Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,340, for Theodore May, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
May, Theodore Elizabeth
16,340
CONTENTS

(2478)
New York Roll.
Theodore May
Private
Massachusetts line 1776. 1 year
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th of September and sent to John C. Walker Esq. Greenwich Washington C o D.C.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818 - 5 m th 1/30 - 40 25
Semi-ann. all ee ending 4 th March 1819 - 48
$ 88 26
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
✓ Eaton Washington C o

New York R.R. P. 1,904.
Elizabeth May widow of Theodore May
who died on the 13 th of August 1820 of Alleghany in the State of New York who was a Pr. of Bdy in the army commanded by Captain [blank] of the Reg t commanded by [blank] in the Mass. line line for 15 mths. 6 days.
Increased from $50 per ann.
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of 60 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831, & continue as and at rate of $50 per ann.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Au- gust 1838 and sent to W. G. Fuge, Esq., Esopus, Ulster co. N.Y.
(Diff. of rate) Addn to the 4 th of March, 1838 $104:95 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 30:33
$135:28
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by S. A. [blank] Clerk, Book [blank] Vol. 2 Page 112
Let to Abby Agent August 15, 1838.

Theodore May's Affidavit.
No. 3.
District to the care of J. C. Walker, Greenwich Washington County
2nd April 1818.
N. York
not on Roll JM
2nd April 1818.
3mabEs/pu

State of New York Washington County ss. Theodore May being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary Army of the United States of America - That he enlisted as such soldier on the Continental es- tablishment in January or February seventeen hundred and seventy six in Col. Henry Knox's regiment of Artillery under Capt. Edward Burkbeck in the Town of Cambridge County of Middlesex & State of Massachusetts, for the term and period of one year - that your deponent marched from Cambridge to New York under Lieut. Col. Henry Burkbeck was stationed at the Grand Battery until about the fourteenth day of August following when he with the Army then under the com- mand of Genl. Washington evacuated the place - marched to Fort Washington , where they con- tinued a short time - thence to Fort-Plains re- -treated from thence & marched to Beek's Hill , thence to the State of New Jersey to Paramis thence retrograded to Beek's Hill and there remained, excepting some few excursions, until the expiration of the said year for which he so enlisted - when he received his discharge - your deponent then saith that he then continued in the aforesaid service at the especial instance and request of Genl. Washington, six weeks longer, the Army at this time being small in point of

members — that after this, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven in September of that year he went in the Militia in Capt. Burt's Company & Col. Cushing's regiment, for the term of three months, marched to Still-Water — County of Saratoga in the State of New York, at Barnes Heights, where he continued until the surrender of Burgoyne — there marched to a near  Red  Rock near Kings-bridge, where he continued until the full and end period of his service, the time for which he engaged — And your deponent further saith, that this regiment was considered as on the Continental establishment, & were so paid as he then understood & now  verily believes. — And your deponent further saith, that he is now seventy one years old, that he is in a very debilitated condition & is actually in reduced & insignificant circumstances & that he now lives in the Town of Easton County of Washington & State of New York & that the said discharge was verbal not written — And that Theodore May he has no other evidence in his — power of his said services — — — State of New York
Washington County ss. Greenwich fourth day of April A.D. 1818. Personally appeared before me Theodore May the signer of the above affidavit and made oath that the same was true. And I hereby certify that it does fully appear to my satisfaction, that the sd Theodore May did so serve as stated in his said affidavit against the common enemy in the Revolutionary War & that he is in my opinion a proper subject for a pension

under the "Act providing for persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War". And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with this applicant & from my own knowledge consider that his case is one for which the government ought to provide; and I send herewith the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me, to the secretary for the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of congress.
Jonathan Sprague One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Washington
State of New York Washington County
I Daniel Shepherd Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington do hereby certify that Jonathan Sprague Esq. the within certificate was made as one of the Judges of the said Court Acting under the authority of the United States and that the attested is his signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 23 d day of April 1818
D. Shepherd Clerk

V1789
Elizabeth May Pension papers -
Admitted
Private of Artillery 12 mo
add
Private of Infantry
3 mo & 6 days -
$60.66
Canal old before new Calif. calc -
Hon. L. C. Puck
Horse Rpts
US

