Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,906, for Rufus May, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. ..... .....
May, Rufus Eunice .....
No. 23,906 .....
CONTENTS
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PI

New York 3483
Eunice May Mrs widow of Rufus May who was a Private in the Massachusetts line for 7 mo. 21 days
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Twenty five Dollars Sixty Six Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the Eighth day of December 1843 and sent to Sarah Beckwick Cazenovia New York
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 109

24916 Albany N York Rufus May of Madison in the State of New York who was a private in the ... commanded by Captain. ... of the ... commanded by Col ... in the ... line for ... and ...
Inscribed on the Roll of ... at the rate of 25 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of April 1835 and Smith Baraboo Dick ... Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $ 82, 64 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep ... 12, 83 $ 95 47
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 69 Vol. 1 Page 45
2882

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832
State of New York
Madison County } ss. On this 21 st day of September 1832 personally appeared before me Barek Bicknell Esquire one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Madison Rufus May a resident of the town of Fanner in the county & State aforesaid aged seventy six 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 the 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, That in the month of February 1775 he according to his best recollection; tho' he cannot positively state the month or day of his enlistment, only that it was in the early part of the year 1775 he enlisted into a company of minute men commanded by Capt. Freeborn Morton, the 2 nd Lieut. name was Abel Allen but does not recollect the 1 st Lieut. name that after he enlisted he with the rest of the company frequently met for military exercise; that at the time of his enlistment he resided in the town of Brimfield in the State of Massachusetts the place of his nativity. That on or about the 21 st day of April soon after the Lexington battle he was called into the service of the United States and with his said company marched to Cambridge near Boston and was quartered in the college at that place where he remained about three weeks, from thence we were marched to Roxbury where we were stationed for about the same length of time, when the whole company were discharged, verbally no written discharges were given, when he returned to the place of his enlistment now called the town of Holland but at that time South Brimfield, the principal town through which he marched on his way to Cambridge was Worcester from thence to Concord, thence to Lexington & Cambridge, he does not recollect the names of any of the General officers with whom he was

he was acquainted. That some time in the month of December, according to his best recollection of the same year he again enlisted into a militia company for two months to go to Roxbury and went immediately with all convenient dispatch where he served two months and thinks some longer but cannot recollect the exact length of time that he was then regularly discharged and soon returned to Brimfield the name of the Capt. he thinks was Munn, but cannot positively affirm. That some time in according to his best recollection the month of July, 1776 he again enlisted into a volunteer company for five months to go to Ticonderoga The Captains name who commanded the company was which Munger. The name of the Colonel who commanded the Regiment to which he was attached was Woodbridge, Genl. Gates commanded the American forces, at that place that while at Ticonderoga he often saw Genl. Gates as he was stationed a few rods from the Generals quarters. The name of the principal towns through which he passed on his way to Ticonderoga were first to Hadley, & Northampton Chesterfield, Williamstown then to Pownington in Vermont then to Skane - borough in N. York. Then by water on Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga Where he remained in the service of the United States until the expiration of five months the term of his enlistment when he was regularly discharged but did not receive it in writing. That he has a brother by the name of Chester May who is acquainted and can testify in his behalf, and also an acquaintance by the name Eleazar Wales who is knowing to his having served and can testify for him in regard to his service He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Rufus May
Sworn to and subscribed this day
and year aforesaid before me
Barak Bicknell a Judge of Madison common pleas
After being duly sworn according to law
The interrogatories, which follow, were then put to the said applicant by me the said Judge and the answers he gave to them are arranged Question first When and in what year were you born
Answer. I was born in South Brimfield in the state of Massachusetts

In the year 1756 on the 13 th day of April
2 nd Have you any record of your age
Ans. I have a family record with me in my house.
Which record was produced and agreed with the above answer
3 rd Where were you living when called into service, where you Where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live
Answer. I was living in South Brimfield, now called Holbrook in the State of Massachusetts when I have resided since the revolutionary war until within about 24 years since which time I have resided in the town of Tanners in the State of New York
4 th How were you called into service.
Ans. I volunteered.
5 th State the names of some of the general regular Officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Ans. My health is so much impaired and my memory so much gone that I can recollect but a very few of them viz. Col. Woodbridge who commanded a militia regiment, Gen. Warren, at Cambridge Major Walbridge a Capt. while at Cambridge & Roxbury, he was after appointed a Major, and Genl. Gates at Saratoga, was never in any battle
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service
Answer I was always regularly discharged but it was always a verbal discharge
7 th 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.

