Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,919, for Ebenezer Mead, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. New York
Mead, Ebenezer
813919
Carded
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting on the left side of the CONTENTS section]
[Faint, illegible handwriting on the right side of the CONTENTS section]

New York No. 277
Ebenezer Mead
in the State of New York was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Dabney of the Dept commanded by Col Webb in the * Continent done for 21 Mo:
N.Y. & Conn.
Records completed Oct 8/66.
Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y. the rate of 70 Dollars Cents per annum. commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug 1833 and to the F. H. Hoff Powers
Arrears to the 1st of Mar '33 $ 14 00 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 3 33 $17 33
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. S. [Signature] Clerk Book 6 Vol. 29 Page 68
Died June 20, 1837
(From Agency Books)

Bonyon Head Papus for a Pension
Set 7 th June 1832
No service under Haight recited as the reputating require except 1 week & 10 days tours - all other alleged service under him disallowed.
Adm d
21. m.p.r.
70 $

State of New York County of Westchester
On this 3 rd — day of October September in the year 1832
personally appeared in open Court before Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County Westchester now sitting Ebenezer M c Intosh of the County of Westchester and State of New York aged Eighty three years 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 th 1832. That he retired the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated below. That some time in the month of June 1775 at Danbury in the State of Connecticut he enlisted as a private in a Company of Infantry commanded by Captain William Payson & Hubbell of New Canaan in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Charles Webb for the period or term of five months, that shortly thereafter the said Company marched with the Regi- ment to a place called Horn Brook on Long Island where he remained with the said Company until orders were given to march to the Eastward, they took up their line of march from thence to New Haven in Connecticut aforesaid, where they remained for a few days; they then marched on to Boston through the State of Connecticut and Rhode Island. This De- clarant remained with the said Company & served therein regularly for the period or term of five months. after the expiration of that term at the earnest solicitation of his Officers he continued in service for one month thereafter in the said Company. That at the time of his enlistment as aforesaid he resided at a place called New Paltz in the County of Dutchess State of New York — And this Declarant further saith that some time in the Summer of the year 1776 / the month not particularly enrolled / at Danbury in the State of Connecticut

the then place of residence of this Dularant he enlisted as a private in a Company of Infantry for five months under the command of Captain Jabez  Bolchford in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel  Tracy , he went to the Northward with said Company through the State of New York and joined the Army under the command of General Gates that he served in the said Company for the term of five months. In the early part of the year 1777. at North Salem in Westchester County he enlisted as a private in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Samuel  De Lada for three months the Regiment was commanded by Colonel Samuel  Deake he regularly served out his term of service in the upper part of the County of Westchester and was discharged by his Captain but not by written discharge In the same year last 1777. he enlisted in a Company of Militia as a private for three months the Company was commanded by Captain Deudorus  Brown the Regiment by Colonel Samuel  Deake (Christian name not recollecting) that he regularly served out his said term of three months and was discharged but not in writing; that at the time of his enlistment in this year he resided at Cattlands , Maria in the County of Westchester at a place now called James . In the year 1779 he yet continued to reside at Cattlands , Maria in Westchester County at the time of James he was drafted and attached to a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Samuel  Haight in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel  Deake after having been notified of the draft and several times having been called out when alarms were given. the Company was ordered to a place in said Maria called Crownpond in said County of Westchester ; that the British Cavalry made an attack at that place on the 24 th June 1779 and captured many American troops then stationed and captured many prisoners that amongst others this Dularant was taken a prisoner and conveyed to the City of New

