Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30125, for Uriah Sprague, Massachusetts
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Mass. Sprague, Uriah S.30125
CONTENTS
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[left side] 87
Plymo
[right side] 21.940
Massachusetts
Uriah Sprague
Plymouth in the State of Masstts
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Churchill of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Cotton in the Masstts
line for 2 years
Nul
Inscribed on the Roll of Masstts
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Nov
1833 and sent to J.H. Loud
Plymouth
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mr 34 40
$240
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by G. C. Stites Clerk.
Book E Vol. 4 Page 80
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9671
Uriah Sprague
2 years Private
Admd
5&/4 Ob
Sept 4, 1833
JH Loud
Plymouth
Mass
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BRIEF in the case of Uriah Sprague
County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? about 86 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[table headings] Period. | Duration of Service (subheadings-Years, Months, Days) | Rank (subheading-As a) | Names of general and DIeld Officers under whom he served. (subheading-Gen._ | 
Enlisted in 1776 | - about 5 - | private | Col. Carey, Capt Harlow
again 1776 | - about 6 - | " | same officers
again 1777 | "upwards of a year" | " | Capt Samford
1778 | - about 3 - | " | Capt Partridge
it is his impression he served one month & a half | " | Col. Cotton Capt Churchill
he believes that he served 2 years & a half altogether
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Duxbury Mass
7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & traditionary evidence
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Jno L Watson Examining Clerk.
21st febry 1833
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9671 
Uriah Sprague
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REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, SS.
ON this Twenty first day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Wilks Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for said County now sitting at Duxbury within and for said County of Plymouth, Uriah Sprague a resident of said Duxbury in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged about Eighty six 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. 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, an served as herein stated. viz-In the year 1776 he enlisted at Duxbury in a Company commanded by Capt Harlow, in Colo Carey's regiment, and served about five months at Roxbury and Dorchester
Enlisted again in same year 1776 in the same company and served six months in New York under the same officers. Enlisted again about the first of the year 1777 in the company commanded by Capt Andrew Sampson (does not recollect the regiment) and served upwards of a year on the Gurnett at the entrance of Plymouth Harbor. In the year 1778 he enlisted again, and believes it was in the company commanded by Calvin Partridge but is not certain, does not recollect the regiment and served about three months at New Port Rhode Island! he knows he served under Capt Partridge and thinks it was in this campaign. He was dismissed by his commanding officers without written discharges. He
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he has always been under a strong impression and belief, and is now, that he served altogether in the revolutionary war, two years and a half, but can not recollect now, all his items of service sufficient to make out that term of time. He was born in Duxbury in the year 1747 and has always made it his home in said Duxbury. his birth is not recorded in the records of said Town--He has no other documentary evidence that is here unto annexed. He is well known to the Rev. Benjamin Kent Minister in said Town, and also to the Hon. Seth Sprague Jr. as well as many other good citizens of said Duxbury. Since writing the foregoing it further appears as Pn Certificate of Isaiah Alden Esq (as well as my own impression) whose certificate is here unto annexed that I served in Roxbury in addition to the above in Capt Churchill Company Colo Cottons regiment from November 1775 to Jan.4.1776 giving one month and a half
Uriah Sprague
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Probate Court
Attest Jacob H. Loud
Register of Probate
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We, Benjamin Kent a clergyman, residing in the town of Duxbury and Seth Sprague Jr. residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Uriah Sprague who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about Eighty six years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Benjamin Kent