Sub. Alpheus Swift, James Munger, Guy Hotchkiss, Capt. Festus Parsons Charles Root, Justin Dwinell late a member of Congress & Col. John Sedgwick & Levi Austin
State of New York } Barnk Butkwith Judge etc
Madison County } ss On the 21 st day of September 1832 personally appeared before me Chester May a resident of the the town of Vernon in the county of Oneida & state aforesaid and being duly sworn deponent and saith that he is well acquainted with Rufus May the above named applicant that he is a brother of the said Rufus and very well recollects his volunteering in the early part of the year 1775 to go to Cambridge in a volunteer company to oppose the British army and that he actually went to Cambridge as it was stated at the time but cannot remember the exact length of time which his brother was gone at that time but is confident that it was a month or more & this deponent further saith that he was present and saw the said applicant volunteer into a militia company some time in the month of December  the latter part of the year 1775  to go to Roxbury & that he with the company soon started for Roxbury and was gone on this tour two months as this deponent well recollects who was at that time sixteen years of age and lived at home with his brother & father's family & this deponent further saith that he well recollects that some time in the months of July or August 1776 he was present and saw the said applicant enlist into a volunteer company to serve for five months to go to Ticonderoga that soon thereafter he recollects the company started for Ticonderoga together with the said applicant and that he returned in the early part of the ensuing winter & was absent five months, has heard the declaration to which the said applicant has made oath and signed. read and fully believes it to be correct and further this deponent saith not Sworn & subscribed before me This 21 st day of September 1832 Barnk Butkwith a Judge of Madison county
Chester May

State of New York Madison County } We Guy Hatch, Levi Austin & Festus Parsons residing in the town of Turin Madison county aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Rufus May the who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Guy Hatch
Sworn & subscribed before me
This 21 st day of September 1832
Barak Batchelder, a Judge of Madison county court of common pleas
Levi Austin Festus Parsons
State of New York } Madison County } On this 21 st day of September 1832 Personally came before me (Barak Batchelder Esquire one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Madison) Eleazer Wales a resident of the town of Eaton in the county of Madison aforesaid and being duly sworn deponeth & saith that he is well acquainted with Rufus May the above applicant; was living in Brimfield at the time of the commencement of the revolutionary war and was knowing to the said applicant having enlisted into a volunteer company to go to Cambridge near Boston & was knowing to the said applicant starting with said company for Cambridge and also to his return to Brimfield and understood at the time that the said applicant had been to Cambridge and served a two months tour or nearly that which was the length of time for which he volunteered. And this deponent further saith that the he saw the said applicant about the last of December 1775 in the town Oxford on his way to Newbury

with a part of the company who had volunteered with the said applicant to go to Roxbury for the term of two months to join the American army This deponent was then on his return from Cambridge having been in the American service about seven months, This deponent further deposes & saith that he was at Brimfield when the said applicant returned from Roxbury at the expiration of the two months service for which he volunteered And this Deponent further deposes & saith that he was knowing to this deponent declarants entering again into the service of his country sometime in the month of August 1776 for five months as this deponent then understood and has no doubt thereof, that this deponent was at the time knowing to the said declarants starting for Ticonderoga and also to his return to Brimfield some time the latter part of December or forepart of January following and understood at that time that the said applicant had been on a tour of five months service to Ticonderoga and had no doubt at that time, nor has he now any doubt but that the said Applicant served in the American army in defense of his country as stated in his declaration to which he has above sworn & subscribed
Ebenezer Wales
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 21 st day of September 1832
Barak Bushnell, a Judge of Madison county court common pleas

State of New York
Madison County
On the 21 st day of September 1832
a resident of the town of Fanner
Personally came before me Alpheus Swift to me well known and being duly sworn deposed and said that he is well acquainted with Chester May & Ebenezer Males who have sworn & subscribed to the affidavits of the military services of the within named Applicant and that they are respectable citizens and their statements entitled to credit
Sworn & subscribed before me this Alpheus Swift 21 st day of September 1832
Barak Beckwith a Judge of Madison county court of common pleas
I Roswell Beckwith a Clergyman residing in the town of Bozeoria in the county of Madison hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Rufus May who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & that I believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that I concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the 29 th day of September 1832 before me Roswell Beckwith Barak Beckwith, Judge
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that it appears to me that Roswell Beckwith who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Bozeoria

