Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13445, Rozel Holmes, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Holmes, Rozel or Roswell
S. 13445
CONTENTS
leaded

No. 328.  New York  Roswell Holmes  of Cortland in the State of New York who was a Private in the Cont. commanded by Captain N. H. S. of the Reg. commanded by Col. Wilts in the North time for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Aug. 1833 and sent to Genl. Dotch Warner
  Arrears to the 14th (Mar. 31)  $ 160    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4/1/33  40     $ 200    d. Feb. 20. 1834
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.  Recorded by J. C. [unintelligible] Clerk Book E. Vol. 4. Page 12

10 145 28
Roswell Holmes
Cortland Co N. York
5. 11. 12. 14.
P. 388
Adm d
May 9 39
Samuel Phelps Homer N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of  Roswell Holmes  of Columbia Co. in the State of N. York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Sixty Eight  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 In 1781 June Enlisted again in July 2. 6 As a  Capt Peter Van Kampen  New York Militia  Capt Marcy Militia Cont Line  Sergeant Smithy Lord's Penna  Capt Steiner's Wh. Lys  Genl Perkins Col Sam Brown  Sgt Fonda   
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Johnstown West Canada Creek  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Paltz in Columbia Co. N. York For a residence the 2 nd time  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Geo. B. Whiting
Examining Clerk.

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of New York County of Cortland ss
on this 2 nd day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Cortland now sitting at the Court House, in the aforesaid County Roswell Holmes a resident of Solon in the County of Cortland and State of New York, aged Sixty Eight 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 Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - that he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as here-in stated - That in the Year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one in the Month of June in said Year, he Enlisted for the term of Nine Months, in the New York Militia of the Army of the Revolution, under Captain Peter Van Rensselaer, and the Regiment was commanded by Colonel Marinus Willett, of the Continental or three Year Troops, he Enlisted at a place called New Britain in what is now Columbia County & State of New York from New Britain aforesaid, he Marched with said Company to Fort Plain, and from there to Fort Herkimer on the Mohawk River in said State - and in the Month of July after he Enlisted, (he thinks) at Fort Herkimer he was Enlisted by Sergeant Timothy Lord, and the Company was commanded by Lieutenant Spencer / Captain Peter Van Rensselaer being absent / and the Regiment was commanded by Col Marinus Willett aforesaid, for the term of three Years in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution as he supposed - he was in the Johnstown Battle, in the said State, when we fought the British & Indians

He was commanded by Lieutenant Spence aforesaid it was in the Summer or fall of Seventeen hundred and Eighty one - he was in the Battle at Fort Canada break at the time, Butte the Sary was killed, Butte Commanded the Indians, shortly after the Johnston Battle aforesaid - Butte was killed by, Harmarus a Schoharie Indian & Scalped, which he saw at the time he was under Captain Stinner and Captain Whelps some of the time while he was in the service - he continued in the service until the close of the War when he was honorably discharged at Fort Plain in the Mohawk, in said State, by Col. Marinus Will- -ett aforesaid in the Month of December Seventeen hundred and Eighty three, having served as a private Soldier in said Regiment and Companies, and as a Prisoner among the Indians in Canada for the full term of two years and six Months at least - he was taken Prisoner by the Indians, being out in a Scouting party, not far from where Sackets Harbour now is, in said State, and was detained a Prisoner among them in Canada at least three Months - when he got away from them, being out a Hunting in the Winter - by put- -ting his Snow Shoes on hind side before, and traveling in that way a Number of Miles, when he took them off and came safe into the Camp at Fort Herkimer afo- -said - his Discharge he gave to one Esquire Murry a number of Years ago, to carry to New York, to see if he could not get him some Land from the State, for his services - and said Murry told him, that he had lost it - at any rate he never has seen it since - he also was Colonel Willets Wait at least two Months in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty two, he sometimes writes or spells his Name, Rozel Holmes & sometimes Roswell Holmes, he never learned to write only his Name and that poorly - he was all of the above time stationed at Fort Plain, Fort Herkimer, Fort Stanwix along the Valley of the Mohawk aforesaid, except while he

we John Maxon and Martin Willcox residing in the Town of Homer in the County of Cortland hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Russell Holmes who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be Sixty Eight Years of Age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - sworn and subscribed this 21 st day of September 1832 before me - Lewis B. Canfield Justice Peace John Maxon Martin Willcox
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 John Maxon and Martin Willcox residents in the Town of Homer are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
William Mallory Andrew Dickson Aaron Brown Joseph Reynolds Oliver Kingsman Milly of Cortland Esq. Justices Peace
I Samuel Footstep Junior Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cortland, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Russell Holmes for a Pension, and that Lewis B. Canfield Esquire before whom the annexed Affidavit of Aaron Day, and the foregoing Certificate of John Maxon and Martin Willcox purports to be sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cortland - and that I am

