Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,620, John Cowdrey, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Cowdry, John
S. 31,620
CONTENTS

5734 New York
Ino Cowdrey
of N.Y. City in the State of New York who was a Lt of Art'y in the Company commanded by Captain Williams of the Reg't commanded by Col Grater in the Massachusetts line for Nears.
Cont'd
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 400 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of February 1833 and sent to Ino Cowdrey No 2 Day Street New York City
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 — $600.00 Semestral allowance ending 4 Mar '33 200.00
$800.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ino Cromwell Clerk, Book D Vol. 5 Page 158
Dead. Section 6th M. Cowdrey March 20. 1835. do. same to April. 1837 — do. to same & P. Agt. Dec. 9. 1835 — do. to same Feb. 13. 1836

State of New York City and County of New York Ss.
On this seventeenth day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before the Marine Court of the City of New York, now sitting, John Courtney a resident of the said City and County of New York in the State of New York aforesaid, aged about Seventy four or Seventy five 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 of America under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. To the first interrogatory - he answereth and saith. That he was born at Hartford in the then Colony of Connecticut on the 5 th day of November 1757. or 1758. where his parents then resided.
To the 2 nd interrogatory - he answereth and saith
That he has often seen the entry of his birth in the proper books at said Hartford, and that he has an entry corresponding therewith made by himself in his family Bible which is now at Waterloo, Seneca County, in this State.

To the third Interrogatory - he answereth and saith. To the first Clause thereof.
That while a Child his parents removed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he continued until the 19 th April 1775. When he was at Lexington Battle as a Volunteer, returned to Boston on the next day and was confined as a Prisoner by the British for ten days - on the 29 th April 1775. received a pass from the Town Major to cross to Roxbury and on the 1 st of May 1775. enlisted at Roxbury, Massachusetts, as a Private in Cpt. Williams Company, Col. Graton's Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry, Genl. Ward Commandant for the general term of 8 months .
To the second clause of the third Interrogatory - he answereth and saith.
That after being discharged from the United States Army at Poughkeepsie in 1783, to wit, sometime in 1784, as he thinks he entered the United States service under Genl. Harmer and continued with him in different Capacities as an Officer for three or four Years - then returned to Connecticut with a recommendation from Genl. Harmer to join Col. Humphreys Regiment raising in Connecticut and also as a bearer of despatches from Genl. Harmer to Genl. Knoxe then Secretary of War at New York - Col. Humphreys Regt. being disbanded he returned to private life at Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and remained there about 10 Years -

about the Year 1797-98. Commenced Teaching Military Schools in different  several Counties in the State of New York, to wit, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Sullivan, Ontario and various other places in that State - in 1811 was appointed by the Secretary of War as a Commissioner together with Major Toddlar and S. Sleight to settle boundary lines between the United States and Canada at West Point - from 1812 to 1822 resided in the City of New York as Captain of the Guard at the State Prison at that place - from 1822 to 1832 resided at Waterloo, Seneca County in this State as a private Citizen, and is now residing in the City of New York aforesaid as a Weigher of Anthracite Coal under an appointment for that purpose by the Common Council of that City.
To the fourth Interrogatory - he answered and saith - that preparing to the manner of his being called into or entering the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War as is stated along in his answer to the first clause of the third Interrogatory, he answers farther and says that
To the fifth Interrogatory - he answered and saith. That after his enlistment as aforesaid as is above stated, to wit, about June 1775. he received a Warrant at Roxbury aforesaid from Genl. Ward as Prom. Major of his Detachment and so continued when the applicant went
X at the time of the expiration of the said enlistment of S. Knowlton, to wit, about the 1st day of January 1778. he again entered the service of the United States, at Roxbury aforesaid in the Continental Corps as a soldier for and during the War

with the Regiment to Cambridge and Bunker's Hill - and then into Winter Quarters in tents at Roxbury, Dorchester Hill - 17 March 1776 marched into Boston as a Guide to Lieut. Hooker to Fort Hill he being a stranger to the City - 20 March marched for New York by the way of New London in Col. Graton's Regt. Genl. Heath Commandant - April 1 st 1776. landed at New York - soon afterwards hearing that Col. Graton's Regt. was ordered for Canada and not being pleased with that service was transferred as a private soldier to Col. Moxes Regiment of Artillery (with whom he was well acquainted from a brother having gone to school together) Cpt. Morton's Company, and remained in the Battery until the City was evacuated and then crossed over to New Jersey with part of the Regiment; marched to Fort Lee and Fort Washington and was there at Fort Washington when the British Shipping paper-drew his provisions in Cpt. Morton's Company - October 25 th marched to White Plains with heavy ordinance - On the morning of the 28 th October 1776 was ordered with the Baggage of the Regiment towards North Castle and on the same day was in the action with Cpt. Hothingham of the Artillery - early in the morning of the next day was ordered by Genl. Washington as an express to the Governor of Connecticut at Hartford for more troops, which distance having effected in 12 hours disabled him, and being sick remained there until April 1777. when he marched with Col.

