Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 20,513, Richard Hilton, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York.
Hilton, Richard
R. 20.513.
CONTENTS

Revolutionary Claim Under law of 1832 From the State of NY Richard Hilton
Onida Aug 16. 52
Sir
Will you furnish me a copy of the alleged service of Richard Hilton
Respectfully Your Ob dt Serv t Chas. L. Jay
Hon d E. H.

State of New York COUNTY OF Oswego ss. Peter Hilton being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is a child of Richard Hilton deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, & who was an applicant for a pension from the State of New York - that this deponent is directly interested as one of the claimants in said claim.
Peter Hilton
Sworn and subscribed before me this 28 day of May 1852 and I do hereby certify that the said Peter Hilton is a respectable person, and that I have full faith in the truth of the above statement sworn to by him as being directly interested in said claim.
James Carpenter, Justice of the Peace
Know all Men by these Presents, That I Peter Hilton a child of Richard Hilton deceased, to whom a pension was probably due, & who was an applicant for a pension from the State of New York - do hereby constitute and appoint ARAD JOY, of Ovid, N. Y., my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name as one directly and personally interested, as also for and in behalf of all others interested in the claim or application for a pension as above mentioned.
Witness my hand and seal, this 28 day of May 1852 SEALED AND DELIVERED IN THE PRESENCE OF
James Carpenter
Peter Hilton
STATE OF New York County of Oswego } Be it known that on the 28 day of May 1852 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, personally appeared Peter Hilton - above named, and duly acknowledged the above Power of Attorney and affidavits to be his act and deed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and date above mentioned.
James Carpenter, Justice of the Peace

old case
11.194.
Richard Milton
Pettit 48
Richland
Onondaga Co
N.Y.

11.194
BRIEF in the case of Richard Hilton,  of Oswego  in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? It does  3. How old is he? 79 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.     (Blank) From 1 1/2 to 2 years Artillery Gen. Cap t P. Hilton   1778 2 1/2 years Lieut. Cap t H. Dunham Col. C. Van Vechten  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Baratoga  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Baratoga Co  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidents evidence, or by the rolls? Tradit. refers to papers heretofore forwarded  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Havett Examining Clerk.

Richard Hilton, act 32 - N.Y. Leopoldo Pons
Pons act 1815-19 Madam Armstrong
In
Isabel Stevens N.Y. P.E. 22
E. G. Arnold Feb 25 - 52

Orwell, Oswego Co. NY Dec. 28 th 1851
Mr. Jay Hathaway, Sir
Some time last winter you wrote a letter directed to Richard Hilton. He died 9 years ago last August, 1842 his son took the letter from the Office. I married his youngest daughter & for the last 60 years of his life he lived with me. 17 years ago he applied for a Pension, J. J. Pettit was his Attorney. He failed in establishing his claim. I will give you the old man's statement as he used to relate it 30 years ago. At near the commencement of the Revolution he enlisted as an artificer or workman whose duty it was to build Boats, Hospitals, Bridges &c for the Army, his Father, Peter Hilton being Capt. of said company that he served in that capacity until the surrender of Burgoyne. When he was honorably discharged & drew his certificate for land which he subsequently sold. That afterwards he received a Lieutenants commission & was frequently called out on scouting Parties. They being Militiamen , were frequently called upon to watch the movements of the enemy, Dunham, was Capt. of said company. He was married, in 1776. If you think there is a chance of getting a Pension I would like to have you try
Yours Truly
James Carpenter

Richard Hilton's Pension Application
Wm. J. Turrell

State of New York } County of Onondaga } 4
On this 30 th day of December A.D. 1834 personally appeared before me John Reynolds Esquire a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Onondaga Richard Hilton a resident of the County of the State aforesaid of the age of Eighty one 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 Provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That in the breaking out of the Revolutionary war the said Richard Hilton resided in that part of the said State of New York now called the County of Saratoga (then called County of Albany)
That when General Montgomery & Ethan Allen went to Canada with the American Troops I engaged as an officer and enlisted as such under my father Peter Hilton who was a captain of a company of Artillery in the American Army and we were employed in building boats barracks - Hospitals - bridges &c at Ticonderoga - and on Lake George - Plankton - Fort Edward - Fort George &c for the accommodation of the American Troops - That I was engaged as such officer until the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga when I received an honorable discharge which is now lost - and a certificate for Bounty Lands & interest thereon - according to the best of my recollection & which is greatly impaired by old age & its attendant infirmities I entered this service in the fall of 1775 & was discharged in the fall of 1777 and I remained in this service two years - The certificate for Land I sold for three dollars in specie to one Joseph Schuyler a son in law to my father - I received from him a resolution of General Schuyler recollecting this well from the fact that specie was a scarce article at that time.
In the year after the taking of Burgoyne which occurred in 1777 by a law was it given & what has

