Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22942, for John Pratt, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
New York

Pratt, John

NUMBER
S. 22942

CONTENTS
Page 2

24.533
New York
John, Pratt
Monroe Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the comp. commanded by Captain Hutchins of the Regt. commanded by Col. Fay in the New York line for 6 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension iſsued [issued] the 20th day of Dec: 1833 and [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $50
Semi-anl. allowance ending Apr. '34 10
$60

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Geore Stils Clerk, 
Book E, Vol. 4, Page 113
Page 3

State of New York
Monroe County

On the Seventeenth day of
December in the year of an Lord 1832 Personally appeared before me Peter Price one of the Judges of the County Court for Monroe County John Pratt Resident of the
Town of Rush in the County of Monroe and State of New York aged Seventy years the Twenty Ninth day of November next and may be seventy one years according to
the knowledge and belief of this declarant 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 served as herein stated

In the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and Eighty one in the spring of the year and in the month of May he enlisted [inserted: as a private soldier] at Pownal in the State of Vermont in Captain Hutchins Company
in the Regiment Commanded by Major Ebenezer Allen in the Vermont Militia for the Term of Six Months and was discharged
at Castleton in the said State of Vermont in November [crossed out: or December]
after having served the full period of his Enlistment.

That he at the time of his enlistment he resided in Williams Town in Berkshire County in the State of Massachusetts but crossed
the State Line into Pownal in Vermont Which Joined Williamstown

that he enlisted voluntarily Received a Bounty of One thousand Dollars Continental money which was then equal to ten dollars
hard money 

Marched from Pownal to Bennington and was
there mustered by Colo Fay so called from thence we marched
Page 4

to Pittsford where we remained nearly four months and from thence we marched
to Castleton where we remained until I
was discharged

he was acquainted with Captain Lawyer &
Capt Saterlee are all the Captains he Recollects 

that Elder Stephen Pratt of Erie County in the State of New York served with him during this campaign and was a mess mate of
this deponent 

that he has no Documentary Evidence Left
that his name never was on the pension Roll of this agency of any State nor of the United States and that he hereby Relinquishes
every claim to a pension whatever Except the present

Interragatories answered
I was Born to the best of my knowledge and belief in the year of our Lord 1763 at Williams Town in the County of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts

2d I have had a record of my age but the same is lost

3d I Lived in Williamstown as stated in my declaration when called into service

I lived after the Revolutionary War in Hedley
Connecticutt from thence to Vermont from Vermont to Otsego County in the State of New York from Otsego to Rush in Monroe County (then Ontario) where I have resided for Twenty
three years

4th I went into service by voluntary enlistment

5th I have Given in my declaration the names of all the officers I recollect & have no recollection of any other Regiment being with us & have also in my Declaration
Given the nature of my services
Page 5


6th I had a written discharge from the service
Signed
by Captain Hutchins and at Caselton we were commanded 
by Colo Boakins  I had no commission
7 I am well acquainted with Solomon Jeffers & Sanford
Billings who reside in the neighborhood with me & who
can testify as to my character for Truth & veracity and
their belief as to my services as a soldier of the Revolution
8 I further declare that my health is so much impaired
that I do not feel able to attend a Court of Record as
I reside thirteen miles from the seat of Justice
Sworn and subscribed    John Pratt
the day & year above written
before me
Peter Dille
Judge of
the County
Court for
Monroe County
And I further certify that I am well acquainted
with John Pratt & was at the date of the making the
foregoing proof before me and that the foregoing
declaration is true in matter as set forth relative
to his health and that in my opinion he can not
& could not at the date of the above affidavit attend
a Court of Record without danger of  Injuring his health and on
the account of Bodily infirmities
October 28 1833
Late Judge of the
Otter Will
County Court
Late Judge of the 
County Court
for Marion County
Page 6

State of New York
Erie County.   Stephen Pratt being
by me duly sworn
according to law, doth
on his oath say, that he is a Brother
to John Pratt of Rush in the County of
Monroe in this State, that the said John
Pratt enlisted and served in the Revolutionary
was six months in the year 1781 Enlisted
at Pownal in Vermont in the Spring of the 
year, and served in Captain Hutchins
company in a Vermont Militia Regiment
commanded by Maj. Ebenezer Allen, Served
the full period of six months and was
discharged at Castleton in the said
State of Vermont, the Deponent testifies
from a personal knowledge of the service
as above stated, having been a solder in
the same company and belonged to the same
mess with his Brother.-
Sworn & Subscribed the     Stephen Pratt
16th day of August 1832
Before me & I certify the
above deponent to be a Clergyman
and of good reputation-
Stephen Albro Commission
of Deeds in Erin County N. York State
Page 7

State of New York
Erie County ⎬ I Noah P. Sprague Clerk
of the Court of Common pleas in and for said
County do hereby certify that Stephen Albro
before whom the within affidavit appears to
have been made, was at the date thereof a
a commissioner in & for said County and that
his Signation subscribed thereto appears
whole in his own proper hand writing
and that he may duly appointed and qualified to take the same
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the Seal of the said Court
this 5th day of December 1832
Noah P. Mayer Clerk
Page 8

