Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11271, for Josiah Purdy, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Purdy, Josiah
S 11271
CONTENTS
carded

20.772 New York
Josiah Purdy
Madison, in the State of New York he was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Shepard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hopkins in the New York in for 10 Mts
Died Oct 21, 1849
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Aug W 33 and Nutter N. Flower Hamilton
Arrears to the 4th of Apr 33 $ 133 33 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1st M 34 26 66 $159 99
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. C. T. S. Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 , Page 12 .

No 18250
Josiah Purdy Madison County New York
i
Admitted
Private 16 months
Hoover
John G. Hoover Narrator Madison County New York

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. These 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 Josiah Purdy a Madison County, New York
   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.     Enlisted Apr. 1779 - 2 - private Capt. Shepherd Col. Hopkins Marched to Fishkill, to 72 years Testimonial evidence   Discharged Aug. 1779 - 2 - private Capt. Waters Verplank Albany Witnesses certificate   Enlisted Apr. 1780 - 6 - private Capt. Burten Point to Dutchess Co. N.Y. No Clergyman name   Enlisted May 1781 - 6 - private Capt. Salisbury Col. Brown Stoney Point to Harlem New York Two reasons given   Blind Witness, certified by the Genl. to be credible - prob. not properly attested  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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) _____ 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 fall under 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.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Joseph Purdy a Pammie Under the act of June 7. 1832
182.50 v
Heal

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York
Madison County ss. On this 9 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said Madison County now sitting Lodiak Purdy a resident of Georgetown in the said County of Madison aged seventy two years & upwards 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
Firstly
2 mds.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as therein after stated
That the first of April 1779 then being a resident of America in the County of Dutchess & State of New York he enlisted at that place for two months under Captain Daniel Shephard & went to Fishkill & from there to West Point, & then to New Paltz Point & then to Stony Point & then to Haverstraw & Dobbs Ferry & he was often at Poughkeepsie & was finally discharged at Fishkill after being full two months early in June - That Captain Shipsey full into at the end of about one month from the commencement of declarant's service & declarant was then commanded by Emanuel Swift a Lieutenant. Several Lieutenants were on board - I believe I guess was likely Sayre - Roswell Hopkins was Colonel - Declarant was probably discharged at the end of his two months
Secondly
2 mds.
That about the middle of August 1779 then being a resident of America Dutchess County he was drafted into the Company of Captain Samuel Yates - I do not know to what Regiment he then belonged & I suppose no Regiment was employed in the line of said declarant's service which was to guard the country from Fishkill to the Company

selectt from the whole militia regmt to which declarant belonged as a draft as declarant then understood. The Company to selectt rendezvous at P'keepsie in Dutchess County & marched from thence through the Country to Fishkill where declarant served at his time of two months & was verbally discharged about the middle of October 1779.
Thirdly
6 mo
That about the middle of April 1780 at Amenia aforesaid he enlisted for six months as a guard to a convoy of waggons going loaded with military stores from Amenia to Fishkill under Ludah Benton a waggon Master who ranked as Captain as declarant under- stood & believed.
That declarant went on from Amenia to Fishkill with the waggons & went several trips, declarant thinks five or six backwards & forwards with the waggons — And declarant says that after serving out about half his time in the manner aforesaid Captain Benton recommended to declar- ant to join Captain Colby Chamber- lains Company & drove out the residue of his time there which declarant did & went with the Company to Albany by water.

& then marched up the Mohawk by land I was finally stationed at Stone Arabia where Colonel Dubois commanded as Colonel at  at  at & Hugh M. Cormick as adjutant - was in the skirmish at Stone Arabia & within a few feet of Colonel Brown when he fell! And on the same day declared was wounded in the leg in a skirmish at Canajoharie - That he was discharged verbally at Stone Arabia the last of October having served from the time of his muster six months & ten days. That Colonel Brown was from Massachusetts
Fourthly. That the third of May 1781. at Albany 6 mths of service he again entitled for six months under a Captain Palenburg & a Colonel Brown where Christian names declared does not recollect nor does he know whether he ever heard them - Ezra Payne was adjutant of the Regiment one Thomas Duane master & William Shaw was orderly sergeant of the Regimental Company That the Company rendezvoused at Fishkill & marched through Poughkeepsie & Pough- keepsie & other towns on the route to Albany, then up the Hudson to Still- water & remained there stationed about two months then back to Albany - then up the Mohawk river to Stone Arabia Fort Herkimer, Fort Stanwix & occa- sionally to Fort Schuyler & Stone Arabia - That as declared mentioned the battalion of the troops, it was to prevent the frontier against the hostile Indians & tories. That he was verbally discharged at the mouth of Schoharie Creek at a place then called Fort Hunter early in November 1781. having served all his time of six months or some a word for a
S.

