Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,034, Abel Holcomb, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Holcomb, Abel
W. 18,034
Elizabeth
CONTENTS

21340
New York 4577
Abel Holcomb
of Greene Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Barr. — of the Reg t . commanded by Col. Humphrey in the Cont. line for 8 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of York at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of May 1833 — and Rev. W. R. Knapp B.A. Ruler
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 $ 5 32 3/4 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sep. '33 13 33
$66 65 3/4
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. } G. C. Gilks
Recorded by Clerk, Book E, Vol. 4. Page 60

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 16 th April 1838. from 4 March to 4 Sep 1840. Agt notified 21. July 1841.
Albany 3225
Elizabeth Holcomb
widow of Abel Holcomb, who was a Pensioner under the act of June 1832 who died on the 13. Sept. 1833 of Greene Co. in the State of N. York. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Barr Co. A. of the regt. commanded by Col. Humphrey in the Com. mil. time for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 14. September 1833
Certificate of Pension issued the 12. day of Feb. 1840 and sent to R. Hosford Lexington Heights, N.Y.
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '39  159.22    Semi-annual allowance ending 1. Nov. '40  13.33         $ 172.55  
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2. Page 209

State of Connecticut } County of Hartford } ss.
I James H. Holcomb Clerk of the County Court for said County hereby cer- tify that Jeffrey C. Phelps & Rockwell Hoskins are acting Justices of the Peace for said County duly author- ized to administer oaths. I make the ack- nowledgment of facts that their Commissions are dated June 7, 1839 and will expire June 20, 1840 and that their signatures attached to the following certificates are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & the seal of said County Court this 19th day of October. 1839.
James H. Holcomb, Clerk.

I Ransom Warner of Simsbury Depose & say, that I am Pastor of St Andrews Church in Simsbury in the County of Hartford Connecticut. That I have ever ever been informed that the Reverend Roger Vets was formerly Pastor of said Church, that some months since there came into my possession some records of said Church, consisting of regular entries of Marriages Baptisms & Funerals & other entries usually recorded & kept by Episcopalian Clergymen, commencing in April Seventeen hundred Sixty Three, & ending in Seventeen hundred Eighty Seven, I have no doubt that said record is the hand writing of said Roger Vets as the same has been satisfactorily proved to me. (The Tenth Page to said record is stated to be in the Pension office at Washington at this time) I further state said record is in a broken state & there is not any record of Marriages to be found upon said record book between December 14 th Seventeen hundred Sixty nine & January 21 st Seventeen hundred Eighty two Simsbury Hartford County September 10 th 1839 Informers Jeffery D. Phelps Wm. Mitchellson Ransom Warner
Hartford County Connecticut ss Simsbury September 10 th 1839 Personally appeared before me the Reverend Ransom Warner to me personally known who made Suborn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed & I testify the Deposition is a credible witness Jeffery D. Phelps Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss. Butler Pinney of the Town of Simsbury In the County of Hartford In the State of Connecticut, aged Twenty Seven years Old Last September, being duly sworn according to Law on his Oath deponeth and says that He Is Well acquainted with Mr. Abel Holcomb and Elizabeth Holcomb of Windham In the County of Green and State of New York formerly of the Town of Simsbury In said County and State and State that the said Elizabeth Holcomb was the Lawfull Wife of the said Abel Holcomb now deceased, and this deponent further Swears that, the said Elizabeth Holcomb Is his own Sister that Her maiden name before She married the said Abel Holcomb was Elizabeth Pinney, And this deponent further says that, the said Abel Holcomb Is now dead, and was a pensioner when he died as he has always been informed And this deponent further Swears that the said Abel Holcomb and Elizabeth Pinney His Sister were Lawfully married together on or about the first day of April In the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine, on day of the first of the month Some months previous to the British Troops Landing at the City of New Haven on or about the third or fourth day of July In the year aforesaid one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine, And this deponent further Swears that, on or about the said first day of April In the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine He was present at the wedding of the said Abel Holcomb and the said Elizabeth Pinney His Sister and on that day See the Reverend Roger Vits minister of the Gospel In that place marry them, they were In the Northwest Corner Room of my father and Her father Jonathan Pinney House In said Simsbury, and the reason that I remember this Is that About Some few months previous to the British Troops Landing at the City of New Haven as aforesaid all this I will know to be true and further this deponent saith not.
Butler Pinney
Sworn and subscribed this
Nineteenth day of October 1839
Before me Jeffery O. Phelps one of the Justices of the Peace In and for the County of Hartford State of Connecticut
State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss. The said Jeffery O. Phelps Justice as aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Butler Pinney who Has above signed his name and sworn to the above affidavit, and know that he is esteemed as a person of truth and integrity.
Jeffery O. Phelps Justice as aforesaid