State of New York
Monroe County
Noah Pratt of Bush in the
County of Monroe being duly Sworn deposed and
says he is a Brother to Elder Stephen Pratt and
John Pratt the foregoing deponents that in the year
of our Lord 1781 in May of the same year
John Pratt the foregoing deponent enlisted for six
month at Pawnel in the State of Vermont and
entered the service in persuance of his enlistment and
was absent until November following when he returned
home, that his Brother Stephen Pratt left home with
him, and served with John the same campaign this
deponent testifies from personal knowledge as he enlisted
and served with Stephen Pratt the year following
& further says not    Noah Pratt
Sworn and subscribed
before me this 20th day of
December AD 1832
Peter Nile
Judge of the
County Court
for Monroe
County
Page 9

he
Solam Gifford & Lanford Billings President
of the Town of Bush in the County of Monroe
State of New York hereby certify that we are
Well acquainted with John Pratt who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we believe
him to be seventy 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
Solomon Jeffery
Sanford Billings

Sworn and subscribed
before me this 20th day of
December AD 1832

Peter Dich
Judge of the
County Court
for Monroe
County
Page 10

and I Peter Price one of the Judges of the County Court for
Monroe County do hereby declare my opinion thereafter the
investigation of the matter and after putting the Interragatories
presented by the war department that the above
named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served
as he states and I do further certify that I am well
acquainted with Solomon Giffords and Sanford Billings
who have signed the preceding certificate that they are
residents of the Town of Rush in the County of Monroe
and are creditable persons and this statement is entitled
to credit & that the said Applicant
could not attend a Peter Will  Judge of the
Court of Record on
December 20, 1832 account of Bodily infirmities
October 28 1833   Peter Will  Late Judge of the 
County Court for Monroe
County

And I further certify that I am well acquainted and have
been for more than Twenty years with Elder Stephen Pratt of Erie County
John Pratt the applicant and Noah Pratt the foregoing deponents
& know them to be persons of character and entitled to credit
December 20th 1832  Peter Will Judge of the
County Court
for Monroe
County
State of New York
I certify that Peter Price Esquire before whom
Monroe  County ss. the within affidavits were sworn, was at the
date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of common 
pleas of said county, and that I am well acquainted
with his hand writing and verily believe that his
name subscribed to said affidavits is genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the Court of common pleas of
said County this tenth day of June, 1833.
Leonard Adams Clerk
I further certify that Peter Price who signed the
above certificate of the inability of the applicant, is the
same person refered to above as a judge when the foregoing
papers was authenticated, October 29, 1833
Leonard Adams Clerk
Page 11

23229.
John Pratt
Monroe Co
New York

Admitted
Private 6 mo
i.J.
Returned for certificate of the
Judge before whom the declaration
was made that the apl cannot
approve in Court
Certified by the Judge October 28th 1833
Peter Price Esq
Rush
Monroe Co
New York
Page 12

War Department,
Pension Office
Oct. 19 1833
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 the 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 neceſsary [necessary] 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 John Pratt. Monroe Co. New York
Period when service was rendered. [illegible] 1781
Duration of the claimant's service. " Years. 6 Months. " Days.
Rank of the claimant. Priv.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Hutchins
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col. Fay Maj E Allen
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. None
Country through which he marched. Vermot. 
Place of abode when he entered the service, abd age at the present period. 70 years Berkshire [illegible] Maſst. [Masst.]
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. True Witneſs [Witness]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, musicians 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
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 provion 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
served in the    (e) regiment of the  line, under the following named officers:
and
[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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present and
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 day 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 applicacation 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 his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 14

8
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 entered 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 he 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, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
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 the [illegible]
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.
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.
Joseph Rowen Ex ck.
Page 15

[left side of the document]
23229
John Pratt
Monroe Co.
New York.
Admitted
Private Gmo
I. J.
Returned for certificate of the judge before whom the declaration was made that the [illegible due to fading] affidavit in court.

Certified by the judge October 28th 1833
Peter Price Esq. 
[illegible] 
Monroe Co.
New York

[right side of the document]
1st It is proved by the Applicant that he can not attend a court [illegible] an account of [illegible]
2d the persons before when the affidavit was taken certified as to the credulity of the witneſses [witnesses]
3d The Interrogators are all answered and so certified by the Judge & the answers are all written as full length.
4th No clergyman resides in the place other respectable persons [illegible]
5th Certified by the Judge that the applicant [name illegible] a Court of Record an account of Badily [illegible]

Direct to [illegible] Price Esq of Rush Monroe County State of New York & the same will [illegible] to John Pratt [illegible]
Page 16

Revolution
22942
INVALID
[Fi]le No. 22,942
John Pratt
[illegible] Revolution
Act: June 7th 32"
[In]dex:-- Vol. 2, Page 327
(Arrangement of 1870)