Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28805, for Phinehas Maxson, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental R.I.
Maxson, Phinehas S. 28805
CONTENTS

New York
Phinehas Maxson of Morristown in the State of New York who was a Pr. Sergt. in Capt. in the Company commanded by Captain Randall of the Regt. commanded by Col. Dorman in the Rhode Island line for 12 Mo. a Private 8 Mo. a Sergt. 3 Mo. an Ensign, and 1 month a Captain (in Regt. commanded by Col. Miller)
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 130 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of Dec 1832 — and Geo L Russell Agt. Cantn New H.
  Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 —  $195 00    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33  65.00  
$260.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by John Cromwell Clerk, Book D Vol. 5 Page 126.

Stephen Maxson of DeRuyter Madison Co NY personly appeared before me a justice of the peace and being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was acquainted with one Phinehas Maxson in the first year of the revolutionary war stationed at prospect hill Cambridge Ms for eight months at one time and served as a sergeant in John Randol Company and after that time he knew the same Phinehas Maxson at Earl Grunwill for one month serving as a commisioned officer in the same war
Sworn before me this 8 th day of July 1832
Stephen G. Pease S.P.
I do Certify that the above Deponent is a Person of a Good Moral Character and is believed whose veracity for truth stands unimpeached
Stephen G. Pease S.P.

State of New York Clerk's Office
Madison County
ss I Andrew S Sloan Clerk of the said County do Certify that Stephen G. Sears 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. And that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 13 th day of July 1832
Andrew S. Sloan. Clk.

In the matter of Phineas Manson
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
11843
Admitted -
1 mo Capt. 3 mo. Ensign 8 mo. Sergt. 12 mo private

State of New York } Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - County of St Lawrence } On this twenty fifth day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personal appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the aforesaid County of St Lawrence being a Court of Record, now sitting therein as Ma xon resident of the Town of Morristown, in the County of St. Lawrence and State of New York aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated. He was then in the Town of Hopkinton, Kings County in the State of Rhode Island, on the 2 nd day of February 1755. He is a record of his age in his family Bible.
At Hopkinton aforesaid in the month of May 1775 he in- listed as a sergeant in the Rhode Island Troops raised to march against the enemy at Boston, in a company under Capt. John Randall; Lieut. Oliver Clark; Ensign Arnold Clark, and in a Regiment commanded by Colonel James Mitchell Varnum; Major Sherman. His company mustered in Hopkinton in the month of June 1775 on command the day, and marched to Winter Hill in Cambridge Massachusetts, where he joined his regiment on the 20 th & 21 st June 1775 for 4 days after the battle of Bunker Hill He served in the vicinity of Boston in this company and regiment, as second sergeant eight months, the term of his enlistment and at the end of his service was dis- charged on Prospect Hill, near Boston, by his Colonel Varnum, but received no written discharge. He cannot state the precise time of his discharge, but he was dis- charged with the rest of the regiment after serving his full term of eight months. His Regiment, on their first ser- vice built fortifications on Winter Hill where they were stationed a short time, and then took up their quarters on Prospect Hill and there built a fort, and remained there the remainder of the service. He recalls Col. Hild- reth's Regiment of Rhode Island Troops. Gen. Greene and General Washington he recollects seeing them. Also Col. Greene, a cousin of Gen. Greene, who commanded a Regiment.

In the fore part of the summer 1776. he cannot state the month or day - Col. Jesse Mason's Regiment of Rhode Island militia was ordered out in the service for one month to guard the sea coast at East Greenwich, in Narragansett Bay. He was then living at Hopkinton upon said and received an Ensign's commission, in Capt. Jesse Buxdick's Company in the same Regiment, and marched with his company to East Greenwich where they served one month for which they were called out, the applicant serving as ensign, and was then discharged at East Greenwich and returned home. His said Commission was signed by the Governor of Rhode Island. The applicant has not seen it for twenty years and supposes it to be lost - Soon after this service in the latter part of the summer of 1776 his company and Regiment was again called out for one month to serve at South Kingston, at Narrows River Bridge near Franklin's Ferry, at which place he served one month as Ensign under the same Commission having the command during the absence of his company his Captain and Lieutenant both being absent. At the end of the month the Regiment was discharged at South Kingston and returned home. In the summer of 1777, at Hopkinton his Company of militia was again ordered out for one month's service, at Point Judith in South Kingston, about seven miles from Narragansett, where he marched with his company under the same Commission, having the command of his company, and served as Ensign at the last place one month, and was discharged with his company at the same place. The rest of the Regiment was quartered about a mile back on the point. During their time the enemy occupied Narragansett - On one occasion his company descended from the beach on an American vessel bound into the harbor of Narragansett & ignorant of the enemy's holding the harbor. He ordered his men to parade on the Bank & make signals to the vessel, which was done. But before the vessel could tack and escape the enemy's cutters had discovered her, and made sail after her, which forced the master of the vessel to run her ashore near, where his company was stationed. The enemy's cutters anchored and sent their boats to plunder and burn the vessel, but his