the then place of residence of this Declarant he enlisted as a private in a Company of Infantry (for five months) under the command of Captain Jabez  Batchelder in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel  Tracy , he went to the Northward with said Company through the State of New York and joined the Army under the command of General Gates, that he served in the said Company for the term of five months. In the early part of the year 1777, at North Salem in Westchester County, he enlisted as a private in a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Samuel  De Lasa for three months the Regiment was commanded by Colonel Samuel  Drake he regularly served out his term of service in the upper part of the County of Westchester and was discharged by his Captain but not by written discharge. In the same year 1777 he enlisted in a Company of Militia as a private for three months the Company was commanded by Captain Andrew  Brown the Regiment by Colonel Samuel  Tracy (Christian name not recollection) that he regularly served out his said term of three months and was discharged but not in writing; that at the time of his enlistment in this year he resided at Cattaraugus , Mahon in the County of Westchester at a place now called James . In the year 1779 he yet continued to reside at Cattaraugus , Mahon in Westchester County at the farm of James he was drafted and attached to a Company of Militia commanded by Captain Samuel  Haight in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel  Drake after having been notified of the draft and several times having been called out when alarms were given. The Company was ordered to a place in said County of Westchester called Crown Point in said County of Westchester; that the British Cavalry made an attack at that place on the 24 th June 1779 and captured many American troops then stationed, and captured many prisoners that amongst others this Declarant was taken a prisoner and conveyed to the City of New

York then confined as a prisoner in the Sugar House in close confinement for about two weeks. That the whole term of his service under this draft including the time he was a prisoner and until he returned home embraces a period of about four months; that when he was discharged from the Sugar House he was unwell but was able to reach home that after he recovered his health he was again attached by draft to the said Company of Captain Samuel Knight that he was always in readiness to perform Military duty during the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty and was held by Captain Knight as subject and liable to perform such duty whenever called upon during that year, and was called upon very often frequently once or twice a week during said year armed and equipped ready to perform Military duty. That frequent alarms were given of the approach of the Enemy and on all occasions of this kind this Detachment was called out with the Company to which he was attached - That the Cow Boys and Skirmishers were frequently prowling about in the upper part of the County of West Chester and he and others of Capt. Knights Company were very frequently called upon to prevent their depredations - "
That he has no documentary evidence of his service and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except the person named in the annexed Affidavit whose testimony as to his service appears by the said annexed Affidavit. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Army of any State

I sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
M c Bayles Atty Eliza
his head mark
The following Interrogatories were propounded by the said Court to the said Eliza Head test
 1 st When and in what year was you born? Answer. I was born on the 12 th day of December 1749 at Fairfield in the State of Connecticut -  2 o Have you any Record of your age & if so where is it? Answer He has no record of his age  3 o When were you living when called into Service where had you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live? Answer That at the time of his first enlistment he resided at a place called New Paltz, in Dutchess County of State of New York. That at the time of his enlistment in 1776 he resided at Danbury in the State of Connecticut. That during the residue of the War of the Revolution he resided on Catkill Mountain in the new Town of Tanners County of New York and State of New York. That he has resided in the Town of Tanners aforesaid. That since the War he did reside for ten years in the Town of Helder in the County of Albany  4 th How were you called into Service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom? Answer He was in Service by enlistment and by draft as appears by his Enrolled declaration & not otherwise  5 th 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 & the general circumstances of your service Answer. He has no distinct recollection of any other Regular Officers who were with the troops at the time 

That when he often saw at Tiendaya. on days he recd that any particular circumstances, a general circumstances of his services except those detailed in his Declaration hereto annexed
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service Answer I never did receive a written discharge from the service but was always discharged by parol at the end of my term of service
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution. Answer I name Frederick J. Coffin Counsellor at Law and Michael Steiner Inhabitants of the Town of Seneca in West Chester County State of New York who are well acquainted with me and have been for Eighteen or twenty years past
We Fredk J. Coffin Counsellor at Law & Michael Steiner residing in the Town of Seneca in the County of West Chester do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Read who has subscribed and sworn to the Declaration that we believe him to be eighty three years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Fredk J. Coffin
A. Bayles Atty Michael Steiner
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories 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 Frederick D. Coffin Committed at Law and Michael Steward of -
who have signed the foregoing Certificate are residents of the Town of Somers. ————— in the County of West Chester in credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit —————
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Stead for a pension ————— whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this third day of October 1832. —————
N. Bayles Clerk of said Court

Exh. A. 13831 Paper, for a Division under act of 7 th June 1832.
passed by the Court
6/
✓

