Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16687, for Garret Putman, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Putman, Garret Rebecca
No. 16687
CONTENTS

Albany, N.York.
507
let to Trin. Fitch Sept 28 '41
Rebecca Putman of Montgomery in the State of N York who was a  in the  commanded by Captain  of the  commanded by  in the line for N.Y. Widow of Garret Putman, dec. Capt & Lieut. N.Y. M a
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 4/3 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Feb. 1837 and deliv d to H o Sammons, Clerk
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1836 $ 2273:31 Semi-ann t allowance ending 4 Mar 37 206:66 $ 2,479:97
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M c Wilson Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 136
Act 4 July 1836.

Vd. 4. f 44 1722 $124.90 - 45 " 185 - ) 38 1717 46.25 -
On the evidence within, I find Mr. Mann's statement as to the character of Mr. Shew, I think that the service herein is 18 months as Capt in 1780 & 1781 & 4 months as Lieut. in 1778 & 1779, i.e. 1 month in 1778 & 3 in 1779.
J. P. Nutter
Feb 20 th 1837.
The Sammons, Esq Pres
See D

State of New York County of Montgomery ss:
On this 27 th day of December 1836. personally appeared before the Honorable John Hand one of the judges of the courts for the County of Montgomery aforesaid. Rebecca Putman a resident of Johnstown in the said County of Montgomery and State of New York aged 72 years the 15 th of March last. 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 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of Garret Putman who was a captain in the army of the Revolution and served as herein more particularly specified. That during the period of the Revolutionary War down to the year 1781 she had no personal knowledge of the services of the said Capt. Garret Putman only from tra- ditional evidence, or as it was related to her at different times during the time of the war, and at several times since. That he, the said Garret Putman who was a capt. in the war of the Revolution served as an officer therein several terms of 9 months at least, to say, as much as 9 months in the year 1778, probably the same in the Indian expedition under Genl. Sullivan in the year 1779. and a term of 9 months in the year 1780. and a term of 9 months in the year 1781.
That on the 8 th day of July 1781 she was married to the said Capt. Garret Putman by the Rev. Mr. Schroop at Fort Hunter, and that the said Capt. Garret Putman was at the time of their marriage captain of a company stationed at Fort Hunter to guard the Fort, and continued in the service at different places the remainder of the said year; that her husband, the aforesaid Capt. Garret Putman died on the 12 th day of April 1826; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. and further says, not in
the above "County" in the third line entitled before sworn to
Rebecca X Putman Mark
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me John Hand a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Rebecca Putman who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & know her to be a

creditable person and that the statements by her made in said declaration are entitled to full credit - and she has made her mark in subscribing said declaration because she says she never learned to write - I have examined said declaration and find no material alterations in the same except those noted before I came to.
John D'and a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts

State of New York County of Montgomery ss:
Jacob Shew of Northampton being duly sworn says that he is now of the age of 73 years and that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war - that in the years 1780 & '81 he was enlisted & served a term of 9 months in each of the said years in a company of New Levis or State troops commanded by Capt. Garret Putman - the year '80 in Col. John Harpers Regiment & the said year '81 in Col. Marinus Willets Regiment. - That the said Capt. Garret Putman served faithfully during the said terms, and that he performed the duties of an officer with fidelity according to the rules and regulations of war. - That in the fall of the year 1781 the said Capt. Garret Putman and his company was engaged in what is commonly called the Hall battle near the village of Johnstown, and there performed the duties of a faithful officer. That in the month of June or July 1781 the said Capt. Garret Putman was married to Miss Rebecca Garrison, daughter of Abm. Garrison at Fort Hunter. while actually engaged in the war. - That in the year 1778 this deponent was taken prisoner to Canada and returned home again near the close of the same year and was credibly informed that the said Capt. Garret Putman was engaged in the Army of the Revolution during the past year. and that in the year 1779 this deponent was informed that the said Capt. Garret Putman was engaged in the Indian expedition with Genl. Sullivan. - that this deponent here wishes to be understood as saying that the evidence here given in reference to the years '78 & '79 is only traditional, or as was related at the time. And that the evidence here given for the years '80 & '81 is positive from personal knowledge. that the said Garret Putman died some 12 or 15 years ago; and that the said Rebecca, widow of the said Garret Putman is the identical woman to whom he was married as above stated. And further this deponent saith, not.
The words "while actually engaged in the war" interlined before subscribed.
Subscribed and sworn before me this 24 th day of November 1836 Nathaniel Westcot Austin Dean
Jacob Shew
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Jacob Shew & know him to be a man of truth and veracity. Said Nov. 24 th 1836
Nathaniel Westcot Austin Dean

State of New York Montgomery County Clerk's office. Geo: V. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Montgomery aforesaid, do hereby certify that Nathaniel Wiscot, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, & whose name is thereto subscribed, and also to the within Certificate of Character of said Deponent was on the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice & Verily believe that his name subscribed as above mentioned is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my Office this 31 st day of Dec r 1836.
Geo: V. Ferguson.

