Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,793, Jonathan Wilder, Conn.

SERVICE
born.
Wilder, Jonathan
NUMBER _____
NUMBER 8 11 793
carded
CONTENTS

New York 27.777
Jonathan Wilder of Saratoga in the State of New York who was a private in the com d commanded by Captain Wells of the reg t commanded by Col Smith in the Saratoga line for 10 months service
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Nov r 1834 and sent to the Reals Commanding
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 34 170.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 35 16.66 $133.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam l L. Lays Clerk. Book 82 Vol. 7 Page 81

No 9179 Jonathan Wilder
proofreg 2
6. 10
2
6
2
16. 10
Adm
65. 11. 12. 17.
Admitted
Private 10 months
$33.33
P121.
Thos Beals Canandaigua N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Wilder of Canandaigua in the State of N. York (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? Eighty two years  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. As a Gen.     In 1775 6 Private Col o Hinman — Connecticut   in 1776 & part of 1777. Some Service Stated but totally undefined — Col o Seth Smith   Spring of 1777 6 20 days Private Col o Enos Connecticut   " 2 do Cap t Wells — no Colonel do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None named 10 will be allowed  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hartland — Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence alone  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are correct in form and authentication 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Gordon Examining Clerk.

State of New York 3 Ontario County 3 ss:
On this twenty eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the County Court now sitting Jonathan Wilder of the town of Canandaigua County and State aforesaid aged Eighty two years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath declare and make known the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
1 st At Hartland in the State of Connecticut he enlisted for six months in May 1775 in Captain John Watsons Company in Colonel Hinmans Regiment and was mustered in Canaan and marched to Halfmoon on the north River and then to Fort George, and after being there two days went to Ticonderoga and after two or three days went to Crown Point and the Isle Noire and was detached with about fifty men under Colonel Allen to capture some provisions in which service was successful and in this expedition Captain Watson was wounded and disabled and had to leave the service. He joined the Army at St. Johns and was present when the Fort at St. Johns was taken General Montgomery was in Command, and saw him daily, also General Wooster. In November was discharged and he reached home in December.
2 o After this about 1 st August, thinks it was the year after his discharge above, Volunteered to go to New York, marched to New Haven, went aboard a Sloop and landed at New York in Captain Bracs Company, Colonel Seth Smiths Regiment, and was there about a month, and then ordered to retreat to Kingsbridge or near it and there remained until discharged, and then returned

hone. While there General Putnam in Command and saw him often .
3 o In the Spring of 1777 at Heartland as aforesaid in Captain Bradley Company in Colonel Ennis Regiment enlisted for six months, and was stationed at Stamford in Connecticut. Was ordered to Esopus, halted at Fishkill and was then ordered back to the Frontier, and there kept guard until the time expired, and was then discharged at Horse Neck.
4 th At Berk Hempstead in Connecticut was drafted for two months, and sent to New Haven in Captain Wells Company. Was no Colonel. This was the year Burgoyne was taken. was employed in keeping guard at New Haven! Served out two months and then returned home.
He hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. Was born in Lyme, State of Connecticut 25 th day of July 1758. Removed from Berk Hempstead 37 years ago into Ontario County in the town of Bristol, and for 12 years past have lived in Canandaigua. He has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure other  testimony  he can procure , who can testify to his service.
He knows Isaac Morse & Elijah Wilder
Sworn to, and subscribed the his Jonathan Wilder mark day & year aforesaid, in open court
Mr Elijah Wilder residing in the Town of Seneca in the County & State aforesaid and Isaac Morse residing in the Town of Canandaigua in the County & State
aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Wilder who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty two 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.

7179 Jonathan Wilder
Thomas Beals Agent Wanandaigua

Subscribed and sworn the 5 th day and year aforesaid in open court.
Elijah Wilder Isaac Morse
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 Elijah Wilder Wilder, who has signed the preceding certificate, resides in the town of Scituate and that Isaac Morse who has signed the same resides in the town of Sandwich, that they are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Wilder for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this first day of September A. D. 1832.
Charles Crane

State of New York } In the matter of Jonathan Wilder Ontario County } application for pension
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said county Jonathan Wilder who being duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith that when he made his declaration before the County Court 28 th August 1832 under the Act of Congress 7 th June 1832 to which this is an amendment, he supposed he had complied with the Rule of the Department in all respects. He is now required to state with precision the length of his service, and the grade in which he served - under his first head in 1775 he served not less than six months and ten days - under his Second head in 1776 not less than two months, under his third head in 1777 in Captain Bradleys Company he served out the full term of six months, and under his fourth head he served not less than two months - He further saith that the reason he had no clergyman to support his application as aforesaid, was, that since he has lived in Canandaigua, he has not been able to attend public worship, but seldom, and is not acquainted with the clergyman - He is very infirm, and seldom goes out - He is required to answer the Seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department - The 1 st he has answered - to the 2 d he now says he has no record of his age - the 3 d is answered - the 4 th is answered - to the 5 th interrogatory he now says, that when he served as under his first head he remembers Colonel Ethan Allen served there - when he served as under his 2 d head, he does not remember the names of any other Regiments, but he remembers General Parsons - When he served as under his 3 d head he does not remember the names of any other Regiments in that station, and when he served as under his 4 th head there was no other Company besides Captain Molls at New Haven, in which he served - He served in all not less than one year four months and ten days as a private soldier, for which he claims a pension.
Sworn to and subscribed
Jonathan Wilder his mark
This 11 March 1833 -
Henry Chaplin J.P.

