Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10,903, for James Platt, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Platt, James Olive
N 10,903
CONTENTS

15.6327
Massachusetts
James Platt
of Berkshire in the State of Massa who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Smith of the Reg t commanded by Col Cook in the Connecheat line for 13 1/2 months
Cl. State M ts
Inscribed on the Roll of Massa at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of July 1833 and sent to N. W. Bishop Lenox  Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept  25.00
$125.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. M. Mayhew Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 65

23070.
James Platt's application - for a Pension
Dec r 1832.

I Phineas Taylor of Danbury Fairfield County & State of Connecticut aged 72 years being duly sworn doth depose & say that I am well acquainted with James Platt of the Town of Pittsfield County of Berkshire & State of Massa- chusetts, who hath applied for a Pension that during the Revolutionary war said Platt resided at Danbury Fairfield County & State of Connecticut, that in the year 1776 in the month of July the Connecticut Militia was called to the City of New York for the Defence of said City, said Platt belonged to the Mili- -tia of Connecticut, in the Company of Capt Daniel Hickok, in the Regiment commanded by Col Joseph P Cook, & proceeded with said Company to said City of New York, when the said Company remained the term of three months, I belonged to the same Company with said Platt, & proceeded with said Company to New York, when I remained six weeks when I was taken sick & returned home I left said Platt in said Company at New York and believe he served the whole of said term of three months I further testify & say that said Platt was drafted for the term of four months in the Company commanded by Capt Joseph Smith

in the Regiment Colonel Canfield, which company was stationed at Horsneck on the lines, for the purpose of guarding said lines I was in the same company with said Platt & know that he served the whole of said term, the year in which this term of service was performed, I do not recollect, but believe it was in latter part of the summer of 1779 -
I further testify & say that at the time the town of Danbury in this State was burned, said Platt was drafted for the term of six weeks in the company of Capt Ephraim Barnum in the Regt which was detached from the Regiment of Colonel Ruspel to guard the continental stores which were deposited in said Danbury. said Platt served the whole of said term I was in the same company with him & served the same term
I further testify and say that at the time the towns of Fairfield & Norwalk were burned by the British, said Platt was in the service of the United States the term of six weeks, in the company commanded by Capt Daniel Hickok in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nehemiah Beardsley, the company proceeded with said Regiment, to person

the enemy from Fairfield to Norwalk when there was an action fought with them, when the enemy retreated aboard of their boats, & proceeded to Stamford, to which place said Regiment proceeded, and were then dismissed. I was in the drafted troops & said Platt was in the militia, but we were all together & am well knowing that said Platt served said term as above stated. William Taylor
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County ss Danbury November 13 th 1832
Personally appeared the above named deponent and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me - I further certify that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth and is a credible witness.
Edward Taylor Justice of Peace

I Eli Taylor of Danbury Fairfield county aged 73 years being first duly sworn doth depose and say, that I am well acquainted with James Platt of Town of Pittsfield county of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts who hath applied for a Pension, that in the 1778 said Platt resided in Danbury Fairfield county & State of Connecticut and in the year in the Spring of said year Platt was drafted from aforesaid the said Platt was drafted from the Connecticut militia for the term of six weeks according to my best recollection in the company commanded by Capt Stebbins, said company was stationed at a place then called Middlesex, now known by the name of Darien in the State of Con- necticut as a guard, said Platt performed duty in said company the whole of said term, all which I well recollect as I was in the same company & performed duty the same term with him - Eli Taylor State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } to Danbury, November 13 th 1832
Then personally appeared before me the above named deponent & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition - I further certify that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth & is a credible witness - Edward Taylor Justice of Peace

I Benjamin Beck of New-Hampshire in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy one years, being duly sworn do testify, depose and say, that I well know James Matt, now of Pittsfield in the County of Berks, since and State of Mass- achusetts, and have known and been acquainted with him more than sixty years. During the Revolutionary war, he resided in Danbury in said County of Fairfield, where I then lived.
That on or about the 8 th of October 1777, the said James Matt joined six hundred in the service of the United States, a Private soldier in Militia of Connecticut, in the Company commanded by Captain Daniel Hickson, in the Regiment com- manded by Colonel Joseph M'Cook. said M'Cook had at that time commanded said Regiment several years; Colonel Nicholas Beardsley succeeded him and might have commanded said Regiment then. General Mundy was at that time, according to my memory, in the Militia of that part of Connecticut in which we resided were ordered out by Major General Putnam then at Peekskill in the State of New York. said Regiment met at Ridgefield in Connecticut said 8 th of October, and there joined David Root and others, where General Putnam took the command. There up the left Bank of the Hudson River as far north as Red Hook in said State of New York, where we encamped three days. A British Expedition was at that time proceeding up said River, with the first object supposed of

