Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17754, Samuel Ward, Conn. Mass.
Page 1

service 
Conn.  
Mass.

Ward, Samuel   
number
S17754

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

15433
Massachusetts
Saml. Ward
of Hampshire in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Woodbridge of the Rgt. commanded by Col. Brewer in the Mass & Conn. line for 17 Months

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 56 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of June 1833 and sent Saml. F. Dickinson Amherst Mass

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.  $113.34
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " 28.33
______
$141.67

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 2d. Page 92
Page 3

17423
Saml Ward
Massachusetts
Private 17 months
Adm'd

Saml F Dickson
Amherst Mass
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Samuel Ward
County of Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?  78 years
4.  State his service as directed in the form annexed.

Period. / Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Enlist In 1775 / - 9 - / As a Private /  Genl Wead Capt Walbridge Col Brewer
_ 1776. / - 3 - /  - / Capt Smith Col Murray
Vol 1777. / - 2 mo or more / - /  Capt Bardwell
 - 1780. / - 3 - / - / Capt Alvord
______
17 Months in all

5. In what battles was he engaged?  Bunker Hill
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Massachusetts
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Living Witnesses
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Not Properly attached

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  J W Clagett Examining Clerk.
Page 5

Samuel Ward
Militia
17423
Page 6

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State of Massachusetts County of Hampshire } ss.
On this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before Samuel Hinckley Judge of the court of Probate now sitting, Samuel Ward a resident of Belchertown in the County of Hampshire, and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy eight 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
Immediately after the alarm occasioned by the battle of Lexington in 1775 I repaired to Roxbury near Boston & then enlisted into the army for the term of eight months in the company of Capt Walbridge in the Regt. commanded by Col. David Brewer, Lt. Col. Rufus Bertman of Brockfield Mass. and Genl. Ward's Brigade. I then remained doing duty in said company the whole term of eight months as aforesaid.
When that term had expired, the recruits not having come in, we were urged by the officers to remain longer and a part of Capt. Walbridge's company among whom was myself did stay one month longer. Col. Bailey's Regt. and also Col Danielson's lay near and Genl. Heath's Brigade was also near ours. We were on our arms during the battle of Bunker Hill in hearing of the guns and in full sight of the burning of Charlestown but were ordered to remain at Roxbury. In December of 1776 I enlisted again at Amherst Massachusetts into the militia for three months into the company commanded by Capt. Oliver Smith of Hadley in the Regt. of Col. Murray of Hatfield & Chester Williams of Hadley being Major. We went to Peekskill on North River, remained there a few days thence to Morristown in New Jersey, where we were stationed for the remainder of the term. Genl. Washington was at Morristown once a more while I was there - I was regularly dismissed in March following the December in which I enlisted, but had no written discharge.
Directly after the battle of Bennington, which was on the 16th August 1777. I volunteered in the Militia and joined the company of Capt. Jonathan Bardwell of Belchertown in Mass. We marched through Hadley, Hatfield, crossed the mountains of Charlemont, Mt Adams - thence through Pownal, Hoosack, etc. across the country to Stillwater on North River, thence to Battenkill, to Fort Edward - thence across the river again to Saratoga where we remained till the surrender of Burgoyne in October. 1777. after which we were dismissed, having been out two months or more. 
In July 1780 at Belchertown aforesaid, I again enlisted [for three] months into the company under Capt. Alvord of South Hadley,
Page 7

We marched through Hadley Hatfield crossed the mountains at Charlemont, Mt Adams - thence through Pownal, Hoosack &c. across the country to Stillwater on North River, thence by Battenkill to Fort Edward - thence across the river again to Saratoga where we remained till the Surrender of Burgoyne in October. 17. 1777 after which we were dismissed, having been out two months. or more.
In July 1780 at Belchertown aforesaid, I again enlisted for three months into a company under Capt Alvord of South Hadley Lt. Warner of Granby or Alvord of South Hadley - the name of the Col. commanding the Regt. I do not recollect - Marched to West Point where were our Head Quarters. A few other men, with myself were sent up the river to cut & boat down wood for the army. While that engaged we were ordered by express to repair to West Point, as Arnold had Sold the army. We want as fast as possible, where we were informed that Arnold had fled & Andre was taken, & as we were counterordered - we then returned to our business of procuring wood as aforesaid, in which we continued until the expiration of the three months for which I had enlisted, when I returned to West Point, I was regularly dismissed - but do not recollect that at this time, as at the expiration of my other period of my enlistment & service as above stated, I ever had a written discharge. I know of no man living who may testify to this term of service. 
I was born at Union in the State of Connecticut on the 15th September 1754. I do not know whether there is any record of the time of my birth - I lived in s'd town of Union until about 15 years old, then went to Stafford in said Connecticut, where I remained till the battle of Lexington, immediately after which I enlisted with the Army, in which I have served, at different time, seventeen months besides time spent retiring from the camp making nearly one month more; after that I removed to said Belchertown, there have ever since lived - In addition to the above, in the fall of 1774 I joined a company of minute men who alarmed for enemies over a week during the winter & did naught in working for six months - but was not out in service - our officers were Capt Wasson,  Lt Morgan & Ensign Blagett -
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 any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the 
Samuel Ward
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid Before me Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate for the County
We, Benjamin Randall residing in the town of Pelham and Ziba Randall residing in s'd Belchertown hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Ward who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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.  Benjamin Randall Ziba Randall 
Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting 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 Benjamin Randall who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in Belchertown and that Ziba Randall who has also signed the same, is a resident in Belchertown and both are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit, Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
I, Saml F. Lyman Register on 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 Samuel Ward for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Samuel F. Lyman Register
Clerk.
sworn
Page 8