Roots — Regiment of Infantry for Danbury Connecticut, but not being able to bear the fatigue returned to Hartford and remained there until July 1777. (as he thinks) when he marched with Col. Cook's Regt. of Infantry Cpt. Wadsworth Company (as he thinks) Genl. Poor's Brigade to Stillwater and Bemis Heights under Genl. Arnold — 19 September 1777, being a drill Officer in Genl. Poor's Brigade drawing provisions in Cpt. Wadsworth's Company was wounded in the neck by a bayonet and in the arm by a small ball in action at Bemis' Heights and sent to the Hospital at Albany, remained there until the 20 November 1777, when he was discharged from the Hospital by Doctor Potts Director General and sent with wounded Prisoners to the care of Doctor Graham at Hartford Connecti- cut, remained there disabled until the Sum- mer of 1778, when he joined the troops in Rhode Island as a private in Col. Crane's Regiment, Cpt. Perkins's Company, Genl. Knox's Brigade of Artillery in Sullivan's Expedition — was in the retreat — and then marched to Conti- ntal Village opposite West Point with Col. Crane's Regt. — remained there till Spring of 1779, when being engaged on the lines in a detach- ment under Lieut. Seymour (as he thinks) with part of a Refugee Corps and part of the 17th Light Dragoons was made prisoner, taken to the City of New York and confined in the Sugar

House in Liberty Street, and remained a prisoner until December 1779, when he was exchanged by Col. Ledyard Commissary of Prisoners and being landed in New Jersey proceeded to Smith's Cove under the Command of Lord Sterling and from there to West Point, and being unwell had from permission to go to Hartford aforesaid.
In the following season, to wit, sometime in 1780, he received a Commission at said Hartford signed by the Governor of Connecticut agreeably to the accompanying Certificate of the Secretary of that State, as Lieutenant of Artillery in Col. Willis's Regt. Cpt. Mattock's Company and as he believes was engaged in recruiting that Company early that Spring, to wit, 1780. - the Company Ordinance was drawn from the United States Stores at Springfield, Massachusetts - this Company acted as Guard under his Command at the Council held by Genl. Washington with the French Generals at Weathersfield near Hartford aforesaid until Genl. Washington was called away by Arnold's treason - when the applicant was ordered to report himself to Col. Lamb at New Windsor, State of New York, to which place he accordingly went . In the winter of 1780 81 , the applicant rode  went with Col. Lamb in a sleigh from New Windsor to Springfield, Massachusetts to lay out a laboratory, was there two or three weeks and returned with him to New Windsor - on the return of the applicant to New Windsor he was ordered to do duty in the

3 d Brigade (General Heath as he thinks) with Colonel H. Jackson's Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry, in a Company of Artillery commanded by Cpt. Lilly at Continental Village &c. — remained in the Vicinity of Nelson's Point, Continental Village &c. until the Spring of 1783. when the Army encamped at Verplank's Point, and remained there until ordered to Snake Hill, New Windsor, Orange County, New York, to build huts for Winter quarters where he remained until the Disbandment of the Army in the Spring of 1783.
To the 6 th Interrogatory — he answereth and saith — that he never did receive a discharge as a Soldier — that he did receive a Commission as Lieutenant of Artillery, as is above stated, signed by the Governor of Connecticut in the Year 1780. — that he served and did duty under that Commission as first Lieutenant in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War from the time of receiving the said Commission in 1780. until the Army at Snake Hill was disbanded in 1783. and in relation to his said service and Commission as first Lieutenant he refers to the accompany- ing depositions of Charles R. Webster who at the time and is now as the Applicant believes one of the firm of Webster & Sturmer, of Albany, Law-Booksellers, and Stationers, and

of Norman Butler who at the time or at some time before or since was, as the Applicant believes a Clerk in the Custom House in this City under the late Collector, and for- merly a Merchant of eminence in this City, which Depositions were used on a former application for a Pension to the applicant, and also to the annexed Depositions of Samuel Wyllys Lomeroy, General William North and Major Samuel Cooper taken under this application, and also to the Certificate of Lieutenant Burbeck.
The Applicant further saith that the said Commission and several other papers relating to his Revolutionary services and other valuable things were lost or stolen from the Applicant at Pittsburgh, Ohio, during his service with General Harmar as aforesaid, or at some time since, but when or where, or upon what occasion he cannot now say, and does not remember.
In Answer to the 7 th Interrogatory - the Appli- =cant refers to General Jacob Morton, Hon. Richard Riker, William Howard, John P. Roome, Abraham Martling, Peter L. Vanderwaart, Elisha W. King Esq. Isaac Seabury, Najah Taylor, John Y. Schuyler Esq. and Samuel Cowdry Esq. all of the City of New York.
The Applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any

State.
Sworn to and Subscribed in Open Court, before the Marine Court of the City of New York, the day and Year first above written, to wit, the seventeenth day of November, in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
not attested John Barberie Clerk
James Cowdrey
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing and reading the answers of the Applicant to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Officer of the rank of first Lieutenant, and served as he states. And the said Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Samuel Wyllis Pomeroy, General William North and Samuel Cooper, whose several written depositions are hereto annexed, are credible persons, and that their said several depositions are entitled to full faith and credit.
By the Court
John Barberie Clerk

State of New York City and County of New York S.S.
John Barbrie, Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York, within mentioned, Do hereby Certify, that the foregoing Contains the original proceeding of the said Court, in the matter of the applica- -tion of John Courdray for a Pension.
And I further Certify, that the said Marine Court, is a Court of Record.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this seventeenth day of November, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John Barbrie

