On this 3rd day of June 1823 personally appeared in open court, it being the court of common pleas for the county of Oswego which by the laws and tribunals of this State is declared and judged to be a court of record. Rufus Price resident in said county aged 71 years, who being first duly sworn according to the law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and 1st May 1820 that he the said Rufus Price enlisted for the term of six months about the last of April 1775 in the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain Solomon Wells in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Parsons in the line _ the Connecticut lines and served the period
of six months that same time in the month of June 1776 this declarant enlisted for the term of six months in the company commanded by Captain Burge in the Regiment of the Connecticut lines commanded by Col. Sage and served the period of six months. That he, this declarant, some time in the month of February 1777 he received a commission for ending  said commission bearing the date of the 1st of January 1777 and was attached to the company commanded by Colonel Charles Webb in the line of the State of Connecticut on the Continental establishment. That he continued to serve in said Corps until the 3rd day of March 1779 when he was discharged from the said service in the Town of Reading as a Lieutenant in the State of Connecticut. That his name has been placed on the pension list and dropped there from on account of his property.

    And in pursuance of the Act of the 1st day of May 1820 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 manor disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent hereby 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 dated 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 me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribe.

Situate at Richland, Oswego County 37 1/2 acres of land of which I have a life estate, 10 acres of which is improved land, the residue in a state of nature $75.00
 

And this declarant further says on his oath aforesaid that the persons residing with him and composing the whole of his family are as follows to wit: Ruth, my wife aged 63 years unable to perform but little labor by reason of age infirmities. Audra Vorce my granddaughter aged 12 years healthy. I am by occupation a shoemaker but am unable to perform but little labor by reason of age and infirmities. That since the exhibition of my first schedule the following changes have been made in my property -
One half the following stock, to wit, 1/2 yoke oxen sold to Ralph Price for $30 and half the money applied to pay a debt due from this declarant to Elijah Price for $134.64. Three horses, two of which have died since making my former schedule, 1/2 of the other horse sold to Isaac Price for $25 and applied towards paying the debt above stated to be due to Elijah Price. Two cows, one of which has been butchered and consumed in the family, 1/2 of the other sold to Isaac Price fore $6. One half three years old Heifer sold to Isaac Price for $4.50, 5 two years old sold to Isaac Price for $20, 1 two year old bull butchered and consumed in the family, 1/2 of 8 calves for of them dead, half of the others sold to Isaac Price for $6, 21 sheep and 14 lambs, 5 of the sheep have strayed away and have not been found, 2 sheep butchered, 3 died by disease, 11 sold to Isaac Price at $.50 per head.
11 of the lambs were butchered and consumed in the family of Isaac Price. 1/2 of 9 swans butchered and consumed in my family. 1/2 plough worn out 1/2 set drag teeth sold to Amos Fellows for brick. One ax lost. One old harness worn out. One old bridle worn out.  Four hoes worn out. One shovel broke. One rake broke. The property above accounted for I only had a title for one half as a tenant in common with Isaac Price. 

12 acres of land part of Lot 49 in the Selkirk Tract lying in the town of Richland and county of Oswego. 64 acres of land part of Lot number 50 Selkirk Tract with 20 acres of improvement the above property in the same which mentioned in the foregoing schedule and is the first item in said schedule all the right and title I have to the said property is mentioned in the description of said item of property. I had no other right or title at the
time my first schedule was made and sworn to by me on the 8th day of June 1820. A receipt jointly with Isaac Price from Benjamin Wright of about $300 for which he has verbally agreed to give to us a contract for 100 acres of land the claim for said has fallen into the hands of Isaac Price by reason of my inability to answer the balance due on the same and the interest on the contract having accumulated is as to forfeit said contract.

Sworn and declared this 3rd day of June 1823 in open court. Hastings Curtis, Judge Note - The prices affixed to the several articles, and the total amount were inserted by the court after the oath made by the deponent. 

