Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16170, Serajah Comstock, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
born
Comstock, Serajah Sarajah
W. 18170
Austin, Olimena
CONTENTS
Former widow

5,004 New York Roll
Sarajah Comstock Private
S. B. Webb, Regt In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence the first of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st of Dec 1818 and sent to Benj T. Johnson Esq. Room Rutledge House, Oneida Co. NY
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1818 - 4 mos 30 33. 06 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 March 1819 48 -
1780. War $ 81. 06
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
2 yrs 10 mos 23 Feb. 26
Williamstown -
Let to G. H. Comstock a/c 11. 1842. same a/c 21. 1842.
one of the Pensions April 25 th 1821, Williamstown N.Y.

Reported,
New York 6906
widow of Climena Austin formerly
Serajah Comstock, dec d who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 23 January 1836 of Cayuga Co. in the State of New York who was a Private of the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by Webb in the New York 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 15 th day of December '42 and sent to G. F. Comstock, Syracuse, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841. Semi-annual allowance ending
$ 400
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Theo t L. Wooddy Clerk Book A Vol. 2 Page 66

Surajah Kamstock jun. Webb Comm. Regiment 1780 to 1783 - (1 May 1818)
Cover
Surajah Kamstock - att

State of New York } Onida County } } 3
On this first day of May 1818. before me the subscriber one of the Judges of Onida Common Pleas, personally appeared Serajah Comstock, aged 58 years, resident in the Williamstown State, who being by me first duly sworn, according to Law doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" That the said Serajah Comstock enlisted in Norfolk in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, in the company commanded by Captain John Watson, in the month of May 1775. of the Regiment commanded by a Colonel Heman, and continued to serve in said corps until the first of January 1776, when he was discharged from service at Montreal in Canada by General Montgomery. - That he enlisted a second time at the same place as above stated about the first of February 1776 into the company commanded by Captain Titus Watson of Colonel Charles Burrill's regiment of the Connecticut line, and that he continued to serve in the said corps until the first of February, 1777, when he was discharged from service at P'condauga in the State of New York, and received a written discharge signed by Colonel Wayne, who commanded there.

That he enlisted again at Norfolk for three years, on the first day of December 1780 in the 15th Company commanded by Captain Samuel Williams, of the third Connecticut Regiment, commanded by Colonel Samuel B. Webb, that he continued to serve in said Corps or in the service of the United States, until October 1783 when he was discharged from service, at West Point in the State of New York, and received a written discharge signed by General Knox. That he was at the siege of St. Johns, at the taking of Chamblee at the Battle of Langdale opposite Montreal, on Lake Champlain when the fleet under General Waterbury was destroyed, at the Battle of Kingsbridge, at the siege of York Town, in the South at the Capture of Lord Cornwallis, and in many other skirmishes, that his discharge have been lost for a number of years, and that he is in reduced circum- -stances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Known to me to be true before me, the day and year aforesaid
Serajah Comstock
Charles Myrie One of the Judges of Bridgeport

I Charles Wylie Judge of as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Serajah Comstock did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the before mentioned act of Congress & the his said in almost every word his country's duty for support. Towns. Oneida Co. May 1 st 1818. Charles Wylie
State of New York } Oneida County } p
Benjamin Murray aged 62 years personally appeared before me the Subscriber Judge of as aforesaid & being duly sworn says, that he was well acquainted with the above named Serajah Comstock in the Revolutionary War, and that he served in the same company with the said Serajah Comstock from the first of February 1775 to the first of February 1777 when they were discharged as stated in the said Serajah's affidavit — Benj. Murray sworn to & declared before me the day & year aforesaid.
Charles Wylie one of the Judges of Oneida Co. N.Y.

Clerk's Office Oneida County
I Certify that Charles Wylie was a Judge for this County at the time of making the above Affidavit and Certificate, & that his signature to the same appears to be of his own proper hand writing Witness the seal of said County the 23 day of May 1887
Frank H Woodgood Clerk

Sueyah Comstock
Rev. Popes
1820
Centreville
Sentto Pennine Williamstown Apr 25. 1821

Oswego Common Pleas } State of New York } Oswego County ss }
September Term 1820
Personally appeared in our Court of Common Pleas in and for Said County being a Court of record in open Court Serajah Comstock aged 61 years and upwards resident in Williams Town in Said County, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows. I enlisted in 1775 under Capt. John Watson and in Colo. Hilmans Regt. for eight months, on the first of February 1776 enlisted under Capt. Watson in Colo. Charles Burns Regt. for one year and served till first February 1777. on the first of December 1880. I enlisted into the regular army under Capt. Saml. M. Williams in Colo. Samuel B. Gibbs Regt. and continued to serve until June 1783. then I was transferred into Colo. Herman Swifts Regt. and in October I was discharged from service at West Point New York by Major General Henry Knox my original application was made on the 1 st day of September May 1818. and my pension Certificate is no. 5. or 4. -
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the united states on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of any property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the united states in the revolutionary

