Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,122, Elijah Goodspeed, Mass. Privateer
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Mass.   Goodspeed, Elijah   R. 4.12
Privateer
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 4, 1832
State of New York
Oswego County
On this 24th day of Sept 1832
Personally appeared in open court the court of common pleas now sitting Elijah Goodspeed a resident of same county and state aged sixty nine or seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to the Law does on his oath make the following declaration in court to obtain the benefits 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; that he was born at Barnstable Massachusetts he believes from the best of his recollection and belief January 17, 1763 has no correct record of his age that he knows of; lived at Barnstable when he entered the Privateering service at about twelve years of age,  sailed from New-port, Rhode Island in September 1775 (to the best of his recollection) John Magee Commander, was out about seven weeks, received a wound in the left hip by a ball and shot ball extracted, shot remains.  In about three weeks, after sailed again from Falmouth, out about four months - Dominick [?] Commander, - when fifteen or sixteen years of age there was a general alarm, Reinforcements were called for at Rhode Island to sustain General Sullivans expedition - belonged to the Reinforcements which volunteered for that service and was in Rhode Island battle, General Sullivan Commander in chief - volunteered under Capt[ain] John Gibbs of Wareham Mass. - during the battle, was detached from the militia to the artillery, Com[man]der name not known.  Rec[eive]d two wounds in the head one by a ball  the other by a sword - When between sixteen and seventeen years of age was in a battle between a party of British and Americans at the village of Falmouth Mass.  Simon Fish Com[man]d[e]r.  British attempted to burn the town but were repulsed by the militia - 
The spring following, after he was seventeen year of old, went on a privateering voyage, had an engagement with a small British vessel, took her and brought in seventeen prisoners and delivered them to the government.
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In about three weeks after returning from sea, there was

an alarm at Sandwich Mass., volunteered under

Capt[ain] Joseph Webb was taken prisoner, put aboard of

a prison ship called the Jersey, put in irons and sent

to Antigua, remained there seven weeks, was then put

aboard of British man of war Ana Carria in irons

to Plymouth England, remained there a prisoner

nearly eighteen months - was a prisoner to the British

in the whole, nineteen months and four days.

Was made a prisoner (he thinks) in April or May 1780.

And was exchanged for and landed at Nantucket,

Mass. he believes in March 1782.

[deleted words, illegible] He has never had a regular

discharge as he [illegible]. His lived since the

Revolutionary War at Plainfield N.H. [New Hampshire], Worcester N.Y. [New York],

Estor, Frank[lin]ville Ch[attaragus] Co[unty]. Madison, Lenox and

removed from Lenox to Hastings my present

residence 16 years ago where I have since

resided,

I am known to most of the people in the

town where I reside, and Samuel W. Leonard, a

clergyman & Rollin Blount can testify as

to my character for truth & veracity and

their belief of my service as a soldier

of the Revolution

He hereby relinquishes every claim [illegible] 

to a pension or annuity except the present

and he declares that his name is not on

the pension roll of any agency in any State.

Sworn to & subscribed the day &  year aforesaid.  

D McPherson [signature]

