Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14430, for Rufus Shepard, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Shepard, Rufus or Shephard
S. 14430
CONTENTS
carded

20.015 2601 New York
Miles Shepard of Chenango in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Harrison of the Regt. commanded by Col. Willett in the N. York line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of July 1831 and due to the B. B. Knapp March
Arrears to the 14th of March $ 160 Pension allowance ending Sept. 33 40 $200
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E, Vol. 3. Page 78

Yupin Shepherd Application
2454
address
P.O. Box
Dep. Clerk
Monarch
Chauncy
N.Y.
adm l
2 years pri
80 3/4

State of New York Sixth Equity Circuit
County of Chenango ss. On this sixth day of Septem- ber A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Robert Monell Circuit Judge and Vice Chancellor for the sixth Equity Circuit of the State of New York, being the Court of record, now sitting. Ennis Shepherd, a resident of Chenango in the County of Chenango in the State of New York, aged sixty six years and upwards, was 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 follow- ing named officers and served as hereinafter stated. That he entered into a company of the New York State Troops or Militia as a private soldier. on May 1832 He in a company (the hired in Chatham then New Canaan) Columbia County - he cannot recollect the precise year but it was about the 10th day of April and about three years from year to the close of the war - that the name of the Captain was Garrison of New Canaan or Tunks - Lieutenant, Troop and Company - the Col. was Col. Willet of New York, the General was Gen. the command was Col. C. Stearns - immediately after enlisting or being re- giment to Albany - joined the Company and passed muster - He remained at Albany about ten days or thereabouts and marched to Schenectady (Mills) and there remained ment - on going from Albany he marched to recollection through the Schenectady as it was called. He remained at Schenectady until October, remain- ing at the Garrison a part of the time - part of the time scouting around after the Indians and being a guard on the frontier - in Octo-

ber (as near as he can recollect) he enlisted out of the Company in which he was then serving into another company of Infantry at New York, at Schu- erie commanded by Captain Peter B. Pierce Lieutenant Thornton — Willet was the Co- lonel of the Regiment, and one Fonda was Head- quart. — Several others enlisted out at the time he did, with the consent of the Officers — He stayed (he thinks) about three days at Schenectady, and then marched with Captain Pierce's Company to Albany, on the same route that he had come to Schenectady on — He re- mained with his Company at Albany a short time — was mustered, and received each 16 dollars as Bount. — Then he marched with his Company together with two others to Fort Plain on the Mohawk River, passing on the way through Schenectady and up the Mohawk River. At Fort Plain he joined the Regiment, under Col. Willet (who was there) — He remained stationed at Fort Plain during the Winter and Spring, and during a part of, or the whole of the ensuing Summer — While he was stationed at Fort Plain, he was called out to Stone Arabia in a Skirmish with the British and Tories — In the skirmish or fight Capt. McKean was killed — When at Fort Plain, he marched to Fort Kirkkirk and was stationed there about three months, and then marched back to Fort Plain where he wintered — This defunct cannot recollect positively the time when he left Fort Plain for Saratoga — but he recollects that he marched by the way of Fort Schuyler and Fort St. John, through the woods to Sar- atoga, and immediately returned the same way that he went and suffered greatly in his marches to and from there! from hunger

and cold - He came back to Fort Placid where he was stationed until the Regiment marched back to Schenectady where he was discharged at the Barracks, in January after the peace. His discharge was a written one, which he left to one David Griffing to draw his pension. This deponent further states that at the time he left his nine months engagement at Schenectady to join Captain Pease's company, that he enlisted for three years - and was told, that his term of nine months for which he had hired under Capt. Harrison should go on and count if he would only enlist for three years. He further states that at the time he entered the service for the first time he resided at New Paecon, Columbia Co. N.Y. - One David Park went from the same town he did, in the same company to Schenectady - and enlisted into Capt. Pease's company with him, served through the whole term with him and was discharged with him at Schenectady. This deponent knew none of the Regular officers, that he can now recollect. He knew Capt. Cannon who was in his Regiment - also one Capt. Lewis -
This deponent states, that the whole term for which he served during the Revolutionary War, was between three and four years. That he has no documentary evidence of his services, and the only persons living who can testify to his services (to the deponent's knowledge) are Matthias Calkins of Newkirk Chemung County, and David Levy of Newkirk in the same County - both of whom were in the service with the deponent from the time he was at Albany to his march to

