Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23393, for Abner Rickard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Rickard, Abner
S 23393
R.I.
CONTENTS

5086 Buffalo New York
Referred to Buffalo Agency 22 Feb 33
Abner Rickard of China in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Phillips of the Regt. commanded by Col Tappan in the Massachusetts line for 3 Years —
Inscribed on the Roll of Buffalo New York at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Febru- ary 1833 — and sent to Hon. P. L. Tracy No. 1 Rep.
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 — $120 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar — 40.00 160.00
Recd Feb 6, 1843 { Revolutionary Claim, } from Agency, B. { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Enob Cromwell Clerk, Book D Vol. 10 Page 191

Abner Lickard of New York
on Rolls
14 mo 1844
688 mo
Says by an examination his name is on the Rolls Rolls in the Pension Office
Dear P. L. Tracy

by  BRIEF in the case of  Henry Richard of China  of  Sumner  in the State of  New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 69 - Nov 18 1841  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     March In 1777 1 Private Gen. Putnam  Col Tiffan  Genl. Spencer   1778 5 " Capt Eddy  Col Bradford  Genl. Patterson   July 1780 6 " Capt Faller  Col Bradford   1782 Short campaign " Genl. Washington   July 1783 9 " Capt Goss  Col Jackson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth County, Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective Papers not attached as required 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Mathews Examining Clerk.  July 22 1833

Abner Root's
Declaration
✓
1835
Please make return to
Horace H. Loper
Palatine,
Genesee Co.
N.Y.
Examin
admitted
2 years - private
$80

State of New York Genesee County
Shephard Crocker of the town of Bethany in the County of Genesee and State of New York - living Duly Sworn doth Depose and Say that he was born in the town of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts on the Seventeenth Day of August in the year 1761 as he has been informed by his parents and believes to be true that he is now Seventy one years of age and upwards that he is now well acquainted with Abner Richard who now lives in the town of Elma in the County of Genesee and State of New York that he has been well acquainted with the said Shephard Crocker Abner Richard from his earliest recollection that he the said Abner Richard was born and brought up in the same town and neighborhood with this Deponent that in the month of March in the year 1777 this Deponent enlisted into the Service of the United States in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Phelps then stationed at the town of Switacore in the State of Rhode Island as this Deponent believes that after this Deponent had enlisted into the said Company and some time in the month of March in the said year 1777 the said Abner Richard enlisted into the same Company with this Deponent that the said Abner Richard remained in the said Company as a private Soldier with this Deponent one year when the said Abner Richard and this Deponent were discharged and that the Discharges were signed by Col. Gosham who commanded the regiment to which the said Company was attached as this Deponent believes And that Deponent further saith that in the month of March in the year 1778 this Deponent again

enlisted into the service of the United States under a Recruiting Lieutenant whose name this Deponent does not now recollect at the town of Shadblorough for eight months for the purpose of joining the Southern Army then stationed at Valley Forge that in April following as this Deponent believes the said Abner Richard enlisted into the same company with this Deponent that the said Abner Richard marched in company with this Deponent to Springfield in Massachusetts from Springfield to Northill in the State of New York at which place this Deponent and the said Abner Richard with the other recruits were detained a number of weeks, that they then marched to Camden near the forks of the Delaware from that place they marched to join the Southern Army that this Deponent took the Army at Monmouth on the morning of the battle of Monmouth that they attempted to join the right wing of the army but was diverted to assist in taking care of the wounded this Deponent does not now remember seeing the said Abner Richard during the battle of Monmouth or while at that place but this Deponent does distinctly remember marching in company with the said Abner Richard from Monmouth to Brunswick in New Jersey a few days after the battle that they arrived at Brunswick on the third of July as this Deponent believes but it might be later in the month from there they marched to White Plains where they remained until fall from White Plains to Danbury in Connecticut and from Danbury to Hartford when this Deponent was taken sick and afterwards discharged that the said Abner Richard was discharged at Hartford as this Deponent was afterwards informed that this Deponent further states that he remained in full health for three years

