Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,907, for James Masters, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Masters, James Esther
N. 23,907
CONTENTS

991.
F.E. Hapler Feb, 27 1855
New-York. Albany
Esther Masters, Conn. widow of James Masters who was a Private in the Conn. State Troops for 13 months.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of July, 1843 and sent to
Wm. H. Day Moravia, N.Y.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4. Vol. 1. Page 109.

14944
New York James Washburn
in the State of N. York a Private in the Camp commanded Post of the Reg. commanded Col. Hays in the N. York * 18 months
* Conn. Line W.W.H. May 19, 1910.
Entered on the Roll of N. York rate of 60 Dollars 0 Cents per annum on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July 1833 and unto Mr. Miller a Colette
the 14th of Mar: 33 $ 12 00 comm. allowance ending 4 Sep' 33 30 $1 50
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. G. C. Hays Clerk, Col. 3. Page 68

5012
Esther Masters
Ad July 7. 1838
Marr. D 14 Oct. 1786
Husband and q. Jan 1838
Col Mead 2 Conn. State Capt. Allen 5 Troops—
Admitted Private 18 months
R. Day Esq. Moravia New York

State of New York Cayuga County } ss.
On this 14 th day of January 1839 personally appeared before me the undersigned a judge of the County Court, in and for the County aforesaid Esther Masters a Resident of the Town of Locke County & State aforesaid age a Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the provisions Made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows, That she is the wife -ow of James Masters who was a pensioner of the United States (and as this deponent thinks under the Act of June 1832) And she further declares that she was married to the said James Masters the 10 th day of October 1786 That her Husband the aforesaid James Masters died the 9 th day of January 1838 That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service, but the Marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen Hundred and Ninety four viz at the time above stated,
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me E. Smith Judge of Cayuga County
Esther Masters
And I the said Ebenezer Smith Judge as aforesaid do hereby certify and declare, that I am well acquainted with the above named Esther Masters and am fully of opinion that she cannot from Bodily infirmity attend Court.
E. Smith Judge of Cayuga County

New York State Cayuga County ss I certify that E. Smith Esquire was on the 14th day of January 1839 a Judge of the County Court in said County duly qualified and that the signature foregoing purport- ing to be his genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said County Court and subscribed my name this 14th day of March 1839 Geo M c Neven Postmaster Cayuga N.Y.

State of New York } Cayuga County } S.
On this 18 th day of March 1833, before the subscriber, one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said county, personally appeared James Master of Locke in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in answer to the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, in relation to his claims for a pension by virtue of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832.
1 st When & in what year were you born?
Answer. In Huntington, Long Island, N.York. in the year 1764, on the 9 th Nov.
2 nd Have you any record of your age, & if so when is it?
Answer. - I have no such record, nor never had
3 rd When were you living when called into the service; when have you lived since the revolutionary war, & where do you now live - Answer. When I entered the service, I lived in Greenwich, in the State of Connecticut.
After the close of the revolutionary war, I lived in Newtown in Fairfield county in the said State of Connecticut - after which I moved into the town of Locke, in County of Cayuga, & State of New York, aforesaid, where I have ever since the year 1811, resided, & now reside.
4 th How were you called into the service; were you draughted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? & if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I entered the service as a substitute for Isaac Gole, for the term of one year  sixteen months , & served as a horseman - after which I again entered the service as a substitute for a man whose name I do not recollect, & served twelve  eight months in all 20 months.
5 th Recollects Col. John Mead's regiment, of Militia, said Mead's house was at Horse neck; this regiment was raised in said Horse neck, and was expressly designed as a defense for said Horse neck -
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it.
Answer. - I received a discharge, from the service, from Col. Hays, and it is lost.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, & who can testify to your character for truth and veracity, & their belief of your service as a revolutionary soldier.
(over)

Answer - To wit Thomas Chipman, Latham Clark, Laurin - Wormm. Joseph Pennoyer, Justus Pennoyer, Lyman Bradley. & Bariah Southworth. & Levi Sears.
James Masters
Sworn to and subscribed } the day and year first above named, before me } Harvey Heath justice
And I hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war - department, that the above named declarant was a revolution- ary soldier & served as he states. Harvey Heath justice
State of New York } Cayuga County } ss. I Michael S. Myers, Clerk of said County Do hereby certify, that Harvey Heath Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn, and whose name is subscribed to the above certificate, was at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace of said County; and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and ver- ily believe that his signatures to said affidavit & certificate, are his proper hand writing. Witness my hand and official seal this 29th day of March A.D. 1833.
M. S. Myers Clerk

