Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 3,275, Solomon Deming, Mass.
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Mass.  Deming, Solomon S3275

carded
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7804
Ohio. Pittsburgh.
_____________________
Solomon Deming.
of Medina in the State of Ohio - 
who was a Private in the company of commanded by Captain Marshall of the Regiment commanded by Col. Brewer in the Mass line for twelve months.
_______________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. Pittsburgh. at the rate of 40. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
_______________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of April 1833 and sent to J. Hudson, Medina. Ohio.
________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833.  80.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833.  20.00
_______
$100.00
_______

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
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Declaration of Solomon Deming a Revolutionary soldier in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 entitled an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the remaining officers and soldiers of the Revolution.

The State of Ohio. Medina County
Supreme Court
August 31 A.D. 1832

On the 31st day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before Joshua Collett and Ebenezer Lane, judges of the Supreme Court, of said state in and for said county now Solomon Deming, a resident of the township of Brunswick, county of Medina and state of Ohio, aged sixty-nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, do (illegible) his said oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 entitled "an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the remaining officers and soldiers of the Revolution."

I, Solomon Deming, a Revolutionary soldier, being of lawful age and duly sworn do on my own said oath depose and say that according to my family record which is now in my possession and as I have heard my parents say and as I believe that I was born on the 26th day of April A.D. 1763 at Sandisfield, Berkshire county and state of Massachusetts.  When I first entered the revolutionary service, I was living in Sandisfield.  Since the revolutionary war, I lived in Sandisfield about 29 years, then in Lee in said Berkshire Co. about 2 years and since that time in said Brunswick where I now reside.  As near as I can recollect, I was called into the service in this way - orders came from what I understood to raise what were called 9 month men to fill up the continental regiments during that time so that the regiments might be full - I enlisted as engaged for 9 months accordingly and was first mustered
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mustered at Sandisfield in Massachusetts by Capt. Marshall, a continental officer.  His Christian name I do not remember that I ever knew - I cannot tell the exact time I was mustered but I think it was sometime in July 1779 but we joined our regiment at West Point either on the 5th or the 15th of August in that year.  There was a company of nine-month recruits who marched under Capt. Marshall from Sandisfield to Hartford in Connecticut, through Litchfield and on to West Point.  We halted a day or two in Hartford and Litchfield to procure provisions and on account of the weather, which (was) very warm - after joining the regiment, our company officers were Capt. John Williams, I think his name was, Lieut. Joseph Foot, we had no ensign.  I have forgotten the names of the other officers - We eloped to the 12th Massachusetts regiment; I suppose in the continental establishment it was called Col. Brewer's regiment, but I never saw him.  The regiment was commanded at any rate the latter part of the time I belonged to it by Col. Sproust.  I have forgotten the names of the other field officers- our company was always called Capt. Stone's company.  Stone, I never saw him.  We belonged to Gen. Patterson's brigade the number of which I have forgot.  Gen. Washington was commander in chief at the point.  I saw him often - Gen. Green was there.  His marquee stood but a short distance from our quarters right in front of our regiment between us and the river.  General Washington's marque was at the end of the north point and our regiment was at the south end.  I saw Gen. Green almost every day.  I do not recollect the names of any of the several officers there.  There were several thousand regular troops there, perhaps 12 or 14,000 being Gen. Washington's headquarters for the season.  I was a waiter to Lieut. Foote during the whole 9 months and my duty was to obey his orders.  I seldom went on fatigue with the other troops my station as waiter not requiring it.  In the fall, after cold weather began to set in, our regiment was sent up to Fishkill to winter quarters and most of the other regiments were dispersed to different parts for that (illegible).  The regiment went into barracks where the men had no other duty to do but to stand guard and get wood - Gen. Knox was with us at the Fishkill and made it his quarters for the winter and was there a great share of the time.
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Lieut. Foote quartered about 2 1/2 miles from the  regiment in a northwest direction from the barracks with his family.  I lived with him till I was discharged which was either on the 5th or 15th of April 1780 - I received a wage I think signed by Col. Sprout which I left with Foote to collect my pay with - he collected my pay as I found out afterwards from him and (illegible) and I never got any of my pay - nor did I get my discharge back.  It was lost as I suppose by Foot.  I served out my nine months and (illegible) home.  My next service was in the same year 1780 - I enlisted or rather volunteered with 14 others in Sandisfield under Capt. Noah Warren of New Marlborough in Berkshire County a militia officer.  Our object was to serve the country wherever we were ordered.  Our lieutenant was Norton from London now Otis in Berkshire Co.  His Christian name I do not remember.  Our ensign was Chadwick from Eltringham and orderly sergeant was Lacey afterwards a militia general.  I do not recollect any of the other (illegible) officers- we rendezvoused at Claverack in the state of New York.  We marched from there to Albany where we rested a day or two - from there we marched to Schenectady.  From there to Fort Plank a mile west of Fort Plain.  Our regiment all assembled at Fort Plain in a few days and was commanded by Col. John Brown, a militia officer 