State of New York Oswego County I Hiram Hubble, Clerk of the County of Oswego, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, Do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is $115.60 1/2. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 5th day of June 1823             Signed Hiram Hubble, Clerk
 

Richland, New York  25th February 1829  Hon. P. B. Porter, Esq. Sec. of War 
Sir,
     Enclosed I forward to you a certified copy of Rufus Price's affidavit Schedule. He was a Rev. Officer, has been on the Pension list, and his name stricken off on account of his property, but he trusts that under the present more liberal construction of the laws of 1818 and 1820 he will be restored.
     Please inform me what disposition you make of his case.
    Very Respectfully
      Your Obdt. Servt.
       Hiram Hubble

*** Enclosure with February 25, 1829 letter ***
State of New York Oswego County
     On this 7th day of February in the year of our Lord 1829 personally appeared in open court it being the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Oswego which by the laws and tribunals of this State is declared and judged to be a court of record. Rufus Price resident in said county, aged 77 years who being first fully sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and 1st of May 1820, that he said Rufus
Price enlisted for the term of six months about the last of April 1775, in the State of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain Solomon Wells in the regiment commanded by Colonel Parsons in the line stated the Connecticut lines and served the period of six months. That served time in the 7th of June 1776, this declarant enlisted for the term of six months in the company commanded by Captain Burge in the Regiment of the Connecticut lines commanded by Col. Sage and served the period of six months. That
he this declarent serve time in the month of February 1777 received a commission for Ensign, bearing the date the 1st day of February 1777, and was attached to the company commanded by Captain Ichabod Hinkley in the Regiment commanded by Col. Charles Webb in the line of the State of Connecticut on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in service corps until the 3rd day of March 1779 where he was discharged from the said service as a Lieutenant, in the town of Reading in the State of
Connecticut. That his name has been placed on the pension list at the rate of $20 per month and dropped therefore on account of his property, and in pursuance of the Act of the 1st of May 1820. I do solemnly swear 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 manor disposed of any property or any part thereof with intent thereby 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 here unto annexed and by me subscribe.

1st a life lease of 50 acres of land situated in the town of Richland in the said county of Oswego $40 annual value.
2nd a life lease of part of an unfurnished farm house $10 annually.
3rd - 1 old baking kettle $.75    1 old table $1.00

1 old dish $.50                       1 large spinning wheel $1.00
1 tea kettle $.75                    1 foot wheel $1.00
1 spider $.75                         1 wooden pail $.25
1 iron basin $.25                    1 candle stand $.75
1 old reel $.25                       1 earthen milk pan $.12
4 old chairs $1.00                   2 tin dishes $.38
1/2 doz. plates $.25               1/2 doz. cups & saucers $.25
3 small tin basins $.18             4 tin squares $.23
1 tea pot $.12                       1 cream pot $.12
1 small stone dish $.25            1 earthen platter $.25
1 Qt. bottle $.09                    1 small looking glass $.12
1 pair small steel yards $.50     a decanter $.25
1 old shovel & tongs $.75         1 paid andirons $.50
1 _ iron $.12                          1 old silver watch $3.00
1 iron candlestick $.12             1 brass skimmer $.25
1 tin dish $.06                        4 table spoons $.25
1 set knives & forks $.75          1 old chest drawers $2.00
_____________________________ $19.68

Annual worth of Land $40.00
Annual worth of House $10.00
Annual worth of Cash $14.00
                                ___________
                                 $64.00  Note - the prices affixed to the several articles mentioned in the above Schedule making the annual value of the life lease property were affixed by the court after examination on the oath of a witness. 

Clerks Office Oswego County       I Thomas C. Baker, clerk of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original now occupied in this office, and that this signature of A. Z. McCarty, Dep. Clerk is to my knowledge the proper handwriting of the said Dep. Clerk and that he was at the time of the date of the certificate of the above oath Deputy Clerk of said County. In testimony whereof I have herein set my hand and affixed the Seal of our Court of Common Pleas this 25th day of February 1829. 
Signed T. C. Baker, Clerk
 

Richland New York    3rd June 1829   J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
     Enclosed I forward you some additional testimony relative to Rufus Price's application for a pension. The affidavits taken in connection with the Schedules of his property already in your possession, will I trust be satisfactory and such that you may feel disposed to restore his name to the Pension List, for he is a respectable and worthy citizen, and from his age you will understand is unable to labor for a living. 
     If government did not suppose that the Rev. Officers needed a little more property for their support than private soldiers, why give them more than double the amount of pension?
     Please inform me of your determination in this matter after examining the papers.
     Very Respectfully
      Your Obdt. Servt.
        Hiram Hubble
 