2188
June 27 '43
morawey
NY June 30 1943
Esther Marko
$60 per ann
Col. J. L. Edwards Com d Province Washington D.C.
17 R Day Moravia N. York

Moravia N.Y. 22 June 1843
Col Edwards
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the dictation of Esther Masters to obtain her pension under the late act. You will see that it is full according to the requisition you sent me, except in naming the Regiment, that nor the Officers she cannot recollect, and I doubt whether this class of widows can do so except in a few instances, as they were married after the close of the War, and perhaps were not acquainted with their Husband while in the service, I hope that circumstance will not defeat her application.
Yours truly
R. Day

5012 Mar 20 20. March 7 July 38 grf.
334
Col. J. L. Edwards Com d Pensions Washington D.C.

Moravia N.Y. 19 March 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir
Herewith I send you the declaration of Esther Masters widow of James Masters late of the Town of Locke deceased, and who was a pension of the U. States at the time of his decease
She asks for a pension under the act of July 7. 1838. Your attention to it as early as your convenience will permit will confer a favor on her as well as
Your friend and Obh Servant -
R. Day
P.S. I sent some weeks since to you through Mr. Noble on Mr. Noble the declaration of Mrs. Phoebe Stennard, but have rec d no information from him since, Have you rec d it? —
R. Day

N. York Esther Masters lib. to R. Day, 15 July 1839
Act. July 1838

See wid. file 23.907.
INVALID.
File No. 17,386
James Masters Rev Rev Mr.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 252
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23907
Esther Masters wife of James Masters Phil Rev un
Act Buch. 3 d 1845
Index: Vol. Im Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Albany 5019
Esther Masters
widow of James Masters
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832 and who died on the 9. January 1838 of Cayuga Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Allen of the regt. commanded by Col. Head in the Conn. State Troops time for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 60 Dollars ————— Cents per annum.
to commence on the 1st day of March, 1836.
19 th January 1838
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Feb. 1840 and sent to R. Day, Esq. Albany, N. Y.
Arrears to the 1st of Sept. '39 128.16 Semi-annual allowance ending Dec. '40 30.00
$ 158.16
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by D. Brown Book A. Vol. 2.
Clerk, Page 90

Albany
James Masters act June 7. 1832 to what time paid? Died 9 th Jan y 1838 per. that paid JH 1836

Charles Martin or Masters
Admitted N.Y. 1832
Halliday

Wapakoneta Ohio July 27 th 1854 J. E. Haysler Esq
Dear Sir I beg leave to trouble you once more upon the request of Miss Sherman for information concerning the petition application presented by Mr Dowell to you in her behalf as I received a letter from you the 30 th of July 1853 stating you had received the application some time previous and had presented it to the Department and that you would write again in a short time or as soon as you could get an action on the case as every claim has to take its turn according to its no as I suppose and she has waited with all patience for almost one year without hearing a word and the time seems long to her and as Dowell exacted six Dollars in cash of her before he could commence the the claim as he said she thinks she ought to receive something in return there fore feels some anxiety to hear from it I believe that I stated in my letter to you that in the list of pensioners and pensioners Wiggins in the state of Ky that her mothers name was spelt Maston in stead of Masters the latter is the right name James Masters was the original pensioner of Lock Township Cayuga Co Ky please answer this soon your with respect

Direct to Isaac G. Sherron Wakefield "Hudson Co Ohio
Charles H. Martin or Master Admiral N. 9/1832
Hartley 3

Moravia N.Y. 3 Dec -
FREE
Dec. 9. 1839
Adolf Meyer Esther Mark
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm: pension Washington D.C.