State of New York County of West Chester
I Michael Hinard of the Town of Somers in the County of West Chester being duly affirmed  sworn  deposed  deposed with that he the affirmant  deponent is Eighty two years of age; that for he is well acquainted with Ebenezer Mead of the Town of Somers aforesaid that he resided in Catlands Mans in the County of West Chester during the War of the Revolution that he was then well acquainted with the said Ebenezer Mead that the said Ebe- nezer was attached to a company of Militia under the command of Captain Samuel Haight in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Drake in the year 1779 that on the 24 th June in that year this deponent affirmant and the said Ebenezer Mead were taken prisoners by the British Cavalry at a place called Dursuy in said County of West Chester that they were both conveyed as prisoners of War to the City of New York and confined in the Sugar House there until some time in the month of September following.
Affirmed in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester this 3 rd day of October 1832
his Michael + Hinard marks
N Bayles Atty
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County Courts of the County of West Chester Do hereby certify that Michael Hinard the Affirmant in the above affir- mation named is of fair and reputable character and that full faith and credit is due to his statement. Dated 23 rd May 1833
N Bayles Atty

State of New York Westchester County I, Ebenezer Dyer, do hereby make the following additional declaration and statement to be added to and comprise part of his said Declaration that is to say the said Company of Militia commanded by Captain Samuel Haight as aforesaid was during the said year 1780 attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Drake. That this Declaration during the year 1780 resided on the Manor of Cortlandt County of Westchester aforesaid at what is now called the Town of Somers that most of the privates of the said Company resided on the said Manor in the new Towns of Somers North Salem and York Town. This Declaration further states that the service performed by him in the said Company of Captain Haight during the year 1780 was performed in the County of Westchester aforesaid that during this year he was always well armed & equipped according to Law and was actually called upon and ordered out to perform duty in the upper part of the County of Westchester aforesaid very frequently he verily believes as often as once or twice a week. it is not in his power to state the exact number of times he was called out to perform duty as aforesaid in the said Company of Captain Haight but he does now state with the utmost confidence and he verily believes he was under arms with the said Company actually performing Military duty six months during the said year 1780. Declaration will recollects that on one occasion during the year 1780 the Company to which he was attached as aforesaid were ordered down to Pinn's Bridge in the County of Westchester where he marched down with the said Company to Pinn's Bridge and continued there in service for one week. That at another time in the said year the said Company was ordered out & marched upon a foraging expedition to the lower part of the County of Westchester where he marched with the

Company and that they were in actual service for ten days. — In the said year 1780 the said Com- pany of Captain Haight were generally under arms and this Detachment was always with said Company the foregoing in divisions of the Enemy the Cow Boys and Skirmishers during it necessary they were very often marched from the Town now called Somers to Green- pond from thence to Smith's Bridge and back to Somers again and in this way the said Company were kept constantly on actual duty.
Sworn to this 20 th day of May 1833 before me William Jay
his Ebenezer X Mead mark
Meets the Judges of the Court of C. Pleas in and for the County of Westchester
William Jay. one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County Courts in & for the County of Westchester Do hereby certify that Ebenezer Mead who has been sworn to and subscribed the above Affidavit as appears by the Affidavit of Rev. J. Coffin to an irregular attested Court to make the above Affidavit. And I do further certify that I do not use a Seal to authenticate my Official acts. — Dated 20 th May 1833
William Jay
State of New York
Westchester County
I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester Do hereby certify that William Jay Esq. was at the time of signing the above Certificate and at the time the above Affidavit of Ebenezer Mead to Nathaniel J. Coffin was taken before him a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of County Courts of the County of Westchester duly Commissioned & sworn into Office that I am acquainted with his hand writing that the signature of William Jay to the said Affidavit and the said Certificate as used is the proper hand writing of the said William Jay. — In Witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office this 23 rd day of May 1833
N. Bayles Clerk

State of New York } Westchester County }
Frederick J. Coffin being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Ebenezer Mead who hath sworn to and subscribed the above Affidavit that from his knowledge of the said Ebenezer Mead he is decidedly of the opinion that at this time he is from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court
Sworn to this 20 th May 1837 before me William Jay, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County
Frederick J. Coffin

