Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11278, for Seth Ranney, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born New York
Raney, Seth
S 11278
CONTENTS
carded

No. 982 New York
Seth Ranney
Laurels in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain — " — of the Reg t commanded by Col. Berry in the Cont t * line for 9 Months — " —
* Conn. and N. Y. Pensions Records completed
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Oct. 1832 and unto R. H. Gillett Ogdensburgh
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 33 $ 75 Semest. allowance ending 4 M ch 34 15 $ 90
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Col. Miles Clerk,
Recorded by Book E.
Vol. 4. Page 118
see letter to Hon. L. Williams, 6 Jan 1836 do. to Hon R. H. Gillett June 29. 1836

No. 21.3/2
Seth Wanney St Lawrence Co. N.Y.
Admitted
R. H. Gillet Agt. Ogdensburgh P.O. St Lawrence Co. N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
May 28 183
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, shewing the Service of Seth Ranney St. Lawrence County New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Aug 1779 6 Private Colonel Berry Lieut. Sage 73 years Middleton Connecticut Traditionary   Not stated about 3 ditt Colonel Whitney  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 days 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 [i] 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.
Daniel D. Davis on Cyan Elect

Seth Ranney
21342
Admitted
Private 9 months

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. State of New York St Lawrence County ss.
On this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred & thirty two person- ally appeared before John Sime Brien First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of St Lawrence, Seth Warner a resident in the town of Oswegatchie in the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York, aged seventy three years last February, who being of first duty sworn according to law deposes & saith that on this day he makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated. That he was born at Middletown in the State of Connecticut on the twenty- eighth day of February 1759 & he continued to reside there with his parents until he was twenty one years of age, except when he was called away during the Revolutionary war & that he was employed during that period, except when absent for a short time, in working on his father's farm. That during the Revolutionary war, & he believes about the year 1777, he was drafted into the service of one of the Connecticut troops at the time of mustering was in the summer season. At the time of mustering, which was at Middletown aforesaid, one Brooks was Captain, & one Berry was Col of the Regiment & one Sage was General. Sage resided at Middletown aforesaid. When detached with his regiment they none since with the amount cannot be found. After returning to New Lebanon he went remained about four years, during which

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. Note of New York St Lawrence County ss.
On this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred & thirty two person- ally appeared before John Tine Esquire First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of St Lawrence, Seth Ramsey a resident in the town of Osgoodston in the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York, aged seventy three years last February, who being first duly sworn according to law deposes & saith that on his oath he makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated. That he was born at Middletown in the State of Connecticut on the twenty- eighth day of February 1759 & he contintued to reside there with his parents until he was twenty one years of age, except when he was called to duty during the Revolutionary war & that he was employed during that period, except when absent for a period of one stated, in working on his father's farm. That during the Revolutionary war, & he believes about the year 1777, he was drafted into the service of one of the Connecticut troops at the time of mustering was in the summer season. At the time of mustering which was at Middletown aforesaid, one Brooks was Captain, & one Berry was Col of the Regiment & one Sage was General. Said Sage resided at Middletown aforesaid. When detached with his regiment

left Middletown, they went to Fishkill on the Hudson River & staid there sometime, but he cannot state how long! During the time his declarant was stationed at Fishkill, the company with which he was, went to West Point & when he was there at West Point, a chain was put across the Hudson River to prevent the British vessels passing up the River & while he remained there British one night, cut the chain & then passed up the River & soon after burned Eusop's village - As soon as the British passed burned Eusop's declarant & his company returned to Fishkill & remained there a short time, perhaps a month, when he & his company went up the Hudson River, opposite Eusop's. When we were on our way up the British fired at us from their ships but no one was killed by them. The British ships anchored their vessels opposite Eusop's & the Regiment with which declarant was, marching under Col. Berry, pitched their tents on the opposite shore in the woods. It was then talked over in the Amer- ican army that Burgoyne & the for- ces from New York were to form a junction at Albany, if they could possibly effect it. After remaining here a short time, but declarant cannot say how long, the regiment returned to Fishkill & the whole were discharged by the Col. Declarant had a discharge from Col. Berry & from his Captain the said Brooks. Declarant cannot state the time of his discharge, but thinks it was in the winter, as he believes he was at Fishkill at Christmas - This declar- ant returned to Middletown of course

During this period declarant saw the full period of six months & he supposes it whole term in the Connecticut State Troop.
Declarant had now become of the age of twenty-one years after this time this declarant went to the town of New Lebanon in the state of New York to live. At this latter place there was an alarm given of the arrival of Burgoyne at Saratoga & declarant volunteered to go to aid in taking him. At this time one Gilbert was Captain, one Rufford was Lieutenant & one Walker was Ensign, one Whitney of New Lebanon was Colonel. They were no enlist- ment for a particular period of time. The Regiment proceeded up to Saratoga & did assist in the taking of Burgoyne. Declarant well recollects seeing said p.
Burgoyne marched out of his camp with his hat off & his sword under his arm & his soldiers laid down their arms. Declarant believes they marched out with the belts of their muskets near the ground & forward of their bodies & they all glanced their arms at once. Declarant, in the recital, states that Genl. Burgoyne was taken to the American General's tent & treated with the utmost kindness. Declarant was discharged at Saratoga - he received a written discharge which was signed by Capt. Gilbert & Col. Whitney. This term of service lasted about three months three months after which declarant returned to New Lebanon. Both of the discharges of one mentioned came lost with some old papers many years ago with declarant's brother at Rensselaer in the state of New York they have since been destroyed & cannot be found. After returning to New Lebanon declarant remained about four years, during which

