Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44,274, for Othniel Preston, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New York
Preston, Othniel Othniel
S. 44,274
CONTENTS

2952.
No date of death New York Roll
Othniel Preston, H New York line Capt Swartout 1776 to June 1783 Private.
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 15. of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 of Sep. 1818 and forwarded to A. Simons Esq. Post master Glens falls Warren Co. New York
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 $ 37. 33 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819  48. 00
Arrs 4 Mos. 20/30. $ 85. 33
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Forl. Ann. Washington Co.
Notification sent to Russell Clark Esq. Sandy Hill N.Y.
1889 June 12 1920 Dec 9 SW Weaver history Pres.

State of New York Warren County
on the fifteenth day of April in the year 1818. Before me the subscriber, one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas in & for the county & state aforesaid, personally appeared Otheniel Preston aged sixty one years & two months resident in the town of Fort Ann in the county of Washing- ton & state aforesaid, who being by me first duly sworn ac- cording to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the united states in the revolutionary war". That he the said Otheniel Preston enlisted in Newport in the state aforesaid in the company raised by Captain Abraham Sweet out of the New York line, that he continued in the service of the united states until the 8th day of June 1783. when he was discharged from service in the state aforesaid.
That he was in the battle or siege of Fort Stanwix & at the taking of Cornieskean at Little York in the state of Virginia, and that he is in reduced circumstan- -es and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support, and that he has no other income now in his power of his said service -
sworn to & declared before me the day & year aforesaid } Otheniel Preston John Mallory one of the Judges of Warren Common Pleas

I John Mallory one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in & for the County of Warren & state of Ohio do hereby certify that it appears to my sat- -isfaction, that the aforesaid Othniel Preston acted in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me, to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the ac- -tions of the aforesaid act of Congress -
April 15 1818 John Mallory one of the Judges as before
I do further certify that I am acquainted with the circumstances of the aforesaid Preston, and consider him in indigent circum- -stances & that he stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. Clerk's office John Mallory Judge in Ohio Warren County
I certify that by letters patent and Qualification Roll now remaining in this office it appears that John Mallory whose signature appears on the with it was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Warren on the fifteenth day of April 1818 In testimony whereof I have caused the Seal of our said Court this 17 th day of April to be hereunto affixed
Myron Beach Clerk
Sealed

In the Matter of Otheniel Preston - Declaration Respectful Clerk of Land Office N.Y. agent -
2952 Continue
Otheniel
De

Hall of Nine years Washington County Pa-
On this 1 st day of June A D 1820 personally appeared in Open Court being a Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Washington afore said a Court of Record, which proceed according to the course of the Common Law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount keeping a record of their proceedings and which have the power of fine & imprisonment. Othniel Preston of Saint Ann in said County aged 64 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following declaration that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows (viz) that he entered first on the 12 th day of March 1776 for a campaign until the November following in Capt Abraham Shuart's Company when belonging to said Company he entered in said Company for three years under the said Capt Shuart in the Reg t commanded by Colonel Peter Gansey v ent the 3 rd Reg t  the New York line - in the Continental Establishment and continued to serve in said Corps until the 8 th day of June 1783 when he was discharged in Col l Van Shaick's Reg t at New Borough in said State having served seven years two months & 26 days - And further that he made application for a pension in pursuance of the Act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818 entitled "an act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" - on the 15 th day of April 1818 - and received a pension certificate dated at the War Office of the United States the

25 th day of September 1818 and has drawn his Pension at the rate of Eight Dollars per Month from the said 15 th day of April 1818 to the 4 th day of March 1820 Said Pension Certificate being numbered 2,962 -
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with an intent hereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed and by me subscribed - (Viz)
  one Cow - 2 Hogs - 5 Hens -  20 - -    6 pk Andions - 1 Shovel, Pongs, & Tramel  2 -    2 Iron Shaves - and one shovel  1 -    1 Small Set Shoe makers tools  1 - 50    6 Knives & forks 6 Iron Shaves  50    5 bowls - & 4 Tea Cups & saucers  50    3 Small Iron Kettles & Skider  3 - -    \frac{2}{3} of one Barrel Pork  8 - -    1 Bushel Rye 11 clo Corn  6 - -    9 Bushel Potatoes  2 - -    1 Tea pot, & Milk Cup - 2 Bowels  1 - 75    one Chest - 3 Hoes - 2 axes - 2 Scythes  5 - -    2 Razors - 6 Chairs - 1 Table  3 - -    debts due me about 7 Dollars -  7 - -  
Esthamuel Preston
$ 61, 25

