oseph⁵ Landers (Thomas⁴, Ebenezer³, Thomas^2-1), born 2 Feb. 1763, died in Upper Lisle, Broome Co., New York, 7 Sept. 1845 (The Cooley Genealogy, 1941, p.872)¹.

He married at Lee, Mass. 16 Jan. 1785 Deborah Ryder of Barnstable, born October 1764, died at Upper Lisle [?] 29 June 1843 (Was she a daughter of Nathaniel and Bathsheba (Hinckly) Ryder of Barnstable ?)

In his deposition dated 9 Oct. 1832 Joseph Landers states:

"I was born on the 2d day of February 1763 at Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Mass. I continued to live at Lenox until February 1786, from which place we moved to Bainbridge, Chenango County [New York]. I have a record of my birth in my family Bible, now in my possession." Of his military service he stated: "I enlisted on the 1st day of July 1779 in the town of Lenox where I resided in the County of Berkshire, State of Mass., in Capt. Miller’s company, 8th Company, 12th Mass. Regiment, Col. Brewer.... Enlisted for nine months. Ordered to Springfield, Mass. Marched to West Point on the Hudson River, went through Stockbridge, Barrington, Sheffield, Salisbury, Sharon Farm, King’s Ferry, Stony Point and crossed the Hudson to New Jersey.... to Elizabeth Town, General Layfayette took command of us and was with us at Elizabeth Town Point. I was honorably discharged at West Point 1 Jan. 1781. My original discharge was signed by Gen. Vose.... In October 1782 I was a private in Capt. Stephen Newell’s Company, enlisted at Lenox, on an alarm of the enemy coming down from Canada... to Bemus Heights, Saratoga, New York [a false alarm - out one month]" (National Archives - Pension record # S 13,712). Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors in the War of the Revolution, 9:464, adds the information that on a return dated 16 July 1779 Joseph Landers is described as: "aged 17 years; stature 5 ft. 6 inches; complexion: light".

1. The dates of birth and death of Joseph & Deborah (Ryder) Landers, as well as the date of their marriage, are taken from The Cooley Genealogy. It is noted here that data was supplied by Elvira⁷ Landers Lyon (daughter of John⁶ Landers) from her family Bible. We find no record of the marriage in the Vital Records of Lee, nor original birth and death records. However, the deposition of this Joseph⁵ Landers stated that he had a family Bible, which may have descended to this granddaughter, who lived until 1926.

[Lydia B. (Phinney) Brownson and Maclean W. McLean, "Thomas1 Landers of Sandwich, Mass.," NEHGR 278]

Deposition of Joseph Landers, October 9, 1832
I enlisted on the first day of July 1779, in the Town of Lenox (where I resided) in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts in Captain Miller’s Company Called the Eighth Company in the 12th Massachusetts Regiment. Brewer was Colonel, one Bealow was orderly sergeant. I do not recollect the names of any other of the officers. I enlisted for nine months. I was ordered to Springfield Hampshire County Massachusetts the place of Rendesvous where I was mustered into service. From Springfield I together with about 300 recruits was marched to West Point on the Hudson River, went thro Litchfield Conn Kent & Dover direct to West Point. I continued at the point performing fatigue duty princapally untill about the 25th day of November. The fatigue duty was working on the fortifications. I took my turn standing guard. I was frequently on guard where the big chain was stretched across the River. While I was at the point General Patterson with his Brigade was there. Genl McDougal I think was there a part of the time. About the last of November I went into my Regiment down the Hudson River in boats to Parksville. We staid there one night. The next day we marched to New Burgh, where I staid late the 10th day of April as a guard to the public stores, when & where I was honorably discharged, having been in the service nine months & ten days. My discharge was signed by Lieut. Miller he then acting as Captain. I have lost this discharge. I can prove this period of service by Ebenezer Landers of Bainbridge County of Chenango & State of New York.

On the first day of July 1780 I again enlisted as private at Lenox aforesaid in Captain Owen Stoddard’s Company of infantry in the Massachusetts State troops for six months. Stoddard lived in Stockbridge Berkshire County aforesaid. Hollister of Lenox was Lieu. ?unant Williams was orderly Sergeant. Joseph Vose was Colonel of the Regiment. It was called the 1st Company in the 1st Massachusetts Regiment. From Lenox we were marched to West Point through Stockbridge, Barrington, Sheffield, Salisbury, Sharon Corners there in to Fishkilt and thence to West Point. I staid there a few days. I then was marched with the whole Brigade (I do not recollect the General’s name) over the River to Robinson’s farms nearby opposite the point. Here we encamped about two weeks. From there I was marched with the Brigade to Parksvill, where we staid about two weeks. From there we went to Kings ferry at Stoney Point and crossed over the Hudson in to Jersey, where we encamped at Orange town about four weeks. From thence we marched to a place called Totoway in Jersey where we staid a short time. From thence we marched to Crane town, Jersey near the English neighborhood, where we staid a short time. From thence we marched to Elizabeth town Point with a view of crossing over to Statten Island. Here we were disappointed in procuring boats & could not go on to the Island. General La Fayette took command of us at Totoway, and was with us at Elizabeth Town Point. From thence we come back to our Camp at Cranes town where we staid a few days. Then we went again to Totoway where we staid a few days. From thence we went to West Point where we arrived on the first day of December. I remained there at Fort Webb doing garrison duty untill I was honorably discharged on the first day of January 1781. The original discharge signed by Col. Vose is hereunto annexed. I was in the service this time six months.

In October 1782 I was a private in Captain Stephen Newel’s Company at Lenox aforesaid. An alarm came that the enemy was coming down from Canada. I volunteered with a part of the Company & marched from Lenox to Bennes Heights, near Saratoga New York. We here ascertained that it was a false alarm. I was out this time about one month.

I was born on the second day of February 1763 at Stockbridge Berkshire County Massachusetts. I continued to live in Lenox untill February 1786. From which place I then removed to Bainbridge Chenango County New York, where I have ever since resided and still reside. I have a Record of my age in the family Bible now in my possession.

I have stated how I entered the service as also the names of my discharge.

I am well acquainted with John C. Clark & Levi Bigelow Esquire of Bainbridge aforesaid & they are well acquainted with me. They can testify as to my character for veracity, and as to the belief of my age & services as a soldier in the army of the Revolution. [Pension Record S 13,712 - National Archives]

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