Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5545, for John Phelps, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Masa
Phelps, John
N. 5545
Elizabeth
B.L.Mt. 24336-160-55.
CONTENTS

10.630-
New-York R
John Phelps 2 d
of Lewiston in the state of N. York who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Putnam of the Massachusetts line, for the term of 2 y rs 2 m o s.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York,
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 28 th of Dec r 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th of May 1822 and sent to Bates Cook, Esq r Lewiston, N.Y.
Arrears to 4th of March 1822. 212.12
Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 Sept: 1822. 40.00
2 y rs 2 m o s 16
$260.12
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
21 st May 1820
Lewiston - Niagara Co: N.Y.

3.959 Michigan Elizabeth Phelps widow of John D. Phelps 2 d who served in the Revolutiona- ry war, as a private Wash Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 94 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 31 st day of March 1854 and sent to J. A. G. McCutchen Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 513 Vol. A
Reg 3 m ss - 146149 Eff

146.149 Ack March 3/55-
May 21/55-
Elizabeth Phelps wid of John Phelps 2 d Ppk Passion
Mgs: Cent. Cln.
2H 336 Jp
22
Revolutionary War M c Naughton, Apr. 22/186 Mch 2nd 1861
M
Vol 8 page 79
L. H. Van Kleeck worth P.O. Tuscola Co Mich.

At a Court of Common Pleas held at the School House in the Village of Lewiston in and for the County of Niagara in the State of New York on the third day of January A.D. 1822 being a Court of record in pursuance of a Law of the said State and a Rule & order of its proceedings and has jurisdiction to fine and imprison.  Present Silas Hopkins Robert Fleming Judges James Man Herne
There was no Col. Prescott in the Massachusetts line, on the continental establishment presumed for correction.
20th Jan 1822
On this third day of January 1822 personally appeared in open Court John Phelps, aged fifty six years a time last received in the town of Lewiston in the County of Niagara who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the army of the revolution in the company commanded by Captain Benson in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Brewst called the first Massachusetts Regiment in the Massachusetts line from March Seventeen Hundred and eighty one till December Seventeen hundred and eighty three when he was honorably discharged by General Henry Knox. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the eighth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighty one that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner whatever disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish or to bring myself within the provisions of an 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 eighteenth day of March One thousand eight hundred and eighty one 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 mentioned and contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed that any application made for a pension in the month of December 1819 as this deponent believes and that no Certificate has ever as yet been received by this deponent.
Given to me subscribed John Phelps in open Court this 3rd day of January 1822
Chas. Grant Clerk of Niagara Common Pleas
Schedule of the personal and personal property Securities and contracts of John Phelps and of the estate and availing him of Real Estate I have none of any kind either in Law or equity.
   One feather bed set, bedding besides 88.00   one Bible and one Testament 1.25   one Shawl one bedstead bedding besides 4.00   One Table and one stand 2.00   Two seats and 2 half boards 1.25   8 Common Chairs 2.25   1 print Cup & 1 Quart Cup .35   1 meat board and 1 small looking glass 1.75   1 stove board 25 wash tub and dyepot etc. 1.25   1 Chain 75 pair Steel yards etc. 1.75   Dishware and Crockerware sufficient for one constant use of family 3.00   One axe and one hoe 1.25   One corn basket .25   1 pair Iron Shovel and tongs 3.00   3 Summer pigs 3.00   Day of 2nd Wife say 4 or 5 but 1.50   25 bushels Corn 25 bushels potatoes 12.00 18.25   Some furniture but not sufficient to keep my family through the winter 3   Two boxes to answer the purpose of Chests one for clothing and one for meat 1.50  

Clothing for myself and family not sufficient for our comfort.
One Large wheel and one Steel 2 50
One Old plow 1 12 1/2
Six Sheep 7 50
$ 63.72 1/2
I have in possession 4 sheep the property of Isaac Swayze to keep also the Cow which of right belongs to my daughter having several years since appropriated a heifer of hers given her by an Aunt to my use I give her this Cow then young
I have also in possession a mare for which I agreed to give Isaac Swayze 5$ but have not paid him
I owe Isaac Swayze nine Dollars and Isaac Fisher owes me the same amount and for same consideration
Signed John Phelps
  I owe Samuel Shagsan old debt of about $34.50 int. to John  180    Jonathan Perkins debts  10.00 due    Maynard  9.00 due    Abias Osborn  9.00 due    John Scott for shoeing  4.00    John Sterling for leather  3.00    Isaac Swayze for sheep & wheat  7.50    William M'Ellan for goods  2.00    Joseph Southland for wheat & apples  4.50    Butts books for money borrowed  2.00  
I am myself by occupation a farmer my ability to labour is greatly weakened by a complaint in the waist which originated in the Continental Service and has continued ever since which prevents me from performing hard labour without pain I am also at times afflicted

