Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11445, for Elkanah Sprague, Vermont
Page 1

Service
VT

Sprague, Elkanah

Number
S.11445

Carded
Page 2

Left Side Page

20775
New York
Elkanah Sprague
of Montgomery in the state of N York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Hazen of the Regt commanded by Col. Marsh in the New York* line for 23 mos. & 10 days

* Vt Line
Records corrected May 1/05

Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of 77 dollars and 77 center per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Oct 1833 and sent to J Paterson North Hampton

Arrears to the 4th of Sep $194.42
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar $38.88
$233.30

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Go C Stiles - Clerk
Book E Vol 4 Page 86

Right Side Pag

Date of death not on AB
Page 3

452
Elkanah Sprague
Montgomery Co N. York

14.16
P.393
Admitted
Private 23 mo. & 10 days

7660
110
7776
May 14, '33

15554
3888
19442

John Patterson
Northampton NY
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Elkanah Sprague
County of Montgomery in the state of New York
(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? NA
3. How old is he? 70 years
4. State his Service as directed in the form annexed.

Period 
1. March In 1777
2. 1 July 1777
3. July 1777
4. 1 April 1778
5. 1779
6. 1780
7. 1781

Duration of Service
1. 4 Days
2. 21 Days
3. 3 months and 15 days
4. 8 mo.
5. 3 mos.
6. 3 mos.
7. 6 mo.

Rank - Private during every enlistment

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served - 
1. Capt. Hazen & Col Marsh
2. Capt. Hazen & Col Olcut
3. Capt. Hazen & Col Marsh
4. Capt. Cashman & Col Bedell
5. Capt. Sawin
6. Capt. Cox
7. Lt. Sprague

5. In what battles was he engaged - BLANK
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? - HARTFORD, CONN.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence or by the rolls? _ BY LIVING WITNESSESE
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? - PAPERS NOT ATTACHED AS REQ

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Richard Cutts - Examining Clerk
Page 5

State of New York
Montgomery County

On this seventh day of June personally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Montgomery Elkanah Sprague a resident of the town of Mayfield in said county who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration and answers to the queries prescribed by the War Department (it being intended as an amendment to his former declaration).

Interrogatories by the undersigned Judge

1. Where and in what yar were you born?
Answer - I was born on the 19th day of December in the year 1760 in the town of Windham, County of Windham State of Connecticut 

2. Have you any record of your age?
Answer - I have not - my father has a record of my age, and I have frequently seen it but it is lost.

3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where to you now live
Answer - When I entered the service and through the revolutionary war I resided in the town of Hartford County of Windsor and state of Vermont. Soon after I removed to the county of Saratoga in the state of New York from thence to the county of Montgomery where I have lived ever since.

4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute?
Answer - The first time I entered the service which was in the militia, the regiment was called out [illegible], the second time which was in the yar 1777 I was drafted. The third time which was also in the year 1777 in the summer I joined the army voluntarily, the fourth time which was
Page 6

in the year 1778 I enlisted in a regiment (said to be raised by orders of Congress) for one year. The fifth time I enlisted in the service which was in the year 1779. I was drafted. The sixth time I entered the service as a substitute for Newbury Edy which was in the year 1780. The seventh time I entered the service which was in the year 1781 about the 1st of June I enlisted in the state troops.

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 service.
Answer - General St. Clair commanded at Fort Ticonderoga when I was there, when Burgoyne came down the fort was evacuated and we retreated the second day of June left at the British and overtook our rear and a short conflict ensued. Colonel Warner Francis and Hale commanded the troops who were engaged and it was said Frances was killed and Hale taken prisoner our regiment retreated across the green mountains into Vermont. The regulars went to Fort Edward, I did not stay at Ticonderoga long enough to become acquainted with the names of many of the regular offices except these of the higher grades but I remember one captain McCune belonging to Warner's regiment also a Lieutenant Payne and a Captain Allen there was also another regiment of Militia lying there which was commanded by Colonel Bellows. For the month of August in the year 1779 while  we lay at Manchester in Vermont, Colonel Warner's regiment of regular troops and Colonel Henricks rangers lay in company with us, they went from there to Bennington and we to Lake George by the way of Paulette and Castleton and marched to Diamon Island by water to attack a party of British who had been left there but their cannonballs were like to sink and bateaus and [illegible]
Page 7

glad to get on shore again, as ball ** through the boat in which I was and a *** struck my knee and wounded it the scar is yet plain. In the year 1778 while in the service I became acquainted with a Captain Nelson and a Lieutenant Moore but they both belonged to the same regiment with myself - at other times when I was in the service I did not lay in company with the continental troops.

