Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 410, Elisha Baker, Mass Vt.
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(3 - 1776)

SERVICE | | NUMBER
Mass | Baker Elisha | R. 410
Vt. | " |

CONTENTS
[two columns of blank lines]
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State of Vermont
County of Chittenden ss

This 16th day of August AD. 1832
Personally appeared before me John
Vansicklen Jr. one of the Judges of County Court in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont being a Court of Record - Elisha Baker a resident of Charlotte in said County aged seventy three 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 seventh AD. 1832-
That he was born in the Town of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, that in that town is a record of his birth which he has seen since he became a man;-- That when first called into service he was living in Williamstown in the County of Berkshire and state of Massachusetts, that he volunteered at the request of Col Benjamin Simonds as Surgeon's Mate - Isaac Stratton was Major of the regiment the Lieut Col was not with us; that we went into the now State of Vermont to the town of Wells for head quarters and in the course of
the campaign went to Skeensborough in the State of New York and from there to Manchester in Vermont- was dismissed at Wells after four months service, that he cannot positively tell whether this was the year that Burguoyne was taken or the year before, but thinks it was
the year before-- That his second period of service (except a few days at a time) was in a Massachusetts Regiment of Militia of which Asa Barns was Colonel. That he was surgeon of the regiment; that Joseph Jarvis of Lanesborough was surgeon's Mate, that he was employed at
still water and vicinity in the State of New York
during this tour which was about three months-
and That after being out several times for a few days at a time in the year 1779, he was in the year 1780 Surgeon of a Regiment of Vermont Volunteers commanded by Col. Stephen Pearl of Manchester under General Ethan Allen, who made him chief Surgeon of all his forces; was at Mount Independence Castleton and several other places, in all something more than
two months. Making during the war better
than nine months service - To prove which he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service - He has lived since the revolutionary
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war in Clarendon in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont - in Troy and Rome in the State of New York and for the last ten years in Charlotte where I now live as shown by the above - He hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
I am known to Isaac Higbee - to Deacon Isaac Higbee, Lewis Higbee and many other Citizens
of this neighbourhood who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a surgeon of the revolution
Elisha Baker

We
Isaac Higbee and Lewis Higbee, hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Doct. Elisha Baker
who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Surgeon of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Isaac Higbee
Lewis Higbee
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 Surgeon and served as he states. And I further certify that it
appears to me that the persons who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I also certify that the applicant by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to appear in Court to make his declaration
Attest - John Van Sicklin Judge of Chittenden
County Court
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County
Personally appeared before me Nathan B Haswell a Justice of the Peace for Chittenden County, Elisha Baker of Charlotte in said county, to me known as the same Elisha Baker who made his declaration before the Honorable John Van Sincklin on the 16th day of August AD 1832, who being duly sworn, doth make the following additional declaration, 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
From April 14th 1777 to August 15th 1777 as Surgeons Mate being five months (I had no Commission or warrant in this service being appointed by the Colonel)
From the middle of April 1778 to the 1st of September 1778 as Surgeon, (I never served a Commission or Warrant in this campaign, and I have been unable to obtain any evidence of my service)
In 1779 I was out occasionally, but as I have no particular data to govern me I do not put down the service
From Feby 28th 1780 to the latter part of July  1780, the precise day not recollected, as Chief Surgeon under Ethan Allen and in this service I am confident I received a warrant or commission, but it is now lost or destroyed
I have made inquiry and am told that as my first service was Militia I can obtain no document to substantiate my service in Massachusetts - but since I first made out ["out" crossed out] my declaration, I have endeavored to recall events and refresh my mind, and I verily believe and declare that the foregoing statement is correct, and think I ought to be entitled to pension for the same, as follows
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For five months as a Surgeon's Mate
For ten months as a Surgeon
Sworn and subscribed this 15th day of October AD 1833 and I hereby certify that the above named Elisha Baker is a credible witness.
Elisha Baker [crossed out] Elisha Baker [signed again to the right of the paragraph]
Before me Nathan B Haswell Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss
I Nathan B Haswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby certify that Nathan B Haswell Esq before whom the foregoing declaration is taken is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 15th day of October AD 1833
Nathan B Haswell
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[Case file form]
Ex'r. INVALID.
No. 410 [handwritten]
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 8, 1873. [entire line crossed out]
REJECTED [stamped sideways along the right edge]
Elisha Baker [handwritten]
P.O.
Service:
Enlisted: [space], 18
Discharged: [space], 18
Application filed: [space], 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
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8689
Elisha Baker
Vermont
410
Suspended
Letter 7 July 1834
N. B. Haswell
Let. I. N. Coffin. Feb 6/54
1832
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Elisha Baker
Charlotte
8689
410
Suspended
7 July 1834
Nathan B Haswell Clerk
Burlington VT
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I desire to see the papers in the case of Elisha Baker under the Act of June 7, 1832, I being the Attorney in the said case.
Very Respectfully etc
Isaac N Coffin

