Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16589, Comfort Goss, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass,
Goss, Comfort Noreas
W. 16589
CONTENTS

5799 New York
Comfort Goss of Washington in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain White of the _____ commander by _____ in the New York _____ line for 73 months _____
Inscribed on the Roll of New York _____ at the rate of 50 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of July, 1833 _____ and sent to H. M. Pitcher N. Y. R.
Arrears to 4th of Apr. 1832 $ 73. Semi-annual allowance ending Apr. '33 27 $ 100.-
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book D
Vol. 5 Page 92
W. L. States Clerk

New York 712
Dorcas Goss
Widow of Comfort Goss
who died on the 21 March 1836 of Washington Co in the State of New York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain White of the regt - commanded by Col — in the Mass ts mil- itia for 15 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of Fifty Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 21 March 1836  4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of April 1837 — and sent to Jesse Cole Esq. Rutland, Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending 14 Sep '37 — $ 25. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk, Book Vol. 1 Page 130

In the Matters of Comfort Gap. Revolutionary Salaries Declaration for a pension
added
332 15 16.65 233 499.5

State of New York } County of Washington } for
On this twenty third day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me Susan Mott a Judge of Washington County courts Comfort Goss a resident of the town of Fort Ann County of Washington and State of New York aged eighty years on the 14 th day of December last past who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officer and served as herein stated
That I resided when I first entered the Service in the town of Brookfield County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts and on the 8 th day of April A. D. 1775 I enlisted for Six months in the State Troops of Massachusetts line and went into the Service under the command of Capt Peter Harwood (do not recollect the name of the Unit or Ensign) we March to Roxbury where we were Stationed and joined Col Hays and Makepean's Regiment and we were employed in keeping a Guard and throwing up Breastworks and digging intrenchments and went out in Scouting parties during the whole term of my enlistment and I was discharged on the 8 th day of October
6 Mo
I served and did my duty Six months and returned to Brookfield aforesaid Soon after I moved into the town of Hinclel in the State of Massachusetts where I lived about one year and then I moved into the town of New Salem State of Massachusetts where I resided untill the 2 nd day of December A. D. 1776 when I enlisted into the State Troops Massachusetts line and went into the Service under the command of Lieut Sage Commandant for three Months we marched to Fish Kill and was Stationed at Barracks and there as a Guard and was employed in Scouting down the river and back in the woods, that the Country was infested with Lawboys and Tories - we remained there untill the 2 nd day of March at which time my enlistment expired and I was discharged
3 Mo
Having done My duty as a private Soldier Three Months I returned to New Salem aforesaid where I resided untill the 4 th day of July in the year of our Lord 1780 when I enlisted

for Six Months in the State Troops Massachusetts line and went into the Service under the Command of Capt White who also acted as the adjutant to the Regiment I do not recollect the name of any other Officer but we March to West Point and we were Stationed in the Barracks as a Guard over the Stores and moving from one place to another that Gen Arnold Commanded the Troops at that time while we were there Gen Arnold Commanded the Troops to other Stations we Marched to  Flank Point crossed the river at West Point and marched down the river to Flank Point where we were Stationed two weeks we then crossed the river again when we Marched to the English Neighborhood where we were Stationed as a Guard some considerable time after which we Marched to Tappan where we were Stationed and was employed in Com- panies while there Rev Andrew was hung which was the 2 nd day of October we remained there until we were ordered to March to West Point for winter Quarters and Marched up the river on the west side to West Point and went into Winter Quarters where we remained until the 8 th day of January A.D. 1781 when my time expired and I was discharged when I had done my duty as a Private Soldier Six Months and returned to New Salem where I resided about three years and then I moved to the town of Fort Ann where I now reside and have resided ever since — That I never received a written discharge That there is a record of my age in the town of Brookfield Westfield where I was born That I have no documentary evidence and that I know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify That I was born in the year of 1750 in the town of Brookfield Hampshire County State of Massachusetts to my Father — That there is no Clergyman that resides in the Neighborhood who knows my Character as a revolutionary Soldier — That I cannot attend the Court from my bodily infirmity That Nathaniel Pitkin & William Baker to whom I formerly belonged are known in the present neighborhood where I reside who can testify to my Character for veracity and their belief of my Services as a Soldier of the revolution Therefore relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
6 Mo

except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State Sworn to and Subscribed } Comfort Goss the day and year aforesaid } Mark
Before me John Moss Judge
We Nathaniel Pitcher residing in the town of Kingsbury and William Baker residing in the town of Fort Ann hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Comfort Goss who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty one years of age that his reputation and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and Subscribed } Nathaniel Pitcher the day and year aforesaid } William Baker
before me John Moss Judge
As to the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the Matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states true I further certify that it appears to me that Nathaniel Pitcher and William Baker who have signed the preceding certificate residing in Kingsbury and Fort Ann are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit I further certify that the applicant Comfort Goss cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court
State of New York Washington County
John Moss
J. Jesse S. Leigh clerk of the said Court do certify that John Moss before whom the preceding declaration certificate and affidavit hereto be annexed and made was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said declaration certificate and affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 18 th day of October 1832
J. Jesse Leigh
It is hereby certified that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office

