Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5256, Rufus Houghton, Mass And War. 1812

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass and
Houghton, Rufus Mary
R. 5256
War 1812
CONTENTS

4928
1889. Decr 20 th Special order to pay
New York A
Mary Houghton
widow of Rufus Houghton who died on the 23 rd day of July 1814.
who was a pt. in the command by Captain of the 23 rd Regt. for W.S. Infy.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 3 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 19 th day of October, 1852.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Februar 55 and sent to
John Magee Brooklin Canada West
Act 3 Feb., 1859 Section the 1st.
Recorded by G.S. Getty Clerk Book A Vol. 1 Page 15

State of New York) County of Erie } ss
On this 19 th day of October A.D. 1854, personally appeared before the County Court holden at Buffalo in said County and State in open Court, Mary Houghton a resident of the township of Brantford, in the County of Brant, and Province of Canada, aged 88 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions, to certain widows" that she is the widow of Rufus Houghton deceased, who was a private in the war of the Revolution having enlisted at the town of Bolton, Worcester County, in the State of Massachusetts, in Captain Zebulon King's Company, Lt. Col. John Brooks Regiment, in the year A.D. 1781. That from what she learned from her said husband, after their marriage, and from other sources, she has reason to believe, he served with little intermission, from the year A.D. 1779, to 1783, or close of the war, and that he served under two or three engagements. That she is wholly unable, to specify each particular tour of service, and that she has no documentary evidence of her husband's service, she believes however that her husband was stationed for two or three years, at West Point, and lay sick at Stony Point.
She further declares that she was married to the said Rufus Houghton, on or about the first of February, A.D. 1788, at Pittstown, Rensselaer County, in the State of New York, by one Elder Halsted, a Baptist Clergyman, that her name prior to her marriage, was Mary Gleason, that her husband the aforesaid Rufus Houghton, was killed while in the service of the United States, at the battle of Sundays Lane, in Canada, on the 25 th day of July, A.D. 1814, that she was not married to him, prior to his leaving the service in the Revolutionary war, but the marriage took place, previous to the first of January, A.D. 1794, viz at the time above stated, and that she has no family or private records, containing the date, or fact of her marriage.
Mary her Houghton mark
Sworn to and subscribed in open

Court on this 19 day of October A.D. 1854.
Wm Andre Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after satisfactory evidence having been exhibited, that the said Rufus, was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and that he was killed, when in the service of the United States, at the battle of Sundaes Lane, in the Province of Upper Canada, in the year A.D. 1814, that Mary Houghton this declarant, is his identical widow, and that she was married to the said Rufus Houghton, in the year A.D. 1788.
Wm Andre Clerk of Erie County
State of New York ) County of Erie } ss
I William Andre Clerk of the County Court, holden at Buffalo in and for said County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing, contains the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application, of Mary Houghton, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto, set my hand and seal of Office, this 19 day of October, A.D. 1854. Wm Andre Clerk

Bolton March 3d 1855
I Richard S. Edes depose and say That I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Bolton County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts and that after a careful examination of the Records of said Town I find (antecedent to A.D. 1796 seven hundred and ninety six) the birth of but one Rufus Houghton viz. Rufus Houghton, son of Jonathan and Susanna Houghton, born December 6 th 1769 seventh of December one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine, and that I find (antecedent to the above named year 1796, seven hundred and ninety six) the record of but one marriage of a Rufus Houghton, viz, the following: Rufus Houghton and Elizabeth Whitcomb both of Bolton, married, July 23 d 1770. twenty third of July seven hundred and seventy, I also depose and say that I find on the records of said Town the following:
"At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bolton held by adjournment at the meeting house in the first Parish in said Town on Friday the 15 th day of January, 1781, January fifth seven hundred and eighty one, voted to choose a committee of sixteen persons to procure men to engage in the continental service," and the name of Captain Paul Whitcomb is borne on the list of the above

said Committee, I further depose and say That I am in no wise interested in the case in which this is to be used,
Richard G. Edes, Clerk of the Town of Bolton Subscribed and sworn to before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts. This third day of March AD 1855. And I hereby certify that Richard G. Edes is the Town Clerk in the Town of Bolton in the said County and State and that his testimony is entitled to credit, and I further certify that am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of the claim
Amory Holman Justice of Peace

Jonathan Houghton the son of John & Mary Houghton was born Feb y 20 th 1685 Thankful White daughter of Joseph & Mary White was born Mar 2 nd 1689 Jonathan Houghton & Thankful White were married Nov r 6 th 1712
The children of Jonathan & Thankful Houghton were born as follows
Thankful born May 3 d 1713/14 Mary " Sept 19 th 1715 Keziah " May 31 st 1717 Jonathan " March 28 th 1719 Azuba " Nov r 20 th 1720 Rufus " " 9 th 1722 Schsa " Jan y 16 th 1724 Epha " Jan y 26 th 1724 Zeah " Feb y 18 th 1728/9 Ephah " Aug t 19 th 1731
Jonathan Houghton the son of Jonathan & Thankful Houghton was born March 28 th 1719 Sarah Houghton daughter of James & Sarah Houghton was born May 24 th 1723
Intentions of Marriage Jonathan Houghton of Framingham and Sarah Houghton of Lancaster Oct 22 nd 1746
J. Francis F. Hussey of Lancaster in the County of Lancaster.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I, Joseph Mason
Clerk of the Judicial Courts
for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that John M. Washburn is
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his signature to the certificate of oath upon the affidavit of Francis F. Hussey
hereunto is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this twenty ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
J. Mason Clerk.

Jonathan Houghton the son of John & Mary Houghton was born Feb y 20 th 1685 Thankful White daughter of Josiah & Mary White was born Mar 27 th 1689 Jonathan Houghton & Thankful White were married Nov r 6 th 1712
The children of Jonathan & Thankful Houghton were born as follows:
Thankful born May 3 d 1713/14 Mary " Sept 19 th 1715 Keziah " May 31 st 1717 Jonathan " March 28 th 1719 Azuba " Nov r 20 th 1720 Rufus " " 9 th 1722 Seksa " Jan y 16 th 1724 Ephra " Jan y 26 th 1727 Zeek " Feb y 18 th 1728/9 Ephrah " Aug t 19 th 1731
Jonathan Houghton the son of Jonathan & Thankful Houghton was born March 28 th 1719 Sarah Houghton daughter of James & Sarah Houghton was born May 24 th 1723
Intentions of Marriage Jonathan Houghton of Westminster and Sarah Houghton of Lancaster Oct 22 nd 1746
I, Francis J. Hussey of Lancaster in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts aged 56 years depose and say that I held the office of Town Clerk of s d . Town of Lancaster and have held that office two years, that I have examined the records in s d . town and declare the above to be a true copy, and I cannot find any other person by the name of Rufus Houghton capable of bearing arms in the war of the Revolution beside the one named above - and I further depose and say that I am a disinterested witness - Francis J. Hussey Town Clerk of Lancaster
Sworn to acknowledged & subscribed before me a justice of the peace within and for the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts this 29 th day of Jan y A.D. 1855 And I hereby certify that Francis J. Hussey is the Town Clerk of the Town of Lancaster in the said Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that I am in no wise interested in the case in which the above certificate is to be used
John M. Washburn Jus. Peace.

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester Town of Leominster.
" Sarah Houghton the daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton born at Leom- inster November the sixteenth A. D. one thou- and seven hundred and forty seven
Betty Houghton the daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton born at Leominster February 7 th Eleventh A. D. one thousand seven hundred and fifty.
Jonathan Houghton the son of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton born at Leominster March the eighth A. D. one thousand seven hundred and fifty two. "
I certify that the above is a true copy of the entire record of births of Children of Jonathan & Sarah Houghton with the exception of the dates which are expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows. viz "Nov. the 16th A. D. 1747" "Feb. 7 th 11 th A. D. 1750" "March the 8th, A. D. 1752".
J. C. Allen Town Clerk of Leominster
I J. C. Allen above named depose

and say that I hold the office of town Clerk in the town County and state aforesaid and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town with the exception before named as certified by me.
J. C. Allen Clerk of the town of Seaminster
Worcester Jp.
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this thirteenth day of Jan- uary A. D. 1855.
W m Wilder Justice of the Peace

Mrs Ogden's Affidavit
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

State of Illinois Warren County
On this day to wit the twenty fourth of April A D 1856 personally appeared before Samuel Whitenack an acting justice of the peace in and for the said County of Warren and State of Illinois, Keziah Ogden a resident of the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the daughter of Rufus and Mary Houghton formerly resi- -dents of the town of Pittstown in Rensselaer County New York and subsequently residents of Oneida County New York. That she was born in the said Town of Pittstown in the year A D 1788, that she well recollects the circumstances under which her Father and her Brother Luther enlisted in the 23 d Regiment of United States Infantry in the year A D 1813 that her Father was then about 49 years of age, that her Brother Luther was under the age required by law for recruits being under fourteen years of age. That their ages respectively were given at the time of their enlistment in the 23 d Regiment as aforesaid so as to bring them within the limits of the law required for recruits, that they both admitted and acknowledged that ages according to law disqualified them for the service. That she this deponent knows the fact not only from the history of the family, and the tradition of nearly every member of the family, but also from an old family record with which she was formerly very familiar, and which was made in her Father's own hand writing, but which was many years ago unfortunately burned by accident. That her Father was from the the eighth day of May to the first day of August over two years older than her Mother. That the said record gave the date of her Father the said Rufus Houghton's birth on the eighth day of May A D 1764 and that of her Mother the said Mary Houghton's birth turn over

on the first day of August AD 1766, that she believes that her Mother now residing in or near Brantford Canada West now holds a record containing the date of her own the said Mary Houghton's birth, and that of some of her children written by Moses Gleason the Father of the deponent Mother. She remembers distinctly of hearing her Father speak of the State of New Hampshire as the place of his nativity, and of living in the Town of Weathersfield or Westminster along the Connecticut river in the said State of New Hampshire, and that prior to the Revolutionary War he removed with his Parents Jonathan and Sarah Houghton, to the State of Vermont and resided several years in the Town of Putney, that she distinctly recollects hearing her Father say that during said war of the Revolution he enlisted and served several years in a Regiment of the Massachusetts line, that she has no knowledge of the existence of her Father's autograph signatures and she swears that she is a disinterested witness.
Elizabeth Ogden
Sworn and subscribed to before me after being duly read to her by me and explained fully this twenty fourth day of April AD 1856. And I hereby certify that Elizabeth Ogden this deponent is a credible witness and that I am in no wise interested in this Claim.
Samuel W. Whitenack J.P.
State of Illinois } County of Warren }
I Ephraim S. Suriney Clerk of the County Court in the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that Samuel W. Whitenack Esq. whose genuine signature is affixed to the above certificate was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law.

to take such acknowledgments and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this 25 th day of April A D 1856,
Ephraim S. Suriney Clerk to Court

1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1750 1751 1752 1753 1754 1755 1756 1757 1758 1759 1760 1761 1762 1763 1764 1765 1766 1767 1768 1769 1770 1771 1772 1773 1774 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800
1737 Received of Benjamin ... 33-00- Received of Cash 20- Received of Received of Butcher

David Houghton James Houghton Mary
February 18 Jonathan Houghton and Jonathan and Thankfull Houghton was born March 11 1719
Sarah Houghton Daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton was born
and Jonathan Houghton was February 18
Child

Sarah Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton, was born November the: 16: 1747
Abigail Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton was born February the: 1750
Abigail Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton was born March the: 8: 1752

Abigail Houghton the son of Jonathan & Sarah Houghton was born May the 8th A 1764
James Houghton the son of Jonathan & Sarah Houghton was born May the 1st A 1767
Look in middle of this Book
On this page appears the record of Rufus Houghton's age. A part of the children's names will be seen on the last lines in this book
Jonathan Houghton the son of Jonathan & Sarah Houghton was born March the 8th 1764
Joanna Burgh the daugh- ter of Samuel & Joanna Burgh was born June the 6th A 1764
Sarah Jonathan Houghton Houghton and Joanna Burgh was married January the 14th A 1784
Joanna Houghton the daugh- ter of Jonathan & Sarah Houghton was born February the 20th A 1776

Samuel Houghton the son of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was Born the 11th of Dec 1718
Mercy Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was Born the 11th of Dec 1720
Jonathan Houghton the 3rd son of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was Born June the 11th 1722
Mercy Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was Born the 11th of Dec 1724
83 5 41
Jonathan Houghton the 4th son of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was Born the 11th of Dec 1727
James Houghton the son of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was Born Feb 14 1730
Susannah Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was Born July 1732

John Houghton Son of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton was Born January 8 th 1795
Josiah Houghton was born July 6 th Da 1797
Lissa Houghton was born June 14 th Day 1799
October 12 th Day Bethany Nov 12 1799
1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808

Lacy Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was born June 17-1701
Deborah Houghton the Daughter of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton was born October 12-1703

John Houghton the son of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton Died the 29 th day of April 1839

Maria Hampton
Smith
Butter
1/2
I
one Bushel Corn
half Bushel
peas 16 of a pound
John Butler 10/12
gobez 5/12
D 5/12

Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan 31

1850 179

Jonathan Houghton the Son of Thankful Died August 30-1831 In the 80 year of his age
Joanna Houghton wife of Jonathan Houghton Died the 29 Nov 1841 Aged 86 years
Sally Houghton Daughter of Jonathan Houghton Joanna Houghton Died Feb 20 day 1848 Aged 68
James Houghton Son of Jonathan Houghton Died July 17 th = 1847 Aged 57

