Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,516, for Daniel Morse, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
N. H.
Morse, Daniel
NUMBER
S. 18,516
carded
CONTENTS
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County
County Clerks Office
Burlington May 21. 1833
I hereby certify that the papers
hereto attached and marked A & B
on the original documents forwarded
to the Pension office to substantiate
the Declaration of Daniel Moore of
Westford to a Pension under the
act of Congress of June 7. 1832
and that since then return from the Pension office
the Documents marked No 1 & 2 have been added
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington
this 21st day of May A.D. 1833
Nathan B Maswell Clerk
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NI
State of Vermont
Chittenden County
Personally appeared before me
the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for Chittenden
County, Daniel Moore of Westford in said
County to me known as the same person who
made his declaration before the Honorable County
Court for Chittenden County on the 17th day of August
AD 1832, for the purpose of obtaining a Pension
under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832 who
being duly sworn, doth make the following
additional declaration, that by reason of old
age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot
swear positively as to the precise dates of his service, but
according to the best of his recollection he served not
less then the periods mentioned below and in the
following grades
for two months as a private in 1776
For two months and half as a private in 1777. volunteer
for two months as private & volunteer 1778
When Royalton (Vermont) was burnt I was a volunteer
and out six days my whole services are six
months and twenty one days, for which I am a pension -
my services were all militia services, and by reason
of old age and loss of memory it is not in my power to
be more [illegible] then I have here in stating my
services, and the names of my officers
Daniel Morse
Sworn and  subscribed this 21st day of
May AD 1833 and I hereby certify that
the said Daniel Morse, is a credible
person.
Before me
Nathan B Maswell Justice of the Peace
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County
I Nathan B Maswell Clerk of Chittenden
County Court, do hereby certify that
Nathan B Maswell Esq before wherin
the within declaration is taken
is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified
acting under the authority of this
State and that his name thereto
subscribed is his own proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court at
Burlington this 21st day of May AD 1883
Nathan B Haswell
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B
We, Simeon Parmelee a Clergyman, residing
in the Town of Westford, in the County of Chittenden and
State of Vermont, and Danforth Wales residing in the same
place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
Daniel Morse, who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration, that we believe him to be 71 years of
age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides, to be a soldier of the revolution, 
and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Simon Parmelee parish Minister
Danforth Wales Just Peace
Before me, Thomas Haynes, , Justice of the Peace
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A
Revolutionary Claims.
STATE OF VERMONT
Chittenden County, ss.
On this seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the
Honorable the County Court for the County of Chittenden, now sitting, Daniel Morse a resident of Westford in the County of Chittenden
and State of Vermont, aged Seventy 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 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.
I Daniel Morse, of Westford aforesaid, was born
as my parents informed me, in the Town of Sherburne in
the State of Massachusetts, on the 28th day of
July 1761. I have no record of my age;
perhaps there is a record in said Sherburne, whence
my parents moved to the Town of Dublin in the
County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire, as they 
informed me, before I was two years old.
I continued to live with my parents in said Dublin
until January, I think about the truth, 1776, being
in my fifteenth year, I enlisted under Thaddeus Mason
of said Dublin, who was Lieutenant, I think the 2d;
& Joseph Cutter of New Ipswich was 1st Lieutenant;
The Company was commanded by Capt. Goodell, I think,
of New Ipswich; Michael Morse, an older brother
(now living, as I suppose, in Allegany County, State of New York) 
Benjamin Mason & Timothy Pratt enlisted at
the same time & place-- We enlisted for two months-
Soon after enlisting, I marched with the Company
through, Groton, Concord, Lincoln &c. to Winter Hill
near Boston, in Massachusetts, where we were under the
order of General Sullivan, who commanded at that place.
I knew, while then Cols. Poor, & Cilly or Seely,
and Majors Fogg & Campbell, who the latter acted as
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Soon after enlisting, I marched with the Company
through, Groton, Concord, Lincoln &c. to Winter Hill
near Boston, in Massachusetts, where we were under the
orders of General Sullivan, who commanded at that
place.
I knew, while then Cols Poor, & Cilly or Seely,
and Majors Fogg, & Campbell, who the latter acted as
Brigade Major or Aid de camp.
I continued there until some time General
How evacuated Boston, and about a fortnight two weeks after
the main body of troops marched off; and was sometimes, 
after that, on guard at Bunker Hill, and Charleston 
Neck, near Charleston bridge. I was then and
there dismised, & received a discharge, which I have lost.
and immediately returned home to Dublin, about 90
Miles, having served two months the term of my enlistment.
About the last of March or first of April
1777, (the same year that Genl. Burgoyne was taken)
there was a call by Government for Militia or
volunteers in Dublin aforesaid, (where I continued to reside)
and the neighboring Towns. I volunteered with Ezra
Morse, Sargent, and Jonathan Morse, my Uncles;
and Asa Pratt & Joshua Greenwood. We immediately 
went to Mallberry, where, being met by Militia or volunteers 
from the Town of New Ipswich, Temple, Peterborough, 
Rindge, Jeffrey and Fitzwilliam, chose officers
of the Company we composed, Josiah Brown
was Captain and One Williams was Lieutenant.
Thence I marched with the Company to Charleston 
(then called No. 4) in N. Hampshire, when we
tarried 2 or 3 days, and drew amunition & provisions.
Thence we march through Cavendish, 
Ludlow, Rutland, Hubbardston &c. to Mount Independence
in Vermont, when we joined Col. Chase's
Regiment. I think Col. Long was first in Command.
I assisted in fortifying the mount, and was stationed
there until I received a Discharge from the Colonel,
which I have lost, having been out on duty about two
and a half months. I was 4 or 5 days returning
home at Dublin, where I arrived on the 18th day of June
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mount, and was stationed
there until I received a Discharge from the Colonel,
which I have lost, having been out on duty about two
and a half months, I was 4 or 5 days returning
home at Dublin, where I arrived on the 18th day of June
In the month of June I think, in 1778,
there was a call for Militia or volunteers to go to
Rhode-Island; I volunteered as a Private
under Capt Richard Twitchel of Dublin, and
immediately marched through Worcester in Massachusetts
to Providence in Rhode Island, where we arrived