was in the fall of 1777 the Tories and Indians commenced depredations again on the frontier - I volunteered with a number of others, my neighbours, to defend it - We left here some time in the summer of 1778 & went on a Scout to Schoon Lake & round by Lake George. We were gone six weeks on the expedition as near as I can recollect - One Scott was with us in this Scout & Van Vechten or Van Schaae & which I cannot recollect - I was out with the militia a number of times this year but cannot recollect how many or how long each time - I acted some times as an officer & some times as a private but the particulars I cannot recollect - but I am sure I performed active duty this year more than three months as a soldier in the service of my country - I claim honours for three months service only -
The next year 1779 a considerable force was raised to repel the Indians & Tories - Col. Willett was in Albany & went on to Fort Schuyler - I took an active part in the struggle - Jacob Lansing called us out a number of times during the season & Col. Van Vechten was very active - but as I was in no actual fight I cannot recollect the number of times we were out nor the precise length of each time particularly - We went to Lake George once & were out on that expedition four weeks as near as I can recollect - Again we were called out & we were gone three weeks up into the Woods & Country - The object of the company to which I belonged was to keep the Indians back & give information where they were & fight them if possible - and the country was in a constant alarm from them & many outrages were com- mitted by them - Some times I acted as sergeant or some other officer & some times as a private but the particulars I cannot recollect - There was an expedition this year against the Indians from the Mohawk river west and during that expedition the company to which I belonged were out all the time for 6 or 8 weeks - but the particular time I cannot state - The expedition went against the Indians near Onondaga or Onondaga & Lake - All the service I performed this

Note. - The expedition ... On Tuesday a Lake - All the ... I performed this
year I should say amounted to more than 15 weeks - but I put it at fifteen weeks as I do not wish to claim for services I never performed & I claim as a private soldier in the militia of New York for all the service I heretofore did & after Burgoyne was taken.
On hearing the annexed certificate of my receiving a Commission read it reminds me of things that I had in a measure forgotten through the infirmities of age & the lapse of time.
The officers named in the certificate I recollect I did not do much service after I received the Commission of Ensign until the first part of the Summer of 1780, when it began to be rumoured that the British & Tories were coming down again & our Company turned out again to defend it - We went up the Schoharie Creek - Our expeditions were generally that way as it lay over the mountain West of P'keepsie & the British & Indians usually came that way instead of down Lake Champlain - as there was one of the way of Settlements & they could make an inroad from that place into every part of the Country - In this expedition I was Ensign - Col. Willett went up the Mohawk & they had some hard fighting - I was out to Schoharie Creek six weeks & returned with the Company and immediately after we returned we were called out again & remained out until winter - not at home more than a day or two during the whole fall.
The General of Canada (Carleton) with a body of Tories & Indians made a descent on the Settlements & drove all before them - Johnson the Tory was further west on the Mohawk & Carleton in our neighbourhood. The services of the Company to which I belonged were very arduous - exposed to all weathers & inferior in numbers to the enemy - but I cannot recollect the particular details of these transactions and the names of the most of my Companions in arms had escaped my recollection.
I nearly believe that I was engaged in active service of my Country during the year 1780 as an Ensign in the whole time six months.
About this time Arnold deserted & Andre was hung - Brimfield & if so by whom was it given & what has
Ensign

The next Spring I was promoted to a Lieutenant & my Commission which appears from the annexed certificate from the Secretary of State office of the State of New York bears date 22 nd of March 1781 - My commissions have been destroyed - My Grand Children tore them up within a few years past - they had them as toys or pictures to play with - I went out with the Company two or three times this year 1781 into the frontier - I acted as Lieutenant - I cannot recollect precisely how many times we were called out but my belief is that it was three times, & we were out three weeks each expedition - and we were out a number of days & times besides for two or three days at a time - but I cannot recollect the particular - Some times we drew Rations & sometimes we took from home enough provisions to last until we returned - The service I actually performed in the year 1781 as Lieutenant was ten weeks as near as I can recollect & I verily believe it was much more than that time - Still I cannot designate particularly the times - for as we were on the extreme frontier being north of the Mohawk & West of the Hudson River we were in a continual State of Alarm & prepared for the combat at any moment -
In the year 1782 we began to have rather more peaceable times - Still we were out in service a few times during this year for a few days at a time - I acted as Lieutenant in all our Scouts & excursions - Sometimes taking command as Captain - We were out to exceed a week at any one time - & then we were at home some days & then called out again - & so our time passed making busy times between the Gun & Plow - I cannot recollect the number of times we were out this year nor the length of the tours particularly - Still I verily believe we were on duty in actual service watching the frontier & scanning for weeks - I have no recollection of Refusing any service during the war after this year, that is 1782 -
And I further declare that the reason why I cannot be more particular as to the time of Service &c
and

