Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,345, for Thomas Nelson, New Hampshire
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
N. H. Vt.
Nelson, Thomas
NUMBER
S.29.345
CONTENTS
Page 2

Michigan TY 26.66
Thomas Nelson
of Linawee Co in the State of M. Ty. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Clay of the Regt commanded by Col Williams in the Vermont line for [illegible] mNH 8 mo [?] $26.66

Inscribed on the Roll of Michigan Ty at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of March 1834 and sent to Gen. J.E.Brown, Present

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - - - 66.66 1/2
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 -  13.33 1/2
[total] $80.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J T Springer Clerk
Book C  Vol.8  Page 98.

[right side of page]
Letter to E.S.Cove
Sept 19, 1860
18[80?] Dec 4 Hist to F G Butler [?] SD
Page 3

of Michigan  
of [illegible] 
Court of Probate
Therefore the Honorable 
Musgrove Evans 
On this tenth day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Personally appeared in open Court before the
Judge afforesaid now sitting, Thomas Nelson
resident of Tecumseh in the County aforesaid
aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn
according to law doth make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June Seventh, eighteen hundred and thirty two - to wit
that he entered the service of the United States under the
following named Officers and served as herein
Stated. That he was born in Massachusetts in the
Town of Brimfield in the year 1758, but that he has
no record of his age; that at the time he entered the
Service of the United States as aforesaid he was living in
Putney in the County of Windham and State of
Vermont, and that he removed from thence to [illegible]son County in the State of New York; and now lives
in the Town of Tecumseh aforesaid; That when first
Page 4

called into the service, he entered as a substitute for ___ as a private in Colonel Wingates Regiment of Hampshire Militia, and in the Company of Captain Humphrey, but never received a discharge and  in consequence of being sick and absent at the time the said Company was discharged; during this term of service he marched with the Troops from Keene (the place of Muster), through New Hampshire until they crossed the Connecticut River at what was formerly called number four now Charleston, into Vermont, and from thence through the Country to Ticonderoga, during this period he was not in any regular battle, but served about five months and a half as  a substitute etc. That about the first of July 1777 he Volunteered and served about three weeks in the company of Captain Dewitt of the Vermont line and marched from Putney towards Ticonderoga for the purpose of strengthening the place, but meeting the Troops who had vacated the Fort, he returned with his company to Putney and a few days afterwards he again volunteered in Captain Clay's Company attached to Col Williams Regiment of the Vermont Militia, and marched through the State of New York to Saratoga and remained
Page 5

there in the service until the surrender of Burgoyne when being discharged he returned home - during the period he was not engaged in any Regular Battle but was sent with a scouting party down the river and had a skirmish with the enemy took two of their Boats loaded with supplies of provision and Cloathing, killed some of their men and made a number more Prisoners.
And further that he never had any written discharge neither has he now any documentary evidence, and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.  
And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the Agency of any State.-
[signed] Thomas Nelson

Lenawee County
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me 
[signed] Daniel Pettinger
Justice of the Peace
Page 6

We Joseph Bangs a clergyman, residing in the County of Lenawee and Joseph W. Brown residing in the same County hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Nelson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and that we believe him to be seventy five 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] Joseph Bangs    Jos. W. Brown

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signed] Daniel Pittman Justice of the Peace

And the said Judge of the Court of Probate does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And further certifies that it appears to him that Joseph Bangs who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Lenawee and thatJoseph W. Brown who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Lenawee and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
[signed] Musgrove Evans
Judge of Probate
Page 7


I Michael A. Patterson, Clerk of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Nelson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and Seal of the said Court this tenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
[signed] M. A. Patterson  Clk of the Court of Probate

Secretary of Michigan 
Lenawee County Clerks office } I Daniel Pittman County Clerk of the said County of Lenawee do hereby Certify that Daniel Pittman whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate of the Oath of Joseph Bangs and Joseph W. Brown was at the time the same was executed a Juster of the peace for the said County and that I know the said signature to be his and no other
I have in testimony thereof hereunto affixed my name & seal of office this 19th day of Decr 1832
[signed] D Pittman C, Clk
Page 8

shall then by the said Thomas Wilson
of Perth in the County of Same Son of
Michigan a Pensioner of the Untied States of Ann
have made seventh constituted & bounded by these pres
ent to make, ordain constitute and appoint Joseph W Brown
of Tenement aforesaid my her and lawful allow for me
and in my name to and receive from the first
of War, for such other office as is appointed for that pupec
such sum or sums of money as is or are due & owing in
me for my pension by virtue of an act of Congue
passed June Seventh one thousand eight hundred Fifty
two-
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal this tenth day of May 1833
before me the
Thomas Nason
.
Thomas Wise and acknowledged that he signed and
to the above Power of Attorney for the purposes therein
pressed done at Sermon this 12 of Jany 1833
Pitman James of Peace
Clerks Office
Jane Pittman County Clerk of said County
thereby and that on then as far as to the above
intificate of interment in age like tener of the peace for said
County, and that the said signature to
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and and seal of them
the 12 of Aug 1833-
Attan
Clerk
Page 9