 L. W. B.
I. 17754.
B. L. 107211-51.
B. L. 106132-55.   

 This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
     Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHIGTON, D. C.,

December 10th 1897.

Sir:-

Replying to your request for information concerning certain soldiers of the Revolutionary war and War of 1812, you are advised as follows:

Samuel Ward, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, made an application for pension on August 16th, 1832, at which time he was 78 years of age and residing at Belchertown, Mass., and his pension was allowed for seventeen months' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Captain Woodbridge and Col. Brewer.  He enlisted at Roxbury, Mass.

A very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of Elijah Sanderson has not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension records on file in this Bureau.

Nancy, widow of Valentine Runnalls, a soldier of the War of 1812, made an application for bounty land on March 7 1868, at which time she was 82 years of age and residing at Beverly, Mass., and her claim was allowed for the actual service of her husband as a private in the Mass. Militia, War of 1812, for a period of 20 days; a part of the time he served under Capt. Edwards and Col. White.  He enlisted at Salem, Mass.

William Roberts, a soldier of the War of 1812, made an application for bounty land on April 5, 1867, at which time he was 83 years of age and residing at Salem, Mass., and his claim was allowed for 20 days' actual service as a private in the Mass. Militia, War of 1812; a part of the time he served under Capt. Edwards and Col. White.  He enlisted at Salem, Mass.

Very respectfully,

Mr. J. P. Reynolds,    Commissioner.
Salem, Mass.
Page 9

Samuel Ward

Gardner Preston Depo.

So Hadley Ms 
August 25th

6

Hon Saml F Dickinson
Amherst
Mass

single}
Page 10

So. Hadley Ms.
August 25th

6

Hon Saml F Dickinson
Amherst
Mass

single}

Samuel Ward
Gardner Preston Depo.
Page 11

I Gardner Preston of South Hadley in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn make oath and say that it appears from the company roll left by me in 1870 that Samuel Ward then a resident in said County of Hampshire was a member of said company. That Job Alvord was the Captain of said company - Azariah Alvord 1st Lieut. [Lieutenant] Moses Stone 2nd Lieut. That Col Seth Murray had command of the regiment. That said roll was left by me as orderly serjeant & is now in my possession, that the persons whose names appear upon said roll enlisted for the term of  three months & I verily believe served that length of time. That the company joined the Regiment at West Point New York in July 1780 and then remained until dismissed in October 1780. That I verily believe said Ward was with said company and served his full term of three months in the service of the United States, in the Massachusetts state troops. That I verily believe none of the members of said company  were discharged during the term of their enlistment.
Gardner Preston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Hampshire
August 24 1832
Then personally appeared the above named Gardner Preston a credible person and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
Sworn & subscribed before me. Edward Hookes Justice of the Peace
Page 12

United States of America
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Hampshire Co.  ss.
August 27, 1832.

Be it known that I, Edward Dickinson Notary Public, by lawful authority duly commissioned and qualified, residing in Amherst in & [  ] County do certify that Edward Hooker Esq., whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, was at the date thereof on of the Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hampshire, duly commissioned & acting under the authority of the Commonwealth and that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity, and that the signature to said certificate is known to me to be the hand writing of said Edward Hooker.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal the day & year above written.

Edward Dickinson     Notary Public
Page 13

Mr. Dickinson,

[All written below has a large X over it]

I have been to see Mr. Preston today & have rather hastily drawn up his affidavit.  He has no recollection of the War, other than such as may arise from finding his name on his Roll.  He doubts not that he served that term of time.  If the affidavit is of any service to Mr. Ward, he may pay you 1st.
So Hadley  August 24, 1832

