Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21967, for Timothy Shurtleff, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE. Mass.
Shurtleff, Timothy
NUMBER S. 21967
CONTENTS [BLANK]
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11.680
Vermont
Timothy Shurtleff of Caledonia Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Pr [Private] in the Company commanded by Captain Sparrow of the Regt [Regiment] commanded by Col [Colonel] Robinson in the Masstts [Massachusetts] [illegible] Troops.
2 Years Private, 80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of June 1833 and Sent to Amos Paul, Danville, Vt
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  160.-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "  40
$200.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J.T. Sprague Clerk
Book E Vol. 3. Page 90
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Timothy Shurtleff's
Declaration
20611
Page 4

State of Vermont
District and County of Caledonia SS.
On this 24th day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. Benj. F. Deming Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Caledonia aforesaid now sitting Timothy Shurtleff, a resident of Walden in the County and District aforesaid aged seventy four 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 provisions 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 at Plympton now Carver in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts his then place of residence the last of April 1775 he enlisted in the Massachusetts troops for the term of eight months in the Company of Cap [Captain] John Brigham, Lt. [Lieutenant] Joshua Benson, Ensign Jeremiah Clapp and in the Regt [Regiment] of Col. [Colonel] Cotton, marched to and was stationed at Roxbury near Boston and was there stationed during that season in old Gov. [Governor] Hutchinson's house, there remained until the close of his enlistment and was discharged in December 1775.
That at said Plympton about the first of June 1778 he enlisted in the Massachusetts troops for the term of nine months in the Company of Capt Bonum Nye, Lt. Tisdale Winslow, Ensign John Hammond in the Regt of Col. Robinson, marched to Rhode Island and was stationed at a place called Howland's ferry, thinks he remained there about two months, then crossed on to the Island having been drafted to go into the advance guard, was stationed at a place called Butts Hill, shortly after going onto the Island there was an engagement with the British, thinks he remained at Butts Hill two months or more then recrossed to Howland's ferry, was there stationed for a time and from thence went thro [through] Bristol to Providence wintered at an old house in Providence near the Church
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and having served out the full term of his enlistment was discharged at Providence the latter part of the winter That at said Plympton about the first of April 1779.
That at said Plympton about the first of April 1779 he enlisted in the Massachusetts troops in the Company of Capt. [Captain] Edward Sparrow, Lt. [Lieutenant] Ward, in the Regt [Regiment] of Col. [Colonel] Danforth Keyes, Lt. Col. Wade or Wait, marched to and was stationed at South Kingston Rhode Island, to guard the shore and there remained until late in the fall, thence to Greenwich where they remained a short time and from thence to Providence and there remained until his time expired which was the first of January 1780.
Was born at sd. [said] Plympton. [crossed out: Was born] has no record of his age. Removed from Plympton a few years after the war to Middlebury Mass. [Massachusetts] where he lived nearly twenty years thence to Bridgewater Vermont where he lived a number of years, and from thence to [crossed out: Brady] Walden Vermont his present residence where he has lived nearly twenty years
Had a written discharge from his last nine months service but does not remember by whom it was signed has never seen that discharge since he lived at Middlebury Mass. supposes he destroyed it as a paper of no value.
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
[signature] Timothy Shurtleff

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benj F Deming
Judge of Probate

I Francis L Barron of Calais in the County of Washington and State of Vermont depose and say that I am seventy years of age, that I was acquainted with Timothy Shurtleff in the time of the revolutionary war. I resided at that time in Middlebury in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts and the said Shurtliff resided at that time in the adjoining town of
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Plympton now Carver, about two or three miles distant, I was out in the service at Rhode Island six months in the year 1778, I recollect that said Shurtleff, went out in the service in sd. [said] year 1778 to Rhode Island as I understood, he went out before I did. I was in a different regt [regiment] & do not recollect that I saw him in the service. he did not return from the service until after I had returned. I also recollect that he was out the next year said to be at South Kingston, or that vicinity did not see the said Shurtleff in the service that I recollect but I know it was understood and believed in the neighborhood that he was in the service both in said years 1778 & 1779. I understood he was out in sd. year 1778 in Capt. [Captain] Bonum Nye's Company. I was acquainted with said Capt Nye
[signature] Francis LeBaron

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before [signature] Benj F. Deming
Judge of Probate

