Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7,161, for Gurish Keyes, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass
Keyes, Gurish Salters, Betsey
NUMBER
W.7.161
Former widow
CONTENTS

New York, Albany Peters, Salus, widow of Gerush Keyes Maj who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Dec r 1847 and sent to Grove Lawrence Syracuse N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act January 1848, Page 83, Vol. 9
July 29,
Em

(35) New York //
✓ Gurish Phelps, //
Private In the Army of the U. States.
At $8. per mo. to com d 24 th Mar. 1818.
Cash issued 31 st March, 1818. I sent to the Hon. John M c Taylor, House of Representatives, Dist. Col.
Ad. 1. 4 th Sept. 1818. 5 2 / 8 mo. $42.57
(Rev. J. Clain) (Act 18 th March, 1818.)
Massachusetts line
9 May '81 for 3 years sawdust Dec. 1783 3
Quatrain
✓ Collected W. L. G. Story

Gurish Keyes

State of New York } Be it remembered that on the twenty Saratoga County } fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen personally appeared before me Thomas Dibble one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Saratoga and State of New York Garrison Mayes of the town of Milton in said County of State and being duly sworn saith that he served as a private Soldier in the war of the Revolution against the Crown- enemy that he enlisted on the ninth of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one in a company commanded by Captain Job Sumner in the third Regiment of the Massachusetts line commanded by Colonel Grayton for the period of three years & was honorably discharged at West point in the State of New York in the month of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three after the close of the war that his discharge was signed by Colonel Hull, that he served faithfully from the time of his Enlistment to the time of his dis- charge, that he now has a family and is in very indi- -gent circumstances & in need of sufficient assistance for his support.
Garrison Mayes
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 24 th day of March 1818
Before me Thomas Dibble one of the Judges of the Court of Com. Pleas of the County of Saratoga and State of New York

To the Honorable Secretary at war
I Thomas Dibble one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Vanatoga and State aforesaid Do certify that I am satisfied that what the within named Deponents has set forth in the within affidavit is true Given under my hand at Walliston Upa in the County and State aforesaid this twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen
Thomas Dibble

Yurish Reyes
copy
35
1818
[Large decorative flourish or signature]

State of New-York, } ss. County of SARATOGA, }
ON this twenty third day of August 1820 personally appeared in open Court, in the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, the same being a Court of Record for the said County, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Enoch Hayes
aged fifty three years, resident in the said County, in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: for the term of three years in a company commanded by Capt. Job Sumner afterwards commanded by Capt. Williams in the regiment commanded by Colonel Gralen and succeeded by Colonel Hull in the line of the State of Massachusetts
That his original declaration was made on or about the twenty fourth day of March 1818 and that his Pension Certificate is numbered 35 and dated 31. day of March 1818
AND I solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Enoch Hayes
SWORN to and declared on the twenty third day of August before me in open Court
Thomas Palmer Clerk
I, Thomas Palmer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga do hereby certify that the foregoing deed and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Seventy two dollars and thirteen cents.
IN testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this twenty third day of August 1820
Thomas Palmer
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga.

A schedule of the Real and Personal Estate of Gurick Reys the petitioner in the affidavit hereto annexed named his necessary clothing and bedding excepted made in pursuance of the act entitled "An act for the relief of the poor"
Real Estate I have none
  Personal Estate I have  One axe worth  $ 1.25     One hoe  75     1 Scythe and Snarth  1.75     1 Iron Tea Kettle  44     1 common Table  1.00     3 do chairs old & bottom out  56     2 Pigs  2.00     1 Spider (small)  19     1 old chest  1.00     3 Old table knives (handles off)      3 do forks do do  19  
I am indebted to Stephen Wettest of Ballston Spa } $51.00 for alterations
  Richard Ferris off do. for merchandise  12.00     $72.13  
The said Gurick Reys is by occupation a labourer he is two thirds disabled from pursuing it his family residing with him consists of his wife named Betsy Reys aged forty years last June in a low and debilitated state of health unable to support herself. A son named Stephen W Reys aged eleven years unable to support himself a daughter named Mary Reys aged nine years not able to support herself. A son named Harvey Reys aged five years unable to support him- self. A daughter named Harriet Reys aged five years unable to support herself. Gurick Reys Sworn to in open Court THOMAS LAMBERT Clerk

Betsy Satter declaration & proofs on her application for a pension as the Widow of Jerush Keyes amend. —
Direct letter to Grove Lawrence Counsellor at Law Syracuse Onondaga Co NY
No. 766. Declaration of Betsy Satter Widow of Jerush Keyes NY Act July 29. 1848.
Married before 1800 Husband died 1829
Adm o $96 per ann Comg 11 March 1848.
Albany roll
Grove Lawrence Syracuse, NY

