Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 698, Rufus Beckwith, Vt.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Ur.
Beckwith, Rufus
R 698
CONTENTS

35-93 Rufus Bicknell's
Declaration
Williamstown, Orange Co., Vt.
/
Plaintiff's Notice in return to John W. Smith Cohoes Orange County, Vermont

State of Vermont, ORANGE COUNTY ss.
At Chelsea in said County on this 21 st day of August , A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Titus Hutchinson  Daniel Gabb & Thomas Gabb Justices of Orange the County
The Court of said Orange County, now sitting, being a Court of Record Rufus Beckwith a resident of Williamstown in the County of Orange and State of Vermont, aged 67 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 the year 1776 he resided in Alstead in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire . That he enlisted as a volunteer in the service of the State of New Hampshire on the first of April 1776 in the New Hampshire troops in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathan Fay & Lieut. Simon Barker - for the term of nine months, and marched immediately an enlistment to Pittsford on Otter Creek in Vermont to garrison the Fort at that place. That there were two Companies of New Hampshire troops stationed at P. Fort . The other Company was commanded by Capt. White - That they marched through the thin wilderness to Pittsford Fort and were there mustered by Maj. Tolman , a Continental Officer - Maj. Lewis had the command of the Garrison. That he was then employed on guard and on picket duty till some time after the expiration of the time for which he enlisted and he should think one month. Making his term of service ten months according to his best recollection - At the expiration of the nine months he had not received his pay nor any of the Garrison and they were ordered by their commanding Officers to continue in service till they should receive their pay and that they did so continue about one month as he believes - That he was discharged at Pittsford  Vt. verbally at the expiration of the P. Ten months . That he has no documentary evidence to prove P. Service except the Deposition of Asa Hatch - I have no other witness whose testimony he can prove except the Deposition of Asa Hatch -
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. To his knowledge.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Rufus Beckwith
J. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk
We Joel Bass and Jonas White residing in the said Chelsea  residing in Williamstown in said County of Orange , hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Rufus Beckwith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be 67 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. and we know of no clergyman in the vicinity who would probably be able to testify about this subject -
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Joel Bass Jonas White
J. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk
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 certify that it appears to them that Joel Bass who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in Williamstown in said County, and that Jonas White who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said Chelsea  same place , and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk
I H. E. G. H. Laughlin Clerk of the Court of Orange County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rufus Beckwith for a pension. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 24 th day of August A. D. 1832.
J. E. G. H. Laughlin CLERK.

No 3513
Vermont

BRIEF in the case of  Rufus Beckwith of Williams town  County of Orange  in the State of  Vermont.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 67 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.     Apl In 17 76 10 Private Gen. Capt. S. Hays. Lt Baxter Major Tolman & Lewis  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Ststead County of Cheshire New Hampshire
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses? any proof, by traditional evidence,  Living & traditional
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Correct
• I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Milner Examining Clerk.

I John W Smith of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 69 years do hereby depose and say that I have been a constant resident of Chelsea for more than forty years past and a Magistrate on Justice of the Peace at most every year during that period and that on the passage of the Pension Act of June 9, 1853 I commenced making declarations for Claims and under that act which were executed at the August term of our County Court of that year some thirty or forty in number. That among others I drew a declaration for Rufus Bulk with then a resident of Williamstown some six miles from Chelsea but since and now a resident of Chelsea, with whom I then was and still am, well acquainted - and so far as my knowledge extends all of the Applications were allowed except in Bulk with which was suspended on disallowance for the manifest reason that there was an error or mistake in it as to the time in which his service was performed - I had then no very direct proof of service. I kept no copies of my cases so forwarded to the department - and doing my business before that Court in great haste. I further testify that I did not discover the error until my attention was called to it by the notice of the department to me some 18 months afterwards perhaps. Subsequently I believe I procured from the Secretary of State at Montpelier a Certificate of my own five months service of said

Butkwith at Pittsford, and forwarded it to Mr. Edwards, but the error in his time of service of five years here not been corrected, and six full months of service have not been paid. No efforts for him have been made for a long time. I further testify that within a few weeks past a certificate of his service has been procured from the Secretary of State of Vermont showing some nine months service, which is here with forwarded. I also testify that the said Butkwith has long been fully satisfied that he erred in his statement of the time of his service in his first application and that from my long acquaintance with him some forty years, I believe him to be a man of strict conscientious honesty and integrity. I also certify & testify that I am well acquainted with Susan Waldo, Darius Prindle, Calvin Answark, and George Poole of Williamstown who have heretofore testified to the character of the said Butkwith and know them to be men of high standing and good character and worthy of full credit, and that I know the said Rufus Butkwith who now declares for a pension to be the same identical person who made his declaration for a pension in August, 1852 through my agency, & that the said Butkwith is now nearly blind and very deaf - and cannot survive

