Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8436, for Edmund Pratt, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn. Navy
Pratt, Edmund Sylvil
No. 8436
CONTENTS

+ Michigan New York 28.551 all
Edmund Pratt of Niagara Co in the State of New York who was a Seaman in the Company commanded by Captain Hartley of the Regt commanded Col Worthington in the Militia Conn for 8 mo. 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 32 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of April 1834 and sent to J. H. Chapin Esq Litchport
Arrears to the 14th of March 1834 $ 98.64 Pemi-ant. allowance ending Sep t 4 '34 16.44 $115.08
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Saml H Page Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 114
See Cir. In. March 13 '35 Transf d to Michigan fr. 4 Mar. 1831 - Apr 9 - 1835
25-

State of New York Niagara County ss.
On this fourteenth day of September 1892, person- ally appeared in open court before the judges of the Court of General Sessions of the State in & for the said County of Niagara now sitting Edmund Pratt a resident of the Town of Tonawanda in the County of Niagara & State of New York aged seventy nine years eleven months & upwards who being first duly sworn according to law, cloth on his oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1892 —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated —
That in the month of April in the year 1776 according to the best of his remembrance & belief & before New York was given up to the Enemy, he entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer under Capt. Elijah Seaford or Scavill of the Town of Saybrook in the County of New London & State of Connecticut. That at the time he so entered the service he resided in said Town of Saybrook. That he marched with Capt. Seaford from Saybrook to New York where after remaining a short time they were ordered to Brooklyn where he with Capt. Seaford & his Company & other troops were employed as a fatigue party or laborers in making entrench- ments & breastworks under General Putnam. He was not sub- ject to military duty on account of the loss of the sight of his right eye & he has no recollection of being attached to any Regiment nor does he remember the names of any Colonels or Field officers. While he was at New York & Brooklyn as above stated, two British Vessels, the Tiger & the Rose were lying off in a southerly direction from where he was stationed in Brook- lyn & the British Fleet was lying off beyond Staten Island & in sight from Brooklyn. When they had finished the entrench- ments & breastworks at Brooklyn General Putnam sent to the two British Vessels just above mentioned to move off in a certain time or he would fire upon them & the Vessels moved off within the time to the British Fleet. Soon after he with Capt. Seaford & his Company returned to New York & were permitted to return home. He was in the service of the United States at this time according to his best remembrance & belief, one month & a half & has never received any pay for the service —
That in the month of August (as he believes) in the year 1777 the day of the month he does not remember, he again enter- ed the service of the United States as a Volunteer (not being subject to military duty for the cause aforesaid) under Capt. Timothy Starky of Saybrook aforesaid & marched to Danbury in Connecticut & arrived at that place soon after it had been burned by the British. The Enemy

here left Danbury & the fires were extinguished when he arrived. He believes he staid at Danbury a week or more & then returned to New Haven where he with the other troops that had been to Danbury were paraded & addressed by General Trumbull & then he was permitted to return home to Skybrook. He does not remember the day he left the service but according to the best of his remembrance & belief he continued in the United States service at this time as much as five weeks. He has not received any pay for this service nor did he receive any discharge, nor does he recollect the names of any General or Field officers except as above stated, nor of being attached to any Regiment.
That in September (as he believes) in 1777 and soon after his return from Danbury he again entered the service of the United States at Skybrook as a Volunteer (not being subject to military duty for the cause aforesaid) under Capt. Edward Shipman of Skybrook in Col. William Worthington's Regiment. The Sergeant's name was Samuel Waterhouse. He was marched from Skybrook to Fishkill in New York & quartered a while in the Yellow Meeting House & then marched up the Hudson River he believes as far as Kindapack or further. Col. Sage from Middletown in Connecticut with his Regiment had joined Col. Worthington & while they were marching up the Hudson General Putnam with his sent overtook them & just as General Putnam overtook them an express from General Gates came in sight & rode up to General Putnam & told him he had the honor to bring him the news that General Burgoyne with all his army had surrendered to General Gates. On receiving this news General Putnam & the troops halted & not long after they discovered the British Vessels that had ascended the Hudson coming down the River. The troops under General Putnam fired upon the Vessels as they passed down the River with a brass field piece which they had & the Vessels returned the fire several times. After marching down the River some distance he & the other troops from Connecticut were permitted to return home. He received no discharge to his recollection nor has he ever received any pay for this service nor does he remember at what place or on what day he left the service but according to the best of his remembrance & belief he continued in the service at this time as long as a month & a half.
That in the fore part of July (as he believes) in 1778 he enlisted at Skybrook in Connecticut into the United States navy as a Marine under Capt.