was passed the 18th of March 1818. and I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me and that I have no other income but what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed
Signed Seraphim Comstock
Inventory
Real estate half of an acre of land and a house in Mrs. Town worth $75.00 for all which and more I owe and the land has been sold on an old judgment against the former owners of the land so that I have in reality no title to my land -
Personal Property
  1 cow $ 15 00   1 pair Kettle 4 00   2 hogs 6 00   1 pot 1 25   1 dish Kettle 1 00   1 tea Kettle 1 00   1 chamber 1 00   1 pr flat irons 1 00   1 pair shovel & tongs 1 75   2 axes 2 00   2 axes 0 75   2 scythes 0 50   1 scythe & rake 0 25   2 milk pans 0 25   1 butter plate 0 25   1 earthen tea pot 0 25   6 cups & saucers 0 18   5 earthen plates 0 41   6 tin forks 0 50   5 chains 1 87   1 table 1 00 
  2 Barrels 25   1 Large spinning wheel 1 50   1 Small do. do. 2 00   2 pails 50   1 eye tub 75   1 small grind stone 50   Real estate 75 00 
$123 00

  3 Barrels 25   1 Large spinning wheel 1 50   1 Small do. do. 2 00   2 pails 50   1 eye tub 75   1 small grind stone 50   Real estate 75-00   $123 00 
My debts owing honestly and bona fide by me including what I owe towards the Land $220.00
signed Seraiah Canstock
Sworn to and subscribed this 21 st day of September 1820 before me
John Grant Esq.
Fruit Surge At. Cy.
I am a farmer by profession, am 61 years of age, am so infirm that I can- not support by labor myself & family - I have a wife who is 49 years of age & three children one of 18 years of age, one of 9 years of age & one of 6 years of age
signed Seraiah Canstock

State of New York County of Cayuga { p:
On this twenty day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty two personally appeared before Augustus F. Ferris one of the Judges of the Court of Common in and for the said County of Cayuga Mrs. Climenta Austin now residing in the Town of Victory in said County, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the acts of Congress passed July 7. 1838 and during the Session widows ending August 1842, granting pension to certain
That she is aged twenty a upwards years, that she was lawfully married to Mr. Serajah Comstock who served in the war of the Revolution on the Twenty third day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred ninety at the Town of Norfolk in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut by Giles Pettibone Esq then a Justice of the Peace of that Town, and that the Banns of her said Marriage were published according to Law by the Rev. Asa Robbins, then the Pastor of one of the Churches in said Town.
That she is informed and believes that due inquiry having been made no record evidence of her said Marriage can now be found in the said Town. That she has no actual knowledge that her said Marriage was recorded, but that she supposed such to have been the fact until recent enquiry made as aforesaid, and that she received from

the State of Connecticut to the State of New York the or about the year 1805 -
And she further declans as aforesaid that her said husband served in various places through the whole or a large part of the war of the Revolution and that for a few years before his death he received from the National Government a Pension for his services, and that for the particular concern- -ing his rank and service she refers to evidence now in writing and on file in the Pension Department of the United States -
And she further declans as aforesaid that the said Serajah Comstock died on the twenty third day of February January, eighteen hundred and twenty six and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the said marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four to wit at the time above stated and that she has no family or other record of the said marriage
And she further declans that she was afterwards to wit in the month of January eighteen hundred and twenty seven married to Mr. Reuben Austin who died on the seventeenth day of August in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven. That she has ever since remained and still is a widow and that her maiden name was Climena Austin.
All which matter will more fully appear by the evidence hereto annexed
Climena her Austin mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Asaph F. Harris one of the Judges of Cayuga County Courts

State of New York
County of Cayuga } p:
I do hereby certify that Mrs Eliza Austin the applicant named in the foregoing declaration cannot attend or appear in open court in and for the said county in consequence of and bodily infirmity Given under my hand this seventh day of October eighteen hundred and forty two
Aug t F. Ferris one of the Judges of Cayuga County Court
State of New York
Clerk's office of Cayuga County } p:
I do hereby certify that Augustus F. Ferris is and was at the date of the foregoing declaration and certificate a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Cayuga and that the signature annexed to the said declaration and to the said certificate of infirmity is his genuine signature.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas this 7 th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two
W Richardson Clerk of Cayuga County

acy and
August 9, 1928
Dr. John A. Comstock 501 Edwards Willey Bldg. 609 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, Calif.
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 16170 , it appears that Seraiah Comstock enlisted at Norfolk, Connecticut and served as a private, with the Connecticut Troops, as follows-
From May 1775, eight months in Captain John Watson's Company, Colonel Hixson's Regiment; from February 1, 1776, one year in Captain Titus Watson's Company, Colonel Charles Burrall's Regiment; and from December 1, 1780 in Captain Samuel Williams' Company, Colonel Samuel B. Webb's Regiment, was transferred to Colonel Ethan Swift's Regiment, and was discharged in October 1783 at West Point, New York. He was in the Sieges of Champlly and St. John, battles of Longueuil, Lake Champlain, King's Bridge, and Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 1, 1818, at which time he was living at Williamstown, New York, aged fifty-eight years. He died January 23, 1826.
The soldier married February 23, 1780, at Norfolk,

