Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,881, for Joseph Magoon, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
of
H.
CONTENTS
Magoon, Joseph
-
NUMBER
S.13.887
-
carded
Page 2

Vermont 18798
Joseph Magoon
States had in the province of Lower Canada
who was a prv & sgt  in the Company commanded
Captain Sheperd of the regt commanded
Col Wyman in the N.H. M. line
for 6 mo 24 pr
4.  Sgt

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 42 Dollars 86 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension and the 3 day of Octr.
1833 and Sent to
Hinman Derby
---
Arrers to the 4th of Sept 1833 $107. 15
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 March 34 21.43
$128.58
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. William Clerk
Book &E Vol. 3 Page 78
Page 3

19108 NH
Joseph Magoon
Orleans Dist Genl
or Canada

Timothy Hiwinman
Derby Vermont
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
13 June 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.

[Chart]
Statement, shewing the service of Joseph Magoon
Duration of the
claimant's service.

Period when the
Nov 1775
June 1776
1778

Duration of the claimant's service..
Years.
Months
 4
6
Days
26
his roll of service

Rank of
the
claimant.
Serg

Names and Rank
of the Company
officers under
whom he served.
Capt
Shepard
Capt Shepard
Lias

Names and Rank 
of the General
and Field officers.
[illegible]

Battles in which
the applicant was
engaged.

Country through
which he marched.  Joined
the army
[illegible]

Place of abode
when he entered
the service, and age
at the present
period
80 years
[illegible]

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
By living witness

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of
Pensions.
Page 5

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, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, 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.
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State err
County of
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
aged (c)
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
line, under the following named officers:
with
and
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he servunder
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 enered 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
the Agency in the State of
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
A. B.
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
certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said Court in the matter 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
and C.D. residing in (the same)
who has
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.
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
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of
for a pension.
do hereby certify that the foregoing
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 it 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
Page 6

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 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.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
{To a Soldier, and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
Townier 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 he 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.
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.
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.
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 being
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
Canada
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
and 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
of
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, anddays
, I served as a-
For month and
-- days, I served as aand
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 grate of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase than 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 civil
pursul-
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every one.
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 pubseal
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
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.
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 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.
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 7

State of Vermont
Orleans District
On this day 15 of August personally
appeared before the Hon Probate Court
holden at Derby in the district and County of Orleans Joseph
Magoon of Stanstead in the District of Stanstead and
province of Lower Canada aged
80 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 7 1832
That he enlisted about the first of November 1775 under
Capt James Shepherd for 4 months and served the 4 month
as Sergeant and then dismissed and returned home
the Last of May or first of June enlisted under James Shepherd
capt to join the continental army for months and immediately marched to Ticonderoga and was there when the defeat
was on Lake Champlain of the American fleet and served out
the 6 months and the was discharged and returned home in 1778
enlisted to go to Rhode island under Capt Benj Sias and served
2 mons and then dismissed and returned home
A
The Applicant was born in Kingston New Hampshire 1752
and moved from there to Thornton and from Thornton to
Danville and from Danville to Stanstead in the province of
Lower Canada where I now reside-
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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Joseph Magoon
Page 8

I Ephraim Magoon of Shipton in the district of three
Rivers and Province of Lower Canada aged 76 years
certify that I was knowing to Brother Joseph Magoon
enlisting in June 1776 in Capt James Shephard Company
for six months in to Join the Continental army at
Ticonderoga but I was not with him during his service
as soon after he left went to Portsmouth in
the Malitia of Newhampshire but returned home
previous to Brothers return which was late in the fall
after the first man fell and after his six months
in the month of July 1778 my said Brother and myself
enlisted under Capt Benjamin Sias of London N H for
two months marched immediately to Rhode Island
where we continued until Sullivan retreat and after
the retreat and we had left the Island and the term of
our enlistment had expired we were dismissed-
Sworn and subscribed to this 15 day of August 1832
Ephm Magoon