I do hereby certify that the following testimony as appears in the annexed Affidavits has been found and proved since the deponent Comfort Gup has sworn to his said declaration which was before to me unknown Given under My hand this 15 th day of October 1832
John Moff a Judge of Washington County Court
Comfort Gup's

State of New York } Washington County } ss
I Jesse S. Leigh Esq. clerk of the said County do certify that Tomas J Bush before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn and made was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and the said County of Washington and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature Witness my hand and seal of office this 18 th day of October 1832. J. S. Leigh C.P.B.

State of New York, Washington County } ss:-
I, Asa Goodell of the town of Fort Ann, County of Washington and State of New York being duly sworn according to Law, deposeth and saith that he is Sixty seven years of age, that he is well acquainted with Comfort Goss whose declaration is herunto annexed in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 17 th 1832.
And this deponent in his oath further saith that he was well acquainted with Comfort Goss when he lived in the town of New Salem, County of (Then) Hampshire (now not known by this deponent) and State of Massachusetts in and during the Revolutionary War, that he this deponent well and distinctly remembers the he Comfort Goss went into the service two campaigns as a soldier of the revolutionary Army of the United States, this deponent does not recollect how long said Comfort Goss served in either campaign, that this deponent resided at the time in the same town about a mile distant until the close of the Revolutionary War, and has been well acquainted with him for more than Fifty years, and has frequently heard him relate his services in the War from the time he first returned home.
And this deponent further saith that he Comfort Goss has sustained a good Character for truth and veracity and this deponent has not the least doubt said Comfort Goss served as he states in his said declaration, and further this deponent saith not.
Subscribed and sworn before me this 13 th day of October 1832
Asa Goodell
Amos T. Dush Justice of the Peace In and for the town of Fort Ann in said County

State of New York } Washington County }
Esikiel Goodall of the town of Hartford County of Washington and State of New York being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and Saith that he is eighty four years of age that he is well acquainted with Comfort Goff whose declaration is hereto annexed in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
and this deponent on his oath further Saith that he was well acquainted with Comfort Goff when he lived in the town of New Salem County of Springfield in Hampshire and State of Massachusetts in and during the revolutionary War that he this deponent well remembers that he Comfort Goff went into the Service of the United States as a Soldier of the revolution at two different times also remembers at one time he was gone eight or nine Months or longer cannot distinctly recollect how long, that he believes he went at another time six Months besides the the other six Months within his own knowledge that he this deponent lived in the neighborhood with him Comfort Goff until the revolutionary War closed and has been well acquainted with him for more than fifty years and has frequently heard him relate his services in the War from the time he first returned home and this deponent further Saith that he Comfort Goff has always sustained a good Character for truth and veracity and that he this deponent has not the least doubt he served as he states in his said declaration and further this deponent Saith not
Subscribed and sworn before me this 13 th day of October 1832
E. L. G. Goodall
John M c Guire Judge of Washington County Court

The within application of Comfort Goff for a pension was made out and handed to me by the Hon John Mott, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington Co. N.Y. and is one of those cases where the applicant was too infirm to attend Court. I am well acquainted with the applicant, he is a very worthy man, misfortune has made him poor. I am also well acquainted with the Notaries, whose affidavits are annexed, viz. Asa Goodell and Ezekiel Goodell, they are respectable men and entitled to credit as witnesses.
Nathl. Pitches M.C. Jany. 26. 1833
In the Matter of Comfort Goff. Revolutionary Pension Declaration for a pension
as in P
332 15 1665 233 4995
7 701

Comfort Gap
14. 16
L 8 22' 33"
Obs
Wacke. Pitches
26. R
P 210.

BRIEF in the case of  Comfort Goff of Fort Ann  County of Washington in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? It does  3. How old is he? Eighty one years 81  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.     Enlisted 8 th May In 1775 S 6 private Gen. Peter Harnady camp, Col. Troup   Enlisted 2 Dec 1776 3 do Regt. Mass. Keyes   Enlisted 4. July 1780 1 do Genl. Gates Capt. White, Keyes's bro.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
Not any
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Brookfield, Worcester Co. Massachusetts
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
By living witnesses
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Hon. N. D. Pitkin M.C. certifies his belief that the papers are those which originally passed the Council
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. B. Willes Examining Clerk.  July 17, 1850

