Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28640, Abijah Beard, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Continental
Beard, Abijah
P. 28640.
CONTENTS

Albany New York 27. 5 Vijah Beard of Delaware in the State of N.Y. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hill of the Regt. commanded by Col. Gray in the C. of line for 2 Years
Increased from $4.65 Inscribed on the Roll of Albany N.Y. at the rate of 50. Dollars ————— Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 d day of Feb. 1837 and sent to Ebenezer H. of Rep. arrears to the 14th of Sept 1836 $440.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Mar 37 40.00 $480.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by R. H. Addison, Clerk Book 12 Vol. 4 Page 6

The returns of this to be sent to Genuus Gibbs Harkersfield Delaware Co N.Y.
Agree Jan 10 82 Dec 9 11
State of New York Delaware County Ss
On the twenty second of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty three came before me Samuel Stevens one of the judges of the Court of common pleas for said county Abijah Beard aged nearly seventy seven a resident of the town of Harkersfield County of Delaware who being by me first duly sworn maketh the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the late act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832. for the benefit of those who served their country in the Revolutionary War and says that from information which he believes is true he was born in Stratford Connecticut February 3 rd 1757 that he resided in Stratford until he was eleven years old and then removed to Waterbury now Watertown Conn. and at thirteen years of age he went to Derby Conn. to learn the blacksmith trade and lived there until the 20 th of June 1775. he then enlisted in a company commanded by Lieut. Commandant Charles Whittlesey of Derby in a detachment commanded by Major Thompson of Derby for seven months and marched immediately for Boston and before his time was out viz. on the 27 th of December 1775. he enlisted for one year under the same Lieut. in a company commanded by Capt. William Hull in Col. Webb's regiment and continued in said regiment until after the taking of the Hessians at Trenton 25 th of Dec. 1776 he then for a bounty of ten paper dollars paid to him by Capt. Batlin of Litchfield enlisted again for six weeks but staid there until

the 20 th of February 1777. Having been in the army one year and eight months without losing a day or being absent or sick was then verbally dismissed in New Jersey. And in the Summer of 1777. he enlisted for one month under Capt. Smith and went to New London and laboured on Groton fort or back of it staid his time out and was verbally dismissed. And in 1778 or 9. he was draughted and went into Capt Joseph Gurney's company of Watertown for one month and went to Milford and staid his time out and was verbally dismissed. And in the year 1782. the last of May or first of June he enlisted again for one year in a company commanded by Capt. Monson a Grenadier company in Col. Gray's regiment he marched immediately and joined the regiment at the Highlands went with the regiment to Plank's point went back with the regiment to the Highlands for winter quarters and in the latter part of Dec. 1782 or fore part of Jan. 1783 he had a discharge which is lost signed by Helem Swift Col. Commandant on account that the Preliminaries of Peace were signed and his services were not required having been in service at that time six months and a half certain and believes more than seven and for all the foregoing he claims a Pension.
He was in the battles of Whiteplains the taking of the Hessians at Trenton and at the taking of Princeton and that his wages were uniformly forty shillings New England money or 6\frac{2}{3} of a dollar per month and that after the war he resided at Watertown Conn. untill the winter of 1789 when he removed into

The town of Harpersfield now Delaware County where he continues to reside that for several years back he has been troubled with the gravel to such a degree that he has not been absent from home three miles and thinks that it would endanger his life if he were to go to Delhi where the court sits which is more than twenty miles distant And further he expects that his name is in the War Office as the troops with which he served were called Continentals excepting the month at New London and the month at Milford And further declares that he has no pension nor never had
Subscribed and sworn this 22 nd day of October 1833 before me
Samuel Stevens Judge of Delaware County Common Pleas On the 22 nd of October 1833 came before me Samuel Stevens one of the judges of the court of common pleas for the County of Delaware Humphrey Treadwell a clergyman of the Methodist E. Church and after being duly sworn saith that he has been acquainted with Abijah Beard the above petitioner for more than twenty years and that he believes him to be of the age set forth in the above declaration and that it is generally believed in the neighbourhood that he served in the Revolutionary War as there stated Subscribed and sworn this 22 nd day of October 1833 before me Samuel Stevens Judge of Delaware County Common Pleas
On the 22 nd of October 1833 came before me Samuel Stevens one of the judges of the court of common pleas for the County of Delaware Cyrus Gibbs who first having been duly affirmed saith that he has been acquainted with

