Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,568, James Ward, Conn.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE     Conn

Ward, James

NUMBER     S. 22.568

CONTENTS
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Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 Sep 1838 to 2 Jany 1839:  Agt Notified 30. June 1840 

No 1834 
Pennsylvania 
James Ward 
of Bradford Co. in the State of Penna. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Peas of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wolcott in the Cont. Troops line for 1 year 6 months & 11 days 

Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 54 Dollars 87 1/2. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 12. day of Sept 1833 and sent to A. Herrick Troy Pa 

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833                137.18 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 1834    27.64 $164.66 

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D. Brown  Clerk,
Book  E.   Vol. 5    Page 65
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
June 25 1840 
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain - Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, "The childn. of James Ward, decd. a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at $54.87 the rate of fifty four Dollars and eighty seven Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept 1838 to the 2d January 1839, the day of his death. 

Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller. 

To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
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No 24304
James Ward
Bradford Co
Pennsylvania

Troy

Admit as Private
1 year 4 months & 14 days _

A. Herrick Esqr.
Troy
Pa.
James Bull Prothy
Bradford Co
Pennsylvania
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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. 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 James Ward Bradford Co. Pennylvania

[Military service rendered is presented in tabular form with the table column headings as follows:]
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Period when the service was rendered.   May 1776 until 1st Jany, 1777
Duration of the claimant's service.   about seven Months.
Rank of the claimant.   Private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.   Captn Peas    Col Wolcott
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.   75 years.   Somers Connecticut
Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Traditional evidence

Period when the service was rendered.   # spring - 77
Duration of the claimant's service.   about four months --
Rank of the claimant.   Private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.   Captn Robinson     Col. Ely
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.  [same as above]
Proof by which the declaration is supported.   [same as above]

Period when the service was rendered.   drafted - 1778   dismissed Sept 1778
Duration of the claimant's service.   2 Months.
Rank of the claimant.   Private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  Captn Sykes    Genrl Tylor    Captn Common 
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.   [same as above]
Proof by which the declaration is supported.   [same as above]

Period when the service was rendered.   drafted 1779 -- dismissed Nov 1779 
Duration of the claimant's service.   1 Month.  14 Days.
Rank of the claimant.   Private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.   Captn Sykes    Genrl Tylor   Captn Common
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.  [same as above]
Proof by which the declaration is supported.   [same as above]

 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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 

DECLARATION. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory or District of County of         } ss. 

On this      day of    personally appeared (a) before        A.B. a resident (b) of
      in the county of           and State, Territory or District of       aged (c)        years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)       ,with    and served in the         (e) regiment of the          line, under the following named officers :

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of            

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.    A. B. 

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I                   of the Court of           do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of               for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C.D. residing in (the same) 
{hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                              {who has subscribed and sworn to the above {declaration; that we believe him to be years of {age; that he is reputed and believed, in the {neighborhood where he resides, to have been {a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur {in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
{And the said Court do hereby declare their {opinion, after the investigation of the matter, {and after putting the interrogatories prescribed {by the War Department, that the above named {applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and {served as he states. And the Court further {certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who {has signed the preceding certificate is a {clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who {has also signed the same is a resident in the {and is a credible person, and that their {statement is entitled to credit. 
{I,              Clerk of the Court of             do hereby {certify that the foregoing contains the original {proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of {the application of for a pension. In testimony {whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal {of office, this day of & c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but 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 live now?  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 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---year----months, and --- days, I served as a ---. For ---- months and ---- days, I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension."  It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about 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 objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority. they 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 give 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 may 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 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. 