State of Connecticut Hartford County ss Jonathan Pinney of the Town of Simsbury In the County of Hartford and a State of Connecticut, being duly sworn according to Law on His oath deponeth and says that he is well acquainted with Mrs Elizabeth Holcomb the Widow of Mr Abel Holcomb of the Town of Windham In the County of Green and State of New York deceased who was a pensioner at the time of his death as he has been informed that the said Abel Holcomb and his widow Elizabeth Holcomb were formerly of the Town of Simsbury In the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and this deponent further says that the said Elizabeth Holcomb widow of the said Abel Holcomb was his own Sister and that her maiden name before her marriage with the said Abel Holcomb was Elizabeth Pinney and this deponent further swears that on or about the first day of April In the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine he was present at the dwelling House House of his father Jonathan Pinney In said Simsbury and there saw the Reverend Roger Dills then Minister of the Episcopal Church In said Simsbury marry the said Abel Holcomb and my Sister Elizabeth Pinney married together In Sawfull Wedlock Cometh Swear to the positive day of the Month but am Certain that it was On some one of the first days In the said Month I well remember that it was some month previous to the British Troops Evacuating the City of New Haven on some of the first days of July In the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine all this he well knows to be true and well knows that the said Abel Holcomb always after his marriage lived with his said wife Elizabeth Holcomb and that when he the said Holcomb died he left nine or ten Children all of which I understand are now living and further this deponent saith that he sworn and subscribed this
Jonathan Pinney
On the tenth day of October In the year one thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Nine Before me Rockwell Harkins Justice of peace one of the Justices of the peace In and for the County of Hartford State of Connecticut I the said Rockwell Harkins Justice as aforesaid do here Certify that I am well acquainted with the said Jonathan Pinney who has above signed his name and swore to the above affidavit well knows him to be Considered as a man of Truth and Integrity Rockwell Harkins Justice as aforesaid

4789 Nov 4
N.Y.
July 4 1830
FREE
Miss James S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions City
Washington
Capt Bwn - Const Militia
Married 2 July 1779 Husband died 13 Oct 1833
Admitted Private 8 months
R. Horford Esq Lexington Heights New York

Livingston Heights Dec 11 th 1839
Honble James S. Edwards Esq. Sir...
Enclosed I send you the pension application of Mrs Elizabeth Holcomb, It will be a favor to me should It be consistent with your Honors concerns to make your returns to me In the course of the next week, as my professional concerns call on me to make a visit to New Haven City Connecticut In the next week after. I be absent some days — I remain Hon ble Sir
Very respectfully
your obedt Servt
Rubine Hosford

Declaration
In Order to Obtain the benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836
State of New York
Green County ss. On the twenty fifth day of October In the Year one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty nine, personally appeared before me Henry Foslee Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Green and State of New York, Elizabeth Holcomb, a resident of the Town of Windham, in the County of Green and State of New York, aged Twenty Eight Years Old, 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 th 1836, That she is the widow of Abie Holcomb, deceased, who was a Soldier In the Militia and In the Service of the United States, In the Revolutionary War, and was also a Revolutionary pensioner, That He Entered the Service of the United States, as a private Soldier In the Militia of the State of Connecticut, about the Last of September In the Year 1776, at the Town of Simsbury In the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, That He was drafted for the term of three months, to Serve In the Company Commanded by Captain Dury, marched from the Town of Simsbury, to the Town of Stamford In the County of Fairfield In the State of Connecticut, Staid there for a time, and then was ordered to march to the White Plains, and from thence to West points on the north River State of New York, and there continued In Service until his three months term Expired, and then returned Home to Simsbury war Sick for more than three months after his return, And That He again Entered the Service at Simsbury aforesaid, was hired as a Substitute to take the place of M c Elisha Eno for the time of two months, on or about the first of June In the Year 1778 Captain Pettibone was His Captain, went to the West where he served In the said Company until his said two months Expired, was then discharged and returned Home to Simsbury, And That He again Entered the said Service a third time at Simsbury aforesaid, for the time of two months on or about the first of July In the Year 1779, was drafted, to go and guard the Coast at the City of New Haven, That It was at the time the British troops landed at the City of New Haven, That the Officer which he served under was, Lieutenant Goodwin of Windbury In Hartford County, In Col c Jonathan Humphreys Regiment, went to the City of New Haven and there continued to do duty In said Company until his said two months Expired was then discharged and returned Home to Simsbury aforesaid, And That He again Entered the Service a fourth time sometime In the fall of the Year 1780 at Simsbury aforesaid That was In the term Service was hired to take the place of His father Abie Holcomb who was pressed with

