Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,044, for Gardner Preston, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Preston Gardner
S. 30044
CONTENTS

10.068.
Letter 11. May 1837 C.P. Huntington.
Massachusetts
Garner Preston
Hampshire in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Montague of the regt commanded by Col Woodbridge the Mass June for 1 One Regt 7 " Private Mile
84
Hampshire
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Mar 1830 and sent from 36 Bitt Northampton Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1830 $56.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 2 Sept 14.16
$70.82
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H S Blair Clerk, Book 10 Vol. 2nd Page 63 .

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire
On this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting, Gardner Preston a resident of North Hadley in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated -
That about the twenty first day of April 1775 he started as a minute man for Boston in a company commanded by Capt Moses Montague, Josiah Smith. Lieut. Col. Ruggles Woodbridge having command of the Regiment of Minute men - That he went with the company to Cambridge Massachusetts, and remained there with the army in the service of the United States one month - till about June 1. 1775 when he was dismissed his place being filled by enlistment - That Gen Putman, & Gen. Ward were then in command - that he went as a volunteer immediately upon the report of the battle of Lexington - and acted & was an orderly sergeant -
That about first day of December 1776 he enlisted for the term of three months in the Massachusetts State Troops in a company commanded by Capt. Oliver Smith - 1 st Lieut. Thomas Hastings - 2 d Lieut. Eleazer Warner - and in the Regiment under the command of Col. Seth Pomeroy - That he left said South Hadley about the ninth of said December with the company and joined the Regiment at Peekskill New York - remained there about six weeks, from thence went with the Regiment to Morristown New Jersey, and was there stationed and remained with the Regiment till he was dismissed March 18. 1777 - and was allowed ten days to return home, having served three months and nineteen days, and was allowed pay for that time - That while at Peekskill Col Pomeroy died, and he believes from that time Major - Williams had command of the Regiment - Genl Washington was in command of the army at Morristown - that he, the said Preston acted orderly sergeant during the whole time - that he received a sergeants warrant which is lost -
That on the tenth of July 1777 he enlisted for the term of one month in a company commanded by Lieut Reuben Doolittle, and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Ruggles Woodbridge, in the Massachusetts State Troops, and proceeded to Greatbush New York, thence went and joined a branch of the army at a place called Moses Creek, three miles from Fort Edward - then retreated with the army to near Saratoga, where he was dismissed in August 1777 having served one month in the capacity of orderly sergeant - Genl Schyler had command of the army -

That early in June 1780 he enlisted for the term of three months in the Massachusetts State Troops in the company commanded by Capt. Job Alvord - 1 st Lieut Azariah Alvord - 2 d Lieut Moses Stone - and in the Regiment under the command of Col. Seth Murray - that he joined the Regiment at West Point, New York, that he was there stationed and remained in the service of the United States until he was dismissed in October 1780 - that he served three months and twelve days, and received pay for that time, we being allowed twelve days for going to and returning from service - that during the term he served in the capacity of orderly sergeant - that he has now in his possession his original Company Roll, and the original Warrant signed by "Seth Murray Col l " appointing him "first sergeant in a company commanded by Job Alvord Captain in a Regiment of which Seth Murray Esq r is Colonel raised in defence of the United States" dated "in Garrison at West Point the 23 day of August 1780" &c - That Gen. Arnold was in command, till the discovery of his treason, when Gen. Wayne took command, & remained in command till the arrival of Gen. Greene -
That he was born in South Hadley aforesaid Sept. 15. 1748 - That his birth is recorded on the Town Books of said South Hadley as in 1749 - that he verily believes the record of his birth erroneous, and verily believes it to have been in 1748 - that he has always resided in said South Hadley his present place of residence, that he resided there at each time when he entered into service - he never received any written discharge from the service - that he knows of no documentary evidence he can produce excepting his Serjeants Warrant above referred to, and that contained in the muster roll of Col. R. Woodbridge of his being mustered before him in 1780 - and of no evidence of his service except that contained in the affidavits herewith annexed and refers to those deponents as persons who can testify to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution - Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Gardner Preston Before me Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate for said County
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states -
Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
Samuel F. Lyman Register of the court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Gardner Preston for a pension -
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1832
Sam F. Lyman Register

