Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2717, Samuel Branch, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Branch, Samuel Ruth
NUMBER
W 2717
Q L W 26/55-160-55
CONTENTS

Head Letter to Hon A Dana & ordered to pay. 29 Dec 1843
24,056 24. 6 New York Samuel Branch of Cayuga in the State of New York who was a Priv. of Art. in the Comp. commanded by Captain S. Nathan of the Regt. commanded by Col. M. Lalaw in the Cont. line for 12 months — " —
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Oct. 1833 — and ten to A. Lord auburn
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 $ 123 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 M '34 25 $150
Recorded by C. C. Atiles } Revolutionary Claim, } Book 6 , Vol. 1 , Page 89 } Act June 7, 1832. } Clerk,

New York Albany Ruth Branch 889 widow of Samuel Branch who served in the Revolutionary Con n war, as a private of Artillery
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Jan y 1852 and sent to
Hon H S Conger Cortlandt Village NY
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 6 Vol. A,
Page

63.916 - Act March 3/55- April 12/55-
Ruth Branch - wife of Samuel Branch - Fugl
55 of May 28/55 No 26
Revolutionary War
No W.S. July 48-889
W:160 Act May 17/56
Provisions
PK
No. Heath Locke m. Y.
Rev H. Heath, Oct. 9/1855,
Vol B2, page 68,

Samuel Branch
18300.
✓
Agent
A Gould
Auburn
NY

State of New York
Cayuga County ss - Samuel Branch the applicant for a pension being duly sworn says that he was born in the town of Preston in the County of New London & State of Connecticut in the year 1768. and has a record of his age at home. that he continued to reside there until the month of August 1790 when he removed to the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts where he continued to reside until the month of February following when he removed to the County of Cayuga aforesaid where he has resided ever since - he further says that he is now the Post Master at East Genoa, in said County. that he knew no other continental officers with the troops with which he served than those mentioned in said declaration & is acquainted with no clergyman in his neighbourhood who may give his say certificate
Sworn & Subscribed the 9th day of July 1833 before me Robert Cook Justice of the Peace
I certify my opinion that said Samuel Branch is a man of truth & veracity July 9th 1833 R Cook
State of New York
Cayuga County ss I Michael S Myers Clerk of said County do certify that Robert Cook before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was on the day of the date of the same a justice of the peace in & for said County - that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said justice & believe his signature to the said affidavit & the above certificate to be genuine
Witness my hand and seal of office the 9th day of July 1833 M. S. Myers

State of New York Cayuga County ss On this 19 th day September AD 1832 personally appears in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga and State of New York Now sitting Sam- uel Branch of Genoa in said County aged eighty four years of Cayuga 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 th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States and served under the the following named officers as herein stated That on the third day of May AD 1782 then being a resident of the town of Preston in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, he enlisted into the Company of Matis's or Artillery com- manded by Captain William Lathan, first Lieut Dyer Perkins & Second Lieut Samuel Walworth for a term of one year - that he marched to fort Gris- wold in the town of Groton where he was stationed during the whole of said term - that said fort was under the command of Col Samuel McCallum during said term - that he received a written discharge from said service but has lost the same - that he has not the testimony of any living witness to said service and has no proof thereof except the affidavit of David Avery - that he was born in the said County of New London on the 7 th March 1768 as appears by the record kept by the family - that he was in his fourteenth year when he enlisted, was large of his age - and told the Captain at the time of enlistment that he was not have been received sixteen, otherwise he would. He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state or territory Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Samuel Branch Isabel Fitch judge

We Samuel Hewitt William Brown late justice of the peace residing in Genoa in Cayuga County and Robert Hewitt residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Branch who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration; that we believe him to be 64 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
Isahel Fitch judge
Samuel Hewitt Robert Hewitt
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 William Brown who has signed the preceding certificate, as a justice of the peace  resides  is now in Genoa and Robert Hewitt who has also signed the same, is a resident in Genoa and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Isahel Fitch judge
I, Michael S Myers Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga and State of New-York, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Branch for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name the 19 th day of September A.D. 1832
M. S. Myers