*** Enclosure with June 3, 1829 letters
The People of the State of New York by the Grace of  the free and Independence To all to whom these Present shall come County Clerks Office Oswego County. Know ye that we having enamined the records of Deeds in this office do find a certain Record there remaining in the words and figures following to wit:
"Know all men by these present that we Rufus Price and Ruth his wife of the Town of Richland in the County of Oswego and State of New York for an in consideration of the sum of $200 to them in hand paid by Isaac Price of the same place the receipts where of is hereby _ and acknowledged. Have and by these present do revise obtain and for _ Quit claim with the said Isaac Price his heirs and _ all of their and each of their right title and interest in and to the following piece or parcel of land in the said Town of Richland to
wit: all that part of Lots number 49 and number 50 in the Selkirk Tract, lying south of Salmon River excepting however about 23 acres here to fore Deeded to Ralph Price and containing in the residence lying  South of the center of the said River 77 acres more or less. Together with and Singular the hereditary and opportuances there are to belong or in any way appertaining to have and to hole the said premises above described to the said Isaac Price the one undivided half of which  he has and for and still does own and occupy and to his heirs and  _ to their own proper use benefit and _ forever. In witness where of we have here unto see our hands and seals this 9th day of March in the year of our Lord 1826.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of    Signed by Rufus Price
&
Hiram Hubble                                                  Ruth Price
 

State of New York Oswego County     On this 9th day of March 1826 before one Hiram Hubble a Commissioner to take the acknowledgments of Deeds, ec. personally appeared Rufus Price and Ruth his wife to me well known to be the persons disclosed as grantors in the above witnessed writing and they _ acknowledged that they execute and delivered the same for the _ and purposes there mentioned. And the said Ruth on a private examination separate and apart from her said husband acknowledged that she signed the
sealed the above without fear or compalsion, freely and voluntarily. Let the same be recorded.        Signed Hiram Hubble
All of which we have executed by these present to be exemplified. Witness the Seal of our said county and my name here unto Subscribed this 7th day of August in the year of our Lord 1829 and of our Independence the Fifty-Third.     Signed  T. C. Parker, Clerk
 

*** Enclosure with June 3, 1829 letters
State of New York County of Oswego
     Samuel Vorce of the said county being duly sworn saith about sixteen years since, he thinks in the year 1812 or 1813, Rufus Price and Isaac Price executed jointly a certain written article of agreement by which all of their right and title and possession to certain land in the town of Richland in said county together with all their farming tools cattle and other property by them individually owned or held, became their joint property out of which all debts then owing by the said Rufus Price were to be paid, among which debts in
particular this deponent recollects one that was due to Elijah Price of something more than $100. And that the above mentioned article of agreement was put into this disponents hands to be by him held until the said Rufus & Isaac should agree that it should be given up or destroyed.
     And further that about three years since, as this deponent then understood and verily believes the said Rufus & Isaac made a fair and honest and equitable division of their joint property and a dissolution of the aforesaid partnership and requested this deponent to give up the said written agreement which he accordingly did, and which he believes was then destroyed.
     And further that in the Spring of 1825, he this deponent, for and at the request of Ralph Price, paid to the Ex. or administer of Elijah Price estate about $70 in payment of the debt above mentioned as due from Rufus Price to Elijah Price and which this deponent understood the said Ralph had agreed to pay, in consideration of one yoke of oxen and certain other property by him purchased of the said Rufus & Isaac Price. 
Signed Samuel Vorce
Subscribed and sworn this 1st day of June 1829 before me, Hiram Hubble
 

*** Enclosure with June 3, 1829 letter
State of New York Oswego County
     Ralph Price of the said county being duly sworn saith that in the year 1822, he purchased of Rufus Price and Isaac Price, within names, one yoke of oxen and certain other property for which he engaged to pay about $134  to the estate of Elijah Price deceased, which they were then owing the said estate for what was originally the debt of Rufus Price which debt this deponent has since canceled by paying the same  except a few dollars for which he has given his note. And further that the said Rufus Price and Isaac Price are residents of the town of Richland ion the county of Oswego where they have resided for more than 21 years last past.
Signed Ralph Price
Subscribed and sworn this first day of June 1829 before me, Hiram Hubble
                          Oswego County
Isaac Price of said county being duly sworn saith in relation to the following item in the Schedule made and sworn to in open Court by Rufus Price on the 3rd day of June 1823, to wit: "A receipt jointly with Isaac Price from Benjamin Wright of about $300 for which he has verbally agreed to give to is a contract for 100 acres of land." That this payment of nearly $300 was applied in procuring a title to 64 acres of land in the town of Richland in
said county, 50 acres of which were by me conveyed in March 1826 to Rufus Price to have hold during his natural life. And in further consideration of afore the 1/2 of said payment I at the time conveyed to said Rufus Price the undivided half part of a farm house which I was then building to hold and occupy the same during his natural life and that of his wife which they now reside. And further that the sale of cattle, sheep, ec., by Rufus Price to this deponent, as mentioned in the aforesaid Schedule was a fair and bonafide transaction, and for which I became individually obligated to pay certain debts by us jointly contracted, including a certain sum paid Ralph Price on account of the debt originally due to Elijah Price.  Signed Isaac Price
Subscribed and sworn this 1st day of June 1829