6 - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service.
Answer - I never di have a written discharge wither was it customary to take one when discharged by companies.

7 - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character as to veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer - Joseph Collins, Joseph Brown, Richard Chambers, Rev. Aaron Seamans, John Patterson, Judge Gilbert and many others.

Elkanah Sprague

Sworn and subscribed before me this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord 1833 and I do certify that the above interrogatories were severally put to the said Elkanah Sprague by me as prescribed by the War Department and answered by him as above stated and that he is a credible person to me well known whose statement is entitled to credit.

Samuel A Filbert - one of the Judges of Montgomery County Court
Page 8

State of New York
Montgomery County

Clerk's Office

I George D Ferguson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Montgomery do hereby certify that Smauel A Filbert Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day thereof a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county; and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge & verily believe that the name of the said Judge subscribed to the within affidavit is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 12th June 1833.

Geo D Ferguson
Page 9

State of New York and 
County of Montgomery

On this 20th day of September personally appeared in open court before Aaron Harring, John Hand, Samuel A Gilbert & Abm Morrel the court of Common Pleas of this county of Montgomery and sitting Elkanah Sprague a resident of the town of Mayfield county of Montgomery and state of New York aged seventy-one years last December 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.

In the year 1777 about the first of March he entered the service in the regiment under command of Colonel Joseph Marsh the company to which he belonged was commanded by Captain Joshua Hasen Lieutenant Asa Hasen ensign did not turnout on duty two of the sergeants names were Baldwin and Clark he went from Hartford in Windsor County State of Vermont (which was his place of residence) through Weathersfield Cavendish and a place called Otten Creek to Fort Ticonderoga (the regiment was called out in mass) the regiment was discharged after four days and returned to Windsor (the alarm proving false).

In the year 1777 as part of the militia was again called out and he was drafted about 1st of July he was mustered and marched from there to Ticonderoga he was attached to a company commanded by Captain Joshua Hasen the regiment was commanded by Colonel Richard Olcut and he thinks Major Burton the fort was commanded
Page 10

by General St Clair he had been at Fort Ticonderoga but a few days when the place was evacuated and the garrison retreated the British *** and overtook a part of the army at Hubbardston where an action ensured in this action Colonels Francis Hale and Harmon were engaged Colonel Frances was killed in the battle Colonel Hale was taken and Warne made his escape from Hubbardston he and the rest of the regiment retreated across the Green Mountains to Windsor County in Vermont the place of their residence when called out. Was absent on this tour of duty about three weeks he has no documentary evidence of this tour of service, nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can prove it.

He again entered the service in the same year aforesaid in the month of July as this deponent thinks, he joined a company under the command of Captain Seth Hodges in Colonel Marsh's regiment of militia. He marched from Royalton to Charleston in the state of New Hampshire from thence to Manchester Vermont from thence to Pawlet and Castleton thence to Lake George and relieved a number of  prisoners which were taken at Hubbardston after the evacuation of Ticonderoga from thence he went with the rest of the army by water to Diamond Island where they were defeated by the British and he was severely wounded in the knee. A thirty-two-pound ball passed through a bateau in which he was in and a large sliver struck his knee. Barret, who was also at this battle, was likewise wounded by a sliver, the Americans retreated to the shore burnt their boats and returned to Pawlet where they met with Colonel Olcut's regiment and he was discharged and returned home. He was absent on this tour services about town and a half month he resided in the said abovementioned town of
Page 11

Hartford county of Windsor state of Vermont he has no documentary evidence of this tour of service.