Moravia N.Y. 2 Dec 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir
Enclosed I send you the supplemental affidavit of Mrs Esther Masters as requested in your letter of 15 July last, also proof of the age of Priscilla Bennett, - The affidavit of Mrs Curtis and Mrs Bennett now in your possession states that the marriage of James Masters to Esther Skinner took place about fourteen months previous to the birth of Priscilla Bennett, and that they were present at the marriage you will see by the enclosed affidavits and records that Priscilla Bennett was born in Dec 1787 and Mrs Masters states in her deposition that she was married in Oct 1786 which I hope will satisfy you that Mrs Curtis and Bennett were correct as to the time the marriage took place -
I am Sir Respectfully Yours
R. Drey

State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } ss.
On the 9 th day of February 1839 Before me the subscriber a justice of the peace and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Polly Curtis a resident of Newtown County aforesaid aged 60 years, being duly sworn according to her oath in hand and say, That she was personally present at the Marriage of James Masters to Esther Hilton and recollects distinctly that they were married previous to the Birth of her sister Priscilla Bennett who was Born December 26 th 1787.
Sworn and subscribed } this 9 th day of February } 1839 before me }
Polly Curtis
Charles C. Warner Justice of peace And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Polly Curtis and know her to be a Credible person, and that her Testimony is entitled to Credibility. Charles C. Warner Justice of peace
State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } ss.
I Thomas B. Babbine Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Charles C. Warner Esquire is now and was on the 9 th day of instant February, a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Fairfield duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions &c and that I am acquainted with the hand- writing of the said Charles C. Warner Esq and that I verily believe that the signatures to the Certificates annexed to the foregoing Depositions of Abigail Bennett and Polly Curtis, purporting to be the signatures of the said Charles C. Warner Esquire are both genuine. Given under my hand and the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 13 th day of February A.D. 1839. Thomas B. Babbine Clerk

State of Connecticut } Fairfield County } ss.
On the 9 th day of February 1839 before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Abigail Bennet a resident of Newtown, County and State aforesaid aged 78 years who after being duly sworn according to law, doth on her Oath declare and say - That she was personally present when James Masters was married to Esther Stilson, but does not recollect exactly the year in which it took place, They were married by the Rev d Mr Marshall an Episcopal Clergyman then officiating alternately at Newtown aforesaid and Woodbury, and she further in her Oath says that Polly Curtis was present at said Marriage and was then about twelve years old - and that Jerusha Bennet a sister of the said Polly Curtis was born about fourteen months after the the said Marriage and that the said James and Esther had two children attending school in 1798 -
Sworn and subscribed this { 9 th day of February 1839 before { me Charles C Warner }
Abigail Bennet
Justice of peace
And I the said justice do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Abigail Bennet and know her to be a Creditable person and that her testimony is entitled to Credit and Belief
Charles C Warner
Justice of peace

State of Connecticut
" / Litchfield county
to Woodbury Oct 25 1830
Be it remembered that on the day and year aforesaid before me Ralph P. Botford Esq. a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Litchfield personally appeared Samuel Miner of said Woodbury to me personally known to be a credible witness whose being duly sworn to known on oath deposes as follows
I am the son of Matthew Miner Esq. of Woodbury and am fifteen years of age. said Matthew Miner is Town Clerk of said Woodbury I am familiar with the Town Records in said Woodbury and in my father's absence I have the custody of the same My father is now absent out of this State at the request of either Master of mine residing in the State of New York I have carefully

Germantown and Woodbury Town Record to find the entry of the marriage of James Martin to Esther Hiltson and am unable to find any such entry or Record and fully believe no such marriage is recorded in any of the Woodbury Town Records
Sworn & subscribed
The day and year Samuel Minor a friend before me
Gideon B. Rootford Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut / district of county of Woodbury Oct 25 1839
Be it known that before me Gideon B Rootford a Justice of the Peace in this and in said county personally appeared Charles B Phelps by his said Woodbury to me personally

known & whom I certify to be a credible witness and here full ly cautioned I know to tell the truth on all the reports and says that as follows
In the course of prepar- ation of previous papers I have become acquainted with the Records of the Town of Woodbury and have this day at the request of Esther Masters Agassiz examined the Records in the Town Clerks office in said Woodbury to find the entry of the marriage of James Masters to Esther Nelson and cannot find any Record of the same and hereby believe there is no such record in said office
In the year 1809 I married the daughter of the Rev John R Marshall formerly Rector of The Episcopal Society in Woodbury he arrived in 1789 as appears by the family record. His residence remained with me from my marriage until his death in 1828. in the same house last occupied by the Rev Mr Marshall, Many of his

