Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20831, Rufus Carpenter, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Carpenter, Rufus
W 20831
Peggy or Peggy
CONTENTS

15071 Massachusetts
Rufus Carpenter of Berkshire in the State of Mass a who was a Pri. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Williams of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sprote in the Mass a line for 7 months.
Mike Cull
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass a at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of May 1833 and sent J. A. R. Bishop Lenox Mass a
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $46.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept. 11.67
$58.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. W. Clapp Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 d Page 11
Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1. April 1838 from 4 March 1836 to 24 Jan y 1837. Agt. notified 30 Oct. 1839
70 Berkshire

13908 Rufus Carpenter Cheshire Vt
Application for Pension Sept 25 1832
on Rolls - 9 July 80 - 6m
6. 10. 1832
Sept 25 1832
15. 11. 1832
15. 11. 1832

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this twenty fifth day of September A. D. 1832. personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, Rufus Carpenter a resident of the town of Cheshire in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty Eight 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. - that in month of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty as Cheshire in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts he enlisted into the revolutionary army and was placed in the Company commanded by Capt. Williams in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Sproat. He marched from said Cheshire through Lanesborough in said County & Salisbury in the State of Connecticut to Fish kill in the State of New York where the Regiment of Colonel Sproat was stationed. At this place several days. he with said Regiment was detained when the troops were taught the manual Exercise by Baron Stuben. The Baron selected a company of light infantry to be placed under the command of General De La Fayette. The Regiment marched from Fish kill to Peekskill. From this place the said Regiment passed over to West point. At West point said Regiment joined the Continental Army. He there saw several continental officers. After staying there for some little time the Regiment marched to Stony point and either at Stony Point or West Point - and which he cannot recollect he saw General

Washington & recollects distinctly of hearing Enquiry of Colonel Sproat. about the Cow-boys He saw at one or the other of said last mentioned places Benedict Arnold. Lord Sterling. had command of some portion of the army - He recollects of seeing General Gates. He served as a soldier at West Point & Stony Point ferry in the vicinity of those places & at Dobbs ferry during his term of enlistment which was six months. While at Dobbs Ferry about eight miles above New York he recollects that he saw the Ship Mutton pass up the river which took down the traitor Arnold He was discharged in December 1780. the precise day of the month he does not recollect it was, however, at the expiration of his six-month-term of service. He received a discharge which he sent to Boston in order to obtain his wages. & he never has received it. - According to the best of his recollection in the fall of 1782. he enlisted into the company of Artillery commanded he thinks by Capt. Sloan of Williamstown in said County of Berkshire. he distinctly recollects, that one Jeremiah Brown was a Lieutenant in said company. He enlisted at said Cheshire, and soon after his enlistment he marched with said company up near Housatonic falls to Stillwater & Schenectady. He enlisted for the term of one month & served through said term. While at Stillwater there arrived a Continental Regiment the name of which and of its Colonel he does not recollect. While at Stillwater he received a discharge and returned home to Cheshire. This discharge he has lost. He always served as a volunteer. He has no documentary evidence except the deposition of James Wescott which is hereto annexed and knows of no other person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services - He was born at Providence in
The state of Rhode Island in 1764. He has

The state of Rhode Island in 1764. He has a record of his age in his father's family bible now at said Cheshire. When called into the service he resided in Cheshire aforesaid and has ever since resided there & still continues to reside there - He is known to Timothy Whitney - Henry Shaw & Calvin Hubbell Esquires who reside in his neighbourhood & who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution -
He cannot recollect in said general

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
Rufus Carpenter
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
s. We Henry Shaw  a Clergyman residing in the town of Lanesborough and Timothy Whitney residing in Lanesborough hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Rufus Carpenter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty eight 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.
H. Shaw Timothy Whitney
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
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 Henry Shaw who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Lanesborough in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Timothy Whitney who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Lanesborough in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Rufus Carpenter for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

18908 Rufus Carpenter Map
   Period. Duties or Service. Rank. Names of Regiments and Companies.     In 1799. Militia on Role 600 Shoots Befo 6 Months Twelve 7 Months Private Col. H. H. H. H.  
H. H. Bishop Lenox Mass
mentioned.
X (Certified) that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above.
[Handwritten signature: Rufus Carpenter]
Commission Clerk.