but a short time being confined mostly to his bed by the infirmities of old age and that I fully believe his statement in his declaration John M. Smith I swore to and subscribed before me this 7th day of December A.D. 1861
Perley Jones Deage of Probate I returned Mr. Buck with Mr. Chelson in the Coun- ty of Orange and State of Vermont aged 63 Years depose testify and say that I am the son of Stephen Buckworth an applicant for a pension under the Act of June 7 1852. and am knowing to his making a declaration for a pension in the summer of 1852 when he lived in Williamstown, and that since that time he has lived alternately in Williamstown and Chelson but has lived with me for several years past and now resides with me, that from my early life he has not taken his share of time on the mounts at Pittsford part in the War of the Revo- lution and named his offspring as he now names them in his declaration now before me, taken before Hon. H. C. Jones Judge of Probate relating minutely the incidents of his campaigns & services from sloughing in the Spring to sloughing in the fall of his term of Service, and receiving no account money for his pay, and only for a part of his term at that time. I also testify that his health has been public for many years past and at times his memory has been very much impaired and that he has for many years past been

fully satisfied of his honor as to the year of his service as stated in his first declaration & that he was enlisted by Nathan Gay of Alstead there a Lieutenant in his Company but who was after the Service chosen a Captain of Militia at Coteau N.H. and ever after that was known as Capt. Gay - I also testify and say that the said Bible was made by me and at the request of my Mother. I was then about I am about nineteen years old at a leaf in her family Bible now in my possession and that it remained in her possession till her death & since that in the said Bible which is now in my possession was taken by me from said Bible and containing as I believe a record family record of my mother's family -
E. B. Beckwith
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of December AD 1861. Before me Percy G Jones Judge of Probate and I also certify that the said John W Smith and Edward W Beckwith above named are both persons well known to me as good and credible witnesses and that their testimony is entitled to full credence
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Chelsea this 7th day of Decem- ber AD 1861.
Percy G Jones Judge of Probate for Dist of Washington

THE New Testament OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR ESUS CHRIST.
TRANSLATED OUT OF THE ORIGINAL GREEK.
AND WITH THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS, DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED. BY THE SPECIAL COMMAND OF HIS MAJESTY KING JAMES I, OF ENGLAND.
PRINTED AT WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, BY ISAIAH THOMAS, JR. FOR ISAIAH THOMAS.
Sold by him in WORCESTER. Sold also by said THOMAS and ANDREW, in their Store, No. 45, Newbury Street, Boston; and by said THOMAS and ANDREW, in WALPOLE, New Hampshire.
1801.

Family Record
Rufus Beckwith Born 1764 May 12th Feb. 11
My wife was Born, 1765, She that was Thankfull, widow Martha Beckwith was Born Jan 1st 1790.
Samuel Born, Dec, 18th 1791
Josiah Born, 20th of May 1793
E. Beckwith Born 1798 Sept. 15, 1798
Rufus Jr, Born , 1800. December, 20th.
BECKWITH, RUFUS

1886 Aug 19 Paul Beckwith - present - history
Ex'r.
INVALID.
PENDING
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Rufus Beckwith P. O. _____
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

698
3593.
Vermont,
Rufus Beckwith
rejected,
D. Sleeper, Oct. 10, 1857.
Only 10 years old
See letter to J. W. Smith
23 April 1833
Let to J. W. Smith 26 Nov '35
Oct. 7 th Jan 1832, Turner  Turn
Let. J. W. Smith,
Dec. 16, 1861.

These 13 cases have been this day exam. by H. H. Sylvester and returned.
Novr. 29/50
Det. Chauncy Smith det./Sec. " 80 " 7 " Same Mch 8/61

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does. II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He has. V. * Has he mentioned 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? He has. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? He has. VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? He has VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? They have IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? He has. X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? It is & an unguishable

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? He has. XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? It was XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? They are XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? They are.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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.
† QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.

Asa Hatch a/pavel for Lewis Smith Rufus Beckwith
2

I Asa Hatch of Williamstown in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 72 years do hereby testify, and say that I am personally acquainted with Rufus Beckwith of said Williamstown an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress - and have known him ever since he was eight or ten years of age - During the war of the Revolution we both resided in Atstead in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire.
The said Beckwith was out in the Revolutionary war as a soldier in our campaigns in the campaign commanded by Capt. Fay & Lieut Simon Buxton both of P. Atstead to my knowledge and understood at that time that he went to Pittsford in Vermont to guard the prisoners and that his campaign was in 1776. or the year before Brimington Battle - how long a time he was out I cannot state but know he was out in the summer of 1776. a/s - but I have always understood at that period and ever since that the said Beckwith was out in the Army at that time nine months - I believe the said Beckwith to be 67 years of age and consider him to be a man of good character and strict integrity - and a credible man -
Asa Hatch
State of Vermont } At Chelsea in the County of Orange County ss the 22 d day of August 1832 Then personally appeared Asa Hatch personally known to me and a good credible witness and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth - before me - John W Smith, Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont Orange County Clerk's Office August 22 d 1832 I H. E. G. T. Sargelen Clerk of Orange County Court hereby certify that John W Smith before sworn the foregoing affidavit was taken in a matter of the peace duly authorized to administer Oaths, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this day & year above written. H. E. G. T. Sargelen Clerk -

