Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,412, Joseph Downer, N.H. Vt.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N. H. 
Vt.  
Downer, Joseph

NUMBER
S. 15,412

carded

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

6359

New Hampshire
===============
Joseph Downer 
of Norfolk Co in the State of N.H. 
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Nelson of the Reg. commanded 
by Col. Morey in the N. Hampshire  & Vt. 
(line for lined thru) Militia for 10 MO. from 1780
===============
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire 
at the rate of 33 dollars 33 cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
===============
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Feb'y 
1833 and sent Hon. H. Hubbard H R
===============
Arrears to with of Sept. 1832    49.99
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 1833 16.66
======
$ 66.65
======
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }

Recorded by H. H. Sylvester Clerk
Book D Vol. 1 Page 150

[right side]
Let H Hubbard July 9th '35
Payment suspended. 
let agent same date
let T. Kendrik 5 March '35
H. H. Sylvester July 21, 1851
(circular of April  18/51)
[end right side]
Page 3

2153
Joseph Downer
Page 4

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State of New-Hampshire County of Grafton } ss
On this Eighteenth day of July 1832 personally appeared before the Judges of the 
Court of Probate for the County of Grafton Joseph Downer a resident of Lebanon 
in the County of  Grafton and State of New Hampshire, aged 73 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed 
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States, in the year (blank)
with Capt Nelson and served in the  [Captain Nelson lined thru] regiment of the 
New Hampshire line, under the following named officers: Captain Nelson Lt. Murch 
Col Morey, we enlisted in the month of December I do not recollect the year and 
marched from Lebanon to Newbury Vermont and were stationed there for the term 
of three months we were employed on a scouting party on what was called the 
frontierand travelled from the height of the Green Mountains to union river back 
and forth mostly in snow shoes. were ordered on this service by Genl Bailey, when 
our term of service expired we were marched to Oxford and discharged by 
Col Morey this was a hard tour of service and frequently short of provisions I was
also at Saratoga at the time Burgoyne surrendered and saw the arms piled. having 
marched on foot and carried a month provision by order of Col Chase, about one
hundred & twenty miles was absent from home about one month.
I also volunteered and stood as a minute man in the town of Lebanon for the term 
of three months was constantly ready, not allowed to leave the town, but to be
ready at a minutes warning & constantly armed & equipt but do not recollect the 
year but know it was in the summer season 
My whole term of service I believe to be some more than seven months

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except 
the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[right] Joseph Downer [signature]

And the Judge of said Court does hereby declare his opinion, that the above named 
applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
[right] Edward Webber Judge of Probate [signature and title]

I Moses Dow Register of said Court do hereby certify,
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter 
of the application of Joseph Downer for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighteenth 
day of July A.D. 1832
[right] Moses Dow [signature]
Page 5

2133
Joseph
Downer
N. H.
Rejected--performed
4 months actual
service only
B. W. B. 
T. Kenrick Esq
Lebanon
N H
Page 6

BRIEF in the case of Joseph Downer   
of Lebanon in the State of New Hampshire 
(Act 7 June, 1832.)               
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Probate Court             

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

3. How old is he? 73                     

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.         
Period.  In 17  Duration of Service.  3 months   Rank  Private   Names of General and Field Officers  under whom he served   Capt. Nelson Lt. March  Col. Morey  at Newbury Vt.

Period.  In 17  Duration of Service.  1 month      Rank   Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served   At Burgoyne’s surrender 

Period.  In 17   Duration of Service.  3 months    Rank   Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served   Minute Man, at Lebanon

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  [blank]            

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lebanon                

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? One witness to general belief, for 40 years        

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not precise in date                 

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case 
above mentioned.       
[right] Wm Ward Examining Clerk. [signature and title]
Page 7


[typed letter]

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
ADY
Over [hand written]

[right] January 15, 1931

Miss Penelope W. Snow,
97 Prospect Street,
Manchester, New Hampshire.

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the 
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 15412, that Joseph 
Downer was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1759, day 
and month not stated.

While a resident of Lebanon, New Hampshire, he enlisted 
in September 1777, served one month in Captain Samuel 
Paine's New Hampshire Company and was at the surrende
of Burgoyne.

He enlisted in 1778 or 1779 and served six months in Captain Samuel Paine's New Hampshire Company.  

He enlisted in December 1780 and served three months in 
Captain Nelson's Company, Colonel Morey's Vermont Regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 18, 1832 while a resident of Lebanon, Grafton County, New Hampshire.

There are no family data.

not on A.B. [hand written in left margin]

This is the history of the only Joseph Downer found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

This bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolutionary War unless a claim for pension or bounty land 
has been made to the United States on account of his services.
Page 8

A careful search of the records fails to show
such a claim on file on account of the services of
Abner Seeley, all spellings of the surname searched.

