Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18639, Bernard Ward, Vt.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Vt
Ward, Bernard
NUMBER
S. 18639
carded
CONTENTS
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No 18482
Vermont
Bernard Ward
Franklin Co. in the State of Vermont
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Allen of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Fletcher in the 7t Troops
line for 16 1/2 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 55 Dollars -- Cents
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
per annum
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Sept.
1833 and sent to W. Bridges
St. Albans VT
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 137.50
Semi-an. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1834 27.50
$165.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. Brown         Clerk
Book E.                           Page 98
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Barnerd Ward's Declaration
20607
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DECLARATION.
Revolutionary claim, under an Act of Congress, Passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT, 
DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, SS.
Franklin County Probate Court, November 1st A.D. 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court, being the Probate Court for the County of Franklin, and a Court of Record for said County, and State of Vermont, as will appear by the first section of a Statute Law of said State, entitled "An act, constituting Probate Courts, Courts of Record," -- passed November 15th, A. D. 1821, [see 1st section of said act,] Barnerd Ward - aged 68 years, resident in Fairfax in said County, 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, A.D. 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1779 on or about the first of August, he enlisted at Poultney N.Y. [VT] his place of residence under Capt Parmelee Allen, Lieut Avary; his Sergeants, Inman Powell & Elias Hall, march to Castleton at the place of rendezvous at a piquet Fort where the provisions & stores were kept for the Army. His duty was guarding the fort and scouting on the Shores of Lake Champlain, in  search of Indians and Tories, who were frequently making inroads upon the inhabitants. 
Continued in service till about the middle of November same year and was then dismised. 
Again at Poultney afsd on or about the first of March 1780, he enlisted for eight months under Capt Blakeley, does not recollect the names of the company officers, except the capt, but recollets the sergeants viz Fisher & Tyler, was attachted Col Fletchers Regt. Gen Enos's Brigade, stationed
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Capt Blakeley, does not recollect the names of the company officers, except the capt, but recollets the sergeants viz Fisher & Tyler. Was attached to Col Fletchers Regt. Gen Enos's Brigade, stationed at Castleton Fort. His duty was guarding the fort and stores, and scouting on the shares of Lake Champlain spying out the Indians & Tories, who were prowling about the northern frontiers; continued in said service till November, & was dismised at Castleton served eight months. 
That again in the month of December 1781. he volunteered as a private in Capt Hutchins, Lieut Elias Halls company, stationed at Castleton at the piquet Fort till the first day of May 1782 having served more then five months. 
He has no documentary evidence whatever. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] Bernard Ward
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And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
[signature] William Bridges Judge 
I John Gates, jr. Register of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matters of the application of Barnard Ward for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 2 day of November A. D. 1832.
[signature] John Gates Jun. Register
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20,607
Barnard Ward
Admit
16 1/2 mos
W. Bridges
St. Albans Vt.
Claimant
St. Albans Vermont
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. 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, shewing the Service of Barnerd Ward of Franklin County, Vermont
Period when the
service was
tered
Enlay, 1779
May 1784
vote 1781
A Statement, shewing the service of Barnerd Ward of Franklin County, Vermont
| Period when the service was rendered. |
| Entd May 1779 |
| Entd May 1780 |
| voltd 1781 |
| Duration of the claimant's service | |Years, | Months. | Days. |
| 3 Months. | 15 Days. |
| 8 Months. |
| 5 Months. |
|Rank of the claimant. |
| Private |
| " |
| " |
| Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. |
| Capt. Allen Blakeley |
| Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. |
| Cols. Fletchers, Genl Enos |
| Battles in which the applicant was engaged. |
| none |
| Country through which he marched. |
| from Poultney to Castleton Vt. & guarding the coast |
| Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. |
| Poultney New York, aged 68 years |
| Evidence by which the declaration is supported. |
| Living Witnesses |

