Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16374, William Eaton, Continental Mass. N.H.
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE
Continental
Mass.
N.H
Eaton, William
NUMBER
S. 16374
carded
CONTENTS
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE Continental Mass. N. H. 
Eaton William 
NUMBER S. 16374
carded
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Wm Eaton
9299
Sandbornton
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                                   DECLARATION
            In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832
State of New Hampshire, 
County of Strafford   at a Court of Probate taken before
me Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate for said County at Sandbornton.
    On this sixteenth day of August  1832 personally appeared in open Court
before the Judge of the said Court of Probate, now sitting, William Eaton
a resident of Sandbornton in the County of Strafford and State of N.H. aged 75 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 7, 1832.
      That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated --that he enlisted in Salisbury Massachusetts in the month of June, AD. 1775 for six months under Capt. Jonathan Evans, does not remember his [illegible] Sergents Regt. in the Mass. line marched directly to Cambridge in Mass arrived there the next morning after the Bunker Hill Battle, served there in the vicinity six months then honorably dismissed but did not take a written discharge.
      That  he there on the [illegible] of Cambridge in December AD 1775 enlisted for one year under Capt Asa Barnes (Lieut  not recallible, Joseph Barnes was his orderly Sergent, in Colo. Sergent's Rgt., in Mass. line. Marched to New London in Connecticut there took shiping to New York, stationed at a place called Hunts Gate, remained there until the English took New York, from there to White Plains, from there to New Jersey, from there to Pennsylvania to a place Newtown, from there to Trenton was in the battle of Trenton which was Christmas Morning AD 1776 under Gen. Sulivan was his life guard, Since the full term of one year being the term of his enlistment was there honorably dismissed but did not take a written discharge.

that he enlisted at Newbury Port Massachusetts in the month of July AD. 1777 for three months under Capt.Leke but was put and served under Capt. Evans
in Col. Brown.s Regt. , Mass. line marched to a place called Pallet from there through the wilderness to Lake George, Colo Brown was the commander was in the Battle of Lake George, from thence to Still Water was in the Battle of Still Water he thinks 7 day October 1777, was there wounded with Ball into his thigh, was then carried to Albany in New York, [inserted: there received a fantasy for the remainder of his] term of three Months, was honorably dismissed but did not take a written discharge 

that he enlisted at Hampton falls, in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire in the month of June or July A.D. 1778, for six months under Lieut Jonathan Scannell and served under Capt. Benj. Gile of Plastow, Ensign, Richardson in Col Peabody Regt in New Hampshire line, marched to Providence from thence to the Island in the State of Rhode Island Stationer there about three weeks from thence to South Kingston in R. Island served six months there honorably dismised did not take
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that he enlisted at Newbury Port Massachusetts in the month of June AD 1777 for three months under Capt Pike, but was put and served under Capt. Evans in Col Browns Reg. Mass line Marched to a place called Pallet from the through the wilderness to Lake George, Colo Brown was the Commander was in the battle of Lake George, from thence to Still water was in the Battle of Still Walter He thinks in October 1777, was then wounded with a ball into his thigh was then carried to Albany in New York, [inserted: then received a fulness for the remainder of his] term of three thirty months, was honorably dismissed but did not received a written discharge 

that he enlisted at Hampton falls in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire in the month of June or July A.D. 1778 for six months under Lieut Jonathan Scanell and served under Capt. Benj. Gile of Plastow, Ensign, Richardson in Col Peabody Regt in New Hampshire line, Marched to Providence from thence to the Island in the State. Rhode Island Stationed there about three weeks from thence to South Kingston in R. Island served six months there honorably dismised but did not take a written discharge.

that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person who testimony he can procure who can testify to his service - except the affiants, hereunto annexed 

Than he was born in Seabrook in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, lived there and its vicinity untill he entered the service of the U.S. since have lived at Hampton falls about two years then he moved to Sandbournton in the County of Strafford & State of [inserted: there about fifteen years, thence to Rhode Island lived there about eighteen years then to Sandbournton lived] there for one years last past and now resides in same place 

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. 
William his X mark Eaton 

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Court. 
D.C. Atkinson Judge of Probate 

We, Benjamin Calley a clergyman residing in Sandbournton Dudley Swain residing in Sandbornton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Eaton, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 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 above mentioned in Court 
Benjamin Calley 
Dudley Swain 

And the said Court do 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. And the Court certifies, that it appears that Benjamin Calley who has signed the preceding certificate, is Clergyman resident in the Town of Sandbornton and that Dudly Swain, who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Sandbornton and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. J
Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate. 

I James Bartlett Regr of of the Court Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Eaton for a pension 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 23 day of August AD 
James Bartlett Regt
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1455 
New Hampshire 
William Eaton Sanbornton in the State of NH who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Sargeant in the NH line for [blank] Mass & Continental 

Inscribed on the Roll of NH at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 11th day of March, 1831 

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of August 1832 and sent Joseph West Concord NH 

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1832 $120
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 '33 40
====
$60--
====

Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by J. H. McBlair Clerk
Book D Vol 1st

See letter to P. Agt. 20 May 1835 [see papers No 4080]do to same 
21 Nov. 1835 see letters 6 Jan 1835 to to Hon B. Bean, J. B. Thomson & P. Agt
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Wm Eaton Private 
No 9299. 
2 years Admitted 
$120- 
John West 
ConcordN. H.
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BRIEF in the case of Wm Eaton of Sanbournton in the State of New Hamshire (Act 7th June, 1832.) 

