Revolutionary War veteran
Research by J. Kelsey Jones, 1998:
Solomon Curtis b. 19 Feb 1755 (Curtis bible) East Greenwich (that portion that is now Warren), Litchfield County, Connecticut son of Deodatus Curtis and Elizabeth Selden m. 2 Aug 1774 (Curtis bible) Sarah Landers b. 2 Oct 1752 Kent, Connecticut (vr and Curtis bible) daughter of Thomas Landers and his first wife Ann Phelps. Sarah was perhaps living with her Phelps relatives in Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York or visited them from nearby Lenox, Massachusetts where her father's family resided and there meant and married Solomon. Their marriage perhaps occurred at Spencertown or Hillsdale, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York where the Curtis family resided and where Sarah's maternal grandparents were residing along with many other Phelps relatives.
An explanation should here be given of the area in which they resided. The territory that now comprises Columbia County was originally in Albany County and was divided into districts, 24 Mar 1772. One of those districts was Claverack and from Clavercak, Hillsdale district was formed, 26 Mar 1782, still being in Albany County. Columbia County was organized 4 Apr 1786 from Albany County and Hillsdale was reorganized as a town, 7 Mar 1788. The Curtis family resided in the northern part of the town of Hillsdale, unofficially known as Spencertown, because of the many members of the Spencer family in that area, which name finally attached itself just to the village. The town of Hillsdale was still further reduced in 1818 when a portion was taken to form the town of Austerlitz, portions also being taken from the towns of Chatham and Canaan. In its (Columbia County) present state, the Curtis family resided in that portion of Hillsdale that became the town of Austerlitz, residing somewhere in the southeastern portion of the town of Austerlitz in or near the picturesque Green River Valley. The town of Austerlitz contains the villages of Austerlitz and Spencertown. The town of Hillsdale contains the village of Green River in the northeastern portion of the town. Because, the town of Austerlitz was not formed until 1818, over twenty years after the Curtis family removed from the town, the Curtis family referred to the area in which they resided as Hillsdale and more specifically as Spencertown, which was the unofficial name of the northern portion of the town of Hillsdale and which is now Austerlitz, though their residence was not in the area of the present village of Spencertown, which name originally applied to a much larger area, but in the Green River Valley area.
Solomon Curtis and his wife Sarah Landers were residing at Spencertown, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York in April 1775 when he entered military service during the Revolutionary War and they were still residing there in the winter of 1780 according to his pension deposition. Pension deposition further relates they lived at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Concord, New York (there is a New Concord in the town of Chatham, which borders the town of Austerlitz) and again at Spencertown, New York, which was sometime between 1780 and 1790 when on the latter date the family was enumerated at Hillsdale Town, Columbia County, New York. Son, Solomon, Jr., is related to have been born at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which date of birth occurred 8 Apr 1786, though no record of his birth can be found there. Daughter, Hannah in the 1865 census enumeration was born in Massachusetts, but in four other census enumerations she was born in New York, and her date of birth was 2 Apr 1782.
There was a Congregational Church organized in the 1760's at what is now the village of Spencertown, which became a Presbyterian Church in 1824, which perhaps the Curtis family were members of. The Congregational Church at Green River (later the Austerlitz Presbyterian Church and located in the village of Austerlitz) was organized 21 March 1792, Solomon and Sarah Curtis being among the original members. At a church meeting, 2 Jan 1793, it was voted to have Sarah Curtis "prounded." And again, on 25 Aug 1793, "Sarah Curtis long before this has been propounded but has neglected to come." The church voted to receive Sarah Curtis as a member, 23 Aug 1795. On 17 Jan 1798 the church voted a letter of recommendation to Solomon Curtis and his wife, Sarah Curtis. The family had removed the year before to the township of Fayette in Tioga County, New York, which soon became the town of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. There is one later church entry on 21 Jan 1800 when the church met and attended to a complaint exhibited by Solomon Curtis, Deacon of the church in Oxford, against Nathaniel Havens, Jr.
Deodatus Curtis, father of Solomon, dated a Will at Canaan, Columbia County in Apr 1793 and named all nine children, including Solomon. The Will was recorded June 1796.
The Curtis family removed from the town of Hillsdale early in 1797 to the Chenango River Valley in Tioga (a portion of Tioga County became Chenango County, 15 March 1798) County, New York settling one and one half miles east of the present village of Oxford. Sarah's uncle, James Phelps had removed there in 1789 from Hillsdale. Solomon Curtis of Oxford, Tioga County, late of Hillsdale in Columbia County, purchased (B:432-3) land, 10 April 1797 from Benjamin Hovey of same for $1,000, being lot number seventy two in the township of Fayette, containing one hundred acres of land. Solomon Curtis and his family were enumerated in the 1800 census of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. On 13 Jan 1809, Solomon purchased additional land of ten acres, being in lot number seventy two, from James Tracy of Oxford.
Solomon and Sarah were members in full communion of the Congregational Church of Oxford, organized 19 Sept 1799 and named the Associated Presbyterian Society of Oxford. The name Presbyterian does not imply that the church was Presbyterian in denomination. Sarah d. 19 Aug 1811. In 1812 the church united with the Union Association, comprised of Congregational Churches. Solomon was appointed deacon at the time of organization, 19 Sept 1799. The records of this church are contained in a book in possession of the Oxford Historical Society, Oxford, New York. Records relate that on 31 Aug 1812 the pastor requested Deacon Solomon Curtis to act as moderator, which he did, at Butternuts, New York for a meeting of the Union Association and on 25 Apr 1824 Deacon Solomon Curtis and brother Solomon Purdy were appointed a committee with the Reverend William Wickham to visit and converse with the several members of the church and to ascertain and report such cases as in their judgement require the exercise of discipline. His good standing within the church declined when on 16 Nov 1825 there were "reports in circulation about Deacon Solomon Curtis, slanderous reports respecting him and Mrs. Seely." There are several pages thereafter in the church records relating and pertaining to Solomon Curtis committing adultery with Mrs. Seely who had left her husband and was living with Solomon. This occurred sometime after the death of Solomon's second wife, which occurred 10 Aug 1823. Mrs. Seely was evidently not a member of the church as no action was taken against her. On 3 Dec 1825 Deacon Solomon Curtis was suspended from the church because of his "criminal conduct." Later, on 31 Dec 1825 members of the church were requested to visit Deacon Curtis and "ascertain the state of his mind with regard to his recent crime." On 2 Mar 1826 he was cut off (excommunicated) from fellowship and communion. There are entries later in 1826 and on 10 Jan 1827 an entry that he had manifested no penitence for his crime of adultery. On 15 Jan 1830 he appeared requesting to be restored to communion, but the records state "same difficulty existing." There are no further entries in later church records pertaining to the case.
State of New York
Chenango County
"On this eleventh of February 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Chenango, now sitting, Solomon Curtis, a resident of Oxford in the County of Chenango and State of New York aged seventy 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1775 he lived in Spencertown now Hillsdale, Columbia County and State of New York and in April of 1775 a report came to Spencertown that there had been a battle at Lexington, Massachusetts and that this deponent being a private in a company of New York militia commanded by Captain John Salisbury, started with said company for Lexington, that when they had reached Barrington in Massachusetts, orders came that the militia need go no further and at Barrington he and the Company were discharged and returned home having been in active service one week.
That in the summer of 1776 he volunteered and enlisted as a minute man for the term of four years in Capt John Salisbury, Lieut James Phelps, Ensign Benjamin Ford, Company of New York State militia in Colonel Whitings Regiment.
That about the time he volunteered and enlisted as aforesaid three tories, whose names are John Savage, Richard Jones and Benjamin Ingraham on Sunday came into the neighborhood of Spencertown where he resided when he with the above named Captain Salisbury and seven men besides this deponent went after said tories and arrested them and carried them to New Canaan about ten miles from Spencertown, that the tories were tried at New Canaan and sentenced to Lewisburg and said tories were rescued at Barrington by 30 or 40 reds whilst they were carrying to Simsbury amidst said tories.
That he was absent from home in active service on this expedition one month.
That sometime during the year 1779 he with the Company aforesaid marched from Spencertown to Fort Edwards and from thence they were ordered to march to the Mohawk valley, that they marched through Schenectady to Stone Arabia and he was in a battle at Stone Arabia and one Colonel Brown was killed and from Stone Arabia they marched to Fort Stanwix where they remained several weeks until some Continental troops came to Fort Stanwix when he with the Company aforesaid was discharged and returned home having been in active service six months.
That during the said summer the enemy destroyed and burned several settlements along the Mohawk valley.
That as he believes in the winter of 1780 he with the Company aforesaid marched to Johnstown where there were about two hundred Highlanders and they took the arms of the said Highlanders and when they returned home from this expedition he with the Company had been absent in actual service for the term of six weeks.
That during the years 1776, '77, '78, '79 and '80 he was absent with the Company aforesaid in active service besides the times and in the manner above mentioned at least four months, that he was out on numerous expeditions against the tories and enemy during said four years in the neighborhood of Spencertown.
That by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear more positively as to the precise length and times of his service as above related but he can swear positively that he was in active service during the Revolutionary war as a private under the officers aforesaid for the term of one year and for such service he claims a pension.
That he could not produce the attendance of a clergyman and another respectable citizen who could testify as to their belief as to his age and the belief of his neighborhood as to this revolutionary service in Court without considerable inconvenience and expense as they reside eight miles distant from the Court and he has caused these affidavits to be hereby annexed.
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service."
"Interrogation prescribed by the War Department.
To the first interrogatory prescribed by the War Department he answers that he was born at East Greenwich (now Warren), Connecticut the 19th February 1755.
To the second he answers that he has a record of his age at home in his bible.
To the third answers that he lived at Spencertown in Columbia County and State of New York when called into service that since the Revolutionary war he had lived at Tyringham, Massachusetts, Concord, Spencertown, and Oxford in the State of New York and that he now lives in Oxford.
To the fourth answers that he always volunteered his services and that he never was a substitute.
To the fifth answers that of the regular officers who were with the troops where he served he recollects Colonel Whiting, Generals Gates and Van Rensalier, that he recollects no Continental Regiment and that of the Militia Regiments, he recollects Colonel Van Schoicks only and that the general circumstances of his service are above as fully set forth as he can recollect.
