Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S, Silas Houghton, Mass. N.H. New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. N. 26. New York
Houghton, Silas
S _____
CONTENTS

6908
8339 New York
Silas Hough,
of Charague in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Company by Captain Whittenc of the Regt. by Col. Reed — in the Moaple time for 18 months & 23 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 62 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of April 1833 — and sent to Col. Mayville —
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '33 $25 04 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th '33 31 26 $136 30
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 29

6908
Silas Houghton Chautauqua, Chautauqua Co. New York
Amended Page etc 18 mo 23 day Page 70
567.14.16
17 Sept 1832 17 Nov 1832
no agent Client Maysville N.Y.

6908
BRIEF in the case of Silas Houghton, - Chautauque, Co. of Chautauque in the State of New York. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? It does.  3. How old is he? 82 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     May 1775 when transferred to "till August or September" As a Private Col. A. Whitecomb, Bg Genl. S. Whitecomb Capt. R. Hastings, Lieut. Homan, A. Updegraff   Ap l or May 1776 "till ab d 20 March 1776" " As a Rian Ensign. Capt. A. Whitecomb, Col. A. Reed, Genl. Sullivan   June 1777 "to November" " Capt. J. Church, Col. Williams, Capt. J. Sayer   "till last of Oct, except 2 weeks" " do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill; Bemis Heights  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cambridge.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness for the 1 st term. 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W Fawcett Examining Clerk.

State of New York Chautauqua County ss On this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred & thirty two personally appeared before me Artemas Herrick one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas of the coun- ty of Chautauqua being a court of Record & having by law a seal & clerk Silas Houghton a resident of the town of Chautauqua of the town of Chautauqua in the county of Chautauqua aforesaid aged eighty two years on the thirteenth day of October next & being unable by reason of bodily infir- mity to appear in court & being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provi- sion made by the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832 voluntarily That he enlisted in the Revolutionary army of the United States in the month of May one thousand eight hundred & recently since at Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts & served in Col. Asa Whitecomb's regiment of Infantry of the Massachusetts line under the following named officers John Whitecomb Brigadier General Asa Whitecomb Colonel the name of the Major is not recollected Benjamin Hastings Captain Jonathan Hornan Lieutenant Amos Merriam Ensign That he served in Captain Hastings company until the month of August September after his said enlistment when on procuring a substitute in Captain Hastings company he was at his own request transferred from said company to Captain Jonathan Whitecomb's company in Col. Asa Reed's Regiment of Infantry of the New Hampshire line in General

Sullivan's Brigade where he continued to serve until after the British Army left Boston and was discharged about the twentieth day of March in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy six That his discharge was signed by Major Timothy Pickering and Major Mifflin said discharge included a certificate of a loss of a horse in the service & was some years after the close of the war delivered to Major Ezra Brainerd then a member of congress for the purpose of pro- curing pay for said horse. Major Brainerd did not like to return from congress & this Deponent has never since seen said discharge. During the service above named this Deponent was in the battle at Bunkerhill. This Deponent further declares that soon after the discharge above named in the latter part of April or beginning of May one thousand eight hundred & seventy six he voluntarily entered the service of the United States as one of a recruiting party under the com- mand of Captain Timothy Church a Militia Captain in Colonel William Williams Regiment of the New York Line That he served under Captain Church & Captain John Church Sargeant most of the whole time from the month of April to the month of November of the same year. And this Deponent further declares that soon after the British took possession of Tienderoga & he believes in the month of June one thousand eight hundred eight hundred & seventy seven he volunteered to serve in Captain Timo- thy Church's company of Militia in Colonel William Williams Regiment of the New York Line That he continued to serve in said company & regiment with the exception of about two weeks until the last of October of the year last above named, during