I do not recollect any of the other requested officers as our company was with the regiment but little being plagued almost the whole time in scouting against the Indians.  We were right in the lines among the Indians and constantly (illegible) by several (illegible) duty in scouting against them frequently stationed at daybreak and not getting back until dark without anything to eat.  I was during this time 3 days without eating anything. No day but one before my time was out, we were led into an ambuscade (illegible) supposed by a spy of the enemy who offered to Col. Brown to conduct him to the enemy.  About 240 of us had been out scouting under the colonel.  He (illegible) us to be piloted by this pretended friend who kept close to him into a large clearing where there was an orchard.  We were halted in the orchard and while somewhat dispensed collecting apples we received a heavy fire from a large body of the enemy who rose from the log fence that partly surrounded the lot.  None were killed in the lot except Col. Brown who fell the
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the first line shot as we conjectured by the spy himself.  We immediately formed a line and facing the enemy took then five rounds, but finding they were closing round us, orders were given to retreat and each man take care of himself- about 40 of our own men were killed on the retreat about half of them with tomahawks by the soldiers.  We retreated then next to our fort at a place called Stoney Arabia [Stone Arabia] on the north side of the Mohawk River a little below Fort Plain on the opposite side of the river.  The next day our party was set out to bring in the dead who died in the attempt.  It was (illegible), for we were attacked by about 800 British Canadians and Indians.  Gen. Van Rensselaer arrived at Fort Plain with a larger body of militia before the battle, but did not come to our assistance but after the battle.  The enemy passed closely the old fort in which we were - as soon as they had passed by Gen. Van Resselaer crossed the river with his forces and fell on their rear and scattered them considerably taking from them 2 brass four pounders. The battle in which I was engaged took place (illegible) very in a southeasterly direction from fort Plain on the opposite side of the river.  These transactions took place about the time that (illegible) was planning his treasonable sin and it was supposed that this body of the enemy was sent to decoy the militia as far into the country as possible to aid the operation of his designs.  We served out our 3 months and were then marched back to Albany and so on towards home by an (illegible) as was his home of residence in New Marlboro.  I got my pay or rather my father did after a while if I recollect, but where it was returned I do not remember if I ever knew.  I think it must have been 8 dollars a month as that was considered soldiers' wages.  Our time was out about the last of October or first. (illegible) if I recollect right.  I enlisted quite the last of July or the first of August.  After this, I served no more during the war.  My whole time of service was just under one year.  There were no regular troops at Fort Plain or Continental Officers that I knew.  I know of no person living by whom I can know my service or anyone out there, unless it be Simeon Deming who I understand was lately living at a place called Waterford, about 12 miles from Marietta, in this state who was with me during my 3 month tour - among the persons living in my present neighborhood who can certify to my character for veracity and chief of my services as a soldier of
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the revolution I will mention the names of Jacob (3) Ward a Methodist Preacher, Col. John Freese, Bill Freese, Abraham Freese, William P. Stevens, Andrew Deming, Ezra Somers, Henry Bogue, John Stearns, John Hulet and many others by whom I have been long and well know.  And I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the (illegible) and furthermore declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state or country whatsoever to my knowledge.  Perhaps it would be well to mention that I am now and have been for a long time a cripple and unable to get about except by the help of crutches.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio sitting in and for the count of Medina same state, prefixed to this declaration in open court this 31st day of August A.D. 1832.
Solomon Deming
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 31st day of August 
Tim Hudson Clerk
Deposition of Jacob Ward a Methodist preacher touching the matter of the application and declaration above mentioned of Solomon Deming, a revolutionary soldier, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7, 1832 entitled an act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers, and soldiers of the revolution.
I, Jacob Ward, a preacher of the gospel of the Methodist connection residing in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio and in the immediate vicinity of the aforesaid applicant, Solomon Deming, being of lawful age and duty  sworn do  (illegible) said oath depose and say - that I have been well acquainted with the said applicant for about 15 years.  That I believe he is the age he represents in his aforesaid declaration - that he has always been refuted in this
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neighborhood to have been a revolutionary soldier.  I never heard any denial or question and fully concur in that opinion.  That he is a man of good character in all respects and that I have no doubt but that the facts he has stated in said declaration are strictly true.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand under the seal of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, sitting in and for the county of Medina in said state prefixed to said declaration in open court, this 31st day of August A.D. 1832.
Jacob Ward
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 31st day of August 1832.
Timothy Hudson Clerk
Deposition of Andrew Deming and Bill W. Freese touching the aforesaid matter.  We Andrew Deming and Bill Freese residents of Brunswick, Medina, Ohio and living in the immediate vicinity of the aforesaid applicant more than 17 years that we have no doubt he is of the age he represents to his aforesaid declaration.  That during all the time of our acquaintance with him he has been generally reputed and believed to have been a revolutionary soldier and to have performed the services he has stated in said declaration.  We never heard it denied or disputed, and fully concur ourselves in that belief.  That he is a man of good character in all respects and that we have no doubt whatever but that the facts he has stated in said declaration are strictly true.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands under the seal of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, setting in and for the county of Medina in said state, (illegible) to said declaration in open court this 31st day of August A.D. 1832.
Andrew Deming
Bill W. Freese

Sworn and subscribed to before on this 31 August A.D. 1832.  Tim Hudson Clerk
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Official Certificate of said expert touching
said matter, touching the interrogations by which put to said applicant Solomon Deming and the character and credibility of the aforesaid deponents, [This section crossed out]
--
And the said court do hereby declare their
opinion after a full investigation of the matter aforesaid,
and after putting the interogatores prescribed by the War
Department, that the above named applicant Solomon Deming was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - and
the court further certifies, that it appears to them that the said Solomon Deming
who has signed said declaration
is a resident of Brunswick, Medina Co. Ohio and that the
aforesaid Jacob Ward who has signed this deposition aforesaid is a
preacher as he states and that he and the aforesaid other
deponents who have signed their respective depositions are
all residents of said Brunswick, and all credible persons
that their statements are entitled to credit, and that we concur with them in opinion. [This sentence crossed out "and that Timothy Hudson clerk of said court."]

[This entire section crossed out]
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set
our hands and the seal of the Supreme Court of the state of Ohio, 
sitting in and for the county of Medina, in said state, before said declaration, in open court this 31 of
day of
August
A. D. 1832
Judges of said court

Official certificate of the Clerk of said Court, -
the State of Ohio 
Medina County
Supreme Court,
August Term 18e2
Be remembered that I
Timothy Hudson Clerk of said
Court certify that on this 31st
day of August A.D. 1832
Personally appeared in open
court, Joshua Collett
and
Ebenezer Land
Judges of said
Court, being a court of record and
severally signed theirin
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[The text below is crossed out]
names to the aforesaid official certificate and
that the signatures,
annexed thereto are their 
genuine sentences, - and I do further certify that the aforesaid  applicant Solomon Deming, and the aforesaid
deponents Jacob Heard, Andrew Deming and Bill W.

Incese,
this day appeared in said
court and then and there in due [illegible] of law by
said court, in open court,
Sworn to their several and
respective declaration and depositions and signed the same, and that the signature thereto are their  genuine
signatures respectively, and that the foregoing contains the
actual proceedings
of the said court in the matter of the
application of said Solomon Deming for a pension - 

In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and the seal of my office this 31st
day of August
A.D. 1832
Clerk
of said County


Medina Sup Court
--
Aug Term 1832
--
Declaration  of Solomon Deming a revolutionary soldier
Filed 31 Aug 1832
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Medina Sup. Court
--
Aug Term 1832
--
Interrogations put to Solomon Deming a revolutionary soldier
10.049
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The State of Ohio
Medina County
Supreme Court
August Term 1832
Interrogates first by said court to Solomon Demming
a revolutionary soldier making his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of  the act of congress passed June 7, 1832
entitled "an act, supplecating to an act for the relief of the remaining officers and soldiers of the revolution"
Interogates 1st when, and in what year were you
born? - Ans. [answer] - at Sandisfield, Berkshire Co. Massachusetts, April 26th 1763 -
Int 2d. Have you any record of your age: and
if so where is it? - Ans. I have a family record in my possession
Int. 3d - where were you living when called into service - where have you lived since the revolutionary war and
where do you now live? Ans,  When called into the service I was living in Sandisfield, - Since the war I have lived in said Sandisfield, in Lee in said county of Berkshire and since in Brunswick Medina Co. Ohio where I now live, -
---
Int, 4th How were you called into the service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom? Ans. I enlisted a volunteer, - 

Int 5th - State the names of the regular troops when you served; [illegible word] continental and militia regiments or you can
recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Ans, I do not recollect many of the names of the regular troops, - I recollect Gen
Washington, Gen Green, and Gen, Patterson.