with His Seamt to go into the Service and Carry Military Cloathing and other things from Springfield to P'keepsie In the State of New York for the Continental Army, and was there Continued In Service for more than one month that She was In the Service of the United during the time of the Revolutionary war for more than eight months, time besides going and Coming, besides Syme's visit after His return home, And She further say, that as respects these several powers of duty said to be performed by her deceased Husband Abel Holcomb as aforesaid She does not know anything about them of Her own personal knowledge otherwise than what Her deceased Husband Abel Holcomb informed her and others at the times of these Services, Excepting His absence at these times, and further say that She believes them all to be true And She further swear, that on or about the first day of April In the year 1779, She cannot swear to the exact day but She well knows that It was not more than one or two days from the first day of the said month and believes It to be on the said first day that her deceased Husband Abel Holcomb, and herself then Elizabeth Pimney was then lawfully married together as man and wife was married at Her own father's House In said Symsbury, married by the Reverend Roger Peete minister of the Gospel In said Symsbury at that time and after, and the said Elizabeth Holcomb further says that She well knows that Her marriage took place just about three months previous to the British troops landing at the City of New Haven on or about the first or second day of July 1779 being the same time that Her said Husband Abel Holcomb was In service at New Haven, And the said Elizabeth Holcomb further say, that her said Husband and She always lived together as man and wife, until His death and that we had five Children living at the time of His death which are all now living above the age of sixteen, and the said Elizabeth Holcomb further says that Her maiden name before She married the said Abel Holcomb was Elizabeth Pimney, And She further says that Her deceased Husband Abel Holcomb died at Windham aforesaid on the thirteenth day of September 1833 and that He died of a Complaint called the bilious fever, and She further say that She still remains His widow and has never been married to any man since His death as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed and She further says that soon after Her said Husband received his pension Certificate and before he received His money he died, and on my drawing his money I understand the pension Certificate was returned to the department of war, Has no other evidence but what are on the files at the department of war
Sworn and subscribed this 25 th day of October 1839 Before me Henry Gooch one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas In and for the County of Green and State of New York
Elizabeth Holcomb

State of New York, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Judges Certificate
Green County ss. I the said Henry Goslee Esquire Judge as aforesaid, doo declare that I was well acquainted with the said Abel Holcomb deceased in his life time, who was a pensioner and I am also well acquainted with Mrs. Elizabeth Holcomb his widow, who still remains his widow, who has above signed her name and swore to the above affidavit declaration, who is a woman of respectability, truth, and morality, and is justly entitled to full credit as a witness under oath or otherwise, and I doo further certify that it is my opinion that the said Elizabeth Holcomb is by reason of old age and infirmity of body is unable to attend Court, to make her application.
Henry Goslee Judge as aforesaid ~ ~ ~
State of New York ~ ~ ~ Green County ss. Abel Holcomb of the Town of Lexington in the County of Green and State of New York in his oath deposeth and saith, that he well knew the said Abel Holcomb deceased and his widow Mrs. Elizabeth Holcomb, that they were his own father and mother, well knows that his said father Abel Holcomb was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death, well knows that his said father caught a Great Cold and Sicken and with a Complaint called the Billious fever and that he died with the Complaint on the thirteenth day of September in the year 1833 at Windham in the County of Green aforesaid, and he further says that his said mother Elizabeth Holcomb still remains the widow of his father the said Abel Holcomb deceased, and has never been married to him since his death. She has now ten children giving all above the age of sixteen, sworn and subscribed this 25 th day of October
1839 before me Henry Goslee one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas In and for the County of Green and State of New York ~ ~ ~
Abel Holcomb
State of New York ~ ~ ~ Green County ss. Ruben Hosford of the Town of Lexington in the County of Green and State of New York in his oath deposeth and saith, that he has for many years been well acquainted with the said Abel Holcomb deceased, and his widow Mrs. Elizabeth Holcomb now his widow, well knows that the said Abel Holcomb was a Revolutionary pensioner, when he died, well knows that the said Abel Holcomb Sicken and died with a Complaint called the Bilious fever some short time after I received his pension Certificate for him, well knows that the said Elizabeth Holcomb still remains the widow of the said Abel Holcomb and has never been married since his death.
sworn and subscribed this 25 th day of October 1839 Before me Henry Goslee one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas In and for the County of Green and State of New York ~ ~ ~
Ruben Hosford
I the said Henry Goslee Judge as aforesaid do Certify that I am well acquainted with Ruben Hosford Esquire and Mr. Abel Holcomb who have above subscribed their names and swore to the above affidavits well know them to be persons of respectability, truth and morality and justly entitled to full credit as witnesses under oath or noth ~ ~ ~