Connecticut, Olimena, whose maiden name was Austin. She married in January 1827, Reuben Austin, who died in 1837.
m She was allowed pension, on account of the services of Serajah Comstock, on her application executed October 7, 1842, at which time she was having years old, and was living at Victory, Cayuga County, New York, with her sixth child, Sylvester Comstock, at that time aged thirty-three years. In 1842, son, George F. Comstock, was thirty-one years old and living at Syracuse, New York. Names of other children not given.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

State of New York } Seneca County }
I Joseph Davis Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do hereby Certify that the an- nexed oath and Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of said Court, And I do further Certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule in value is one hundred and twenty three dollars
I witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 28th day of September 1820
J Davis, Clerk

Mr. Edwards
Recd 25 April 1821
Wilmington No 16
15/6
The Rev. Mr. Edwards
St. Asaph
North Wales
Washington City
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[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

Williamstown April 12 th 1821
Honoured Sir — For about 90 days I have been looking for some returns as respects my Pension but as yet none I desire to acquaint you on the subject presuming to say that you are not insensible of the feelings of Disinterested Humanity — Ever obedient to the calls both calls of my beloved County I left a smiling circle of Friends for the toils of a Camp the dark and gloomy period of '61 is (I presume) fresh in your minds and that of thousands any comment therefor is unnecessary and shall only state to you Sir a statement of facts —
After receiving my Act o I made my calculations accordingly reposing the greatest trust and confidence in the faith of Government that as they have seen fit to grant me a salary during the rest of my life I thought that I could spend the rest of it useful to myself to my Cousin Partners my small family and to all around. I set about getting a small piece of land for that purpose and some other things that were not necessary and placing all the greatest reliance on my Pension I was compelled to get involved when to my utter astonishment it was suspended and I have foreseen my misery I believe according to Law and I now wish to state to you that the land that I put in Bond is entirely taken from me and I have no way to obtain any a support for myself and family Other Dear Sir with a Country of Freedom and Liberty see suffer a man suffering under numerous and distressing calamities and not having a hand to nor help from through life one who has fought for his own Liberty

This Country with the exception of Canada can testify to the harshness I wish not to plead any merit of my own in particular but first to let you know that I feel as though I ought to receive a Pension from my Country as well as some who received it after their engagement in the Service there never was a deficiency - I wish to mention in the state of my health for two or three years back I have not been able to do but very little work if there should remain any doubts in your mind respecting the truth of this statement I can get a number of my friends to testify to the correctness of it - Dear Sir if my list is meant and not for some place to send me a list (stating those others of any in town) respecting it for it may be misplaced on account of Post-Offices - I am sure as it will assist me more very much
I saw an account from the War Department that the list was made out and sent for some at least three weeks ago and that money was in the hands of the Agents
With great respect Sir
I remain your O.W. North Supt - Jeremiah Comstock
To the Honorable J. C. Calhoun Secy of War Washington City D.C.
Rev
I wish to state to you in particular that my health is such that I receive some support from my Country besides some monthly assistance
Yours etc J.C.

State of New York County of Cayuga } County of Oswego } ss:
On this seventh day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty two before me Augustus J Ferris one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga  Cayuga personally appeared Ezra Lane who being by me first duly sworn according to law did on his oath depose and say that he now resides in the Town of La  La in the County of Cayuga  Oswego . That he was born in the Town of Guilford in the State of Connecticut in the 1768. That he first became acquainted with Jeremiah Canstock at the time he left the American Army immediately after the close of the Revolutionary war in 1783. That he has been acquainted with Mrs. Climena Austin now residing in Victory in the County of Cayuga from her childhood. That her present residence is about twelve miles from the residence of the said deponent. That her maiden name was Climena Austin. That she was married to the said Jeremiah Canstock by Gilel Pettibone Esq then a justice of the Peace of the Town of Norfolk in the State of Connecticut in the year one Thousand seven hundred and eighty nine or ninety, that the precise time of the year he is unable to state, but he is positive that such marriage took place as early as the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety, that deponent remembers to have heard the banns of the said marriage published in the church in Norfolk aforesaid, and that he was present at the said marriage which took place at the house of the said Pettibone and in the best room thereof.
That he lived neighbor to and was well acquainted with the said Jeremiah Canstock and Climena his wife while they