Jonathan Sloughton was born March 1685 1/2 Thankfull White daughter of Josiah & Mary White was born March the 27-1689 - Jonathan Sloughton & Thankfull White were married December the 6: 1712 Jonathan Sloughton the daughter of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton was born March 3. 1713 1/2 Mary Sloughton the daughter of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton was born November 17-1715 the daughter of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton
Jonathan Sloughton & Thankfull Sloughton was born March 22 1717 Abigail Sloughton the daughter of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton was born November 22 1720 Rufus Sloughton the son of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton was born November 1721 Elijah Sloughton the son of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton was born June 1723 Ezekiel Sloughton the son of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton was born June 1725 Jonathan Sloughton the son of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton was born February 1727 the son of Jonathan & Thankfull Sloughton

1842 18 1732 110
1842 18 1732 110

  De Ruyter  8.0    James Baldwin  6    De Ruyter  15    De Ruyter  126    De Ruyter  6    De Ruyter  6    De Ruyter  4    De Ruyter  4    De Ruyter  -8    De Ruyter  8    De Ruyter  4    De Ruyter  4  

Bond
to the sum of one half hundred
to twenty one
to two bushels
son on Paid
line

High along the wall

Smith Butler Book
God give him grace
to in book c c
Dumfriesston July 19
1781 c c
41 to us to them that are to cap in zion and trust in the mountain of Samaria which to whom the house of Israel come Doss

to Joseph the 16 for the  first  time

to finish my work about 6
to one day's work to one day's work to Shadrach Labards to one day's work your water current to one day's work to two days work me and my oxen drawing logs to one day's work me and a box of iron and plow and box At the end of days work I hanging to (i) Ring twenty shillings one shilling

of wheat one bushel of rye one bushel of barley one bushel of oats
to living from day to day to three days plowing mi oxen the self mi boy and man
h.s. 1841 p. 100
takin out 22 Iserl 1 de gonal have

Cholera 12 has day taken in all
day had to work two days to get things out of like a day to two shillings by side to saving grain on day to mel warm day John to days work ting dung man

Jonathan ... ... ... married ... January 24 1794 ... ... 20 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
...

Yosem... to huing timber: one half Day to huing one Day timber to huing half Day to huing timber one Day 30 to Claboard ing one Day to Claboard ing one Day received one bushel received one bushel to half Days work light to one Day work light to making Barreco...

goes one day to huing timber one half day to huing one day timber to huing half day 0.2 to huing timber one day 0.3 to Claboarding one day to Claboarding one day received one bushel received one day's work to half days work to one day's work to making Barre...

he

Small St.

General thought and Haneyton Nicholas Haneyton

one Brie one Mr. Lempkin - 12/17/82 one egg to one Buffalo heat as have
one Jan 12 1982 one Buffalo to work one day one Buffalo one Lunt half open Coffee - 1.4

279. 100 Hothgon to Nathan 729

Isaac Houghton Sarah Houghton Abraham Houghton Jonathan Houghton Isaac Houghton Isaac Houghton Isaac Houghton
Isaac Houghton Betty Houghton Jonathan Houghton Isaac Houghton Isaac Houghton Isaac Houghton Jonathan Houghton Isaac Houghton
Summer 1827
07500

Price of Wm 1812 R. 5256 Rufus Houghton
5-80 Bonds
the 18
Levi Houghton gond
the son of
664
smithson

[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
P. ... G. ... Benja ... R. ... 8-3
Rufus Houghton R. 5256 Mant. War. 1812

Houghton, Rufus
R.5256
Mass and War of 1812

War of 1812.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7898 Mary Houghton Wid. of Rufus Houghton Pr. 25 th N. L. Infy. 23 Act: July 3 rd 53, Sec. 1 st Index:—Vol. 24 , Page 343
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
5256
P. O.
Mary Houghton
Service:
wid Rufus
Enlisted:
Rev. 8 1812
, 18
Discharged:
, 18
Application filed:
, 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for
NA

FRBE
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.

15,236
Mary Houghton Widow of Rufus NY
John Clark & Bolton Dec 2 1854- Illagee Dec 4 1854 Same April 2 1855 - Same April 19 1855 - Same May 9 1855 - Same June 8 1855- Same June 25 1855 - Same Nov 14 1855 - Same Jan'y 3 1856 -
5256
7 1838

1234 Dec 4 1854 N 54 31
Mary Houghton Widow of Rufus Houghton Priv
25 Regt Mass Inf Mar 18 1862 Killed at 5th & H. Line New Bern
last Feb 20 1853
Also Feb 7/58 at $35.00 per cat 19/54 the close of the testy
J. Stewart
John Magee Brookline Vermont Canada West.
30 Apr 36
Jan 8 1877 Gallat Co. 25th
Capt. G. H. Thomas 25th
enlist 6 Feb 1863 fighting the War and in 1864 to 25 July 14 John H. ...

I Francis J. Hussey of Lancaster in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, aged 56 years, being duly sworn, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said town of Lancaster and have held that office for two years. That I have examined the records in said Town Clerk's Office and find that Paul Whitcomb and Silas Whitcomb were sons of Josiah and Ruhannah Whitcomb and were born December 20th 1732. and I further depose and say that I am in no wise interested in the case in which the above certificate is to be used — Francis J. Hussey Town Clerk Lancaster Worcester County March 22nd 1855
Worcester Ys. Sworn to, and subscribed, before me, a justice of the peace, within and for the county of Worcester and commonwealth of Massachusetts, this twenty third day of March A.D. 1855. And I hereby certify that Francis J. Hussey is the Town Clerk of the town of Lancaster in said commonwealth, and that I am in no wise interested in the case in which the above certificate is to be used
John M. Washburn Justice of Peace for the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I, Joseph Mason
Clerk of the Judicial Courts
for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Amory Holman on the third day of March A.D. 1855 was and still is
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his
signature to the certificate of oath upon the affidavit of Richard S Edes
hereunto annexed is genuine
Given under my hand, and the seal of said day of March hundred and fifty- five .
County , this seventh , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
J. Mason Clerk.

Brooklin, Ontario Co. Canada West June 1 st 57
Commissioner of Pensions
Dr Sir
I herewith beg to inclose the Affidavit of Mrs Ogden daughter of Rufus and Mary Houghton and also the Power of Attorney given by Rufus Houghton to his wife, on entering the Army in 1813. You will observe in the correspondence had with your predecessor, in the case of Mary Houghton of New York, for a revolutionary Pension, under the act of July 7 th 1838 that the same document bearing the Autographic signature of Rufus her husband was required, to compare with one I obtained in Massachusetts relating to his services in the war of the revolution, in order to identify him. After much trouble I obtained the Cognovit at Utica S. Y., signed by Rufus Houghton but it appears that it did not satisfy Mr Minot. He stated in his letter of Nov 14 - 1855, that on comparison the two signatures did not bear even a distant resemblance, which I beg most respectfully to differ with him in opinion. "see my letter of the 10 th Dec 1855" It does appear cruelly wrong to withhold the Pension after so much substantial proof has been adduced in support of the claim. It doubtless was the intention of Congress, when passing the Pension laws, that, upon reasonable proof being produced, the claims should be allowed. But to reject a claim because the Soldiers two signatures

made with an intervening lapse of 25 or 30 years between, happens not to compare as well as could be wished, appears to me quite ungenerous.
There can be no doubt of Houghton being about the age of 49 years when he enlisted in 1813; the little old Book filed with the papers, referred to in a former letter, giving the ages of Rufus & James Houghton, and other members of the family, I should think that alone sufficient to establish his age, and harmonise with the Massachusetts rolls.
I hope Sir that you will do me the favor to examine the evidence already on file, from the beginning, and see for yourself the amount and character of of the evidence.
I obtained the Affidavit of Mrs Ogden a year ago, but have delayed sending it, in hope of obtaining her fathers Autograph, which however I have recently received from her brother, in the State of Michigan.
I have used every means I could invent, to obtain an Autograph of earlier date, than the one I sent in from Utica, and before he had altered his hand any, but have not been able to find one. I have even advertised in the Newspapers in Oneida Co, in Journals that circulated in several countries where Houghton formerly resided, for his Autograph, without success.
Trusting that a liberal view may be taken of the evidence now, and heretofore submitted, I am very respectfully Yours
John Magee

Onida Com Ple
Rufus Houghton } Costs vs Thos. P. Gold
Price
Filed 9th March 1807

Orinda Can. Pa
Rufus Houghton ad
Thomas M. Egle
And the said Rufus by his in person Attorney, commences & defends the wrong & injury wherein he says that he cannot deny the action is now but that he did a sum of money but that the said Thomas hath sustained damages in the premises to eighty four Dollars & Security three cents with stay of Execution to 1 st of June. 3000 dollars sum to be paid - Rufus Houghton

Oneida County } ss I R. Hulbert clerk of the County Court Clerk's office } of said County do certify that this paper or cognovit was found by me on file among the court-papers of 1807 in this office this day & I further certify that the said Judgment - was entered by virtue of this instrument in their office & I have no doubt of the genuineness of the within signature of Richard Houghton Witness my hand & official seal Nov. 5. 1805 R. Hulbert Clerk

Putney Vt. November 28 th 1854.
To the Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D. C.
Sir
I beg respectfully to transmit to you two claims, for widow Mary Houghton. One on account of her husband's Revolutionary services, and the other for his services in the war of 1812.
The small book of records, I would like to have re- turned, for the owner's satisfaction.
Inclosed is all the proof, that I have as yet been able to collect, and sent, hoping it may prove satisfactory
After one month from this date, you will please correspond with me at Brooklin, Canada West, which is my place of residence.
Very respectfully Yours &c., John Magee.

To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Sir
Herewith you will find inclosed proof of the state of the Church and town records of Pittstown S. Y. in the case of Mary Houghton of New York for a revolutionary Pension under the Act of July 7 th 1838. In my communication of the 13 th Inst I said this proof had been transmitted to the Department with the claim for the five year half pay under Act of the 3 rd February 1853; but upon reflection I found I was mistaken. I obtained proof of the state of the records aforesaid some time ago, but recollect now, that the papers was lost or mislaid, and consequently was not sent with the claim as I supposed.
I now hasten to supply the defect.
Respectfully
John Magee
Putney, Vt. April 16 th 1855

Putney Vt. April 13 th 1855
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Sir
I this day received your letter of the 2 nd Inst relative to the Mary Houghton claim under Act of July 7 th 1838; in which I am informed that the additional testimony or proof of identity of her husband recently filed by me is deemed satisfactory. I am also informed that record evidence of her marriage is required, which I beg to say does not I believe exist. She was married at Pittstown S.Y. 1788 by Elder Watsted. I obtained certificates under oath from the resident Clergyman and the town Clerk at Pittstown showing the state of the records at the time of the said marriage, and that no entry of said marriage could be found on the  said  near records at Pittstown
The above mentioned certificates together with abundant proof of cohabitation, was filed with Mary Houghtons application for five years half pay under the first section of the Act of February 3 rd 1853 which was claim was sent in about the first of December last and allowed on the eighth of February.
I would further state that widow Houghton or her children received warrant No 3172 for 160 acres on March 14 th 1816 for her husbands services in the war of 1812.
The above certificates and proof of cohabitation was intended to apply on the revolutionary claim, as well as that of the war 1812
Under the impression that the above proof has been overlooked
Over —

at the Department I have taken the liberty herein to state the facts hoping that by a reference to said proof, it will be found satisfactory and the claim be allowed.
All reasonable exertions to obtain record proof of said marriage have been made without success. I think Mrs Houghton stated in one or both of her Applications that she had no family of private record by which to prove her marriage. She once informed me that she formerly had a record or certificate of her marriage, laying in her Bible, that it unfortunately dropped from the Bible into the fire and was burned. Search has also been made without success to find living witnesses of said marriage.
Respectfully
John Magee

Putney Vt. May 25 th 1855.
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Sir
Your letter of the 9 th Inst and also of 19 th Ult have been received. I herewith inclose the testimony of Darius Gleason and Asa Keyes, on the marriage of Rufus Mary Houghton of New York, in the case of a Pension, which she claims under the Act of July 7 th 1838.
It appears that John & Deborah Gleason, were the only persons who accompanied Rufus & Mary to the Ministers residence when they were married, and they John & Deborah are now both dead.
I have recently and formerly made strenuous efforts to procure record proof, and to find living witnesses of said marriage, without success. It appears that the marriage took place previous to the removal of Moses Gleason from Pittstown N.Y. to Putney Vt, about the year 1789.
I have always been under the impression, that under the Act of 1838 where it appeared clear, that the widow was married several years prior to the limit of the law 1793, that proof of cohabitation where no better proof could be found to exist, would be satisfactory.
In Asa Keyes testimony in November last, which was filed over

with the Application, he stated that he visited Rufus and Mary at Pittstown in the year 1789; that they were then married and living together.
The accompanying testimony is the best I believe that can be obtained, which if not deemed satisfactory at the Office, the claim as far as I can see must be abandoned, after all the expense and trouble attending the exertions to establish it; and the widow left to close her days in disappointment and sorrow, without realizing the benefit of the law.
Since the date of Asa Preyes Affidavit, I have been endeavoring to obtain further proof of said marriage, without success.
Respectfully Yours John Magee
P. S. Please direct to Putney Vt. as usual.
P. S. The signature of William Houghton Esq. Justice of the Peace will be found among the papers filed with the application and certified to by the County Clerk.
John Magee

