Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18785, John Cross, N.H.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
N. H.

Cross, John

NUMBER
S. 18785

Carded
---------
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

[left side of page]


[illegible line]
---
[illegible line]
---
[illegible line]
---
[illegible] Burlington [illegible]
[illegible] Portsmouth [illegible]
Sept 1836 - [March?] 1837
---
Letter to Pen Agt [illegible]
17 June [1845 or 1846?]
---
Paid at the [illegible] under the
act of the 6 April 1838 from
4 March to 4 Sep 1839. Agent
notified 2 July 1840
---
Letter to [Jabey?] [Penny?] 30th Nov 18 1840
Paid as above from 4 Sept
1839 to 4th March 1840. Agent
notified 23d Feb 1841 Dead
---
a letter to Hon P Marsh
Feb. 14. 1849




[right side of page]

[illegible] 1942 [illegible]
New Hampshire
=============
John Cross
of Strafford in the State of NH
who was a [private?] in the company commanded
by Captain [illegible] of the regt. commanded 
by Col Jonson in the NH
line for [illegible]
[illegible]

===============
Inscribed on the Roll of NH 
at the rate of [26?] Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===============
Certificate of Pension issued the [illegible] day of [illegible]
[illegible] and [illegible]
[illegible]
===============
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832                 $39.[decimal amount illegible]
Semi-anl allowance ending [illegible] $13.[decimal amount illegible]
                                                             ==========
                                                             $53.[decimal amount illegible]

{ Revolutionary Claim
{ Act June 7, 1832



Recorded by [illegible] Clerk
Book [illegible] Vol. [illegible] Page 147
Page 3

[illegible]

No 9031
Page 4

DECLARATION

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832

State of New Hampshire                  }
County of [handwritten: Strafford]    } ss. [handwritten: At a court of Probate holden at Sanbornton in said county of Strafford]

On this [handwritten: 23d] day of [handwritten: August] 1832 [2 was handwritten], personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the [handwritten: Court of Probate], now sitting, [handwritten: John Cross] a resident of [handwritten: Gilmanton] in the County of [handwritten: Strafford] and State of N. H. aged [handwritten: 74] 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 [handwritten] - to wit. In the month of May 1776 being then of Northfield in said State, he entered in the army of the United States, and served in Col. Johnson's regiment, in the Newhampshire troops-- Samuel Athenson Capt., Lieut. Robbins
[note on left side: [6?] mos.]
was with the party at Newbury Vermont and Haverhill N.H. out to Onion River with a scouting party, returned to Haverhill N.H. - was discharged in November same year term of service six months -

[note on left side: "ten months service" spanning from here, denoted with *]
He again entered the service of the United States in the month of April 1777 in Col Nichol's regiment Newhampshire troops, under Capt. Sias, Lieut. Foster. [illegible] marched to No. 4. N.H. from thence to Bennington. That was in the whole of the battle at that place under Gen. Stark, pursued the enemy to Stillwater
[end of note, see * above]

returned to [Bennington?] was discharged in the month of August term of service four months. Never had any written discharge, has no dockumentary [ducumentary] evidence of his service.
[/handwritten]

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.

[signed] John Cross

Sworn to and subscribed, the [handwritten: day and year aforesaid before me Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate]


We, [handwritten: Jeremiah Hall] residing in [handwritten: Northfield] and [handwritten: Richard Hazelton] residing in [handwritten: Sanbornton] hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [handwritten: John Cross], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [handwritten: 74] 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.

[signed] Jeremiah Hall
[signed] Richard Hazelton

Sworn and subscribed the
[handwritten: day & year aforesaid before me Daniel C Atkinson Judge of Probate]

And the said Court do hereby declare [crossed out: their] their [handwritten: its] 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 [crossed out: to them] that [handwritten: Jeremiah Hall] who has signed the preceding certificate, is [blank] resident in [crossed out: the] [handwritten: Northfield] and that [handwritten: Richard Hazelton], who has also signed the same is a resident in [crossed out: the] [handwritten: Sanbornton] are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

[handwritten: Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate]