Keith Bruns Lee

State of New York
Cayuga County ss. On this 27 day of May 1857 personally appeared before the subscriber one of the of the Justices of the Court of Oyer and terminer in and for the said county (the same being a court of Record), Ruth Branch a resident of the town of Genoa in said County aged Eighty one years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed July 1 st 1848 and July 29 th 1848
That she is the widow of Samuel Branch deceased, who during his life drew a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832 New York agency at the rate of $50.00 per annum on account of his Revolutionary services. That she was married to the said Samuel Branch at Aurora in said County on the 6 th day of April 1794. that her husband the said Samuel Branch died on the 21 st day of January 1843. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but their marriage took place previous to the second of January Eighteen hundred viz at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension. Ruth Branch Sworn to and subscribed on the _____ day and year above written before me and I certify that the above named Ruth Branch is a credible person and that in consequence of the infirmities of old age she ought not to be required to appear in Open Court
Geo. H. Brinkerhoff Justice of the Oyer & Termer Cayuga County

63.916 Ruth Branch Revolutionary Bounty land claim act 3, March 1853
H. Heath Locke N.Y. agent

State of New York Cayuga County ss On this 30 day of March 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in & for the County & State aforesaid Ruth Branch aged Eighty four years a resident of Cayuga county N.Y. who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Samuel Branch deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary war and a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832 New York Agency at the rate of $50. per annum. That she is now in the receipt of a pension under the act of July 29, 1848 N Y. Agency at the rate of $50. per annum as the widow of the said Samuel Branch.
That the No of her Pension Certificate is 889, That for evidence of her marriage to the said Samuel Branch & of his death reference may be had to the Testimony upon which her said pension was granted, and that she is now a widow
She makes this declaration for the purpose of of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of March 3, 1855 She also declares that she has never applied for or received a warrant for Bounty land under this or any other act of Congress.
Ruth Branch
We Samuel C. Branch and Sally Foot residents of Genoa Cayuga Co. N.Y. upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declar- -ation was signed & acknowledged by Ruth Branch in our presence & that we believe from the appear- -ance and statements of the applicant that she is identical person she represents

herself to be
Samuel B Branch
Subj post
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year within written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this
STATE OF New York Cayuga County Clerk's Office.
I hereby certify that Wilson Green before whom the annexed Depositions were taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly elected, and authorized to take the same, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said county, and of the Court of Record thereof, this 7 day of April 1855 And I further certify that I am not interested or concerned in the prosecution or result of this case.
E B Marvin County Clerk, of Cayuga County.
H. Heath Lake N.Y. agent
63.916 Ruth Branch Postltonary Security and Claim red 3. March 1855

herself to be
Lannel B Branch
at Sully post
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year within written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be & that I have no interest in this claim
Wilson Green J. P.
or concerned in the prosecution of this case.
E. B. Marvin
County Clerk, of Cayuga County.
62.916 Keith Branch Postmaster County Court Claim at Sully March 1855
H. Heath Locke N.Y. Agent

No 18300 05
Samuel Branch Cayuga County New York
1
Admitted
Private of Artillery 12 mo
A Gould, Auburn New York
Ms A 1.6

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjoined 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 Samuel Branch  Cayuga County New York
   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.     Entered 3 rd May 1782 1 - - Private Artillery { Capt. Nathan Col. M c Allen Marched to Fort Griswold 64 years Preston in County of New London Connecticut Traditionary & living testimony credible - no documentary no reason given papers correctly authenticated  
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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[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.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
October 22, 1924.
Frank Avery Skilton, 84 Hamilton Ave. Auburn, N. Y.
Sir:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 2717, it appears that Samuel Branch was born at Preston, New London County, Connecticut, March 7, 1768 and while living there, enlisted May 3, 1782 and served one year as a matross, in Captain William Latham's Connecticut Artillery Company, which was stationed at Fort Griswold, under Colonel Samuel McClellan.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 19, 1832, while living at Genoa, Cayuga County, New York, where he died January 21, 1843.
He married at Aurora, Cayuga County, New York, April 6, 1794, Ruth Chitsey, and she was allowed pension on her application executed May 27, 1851, while living at Genoa, New York, aged eighty-one years.
There is no further data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.

1913, Apr. 25. History to Inez E. Benedict. for
1934 Oct 22. Hist. to Frank W. Skilton 84 Hamilton Ave. Auburn N.Y. (see his letter in Aug M m Branch W1544)
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20717
Rich Branch
Widow
Samuel Branch
Rev. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:—Vol. A , Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N o 1.035
Ruth Branch widow of Samuel
N o 27
Act 29 July 1848.
certif n no 889.

✓ 26 1,55
5 Also due

Brief in the case of Ruth Branch County and State of New York act 29 July 1848
Claim, ( "original," or "for increase." )
Proof exhibited, ( if original. ) Parol -
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pen wiper
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent.
Rev H. S. Conger Cortland Village N. Y.
Replein
Examining Clerk.

No. 035
Ruth Branch m o of Samuel
N.Y.
Act 29 July 1848
Rev R S Conger Cortland Village

Cortland Village N.Y. August 21. 1837
Sir I send herewith papers in support of the claim of Ruth Branch to a pension I am Sir, H. S. Conger
Jas. E. Heath Esq. War Pensions

Ruth Branch, near Y Samuel.
N. Y.
Recd 29 July 1848
Ad d 12 m per.
Arts $50 per
Comm from 4 Nov
1848
Cash notes
From H. S. Conger
Cortland Village
N. Y.

State of New York Cayuga County ss on this 2 nd day of June 1851 Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in & for said county William Allen of said county Aged Seventy Eight years in September last who being duly sworn according to law deposes & says that he was intimately acquainted with Samuel Pranch & his wife (who before her marriage to the said Samuel was Ruth Chitsey) before they were married, that the said parties resided in the town of Scipio in said County before they were married that he well recollects when it was reported in the neighborhood in which they resided that they were married that they lived together & were reputed as man & wife reputed as such in the neighborhood in which they resided till he died that he has been personally acquainted with the said parties from the time he first became acquainted with them till he died that he died several years ago in the town of Genoa in said County & that his widow still resides in the said town of Genoa, that he always understood that the brothers of the said Ruth Pranch gave her a piece of land in the then town of Scipio (now Venice) that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit are true to the best of his knowledge & belief. William Allen Subscribed & sworn to the days years first above written before me I certify that the above named William Allen is a credible person. Harvey Heath Justice Peace

Note the words " reported " & " has " within written on erasures, and the words " repeated as such " erased, and the words " with them " interlined before repetition.
Harvey Heath Justice Dean.

State of New York
County of Cayuga ss. On this 2 d a day of June 1851 personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace in & for said County Barnabas Smith of said county Aged Eighty one years after being duly affirmed according to law deposes & says that he is & has been a resident of the now town of Venice in said County since October in the year 1803 that soon after he beca- me a resident of said county he became acquainted with Samuel Branch and his wife who was repre- sented to be a Sister of Augustus & Samuel Chilsey who were at that time residents of the said town that he was well acquainted with the said Samuel Branch & wife & lived near neighbor to them for a number of years that they lived together as man & wife & were reputed as such in the neighborhood in which they resided during the whole time he lived near them that a number of years ago the said parties removed to the town of Genoa in said County & that he has understood & believes that the said Samuel Branch died several years ago that his widow still resides in the said town of Genoa that it was repre- sented in the neighborhood that her brothers the above mentioned Augustus & Samuel Chilsey gave to the wife of the said Samuel Branch a deed of Eighty Acres of land situated on Lot No. 46 in the then town of Lippio in the said County of Cayuga now town of Venice, that he does not recollect that he ever knew the Christian name of the wife of the said Samuel Branch
Subscribed & affirmed before me
B. Smith
The days year first above written & I certify that the above named B. Smith is a credible person
Harvey Heath Justice Peace

Note the words " they & ago " within interlined before execution
Harvey Heath Justice Dae
B. Smith

Alanson Tracy

State of New York County of Cayuga ss. Alanson Tracy of said County Aged Seventy nine years, being duly sworn according to law, deposes & says that in the year 1792 he became a resident of the town of Scipio in said County the Country being then new & but few inhabitants in said town, that he soon became acquainted with Samuel Branch & Ruth Chilsey who were at that time unmarried & resided in the same neighborhood that he (deponent) did, that he was intimately acquainted with them that they went in Young company together, & that he kept company with the said Ruth Chilsey before she was married, & that he well recollects that she was married to the said Samuel Branch about two years before he deponent was married, that he has a family Record of his own marriage in which it is entered that he was married on the 24th day of November 1796, that he did not attend their wedding but distinctly recollects when it was reported in their neighborhood that the said par- ties were married, that they lived & cohabited together as man & wife & were reputed as such till his death, that as he understood & believed the said Samuel Branch was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States & that she is making application for a Pension as his widow
Subscribed & sworn to this { Alanson 31 st day of July 1851 before me Tracy and I certify that the above named Alanson Tracy is a credible person Harvey Heath Justice Peace