State of New York
Cayuga County p      on this first day of August A.D. 1850 personally appeared before the subscriber being the County Judge of Cayuga County aforesaid Betsey Tatter a resident of the town of Seneca in the County of Cayuga aforesaid aged seventy eight years who being duly sworn according to law dath on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 29 th 1848
That she is the widow of Gerick Ryers who was a private soldier in war of the Revolution with Great Britain she cannot state the names of the officers he served under or the Regiment to which he belonged neither can she state the day he entered the service or the year nor the time he left the same but thinks he was three years in the army as an enlisted soldier she thinks he resided in Conway in the state of Massachusetts where he enlisted as a soldier as aforesaid she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim unless they are on file in pension office at Washington The said Gerick Ryers was placed on the pension Roll & drew his pension to the time of his death & that he died sometime years ago last winter as near as she can now recollect his mind being feeble & her recollection on that subject indistinct - she further declares that

she was married to the said Geriah Kyles on the ninth day of July in the year of our Lord seven hundred & ninety three at the town of Whately in the State of Massachusetts by the Revd Asa Ladd a Baptist Clergyman that previous to said marriage she was publicly three sabbaths in church meeting that said marriage was to take place she does not know of any person now living who was present at the marriage that her name upon marriage was Betsey Allen, that she had a record of her marriage & with said Geriah Kyles & that of the birth of eight children which she had by him while they cohabited together as husband & wife after said marriage all rolled in a bundle which was burned in her house which was burned in January 1835 together with most of her household furniture; she has no other documentary evidence of her marriage to said Kyles & she knows of no person now living who was present at the marriage The said Minister also Ladd was an aged man at the time & died more than thirty years since - she further declares that she was married to Henry Satter after the death of said Geriah Kyles the first day of November A. D. 1834 (The figures, 34 written on erasure) she has now five children living which she had by the said Geriah Kyles her husband but had no children by the said Henry Satter

That the said Mary Salter her second husband and on a date in said County of Cayuga on the first day of May A.D. 1846 since which time she has remained a widow.
That her marriage to the said George Riggs did not take place prior to his leaving the same but the marriage took place previous to the the second of January 1850 to wit at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow and that she has never before made any application for a pension part of the ninth line from the top erased upon signing —
Subscribed & sworn before Betsy by Salter for mark
On the day & year above mentioned & I certify that the reason she has made her mark to her name instead of writing it is that she is so feeble she was not able to write her name & I further certify that from bodily infirmity she is unable to attend Court to make her declaration & the same is taken at her residence. —
Robert H. Walcutt County Judge of Cayuga County

State of New York
Cayuga County Clerk's Office. I hereby certify that John P. Hulbert Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavit and Acknowledgment was taken was at the time of taking the same County Judge in and for the County of Cayuga duly Elected & authorized to take the same and also that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and that the foregoing purporting to be his genuine signa- ture
Given under my hand and the seal of said County and the records of Record thereof this 1st day of August 1858
Edwin B. Marvin
Dep Clerk of said County (Clerk absent)

State of New York
Onondaga County, Lucy Brown of the town of Palermo County of Onondaga & State aforesaid being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration that she is sixty years of age & is the sister of Betsey Salter widow of Henry Salter & also widow of Geriah Keyes both of whom are dead - That her name before marriage was Lucy Allen - that she married Solomon Brown her husband who is now living twenty five years since.
That she has been well acquainted with the said Geriah Keyes the first husband of her said sister Betsey Keyes up to the time of his death - that she was quite young at the time the said Geriah Keyes was married to her said sister then Betsey Allen now Betsey Salter but she has a distinct recollection of the time of the marriage but cannot say she was present at the marriage but recollects the time of the said Betsey & said Geriah Keyes going to home keeping after said marriage & she went with them to reside in Mendon, after they commenced home keeping which was as early as the first of January A.D. 1794 & resided with them over six months in the town of Conway in the State of Massachusetts in the County of Franklin - that she was well acquainted with the Reverend Asa Judd a Baptist Clergyman who resided in the town of Whitcomb in the County of Franklin aforesaid & adjoining the town of Conway. The said Judd was the father minister at that place & the family of her parent, & Brother & sister used

