Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16192, William Bilson, Continental (N.J.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (N.F.)
Bilson, William Harriet
No. 16192
CONTENTS

1430 New York Roll
William Bilson
Lee's Infantry Legion
from 77 till 23 May 1780 In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of June 1818 and sent to Schiel H Halow Esq. clk Seneca Co. NYork
Arrears to 4th of Sept m 1818
Semi-ann. all s ending
4 Mo. 14/30 th $33.12
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Conkhard
Ovid Seneca County
William Bilson cont. June 14. 1821. to H. D. Smith. Esq. P. M. Seneca Co. N.Y.

William Bilson 1 st May - Correct
The Hon. John C. Calhoun Secretary for the Department of War U.S. City of Washington -
Yrs
W. H.

said Corps, which is herewith presented. — Sworn to and declared William Bilson before me, the day and year aforesaid. John Sayre
I, John Sayre Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Seneca do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said William Bilson did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the Common Enemy, and I now transmit the proceeding and Testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress — Dated 1 st May 1818 — John Sayre
State of New York } Seneca Clerk's Office } I Ichiel H. Halsey Deputy Clerk of Seneca County do certify that John Sayre whose name appears to the above certificates of the within Affidavit, was at the dates therein mentioned, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Seneca County acting under the authority of this State, that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that I verily believe the sig- natures to the said Certificates to be the proper hand writing of the said John Sayre — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 1 st day of May 1818 Ch. H. Halsey

State of New York Seneca County
On this first — day of May 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Seneca in the State of New York, personally appears William Bilson, aged Sixty five years, resident in the town of Ovid in said County of Seneca, who being by me first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War." That he the said William Bilson enlisted in Captain Henry Lee's Corps of Partizan (Dragoons) (so called) at Bound-brook in the State of New Jersey in the year One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy seven, (the day & Month not particularly remembered). That he continued to serve in the said Corps, in the Service of the United States, untill the 23 d day of May 1780, when, he being unable to attend to his duty in the said Corps, he was discharged therefrom, at Burlington in the State of New Jersey. That he was stationed on the right of the Army at the Brandywine Battle, though not actually engaged in the said battle. That he, with the said Corps, was, at the taking of Stoney Point, And that he is reduced in his circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support. And that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services, except his discharge from the

said Corps, which is herewith presented. — Sworn to and declared William Bilson before me, the day and year aforesaid. John Sayre
I, John Sayre Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Seneca do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said William Bilson did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the Common Enemy, and I now transmit the proceeding and Testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress — Dated 1 st May 1818 — John Sayre
State of New York } Seneca Clerk's Office } I Ichiel H. Halsey Deputy Clerk of Seneca County do certify that John Sayre whose name appears to the above certificates of the within Affidavit, was at the dates therein mentioned, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Seneca County acting under the authority of this State, that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that I verily believe the signatures to the said Certificates to be the proper hand writing of the said John Sayre — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 1 st day of May 1818 C. H. Halsey

William Bilson's
copy & certificate
1830
Sept. 18
M
J. E. E.
up

State of New York Tompkins County ss
On this 25 th day of January 1821. personally appeared in open court being a Court of Record common pleas holder in and for said County in said State, constituted a Court of Record by the laws of said State, with power to here try and determine all actions, real, personal and mixed, arising in said County, and also all transitory actions although the same may not have arisen within the said County— And with other powers; William B Wilson, aged sixty Eight Years, resident in the town of Hector in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on oath Decl- are that he served in the revolutionary war as follows; that he enlisted into the corps of Cavalry commanded by May. Henry Lee in Hovey's Battery company at Bound- brook in the State of New Jersey, on the first of March 1777. for three years or during the war, that he continued to serve in said corps & company until the 23 d of May 1780 when he was discharged from service on account of disabil- ity at Burlington, that he was at the taking of Stony Point Fort, and Prowler's Hook Fort, and also at Brandywine That he is appears by wage spent unable to labour That he has a wife 56. Years old weakly and unable to do but little, One Daughter 21. Years old, weakly and unable to support herself, One son Nineteen Years. Healthy, One 13. Years also healthy, and one daughter 11. & healthy all of whom are dependent on him for support, that he received certificate Number 1430. Dated 13. June 1818. that he made his original declaration on the first of May 1818. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the Eighteenth day of March 1818. and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of any property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring

Myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, "Enti- tled" an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war passed on the 18: day of March 1818." and that I have not, nor has any per- son in trust for me any property or securities, con- tracts, or debts due me, nor have I any other in- come. Except what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed—
Sworn this 25 th day of } William Bilson Jany. 1821. in open court
Before me Richard Smith, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tompkins —
A Schedule of all the Estate of William Bilson of Hector in the County of Tompkins, and State of New- York a Revolutionary Soldier —
   Two Horses, Two Cows, ten Sheep —  $105.00    Six tea cups and Saucers —  00..37    One old waggon —  20..00    One wood Sled —  1..25    One pot, one Large Kettle —  4..00    One tea Kettle, Six Chairs —  2..50    Six Knives and Forks, Six plates —  1..00     $134.12   
Amount of Debts due to the above named Bilson $23..00
Amount of Debts owing from the above named Bilson — $156..50
Valued at $135..00.

State of New York Tompkins County ss.
J. George P. Frost, Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County, do hereby certify, that the forego- ing oaths, and the schedule therunto annexed, are truly copied from the Records of said court. And that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid sche- dule, is one hundred and thirty five Dollars.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affix- ed the seal of the said court this 27. Day of January 1821.
Geo. P. Frost, Deputy Clerk

New York, 6653
Reps by letter to apt: 30th: Augt: 1843
Harriet Bilson, deceased, widow of William Bilson
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 19th: March, 1837 of Tompkins Co in the State of N. Yk: who was a dragoon in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt: - commanded by Col: Lee _____ in the Virginia Keyserline for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany - at the rate of 100 - Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Ending 19 March, 1837 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th: - day of Augt: 1843 and sent to Thomas Madwell, Elmina, New York
Whole amount due . . . . . $104.16
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Kettner Clerk. Book A Vol. 2 Page 70

State of New York,
Seneca County } ss
on the 21 st day of Sept 1841
personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the said county, Harriet Bilson a resident of the town of Hector in the county of Tompkins and State of New York, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of William Bilson who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, that he enlisted in the Dragoons, under Major Lee, afterwards General Lee, that said enlistment was for three years or during the war of the Revolution, that her said husband William Bilson deceased served in said service & that he received a discharge, or release being sick & unfit for service after having so served more than two years as will more fully appear by a reference to the original application of the said William Bilson deceased now on file in the pension office, that her husband the said William Bilson was a pensioner of the Revolution and annexed you have the original pension certificate granted to him, which is hereby surrendered up, She further declares that she was married to the said William Bilson in the month of October 1786 seventeen hundred & eighty six, that her husband, the aforesaid William Bilson died on the nineteenth day of March eighteen hundred and thirty seven, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four, viz, at the time above stated - Subscribed & sworn  before me the day & date above named } Harriet Bilson  James Foster Justice of the Peace } in Seneca County }

State of New York,
Seneca County [ss
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said county Thomas Covert & being duly sworn according to law does upon his oath make the following declaration - That he is eighty seven years of age & is a pensioner of the Revolution, that he is a brother to the within named Harriet Bilson, and that his Sister the aforesaid Harriet Bilson, is the widow of the said William Bilson deceased who was a Soldier & a pensioner of the Revolution, & that his said Sister the within named Harriet Bilson was married in Somerset County New Jersey in October Seventeen hundred & eighty Six to the said William Bilson & that they thus lived together as man & wife for upwards of fifty years, as set forth by the said Harriet Bilson Subscribed & sworn before me this 21 st day of Sept. 1841
Thomas Covert
Miles Foster Justice
of the Peace in & for Seneca County

State of New York
Seneca County (ss
Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for the said county Sarah Bilson & Henry Bilson, who being duly sworn according to law do upon their oaths depose & say that they are children of William Bilson (deceased) & Harriet Bilson within named who is applying for a widows pension, & that the said William Bilson their father died in Hector County of Tompkins on the nineteenth day of March eighteen hundred & thirty seven as set forth by the said Harriet Bilson their said mother in the annexed application & affidavit subscribed & sworn before me
this 21 st day of Sept 1841. James Foster Justice of the Peace in & for Seneca County
Sarah Bilson her mark Henry C Bilson
State of New York
Seneca County ss
I hereby certify that the above named Harriet Bilson, Thomas Covert, Sarah Bilson and Henry C. Bilson are persons of respectability and entitled to full credit in their several affidavits aforesaid
James Foster Justice of the Peace in & for Seneca County