Bonyn Head Papus for a Pension
Set 7 th June 1832
No service under Haight recited as the republishing require except 1 week & 10 days tours - all other alleged service under him disallowed.
Adm d
21. m.p.r.
704

13881
Ebenezer Mead
e
Fred. J. Coffin Somers, Westchester N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Ebenezer Head
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Entered June 1775 5 Private Capt Hubbard Col Webb Connecticut 53 years   Continued " 1 do do do Horn Neck Danbury Testified by a discharging witness aged 82 years, I   Enlisted 1776 5 Private Capt. Hotchkiss Genl Swift one of the regts in the state - from Connietical   Enlisted 1777 3 Private Capt Lawson Genl Gales (none) thence to Boston this also by tradition - any evidence by 2 citizens   same year Enlisted 3 Private Capt Brown Col Drake Connecticut - died Rhode Island   Drafted 1779 about 14 after being discharged was again drafted in 1780 for Private Capt. Haight Col Drake was attacked by the British Cavalry at West Chester & taken prisoner sent to New York and confined about 10 weeks through the state of NY & joined the Army under Genl Gales - Danbury Connecticut about 10 weeks before the fall of West Chester  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
X was not continually in service; but was then held liable to be called out (with his company) by Capt Haight when ever he might think it necessary, and was often called out twice a week during said year to prevent the supradation of the Enemy

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories 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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To 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? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of 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 services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
W.C.S. em
June 2, 1924
Mrs. Albert D. Howe 25 Oak St. Wellsville, N.Y.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.13919 , it appears that Ebenezer Mead was born December 12, 1749, at Fairfield, Connecticut.
While a resident of Nine Partners, Dutchess County, New York, he enlisted in June 1775 and served six months as a private in Captain William Gaylord Hubbell's Company, Colonel Charles Webb's Connecticut Regiment.
While a resident of Danbury, Connecticut, he enlisted in the summer of 1776 and served five months in Captain Jabez Botsford's Company, Colonel Heman Swift's Connecticut Regiment.
While a resident of Cortlandt Manor, later Somers, Westchester County, New York, he enlisted early in 1777 and served three months in Captain Samuel DeLavan's Company, Colonel Samuel Drake's New York Regiment.
He enlisted again in 1777 and served three months in Captain Andrew Brown's Company, Colonel Hammond's New York Regiment.

He enlisted in 1779 in Captain Samuel Haight's Company, Colonel Samuel Drake's New York Regiment, was taken prisoner, carried to New York City and held there for ten weeks, service and imprisonment amounting to four months in all.
He enlisted in 1780 in Captain Samuel Haight's Company, Colonel Samuel Drake's New York Regiment, and served at various times during that year, six months in all.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, while a resident of Somers, New York. He died June 20, 1837.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner

Rev. Mar.
13919
INVALID.
File No. 13,919
Ebenezer Mead Pro Rev. Mar.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 254
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Dec-19-1902 Mrs. Clara Matteson Des Moines Iowa
1924 June 2. H. S. C. Mrs. Albert D. Howe! W.C.T.

De Moines Ia. Dec 6 1902
Hon. Eugene Ware Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir 20.272
Have you the record of the military service of Ebenezer Mead who enlisted in the Revolutionary war, in the Third Westchester N.Y. regiment under Col. Van Cort- landt. if so will you kindly send me a copy of the record, or inform me of the title of the record that I may look it up in our State Library & oblige
Mrs Clara Matteson
2800 Brattleboro Avenue De Moines Iowa
Ex. B. E. Mead is my ancestor

April 27, 1924.
Dear Sir,
From records I find that Ebenezer Mead served in Captain Joseph Habry's Company of Conn. Militia 1776. Will you kindly give me what information you may have concerning him.
In "N.Y in the Revolution", I find an Ebenezer Mead served in the Leavies (Pawling) and also in the Westchester Co. Militia 3 rd Reg. Please send me what information you may have concerning these men. I wish to check up with

information I have concerning an ancestor of mine by that name.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Albert D. Howe,
25 Oak St.,
Wellsville,
N.Y.