and length of my services each time in the above declaration is from loss of memory through the infirmities of old age - I have no recollection of being in the regular Continental Army -
And I the said Richard Hilton hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & I declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state
1 st  Question Where and in what year were you born? A. I was born in Albany County in the State of New York on the 8 th day of June A.D. 1753
2 o  Question Have you any record of your age, & if so where is it? A. I have a record in the family bible
3 o  Question Where were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War? And where do you now live?
A. I was living in Albany County State of New York (now Saratoga County) I resided there until 1805 I then moved to Lee Oneida County & resided there until 1820 when I moved to Onondaga County where I now reside
4 th  Question How were you called into service - Were you drafted - were you a volunteer or were you a Substitute?
A. I was not a substitute & have no recollection of being drafted, but I volunteered & was willingly
5 th  Question State the names of some of the Regular officers with whom you served - Such Continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect - and the General Circumstances of your service
A. The above declaration & the annexed Certificate is the fullest answer I can make to this question - together with Herkrich Dunham an officer & Col. Vanbrinker
6 th  Question Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given & what has become

of it? A. I recollect of receiving a discharge as an artificer but it is lost & I cannot recollect by whom it was signed - & my Commission were destroyed as above related except a few small pieces which I am inclined are at Washington - and there is no living witness of my services as I know of.
St. Question State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your Character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
A. Parley Wymann a Justice of the Peace - James Carpenter Eli Strong and Jonathan Durst.
and I further declare that from bodily infirmity I am prevented from attending in open Court to make the above Declaration. The reason why I cannot obtain the Certificate of a Clergyman to certify as to my Character as is because there is not one residing within a number of miles of me who is acquainted with me. Sworn and subscribed by making Richard his Hittan his mark the day and year aforesaid before me John Reynolds a mark Judge of Probate.
We Parley Wymann James Carpenter and Eli Strong and Jonathan Durst residing in the town of Orwell in the County of Bennington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Hittan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we believe in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed before Parley Wymann this 30th day of December 1864 John Reynolds Jonathan Durst a Judge of Probate Eli Strong James Carpenter

Judge of Oswego County Courts James Carpenter
And I the said John Reynolds do hereby certify and declare my opinion after full investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant Richard Hilton was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And I the said John Reynolds further certify that in my opinion the said Richard Hilton is so infirm in consequence of old age that he could not personally attend in open court to make the above declaration without endangering his health as he is very feeble. And I the said John Reynolds further certify that it appears to me that the said Parley Wymann is a Justice of the Peace residing near the said Richard Hilton and also that said Jonathan Dustin - Eli Strong & James Carpenter are the neighbours of said Richard Hilton and have been acquainted with him for a number of years past and that all of said Persons reside in said town of Orwell Oswego County & that they are Credible Persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Dated. December 30. 1834
John Reynolds a Judge of Oswego County Courts

State of New York Secretarys office
I Certify that on the 20 th day of October 1779 Richard Hilton was appointed Ensign of Captain Jerolimans Company in the Regiment of Militia in the County of Albany commanded by Colonel Jacob Lansing junior. And I further Certify that on the 22 d of March 1781 the said Richard Hilton was appointed Second Lieutenant in the same Regiment then commanded by Colonel Abraham Cuyler in Captain John Scotts Company as appears by the minutes of the Council of Appointment of this State.
Given under my hand and the Seal of this Office at the City of Albany the twenty ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Arch d Campbell Dep. Secretary
Fees 3/ p?

State of New York Osvego County
I Marinus W. Matthews Clerk of the said County and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof do hereby certify that the signature of John Reynolds to the foregoing Application and proceedings, is his own proper hand writing and signature. And also that on the said 30th day of December 1834 said John Reynolds was a Judge of the County Court of said County - And I further certify that the signature of Parley Wymans to the annexed affidavit and deposition is in the proper handwriting of said Parley Wymans and that at the date of such deposition he the said Parley Wymans was a Justice of the peace of said town of Crwell in said County of Osvego. - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and Seal of said County this 7th day of January A.D. 1835 Marinus W. Matthews Clerk.

   Period of Service Months Weeks Rank Proof Richard Hilton     1775-1777 2 years Artificer   1778 3 Private Traditionary   15 1779 15 Private   6 1780 6 Ensign Certificate of Secretary of State of the State of New York & Traditionary etc   9 10 1781 10 Lieutenant   1 15 1782 5 Lieutenant  
Artificer 2 years Private 6 months & 3 weeks Ensign 6 months Lieutenant 3 months & 3 weeks

September 12, 1932.
Dessa H. Coling 734 Stânard Avenue Syracuse New York.
BA-J/ILL Richard Hilton R. 20513
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Matthias Wart (Van Wirt) and Richard Hilton, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A search of the records of this office fails to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon the service of Matthias Wart, under any spelling of that surname.
In regard to your inquiry relative to searching the records, you may examine and collect data from Revolutionary War pension claims in accordance with the regulations of this office, should you come to this city. It is requested that you give the full name of the soldiers whose records you desire to have searched, and, as stated before, as much as possible of the following data in regard to each in order to expedite the search: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
The record of Richard Hilton is given below. The data are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 20513, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Richard Hilton, son of Peter Hilton, was born June 30, 1753 in Albany County (which was later Saratoga County), New York and was living in the neighborhood of Lake George at the beginning of the war.
He applied for pension July 12, 1831, at which time he was a resident of Orwell, Oswego County, New York.
He stated then that he volunteered in the fall of 1775 and served as an artificer under Captain Peter Hilton (his father), constructing boats, bridges and hospitals in the vicinity of Saratoga.