resided in the state of Connecticut. That they resided in that state until in or about the year 1805 when they removed to the state of New York. That deponent also removed to the state of New York in the following year and was at their home in the Onondaga County in the state last aforesaid in the year eighteen 1806. That he saw subsequently to that time the said Serajah Luce at several different times before the death of the said Serajah. and that on the thirtieth day of September last past he saw the said Elmina, and possibly, believes her to be the same person who was married to the said Serajah Canstock as herein above stated. That he also knows that they had several children born while they so resided in the state of Connecticut as aforesaid.
Subscribed the day & year above written Augustus F. Ferris one of the Judges of Cayuga County Court
Ezra Luce
State of New York
County of Cayuga ss. I do hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with Mr. Ezra Luce who made the foregoing statement on oath for many years. That he is a person of good character & that his foregoing statement on oath is entitled to credit and belief.
Given under my hand this seventh day of October eighteen hundred & forty two
Augustus F. Ferris Judge
of Cayuga County Court

State of New York } County of } p:
On this seventeenth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty two, personally appeared before Augustus F. Ferris one of the judges of the court of common pleas in and for the said county of Sylvester Cornstock who being by me first duly sworn according to law did depose on oath and say, that he is aged thirty three years upwards that he is the son of Serajah Cornstock and Clemena his wife now his widow, that depo his present occupation is that of a contractor with the United States for carrying the mail between the Auburn in the county of Cayuga and Oswego in the county of Oswego, that deponent has learned & understood from childhood that his father the said Serajah Cornstock lived through the whole or the greater part of the war of the Revolution, that deponent is the sixth child of the said Serajah and Clemena, and that the eldest of their children is fifty years of age and upwards as understood and reported in the family and as this deponent has no doubt is true, and that all of the said children were born in lawful wedlock so far as deponent has any knowledge of information , and as he verily believes to be true, and that there is no other record as deponent verily believes no other record of the marriage of the said Serajah and Clemena or the births of their children -
and he further says that the said Serajah Cornstock died in the month of February in the year eighteen hundred and twenty six, that deponent was present and speaks of the fact and of the time positively and of his own knowledge, that in the month of January eighteen hundred and twenty seven the said Clemena was married to Mr. Reuben Austin who died on the 17 th day of August in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven, that deponent was present at the marriage with said Reuben and at his death and speaks of his own knowledge - That the said Clemena has ever since remained and is still a widow now residing at the house of this deponent in the town of Victory in the county of Cayuga
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written a true above written
Augustus F. Ferris One of the Judges of Cayuga County Court
Sylvester Cornstock

State of New York
Clerks office of Cayuga County ss {
I do hereby certify that Augustus F Ferris is now one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Cayuga and that the signatures annexed to the foregoing affidavits of Orra Lane and Sylvester Cornstock taken before him this day are his genuine signatures, and also the signature to the foregoing certificate of the credibility of the said Orra Lane given under my hand & the seal of the said Court of Common Pleas this 7 th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two
W Richardson
Clerk of Cayuga County

In the matter of the Application of Clemena Austin for a Pension
Declaration & affidavits
V No 8460 Clemena Austin
NY
acts 7 July '38 & 23 Aug '42
adm'd 2 yrs pri
80 $
G. T. Comstock Syracuse NY.

State of New York County of Onondaga
George F. Comstock of Syracuse in said County being duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he is aged thirty one years that he resides in Syracuse aforesaid and is by occupation an Attorney & Counsellor at Law. That he has recently addressed a letter to the Town Clerk of Norfolk in the State of Connecticut for the purpose of ascertaining whether the marriage of Zeruah Comstock and Eliza Austin who are named in the papers hereto annexed are on record in his office. That he received for answer from said clerk a communication stating that in the said Clerk had carefully examined the record of Marriages but could not find the one in question, and further stating that it was the custom of clergymen and civil magistrates to keep a list of those whom they joined in marriage but that they were not careful to keep the get such marriages recorded in the Town Clerk's office and further stating that "Ezra Pettibone" was long since dead and that his papers were lost all which information deponent verily believes to be true.
and deponent further says that he has been this day informed by Ezra Lawrence Esq. of the said village of Syracuse the first Judge of the said County of Onondaga that Ezra Pettibone Esq. formerly of Norfolk aforesaid was fifty years ago & upwards a Justice of the Peace of the said Town of Norfolk and that he was such justice for a period of 20 years & upwards as in the said Lawrence has learned from reports in the family and among the descendants of the said Pettibone, and that he the said Lawrence is by marriage connected with the said Pettibone family.
and that deponent is further informed by the said Ezra Lawrence that the Reverend Asa Robbins was the grandfather of the said Ezra Lawrence and was for the period of fifty years Pastor of the Congregational

