Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10316, Jonathan Aiken, Vt.
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(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Vt.|Aiken, Jonathan|S10316|
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CONTENTS Carded
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Vermont 18.953
Jonathan Aiken of Bennington Co in the State of Vermont who was a Pri in the Company commanded by Captain E Aiken of the Reg't commanded by Col Robinson in the Vermont line for - 
2 Ys Private $80.00
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Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars ['Cents' crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Nov'r 1833 and Sent to Martin Roberts, Manchester Vt
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Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 -       200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mch '34 40.00
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$240.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by ['J. T. Sprague' crossed out] D. Brown Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 3 Page 51
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State of Vermont Bennington County
Manchester Probate District} ss.
On this 13th day of August AD 1832 came personally in open court before the Hon. Myron Clark Judge of the court of Probate for the Probate District of Manchester, now sitting Jonathan Aiken a resident of the town of Dorset in the county of Bennington & State of Vermont aged 72 years & 4 months, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832. -
That he was born in the Town of Londonderry in the State of New Hampshire on the 18th March 1760. that he knows of no record of his age - except his father told him the births of his family were recorded in the Town record of Londonderry, which record if in existence is at a considerable distance from the place of his present resident & he is unable to procure it - From the Town of Londonderry his father removed with his family to  the town of Kent, now Londonderry, in the State of Vermont in the years 1774. when he enlisted as a volunteer to fight the battles of his country during the war of the revolution, against Great Britain that he then belonged to the militia of Vermont & was enrolled in the company commanded by Cap. Edward Aiken, all of the town of Londonderry, when orders
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came to the said captain Edwards Aiken from his Excellency Thomas Chittenden, Gov'r & commander in chief of the forces of the State to enlist as many young men, stout & lusty as might be disposed to engage voluntarily in the common cause of our country during the war, & to be under the command of Captain Samuel Fletcher, and to be at all times in readiness at resisting at a moments warning, or signal given to meet the enemy & on all occasions to act as circumstances might require - immediately after his enlistment, the necessary preparation was made for the service, by providing himself, with clothing arms, & ammunition, provision &c. proper for the soldier to commence operations from Londonderry shortly after his engagement in the service, he was ordered to repair to Manchester, west side the green mountain Vt, where our company joined the regiment commanded by Col. Moses Robinson - from Manchester, under the command of Col Robinson we marched to Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain, at which place, the regiment annexed on the 24th June same year, where our regiment was reported to, & placed under the command of Gen'l St. Clair, who then commanded the continental troops; (Genl Schuyler having left previous to our arrival) have we remained in camp, doing but little service other than preparatory measures to evacuate the place, which was done on Sunday morning. 6th July following - that he was  one among others who cut the fasts of the floating bridge, over which the enemy have passed, & forced the bridge to swing from the shore, in order to prevent the enemy of the
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means of crossing over & harassing the retreat of the army, for the british troops were at this moment close upon us - the retreat was effected in hard order - the army however retreated from here to Hubbarton, Vt. where it arrived in the afternoon of the same day; the rear of the army at this place made a batt, two regiments your applicant believes, pitched their tents while the main body of the army marched on to Castleton as did also the commanding Gen'l - Col Robinsons and Col Benjamin Bellows, regiments, encamped for the night on the plain about two miles from Hubbarton on the way to Castleton -on the morning following monday 7th July, the British troops comes up with the rear of the army at Hubbarton, where a contest took place & in which the British took some prisoners, a number were killed & wounded; among the slain was Col of the Newhampshire line, whose name is not now on memory - Col. Warners regiment sustained itself well but with considerable loss - about this time, Capt Fletcher was ['was' crossed out] informed that a small party of the enemy were on a scout, & driving away cattle from the inhabitants volunteers were called for to go in pursuit of the party & recover the cattle, Major Taylor, James Mark & your applicant turned out; we performed that service we believed satisfactorily, for we released the cattle, took four prisoners & brought them in. - from Castleton Genl St Clair, retreated to Manchester by way of Rutland where he made a stand - the regiment commanded by Col Robinson, from the encampment on the night of the 6th retreated to Pawlet by way of Wells pond - where it arrived in the afternoon of monday the day following - at Pawlet we were met by Capt Gideon Brownson, with whom Col Robinson held a consultation, the result of which was a call for volunteers