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 75 years 
4. State his[service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[table headings] Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, 6 Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.
[row 1] June in 1775 | " 6 " | Private | Colo Sergeant Capt Barnes
[row 2] Dec 1775 | 1 " " | " | Col Do Capt Barnes
[row 3] July 1777 | " 3 " | " | Col Browns
[row 4] June & July 1778 | " 6 & 25* | " | Col Peabody

5. In what battles was he engaged? Stillwater  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? [crossed out: Salisbury, Mass] Seabrook NH 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness for 6 mos and traditionary evidence 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  same certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D.D. Addison Examining Clerk.
* as per role of service
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Sandbornton December 30, 1835 

I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with two William Eaton in this town, both Pensioners and have been family Physician to them both, I attended the Mr. Eaton I who died with Sept 3d instant, who was distinguished by the title of Governor Eaton; whilst the other Mr Eaton is distinguished by the title of Scrimp Eaton. The Mr. Eaton lately disposed informed me during his last sickness. that his pension was eighty Dollars pr annum from general reputation, it is supposed that both of the Mr. Eatons were entitled to a Pension 
John Carr
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16344
3 July 

William Eaton 
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 32

Index: -- Vol. A, Page 106 
{Arrangement of 1870.} 

William Eaton
W. W. G. Jan 10,07
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Wm Eaton
No 9299

James J C West
Concord NH
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Mr Eaton which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes. 
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served: Yes
V. Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes in his favor 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes with an exception
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2 
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES. QUERE V. 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: Formonths and - days, I served as a month and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly thenticated, as above directed. QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
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SANDBORNTON NH
DEC 30  free
Hon James B. Thornton
Second Comptroller U.S. Treasury 
Washington City
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Sandbornton Dec. 29, 1835. 

Hon. James B. Thornton 
Dear Sir there have been for some years past two William Eatons to in this town who are pensioners. One of them died on the third day of September was 80 yo last leaving a widow, the other received his pension up to the 4th of September as usual amounting I think to about $16.00 for six months. Soon after this and while the widow of the deceased Mr. Eaton was getting the necessary evidence to enable her to draw the money due to her husband I received a letter from Mr. Waldron in forming me that both the M. Eatons pensions had been suspended. I then advised the widow to wait till Congress should meet when I would write to some one of our delegation enquiring into the causes of such suspension and if practicable I would assist her in furnishing such evidence as would be required to remove the difficulty. She concluded to adopt that course and accordingly at her request I wrote to Mr. Bean
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a few days since asking him to make inquiry into the business and write me on the subject. He has probably received my letter but has not had time to reply. This evening I received a second letter from Mr. Waldron informing me that he has been directed to call on the attornies who received the money for the Eatons to refund it. This induced me to write directly to you on the subject. I have also written to Mr. Bean again giving him a further account of the matter 

These two Mr. Eatons are well known in this town as having been pensioners and there is no difficulty in furnishing any evidence that may be required of the fact that they have both received their money according to the purport of then respective papers made out and sworn to before me and forwarded to the agent at Portsmouth by the attorney who received the money. I have for several years been in the habit of making out the papers for all or nearly all the pensioners in this vicinity and recently have made them for the two Mr. Eatons and I have made them as the names appear on their resp
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tive certificate without alteration or remark. They have both lived in town for many years and have children settled here in respectable circumstances and standing. The one that is deceased was out of town several years some time since but I think he came back before he received his pension certificate but I am not certain. I had no agency in getting either of them on to the Pension list and of course do not know what evidence they furnished or why one of them was not designated as pensr or in some way or whether they were rightfully placed on the roll; but from general reputation I have not doubt they were both deceased to pensions 

As I understand suspicins exist that all is not a in this business I shall be glad to furnish you or the proper Department with any evidence that may be wished to place the matter in its proper light. I shall feel particularly interested in doing it as the papers were made out by me and so far as I am concerned I wish for the strictest scrutiny. Will you do me the favour to write me on the subject as soon as convenient . I enclose a certificate from Doct. Carr our Postman and will furnish such others as may be wished to entitle the living Mr. Eaton to be restored and the widow of the deceased to the amount due her husband 
Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt
Charles Lane
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I am well acquainted with Charles Lane Esq. the writer of this letter, and know him to be one of the most respectable men in the State of New Hampshire, and do not hesitate to say that implicit confidence may be placed in his statement. 
January 4. 1835 J.B.

SAND Dec 20 

Hon James B Thorn 
The Second Comptroller 
Nashua
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affiant Wm burn for Mr. Eaton
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William Huse of Sanbournton in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire aged Seventy one years testify and say that I entered the servis of the United States in the year 1778 in Epping in the County of Rockingham and State aforesaid, for one year under Capt Dearborn in Col Peabody Regt in the New Hampshire line. Marched to Rhode Island Stationed there  four weeks from thence to South Kingston Rhode Island and dismissed there and further that I very well know William Eaton of Sanbornton in the County of Shifford he state of New Hampshire and have known him for more them fifty years last past, and know he enlisted into the services of the United States in 1778 under Cap Gile for six month in Col Peabody, Regt in the New Hampshire line that I saw him dayly that he served six months - the same Regt but not in same Company. Marched to Rhode Island with me and there we were both honorably dismissed but did not take a written discharge that he is the identical William Huse named
 in the declaration hereunto annexed, 
Wm Huse

Strafford ss August 1st 1832 State of New Hampshire 
Personally appeared the above named William Huse and made oath in due form of say that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. Before me 
Parker Plumer Just of the Peace of the 

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above and William Huse that he is a man of good character whose statements are
 entitled to full credit Parker Plumer Justes of the Peace 

State of New Hampshire Secretary office Aug. 1 1832 hereby certify that the above named Parker Plumer is a Justice of the Peace for County of Stafford duly constituted and sworn pension by   testimony whereof I have hereto set the seal of this State 
Ralph Metcalf Secretary