For Plain, through the whole line until the line of his discharge
To the interrog above, required by the Department to be put to applicants, this deponent answers as follows: To the 1 st He was born at Amenia, Dutchess County, N.Y. in the year 1766 on the 2nd day of April.
2nd. He has a record of his age in his family Bible which he copied from his father's family Bible. His Bible is at his residence in Harkness.
3rd. Lived at New Canaan Columbia Co. N.Y. at the first time and at Schoharie N.Y. the second time - since the Revolutionary War he has resided at New Canaan, Catskill and Schoharie County - N.Y. He has resided at Schoharie County about 33 years - and now resides at Harkness
4th) - is answered in the declaration -
5th) This question is answered also in the body of his declaration,
6th) He received a discharge from Col. Willet which he sold to David Liffing for New Canaan -
7th) He gives the names of Deacon Paul, Arny St. Hazzar, Isaiah Lathrop, Rev. Asman S. Hazzar, Dea. Asman S. Hazzar, P. B. Hazzar, Dr. S. White, Eld. Lynde of Harkness and also Isaac A. Harkness

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Given to and subscribed this day and year as aforesaid Robt. Morell Fid. Charoll
Herbert S. Shepard
We Lyman S. Reysford a clergyman residing in the town of Sherburne, county of Chenango and so- Joshua Pratt a blacksmith residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Rufus Shepard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declara- tion: that we believe him to be sixty five years of age and upwards that he is situated & happened in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and that we have never heard any doubts expressed as to his having been such soldier.
Lyman S. Reysford Joshua Pratt
Given & subscribed this day & year as aforesaid before me Robt. Morell Fid. Charoll
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatory presented by the War Department that the above named ap- plicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court find

the Certifies that it appears to them that the man of Bedford who has signed the foregoing Certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for the town of Sherburne and that Isaiah Villa who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Robt Morell Vice Chancellor
I, Matthew Woods, Clerk of the Court of the Vice Chancellor Court for the District of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rufus Lapham for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixth day of September in the year 1832.
Matthew Woods Clerk

for Shepard.
10/7/02.
Direct pension Certif. Cif allowed to P.T.B. Prindle Norwich Connect. Co. N.Y.

State of New York
C Chemung County ss: David Perry of Seneklaer in said County, aged thirty three years and upward being duly sworn according to law, on his oath deposes and saith, that he was born in New Concord, Columbia County, New York - that on or about the 10 th of June 1787 he entered the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War, by enlisted into under Lieutenant Isaac Richardson at Schuylers Mills, Seneca County, New York - He enlisted for three years. He stayed at Schuylers Mills until fall, when he went to Ballston where he remained until Spring - when he marched from there under said Richardson to Johnstown - where he & others were formed into a Company under Capt. Pease. They then marched from there to Fort Plain, on the Mohawk River. At his arrival he became acquainted with Mr. Rufus Shepherd - now of Schenectady, Chemung County, who is applying for a pension. Said deponent was annexed to the Company to which said Shepherd belonged - they were both under Captain Pease, in Colonel Miller's Regiment in the New York State Troops - This deponent cannot state with certainty the time when he first arrived at Fort Plain where he saw and became acquainted with Shepherd, but as near as he can state it was in June at which time said Shepherd entered the service he does not know - He found him in the service at Fort Plain as above stated - They remained together in the service at Fort Plain and vicinity until the winter following, when they marched south under Col. Willett to Oney, through the wilderness & immediately returned - to Fort Plain. They lay at Fort Plain and Fort Schuyler during the season until late in the fall, when they marched down the River to Schenectady under Captain Wright.

who had the command in the absence of Col. Wilton and were discharged on 8th of January following - in Schenectady they received written discharges, written on thick blue paper - this deponent knows that the said Rufus Shepherd was discharged at the time & place above men- tioned - but cannot recollect the time  precise time . He was with this deponent in the service from the time he first knew him at Fort Plain June  in June 1782 until January 1784 - they were both in Cap- tain Pierce's Company - Col. Wilton's Regiment in the New York Troops - said Shepherd was always esteemed a good patriotic soldier - this deponent knew during his service Mr. Matthew Calkins (of New Berlin Chenango County) who was in the same Regiment with this deponent and said Shepherd.
Subscribed, &
Sworn before me and certify the above David Henry
Perry to be an honest man & credible person (the deponent first noted
this 12th Feb. 1833 -
Smith M. Purdy first Judge of Chenango County Court Commissioner.
State of New York, Chenango County ss Matthew Calkins of the Town of New Berlin Chenango County aged sixty nine years and of the lawfully sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was born at Lyme, New London County & State of Connecticut on the 9th day of February 1764 that he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, in Spencertown (then Albany County N.Y.) on the first of April 1782, in the company of Captain Henry, Col. Wilton's Regiment.