Rufus Beckwith testimony
117 185-186

We the subscribers Inhabitants of Williamstown in the County of Orange and State of Vermont of Lawful age depose testify and say that we are acquainted with Rufus Beckwith of said William- -stown an applicant for a pension that he has resided in this town for a long period, and we consider him to be a man of integrity and honesty and that his word and statements are entitled to full credit —
Darius Price
Calvin Ainsworth
George Poole
State of Vermont At Williamstown in said Orange County ss County on the 31 st day of October A. D. 1835 then personally Appeared Darius Price Calvin Ainsworth George Poole
all personally known to me and all good credible witnesses and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth before me
Nathaniel Gilbro Justice of Peace

Judah Hatch of Bethel in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged seventy one years Depose testify and say that - I am personally acquainted with Rufus Beckwith of Williamstown Vermont an applicant for a pension. We both lived in Alston New Hampshire during the Revolutionary wars. I distinctly recollect that the year before Bennington Battle the said Beckwith enlisted as a writer to Capt Nathan Fay of Alston N.H. (who brought up the said Beckwith) in the New Hampshire Militia for nine months the said Beckwith was then ten or eleven years old - My brother Rufus Hatch who died nine or ten years ago enlisted at the same time and is the same Company with the said Beckwith. I will recollect when the Company of Capt Fay, in which my brother and said Beckwith served, left home for their Vermont Campaign and when they returned - they left home early in the Spring and returned in Decr or Jany following. I have been acquainted with the said Beckwith from that day to the present time, and have ever looked upon him as a man of truth and veracity and strict honesty. I have often had conversation with said Beckwith since his said service and I have no doubt that he served in the revolution nine months as he has stated -
Judah Hatch
State of Vermont Orange County ss At Chelsea in said County on the 8th day of Sept AD 1835 - then personally appeared Judah Hatch above named a person well known to me and a good credible witness

up and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth, before me
John W. Smith, Justice Peace
4
State of Vermont } Harry Hale, Clerk Orange County ss } of the County Court for the County of Orange, do hereby certify, that John W. Smith, and Nathaniel Gilson whose names are within written are justices of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn. — That their commission was dated on the fifth day of November A.D. 1834, and will expire on the 30th day of November A.D. 1835, and that their signatures above written are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, at Chelsea in said County this Fifth day of November A.D. 1835.
Harry Hale, Clerk.

I Anson Waldo of Williamstown in the County of Orange and State of Vermont aged 67 years do hereby testify and say that I am personally acquainted with Rufus Beckwith of Williamstown aforesaid an applicant for a pension and have been so acquainted with him for forty years past — I have heard the said Beckwith tell of his campaigns in the Revolutionary War for many years past I should say twenty or thirty years ago and from that time to the present. — I believe his statements which he makes relative to his revolutionary services is correct and that he served as he has stated. I also testify and say that I was acquainted with Capt. Fay of Alstead under whom Mr Beckwith served before his discharge — I believe & know Mr Beckwith to be a man of strict honesty integrity and veracity and that his word and statements are entitled to full credit — Anson Waldo
State of Vermont } At Chelsea in said County on the 26. day Orange County } of September AD 1835 — Then the above named Anson Waldo personally appeared, a man well known to me and a good credible witness and made solemn oath that the above applicant by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Before me John Whittaker Rev

Chelsea Vt. May 27 th 1850
I hereby appoint & constitute Col. H. H. Sylvester my Attorney to prosecute my claim for a Pension, under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, my appli- cation being now pending before the Court of Pensions
Rufus Beckwith

Rufus Beckwith:
In his declaration for a pension made 21 st August 1832, he swears that his age then was 67 years - that is 1 st April 1776, being a resident of Alstead, New Hampshire, he enlisted or volunteered on the term of 9 months into a company commanded by Capt. Nathan Hay, Lieut. Simon Baxter & marched to the frontier to Pittsfield where was a garrison & that there were two companies of M.H. troops stationed at the fort, the one under  under command of Capt. White, & both were mustered by Major Saltonstall & Major Lewis, had command of the garrison - that he was employed in the garrison for the whole term of his enlistment, & for one month after his time had expired - making the service ten months. At At the end of the 9 months, he had not received his pay, & was ordered to continue in service till the Co. should receive it - & he was discharged at Pittsfield at the end of 10 months service.
Two witnesses, Joel Bass & Josiah White testify to their belief, that Rufus Beckwith is sixty seven years old & that he has the reputation of having been a revolutionary soldier.
Asa Hatch, aged 72 years testifies, on the 22 nd August 1832, that he