February 21, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Cowdrey, S. 31620 BA-J/MCS
Miss Mary Francis 101 Elm Street Hartford, Connecticut
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldier, Lieutenant John Cowdrey, who was born in 1758 and died in 1835.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 31620, based upon the military service of John Cowdrey.
He was born November 5, 1757 or 1758 in Hartford, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given.
While a child he moved with his parents to Boston and while living there he served as a volunteer in the battle of Lexington; he returned to Boston the next day and was confined as a prisoner by the British for ten days. He enlisted May 1, 1775, and served as private and drum major in Captain Williams' company in Colonel Creadon's Massachusetts regiment; in 1776 he was transferred and served as private in Captain Morton's company in Colonel Henry Knox's artillery regiment; he was in the battle of White Plains under Captain Frothingham; in April, 1777, he was serving in Colonel Root's regiment; in July, 1777, he was in Captain Wadsworth's company in Colonel Cook's regiment and was wounded in the arm and neck in the battle of Bemis Heights and was discharged from the hospital at Albany, New York, November 29, 1777. In the summer of 1778 he was a private in Captain Perkin's company in Colonel Crane's artillery regiment and was in General Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island; he was captured in the spring of 1779 and confined in the Sugar House, Liberty Street, New York, until exchanged in December, 1779. On April 13, 1780, he was commissioned first lieutenant in a regiment of artillery and served under Captains Samuel Mattocks, Moodie, John Lillie and George Ingersoll, and Colonels Wylllys, Lamb, Crane and H. Jackson until discharged in the spring of 1783.

John Cowdrey entered the United States Army in 1784 and served under General Harmer for three or four years. He then returned to Connecticut with a recommendation from General Harmer to join Colonel Humphreys' regiment in Connecticut and as bearer of despatches from General Harmer to General Knox, then Secretary of War. Colonel Humphreys' regiment being disbanded, John Cowdrey returned to private life at Fairfield, Connecticut, and remained there about ten years. About 1797 or 1798 he began teaching military schools in New York State in the counties of Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Sullivan, and Ontario and various other places. In 1811 he was appointed by the Secretary of War as commissioner to settle boundary lines between the "United States and Thomas North at West Point". From 1812 until 1822 he lived in New York City and was captain of guard at the State Prison. From 1822 he resided at Waterloo, Seneca County, New York, as private citizen and in 1832 he was living in New York City and was weigher of anthracite coal under appointment by the Common Council of that city.
John Cowdrey was allowed pension on his application executed November 17, 1832, while living in New York City and he was then referred to as Colonel John Cowdrey.
He died January 27, 1835.
He was survived by the following children: William T., John, Mrs. Sproull who married about the summer of 1835 in Orange County, New York, Mrs. De Kay who lived in New Jersey in the part that adjoined Orange County, New York, and Mrs. Lafever who lived in Cattaraugus County, New York, in 1835.
In 1835 one David M. Cowdrey, a relative of the soldier, John Cowdrey, relationship not given, was guardian of soldier's son, John, (who was a minor) and was a lawyer with address at 13 Chambers Street, New York City.
In 1832 reference was made to one Samuel Cowdrey of New York City, relationship to soldier not shown.
There are no further data relative to the family of John Cowdrey.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Record Division.
February 28, 1908.
Grace C. Jensen,
Denison, Iowa.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 15" and received the 16" instant, you are advised that from the papers in the claim Sur. File No. 31,680, it appears that John Cowdrey was born in Hartford Connecticut, November 5, 1757 or 1758, and while residing in Boston volunteered at the battle of Lexington, returned to Boston the next day and was confined as prisoner 10 days. Enlisted May 1, 1775 served as Private and Drum Major in Captain William's company Colonel Creadon's Massachusetts regiment; in 1776 transferred as Private to Captain Morton's company, Colonel Henry Knox's Artillery regiment, was in battle of White Plains with Captain Frothingham; in April 1777 was in Colonel Root's regiment, in July 1777 in Captain Wadsworth's company Colonel Cook's regiment, and was wounded in arm and neck at battle of Benis Heights, discharged from hospital at Albany New York November 29, 1777. Summer 1778, Private in Captain Perkin's company Colonel Crane's Artillery regiment, and in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition; captured in Spring 1779 and confined in Sugar House Liberty Street New York, until exchanged December 1779. Commissioned April 13, 1780 as Lieutenant of Artillery and served under Captains Samuel Mattocks, Woodie, John Lillie, and George Ingersoll, and Colonels Wylllys, Lamb, Crane, and H. Jackson until discharged in 1783. He entered the United States Army in 1784 and served under General Harmer for three or four years then

joined Colonel Humphrey's Connecticut regiment.
He was allowed pension on an application executed November 17, 1832 while a resident of New York City, and he died January 27, 1835, leaving the following children; William T., John, Mrs. Sproule, Mrs. De Kay and Mrs. Lafever. In 1832 soldier was referred to as Colonel John Cowdrey.
In order to identify a claim for Revolutionary War pension the soldier's full name is essential.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