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 [blank] County of [blank] 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 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 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 [blank].
Sworn to 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 (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and 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.
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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby 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 it 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, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
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 (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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.
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? 
6. 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 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. 
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 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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 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.
(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 fix 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 (i) 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.
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Elias Hall's Affidavit in support of Barnerd Wards Declaration
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I Elias Hall of Castleton in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont of lawful age being duly sworn testify and say that in the year 1779. I was a sergeant in the company commanded by Capt. Parmalee Allen, and stationed at Castleton aforesaid for the term of three months. That from recent conversations with Barnard Ward of Fairfax in the County of Franklin and State aforesaid, I am satisfied that he was stationed at the same place and served through that campaign, and I further testify that in the month of November 1781, I was a lieutenant in Capt Hutchins Company stationed at Castlerton aforesaid, and that the said Barnard Ward served in said Company as a volunteer from the date last mentioned to the first day of May 1782, and that I believe from his relation of the occurrences of that campaign that the said Ward had served previous to the month of November 1781 in the company of Capt. Blakely in the campaign of that year which commenced in the month of February.
[signature] Elias Hall

State of Vermont 
Rutland County ss.
Castlerton 26 Sept 1832. 
Personally appeared Elias Hall signer of the above affidavit and made solemn oath that the facts there stated are true.
Before me [signature] S. H. Merrill Jus. Peace
And I further certify that I have been well acquainted with the above named Elias Hall for more than twenty years and that he is a credible person.
[signature] S. H. Merrill Jus. Peace
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State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland do certify that Selah H Merrill is a Justice of the peace for said County
duly commissioned and that the signature to the within certificate is his hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 27th day of Sept AD 1832.
[signature] R Pierpoint
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P 18639
INVALID
File No. 18,639
Bernard Ward Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 396
[Arrangement of 1870]
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He has no documentary evidence whatever.

He here by relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] Bernard Ward
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I Return you the enclosed Declaration amended agreeably to request. You will please to direct to W. Bridges at St. Albans Franklin County Vt
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he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
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B. Ward
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shore of Lake Champlain, in search of Indians & Tories, who were frequently making inroads upon the inhabitants, continued in sd service till about the middle of November same year, and was 
3 1/2 then dismissed
Again at Poultney afsd on or about the first of March 1780, he enlisted for eight months under Capt Blakely. Does not recollect the names of the company officers, except the Captain, but recollects the Sergeants, viz Fisher & Tyl. Was attached to Col. Samuel Fletchers Regt. Gen Enos Brigd, stationed at Castleton Fort. His duty was guarding the fort & stores and scouting on the shores of Lake Champlain & spying, out the Indians & Tories who were prowling about the northern frontiers. Continued in said service till November and was dismised at Castleton,  
8 serving eight months.
That again in the month of December 1781, he volunteered, as a private in Capt Hutchins, Lieut Elias Hall, stationed at Castle[ton] at the piquet Fort till the 1st day of May 1782, having served more then five months. 
5/16 1/2
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Truman Powells affidavit in support of Barnerd Ward, Declaration for a Pension
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I Truman Powel of Cambrige [Cambridge] in the
County of Franklin & State of Vermont, do testify & say, that I am well acquainted with Barnar Ward of Fairfax, formerly of Poultney & Castleton in the time the Revolutionary war, who is now before me at St. Albans in said County, & I know him to be the same man who served with me in Capt Parmelee Allen's Company. I was a Sergeant in the same company, and served with said Ward three and a half month at Castleton and the shores of Lake Champlain. He was with me  scouting most of the time. I was knowing to his
enlistment, & to his being dismised, and according to my best reccollection he enlisted on the 1st day of August 1779 or 80 and was dismised on or about the 16th of November same year & further say not.
[signature] Truman Powell

State of Vermont  
Franklin County ss. 
St. Albans July 25th AD 1832 
Personally appeared before the undersigned authority, the above named Truman Powell, a credible witness who made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed as therein set forth are true according to his best knowledge, information & belief.
Before me [signature] William Bridges Judge
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State of Vermont 
Georgia District ss.
I John Gates Jr Register of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid, certify that Wm Bridges is Judge of sd Court and duly authorised to administer oaths, and the signature to the within
certificate is his hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at St Albans this 1st day of November AD 1832.
att. [signature] John Gates Jud. Register