has generally known the said Rufus Beckwith from the time he (Beckwith) was eight or ten years of age, that during the revolutionary war, both resided in Alstead N.H. - that said Beckwith was out in the revolutionary war in one campaign in A Co, commanded by Capt Fry & Lieut Simon Baxter "both of Alstead to" his knowledge & he understood that he went to Pittsburgh - the campaign was in 1776, or the year before Burgoyne's Penn- -sylvania battle - knowing does not know how long he was out, but was out in the summer of 1776, always understood it was 9 months. believes Beckwith to be 67 years old, & to be a man of integrity.
Asa Waldo testifies 26 th September 1835 that he has known Beckwith for forty years - & for 20 years has heard him speak of his revolutionary services performed as described in Beckwith's declaration. States that he knew Capt. Fry of Alstead - knows Beckwith to be a man of strict honesty & integrity.
Isaac Hatch  aged 74 years, testifies, 8 th of September 1835 that he knows Rufus Beckwith, & he lived in Alstead with him during

the revolutionary war - he distinctly recollects that the year before Bernington Battle Beckwith enlisted as a waiter to Capt. Nathan Hoag of Alstead, N.H. (who brought up said Beckwith here up) in the N.H. Militia for 9 months and the said Beckwith was 10 or 11 years old. - Deponents' brother Mason Hatch enlisted at the same time & in the same place, Co. - in which Beckwith & his Brother serve recollects when the Co. left home, for the Vt. Campaign & when they returned - they left early in the Spring & returned in Dec. or Jan. fol- -lowing - has been acquainted with Beckwith from that day to this & has always regarded him as a man of strict integrity & truth. has often conversed with him & does not doubt of his services as stated by Beckwith.
Darius Pride, Calvin Ainsworth & George Poole, testify to the good character of Beckwith, that his and statements are entitled to full credit. 31 st Oct, 1835.
The application of Rufus Beckwith was rejected April 23 rd 1833. and Nov 26 th 1835, on the ground that by the his own statements & his witnesses he was

only ten or eleven years old when the alleged service was performed, and age too young for him to have been a soldier - as were persons of an age less than 16 years were liable to be drafted, and a boy only ten 10 & 11 years old would not have been allowed to volunteer.
In the year 1857 the case was again called up & rejected, on the same grounds. It is now revived, on a new declaration made by Rufus Beckwith, who is still living and who  is now states that he is 97 years old. He now claims a pen- -sion for the same service asserted in his first declaration made in 1832, for nine months, but says it was performed in the year 1781, and not in the year 1776, that he enlisted in the company of Lieut Nathan Fry & Simon Baxter & marched to Pittsford, with another Co. commanded by Capt Jonathan White, & on their arrival both companies were organized into one, and that Jonathan White was made captain, & Nathan Fry & Abner Nathaniel Lieutenants. - that he was enlisted by said Fry as a Lieut & after

the service was performed, Hay was made a Captain of Militia in Alstead & was called Captain Hay ever afterwards, and this was the cause of his error in the former declaration in stating that he served under capt. Whitcomb Hay.
That when that declaration was made in 1832 & for several years after, owing to bubble  impaired health & impaired & defective memory he honestly misstated the true year of his service, having no documentary evidence to guide him as to dates. That he has none now except what is on file in the Pension Office, and a certificate from the Secretary of State of VT. This certificate which is the basis of the amended declaration is is dated the 15 th November 1861, and contains copies of "a true list of (of the names & services of) capt. Jotham White's pay roll of himself & Co. from the beginning of service in the campaign of 1781, to the 30 th of June of said year inclusive &c and also a list pay roll of capt. Jotham White's Co. in Col. Pammel Fletcher's Battalion in the service of the State of Vermont from the 1 st day of July 1781, to the 19 th of December 1781. "inclusive"

on the first of these pay rolls the name of Rufus Beckwith appears with the sum of £1. 6. 8, on the second the name appears with the sum of £9. 17. 4. - the commencement of pay July 1, & ending of pay Dec. 19, & the number of days in service stated to be 148.

(244) Chelsea, Feb. 4th 1861
Friend Smith
I are, Sir I am quite inclined to hear from you, as I wrote to you some four or five weeks since. Concerning a copy of those papers that J. H. Smith sent to the pension office, as it claims for a pension in favor of Rufus Beckwith my father if you could obtain a copy and send the same to me, it would be a grate favor I should be willing to pay you well for your trouble. Army fathers health continues about the same as when I wrote you last, it is not likely that he will live a grate while I there fore should like to bring the business to a close whilst he lives, if you can do any

thing in the premises or no I should like to have you right to me Saone as convenient I take it it is this National Snarl And Speech of Harness that has debarr'd you from writing Before I remain Truly yours Edward P. Beckwith

Chelsea Nov. 21 st 1860 Mr Smith,
My Deere Sir your Letter of November 16 th was Duly Recd & therefore with much thankfulness hasten to Acknowledge your kindness, you say I omitted to give my Fathers given name When you was Clerk to Darius Prides Store of Williamstown And Chargd goods to him my Father you Wrote his name Rufus Beckwith he therefore has gone By that name Ever Since. But Let 35 or 40 years pass to the present it is not at all surprising that we should for get names Sir I must Acknowledge that I like my goverment to well to to set up a false Claim to get money that is not Due

