Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,805, for Nathaniel Reed, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Reed Nathaniel Cleanor
NUMBER
W. 18.805
CONTENTS

Reported
738. New York Albany. Eleanor Reed widow of Nathaniel Reed who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17. day of July 1848. and sent to
Th. Maxwell Elmira N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 175 Vol. 4

State of New York) On this twentieth day of July 1844 person Chenango County - ally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the aforesaid County Eleanor Reed a resident of Elmira in the County of Chenango in the State of New York aged Seventy two years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provisions of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 That she is the widow of Nathan Reed who as she has been informed and believes was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution. She further declares that from old age and loss of memory she is unable to state positively the time that her husband entered the service or the lot of Captain that he served under but believes that that he enlisted in either the year 1779 or 1780 into a company of infantry in the State of Massachusetts and served in the  fourth Regiment until the close of the War and was regularly discharged from service by Gen. Knox sometime in the Summer of 1783 at West Point in the State of New York She further deposeth and saith that her husband the said Nathaniel Reed had in his possession a regular discharge from the Army at the time of his death which was signed by Gen. Knox and which after his death remained in the possession of this deponent his widow until about the year 1824 when she gave it to her son John Reed who said that there was law and back pay due to her husband and she has not since seen it but has been told by her son John that he placed it in the hands of John D. Nichol of the City of New York for the purpose of settling the above mentioned accounts with the United States but she has not since heard from it nor does she know where it is. She further saith that she has no documen- tary evidence of his services in her possession. She declares That she was married to the said Nathaniel Reed on the seventh day of October Seventeen hundred

resident of Elvira in the County of Chemung in the State of New York aged Seventy two years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provisions of the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 That she is the widow of Nathan Reed who as she has been informed and believes was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution. She further declares that from old age and loss of memory she is unable to state positively the time that her husband entered the service or the col of Captain that he served under but believes that that he enlisted in either the year 1779 or 1780 into a company of infantry in the State of Massachusetts and served in the  the  the Regiment until the close of the War and was regularly discharged from service by Gen Knox some time in the Summer of 1783 at West Point in the State of New York She further deposeth and saith that her husband the said Nathaniel Reed had in his possession a regular discharge from the Army at the time of his death which was signed by Gen Knox and which after his death remained in the possession of this deponent his widow until about the year 1824 when she gave it to her son John Reed who said that there was law and back pay due to her husband and she has not since seen it but has been told by her son John that he placed it in the hands of John D. Nichol of the City of New York for the purpose of settling the above mentioned accounts with the United States but she has not since heard from it nor does she know where it is. She further saith that she has no documen- tary evidence of his services in her possession. She declares That she was married to the said Nathaniel Reed on the seventh day of October Seventeen hundred

and ninety at the house of Henry Jackson in the town of New Windsor in the County and State aforesaid by the Rev John Close then Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in New Windsor that her name before marriage was Eleanor Simison. That after they were married they continued to live in the county of Newmason until the year previous to her husband's death when they moved to the town of Wantage County of Sussex and State of New Jersey where on the tenth of February 1813 her husband the said Nathaniel Reed died and she has since remained a widow
That she was not married to him previous to his last term of service but was married to him previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four. That at the time before stated
That she had no evidence of her marriage in her possession but relies on the record of the Rev W Close to prove the same. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last before written before me the words the for the matter herein before signing
W. Jackson a Judge Eleanor Reed said County } mark
State of New York County of Orange
I certify that Eleanor Reed who made and subscribed the foregoing declaration is a woman of truth and
I believe her statements before made are entitled to full credit and belief
And from personal examination I believe that from old age and the infirmities attendant thereon she should be excused from attending the court of record in and for the said County
W. Jackson a Judge said County

State of New York } On this twentieth day of July 1864 Chautauqua County personally appeared before the undersigned - Nicholas L Reed of the town of Wells in the County of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania age a forty four years and up- -wards and made oath as follows that he is the son of Nathaniel Reed and Eleanor Reed and has often heard his father in his lifetime tell of his being a soldier in the war of the Revolution and of the hardships he had to endure That he well recollects seeing in his father's possession while he was living his discharge from the Army and that it was signed by Gen Knox - That after his father's death he seen the said discharge in the possession of his mother and afterwards saw it in the possession of his brother John Reed who after wards told this deponent that he had left the same with John D Nichol in the City of New York to settle up the accounts of the said Nathaniel Reed with the United States That he has never heard from it since nor does he know where it is That his father the said Nathaniel Reed died on or about the tenth day of February 1813 and this deponent was present when he died - His sister was Phoebe Furr - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me Nicholas L Reed W T Jackson a Judge said County
State of New York } I certify that Nicholas L Chautauqua County Reed is a man of truth and his statements above made are entitled to full credit and belief W T Jackson a Judge D. C.