State of New York: } I, Halsey Sanford Clerk of said County County of Seneca } of Seneca, do hereby certify that the foregoing signatures of John Ingersoll Esqr to the foregoing Depositions are genuine in his own proper hand writing: that I am well acquainted with the said Ingersoll handwriting: that the said John Ingersoll was on the day of the date of the said Depositions purporting to have been taken before him was a Judge of the Court of common pleas of said county duly commissioned and sworn and authorised to take and certify said depositions. And I further certify that James Foster Esqr before whom the preceding Depositions were taken was on the day of the date of said Depositions a Justice of the peace in & for said county duly commissioned and sworn and authorised to take the same: and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and that his several signatures to the jurats of said Depositions are genuine and in his own proper handwriting. and that the signatures of the said Judge and Justice to the certificates subjoined to said depositions are severally genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the court of common pleas of said county this 6th day of October 1824.
Halsey Sanford Clerk

Declaration of heirs of Harriet Bilson for means of Pension under act of July 7. 1838
9 priv. 15. tangl.
100 $
from 4 march '36 to 19 march 37. to Jacob Bilson adm. of Harriet Bilson dec d .
Thos. Maxwell Elmira N.Y.

State of New York
Chemung County } On this 29 day of July 1843 personally ap- peared before the subscriber a Justice of the place in of said County personally appeared Jacob Bilson a resident of the Town of Southport in the said County, aged thirty nine years one of the heirs of Harriet Bilson deceased and administrator of the Estate of the said deceased, who as one of the children of the said Harriet and in behalf of Peter Bilson, William Bilson, Henry Bilson of the State of Ohio, Sally Bilson of Southport aforesaid and Harriet the wife of Robert Darling of Hector in the County of Seneca NY the other children & heirs of the said Harriet Bilson deceased, having  the being duly sworn according to law both on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which they claim as due to the said Harriet Bilson deceased from the 4 th March 1836 to the 18 th March 1837 from which period she has already been paid under the act of the 7 th July 1838: and the declarant further states in behalf of himself & the other children above named that at the time of the death of the said Harriet Bilson deceased to wit in the month of February 1843 she was still the widow of William Bilson who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war & received a pension as a trooper or Dragoon of Peyton's company in Major Lee's corps of Partisan Dragoons: that the pension of the said Harriet was allowed at the rate of one hundred Dollars per annum as the declarant has been informed & believes to be true, and was paid to her at the Agency in the City of Albany and State of New York. That the persons above named are all & the only surviving children of the said Harriet Bilson and are of lawful age. —
Sworn before me the 29  th word aged thirty nine years in 4 th line intitled 29 July 1843 — }
Jacob Bilson
Simeon Root
Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Chemung County } G. J. Simeon Root Clerk of the said County Clerk's office } do hereby certify that Simeon Root Esq.

before whom the foregoing declaration was made, was when the same bears date a Justice of the peace of the said County duly qualified, and that his signature above subscribed is genuine - Witness my hand & Seal of office the 29 th July 1843 -
S. L. Moore Clerk

Rev N.Y. WIDOW, &c.  Am
File No. 161.92 Harriet Bilson Widow of William Bilson Drogoa Rev War
Act July 7 th 81
Index: Vol. A , Page 63
[Arrangement of 1870.]

William Bilson N. Jersey W. 1692

William Billson, a Trooper, in the first Troop of Major Lees Corps; of Partizan Dragoons, being deemed unfit for the Service, by the Surgeon of the Corps: is hereby Discharged from the said Troop: by the permission of the Commandant of the Corps.
Given under my Hand the 23 d Day of May. 1780. Henry Peyton Capt. 1 st Troop. P. L. D.
To all Concerned. - - -

✓ 6653
2 Let to Albany agent June 28. 1842. same Aug 22. 1842.
Albany New York
Harriet Bilsen widow of William Bilsen decd
\begin{array}{r} 100 \\ \hline 833 \frac{1}{3} \\ \hline 4. \end{array}
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 19th March 1837 of Tompkins Co. in the State of New York who was a Major in the Comp y . commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by Col l Lee in the Virginia line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany NY. at the rate of 100 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 19th March 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of May 1837 seal to Albany New York New York
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $395.84
Disbursed allowance ending
$395.84
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. Addison Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 20 Page 70

Mr Bilson My act 1818 when last paid? G.H.C.
26. Oct. 1841.
p to 4 March 1837 J.H.