Church in the said Town of Norfolk of  the that  affidavit  which  he  believes  that  all  the  fore  and information is true. Further  he  says  not
Subscribed & sworn to this 8 th day of October 1842 before me
Johnson Hall Judge of Onondaga County
Geo F. Buel
State of New York
County of Onondaga } ss: I certify that Johnson Hall whose signature is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit is one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for the said County and that the said signature is his genuine signature. Given under my hand and the seal of the said court this 8 th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two
Chas. T. Hicks Clerk

Oct 11 1838
no 8460
My.
July 7. 1838.
Cluettia Austin
FREE
Hanna L Edwards Esq Court of Pensions Washington

Syracuse N.Y. Oct 8. 1842
Dr Sir
I enclose the application of Mrs. Clemence Austin for a Pension. Having had a second Husband she has now been entitled to it until the act of Aug last. As that act gives her the full benefit of the act of 1838 I presume the five years pension will be considered as all due -
I have no form under the act of 1842 but have sought to show enough to bring the case within it without much reference to form. The marriage is proved by the affidavit of Mrs. Ora Lane. The second marriage & the death of the two husbands is shown by the affidavit of Sylvester Gainsstock. I have subjoined my own affidavit to show that record evidence of the first marriage cannot be found -
For proof the services of her first husband the Applicant refers to the record. He was a pensioner a few years previous to 1826, and the papers upon which his pension was granted & I presume other records in the war department will show services of a meritorious character.
I think his rank was that of an orderly sergeant, but the papers on file will doubtless show. He served in the Connecticut troops as a sergeant. He was a native and resident of that state at that period -
Having never given any attention to obtaining pensions in any other case, there may be some omission or irregularity in the proceedings. If so you will have the goodness to advise me.
I presume in all cases the result of the application is made known immediately
I am your obedt Servt George F Gainsstock
James Brown L 2nd Lieut & Ex

State of New York Cayuga County ss:
On this twenty seventh day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty two personally appeared before Augustus F. Ferris one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Cayuga Mr. Ezra Lane of the town of Ira in the said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say, that he was married fifty years ago on the sixth day of March next  last past to wit on the sixth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and ninety three. That at the time of his said marriage he was well acquainted with Climena Austin who now resides in the town of Victory in the County aforesaid, and also with her husband Mr. Serajah Cornstock to whom she was first married. That he had known the said Climena from her childhood, and the said Serajah from the time he left the American Army after the War of the Revolution. That at the time of his said marriage he lived near to the said Serajah and Climena. That his recollection is entirely distinct and clear that they were man and wife and lived together as such at the time of his said marriage, and that the intermarriage of the said Serajah and Climena at which this deponent was present as set forth in a former affidavit made by him in this matter took place a considerable period prior to the said marriage of deponent. That this deponent now recollects, having lately discovered private papers of his own bearing date about the same time, that the said marriage took place either in the month of December in the year seventeen hundred and eighty nine or in the month of January in the year seventeen hundred and ninety, and has no doubt of the correctness of his recollection in that particular.
And this deponent further deposes and says that he knows of no living person other than himself who was present

at the said marriage of the said Serajah and Clumena, and he verily believes there is no such person now living, and further he saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before Augustus F. Ferris Am of the Judges of Cayuga County Courts
Ezra Lane
I certify that the words "last past" were stricken out and the word "next" inserted before signing - and the word "then" altered from "two" before the above deposition was so inserted and altered before the same was verified. Dated October 27 th 1842. Augt. F. Ferris Judge of Cay. Co. Courts
State of New York Cayuga County, Clerk's office } } I certify that I am acquainted with the the handwriting of Augustus F. Ferris and that the signa- ture to the foregoing deposition of Ezra Lane is the genuine signature of the said Augustus F. Ferris. I also certify that the said Augustus F. Ferris is and was at the date of the said deposition one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in for the said county of Cayuga.
Given under my hand & the seal of the said court of common Pleas this 14 th day of November eighteen hundred and forty two H. Richardson Clerk

Syracuse N Y Nov 30. 1842
Sir
In your letter to me of Oct 14 th last concerning the application of Climena Austin for a pension you say, that "more satisfactory evidence is required as to the date of her marriage with her first husband (Joseph Cornstock) and the date of the death of her last husband" (Reuben Austin) - you also said that "the testimony in relation to the latter should be presented to the court & the court's certificate forwarded to this office" -
In relation to the latter point, I now enclose you the required certificate of the Com: Pleas of Onondaga County showing that the 1 st husband died June 17. 1831 (183). So far as I understand the matter the requirement of the department in this respect is strictly complied with. If any thing is lacking I beg leave to observe that the fact can be proved in any mode required and by any number of witnesses - If any fatal defect is observed I beg the favor of you again to observe & suggest it -
But in regard to the other difficulty suggested by you it unfortunately happens that the record evidence (if any existed) is lost and that there is but one living witness. I trust you will pardon me for endeavoring briefly to press the views which have occurred to me upon this point of the application. The former affidavit of the Bera Lane was if I mistake not positive that the first marriage occurred in 88 or 90 certainly a considerable period prior to 1794 and the witness was entitled to be credible I presume in the usual form - I thought that testimony sufficient but on further reflection I admit that as no record is produced the department may reasonably ask for some data tending to show that the witness is not mistaken in recollection of the date. Time is material so far at least as to show that the event took place prior to 1794. I presume no farther, as that satisfies the requirement of the act on that subject. Now the difficulty suggested in your letter is not that the record is not produced or accounted for, but that the date is not well fixed. In other words I do not understand that the kind of evidence is criticised, or rejected as inadmissible, but merely that it is not certain and satisfactory as to the time when the marriage took place - Nor do I understand that one witness to the fact and the date is not sufficient, he being credible and sufficiently clear & circumstantial.

