Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,638, for Josiah Osborn, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER
born New York.
Osborn Josiah
S. 4638
CONTENTS
carded.

Ohio Pittsburgh 22.4/10
Isaiah Osborn
Keeps Co. in the State of Ohio, who was a Private in the Co. — commanded by Captain Husted of the H. C. — commanded by Col. — in the Conn. V. T. time for 10 mos & 26 days.
$36. 22 / 100
April 1831
Conn. Mf Service Record Book, V. 1
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pension at the rate of 36 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Oct. 2 1833, and sent to Mr. Bosworth, Chester, Mi. C. Ohio
Arrears to the 24th of Sept. 1833, 90.55. Femant. allowance ending 4 Mo 31, 18.11.
$108.66.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm H Palmer Clerk, Book E Vol. 8 Page 122

26 529.
Josiah Asburn

The State of Ohio Meigs County ss
On this first day of May
AD 1833 Personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Common Pleas for said County now sitting Josiah Osborn aged seventy two years a resident of Chester Meigs County Ohio, who being du- ly sworn doth on his oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated from the lapse of time & nature of the service I cannot state positively as to the precise length or exact time of service in the years 1779 & 1780 but will proceed to state those tours of service which I can more distinctly recollect. In August July 1779 I was called out engaged as a substitute for a class who were bound to furnish a man for three months in the Town of Ridgefield County of Fairfield Connecticut under Capt David Olmstead Lieut David Wheeler & Ensign J. Smith marched to Fairfield where I served three months & was dis- charged. In July 1779 I was called out when Fairfield was burnt under Capt David Olmstead & Lieut J. Smith served served not less than two weeks. Same year & in 1780 at different times called out on short tours some of which I will state once to go to Stamford served one week once to Horse neck served one week once to Pine's Bridge on Cro- ton River served one week once to Bedford served two days once to Fishkill served one week once to Gregory's Har- bor near Fredericksburg served one week once to Pom- ridge three days once to go to Nowalk Island two days making in all not less than two months on these short tours - in dees that part of the country during that period was subject to constant alarms & I was frequ- tly called out sometimes kept under arms but few hours at others for several days over & above what I have here sta- ted. About the 1 st of May AD 1781 I, with two others, to wit James McDonald & Henry Palmer went to Bed- ford in New York (which was about 10 miles from my residence in Litchfield Ridgefield Connecticut)

engaged to serve a tour of 9 months in what were then called the New York levies - these levies were furnished by dividing the soldiers into classes, each class to furnish a man I engaged to serve for one of these classes in the company commanded by Capt. Thomas Hunt - Little & Gildersleeve Subalterns in the Regt commanded by Col. Wissenweldt Adjutant's name was Welch - expected, when I engaged, to serve on the lines but after about one month from the time we were embodied (engaged about the 1st of May but commenced service in June) were ordered to Saratoga where I continued to serve till about the 1st of January before the expiration of our term of service. We were told if we would build a block house 60 feet square we should be discharged on its completion. This block house was built on Schuyler's flats when complete. We marched down to Albany then proceeded in boats to Poughkeepsie where we were discharged from the lapse of time which has intervened and not realizing the rate of enlistment or discharge I cannot precisely state how long I did serve but will state the time within the time I know I served - On this tour I served not less than six (6) months I was in no engagement with the enemy while on this tour - the only skirmish in which I was engaged with the enemy was at Nowalk Sol and as above related where we retook some cattle which the British had taken & were carrying in boats to Long Sol and. I was born at Ridgefield Conn. on the 22nd 1781 where my birth is recorded in the records of the Town Clerk I know of no other record of it I removed from Ridgefield to Catkill Green Co (then Albany Co) N. York about the year 1787 then to Meigs (then Athens Co) county Ohio in 1815 - Olive Township where I have resided till recently I removed within the boundaries of Chester Township county as I have no documentary evidence, I know of no person living who can testify to my services except Abijah Osborn of Watertown Connecticut whose testimony I have procured. I have written since the passage of the late law to several of my former comrades who were living in 1815 when I removed to this place some of whom I have been informed are dead & others I suppose are my letters remaining unanswered & have only heard from Abijah Osborn

