Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30325, Joseph Chilson, R.I.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Chilson Joseph
NUMBER
S. 30325
CONTENTS
Page 2

15.603
Massachusetts
Joseph Chilson
of Franklin in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Angel of the Regt command
by Col Bowing in the Rhode Island
line for 15 mos. 25 days Private
Mila
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 52 Dollars 78 cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of
Pension issued the 21 day of June
1833
and sent to E. Alvord
Greenfield Mass
-
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $105.56 
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept
26.39 ┃
-
$131.95 ┃
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by J W Clagett Clerk
Book # Vol. 2 Page 12
Page 3

Joseph Chilson
Buckland
22344

Declaration of
Joseph Chilson for
Pension
in of [illegible] courts
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY SS.
ON THIS Seventeenth day of October A.D. 1832, personally Court of Probate
appeared in open Court, before the said Commonwealth, now sitting at Buckland within and for the said County of Franklin by adjournment Joseph Chilson A resident of 
Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty one
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth,
on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an 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. Joseph Chilton of Buckland in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts was born in the town of Smithfield in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island this
day of your. in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred fifty one, I have no family
times of all the following enlistments and drafts & lived in
Smithfield aforesaid, I enlisted a minute man into a company of Militia commanded by Capt. John
Angel the Lieutenants name was Thomas Oney in the fall of the year of our Lord 1774, was called into
the service of the United States with said Company a number of times. The first time I was called on
was in the spring of the year of our Lord 1775 I think in the month of May we marched from 
Smithfield aforesaid to Providence in the same state and there received our Amenition, the day
we marched to Patiett Bridge and there we were dismissed served three days. In Nov. following we
were called into the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield aforesaid to Providence
aforesaid thence to Warick in the same state and served guarding the stores under capt 
in Ephraim Bowings Reg. two months then dismissed at Warrick had no written discharge in the ┃
month of Feb 1776 we were called into the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield
aforesaid to Warrick aforesaid the Reg. commanded by Col. S. Bowing guarding the
shares one month then were dismissed at Warwick had no written discharge. In the month of
1776 we were called into the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield
aforesaid to Providence aforesaid and served under Capt John Angel in a Ray. commanded to both
owing guarding the stores and other duty two months then were dismissed had no written discharge
In the month of Sept. 1776 we were called into the service of the United States and marched from
Smithfield aforesaid to Providence aforesaid and served under Capt. John Angel and Col. E. Bowing
guarding the shores one month on & quarter then were dismissed had no written discharge. In the
of Nov. 1776 we were called into the service of the United States and marched from
Smithfield aforesaid to Providence aforesaid and served under other offices their
I cannot recollect guarding the shores one month then were dismissed had no written
discharged. In the month of Feb. in the year of our Lord 1777 we were called into the ┃
service of the United States and marched from Smithfield aforesaid to Warren in the same ┃
State and served under Capt John Angel guarding the shores and other duty two months
then were dismissed at Warren had no written discharge. In the month of Oct. 1777 
again called into the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield aforesaid 
to Bristol in the same state and served under Capt. Angel the Cols name I do not asked 
guarding the shores one month then were desired at Bristol had no written discharge which
and the three years that I served a minute man. In the month of April 1778 there was an
also and I was drafted into the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield
aforesaid to Providence aforesaid and served in a company commanded by Capt Jenks
in Col. Atwell Reg. guarding the shores half of one month there was dismissed had no written
discharge in Sept 1778 I was drafted into the service of the United and marched from the
aforesaid to Newport in the same state and served under Capt. Benjamin Baton in Colwell
Reg. of Mattia guarding the Island one month then was dismissed at Newport had no written discharge
the month of Feb 1778 I was drafted into the service of the United States and marched from
Smithfield aforesaid to Tivertown in the same state and served in a company of Militia commanded
by Capt. Benjamin Belon the Colonels name I cannot recollect guarding the stores one month
there was dismissed at Tivertown had no written discharge. In the month of Sept. 1779 was
into the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield aforesaid to Tivertownand
served in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Eleven years in Col. Atwell Reg.
half of one months then was dismised at Tivertown had no written discharge. In the month of August ┃
1780 was drafted into the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield aforesaid to ┃
Newport aforesaid and served in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Oney in lot
Madison Reg. half of one months in which time I was in a battle under Gen. Sullivan, was
Newport had no written discharge. In the month of August 1781 I was drafted into the service of the
United States and marched from Smithfield aforesaid to Newport aforesaid and served in a company of
Martin Commanded by Capt. Benjamin Balon the Colonels name I do not recollect one month then was
died at Newport had no written discharge. Soon after I think in the month of Oct. 1781 a drafted
the service of the United States and marched from Smithfield aforesaid to Providence aforesaid from thence to
Newport aforesaid and served in a company of Militia commanded by said Barnet in a Reg. commanded
half of one month then was dismissed at Newport had no written discharge of an
Dora
unto any of my service, making in all account of ten months
the day
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that
his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
N.C. Newman
Judge of Probate
Joseph Chilson
, Benjamin F. Clark Clergyman and Joseph Griswold Esq
Page 5

day
and
the
R.
the being there. I have no documentary evidence, and I know of no person whose testimony I can
[illegible] to any of my series, making in all a term of fifteen and