On the 1st day of April in the year 1778 he again entered the service and that day he enlisted in the continental services in a regiment ordered to be raised by Congress for one year. The name he thinks commanded this regiment was Timothy Beedle, the officers of the company in which he enlisted were Captain Soloman Wm. Cushman and Lieutenant Elias Stevens about the first of July following he marched to Albany under the command of John Whitlock who was Lieutenant Colonel. There he was mustered under General John Starks and received three months' pay at Albany. He stayed till about the 1st of September and then marched to the frontier between Vermont and Canada and was discharged on the 27 day of November (the army having gone into winter quarters) he then returned to his place of residence aforesaid. He has no documentary evidence of this tour of service, nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can procure this and the tour of two and a half months except Daniel Lovejoy and Elias Stevens who enlisted him. He next entered the service in the year 1779 in the militia was drafted and joined a company commanded by Captain Sawien about the first of June resided at the time he entered the service at the town of Hartford above mentioned and stationed in a Fort in Turland in the west part of Vermont - served in this tour about three months. He has no documentary evidence of this tour nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can prove it except George Cox. For the year 1778 he went out on a tour of duty in the militia and was a substitute for Newbury Edey
Page 12

was attached to a company commanded by Captain Benjamin Cox Senior he was stationed at a fort in the town of Barnard County of Windsor and state of Vermont was employed in scouting servied three months in the summer and fall of said year. He has no documentary evidence of this tour of service but has the testimony of Andrew Stevens and Benjamin Cox in proof of it; resided when he entered this tour of service in Hartford aforesaid.

He next entered the service in the year 1781 in the state troops he enlisted about the first of June and served six months. Lay at a picket fort in Rutland county in the town of Pittsford state of Vermont the company lying at this fort to which he was attached was commanded by his father Lieutenant Elkanah Sprague Senior; cannot recollect any of the under officers but there was no captains, resided when he entered this tour of service at Hartford aforesaid; he has no documentary evidence of this service nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can prove it.

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.

Elkanah Sprague

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.

Geo. D. Ferguson - Clerk

We Aaron Simmons a clergyman residing in the town of Northampton in the county of Montgomery and state of New York and John Patterson of the town of Northampton county and state aforesaid
Page 13

hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elkanah Sprague who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy-one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Aaron Seamans
John Patterson

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.

Geo D Ferguson - Clerk

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 Aaron Seamons who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Northampton and that John Patterson who has also signed the same is a resident of the town of Northampton county of Montgomery and state of New York and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I George D Ferguson clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Montgomery do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Elkanah Sprague for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of September in the year of our Lord 1832.

Geo D Ferguson
Page 14

March 7, 1933
BA-J/AWF
Elkanah Sprague - S.11445
Abijah Webster R.11266

Mr. James Simons
418 North Avenue
Grand Rapids, MIchigan

Dear Sir:

The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.11445 based upon the revolutionary war service of Elkanah Sprague.

He was born December 18, 1760, at Windham Connecticut. He was the sone of Elkanah Sprague the name of his mother was not stated.

While a resident of Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont, Elkanah Sprague Junior served as a private in the Vermont troops, as follows - in March 1777, four days in Captain Joshua Hazen's company under Colonel Joseph Marsh; from July 1, 1777 three weeks in Captain Joshua Hazen's company under Colonel Olcott, was in the battle of Hubbardton; again in 1777 two and one half months in Captain Seth Hodges' company, Colonel Marsh's regiment, was in the battle of Diamon Island where wounded in the knee; from April 1, 1778 to November 27, 1778 in Captain Solomon Cushman's company in Colonel Timothy Bedel's regiment; from June 1, 1779, three months under Captain Sawin, stationed at a fort in Rutland; in 1780 three months in Captain Benjamin Cox's company; from June 1, 1781 six months under Lieutenant Elkanah Sprague (soldier's father).

Soon after the revolution, Elkanah Sprague, Jr moved to Saratoga County New York and from there to Montgomery County, New York.

He was allowed pension on this application exe-
Page 15

cuted September 20, 1832, then living in Mayfield, Montgomery County, New York.

There are no further data relative to family.
_____

Abijah Webster
R.11266

From the records of this office it appears that Abijah Webster enlisted at Hartford, Connecticut and served as a private in Captain Bidwell's company was in the battle when Burgoyne was taken length of service not definitely shown.

Abijah Webster married March 5, 1814, Olive Ward. She stated that her maiden name was Kingsley. He died September 8, 1832, in Cazenovia, Madison County, New York then aged about seventy years. The date and place of his birth and names of parents are not stated.

His widow Olive Webster was allowed bounty land in full satisfaction for the services rendered on her application executed June 9, 1855, then seventy-five years of age and living in Cazenovia, New York. The date and place of her birth and names of parents not given.

There are no further data relative to family.