State of New York } County of Montgomery } ss.
Victor Putman of Amsterdam being duly sworn says that he is now of the age of 82 years and that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and that he is brother of capt. Garret Putman who was a faithful officer during the Revolutionary war and served therein, according to the best of his knowledge and belief, several months in each of the years of the said war, acting part of the time as captain, and performing the duties assigned him as such by his superior officers. that he cannot distinctly recollect the names of the several superior officers, nor to which corps the said capt. Garret Putman served, except the years 1779, 1780, & 1781. that in the year '79 he the said capt. Garret Putman was engaged in, and went out as a volunteer , under Genl. Sullivan in the Indian expedition, a full term of 9 months. that the said capt. Garret Putman served a full term of 9 months in the war of the Revolution in the year 1780 in Col. Harspers Regiment, and that in the year 1781 the said capt. Garret Putman served a full term of 9 months in the war of the Revolution in Col. Willets Regiment. That on or about the 6 th of July 1781 the said capt. Garret Putman was married to Miss Rebecca Garrison, daughter of Col. Garrison at Fort Hunter in the county of Montgomery, while actually serving in the war of the revolution.. that he has been personally acquainted with the said Rebecca ever since the days of the Revolutionary war and that she has never since been married to any other person. that the said capt. Garret Putman died in the month of April 1826, and the said Rebecca now claiming a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 is the identical widow of the said capt. Garret Putman. and that she has never since been married. That in the year 1778 the said capt. Garret Putman served a full term of 9 months in the war of the Revolution but cannot distinctly recollect the names of the superior officers.
"while actually serving in the war of the revolution" underlined before signing The word "several"; "part of the"; "and went out as a volunteer", written on erasures previous to being executed, also the word "war", underlined.
Victor Putman
Sworn to and subscribed - before me - this 29 th day of November 1836. To which I certify.
John Hazard a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts -
I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Victor Putman who has sworn to the above affidavit and know him to be a person of truth and veracity and that the statements herein above made are entitled to full credit. John Hazard a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts

State of New York Montgomery County Frederick Sammons of Johnstown in said County being duly sworn saith that he was well acquainted with Garet Putman deceased in the Revolutionary War who was the husband of the Widow Rebeka Putman and knew him to command a Company of Militia at the the Secondago Blockhouse in the year 1778 as I did the same duty at the same time and in another Company under Capt. John Fisher I have known said Capt. Putman Commanding Southning and Eonectung at other at different times and met with him one time one days journey in the wilderness he was first took me for an Enemy and as they raised their guns to fire I spoke to my man he heard my voice & knew it to be a friend I can't now recollect his name of service particular but he was always out at every Alarm but after the year 1780  1778 I can't recollect anything of his service as I was then taken a prisoner to Canada Subscribed and sworn Fredk. Sammons before me December 19 1836 Jacob Graff Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that by a long acquaintance with the above named Frederick Sammons that he is a Man of Undoubted truth and veracity Jacob Graff Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks office ss:
I, George D. Ferguson, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Montgomery aforesaid, do hereby certify that Jacob Graff before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, and whose name is thereto subscribed, also to the within certificate of Character of the within named deponent, was at the same time a Justice of the Peace in and for said County: - And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and verily believe that his name subscribed as above mentioned is his proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 31st. December 1836.
Geo: D. Ferguson

State of New York } Montgomery County } S 1
On this 27 th day of December 1836, personally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of the County Courts for the County aforesaid Thomas Sammons who being duly sworn doth depose and swear that he has made diligent search for the record of the marriage of Rebecca Putman to her late husband Garret Putman deceased and that he has been unable to find any except the following which he swears is an exact and true Copy of a family record taken and by him copied from the family Bible of Abraham Garrison the Father of Rebecca Putman the present Claimant.
"Garret Putman was born the 22 nd day of February 1752 Rebecca Garrison was born the 15 th day of March 1764 And they were married in the year 1781 Feb 8 th "
And he further swears that is well acquainted with the said Rebecca Putman and knows her to have been the wife of Garret Putman or that they have cohabited and lived together as man and wife since the above named year 1781 until the time of the death of the said Garret Putman and since which the said Rebecca Putman the present Claimant has ever since remained his widow and he further swears that he was well acquainted with Garret Putman during the revolutionary war and well recollects of seeing him at different times in the service of his country acting as a commissioned officer and furthermore that he has every reason to believe that the services of the said Garret Putman during the war as a commissioned Officer amounted to more than two years with an embodied Corps called into service by Competent authority and furthermore th says not
Sworn to and subscribed this 27 th day of December 1836 before me - and the words - a Judge of the County Courts" written on obliteration - and the word acting inserted all before sworn to Sworn to and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid before me John H and a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts - I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Thomas Sammons who
Tho: Sammons

has Subscribed Sworn to the foregoing affidavit I know him to be a Creditable person and that the statements by him made in said affidavit are entitled to full credit.
John Hand a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts

State of New York County of Montgomery ss. John Honds a Judge of the County Courts of the County above named. Do hereby declare my opinion after investigating the matter & after examining the declaration and affidavits hereto annexed - That Gerrit Putman named in said declaration & affidavits - was a Captain in the Revolutionary War - and has lived in said war as stated in said declaration & affidavits - and that Rebecca Putman who has made said declaration - is the widow of the said Gerrit Putman that they were lawfully married in said war - and that he is dead at present - and that she has not been married since his death - I do further certify that the said Rebecca Putman cannot from bodily infirmity attend any of the courts of record in said County - Given under my hand in said County the 28 th day of December 1835.
John Honds a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts
The

State of New York
Montgomery County ss. Clerk's Office. J. George D. Ferguson, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County aforesaid, do hereby Certify that John Hand before whom the annexed declaration of Rebecca Putman, the annexed affidavits of Victor Putman, John M c Graw, Jonathan Pinckney & Thomas Sammons purport to have been sworn, and whose name is thereto subscribed, and also subscribed to the annexed certificates of Character of said Rebecca Putman, Victor Putman, John M c Graw, Jonathan Pinck- ney & Thomas Sammons, and to the annexed certificate of Opinion of the said Rebecca's being entitled to a pension, was on the date of the same a Judge of the County Courts of said County. And that I am well acquaint- ed with the hand writing of said Judge, and Verily believe that his name subscribed as herein before mentioned is his proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my office this 21 st Dec r . 1836
Geo: D. Ferguson.

State of New York Secretary's Office
I Certify that on the 11 th day of Oct r 1780 Gerrit Putnam was duly appointed Captain of a company in the Regiment of Levies raised for the defence of the Front of the State whereof John Harper was Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. And I further Certify that on the 27 th of April 1781 Garret Putnam was duly appointed Cap t . of a Company in the Regiment of Levies raised for the immediate defence of the State whereof Marinus Willett was Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, All which ap- pears by the Minutes of the Council of Appointment remaining in this office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of this Office at the City of Albany the Sixth day of December the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty Six.
Arch d Campbell Dept. Secretary

Batavia N.Y. Sept 22. 1846
Dear Sir
I shall feel greatly obliged if you will answer me the following interrogatories
1 Has a Pension ever been granted to Garret Putman a captain in the Revolutionary war? 2 If so when and what allowances were there due? 3 Was the money ever paid, if so how much has been paid, when paid and to whom and on what authority
I make these enquiries in behalf of William G. Putman a son and sole legatee and devisee of Garret Putman. William G Putman has been informed that his mother drew a large sum of money as her husband's Pension but she is now dead and it can not be ascertained here how much she received if any.
Please also state whether Rebecca Putman widow of Garret Putman ever obtained a pension if so when and how much did she receive -
I am also informed that Garret Putman never obtained his bounty land. If so can this still be obtained and on what proof? William G Putman informs me that he can prove the service of his father by two or three witnesses. Will this be sufficient, Is there not proof of his service in his papers on applying for a pension if so can not this proof be referred to for the purpose of obtaining his bounty land?

If you will answer this at your earliest convenience you will confer a particular favor William G. Putman
I am with great
respect your
Oblt Servt
Timothy Fitch

Record Division.
September 23, 1910.
Mrs. J. L. Thomaszeski, # 382 Cliff Street, Battle Creek, Mich.
Madam:
In regard to your inquiry of last May, you are advised that while the name Garrett Putnam is not found on the Revolutionary War pension records, a further search has disclosed the following information.
Garret Putman was born February 22, 1752, and served as a Captain in the New York troops for nine months in 1778; nine months in 1779, and was in General Sullivan's campaign against the Indians; nine months in 1780 under Colonel John Harper; and nine months in 1781 under Colonel Marinus Willett during which time he was in the "Hall battle" near Johnstown.
He married while in the service at Fort Hunter, on July 8, 1781, Rebecca Garrison born March 15, 1764, daughter of Abraham Garrison.
Soldier died April 12, 1826, and his widow Rebecca Putman was allowed pension (wid. File No. 16,587) on her application executed December 27, 182 36 , while a resident of Johnstown, Montgomery County, New York.
In 1846 it was stated that their son William C. Putman was sole legatee and devisee. No further data relative to family.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

1910 Sept. 23. Hist. to Mrs. J. L. Thomaczewski. $
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16687
Rebecca Putnam Garret  Widow of Montgomery Putnam enon  Coat of St. Mary
Act July 4th 86
Index: Vol. M , Page 144
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rebecca Putman, widow of Garret Putman, Capt. & Lieut -
Captain 18 months Lieutenant 4 months $ 413. 33 per ann
Albany Roll act 4 July 1836 3 d section
Hand certificate To Thos. Sammons Esq. Present

