Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5460, for Cornelius Huxford, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Huxford, Cornelius
P. 5460
CONTENTS

State of Massachusetts
Edgartown March 12 th 1857
Hon. Commissioners of Pensions Washington City
Sir
I am requested by Mr. John Hoxford of this Town, and son of the late Cornelius Hoxford of Said Town who died a few years since at the great age of 102 years who served in the early part of his life in the Revolutionary War, I find by a mutilated letter that he has made application for a pension and by this letter dated Washington City D. C. November 22 1852 that the said Cornelius Hoxford was rejected and disallowed and remains on the rejected or suspended files. (This letter that I allude to is signed by S. M. Knight) -
His deceased son is 77 years of age and he is of opinion that a man by the name of Alfred J. Wells of Connecticut has obtained the money will you have the kindness to inform me if it has ever been paid
I cannot refer you to any one except Mr. Young who was Clerk in the Treasury Department while I was a Collector of the Customs during Gen. Jackson and Mr. Van Buren term with a small acquaintance with Mr. Clegg
Very Respectfully Your obedient
John P. Norton
over

Writing in haste will your department inform me if any more proof is wanted from the petitioners here
L. P. Norton

Cornelius Huxford
Address Weaver Haffer

AFFIDAVIT AND POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF Massachusetts COUNTY OF Suffolk County } ss.
Be it remembered, That, on this twenty ninth day of November A. D. 1852, I, John Hixford , of Edgartown in the County and State of said do make known and declare that I am the Son of Cornelius Hixford late of said Edgartown and heir-at-law to said Cornelius Hixford , and Ann Hixford who was the lawful wife of said Cornelius Hixford , a Revolutionary soldier, who served 18 months or thereabouts years, under the command of Capt. Beniah Norton , in 1775, and under Capt. Benjamin Smith in 1776, in Col. Banta's Regiment , in the forces raised by the State of Massachusetts and that he and his said wife were married about the month of October A. D. 1777. that he died about the month of August , A. D. 1851, and that his said wife also died about the month of October A. D. 1843 and that a pension of dollars a year was drawn by said on account of said services, and so continued until the year A. D. 18 , since which time nothing has been received by either, or the heirs of either of said parties.
And that claimant is now 73 years of age; and it is understood and believed that there are arrearages of Pension, and other claims due for said services: Now, THEREFORE, the true intent of all this is to qualify and irrevocably appoint and empower ALFRED J. WORKS, of New Haven City and County, State of Connecticut,
as my Attorney, with power of substitution, to investigate, substantiate, demand, and receive the avails of, said claim or claims, and to say and do all things relative thereto, as amply as I might do: hereby ratifying every thing said or done by my said Attorney, or his substitute, in virtue hereof; ALSO, revoking all Powers of Attorney, or other authority previously given for any such purposes.
Attest,
William H. Huggard R. G. Mayhew
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, day and date first above named.
John H. Huxford
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me, the day and year first above indicated.
Theodore G. Mayhew Notary Public for the County of Suffolk County

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss.
At a court of Common Pleas held at Edgartown in and for the County of Dukes County on the twentieth day of Sept. one thousand eight hundred and thirty five before the Honorable John M. Williams judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County personally appeared Cornelius Huseford a resident of Edgartown in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid aged seventy eight years who being first duly sworn doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. make the following declaration;
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated: To wit: Under Colonel Benjamin Boston of Edgartown and sometimes under Capt. Matthew Mayhew and I think that Ezra Cleveland was the Lieutenant the other officers I do not recollect.
A more particular account is set forth under the fifth interrogatory. And further declares as follows in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War, to wit:
1 st Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven.
2 Have you any Record of your age, and if so where is it? It is on the Town Record of Edgartown.
3 Where were you living when called into the service; where have you lived since the Revolution War; and where do you now live?
Ans. I was living in Edgartown at the time I entered the service of the United States, and have lived there ever since.