which service he was in the battle on Bennington Knights previous to the surrender of Burgoyne's army. He answers to the questions when & in what year he was born & whether there was any record of his age & where it was and where he was living when called into service & where he had been since the revolutionary war and where he now resides. This Deponent saith that he was born at Bolton in Wooster county in the State of Massachusetts as he is informed & believed on the thirteenth day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred & fifty. He has been informed and believes there is a record of his age in the town clerk's office of said town of Bolton but he has never seen it. That he resided at Brattleborough in the state of Vermont at the time he enlisted in the United States service at Cambridge in May one thousand seven hundred & sixty five. That after the close of the Revolutionary war he resided at Bennington in the State of Vermont for twelve years from thence he removed to Lowell the town adjoining where he resided eight years from thence he removed to the town of New Lisbon in Steubenville in the State of New York where he resided seven years from thence he removed to the town of Hornsfield in Jefferson county New York where he resided about five years from thence he removed to the town of Glance in Erie county New York where he resided about six years from thence he removed to the town of Port Jervis in Chautauqua New York where he resided ten years & from thence in July last he removed to the town of Chautauqua where he now resides.

4 That he voluntarily enlisted into the service of the United States
5 The names of the regular officers with whom I served were General John Whitecomb Brigadier General Asa Whitecomb Colonel Major not recollected Benjamin Hastings Captain Jonathan Horner Lieutenant General Putnam commanded at the battle at Brinker Hill. And General Gates commanded at the Battle at Burnside Heights
6 That when he was discharged from the continental service he received a discharge at Cambridge Massachusetts signed by Major Timothy Pickering & Major Mifflin that previous to his discharge by order of Genl Washington he had been directed to draw wood & was in that service when discharged that the above named was the only written discharge he received during the war. That when discharged from the militia the discharges were received that his written discharge was delivered to Major Benam to carry to congress to procure compensation for the loss of a horse therein stated who did & said discharge has never since been seen by this Deponent. This Deponent has no particular acquaintance where he now resides having resided there but a short time. I Antipas Houghton one of the judges of
in witness Silas H. Houghton
I Antipas Houghton one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Hampshire County hereby certify that on the tenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me Silas Houghton an aged & infirm man & unable to attend court & being by me duly sworn made oath that the facts set forth in the annexed declaration & answers to the interrogatories are true. And I hereby certify that I believe the statements of the said Silas Houghton as above set forth are true
Antipas Houghton

Rebecca Sippen
By Anna M. Muzzy
Power of Attorney
Heir of Silas Houghton War 1776
Party therein alleged -
George P. ...
Justice of the Peace

State of New York } County of Chautauqua } Be it known That on this third day of February 1857 before me, a justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid, personally appeared Rebecca Crippin a resident of the town of Chautauqua said County - and made oath in due form of law. That she is the child and heir of Silas Houghton - - - deceased, who was a soldier in the war of the Rev - and also a Rev. - pensioner. That she is directly inter- ested as a claimant in the arrears of said pension - or increase of pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim. Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney her- etofore given. I hereby constitute & appoint Amos W. Muzzy of Panama N.Y. my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute my claim for any amount of Revolutionary pension arrears of pension - increase of pension or bounty land that may be due. And I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents relating to said

claim, and file in the Department at Washington or elsewhere - to file additional evidence or arguments - to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed - and to do all things that I might or could do, were I person- ally present - Hereby ratifying and con- firming all that my said Attorney & Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Rebecca Grippen
Subscribed - sworn to and acknowledged before me - on the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that I believe the said - Rebecca Grippen to be directly interested in said claim as set forth - and to be the identical party therein alleged -
George P. Harrison Justice of the Peace.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Ans
June 4, 1926
Mary H. Camp Waterford Penn
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.---, it appears that Silas Houghton was born November 13, 1750 at Bolton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
While residing at Brattleborough, Vermont, he enlisted in May 1775 and served as a private in Captain Benjamin Hastings' Company, Colonel Asa Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiment, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill; in August or September he was transferred to Captain Jonathan Whitcomb's Company, Colonel Asa Reed's New Hampshire Regiment, and served until March 20, 1776.
He enlisted in April or May 1776 and served as private in Captains Timothy Church's and John Sargent's Companies under Colonel William Williams in the New

York Troops, and served until in November 1776.
He enlisted in June 1777 and served in Captain Timothy Church's Company, under Colonel William Williams, he was in the battle of Bemis Heights, and served until October 1777.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, while a resident of Chautauqua, Chautauqua County, New York.
Daughter, Rebecca Crippen or Crippin, was a resident of Chautauqua, New York in 1857, at which time she referred to soldier as deceased, but did not state the date of his death.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Silas Houghton, Chautauqua Co NY Albany Agency act 7 June 1832. $162 52 / 3 p ann
*
To what time was he last paid for A
Pension Office June 20 1830
Ans. Sept. 4, 1832.
Referred to look at this case again The widow states that he must have died in 1838
There appears no reason to doubt the correctness of the above answer — } 3

