Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,097, for John Hyde, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Hyde, John Olive
No. 18,097
CONTENTS

Connecticut
Olive Hyde widow of John Hyde, decd. Mass
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 6 April 1810 — of Tolland Co in the State of Conn who was a private in the Compny commanded by Captain Martin of the regt commanded by Col Larned in the Mass. Milia- line for 8 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of May 1840, to Elisha Stearns Esq. Tolland, Conn.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1840 $106.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 40 13.33
$119.99
{ Act July 7, { 1838. }
Recorded by D.M. Curdy Clerk Book A. Vol. 1. Page 185.

I Betsey Mason formerly Betsey Hyde the daughter of John Hyde formerly of Sturbridge in the state of Massachusetts before and say that I am fifty three years of age - that my father died thirty two years ago next April - that his widow Abigail Hyde of Connecticut in Tolland County & state of Connecticut, whom my mother has an application now pending for a pension on account of the revolutionary services of my father that I made it my home at my father's house till his death and often heard him speak of his revolutionary tours of duty as a soldier I have heard him mention four tours of duty performed by him - to wit one service of eight months in 1775 at Boston as a private - one other of one year in 1776 in New York a near New York and other of three months at West point & at the taking of Ringway and one other of five months at Whitehall that he served some of these tours and I believe all except the first as a sergeant I have heard him convers with some of the soldiers who were out with him in the service particularly with Cooper who then resided in Rehoboth Mass & was formerly of said Sturbridge - they conversed together respecting the battle at the taking of Ringway they were both in the battle in the same company - my

father was wounded in that battle a musket ball struck the side of his head taking off the skin from his temple the scar of it always remained there till his death. I heard Mr. Capin say in those conversations that he saw my father fall when the ball struck him & thought he was dead - I also recalled conversations between him & another soldier belonging to Enfield, Mass. whose name I can not recollect who was with him in said town at Whitehall & was at my father's several times, & conversed much respecting their being together in the service at that time - other persons who had served with him in other places were frequently at my father's, & conversed with him respecting them - My father said he served at one time under Col. Scitcomb and that in some of his later years under Capt. Lyman - and that he was in thirteen engagements.
Bethel Mason
Tolland County. State of Conn, ss Tolland Feb 13 1840
Personally appeared the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed before me and I certify that she is a credible witness
John Stearns Justice of Peace.

Talladega Conn
State of Connecticut County of Tolland
S.S. County Clerk's office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of the Courts in said Tolland County certify that Elisha Stearns Esq. of said is a Justice of Peace within said Tolland County, duly appointed and acting in said capacity - that his signature Commission bear date the 8 th day of June 1839 (which commission is now in this office) and will continue until the 20 th day of June 1840 - also that the signature to the foregoing Certificate purporting to be the official signature of sd Justice Stearns is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of sd County at Hartford in said County this 14 th day of February, A.D. 1840
Jeremiah Parish Clerk
Talladega Conn, Feb 14 1840
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm Pensioner
Sir I have taken again the deposition in the case of Oliver Hyde which was last probably by Gen Hall through whom it was forwarded and now send it as first taken substantially Very Respectfully Yours obed Servt Elisha Stearns

V 2908 2762 Oliver Hyde, widow of John. Application
Leon. Act. 7 July 38 2 Married in 79 died 1885
Elisha Stearns y. Holland Conn.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 rd Section of the act of 4 July 1836 and of the 1 st Section of the act of 3 March 1837 and of an act passed 1838 (State of Connecticut) ss. County of Tolland, Town of Stafford. On this 14 th day
of August 1838 personally appeared the widow Chise Hyde of Connecticut in said Tolland County now at said Stafford in said County age 75 years before me the subscriber Judge of the County Court for said County of Tolland and the said Chise Hyde being 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 July 4 1836 and the act entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows passed 1838 that she was married to John Hyde at said Stafford on the 16 th day of December 1799 and that as she was informed by the said John Hyde he performing in the service of his country in the revolutionary war three times of duty according to the best of her recollection - that one time was at Newbury and Boston in the militia for the term of nine months - that he was in the Bunkerhill battle - one time for three months, and one time for three months, & I have heard my name Col Lyman and Col Seaboard & Henry, him say that he was in further engagements as his Colonel, but can not recollect any more particular respecting the service performed
She further declares that her said husband John Hyde died in the month of April I believe the 5 th day, about 28 years ago if I mistake not it was in the year 1810 and she has ever since remained a widow. For will more fully appear by the proof annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that the