Very truly yours

A D Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 16

& see reg no case

Only 2 in flat
W.19078 &
this is the one - S.11445

US Pension Office Stamp - May 9, 1911

Records Division Stamp - May 9, 1911

Rev Mary 15, 1911 AW
Page 17

LETTERHEAD

The Sprague Investment Company
Real Estate, Loans and Investments
1543 Champa St Denver Colo


W.G. Sprague
President
Ulrich W Sprague
Secretary

Denver, Colorado, May 6, 1911

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear sir:

I am desirous of obtaining the revolutionary war record of my ancestor, a certain Elkanah Sprague who was an officer at least during a part of his service. Does your department show that he received a pension at any time.

This Elkanah Sprague was born about 1760 at Windham Conn. and during the war was living in or near the township of Hartford, in Windsor County Vermont. Some of his enlistments are as follows:

Apr 27, 1779, as Lieutenant in Capt. Burt's Co Col Samuel Fletchers
Oct 1780 as Ensign in Joshua Hazen's Co Col Woods
Aug 1781 as Capt. of a company that wen t to Ft Bethel. All these services were in Vermont.

He is not the same Elkanah who enlisted from Lebanon, New Hampshire whose wife was in receipt of a pension for a time.

There was another of the same name a son of my Elkana who enlisted from the said Windsor but who was very young at that time.

I will greatly appreciate it if you will kindly advise me if your records show that he received a pension and the particulars of his war record if so.

Thanking you in advance, I am
Very respectfully yours

Ulrich W Sprague
1643 Champa St
Denver, Colo
Page 18

Charleston, W. Va
Sept 12, 1912

Dear Sir

I am in receipt of the pension records of George Ledman and Elkanah Sprague Jr and thank you for your courtesy and promptness. Our records of George Leadman are now complete but is there any way of ascertaining the date of Elkanah Sprague Jr. He died in Mayfield NY between the years 1833-1838 probably as his death occurred when his son Elijah my great grandfather was away from home.

Could that be determined
Page 19

by information from the Pension Office wouldn't his pension have ceased at the time of his death as his wife we think died previously to his making application for it? Would it be asking you too much to ask for the date when his pension was last paid?

Respectfully

M. Margaret Roche
1529 Lee St
Charleston W.Va

PS - this appears as the head of the paper
Rev War Records
S.11445
He served from Hartford Vermont.

DEPUTY COMMISIONER PENSION OFFICE STAMP - Sep 13, 1912
Page 20

Sep 12 1912
Sep 13 1912
Page 21

418 North Ave Grand Rapids Mich
Feb 25, 2933

Veterans Bureau
Revolutionary section

Please give me all the information contained in the pension of Abijah Webster who was from Conn but went to Flavius NY. We have it that his wife was Sarah Warren Webster and of Stephen Couch who was born in Conn but wen to Flavius NY and then to Bath NY

Did William De Witt have a pension? He was born in MJ and went to Steuben Co NY.

All family data will be gratefully received.

James Simons
Care of Florent McKee

For my wife Verna Sprague please send me the information concerning Capt. Elkanah Sprague corn in Conn served in Vt Militia from Hartford VT and his son Ignatius Sprague who was born in Lebanon Conn went with father to Hartford VT and served in Revolution from VT.

I especially want the name of wife of Ignatius Sprague and his date of death. I suppose the pension papers of Capt. Elkanah Sprague will prove when and where he died.

I thank you

Verna Sprague Simons
Page 22

[illegible] reply to your request of [blank] received [blank]for a statement of the military history of Elkanah Sprague a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ([stricken words]) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S.F. 11445
______________________________________________
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[writing is faded dates are illegible]
1777
1777
1777
1778
June 1,1779
1780
1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.  
[writing is faded dates are illegible]
RANK. 
[writing is faded illegible]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Seth Hodges
   "       " 
Seth Hodges
Solomon W. Cushman 
[ ] [Garvin or Darwin]
Benjamin Cox
Lt. Elkanah Sprague

COLONEL.
Joseph Marsh
Richard Olcut
Joseph Marsh
[Timothe Bedel]

STATE.
Vt.
Battles engaged in, [writing is faded illegible]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [writing is faded illegible]
Date of application for pension, [Sept 20, ?] 1832
Residence at date of application, [writing is faded dates are illegible]
Age at date of application, [writing is faded dates are illegible]
Remarks: [writing is faded illegible]
Page 23

May 16, 1911

Mr. Ulrich W Sprague
1643 Champa Street
Denver Colorado

Sir:

In reply to your letter dated the 6th and received the 9th instant, you are advised that a careful search shows that Elkanah Sprague, Sur. File 11445 and Elkanah Sprague Wid File No 19078 are the only soldiers of that name found on the revolutionary war pension records.

