Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,631, Godfrey Williston, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Williston, Godfrey Lydia
N. 22,631
CONTENTS

14404 New York
See letter May 20. 1834 to Pen. Agt.
Godfrey Williston of Pompey in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Colton of the Regt. commanded by Col Gray in the Massachusetts line for 23 Mo. 25 days
And Dec 23 d 1832 he sold public stock
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 79 Dollars 41 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of May 1833 and sent to Moody Onondaga NY
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 33, - $158. 82 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 39. 70
$198. 52
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ino Brownwell Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 37

Feb Nov 23
2831. New-York
Albany
Lydia Milliston widow of Godfrey Milliston who was a Private Mass in the Mass line
for 22 mo & 23 dys
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 79 Dollars & 45 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Nov 1843 and sent to
Victory Birdseye Pompey, Onondaga Co N.Y.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 116.

3670
Declaration of Lydia Williston for a Pension under the act of 3. March 1843
$79:45 per annum
for further infor- -mation write to Victory Birdseye Pompey. Onondaga Co N.Y.

State of New York -
Onondaga County ss: On this first - day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred forty three, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Onondaga aforesaid, Lydia Williston, a resident of Pompey in the County of Onondaga aforesaid, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3 rd March 1843, granting Pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Godfrey Williston late of Pompey aforesaid, deceased, who was a private in the troops of Massachusetts, and as such served for some time in the War of the Revolution. That she is unable to state the Regiment or Company in which he served, she believes he served for three years and upwards.
She knows that he made an application before his death for a Pension from the Government of the United States, on the ground of such services, and that such application was pending at the time of his death. But the Pension Certificate was not received until some time after his death. That after his death, she received the Pension Certificate of her said Husband by which he was placed on the Roll of Revolutionary Pensions of the United States for his said services in the War of the Revolution, at  and seventy nine dollars and forty odd cents per annum. That she afterwards obtained the arrears of Pension

due her said Husband on said Certificate at the time of his death, on which occasion she surrendered her said Husband's Pension Certificate. That she afterwards applied for & obtained a Pension, under the Act of July 7. 1838, entitled "An Act granting Half Pay and Pensions to certain Widows," for the sum of seventy nine dollars and forty five cents per annum. She further declares that she is still a Widow.
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written, before me the Subscribers. I certify that the said Lydia appeared to have a very lame right hand which rendered her unable to write her name with it, the reason of her signing by her mark.
N.B. at (a) in the third line from the bottom on the first page - "and" & "and" & "at" interlined. her
Lydia X Williston mark
Levi Wells Justice of the Peace. —
State of New York } Onondaga County } ss:
I certify that Levi Wells Esqr before whom the preceding Declaration purports to have been sworn 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 Swat of said Declaration to be his proper hand writing and signature —
Witness my hand and seal of Office this 12 th day of July A/D 1843. — Chas. T. Hicks Clerk

20355-
Godfrey Williston Onandago City New York
enlisted 25 ap l 77 3 years deserted 20 mar. 78 Joined 1 may 78 discharged 25 ap l 80
aomd
Daniel Wosely Onandago New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Godfrey Killiston  Onandago City N. York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol. April 1777 3 pr. capt. Col. ton Col. Gray ton White Plain N. York Count. 69 Spring field Mass Gratuitary  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[n] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[o] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
R. Newman

3048 HDA 8 Application of Lydia Williston for a Pension under the Law of July 7. 1830.
AD 20 Feb 1797
AD 23 Dec 1832
Admitted
Private 23 months & 25 days
For further information in regard - address V. L. King Post Office Post Master at Newry. Onondaga Co. New York. & to whom the Certificate if granted may be sent for the Applicant (Third page)

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, NEW-HAVEN COUNTY : COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE.
ss.
Wm Beach
I, ROBINSON HILLMAN , Clerk of the County Court, within and for said County,
and Keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commissions of Justices of Peace, within and for said County, hereby certify that
Nehemiah Kimball & Wm Beach each
Esq d is a JUSTICE OF PEACE within and for the said County, duly appointed Commissioned and sworn, with power to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of Deeds: that his Commission is dated the 28 th day of May A.D. 1838, and will expire on the twentieth day of June, A. D. 1839. That I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature hereto annexed, purporting to be his,
is a genuine official signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court, this 1 st day of Nov. A.D. 1838
Wm Beach Clerk.
ms. A. 9. 2. 20

