Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21660, Othniel Belden, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
U komm. kontinental
Belden, Othniel Bilding, Sarah
NUMBER _____
W 21660
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 621
Sarah Belden widow of Othniel Belden
who died on the 18 th Dec. 1834 of Hampden Co. in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Wright of the Reg't commanded by Col. Phillips in the Mass. line for 18 7/8 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts the rate of 61 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1834. 18 th December 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of March 1837 and sent to J. Willard Springfield, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March '37. 370.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep. " 30.83 Amount paid to 19. Dec. 1834 } the day of his death to be } $400.85 deducted.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 5 — }
Recorded by D Brown Clerk, Book — Vol. 1, Page 45
1890 L. B. P. A. g. 8. May 8. July 25 G. E. Hatch - history Prior

1838 15.540 Massachusetts Oliver Baldwin
of Hampden in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Wright of the Regt commanded by Col. Willys in the line line for 18 Mos & 15 days
05 Cent v mile
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 61 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of June 1833 Sent " and sent to Mr. Wilson Worthington Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $123.35 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept 30 " 00 $154.35
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book E
Vol. D
Clerk,
Page 7

Mineral Bldg
Delaware
2270 3/4
Addey to William Ward Worthington MS.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden County ss.
On this 10 th day of October 1832. personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Oliver  Oliver Morris Judge of the Court of Common Pleas  Probate now sitting. Othniel Belden a resident of Chester in the County of Hampden aged Seventy Seven 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 hereinafter stated viz:
About the first of January 1776. I enlisted at Weathersfield in the State of Connecticut. for one year into the company of Capt. Samuel Wright of Hastingbury and the Regiment of Col. Samuel Willys and marched to Boston. where we continued till the British evacuated that place. We then left Boston. by the way of Providence and New London. where we embarked by Water for New York and joined the Army there. and continued with it till sometime in the Autumn when I was taken very sick. after getting somewhat better I received a furlough till I should be able to do my duty which did not happen till my term had expired and for several months afterwards. I received pay for one year — 12 months —
In the month of August 1777. I enlisted at Weathersfield into the company of Captain Elias Williams in the Regiment of Col. Thomas Belden and marched immediately to Fishkill. from there we marched up the River under General Putnam to Red Hook watching —

the British Stapping. till after the surrender of General Burgoyne's army when we returned to Fishkill when we was dismissed. I was in this service something more than two months. 2 Months
In November 1777. I volunteered at Weathersfield under Major Christopher Willy as a guard to a party of the prisoners of Burgoyne's Army to the Highlands. We proceeded to Springfield in Massachusetts and took charge of the prisoners there and guarded them to near the Highlands, when we delivered them over to a party of the American Army. when we were dismissed by Major Willy, and returned home. I was in this service six weeks 1 1/2 Months
In July 1781 I enlisted at Weathersfield for three months into the Reg- iment of Col. Hezekiah Willy's of Hartford. the name of my captain I have forgotten marched from Weathersfield down the River towards Saybrook & from there across towards New London and spent the time in cutting brush wood for and preparing fascines. whenever we could find it, as was then used for fortifications on Long Island & New York. till my term expired 3 Months
I have made search for witnesses of the three last periods of service but cannot find any one living but I am sure that the service was performed by me. I was born in Weathersfield in the year 1755. and continued to live there till 1799 when I removed to Chester where I have resided ever since I have no recollection of ever having a discharge.
He hereby renounces every claim 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 whatever. I have subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Obadiah
Pratt

We John Grant a Claggymen residing in the Town of Chester & Joshua Stevens residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Othniel Belden who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion And we further certify that said Belden sustains a good character for veracity & we have no doubt of the truth of the facts stated in his declaration Given & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John Grant Joshua Stevens
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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Grant who has signed the preceding certificate is a Claggymen residing in the Town of Chester and that Joshua Stevens who has signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Justin Willard Register of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Othniel Belden for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court This tenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Justin Willard Register