Sir Some 25 years Ago my Father Employed J W Smith of this place to make out his Declaration for a pension his testimony was Mr Joseph Hatch of Williamstown and his Brother Jude Hatch of Bethel Smith was quite young in Business and he their fore made a gross Balk in making out those papers Smith is a very sure man But he makes a good many mistakes in doing Business My Father lives with me and if he should live until Another May he will be 97 years of Age the oldest man in town And gives Calls for those papers to be returned to me And All mistakes Recti- fied There is no man that has any acquaintance with my Father his claim is just

We say his claim is just and right My Father is pretty much helpless
griefs requires mistakes rectified Between man and Man Much More so in a government Like ours
With much Respect yours
Sincerely E. B. Beckwith
You say you think of com- ing to Vermont some I should be very happy to see you but you
But if you should go to Wil- mington of course you will you will find time has past Many Yeamelior faces the old village stands unchanged as to im- provements I should like a letter from you at any time concer- ning your health and those papers at the pension office
Yours Edward W Beckwith

Chelsea Dec. 9. 1861
Hon J. Schouler
Dear Sir,
I have this day transmitted to the Commrs of Pensions a new Declaration and Evidence in the case of Rufus Beckwith of this town who claims a pension for Revolutionary Service under the Act of June 7 1832. His first Declaration and Papers made in August 1832 through my agency were very erroneous as to his year of Service - owing to his ill health and treacherous memory & misstatements of the facts - and his case has laid at the Department unmounted for a long period of years - I have recently taken up the

case again & hope to succeed in procuring a nine months pen- sion for him - Chas. Smith of the Post Office Department is acquainted with Mr. Packard & his family and might under some pretext in the exam- ination of the claim. being acquainted with the witnesses Will you have the goodness: Sir to see Mr. Smith and converse with him on the subject and go together if you please to the Commissioners and examine the case the old papers and the new - and aid the old Gentleman in getting a fu- vorable hearing and allowance and communicate with me on the subject - and Sincerely oblige
Your Obedient Servant
John W. Smith

Washington City Feb. 9. 1861.
Hon. L. A. Whiting, Court of Pensions.
Sir. I again take the liberty of inclosing a late letter from E. W. Beckwith of Chelsea, Vermont, requesting copies of certain papers that formerly were sent to the Pension Office by John W. Smith, Esq., in behalf of a pension for Rufus Beckwith. I judge that the parties are desirous of renewing the claim, and if copies of these papers can be given, I presume arrangements will be made to obtain them.
I am, sir, respectfully, Your obt. servt Chauncy Smith.

Chelsea Nov. 21. 1860
Chauncy Smith Esq
Sir!
Will you have the goodness to have a short interview with the Com of Pensions in regard to the papers on file in the Pension Office for a pension for Rufus Beckwith who was a soldier in the Revolution and stationed at Pittsford Vt in 1777 Marched to Bennington and was in the Battle 16th Aug same year. his service is on file at Montpelier Vt which was about 9 Months. Edward W. Beckwith wishes the papers forwarded to him as he has Power of Attorney to present his Claim, which I am Satisfied is just. Our family Circle are in usual health &c Mary Hale and family Also

I have no news of interest Sir you have the news South My wife joins with me in sending Our very best Respects to You And Am Respectfully Sir Yours, O.B.
Mr David Slaper

Chelsea Vt Dec 10/61
To the Hon. Commission of Pensions
Dear Sir -
I herewith enclose to you a new declaration and additional evidence in the case of Rufus Butts with for a pension under the Act of June 7, 1832 who - made his declaration in August of last year through my agency and under such circumstances that it was quite erroneous as to his time on ground of service and no proof was then accessible to him to prove six months service - and as I have recently obtained additional new proof since the Vermont War Papers of the Revolution have been as far as practicable collected

and enrolled. having still a very important and defective Roll - I have made a new delineation according to truth as I fully believe him with enclosed with the accompanying proof of Service - And as I have full faith and competence in the declarant's statements, as to the time of his service of nine months and a part of a month after his term was expired. Tho' the attached proof may not show the full period. I hope the Disputant must will take a favorable view of the case as to the length of his service - If I could only present the Applicant now before you, and his war story could be heard with all its incidents under oath. I am persuaded it would

have great weight in estab- lishing his claim both as to actual Service and as to the extent -
Please make return to me at your earliest convenience & I refer you to Honorable Callumer of the Senate & Hon J. S. Morrill of the House & Chas. Smith Esq. of your City. as to the Chur- ch of the Applicant & the affidavits and of myself
I am Sir Your Obedt Servt John, W. Smith

Washington City Nov. 28. 1860.
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting. Com d of Pensions. Dear Sir.
I have received another letter from Mr. Beckwith of Chelsea, Orange Co. Vermont, informing me that his father's given name is Rufus. The papers that he wishes to withdraw from the Office are doubtless filed under his father's name, to wit, Rufus Beckwith .
I inclose his late letter, also, one from a gentleman in that town on the same subject.
I am, sir, respectfully Your obt. Servt. Chauncy Smith.

