Reuben Seamans
Pension Application of Reuben Seamans
Born: November 25, 1754
Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Died: December 07, 1835
Herkimer County, New York
State
of
New York
Montgomery County
7th day of September 1832
Personally appeared before Samuel A. Gilbert
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County
Reuben Seamans resident of the town of Northampton in the County of
Montgomery and State of New York, aged seventy seven 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 7th 1832. That he enlisted the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as herein stated. In the
year of 1776 about the first of January if I remember right, in the
town of Cheshire [then known by the name of New Providence grant] in
the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts late from the town
of Rehoboth Bristol County State of aforesaid. I joined a company as
volunteer Commanded by Capt Nathan Pierce, Lieutenant Jones [?] whose
given names if remember right was Oliver and Ensigne name I do not
remember. Our place of destination was Quebeck, immediately after my
enlistment we took our line of march passing through Williamstown,
Benington, Manchester, Whitehall [then Schensbury] Ticonderoga and
Montreall till we arrived to Quebeck where we joined Col Warners
regiment and the army commanded by General Arnold. Immediately after
taking our stand the smallpox made its appearance among us and many
died with it of whom our worthy Capt was one and in the midst of this
affliction there was an alarm stating that the people on the other side
of the river had commenced hostilities against us and we were commanded
as many of us as were able to pass immediately over for the
purpose of
allaying the difficulty and in passing over we had to wade in water and
the ice ankle deep for about three miles and when we reached the place
the enemy had fled and no battle but we took great colds by wading and
many of us were very sick of whom myself was one. While we were sick
were taken care of on the north of the city; and before were able
to
do duty the battle was fought in which our headquarters was taken over
and----driven back. Immediatley Col Warner came to us and told us that
every man must take care of himself the best way he could and thus in
our emaciated condition we had to make our escape while the enemy used
their exertions to cut off our retreat: but our army who were in helth
kept in front of ambushing the enemy and helping us til we were
out of
their reach. Thus we made our escape without being
captured. the -- fatigues and sufferings were great. And it
was about the last of June or the first of July and I cannot remember
which but this I do know, it was in the time of hoing corn that I
reached my father's house in Cheshire who had moved into that place in
my abscence. altho I did not enlist for any more than three
months at the time of my engagement yet my tour was thus protracted.
In 1777 there was an express came to the inhabitants of Cheshire where
I then resided about the last of July or the first of August stating
that there was more men wanted to guard our stores in Manchester
-- and the people immediately assembled and a company of
volunteered to go af whom myself was oned and we having no Officers
chose Col Stafford an old Militia officer to take the command of us who
voluntarly excepted our call and led us on to Manchester and
joined
Col Warners regiment where we served half of a month under Col Warner
and returned having passed through Williamstown, Pownell and Benington
(?)
About the first of September 1777 there was another express came for
more men to go and join Col Warners Regiment who were guarding
and reconnoitering on the north and northeast of our army
from Pollett on to Schenesbury (now Whitehall) while Genreal
Burgoynes army was in possession of Bermudes hights. I
volunteered in company and we repaired to the spot agreeable to
order passing through the same towns as in my former tour only going
further in to Pollet and to Whitehall I was out one month
on this campain and served under Col Warner and do not remember
who we chose to take the command of us if any body on this tour.
I never was in any line of battle while I served my country tho I was
fired upon on my retreat both by cannon and small arms I went on
alarm at the time of the battle at Bennington but did not reach
the place til the battle was over. I have no documentary evidence
I know of no other evidence that Aaron Case which herewith accompanies
this my declaration.
The following are the answers
to the interogatives;
I was born in the town of
Swansy Bristol County State of Massachusetts
in the year 1754. I have no other record of my age then what I
have in my bible which I still have in my possession. Each time
when I was called into service I was living in the town now known
by the name of Cheshire Berkshire County state of Massachusetts
After the Revolutionary war I continued to live in Cheshire till about
1793 or 94 then I moved into the town of Galway Saratoga Co State of
New York where I resided about 30 years, then I moved into a place
called Jerseyfield not then incorporated into a town by itself or if
any
it had not received its name where I have lived 3 years than I moved
into Norway an adjoining town in Herkimer County 4 years then I moved
into Northampton Montgomery County where I still live each of the last
mentioned towns being in the State of New York.
