Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15679, for Ebenezer Tolman, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
NH

Tolman, Ebenezer

NUMBER
S. 15679

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left side of page]

See letter to Hon N.
Hubbard  Jany 11, 1834

[checkmark]

[right side of page]

6139
New Hampshire
==========================
Ebenezer Tolman
of Cheshire in the State of NH
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Whitcomb of the Regt commanded
by Col Reed in the N Hampshire
["line for" stricken out] Militia for 16 mo. from 1775
==========================
Inscribed on the Roll of N Hampshire
at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
==========================
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 25 day of Feby
1833 and sent  Tho's M.
Edwards
==========================
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832...........................79.9
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March
1832........................................................................24 4
.............................................................................======
.............................................................................$104.6
.............................................................................======
(Revolutionary Claim,  )
(Act  June 7, 1832.       )

Recorded by Henry H Sylvester  Clerk,
Book  D.   Vol. 1    Page 188
Page 3

10500

Ebenezer Tolman
Private
16 Months

Adm

Hon. H Hubbard
HR

$53.33

Hon Edwards
Keene
NH
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Ebenezer Tolman
of Nelson in the State of New Hampshire
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?   open Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he?  Eighty four years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[Column 1]
Period.
[1]  enlisted in 1775  May 1
[2]  & taken prisoner & delivered
[3]  1777 May

[Column 2]
Duration of Service.
Years,...................Months,.....................Days.
[1].................................8..................................
[2].................................9 nine........................
[3].................................3..................................

[Column 3]
Rank.   As a
[1]---------------
[2]  
[3] Ord'y Serg't

[Column 4]
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.    Gen.
[1]  Capt Whitcomb, Col. Reed
[those also shown by the 2nd line]
[3]  Capt Clay , Col Hale

The name of Amos Boynton appears on the rolls of Service but it does not appear that he became a substitute for Tolman

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Bunker Hill

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Fitzwilliam

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
John Barker proves some service in 1775.
John Darling proves the service in 1775 as stated

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

J Rentz   Examining Clerk.
Page 5

Declaration
of
Eben'r Tolman

10.500

Nelson
Chesh  Co
N.H.

10.0   11.000
Page 6

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE,    )
COUNTY OF CHESHIRE, ss.        )

On this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, Before the Hon. Aaron Matson Judge of Probate for said County of Cheshire now sitting, Ebenezer Tolman a resident in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged eighty four years last June who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

1st
In 1775 in May, thinks about 1st of May, enlisted at ["Camberd" stricken out] Mystic near Boston, in Captain Jonathan Whitcombs Company, in Col James Reeds Regiment of New-Hampshire Troops.--for eight months--stationed in Mystic & Charlestown untill Bunker Hill Battle--was in the battle--was afterwards stationed on Winter Hill ["served thence" stricken out] in September volunteered & detached to go with Col Arnold in the expedition to Canada--by the way of the Kennebeck river--marched through the woods to Quebeck--remained there untill Gen'l Montgomery joined up with his force--was in the attack upon quebeck and taken prisoner in the City.--was detained a prisoner untill August 1776.  then sent round by ship to New York & from there landed at Elizabeth town in New Jersey and ["discharg" stricken out] released on Parole.--making nine months or a little over detention after his 8 mo term of enlistment had expired.--was afterwards exchanged--

2d.
In the 1777--enlisted for three years--in Capt Elijah Clayes--or Cloyes--Company in Col. Nathan Hales New Hampshire Regiment--joined the army at Ticonderoga--in May.--was appointed orderly sergeant--remained untill Gen'l St. Clair abandoned the place.--retreated to Saratoga--then marched to Fort Miller--then back & to Still water--was then taken sick in August--and hired a man by the name of Amos Boynton to take my place and serve it out my term, who was accepted by the Captain.--was in this service about 3 months as orderly sergeant--was in the Hubbardston battle--

Went from Fitzwilliam County of Cheshire New Hampshire into both services--at which place I then lived.--
Page 7

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 the Agency of any State.
Ebenezer Tolman

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
before me  Aaron Matson  Judge of Probate

[following all stricken out with 2 large "X's" drawn through it]
We,         hereby certify, that we are acquainted with          who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be       years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.


["Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid." stricken out]

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," stricken out]   that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.

["And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them" stricken out]
Aaron Matson    Judge of Probate

I, Asa Parker Register of the Court of Probate for s'd County of Cheshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Tolman for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixteenth day of August A.D. 1832--
Asa Parker   Register of said Court of Probate

[illegible seal affixed to the left of the above paragraph]
Page 8

February 23, 1937.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/ady
Ebenezer Tolman
S.15679

Mrs. J. O. Woodsmall
Memphis
Missouri

Dear Madam:

The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.15679, based upon the military service of Ebenezer Tolman in that war.