To the sixth answers that he never received a written discharge from service.
To the seventh answers Uri Tracy, Ira Willcox, and John Tracy, Jost Martle, Oxford.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid."
Solomon Curtis
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 36 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of July 1834 and sent to M. R. Mygatt. Arrears to the 4th of Mar '31 - $109.98. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept '34 - $18.33 totaling $128.31. Died Aug. 27,1838 (pension file S 28697).
Sarah Curtis had d. 19 Aug 1811 59 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Solomon married 25 May 1813 (2)Mrs. Mary Shaw (Curtis bible). Mary Shaw Curtis d. 10 Aug 1823 69 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Sometime after Mary's death and before 16 Nov 1825 when the first dated church record related Solomon's difficulty with the church, Solomon took into his home, Mrs. Annar Seely. Solomon had requested to be restored to communion with the church, 15 Jan 1830, but the record states "same difficulty existing," which would imply, but not stated, that Solomon and Mrs. Seely were not married. Solomon's Will, dated 8 May 1830, less than four months after his request for restoration with the church, related "maintenance of my wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage." Because of this short time span between dated records, it is assumed that Mrs. Seely and Annar are the same person.
Will (D:164) of Solomon Curtis dated 8 May 1830 Oxford. Son, Solomon Curtis, Jr., $2.50 and my wearing apparel. Personal estate to son, Solomon Curtis Jr.; daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Ruthala Sickles, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood; grandson, James Curtis, son of my son, James Curtis, deceased; and my grandchildren, children of daughters, Anna Hurlburt and Elizabeth Moore, deceased. Daughters, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, one equal undivided half part of ten acres of land I bought of James Tracy, the same being a part of the farm on which I now live. The other half part to Samuel Wheeler Esq., of Oxford. Daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, and grandson, James Curtis, one undivided ninth part of all the residue of my real estate. Grandchildren, children of deceased daughter, Anna Hurlburt, one undivided ninth part and children of deceased daughter, Elizabeth Moore, one undivided ninth part. Samuel Wheeler, the remaining two ninths part, and that he receive the rents and profits and pay them unto daughters, Sarah Beverly and Ruthala Sickles. Maintenance of granddaughter, Polly Schofield if she should ever be unable to maintain herself. Maintenance of wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage. Executor, Samuel Wheeler. Witnessed by Ira Willcox, William Gile, William Dalton.
Probate (2091A) states Solomon died a natural death 28 Aug 1838 town of McDonough, Chenango County, New York. Perhaps he was living with or visiting his daughter, Harriet Elwood who was his only child residing in the town of McDonough. Petition of probate cites following heirs:
Annar Curtis, widow, Oxford.
Solomon Curtis, son, Addison, Steuben County, New York.
Mary Enos, daughter, Oxford.
Hannah Mowry, daughter, wife of Washington Mowry, Oxford.
Sarah Beverly, daughter, Guilford, Chenango County, New York.
Altana Elwood, daughter, wife of Nathaniel B. Elwood, German, Chenango County, New York.
Harriet Elwood, daughter, wife of Samuel Elwood, McDonough, Chenango County, New York.
Anna P. Hurlburt, dec'd daughter, left Uri Schofield and Eber Schofield of Addison, New York; Sarah Gibson wife of Peter Gibson and Lucy Short wife of Lorenzo Short, both of Butternuts, New York; James Hurlburt and Levi Hurlburt whose residences are unknown.
Elizabeth Moore, dec'd daughter, left Eliza Smith wife of Daniel Smith, Nathaniel L. Moore, Sylvanus Moore, Jr., Lysander Moore, and Andrew J. Moore all of McDonough, New York; Cynthia Loomis wife of Vinson Loomis of Smithville, New York; and William S. Moore of Guilford, New York.
James L. Curtis, dec'd son, left son, James L. Curtis of Cortlandville, New York.
Ruth Sickles, dec'd daughter, left Harriet Abbey wife of Charles Abbey of Cazenovia, New York; Henry, George, and Fidelia Sickles whose residences are unknown.
Dated 21 Sept 1838.
Whitwood Sickles, a son of Ruthala, was not named in the above petition, but he was named in the following citations.
Citations unto Annar Curtis, Washington Mowry, Hannah Mowry, and Mary Enos of Oxford; Sarah Beverly and William S. Moor of Guilford; Nathaniel B. Elwood and Altana Elwood of German; Samuel Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor, Jr., Lysander Moor, and Andrew J. Moor of McDonough; Vinson Loomis and Cynthia Loomis of Smithville; John B. Wheeler of Oxford, special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, all of Chenango County. Solomon Curtis, Eber Schofield, and Uri Schofield of Addison in the county of Steuben; James L. Curtis of Cortlandville in the county of Cortland; Lorenzo Short and Lucy Short, Peter Gibson and Sarah Gibson of Butternuts in the county of Otsego; Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey of Cazenovia in the county of Madison, all of the state of New York. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, James Hurlburt, and Levi Hurlburt whose places of residence are unknown, being the widow, heirs, and next of kin of Solomon Curtis, late of the town of McDonough in the county of Chenango, whereas Samuel Wheeler, executor named in the Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased has made application to the Surrogate of said county of Chenango to have the will of Solomon Curtis admitted to probate and each of the above cited to appear before the said surrogate at his office in the village of Oxford on 26 day of November 1838 at ten o'clock in the forenoon, dated 21 September 1838.
On the 26th day of November appeared Samuel Wheeler, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Solomon Curtis, and James L. Curtis, whereas Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of the citations issued to Lysander Moor, John B. Wheeler special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., Andrew J. Moor, Vinson Loomis, Cynthia Loomis, Annar Curtis, James L. Curtis, Solomon Curtis, Uri Schofield, Eber Schofield, Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey. Proceedings for the proof of the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased, be adjourned to the 10th day of December at the same place to further notify those upon whom citations had not yet been issued, except Mary Enos who had removed from her former residence to parts unknown by the said executor since the issuing of the first citation.
The citation served to the Abbeys was served at their residence in Fayetteville, New York.
10 December 1838 appeared Samuel Wheeler, Washington Mowry, Samuel Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., William S. Moore, Nathaniel B. Elwood. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, and Annar Curtis appeared by their attorney, Henry R. Mygatt. Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of citations issued to Lorenzo Short, Lucy Short, Peter Gibson, Sarah Gibson, William S. Moor, Washington Mowry, and Samuel Elwood. Further proceedings of subscribing witnesses and executor and the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis proven same day.
Pension record states Solomon died 27 Aug and estate record as 28 Aug. His present memorial marker cannot be considered an accurate record, since his original memorial marker disappeared and the present memorial marker was administered by the veterans administration.
Solomon's third wife, Annar, was living as late as 10 Dec 1838, but no further record is found of her. She was not enumerated in the 1840 census of Oxford as a pensioner, which by law, as his widow, she was entitled to, unless application was not made by her for a pension.
Mary Shaw Curtis, Sarah Landers Curtis, James Curtis, Olive wife of Solomon Curtis, Jr., and Altany Beverly have markers in the Curtis Family Cemetery, one and one half miles east of Oxford, where Solomon Curtis settled. The site is on the west side of Route 220 and south of the Veterans Building and a few yards from the southeast corner of a larger stone enclosed cemetery, opposite the Veterans Cemetery which is on the east side of Route 220. From notes written by Harlow D. Curtis about 1938 he stated “I prowled the Episcopal cemetery up near the Soldiers’ Home . . . . and my eagle eye spied half a dozen old slabs on top of the gravel pit outside the wall of the Episcopal cemetery and I’ll be jiggered if the whole outfit wasn’t Solomon Curtis’s family. Some good Curtises ou(gh)t to take them up and put them inside the wall. A few more loads of gravel out of this pit and their old bones will be exhumed.” Evidently, someone did replace them, as the five memorial markers, spaced evenly, are in a single row, east to west as given above, but it is unknown by me if this is the actual site of where they are buried. A sixth memorial marker, with Solomon's date of birth, regiment, and date of death has been placed between the memorial markers of Sarah and James. Solomon is not buried where the memorial marker has been placed, because of the spacing of the five original memorial markers. His original memorial marker is related to have been vandalized and the new memorial marker was placed there in 1964 by the local Boy Scouts of troop 65 of Oxford under guidance of Mr. Davies, scoutmaster. When Ruth Curtis Brown, a descendant visited the cemetery in 1964 she found a foot marker, inscribed S. C., and relates the marker was Solomon's. Wife, Sarah, also has the initials, S. C., and thus it cannot be ascertained that the foot marker was attributable to Solomon. She further related that portions of Solomon's marker were used in the arch and stoop to the entrance of the cemetery nearby. The dates inscribed on the markers of Sarah and Mary agree with the Curtis family bible record.
The Curtis family bible published in Trenton, printed and sold by Isaac Collins, dated 1793, was in possession of the Oxford Public Library, Oxford, New York some years ago, but is no longer in their possession and was possibly sold at one of their book auctions. Transcription of names and dates below (no locations contained) copied 1934 by Mrs. John B. Meola of the John Harris DAR Chapter, Norwich, New York.
1. Anna Phelps Curtis b. 1 Aug 1775 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz), New York.
2. Elizabeth Curtis b. 29 Dec 1777 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
3. Mary Curtis b. 3 Mar 1780 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
4. Hannah Curtis b. 2 Apr 1782 perhaps Massachusetts.
5. Sarah Curtis b. 23 Mar 1784.
6. Solomon Curtis, Jr., b. 8 Apr 1786 perhaps Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
7. James Curtis b. 31 May 1788.
8. Ruthala Curtis b. 8 Dec 1790 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz).
9. Altana Curtis b. 23 Feb 1793 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz) bpt 31 Mar 1793 Congregational Green River Church.
10. Harriet Curtis b. 15 Apr 1798 Oxford, New York.
Research by J. Kelsey Jones, 1998:
Solomon Curtis b. 19 Feb 1755 (Curtis bible) East Greenwich (that portion that is now Warren), Litchfield County, Connecticut son of Deodatus Curtis and Elizabeth Selden m. 2 Aug 1774 (Curtis bible) Sarah Landers b. 2 Oct 1752 Kent, Connecticut (vr and Curtis bible) daughter of Thomas Landers and his first wife Ann Phelps. Sarah was perhaps living with her Phelps relatives in Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York or visited them from nearby Lenox, Massachusetts where her father's family resided and there meant and married Solomon. Their marriage perhaps occurred at Spencertown or Hillsdale, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York where the Curtis family resided and where Sarah's maternal grandparents were residing along with many other Phelps relatives.
