Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11484, Roswell Whitney, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Whitney, Roswell Phebe
R. 11484
CONTENTS

14203
Phebe Whitney Wid. of Roswell Michigan Last July 7, 1838

State of Michigan Washtenaw County } ss on this twenty eighth day of August Eighteen hundred and fifty personally appeared before me Wisconsin Full a judge of the County Court of the aforesaid County Widow Phebe Whitney who is unable from bodily infirmity to attend the Court and who is a resident of the Township of Saline County of Washtenaw and State of Michigan who is aged Seventy Six years and who is in her raud mind and is a credible witness - who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows:
That she is the Widow of Russell Whitney who was a private of the Revolution who served at the same place & in the same Company with his brother David Whitney who was a pensioner & who served his time of nine months out and came home before his brother David Whitney's time was out and after Russell Whitney's time of the nine months was out and he returned home his brother David Whitney being taken sick and being sent home he Russell Whitney went back and served his David Whitney's time out - but how long Russell served of the time that David ought to have served she does not know, that her husband was going to ask for a pension soon when he died & that his brother David Whitney & his brother Jacob Whitney did draw pensions that he did not receive any with Jacob but that he served with David Whitney that they were stationed at the stone house at Numbur- cus & at Marbletown that when he entered the

remains he lived in the town of Pats County of Ulster and State of New York & she supposes he was drafted in that they went by turns and guarded that post and he went his share at the time. she does not remember any of the officers names. that before she married Roswell Whitney her name was Phebe Whitney Olsworth & that they both lived in the town of Pats County of Ulster and State of New York and that when they were married they got a two horse rig and took in David Whitney and James Decker and wife and drove across the North River on the ice to the village and town of Poughkeepsie and went to Richard Events house in the village  on the bank of the river (said Richard Events was a merchant and had previously traded and lived in the town of Pats and I had lived with and worked for him) and we were married at his house by Elyr Matt of Poughkeepsie in the presents of David Whitney James Decker and wife and Richard Events and wife in the evening of the fifth day of February A D Seventeen hundred and Vinty I believe there was never any record kept of our marriage either by the justice of the peace who married us or in any family bible and every person present I believe to be dead - I never knew that I had any claim to a pension until Erastus Stone Elyr told me a few weeks ago or I should have asked before while I could have got proof easier - Roswell was 25 years old and I lacked 4 months of 16 years old when we were married we went to living and keeping house together six months after we were married in the town of Pats and lived there fifteen years and had two sons Jacob and David and four daughters Deborah Sarah Mary Mother and then we moved to

the town of Seneca County of Seneca and State of New York where we lived thirty years and had two sons Henry and Russell and three Daughters Nahel gone Phebe eleven in all (Seven of which one still alive) and then my husband died of the infirmation of the bladder on the fourteenth day of March A D 1830 in the same place but the town & County had been divided & when he died it was the town of Benton Yates County N Y I lived with him every day from the day I married him until he died and I nursed him in his last sickness and I have never been married since and am still his widow all his children were present at his death except Jacob and Sarah - he never made any application for a pension but his Brothers David and Jacob did have pensions after his death and had he lived he would have when they did - I have no documentary evidence of his service in my possession that I know of. I do not know the day or year that he entered the army or when he left it, but when the news of peace came they kindled a bonfire and I was at it and took a part in the rejoicings and I believe he Russell Whitney was there but that he had been home but a few days after my husband died I moved to the Town of Willoughby in the State of Ohio and stayed there four years and then moved to the Township of Saline County of Washtenaw and State of Michigan where I have lived ever since.