1 th How were you called into the service, where you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute? and if a Substitute for whom?
Ans. I volunteered into the Service of the U. States.
5 State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental and Militia Regiment as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services?
Ans. I volunteered my services under Col. Beriah Norton of Edgartown, but sometimes I served under Capt. Matthew Mayhew, for the defence of the sea-board on the Island of Martha's Vineyard and vicinity, sometime in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five in which service I continued as a volunteer till the troops were disbanded in Sept 1778. I always held myself ready to go whenever I was called upon to go in the service of the United States to beat back the cruel oppressors of my Country, and, to prevent them from landing from their Barges, & plundering the inhabitants. And I often went to Holmes Hole for that purpose.
6 Were you an officer or a Soldier? if a Soldier did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?
Ans. I was a Volunteer in the Company under the command of Col. Beriah Norton & sometimes under Capt. Matthew Mayhew. But when the British dispossessed us of our arms, a petition was granted for the Island of Martha's Vineyard to remain neutral, and

we were all discharged by the commanding Officers. I never received a written discharge, nor had I a Commission.
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Ans. Dea William Mayhew and Capt Peter Pease.
And the said Cornelius Huxford doth further declare that he relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any other State to his knowledge. Sworn to a subscribed in presence the Day & Year aforesaid Cornelius Huxford
John N. Williams, J. G. Pease
We William Mayhew & Peter Pease residing in Edgartown in said County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Cornelius Huxford who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be about seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution War and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed William Mayhew the Day and Year aforesaid. Peter Pease in open Court. John N. Williams, J. G. Pease

This is to certify that to the best of my knowledge the within named Cornelius H. Ford is a man of fair moral character
James P. Bontecou. Minister of the Gospel
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Secretary of the War Department that the above mentioned applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William Mayhew & Peter Pease who have signed the preceding certificate are very respectable men resident in Edgartown in said County of Dukes County and that James P. Bontecou who has signed the above certificate is a resident in said town and an ordained minister of the Gospel. Kenneth Williams, Jn. Cl. Recs.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss
I Cornelius Marchant Clerk of the Court of Pleas in and for the County of Dukes County do hereby certify that the preceding foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the appli- cation of Cornelius H. Ford of Edgartown in said County for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said County the day & year above written.
Cornelius Marchant Clerk

5460
P. O.
Cornelius Huxford
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Capt Ben Smith
Vol 36. 238.9 - from 16 Jan to last Feb - & from 1 Jan to 1 Sept 76 - X
260 1 March 1 May 76 X
243 1 Sept. to 21 Nov 76 - Jac. Isaac - 2 mo. 21 d. Hunford X —

Cornelius Hoxford Mass.
Act 7 June 1832
rejected - see letter to Hon D. J. Pearce 28 March 1839 -
Lt. J. P. Norton
March 26/57
5460

33447
Massachusetts Cornelius Hoxford
Rejected
Let to Hon. Sharp Let to J. P. Norton B. Nov 1835 - H. J. Page 13 Feb 1836 do. to same Jan. 17. 1837 ✓ Let. to M c P. Norton, Aug. 23, '38. Let same chorei 26/57
Oct 17 1832

FREE
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Mr. [unclear] Mar 13 1882

Watertown Sept. 30 th 1775
To Mr. Benjamin Smith of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County.
You are hereby authorized and empowered by us the Subscri- bers, Field Officers for the County aforesaid, agreeable agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court of this colony forthwith to enlist one company to consist of fifty men including officers for the protection of the sea coast as well as the other parts of the county aforesaid agreeable to said Resolve
Beriah, Vinton } Field A true copy of the original } officers Attest

Inst. Abq. P.D. Laid by till after Congress.
Edwards, E. W. —
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Newport February 4 th 1839
J. P. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions —
Sir, the enclosed papers were sent to me, to be for- warded to you, by an acquaintance residing in an adjacent town of a neighboring state, as you will learn, from an inspection of the same. — It remains for me to call your attention to what you will herewith receive and if there should be any deficiency on the score of informality for otherwise, to then request you to call our attention to the same —
With great respect your very obedient servant Dutee J. Pearce.

Feb 6
Maps
Wm Lloyd PR
James L. Edwards Esq Commission of Pension
Commissn. Justices
Joseph Pease

Feb 6
Ms
Read AR
James L. Edwards Esq Commission of Pension
London England
Joseph D. Seal

House of Representat ns Feb 5 th 1836
Sir
I have received a letter from Mr. David Davis of Edgartown, Mass ts He states that he forwarded to the Sec y of War in Nov. last the Memorials of Zachariah Pease & Cornilius Huxford Soldiers of the Revolution who ask for Pensions - Have the Pensions been granted if not what was the objection
With Respect Mr. O. H. Lewis John Reed
J. L. Edwards Esq