one witness to a given fact, being credible & testifying to a matter not unreasonable in itself, would be sufficient on a trial at Law in any state of the Union, unless some positive law required two & I presume that more than one is not required by the Pension Department. I beg leave further to observe that the it does not seem to be objected that the marriage itself is not well proved by the former affidavit of Mr Lane, on reading to that you will perceive that it is clear & positive on that point.
Acting under these impressions I have sent to Mr Lane and obtained from him a supplementary statement which I earnestly hope will be satisfactory to your department as to the accuracy of his recollections and the truth of his story - If it is not I can only insist that a case which I am sure is a meritorious one and comes strictly within the acts of Congress cannot be made to appear in its proper light to your department - You will now observe that Mr Lane's own marriage took place as he says March 6. 1793 or so near as to next March and that the marriage of Mr Austin to his first husband was a considerable period before his own. That when he was married they lived neighbors to him as man & wife That from private papers of his own he has no doubt of the accuracy of his recollections that the true date of the marriage was Dec 1789. or Jan'y 1790. - His own statement I think is that it took place February 23. 1790. The slight discrepancy in this respect of it from any thing proves that there is no collusion in the matter. At all events the circumstances detailed by Mr Lane leave no room for mistake as to the main fact. That the marriage took place at a period which brings the case within the act of Congress. It could not be expected that the precise day should be recollected by Mr Lane, and if he professed to recollect it without showing the hint of reason for it, there would be just cause to suspect that his statements were rather too forcible to be true - If there be any lack of integrity in the witness would not that have prompted him to make a less cautious statement, one that should leave no room for criticism? But his credibility has been certified to at the foot of the former affidavit, by the proper officer If more certificates shall be required any given number of them can be produced -
If an action of ejectment were depending in this state upon the fact which the applicant is seeking to establish, as a lawyer I should feel no hesitation in opposing the case

upon the evidence of Mr Lane. The record proof might perhaps be more strictly accounted for, but no difficulty seems to be made on that ground - I think it highly probable that Giles Pellibone Esq. has entered the marriage on his private record, and with considerable trouble it may be proved by his descendants that that record has been a frequently a subject of enquiry & in cost - I think it highly probable that the department has learned this fact from other sources & on other applications -
My anxiety for the success of the application is my apology for troubling you with a long and I fear tedious letter - I submit the case once more to your consideration - If it be necessary or proper to make any reference to myself or my own part in this matter I have only to say that you can learn from the Hon. History Bindsup that I should not be likely to be engaged knowingly in pressing a fictitious claim upon your Department - I will thank you for an early answer
Your obedt servant Geo. F. Cornstock
J L Edwards Esq

State of New York County of Onondaga } ss: I Charles T. Hicks Clerk of the County of Onondaga in the State of New York, do certify that at a Court of Common Pleas holden at the Court House in the Village of Syracuse in & for the said County of Onondaga on the fourth monday of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to the said Court, that Mr. Reuben Austin the second Husband of Mrs. Climena Austin who now resides in the Town of Victory in the County of Cayuga and State aforesaid and who is an applicant for a pension under the acts of Congress granting pensions to certain widows, died at the Town of New Haven in the County of Oswego and State aforesaid on the seventeenth day of June Eighteen hundred and thirty seven, That the said Clime- na Austin was married to the said Reuben Austin in the month of January in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty six, and that when so married she was the widow of Serajah Comstock who is represented to have served in the War of the Revolution, and who was the first husband of the said Climena.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 29 th day of November A.D. 1842 at the Village of Syracuse Chas. T. Hicks Clerk

Apr 11 1842
Seajah Comstock 1818
James J. Coombs Esq Bank of America Washington
1842 J. J. Coombs