1014. 3. sec.
adults 50

W. Bankfield Drive Nov 24, 1886
Paid 6
Joseph G. Randall Esq. Blink of hours.
Worthing Sussex

State of New York, Washington County Ys.
On this twenty second day of October in the year, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, personally appeared before the Honorable Luther Wait — one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, Dorcas Goss, a resident of the town of Fort-Ann in the County of Washington and State of New York, aged 84 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 4, 1836:
That she is the widow of Comfort Goss, late of the town of Fort-Ann in said County of Washington, a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army; that the proofs of his services are contained in the declaration of the said Comfort Goss, and the documentary evidence accompanying the same, and now remaining in the War Office of the United States; upon which declaration and proofs, a pension was granted to the said Comfort Goss, on the 6th day of February, 1833, conformably to the provisions of the act of Congress, passed the 7. June, 1832, entitled "an act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution," amounting to the sum of fifty dollars per annum; and that she doth hereby refer to the said declaration and accompanying documentary evidence, as well as to the proofs accompanying this declaration, for substantiating her own claim aforesaid. She further declares, that she was married to the said Comfort Goss, on the 9 th day of May, in the year, seventeen hundred and seventy five; and that her husband, the aforesaid Comfort Goss, died on the 28 th day of March, 1836; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Dorcas Goss her mark

A true copy of Marriage between the following persons was entered as follows: Cromwell Goss and Dorcas Stevens of Brookfield October 13 th 1775.
Attest copy of the publication. William Crosby, Town Clerk P.O. Brookfield Cromwell Goss and Dorcas Stevens were joined in marriage by the Rev. Ephraim Ward of the West Parish in Brookfield May 9 th 1775. Attest copy of the record of Marriage. William Crosby. Town Clerk of Brookfield
I William Crosby of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being Town Clerk of said Brookfield for the current year do hereby certify and say that the above is a true copy of the records of the publication & Marriage of Cromwell Goss and Dorcas Stevens taken from the record of the Town Book of Births & Deaths & publications & Marriages.
Attest William Crosby, Town Clerk.
Brookfield
Worcester ss Nov. 24. 1836 Then personally appeared William Crosby who this day subscribed the above certificate and deposition in my presence and made oath to the same - I further certify that I examined the Book of records of said Town & found therein as is above stated - & that I am personally acquainted with said William Crosby & know him to be the Town Clerk of said Brookfield & that his testimony is entitled to full credit & belief. Sister P.H. Weston of the Press

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss. I, Jos. G. Randall, Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas within and for the County aforesaid, do certify that Jesse Bliss, Esquire, before whom the said William Crosby made oath to the fore- going Certificate, is a justice of the Peace within and for said County and duly author- ised to administer said Oath - And that the foregoing signature of the said Bliss name appears to be in his own hand writing.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my my name and caused the seal of said Courts hereunto affixed, at said Worcester this twenty fifth day of November A.D. 1836. Jos. G. Randall. Clerk.

I, William Baker of the town of Fort Ann in the County of Washington in the State of New York, aged 51 years, being duly sworn according to law, do depone, testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Comfort Goss, late of Fort Ann aforesaid, a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, deceased; and, that he died at said Fort Ann, on the 1 st day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six. And I do further depone, testify and say, that I am also well acquainted with Mrs Dorcas Goss, of the same town of Fort Ann aforesaid; that she is the widow of the said Comfort Goss deceased; and that she was, at the time of his decease aforesaid, the reputed lawful wife of the said Comfort Goss; that she hath not intermarried since his said decease; and that she is now single. And further this deponent saith not.
William Baker
Joseph G. Pinalote Esq. Please make a certificate of my being having justice of the peace & charge the same to me & return the same to me by mail as soon as convenient
Yours Miss
Comfort Goss neglect

Comfort Goss. New York  Vermont , act 7 June 1832 To what time paid? In effin N o Ap r 7 '37
Due 21 March 1836 paid 1. that period 52 1/2

Doreas Gop N. York

Rutland Vt. 24 Nov r 1836
Sir—
Herewith I transmit you the application of the widow, Dorcas Goss, for a pension under the act of July 4. 1836. In addition to the proofs of service, refered to in her declaration, there are attached the deposition of William Baker, proving the death of the husband on the 21. March, 1836— and that the widow has not since intermarried; and the copy of the record of the marriage in Brookfield, Mass. on the 9. May 1775, from the town records in said town; all, as is believed, duly authenticated. M rs Goss requests that you will be pleased to communicate your decision through me.
I am very respectfully Your obedient servant
Levi Gove
Hon. James L. Edwards Com t . of Pensions City of Washington

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16589
Dorcas Evans
Widow of
Comfort Evans
Pris. Rev. War
Act July 4 th 36
Index: Vol. A , Page 28
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York } Washington County } Be it known, that on this 26 th day of October, 1836, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the said William Baker, who hath subscribed the pre- ceding deposition, and made solemn oath, that the same contains the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And I do hereby certify, that the said deponent is a credible witness.
Henry Thorne Justice Peace
Stat. of New York } Washington County } I Edward Dodd Clerk of the county of Washington hereby certify that Henry Thorne Esqr. is a justice of the Peace in and for said county duly qualified according to law and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and official seal at Argyle this 12 th day of December 1836
Edward Dodd Clerk.