Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20969, Absalom Denny, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Denny, Absalom Bethia
W 20969
CONTENTS

66 to W. G. Wadsworth Apr 21. 1845
New York 14786
Absolom Tenny of Onondaga in the State of N. Y. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt commanded by Col Bradley in the Conn. line for
9 mo: 7 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Y. at the rate of 30. Dollars 77. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25. day of June 1833. and sent to A. Smith. Manlius. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833- 61. 54. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " - 15 38 $ 76.92
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francis T. Francovici Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4 Page 54
9819 - ✓

7176 New York
Bethia Lenny widow of Abraham Lenny Con who was a private in the Connecticut line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars 77 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28. day of July 1845 and sent to
W. G. Wade Rept. N.Y.G.
[Act of March 3, 1843]
Recorded in Book A 17 June 1844
Vol. 2 Page 74
17 June 1844. No 796.
Let. to W. G. Wade, June 3, '46. " " " Dec. 31, '40.
Rept

1819
2 mo. sick & unable to return home disallowed.
Abn d
9 mo. 7 ds pri
John C. Smith Onondaga Co Hamilton Me

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York
County of Onondaga, On this eleventh day of September 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before David Hosley Vice Chancellor of the seventh circuit of the state of New York , at a court of Chancery held in Onondaga in said County and now sitting for the year 1832 . Absalom Denney, resident of Manlius in said County, State aged sixty nine 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, under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
On the fourth of April 1776, then residing at America County of Dutchess, state of New York, he enlisted under Sergeant Rufus Detow a recruiting officer for nine months, and served as follows. Marched immediately, through New York to a place opposite New York, and lay in one Codwens barn at or near Hoboken, then to the English neighbourhood near Fort Lee, up till he was detached to Fort Washington, he served in Captain Simeon Smiths Company, in Colonel M c Brady, Regiment; that at Hoboken there lay three Regiments together two besides Brady. A short time before the giving up of Fort Washington sixteen men were detached from Captain Smiths Company, to go to Fort Washington, among whom were this Applicant, James Weatherhead, John Chapman, Martin Eno, David Smith and John Randall, who joined the Garrison, as he understood commanded by M c Garay, that he does not recollect the officers particularly, but on the day of the surrender he saw the officer said to be the Commandant of the Fort, who ordered out the men saying he was afraid of his life, ordered nothing to be done and no firing to take place till his return and then with his white handkerchief on his Espontoon he went into a hollow and soon returned leading in the whole British Army to whom the Fort was surrendered, and this applicant with the rest of the Garrison made prisoners, that he was then

put in the Old Prison where he was kept prisoner about two months and was then paroled not to serve again during the war, that he was then sent in a feeble state of health from starvation to the American Camp at Rye where when he was so far recruited as to go home his father came and carried him home on the eighteenth of March 1777. This applicant in 1778, having recovered his health, notwithstanding his parole, went out in the service in an alarm and served about a week, but it was against the advice of his acquaintance
This applicant was born in America County of Dutchess, State of New York the 4 th March 1763, where he voluntarily enlisted as above stated at the age of thirteen years, that he has no record of his age, that he continued to live at America nearly twenty years after the war, then about two years at Coeymans in Albany County, and then he removed to Manlius where he now resides; that General Washington & General Putnam were pointed out to him while he was at Hopkinton, or that vicinity, but he does not recollect seeing any other General officers, that he never had a discharge from service, that he has no documentary evidence of his service unless it be the annexed deposition of Charles Deyong; that he has recently learned that David Smith, who belonged to the same company with this applicant, and was with him taken prisoner at Fort Washington was living at the West, and who if living can testify to his service; and that Margaret Deyong the wife of the applicant's son, is in the family, and that he knows of no other person whose testimony he can procure the testimony of the said David Smith that Andrew Melick and Hugh Morris of Manlius, can testify as to the character of this applicant and as to their belief in his service as a soldier of this Revolution