was a Pension among the Indians as above stated, and was frequently in Skirmishes while out in Scouting Parties, fighting the Tories and Indians, some of the above time - He does not know of but three Men living who ever served with him, any of the above time - one Named Aaron Day, one Russell Welch, and one Named William Miles, he has been told is living, but does not know whether he Miles is living or not - he was acqu- -ainted some, with Generl H. Stirum , knew Colonel Samuel Bracken, who was killed at Stonarabie, near the Mohawk, Adjutant Fonda belonged to the same Regiment with him - he was born in the Little River Port- -ners in the State of New York, in the Year Seventeen hun- -dred and Sixty four - he has no Record of his age, he lost his Record of his Age Moving from the Town of Goshen while crossing on the ice, on the North River, in the State of New York, when his Sleigh was turned over, & the Box burst open, & a number of his papers blew away, which contained his Record together with other papers - He thinks Martin Whipple Jonathan Burt and Deacon John Mason both of Harnes can testify as to his character for Veracity & belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution - he hereby relin- -quishes 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 - Subscribed & Sworn to the day & year aforesaid before me Samuel Holenkip & Clerk
Roger M'Vayes

3 well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and know that his signature is genuine - in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal this Second day of October 1832
Sam l H. H. H. Clerk

September 16, 1930
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section AWF:MLB
Mrs. Glenn B. Adams 7 Sumner Street Auburn, New York
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 13445, that Rozel or Roswell Holmes was born in 1764, in Little Nine Partners, New York.
He enlisted in New Britain, Columbia County, New York, in June, 1781, and served as a private in Captains Peter Van Rensselaer's, Skinner's and Welp's companies, Colonel Marinus Willett's New York regiment. He was in the battles of Johnstown and West Canada Creek.
In November, 1782, he was taken prisoner by the Indians, while out in a scouting party near Sackett's Harbor, and was detained a prisoner in Canada at least three months, when he made his escape and came back to camp at Ft. Herkimer, and was discharged in December, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, at which time he was living in Solon, Cortland County, New York.
He died February 20, 1854.
There are no data as to family.
The above noted history is that of the only Rozel, Roswell or Rosewell Holmes that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

Rechar
13445
INVALID.
File No. 13,445
Roswell Holmes
Pre New War
Act: Conn 7th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 179
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1913 Dec. 3 Hist. to Palmer H. Holmes. Letter in W. City 15-133 - war 1812 Benjamin Holmes. 1914 Jan. 14 Hist. to Mrs. E. Stolpine Snyder. V.L. ed. 1930-Sept. 16 Hist. to Mrs. Elann B. Edwards. 1932 Jan. 5 Hist. to Mrs. Jenny Ray - M.B.

Adm a
24 m. fri
80 7 P

State of New York
Cortland County Clerks office ss
I Samuel Hotchkiss Dr Clerk of said County do certify that Zipher V s Canfield Esq before whom the affidavit of Rozel Holmes purports to have been sworn was at the date of the said affidavit a Justice of the Peace in said County duly Commissioned and sworn and that I am acquainted with his handwriting & truly believe his name thereto subscribed to be his own proper handwriting and Signature
Witness my hand & Seal of office at Cortlandville May 25. 1833
Sam d Hotchkiss Dr. Clk

Robert Hanes 14528.

Madison County } I Thos. Wells Thelen of the Town of Cazenovia State of New York } County of State aforesaid, aged Sixty Seven } years, do upon oath testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with Russell Holmes, of Coeymans County of State of New York, and that he is the identical Jurman, that he represents himself to be - I do declare that I belonged to Captain Skinner's Company and Colonel Threllet's Regiment Continental Army of the Revolution, and that said Russell Holmes belonged to the same Company - my, & the said  Company , and acted  for the said  Company , it was in the Year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one that I am knowing to his serving four months in the above year and that when I left the Service said Russell remained but Do not know how long he served after that time Subscribed & sworn the 25-Day of June 1832 Before me
Thos Wells Thelen
Elisha Farnham Com d of Deeds } I certify that Russell Thelen, who subscribed & swore to the above Affidavit before me is reputed State of New York } able in his neighbourhood. Madison County Clerk's Office } May 30 th 1833 Elisha Farnham late } Com d of Deeds - I Andrew S Sloan, Clerk of the said County do certify, that Elisha Farnham, before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was, at the date of the same, a Commissioner to take the acknowledgment of Deeds to in and for the said County - 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 24 th day of September 1832 - A. S. Sloan Clk.