Commissioner of Pensions D. C.
Mr. Wager Pursuant Order No. 11

Utica November 3 d - 1855
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
This additional proof on the Revolutionary claim of Mrs Mary Houghton of Canada West has been greatly delayed. In hope of saving the expense of travelling myself to obtain the signature of Rufus Houghton I wrote to a Justice in the town of Floyd to make diligent search in the case, but he was unsuccessful. I have now finally succeeded in obtaining the requisite signature of Rufus Houghton and considering the lapse of so many years since the date of the receipt signed by Rufus Houghton dated Boston 1784 Mass, the autographic I herewith inclose is as fair a comparison perhaps as could be expected. I beg to inclose also some Affidavits of respectable citizens of the neighborhood where Rufus Houghton formerly resided, showing his age. & Please observe his age on the family record which was filed with the application about December last. Application made N. Y. N. B.
Respectfully Yours John Magee
Please direct to me Brooklin Canada West

Brooklin, Canada West, December 10 th 1855.
J. Minot Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Sir
Your letter of the 14 th Ult in the case of Mary Houghton of S. W. for a revolutionary Pension, was duly received. I beg to say that I am altogether at a loss to know what to do further in the case. For the last fourteen months we have spared neither time nor money in travelling in searching and collecting proof on the claim. The signature of Rufus Houghton which I obtained from the Clerk of the County of Oneida S. W. and which I sent you appears to not prove satisfactory at the Office. You will please allow me to partially differ with you in opinion, although mine of course has nothing to do in the case; but I would beg to say that I was struck the moment I saw the signature with the resemblance it bore "in my view" to the one made at Botton Mass in 1784; with the exception of the capitals; particularly the name Rufus Rufus, but as you remarked in your letter, if they compared ever so well, there was no proof that the signature I sent, was made by the husband of the applicant; that fact I discovered but there was no remedy, and if it were possible to produce a score of signatures and notwithstanding they might resemble the original ever so much, and be the genuine signatures of the husband of Mary Houghton, yet the proof of the writer would most probably be impossible to obtain. I had applied to the family of Rufus Houghton for his signature without success, their house having been burned many years ago; I had also applied to the different towns where Houghton formerly resided, but his signature could not be found there. I then went and made diligent search myself, and the only result was the signature already sent you, and it is quite useless to search further, as the ground has already been well searched over. You will allow me I hope to make a few remarks, and certainly

I do not wish to tax your patience, or trespass upon your time unjustly; but as the case in question is one which I regard as most meritorious, and one which claims our particular attention; I would respectfully direct your attention to the proof already filed, and also to the copy of Mr Waldo's letter to me of the 2 nd of April last in which the proof of identity is acknowledged to be satisfactory, and also his letters of the 19 th of April and June 3 rd last when an objection was raised on account of some disparity in age of Houghton, this appears to be the only objection now to the claim, and this I trust will not be allowed to prove an insuperable barrier to the admission of the claim, since we have shown by the testimony of so many witnesses that Houghton was several years older than he represented himself to Mr Gilbert the recruiting Officer when he enlisted at Rome in Feb 1813. We easily discover the motive which induced Houghton to underrate his age, as he could not be accepted as a recruit according to law if it was known to the Officer who enlisted him, that he was above forty five years of age. I would also direct your attention to the little old Book containing a record of the Houghton family for several generations and of which Samuel Houghton made mention in his Affidavit which was filed with the claim, as well as the little book of records.
The said record contains the date of Rufus Houghtons birth in 1764 which agrees precisely with his age given in the Secretary's Certificate of service. In one of the Affidavits of Asa Keyes of Putney Vt he states his birth to be in the year 1764 that he and Rufus Houghton were of about the same age, that they were comrades together in Putney that Keyes was about 17 years of age when Rufus enlisted and went into the service in 1781. Keyes entered as an Apprentice to Major James Fitch of Putney at the age of about fifteen years, and that Rufus worked occasionally at Fitchs with Keyes previous and at the time of his enlistment which occurred when Keyes was about the age of 17 years; from this fact alone it is clearly shown that Rufus was about 49 years of age when he enlisted in 1813; and the testimony of Darius Gleason, and Content Foster, a brother and sister of Mary Houghton proves that Mary the wife of Rufus was about 47 years of age in 1813, and that Rufus was always regarded

as being two or three years older than his wife. Now dear Sir I cannot conceive what more substantial proof could be given of the age of Rufus and of his identity than the record referred to, and a direct chain of evidence of identity from Bolton Mass, to the battle field of Sundry's Lane where he fell; and also the testimony of so many respectable people of the neighborhood who were well acquainted with Rufus and knew his age, and to whom he acknowledged the fact that he had given his age to the recruiting Officer several years under what it actually was, for the purpose of being received into the service, without which he could not have been admitted; his motive for so doing is very apparent. Also James Houghton a brother of Rufus, whose birth is also recorded in the book of records herein before referred to, and which occurred in the year 1767, but as he was a younger brother to Rufus he must of necessity when  if he enlisted under Capt Gilbert set his age something like two years under that which Rufus represented his age to be, in order to make it look consistent. He represented his age to be 43 when in fact he was 46.
Permit me to remark that it is quite possible that Rufus borrowed a hand to sign his name to the receipt obtained from Bolton Mass, dated 1784, or to the Cognovit recently sent you, or he might have employed a hand to sign his name in both cases.
You are aware no doubt, that some men materially change their hand in writing and that too in a very few years; so so that it cannot be recognized; an instance of that kind I witnessed only a few weeks since. I have within a few years changed in my own hand writing materially, and the capitals I now make are quite differently cut letters from what they formerly were. In this case of Pension, I have acted faithfully, and diligently for the widow, and have spared no pains to consummate her claim, which is as just a one, as was ever allowed and I know not what more can be done in the case. I trust Sir that this my letter will not be disregarded by you, but that you will review the evidence which was examined by your predecessor, and particularly the old Book of records as to the date of Rufus's birth, and also the testimony of his old neighbors recently sent you, and also the testimony of those who testified to his age, on their belief.
I ver—

of his age, before this question of his age arose; after which if a firm conviction does not fix upon your mind that the  has Rufus Houghton the husband of Mary Houghton was not the Rufus Houghton described in the Secretary's certificate of service who enlisted for three years in March 1781 for the town of Bolton Mass please inform me what evidence of identity would be admitted as satisfactory; any further search for signatures is hopeless and I anxiously await your directions.
Very Respectfully Yours John Magee

Pension Office, June 25, 1855.
Sir,
Upon a re-examination of the whole evidence in the case of Mary Houghton, widow of Rufus, of New York - act July 7, 1838, I am constrained to adhere to the previous decisions of the office. The requirements have been, I think, reasonable, and should be complied with. The proof now filed does not materially strengthen the claim.
I am, respectfully, Your Mt. Servt.
L. M. Waldo Commissioner.
John Mage, Esq. Putney, New York.

Putney Vt. June 16 th 1855
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington
Dear Sir
Yesterday I received your letter of the 8 th inst suggesting the propriety of filing the autographic Signature of Rufus Houghton. This I am quite willing to endeavor to comply with, but do not know whether I shall succeed; it will however at best be attended with considerable delay, and as I have been absent from home several months already beyond my calculations, I feel quite anxious to return to my family. The Commissioner I trust will allow me to make a few statements relative to the doubts expressed in his  your letter of the 19 th of April last with reference to the fact that Rufus Houghton the husband of Mary Houghton was the man who enlisted in the Massachusetts line in 1781 for three years and who according to one of the Secretary's Certificates was born in New Hampshire. The Massachusetts rolls makes the age of Rufus 17 years in 1781; the small old book containing the family record of the Houghton family which was filed at the Office with the claim, fixes the birth of Rufus on the 8 th May 1764 precisely agreeing with the rolls; the said family record fixes the birth of James Houghton (brother to Rufus) on the first of May 1767, making three years difference in their ages, whereas at the time of their enlistment in February 1813 Rufus gave in his age at 45 years and James at 43 years making but two years difference in their ages, instead of three. The two

Brothers enlisted with two or three of their Sons about the same time and in the same Company and Regiment, 23 Reg U.S. Infantry N.Y. It is clear to my mind that the reason for giving their ages several years under what it really was, was for the sake of admission into the Army, as from my best recollection, as I was a resident of the State of New York in time of the war 1812, no one was enlisted in the regular service who were known to be over the age of 45 years; therefore the Houghtons concealed their true ages, I have been credibly informed that the Houghtons were in hard circumstances, and could not get employment to suit circumstances, and concluded to enter the service of the U.S. as a means of present support for their families, and also as a method of obtaining in farms; hence in order to accomplish this object Rufus represented his age to Ephriam F. Gilbert who enlisted him, four years younger than he was; and James represented his age three years under. There were doubtless many men of the age of 50 years enlisted for the age of 45, in that war. You will observe in Asa Keyes Affidavit of February last that he was born in 1764 that Rufus was about the same age, that they were comrades together in Putney; that Rufus was of more than ordinary and light complexion stature; that Joseph and Samuel How, and Ephriam and Manasseh Sawyer, of Westmoreland N.H. opposite Putney, across the river, enlisted in the three years service in the Massachusetts line, about the same time that Rufus enlisted; that Rufus crossed over the river and spent a few days in company with the Hous, and Sawyers, previous to leaving home to join the Army. Westmoreland I have no reason to doubt was the place of the Rufus's nativity, and the four young men above mentioned, his early associates. One of the Secretary's certificates shows that the four young men referred to who belonged in Westmoreland, enlist-

ted in the Massachusetts line, and another certificate of the Secretary already filed at the Office, shows that Rufus was born in New Hampshire. Now I cannot believe that Rufus the husband of Mary Houghton was but a little boy of 13 years at the time within referred to; he would not have been a very fit comrade for young men Soldiers just entering the Army; and Mary Houghton a woman in the 22 nd year of her age, at her marriage, would not be likely to marry a youngster under the age of 20 years.
I herewith transmit the testimony of Content Foster a Sister to Mary Houghton in support of her Sisters claim. It did not arrive in time to accompany the Affidavits last sent to the Office, although I delayed sometime in hope of receiving it. You will observe in Mrs Foster's Affidavit, that she always considered Rufus, several years older than her Sister Mary. Her own age as well as that of her Sister Mary's I found recorded in a Bible now in possession of Darius Gleason, Brother to Mary Houghton whose Affidavit I sent, in my last letter. But the marriages of the Sisters viz, Mary and Content was not recorded in the said Bible; nor no record of either of the Sisters marriage are to be found, nor do I believe it exists. The ages of Mary and Content stated in Mrs Fosters Affidavit, are in perfect accordance with the said Bible record. All the witnesses who have testified in the case, I believe, have unanimously fixed the age of Rufus at the time of his enlistment in 1813, at about 49 or 50 years. Please compare Rufus's signature to the old receipt which I obtained from Bolton Mass, which receipt is wafered to Whitcomb's Affidavit now in the Office, with his name where the date of his birth is given in the old family record filed with the papers at the Office; if I am not mistaken there is a strong resemblance between them. A deep impression rests upon me that Rufus was

recorded his own age in the old book referred to, but am not positive.
I trust the Commissioner will bear with my remarks; I have assumed to direct the attention of the Office to certain points of proof, which is natural to suppose where so much business is transacted will necessarily, after having once been examined be overlooked and forgotten.
I would regard it as a particular favor, if the examination here suggested could be made, and I apprised of the result, at the earliest consistent moment. I am anxious to have the case disposed of, before I return to Canada.
If the Office should still require the autographic signature of Rufus Houghton, I shall do my utmost to obtain it and file it; although it will detain me several weeks longer, as an expence, from my family.
I infer from the tenor of your letter, that the evidence sent in with respect to the date of the marriage, has set that matter at rest.
Very Respectfully Yours John Magee
P. S. Mrs Houghtons claim was made from New York State.
Please direct to Putney as usual.

Putney Vt. December. 12 th 1854.
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Sir
I beg to state that about two weeks ago I mailed two applications for Pensions made at Buffalo N. Y. by Mary Houghton of Canada West with proof thereon and my authority also to act in her behalf.
I further beg to say that from the manner in which I wrote you, you might have misunderstood my present place of residence. I expect to remain here at Putney for two or three weeks to come, and then return to Brookline Canada West my permanent place of residence.
I should feel happy to learn whether the said papers arrived safe at the Office and also the result.
very Respectfully John Mager

Gloucester Ms. Jan. 12/55
Dear Sir,
Your letter came to hand I think on Wednesday and found me very much engaged in the arrangement of my annual returns to the Secy. of State. I have found time since to make the examination you desire and I do not find recorded the marriage of Oliver Jewett & Betty Houghton. —
It appears from papers left by Capt. David Wilder that Rufus Houghton was one of his company which marched from this town to Lexington in April 1775 he never enlisted into the army probably, but soon returned home and died, as the marriage of his widow with Jacob Fullam in 1777 is entered upon our Church record. This Rufus is supposed to be a son of Rufus who was a brother of Jonathan. He had himself also a son Rufus born in 1772. These days

not appear upon our record the birth of any Rufus Houghton with the exception of the one in 1772 previous to the year 1800.
Yours Respectfully
J. C. Allen Chisholm
MB. The Justice before whom the deposition is taken has been for a long time been known to the deponent as a Magistrate & it seems unnecessary to wait for the certificate of the County Clerk —
55

Jan 26. 1855.
I have consulted the correspondence, also think that the written testimony, in connection with that previously filed, is pretty conclusive that Dumars Lustig enlisted here. He is son of Doctor, My. April 31, June 23, 1781. See testificate See MS. Aug. 3. 1854.
This additional testimony is received from Dept. pardon let me see it
Wm

Bolton, Jan. 15th, 1855
Mr. S. Cole,
Dear sir,
I have examined the records of this town, but can find nothing in them relative to the Rufus Houghton whom you describe, & for whose services in the war of the Revolution a pension is now sought. The name Rufus Houghton, two or three times, appears in our records, but none of them can apply to the man of whom you are inquiring. An old lady in town - a Mrs. Pierce - recollects a man of the name Rufus Houghton, who came here, from Putney, Vt. I think, & here enlisted in least one (I forget the name) company. That was during the War. She remembers, also, his being here afterwards, & his being commended by some female friends for not deserting, as some others who here enlisted had done. This is the extent of my information - meagre enough to be sure - but all I have. The name Houghton is a very common one in this town & vicinity.
Respectfully Yours,
Richard S. Edes,
Town clerk of Bolton, Mass.
On the reverse of the page, I give the records. You can judge for yourself of their value.