Champlain County Clerks Office
I Simeon S. Root do hereby certify that William T. Jackson Esquire before whom the foregoing Affidavits were taken, and whose name is subscribed to the two foregoing Certificates was at the date of the same a Judge of the Courts held in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified to act as such, and that full faith and credit are due, and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such Judge - and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said William T. Jackson and verily believe that the signatures subscribed to the foregoing Instruments are genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal this 12 th day of July A D 1844
S. S. Root Clerk

State of New York / ss I do hereby certify that the town of Orange County / New Windsor in said County aged Fifty six years being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is a member of the the Presbyterian Church in New Windsor of said Church and that he has no his possession the marriage record of said Church from January 1774 untill October 20 1796 and that he finds on said record as follows
Viz 1790
October 21 Nathan of Reed and Lena Simmerson
I certify that the above is a true copy from the record - and would read as follows One Thousand seven hundred and ninety October twenty first Nathaniel Reed and Lena Simmerson sworn to and subscribed Isaac Corwin before me this 7 th day of August 1844 and I certify that the said Corwin is a credible witness The words He is believed in New Windsor later known before signing - C. F. Putnam Pastor of the Peace in said Orange County.

STATE OF NEW YORK, ORANGE COUNTY, SS.--I, JOHN C. WALLACE, Clerk of the County of Orange, do hereby certify, that Chauncy J. Bellanca whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Deposition and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, dwelling in the said county, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same: And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said C. J. Bellanca and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement, is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said county, the
7th day of Aug
1844
John C. Wallace Clerk

L. W. B. W. 18805.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
December 27, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Nathaniel Reed, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that Eleanor, widow of Nathaniel Reed, made an application for pension on July 12th, 1844, at which time she was 72 years of age and residing at Elmira, N. Y., and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war, for a period of two years. Place of his enlistment or officers under whom he served not stated.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Willard S. Reed,
City of Corning, N. Y.

8819
New York
Eleanor Reed widow of Nathaniel Reed, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 10 Feb. 1813 of Chemung in the State of NY who was a Pri in the Co commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the Mass a line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Oct 1844, and sent to John W Martin, Finchville NY
Total amount, $1100 00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. D. Swann, Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 Page 179

6311
Albany New York
Eleanor Reed, widow of Nathaniel Reed, who was a Private, in the Mass a Line,
2 P er C ent "38 43 3/4 3/4 rep o
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Octo. 1844 and sent to
John W. Martin Finchville Orange Co NY
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A June 17. 1844 Vol. 2 Page 84

0311
Albany New York
Eleanor Reed, widow of Nathaniel Reed, who was a Private, in the Mass s Line,
2 Pts
"38 43 3/4 3/4 rep o
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Octo. 1844 and sent to John W. Martin Finchville Orange Co NY
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A June 17. 1844 Vol. 2 Page 84

Dec. 27/97 - History to Mr. Willard S. Reed. City of Corning - N.Y. Jan. 20/98. Letter as above
Mar. 22, 1904. Note to Mr. W. A. Loy, Evanston Ill. Letter of inq. in this file 7.101
Rev 18-805 WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18805 Eleanor Reed widow of William Reed Pr. New York Act: Feb 29 1/8 Index: - Vol. M , Page 158
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11226,
Declaration of Eleanor Reed Widow of Nath Reed of Chemung Co New York Under the act 1838

State of New York } John D. Nicoll of the Orange County } town of New Windsor in said County aged Seventy one years being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the discharge hereunto attached purporting to be the discharge of Nathaniel Reed was left with him according to the best of his recollection sometime about 1825 and has been in his possession since except while it was in Washington where he sent it and it was afterwards returned to him Given to and subscribed this John D. Nicoll 7 th day of August 1844 before me and I certify that he is a credible witness
C. F. Belknap Justice of the Peace