An explanation should here be given of the area in which they resided. The territory that now comprises Columbia County was originally in Albany County and was divided into districts, 24 Mar 1772. One of those districts was Claverack and from Clavercak, Hillsdale district was formed, 26 Mar 1782, still being in Albany County. Columbia County was organized 4 Apr 1786 from Albany County and Hillsdale was reorganized as a town, 7 Mar 1788. The Curtis family resided in the northern part of the town of Hillsdale, unofficially known as Spencertown, because of the many members of the Spencer family in that area, which name finally attached itself just to the village. The town of Hillsdale was still further reduced in 1818 when a portion was taken to form the town of Austerlitz, portions also being taken from the towns of Chatham and Canaan. In its (Columbia County) present state, the Curtis family resided in that portion of Hillsdale that became the town of Austerlitz, residing somewhere in the southeastern portion of the town of Austerlitz in or near the picturesque Green River Valley. The town of Austerlitz contains the villages of Austerlitz and Spencertown. The town of Hillsdale contains the village of Green River in the northeastern portion of the town. Because, the town of Austerlitz was not formed until 1818, over twenty years after the Curtis family removed from the town, the Curtis family referred to the area in which they resided as Hillsdale and more specifically as Spencertown, which was the unofficial name of the northern portion of the town of Hillsdale and which is now Austerlitz, though their residence was not in the area of the present village of Spencertown, which name originally applied to a much larger area, but in the Green River Valley area.
Solomon Curtis and his wife Sarah Landers were residing at Spencertown, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York in April 1775 when he entered military service during the Revolutionary War and they were still residing there in the winter of 1780 according to his pension deposition. Pension deposition further relates they lived at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Concord, New York (there is a New Concord in the town of Chatham, which borders the town of Austerlitz) and again at Spencertown, New York, which was sometime between 1780 and 1790 when on the latter date the family was enumerated at Hillsdale Town, Columbia County, New York. Son, Solomon, Jr., is related to have been born at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which date of birth occurred 8 Apr 1786, though no record of his birth can be found there. Daughter, Hannah in the 1865 census enumeration was born in Massachusetts, but in four other census enumerations she was born in New York, and her date of birth was 2 Apr 1782.
There was a Congregational Church organized in the 1760's at what is now the village of Spencertown, which became a Presbyterian Church in 1824, which perhaps the Curtis family were members of. The Congregational Church at Green River (later the Austerlitz Presbyterian Church and located in the village of Austerlitz) was organized 21 March 1792, Solomon and Sarah Curtis being among the original members. At a church meeting, 2 Jan 1793, it was voted to have Sarah Curtis "prounded." And again, on 25 Aug 1793, "Sarah Curtis long before this has been propounded but has neglected to come." The church voted to receive Sarah Curtis as a member, 23 Aug 1795. On 17 Jan 1798 the church voted a letter of recommendation to Solomon Curtis and his wife, Sarah Curtis. The family had removed the year before to the township of Fayette in Tioga County, New York, which soon became the town of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. There is one later church entry on 21 Jan 1800 when the church met and attended to a complaint exhibited by Solomon Curtis, Deacon of the church in Oxford, against Nathaniel Havens, Jr.
Deodatus Curtis, father of Solomon, dated a Will at Canaan, Columbia County in Apr 1793 and named all nine children, including Solomon. The Will was recorded June 1796.
The Curtis family removed from the town of Hillsdale early in 1797 to the Chenango River Valley in Tioga (a portion of Tioga County became Chenango County, 15 March 1798) County, New York settling one and one half miles east of the present village of Oxford. Sarah's uncle, James Phelps had removed there in 1789 from Hillsdale. Solomon Curtis of Oxford, Tioga County, late of Hillsdale in Columbia County, purchased (B:432-3) land, 10 April 1797 from Benjamin Hovey of same for $1,000, being lot number seventy two in the township of Fayette, containing one hundred acres of land. Solomon Curtis and his family were enumerated in the 1800 census of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. On 13 Jan 1809, Solomon purchased additional land of ten acres, being in lot number seventy two, from James Tracy of Oxford.
Solomon and Sarah were members in full communion of the Congregational Church of Oxford, organized 19 Sept 1799 and named the Associated Presbyterian Society of Oxford. The name Presbyterian does not imply that the church was Presbyterian in denomination. Sarah d. 19 Aug 1811. In 1812 the church united with the Union Association, comprised of Congregational Churches. Solomon was appointed deacon at the time of organization, 19 Sept 1799. The records of this church are contained in a book in possession of the Oxford Historical Society, Oxford, New York. Records relate that on 31 Aug 1812 the pastor requested Deacon Solomon Curtis to act as moderator, which he did, at Butternuts, New York for a meeting of the Union Association and on 25 Apr 1824 Deacon Solomon Curtis and brother Solomon Purdy were appointed a committee with the Reverend William Wickham to visit and converse with the several members of the church and to ascertain and report such cases as in their judgement require the exercise of discipline. His good standing within the church declined when on 16 Nov 1825 there were "reports in circulation about Deacon Solomon Curtis, slanderous reports respecting him and Mrs. Seely." There are several pages thereafter in the church records relating and pertaining to Solomon Curtis committing adultery with Mrs. Seely who had left her husband and was living with Solomon. This occurred sometime after the death of Solomon's second wife, which occurred 10 Aug 1823. Mrs. Seely was evidently not a member of the church as no action was taken against her. On 3 Dec 1825 Deacon Solomon Curtis was suspended from the church because of his "criminal conduct." Later, on 31 Dec 1825 members of the church were requested to visit Deacon Curtis and "ascertain the state of his mind with regard to his recent crime." On 2 Mar 1826 he was cut off (excommunicated) from fellowship and communion. There are entries later in 1826 and on 10 Jan 1827 an entry that he had manifested no penitence for his crime of adultery. On 15 Jan 1830 he appeared requesting to be restored to communion, but the records state "same difficulty existing." There are no further entries in later church records pertaining to the case.
State of New York
Chenango County
"On this eleventh of February 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Chenango, now sitting, Solomon Curtis, a resident of Oxford in the County of Chenango and State of New York aged seventy 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1775 he lived in Spencertown now Hillsdale, Columbia County and State of New York and in April of 1775 a report came to Spencertown that there had been a battle at Lexington, Massachusetts and that this deponent being a private in a company of New York militia commanded by Captain John Salisbury, started with said company for Lexington, that when they had reached Barrington in Massachusetts, orders came that the militia need go no further and at Barrington he and the Company were discharged and returned home having been in active service one week.
That in the summer of 1776 he volunteered and enlisted as a minute man for the term of four years in Capt John Salisbury, Lieut James Phelps, Ensign Benjamin Ford, Company of New York State militia in Colonel Whitings Regiment.
That about the time he volunteered and enlisted as aforesaid three tories, whose names are John Savage, Richard Jones and Benjamin Ingraham on Sunday came into the neighborhood of Spencertown where he resided when he with the above named Captain Salisbury and seven men besides this deponent went after said tories and arrested them and carried them to New Canaan about ten miles from Spencertown, that the tories were tried at New Canaan and sentenced to Lewisburg and said tories were rescued at Barrington by 30 or 40 reds whilst they were carrying to Simsbury amidst said tories.
That he was absent from home in active service on this expedition one month.
That sometime during the year 1779 he with the Company aforesaid marched from Spencertown to Fort Edwards and from thence they were ordered to march to the Mohawk valley, that they marched through Schenectady to Stone Arabia and he was in a battle at Stone Arabia and one Colonel Brown was killed and from Stone Arabia they marched to Fort Stanwix where they remained several weeks until some Continental troops came to Fort Stanwix when he with the Company aforesaid was discharged and returned home having been in active service six months.
That during the said summer the enemy destroyed and burned several settlements along the Mohawk valley.
That as he believes in the winter of 1780 he with the Company aforesaid marched to Johnstown where there were about two hundred Highlanders and they took the arms of the said Highlanders and when they returned home from this expedition he with the Company had been absent in actual service for the term of six weeks.
That during the years 1776, '77, '78, '79 and '80 he was absent with the Company aforesaid in active service besides the times and in the manner above mentioned at least four months, that he was out on numerous expeditions against the tories and enemy during said four years in the neighborhood of Spencertown.
That by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear more positively as to the precise length and times of his service as above related but he can swear positively that he was in active service during the Revolutionary war as a private under the officers aforesaid for the term of one year and for such service he claims a pension.
That he could not produce the attendance of a clergyman and another respectable citizen who could testify as to their belief as to his age and the belief of his neighborhood as to this revolutionary service in Court without considerable inconvenience and expense as they reside eight miles distant from the Court and he has caused these affidavits to be hereby annexed.
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service."
"Interrogation prescribed by the War Department.
To the first interrogatory prescribed by the War Department he answers that he was born at East Greenwich (now Warren), Connecticut the 19th February 1755.
To the second he answers that he has a record of his age at home in his bible.
To the third answers that he lived at Spencertown in Columbia County and State of New York when called into service that since the Revolutionary war he had lived at Tyringham, Massachusetts, Concord, Spencertown, and Oxford in the State of New York and that he now lives in Oxford.
To the fourth answers that he always volunteered his services and that he never was a substitute.
To the fifth answers that of the regular officers who were with the troops where he served he recollects Colonel Whiting, Generals Gates and Van Rensalier, that he recollects no Continental Regiment and that of the Militia Regiments, he recollects Colonel Van Schoicks only and that the general circumstances of his service are above as fully set forth as he can recollect.
To the sixth answers that he never received a written discharge from service.
To the seventh answers Uri Tracy, Ira Willcox, and John Tracy, Jost Martle, Oxford.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid."
Solomon Curtis
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 36 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of July 1834 and sent to M. R. Mygatt. Arrears to the 4th of Mar '31 - $109.98. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept '34 - $18.33 totaling $128.31. Died Aug. 27,1838 (pension file S 28697).