of New York State Troops; being hired as one of a Class for nine months. He joined the troops at Albany soon after, when they marched up the Mohawk River to Johnstown, where he enlisted for three years under Peter B. Vice in the same Regiment, under Col Willets in the New York State Troops - from there they went to the City of Albany, where they mustered under Capt. Vice and then marched up the Mohawk to Fort Plain, through Stone Arabia - At the City of Albany, before where he joined the troops the first time he saw and became acquainted with Rufus Shepherd, now of Sherburne, Chenango County N.Y. who is now applying for a pension in this County - this was in the month of April 1782: the precise time of the month he cannot state; said Shepherd was then in the army in the service but he does not recollect in whose company, tho' it was in Willets Regiment of State Troops - He does not know at what time said Shepherd entered the service in the Revolution - He (this deponent) first saw him at Albany as above stated - When this deponent mustered under Capt. Vice at Albany, said Rufus Shepherd also was mustered in the same Company. Marched up the River to Fort Plain with him. They both remained in service at Fort Plain until February following (1783) when they went on the expedition to Fort Orange under Col Willets - said Shepherd accompanied them in this expedition - they returned from Orange immediately after their arrival there. thro' the wilderness by way of Fort Herkimer to Fort Plain. They remained at Fort Plain, Fort Herkimer & vicinity, during the season until late in the fall when they marched down the River to Schenectady and were discharged at that place, between the fifth and sixth day of January 1784 1784 - said Rufus Shepherd was discharged in the service constantly with this deponent from April in 1782 till the time of his discharge as above mentioned at Fort Plain Schenectady - this deponent was absent from the city of Schenectady, at the time the troops were

discharged for a few days & did not himself receive a written discharge but he understands & believes that the Troops received written discharges. This deponent knew, during his service a person by the name of David Perry, who was in the service with them at Fort Plain and who went to Oswego with them. and  there the said Stephen was a private during his service.
Sworn before me this 13 th day of February 1833 - and I certify that said Matthew Calkins is a person of truth, veracity & entire credibility - (The answers & interlineations first noted)
Matthew Calkins
Smith M. Purdy first Judge of Chenango County Court Councillor
State of New York
Chenango County: I, Lewis H. Pike Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Smith M. Purdy before known the preceding affidavits of David Perry & Matthew Calkins purport to have been sworn was at the date of each the first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County & that I am acquainted with his hand writing and recognize here his name subscribed to the above affidavits respectively to be his genuine handwriting and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 13 th day of February A.D. 1833 - P.P. Purdy

1 Cyrus Shepard Application
2454
address
P.O. Box
Dep. Clerk
Monach
Chicag
N. D.
adm l
2 years pri
80 3/4

War Department Pension Office Decr. 15. 1832
Sir,
The application of Rufus Shepherd for a pension under the Act of 7 June 1832 has been examined and his papers are herewith returned. As his name does not appear upon the Rolls he will be required to prove his service by two credible witnesses.
Joseph Dyer's original warrant as Finance Master and his original discharge should be forwarded to this office before any decision upon his claim can be made.
The certificates of Newcomb Raymond and Ben- -zyer Eaton are herewith forwarded.
I am Respectfully Yr. Ob. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
J. B. Prindle Esq. Norwich Connecticut N.Y.

Rev. Isaac
14430 INVALID.
File No. 14. 430
Rufus Shepard
Brick Kiln
Act: June 7th 1837.
Index:—Vol. 1  338
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nov. 19.
additional Index for Rufus Shepard New York.
6 Dec Edward Rufus Washington City

72 85
3623
N.Y.
Norwich, Nov. 10. 1832
Jamess L. Edwards Sir
I mailed to your department yesterday, among many other pension ap- plications, that of Rufus Shephard of Sherburne, Chenango Co. N.Y.
I omitted to accidentally to attach to his papers the enclosed affidavit of Matthew Calkins as to his services, and I now forward it, with the request that it may be at- tached and considered a part of the proof of his services
Respectfully
Yr. Servt
P. B. Pundre

State of New York, County of Chenango
Matthew Colkins of New Berlin in the County and State aforesaid being first duly sworn according to Law deposes and saith that about the first of April 1782 this deponent enlisted for nine months and joined the Regiment of Col. Willett at Albany soon after and there he became acquainted with Rufus Shepherd they were both in the same Regiment for nine months and in June following they both enlisted for three years into Capt. Rles B. Fowle's Company in the same Regiment and served therein until after Rles was discharged about the first of January 1784 - when the Regiment were discharged and that he was acquainted with said Shepherd nearly the whole time and that he knows him to be the same individual now applying for a pension.
Sworn and subscribed September 1. 1832 before me
Matthew Colkins
Nathan Taylor Judge of Chenango Common Pleas
I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Matthew Colkins for about thirty years living in the same neighbourhood with him the whole time that he has been a Magistrate for many years and a Man who may be relied on in all cases as to truth and veracity —
Nathan Taylor

State of New York Chautauqua County ss: I, Amos K. Lake, Clerk of the said County do Certify, that William Taylor Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Chautauqua - that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affi- davit and to the within Certificate of character of Matthew Calkins, to be his genuine hand writing & signature
Witnes my hand and seal of office this 14th day of September A.D. 1832 P. B. Mickle Dep. Clerk