MAY 11 1910 Mrs. J. L. Thomaszeski 382 Cliff St 3-871. Battle Creek
Mich
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Adt. May 10, 1910
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier _____
Service _____
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190____
No claim, combination records _____, 190____
REMARKS:
No record, Inv. or Reg. * One Garret Putman recorded as Montgomery Putman N. File 16,687

Application of the widow of Capt. Garret Putman -

State of New York } County of Montgomery } ss: John Mc. Graw being duly sworn says that he is now the age of 84 years, that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and was at the time of the same acquainted with capt. Garret Putman who commanded a company of 9 months men does not distinctly recollect the names of superior officers but thinks it must have been Col. Harper in the year 1778 also in the years '79 and '80 and in the year 1781 the said capt. Garret Putman commanded a company in Col. Willets Regiment. That during the said years '78, '79, '80 & '81 the said capt. Garret Putman served a full term of 9 months in each of the said years in the war of the Revolution with fidelity according to the rules and regulations of war. And further this deponent on his oath aforesaid, says, that the draft of a declaration herewith connected and made out by Rebecca Putman wife of the said capt. Garret Putman has been read in his hearing, also the affidavit of Victor Putman and that of Jacob Shew and that the facts therein set forth he has no hesitation in saying are true according to the best of his knowledge and belief. And further this deponent saith not.
As to the words draft of a intended sworn to and subscribed this fifth day of December 1836 before me
his John X Mc Graw mark
John H and a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts
I further certify that I am personally acquainted with said John Mc Graw who has taken the above affidavit - and know him to be a credible person - and that the statements by him made in said affidavit is entitled to credit - and that he made his mark to said affidavit in subscribing said affidavit because he is blind
John H and a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts

State of New York County of Montgomery ss. On the 28 th day of December 1836. Personally appeared before John Harris a Judge of the County Courts of the County aforesaid Jonathan Pinkney a Soldier of the Revolutionary War - aged 75 years - and being duly sworn doth depose and say that in the year 1779 he was in Col. Peter Gansevoort's Regiment - Capt. Le Bout Company of United States troops and upon marched to Canajoharie (Fryon County) N.Y. that whilst encamped at Canajoharie under the command of General James Clinton, was joined by Captain Garnet Putman as a pilot - and from thence we marched to Lake Otsego N.Y. then down the Susquehanna River and where joined with General Sullivan on our way to Tioga Point and that soon after joining with Gen. Sullivan a detachment was sent out under the command of Captain Boyd in the Indian Country - Captain Garnet Putman went with him to pilot him and remained with the said army from the time he joined the army aforesaid until the end of the campaign of the expedition in the Indian Country and was engaged in said expedition as this deponent believes at least six months and said Captain Garnet Putman was known by this deponent & by his associate Soldiers as a pilot to the army - and as deponent believes had the confidence of his superior officers further says not.
Sworn to and his Jonathan L. Pinkney Subscribed the day Mark & year aforesaid before me John Harris a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts - I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Jonathan Pinkney who

has Subscribed Sworn to the foregoing affidavit I know him to be a Creditable person and that the Statements by him made in said affidavit are entitled to full credit & that he has made his mark in subscribing said affidavit by reason of bodily infirmity
John Hand a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts

19 th Feb 1837
Hon J. L. Edwards Sir
At the request of our worthy and venerable friend Thos Sammons, I have examined in some Carr the papers on the application of Mrs Rebecca Putnam widow & C. together with your letter of 19 th cur.
Suffer me to say, that while I concur with you in respect to the evidence derived from the pay rolls in your office I think your rule in respect to the parol evidence of services not upon the pay list is rather rigid when we consider the case, the history of the times & the state of that frontier. The rules of evidence applicable to widows ought to be equitable and more yielding than those applied to their husbands because it cannot be supposed

that their knowledge of the duration & degrees of service of their husbands can be as minute & particular as that of the husbands themselves. x
In this case the Service in Sublimity Expectation and in some other cases appears abundantly proved and the presumption I think should be in the Grace he appears to have held in the Army. This presumption should be I think allowed in favor of their old widows where the proof is not entirely definite an equitable construction should prevail.
Let me therefore solicit your view of these evidences in order to make such equitable allowance for this evidence as a some expression of the powers to be administered will permit. 7
From my youth I have known the character of the large family of Putnam

at Tiley Hill as among the most substantial worthy & patriotic of our citizens and I have full and entire confidence in their representation.
Jacob Shure one of the witnesses is also known to me as one of the most respectable men of the old school.
I am with true respect Your obed Servt A. Mann Jr