Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10384, William Blount, New York
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Service: New York
Name: Blount, William
or Blunt
Number: S. 10384
carded
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24.135
New York
William Blunt
Of Oswego Co. in the State of New York who was a Lieutenant in the Comp. command by Captain Childs of the Regt. command (?) by Col. (?) in the New York line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 320 dollars 00 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Nov. 1833 and (?) A. Skinner Union Square

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $800
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 (?) 160
$960
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by (?) Clerk
Book 6 (?), Vol. 4 Page 90
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of New York
Oswego County

On this 30th day of October, 1832 personally appeared before me Avery Skinner one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county William Blount a resident of said county and state who doth (?) on his back make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he was born in the town of Norwich Connecticut Nov. 1744. remained in CT until about 22 years of age - 1766. Removed from Ct. to Dutchess County New York. (Town of Amenia) remained there until Feb 7, 1785. From there removed to Duanesburgh, Albany County N.Y. Lived there about ten years. In July 1798 removed to the town of Paris Oneida Co. and remained there until the year 1821. From thence removed to town of Hastings Oswego Co. N.Y. My present residence being now about eighty eight (88) years of age. 

At the commencement of hostilities with G. Britain, felt greatly alarmed at the prospect of the liberties of our county being destroyed, and (?) by every means in my power to arouse the people in the vicinity which I lived to rigorous decision and action - in 1774 & '75 communicated improvements in military exercise by frequent military drills (once a week). In 1775 received a Lieutenants Commission, ordered by the Provincial Congress then sitting in City of New York signed by Nathaniel Woodhill Pres. and Robert Benson Secr.y (Secretary) and dated Oct. 17 1775 in the service that was then termed the "New York Volunteer Corps of Minute Men" and raised for the special purpose of marching to any point, or part of service that the public exigence required at a minute's notice. The regiment was consolidated under the command of Col. Van Ness and was succeeded in command by Col. Cornelius Humphry. Increase Childs being the Captain of the company to which I belonged. My commission above alluded to is (?) annexed
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In February following '76 was called into service at New York. The army at that time was commanded by General Lee. During our stay at New York we built a fort at (?) then called "Fort Minute". Was discharged some time in May or June following (?) at that time nearly [underlined:] four months [:underlined]. After my return from New York the Regiment, by order of (?) Gen. Clinton were (?) to keep guard on the North River. We were ordered twice this season (the summer of '76) to (illegible) above (illegible), to prevent if possible the depredations of the enemy who landed from the British (shipping?) and committed extensive depredations upon the surrounding country. The next year in June 1777 the British (helping?) again came into the N. River which received an extensive and general (illegible) which continued with very little cessation through the whole season; The Minute Regiment (?) which (illegible) was constantly on duty to (illegible) by the enemy. The Regiment was (illegible) this season to the (illegible...) [...] taken by the enemy but not (?) till the day after the forts were taken. Returning up the river (illegible...) an engagement with the (Shiping?) and Poughkeepsie. Next day the enemy (?). The object of the British at this time was to form a junction with Burgoine, but were prevented by this defeat. At this time the detachment was commanded by Gen. Clinton in person. Col. Rufus Herrick commanded the regiment. The above is a general outline of the duty which I was called to perform from the year 1775 to the close of the year 1781. After the British forces were withdrawn from New York, to the south, previous to the (surrender?) of (?) which was in '81. The regiment of Minute Men were not as (harassed?) as formerly by the enemy. 

During the war, (?) until '81, another duty upon which I was called, when not in other service, was by order of the Colonial Government, which was to (?) the depredations of the Tories, or (?) so called,  who continually infested that region of country and require the utmost exertion to prevent the universal destruction of property they contemplated - and also to arrest and bring before the
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utmost exertion to prevent the universal destruction of property the contemplated - and also to arrest and bring before the existing authority for trial, [the next few lines are illegible due to fading...]

From the summer of 1775 to 1781, I have no (opportunity?) of pursuing my business, (as necessary vocations?) at home - from the opening of the campaign every [illegible...] until the close of it, we were almost (?) in service as I've stated. I believe I was in actual service nearly three years. I have never received any regular discharge from any service to my recollection, nor have I at any time received any remuneration for my services excepting for the duty performed at New York in '76.

I am known to most people in the town where I reside and the Rev. (Reverend?) Samuel W. Leonard clergyman of this town and William Ford can testify as to my character, for truth and veracity and this belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.

Having written to Dutches County to make enquirities respecting the certificate of those who were in service with me I cannot (?) that any are now alive who knows of the service I rendered or that was with the Regiment to which I belonged.

I hereby relinquish every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension note of any agency in any state, and that I have not heretofore applied for any pension or annuity from the government of the United States. 

Sworne to and subscribed the day and year first above written before me, Avery Skinner Judge of Oswego Co. Courts
Williams Blount
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Samuel W. Leonard a clergyman of the town of Hastings and William Ford residing in said town of Hastings Oswego Co. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Blount who has subscribed and sworne to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Samuel W. Leonard
William Ford
Sworne and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me, Avery Skinner
Judge of Oswego Co. 