Born, Rufus, son of Jonathan & Susanna Houghton Dec. 6, 1769. (vol 1, p. 99)
Married, Rufus Houghton & Elizabeth Whitcomb, bth of Bolton, July 23d, 1790, by John Whitcomb, J.P.
Married, Rufus Houghton & Abigail Barnard, bth of Bolton, Feb. 7, 1796. By Rev Phineas Wright
Among Deaths (as now recorded in this state) 1855 The following:
Rufus Houghton, Male, married, 84, Farmer, Aug. 26th, 1855 (date of death) Bolton (interred) Old Age (cause of death) Bolton (place of birth)

Mar 1812
lived in Kennebec
25 July 1814

Brief in the case of Mary Houghton widow of Rufus Houghton deceased Brant County and State of Province of Canada Sec 1 act Feby 3 rd 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Service and death in service 25 July 1814 are proved by the rolls. See 3 rd Auditor's report January 6 1853.
Marriage is proved by reference to the proceedings had in the Surrogate's Court of Erie County, New York, in 1816. See Law Warrant No 3172 Act of 1812. (a file in Pension Office) granted to the children as the (If for increase.) Heirs at law in fact. Widow has an Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? Identity are proved by proof.
Also Feby 7/55 at 3 50 PM October 19 1854 - the close of the testimony
John Magee Esq
Name and residence of Agent
Brooklyn Canada West.
J. E. Stewart
Examining Clerk.

I Solomon W. Thompson Clerk of the Baptist Church at Pittstown Rensselaer County and State of New York hereby certify that I hold the Records of said Church and after a careful examination thereof I can not find any entry of the Marriage of Rufus Houghton and Mary Gleason on said record I also certify that the Records of said Church were destroyed by fire the 21 st day of February 1789 and that no Record of Marriage has ever been entered upon the Record of said Church And that Elder Hattled was the Clergyman of the said Church in the year A.D. 1788 or about that time And I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the result of the case in which this my certificate is to be used
Solomon W. Thompson
New York SS
Clerk of Baptist Church
Subscribed and sworn to before me Royal Abbott Jr a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Rensselaer and State of New York this 23 rd day of April A.D. 1835 And I further certify that Solomon W. Thompson is the Clerk as appears from the Record of the
STATE OF NEW YORK, RENSSELAER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss
I, AMBROSE H. SHELTON, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that before whom the annexed affidavit was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was, at the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County, this _____ day of _____ A. D., 1855
A. H. Shelton Clerk.

I Solomon W. Thompson Clerk of the Baptist Church at Pittstown Rensselaer County and State of New York hereby certify that I hold the Records of said Church and after a careful examination thereof I can not find any entry of the Marriage of Rufus Houghton and Mary Gleason on said record I also certify that the Records of said Church were destroyed by fire the 21 st day of February 1789 and that no Record of Marriage has ever been entered upon the Record of said Church And that Elder Halsey was the Clergyman of the said Church in the year A.D. 1788 or about that time And I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the result of the case in which this my certificate is to be used
Solomon W. Thompson
Census County SS
Clerk of Baptist Church
Subscribed and sworn to before me Royal Abbott Jr a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Rensselaer and State of New York this 23 rd day of April A.D. 1835 And I further certify that Solomon W. Thompson is the Clerk as appears from the Record of the Baptist Church in Pittstown in said County and State and that his testimony is entitled to credit and that I am in no wise interested in the case or matter in which the above certificate or deposition is to be used
Royal Abbott Jr
Justice of the Peace

I DeWitt C. Halsted Town Clerk in for the Town of Pittstown County of Rensselaer and State of New York do hereby certify that I am Clerk of the town of Pittstown aforesaid and that I have the Records of said town in my possession And I further testify and declare that there are no record of Marriages Recorded therein excepting for the years 1847-1848-1849 and 1850 and that there are no Record of Marriages pre- vious to those dates whatsoever. And that I am in no wise interested in the result of the DeWitt C. Halsted case in which this certificate is to be used
State of New York } ss Rensselaer County }
Subscribed and sworn before me Royal Abbott a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Rensselaer and State of New York this 26 th day of April 1855. And I further certify that DeWitt C. Halsted is the town Clerk of said town of Pittstown in said County and State and that his testimony is entitled to credit and that I am in no wise interested in the case or matter in which the above deposition and certificate is to be used and that the words after whatever in the above deposition in the fourth line were entered before executing oath. Royal Abbott Jr Justice of the Peace

Content Foster born June 1776, recalled her sister Mary was married to Rufus Houghton when she (Deborah) was 12 years old (1788) - Recollects by other circumstances, it was a remark- ably cold night, had a cousin frozen to death that night, - she moved away from her old home with her father in 1789 &c
Grandfather Houghton

Province of Canada } ss. On this 29 th day of May County of Ontario } A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me C. Ames a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County and Province, Content Foster a resident of the County of Ontario and Province of Canada who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the Daughter of Moses and Benaiah Gleason and Sister to Darius Gleason and Mary Houghton; that she deponent was born in the Town of Windsor Berkshire County in the State of Massachusetts on the sixth day of June A. D. 1776 that in the month of March A. D. 1783 when deponent was at the age of about seven years her Father removed with his family to the Town of Pittstown in Rensselaer County and State of New York, that her said Sister Mary was born on the first day of August A. D. 1766 and was married to Rufus Houghton in the said town of Pittstown about the first of February A. D. 1788 that deponent well remembers that she was in the twelfth year of her age at the time of her said Sisters marriage and that her said Sister was in the twenty second year her age at the time of her said marriage; that deponent well remembers seeing the said Rufus Houghton and her said Sister Mary start in the evening from her Fathers residence

for that of the Reverend Mr. Halsted or Sylvan Nukins accompanied by her Brother John and Sister Deborah to have the said Marriage solemnized. That deponent particularly recollects the fact, that the night on which the said marriage was executed was noted for its unusual severity. That soon after the said marriage occurred they received intelligence that Miss Glason a Cousin to deponent who resided at Maryfield now the town of Rowe in the State of Massachusetts who had lost her road and laid in the woods was frozen to death on the same cold night on which the said marriage occurred, that her said sister's marriage has ever since been remembered in connection with the cold night, and the death of her said Cousin. That the said Rufus and Mary ever after lived and cohabited together as husband and wife and were so reputed and believed in the neighborhoods where they resided; that they were reputable and respectable members of society; that deponent was always under the impression that the said Rufus was some two or three years older than her sister Mary. Deponent further testifies that she removed with her Father from Pittstown to the town of Putney in Windham County and State of Vermont in the A. D. 1789 that she afterwards resided in the state of New York and in the year 1817 she removed to the province of Upper Canada, in which Province she has ever since resided and she swears that she is a disinterested witness.
Con
Content Testis.

Subscribed and sworn to before me after being duly read to her by me and explained this 29 th day of May A.D. 1855. And I hereby certify that deponent is a credible witness, and that I am in no wise interested in the result of the case, in which the fore- going Affidavit is to be used E Amos J. P.
Province of Canada
County of Ontario } To wit }
I, Bernard Frey Ball, Clerk of the Peace in and for the County of Ontario, Province of Canada, do hereby certify that, Ezra Sturges, is a duly qualified Justice of the Peace in and for said County. That I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature subscribed to the above certificate, is in the proper writing and is the genuine signature of the said Ezra Sturges
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of my office. This twenty ninth day of May A.D. 1855
B. F. Ball Clerk Peace C.O.

State of Vermont) County of Windham }ss
On this 1 st day of May A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me, Russell Ayde a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Windham and State of Vermont, Darius Gleason, a resident of the County of Windham and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law de- clares; that he is the son of Moses and Beulah Gleason, formerly residents of the town of Pittstown Rensselaer County and State of New York, and subsequently residents of the town of Putney in the State of Vermont, that he is Brother to Mary Houghton and Content Foster, of Canada West; that he was born in the State of Massachusetts on the 28 th day of December A.D. 1772; that when he was at about the age of ten years, his Father removed with his family from the town of Windsor, Berkshire County in the State of Massachusetts, to the town of Pittstown Rensse- laer County in the State of New York, that his said Sister Mary was born on the first day of August A.D. 1766, and was married to Rufus Houghton at said Pittstown about the first of February A.D. 1788; that he deponent was fifteen years of age, at the time of the said marriage, and remembers seeing the wedding party start from his Fathers residence, to have the marriage executed, at which time he believes that the said Rufus and Mary were lawfully joined in Matrimony. That he is not aware of any record existing, or living witnesses of said marriage.
That in consequence of his old age and impaired memory

deponent is unable at the present time to state more definitely, the date of the said marriage. That he removed with his Father from said Pittstown, to the said town of Putney as early as A. D. 1789 or 1790. That deponent had a Brother John, and a Sister called Deborah, who he believes were present, and witnessed the marriage of the said Rufus and Mary, both of whom are now dead, as this deponent has reason to believe.
And he swears that he is a disinterested witness.
Darius his Gleason mark
Subscribed and sworn to before me, after being duly read to him by me and explained, this first day of May A.D. 1855.
And I hereby certify that deponent is a credible witness; and is _____ his right side marallized by
State of Vermont, } WINDHAM, S.S. }
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that Russell Hayden
was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the Certificate hereon written is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at Brattleborough, this Seventh day of May Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five
Royall Tyler Clerk.

deponent is unable at the present time to state more definitely, the date of the said marriage. That he removed with his Father from said Pittstown, to the said town of Putney as early as A. D. 1789 or 1790. That deponent had a Brother John, and a Sister called Deborah, who he believes were present, and witnessed the marriage of the said Rufus and Mary, both of whom are now dead, as this deponent has reason to believe.
And he swears that he is a disinterested witness.
Darius his Gleason mark
Subscribed and sworn to before me, after being duly read to him by me and explained, this first day of May A. D. 1855.
And I hereby certify that deponent is a credible witness; and is unable to write his name, having had his right side parallized by a shock of the Palsey. And I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the result, of the case in which the foregoing Affidavit is to be used.
Russell Hyde, Justice of the Peace

Putney Vt. March 28 th 1855
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Sir
I beg herewith to inclose additional evidence in favor of Mrs Mary Houghtons claim for a Pension for services rendered by her husband Rufus Houghton in the Massachusetts State line in the war of the revolution. Her application was made at Buffalo N. Y. in October last. I regret that so much time has been occupied in collecting the proof. From the peculiarity of the case, it would necessarily require time to develop itself.
Had Rufus Houghton been born and grown up in the town which employed him in the service; living witnesses to prove his identity would probably have been more plenty.
The Commissioner wished some satisfactory reason given for not presenting the claim sooner.
The application I believe was made the 19 th of October and mailed here at Putney Vt to Washington about the 28 th of November; for which delay two good reasons I think can be given viz; I had read in the book of Pension Laws that no attention would be given to persons or agents acting for another unless known to the Department or their character vouched for by some one known to the Department.
Such requirements proved to me somewhat annoying, as I was a stranger and was not acquainted with any one who could assist me. After some loss of time in writing to parties at a distance Agents for claims, thinking to substitute an Attorney to present the claim on reasonable terms and bailiffs in that behalf I need not

write to the Department for permission to mail the Application direct to the Pension Office which request was generously granted. The Commissioner will doubtless recollect the correspondence. Another reason or cause of delay in presenting the claim was, the hope of obtaining further proof before sending in the claim in which however after searching and enquiring at Putney and Westminster I failed to elicit any further proof. I have not the least doubt of the validity of the claim. Proof from the rolls at Boston of Rufus Houghton's services and also proof that there were but two Rufus Houghtons on the rolls; one of which was from Westminster and served only a few days in the year 1775 accompanied the Application to the Department. I now forward three more certificates from the Secretary showing the way and manner of enlisting Soldiers in the war of the revolution and that the four men mentioned in Asa Keyes second Affidavit who belonged in Westmoreland S. H. were found in the Massachusetts line, and also that Rufus was born in New Hampshire. I searched the town records at Westmoreland S. H. but could not find the name of Houghton thereon. I applied to the holder of the original records at Rockingham S. H. but no traces of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton could be found there. The Registrar at Keene S. H. has furnished a Certificate showing the conveyance of real Estate in Westmoreland by Jonathan Houghton. The receipt signed by Rufus Houghton and referred to Francis Whitecomb's Affidavit; please compare with Rufus's name as it stands on the old family record which was filed with the Application. If I am not mistaken there is a strong resemblance in the hand writing. The fact of Rufus's age on the family record agreeing with that of the Secretary's certificate appears to me a striking proof of identity. I herewith inclose a number of Affidavits all of which I respectfully submit for your examination sincerely hoping the proof & Respectfully John Magee may prove satisfactory