Syracuse NY April 6. 1842
Sir
Under the pension act passed March 18. 1818 as I think, Mr Serjiah Comstock of the Town of Williamstown County of Oswego and State of New York made application for a pension as a revolutionary Soldier. The application was made and the pension granted soon after the act was passed or at all events I have no doubt before 1823. I suppose a roll of pensions is kept in your office. I desire to be informed whether his name appears on the roll. I presume also the papers and the evidence upon which the pension was granted are on file and preserved in your department. If so you will confer a very great favor by sending me copies of the papers in the case authenticated in the usual manner. I presume the papers are by no means voluminous and their importance to me is my apology for troubling your department to this extent.
I am your very obt servant George F Comstock
J L Edwards Esq

Apr 21. 1842
Jeremiah Cook N.Y.
[Handwritten scribble]
Samuel Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions Washington

Syracuse N.Y. April 17. 1842
Sir
In your of the 11th instant you say in reply to my letter of a former date that a pension was granted in the case of Zerijah Garstock, but that copies of the papers on which it was granted cannot consistently with your rules be furnished until the purpose for which they are wanted is made known. I was ignorant of the existence of any such rule as you refer to, but presume its object is to prevent an improper use being made of the papers on file in your department.
I now state that I think that the widow of that soldier desires to make some application to congress for relief, and I am advised that the relief sought for can be obtained from the Pension Department. Owing to what seems to me rather a strict construction of the act of the late acts of congress. I presume it will be necessary for her to obtain a special act. I desire a copy of those papers for the purpose of furthering her application either to congress or to your department as may be necessary. At this late period of time I know not where else to look for evidence of the soldier's service. You have it on file as represented more than 20 years ago.
I further observe that I am one of the youngest children of the soldier above named and may for that reason I trust without impropriety ask for a copy of those papers, I wish to become

better acquainted with some particulars of my father's Revolutionary Services
If my explanation is not satisfactory I refer you to the Hon Victory Birdseye from whom you can learn that I should not be likely to ask for a copy of any paper on same subject for improper use.
I remain respectfully
Yours Otho Brant
Geo F. Comstock
J. L. Edwards Esq

8460
NY.
Letto G. L. Comstock Oct. 11. '42
act 7. July 38

1907 Aug. 12. Heist. to Miss Helen G. Comstock aw. 1913 Feb. 10. Hist. to A. S. Comstock. 1916 Dec. 21. Mrs. W. Comstock S.M. advised of age. aw. 1928. Aug. 9. Hist. to Dr. John A. Comstock aw.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16170
Elisabeth Austin widow of Seraphim Comstock Pr. New York
Act July 14th 88
Index: Vol. 9 , Page 22
[Arrangement of 1870.]

NATIONAL HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD
CARL AKELEY Amer. Museum Natural Hist., N. Y. DR. L. T. BAKER Dean Univ. South Carolina DR. S. J. BARNETT Carnegie Institution of Wash. DR. S. L. BOOTHROYD Fuertes Observatory, Cornell Univ. DR. A. A. BRILL New York City PROF. H. S. BRODE Whitman College, Washington PROF. E. R. CLARK University of Georgia PROF. T. D. A. COCKERELL University of Colorado RABBI RUDOLPH I. COFFEE California Board of Public Welfare PROF. EDWIN GRANT CONKLIN Princeton University PROF. W. C. CURTIS University of Missouri DR. CHARLES B. DAVENPORT Dir. Sta. Exper. Evolution (Carnegie Institution) REV. DR. SAMUEL A. ELIOT Pres. American Unitarian Assn. PROF. CHARLES P. FAGNANI Union Theological Seminary PROF. BRUCE FINK Miami University PROF. CAROLINE E. FURNESS Vassar College PROF. CASWELL GRAVE Washington University DR. WINFIELD SCOTT HALL General Education Board Presbyterian Church DR. C. A. HAMANN Dean Western Reserve University School of Medicine PROF. HAROLD HEATH Leland Stanford Jr. University DR. EDGAR L. HEWETT Archaeological Institute America PROF. JESSE H. HOLMES Swarthmore College PROF. H. S. JENNINGS Johns Hopkins University DR. DAVID STARR JORDAN Chancellor Emeritus Leland Stanford Jr. University HON. WILLIAM KENT California DR. P. A. LEVENE Rockefeller Institute DR. A. D. LITTLE Massachusetts DR. CHARLES F. LUMMIS Founder Emeritus Southwest Museum DR. C. HART MERRIAM Smithsonian Institution PROF. HERMAN J. MULLER University of Texas DR. A. E. ORTMAN Carnegie Museum DR. MARK E. PENNEY Pres. Millikin University REV. CHARLES H. PENNOYER Director Department Social Welfare, Universalist Church PROF. H. S. REED University of California PROF. WOODBRIDGE RILEY Vassar College PROF. T. E. SAVAGE University of Illinois DR. S. C. SCHMUCKER State Normal School, W. Chester, Pa. DR. ALBERT SCHNEIDER Dean School of Pharmacy North Pacific College PROF. CHARLES SCHUCHERT Yale University PROF. EDWARD O. SISSON Reed College PROF. WARREN D. SMITH University of Oregon DR. T. WAYLAND VAUGHAN Scripps Instn. of Oceanography PROF. STUART WELLER University of Chicago DR. R. A. WHITE Peoples Liberal Church, Chicago ALBERT E. WIGGAM New York City PROF. HUGH H. YOUNG Johns Hopkins Univ. Medical School
SCIENCE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, INC.
MAYNARD SHIPLEY, PRESIDENT
CONRAD J. BIRON, SEC.-TREAS.
509 GILLETTE BLDG., 830 MARKET STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES BRANCH
DR. JOHN ADAMS COMSTOCK, DIRECTOR
501 EDWARDS-WILDEY BLDG., 6TH AND GRAND, LOS ANGELES, CAL.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen, -
I am very desirous of securing certain information in connection with the family history of the following Revolutionary soldier.
Serajah Comstock who was granted a pension in 1818. Residence at date of application for pension, Williamstown, N.Y.
I have his military history, but what I particularly need is the date of birth of his minor children who were living with him at the time he applied for this pension.
Any assistance you can give me will be most appreciated.
Sincerely,
Los Angeles, Cal. July 19, 1928.
John a Comstock
DR. JOHN ADAMS COMSTOCK 501 Edwards Wildey Bldg. 609 South Grand Avenue LOS ANGELES