I cannot give the names of
Officers or Regiments or general
circumstances any more particular than I have done for want of
memory I never received any written discharge I am
known to Aaron Case and Eld Aaron Seamans who can testify to my
character and I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity save the present; and I declare my name is not on the
pension roll at the ---- at any state.
Aaron Case of
the town of Northampton in the said County of
Montgomery doth depose and say that he is eighty two years of age that
he hath been acquainted with Reuben Seamans from his childhood up to
the
present period except some short intervales that this deponent believes
that the said Reuben is now seventy seven years old that in the year
1776 he is confident that the said Reuben did volenteer to go to
Canada and that he is confident the said Reuben and company with
whom he volenteered did take their line of march about the first
of January tho this deponent was not present at the time of their
starting but this deponant saith he does know that the said
Reuben about the last of June 1776 did action. This deponant then
living near by the New providence grant where the company volunteered
in Berkshire Co. Massachusetts this deponent saith he has heard
the said Reuben repeatedly narrate circumstances and ancedotes which
took place in the Company with the people at Quebeck and further this
deponent saith he had conversed with others who went on the same tour
to Canada and who --- conversed with him of what took place with them
and the said Reuben together at Quebeck. Further this Deponent
saith
in 1777 about the last of July or the first of August that Reuben
Seamans with this Deponent did volunteer with other to go to Manchester
in Vermont to guard theAmerican Stores that it was by suden alarm and
they had no regular officers but that they chose an old Militia Col by
the name of Stafford t take the command of them and the said Stafford
accepted the proposal and conducted them to Col Warners Regiment
passing through Williamstown, Pownell, and Benington, to the place of
destination that Reuben Seamans with this deponant did cntinue in
actual service at Manchester two weeks or over so that they did draw
pay for half a month on this tour.
And this deponent further saith that in 1777 about the firt of
september according to the best of his memory there was an express came
for more men to go and join Col Warners Regiment and that Reuben
Seamans did volunteer and went and that he was gone about one month and
further this deponent saith not.
Aaron Case
Subscribed and sworn this 7th
day of September 1832 before me
Saml Gilbert one of the Judges of Montgomery County
We
Aaron Seamans a Clergyman residing in the town of Northampton and
county of Montgomery and Aaron Case of the same place hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Reuben Seamans who has subscribed to
the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven years of
age that he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he
lives to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in
that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn this 7th day of September 1832 before me
Saml Gilbert of of the Judges of Montgomery Court
Aaron Seamans
Aaron Case
State of New York
Montgomery County
on -- day of June Ad 1834
Personally appeared before Nathaniel Wescot a Justice of the Piece in
the town of Northampton and County of Montgomery Reuben Seamans
resident of the town of Northampton County of Montgmery and State of
New York aged seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according
to law doth on his oath make the following supplimentary declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the acto f Congress passed June
7th, 1832 that his former declaration and original declaration is
true but the length of time which he served not being sufficiently
deffintie he doth now testify and say that he did enlist in the United
States sevvice abut the first of January ad 1776 in Cheshire, Berkshire
Co and State of Massachusetts under Capt Nathan Pierce and
Lieutenant Joice whose given name I think was Oliver Ensigns name not
remembered and under these officers did march to Quebeck and join Col
Warners Regiment. and Gen Arnolds army an I can be no more particular
in relating the circumstances of this campaign than I have been in my
original declaration only this much I do know that I was out in the
service of my country on this tour a full five months and an half at
least. Also in 1777 in the summer season according to my orginal
declaration I did ---- with a company to go to
Manchester to guard our stores and was --- then under the command of
Col Stafford an old malitia officer and did join Col Warners Regt and
did perform one half months service as stated in the affadavit of Aaron
case annexed to my original declaration and in the letter from E. D.