and that his statement is entitled to credit, and that Guy Hotet Levi Austin & Festus Parsons are residents of the town of Fenners who have subscribed and sworn to the a proceeding certificate and that I have been acquainted with each of them for several years last past as well as with the said applicant and Alpheus Furst (who has herein subscribed and sworn to the credibility of Chester May & Elazer Wales) and that each & every of them, and their statements are entitled to credit. And I do further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me the said Judge in the matter of the application of Rufus May for a pension. And I further certify that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29 th day of September 1832. Barack Beckwith a Judge of the court of common pleas in & for the county of Madison.
State of New York S.S. Madison County
I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Barack Beckwith before whom the six preceding Affidavits purport to have been sworn, And also whose name appears to the preceding Certificate, was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 5 th day of October 1832. A. S. Sloan Clk.
13.886
Declaration of Rufus May in order to obtain pension

1205
4518
Eunice May
Bct July 7. 1838
Marr'd 13. Dec 1781
Husband died 27. Dec
1832 -
Col Ruggles - Capt Munger
Mist. Matilda
Connecticut
Private 7mo & 21 days
?
Barah Beckwith Esq
Ebenezer
N. Y.

State of New York
Madison County } ss. On this thirteenth day of December 1838 personally came before the subscriber a judge of the county courts in & for the county of Madison aforesaid Roxey Wilber aged thirty four years who being duly sworn according to law deposes & says that she is well acquainted with Eunice May who made oath to and subscribed the annex- -ed Declaration in order to obtain a pension; and that she was well acquainted with her late husband the said Rufus May at the time of his decease which was on the 27 th day of December 1832 and has been well acquainted with the said Eunice May ever since the death of her said husband Rufus May, and that the said Eunice May has not intermarried but still remains the widow of the said Rufus May, and further saith not
Roxey Wilber
Sworn and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written
Berek Berkwitt. Judge
I hereby certify that the above affidavit of Roxey Wilber and the annexed declaration of Eunice May are the original proceedings, laid before me in the matter of the application of the said Eunice May to obtain a pension and that the aforesaid Roxey Wilber is a credible person whose testimony is entitled to credit. And I further certify that the aforesaid Eunice May is unable to attend court on account of bodily infirmity
Berek Berkwitt. Judge

State of New York
Madison County Clerks Office
S. Alexander Donaldson Jr.
Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Barak Beckwith whose name is subscribed to the foregoing declaration and affidavit was on the day of the date of said declaration & affidavit a Judge of the County Courts in and for said County duly appointed and qualified and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Barak Beckwith and verily believe that the signatures to the said declaration & affidavit so identified purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the 5th day of January 1839
Alexander Donaldson Jr. Clerk

State of New York { Madison County } ss. On this thirteenth day of December eighteen hundred & thirty eight personally appeared before the Subscriber a Judge of the County Courts in & for the county of Madison aforesaid Eunice May a resident of the town of Farnes in the county of Madison aforesaid, aged twenty nine years, 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 Rufus May who was a private in the Militia of the State of Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War as will more fully appear by reference to his papers making appli- -cation for a pension now on file in the Pension Office at Washington; which said Rufus May resided in the aforesaid town of Farnes at the time he applied for a pension and also at the time of his decease.
She further declares that she was married to the said Rufus May on the thirteenth day of December eighteen hundred & thirty one that her husband the aforesaid Rufus May died the 27 th day of December 1832; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place prior to the first of January eighteen hundred & thirty four, viz. at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Barth Beckwith
Eunice May
a Judge of Madison County Courts

State of Connecticut County of Tolland } for Town Clerks Office Union September the 22 d 1838
Extract from the records of the town of Union aforesaid Rufus May and Eunice Wales were joined together in the bonds of wedlock December the thirteenth one thousand seven hundred eighty one
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair and legible figures as follows December the 13 th 1781.
Attest Nathaniel Newell Town Clerk
I Nathaniel Newell above named depose and say that I hold the Office of town Clerk in the Town County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Union with the exception above named as Certified by me
Nathaniel Newell
State of Connecticut
County of Tolland } for Stafford September 22 nd 1838
Personally appeared Nathaniel Newell Esq. of Union in said County of Tolland, who has subscribed the above Certificate & made solemn oath to the truth of the same, I also certify that I know from personal knowledge that the said Nathaniel Newell Esq. is the Town Clerk of said town of Union, - and I further certify that he sustains a fair character for truth & veracity and his testimony is entitled to full credit
Sworn before me } Rodolphus Woodworth Justice the word knowledge was } of the Peace for Tolland County interlined by me Rodolphus Woodworth Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } County of Tolland } Is County Clerk's office
I, Jeremiah Parish Clerk of the Courts in said Tolland County do certify that Rudolphus Wood- worth Esq. of Stafford is a Justice of Peace in the said County duly appointed and acting in said capacity - That his Commission bears date the 27 th day of May A D 1838 and will continue until the 20 th day of June 1839 also that the signature to the within certifi- cate purporting to be the signature of said Justice Woodworth is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and official seal at Tolland this 6 th day of October A D 1838
Jeremiah Parish Clerk

