Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,643, for Ephraim Meaker, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (born) Meaker, Ephraim E. No. 16643. Comfort
CONTENTS

Albany 587
Comfort Meaker widow of Ephraim Meaker
who died on the 24. Dec. 1831 of Chenango in the State of New York who was a Private in the command by Captain of the Regt. command by Col. Wells in the Connecticut line for 12 mos. 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 40 Dollars 55 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of March 1837 and sent to Hon. Wm Stearns, Boston, Chenango Co. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March '37 243.10 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Sept. " 20.27
$263.37
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 —
Recorded by D. Broun Book — Vol. 1 —
Clerk, Page 134

18,931. New York
Ephraim Meaker,
of Ulster Co in the State of New York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain H. Hall of the Regiment commanded by Colonel C. Webb in the Connecticut line, for the term of 1 year in 1776.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of March 1823.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th of April 1823 and sent to John Russell, Coopersstown, N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of Nov. 1823 $ 1 " 03 Semi anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept r 1823 - 48 " 00 4/31 $ 49 " 03
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820, & } March 1823 -

Ephraim Neakum Pittsfield Otsego Co. N.Y.
Filed February 5. 1823

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. OTSEGO COUNTY, }
ON this fifth — day of February 1823 personally appeared in open Court, being the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Otsego, and State of New-York, and being a Court of record, and proceeding according to the principles of the common law, with power of fine and imprisonment Ephraim Meaker of Pittsfield — aged sixty nine years, resident in said County of Otsego, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: —
That he the said Ephraim Meaker enlisted for the term of one year in the month of January 1776 at Boston in the company commanded by captain William Dull in the regiment commanded by Col. Charles Webb in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental Establishment. That he continued to serve in the corps one year and six weeks at the expiration whereof he was discharged in Springfield State of New Jersey by Col. Charles Webb and the said Ephraim further saith that on the twenty-first day of April 1818 he made a declaration before Edward Pratt Esq. Judge of the Otsego Common Pleas in order to obtain the provisions of the act of Congress passed on the 18th of March 1818 and delivered the said declaration to John Russell Esq. of Cooperstown for the purpose of having the same forwarded to the War Office and from which he has received no return.
AND I Ephraim Meaker — do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
Sworn to in open Court this 5 day of February 1823 before me Ephraim Meaker William Nichols Clk
I William Nichols Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Otsego and State of New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Forty Seven Dollars, and Seventy Nine Cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court, on this fifth — day of February — 1823.
Per Curiam William Nichols Clk

Schedule of Real and personal estate of Ephraim Meaker of Pittsfield in the County of Otis.
No. Real estate. One Cow, one two year old Calf - one old Cart - 2 old chains, 2 old Pitchforks - 1 old Fanning Mill - 10 old Chairs - 1 old Table - 1 Candle stand - 2 old Chests - 6 old Knives & Forks - 9 Iron Spoons - 3 Earthen Bowls - 3 Tin Milk Pans - one Iron pot 2 Dish Patters - 1 Bake Kettle - 2 Five pail Kettles - 2 Pails - 1 wash Tub - 1 Tea Kettle - 1 Tea pot 1 Set of Cups and Saucers - 10 Plates - 3 Glass Bottles - 1 Decanter & one old Spinning wheel.
My occupation a Farmer, infirm, com- pletely blind with one eye and very poorly with the other, not able to do more than one days work in Six.
I have a wife to maintain who is infirm thru' age -
I am indebted more than four hundred dol- lars over and above all Debts due to me -
Sworn to in Open Court this 5th day of February 1823 Before me Ephraim Meaker
William Nichols Clk

State of New York Chenango County ss:
On this 15th day of February 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of said County, being a Court of Record, Comfort Meaker a resident of the town of New-Berlin Chenango County aforesaid, aged 76 years & upwards, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836:
That she is the widow of Ephraim Meaker who was a private soldier in the War of the Revolution, in the Connecticut line of the Continental Army and was a pensioner of the United States under the act of 1818 on the New York Roll - and lived in Otsego County, New York, at the time of receiving his pension - That her husband aforesaid, as she believes, was in other service in the War, besides the Continental service, previous to her marriage with him but the times and places she does not know and cannot tell -
She recollects well that at the time the British under General Tryon, attacked and plundered New Haven, that she was living with her husband at Derby about 10 miles distant and that her husband marched along with the Derby troops under Capt. Daniel Holbrook, down to New Haven to drive away the Enemy - He also, on his return from New Haven, went off again with Captain Holbrook to Fairfield and was there, as she believes, at the burning of that place.
She further declares that she was married to the said Ephraim Meaker, at Derby, in Connecticut by the Rev. Richard Mansfield, on the 15th day of April 1779 - Her maiden name was Johnson, & she was the daughter of Peter Johnson of Derby a-

