Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,879, Joshua Woodward, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Woodward, Joshua
S 111879
Carded.
CONTENTS

20132 20132 New York
Joshua Woodward
of Chautauqua in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Dury — of the Reg t commanded by Col. Evert — in the Comp y line for 14 Mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 16 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Aug. 1833 — and sent to N. Hoagland James Dorr
Arrears to the 14th of Ma'33 $ 9 33 3/4 Pens ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 23 33 3/4 $ 116 66 3/4
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Col. Stiles Clerk. Book 6, Vol. 3, Page 12
Note of stock met on A.B.

In the matter of John Woodward an Applicant for a Pen- sion. —

State of New York.
Chautauqua County ss. In this twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three, there personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Chautauqua, now sitting, being a court of Record of said County, having by law a Seal & Clerk; I, Asahel Woodwards, a resident of Poland in the County of Chautauqua & State of New York, aged twenty eight 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 th 1832. That he was born in Preston in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut on the Eleventh day of April 1775 as appears as appears by the record kept by the Clerk of that town from which he has taken a Copy. That he enlisted into the service of the United States when in the twenty first year of his age for nine months in the month of April or May 1775 went from Preston aforesaid to New London was there about four weeks and then went to Roxbury at which time Boston was in the possession of the Enemy. He belonged to the Regiment commanded by Col. Parsons & in the Company commanded by Lieut. Collins. The Second Lieut was one Elizer Brewster. He remained in the service nine months during which time he lost only one hour of duty, was discharged some time in the winter following. He entered the service

of the United States again. Some time in the month of August or September, in the year 1776 as a minute man went from Preston of said to Kingsbridge I was there till about a short time before the battle at White Plains. From Kingsbridge I marched to White Plains and joined the Army that marched thither from New York as was there at the time of the battle. I was in the service at this time five months and was honorably discharged, and returned home sometime in the winter following. After this time standing as a minute man, I was called out at divers times - was called out at the time the Enemy attacked  invaded the fort at Groton and also at the time New London was burnt by Arnold, but was not out any more during any considerable length of time. He received a written discharge from Col. Parsons when he was discharged from his first term of service, but supposing it of little consequence, he was at no pains to preserve it, and it has long since been lost. He never received a written discharge on any other occasion, and has no documentary evidence in his possession of his service. He served in an embodied corps, called into service by the authority of the state of Connecticut, and formed very little acquaintance with the officers of the regular army, and cannot recollect the names of any under whom he served. Besides the officers already mentioned under whom he served in the neighborhood of Boston, he served on his second term of service under Col. Coit, Lieut. Col. Smith,

Captain Avery and Lieutenant Green. When he was called into service he lived in the town of Preston in Connecticut, where he  and resided until the war closed, and sometime afterwards. He afterwards removed to Cornish in the state of New Hampshire, where he resided several years - then to Burlington in the county of St. Lawrence and state of New York - thence to his present residence where he has resided nineteen years. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Joshua Wood not D
Sworn to subscribed the 3 day and year aforesaid -
Artomas H. Hark a judge of Chautauqua County Courts
We Oliver Barr, a clergyman residing in the town of Gerry and County of Chautauqua and Rufus Dyer residing in the town of Ellicott in the county aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Woodford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be ninety eight years of age - that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Oliver Barr
Sworn to subscribed the 3 day and year aforesaid -
Rufus Dyer
Artomas Hark a judge of Chautauqua County Courts

And the said court do hereby declare their opin- ion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant, Joshua Woodward, was a revolutionary soldier, and swore as he states, that it appears to them that Oliver Bair who has signed the preceding certificate is a dog- man resident in the town of Gerry Chautauqua County and that the Rufus Purr who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Elliott county of said and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
I James B. Lowry, clerk of the court of Common Pleas for the county of Chautauqua do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joshua Woodward for a pension. —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twelfth twenty eighth day of June A. D. 1833 —
James B. Lowry Clerk
I James B. Lowry, Clerk as aforesaid do fur- ther certify, that Artemas Herrick Esquire is a judge of the county courts for Chautauqua County, and that his name subscribed to the foregoing affidavit is his genuine signature. —
James B. Lowry Clerk
25921

N o 2592!
Joshua Woodward Chautauqua County New York
Admitted
Printed 14 months
Abner Hazlett, James Town New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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. Those 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 Joshua Woodward Chautauqua County New York
    Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted May 1775 - 9 - privt Col Parsons, Lieutenant Collins 78 years Windham County Connecticut Traditionary evidence, papers correct   Entered 1776 - 5 - " Col Coit, Capt Avery   Called out Battle of White Plains   
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)                      , who has 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 days 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 the 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 inquiry 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 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 _____; 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 fix 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] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