P.S. I forward Affidavits from the town clerks at Lancaster and Leominster Mass, showing the line of the Houghton family and agreeing with the said family record.
I stated in my Application to the Secretary at Boston for proof of services that Rufus was born at Bolton Mass, and it was or thought but it appears to be a mistake; the family of Rufus however knew that he enlisted in the Massachusetts line.
When the claim is allowed please forward the Pension Warrant or Certificate to me by mail at Putney Vt.; and also please let the arrears be made payable in Vermont.
I have been detained here bare beyond my expectations in getting the proof, and wish to remain here still, until the case is decided and anxiously wait the result of which I hope to hear soon.
very Respectfully
John Magee

State of New York County of Oneida } ss
On this 29 th day of September A. D. 1853
personally appeared before me Milo P. Sheppard a Justice of the Peace within and for the State and County aforesaid Elery R. Chase a resident of the said County and State who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was well acquainted with Rufus Houghton deceased and Mary Houghton his wife formerly residents of the town of Pittstown Rensselaer County State of New York and subsequently residents of the town of Floyd Oneida County and State aforesaid that he was well acquainted with them several years at the town of Pittstown and also at the town of Floyd aforesaid that the said Rufus Houghton and Mary Houghton lived and cohabited together as man and wife and were reputable and respectable, that they were reputed and believed in the neighborhoods where they resided both in Pittstown and Floyd aforesaid to be lawfully husband and wife, and that he this deponent fully concurs in that opinion. And this deponent further declares his opinion that the said Rufus Houghton was a Soldier in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution and was so reputed and generally believed in the neighborhood where he resided. And further that the said Rufus Houghton subsequently enlisted at Rome in the State and County aforesaid in the 23 rd Regiment of Regulars commanded by Col. Daniel Brown in the war of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain that it was reported and currently believed and that it is also his firm belief that the said Rufus Houghton was killed while in the service of the United States at the battle of Lundy's Lane in the Province of Canada on the 25 th day of July 1814 and that he has never since been heard from.

and that the said Rufus Houghton at the period of his enlistment at Rome in the year 1813 in the war with Great Britain was he believes from 30 to 32 years of age and he swears he is a disinterested witness
Elery R. Chase
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 29 th day of Sept. A D 1853. And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Elery R. Chase and that he is a person of undoubted truth and unquestionable character and that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of any claim in any wise hereupon depending.
N.B. the word "said" in the 1 st line on this page was interlined before this was presented Milo P. Sherman Justice of the Peace
State of New York, } ss. ONEIDA COUNTY, CLERK'S OFFICE,
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Milo P. Sherman
Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed jurat & certificate and thereon written, was, on the 29 th day of Sept 1853 a Justice of the Peace, in, and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said jurat & certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name, this 7 th day of Oct 1853
R. Hulbert
CLERK.

State of New York County of Oneida } ss
On this 13 rd day of October A. D. 1853 personally appeared before me Meets P. Sherman a Justice of the Peace within and for the State and County aforesaid John Bartlett & Henry Robins residents of the said County of Oneida who being duly sworn according to law declare that they were well acquainted with Rufus Houghton deceased and Mary Houghton his wife formerly residents of the Town of Floyd in the said County of Oneida that their acquaintance with the said Rufus and Mary Houghton extended over a period of eight or ten years immediately prece- ding the war of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, that the said Rufus Houghton and Mary Houghton lived and cohabited together as man and wife and were reputable and respectable people that they were reputed and believed in the neighborhood where they resided to be lawfully Husband and Wife and that these deponants fully concur in that opinion
And these deponants further declare their opinion that the said Rufus Houghton was a Soldier in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution and was so reputed and generally believed in the neighborhood where he resided and also that the said Rufus Houghton subsequently enlis- ted at Rome in the State and County aforesaid in the 23 rd Regiment of Regulars commanded by Col. Daniel Brown in the war of 1812 with Great Britain that it was reported and currently believed and that it is also their firm belief that the said Rufus Houghton was killed while in the service of the United States at the battle of Lundy's Lane in the Province of Canada on the 25 th day of July 1814 and that he has never since been heard from. And these deponants further declare their opinion that the age of the said Rufus Houghton

at the time of his enlistment at Rome in the year 1813 was from 50 to 52 years of age And they swear that they are disinterested witnesses
John Bartlett Henry Robins
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3 rd day of October A D 1853 And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named deponents viz: John Bartlett and Henry Robins and know them to be persons of undoubted truth and unquestionable character and that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of any claim in any wise hereupon depending
Niles P. Sherman Justice of the Peace
State of New York, ONEIDA COUNTY, CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Niles P. Sherman
Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed jurat & certificate and thereon written, was, on the third day of October 18 53 a Justice of the Peace, in, and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said jurat & certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name, this 7 th day of Oct 185 3
7 th
day of
Oct
1853
R. Hulbert
CLERK.

State of New York County of Oneida } ss
On this 1 st day of October A. D. 1853 personally appeared before me Milo P Sherman a Justice of the Peace within and for the State and County aforesaid Captain James S. Abeel of the United States Army stationed at Rome in the said County of Oneida who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was in the service of the United States in the war of 1812 with Great Britain that he served in the capacity of 3 d Lieutenant in the 23 d Regiment of United States Infantry commanded by Col. Daniel Brown in A. D. 1813 and by Major McFarland 1814. that this deponent while in the said service became acquainted with Rufus Houghton a private in Capt. Derrick Vanvashiton's company in the 23 d Regiment aforesaid that the said Regiment was closely engaged in battle with the enemy on the 25 th day of July 1814 at Lundy's Lane in the province of Canada, that Luther Houghton who was my waiter came to me on the morning subsequent to the battle and said to me that his father Rufus Houghton had been killed in the said battle and that is the general opinion and belief and the opinion of this deponent and that he has not since been heard from

According to the best of my knowledge and belief. And he swears further that he is a disinterested witness
James O'Neil O.M. U.S. Commissioner
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1 st day of Oct. A.D. 1853 and I hereby certify that James O'Neil is a credible
State of New York, ONEIDA COUNTY, CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Milo P Sherman
Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed jurat & certificate and thereon written, was, on the first day of Oct 1853 a Justice of the Peace, in, and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate & jurat is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name, this 7 th day of Oct 1853
R. Hulbert
CLERK.
Affidavit 29/53

According to the best of my knowledge and belief. And he swears further that he is a disinterested witness
James O'Neal Off ce U.S. Ordnance
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1 st day of Oct. A.D. 1853 And I hereby certify that the said Capt. James O'Neal is a credible witness, and that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of any claim in any wise hereupon depending.
Milo P. Sherman Justice of the Peace
October 29 / 53

I Francis Whitecomb of Bolton in the County of Worcester in the state of Massachusetts, do hereby make oath and say that I was born in the town of Bolton in the County and State aforesaid about forty seven years of age, that my father's name was Silas Whitecomb, who was the son of Capt. Paul Whitecomb formerly of said town of Bolton in that former administration of papers and documents left in by my father the said Silas Whitecomb at his decease and which was left him by his father the said Capt. Paul Whitecomb at his decease. I find two receipts which the following are true copies
Bolton March 20th 1883
Recd of Mr. Shaker Holman the sum of six shillings in part of his proportion for the hiring of Rufus Houghton in the three year cattle service 1881
I say recd by me Paul Whitecomb Chairman of said class
Bolton Apr 12th 1884
Recd of Capt. Paul Whitecomb seven pounds twelve shillings two pence three farthings in full for his proportion for my going into the three years service in the year 1881 Recd by me Signed Rufus Houghton
The above transcripts are a true copy of the said two receipts, with the exception of the word (Signed)
Francis Whitecomb

I was  would say that I am of the fifth generation of the family of Whitcomb's who have owned and occupied the farm in said town of Bolton which I now own and on which I now live, that my grandmother, Mrs. Paul Whitcomb who died in the year 1835, at the age of 92 years, lived in the same family that I did, the first 27 years of my life, with the exception of one year, that I have heard her say many times, that my grandfather had a twin brother whose name was Silas and that my great grandfather's name was Josiah and that my great grandmother's name was Deborah Whitcomb and that the said Deborah was my grandmother's mother.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I, Joseph Mason Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Edwin A. Whitcomb on the second day of March A.D. 1855 was and still is
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his signature to the certificate of oath upon the affidavit of Frances
Whitcomb
hereto annexed is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said Court, this fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Jo. Mason Clerk.

I Francis Whitecomb would further depose and say that I am of the fifth generation of the family of Whitecomb's who have owned and occupied the farm in said town of Bolton which I now own and on which I now live, that my grand mother, Mrs. Paul Whitecomb who died in the year 1835, at the age of 92 years, lived in the same family that I did, the first 27 years of my life, with the exception of one year that I have heard her say many times, that my grandfather had a twin brother whose name was Silas, and that my great grandfather's name was Josiah, and that my great grandmother's name was Rebecca Whitecomb, and I the said Francis Whitecomb would further depose and say that my mother and my sisters had very dark complexions, as were also that of our parents, and that there is a tradition, that the blood of the aborigines was some what mixed with that of our ancestors, and I would further depose and say, that I have no interest in the other matter in which this is set forth.
Francis Whitecomb
Subscribed and sworn to before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts the second day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Edwin H. Whitecomb, Justice of the Peace I hereby certify that Francis Whitecomb is a credible witness that what (would) he has stated were in substance before signing and is now well interested in the result of the action of the claim. Edwin H. Whitecomb Justice of the Peace

Botton March y 20 th 1783 Then Recd of Mr Abraham Holdman the Sum of five Shillings in part of his proportion for the firing Rufus Houghton in the three years service I say Recd by me 1783 Paul Whetcomb } Chairman of said Class
Botton April 12 th 1781 Then Recd of Capt. Paul Whetcomb Seven Pounds twelve Shillings two Pence three farthings that being in full for his proportion for my going into three years service in the year 1781 Recd by me - Rufus Houghton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 6 th 1855.
W e hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that from a Size Roll of Capt. Zebulon King's Company. Col. John Brooks Regt. the name of Rufus Houghton is borne. Age. 17. Size. 5 feet. 5 inches: Occupation, Labourer: Born, New Hampshire: Residence, Boston: Worcester County; Hair, Light: Complexion, Light: Enlisted, March 31. 1781. for 3 years.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, February 12 th 1855.
I hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the names of Ephraim Sawyer and Manasseh Sawyer are found on rolls of officers and soldiers from Lancaster, a Town adjoining Bolton. Also the names of Joseph How and Samuel How are on rolls with men from Northboro, Lancaster, Sudbury & Princeton.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

No 1254.
Treasury Department Third Auditor's Office January 6 th 1855.
Sir,
Rufus Houghton a Private of Captain Gilbert's Company, of the 23 rd Infantry enlisted on the 6 th February 1843, for during the War, and was killed on the 25 th July 1844.
Respectfully Your ob st Servt. Robt Morrison Auditor
E. P. Waldo Esq Comm ee of Pensions
W.A.P.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Nov. 10. th 1854.
I Hereby Certify , That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that a man by the name of Rufus Houghton, from Leominster, served in Capt. David Wilder's Comp. Col. John Whitcomb's Regt. from April 25. 1775. 8 days, as Sgt. and I find no further service for any man of the same name, except from Bolton.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wiggins Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston,
DEC. 20 th 1854.
I Hereby Certify, That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that there is nothing in the record to show that Rufus Houghton was not a Farmer, while the record shows that he was a farmer.
(During the war of the Revolution each Town was obliged to furnish its quota of Soldiers, and for convenience or some other cause the Towns frequently divided themselves into Clases, and each Clases furnished its quota of the whole, raising their men when they could find them.
In some cases the record says A. B. belongs in C. and raised for D. a different Town; but the usual wording is "raised for the Town of" — without saying where the soldier belonged.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
T. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
Aug 3 rd 1854.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Rufus Houghton is borne on list of six mos men who marched under the care of Capt. Thomas Pritchard. July 13. 1780. Age 16. Height 5. 4. Complexion. Light from Bolton, arrived at Springfield July. 13. 1780.
✓ Also served from July 10. to Dec. 20. 1780. 220 miles Travel 5 Mos. 21 days. Roll signed by the Selectmen of Bolton and allowed in Connie March 5. 1782.
Also on description list of 3 years men, Age 17. Height. 5. 5. Complexion, Light. Occupation, Farmer from Bolton. Enlisted March 31. 1781.
Also Jan. 1. 1782. in Capt. Zebulon King's Comp. Vt. Col. John Brooks' Regt. Endorsed "sick at Stoney Point."
Also a Certificate. Dated Bolton June 23. 1781.
"This may certify That the Clap I belong to gave Rufus Houghton for serving three years in the Continental Army £ 3. hundred Money & £ 750. in paper, and an obligation for eighteen cattle, three years old". Signed - "Paul Whitcomb"

Also in List of Final Settlement in Col John Brooks Pay No. 10.013 Janz. 1. 1783. $ 14.44 " 10.422 Janz. 1. 1782 " 55.15. " 10.909 Janz. 1. 1784. " 80.00.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Canada West Brooklin July 31 st 1854
To the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Sir
I am authorised by Mary Houghton widow of Rufus Houghton to make application to the Secretary for evidence from the rolls in his office of the service of her husband Rufus Houghton deceased in the war of the Revolution
He was born at Bolton Worcester County in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1764 and when quite young his Father Jonathan Houghton removed from Bolton to Westminster in Windham County in the State of Vermont and in about the year 1779 Rufus left his Father and went back to Bolton among his connections where he entered the service of the United States as a private and continued with but little intermission in the said service until the close of the war. He served under two or three different engagements and was stationed somewhere along the Hudson River where he lay sick for a considerable length of time. He was under the command of one Capt King and Col Brooks Respectfully Yours John Magee

