Hon. J. L. Edward Commiss. of Pensions
Your servant begs leave to state that he forwarded to the War Department a
declaration founded on the pension Act of June 1832 praying to be allowed a
pension (If his memory serves him) for ten Months service in the American Army
of the revolutionary war -- that he enlisted as a soldier but was put to the
service of a teamster in the summer & a waiter in the winter. In April 1834
I received a writing from your Hon[or], informing me that my "Services
while a fugative from my Master's Service Was not imbraced in said Act."
And that my "papers were placed on file." In my said declaration I
just mentioned the Cause of leaving my Master as may be seen by a referance thereunto,
And I now pray that I may be permitted to express my feelings more fully on
that part of my said declaration. I was then grown to Manhood in the full
Vigour and Strength of life and heard much about the Cruel and arbitary things
done by the British, Their ships lay within a few miles of my Master's house
which stood near the shore and I was confident that my Master traded with them,
and I suffered much from fear that I should be sent aboard a ship of war, this
I disliked But when I saw liberty poles & the people all engaged for the
support of freedom, I could not but like & be pleased with such thing. (God
forgive me if I sinned in so feeling) And living on the borders of Rhode Is.
where whole companies of coloured people enlisted, it added to my fears and
dread of being sold to the British These considerations induced me to enlist
into the American Army where I served faithfull about 10 months. When my Master
found and took me home, had I been taught to read or understand the precepts of
the Gospel, "Servants obey your Masters" I might have done otherwise
notwithstanding the songs of liberty that saluted my ear, thrilled through my
heart. But feeling conscious that I have since compensated my Master for the
Injury he sustained by my enlisting and that God has forgiven me for so doing
and that I served my country faithfully and that they having enjoyed the
benefits of my Service to an equal degree for the length time I served with
those generally who are receiving the liberalities of the Government I cannot
but feel it becoming me to pray Your Hon[or], to review my declaration on file
and the papers herewith annexed. A few years after the war Joshua Swan Esqr of
Stoningtown purchased me of my Master and agreed that after I had served him a
length of time named faithfully I should be free, I served to his satisfaction
& so obtained my freedom. He moved into the Town of Milton where I now
reside about 48 years ago. After my time expired with Esqr Swan I Married a
wife We have raised six children 5 are still living I must be upwards of 80
years of age and have been blind for many years and Notwithstanding the aid I
receive from the honest Industry of my children We are still very needy and in
part are supported from the benevolence of our friends, With these statements
and the Testimony of my character herewith presented I humbly rest my claim
upon the Well known liberality of Government.
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Most respectfully your |
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Milton Saratoga County |
humble servant |
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State of N. York |
his |
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Decmr 1st 1836 |
Jehu X Grant |
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mark |