Dep[uty] Cl[er]k

Elijah Goodspell [signature]
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We Samuel W. Leonara a Clergyman for the town 
of Hastings and Rollin Blount residing in the said
town of Hastings hereby certify that we are will again
and that with Elijah Goodspeed who has subscribed and
Sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him
to be Seventy 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       ⎬                   
                                                         Samuel W Leonard
                                                          Rollin Blount
D O H Thuson Depleth                    -----//---------
⎬
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 Samuel W. Leonard
who has signed the proceeding certificate is a Clergyman
who preaches stated in the Town of Hastings, and that
Rollin Blount who has signed the same, is a resident in the
said town of Hastings and is a credible person and that
their statement is entitled to credit- 
A Thinsen                    Judges 
Lowell Johnson
Reynolds            ⎬       
J Erie Poor -----Clerk of the Court of County 
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
Application of Elijah Goodspeed for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and Seal of Office this 2D day of Sept 1832.
Sept
Office this
Erie Poor Clerk
By D O W Thuson
Depleth
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State of New York
Orange County
ss: On this 6th day
of September 1833 personally appeared
before me, the undersigned a Judge of
Orange County Courts, Elijah Goodspeed
who being duly sworn, deposeth & 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: In the month of Aug. 
1778 I volunteered at Warham, Mass. under Capt. John Gibbs
of the Mass militia to go to Rhode Island
to reinforce Gen. Sullivan - was in the battle
at that place & was wounded-- was in the
service at this time 16 days - In the year
1779 I again volunteered under Capt. Simeon
Fish of the Mass militia to go to Falmouth
where we had a battle with the British and
repulsed them - was in the service at this
time about 15 days - In the Spring of 
1780 I again volunteered at Sandwich Mass 
to go on board a vessel (name not recollected) under the command of Capt. Joseph Webb
for the purpose of cruising off the coast for
British [illegible] - The same day we sailed
we were taken prisoners by a British man
of war and was put on board the Lorry 
prison ship and sent to Antigua; and
from thence to England where I remained
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until the year 1782 where I was exchanged and witness hours, where I received, I think in the worth of nicsel [nickel], after having been a prisoner to the British, in all nineteen months and 4 days I know of no person living by whom I can prove my previsy, and for the services above named I  claim a pension
Subscribed and sworn this day and year above written before me Avery Skinner Judge of Oswego Co. Courts}
Elijah Goodspeed
Seal  I Eric Poor, clerk of the County of Oswego, do hereby certify that Avery Skinner Esq before whom the above affidavit prior forth to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Commission Thos in and for same county (which is a count of record and that I am with acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judges and verily believe his  name subscribed to the Incert of the above affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature as writing my hand and seal of office this 10th day of Sept A. D. 1832
Eric Poor Clerk
by D. McPherson
Dep. Clk

[Erie Poor should be tagged as Eric Poor]
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21430
Elijah Goodspeed
Oswego County New York

e.i.l.m.

Avery Skinner
Union Square N. York
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War Department,
Pension Office, 
183[blank]
To:
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.  These 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 Elijah Goodspeed, Oswego co New York
[column 1] Period when the service was rendered.
[column 2] Duties on of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.
[column 3] Rank of the claimant.
[column 4] Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
[column5] Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
[column 6] Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
[column 7] Country through which he marched.
[column 8] Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
[column 9] Evidence by which the declaration it supported.
[column 1] Volunteer 1778 or 1779 do 1780 taken prisoner and detained by the British
[column 2] No time stated. no times 1 year 7 months
[column 3] private
[column 4] Capt Gibbs Capt Fish Capt Webb
[column 6] Rhode Island Falweth Sandwich
[column 9] tradition
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 a Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. [etc.] Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. [etc.] 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 commisioned 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 [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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 that 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 [entered] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [image of hand] 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. [etc,]}
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 [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] 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, an served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c. [etc.]
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 Stat Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: [blank] (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) herby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 is appears to them that A. B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the  [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing; contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, the [blank] day of [blank] &c. [etc.]
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (t) 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.
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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.
!. 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?
State the names of some of the Regular men who were then 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 given and what has become of it? Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
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.
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. 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 sub- 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. deliver 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 of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a or Justice of a Court of Record 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 conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 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 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: pertsonally 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 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 countener 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 about in every case, be clearly what is the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particulars where the service was performed, that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent unthority; 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
a device or thereof by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubtic 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.
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 andavits 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 witand the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. applies to continental troops only.
witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact,
The sewers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
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Page 11