State of New York
Cattaraugus County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace. Roger Holmes, 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 the War. Seventeen hundred & Eighty one he served as a Private in Colonel Marcius Willco's Regiment & Cap- tain Peter VanRensselaer's Company from the Middle of June, in the said Year til the first of January after for Six Months & a half, and he served, the whole of the Year Seventeen hundred and Eighty two in said Regiment, some of the time under Captain Shinn and Captain Phelps & VanRensselaer, and some of the time was out in scouting under a Lieutenant or Sergeant - and in the Year Seventeen hundred and Eighty three he served as a Private in the said Regiment as aforesaid til the Middle of December in said Year, for the term of Eleven Months and a half, except he was taken and kept a Prisoner among the Indians, three Months, from as in the Month of November 1782 til February After, when he got away and arrived safe in Camp - and for such service I claim a Pension. He further says the reason why he did not obtain the Certificate of a Clergyman relative to his belief respecting his age and the general belief

in his Neighborhood relative to his Revolutionary Service & was, he was told that it was not absolutely necessary, and he lately has moved to Solon where he now resides, and has not become acquainted with any Clergyman, there - and he believes, or does not know of any Minister of the Gospel, in regular standing, living in said Town - and that Deacons John Maxon, & Martin Wilcox, are, and have been his nearest Neighbors for a number of years till he moved to Solon, which is about Eight Miles, from where they now live - they have belonged to the Scituate Baptist Church, in regular standing for Fifteen or twenty Years, - he says, that in addition, Edward C. Root, can certify to their reputation & respectability - the whole parties interviewed before signed -
Sworn and subscribed before me this 25 th
Roger Holmes
day of May 1833
Levi B. Canfield Justice Peace
State of New York Cortland County
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
Mr Holmes the above pension applicant has applied to me to state to you what the character of John Maxon & Martin Wilcox who have certified to his papers, sustain in this community. They are both near neighbors of mine & have been for a number of years past. I should as soon rely upon any statement they might make to me as I would upon that of any Clergyman in the County of Cortland. Their characters are unimpeachable -
Homer May 25. 1833
Yours &c
E. C. Root Late M. C. 22 nd Congressional Dist N. Y.

State of New York Cortland County } Is
I hereby certify that on this day of Cortlandville in said County & State, aged sixty six years, do upon Oath testify and declare, that I was & am acquainted, with Daniel Holmes, of Solon, County & State aforesaid, in the year nineteen hundred and Eighty one, and it was in July of the same year at Fort Plain in the State of New York, that said Holmes, was at that time a private soldier, in Captain Peter Van Rensselaer's Company, of Colonel Willet's Regiment, of the Army of the Revolution, said Company at the time was commanded by Lieutenant Spurr, Captain Van Rensselaer being absent. I was a Fifer and belonged to Captain Farnam's Company of Militia, of said State aforesaid, & Colonel Harper's Regiment. I enlisted for three Months, under Capt Farnam aforesaid - and I do believe said Holmes is the identical person he represents himself to be, I was attached to Colonel Willet's Regiment and played the fife in said Regiment frequently, and did know said Holmes at the time - I was honorably discharged in January nineteen hundred and Eighty two, at Fort Plain aforesaid by Major Hugs - I again enlisted into the service of the Army of the Revolution as a Fifer and was put into Captain Fonda's Company, and was attached to Colonel Willet's Regiment, for the term of three Months - I enlisted in the Month of March nineteen hundred and Eighty two, and went to Fort Plain aforesaid where I saw said Holmes again, and do know that he was a soldier belonging to Colonel Willet's Regiment & that he then, belonged to the three years service, I was at Johnstown, Fort Stanwix, Fort Plank, Fort Herkimer & out in scouting parties, frequently, the above time, and saw, said Holmes, at most of those places, I was honorably discharged at Fort Plain aforesaid nineteen hundred & Eighty three, by Colonel Willet aforesaid in the Month of January, and when I left there, said Daniel Holmes, was, then in the said service as a

Soldier in Colonel Phillips Regiment, I was acquainted with Captain Skinner, to which company said Holmes belonged, some of the time - I was also acquainted with Sergeant Timothy Lord, who belonged to the same company with said Holmes
Subscribed and sworn before me this 13 th day of July 1832
Aaron Day
Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with Aaron Day who subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit, and that he is a Man of truth and veracity, and reputable in his neighbourhood. Given May 18 th 1833
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Ortland County
Clerks office ss Samuel Hotchkiss Jr. Clerk of said County do certify that Levin B Gainsfield Esq. before whom the within affidavits purports to have been sworn was at the date thereof a Justice of
the peace in said County duly commissioned and sworn his acts therefore in that Capacity are to be regarded as such Also that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe his name subscribed to the jurats of the within affidavits is genuine
Witness my hand & Seal of office the 12 th day of July A.D. 1832
Sam. Hotchkiss Jr.
Clerk

Russell Holmes
Please attend to these bills as soon as convenient. June 3 rd 1833. L. B. Canfield Hon. J. L. Edwards

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Does not Hotchkiss which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes Applicant must show the date of length of each term of enlistment & period of service VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No 2 witnesses
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? one witness
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
‡QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

The - January 9 th 1914. Commissioner of Pensions, Dept. of the Interior. Washington. D.C.
Sir:-
Will you kindly send me a copy of the application for pension of Roswell Holmes . Rev. War Soldier. Who may have served under.