[handwritten: James Bartlett Regr] of the [handwritten: Court of Probate] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [handwritten: John Cross] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this [handwritten: 23] day of [handwritten: August AD 1832]
[illegible signature - probably James Bartlett]
Page 5

9031
Jno Cross

[illegible]
8 months

$26.66

[J W?] Kelly
Salisbury
NH
Page 6

9031
BRIEF in the case of [handwritten: Jno Cross of Gilmanton]
of [handwritten: Strafford] in the State of [handwritten: New Hampshire]

(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [handwritten: a Court]

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [hand drawn line]

3. How old is he? [handwritten: 74]

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

[Column headings: "Period". "Duration of Service [sub-headings: Years, Months, Days]". "Rank [sub-heading: As a]". "Names of General and field Officers under whom he served [sub-heading: Gen.]"

Row 1. "May '76 to Nov". "- 6 -". "Private". "Capt Atkinson - Col. Johnson".
Row 2. "Apl '77. August". "- 4% -". "ditto". "Col. Nichols - Capt. Sias".

5. In what battles was he engaged? [handwritten: Bennington]

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service: [handwritten: Northfield]

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [handwritten: 3 living witnesses]

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [handwritten: No Clergyman] [illegible word crossed out]

*Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signature] MC. Easton
Examining Clerk.


[handwritten] & on Roll of Service for 
2 months only
[/handwritten]
Page 7

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
[handwritten: State of Vermont]
County of [handwritten: Orleans] ss. [handwritten: Greensboro]
On this [handwritten: twenty fifth] day of [handwritten: March] 183[7?], before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of [handwritten: Orleans] personally appeared [handwritten: John Cross] who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain [handwritten: Sias] in the Regiment commanded by Colonel [handwritten: Nichols] in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of [handwritten: New Hampshire] from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State ([crossed out] District, or Territory [/crossed out],) of [handwritten: Vermont] where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from [handwritten] the Town of [illegible] New Hampshire to [illegible] of Greensboro [illegible: "in the state of Vermont"?] that John S. Ayers a person under obligation to provide for him, the said John Cross' maintenance has removed to this town.
[/handwritten]
[signature] Jon Cross



Sworn and subscribed to before me, }
the day and year aforesaid.                } [handwritten] Stephen Sherman Justice of Peace [/handwritten]

-------------------
-> The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified
by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
-> The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He
must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
-> 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 be sent with 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 which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.
Page 8

I John S. Ayers of Greensboro in the county of Orleans and state of Vermont of [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible] and say that the person that has signed and sworn to the within affidavit is
the identical John Cross [subscribed?] in the within affidavit
[signature] John [S?] Ayers

[illegible] March [illegible] [1837?]

Sworn to before me Stephen Sherman Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that John [S?] Ayers the person signing the above affidavit is a person of truth and varacity [veracity]
[signature] Stephen Sherman Justice of the Peace




State of Vermont
Orleans County Clerks Office

[seal on left, illegible]

I, Samuel C. Crafts, Clerk of Orleans County Court, do certify that Stephen Sherman, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is a Justice of Peace in and for the County of Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn his Commission bears date the 15th of Novr AD 1836, and will expire on the last [crossed out: of] day of November AD. 1837 and that his signature to the foregoing Certificates is in his own hand writing

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the seal of said Court this 28th day of March AD 1837

[signature] Saml. C Crafts Clerk
Page 9

To what time was John Cross, ($26.66 per ann) act 7 June '32 last paid? 
He is on the Vermont Roll?

J L Edwards
Feb. 14 '49

Died 17 Novr 1841.
Paid to his death

BLB
-
Page 10

To what time was John Cross, ($26.66 per ann) act 7 June '32 last paid?
He is on the Vermont Roll?

J L Edwards
Feb. 14 '49

Died 17 Novr 1841.
Paid to his death

BLB
-
Page 11

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel



January 29, 1929

Mrs. John W. Braly
Spring Lake Beach
New Jersey

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.18785, it appears that John Cross, while residing in Northfield, New Hampshire, enlisted in May, 1776 and served six months in Captain Samuel Atkinson's Company, Colonel Johnson's New Hampshire Regiment. He enlisted in the spring of 1777 and served four months in Captain Sias's Company, Colonel Nichols' New Hampshire Regiment and was in the battle of Bennington.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was living in Gilmanton, Strafford County, New Hampshire, aged seventy-four years.