Abijah Beard for forty four years living less than one mile from him during that time and that it is fully believed in the neighbourhood that he served in the Revolutionary War as set forth in the declaration and that he has heard him tell the same story substantially forty years ago and at other times Greeneus Gibbs
Subscribed and sworn this 22 nd day of October 1833 before me Samuel Stevens Judge of Delaware County Penna.
On the 22 nd day of October 1833 came before me Samuel Stevens one of the Judges of Delaware County Hector Barrington and after being duly sworn says that he resides within six rods of Abijah Beard the aforesaid applicant and that he is well acquainted with his disorder and thinks it would endanger his life to go to Delhi where the court sits and further that it is fully believed in the neighbourhood that he served in the Revolutionary War.
Sworn and subscribed this 22 nd day of October 1833 before me and I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Abijah Beard Humphrey Trederick Greeneus Gibbs and Hector Barrington and that they are each and all of them credible witnesses.
Abijah Beard 28-145
Samuel Stevens a Judge of Delaware County Common Pleas
State of New York I Cranford B. Sheldon Clerk of the Court County of Delaware ss. of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware being a Court of records do hereby certify that Samuel Stevens
the person before whom the foregoing affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the time a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and that his name
Subscribed to the said affidavits is his proper handwriting & signature, Witness my hand and Seal of office this first day of November 1833. C. B. Sheldon Clerk

State of New York Delaware County ss
On the 6 th of January 1834 Came before me Samuel Stevens one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas Abijah Beard and made in Court the following amendment to a Declaration made by him to the Pension Office Dated 22 nd of October 1833 and States that Col Swift acted as Brigadier General and was called General at the time but if he recollects right his Discharge that is lost was signed by the title of Col Commanding the Brigade or to that effect and that he the said Abijah served all the Campaign of 1782 as he believed In Col Grays Regiment but In the Fall he was put on Board a Gunboat and was there cannot tell how long and when he left the Boat he was Informed that the Companies was Consolidated and that he was put into Captain Comstock's Company but he never Paraded with them But Comstock gave him a written Recommendation to General Swift as he was called for a Discharge and the General gave him one accordingly and it Might have Been that when the Companies was Consolidated the Regiment was without his knowledge and further that he enlisted under Captain Munson by the name of Abijah Beard and Never went by any Other name and there was no Other Person In that Company By the name of Beard and he now recollects that Levi was Quarters Sergeant *Truesdell - Pitcher Jedediah Hildreth *Joel Gurney Privates Some of these he believes are alive In Ohio or on the Western Part of this State and further after he got home from Service he sent to New Haven for his wages and if he recollects right they sent him word that his name was not found But Elijah was found he sent the second time & By searching the Original Record or some Other way they found that his name was Abijah and sent his wages and he merely Believes that the Mistake was made By Transcribing the Roll after he left the Service
* not In the same Company but In the services with him

In Testimony of the within he has set his name
Abijah Baird
Sworn and subscribed this 6 th day of January 1834 before me and I certify that the said Abijah Baird is a credible witness and I further certify that through Bodily infirmity that the said Baird is unable to attend Court
Samuel Stevens Judge of Delaware County Common Pleas
A Statement showing the service of Abijah Baird. As there was some mistake in the table of the Printed letter the following is made
   Period of currency Group No. Day Rank Officers Age etc.     June 1775 20 6 7 Privat Lieut Whittier Major Thompson 76 years   1775 Dec 27 1 " " " Col Fletcher Capt Noll   1776 Dec 27 " 1 23 " Col Catlin   1777 June " 1 " " Capt Smith   1778 May " 1 " " Capt Gannsey   1782 May " 6 15 " Capt Manser & Gannsey Col Grays Grenadier   Total 2 4 7.5  