I Seth Moody of South-Hadley in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn make oath and say that I am well acquainted with Gardner Preston a resident of said South-Hadley, and now present, that about the twenty first day of April 1775 said Preston started from said South-Hadley as a Minute man for Boston in a company commanded by Capt Moses Montague - Col Ruggles Woodbridge having command of the Regiment of Minute men - that said Preston went with the company to Cambridge, Massachusetts - that said Preston remained there in the service one month, and was dismissed about June 1 st 1775
That on July tenth 1777 said Preston enlisted for the term of one month in the Massachusetts State Troops in a company under the command of Lieut. Ruben Dudd, and proceeded to Greenbush New York - thence went with the company and joined a branch of the army at a place called Moses Creek, three miles from Fort Edward - our company was then in Col Woodbridge's Regiment - thence retreated with the army to near Saratoga where said Preston was dismissed after he had served one month - that I have a personal knowledge of the services of said Preston in both terms, as I was with him - That said Preston is a credible person, and I should verily believe what he might say in his declaration in regard to his services -
Seth Moody
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss August 13. 1832.
Then personally appeared Seth Moody above named, a credible person and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - Sworn - before me - Edward Hooker Justice of the Peace
I Joseph Will of Granby in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn make oath and say that I am well acquainted with Gardner Preston of South-Hadley in said County of Hampshire and now present, that about the first day of December 1776 said Preston enlisted for the term of three months in the Massachusetts State Troops in the company commanded by Capt Oliver Smith, in the Regiment under the command of Col. Seth Pomroy - that he started with the company in the early part of said December and joined the Regiment at Peekskill - that said Preston remained there in the service about six weeks - thence he went with the Regiment to Morristown New Jersey - and said Preston then remained with the army till he was dismissed in the latter part of March 1777.

that said Preston served his full term of three months - and in addition nineteen days, and was allowed pay for three months & nineteen days - That said Preston during said service was & served as orderly serjeant -
That early in June 1780 - said Preston enlisted for the term of three months in the Massachusetts State Troops in the company commanded by Capt. Bob Alvord, in the Regiment under the command of Col. Seth Murray - That said Preston joined the Regiment at West Point, New York - That he was there stationed and remained in the service until he was dismissed in October 1780 - and served in the United States Army three months and twelve days, and received pay for that time, we being allowed twelve days for going to & returning from the service - That said Preston during said last service was and acted as orderly serjeant - That said Preston at the time he enlisted for both terms was a resident of said South Hadley - That said Preston is a credible person and I should verily believe what he might say in his declaration in regard to his services - That I have a personal knowledge of the service of said Preston during both of said terms, as I served in the same company at the same time -
Joseph D. Witt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss August 13. 1832.
Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Witt, a credible person, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - Sworn - Before me Edward Hooker Justice of the Peace
Eleazer Pomroy of Hadley in the County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn make oath and state that I am well acquainted with Gardner Preston of South Hadley in said County - That in December 1776 said Preston enlisted for the term of three months in the company commanded by Capt. Oliver Smith, in Col. Seth Pomroy's Regiment, in the Massachusetts State Troops, that said Preston with the company joined the army at Peekskill New York. That after remaining there about six weeks, he went with the army to Morristown New Jersey and was there dismissed. That said Preston having served three months & nineteen days - said Preston acted & served during said time as orderly serjeant -

Hampshire ss August 13. 1832.
Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Witt, a credible person, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - Sworn - Before me Edward Hooker Justice of the Peace
I Ebenezer Pomroy of Hadley in the County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn make oath and state that I am well acquainted with Gardner Preston of South-Hadley in said County - That in December 1776 said Preston enlisted for the term of three months in the company commanded by Capt Oliver Smith, in Col Seth Pomroy's Regiment, in the Massachusetts State Troops, that said Preston with the company joined the army at Peekskill New York that after remaining there about six weeks, he went with the army to Morristown New Jersey and was then dismissed that said Preston having served three months & nineteen days - said Preston acted & served during said time as orderly sergeant - That I have a personal knowledge of the service of said Witt Preston, as I served in the same company at the same time - That said Preston is a credible person, and I should verily believe what he might state in his declaration in regard to his services -
Ebenezer Pomroy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss August 8. 1832
Then personally appeared Ebenezer Pomroy, signer of the foregoing affidavit, a credible witness, & made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated - Sworn, Before me Edward Hooker Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE ss. I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Edward  Hooker Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions (3) were taken, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of August A. D. 1832.
Sam F. Lyman Register of Probate.

