Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,539, for John Priest, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Conn.)
Priest, John
N. 16,539
Cook, Lucy
B.L.Wt 2227-100
(Former Widow)
CONTENTS
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John Priest N o 2227.

Department of War Pension Land Office May 24 th 1835.
Sir
The papers left by you at this Office on the 22 nd inst. relative to the claim for bounty land in right of John Priest, dec d . being found satisfactory in all respects, except as it regards the proof of heirship, I have the honor herewith to send you the form necessary to be complied with in relation to that proof, which, when executed, duly authenticated and returned to this Office, a land Warrant will issue in their favour, and the same will be delivered to you
Very Respectfully Your O bedt . Servt W. Gordon
Hon ble Henry Vail No. of Repts.

Dead. Let to Eb. Madison Sept 23. 1840.
2158 Albany New York Lucy Cook formerly widow of John Priest decd.
who died in the year 1786 of P'keepsie in the State of N.Y. who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain  of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sheldon in the St. Const. line for 2 years Sgt of Cavalry Conn.
Fixed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 180 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of July 1838 and sent Hon. W. Vail Rec. of Reps.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $1260.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 90.00
$1350.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by H. H. Madison Clerk. Book A. Vol. 2. Page 105

Declaration of Lucy Lucy Cook and of M rs Priest do NY March 1781 died —
Allen $150 per ann as Sergeant of Cavalry (Sheldon's Dragoons) The fence lot certificates containing upon which Being laid on pants to Hannah Sumner the only child
Ho Henry Vail HR

State of New York Rensselaer County ss.
On this thirtieth day of April 1838 personally appeared before Nichibald Bull one of the Judges of the Rensselaer County Courts
Lucy Cook a resident of Nassau in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York aforesaid aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the follow- ing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pro- vision made by the act of Congress passed July 14th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3rd 1837 That she was married to John Priest who was a Sergeant in a company of Lighthouse in a regiment com- manded by Colonel Sheldon. The names of the Compa- ny officers if she ever knew cannot now recollect never having had any acquaintance with them and her first acquaintance with said John Priest was as follows In the fall of the year 1780 said John Priest with seven others of the Company to which he belonged was billeted at her father Benjamin Tuckery's with whom she resided at Ridgebury in Connecticut and they remained there about two months after that they went away to winter quarters and in February 1781 he returned and on the 17th day she was married to him and that he contin- ued in the service till in the summer of 1783 and as she believes was discharged in June of that year he continuing in the service all of the intervening time as she understood and verily believes as he frequently visited her as she was informed on full ought always in the habit of a soldier that he served with said Regiment at Horse Neck White Plains Norwalk & various other places as she was told and believes. She does not know the time of his entering the service nor the place where he resi- ded but understood that his parents resided at or near Boston and that he had been some time in service when she first knew him and she further

declares that after he was discharged from the service he came and lived with her at her father's at Ridgelyburg aforesaid about eighteen months and went away saying that he would go to his father's and make arrangements for a place to live and after being gone about a year his brother Eliezer Priest visited me and informed me that said John Priest was dead but do not remember the precise time and have no record thereof he gave me some assistance in providing for two children which I had while living with him and she has never heard his death in any way disputed but reports have frequently been and that said Eliezer Priest is also dead her children were Hannah who was born 6th of October 1781 now Hannah Cummings and Benjamin who was born 27th September 1783 who died 15 June 1795 That this declarant was afterwards married to one Joseph Cook who died March 12 1811 and that she was a widow on the fourth day of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed and she further says that she has no documentary evidence in support of the claim
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid by making her marks for the same that she never learned to write.
his Lucy X Cook mark
Archibald Dull Judge of Rutherford County Courts.
I do hereby certify that it appeared to me satisfactory that said Lucy Cook from bodily infirmity could not attend the session of a Court of Record in said County hence this declaration was taken and acknowledged at her residence.
Archibald Dull Judge of Rutherford County Courts.