Rev. War Dept. 16 Harvard Terrace 100.03 Allston, Mass
Dec 2 1916
Pension Bureau War Dept Washington, D.C. -
Gentlemen:
Serajah (or) Sarajah Comstock was a pensioner on 1818 Rolls (Ext.) under Onida County N.Y. He died Feby 23, 1826 - His age says 66
Please look at the original pension ( not the printed one) and see if the age 66 is at year 1818 or the year 1826 = the ages appear on all the petitioners
I want to be Rure at what year he was 66.
The favor will oblige
Yours truly Sam! W. Comstock

FEB 13 1913
Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
I am a great grandson of Serajah Comstock, who was granted a pension under the Act of 1818, while residing at Williamstown, N. Y., for service in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in Litchfield County.
Kindly give me all information you have concerning him. I would like particularly to know when and where he was born, as well as his service in the Revolutionary War.
Respectfully,
Room 2, 952 N. Clark St.
Chicago Ill.
A. S. Comstock

Evanston Ill. Aug 5. 1907.
1518 Kimman ave.
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions War Dept. Washington, D.C.
Will you kindly give me the Military History or Certificate of Service of Seraiah  Cornstock Lt. Soldier all through the Rev. War? Also date & place of birth, in Co. of Litchfield Conn. Either Torrington, Torrington or Canaan. Also the name of his father & mother. At the close of the war he was paid off in Continental money. He married Clemena Austin and moved to N.Y. State, Williamstown, Oneida Co. A pension was granted his widow by act of 1870. Please give all in your line, and oblige very truly - Miss Helen F. Cornstock.

For a copy of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Serajah Comstock W. 16170
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 73- u 8 mo Pvt John Watson Himman Conn.   Feb 1. 76 to 1 yr " Titus Watson Chas Burrall "   Dec 1, 80 " " Samuel Williams Samuel B Webb "   transf'd Heuman Swift   and discharged Oct 1783 at West Point - NY  
(Handwritten note in left margin) Serajah Comstock died Jan 29, 1826 at Williamstown N.Y.
Battles engaged in Siege of Champlain & St Johns, Battle of Longueuil, Lake Champlain, Kingsbridge, Yorktown. Residence of soldier at enlistment, at Norfolk Conn.  Date of application for pension, May 1, 1818, His claim allowed.  Residence at date of application, Williamstown N.Y.  Age at date of application 58 Died Jan 29 1826.
Remarks: Sol mar Feb 23, 1790 at Norfolk, Litchfield Co Conn. Elisena (whose maiden name was Austin) . She mar. Jan 1827 Reuben Austin who died at New Haven N.Y. Aug 17, 1837. She was ad pene on appl. ex. Oct 7, 1842, at which date she was 70 yrs old & resided with her 6 th child Sylvester Comstock at Victory, Cayuga Co N.Y. Son Geo. F. Comstock aged 31 res. in Syracuse N.Y. in 1842. names of other children not stated. names of soldiers father & mother not stated. Very respectfully,

Dec. 21, 1916.
Mr. S. W. Comstock, 16, Harvard Terrace, Allston, Mass.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 2 nd instant, you are advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim (W.16,170) of Serajah Comstock he states under oath in 1818 that he is 58 years old and a resident of Williamstown, Oneida County, N. Y.
Very respectfully,
A handwritten signature in cursive, appearing to read "J. M. Seligsohn". The signature is written in dark ink and is positioned above the title "Commissioner".
Commissioner.