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss Worcester County
On this eighth day of January A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me Caleb Wheeler justice of the peace within and for the said county Mary Nourse a resident of the town of Bolton in said County of Worcester who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the daughter of Jonathan and Susanna Houghton that she was born at the said town of Bolton in the year A.D. 1771 that soon after the close of the revolutionary war and in the winter or spring of the year A.D. 1784 when she was in the thirteenth year of her age Rufus Houghton of the town of Putney in the state of Vermont a young man about the age of twenty years and a relative of this deponent came to her Father's residence at the said town of Bolton that the said Rufus had enlisted among the three years men under Captain Debulon King in the continental service in the war of the Revolution and had recently been discharged from the said service that her Father was pleased to meet him and gratified that he the said Rufus had continued in the said service till he was discharged and had not run away from the service as Nathaniel Holman and Barnabas Sawyer of the town of Bolton had done that the said Rufus Houghton then related many scenes that he had witnessed during his services in the said war that the said Rufus Houghton was the son of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton formerly from the towns of Lancaster and Leominster in the said Commonwealth of Massachusetts and subsequently residents of the towns of Putney and Westminster in the State of Vermont; that this deponent had heard her Parents speak of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton the Parents of the said Rufus Houghton who resided at Westminster in the state of Vermont; that she heard the said Rufus Houghton when at her Father's residence as aforesaid say that he was going home to Putney and Westminster in the state of Vermont among his friends again; that she had a brother Rufus who was born

at Bolton in the year A.D. 1769 but was not in the war of the Revolution and that she was never acquainted with any Rufus Houghton except Rufus Houghton of Putney who was capable of being a soldier in the war of the Revolution; that her father the said Jonathan Houghton was a captain in the Continental service in the war of the Revolution; that in the year A.D. 1789 this deponent accompanied by her brother Jonathan went to the town of Putney in the state of Vermont to visit her Uncle John Moore and family who then resided at the said town of Putney that she was there informed that the said Rufus Houghton the son of the said Jonathan and Sarah Houghton had removed to the State of New York.
And she also swears that she is a disinterested witness
Mary his X mark House
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of January
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I,
Joseph Mason
Clerk of the
Judicial Courts,
for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Caleb Wheeler on
the eighth day of January A.D. 1855. was and still is
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his signature to the certificate of oath upon the affidavit of Mary House
hereunto annexed is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this tenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Jo. Mason Clerk.

at Bolton in the year A.D. 1769 but was not in the war of the Revolution and that she was never acquainted with any Rufus Houghton except Rufus Houghton of Putney who was capable of being a soldier in the war of the Revolution; that her father the said Jonathan Houghton was a captain in the Continental service in the war of the Revolution; that in the year A.D. 1789 this deponent accompanied by her brother Jonathan went to the town of Putney in the state of Vermont to visit her Uncle John Moore and family who then resided at the said town of Putney that she was there informed that the said Rufus Houghton the son of the said Jonathan and Sarah Houghton had removed to the state of New York.
And she also swears that she is a disinterested witness
Mary his X Nourse mark
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of January A.D. 1855 after being duly read to her and explained. and I hereby certify that Mary Nourse this deponent is a credible witness. And I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of the claim
Caleb Wheeler Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont County of Windham } ss
On this 17 th day of November, A. D. 1854.
personally appeared before me, Wm. Houghton a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Windham, and State of Vermont, Issa Hayes, a resident of the County of Windham, and state aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, declares, that he was born in Middlesex, County in the State of Massachusetts, in the year A. D. 1764, that in the year A. D. 1774, when he was at the age of ten years, he removed with his Father to the Town of Putney, Windham County, in the State of Vermont, that in the year A. D. 1776, or 7, he first became acquainted with Jonathan Houghton Senior, and his family, who then resided at the town of Westminster, adjoining the said town of Putney, that the said Jonathan Houghton had three Sons, and several daughters, with whom this deponent was acquainted, and of whom he remembers the names of Jonathan, Rufus, James, Prasiah, and Thankful, that he this deponent, was well acquainted with the said Rufus Houghton, previous to the said Rufus, entering the service of the United States, in the war of the Revolution, and for many years subsequent to his service in said war. That he this deponent clearly recollects, of a recruiting Officer, from the State of Massachusetts, or somewhere from the south, passing through the said town of Putney, raising Troops for the Continental service, about the time that the said Rufus Houghton, entered the said service, that the said Rufus Houghton was, at and previous to the time of his leaving the neighborhood to join the Army, employed by Major James Fitch in a Tannery, in the said town of Putney, that he this deponent clearly recollects seeing, and conversing, with the said Rufus Houghton, on his return home from the Army, soon after the close of the said war, and the pleasure he expressed at being discharged from the said service, and of enjoying again the society of friends, and the comforts of home, that the said Rufus Houghton was about the same age of this deponent, and was reputed and generally believed throughout the neighborhood, and towns where he resided, to have been engaged, several years in the service of the United States, in the war of the Revolution, and that this deponent fully concurs in that opinion. That in about the year A. D. 1785, or 6, the said Rufus Houghton, removed to the town of Pittstown, Rensselaer County in the State of New York, that in the year —

A.D. 1787, when this deponent was at the age of twenty three years, he said deponent, removed from the said town of Putney, to Lansingburg, adjoining or near the said town of Pittstown, in Rensselaer County and State of New York, that in about the year A.D. 1789, this deponent visited the said Rufus Houghton, who was then married to Mary Gleason, and with whom he then lived at the said town of Pittstown. That in about the year A.D. 1801, this deponent removed back to the said town of Putney, that he was well acquainted, with the said Rufus and Mary Houghton at the said town of Pittstown, during nearly the whole period of this deponent's residence, at the said county of Rensselaer, that he was also well acquainted with James Houghton, Brother of said Rufus Houghton, for several years at the said town of Pittstown, and that he was also well acquainted with Moses Gleason, Father of said Mary Houghton, at the said town of Pittstown, that the said Rufus Houghton was the only one of that name, that this deponent was ever acquainted with, except a young man by that name, now about the age of twenty five years. That the said Rufus Houghton, resumed his employment in the Tanning business, in the said Tannery, after his return from the said service, in the Army, that this deponent was employed, by the said Major James Fitch, in the same Tannery with the said Rufus Houghton, both previous and subsequent to the said Rufus Houghton's services, in the war of the Revolution, and that he knows of no person living, who was in the service with the said Rufus Houghton, in the said war. And he swears, that he is a disinterested witness.
Aza Rogers
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 17 th day of November A.D. 1854. And I hereby certify, that
State of Vermont, } WINDHAM, S. S. }
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
William Houghton
was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, duly commissioned and

And 155 A.D. 1787, when this deponent was at the age of twenty three years, he said deponent, removed from the said town of Putney, to Scarsburg, adjoining or near the said town of Pittstown, in Rensselaer County and State of New York, that in about the year A.D. 1789, this deponent visited the said Rufus Houghton, who was then married to Mary Gleason, and with whom he then lived at the said town of Pittstown. That in about the year A.D. 1801, this deponent removed back to the said town of Putney, that he was well acquainted, with the said Rufus and Mary Houghton at the said town of Pittstown, during nearly the whole period of this deponent's residence at the said County of Rensselaer, that he was also well acquainted with James Houghton, Brother of said Rufus Houghton, for several years at the said town of Pittstown, and that he was also well acquainted with Moses Gleason, Father of said Mary Houghton, at the said town of Pittstown, that the said Rufus Houghton was the only one of that name, that this deponent was ever acquainted with, except a young man by that name, now about the age of twenty five years. That the said Rufus Houghton, resumed his employment in the Tanning business, in the said Tannery, after his return from the said service, in the Army, that this deponent was employed, by the said Major James Fitch, in the same Tannery with the said Rufus Houghton, both previous and subsequent to the said Rufus Houghton's services, in the war of the Revolution, and that he knows of no person living, who was in the service with the said Rufus Houghton, in the said war. And he swears, that he is a disinterested witness.
Asa Hedges
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 17 th day of November A.D. 1854. And I hereby certify, that said Asa Hedges, is a man of good moral character, and a credible witness, and possesses extraordinary strength of mind, and memory, and that the word "County" interlined, between the seventh and eighth lines from top on first page, was done previous to signing by the said deponent. And I further certify, that I am in no wise interested, in the result or prosecution of the claim.
Wm. Houghton Justice of the Peace

State of New York ) County of Erie } ss
On this 18. th day of October A.D. 1854, personally appeared before me Albert S. Merrill a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Erie and State of New York Calvin Houghton a resident of the County of Oxford in the Province of Canada who being first duly sworn according to law declares that he was born in Oneida County and State of New York in the year A.D. 1807 that he is the Son of Rufus and Mary Houghton formerly residents of the said County of Oneida that his Father the said Rufus Houghton was killed on the 26 th day of July A.D. 1814 while in the service of the United States at the battle of Sunday's Scare in the Province of Upper Canada that his Mother the said Mary Houghton is still living and a resident of the County of Brant and Province of Canada and still remains the widow of his Father the said Rufus Houghton.
And he swears that he is a disinterested witness.
Calvin Houghton
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18. th day of October A.D. 1854 And I hereby certify that Calvin Houghton this deponent is a credible witness, and that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of the claim.
Albert S. Merrill Justice of the Peace.
State of New York, } ss. ERIE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I, WILLIAM ANDRE, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, certify that about 10 o'clock before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, and whose name is subscribed in the certificate of proof thereof, was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly elected, sworn and acting as such, and authorized to take the same: and further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the singature thereto, to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County and the Courts thereof, 19 day of October A. D. 1854.
W Andre Clerk.

State of New York) County of Oneida } ss
On this 31 st day of October A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me Milo P. Sherman a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Oneida and State of New York: Nathaniel Jewell a resident of the County of Oneida and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares, that he was born in the State of Connecticut A.D. 1791 that he removed to the town of Floyd about A.D. 1807 in the neighborhood of Rufus Houghton and James Houghton his Brother that he was well acquainted with them, and knew of their enlistment in the 23 d Regiment of United States Infantry at Rome in the war of 1812 with Great Britain; that he has abundant reason to believe not only from common report but more particularly from the personal appearance of the said Rufus Houghton and the confession of the said James Houghton subsequent to his discharge from the said service, that the said Rufus Houghton at the time of his enlistment in A.D. 1813 was from forty eight to fifty years of age. Deponent also further declares that at an interview which he had with the said Rufus James Houghton soon after his return from the Army he acknowledged to deponent that he and his Brother Rufus had deceived the Recruiting Officer at the time of their enlistment in their age's; and that to comply with the law they had represented themselves as being several years younger than that of their true age but had done their duty well nevertheless. That the said James Houghton informed deponent what he deponent had previously understood that his said Brother Rufus had been in the Continental service in the war of the Revolution, that deponent fully concurs in that opinion. That he deponent was among the Militia in the service of the United States in the years 1812 and 1814 and has received a Land Warrant for 160 acres That deponent feels confident that neither the name of Rufus or James Houghton were on the Company roll in 1812 when deponent was drafted out, nor that of the said Rufus Houghton for several years previous. And he swears that he is a disinterested witness
Nathaniel Jewell
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 31 st day of October A.D. 1855 Milo P. Sherman Justice of the Peace.

A.D. 1855. And I hereby certify that this deponent is a credible witness, and that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of the claim; and I further certify that the name "Rufus" erased and the word "had" interlined within were done previous to the execution of the Affidavit
Milo P Sherman Justice of the Peace

State of New York) County of Oneida } ss
On this 31 st day of October A.D. 1855
personally appeared before me Milo P. Sherman a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid John Bartlett a resident of the County of Oneida and State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was born in the town of Rome in the County and State aforesaid in the year A.D. 1800 and that he has ever since resided in the said town; that he was acquainted with Rufus Houghton who resided in the town of Floyd adjoining the town of Rome from his earliest recollection up to the time of his enlistment at Rome in the A.D. 1813 in the 23 rd Regiment of United States Infantry; that this deponent has reason to believe and does believe not only from common report but also from the confession and acknowledgement of the said Rufus Houghton in a conversation with deponents Father and in the presence and hearing of deponent that he the said Rufus Houghton was several years older than he gave his age to the recruiting Officer and that he gave his age less than it was or he could not be accepted according to law as a recruit. That Cyrenus Kilburne; and Asa Kilburne his Son, were also present at this deponents Father's residence, at the time of the said conversation. That the said Kilburne's had also recently enlisted in the United States service. That the said Rufus Houghton during the said conversation was asked how he could enlist being several years older than that limited by law he replied and said that he enlisted easily enough, by giving his age young enough. Deponent also says that it was currently reported and believed that the same Rufus Houghton was engaged in the continental service in the war of the Revolution. And he also declares that he is a disinterested witness.
John Bartlett
Subscribed and affirmed to before me this 31 st day of October A.D. 1855 And I hereby certify that this deponent is a credible witness, and that I have no interest in this claim. And I further certify that the word "age" above interlined and also the words "was asked" was interlined previous to the execution of this Affidavit
Milo P. Sherman
Justice of the Peace

State of New York) County of Oneida } ss
On this 31 st day of October A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me Milo P. Sherman one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Joshua Wightman a resident of the County of Oneida and State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was born in the State of Connecticut A. D. 1797 that he removed with his Father to the town of Rome adjoining the town of Floyd A. D. 1804 or 5 that he became acquainted with Rufus Houghton and his family as early as A. D. 1808 that he well remembers that the said Rufus Houghton and his Brother James Houghton and Luther Houghton the Son of the said Rufus Houghton all enlisted in the winter of A. D. 1813 at Rome in the said County of Oneida in the war declared by the United States against Great Britain on the 18 th day of June A. D. 1812 that soon after the enlistments of the Houghtons deponent visited them at their quarters in the village of Rome that he found several other persons quartered at the same place who had recently enlisted and among whom was Cleager Darby that during deponents visit as above mentioned one of the company remarked that the said Rufus Houghton and James Houghton and Cleager Darby were men several years older than that which was prescribed by law for recruits that they had represented themselves to the Recruiting Officer as men being not over forty five years of age, when in fact they were several years older, that the said Rufus Houghton replied and said that it was no matter if they were over forty five years of age that they would make just as good Soldiers. That deponent verily believes from the appearance of the said Rufus Houghton at the time of his said enlistment that he was a man about fifty years of age, and that it was a common report and generally believed in the neighborhood where the said Rufus Houghton and deponent resided, that he the said Rufus Houghton was a considerable above forty five years of age, Deponent further declares that the said Rufus Houghton at the same time and place and during his said visit spoke of his services in the war of the Revolution and performed the Manual or Military exercise in the presence of the company in the stile as he said was practiced in the Regiment in which over

he belonged in the Revolutionary war. And he swears that he is a disinterested witness.
Joshua Wightman
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 21 st day of October A.D. 1855 And I hereby certify that this deponent is a credible witness, and that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of the claim.
Milo P. Sherman justice of the Peace

State of New York, ONEIDA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That W. P. Sherman Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Jurat c of the foregoing affidavit there- on written, was, on the 21st day of Oct 1855 a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verify believe that the signature s to the said Jurat s are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name, this 23rd day of Mar 1855.
R. Hulbert
CLERK.