State of New York County of Allegany ss.
On this fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Seven personally appeared before John Collins Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegany Elizabeth May aged Eighty four years being a resident of the town of Afton in the County of Allegany aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836.
That she is the Widow of Theodore May who was a private in the regular Army of the War of the Revolution, that the said Theodore May rendered servi- ces in said Army at different periods during the Revo- lutionary war, that the said Services were rendered in the State of Massachusetts & other States, that the said Theo- dore May was attached to the Massachusetts line and his residence prior to and during the War of the Revolution the War of the Revolu- tion was at Dedham in that State, That the said Theodore May after the War of the Revolution was removed to the town of Easton in the County of Wash- ington in the State of New York where he resided till the time of his death, That the said Theodore May applied for and received a pension under the provision act of 1818, and that she believes the papers upon which the pension was granted are now in the War Department at Washington, that the pension Certificate of the said Theodore May is not in her possession nor does she know where it is, that from the great length of time since the revolutionary services of the said Theodore May were rendered and from the impaired memory of the said Elizabeth May she is at this time unable to state the names of the officers under which the said Theo- dore May served or the particular service to which he was attached, she recollects of her husband telling her that he was at the capture of General Burgoyne at Saratoga

and has heard him relate other events of the war of which he was a witness but cannot now recollect them with sufficient precision to state them. She further states that at the time the said Theodore May obtained his pension certificate that he was a resident of the town of Easton in the County of Washington aforesaid, and she further declares that she was married to the said Theodore May in the autumn of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy one but the particular day or month she is unable to state she recollects it was at the time of the annual Thanksgiving for that year that she was married. Her husband the aforesaid Theodore May died on the thirteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred & twenty and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed,
Sworn & Subscribed
On the day and year
Above written Before me,
Wm Collins Judge of Albany County Courts
Elizabeth me May mark

State of New York Albany County S.
Ellis May of the town of Albany in said County aged sixty four years upon the last the day of November last past being duly sworn saith that he is the son of Elizabeth May whose declaration is hereunto annexed, that the said Theodore May in the said declaration mentioned was the father of this deponent, that this deponent remembers that his father the said Theodore May was in the Army of the revolution, He can distinctly recollect the circumstances of his leaving home for the service and of his return, this deponent believes that he served at different periods during the war, And this deponent further saith that from his childhood up to the time of the death of the said Theodore May he always with or near resided near him, And this deponent knows that he died on the thirteenth day of August one thousand Eight hundred and twenty as set forth in the declaration of the said Elizabeth May herunto annexed, And this deponent further saith that the said Elizabeth May has at all times since the death of her husband resided near to this deponent and for the three years last past the said Elizabeth Elizabeth has lived in the family of this deponent and now lives with him, And this deponent further saith that the said Elizabeth May has remained a widow ever since the death of the said Theodore May, And this deponent further saith that the said Theodore May was a pensioner under the act of 1818, but that he does not know what has become of his pension certificate, He resided at the town of Easton in the County of Washington at the time the said certificate was obtained -
Sworn & Subscribed
This 15 th day of April
1837. Before me,
John Collins Judge of Albany County Courts
Ellis May

State of New York Allegany County ss.
Oliver Norton of the town of Aurora in the County of Allegany being duly sworn Sith that he is fully three years old that he became acquainted with Theodore May & Elizabeth his wife in the annexed paper mentioned about the year 1785 or 6 - that he knew them both from that time till the death of the said Theodore May which according to the best of the recollection of this deponent happened in the year 1820 at the town of Easton Washington Co. N.Y. And that he has been acquainted with the said Elizabeth May ever since the death of the said Theodore May and now resides in the same neighborhood with her and that she still remains the widow of the said Theodore May.
Sworn & Submitted this 15 th day of April 1837. Before me John Collins Judge of Allegany County Court
Oliver Norton

State of New York Albany County G.
I John Collins a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Albany being a court of Record acting according to the course of the common Law and having a seal Do certify that on the fifteenth day of April 1837. Elizabeth May in the annexed declaration described appeared before me the said Judge at her residence in the town of Albany in the said County and an oath duly administered made the said declaration before me. And I also certify that the age and bodily infirmity of the said Elizabeth May is such in my opinion as to render her unable to appear in open court. And I further certify that on the same day Ellis May the son of the said Elizabeth May, and Oliver Norton whom affidavits are also herunto annexed both appeared before me and respectively made solemn oaths to the truth of the contents of their respective affidavits. And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Elizabeth May, Ellis May and Oliver Norton that they are respectively persons of good moral character and respectable standing and that full faith and credit are due to their respective statements.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set My hand
John Collins