State of New York Rensselaer County
On this 25th day of April 1873 before me Elizabeth Wadsworth a commission of clerk in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Hannah Cummings aged fifty six years whose being acknowledged to have duly sworn, also she further say that she is daughter of John and Lucy Birt that she was born at Bridgetown in Connecticut on the 6th of October 1817 as she has always been informed and rightly believes and that the understanding tradition of the family and friends has been that her father was a sergeant in the Regiment of Colonel Sheldon Light horse and that he served in it till the close of the war and that she recollects her father and will remember that he went away saying that he would go to my Grand fathers and when he came back would bring me a new dress and a pair of shoes that he did not re- turn but that her brother Ebenezer came and told that he was dead and wanted her to go and live with him but she did not go and she further says she has heard the declaration of her mother the said Lucy Birt now Lucy Cook read and the relations there- in made correspond in all respects with what she has understood and rightly believes to be true. That she remained with her mother and Grandfather Benjamin Bickley family to the Town of Rensselaer where she was mar- ried to Ebenezer Cummings and is now a widow and has resided in said Town ever since and still does That her mother was married to one Joseph Cook who is also dead and that she was a widow on the fourth day of July 1876 and has been a widow ever since that time and still is
In presence of Peter Cooter
for Hannah Cummings mark
Subscribed and sworn to the day above written before me and I certify the said Hannah Cummings is a credible person
Elizabeth Wadsworth Commission Clerk

State of New York
Rensselaer County } On this 26th day of April 1838 before me Ebenezer D. Darrow a Commissioner of deeds in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Rachel Temple aged sixty six years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath say that she was daugh- ter of Benjamin Peckham and Sister of Lucy Cook who has made the annexed declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed July 26th 1836 and March 3 1837 That they resided at Housatonic in Connecticut from her earliest recollections till a number of years after the Revolutionary war that during said war but at what per- -cise time cannot distinctly recollect said Lucy was married to one John Priest at her fathers house was present and saw them married that he at that time was dressed as a soldier and that he was said to be a Sergeant in Colonel Philsons Regimen- -t of Light horse that he came thru frequently afterwards when she encountered that continued in service that while he was thus in service the said Lucy had a daughter which was named Hannah that after he left the service she had a son called Benjamin that Benjamin died when about 12 years old but that Hannah is still living and is a widow whose husbands name was Cummings that about the year 1790 her father and family said Lucy & her children with them removed to Hapsan in the County of Rensselaer aforesaid and some years before that after the close of the war said John Priest went away from her fathers and was some time afterwards reported to be dead and the said Lucy his wife was thereafter considered as a widow till after the re- -moval to Hapsan after which she was married to one Joseph Cook with whom she lived a number of years and had several children but was a widow on the 26th of July 1836 and has not again been married all the above facts are very distinct in her recollection but the precise times at which they transpired she cannot say but she has heard the dec- -laration of said Lucy above referred to read and from her soundness of intellect and from her well known integrity she verily believes that the facts stated in said declaration

Subscribed and sworn to the day Rachel † (complied and you have written and I certify that said Rachel Montgomery is a credible person.
Ever yours sincerely G. B. W. a. a. a. a. a.
State of New York Rensselaer County ss. Commission of Oaths I Henry A. Bristol Clerk of said County Do hereby Certify that Archibald Bull by & before whom the foregoing Declaration of Pension purports to have been taken Subscribed and Sworn & by whom a Certificate above purports to have been Signed was on the day of the date of said Declaration a Judge of the County Court of said County. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge And verily be- lieve his Signature, above Subscribed to said Certificate, to be his proper hand writing and Signature. And I further Certify that Ebenezer Thurber the person by and before whom the foregoing Affidavit purports to have been taken and Sworn was on the day of the date thereof a Commis- sioner of Deeds, in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe his Sig- nature, Subscribed to the above Certificate, to be his proper hand writing and Signature.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 4 th day of May A.D. 1838. Henry R. Bristol Clerk

State of New York Rensselaer County. }
Surrogates
Office June 23 rd 1838.
I certify that satisfactory evidence was adduced to me, to prove that Hannah Cummings of the town of Nispaw in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York is — — — — — and the only — — — — — heir at law in fee to John Priest deceased — — — — — who was a Sergeant — — — — — in the — — — — — Regiment of Dragoons commanded by Colonel Sheldon in the Continental line —
Given under my hand and Seal of Office, this twenty third day of June — 1838.
Job Purson Surrogate of Rensselaer County N.Y.
The above form will answer for the following States, viz:
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont. } Judge of Probate.
New York, New Jersey. } Surrogate.
South Carolina, Georgia. } Ordinary.

