Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,051, Simeon Botsford, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Botsford, Simeon Esther
NUMBER
R. 1,051
CONTENTS

No 14,986
Esther Botsford, mag Simon
Michigan
Aug 7, 1838,
1051
Chas. Daper, Pontiac, Michigan.

STATE OF MICHIGAN, } Oakland County Clerk's Office. }
I, John S. Rayner Clerk of said County of Oakland, do hereby certify, that Joseph C. Copeland , Esquire, before whom the annexed instrument  affidavit or oath in writing was proved or acknowledged, was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the Circuit Court
within and for said county, duly Elected and sworn, and authorized by law to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his signature subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledg- ment to be genuine; and that the annexed instrument  such is execu- ted and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Circuit Court for said county, at Pontiac, this 1 st day of November A. D. 185 2
John S. Rayner Clerk.
Si 92 u

State of Michigan } County of Oakland } ss
On this first day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty two, personally appeared before the Court  one of the Judges of the Court of the County of Oakland in the State of Michigan Esther Botsford of West Bloomfield in the County & State aforesaid aged eighty one 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 June 7 th AD 1832. That she intermarried with Simeon Botsford on the third day of January AD 1792 that she continued to be his wife and lived with him in the Town of Southfield in County & State aforesaid until the 10 th day of August AD 1832 when he the said Simeon died. This Deposition further states that the said Simeon told her that he served as a Soldier in the Army of the United States during the war of the Revolution but how long this Deposition does not now recollect. That the said Simeon was deaf from her first acquaintance with him until his death and told her that his deafness was occasioned by the firing of Cannon in the war. That he also told her that he was once put on sentry and during his watch in the night time a Boat neared the shore where he was stationed (which she thinks was some where in Connecticut) and that he hailed it three several times and rec d no answer, that he then fired at the Boat and was immediately answered and the Boat put off from the shore. He said the persons in the Boat were what they called "Lawn Boys" that they came on shore to take cattle in the night time. And further Deposition saith not.
Esther very Botsford Deaf
Subscribed & sworn to before me the day and year above written, V. H. H. H. H. Circuit Judge

State of Michigan Oakland County p }
On this thirteenth day of December A.D. 1883 personally
appears before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in and for said County Simon Botsford who being by me duly sworn depones and saith, that he is a son of Simon Botsford deceased. That he Deponent is of the age of forty eight years. That Deponents Mother who is the Widow of said Simon Botsford deceased is still living. That her name is Esther and she now resides with Deponent in Pontiac in said Oakland County. Deponent further saith that his Father died at Southfield in said County the tenth day of August A.D. 1831. That Deponents father and mother lived together as husband and wife for many years and were not separated until death parted them Deponent further saith that he was born in Salisbury Stockfield County Conn. and Deponent left said State of Conn. when about seventeen years of age. at the same time that his Father Mother died. That his Father resided at Lyons Wayne County N.Y. about three years and then removed to Michigan when the said Simon died as aforesaid Deponent further saith that the paper

writing hereto annexed is the family Record of the said Simeon Botsford deceased was kept and written by him in his life time and is in the proper hand writing of said Deceased. and that it is the only family Record ever kept or made by the said Simeon Deceased. That the same was kept in the deceased Simeon Botsford's. Book of accounts as may be seen upon the opposite page of the said paper. That Deponent this Morning in presence of Charles Deane of Pontiac cut said Leaf Entire from said Book, and that upon said paper is all the records of his family that the said Simeon Deceased made or has left behind him. Deponent further saith that said Book containing said family record has been in the custody and under the control of this Deponent ever since the death of his said Father and Deponent knows the same to be the genuine and only family Records of said Deceased and also that the same is the genuine hand writing of the said Deceased Deponent further saith that during his Childhood and from thence up to the time of the death of his father he frequently heard his Father mention facts and incidents which occurred to him while in the service of the Continental or revolutionary war such as being deafened by the concussion in standing between two brass field Pieces when

discharged and Deponent knows that his Father was alive until he died. Deponent further saith that he well remembers of a conversation between his Father and one Collins just after the close of the war of 1812. Collins had served in that war and had been discharged, and he and Deponents Father were talking of what events had transpired both in the war of 1812 and the Revolutionary war. Deponents Father then called for his papers, and showed what he called his discharge to Collins and remarking that the wars were all through and the papers pretty much worn out and not of any further use, gave them to the children to play with. This fact is distinctly marked upon the memory of Deponent.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13 th
day of December AD 1853
Horatio A. Root
Notary of the Peace