Hon. Lewis Cane Secretary of War Washington City

Collectors Office Edgartown Nov, 16 th 1835
Sir
I have the honor to State that the accompanying statements made by the within named persons in relation to the pensions, claimed by Zachariah Pease and Cornelius Husbands are entitled to full faith and credit, it perfectly agrees with what I have many times heretofore heard related, and it is generally believed here that they served as set forth in their affidavits.
I am Sir Yours Obedient Servant
John P. Morton Col.
Hon. L. Clegg Secretary of War Washington City

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Edgartown Dec 23. 1857
Sir, Sometime since I sent you the declaration of Zechariah Pease & Cornelius Huxford respecting their claims for services performed in the Revolutionary War. You wrote in answer to those claims, to J. P. Boutelle that in the present form of the papers they could not be allowed. According to your answer it seems that you thought it to be a self organized company & patrol which their position rendered necessary to maintain and therefore was not provided for in the act of June 7, 1832. In answer to this supposition I would ask does it look reasonable that these poor men could devote two or three years of their services without pay. For it appears from good evidence that they were under constant enlistment if not in actual service and from their circumstances they must have had something to support them while in service. And as the town raised no money to pay the volunteer company they must have received it from some other source.
You stated that there were no other evidence of their services than tradition & the testimony of those who were interested in establishing it. I am aware that traditional evidence of itself is of little weight, but when accompanied with positive testimony it serves to give additional credence to it. And as it relates to "the testimony of those who are interested in establishing their claim."
I can say that no one is interested in it any farther than his duty is required. If the witnesses knew of their

of their performing such services it was their duty to testify of the same. In this there is certainly no crime. For no one is better qualified to testify of facts than those who were engaged in them, & eye witnesses of the same. As to the integrity of the claimants & witnesses there is no dispute, nor can there be found in this vicinity an individual but who thinks their claims just and ought to be allowed. I therefore with you personally to reexamine those claims and by so doing I think you will revoke your conclusion & place them on the Pension list. The claims of Zacha- riah Pease is precisely the same as that of Noah Pease who now receives a pension of between 70 & 80 dollars per annum. The services of both Noah Pease & Zachariah in the company of Benj. Smith was about three months for this you have certificates from the Sec. of War. The time of services specified here in both cases is too short to entitle either of them to a pension were it not for their volunteer services. And it is a well known fact that Zachariah Pease was with Noah in all his hour of duty. And if Noah Pease is entitled to a pension for his services how is it that Zachariah Pease is to be cut off from his. If Noah's claim is just (there is no doubt but that it is) Zachariah's claim is equal- ly so. If Zachariah's claim is not good Noah's certainly is not. (Please compare their claims.)

If the volunteer services are such as to entitle the one to a pension they certainly are the same to the other. For there is abundant proof that Zachariah served in the same companies with Noah, and if there is any difference in their declarations it is owing to the infirmities of age. Their claims, therefore being the same I see no reason in disallowing the one and allowing the other. For Noah evidently must have received his pension in part for volunteer services & if these claims were good for him they are equally so for Zachariah. And I can not believe but when you have reexamined these claims that you will reward Z. Pease for his services agreeable to his declaration. The claim of C. Huxford is wholly for volunteer services in the same companies in which Noah & Zachariah performed their services. And if the volunteer claim is good for part they are for the whole. There is no person here who is acquainted with the claimants but that believe their claim to be just, & ought to be granted. They are poor & needy & I cannot believe but that you will bestow on them that reward for their services which they so richly merit. These two are the only individuals now living who were in these volunteer companies who do not receive a pension. And I trust that you will place them on the list with those of their companions.

Should you still continue to reject their claim (which I hope you will not) I wish you would forward me a copy of the original papers, or the original notes for their friends wish to apply to congress if there is no law touching their claims to see if they congress will not allow them. Please to answer this as soon as convenient One more I say I can not but believe that you will do justice to their claims.
Your humble & obedient Servant. David Davis
Hon. J. L. Edwards Washington D. C.

No. 21 W.F.
23. Nov. 1835.
Pension Office
Mass.

Washington D.C.
Nov 17
Dec.
Hon. Lewis C. of  Casa Secretary of War Washington City D.C.