In 1837, he was residing at Greensboro, Orleans County, Vermont with John S. Ayres, no relationship stated.

The soldier died November 17, 1841.

Respectfully,


WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 12

[left side of page]

I 18785
INVALID.

File No. 18785
John Cross
Pri Rev War


Act: June 7th 32

Index: - Vol. 1, Page 83

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page]
1929 Jan 29 - Hist. to Mrs. John M. Braly
see letter see [Moses?] Cross S45708 [illegible]
Page 13

I, Simon Conner of Andover in the County of Merrimack and State of Newhampshire depose and say that some time in the summer of the year 1776, I enlisted into the army of the United States with Capt Samuel
Atkinson, and served in the regiment commanded by Col. Johnson for the term of three months. I joined Col. Johnsons regiment at Haverhill New Hampshire. When I joined Capt Atkinsons company in said regiment at Haverhill John Cross, then of Northfield in said State who now is present and says that he is in the seventy fifth year of his age, was a soldier in the same company & regiment and had been a soldier in said company for same ^time before I enlisted, and served faithfully in said company & regiment untill our company was discharged, which was quite late in the fall of the year.

I further depose that I am now in the eighty sixth year of my age

I have been acquainted with the said John Cross ever since we were in the service together that his character for truth is good, and I do verily believe that he served six months in said company & regiment as set forth in his declaration.

[signature] Simeon Conor
Page 14

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss. July 26th 1832

Personally appeared the before named Simeon Conner, who is a man of undoubted character for truth and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before me
Israel W. Kelly Jus Peace

I, William Danforth of Boscawen in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire eighty four year of age depose and say that in the year 1776 sometime in the month of August and abut the last of the month, I enlisted into the army of the United States with Capt Samuel Atkinson of said Boscawen for two months went to Haverhill N.H. and joined the company in Col. Johnson regiment when I joined the company at said Haverhill.  John Cross now of Gilmanton in said N. H. was a soldier in said company and had been for some time when my time was out, I came having said Cross did not come with me and I supposed remained in the service
When Cross was in the army with me he belarged to Northfield in said N. H. which town joins Boscawen
I have seen said John Cross within a few weeks and know him to be the same man that I have mentioned as being in the army with me in 1776
Witness I. W. Kelly    William Danforth X his mark
J P Danforth
State of N. Hampshire 
Merrimack ss. August 22nd 1832 Personally appeared William Danforth made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed his character for truth is good 
before me Israel W. Kelly Jus. Peace
Page 15

I William Morey of Wilmot in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire in the twenty fourth year of my age report that in the month of July 1777 I entered the army of the United States, with Capt Ebenezer Webster in the regiment commanded by Col Stickney, went with the regiment to Bennington was in Bennington Battle
I further depose that John Cross there of Northfield now of Gilmanton in said N. H. who is now present and says that he is in the twenty fifth year of his age, was then a soldier in Capt Sias Company ad Col. Nichols regiment 
My enlistment was for two months, when my time was out I returned have and according to my best recollection and belief I left said Cross there in the service as I have been acquainted with said Cross ever since we were at Bennington that he is a man of truth and that he served in said company and Regt four months, as he has stated in his declaration for a pension under the quote act of congress I have no doubt
William Morey
Page 16

State of New Hampshire
Merrimack ss.  July 26th 1832

Personally approved William Morey who is of good character and whose statements are entitled to full credit, and made solemn oath, that the within affidavit by him subscribed was just and true
Before me
Israel W. Kelly Jus Peace

State of New Hampshire Secretary's Office August 28.1832
I hereby certify that the above named Israel W. Kelly is a Justice of the Peace fore the County of Merrimack duly instructed and sworn in that the signature of his name is his own handwriting
[seal]
In testimony whereof I have unto set the seal of the state
Ralph Metcalf Secretary