men by their fire from the beach drove them back time and saved the vessel. — The last three months service he performed as Ensign of Militia. His memory is so poor that he cannot fix the precise dates, but of the length of the time he is positive.
In the month of May 1778 he enlisted as a private in a Corps of Artillery raised by order of Gen. Mifflin from several different States. He believes Gen. Mifflin was chief Engineer for all the Continental forces. The applicant enlisted in this Corps at Wiltshire in the State of Massachusetts for one year and nine months, in Capt. Wood's Company — Lieut. Belton, Ensign William Spring. Major Painter, commanded the Corps. Col. Kosciusko was afterwards Chief Engineer. He served his full term of one year and nine months and was discharged at West Point in the month of February 1780 at West Point, by a written furlough signed by Col. Kosciusko, instead of a discharge. The reason of his receiving a furlough instead of a discharge, was that a few days before his service expired he received intelligence of sickness in his family, and Col. Kosciusko gave him a furlough instead of a discharge with the understanding that it should answer for a discharge, as he would not be able to return again before his time would expire. The paper has been destroyed many years since. In their service he first joined the army at New Windsor on the Hudson River, eight miles from West Point, where he was stationed about two months, and then marched to West Point — where he was stationed all the rest of his service. At West Point there were several different Corps of the Continental Troops during his service. Gen. Washington's headquarters were there a part of the time. Gen. Putnam was there with the Massachusetts Troops — and a Gen. Brant  Brant of the Pennsylvania Line. The applicant was all the time service under the immediate command of Major Painter.
In July 1780 he received the Commission of Captain from the Governor of Rhode Island, which Commission is now produced. Soon after he received his Captain's Commission, happening in August 1780, his company of militia was ordered on an alarm to march to New Port where the French and Americans expected an attack from the enemy. He immediately marched with his company from Hopkinton to New Port crossing at Franklin's ferry.

At New Port his company was attached to a Regiment under Col. Miller - His Company was there stationed one month and then discharged with the rest of the militia and he returned home to Hopkinton. - The following Compts set the services of the applicant during the Revolutionary war - 1 st 12 months service as Captain of Militia at New Port - 2 nd 3 months services as Ensign at East Greenwich and South Kingston - 3 rd for 8 months service as second Sergeant at Boston - 4 th for one year and 9 months service as a Captain in the Corps of Engineers.
In 1818 he made an application for a pension for his services in the Corps of Engineers as aforesaid, under the Law of that year, which was rejected on the ground that that Corps did not come within the terms of that Act. He has no documentary proof of his services except the said Captain's Commission. There is no living witness whose testimony he can produce, except Stephen Mason of De Ruyter, in the County of Madison whose affidavit he now produces. The said Stephen Mason is a cousin of the applicant, and served in the same company with him at Boston - and also under the applicant at East Greenwich.
Since the close of the revolution at Hopkinton aforesaid he resided first for three or four years, when he removed to Rochester, in the State of New York - He has ever since resided in the State of New York - in the towns of Schoharie, New Baltimore, Coeymans, Schoharie, Westerlo, Middletown, and Germantown aforesaid, at which last place he has resided about twelve years and now resides there. There is no clergyman in his immediate vicinity with whom he is acquainted. He is acquainted with Ephraim Hyde and Uriah Mead both residents of the Town of Monistown aforesaid who can testify to his character and a belief of his services. 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.
Phinehas Mason
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. C. S. CLK