-foresaid) - She does not know of any person now living who was present at her wedding except her sister Sybil Belts - now living in Pawlet in Vermont - She has caused the records of the Clergyman who married them, as also the Town Records of Derby, to be searched but cannot find any entry of her marriage on record -
Her husband died at Pittsfield, Otsego County, New York, on the 24th day of December 1831 - and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
She has no documentary evidence of her husband's service in her possession, or of her marriage - she never received a marriage certificate - and further saith not -
Subscribed and sworn to in open court the day and year aforesaid
Comfort Meaker
P. Munnell, Atty.
Chenango County ss. James Johnson being duly sworn deposes and says that he is 56 years of age; that he resides in New Berlin in said county and was acquainted with Mr Ephraim Meaker and Comfort Meaker his wife: the said Meaker died at Pittsfield adjoining New Berlin about five years since: that he has lived a neighbor to his widow the above Comfort Meaker ever since and that she has not married again since his death.
Subscribed and sworn in open court the day and year aforesaid
James Johnson
P. Munnell, Atty.
Opinion of the Court.
And the said court, after an investigation of the

matter, do hereby declare their opinion, that Eph- raim Meeker was a soldier of the Revolutionary Army: that Comfort Meeker above named is his widow: that she was married to him on the 15 th day of April 1779: that he was in service of the United States after the marriage: that he died on the 24 th day of December 1831 - and that she has not inter- married since his death - and that the above named James Johnson is a person of credibility.
Hezekiah Read Nathan Taylor Sam l Beekman } Judges
I Pres d Randall Clerk of the above court do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Comfort Meeker for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said County this 15 th day of Febru- ary 1837
P. Randall, Clerk

State of Vermont } Be it known that on the 19 th day of January A.D. 1837 Rutland County } Before Me Oliver Hanks one of the Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid personally appeared the widow Cybil Batts of Lamoille in said County of Rutland, and made solemn Oath that she lived in the Town of Derby County of Newham and State of Connecticut A.D. 1779, and at Derby aforesaid in the Month of April of the same year last aforesaid was personally present, and saw her Sister, Comfort Johnson Married to Ephraim Mather; and that said Marriage was solemnized by the Rev d Richard Mansfield an Episcopal Clergyman
Selah Batts
for Cybil Batts Mark
Oliver Hanks
Sworn and subscribed this Nineteenth day of January A.D. 1837
Before Me
Oliver Hanks Justice of the peace
I certify that the widow Cybil Batts, signer of the foregoing affidavit is a person of credibility and fair Moral Character, & a person to be well known
Oliver Hanks Justice of the peace
State of Vermont } Rutland County } ss
I Robert Peeples Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, certify that Oliver Hanks is a Justice of the peace for said County duly Commissioned and that his signature to the above certificate is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 1 st day of February A.D. 1837
R. Peeples

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
February 8, 1926.
Guy A. Meeker, Metropolitan Bank Building, Minneapolis, Minn.
Sir:
I have to advise you, that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 16643, of Ephraim Meaker of the Connecticut Troops, and his widow Comfort Meaker who resided in Chenango Co. New York, it is not stated whether they had children.
Owing to the lack of a clerical force provided for such a purpose, this Bureau is unable to make an investigation of the claims of all the pensioners of the Revolution named Meeker, under the various spellings of that name, in order to ascertain for you, whether any of them lived in Essex, or Sussex County, New Jersey and had a son William. In many cases the names of children are not on record.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau are open to the public under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 1901, for research work and you, or anyone designated by you, may examine and collect data from said claims by calling at the Bureau, which is the usual practice.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
1926. Feb. 8. G. A. Meeker might not state whether they had children etc aw
File No. 16643 Comfort Meeker Widow of Ephraim Meeker Pris New War
Act July 4 th 36
Index: Vol. A , Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]

