Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 8663, for John Reed, Connecticut

SERVICE
bonn.
Reed, John
NUMBER _____
P 8663
CONTENTS

John Reza
M. Brown
Atty.
10250
v

Use Common Pleas Of October Term 1832
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York } Otsego County }
On this 15 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Otsego being a Court of record upon filing John Reera a resident of the Town of Exeter in the County of Otsego State of New York aged 65 years on the 20 th of July last 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 intends the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated to wit
In the year 1782 he lived in the Town of Tyrone in the State of Col. & on or about the last of February or the first of March in that year then being in the 14 th year of his age he volunteered into the Service of the United States as a waiter to his Father Jacob Reet who was then a Capt & commanded a Company in Col. Gansevoort's Regt which Regt he understood had before then been commanded by a Col. Butler & was called the Lothen Col. Regt from the material of which the soldiers & officers belonging to it were made He joined this Regt about the first of March 1782 then in winter quarters at a place called the Highlands in the State of New York a short distance above West Point after joining the Regt the duty assigned him was to clean the rations of the officers belonging to his Company & to look after the same & to keep the Regt in quarters clean & in order to do such & attend to the most duties by the officers When the War came on the River

broke up their Winter quarters & moved to West Point where it remained until the Month of July according to his best recollection. During their stay at West Point he was continued in the same Service which at this time owing to the increased Number he had to wait upon was excessively laborious. In the Month of July his father received orders to attack as many Men as he thought necessary & repair with them to a small Island in the bend of the River near the eastern shore of the same that a short distance from the high bank on that shore called the Sugar Loop to erect a new prison to secure the prisoners taken from the Enemy many of whom had then recently made their escape. He was taken by his father with a detachment of over one hundred Men & the work was commenced & continued by making excavations in a large rock until some time into the Month of September His duty at this place was to draw the rations for the Men upon the requisitions of his father which were drawn from the Commission Department at West Point a distance of several Miles from the Island & to assist in their transportation. His usual custom was to go to West Point twice a week on this business & the balance of the time he was employed in assisting the Cooks & such other necessary duty as was assigned him such as to oversee the cleaning of quarters block boots &c. He recollects that while they were upon this Island engaged in this Service the news reached them that Genl. Arnold had attacked & burnt New London & taken Fort Griswold or Groton as it was then called which was sometime in September as he believes. He also recollects that at the time he was at this place a barrel of Tar was kept in readiness on the peak of the Sugar Loop to be set on fire & used as a signal to the place above in case

was kept in readiness on the peak of the Sugar Loaf to be set on fire & used as a signal to the place above in case
an alarm gun was fired at West Point below Being so young at the time he cannot now remember the names of the officers stationed at West Point or the regts of the Continental Army nor can he after mature reflection recollect the name of the commissary from whom he draw the Provisions Some time in the Month of October the detachment on the Island was ordered to join the Army which was then at Peekskill or Fishkill there two places being so near together he cannot at this distance of time certainly tell which it was but he recollects of going with the detachment & going the other troops & that they reached the place in the Night the troops were stationed near a creek at some distance from the river he recollects reaching the mouth of the creek just at the dusk of the Evening & entering the mouth of the creek with the boat he then fell asleep & did not wake until the boat reached their destination, they then took their baggage from their boat & moved some distance but how far he cannot tell before they came to the place where the other troops were stationed Here he remained until the weather became very cold so that the ground was frozen & the creek covered with ice He thinks it must have been or late or the last of November or first part of December & perhaps past the middle of December His duty at this place at this time was similar to what it had been at the other places where he had been stationed A few days before he left this place he recollects that as he was kindling his fire early in the morning he heard an unusual sound of drums & other Military Music on the parade ground & a fellow waiter entered & told him his presence was desired on parade He repaired thither & something was said by an officer to

the hooks the substance of which was that a piece had been or shortly would be concluded.
The General Officer but who he was he cannot recall. He told that the hooks would be dis- charged so there was no provision for winter quarters he advised every one who had a home to hasten to it shortly after that the hooks were disbanded & he packed up & went home. His father did not return till the next spring. This was all the discharge he knows of having received. His duty being subordinate & he being a boy he did not take much notice of things or go in that know- ledge of the General operations of the Army & acquaintance with the officers & etc. which one of his friends & more confidence & in an active station would have had an opportunity to gain. He has noted the facts relative to his service in as full & ample a manner as he is able to do at this time although a young youth he felt an ardent devotion to his country cause & cheerfully contributed his mite to entail the blessings of liberty upon posterity. He is now old in years & from affluence. The bounty granted by his country will be gratefully received & his earnest desire for its prosperity will attend him to the close of life - He was born on the 20 th of July 1768 at Lyme in the State of Conn. when he resided till he was 24 years of age. He then moved to Schoharie Co. N.Y. where he remained about six years from thence to Exeter where he now resides. He has no other proof except what is herewith attached & the nearly unqualified all chains whatever to a person or community except the alone that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State Now in open court the day before him written