We Ephraim Hyde and Uriah Mead residing in the aforesaid Town of Monistown hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Phineas Mason, who has has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and we are in that opinion - also the said Uriah Mead further certifies and deposes that for upwards of thirty years in which time the said Mason during that time he has sustained an un- doubted character of integrity and veracity; and during all this time he has been respected and believed in his family and among his neighbours to have served a long time in the revolutionary war; and that in the opinion of the said Mead his foregoing statement is in every respect entitled to full credit.
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
I (S M A R)
Ephraim Hyde
Uriah Mead
I Joel J. Emmons a clergyman residing in the Town of Hanover in the aforesaid County of Yorke, the Town adjoining Monistown aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Phineas Mason who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration; that he is a man of strict integrity and veracity and his statement is believed by all who know him and is entitled to full credit.
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
I (S M A R)
J. J. Emmons
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after put- ting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolutionary war and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it ap- pears to them that Joel J. Emmons who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in

the Town of Harnessed in the aforesaid County of St Lawrence, whose statement is intitled to credit also that Ephraim Hyde and Uriah Mead also have signed the preceding certificate as residents of the aforesaid Town of Morrison, are credible persons and that their statement is intitled to credit.
I, John C. Saw Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the aforesaid County of St Lawrence do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Phineas Watson for a Prerogative .
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this twenty sixth day of September One thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
J. C. Saw (AK)

the Town of Hammond in the aforesaid County of St Lawrence, whose statement is intitled to credit also that Ephraim Hyde and Uriah Mead also have signed the preceding certificate as residents of the aforesaid Town of Morrisonstown, are credible persons and that their statement is intitled to credit.
I, Wm C. Jew Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the aforesaid County of St Lawrence do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Maxson for a Pardon.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this twenty sixth day of September One thousand Eight. hundred and thirty two
Wm C. Jew

11.843
Phineas Maxson
admitted -
John Leslie Russell
Canton
N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of Phineas Maxson  of Louisbourg in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy seven years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     enlisted In 1775 May 8 Sergt Capt McRae, Col. Warren   1776 1 Ensign Major Sherman   1 " Capt John Burdick Col. Maxson   enlisted 1777 1 " "   1778 1 9 private Capt Wood, Major Hunter, Col. Rensselaer   1780 1 Captain Col. Miller  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hopkinton R.I. Williamstown Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Ephraim Hyde & Mark West, certify to traditional evidence of Stephen Maxson's service, & his promotion to the rank of Captain.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Root Examining Clerk.

November 9, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Albert T. Maxon 165 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
BA-J/CC Phinehas Maxson S.28805
Dear Sir:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S.28805, based upon service of Phinehas Maxson in the Revolutionary War.
Phinehas Maxson was born February 1, 1755, at Hopkinton, Rhode Island. Names of his parents are not shown.
While residing at Hopkinton, Rhode Island, he enlisted in May 1775, served eight months as second sergeant in Captain John Randall's company, Colonel James Mitchell Varnum's Rhode Island regiment; in 1776, and 1777, he served three months as ensign in Captain Jesse Burdick's company, Colonel Jesse Maxson's Rhode Island regiment; enlisted at Wilbraham, Massachusetts in May, 1778, served one year and nine months as private in Captain Wood's company, Colonel Koselusko's Regiment of Engineers. He was commissioned July 9, 1780, Captain of the Third Company or Trained Band of Hopkinton, Rhode Island; in August 1780, he marched to Newport, and served one month under Colonel Miller.
After the Revolution he lived three or four years in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, then moved to the State of New York, resided in Hoosick, Schohake, New Baltimore, Coeymans, Schoharie, Kortright, Middletown, and Morristown, all in the State of New York.
Phinehas Maxson was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832, while a resident of Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York.