with seven rheumatic pains
I have a wife named Anna aged fifty three years she is totally unable to labor and requires assistance to take care of her
I have three children living with me one named Hannah aged fifteen years Calvin aged eleven and Henry aged seven years they are healthy children but very illiterate as I have not had the means of schooling them
I own to and subscribe signed John Phelps the 3 rd day of January 1822
Oliver Grace Clerk of Niagara Common Pleas
State of New York
§ In and County of Niagara ss. I Oliver Grace Clerk of the County of Niagara do hereby certify that the foregoing copy is a true and correct transcription and truly copies from the records of the said Court And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Sixty Three Dollars and Seventy five and a half Cents
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this Seventh day of January 1822
Oliver Grace Clerk

Oliver Grace Clerk
State of New York
County of Niagara ss. John Phelps, named in the annexed paper, being duly sworn further saith that he first served under Col. after died General Putnam one year - the second year under Col. Arvill and a part of the third year under a Colonel Vorse or Vose as the deponent believes, - but the exact name the deponent cannot at this time recollect - it was Vorse or Vose, Prevost or Prevost or a name that sounded like that, but on reflection and conversing with one Maxfield who served in the same Regiment he believes it to have been Vorse or Vose - it was a name not familiar to the deponent at the time as the colonel was with the Regiment but a few months - the deponent served under the same enlistment three years under the several officers above named, and further saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed this 2 nd day of February 1822. Before me
John Phelps
Silas Hopkins
Senior Judge of the court of common pleas Niagara County.

County of Niagara N.Y.
Clerk's office. I Abraham Van Tyne deputy Clerk of the County of Niagara do hereby certify that the Supplementary affidavit of which the within is a true copy has been annexed to the claim of John Phelps on file in this office that Silas Hopkins before whom the said affidavit was taken was at the time of the taking thereof Senior Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County and that the signature of the said Magistrate is the proper hand writing of the said Silas Hopkins who is duly authorized to adminis- ter oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this fourth day of Febru- ary 1822.
Abraham Van Tyne Deputy Clerk
John Phelps Claim

5575.
John Phelps, Niagara County, N.Y. 20. Decem r . 1819. Col o . R. Putnam's regt. Massach ts . line - March 1781 - to 1783.
Not found on the rolls.
Discharged in a friend. The testimony, on oath, of two or more disinte- rested and credible persons, certified as such by the judge, proving 9 mo s . service in continuance, of the applicant, on cont d . estab t . is required.
Bates Cooke, agent, Lewiston, N. York, Rec d . 1. January, 1820.
Verburian Chas. John D. Phelps John D. Phelps Amos H. H.

State of New York
county of Niagara Co. On this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the court of common Pleas in and for the said County of Niagara personally appear John Phelps aged over fifty three years resident in Leavittown in the said County who being by me first duly sworn, according 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 the said John Phelps enlisted in the month of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one at Northampton, County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Bowman, of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Putnam being the fifth Massachusetts Regiment and of the Massachusetts Line - that he continued to serve in the said corps or in the service of the United States, (the latter part of the time under the command of Captain Joshua Benson) until the month of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty three when he was discharged at West Point in the State of New York - that he enlisted for the term of three years and served until the army was dis-

- banded - that he was stationed at West point nearly all of the first year, at and about New Plank's Point the second and during the third was at New York when the British troops evacuated that place to  from which place came from  he was  to Philadelphia when Col. Prevost commanded the Regiment to which he belonged - that his discharge was in writing - which he has not seen since the year following the one in which he was discharged - and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year first above written.
J. W. B.
John Phelps
I Sideon Trisbee Judge, &c. as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Phelps did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declara- -tion against the common enemy - that he now is a resident citizen of the United States and that he is in reduced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the war Department pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of congress. J. W. B.
20 Dec. 1824.

State of Michigan } Genesee County } On this fourteenth day of March A.D. 1854, personally appeared before the Circuit Court of the County of Genesee State of Michigan and County aforesaid , Widow Elizabeth Phelps aged 77 years a resident of the County aforesaid who first being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Pension made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 d of February 1853 granting Pensions to widows of Persons who served during the revolutionary War: That she is the widow of John Phelps (deceased) who was a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner that she was married to the said John Phelps on the first day of June 1830 - That the Marriage Ceremony was performed by Asahel Hemenway Esq a Justice of the Peace, in the County of Niagara and State of New York (she has no public or private record of the Marriage) that her said husband died on the 18 th day of September 1834 in the County of Niagara and State of New York that she has not married again since his death, being still a widow - she also acknowledges she has appointed J. H. G. McCutchen of Washington City D.C. as her attorney to receive and take charge of her Pension Certificate (if it should be granted)
sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me - (and I certify) on examination of evidence exhibited to me, I am satisfied that the applicant is the widow of John Phelps, and the Marriage and death were at the periods above stated. Sanford M. Wan Circuit Judge.