He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present. He hereby declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state. his Sworn this 11 Sep r . 1832 Absalom Denny before me Daniel Mosley Mark Circuit Judge
We Andrew Balsley and Hugh Morris of Manlius hereby certify that we are well acquainted Absalom Denny of Mendon who has mentioned and sworn to the above declarations that we believe him to be of the age of sixty nine years; that it is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides who has been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn this 11 th Sep r . 1832 Andrew his Balsley Daniel Mosley Mark Circuit Judge Hugh his Morris Mark
And the said Court hereby declares its opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the interrogatories required by the War department that the said Absalom Denny was a Revolu- tionary soldier and that he served as he states for. Further that Andrew Balsley & Hugh Morris who have subscribed the above certificate are each credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit & that they re- side in Manlius Daniel Mosley Vice Chancellor
I hereby certify that the words "Daniel Mosley" were written on an erasure and interlined before swornto and that there was an erasure of several lines on the second page and the place of residence of the witnesses, also Daniel Mosley Vice Chancellor

D.T. Moseley Dept Clerk
I Daniel T. Moseley Deputy Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the Seventh Circuit for the state of New York do hereby Certify, that, the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Absalom Denney for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11 th day of Sep- tember one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Daniel T. Moseley Deputy Clerk

I Charles Denny of the Town of Sheldahl County of Chautauqua and State of New York of law age do testify and say that in and during time of the Revolution and war with Great Britain I lived with my Father in the Town, Armonk in the County of Dutchess State of New York and during said time my Brother Absalom Denny who then lived at home with my Father did List and serve (under one Capt Smith) in the the then thirteen United States, the term of Nine Months or more - the precise year of his enlistment I have forgotten but well recollect it to be at the time that Fort Washington was taken by the British and he made a Prisoner, in this Deposition further sayeth not
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 26 th day of May 1831 - Haver Boigbaum S.P.
Charles Denny

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed 7 th July 1838. 3 d March 1843 & 17 th June 1844 Granting Pensions to certain widows.
State of New York
Onondaga County } ss Be it known that on the 28 th day of May 1845 Before the subscriber a Judge of the court of said county, personally appeared Betti a Denny of M a nlius in said county aged (88) eighty eight years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the acts of congress - passed July 7 th 1838. 3 d of March 1843 and 17 th of June 1844. Entitled 'Act' granting half pay and pensions to certain widows &c - That she is the widow of Absalom Denny who was a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States, at the rate of about thirty dollars per annum, was a resident of the town of M a nlius in the county and state above mentioned, and died on or about the six- teenth day of January (1842) One thousand eight- hundred and forty two. That he left this deponent as his widow who has not inter- married but still remains his widow.
That her maiden name was Betti a Withhead that she was a resident of Dutchess County New York State, and was married to the above mentioned Absalom Denny - in the fall of the year (1780) One thousand seven hundred and eighty - in a place called Great Minepartners in Dutchess county New York. That she was married at the house of her late husband Absalom Denny's father, John Denny - at the time and place above mentioned. That at the time she was married Elder Dakin - the clergyman of the place was sent for to perform the ceremony, but being absent one Ezra Inwood - was called in, who performed the ceremony, he being a justice of the peace at the time. That she has no record of her marriage or of the ages of her children. That she was not mar- ried prior to her husband leaving the service, but was married prior to the first day of January 1784. Viz, at the time above stated.
That she is not positive as to the exact day or month of the marriage, but well knows it was some time before the close of the Revolutionary War - from the fact that she distinctly recollects of her late husband's brother being absent from home in the army after her marriage to