Seth Sprague Jr
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid,
Attest Jacob H. Loud Register
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Benjamin Kent who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Duxbury and that Hon. Seth Sprague Jr. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court, Attest,
Jacob H. Loud Register
I, Jacob H. Loud Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court on the matter of the application of Uriah Sprague for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Loud
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Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the county of Plymouth Mr Uriah Sprague who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & 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 & in the following grades
For five months I served as a private in Capt Harlows Company in Col Careys Regt at Roxbury & Dorchester in the year 1776
For six months I served as a private in Capt. Harlows Company Col Careys Regt at New York in the year 1776
For one year I served as a private in Capt Andrew Sampsons Company at the Gurnet at the entrance of Plymouth harbor in the year 1777 I never knew of this company being attached to any Regiment or having a Commander of higher grade than Captain this company was raised by the state of Mass for this special service
For three months I served in Capt Calvin Partridges Company in Col Whitneys Regt at New Port &c on Rhode island & I think first as a militia man drafted & when my time was out    I enlisted for a longer time this service was in the year 1778 & I served as a Private
For one & a half month I served as Private or Corporal in Capt Churchills company Col Cottons Regt at Roxbury in 1775 making in the whole a period of not less than seventy seven & a half months that I served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution & for such service I claim a Pension
Uriah Sprague
State of Mass Plymouth Ss
Sworn to & subscribed this Twenty eighth Day of October 1833
before me Seth Sprague Jr Justice of the Peace
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I Isaac Drew of Duxbury aged 85 depose & say that I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution & served six months in New York in the year 1776 & that Uriah Sprague was a soldier in the same company we enlisted both at the same time & travelled in company to join the Army I am personally known to said Sprague having served six months in said enlistment in the Company commanded by Capt Harlow & in Col Careys Regiment given under my hand this Twenty ninth day of October 1833
Isaac Drew
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth County Ss Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me I further certify that Isaac Drew the above deponent is a credible person & his testimony is entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr Justice of the Peace
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I Andrew Sampson of Duxbury Ms depose & say that in the war of the Revolution in the year 1777 I commanded a Company of Infantry stationed at the Gurnet at the entrance of Plymouth Harbor said Company was raised by the State of Massachusetts for the special service & was not attached to any Regiment the Roll of said Company for the time I had the command was in my possession until after the passage of the Pension Act of 1818 it was then put into the possession of the Hon Nahum Mitchell Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Plymouth County since which time I have not seen it I further certify that the name of Uriah Sprague was on said Roll & that he served from January 1 1777 to the last day of December of the same year being twelve months given under my hand this Twenty eighth day of October 1833 
Andrew Sampson
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me I further certify that the above deponent Andrew Sampson is a man of good character & that his testimony is entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss. I Jacob H. Loud Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Seth Sprague Jr Esq is a Justice of Peace in & for said County & that the signatures to the several annexed papers purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this second day of November A.D. 1833
Jacob H. Loud
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To whom it may concern, I Howland Sampson of Kingston, but formally of Duxbury in the county of Plymouth Massachusetts hereby certify that Uriah Sprague of said Duxbury was a soldier of the army of the revolution and that he served six weeks at New Port Rhode Island some time in the year 1778 in the company commanded by Calvin Partridge. I being a soldier at the same time in the same company. Given under my hand this 2d day of August 1832.