State of Vermont County of Windham } ss.
On this 9 th day of February A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me M c Boe a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County and State Asa Keyes a resident of the town of Putney in the said County of Windham who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is now in the ninety first year of his age that he came to the said town of Putney about the year A.D. 1774 that he became acquainted with Rufus Houghton the son of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton in the time of the Revolutionary war. That this deponent since giving his former testimony in the Mary Houghton case and giving the subject more particular attention clearly recollects that the recruiting Officer mentioned in his former testimony who passed through Putney raising troops for the Continental service in the revolutionary war about the time the said Rufus Houghton left the town of Putney to join the Army at the south was Captain Paul Whitcomb. That the said Whitcomb was from the south and that this deponent firmly believes that he was from the town of Bolton in the State of Massachusetts that deponent clearly recollects the name Captain Paul Whitcomb. That he recollects seeing the said Whitcomb at this deponents employer's Major James Fitch in Putney, and also at Moses Johnsons Tavern near the said Fitch's residence that he remembers being in company with some youngsters in front of the said Fitch's residence and seeing the said Captain Paul Whitcomb approaching and the question passed round who will enlist, That the said Whitcomb halted and conversed with them and wished to engage men for the Continental service. That deponent would not say that the said Rufus enlisted on the west side of the Connecticut river in Putney that he does not know as the said Whitcomb had authority to enlist Soldiers on the west side of the said river That he might have made an understanding with the said Rufus to meet him at some other place to enlist. That in whatever way or town the said Rufus's enlistment was effected deponent feels justified in saying that the said Rufus Houghton was enlisted or engaged by the said Paul Whitcomb for the Massachusetts Continental line. That deponent remembers that Joseph How, Samuel

Now, Ephriam Sawyer, Mansfield Sawyer, and others residents of the town of Westmoreland in the State of New Hampshire on the east side of the Connecticut river opposite and adjoining the said town of Putney all enlisted for three years, or three years or during the war in the Massachusetts Continental line, and left their homes to join the Army at the South not far from or about the time that the said Rufus Houghton left Putney to join the Army. That deponent clearly remembers that the said Rufus previous to leaving the town of Putney to enter the service on his three years engagement crossed the Connecticut river into the said town of Westmoreland and passed a few days in making merry with the above mentioned persons who had recently enlisted or engaged for the Continental service. That deponent well remembers that in conversation with the said Rufus on the subject of his enlistment and going into the war he the said Rufus personally informed deponent that he had enlisted for three years in the Continental service and that he was going to join his company in the State of Massachusetts. That deponent remembers that the said Rufus had been in the service the preceding year at the South. That deponent remembers that it was in the Spring of the year A.D. 1781 that the said Rufus left Putney to repair to the place of his destination at the South, and to join the Continental Army on his three years engagement. That he cannot be mistaken in the time for the reason that deponent entered as an Apprentice to Major James Fitch in his Tannery in the month of May A.D. 1779 about a month before deponent arrived at the age of fifteen years. That he remembers that he had lived nearly two years with the said Fitch previous to the enlistment of the said Rufus for three years in the Continental service. That deponent and the said Rufus was of about the same age and that the said Rufus enlisted for three years and joined the Army when deponent was but a little under the age of seventeen years. That the said Rufus was working at the said Fitches Tannery with deponent when the said Whitecomb came to Putney looking for men to engage in the Continental service. That the said Rufus had not engaged with the said Fitch as an Apprentice, but worked as occasion required previous and subsequent to his three years service in the said war. That

William Poole and Silas Parker were Apprentices to the said Fitch in his Tannery at the time of the said Rufus's enlistment for three years in the said war. That after the said Rufus went into the Continental service on his three years engagement James Houghton a younger Brother to the said Rufus entered as an Apprentice to the said Fitch in his Tannery and was still in the said Fitch's employ when his Brother the said Rufus returned from the service in the Spring of the year A.D. 1784. That Prisciah Houghton sister to the said Rufus was living at the said Fitch's when her Brother the said Rufus went into the Army on his three years enlistment in the said war and deponent recollects that she was much grieved on account of her said Brother Rufus enlisting and going in the war again. That deponent does not recollect seeing the said Rufus again until in the Spring of the year A.D. 1784 after he had been discharged from the service. That deponent recollects that the said Rufus returned from the said service to Putney something over a year previous to the completion of deponent's term of Apprenticeship at the said Fitch's which was accomplished and ended in the month of June A.D. 1785 when deponent arrived at the age of twenty one years. That the said Rufus Houghton was of more than usual stature and light complexion. That the said Captain Paul Whitcomb was a man of dark complexion and at the time of the said Rufus Houghton's three years enlistment in the Continental service was deponent would judge about the age of fifty years. And he swears that he is a disinterested witness
Asa Reeyes
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this ninth day of February A.D. 1855. And I hereby certify that Asa Reeyes this deponent, is a man of good moral character and a credible witness, and possesses extraordinary strength of mind and memory. And I further certify that the words (a year) interlined between lines fifteen and sixteen from top on this page, was done previous to executing the Affidavit, and that I am in no wise interested in the result, or prosecution of the claim.
Wm. Knowlton Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont, }
WINDHAM, S. S. }
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
William Strongton
was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature William Strongton
William Strongton is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed according to the laws of this State,
and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at Brattleborough, this 26 th day of February Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five .
Royall Tyler Clerk.

State of New York ) County of Herkimer } ss
On this 20 th day of April A.D. 1854 personally appeared before me David Rasbach a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Herkimer Samuel Houghton a resident of the said County of Herkimer and State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was born at the town of Putney Windham County in the State of Vermont in the year A.D. 1778 that he is the Son of Jonathan and Joanna Houghton that his Father the said Jonathan Houghton was the Son of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton that his Grand Father Jonathan was the Son of Jonathan and Thankful Houghton that his Great Grand Father Jonathan Houghton was the Son of John and Mary Houghton that this deponents Father had two Brothers and several Sisters viz Rufus, James, Kariah, Thankful, Epha, Sarah, Susanna and Bette that this deponent can still recollect although only about six years of age of his Uncle Rufus Houghton coming to this deponents Father's after being discharged from the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution and of hearing them conversing on the subject of the war that this deponent recollects that the time above mentioned when his said Uncle Rufus came to his Fathers was not far from the time of the death of his Aunt the said Kariah Houghton which death occurred at the house of this deponents Father at the said town of Putney about at the close of the Revolutionary war That in about the year A.D. 1800 this deponent removed from the said town of Putney to the town of Fairfield Herkimer County in the State of New York that on arriving at the said town of Fairfield this deponent found that his Uncle the said Rufus Houghton and Mary his wife whose maiden name was Gleason with their family were then residing at Norway now Russia in the said County of Herkimer that his said Uncle Rufus had previously resided at the town of Pittstown Rensselaer County in the said State of New York and that he subsequently removed to the town of Floyd Oneida County in the said State of New York that this deponent visited his Uncle the said Rufus Houghton several times at the said town of Floyd previous to his said Uncle's enlistment in the war of 1812, that his Uncle the said Rufus Houghton was reputed and generally

believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been engaged in the United States service in the war of the Revolution and that this deponent fully concurs in that opinion that this deponent also visited his Uncle James Houghton at the said town of Floyd who had previously resided at the said town of Pillsstown. That this deponent is in possession of a small Book which belonged to his Father and previously to this deponent's Grand Father Jonathan Houghton which Book contains a record or transcript of records of the dates of births names marriages deaths &c &c &c of the said Houghton Family from the birth of this deponent's Great Grand Father and Great Grand Mother Jonathan and Thankful Houghton in the years A.D. 1685/6 and 1689. That this deponent consents that said Book of records from which he thinks probable that one or more leaves have been lost shall accompany this his Affidavit to the War Department for Official examination. That his Uncle the said Rufus Houghton was the only person of that name of whom this deponent was ever acquainted with and that he knows of no person living who served with his Uncle the said Rufus Houghton in the war of the Revolution.
And he swears that he is a disinterested witness
Samuel Houghton
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 20 th day of April A.D. 1854.
And I hereby certify that Samuel Houghton is a credible witness. And I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of the claim
David Rasbach Justice of the Peace
State of New York, HERKIMER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
I, E. T. CLELAND, Clerk of the County of Herkimer, do certify that David Rasbach Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate and jurat of affidavit of the annexed instrument, was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county, duly elected and sworn; and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe the name subscribed to the said certificate and jurat of affidavit, to be his genuine signature.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, at Herkimer, this
20
day of April
A.D. 1854
E. T. CLELAND Clerk.

State of Vermont County of Windham } ss
On this fifteenth day of May A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me Mrs. Rebecca Stone Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham and State aforesaid Asa Keyes a resident of the said County and State who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was born in the year A. D. 1769 that in addition to his previous testimony in the Mary Houghton case he remembers that he removed from Putney in the State of Vermont to Lansingburgh in the State of New York in the Spring of the year A. D. 1787 when he was at the age of about twenty three years, that he was in the employ of Richard McDonald in his Shoe Shop at Lansingburgh during the ensuing Summer and a part of the Autumn; that late in the Fall or early in December of the same year he engaged in the employ of one Porter in Pittstown in the State of New York "who had married Abigail Gleason who was Sister to Mary Gleason" in the Shoe and Tanning business; that he worked for the said Porter during the ensuing winter A. D. 1788; that during the said winter A. D. 1788 James Houghton who resided at Pittstown called on deponent at the said Porters and informed him that his Brother Rufus Houghton had recently been married to Mary Gleason at Pittstown; that in the ensuing Spring deponent lost his health and in the Autumn of the same year he returned to Putney in Vermont; that in the following Spring A. D. 1789 he returned to Pittstown much improved in health and went to work in Daniel Elliot's Shop where deponent had worked the preceding year when in the employ of said Porter that deponent visited the said Rufus and Mary Houghton at Pittstown in the said year A. D. 1789 that they were living together as husband and wife and were reputed and believed to be lawfully husband and wife; that deponent continued to work in said Shop until in the following Spring A. D. 1790 at which period he removed to said Lansingburgh and on the sixth day of May A. D. 1790 was married to Phebe Hatch; that deponents Son William was born at Lansingburgh on the twenty seventh day of February A. D. 1792; that deponent recorded the said birth and the date of the birth in his Family Bible and about

thirty years ago copyed the record of the said birth into his Fathers large Family Bible where it still exists clearly and plainly in deponents own hand writing dated 27 th February A.D. 1792; that deponent still holds and has held the said large Bible which contains the transcript of the record of the birth of his said Son William some forty years; that the said Bible which contained the original record being old, was probably destroyed. That he has no record of his own marriage in A.D. 1790 but has always retained the date thereof precisely in his memory.
That the said Rufus and Mary Houghton were living together as husband and wife for a period of two years and more previous to deponents said marriage, and for a period of four years previous to the birth of his said Son William; deponent knows to be a fact.
That deponent was acquainted with the said Rufus and Mary Houghton several years subsequent to their marriage and know them to be respectable members of Society and that they were lawfully joined in Matrimony in the winter of A.D. 1788 deponent never entertained a doubt.
And he swears that he is a disinterested witness.
Asa Preyes
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 15 th day of May A.D. 1855. And I hereby certify that Asa Preyes is a credible witness and retains his mental faculties in an unusual degree.
And I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the result of the case, in which the foregoing Affidavit is to be used.
William Houghton Justice of the Peace

Office of Register of Deeds for Cheshire County New Hampshire at Keene March 24, 1855
I hereby certify that the Cheshire County Registry of Deeds commenced on the 12 th day of April 1771 as appears from the date of the time when the first deed recorded was received for record, the state having been divided into counties in 1770 previous to which time the conveyances of Real Estate for the whole state were recorded in what is now Rockingham County
I have carefully examined the Records in my office from their commencement down to 1797 & find Recorded in Lib. 4 Page 565 a deed from Jonathan Heavington of Westmoreland in s d County of Cheshire to Daniel Warner of the same Westmoreland, dated May 27, 1768 Recorded Sept. 2, 1777, of two house lots & a dwelling house on the same situate in s d Westmoreland
Also I find recorded in Book No 1 Page 347 a deed from Jonathan Heavington of said Westmoreland to "Henry Walton of Putney in the county of Cumberland & Province of New York" (now in Windham County Vermont) dated March 5, 1770 Recorded June 16, 1772 of a house lot of land in s d Westmoreland being lot No 65 containing 20 acres more or less
The above are the only deeds I find from said Heavington & his wife if he had one did not sign either of them & during the same time I find no conveyances to s d Heavington or to Sarah Heavington
I further certify that it was not common at that time for the wife to release

her right of dower or sign the deed In the one hundred & sixty, first deeds recorded in this Registry there are only seven signatures of wives.
Harvey A. Bill Register of Deeds Cheshire County New Hampshire
Since making the above certificate I have examined a lot of old deeds on file in the Office but not recorded for the reason that the recording fee was not paid — & among them I find that from Amos Davis of Lunenburg Massachusetts to Jonathan Houghton of Westmoreland New Hampshire convey- ing to him the 20 acre lot No 65 mentioned in the above certificate said deed being dated May 21 st 1768 H. A. Bill, Register
State of New Hampshire } County of Cheshire } ss I Leonard Bisco Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said State, for said County, do hereby certify that Harvey A. Bill whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate, was at the date thereof a notary of the Deeds Register of Deeds for said County of Cheshire duly chosen and qualified as such according to law and that his signature aforesaid is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of March A. D. 1855 Leonard Bisco. Clerk.