Absalom Denny as afore stated. That for proof of service of her late husband's in the war of the revolution she respectfully refers the Department to the evidence on file in the Pension Office, which was furnished at the time of her late husband's applying for his pension.
Sworn & subscribed before me - The day and year afore written
her Bethina K Denny mark
Amasa H Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Court
I certify that the above named affiant is unable to appear in court on account of age and bodily infirmity - and that she is a respectable person and that she is unable to write her name.
A. H. Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Court
State of New York
(Onondaga County) ss. Personally appeared before the subscriber, a Judge of the court in and for said county, Belinda Miller of Moulins, in the county and state aforesaid, aged forty three years the ninth day of April 1845, who being first duly sworn according to law deposes and saith, that she is the youngest child of Absalom Denny and Bethina Denny, the identical persons named in the foregoing affidavit, that there were nine  six  brothers and sisters at this deponent's all older than herself - and all own children of the aforementioned Absalom and Bethina Denny, that this deponent has a record of her age which has been kept as such for about twenty five years, which she believes to be a true record of the same, that her eldest Brother would if living be about sixty three years of age, that she has never seen any record of the marriage of her father and mother, or of the ages of their children as kept by her parents as a record.
That her father Absalom Denny was at the time of the town of Moulins in county and state aforesaid - was a pensioner of the United States, and died on or about the sixteenth day of January 1842 and left this deponent's mother - as Bethina Denny is his widow who has not inter married, but still remains a widow.
Sworn and subscribed before me
This 29 th day of May 1845
Belinda Miller
Amasa H Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Court
I certify that the above named affiant is a respectable person.
A. H. Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Court

State of New York } In Smith place in the Onondaga County ss. I, Francis Smith, of Syracuse, in said County being duly sworn, deponent & saith that he has been personally acquainted with the within named Bethia Denny for about thirty five years; that her husband at least thirty four years, previous to his death; that Abner Denny drew a Pension under the act of 1832 & that this deponent assisted him in procuring it; that the said Abner & Bethia had to the knowledge of this deponent lived together as hus- band & wife for more than thirty years, previous to his death, and that this deponent is acquainted that he has been for many years with several of the children of the said Abner & Bethia whose ages are in the opinion & judgment of this deponent from forty to sixty years old & that Mrs. Moore and their daughters very near sixty years old & that deponent has often heard Mr. Denny in his life time speak of their marriage as being during the revolutionary war & this deponent has no doubt from all the circumstances in his knowledge that the said Bethia is widow of the said Abner that he served in the Revolutionary war & was entitled to a Pension and drew a Pension, and that Bethia Denny the within named deponent is as his widow entitled to a Pension.
Subscribed and sworn before me this 2 d day of June 1845. Amasa H. Jerome } Judge of Onondaga County Courts }
I certify that the above named affiant is a res- pectable person — Amasa H. Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Courts
State of New York } Onondaga County } ss. Clerk's Office.
I certify that at the date of the foregoing affidavits and certificates, the said Amasa H. Jerome Esq. was one of the Judges of the County Courts in & for the said County commissioned and sworn; and further, that I am well ac- quainted with his hand writing, & truly believe that the several signatures to the said affidavits & certificates are genuine. Given under my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County at Syracuse, this 2 d day of June 1845.
Lewis J. Gillet, Dep. Clerk Clerk absent

11954
Bethia - Denney widow of Abraham Declaration act 7 May 1838 and 2 proof
MS 80 C 42
Re June 11. 1845.
Rejected must aud 1842
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page] The County of ... the ... of ... the ... the ...

State of New York
Onondaga County } ss Personally appeared before the subscribed a Judge of the court in and for said County Abigail Mosier of Manlius Onondaga County New York, aged Sixty years the twenty second day of September (1844) An thousand Eight hundred and forty seven, who being first duly sworn according to law deposes and saith that she is the second child of Absalom Denney and Bethia Denney - the identical persons who are mentioned in the annexed affidavits - That this deponent has not a record of her age at present, - but has had one which a school teacher wrote for her when a small girl about ten years of age, which she always kept as the true record of her age, and which she very believes was such, until a few years since when her house was destroyed by fire, with its contents - and the above mentioned record was destroyed at the time, since which she has neglected to write one. That she has never seen a family record of the marriage of her father and mother and of the ages of their children. That the said Absalom Denney and Bethia Denney - this deponents father and mother, had one child older than this deponent - which if now living would be now sixty three years of age, - That this deponents father the aforesaid Absalom Denney was a pen- sioner of the United States at the rate of about thirty Dollars, per annum, was a resident of the town of Manlius County and State aforesaid, and died on or about the sixteenth day of January 1842. An thousand Eight hundred and forty two That he left at his death this deponents Mother as his widow, who has not inter- married but still continues a widow, and that she is the identical person whose Declaration is hereto annexed -
Subscribed and sworn before me her this 21 st day of May 1845 Abigail Mosier Amasa H. Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Courts
I certify the above-named affiant is a respectable person - and that for want of practice she is unable to write for now A. H. Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Courts