John Barry of the Raleigh a thirty two gun Frigate then lying in Boston harbour for four months (as he believed). He underwent at New London & from there he with other recruits went to Boston in Massachusetts & went on board the Raleigh & remained on board in the harbour of Boston as much as three months he believes before leaving the Harbour. The first Lieut. name was Phipps, his Christian name he does not recall. The sailing master was Stephen Porter. The Capt. of marines was Hooper, his Christian name he has forgotten, John Carr he thinks was purser. Celio Parker boatswain. Gagan was Surgeon he thinks he was a German does not recall his Christian name. Doney surgeons mate does not remember his Christian name. John Plumb also surgeons mate. The Raleigh was manned with about two hundred & forty six men & he sailed in her from Boston according to the best of his remembrance & belief about three months from the time of his enlistment & steered an Easterly course. Soon after they had dismissed their Pilot they discovered two British Vessels bearing down upon the Raleigh. One of them proved to be the Experiment a fifty two gun ship commanded by Sir James Wallis, the other was the Unicorn a twenty six gun ship commanded by Lord, his rank and Christian name are unknown to him. These Vessels were discovered on Friday the day the Raleigh left Boston & they pursued her till Sunday about noon when the Experiment being left out of sight the Raleigh tacked about & as the Unicorn came up the Raleigh gave her a broad side & a battle commenced which lasted till same time in the night when the Unicorn was nearly silenced, the Experiment came up & the first that he discovered of her she opened her ports & dark lanterns near by & the Raleigh gave her a broad side which was returned by the Experiment & the action continued & the Raleigh fought both Vessels till after she had run aground on the rocks on Fox Island in Penobscot Bay. Then Capt. Barry & about eighty men escaped in the night in the ship's boats, to the main land & left orders for the rest of the crew to escape to the Island and remain there till they heard from him. The rest of the crew left the Raleigh that night & remained on Fox Island till near noon the next day when Capt. Barry & the boats came in sight to take them off, but just at that time a party from the British

Rebels who had landed upon the Island came up & took us all prisoners. Capt. Barry seeing this and knowing that he could render us no service, waived his hat to us, as we supposed, in token that he wished us a better fate and retired. ————— We were all taken aboard of the Rebels. The Raleigh was got off without any material injury & the Experiment the Union & the Raleigh sailed for New York. To avoid falling in with American Rebels we kept off a good distance from the coast & we experienced a storm which also delayed us some. We arrived in New York in about three or four weeks when he remained on board of the Experiment he thinks about a fortnight during which time the steward gave him some poisonous liquor which nearly caused his death. He became very feeble & in that state he & the rest of the crew of the Raleigh were conveyed on board of the well known Prison Ship, the Prince of Wales then lying near Powles Hook amongst (as he believes) about five hundred American prisoners where he & many others suffered every thing but death. He was finally exchanged & returned home to Saybrook in Connecticut the latter part of December 1778 according to the best of remembrance & belief, in a feeble state of health. He received no discharge nor has he any documentary evidence of any of his services nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. The term of his naval service together with his imprisonment he believes to be about six months. The whole time of all his service he believes to be ten months or more — He has no record of his age. He was born in the Town of Saybrook in the County of New London & State of Connecticut on the eleventh day of October 1752 as he has been informed by his parents & believes true. After he returned home from the Prison Ship he resided in Saybrook till May 1779 when he went to Kimbolton in Rutland County & State of Vermont, where he resided about six years & then went to Claremont in the same County where he resided about till 1811 years & then moved to Westford in Franklin County & State of Massachusetts where he resided about till 1826 years & then moved to the Town of Mariah in Essex County & State of New York where he resided about one year