State of New York Albany County clerk's office
I Judson W Shennan clerk of the court of common Pleas in and for the said county of Albany being a court of Record Do certify that John Collins esquire whose certificate is herunto annexed and before whom the said Elizabeth May, Ellis May and Oliver Norton in the annexed papers named were known was at the date of the said papers and still is a Judge of the said court of common Pleas duly qualified and authorized to act as such Judge, and I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said John Collins and that the signatures of the said John Collins to the said Certificate and other papers annexed are genuine
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court of common Pleas this nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Judson W Shennan Clerk

I hereby certify that the following Marriage is recorded with Shughton records (Viz)
Theodore May of Shughton & Elizabeth Ellis of Milton April 2 d 1772 and was Returned by Rev d Samuel Dumbare
Martin Wales Town Clerk of Shughton
Shughton Dec 8. 1837
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Norfolk ss. Dec r 28 th 1837. Then personally appeared the above named Martin Wales, and made Oath, that the above certificate by him subscribed, was a true copy from the records of the town of Shughton. Before me                      Elijah Asherton Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Martin Wales is the Clerk of the town of Shughton. Elijah Asherton Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency EDWARD EVERETT, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Edward Everett
Know Ye, That Elijah Wheaton Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk, and he has been so for the three months last past.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, and that to his Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this ninth day of December, A. D. 1837, and in the Sixty second Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
John C. Cabot Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16340
Elizabeth May Wife of Theodore May Artf: Rev. War
Act July 4 th '36
Index: Vol. III , Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]

New York
Elizabeth May
Suspended
Let to W.G. Angelo June
21. 1837
do to same Aug 30, 1837

Albany 1,904
Elizabeth May
widow of Theodore May
who died on the 13. August 1820 of Allegany Co in the State of New York who was a priv. Btl. in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt. commanded by Col. Knapp in the Mass. line for 1 year [ ] - 3 mos. 6 days offered.]
Lett. to Hon. L. C. Peck, May 22. 1838 offering increase - 3 mos. 6 days)
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents, per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5. — day of April 1838 and sent to Hon. L. C. Peck, H. C.
Arrears to the 14th of March 38 360.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 Apr. 25.00
$385.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by D Brown Clerk, Book 1 Vol. 2 Page 113

Payment to be made at Albany by J. M. Olcott, Esq. Agent for paying Pen= sions, in the Agency of Albany
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 1 Page 113 by D. Brown, Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1830, Elizabeth May of the State of New York widow of Theodore May who was a Private of Artillery in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Fifty dollars and cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this fifth day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
S. Cooper Actg. Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. S

Angelina Alligany Co. N.Y. August 3, 1838—
Sir
I enclose the pension certificate of Mrs Elizabeth May issued on the 5 th of April last. The pensioner being in extreme want has drawn from the Albany agency what was due by the certificate up to the 4 th of March last. By a letter from you to the Hon. L. G. Pick it appears that upon further examination in the department it was found that the term of service of the husband entitled his widow to a greater allowance than that specified in the certificate, this information did not reach her till after she had sent a power of atty to draw the pension as allowed. I understand by your letter that if the certificate be returned the mistake will be corrected, I forward it to you for that purpose and hope for a return as early as may be, Respectfully Your State Servant W. G. Lunge
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commr of Pensions—

Dear Sir
April 3 rd 188
Sir
I have the honor to transmit herewith a communication from W.G. Langford Esq. - inquiring for certain Pension papers etc
Will you have the goodness to please furnish me with the information he desires?
Very Respectfully Sir
Yours etc etc
L. G. Peck
How I'd Celine Pensions

Shaw-Aston W. July 21 1837
Shaw W.
W. J. Angel Esq.
Angelina Alleyne Esq. Esq.