Books and Manuscripts and papers were in the custody of Mrs Marshall his Widow especially his certificates of ordination as an officer of said Parish & hence long had the parish records in my hands. I have examined the same for marriages and confirmed no entries of that kind in the parish records. I have also sought for Mr Marshall's entries of marriages, but have never been able to find any such. There are no records of this parish or private memoranda transmitted to the successors of Rev Mr Marshall.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, } ss. Litchfield. LITCHFIELD COUNTY,
I Geo. C. Woodruff Assistant Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Deacon B. Hotchkiss is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by Law authorized to administer Oaths and to take the acknowledgment of Deeds. And that his commission was dated on the 27 th day of May A.D. 1839 and will expire on the 20th day of June, A.D. 1840 and that the signatures to the certificates hereto annexed, which purport to be his, are genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this 28 th day of October A.D. 1839
Geo. C. Woodruff Assist Clerk

Books and Manuscripts and Papers were in the custody of Mrs. Marshall his Widow especially his certificates of ordination as an officer of and Parish I have long had the parish records in my hands. I have examined the same for marriages and confirmed no entries of that kind in the parish records I have also sought for Mr. Marshall's entries of marriages, but have never been able to find any such. There are no records of this parish or private memoranda transmitted to the hands of Rev Mr. Marshall
I am inclined to think he made none & am certain if he did they cannot be now found
Yours
Richd D. Phelps
delivered before
me on the day & year aforesaid
Gideon B. Nolsford Justice of Peace

Affidavits of Thomas Chipman & Estus Southworth

New-York State, } ss. Cayuga County, }
I, WILLIAM RICHARDSON, Clerk of said County, certify, that Henry Hamilton Esq. was, on the 11 th day of February 18 39 a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified: And that I know his hand writing, and believe the signature on the annexed instrument, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County, and set my hand this Fourteenth day of March 18 39
Geo. Francis Foster (Deputy R.)

State of N. York } ss: Cayuga County } On the 11 th day of Feb y 1839 Personally appeared before me Henry Hamlin a justice of the Peace in S d County, Thomas Chilman of said County. who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare. That he was well acquainted with James Masters late of the town of Locke deceased. That he was knowing to his death and that he saw him dead and assisted to lay him out. and that his death occurred on the 9 th day of Jan y 1838. And he further says that he is well acquainted with Esther Masters the widow of said James Masters and that she has not married since the death of her said husband. Subscribed and sworn } Thomas Chilman before me at Locke } this 11 th day of Feb y } 1839 —————
Henry Hamlin Justice of the Peace
State of N. York } ss: Cayuga County } On the 11 th day of Feb y 1839 Personally appeared before me Henry Hamlin a justice of the Peace in and for said County Erastus Southworth of the town of Locke in said County. who being duly sworn according to law. doth on his Oath declare That he was well acquainted with James Masters late of the town of Locke in said County deceased. That said Masters died at deponents house on the 9 th day of Jan y . 1838. and that deponent saw him die. And his deponent further says that Esther Masters now resides with him the widow of the deceased now resides with him that she has not married since the death of her said husband but still remains his widow } Subscribed and sworn } Erastus Southworth before me at Locke this } This 11 th day of Feb y 1838. Henry Hamlin Justice

James Masters. Return No 1287.
Pension August 31 Offer } 1832
adm a 18 mo. pri. & learner

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New York County of Cayuga
On this 19 th day of July 1832 before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, personally appeared James Masters of Pooke in said county, aged sixty eight 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. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, as a teamster and as a substitute for Isaac Gale, in the month of December 1778. Said Gale enlisted in June preceding for the term of one year in the Connecticut line - and this deponent served until the forepart of June following, and was then with four other soldiers ordered through the north part of the state of Massachusetts, after horses belonging to the army, which had been put out to keep; in which duty he was occupied till the latter part of July, being about one month over his term - making about eight months. He enlisted at Greenwich, Connecticut which was the place of his residence, and served, during the former part of his term, under Capt. Cummings - and was afterward stationed at Paterkill, New York, under Capt. Post - and continued there until May following - then went to Fishkill N.Y. and was then under the command of Col. Hayes, where he was regularly discharged by said Hayes.
In December 1779 he again entered the service in the Connecticut line, but cannot remember the name of the person for whom he served - enlisted at Greenwich aforesaid under Capt. Allen in Col. Meads regiment. On joining the Regiment he was ordered out with a sergeant's guard, to cut wood for the army, about one month. Again joined the Regiment and volunteered to go to Morrisena, at which place he was in an engagement with the enemy, and was taken prisoner. This was in January or February 1780, as he thinks.
This deponent entered the service this term as a substitute -