State of New York, ss, on the 14th day of May 1842 person Seneca County -ally appeared before the me Henry Covert after being first duly sworn according to law deponeth and saith that he was born in the year 1774 that Harriet Bilson, the applicant for a pension as the widow of William Bilson is his sister, and that she was married to the said William Bilson (now deceased), and who was a soldier of the Revolution & a pensioner in the month of October 1786. That after they were married this deponent having lost his father, resided with his sister Mrs Harriet Bilson & her husband William Bilson for the space of two years immediately following the said marriage, that this deponent is a resident of the county & State aforesaid, that the said Harriet was married in Hillsborough Somerset Co New Jersey & that Simeon Van Nortwick (now deceased), was groomsmen at the wedding, & that the present applicant Harriet Bilson is the identical person thus & then married to the said William Bilson a soldier & pensioner of the United States, the identi- -cal person named in the annexed original pension certificate Subscribed & sworn before me this 14th day of May 1842 James Foster Justice of the Peace in & for Seneca County
Henry P. Covert

State of New York
County of Seneca ss } I James Foster the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavit of Henry P. Covert was taken do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with the said Henry P. Covert for some years past and that he is a person of respectability and entitled to full credit as to the facts stated in his said affidavit aforesaid. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 14 th day of May 1842. James Foster Justice
of the Peace in & for Seneca County State of New York: } I Cyrus D. Hanks Clerk of the county County of Seneca ss: } of Seneca and of the court of Common Pleas of said county do hereby certify that James Foster Esq before whom the foregoing Affidavit was taken was on the day when said affidavit was taken sworn on the 14 th day of May 1842 a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned and sworn. And that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and verily believe that his signatures to the Jurat of said affidavit and to the certificate above written are severally Genuine and in his own proper handwriting. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed & attached my Official Seal being the Seal of said County this 14 th day of May A.D. 1842. Cyrus D. Hanks Clerk.

Ovid Seneca Co. New York May 14. 1842
Dir
I herewith forward you further proof of the marriage of Harriet Bilton, I suppose it will be fully satisfactory, you have herewith also the pension certificate - will you do the widow the favor of answering this as soon as may be, as she is destitute & in want & is anxious to obtain the pension certificate, you will please address your answer to me, as I am acting as the agent or attorney for her - I am Your Ob st Servt Abad Loy

State of New York,
Seneca County } ss On the 22 nd day of September 1841
personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of the court of common pleas in & for said county, Harriet Bilson a resident of the town of Hector in the county of Tompkins and State aforesaid, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of William Bilson who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war that he enlisted in the dragoons under Major Lee afterwards General Lee, that said enlistment was for three years or during the war of the Revolution, that her said husband William Bilson deceased served in said service & that he received a discharge or release being sick & unfit for service after having so served more than two years, said discharge is supposed to be on file in the pension office, all of which will more fully appear by a reference to the original application of the said William Bilson deceased also on file in the said pension office, that her husband the aforesaid William Bilson was a pensioner of the Revolution, annexed you have the original pension certificate granted to him, which is hereby surrendered up, she further declares that she was married to the said William Bilson in Somerset Co New Jersey in October Seventeen hundred & eighty Six, that her husband, the aforesaid William Bilson died on the Nineteenth day of March eighteen hundred & thirty Seven, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four, viz at the time above stated; that she has never since the death of her husband William Bilson been married, but is still the widow of the said William Bilson - Subscribed & } Sworn before me the day & date above named } Harriet A. Bilson mark.
Johnson Pregerwolf Judge of Seneca County Courts

I certify that Harriet Bilson within named residing in the town of Hector in another county & some twenty odd miles from the county seat of Seneca County where she would, if at all, be obliged to appear in court, together with her extreme age & bodily infirmity, cannot under these circumstances appear in open court or attend the court. Dated Sept 22 nd 1841.
John Ingersoll Judge of Seneca County Courts
I further certify that I confidently believe the statement & affidavit of Harriet Bilson her statements are & that the = fully to be confided in - Dated Sept. 22 nd 1841
John Ingersoll Judge of Seneca County Courts

Boundbrook N.J. 14 th Feb. 1842.
Free John H. Voorhies Post Master
M c Thomas Covent
Ovil
Seneca County
N.Y.