State of New York, Onondaga County, } ss: Clerk's Office, —
I certify that Amasa N. Jerome, Esq. was at the date of the within certificate, & affidavit, one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for the said County, commissioned & sworn, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe that his signatures within are genuine. Given under my hand & the seal of said County, this second day of June 1845.
Lewis J. Gillet, Dept. Clerk, Clerk absent.
N.B. The word "May," erased in the above certificate & the word "June" written upon the Erasure by me at the time of making the certificate.
Lewis J. Gillet

1 st Brief N o 7819.
Abraham Denny.
Page 91
advised
11:16
17 Nov 1832
A Smith J. C. Black Agent Agent Manlius

No 7819.
BRIEF in the case of  Abraham Denny of Manlius County of Onondaga  — in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
In Open Court,
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
69 Years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     April 4 th In 1746. — 9. — private Capt Smith Col. Gen. Brigs.   1778. — — 7. — —  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
America County of Dutchess State of New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By one living witness & traditional evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Certificate of Clugyman wanting.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
James Ard
Examining Clerk.

No. 11954
Priscilla Denney Maw of Absalom N.Y.
act 7 July 1838
Rejected husb. died 1842
Adm re acts, 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 9 mo 7 days p ri $30 27 per ann
W. G. Made Rose New York

Ray
WIDOW, &c.
cont
File No. 20969
Bethia Denny
Widow of
Abraham Denny
Rev. Recd. War
Act March 3 rd /43
June 17 th 1844.
Index: Vol. 14 , Page 177
[Arrangement of 1870.] 177

Rose New York 9th June 1845
Sir
I beg leave to present the enclosed declaration and proof, in support of the claim of Bithia Deering, for a pension under acts of congress of 9th June 1836 - 3 d March 1843 and 17 th June 1844. - Permit me very respectfully to request you to examine, particularly the aff ts of Mrs Musier and Deborah Smith Esq r . also the widows declaration, in which the circumstances, to show that the marriage took place previous to 1794 - appear very conclusive, and I trust will be satisfactory.
I have the honor to be very respectfully Your humble Serv t W. G. Wade
Hon J L Edwards Com r of Pensions Washington DC

Manlius A. Buck July 31. st 1846
Sir,
I would respectfully request that you permit Mr. Wade of Rose N. G. or any person he may authorise, to examine the original papers filed in your office by my late husband Absalom Denny, in his application for a pension under act of Congress of 9th June 1832, for the purpose of establishing my claim for a pension larger than is now awarded.
I am respectfully Yours Abt. Servant Bethia X Denny
Signed in presence of Robert Ginnor } Justice of the Peace.
Hon. L. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions Washington D. C.

Dec 21. 1846
Rec'd Bethuel Denny
Rosemary Dec 16
Bethuel Denny NY 38
get no 7171-43
11
Hon J. L. Edwards Counr of Prunions Washington D. C.

Rose New York, December 16 th 1846.
Sir,
In behalf of Bithia Denny who was pensioned under act of 7 th July 1838. I beg leave to be informed of the services and imprisonment of her late husband Absalom Denny, as he set forth in his declaration, under act of 7 th June 1832.
A vigorous effort has been made to obtain a copy of the declaration, on some facts, which would be a guide in searching for proof. — But his agent & Garrison Smith Esq. being dead, no copies of papers have been obtained.
The old lady is aged, and very inferior, and quite unable to give a history of his services, — and only grounds her claim, upon the assertions of her late husband who asserted that there was, some nine months service or im- prisonment for which he was not pensioned.
Yours Respectfully, Your Abt Servt, W. G. Wade,
Howe J. H. Edwards Comd'y Services, Washington D.C.