District of New York Otsego County On this Sixth day of February 1822 personally appeared in open court being a court of record in the County of Otsego aforesaid Ephraim Meake aged Sixty Eight years who being first duly sworn according to law with an oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18 March 1818 and the 1 st of May 1820. That he the said Ephraim Meake Entered for the term of one year in the month of January 1776- at Boston in the company commanded by Captain William Hull in the Regiment commanded by Col. Charles Webb in the line of the state of Connecticut in the Continental Establishment that he continued to serve in the Corps one year and Six months weeks, at the Operations Whereof he was discharged in Springfield State of New Jersey by Col. Charles Webb. and I do solemnly swear that I became a Resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by Gift or Sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress Entitled An Act to provide for certain persons Engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the revolution- ary war passed on the 18 th day of March 1818- and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or Securities contracts or Debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed. So far as I know I have no real property whatever. I have one Cow- one Yearling Calf

One Old coat, Two old chains, Two old pitchforks 1. Old Harrow, 2. Old hors. 1 Scythe, 2. Old axes 1 Old Farming Mill, 10. Old chains, 1 Old Table, 1 Candlestand, 2. Old chests, 6. Old knives & forks, 9. Iron Spoons, 3 Earthen Bowls, 3 Tin Milk pans 1 Iron pot. 2 Dish Kettles, 1 Bake Kettle, 2 Spail Kettles 2 pails, 1 Wash tub, 1 Teakettle & Tea pot 1 Set cups & Saucers. 10 plates, 5 Glass Bottles 1 Decanter 1 Old Spinning Wheel.
And the said Ephraim further saith that on the 20 th of April 1818 he made a Declaration before Edward Pratt Bquire Judge of the Otago Com- missioner in order to obtain the provisions of the Act of Congress aforesaid, and delivered the said Decl- aration to John Raper Bquire of Cooperstown for the purpose of having the same forwarded to the War Office from which he has received no return
Ephraim Wheeler Morn to 8 th Declared on the 1 st day of February 1822 Before the Court William Nichols Clk

State of New York Owego County Clerk's Office } I William Nichols Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Owego and State of New York do hereby Certify that the foregoing oath and Schedule are truly copied from the records of the said court. And I do further Certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property Exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Forty Seven Dollars and Seventy Nine Cents
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this Seventh Day of March in the year 1822
William Nichols Clerk
Ex 49

Ep h  Walker
February 1776 for one year & 6 mos
Hon. David Campbell H.R.
776 -
It appears from the old register of Revy. claims, that the original declara- tion in this case was re- ceived on the 18 th Dec r 1818.
return an Answer to John Russell. Coopers town N.Y.

Nathaniel Holbrook of Derby in New Haven County State of Connecticut of lawful age being duly cautioned deposeth & saith That in the month of March 1776, this Deponent having enlisted into the Company commanded by Capt Leavenworth, joined the Regiment under the Command of Col Charles Webb at Brooklyn of the Connecticut Line of Continental Establishment on Long Island. That at that time Ephraim Meeker, with whom this Deponent had been before acquainted at Derby was in service & belonged to Capt William Hull's Company in said Regiment. That this Deponent knows that said Meeker served as a private in said Hull's Company in said Regiment & was a faithful & brave soldier untill about the 28 th of December of the same year, when I was ordered on other duty, which detained me at Newtown in Pennsylvania, while the Regiment marched into New Jersey. I then understood that said Meeker enlisted into said Company of Capt. Hall at Boston in January 1776 to serve one year & afterward learned from said Meeker that at the request of General Washington he enlisted in January 1777 for six months. at the expiration of which term  he again enlisted for Eight months that he served thro' both periods. I further saith not. New Haven Aug t 14 th 1822 Nath l Holbrook

Francis French of Derby in New Haven County & State of Connecticut of lawful age deposeth & saith that in the Summer of the year 1776 this Deponent was in the service in New York & belonged to Col. Thompsons Regiment of Militia That this Deponent was well acquainted with Ephraim Meeker, who was in service at that time as a private in Capt William Bull's Company, Col. Charles Webb's Regiment of the Continental Establishment That this Deponent frequently saw S d Meeker during about two months, while this Deponent was able to do duty - That it was then understood & believed by him that S d Meeker had enlisted for one year at Boston at the commencement of the year 1776 & this Deponent has always understood that S d Meeker served out his term of enlistment & was a faithful & brave Soldier & for the said not.
New Haven Aug. 14 th 1822
Francis French