Howland Sampson
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss} Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me
Seth Sprague Jr Justice of the Peace
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State of Massachusetts
Plymouth County Ss} September 24 1833
I Certify that Howland Sampson the within deponent is a man of good character & his testimony is entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr Justice of Peace
[written vertically-Uriah Sprague]
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To whom it may Concern I Judah Alden of Duxbury in the County of Plymouth do Certify and say that Uriah Sprague of said Duxbury was a soldier in the Revolutionary War that he was in Colonel Careys Regiment Capt Harlows Company which Regiment was herein ingaged for six month in the year 1776 that I saw the said Uriah at New York before it was captured by the British Army which happened in August or first of September the same year & I have no doubt but he served out the full term of six months
Judah Alden
Duxbury August 2 1832
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State of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss} The within named Judah Alden signed & made oath that the within statement was correct before me
Seth Sprague Jr Justice of the Peace
Plymouth Ss September 21 1833 I further certify that the within named Judah Alden is a man of good character & his testimony is entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr Jus Peace
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To whom it May Concern--I Andrew Sampson of Duxbury in county of Plymouth Massachusetts hereby certify that Uriah Sprague of said Duxbury was a soldier of the revolution & served in the company commanded by myself on the Gurnett at the Entrance of Plymouth Harbour from about the first of Jany 1777 to about the close of said year. Given under my hand this 2d day of August 1832
Andrew Samson
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss} Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me
Seth Sprague Jr Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss. I Jacob H. Loud Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Seth Sprague Jr Esquire before whom the three depositions by me annexed together were taken is a Justice of the Peace & that I believe his name subscribed to the several certificates therein to be his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty first day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Loud
State of Mass Plymouth Ss September 24 1833
I certify that the within deponent Andrew Sampson is a man of good character & his testimony is entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr Jus Peace
[written vertically in right margin-Uriah Sprague]
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To whom it may concern--I Elijah Sampson of Duxbury in the county of Plymouth Massachusetts, hereby certify that Uriah Sprague of Duxbury aforesaid was a soldier of the revolutionary war and that he served four or five months at Roxbury & Dorchester in the year 1776. And I further certify that said Sprague served in the Gurnette at the Entrance of Plym. Harbour in a company commanded by Capt Andrew Sampson all the year of 1777- And that I was a soldier with him at the same times and places, though I do not now recollect the names of the officers in the service in Roxbury & Dorchester. Given under my hand this fourth day of Aug. 1832
Elijah Samson
Plymouth Ss. August 21st 1832. Then the above named Elijah Sampson made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me John Ford Jr Jus Peace
State of Massachusetts County  of Plymouth Oct 19th 1833. I certify that Elijah Sampson the above deponent is a man of good character and his testimony is entitled to credit. John Ford Jr. Jus. Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss. I Jacob H. Loud Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth Court of Probate being a Court of Record do hereby certify that John Ford Jun. Esquire before whom thie within affidavit was made is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and his name thereto is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of  said Court this twenty-first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Jacob H. Loud
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss. I Jacob H. Loud Register of the Court of Probate for County of Plymouth being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Seth Sprague Jun. Esq. before whom the within affidavit was made is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth & that I believe his name hereto is his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. Jacob H. Loud
State of Massachusetts Plymouth County Ss.
September 24 1833 I certify that Isaiah Alden the within edeponent is a man of good character & entitled to credit
Seth Sprague Jr. Jus Peace
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This may Certify that I was in the War of the Revolution with Uriah Sprague in Capt Churchills Company, in Col. Cottons Regiment at Roxbury, we marched and joined the army in November 1774 and was discharged in January 1776 and was in the service and did duty one month and a half
Isaiah Alden
Duxy August 18 1832
Commonwealth of Mass
Plymouth Ss} Personally appeared the above name Isaiah Alden & made oath to the tr of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed before me 
Seth Sprague Jr Justice of the
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, October 5th 1833.
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 Uriah Sprague, as a Corporal is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Calvin Partridge's Company, in Col. Josiah Whitney's Regt. where he is allowed from July 30th to Sept 13th 1778, for services and travel, one month fifteen days.-
[written in left margin-Exd M. written in right margin-M ds 1=15]
Uriah Sprague claims for services under Capt . Churchill, in Novr 1775, also under Capt. Harlow, in 1776, Capt Andrew Sampson in 1777, and for further service under Capt. Calvin Partridge, in 1778, the rolls of which are not found in this Office.
Edward D Bangs Secy-
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Uriah Sprage
Application must
be made to E.D.
Bangs for evidence
of the claimants
service
Pension [illegible]
[illegible].4.1833
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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 Uriah Sprague 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? not with precision
V. *Ha 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? NO
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
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
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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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? NO
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? 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; For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
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 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 shewn 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 service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+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 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.
++QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
[symbol-finger pointing right] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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30 125
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 30.125
Uriah Sprague
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32"
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 390
[Arrangement of 1870.]