Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,903, Abiah Colson, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Colson, Abia Sarah
NUMBER _____
W. 20.903
B. L. Wt. 8004-160-55-
CONTENTS

1885 June 17. George R Kessler
with history
Prior
1887 March 3 - S.B. Colson that discharge would be delivered to nearest surviving descendant or on their written consent to a named party to state the use to be made of it
Reported
Prior
S. B. Colson
Act 9. 1851
2581 Library
1857 New York Albany Sarah Colson widow of Abiah Colson who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Gravate
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11. day of Sept. 1848. and sent to
John, Hote Hamilton Madison, N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 40 Vol. 4,

63.307. March 3. 1855.
April 12. /55.
Sarah Nelsons Widow Abiah Nelsons
Exhibit A Albany N. York Agency. 3
Private 3 d Regt Mass Line Bunker
Rev. War. July 48- no 1957
Home 160 acs Oct 8/55 Dodge.
Rev. War
Mem M. Rhoades Herberts Caners Madison Co. N.Y.
Vol. 12-7. 8

State of New York
Madison County, on this 3 rd day of October 1838 personally appeared before Joseph Clark one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Sarah Colson, a resident of the town of Hamilton in said County aged sixty nine 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 7. 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Abiah Colson late of Madison in said County deceased, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war: That the said Abiah Colson enlisted at the town Belchertown in the State of Massachusetts into the service for three years in the 3 rd Massachusetts Regiment & received a regular discharge from the service from Genl. Knox bearing date the 22 nd day of December 1783 which said discharge is hereto annexed = She further declares that she was married to the said Abiah Colson on the 2 nd day of August 1786 at Plainfield (Mass) by Ezechie Shell of Cummington (Mass) = That her husb- -and, the aforesaid Abiah Colson died on the 16 day of June 1814: That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1794, (sic) at the town above stated & that she has remained his widow ever since his death.
Sworn to & subscribed, on the day before above written before me & I
Certify that the said Applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend Court.
Sarah Colson
Joseph Clark Judge of Madison Common Pleas

3214 Sarah Colson Application for a Pension
2712
Otis P. Granger agent of Morrisville Madison County N.Y.
Admitted Pensioned 2 years.
Otis P. Granger Esq. Morrisville New York
Every day I am satisfied & gratified and that I am well in gain to with the hand writing of the said Joseph Blake and hereby believe that the signatures above written are genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the 14th day of November 1838 J. P. Granger Esq.

State of New York Madison County, William Colson being duly sworn deposes & says, that he was well acquainted with the within named Aliah Colson - that he died on the 16 th day of June 1814 & that the said Sarah Colson is the widow of the said Aliah Colson & she has remained his widow ever since her death & further says not known to the subscriber before now the 3 rd of October 1838 & I O. P. Colson Certify that the said William Colson is a credible witness Joseph Clark Judge &c
State of New York County Clerks Office } ss: I Alexander Donaldson Jr Clerk of said County do certify that Joseph Clark the person before whom the foregoing declaration & affidavit purport to have been made was on the day of the date of said declaration & affidavit a Judge of the County Courts of said County duly appointed & qualified and that I am well ac- quainted with the hand writing of the said Joseph Clark and verily believe that the signatures above written are genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the 14 th day of November 1838 A. Donaldson Jr Clerk

Revolutionary Bounty Land Claim Sarah Tealran Set 3 March 1855

State of New York } ss: County of Madison }
On this Sixth day of April A.D. one Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid Sarah Colson aged Eighty five years a resident of Hamilton in the State of New York who being being duly sworn according to Law, declares that she is the widow of Abiah Colson deceased, who was a Revolutionary Soldier, in the Revolutionary war. She further states that she was married to the said Abiah Colson in Plainfield, State of Massachusetts, on the Second day of August A.D. 1787 by one Mr. Snell a Justice of the Peace, and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Town. That her said husband died at Madison, State of New York on the Sixteenth day of June A.D. 1814 and, that she is now a widow. She further declares that she is now a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum, that her Pension certificate was issued on the Eleventh day of September A.D. 1818 Payable at the Albany, New York Agency.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty bond to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 d 1855. That she has not before applied for or received any bounty bond Warrant under this or any other act of Congress. For proof of her marriage and the death of her husband, she refers to the proof on file in the Pension office, on which her pension was granted.
Sarah her Colson
We William Rhoades and Theron W Rhoades mark Residents of Hamilton in the State of New York, upon our Oaths declare, that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Colson (she making her mark) in our presence and that we know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be, that she is now a Widow, and a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States.
Wm Rhoades
T. W. Rhoades
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above 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 claim.
Uri D Rhoades Justice of the Peace

