Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19042, for Joshua Prouty, Massachusetts
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Prouty, Joshua
S.19042
Carded
CONTENTS
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10.155.
Massachusetts
Joshua Prouty
of Spencer in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain -
of the regt commanded
by Col Denny in the Mass
[illegible] for 17 May
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of Mar 1833 and sent James
Draper Spencer Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $103.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 28.33
$131.65
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J H M Blair Clerk
Book E, Vol 22 Page 63
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DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, SS.
On this Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty
two personally appeared in open Court, before Nath Parne Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester now sitting Joshua Prouty a resident of Spencer in the County of Worcester
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three 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 on or about the first day of September 1776, the said Joshua Prouty enlisted into
a company of Massachusetts, said company was commanded by Capt Josiah White
in the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Denny he marched from said Spencer to Terry Town so called, on the River Hudson. N. York, where he remained in the service aforesaid two months and was then honourbly discharged.
also, sometime in the month of July 1777, said Prouty enlisted into a company of Massachusetts Militia, commanded by Capt. Ralph Earle in the Regiment commanded
by Col. Danforth Keyes, marched to Providence, Rhode Island, and
was stationed there and other places in the vicinity for the term of six months
and was then honourably discharged. Also on or about the fifteenth day of December
1776 said Joshua Prouty enlisted into a company of Massachusetts Militia commanded
by Capt. David Prouty, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sparhawk, marched
from said Spencer to Danbury in Connecticut, thence to Peekskill N. York, thence to
Boundbrook, New Jersey, where he was stationed the remainder of the term and was
honorably discharged about the sixteenth of March 1777, being in said serve
three months. Also, on or about the first day of April 1778, said Joshua Prouty enlisted
into another company of Marrachusetts Militia, commanded by Capt. Nathan
Herrington, marched to Watertown near Morton, Mass when the American troops
to which he belonged took under their guard as prisoners, a part of General
Margoynes army then marched to Kirtland Mass. and was there stationed
to guard said priving the remainder of the term being three months, and was
then honourbly discharged. Major Member mead had the command of the whole
guards aforesaid also sometime in the month of September 1778, said Joshua Prouty
enlisted into another company of Massachusetts Militia commanded by
Capt March Chase, but the name of the Colonel I do not recollect marched to Boston
law, thence to Dorchester near Boston, where he was stationed the remainder of the
being three months and was then honorably discharged all the above mentioned
of service were in the war of the revolution, being seventeen months in the
hol. He was born in Spencer aforesaid May 18, 1759 which recorded in the town records of Spencer, lived in Spencer during all the above enlistments, has lived there ever since and live there now as never received a written discharge. Has no documents, but relies on the annexed depositions to prove this declaration. Prefers to Jacob Moises, David Prouty, Walton Livermore & William Pope Esqr. who are my neighbours; and who can testify to my statements for truth.
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.
Before
Nath Paynbe Judge of
Probate for the County of Worcester
Joshua Prouty
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Worcester ss 
Spencer August [illegible]5, 1832

We Levi Packard a Clergyman residing in the Town of Spencer and
William Pope [illegible] residing in said Spencer hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Prouty who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy [illegible] years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me James Draper Just. Peace Levi Packard
William Pope
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories
prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Levi Packard who signed
the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Spencer and that Wm.
Pope [illegible] who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Spencer
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. Paine Judge of Probate
for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Registrar or, Clerk of the Court of Probate for Worcester county do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua
Prouty for a pension & that James Draper before whom the [illegible] affidavits were
made, is a Justice of the Peace in & for said county in full credit, & that he signed the same.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court this
6th day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Theophs Wheeler Regr. of Probate for the
County of Worcester in Massachusetts
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8011
Joshua Prouty
Private
17 Months
Advance
$56.66
James Draper
Spencer
Mass
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BRIEF in the case of John Prouty of Spencer Worcester in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? Seventy three years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

[table headings]Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months,Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  
[row 1]enlisted In 1776 Sept  | - 2 - | - | Capt J. White, Col Denney
[row 2]1777 July | - 6 - | - | Capt Earle, Col Keyes
[row 3]1776. Dec 15  | - 6 - | - | Capt D Prouty, Col Sparahawk 
[row 4]1778 apl 1  | - 3 - | - |  Capt Harrington
[row 5]--Sep-- | - 3 | - | Capt Chase 