Very respectfully,

Acting Commissioner
Page 24

September 20, 1912

Mrs. M. Margaret Roche
1529 Lee Street
Charleston, W. Va

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 12th and received the 13th instant, relative to Elkanah Sprague, Sur. File No 11445, Rev War you are advised that in order to obtain the date of last payment of his pension (and probable date of death) and name of the person to whom the arrears were paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, US Treasury Department, giving him all of the following data:

Elkanah Sprague, Certificate No 20775
issued October 2, 1833 under the act of
June 7, 1832 at the New York Agency.

Very respectfully

J L Davenport
Commissioner
Page 25

March 7, 1933
BA-J/AWF

Mr. James Simons
418 North Avenue
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information relative to Stephen Couch, William DeWitt, Elkanah Sprague, Ignatius Sprague, and Abijah Webster, soldiers of the War of the Revolution.

Because of the very large number of requests similar to yours and the limited clerical force available for furnishing revolutionary war data, it has not been possible to furnish to each inquirer more than two histories of soldiers of that war.

You are furnished herewith the revolutionary war records of Elkanah Sprague and Abijah Webster.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 26

11445
INVALID
rev war
File NO 11445
Elkanah Sprague
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index Vol A Page 354

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Elkanah Sprague
Records Corrected May 1/05

1911 May 16 - Hist to Mr. Ulrich W Sprague
1912 Sept 6 - M Margaret Roche
1529 Lee St Charleston, W. Va furnished list - see letter in claim of Geo Cadman
1912 Sept 20 Mrs. Roche: ref to auditor
1933 March 7 - Hist to James Simons
Page 27

Elias Stevens &
Daniel Lovejoy
Affidavit
Page 28

I Elias Stevens of Royalton County of Windsor & State of Vermont being 78 years of age do testify & say that in the year 1777 I well knew Elkanah Sprague then of Hartford in the county now of Mayfield in the state of New York and that he went with me as a soldier in Col. Marsh's Regiment of militia, Capt. Seth Dodges company we marched from Royalton to Charleston NH from thence to Manchester Vermont then to Pawlet and on to Castleton then to Lake George and relieved 3 or 400 of our prisoners which were taken at Hubbardton at the time that Ticonderoga was given up thence we went up lake George to Diamond Island and there we were defeated by the British & we burnt our water craft and returned to Pawlet where we met Col [illegible] regiment and was relieved by said Olcutt regiment & returned home.

In the year 1777 in November Col Timothy Beedle of New Hampshire had order from Congress to raise a regiment for one year & Capt. Solomon W Cushman was a Capt. & I was Lieutenant I had orders from Col Beedle to enlist men in pursuance of which order I enlisted Elkanah Sprague who then resided in Hartford in the this county on the first day of April in the year 1778 & in June or July following we marched to Albany under the command of John Wheelock Beedle's Lieut Col where we were mustered by a continental [illegible] master under Gen John Starks & then we received 3 months' pay. Laid there util about the first of September then returned back on our frontiers between this & Canada and we were discharged on the 27 day of Nov. Col Beedles regiments headquarters was at Haverhill NH. I know this Elkanah Sprague to be the same man which I enlisted said Sprague served in Beedle's regiment absent eight months in March's regiment two & half months and further the deponent says not.

Elias Stevens

Windsor County
The foregoing sworn to before me Sept 4th 1832

Daniel Rix Justice of Peace

Windsor County Royalton June 8th 1833

I do hereby certify that Elias Stevens the person who swore and subscribed to the above affidavit before me on the 4th day of Sept 1832 is a credible gentleman to me well known and that his statements and testimony is entitled to undoubted credit.