expecting a junction with General Burgoyne. While at Redhook the British Fleet having burned Ipswich, proceeded down the River. - The said Regiment, with a large body of Militia under the command of General Wadsworth, marched forth. - I was a private in said Regiment and remained -ed there until the latter part of the month of November 1777 - when the whole were discharged. During this term of service I served as a Private Soldier in the said Company commanded by said Captain Bishop; and well knew the said James Platt while in the said service and am confident he served as a Private soldier in said Captain Bishop's Company from said 5 th of October until said Regiment was discharged at Middlesex aforesaid.
Afterwards, in the month of July 1777 when the British troops destroyed Kingfield and Vienna the said Company com- -manded by Captain Bishop, entered the service of the United States, for the purpose of repelling the attacks of the enemy upon these States. The said James Platt served as a Private soldier in said Company under the command of said Bishop for two weeks. I again served with him in the same Company. The said service was performed at Kingfield, Vienna and Hamford - and from the the Department Heath No. 1. Benjamin Peak

State of Connecticut Fairfield County
On this 16th day of November 1832 before me Stephen Roots a Justice of the Peace for said County of Fairfield personally appeared Benjamin Peck the above named Deposition and acknowledged the foregoing Deposition and being duly sworn - made solemn oath that the same is true - I further testify that the Deposition is personally well known to me, to be a person of a good character for truth and credible testimony. known before & testified by me
Stephen Roots Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } ss. I Thomas B. B. Borne Clerk of the Fairfield County } County Court within and for the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Edward Taylor Esquire before whom the foregoing Depositions of Mineas Taylor & Eli Taylor were sworn, is now & for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for said Fairfield County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths, take Depositions &c. I further certify that the official signatures to the Certificates on said Depositions are genuine & in the proper hand writing of the said Edward Taylor. I further certify that Reuben Booth Esquire whose own proper signature known to me to be genuine is annexed to the Certificate on the foregoing Deposition of Benjamin Peck, is now & was at the date of his Certificate a Justice of the Peace for said County of Fairfield duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions &c. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 19 th day of November A D 1832.
Thomas B. B. Borne Clerk of said County Court

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this fifth day of December A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting,
James Platt — a resident of the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he Barn was, at Danbury in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut on the 7 th day of June 1760, that his name and birth were recorded, at said Danbury and the Records as he thinks believes were burnt in the Month of April 1777 by the British. This Deponent resided in said Danbury through the Revolutionary War and afterwards until the Month of May 1788, when he removed and remained to Hillsdale in the County of Columbia in the State of New York in which said town has since been divided and the part this Deponent lived in called Austerlitz. That on the 9 th day of November A.D. 1832 this Deponent removed to Pittsfield aforesaid, where he now resides. — That in the Month of July A.D. 1776. He entered the service of the United States at said Danbury in the Connecticut State Troops, being detached with the Company Commanded by Captain Daniel Hickok — Lieutenant & Ensign names don't recollect in Colonel Joseph P. Cook's Regiment, Marched from said Danbury in the 8 th July to the City of New York that said Regiment, and 8 th Deponent were stationed at S d New York, & and turtle pond Bay or Frog's Point

until the day before the British took possession of P. City, when he said Deponent being sick was was with other Soldiers removed from the Hospital across Kingsbridge in said State of N. Y. where he remained until he was discharged as were the whole Regiment having
3. Served Three Months
That this Deponent was drafted into the service of the United States in the Connecticut State Troops in the Month of March 1777 for six weeks, in the Company Commanded by Captain Ephraim Barnum does not recollect whether the Col's name was Beardsley, Cook, Russell or Canfield said Deponent served guarding the United States Stores at said Danbury, and was there at the time they were burnt in April 1777 having served 6. weeks at this
6 th time That he this Deponent again entered the service of the United States in the Militia of the rebelious  in the month of October 1777 Connecticut State Troops in the Company Commanded by Captain Daniel Hickok Col. Joseph P. Cook commanded the Regiment at this time, or else Col. Jeremiah Beardsley said Regiment, to P'keepsie in the State of New York, from thence to Fishkill where the Troops were stationed when the British Shipping passed up the North River, Thence Marched up to Red Hook Thence back to Fishkill where the Regiment was discharged in the Month of November 1777 having served six weeks.
That he this Deponent was again drafted into the service of the United States in the Connecticut State Troops as he now recollects