[center] Very truly yours,
[right] E. W. MORGAN,
[right] Acting Commissioner.
Page 9


[typed letter]

[oval rubber stamp top center]
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION
JAN 2 - 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
(end of stamp content) 
 
[right] 97 Prospect St
[right] Manchester, N.H. 

Bureau of Pensions:
Rev. War Section:

Dear Sirs:

Will you kindly send me the records of Revolutionary Soldiers, as follows;
Captain Abner Seeley or Seelye or Sealey.
Joseph Downer.

Both these soldiers lived at one time in Thetford, Vermont, Joseph Downer was in Connecticut during at least the first part of the Revolution.

[center] Yours Truly,
[right] (Miss) Penelope W. Snow [handwritten signature]

Dec. 30, '30 [bottom left corner handwritten]
Page 10

P [underlined]  15412
INVALID.
--------------------
File No.  15412
Joseph Downer
Pri Rev War
--------------------
Act: June 7" 32
Index:- Vol. 1, Page 100
Arrangement of 1870. [square bracket at each end]

[top of right page]
1931 Jan. 15. Hist. to Penelope 
W. Snow, A. D. Y.
Page 11

J L Downer
NH
Let.  Tim Kennick
June 14. 1837
to July 3d 1837
Let. C.C. Tucker May 10/54
Act-7 June 1832
Page 12


Washington May 8, 1837

Sir

The claims of Joseph Downer, Martin Dewey and Zebu Huntington
of New Hampshire, were allowed under the act of June 7 1832, in 
the year 1833.

Their names were singularly struck from the roll in the alleged period.  
That there were no such services as was claimed by them and allowed, 
under Captain Payne.

Since that time the fact has been well established that Capt Samuel Payne 
did command a company of Militia for several years, stationed in Vermont,
on the west side of Conn. River: and the ? have been, and  if  not claimed 
all then from N.H. , some years since, are still in the Pension Office

I here enclose the confirmed certificate of Wm Downer; a copy of to Dewey, 
and a letter from the accredited Agent of Mr Huntington and have to ask 
that whatever appears to be their due may be stated and their names placed 
again upon the rolls, from which they were improperly struck . 

[right] Very Respectfully 
[right] H H Sylvester [signature]
Jas. E. Heath  Esq.   [signature]
Page 13

Washington D.C. May 6th 1854
Hon Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I send enclosed a letter from the Third Auditor in reference to the pension of Joseph Downer of N.H. a pensioner under the Act of June 7, 1832, and would respectfully ask to be informed if the Soldiers pension was discontinued and if so, the cause of its suspension.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt [Obedient Servant]
 Chas. C. Tucker ---
Page 14

Treasury Department
Third Auditors Office
March 29. 1854

Sir,

In answer to your letter of the 25th Inst [last month] in relation to the pension of Joseph Downer of N.H. I have to inform you that his pension has been paid up to 4 Sept 1834.

I am, Sir, your
Obedient Servant
F. Bush [signature]
Third Auditor [underlined]


C.C. Tucker, Esq.
Washington D.C.
Page 15

Joseph Downer
Payments to be made
at Portsmouth NH
by Prest U.S. Br(anch) Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of N. H.

Recorded by Henry H. Sylvester
Clerk, in Book D Vol. 1
page 150.
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United 
States, of the 7th June, 1832, Joseph Downer of the 
State of New Hampshire
who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, 
is entitled to receive Thirty three dollars and  
thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 
4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. 

Given at the War Office of the United States,
this Twenty eighth day of February
one thousand eight hundred and thirty three

(signed) Lew Cass
Secretary of War

(Ex)amined and}
Countersigned}

(signed) J L Edwards
6357

[illegible Seal attached on left]
Page 17

Doctor P Parkhurst 
Affidavit for 
M. Dewey and J. Downer
Page 18

I Phineas Parkhurst of Lebanon NH aged Seventy 
Seven years, do depose and Say that in the years 
1779 or 1780 there was a Block House situated near the 
Connecticut River in Said Lebanon which was used 
as a Guard or Garrison house and as an Alarm post 
at which place Soldiers were usually Stationed. in 
the same year Captain Samuel Paine then 
commanding a company of Militia in Said Lebanon 
was ordered to detail a part of his company to keep 
guard and to guard the passes across Connecticut 
River. And I well recollect of seeing Martin Dewey 
and JosephDowner who were soldiers in Said Paines 
Company at Said house frequently, during Said year, 
doing duty as Soldiers and according to the best of 
my recollection they served at this time full six months
I am well acquainted with Said Dewey and Downer and 
know they are the same persons 

Phinehas Parkhurst [signature]

Sworn to and Subscribed this 23 day of May AD 1837
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and 
affixed my notanal Seal at Lebanon County of Grafton 
and State of New Hampshire this 23 day of May AD 1837