I Ephraim More of Hatly in the Province of
Lower Canada aged 73 years do testify and
say that I was at Cambridge in the State of
Massachusetts in the Newhampshire Malitia
that I was well acquainted with Joseph Magoon
who has made the within declaration and law
him at Cambridge as a soldier in Newhampshire
troops at the same time I did
not see him enlist and cannot tell how long
he served - but know that he acted the
part of a soldier while there
-
Sworn & Subscribed this 15th day of August 1832
E Magoon
Page 9

the said Court do hereby set
their opinion after the investigation of the
and upon 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 the Ephraim Magoon and Ephraim
Moore who have signed the preceding certificate
residents in the township of Shipton
and Hatley as aforesaid, and are credible
persons and their statements are
entitled to credit-

John H Kimball Register of the
Probate Court for the District
Orleans press so hereby certify is
that the foregoing contains the 
original proceeding of the said Court
in the matter of the application
John H. Kimbell Register 

In testimony to have
set my hand and seal of office
this 15th day of August 1832-
John H. Minshall Register

State of Vermont
Orleans County ss 
Derby August 17 1833 then personally
appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for said
County of Orleans Joseph Magoon of Stanstead Lower Canada who being duly sworn
deponant says 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 viz. 1st
for four months served as a Sergeant in Capt. Shepherds company and was station
at Cambridge Mass. but cannot recollect my colonels name
2 for six months
as a private in same company under Col. Wyman and Senter and Maj. Peabody
3d for certainly not less than a month as a private under Capt. Sins but cannot
recollect my colonels name and the Brigade Majors name was Sherburne and
for this service I claim a pension
Joseph Magoon

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me
D Camp
Justice
of the Peace
Page 10

State of Vermont
Orleans County
I Ira H Allen Clerk of Orleans,
County Court do hereby certify
that D.M. Camp who has
affixed his name to the within
is a magistrate duly qualified
and that I believe the same
to be his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe
my name and affix the seal of said
Court at Irasburgh this 20 day of
August 1833


19108
Magoon
H. Allen Clk
Declaration of
Page 11

Revy War
13881
INVALID.
File No. 181
Joseph Magoon
Priv Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index: -- Vol. 1
Page 259
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

Revolutionary Claium

Honbl Lewis Cass Secretary of War
City of Washington
District of Columbia

Free

July VT
Aug

20
20
2.86
42.88
85.12
21.51
107.15

[illegible]
4 mo srgt
6" 26D priv
Page 13


Derby August 26th 1833
Honbl J. L Edwards
Sir
I here enclose the application of Joseph Magoon
as amended by his Oath burying his services by his
last declaration he served one Month a Sergent
and Seven month as a private in the amendment is to say
will please to forward his careful the applicant is very
and informed and if he does not accused in obtaining
his pension soon we will not be able to say the Government
of the United States the soldier that age
for their Independance as he is now in his 82 year
house reexamine his case and make report to
Your Obedient and
[illegible]
Page 14

I John Foss of Thornton in the County of
Grafton and State of New Hampshire of age, do
testify and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph
Magoon in the year 1778 and was in the same company
with him in the service in the revolutionary war under
Captain James Shepherd in Colonel Wyman's regiment
at Mount Independence when he served in company with
me
five months.
John Foss

State of Newhampshire
Grafton
Thornton July 3d 1832
Personally appeared the above named John Foss
and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition
by him subscribed is true and I further say that
I am well acquainted with the said John Foss and
know him to be a credible witness
Samuel Fish Jus. Peace
- 
State of New Hampshire
Grafton
I Stephen P. Webster Clerk of the Superior
Court of Judication within & for the County of Grafton do
hereby certify that on the third day of July
Samuel Fish Esq of Thornton was an acting Justice
of the Peace within & for said County of Grafton that the
above signature is genuine and in the hand
writing of the said Fishe
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of said Court
Done at Haverhill in said County this
9th day of July Anno Domini 1832.
S. P. Webster Clarke