Champlain, Fort George and Fort Edward until after the surrender of Burgoyne, which surrender he witnessed; that in the summer of 1778, he was commissioned lieutenant and served three months under Captain Hezekiah Dunham and Colonel Cornelius Van Vechten in the New York troops; that he served during the following years until the close of the war, part of the time as private, a part as ensign, as sergeant and lieutenant and was in active service against the Indians and Tories, specific dates of service and officers names not given.
His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.
Richard Hilton lived in Saratoga County, New York, after his service until about the year 1805, then moved to Lee, Oneida County, New York, where he remained until about 1820, when he moved to Oswego County, New York.
He died in August, 1842.
OK Mrs. French In 1847, one Anna Hilton requested an investigation of the pension claim of her "late husband", Richard Hilton. She did not furnish any details in regard to date or place of marriage, or date and place of her husband's death, and there is no other reference to her in the papers in this claim, R. 20513.
Peter Hilton made affidavit in 1852, in Oswego County, New York, before James Carpenter, Justice of the Peace in said county, that he was a son of the soldier, Richard Hilton.
James Carpenter of Orwell, Oswego County, New York, married the youngest daughter of the soldier, Richard Hilton; the name of his wife is not designated. He stated in 1851 that Richard Hilton lived with him during the last thirty years of his life, and that he (Richard Hilton), was married in 1776, but did not state the name of the person he married.
In 1853, one Pamela Carpenter, before James Carpenter, Justice of the Peace (county not named), executed a Power of Attorney to determine the status of the pension claim of Richard Hilton of New York, who had applied for pension; her relationship to the family is

not shown. No pension was ever allowed because, as stated above, proof of service was never established.
The soldier had grandchildren at the time he made application for pension, but their names are not shown.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

he
by the G
WE
duct and Honor
EXCELSIOR
You are therefore to take the said Commission and to exercise the Officers and Soldiers under your command and you are also to receive from our General and Commander in Chief the Rules and discipline of War in pursuance of your Commission for and during our good pleasure whereof we have caused our Seal for Military purposes to be hereunto affixed and the same to be attested by our Council of Appointment at Philadelphia on the 11th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty five and in the year of our Independence the first
at the Secretarys Office
His Excellency's Com H. R. Bracken Sec

TO THE HON. THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS:
I hereby appoint Mr. Giles F. Yates, of Schenectady, N. Y., my true and lawful attorney, with power of substitution, to prosecute before you the claim of Richard Hilton of N. Y. for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832
and I hereby revoke all powers of attorney by me at any time heretofore made.
You will be pleased to allow him, or his substitute, to examine the papers on file in your office relating to this claim. Witness my hand and seal, this 12 day of April 1853.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged before me—
This 12 day of April 1853
Raymond Carpenter James Carpenter J. P.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1932-Sept 12 Hist. to Desc. H. Coling - L.L.L.
30 27 P. O. Richard Hilton Service: NY
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Rejected + Suspended Pensions - Alleges page 97 - Not military service and no proof Re-enlisted: of any offered." L.L.L.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Orwell N.Y. August 7 th - the Hon.
old paper notes file Free
Secretary of the Treasury
Washington
Liberty Bonds to the Department Nov. 22 nd 8. 1917 - 1812
Rev. Mr. J. Van Arsdale

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act entitled 'An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution' passed June 7, 1832. I Richard Hilton of the town of Cornwall County of Orange & State of New York do hereby declare that in the year 1776. I enlisted in a company of artificers & workmen commanded by my father Peter Hilton in Saratoga County in the State of New York - who was the captain of said company. That said company were employed in making barracks hospitals & bridges for the accommodation of the continental troops in the northern section of the State of New York - That I was at the battle of Saratoga & at the Surrender of Burgoyne - That then I took a Lieutenants commission in the army of the said State of New York - I believe in the employment of the United States - Captain Frederick Schuyler commanded the company to which I was attached as second Lieutenant - Alpheus Davis being the ensign - and Cornelius Van Vechten being colonel - I continued in the said Commission & company until the close of the war - after I received my commission I stayed with the company at the Saratoga barracks a few months - then marched to Lake George on a scouting party - from Lake George went to Schenob Lake & then back again to Lake George - & thence to Fort Ann & served till the end of the war as an indian spy & in assisting to guard the frontier - after the close of the war I lived in Saratoga County about twenty five years - From thence I moved to Oneida County in said State & remained there about twenty years & from thence to my present place of Residence where I have resided about twelve years & since

on the 30 th day of June last. 79 years old The inclosed is a part of my Census form - My grand Children tore it up & lost a part of it - I made an application for a pension the last season & did not have one granted because my Commission appeared to be a state Commission - As I was engaged in active service from the time Burgoyne surrendered I supposed that I should have been entitled to a pension under the former acts of Congress & supposed that I was in the employment of the United States as well after such surrender as before - for I drew rations during the whole war & received pay such as it was - All of which is Respectfully submitted to the depart- ment for the purpose of attaining the benefits of the said act -
August 1, A.D. 1832
Richard H. Allen