Simeon Botsford His Birth June the 11 / 1763.
Ethogen Clark His Birth
September 19 / 1771
his wife Maria January 3 / 1792
Eliza Botsford Born July 29 / 1794
Mary W. Botsford Born April 24 / 1796
Ethogen Botsford Born July 23 / 1797
Maria Botsford Born June 12 / 1799
Betsey Botsford Born Jan 31 / 1801
Abner C. Botsford February 29 / 1803
Simeon Botsford Jun Sept 26 / 1805
Admiral Botsford July 27 / 1807
Levi Botsford January 30 / 1810
Clark Botsford January 1 / 1812
Emeline J. Botsford Sept 23 / 1816

Lyons January 1925
Almer C. Bottford Jr to one hundred thirty dollars
by way of G W Burnett $130
Feb 26 to Clothing for one year 40
Oct 1 to 1 Barrel Clear Pork 20
1925 to 1 Rife gun — 15
to Cash from I Bottford and in Colonels 45
for Wheat
to 1 Barrel Salt 18/6 2.6
Oct 1926 to Cash for Taxes on mowing 46
highway tax 25/ — 3 12 6
1927 highway tax 24/ — 3
Country tax 12/ — 1 50

January 17, 1933
BA-J/REL Ch
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Simeon Botsford-R.1051
Mr. H.D.Forrest 422 Standard Life Building Jackson, Mississippi
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Simeon Botsford, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R.1051, based upon the military service of Simeon Botsford in that war.
Simeon Botsford was born June 11, 1763, in Derby, Connecticut.
He married January 3, 1792, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Esther Clark, who was born September 14, 1771.
In 1802 and 1803, he resided in Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, from which place he moved, about 1822, to Lyons, Wayne County, New York; lived there about three years; then moved to the state of Michigan.
Simeon Botsford died August 10, 1831 or 1832 (both dates appear in the claim), in Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan.
On November 1, 1852, while a resident of West Bloomfield, Oakland County, Michigan, Esther Botsford applied for the pension that might have been due on account of the services of her husband, Simeon Botsford, in the War of the Revolution, and alleged that he enlisted when about sixteen years of age and served as a private but gave no dates or officers' names nor the place of his enlistment; she also alleged that he was in at least one battle, during which battle his hearing was permanently injured by the concussions of field pieces near which he was stationed.
Her claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of

six months service as was required by the pension laws.
Children of Simeon and Esther Botsford:
Chloe Botsford born July 29, 1794. Mary W. Botsford " April 9, 1796. Esther Botsford " July 23, 1797. Anna Botsford " June 12, 1799 Betsey Botsford " January 31, 1801. Abner C. Botsford " February 26, 1803. Simeon Botsford " September 26, 1805, in Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Almira Botsford " July 27, 1807. Levi Botsford " January 30, 1810. Clark Botsford " January 1, 1812. Teresse-?- T. Botsford " September 23, 1816. (Name Teresse not clearly written).
In 1853, son Simeon Botsford was residing in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan, and in 1884, he was residing in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan, and then stated that his wife, her name not given, was aged seventy-seven years, and that they had reared seven children, four daughters and three sons; and that two of the sons served in the Civil War, one son dying in a hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee, December 28, 1863. No names were given of the children of Simeon Botsford, Junior.
In 1853, Lemuel Botsford, a half brother of the soldier, Simeon Botsford, was residing in Farmington, Oakland County, Michigan.
There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

State of Michigan } William Delling County of Oakland } of the Township of Southfield, County of Oakland, & State of Louisiana, being duly sworn before Me the a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, deposes & says, that he was acquainted with Simon Batson during his life time, for about ten years, that he resided in said Town- ship for four years previous to his decease And that he died in said township sometime in the month of August in the year A D 1831, and that deponent was present at his death, And deponent further says that he is also acquainted with Esther Batson his wife And that she is a good reputation for truth & veracity & for moral character generally William Delling
Subscribed & sworn to before Me this 6 th day of December A D 1833 Nathan A. Root Justice of the Peace
very good, poor, and deponent further says