Know you that I Abigail Cattle of the Town of Orange, County of New Haven & State of Connecticut do Depose & say that I was present at the marriage of my Sister Lydia Smith and saw her Married to Gadsney Williston after wards called Joseph Williston after his Father at the request of his Uncle with whom he lived after the Death of his Father — And I do further say that I know the said Joseph so Married to Lydia Smith the Sister of one the said Abigail Cattle to have been Gadsney Williston late of Pomfret in the State of New York deceased. And I do further say that the Ceremony was performed by the Rev. Noah Williston at that time Clergyman of the Parish of West Haven. And I do further say that I the said Abigail Cattle saw the said Joseph Williston after the Marriage give to the said Noah Williston the Customary fee of an Silver Dollar and that the said Noah Williston gave the said Silver Dollar to her the Sister of the said Gadsney Williston. And I do further say that to the best of my recollection the Marriage took place in the month of February in year Seventeen hundred and ninety three Abigail Cattle
County of New Haven ss Orange 17 th day of October A.D. 1633 Be it remembered that on the day above said Abigail Cattle who hath subscribed the foregoing Deposition, appeared before me, and after being examined and Cautioned to speak the whole truth made Oath to the same Deposition
Before me Schenck Kimble Justice of the Peace I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent and that she is a credible witness Schenck Kimble Justice of the Peace

I, the subscriber, hereby certify that I have made diligent search in the Marriage Records of the Town of New Haven, and have not been able to find any Records of the marriage of "Godfrey Williston" to "Lydia Smith" - and am fully satisfied that no such marriage has been entered on such marriage Books of Records.
Certified by - John Scarratt -
Town Clerk of New Haven Conn t
Town Clerk's office { New Haven October 31 st 1838 } -
State of Connecticut } City & County of New Haven } ss. On this first day of November A.D. 1838 Personally appeared before me John Scarratt Esq r who signed the above affidavit, and being duly cautioned, made solemn Oath that the same in all respects true.
Is t Beach Justice of Peace
I certify that the above named John Scarratt is well known to me as a credible witness of Is t Beach Justice of Peace

I, Stephen W. Stebbins hereby certify and declan that I am pastor of the church in West Harn, of which the Rev. Noah Williston was formerly pastor, and that no records of marriages performed by him during his ministry are in my possession or are by me known to be in existence.
Stephen W. Stebbins.
County of New Haven ss Orange 1 st day of November A.D. 1838 Be it remembered that on the day aforesaid Rev d Stephen W. Stebbins, who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition, appeared before me, and after being examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth, made solemn oath to the same deposition which is taken at the request of Lydia Williston widow of the late Joseph Williston. Said deposition drawn up and certified by -
Nicholas Kimball justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent and that he is a Credible Witness
Nicholas Kimball Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Onondaga County ss: Hannah Williston of the town of Pompey in the County of Onondaga aged forty five years on the sixth of November last - being duly sworn deponeth & saith that she was well acquainted with Godfrey Williston late of Pompey in the County aforesaid deceased with Lydia his Wife - they being the father & mother of this Deponent - That from the earliest recollection of this Deponent the said Godfrey & Lydia lived & cohabited together as Husband & Wife until his death - and that he died on the twenty third day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred thirty two - That since the death of her said father she has resided constantly with her mother at that her mother the said Lydia Williston remains the widow of her said father not having married since his death - That the above stated age is the age of this Deponent as she received it from her Parents in early life - and that it was the reputation in of the family that her said Parents were married in February at that this Deponent was born in the November afterwards - That when this Deponent was in her eleventh year her Parents moved to Pompey aforesaid from Springfield in the State of Massachusetts - That previous to their said removal there was a family record in the possession of the family showing the marriage of her said Parents - that it was left behind on said removal as lost in the removal - It was never found afterwards to the knowledge or belief of this Deponent.
The Deponent further saith that her said father was an applicant for a Pension as a soldier of the Revolution before his death but that no decision upon such application had been made at the time of his death - That after his death a Pension certificate was received from the Commission of Pensions by which he was placed on the Pension Roll at the rate of twenty

nine Dollars & forty one cents a year. under which said Mother was paid as this Deposition understood one hundred forty Dollars hereforwards. After this Deposition saith not.
Hannah Williston
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 22 d day of Dec r 1830.
and I certify that the above named Hannah Williston is well known to me discredible
Witness. - Levi Wells Justice of the Peace. -