MISS MARY FRANCIS REGISTRAR, RUTH WYLLYS CHAPTER 101 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
February 9, 1938
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am writing to ask if you will please send me a copy of the pension record of Lieut. John Cowdrey , (1758-1835) I find the following data in D.A.R. Lineage Book Vol. 38, page 152. - #37418 "John Cowdrey enlisted from Boston 1775 as drum major; 1776 he was in the artillery at White Plains, was wounded at Bemis Heights, served in the Rhode Island expedition, captured and confined in New York. In 1832 he was placed on the pension roll of New York for two years actual service as Lieutenant in Massachusetts militia. He was born in Hartford; died in New York."
I would especially like to know the names of his children and if he had a daughter - Delight Cowdrey - who married Joshua Latham . I would be glad of any family details that are available.
Thanking you in advance,
Sincerely yours,
Mary Francis
Registrar Ruth Wyllys Chapter

To Whom This May come.
Will you kindly inform me whom I shall address to find out who by the name of "Cawdrey" served in the Rev. War? an ancestor of mine by name Col. John Cawdrey assisted at the Boxborough Lea party in 1773 and I further there were several others who were prisoners of the Revolutionary war.
Very Respectfully. Grace Cawdrey Jensen
Des Moines Iowa.
Feb. 15-08
3

Hartford, Vermont March 8, 1904.
Department of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Will you kindly ascertain, at your earliest convenience, if the following persons were pensioners, - Dr. Jonathan Cowdery who was surgeon on the U.S.S. frigate "Philadelphia" in Tripolitan war in 1803, - Colonel John Cowdery who helped overthrow the tea in to Boston Harbor, during the Boston Tea Party in 1773.
I am desirous of looking

up my genealogy preparatory to joining the D. A. R. society.
Any facts that you can give me of other ancestors of the Cowdery family and branches would be very gladly received.
Very truly,
Mrs. Alfred E. Watson
Hartford,
Vermont.

This is an exact copy of facts received by my sister Mrs. Christine Rivers who applied for information with regard to Col John Bowdrey. The journal the chap of the S.A.R. was admitted Nov 6 th 1901. Chapter No 37418.
The same record will admit me. Why cannot it be found?
Yours respectfully Julia Bowdrey Klein Staten
931620
Orangely New York. Perhaps I have not been explicit enough. I have sent there to Record and Pension Office for record of John Bowdrey a Lieut in the Revolu- tionary war. and it has not been found I now enclose my sister's copy received

on her application less than 2 years ago. Will you please inform me what else I must do in order to get the information I wish

REEVS & KELSEY,
DEALERS IN
Dry Goods, Groceries, Flour, Feed,
Lime, Cement, Plaster, Crockery, Glassware,
Paints, Oils, Averill's Chemical Paints, Etc.
83 WEST MAIN STREET.
John Bowdry
Goshen, N. Y. July 10 1901
RECEIVED JUL 13 1901 O. W. & N. DIVISION
Dear Sir
Would you kindly send me a certified copy of the claims of Col John Bowdry who served in the Revolutionary war. I wish to join the Daughters of the Revolution and want necessary data.
Yrs Christine Reems Grand daughter of the said Col John Bowdry Goshen Orange County New York

Box 373 Harnick, Orange Co., New York.
Commissioner of Pensions - Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly supply me with any information, the records of your Bureau, may contain, relative to one John Cordrey , of the State of New York: if Mr Cordrey received a pension, after the year 1830 , or if he ever received

one. The following data I have obtained from an old affidavit of his, applying for a pension, under the Act of Congress of 1828 . John Cordrey - enlisted in 1775 , at Roxbury Mass. in Col. Grafton's Reg. was later trans- ferred to Col. Knapp's Artillery Reg. in Mass- chus. John Cordrey served in the Continental

Army until 1782, when he was honorably discharged. My only object in seeking this information is to enable me to become a member of the D.A.R. Hoping for an early reply I am
Mrs. DeLoach Hinnant.
Nov. 30/00
RECEIVED. DEC 6 1900 W. & N. DIVS.

31620 INVALID. Ray
File No. 31,620
John Cowdrey Leint Rev Mrs
Act: June 1 st 1890
Index: Vol. 2, Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Dec 7-19 Mrs. De Kay Mc Namara
July 24 th 1901 to Mrs. Christine Gordon
Apr. 29-1903 Julia Cowdrey from Gordon N.Y.
Mar. 24, 1904 - joint to Mrs. Agda Sturtevant, St.
1908 Feb. 1. joint to Grace E. Jenson, and
1938 Feb. 21 joint to Mrs. Mary Francis McT.
or names rig istly Revs JAB -N.Y. to E. Matson

D. M. Cowdrey A. April 1835 G. C.
RUORA. Vol 25 2 page 397

War Dep t
Prison Off ce
April 4. 1835-
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 1 st inst. I have to inform you that the objections in the case of John Cowdrey, de o apply both to the improper spelling of the name Laferer and to the circumstance that the certified signature of the magistrate is not left in the office of the Prison Agent at New York.
I
D. M. Cowdrey Esq r No. 13 Chambers Street New-York.