Sarah Curtis had d. 19 Aug 1811 59 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Solomon married 25 May 1813 (2)Mrs. Mary Shaw (Curtis bible). Mary Shaw Curtis d. 10 Aug 1823 69 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Sometime after Mary's death and before 16 Nov 1825 when the first dated church record related Solomon's difficulty with the church, Solomon took into his home, Mrs. Annar Seely. Solomon had requested to be restored to communion with the church, 15 Jan 1830, but the record states "same difficulty existing," which would imply, but not stated, that Solomon and Mrs. Seely were not married. Solomon's Will, dated 8 May 1830, less than four months after his request for restoration with the church, related "maintenance of my wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage." Because of this short time span between dated records, it is assumed that Mrs. Seely and Annar are the same person.
Will (D:164) of Solomon Curtis dated 8 May 1830 Oxford. Son, Solomon Curtis, Jr., $2.50 and my wearing apparel. Personal estate to son, Solomon Curtis Jr.; daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Ruthala Sickles, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood; grandson, James Curtis, son of my son, James Curtis, deceased; and my grandchildren, children of daughters, Anna Hurlburt and Elizabeth Moore, deceased. Daughters, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, one equal undivided half part of ten acres of land I bought of James Tracy, the same being a part of the farm on which I now live. The other half part to Samuel Wheeler Esq., of Oxford. Daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, and grandson, James Curtis, one undivided ninth part of all the residue of my real estate. Grandchildren, children of deceased daughter, Anna Hurlburt, one undivided ninth part and children of deceased daughter, Elizabeth Moore, one undivided ninth part. Samuel Wheeler, the remaining two ninths part, and that he receive the rents and profits and pay them unto daughters, Sarah Beverly and Ruthala Sickles. Maintenance of granddaughter, Polly Schofield if she should ever be unable to maintain herself. Maintenance of wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage. Executor, Samuel Wheeler. Witnessed by Ira Willcox, William Gile, William Dalton.
Probate (2091A) states Solomon died a natural death 28 Aug 1838 town of McDonough, Chenango County, New York. Perhaps he was living with or visiting his daughter, Harriet Elwood who was his only child residing in the town of McDonough. Petition of probate cites following heirs:
Annar Curtis, widow, Oxford.
Solomon Curtis, son, Addison, Steuben County, New York.
Mary Enos, daughter, Oxford.
Hannah Mowry, daughter, wife of Washington Mowry, Oxford.
Sarah Beverly, daughter, Guilford, Chenango County, New York.
Altana Elwood, daughter, wife of Nathaniel B. Elwood, German, Chenango County, New York.
Harriet Elwood, daughter, wife of Samuel Elwood, McDonough, Chenango County, New York.
Anna P. Hurlburt, dec'd daughter, left Uri Schofield and Eber Schofield of Addison, New York; Sarah Gibson wife of Peter Gibson and Lucy Short wife of Lorenzo Short, both of Butternuts, New York; James Hurlburt and Levi Hurlburt whose residences are unknown.
Elizabeth Moore, dec'd daughter, left Eliza Smith wife of Daniel Smith, Nathaniel L. Moore, Sylvanus Moore, Jr., Lysander Moore, and Andrew J. Moore all of McDonough, New York; Cynthia Loomis wife of Vinson Loomis of Smithville, New York; and William S. Moore of Guilford, New York.
James L. Curtis, dec'd son, left son, James L. Curtis of Cortlandville, New York.
Ruth Sickles, dec'd daughter, left Harriet Abbey wife of Charles Abbey of Cazenovia, New York; Henry, George, and Fidelia Sickles whose residences are unknown.
Dated 21 Sept 1838.
Whitwood Sickles, a son of Ruthala, was not named in the above petition, but he was named in the following citations.
Citations unto Annar Curtis, Washington Mowry, Hannah Mowry, and Mary Enos of Oxford; Sarah Beverly and William S. Moor of Guilford; Nathaniel B. Elwood and Altana Elwood of German; Samuel Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor, Jr., Lysander Moor, and Andrew J. Moor of McDonough; Vinson Loomis and Cynthia Loomis of Smithville; John B. Wheeler of Oxford, special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, all of Chenango County. Solomon Curtis, Eber Schofield, and Uri Schofield of Addison in the county of Steuben; James L. Curtis of Cortlandville in the county of Cortland; Lorenzo Short and Lucy Short, Peter Gibson and Sarah Gibson of Butternuts in the county of Otsego; Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey of Cazenovia in the county of Madison, all of the state of New York. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, James Hurlburt, and Levi Hurlburt whose places of residence are unknown, being the widow, heirs, and next of kin of Solomon Curtis, late of the town of McDonough in the county of Chenango, whereas Samuel Wheeler, executor named in the Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased has made application to the Surrogate of said county of Chenango to have the will of Solomon Curtis admitted to probate and each of the above cited to appear before the said surrogate at his office in the village of Oxford on 26 day of November 1838 at ten o'clock in the forenoon, dated 21 September 1838.
On the 26th day of November appeared Samuel Wheeler, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Solomon Curtis, and James L. Curtis, whereas Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of the citations issued to Lysander Moor, John B. Wheeler special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., Andrew J. Moor, Vinson Loomis, Cynthia Loomis, Annar Curtis, James L. Curtis, Solomon Curtis, Uri Schofield, Eber Schofield, Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey. Proceedings for the proof of the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased, be adjourned to the 10th day of December at the same place to further notify those upon whom citations had not yet been issued, except Mary Enos who had removed from her former residence to parts unknown by the said executor since the issuing of the first citation.
The citation served to the Abbeys was served at their residence in Fayetteville, New York.
10 December 1838 appeared Samuel Wheeler, Washington Mowry, Samuel Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., William S. Moore, Nathaniel B. Elwood. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, and Annar Curtis appeared by their attorney, Henry R. Mygatt. Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of citations issued to Lorenzo Short, Lucy Short, Peter Gibson, Sarah Gibson, William S. Moor, Washington Mowry, and Samuel Elwood. Further proceedings of subscribing witnesses and executor and the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis proven same day.
Pension record states Solomon died 27 Aug and estate record as 28 Aug. His present memorial marker cannot be considered an accurate record, since his original memorial marker disappeared and the present memorial marker was administered by the veterans administration.
Solomon's third wife, Annar, was living as late as 10 Dec 1838, but no further record is found of her. She was not enumerated in the 1840 census of Oxford as a pensioner, which by law, as his widow, she was entitled to, unless application was not made by her for a pension.
Mary Shaw Curtis, Sarah Landers Curtis, James Curtis, Olive wife of Solomon Curtis, Jr., and Altany Beverly have markers in the Curtis Family Cemetery, one and one half miles east of Oxford, where Solomon Curtis settled. The site is on the west side of Route 220 and south of the Veterans Building and a few yards from the southeast corner of a larger stone enclosed cemetery, opposite the Veterans Cemetery which is on the east side of Route 220. From notes written by Harlow D. Curtis about 1938 he stated “I prowled the Episcopal cemetery up near the Soldiers’ Home . . . . and my eagle eye spied half a dozen old slabs on top of the gravel pit outside the wall of the Episcopal cemetery and I’ll be jiggered if the whole outfit wasn’t Solomon Curtis’s family. Some good Curtises ou(gh)t to take them up and put them inside the wall. A few more loads of gravel out of this pit and their old bones will be exhumed.” Evidently, someone did replace them, as the five memorial markers, spaced evenly, are in a single row, east to west as given above, but it is unknown by me if this is the actual site of where they are buried. A sixth memorial marker, with Solomon's date of birth, regiment, and date of death has been placed between the memorial markers of Sarah and James. Solomon is not buried where the memorial marker has been placed, because of the spacing of the five original memorial markers. His original memorial marker is related to have been vandalized and the new memorial marker was placed there in 1964 by the local Boy Scouts of troop 65 of Oxford under guidance of Mr. Davies, scoutmaster. When Ruth Curtis Brown, a descendant visited the cemetery in 1964 she found a foot marker, inscribed S. C., and relates the marker was Solomon's. Wife, Sarah, also has the initials, S. C., and thus it cannot be ascertained that the foot marker was attributable to Solomon. She further related that portions of Solomon's marker were used in the arch and stoop to the entrance of the cemetery nearby. The dates inscribed on the markers of Sarah and Mary agree with the Curtis family bible record.
The Curtis family bible published in Trenton, printed and sold by Isaac Collins, dated 1793, was in possession of the Oxford Public Library, Oxford, New York some years ago, but is no longer in their possession and was possibly sold at one of their book auctions. Transcription of names and dates below (no locations contained) copied 1934 by Mrs. John B. Meola of the John Harris DAR Chapter, Norwich, New York.
1. Anna Phelps Curtis b. 1 Aug 1775 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz), New York.
2. Elizabeth Curtis b. 29 Dec 1777 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
3. Mary Curtis b. 3 Mar 1780 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
4. Hannah Curtis b. 2 Apr 1782 perhaps Massachusetts.
5. Sarah Curtis b. 23 Mar 1784.
6. Solomon Curtis, Jr., b. 8 Apr 1786 perhaps Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
7. James Curtis b. 31 May 1788.
8. Ruthala Curtis b. 8 Dec 1790 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz).
9. Altana Curtis b. 23 Feb 1793 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz) bpt 31 Mar 1793 Congregational Green River Church.
10. Harriet Curtis b. 15 Apr 1798 Oxford, New York.
Revolutionary War veteran
Research by J. Kelsey Jones, 1998:
Solomon Curtis b. 19 Feb 1755 (Curtis bible) East Greenwich (that portion that is now Warren), Litchfield County, Connecticut son of Deodatus Curtis and Elizabeth Selden m. 2 Aug 1774 (Curtis bible) Sarah Landers b. 2 Oct 1752 Kent, Connecticut (vr and Curtis bible) daughter of Thomas Landers and his first wife Ann Phelps. Sarah was perhaps living with her Phelps relatives in Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York or visited them from nearby Lenox, Massachusetts where her father's family resided and there meant and married Solomon. Their marriage perhaps occurred at Spencertown or Hillsdale, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York where the Curtis family resided and where Sarah's maternal grandparents were residing along with many other Phelps relatives.