     I hereby certify that I have been personally acquainted with Samuel Vorce, Ralph Price and Isaac Price for about ten years last past, and believe them to be men of truth and verality and generally respected as such in society. Richland, Oswego county,
June 1, 1829
Signed Hiram Hubble

     I Thomas C. Parker, Clerk of the county of Oswego, do hereby certify that Hiram Hubble, Esq. whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the foregoing affidavit was on the say of the date of the said certificate a Commissioner in and for said County, appointed and sworn and duly authorized by law to administer oaths and certify affidavits. And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe that the signatures "Hiram Hubble" subscribed to said certificates are in the proper hand writing of said Commissioner.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 1st day of June 1829.      Signed T. C. Parker, Clerk        By A. Z. McCarty - Dep. Clerk 
 

Richland Oswego County, N. Y.  30th June 1829    James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
     Enclosed I forward to you a certified copy of the life lease mentioned in the Old Schedule of Rufus Price. Also an affidavit relative to the worth or annual value of the 50 acres of land mentioned therein.
     You state that it is important "to know whether the property is worth more or less to the claimant than what it appears from the Schedule to be worth." 
     I could think of no more proper course to ascertain this than by affidavits of two capable judicions and disinterested men from an actual examination of the premises, such an affidavit is now forwarded to you which I trust will be satisfactory.
     I consider it unnecessary to forward our clerks certificate as to the official character of the commissioner taking the affidavits, as I so lately sent you one with the other affidavit.
     Col. Price was among the first settlers in this town, but on account of the infirmities usually attended on persons of the age of himself and his wife, they are unable to labor, and are in some measure dependent upon their children for the necessaries of life and as William Price has always sustained a worthy and respectable standing in our society and been firmly attached to our Republican institution and particularly to our present worthy Chief Majorstrate, I should very much regret if he could not now obtain from government that compensation which he believes they honestly owe him, and which he can not live long to enjoy.
    Very Respectfully
    Your Obdt. Servt.
       Hiram Hubble
 

*** Enclosure with June 30, 1829 letters
Copy of the Record in this office. In Testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 27th day of June in the year of our Lord 1829.
Signed T. C. Parker, Clerk     By- A. Z. McCarty, Dep. Clerk

 Recorded June 19th 1829 at 10 o'clock a.m. - A. Z. McCarty, Dept. Clerk
     Know all men by these present that I Isaac Price of the town of Richland for and in consideration of the sum of $200 received to my full satisfaction of Rufus Price and Ruth his wife this 9th day of March 1826 have devised, let and leased and by these present do devise, let and lease unto the said Rufus and Ruth to have hold use and occupy during their or either of their natural lives the following piece of land to wit: 50 acres to be taken off from the east side of lot number 4 on the21st Township Scriba Patent to be divided
from the residue of the lot by a line parallel to the east and west lines of the lot - And also the easterly part of the dwelling house standing on lot number 50 on the Selkirk Tract: to use and occupy the said part of said house by themselves or their family furing their or either of their natural lives, free and clear of all claims, encumbrances or demands of any person or persons whatsoever, during any or all of the time above stated. In Witness whereof, I the said Isaac Price have hereto set my hand and seal the day and year written above.      Signed Isaac Price
                     In the presence of  Hiram Hubble

 State of New York Oswego County    Be it remembered that in this 19th day of June 1829 before me James A. Davis a Commissioner to take acknowledgments in said county personally appeared Hiram Hubble to me well known and being by me duly sworn testified that he saw Isaac Price the person within named and described sign and seal the within instrument of writing on the day of the date thereof and that he at the same time
subscribed his name thereto as a witness and further that he was then personally acquainted with the said Isaac. Set it be Recorded. J. A. Davis, Comm.
 

