Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,275, for James Topliff, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn. Topliff, James S. 16,275
carded.
CONTENTS
Page 2

17 403
Vermont
James Topliff
of Windsor in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the company commande*
by Captain [line strike through where name should be] of the Regt commande*
by Col Slim in the ["Mass ma:" written with strike through. "Conn" written beneath the strike through text.]
ne* for 12 mo.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 41 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Aug.
1833 and sent to
R. W Southgate. Bridgewater

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $83.32
Some-anl. allowance ending 4th March 20.83
$104.15
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. S. Williams Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 14
Page 3

James. Topliff's
Va,
Declaration
No. 5541
Page 4

STATE OF VERMONT,
WINDSOR COUNTY, SS.}
On this 18th day of August. A.D. 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford. District
now sitting, James Topliff a resident of the county of Windsor
and State of Vermont, aged Seventy Two 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.

In the latter part of July or first of July or part of August year in 1776 the Regiment
in which he belonged in Mansfield Connecticut were
called out and marched to Newhaven and from there to
horse Neck & East Chester under command of Capt Sam
Thomson Col Storrs & Maj Brown & remained there about
two weeks was then ordered on to York Island opposite Fort Washington & there remained about Two Weeks
from there was marched up the Hudson River to White
Plains & remained there until after the Battle & then
marched up to north Castle & remained there untill
discharged which was some time in November by Gen
Lee having served three served three months & a half in the follow-
ing he volunteered to go to Bordener R Island to fortify
and guard the place was commanded by Gen Sullivan
in Capt Thomsons company as before then remained untill
May & served six months was discharged by Gen Sullivan
in the following Sept or Oct. which was in 1777. He was drafted
to go to [blank space] to guard the place as the British forces were
laying in the Bay near there & remained Two Months was
commanded by Col Ledyard & in Shumways Company - in the
fall of 1778 he thinks in Oct he was drafted & marched
to Rhode Island but previous to arriving there our Army left
the Island consequently he remained at Howlands ferry one
month the time  for which he was drafted & then returned
home was commanded by Gen Sullivan during his last
compaign and was in Capt Shunmways Company. making in
all Twelve Months & a half of service he knows of no
person who can testify to his services except calvin Topliff
whose affadavit* accompany his declaration was Born in
Willington Co. the 5th day of Jany 1760 has a record of his
age in Mansfield where he remained soon after he was born
Page 5

returned from Conn in the year 1780 to Vermont
and has hince there ever since in the Town of
Bridgewater where he has been a magistrate and 
a member of the legislature for several years

	He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present,
ade delcares that his name is not on the Pension Rolly of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid.
L.A. Marsh, Register	James Topliff

We, Jasper Hayes a Clergy residing in Woodstock
and Walter Palmer residing in the same place, hereby certify, that
we are well aquainted with James Topliff who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age;
that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a
soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid, Jasper Hayes
L.A. Marsh, Register	Walter Palmer

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the mat-
ter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the
aboved named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the
Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jasper. Hayes
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Woodstock
and that Walter who has also signed the same, is a resident in
Woodstock and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Lyndon Marsh Register of the Court of Probate of the Dis
trict of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original pro-
ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Topcliff
for a Pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereu nto (spacing error)
set my hand and seal of office this
18th day of August
A.D. 1832
L.A. Marsh, Register
Page 6

33.41 -
James Topliff
Admit
12 1/2 mo's Private
R. W. Southgate
Page 7

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May . 10 . 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 show 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 James Topliff
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the (illegible) service. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field of-ficers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported
Years. | Months. | Days. |
in 1776 | (blank) | 3 and the half | (blank) | Private (spanning the height of three chart rows) | Bob Stors | 73. Years | Afidant of Calvin Topliff
in 76 & 1777 | (blank) | 8 | (blank) | Private | May Brown | alive | Afidant Calvin Topliff
in 1778 | (blank) | 12 | 1/2 | Private | Gen Sullivan Col Ledyard | Connecticut | Afidant of Calvin Topliff

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr James Topliff
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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, musicians 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 }ss.
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 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 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 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
Page 9

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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.
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 bis 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 mouths 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 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 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 places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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.
[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 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 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 [a] to [j] 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.
Page 10

