Several documents in the exhibition, Legends and Lore, have transcriptions to help recognize their significance. If the item has an online entry a link is also provided for more information.
Private Woodruff’s pension application is held in the collection of the National Archives. A digital version is available on their website, linked here.
Transcript
State of New York
County of Livingston
On this 27th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the County Courts of Livingston County aforesaid now sitting Oliver Woodruff a resident of the town Livonia in the County of Livingston aforesaid aged 77 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 7 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
That he enlisted into a Company commanded by Captain Barzily [Bezaleel] Beebe – Lieutenant – Foote – Ensign Thomas Captain – Marched from Litchfield in the State of Connecticut to Fort Ticonderoga in the State of Connecticut [crossed out] New York and was attached to a Regiment commanded by Colo Timothy Hinhan Major David Welch. General Schuyler commanded the Troops at that place. General Montgomery was then a while until he sailed down the Lake to St. John. Employed in making boats and procuring materials, building bridges &c. Enlisted about the last of April or first of May for six months, and was discharged in the month of November of first of December cant recollect the exact time, received no written discharge The above service was rendered in the year 1775
That in the month of February 1776 enlisted into a company company commanded by Captain Bargely [Bezaleel] Beebe John Smith 1st Lieutenant Thomas Catten 2nd and waite Beach Ensign The company marched from Litchfield
in the State of Connecticut to Norwalk and from thence to New York City after staying there something like two weeks were ordered to cross the North River into the Jerseys down to Buskirk Point opposite Statten [Staten] Island and in plain view of the British fleet during his stay at that place was engaged in a number of small skirmishs [skirmishes].
Continued there until the British took posesion [possession] of Long Island in full view of the Battle. and continued at the point until the Enemy took posesion [possession] of the City of New York after which we were ordered to march and did march as far north as the town of Bergen opposite of New York after staying there a short time during which time the Enemy were marching toward White plains. was ordered to march and did march to the north as far as what was then called English Neighborhood was in General Greenes Brigade. Was then Employed in building Fort Lee. on the West Bank of the North River.
about the first of October was order to and crossed the River to Fort Washington directly opposite of Fort Lee, nothing particularly occurred except some few skirmishes until the 15th day of November when a flag was sent from the enemy demanding the surrender of the fort Colo Magaw replied he should hold posesion [possession] as long as he could. The troops prepared to receive an attack during the night of the 15th about the [crossed out] day light of the morning of the 16th. the Fort was attacked the [crossed out] on three sides firing continued without cesation [cessation] until as near as he can recollect about three oclock when the troops retreated from the alarm Posts into the inside of the Fort and a flag was received and the Fort Captilated [capitulated]and gave up their arms. Were then marched to Harleam [Harlem] Village the same night (Saturday)
and continued there until the next [night crossed out] day without anything to eat or drink even the skin of a Potatoe except the pith of an old cabbage stump which he found in the garden on Wednesday aforesaid marched to New York and were there placed in different Prison. he with Eight hundred and fifteen others were imprisoned in New Bridewell then unfinished with loose floors and no windows. first food after captivity was on Thursday morning continued until sometime in January 1777 without fire suffering more than has ever been written or told.
went from said prison to a ship called the Glasgow and moved from New York harbor in harl [Hell] gate and when she cast anchor when she lay for 10 or 12 days during which time 28 of the [crossed out Prisoners died from from disease occasioned by hard treatment] and hunger.
in the month of February were landed at Old Milford in Connecticut during the first night 19 died out of the 200 that landed aforesaid. and out of the thirty three of Captain Beebe’s company that were made prisoners only two beside himself ever received at home.
Was born in the town of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut in the year 1755. 30 of April Record in Large Bible Lived in Litchfield when called into service Called into service as above recited After the Revolution lived in Litchfield until the year 1803 when he moved in the term of Livonia where he now lives Never rec a written discharge