State of New York Chautauqua County Jonathan Nichols of the town of Westfield in the county & state aforesaid being duly sworn saith that he was seventy eight years of age on the twenty fifth day of July last that in the year one thousand eight hundred & sixty five he enlisted in Captain Jonathan Whit comb's company in Col. Rude's Regiment in General Sullivan's Brigade of Northampton Militia & served in said company during the Revolutionary war in the year seventeen hundred & sixty five near eight months & was discharged on the first day of January one thousand seven hundred & sixty six that Silas Houghton was a member of the same company & served therein several months this deponent does not recollect the particular length of time but will recollect the service of said Houghton for a period of a number of months.
I sworn & subscribed this 15 th day of
Jonathan Nichols
October 18 th 1830
Before me Husdon Potter J.P.

State of New York Chautauqua County Clerk's office p
I James B. Lorry Clerk of the said County Do hereby certify that Anselm Poterly before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been shown, was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in & for the said County and further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit is his proper handwriting & signature
Witness my hand & Seal of Office this 23 rd day of October A.D. 1832.
James B. Lorry Clerk By F. C. Young Dept. Clk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss - I Benjamin Sawyer a native of Bolton in said County aged seventy four the tenth day of Sept. now present being sworn, says that he enlisted in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war, in the month of May 1775 under Capt Benjamin Hastings of said Bolton in the Regiment commanded by Col. Asa Whitcomb in Gen. John Whitcomb's Brigade and served in that Company being the Massachusetts line until the last day of December following, and that he well remembers Silas Houghton then of said Bolton or Brattleborough Vermont now of the town of County Chautauque as he believes, who is several years older than deponent, and he says that said Houghton was a soldier under said Hastings, at and near Boston and served faithfully as he believes about eight months commencing in May 1775. He further states that said Houghton & himself were several times called to go on guards at the same time.
Benj s Sawyer
Subscribed and sworn to before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the said County of Worcester Mass. -
Sept 27 th 1832. Samuel S. Houghton Just. of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. I, Abijah Bigelow, clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Worcester, do certify, That Samuel S. Houghton, Esquire, above named, is a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Worcester - and that his signature to the certificate of the oath of Benjamin Sawyer as above, appears to be in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the County Seal, this second day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clk.

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the within named Benjamin Sawyer and that his character is good and implicit confidence may be given to his testimony. Samuel Houghton Justice Peace
Sept. 27 th 1832.

See
App. Prof.
Miss F. Hamilton
NY
To the Secretary at War
Washington
Mayville Oct 23

Mayville Chan Co. N.Y. Oct 23/1872
To the Secretary at War
Sir
In addition to the documents heretofore forwarded in the case of Silas Houghton on application for a pension I herewith forward two other Affidavits. And as Mr H is old poor & almost helpless it is apparently near his grave & in great want of assistance it is desirable that his pension certificate for whatever the Government think proper to allow him should be forwarded as soon as practicable.
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
C. F. Potter

Admitted
Amount 18 Mo 23 days
$62.52

State of New York Chenango County ss
Sarah Darling of the town of
Lincklaen Chenango County N.Y. aged 76 years being Sworn says, that she was acquainted with Silas Houghton several years before the Revolutionary war and then lived in the town of Bolton Worcester County Massachusetts. where this deponent and Silas was born as she is informed & believes, that said Silas is now about 82 years of age as she believes - in the year 1775 said Silas enlisted into the service as a soldier under Capt Hastings in Col. Whitcomb's Regiment & went to Cambridge & served there as a soldier eight months. S d Silas enlisted in May 1775 served out his time & returned to Bolton in the next winter. S d Silas was during the time of his enlistment at a number of times at Bolton to see his sick brother and bring back home his brother's wages as he was also a soldier & under pay, that he & Silas came on furlough signed by Capt Hastings, this deponent also saw his discharge which was signed by Timothy Pickering & Major Mifflin
Sarah Darling
Sworn before me Eld. Catlin Justice
This 4 th day of March 1832