Q11
38447

We, the undersigned, inhabitants of the Town of Edgartown, County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that from our personal knowledge and from the traditional account which we have had of the Volunteer Company which was stationed on this Island from June 25 th 1778 until Sept 1778 was called into service by proper authority and that the commanding Officers were duly authorized to enlist the same.
And that the Local situation of this Island was such that it required that Volunteer troops should be under constant enlistment and ready at a moments call to be in readiness to repel an invasion. For were this not the case Volunteer troops would not have been of any advantage to this place. For while they were raising a company of Volunteers the British would have landed, obtained their Plunder & departed, and left the inhabitants to seek relief where they could find it. As this Island is situated between Boston and New York it was a stopping place for the English, and more especially after they took possession of Newport. Then they were constantly sending their Barges &c to intercept vessels passing the Vineyard sound and to seek for plunder. The situation of the Volunteer troops here were very different from that of other Volunteer companies on the Continent, for here the first news which we could have of the enemy was that that they were entering our harbours, which required the company to be in constant readiness for duty. As the Volunteers were the only defence this island had, after the disbanding of the Continental company under Capt Benj. Smith which took place in Nov. 1778 it was necessary that they

should be on duty more constantly. For as the landing of troops from British Vessels was so sudden there would be no time to enlist a company to render the inhabitants any assistance. Although the company was not every day subject to actual duty, yet the situation of the place rendered it necessary that they should be under constant enlistment to go at any time, which prevented them in a very great degree from engaging in a civil pursuit. Whenever they could be spared from service to labour in the field necessity obliged them to do it.
And we further state from our personal knowledge of the claimants (for a Pension) Zachariah Pease & Cornelius Hurlford and also from the witnesses who have testified to the same & we do certify that it is our opinion that their affidavits contain a true statement as they are men of veracity and morals & that it is generally believed here that they served as stated in said affidavits and we concur in that opinion.
* David Harker † William Mayhew r Frederick Baylies ‡ Saml Daggett o William Coffin d Peter Pease
( Mass. * Senator elect for Dukes County, & Nantucket to the General Court of † Deacon of the Congregational Church in Edgartown & Son of Capt. Matthew Mayhew under whom the applicants occasionally served. ‡ Representative to the General Court of Massachusetts. o Representative elect to the General Court of D. Grandsom of Col Israel Norton. d Coroner. r Minister of the Gospel

I, Cornelius Marchant, Clerk of the Common Pleas Court for the County of Dukes County &c do hereby certify that the within named subscribers are men of good morals & sound judgment; and that the within signatures are their true & genuine signatures, & the references are correct. And I concur in the same opinion —
Cornelius Marchant Clerk.

10. Smith Capt vol 36 343 Noak & Zacchariah Press from Sept to 21 Nov 76 - 2 mo - 4 260 March to May 76 - 4

Watertown Jan y 9 th 1776 To Capt Benj m Smith of Edgartown
Sir I herewith send you a schedule directed to the Selectmen, Committee &c. for return of seamen and vessels &c. which I defer you to convey. I also send you enlisting orders and enlisting Papers. You must do as you think proper. But I should advise you to talk with People on the subject and get as many as you can to enlist in one day at a time assigned for that purpose. I also send you the Establishment for the sea-coast. I can not expect to be at home under 10 or 15 days from this time. But intend to come as soon as possible. I have nothing new more than you have in the yesterday Papers which I send you only 100 men went to Charles-Town last night & burnt all the houses and killed 2 men and took 5 prisoners. The court have appointed Matthias Davis and James Shaw lieut.
I can now write no more
Beriah Nelson
4 or 5 men now waiting for me
A true copy of the original attest

33447
34738
Cornelius Huxford Mass. Act 7 June 1832

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Dukes County ss.
At a Court of Probate holden at Edgartown in and for said County on the first day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. before the Honorable Theodore G. Mayhew. Judge of the Probate &c. for said County, personally appeared Cornelius Huford, a resident of Edgartown in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged nearly Eighty one year, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th. 1832. make the following declaration.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein after stated; Vizt; under Benjamin Smith who commanded a Company in said Edgartown in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid and likewise under Thomas French who was also a Commander of a Company in the United States Service in the Town of Conway in the then County of Hampshire (now County of Franklin) in said Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A more particular account is set forth under the fifth interrogatory.
and further declares as follows in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; Vizt:
1. When, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven.
2. Have you any Record of your age; and if so when is it?
Answer. I have a Record of my age in my dwelling House in said Edgartown, which said Record was made by me more than twenty years ago.
3. When were you living when called into Service; when have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer. I was living at Edgartown aforesaid at the time I entered the service of the United States and have