Thomas Nelson

Michigan Territory

Returned

$26.66 per annum

Gen. J. W. Brown Present
Page 10

WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
25th October 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 these 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 show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margins 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, showing the Service of Thomas Nelson
June 1776 - 5 months 21 days - Private - Col Wingate, Cap Humphries
July 1777 - 3 months - Private - Cap Smith, Cap Clay, Col Williams
Present age - 73 years
Place of abode when entered service:  Windham County Vermont
Proof - Traditionary

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 11

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_____ } ss.
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 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: 
[in brackets:] 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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (L.) 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. [end of brackets] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he 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 for the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [in brackets:] 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 to and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[in brackets:] 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 clergymen, 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 application 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 [end of page]
Page 12

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person  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 called 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 the 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 clergymen, 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 Clergymen, 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 inquiry 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 the 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, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of Court or County, under his seal of office will be annexed, stating that such person is a 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 authorized 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 [in italics: about three or four months,] 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. [double brackets] 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. [end of page]
Page 13

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
January 26, 1924.

Harriet C. Clark,
416 Broad St.,
Adrian, Mich.

Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 29345, it appears that Thomas Nelson was born in 1758 in Brimfield, Massachusetts and was residing in Putney, Windham County, Vermont when he enlisted in the War of the Revolution.
He was allowed pension for eight months service as private in the New Hampshire and Vermont troops, on his application executed November 10, 1832, while a resident of Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan. He died February 13, 1834.
A daughter, name not stated, married George Taylor.  There is no further family data on file.
Page 14

Owing to a lack of clerical force available for such purpose, only two reports are furnished each inquirer.

You or any one designated by you, may examine and collect data from a reasonable number of Revolutionary War pension claims, by calling at the Bureau between the hours of a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 15

Complete to service

given
Page 16

One 2 Stamp rec'd  OK P.W.S.
Rev Sec mc
Stamp ret'n  mc

Pension Bureau
Washington DC.

In order to be elected to the D. A. R. I require an
authentic statement of the services of my
Revolutionary ancestor Thomas Nelson born 1758, died 1834 - married 1780
Page 17

He served in the Vermont and New Hampshire militia, and was granted a pension dated March 4, 1831.
This taken from a copy of pension record made Dec. 4, 1891
Respectfully
(Mrs Walter F.) Ella G. Hedges
Indian Orchard Mass
Feb. 6, 1917
Page 18

William Maples


sent


[stamp]
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
JAN 21 1924
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 19

29345
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 29,345
Thomas Nelson
Priv Rev. War 

Act:  June 7th '32
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 296

[in brackets] Arrangement of 1870.

[right side of page]
1917 Feby 19 Hist to Mrs. Walter F. Hodges &c
1917 July 7 Hist to Mrs. John W. Beatty &c
1924 Jan 26  Hist to Harriet C, Clark aws
Page 20


In reply to your request of [blank] , received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Thomas Nelson, 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. 

June 1776 - 5 months - Private - Capt. Humpfrey - Col. Wingate - N.H.
 - - -[illegible] to Ticonderoga
[?] 1777 - 3 weeks - Capt J [Smith?] - Vt
few days later - 3 mos - Capt Clay - Col; Williams


Battles engaged in, [check mark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Putney, Windham Co. Vt.
Date of application for pension, Nov 10, 1832. His claim was allowed. 
Residence at date of application, Tecumseh, Lenawee Co, Mich Ty
Age at date of application, born in 1758 at Brimfield Mass
Remarks: He died Feby 13 1834. Daughters name not stated, married George Taylor. There is no further witness duly certified



Very Respectfully, Commissioner.
Page 21

June 28, 1917 -
Kindly furnish me an abstract of the pension record of Thomas Nelson who served in the Rev. in the Militia. His name appears in the report of Pensioners in 1835,
I desire these records as proof in making out D.A.R. applications which you understand is the work of the Chaples Registrar. Thanking you in advance for an early reply, I am
Sincerely
Mrs. John W. Beatty,
Registrar Sarah Harrison Chapter
D. A. R.
303 W. College ave
Blackwell Oklahoma

other portion of letter returned
for further date.
Page 22

Thomas Nelson

sent


[stamp]
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
JAN 21 1924
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 23