in the Spring of the year 1778. For Six weeks at Danbury in the Company Comman- ded by Captain Ephraim Barmum - - Lieutenant James Seeley. Ensign Nathaniel Ketchum Colonel's name was Joseph P. Cook or Nethemiah Beardsley as he now recollects. That said Deponent. marched to Houseneck in said State where said Company was Stationed to guard the lines, where he served said six weeks when the Company were discharged.
This Deponent again was drafted for Six weeks into the service of the United States in the Connecticut Militia at said Danbury in the Summer or Fall of 1778. in the Company Commanded by Captain Stebbins, in Col. Canfield or Col. Beardsley's Regiment - the names of the Officers. Deponent cannot be certain of but that said Company marched to Houseneck Middlesex, now called Darien and was Stationed there Six weeks and that one Eli Taylor now living at said Danbury was in the same Company and served the same time with said Deponent at Darien as it is now called he well remembers . and that he served the full term of 6 weeks
That the said Deponent again entered the service of the United States in the Connecticut State Troops at said Danbury in the Month of July 1779 for the term of 6 weeks in the Com- pany of Captain Daniel Hickok in Col. Nethemiah Beardsley's Regiment Marched to Fairfield & Norwalk in said State and was there when the British burnt said Town.

and was in two engagements, one at each Town, with the Enemy as They retreated, after setting fire to said Fairfield & Norwalk - Having served six weeks at this time we also, marched to Stamford during this time, the Enemy perceiving us there with a strong force did not land - we were dismissed at Stamford -ord.
That in the latter part of the Summer of 1779, in the year or 1780. This deponent was drafted for the term of four months into the service of the United States, at said Danbury in the Connecticut State Troops in the Company Commanded by Captain Joseph Smith, in Colonel Canfield's Regiment was marched to Housatonic in S d State for the purpose of guarding the lines was stationed there, and was recon- nitizing in that vicinity about four months the precise time this deponent cannot recollect and he believes he was discharged at Housatonic. 4. mo. That
That this deponent again entered the service of the United States in the year 1781. The year, Cornwallis, was taken which fact fixes the time in this deponent's mind, - he enlisted at said Danbury for the term of 3. months into the Company Commanded by Captain Joseph Smith in Colonel Canfield's Regiment, that said Company were mustered at said Danbury, drew tents and rations, and exercised for

about four weeks when said Company were discharged, as it was said in consequence of General Washington's altering his plan of attacking the enemy, said Deponent and Company were enlisted for the special purpose (as reported) of joining the Troops under General Washington and Storming the Enemies Camp in the City of New York. —
This Deponent further states that he was in addition to the foregoing Services frequently called out on alarms once Marched from Danbury to Stony Point - a distance of about forty Miles - under Capt Daniel Hickok as he recollects and Several and various other times, spent days and nights in taking up Tories and guarding them, the precise time & length of time he cannot recollect. —
This Deponent further States that during the Revolutionary War, he always found provided himself with arms clothing and Blankets - and that neither the United States or the State of Connecticut supplied him with anything except Rations, Powder and Ball & Continental Money. —
This Deponent further States that he has no written discharge, that if he ever had any, they are lost, he also further States that he does not know of any other

testimony that he can procure as to his services. Having travelled about 200. Miles to procure testimony as to his services, not knowing any person living, by whom he can prove his services except the Phineas Taylor and Eli Taylor and Benjamin Peck whose depositions are annexed. For proof of his reputation as a Revolutionary soldier he refers to the Rev. M. Woodbridge with whom he was well acquainted when he lived at Austus City in N. York and to M c Amos T. Loonis of Pittsfield -
By reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he has not an accurate knowledge as to the precise times at which he entered the service, but he firmly believes that he served not less than the periods stated in his foregoing application - he in all cases served as a soldier -
  1 st Term 3. months   2 o . 6. weeks   3 o . 6. do   4. 6 do   5. 6. do   6. " 6 do   7. " 4. Months   8. " 4. months, weeks 
Special occasions, & bounties in addition.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
James Platt
S.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. P. Dabate
We a Clergyman, residing in the Amos T. Loomis residing in Pittsfield aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Platt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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.
Amos T. Loomis
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. P. Dabate
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 Timothy Woodbridge who signed the preceding  amended certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Hastings in the County of Columbia and State of New York and that Amos T. Loomis who has also signed the same  foregoing  certificates is a resident in the town of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. P. Dabate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Platt for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this fifth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Henry W. Bishop Reg. Prob.