since at said Edgartown ever since that period, with the exception of living in said Conway about seven months in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, at which last-mentioned place I likewise entered into the service of the United States as before stated. 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I volunteered in the service of the United States, and was no substitute.
5. State the names of some of the 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.
Answer. I voluntarily entered the service of the United States as nearly as I can recollect in the Month of May in the year of Lord one thousand one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, as a Soldier in the Company at said Edgartown commanded by the aforesaid Benjamin Smith. Samuel Norton was one of the Lieutenants of said Company, and William Norton one of the Sergeants attached to said Company at that time. Said Company being subject to the field control of Colonel Parachiah Bassett of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable and Commonwealth, aforesaid. I enlisted in the service of the United States from the time before mentioned, to serve to the end of the same year unless sooner discharged by order of the General Court at Boston. Some time during the Month of November, one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, the General Court ordered the said Colonel Parachiah Bassett to discharge all the Companies of Soldiers on the Island of Martha's Vineyard, which was accordingly done. While under the command of said Benjamin Smith I marched several times to Holmes Hole, to assist in keeping the British from landing at the Harbour of Holmes Hole, and from plundering the inhabitants of the village of Holmes Hole. I served in said Company under the said Benjamin Smith from the time of my entry into the service of the United States until the time of my discharge as before mentioned. I likewise voluntarily enlisted into the service of the United States in the month of May one thousand

seven hundred and seventy seven as a soldier in the Company commanded by Thomas French in the Town of Conway in the then County of Hampshire, and now County of Franklin in the State of Massachusetts and was in the United States Service from the time of my enlistment till the November following. In the said Month of November in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven said Company was ordered to march to New York. I was wounded and sent home by said Commanding Officer Thomas French.
In the Month of March one thousand seven hundred and seventy six. a British Transport Ship called the Hanit, Wymms Orick, Master, laden with stores from New York, for the British Garrison then in Boston was discovered to be at anchor off the Island of Chappaquiddick near the Shoals. I was one of the volunteers raised by said Benjamin Smith on this occasion in the village of Edgartown, who having impressed a Wood Stock into the service ran down to said Ship and after a short engagement captured her and brought her into the Harbor of Edgartown. After the surrender of said Ship I was requested to act as Pilot and bring her into the Port of Edgartown which order I faithfully observed.
6. When you a Soldier or an Officer? If a soldier did you ever receive a discharge from the Service; and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? If an Officer did you ever receive a Commission and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
Answer. I was a soldier both in the Company of Capt Benjamin Smith before mentioned and likewise a soldier in the Company of the said Thomas French, received my discharge from the Company under the command of the said Benjamin Smith in the manner before stated, and a verbal discharge from the Company under the command of said Thomas French, given by said French himself.

7. State the names of the 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 service as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I would beg leave to state the names of Joseph Huxford and William W. Hall.
Cornelius Huxford
And the said Cornelius Huxford doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State to his knowledge.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Theodore G. Mayhew Judge of Probate
We William W. Hall a clergyman residing in Caledon in said Dukes County and Joseph Huxford residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Cornelius Huxford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about eighty one 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.
William W. Hall Joseph Huxford
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Theodore G. Mayhew Judge of Probate.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William W. Hall who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman, and a very respectable man long resident in the Town of Caledon in said County of Dukes County, and that Joseph Huxford, who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Theodore G. Mayhew --- Judge of Probate.

I Joseph Huxford of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I am now nearly eighty nine years of age, and have always lived in the Town of Edgartown with the exception of six months in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Seven.
From the first of May A.D. 1777. to the November following of the same year I resided in the Town of Conway in the then County of Hampshire, now County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am intimately acquainted with Cornelius Huxford, and with the above exception have always lived a near neighbor to him.
1. Question by John Huxford.
Did Cornelius Huxford enlist and serve as a volunteer under the command of Capt. French of Conway aforesaid.
Answer by Deponent.
He did enlist and serve as a volunteer in the Company once under the command of said Capt. French from the month of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Seven until the month of November in the same year. He then enlisted as a Soldier under the Command of the said Capt.
French and in his Company received rations money, marched under the said Capt. French for New York was wounded and discharged.
2. Question by the Same.
Did the said Cornelius Huxford take up arms against the English during the Revolutionary War?
Answer by Deponent.