Ebenezer Tolman was born in June 1748, place, and the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Fitzwilliam,Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Ebenezer Tolman, enlisted May 1, 1775, served in Captain Jonathan Whitcomb's Company, Colonel James Reed's New Hampshire Regiment, was in the battle of Bunker Hill; in September 1775 he was attached to Captain Samuel Ward's Company, went in Colonel Benedict Arnold's expedition to Canada, was in the attack on Quebec, taken prisoner, detained until August 1776, when he was shipped to New York, then sent to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, paroled and afterwards exchanged.  He enlisted in May 1777, served about three months as orderly sergeant in Captain Elijah Claye's Company, Colonel Nathan Hale's New Hampshire Regiment and was in the battle of Hubbardton.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 18, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Nelson, Cheshire County, New Hampshire.

There are no family data.

Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

[written in lower right corner of page]

Date of death not on A.B.
Page 9

February 23, 1937.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/ady

Mrs. J. O. Goodsmall
Memphis
Missouri

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to John Greaton and Ebenezer Tolman, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

The records of John Greaton and the only Ebenezer Tolman that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office are furnished you herewith, on separate pages, as foud in the claims based upon service in the Revolutionary War.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 10

In reply to your request of [blank] received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Ebenezer Tolman, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

Enlisted at Mystic, Mass.
May 1, 1775 - Private - Capt Johnathan Whitcomb - Col. James Reed - N.H.

Sept 1775 - [private] - Capt. Samuel Ward - Col. Benedict Arnold

He was captured at Quebec and held prisoner until Aug 1776 when he was sent to Elizabeth, N.J. and paroled after which he was exchanged

May 1777 until Aug - Orderly-Sergeant - Capt Elijah Clayes - Col. Nathan Hale
when he left the service on account of sickness & furnished a substitute

Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill, Quebec, Hubbardton 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fitzwilliam, Cheshire Co,, N. H. 
Date of application for pension, Aug. 16 1833, his claim was not allowed
Residence at date of application, Nelson. Cheshire Co. N.H.
Age at date of application,eighty-four years last June.
Remarks No Family Data 

Respectfully, Commissioner.
Page 11


Rev. War Section.
May 18, 1918.
Mr. Henry Melville,
45 Cedar Street,
New York City.
Sir: --
In response to your letter dated the thirteenth instant, you are advised that Ebenezer Tolman Sur. File No. 15,679 Rev.War, was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1833, while a resident of Nelson, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, and eighty-four years of age having been born in June.
It appears that he was a resident of Fitzwilliam, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, when he enlisted at Mystic near Boston, for eight months May 1, 1775, in Captain Jonathan
Whitcomb's company, Colonel John Reed's regiment of New Hampshire troops; he was stationed at Mystic and Charleston, was in the battle of Bunker Hill and afterwards stationed at Winter Hill; volunteered in September, in Captain Samuel Ward's company, Colonel Benedict Arnold's expedition to Canada; he was captured in the attack on Quebec and was detained a prisoner until August 1776, when he was shipped to New York, then sent to Elizabethtown, New Jersey where he was paroled and afterwards exchanged; making nine months' detention after his eight months' enlistment had expired.
Page 12

In May 1777, he was appointed Orderly-Sergeant of Captain Elijah Clayes' company, Colonel Nathan Hale's New Hampshire regiment; marched to Ticonderoga, was in the battle of Hubbardton, and served until August, when he was obliged to leave the service on account of sickness; three months.
There is no family data on file. The date of his death
is not shown.
For the date of last payment of his pension and name of
the person to whom it was paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Department, giving him all of the following data:
" Ebenezer Tolman, certificate # 6139 issued February 25, 1833, for $53.33 per annum, from March 4, 1831, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the New Hampshire Agency,"
Very respectfully,
[G?] M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.


[page] Tolman - 2.
Page 13

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ebenezer Tolman, 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? [blank]

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 (but bo interrogatories put)

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
Page 14

[Page] 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? No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [No

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? [blank]

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 witness or witnesses? yes 
Has the proper officer certified to the character and signature of the magistrate as regulations direct? Yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in 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? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? none put

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_____ year____months, and ____days, I served as a _______, For _____months and _____days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”
Page 15

[page] 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 the services 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 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. 
  [hand symbol pointing ] 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.
Page 16

for Ebenezer Tolman,
private,
Cheshire Co. N.H.
May 1775, served 8 months in Col. Reid's
regimt. then joined Col. Benedict Arnold's N.H. line, taken pris and detained until Sept. 1776

30th November, 1819

Not under the law
Inadmissible.