State of Michigan } Genesee County }
on this thirteenth day of March 1854 before me (a justice of the Peace) in and for the said County and State, personally appeared the several Persons whose names are hereunto subscribed, (whom I certify to be credible Persons, and residents of this County who being sworn, made oath that they are well acquainted with Mrs Elizabeth Phelps, the applicant for a Revolutionary Pension, and they know of their own personal knowledge, that she is the widow of John Phelps deceased, who was a Revolutionary soldier and Pensioner. They were acquainted with the parties, during the lifetime of the husband, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to be so reputed, they also know of their own personal knowledge that her deceased husband - John Phelps died on or about the 18 th of September 1834, in the county of Niagara State of New York and that his widow Elizabeth Phelps has not since married and is now residing in Genesee County State of Michigan
Sarah M. Hurd Eloisa Taylor
Richard Taylor
STATE OF MICHIGAN, Genesee County Clerk's Office,
I, Charles E. Dewey Charles E. Dewey Clerk of said County, do hereby certify ss. that Roswell G. Hurd whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and written thereon, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment a justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such justice and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County, this
14 th day of March, 1854 A. D. 184
C. Bump Clerk.

State of Michigan } Genesee County } on this thirteenth day of March 1854 before
me (a justice of the Peace) in and for the said County and State, personally appeared the several Persons whose names are hereunto subscribed, (whom I certify to be credible Persons, and residents of this County) who being sworn, made oath that they are well acquainted with Mrs Elizabeth Phelps, the applicant for a Revolutionary Pension, and they know of their own personal knowledge, that she is the widow of John Phelps deceased, who was a Revolutionary soldier and Pensioner they were acquainted with the parties, during the lifetime of the husband, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to be so reputed, they also know of their own personal knowledge that her deceased husband John Phelps died on or about the 18 th of September 1834 in the County of Niagara State of New York and that his widow Elizabeth Phelps has not since married and is now residing in Genesee County State of Michigan
Sarah M. Hurd Eloisa Hurd
Richard Taylor
sworn and subscribed the day and year above mentioned and I certify that I believe the applicant Mrs Elizabeth Phelps is the widow of John Phelps deceased who was a revolutionary soldier & pensioner
Russell G. Hunt Justice of the Peace

1246.1249 

State of Michigan ) County of Washtenaw ) ss
On this 11 th day of May One thousand Eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Elizabeth Phelps aged Seventy Eight years, a resident of Washtenaw in the County of Washtenaw and state of Michigan, who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of John Phelps deceased who was a Private in the Revolutionary War, also drew a Pension for his service in said War. Deponent now draws a pension of ninety six dollars per annum for the service of her said husband from the Detroit Michigan Agency in the County of Wayne and State of Michigan, a copy of her Pension Certificate is here in enclosed, She further states that she was married to said John Phelps interwiston in County of Niagara and State of New York on the first day of June A.D. One thousand Eight hundred and thirty or one Asher Heman a party of the Peace in and for the County of Niagara and that before her said marriage her name was Elizabeth van Kleek, and that her said husband died at Lewiston Niagara County State of New York on the eighteenth day of September A.D. One thousand Eight hundred and thirty four of quick consumption and that she is now a widow. For proof of her marriage with the said Phelps and of his death Deponent respectfully refers to proof now on file at the Pension Office.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March third A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty five. Deponent says that she has no record evidence of her marriage, and does not know of any in existence.
Subscribed before me Dennis Harrison Sarah Harrison Elizabeth J. Phelps march 18

We Dennis Harrison and Sarah Harrison the former aged Sixty years, the latter 58 years, both residents of Traverse in the state of Michigan upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the said applicant (Elizabeth Phelps) in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statement of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be Deponents further say, that they have known the said Elizabeth Phelps for the last thirty years, and that they knew the said Elizabeth Phelps and her said husband to live together as man and wife for the last four years before his death, and deponents verily believe that the said parties were legally married as stated in the declaration of the said Elizabeth Phelps Deponents further say that the said applicant Elizabeth Phelps is now a widow.
Dennis Harrison Sarah Harrison
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the affirmants to be credible persons, and the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this Claim I further certify that the third page of this instrument contains a true copy of the original Pension certificate now in the possession of the Claimant, also that the reason why she did not write her name is because she never learned to write
Daniel G. Slagle
Judge of the probate

State of Michigan Tuscola County, Clerk's Office } No. 1 John Johnson, Clerk of said County, and of the Circuit Court thereof, certify that David G. Haskell Esquire, by whom the authorized instrument Affidavit was taken, was at the date thereof an acting justice of the Peace within and for the said County, duly qualified, as a such duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said justice, and believe the signature purporting to his is genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Saginaw, this 12 th day of May 1865. John Johnson Clerk.

Department of the Interior Widows Pension
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Elisabeth Phelps widow of John Phelps 2 d who was a private in the revolutionary war is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of thirty Six dollars per annum commencing on the 3d of February 1853 and continuing for life unless she should again marry in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage Given at the Department of the Interior this thirty first day of March one thousand eight hundred fifty four
R. McClelland Secretary of the Interior
Seal { Examined and countersigned L. P. Thaldo Commissioner of Pensions

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of John Pheeps, R. I. 5,545 , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and  or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Mch. 1781 Dec. 1783 Pri. { Bowman Joshua Benson { Putnam's 5 regt Vols Mars                                                                 
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Not stated
Date of application for pension, Dec 20 1819: his claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Towington, Niagara Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, born in June 1765: died Sept 18. 1834 in Niagara Co. N.Y.
Remarks: In 1822: Wife Anna, 43 years of age: Children: Hannah 15 years Galvin 11 years; Henry, 7 years. She died married Elizabeth — on June 1. 1830 in Niagara Co. N.Y., her claim was allowed on an application executed Mch. 14. 1854 at which date she was 77 years of age and a resident of Seneca Co. N.Y. no further family data. Very respectfully,
Mrs B. C. Williams
#29 Johnson Park
Buffalo N.Y.
Commissioner.

1906 Nov 5 - History to Mrs. B. L. Williams. M.B. H.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5545- Eliz th Phelps Wid. John Phelps 2 d Pvt. Rev. War Act: Febry 3 rd 1852 Index:—Vol. Ms , Page 128
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BY THE HONOURABLE MAJOR GENERAL K N O X,
Commanding the AMERICAN FORCES on Hudson's River.
John Phelps Laddick ————— in the First Massachusetts ————— Regiment, being enlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from the Service of the United States.
Given in the State of New-York, the twenty fourth Day of Dec r
1783
By the General's Command,
H. Knox
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
Ralph H. Bowles Capt. & Adj. Genl

v
24 336
J
Stoans

STATE OF MICHIGAN, Genesee County Clerk's Office,
I, Charles E. Dewey , Clerk of said County, do hereby certify ss. that Samford M. Green whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and written thereon, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment acting Judge of the Circuit Court in and for the County aforesaid, duly 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 certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County, this
14 th day of March 1889. A. D. 1889
C. J. Bump Clerk.

...not been recently in such cases,
Yours Respectfully,
John Asham Esq. Colchester, Conn.
for Commissioner,

N o 1,498 Revolutionary Claim Elizabeth Phelps widow of John Phelps Pensioner.
Act 3 rd Feb 1853 2 nd Section
Allowed $96 per ann to commence Feb. 3/53
H. W. Lant chas Present

Official business
Paid 5
Secretary of the Interior Washington D.C.
146.149
Bridgeport - 2 Mich May 18 th

14455 NY Elizabeth Phelps Friend John
How soon to Waldo Court of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Recd March 22 nd 1878

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Phelps widow of John Phelps Genesee County and State of Michigan act of February 3 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under act of 1818 at $96 per annum
Allowed $96 per annum to com. February 3/53. (If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by credible witnesses
Death proved by credible witnesses
Identity & widowhood proved by credible witnesses
Name and residence of Agent
J. H. G. McCarsthen Esq. Present
Examining Clerk.
H. H. H. H.

Purcell May 15 th 1855
Dr Sir
enclosed please find declaration for bounty, Land for Elizabeth Phelps which you will dispose of when her turn comes no doubt
Yours Truly D. W. Van Klief
P.S. you will please direct to North P.O. Purcell County Mich

Honorable Secretary of War
Washington City.

Gerritown N.Y. 21. July 1821.
Sir I have the honor to enclose again the affidavit of John Phelps an applicant for a Revolutionary pension - since the papers were returned he has been so fortunate as to obtain from Massachusetts his discharge under the signature of Maj. General H. Russell - this he hopes will be deemed sufficient and requests his certificate forwarded to this place.
I beg permission to inquire as to the claims (for pensions) of Samuel Shattuck and Caleb Hopkins forwarded by me during the last winter.
With great respect I am your very Obedient Servant
Bates Cookes.
Hon. J. C. Calhoun.

O.W. & N.
29 Johnson Park, C Commissioner of Pensions,
Will you kindly send me the record of John Phelps, 2nd, of Erie Co., N.Y. in pension list of 1818. and greatly oblige
(Mrs. B.C.) Emma S. Williams
Buffalo, N.Y.
October, twenty second.