Timothy Kenrick Notary Public [signature and title]
-
I certify that Doctor Phineas Parkhurst the above deponent 
is a person of undoubted truth and veracity and is one of 
our most reputable Physicians he is also an invalid pensioner 
of the us ---
Timothy Kenrick Notary Public [signature and title]
Page 19

Lebanon May 24 1837

J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir

Annexed is the affidavit of Doctor Phineas 
Parkhurst in the suspended case of Martin 
Dewey and Joseph Downer Doctor Parkhurst 
was a resident of Lebanon at the time the 
Service of Dewey & Downer was performed 
and has resided there to this time, he was one 
of the Electors of President and Vice President 
in 1832 and is one of our most respectable 
citizens.  Mr Downer having been very much 
out of health and M Dewey  living in the part 
of the town most remote from him & wishing 
to see Doctor Parkhurst together is the reason 
they have not attended to this before they both 
Say that they received pay of the town for this 
Service but how much they do not recollect

I am Very Respectfully Yours &c
Timothy Kenrick [signature] [underlined]
Page 20

Joseph Downer 
Private
10 months
See Capt(ain)  Paines rolls
1780
in large square book

Hon. H. Hubbard
HR


T Kenrick Lebanon
Page 21

DECLARATION.

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

State of New-Hampshire County of Grafton } ss.

On this twenty first day of December 1832, personally appeared in open 
Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate for Sd County, now sitting, 
Joseph Downer a resident of Lebanon in the County of Grafton and State 
of N. H. aged 73 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth 
on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain 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 in the month of December 1780 
he enlisted into Capt Nelsons Company, Lt Munk, Col Moreys Regiment and 
marched from Lebanon to Newbury Vermont. were employed as a scouting 
party on what was called the frontier travelled on snow shoes from the height 
of the Green Mountains to Onion river were ordered on this service by Gen 
Bailey were marched to Orford and discharged in March 1781 by Col Morey 
served three months In 1777 September I was a soldier in Capt Samuel Paines 
Company and marched from Lebanon to Saratoga to help take Burgoyne 
was there when he surrendered and saw their arms piled Served one month-
Also in the year 1778 or 1779 he enlisted into Capt Samuel Paines Company 
NH Militia. was stationed at Lebanon NH for six months was some of the time 
called out of town served company six months- guarding the passes across 
Conn river. was ordered on this service by Gen Bailey. He was born in Lebanon 
Connecticut in the year 1759. has no record of his age. was living in Lebanon 
NH when called into the service and has lived there to this day -when called 
into service he enlisted does not recollect the name of any other officers than 
those above named. never had a written discharge, has no documentary 
evidence whatever and knows of no person who would testify to his service.
Is well acquainted with the Rev. Phineas Cooke & Timothy Kenrick who will 
testify as to his character & their belief in his service as a soldier of the 
Revolution.

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 of and year aforesaid
[right] Joseph Downer [signature]

We, Phineas Cooke residing in Lebanon and Timothy Kenrick also residing in 
Lebanon hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Downer who 
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
73 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 } 
[right] Phineas Cooke [signature]
[right] Timothy Kenrick [signature]

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 certifies, that it appears to them that 
Phinehas Cooke who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman 
resident in the town of Lebanon and that Timothy Kenrick who has also 
signed the same is a resident in the same Lebanon & a Just. Peace and are 
credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[right] Edward Webber Judge of Probate [signature and title]

I, Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that 
the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter 
of the application of Joseph Downer for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said 
Court, this 21st day of December A.D. 1832
[right] Moses Dow [signature]

[[illegible seal attached lower left]
Page 22

I Phineas Parkhurst of lawful age do depose and 
say that I have been well acquainted with Joseph 
Downer who has this day made application for a 
Pension under the Act of June 7, 1832, and have 
been acquainted with him for more than forty 
years past. I have no doubt but that he performed 
the services as stated in his application, having 
frequently heard him and others talk on the subject 
of revolutionary service, long before he had any 
idea of applying for a pension, and his story agreed 
with what he has stated in his application
[right] Phineas Parkhurst [signature]

State of New Hampshire Grafton } ss
Sworn to before me this Eighteenth day of July 1832
[right] Timothy Kenrick Justice of the Peace [signature and title]

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Doctor 
Phineas Parkhurst the signer of the above he is one of 
our most reputable citizens and a credible person
[right] Timothy Kenrick Justice of the Peace [signature and title]
Page 23

I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common 
Pleas for the County of Grafton State of New Hampshire, 
Certify that Timothy Kenrick is a Justice of the Peace 
within and for Said county and that the within Signatures 
purporting to be his are genuine --
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of 
office and subscribed my name this 6th day of August 
AD 1832
[right] Geo Woodward Clerk [signature and title]