Int. 6th - Have you  ever received a discharge from the service: and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Ans, [This line is crossed out:I never received a written discharge.] - I once received a written discharge, which is lost.
Int 7th State the names of persons to whom you
have in your present my hand, and who can testify as to
your character for ___ and belief --- service as a soldier of the revolution. - Ans - Jacob Beer, John Freese, Bill W. Freese, Graham Treen, William P. Stevens,
Andrew Deming, Ezra Jones, Henry Boyune, John Stevens and John Holt

Solomon Deming

Sworn & subscribed to before me this Sixth day of August
A.D. 1832
Tim Hudson Clk. S.C. [Timothy Hudson Clerk, Supreme Court]
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The document display is an upside down image of the document transcribed on Image 11.
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The State of Ohio
Medina County

I Timothy Hudson, Clerk of the Court
Supreme Court of said state
when held within and for said County,
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Solomon Deming for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of Sept A. D. 1832
Tim Hudson [illegible words]
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10,049
7.804.
Solomon Deming
Ohio
On roll
12 Mass Regt
Adm for 12 months
from 1779 - $40
Timothy Hudson Esqr
Medina. P.O
Clerk of the Court
Medina. O.
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BRIEF in the case of
Solomon Deming of the County of
Medina in the State of
Ohio. (6)
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
S. How old is he?
Sixty nine
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1779
Duration of Service.
Years,
-
Months,
9
Days.
-
Rank,
As a private as a 9 months man.
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
(12th Mass regiment.)
Col - Brewer - Capt Marshall
Capt. John Williams, Lieut
Joseph Foot. Col. Sprout

Period.
Entered again in 1780.
Duration of Service.
Years,
-
Months,
3
Days.
-
Rank,
As a private 
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Gen Patterson's (Brigade)
Cap. Noah Warner, Lieut North,
Col J. Brown.
5. In what battles was he engaged? none specified Except skirmishes
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sandisfield, Mass.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary Evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
J [illegible] Duncan
Examining Clerk.
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BRIEF objection to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Solomon Deming
which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Opinion partly [illegible word] & not signed
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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(7 )
2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ________year ______months,
, and ____days, I served as a--- For ____months
and ____days, I served as a____; and for such service I claim a pension.
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(8)
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Pension Office
Decr. 27. 1835.
Sir,
I have the honor to return the letter
of Mr Canfield, and to inform you that a Solomon
Deming of Medina, Ohio, was pensioned under the Act of 1832, and that Simeon Deming of Watertown, Ohio, applied for a pension but his case was disallowed.
To which of these cases Mr. Canfield refers to I have no means of ascertaining. If he will give further information and make known the purpose of his enquiries,
I will give a report in the case
Very respectfully
R. McRae
for Commr

Hon B. F. Wade,
U.S. Senate
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3275
INVALID. Pen
Rev War
File No. 8275
Solomon Deming
Pri. Mass Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 92
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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11
Pension Office, February 8, 1856.
The third Auditor will please certify the date to which the
within named pensioner was paid.
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servant, [Your Obedient Servant]
R. McRae
For Commissioner

3d Auditor's Office
Feby 11, 1836.
Sir.
The within named (Solomon Deming )
pensioner has been paid to 4 March 1848.
Very Respectfully
Your obt sevt [Your Obedient Servant]
[illegible name]
Auditor
J. Minot Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
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(12)
B. F. Wade
Finch
Hon Josiah Minet Comm of Pen [Commissioner of Pensions]
Washington D.C.

Cole
Page 24

10
Washington Feby 4th 1850
[illegible] Jr

I herewith transmit to
the Pension Office. Your letter of
the 27th Jan with the Exply of
the Hon Harman Canfield in answer
to the same. I hope his answer
will be sufficiently explicit to
enable you to investigate the
case -
with Great Respect
I have the honor to
be
B. F. Wade