on Saturday, on Monday following we embarked on
board a sloop to go to the Island, which proceeding out
about half a mile, grounded, we were then landed
at Providence, & proceeded by land on the East side of
the River to a Ferry (Bristol I think) where we crossed
on to the West side of the or to the Right of the Island
From where we landed, we marched about
3 or 4 miles to a large deserted House, which the
officers occupied, while the Soldiers occupied a
few small old Huts or Barracks-- about 60 or 80
rods from the shore. We were stationed here as a
guard against the water, commanded by Col.
Nicholls, about 3 or 4 miles from the main army which
was commanded by General Sullivan.
I remained with the few troops stationed here
untill the morning that General Sullivan was attacked
by the British, & retreated from the Island, where I was
with the other troops here stationed, dismissed. I
do not remember whether or not I received a discharge.
I do not remember precisely the time I was
out this time, I think from six to eight weeks-.
Immediately after being dismissed I returned
home to Dublin,
About the time that Royalton in Vermont
was burnt by the Indians, I volunteered as a private
under Capt. Steel of Peterborough and marched for
Royalton, and was gone out several days, dismissed
and returned home.
I lived in Dublin, and Hancock adjoining the
former, untill 1804, when I removed with my
family to Westford, in the County of Chittenden and
State of Vermont, where I have continued to reside to
the present time.
I have no documentary evidence of my military
services aforementioned, having lost my discharges,
not having considered them of any value.
I know of no person whose testimony I could obtain
to show my services; All those persons named above
were older than myself. I do not know that any of
them are living, except my brother mentioned above who was
living last January, since which I have not heard from him
I am now seventy one years old. Persons to whom
I am known in my neighborhood are Thomas Atwood,
Solomon Hobart, Jonathan Finch, Isaac Chase Esq.
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few small old Huts or Barracks-- about 60 or 80 rods from the shore. We were stationed here as a guard against the water, commanded by Col. Nicholls, about 3 or 4 miles from the main army which was commanded by General Sullivan. 
I remained with the few troops stationed here untill the morning that General Sullivan was attacked by the British, & retreated from the Island, where I was with the other troops here stationed, dismissed. I do not remember whether or not I received a discharge. 
I do not remember precisely the time I was out this time, I think from six to eight weeks-. Immediately after being dismissed I returned home to Dublin.
About the time that Royalton in Vermont was burnt by the Indians, I volunteered as a private under Capt. Steel of Peterborough and marched for Royalton, and was gone out several days, dismissed and returned home. 
I lived in Dublin, and Hancock adjoining the former, untill 1804, when I removed with my family to Westford, in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, where I have continued to reside to the present time. I have no documentary evidence of my military services aforementioned, having lost my discharges, not having considered them of any value. I know of no person whose testimony I could obtain to show my services; All those persons named above were older than myself. I do not know that any of them are living, except my brother mentioned above who was living last January, since which I have not heard from him I am now seventy one years old. Persons to whom I am known in my neighborhood are Thomas Atwood, Solomon Hobart, Jonathan Finch, Isaac Chase Esq. Danforth Wales Esq. & Rev. Simeon Parmelee and Deacon Jonas Hobart.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 
Sworn & Subscribed the 17th day Aug, 1832 
Daniel Morse
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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
Daniel Morse
Nathan Maswell Clerk
and
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 certify, that it appears to
them, that Simon Parmele who is a Clergyman and Denforth Wales Esqr
who have signed the annexed certificate and who are residents of the town of Westford are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest
Eli Brownson
John Van Sukler
Judges of Chittenden County Court
STATE OF VERMONT.
Chittenden County, ss.
I Nathan B Maswell Clerk of
Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify, that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of a Daniel
Morse for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of office, this 17th day of August 
A. D. 1832.
Nathan B Maswell
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6639
Daniel Morse
Admit by court
6 mos 21 ds
20
2.31
22.31
44.62
11.15
$55.77
N B Harwell
Burlington
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
27 April 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, showing the service of Daniel Moore of Westford Vt
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the
claimant's service
Years, Months, Days
Rank of the claimant
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
1776 - 2 - private  Gen. Sullivan 72 years of age - lived at Dublin (NH)
1777   2 15 private Col Chase Rgt.
1778 - 2 00 private Col Nichols under Gen Sullivan
               6 private at the time Royalton was burnt by the Indians
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Daniel Morse
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
On this day of  personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District
of  aged (c) 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 (d) , with and
served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of    for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with   , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of  do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this  day of & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Waiver of officer, not given with sufficient by the rolls.
Page 16

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war,
 and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.{ To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
, and what has become of it?
To an Officer.{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure,
 taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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------ month- and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.""
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 graded 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 that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement
the particular place or place 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 pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the with nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
precision to enable his services to be traced
Page 17


P 18516
INVALID.
File No. 18,516
Daniel Morse
Pri Rev War
-
Act: June 7n 32
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 267
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

Chittenden County
Clerks Office
Burlington Vt May 21. 1833
J L Edmonds Esqr
I forward herewith the Revolutionary
claims of
George Thrasher of Westford
Reuben Bostwick of Burlington
Benton Burk of Essex
Iseh Isham of Shelburn and
Daniel Morse of Westford
which were returned from your office for
correction, they are returned under hopes
that they may be allowed
Your Respectfully
Nathan B Maswell