attended the Church where he preached in White- forested on the Sabbath; he was the minister who performed the marriage of said Gineh Kings, to the said Betsy Allen as aforesaid always understood he was a man of at least sixty years of age at the time of said marriage & died many years ago - she knows that said Betsy & Gineh Kings cohabited together after their said marriage up to the time of his death & had eight children during said cohabitation and that said Gineh Kings died as much as eighteen or nineteen years since at Auburn in the county of Cayuga & State of New York that the said Betsy Kings thereafter married Henry Salter for her second husband at Auburn aforesaid & cohabited with him till the time of his death. That they were married in the year 1834 & he died at Auburn aforesaid in 1846 as aforesaid has been informed and according to her best recollection & belief - she further says that she has four sisters living including the said Betsy Salter all except the said Betsy are younger than herself one of them is Hannah DeVoe a resident of the town of Salina County of Onondaga aforesaid at whose house she is now on a visit & makes this affidavit. That she has three brothers two younger & one older than herself three years & resides in Massachusetts but she cannot tell in what part. There are all the brothers or sisters of said Betsy Salter living - That the said Gineh Kings drew a pension for his services in the Revolutionary war up to the time of his death as she always understood - she further says that said Gineh Kings died as a sudden in the last

was with Great Britain & was in the army three years except when he was home on furlough as she understood at the time & the said Betsy kept home & took charge of the family & their children during his absence; she further says that the house of said Betsy was burned in the year 1835 & most of the household furniture & bible was consumed in it as she was informed & believes to be true at the time - she further says she is informed & believes that her said sister Betsy Salter is now quite unable & is not expected to live long in consequence of old age & infirmity; that her father & mother are both dead, their family moved from Canajoharie in the State of New York to Linton & the State of Massachusetts, & the children moved part to the State of New York & part to the State of Michigan, she further says that there was no record of marriages kept at the town or Parish in Whately either before or since the time of said marriages as she has often been informed & believes to be true - The word "Theodore" written & the word Linton written on erasure before signing Subscribed & sworn to by the said Lucy Brown with whom I am acquainted before me this 12 th day of August A.D. 1850. Lucy Brown Atty at Law Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Onondaga County ss. Hannah Devoe being duly sworn says she is fifty six years of age & is sister to Betsy Salter widow of Henry Salter & also widow of Gersh Knyss. That she knows the said Gersh Knyss & her said Betsy Salter were reputed to have been married & have cohabited together as husband & wife up to the time of his death as long since as she can

remember & they had a family of children with whom she was well acquainted - she also says the said Sarah Keys & her said Sister Betsey cohabited together as husband & wife many years in a way adjoining the town of Whiting in Massachusetts & then moved to the State of Vermont the said Sarah Keys died about eighteen or nineteen years since & the said Betsey remains here. I latter who also died in 1846 since which time said Betsey has remained a widow - she relates that Reverend Asa Ladd a Baptist clergyman who was reported to have performed the ceremony of marriage between the said Sarah Keys & her said Sister then Betsey Atkin; said Ladd was an aged man & died many years ago he was minister of the Gospel in Whiting, before adjoining Connecticut where their family resided & where Elizabeth the family usually attended on the Sabbath as long ago as she can recollect she has resided with said Sarah Keys & her wife the said Betsey Keys & helped to take care of their children when she was quite young & moved up into the State of Vermont at the time & with said Sarah Keys & her family, & has been well acquainted with him to the time of his death & with her said Sister from the time of her marriage with said Asa Ladd to the time of his death & no doubt of their legal marriage -
Subscribed & sworn to by said Hannah Devoe with whom I am acquainted before me this 12 th day of August A.D. 1850 & I certify the name she made her mark to her name is that of the she cannot write - the word "mother" of the previous page is missing.
Hannah Devoe Sister of the Deans

Whatcity Ms 2 J. Smith. Lesson D. MB July 24
Grace Lawrence Esq. Syracuse N.Y.

Whately Mass. July 24. 1830
Grove Lawrence Esq.
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 9 th inst is before me; I have examined the records of the town of Whately & also the records of the Baptist Church in the west part of this town but cannot find any record of the marriage of Gerick Keyes Dea. Brown who has been Clerk of the Baptist church for more than twenty years says there has not been any such record on any book belonging to the church, and if Mr. Folsom made a record of the marriage it must have been on some private book which he took with him when he left Whately. Dea. Brown recollects very well (& so do some of his neighbors) the time S. Keyes was published, & as he supposes was married to Betsey Allen having been acquainted with them both before & after their marriage & they have no doubt but they were legally married but cannot speak with certainty from the fact that they were not present at the wedding, neither can I learn of any one now living in this region that was present.
Any thing further that I can do for you in this matter will do with pleasure
Very Respectfully
Your Ob. Servt.
Levi L. Leland