An explanation should here be given of the area in which they resided. The territory that now comprises Columbia County was originally in Albany County and was divided into districts, 24 Mar 1772. One of those districts was Claverack and from Clavercak, Hillsdale district was formed, 26 Mar 1782, still being in Albany County. Columbia County was organized 4 Apr 1786 from Albany County and Hillsdale was reorganized as a town, 7 Mar 1788. The Curtis family resided in the northern part of the town of Hillsdale, unofficially known as Spencertown, because of the many members of the Spencer family in that area, which name finally attached itself just to the village. The town of Hillsdale was still further reduced in 1818 when a portion was taken to form the town of Austerlitz, portions also being taken from the towns of Chatham and Canaan. In its (Columbia County) present state, the Curtis family resided in that portion of Hillsdale that became the town of Austerlitz, residing somewhere in the southeastern portion of the town of Austerlitz in or near the picturesque Green River Valley. The town of Austerlitz contains the villages of Austerlitz and Spencertown. The town of Hillsdale contains the village of Green River in the northeastern portion of the town. Because, the town of Austerlitz was not formed until 1818, over twenty years after the Curtis family removed from the town, the Curtis family referred to the area in which they resided as Hillsdale and more specifically as Spencertown, which was the unofficial name of the northern portion of the town of Hillsdale and which is now Austerlitz, though their residence was not in the area of the present village of Spencertown, which name originally applied to a much larger area, but in the Green River Valley area.
Solomon Curtis and his wife Sarah Landers were residing at Spencertown, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York in April 1775 when he entered military service during the Revolutionary War and they were still residing there in the winter of 1780 according to his pension deposition. Pension deposition further relates they lived at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Concord, New York (there is a New Concord in the town of Chatham, which borders the town of Austerlitz) and again at Spencertown, New York, which was sometime between 1780 and 1790 when on the latter date the family was enumerated at Hillsdale Town, Columbia County, New York. Son, Solomon, Jr., is related to have been born at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which date of birth occurred 8 Apr 1786, though no record of his birth can be found there. Daughter, Hannah in the 1865 census enumeration was born in Massachusetts, but in four other census enumerations she was born in New York, and her date of birth was 2 Apr 1782.
There was a Congregational Church organized in the 1760's at what is now the village of Spencertown, which became a Presbyterian Church in 1824, which perhaps the Curtis family were members of. The Congregational Church at Green River (later the Austerlitz Presbyterian Church and located in the village of Austerlitz) was organized 21 March 1792, Solomon and Sarah Curtis being among the original members. At a church meeting, 2 Jan 1793, it was voted to have Sarah Curtis "prounded." And again, on 25 Aug 1793, "Sarah Curtis long before this has been propounded but has neglected to come." The church voted to receive Sarah Curtis as a member, 23 Aug 1795. On 17 Jan 1798 the church voted a letter of recommendation to Solomon Curtis and his wife, Sarah Curtis. The family had removed the year before to the township of Fayette in Tioga County, New York, which soon became the town of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. There is one later church entry on 21 Jan 1800 when the church met and attended to a complaint exhibited by Solomon Curtis, Deacon of the church in Oxford, against Nathaniel Havens, Jr.
Deodatus Curtis, father of Solomon, dated a Will at Canaan, Columbia County in Apr 1793 and named all nine children, including Solomon. The Will was recorded June 1796.
The Curtis family removed from the town of Hillsdale early in 1797 to the Chenango River Valley in Tioga (a portion of Tioga County became Chenango County, 15 March 1798) County, New York settling one and one half miles east of the present village of Oxford. Sarah's uncle, James Phelps had removed there in 1789 from Hillsdale. Solomon Curtis of Oxford, Tioga County, late of Hillsdale in Columbia County, purchased (B:432-3) land, 10 April 1797 from Benjamin Hovey of same for $1,000, being lot number seventy two in the township of Fayette, containing one hundred acres of land. Solomon Curtis and his family were enumerated in the 1800 census of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. On 13 Jan 1809, Solomon purchased additional land of ten acres, being in lot number seventy two, from James Tracy of Oxford.
Solomon and Sarah were members in full communion of the Congregational Church of Oxford, organized 19 Sept 1799 and named the Associated Presbyterian Society of Oxford. The name Presbyterian does not imply that the church was Presbyterian in denomination. Sarah d. 19 Aug 1811. In 1812 the church united with the Union Association, comprised of Congregational Churches. Solomon was appointed deacon at the time of organization, 19 Sept 1799. The records of this church are contained in a book in possession of the Oxford Historical Society, Oxford, New York. Records relate that on 31 Aug 1812 the pastor requested Deacon Solomon Curtis to act as moderator, which he did, at Butternuts, New York for a meeting of the Union Association and on 25 Apr 1824 Deacon Solomon Curtis and brother Solomon Purdy were appointed a committee with the Reverend William Wickham to visit and converse with the several members of the church and to ascertain and report such cases as in their judgement require the exercise of discipline. His good standing within the church declined when on 16 Nov 1825 there were "reports in circulation about Deacon Solomon Curtis, slanderous reports respecting him and Mrs. Seely." There are several pages thereafter in the church records relating and pertaining to Solomon Curtis committing adultery with Mrs. Seely who had left her husband and was living with Solomon. This occurred sometime after the death of Solomon's second wife, which occurred 10 Aug 1823. Mrs. Seely was evidently not a member of the church as no action was taken against her. On 3 Dec 1825 Deacon Solomon Curtis was suspended from the church because of his "criminal conduct." Later, on 31 Dec 1825 members of the church were requested to visit Deacon Curtis and "ascertain the state of his mind with regard to his recent crime." On 2 Mar 1826 he was cut off (excommunicated) from fellowship and communion. There are entries later in 1826 and on 10 Jan 1827 an entry that he had manifested no penitence for his crime of adultery. On 15 Jan 1830 he appeared requesting to be restored to communion, but the records state "same difficulty existing." There are no further entries in later church records pertaining to the case.
State of New York
Chenango County
"On this eleventh of February 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Chenango, now sitting, Solomon Curtis, a resident of Oxford in the County of Chenango and State of New York aged seventy 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1775 he lived in Spencertown now Hillsdale, Columbia County and State of New York and in April of 1775 a report came to Spencertown that there had been a battle at Lexington, Massachusetts and that this deponent being a private in a company of New York militia commanded by Captain John Salisbury, started with said company for Lexington, that when they had reached Barrington in Massachusetts, orders came that the militia need go no further and at Barrington he and the Company were discharged and returned home having been in active service one week.
That in the summer of 1776 he volunteered and enlisted as a minute man for the term of four years in Capt John Salisbury, Lieut James Phelps, Ensign Benjamin Ford, Company of New York State militia in Colonel Whitings Regiment.
That about the time he volunteered and enlisted as aforesaid three tories, whose names are John Savage, Richard Jones and Benjamin Ingraham on Sunday came into the neighborhood of Spencertown where he resided when he with the above named Captain Salisbury and seven men besides this deponent went after said tories and arrested them and carried them to New Canaan about ten miles from Spencertown, that the tories were tried at New Canaan and sentenced to Lewisburg and said tories were rescued at Barrington by 30 or 40 reds whilst they were carrying to Simsbury amidst said tories.
That he was absent from home in active service on this expedition one month.
That sometime during the year 1779 he with the Company aforesaid marched from Spencertown to Fort Edwards and from thence they were ordered to march to the Mohawk valley, that they marched through Schenectady to Stone Arabia and he was in a battle at Stone Arabia and one Colonel Brown was killed and from Stone Arabia they marched to Fort Stanwix where they remained several weeks until some Continental troops came to Fort Stanwix when he with the Company aforesaid was discharged and returned home having been in active service six months.
That during the said summer the enemy destroyed and burned several settlements along the Mohawk valley.
That as he believes in the winter of 1780 he with the Company aforesaid marched to Johnstown where there were about two hundred Highlanders and they took the arms of the said Highlanders and when they returned home from this expedition he with the Company had been absent in actual service for the term of six weeks.
That during the years 1776, '77, '78, '79 and '80 he was absent with the Company aforesaid in active service besides the times and in the manner above mentioned at least four months, that he was out on numerous expeditions against the tories and enemy during said four years in the neighborhood of Spencertown.
That by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear more positively as to the precise length and times of his service as above related but he can swear positively that he was in active service during the Revolutionary war as a private under the officers aforesaid for the term of one year and for such service he claims a pension.
That he could not produce the attendance of a clergyman and another respectable citizen who could testify as to their belief as to his age and the belief of his neighborhood as to this revolutionary service in Court without considerable inconvenience and expense as they reside eight miles distant from the Court and he has caused these affidavits to be hereby annexed.
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service."
"Interrogation prescribed by the War Department.
To the first interrogatory prescribed by the War Department he answers that he was born at East Greenwich (now Warren), Connecticut the 19th February 1755.
To the second he answers that he has a record of his age at home in his bible.
To the third answers that he lived at Spencertown in Columbia County and State of New York when called into service that since the Revolutionary war he had lived at Tyringham, Massachusetts, Concord, Spencertown, and Oxford in the State of New York and that he now lives in Oxford.
To the fourth answers that he always volunteered his services and that he never was a substitute.
To the fifth answers that of the regular officers who were with the troops where he served he recollects Colonel Whiting, Generals Gates and Van Rensalier, that he recollects no Continental Regiment and that of the Militia Regiments, he recollects Colonel Van Schoicks only and that the general circumstances of his service are above as fully set forth as he can recollect.
To the sixth answers that he never received a written discharge from service.
To the seventh answers Uri Tracy, Ira Willcox, and John Tracy, Jost Martle, Oxford.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid."
Solomon Curtis
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 36 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of July 1834 and sent to M. R. Mygatt. Arrears to the 4th of Mar '31 - $109.98. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept '34 - $18.33 totaling $128.31. Died Aug. 27,1838 (pension file S 28697).