Frances I. Huntington
111 Crane St
Howell, Mich

Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 4122, it appears that Elijah Goodspeed was born January 17, 1763 at Barnstable, Massachusetts.
He resided at Barnstable, when he entered the privateering service in September 1775  and sailed from Newport, Rhode Island under John Magee, Commander, he was wounded in the left hip, and was out seven weeks; three weeks after this, he sailed from Falmouth, Massachusetts under Dimick, Commander, and was out four months.
He volunteered in August 1778 in Captain John Gibbs' Company, was in the battle of Rhode Island, where wounded twice and served sixteen days, and in 1779, he was in Captain Simeon Fish's Company in an engagement at Falmouth, and was in service fifteen days.
in the spring of 1780, he went privateering and
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had an engagement, with a British vessel and took some prisoners, soon after this there was an alarm at Sandwich, Massachusetts and he volunteered under Captain Joseph Webb, was taken prisoner in April or May 1780 put on board the prison ship "Jersey" and sent to Antigua, was there seven weeks, when sent to Plymouth, England, he was in prison nineteen months and four days, when exchanged, and reached Nantucket, Massachusetts in March 1782.
He applied for pension September 24, 1832, while a resident of Hastings, Oswego County, New York, but his claim was not allowed, as his service in the army was not six months, as required by the pension law, and service on private armed vessels did not come within the provisions of the pension law.
There is no data on file as to family.
Respectfully, Winfield Scott  Commissioner
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Act 7th June 1832 Rejected  
See letter 4th Aug 1833 to Avery Skinner Esq
Union Square New York
4122
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4 Nov. 1833 A. Skinner  N.Y. 


Recorded Nov 25  pg 209
Page 15

War Department Pensions Office 4th Nov 1833
Sir, The claim of Elijah Goodspeed has been examined and is disallowed. The service [illegible] [illegible] in Army is not sufficient to entitle him to a pension, and his Naval Service is not provided for under the Act of the 7th June 1832. The papers will remain on the files of this office. 
I am [illegible]  J.L.E.
Page 16

A. Skinner J. Peace
Union Square NY
Sept 19th
J.L.Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City
Page 17

Union Square Sept. 19. 1833
Jim, Enclosed I return you the pension papers of Elijah Goodspeed with objections [illegible] as far as practicable. It is impossible for the old man to obtain proof of his services or to swear to them with more specification than he has done.
I am Sir, very respectfully your obedient servant A. Skinner

J.L.Edwards Esq  Comr. of Pensions
Page 18

Revolutionary papers on file relating to the case of Elijah Goodspeed of N. York under act of June 7 - 1832.
P.M.McGill
Page 19

Rev. and 1812 War Section
3-2027 United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington

February 25, 1927 Frances I Huntington
111 Crane St  Howell Mich

Madam: I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any Isaac Goodspeed. In order to make a proper search of said records, for a soldier named Elijah Goodspped, some of the following data is essential - approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service.

Respectfully, Winfield Scott Commissioner.
Page 20

Miss Frances I. Huntington
111 Crane Street
Howell, Michigan
January 5, 1927
Pension Department
Washington, D.C.
Sirs: I wich the Revolutionary record of Elijah Goodspeed, born 1762 also Isaac Goodspeed of Hubbardson
I am informed that he is buried in the  township of Brighton ,Michigan. He may have been born at Barnstable. Respectfully

Frances I. Huntington
Howell,Michigan
February 28, 1927
Elijah Goodspeed, born August 9, 1862; died March 7, 1846; married March 7, 1793 Anna Goodenow, Hubbardstown, Mass,;moved to Hastings, Oswego Co, NY about 1796; moved to Brighton,Mich. about 1835.
His wife, Anna Goodspeed died in April, 1822 
The first interment in Hastings, N.Y.
Frances I.Huntington
Howell, Michigan
Page 21

4123
P.O. Elijah Goodspeed
Service:
Enlisted:  REJECTED , 18
Discharged:              ,18
Application filed:      , 18
The printed list of 1852 - shows reasons for rejection
Alleges:  "His service was on board private armed vessels "
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.     Contract.
Cert. of Dis.     Searched for         ,18
1917-Apr - 26 - Hist to Frances I Huntington [illegible].