Washington City, D.C. Nov. 11. 1860.
Hon. J. A. Whiting, Com r of Pensions. Dear Sir.
I beg to in- close a letter from a friend residing at Chelsea, Orange county Vermont rela- tive to certain papers now on file in the Pension Office. I also wish to state that I have not received the previous letter alluded to, and consequently am not aware of its purport, but I infer from the inclosed communication (doubtless similar to the other) that the writer wishes to withdraw some pa- per which have been filed relative to a claim on the part of his father for a pension. If I am correct in my inferences, and if it be within the rules of the Office to re- turn them, I am sure it will be considered a favor to the family, which is highly re-

spectable; or, if not allowed, it will doubtless be an equal pleasure to them to be fa- vored with a communication from you on the subject. The writer's address is E. H. Beckwith, Chelsea, Orange county, Vermont.
I remain, respect'ly Your obt. serv't. Chauncy Smith
P.S. I perceive that the writer does not give the given name of his father, nor am I aware what it is; but will request him to furnish it.

Pension Office,
December 7 th 1860.
Sir,
My letter to you of 1 st inst., informs you of all important particulars respecting the case of Rufus Beckwith, whose son desires the withdrawal of the papers. This request is contrary to the rules of the office; but if he wishes to prosecute the pension claim further, no advantage will be taken of any error which may have heretofore occurred; and he can now correct it, and establish the claim by additional evidence as readily as if no such error had occurred.
Very respectfully, &c., W. A. Volney Commissioner.
Chauncy Smith, Esq., Present.

A true List of (the names and sums of) Capt Jotham White & Pay Roll of himself and company in the service of the state of Vermont, from the beginning of service in the campaign of 1781 to the 30 th of June in said year, inclusive, taken from the original pay roll in the paymaster's office.
   Names. Sums. Names. Sums.     Capt Jotham White 6. 6. 8. Seral Gilbert 1. 4. 0   Lt Nathan Fay 4. 5. 5. Jacob Hayward 1. 6. 8   " Abm Hall 4. 1. 1½ Dan l Campbell 1. 6. 8   Serg t John Hart 0. 14. 5¼ John Brigham 1. 6. 8   " Sam l Wood 1. 12. 1 Sam l Whitney 1. 6. 8   " Simon Baxter 1. 17. 7¼ Rufus Walton 1. 6. 8   Corp t Jos Smiley 1. 9. 2 Martin Beckwith 1. 6. 8   " Andrew Paynton 1. 9. 2 John Warner 1. 6. 8   " Edm d Allen 1. 7. 9½ Azel Abel 1. 6. 8   Fifer Tho s Dodge 1. 9. 2 Jonas Hodgkins 1. 5. 4   Oliver Coney 1. 5. 4 Dan l Hodgkins 1. 5. 4   Ins. O' Brian 1. 5. 4 Edm d Watkins 1. 5. 4   Ins. M c Gu 1. 5. 4 Mason Hatch 0. 14. 8   Ins. Taylor 1. 6. 8 Job Plumbly 1. 6. 8   Amasa Grout 1. 5. 4 Rufus Beckwith 1. 6. 8   Aaron Whitney 1. 5. 4 £ 50. 7. 4  
Attest, Tho s Tolman P. Master.
Pay Table Office, Sunderland, Aug. 18, 1783. The foregoing list having having been examined, compared with the original roll and approved of, the Treasurer is directed to pay the contents of the same to Tho s Tolman Esq r , Paymaster, being the sum of fifty pounds seven shillings and four pence, lawful money, taking his receipt.
Sim o Branson, } Committee. Sam l Bartel, }
Rec d of the Treasurer the contents of the above warrant. £ 50. 7. 4
Tho s Tolman, P. Master.