Annual
15th. 1284 fire
 16  152  4333  4465 
Abijah Kiard
Annual

Original papers in file
Harpersfield April 2 d 1834
To the Honorable J. L. Edwards yours was received of the 10 th ult requiring the evidence from the Comptroller of Connecticut to support the Claim of Abijah Beard In order to Obtain his Pension we have Obtained it and as there is some variance In his return from Beard's statement it was thought to give an explanation of the Declaration
Cyrenus Gibbs
Personally came before me Samuel Stevens one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Delaware Abijah Beard and made the following amendment to his Declaration of the 23 d of Oct 1833 and says that it might have been the 16 th of May 1775 instead of 20 th of June that he enlisted under Charles Whittlesey But it is his Impression yet that it was 20 th of June and that he enlisted under the same man for a year 27 th of December from this Circumstance after the Russians was taken at Trenton 25 th of Dec r 1876 General Sullivan rode up and says Boys you have had a merry Christmas and if you will stay Six weeks longer you shall have a happy Newyear he then enlisted under Captain Catlin but Charles Whittlesey was still Lieut. Whittlesey is returned as Sergeant but it is his Impression that Lieutenant Bradford Keel was sick and he knows that Whittlesey took Command and that Osborne was Ensign and that there was no Person there by the Name of Brad nor he never knew of such a Person and further as regards his years service he does not know of any Person living that was with him the name of deponent Abijah Beard in a line from top of his affidavit inserted before signing
Abijah Beard
Subscribed and sworn this 2 nd day of April 1834 before me
Samuel Stevens Judge

Abijah Beard
Admired Phillips Power 2 years - January 10. 1837
Chas. Beard July 10 82 Spencer a new calif. 82 Came the old one Mumford Calif. 82 Mumford Calif. 82
Hon V. E. Efnor House Reps N.C. Ebenezer Gibbs Esq Harperfield Delaware Co N.Y.
* Capt. Moore Short agreement - a Memorandum Policy of the name of Beard but not original appears on the roll of Capt. Moore's Company Spencer's March 1837 whether he was in any other agreement with the the old one - in the any other name

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Dec 1 24 33
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Abijah Beard
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 - to June 20 - 6 7 Private Lieut Whittlesay Maj Thompson 75   1776 Dec 27 1 " " " Col Webb Capt Hull   " 1 12 " Capt Cather   1777 Summer 1 " " Capt Smith   1778 - 1 " " Capt Gurney   1782 May - 6 " " " & others in Grenadier Company Col Gray  
I am, respectfully,
+ discharged by Col Swift
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
+ Capt Mann did not belong to Col Swift regiment - A sergeant soldier of the name of Beard but not Abijah appears on the roll of Capt Mann's Company. Declarant should find whether he served in any other regiment & whether he was enrolled under any other name.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1892. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (s) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. O.,
11
828640
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Abijah Beard , a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1775 6 mo. Pvt. Whittlesey Maj. Thompson Conn.   Dec. 1776 1 yr. 6 mo. " Hull Col. Webb "   not stated 1 mo. " Callin not stated "   Summer 1777 1 " " Smith " " "   1778 1 " " Gransay " " "   May 1782 6 " " Monson Gray "  
Battles engaged in, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Residence of soldier at enlistment, Derby, Conn. Date of application for pension, Oct. 22, 1833. Residence at date of application, Harperfield, Delaware Co., N.Y. Age at date of application, born in Stratford Conn. Feb. 3, 1737 Remarks: This pen. was all'd.
J. Lee Tucker, Very respectfully, Oneonta, Otsego Co., N.Y.
Commissioner.

28640 Rev INVALID.
Feb. 17/94 (Mit. Kern) J. L. Licker, Esq. Olney Co. N.Y.
File No. 28640
Abijah Read
Rev Rev. Rev.
Act: June 7 th 8.90
Index: Vol. 3 , Page 82
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Cyrenus Gibbs formerly of the Town of Litchfield State of Connecticut but now of Harpersfield County of Delaware and State of New York Aged 66 the 17 th of April last as he believes
I choseth and saith that In the latter part of December 1775 or fore part of January 1776 he had a Brother that enlisted for one year In a Company Commanded by Captain Tuttle In Col Webb's Regiment and went to Boston and he has heard him say that he went into Dorchester heights and there filled Barrels with dirt to roll on to the British if they attempted to come on and In the fall he was at the Battle of White plains and was there wounded In the Shoulder with a Cannon Ball and the same Ball killed 5 and wounded 2 more and that it struck Sergeant Gannett on the head and some of his Braine My Brother Brought home some of them Dried on his Clothes and this Deponent saith that In March 1789 he came to reside In Harpersfield and about the same time Abijah Beard come and purchased a farm Adjoining his and they have Both lived ever since on the same Place and soon after they became acquainted Beard told him of his being In the Army and among Other Details he related his being on Dorchester heights and had the Charge of One Barrel and likewise of his Being at the Battle of White plains and looked right into the mouth of a Cannon and thought it was a going to hit him but when fired It struck Next to him men killed and wounded and Particular

