Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,405, for George Reab, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Reat, George
S. 29,405
{ B.L. 11/85-200. Lieut. Issued Apr. 13, 1990 No papers.
CONTENTS

Report of Lt. to Agent to 31 May. 1845.
to Lt. to Agt. June 4 th 1845.
Sent copy of the Com- mission of George Peabody to Wm H. Peabody Sept. 9. 1862.
32.337
New York
George Peabody, decd. late of Washington in the State of NY who was a S t S t M c in the Cont d commanded by Captain Studson of the Reg t commanded by Col Bradford in the Mass d line for 14 Mos 10 days 20 9 " 20 S t S t M c
Enrolled on the Roll of Albany, at the rate of 382 Dollars 83 Cents per annum. Commence on the 14th day of March, 1831. Vend t 2 d June, 1838, where he died
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of May 1845 and sent to D r Addison Esq r
Arrears to the 14th of Present Semi-annual allowance ending Deduct $320 drawn since 4 March 1831 - up to June 20 1838
Revolutionary Claim, Paid June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. L. Swann Clerk, Book E 2 Vol. 1, Page 62
Pay d to Josiah W m Peabody only S t S t M c

The Case of George Reab of Salem Washington County New York — Licutonax 16 April 1881 —
Correct JH
To J. L. Billings Salem N.Y.

State of New York Washington County
George Reab of the town of Salem in the town- ty of Washington & State of New York being duly sworn doth depose declare & say that he this deponent did on or about the first day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven enlist into Captain Isaiah Studson's company in the fourteenth Regiment commanded by Colonel Gamaliel Bradford in the Massachusetts line and that he did serve in said Regiment in the war of the revolution against the common enemy untill the eighteenth day of May one thousand seven hun- dred and eighty one a part of said time as a sergeant & the remainder of said time as an ensign in said Regiment, & this deponent does not recollect how long he served as an ensign his commission having been lost. And this deponent further saith that about the eighteenth day of May one thousand seven hundred & eighty one this deponent did receive a commission as Lieu- tenant in the seventh Massachusetts Regiment in the army of the United States to take rank as such Lieutenant from the 16 th day of April 1780 which commission was signed by Samuel Huntington as President of the Congress of the United States of America & countersigned by Dr Cartelon secretary of the board of war & dated at Philadelphia the 18 th day of May 1781 and this deponent further saith that he served under the said commission in the war of the revolution on the continental establishment against the common enemy untill the end of the war when the army of the United States was disbanded & this deponent saith that he belonged to the army of the United States from the time of his said enlistment untill the first of January 1784 and this deponent further saith that he is yet a resident citizen of the United States and by reason of his reduced circumstances in life & infirmities arising out of the hard services in the army he is in need of assistance from his country for support
Sworn 9 th April 1818
Before Me Anthony Blanchard
First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington in the State of New York

To the Honorable John C. Calhoun Secretary of the Department of war.
The case of George Neal of the town of Salem in the County of Washington in the State of New York
Whereas it appears to the satisfaction of me Anthony J. Blanchard first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington & State aforesaid that the abovenamed George Neal hath served in the war of the revolution on the continental establishment against the common enemy for and during the period, respectively mentioned in the declaration under oath of the said George hereto annexed in the manner therein specified. I do therefore hereby certify & transmit the testimony in the said case and proceedings had therein all which are hereunto annexed Dated 9 th April A D 1818 —
Anthony J. Blanchard
State of New York Washington County
I Daniel Shipherd Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington & State of New York do Certify that Anthony J. Blanchard is first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County and that the signature of the said Anthony to the above Certificate and affidavit is of the proper hand writing of him the said Anthony. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas this fifteenth day of April A D 1818
D. Shipherd

No. 37024 Geo Reab dec d N.Y.
act 7 June 32 vid E. Blakey Book- delic d Geo Reab L t & 2 n Mt. 31 March 32 4 Feb y 83 - set d L t & 2 n Mt. end of the war 3 Sep t 83 - Sec y of state - appointed 2 n Master 14 Nov. '82 -
increased 14.10. L t 9.20. L t & 2 n Mt.
$ 582.83 To 20 June 38 - deduct 4 March 31 - at $320 pr. Annum. D. N. Addison To Josiah Wm Reab Agent only children D. Addison

I William H. Heat of the town of Salem of the county of Washington, and State of New York, make the following declaration in order to obtain an increase of pension, under the act of June 7 th 1832, due my father George Heat, deceased late of Salem Washington County New York at the time of his death.
George Heat deceased was a pensioner under the act of May 15 th 1828, at the rate of $320 per annum for his services as Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Continental Line of the army of the Revolution.
For the above service as Lieutenant and that of Brigade Quarters Master in the Staff, I now claim the difference between $320 per annum which he received under the act of May 15 th 1828, and $480 per annum which he was entitled to receive, under the act of June 7 th 1832 from the 4 th of March 1831, to the twentieth day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, the day of his death, and request a certificate of pension may be issued accordingly in the names of my brother and myself, viz: Josiah Heat and William H. Heat, being the only surviving children of my father, at the time of his death, which took place on the 20 th day of June 1838. At the period of my father's death, he left Abigail Heat, his widow, surviving him, but she has since died, viz: on the 16 th day of March 1843.
W. H. Heat
Sworn and subscribed before me this 7 th day of November 1844, and I certify that the said William H. Heat is known to me as a credible person.
J. B. M c Farland
Justice of the Peace, of the town of Salem, County of Washington, State of New York

State of New York
Washington County ss: I John M c Lean First Judge of the county courts of said County, the said courts, being courts of Record, do hereby certify that it has been made to appear to the satisfaction of me, the said Judge, that George Reab late of the County & State aforesaid a United States Pensioner, died on the 20 th day of June 1838, leaving Josiah Reab, and William H. Reab his only surviving children, and also that he left surviving him Mrs. Elijah Reab his widow, but that she had since died viz on the sixteenth day of March Eighteen hundred and forty three. Dated at ob. 7 th 1844
John M c Lean First Judge Wash: Co: Courts
State of New York Washington County ss I Henry Shiphead Clerk of said county do hereby certify that John M c Lean Esquire was at the date of the above certificate First Judge of the county courts of said county duly elected and qualified and that his signature signed thereto is genuine I further certify that at the date of the within Inat and certificate James A c Farland Esq r was a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly elected and qualified and his signature thereto subscribed is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county this 18 th day of November A D 1844 H Shiphead Clk

New York Rolls.
1025
George Keab, II Lieutenant Massachusetts line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 9 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th of June 1818 and sent to J. L. Billings, Esq. Salem, New York. —
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
4 months 26/30 $98.57
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818 }
81 Three Years Brooks
Class ...
see letter 29 Decem 1830 to Hon N. Pelscher

Salem, Washington Co. No. Y. October 19 th 1858
Hon. James Buchanan
President of the United States -
Dear Sir. - Not having the honor of your personal acquaintance but judging from your public acts, I am induced to believe that you are in favour of all just and equitable claims being allowed by Government - Among the numerous claims which have been presented, there is one of paramount importance in which the national honor is concerned and sacred to the memory of meritorious officers of the Revolutionary war who were instrumental in achieving the liberty of our country - I have reference to the half pay for life promised by the Resolutions of Congress 21 st October 1780 and subsequent Resolutions -
"It is claimed that the half pay for life pledged to the officers was a debt, a just debt, a constitutional one, with all the attributes of a common debt; and that it was more than a common debt - a debt of honor and of gratitude, the equivalents of which were the blood of the officers and the independence

of the Country; that it was a perpetual debt, therefore, which could not be cancelled untill it was fully and fairly paid - It was not fully and fairly paid by the promise of commutation which promise was never executed, nor attempted to be executed, untill after nine years procrastination, in no degree resulting from any fault of the officers, but solely from the misfortunes and embarrassments of the country, which was the debtor; and when the attempt to execute it then made, the payment made reached only those brokers who had speculated in the ruin of the officers, and not the officers themselves who were the creditors - There was no contract or bargain between the creditors and the country in the transaction of commutation, for there was no equality of position or advantage between the parties - Their relations were reversed - The army had been the defenders of the country - the country had now become the protector and guardian of the army - The embarrassments of the country excused it from paying or sustaining the commutation certificates nine years, and that it did wisely and well in then paying them to the holders; but the debt

being one of gratitude and honor, it remained uncer- tholess, and remained due to the officers who under the pressure of poverty resulting from the public dis- tress, not any fault of their own, had sold their Certificates for nominal values — The obligation to pay the officers, or reimburse them to the extent of their annuities for life revived with the renewed or restored ability and strength of the country —
33 a Congress a bill originated in Senate en- titled "A bill to provide for the settlement of the claims of the officers and soldiers of the revolu- tionary army, of the widows and children of those who died in the service," which passed the Senate and was laid on the table in the house at the close of the 2 d Session
34 th Congress two bills of the same import ori- ginated in both Houses — The house bill passed first and was sent to the Senate for their concurrence. In the Senate there was some opposition to its passage and considerable debate took place on the occasion, and finally a tie vote was taken which resulted in the further postponement until next Congress — Mr Cuss who had previously been in

favour of the bill voting for the postponement, having changed his vote because the soldiers were not included in the bill. It was therefore defeated by one majority only.
35 th Congress 1 st session, another bill originated in House of Representatives and passed a 1 st 2 nd & 3 rd reading and was committed to the committee of whole house. Before the house adjourned its last session, a motion was made to dispense with the rules to take up the bill for consideration, which motion was lost. two thirds not voting for it. There was however a majority in favor of the motion.
The present bill in the House in my opinion is not calculated to do justice to the officers, it provides for the half pay for life, deducting the commutation fees of 5 years, and the amount of pensions the officers may have received under the act of 1828, and section 7 th cuts off entirely the interest. It may be proper to deduct the amount of pensions received, but I doubt

The propriety of not allowing the interest on a fair accounting - The computation pay of 5 years full pay was paid in continental certificates to many of the officers but that payment should not extinguish the debt, as those certificates were worthless at the time - Some of them were sold at the low rate of 12 1/2 cts on the dollar, and probably a great many of them were lost or destroyed and never paid by Government - The bill should be framed with provisions to enable the claimants to have a fair accounting with the Government in justice and equity as between debtor and creditor, allowing the whole amount principle & interest due to the officers - The claimants have been at considerable expense and trouble in presenting their claims without much success - My father was a Lieutenant & Brigade Quater Master & served to the close of the war - He was in several of the most important battles & enjoyed the esteem & confidence of General Washington & others in the Army - There are two surviving children, my brother & myself who are

equally entitled to the claim for half pay - I have been less fortunate than my brother am very much in need of that which is due from the Government on account of My father's services - My Object in writing to you would be to solicit your friendly aid by recommending in your next message to Congress the passage of a bill that will do justice to the claimants - To obviate the difficulty on account of the want of funds in the Treasury Notes can be issued bearing interest and redeemable at the pleasure of Government - The country is rich & inexhaustible in resources & such a course would not embarrass financial matters -
I would respectfully submit the matter to your consideration & solicit a reply to my letter -
Yours With Respect
W m H. Neab

29405 Pay INVALID.
File No. 29,405
George Peak
Dist. New York
Act: June 7 th 1890
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 885
[Arrangement of 1870.]

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To George Reab Gentleman — Greene We Repose special trust confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity. DO by these presents constitute and appoint you, Lieutenant in the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment in the Army of the United States to take rank as such _____ from the 16 day of April 1786. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of _____ by doing and performing all manner of things therein belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as _____ And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress forementioned, or a Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest W. Smith
Secretary of the Board of War
Witness His Excellency Samuel Huntington President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 13 th day of May 1781, and in the fifth Year of our Independence.
Samuel Huntington President

Salem July 9th 1862
Wm H Reab
Asks for a certified copy of George Reab's commission as Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution
R 465 July 14/1862
Adopt line 3rd Auditor
Recd July 15th/62 R. J. [unclear] Ans!
Mrs Lawrence
Salem July 9-1862
W. M. Stanton Secy of War Dear Sir
Please do me the favor to furnish me with a certified copy of my father (George Reab) Commission as Lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army which is on file in the War Department. Please enclose the same under cover to Marinus Fairchild, Salem Washington County New York
Very Respectfully Yours
Wm H Reab over

George Reab was commissioned a Lieutenant in 1780 in Col. John Brooks Regt

35.904
N.Y.
George  Reab  Dea
adm d under act 1828
Nov. 15. 1844
to Geo Reab
heirs & devisees
1828
L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions
Act,
June 1832

Washington Nov. 17 th 1836
My Sir,
Enclosed you will find an application for an increase and arrears of pension under the act of June 7 th 1832, of the heirs of George Peabody late a pensioner under the act of May 15 th 1828.
Mr. Peabody was pensioned under the latter act, at $320 p. an. for his revolutionary services as Lieutenant , in the Mass. Line, but having also served in the Staff as D r Master his Children now claim the difference between $320 p. an. which he rec d under the act of May 15 th 1828, and $480 p. an. which he was entitled to receive under the act of June 7 th 1832, from the 4 th of March 1831, up to the 20 th of June 1835, the day of his death.
Respectfully requesting an early examination
I remain Yr. obedt. Servt. R. H. Addison
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions

Department of State February 5 th 1895.
James L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir,
Your letter of the 28 th ultimo, requesting that the Washington Papers may be examined for evidence of the service of George Reab, as Lieutenant and Quarter Master, has been received, - The examination has been made, and enclosed I send you an extract from a return containing the only evidence found.
I am, Sir,
Your obedt. Servt.
J. G. Wilson

Jan 20 45.
NY
free
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Salem Washington Co. N.Y. Jan'y 15, 1845
De Sir
I enclosed Nov. 11 th last to Mr D. D. Addison of Washington My declaration to obtain pension money due my father Geo. Reab for extra services as Brigade Quater Master during the war of the revolution The business to be done through the agency of Mr Addison who was expected to furnish the necessary proof - Nov. 30. I rec d a letter from him stating that my declaration had been filed in the Pension Office & would be taken up and acted upon in its turn which would be in the course of ten days when he would inform me of the result - Not having heard from him since I would request the favor of you to inform me when the claim will probably be acted upon & also as to the manner of issuing the certificate of pension when the claim is allowed
Very Respectfully Yours
W m H. Weab
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. }

Department of State Washington May 30 th 1845
Sir
In reply to your note of the 27 th inst d I have to state that upon reference to the Washington Papers, it appears that by the General Order of the 20 th of November 1782 "Lieutenant Reale of the 7 th Massachusetts Regiment," was appointed Quarter Master to the same from the 19 th of that month.
Very Respectfully
I am Sir
James Buchanan
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Pension Office, Washington

George Reab ad 9 NY.
abt 7 June '32
Wid. E. Blake's Diary - delivered Geo. Reab Vt. & 2 nd Mt. 31 muskets etc on 4 Feby '83 - Returned Lt. & 2 nd Mt. at end of the war - 3 Sept. 83 - trans.
17 m. 24 17 m. 24 17 m. 24
$365.50 did not from 4 March 31 - To 20 June 38 - the day of his death To Josiah & Wm H Reab. only surviving children.
D.D. Addison Present

Ex-tract
"Return of the Officers in the 7 th Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Commendant John Brooks."
   Names Rank Date of Commission Present Absent By whose authority To what time granted     X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X   George Reab Lieutenant April 16 th 1780 Present - - - - - - - - -   X X - X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X   Samuel Sogswell D. Judge Advocate   Luther Trowbridge Brig. Q. Master   Jonathan Haskell Adjutant   Joseph Tucker Paymaster   George Reab Q. Master  
Contonement 16 th April 1783
J. Brooks Lt. Col. Com d

Act 1828 Settled at Treasury Cons n with Invalid file # 29.405

229 No of orig Pay 229 - REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
21 July 1828.
George Reab _____ of Salem _____ in the County of Washington in the State of New York, _____ has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end of the War,
at which period he was a Lieutenant in the Fourth regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, Nothing.  dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By Order of the Secretary F. B. Dickinson.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
23 d July 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to George Reab - Lieutenant in the Massachusetts line, amounting to Sixteen Hundred dollars.
It further appears that George Reab - not is now on the pension list of the  any - - - - - agency, and has been since the 3 d March 1826 at the rate of  per month.
John H. Stagner Aud

For the purpose of obtaining the Benefits of an act entitled an act for the Relief of Certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution approved on the 15 th May 1825. I George Keab of Salem in the county of Washington in the State of New York - Do hereby declare that I was an officer in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution and that I served as such to the end of the war and that I was appointed a Lieutenant in the 7 th Regiment in the Massachusetts Line to take rank as such from the 16 th Day of April 1780 and that at the Reduction of the said Line by act of Congress of the 8 th and 21 st of October 1780 I was transferred to the 4 th Regiment in the Massachusetts Line -
And I also declare that I afterwards received a certificate commonly called a commutation certificate for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress of the 22 nd March 1783 instead of half pay for life to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 25 th October 1783 - and I do further declare that I have received of the United States no money as a Pensioner of the United States since the 3 rd of March 1826. Dated at Salem the 18 th June 1825 -
Signed Geo Keab
Before me John Willard first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington and State of New York personally appeared this day Ezra L. Billings and Joseph Hawley of said County who did severally make oath that George Keab be

I, J. S. Leigh Clerk of the court of the County of Washington in the State of New- York do hereby certify that John Billings before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time first Judge of said County and Duly Impowered to Administer Oaths In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this twentieth day of June 1828 J. S. Leigh Clerk

Salem June 20 th 1828
Sir In Obedience to your Notice in the Public Prints, I herewith transmit to you (enclosed) my Declaration for the two years full Pay allowed me by an act of Congress of the 15 th May 1828 - My Commission I transmitted to the Department of War in March 1815 - according to the Best of my Recollection -
I have the Honor to be with very Great Respect, Your obed t Servant
J. M. formerly a Lieutenant in the Kentucky Militia -
Hon ble Richard Rush Secretary of the Treasury -

Sir By an act of Congress before the conclusion of the Revolutionary war. Every Officer who had served three years or more in one grade was intitled to a commission to one grade higher. Which Act intitled me to a captain commission. as you may see by the Rank and Date of my commission which I sent to the Department of war. in April 1818. But if it has been mislaid or cannot be found. I can send you an attested copy of it.
It has been suggested to me that the Officer claims. under the act of Congress of the 15 th May 1828. would be made out agreeable to the commission granted in the above mentioned Act, If so my claim will be that of a captain. This is for you to say whether the Officer claims lower under this act of commission. Should any further Declaration or Proof be wanting from me. Early notice will be thankfully received. Your letter of the 28 th June last I received the 5 th Inst.
I have the Honor to be with very great Respect your Obedient Servant
G. Hunt
Salem N. York July 3 rd 1828-
Hon ble Richard Rush. Secretary of the Treasury