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state And I further state there is no clergyman in my vicinity whose attendance I can procure at this term who can testify as to my services Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Josiah Osborn A B M c K th Clk
We Major Reed & Henry L Osborn of the  Olive Township hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Josiah Osborn who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Henry L Osborn Major Reed A B M c K th Clk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Major Reed & Henry L Osborn who have signed the above certificate are residents of Olive Township Meigs County & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit & furthermore that there is no clergyman in the vicinity of said Josiah Osborn's residence Attest A B M c K th Clerk
The State of Ohio Meigs County ss I, Marcus Brown the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application Josiah Osborn for a pension In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court at Chester this tenth day of May A D one thousand eight hundred & thirty three of our State the thirty first A B M c K th Clerk

26. 529. 22. 410.
Josiah Osborn Ohio
Adm 10 Months & 26 days. —
 3 8. 78.   3 6. 22 \frac{1}{2}   7 7. 77   9 8. 53   10 5. 66   1 32 
Marcus Basmorth 98 Chester Meigs County Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Josiah Osborn
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Aug 1779. 3 private Capt. Olmstead 72 years.   July 1779. 14 " " Traditionary & a living Witness   1780 7   7   7   21   7   7   May 1781. 6. 2 Capt. Hunt  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832,
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (s) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
G. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 _____ 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown, under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Josiah Osborn a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S File 4638
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug 77 3 mos. David Clonstad ✓ Conn.   July 79 2 mos. " " ✓ "   80 2 mos. on short service. "   May 1, 81 to Jan. 82 Thomas Hunt Marshall N.Y.  
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Ridgefield, Conn.
Date of application for pension, March 1833.
Residence at date of application, Chester, Meigs Co., Ohio.
Age at date of application, born Feb. 22, 1761, Ridgefield, Conn.
Remarks: This claim was allowed. There is no data  relation to his father.

June 196 board d to H. H. J. born, Los Angeles thru Hon J. M. Lachlan (see 31894)
J. M. L.
1909 Oct. 14. Hist to Mrs. E. O. Parker p.
Rev. H. H.
4638 INVALID.
Rev OS Cal
File No. 4638
Isaiah Osborn
First New War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A, Page 280
[Arrangement of 1870.]

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by George M. Moore
Claim No. Oct 7. 1909
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Josiah Osborn
Service Rev
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No O. W. Ins. Vid. or Reg. as above except S.F. No. 4638.

I Abijah Osborn of Watertown in Litchfield County Connecticut aged & twenty two do hereby certify that my brother Josiah Osborn formerly of Litchfield in Litchfield County aged Connecticut aged about seventy years, now residing or supposed to reside in Chatham Meigs County Ohio was only in the Continental or American Service during the Revolutionary War & I should think he enlisted and went on to the southward at that time & cannot say, nor can I say how long he was gone & should think nine months or one year, I have a distinct recollection of his being out in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War and further more the Deponent saith not. State of Connecticut Litchfield County. Abijah Osborn of Watertown Jan'y. 29 th 1833
State of Connecticut Litchfield County v. Watertown Jan'y. 29 th 1833 Personally appeared Abijah Osborn signer of the foregoing deposition personally known to me as a man of truth and respectability and being duly sworn made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing are correct & true. Holbrook Cudworth Clerk of peace

Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, certify that Hobbrook Curtis Esq. was on the 29 th day of January 1833 and that he now is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Litchfield legally commissioned & qualified & that his name subscribed to the within Certificate annexed to the affidavit of Abijah Osborn, is his genuine signature & proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court at Litchfield in said County this 15 th day of June A.D. 1833. Frederick Wolcott Clerk.

Chester N.C. 8 1/2 6 3/4 July 10. 1833
Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions Washington city
Ohio.
216. 529

Chester July 9 th 1833
Sir, Enclosed are the papers of W o Josiah Robson for a pension. I hope they will prove satisfactory.
I am the
D. B. (M c Intosh)

Home Office Building.
American Surety Company H. D. Lyman, President. of New York.
SHERMAN & GRIFFITH, Attorneys & Res. Asst. Secretaries.
E. L. OSBORN, Agent & Res. Vice President.
Montrose, Colo.,
Samuel Sloper married Huldah Cooper their children born in Maine were David Barbara, Jackson, Ambrose, Samuel, Henry, Emily, Mary, Lucretia, Abner, Milard, Susan & Irene This is not in right order. But as near as I can remember, my mother Lucretia was born on a small island off the coast of Maine.
Garish Osborn (my grand-father) who was in the Revolutionary war & was received a pension. Married Hannah Scott. their children were Jerry, Sallie, Aaron, Betsy, Hannah, Moses Lyman
Lyman Osborn & Lucretia Sloper were married in Meigs Co. Ohio in 1835. They were my father & mother. Mrs. Emma Osborn Parker
Montrose Colo. Sep 28. 09.