BY THE HONOURABLE MAJOR-GENERAL KNOX,
Commanding the AMERICAN FORCES on Hudson's River.
Nathaniel Reed Soldier in the 1 st Massachusetts Regiment, being inlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from the Service of the United States.
Given in the State of New-York,
the 24 Day of Dec r
1783
By the General's Command,
William M c Lean
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
Ralph H. Bowles Capt. & Adj t

Executive Department. City of Corning CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, N.Y.
7
Dec. 13th., 1897.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
R
Dear Sir:
About 1850 one Eleanor Reed died near Elmira, N.Y., and for some time prior to her death she received a pension as a widow of a Revolutionary Soldier. Her husband's name was Nathaniel, Hezekiah or John. I desire to obtain, if possible, a history of the services of her husband in the Revolutionary War and I assume that this can be obtained from the Government records of the Revolution and Revolutionary pensioners. But I do not know how to go to work to obtain this much desired information.
Will the receiver of this letter kindly inform me how, from whom and what departments I can procure the information I so much desire.
Very truly yours,
William S. Reed.
(Dictated.)

11.226
Eleanor Read
NY
Act 7 th July 38
ad d
2 years priv
$80 per an
also
Act March 3 d 45
Act of '44
No. 5510 act 1843 " 203 " "44
John W Martin Esq. Finchville Orange Co. NY.

Lincolnville Orange Co New York Augt 9 1844
Dr Sir
Accompanying this letter is the declaration and proof in the case of Eleanor Reed widow of Nathaniel Reed who it appears was a soldier in the 4 th Massachusetts Regiment in the Revolutionary War. Pleas give the same an examination as soon as convenient and report the result to me
Your most Obedient Servant John W. Warne
Hon James L Edwards Comm ee of Pensions

LAW OFFICES WILLARD S. REED, CORNING, N.Y.
RECEIVED,
Mch. 15 th 1898.
MAR 17 1898
Balston & Siddons Attys., Washington, D. C.
RALSTON & SIDDONS.
Dear Sir:-
In the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, are on file certain papers upon which Eleanor Reed was granted a pension in 1844 as the widow of Nathaniel Reed a Revolutionary soldier. I desire copies of the same but can not get them from the department for the reason there is no provision for furnishing same. Will you please hand this to some clerk in your office or other reliable person who could obtain such copies for me and request him to write me for what price per folio he will furnish the same:
Yours truly William S. Reed
LAW OFFICE OF WILLARD S. REED, 5 DRAKE BLOCK. CORNING, N. Y.
January 25th., 1898.
Hon. H. Oney Evans, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Yours of the 20th inst. in reply to my letter of former date is at hand. I desire very much to obtain a copy of the papers on file in the claim for pension of Eleanor Reed, widow of Nathaniel Reed, a soldier of the Revolution. I did not expect or desire to obtain them gratis. I supposed your department furnished such papers for a fixed fee but having little idea of the costs I could not resist so wrote for the purpose of ascertaining if there are any such papers on file and if so how I may obtain copies. I infer your department does not furnish such papers. If so will you kindly hand this letter with the one dollar which I enclose to some clerk or other person who will take for me copies of such papers? If his charge is more I will remit on receipt of the papers or perhaps better for him to write me the amount which I will remit to him before he copies the papers. If you can not do this and I should write to some attorney would he be allowed to make copies of the papers?
Yours truly
William S. Reed

Jan 26, 1898
$1. in currency (which accompanied this letter) returned to writer with proper letter.
J. M. [unclear] Finance Div.

L. W. B. W. 18805.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
January 20, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your communication of a recent date wherein you request copies of papers on file in the claim for pension of Eleanor, widow of Nathaniel Reed, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that there is no appropriation by Congress for carrying on work of this character and owing to a pressure of other and more important work this Bureau must decline to comply with your request.
The soldier, Nathaniel Reed, did not make application for pension.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Willard S. Reed,
City of Corning, N. Y.
City Attorney's Office

Executive Department City of Corning N.Y. CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Jan. 6 th / 1897.
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
Eleanor Reed widow of Nathaniel Reed was granted a pension in 1844 for services of her husband in the Revolutionary war, in the Mass. troops.
Do the records in your department show a pension granted to Nathaniel Reed?
That would be the reason for certified copies of the papers upon which said Eleanor Reed was granted a pension? Same as to Nathaniel if he was granted a pension?
Yours truly Willard S. Reed