Mentioned the case of Sergeant Gannil that some of his brains struck him from the circumstance that my Brother (who has been Dead 20 years or more) was one of the Wounded and In the same Regiment with him I recollect the more Distinctly Beard further Stated that In December he had no Shoes and he and another man went one night about 2 miles and went Into a Barn and got a new hide and made each of them a pair of Moccasins with which he went to Trenton and he related that when they went to Princeton he saw General Mercer Killed and they Immediately came with a Wagon and flung him in and his legs was out Behind the Wagon and further stated that at Princeton he acted as a sergeant and was side and side with Lieut Whittlesey and Whittlesey jumped and said he was wounded but came to examine the Ball had gone through a Pair of Buckskin Britches and struck a Pocket Book filled with Continental Bills and Did not go through them but raised a Blood Blister on his thigh and further the said Beard has been In the habit of telling the above stories with Others for this forty five years but more particular while he laboured at the Blacksmith trade which was about 15 years after he first came Into Town and this Deponent as much Believes that Abijah Beard was at Dorcheaster heights the Battle of White Plains the Taking of the Hessians at Trenton and the taking of Princeton as he Believe that

• Believes that there is such Places, and they was was connected with war like Operati- ons In the year 1876 and further he has never heard a single Person even raise the least scruple by Doubting any Part of his whole Testimony as to all the terms that he says that he served and further he believes that there is twenty People In this Town that would testify to all the above facts except what related to his Brother and further this Deponent saith not Ebenezer Gibbs
State of New York Delaware County ss:
Sworn and subscribed before me this 7 th day of July 1834 and I further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Ebenezer Gibbs for upwards of thirty years last past, that he has formerly been a Judge of the County Courts in this County and that he is in every respect a credible witness.
Samuel Stevens Judge of Delaware County Courts.

M c Edwards letter Pension office
Pension Office
Hon V. Ely
Hon. Representatives
NY

War Department Pension Office
January 14 th 1837
Sir
The pension of Abijah Baird, has been increased to Eighty Dollars per Annum. On the return of his pension Certificate a new one will be issued accordingly
I have the Honor to be
Respectfully
Your obed servt J L Edwards
Hon V. Elmer House Representatives NCS

Hanpersld July 11 th 1834
Honored Sir
I Received yours of May 4 th and Immediately Presented it to Mr Beard who said that that he Did not know of any Person In the Company then living But had seen In that years service (via) 1776 Inconsequently Joseph Harnicheld and Patrician on Long Island where he was with him In some expedition and that about ten years ago he heard he was alive and In Country about 70 miles Distant I wrote to him and he neglected while I thought he was Dead or moved away and you will see by the Date the same Day that I made a New affidavit the County Clerk Put his Certificate on Harnicheld and I Received it on the 10 th Mr Beard thinks if he had have seen him and told him of what took Place when together the first Part of his Testimony would have been more full and Beard further account for the latter Clause Respecting I was the war on three years that In the year 1842 he saw Harnicheld again while he Beard was In the army But whether Harnicheld belonged to the Army or not he Does not know for he was doing the Joiner work of a Horse

It is supposed the testimony now offered will satisfy your Honor that Beard never intended to leave but that he did leave as stated and he does not like to relinquish that years service for he says that he endured the cold with much clothing on shoes and all the battles he was in was that year and the subsequent six weeks and if he cannot obtain it he shall think his fortune is Reuben hand. In their not keeping the Record Court on his not keeping his witnesses alive But he says that he means to support Government as long as he lives and it is the furthest he goes from home is 1\frac{1}{2} miles to Election to support the Present Administration
The enclosed Affidavit of mine taken By Judge Stevens has not the seal of the Court upon it as it was thought it was not necessary he being the same man that took the Original Affidavits In Beards Case
Hon James L Edwards Cynenus Gibbs Commissioner of Pensions

Shepherdsville July 12 Honorable James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington Since May Abigail B. [?] as [?]