That he has no testimony concerning the affidavits of Joel Thompson David Luther, Sarah Purdy & Abadiah Linn into answer & that he knows of no other persons whom testimony can procure who can testify to his services That he does not even know January 18. 1760 at the town of Nye in the County of Ulster in the State of New York That he knows of no record of his age but believes his statement as above to be true.
That he will at the place above stated when called into service That since the Revolutionary war & immediately after its close he resided in Clinton town Dutchess County for about thirteen or fourteen years as he believes, that he may be mistaken as to the precise time. That from thence he removed to P'keepsie Dutchess County in the State of New York, where he resided about thirteen years as nearly as he can remember, from thence to St. Neys now called P'keepsie where he has since resided for the last twenty six years, or about that time.
That he went into service in the manner above stated
That he recollects Colonel Willett & General Washington among the officers he saw during his service - also he often saw the Baron Steuben. That he never received any discharge, or half a commission of any kind during the Revolutionary war.
That he hopes to share by Calvin Cross of Georgetown & Ralph Brown of same place to whom he is known in his present neighborhood That he has a good character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the

present. I declare that his name is not on the roll of the Agency of any State. I have so subscribed The day of your appearance A. J. Sloan Clk
Joseph Purdy
we Calvin Cross a resident of Georgetown in the County of Madison & I Elizabeth Brown residing in the same town hereby cer- tify that we are well acquainted with Josiah Purdy who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty two years of age & upwards; that he is a resident of the neighborhood where he resides whom here as a soldier of the Rev- olution & that we concur in that opinion & that he is of good character for truth & veracity in dispositive opinion  I have so subscribed The day of your appearance A. J. Sloan Clk
Calvin Cross Elizabeth Brown
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named officer was a Revolutionary soldier & certifies that it appears to them that Calhoun is a resident in the town of & that who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of & that each of the - are credible persons & that their stated is entitled to credit  I Andrew J. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Madison do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Josiah Purdy for a

Pensylvania
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 9th day of October 1832.
A.S. Sloan Clk
Joseph P. Bundy a Commissioner Under the Act of June 7. 1832
18250

February 13, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL
Josiah Purdy-S.11271
The Reverend Willard G. Purdy # 24 Cleveland Road Montclair, New Jersey
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Stephen, Silas, Francis and Josiah Purdy, all of New York.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made in your behalf and no record found of claims for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of a Stephen, Silas or Francis Purdy. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office. The record of a Josiah Purdy, who served with the New York troops, has been found and is furnished herein.
Josiah Purdy S.11271
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.11271, based upon the military service in that war of Josiah Purdy.
Josiah Purdy was born January 18, 1760, in Rye, Westchester County, New York. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Amenia, Dutchess County, New York, Josiah Purdy enlisted and served as a private with the New York troops, as follows: from April 1, 1779, two months under Lieutenant Emanuel Duel and Captain Daniel Shephard in Colonel Roswell Hopkins' Regiment; from August, 1779, two months in Captain Samuel Waters' Company; from the middle of April, 1780, under Captain Judah Burton and acted as guard to a wagon train and in Captain Colbe Chamberlain's Company; in the service last named, marched to Stone Arabia, commanded then by Colonel Dubois, was in an en-
Found all these officers in NY books