Bangs Secretary of the State of Massachusetts as accompanying these
writings. Also in the same year 1777 about the first of September
I actually did volunteer with a company by an urgent request of
government to go assist whose place of --- was at Manchester -- and
actually did go and join his army and was out on scout with others as
far as White Hall and I cannot yet remember who we had for officers to
conduct us to Col Warners at this time if anybody but this I do know
that on this tour I served my country one full month making seven
months service in the Revolution besides going on alarm to Benington.
Reuben Seamans
The above Subscribed to and Sworn before me this
9th day of June 1834
Nathaniel Wescot
Aaron Seamans of
the town of Northampton and the said county of Montgomery doth depose
and say he is sixty five years old and is a brother of Reuben Seamans
the within applicant for a pension and that he the said Aaron well
remembers that his brother Reuben did in 1775 in the fall of that year
or in December leave his Fathers huse in Rehoboth Briston County
State f Massachusetts and travell to the --- and that my father did
move with his family myself included in February 1776 to the west part
of the aforesaid state into a place known by New Providence grant
county of Berkshire and when we reached that place the people informed
us that my brother Reuben had enlisted in a company of men and had gone
to Quebck and we heard no more of him to my rememberance, until the
next summer when we heard that my brother Reuben with others were on
their way home sick and fatigued and many of them dieing and my father
tok a horse and went to meet my brother and brought him home but what
time in the summer it was I cannot really say I being then but I think
my brother correct in his statement and I think his tour at this time
to have overgone his statement -- also I have often heard him relate
ancedotes that took place with him and others at Quebeck on their
journey to and from that place - also I well remember my brothers
friend gone on the other short tours specified in his declaration -my
father having no other sons than my brother Reuben and myself and my
father a feeble man myself tho young with two of my sisters older than
myself had to work with my father haying and other business on the farm
but how long my brother was gone on the last two tours I cannot say but
have abundance of reason to think him correct or I have heard him
repeatedly tell the same story concerning the turs stated in his
declaration from the close of the war on to the present dated without
any variation in substance to my rememerance and also that my brother
through the infirmity of age fatigue and an extraordinary
------------------ ----------- is brought --- ----
and is much --- and has not the means whereby to support himself and
his feeble wife and further this deponent saith not.
Aaron Seamans
The above subscribed and
Sworn to before me this 9th
day of June 1834
Nathaniel Wescot Justice
I do hereby certify that I am
acquainted with the above named deponent Aaron Seamans and that I
believe him to be a man of Truth and Veracity
Nathaniel Wescot Justice
of the Peace
Sir
Pleas to turn to the closing part of the original declaration and then
you will find the applicant for a pention Reuben Seamans has testified
that he never received any written discharge and if he could get any
positive witness he would do it but he does not know of any man living
who was with him to Quebeck and why there is no record of his tour to
Canada and if his last month at Manchester Vermont we cannot tell but
so it appears to be and whether he obtains a pentin or not I feel
very confident that he has both ---it and --- it.
Aaron Seamans
Feby third one thousand seven hundred ninety one Marriage
solemnized by James Barker Esq Reuben Seamands Married to Jemima
Thrasher -- I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with
the exception of the date which described [?] on the records in fair
legible figures as follows Febr 3d 1791.
Lanesborough May 24th 1839 Nathanl Williams Town Clerk
Albany
Jemima Seaman
widow of Reuben Seaman
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832
and who died on the 7th December 1835
of Herkimer Co., in the State of New York
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Pierce of the Regt commanded
by Col Warner in the Mass
line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
in the rate of 20 dallars Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1836
Certificate of Pension signed the 29th day of October
1839 and sent to H. Nolton
Little Falls, N.Y
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 39 70.00
Semi annual allowance ending -10.00
Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by D. Brown
Book A. Vol 2 Page 101
State of NY
Herkimer County
On the twenty sixth day of October 1838 before me appeared to wit --
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer, the same
being a Court of Record Personally appeared Jemima Seamans
resident of the town of Salisbury, Herkimer Co., NY, late of
Northampton, NY who being duly swonrn doth depose and say she was
seventy seven years of age on the fifteenth day of July last and
further n her oath doth make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit under the act of Congress passed at the last
session of Congress extending the provisins of certain pension acts to
certain widows who were married previous to 1794.