BRIEF in the case of Rufus Carpenter of Berkshire in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 68  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     June In 1780. enlisted 6 Private Genl Williams Coll Sprout   1782 " 1 " Genl Stone  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cheshire - Mass. Berkshire  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not proper 
= by attached
witness not certified by a notary
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

V 5789
Peggy Carpenter
Mass.
abt 7. July, 38.
m 86 d 37.
adm d
Imofri
23. 33.
Died 24 Jany 37.
pen: com: 25 Jany. 37.
Hon G. N. Briggs
H. W. Bishop RR
Charlton
Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss.
On this tenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty nine personally appeared before the Honorable William P. Walker Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Berkshire Peggy Carpenter a resident of Cheshire in said County of Berkshire aged seventy one years who being first duly sworn according to law on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 en- titled "an act granting half pay pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Rufus Carpenter late of said Cheshire now deceased. That the said Rufus was a private in the army of the revolution. That the inter- marriage of the said Peggy & Rufus did not take place till after the close of the war of the revolution & that she knows nothing personally of the service of her said husband or of his rank or the officers under whom he served. For the evidence she refers to the declaration & the evidence accompany- ing the same of the said Rufus on file in the Pension office upon which applica- tion & evidence a pension was granted to said Rufus a certificate of which is now in the possession of said Peggy

dated the twenty second day of May one thousand eight hundred & thirty three signed by Lewis Cass secretary of war numbered "15071" Recorded in the Pension office in Book E. Vol. 2. Page 11 by J. W. Blagden. Clerk
She further declares that she was married to the said Rufus Carpenter on the fourteenth day of March in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty six. That her husband the aforesaid Rufus Carpenter died at said Cheshire on the twenty fourth day of January in the year 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. That she is now & ever since the death of the said Rufus has been the widow of said Rufus. her Peggy Carpenter Dorchester
S. 10. Apr. 1839.
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year above written and I certify that through age & bodily infirmity the said applicant was unable to appear in open court to make the aforesaid declaration & that the same was made at her dwelling house in Cheshire aforesaid.
Before me William P. Walker Judge of Probate

I Stephen Carpenter of Cheshire in the County of Berkshire & common- wealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify & say that I was present at the death of Rufus Carpenter late of said Cheshire deceased. that he died at said Cheshire on the twenty fourth day of January one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven. & that he left Peggy Carpenter his widow who is now & has been ever since the death of said Rufus his widow & a resident of said Cheshire Stephen Carpenter Berkshire p. April 10 1839 Subscribed & sworn to before me. who certify that the said Stephen Carpenter is a credible person W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss. I Henry W Bishop. Register of the Court of Probate for said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Judge of said Court in the matter of the application of Peggy Carpenter for a pension. that the Honorable William P Walker is the Judge of said Court & that the annexed signatures pur- porting to be his are his genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this tenth day of April A D 1839. Henry W. Bishop. Register Probate.

March the fourteenth in the year one thou- sand seven hundred and eighty six.
"Rufus Carpenter married to Peggy Barker"
I certify that the above 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. March 14 th 1786.
Lanesboro April 9. 1839.
Nathl B Williams Town Clerk of Lanesborough
I Nathaniel B. Williams above named deposed do say that I hold the office of Clerk in the Town of Lanesboro in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachu- setts and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me.
Nathl B Williams Town Clerk of Lanesborough
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. April 9. 1839.
Personally appeared Nathl. B. Williams and made Oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true - Before W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss
I Henry W. Bishop. Register of the Court of Probate within & for the said County of Berkshire do certify that the Honorable William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified and that the signature subjoined

to the foregoing attested of the oath of Nathaniel B Williams is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court of Probate this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred & thirty nine.
Henry M. Bishop. Register of Probate The word "Court" was inserted by myself
Henry M. Bishop P. Probate