State of New York, Greene County ss. I William T. B. Fermane clerk of the said county do certify that Henry Goske Esq. before whom the within declaration of Elizabeth Holcomb and affidavits of Abel Holcomb and Reuben Hosford were sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature to said declaration and affidavits is his genuine signature.
Witness my hand & the seal of the said county this first day of November 1839 William T. B. Fermane Clk.

Shelton Swan (ap 39) Century A War City Washington
Abel Holcomb 21340

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of New York
Green County 3 d On the third day of December 1832 personally appeared Before me Munson Root one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas In and for the County of Green and State of New York Abe C Stearns of the Town of Windham In the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy Two 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 says that he entered the service of the United States five or six times during the revolutionary war that the first time he entered the service of the United States he was drafted for the Town of Stockbridge as Simsbury In the County of Hartford State of Connecticut that he was drafted on or about the first day of October 1776 and that he served under the following Officers and served as In his Quarters stated that Captain Burr was his Captain Martin Reed was his Lieutenants and Jonathan Pinney was his Ensign said Officers all Served In Simsbury under these Officers immediately after being drafted we marched through Connecticut until we arrived at a place called Stanford In the County of Fairfield State of Connecticut where it was said we were to stay and guard the Coast that we stayed two or three weeks at this place and then received orders to march to the White Plains In the County of West Chester State of New York at which place we arrived Early on the morning of the next day after the battle at the White Plains where we continued for about four weeks when we had orders to march to a place called West Point on the North River immediately after our arrival we were ordered out on duty In helping to build a fort called Fort Putnam where I continued to do duty until some few days previous to my time being out I was taken Sick and when My time was out I was discharged where I continued until my friends came from Simsbury Come after me and Carried me home Sick that he was continued Sick on the road Some for more than one month and that he continued Sick after his return home for more than three Months And further he says that sometime about the first day of April 1777 there was three Continental waggon bound from Boston to Fishkill on the North River that they arrived at his fathers In the Town of Simsbury when one of the drivers was taken Sick so that he could not go on with his team that he was employed to take the place of the sick man and drove his team to Fishkill and back to his fathers The Loading was Continental Stores for the Continental Army that the roads was terrible bad that he broke the waggon and did not return Home for more than one month that the sick man continued Sick for more than six weeks before he was able to return back he further says that on or about the first day of July 1779 he was drafted