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that
his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
. Newark
Judge of Probate
Joseph Chilson
WE, Benjamin
Clark Clergyman and Joseph Griswold Esq
residing in
Burklane
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Joseph Chilson
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we
believe him to be eighty one
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
R. E. Newcomb Judge of Probate
Joseph Griswold

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary 
Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Benjamin F. Clark 
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said town of Buckland, and Joseph Griswold Esq who has also signed  the same is a Justice of the Peace resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
R E Newcomb Judge of Probate
Benjamin F. Clark Joseph Griswold

I, ELIJAH ALVORD, Registrar of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Chilson
for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this
seventeenth day of October
in the year of our LORD one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord Reg. Prob
Page 6

No. 22349

Joseph Chilson Franklin County Massachusetts

Private 15 mos. 25 days
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Chilson
County of Franklin in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?\

3. How old is he? 81 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Minute Man
Enlisted In 1774-1775
called Nov. 1775 - 
Called Feby 1776 - 
Augt 1776 - 
Sep 1776 - 
Nov. 1776 - 
Feby 1777 - 
Oct 1777 - 

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
 - - 3
- 2 -
- 1 -
- 2 -
- 1 - 7 
- 1 - 
- 2 - -
- 1 - 

Rank.
As a
private
private
private
private
private
private
private
private

Names of General and Field Officers under whome he served.
Gen. La Fagell
Cap. Jus. Angel
Cap Angel, Col. E Bowing
Cap Angel, Col. E. Bowing
Cap Angel, Col. E. Bowing
Cap Angel, Col E. Bowing
John Angel,
Cap Angel,

5. In what battles was he engaged? none named

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Providence County Rhode Island

7. Is his statement supported by witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolld? traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned

year month days
Draftd April 1778 - - 1 - - Cap e. Teuks Col. Atwell
Draftd Sep. 1778 - - 1 - - Cap B. Clus, Col Atwell, 
Drafted Dec. 1778 - - 1 - - Cap. B. Belus
Drafted Stpr 1779 - - - - 15 Capt E. Teuks, Col Atwell
Drafted Augt. 1780 - - - - 15 Cap Orsey, Col. Madison
Drafted Augt 1781 - - 1 - - Cap Ben Belus
Drafted Octr 1781 - - - -  15 Brunel, Col Madison

Rush Heywater Examining Clerk
Page 8

April 26, 1933

Joseph Chilson, S.30325
BA-J/AWF
Ow

Mr. William B. Browne
Register of Deeds
Adams, Massachusetts

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joseph Chilson as found in his claim for pension, S. 30325, based upon his service in that war.

Joseph Chilson was born January 8, 1751 in Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not stated.

Joseph Chilson enlisted, while a resident of Smithfield, Rhode Island, in May 1775, and served at various times until sometime in October 1781, in all fifteen months and twenty-five days, as a private under Captains John Angell, E.... Jenks, Benjamin Ballou, Orey(?), Louis Bennett, and Colonels Ephraim Bowen, Atwell and Madison, in the Rhode Island Troops.

Joseph Chilson was allowed pension on his application executed October 17, 1832, then a resident of Buckland, franklin County, Massachusetts. He died 25, 1838.

There are no data in this claim relative to his family.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 9

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Chilson which require further proof or explanation.

1. 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 amount 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? yes

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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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. tIf the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no
  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. ttAre the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven iterrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactory? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

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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3

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 or engagement; the particular 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 with the service was performed, he was not (illegible).

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.
   In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not 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 riboon, 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.
Page 12

REGISTRY OF DEEDS
NORTHERN DISTRICT
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS
TELEPHONE 35

WILLIAM B. BROWNE, REGISTER
ANNIE L. MARSH, ASSISTANT

April 17 1933

Pension Bureau'

Washinton, D.C.

Gentlemen; Please send me the family data filed in pension record of Joseph Chilson of Buckland, Franklin County, Mass. (S. 30325) 
He made a statement in Oct 1832 in relation to service and family.
Trusting that I may receive this information

Truly Yours
Wm B. Browne
Rep
Page 13

30 325
Revy INVALID.

File No. 30,325
Joseph Chilson
Pri Rev War

Act June 7th 32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870]

1933 Apr 26 Hist to William B. Browne 
OWs