Albany Peggy Carpenter widow of Rufus Carpenter who was a private in the Mass s Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the Eighth day of Jan y 1844 and sent to
Thomas Miller Madison Madison Co NY.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 103

Rec
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20831
Peggy Carpenter Wid. of Rufus Carpenter Priv. Rev. War.
Act: March 3 d 1843
Index:—Vol. 14 , Page 120
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rufus Carpenter Mass. $23.33 at 7. June '32 when last paid?
20 May '40
G. M.
Died 24 Jan. 1837 p st to that period
JA

Rufus Carpenter Mass. out 7 June. $23.33. when last paid? G.W.C.
17. July 35
Paid to 16 March 1836.?
S. H. H. o--"
did 37!

Albany - New York. Massachusetts to 3435.
V Peggy Carpenter, widow of Rufus Carpenter, decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832 and who died on the 24 th of June 1837. of Berkshires in the State of Mass. who was a private in the army commanded by Captain Williams of the Regt - commanded by Col. Spote in the Mass. - line for 7 months private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts. at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836. 25 June 1 }
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of May, 1840. and sent to Hon. G. N. Briggs, House of Representatives.
Arrears to the 4 th of March, 1840 $ 72.58 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th 18.66
$ 84.24
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 8!
Letter to T. Miller 16 Miller 16 Nov 1840 to Pen Agt 28 Dec 1840 To Albany N.Y. from 25 Jan 1837 - 9 Jan 1841 - Notification to Thomas Mellen, Madison N.Y.

State of New York } County of Madison } ss }
On this twenty third day of November 1840 before me, the subscriber, a justice of the peace for the said County of Madison, personally appeared Peggy Carpenter. Who on her oath declares that she is widow to Rufus Carpenter deceased, who was a private in the Revolution and died on the twenty fourth day of January 1837. And that her name was placed on the Pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, from whom she has lately removed, and that she now resides in Madison in the County of Madison and State of New York, where she intends to remain, and wishes her pension to be there payable in future. The following are her reasons for removing from Massachusetts to this place Viz. For the purpose of residing with her Daughter and Son in Law
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid Thomas Milliken Justice of the Peace peggy carpenter
State of New York } Madison County } ss }
On this 23 rd day of November 1840 personally came before me John E. Burton a resident of the town of Madison in said County, who first being duly sworn according to law, testifies & says that he has for many years been personally acquainted with Peggy Carpenter, who has sworn to, and subscribed the foregoing Affidavit, and that she is the identical person therein described
Sworn & subscribed before me } J. E. Burton the day & year last above written Thomas Milliken Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with John E. Burton who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing affidavit & that he is respected in the neighborhood where he lives a man of good reputation for truth & veracity Thomas Milliken J. of the Peace Madison 23 rd November 1840.

State of New York Madison County Clerks Office ss I Alexander Donaldson Jr Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Thomas Millen Esq within named was on the 23 d day of November 1840 and now is a Justice of the Peace in & for the said County of Madison duly elected and qualified, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Thomas Millen and that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the 21 st day of December 1840 Alexander Donaldson Jr Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
October 16 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Rufus Carpenter, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1836, to the 24 th January 1837, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Harrison Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

State of New York Otsego County } ss
James Westcott Esq
being duly sworn South, that he is a resident of the Town of Milford in the County of Otsego aforesaid & aged 70 years that he well knew Rufus Carpenter in the Rev War who was then a resident of Butternuts Co. N.Y. that in the year 1780 the said Rufus Carpenter enlisted into the Continental Army at Chesham Mass. for the term of six months. I served during said term as this deponent believes in Capt Williams Comy. 12 th Mass Regt or what was called Spratt's Regt this deponent also served in the same Regt further South not
sworn & subscribed this 13 day of August 1832 James Westcott before me
Elisha Foote Judge of Otsego County Court
State"> State of New York } ss Otsego County } I, Horace Lathrop Clerk of said County do certify that Elisha Foote before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of Otsego County Court in said County & that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing & signature Witness my hand & seal of office this 13 th day of August 1832
Horace Lathrop By Thos H. Cory Deputy