I hereby certify that it appears from the Muster Roll, now in my possession, kept by Col Ruggles Woodbridge, muster master, declared, that the name of Joseph Witt of Granby in the County of Hampshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was entered on said Roll as mustered "July 4. 1779 for six months service at Providence" -
And also as mustered "July 12. 1780 for three months service, age Twenty Two - stature five feet 7 inches" - that I verily believe said Roll to be in the handwriting of said Woodbridge - and that said Roll was deposited with me by Joseph Strong, his Executor said Woodbridge, and now a resident of New York - South-Hadley August 14. 1832 Edward Hooker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampshire ss.
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
We, Artemas Boies , a clergyman residing in the town of South Hadley and Elihu Dwight residing in South Hadley hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Isaac Preston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty three years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Artemas Boies Elihu Dwight
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss - December 17. 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Artemas Boies , a clergyman, and Elihu Dwight , and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed - Sworn before me Edward Hooker Justice of the Peace
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Artemas Boies who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in South-Hadley and that Elihu Dwight who has also signed the same, is a resident in South-Hadley and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and that the said Preston cannot produce, in court, said persons without too much expense & inconvenience to him.
Samuel Hinkley Judge of Probate

Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
We, Artemas Boies , a clergyman residing in the town of South Hadley and Ebenezer Dwight residing in South Hadley hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Tadous Preston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty three years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Artemas Boies
Ebenezer Dwight
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss - December 17, 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Artemas Boies , a clergyman, Ebenezer Dwight , and Tadous Preston  credible persons and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed - Sworn before me Edward Hooker Justice of the Peace
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Artemas Boies who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in South Hadley and that Ebenezer Dwight who has also signed the same, is a resident in South Hadley and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and that the said Preston cannot produce, in court said persons without too much expense & inconvenience to him.
Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN , Register of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original in the proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Tadous Preston for a pension. and that Edward Hooker is a Justice of the Peace for said county duly qualified to the above signature, in virtue of his the this is to certify
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Samuel F. Lyman Register.

Guadalupe Preston No 4363 Declaration of

N o 4363 Gardner Preston
Sergeant 11 Months Phila 7
8
Alb Papers not properly authenticated - request to send the original papers to Roll & his Supts warrant
Nov 24 1832
8 28 33.
Gen. J. B. Bates
Northampton
Mass
C. P. Huntington
Northampton
Mass

BRIEF in the case of Gardner Preston of the County of Hampshire in the State of Mass.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 83 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775 st Apr. 21 — 1 — As a Serjt. Gen. Col. Woodbridge, Capt. Montague   " 76 Dec. 1 st — 3 — Platoon Col. Pomeroy, Capt. Smith   " 77 July 10 — 1 — ditto Col. Woodbridge, St. Ludd   " 80 June — 3 — ditto Col. Murray, Capt. Alvord  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? South Hadley  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions & documents —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  no Col. Geryman's Certificate 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bolt Examining Clerk.

Inventory
Cyrus Hunsicker
Wadsworth B3
Wadsworth 1780 7-2-2
1-12-19-3 1-7-9-0
1-7-9
3-0-75-3
Cancelled
Wadsworth B3

Capt Job Alward. Lieut Azariah Alward. Lt Moses Stone. Sergt Gardner Preston. Sergt Hezekiah Root. Sergt Oliver Bartlett. Sergt James Cowen. Cor Azariah Dickinson. Corps Obediah Boardman. Corps Nathan Pratt. C Ephraim Green. Sister Levi Smith.
Reuben Smith. Oliver Gaylord. Josiah Smith. Josiah Kellogg. Phinehas Kellogg. John Alward. Cathan Smith. Zenos Nash. Seth Mountague. Oliver Wright. Cyril Shumaway. Gustus Hannum. William Phelps. Benjamin Ward.

Jabez Pratt Benjamin Barthol. James Conkey. Benjamin Morgan. Jacob Smith. Oliver Town. Ebenezer Darrow. William Lane. Levi Taylor. John Lathrop. Jabez Birchard. Joseph Witt. Aaron Bilton. John Balthasar.
Ebenezer Warner. Reuben Warner. Nathaniel Peck. Calvin Peck. William Rice. Jonathan Kellogg. Sam l Marsh. John Hodge. Hillard Smith. Elisha Taylor. Paul Knight. William Cook. Solomon Cook. Joseph Cook.