11.194
Richard Hilton's
Pension Papers
2 nd N. York Militia
1-6m
2-6m
4 years Service
2 1/2 years Lieutenant

State of New York } Oswego County ss. }
On this 15 th day of September 1832 personally appeared before me John Reynolds one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Oswego Richard Hilton a resident of the County aforesaid and State aforesaid of the age of sixty  nearly 72 yrs years in June last who being sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 - That he enlisted in the Army of the United States at the commencement of the war of the Revolution in the vicinity of Lake George in the State of New York - That he then was residing in the County of Saratoga which was much troubled by Indians & infested by Tories - That his father Peter Hilton was the captain under whom he served until the taking of Burgoyne in said County of Saratoga - That he was an artificer & his father commanded a company of them & were constantly employed in the construction of Hospitals bridges - Barracks &c for the American army - That he was in the battle ground at Saratoga at the time of the Battle & surrender of General Burgoyne but did not carry arms as the business of him & the company to which he was attached, was to construct Barracks &c as aforesaid for the army then under the command of General Gates - That from the commencement of the war until the taking of Burgoyne he was in the American army from one year & six months to two years as the precise time he cannot recollect & worked at Fort Ann - Fort George & Fort Edward & marched & counter marched with the American troops from one post to another as occasion required. That after Burgoyne was taken the received his discharge from the army & in the year 1778 he took a lieutenants commission from the Command - er in Chief - Said commission has been torn up by his grand children - & a part of it he forwarded
1-1/2 2 years

Last year into the Department at Washington when he made an application for a pension but did not have one granted because the Department replied to the application that the Commission was a States Commission & not a Commission in the Continental Army - And a party said Commission he has since found, & forwarded it on to the Secretary of the Treasury at Washington a few weeks since & has heard nothing from it since - That after he received said Commission he served in the American Army & carried arms - He served in Captain Hylchick Sanders Company - Stephens Davis was the Ensign & Cornelius Van Vechten - Colonel That he was in actual service after he received his Commission as foresaid & drew rations the most of the time until the close of the war - That he lay at the Saratoga Barracks some time with other troops - then marched to Lake George & on a scout to Schroyer lake - back again to Lake George & with the Army from thence to Fort Ann & That the Company to which he belonged was actively engaged in guarding the frontiers until the war closed - That he was well acquainted with Jonathan Pettit an officer who was engaged in defending the frontiers & who owned a tannery near where the battle was fought in Saratoga before the British forces & the American troops under General Gates That he is very positive & confidently believes that the actual service that he performed when holding the Commission & before the war closed was as much as two years & a half as he devoted the whole of his time to the American service & was constantly in the frontiers with bodies of troops repelling the Indians & Tories & at one time he took from an Indian camp that his party surprised an Indian Tomahawk that he kept until a few years since when it was lost. That he was born as he has been informed & verily
2 1/2 years

while of his time to the American service & was constantly in the frontiers with bodies of troops repelling the Indians & Tories & at one time he took from an an Indian Camp that his Party surprised an Indian Tomahawk that he kept until a few years since when it was lost. That he was born as he has been informed & rightly believes on the 30 th day of June 1752 and that he has a record of his age & his family, in the Family Bible. That some time after the close of the war he moved from Saratoga County to Oneida County in said State & from Oneida County to Oswego County where he now resides & has resided for the last twelve years. That he never served in the American Army as a substitute nor employed a substitute but was a volunteer. That at the close of the first term of service he received a certificate for Lands & sold it soon after for three Dollars in Silver. That he was regularly discharged from service & honorably but his discharge is lost. That he is acquainted with Parley Newman and Asa B. Horton both Justices of the peace residing in his neighbourhood & John Reynolds a Judge of Oswego all of whom have been acquainted with him & Jonathan Austin James Carpenter & Eli Strong and all the persons residing near him who can attest to his character for truth & veracity & behaviour & reputed services as a soldier. That David Sturms was acquainted with him when he was a soldier That he made oath to the services & said oath was forwarded unto Washington last year but said Sturms has since then, died. And said Richard Hilton relinquishes his claim to a pension except the present as follows.
"I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not in the Pension Roll of any agency in any state."
Richard Hilton
Sworn & subscribed the day & year first aforesaid before me John Reynolds a Judge of Oswego Common Pleas
We Parley Newman and Eli Strong Justices of the Peace residing in the said county of Oswego near to said Richard Hilton and Jonathan Austin residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with

