Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,160, for Josiah Peckham, Massachusetts
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SERVICE Mass
Peckham, Josiah
NUMBER S.14.160 Carded
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Vermont 18787 
Josiah Peckham 
of Sheldon in the State of Vermont was a pri & Sgt in the company commanded Captain Gates of the regt. commanded Col Holman in the Mass ma line for 
9 1/2 mo pri 
6 " Sgt 

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont the rate of 61 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of October 1833 and sent to W. Bridges --- St. Albans --- 

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $154. 16 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 30.83 
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$185.00 
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Revolutionary Claim,Act June 7, 1832.  
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, 
Book E Vol 3. Page 84
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Josiah Peckham Declaration
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DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.

STATE OF VERMONT, 
FRANKLIN COUNTY, SS.}
ON this 24 day of July 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate, now sitting, Josiah Peckham a resident of Sheldon in the county of Franklin, and State of Vermont, age 76 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 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
The applicant states that he was born in Bristol, State of Rhode Island, on the 10th day of February 1756.
Has a record of his age.
He was a resident of Petersham, County of Worcester, and State of Massachusetts, when he first entered the service; and lived in said Petersham untill he was forty one years of age; moved from thence to Franklin Vermont and from thence in the year 1804 to Sheldon where he now resides.
In the year 1775, he thinks in June, he volunteered and marched from Petersham, in the County of Worcester, Massachusetts, to Cambridge, in said State where he served nearly one month was taken sick & returned home.
On the first day of July 1776, he enlisted for five months under Capt Benjamin Gates, of Barry, Massachusetts, Lieut Wing Spooner, of Petersham, and marched to New Haven, Connecticut, and from thence by Water to New York City; was there stationed about four weeks, and then moved to a place called Green
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wich about three or four miles on the North River, where they remained untill the retreat was ordered, then removed to Kingsbridge.
The day the battle was on Long Island, the Regt to which he belonged commanded by Col Holman, was paraded and remained under arms the most part of the day, but was not ordered to cross to the Island.
The next day or next but one he states he was one of the Boats crew that bore the flag to the British fleet to convey General Sullivans, baggage to him who was then a prisoner on board was in the retreat from New York. Sunday & Monday fought the enemy at Harlem, and drove them. Suffered much from the heat. They afterwards retreated several times untill they arrived at White Plains, there had an engagement with the enemy, but regrets to say they were obliged to give them the ground.
After the engagement at White Plains, they were stationed at a place (he thinks) Courtlands Manor, where they remained guarding continental stores, untill the close of his campaign on the first day of December 1776. 
In the year 1777 he was drafted by the Town of Petersham for three months, which was sometime in the month of June of July, under the command of Capt Wing Spooner Lieut John Rogers, superior officers were Genl
[upside down stamp] DECLARATION
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Lincoln, and he thinks Col Warner, marched from Petersham to Bennington, in the State of Vermont, where he remained for some time; marched from thence to a place called Half-Moon, where they remained a short time, after which a Lieuts guard with 40 men was detached and marched. The day the guard left he states that the men were paraded and ordered to clear their packs of everything except one spare shirt, and one pair socks, and be in readiness to march at a moments warning. About one oclock at night of the same day an express arrived at the Ferry; he was brought over and gave account to General Lincoln, that the guard had been surprised by the enemy and were all cut off but himself. They then received orders to march back to Bennington. When he arrived at the place where the guard were surprised they found two dead men, one of ours & one of the enemys. This was the day on which Bennington battle was fought. On their arrival at Bennington, the were stationed near the Meetinghouse, in which the Hessians & Tories, taken in the engagement were confined.
He remained at Bennington, untill his time of service expired. The day before he was to have been dismissed they were paraded, and as the recruits had not arrived to take the places of those whose terms of service had
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expired the commanding officer requested that all those who were willing would stay untill the recruits arrived. He with many others volunteered and stayed untill the recruits arrived which was fifteen or twenty days, was then dismissed.
He further declares that in the month of June or July 1778, he enlisted for six months, and marched for Rhode Island; arrived at Providence, stationed there a short time; marched from thence to Newport, arrived on the day the French Fleet left the Harbour which he thinks was in the month of August.
The company to which he belonged was stationed at Buth Hill, near the Fort; marched to what was called the lowlines near the enemy there remained some time, then removed back to the former station, all except Col. Wade, who remained with one thousand men as a guard. Next morning said guard were attacked and retreated before the enemy; soon after the rear guard aforesaid came up and an attack was made, and a considerable of an engagement ensued. The following night the army left the Island, and were stationed at a place called Fall River, untill his time of service expired which was on the first day of January 1779, being six months, which time he served as orderly sergeant.
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his Capt was Benjamin Edgol, of Woburn, Lieut John Rogers, of Petersham, Major Wilson, Col Wade, and under the command of General Sullivan; after our company left Newport it was first under the command of Col Jacobs
The applicant further states that during his revolutionary services he became acquainted with the following named officers viz At New York his field officers was Gen Glover, Col Holman, Lieut Col Carey, Majr Sears. his field officer at Bennington and vicinity viz Gen. Lincoln, Col. Seth Warner. 
The applicant states that he never recd a written discharge at any time when dismissed from service. Has procurred the affidavit of a number of gentlemen with whom he is personally acquainted who have testified respecting his character for veracity and belief as to his services in the Army of the Revolution.
He has no documentary evidence whatever and knows of no person whose evidence he can procure who can testify to his services.
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 any agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesd}
[signed] Josiah Peckham
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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.
[signed] Stephen S. Brown Judge