L. M. Cowaney Esq.
March 30. 1831
G. C.
Buorn. Vol 25 1/2 page 377

War Dept.
Pension Office
March 30. 1835.
Sir,
The papers in the case of John Cowdrey, decd. are herewith returned. I have no doubt whatever but that Mr. and Mrs. Saferver are the identical persons alluded to in your Affidavit taken before the Marine Court; and that the powers of attorney were given by the children, and that the signatures purporting to be those of certain officers who took the acknowledgments are all genuine; but I do not consider myself authorized to relax the rules in such a case as this. It would be a dangerous precedent to depart in this case from the strictness of the regulation. I am under the necessity therefore of declining to give the order to request.
I
D. M. Cowdrey, Esq. Counselor at Law, No. 13, Chambers Street New York

Mechanics Bank New York 5 th (Decr) 1835
Sir
I enclose the papers in the case of John Cowdrey deceased, which have been objected to on the following grounds, viz;
The power of Attorney and acknowledgements are not in the form prescribed by the Department, and there is no subscribing Witness to the former.
The acknowledgements are made by the parties in different Counties (the place of their residence as is alleged) before proper Officers, but the dates of these acknowledgements do not correspond with the date of the power; there are several obliterations also in this paper which you may possibly not consider objectionable.
There are no instructions from the Department applicable to the present case so far as relates to the Minor John Cowdrey (then) there is no direct proof that he was living at the time his share of the pension became due, although the Surrogates Certificate of the Guardianship of David M. Cowdrey bears date the 16 th of February 1835) subsequent to that period. These objections not being considered by Mr Cowdrey the Attorney, as well founded, at his request I forward the papers for your determination.
I am very Respectfully Your Ob t Serv t
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
J. W. Fleming Presd t & V Pens. Agt.

Mechanics Bank New York 9 th February 1836
Sir
I again enclose for your examination the papers in the case of John Cowdrey deceased, you will please observe that the power of attorney is now over ninety days date, and that there is a difference between the date of the power and those of the acknowledgments,
Mrs Cowdrey the Attorney, particularly requests, that you will be pleased, under the circumstances of the case, to waive those objections, and allow the payment to be made on the enclosed papers.
I am Very Respectfully Your Ob t Serv t J. Fleming Pres d H ons Ag t
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions

New York 5 th December 1835.
Sir,
You may possibly remember or can turn to my Letters of last Summer transmitting other papers in behalf of the Children of John Courtenay Esq.  the late in which the only error found was a misspelling of the name of Lafever one of the Children - being there written "Leferer" - These papers were rec d by her after you had passed on them and duly corrected but miscarried through the Mail from Cattaraugus County where she resides to me in this City - Upon which the accompanying has been executed by the Children.
M c Fleming has been so kind as to state to me his objections as follows - upon which I beg leave to make the following remarks.
1 st Object. That there is no subscribing Witness to the Power of Attorney.
By Law when a Paper is acknowledged before a Competent Officer he thereby becomes ipse facto to all intents and purposes a subscribing Witness.
2 nd Object. That the acknowledgments do not all bear

date with the Power of Attorney.
This you will see was impossible the parties residing at different places some distance apart. W m J. Cowdrey and his Sister W m Sproull who on the very day of the date of the Power had arrived in this City (where it was then assigned by them) from Orange County where she had been married but a day or two before executed the Power in this City - and this was the first time she had written her then newly acquired name of Sproull which accounts together with the haste necessary on the occasion accounts for her erroneous signature - but immediately correctly written by her.
The other two signatures were made one in Orange County by W m Schuyler residing in an adjoining County of New Jersey but signed by her in Orange County in this State being more convenient - and the other by W m  Schuyler Lafaver in Cattaraugus County farther off from this City from which place after being signed by W m J. Cowdrey and W m Sproull it was first sent by Mail to W m Schuyler and then to W m Lafaver. 3 d Objection. As to John Cowdrey Junior the Minor being actually living at the time his Father John Cowdrey the Testator died on 27 January 1835.

It appears from the Letters of Guardianship dated 10 February 1835 that the Minor in question had presented his Petition to the Surrogate praying for my appointment as his Guardian — Besides it appears from the Certificate of the Marine Court that not only this Minor but all the other Children were actually in full life on the day of the date of that Certificate the 20 November 1835.
If you will turn to the Denson's original application and my Letters accompanying you will be satisfied of my honest endeavours to satisfy the Department in every respect and of my regret in being obliged to have anything to do with Denson's matters and I hope that you will be satisfied of the same spirit still prevailing on my part on this matter.
I have taken unusual pains and trouble and incurred great expense and loss of time and labour in this matter merely to oblige the highly respected deceased Col. Cowdray a relative of the family and his Children, and hope that under all the circumstances accompanied with such ample assurances of every thing being both morally and as I believe legally correct you will direct the payment. If however you should hesitate

Please state your objections in a definite shape to Mr. Fleming and we must endeavour to meet them
Very Respectfully &c. D. Conway
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner Lucius.

Adm l
Lieut. Artillery 2 nd

New York 9 th February 1833.
Sir,
Your Note of the 2 nd inst. to the Hon. Campbell D. White, Member of the House of Representatives from this City, enclosing the accompanying original application of John Courtney for a Pension, was received by me on the 6 th inst.
You will now please find enclosed the said original application (18447) and also annexed thereto a Supplementary Deposition of Col. Courtney duly certified by the said Marine Court of this City in answer to the objection stated under Quere No. 5. of the printed Briefs of your Department indorsed with red ink P o 231.
I have taken the liberty to under-score and print by an index (S) in pencil in the the Margin to such parts of the proofs and original application as particularly refer to the services of Col. Courtney as first Lieutenant of Artillery under his Commission from the State of Connecticut from the Commencement of the Year 1780 or earlier down to the Disbandment of the Army at Snake Hill, New Windsor, near Newburgh in this State in the Spring of 1783. You will please observe the emphatic manner in which a Mess rs Sumner