period declarant married declarant after the expiration of said term years went to Sharon in the state of Connecticut where he resided about four years when removed with his family to Whitestown in the state of New York where he resided about one year & then removed to Rome formed to called Fort Stanwix & resided there about seven years & then then then went Kingston Upper Canada where he remained about four years & then removed to the town of Oswegatchie in the state of New York where he has resided until the present time. Declarant has no record of his age from which he can state his age & he declares from his own recollection.
Declarant is so afflicted that he cannot attend the County Court or any other Court of record in the County of St Lawrence & even he at present where the Court are held he could not get up the stairs of the Court House if he could get there. Declarant further saith that he has no evidence as his services greater than his own statement, & he knows no person who can testify to any facts of importance with declarant, further saith that he is well acquainted with the Reverend Nathaniel Huse a Clergyman residing in said town of Oswegatchie & the Rev James W. Prout & Dea. D. C. G. Lydon who can attest to his character & that they believe him to be of the age he represents himself to be & that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides & that he has been a soldier of the revolution.
sworn before me
March 1832
John Love Judge
J. H. Murray

We Nathaniel Hesse, a Clergyman residing in the town of Canajoharie & David Hudson one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & of the County of St Lawrence I certify that Hasbrouck promoted that in the State of New York that we are hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Seth Ramey, who has subscribed & sworn to the first annexed declaration & that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; & that he is a person of believe, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Rev.olution & that we concur in that opinion.  Subscribed & sworn before me December 4th 1832  R. H. Gillot Clerk of Court  Nathaniel Hesse. D. Hudson  Louis Hasbrouck
I John Fere First Judge of the Supreme Court of the of New York do hereby declare my opinion after the in- vestigation of the matter and after hearing the Inter- rogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant Seth Ramey was a revolu- tionary soldier and served as he states And I fur- ther certify that I am well acquainted with Rev Nathaniel Hesse and with David C Hudson and Louis Hasbrouck who have signed the preceding certificate That the said Nathaniel Hesse is the clergy- man of the Episcopal Church in the Town of Cana- joharie in said County and the said David C Hudson and Louis Hasbrouck are Residents of the village of Canajoharie in said Town & County That they are all credible persons and their state- ment is entitled to credit And I further certify that the said Seth Ramey cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court Dec 4 1832
John Fere First Judge of Supreme Court

State of New York
Sauk County
I do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Seth Ramsey purporting to have been subscribed and sworn to and whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date of the same given under my hand and seal this 11th day of December 1849 and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Seth Ramsey and sincerely believe that his signature to the said declaration and certificate is genuine.
I further certify that the foregoing affidavit of Mr. Nathaniel Dane (David G. Chase) and his son Nathaniel Dane was made on the day of the date of the same a commission of duty in and for said County duly authorized to take the same and that this signature subscribed to the said affidavits (with which I am well acquainted) is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 11th day of December 1849.
J. Sim Clerk

State of New York
St Lawrence County ss
On the 15th day of June 1883
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of St Lawrence, Seth Ramsey who being duly sworn deposes & saith, that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not up from the periods mentioned below, & in the following grades: For six months as a private at one period & also served three months as a private at another period in the whole nine months for such service I claim a pension. I do not saith that he cannot state any thing more fully than he has done in relation to his services in the army in papers
Abyah Moore

State of New York St. Lawrence County, ss
I, Alvin C. Dow Clerk of the said County, do hereby certify that Abijah Abbott before whom date the foregoing affidavit purports to have been made was at the time of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly elected therefor, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace and truly believe that his signature to the said affidavit is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this 12 th day of July 1833
A. C. Dow

Rehray
11278
INVALID.
File No. 11278
Seth Brannan
Dis Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: —Vol. A Page 309
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jan'y 6 1835
Sir
The amount due to Mrs. Betsy Chambers on account of the pension of her dead father Seth Romney will be paid by the Agent at Albany N.Y. Where the other children will be paid. I would advise you to send the bills to J. V. Cleave Esq. who is Cashier of the Bank where the pensions are paid.
I have no doubt but he will forward to you the amount due.

provided the Surro- gates certificate has been filed there to prove that Mrs Chambers is the daughter of the deed Ramsey
To Hon Levi Williams Hof R

To Select
Voucher returned because same had been altered.

Division.
Examiner.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington.
Hon.

Sir. Washington Jan 4 th . 1835-
I send you the papers of Betsy Chambers claiming in right of her Father a portion of the pension to which he was entitled at the time of his death - I will thank you to give me all the information you can on the subject so that I may know what to communicate to the person entitled -
I am Sir your old Servt
Lewis Williams
James L Edmondson Esqr -