West Stockbridge Dec r 21 st 1832
I Timothy Woodbridge Clergyman of the town of Stockbridge in the County of Columbia State of New York do affirm and say, that I am well acquainted with James Platt late of Stockbridge, but now a resident in Pittsfield Mass. the sd James Platt being an officer in the church of which I am pastor.
I believe that he is nearly two years old, and he is reported among his neighbors to have performed military service in the war of the revolution and I have no doubt of the fact. The sd James Platt's character for truth and veracity is unquestioned and unquestionable, and not a shadow of doubt can rest upon the truth of the statements contained in his declarations and I readily believe them assenting.
Timothy Woodbridge
Berkshire ss December 21 st 1832
The above named Timothy Woodbridge made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Melancton Lewis justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire ss. I Henry W. Bishop. Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Melancton Lewis Esquire before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly & regularly appointed, & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the signature annexed to said deposition is genuine. Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this thirty first day of January A.D. 1833. Henry W. Bishop. Reg t Prob.

107. New York.
Olive Platt, widow of James Platt, who was a private, in the Conn Connecticut line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1844 17th: May, 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Oct: '45. and sent to J. G. Ford, Canaan, N. Yk
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book L.
Vol. 1 — Page 175.

11641
Received
February 3, 1895.
Mr.

State of New York
County of Columbia E. p.
On this 27 day of January 1845 personally appeared before Abraham P. Holdridge first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid, Olive Platt, a resident of the town of Aristville County and State aforesaid aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:"
That she is the widow of James Platt who was a private in the army and militia of the United States, and was a pensioner under the act of 1832 and drew an annuity of fifty dollars from the agency at Boston Massachusetts; that her husband the said James Platt whilst residing at the town of Pittsfield Berkshire County and State of Massachusetts in the year 1833 applied for and obtained a pension certificate and continued to draw the aforesaid annuity at the State of Massachusetts till a short time before his decease that she is not able to state the regiment or corps in which he served but she would refer to the proof and declaration on which the aforesaid "Pension Certificate" was granted
She further declares that she was married to the said James Platt on the seventeenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty five that her husband, the aforesaid James Platt died on the nineteenth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and forty four

That she was not married to him prior to his having the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Nineteen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated
Sworn and me a Judge plus others
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. COUNTY OF COLUMBIA. }
I, John I. Traver , CLERK of the County of Columbia, and CLERK of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Abraham P. Holden Esq., whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument or Affidavit , and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace  first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas , in and for the County aforesaid, duly sworn and authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Judge, and verily believe that the signature to the said proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the County and Court aforesaid, this 29 day of January 1815 interlineatum by me J. Traver Clerk.
I certify that the declaration is not able to attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmities and further that I have been acquainted with the late James Platt for many years before his decease, that he was a pensioner of Oliver Platt who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration is now the widow of the identical James Platt who drew a pension under the act of 7 Jan 1832
S. D. HARRIDGE first Judge of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Columbia

that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Eighteen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before Oliver Platt Mr. Horatio D. Harrington first Judge of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Columbia
I, Oliver Platt
declaration is not able to attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmities and further that I have been acquainted with the late James Platt for many years before his decease, that he was a pensioner that Oliver Platt who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration is now the widow of the identical James Platt who drew a pension under the act of 7 June 1832
H. D. Harrington first Judge of the court of common-pleas in and for the county of Columbia

that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz at the time above stated Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before Oliver Platt
Me
Judge
plus
Other
And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Judge, and verily believe that the signature to the said proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony whereof
I certify that Oliver Platt who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration is not able to attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmities and further that I have been acquainted with the late James Platt for many years before his decease, that he was a pensioner that Oliver Platt who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration is now the widow of the identical James Platt who drew a pension under the act of 7 Jan 1832
S. P. Hildreth first Judge of the court of common pleas in and for the county of Columbia