Saith that he remained in S te health for three years
That during that time this Deponent was informed that the Said Abner Nickard was in the Service of the United States in the years 1780 and 1783. That he has been acquainted with the Said Abner Nickard During his whole life time that he has always understood that the Said Abner performed the campaigns above stated and further this Deponent saith
Sworn and subscribed before me the the 31 st day of August 1832.
William Mitchell a judge of the Genesee Crown pleas
J. H. Brock
I William Mitchell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Genesee in the State of New York before whom the above affidavit was taken do certify that I am well acquainted with the above Deponent Theophilus Crocker and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his affidavit
William Mitchell
State of New York, Genesee County, S s : I Timothy Fitch, Clerk of the county of Genesee in said state, certify that William Mitchell was one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county at the time of taking the foregoing affidavit and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and do believe that his signature to the certificate of taking the same is his hand writing. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said county this 6 th November 1832.
for the use of the...

Samuel Wyman of the Town of Lee in the County of Oneida & State of New York make Oath and say that I was knowing to Abner Richards being in the service in the Revolutionary war, from the month of February untill the month of December following in the year 1783, in Capt. Amos Cogswell's Company and Col. Michael Jackson's Regt. that I served in the same Regt. and same Company with him at the same time. And further faith not.
Samuel Wyman
Sworn and subscribed the 29 th day of July 1823 before me and I Certify that Samuel Wyman is a person of good Character & reputation; and that I believe him to be disinterested in making the above deposition.
Prosper Rudd J.P.
Clerk's Office Oneida County
I, Eliasaph Dorchester Clerk of the County of Oneida and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do Certify that Prosper Rudd before whom the above affidavit was taken was on the day of the date hereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Oneida duly appointed and sworn and authorized by Law to administer oaths &c, and further that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature of "Prosper Rudd J.P." above written to be the proper and writing of the said Justice of the Peace.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 30 th day of July 1823.
Eliasaph Dorchester Clerk By Thomas M. Francis Sp. Clk.

Abner
Declaration of Abner Rickards, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832
State of New York
Genesee County ss
On this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Genesee, being a Court of Record and having a seal, now sitting in the town of Batavia in the said county of Genesee, Abner Rickards a resident of the town of Chisholm in the county of Genesee and State of New York, aged sixty nine years on the 18th day of November 1831, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he enlisted as a private soldier in the  for fifteen months service in the State militia of the State of Rhode Island, for one year, three months of the fifteen months service having expired, that he was enlisted by Capt. Samuel Phillips some time in the month of March 1777, but the day on which he enlisted, he cannot recollect; that at the time of his enlistment, he resided in the town of Middleborough, in the county of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts; that he immediately marched to the town of Scituate in Rhode Island and was put into Capt Samuel Phillips Company, 1st Lieut. Nit or Christopher Phillips in Col. Tappan or Popleham's Regiment of the Rhode Island Line, Major David Barton and was attached to Spencer's Brigade and was stationed at Howland's Ferry that he was in only one skirmish during the time he was stationed at the Ferry, that he was in a private expedition sent to Rhode Island to take off the main guard, but owing to bad pilotage the boats landed too near the British sentry who gave the alarm, when a slight skirmish ensued and our Captain was wounded and we were ordered to retreat and the expedition proved unsuccessful and we returned to the Ferry, that he served during the year for which he had enlisted and was stationed at the Ferry, when he received a verbal discharge, which he thinks was in the last of March or the first of