I hereby certify that the following Marriage is Recorded with Houghton Records & was Performed by Rev Samuel Dumball
Theodore May of Houghton & Elizabeth Ellis of Milford April 2 1772
Attest Martin Wales Town Clerk of Houghton County of Norfolk & State of Mass
Houghton July 21. 1837
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss. Town of Houghton July 21 st 1837.
Then personally appeared the above named Martin Wales, Clerk of the Town of Houghton and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him subscribed. — Before me
Elijah Atherton Justice of the Peace
Houghton July 21 1837.
Sir I have obtained the search requested by you as to the Marriage of Mrs May after some time and expense — if she should be able to get her Pension give will see me paid if you please Yours &c. Sam. G. G. P. M.

Washington County N. York ss.
Greenwich 20 th August 1818.
Wm d J. C. Calhoun Esquire,
Sir,
I return to you the declaration of Theodore May (in order to obtain a Pension) with the affidavit of Genl Henry Burbeck, who was a revolutionary officer & the immediate commander of the said May. This affidavit is full, as to the service and discharge of the applicant; although, this is but one witness, yet it is hoped, as he is of so high standing, his character so well known to the Department, as well as his handwriting, that this will be satisfactory.
It will be noticed, that to the certificate of the Judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut, there is no certificate & seal of the County Clerk. But as I have observed the handwriting of Genl Burbeck cannot be well known I am Sir with much Respect Your Ob d Serv t . John C. Walker

April 27
1889
NY
July 136 A 33
FREE
James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington

Angelica Alligany to N. Y. April 19. 1837
Sir
Inclosed I send you the declaration and proofs of Elizabeth May a widow for a pen- -sion under the act of July 4. 1836 —
I hope the papers are sufficient. If they are not advise me of the particular defect,
The Old Lady is highly reputable and so are the Witnesses who made the affots. I am personally acquainted with all of them and am satisfied that their statements are true, And begs me on the subject at this place,
Respectfully your
Obedt Servant,
J. L. Edwards Esq.
W. G. Angel
Commr of Pensions —

W. L. Angell March 20. 1884 2.
Return this note

Anglo 26. 1838.
Dr Sir
About a year since I sent a pension application for Elizabeth May under the act of 1836, to Mr Edwars Commissioner of pensions, I was some time afterwards informed that the proof was incomplete. It is now several months since I sent the Supplementary Evidence and have heard nothing from it. If the case is ever to be decided I think it is time the decision took place. Will you call at the pension Office and enquire the reason of the delay, and inform me the result of your enquiry -
Respectfully yours.
M. G. Anglin
Hon S. C. Park -

augt 9-37 proof of marriage Eliz May Ny.
FREE
Aug 9 J. L. Edwards Esquire Comr of Pensions War Department Washington.

Anglia Allegany County N.Y.
Sir
I enclose a Certificate from the town Clerk of the Town of Houghton Mtn, of the Marriage of Elizabeth May whose application I sent forwarded to your Office last Spring, I hope this Certificate will be satisfactory, if not will you give early notice and state the particular objection, if you grant the application let me know it as early as practicable as the applicant is in great need of the relief sought for -
Respectfully Yours
Ord. Servt
M. G. Angel
J. L. Edwards Esquire

New London 6 th August 1818 -
I do hereby certify that Theodore May Enlisted at Cambridge, County of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, in the month of January or February 1776 in Captain Edwards Burbeck's company, in the Regiment of Artillery, in the Massachusetts line of the Continental Army, commanded by Colonel Henry Knox. For One Year, (And of which, I was a first Lieut in said company. That in April the Captain being ordered on commands to Boston. The Captain Lieut to Canada. The company was ordered under my commands to New York, where it remained until the evacuation by the American troops in in September, when the company marched to the White Plains, and accompanied the Army in the different operations, in the Jerseys &c. during that year. At the expiration of his service, It was requested by General Washington for the Troops to continue in service for Six weeks which term of service the said May performed. And all of which service, He conducted himself as a good and faithfull soldier. And received a discharge from me at Peek's Kill in March 1777 -
H Burbeck. Late Brig d General Brevet. in the Army U. States

State of Connecticut
Is. Dues Lincoln
On this 7 th Day of August A.D. 1818 - before me Jeremiah Brainard One of the Judges of the Superior Court of this State of Connecticut personally appeared Gen. Henry Burbeck the within named Deponent after being duly examined and cautioned to testify the truth and the whole truth made solemnly to the truth of the facts stated and contained in the within Deposition by him written and submitted.
Jeremiah Brainard a Judge of the Superior Court State of Connecticut