State of New York, County of Chautauqua ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for said County, Charles Denny, aged about sixty or years, who being duly sworn according to law, depo- seth and saith, that during the Revolutionary war this deponent, resided with his father's family in Ame- rica County of Dutchess, State of New York; that Absalom Denny, a brother of this deponent enlisted to serve in the said war for the term of nine months or more under one Captain Smith, and joined the service of the United States, and served from early in the spring till the taking of Fort Washington near New York, which this deponent believes was late in the fall; that the said Absalom was taken prisoner by the British at the taking of said Fort and was confined for a while in New York, and returned home the next spring nearly one year after his joining the Army; this deponent does not recollect the year, but is informed it was the year 1776; - this deponent further saith that before & after the said service the said Absalom resided in the same family with this deponent. Subscribed and sworn to this 28th day of February 1833 before me Haven Brigham J. P.
Charles Denny
I certify that Charles Denny the above named deponent is a person of truth and veracity and that full credit may be given to his state- ments. Haven Brigham J. P.

State of New York
County of Chautauqua, Clerk's office I James B. Sorney Clerk of the said County hereby certify that Warren Brigham Esq., before whom the within deposition was taken was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County; and that the signature of the said Justice to the said deposition and to the certificate, accompanying the same are the proper hand writing of the said Justice with which I am well acquainted
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County at Mayville — this second day of March 1833
James B. Sorney Clerk
7819

State of New York County of Onondaga } I, Absalom Denny an applicant for a Pension under the act of 7 th June 1832, being duly sworn deponeth and saith, that, in 1776 he served as a private from the fourth of April to the surrender of Fort Wash- ington, on or about the 18 th November, that then he contin- ued a prisoner to the British in New York two months, and that from ill health occasioned by starvation while prisoner he was unable to go home till 18 th March 1777 when he had to be carried home - and for this service, and one weeks service in 1778 in all amounting to eleven months and twenty days, this applicant claims a Pension; this applicant further saith that there is no clergyman residing in the vicinity of this applicant's residence; This applicant further saith that he requested his agent, A. Smith of Mechanics, to write to Ohio for the affidavit of David Smith, that the said Agent informs this applicant that he wrote for that person many weeks ago, and that he has received no information: this applicant is there- fore of opinion that the said David Smith is not alive, for if alive, this applicant feels confident, he would have given the testimony required -
Subscribed & sworn this 26 th day of March 1853. Absalom Denny before me - A. Kingsley

State of New York Onondaga County 33 B:
I Hanson Edwards Jr Deputy Clerk of the said County do certify that Asa Sims Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the justices of the peace in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affi- davit to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 27th day of March 1833. H. Edwards Jr Dep. Clk

Mar 9, 1846
Memorandum
John J. Pennycuick
John J. Pennycuick Coun of Pensions Washington D.C.

Rose New York March 4 th 1846
Sir,
I beg leave to request the honor of being informed, of which, of the several loans of service claimed to have been perform- med, by Absalom Denny, late a prisoner of the United, under act of 9 th June 1832, (and of what further proof, will be required to establish the claim for a pension, for the time he was held a prisoner, - which is stated to me by his former agent Mr. Smith, to have been some nine months,
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your Ob d Serv t W B Wade
Hon J. H. Edwards Com r of Pensions Washington D C

Inform that no objection will be made to the service
Yrs

Rose New York April 15 th 1845
Hon J L Edwards Sir
As it is, often the case, in application by the widow of a deceased for a pension, that additional evidence of Service is required, in establishing the claim, - More particularly in cases where but a small amount of Service, was claimed to have been done, - I would respectfully beg leave to ask, if any additional proof of Service , claimed to have been done by Abraham Drury, who was pensioned under act of 7 th June 1832, - will be required, in establishing the claim of his widow to a pension.
This information is requested, that it may be known, before having to the expense of collecting - proof of Marriage - what will be required, as to the Service - as the pens n is but small, it would be impracticable to me, to great expense, or trouble, there being little prospect of her surviving but a short time,
I have the honor to be very respectfully Your humble Serv t W B Wade
Hon J L Edwards Committee of Pens n