Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 16900, Anson Cheesman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Chesman, Anson or Chesman
W 16900
Elizabeth Mary
CONTENTS

New York 3422
Elizabeth Cheesman, widow of Anson Cheesman, dec.
who died on the 14 February 1813, of Pottawatomie (in the State of New York) who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Thayer of the regt commanded by Col. Tupper Mass. line for 8 months & 2 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 26 Dollars 88 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Sept r 1840, & sent to G. W. Gillette and Farmersville, N. York.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1840 $255.44 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar ch 41 13.44
$268.88
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by D. M. Gundy, Clerk, Book C Vol. 1. Page 109.

State of New York } Cattaraugus County } ss.
On this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty, personally appeared before the Subscriber one of Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid Elizabeth Cheeseman a resident of Freedom in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York aged eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the Widow of Anson Cheeseman who was a soldier in the militia of the State of Massachusetts during the said war of the Revolution. That at the commencement of the war her husband stood as a minute man. that soon after the Battle of Lexington he was called to Lexington he was called to Roxbury, and there enlisted the date of the year. she does not recollect, but thinks it was in the Spring of the year. he enlisted for nine months. served under Captain Thayer & Major Tupper . does not recollect what General Officer - That he served the first enlistment and came home that he afterwards enlisted and was stationed at a place called French Mills , and remained in the service as she believes six months. cannot tell what officer he served under. she recollects of hearing her husband tell of marching through the White Plains . That he again enlisted as she believes under Capt Woodman (who resided in the town of Williamstown Hampshire County in the State of Massachusetts in which town County and State her husband resided at the time of her marriage with him, and also at the time of his enlistment into the service) and served about six months. during which service he was at the taking of Burgoyne's army - That her recollections as to time or date are indistinct. that she cannot tell the date of the year when her husband enlisted but she verily believes her husband the said Anson Cheeseman was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War between two and three years. That her husband moved from the State of Massachusetts into the town of Duanesburgh in the County of Schenectady and State of New York . That her husband died at the house of his brother Calvin Cheeseman in the town of Princetown in the County and State last aforesaid on the 14 th day of February 1813 by of an epidemic which prevailed through the country at that time - That she has always remained a widow, since that time that she has lived with her children. That she was married to the said Anson Cheeseman in the month of May in the year 1774. at the town of Williamstown Hampshire County and State of Massachusetts . by Mr. Bull and ordained minister in the said town. That she has no documentary evidence of her marriage but she has made application by her agent to obtain such evidence but has not

as yet received such evidence that her maiden name was Leary , that Joseph and Richard Leary whose affidavits accompany this declaration are brothers of hers. That some eighteen years since she had a long fit of sickness which with her extreme age has very much impaired her powers of recollection.
She further declared that she was married to the said Anson Cheeseman in the month of May 1774 in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy four that her husband the aforesaid Anson Cheeseman died on the fourteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirteen and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the the proof hereto annexed.
In presence of G. W. Gillet
Elizabeth X Leary Mark
Sworn and subscribed before me this 13th day of April 1840
Peter TenBroek Judge of Cattaraugus Co., N.Y.
I Peter TenBrooks one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cattaraugus do certify that Elizabeth Cheeseman who has signed and sworn to the above declaration is so infirm and health so poor that she is unable to attend Court and make her declaration in open Court or write her name Witness my hand the day and year aforesaid
Peter TenBroek

State of New York Cattaraugus County ss.
Abner Cheeseman of the town of Freedom in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and says that he is fifty two years of age that he is the son of Anson Cheeseman that he was born in Middlefield in the County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts. that his father the said Anson Cheeseman since the remembrance of this deponent removed to Salamanca in the County of Chautauqua and State of New York. that his father the said Anson Cheeseman died on the fourteenth day of February in the year 1813. at the house of Calvin Cheeseman in Princtown County of Chautauqua that and State of New York of an apoplexy which prevailed at time. That this deponent was with him in his sickness and present when he died. That Elizabeth Cheeseman this deponent's mother has remained a widow ever since that the most part of the time she has lived with this deponent with whom she now lives.
Sworn and subscribed April 13. 1840
before me Peter Rubraczy Judge of Cattaraugus Common Pleas
Abner Cheeseman
I certify that I am acquainted with Abner Cheeseman who has sworn and subscribed to the above named affidavit that he is of a good moral character and that his statements are entitled to credit
Peter Rubraczy Judge

PE
G. W. Gillett Esq.
Farmersville
Callaranque County
New York.