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to rendezvous at this place for the purpose of giving the inhabitants such as were disposed to leave their homes assistance in fleeing from the enemy - among the number of volunteers for this service your applicant was one, the whole number he believes to have been about 200 from this place, after remaining about ten days, we retired to Manchester, the party was under the command of Capt Gideon Brownson, at Manchester we arrived about the 17th or 18th same month, the main army had taken up its march and left Manchester previous to our arrival. - here we were divided into squads & permitted to go home, with directions to keep a good look out for Tories & Indians - shortly after the return home of your applicant, he received orders to repair forthwith to Bennington, together with the volunteers of Londonderry company, commanded at this time by Capt Edward Aiken, where we arrived and were reported to Genl Stark about the 6th or 7th August previous to the ever memorable battle of the 16th August 1777 - in which he was engaged, and activity too, in front of the contest & in the charge with the bayonet against the Hessians, who yielded tho reluctantly to the force of American steel - that he was of the party, who conducted the prisoners from the field of action to the meeting house in Bennington - Gen'l Stark commanded here in person; Col. Warner, with his regiment were engaged in the battle. Col. Warner was a soldier & a brave man - after the successful & eventful termination of this contest your applicant was permitted again to return to his home in Londonderry, with similar instructions as before given, to keep arms in good order, well charged, and a vigilant look out for Tories & Indians, these instructions were particularly regarded. - not long
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had your applicant been at home; say near the middle of September he was again ordered to repair to Bennington, there to receive further orders as to the employment of the service in which we were to be employed, om arriving at Bennington orders were given to make quick steps for stillwater, State New York, at this time the party to which he was attached was under the commanded of Lieut Stowell of Guilford Vt. on our way from Bennington to Stillwater, we received orders to shape our course for Saratoga when we arrived about the first October, a few days previous to the battle with the British forces, under the command of Gen'l Burgoyne at Bemass heights; we were here placed under the command of Col Robert Cochran of the continental line; from the barracks on Saratoga meadows we were marched under the command of Col. Cochran, onto a high piece of ground covered with moss, near the river, in the night of the 7th October. your applicant believes; where we remained untill the morning following when we forded the revier, marched up to fort Miller, where was placed a guard; - from there we counter march, and on our way down the river, we came in contact with a number of boats coming up, retreating from Stillwater, have a skirmish took place, eventuated in the capture of the party & the boats among the prisoners were a number of wounded the boats were laden with entreanching implements, ammunition, Pork, Beef, Oatmeal &c. run the boats into a cove a short distance below the resident of (afterwards Gen'l) Desidero - On the east side the river we remained, doing but little active service excepting patrolling & scouting occasionally as circumstances seemed to require; untill the final surrender of the British forces to Gen'l Gates on the 17 October 77 - after the surrender
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of Gen'l Burgoyne, we were allowed again to return home; - and soon after the return of your applicant to Londonderry he was ordered to repair to the quarters of Capt Fletcher in Townsend, where he remained under his command during the winter of 1778 - from Capt Fletcher he was the bearer of dispatches to Col George Reed who then was in camp at Saratoga - frequently was your applicant out on scouts with small parties during the spring & summer of 1778. in quest of Tories & Indians who were disturbing the inhabitants in different places - some time in the month of September 1778 your applicant with seven others were ordered by Capt Fletcher to repair to Royalton Vt with all possible expedition to render service to the inhabitants there, on our arrival found the place conflagrated & the Tories & Indians dispersed - from the place we marched to Barnet, were reported to & under the command of Lieut Green, at this place we built a small picket fort, here we remained making frequent excursions in different directions in this region of country in pursuit of the enemy ( Tories & Indians) untill some time in the month of November following, whose orders reached us to leave Barnet. & marched to Grassy brook , as called, where the Tories & Indians, as report said were committing deprivations upon the persons & property of the inhabitants of the place, on our way thither at Chester, we received intelligence, that this alarm was fraudulent. - from Chester we returned to our homes. - In the month of December, the latter part your applicant thinks he was directed by a committee of safety to take a quantity of food (two horse load) from Londonderry to Pawlet, deliver the same to Capt Samuel Willard for the use of the troops at Castleton - this service was he performed. - In the month of March 1780, your
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applicant & Robert Montgomery left Londonderry for White river, in quest of Beaver where they had discovered signs of them while out on the late expedition to Royalton & Barnet immediately on our arrival at this place, there was an alarm that the Indians had made a dash on Ryegate a scotch settlement, on the connecticut river, we were attached to Capt Morrisons company, Col. Waits regiment, marched to Ryegate found the Indians had been here & dispersed, here we were stationed & remained untill the latter part of September following, were then dismissed & returned home to Londonderry. - 
In addition to parts & transactions herein detailed your appliant states with much confidence, that hardly a month passed from the day of his enlistment, untill about the close the war that he was not called on to perform & did perform some duty in and of the common cause of the country. - Your applicant further declares, frm the best computation he can make from duty, circumstances, and recollection, at this distant period from the time of service he was engaged in the service of his country two years and about four months, and that he has no documentary evidence of his enlistment, or service, nor does he know any, except the copy of his original enlistment, certified by James Mark orderly Serg't which is herewith annexed. - and further your applicant 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. - In conclusion your applicant further states that at the conclusion of the war in the years 1783. he removed from Londonderry to manchester, in the county of Bennington, where he resided untill the year 1796, when he removed back to the town of Londonderry where he resided untill the year 1815, when he removed to Easton in the county of Washington, State of New York where he remained untill the year 1829. when he
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removed to the town of Dorset County of Bennington & State of Vermont, where he now resides - making his age at this date 72 years & 4 months.
/s/Jonathan Aiken - 