Boundbrook 14 th Feb. 1842.
M r Thomas Covert.
Sir I have received from M r Joy two Letters making enquiries respecting the Marriage of M rs Bilson formerly Karmist Covert I have shown the Letters to M r Rop & he & myself have made all the enquiries we know of to ascertain evidence of the Marriage but all in vain In the first place the Church records of Boundbrook during the time that the Rev d M r Reed was the Pastor have all been lost The Church have no records until after the Rev d M r Barclay left it There is no county records of Marriages until after 1790. There is no branch of M r Reeds family left in our region Therefore we think after all the enquiries we have made for records & of the oldest people we can find that the case is hopeless. Yours very respectfully.
John H. Voorhies P.M.
You will please notice the above, that M rs Bilson must have been married before 1790 or her name would have been found on record; you will recollect that Thomas Covert was married in 1780 is now aged 86 years; they both made out of their ages

At a Surrogate Court held at Elmira in & for the County of Chemung in the State of New York. on the 29 th day of July in the year 1843.
Present.
Hon. James Dunn Surrogate.
I the Surrogate above named do hereby certify that it has been satisfactorily proved to this Court that Harriet Bilson the deceased pensioner named in the annexed application is dead and died in the Town of Southport in the said County of Chemung some time in the month of February 1843 and that she left surviving her the following persons her children who are the only survivors to wit:
Peter Bilson, William Bilson, Henry Bilson all residing in the State of Ohio, Sally Bilson & Jacob Bilson residents of Southport in the said County of Chemung, and Harriet the wife of Robert Darling of Hector in the County of Seneca & State of New York and that they are of lawful age -
It is also certified that Jacob Bilson one of the said heirs has been duly appointed administrator of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said Harriet Bilson deceased by this Court - Witness my hand & Seal of office the day & year above mentioned -
James Dunn Surrogate

Aug 19 42
Har
Harriet B. Lison Albany Bldg 38
J. Edwards Comd Prison Washington D.C.
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Ovid Seneca Co N.Y. Aug t 15th 1842
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
I beg leave respectfully to call your attention to the Pension Certificate of Harriet Bilson issued 20th May, returned to your office from the agency at Albany New York with a power of attorney from her to pay the same, the Certificate was N o 6653 - issued under the law of July 7. 1838 - I pray that I may be excused for thus addressing you, as my reason for doing it is from noticing a resolution of the Senate in approval of the act of the house, placing the same construction on that law, that is, in not withholding from widows the 5 years pension, even if their husbands died after 1832 - If I am correct in my supposition above, & if the thing is fully settled that Mrs Bilson is entitled to a pension, will you please return the pension certificate & the power of attorney for drawing the amt. to the agency at Albany New York, where it can be arranged without a new power of atty

from Mrs Bilson — One other reason of my writing, I beg leave to say, is from a belief that the multiplicity of business pressing you at all times, might cause you to overlook, or forget at this early day to return the paper to Albany, therefore I write to remind you of it, that if I am correct, there will be no delay in her obtaining her just claim — I am Your very Ob dt Servt.
Brad Joy

I hope Mr Jenkins of the Albany agency will be so obliging as to notify the agent or atty named in the power of attorney of Mrs. Bilson as soon as the same is rec d by him Oblige A. Joy
Mr. Jenkins Albany N.Y.
of for
April 29 th 1832 Harriet L. Smith
rec d 1832

Payable on the 4 th March & 4 th Sept n of each year, at the Pr Bank, U.S. New York
Isaac H. Halsey Clk. of Surrogate N.Y.
Recorded

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES,
of the 18 March 1818. William P. Wilson late a private in the Army of the Revolution
is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New York Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars  cents per month, to commence on the first day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES,
this Twenty day of June one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. C. Calhoun Secy of War
no 8026

Albany Pension Agency June 25. 1842.
James L. Edwards Esquire, Com. d of Pensions, Sir,
In compliance with your instructions of the 3 d inst. I enclose the Voucher in the case of Heinrich Bilson, a Pensioner under the act of July 7. 1838, who applies by Attorney for payment of his pension - I am, Sir,
Very respectfully Your obed. t Serv. t
Thos W. O'Callaghan Supt Pension