applicant can not from locality in vicinity of the the bank
Elisha Stevens Judge of the County Court for Dolland County
I also certify that the above named Oliver Hyde sustains a fair character for truth
Elisha Stevens.
Judge 6:65

I Billings Grant of Stafford, in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut, Clerk of the first Congregational Church in said Town of Stafford do hereby Certify that in the Original Records of Marriages kept by the late Rev. John Willard D.D. late pastor of said Church, and late of said Stafford, deceased, I find an entry of a Marriage in the hand writing of the said John Willard, deceased, as follows. (Viz) "December" "Sixteenth One thousand seven hundred seventy Nine, M o " "John Hyde of Starbuckridge, & Miss Olive Pascomb of" Stafford - Married" -
I Certify that the above is a true copy of the Original entry of said marriage found in said Church Records except in said Original Records Dec r 16. 1779, are very legibly made and written, in figures, instead of writing the words in full length -
Billings Grant } Church Clerk
State of Connecticut } County of Tolland } ss Stafford August 18 th A 1838 - Personally appeared Billings Grant of said Stafford, Clerk of the first Congregational Church in said town of Stafford, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above certif- icate by him subscribed, before me, I also certify that I know that the above named Billings Grant is Clerk of said first Congrega- tional Church in said town of Stafford, and that he sustains an unblemished character for truth and veracity, Rodolphus Woodworth Justice of the Peace for said Tolland County

State of Connecticut County of Tolland
S. S. County Clerk's office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of the County in said County of Tolland certify that Elisha Sturtevant is Judge of the County Court in said Tolland County also that Josephus Woodworth Esq is a justice of peace in said County both duly appointed to their several offices & sworn therein that their several Commissions bear date the 26 th day of May 1833 and will continue until the 20 th day of June 1834 and that the signature of Judge Sturtevant to the accompanying Certificate is genuine also that the signature to the accompanying certificate purporting to be Elisha Woodworth's signature is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office at Litchfield in said County this 25 th day of August A.D. 1833
Jeremiah Parish Clerk

I Joshua Hyde of Studbridge in the county of Worcester and commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy six years testify and say that my brother John Hyde who was ten years older than myself in the month of April in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy five while living with me in my father's family in said Studbridge entered the service of the revolutionary war for the term of eight months as a private and a volunteer in a militia company commanded by Capt. Adam Martin and Lieut. Benjamin Follen both of said Studbridge in a Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel of Oxford in said Worcester county, and marched with said company to Keybury & Boston where he served out said term of duty. And at the expiration of said term of service he enlisted for one year and served as a sergeant in  the as understood, in a regiment of which Major Sprout was Major, the other officers I do not recollect. He marched with said Regiment from Boston to New York and performed said term of one year in said Regiment in the continental service in the State of New York New Jersey & He was as I have often heard him tell at Trenton at the capture of the Hessians on the Twenty fifth day of December in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy six Christmas day. While I was at work with my said brother John in said Studbridge getting hay for my father in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy seven Capt. Timothy Newell of said Studbridge who then commanded a militia company sent to my said brother to notify him that he was drafted to go into the service in the Revolutionary war and my said brother immediately went with him and under his command, I believe, as a private for the term of three months, to the northward and was at the taking of Burgoyne as I have often heard him say. And at the expiration of said term of three months he returned home with said company & came

to my father's house
My said brother John while living in my father's family in the month of January in the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty was married to Olive Bascom of Stafford in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut I was not at the wedding but knew of my brother's going away to be married, she brought her immediately to my father's as his wife. and ever after lived with her as such. My said brother died about thirty years ago last April. and the said Olive has ever since remained his widow.
Joshua Hyde
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. August 15 th 1838. Then personally appeared Joshua Hyde who in my presence signed the foregoing deposition. and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me. and I certify that I am well acquainted with said Joshua Hyde and that full confidence can be placed in his testimony as he is a credible witness and a reputable man.
Simus Child Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts respectfully - I. Noah Wendell Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for said County. Certify

that Simms Child, above named, is a justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified, and that the foregoing signature of his name is in his own hand witnessing -
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Worcester, this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1838. D. G. Newcomb, Clerk.