State of New York Columbia County p.
On this 27 day of January 1845 before me personally appeared Ira Platt a resident of the town of Austerlitz and County of Columbia aged 55 years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say that he is the son of James and Olive Platt. that his father the said James Platt died in the town of Austerlitz aforesaid on the seventeenth day of May 1844 and left Olive a widow him surviving that Olive this deponent's mother now resides at his house in Austerlitz aforesaid and has not married since the decease of her husband the aforesaid James Platt; and further James Platt this deponent's father was a Pensioner under the act of 7 June 1832 and drew an annuity of 50 dollars at the agency for Massachusetts up to 4 Sept. 1843 that his father the said James Platt whilst residing in Pillsfield in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1833 obtained a Pension Certificate and drew up to the time aforesaid the residue of pension to the decease of the said James Platt has not yet been received as no application has been made and further this deponent has lately been to Danbury in the State of Connecticut the place where the marriage of the aforesaid James and Olive was celebrated to obtain a record of their marriage but found none: the only testimony of such marriage is the deposition of Elizabeth Taylor whose testimony is hereto annexed sworn and subscribed the day and year first above written before me
Ira Platt
L. D. He  to  the  first  trust  trust County Court
I certify that Ira Platt who is well known to me, is a man of truth and veracity L. D. He  to  the  first  trust  trust 1 vol. 64. 4. 1845.

Elizabeth Taylors Deposition

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss.
On this 15 th day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-five personally appeared before me Elizabeth Taylor a resident of the town of Danbury County and State aforesaid aged seventy three years who after being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that she is a sister of Widow Olive Platt now residing in the town of Pustitz County of Columbia and State of New York. That at the Town of Danbury in the aforesaid State of Connecticut in the presence of this deponent and as she verily believes on the 17 th day of April one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five her sister Olive and James Platt both of said town of Danbury were married the marriage ceremony was celebrated by Joseph Rock Minister of the Congregational Church of the aforesaid town of Danbury and further her sister Aforesaid and James Platt live together as husband and wife until the decease of the said James Platt at Pustitz in the month of May last past and deponent further saith not
Elizabeth Taylor
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before me
Hon. Judge Justice of the Peace for Fairfield County
I certify that Elizabeth Taylor who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing deposition is well known to me and further that she is a person of truth and veracity and her testimony is entitled to full credit
Hon. Judge Justice of the Peace dated at Danbury 15 th January 1845

I Frederick S Blackman Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury within and for the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Frederick Seely Esq who has signed the within certificate is a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature to the above certificate purporting to be his is in the proper hand writing of the said Frederick Seely, and that as such Justice he is duly authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions by the laws of this State
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my said office at Danbury this 15 th day of January 1845-
Frederick S Blackman Clerk
I Edward Taylor of Danbury Fairfield County and State of Connecticut Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury within and for said County and State do hereby certify to all whom it may concern that Frederick S Blackman who has subscribed the foregoing certificate is Clerk of the Court of Probate for the said District of Danbury, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such clerk, and that the signature to said certificate purporting to be his is in the proper hand writing of the said Frederick S Blackman, and that the seal impressed upon said certificate is the seal of said Court of Probate. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Danbury this 15 th day of January 1845-
Edward Taylor Judge

230 70
James Platt Man
Emma 15 months Adm'd
Mr Bishop Berkshire man

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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. Those 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 James Platt Berkshire Co. Mass
   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.     Entd 1776 — 3 — privt Capt Buckok Capt Cook — New York 72 years —   Apr 1777 " 1 12 — Barnum Cook — Hamburg Hamburg Traditionalary Evidence   " " 1 12 — Buckok Cook — Red Bank Connecticut Living   1778 " 1 12 — Barnum Cook — New York — { Witness   " " 1 12 — Stebbins Canfield 2 Battles White Neck —   1779 " 1 12 — Buckok Bear & Key — Middlesex —   1780 " 4 — — Smith Canfield Fairfield Fairfield —   1781 " 3 — — Same Same Norwich Norwich Norwich —   1 3 00   Yr M Dy  
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 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 he 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 fulfil 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 _____; 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.