the said Richard Hilton who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be 79 years of age - That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood in which he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion - & that there is no clergyman residing within 8 or 10 miles of the said Richard Hilton & has not been for some years past - Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me
John Reynolds } one of the judges } Parley Wyman of the Court of Common Pleas } Eli Strong of Oswego County } Jonathan Doster
I John Reynolds a Judge of said County of Oswego hereby certify that I am acquainted with said Richard Hilton & said persons & witnesses of the Peace who have sworn to & subscribed the foregoing certificate - That said Richard Hilton is from bodily infirmity unable to attend the courts of record in said county - That said Richard Hilton resides near the subscriber & that he together with the persons who have sworn to the above certificate are reputed to be persons of truth & veracity and their statements are entitled to credit and it is my opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the questions & interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as such as he states
John Reynolds a judge of Oswego Common Pleas
State of New York } County of Oswego ss }
I Erie Poor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Oswego in said State of New York do hereby
certify that the foregoing declaration of Richard Hilton and affidavits of Parley Wyman and Eli Strong & Jonathan Doster have been taken before me

State of New York County of Oswego ss
I, Erie Poor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Oswego in said State of New York do hereby
certify that the foregoing declaration of Richard Hilton and affidavits of Parley Wyman and Eli Strong & Jonathan Dutton purporting to have been taken before John Reynolds Esquire has been presented to me for examination That I have examined the same & the signature of the said John Reynolds thereto affixed - and I do certify that said John Reynolds is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Oswego & State of New York That said Court is a Court of Record and that said signature is the genuine signature of said Judge - and I further certify that said Parley Wyman & Eli Strong are each Justices of the peace now in commission in said County of Oswego In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & the County seal of said County Court this 18 th day of September Anno Domini 1832
Erie Poor Clerk of said Court By D. McPherson Deputy

Recd. Aug. 12 th 1831-
1974
Revolutionary Claim
State of New York Oscega County
For the purpose of Obtaining the Benefits of an act entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the army of the Revolution" approved on the 15 th of May 1828. I Richard Hilton of the Town of Orwell in the county of Oscega in the state of New York do hereby declare that I was an officer - in the continental line of the army of the Revolution and served as such to the end of the war. That I entered the service at the commencement of the war in the neighbourhood of Lake George in the State of New York - That my father Peter Hilton was the Captain under whom I served until the taking of Burgoyne in 1777 - That during the time aforesaid I served in the capacity of artificer or laborer - My father aforesaid being Captain over a company of laborers & were employed in constructing boats - Bridges & Hospitals &c for the army - After Burgoyne was taken I received an honorable discharge from said company & took a lieutenant's commission from the Commander in Chief General George Washington - A very small piece of which commission I still retain, it having been destroyed by my grand children within a few months past - That after I received said Commission I served in the army under Genl. Schuyler who was then stationed in Saratoga County in said State until the close of the war when I received an honorable discharge together with a Certificate for lands - which certificate for lands I soon after sold to a Son in law of Mr. Van Dichten of Albany for three silver Dollars - Witness my hand this twelfth day of July Eighteen hundred & thirty one -
Richard Hilton

State of New York } Oneida County ss
Before me P. Patrick Mahon a Justice of the Peace of said County of Oneida in the State of New York personally appeared this day Isaac Storms and Abigail Storms of said County both to me personally known to be persons of respectability & truth who did severally make oath that Richard Hilton by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been an officer in the army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated and that they were personally acquainted with the said Richard at the time he was so an officer in the army —
Witness my hand this Fifteenth day of July in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one —
Isaac Storms
Abigail Storms for Mark
Isaac Storms Before me this 15 day of July 1831.
Patrick Mahon Justice "
State of New York } Oneida County ss
to Col. John H. Atkinson clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Oneida in the said State of New York do hereby certify that Patrick Mahon Esq. before whom the foregoing Affidavits of Isaac Storms & Abigail Storms were sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace of said County duly & lawfully sworn to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 28 th day of July in the year of our Lord 1831.
J. H. Atkinson Clerk of the Court Common Pleas of the County of Oneida

State of New York Oswego County } ss
Know all men by these presents that I, Richard Hilton the person who made the annexed declaration do hereby constitute empower and appoint James H. Pettit my attorney to transact all necessary business for me with the Department of State for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an Act entitled "An act for the relief of Certain Serving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution" approved May 15. 1828. And he as my attorney will receive all moneys that may be transmitted from the Department of State to me under & by virtue of said act within one year from the date hereof. And he will give all receipts acquittances & deeds necessary to be given in the premises in my name and as my attorney. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this second day of August A.D. 1831.
Richard Hilton
State of New York Oswego County ss }
Before me Asa B. Hinton Esq. a Justice of the Peace of said County personally appeared Richard Hilton to me well known to be the person who executed the above power of Attorney and made oath that he executed the same for the uses & purposes therein expressed. Dated August 2. A.D. 1831
Asa B. Hinton Justice of the Peace