On this fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Oliver D. Morris Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said County now sitting at Newfield in said County, Sarah Belden of Chester in said County widow of Othniel Belden late of said Chester deceased & being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress passed July fourth A.D. 1836 - viz: That she is now seventy five years & seven days of age - That she was married to & became the lawful wife of said Othniel Belden at Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut on the twenty fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight That said Othniel Belden had previous to said time of our marriage been in the service of the United States as a provisional revolutionary soldier for a short period - but was not under enlistment at the time of our marriage - that a short time after our marriage said Othniel again entered the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution - his service was at New York first I believe & then he had performed another term of duty & I think two more near New London, the whole period of his service since our marriage was about a year & a half or two years & was between the time of our marriage & sometime in the year

seventeen hundred & eighty one - as near as I can recollect from the recollection of the fact that his last term of duty was after my oldest son was born. For in the fall of the year 1779 - My said husband received a pension of about $63 per annum under the act of June 7 th 1832 until the time of his death and my own recollection being very faint & imperfect I refer to the declaration & accompanying evidence made by him (on file as I suppose at the War Office) for the purpose of obtaining his aforesaid pension. I have no other documentary evidence of his services having sent his pension certificate to Boston in order to get the arrears of his pension up to the time of his death. Such I have received.
I further declare that my said husband Othniel Phelps died at said Chester on the nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty four - & that I have remained unmarried since that time & am now his lawful widow.
I was married as aforesaid by a Congregational the name of Marsh of such marriage I have no documentary evidence except the certificate of Caleb J. Gurney present senior Pastor of the Church in Watrousfield successor of said Marsh, which is herewith annexed.
Jane B. B. B.

Scituate D o January 14 th 1837 Thus Subscribed  Deed Sarah Belden above named personally appeared in Open Court before me the undersigned Judge of said Court and subscribed & made oath to the foregoing declara- tion before me
Wm Morris Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after due examination of the said Sarah Belden & of the other testimony in the case, that all the facts therein stated are true -
I Justin Willams Clerk of the said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the foregoing proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Belden for a Pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Springfield this fourteen the day of January A D 1837
Justin Willams Clerk

207621 Phoebe Belden Mass
~ Pm at 18 Mrs 15 May
MC
William Ward Worthington Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 shew 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, shewing the Service of Abner Belden Hampton Co Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1776 1 x privt Capt Wright Col Miley ~ Boston 77 Traditionary 2. Service who testify to a part of service   ~ 1777 8 2 ~ ~ Adams Belden ~ Providence Withers   1777 ~ 1 15 ~ ~ Genl Putnam ~ N York Mass   1781 ~ 3 ~ ~ ~ Willis ~ Long Is N York {  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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, 1832. 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 (f) 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 day 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 (l) 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 he 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 enquiry 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 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Sarah Belden widow of Othniel 1072 Mass.
Married 24 Dec. 78.
old case
admitted 18 1/2 mo. pri. 61.66
deduct. died 18 dec. 1834 and p o up
J. Willard Est Springfield Mass

200 I Sylvester Belden of Chester in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose & say that I am the son of Sarah Belden who has this day made her declaration before the judge of Probate for said County in order to obtain the benefit of the Pennyp cut of July 4 th 1836, that I know that her late husband, my father Dea died at Chester January on the nineteenth day of Dec r A D 1836 & that said Sarah my Mother has remained unmarried ever since that time & is now the lawfull widow of said otherwise. I further state that I obtained the annexed certificate of the Rev Caleb Furney, & that he wrote & gave me the same on the 5 th day of January A D 1837 - altho' I find he has dated it on the same day of Jan y 1838 Sylvester Belden
Hampden ss 10 January 14 th 1837 then personally appeared Sylvester Belden above named and subscribed & made oaths to the above affidavit before Miss Merrill judge of Probate
2 2 2

on the 5 th day of January A.D. 1836 - and I find he has dated it on the same day of Jan y . 1838
Sylvester Belden
1. 1. Rec
This certifies, that in the records of Mar- riages, kept by Rev. John Marsh, Pastor of the First Church in Withersfield, Con- necticut, & my immediate predess- or, it stands recorded in the hand- writing of the Rev. Mr. Marsh, that on December, the 24, 1778 - he mar- ried Othniel Belden & Sarah Lindsey, both of Withersfield.
Certified by me, Withers- field, January, 5-1836.
Caleb J. Tenny, Senior Pastor of the First Church in Withersfield

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire ss:
I Justin William Clark of the Probate Court within & for said County do hereby certify that the same being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Oliver D. Morris before me the foregoing deposition of Sylvester Alden was sworn to & subscribed, is a justice of the Peace & the Judge of the Probate Court within & for said County & is in either capacity duly authorized to administer oaths in such cases and that his signature subjoined to the certificate of said jurat. is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Probate Court at Springfield this seventeenth day of January A.D. 1837
Justin William Clark