No 11641
Olive Platt
mother of James
NY
act 7 July 1838
Married before 1794 husb. died 17 May 1844
Rejected -

No 11641
Oliver Hall
Mother of Samuel, NY
act 7 July 1838
Rejected first and 17 May 1844
Adm act 17 June 1844
18 mo fin.
$ 30 00 /p er ann
fin 17 May 1844
J. G. Ford
Canaan
NY NY

S. L. Platt, Ithaca, N.Y.
Nov. 27/93 Recd. Hist. Soc. 417 Clinton St. Brook.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 10903
Oliver Platt
Widow of James Platt  since Pr. Conn. St.
Act: June 11th 44
Index:—Vol. 32 , Page 133
[Arrangement of 1870.]

417 Clinton St Brooklyn Nov 2 93 Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir.
Will you kindly inform me for what service a pension was granted Oliver Platt widow of James Platt who died May 17-1844. commencing at above date and terminating March 11-1848.
Recorded in Book D Vol 1 P 1175.
Yours truly Samuel L. Platt.

W Edwards Esq Cam. of Prison
Canaan Jany. 27, 18115
Sir
Enclosed send you the declaration of the State of Vermont for a pension you will please direct the papers to
J. G. Ford. Canaan Cal. County N.Y.

Ms 11641
Olive Platt
Ms. J. F. Ford. April 19 th 1835
act 7 July 1838

Sir
Canaan Oct. 8. 1845
Enclosed I send you additional testimony to prove the services of James Plate late of the town of Hunkerly county of Columbia and State of New York, deceased, also further testimony to prove the marriage of the aforesaid James Plate with Olive Plate who now remains the widow of the said James: the said Olive having applied for a pension in March last under the act of 1838
A. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions,
Yours &c. Jos. G. Ford Canaan Col. County N.Y.
The County Clerk will please put the necessary certificate in regard to the official signature of David Osborn enclose the papers in this seal and put it in the P. Office Jos. G. Ford

Comptroller Office Connecticut Hartford 10 June 1845.
On application for evidence of the service of James Platt in the War of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this Office relating to that War, and find in the accounts of the late "Pay Table Office", this entry, —
"Cap. Joseph Hickox ( . . . . . Ref. ) — Dr. 1776 Octo. 4 — To order on Treas. in Acct. his C o to New York P t . Eln a Camp £40.0. From a subsequent entry this money appears to have been advanced for recruiting his Company. It also appears that a part of Col o . Thaddeus Cook's Reg t . served in the New Haven Alarm in 1777.
This entry also appears in the same Accounts, — "War Dr. To order on Treas. P t Cap. Daniel Hickcox, Fairfield Alarm, £683.5.8" under date of Aug. 31. 1779. And on the same day "United States . . . . . Dr. To order on Treas. P t Cap. Daniel Hickcox, Pay Roll his Company New York State '77. £332.7.8"
In "Marketts Receipts", under head of "Expense of the Post at Greenwich", Dec. 27. 1780, Cap. Amos Smith is Credited £497.12.3 2 March 1 st 1781 £137.17.4 & on 25 January 1782 £346.1.9
Col o Joseph Platt Cook, appears from the account kept with him, to have been in service from 1776 to 1780 or '81
No Pay Rolls have been found of any of the Companies mentioned in the declaration.
E. Carrington Comptroller

State of New York R. Columbia County E.P.
On this 29th day of September 1845, before me, personally appeared Nicholas Rowland, a resident of the society of Green River, town of Hunkerly, County of Columbia and State of New York, aged seventy (75) five years the 13th day of December last passed, who after being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Mrs. Olive Platt who is now a resident of the same neighborhood and society with this deponent, that he was also well acquainted with her husband the late James Platt Esquire of the same place deceased, that this deponent was born on the 13th December 1769 and as he well recollects and remembers went to reside and live in the family of the aforesaid James & Olive in the year 1789: this he remembers by the fact that at the age of nineteen years this deponent was freed from service with his this deponent's father or his father gave him his time" and the first man that this deponent wrought for or served after leaving his father's house was the aforesaid James Platt who then resided not to exceed a half mile from his father's house this deponent continued some time in said family and served and worked at farming during the time the aforesaid James & Olive were reputed to be husband and wife they lived together as such and continued so to live till the death of the aforesaid James a few years since, and further at the time this deponent went to reside in said family the said James & Olive had one or two children, and subsequently reared a pretty numerous family in the same neighborhood where the said Widow Olive Platt now resides, and further this deponent said sworn and subscribed the day and year first above written, before me.
CV' Nicholas Rowland
David Osborn Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with Nicholas Rowland, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit, that he is a man of truth and veracity, and that the facts set forth in the foregoing, I have no doubt, are substantially correct -
David Osborn Justice of the Peace

State of New York Columbia County ss.
On this 29th day of September 1845, before me, personally appeared David Chamberlain a resident of the Society of Green River, town of Austerlitz, County of Columbia and State of New York aged sixty (69) nine years, who after being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that he was born in the Society of Green River in the town of Austerlitz, County of Columbia and State of New York, that in early life this deponent became acquainted with James Platt and Olive his wife who then resided in the same Society and town with this deponent, the first distinct recollection this deponent has of the time in which the said family of James Platt & Olive his wife resided in the Society of Green River was in the year 1792, this he remembers more distinctly from the circumstance that in that year Mr. John Moser was ordained Pastor of the Congregational church and Society of Green River and he recollects well that the aforesaid family were there at that time, the said James & Olive were then reputed to be husband and wife and lived together as such till the death of the said James Platt a few years since, and further the aforesaid James Platt was for many years a judge of Columbia County Courts and his widow Olive aforesaid who has not intermarried since the decease of the said James her husband is at present a member of the aforesaid Church at Green River and further saith not Sworn and Subscribed the day and year first above written before me David Chamberlain David Osborn Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Deacon David Chamberlain who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit, that he is esteemed a man of truth and veracity and his testimony entitled to full belief. David Osborn Justice of the Peace

November Seventh
one thousand seven hundred Ninety two
This day Mr. John Morse was set apart by prayer and the imposition of hands to the work of the ministry and took the charge of the Chh.
I John M c . Davis of the Society of Green River in the town of Austuritz County of Columbia and State of New York, do certify and say that I am minister of the Congregational Church & Society at Green River and have the custody of the records of said Church kept for many years, in which is contained a record of the ordinations of the ministers of said church.
State of New York Columbia County
ss I John J. Fraser Clerk of the County of Columbia do hereby certify that David Osborne was duly elected & sworn as a justice of the Peace in & for said County - And that his term of Office commenced on the first day of January 1844 & will expire on the 31 st day of Decem- ber 1847 - And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and rightly believe that the signature to the annexed affidavits is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court aforesaid this 8 th day of October 1845
J. J. Fraser Clerk
David Osborne Justice of the Peace

November Seventh
one thousand seven
hundred & ninety two
This day Mr. John Morse was set apart by prayer and the imposition of hands to the work of the ministry and took the charge of the Chh.
I John M. Davis of the Society of Green River in the town of Austerlitz County of Columbia and State of New York, do certify and say that I am minister of the Congregational Church & Society at Green River and have the custody of the records of said Church kept for many years, in which is contained a record of the ordinations of the ministers of said church and society. that the foregoing is a true copy of said record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows.
Nov. 7. 1792 This day Mr. John Morse was set apart by prayer and the imposition of hands to the work of the ministry and took the charge of the Chh.
Sworn and subscribed this 29th day
of September 1845 before me
John M. Davis
David Osborn justice of the Peace

J. N. P. O. W. and N. Division.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Nov r _____, 1893.
Sir,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of James Platt, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1776 3 mos Pri Daniel Hickox Joseph P. Cook Conn ce   1777 2 tours 3 months } " Ephraim Barnum do "   1778 2 tours 3 months } " do & Stebbins Beardsley & Canfield "   1779 & 80 2 tours 5 1/2 months } " Joseph Smith Canfield "   1781 1 mos " do do "  
Battles engaged in, burning of Fairfield & Norwalk July 1779 - Residence of soldier at enlistment, Danbury, Fairfield County Conn ce Date of application for pension, December 1832 Residence at date of application, Pittsfield, Berkshire Co. Mass s Age at date of application, born Jan'y 7. 1760 at Danbury Conn ce & died May 17. 1844 Remarks. Married April 17, 1785 to Olive. . . . . Removed 1788, Hillsdale, that part now Rusterlitz, Columbia Co. N.Y. & then in 1832 to Pittsfield, Mass. He is alluded to as Judge of the Co. Court - N.Y.
Very respectfully,
Mr Samuel L. Platt 417 Clinton St Brooklyn N.Y.
Commissioner.