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 20, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your communication of a recent date wherein you request copies of papers on file in the claim for pension of Eleanor, widow of Nathaniel Reed, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that there is no appropriation by Congress for carrying on work of this character and owing to a pressure of other and more important work this Bureau must decline to comply with your request.
The soldier, Nathaniel Reed, did not make application for pension.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Willard S. Reed,
City of Corning, N. Y.
City Attorney's Office

L. W. B. W. 18805.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
January 20, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your communication of a recent date wherein you request copies of papers on file in the claim for pension of Eleanor, widow of Nathaniel Reed, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that there is no appropriation by Congress for carrying on work of this character and owing to a pressure of other and more important work this Bureau must decline to comply with your request.
The soldier, Nathaniel Reed, did not make application for pension.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Willard S. Reed,
City of Corning, N. Y.
City Attorney's Office

462
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston; A.D. 1811.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Nathaniel Head of Littleton is found in said Warrents Book of 3 years men from May 1 1781 for 3 years, and upon a receipt to the town of Littleton for 300 dollar dollars paid to him as a 3 years man dated April 30 1781.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Pease, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office of the service of my husband Nathaniel Reed who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution He enlisted in the City of Boston from the town of Boston the name of the County she cannot name and State of Massachusetts in the year 1780 for the term of three years as a private in the company commanded by Capt  in the 4 th Massachu- setts Regiment and service as follows Viz: From the time of his enlistment until he was discharged he served principally along the Hudson River at Duckkill White Plains and as far down as Morristown in New Jersey and at West Point where he was honorably discharged on the 24 day of December 1783 by Genl Knox as will more fully appear by reference to the Register in the Books of said Regiment
I am now Seventy two years of age and my memory does not enable me to state my husbands services more fully than above stated Witness my hand this Twelfth day of July AD 1844 Signed by said Eleanor Reed by Eleanor D Reed making her mark in presence of } marks James Roe Justice of Peace Witness: Nichol D Reed

Truro N Y October 9 1844
Sir The foregoing certificate is in the case of Eleanor Reed widow of Nathaniel Reed her declaration with his discharge and other proof was forwarded to you about the first of August last. When examined you will be so very kind as to report to the undersigned
Your Obedt Servant John W. Nathan
Hon James L Edwards Compt of Pensions

Greenville N Y October 9 1844
Sir The foregoing certificate is in the case of Eleanor Reed widow of Nathaniel Reed her declaration with his discharge and other proof was forwarded to you about the first of August last. When examined you will be so very kind as to report to the undersigned
Your Obedt Servant John W. Markin
Hon James L Edwards Compt of Pensions

State of New York
Chemung County ss On this 4 th day of July 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said County Eleanor Reed a resident of the said County aged 75 years & upwards, who being first duly sworn, according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of 1848 passed on the 2 nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Nathaniel Reed who was a private in the war of the Revolution whose services are particularly stated in her former declaration when she was placed on the Pension Roll for five years pay. That her certificate as a pensioner on the New York Roll at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum was returned to the Pension or Pay office at Albany in March last when she drew her last semi-annual stipend.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to & Subscribed
The day & year above written Before me
her mark Eleanor Reed
Wm Foster Justice of the Peace of Chemung Co
I the Magistrate above named do certify that the above named affiant Eleanor Reed is personally known to me & that she makes her mark for want of education.
Wm Foster Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Chemung County ss I Green M Fithian Clerk of the Clerk's office. Said County do hereby certify that William Foster Esq whose certificate appears above & before whom the foregoing

declaration was made was when the same bears date a Justice of the peace of said County duly com- missioned & sworn & that his signatures above sub- scribed are genuine.
Witness my hand & Seal of Office the 4 July 1848 — Greenell Justice Clk
Admitted
H. Maxwell Elmira N.Y.

FREE
Ms 6311
J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions Washington D.C.

Elmira NY
July 4. 1848
Sir.
I enclose the declaration of Eleanor Reed under the act of Feb 2 1848 - She has been a pensioner at $80. The certificate was returned to Abby in March last
Yrs &c
J. H. Maxwell
Edwards Esq