And I do further solemnly swear and declare that I am by occupation a laborer and very much informed by the Phthisic Rheumatism old age and unable to procure subsistence for my self and family by my labor - and I have three Daughters and three sons together with an aged wife dependent on me for the greatest share of their support - The names and ages of my s d children are as follows (viz), -
  Roxana Preston  aged  19  years -    Elizabeth  " "  18  " "    Lucinda  " "  12  " "    Elijah  " "  15  " "    William  " "  14  " "    Charles  " "  7  " "  
And I further swear and declare that the above named Roxana is of feeble habit and sickly - and the remainder of s d children are unable & incapable of wholly supporting themselves - and that I am not the owner of either house or land neither was I ever a freeholder in the United States, and that I am owing in four small debts to different persons about 20 Dollars -
Sworn to and declared on the 1 st day of June 1820 In open Court P. Shepherd Clerk 20

I Daniel Shephard Clerk of the Court of Washington afore said do hereby certify that the foregoing Bills and the Schedule thereunto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do certify that it is the Opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the Property exhibited in the afore said Schedule is sixty one Dollars and seventy five Cents - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court on this second day of June. 1820 D Shephard Clerk

March 22, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
RA-J/EHL
Othniel Preston-S.44274
Mrs. M. Ray 1147 So. Gilpen Street Denver, Colorado
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Othaniel Preston, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data given below are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.44274, based upon the military service of Othniel or Otheniel Preston in that war.
Othniel Preston enlisted at Nine Partners, New York, March 12, 1776, served as a private in Captain Abraham Swartout's Company, Colonel Peter Gansevoort's New York Regiment and in Captain George Sytez's Company, Colonel Goose Van Schaick's New York Regiment, was at the siege of Fort Stanwix and at the taking of Cornwallis and was discharged January 8, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 15, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Fort Ann, Washington County, New York, and was aged sixty-one years and two months. The exact date and the place of his birth are not shown.
In 1820, he referred to his wife, but did not give her name or any particulars in regard to her; on above date, he referred to his children as Roxana, Elizabeth, Elijah, William, Lucinda and Charles, aged respectively nineteen, eighteen, fifteen, fourteen, twelve and seven years.
There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Yrs
Indeed is the app. of Oliver Preston with the additional certificate of his several circumstances - you will be pleased to make further com- -munications to S. Emmons O. Mr. Glens Falls, Warren Co.

OLD WAR & NAVY FEB 5 1897 FILES.

 JACKSON, LANSING & SAGINAW RAILROAD CO.
LAND DEPARTMENT
Lansing, Mich. Feb 1 1897
Hon Commissioner Pensions
Washington D.C.
I would be very glad indeed to know what the records of your office show in regard to Othniel Preston said to be one of the Revolutionary Soldiers. Thanking you for referring this to the proper authority I am
Respectfully op W. Donovan

Oliver Preston
Labourer
In April 1818 of Fort Ann Washington Co NY aged 61 years & 2 months At nine partners enlisted March 1776 6 Nov 1776 under Capt Capt Abraham Swartout & continued in Service to June 1783 when discharged from Colo Van Schaick regt In battle of Siege of Fort Stanwix & Captured Lord Cornwallis Yorktown June 1820 of Fort Ann aged 64 years & while a member of Capt Swartout Co he engaged for 3 yrs more under Genl Capt & Colo Peter Gansevoort 3 regt Unable to labor by Rheumatism & old age - has 3 daughters & 3 Sons & aged wife dependent on him for a great share of their support Roxanna age 19 Elizabeth age 18 Lucinda 12 Elijah 15 Wm 14 Charles 7 years Recd 600 acres land at Poughkeepsie NY

History to Lansing- Mich.
414 274
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 44274
Othniel Preston
Pa. Pa. Pa.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3, Page 403
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Febr. 18. 1897. H Mr. W. Donovan
1930—Aug 15 Hist. to Mrs M. N. Halsey E&H See letter in care James Kelly D. 16903—E&H
1930 Sept. 11. Mrs. Anna M. Halsey adv. full hist. already furnished. See cor. in clm. Mrs. Keller D. 16903. M.S.
1932 Jan 6—Hist. To Mrs Ruth M. Kelley E&H
1933—Mar 22. Hist To Mrs M. Ray—E&H

January 6, 1962
BA-3/221
Mrs. Ruth M. Willey 370 Highland Drive Seattle, Washington
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Othniel Preston, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.44274, based upon the military services of Othniel Preston in that war.
Othniel Preston enlisted at Mine Partners, New York, March 12, 1776, served as a private in Captain Abraham Swartout's Company, Colonel Peter Gansevoort's New York Regiment and in Captain George Sytez's Company, Colonel Goose Van Schaick's New York Regiment, was at the siege of Fort Stanwix and at the taking of Cornwallis and was discharged January 8, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 15, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Fort Ann, Washington County, New York, and was aged sixty-one years and two months. The exact date and place of his birth are not shown.
In 1820, he referred to his wife, but gave no particulars in regard to her. At the above date, he referred to his children Roxana, Elizabeth, Elijah, William, Lucinda and Charles, aged respectively nineteen, eighteen, fifteen, fourteen, twelve and seven years.
In order to secure the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Othniel Preston (S.44274), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:
Othniel Preston, Certificate No. 2952, issued September 26,

1818, rate $8 per month, commenced April 15, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, New York Agency.
There is no claim for pension on file by any person as the widow of the above named Othniel Preston nor is the date of death of soldier's wife shown.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

September 17, 1930
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MCS:MLB
Mrs. Anna M. Halsey 2738 Crown Point Avenue Omaha, Nebraska
Dear Madam:
You are advised that on August 15, 1930, you were furnished a full history of the only soldier named Otheniel Preston (searched under all spellings of the name) that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

August 15, 1930
Mrs. W.N.Halsey 2738 Crown Point Avenue Omaha, Nebraska
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section NEL:
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.44274, that Othniel (the name also appears as Otheniel) Preston enlisted at Nine Partners, New York, March 12, 1776, served as a private in Captain Abraham Swartout's Company, Colonel Peter Gansevoort's New York Regiment and in Captain George Sytez's Company, Colonel Goose Van Schaick's New York Regiment, was at the siege of Fort Stanwix and at the taking of Cornwallis and was discharged January 8, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 15, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Fort Ann, Washington County, New York and was aged sixty-one years and two months. The exact date and place of his birth are not shown.
In 1920, he referred to his wife, but did not give her name or the date of their marriage, and to his children, Roxana, Elizabeth, Elijah, William, Lucinda and Charles, aged Nineteen, eighteen, fifteen, fourteen, twelve and seven years respectively.
In order to secure the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Othniel Preston (S.44274), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:

Othniel Preston, Certificate No.2952, issued September 25, 1818, rate $8 per month, commenced April 15, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Denver Colo. Mar-6-1933
Director of Pensions, Washington D.C.
I have this record from the War Department at Washington D.C. and now what I want that they cannot give me is the name of his wife and also his fathers name and where he resided, am thinking all this would have to be in the Pension record. want to prove if possible that this Othaniel Preston was a brother of my grandfather. and there by find his family.
Perhaps there was other Prestons That served from Essex Co N Y I know that my grandfathers brother did serve but dont know his name, I know this Othaniel served from Washington Co N Y and as the two counties are near together am thinking that it is the same family.
My grandfather also had another brother Marting Preston that served in war from Essex Co , at least near there, that was being sent home on account of sickness from New Orleans and the boat on which he was sent was burned at sea and he was drowned, now was this Othaniel Preston his brother or not. am compiling our genealogy and D.A.R. records and will be more then thankful for what you can give us on this family , surly you have the name of Martings Prestons father and just where he lived. This is the record of Othaniel Preston
Othaniel Preston served in the Revolutionary War as a private in a company designated at various times as Captain Abraham Swartwout's, Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett's and Colonel Gansevoort's Company 3rd New York Regiment, also designated 3rd Battalion of New York Forces, commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort. He enlisted November 27-1776 for three years; reenlisted in March or April 1779, for the war was transferred between December 3rd 1780 and May 31-1781 to Captain George Sytez's Company, also designated 7th Company, 1st New York Regiment, commanded by Colonel Goose Van Schaick, and his name is last borne on the company muster roll for April 1783, dated May 21, 1783. hope I have made this clear , now my grandfather Joseph Preston lived in Westport Essex Co N Y and his father had a farm some where out from New Russia also a brother who lived on a farm near New Russia I must find this family in some way and hope thru you to do this, and will be very grateful for what you can give me.
truly yours,
Mrs M Ray 1147- So Gilpin St Denver Colo -

RW
370 Highland Drive Seattle, Wash.
12-9-31
Bureau of Pensions, Wash. D. C.
I would appreciate any assistance in obtaining information about the following Revol. War pensioner Othniel or (Othaniel) Preston of Washington Co. N. Y. Pension certificate #2952, I believe, and his wife and family. Where and when did he die? Was wife still living at time of his death; if so did she receive a widow's pension.
When did she die? Any other family data will be appreciated, and any charge for obtaining this information will be sent.
(Mrs) Ruth M. Willey