gement at that place and in one at Canajoharie where he was wounded in the leg; entire length of this service, six months and ten days: from May 3, 1781, six months under Captain Salisbury and Colonel Brown, marched up the Mohawk River and was engaged in protecting the frontiers from the Indians and Tories.
After the Revolution, Josiah Purdy lived at Clintontown, Dutchess County, New York for about thirteen years; then moved to Sherburne, Chenango County, New York and lived a number of years, then moved to Madison County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, while residing in Georgetown, Madison County, New York, where he had lived for twenty-six years.
From AB He died October 21, 1849, place not stated.
There are no data as to wife or children.
In 1832, one Jeremiah Purdy, aged seventy-five years, was a resident of Chenango County, New York, and stated that he knew the soldier, Josiah Purdy, during the Revolution but gave no relationship.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Josiah Purdy(S.11271), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Josiah Purdy, Certificate No.20772, issued October 2, 1833, rate $53.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLIER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rehaz
11271 INVALID.
File No. 11271
Josiah Purdy Prior to War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A, Page 804
[Arrangement of 1870.]
123. May 23. Dist. to Miss A. M. Purdy and 1937- Feb 13. Dist to Rev. William J. Purdy EK

State of New-York
Chenango County ss. Joel Thompson of Sherburne in said County being duly sworn does depose & say that he is seventy two years of age he is well acquainted with Josiah Purdy now of Georgetown in the County of Madison that he knew said Purdy at Annia in Dutchess County State of New York during the Revolutionary war The Deponent mentions that Purdy in a company of two months at Fishkill in the County of Dutchess thinks that it was in the Fall of the year 1779 Also that he frequently saw him on duty at Fishkill in the Spring. That in the Spring of the year 1779 this Deponent was stationed at Fishkill where he frequently saw the said Purdy on duty & thinks that he was in the army as much as two months at that time Also that he served in the Fall of the same year at Fishkill in Dutchess County where he knew the said Purdy to be on duty & frequently saw him & believed that he served at that time for the space of two months That he has known said Purdy ever since & believes him to be a man of truth & veracity that he was always reputed to have served in three or four campaigns
Subscribed & sworn to this 20th day of Sept 1832 before me
Joel Thompson -
Nathan Smith Justice of the Peace
State of New-York
Chenango County ss. David Wilber of Smyrna in said County being duly sworn does depose & say that he is sixty one years of age he is well acquainted with Josiah Purdy now of Georgetown in the County of Madison. That he has frequently heard said Purdy conversing with men (who were reputed to be Revolutionary soldiers & to have served in two or three campaigns with him) upon the events which then occurred & has no doubt but that he was a revolutionary soldier believes said Purdy to be a man of truth & veracity
Subscribed & sworn to this 26th day of Sept 1832 before me
David Wilber
Nathan Smith Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Deponents viz Josiah Purdy, Abadiah Gorman, Joel Thompson & David Wilber & believe them to be men of truth & veracity
Nathan Smith Justice

State of New York
Chenango County ss. Jeremiah Purdy of Sherburne in said County being duly sworn does depose & say that he is seventy years of age & upwards he is well acquainted with Josiah Purdy now of Georgetown in the County of Madison that he knew said Purdy at Amenia in the County of Dutchess & State of New York during the revolutionary war. That he was in the army previous to the said Josiah but whenever he returned home to Amenia he heard from the friends & acquaintances of the said Josiah that he the said Josiah was in the army Deponent never saw the said Josiah in the army & does not know how long he served but that it was then reported that the said Josiah had been out during three or four campaigns Deponent frequently heard the said Josiah relate the events which had occurred & the circumstances attending the towns upon which he was engaged not only immediately upon his return from the said campaigns but at divers times since the close of the war That he had been with the said Josiah acquainted ever since he was eight or nine years of age & can place the most implicit confidence in all that he related concerning the said campaigns
Sworn to & subscribed this 26 th  day of Sept 1832 before me
Jeremiah Purdy
Sathan Suttill Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Chenango County ss. Obadiah Gorman of Gorham in said County being duly sworn does depose & say that he is sixty four years of age that he is well acquainted with Josiah Purdy now of Georgetown in the County of Madison that he knew said Purdy at Amenia in the County of Dutchess State of New York & that he had been acquainted with him in the County of Chenango that he had always heard it reported that he had served in the revolutionary war Has heard the said Josiah frequently relate the circumstances which happened to him & his fellow soldiers during the time he was in the service That he believed him to be a man of truth & veracity when he was acquainted with him in Dutchess & Chenango & has no doubt but that he rendered the services as stated
Subscribed & sworn to this 26 th day of Sept 1832 before me Sathan Suttill Justice of the Peace
Obadiah Gorman

State of New York } ss Chautauqua County }
I Francis K. Pike Clerk of said County do certify that Nathan Suttiff before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County that I am acquainted with his hand writing and surely believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Office This 28 th Day of September 1882
F. K. Pike. Clerk.