He was taken to New-York, and confined in the sugar-house. He remained a prisoner for ten months, was then exchanged and regularly discharged. This term was twelve months.
He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid, before me Garshom Morse a judge of lay Com Pleas
James Masters
We William Williams a Clergyman of the town of Summerhill, in the county of Cayuga & state of New York, and Jesse Millard residing in Locke in said county, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Masters, who has signed the preceding declaration, & sworn to the same; that we believe him to be sixty eight 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 and year aforesaid before me Garshom Morse a judge of lay Com Pleas
Wm Williams J. Millard
I hereby declare my 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 & served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that William Williams, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman residing in the said town of Summerhill, & that Jesse Millard who has signed the same is a resident of the town of Locke aforesaid, & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to full credit.
Garshom Morse a judge of lay Com Pleas

State of New York Cayuga County ss.
I Michael S. Myers, Clerk of said County do certify that Garshom Morse Esquire before whom the two several preceding affidavits purport to have been taken was, on the day the same was sworn and subscribed a Judge of Cayuga County Court, duly qualified by law to take the same. Further I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and truly believe that the signature purporting to be his attached to said affidavits, is genuine. Witness my hand and the seal of said County the 21 st July 1832, M. S. Myers
State of New York County of Cayuga ss
On the 19 th day of December 1832 before the subscriber a Judge of said county offered James Masters personally & made oath in due form of law, that by reason of old age & the loss of memory, he can not positively swear as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, & in the following grades.
I served eight months as a teamster in the continental army, & one year I served as a private soldier in the Continental line & for which service I claim a pension. He further saith, that said service was performed by the express command of Captain Mark Post, who was an officer of the army & belonged to Major Campbell's department. I was & subscribed on the day last above mentioned before me. James Masters
Garshom Morse a Judge &c
And I hereby certify & certify that the within Applicant did satisfactory answer the several interrogatories, prescribed by the war department in relation to the act of 7. June 1832 - And I also certify that in the said Applicant, was unable at the time of executing said application to attend court, by reason of severe bodily infirmities, being a paralytic affection of the system. Garshom Morse a Judge of Cayuga County Court

State of New York Cayuga County ss
I Michael S. Myers, Clerk of said County, do certify that Garrison Moore Esquire, before whom the within Affidavit was taken on the 19 th day of December 1832, was on said day a Judge of Cayuga County courts, duly qualified by law to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge, and verily believe that the signature purporting to be his, attached to said Affidavit is genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of our said county, the 24 th day of December 1832.
M. S. Myers

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3 rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7. 1838.
State of New York § Cayuga County } ss.
On this 20 th day of June 1843 personally appeared before Rufus W. Close a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Esther Masters a resident of Locke in said County aged eighty two years, who after being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of James Masters who was a private in the Connecticut forces in the Revolutionary army, and that the annual amount of pension which she received under the act of July 7. 1838 was sixty dollars. She further declares that she is still a widow
sworn to and subscribed on the day } Esther Masters and year above written before me } R.W. Close justice of the peace
I hereby certify that the above declarant Esther Masters is personally known to me R.W. Close justice of the peace Cayuga County Clerk's Office p: William Richardson Clerk of the said County, do hereby certify that R.W. Close was on the 20 th day of June 1843 a justice of the peace in and for said County, duly qualified, and that I know his handwriting, & believe the signatures above purporting to be his, to be genuine.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, & set my hand, this 21 st day of June A.D. 1843. W. Richardson Clerk

Supplemental Affidavit of Mrs. Masters

State of New York } County of Cayuga } ss.
On the 5 th day of August 1839 personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said county, Esther Masters of the Town of Locke County and State aforesaid, widow of James Masters deceased late a pensioner of the United States, who after being duly sworn according to law, doth on her Oaths declare and say, that she was married to James Masters aforesaid in the Town of Newtown County of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, on or about the 31 st of October 1786. The exact day of the month she cannot recollect — That she was married by the Rev d Mr Marshall an Episcopal Clergyman who resided in Woodbury in the the County of Litchfield in said State, but who was at that time preaching in both the Towns of Newtown and Woodbury alternately.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 5 th day of August. 1839
Esther Masters
J. E. Day Justice of the Peace
New-York State, } ss. Cayuga County, }
I, WILLIAM RICHARDSON, Clerk of said County, certify that J. E. Day Esq. was, on the 5 th day of August 1839 a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly qualified: And that I know his hand writing, and believe the signature on the annexed instrument, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County, and set my hand this 6 th day of August 1839
W. Richardson Clerk