earlier than moved to the Town of Somerset in Niagara county & state last described where he has resided ever since & now resides. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency or state
Edmond Pratt
Sworn to a subscription this day & year aforesaid - in open court before me Henry Atkin Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of Niagara County
We Jehiel Wisner a clergyman residing in the Town of Newfane in the County of Niagara & state of New- York and David Herington of Somerset in the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Edmond Pratt who has sub- scribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be about seventy nine years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Subscribed & sworn to before me Jehiel Wisner David Herington in open court this 14th day of September A.D. 1832 Henry Atkin clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of Niagara County
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Jehiel Wisner who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of Newfane in said county of Niagara & state of New York & that David Herington who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Somerset in the same county & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit -
J. M. Colburn } Member of the C. S. Alvord } Court in attendance P. H. Hathaway }
Henry Atkin - Clerk of the court of General Sessions of the Peace of Niagara county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original

proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Edmund Pratt for a pension —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry Fathin Clerk
Edmund Pratt
Declaration for pension
23219
St

State of New York Niagara County - } ss.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Niagara, Edmund Pratt who being duly sworn, deposes & saith that by reason of old age since the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below & in the following order —
For four months and five days I served as a private soldier —
For six months I served as a marine on board the Raleigh Frigate —
And for such service I claim a pension —
1. - I was born in the Town of Saybrook in the State of Connecticut on the eleventh day of October 1752 — 2. - I have no record of my age — 3. - I was living in the Town of Saybrook in the State of Connecticut at each time when I was called into the service, and after I was released from the service I resided in Saybrook aforesaid till May 1779 when I went to Pittsfield in Vermont where I resided according to the best of my recollection six years, after that I went to the Town of Clarendon in Vermont where I resided till 1811 and then moved to the Town of Westford in Vermont where I resided till 1826 and then moved to the Town of Maria in Essex County & State of New York where I resided one year & then moved to the Town of Tarentum in the County of Niagara and State of New York where I have resided since so when I now reside — 4. - I was called into the service three times as a volunteer soldier once as a volunteer as a marine on board the Raleigh Frigate — 5. - In my first tour of service I was stationed at New York & Brooklyn, General Putnam commanded. I have no recollection of being attached to any Regiment nor do I remember the name of any colonel who was present nor any Continental Regiments. There was

as many as four or five hundred men at Brookline & all militia as I believe and we were principally employed as fatigue parties in making defensive works — In my second tour of service I went to Danbury in Connecticut under Capt. Starkey and on our return from Danbury to Saybrook General M'Nabb came to us at New Haven & we found a hollow square & General M'Nabb addressed us. I have no certain recollection of seeing any colonel or other field officers nor of being attached to any regiment nor of seeing any continental Regiment at this time. In my third tour of service I went under Capt. Shipman from Saybrook to Fishkill in the state of New York in Col. William Worthing- ton's Regiment, we were quartered a while in the yellow Meetinghouse & then moved up the Hudson River as far I believe as Kingskirk or Panther. Col. Sage from Midd- letown with his Regiment of militia was with us and while we were marching up the Hudson General Putnam & sent out took us & about that time an express from General Gates arrived & told General Putnam that General Burgoyne & his army had surrendered to General Gates. We then halted & not long after discovered some British Vessels coming down the River. We had a brass cannon piece & fired at the Vessels as they passed down & they returned the fire. We marched down the River some distance & were permitted to return home — In my fourth tour of service I went on board the Raleigh Frigate under Capt. Berry & sailed from Boston Harbour & was soon pursued by the Experiment Lieut. James Wallis & the Unicorn — Lord and crew taken in Penobscot Bay & fought both Vessels till the Raleigh ran aground on the rocks at Fox Island. About eighty of the crew of the Raleigh including Capt. Berry escaped in the boats by night & the rest with the Vessel were taken & conveyed to New York. I was among the prisoners and on arriving at New

York we were put on board the prison ship called the Prince of Wales from which I was finally released by being exchanged & returned home to England the latter part of December 1778 —
6. — I never received any discharge from the Service —
7. — Some of the persons to whom I am known in my present neighbourhood & who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution are Jehiel Wilson, David Harrington, Silas Mead, Ralph S. Wilson, Master Thewall, Bethuel Finton, Samuel Putnam, and more might be mentioned if it were necessary —
Edmund Pratt
Subscribed & sworn before on this 15. June 1833
J. B. Conley J.P.
State of New York Erie County ss. Henry Catlin Clerk of the County of Erie & of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace in & for said County do hereby certify that Solomon B. Conley before whom the annexed or above additional declaration of Edmund Pratt was sworn to on the fifteenth day of June 1833 was on that day a justice of the Peace in & for said County of Erie. And I do further certify that I have seen the said Solomon B. Conley write & am acquainted with his hand writing & that the signature of "S. B. Conley J.P." to the first of the said additional declaration of the said Edmund Pratt is his own proper hand writing and signature —
And I do further certify that the annexed original declaration of the said Edmund Pratt & the certificate of the Rev. Jehiel Wilson & David Harrington & the declaration of the Court were all annexed together with the same as they are now annexed together, on the 14th day of September 1833 when the same were executed by the said Court & when I made my certificate & affixed my seal of office thereto —
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Official Seal this 24th day of September A.D. 1833 Henry Catlin Clerk

Sybil Pratt Widow of Edmund Act 29. July 1848. Michigan
Erasmus H. Hunt Washington City
Erasmus H. Hunt

State of Michigan } County of Hillsdale }
Be it known, that on this 17 th day of May A.D. 1853 before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Herman Pratt a resident of Somerset in said County and made oath according to law that he is the child of the identical Edmund Pratt whose name under the act of the 7 th of June 1832 has been placed on the Albany Pension Roll (and since (on the 5 th day of April 1835) transferred to that of Michigan to take effect from and after the 4 th of March 1835) at the rate of thirty two dollars and ei- gty eight cents per annum. That he is credibly in- formed that the said Pension may and ought to be increased from its commencement and during its continuance, that he is directly interested as a claim- ant in said increase and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence as my agent may use in prosecuting said claim —
Countermanding and revoking all powers of Atto- rney and authority heretofore given I hereby con- stitute and appoint David Preston and Co. of the City of Detroit State of Michigan my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Edmund Pratt for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase

of Pension that may be due; and for the purpose of est- ablishing additional service by the soldier for whose mili- tary duty in the Revolution the aforesaid Pension was gra- nted I hereby authorize my said Attorney to apply for and obtain from State archives or other sources certified proofs of such service. To examine all papers or documents in relation to said service on file in the Departments at Washington City or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive for my benefit the certificate for increase which may be issued in satisfaction of said claim which certificate I wish made payable at the Pension Agency of this State; to appoint one or more sub- stitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could, do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Agent and Attorney shall lawfully do in the pre- mises.
Heleman Pratt
Sworn to and acknowledged before me the day and year above written; and I hereby certify that I believe the said Heleman Pratt to be directly interested in said claim as set forth and to be the identical party therein alleged in whose claim I am in no wise interes- ted.
Abel Scott Justice of Peace
State of Michigan County of Hillsdale
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me Clerk of the circuit court
for said County that Edmund Pratt was a Revolu- tionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $32,88 per annum and that he died on the twelfth day of November Eighteen hundred and forty two leaving surviving the following named widows and chil- dren to wit: Sibyl Pratt, Orrilla Havens, Heleman Pratt, Francis O. Pratt and none other; and that the said widow Sibyl Pratt died on the 13 th day of September 1849 leaving surviving the following na-

for said County that Edmund Pratt was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $32,88 per annum and that he died on the twelfth day of November Eighteen hundred and forty two leaving surviving the following named widows and children to wit: Sibyl Pratt, Orrilla Havens, Herman Pratt, Francis O. Pratt and none other; and that the said widow Sibyl Pratt died on the 13 th day of September 1849 leaving surviving the following named children and none other Orrilla Havens Herman Pratt and Francis O. Pratt. It is further certified that Abel Scott Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged was at the time of so doing a duly authorized justice of the peace in and for said county and that the signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine; and further that in the within claim for Increase of Pension I am in no degree interested.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this nineteenth day of May - 1853
J. H. McCallum Clerk

Copy Of the family record of Edmund and Sybil Pratt July 4 th 1853
Marriages
Edmund Pratt & Sybil Fitch } Were married December 2 nd 1784 in the town of Tinmouth in the county of Rutland and state of Vermont Natives of Connecticut
Births
Deaths
  Edmund Pratt Oct 11 th 1752  November 12 th 1842    Sybil " Nov 13 th 1762  September 13 th 1849  
  Charlotte " July 28 th 1785  August 13 th 1819    Laura " " " "  July 2 nd 1810    Sophia " Feb 19 th 1787  July 27 th 1808    Orilla " Apr 17 th 1789     Heman " " 10 th 1791     Sanford " Aug 9 th 1793  July 31 st 1839    Marcia " May 15 th 1799  March 10 1817    Horatio " July 21 st 1801  April 2 nd 1829    Twins Infants March 1807  Died Infants 1807    Francis O " Oct 2 nd 1808  February 1 st 1852  

State of Michigan
Hillsdale County } Horatio Pratt of Somerset in said County being duly sworn maketh Oath and saith that the preceding is a true Copy of the family Record in the Bible of the deceased Edmund Pratt now in the possession of this Dependent
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 5 th day of July A.D. 1853
R Alan
Horatio Pratt
Justice of the Peace for said County
STATE OF MICHIGAN, } ss COUNTY OF HILLSDALE. }
I, J. W. McCallum R Alan
Clerk of said County, and also Clerk of the Circuit Court for said
County, do hereby certify, That
whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof or acknowl-
edgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was at the date thereof a
Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly
Elected
and qualified, and by the Laws of this State duly authorized to take
the same. AND FURTHER, That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said
R Alan
and verily believe that the signature purporting to
be his is genuine; that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of this State, and that said Court is a Court of record.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court for said County at Hillsdale, this fifth day of July
A. D. 1853
J. W. McCallum
Clerk.

23219.
Edmond Pratt Niagara Co N York
e.i.m.
Admitted
Private 2 mo & 20 days
Seaman 6 "
8. 20
$32.88
T. H. Chapin Esq. Lockport Niagara Co N. York.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 31 1833
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, showing the Service of Edmond Pratt. Niagara, Co. 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.     Apr 1776 Bunker Hill 1 15 Priv Capt E. Scammon Lieut. J. Scammon Gen Putnam None N. York 79 years N. London Traditionary   Aug 1777 Saratoga 1 5 " Capt T. Starky Not recd " Can? Map?   Sep 1778 Red Bank 1 15 " Capt E. Shipman Col. H. M. Washington Lt. Col. M. Schuyler " N. York   1778 Red Bank 6 * Seaman Capt J. B. Barry None Sea fight Balagh   9 5 Lt. Phipps Freight   8 15 Capt. Hart   8 20 Hooper  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Capt Barry had command of the Raleigh - Wild American Military Biographies page 241 & 242

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 follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [e] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowen Esq.

