Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9887, Abner Flanders, N.H.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE     NUMBER
N.H.  Flanders, Abner  S.9887

carded
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5857.
New Hampshire
Abner Flanders
of Merrimack in the State of N H
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain --- of the Regt commanded by Col Stark in the N H line for 10 Mos 2 Days Sergt
4 " 26 " Private

Inscribed on the Roll of N. H. at the rate of 66 Dollars 58 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Feby 1833 and Sent Hon J M Harper H of Reps
Arrears to 4th Sept 1832 $99.87
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 33.29
_______
$133.16

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk  Book D. Vol. 1st Page 155.
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12.918
Abner Flanders

Sergt  10 mos &   2 days
Private  4         & 26
           14             28  
adm
$66.58.
J.M. Harper
H R
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12918
BRIEF in the case of Abner Flanders of Merrimack Cty in the State of N.H.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? 
Correct
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
[Blank]
3. How old is he? 
77
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
Duration of Service  years, months, days.
Rank. As a
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Apl 75
-  1 month -
Private
Capt. Chandler.

Sept 75
- 2 months -
Private
Capt. Abbott, Col. Stark

Dec. 75
- 1 month  26 days
Private
Capt. Emery  do

1 Augt 76 - 1 Decr 76
- 4 months -
Sergeant
do  Col. Balwin

1 July 77
- 2 months 1 day
do
Capt Kimball   Col. Stickney

July 81
-* 4 months 1 day
per role of [Illegible] 
do   do     do
Capt. Webster (Stationed in Colonel Johnson's fort)
3.  In what battles was he engaged? 
Bennington
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Concord NH
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
3 living witnessed
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
papers not authenticated properly
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton
Examining Clerk
12 Feb 1833