April 1778 and returned home to Middleborough. —
That he remained at home a short time when the town of Middleborough was called upon to furnish men for eight months' service in the Revolutionary War. — That he enlisted for eight months under Captain Cady, the other Company officers he cannot recollect, that he was attached to a Regiment in the Massachusetts line commanded by Col. Bradford  Bradford in Gen. Patterson's Brigade. — That he marched from Middleborough and joined the Grand Army on their march from Valley Forge to Monmouth in New Jersey and arrived in the neighborhood of Monmouth one or two days before the battle of Monmouth which he thinks was on the 28th June 1778. — That his Regiment was with the part of the army commanded by Gen. Washington and marched to the battle with the main body of the Rear Guard and was in the battle. — That after battle he marched back by marches to Hartford Ct. and arrived there some time about the last of November or the first of December 1778 and the time for which he enlisted having expired, he was discharged at Hartford, that he has lost his discharge and does not know what has become of it. — That he has caused search to be made in the Pension Department at Washington and that by returning from Washington he has learnt that his name is found upon the rolls of the Department and that it appears from thence that he has served the term of eight months for which he enlisted. That after his discharge he returned home at Middleborough. —
That he remained at home until the last of March or the first of April 1780 when he enlisted again in the regular service for six months, that he was in Captain John Fuller's Company and was attached to Col. Bradford  Bradford  Kelley  Kelley Regiment of the Massachusetts line, that he immediately marched to West Point and remained there during the greater part of the summer. That during the summer he marched to Peekskill and some other places on the Hudson River and then returned to West Point, that he was at Orange Town Hill, on a scout when Major Andre was taken and that he saw him executed at Orange Town. — That he went from Orange Town to Kings Ferry and remained there until the month of December 1780 or January 1781 but the precise time he cannot recollect when he went back to West Point to go into winter quarters and soon afterwards was regularly discharged, that he has lost his discharge: that he has caused search to be made in the Pension Department
at Washington, that his name was found upon the rolls and that it appears that he served this term of enlistment, from documents found in that Department, that he had made application for a Pension which was rejected as he had

at Washington, that his name was found upon the rolls and that it appears that he served this term of enlistment, from documents found in that Department, that he had made application for a Pension which was rejected as he had no proof of service for more than eight months at one time in the regular army, and that Mr. Rice, the Member of Congress from this District obtained his papers at the Department at the last session of Congress and that they are now in his possession.
That he remained at home until some time in the summer of 1782 when he went to Rhode Island in the State militia and served a short campaign and then returned home until the month of February 1783, that he then enlisted for a term in the town of Bridgewater, adjoining Middleborough, with Capt. Amos Cogswell's Company and was attached to Col. Michael Jackson's Regiment of the Massachusetts line and marched from Bridgewater to Newburgh, N.Y. and was stationed there until he was discharged which was in December 1783 or in January 1784 - that he had enlisted for the last eighteen months of the three years service, that he was in no skirmish or battle during this period, and thinks that Gen. Patterson commanded the Brigade - that he was regularly discharged, and that he has lost his discharge.
That he was born in the town of Middleborough aforesaid on the 18 th November 1762 - that he has no family record of his age except his own family record which he made from information from his parents; that after he left the service he lived in the town of Middleborough about two years, that he is a carpenter by trade and worked at his trade until 1799 in many places in New England, that he then went to sea on board of various vessels and was at sea about seven years, that he went to Cohoes, Massachusetts, and lived there about four years; that he then removed to the town of Newton, in Cortland County N.Y. and lived there about four years; that he then went to the town of Mill Creek, then Niagara County, New York, N.Y. and resided there about 10 years; that he then removed to the town of Pembroke, Genesee County, and lived there about two years; that he then went to the town of Newton, Cortland County N.Y. and resided there about four years and then removed to China, Genesee County, N.Y. where he now resides and has resided between two and three years; that he has no documentary evidence of his services; that he knows of no person living who can prove his services except Theophilus Crocker, of the town of Bethany in the County of Genesee.

