, but not the exact time. I know however that it took place before the year 1890. — They lived together as man & wife till his death. — She has not married since his decease, but still continues his Widow.
At the time of Asaph's enlistment first above stated, I had not entered the army so did not enter the service until 1861. — Amos Woodruff
Berkshire ss. July 21 st 1843. Then the above named Amos Woodruff made oath to the truth of the above descriptions by him described, before me. And I certify that I know the said Amos by reputation, to be a man of truth & veracity & a credible Witness. Groom Jr. Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I Charles Sedgwick, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Berkshire, do certify, that George J. Tucker Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said George J. Tucker & that and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas , for said Commonwealth, this Twenty fifth day of July — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three .
Charles Sedgwick Clerk.

Amos Woodruff's Dufio.

State of New York Columbia County ss
on this 15 th day of July in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before me John C Clarke a Justice of the Peace in and for said County John Whiting a resident in the town of Canaan in the sd County and being first duly sworn doth depose and say he is 79 years of age and also says that William B Whiting now dead was his father and was a magistrate in office during the year 1789 in the sd town of Canaan in the sd County and was often called on to Solemnize marriages at his house in the above sd Canaan and he says he lived with his father at that time and recollects that Col Isaiah Tifany a man which soon after this time became his brother in law came with a couple to his fathers house to be married which was Mr Asaph Woodruff and Ruth Stone who his father Solemnized marriage for on or about the third day of April in the the year 1789 Col Isaiah Tifany and his intended wife and she being my the said John Whittings sister and was his wife at this Ceremony and are now both dead, they being present on this occasion firmly confirms his recollection of his witnessing the Ceremony of their marriage and he verily knows the fact and he further states the fact that he knows his father did keep at that a record of his marriage Ceremonys and also states the fact that his fathers records are all destroyed
Subscribed and sworn before
John Whiting
Me at Canaan in sd County on the 15 th day
of April July 1843 - Col. J. C. Clarke Justice of the Peace.
I - John C. Clarke am personally acquainted with John Whiting the above deponent and know him to be a credible witness - John C. Clarke Justice
Canaan July 15 th 1843 -

State of New York Columbia County
s.s. I, Ichvakim A. Van Valkenburgh Clerk of the County of Columbia, do hereby Certify that John C. Clark is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Commissioned & sworn, and duly authorized to take proofs or acknowledgements in and for said County of Columbia - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 15 th day of September 1843. J. A. Van Valkenburgh Clerk

Elgin Ill Jan y 13 1898
Hon S M Kelley Ass. Com. of Pensions
Dr Sir I suppose public officers are public servants. & I write you in regard to some war & pension matter. My daughter wishes to join the daughters of the Revolution & it is necessary to get the record of my grandfather's service in that war. I wrote to the secretary of state of Massachusetts for it. He only sent me account of his enlistment July 17 1777 & discharged July 27 1777. I wrote to my uncle, my father's youngest brother, Asaph Woodruff about it. He wrote me that his father enlisted in fall of 1775 in Col. Williams regiment in Arnold's brigade. Marched through the wilderness to Quebec & was at the siege of that place which ended Dec 31, 1775. The regiment was from Mass. He served till the close of the war. He writes me that he filed pension papers in 1858. 590.60 from Massachusetts in the pension office & that the officers wanted so many things & made

so many excuses & wanted so much done that he dropped it. He thinks if he had those papers he could give more information about it. is sorry he did not have the papers returned to him.
Now what I want to know whether the papers are yet in the pension office or not & if they are if they are where they can be got hold of & would be returned to my uncle if he should apply for them.
My Grandfathers name was Asaph Woodruff My uncles name is Gilbert Woodruff.
My fathers name was Henry Woodruff was in war of 1812. If you can give me any information about these matters it will be greatly appreciated
Yours Truly
Cyrus H. Woodruff

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
BERKSHIRE SS.
I, Henry W. Taft Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that H. J. Dunham & J. E. Field Esquires whose signatures are affixed to the certificates on the papers hereto annexed, were  severally the dates thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth
and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to their several  his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Dunham & Field and believe this their signatures to said certificates is genuine are severally genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this tenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine
Henry W. Taft CLERK.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Berkshire Co. Be it known that on this tenth day of November A.D. 1859 personally appeared before the Superior Court of said Commonwealth now in session at Lenox in said County Gillam Woodruff of Great Barrington in said County of Berkshire aged Forty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law made the the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress granting pension to widows & children of revolutionary soldiers & to obtain the amount to which his mother would have been entitled at the time of her death. That he is a son of Asaph Woodruff & Ruth Woodruff. That the other children living of said Asaph & Ruth are Frederick Woodruff of Poughkeepsie New York - Elbridge Woodruff of West Stockbridge Massachusetts - That said Asaph Woodruff was a Private in the Revolutionary War - That he enlisted from