Sworn to in Open Court - 
/s/Myron Clark Judge of Probate Ct.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & Served as he states - 
/s/Myron Clark Judge of Probate Court.

I Henry Robinson Register of the Probate Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Aiken for a Pension - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & have of s'd Probate Court at Manchester, this 12th day of August A.D. 1832 - & of the Independence of the United States the 57th. -
/s/Henry Robinson Register
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State of Vermont
Bennington County ss} Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace within & for the county of Bennington, Jonathan Aiken, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise ['of' crossed out] 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 two months & ten days I served as a private in the tour to the lake &c - For two months and twenty one days I served as a private in the tour to Bennington, and Saratoga - For five months & ten days I served as a Serjeant under the command of Capt. Fletcher this term of service brings me up to the 19th April 1778 - For two months I served as a private; summer of 1778 under the immediate command of Sergeant Mack, who was under orders from Capt Fletcher, this tour of service was in the field, scouting most of this term o For two months & five days I served & did the duty of serjeant, in the expedition to Royalton & Barnet, & back to Chester - 
For five days I served under the direction of a committee of safety in carrying pork &c - For two months I served as a serjeant under Capt Fletcher, in the field scouting; summer of 1779 - For six months I served as a serjeant in Captain Morrisons company - & 1780 For three months I served as serjeant; who commanded the company is not now recollecting - but (Capt Fletcher formerly) Col Fletcher has the command of the detachment, the party marched on rackets (snow shoes)  from Townsend, thro' Mt Holly on to Castleton. here I performed garrison duty - And for such service I claim a pension - that during the above service I was not engaged in any civil pursuit - /s/Jonathan Aiken
State of Vermont Bennington County ss
Manchester June 8th 1833. Personally appeared the above Deponent Jonathan Aiken and made solemn oath to the above Deposition - before me /s/James Hickox} Justice of Peace
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State of Vermont
Bennington County ss - } Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within & for the county of Bennington on this 8th day of June 1833 - Hugh Logan of Dorset County & State aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith  - that he has been personally acquainted with Jonathan Aiken the within named applicant rising of forty years, some portion of this time you deponent was a resident of the same neighbourhood with this applicant, and have frequently during the above period heard the said Aiken talk of his revolutionary service, have never heard a suggestion from any one to the contrary, but the general belief ever has been ['that he was' crossed out] & still is among his acquaintance, & neighbourhood, that he was a soldier of the revolution I must be of the age he declares himself to be - this deponant is 70 years of age Maj'r Aiken is an older man than this deponant 
The within applicant is well known to be a man of strict truth & veracity
/s/Hugh Logan

Sworn to and Subscribed at day and date above written before me
/s/James Hickox} Justice of Peace
I hereby certify the credability of the above Deponent High Logan
/s/James Hickox} Justice of Peace