State of New York County of Chenango ss. I, Parnis K. Locke Clerk of the said County, do certify that Eli D. Catlin Esquire, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and really believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 16th day of June 1832
P. K. Locke Deputy Clerk

State of New York Chautauqua County } Peter Houghton, a native of Bolton
in the State of Massachusetts now of Pompey, in the County of Chautauqua & State of New York, being sworn says that he is now 75 years of age and is well acquainted with Silas Houghton, whose age, as he believes, is about 82 years -
That this deponent, always understood & believes that said Silas served nine months as a soldier, in the War of the Revolution, under Capt. Benjamin Hastings in Col. Whitecomb's Regiment of Massachusetts - This was in the year 1775 - and that said Silas went from Brattleboro' in Vermont, to Cambridge, Ms. at which last named place he enlisted & served the said nine months there, or in the vicinity of that place -
And this deponent further says that said Silas was in the service afterwards nine or ten months as a Volunteer in the New York Troops - That he served his time faithfully - and was at Hubbardton, Bennington & Saratoga in the service - but whether he was in any battle, this deponent does not know - This deponent knows that said Silas was firmly attached to the American cause, & unity believes that he served faithfully, as a soldier in that cause, eighteen or twenty months at least -
Peter Houghton
Sworn before me, the Subscribed, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Chautauqua in the State of New York, the 28th day of March, 1832 Chauncy Tucker J.P.
I certify that Peter Houghton above named is a person of credit & of good moral character. Chauncy Tucker J.P.

State of New York Chautauqua County ss I James B. Lowry Clerk of said county hereby certify that Artemas Harnick whose name is signed to the annexed certificate attached to the declarations & answers to the interrogatories of Silas Houghton is a judge of the court of Common Pleas of Chautauqua County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing of the said judge & firmly believe that the name Artemas Harnick signed thereto is in his own proper hand writing. And I do further certify that Chauncy Tucker before whom the annexed affidavit of Silas Houghton purports to have been taken was on the twenty sixth day of March last a Justice of the Peace in & for said county and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said justice & believe that the name Chauncy Tucker signed to the certificate of said affidavit is his proper hand writing In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County at Mayville the 18 th day of September AD 1832.
James B. Lowry Clerk

State of New York, Chautauqua County ss Jonathan Nichols of the town of Westfield in said county being duly sworn saith that he is now in his eighty ninth year of age that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war and served in Captain Jonathan Whitecomb's company in Col Reed's regiment in General Put- nam's Brigade of the New Hampshire line. That Silas Houghton served as a soldier in said company at the same time of this Deponent. That said Houghton served in said company from the fore- part of July nineteen hundred & twenty five until the first of January nine- teen hundred & twenty six according to the best recollection & belief of this Deponent who is positive from his recollection that said Houghton served as a private soldier about the time above stated in said company commanded by Capt Whitecomb as above stated. Sworn & subscribed Jonathan Nichols the 11th day of December 1832 Anselm Potter. S.P.
I certify that Jonathan Nichols who subscribed & made oath to the above affidavit before me is a credible person.
Anselm Potter. S.P.

Chautauqua County ss I James B Lowry Clerk of said county hereby certify that Andrew Potter before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken was at the date thereof substance of the Oath in & for said county and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & readily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit is his own proper hand writing and signature. Given under my hand & the seal of the county the 14 th day of December 1832.
James B Lowry By Z. C. Young Dep. Clerk

State of New York Chautauqua County ss
On the Eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared before me Artemas Harnick one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Chautauqua Silas Houghton who being unable by reason of bodily infirmity to ap- pear in court & being by me duly sworn according to law both in addition to his former declaration made before me on the tenth day of September last says that by reason of his advanced age & bodily infirmity he cannot state precisely his term of service and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades Nor when not less than ten months I served in from May 1775 to March 1776 under Captain Benjamin Hastings & Jonathan Whitcomb. as part of the Continental From April to November of the same year he served for a period not less than five months under Captain Timothy Church & John Sargent. That he also served in Captain Timothy Church's company from June to October in the year 1777 a period not less than three months & twenty three days making in the whole a period of eighteen months & twenty three
3.23