No reference was made to wife or children.
Phinehas Maxson's cousin, Stephen Maxson, was residing in DeRuyter, Madison County, New York, in 1832 and stated that he served during the Revolutionary War with Phinehas.
It is not shown that the Colonel Jesse Maxson under whom he served was a relative.
No further family data are shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of Phinehas Maxson, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Phinehas Maxson Certificate #3485 Issued December 22, 1832 Rate $130.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Phinehas Maxson Captain 3 d Comp y Hopkinton
Maxson, Phinehas Cont-R.I. S28805

By his Excellency William Greene Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
TO Phinehas Mason
Gentleman, GREETING.
Y OU Phinehas Mason being by the General Assembly elected and chosen to the Place and Office of Captain of the Third Company of the Trained Band of the Town of Hopkington in the County of Windsor in the State aforesaid are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said State, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to exercise the Office of Captain of and over the Company aforesaid: And to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof: And in Case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or such Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the ut- most of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill and destroy the same, in order to preserve the Interest of the good People in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to Time, be further given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Coun- cil, or other your superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the said State, the Ninth Day of July in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty and in the  Sixth Year of Independence
By his Excellency's Command,
Henry Ward
W. Greene

Commission as Capt.

Revolution
INVALID.
1937-1052- Note to Albert G. Maxson cc - letter in file 202.29267 Miles Merwin cc
File No. 28,803
Philip Maxson Captain Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1827
Index: —Vol. 9 , Page 255
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1926 May 28- H. cont to C.W.H. Hopkins au-3

November 9, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Albert T. Maxons 165 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.
BA-J/CC Phinehas Maxson S.23805
Miles Merwin W.C.29267
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 records of the soldiers named below, who served from Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York:
Moses, Abraham and Jeremiah Butts; Jabez Keeler; Benjamin and Varnum Phineas Maxson; Miles, Daniel and Asher Merwin.
There are no claims for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Moses, Abraham or Jeremiah Butts, nor of a Jabez Keeler, Benjamin Maxson, Varnum Phineas Maxson, Miles, Daniel or Asher Merwin, nor for service in the War of 1812 of an Abraham Butts of Rhode Island, Connecticut or New York, nor of a Moses or Jeremiah Butts, Jabez Keeler, Varnum or Phineas Maxson, nor of a Daniel or Asher Merwin. The Revolutionary War record of one Phinehas Maxson of Rhode Island has been found and the War of 1812 record of a Miles Merwin of Connecticut. These two records are furnished you herewith.
Another search of the War of 1812 records will be made in your behalf for the record of Benjamin Maxson, if you will furnish as much as possible of the following data in regard to him: approximate dates of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of wife or widow.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Ans
May 28, 1926
C. W. Hopkins 37 W. Church St Portland, Ore.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 28805, it appears that Phinehas Maxson was born February 1, 1755 at Hopkinton, Rhode Island.
While residing at Hopkinton, he enlisted in May 1775 and served eight months as second sergeant in Captain John Randall's Company, Colonel James Mitchell Varnum's Rhode Island Regiment.
In 1776 and 1777, he served three months as Ensign in Captain Jesse Burdick's Company, Colonel Jesse Maxson's Rhode Island Regiment.
He enlisted at Wilbraham, Massachusetts in May 1778 and served one year and nine months as private in Captain Wood's Company, Colonel Kosciusko's Regiment of Engineers.
He was commissioned, July 9, 1780, Captain

of the Third Company or Trained Band of Hopkinton, Rhode Island; in August 1780, he marched to Newport, and served one month under Colonel Miller.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832, while a resident of Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York.
It is not stated that soldier was married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

37 West Church St. Portland, Ore., April 9th 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I wish to ask for the Revolutionary War record of the services of one Phineas Maxson, who  which according to the State records of R. I., was born Feb'y 1st, 1755, and became a pensioner, afterwards residing in St. Lawrence Co. N. Y.
Thanking you, I am,
Verly truly Yours,
B. M. Hopkins
OFFICE U. S. 17 1926

37 West Church St. Portland, Ore., April 9th 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I wish to ask for the Revolutionary War record of the services of one Phineas Maxson, which according to the State records of R. I., was born Feb'y 1st, 1755, and became a pensioner, afterwards residing in St. Lawrence Co. N. Y.
Thanking you, I am,
Verly truly Yours,
no signature
Dear Sir, May 1926 I have received your letter of the 9th inst. in regard to the Revolutionary War record of one Phineas Maxson, which according to the State records of R. I., was born Feb'y 1st, 1755, and became a pensioner, afterwards residing in St. Lawrence Co. N. Y. I will to ask if you received same. Thanking you I am Sincerely L. M. Hopkins
ELMS-MILES PRINTING COMPANY CALIF. W. ALBUQUERQUE 1879 LOWEST PRICES QUALITY PRINTING