Horace Lathrop Clerk Otsego County, N.Y.
John Reed
We William G. Angel & Humphrey Palmer of the Town of Exeter Otsego County do certify that one John Reed who has subscribed Oath to the oaths and oaths in that he believes him to be 65 years of age that he is a United States soldier in the neighborhood when he resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion More subscribed the day & year above written in Open Court
Horace Lathrop Clerk
W. G. Angel
Humphrey Palmer
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Rev. Department that the Will John Reed was a Revolutionary Soldier & served therein as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that the Hon. William G. Angel who has signed the preceding certificate is a Member of Congress from the Congressional district consisting of the Town of Exeter & that Humphrey Palmer who has also signed the same is a resident of the Town of Exeter of Otsego County. That they are credible persons & their testimony is entitled to credit.
J. O. Morn
E. Frost J. Page
Judges

State of New York County of Otsego } } Town of Cherry Valley }
Benjamin Higgins of the town of Canajoharie in the County of Montgomery & State of New York being duly sworn before William T Thompson a justice of the peace in the town of Cherry Valley in Otsego County aforesaid, doth depose & say that he is 79 years of age, that he is well acquainted with John Reed a resident of the town of Exeter in Otsego County & an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7, 1832.
This deponent further says that during the revolutionary war he lived in the town of Lime in New London County Connecticut where the said John Reed also resided, and well recollects that towards the latter part of the revolutionary war the said John Reed went into service in the Continental Army under the command of Capt. Enoch Reed (Father of the said John Reed) & acted in the capacity of waiter to his said Father, but he cannot tell precisely the length of time the said John Reed continued in the Army. The name of the Colonel who commanded the regiment in which the said John Reed served as aforesaid was one Dirgy.
This deponent further says that at the same time of the said John Reed went into service as aforesaid, there was one John Lay who resided in the same place with him who also went into said service in the said regiment commanded by Col. Dirgy.
He further says that he has lately seen the said John Lay who told this deponent that he recollects that said John Reed was engaged in the service as aforesaid but could not say as to the length of time he served.
Subscribed & sworn this 20 th day of September 1832 before me
William T. Thompson J.P. Peace
Benj m Higgins

Otsego County, Clerks Office } p
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the County Courts in Otsego County Do hereby certify that William J Thompson at the time the preceding affidavit bears date was an acting Justice of the peace of the Town of Cherry Valley in said County. That I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Thompson & verily believe the preceding signature to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County & subscribed my name.
Horace Lathrop By Thos R. Cory Deputy
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Otsego hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the Matter of the Application of John Rue for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the 19 th day of October 1832.
Horace Lathrop Clerk

1832 63- 176 1/2 1781 14
Power of attorney John Reed Connecticut on New York
Filed 26 th Sept
J. E. Vassler Present

POWER OF ATTORNEY
For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.*
STATE OF New York
COUNTY OF Otsego
Be it known that before me
Hiram A. Matteson a Justice of the peace personally appeared Charlotte Reed aged 71 years, who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states that she is the widow of John Reed deceased who was a Revolutionary soldier in the State of Vermont and that he died on the sixth day of May 18 36 and that his mother, named Mary died on the day of  in and that they were married on the first day of January in the year 17 96 and that they were residents of Sharon in the State of New York and that they resided there two years, and that she now resides in Erie Co New York and that furthermore BY THESE PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of substitution, F. E. HASSLER, of Washington city, D. C., as her true and lawful Attorney for her and in her name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U. S. Government and State officers her rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of Pension or Land, that may be due her as widow of John Reed who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law Charlotte Reed may be entitled.
In witness whereof, she has on this second day of Sept 1852, hereunto signed her name, and affixed her seal.
Charlotte Reed 
Witness: H. A. Matteson Witness: Christopher Reed
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Charlotte Reed has always by the community been known as the widow of John Reed
Dated on this second day of September 1852.
Hiram A. Matteson J. P.
H. A. Matteson
COUNTY OF Otsego, State of New York to wit:
I hereby certify, That Hiram A. Matteson Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Otsego County Court, this 20 th day of Sept one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
Samuel North Clerk.
* If a Widow applies, state "the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband." † State under what act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner—and amount of pension.

16.250.
BRIEF in the case of  John Reed County of Otsego  in the State of  New York (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? 65.  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.     Col. In 1781 March not stated precisely As a Waiter to the Captain Gen. Capt. Reed, Col. Dungan —  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Syme, Conn.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & a witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not attached to the case 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk. Feb 23. 1833.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8663
P. O. _____
John Reed
Service: from Lynn, G.M. leader to his father, capt of a Comp y
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Revolutionary
Case of -
John Reed
N. York rejected -
Letter

Washington D.C.
7 th November 1853
Hon. S. P. Waldo Comm r of Pensions Sir:
Sometime since I filed in the Pension Office a power of attorney from the widow of John Reed I find that an application for pension had been made by him and that it is published among the "rejected" revolutionary applications for pension from the State of New York. The reason for the rejection are given thus "He served as a waiter - he was too young for the ranks".
I would beg leave to refer you to the resolution of Congress of the 11 th March 1780, from which I quote as follows "That every officer who by such regulation, shall be entitled to a servant, and who shall enlist, to serve during the war, a youth not under fifteen nor exceeding eighteen years of age, and who from appearances is likely to prove an able bodied soldier, such officer shall retain the youth &c. & & and the youth shall receive the bounty, money, clothing, pay and rations, of a soldier" &c. &c. and to ask whether this claim does not come within the provisions of this resolve.
Very Respectfully, Your Ob t . Servant
F. E. Hassler

16.250.
John Reed
single

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Reed 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? Citizens
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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2. 5. 6.
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 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 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 shewn 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.
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 authenticates 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 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.