State of Michigan County of Oakland } Samuel Batford of the Township of Fowlerville Oakland County State of Michigan, being duly sworn before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in & for said County, says, that he is a half Brother of one Simon Batford and that said Simon Simon resided Solihull in the State of Connecticut in the year 1802 & three, and that he had resided there for some length of time previous to said dates, and that during the year of 1802 & 1803 deponent resided with his said Brother at the place aforesaid and that during said time deponent distinctly recollects, of having heard said Simon Simon speak of the fact of his having been in the service of the United States of America as a private, in the Revolutionary War between the United States & Great Britain, and that when he entered said service he was of the age of about sixteen years, and deponent further says that he has seen him at the time of signing exhibit a paper which deponent thinks was his discharge, at Making at the same time that it was to show that, he had been in said service, and deponent further says that at the time of signing he deponent was of the age of fourteen years, and deponent further says that said Simon frequently complained of being deaf & that it was the result of the fire of cannon during said war, and deponent further says

That during the time that he so resided with said Dimeon, he said Dimeon was deaf & so much so that it was quite difficult to make him hear, and that said Dimeon was a person of truth, & his statements reliable Subscribed & sworn to Samuel Botsford before me this 6 th day of December 1853 Nehemiah D. Board Justice of the Peace

State of Michigan County of Oakland
Laban Smith of the Township of West Bloomfield County & State of Michigan being duly sworn, deposes & says that by profession he is a Methodist Protestant Clergyman, and has been for about twenty years, and that he has resided in the Township County and State of Michigan, for about twenty eight years and that for about twenty years & up to the present time, he has been acquainted & well knew Esther Botsford, the widow, of Simeon Botsford late of said County deceased, that she is now, & ever has been the widow of said Simeon, since his decease that during the most of the time for the last twenty years she has resided in said County, and a portion of said time in the Township when defendant resides, and that during defendant's travel in his occupation, he has frequently met with said Esther, and is well acquainted with her reputation for truth & veracity and that it is now, & ever since since defendant's acquaintance with her has been good, that she is in regard to moral character, unimpeachable Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6th day of Laban Smith December 1853
Nirah A Wood
Justice of the Peace

State of Michigan, OAKLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. }
of Oakland, do hereby certify, that
I, Alpheus H. Rood
Clerk of said County Esquire, before whom
the annexed instrument in writing was proved or acknowledged, was at the time of taking the same a
Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, duly Elected and sworn, and authorized by law to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing and verily believe his signature subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgement to be genuine; and that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Circuit Court for said County, at Pontiac, this fifteenth day of December
A. D., 185 3
Alpheus H. Rood
CLERK.

1884 April 14 Simeon Botsford, that for want of proof of service the claim of his widow could not be allowed no pension or gratuity is authorized to be paid to his children Prior
1933-Jan 17 - History to H.D. Forest - OK
Ex'r.
INVALID.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1051
P.O.
Oliver Botsford
Service:
application made too late Enlisted: on unprinted list of 1852. , 18 .
Discharged: , 18 .
Application filed: , 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P.O. _____

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RECEIVED P & M DIV APR 1 1884 706
Executive Mansion.
Polifore Simeon 3/27-84. Cairo, Mich.
Pension
Respectfully Referred to the Secretary of the Interior.
By direction of the President :
Apr. 1 , 188 4 O. L. Brown Secretary.
Dept. of the Interior.
Apr 9/84
Respectfully referred to the Sec'y of Pensions.
Amos Hadley Actg. Chief Clerk
1884

No 14.986. 1051
Esther Bolsford, Michigan
C. Brafu Sept 19/53 Jan 4/1854 Same July 4/1853 L. Bolsford, March 21/54
July 7, 1838.

State of Michigan } County of Oakland } ss.
On this sixth seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three; Ester Botsford a resident of Pontiac in the County of Oakland aforesaid aged eighty two 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. 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Simeon Botsford who was a private in the army of the Revolution or Continental war that the said Simeon was born on the eleventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three in the town of Derby in the State of Connecticut according to the best knowledge and belief of the said Ester and that she has been informed and verily believes that the said Simeon entered the service as a volunteer at or about the age of sixteen years, in what Battle the said Simeon was engaged this affiant is ignorant but has often heard the said Simeon state that while in the service and during an actual engagement he was stationed near to and between two Brass Field Pieces the concussion of which so affected his Ears that it caused deafness of which he never recovered during during the residue of his life although he sought relief from Physicians at much expense; The time when the said Simeon left the service this affiant knows not nor through what district of Country he marched nor how long he continued in the service or under what officers he served; She has often heard said Simeon state that during the time of his service he was stationed on guard

