Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16015, Gardner Wait, Mass. New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. New York
Wait, Gardner
S. 16015
carded
CONTENTS

17247 17247
Vermont Gardner Wait
of Grand Isle Co in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stone - of the Regt. commanded by Col. Starkweather in the N.Y. on a line for 12 mos 11 ds. 4 Mass.
Dates of death not on AB.
17247
Inscribed in the Roll of Vermont at the rate of $1 Dollars 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Augt. 1833 and sent to Hallen North Hero.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $82.42 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept - 20.60 $103.02
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 97

10802
Gardner Wait
8 Feb 1833
Cy: 16.
Admit
12 mos 11 ds
J. Allen Esq
North Hero
Hon
1 st
H. Allen
H. R.
Page 240.
3

BRIEF in the case of  Gardner Wait of Isle La Motte  County of Grand Isle  in the State of Vermont  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     10th Nov 1776 3 10 Subaltern Genl. Stark   re-enlisted Aug. 1777 1 4 for Capt Stone   ditt. 1778 3 Sam. Wait Lieut. Mather   ditt. Sept. 1778 1 19 privates Lieut. Rice or Stark   dropped back of Aug 1781 14 Capt Whipple   re-enlisted Autumn 1781 1 5 Subaltern Lieut. John Dinsmore   for Lieut. Col. Mather   Sam. Wait Capt. Stone, in the Fort at Ticonderoga  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Hardwick, Massachusetts, New Boston, New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
not properly attached
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. B. Wilson Examining Clerk.
6. July 1833

I was born in the Town of Exeter in the State of Rhode Island on the 30. day of July 1759. My age and My birth is recorded in the Town Clerks office of the Town of Isle La Motte where I now reside and have resided more than forty years. This record was made by the clerk of the Town about forty four years ago & then by my direction and from recollection as it stood in My Family Bible.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension annuity except the present and declare that My Name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State. Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid.
This Gardner X Wait Marks
We William Wait a clergyman residing in the Town of Isle La Motte and Ira Hill & Charles Canoe residing in Isle La Motte hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gardner Wait who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three Years of age That he is respected and believed in his neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid.
William Wait Ira Hill Chas Canoe
And the said court do hereby declare their Opinion after investigation of the matter and after fulling 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 William Wait who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of Isle La Motte and that Ira Hill & Charles Canoe who have also signed the same are residents in Isle La Motte and is a credible person and that their statements is entitled to credit.
Joel Allen Judge.

I C. H. Burgess Register of the Probate Court for the District of Grand Isle do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Gardner Wait for a Pension
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 29. day of August A.D. 1832
C. H. Burgess Register
Recorded in the 8 Book of Probate Records for the District of Grand Isle page 145 to 150 inclusive. Attest C. H. Burgess Register
State of Vermont Grand Isle District
I C. H. Burgess Register of the
Court of Probate for the District of Grand Isle do hereby certify that the following contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gardner Wait for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this second day of March A.D. 1833. C. H. Burgess Register

District of Grand Isle
State of Vermont Grand Isle County ss
On this 29 th day of August A D 1832
Personally appeared before the Hon d the Court of Sessions within & for the District of Grand Isle now sitting
Gaudence Wait a Resident
of S t Sa Mott in the County of Grand Isle and State of Vermont aged Seventy Three Years on the 30 th day of July last 1832 who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he Entered the Service of the United States under the following Officers named, and served as herein stated
My first term of Service
Was performed Under Brigadier General Jonathan Warner of Hardwick M c Colonel Sparhawk. Residence to me unknown. Adjutant Houghton Residence to me unknown. Captain Stone First Elisha Billings I think of Hardwick Lieutants Wilson (Acting) and Nathan Bloedget I think of Weston M c With the names of Elwell Furbush, John Quiffin, William O'Ke, William Page & Daniel Lyon & Benjamin Stetson. I entered the Service on the first day of October
in 1776 in the Town of Hardwick State of Massachusetts where then resided a Substitute for My Father, Samuel Wait & left the Service of this term by being Dismissed in Boundbrook in the State of New Jersey and Returned immediately home to Hardwick Massachusetts where I arrived on the 10 th or 11 th day of April following Five Months & Ten days. the Company was detained beyond its proper time in consequence of our being in the vicinity of the enemy within 2 Miles of the expected troops to supply our place not arriving at the proper time, Major Morrills Regiment arrived & I was then Dismissed, I was one of a party who under Colonel Sparhawk in the Night at Brunswick in the State of New Jersey Surprised a Pigmy Guard of Hessian & took 5 Prisoners three field Pieces three Horses Some Small arms &c which was taken to the American Garrison at Boundbrook. I Marched from Hardwick to Springfield from thence to Danbury which place was afterwards burnt by the British Troops from thence to Pitts kills on the North River From thence to Morristown in New Jersey where I first saw Ben-
5 Mo 10 days