Secs Office
Boston, Feb. Feb. 10. 1840.
Sir,
We have searched thoroughly but cannot find any evidence of the the service of Andrew Chesman. If any documentary evidence exists on the subject it must be at Washington. Many of the rolls we were however destroyed or lost in the Rev. War or before any pains was taken to collect the present items on the part of the State.
Yours &c & c
John P. Bigelow
Sec. Com't
G. H. Gillet Esq.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. ERIE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, }
I, CYRUS K. ANDERSON, Clerk of the County of Erie, do hereby certify that
Hiram Shaw Esq. whose name is subscribed to the annexed Affidavit was, at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly elected and sworn, and acting as such. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe the signature " Hiram Shaw " to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, this 18th day of March A. D. 1840. C. K. Anderson Clerk By R. W. Padelford

State of New York Erie County ss. Richard Cary of the town of Boston in the County of Erie and State of New York being duly sworn deposes and says that he has no record of his age that according to his knowledge and belief he is eighty two years of age that he was born in the town of Mansfield 95 State of Connecticut that he first became ac- quainted with Anson Chesman in the town of Williamstown County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts in the year 1773 or about that time that the said Anson Chesman was married to Elizabeth Cary (this deponent's sister) at the house of Joseph Cary in the said town of Williamstown in the year 1774 or about that time that this depon- -ent saw them married and that the said Anson Chesman resided with his said wife Elizabeth in the said town of Williamstown at the time of the commencement of the Revolutionary war and that during the first year of said war the said Anson Chesman left the said town of Williamstown and was absent about six months and was said by common report to be a soldier in the Service of the United States during his absence as aforesaid and that during his absence from home aforesaid this depon- -ent frequently labored for his said wife Elizabeth and assisted in taking care of his family in the said town of Williamstown. And that soon after that time this deponent left the said town of Williamstown and enlisted and served several years as a soldier in the revolutionary war and further saith not. Subscribed and sworn March 17 th 1840 before me Horatio You Justice of the peace
Recorded - Gove
I Horatio You a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Erie do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Richard Cary who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit and that he is of a reputable character and that his statement is entitled to credit. Horatio You Justice of the peace

I, Wm A Fuller a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Cary who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit and that he is of respectable character and that his statement is entitled to credit
Wm A Fuller Justice of the peace
Wayne County ss: I certify that Wm A. Fuller Esq. whose name appears to the foregoing certificate was on this day of the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly elected & sworn and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his signature aforesaid is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 23 rd March 1840
James Hawley clerk of Wayne County.

State of New York } Wayne County } ss
Joseph Cary of the town of Walworth in the County of Wayne and State of New York being duly sworn deponeth and says that he is Eighty three years of age that he was born in the town of Mansfield and State of Connecticut, that he is well acquainted with Anson Sherman. Knows that he enlisted in the United States service under the Command of Capt Joshua Thayer. Major Tappan lived in the town of Williamsburg the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts, that he first became acquainted with Anson Sherman in the year 1773 or about that time and that he married his wife Elizabeth Cary (the deponent's sister) that he was married at the house of Joseph Cary in said town of Williamsburg in the year 1774 or about that time that this deponent saw them married and is certain it was previous to the revolution war. & that he was married by a Mr Butler an ordained Minister of the said town of Williamsburg. was at the commencement of the war what was termed a minute man and was called into service and marched to Red Bank and there enlisted for nine months. the year this deponent does not distinctly recollect but was soon after the Battle at Lexington can not recollect his exact age at the time he enlisted but is very certain that he was about three or four years older than this deponent. this deponent further says that he was saw him in the army and says that he served the time that he enlisted for. and that the next summer after this deponent was called into service and stationed at Ticonderoga & the said Anson Sherman was again called called into service and stationed at a place called the French Mills about two miles from this deponent and he saw him frequently there engaged in the service thinks for about six months and this deponent further says that the said Anson Sherman served in the Militia at times and places above stated
Subscribed and sworn March 21 st 1840 before
me Wm T Fuller Justice of the peace
Joseph his Cary mark

State of New York Albany County } ss
Calvin Chessman of the town of New Hudson in the County of Albany and State of New York being duly sworn deposeth and says that he is seventy eight years of age that he was born in the town of Braintree in the state of Massachusetts that Asa Anson Chessman was an elder brother of this deponent that the said Calvin Chessman enlisted in the service in the year 1775. and that he was under the command of Colonel Putnam at Roxbury in Norfolk County, Massachusetts and this deponent further says that the said Anson Chessman came home two or three times on furlough that year. and that he was called Sergeant Chessman and this deponent believes he was a sergeant and this deponent believes the said Anson was in the service nine months during the that year. Thinking that the next year he came from Roxbury to his father's in Braintree on furlough and stated that he had agreed to go to Ticonderoga and this deponent further says that his brother Anson left as this deponent supposed at the time and now verily believing he went into the Army at Ticonderoga and that he did not come home again to this deponent's knowledge till after the taking of Burgoyne's Army. in the year 1777. and he further says that he had two brothers besides Anson in the service at the same time Benjamin & Abel they wrote home after the taking of Burgoyne and said that he was taken and that Anson was well this deponent saw the letter and heard it read And this deponent further says that he verily believes that his brother Anson was in the service between the years 1775 and 1778. about two years and this deponent further says that in the year 1813 he resided in the town of Princeton in the County of Schenectady and State of New York that his brother Anson lived with him that he was taken sick with the epidemic fever which prevailed in the winter of 1812 and 1813. of which disease he died on the 14th day of February in the year 1813. at the house of this deponent Subscribed and sworn before me Calvin Chessman this 23 day of April 1840
Thos M c Elheney Justice of the Peace
I Thomas M c Elheney a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid do certify that I am well acquainted with Calvin Chessman who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit and that he is of good moral character and that his statements are entitled to credit
Thos M c Elheney Justice

State of New York } ss Allegany County - Clerks office } I Sam d Van Wickl Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Thomas McElheny was on the day of the date of the within Affidavit and Certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly appointed and qualified and that the signature within purporting to be his is genuine In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and sub- scribed my name this 28 th day of April 1840 - Sam d Van Wickl Clerk

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Anson Cheeseman or Cheeseman , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. W.F. 16900.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 " Minuteman Officers not stated Mass.   Spring 1775 9 mos Pvt. Abel Thayer Major Jeffer   " 6 mos Pvt. Officers not stated served at French's Point   1777 6 mos. Pvt. Bedman  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Williamburg, Hampshire Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 13. 1840. Her claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Free downs, Cattaraugus Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, 85 years.
Remarks: Soldier married in May 1774 at Williamburg, Mass. Elizabeth Gary, her died at Princetown, Schenectady Co. N.Y. Feb. 14, 1813.
They had children: Abner 52 years in 1840 only name stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
{ Christian name of Capt. is given as Joshua and Abel; book records same under Abel Thayer

State of New York Cattaraugus County } ss.
I Francis E. Baillet Clerk of the said County do certify that Peter Ten Broeke before whom the annexed Declaration and affidavits purport to have been sworn avag at the dates therein mentioned one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Declaration and affidavits to his own proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of Office this 8th day of June 1840
Francis E. Baillet clk.

N.Y. 5096
Eliz th Cheesman
widow of Anson Cheesman
Act 4 July 1836

State of New York § Cattaraugus County § Sd.
George W. Gillet being duly sworn deposes and says that some time in December or January last, Abner Chessman engaged this deponent to make application for his Mother Elizabeth Chessman to draw a pension. Upon which he wrote a letter to the Post Master in Williamburg, Hampshire Co. Massachusetts. to obtain documentary evidence of the marriage of the applicant to Abner Chessman. from which he has received no answer. He therefore has procured no documentary evidence of the marriage of the applicant to the said Abner Chessman. He further deposes and says that he made enquiry for the family records at the time the declaration was made. and was informed by the said Abner Chessman that there was none. and this deponent further says that at the time he wrote to the Post Master at Williamburg, he also wrote to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to obtain documentary evidence of the service of the said Abner Chessman on account of his living in Massachusetts and knowing there was evidence of the service of some of the Massachusetts troops in the Secretary's office from which he received the answer accompanying the papers herewith forwarded to the Pension office. Sworn and subscribed June 4, 1840 before me Peter Embraeck Judge of Cattaraugus Court Pleas
G. W. Gillet

Hon. R. L. Edwards Commission of Pensions Office of Claims Washington City D. C.

Farmersville Cattaraugus Co. N. York June 10. 1840
Wm Lloyd Edwards
Sir
Enclosed I forward you the papers of Mrs. Elizabeth Chesman containing her Declaration and Affidavits of different individuals on being applied to by her son Mr. Abner Chesman to make application for her to draw a Pension. I immediately addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in order to obtain documentary evidence of the services of her husband on account of his belonging to the Massachusetts Troops. accompanying these papers you will see the answer of the Secretary. I also addressed a letter to the Post Master at Williamsburgh requesting him to obtain documentary evidence of her marriage from which I have had no answer. They were married in that place as will appear from the Affidavits of her Brothers accompanying her Declaration. She is a very aged person and some years since she had a stroke of the numb palsy which very much impaired her faculties. She has resided in this vicinity for a number of years is supported by her son who is a poor man. From the evidence obtained I have no doubt but that she ought to draw a Pension - so early attention to the subject as convenient will much oblige Communication you will to make will please address me Your Obedt. Servt G. W. Gillett G. W. Gillett

Mr. free Hon. R. S. Edwards Disputant Office of Claims Com. of Pensions Washington D.C.