State of New York
Onondaga County ss. Be it remembered that on this seventeenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty eight before me, Johnson Hall Esq. a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County State aforesaid, the same Court being a Court of Record - personally appeared Lydia Williston a Dependent of Memprey in said County of Onondaga aforesaid aged seventy five years who being duly sworn according to her oath on her oath made the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1830. Entitled "an act granting half pay a Pension to certain Widows" - That she is the widow of Gofrey Williston who was a private in the troops of the State of Massachusetts and as such served for some time in the War of the Revolution. That she is unable to state the Company or Regiment in which he served She believes he served for three years or upwards - She knows that he made an application before his death for a Pension from the Government of the United States on the ground of sick services and that such application was pending at the time of his death - But the Pension certificate was not received until some time after his death - But the Pension Certificate was not received till after his death - That after his death his Pension Certificate was received by which he was placed on the Pension Roll of the United States for his services in the War of the Revolution at the Rate of seventy nine Dollars forty one cents a year - That she obtained of her widow the annuity due on such pension at the time of his death and on that annuity she believes the Pension certificate was surrendered as a voucher for the payment of such arrears - That the Depo-

ment has no documentary or other Evidence by which she can prove the said services of her said husband - and she is advised & believes that his said services or the meals thereof as entitled him to the aforesaid pension were proved to the satisfaction of the Commissioners of Pensions on the occasion of the aforesaid application for her said husband's pension as to which proof she refers.
She further declares that she was married to the said Godfrey Williston on the twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & sixty three, and that her husband the aforesaid Godfrey Williston died on the twenty third day of December in the year eighteen hundred & thirty two - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service and the marriage to Lydia pre-vious to the first of January seventeen hundred & sixty four viz: at the time above stated: -
The Deponent further saith that she was married at West Haven in the State of Connecticut then in a parish of the town or city of New Haven in that said State - which West Haven is now called "Orange" - that her maiden name was Lydia Smith - that she was born at West Haven & lived there until her said marriage - and that after her said marriage she moved to Springfield in the State of Massachusetts where lived with her said husband until the year eighteen hundred & forty when they removed to Norrey aforesaid where she now resides - that they had a family Record which was kept in the family & in which were entered the marriage of herself & her said husband and that on the occasion of the said removal to Norrey - it was lost or left behind she has never seen it since - the Deponent further saith that her oldest child Hannah Williston

was born at Springfield in Massachusetts the 10th - in after her said marriage to Edward Godfrey Willis. - then of further this deponent saith not - Sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written. { "was received" interlined at (a) and I certify that { "dividend" interlined at (b) I am satisfied that the deponent is unable from bodily infirmity to have gone to & personally appeared before the Court to make the above deposition and I further do certify that I am satisfied of the truth of the above declaration & that the same is entitled to credit - Johnson Hall                      Lydia Williston Judge of Onondaga Co. Pleas
State of New York
Onondaga County Clerk's Office: I Elijah Phoebe Clerk of the County of Onondaga & Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County & Keeper of the Seal thereof hereby certify that Johnson Hall Esquire before whom the above deposition was made is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County State aforesaid and that his authority under such commission was at the time of taking said deposition and is in full force - and that the said Court is a Court of Record - I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Johnson Hall and that I am well satisfied that his official signature to the above affidavit is his genuine signature - I further certify that Lucia Wells Esquire before whom the within deposition of Hannah

Williston appears to have been made warrant Dist is a Justice of the Peace within a part of the said County of Acadian duly commissioned & sworn & fully authorized to take & certify the said affidavit as such Justice as aforesaid - and I further certify that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & believe the official signature purporting to be his to the said disposition of the said Samuel Williston is his genuine signature. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas - the same being the seal of the County Clerk of the said County this 25 th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty Eight
E. Rhoades Clerk