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D. C.
Page 11

Bridgewater Vermont June 12 1833
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir I. herewith send
the Declarations of James Topliff and Ruhen
Robinson together with the papers in support
of the applicants claims claiming Pensions
verry Respectfully your
Obedient Servant
R.W.Southgate
Hone J L Edwards
Page 12

P 16275
INVALID.
---
File No. 16275
James Topliff
Pri Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 377
Index:--Vol. (blank), Page 377
[Arrangement of 1870].
Page 13

1896 Feb 29
Soldier here resided
J. Francis Topliff,
& Ivy St. , Boston Mass.
Apr 9 96 copies of papers
cannont be furnished
J F Topliff Britain
mo
LWB

Dec 16 - 1901
Hon D. J. Foster N.R.
Page 14

James Topliff
Page 15

State of Vermont
Windsor County
Bridgewater June 1st & 1833
Personally appeared before me the
undersigned Justice of Peace within and for the
county of Windsor James Topliff of Bridgewater, Windsor
county and State of Vermont who having duly served
deposeth & sayeth that by reason of old age & the consequence of
loss of memory he cannot Swear positively as to the percise
length of his service, but according to the best of his
recollection he served not less than the Friends mentio-
ned below and in the following grades
	For Twelve months and a half I served as a
Private & for such service I claim a Pension & for the
time which the service was performed I was not Emp-
-loyed in any civl pursuit that I served with an imbud-
-iece corps & called into service by competent authority &
performed the service as I. have stated in my said Dec-
-laration which this is an addition or amendment
thereto.
	I further depose and say that in the year 1776 I.
lived in Mansfield Connecticut at which time the
Regiment that I. belonged to was called out as I. have
previously stated in my Declaration also further depose
and say that I. know of no person living who can
testify to either time of my services & accept the testem-
-ony enclosed in my said Declaration
James Topfill

Sworn to and subscribed the Day and Year above writing
Before one

State of Vermont
Windsory County
Isa Raymond Justice of Peace
Woodstock June 1st, 1833
	I. Benjamin Swan clerk of Windosor county court
do hereby certify that Isaiah Raymond who has affi
-xed his name to the above is a legistrate duly qualify
and that the above is his genuine signature In testimony
which I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the
seal of said court at Woodstock this 1st day of June
& 1833
Benj. Swan
Page 16

Calvin Topliff
Affidavit
Page 17

I Calvin Topliff of Hanover in the County of Grafton
and State of New Hampshire of certified age testify and
say that James Topliff of Bridgewater in the County of
Windsor and State of Vermont was with me
belonging to the malitia in the town of Mainsfield
and State of Connecicut in a company commanded
by Capt Samuel Thompson and that in last July or
first of August 1776 said Topliff was called out in
said company to march to New York and that
he said at that time three and one half months -
and that he was again called outt in said
company to march to Providence in Rhode Island
about first of December following and that he -
remained in that expedition six months and that
in the fall of the year 1777 he was defeated and
released to march to a fort in Groton Connecticut
and that he remained there two months and that in
the fall of the year 1775 he was ordered to march
to Rhode Island and served there on month —
I. further testify and say that I lived in the same town
and was well acquainted with said Topliff and was
knowing to the several expeditions and for thee say not
Norwich August 7th 1832 Calvin Topliff

State of Vermont
Windsor County
At Norwich August 7 1832
Then and there personally appeared Calvin Topliff
signer of the forgoing instrument and made solomn oath that
this affadavit by him subscribe contains the person & nothing
Ceeds the truth before me
Alba Stimson Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Windsor County
Woodstock County clerks office August 18th 1832 I Benjamin
Swan Cleark of Windsor County Do hereby certify that
Alba Stimson is one of the Justices of the Peace with(illegible) Sov
Suice County and that the above is his signature —
In Testiony whereof I hereby affix the seal of said Court
and subscribe my name the day & year last above
Benj Swan

[drawing of hand pointing to the right followed by the words “see over”]
(Court seal of Credibility on the back)
Page 18

I hereby certify that I an not personally acquainted with Calvin Topliff who [] and signed the [] officiant but the appearance of him at the times he[] [] the before one and my [] [] respecting him [] in[] [] to believe and I so hereby believe the said Topliff to be a credible witness
May 30th A[]1833
Alba S[] Justice of Peace