State of Connecticut New Haven County ss New Haven Augt. 14. 1822 Before me Hon John T. Peters a Judge of the Superior Court in said State, the said Court be a Court of record & having a seal, personally came & appeared Francis French & Nathl. Holbrook severally signers of the two foregoing Depositions, who are both of good credit & worthy to be believed & being duly sworn, made solemn Oath that said Depositions by them respectively subscribed contain the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & caused the seal of said Court to be affixed.
John T. Peters Judge of the Superior Court
State of Connecticut ss. New Haven County ss:
I Cornelius Tuttle, Clerk of the Superior Court in & for the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the seal & records thereof, - do hereby certify that the Hon. John T. Peters, whose signature pre- cedes, is a Judge of said Superior Court, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts in that capacity - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court on this 14 th day of August 1822
C. Tuttle, Clerk of Sup. Ct.

State of New York Otsego County ss I certify that Daniel Bol- ton and Francis Henry whose signatures appear on the affidavits hereto an- nexed, were justices of the peace at the date of their respective certificates and the signatures are their respective hand writing -
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Court of Com- mon Pleas for the County of Otsego aforesaid this fifth day of February A.D. 1823.
William Nichols Clerk

District of New York } Ossego County } ss }
Edward Pratt of the county aforesaid being duly sworn deponeth and saith that on or about the 20 th of April 1818 Ephraim Mueker appeared before him who was duly qualified, at that time, to act as a Judge of the Ossego Common Pleas and made a declaration of his services as a soldier in the revolutionary war in order to obtain the provisions of an act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 and further this deponent saith not— Sworn before me this 12 day of February 1822.
Edward Pratt
Daniel Batten Justice
District of New York } Ossego County } ss }
John Russell of Cooperstown being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he finds by a Memorandum in his possession that Ephraim Mueker put into his hands for the

Purpose of forwarding to the War Office his declaration bearing date April 20 th 1861 and described in the above affidavit of Edw. Bull Esq r and according to the best recollections of this deponent the declaration was forward- ed and no return received by this deponent and further of this deponent saith nothing.
Sworn before me This 4 th day of March 1862.
John Russell
Francis Henry Justice of the Peace

Comfort Meaker's Declaration under 3 rd Section July 11. 1836.
1379
Ephraim Meaker on wife out 1818
Sheldon Basset Isaac J. Gillet Justices of Derby Admitted Private 12 mo 65 days
Address
133 Middle
Room
Chambers
Hon Wm Meaker Esq
Paston
County of Chautauqua
New York

I certify that Isaac I. Gilbert and Sheldon Brewster Esq rs whose names are subscribed to the foregoing paper as Justices of the peace, are, and at all times since the twenty eighth day of June 1835 have been Justices of the peace within and for the County of New Haven and State of Conn- ecticut, and that said signatures are in their own proper hand writing respecti- vely.
Dated at Washington Feb. 23 d 1837.
Samuel P. Hildreth Member of Congress from the State of Connecticut—

State of Connecticut New Haven County ss.
Samuel Hawkins of Derby in said County, being duly sworn deposes and says that he is 76 years of age and upwards: That he was born in said town and always resided in the same with the exception of a few years after the Revolutionary War: That in the war of the Revolution he was well acquainted with Ephraim Meeker then of Derby, but who afterwards removed from there into the State of New York: That in the year 1779 at the time the British attacked and plundered New Haven (in the forepart of July) the said Meeker and this deponent volunteered and marched from Derby to New Haven: They reached New Haven early in the morning and were both engaged in the repelling of the enemy until they were compelled to retire on board their shipping, when they returned home to Derby. The Company to which they belonged was under the command of Captain Daniel Holbrook of Derby: Major Nathan Smith of Derby was at New Haven at the alarm with them and had the command, principally of the Derby troops: The day after their return from New Haven, the said Meeker and this deponent again turned out and went to Fairfield where the British under General Tryon plundered and burned that place. This service was under Capt. Holbrook of Derby, and while there he was engaged in the firing and other fighting which took place. After the British went aboard their shipping, the said Meeker and this deponent with the rest of the militia returned home to Derby: The time which Mr. Meeker was in service on these two tours was as this deponent judges about four or five days.
The said Ephraim Meeker was married to Miss Comfort Johnson, a daughter of Peter Johnson, of Derby, during the Revolutionary War, but

the year, he cannot recollect.) This deponent is a pensioner on the Connecticut roll under of the law of 1832.
This deponent further states that the said Meeker was with this deponent at Horseneck in the company of Capt Holbrook of Derby, and was there at the time of Genl Putnam's riding down the steep rocks. They both enlisted at Derby, in the fall of the year 1776 for a after a service of 6 months in the Connecticut troops and served it out when they returned to Derby— and further this deponent saith not—
Samuel Hawkins
Subscribed and sworn this 30th day of November 1836 before me and I certify that I am well ac- quainted with Mr Samuel Hawkins  Ephraim Meeker the above deponent and that he is a man of entire credibility as a witness. Sheldon Dapre Justice of Peace
Samuel Hawkins