Harnesville Jan 27, 1840
P. S. Edwards Jm
Enclosed I send you the Affidavit of Calvin Spreeman. Which I supposed I had forwarded with the papers of Elizabeth Chesman, which I sent you a few days since. On looking over my papers I found I had omitted the affidavit
Young
G. W. Gille

Armstrongville N.Y. Aug 13
free
Mr. J. S. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington D.C. Offic of Claims Pension Office

R. S. Edwards Esq. Harmansville Coatsburg Co. N.Y. Aug 14. 1840
Your letter of the 7th instant in relation to Widow Elizabeth Cheesman's papers was recd yesterday. She is in quite feeble health, and her recollections are more indistinct than when she made her declaration. She is confident that the next year after her husband served under Capt. Abel Thayer. That he was in the service at French Mills or near Tienderoga that he was at the taking of Burgoyne. But she cannot recollect what field or other officers he served under. Mr. Joseph Cary her brother in his affidavit now on file with her papers in your office. I think stated that he was in the service the next year at least six months and that he saw him (Anson Cheesman) in the service at the French Mills during that year. He was confident that he served over two years during the war. But the officers he does not recollect. Were it not too much trouble I would be much obliged to you would you permit one of your clerks to examine the Rolls of those Regiments & Brigades that were at the taking of Burgoyne. and at the French Mills which I think was in the year 1776 or 1777 - and for any extra trouble in making the search - will engage that you shall be compensated. if you will forward me the amount. - And should find no other evidence of his service on the Rolls and deem the testimony of the six months insufficient - You will please forward her Certificate for the 8 months & 2 days to me - soon as convenient - as the Widow is in low circumstances and wholly dependent upon her children and the small amount that she is entitled to from the service you find on the Rolls will render her some assistance.
Yours Respectfully G. W. Gillet

5096 Elizabeth Chasman And J. Anson N. York
Ad July 4 1876
Marnie 1774
died 1813
Aged 8 mo 2 days
pmi $ 24.88 per ann
Mass. Militia Capt
Thayer
G. W. Gillett Esq Farmersville N.Y.

Williamsburg map Amos Chesman D 1883
Eng. # 28 Apr 74 - M. 1774 W 16 L 51
75 9. Thayer
6.
Bodman

5096 Elizabeth Cheesman widow of Anson N.Y. Act 1856 - Let to G.W. Gillett 7 Aug '60
act 4 July 1826

From Miss S. M. Mason,
Delevan N.Y. Oct. 15, 1902.
To the Com. of Pensions: Washington D.C.,
Dear Sir: I was or at about 1838 40. or soon after, my Greatgrandmother, named Elizabeth Cheeseman or Cheseman received a small pension of $200 or $300. for service rendered by her husband,
Amos Cheeseman, or Chessman, who was a soldier in the Revolution: he served thro the war, but some of the discharge papers were lost, so he could prove but 8 mo's service. I suppose he was among the Mass. Minute men, and his pension it seems was back pay.
Elizabeth Cheeseman, his widow died at Elton, N.Y. Town of Freedom, Co. att. Co. N.Y. (or Chelsea as it was then called) Oct. 12 - 1841 - aged 87 yrs.
We desire to find a record of his service, for family use - i.e. to prove we are of Rev. Stock. Truly yours Please look up Rev. Pension Record: Miss S. M. Mason kindly send result to -

Stamps ret'd E. C. W
2 ct Stamps Enclosed
W. S. Rev. Lee
JNO. T. CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEY AT LAW CLARKSVILLE, TENN.
April 3-1916
Dept of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.
I am enclosing stamps - will you kindly send me statement of the military history of Anson Cheesman a soldier of the Revolutionary war - and greatly oblige a descendant of his - I want all of the information possible as I wish to join the D. A. R.

JNO. T. CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEY AT LAW CLARKSVILLE, TENN.
Your prompt reply will be appreciated,
Yours very respectfully Lion Townsend Cunningham
Mrs. E. C. Cunningham Mc Clure St., Clarksville Tenn.

Revised Clarksville Tenn 9 April 13 - 1916
Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Pensions - Washington D. C. Commissioner -
Dear Sir - Some days ago I sent you a request for the official statement of the military history of Anson Cheesman as contained in his widow's application for a pension which she received in 1840

record as soon as possible. Your prompt reply will be greatly appreciated
Yours very respectfully
Lois Townsend Cunningham
Mrs. E. C. Cunningham of kindest descent of Anson Cheeseman.

I have not heard from you and thought possibly there might be some remittance that I should have sent to secure some that causes the delay. I had not been so informed but if this is the case please inform me as I am most anxious for this

16900
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16900 Elizabeth Cheesman Wid: of Anson Cheesman Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:—Vol. 4 , Page 131
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Apr. 11-1902 Mrs. S. M. Mason Delavan N.Y.
1916 Apr 14: history to Mrs. E. B. Cunningham