Loren P Waldo Esq.
Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.
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[Blank page with faint partial image of a seal showing only the letters NTY COURT]
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State of Vermont Chittenden County I Nathan B Haswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby Certify that the Hon John Van Sicklen [illegible] before whom the amended declaration of Elisha Baker was taken was at the time thereof a Judge of Chittenden County Court duly qualified acting under the authority of this State and that his Signature thereof subscribed is his own proper hand writing
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 29th day of August AD 1832
Nathan B Haswell
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I Justus Byington, a Clergyman residing in the town of Charlotte, County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Doct. Elisha Baker of Charlotte aforesaid, who I understand has applied for a pension for Service as a Soldier during the Revolutionary War, that I believe him to be about seventy four 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 I concur in that opinion.
Charlotte VT October 8, 1833.
Justus Byington Clergy

State of Vermont Chittenden County p 
Charlotte Oct. 8th 1833.
Personally appeared Justus Byington and made solemn affirmation under the pain and penaltey of perjury that the above Certificate by him subscribed, is true according to his best knowledge & belief, before me, William Noble Justice of the Peace

Charlotte Oct. 8 1833 I hereby certify that Justus Byington the Clergyman who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Certificate, is a Clergyman of that Town & every way entitled to credit & belief, W. Noble Justice Peace
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State of Vermont Chittinden County
I Nathan B Haswell Clerk of Chittinden County Court do hereby certify that William Noble Esq before whom the within deposition was taken, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 15th day of October AD 1833
Nathan B Haswell
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War Department Pension Office
October [crossed out] Nov. 8. 1833.
Sir
The papers in support of the claim of George Oldes have been again examined and are herewith enclosed to you.
The regulations demand from every applicant that, when he has made a general allegation of service, he shall, in an amendatory affidavit, reduce it to a precise specification of the tours composing this period. This has been required of the present claimant, and I have now to inform you, that his whole claim cannot be admitted, until he answer the requirement.
In the case of Israel Burrett deceased whose papers are also sent back to you the following remarks apply. From his very vague statement, it may be gathered that he at one time was in Col. Starr's regiment [crossed out] at another in Col. Swift's regiment. His name does not appeafr upon the records of service of the Connecticut line which are completge for the time he must have spent in the service
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according to his own statement. It will be necessary for his widow, or, if there be no widow, his children to prove relationship to him and the time of his death and, before a certificate will issue, they must establish the length of his services by the testimony of witnesses. Of course, he will not be allowed for service in the militia as Captain for he was not commissioned, as such, until after the close of the revolutionary war. Attention must be paid to note | j | in the accompanying printed brief
Elisha Baker, whose papers are enclosed herewith, should apply to E. D. Bangs Esq. Secretary of the State of Mass., and communicate the result to this office. Some evidence is absolutely necessary to support his claim.
N. B. Haswell Esq Burlington Vermont
[to the right in three lines parallel to the edge] N. B. Haswell 8th Novr 1836 6.6
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[Blank page with indecipherable initials at the top]
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Burlington May 29, 1834
J L Edwards Esq
Dr Baker has sent me his Pension papers to be forwarded you, with an additional declaration which he has made before. Mr Justin Comstock
Dr Baker is a very upright man and must have performed important services in the Revolution, and I sincerely hope his case may receive a favorable decision
Yours Respectfully
Nathan B Haswell
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State of Vermont  | Shelburne March 15th 1834
Chittenden County ss | Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Chittenden Elisha Baker 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 period mentioned before and in the following grades for 4 months and one day I served as Surgeon's Mate and for 9 months and sixteen days I served as Chief Surgeon and for such service I claim a Pension
I also recollect that in my service of April 14th 1777 instead of being dismissed at wells as stated in my original Declaration I was dismissed at Manchester Vermont the day before Bennington battle on the 15 day of August 1777 when I had been staying some time at the request of Col Warner to take care of some sick people making 4 months and one Day.
In my 2nd service I turned out at the suggestion of Col. Asa Barns of the same Regiment last Commanded by Col. Asa Barns [crossed out] Simonds a Volunteer as Surgeon at the particular request of said Col. Barnes as there was not at that time any enlistment in the Militia service but all went Volunteer only and I served as set forth in my declaration and amendment from the 15th Day of April 1778 to the first day of September same year making 4 months 15 Days
In my 3rd service at Manchester Vermont February 28th 1780 at the suggestion of General  Ethan Allen I entered the Vermont Militia and by him was appointed chief surgeon of all his forces and served served [duplicated?] as set forth in my declaration till the 30th day of July same year Making 5 M 1 Day
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I was Born at the place set forth in my declaration January 21st 1757

In my first campaign Benjamin Simonds was Col. Isaac Stratton Maj Neh'h Smedley was our Captain and Jud Williams Lieut

In my 2nd Campaign Asa Barns was my Col. Isaac Stratton Maj. David Wheeler Capt from Lanesborough and Israel Harris Capt from Williamstown Massachusetts

In my 3rd Campaign Ira Allen Col. (not present) Stephen Pearl Lieut Col.. Capt Bull of Manchester alarmist Company and Capt Smith all the foregoing service was performed in the Militia
Sworn and subscribed this 15th Day of March AD 1834 and I hereby certify that the above named Elisha Baker is a Credible witness [signature to the right] Elisha Baker
Before me Levi Comstock Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Chittenden County
I Nathan B Haswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby certify that Levi Comstock before whom and at the time when the foregoing declaration was made was a Justice of the Peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this state and that his name hereto subscribed is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Burlington this 29th day of May AD 1834 Nathan B Haswell
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[Embossed seal in upper left, illegible text and image]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office. Boston
January 25 1856.
I Hereby Certify. That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that The name of Elisha Baker is borne on pay roll of Capt. Ebenezer Newell's Comp, which marched on the alarm from Lanesborough to Meloomseuyck [possibly Walloomsac NY which figured in the Battle of Bennington on Aug 16 1777] Aug 14. 1777. 6 days & 35 miles. Also on pay roll of Capt. Samuel Clarke's Comp. Col. Benj'n Simonds Regt. from Berkshire Co. who marched to Pawlet, Sept. 7. 1777 (Elisha Baker Jr.) 24 days service.
Also on pay roll of Capt Harris Comp. Col. Benj'n Simonds Regt. from Berkshire Co. which marched on the alarm to the northern frontier Oct. 12. 1780. 11 days as private
Also same Capt. same Col. on alarm to same place from Oct. 26. 1780. 6 days as private.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E.M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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[Date written at 90-degree angle at upper left edge] Jany. 3.

[Two circular stamps at top of page]
Washington DEC 31   PAID 3

Amasa Walker Esq.
Secretary of State
Boston. Mass.
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Washington Decr 29th 1853.
Sir:
Having been engaged by Mrs Elizabeth Cole to endeavor to establish her right to a pension from the United States, and she having given me a Power of Attorney for that purpose which I have filed in the Pension Office, but withdrawn it to enclose herein [crossed out: I herewith enclose to you her letter to me] and have to solicit of you that a search may be made in the Revolutionary Records and Files of the State of Massachusetts for proof of the service of her father Dr Elisha Baker as a Surgeon in the Army of the Revolution.
To facilitate the search I will state that he states in his Declaration now on file in the Pension Office as follows:
That he served "From April 14th 1777 to August 15th 1777 as Surgeon's Mate being five months (I had no Commission or Warrant in this service being appointed by the Colonel.)"
"From the middle of April 1778 to the first of September 1778 as Surgeon (I never received a Commission or Warrant in this Campaign and I have been unable to obtain any evidence of my service.)
"From Feby 20th 1780 to the latter part of July 1780 the precise day not recollected, as Chief Surgeon under Ethan Allen and in this service, I a-- [remainder of word hidden by a fold in the paper]
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"confident I received a Warrant or Commission, but it is now lost or destroyed."
He also states in his Declaration "That the second period of service (except a few days at a time) was in a Massachusetts Regiment of Militia of which Asa Barns was Colonel. That he was Surgeon of the Regiment; that Joseph Jarvis of Lanesborough was Surgeon's Mate, that he was employed at Stillwater and vicinity in the State of New York during this tour which was about three months."
"That after being out several times for a few days at a time in the year 1779--he was in the year 1780 Surgeon of a Regiment of Vermont Volunteers commanded by Col Stephen Pearl of Manchester under General Ethan Allen who made him Chief Surgeon of all his forces; was at Mount Independence, Castleton and several other places in all something more than two months."
I have stated his whole narrative as to service even that in the State of Vermont thinking possibly it might give a clue to you in the search.
I pledge my honor as a gentleman (and refer to my friends Josiah Bradlee & Co. Eminent Maria of Boston) that the fee required for the search I will instantaneously transmit on receiving your reply.
I am Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Isaac N. Coffin
P.S. Please return the enclosed Power of Attorney.
Respectfully I.N.C.
Secretary of State
Boston.
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Washington Jany 31st 1854
Sir:
I herewith transmit Certificate of E. M. Wright Esq. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in relation to the Military services of Elisha Baker of Vermont - which although not stating service of sufficient duration to entitle to a pension under Act of June 7, 1832, I request may be filed with the papers in that case. Forty seven days service I believe is the total amount mentioned in this Certificate.
I am
Very Respectfully 
Your Obet Servt
Isaac N Coffin

Honble Loren P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington. D. C.