November 13, 1931
BA-J/MCS
Mrs. A. H. C. Standish 7814 Spring Avenue Elkins Park, Pa.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of October 20, 1931, requesting information in regard to Olive Hyde, widow of a soldier of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim, W. 18097, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Hyde.
While living in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, John Hyde enlisted in April, 1775, and served eight months as private in Captain Adam Martin's Company in Colonel Learned's Massachusetts Regiment and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He immediately enlisted and served one year as sergeant with the Massachusetts troops under Major Sprout and was in the battle of Trenton. He enlisted in 1777 and served three months as private in Captain Timothy Newell's Massachusetts Company and was at the capture of Burgoyne, during which time he was wounded in the temple by a musket ball. He enlisted in 1778 and served five months as lieutenant and was at Whitehall.
While living at Sturbridge, Massachusetts, he married December 16, 1779, at Stafford, Connecticut, Miss Olive Bascomb of Stafford.
He later lived in Belchertown, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
John Hyde died April 6, 1808 or 1810.
On account of his Revolutionary War service, his widow, Olive, was allowed pension on her application executed August 14, 1838, at which time she was seventy-six years of age and was living in Coventry, Tolland County, Connecticut.

In 1838 Betsy Mason, daughter of John Hyde, the soldier, was fifty-two years of age and was living in Palmer, Hampden, County, Massachusetts. Joshua Hyde, soldier's brother, was living in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in 1838, aged seventy-six years, and stated that he was ten years younger than the soldier. There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
The above noted is the only Olive Hyde who received pension as the widow of a Revolutionary War soldier surnamed Hyde, as shown by the records of this office.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

1931 Nov. 13. hist. to Mrs. A.H.C. Standish. recd
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18897
Olive Hyde
wid. of
John Hyde
Priv Rev. war
Act: July 7, 1838
Index:—Vol. 24 , Page 36R
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V
Sister Eliza Stearns
Apr 2 '38 - do - do
58 18 June '39 -
Hon. B. Quincy, Sep 17:
'39 - to Eliza Stearns Octo-
ber 23, 1839: (with copy to cast)
" Henry J. H. Brockway Dec. 27. '39
" Eliza Stearns
Apr 27th 1840.

Oliver Hyde 2908 wid of John Conn, Ail July 7 1838 Maria 1779 died 1870 Allow 8 mo per $26.66 per am
Eliza Stearns Tolland Conn.

Hyde
Tolland Co. June 13
Free
Amos Root
Edwards Bg Barn of Benson Washington

Sullivan Conn, June 13 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Censor of pensions
Sir In favour of the I am in need and in reply I have only to say that the additional evidence in the application of Mrs. Olive Hyde was forwarded many months since - I had forgotten to mention her christian name until reminded of it by your letter - If the evidence is still unsatisfactory it is at any rate all she can furnish & she must be content with such a decision upon her claim as is dictated by rules of the department - Perhaps the deposition containing the additional proof showing what her husband said about his decease, has before every pension later accompanying the public report of him also has not been noticed -
It appears as if some new & extraordinary rules had been established if any portion

of the decision stated should be disappointed - On the contrary I am persuaded that more higher decisions were performed by him than stated and probably some evidence of this might be obtained from an examination of the rolls -
I hope for a speedy decision on this claim I have not yet seen the friend of Mrs Phillips to ascertain her christian name
Very Respectfully Yours Affectionately Elizabeth
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page] I have not yet seen the friend of Mrs Phillips to ascertain her christian name I hope for a speedy decision on this claim Very Respectfully Yours Affectionately Elizabeth