State of New-York Onondaga County ss
Handwritten note: This deponent is affirming to the truth of the foregoing deposition this 4th day of August 1831
I James Carpenter being duly sworn saith that he has been for twelve years past acquainted with the within named Richard Hilton. That the piece of paper upon the back of which this deponent has written his income this day same which is herewith attached is a part of the Commission of said Richard. That this deponent has frequently read said Commission before it was torn up & verily believes it was a commission to said Richard Hilton as hunters agent. That he verily believes from what he saw & read of said Commission & from the best of his recollection that
the name of George Washington was subscribed to said Commission. That this deponent verily believes the said Richard Hilton performed the services in his declaration hereto attached, mentioned. And further this deponent saith not.
Sworn & subscribed this 4th day of August A.D. 1831 before me Thos. Baker C.R.
State of New-York Onondaga County ss
I Thomas C. Baker Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Onondaga do hereby certify that Asa C. Hutton Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit of Richard Hilton was sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace of said County duly commissioned to administer an oath also that I took the affidavit of James Carpenter above written In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said County & sub- scribed my name this August 8. 1831 Thos. Baker C.R. of Onondaga Co. Common Pleas

Hon
Col. Merrill M.C. City of Washington.

Putashe January 7 th 1885
Dear Sir I wish you would use your influence to obtain a Pension for Mr Peter Hilton of Anville I believe him to be perfectly honest but quite old and very infirm so that he is not now able to make a correct statement of his Revolutionary services but I have known him when he could give as correct and connected a history of the Revolution and of his services in it as any other man and I nearly believe him is as honestly entitled to a pension as any man now living, and he is poor and dependant on his Grand Children for a living he is finally an honest humble and worthy old Dutchman and if you will use your influence to obtain a pension for the old man you will do a deed of Charity for an honest worthy man
Yours gail Sincill John Reynolds

To Hon J. L. Edwards, Court of Pensions - Sir I have appointed Wm Batture of Red Creek N. J. to investigate my claim to the pension and my late husband Richard Hilton Annual when application is on file in your office from N. J.
Witness James D. Davis
her Anna J. Hilton mark

April 5, 1847
Recd of
Dear Milton,
Hon. J. L. Canvanes
Washington D. C.
4

Rec Cmt N. 3. March 27 th 1867
Sir
I have the honour to transmit to you the enclosed for the purpose of learning the of particulars of Richard Hilltons service during the Revolutionary war and his residence as set forth in his declaration now on file in your office. also the objection to his claim,
Respectfully Yours
Wm. J. Bo Dunn
Hon J. L. Edwards Washington D. C.

Washington D.C.
15 Dec 1852.
Sir
We have been desired to make application for Pension due the Heirs of Richard Wilton, a Revolutionary Soldier who served in the State of New York.
From circumstances appearing in the case, we judge a Pension has already been granted to one or more of the Heirs of said Wilton. Will you please advise us, whether or not this is so. If any Pension has been granted it is within the last two years.
Very Respectfully Yours Adams & Stevens
Hon S. P. Waldo Comm of Pensions Present.

Richard Melton
Suspended
Jan 1832
New York
Copy alleged suicide

Wadsworth Springs, N.Y. Oct 1832
Dear Sir
I send you the paper in cover of Richard Wilson. and a letter from Judge Reynolds of the County in which I reside upon the subject addressed to me. I am well acquainted with Judge Reynolds having occupied a seat on the bench with him for 8 years. He is an honest honorable man. His statement on my subject is entitled to the most implicit reliance. I have to request your attention to the enclosed papers
Yours Respectfully & Obediently
G. Turrill
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Corners of P'keepsie

J Pettit
29 June 33
OL
J
Re vol 9
Pa. 244

War Dept
Pension Off
June 29/1833
Sir.
The claim of Richd. Hilton has been examined & disallowed. His alleged service as an artificer employed in building boats, constructing bridges, barracks &c is not provided for by the act of 7. June '32. The military service for which he claims, he alleges, to have rendered under a Commission from the Commander in Chief Genl. Washington and produces as part of the Commission in support of it. This statement is contradicted by the fact that Col. Van Vechten did not belong to the Continental Army & consequently no officer belonging to his Regt could have been commissioned by the Commander in Chief. The part of the Commission filed with the papers shews that it was a state Commission of which there are many now on our files - but there is nothing to shew that it was issued to the claimant. His papers are placed on file
abt 7. June
J. Pettet esq. Richland N.Y.