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 Francis Le Baron who has made the foregoing affidavit is as it appears to the Court a man of common truth and veracity, and that James Bell and Paul Deane who have subscribed the accompanying certificate are residents of said Walden, are known to the Court the former as a respectable magistrate and both as credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Timothy Shurtleff for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8th day of December A.D. 1832
[signature] Amos Paul, Register
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20611
Timothy Shurtleff
Admitted
2 years
$80.-
Amos Paul
Danville
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 [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, shewing the Service of Timothy Shurtleff

||  Period when the service was rendered.  ||  Duration of the claimant's service.  |  Years.  |  Months.  |  Days.  ||  Rank of the claimant.  |  Names and Rand of the Company officers under whom he served.  ||  Names and Rand of the General and field officers.  ||  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  ||  Country through which he marched.  ||  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  ||  Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  ||
||  Enltd [Enlisted] 1 Apl. 1775  ||  [BLANK]  |  8  |  [BLANK]  ||  Private  ||  Capt. Brigham  ||  Col. Cotton  ||  [BLANK]  ||  Marched from Plymouth to Roxbury to Howlands Ferry, R.I.  ||  Plymouth County Massachusetts aged 74 years  ||  Living Witnesses  ||
||  " 1 June 1778  ||  [BLANK]  |  9  |  [BLANK]  ||  "  ||  Nye  ||  Robinson  ||  None  ||  [BLANK]  ||  [BLANK  ||
||  " 1 Apl. 1779  ||  [BLANK]  |  9  |  [BLANK]  ||  "  ||  Sparrow  ||  Danforth Keyes  ||  [BLANK]  ||  [BLANK]  ||  [BLANK]  ||

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 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 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 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 enered [entered] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [symbol of a hand pointing to the right] 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. [signature] 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 [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 applicacation [application] of [BLANK] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal 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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3
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 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 periods 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, too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years is 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 or may show under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

[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 that his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any her 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.
lan 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 offers, 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 be 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.

[symbol of a hand pointing to the right] 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.
Page 11

Revolution
21967
INVALID.
File No. 21,967
Timothy Shurtleff
Pri [Private] Rev [Revolutionary] War
Act: June 7. 32 [1932]
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 363
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 12

I Abiel Shurtleff of Carver in the County of Plymouth duly qualified to give evidence do testify and say that Timothy Shurtleff of Walden in the State of Vermont enlisted into the company, commanded by Edward Sparrow, belonging to the Regiment commanded by Col [Colonel] Danforth Kyes [Keyes], in the month of April AD 1779. He was enlisted by Benjamin Ward Lieu [Lieutenant] of said Sparrow's company. In the course of the same month, said Timothy marched with his company on an expedition to Rhode Island. And I do further testify and say that said Timothy served in the army until the month of January AD 1780, when he was taken sick, and requested me by letter to take him home. I then went to Providence and took him home to my house where we arrived the last part of the month
[signature] Abel Shurtliff

Plymouth ss. October 4 1819
Personally appeared Abiel Shurtleff and made oath that the aforesaid deposition by him subscribed is just and true before me
[signature] Zabdiel Sampson Justice of the Peace

Plymouth ss. October 4 1819
I hereby certify that the aforesaid Abiel Shurtleff is a credible witness.
[signature] Zabdiel Sampson Jus. Pacis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss
I John B. Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the said County of Plymouth hereby certify that Zadiel Sampson Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for the same County duly
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commissioned under the authority of said Commonwealth & qualified to administer oaths & take depositions & that the said signature to the foregoing attestation the true signature of the said Justice
In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the
said Court this fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nineteen
[signature] Jno B Thomas
Page 14

We James Bell and Paul Deane residing in Walden in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Timothy Shurtleff who has made a declaration before the Probate Court in order to obtain a pension, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we have no doubt but he served his country as a soldier of the revolutionary war the several campaigns and the length of time to which he has testified in said declaration.
[signature] James Bell
[signature] Paul Dean

State of Vermont
Caledonia County ss.
Danville December 5th 1832
Personally appeared before me James Bell and Paul Deane who have subscribed the foregoing certificate and made oath that the same is just and true
Before me [signatre] Benj F Deming [crossed out: Justice Peace]
Judge of the Court of Probate
for Caledonia District
Page 15

I James Raymond of Woodstock in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont do testify & say, that I am well acquainted with time they Shurtliff [Shurtleff] now living in Walden in the County of Caledonia & State aforesaid, and that I will remember of his enlisting into the Nine Months service in the year 1779 of the Revolutionary war in Col. [Colonel] Danforth Keyes Regt. [Regiment] Capt. [Captain] Sparrow's Company, the said Shurtliff enlisted in the month of April in said year 1779, in the month June following I enlisted for six months, and was marched on to Rhoad [Rhode] Island, where I saw said Shurtliff in the service. The time I enlisted for expired in December, and was discharge, I left said Shurtliff still in the service; some time after said Shurtliff returned home, leave, we then lived within two or three miles of each other in the State of Massachusetts.
Woodstock 12 July 1820
[signature] James Raymond

State of Vermont
Windsor County
Woodstock 12th July AD 1820
Then James Raymond, to me well known as a credible witness personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace for said County of Windsor, and Clerk of the Court for said County, and made Solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth & nothing but the truth. In Testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name & affix the seal of said County Court
[signature] Benj Swan