February 29, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Othniel Belden, W. 21660
Mrs. Maud Belden Perry 120 Grove Street Roseville, California
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of February 20, 1936, in which you request the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, Elijah and Othneil Belden.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war. A careful search of the records fails to show such claim on file on account of the service of an Elijah Belden, searched under all spellings.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W.21660, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Othniel Belden or Belding.
He was born in 1755 in Wethersfield, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Wethersfield, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: from about the first of January, 1776, one year in Captain Samuel Wright's company in Colonel Samuel Wylllys' regiment; from August, 1777, two months in Captain Elias Williams' company in Colonel Thomas Belden's (relationship not shown) company; from sometime in November, 1777, six weeks under Major Chester Wells and was engaged in guarding prisoners of Burgoyne's army; from July, 1781, three months in Colonel Hezekiah Wylllys' regiment.
In 1799 he moved from Wethersfield to Chester, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Othniel Belden or Belding was allowed pension on his application executed October 10, 1832, at Chester, Massachusetts.
He died December 18, 1834, in Chester, Massachusetts.
This soldier married December 24, 1778, at Wethersfield, Connecticut, Sarah Lindsay of that place.
She was allowed pension on her application executed January 14, 1837, at which time she was aged seventy-five years and seven days and was living in Chester, Massachusetts.
It was stated that their eldest son (name not given) was born in the fall of 1779. A son, Sylvester Belden , was living in Chester, Massachusetts, in 1836.
The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

History Agard- Mass.
Vts to D. Smith
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21.660 Sarah Belden Widow of Othniel Belden Pr. New Was
Act July 4 th 36
Index: Vol 4 , Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]
May 26-1894 to Mr. Chas. W. New Bedford
June 5, 1904 Mrs Samuel 1913 Dec. 20 copies of soldier's & widow's declarations sent to Law Div. for Mrs. A. B. Yoakum. aw.
1936 Feb. 29 hist. to Mrs. Maud Belden Perry. M.S.
Othniel Belden 61.6/100 - Mass. act 7 June - when cast for
June 18 th Dec 1834 paid to
G.M.B.
17 Mar. '37
Othniel Belden
Aug 77 Elias Williams 2 mo.
Nov. " Chester Wells 1 1/2
81. ————— Col. Hezekiah Wells 3 mo
76 Capt. Wright - Wyllis 12 mo

listed
3-816
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, Finance Division.
December 16, 1913.
Chief of Law Division
Sir:
I have this day received from Anna Goakham  check draft No. _____ for $ 2 80 / 100 , representing refundment of an improper payment.
Case of _____
Certificate No. _____
for certified draft as per letter there with,
Very respectfully,
W. N. Campbell Chief of Division.

Worthington Mass. Feb 23 1832.
Hon Lewis Cass
Sir,
I enclose the application of Othniel Belden for a pension under the Law of June 7. 1832. And the Affidavits of Jared Goodrich and Thomas Holmes in support of it.
Please to address the certificate to me at the Post office in this Town if granted.
Yours Respectfully
William Ward

State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } p-
I, Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford, do hereby certify, that
Henry Bulkley Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits of Jared Goodrich & Thomas Holmes were respectively taken, was on the twentieth day of February A.D. 1833, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hartford, duly commissioned & qualified according to Law, with full power to take Depo- sitions, administer oaths &c, & that full faith & credence is due to his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the County Court this twenty first day of February in the Year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred & thirty three.
Attest Jared Griswold, Clerk #

I Thomas Holmes of Wethersfield in Connecticut aged seventy five years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Othniel Belden of Chester in Litchfield County Massachusetts and believe him to be about seventy seven years of age and do know that he enlisted at Wethersfield in the state of Connecticut about the first of January 1776 in the company of Capt Samuel Wright of Glastonbury and the regiment of Col. Samuel Wolcott and that I served with him in the same company we marched from Wethersfield to Boston where we continued till the evacuation of the British from that place we then left Boston by the way of Providence and New London where we embarked by water for New York and joined the army there and that we enlisted for the term of one year Thos Holmes
State of Connecticut ss Wethersfield February 20 th 1833 Personally appeared Thomas Holmes and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed before me I further certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Holmes who is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit Henry Buckley Justice of Peace

I Jared Goodrich of Wethersfield in Connecticut aged Seventy two years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Nathaniel Belam of Chester in Hampden County Massachusetts and believe him to be about seventy seven years of age and do know that he enlisted at Wethersfield in the State of Connecticut about the first of January 1876 in the company of Capt Samuel Wright of Glastonbury and the regiment of Col Samuel Willys and that I served with him in the same company we marched from Wethersfield to Boston where we continued till the evacuation of the British from that place we then left Boston by way of Providence and New London where we embarked for New York by water and joined the army there and that we enlisted for the term of one year Jared Goodrich
State of Connecticut } ss Wethersfield } On this 26 th day of February 1833 Personally appeared Jared Goodrich and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed before me and further certify that I am well acquainted with Jared Goodrich who is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. Henry Bulkley Justice of Peace