State of New York St. Lawrence County ss.
On this 24 th day of March A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me Harvey Smith a Justice of the Peace with in and for the County of St. Lawrence aforesaid, Mrs Lydia Read, a resident of Gouverneur in the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the daughter of Ephraim and Elisha Clay - That she was born in the town of Putney, Windham County State of Vermont in the Year A. D. 1776 that her Mother's maiden name was Houghton - and Sister to Rufus Houghton who was the son of Jonathan and Sarah Houghton natives of Lan- caster, State of Massachusetts That Deponent well re- =members her Uncle Rufus Houghton - and well remembers that her said Uncle came to her father's house in Putney, Windham County in the State of Vermont in the time of the Revolutionary war - That She remembers that her said Uncle had been out on a tour in said war, and had returned again to his friends in Putney and Westminster in said State of Vermont That when at her father's house as aforesaid her said Uncle Rufus informed them that he was going to Boston in the State of Massachusetts to enter the Continental Service

again - this was in the latter part of the Revolutionary war, but the Year she can not now remember - She the said Deponent says further that she remembers that her said uncle was a light complexioned man. She also swears that she is a disinterested witness -
Sylvia Root
STATE OF NEW YORK, St. Lawrence County, Clerk's Office,
Ebenezer D. Ingalls Deputy
I, GEORGE S. WOODWARD Clerk of said County of St. Lawrence, and also Clerk of the Courts of Record directed by law to be held therein, do hereby certify, that Harvey D. Smith before whom the annexed affidavit was made, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same; and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and verily believe his signature to the jurat of the annexed affidavit is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County and Courts, this 26 th day of March 1853
Ebenezer D. Ingalls CLERK.
living in this I hereby witness, to in law peace
offered 26/55

again - this was in the latter part of the Revolutionary war, but the year she can not now remember - She the said Deponent says further that she remembers that her said uncle was a light complexioned man. She also swears that she is a disinterested witness -
Jydice Rose
Subscribed and sworn before me, after being duly read to her by me, and Explained this 24th day of March A. D. 1855 - and I hereby certify that Deponent is a credible witness, and that I am in no way interested in the result or prosecution of this Claim.
Harvey D. Smith for pro.

Affidavit - of Rhoda Haughton of Clinton mass
Jan 6/55

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. On this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before me P. Chamberlin a justice of the peace within and for said County Rhoda Haughton a resident of the town of Clinton in said County of Worcester and was duly sworn according to law says that she is the daughter of Jonathan and Susanna Haughton that she was born at Bolton in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid A.D. 1824 that after the close of the revolutionary war and early in the year 1784 when she was about the age of ten years Rufus Haughton of the town of Putney in the State of Vermont a distant relative of this deponent who had recently been discharged from the continental service came to the residence of this deponent's father the said Jonathan Haughton in the said town of Bolton that her father expressed much satisfaction for the safe return of the said Rufus from the army that she remembers hearing the said Rufus Haughton relate many events that transpired in
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I,
Joseph Mason
Clerk of the
Judicial Courts
for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, that P. Chamberlin on the sixth day of January A.D. 1855 was and still is
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth, to take the acknowledgement of deeds, and administer oaths, and that his signature to the certificate of oath upon the affidavit of Rhoda Haughton hereunto annexed is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this tenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Jo. Mason Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. On this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me P. Chamberlin a justice of the peace within and for said county Rhoda Haughton a resident of the town of Clinton in said County of Worcester and was duly sworn according to law says that she is the daughter of Jonathan and Sussanna Haughton that she was born at Bolton in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid A.D. 1774 that after the close of the revolutionary war and early in the year 1784 when she was about the age of ten years Rufus Haughton of the town of Putney in the state of Vermont a distant relative of this deponent who had recently been discharged from the continental service came to the residence of this deponent's father the said Jonathan Haughton in the said town of Bolton that her father expressed much satisfaction for the safe return of the said Rufus from the army that she remembers hearing the said Rufus Haughton then relate many events that transpired in the army during his service in the war of the revolution, that she also recollects hearing the said Rufus Haughton say that he was going home to Putney in the state of Vermont. She further swears that she has no interest in the result of the application in which this is to be used
Rhoda Haughton
Subscribed and sworn to this sixth day of Jan A.D. 1855- before me and I hereby certify the the deponent is a credible witness and I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the result or prosecution of the claim
P. Chamberlin Justice of the Peace

State of New York } Oneida County }
ss
Personally appeared before me Stephen Morelton 3 d v., justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, on the 1 st day of November A D 1855 Milo T.
Sherman Esq who being duly sworn according to law deposes as follows viz; that he has been employed by the agent of Mrs. Mary Houghton to obtain proof as to the services of Rufus Houghton in the wars of the United States, and that he has for the last several months been particularly engaged in endeavoring to find the signature of Rufus Houghton written by himself and in so doing have found on the books of the town of Floyd that he was a commissioner of high-ways but all records are certified copies by the clerk and not in the original hand and all old papers except the books have been destroyed to about A D 1830. And that he has also searched among the old neighbors and has been unable to find it.
Deponent further says that in a conversation with Mr Henry Robins about two years since, Mr Robins, who was a man of unquestionable veracity, but who died something more than a year since, told deponent that he was well acquainted with Rufus Houghton and that he was older than he represented himself to be to the recruiting officer at the time of his enlistment at Rome in 1813 and that he was really nearly fifty years of age. Deponent also certifies that Mr Robins gave his affidavit before him concerning the services of Rufus Houghton in the war of 1812 over

And that the said Robins received a land warrant for services in the same war, And that this Deponent is a disinter- ested witness Milo P. Sherman
Subscribed and sworn before me this 1 st day of November A D 1853
I also certify that I have no interest in the
State of New York, ONEIDA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Stephen Moulton Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the foregoing, affidavit and there- on written, was, on the 1 st day of Nov 185 5 a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Jurat is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name, this 2 nd day of Nov 185 5 .
R. H. Clark CLERK.

And that the said Robins received a land warrant for services in the same war, And that this Deponent is a disinter- ested witness Milo P. Sherman
Subscribed and sworn before me this 14 th day of November A D 1853-
I also certify that I have no interest in the above claim
Stephen Moulton 3. Justice of the Peace.

I know all men by these Presents, that I Mary Houghton, of the township of Brantford, in the County of Brant, and Province of Canada, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint, John Magee, of the township of Whitby, in the County of Ontario, and Province aforesaid, my true and lawful Attorney, irrevocably, for me and in my name, to prosecute my claim, to a pension, and arrears of pension, which may be due me, from the United States, as the widow, of Rufus Houghton, who was a Soldier, in the United States service, in the war of the Revolution, and generally, to do all lawful acts, and things, whatsoever, in the premises; and an Attorney, or Attorneys under him for the purpose aforesaid, to make, and at his pleasure to revoke, hereby revoking, any power of Attorney, which may have been heretofore, by me given, and confirming all things whatsoever, which my said Attorney, shall in my name, legally do, or cause to be done, in and about the premises.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto, set my hand and seal, this 18 th day of, October A. D. 1854.
Witness Present Calvin Houghton
Mary her  mark Houghton
Acknowledged and subscribed, before me, Albert S. Merrill a Justice of the Peace, within and for, the County of Erie and State of New York after being duly read to her, and explained, this 18 th day of October, A. D. 1854.
Albert S. Merrill Justice of the Peace.
State of New York, } Erie County Clerk's Office, }
I, WILLIAM ANDREW, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, do hereby certify that Albert S. Merrill Esq. whose name is subscribed to the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment a Justice of the Peace in said County, duly commissioned, sworn and authorized to take the same; and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the signature of said proof or acknowledgment is genuine; and further, that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the State of New York.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County at Buffalo this 19 day of October A. D. 1854,
W Andrew Clerk.

Power of Attorney Mar 1812.

I know all men by these Presents that I Mary Houghton of the township of Brantford in the County of Brant and Province of Canada have constituted and appointed and by these presents do constitute and appoint John Magee of the township of Whitby in the County of Ontario and Province aforesaid my true and lawful Attorney irrevocably for me and in my name to prosecute my claim to the benefit of the provision made by the law of the United States passed the 3 rd of February 1853 as the widow of Rufus Houghton who was a private in the 23 rd Regiment of Regulars in the war of 1812 with Great Britain and generally to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever in the premises and an Attorney or Attorneys under him for the purpose aforesaid to make and at his pleasure to revoke hereby revoking any Power of Attorney which may have been by me given heretofore and confirming all things whatsoever which my said Attorney shall in my name legally do or cause to be done in and about the premises.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18 th day of October A.D. 1854.
Witness Present { Calvin Houghton {
Mary her Houghton mark
acknowledged and subscribed before me Albert S McMill a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Erie and State of New York after having been duly read to her and explained this 18 th day of October A.D. 1854.
Albert S McMill Justice of the Peace.
State of New York, } THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.  I, WILLIAM ANDRE, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, do hereby certify that Albert S McMill whose name is subscribed to the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment a Justice of the Peace in said County, duly commissioned, sworn and authorized to take the same; and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that the signature of said proof or acknowledgment is genuine; and further, that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the State of New York.  IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County at Buffalo this 19 day of October A. D. 1854,  W. Andre Clerk.

Mary Houghland declaration for pension Nov. 1812
This woman is an applicant for a pension for the services of her husband in the Rev.
Stearns
John Magee Esq. Putney Vermont

State of New York County of Erie } ss
On this 19 day of Octobr A.D. 1854 personally appeared before the County Court holden at Buffalo in and for said County Mary Houghton a resident of the township of Brantford in the County of Brant and Province of Canada aged 88 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benifit of the provision made by the law of the United States passed the 3 rd of February 1853 that she is the widow of Rufus Houghton who was a private in the 23 rd regiment of regulars that she was married to the said Rufus Houghton on or about the first of February A.D. 1788 at Pittstown Rensselear County in the State of New York by one Elder Halsted a Baptist Clergyman that her husband the aforesaid Rufus Houghton was killed while in the service of the United States at the battle of Lundy's Lane in the Province of Upper Canada on the 25 day of July A.D. 1814 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed as well as to the papers in the case of her children who received warrant No. 3172 for 160 acres on March 14 th 1816
Mary her Houghton mark
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 19 day of Octobr A.D. 1854.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after satisfactory evidence having been exhibited that Rufus Houghton was a Soldier in the war of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain and was killed while in the service of the United States in the year A.D. 1814 that Mary Houghton is his identical widow that she was married about the first of February 1788 and that she remains still the widow of her said husband
I William Andre Clerk of the County Court holden at Buffalo in and for the County of Erie and 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 Mary Houghton for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 19 day of Octobr
A.D. 1854.
Wm Andre Clerk

Power of Attorney Houghton —
Whereas the undersigned is the owner of certain shares of the stock of the Company and desires to appoint a person to act as his attorney in all matters concerning said stock and to vote therefor at all meetings of the stockholders and to do all other acts which he might do if personally present.
Therefore I hereby appoint my friend, John H. Houghton, to be my attorney in all matters concerning said stock and to vote therefor at all meetings of the stockholders and to do all other acts which he might do if personally present. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Company this 10th day of March, 1888.

Know all Men by these Presents That I Rufus Houghton of the Town of Floyd in the County of Oneida & State of New York of Lawfull age have constituted and appoin- -ed my wife Mary Houghton my true & Lawfull Attorney and by these Presents do constitute & appoint her my true & Lawfull Attorney in my name to act & transact all manner of Lawfull business to collect all manner of Debts that are or will hereafter become Due unto me and in my name to prosecute for the recovery of the same and to defend any Action that may be commenced or brought against me by any person Whatever with a full power of substitution at her will & pleasure That is whenever she thinks it proper she may substitute any other person as my Attorney and again revoke at her pleasure and I do hereby ratify whatever my said Attorney or her substitute or substitutes while acting under her authority may in my name do or cause to be done in as full and ample a manner as I my- -self could do when I personally present at the doing thereof in witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal at Floyd Feb y 27. 1813
Rufus Houghton
personally appeared before me Rufus Houghton with whom I am well acquainted who executed the above warrant of Attorney at Floyd Feb y 27. 1813
Abraham Ogden justice Peace