Affidavitt of Simeon Conner
William Morey
Willm Danforth
Page 17

Greensboro Vt  Feb. 25th 1837

Secretary of War

Dear Sir  I am requested to inform you that John Cross formily a Revolutionary Pensioner in the state of New Hampshire has taken up his abode in this state in the town of Greensboro and County of Orleans and that he wishes you to so fix the payment of his claim in such manner that he can draw his money when due at the nearest place of payment in this state
Yours Respectfully
Jaber Pinney
Page 18

3
pg 97
March 7, 1837
Pension office

Mr. Burdine
Greensboro Vt
Feb 25th

To the Secretary of War.
Washington City 
D. C.
Page 19

[Envelope]

Im at mr. Burdine  Apl 4

[stamp] Portsmouth Apr

[address to]
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 20

Portsmouth  April 17 1837

Sir
I have received your letter of the 12th with John Cross a pensioner at 26, 66 under act of June 7 1832 and who I believe resides in Merrimack County was last paid at this agency up to March 4 1836.  and his name was transferred to Concord in August 1836

I am very respectfully your obedient servant
Isaac Waldron

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 21

[envelope]

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

[Stamp] Concord NH
May 1 [handwritten] 23
27
Page 22

Pinnor Agency
Concord N.H.  April 25, 1837

J. L. Edwards, Esq.

Sir,

John Cross, a pensioner on the roll of the office under the act of 1832, has been paid to Sept. 4, 1836.

I am respectfully, is, Your obedient servant,
Isaac Hill
Page 23

[envelope]

Greensboro Vt
Nov 26th

Pension Department 
Washington City D.C.

free  J. Pinney
Ports Mouth [?]

Nov 28 1840
Norway
Page 24

Greensboro Vt Nov 23rd 1840

Comer of the Pension Dept. 

Sirs inclosed I forward to you two vouchers of John Cross which through slothfulness and negligence - hereafter discribed have not been met by the agents for paying pensions. the first and following due the 4th of March last I had Mr. Hagmes letter and by surrendering up so letter to A Clark then pension agent at Montpelier he wanted  intitle him to pay the amount, which I did and his letter to me herein inclosed  I have that he has lost said letter the other falling due the 4th of Sept I forward to that Spalding of Montpelier and he after retaining the same 4 or 5 weeks returned the same informing he had no funds in his hands I since forwarded them to H Lowrey and have got C. F. Warners direction as you will see
I hope the vouchers will be met this time without further trouble
Respectfully yours
Jaber Pinney
Page 25

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office, 
June 25th  1840.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled " An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Cross, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate of Twenty six dollars and sixty six cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, to the 4th Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,

Albion K. Parris,
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 26

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 13th, 1841.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled " An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"  John Cross, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate of Twenty six dollars and 66 cents per annum, under the law of the 4th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept.  1839, to the 4th March 1840

Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 27

John Cross

Portsmouth
to
Burlington
Page 28

[Envelope]

Greensboro, Vt
April 4th

War, Department,
Pension Office
Washington City
D. C.

[written on the side]

Div B Apl10
Mr Burdine
Page 29

Greensboro, April 4th 1834

Dear Sir

Please give the necessary directions as soon as may be , on this claim of John Cross and direct payment as near this place as possible and oblige yours
Obt Servant
Stephen Sherman

J. L. Edwards
Secty of Wars
Page 30

9031

Jno Cross


I W Kelly
Salisbury NH
Page 31

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Cross 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?    --- [flourish]

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

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 32

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?   ---

XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administrated 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?   So as to 5th

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, etc. 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 the 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 33

3

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 he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, 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.
Page 34

Washington  Feb 12" 1849

Sir

I am requested to ask abot the decision on the application of the children John Cross, a pensioner under the act of june 7 : 1852, whose pension was payable at a Vermont agency, may, when made, be communicated so
Yours respectfully
Geo P Moush

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Page 35

The National Archives Form VAM-51 12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name  Cross, John   Grade Private "in the Invalids" 

Warrant Number 12952  Acreage 100 Issued January 26,1790 to John May, assignee

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.