Pension Application

Morrison's Pensions

Pension Application for Abraham Hodge

W.15837
State of New York
Jefferson County SS
            On this tenth day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County personally appears Abraham Hodge aged 56 years, resident in the said district, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled “An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United Sates in the revolutionary war”: that he the said Abraham Hodge enlisted in Feb. 1777 in the State of New York in the company commanded by Robert McKean, Col. VanSchaick Reg. Of the New York continental Line, that he continued to service in the said corps, or in the service of the Untied States until the 8th of June 1783 when he was discharged from service in ________state of New York that he was in the battles of Monmouth, Yorktown, and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services:
            Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid, (Signed Abraham Hodge)
Calvin McKnight, Judge
            I, Calvin McKnight, Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Abraham Hodge did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress: Clerk’s office, Jefferson County Aug 24, 1818
Calvin McKnight, Judge
SS. I certify that the above named Calvin McKnight was on the 10th day of April 118, a judge of said county and did qualify to act as such. B. Manis, Clerk of Jeff. County, N. York

State of New York
Jefferson County SS
            On this 7th day of March 1827, personally appeared before Calvin McKnight first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, Prudence Hodge a resident of Watertown in said County aged Seventy Three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1826.—
            That she is the widow of Abraham Hodge who was a private in Capt. Bleeckers Company Lt. Infantry attached to the first New York Regiment commanded by Col. Van Schaick in which capacity he served until the close of the war, as will appear by evidence in the war office, furnished when her said husband obtained a Pension.—She further declares that she was married to the said Abraham Hodge in November (the day of the month she does not recollect) 1782; that he husband the aforesaid Abraham Hodge, died on the 6th day of October 1828, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.—
            Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
(Signed with her mark) Prudence Hodge.
Calvin McKnight first judge of Jeff. County Courts.
            I certify that in consequence of the infirmities of age it would be extremely difficult for the above named Prudence Hodge to attend court to make her declaration and that she has never learned to write. Calvin McKnight first judge of Jeff. County Courts.

State of New York
Jefferson County SS
            On this third day of July 1820 personally appeared in open court being a court of record by law of said state for the said county, Abraham Hodge aged fifty eight years, resident in the town of Brownville? In said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
            As a private in Capt. Leonard Bleeker’s Company of Lt Infantry attached to the first New York Regt. commanded by Colo. G. VanSchaick, the date of his original declaration April 10th 1818 the number of hid pension certificate 13.388.
            He also subscribed and sworn to the following.
            And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of march 1818 and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled “An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War, passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Schedule
One cow, one year old heifer, one calf four old axes one sythe & small two hold one piece chain seven drags [?] , one spade one pot, one broken bake pan one fry pan one broken tea kettle one camp kettle three chairs, there broken knives & forks two cups and saucers one shoe knife and three acres wheat on the ground—one sow six shouts? One tea pot one earthen cream pot and one shovel and tongs. (Signed) Abraham Hodge.
            He further states that his occupation is a farmer and in ill health having been afflicted with the phthyric? several years, his wife Prudence is fifty six years of age and has lost use of her right hand his son Prescott is fourteen years of age and is both deaf and dumb, which is all the family residing with him.
            Sworn on the third day of July 1820 before Geo. Andrews.
            I, Geo. Andrews Clerk of the county of Jefferson, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is sixty three dollars and seventy seven cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this third day of July 1820. Geo. Andrews, Clerk of the Court for the County of Jefferson.

Letter included in the pension folder
December 17, 1931
Mrs. W. N. Moore
Brooklyn, New York
Dear Madam,
            Reference is made to your letter requesting the record of Abraham Hodge, who served in the Revolutionary War.
            The data which follow are obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W.15837, based on his military service in that war.
            Abraham Hodge enlisted February 2, 1777, in New York State, served as private in Captain Robert McKean’s and Leonard Bleeker’s companies, Colonel G. Van Schaick’s New York Regiment, was in the battles of Monmouth and Yorktown and served until June 7, 1783.
            He was allowed pension on his application executed April 19, 1818, while living in Jefferson County, New York, aged fifty-six years.
            He died October 6, 1828.
            Soldier married in November, 1788 in Cambridge, Washington County, New York, Prudence, whose maiden name was not given.
            She was allowed pension on her application executed March 7, 1837 [I believe the date was 9th Sep 1827] While a resident of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York aged seventy-three years. In 1851 she stated that she was aged eighty-four years.
            In 1820 reference was made to a son, Merrit, aged fourteen years. There was no other reference to children.
            In 1851, soldier’s widow, Prudence was living in Brownville, Jefferson County, New York. She died August 6, 1851.
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller Assistant to Administrator.