Mr L P Waldo Please direct my land Warrant to Uri D Rhoades Husbands Corners Madison County NY. he being my lawful agent Sarah J Carlson mark
State of New-York, } ss. Madison County Clerk's Office, }
I, LUCIUS P. CLARK, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts of Record thereof, do hereby certify, That the annexed Instrument is executed and proved or acknowledged in due form, according to the laws of the State of New-York, to entitle it to be recorded therein:
Also that Uri D Rhoades Esquire, before whom the same was proved or acknowledged, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, sworn and authorized to take the same. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine. & that I have no interest
In Witness Whereof, in the within claim I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, this 7th day of April A. D. 185 5 .
Lucius P Clark CLERK.

P
Otis P. Granger Esquire Counselor at Law Morrisville Madison County N.Y.

Town of Cummington Hampshire County and State of Massachusetts Abiah Colson and Sarah Towns were Married August the third one thousand seven hundred and eighty six by Ebenezer Smith Esq
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record of said town with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows
August ye 3 d 1786
Elisabet Packard Clerk of the town of Cummington
I Elisabet Packard above named do hereby say that I hold the office of Clerk of the town of Cum- mington in the County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me
Elisabet Packard Clerk of the town of Cummington
Hampshire ss Nov 7 1838
Sworn before me Wm Packard
Justice of the Peace
Deponents fees Travel ————— 25 Attendance — — 50 Witness fees — — 50 Writing Deposition 25 Clerks certificate 1,50 50 2,00

Rev. War.
March 1, 1912.
Mr. Harvey G. Colson, Suite 809 First Nat. Bank Building, Chicago, Ills.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 27" and received the 29" ultimo, you are advised that, from the papers in claim Wid. File No. 20,903, Rev. War, it appears that Abiah Colson enlisted at Belchertown, Massachusetts, as Private in the Third Massachusetts regiment, and was discharged by Major General H. Knox, December 22, 1783. The date of his enlistment and the names of his officers are not stated.
Soldier married at Plainfield, Massachusetts August 2 or 3, 1786 Sarah Town. He died in Madison, Madison County, New York, June 16, 1814, and she was allowed pension on her application executed October 3, 1838, while sixty-nine years of age and a resident of Hamilton, Madison County, New York. She died May 17, 1856.
The above noted is the only soldier of the name found on the Revolutionary War pension records.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

No. 63387
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received April 12 1855.
Sarah Colson Rev War
Warrant 8004-160-55
W m A. Rhoades Hubberds Corners N.Y.

FREE
Hon. L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

✓ 8,000
{ Miss Lang

In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 3 rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7 th 1838
State of New York Madison County ss.
On this nineteenth day of June Eighteen hundred & forty three personally came before me Thomas Miller a justice of the peace of said county of Madison: Sarah Colson, a resident of the Town of Hamilton, in the said county of Madison; aged seventy three years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the third March Eighteen hundred & forty three granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, That she is the Widow of Abiah Colson, who was a private in the third Regiment of the Massachusetts line, in the Continental Army, & being enlisted for three years, the Colson name not remembered that he received a discharge signed by General Howe, which discharge was retained or sent to War department at Washington, on her application for a Pension. And that declaration was a pensioner under the act of Congress of 7 th July 1838 granting half pay & pensions to certain widows, and that the annual amount of the pension which she received under the said act of July 7 th 1838 was Eighty dollars.
She further declares that she is still a Widow Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me. } Sarah Colson Thomas Miller Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named declarant Sarah Colson is personally known to me Thomas Miller S. Pease Madison, Madison County 19 th June 1843.
State of New York Madison County ss
I Irwin Fairchild Clerk of said county of Madison do certify that Thomas Miller before whom the preceding affidavit was made & sworn to him known was at the date of the same an of the justices of the peace in and for the said county of Madison and that I am acquainted with his name

writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. *
Given my hand and seal of office this 19 th day of June 1845. - Wilson Fairchild Clerk

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that William Pechard Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said William Pechard and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this eighth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
Samuel Wells Clerk.

Sarah Colson Pensioner
aa 1896
admitted
John Horfe Hamilton N.Y.

