Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13594, for Luther Kallam, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
R. I.

Kallam, Luther

NUMBER
S.13594
carded
===
CONTENTS
Page 2

No. 11,938
Pennsylvania
===
Luther Kallam
of Susqueh'a Co. in the State of Penn'a.
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Martin of the Regt. commanded
by Babcock in the [STAR] Conn't. Troops
[lined out: line] for 1 year 9 mos & 6 days
[STAR] R.I. and Conn.
Records completed May 28/06.
===
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania
at the rate of 70 Dollars 65 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of July
1833 and sent to Asa Dimock
Montrose Pa.
===
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 141.30
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833 35.32
[sum] $176.62
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 5 Page 31
Page 3

16635
Luther Kallam
Susquehanna Co.
Penn
Admitted
1 year 9 mos 6 days
$70.65
Asa Dimock
Montrose
Susquehanna Co.
Penn
Page 4

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, showing the service of Luther Kallam Susquehanna Co, Penn

[Table, 8 columns, listed by row]
Period when the service was rendered. |
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. | Months. | Days. |
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. |

Enlist. Feb 1776 | 1 | | | Priv. | Col. Babcock, Col Lippet, Gen. Washington | Age 72 | Traditionary

1777 | | 1 | | " | Col. Lippet | Stonington | 

Feb. 1777 | | 3 | | " | -- | New London | 

1780 | | 5 | 6 | " | Col. Halsey Col Swift- | Co. Connt. | July 5 '80 Dec 13 '80 Rolls

| 1 | 9 | 6 [total: 1 year 9 months 6 days]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 5

2
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 brand 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 were 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 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. 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 knowledges 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
Page 6

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 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 who 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 who 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 solider, 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 a 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 trans-nit such evidenced 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 consequent loss of memory, he cannot sweat 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 tot he 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 expression are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &e 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 tern 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 affix 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 she et 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 end of which must pass un der the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

[The paragraph above is marked in right margin, with faint word "amended"]

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.

[Pointing hand] 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 seat to the War Department, with the declaration.

[This section marked in right margin, with word "Amended"]
Page 7

Sep - 26.
Luther Kallam
Pension Application
16635
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Susquehanna County ss } On this eleventh day of September AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon William Thomson and Davis Dimock Associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Susquehanna County aforesaid, now sitting. Luther Kallam a resident of Bridgewater township, in the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy two years (Jan 3, 1832) 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. He inlisted under Lieut Reubin Hewit (of the Rhode Island States troops) at Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut about the last of February or first of March 1776, and marched under Lieut Hewit to Newport Rhode Island and was there attached to a company under command of Capt Pierce; Capt Pierce soon left the Company and a Capt Martin took the command. The Company then belonged to Col Babcocks Regt, who soon left the Regt and it was afterwards commanded by Col Lippet. That he remained at Newport until some time in the summer of 1776 and then Marched with the Regt. to York Island and joined the Army under the immediate command of General Washington retreated off York Island across Kings bridge and so on to the White plains. Before reaching the White Plains be joined a Company of Rangers, under command of Capt Lemuel Bailey. From the White plains he marched to Kings ferry & crossed the North river near Stoney point, from thence marched to Morristown New Jersey. Crossed the Delaware river at Easton, thence to Bethleham [Bethlehem] and Bristol where the time of his inlistment expired about the first of January 1777, he having enlisted for one year from the first of January 1776, and served his time out. At Bristol Penn'a. he volunteered to remain in the service for one month, (if not sooner discharged) and crossed the Delaware river at Bordentown (as he thinks) and was in
Page 9

the battle at Trenton and also in the Battle at Princeton. From Princeton he marched to Morristown, then on the New Brunswick road about four or five miles, and encamped, and was there discharged about the last of January 1777 - by Col. Lippet, and returned home to Preston in Connecticut, the place of his residence.

That he again inlisted under Capt Asa Keeney at Preston in Connecticut some time in February 1777 for three months, & marched to Providence, Rhode Island, and was attached to Col Richmonds regiment. Marched to a place called Brister [Bristol], opposite the Island of Rhode Island and remained until some time in May when the time of his enlistment being expired he was dismissed, having served three months, and returned again to Preston.

And the said Luther Kallam on his oath further States that he inlisted again in the service of the United States at Preston aforesaid under Col Jeremiah Halsey some time in the Spring of the year 1780 as be supposed for nine month, and joined the American Army at Nelsons Point on the east side of the North river and was attached to a company commanded by Capt Hall in Col Swift's Regiment 1st Connecticut line. From Nelsons Point he crossed the river with Col Swifts, Regiment marched to a place called Herrington, then down the Hackensack river, and after a while returned again to Herrington, from thence marched to the North river at Kings ferry and went on to the Highlands, and remained there assisting in building Barracks, or Huts, and was there discharged, some time in the month of December 1780, having remained in the service to the best of his recollection about six months, and was discharged as he verily believes by Col Swift, and returned home.