Sarah Curtis had d. 19 Aug 1811 59 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Solomon married 25 May 1813 (2)Mrs. Mary Shaw (Curtis bible). Mary Shaw Curtis d. 10 Aug 1823 69 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Sometime after Mary's death and before 16 Nov 1825 when the first dated church record related Solomon's difficulty with the church, Solomon took into his home, Mrs. Annar Seely. Solomon had requested to be restored to communion with the church, 15 Jan 1830, but the record states "same difficulty existing," which would imply, but not stated, that Solomon and Mrs. Seely were not married. Solomon's Will, dated 8 May 1830, less than four months after his request for restoration with the church, related "maintenance of my wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage." Because of this short time span between dated records, it is assumed that Mrs. Seely and Annar are the same person.
Will (D:164) of Solomon Curtis dated 8 May 1830 Oxford. Son, Solomon Curtis, Jr., $2.50 and my wearing apparel. Personal estate to son, Solomon Curtis Jr.; daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Ruthala Sickles, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood; grandson, James Curtis, son of my son, James Curtis, deceased; and my grandchildren, children of daughters, Anna Hurlburt and Elizabeth Moore, deceased. Daughters, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, one equal undivided half part of ten acres of land I bought of James Tracy, the same being a part of the farm on which I now live. The other half part to Samuel Wheeler Esq., of Oxford. Daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, and grandson, James Curtis, one undivided ninth part of all the residue of my real estate. Grandchildren, children of deceased daughter, Anna Hurlburt, one undivided ninth part and children of deceased daughter, Elizabeth Moore, one undivided ninth part. Samuel Wheeler, the remaining two ninths part, and that he receive the rents and profits and pay them unto daughters, Sarah Beverly and Ruthala Sickles. Maintenance of granddaughter, Polly Schofield if she should ever be unable to maintain herself. Maintenance of wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage. Executor, Samuel Wheeler. Witnessed by Ira Willcox, William Gile, William Dalton.
Probate (2091A) states Solomon died a natural death 28 Aug 1838 town of McDonough, Chenango County, New York. Perhaps he was living with or visiting his daughter, Harriet Elwood who was his only child residing in the town of McDonough. Petition of probate cites following heirs:
Annar Curtis, widow, Oxford.
Solomon Curtis, son, Addison, Steuben County, New York.
Mary Enos, daughter, Oxford.
Hannah Mowry, daughter, wife of Washington Mowry, Oxford.
Sarah Beverly, daughter, Guilford, Chenango County, New York.
Altana Elwood, daughter, wife of Nathaniel B. Elwood, German, Chenango County, New York.
Harriet Elwood, daughter, wife of Samuel Elwood, McDonough, Chenango County, New York.
Anna P. Hurlburt, dec'd daughter, left Uri Schofield and Eber Schofield of Addison, New York; Sarah Gibson wife of Peter Gibson and Lucy Short wife of Lorenzo Short, both of Butternuts, New York; James Hurlburt and Levi Hurlburt whose residences are unknown.
Elizabeth Moore, dec'd daughter, left Eliza Smith wife of Daniel Smith, Nathaniel L. Moore, Sylvanus Moore, Jr., Lysander Moore, and Andrew J. Moore all of McDonough, New York; Cynthia Loomis wife of Vinson Loomis of Smithville, New York; and William S. Moore of Guilford, New York.
James L. Curtis, dec'd son, left son, James L. Curtis of Cortlandville, New York.
Ruth Sickles, dec'd daughter, left Harriet Abbey wife of Charles Abbey of Cazenovia, New York; Henry, George, and Fidelia Sickles whose residences are unknown.
Dated 21 Sept 1838.
Whitwood Sickles, a son of Ruthala, was not named in the above petition, but he was named in the following citations.
Citations unto Annar Curtis, Washington Mowry, Hannah Mowry, and Mary Enos of Oxford; Sarah Beverly and William S. Moor of Guilford; Nathaniel B. Elwood and Altana Elwood of German; Samuel Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor, Jr., Lysander Moor, and Andrew J. Moor of McDonough; Vinson Loomis and Cynthia Loomis of Smithville; John B. Wheeler of Oxford, special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, all of Chenango County. Solomon Curtis, Eber Schofield, and Uri Schofield of Addison in the county of Steuben; James L. Curtis of Cortlandville in the county of Cortland; Lorenzo Short and Lucy Short, Peter Gibson and Sarah Gibson of Butternuts in the county of Otsego; Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey of Cazenovia in the county of Madison, all of the state of New York. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, James Hurlburt, and Levi Hurlburt whose places of residence are unknown, being the widow, heirs, and next of kin of Solomon Curtis, late of the town of McDonough in the county of Chenango, whereas Samuel Wheeler, executor named in the Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased has made application to the Surrogate of said county of Chenango to have the will of Solomon Curtis admitted to probate and each of the above cited to appear before the said surrogate at his office in the village of Oxford on 26 day of November 1838 at ten o'clock in the forenoon, dated 21 September 1838.
On the 26th day of November appeared Samuel Wheeler, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Solomon Curtis, and James L. Curtis, whereas Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of the citations issued to Lysander Moor, John B. Wheeler special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., Andrew J. Moor, Vinson Loomis, Cynthia Loomis, Annar Curtis, James L. Curtis, Solomon Curtis, Uri Schofield, Eber Schofield, Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey. Proceedings for the proof of the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased, be adjourned to the 10th day of December at the same place to further notify those upon whom citations had not yet been issued, except Mary Enos who had removed from her former residence to parts unknown by the said executor since the issuing of the first citation.
The citation served to the Abbeys was served at their residence in Fayetteville, New York.
10 December 1838 appeared Samuel Wheeler, Washington Mowry, Samuel Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., William S. Moore, Nathaniel B. Elwood. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, and Annar Curtis appeared by their attorney, Henry R. Mygatt. Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of citations issued to Lorenzo Short, Lucy Short, Peter Gibson, Sarah Gibson, William S. Moor, Washington Mowry, and Samuel Elwood. Further proceedings of subscribing witnesses and executor and the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis proven same day.
Pension record states Solomon died 27 Aug and estate record as 28 Aug. His present memorial marker cannot be considered an accurate record, since his original memorial marker disappeared and the present memorial marker was administered by the veterans administration.
Solomon's third wife, Annar, was living as late as 10 Dec 1838, but no further record is found of her. She was not enumerated in the 1840 census of Oxford as a pensioner, which by law, as his widow, she was entitled to, unless application was not made by her for a pension.
Mary Shaw Curtis, Sarah Landers Curtis, James Curtis, Olive wife of Solomon Curtis, Jr., and Altany Beverly have markers in the Curtis Family Cemetery, one and one half miles east of Oxford, where Solomon Curtis settled. The site is on the west side of Route 220 and south of the Veterans Building and a few yards from the southeast corner of a larger stone enclosed cemetery, opposite the Veterans Cemetery which is on the east side of Route 220. From notes written by Harlow D. Curtis about 1938 he stated “I prowled the Episcopal cemetery up near the Soldiers’ Home . . . . and my eagle eye spied half a dozen old slabs on top of the gravel pit outside the wall of the Episcopal cemetery and I’ll be jiggered if the whole outfit wasn’t Solomon Curtis’s family. Some good Curtises ou(gh)t to take them up and put them inside the wall. A few more loads of gravel out of this pit and their old bones will be exhumed.” Evidently, someone did replace them, as the five memorial markers, spaced evenly, are in a single row, east to west as given above, but it is unknown by me if this is the actual site of where they are buried. A sixth memorial marker, with Solomon's date of birth, regiment, and date of death has been placed between the memorial markers of Sarah and James. Solomon is not buried where the memorial marker has been placed, because of the spacing of the five original memorial markers. His original memorial marker is related to have been vandalized and the new memorial marker was placed there in 1964 by the local Boy Scouts of troop 65 of Oxford under guidance of Mr. Davies, scoutmaster. When Ruth Curtis Brown, a descendant visited the cemetery in 1964 she found a foot marker, inscribed S. C., and relates the marker was Solomon's. Wife, Sarah, also has the initials, S. C., and thus it cannot be ascertained that the foot marker was attributable to Solomon. She further related that portions of Solomon's marker were used in the arch and stoop to the entrance of the cemetery nearby. The dates inscribed on the markers of Sarah and Mary agree with the Curtis family bible record.
The Curtis family bible published in Trenton, printed and sold by Isaac Collins, dated 1793, was in possession of the Oxford Public Library, Oxford, New York some years ago, but is no longer in their possession and was possibly sold at one of their book auctions. Transcription of names and dates below (no locations contained) copied 1934 by Mrs. John B. Meola of the John Harris DAR Chapter, Norwich, New York.
1. Anna Phelps Curtis b. 1 Aug 1775 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz), New York.
2. Elizabeth Curtis b. 29 Dec 1777 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
3. Mary Curtis b. 3 Mar 1780 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
4. Hannah Curtis b. 2 Apr 1782 perhaps Massachusetts.
5. Sarah Curtis b. 23 Mar 1784.
6. Solomon Curtis, Jr., b. 8 Apr 1786 perhaps Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
7. James Curtis b. 31 May 1788.
8. Ruthala Curtis b. 8 Dec 1790 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz).
9. Altana Curtis b. 23 Feb 1793 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz) bpt 31 Mar 1793 Congregational Green River Church.
10. Harriet Curtis b. 15 Apr 1798 Oxford, New York.
Research by J. Kelsey Jones, 1998:
Solomon Curtis b. 19 Feb 1755 (Curtis bible) East Greenwich (that portion that is now Warren), Litchfield County, Connecticut son of Deodatus Curtis and Elizabeth Selden m. 2 Aug 1774 (Curtis bible) Sarah Landers b. 2 Oct 1752 Kent, Connecticut (vr and Curtis bible) daughter of Thomas Landers and his first wife Ann Phelps. Sarah was perhaps living with her Phelps relatives in Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York or visited them from nearby Lenox, Massachusetts where her father's family resided and there meant and married Solomon. Their marriage perhaps occurred at Spencertown or Hillsdale, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York where the Curtis family resided and where Sarah's maternal grandparents were residing along with many other Phelps relatives.