State of New York, } Ontario County ss. } I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Henry Chapin, whose name is subscribed to the within certificate of affidavit, was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the peace in and for said County; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the said signature to be his proper act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this seventh day of March A.D. 1833.
Charles Crane

State of New-York, } ss: County of Ontario. }
I, CHARLES CRANE, Clerk of the county of Ontario, do hereby certify, that Jeffrey Chipman whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Affidavit No. 1 to which this certificate is annexed was at the date of said Certificate and at the time the said Affidavit - purports to have been sworn & taken a Justice of the Peace in and for said county. And I further certify, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Jeffrey ——— and verily believe his signature as aforesaid, to be genuine.

State of New York Ontario County } 3
In the matter of Jonathan Wilder's application for a pension
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Notary Public in and for said County Jonathan Wilder who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is informed by his agent that his application for a pension under the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832 is suspended, his papers placed on the files and he is required to furnish some proof of his service - He now says that Joseph Gilbert now present has known him from childhood and knows that he was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War. He therefore prays that his case may be considered, and he placed on the Pension Roll, agreeable to the provisions of the act before referred to for his services of one year, four months, and ten days as set forth in his declarations.
Sworn and subscribed this 4 day of September 1833 before me
Morris Stated Not. Pub
Isaac Van
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Notary Public in and for said County, Joseph Gilbert a resident of the town of Bristol in said County a Revolutionary Pensioner, Aged 78 years who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Jonathan Wilder who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding - That he knew him at Hartland in the State of Connecticut before the Revolutionary War - That on or about the 1 st May 1775 at Hartlands he was present when the said Jonathan Wilder enlisted in Captain Watson's company for six months, and he knows that he was marched to the North-wards, and he saw him when he returned in the fall of the same year - In the year 1776 this deponent enlisted in Captain Woodbridge's company in Colonel Elmer's Regiment for one year and went to the North - He understood and believes that some

time in the same year the said Jonathan Wilder went to New York in Captain Braces Company, but does not know how long he was out in that campaign -
In May 1777 this deponent enlisted for three years in Captain Woodbridge Company, and after this being on duty near West Point, he saw the said Jonathan Wilder then on duty in Captain Bradly's Company, but he does not know how long he served in that year, but he has understood and believes he served six months - He further saith that he has understood and believes that the said Jonathan Wilder was in the service at several other times but he did not serve with him - He believes that he served as he states, and has never heard it questioned or doubted - Sworn to and subscribed 3 this 4 September 1833 before me 3 : Joseph Gilbert
Mormon Pratt & Rev. Pat
I certify that the above named Joseph Gilbert is a credible person - Mormon Pratt & Rev. Pat
State of New-York, ) Ontario County ss. ) I. Charles Crane, Clerk of said County do certify that Thomas Beals whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificates is a Notary Public in and for said county; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the said signatures to be his proper act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourth day of September A.D. 1833 - Charles Crane
Jonathan Wilder
State of New York Ontario County ss. Before me, a justice of the Peace of the said county, personally appeared Joseph Gilbert, and makes oath that the foregoing deposition submitted, and sworn to before Thomas Beals Esqr. Notary Public, by him, on the 4th day of September 1833, contains the truth - the said Joseph Gilbert so appearing & sworn before me this 6th day of June 1834.
Jeffrey Chipman J.P.

State of New-York, } ss: County of Ontario. }
I, CHARLES CRANE, Clerk of the county of Ontario, do hereby certify, that Jeffrey Chipman whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Affidavit No. 16 to which this certificate is annexed was at the date of said Certificate and at the time the said Affidavit - purports to have been sworn & taken a Justice of the Peace in and for said county. And I further certify, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Jeffrey — and verily believe his signature as aforesaid, to be genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, at Canandaigua, this twelfth day of June -- in the year of our Lord 1834.
Charles Crane, Clerk.

Canandaigua 11 th Sept 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq Commr of Penn a
Sir
On the 12 th June last, I sent to you the amended declarations of Jonathan Wilder and Elijah Warren, which have not yet been acknowledged, and request your attention to their cases —
Respectfully
Merrill Pratt

Jonathan Wilder
Belgium
Thomas Beals agent Canandaigua

Canandaigua 16 Sept 1834 J. L. Edwards Esq Comm'r of Pensions Sir
Your letter of the 11 inst. is received, stating that the whole of the time claimed by Jonathan Wilder is not sustained by documentary evidence in the Department. That the claim for service in Col. Ennis Regiment could not have exceeded two months, whereas six months is claimed. The whole claim was for more than 16 months service. You state that on a relinquishment of all claim under the act except for 10 months service, the applicant will be allowed a pension for that time.
I am instructed to say that a pension for Ten months will be accepted, and all further claim is relinquished.
Your most obedt Servt
William P. Dinsmore

John Wilder

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan Wilder which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 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? Yes 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? No. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes. VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes 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? Yes
W

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? He has not obtained the evidence of a Clergyman but has that of two Credible persons XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? None 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? Yes. XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? Yes. XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? The Court Certify that the interrogatories were put to the Applicant - not all embodied
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, deposeeth 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 the 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.
† 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 affidavit 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 authenticated 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 end 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.

New York Rev.
Jonathan Wilder
Suspended Act. N.B. Cal. 20 July 33 " " " 29. Apr. '34 " " " 11 Sept. " " " " 20 " "
Act. 7 June 32

Perham
11,793 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11,793 Jonathan Wilder Prv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 111
[Arrangement of 1870.]