No 1.285.
Sybil Pratt dec. widow of Edmund Mech Evans & Faut Sep 22 1853
8 1/36
Ad 29 July 185

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Edmund Pratt 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. R. File 8436.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1776 6 wks. Pri. Elijah or Scofield Scoville ✓ Conn.   1777 2 mos. 3 wks. Timothy Starkey ✓   July 1778 Seaman Seaman Edw. Shipman Wm. Worthington   John Barry on Frigate "Raleigh"   in engagements with "Unicorn" was captured, taken to N.Y. and detained on parole until Dec. 1778 when exchanged, Dec 1778  
The above noted is the only Edmund Pratt found on the Rev. War records of this Bureau. Battles engaged in, See above.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Saybrook, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 14, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Somersett, Niagara Co. N.Y.  Moving out in 1834
Age at date of application, { B. Oct. 11, 1752, Saybrook, New London Co. Conn.  Died Nov. 12, 1843
Remarks: Soldier mar. at Simsbury, Rutland Co. Vt. Dec. 2, 1784,
Sybil Fitch, who was born Nov. 13, 1762, and who died Sept. 13, 1849.
Children: Charlotte, b. July 28, 1785; d. Aug. 13, 1819; Laura, b. July 28, 1785; d. July 2, 1810; Sophia, b. Feb. 17, 1787; d. July 27, 1808; Orville, b. Apr. 17, 1789; Herman, b. Apr. 10, 1791; Sanford, b. Aug. 9, 1793; d. July 31, 1839; Marcia, b. May 15, 1799; d. Dec. 10, 1819; Horatio, b. July 21, 1801; d. Apr. 2, 1829; Irwin, b. mch. 1807, d. 1807; Francis C. b. Oct. 2, 1808, d. Feb. 1, 1852.
Very respectfully,  (No names stated)
Commissioner.

1913, Mch. 18. History to Mrs. E. S. Reed. Letter with cl. of John Ransom S. F. 43884
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1920 Oct. 6: Visit to Mrs. F. H. Moore White Oak Mch. see her letter in Daniel Cook's papers and
1406 P. O. Sylvia Smith
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Pension Agency Detroit Nov. 15 th 1834
Sir
Enclosed are two applications for transfer, you will please commu- -nicate the result to me.
Respectfully Your Ob t .
H. Surv. I
E. Doty
P. A.
H. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions

WAR DEPARTMENT.
PENSION OFFICE,
April 1 st 1835.
Sir:
In conformity with the regulations of this Department, you have this day been transferred from the Roll of Albany to that of Michigan to take effect from and after the 1 st March 1835.
I am, Sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr. Edmund Pratt
U. S. Pensioner.
Care of E. Doty Esq.
Detroit, Michigan

Washington, Aug 8 th 1853.
Sir.
We herewith enclose the papers for the purpose of obtaining a pension for the children of Edmund and Sybil Pratt, under Act 29 th July 1848, from the 4 th March 1848 to the day of the decease of said Sybil, on the 13 th Sep r . 1849.
Very respectfully Evan H. Hunt.
Howland P. Waldo Caret of Pensions.

Reasons assigned for increase of pension in case of Edmund Pratt

Reasons that may be urged to show cause why the Pension of Edmund Pratt should be increased from the commencement and during its continuance is the fact that his pension certificate sets forth that a Private and Seaman and if a Seaman should have drawn Seamans wages
2nd. He enlisted for three years or during the war as a Seaman on board of the Raleigh Frigate commanded by Capt John Barry and was taken prison er after a hard fought battle with the a British 74 gun ship; was imprisoned in the old Jersey prison ship in the New York harbor was poisoned by the enemy that his life was despaired of for a long time was exchanged and sent home to Saybrook in Conn. and in as much as the Congress had not vessels at their command to cruise against the enemy he was not ordered into the naval service again but after volunteer- ed at the time of Burgoyne's capture from which circum- stance doubtless he was considered a private land man and was pensioned as such in lieu of being pensioned as a Seaman enlisted for three years or during the war which would have entitled him to an amount of equal to full pay and that too as a Sea- man. In his affidavit taken before Judge Joel McLachlan of Niagara Co N.Y. he testified to the facts above set forth

