Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32115, Silas Beckwith, Conn. N. Y.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. N.Y.
Beckwith Silas
S. 32115
CONTENTS
15

1886 Aug 19 - Paul Beckwith - present - history
Illinois 25.555.
Pilas Beckwith
of the County of _____ in the State of Ill was a _____ in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col Allen - in the New Hampshire for Militia
9e No Pr $ 30.00
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 30 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of May and Seal to _____ N 31, Attn 3, Casey, N K
Arrears to the 4th of March $ 90.00 Fems-ant. allowance ending Sept 15.00
$ 105.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. J. Sprague, Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 8 Page 04

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832
State of Illinois Crawford County 3 rd set
On this second day of December 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the County Commissioners Court, of the County of Crawford and State of Illinois aforesaid, (now sitting) Silas Beckwith a Resident, of Palestine Township in the County of Crawford aforesaid, State of Illinois aged Eighty seven 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 th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. That some time in the month of January or February in the year 1776. he volunteered with his Team to have provisions for the Army from East Hudson Landing, to Boston and in this station had the command of seven other Teams and continued in this business for the term of three months & was discharged
He immediately moved to the State of New York, with his wife & children (near Albany) (where he was early in the summer of 1777 chosen by the Committee which transacted all such business at that time) to take charge of thirty five men, & go to the north and join Genl Allen, in about two months they

returned to join General Schuyler's army. then a little below Albany on the Hudson or north River; provisions to General Gates taking command of the Army. Sargent Butler & himself with twenty five men under his command went up the River, where they were drawn into an ambush with a party of Indians, had a Skir- -mish the the night and returned, without the loss of a man & only one wounded, next day General Gates took charge of the Army and he the said applicant, was appointed and Commissioned Captain by General Gates. in the Regiment commanded by Col. Vanke, he remained in General Gates Army, was in the Battle at Stillwater on the 19 th September 1777. and also when General Burgoyne was taken, he continued with General Gates three months and was dis- charged; Some time in the winter of 1778 he was selected by the Committee in Noble & Low Albany County, to take charge of thirty men and go and join General Washington, then at Valley Forge, he was requested by the Committee to join the Connecticut Troops, when he reached Valley Forge, he presented his papers to General Pearson of the Connecticut line he advised him to go in the Hospital & he inoculated for the small Pox, where he lay sick for a long time, was sick when the army

marched from Valley Forge, he got better, was put in a Wagon & followed the army, but relapsed soon in four or five days, and was discharged by the Doctor (who was sent to see him) as not being able for service, That he had no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service (except the affidavits of Benjamin Brakwith)
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State; sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
"The words & figures" early in the summer of 1777" was interlined before signing S. H. Brakwith
Interrogatories
1 st Question. answer. He was born in Lime New London County State of Connecticut in the year 1746
2. do. He had no Record of his age
3 He was living in Lime, New London County Connecticut when he first volunteered for 3 months as Teamster lived at Noble Albany County State of New York at his 2 nd & 3 rd bout of service 1 st of 9 months he was sick with the small Pox since the Revolutionary war moved from York State to Indiana then to Crawford County Illinois, where he now lives
4 He volunteered in the service
5 He has previously named all the Officers that he can now recollect owing to infirm old age he has forgotten many names & places

6 th He received a discharge for the first three months but can not recollect the officers name. He received a discharge as captain from General Gates, which was burnt at his present residence as Benjamin Beckwith affidavit will prove, and he received a second discharge.
7. David McCahy a clergyman and Asa Piper are persons who know me in my present neighborhood, and who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
We David McCahy a clergyman residing in Palestine Township County of Crawford and State of Illinois and Asa Piper residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Beckwith who has subscribed and sworn to the above (or within) declaration; that we believe him to be eighty seven 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 day & year aforesaid. David McCahy M. G. Asa Piper
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatory 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 David McCahy who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman.

resident in the Township of Palestine County and State aforesaid, That Asa Piper, who has also signed the same is a Resident in the Township County and State aforesaid and is a Credible person, and that Their Statement is entitled to credit
John Boyd
James H. Wilson
I Edward
I Edward H. Piper Clerk of the County Com- missioners Court of the County of Crawford and State of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Beckwith for a pension
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office This 21 st day of December AD 1833.
Edward H. Piper

State of Illinois Crawford County
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County. Benjamin Silas Beckwith (who being duly sworn deposes and saith that 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 nine months than the period mentioned below and in the following grade.
For the term of nine months as capt. in Col Vaughns Regiment. and for such services Claim a pension, and further this deponent saith not.
Silas Beckwith
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4 th day of March 1834
John B. D. P.