Note the word " he " above interlined & the words "he soon afterwards" erased before execution Harvey Heath Justice Dame

Ruth Brinch Esqr
D. Wood
State of New York Cayuga County
I do hereby certify that Geo. H. Brinkerhoff Esqr who has subscribed the attached Declaration was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Court of Oyer & Terminer in & for said County. And that Harvey Heath who has subscribed the attached Affidavits was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly authorized to take the same. That I am well acquainted with their hand writings & verily believe that their signatures to said Declaration & affidavits are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 11 th day of August 1851
Edwin B. Marvin Dep Clerk Cayuga County of the Court of Oyer & Terminer thereof (Clerk absent)

I David Avery of Preston in New London County & State of Connecticut, aged sixty Eighty Years on the 5 th day of November 1832 - Do testify & say that I was Born in the Town of Preston in the County of New London & State aforesaid on the 5 th day of Nov r 1764. that, in April 1782 I Enlisted in a Company of Matross, in the Town of Groton in said County & State, (the particular day in April that I En- listed I do not recollect) I Enlisted in said Company then commanded by Capt William Latham now deceased Dyer Perkins was 1 st Lieut of said Company & Samuel Wallicworth was 2 nd Lieut both now deceased. Colonel Samuel Mc Clellan of Woodstock in Windham County State aforesaid was Commander of said Fort - I Enlisted for one year & served out my time & was regularly discharged at the end of the year & my discharge (I have lost) I was stationed at Groton in Fort Griswold all the time of my service - During the time I was stationed in said fort - I well remember that Samuel Branch, then of the Town of Preston of Connecticut State Troops Enlisted into the same company to which I belonged

Think it was in the month of May 1782, that s d Sam l Branch enlisted, s d Branch enlisted for one year & served out his time, I recollect my year expired about one month before s d Branchs time, as when I left the fort Branchs time had not expired - Branch was with me in the fort all the time I was in the fort - and I am confident, that s d Branch was in the same mess with me full half the time that we remained together as soldiers in s d fort Griswold, and further saith not - David Avery
State of Connecticut ss. New London County Nowrich July 14 th Anno Domini 1832.
Personally appeared Col l David Avery and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, by him subscribed.
Before me John Hyde I further certify that the Deponent David Avery is a credible witness John Hyde Justice of the Peace.
Justice of the Peace
I certify that the said David Avery is a man of good moral character and a man of truth and veracity.
Esah Brown Esah Brown

State of Connecticut } New London County } ss
I John D e Witt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that John Dyer esq before whom the annexed deposition of David Avery was taken is a Justice of the peace in and for said New London County and that his signature thereto annexed is in his own proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 10 day of October A D 1882
John D e Witt Clerk
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TO YOUR RIGHT

DIRECTORS
FINANCE
A. F. LEWIS W. L. CALHOUN MILLARD BRYAN
BUILDING
W. R. LOGAN E. S. WEBSTER E. S. WILLIAMS
LIBRARY
S. McREYNOLDS W. R. CAFFEE JOHN O'KEEFE
OFFICE OF THE CARTHAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY GARRISON AND SEVENTH CARTHAGE - MISSOURI
PRESIDENT
W. R. CAFFEE
VICE-PRESIDENT
S. McREYNOLDS
SECRETARY
E. S. WILLIAMS
LIBRARIAN
ALICE R. GLADDEN
15 April 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Could you please give me a statement of the fact thet the Revolutionary soldier, Samuel Branch , drew a pension untill his death,also his wife Ruth Chidsey Branch till her death. Said Samuel Branch was born in Preston Conn. May,1768. died East Genoa,N.Y.1843. I do not know in what capacity he served in the Revolution other than that of a soldier.
Any information you can give me will be much appreciated,
Yours sincerely,
Inez E. Benedict. assist. libr.