*8 weeks
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Abner Flanders
dec'd
12.918
J. M Harper
H R
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DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
Sate of New-Hampshire,
County of Merrimack    ss.
On this Fifth day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature for sd County, now sitting, Abner Flanders
a resident of Northfield in the County of Merrimack and State of N. H. aged 77 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
that he volunteered at Concord in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire
in April AD 1775 immediately after the news of Lexington Battle for one Month under Capt Abiet Chandler in New Hampshire line Marched directly to Cambridge, Mass, served  out there the full term of one month and dismissed but did not take a written discharge.
That he volunteered of Concord aforesaid in Sept AD 1775 for two months under
Capt Joshua Abbott in Col. Starks Regt in New Hampshire line Marched to Winter Hill Stationed there and its vicinity served out &  there the full term of two months was honorably dismissed but did not take a written discharge
That he enlisted at Concord aforesaid about December AD 1775 for six weeks under
Capt Benj'n Emery, Lieut. John Bradley, Ens. Eastman in Colo. John Starks Regt New Hampshire line marched to Winter Hill and there served eight weeks, the two last week he served by request of Gen Sullivan the new Troops not having arrived in camp, there honorably dismissed but did not take a written discharge.
That he enlisted at Concord aforesaid the first of August AD 1776 to serve untill the first of December A.D. 1776 as a Sargeant, under Capt Benj Emery, Lieut. Morse in Colo. Baldwin Regt
New Hampshire line Marched to Worcester Mass through Springfield to Hartford & New Haven, Conneticut thence to White Plains Stationed there and at North Castle untill the full time of his enlistment expired, having served in this enlistment the full Term of four
month as a Sargent then honorably dismissed but did not take a written discharge.
That he volunteered at Concord aforesaid 1st July 1777 for three months as a
Sargent for three months under Capt Peter Kimbell of Boscawen, Lieut. Herbert
in Col. Stickneys Regt & Gen Clarks Brig in New Hampshire line and marched directly to Bennington (Vermont) was in the Battle of Bennington Station there untill the
expiration of three months and honorably dismissed but did not take a written
discharge.
That he enlisted at Salesbury New Hampshire about the month of July AD 1781 for four months as a Sargent under Capt Ebenezer Webster, Lieut. Ladd
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marched to Haverhill in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire to Colo Johnsons  Fort thence to Newbury Vermont was stationed there to guard the inhabitants from the Indians served out there the full term of four month and Demised but did not take a written discharge.
That he actually served, in the six above enlistments sixteen months, that he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except the affidavits hereunto annexed sworn and
subscribed to by Philbrick Bradley and John Carter.
That he was born in Salisbury Mass, in the year 1754, has no record of his age in his possession, was moved to Concord aforesaid by his Father, when very young lived them untill he entered the service of the United States and since lived in Concord, Jefferson,  Sandaff & Pembroke untill 1882 and in
June, and since in Northfield, and now resides in same place
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 5th Sep 1832
Abner Flanders
We, Enoch Coffin residing in Concord and
Richard Herbert residing in same Concord hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
Abner Flanders, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 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
5th Sep. 1832
Enoch Coffin
Richard Herbert
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Coffin
who has signed the preceding certificate, is
resident in the Town of Concord and that
R. Herbert who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Concord
and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Moses Eastman, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for sd County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abner Flanders for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court, this tenth day of September 1832
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I certify that this within declaration is
the hand writing of J. C. West who is agent
for a large number of applicants.  That I have
no doubt the whole was done in open court
as it purports to be and is entitled to full
credit.
Feby 11th 1833
Joseph M Harper
[Illegible]
Mr. J.C. West is a man of truth and veracity.
J.M. Harper
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Rev War
9887
INVALID.
File No.9887
Abner Flanders
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 127
[Arrangement of 1870.}
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Carter for Flanders
Carter for Flanders
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I, John Carter of Concord in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire do certify that I know that Abner Flanders now of Northfield in the State & County aforesaid
did enlist in the first of August A.D. 1776 to serve untill the first of December same year & that the said Flanders did serve untill
the 1st of Dec AD 1796 & was [Illegible] that he enlisted at Concord of N.H. under Capt. Beram'n Emery, Lt Morse in Col. Baldwins Regt
in New Hampshire line and marched to Worcester Mass through Springfield to Hartford & New Haven, Conn. thence to White Plains stationed there and at North Castle untill the four months expired, was dismissed & further that I enlisted as the same time & place and marched to the same places, made the same service under the same officers & was dismissed at the same time & place
and further that the said Flanders was a Seargent during the above service
John Carter (Signature)
State of New Hampshire 
Merrimack ss.
Be it known that on this Twenty Sixth day of August AD 1832 before me Joseph
Law Notary Public within and for said State, personally appeared John Carter & Subscribed
the foregoing affidavit & thereupon made solemn oath that the same is just & true.  In testimony whereof whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial Seal at Concord in the State and County aforesaid the day and year above mentioned.
Joseph Law, Notary Public
I certify that the above deponent is a credible witness and that full Credit is due to his Testimony
Joseph Law, Notary Public
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12, 918
Abner Flanders
J M Harper
H R
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Abner Flanders which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
[Blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout [amount] of pension he is entitled?
yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
yes
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
[Blank]
XIV.  If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant 
by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should [Illegible, black ink spot] this declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ---year --- months, and --- --- days, I served as a ---
For --- months and --- days, I served as a --- ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In the 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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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I Philbrick Bradley of Concord in the County of Merrimack & State of New Hampshire aged Seventy Six years do testify that I volunteered
in the first of July A D. 1777 & went into the service of the United State for three months under Capt Peter Kimball of Boscawen N.H.  in the Regt of N. Hampshire Militia commanded by Col Thomas Stickney of Concord N. H. and marched to Bennington (Vermont), and was in
the Battle there & further that Abner Flanders now of Northfield N.H. volunteered at the same time and for the same term as a
Sergeant and served the three months with me and was dismiss with me we had no written discharge & I further testify that the said
Flanders is now present with me
Philbrick Bradley 9Signature)
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss.
Be it known that on the third day of August A.D. 1832 before me Joseph Law Notary Public within and for said State personally appeared Philbrick Bradley & subscribed the foregoing
Affidavit & thereupon made solemn oath that the same is just and true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial Seal at Concord
in the State aforesaid the day and year last
above mentioned.
Joseph Law   Notary Public
I Philbrick Bradley above named do further testify that I entered the service of the United States in Dec. A.D. 1775 for six weeks under Capt Benj'n Emery in the N.H. Line and marched to Winter hill & served eight weeks
in the Regt comm by Col. John Starks the two last weeks I served by request of Gen. Sullivan the new troops not having arrived and further
that Abbie Flanders above named was in the same service with me and served eight weeks & dismiss and had no written discharge.
Philbrick Bradley (Signature)
State of New Hampshire 
Merrimack  ss.
Be it known that on the third day of August A.D. 1832 before Joseph Law Notary Public
within and for said State personally appeared Philbrick Bradley & subscribed the foregoing
Affidavit & thereupon made solemn oath that the same is just & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal at Concord in the State aforesaid the day and year last above mention.
Joseph Law   Notary Public
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I certify that I am personally acquainted with Philbrick Bradley who has sworn to and subscribed the within affidavits & that he is a man of undoubted veracity and that his testimony is entitled to full credit
Joseph Law
Notary Public
P. Bradley for A. Flanders