State of New York
Onondaga County ss. Grover Lawrence of the City of Syracuse in said County being duly sworn says that he was employed by Betsey Satter now residing in Cayuga County to procure her name to be placed on the Pension Roll as the widow of Gerish Keyes late of said County of Cayuga deceased & who formerly resided in this County of Onondaga & drew a pension as deponent is informed & believes to be true - that upon enquiring into the facts of the case deponent wrote a letter to the town of Whitby in the State of Massachusetts enclosing a printed circular from the Pension Office giving directions what evidence of marriage would be required & directed it to the Clerk of the Town or Parish of the Baptist Church of Whitby Mass - which bore date July 9. 1850 & was mailed at Syracuse affixed by deponent & postage on the same paid & requested that a search of records should be made & a certificate according to said printed circular or instructions from the Pension Office be sent to deponent & if no record was to be found to ascertain if there were any persons now living at that place who were acquainted with Gerish Keyes & Betsey Allen formerly of that place & who could testify to their marriage or give any other information in relation to the same that would be helpful in the investigation of her claim to a pension & on the 26 th of July last the deponent received from Saml. Lesure the annexed letter which contains the result of his researches & which deponent hereby believes contains

a true history so far as the record of the town or Parish of Whiting can give & also of the reputation of the Publishing & Marriage of Gertrude Kings to Betsey Allen & of their cohabitation & reputation as husband & wife - deponent did not write any other letter to any person in relation to this application for a pension in the State of Massachusetts & has got no other information than is embodied in said letter deponent has not written to get the affidavit of Dea. Brown on any other subject than the of said letter concerning the letter of the said Samuel Lesum would be satisfactory on that point - also it appears by the frank of the said letter is Post Master of that place though though with whom deponent has had no acquaintance - intams but James is a man of the first respectability - deponent was present when the declaration of the said Betsey Allen was taken before Hon. John P. Hurlbut County Judge of Cayuga County & the said Betsey Allen is quite feeble & very old her memory is indistinct in relation to matters which have occurred within the last twenty years but those of early life appear distinct - she is now in the County Poorhouse of said County of Cayuga & supports at the expense of said County she was taken there in July last as deponent was informed & believes on account of her old age & infirmity & her widowed daughter being unable to support her longer on account of ill health & not possessing the means of providing for her wants - she is supposed to be on the decline not only by old age but by scrofula Consumption - deponent has proved what

testimony he said in the short time he has had since the application & fearing the death of Mrs. Betsey Satter would take place before any further proof could be found if at all has intended to read the affidavit declaration of said Widow & the affidavits of her sisters Mrs. Lucy Osborn & Mrs. Hannah Devoe with each of whom Deponent has been well acquainted for many years & who are persons of the first respectability - Deponent has not the least doubt of the claim of said Betsey Satter being one which entitles her to a pension as the widow of Ensign Keyes deceased as provided for by the laws of Congress.
Subscribed & sworn before Grover Lawrence on this 20 th day of August 1850
The word "Betsey" written on error on the first line before saying & I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above- named Grover Lawrence & also with the above-named Lucy Osborn & Hannah Devoe who have made their affidavits before me which are hereto annexed & they are all persons of the first respectability.
Hiram Judson Justice of the Peace
Onondaga County } Clerk's Office } ss
I certify that Hiram Judson whose name is subscribed to the above Affidavit was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly elected & qualified, that I am well acquainted with his handwriting & believe the signature to said certificate genuine - Witness my hand & the Seal of said County this 20 th Augt 1850 - Rufus Cossit / Clerk

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7161
Betsy Salters
Wid
Geresh Kings
But Rev War
Act: July 29 1848.
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 187
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Albany Roll act 18 March 1818. Gurish Keyes, Sri. To what time last paid? p d to 4 th Sept. 1829. W. L. B.
Pension Office Cal.
To 3 rd Auditor

Howe J. L. Edwards Court of Pines City of Washington

Syracuse August 20. 1850
Hon.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Cour. of Pensions Sir Sir
Enclosed you will find the Declaration & affts in support of the application of Betsy Satter for a Pension as the Widow of Frank Keyes and who was a Revolutionary Pensioner in Sallies - you will see the necessity of prompt action on this application or I fear it will do her no good as will appear by the affts - The widow being in a low state of health by Consumption -
We must refer to the Pension Office for Proof of the Service of her husband Frank Keyes deceased - also to that office to get the exact day of his Death ; which was proved in Court I suppose when she drew the arrears of his Pension (if drawn at all after his death)
The Sisters Mr. Brown & Mr. Devoe you see think he died 18 or 19 years since & the widow says about 17 years & her calculation of latter events is poor. Though I do not conceive how that fact can be very material - though you say it must be stated precisely & without any ambiguity - this she could not do &

has probably lived 2 years I understood he died as early as 19 years since & if it is material I humbly think the evidence can be found on the records of the Prussian office where the proof was taken to get the arms of his parents which I have now paid for his Certificate which either the parents to the Prussian office there in New York & which have been ordered to Washington since that office was discontinued. —
I do hope the apts will be found sufficient counts with the Prussian office to place her on the Prussian Roll without delay. —
Please write to me at this time a Certificate (if granted) or for further proof if required in haste yours &c
Yours sincerely G. S. Lawrence