Butler, W m Pomeroy and Major Cooper speak of and allude to this part of Col. Courtney's services in their respective depositions - and also Col. Courtney's Answer to the 5 th Interrogatory.
The above taken in connexion with the accompanying supplementary proof of the applicant himself I trust will enable you to determine his right to a pension as first Lieutenant of Artillery.
I beg leave again to suggest that in case of any further difficulty in the way of this application it will not be necessary to endanger the safety of these original papers by return of mail as I have taken the precaution to procure copies (verbatim) of the whole and of this supplementary deposition duly certified under the seal of the Marine Court which may be used for reference by me here if they should become necessary.
Please communicate your Answer direct to me at No. 2 Pey Street, New York.
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully
Sir
Your ob t serv t .
D. M. Courtney
J. L. Edwards Esquire Pension Office - Washington.

5
6 2
CE
R. 8 Aug 1812
Thomas Bull Jr Esq.
for Johnstown New York.
7 1 2 2

State of Connecticut.
At a General Assembly of the Governor and company of the State of Connecticut in America, held at Hartford, by special order of His Excellency the Governor, on the thirteenth day of April, A. D. 1780.
This Assembly do establish John Cowdrey to be Lieutenant of the company of Artillery in the first Regiment in this State.
A true copy of record,
Examined and certified under the seal of the State, by Thomas Day, Sekt

State of New York. } Charles R Webster of said city, printer, being City of Albany. } duly sworn, deposes that in the years 1778, & 1779 he resided in the Town of Hartford in the State of Connecticut, and was during the said years a Member of an Artillery Company, raised in said city, and commanded by Captain Samuel Mattocks; that John Cowdry now of the city of New York, was a lieutenant in said company.
Charles R Webster
Sworn Before me this 14 th day of July 1818 J. Wendell (J.W.) Commissioner

Norman Butler late of the City of Hartford in the State of Connecticut, now of the City of New York being duly sworn: deposeth, that in the year 1779, he belonged to a Company of Artillery, raised the same year, in said Hartford and commanded by Capt. Samuel Matlock, and that Col John Coadney now of the City of New York was first lieut. of said Company, that said Company was in the pay of the United States.
Sworn this 4 th day of August 1818 P. Miller
N. Butler

I certify that John Cowarey served as a soldier in the Regiment of Artillery (Mass ts Line) commanded by Col d Henry Knox during the Campaign of 1776. Of which I was a Lieut. during the same.
Henry Burbeck Lieut. Said Reg t .
New London } 8 March 1830 } Captain John Cowarey.

3/11
Captain John Cowarez Waterloo Seneca County State New York

South Center Va July 16 1830
Mr John Coudry
Sir, I received Yours of the 24 Jany last this day, & should be very glad to give you effectual assistance in procuring a pension, which I have no doubt but you well deserve, but after such a great lapse of time, I fear I can not be of essential service to you. I know that you were in the Revolutonary Army & as I think, in the Artillery at the termi- nation of the war, & if I recollect right, a Conduc- tor of Military Stores! A part of my service having been in the Southern States, & from 1780 to the Peace with Baron Steuben, & consequently away from the Massachusetts line, except on days of inspection, it is not surprising that I can rec- ollect but little relative to the Officers or soldiers from that State. I write more to Major Cooper who was Adjutant of Crane's Reg t , & desire him to write to Abijah Hammond, the first lives in New York, & Mr Hammond, at West-Chester, except these, I know not who of the Artillery are now alive

it may be that Grinley yet looses, somewhere in the vicinity of Fish Kill, you have indeed been unfortunate in loosing your Papers, & have left your application to a very late moment but there is a spirit of liberality in Congress towards Revolutionary Soldiers & I shall rejoice in any success which may attend your solicitation.
I am with regard Your well washer M c Worth
City and County of New York ss: William i North of New London, Connecticut, during the American Revolution or some part whereof did be camp to the Inspector General of the American Army Major General Baron Steuben being duly sworn doth depose and say that the within letter was written and signed by him some time or about the time of its date to John Coudrey now of the City of New York whom the deponent saw yesterday the 13 th of June 1832 and is the same person of whom the deponent speaks in the said letter - that the facts set forth in the said letter as to the knowledge of the deponent of the said John Coudrey are true - that the said John Coudrey was well known to the deponent during the American Revolution and was generally respected esteemed and received as an officer but of what rank the deponent never knew to his recollection - that the deponent verily believes the accompanying application of the said John Coudrey under the law of June 1832 is true and that the said John Coudrey is entitled to full faith and credit. Sworn in Open Court before the Marine Court of the City of New York this 14 th day of November 1832.
William i North
John Barberie clerk

PAID 25
Mr John Cowley
Waterloo
paid
New York
In the matter of John Cowley Revolutionary War