13.8.86 Rufus May. Madison Co. New York
5.16
P. 374
Snip o 1 st term Baap - 0.28 2 " not cut & rated 3 - Witheps - 2.00 4 - " 5 7.28. (May)
adm d 7 mo. 21 days fri
23 33 22 33 23 66
Barak Beckwith. Agt. Madison Co. New York (Carnegie)

BRIEF in the case of  Rufus May  of  Madison County  in the State of  New York.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76.  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.     Enlisted In 1775 About 3 weeks As a Private Gen. Capt. Norton, 2 nd Lt. Allen   Enlisted 3 ditto Capt. Munroe   Enlisted 1776 2 months Col. Woodbridge, Capt. Munroe   5 do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Barnfield, Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. Robinson Examining Clerk.

4518
Eunice May
widow of Rufus.
N. York.
Act 7 July, 1838.
Let to B. Beckwith, Esq. (return envelope) June 4, 1839.

Concordia August 30 th 1843
Dear Sir
enclosed is the application of Chloe Lyon and Emma May for an extension of their Pension. Please forward to the Subscriber any communication which you may think proper on the subject
I am very respectfully your obedient Servant
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm ee on Pensions
Barak Beckwith

Albany
Rufus May act June 7, 1832 to what time paid? Due 27 th Dec. 1832 p o W L to that period H

Cazenovia Madison Co. N.Y.
June 29 th 1839.
Dear Sir
I duly received yours of June 4 th returning the papers of Eunice May requiring her to renew her declaration in a court of Record and referring me to the 5 th section of the Regulations of the Department relative to the act of July 7 th 1838 a copy of which was enclosed I supposed that I had in the papers returned complied with the said 5 th section as Mrs May's age & infirmity was such as not to be able to attend court, which I had certified & which I conclude the Clerk & overlooked, in examining the papers. As she is still unable to attend court from bodily infirmity I have taken a new declaration which I herewith forward to the Department & hope it will prove satisfactory.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
I am very respectfully your At. serv t Barnes Beckwith

Revs. Rufus May New York
Suspended act. p. 32 Letter 26 October 1833 to
let to Hon. W. K. Fuller - Feb. 20 '33 D. Beecher

Albany 4205
Eunice May widow of Rufus May
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832 and who died on the 27. Dec. 1832 of Madison Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Hanger of the regt. commanded by Col. Ruggles in the Mass. line for 7 months & 21 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 25 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of Sept. 1839 and sent to Sarah Beckwith Pagenwies, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 39 89.80 Semi-annual allowance ending March 10. 12.83
$102.63
{ Act July 7, } 1838 }
Recorded by D. Brown Book 4. Vol. 2
Clerk,
Page 89

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William May 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 — the date & length of each term must be shown, and names of officers, and the best evidence to support the declaration that can be had, furnished. 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? yes

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? yes 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? yes 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? yes 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? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 17 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Rufus May, as a private, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. Freeborn Moulton's Company, in Col. Danielson's Regt. where he is allowed from April 19 th 1775, twenty one days.
Rufus May claims for further services under Capt. Freeborn Moulton in 1775, but the roll is not found in this Office, except the above mentioned.
Rufus May also claims for services under Capt. Munn from December 1775, but the roll is not found in this Office.
Rufus May claims also for five months services under Capt. Ichiel Munger, in Col. Ruggles Woodbridge's Regt. in 1776, but the roll is

not found in this Office, except the following, viz An Abstract of the Mileage & Travel of the company commanded by Capt. Jehiel Munger in Col. Ruggles Woodbridges Regiment from Bennington to Seconderoga, and from thence home in the County of — by the way of Albany." where Nineteen privates are allowed each three hundred and twenty Miles travel, and fifty two privates each three hundred and ten Miles travel names not mentioned. The above Abstract was Read and Allowed in Council March 20 th 1777.—
The rolls for the services of the Militia are very incom- -plete.
Edward D Bangs

Hughes Hay
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Watrous April 13 th 1835
Dear Sir I send enclosed a certificate which I lately received from the Secretarys office in Massachusetts relating to the services of Rufus May as a Revolutionary soldier whose application for a pension is on file in the Pension office at Washington
I am not aware that any additional evidence can be obtained relating to his services
I am very respectfully your obedient servant
Barak Beekwith
J. L. Edward Esq Pension office Washington

Alb 20
NY.
Ernest Bates ret.?
5. Secretary of War
FREE
Pension Office Department
Washington City.