That she is the widow of Reuben Seaman late of the town of
Northampton, Montgomber Co NY deceased who was in his lifetime and at
the time of his death a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States on
account of service performed in the armies of the United States in the
War of the Revolution. That the services were performed previous t her
marriage with him which took place in the month of November 1791 but
she does not recollect the day of the month. That her said
husband died on 7 December 1835 and that she has remained a widow
ever since.
Subscribed and Sworn
Jemima Seaman -her mark
My
good brother I have just received yours of the 24th Inst and now it
is Saturday eavinging and I make haste to answer your request by
writing as I cannot come and see you now for we have a protracted
meeting to commence tomorrow and I am depended on to preside in
it. Therefore you must accept of my affidavit. Which is as
follows- I do know that my brother Reuben Seamans was married to Jemima
Thrasher as long ago as in the year 1791 or 1792 and I cannot say
for certain which as I have no record of it. They were married in
Massachusetts State Berkshire C0 in the town of Cheshire in my Father's
house by James Barker Esq. I expect it was put on the town record but I
do not know for certain. I further state that my brother and his
wife lived together from the day of their marriage to the day of his
death which took place three years ago in December coming, in my
house. I further state that his widow lived in my house untill a
little odds of a year ago when she left and I learn she moved into the
town of Salisbury and that she had never been married again when she
left my house. I also state that my brother was a Soldier in the
Revolutionary war and that he did draw a pension of $20 dollars a
year.
Yours Respectfully
Aaron Seamans
Northampton Septem 29th Ad 1838
To Jonathan Cole
the above Sworn to & Subscribed
before me this 29th day of Sept 1838
Nathaniel Wescot Justice of the Peace
State
of New
York
County of Herkimer
Jonathan Cole of the town of Salisbury being duly sworn says that
he is well acquainted with Jemima Seamans and widow of Reuben Seamans
deceased named in the written declaration & said Jemima
Seamans and this deponent further says that the said Jemima
Seamans has never intermarried since the death of the said deceased
husband but that she was ever since the death of her said husband
remained and -- is single and unmarried according to the
best knowledge and belief of this deponent --
Jonathan Cole
Sucscribed and affirmed
to this 7th day of August 1839
State of New York
Herkimer County
n this Twenty Sixth day of October 1844 personally appeared before me
the subscribed a Justice of the peace in and for the said county Jemima
Seamans and resident of the town of Salisbury in the County of Herkimer
aged eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth
on her oath make the following declartation, in order t obtain the
benefits of the provision made by the acto f Congress passed on the 3d
day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of person who served
during the Revolutionary War that she is the widow of Reuben Seamans
who was a pensioner ----
and annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of
July 7th 1838 was twenty dollars
She further declares that she is still a widow
Sworn t and subscribed on the day and years first above written by me.
Jemima Seamans her mark
State of New York
County of Herkimer
On this seventh day of March 1849 personally appeared before the
undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly
authorized by law to administer oaths Mrs Jemima Seaman resident of the
town of Ohio in the county of Herkimer and state of New York aged
eighty seven years wh being first duly sworn according to law doth on
her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits
of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the 2nd February
1848 granting pensions to the wodows of persons who served during the
Rebolutionary War. That she is the widow of Reuben Seaman who was
a private in the war of the Rebolution and that she has drawn a
pension at the rate of twenty dollars per annum under the act of 17th
June 1844. She further declared that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Her Mark
Jemima Seaman