Springfield Mass ts Jan y 17 th 37
Hon. J d L e Edwards Com te of Pens va
Sir,
Enclosed are the papers of Mrs Sarah Holden in order to obtain the Pension as guardian in the act of July last. I wrote to Mr Calhoun on Rep in long. to forward me the act & accompanying instructions if to be had - but as I have not rec d them I may not have formally complied with the requirements. If anything should be wanting, I hope to be informed. The certificate if granted may be forwarded to me or handed to Mr Calhoun who will undoubtedly be willing to take charge of it
very respectfully
Your obed t Serv t
Justin Willard on behalf of Sarah Holden

own
21660
War Record of Othniel Belden
Othniel Belden. volunteered for one year in June 1776 under Capt Samuel Wright of Glastonbury in Col. Samuels Triffls Conn Regiment. Marched to Boston Mass. and was there when the City was evacuated by the British March 17 th 1776 from thence he marched to New London Conn. where he embarked in a vessel for New York City. and was taken sick and furloughed - but had not returned when his term expired. and not for some time there after.
In Aug 1777 he volunteered. for three months under Capt Elias Williams in the regiment of Col Thomas Belden. going to Fishkill on the Hudson river. After the capture by the enemy of Forts Montgomery & Clinton Oct 6 1777. the British Fleet sailed up the Hudson river. expecting to join Gen Burgoyne at Albany - Belden was ordered under Gen Israel Putnam to move along the banks of the river in order to watch the movements of the fleet to prevent their landing until after the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga Oct 17 1777
When the fleet sailed down the river. Belden returned to Fishkill and was there honorably discharged. In November of the same year (1777) he served one and one half months in in guarding some of Gen Burgoyne's prisoners from Springfield Mass. to the Highlands on the Hudson river. and in July 1781 he served 3 months. going to Saybrook Stance across the Connecticut river to near New London. in Col. Keyes's Conn. Regiment. where he was employed in cutting fascines. which it was reported should be used on Long Island and at New York.

Springfield Mass ts March 2/37
Hon J L Edwards
Comm ee of Pension
Since on the 14 th of January last I forwarded to the Pension Office the declaration & accompanying evidence of Mrs Belden - (I did not take her name or that of her deceased husband.) in order to obtain the Pension under the act of 1830 - This lady belongs to Chester in this County - I presume there can be no difficulty in identifying the papers to which I refer. May I ask the attention of the Dept t to this subject & to be informed whether the papers have been examined - the result
Respectfully
Yours, ob t serv t
Justin W. Williams Att y for Mrs Belden

Geo E Hatch Pow Ray July 22 1890 Othniel Belden found

COAL OFFICE OF Hatch & North, 301 MAIN STREET.
Hartford, Conn. July 22 d 1890
Capt Chas W. Filer Dear Sir,
I wish to learn if the name of Othniel Belden appears on the Pension Rolls of the Revolution, I do not know whether he enlisted from Mass. or Conn. My Grandmother Sarah Belden (widow of Othniel) I know was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and I should like to get any information I can about them, I write to you at the suggestion of Chas H. Osborn of this City, as he thought you could give me the desired information Yours Respectfully Geo H. Hatch

Commonwealth Bank, Pension Office, Boston 3 d May 1837.
Sir,
On the 21 st March last the name of Sarah Belden Widow of Othniel Belden, private, was reported to this Agency as entitled to receive $61.67 from the 11 th of March 1831.
Be pleased to inform me if there is to be any deduction from this amount?
I am, very respectfully, Yours ob t Serv t .
John R. Simpson Adm r , Pension agent.
J. L. Edwards Esq r . Comm r . of Pensions Washington No. 6.

Othniel Belden.
Declarations of soldier and widow to be typewritten. copied
for Mrs Anna Belden Yoakam 811. First St. N.W. personal inquiry Dec 10, 1913 Washington D.C.
→ For convenience in binding with other papers, the usual margin to be left at left side of sheet, a margin of 1 1/2 inches at right side ✓ and two inches at bottom of page — ✓
1650 words re all

aw
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Dec. 11, 1913
Respectfully referred to the Chief of the Law Division inviting attention to the attached personal in- quiry of Mrs Anna Belden Gookam 811. First St. N.W. Washington D.C.
who desires the copy of two papers in the Rev. War pension claim of Othniel Belden, of Com. Troops. Mid. File 21660. The number of words to be copied is 1650
175 15 8 17 15 225 280
A. C. Wilson In charge Rev. War Section
Rev. Othniel Belden, Rev. W 21660 -
Mrs Anna Belden Gookam
811 First St N.W.
Washington D.C.
personal inquiry Dec. 10.

check for $2.80 From Anna E. Yoakam
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C. December 12, 1913.
Mrs. Anna Belden Yoakam, 811 First st., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Madam:
Referring to your personal inquiry of the 10th instant as to the cost of copies of two papers on file in this Bureau in the Revolutionary war claim of Othniel Belden, Connecticut Troops, Widow's File No. 21660, you are advised that the act of August 24, 1912, provides that 15 cents per folio shall be charged for copying any portion of the records of the Bureau, with 25 cents additional for certification thereto. Under said Act copies of the two papers referred to will cost $2.80. Upon receipt of that amount in cash, money order, or by check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, your request will receive further consideration.
Respectfully,
[Signature] Commissioner.

WAMSUTTA CLUB
New Bedford
May 4 th 1897
To the U.S. Pension Office Washington D.C. Chief of Bureau
Sir I am desirous of a certificate, agreeable to the published "U.S. Senate Papers" of 1833-35 vol. 1. Page 138 of the "Census of Pensioners" viz "Othniel Belden,
Private, $ 61 67 Annual Allowance, 157 18 Sums received, Service, in Connecticut Continental Line & Militia Placed on Pension Rolls, June 25 th 1833 Commencement of Pension, March 4 th 1831
Age, 79
Residence Hamden Co. Mass tt
The above confirming the family traditions but he does not appear on the

published records of either "Conn." nor "Mass." of Revo- lutionary Soldiers.
Chief of Bureau Rolls and Library "Dep't of State" as per correspondence also fails to find his record.
If his Pension applica- tion can be found on file, the desired parentage, time and place of birth, or other items of genealogy may be obtained from same.
Previous papers from the "Old War Office" many years ago have been lost by the parties who had them.
Fee for above Certificate and information if get- table sent on notice
Yours truly
Chas W Agard

Hadley May 17 th 1904
To the Secretary of Dept of The Interior
Dear Sir.
I have a copy of The war record of my Ancestor Othniel Belden. given me by a Cousin to whom it was sent from The Dept of The Interior. Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C. Dated July 25. 1890 and signed Green B. Raison Comm.—
Will you please give me a certificate as a guarantor. send to
Mrs. Samuel D. Smith
Hadley Mass.
West St.

120 GROVE STREET ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA
Feb 20, 1936
Commissioner of Pensions Rev. War Section Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me the War records of the following:
✓ Elijah Belden Rev. War soldier who died in Mooers ,Mooers Forks Clinton Co. New York Feb. 14, 1849; I think he went from Vermont or Conn. He was born 1760 Is buried Union Cemetery Mooers Forks. Wanted for D.A.R papers
333 444
✓ Othneil Belden born 1755;died Dec. 18, 1834 in Chester Mass served in Col Samuel Wyllly's reg. enlisted 1776. sick in New York City and re-enlisted in 1777. under Capt. Elias Williams born Wethersfield Conn. Served from Conn.
yours truly,
Maud Belden Perry Mrs Maud Belden Perry Roseville California Placer Co.

12-17-13
December 22, 1913
Mrs. Anna Belden Yeakam, 811 First street, NW., Washington, D. C.
Madam:
Enclosed herewith will be found copies of certain papers on file in the claim of Othniel Belden, Connecticut Troops, Revolutionary War, widow's File No. 21660, duly certified as provided by the act of August 24, 1912, and for which you remitted the sum of $2.80 in payment therefore.
Respectfully,
E. C. TILMAN
Acting Commissioner.
Finance Div. adv. by slip REP Law 12-22-13

E.O.A.
War Division
December 12, 1913.
Mrs. Anna Belden Yoakam, 811 First st., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Madam:
Referring to your personal inquiry of the 10th instant as to the cost of copies of two papers on file in this Bureau in the Revolutionary war claim of Othniel Belden, Connecticut Troops, Widow's File No. 21660, you are advised that the act of August 24, 1912, provides that 15 cents per folio shall be charged for copying any portion of the records of the Bureau, with 25 cents additional for certification thereto. Under said Act copies of the two papers referred to will cost $2.80. Upon receipt of that amount in cash, money order, or by check, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, your request will receive further consideration.
Respectfully,
G. H. [unclear] Commissioner.