I Aaron S. Beeman Clerk of the court of Probate for the district of Georgia, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matters of the application of Josiah Peckham for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said court this of July AD 1833
[signed] Aaron S. Beeman Clerk
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We Anson Hard, and Isaac Hill, residing in Sheldon, and Benjamin Wooster of Fairfield, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Josiah Peckham, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven 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 this 28 day of June 1833}
[signed] Isaac Hill
[signed] Benjn Wooster
[signed] Anson B. Hard
Before me
[signed] Dexter Gilbert Justice of the Peace

The above named Isaac Hill Methodist Benjamin Wooster Congregational & Anson Hard Episcopal and all men of good reputation amongst their People & are also Generally respected
[signed] Dexter Gilbert Justice Peace

And the said Probate court do hereby certify that they are personally acquainted with the above named clergyman who have signed the preceeding certificate, residents as above stated the Rev Benjamin Wooster is a Revolutionary Pensioner; they are all gentlemen of high
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respectability and their statement entitled to credit
[signed] Stephen S. Brown Judge
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We the undersigned, Inhabitants of the Town of Sheldon County of Franklin, and State of Vermont here by certify and state that we have been well acquainted with Josiah Peckham of said Sheldon for more than twenty years last past and have ever considered him to be a man of strict veracity. We have seen the statement or declaration made by him as to his age, and serving in the american Revolution, and have no hesitation in saying, that in our opinion the statement so by him made is strictly true. We have always understood ever since he came from Petersham to this County, that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and have no doubts as to his now being seventy seven years of age - 
Dated at Sheldon this 20th day of June 1833}
[signed] Levi Hopgood
[signed] Augustus Briste
[signed] Joshua W Sheldan
[signed] John Gonson
[signed] Alfred Ruth
[signed] James Mason

Personally appeared before me Levi Hopgood Augustus Burt J.W. Sheldan John Gunson Alfred Keith & James Mason and made oath to the above Declaration
[signed] Dexter Gilbert Justice Peace

the above subscribers are men who [illegible] for truth & veracity amongst our citizens
[signed] Dexter Gilbert Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Franklin County Ss}
St. Albans June 18th 1833
Then personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, Josiah Peckham 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 then the periods mentioned below and in the following grades; For twenty days I served as a private; For five months I served as  private; For three months and thirteen days I served as a private; For six months I served as an orderly sergeant; and for such service I claim a pension-
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid}
[signed] Josiah Peckham

Before me [signed] William Bridges Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Franklin County Ss}
I Horace Jones clerk of Franklin County Court, do hereby certify that Dexter Gilbert Esq who has signed the within is a Magistrate duly qualified, and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at St. Albans this 24 day of July AD 1833 
[signed] Horace Jones Clerk

Josiah Peckham
Declaration
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affidavit
Stephen Royce