A Pay Roll of Capt. Jonathan White's Company in Col. Sam l Fletcher's Battalion in the service of the State of Vermont from the first day of July 1781 to the 19 th of Dec. 1781, included.
   Names. commencement of pay. ending of pay. Days Pay per day Sub Total Remarks     Capt. Jonathan White July 1 1781. Nov 25 1781. 148 11. 6. 8 49. 6. 8   Lt Nathan Fay " " " " 148 4. 3. 31. 9. 0   Lt Abm Keese " " " " 148 4. 3. 31. 9. 0   Serg t John Hart " " Dec 19 172 1. 7 1/4 13. 15. 11   " Sam l Wood. " " Nov 25 148 1. 7 1/4 11. 17. 5   " Simon Barber " " Oct o 21 113 1. 7 1/4 9. 1. 3 3/4   " John Simile Sept 28 Nov 21 55 1. 7 1/4 4. 8. 2 3/4   Capt John Smiley July 1 Sept 27 89 1. 5 1/2 6. 9. 9 1/2   " And a Payston " " Nov 18 141 1. 5 1/2 10. 5. 7 1/2   " Eben t Allen " " Aug 11 42 1. 5 1/2 3. 1. 3   " John Warner Sept 7 Nov 25 80 1. 5 1/2 5. 16. 8   Fifer Thos Dodge July 1 Dec 19 172 1. 5 1/2 12. 10. 10   Oliver Arny " " Nov 21 144 1. 4. 9. 12. 0   John O r Bryan " " Sept 5 67 1. 4 4. 9. 4   John Mergory " " Nov 25 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   John Taylor " " Aug 11 42 1. 4 2. 16. 0   Amasa Root " " Nov 25 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Aaron Whitney " " " " 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Saml Gilbert " " " 18 141 1. 4 9. 8. 0   Jacob Hengard " " Dec 19 172 1. 4 11. 9. 4   Dan l Campbell " " " " 172 1. 4 11. 9. 4   John Bingham " " Nov 25 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Saml Whitney " " Aug 22 53 1. 4 3. 1. 8   Rufus Walton " " Dec 19 172 1. 4 11. 9. 4   Martin Pickwith " " " " 172 1. 4 11. 9. 4   John Warner " " Sept 6 68 1. 4 4. 10. 8  
Rec d of the Treasurers the contents of the above warrants. Oct. 21, 1784.
Thos. Johnson Paymaster.

   Names Commencement of pay Ending of pay Days Pay per day Total Remarks     Abel Abel July 1 Nov 25 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Jonas Hodgkins " " " " 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   David Hodgkins " " " 18 141 1. 4 9. 8. 0   Edward Watkins " " " 25 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Mason Hatch " " " " 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Joseph Plumley " " " " 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Rufus Beckwith " " " " 148 1. 4 9. 17. 4   Asahel Hopkins Aug 23 Dec 19 119 1. 4 7. 18. 8   £ 385. 15. 8  
Jotham White, Capt
State of Vermont. Windsor, ss. Springfield Jan 28. 1782. Personally appeared Capt Jotham White and made solemn oath that the within is a true roll, according to the best of his knowledge
John Panett Justice of Peace.
Pay Table Officer, Bennington March 5, 1782. The within pay roll being approved of, the Treasurer is hereby directed to pay unto Thos Tolman Esq, P.M. Genl the sum of Three Hundred and Eighty five pounds fifteen shillings and eight pence, taking his receipt for said sum to be accountable.
Isaac Tichenor
Nathl Bush
Committee.
£ 385. 15. 8

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office Montpelier Nov. 15. 1861
I hereby certify that the foregoing to wit: "A true list of (the names and sums) Capt. Jo Thoms White's Pay Roll of himself and Company in the service of the State of Vermont, from the beginning of service in the Campaign of 1781 to the 30 th of June in said year, inclusive, taken from the original pay roll in the paymaster's Office - and A Pay Roll of Capt. Jo Thoms White's Company in Col. Samuel Fletcher's Battalion in the service of the State of Vermont from the first day of July 1781 to the 15 th of Dec. 1781. inclusive." are true copies of Pay Rolls on file in this Office. I further certify that it does not appear from the records in this Office that Jonathan Gray ever served as a Captain
Given under my hand and the Seal of this Office this fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and sixty one
A. A. Bailey
Secretary of State

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office Mandeville Sept. 13. 1861
I hereby certify that there is an file in this office a Pay Roll of Capt. Jotham White's Company in the service of the State of Vermont from the beginning of service in the Campaign of 1781 to the 30 th of June in said year inclusive taken from the original pay roll in the paymaster's office "on which roll is the name of Rufus Beckwith" with an allowance of one pound six shillings and eight pence for service as a private in said Company -
Also another Pay Roll of Capt. Jotham White's Company in Col Samuel Fletcher's Battalion in the service of the State of Vermont from the first day of July 1781 to the 19 th of Dec. 1781 in- clusive "on which roll is the name of Rufus Beckwith," with an allowance for 148 days service in said Company as a private.
Given under my hand and the Seal of this Office this 13 th day of September A.D. 1861
M c Daillie Jr Deputy Secy of State

State of Vermont } At Chelsea in said County on this Orange County } 20 th day of November AD 1861. District of Randolph } personally appeared in open Court before me Parley Osborn, Judge of Probate in and for the District of Randolph aforesaid being a Court of record Rufus Beckwith a resident of Chelsea in the County and State aforesaid aged 97 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 in and the following named Officers and Service as hereinafter stated. That in the year 1781. he resided in Montpelier, New Hampshire and that he enlisted as volunteer in the service aforesaid in the New Hamp- shire troops in the Company of Lieut. Nathan Fay & Simon Buxton for the term of nine months. on the Last of March or 1 st of April of that year when there was snow upon the ground. and marched immedia- tely and enlisted to Pittsford on Otter Creek in Ver- mont to garrison the fort at that place. and that Capt Joshua White with the Company which he enlisted in Charlestown New Hampshire marched with them from 3 rd Charlestown to Pittsford in a body and on their ar- rival at Pittsford fort they were all organized into one Company on Garrison of which D r Joshua White was Captain Nathan Fay and Simon Buxton were Lieutenants & John Hart Saml Ward & Simon Buxton were Sergeants and we were then mustered as a Company on Garrison by Major Tolman a Continental Officer & that Major Lewis

have the Command of the Garrison. that he was en- listed by D r Gay a Lieutenant & that after the above term of Service D r Gay was chosen a Capt of Militia in Abstea N.H. and was often that called & known as Capt Gay which was the cause of his error in his former de- claration and that owing to my public health for many years about the time of the Russian act of June 7 1832 & impaired an defective memory. he honestly misrecalled & misstated the true year of his service in his former declaration. Having then no docu- mentary evidence to guide him as to date. and that he was then employed in active Service during his term of enlistment and for nearly a month after- wards as he fully believes doing duty and waiting for his pay. by direction of his Officers and was then ver- bally discharged at Pillsbury fort honorably & returned home - that he has no documentary evidence to prove his service except what he has heretofore fur- nished & the Certificate of the Secretary of State now fur- nished - That he relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Army of any State to his knowledge. In presence of John W. Smith his  Ralph X Brock with marks 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Perley Jones Judge of Probate for Dist of Randolph

We Elisha Hyde and Wm F Dickinson both of Chelsea in the County of Orange and State of Vermont humbly certify that we are well ac- quainted with Rufus Beck with who has sub- scribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be ninety seven years of age as he has declared, that he is believed and reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in the opinion, and we believe his de- claration under oath entitled to full credit, and we know of no clergyman in the vicinity who would probably be able to testify about this subject, and we further certify that the declarant Rufus Beck with is the same identical Rufus Beck with who made his Declaration in 1832, at S d Chelsea for a Pension, and that he has lived in Chelsea and Wil- linston latterly since that period
Elisha Hyde Wm F Dickinson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforementioned before me
Perley Jones Judge of Probate
And the said Court does humbly declare its Opin- ion after a full investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Ap- plicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and I further certify that it

appears to me that Ethan Byers & Wm F Dickinson who have signed the foregoing Certificate are residents in Chelsea in Fannin County and are credible persons, and that their State- ment is entitled to full credence.
And the said Court hereby affirm as good and sufficient reason for taking the foregoing de- claration at the residence of the said Rufus Beckwith in Chelsea that the declarant is very aged and helpless and wholly unable to leave his house.
Perley C. Jones Judge of Probate for District of Randolph
I Perley C. Jones, Judge of Probate in and for the District, County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Rufus Beckwith of Chelsea for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Chelsea in said District this 30 th day of November A.D. 1861. —
Perley C. Jones Judge of Probate. for District of Randolph

Feb. 28. 1853 Rufus Beckwith Vt. Act 1832, suspended
Affidavit & Power of attorney in case of Rufus Beckwith.
Vermont
Act 7 th June 1832
Please to communicate with Stephen Thomas West Fairlee Vt. Rufus Beckwith for Stephen Thomas

AFFIDAVIT AND POWER OF ATTORNEY,
STATE OF Vermont } ss.
COUNTY OF Orange }
Be it remembered, That, on this 7th day of January A. D. 1853, I, Rufus Beckwith of Chelsea Orange County, State of Vermont do make known and declare that I am the and heir at law to who was the wife of Revolutionary soldier, who served six months years, under the command of Capt. White in the forces raised by the State of New Hampshire and that he and his said wife were married about the month of A. D. that he died about the month of A. D. and that his said wife also died about the month of A. D. and that a pension of dollars a year was drawn by said that no Pension whatever was ever drawn on account of said services, and so continued until the year A. D. 18, since which time nothing has been received by either, or the heirs of either of said parties.
And that claimant is now 67 years of age; and it is understood and believed that there are arrearages of Pension, and other claims due for said services: Now, THEREFORE, the true intent of all this is to qualify and irrevocably appoint and empower ALFRED L. WORKS, of New Haven City and County, State of Connecticut, Rufus Beckwith Jr of Chelsea Orange County and State of Vermont as my Attorney, with power of substitution, to investigate, substantiate, demand, and receive the avails of, said claim or claims, and to say and do all things relative thereto, as amply as I might do: hereby ratifying every thing said or done by my said Attorney, or his substitute, in virtue hereof; ALSO, revoking all Powers of Attorney, or other authority previously given for any such purposes.
Attest, Ariel Burnham Oscar Beckwith In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, day and date first above named. Rufus Beckwith
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me, the day and year first above indicated.
State of Vermont Orange County ss
Ariel Burnham Justice of the Peace
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me like unto the County Court in the County of Orange and that Rufus Beckwith the party who has sworn to & acknowledged the foregoing declaration of power of Attorney, is the identical person described therein, I further certify that Ariel Burnham Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit & power of Attorney were executed & acknowledged, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths & take acknowledgments, & that the signature purporting to be his, is believed to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal & office this 19th day of January A.D. 1853. S. M. Hunt Clerk