and in the night time came a Boat approached the shore where he was stationed and he hailed three several times and receiving no answer from the crew he fired at the Boat and it immediately put off and left the shore and he said he supposed they were "Cow Boys" whose object was plunder. This affiant further states that she was married to the said Simeon Botsford in Stockbridge in the State of Massachusetts on the third day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety two (1792) and that she has never since been married, that the said Simeon Botsford died at Southfield in the County of Oakland and State of Michigan on the tenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one (1831) and she further declares that she was not married to the said Simeon Botsford prior to his leaving, the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four or at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow and has never before made any application for a pension, except the informal one now on file in the Pension Office which was rejected as she is informed and verily believes for informality.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written Before me in open Court sitting as judge of the Circuit Court in & for the County of Oakland & State of Michigan
W. H. McLaughlin Circuit Judge Esther her Botsford Mark
State of Michigan } I Alfred Leachman County of Oakland } the Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Oakland do hereby certify that Sarah Botsford

before whom the above Declaration was made is the Circuit Judge of the Circuit Court for the County of Oakland in the State of Michigan the same being a Court of Record. That I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Joseph P. Cleveland and that his signature above written is genuine and is the genuine signature of the said Joseph P. Cleveland
With my hand and the seal of said County hereunto set this Seventh day of December A.D. 1853.
Alfred Munday Clerk

Porter July 20 th 1853
Dr Sir
Enclosed is an affidavit of Mrs Botsford who is the widow of a deceased Revolutionary Soldier - she desires if possible to obtain a pension and bases her claim upon the facts stated in said affidavit, if the same is sufficient please inform me Direct to Porter Oakland County Mich
Charles Drapee

Person Department Washington D.C.
Ponca Dec 20 th 1883
Enclosed are papers for obtaining a pension and in regard to the act that had then on please inform us
Baldwin & Draper
add up as at Ponca Oak Co. Nebr.

Pontiac march the 13. 1854 Mr S. L. Edwards dear sir in your letter to Mr G Draper in answer to the declaration of Esther Botspord widow of Simeon Botspord deceased, was stated that she had produced no proof of service upon which the declaration was rejected, and that you asked for proof of some temporary service some person or persons who need that he served. This we expect would be impossible for us to do after the lapse of so many years. but sir we are satisfied that he from his own testimony had served in the revolutionary or continental war and by seeing his discharge of the same, therefore we claim our right at your hand, in the form that you sent us dated June 27. 1832 it is thus stated, to require from the

applicants for their proof of service from a temporary survivor, would, after the lapse of so many years be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law, and very justly said, after receiving your letter we sent Mr A. Praperwright to Connecticut to the secretary of state for the purpose of finding his name on some rolls or papers of the state but has not succeeded so answer. for what reason we do not, therefore we think there must be something wrong somewhere concerning this matter but as far as we do not, there is one thing we do not that is that as well as we no any that we did not see with our own eyes that he served as the declaration stated. Therefore we shall not give it up yet. we should have applied before if we had of none such pensions were granted. we

applied soon after learning the facts, but if it must stop here we shall be forced to yield to it, no more at present
Please write to us on the receipt of this, and oblige your uncle's parents.
Esther Botsford by. Simeon Botsford

Tenure Office, March 21, 1854.
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 13 th inst you are informed that we have no authority to admit the claim of Esther Botsford, widow of Simeon, unless the requisitions of my letter of the 19 th of Sept. 1853 and January 4, 1854, are to G. Draper for are com- plied with. It is not the power of the office that the claimant omitted to file her application for a pension until this late day - or that the passing of testimony of parties who had personal knowledge of the service of her husband cannot be obtained. We are bound to administer the laws according to the regula- tions under them - and even if  the new

Bolsford's case may not be to place permitted to relax them, we can dis- cover nothing in the case of Mr. Bols- ford which will make it one of exception.
Simeon Bolsford
March 21/36
Simeon Bolsford, Esq.
Tonhac
Calcutta to
Mr. Morgan

Chas. Draper,
Sept 19/83

1413 Pension Office, Sept. 18, 1853,
Sir,
I have filed the usual declaration of Esther Botsford, widow of Simeon, under the act of July 7, 1838, and you are informed that it is im- practicable to determine in the manner in which the claim is set forth, whether her case is or is not embraced by the Pension laws.  Office . If she will make a new declaration according to the form herewith sent, it will be carefully examined and the result of the examination communicated to you.
Charles Braper, Esq. Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan.