*** Enclosure with June 30, 1829 letters
State of New York Oswego County     On this 5th day of June in the year of our Lord 1822 personally appeared in open court it being the court of common pleas for said county which by the laws and _ of said state has been _ and _ to be a court of record Rufus Price aged 70 years. Pending in the town of Richland county and state aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to the law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows to wit: He entered the service as Ensign in the Second Regiment of Infantry commanded by Col. Charles Webb in the Connecticut Line continental service in the company commanded by Captain Ichabod Hinkly in the year 1777 and continued to serve in the said company until the month of March 1779 when he was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant and this deponent says that the number of his previous certificate is 11344 and that his declaration to obtain said certificate bears date on the 6th day of April 1818 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 and since that time by gift sale or any manor disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent as so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of the act of Congress entitled act to provide for certain persons engaged in the said _ service of the United States of America in the Revolutionary War. Papers on the 18th day of March 1818 and I have not nor any person in _ for me any property or executes contracts or debts due to one _ _ income or
property except _ _ _ and bedding other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by _ subscribed to wit: 37 1/2 acres of lane situate in the town of Richland and county of Oswego, 10 acres of which is under improvement the residue wild land of which said land I have only a life estate, $37.50, 1 old _ _ $10, 1 table $1.50, 1 large spinning wheel $2, 1 _ $.50, 4 chairs $1.50, 1 old broken chest of drawers $1, 2 earthen
milk pans $.25, 1 old tin tea pot $.06, 1 pint tin basin $.03, 1 small looking glass $1, 1 earthen pot $.37, 1 kit of shoemaker tools $3, 1 hooked five part kettle $2, 1 tea kettle $.75, 1 dish kettle $.75, 1 spider pot $.50, 1 iron basin $.37, 1 shovel $.37, 1 pair tongs $.50, 2 pair _ $3, 2 earthen bowls $.25, 4 tea cups & saucers $.25, 4 iron tea spoons $.20, 1 earthen platter $.25, 1 glass tumbler $.12, 1 decanter $.50, 1 brass skimmer $.25, 1 tin _ $.12, 1 candle stick $.12, 1 pepper box $.12, 2 tin dishes $.25 - And said declarant further says that he is by occupation a shoemaker but is unable to perform but little labor by means of age and infirmities. That his family consists of the following persons to wit: his wife aged 62 years able to perform but little labor, my granddaughter Audra Vorce aged 11 years and healthy. 
                      Signed Rufus Price

Sworn and declared in open court this 5th day of June 1822 before me Peter D. Hug_, Judge of Oswego Common Pleas. 

 Oswego County Clerks Officer     I Smith Dunlap Clerk of the county of Oswego do hereby certify that the fore going oath and the schedule this unto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the court that the total amount in value of that property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is $70.11. In testimony where of I have hereto set my hand and the seal of the said court
this 10th day of July 1822 Signed Smith Dunlap, Clerk
 
 

*** Enclosure with June 30, 1829 letters

Richland, New York  7th August 1829    J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
     Under date of 22 July, you inquire relative to the life lease of Rufus Price, "under that circumstances did he obtain such a lease? Is not the property the same he once owned? And if so, how did he dispose of it?" You also state that, "The total value of the land should be mentioned also."
     As to the first inquiry, I enclose here with a certified copy of the deed from R. Price to Isaac Price, all of his right and title to the real estate mentioned in his schedule of the 3rd of June 1823, being undivided half part of the land there partially described, and for which deed he recorded the lease, of which I found you a copy in my last, the circumstances, or reasons that prompted the old gentleman to make this exchange, were fair and honorable on his part and are apparent to all acquainted with the premises, and which you can in part discover from an examination of the lease and affidavits. The land deeded being of poor quality, which little improvement and no buildings, where as by the lease, the old gentleman acquires a title to part of a house, some orchard, and for which he gave not only the quit claim deed, but some other property as I understood from them at the time the writings were made in 1826.
     You will find a negative answer to your second question by an examination of the copy of the deed here with sent, the lease above referred to _ the deed also explains the third question.
     As to the value of the land for which I understood you refer to the land deeded we knew of no better way to ascertain it than by the two men who appraised the annual value of the premises leased. Their opinion you have in the enclosed affidavit. And I deem it unnecessary for me to add anything to my former statement as to their characters.
     You already have a certificate of my official character as commissioner for taking affidavits. If that is not efficient one can be forwarded bearing date at the present time. 
     Mr. Price and his wife are both, from age and infirmities, unable to labor any and of course feel more sensibly the need of that assistance which the old gentleman conscientiously believes is due him from his country and which it granted, he can live but a shot time to enjoy.
     Please let me hear from you as soon as you have examined this matter.