Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11267, for William Priest, New Hampshire
Page 1

SERVICE N.H.  Priest, William   NUMBER S.11267
carded
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6613
New Hampshire
William Priest
of Walpole in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Wyman  in the N H line for 14 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of N H at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Mar 1833 and sent Hon H. Hubbard  H of Reps

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833  -  -  -  $93.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "  -  23.33
[total] $116.65

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by I H McBlair Clerk,
Book D.  Vol.1st  Page 177.

Date of death recd [as?] AB
Page 3

Declaration
of Wm Priest
Walpole
10490 Chesh Co.
N. H.
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Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, SS. }
On this twenty first day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon Aaron Matson Judge of Probate for said County of Cheshire now sitting, William Priest a resident of Walpole in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy seven years last [?] 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 in the year 1776, he thinks in June he he [sic] enlisted in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war in Capt Towne's Compy in Col Wymans Regiment of New Hampshire troop for five months - went to Ticonderoga - was stationed on Mount Independence - was there through his term - was there when Arnolds feet was destroyed on the lake, and was dismissed there the last of November-- went from Temple N.H. 
That he again entered said service in 1777 - went on an alarm at the time Burgoyne was advancing upon Ticonderoga - marched [?bury] Vt, was then turned back as was [opposed?] by a tory who said the troops were not wanted-- returned to Temple- immediately started again-- and got as far as Rutland and then learned that Ticonderoga had been given up, & was dismissed - was out on this alarm about three weeks -- 
 That in 1778 or 1779 in the spring or beginning of summer - a man came through Temple N.H. and wanted men to go on to West  point to fill up the Continental rank [.] that he enlisted for nine months- that one Andrews enlisted at the same time at Temple, since dead, and went with him to west point - that when he arrived there he was immediately put into the service of a French Engineer- and worked on a fort remained there a time and men were called for to go to Kings Ferry, to prevent the enemy from landing and driving away cattle - a British vessel lay off to receive the cattle[;] that he volunteered & with a party of 30 or 40 men went to the Ferry - and was stationed there several months - then joined the main force at White plains, - application was then made by the suttlers to Col Tupper (I think it was), for me to assist them and I served with them untill the army went to winter quarters-- I then went to West point and was discharged there at the end of my nine months. I do [did] not do any regular company duty and cannot tell the names of my officers - the Commissary's name was Ballard - he was arraigned & tried  by a court martial at New Windsor as I understood-- I was one of the Boat men to carry him up-- Genl Arnold commanded at West point. I was discharged in the latter part of winter he thinks recollects helping take up a large chain in the fall which was stretched across the river - doesn't recollect whether he recd any written discharge - went from Temple N.H. when he went into said service

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present,
and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
William Priest X his Mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me [signed] Aaron Matson Judge of Probate
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a
Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
[signed] Aaron Matson Judge of Probate

I Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of William Priest for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty first day of August A.D. 1832-
[signed] Asa Parker } Register of said Court of Probate
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10490
William Priest
Private
14 Months
on Roll Capt Town's
Company-
Adm
the
Hon H Hubbard
H R

[Kott?] Edwards
Keene
N H
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of William Priest
of Walpole in the State of New Hampshire 
(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 injury? [blank] 

3. How old is he? Seventy seven years 

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
enlisted in 1776 June - 5 months - Capt Towne, Col Wyman
1777 - about 3 weeks - no officers stated
1778 or 9 - 9 months -  [none stated]

5. In what battles was he engaged?  none stated

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Temple, N.H.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Daniel Heald, living witness proves some service in 1776 - also in 1778

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and, if so, how?  [blank]

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
[signed] D Kurtz  Examining Clerk.
Page 8

August 28, 1930

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

Miss Eleanor Houston
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 11267, that William Priest was born in November, 1754, place not stated.

While residing in Temple, New Hampshire, he enlisted and served with the New Hampshire troops, as follows:

From in June, 1776, in Captain Town's Company, Colonel Wyman's Regiment, marched to Ticonderoga, thence to Mount Independence, where he remained until discharged the last of November. When Burgoyne was advancing on Ticonderoga, in 1777, he served about three weeks, officers not stated; from in the spring of 1779, under a French Engineer, whose name was not stated, and assisted on the fortifications at West Point
and stretching the chain across the river; also served under Commissary Ballard as assistant to the Sutlers to Colonel Tupper, and was discharged at West Point, having served nine
months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, at which time he was living at Walpole, Cheshire County, New Hampshire.

There are no data as to his family.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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Date Jan 24,17
Name Wm Priest
No. 11267
N. H.  Rev.
Photographic copies wanted of 1 pieces, consisting of 1 pages.
Remarks:
Exr. A E Wilson   Chief Rev. War Sect.
APPROVED:
---Chief, Law Division.
Serial
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ELEANOR HOUSTON
REAL ESTATE
522 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK
VANDERBILT 9574

July 22, 1930

Pension Department,
Department of Interior,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

I should like to secure a copy of the application of a William Priest, Revolutionary Soldier, from the State of New Hamshire [Hampshire], which was probably make about 1832 from Walpole, N. H.

Of course, I shall be glad to pay any fee for such service.