State of Vermont, I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County Court for Bennington County, do hereby certify that James Hickock Esq whose signature appears above & to the foregoing, was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace for s' County duly qualified by Law to act as such & that I believe his Signature to be genuine - 
[court seal affixed] I testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the Seal of Our said Court at Manchester this 1st day of August A.D. 1833.
/s/Henry Robinson
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State of Vermont
Bennington County} ss Manchester June 8. 1833 - came personally before me the subscribing authority, Nathaniel Aiken of the town of Windham, County of Windham & State of Vermont, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath testify & say that in the year 1777, he then resided in the town of Londonderry & belonged to the militia company of the town; turned out as a volunteer in the month of May 1777 to serve as a minute man during the war with Great Britain, that several others turned out at the same time & among the number Jonathan Aiken a resident of the same town - this deponant well recollects, being with the said Aiken at the northward on Lake Champlain, at the evacuation of Ticonderoga by Genl St Clair on the 6th July 1777 - was also with him during the tour of duty of Saratoga & the surrender of the British army under the command of General Burgoyne, to Gen'l Gates the American Genl - that the circumstances relating to these transactions as detailed in the declaration of the applicant Jonathan Aiken, are most of them in agreement with the recollection of this deponant -. and further this deponant states his belief, that the services were performed by the said applicant, Jonathan Aiken as stated in his declaration, hereunto annexed, in addition to the services within his knowledge - that this deponant is now 79 years of age - has been intimately acquainted with the applicant from a boy to the present time (being a distant relative) and knows him to be, as well from general report as from personal knowledge to be a man of strict truth and veracity - /s/Nath'a Aiken
Subscribed and Sworn to the date and date above written /s/James Hickox} Justice of Peace
I hereby certify the credability of the above Deponent Nath'a Aiken
/s/James Hickox} Justice of Peace
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State of Vermont I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County Court for Bennington County do hereby certify that James Hickock Esq whose signature appears to the foregoing was at the state thereof a Justice of the peace for said County. & that I believe his signature to be genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of our said Court at Manchester this 1st day of August AD. 1833. /s/Henry Robinson
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10.316
Rev War
INVALID. 
File No. 10,316
Jonathan Aiken 
Pri Rev War
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Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. A, Page 4
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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State of Vermont
Bennington County} ss - Landgrove August 11, 1832
came personally before me the subscribing authority, Nathaniel Aiken of the Town of Windham County of Windham & State of Vermont, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, testify & say, that in the year 1777 he then resided in the Town of Londonderry. I belonged to the militia company of the Town, turned out as a volunteer in the month of May 1777 to served a minute man during the war, that several others turned out at the same time & among the number Jonathan Aiken, a resident of the same town, - the northward on Lake Champlain, at the evacuation of Ticonderoga, by Gen'l St Clair on the 6th July 1777 - was also with him during the tour of Saratoga, & the surrender of the British army under the command of Gen'l Burgoyne, to Gen'l Gates the american General. - that the circumstances relating to these transactions as detailed in the declaration of the applicant Jonathan Aiken, are most of them in agreement with the recollection of this deponant. - And further your deponant states his belief, that the services performed as detailed by the said Jonathan Aiken, in his declaration hereunto annexed are substantially true. - that this deponant is 78 years of age & has been intimately acquainted with this applicant from a boy to the present time, (being a distant relative) & knows from common report, that he is & ever has been a man of strict truth & veracity - /s/Nath'a Aiken.
Subscribed & sworn to the day & date above written /s/Amori Benson Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
To all to whom these Present shall come - 
Greeting - 
I hereby certify that Amori Benson Esqr. whose signature appears to the foregoing Deposition, was at the date thereof & State is a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Bennington, duly empowered & qualified as Such to administer Oaths &c - & that I believe his signature to be genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County Court in & for the County of Bennington have Subscribed my name & have affixed the Seal of our Said Court at Manchester this 12th day of August A.D. 1832 - & of the Independence of the United States the Fifty Seventh - 
/s/Henry Robinson Clerk

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Nath'l Aiken Signer of the within affidavit & that s'd Aiken is an individual entitled to full credit /s/Myron Clark. Judge of Probate
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6889.
Declaration of Maj'r Jonathan Aiken
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Londonderry May the 3 1777 I pursuant to orders Received from Thomas Chittenden governer [governor] & Comander [Commander] in Chief in and over the State of Vermont to me Edward Aiken Captin [Captain] of the Company of the town of Londonderry to call my Comeney [Company[ to gather and if possibe [possible] to Inlist [enlist] as many good abel [able] bodyed [bodied] affective young men as would vollentarly [voluntarily] turn out to Serve their Cuntery [Country] Duringe [During] the war Between great Brittan [Brittain] and America and have them completing equipt [equipped] for the war and to bring Constant Rediness [Readiness] be at the allarm [alarm]at a minet [minute] warning or at the Report of gun In case for that purpose whatever you Inlest are to be under the Command of Capt Samuel fletcher who is to take Charge Said minnet [minute] men March often to Eney place where he may receive orders from eney [any] of his Superior of in the Continetel [Continental] line in obedence [obedience] to the above orders I have called my Companey [Company] together beat up for Vollenteers [Volunteers]  and have Inlisted [enlisted] the persons whose names are hearin noted to serve During the war 
Don at Londonderry may the 9 1777 & return Made to Capt fletcher may 10 1777 [illegible]
Edward Aiken} Capt
Nathan'l Aiken Sergint [Sergeant]
Jonathan Aiken
Archabel Mack
James Mack orderly Sargent 
John McCormack
Robert Anderson
the above is a true coppy [copy]
Attest /s/james Mack} ordly [orderly] Sargent