Elmira 29 July 1843
Sir,
I enclose the aff d or declaration of the heirs of Harriet Bilson (the widow of W m Bilson) who claim arrear of pension due their deceased mother under the act of July 7. 1838. The death of the widow & the fact that they are the children are proved before the Surrogate Court. If the Certificate is issued, allow me to suggest that it be made to Jacob Bilson the adm r of the deceased under the act of June 15. 1840 (2 nd Section) authorising the payment of pensions due deceased pensioners to be made to the Ex r or adm r for the benefit of the children - The Surrogate certifies as you will perceive to his appointment as adm r .
Very Respectfully
Your obed t Serv t
M c Mapwell
Hon J. Edwards

Hustw 23-8 7.1 16.5
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 \begin{array}{r} 30 \overline{) 500} 500 \\ \underline{30} \\ 200 \end{array} \quad \underline{16^2} 
5      $ $      400000 4.16 Runn      295 84 Watson W.R.
4000000
35 23.53
11.67 8 / 12 1.00 (88) 96 1.700 $ $ 40 12 52 $ $ may 31/1881
3 1/2 26 J H J H H H

WAR DEPARTMENT,
PENSION OFFICE, July 17, 1838.
The following rules, prescribed by the President of the United States, and adopted by the Secretary of War, in order to carry into effect the act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" are published for the information of applicants under that law.
1. Applicants must produce the best proof the nature of the case will allow, as to the service of the deceased officer or soldier, and the time when he died. It must be clearly shown in what troop or company, and regiment or corps, he served, and the grade he held. Proof, as to service, must be had, either from the records of the War Department, the muster-rolls, the testimony of commissioned officers, or the affidavits of persons of known respectability. Every applicant will make a declaration according to the subjoined form, before a court (a) of record, setting forth, according to the best of her knowledge or belief, the name and rank of the person on account of whose service the claim is presented; the day, month, and year, (if possible,) when he entered the service, and the time when he left the same; and, if under more than one engagement, the claimant must specify the particular periods, and the rank and names of the officers under whom the service was performed; the town or county, and State in which he resided when he entered the service; whether he was draughted, was a volunteer, or substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the country through which he marched, with such further particulars as may be useful in the investigation of the claim; and, also, if the fact be so, that the claimant has no documentary evidence in support of the claim. From the best sources of information, evidence must be derived as to the period of the death (b) of the officer or soldier.
2. The legality of the marriage, and the time when it took place, must be clearly established; and it must also be shown that the widow was never afterwards married. Record-proof, as to the marriage, is always required, whenever it can be obtained. In a case where the town, county, parish, church, or family records afford no proof as to the period when the marriage took place, the fact must be established by the testimony of one or more respectable persons, whose credibility must be certified by the officer who may administer the oath. And, in order to prevent any mistake or improper use that may be made of the affidavit of an officer who may have the custody of records, from which he may make transcripts of the record, in relation to a marriage, the officer who may give his affidavit will, instead of copying the figures contained in the record, certify "that it is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows:" [Here copy the day, month, and year, in letters and figures, in exact conformity with the original. Then let him add the following words:]
"I, A. B., above named, depose and say: that I hold the office in the county, town, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said with the exception above named, as certified by me.
A. B., Clerk of the (or rector, or pastor, as the case may be.)
Sworn before me,
C. D., Justice of the Peace."
And then will follow the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, as to the official character and signature of the magistrate who may administer the oath. Where no record proof exists, other than the family record, the original record must be produced and sworn to by the person in whose possession it has been kept. (c)
3. In a case where the service of the deceased officer or soldier is clearly proved by record or documentary evidence, or the affidavit of a commissioned officer, showing the grade and length of service of the deceased, the particulars in relation to the service are not required to be set forth in the claimant's declaration; but she must swear in positive terms that she is the widow of the person