Yes. For he was the means of saving my life when a British Soldier presented a bayonet at my breast by taking his gun and threatening to despatch the said British Soldier if he showed at me with his bayonet, or endeavoured to take my life with the weapon he held in his hand. The soldier had previously killed one Capt. Cornlius Comander of a New London private, but at the time belonging to a British privateer from New York. The name of said Soldier was Murphy.
3. Question by Asker.
Do you know any thing in relation to the voluntary enlistment of the said Cornelius Huxford in the Company at said Edgartown commanded by Benjamin Smith during the Revolutionary War?
Answer by Deponent.
Yes. I know that the said Cornelius Huxford entered as a volunteer in the service of the United States and in the Company at Edgartown aforesaid commanded by the said Benjamin Smith. Said Cornelius Huxford voluntarily entered said Company as a Soldier as near as I can remember during the month of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Six and was to continue in said service to the end of the same year unless sooner discharged by General Court. Some time in the month of November in the same year, the General Court ordered Colonel Barshiah Barstow to discharge all the companies on the Island of Martha's Vineyard which was accordingly done.
4. Question by the same.
Do you know that Cornelius Huxford aforesaid acted as a Pilot.
Answer by Deponent.
Yes. I very well recollect that he acted as a Pilot during the Revolutionary War, and long since that period. I know him to be the oldest pilot living on the Island of Martha's Vineyard and has since more lines and property than any other man of my acquaintance.
5. Question by same.

Do you know any thing in relation to a Sloop, which during the month of January about the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, got ashore on Gravel Island Shoals and what assistance was rendered by said Cornelius Huford at that time?
Answer by Deponent.
I saw the said Sloop while she was ashore on said Shoals, and know that said Cornelius Huford immediately repaired on board of said Sloop and by his aid and management said vessel was got off and her Cargo which consisted of powder and other of immense value was saved. Said Cargo of Powder was carried from said Gravel Island to Nantucket, in boats and there reshipped by order of Government when the said Sloop was on the said Shoals. There was a heavy sea and the wind at South West blowing a gale, and further the deponent saith not. Given at said Edgartown this thirty first day of August, A.D. 1878.
Joseph Huford
Dukes County ss.
On the thirty first day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight the aforesaid deponent was sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth relating to the cause for which this Deposition is taken by him subscribed agreeable to law, said Deposition is taken at the request of the said Cornelius Huford and is to be used in an application to obtain a pension by the said Cornelius Huford agreeably to an Act of Congress, passed June seventh in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, granting Revolutionary Pensions. Before me Theodor G. Mayhew Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss:
I Cornelius Marchant Register of Probate for the County of Dukes County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the Court of Probate in and for said County in the matter of the Application of Cornelius Houseford of Edgartown in said County for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of the said Court, the day and year first above written.
Cornelius Marchant Register of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Dukes County ss -
I Daniel Fellows, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Dukes County, hereby certify that Theodore G. Mayhew abovenamed, is Judge of Probate and Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and that his name before written is his own genuine signature - and that full faith & credit ought to be given to all his Acts & Doings in said capacity -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this twenty fourth Day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine -
Daniel Fellows } Clerk of the Judicial Courts Dukes County.

171817
1. 2. 3.

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace, for the County of Dukes County, & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cornelius Huxford of the County & Commonwealth aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deponeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear as to the precise length of each tour of duty which he performed while in the Volunteer Company under the command of Col. Beriah Norton (and in absence of Col. Norton Capt. Matthew Mayhew took the command of said Company) said Company was raised for the defence of the seaboard of the Island of Martha's Vineyard. He further testifies that he enlisted in said Company on the twenty fifth day of June 1775 and was not discharged from said Company until the eighth day of September 1778 when the company was disbanded; as a strong British force landed and took away our arms we could resist them no longer. On account of the local situation of the Island and the sudden landing of troops from Barges &c. sent from British Ships to seek for plunder, and to intercept vessels passing the Vineyard Sound it rendered it necessary for the Volunteer company to be in actual service a considerable part of the time, especially after the British took possession of Newport in December 1776, and as the Continental Company under Capt. Benj. Smith was disbanded the 21 st Nov 1776 the Island was left without any defence except Volunteer troops. But as the company was not in actual service the whole of the time from the day he enlisted until the day he was discharged on account of loss of memory he cannot testify to the precise length of time that he was in actual service but according to the best of his recollection he was in actual service and subject to the daily discipline of soldiers not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:-
From the twenty fifth day of June 1775- to the eighth day of September 1778 I served as a Soldier under the abovenamed officers in the Volunteer Company not less than twenty three months for which I claim a Pension. (over)