Was
Washington from thence to Boundbrook, I do not know of any Continental Regiment or Company Nor of any Continental Officers except It was Gen l Washington & I did not see him on duty. I did not have any written discharge Nor have I any Documentary Evidence of this term of Service. Nor do I know of any person living whose Testimony I can get who can Testify to my Service
D o My Second term of Service Was Under Nathan Leonard and Whether he was a Lieutenant or an Ensign I cannot Remember. I volunteered for Service in Hardwick. We Went to Hadley Falls, from thence to Farmington in Vermont, where I remained one Week, the names of some of the Men Who went with Me from Hardwick Was Abraham Chamberlain, Abisha Babbitt and Joseph Knowlton, from thence I was sent to Half-Moon, remained there until re-enforced, to assist at the Memorable Battle of Bennington where I arrived Just at the close of the battle I assisted in burying the Dead among whom Was Colonel Foster before leading the Tories, I was a Sentinel at the Meeting House in Bennington on the Night the Prisoners made an attempt Upon the Guard by Stratagem to escape. but did not succeed 11. of the Hessians & Tory prisoners Were killed in the attempt, by the Guard, I remained until the Prisoners Were sent off to Northampton was then Dismissed and allowed to return home which I immediately did at the close of five Weeks, this term I think began in August 1777 & ended in September following, the days of the Month I do not recollect I had no written discharge. I have no documentary Proof of my Service and I know of no person living whose Testimony I can procure, who can Testify to this term of Service

3. My First Term of Service I volunteered three months Under I think Colonel Rice, or Sparhawk I can not be positive Which, I went to Boston took Youngmens Men conducted them to Rutland Massachusetts and remained there one of the Guard During My Term of three months My other officers were Captain Whipple I believe of Oakham M d Lieut Knowlton I went from Haverwick where I then resided & returned there when dismissed I had no written discharge I started about the first of April or some time in April, cannot be certain as to the day & returned in July I have no documentary Proof of My Services and I know of no person living whose Testimony I can Procure who can Testify to this Term of My Service this was in the 1778
4. My Next Term of Service Was Under Lieut John Dinsmore of Haverwick Massachusetts I went with a detachment from Haverwick Some of the Mens names were William Nye of one Webb & I think Knowlton named before and Am Samuel Johnson Who stood by my side when he lost his the flesh part of his leg by a cannon ball at Rhode Island where We joined General Sullivans Army for three days a French from our fort to the other sufficiently large for Ammunition Waggons to pass undiscovered. I was one in the Retreat from Rhode Island in batteaux passing between two Large British armed Vessels in a foggy Night to the Main Land Under General Sullivan in, I think August 1778 another Man in this Term with me was Joshua Crosby after our Retreat from the Island we Marched to Pawtuxet below Providence and there remained a fortnight when We were Dismissed and returned home to Haverwick M d I remained at Home only three days after the close of the other Term when this was long and I arrived home in September cannot tell What day having served in this Term Six Weeks I had no written discharge. I have no documentary Evidence of this Service nor do I know of any person living whose Testimony I can Procure who can Testify to this Term of Service
1st 10 days