State of New York
Madison County ss On this 19 th day of August 1848 personally appeared (before me Thomas H. Severy one of the Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid) Sarah Colson a Resident of Hamilton in said County of Madison aged Seventy Eight years who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 2 d February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War - That she is the widow of Abiah Colson who served in the army of the Revolution (and at the time of his death Resided in Madison in the County Madison aforesaid) But what Rank he held or in what Regiment or Corps he served in she cannot state for certainly but believes he was a private & served in the Third Massachusetts Regiment, and she refers to the papers on file in the war department for information in this respect. She further declares that she is still a widow, and the identical person who drew a pension under the act of the 17 th June 1844 at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum on account of the Revolutionary services of her husband the said Abiah Colson deceased, who was a pensioner of the United States. Sworn & subscribed to on the _____ day of _____ 1848. Sarah Colson
before me Tho s H. Severy Justice
I certify that the above declarant is personally known to me & that she is the identical person who drew a pension as by her above stated) Tho s H. Severy Justice. Chas. L. ...

Clerk's Office Madison County ss 3 I A Scott Sloan clerk of said County do hereby certify that Tho. W. Grunly joint of the whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of identity, & to the declaration on Oath within was a justice of the Peace at the time of taking the same, in and for said County duly elected or appointed & qualified and that I am well acquainted with his hands writing and believe his signature to the saids jurat & certificate are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my official Seal the 21 st . day of August 1848
A. Scott Sloan Clerk
Yrs Wm A Holmes Deputy (Belt absent)

June 25 th 1857
Hubbards Corners N.Y.
Sir: B. Colson
Inquire if the widow of Abiah Colson dec d is entitled to increase of Pension or Bonus land.
Capt. Triplet
Ref d to Com r of Pensions for answer sent into June 25/57

Hubbards Corners, Madison Co. New York
To the Department of the Interior;
I would enquire of the Department if the Widow of Abiah Colson is entitled to an increase of pension. The circumstances of his service were these, he enlisted for three years or during the war worked most of his time as a blacksmith - was honorably discharged at the close of his time by Gen Knox. His Widow now draws eighty Dollars a year, is she entitled to an increase on the account of her husband's services as a blacksmith - also is she entitled to any bounty land under any of the late Acts. An answer to the above would confer a favor
Sirena B. Colson

3214
Nov 19. Memoranda } Nov 15 Nov 7 July 1882
Per
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm of Pensions Washington D. C.

Morrisville (Madison Co) N.Y. Nov 14. 1838
Hi.
Enclosed I send you the Papers of Sarah Colson widow of Aluel Colson -
You will observe that she states in her declaration that she was married the 2 o of August 1786, whereas the record shows that she was married 3 o of August 1785. - Which is correct I know not, and I suppose the declaration is not material -
Yours Respectfully Otho P. Spranger
J. L. Elmer Esq

Madison, Madison County N. York, 20 th June 1843
Hon J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir. Enclosed is the Declaration of Sarah Cobson. It being the first I have made out under the acts of 3 rd March 1843. If any errors should exist in it, it is desirable that it should be returned for correction as soon as convenient.
I am Sir Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt.
Thomas Milton

Office of Sienna B. Colson, Money to Loan.
Fremont, Dodge Co., Neb., Feb. 14, 1887.
1
Hon. C. F. Manderson, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, — I would like to have you do me a favor if you will, or tell me if you cannot.
My grandfather, Abiah Colson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under Maj. Gen. Henry Knox and was properly discharged by that general.
Over fifty years ago his widow obtained a pension, and to do so she had to surrender the original discharge papers

Office of Lirena B. Colson, Money to Loan.
Fremont, Dodge Co., Neb., ..... 158
✓
in order to prove that she was Abiah Colson's wife. She has been dead about thirty five years.
Now, I would like to get those old discharge papers, if possible. I suppose they are in the pension bureau if anywhere.
Yours truly, S. B. Colson
per P.
P.S. I do not wish to ask Mrs. Dorsey.

Colson S B
Feb 14/87
Drants Rev war discharge papers. 1886
Adj't General's Office (E.B. Rec'd) 1887 FEB 19
1 (EB)

TO CHF Order C.I. ACTION for FEB 23 1990 COMMISSIONER
148
4
File with Case.

1 Enc
War Department,
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, Feby 24 th , 1887.
Hon Charles F. Manderson, U. S. Senate.
Sir:
I have the honor to return herewith letter of S. B. Colson, of Fremont, Nebraska, inquiring whether he can get the revolutionary war discharge of his grandfather Abiah Colson who served under General Knox, referred by you to know what must be done to obtain the information desired.
In reply I beg to inform you that such records of the Revolutionary War as are in Possession of the Government are on file in the

office of the Commissioner of Pensions. I am, Sir,
Very respectfully
Your obedt Servt.
J. C. Kelton
Post Adjutant General.