I Edward H. Piper clerk of the county commissioner court of the county of Crawford and state of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, and amendatory papers hereto annexed in the matter of the application of Silas Beckwith for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24 th day of March 1834 Edward H. Piper clerk

29. 321.
Silas Beckwith Illinois
Return - proof
Committed 9 Mo 28 th 30.
See letter to Hon C Plade 1 st April '34-
Hon G Casey Ho of Rep

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 subjocined 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 Silas Beckwith
   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.     9 Private Genl Gates  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 (f) 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                      of the Court of 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, (l) 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.  6. { 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 _____ 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 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.
☞ 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Sept 25 Can September 25, 1925
B. Rupert Hall 504 Michigan Ave Urbana, Ill.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 32115, it appears that Silas Beckwith was born in 1746 in Lime, New London County, Connecticut.
While residing in said Lime, he served from in January or February 1776, three months as teamster, hauling provisions for the army.
Soon after this he moved to Noble, Albany County, New York and early in the summer of 1777, he was chosen by a Committee to take charge of thirty-five men, they marched to the North and were in a skirmish with the Indians, in about two months they returned to near Albany, New York, and soon after this, he was appointed Captain and served nine months in Colonel Van Ness or Vaughn's New York

Regiment and was in both battles of Stillwater.
In the winter of 1778, he was chosen by a Committee in Nabbie Township, New York, to take charge of thirty men and marched to Valley Forge, while there he was sick in hospital and was discharged by the doctor as being unable for service.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 3, 1833, while a resident of Palestine, Crawford County, Illinois.
In 1776, soldier had wife and children, no names are stated. His wife died about 1830. In 1833, son, Benjamin, was living in Crawford County, Illinois.
There is no further data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

32 115 Rev INVALID.
1925-Sept. 25-1st & B. Rupert Hall-avg.
File No. 32, 115
Silas Beckwith
On Rev. date
Act: June 1 st 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Crawford County State of Illinois April 30. 1834.
Sir,
Inasmuch as my claim to a pension as a Captain in the Revolutionary War cannot be established by any testimony which I am at this day able to procure further than my own statement. I hereby agree to receive a pension as a Private for the same services - hereby relinquishing all claims that I might or have made as a Captain.
Given under my hand & seal the day & date above written.
Witness J. M. Smith
S. L. Edwards
To J. L. Edwards Esq Pension Agent

I Edward H. Piper clerk of the County Commissioners Court of the County of Crawford and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said Court (and amendatory papers thereto annexed) in the matter of the application of Silas Beckwith for a Pension. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office This 1 st Day of May A.D. 1834 Edward H. Piper

State of Illinois Crawford County
I John B. Alexander do hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with Benjamin Beckwith who made an affidavit that Silas Beckwith's discharge as an officer in the Revolutionary war was burnt at his house three years since and from an intimate acquaintance with B d Benjamin Beckwith I have implicit confidence in him both under oath & otherwise, and would believe him upon oath at any time and upon any occasion. Given under my hand and seal This 4 th day of March 1834
J. B. Alexander
State of Illinois Crawford County
We James H. Wilson & John Boyd County commissioners of the County of Crawford aforesaid do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Benjamin Beckwith & Silas Beckwith who applied for a Pension & whose papers were returned for want of more proof. From our said acquaintance with each of them we have perfect confidence in their veracity & believe that they would not make oath to any thing that is not true
Given under our hands & seals This 4 th day of March 1834.
James H. Wilson John Boyd

Urbana, Illinois
July 21, 1925.
Bureau of Pensions Department of Interior Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I am interested in securing data concerning Silas Beckwith who enlisted from Connecticut in the Revolutionary War.
Will you kindly send any information that you may have concerning his birth, marriage, death and battles that he fought in.
Very truly yours,
D. Rupert Hall.
504 Michigan Ave.,

State of Illinois ss Crawford County ss.
I Benjamin Beckwith of the County of Crawford and State of Illinois, being duly sworn saith, that Silas Beckwith my Father has lived with me for the last sixteen or seven- teen, being very old and infirm, & not able for a long time to support himself, after the death of my Mother three years ago, a large number of old papers were examined, and many of them burnt. and among the Rest a discharge of my Father, from an Officer in the Revolutionary War, but what officer & what date I can not recollect. as the discharge was considered useless & of no benefit I paid little or no attention to it, but with other papers. had it thrown in the fire and burnt. From my earliest recollection, recollect of hearing my Father Silas Beckwith speak of his several tours of duty in the Rev- olutionary War. and further this deponent saith not.
Subscribed and sworn to before me. this 14 th day of December 1833
D Beckwith

State of Illinois 3 rd Knox County 3 rd
I Edward H. Piper Clerk of the County Commissioners court in & for said County, do hereby certify that Daniel Boaltright Esq. before whom the Within affidavit of
Benjamin Beckwith was made, was at the time of signing the same and still is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified as such, and that full faith and Credit is due, and should be given to all his official acts as such
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Palestine This 14 th day of December 1833
Edward H. Piper
24. 321