Chas. Draper Jan'y 4/54

Pension Office Jny 4/18/54
Sir
The supplemental declaration of Esther  Elizabeth Botsford of which has been received and filed, she furnishes no proof of her husband's service. Six months service must be proven by the Records of the State in which he served by the testimony of witnesses who know of his service.
Chas Draper Esq
Portiac. Mich

1051 Esther
he kept 2 of the bills called continental money one 4 and one 8 dollar bills during his natural life time they were a piece of pasteboard and about 1 inch wide the 4 dollar bill 2 inches long and the 8 dollars 3 inches long and the next day after getting these new these continental money were good for nothing my father did not apply for a pension. His wife my mother made an application about 31 years since she employed Charles Draper work to assist her in getting it her application was exerted at the pension office. They required her to send the family record which record she cut out of the book and sent it together with the affi- davit of one man an old man aintene that he General Boltsford had seen his discharge she never

Caro Tuscola county Mich
March 27 th 1888
to the President of the United States and his congress. Greeting, I the subscriber am the son of Simeon Botzford deceased who claimed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary continental war I can remember of hearing him and other old soldiers talk about the hardships endured in that war I remember of hearing him tell of one being in one battle and was stationed between 2 cannons as flagman and every time they were discharged it made him for a time almost deaf and blind he was almost stone deaf the remainder of his life

1051 Esther
he kept 2 of the bills called continental money one 4 and one 8 dollar bills during his natural life time they were a piece of pasteboard and about 1 inch wide the 4 dollar bill 2 inches long and the 8 dollars 3 inches long and the next day after getting these now these continental money was good for nothing my father did not apply for a pension. His wife my mother made an application about 31 years since she employed Charles Draper work to assist her in getting it her application was excepted at the pension office. They required her to send the family record which record she cut out of the book and sent it together with the affi- davit of one man an old acquaint- aintance that he General Boltsford had seen his discharge she was

had anything more from the Pension Office, I now am past 78 years of age and my wife 77 we have raised 7 children 4 girls and 3 boys When the rebellion broke out they 2 youngest sons volunteered into the service of the United States one of them died in hospital at Fairmount Tenn December 28 th 63 the other returned home after the rebellion closed with his health very much impaired;
I now own 3 acres of land in the town of Indianfields a small house and barn on it and a few apple trees I am laboring daily and supporting myself and wife, now if I by you should be considered worthy of any assistance from the government it will be very gladly received my self and sons are true to the Republican Party

Next the presidential election is close at hand may God bless our Nation yours truly
Simon Bolivar
Postoffice Caro Tuscola county Pos. _____ Mich
now to satisfy you that I am the son of the said Simeon Robtsford deceased, you will find my name in his family record in the Pension office Washington D.C.
I am the seventh child in the family records

HERBERT D. FORREST
Real Estate and Rental Agent
OFFICE PHONE - 7181 RESIDENCE PHONE 822-J
422 STANDARD LIFE BLDG.
JACKSON, MISS.
Dec. 6, 1932
Veterans Administration Mr. A. D. Miller Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Referring to your letter of May 11, 1932 BA - J/ ADY
I am a direct descendant of Simeon Botsford, and the Connecticut State Library has furnished me with the following reference :
Supplementary Index to Revolutionary Manuscripts: Botsford, Simeon, soldier (widow Esther), pension (No. R 1051) - - Draper's Index of Conn. Pensioners, p. 71
Will you kindly furnish me with a copy of this information on the rejected application in your files. I wish to learn of the dates and marriage records or any family references or history that should be furnished on such application of my ancestor. My mother is a member of the D. A. R. through John the father of Simeon Botsford.
Thanking you for your many favors .
Very truly yours,
Forrest

In answer to your application of the 29 th ult addressed to the President of the U S & by him referred to this Dept, on account of the services of your father Simeon Bolford in the war of the Rev, you are advised that his widow Esther en 1853 filed a claim an application for a pension through her agent Chas Draper, but as no proof of the alleged military services in that war was submitted, the claim could not be allowed.
There is no law of Congress which provides  authorizes the pay of a pension or other gratuity to the children of a Rev Soldier. In your application is inserted the enclosed printed circular which refers to the law that prevents this or any other Dept of the government from favorably considering a claim to a pension when presented after the death of the Soldier and his Widow.