[stamp]
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER JAN 21 1924
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Daughters of the American Revolution
Lucy Wolcott Barnum Chapter
Adrian, Michigan
Jan 16, 1924

Hon. Washington Gardner
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C
My dear Sir,
May I ask for the Rev. War records of the appended list of men. Many times your data is very helpful in locating their graves, which is the object of my request.
I think they were living in Lenawee Co. Mich, at the time pensions were given them
Thanking you in advance for the helpfulness
I am 
Yours Truly
Harriet C. Clark
416 Broad Street,
Adrian,
Mich
Page 24

Territory of Michigan } Court of Probate
Lenawee County } Before the Hon Simeon Hale
Personally appeared in open Court the thirteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, Thomas Nelson, and made the following declaration in addition to that heretofore made on the tenth day of November last to wit - that his time of service as a private in the employ of the United States during the Revolutionary War, commenced some time in June AD 1778, and that he served in the several  companies & Regiments as stated in his former Declaration and that in addition to the names of the officers specified in his said declaration he recollects the name of the Lieutenant in Captain Humphreys company to which the declarant was attached was Whipple, and that he has no recollection of any other names of Office with whom he served-- The Declarant gives the following names of persons to whom he is known and before the Court for confirmation of his having been a Revolutionary Soldier to wit Stilman Blanchard, M. A. Patterson, Musgrove Evans, S.L.Spofford, Wm Finch and D. Pittman, who severally appeared in Court and certified to the facts required by the War Department
[signed] Thomas Nelson
Sworn and subscribed to this thirteenh day
of August AD 1833 Before me
[signed]  D. Pittman J. Peace-
Page 25

Territory of Michigan
Lewanee County ss }  Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid - Thomas Nelson who being sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise time of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grade - I  enlisted and served for the space of five months as a  private in the company & Regiment stated in my first Declaration and at a second time served about three weeks also as a private - and a third time as a volunteer for about three month- and for which services I claim a pension-
[signed] Thomas Nelson
Sworn and subscribed at Tecumseh the thirteenth day  of August AD 1833
Before me [signed] D Pittman
Justice of the peace
Page 26

We the undersigned hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Nelson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations and that [we] believe him to be seventy five years of age that he is reputed and believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution.  That he is a man of truth and veracity and respected by all who know him,  that we all concur in that opinion-
[signed]
M. A. Patterson - Musgrove Evans - T. Blanchard -S.L. Spofford - Wm T French - D Pittman

And the said Judge of the Court of Probate does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And further certifies that it appears to him that T Blanchard  SLSpofford  Wm T Finch  D Pittman  M.A.Patterson and Musgrove Evans who have also signed the same are residents in the County of Lenawee and are creditable persons and their statement is entitled to credit[.]
Page 27

The court is further of the opinion that there is no doubt existing in the minds of any persons in the neighborhood where said Nelson resides touching his services as a soldier of the revolution.
[signed] J. Hale  Clerk of Probate

I Wm T. Finch dep Clerk of the court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Nelson foe a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of the said court this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
[signed] Wm T Finch
dep Clerk of the court of Probate
Page 28

Lenawee County Clerks Office}  I James Pittman Clerk of the said County of Lenawee do hereby certify that D Pittman whose signature is affixed to the annexed Certificate of the declaration and affidavit of Thomas Nelson was at the date thereof an acting  Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and further that I know the said signatures are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto  set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Tecumseh this thirteenth day of August A D 1860 -
[signed] J Pittman
County Clerk
Page 29

York Mich
Sept 2
free
Col J L Edwards
Commissioner Pensions
Washington
D C


W H???
Page 30

Referred to Mr. Geron
for [illegible] and [illegible]
[illegible] this is submitted 
to M [illegible] who will
please send to him
(Mr Goron) the Pension
papers of Thomas Nelson
Revolutionary soldier
on the [illegible] Roll
September [illegible] [illegible]
Page 31

Colonel J L Edwards Commissioner Pensions
Sir
did Thomas Nelson a Revolutionary pensioner on the Michigan list roll who died 20th Feb 1834 or 1835 serve to the end of the war so as to have land due his heirs
I am requested to ask by his daughters husband George Taylor
Please direct to Erastus S Cove Esq
York PO
Washtenaw County
Michigan
[signed] Erastus S Cove
Page 32

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-31
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME  Nelson, Thomas     GRADE Private    LINE Lamb's Artillery (New York)

WARRANT NUMBER 7553   ACREAGE  100   ISSUED Sept. 9,1790 to Patterson et al, assignees

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.