And the said Cornelius Huxford further deposith and saith, that the reason why he did not apply for a Pension before was that till very lately he did not know that any soldiers excepting continental troops were entitled to a Pension.
And he further saith that as the Volunteers and Vipers are not to be found in the Secretary Office of Massachusetts he can forward no information from that source - In account of the indisposition of the former witnesses they could not give in their deposition. Cornelius Huxford
Dukes County ss. November 14 th 1835.
Then Personally appeared the above named Cornelius Huxford and made oath to the foregoing declaration by him subscribed before me. William Jennegean Justice of the Peace
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace for the County of Dukes County & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Benjamin Stewart of the aforesaid County & State, who being duly sworn, deposith, and saith that from his personal knowledge of the service of Cornelius Huxford as a volunteer in the Revolutionary War, & as set forth in the foregoing affidavit of said Huxford, that said affidavit is true & correct in all its parts. And he testifies to the same.
Benjamin Stewart
Dukes County ss. November 14 th 1835.
Then Personally appeared the above named Benjamin Stewart and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed,
Before me. William Jennegean Justice of the Peace

I, Cornelius Marchant, Clerk of the Common Pleas Court for the County of Dukes County, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that William Jernegan is a justice of the Peace for the County & Commonwealth aforesaid, that he was commissioned the 8 th day of Feb. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one & that it will expire on the 2 nd day of Feb 1838 and the annexed signature is his true & genuine signature. Given under my hand & the seal of the Court this sixteenth day of Nov. one thousand eight hundred & thirty five.
Cornelius Marchant Clerk.

N o 83419 Cornelius H. H. Ford Map. a Act 1832
Entered to Sec. of War 16 Oct. 1835

I Noah Pease of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ordainer, of lawful age to give evidence do testify, and say that I was born in the Town of Edgartown in Said County in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty four, and have always lived in said Town of Edgartown. I am well acquainted with Cornelius Husford of Said Edgartown having always lived at a small distance from his residence. I know him when a volunteer in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, under Colonel Beriah Norton of Edgartown & sometimes under Captain Matthew Mayhew of Said Town, for the defence of the sea-board of the Island of Martha's Vineyard and vicinity, from some time in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five till sometime in seventeen hundred & seventy eight when the troops were disbanded, being disarmed by the British. And I recollect of hearing his name called over by the Clerk, in the Company Roll. And also know of his marching to Holmes Hole in the company with myself, under the command of the above officers, to prevent the landing of troops from the British Barges.
And furthermore the deponent saith not.
Noah Pease
In Nantucket to Edgartown Sept 26. A.D. 1835 Then personally appeared the above named Noah Pease and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. Before me Theodore G. Mayhew Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss
I Cornelius Marchant Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, hereby certify that Theodore Mayhew is a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County duly Commissioned and sworn that his Commission was dated January 25 th 1832 and will expire on the twenty fourth of January A.D. 1839.
The within is his true and genuine Signature.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of the Said Court this thirteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.
Cornelius Marchant Clerk

I Joseph Huxford of Edgartown, County of Dukes County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman, of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I was born in Boston Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fifty two, but have lived in the Town of Edgartown ever since I was about ten years old. I am well acquainted with Cornelius Huxford of said Edgartown having lived a near neighbour to him. I knew him when he was a volunteer in the service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War, under Colo. Benaiah Norton of Edgartown and sometimes under Capt. Matthew Mayhew and that he enlisted for the defence of the Island of Martha's Vineyard & vicinity in order to prevent the landing of British troops from their Barges and plundering the inhabitants. He entered in the service I think in the year of our Lord 1775 and continued until the Militia were disarmed by the British which was I think in Sept. 1778. I frequently saw him with his arms going to join the troops under the above named officers, for to march to Holmes Hole to protect that place and further the deponent saith not.  Joseph Huxford
Dukes County ss Edgartown Sept 28. A.D. 1835
Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Huxford and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed - Before me
Theodore G. Mayhew Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss.
I Cornelius Marchant Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of the County and Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Theodore G. Mayhew is a justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn; that his Commission was dated January 25 th 1832 and will expire on the Twenty fifth of January 1839.
The within is his true and genuine Signature —
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court this third day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty five —
Cornelius Marchant Clerk

N o 83419
Cornelius Huxford Map. co Act 1832
replied to Sec. of War 16 Oct. 1835