In the matter of John Bowdrey Revolutionary Claim
Pauc
Offns

City and County of New York ss:
Samuel Cooper of the City of New York, Gentleman, being duly sworn doth depose and say that he served as Adjutant of the 3 d Regiment of Artillery Commanded by Colonel John Crane of the Massachusetts line of the Army of the Revolution during the whole of the Revolution-ary War until the termination thereof, and after, to wit, until May 1784. that he is now well acquainted with Colonel John Cowdrey of the said City, named in the annexed papers and application for a Pension under the law of Congress of the 7 th June 1832. — that the Deponent has been well acquainted with the said John Cowdrey from his boyhood, they, the Deponent, and the said Cowdrey, General William North, the late General Porter, General Knox, and C. L. Edwards of the Pension Office and others having been school-mates together at Master Samuel Holbrook's Public School at Boston, Massachusetts.
The Deponent saith that the said John Cowdrey was an enlisted Soldier in the Regiment of Infantry Commanded by Colonel Graton in the Year 1775. — in the Year 1776. the said Cowdrey served as a Private in the Regiment of Artillery Commanded by Colonel Henry Knox in the line of the State of Massachusetts aforesaid, and sometime in the Year 1777. the said Cowdrey was transferred to or served in the Brigade of Infantry Commanded by Brigadier General Poor and discharged his

duty in a faithful manner - in the Year 1778. the said Cowdrey served as a Private in the said Regiment of Artillery Commanded by the said Colonel John Crane in Sullivan's Expedition - that after said expedition the said last mentioned Regiment marched to Continental Village opposite to West Point - that in the Winter of 1779 & 80. the Deponent saw the said Cowdrey at West Point after the said Cowdrey had been exchanged as related by him.
The Deponent further said that at several times during the Years 1780. 1781. and 1782. the Deponent well remembers to have seen the said John Cowdrey at West Point and other places in that Vicinity serving and doing duty as an Officer but of what rank the Deponent never knew at that time in particular. That during the whole period of the Revolutionary War the said Cowdrey was highly esteemed and respected and particularly during the Years 1780. 1781. and 1782. aforesaid the said Cowdrey was received and acknowledged as an Officer and associated with the Officers of the Army as such, and was highly respected for his patriotism intelligence and services.
That John Cowdrey now of the City of New York commonly called Colonel Cowdrey and whom the Deponent sees very often is the same person alluded to by the Deponent in this Deposition - and the Deponent has no

doubt and verily believe from his knowledge and acquaintance with the said Cowdrey and his services during the Revolution that the facts set forth in the said Application of the said Cowdrey are true.
Sworn in Open Court before the Marine Court of the City of New York this fifteenth day of November 1832.
Sam d Cooper
John Barker Clerk

1842 John Cowley ✓

Supplementary or Amending Proof on the Application of John Courtney of the City of New York (1844.) for a Pension under the Law of Congress of June 7. 1832. State of New York } City of New York } ss.
Be it remembered that on this Eighth day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, John Courtney of the said City, the same person named in the annexed papers again personally appeared before the Marine Court of the City of New York, and being duly sworn in Open Court, doth depose and say in further answer to the fifth Interrog- atory, that according to the best of his recollection and belief, he was ordered by the said Col. Willis, having command of the said Regt. of Artillery at Hartford, some time late in the Year 1780 to join the Army and report himself at West Point or New Windsor to which place he accordingly went and arrived there in cold weather and about one week thereafter rode with the said Col. Lambina Sleigh to Springfield, Massachusetts for the purpose stated in his original application and returned with him to West Point and was there attached to Cpt. Moody's Company - was soon ordered across the River to join Cpt. John Lilly's Company Col. Crane, Regt. of Artillery at Sugar Loaf Hill Redoubt No. 1. - that the Respondent continued to do duty at the said Redoubt No. 1. at Sugar Loaf Hill, at Nelson's Landing, Continental Village and New Boston Huts all in the same vicinity from the Winter of 1780-81. until the Spring of 1782. when

The said Redoubt No. 1. was reduced to a Sergeant's Guard - and about this time as Deponent thinks the said Cpt. Lilly was introduced into the family of Genl. Mrose as Aid de Camp - then then the Deponent was ordered with a part of the said Company to join Cpt. George Ingersoll's Company of Artillery in the same Regiment at Verplanck's Point, where the American Army encamped for the summer of 1782. at this last mentioned place at this time the American Army were reviewed by General Washington, the French Army passing through across King's Ferry from Stoney Point - Deponent continued attached to the said Cpt. Ingersoll's Company and in or toward the Autumn of 1782. proceeded to Snake Hill, New Windsor, Orange County, New York, to build huts for Winter Quarters and was there also attached to the said last mentioned Company until the Disbandment of the American Army at that place in the Spring of 1783. - that during the period of the deponent's service as herein set forth generally, and to the best of his recollection and belief, he was often changed from place to place and as he thinks from one Company to another, as occasion and Circumstances required - that during this time he now remembers to have known and to have associated with the following Officers, to wit, Col. H. Jackson, Col. Sprout, two Cols. each of the name of Vose, Col. Mellen, Col. Grafton, Major Samuel Cooper and others. And the Deponent farther saith that from the time of receiving his said Commission, to wit, about the month of April 1780 and before that time he was

Constantly and every day without any interval or interruption for a continued period much exceeding two Years and about three Years or more in the actual and active service of the United States of America as first Lieutenant of Artillery under the said Commission, during duty as such Lieutenant at the times, places and in the manner as is herein and in his Original application expressed with embodied Corps called into the said service by Competent Authority, down and until the disbandment of the American Army at Snake Hill, New Windsor aforesaid in the Spring of the Year 1783. and during all that time he was not employed in any Civil or other pursuit; and for these services he claims a pension.
Sworn to - subscribed in Open Court this 8 th February 1833. John Barberie. Clerk
John Cowdrey
In testimony whereof John Barberie Clerk of the said Court to said John Cowdrey having first signed his name to the above, have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court attaching this Deposition to the said original papers, the day and Year first above written.
John Barberie