5.
12 days
My Next Term of Service was performed Under Lieutenant Edward Wheeler of New Britain in the State of New York at which place I then resided, a Substitute for Benjamin Wait My Uncle who was Drafted into Service. I Started from New Britain on or about the Last of the Month of August in the Year 1781 Went to Albany from thence to Schenectady, from thence up Mohawk River to a place which I have forgotten, Returned through Ballstown to Schenectady where I was dismissed & returned home after a Term of Indian Chase, of Ten or Twelve Days I cannot say which. I had no written discharge I have no documents to prove this Service nor do I know of any person living whose Testimony I can procure who can testify to this Term of Service
6.
1 Mo 5 days
My Next Term of Service was performed Under Captain Hale I understood of Spencertown in the State of New York I entered by an engagement with a Man by the Name of (his name is now forgotten) I was at Stockbridge Massachusetts
where I Met with this Man, who was a Stranger to me he was at home by permission his health as he said Rather bad and he hired me to take his place in the Company to which he belonged, I did it, and Served his Term of time out. One Scott Was a Sergeant in P t Company I went from Stockbridge to Schoharie where I Joined the company Remained there in the Fort thirty days Went from thence to Albany & was there dismissed & returned home to New Britain Having Served Thirtyfive days in this Term this Service Was performed in the Autumn of the Year 1781 I had no Written Discharge No documentary Evidence and I know of no person living whose Testimony I can procure who can testify to this Term of Service

December 6, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. J. C. Johnson 304 West 16th Street Hays, Kansas
GARDNER WAIT S. 16015 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Gardner Wait who was born July 30, 1759, in Exeter, Rhode Island, served in the Revolutionary War, was pensioned in 1832 in Grand Isle County, Vermont, and died there in 1846.
The data which follow in regard to Gardner Wait were obtained from pension claim, S. 16015, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Gardner Wait was born July 30, 1759, in Exeter, Rhode Island. He was the son of Samuel Wait; the name of his mother was not given.
While residing in Hardwick, Massachusetts, Gardner Wait volunteered as a substitute for his father, served as private in Captain Stone's company, Colonel Sparhawk's Massachusetts regiment, was in the battle of Brunswick in which he assisted in capturing five Hessians and taking small firearms, ammunition and horses, and was discharged after having served five months ten days. He volunteered in August, 1777, served one month four days as private under Ensign or Lieutenant Nathan Leonard in the Massachusetts troops engaged as a sentinel at the battle of Bennington and assisting in the burying of the dead of that battle. He volunteered in April, 1778, and served three months as private in Captain Whipple's company, in either Colonel Rice's or Sparhawk's Massachusetts regiment as a guard at Rutland, Massachusetts. He enlisted in August, 1778, and served six weeks as private under Lieutenant John Dinsmore in the Massachusetts troops on General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition. While residing in New Britain, New York, he enlisted the last of August, 1781, as a substitute for his uncle, Benjamin Wait, and served ten or twelve days as private under Lieutenant Edward Wheeler in the New York troops. He enlisted at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1781, served one month five days as private in Captain Hale's New York company in the fort at Schoharie and at Albany, was then discharged and returned to his home in New Britain, New York.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed August 29, 1832, while a resident of Isle La Mott, Grand Isle County, Vermont.
No reference was made to the wife of Gardner Wait, and no names in the claim were designated as those of children of that soldier.
In 1832, one William Wait was a clergyman residing in Isle La Mott, Vermont.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the exact date of death of Gardner Wait, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Gardner Wait, certificate #17247, issued August 12, 1833, rate $41.21 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Vermont Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

✓
16015 INVALID.
File No. 16,015
Gardner Wait
Dr. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 395
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dec 1899
Mrs. L. M. Walker. Moline, Ills.
Mar. 10-1903- Hist to C. N. Wait. Prophetstown Ill
1915. Nov. 27: History to Mrs. R. J. Lester. M. B. H.
1938, Dec. 6, Hist to Mrs. J. C. Johnson Mr. D

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Gardner Wait- which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Cf. See Order 16 XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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

RECORD & PENSION OFFICE 715 78
Mr. Philip Root
Washington, D.C.
appreciated. Waiting your reply I am Most Resp. By doing so you will confer a Great favor to me and one that will be Greatly at Burlington Vermont I am a son of Downer Wait He is a son of Gardner Wait. the enlistment of Gardner Wait who was a revolutionary soldier and drew a pension My Dear Sir:-- Will you please be so kind as to send me the date of
Brophetstown Ia Feb 21 1903
Gardner Wait VT - Rev War
Chas Wait
Requests date of enlist
Feb. 21st. 1903

OFFICE OF HARRY H. WAITE, ATTORNEY AT LAW.
Prophetstown, Ill., Feb. 21st. 1903
Mr. Elihue Root, Esq., Washington, D.C.
My Dear Sir:-- Would you please be so kind as to send me the date of the enlistment of Gardner Wait who was a revolution soldier and drew a pensô at Berlington Vermont I am a son of Downer Wait He a son of Gardner Wait. By doing so you will confer a great favor to me and one that will be greatly appreciated, Waiting your reply I am Most Resp.
C H Wait
.....

Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, February 25, 1903.
Respectfully returned to
17247
Mr. C. H. Wait, Prophetstown, Illinois.
The name Gardner Wait has not been found on the rolls, on file in this office, of any organization of Vermont or Continental troops in service during the war of the Revolution.
It is proper to add, however, that the collection of Revolutionary war records in this office is far from complete, and that the absence therefrom of any name should not be accepted as conclusive evidence that the person who bore the name did not serve in the Revolutionary army.
In view of your statement to the effect that the soldier in question drew a pension, it is suggested as probable that a full statement of his service can be obtained from the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C., who is the custodian of the pension records of the Revolutionary war.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
J. W. Morris Chief, Record and Pension Office.
Per u
(300a)

OFFICE OF HARRY H. WAITE, ATTORNEY AT LAW.
John N. War Rev. & C.V.
Prophetstown, Ill., Feb 27th, 1903.
Commissioner of Pensions, Esq., Washington D.C.
My Dear Sir:-- By the enclosed letter you will see that I have written to the War department for certain information that the enclosed letter will explain, Now I wish that you would if you possibly can answer the request that I have asked of the department, I find that Mr Gardner Wait enlisted from Rhode Island and drew his pension from Burlington Vermont, Kindly let me hear from you and oblige. Yours Most Resp.,
G H Wait
.....

RUFUS WALKER & SONS
Coal & Coke
RUFUS WALKER. FRANK B. WALKER. RUFUS WALKER, JR.
Cable Coal
Moline, Illinois.
10/9/99.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please give me the war record of one Gardner Wait(e) who was in the Revolutionary war for about seven years, and who received his pension at Burlington, Vermont.
Thanking you in advance for same, I am,
Very respectfully,
Lucinda M. Walker Jr.

Rev Sec / 1
BOONVILLE, N.Y.
Nov. 18th. 1915.
To the Commissioner of Pensions WASHINGTON, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me the pension record of my Revolutionary Ancestor Gardner Wait.
I understand that he served as private in Massachusetts troops and died in Grand Isle County, VERMONT.
Yours truly;
Myrtle Wait Lester
"From Mrs R. J. Lester, Boonville, N.Y."
Envelope

304 West 16th St., Hays, Kansas October 21, 1938
Veterans Bureau, Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you kindly furnish me with the data given in the pension records for the following Revolutionary Soldier-
✓ Wait, Gardner b. Exeter, R.I. 7-30-1759 d. 1846 Grand Isle Co. Vt. Pensioner from the state of Vermont in 1832.
I am especially interested in births and names of his children.
Very truly yours,
Arleen Johnson Arleen Johnson (Mrs. J.C.)

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 16015.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
December 13th, 1899.
Madam:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that Gardner Wait made an application for pension on August 29th, 1832, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing in Grandisle County, Vermont, and his pension was allowed for twelve months and eleven days' actual service as a private in the Mass. and New York troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted at Hardwick, Mass., and served under Capt. Stone and Col. Sparhawk.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner..
Mrs. Lucinda M. Walker,
Moline, Ills.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Gardner Wait , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.F. 16015
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov. 1, 1776 5 mos. 10 days Pvt. Stone Sparhawk Mass   Aug. 1777 1 mo. 4 days Ens. or Lt. Nathaniel "   Apr. 1778 3 mos. Whipple Brice or Sparhawk "   Aug. 1778 6 mos. Lt. John. Dinemore " "   Aug. 1781 10 or 12 days Lt. Edw. Wheeler. " N.Y.   Autumn 1781. 1 mo. 5 days Hale. " N.Y.  
Battles engaged in, Genl Sullivan's Expedition on R.I.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hardwick, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 29, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Isle La Motte, Grand Isle Co. Vt.
Age at date of application, July 30, 1759 in Exeter, R.I., son of Samuel Wait
Remarks: there is no further family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.