15 West 122 New York City New York
March 7 th , 1923.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir
Will you kindly let me know if Josiah Purdy received a pension for services in the Revolutionary war, what rank

he held and the name of his widow if she received the pension, his home at that time was Westchester Co., New York, he was stationed for a while at Fishkill and also Poughkeepsie.
Thanking you for the courtesy you may show my request I am, Yours truly.
(Miss) Alida M. Purdie

Grace Presbyterian Church
Grove Street and Guxedo Road Montclair, New Jersey
Church Telephone 2-6141
WILLARD G. PURDY, D. D., Minister 24 Cleveland Road Montclair, New Jersey Telephone 2-8973
January 28th, 1937
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am exceedingly anxious to trace my ancestry back to our War for Independence.
An old Family Bible record has:
Elenor Purdy, b. March 29th, 1772. died, March 15th, 1847. Stephen Purdy, b. November 28th, 1775. died, August 18th, 1841 Silas Purdy, b. May 28th, 1780---Rensselaer County, New York.
My study would lead me to believe that I am descended from Francis Purdy, of Yorkshire, England, who removed to Fairfield, Conn., where he died in 1658. History of Newburgh, page 277.
The History of Greenwich, Conn., after giving an account of Francis, the settler, and his son Joseph, who was a Judge and man of account, says of Joseph's son:
Francis b. in 1697, removed to Newburgh, N.Y., d. Jan. 2, 1760, m. Abigail, dau. of John and Abigail Williams, b. in 1798, and had Stephen, Abigail, Martha, Elizabeth, and a dau. who m. Ter. Bush.
New York in the Revolution lists:
Page 148, Stephen Purdy, 6th Regiment of Dutchess Co. Militia.
Page 240, Stephen Purdy, 2nd Regiment of Dutchess Co. Militia.
(Land Bounty Rights). Also Francis Purdy in the same list.
Page 265, Silas Purdy, 4th Regiment Ulster County Militia.
History of the Little Nine Partners of North East Precinct and Pine Plains, New York, also lists:
Page 50, Stephen and ✓ C Joseph Josiah Purdy. Page 53, Thomas Purdy.
Any information you can give me in establishing my ancestry will be greatly appreciated.
OVER
Sincerely yours,
Willard G. Purdy.

The old Family Bible also shows the following:
Freedom Washington Purdy, was born at Oriskeny, Oneida County, N.Y., September 18th, 1817. (My grandfather) 1817-1881 A. E. Purdy was born at Watertown, N.Y. December 1st, 1820. Matilda R. Purdy, born at Skaneateles, N.Y. March 1st, 1841. F.W.Purdy, Jr., born at Dexter, N. Y. July 4th, 1843. Williston Purdy, born at Pleasant Valley, Oneida Co., N.Y. October 9th, 1850. Edward S. Purdy, born at Cobourg, Canada West, October 26th, 1856., The last named was my father.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Josiah Purdy a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb. 1 1779 2 mo. Pvt. Daniel Shepard Rowell Hopkins N.Y.   Aug 1779 2 " Daniel Waters   Apr 1780 3 " Judah Burton   1780 3 " Bobby Chamberlin Dubois   May 1781 6 " Salisbury Brown  
Battles engaged in, Stone Arabia & Canapoharie where wld. m. leg Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amenia Dutchess Co. N.Y. Date of application for pension, Oct. 9, 1832 His d. was ab. Residence at date of application, Georgetown Madison Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, Jan 18, 1760 in Rye Westchester Co. N.Y. Remarks: No fam. data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.