She further declares that she was married to the said Roswell Whitney Fifth day of February in the year Seventeen hundred and Ninty That her husband the aforesaid Reswell Whitney died on the Fourteenth day of March Eighteen hundred and Thirty; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place — pnevious to the first of January, Seventeen hundred and ninty four, viz at the time above stated
Sworn to and subscribed
Ebenezer D. Dole
Hiram Sull
her Phebe J. Whitney mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me
Hiram Sull Second Judge
Washinaw County
This may certify that Phebe Whitney is unable from bodily infirmity to attend the Court and I have taken the above deposition in the Town of Salina and I have full confidence in her statement that they are true
Hiram Sull Second Judge
Washinaw County

State of Michigan } Washtenaw County } S S.
Personally appeared before me Hiram Tulls a Second judge of the County of said, Abraham Donaldson who is in his right mind and is a credible witness who being sworn before me according to law says on oath that he is Sixty nine years of age and that he was born in the town of Paltz and lived in County of Ulster and State of New York and I lived in said town of Paltz until I was about 25 years of age I was well acquainted with Roswell Whitney and Phebe Whitney his wife I new the time that they were married and when they first went to keeping house together but I was not at their wedding but I know that they were married as well as a man can know and not see them married I was present when Roswell Whitney was sick with his last sickness in the Town of Benton and reclined call his wife and Children to him and gave them his last charge at which time he called her that is now the widow Whitney his wife and I have not one daught but that she was his lawful wife I staid until he died which was on the fourteenth Day of March A D 1830 in the forepart of the evening I have heard Roswell Whitney frequently tell about being in the service at Kumbonhus and at Marbletown and just before he died I heard him say that he was going to apply for a pension and he was a candid man and I believe he was a Christian he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and I believe that when he told me that he was out in the service that he told me truth I have heard his brother David frequently say that Roswell was out with him in the service and David was a man of truth and David drawed a pension afterward, but David is dead and further says that he is disinterested I donat believe there was ever any record kept of their marriage nor of my marriage and I was married in the town of Paltz

twelve years afterwards it was not common to keep a record of marriages at that place in those days
all the stories and tradition of the days when I was a boy went to prove to my mind that David Whitney and Russell Whitney were out in the war up at the stone house at Mumbankos and at Nonbletown
Ernestus S Cone
his Abraham T Donaldson mark
Samuel Cross Hiram Fulls
Sworn and subscribed before me at Saline Washtenaw county this twenty Eighth day of August A.D. 1850
Hiram Fulls second judge Washtenaw county

State of Michigan } Woshtenaw County } S.S.
Personally appeared before me Hiram Sulls a Second judge of the County aforesaid Rebekah Donaldson Donaldson who is in her right mind and is a credible witness who being sworn before me according to law says on oath that she is sixty five years of age and that she was born in the town of Pals County of Ulster and State of New York and I lived in said town of Pals untill I was 21 years old I was well acquainted Roswell Whitney and Phebe Whitney his wife I was not at their marriage but I was present when he died and he died happy in the lord and there while he was dying he called her his wife and I have lived with them a number of years since they were married and I have not one daughter but what they were lawfully married but I do not believe there ever was any record kept of marriages in those days for I was married in the town of Pals twelve years after and I do not believe there was ever any record kept of my marriage I have frequently heard Roswell Whitney while he was alive tell of being on the frontiers in the War- time and I truly believe that he was out all the stories and traditions of those days when I was a girl allowed that Roswell and David Whitney were out together up on the frontiers at the stone house at Numbonhus and at Monhleton and that she is disinterested
Ebenezer D. Cane Calvin Lamb
Rebekah her Donaldson mark
Hiram Sulls
Sworn and subscribed before me at Saline Woshtenaw County this twenty eighth Day of August A D 1850
Hiram Sulls second judge
Woshtenaw County

State of Michigan } Washtenaw County } S S.
Personally appeared before me Hiram Aulls the Second judge of the Court of the said Matthias Valentine who is in his right mind and is a credible Witness who being sworn before me according to Law says on oath that he is Seventy Six years of age and that he was present when Roswell Whitney died and that he died on the 14 th day of March A.D. 1830 in the Town of Benton Yates County New York - and that Roswell Whitney went out to Humboldt on the frontier a few months at a time in the revolution and further swears that he is disinterested Crestus S. Cone Matthias Valentine
Margaret S. Valentine
Hiram Aulls
Sworn and subscribed before me at Pittsfield Washtenaw County this twenty eighth day of August A.D. 1850
Hiram Aulls Second Judge Washtenaw County