3613
Peggy Carpenter
$23.33
Thomas Stiller Madison Madison Co. N.Y.

In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3 rd March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7 th 1838
State of New York Madison County - ss
On this twenty second day of August Eighteen hundred & 1843, personally appeared before me Thomas Miller a Justice of the peace of said County, Peggy Carpenter, a resident of the Town of De Ruyter, in the County of Madison, aged Seventy five years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 rd March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Rufus Carpenter, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army; but by reason of age & infirmity she has forgotten, to what Regiment he belonged or whether in the Militia, State Troops, or the Continental Troops but that at the time of his enlistment & service, he was a resident of Adams, in Berkshire County in the State of Massachusetts. & that he was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of the seventh day of June 1832, the evidence of which is in the Pension Office, to which she would respectfully refer. And that she was a Pensioner of the United States under the act July seventh 1838, and the annual amount of the pension she received was to the best of her belief & memory twenty three dollars and thirty two cents. She further declares that she still is a widow
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me. Thomas Miller, Justice of the peace
Peggy Carpenter
I certify that the foregoing declaration is personally known to me Thomas Miller. Jus. Peace

State of New York
Clerks Office Madison County } ss. I certify that Thomas Millen Esq, before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signa- ture. Witness my hand and official seal the 25 th day of August 1843. Wilson Fairchild Clerk.

3613 Aug 28/43.
Peggy Carpenter, March 5 th /43.
My friend J. L. Edwards Esq. Pension Office Washington D.C.

Madison, Madison County, N. York.
23 rd August 1843
A. L. Edwards Esqr
Sir, Enclosed is the declaration of Peggy Carpenter for a Pension
I am Sir Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Thomas Killen

Dec 28 1840
New Haven,
Conn.
J. J. Edwards Esq. Treasurer of American Washington Socy.
45.

Madison Madison County N.Y. 22 nd Jan 1840 Hon. J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Enclosed is the application of Fanny Carpenter for a transfer of the payment of her Pension, from the Agency at Boston, to that of Albany; She could not state the Company or Regiment in which her husband served, having sent the papers to the Pension Office, as a statement of his services in her Declaration; and has forgotten those particulars, an application was for said transfer was forwarded to the Pension office in August last, which was not noticed there as you informed me, & some delay has unavoidably occurred in processing & forwarding this; She is very anxious to have the transfer made, & to be advised of the same as soon as is convenient. I am Sir Respectfully Your Obedient Servt. Thomas Miller

5189 Abbe
Mass. 7 July 1838.
William Lloyd Esq. 12
Carpenter
Mr. J. S. (Sears) Esq. Commission of Business Senior Office Washington City D.C.

To J L Edward Esq Commissioner of Pensions - Sir -
If a certificate be granted upon the Enclosed application of Mrs. Peggy Carpenter - Please send it to her directed to Cheshire Berkshire County Mass.
Most respectfully &c Yours
J W Bishop Cheshire Apr 11. 1839

Nov 16. 1840
Nov Nov 16
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
FREE

Madison Madison County N.Y. 10 th Nov 1840 Hon. J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions
Sir, Some time in August last I forwarded you the application of Peggy Carpenter to have a transfer of the payment of her Pension from Boston to the Agency at Albany, as she is now a resident of this place and expects to continue here. She is anxious to learn whether the transfer has been made, that she may draw on the Agency for her pension.
Will you be so good as to inform immediately if convenient. I am Sir Respectfully, Your Ob t Serv t . Thomas Miller

Merchants Bank, Boston, 31 st Dec r 1840.
Yrs,
In reply to your letter of the 28 th inst. I have to state that no payment has been made at this Agency to Peggy Carpenter a pensioner per Act 7 th July 1838. She was inscribed on the roll with directions to commence 25 th Jan y . 1837.
Very Respectfully, Your obed t Serv t .
Franklin H. Davis Pension Ag t .
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.