5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Spencer 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? A clergyman & W. Pope certify to traditionary evidence. John Bigelow, proves the 6 mos same in 1777. Levi Baldwin proves the 3 mos in 1776. James Snow & I Biglow proves the 2 mos same in 1776. Joseph Garfield proves the two terms of 2 mos each in 1778. 
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 mentioned. Kinty Examining Clerk
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P
190412
INVALID.
File No. 19,04242
Joshua Prouty
Pri Rev War
Act June 7" 32
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 305
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those further proof or explanation. answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joshua Prouty 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? 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 obtain ing 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? - 
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? yes
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? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
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? Yes 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 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; Formonths , and --- days, I served as a Formonths  and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 objection able. 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 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. 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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Spencer Mass.
8011 Joshua Prouty's Declaration for a Pension.
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Spencer Mass. Sept. 12, 1832.
Enclosed is the Declaration of Joshua Prouty
for a Pension under the late law of Congress passed
June 7, 1832,
James Draper
Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of war Washington D.C.
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I John Bigelow of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts being seventy five years of age do testify and say that Joshua Prouty of Spencer aforesaid did sometime in the month of July A.D. 1777, enlist into a company commanded by Capt. Ralf Earle in the Regiment commanded by Col. Danforth Keyes. the company was a company of militia raised by the State of Massachusetts for the common defence in the war of the revolution. the said Joshua Prouty with the others was stationed in the town of Providence in the State of Rhode Island and other places in the vicinity that he was in the service aforesaid for the term of six months and was then discharged. The reason that I know that the said Joshua Prouty served as aforesaid is that I was a soldier in the same company during the same term 
John Bigelow

Worcester ss August 11, 1832 
then the above named John Bigelow personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester and was sworn to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed 
James Draper Just Peace 

Worcester ss August 20, 1832 this may certify that James Snow, John Bigelow, Levi Baldwin and Joseph Garfield, who subscribed their names to the within depositions are men of truth and veracity and entitled to full credit.
James Draper Just Peace
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I Levi Baldwin of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts being seventy seven years of age do testify and say that Joshua Prouty of Spencer aforesaid was a soldier who served in the war of the revolution as follows, the said Joshua Prouty on or about the fifteenth day of December A.D. 1776, enlisted as a private soldier into a company of foot commanded by Capt David Prouty, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sparrowhawk, the said troops were raised by the State of Massachusetts for the common defence of the United States, that he with myself and others marched from Spencer, to Danbury in Connecticutt, from thence to Fishkill in New York and from thence to Bound brook so called in the State of New Jersey, where we were stationed the remainder of the term being three months, and was discharged on or about the sixteenth day of March A.D. 1777. The reason that I know that the said Joshua Prouty served as aforesaid is that I was a soldier in the same company with him during the same term 
Levi Baldwin

Worcester ss August 16 1832}
then the above named Levi Baldwin personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester and was sworn to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed 
James Draper Just Peace
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We James Snow of Spencer in the County and State of Massachusetts being seventy five years of age and John Bigelow of Spencer aforesaid being also, seventy five years of age do testify and say that on or about the first day of September AD. 1776, Joshua Prouty of Spence aforesaid did enlist as a private soldier to a company of militia raised by Massachusetts for the war of the revolution, said company was commanded by Capt Josiah White in the Regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Denny that said Joshua Prouty was in the service aforesaid the fully term of two months, was stationed at Tarry-town so called in the State of New York on the river Hudson and other places in the vicinity and was then honourably discharged. The reason that I know that the said Joshua Prouty served as aforesaid is that we were soldiers in the same company with him during the same term
James Snow 
John Bigelow

Worcester ss. August 11, 1832 then the above named James Saw & John Bigelow personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justice of the Peace within and for the County Worcester and was sworn to the truth of the above by them subscribed 
James Draper Just Peace
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I Joseph Garfield of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, being about seventy four years of age do testify and say that Joshua Prouty of Spencer in the County aforesaid, did with myself on or about the first day of April A.D. 1778 enlist into a company malitia commanded by Capt Nathan Harrington, and marched from said Spencer to Watertown in Massachusetts, where the troops to which we belonged, took under our guard a part of General Burgoynes army, and then marched to Rutland in the State of Massachusetts, where we were stationed to guard the prisoners belonging to Burgoynes army, and continued in the services aforesaid the full term of three months, also, the said Joshua Prouty served a further term of three months as follows, viz, sometime in the month of September AD. 1778 the said Joshua Prouty enlisted into a company of Massachusetts malitia for the United States service, said company was commanded by Capt March Chase but the name of the Colonel I do not recollect, that the said Joshua Prouty marched to Boston Mass. and afterwards to Dorchester near Boston where he was stationed the remainder of the term being three months, and was then discharged. The reason that I know that the said Joshua Prouty served as aforesaid is that I was with him in both companies during both terms. In the first tour above mentioned the guards were placed under the command of Major Reuben Reed 
Joseph Garfield 

Worcester ss August 1. 1832 then the above named Joseph Garfield personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester and was sworn to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed 
James Draper Just Peace