Gal. Willits ny but I am not sure.
Thanking you in advance for any information you may give me, I am.
Sincerely,
(TTFS) E. St. Claire Snyder, Stats Vice-Regent. D.A.R. 617-2 nd St. N. West. Watertown. S.D.

7 Summer St., Auburn N.Y. August 20, 1930.
Dear Sir;
I am to fill out the record of Rosewell only  Holmes Revolutionary soldier who died Feb. 20, 1854, and is supposed to have enlisted from New Guinea, Mass.
Can you kindly give me any dates or information to date of birth and dates of battles

or inform me where I can find same and what expense it will be.
Thanking you I am Sincerely
Elizabeth M. Adams

Mrs. Jenny Lay 155 Plymouth Dr Syracuse, NY
Veterans Bureau -
Dear Sirs:
Rasull Holmes born 1764 - Little Nine Partners, New York. Enlisted in New Britain, Columbia county, New York, June 1781 Captain Peter Van Rensselaer's, Skinner's, and Welp's companies. Captain M. Willett New York regiment. He was taken prisoner by the Indians while on a scouting party near Canada.

He was discharged in 1783. He died Feb 20 - 1845 and was buried in Cazenovia. He left no widow.
Benjamin Holmes the son of Roswell Holmes and Jane Earl Holmes. He was born in New Guinea Mass. May 31 1792. He died at Alphi in August 11-1876 He left a widow.
Roswell Holmes and Benjamin Holmes were in 1812 war was stationed at Fort Ontario or Sackets Harbor.

Yours Truly, Mrs J. Lay.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON
December 10, 1931
IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/MLB
Mrs. Jenny Lay 155 Plymouth Drive Syracuse, New York
Dear Madam:
You are advised that the data given by you in regard to Roswell Holmes, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, also the War of 1812, and Benjamin Holmes who served in the War of 1812, are not sufficient to enable this office to make a proper search of the records.
As a means of identifying the particular records in which you are interested, should they be on file, the war in which they served, and as much as possible of the following data in regard to each: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Please return these letters with your reply.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Rev
Mrs. Jenny Lay 351 Plymouth Av Syracuse, N.Y.
Bureau of Pensions Dear Sir:
Would you kindly send me a record of Benjamin Holmes, who served in the 1812 war and also of Roswell Holmes, who was a revolutionary war soldier and also in the 1812 war.
Sincerely Mrs J. Lay.
2 Rev Dec 21 1931

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S. 13,445-
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Rozel & Russell Holmes a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 13445-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1781 Pvt Peter Van Rensselaer Marinus Willett N.Y.    Skinner  Welf  No. 1781 was taken prisoner by the Indians while out in a scouting party near Packetts Station & was detained a prisoner in Canada at least 8 months when he escaped & came safe into Camp at Ft. Hubsinger & was discharged Dec. 1783   
Battles engaged in, Johnstown, West Canada Creek. Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at New Britain Columbia Co. N.Y. Date of application for pension, Oct 2 1832. His el. el Residence at date of application, Solon, Scotland Co. N.Y. Age at date of application, b. at Little Nine Partners N.Y. in 1764. d Feb 20 1854
Remarks: No data as to family  It is not stated that he served in the war 1812.
Very respectfully,
* from A.B. Commissioner.

COPIED FROM AWF
January 5, 1932
BA-J/MLB aw
Mrs. Jenny Lay 155 Plymouth Drive Syracuse, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, requesting the record of Roswell Holmes , a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 13445, based upon his military service in that war.
✓ Rozel or Roswell Holmes was born in 1764, in Little Nine Partners, New York.
He enlisted in New Britain, Columbia County, New York, in June, 1781, and served as a private in Captains Peter Van Rensselaer's, Skinner's and Welp's companies, Colonel Marinus Willett's New York regiment. He was in the battles of Johnstown and West Canada Creek.
In November, 1782, he was taken prisoner by the Indians, while out in a scouting party near Sackets Harbor, and was detained a prisoner in Canada at least three months, when he made his escape and came back to camp at Ft. Herkimer, and was discharged in December, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, at which time he was living in Solon, Cortland County, New York.
He died February 20, 1854.
There are no data as to family.
The above noted history is that of the only Rozel, Roswell or Rosewell Holmes that is found in the Revolutionary War records

of this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator