Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11778, Amos Wood, Mass R. I. Vt.
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass
R. I.
Vt.
Wood, Amos
NUMBER
R. 11778
CONTENTS
Page 2

In the Matter of
Amos Wood a
Pensioner
Page 3

State of New York
County of Efsex} fs.
1st On this 21 - day of June - personally appeared before the subscriber First Judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County aforesaid Amos Wood a resident of the Town of Efsex and County of Efsex and State of New York aged 79 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 made by the Act of Congrefs pafsed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the yar 1775 with Capt Steward and served in the regt (does not recollect the number) Mafsachusetts line under the following named officers Col. Eastman regt Capt Lemuel Steward Lieut. Blair. That he entered the service in the month of August and served six months wanting a few days and was discharged in Feb. following being not more than 15-days short of the time for which he had enlisted to wit, six months joined the regt at Williams town and resided in said Town State of Mafsachusetts that he marched from thence to Ticonderog then to Crown point thence by water to Ft. Johns in company with Col. Allen's regt there besieged the fort seven or eight week during which time we had several slight engagements and frequently exchanged cannon-shots with the fort until at length it surrendered to Gen. Montgomery. who had succeeded Gen. Schuyler in the command of the northern expedition that after the surrender of the fort Col. Allen was sent to the river Sarelle where he and a number of his men were
over.
Page 4

made prisoners and this applicant with other's under the command of a segt were sent back to Ticonderoga after provisions where when we arrived we were ordered by Gen. Schuyler to Lake George where we were discharged after remaining a while by order of Gen Worster
2nd That he again enlisted in the army of the United States on the 17th day of March 1776 Capt Blackmar and served in the 2nd regiment of the Rhode Island Line under the following named officers Col. Christopher Lippitt Does not recollect the other regimental officers Capt. Nathaniel Blackmar Ensign Refs who was afterward promoted to Lieut. and his place filled by Benj. Bowen that he resided in Pownal Vermont that he went to Gloucester Rhode Island and there enlisted under the above named officer for the term of one year joined the Regt. at Providence in said State thence marched to Newport thence under the command of Gen. Sullivan to meet Gen. Washington at Harlen 12 miles from N. York Pity was there spectator of of the battle of White plains thence  crofsed the Hudson river into the Jersys with Gen. Washington's army marched up the river crofsed over and took several hundred hefsians recrofsed the river that this applicant was sick and conveyed to the hospital in Connecticut does not recollect the Town
over
Page 5

and was there discharged in March 1777 to wit on the 17th day
3rd that he again enlisted into the Regt commanded by Col. Herrick known as the Green Mountain Boys or Col Herrick's rangers under the following officers Col. Herrick (does not recollect the other regimental officer's names) Capt. John Warner Brother to Col. Seth Warner Lieut. Eastman Ensign Welch resided in Pownal where he entered the service; that he enlisted in the month of July 1777 for six Months under the above named officer joined the regt. where he enlisted at Manchester V.T. marched to Bennington there joined Gen. Starks was in the Battle at Bennington in August and the subsequent Battles and skirmishes that preceded the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne that he does not remember so as to State whether Col Herrick's regt. was State or continental troops that he knew the following officers and regt's. who were united in the reduction of Gen Burgoyne Gens. Gates & Poor of the Militia Cols. Warner Stafford Arnold and Angel with their several regiment that he in consequence of a lame ancle remained at Bennington after the surrender of Burgoyne's army till January 1778 where he was discharged at the expiration of six months the term of his enlistment
Page 6

4th That he again enlisted in the year 1778 in the month of March he thinks under Col. Christopher Angel for the term of three years or during the war. Capt. Thayre who afterward became major was their captain does not recollect the others that his residence was in Pownal Vt. that he enlisted in Providence Rhode Island joined the Regt. at Providence served as steward or waiter to Gen. Benedict Arnold till about the middle of May following when in consequence of a hurt received the preceding campaign in the bennington battle that he was discharged by Col. Angel his wound having become as was thought a fever sore and that he received a written discharge which discharge he has lost that he also received written discharges for the first and second terms of enlistment which he has also lost but the third he received none that he served as a private in all of the afore mentioned terms He hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Amos Wood
Sworn to subscribed this 21st day of June 1833 before me Rueben Whallon First Judge of the Courts of Common Pleas of the County of Efsex above mentioned ~
Page 7

And I the said Rueben Whallon do hereby declare my opinion that the above named Amos Wood the aplicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
I the said Rueben Whallon further certify that I performed the above duties at the chamber of the applicant he being unable from bodily infirmity to attend in open Court 
[illegible] + performed at Efsex in the County of Efsex this 21rd day of June 1833
Rueben Whallon First
Judge of Efsex County Com
Pleas
I Percival Morse Deputy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas hereby testify that the above are [illegible] original proceedings before the said judge at [illegible] the said Reuben Whallon is the first judge of this court that the above signatures purporting to be his are his genuine signatures - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand + seal of office this 21st day of June 1833.
P. Morfe. Dep. Clerk.
Page 8