State of Michigan Washtenaw County } S.S.
Personally appeared before me Hiram Aulls Second judge of the County of said Sarah Valentine who is in her right mind and is a credible Witness who being sworn before me according to law says on oath that she is Seventy three years of age and that she has been acquainted with Russell Whitney deceased and his Widow Phebe Whitney from her childhood that she did not see them married but I heard at the time that they were married and I never had a doubt about it but what they were married says that Russell Whitney and David Whitney were out on the frontier at Humboldt, at short times but don't know how long but I know that they were out, that she believes that the Widow Whitney would not swear to any thing but what she saw or believed to be true and that she is disinterested
Ebenezer Stone Margaret P. Valentine Hiram Aulls
her Sarah Valentine mark
Sworn and subscribed before me at Pittsfield Washtenaw County this twenty Eighth day of August A.D. 1850 Hiram Aulls Second judge Washtenaw County

State of Michigan Washtenaw County } S S.
I hereby certify that Hiram Aulls who administered the oath of declaration to Widow Phebe Whitney as contained on the first sheet and four first pages of this roll and also who gave the certificate on fourth page - and also the oath to Abraham Donaldson on fifth and Sixth pages of this roll and also the oath to Rebekah Donaldson on ninth page of this roll and also the oath to Matthias Valentine on thirteenth page of this roll and also the oath to Sarah Valentine on seventeenth page of this roll
Was at the time that he administered aforesaid oaths Second judge of the County of Washtenaw and State of Michigan duly elected and sworn
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the County Court of Washtenaw County Michigan and subscribed my name as Clerk of said Court this second Day of September A D 1850 at Ann Arbor
John C. Mundy Clerk

A copy of Family Record of Roswell and Phebe Whitney
Roswell Whitney born Sept 12 th 1764 Phebe Ellsworth born June 5 th 1774 Married Feby 5 th (1788,) 1788 Jacob Whitney Born August 18 th 1790 Deborah Whitney Born June 18 th 1796 David Whitney Born Nov 23 rd 1798 Sarah Whitney Born Feb 8 th 1801 Mary Whitney Born March 4 th 1804 Mabel Whitney Born Decem r 8 th 1806 Jane Whitney Born Sept n 6 th 1808 Martha Whitney Born Feby 29 th 1811 Leroy Whitney Born July 6 th 1813 Roswell Whitney Born Oct 22 nd 1815 Phebe Whitney Born Oct. 21, 1820
State of Michigan } Hillsdale County } Personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for said County Andrew K. Bushnell who being by me duly sworn deposeth and saith that the foregoing is a true copy of the family Record of Roswell and Phebe Whitney, and that he verily believes that the original, from which this was copied, and has been compared by him with, is a true and correct record Subscribed and sworn to before } A. K. Bushnell me this 26 th day of September 1857. Chas C. Mott Notary Public of Hillsdale County

STATE OF MICHIGAN, COUNTY OF HILLSDALE, } ss
I, J. B. WHEATON, Clerk of said County and also Clerk of the Circuit Court for said County, do certify that Charles E. Mott was taken was before whom the foregoing affidavit at that time a Notary Public in and for said County duly constituted and qualified, and by the Laws of this State duly authorized to take the same and that his signature hereunto is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court for said County at Hillsdale, this Twenty Sixth day of September A. D. 1857 J. B. Wheaton Clerk.