Respectfully Yours
Edw. Hooker
Page 14

Samuel Ward


Stephen Shumway's
Depo.
Page 15

Stephen Shumway's
&
Simeon Dickinson's
Depositions for
Samuel Ward


Samuel Ward

Stephen Shumway's
affidavit
Page 16

I Stephen Shumway of Amherst in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged ninety five years, do testify & say; that immediately after the Battle of Abington in April in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & seventy five, as soon as the alarm reached Belchertown in this County, where I then resided, I  enlisted into Capt. Jonathan Bardwell's Company & Col. David Burn's Regiment in Gen. Ward's Brigade in the militia of Massachusetts, for eight months; & marched with said company immediately to Roxbury near Boston; there in that vicinity we remained during our said term of enlistment at Roxbury.  I found Samuel Ward now resident in said Belchertown a (illegible) in Capt Amos Walling's Company in the same regiment.  We remained a soldier in said Walling's Company, as long as I did in said Bardwell's , I think was eight months.  The said Samuel Ward, the next year removed to said Belchertown & I have confirm been well acquainted with him there. At the end of our said term of enlistment our regiment was discharged, but no written discharge was given. I further testify, that I understood at the time, and have now understood dince, that said Samuel Ward continued in service one month after the said term of eight months had expired at the request of his officers, as the units captured had not arrived at the expiration of said eight months: & I have no doubt of the fact of his so remaining in service, althought I was sick & obliged to leave at the end of my term, it was alwaye then & since reported that part of Capt. Walbridge's Company remained as above, & the said Samuel Ward was one that remained, as aforesaid. 
     I further testify, that after the Battle at Bennington
Page 17

in August in the [illegible] 
this and Samuel War and myself both volunteers as militia men, the the Company of Capt. Jonathan Bard well above [illegible] then  paid [illegible] & myself these both living in [illegible], marches [illegible] and Company to Stillwater on this [illegible] River, then to East [illegible] then [illegible] River & came down to [illegible], I remained with company until the surrender of the B[illegible], was two full months.  Then we [illegible] home.
[illegible]
Stephen. Shmon  Way

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
[illegible] from July 12 [illegible] Stephen Thermway, [illegible] to the above affidavit, well known to me, [illegible] I made solemn oath to this truth of the [illegible].

Before me Samuel Fe [illegible] Justice of the [illegible]
Page 18

Samuel Ward

Sim. Dickinson's  Depo.
Page 19

I, Simeon Dickinson of Amherst in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five years, do certify & say:  that I enlisted into the Company of Captain Oliver Smith of Hadley, Lt Thomas Hastings of Amherst, in Col Murray's Regiment, Chester Williams of Newbury being Major, in the Massachusetts Militia, for the term of months, in the month of December 1778, for the defense of the country; I enlisted at said Amherst and I certify, that Samuel Ward of Belchertown in the same county enlisted into the same company with me, about the same time that I enlisted, & for the same term. He faithfully served out his time, & was regularly discharged with the company in March following & returned home in company with me.  Our company first marched to Peekskill in the State of New York, & and then to Morristown in the state of New Jersey, there we remained the greater part of the time until our discharge, as above.

Simeon Dickinson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss.  August 1, 1832

Personally appeared Simeon Dickinson subscriber to the above deposition, to me well known as a creditable witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Before me Samuel F Dickinson, Justice of the Peace
Page 20

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

HAMPSHIRE ss.

I, Samuel f. Lyman, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Samuel F Dickinson Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions (2) were taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of August A. D. 1832.

Sam; F. Lyman  Register of Probate.
Page 21

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Ward 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 resided, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?    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 that 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 22

2

XI.   Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?   2 citizens

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 a least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  Living Witnesses

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?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as regulations direct?  Yes

XV.   Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  Yes

XVI.  ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No

XVII.   Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And if not, which of them is not so answered?
----------------------------------------------------
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 23

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 service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

+QUERE XIV.   Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

++QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 24

4

Salem, Mass      Nov. 19/97

To the Hon.                           RSW
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington    D. C.

Sir:-

If proper to do so, will you kindly furnish me with a transcript of the service of the following, all of whom are my ancestors, and for genealogical purposes,   viz: -

War of 1812  - 15
Valentine Runnals of Salem (Beverly)
William Roberts      "     "      (Danvers)

War of the Revolution
Elijah Sanderson,  Lexington,  Mass
Samuel  Ward,  Salem (?)           "

And I have the honor to be
Yours Very Respectfully
J. P. Reynolds
Salem, Mass

Land Warrants may have been issued in the last two.  They were in the first two.

The information may be used for application for membership in the society  War of 1812  and the Sons of the America Revolution
Page 25

OLD WAR & NAVY
NOV 24 1897
FILES,


PENSION 
A
NOV
U. 20 S.
1897
OFFICE.
Page 26

OLD WAR & NAVY
DEC 3 1897
FILES.

Salem, Mass   Nov 29, 1897

To the
Hon. Commissioner Pensions
Washington D. C.              R. S. W.

Sir:-

I have the honor to request for genealogical purposes, a transcript of the military service of the following;
All of whom are my ancestors,  viz: -

War of the Revolution
Elijah Sanderson, Lexington, Mass
Samuel Ward, Salem (?)          "

War of 1812
Valentine Runnals,  Salem, Mass
William Roberts,          "        "

The last two received Land Warrants, the two former, I don't know about.

Very Respectfully
J. P. Reynolds
Salem,  Mass

PENSION
DEC
U  1   S
1897
OFFICE.
Page 27

17754
INVALID.
--------------
File No.  17,754
Samuel Ward
Pri   Rev. War
---------------
Act:  June 7th  32
Index:-- Vol. 1,   Page 396

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 28

Dec. 10/97 - History to Mr. 
J. P. Reynolds, Salem, Mass.