Jun 10 1777 Capt fletcher showed orders to march his compeny [company] to Manchester ther [there] we joined Coll [Colonel] Moses Robinsons Regiment from thence we marched to Tyconteroga [Ticonderoga] where we staid [stayed] to six of July under the Command Generrel Santcleer which place he Evagrated and the last part of that Sumer [Summer] and fall we spent in [illegible] the Mountans [Mountains] sum[ some] part of the time sermount and the last part of the time under the Comand [Command] of Genarel [General] Gates at Sarratoga [Saratoga] who gave us the Privelage [privilege] Returning home untill [until] some other inerasion [interaction] Should take place a great number of allarms [alarms] and we were call for to No great Affect one tower [tour] we had to take to Boytten and from Maythorn to Grassey [Grassy] Brook where was a verry [very] hard one in the years 78 & 79 then was served one Month in Sumer [Summer] but ^we had to be one the Scouts [illegible] the above are five to which I have kept for my [illegible] to look at 
/s/James Mack orderly Ser't. [Servant]
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State of Vermont
Windham County ss} Windham July 11. 1833
came personally before me the subscribing authority one of the justices of the Peace within & for the county of Windham, Archibald Mack of the town of Windham, county of Windham & State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath testify & say that he is well acquainted with Jonathan Aiken the present applicant for a pension - very well recollecting of his (the affiant) being at Ticonderoga at the evacuation of the place by Gen'l St Clair - of applicant in his declaration - when on our retreat recollects there was a call for volunteering at Pawlet, to remain a time at this place in order to render assistance to the inhabitants as circumstances might require - recollects distinctly that this applicant was one of the party who went to Royalton & Barnet, on the alarm that tories & Indians were committing depredations in that quarter - has no doubt of the verity of the declaration of the said Aiken, & that the service therein detailed on in accordance with the transaction of the day
/s/Archibald Mack

State of Vermont
Windham County ss} the foregoing Deposition sworn to before me this 11th day of July AD. 1833 by the person subscribing his name.
/s/Joseph Wood Justice of Peace.
I hereby certify that the above named Archibald Mack is a man of Truth an veracity and is now residing in the Town of Windham at the age of seventy nine years
/s/Joseph Wood Justice of Peace
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State of Vermont
Windham County Court Clerk's Office,
New Fane, July 19. A.D. 1833.
I certify that Joseph Wood, Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the within appear to me to be his signature - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court on the day and year above written.
/s/James Elliot, Clerk.
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State of Vermont
Bennington County ss} Manchester August 1.1833
Came personally before me the subscribing authority one of the justices of the peace within & for the county aforesaid, on the day and year above written, Naomi Anderson of said Manchester and well known to me as a person of strict truth and veracity - who being first sworn according to law, doth on her oath testify and say - 
That she is 71 years of age - is the widow of Robert Anderson late deceased and was formerly inhabitant of the town of Londonderry in the county of Windham & state aforesaid, that while a resident of the latter place; in the year 1777, she recollects that her father received a letter from Capt Fletcher (since Col Fletcher) stating that men were wanted in defence of the country, and that they must be had, - that she recollects that a company was raised in that town to serve as minute men during the war, and were commanded by Capt Edward Aiken - and that among others who contested on that occasion was Jonathan Aiken the present applicant for a pension - That she remembers very well
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the circumstances (as stated at the time when they took place) of the said Aiken being at Ticonderoga when evacuated by the Americans - And also of his being at the battles of Bennington & Saratoga, at the latter of which her husband was present, who has often made mention of said Aiken being in company with him - that she recollects Capt Robt Morrison, (spoken of by said Aiken in his declaration) being  an action man in the revolution - And that she remembers, either from personal knowledge on general report the particulars ['as' crossed out] which are detailed by the present applicant in his declaration hereunto annexed - 
That this deponant has been well acquainted with the said Jonathan Aiken for more than 50 years - about 20 years of which she has resided in the same neighbourhood with him - and that he has ever (as far as her knowledge extends) sustained a character irreproachable for veracity - /s/Naomi Anderson
subscribed and sworn to & by me certified as above stated.
/s/William Benedict Justice Peace
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State of Vermont
Bennington County ss}
came personally before me the undersigned a justice of the peace within & for the county of Bennington this 14 day of October AD 1833 - John Cochran Esqr of East Dorset, County & State aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith - that he formerly resided in the town of Londonderry county of Windham & State of Vermont, and that his parents here resided during the revolutionary war, and ever since, untill their decease a few years since - that while a lad and living in his fathers family, has often heard his father relate the circumstance of a paty of soldiers under the command of Captain Fletcher, marching from Townsend across the mountain on snow shoes to Castleton - And that Maj'r Jonathan Aiken the present applicant for a pension was one of the party, and several others from Londonderry
Your deponant further states that after he left his fathers house, when about 21 years of age he lived as a laborer to this applicant and that during the time he was in the employ of Maj'r Aiken, he ['frequently' crossed out] heard him relate transactions which took place during the  revolution and several in which he took an active part at Ticonderoga, Bennington, & Stillwater - and particularly your deponant recollects the history Maj'r Aiken gave of the march of the party of soldiers under the command of Capt Fletcher from Townsend to Castleton, on snow shoes.
this mode of march of a party of soldiers was of such a novel character to your deponant, and the ['war' crossed out] expectation of their movement as related by this applicant made a lasting impression on the mine of this deponant which time only will efface - this deponant is 56 years of age - /s/John Cochran
Sworn to the day & date above - 
/s/Benj'n Ames Just of Peace
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East Dorset Oct 14th 1833
I hereby certify that John Cochran Esqr is a man whose character for truth & verasity is irreproachable
/s/Benjamin Ames Just Peace