Phillips Waldo Hyde Zarbov Thompson
Washington
Gov. of Pennsylvania
Gov. of Pennsylvania
Feb 11 1841
Henry Clay
Free
William Lloyd

Feb 11. Holland Ch. Free Feb 7 Sundry cases for the Edward Big Comm. of Bensen Washington
Thomson Thomson Hyde Waco Dallas

Tolland, Conn Feb 7 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm a of Pensions
Sir - I forwarded to you some months since pension applications for the Widow Hyde of Cummington, Widow Mary Phillips of Cummington, the Widow of Sam l Thompson now Widow Waldo of Mansfield and the Widow Dunbar of Tolland formerly the wife of John Abbott & claiming as his widow -
Will you please inform me whether any decision has been had on these applications. I have reason to believe from the deposition in the case of the Widow Hyde which was sent you in Dec r or Jan y & through the Hon. Orin Dole that her husband performed more service and of a higher grade than what is stated in her declaration. He had at his death the title of Lieut which he acquired in the Revolutionary war or fact that known when her declaration was made. I have to request that the rolls may be examined to ascertain whether service as stated in that declaration was not performed by him.
I don't know on what principle further

evidence can be required respecting either part of devises stated in her Declaration they being also proved by the Position and direct testimony of the brother of her husband a witness not only credible but of respectable standing. The deposition last forwarded is the only additional proof we can obtain and it goes strongly to corroborate the testimony of Mr. Hyde by proving the declarations of her husband to the same effect made when he would have had no expectation of obtaining a pension as he died many years before the pension law were thought of. If any further evidence shall be discovered from the roll, will you please communicate it
Please to send me a copy of the Pension laws relating to widows & inform me what has been done on the subject this session and you will greatly oblige those who are interested in this matter
Very Respectfully Saml. Hildreth P.S. to Mrs. Hildreth

John M. G. G. Oct 22
Free
Oct 22
Mat ct.
11. 11. 11. 11. Baltimore Md. Com. of Friends Washington
Dear Hyde

Tolland, Conn. October 18 1839
W. C. Caledonia Esq. Comm'r of Pensions Sir
I recd your letter of Sept last, for Mrs. Olive Hyde of Coventry in this County to request a decision on her pension application being the widow of John Hyde. I have received no answer to this letter and although I received a rebuke in answer to the one previous, for troubling the department I must be allowed to write once more.
It is more than a year since the application was made and about 10 months since the additional evidence required for part of the term was furnished. It was stated in your letter to me at that time the 8 months was allowed and that further evidence was required as to the other terms. They however were procured by one credible & respectable witness. I also forwarded in December another deposition as stated heretofore & I have also sent you certificates from two gentlemen late members of Congress as to my own standing hoping that they might have some influence in producing a favorable result.
I am just informed that Mrs. Hyde is dangerously ill and the probability is if a decision is not made immediately those who have been supporting her in expectation of being remunerated by the pension will be greatly injured. I hope therefore for a speedy & favorable decision.
Very Respectfully Yours Obedient Servt. D. Root

Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C. Kind Sir:
only. Can you give me any information in regard to the following item? I am anxious to prove that this Oliz Hyde mentioned below was my great-great-grandmother who married & lived part of her married life in Norwich, Conn & later was in Pomfret, Conn.
Pg. 663, Conn. Military Records. "Oliz Hyde of Pomfret, Conn., a pensioner in Conn., ae 79 years about 1838-9."
Thanking you for any help you may be able to render, and awaiting your early reply, I remain,
Sincerely - Mrs. A. H. C. Standish - 7814 Spring Ave - Elkins Park, Pa.
Oct. 20, '31.