again at Simsbury aforesaid for the term of Two Months It was at the time that the British Troops Landed at the City of New Haven that after being drafted they immediately Marched to New Haven that the Officers here in whom he served under, the Captain who was to Com- mand the Company was taken Sick at the time and did not go there Lieutenants Goodwin acted as Captain Lieutenants in said Company Col. Jonathan Humphrey was the Colonel of the Regiment that under these Officers I continued to serve at the City of New Haven untill my Two Months Expired when I was discharged at the City of New Haven That he again Entered the service he thinks In the Month of February 1781 at Simsbury aforesaid that Is to say at that time his father Stephen Holmes was pressed and his Team to go from Simsbury to the Town of Springfield in the State of Massachusetts and there take a Load of Cloathing for the Con- tinentals Army and Carry to Fishkill State of New York That his father was pressed by the Officers of Government to go that his said father Stephen Holmes Employed him to go for him and that he did take his Team and go from Simsbury to Springfield and take a Load of Continental Cloathing for the Continental Army and the same did Carry to the Town of Fishkill That he was gone something more than one Month before his return That he again Entered the service at Simsbury on or about the first of August 1782 for the time of Two Months That he was hired to go into the service for the said Two months by Mr Elisha Eno of Simsbury that Captain Abel Pettibone was the Captain Martin Reed was Lieutenant and Oliver Trumbull was Major that he forgets the Colonel's Name if he ever knew that under these Officers he marched through the Country untill they arrived at West point In the State of New York where he continued to do duty untill his Two Months Expired and was Honorably discharged at West point That his father was pressed again into the service by the Officers of Government with his Team to Carry Continental Stores Cannon balls Arms and ammunition from the Town of New Hartford Connecticut and the same Carry to Springfield Massachusetts which was about forty Miles That he was continued for as much as one Month going back and forth with said Continental Stores That his father Employed him to go for him and he did go and perform the service as aforesaid but does not remember the Year when it was done sometime about the time the war closed And he says that he thinks he has served for three several different Powers as much as Ten Months besides the time that he was going and returning from service which was In the service which must have been for more than one Month more besides being Sick on the road home and at Home for more than three Months after his return home to his friends all of which he hopes will be allowed him And he further says that he never received any written discharge and further says that he has no documentary

Evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services and that he further relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and do further declare that my name is not on any pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn and subscribed this third day of December 1832 before me Munson Dool- one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Green State of New York -
Clergymen's Certificate
We Origen P. Holcomb of the Town of Windham in the County of Green and State of New York Episcopal Clergyman and Ruben Hosford of the Town of Lexington in said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr. Abner Holcomb who has above sub- scribed his name and swore to the above declaration and that we believe him to be seventy two years of age and that he is generally reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed this third day of December 1832 before me Munson Dool- one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Green State aforesaid
Origen P. Holcomb Ruben Hosford
Interrogatories of the Judge
Question 1 st Where and in what year were you born and have you any record of your age if so where doth
Answer I was born and believe in the year 1760 in the Town of Simsbury in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut I am now seventy two years old

Question 3 rd Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live
Answer I lived some years after the Revolutionary War in the Town of Simsbury in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut where I was born from thence I moved to the Town of Simsbury in the County of Green and State of New York where I lived for more than twenty years and since that time I have moved into the Town of Windham in said County where I now live with my family
Question 4 th How were you called into service, were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
Answer When I entered the service the first three months I was drafted when I entered the service the second time I was drafted  by  the  select  men of Simsbury in Hartford County State of Connecticut when I entered the third time I was drafted for four months to go to the City of New York and the fourth time I entered the service I was hired by My Father and the fifth time he was hired by Ephraim Dyer and the sixth time by his father Stephen Dyer
Question 5 th State some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the General Circumstances of your service
Answer When I went out the first time for the three months I do not know that our Company were attached to any other Corps It was said that we were drafted to go to Hartford and guard the sea coast I do not know that they were connected with any Regiment that he will remember seeing General Washington and many other Superior Officers at the White Plains and then heard some of them called by name but has now forgot their names and in my other campaigns I have forgot the names of the Officers I ever saw them except the Officers which I served under
Question 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given
Answer I never received any written discharge when my times were out I was verbally discharged