War Department Pension Office June 11 34
Sir Richard The papers of Nicholas Hilton have again been examined - By the fragments of a Commission presented as additional evidence in this case it would appear that the appli- cant intends to show that she received a Commission from Governor Clinton to serve in the Militia of the State of New York instead of a Commission from General Washington as alleged in his declaration - Proof of having been commissioned in the Militia may be obtained from the Secretary of the State of New York -
The Militia were out occasionally only and for short tours - The duration of

such term of actual service should be specified the officers under whom such term was performed as well as the place or places where such term was performed -
No claim for service as an Artificer is admissible except in a Corps of Continental Artificers
11 June 4. 1824
to J. Pettibone Esq.
Esq.
Rev. Vol. 30. Jan. 1824
J. Pettibone Esq. Richland Onondaga Co. New York

New Y. Jan. 1835
Feb. 6. 1835
P. C.
Dec. 23. 1835

War Department Pension Office
Feb. 6. 1835
Sir In answer to your letter respecting the claim of Richard Hilton I have the honor to state that the objection heretofore raised in this case has not been removed; His services are not definitely set forth. Before any part of the claim can be allowed it is necessary that the duration of each term of actual service be spec- ified, as well as the names of the officers under whom each term was rendered and the place or places where rendered -
Hon J. T. T. T. Home Rep. N.Y.

A. Joy
Recd 3/52

Pension Office Dec 3 1852
Sir
More than five years having elapsed since the claim of Richard Hilton was adjudicated and no additional evidence having been filed in the meantime, the case will not now be re-opened without the production of material evidence, which could not have been procured sooner
Isaac J. Rogers Ohio M

Lore 21/53

335 Pension Office,
December 21, 1853.
Sir,
In reply to your communication of the 15 th instant, in relation to the claim of the heirs of Richard Hilton, I have to state that the said soldier made application in the year 1832 for pension under the act of the 7 th June of that year. His claim was suspended for proof of his service - and he was referred to the archives at Albany N. Y. for it. It has never been furnished - No pension, has, of course, been allowed any of his children -
Until the proof then required is filed the claim must remain suspended,
Very respectfully J.C.
Messrs Adams & Stevens } Present }

(3-224.)
No. 20 513
, Ex'r.
REJECTED
OLD WAR WIDOW.
Richard Hilton of N Y  X X X Rev War  at 1828
Died at _____
other claim.
, 18 .
Clerk.
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

W. Bottom.
ap. 20. 1847.

Pension Office April 20 1847
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27 th ulto and in reply to state that Richard Hilton claimed to have served more than 2 years, in the early part of the war, as an Artificer under Capt Hilton, and also several terms of service in the Militia as a private an Ensign and a Lieutenant, from 1777 to the conclusion of hostilities under Col Van Vechten.
His service as an Artificer was not Military within the meaning of the act of Congress and was therefore disallowed; and that rendered in the Militia, he was required to establish by the record in the Comptroller's Office at Albany which requisition he was not complied with.
William J Bolton Esq Rec Brecks NY

11,194
Letter to W J Boston April 20 1847 A copy Dec 3 1832
JAT.
Richard Hilton
N.Y.
1832
47 June 32

Richard Hilton
Statement & Comfr
to be filed with add l evidence.

L
No 11.194
5027
Richard Milton
W.G.
Lit. J. Pitts June 27/33
do do June 4/34
" Hon. J. Merrill Feb. 6/35
" W. J. Boston April 20/47
" A. Day December 3/52
" Adams & Stevens Dec 20/53
Rev
Act June 7. 1832

11.194
New York Revo:
Richard Wilts.
Rejected
let to J Pettit. Richland N.Y. 29 June 1833
let to do June 24 '34 " to Hon J. Turrill Feb. 6 '35
Act 7

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
August 3, 1932.
Dessa H. Coling 734 Stannard Avenue Syracuse, New York.
IN REPLY REFER TO: BA-J/MHET/ILL YOUR FILE REFERENCE:
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of about thirty soldiers of the Revolutionary War with surnames Van Wart or Wart and Hilton or Helton.
Because of the very large number of requests similar to yours, and the lack of a clerical force available for furnishing Revolutionary War data, it has not been possible to make a series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of that war for one person.
Kindly designate the ancestor with surname Van Wart or Wart and Hilton or Helton, in whom you are interested, give the full names of the two whose histories you most desire and as much as possible of the following data: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given names of widows.
Upon receipt of this information, a careful search of the records will be made in your behalf and the histories furnished, if on file. If I came to Washington, would I be permitted to search these records for further data? Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.
 1. Matthias Wart (Van Wart) B. 1714 D. 9 Aug 1787 I believe in Cherry Valley. Wife Hannah? B. 1714 D. 4 Aug. 1778  2. Richard Hilton B. 1862 D. about 1854 in Orwell, New York, Do not know the name of his wife, His children were Peter, John, Milly and several others. 

1971.
Jan 5/81.
5027 OK
Held this case until Mr Millers wid record is completed
Application sent to W. Dept.
19 June 1887.
0002 13403 22833
Not allowed
as 182 D

Wed Aug 12 1881.
Not allowed (See letter 50.11)
Not allowed See letter 50.11

Port Townsend Elin
Free
Cicero N.Y. } August 6 th }
Secretary of the Treasury Washington

Recd Aug. 12 th 1831
4004
Richland Oneida County New York August 5, 1831
Sir
The inclosed are the vouchers of Richard Hilton for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the Pension Act of 1828 Please direct all communications to me at Richland aforesaid
Hon. S. L. Edwards
Yours Respectfully James A. Pettit
Pension Office