Suey Cook wid of Mr. Priest du. NY Lt Hon H. Vail July 6 1898

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 165-39
Lacy Cook Former widow of John Priest Sergt Newnan
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. A , Page 149
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York } ss: On this 30th day of April 1838 before me Rensselaer county } ss: Ebenezer Wadsworth a Commissioner of deeds in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Lucy Cook aged Seventy four years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath say that she was married to one John Priest on the 17th day of February 1781 who at that time was a Sergeant of Dragoons in Colonel Sheldon's Regiment in the Connecticut line her first acquaintance with him being while he with several others of his company were billeted at her father's she does not remember the names of his company officers never having been acquainted with them. That said John Priest served in said Regiment till the close of the Revolution- ary War that he died in the year 1786 according to best of her recollection as she was informed by his brother Eliazar Priest he John Priest being absent on a visit to his father's at or near Boston at the time of his death and that at the time of his death he had two children while living with him the oldest named Hannah now Hannah Cummings was born October 6th 1781 and Benjamin was born 27th of September 1783 and died June 15. 1795 and that said Hannah Cummings is still living and a widow and is the only surviving heir of the said John Priest  Subscribed and sworn to this day above written by making her mark never having been known to write and certify that said Lucy Cook is a credible person  Lucy Cook Mark  Eb. Wadsworth Commissioner of deeds

East Nafsu

State of New York Rensselaer County
On this 15th day of May 1838 before me Ebenezer Wadsworth a Commissioner of deeds in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Hannah Cummings of Rensselaer in the County of Rensselaer a person aged fifty six years who first being duly sworn an- ording to law doth on her oath say that she is dau- ghter of John and Lucy Priest now Lucy Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed affidavit that she had a brother by the name of Benjamin who was born on the 27th of September 1783 and died on the 15th of June 1795 and that this deponent is the only surviving heir of said John Priest and that she is informed and verily believes that her father the said John Priest was a Sergeant in Colonel Sheldon's Regiment of Lighthouse enlisted for during the war and that he served till the close thereof and was entitled to bounty lands from the United States which he has never had that her father the said John Priest died about the year 1786 as she was informed by her Uncle Elazar Priest brother of said John Priest and has never heard his death contradicted and she verily believes that she is entitled to such bounty lands as was due to her father before his death and that he was never a pensioner of the United States
Subscribed and sworn to the day and Hannah + Cummings year above written by making her mark mark never having learned to write.
Before me E. Wadsworth Commissioner of Deeds
Know all men by these presents that I Hannah Cum- mings of Rensselaer described in the above affidavit do hereby constitute and appoint Henry Vail Esq. Member of Congress my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to apply to the Government of the United States at the War Department Bounty Land Office for such bounty land as is due to her in consequence of the services of her deceased father John Priest as mentioned in the above affi

avit and hereby authorize him the said Henry Vail to do and perform all such acts and things as would be proper and necessary were I personally to apply for the same fully ratifying and confirming all that my said attor- ney may lawfully do in the premises with power of substitu- tion. Witness my hand and seal this 15th day of May 1838 Sealed & delivered in presence of Milo Simmons  Hannah + Cummings mark
State of New York Rensselaer County ss On this 15th day of May 1838 before me Eben- ezer Wadsworth a Commissioner of deeds in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Hannah Cummings known to me to be the person described in and who executed the above power of Attorney and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed  Eb Wadsworth Commissioner of deeds
State of New York Rensselaer County ss: I Henry R Brinsob Clerk of the said County do certify that Ebenezer Wadsworth before whom the within affidavits of Lucy Cook & Hannah Cummings appear to have been sworn & before whom the within power of Attorney purports to have been acknowledged was at the time of taking said affidavits and acknowledgment a Commissioner of deeds in & for the said County of Rensselaer duly authorized to take the same - that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner & that his signature within written to each of said Instruments is genuine Given under my hand & the seal of the said County this 18th day of May A.D. 1838  Henry R Brinsob Clerk
22, 1838 P. May

Sept 22 1820
Lucy Cook N York
2188-36
2188 Lucy Cook Oct 1836 N York
Washington City
Library of Congress
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20

East Nassau N.Y. Sept 13. 1840
John C. Calhoun Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir Lucy Cook of this town obtained a pension for the service of her first husband "John Priest" who served in Sheldon's Light Horse . Priest died soon after the Revolution, by whom she had three children one of which died quite young another at 12 years and the third is still living. Some time after the death of Priest she married to one Joseph Cook whose widow she was when she obtained her pension and by whom she had several children at length she died and there is a question of pension due to some body from the last of her dowering till her death now with that belong to child of Priest alone as being the only heir of the soldier on account of when service the pension was granted or to all of her children had by Cook as well the one by Priest Your answer to the above is respectfully solicited
Very respectfully Your obedient servant
J. Macdonald