whose service is thus proved. And no claim whatever can be sustained without positive proof of service.
4. In every case in which the deceased officer or soldier was a pensioner, the fact should be so stated, and the deceased pensioner so described, as to enable the Department to refer immediately to the evidence upon which he was pensioned, and thus facilitate the investigation of the claim of the widow.
5. Applicants unable to appear in court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, before a judge or justice (d) of a court of record of the county in which the applicant resides, and the judge or justice will certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the court.
6. 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 of the Territory, or of the proper officer or clerk of the court or county, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such a 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.
7. The widows of those who served in the navy or as Indian spies, will produce proof, as nearly as may be, conformably to the preceding regulations, and authenticated in a similar manner, with such variations as the different nature of the service may require.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
(a) The declaration of the widow who claims must be made in all cases in open court, unless she is prevented by bodily infirmity from appearing before the court.
(b) It must in all cases be shown in what year the husband died. The testimony on this point must be positive, and the language must be free from all ambiguity.
(c) The family record must be sent to the Pension Office, if there be no other record, accompanied by the oath of the person in whose possession it has been kept. The person who may swear to the genuineness of the record, should give the name of the person in whose handwriting the record was made.
(d) A declaration made before a justice of the peace cannot be admitted as evidence.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
STATE [TERRITORY OR DISTRICT] } ss. OF
On this _____ day of _____ A. B., a resident of _____ in the county of _____ aged _____ years, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of _____ who was a [Here insert the rank the husband held in the army, navy, or militia, as the case may be, and specify the service performed, as directed in rule numbered one of these regulations.]
She further declares that she was married to the said _____ on the _____ day of _____ in the year seventeen hundred and _____ that her husband, the aforesaid _____ died on the _____ ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz : at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before

AN ACT
Granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, if any person who served in the war of the revolution, in the manner specified in the act passed the seventh day of June, eighteen hundred and thirty-two, entitled "An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution," have died, leaving a widow, whose marriage took place after the expiration of the last period of his service and before the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, such widow shall be entitled to receive, for and during the term of five years from the fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, the annuity or pension which might have been allowed to her husband, in virtue of said act, if living at the time it was passed: Provided , That, in the event of the marriage of such widow, said annuity or pension shall be discontinued.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted , That no pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer of any right, claim, or interest, in any annuity, half pay, or pension granted by this act, shall be valid, nor shall the half pay, annuity, or pension granted by this act, or any former act of Congress, be liable to attachment, levy, or seizure, by any process in law or equity; but shall enure wholly to the personal benefit of the pensioner or annuitant entitled to the same; and that, before a warrant shall be delivered to any person acting for or in behalf of any one entitled to money under this act, such person shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, to be administered by the proper accounting officer, and put on file, that he has no interest in said money, by any pledge, mortgage, transfer, agreement, understanding, or arrangement, and that he does not know or believe that the same has been so disposed of to any other person.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted , That the Secretary of War shall adopt such regulations and forms of evidence, in relation to applications and payments under this act, as the President of the United States may prescribe.
APPROVED, July 7, 1838.

AN ACT
Granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled , That, if any person who served in the war of the revolution, in the manner specified in the act passed the seventh day of June, eighteen hundred and thirty-two, entitled "An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution," have died, leaving a widow, whose marriage took place after the expiration of the last period of his service and before the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, such widow shall be entitled to receive, for and during the term of five years from the fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, the annuity or pension which might have been allowed to her husband, in virtue of said act, if living at the time it was passed: Provided , That, in the event of the marriage of such widow, said annuity or pension shall be discontinued.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted , That no pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer of any right, claim, or interest, in any annuity, half pay, or pension granted by this act, shall be valid, nor shall the half pay, annuity, or pension granted by this act, or any former act of Congress, be liable to attachment, levy, or seizure, by any process in law or equity; but shall enure wholly to the personal benefit of the pensioner or annuitant entitled to the same; and that, before a warrant shall be delivered to any person acting for or in behalf of any one entitled to money under this act, such person shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, to be administered by the proper accounting officer, and put on file, that he has no interest in said money, by any pledge, mortgage, transfer, agreement, understanding, or arrangement, and that he does not know or believe that the same has been so disposed of to any other person.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted , That the Secretary of War shall adopt such regulations and forms of evidence, in relation to applications and payments under this act, as the President of the United States may prescribe.
APPROVED, July 7, 1838.

8026
Harriet Bilson
NY.
act 7. July '38-
adm'd
2 yrs Dragoon
100 $
Husb d died 19 March '37 pen: com: 20 March '37
Chad Joy Esq Asid NY.

no 8026 Oct 12 1844
N.Y.
July 7 1838
Harriet son Dillon
J. L.
Edwards
Pension Agent
Washington D.C.

Ovid Seneca County New York Oct 6th 1841
Hon J. L. Edwards
DY
Inclosed I send you an application for a pension for a widow as will more fully appear from the same, you will please return your answer to me
Respectfully Your Ob d Serv t Abad L. Joy