days which I served faithfully, and for which service I claimed a pension as a private soldier in which capacity I served. In answer to the questionnaire to the applicant under what officers he served He says that during his service from May 1775 to March 1776 he served under Captain Benjamin Hastings Lieutenant Jonathan Horner Ensign Amos Morrison all under Asa Whitecomb Colonel John Whitecomb Brigadier General of the Massachusetts line also in Captain Jonathan Whitecomb's company under the command of Col Asa Reed of the New Hampshire line in General Sullivan's Brigade. That his next service was under Captain Timothy Skinner in the Regiment commanded by Col William Williams in the New York Militia where he continued to serve under the command of said Colonel & Captain John Sergeant in the same Regiment until discharged.
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of

your services as a soldier of the revolution. The affiant answers that he is acquainted with Asahel Potter & Daniel Grippen residing in the same town where he now resides.
Mr. Asahel Potter a justice of the Peace Silas & Houghton and an attorney at Law residing in the town & county of Chautauqua and Daniel Grippen residing in the same town hereby certify that we have been acquainted with Silas Houghton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration since his residence in the town of Chautauqua and believe him to be eighty two years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed, the Eighth day of December 1832 before me
Asahel Potter Daniel Grippen
William Herrick

And I the said Artemas Harrick, The Judge of the court before named do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories herein set forth by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that Asahel Potter who has signed the annexed certificate is a justice of the Peace and an Attorney at law resident in the town of Chautau- que & that Daniel Crippen who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town that both are credible persons and that their state- ment is entitled to credit.
Artemas Harrick
Chautauque County ss I James B. Sowny Clerk of said county hereby certify that Artemas Harrick whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is now & was has been for one year past a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in & for said county & that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge & verily believe that the name Artemas Harrick subscribed to the above certificate is in his own hand writing. Given under my hand & the seal of the county December 14 th 1832 James B. Sowny By Z. C. Young Dep. Clerk

I herewith return to the Pension Department the papers relating to the claim of Elias Houghton with such additions as is hoped will be satisfactory to the allowance of his claim the certificate of the justice to the credit of Sarah Darling has not been procured on account of the distance of his residence Having executed this there are two other affidavits duly authenticated. If there is any thing to be done for Mr. Houghton it is very desirable it should be done soon. He is old & feeble & extremely poor & will not probably live long. Very Respectfully Yours & H Potter

April 8. 1926
Pension Dept. Washington
Salas Houghton Revolutionary Soldier born Nov 13 - 1730 at Rollin Mass. Enlisted May 1775; allowed a pension on application executed Sept. 1832. now can you tell me if there is any record of any of his family names.
If there are any family names please let me know - Thanking you

Mary Hough in Can. Y.R. Waterford, Erie Co., Pa.

Mayville, N. Y.
December 15, 1923
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Rev. War Record Section
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:-
Will you kindly furnish me with a copy of the application for pension of
Daniel Tennant, Sr Col. Canfield's Reg. Conn. Vols
Silas Houghton.
I believe these men made their application from Chautauqua County.
Thanking you for your trouble and attention to this matter, I am,
Yours very truly,
Margaret D Fox

Ans.
January 23, 1924.
Margaret D. Fox, Mayville, N. Y.
Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, it appears that Silas Houghton was born November 13, 1750 in Bolton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
While residing in Brattleborough, Vermont, he enlisted in May 1775 and served as a private in Captain Benjamin Hastings' Company, Colonel Asa Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiment and was in the battle of Bunker Hill, in August or September he was transferred to Captain Jonathan Whitcomb's Company, Colonel Asa Reed's New Hampshire Regiment, and served until March 30, 1776.
He enlisted in April or May 1776 and served as private in Captain Timothy Church's Company, Colonel William Williams' Regiment, New York troops and served until in Novem-

ber 1776 and in June 1777, he enlisted and served in same company and regiment, was in the battle of Bemis Heights, and served until in October 1777.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, while a resident of Chautauqua, Chautauqua County, New York.
A daughter, Rebecca Crippen or Crippin, a resident of Chautauqua, New York, is referred to in 1857. at which time sol. was dead. Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Dear Sir, I am not sure. Jan. 23-24 sent