Litchfield Sept 28 th 57
Mr Whiting
Sir I here with send you an application for a Pension for my Grand Mothe which you will see claims a pension for the services of her husban- d in the Revolution war.
I have got them made according to the best of my ability & the circumstances of the case & if they will not do pleas send them back & let me know what more is required & I will try to mak them right & pleas attend to it as soon as you can
And oblige us much
yours
A. R. Bushnell
As pleas direct yours to A. R. Bush- nell Litchfield Hillsdale Co Mich

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
11,484
P. O. Phebe Whitney
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Phebe Whitney - an applicant for a pension from Michigan - filed last Spring -
Advised Hon. Henry Waldo of the House of Reps. of its condition
Queso
Aug. 1857
Thos. M.

112184

York Woshtenaw County Michigan Sept 5 th 1850
Honorable J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Sir
Enclosed I send you papers asking for a pension for Widow Phebe Whitney the Widow of Roswell Whitney a Soldier of the Revolution who died March 14 th 1830 who was brother to Jacob & David Whitney Revolutionary pensions on the New York Roll
Sir will you please to have David Whitneys and Jacob Whitneys papers especially David's examined in her favor also the rolls of service which one at Washington - and after an examination you should think it would be better for her to apply for a pension under the law of July 29 th 1848 and afterwards ask Congress to grant her a back pension to the death of her husband then in that case you are at liberty to grant her a pension to her under the law of July 29 1848 and if you would want for that purpose a new declaration from her by notifying me I will send you one - but if you think there is any cause still better for her than either of the above will you be so kind as to give me advice what cause to pursue for her good
I suppose that David Whitney should have received nine months and all that his pension shows that he fell short of nine months should be so much added to Roswell's Whitneys time over nine months
The Widow has been living comfortably with her youngest Daughter until lately her daughters husband who supported them by Blacksmithing has died and she is now in a Double widow with no resources and if there is any help to be had from government she needs it and I feel it a duty I owe to try to help her to it without fee or reward - I have her power of attorney perhaps I had ought to have sent it you with these papers but I don't know
Crestus Stone her Attorney

[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
A. K. Burmell To Mr Whiting
Litchfield Jan 11 th 1858
Sir I received yours of the 17 Dec last requesting the original family record of Roswell & Phoebe Whitney. They have no record that is full or all together but one that was made by Mrs Whitney a few years ago for one of the family that went to California but she claims that it is correct notwithstanding the lateness of its make. Of which you have got a true copy & certified by me. And for fear that you would not be satisfied with the above I have got the testimony of Mrs Donaldson & Valentine who were both children with Mrs Whitney & about the same age. Mrs Valentine puts the marriage at the same time that it is in the record & if this is not enough I think that they will testify that the record is correct as they have been from childhood acquainted

State of Michigan } ss County of Washtenaw }
I Sarah Valentine certify that I was acquainted with Roswell Whitney of Ulster County State of New York and Phebe Whitney his wife. Roswell Whitney was my uncle and lived with his father. Also lived in the same house, they went to Poughkeepsie to be married I think about February 1788 so they told me, they lived together afterwards until the said Roswell Whitney's death as man and wife were always considered as such.
Sworn and subscribed to this Sixth day of January AD 1858 before me W E Gordon
Sarah Valentine
STATE OF MICHIGAN, } ss. WASHTENAW COUNTY,
I Robert S. Dany Clerk, of the County of Washtenaw, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court for said County, which is a court of Record, do hereby certify that W. E. Gordon before whom the annexed Certificate purports to have been acknowledged as at the date of said Certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly Elected and qualified, and by law duly authorized to take the same.
And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said W E Gordon and verily believe his signature thereto is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said county and court at Ann Arbor, this 7th day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.
Robert S. Dany CLERK.