State of New York Onondaga County ss
On this twenty fifth day of Sept ember in the year eighteen hundred & thirty two per sonally appeared in open Court in a Court of Chancery held before the Honorable Daniel Keay  Keay Circuit Judge of the Seventh Circuit of the State of New York & Vice Chancellor therein, Said Court now sitting in the town of Onondaga, County & State aforesaid. Godfrey Williston a resident of the town of Pompey County of Onondaga & State of New York aged sixty nine years the twelfth day of January A eighteen hundred & thirty two, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following decla ration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777 in the month of April with Captain Charles Cotton & served in the third Regiment of the Massachusetts line under the following named offi cers, Col. Greyton & Lieut. Col. Loring. Major Oliver. Capt. Charles Cotton & Lieut. Burnham, that at the time he enlisted he resided at Springfield in the State of Massachusetts, that he enlisted as aforesaid for the term of three years, that after his enlist ment he joined the army & was stationed at Spring field aforesaid until some time in the summer of 1777 when he was marched with Capt. Cottons company & under his command to Albany from thence to, at or near Stillwater, to escort General Gates on his way to join the northern army & remained with the northern army until the surrender of Burgoyne & the day of his surrender was marched to Albany with Capt Cottons Company where he remained with said Company until the spring of the year 1778 & in the spring of the year 1778 was marched to West Point & staid a short time & was marched from thence to White Plains where he remained with said Company

until late in the fall of 1778 when he was marched to Roxbury in Connecticut where he remained a short time, from thence to a station between Fishkill & Patskill where he remained during the winter with said Company & the succeeding summer was stationed at different places along the lines, at Crumpond &c & went into winter quarters at a place near Patskill & was discharged the next April by Col. Greyton his said term of three years having expired, that several years since he sent his discharge to Boston for the purpose of getting his share of the avails of the property taken from Burgoyne by Col. Greyton's Regiment which he obtained but has not since seen said discharge & does not now know when it is.
That he was born in Springfield in the State of Massachusetts.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Daniel Moseley Concurrence of Vice Chancellor
his Godfrey X Williston mark
We Samuel Humphrey of La Fayette & Richard Hiscock of the town of Pompey County of Onondaga & state of New York do certify that we are well acquainted with Godfrey Williston who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Daniel Moseley Concurrence of
Richard Hiscock
Samuel Humphrey

Godfrey Williston
20355
2
On Rolls
Enlist 25 ap l 3 years
deserted 20 mar. 78
joined 1 may 78
discharged 25 ap l 80
73 mo 25
adm d
23. 25 days pri

And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting to the interrogations 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 Humphrey who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of Pompey  La Fayette and that Richard Hiscock who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Pompey & that they are both credible persons, and that this statement is entitled to credit. Daniel Moseley Vice Chancellor
I Daniel T. Moseley Deputy Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the Seventh Circuit for the 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 Godfrey Williston for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 12 th day of September 1832.
Daniel T. Moseley Deputy Clerk

for Mr. Minnys
James L. Edwards Coat of Arms Ward No. 1 Washington City

Pompey, Onondaga Co. N.Y. July. 13. 1843
Sir
I enclose herewith the application of Lydia Williston the Widow of Godfrey Williston for a Pension Certificate under the act of 3. March 1843. In this case I know the applicant to be the same person to whom you granted a Pension under the act of July. 1838. for 5. years. I was present & saw her Subscribed & sworn to her present Declaration. as I did also as to her former Declaration. If any further in- formation should be needed in this case you can address me on the subject respectfully
I am, Sir, yours obedt Servt.
Victory Birdseye
James L. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions &c.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 11 th , 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Lydia Williston, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Seventy Nine Dollars and forty five Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1839, to the 4 th Sept. 1839,
Respectfully yours,
William B. Parrish
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Albany 3048
Lydia Williston widow of Godfrey Williston
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7. June 1832 and who died on the 23 d Dec r 1832 of Onondaga Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company command. by Captain Cotton of the Reg't. command. by Col. Gray in the Mass. line for 23 months & 25 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 79 Dollars 45 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of June 1839 and sent to Victory Birdsey, P.M. Pompey, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March '39. 238.35 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 39.72 $ 278.07
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book A. Vol. 2 Page 109

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 March to 4 Sept 1839. Agt notified 18 June 1840

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22.631
Lydia Walliston Widow of Godfrey Walliston Rev. New Eng.
Act March 3 d 48
Index: Vol. 16 , Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]