February 28, 1938
Joshua Woodward S. 11879 BA-J/AWF AWF
Mrs. R. M. Tubbs 320 East Lake Avenue Howell, Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter addressed to the National Archives, Genealogical Department, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joshua Woodard of the State of New York.
Your letter has been referred to the Veterans Administration, custodian of the Revolutionary War pension records.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 11879, based upon the military service of Joshua Woodward in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only Joshua Woodward, Woodard or Woodyard, that is found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Joshua Woodward was born April 11, 1755 in Preston, Windham County, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing in said Preston, Joshua Woodward enlisted sometime in April or May, 1775, served nine months as private under Lieutenant Collins in Colonel Parsons' Connecticut regiment. He enlisted sometime in August or September, 1776, served five months in Captain Avery's company, Colonel Coit's Connecticut regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains. He was called out at the time of the attack on the fort in Groton, and when New London was burned.
Joshua Woodward moved after the close of the

Revolution, from Preston, Connecticut, to Cornish, New Hampshire, where he lived several years, and moved to Burlington, Otsego County, New York, and from there moved to Poland, Chautauqua County, New York.
The soldier, Joshua Woodward, was allowed pension on his application executed June 27, 1833, then living in Poland, New York.
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to the family of Joshua Woodward.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data-
Joshua Woodward Certificate # 20132 Issued August 3, 1833 Rate $46.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1909 Apl. 14. Hist. to Mrs. G. W. Newton & 1923, Apl. 17 " " R. C. Johnson - Ex. 1924 Jan 25. Hist - to H. S. Spencer 1938 Feb 28 - " " mrs. R. M. Tubb
Reverman ✓
11879 INVALID.
File No. 11879 Joshua Woodward Priv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 415
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Randolph N. Y
March. 23 rd 1909
Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.
V. Warner. Commissioner Dear Sir. I wish a statement of the Military history of one Joshua Woodward. B. Peston Conn. Apr. 11. 1755. Wifes name Experience Gerald. His pension was $50. a year. Do not know as the Pension was continued to his widow. Thanking you in advance for the trouble I am Very Truly Yours Mrs G. W. Fenton

Ex. EW. Div. Rev. War.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 18, 1922
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
1. name of widow Experience No. of claim Name of soldier Joshua Woodward
P. O. address of claimant  Soldier at enlistment - + after service
Company _____
Regiment _____
State where enlisted _____
Date of enlistment birth 1755 - Apr. 11
Date of discharge death July 10, 1844
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Information given above is taken from tombstones.
Return attached letter with reply.
Mayo Haymaker Chief Clerk - Commissioner.

Ganetown, N.Y. Feb. 13. 1923
To the Com. of Pensions, Washington. D. C. Dear Sir.
Sometime ago, in connection with committee work in locating Rev. soldiers' graves, I sent for the pension record of Joshua Woodward whose name appears in the 1840 pension list. You returned the enclosed slip which I have filled out as far as possible. I shall greatly (over)

appreciate your prompt attention to this matter as the final report has been called for.
Very respectfully,
R. C. Johnson
103 E. 3rd. St.
Jamestown. N.Y.

Youngville Pa. Jan. 19 1924 Honorable Washington Gardner Com. of Pensions
My Dear Sir:
I am enclosing a letter you wrote to Hon. Harris J. Bixler in answer to enquiries he asked you for me.
In 1 st paragraph of your answer you state that there is no record of a Joshua Woodward from Pa. There were 4 Joshua Woodwards from the New England states and they are badly mixed up as they moved thither and yon.
Please look for records from the New England states giving me

all information you have in regard to each.
Also please look for the record of Eliakim Garfield from Stratton Vt.
Thanking you in advance for any information you may be able to give me.
Yours Truly H. Jay Spencer

Form K-8a.
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Division of Reference
DATE 2/12/38
FROM: Mrs. R. M. Tubbs 320 East Lake Avenue, Howell, Michigan
DATED: February 8, 1938
RE: information about Joshua Woodard, who is alleged to have served in the Revolutionary War.
RESPECTFULLY REFERRED TO:
Revolutionary and 1812 Wars Section Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Ends M Nelson Vance Russell CHIEF, DIVISION OF REFERENCE

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of Joshua Woodward a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
Sur File 11.879
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apl or May 1775 9 mos. Priv- Lieut. Collins Parsons Conn.   Aug or Sept 1776 5 mos. Avery Coit   He was also called out at attack on Norton fort & burning of New London.  
Battles engaged in, White Pl.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Preston, Windham Co., Conn.
Date of application for pension, June 27. 1833 - Illorab.
Residence at date of application, Bland, Chautauqua Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, Born Apl. 11. 1755 at Preston, Conn.
Remarks: No family data on file.

ROUTED TO-
W. V. RUSSELL
FEB 11 1938
Houll. Mich.
Feb. 8-1938.
Genealogical Department.
Dear People:
I Am a Daughter of the American Revolution.
My Ancestor - James Rankin - My Number 210187.
Wish to get Record of Joshua Woodard - who only married Margaret Rankin - their children's names - Nancy - Joshua Jr. Betsy - Fanny. Herkimer Co. N.Y. - war home during Revolution.
Thank you Sincerely
(Mrs R. W.) Della M. Tubbs. 320 E - Lake Ave.
Delighted to pay all fees in connection with this Record.
D.M.T.