Elisha Huntley ,Judge
Keene, N.H.
Page 17

I John Darling of Chesterfield in the County of Cheshire and State of Newhampshire of lawful age testify and say that Ebenezer Tolman of Nelson in the County and State aforesaid was a soldier with me in the first Eight months service at Cambridge in Col. Reed's Regiment and in September following 1775, said Tolman was detached into Capt Samuel Wards company and went with Col. Benedict Arnold to Quebeck and did duty till we were taken prisoners at Quebeck which was the twenty ninth day of December in the same year, and we were there confined in chains  and on our way home on parole nine months and seven days.  I was well acquainted with said Tolman before the war and have been since
[signed] John Darling

State of Newhampshire Cheshire ss.  November 6th 1819
Personally appeared John Darling Signer to the above affidavit and made Solemn Oath that the same by him subscribed contains the truth the whole truth, and nothing but the truth relation to the cause for which it was taken
Before me [signed] Jacob Ammidon Just Peace

Cheshire ss.  This may certify that John Darling Signer to the above Affidavit is a man of truth, and his testimony good in any Court of Record in the United States
[signed] Jacob Ammidon Just Peace

Cheshire ss. Nov 22 1819
I Salma Hale Clk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Job Ammidon is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the foregoing is his signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
[signed] S. Hale
Page 18

Affidavit for Ebenezer Tolman
Page 19

I John Barker of Stoddard in the County of Cheshire and State of Newhampshire of Lawful age do testify and say that Ebenezer Tolman of Nelson was a soldier at Cambridge in May 1775 in Captain Jonathan Whitcom's Company in Colonel James Reed Regiment [.]  the forepart of September following the said Tolman was detached into Capt Samuel Ward's co. and went with Colonel B. Arnold To Queberc and did duty there till about the twenty first of December following[.]  at that time I was taken sick with the small pox and saw him no more untill I saw him at home and further Saith not
[signed] John Barker

Cheshire ss}  State of Newhampshire  October 22d 1819
Personally appeared the above named John Barker and made solemn oath that the above Testimony by him subscribed contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth relative to the cause for which it was taken
Before me [signed] Danforth Taylor Justice of the Peace

Cheshire ss} 
This may certify that the above named John Barker is a man of truth his testimony Good in any Court of Record in the United States
[signed] Danforth Taylor Justice of the Peace

Cheshire ss. Nov. 22. 1819.
I Salma Hale clerk of the Judicial Courts in said county certify that Danforth Taylor is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County and that the foregoing is his signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & the seal of our Superior Court
[signed] S. Hale
Page 20

MRS. BLANCHE WOODSMALL, AGENT
MEMPHIS, MISSOURI

[company logo with the word "protection" in it]
NATIONAL UNION
FIRE INSURANCE CO.
INCORPORATED 1901
PITTSBURGH, PA.

MEMPHIS, MISSOURI

[stamp]
RECEIVED
FEB 5 1937
[illegible--ink smeared]

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:

Will you please send me Pension Record of Brig. Gen. John Greaton [name underlined] of Mass. and any data concerning his wife or Family.  (Based on Rev. Service)

Also Rev Pension record of Ebenezer Tolman whose wife was Susan Walker.

Thank you for your prompt reply

Very truly yours
(Mrs. J.O.) Blanche Woodsmall
Page 21

Rev Sec
___________________

Henry Melville
Attorney & Counselor at Law
Mutual Life Building
45 Cedar Street

New York.    May 13, 1916.

The Honorable
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I am presenting a tablet to my native town, Nelson, (formerly Packersfield) New Hampshire, in memory of Revolutionary soldiers.  [checkmark next to this paragraph on right side]

One of them was EBENEZER TOLMAN, who enlisted from Fitzwilliam, N.H. April 23, 1775, i Capt. Jonathan Whitcomb's Co. of Col. James Reid's Regiment, and in August 1775 joined Capt. Samuel Ward's Co. in Col. Benedict Arnold's Detachment, for the expedition against Quebec.

He returned from that the following year and, according to tradition, performed considerale further service.  He is said to have been a Sergeant and to have been at battle of Hubbardton(?).

After the war he settled in Packersfield (now Nelson) N.H. and died there at the age of about 90 years.

I cannot find any records of the organizations in which he performed such service subsequent to the Quebec Expedition.

I assume that he was a Pensioner and think that perhaps, therefore, something is available in your office.  If so, I would very much appreciate the courtesy of any information.

I have to thank you for most valuable assistance in the past as to the records of several Civil War soldiers.

Very respectfully,
Henry Melville

[stamp]
U.S. PENSION
O
MAY
15
1916
OFFICE.
Page 22

[left side of page]

15679
INVALID.

File No. 15,679

Ebenezer Tolman
Pri  Rev  War

Act:  June 7"  32

Index:---Vol. 1,  Page 377
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page]

1916 May 18.  Hist. to Henry Melville  

AUG 6 1916  2 photos sent to 
Henry Melville
45 Cedar St. N.Y. City.  See
receipt for payment locked
up with special
correspondence   AW
_____________________________________________
1937 Feb. 23.   Hist. to Mrs. J. 
O. Woodsmall.   A.D.Y.