John N Ashton
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State of Pennsylvania 
Bradford County   ss
On this 28 day of Sep 1832 Personally appeared before me the Subr one of the assonate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Bradford & State of Pennsylvania __ James Ward a resident of Troy Township within County & State 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that he was Born Feb 20th 1757 in the Town of in the State of Connecticut that he enlisted in the army of the United about the month of May 1776 under Captain Abeal Peas first Lieutenant Ramsay 2 Lieutenant Isaac Converse [crossed out 'in the'] in the Regt commanded by Col Erastus Wolcott in the State Troops of Connecticut & continued in Service about Seven months until Jany 1, 1777, it being the time for which he enlisted during this Tour he was engaged in assisting to build Fort Trumble he was dismissed without a discharge he again in the Spring of 1777 in Somers in the State he enlisted into the Service of the United States under Capt Elijah Robinson in the Regt commanded by Col Jno Ely in the Connecticut State Troops & was Employed in the building of Fort Griswold about four Months & then the Regt to which he was attached was orderd to Rhod Island & on their rout to ___ Their place of destination they went through- Stonington in Connecticut Westerly north Kingston & South Kingston & Providence in Rhod Island __ & went through Reheboth in Massachusetts from then they marched through Tiver town & little Smacing in Rhod Island to little Compton in Rhod Island where [crossed out illegible word] The Regt was Stationed during our [crossed out illegible word] & Station at Little Compton in about a week we were three nights ordered to Howlings Ferry about twelve miles from Little Compton & Back to little Compton & in about a month we marched back to Fort Griswold in & on their return to Fort Griswold they passed
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through a town called Johnstown after the Troops returned to Fort Griswold (he thinks) they remained there about a month & then we were marched to New London in Connecticut & from then we went through Lyme Saybrook Guylford   New Staven   Stanford & Norfolk in the State of Connecticut & marched to Rye (he thinks) in West Chester in the State of New York where they were stationed at Rye we were ordered on a Forraging tour & were gone about twenty Four hours & took a good deal of Forrage from the tories & continued in Service until Jany 1st 1832 when he was dismissed at Rye above mentioned 
In 1778 he was drafted for two months to Guard Fort Trumble & Served when Captain Sykes (he thinks) in Col Ledgyards Regt Genl Tylor commanded & served Two months & was [crossed out illegible word] dismissed at Fort Trumble (he thinks) about the first of Sepr 1778 no written discharge he was again drafted for Six Weeks in 1779 & Served under Captain Josiah Converse & Noah Peas Lieutenant (the other officers not recollected) & was employed in building Fort Griswold & Served Six weeks & was dismissed at Fort (he thinks) in Novr 1779 had no written discharge   he was again in 1781 drafted for three months & hired a Wm Quick to perform this toun of duty & paid him (he thinks) Six dollars & give the Said Quick his war [crossed out 'arms'] accoutrements. Gun __ Blanket &c  & has no doubt [crossed our 'but'] but the Said Quick Served the above [crossed out illegible word] tour of duty   he has a record of his age in a Bible in the house where he now lives.  he lived in Somers in the State of Connecticut when called into Service   he has lived since the Revolutionary war in the State of Connecticut in Pennsylvania  In the State of New York & the fourteen years last past he has lived in Troy Township in the County of Bradford [crossed out '& she'] & State of Pennsylvania where he now resides   he has Stated the officers as near as he can recollect   he states the names of Genl Saml McKean & Jno McKean Esq of Bennington & Major Ezra Long & Reuben Wilber Esqs of Troy.
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as Persons to whom [crossed out '& who can'] he is known & who can testify as to his Character for Veracity & their belief of his Service as a Soldier of the Revolution ____      He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the Present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State
James Ward 
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid Before me 
Jno McKean associate Judge 
Bradford County  pcc

We James Merritt & Zina Dumbar resident In the township of Troy in the County of Bradford & State of Pennsylvania hereby certify That we are well acquaint with James Ward who has Subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration that we Believe him him to be seventy four years of age.  that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood. where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
James Merritt
Zina Dunbar 
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me 
Jno McKean Associate Judge 
Bradford County State of  Pa

Bradford County ss 
I James P. Bull, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county do hereby certify that John McKean whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is and was at the date thereof a duly qualified Judge of this said Court. Witness my hand and official seal this 21st day of January A.D. 1833 
J.P. Bull
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania }
Seal   Bradford County } ss 
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Bradford, James Ward, 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 one year four months and fourteen days, I served as a private; and for such service I claim a pension that I know of no surviving witness who can testify to my services that there is no Clergyman living in my immediate vicinity who can testify to my character for veracity, and that I am unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. James Ward 
Sworn to and subscribed this 5th day of July 1833. 
Chs Barnes J P. Wyoming 
[the following name is written upside down and backwards} James Ward. 

And the said John McKean Judge as aforesaid, does hereby declare his 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; that there is no Clergyman residing in his immediate vicinity who can testify to his character for veracity & that he is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. And he further certifies that it appears to him that James Merritt who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the Township of Troy & State [crossed out 'aforesaid'] of Pennsylvania & that Zina Dunbar who has also signed the same is a resident in the township & State aforesaid & is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Jno McKean 
associate Judge 
Bradford County 

Bradford County ss 
I James P Bull, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings _________in the matter of the application of James Ward for a pension, & that John McKean is an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, & that Churchill Barnes who signs the above certificate is recognized by the said Court as a Justice of the Peace. W itness my hand & official seal this 15th day of July A.D. 1833.                  J.P. Bull

[writing oriented vertically going from top to bottom of page is located in the right margin of the page and says as follows:]  James Ward application for Pension
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22.568
Revolution
INVALID.

File No.   22, 568
James Ward
Pri     Rev   War

Act :   June 7"  32"

Index : -- Vol.  2,  Page  435

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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The Hon. Lewis Cass

Sec. of war
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To the Hon. Lewis Cass Sec. of War, 

Sir, 
By comparing the declaration of James Ward with the "Tabular Form" accompanying it, the Department will perceive that there has been a mistake in entering his second term of service. It was [begin underline] positively seven months and a half, and [end underline] should have been so expressed 

As it now stands, it appears there were six months spent at the different posts, besides the me occupied in marching from place to place. 
It is respectfully submitted. 
Troy July 20. 1833. 
Almerin Herrick 
Agent for James Ward