State of Vermont - I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County Court for Bennington County do hereby certify that Benjamin Ames Esqr is a Magistrate within & for the County of Bennington, duly qualified by Law as such, & that his signature as appears above, I believe is genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand & affixed the Seal of Our Said Court at Manchester this 24th of October AD. 1833.
/s/Henry Robinson
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Jonathan Aiken
6,889 Declaration
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Manchester Augt 12, 1833
This may certify, that I have been personally acquainted with Naomi Anderson of this town for more than thirty years, & can bear the fullest testimony to her credibility, that I have been personally acquainted with Major Jonathan Aikin of Dorset for the last fifteen years, & acquainted with his character by information about thirty years, & do believe, that he is more than seventy years old, & that he was a soldier of the revolution, & that his affidavit in the application for a pension may be depended on as truth. 
/s/Abraham Branson, Min'r Prot. Esp. Church.
State of Vermont
Bennington ss Manchester August 12 1833 the above affidavit sworn to in due form before me - /s/John Aiken Justice of peace
State of Vermont, - To all to whom these present shall come
Greeting - 
I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County Court for Bennington County, do hereby certify that John Aiken Esqr. whose signature appears above was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace for s'd County, duly qualified by Law as such, & that his Signature I believe is genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the Seal of Our Said court at Manchester this 16th day of Augt. A.D. 1833.
/s/Henry Robinson
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State of Vermont - 
I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County Court for Bennington County, do Certify that William Benedict Esqr. whose signature appears to the foregoing Deposition is a Magistrate in & for the County of Bennington, & that his Signature I believe to be genuine - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the Seal of Our Said Court, at Bennington this 28th day of October AD. 1833 - 
/s/Henry Robinson Clerk.
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6,889.

Admitted by Comm'r 
2 years
$80. -
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[handwritten letter]

Manchester October 27, 1833

Hon James L Edwards. - 
Sir - 
Major Aiken is unable at this time to make direct proof of his having done the duty of a serjeant as stated in his amendatory declaration, [obscured by damaged paper] as the department requires "direct proof for such service and as he knows of no one in life that had a personal knowledge of the fact; it is not at all probable this point in his case will ever again be  presented. - 
He hopes however that the affidavit of John Cochran Esqr will be satisfactory to the department in relation to the three months service at Castleton. he must now rest his case with you - 
I can only add that Maj'r Aiken is an old fashioned, high minded, honorable man, and would make no statement knowingly under any circumstances, that would have the effect to defraud his country or any member of it for any purchase whatever. - 
I am respectfully your friend & humble servant
/s/Martin Roberts