Question 7 th State the name of persons to whom you are acquainted and known in your present neighbourhood who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution
Answer I am well acquainted with most of the people in the Town of Lexington where I lived and kept a public house or tavern for many years for more than twenty years I lived in the village of Lexington within thirty or forty Rods of Reuben Harford Esquire for the same length of time I have been well acquainted with his Honour Munroe Buel and Wylly Miles Esquire I now live close to the line of Lexington but in the Town of Windham I know many persons In Windham the Reverend Origen P. Holcomb Episcopal Clergyman In Windham General John Little and Sidney Little Esquire Late Sheriff of the County of Green
Certificate of the Judge
I the said Judge as aforesaid do declare that my opinion is 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 in the States - and I do further certify that it appears to me that the Reverend Origen P. Holcomb of the Town of Windham is now an Episcopal Clergyman in that place and that Reuben Harford Esquire of the Town of Lexington is a man of trust and veracity both of which have signed their names to the above Certificate and both of them are entitled to credit as witnesses and I do further certify that the said Abel Holcomb the above applicant is esteemed as a man of truth and veracity and do further certify that it is my opinion that the said applicant by reason of bodily infirmity cannot attend Court and I do further certify that it is my belief and that of his neighbours where the applicant resides that he served in the revolutionary war as he states and I do further certify that when I examined and put the interrogatories to the applicant he was under oath administered by me
Munroe Buel Judge as aforesaid

Clerks Certificate
State of New York —
Green County ss. Origen P. Holcomb of the Town of Windham In the County of Green and State of New York on his oath deponeth and saith that he has been a minister of the Gospel In the Episcopal Church In Windham well known Mr. Abel Holcomb of said Windham and has known him for more than thirty years and further saith that he is a Member of his Church In good standing and that he is considered a man of truth and veracity and entitled to full credit as a witness —
Origen P. Holcomb
Sworn and subscribed this third day of December 1832 Before me Munson Bullock one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas In and for the County of Green State aforesaid —
State of New York —
Green County ss. Ruben H. Foster of the Town of Lexington In the County of Green and State of New York on his oath deponeth and saith that he has well acquainted with Mr. Abel Holcomb and has been for more than thirty years that he lived a near neighbour to him for more than twenty years that he has often heard the said Mr. Holcomb say that he was at a number of times In the service of the United States during the revolutionary war that I heard him say many years ago and all this I sincerely believe to be true that he is considered as a man of truth and veracity
Ruben H. Foster

Sworn and subscribed this third day of December 1832 before me Munson Buell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Greene State aforesaid
State of New York Greene County ss. Abel Holcomb junior of the Town of Lexington In the County of Greene State of New York being duly sworn deposes and saith that Mr. Abel Holcomb the above applicant's father that he has often heard his father say that he had been a soldier in the revolutionary war a number of times this I heard him say a number of years ago and believe the same to be true Sworn and subscribed this third day of December 1832 before me Munson Buell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Greene State aforesaid
Abel Holcomb Jr.
I do certify that the said Abel Holcomb junior who has signed his name to the above affidavit is a man of truth and veracity.
Munson Buell judge as aforesaid
State of New York Greene County ss.
I William T. D. Keermance Clerk of the said County do certify that Munson Buell Esquire before whom the foregoing declarations and affidavits were sworn, was at the date of the same and now is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County - being a Court of record, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
witness my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of December in the year 1832
William T. D. Keermance Clerk

80.21.340
Abel Holcomb Green County N.York
admitted.
8 mo. Private.
Reuben Hosford Esq. Catskill P.O. Green Co., N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abel Holcomb Green County New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Draf 1776 3 Private Capt. Barr 72 years Hartford Co. Connecticut. Traditionary   livea 1777 1 Teamster continued   Draf 1779 2 Private Col. Sona d Humphrey   Employed 1781 by his Father, 1 X Teamster pressed   1782 2 Private Capt. Abel Pettibone   Capt. Holcomb's Father, more than 1 X Teamster pressed   8  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
X The term service of 1781 & 1782 not provided for

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed 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 the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, 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:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Daniel D. Davidson Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18034
Elizabeth Holcomb
Wid. of
Abel Holcomb
Priv. Rev. War
Act July 4, 1836
Index: Vol. OA , Page 347
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 14 th , 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Elizabeth Holcomb — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Twenty Six Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Merriwether Lewis Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Wadsworth January 16 th (Free) Jan 21 1840 Will James S. Edwards Esq. with his Successor In Office in Commission of Pension, City Washington D.C. Prof. H. Clarke

Sturminster Newton Keyn, S. Somerset Jan'y 13 th 1846
William James S. Edwards Esq.
Sir
Something like three months since, I sent to your Honour the pension application of Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes Widow of Mr. Abel Holmes deceased, a Revolutionary pensioned, and have received no returns from your Honour since, she is very anxious for to receive your Honour's returns.
I have the Honour to be Sir respectfully your offg Rudolph Stafford