FAMILY RECORD.
MARRIAGES.
Abel Bennet Married August 3 rd 1770 Ann Married September 1774 Polly Married March 10 th 1775 Isaac Married May 1 st 1777
BIRTHS.
Abel Bennet Born April 1 st 1746 Ann Wilson Born Sept 2 nd 1748 Isaac Born July 7 th 1771 Ann Born February 1774 Polly Born May 20 th 1776 Daughter Born June 1784 Died but 5 hours Joshua Born December 26 th 1789 Abel Born September 28 th 1789 James Wheeler Born July 28 th 1791
I hereby certify that this leaf is taken from the family Bible of my father Abel Bennet deceased and contains the original family records described in the deposition subscribed by me and to which this leaf is attached
Polly Curtis
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss Newtown November 16 th 1839 personally appeared Polly Curtis and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by her subscribed before me Chas C. Harn
Justice of peace

FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.
DEATHS.
A Daughter Died June 6 th 1784 Anna Died February 3 1812 Anna Died March 17 1815 Ann Wife of Ezra Glover died February 3 rd 1812 Anna Wife of Abel Bennet died May 13 th 1818 Ezra Glover died Sept 25 1826 Jerusha Daughter of Abel and Ann died January 18 1826 James W m Bennet died December 23 rd 1826 Mary Ann Wife of James W m died October 12 th 1826

State of Connecticut Fairfield County
ss Newtown Nov 14 1839
Personally appeared on the day and year aforesaid before me Charles C Warren a Justice of the peace within and for the County aforesaid Polly Curtis a resident of said Newtown with whom I am personally acquainted and do certify that she is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit. who being duly cautioned and sworn according to law on her oath deponeth and saith as follows
I am the daughter of Abel Bennett late of said Newtown deceased and have in my possession the original family record made and kept by him the said deceased. The Book containing said family record has been in my possession ever since the decease of said Abel Bennett who died in the year 1830 and has never since been out of my possession. I have had access to said family record about forty five years. I find recorded on said record the birth of Jerusha a daughter of said deceased in manner and form as follows viz
"Jerusha born December 26 1787" which I certify is a true and correct extract from the aforesaid family record of said deceased
Polly Curtis

Sworn and Subscribed this 11 th day of November 1839 before me Chas C Warner Justice of peace
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss Newtown
November 11 th 1839
Personally appeared on the the day and year aforesaid before me Charles C Warner a Justice of the peace within and for said Fairfield County Caleb Baldwin of Newtown aforesaid to me personally known to be a credible person having been duly cautioned and sworn according to law on his oath deposeth as follows
I am the Town Clerk of the Town of Newtown aforesaid and am conver- sant with the town records thereof At the request of the agent of Esther Master I have examined said records and made diligent search for the entry of the marriage of James Master to Esther Stilson and am not able to find any such marriage there recorded and believe no such marriage was ever entered on said Newtown records Caleb Baldwin

Sworn and subscribed this 11 th day of November 1839 before me Chas C Warner Justice of peace
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss Newtown Nov. 11 th 1839
On the day and year aforesaid before me Charles C Warner a Justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Charles Clark of said Newtown with whom I am personally acquainted and know him to be a creditable witness and that his testimony is entitled to credit, being duly cautioned and sworn on both depositions as follows
I am the parish clerk of the protestant Episcopal parish of Trinity Church in said Newtown and have in my possession the records of said parish. At the request of Esther Masters agent I have faithfully examined said records and made search for a record of the marriage of James Masters to Esther Stilson and am unable to find

the entry of any such marriage and truly believe no such marriage was ever recorded on the records of said parish
Charles Clarke
Sworn and subscribed this 11 th day of November 1839 before me
Chas C Warner
Justice of peace
State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss
I Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the seal thereof, and of the Commission of the Justices of the Peace for said County, Do hereby certify that Charles C Warner Esq, is now, & since the 20 th day of June last past, has been a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and acting as such, and duly authorized to administer oaths. That his Commission is dated the 29 th day of May 1839 and will expire with the 19 th day of June 1840, and I further certify that the signatures purporting to be his, annexed to the deposition of Charles Clark, Caleb Baldwin, & deposition & certificate of Polly Curtis hereto attached are his genuine Official signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of County Court this 16 th day of November 1839
Thomas Robinson Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Masters, John GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8585 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED December 30, 1796 To — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.