That he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and
Page 10

declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State to his knowledge.

Luther Kallam

Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court, September 11, 1832.

Asa Dimock Jr Prot [Prothonotary]

WE Davis Dimock, a Clergyman residing in the township of Bridgwater, and Isaac Post residing in the Borough of Montrose, in the County of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Luther Kallam, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two 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.

[signed] Davis Dimock
Isaac Post

Sworn or affirmed and subscribed in open Court Sept 11th 1832

Asa Dimock Jr Prot

And the 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 certify, That Davis Dimock who has signed the preceeding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the township of Bridgwater, and that Isaac Post who has also signed the same is a Resident of the Borough of Montrose Susquehanna County is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. By the Court.

Asa Dimock Jr Prot
Page 11

State of Pennsylvania
Susquehanna County ss } I Asa Dimock Jr Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of of the said Court in the matter of the application of Luther Kallam for a pension.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Montrose the eleventh day of September AD 1832 --

Asa Dimock Jr Prot
Page 12

State of Pennsylvania,
Susquehanna County ss }

Personally appeared before Jonathan C Sherman Esquire, one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Susquehanna, Luther Kallam a resident of the township of Bridgwater in the said County aged Seventy three years, and an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the seventh day of June 1832, and being duly sworn according to Law, in answer to the interrogatories proposed in the Regulations of the War Department under said act of Congress, upon his oath doth depose and say --

1st That he was born in the town of Preston, in the County of New London and and State of Connecticut on the third of January 1760.

2nd That he has a record of his age now in his possession.

3rd That at the time he entered the service of his country he lived in town of Preston aforesaid, but that he enlisted at Stonington as stated in his declaration, that he resided in the County of New London until April 1800, when he moved from Preston aforesaid to the town of Tolland & County of Tolland in said State, and from thence in October 1801 he removed with his family to the township of Bridgwater, where he now resides.

4th That at all times when he entered the service of his country during the revolutionary War, is was as a volunteer, or a Voluntarily enlistment as stated in his declaration.

5th That the names of the Regular officers who were with the troops where he served are fully detailed in his declaration

6th That in the year 1780 he received a written discharge from Col. Swift. That this is the only discharge he ever received to his recollection which was written, the others, were Verbal.

7th That Elder Davis Dimock & Major Isaac Post have testified to his Character for veracity, and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution

Luther Kallam

Sworn to and subscribed, before the undersigned May 28th 1833, by the said Luther Kallam, who I Certify to be a credible person & to whose testimony full credit should be given.

Jonathan C. Sherman J. Peace
Page 13

State of Pennsylvania
Susquehanna County ss } I Asa Dimock Jr Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of said County, do hereby Certify, that Jonathan C Sherman Esq'r whose signature in his own proper hand writing appears subscribed to the attestation of the within deposition, is an Acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified as appears of record, And that full credit should be given to his Official Acts.

Witness my hand and seal of Office, at Montrose the twenty eighth day of May AD 1833.

Asa Dimock Jr Prot
Page 14

[left side]
1914. Aug 5: History to Miss Susie E. Stephens. M.B.H.

[right side]
Rev War
13594
INVALID.
File No. 13,594
Luther Kallam
Priv. Rev. war
---
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-- Vol. 1, Page 200
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

Montrose, Pa. 7/29/14

To the Pension Department

In joining the D.A.R. I was asked for the "Statement from Pension Office" of my ancestor Luther Kallam, of Stonington, Conn. and later of Forest Lake Susq. Co. Pa. He enlisted in the Rev. war in 1776 at the age of 16, served 3 years and received a pension.

If you can send me the required statement
Page 16

or information as how to get it I shall be most grateful.

I enclose stamp for reply.

Very truly,
(Miss) Susie E. Stephens
Montrose
Pa

[round stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D JUL 30 1914
Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3--525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., __, 19__

In reply to your request of __, received __ for a statement of the military history of Luther Kallam a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ([lined out: or his widow's]) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

S.13.594.

[Table, 6 columns, listed by row]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. |
LENGTH OF SERVICE. |
RANK. |
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. |
STATE.

Jan 1776 | 1 yr & 1 mo | Pierce, Martin and Lemuel Bailey | Babcock and Lippett | R.I.

Feb 1777 | 3 mos. | | Asa Keeney | Richmond | R.I.

Spring 1780 | 6 mos. | | Halls | Swift | Conn.

Battles engaged in, Retreat from NY. Trenton; Princeton.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Preston, New London Co Conn
Date of application for pension, Sept. 11, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Bridgewater Twp., Susquehanna Co. Penn.
Age at date of application, born Jan. 3, 1760 in Preston Conn
Remarks: There is no family data on file

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6--2856