Payments to be made at New York by Pres t . Mechanic's Bank Agent for paying Pension= ers, in the Agency of
New York
Recorded in the Pension Of= fice, in Book E Vol. 4
Page 114 by
Jam s W. Page Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Edmund Pratt of the State of New York who was a Private & Seaman in the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Thirty two dollars and Eighty eight cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14 th day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.
John B. M c Leod Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Know all men by these presents, that we Herman Pratt of Somerset Hillsdale County State of Michigan & Orilla Havens of Manich Essex County New York. The only surviving children of Edmund Pratt deceased who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint David Boston Esquire our true & lawful Attorney for us in our names, places & stead to receive from any Agent for paying pensions, in the United States, or from the 3 rd Auditor or any other person authorized to pay the same to us if we were present the balance of the pension, accruing to said Orilla Pratt as wife & widow of said Edmund Pratt, from the 4 th day of March 1848 to the 13 th day of September 1849, being the day of his said wife's death. Witness our hands & seals this 27 th day of July 1853
M. H. Storrs P. E. Havens } Witnesses
Herman Pratt Orilla Havens
State of New York Essex County 3 rd
on this twenty seventh day of July 1853 before me the subscriber personally came Herman Pratt and Orilla Havens
STATE OF NEW YORK,
ESSEX COUNTY, SS.
I, E. A. ADAMS, Clerk of said County, Do Certify that Michael H. Storrs Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Power of Attorney was, on the day of the date of the said Certificate, of proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, dwelling therein, duly qualified and authorized by law to take the Proof and Acknowledgment of Deeds, &c. and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Michael H. Storrs and verily believe the signature to said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine, and that the said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of the State of New York.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County, this twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
E. A. Adams Clerk.

I know all men by these presents that we Herman Pratt of Sarnia & Hillsdale county & State of Michigan & Orilla Havens of Mariel Essex County New- York the only surviving children of Edmund Pratt deceased who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint David Boston Esquire our true & lawful Attorney for us in our names places & stead to receive from any Agent for paying pen- sions in the United States, or from the 3 d Auditor or any other person authorized to pay the same to us if we were present the balance of the pension, accruing to said Orilla Pratt as wife & widow of said Edmund Pratt, from the 4 th day of March 1848 to the 13 th day of September 1849, being the day of his and wife's death. Witness our hands & seals this 27 th day of July 1853
M. H. Storer P. E. Havens } Witnesses
Herman Pratt Orilla Havens.
State of New York Essex County 3 d
on this twenty seventh day of July 1853 before me the subscriber personally came Herman Pratt and Orilla Havens and each severally acknowledged that they had executed the foregoing power of attorney Witness my hand this twenty seventh day of July 1853 -
Michael H Storer Justice Peace

(To Michigan.)

County of Seneca } Territory of Michigan }
On this Sixth day of November
1834, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Seneca personally appeared Edmund Pratt a Revolutionary Pensioner who on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Scofield, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Worthington in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the Pension roll of the State of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the Territory of Michigan where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable in future. The following are his reasons for removing from the State of New York to Michigan Territory (viz) his children on whom he depends for support and protection reside in Michigan & he wishes to be with his children.
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day & year aforesaid.
Edmund Pratt
Isaac Powers Justice of the Peace
Michigan Territory } County of Seneca }
on the Sixth day of
November 1834 before me the subscriber a Justice of
the Peace for said county personally appeared Heman Pratt who on his oath declares, that Edmund Pratt is the identical person named in an original Certificate of Pension in his possession from the War Department, and is the same person who has sworn to, and subscribed the above Affidavit.
Heman Pratt
Sworn to, and subscribed before me the day and year last aforesaid.
Isaac Powers Justice of the Peace

County of Seneca Co. I do hereby certify that Herman Pratt the witness aforesaid is a person of truth and veracity.
Isaac Powers Justice of the Peace.
I William C. Barker Clerk of the Court of Seneca county, certify that Isaac Powers is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name, this seventh day of November in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty four.
William C. Barker Clerk