An explanation should here be given of the area in which they resided. The territory that now comprises Columbia County was originally in Albany County and was divided into districts, 24 Mar 1772. One of those districts was Claverack and from Clavercak, Hillsdale district was formed, 26 Mar 1782, still being in Albany County. Columbia County was organized 4 Apr 1786 from Albany County and Hillsdale was reorganized as a town, 7 Mar 1788. The Curtis family resided in the northern part of the town of Hillsdale, unofficially known as Spencertown, because of the many members of the Spencer family in that area, which name finally attached itself just to the village. The town of Hillsdale was still further reduced in 1818 when a portion was taken to form the town of Austerlitz, portions also being taken from the towns of Chatham and Canaan. In its (Columbia County) present state, the Curtis family resided in that portion of Hillsdale that became the town of Austerlitz, residing somewhere in the southeastern portion of the town of Austerlitz in or near the picturesque Green River Valley. The town of Austerlitz contains the villages of Austerlitz and Spencertown. The town of Hillsdale contains the village of Green River in the northeastern portion of the town. Because, the town of Austerlitz was not formed until 1818, over twenty years after the Curtis family removed from the town, the Curtis family referred to the area in which they resided as Hillsdale and more specifically as Spencertown, which was the unofficial name of the northern portion of the town of Hillsdale and which is now Austerlitz, though their residence was not in the area of the present village of Spencertown, which name originally applied to a much larger area, but in the Green River Valley area.
Solomon Curtis and his wife Sarah Landers were residing at Spencertown, Albany (now Columbia) County, New York in April 1775 when he entered military service during the Revolutionary War and they were still residing there in the winter of 1780 according to his pension deposition. Pension deposition further relates they lived at Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Concord, New York (there is a New Concord in the town of Chatham, which borders the town of Austerlitz) and again at Spencertown, New York, which was sometime between 1780 and 1790 when on the latter date the family was enumerated at Hillsdale Town, Columbia County, New York. Son, Solomon, Jr., is related to have been born at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which date of birth occurred 8 Apr 1786, though no record of his birth can be found there. Daughter, Hannah in the 1865 census enumeration was born in Massachusetts, but in four other census enumerations she was born in New York, and her date of birth was 2 Apr 1782.
There was a Congregational Church organized in the 1760's at what is now the village of Spencertown, which became a Presbyterian Church in 1824, which perhaps the Curtis family were members of. The Congregational Church at Green River (later the Austerlitz Presbyterian Church and located in the village of Austerlitz) was organized 21 March 1792, Solomon and Sarah Curtis being among the original members. At a church meeting, 2 Jan 1793, it was voted to have Sarah Curtis "prounded." And again, on 25 Aug 1793, "Sarah Curtis long before this has been propounded but has neglected to come." The church voted to receive Sarah Curtis as a member, 23 Aug 1795. On 17 Jan 1798 the church voted a letter of recommendation to Solomon Curtis and his wife, Sarah Curtis. The family had removed the year before to the township of Fayette in Tioga County, New York, which soon became the town of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. There is one later church entry on 21 Jan 1800 when the church met and attended to a complaint exhibited by Solomon Curtis, Deacon of the church in Oxford, against Nathaniel Havens, Jr.
Deodatus Curtis, father of Solomon, dated a Will at Canaan, Columbia County in Apr 1793 and named all nine children, including Solomon. The Will was recorded June 1796.
The Curtis family removed from the town of Hillsdale early in 1797 to the Chenango River Valley in Tioga (a portion of Tioga County became Chenango County, 15 March 1798) County, New York settling one and one half miles east of the present village of Oxford. Sarah's uncle, James Phelps had removed there in 1789 from Hillsdale. Solomon Curtis of Oxford, Tioga County, late of Hillsdale in Columbia County, purchased (B:432-3) land, 10 April 1797 from Benjamin Hovey of same for $1,000, being lot number seventy two in the township of Fayette, containing one hundred acres of land. Solomon Curtis and his family were enumerated in the 1800 census of Oxford, Chenango County, New York. On 13 Jan 1809, Solomon purchased additional land of ten acres, being in lot number seventy two, from James Tracy of Oxford.
Solomon and Sarah were members in full communion of the Congregational Church of Oxford, organized 19 Sept 1799 and named the Associated Presbyterian Society of Oxford. The name Presbyterian does not imply that the church was Presbyterian in denomination. Sarah d. 19 Aug 1811. In 1812 the church united with the Union Association, comprised of Congregational Churches. Solomon was appointed deacon at the time of organization, 19 Sept 1799. The records of this church are contained in a book in possession of the Oxford Historical Society, Oxford, New York. Records relate that on 31 Aug 1812 the pastor requested Deacon Solomon Curtis to act as moderator, which he did, at Butternuts, New York for a meeting of the Union Association and on 25 Apr 1824 Deacon Solomon Curtis and brother Solomon Purdy were appointed a committee with the Reverend William Wickham to visit and converse with the several members of the church and to ascertain and report such cases as in their judgement require the exercise of discipline. His good standing within the church declined when on 16 Nov 1825 there were "reports in circulation about Deacon Solomon Curtis, slanderous reports respecting him and Mrs. Seely." There are several pages thereafter in the church records relating and pertaining to Solomon Curtis committing adultery with Mrs. Seely who had left her husband and was living with Solomon. This occurred sometime after the death of Solomon's second wife, which occurred 10 Aug 1823. Mrs. Seely was evidently not a member of the church as no action was taken against her. On 3 Dec 1825 Deacon Solomon Curtis was suspended from the church because of his "criminal conduct." Later, on 31 Dec 1825 members of the church were requested to visit Deacon Curtis and "ascertain the state of his mind with regard to his recent crime." On 2 Mar 1826 he was cut off (excommunicated) from fellowship and communion. There are entries later in 1826 and on 10 Jan 1827 an entry that he had manifested no penitence for his crime of adultery. On 15 Jan 1830 he appeared requesting to be restored to communion, but the records state "same difficulty existing." There are no further entries in later church records pertaining to the case.
State of New York
Chenango County
"On this eleventh of February 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Chenango, now sitting, Solomon Curtis, a resident of Oxford in the County of Chenango and State of New York aged seventy 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1775 he lived in Spencertown now Hillsdale, Columbia County and State of New York and in April of 1775 a report came to Spencertown that there had been a battle at Lexington, Massachusetts and that this deponent being a private in a company of New York militia commanded by Captain John Salisbury, started with said company for Lexington, that when they had reached Barrington in Massachusetts, orders came that the militia need go no further and at Barrington he and the Company were discharged and returned home having been in active service one week.
That in the summer of 1776 he volunteered and enlisted as a minute man for the term of four years in Capt John Salisbury, Lieut James Phelps, Ensign Benjamin Ford, Company of New York State militia in Colonel Whitings Regiment.
That about the time he volunteered and enlisted as aforesaid three tories, whose names are John Savage, Richard Jones and Benjamin Ingraham on Sunday came into the neighborhood of Spencertown where he resided when he with the above named Captain Salisbury and seven men besides this deponent went after said tories and arrested them and carried them to New Canaan about ten miles from Spencertown, that the tories were tried at New Canaan and sentenced to Lewisburg and said tories were rescued at Barrington by 30 or 40 reds whilst they were carrying to Simsbury amidst said tories.
That he was absent from home in active service on this expedition one month.
That sometime during the year 1779 he with the Company aforesaid marched from Spencertown to Fort Edwards and from thence they were ordered to march to the Mohawk valley, that they marched through Schenectady to Stone Arabia and he was in a battle at Stone Arabia and one Colonel Brown was killed and from Stone Arabia they marched to Fort Stanwix where they remained several weeks until some Continental troops came to Fort Stanwix when he with the Company aforesaid was discharged and returned home having been in active service six months.
That during the said summer the enemy destroyed and burned several settlements along the Mohawk valley.
That as he believes in the winter of 1780 he with the Company aforesaid marched to Johnstown where there were about two hundred Highlanders and they took the arms of the said Highlanders and when they returned home from this expedition he with the Company had been absent in actual service for the term of six weeks.
That during the years 1776, '77, '78, '79 and '80 he was absent with the Company aforesaid in active service besides the times and in the manner above mentioned at least four months, that he was out on numerous expeditions against the tories and enemy during said four years in the neighborhood of Spencertown.
That by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear more positively as to the precise length and times of his service as above related but he can swear positively that he was in active service during the Revolutionary war as a private under the officers aforesaid for the term of one year and for such service he claims a pension.
That he could not produce the attendance of a clergyman and another respectable citizen who could testify as to their belief as to his age and the belief of his neighborhood as to this revolutionary service in Court without considerable inconvenience and expense as they reside eight miles distant from the Court and he has caused these affidavits to be hereby annexed.
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service."
"Interrogation prescribed by the War Department.
To the first interrogatory prescribed by the War Department he answers that he was born at East Greenwich (now Warren), Connecticut the 19th February 1755.
To the second he answers that he has a record of his age at home in his bible.
To the third answers that he lived at Spencertown in Columbia County and State of New York when called into service that since the Revolutionary war he had lived at Tyringham, Massachusetts, Concord, Spencertown, and Oxford in the State of New York and that he now lives in Oxford.
To the fourth answers that he always volunteered his services and that he never was a substitute.
To the fifth answers that of the regular officers who were with the troops where he served he recollects Colonel Whiting, Generals Gates and Van Rensalier, that he recollects no Continental Regiment and that of the Militia Regiments, he recollects Colonel Van Schoicks only and that the general circumstances of his service are above as fully set forth as he can recollect.
To the sixth answers that he never received a written discharge from service.
To the seventh answers Uri Tracy, Ira Willcox, and John Tracy, Jost Martle, Oxford.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid."
Solomon Curtis
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 36 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of July 1834 and sent to M. R. Mygatt. Arrears to the 4th of Mar '31 - $109.98. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept '34 - $18.33 totaling $128.31. Died Aug. 27,1838 (pension file S 28697).
Sarah Curtis had d. 19 Aug 1811 59 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Solomon married 25 May 1813 (2)Mrs. Mary Shaw (Curtis bible). Mary Shaw Curtis d. 10 Aug 1823 69 years (Curtis bible and memorial). Sometime after Mary's death and before 16 Nov 1825 when the first dated church record related Solomon's difficulty with the church, Solomon took into his home, Mrs. Annar Seely. Solomon had requested to be restored to communion with the church, 15 Jan 1830, but the record states "same difficulty existing," which would imply, but not stated, that Solomon and Mrs. Seely were not married. Solomon's Will, dated 8 May 1830, less than four months after his request for restoration with the church, related "maintenance of my wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage." Because of this short time span between dated records, it is assumed that Mrs. Seely and Annar are the same person.