Daniel Rix - Justice of the Peace
Page 29

State of Vermont
Windsor County ss } Woodstock County Court Office Sept 5 1832 
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Daniel Rix before whence there two affidavits were taken, is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County and that the signatures to each one his ~
In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court & subscribe my name the day & year above
Benj Swan

State of Vermont
Windsor County ss} I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Daniel Rix is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County, and the two Certificates of this days date with his name hereto affixed as Justice of the Peace are genuine
In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court, and subscribe my name in Eighth day of June AD. 1833
Benj Swan
Page 30

I Daniel Lovejoy of Royalton County of Windsor & State of Vermont aged 70 years do testify & say that I was a soldier in Capt Solomon W Bushmans Company & both joined the [illegible] Regiment of N. H. in the year 1778 and was acquainted with Elkanah Sprauge then of Hartford in the County of Windsor State of Vermont now of Mayfield state of New York he was in the same company with one in June or July we marched to Albany and was mustered by a Continental Mustermaster under Genl John Stark and received three months pay we remained there until the last of August or the first of Sept. and then returned back on to our frontier between this and [illegible] and were discharged some time in November and the remainder of our pay we need in Pierces final settlement notes and further the witness with not
Daniel Lovejoy

Windsor County & Royalton Sept 4 1832
the foregoing affidavit sworn to before me 
Daniel Rix Justice of Peace

Windsor County ss Royalton the 8 day of June 1833 I do hereby certify that Daniel Lovejoy the person who swore and subscribed to the above affidavit on this 4th day of September 1832 before me at Royalton as above stated is a person to me well and that he is a respectable man a credible person whose statement and testimony is is entitled to credit
Daniel Rix Justice of the Peace
Page 31

Sworn
Elkanah Sprauge
14 452
75
Page 32

Whereas We Andrew Stevens & Benjamin Cox of Barnard in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont of Lawful age do testify & say that we served in a Company of Rangers at a fort in said Barnard in the year 1780 as Soldiers under Capt Benjamin Cox Scigion and that we were there well acquainted with one Elkanah Sprauge now of Mayfield in Montgomery County in the State of New York who we well know served there in said Company as a Solider under the said Capt Benji Cox Scignion the term of three months in the year 1780 and there faithfully did the duty of a Solider in the said Company further said witnesses testify not
Barnard Sept 3rd 1832 Andrew Stevens
Benji Cox
State of Vermont
Windsor County ss} At Barnard this 3rd day of Sept 1832 personally Appeared Andrew Stevens & Benjamin Cox the signers of the above written Instrument and Made oath to the same Before me Alpheus Howe Justice Peace
State of Vermont
Windsor County} Woodstock County Clerk Office September 5 1832
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Alpheus Howe is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County - and that the above is his signature - 
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name the day & year last above
Benji Swan
Windsor County ss
I do hereby certify that Andrew Stevens and Benjamin Cos the person who sworn and subscribed to the above affidavit before me at Barnard on the 3rd day of Sept 1832 as above stated are persons to me well known and that they are men of good reputation whose statements and testimony is entitled to undated credit
at Barnard June 8th 1833 Alpheus Howe Justice Peace
Page 33

State of Vermont
Windsor County } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Alpheus Howe was at the date of the within certificate one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County, and the signature hereunto is his
In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name this eighth day of June AD 1833
Benj. Swan
Page 34

Whereas I George Cox of Barnard in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont of Lawful age do testify and say that I was a Soldier under Capt Sawin at Rutland in a fort at that place it being in the west part of this State and there served in defending the frontiers in the year 1779 and there was well acquainted with Elkanah Sprauge now of Mayfield in the County of Montgomery in the State of New York who did there serve as a Solider under the said Capt Sawin the term of time of three months and did there faithfully do the duty of a solider the above mentioned term of time in the year 1779 further said witness Testifyth not
Dated at Barnard September 3rd 1832
George Cox
State of Vermont
At Barnard September 3rd 1832
Windsor County } ss Personally appeared George Cox the signer of the above written statement and made oath to the same before me
Alpheus Howe Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Windsor County } ss Woodstock County Clerk Office Sept 5th 1832 I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Alpheus Howe is one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County, and that the within is his signature there Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court & subscribe my name, the day & year above-
Benji Swan
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Windsor County ss
I do hereby certify that George Cox the person who swore and subscribed to the within affidavit before me at Barnard on the 3rd of Sept 1832 is a respectable person to me well known and that his statements and testimony is entitled to undoubted credit.
at Barnard June 6th 1833 Alpheus Howe Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont
Windsor County } 
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Alpheus Howe is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, and that the above is his Signature - the Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court, and subscribe my name this eighth day of June AD 1833 -
Benji Swan
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Elkanah Sprauge
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elkanah Sprague Montgomory Ny 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 war when he served? Yes
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officer under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
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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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
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? One
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? No
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 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? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? No
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
**Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ---- year ---- months, and ---- days, I served as a ---- For ---- months and ---- days, I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term 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.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow 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, of 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.