Abijah Francis Petition Keeper
Dyrenas Gibbs Esquire Harkersville New York
Comptroller of General Land Office

Comptroller's Office
September 23 rd 1834
I Roger Huntington Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut do certify that it appears by the books of the Pay Table that a regiment was raised in January 1776, for one year, & commanded by Col. Charles Webb, & that in the incidental expenses of this regiment charged to the United States, there is this sum, viz, paid "to Capt. William Wells bill for arms & baggage "taken or destroyed $4,100. But no list of the Captains or subalterns, in this regiment has been found or will thereof.
Certified by Roger Huntington Comptroller of Public Accounts

Sir
Upon receipt of yours of the 19 th August, in mentioning the service of Board in Col. Webb reg t 1770, I examined the records &c in the Comptroller's Office & finding secondary evidence, I procured an official certificate thereof & now transmit it, believing it will establish his claim for the rejected service. If beneficial you may send me $2 directed to 1001 Simsbury Ct.
Respectfully J. L. D. Phelps

State of New York Chenango County ss On the first day of July 1832 came before me Lemas Hutchinson a Justice of the peace for the Town of Coeymans County of Chenango and State of New York Joseph Fairchild aged Seventy six the 9th day of December 1832 and being by me duly sworn saith That in the year as this deponent believes 1776 he enlisted as a Soldier in a company commanded by Captain Elijah Humphrey and that Abijah Beard was an enlisted Soldier the same year but in whose company or Regiment this deponent is not able to say and this deponent is unable to say any more than from his best recollection he believes said Abijah Beard served as a Soldier during the Revolutionary War three years and further this deponent saith not Joseph Fairchild
Subscribed and sworn before me this first day of July 1832 and I further certify that the said Joseph Fairchild is a creditable Witness Lemas Hutchinson Justice of the peace
State of New York
Chenango County ss
I Aaron R. Pike Clerk of the said County do certify Lemas Hutchinson whose name is signed to the preceding Certificate of affidavit of Joseph Fairchild was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County and that his signature to the same is his genuine hand- writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said County this 7th July 1832 P. P. Mudge Dep Clerk
Henry Chapman

Payments to be made at New York by Pres t of Mechanics Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of New York
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E 2 Vol. 4 Page 5 5 by Sam l Boyd Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abijah Beard of the State of New York ————— who was a private in the Army of ————— the Revolution ————— is entitled to receive — Forty-four ————— dollars and Sixty-five cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 6 th day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four
Lee Secretary of War
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Abijah Beard
relinguishment Harpersville August 185
Aug 22 nd
Dear
Hon James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
10/

Harpersfield August 15 1834
Sir yours was received of July 31 st
Requiring Direct Proof of the Claim of Abijah Beard for the term of twelve months In 1776 and it is not known that it can be obtained therefore he complies with your request, of May 2 and Relinquishes all Claim except fifteen Months and twelve Days
I am respectfully your obed t Servant
Honorable James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Cyrenus Gibbs
Harpersfield August 15 1834
To the Honorable James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
In of and for the consideration of a Pension for fifteen Months and twelve Days In the Revolutionary War I hereby Relinquish all further Claim under the act granting Pensions
Abijah Beard

Rev. Mr. V. E. ... June 14. 1837
New York 27.702 Abijah Beard in the State of
who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Steele of the regt commanded by Col. Gray in the line for 15 months & 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 44 Dollars 65 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Sept 1834 and Cyrenus Gilles Housersfield
Subsists to the 4th of March 133 95 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept 22 32 $156.27
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk, Book E 2 Vol. 74 Page 5

Abij de Beerd at eiden
Abij de Beerd
M

Comptroller Office March 25 th 1834
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify, that upon an authenticated copy of a pay roll of the 3 rd Co. 1 st Reg t of troops raised by order of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut May 1775, I find the name, John Brade, who entered into said company on the 18 th day of May, & served therein as a private, until the 10 th day of December 1775, being six months & twenty four days. This copy appears to have been made, by an inexperienced writer, & one unskilled in orthography. The surname Tomkinson is spelled Tomkinson - Tomkinson & Tomkinson in the roll of three pages, as it is supposed, of the same surname names, Webster is found - Meker - Watrous - Murry - Cooker - Wooding - Wooden Morgan - Symon - Eastman - Priestley - & Cartwright also among the surnames, & among the given names, Jerib - Ephraim - Kephation Jedion are thus written. These instances of misspelling have been mentioned, to show