N.Y. whose affidavit he has perused: That he has the affidavit of Samuel Hyman, taken in 1823, which accompanies this declaration. that  his said neighbor  and can testify to his character for veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid. — } in open court
Abner Richards
Timothy Fitch Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states Hosea Wilson Robert Carr William Mitchell
I Timothy Fitch, Clerk of the said court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Abner Richards for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15. October 1832. Timothy Fitch Clerk

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section ILL
April 9, 1930.
October 13, 1922, at which time he was a resident of China, Seneca County, New York.
He died February 6, 1923.
Mrs. J. C. Cannon 1144 North 30th Street Billings, Montana.
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War pension of this woman fail to afford any information in regard to this service.
Dear Madam:
Very truly yours,
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23393, it appears that ABNER RICKARD was born November 18, 1763, in Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said place he enlisted in March, 1777, in Captain Samuel Phillips' Company in Colonel Topham's Rhode Island Regiment and served one year.
Soon afterward he enlisted in Captain Eddy's Company in Colonel Bardford's Massachusetts Regiment; was in the battle of Monmouth and was discharged in November or December, 1778, having served eight months.
He enlisted in March or April, 1780, in Captain John Fuller's Company in Colonel Bradford's Massachusetts Regiment and served until December, 1780, or January, 1781.
In the summer of 1782 he served a short tour in the Rhode Island Militia, officers not stated.
He enlisted in February, 1783, in Captain Amos Cogswell's Company in Colonel Michael Jackson's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged in December, 1783, or January, 1784.
He was allowed pension on his application executed

October 15, 1832, at which time he was a resident of China, Genesee County, New York.
He died February 6, 1843.
This is the only Abner Rickard that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Abijah Sawins.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH, Commissioner.

Revolution
23393 INVALID.
File No. 23,393
Abner Richards
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 59 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 339
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1927. Apr. 13 tombstone data to Jessie H. Read wid
1930 - April 9 - History to Mrs. J. C. Cannon. J.L.L.

Olean, N.Y., January Feb 15 1927.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;
As a member of the Historic Research Committee, Olean Chapter D.A.R., I would be very glad to receive a copy of the Pension Record with all the dates etc., of
ABNER RICKARD
a Soldier of the Revolution, who is said to be buried in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., and whose grave we hope to locate and mark.
Our Regent, when in Washington last April, visited your Bureau and was told that but two records would be given to enquirers, hence this request.
Trusting that this information will be available, I am, with thanks,
Patriotically yours,
Jessie H. Read.
Delevan N.Y.

Ref. Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. M.M.H.F./H.M.M.
1144 North 30th Street Billings, Montana
March 24, 1930
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
In compliance with your request for data regarding soldiers of the Revolution:
Abijah Sawins - do not know place of his birth, but a son, Samuel Sawins, was born in Windsor, Vt. August 25, 1773.
Abner Pickard - (wife, Susanna) do not know place of birth, but a daughter, Sarah Pickard, was born in Barrer, Mass. June 9 th 1772.
Will deeply appreciate war records of these ancestors, if same can be obtained.
Very truly,
Mae E. Cannon. (Mrs. J. C. Cannon)

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section W.S.
He was allowed pension on his application dated October 13, 1882, at which time he was a resident of Chino, San Diego County, New York. April 13, 1927
Jessie H. Read Delevan New York
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23393, it appears that ABNER RICKARD was born November 18, 1762, in Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said place he enlisted in March, 1777, in Captain Samuel Phillips' Company in Colonel Topham's Rhode Island Regiment and served one year.
Soon afterward he enlisted in Captain Eddy's Company in Colonel Bradford's Massachusetts Regiment; was in the battle of Monmouth and was discharged in November or December, 1778, having served eight months.
He enlisted in March or April, 1780, in Captain John Fuller's Company in Colonel Bradford's Massachusetts Regiment and served until December, 1780, or January, 1781.
In the summer of 1782 he served a short tour in the Rhode Island Militia, officers not stated.
He enlisted in February, 1783, in Captain Amos Cogswell's Company in Colonel Michael Jackson's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged in December, 1783, or January, 1784.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 15, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Chima, Genesee County, New York.
He died February 6, 1843.
This is the only Abner Rickard that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner