Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8270, for Abraham E Pitt, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New York
Pitt, Abraham E.
79 8270
CONTENTS

To the Hon. Richard Pitkin
Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record of the State of New-York.
The Declaration under Oath of Abraham E. Pitt formerly a Private — engaged in the Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, now a Citizen of the United States and resident of the City and County of New-York, respectfully sheweth,
THAT the said Abraham sometime in the year 1775, he enlisted in Col. Clinton's Regt in the New York Line, in Capt. Billings' Company and was in said Comp y . near eight months, and was discharged in Albany. He then enlisted in Col. Graham's Regt. York Line, in Capt. Harrack's Comp y . and was discharged in four months, at Albany . Gosh . He then enlisted in the year 1780. in Col. Malcom's Regt in Capt. Livingston's Comp y , 8 in 4 or 5 months was discharged at Albany, and further that he was in the Service in the Army of the United States at different times after his last named discharge —
And the declaration further sheweth, that the said Abraham is now a citizen of the United States, resides in the city of New-York, and is, by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for support and is now going into his Seventy eighth year of Age and has lost all his Honorable discharges which he received at his different times of discharge —
Therefore the said Abraham conceives himself entitled to the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," approved 18th March, 1818, and requests your Honor will examine into the truth of the matter aforesaid, certify and transmit

the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the premises, as is by law in such case made and provided. And in support of the facts above set forth, the said Abraham refers to the
Affidavits hereunder written.
City and County of New-York, ss. Abraham E. Pitt of the City and County of New-York, being duly sworn, saith, that the matters by him set forth in the foregoing Declaration, are in all respects just and true.
Sworn before me, this 25 th day of April 1818, } Abraham E. Pitt P. Pike
Records of the City of New York
City and County of New-York, ss. William Barnes
of the City of New York being sworn, saith, that he well acquainted with Abraham E. Pitt that they were in Col. Graham's Reg t together in the Revolutionary Army — And that the said Abraham was in the service more than nine months, & full pay says not.
Sworn before me this 25 th day of April 1818 } W m Barnes
P. Pike

City and State of New-York, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 25 th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me Richard P. Piker Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record, personally appeared the aforesaid Abraham E. Pite and William Barnes
who being by me duly sworn the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing Declaration and affidavits and of the copy of the several Honorable charges,
WHEREUPON I being satisfied that the said Abraham E. Pite did serve in the Army of the United States in the York Line in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and longer, to wit: for the term and the manner stated in the Declaration of the said applicant; and that the said applicant is fairly and justly entitled to the benefit of the Act aforesaid. THEREFORE I DO HEREBY CERTIFY and transmit the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, as before set forth, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the said Court, in the City of NEW-YORK, this 25 th day of April — in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen —
R P Piker

City of New York ss: Abraham E. Pitt being duly sworn, doth depose and say, That he was at the Battle at Saint Johns, in 1775, In Captain Andrew Billings' Company, Colonel James Clinton. That he was, at the Taking of Burgoyne, was then in Captain Harack's Company, was in a Battle at the Mohawk River, in Captain Gilbert Livingston's Company. And further deponent says not.
Sworn to this 5 th day of October 1821, Before me
Abraham E. Pitt
James Tuckerman Commissioner to take affidavits, to be read in Courts of Record, in the State of New York.
City of New York ss: William Barnes of the said City, being duly sworn, doth depose and say That he was a private Soldier in Captain Harack's Company, at the same time with Abraham E. Pitt, at the Battle when Burgoyne was taken, and that he has resided a number of years in Poughkeepsie, and that the said William E. Pitt re- sided in the same Village, and that they have ever since been on terms of intimacy, and that Mr. Pitt is a man of truth and veracity, and entitled to full credit under his oath.
Abraham E. Pitt Solomon
W m Barnes
Sworn to this 5 th day of October 1821, Before me, James Tuckerman Commissioner

Mr. Hagner
FREE
Hon. John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, Washington City, D.C.

New York July 24 th 1822
Hon d Sir
I beg leave to appeal to your good understanding for an Examination into the act of 1787. whereby you will perceive the Deceased nor. the Surviving Widows M rs Pit cannot be cut off from just Rights
I Pray your goodness in Behalf of this widows from Sympathy, & Right fully convinced that the Functions you exercise will fulfill Purity of Integrity. The Papers I forwarded has been detained and withheld from M rs Pit since her Husbands Death by J s Buckmaster atty at Law who held the Papers from before A. Pitts Deceased one year constantly saying something would be Rec d and never sent the Papers waiting y r Reply I Remain.
Respectfully Y r F d G. & L t Rosewell Pattonstate

City of New York ss: Robert Swartwout of the aforesaid City, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, That he is acquainted with William Barnes of the said City, believing him to be a man of truth and veracity, and entitled to full credit under his oath, And further says not.
Sworn to this 11 th day of Robert Swartwout October 1871. Before me A. Westervelt Comr. to take affidavits to be read in any Court of Record in State of New York, under act of March 24. 1878.
City of New York ss: John Swartwout of the said City, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, That he is acquainted with William Barnes, and knows him to be a man of truth and veracity, and entitled to full credit under his oath, and further says not.
Sworn to this 13 th day of John Swartwout October 1871. Before me
A. Westervelt Comr. to take affidavits to be read in any Court of Record in the State of New York under act of March 24. 1878.

City of New York ss: Samuel Terry of the said City, Deputy Surveyor, in the Custom House in the said City, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with William Barnes, and believes him to be a man of truth and veracity, and entitled to full credit under his Oath, and further
Sworn to this 11 th day of October 1891. Before me } B. Terry A. Westervelt
Com: to take affidavits to be read in any Court of Record in the State of New York under act of 24 Mch 1888.

New York June 20 th 1822
The Hon. Calhoun Secretary of War
Honour Sir I have Draughted two Letters to you on the subject of the Widows Pit and her Deceased Husband a Pit I have not my Letters Replied into in Point particulars the last from Department The Commiseration the just due a Widows Claims calls for my actions and the Duty of all individuals who's Booms Retains feeling of Sympathy Must this Distressed widows appeal to the Press and Types to have Publicity and to seek justice this is an appeal to Human Understanding the attorney employed by her Deceased Husband does not do that justice he ought if he keeps back Papers

from Department he has acknowledged the Rec d & the widow is entitled to the Copy sent by Department to that attorney I want a Reply from the Secretary not from Mr Edwards
Respectfully Rosewarne Saltonstall
This widow is distressed your known Respectability makes me as in Duty Bound to appeal for the Copy of Papers that have arrived in this City. Rept back from the War Dept acknowledges to have been Received from the office of Secretary of War

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8270
P. O. Abraham P. H.
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

State of New-York.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, ss.
I, BENJAMIN FERRIS, Clerk of the City and County of New-York and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said City and County,
Do hereby certify, That Richard Riker, Esq. before whom the annexed affidavits were made, and who hath subscribed his name to the Certificate also hereto annexed, was on the day when the said Affidavits were made, and the said Certificate signed, Recorder of the City of New-York, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, and duly commissioned and sworn. And further that the said Court is a Court of Record of the State of New-York; and that the signature of R. RIKER subscribed to the said Certificate is the proper hand writing of the said Richard Riker.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this fourth day of August 18 18
Benj m Ferris Clerk

State of New York } Gp: David Rae Jr. City of New York }
of the said City. Gordinier being duly sworn doth depose and say. That he knows Abraham E. Pitt. that he knows him to be a man of truth and veracity, and entitled to the fullest credit under his oath. And further says not.
Sworn to this 6 th day of } David Rae Jr. October 1891. Before me James Truett Master Commissioner to take affidavits to be read in Courts of Record in the State of New York
City of New York Gp: Benjamin Jessup — of the said City. being duly sworn doth depose and say. that he knows Abra- ham E. Pitt. and believes him to be a man of truth and veracity, and entitled to the fullest credit under his oath. And further says not. Sworn to this 6 day of } Benjamin Jessup Oct. 1891. Before me. James Truett Master Commissioner etc.

City & County of New York ss
Roswell Pattonstall, being duly sworn deponeth & saith that he knew Abraham Pit Deceased. Four years Prior to his Death and. that he was in indigent circumstances & understood from various Sources besides himself. that he was intitled to the pay. for his Services. in the Revolutionary War. & had not Received the Same and. this Deponent further Saith that at his Decease he left a widow in very needy Circumstances who is intitled by Law of the United States to the Survivors Wages. Back Pay &c and this Deponent further declares she is Distressed for the same as was the Husband in his Existence and. that the Papers to Procure the same has been Unrighteously Detain'd for. a year by an attorney at Law of this City and has Deceived the Deceased & the Surviving widow & further Saith not
Sworn before me this 22 d day of July 1822
M c H. Hedley. Commissioner

File with 8270
(R)
FREE on John C. Calhoun salary at War-
Washington City
From Ravell Patterson City of New York. He never replied

From Rosewell Patton Hall, City of New York.
No answer requ d J ca
Washington City
on John C. Calhoun library at - New-
File with ⑧ 8270

Copy New York June 4 th 1822 Respected Sir
I have this day called on the widow of Abraham Pitt who's Papers was positively sent to the War Office to Recover wages in the Revolutionary from which the Deceased if Living nor the widow his Survivor is or are Debared by any Limitation
Those Papers Leaving the War Office and in this City are Sequestered by the Receiver who Received the Same before the Death of Abraham Pitt Dec d and the foul play exercised on this widow is infamous and Sympathy calls for Justice to the widow for her Righteous due & Demand Legal.
I wrote for a Copy of the acts & Proceedings Relative to Abraham Pitts Claim which is Deposited in the War Office the motive for a Copy of those Papers is that Justice may be done as the Papers once transmitted from your Honor to a Allan

in this City whom the Dec d A Pitt had Valued on to see to this Claim which Man. Keeps the Proceedings and will not at the Widows Instig of urging disclose the truth nor Papers and told her Claims were Collectable & Recoverable which Law Supports
I Pray your goodness to let the Clerk of the Warr office whose Duty & Province it is to Redraw the Copy of the Papers which has been sent from the Warr office before Abram Pitts (Deaths & since his (Death is Refused by the Man whom he Valued on Prior to his (Death) fully convinced your Honor does not Justify those Proceedings a Pray a Copy of the Papers once sent & the amount of the Expense that the Widow whom in Justice I ever defend has her Rights Pleas to Direct the

Return answer to No 3 Cheapside Street This City Respectfully Roxana Saltonstall

City New York May 1822
Respected Sir
I shall be highly indebted to a full answer to my Letter to you
Your favor yesterday come to hand. If the widows Claim nor the Dec Husband is not Barred by Limitation. I Request the Folio Page V Section 1 Law that quotes Limitation a Bar. I must defend the Widows Rights and from the War Department she must be Rectified Respectfully
Your obedt Servant Rosenwell Saltonstall
Similar instances to Abraham Pitts is now Living in this City Recently Recovered Revolutionary Pay
ck 3 Cheapside But

old case. 18,544 L
Abraham Pitt, City of New York, N.Y.
Rosewell Saltonstall City of N.Y.
Rec. 27 July 1822
Rejected Applicant being dead.
Rec. letter 29 July 1822
John ... Esq. Union District Clerk to Mr. Brown Esq. The poor young man who is now dead by shot of a pistol
see ...
Rec. 27 July 1822

Ever Respected Sir
New York July 10 th 1822
Permit me once more to address you in behalf of the Widow of A. Pitt Deceased, who is very need Poor, and who is intitled to Justice Honor & Sympathy to the feelings that every breast ought to imbibe for Woe, and feel a Reluctance that the wages & Back pay, is not paid to the surviving Widows of the Husband Mr Pitt, when her Husband toiled with Fidelity and faithfulness in defence of thro our native Columbian Land in opposing a then common enemy, and to the injury of his body and blood, and loss of time I concede I may with safety appeal to your good sense for the Righteousness do this widow under the Local circumstances, and that Justice should not be extirpated, for the toil in Defence of the Principles of Liberty. I beg leave to inclose a Deposition I most ardently request that a Review may be taken of that act alluded unto in your Last Letter I with pleasure & Honor acknowledged of the act of 1787 being a Bar against the Claims of that Soldier with Fidelity at the Rescue of the time & lot of Blood with Gun & Bayonet gained that Sweet of Life Dear to Every Human Breast Liberty. Neither Local Law, of Governmental would deny this, Sanction do a Soldier of Fidelity, for it would meet Reward & applause, and Contribution in Heavens Government as well as Earthly. I beg Respected Sir

that your inspection is bent to the act of 1787 once more I view not only it but successive acts and clauses thereafter which will I believe serve to Enlighten our Subject that this Soldier is not barred of his Rights & Claims for fidelity nor his widow who is deserving individual & Governmental Claims
I request to add that the Papers dated 1815 is now herewith inclosed & has been held by a Clerk of the Law in this City long before the Decease of Mr Pitt. who laid out money on this Subject & this attorney of Law always held out the Papers had gone to Washington into the War Office and assured him previous to his Decease something would be for them. this Lawyer monstrous ingratitude Brutal Pettifogging Lawless Deceiver retained those Papers after Mr Pitt Died & the surviving widow or the Children the Papers had Returned from the War Office inclosed to him. He told me the same & that when his Eyes were well he would give them up. which Papers this infernal Monster had never sent on to the War Office but kept them in his Possession which are now inclosed
I ardently solicit and appeal to the Honorable Secretary that the Case is looked into & that an appeal is made to Sympathy and every way to Remove the Pangs in Poverty of the Surviving Widows who tributary

tear cause's sorrow acute without local Denials as she is left in miserable circumstances by him for whom she assumes the sable Black to mourn the Lot of him who in fidelity defended & aided with victory to Hold & maintain the Soil we lived on fully persuaded of your Bosom being inductively actuated at this Case. I Pray it Reviewed & that the Honorable Secretary does for the Survivor all that Duty he conceives due our Glorious Government in his Function of which my heart does not doubt best fervently Believes with hope Sincerely & Profound Esteem I am July 24 th 1822
S.B. For the good as sake answer this I mean that duty to her that should never warp from the cause of Respectability of her address was her by Calastophy or a war be withdrawn from this Terrestrial world to a Celestial and leave her who holds the untable name of Ca...