State of Connecticut New Haven County ss:
Joseph Scott of Derby in said County being duly sworn, says that he is the Rector of the St. James Church, in the village and parish of Derby, over which the Rev. Richard Mansfield was pastor, during the Revolutionary War: That the said Mansfield died in said town about twenty years since as he has been informed and believes: That the Church Records of said Society kept by said Mansfield are now in deponent's possession: That he has carefully examined said records from the beginning to the end, and does not find therein any minute or memorandum of the marriage of Ephraim Meeker to Comfort Johnson: That there are but two marriages entered on said records by the said Mansfield that the records relate almost entirely to Baptisms and matters of the Church, and that he is not aware of the existence of any papers or other records of marriages ever kept by the said Mansfield, and further saith not.
Joseph Scott Rector
Subscribed and sworn to before me
of St. James Ch. Derby
This 30th day of November 1836 and I certify that I am well acquainted with the Rev. Joseph Scott the above deponent: That he is the Clergyman of the Derby Episcopal Church and of good standing in his profession.
Sheldon Basset Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
New Haven County ss. Sheldon Bassett of Derby in said County, being duly sworn says that he is the Town Clerk of said town and has in his possession all the papers and records of the town: That he has examined the town records from of said town carefully with a view to the discovery of marriages entered thereon and that he does not find entered on said records any minute or memorandum of the marriage of Ephraim Meeker to Comfort Johnson:
This deponent further states the records of marriages in said town were in the time of the revolution imperfectly kept: That but very few of the marriages which took place in the town are found entered upon the records, and many of those which are recorded appear to have been so several years after they occurred.
Sheldon Bassett
Subscribed and sworn to before me
This 30th day of November 1836, and I certify that I am well acquainted with the above Sheldon Bassett: That he is the Town Clerk of Derby, and is a gentleman of credibility.
Isaac J. Gilbert Justice of Peace

25 Feb Mrs. Wm. Mason Case Comfort speaker Oct 4 July 1836 Geo. Camp
Hon. J. L. Edwards commissioner of pensions Washington D.C.

Washington Feb-25 th 1837
Sir - I wish the enclosed papers to have an examination, as early, as convenient, and an answer returned. Giving the determination of the department, before the adjournment of Congress - if possible -
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions
Yours very respectfully Wm Masson
H. R.

paper 25 cts Ephraim Meaker N.Yk.
John Russell, Cooperstown, N.Yk.
Recd. 13 Feb: 1823.
Department Pension Office Washington
FREE

Coopstan Feb. 5. 1823. (N.Y.)
Sir,
It would be considered an act of great kindness to a very poor old man, who has been labor- ing several years to establish his claim to a pension, if his pension could be acted on before the 1 st of March next and the annuity returned home -
I am respectfully your Obedt. Servt.
John Rufsee

GUY A. MEEKER ATTORNEY AT LAW METROPOLITAN BANK BUILDING MINNEAPOLIS
January 27th, 1926.
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C. Gentlemen:
Would it be possible from your records to advise me of the Revolutionary enlistment or pensions granted to soldiers or officers by the name of MEEKER from Essex or Sussex County, New Jersey?
My quest is to find the name of the FATHER of one William Meeker. William Meeker born in one of these New Jersey counties about 1780 and said to have left there about 1800 for Chenango County, New York, where I have been able to pick up a record of his children. Who was his father and did he take part in the revolutionary war?
The Census Department advises me that the 1790 New Jersey census has been lost or destroyed, so I am cut off there. They further state that the census of 1840 reported the names of pensioners for revolutionary service, and discloses one COMFORT MEEKER, age 76, returned to New Berlin town, Chenango County, N. Y. Could there have been any relationship there?
res with Fanny Brown
If there is any light you can shed on this matter from your records, I will greatly appreciate the favor.
Yours very truly,
Guy A. Meeker
GAM:FD