Very truly yours,
Eleanor Houston

[stamp]
Pension Office
U.S.
JUL 23 1930
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1917 Jan 24 Photo 1 page decla sent to Kleury Melville 45 Cedar St N.Y. City see receipt for payment locked up write special correspondence to him  AU
1917 Oct 15 Hist to Hon. Dudley Doolittle, letters returned through T. Fletcher Dennis   C
1930 Aug 29 Hist to A. Eleanor Houston AUY
1939 Oct 17 Photos mailed to Miss Alice L. Priest.  See Rev. Claim - Joseph Priest - W. 812 [illegible] 

Rev War
11267
INVALID.
File No. 11,267
William Priest
Priv. Rev War
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index:  Vol. A, Page 303
[in brackets]  Arrangement of 1870.
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October 17, 1939.
BA-J/ILL

Miss Alice L. Priest
16 Brewster Terrace
Brookline, Massachusetts.

Dear Madam:
You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies of the original pages thereof, in the claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the soldiers names below.
Abel Priest,  W. 26342 -3 pages
Job Priest,  S. 33517 - 3 pages
Joseph Priest,  W. 812 - 4 pages
Levi Priest,  W. 15939 - 2 pages
Samuel Priest,  W. 26937 - 2 pages
William Priest,  S. 11267 - 2 pages.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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[handwritten part]
Requested by Alice L. Priest
Her Req. in Joseph Priest
W. 812

Appl. of sel. Aug 21, 1832
1 page
Affid. of Daniel Heald
Aug 13, 1832 = 1 p

[typed part]
BA-J/ILL
Rev. & 1812
No. 486
October 9
Navy-Br. 970
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

Revolutionary War claim for pension
William Priest - S.11267
Actual  1 of each page
$.50  2 pages

Kindly leave margin of  1 [&] 1/2 inch at top of each page, and return papers in folder with corresponding name and number.
The word "Omit" writen in pencil on pages not to be copied.

Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
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October 15, 1917

Honorable Dudley Doolittle,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Doolittle:

In response to your request, dated the
ninth instant, for information for Mrs. Harriet P. Belting of Maryville, Missouri, I have the honor to furnish you the history of the only soldier named "Priest" of Cheshire County, New Hampshire, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
From the papers in the claim of William Priest, Survivor 's File No. 11,267 Rev. War, it appears that he was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Walpole, Cheshire County, New Hampshire; he stated that he was "seventy-seven years of age last November," and that he went into the service from Temple, New Hampshire.
Enlisted in June, 1776, in Captain Town's company, Colonel Wyman's regiment for five months ["for five months" is crossed out], marched to Ticonderoga, thence to Mount Independence, where he remained until discharged, the last of November.
When Burgoyne was advancing upon Ticonderoga, in 1777, soldier enlisted, and served about three weeks; officers not stated.
Enlisted in the spring of 1779, under a French Engineer (name not stated); assisted on the fortifications at West Point and stretching the chain across the river, also served under Commissary Ballard as assistant to the Sutlers to Colonel Tupper, and was discharged at West Point, having served nine months.
There are ["is" crossed out] no family data on file. The place of his birth and date of his death are not shown, and although his name is signed by mark, there is no reference to blindness.
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Mrs. Belting stated that soldier owned land in Cheshire Co. NH. when he died in 1842, and that he was blind -
She did not know his Christian name.
1831
77
1754
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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 William Priest, 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? [blank]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes (but it does not appear that the interrogatories were put)

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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[Page] 2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no

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? [blank]

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of witness or witnesses? yes 
Has the proper officer certified to the character and signature of the magistrate as regulations direct? Yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank]

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? It does not appear that [the rest is illegible]

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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[page] 3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served. and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly 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 services 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 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 certificated 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. 
  [hand symbol pointing ] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Depo for Wm Priest
Page 19

I Daniel Heald of Temple in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire Aged seventy years testify and say that in the year 1776 I was well acquainted with William Priest who then resided in said Temple and I know that said Priest sometime in that year, I think in the spring, set out with one Jeremiah Andrews to join the Revolutionary Army at Ticonderoga, and I remember said Andrews returned the next winter and I believe Priest came with him but of this I am not positive-
And in 1778 or 1779 I think in 1778 I Rember [remember] said William Priest Inlisted again in the Massachusetts line (as I understood) with said Andrews late in the winter or early in spring, went to fill up (as I understood) the continental line, and I recollect that they returned in the fore part of the winter following and in conversation with Andrews after his return he told me they had been at various places on the Hudson River, but I do not know the particular time for which he enlisted. I have frequently seen said Priest since that time; and have understood for some years past the he resides in Walpole in Cheshire County in said State
[signed]  Daniel Heald

Hillsborough ss. August 13, 1832 Then the above named Daniel Heald Personally appeared and made oath to the above written deposition by him subscribed, and I certify that he is a man of strict veracity and a credible witness in any Court of Law.
[signed]  David Stiles Justice of the Peace

I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that David Stiles above named is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hillsborough and duly empowered to administer oaths and that the above signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord 1832.
[signed] A. Wallace Clerk