Secretary of War
Sir
Enclosed are the papers for the purpose of obtaining a pension of Amel Bals. You will see by the additional affidavits that there can be no doubt of his having and ever the services for which he claims. That it is all of his pension to obtain positive proof that he is alive.
I am Yours &c
A. S. Goff
Albion April 8th 1835

July 5.
Mr. to cake Eunice May.
Edwards Esq,
Commissioned Pension
Washington D. C.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23906
Emmice Keay
wid of
Rufus Keay
Chis Maf. line
Act: March 3 d 1848
Index:—Vol. 11 Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York Madison County } ss. On this fifteenth day of June 1839, personally appeared before the Subscriber a Judge of the county courts in and for the county of Madison aforesaid (said court being a court of Record) Eunice May a resident of the town of Farners in the County of Madison aforesaid, aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, took on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 7 th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Rufus May who was a private in the Militia of the State of Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War as will more fully appear by reference to his papers making application for a pension, now on file in the Pension Office at Washington; that said Rufus May resided in the aforesaid town of Farners at the time of his application for a pension and also at the time of his decease. She further declares that she was married to the said Rufus May on the thirteenth day of December seventeen hundred eighty one, that her husband the aforesaid Rufus May died on the 27 th day of December 1832, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above stated
Eunice May
Thereby certify that the above declaration was sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me and that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court
Barak Beckwith a Judge of Madison County Courts

State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office ss. Alexander Donaldson
Clerk of said County do hereby certify Barak Breckwith the person before whom the foregoing declaration purports to have been made was on the day of the date of the said declaration and affidavit a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Madison duly appointed and qualified and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Barak and verily believe that the signature to the said decla- ration and affidavit purporting to be his are genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and aff- ixed the Seal of said County the 22 nd day of June 1839
Alexander Donaldson Clerk

State of New York, Madison County } ss. On this 15 th day of June 1839, came before the Subscriber a Judge of the county courts in and for the county of Madison aforesaid Asaph Hunston aged 67 years who being first duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he is well acquainted with Eunice May who made oath to & subscribed the annexed declaration in order to obtain a pension & that he was acquainted with her late husband the said Rufus May at the time of his decease which was on the 27 th day of December 1832, and has been acquainted with the said Eunice May ever since the death of her said husband Rufus May, and that the said Eunice May has not intermarried but still remains the widow of the said Rufus May, and further saith not
Asaph Hunston
Sworn & subscribed before me this 15 th day of June 1839.
Barak Beckwith a Judge of Madison County Courts
I hereby certify that Asaph Hunston who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is a credible person whose testimony is entitled to credit
Barak Beckwith Judge &.

3691 Eunice May Pioneer Papers
$25. 66
3483
109
Sarah Putnam Cazenovia N.Y.

State of New York Madison County } ss
On this 16 th day of August 1843 personally appeared before the Subscriber Commissioner of Deeds in & for the county of Madison aforesaid, Eunice May a resident of the town of Farners in the county of Madison aforesaid, aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war, That she is the widow of Rufus May who was a private in the militia of the United States during the Revolutionary war that the name of the Captain under whom he served a part of the time was Samuel May but she cannot recollect the name of the Col. who commanded the Regiment in which he served, and the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 7 th 1838 was as near as she can recollect not far from the sum of twenty five dollars but the exact amount she cannot positively remember on account of the loss of memory occasioned by sickness & old age but must refer the Pension-Office to the documents in her case now in the Pension Office at Washington
She further declares that she is still a widow
Sworn to and subscribed on the Eunice May day and year above written before me
Barak Buckworth
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent Eunice May.
Barak Buckworth Commissioner

State of New York
Clerk's Office Ulster County ss. To William Finchill, Clerk of said county etc. hereby certify that Barak Beckwith say before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Commissioner of Oaths in and for said county and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and official seal the 24 th day of August 1843. William Finchill Clerk