District of New York fs:
On this tenth day of May 1827, personally appeared, in open court, being a court of record, Amos Wood
aged Seventy two years, who, being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congrefs, of the 18 March 1818 and the first May, 1820 that he, the Said Amos Wood, Enlisted, for the term of Six months, Some time in the month of Jany. 1775, under Capt. Stuart; Ridgement commanded by Col. Eastman, & went to Canada; Sometime in the year 1776 again Enlisted, for the term of one year, in the State of R. I. In the Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Blackmar, in the Rigiment commanded by Col. Christopher Lefit in the line of the state of R. I Rhode Island on the ___ continental establishment that he continued to Serve in the Said Corps until Some time in Jany. 1777, when he was discharged from the Said Service, in Stafford, in the State of C. T. Connecticutt that Sometime in the year 1777, he again Enlisted for the term Six months, under Capt. John Warner ridgement commanded by Col. Herrick, called the Rangers. That he was in the Battels of St. John in Canada and Bennington in the State of Vermont; and that he has no other evidence, now in his power, of his Said Servies. Ecipt the above ~
And, in pursuance of the Act of the 1st May 1820 I do Solemnly Swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen, and that I have not Since that time, by gift, Sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part therefor, with
Page 9

intent thereby So to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congrefs, Entitled "An act to provide for curtain persons engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," pafsed on the 18th day of March, one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen; and that I have not nor has any person, in trust for me, any property or Securities, Contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me Subscribed
Real Estate none, Personal Estate none, Except one Suit of Cloaths, Badly worn, have no Family, with me, but four Children in different Places, and all in the most indigent circumstances; am a Farmer by occupation, and am lame in one Leg, and Arm, which renders me unable to labour, and am a town Pauper, Supported by Charity ~
Amos Wood
Sworn to, and declaired, on the 10th day of May 1827
I Ernest A. Dunlap Clerk of Seneca County do hereby Certify that the foregoing oath & Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the Said Court: and I do further Certify, that it is the opinion of the Said Court, that the total amount in value of the property Exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is three Dollars
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and, and affixed the Seal of the Said Court, on this 10th day of May 1827
Ernest A Dunlap
Clerk of the Court of the Common Pleas
in and for Seneca County ~
Page 10

No. 25760
Amos Wood Efsix County New York

[illegible illegible]
Roll of Col. Angel's Regt - BLB
[illegible]
Rejected 19 Sept 1833.

L. S. Allen Ticonderoga Efsex
County New York
Page 11

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 necefsary 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 Amos Wood Efsex County New York
=======
Period when the service was rendered.
Enlist 1775
Enlist Mar 1776
Enlist July 1777
Enlist 1778
Duration of the Claimant's service.
Years _ Months. 5 Days. 15
Years. 1 Months. _ Days. _
Years. _ Months. 6 Days. _
Years. Months. Days. Not Stated [illegible]
Rank of the claimant.
privt.
"
"
"
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap Stewart, Colonel Eastman, Gl. Montgomery
Cap Blackmar, Col Lippitt
Col Herrick, Cap Warner
Col Angel, Cap Thayer
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
79 years
Wisham Town Mafsachusets 
Proof by which the declaration is support.
Alo evidence - paper correct

Battle of Bennington

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

Declarant may be able to substantiate his claim by applying to the Secretary of the State of Rhode Island
Page 12

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 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, macicians 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 serviced in the ___ (e) regiment of the ___ line, under the following names 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. (Right pointing hand symbol) This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, name, &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 history
Page 13

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 the 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, atttend 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 three or 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 highly 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; 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 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 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.
(Right pointing hand symbol) 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.

Name of the applicant not on rolls of Col Angels Regiment

* The entire (e) statement has a bracket ( { ) on the left side.
** The first line in the (j) statement is underlined and the entire (j) statement has a bracket ( { ) on the left side.
*** There is a bracket ( { ) to the left of the (k), (l), and (m) statements.
Page 14

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
[The above line has been crossed off]

11778
P.O. ____
Amos Wood
Service: ___
Enlisted: ___, 18
REJECTED
Discharged: ___, 18
Application filed: ___, 18
Alleges: ___
Re-enlisted: ___
Attorney: ___
P.O. ___
___ Recognized. ___ Contract
___ Cert. of Dis. Searched for ___, 18
Page 15

J Clark P M
Waterloo
Fue
To the Honerable Secratary at
War
Washington City

20394
Pension Office
August 17 1827
Page 16

Dr Sir
I enclose to you the declaration of Amos Wood who claims a pension under the act of Congrefs for revolutionary service in the Army of the United States Please write wheth the name of the applicant is found on in roll and whether the declaration is different or defective - Have the goodnefs to enclose me a blank form for declaration in an original claim -
Your humble servt
Jefs Clark
Hon. Secretary of War
Waterloo 9th Augt 1827
Page 17

Ticonderoga Efsex County New York
Sir I received the Declaration of Amos Wood an applicant for a pension with the objections returned and as I understand them think they arise in consequence of the cost term under Col. Angel only. Now as the several terms beside amount to one year eleven months and fifteen days what the additional time would increase his pension would not be equivalent to the delay and cost of substantiating the said last term therefore he earnestly solicits that the Department would allow him so much as the amount of his other terms entitle him to receive
And I would further State that the old gentleman is a pauper confined in the County poor-house and has no friends or relatives to afsist him and is unable to make any effort other than the gratuitous afsistance of the Philanthropic in his behalf August 19th 1833
I am with respect your obedient servant
L. S. Allen
P.S. Ip I have mistaken the objections the Department will please correct me and oblige your &c.
L. S. A.
Page 18

New York
Revol =
Amos Wood
Rejected
See letter to L. S. Allen
20 Sept 1833, 
letter to DO, Oct 19. 1833
11778
Act 7. June 1832
Page 19

20394
Amos Wood
Seneca County
New York
Act 18 March 1818
----------
Claim
Rejected
See letter 17 Augt
1827 to Jefs Clark
Waterloo NY