City and County of New York P:
Samuel Myllys Pomeroy of Middle- =town, in the State of Connecticut, Gentleman, at present in the City of New York, being duly sworn doth depose and say, that in the latter part of the year 1779. or early in the year 1780. this depo- =nent enlisted as a Matross in a Company of Artillery raised at Hartford, Connecticut by order of the Governor and Council of safety of the said State in conformity, as he has reason to believe, to the advice or instruct- =ions of the Continental Board of War, which Company was organized by an Act of the General Assembly of Connecticut early in January 1780. and in April following Samuel Matlock was appointed Captain and John Cowdrey a Lieu- =tenant in said Corps. That in September or October 1779. two fine pieces of brass field Artille- =ry were sent from the Continental Park at Springfield, Massachusetts, by order of the Board of War or Commander of the Continental Artillery to said Hartford for the use of the said Corps or Company, and were accompanied by an experienced Commissioned Officer of the Continental line, for the express purpose of instructing the Officers and Matrosses of said Company in the exercise and management of said field pieces, who, according to this deponent's best recollection, remained with said Company, and constantly performed said service.

for four Months, when the said Company was organized and the said field pieces left with them, and were not returned to the Park during the War. The Deponent says that although his memory is somewhat impaired as to events of recent occurrence, (the Deponent being now in the this about sixty ninth Year of age) his recollections of transactions of the period of the revolutionary war alluded to, and what pertained to the above mentioned Corps or Company of Artillery are perfectly vivid.
That for some time previous to the establishment of said Corps a subaltern's guard had been on duty at said Hartford for the protection of the public Archives, Treasury, Military Store, and supplies for the Continental Army, at which place there was generally a large depot for transit to different points — the deputy Quarter Master General and Deputy Commissary General Offices being established there — That when the said subaltern's guard was withdrawn a detachment of Artillery with field pieces under the Command of Capt. or Lieut. Hothingham of the Continental line was stationed there, and was withdrawn about the time Capt. Mattocks' Company was raised; and this deponent has reason to believe, that one object of the said Corps being permanently stationed at said Hartford, besides affording protection to the public property as aforesaid, was to keep the

Prisoners of War in awe - there being a large number of such prisoners on parole in said Hartford and vicinity and the prison full.
And the Deponent further says that when General Washington met Count Rochambeau and other French Officers at said Hartford soon after their arrival at Boston or Rhode Island, the said Company or Corps of Artillery, were ordered to appear as a guard of honor and took rank of the Governor's Guards, a much older Company, from the circumstances, as the deponent presumes, of being that the said Company was deemed a Corps in the Continental service. That at a subsequent meeting of these distinguished Officers, at Weathersfield, some months after, the said Company was ordered to march to Weathersfield, and there performed guard duty at Head Quarters until General Washington departed for West Point, at which time there were several organized Companies of Militia Infantry, a more appropriate force, in the immediate vicinity.
And the Deponent further says that he was well acquainted with the said Lieutenant John Cowdrey now Col. John Cowdrey of the said City of New York, for many years before the said Company was enlisted as aforesaid, that the said John Cowdrey was a principal and very active in raising the said Company and was constantly occupied for some months

before the date of his Commission, in assisting to perfect the said Corps in the Artillery exercise. - This Deponent continued to serve in the said Company as a private until October or November 1782 when he took a discharge.
The Deponent has no doubt and verily believes and has always been informed that the said John Cowdrey continued and served in the Army of the Revolution from 1780, as aforesaid as such Lieutenant as aforesaid until the close of the War - the Deponent says that the said John Cowdrey was the first Lieutenant of the said Company and was very generally esteemed an efficient and accomplished Officer and the Deponent verily believes that the said John Cowdrey is now of about the age of seventy five Years.
The Deponent saith that he is a native of Hartford aforesaid where he resided until 1790, when he removed to Boston and has resided in that City and at Brighton, Massachusetts, until about two years since since which time his family residence has been at Middletown aforesaid. The Deponent says that he arrived in this City this Morning to wit, the ninth day of November 1832 from Middletown aforesaid, and intends leaving this City to morrow Morning on his way to Ohio and that he could not this day appear before any Court of Record for the purpose of being sworn to this Deposition with any Commission to himself or to the said John Cowdrey or the person employed

by him in drawing the Exposition Sworn this 9 th day of November 1832 at about 6 o'clock P.M. Lucerne
Samuel W. H. Romer
before me
Peter Sharpe
W d of the 2 d Ward & one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the City & County of New York

STATE OF NEW-YORK, City and County of New-York, } ss.
I, ABRAHAM ASTEN, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY,
That John Sharpe Esq. whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the annexed deposition was on the day of taking the same Alderman in the said City and also one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County duly sworn. — Also further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of such Alderman and verily believe that the signature to the said Jurat is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and af- fixed the Seal of the said Court and County, the Twenty first day of November 1832.
Abn Asten, Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Cowdry, Benjamin GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 6951 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 7, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.