And I Avery Skinner Judge &c as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the loan department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that Samuel Leonard who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman who preaches strictly in the town of Hastings aforesaid, and that William Ford who has also signed the same is a resident of the said town of Hastings and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

And I further certify that the aforenamed applicant, owing to age & bodily infirmity is wholly unable to attend court.
Avery Skinner
Judge of Oswego Co. Courts

Eric Poor
Clerk of the County of Oswego do hereby certify that
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Avery Skinner Esqr. before whom the foregoing Declaration purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the judges of the courts of common Pleas in and for said county (which a court of record), and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said judge and verily believe his name subscribed to the (?) of the said declaration to be his proper hand writing and signature. 

As witness my hand and seal of office this 14th day of Decr. (December) A.D. 1832
Eric Poor Clerk
By D. McPherson
Dep Clk
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State of New York
Oswego County
On this 6th day of September 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned, a judge of Oswego County Courts, William Blount who being duly sworn (?) and (?), that by reason of old age and consequent (lapse?) of memory he cannot swear (?) as to the (?) length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served [ineligible...] the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For (?) months in the spring of 1776 I served as a Lieutenant at New York in the Company of Capt. Increase Childs under the command of Gen. (?); and from the spring of 1776 to the year 1781, inclusion, I was in actual service, as the march in the field are garrison at various times & places as stated in my original declaration, at best two years, during which time I was not employed in any civil [ineligible...] The nature of my services was such that it is impossible for me at my old (?) age 88 years to recollect distinctly the different periods I served or the precise time of my several engagements. The service I rendered was arduous and often difficult & hazardous, and I can safely swear I served my country faithfully as a Lieutenant two years during the
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I, Eric Poor, Clerk of the County of Oswego do hereby certify that Avery Skinner Esq. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Courts of Common Please in and for said county, which is a court of record, and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge and verily believe his name subscribes to the (?) of the above declaration or affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. As witness my hand & seal as officer this 10th day of Sept. A.D. 1833.
Eric Poor Clerk 
By D McPherson
Dep. Clk
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21432
William Blount
Oswego County
New York

(?) 2 year Lieutenant
#320

Avery Skinner,
Union Square
New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT, PENSION OFFICE, 183

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 shew what is
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 William Blount, of Oswego Co. N.Y.

Period when the service was rendered: 
1776 1777 
From 1775 to 1781 in service (?)

Years: 3

Months: 4

Days: 

Rank of the claimant: Lieutenant.

Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served: Capt Childs

Name and Rank of the General and Field Officers: Colonel Van Ness, Col Henrich

Battles in which the applicant was engaged:

Country through which he marched: Fort (?), Fort Montgomery, Poughkeepsie

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period: 89. Dutchess Co N.Y.

Evidence by which the declaration is supported: tradition and (?)

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 in
stance, 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.
Sate, Territory, or District of
County of
On this (blank)
day of (blank)
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)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
line, under the following named officers:
with
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 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 State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
A. B.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
and C. D. residing in (the same)
who has
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.
1,
Clerk of the Court of
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
do hereby certify that the foregoing
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
&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
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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 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 signed,
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,
or 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 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 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 it 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
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.
T.H. Bradford
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Rev War
10384
INVALID.
File No. 10384
William Blunt
Lieut Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol. A, Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

A. Skinner
[illegible]
Sept 19th
Sept 24
NY

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
(?) City
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Union Square Sept 19, 1833

Sir,
Enclosed I return you the [illegible...] of William Blount with an additional declaration (?) his services with as much precision as he is able to. It is impossible to obtain further proof, his services, or to state the times with more precision. I am well acquainted with the old gentleman. He is a poor but honest ["honest" is underlined] man, and I have no doubt he served as he states. 

I am, Sir, respectfully [inelligible...]
A. Skinner
J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Court of Pensions
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In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS for the Colony of New-York, the
Seventeenth Day of October 1775
To William Blunt -
Gentleman
Greeting:
BY Virtue of the Authority reposed in us
- We do hereby nominate, authorize, constitute and appoint you the said
William Blunt second Lieutenant of the Company of Minutemen
formed in Amenia Precinct in Dutchess County, whereof Increase Child is Captain.
---
hereby requiring you, before you
enter into the Exercise of your said Office, to make in writing, and subscribe in Presence
of the Chairman of the Committee of the City, town, District, or precinct wherein you
reside, the Declaration appointed and directed by the Eleventh section of the Seventh
Resolve contained in the Rules and orders for regulating the Militia of the Colony
of New-York, recommended by this Congress on the 22d day of August 1775,
and authorizing you fully to execute all the Powers belonging to your said Office, by
Virtue of the said Rules and Orders, and the said Declaration: And we do hereby
require all persons under your Command, to pay due Obedience to you, according to the
said Rules and Orders, and such further Rules and Orders as shall be made and recommended
for the Militia of this Colony, by the present, or any future Continental Congress,
or Provincial Congress of this Colony.
Attest,
Rob Benson, Secr.y (Secretary)
By order,
Nath. Woodhull Reidin