May 6, 1996
In accordance with your request of the 10th inst for historical data of our great grandfather Abrah Colson who served in the war of the Rev from Mass, the following is taken from the application for a pension by his widow Sarah his husband having died June 16 1814 before any law passed under the provision of which he would be entitled to a pension In Oct 1838 the widow was residing in Hamilton, Madison Co NY age 69 years - (Her age in June 1843 - 73 & Aug 1848 as 78 yrs) who states that her husband enlisted for 3 yrs at Belchertown Mass in 3d Mass regt & was discharged by Genl Henry Knox Dec 22, 1783 Her maiden name was Sarah Town & her She states her marriage was at Plainfield Mass Aug 3, 1786 by Ezechiel Ebenezer Snell of Farmington Mass but the Certificate of the town clerk at Farmington gives the date as Aug 2, 1786 - Her maiden name was Sarah Town He died at Hamilton June 16 1814 She is reported to have died May 17, 1856
As the soldier died before the passage of a pension law under which he would be entitled there is no statement by him of her services on file
His services were in the Continental Army but the widow not only does not state the date of his enlistment, the name of any officer or incidents of his service
There was a consolidation in the fall of 1780 of Companies & regts which was effected from
Soon after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown Va in Oct 1781 was effected from time to time as the army was reduced In Aug & Sept 1783 Abrah Colson is reported as a member of Capt James Tisdale's Co in Col Michael Jackson's Mass Regt
Abrah Colson of Madison Co was a witness as to identity
Sereno B Colson of Hubbard's Corner Madison Co NY states in 1857 that the soldier was a black man in the army

20.903 Sarah
Department of the Interior. PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. June 10th, 1885
Dear Sir:
I desire, at the request of my mother to secure historical data, through you, regarding Abiah Colson, a Massachusetts Volunteer in the Revolutionary War.
He was my great grand-father and my mother often heard her grand-mother speak of him serving under Genl. Knox.
His wife was Sarah Colson.
Such information on file in your division respecting his service, etc., which you may furnish, will be greatly valued by his lineal descendants.
Wm H. Webster Esq. Very respectfully and truly
Chief Old War Division      Geo R. Kessler Pension Office                  Ck Mid Division

O.
O. W. and A. Div. J. N. P. Ex't.
No.
Co. _____ Reg't _____
Return this letter with your reply.
1 Department of the Interior. PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. March 4 th , 1887
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 14 th ultimo, addressed to the Hon. C. F. Manderson, by him referred to this Bureau requesting the return of the discharge of Abrah Col-son who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, I have to advise you that when the widow of the above named sol-dier applied for a pension, she filed his Certificate of discharge, and as it is not essential that it should be retained, it can be returned to the nearest surviving descendant, or to such other party as may obtain the written consent of the nearest descendants. It should be shown what near relatives are living and where they reside. It is desirable that the request for such discharge should be

endorsed by a Member of Congress, or some other person known to this Bureau.
As this old document will have more than an ordinary value to the descendants of the soldier, as an heir-loom and perhaps for other purposes, it is desired to deliver it to the proper party.
Very respectfully
Commissioner.
Mr. S. B. Nelson Fremont Dodge Co., Neb.

Harry G. Colson. Theodore Johnson. Telephone Central 3377.
Colson & Johnson, Attorneys & Counselors at Law. Suite 809 First National Bank Building
Chicago, Feb. 27th, 1912.
Hon. James L. Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I should be pleased if you would furnish me with as full a record as possible from the information on file in your office, of the military career of my great-grandfather, Abiah Colson who served in the Second Continental Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteers, War of the Revolution.
I write to you at the suggestion of my cousin, Mr. George R. Kessler, who formerly served with you on the Board of Review. Whatever you can do in this behalf, I can assure you will be greatly appreciated. I remain
Very sincerely yours,
Harry G. Colson
OK 8
HGC-H

Rev WIDOW, &c.
1912, Mar. 1 Hist. 15 Harvey S. Colson
File No. 20903
Sarah Colson Wid. of Abiah Colson Priv. Rev. War.
Act: Feb. 2 d 1848.
Index:—Vol. 157 , Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1896.
New York Albany
Sarah Colson
widow of Abiah Colson who was a Private
in the Mass. line
for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Sept. 1843. and sent to
Thomas Millen Madison N. Y.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 104
Act Sept 8
"
1843

Albany 2772
Sarah Colson widow of Abiah Colson
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 16 June 1814 of Madison Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the 3. Regt, commanded by _____ in the Mass. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of May 1839 and sent to O.P. Granger Morrisville, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March '39 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. .. 40.00 $280.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2 Page 72