the Town of Stockbridge in the year 1776. in the company comman- =ded by Capt Stockard as the Affiant believes. That he served for a time under Capt William Bacon of Sheffield - in Col. Porter's Regiment He was also for a time under Capt Ithiel Colt in Col. Rogers's Regiment - He went out one time as Affiant believes to Quebec. That said Asaph Woodruff was married to Ruth Stone the mother of the Affiant in September or October 1791 - That the record of said marriage is lost. That said Asaph died February 10. 1832. That his widow was soon again married but remained the widow of said Asaph until her death which occurred March 20. 1851 - Gilbert Woodruff
Given to & subscribed before me in open court the day & year above first stated
John P. Putnam Justice of Superior Court.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss.
I Amy W. Taft Clerk of the Superior Court of said Commonwealth within and for said County of Berkshire do certify that John P. Putnam Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the date thereof, a justice of the said Court duly commissioned and sworn, and full faith and credit are and right to be given to his acts as such accordingly, and I do further certify that the foregoing sig- nature purporting to be the signature of the said Putnam, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Superior Court at Lenox, this tenth day of January in the year eighteen hundred and fifty nine. Amy W. Taft (Clerk)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston,
Oct. 21, 1854
I Hereby Certify , That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that there is no further evidence than that embodied in the certificate issued Oct. 23, 1854, which is as follows:
"The name of Asaph Woodruff is borne on receipt of Capt. William Bacon's men, in Col. Porter's regiment, with the name of said Asaph Woodruff attached."
Also, on pay roll of Capt. Jabez Cook's company, Col. Nott's regiment, from July 17, 1777, fourteen days, travel included."
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Oliver Warner
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Application for Certificate of Revolutionary Services - Made by the son of the party who rendered the service - State of Massachusetts County of Berkshire Town of Stockbridge -
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office of the service of Asaph Woodruff in the war of the Revolution -
He was a native of the Town of West Stockbridge - born when the same formed part of Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts. He enlisted from the Town of Stockbridge in said County & State in the year 1776 as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Stockwell - as assistant leader. Capt. William Bacon of Sheffield was for a time his Capt. of Col. Porter's Regiment. He was also for a time in Col. Porter's Regiment Capt. Ichey Col. - He went as assistant leader at one time to Quebec My knowledge is derived from said except given in his last terms
I am now forty nine years old & my memory does not enable me to state the service more fully

than also stated
Signed by said Gilbert Woodruff in my presence & sworn to before me Oct 17. 1859. }
Gilbert Woodruff
I filed Inventory of the Estate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston.
October 23 rd 1857.
I Hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Asaph Woodruff is borne on the following receipt. Roll endorsed on the back - "Military Service 1776." Sheffield March 24 th 1777. Received of Capt. W m Bacon the whole of the wages due to us for service as Non-Commissioned Officers and soldiers in his Company. Col. Porter's Regt. the last Campaign. also received in full for our mileage and billeting money and allowance for returning home." Signed by "Asaph Woodruff" and others. No roll of Capt W m Bacon's for said service, No amount given. Also on pay roll of Capt. Jabez Colt's Comp. Col. Rosseter's Regt. from July 17. 1777. 14 days travel included as private. Roll dated Richmond July 29. 1777.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
A. De Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
Made by the son of the party who rendered the service.
State of Massachusetts County of Berkshire Town of Stockbridge
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of Asaph Woodruff in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of West Stockbridge — in the County of Berkshire — and State of Mass.
He enlisted from the Town of Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts in the year 1776 as a Private — in the Company commanded by Captain Stockbridge as officer  lieutenants in Regiment and he served as follows,* viz:—
He went north as officer lieutenants under Armed —
The Officer makes these statements from information obtained from said Asaph who is now deceased.
* Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, & other particulars known.

I am now fully seven years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
Witness my hand, this thenth first day of October A. D. 18 57
Gilbert Woodruff
Signed by said Gilbert Woodruff in my presence, & same to be
before me - J. E. Miller JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

Affidavit of Elisha Gaston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss.
Lucy Smith of Canaan in the state of New York being duly sworn deposeth & saith. That she will be 79 years of age on the 4 th day of April next. That her maiden name was Lucy Woodruff that she is the daughter of Joseph Woodruff by his first wife. That Joseph Woodruff lived in West Stockbridge in the state of Massachusetts. from the time of this deponents birth until his death which occurred Feb 6 th 1832. That the mother of this deponent died about the year 1787 that Joseph Woodruff was married again to Asenath Phinney of Rich- mond. (who lived but about a year He was married a third time to Ruth Stone of West Stockbridge formerly from Guilford Connecticut in September or October of the year 1791. That this deponent was not present at the marriage ceremony she well remembers. That her father and the said Ruth Stone being taken in a carriage by Colonel Isaiah Tiffany for the purpose as it is stated of being taken to the house.

of Denise Whiting a justice of the Peace of Canaan in the State of New York. That they might be married. That on their return they stated that they had been married. That the said Ruth was brought to her Father's house and was then introduced by her father to the deponent and her two older brothers as their new mother. That this occurred on the day 1791 when they said they were married. That the said Joseph & Ruth lived together in West Stockbridge as husband and wife from that period until the time of his death. That they were always known & reported to be Husband and wife. That as such they had a family of eight children. Frederick now living in Poughkeepsie. New York aged about 67. Henry who died in 1826. Elbridge now living in West Stockbridge aged about 60. Chester who died about the year 1850. Nive who was drowned at the age of 6 or 7. John who died at Egremont, Massachusetts in the year 1852. Martin who died in West Stockbridge in the year 1838.