State of Michigan } ss. County of Washtenaw } I, Rebecca Donaldson hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Roswell Whitney of Ulster County State of New York, and his wife Phoebe Whitney from the about the year seventeen hundred and ninety until his death they lived together as man and wife during that time, I believe they had eleven children, I have been intimately acquainted with them during that time, I have heard them say that they were married in Dutchess County New York, it was generally believed in the neighborhood that they were married. Sworn and subscribed } Rebecca Donaldson this sixth day of January A.D. 1885 } Mark before me } Jonas Bond W. E. Gordon Justice of the Peace
STATE OF MICHIGAN, } ss. WASHTENAW COUNTY,
I Robert S. Barry Clerk, of the County of Washtenaw, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court for said County, which is a court of Record, do hereby certify that W. E. Gordon Esq. before whom the annexed, Certificate purports to have been acknowledged as at the date of said Certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly Elected and qualified, and by law duly authorized to take the same.
And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said W. E. Gordon and verily believe his signature thereto is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said county and court at Ann Arbor, this 7 th day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty Eight
Robert S. Barry CLERK.

State of Michigan County of Hillsdale
On this 22 nd day of June AD 1887 before me a Judge of the Court of Probate for said County & State of Michigan personally came Jacob Whitney aged Sixty Six years a Resident of the Town of Litchfield in said County and Phoebe Cisco aged 36 years, also a resi- dent of Litchfield in the County of Hillsdale and State of Michigan both credible persons to me well known who being duly sworn according to Law say upon their oaths that they are well and personally acquainted with Phoebe Whitney of the Township of Litchfield in the County of Hillsdale aforesaid; and Jacob Whitney deponent further says that he is the son of said Roswell Whitney; Phoebe Cisco says that she is the youngest daughter of said Roswell Whitney, and that after hearing their Father say that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and took part in three campaigns and that said Roswell Whitney their Father died on the 12 th day of March 1831, and that their mother Phoebe Whitney is still a widow, & has now again married; and the said Phoebe Cisco further says that she was present at the time of her Father's death, and that he died in the Town of Benton Harbor, Michigan at the time of above deponent  deponent  now a resident of  now a resident of  now a resident of  now a resident of above deponent  deponent  now a resident of  now a resident of  now a resident of  now a resident of Jacob Whitney Phoebe Cisco
Martin H Webb Judge of Probate For Hillsdale County Michigan

State of Michigan
County of Hillsdale
On this 22 d day of June A D 1857 person- ally appeared before me a judge of Probate for said County, being a court of Record and State of Michigan aforesaid Phebe Whitney aged Eighty three years a resident of Litchfield in the County of Hillsdale and State of Michigan who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Rowlee Whitney deceased who was a private Soldier in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain that he entered the service at in the County of Ulster in the State of New York on or about the the year 1788 as she merely believes this deponent did not become acquainted with her said husband till about the year 1795 & therefore has no personal knowledge of the fact of his Service. Deponent further says that her said husband had a Brother David Whitney who served with him whose services were the same as she believes and that the widow of the said David now draws a pension from the Agency for such Service. She further states that she was married to the said Rowlee Whitney in Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess and State of New York on the 5 th day of February 1788 by one Chambers a justice of the Peace and that her name before her said Marriage was Phebe Ellsworth and that her said husband died at

Benton in the County of Gates in the State of New York on the 14 th day of March AD 1831 and that she is still a widow and has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband. She makes this declaration for the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1837 also of the act of Febru- ary, 1848. Deponent further says that one Joseph De Groot was one of the officers of the Company
witnesses in which her said husband served
J. H. Gloyne D. L. Pratt Subscribed and sworn to before the day and year above written
Phoebe X Whitney mark
Martin H Webb Judge of Probate for said County
I further certify that I have no interest in the result of this case and am not concerned in its prosecution I further certify that the said Phoebe Whitney is personally to me and that her statement here entitled to full credit so far as her memory serves her
Martin H Webb
Judge of the County of Probate for the County of Hillsdale

STATE OF MICHIGAN, COUNTY OF HILLSDALE, } ss
I, J. B. WHEATON, Clerk of said County and also Clerk of the Circuit Court for said County, do certify that Martin N. Webb before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken was at that time a Judge of Probate in and for said County duly Elected and qualified, and by the Laws of this State duly authorized to take the same and that his signature hereunto is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court for said County at Hillsdale, this Twenty Second day of June A. D. 185 7 J. B. Wheaton Clerk.