Samuel Ward. Jedediah Ayres. Humphrey Ward. Samuel D. Dineen. Nicholas Pratt. Jonathan Ingraham. John Stephens. Ephraim Wheeler. Oliver Wheeler. James Hill. Lamon Grey. Samuel Thatcher. Levi Dickinson. Rufus Howley. Benjamin Watson. Samuel Thrall.
Rufus H. Cook. Charles Hitchcock. Luke Hitchcock. Ebenezer Strong. John Mores. Joseph Mores. William Robbins. Christopher Shaver. Eldred Granger. Lydia Granger. Stanton Latham. David Nuttall. Samuel Goad.

Roll
3. Capt. Job Alward Lt Lt Sergt. Gardner Preston 17 Sergt. Ezekiah Root 12 Sergt. Oliver Bartlett Sergt. James Cowen 8 Cor. Azariah Dickinson Cor. Obediah Hardwell 17 Cor. Nathan Pratt Cor. Ephraim Green Dr. Joshua Conkey Inf. Levi Smith Lieut. Smith 22 Oliver Gaylord 15

Ethan Smith 16 Phinehas Kellogg 12 John Alvord 12 Zenas Naph 14 Cyril Sherman 10 Levi Dickinson 19 William Beal 13 Wm Rice 17 Timothy Dean Ezekiel Baker 11 Nathan Kellogg 12 John Moore 12 Sam d Prince 9 Moses Kellogg 12 Timothy Bugg Samuel Thatcher 7 John Stephen 17
Leona Nash
Jonathan Kellogg Willard Smith 14 W m M c Fall 12 Russell Knowles 14 Ebenezer Strong 12 David Sutter 11 Sam d A. Cool 12 Aaron Miller 8 John Bolleswood 13 Isaac Richardson 12 Benjamin Bartlett 12 Calvin Mitchell 15 Jacob Smith 13 John Lathrop 13 Levi Taylor 14 James Hill Elijah Babbitt Seth Montague

William Cook 10
John Hodge 12
Joseph Witt 14
Ebenezer Darrow 12
Justus Hannum
John Crawford 8
Daniel Rogers 12
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
William Cook
John Hodge
Joseph Witt
Ebenezer Darrow
Justus Hannum
John Crawford 8
Daniel Rogers 12
John Hodge
6 in a box
10

It was decided not to remove list of soldiers filed with case, as there is no heading to said list.
Oct. 21, 1910
F. W.

30 044 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30,044
Gardner Preston
Dis Rec War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 328
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N o 4,363 Gardner Preston
The original Muster Roll & his Sergeants Warrant must accom- pany his papers when submitted to the Dept
Yours Affec y
Nov 24/1862

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Gardner Preston which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days. I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

May 8
H Preston Garrison
May 22nd '32, 10-068
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Northampton Mass
May 2, 1857.
Sir
Gardner Preston died May 26, 1834 leaving a widow.
The widow sought to draw for what was due her husband & died in 1835. - Does the
Administrator of the widow draw the money on the children of Gardner Preston, or the children living at the decease of the widow? - Pensioner under act of 1831.
yours, with much respect
C. P. Huntington
for those concerned —
(over)

Where a pensioner's attestation to the copy of his certificate by a magistrate & his power of Attorney are on the same piece of paper as is usually the case in claiming for his money, & he makes his mark, is it necessary under the late rules that there should be a witness other than the magistrate to each signature, there being the requisite witnesses to the power of Attorney - The agent in Boston requires 2 to each, & yet fraud would seem to be as effectually guarded against with the 2 witnesses signatures to the power, where both are on the same paper as if with 2 witnesses to each —

Seth Murray Colonel
Of a Regiment raised in the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts in the service of the United States of America.
To Gardner Preston
Greeting
By the Authority Invested in me by the Council and Assembly of said State I do by these Presents (reposing especial Trust in your Patriotism Courage and good Conduct) constitute and appoint You the first Serjeant in a Company Commanded by Robt. Alvoord Captain in a Regiment of which Seth Murray Esq. is Colonel. Raised in defence of the United States. You are hereby charged Carefully and Dilligently to discharge the duty of First Serjeant in said Regiment and shall be respected and obeyed as such. And You are to Obey and obey all Orders from me or other your Superior Officers as You shall from time to time receive according to the Rules and Discipline of War. In pursuance of the Trust Reposed in you for which this shall be Your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand in Garrison at West Point this Twenty third day of August One Thousand seven Hundred and eighty and in the fifth Year of the Independence of the United States of America
Seth Murray Col o