Gilbert Wooduff now living in Great Barrington Massachusetts aged 49. That Joseph Wooduff died Feb 6 1832 That this deponent was present at the funeral and saw him die. That his wife Ruth died March 26. 1851.
That this deponent attended the funeral and saw him buried. That my father the said Joseph Wooduff was a soldier in the revolutionary war. as this deponent has been informed and believes. That she has frequently heard him speak and described many scenes in the revolutionary war. Speak of his being in Quebec and Montreal. and has frequently related his privations and sufferings. Has heard him state that the sweetest morsel he ever took was that after several days privation from a swill barrel. That my own father and my husband's father Lieutenant Amos Smith were frequently together. Talking over the scenes which each had witnessed and the sufferings which each had endured during the war. Say Jett

Berkshire ss. On this 30 th day of August A.D. 1859 personally appeared before me, the undersigned Justice of the Peace Lucy Smith to me personally known to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & her subscribed is that -
J. E. Field
Justice of the Peace

Affidavit of Elisha Gaston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Berkshire
Luther Griffing of Richmond in the County and State of said being duly sworn says -
I know Asaph Woodruff from the year 1794 till his death in year AD 1832 - He lived in West Stockbridge - I am 79 years old - I know the wife of Asaph Woodruff - I did not see them married but they were known as man and wife and lived together as such until his death.
I believe said Asaph Woodruff was in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain -
I believe said Asaph Woodruff is the father of Gilbert Woodruff said Gilbert Woodruff is known and reputed to be the son of said Asaph Woodruff and his wife -
The wife of said Asaph Woodruff is dead - Further says not
Luther Griffing taken & sworn to this truth on the day of August AD 1859 before me H. J. Durnham Justice of the Peace

Affidavit of Luther Griffin

Affidavit of Elisha Gaston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Berkshire Elisha Gaston of Richmond in the County & state aforesaid being duly sworn says -
I am 85 years old - I knew Asaph Woodruff about seventy years ago and since He lived in Mt Stockbridge in said County of Berkshire - I knew his wife - I did not see them married but they were reputed, to be and known as man and wife and lived together as such
I believe said Asaph Woodruff is the father of Gilbert Woodruff said Gilbert Woodruff is known and reputed to be the son of said Asaph Woodruff and wife
I have once known what the name of Asaph Woodruff's wife was but do not now recollect
I believe that Asaph Woodruff and his wife are both dead
I knew about 50 years ago a Moss - Job Colt - William Gaston (who was my father) Comfort Wood

Nathan Pierson - John Gaston. Abel Harrison - Titus Hill - Moses Rowley Michael Mudge - Elisha Hill. Jacob Reddington - David Gaston. Daniel Slosson - David Williams. James Ford Vine Branch - Elisha Hooper - A. Nathan Coggswell. John Slosson Ebenezer Plumb - and believe them to be have been in the war with Great Britain. Further says not
Elisha Gaston
Taken & sworn to this twenty ninth day of August A D 1859 before me H J Dunkan Justice of the Peace

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 26, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Asaph Woodruff , a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that Ruth, widow of Asaph Woodruff, made an application for pension on August 1st, 1843, at which time she was 76 years of age and residing at West Stockbridge, Mass. In her application she alleges that she was married to the soldier April 3rd, 1789, at Canaan, N. Y., and that he died at West Stockbridge February 6, 1832. The claim was rejected, however, on the ground of insufficient proof of service.
For obvious reasons this Bureau must decline to return papers filed in claims for pension.
There is now no law granting pension to the daughters or other descendants of soldiers of the Revolution.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Mr. Cyrus H. Woodruff,
Elgin, Ills.

Jan. 26/98. Mr. C. H. Woodruff, Elgin, Ills.
Feb. 15, 1900 To same, with statement of proof on file
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
11,823
P. O. Ruth Woodruff
Service: Widow Asaph Woodruff
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

9786 Ruth Woodruff
Mass s
Suspended, Let to Mrs. J. Tucker Abt 27 44 Am. N. L. Dawes Dec. 19/59
#602
Not July 7 th 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office: Boston, 1848.
Sir, I informed you some time since that no services of Nathl Woodruff were found upon the records in this office and directed the same to you at Sheffield. Should further evidence be found, you can comply with the rules of this office.
In order to certify C. S. Larn
George Crane Leona Mop