that the surname of the soldier may have been erroneously written.
This company was commanded by Major Jober Thomson. His subalterns were Bradford Steel 1 st Lt Nathan Person 2 nd Lt, Samuel Osborne (written Osburn) Ensign - William Clark, Jober Pritchard, Charles Whittelsey, Miles Walbridge & Nathan Preston Sergeants; Gideon (spelled Thomkinson ) Joseph Sum, Samuel Canaday & Jonathan Preston Corporals; & the regiment was commanded by Genl. Wooster.
That it appears by the books of the Pay Table, that in January 1776 five regiments were raised, & to serve one year. One of which was commanded by Col. Charles Webb. No roll of it has been found, or list of its officers, or record of their appointment. An account was opened, on the books of the Pay Table, with this regiment, containing small bills of expenditure, for hospital expenses & lost arms & baggage, & a few charges for wages. It is obvious from this account, & the books that the wages were not generally paid from the State Treasury. The aggregate of this account

was charged to the United States.
O. Phelps
copy of petition advised by
Widow's pension

Brooks, N.Y.
1. Her Mother, Mrs.
Second Cousin
My Dear Cousin
With Your Reply
Very Respectfully
Five the Christian name of his mother, if one survived his mother, tell parents
as possible, and the date, was married, and the place of birth, if known, also
birth, where he was living at the time he applied for pension, and date of death
and for the purpose of making a more exhaustive search for the records of the
may not be found upon the pension roll, please give other information of interest
It is possible that some of the information you have may be found in the records of
soldiers whose history is desired, and if you have any information concerning
them, please send it to me, and I will be very grateful for the same, as it will
be of the last of soldiers and officers who were in the service of the United
States during the War of the Rebellion, and who are now in the service of the
United States, and who are now in the service of the United States, and who
are now in the service of the United States, and who are now in the service of
the United States, and who are now in the service of the United States, and who
RECEIVED JAN 27 1 1894

O. W. & N. Div.
SR F. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 12, 1894.
Sir:-
Referring to your request for the military history of Abijah Bard or Baird, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that a very careful search has been made and the records fail to show that he was a pensioner as stated in your letter. The "Record of Connecticut Men in the War of the Revolution", published by the State of Connecticut and which is quite complete in its list of soldiers and officers who rendered service from that State during the above mentioned war, has also been examined and the name of the soldier whose history is desired does not appear therein.
It is possible that owing to the peculiar spelling of the name it may yet be found upon the pension roll under some other combination of letters and for the purpose of making a more exhaustive search you are requested to state where he was living at the time he applied for pension, the date as near as possible, when the same was issued, and the Agency at which it was paid. Also give the Christian name of his widow, if one survived him, returning all papers with your reply.
Very respectfully,
Deputy Commissioner.
J. Lee Tucker, Esq., Oneonta, N. Y.

Oneonta, N.Y. Jan'y. 8 th 1894
The Honorable.
First Deputy Commr. of Pensions
Sir.
I am desirous of obtaining the service of Abijah Baird or Baird, a Revolutionary soldier who was a pensioner, for some years prior to his death. He enlisted from Conn. but his Post office address the last years of his life was at Hamptonfield Delaware County New York.
I wish this information in order to trace his lineage. If you will kindly give me a certificate of what is in evidence as records in your office it will greatly oblige.
J Lee Tucker Late Deputy 5 th Auditor of the Money. Oneonta. Otsego County New York

B.
2770
Oneonta, N.Y., Jan'y. 24 th 1894
Hon D. L. Murphy. Deputy Com. S. & Pensions. Sir.
I return with this slip giving dates &c of birth and death of Abijah Bood or Baird, whose service as Revolutionary soldier was argued for, in previous letter herewith attached. All that is known is that he drew pension early under the low granting pensions to his class, and was presumably paid at the Agency where New York pensioners were paid as he must have been a resident of this State when pension commenced. His widow as you will see did not survive him, it would seem that his estate should appear among the early pensioners as it is well known he drew such pension. and the fact well remembered by some now living but they are unable to give dates &c. Asking you kindly to have further search made, and advise me of the result. I am.
Very respectfully Lee Tucker Oneonta Otsego Co. N.Y.

Abijah Bard or Baird, Born Feb 3 d 1757 Died July 25 th 1841
Abijah Bard or Baird Moved from Watertown, Conn. To Harspursfield Del Co New York. June 3 d 1789
Abijah Baird Died at New Harspursfield Del Co NY July 25 th 1841 Home

Abigail Bairds wife died 1821