May 5, 1840
Stearns Ct May 8
pp due
J. J. Putnam Esq Court of Common Pleas Washington

Filland Ct
May 2
of Free
May 5. 1840
J. S. Belmont Esq Genl of Pensions Washington

Dear Cousin May 2 1840
Dear Cousin
As the evidence forwarded in the case of the pension application of Mrs. Hyde is insufficient to remove the objection to any term of service except the eight months will you be so good as to forward a certificate for that term as soon as convenient - The application has been a long time pending & Mrs. Hyde can not long survive - she is dangerously ill -
Very Respectfully Yours Obediently P. S. Stearns

Tolland Ct.
Aug. 1838
3762 Aug 31. Ct
July 1838 4 July 1838
Bill
Edward Esq Commencement of Sessions Washington

Tolland Conn Aug: 28 1838 J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner
In I enclose the application of Alice Hyde for a pension. The witness, Joshua Hyde testimony it will be observed does not exactly accord with the record evidence of the marriage as to the time. This will not however I trust be any objection to his testimony in other respects - as he testified merely from recollection & dates only a week or two - He has at least therefore no reason to make record precisely tally -
I perceive by your letter of similar to Hon. Orin Hall, that you had rec d a private communication from this County respecting the application of Wm. Gageville - It was undoubtedly sent by the instrumentality of Thomas Lillibridge whose pension had been stopped by a similar measure. He was in my office a short time before and threatened it, as he supposed Mr. Gageville had been the means of stopping his pension - You may perhaps hear more on this subject - Very Respectfully Yours Obediently Elisha Stearns

Sept 16
Mr. Ab.
James L. Edward , Esq. Comy of Pensylvania Washington

Corn, Tallahassee Sept 12 1839 J. L. Edwards Esq Com te of Pensions,
Sir May I be allowed again to call your attention to the pension application of the Widow Oliver Hyde of Gadsden County of Tallahassee - forsooked I believe conveyed down with additional evidence sent last December - The additional evidence was of repeated declarations of John Hyde the deceased husband of said Widow of the performance of the laws of duty stated in her declaration - which declarations by him were made long before the pensions laws were passed
Very Respectfully Yours Obediently P. H. Stearns
J. L. Edwards Esq Sir
I have no knowledge of the above case, but, from information communicated by Judge Stearns, believe it to be a just one. At all events you may rely implicitly upon any representation made to you by Judge Stearns of facts within

his knowledge: & your early attention to the case will be duly appreciated
Very respectfully & truly yours
J. Foucey
W. Sept 16

Major Conn
John H. ...

I Palmer Betsy Mason of Hanson in the County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts aged 52 years testify that I was well acquaint- ed with John Hyde formerly of Sturtevant in the County of Worcester in said State & who afterwards resided in Belchertown in the County of Hampshire in said State and who died thirty years ago and heard the said Hyde sundry times relate the tours of service performed by him in the Revolutionary war and I distinctly recollect hearing him say that he performed four tours of duty as a soldier in said war - to wit - a tour in 1775 at Roxbury - a tour in 1776 at and near New York of one year - a tour at the North in 1777 at the capture of Burgoyne and also a tour at Whitehall in 1778 of five months - and I have also heard the said Hyde say that in some of the earlier tours he was a Sergeant in the army and performed that duty and some of the later tours was a Commissioned officer and particularly that at Whitehall he was a Lieutenant and I recollect that during his life time I saw his Commission as Lieut - I also remember his saying that while in said service he was offered a Captain's Commission but refused it

Among the officers whom I recalled that said Hyde said he served under were the names of Silas Beard Lyman Learned and Newell Betsy Mason
State of Connecticut
ss County of Tolland Dec 3 1838 Personally appeared Betsy Mason the signer of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same and I certify that she is a credible witness -
Before me Elisha Stearns Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut
ss County of Tolland J. County Clerk's office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of the County of Tolland County, certify that Elisha Stearns Esq. of Tolland is a Justice of Peace within the County of Tolland aforesaid duly appointed and acting in said capacity - that his commission bears date the 26 th day of May A.D. 1838 and will continue until the 20 th day of June 1839 - also that the signature to the above certificate purporting to be the official signature of said Justice Stearns is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and my official seal at Tolland this 3 rd day of December A.D. 1838
Jeremiah Parish (Clerk)