Will (D:164) of Solomon Curtis dated 8 May 1830 Oxford. Son, Solomon Curtis, Jr., $2.50 and my wearing apparel. Personal estate to son, Solomon Curtis Jr.; daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Ruthala Sickles, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood; grandson, James Curtis, son of my son, James Curtis, deceased; and my grandchildren, children of daughters, Anna Hurlburt and Elizabeth Moore, deceased. Daughters, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, one equal undivided half part of ten acres of land I bought of James Tracy, the same being a part of the farm on which I now live. The other half part to Samuel Wheeler Esq., of Oxford. Daughters, Mary Enos, Hannah Mowry, Altana Elwood and Harriet Elwood, and grandson, James Curtis, one undivided ninth part of all the residue of my real estate. Grandchildren, children of deceased daughter, Anna Hurlburt, one undivided ninth part and children of deceased daughter, Elizabeth Moore, one undivided ninth part. Samuel Wheeler, the remaining two ninths part, and that he receive the rents and profits and pay them unto daughters, Sarah Beverly and Ruthala Sickles. Maintenance of granddaughter, Polly Schofield if she should ever be unable to maintain herself. Maintenance of wife, Aner, as long as she continues my widow and that she retain for herself and heirs all movable effects and household goods she brought into my house upon our marriage. Executor, Samuel Wheeler. Witnessed by Ira Willcox, William Gile, William Dalton.
Probate (2091A) states Solomon died a natural death 28 Aug 1838 town of McDonough, Chenango County, New York. Perhaps he was living with or visiting his daughter, Harriet Elwood who was his only child residing in the town of McDonough. Petition of probate cites following heirs:
Annar Curtis, widow, Oxford.
Solomon Curtis, son, Addison, Steuben County, New York.
Mary Enos, daughter, Oxford.
Hannah Mowry, daughter, wife of Washington Mowry, Oxford.
Sarah Beverly, daughter, Guilford, Chenango County, New York.
Altana Elwood, daughter, wife of Nathaniel B. Elwood, German, Chenango County, New York.
Harriet Elwood, daughter, wife of Samuel Elwood, McDonough, Chenango County, New York.
Anna P. Hurlburt, dec'd daughter, left Uri Schofield and Eber Schofield of Addison, New York; Sarah Gibson wife of Peter Gibson and Lucy Short wife of Lorenzo Short, both of Butternuts, New York; James Hurlburt and Levi Hurlburt whose residences are unknown.
Elizabeth Moore, dec'd daughter, left Eliza Smith wife of Daniel Smith, Nathaniel L. Moore, Sylvanus Moore, Jr., Lysander Moore, and Andrew J. Moore all of McDonough, New York; Cynthia Loomis wife of Vinson Loomis of Smithville, New York; and William S. Moore of Guilford, New York.
James L. Curtis, dec'd son, left son, James L. Curtis of Cortlandville, New York.
Ruth Sickles, dec'd daughter, left Harriet Abbey wife of Charles Abbey of Cazenovia, New York; Henry, George, and Fidelia Sickles whose residences are unknown.
Dated 21 Sept 1838.
Whitwood Sickles, a son of Ruthala, was not named in the above petition, but he was named in the following citations.
Citations unto Annar Curtis, Washington Mowry, Hannah Mowry, and Mary Enos of Oxford; Sarah Beverly and William S. Moor of Guilford; Nathaniel B. Elwood and Altana Elwood of German; Samuel Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor, Jr., Lysander Moor, and Andrew J. Moor of McDonough; Vinson Loomis and Cynthia Loomis of Smithville; John B. Wheeler of Oxford, special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, all of Chenango County. Solomon Curtis, Eber Schofield, and Uri Schofield of Addison in the county of Steuben; James L. Curtis of Cortlandville in the county of Cortland; Lorenzo Short and Lucy Short, Peter Gibson and Sarah Gibson of Butternuts in the county of Otsego; Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey of Cazenovia in the county of Madison, all of the state of New York. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, James Hurlburt, and Levi Hurlburt whose places of residence are unknown, being the widow, heirs, and next of kin of Solomon Curtis, late of the town of McDonough in the county of Chenango, whereas Samuel Wheeler, executor named in the Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased has made application to the Surrogate of said county of Chenango to have the will of Solomon Curtis admitted to probate and each of the above cited to appear before the said surrogate at his office in the village of Oxford on 26 day of November 1838 at ten o'clock in the forenoon, dated 21 September 1838.
On the 26th day of November appeared Samuel Wheeler, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Solomon Curtis, and James L. Curtis, whereas Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of the citations issued to Lysander Moor, John B. Wheeler special guardian of Fidelia Sickles, Hannah Mowry, Sarah Beverly, Nathaniel B. Elwood, Altana Elwood, Harriet Elwood, Daniel Smith, Eliza Smith, Nathaniel L. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., Andrew J. Moor, Vinson Loomis, Cynthia Loomis, Annar Curtis, James L. Curtis, Solomon Curtis, Uri Schofield, Eber Schofield, Charles Abbey and Harriet Abbey. Proceedings for the proof of the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis, deceased, be adjourned to the 10th day of December at the same place to further notify those upon whom citations had not yet been issued, except Mary Enos who had removed from her former residence to parts unknown by the said executor since the issuing of the first citation.
The citation served to the Abbeys was served at their residence in Fayetteville, New York.
10 December 1838 appeared Samuel Wheeler, Washington Mowry, Samuel Elwood, Andrew J. Moor, Sylvanus Moor Jr., William S. Moore, Nathaniel B. Elwood. Henry Sickles, George Sickles, Whitwood Sickles, and Annar Curtis appeared by their attorney, Henry R. Mygatt. Samuel Wheeler produced proof by affidavits of citations issued to Lorenzo Short, Lucy Short, Peter Gibson, Sarah Gibson, William S. Moor, Washington Mowry, and Samuel Elwood. Further proceedings of subscribing witnesses and executor and the last Will and Testament of Solomon Curtis proven same day.
Pension record states Solomon died 27 Aug and estate record as 28 Aug. His present memorial marker cannot be considered an accurate record, since his original memorial marker disappeared and the present memorial marker was administered by the veterans administration.
Solomon's third wife, Annar, was living as late as 10 Dec 1838, but no further record is found of her. She was not enumerated in the 1840 census of Oxford as a pensioner, which by law, as his widow, she was entitled to, unless application was not made by her for a pension.
Mary Shaw Curtis, Sarah Landers Curtis, James Curtis, Olive wife of Solomon Curtis, Jr., and Altany Beverly have markers in the Curtis Family Cemetery, one and one half miles east of Oxford, where Solomon Curtis settled. The site is on the west side of Route 220 and south of the Veterans Building and a few yards from the southeast corner of a larger stone enclosed cemetery, opposite the Veterans Cemetery which is on the east side of Route 220. From notes written by Harlow D. Curtis about 1938 he stated “I prowled the Episcopal cemetery up near the Soldiers’ Home . . . . and my eagle eye spied half a dozen old slabs on top of the gravel pit outside the wall of the Episcopal cemetery and I’ll be jiggered if the whole outfit wasn’t Solomon Curtis’s family. Some good Curtises ou(gh)t to take them up and put them inside the wall. A few more loads of gravel out of this pit and their old bones will be exhumed.” Evidently, someone did replace them, as the five memorial markers, spaced evenly, are in a single row, east to west as given above, but it is unknown by me if this is the actual site of where they are buried. A sixth memorial marker, with Solomon's date of birth, regiment, and date of death has been placed between the memorial markers of Sarah and James. Solomon is not buried where the memorial marker has been placed, because of the spacing of the five original memorial markers. His original memorial marker is related to have been vandalized and the new memorial marker was placed there in 1964 by the local Boy Scouts of troop 65 of Oxford under guidance of Mr. Davies, scoutmaster. When Ruth Curtis Brown, a descendant visited the cemetery in 1964 she found a foot marker, inscribed S. C., and relates the marker was Solomon's. Wife, Sarah, also has the initials, S. C., and thus it cannot be ascertained that the foot marker was attributable to Solomon. She further related that portions of Solomon's marker were used in the arch and stoop to the entrance of the cemetery nearby. The dates inscribed on the markers of Sarah and Mary agree with the Curtis family bible record.
The Curtis family bible published in Trenton, printed and sold by Isaac Collins, dated 1793, was in possession of the Oxford Public Library, Oxford, New York some years ago, but is no longer in their possession and was possibly sold at one of their book auctions. Transcription of names and dates below (no locations contained) copied 1934 by Mrs. John B. Meola of the John Harris DAR Chapter, Norwich, New York.
1. Anna Phelps Curtis b. 1 Aug 1775 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz), New York.
2. Elizabeth Curtis b. 29 Dec 1777 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
3. Mary Curtis b. 3 Mar 1780 Hillsdale (that portion that is now the town of Austerlitz).
4. Hannah Curtis b. 2 Apr 1782 perhaps Massachusetts.
5. Sarah Curtis b. 23 Mar 1784.
6. Solomon Curtis, Jr., b. 8 Apr 1786 perhaps Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
7. James Curtis b. 31 May 1788.
8. Ruthala Curtis b. 8 Dec 1790 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz).
9. Altana Curtis b. 23 Feb 1793 Hillsdale (that portion that is now Austerlitz) bpt 31 Mar 1793 Congregational Green River Church.
10. Harriet Curtis b. 15 Apr 1798 Oxford, New York.
Inscription
SOLOMON
CURTIS SR.
NEW YORK
PVT COL WHITING’S
NEW YORK REGT
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
FEBRUARY 2 1754
AUGUST 28 1838
Family Members
Children
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Anna Phelps Curtis Halbert
1775–1819
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Elizabeth "Betsy" Curtis Moore
1777–1822
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Mary Curtis Enos
1780 – unknown
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Hannah Curtis Mowry
1782–1870
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Sarah "Sally" Curtis Beverly
1784–1868
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Solomon Curtis Jr
1786–1850
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James Curtis
1788–1810
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Ruthala Curtis Sickels
1790–1829
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Altana Curtis Carpenter
1793–1875
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Harriet Curtis Elwood
1798–1895
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