Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 33043, for Israel Manning, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Mass.

Manning, Israel

NUMBER
S 33043
===
CONTENTS
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[left side]
12,114 R
Massachusetts
===
Israel Manning
[of] Holden in the state of Massachusetts
who was a Private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Bigelow of the Massachusetts
line, for the term of three years
===
[In]scribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 9th of April 1818
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd of June 1818
and sent to Hon. Solomon Strong
Worcester Massachusetts
===
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819  86.89
Semi-anl. all'ce ending Sep 1819  48.00
[10] Mo. 22/30 4/31  $134.89
[ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued

[right side]
1889 Jany 28 | J Granville Leach
history Prior thro' Senator M S Quay

[written downward at right]
Notification sent Sep. 14th. 1820 to Abijah Bigelow
clk of C. C. Pleas, Worcester, Mass'ts
Page 3

Israel Manning
Holden
Private
77 to 80
Bigelow Mass'tts
Regt
Deserted 14 July
1779
[crossed out: Rejected]
Admitted on the affidavit of
Lt Joel Pratt -- see
Israel Mannings
papers
Page 4

State of Massachusetts
I Israel Manning a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Holden in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on the first day of April in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven at Worcester I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the first day of April in the year seventeen hundred and eighty as a private against the common enemy, without any interruption or absence; that I belonged to the company commanded by Captain Hodgkkins [Joseph Hodgkins] until the year 1778, when it was transferred to the famous Captain Houdin under I whom I continued to serve until 1780 -- The Regiment wa the 15th Massachusetts under the command of Col'o Tim'o Bigelow, and that I left the service on the first day of April in the year 1780. and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of sixty two years -- having had ten children my discharge was given me at West point and I lost it more than thirty years since -- and is not now in existence. -- Having been in Gen'l Glovers brigade.

And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.

[signed] Israel Manning

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me, Isaac Parker Esquire Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts

the abovenamed Israel Manning and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination duly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.

Witness my hand & the seal of said Court the day & year aforesaid

Isaac Parker CJ.SC.
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We Samuel Rowe and Increase Stearns of Holden aforesaid do hereby declare and make oath that we have for many years been acquainted with Israel Manning the within named applicant. And that we were knowing to his serving in the revolutionary army as within named -- And that we believe the facts stated in the within affidavit are true.

[signed] Samuel Row
[signed] Increase Stearns

Worcester ss. April 9. 1818. Personally appeared Samuel Row and Increase Stearns above named, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by them subscribed.

Before Isaac Goodwin Jus. Peace.
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Israel Manning
No 12117
June 1819
Not Entl'd
[signed] N W Smith [?]
Sep 1819
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.

On this tenth day of July 1820, personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, Israel Manning aged sixty four years, resident in Holden, in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: In Capt. Houdin's Company in Col Bigelows Reg't. being the 15th on the Massa. Line, from April 1st 1777 to April 1. 1780, being 3 years on the continental line. The date of my former application for a pension, was April 9th 1818, as by Certificate No

and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Israel Manning

Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July, 1820 before the said Court.

Attest, Abijah Bigelow Cler.

I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is five hundred twenty five dollars and twenty five cents.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July 1820.

Abijah Bigelow {Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.
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Schedule of the Estate of Israel Manning of Holden, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Applicant for a Pension, under the act of Congress of May 1, 1820.

Right of redemption on farm containing 70 acres ... $350.00
1 Yoke of Oxen $75- 1 Horse $30 ... 105.--
1 Waggon $14-- Old Iron 12/. ... 16.--
1 Heifer $13-- 8 Harrow teeth 12/. ... 15.--
1 Sleigh $3.-- 2 pr. traces $3.-- ... 6.--
1 Harness $7.-- 1 Collar 6/. ... 8.--
1 Plough $4,50 3 Chairs $4.50 ... 9.--
1 Wooden Clock $1.50 1 Glass, 50 Tables 6/. ... 3.--
8 Chairs 7/6 Crockery ware 7/6 Trunk 7/6 ... 3.75
Iron ware 12/. Brass 6/. Saddle & Bags 24/. ... 7.--
Andirons and Shovel & tongs ... 2.50
[total] $525.25

Israel Manning

I am a farmer, but wholly unable to labour on account of a complaint supposed to be an affection of the kidneys by gravel -- am 64 years of age. My wife Lydia Manning is 65 years of age, and on account of her advanced years is unable to do sufficient ^work to support herself. I own an equitable right to redeem the small farm where I now live, but as I am unable to labour myself, the expenses of carrying it on, are continually plunging me further into debt. The farm would probably rent for not more than $50 annually, which would be all the support myself and wife would have. This is my whole family

Israel Manning

Amount of the Schedule ... $525.25

I, Israel Manning an indebted to the following persons the sums set against their respective names, viz:

To James Estabrook Esquire ... $84.--
Samuel Daman ... 85.--
Lem Davis Esq'r ... 30.--
John Smith, Physician ... 19.--
Philip Edwards ... 8.--
Sam'l W. Hubbard ... 6.--
Chenery Abbott ... 5.--
Jervis Abbott ... 20.--
Barney Davis ... 3.--
--- Davis ... 10.--
Sol'o Parmenter ... 15.--
John Robbins Esq'r ... 25.--
Eben'r Pope ... 1.50
Calvin Maynard ... 3.--
Josiah Kendall ... 1.50
Solomon Houghton ... 7.--
Sam'l Brooks ... 4.-- 327.--
[difference] $198.25

Leaving a Balance of only one hundred ninety eight dollars and twenty five cents
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33043
Revy INVALID.
File No. 33,043
Israel Manning
Pri Rev War
Act: 18th March 1818
Index:-- Vol. 2, Page 272
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

No
Pension Claim of Widow Lucind Boutte [?]
Articles of agreement in duplicate

[vertical] nolwels nolw

[oval stamp] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE JUL 17 18[illegible]
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Israel Manning

In April 1818 he was residing in Holden, Worcester County Mass aged 62 years

He enlisted at Worcester in April 1777 under Capt Hodgkins in 15th Mass Col'o Tim'o Biglow [Bigelow]

In 1778 he was transferred to the Co of Capt Houden where he continued until April 1780 when discharged at or near West point NY

In July 1820 he was residing in Holden aged 64 years & stated that he was wholly unable to labor owing to an affection of the Kidneys by gravel -- His wife Lydia was aged 65 years no other person a member of his family

The enlistments for the regiment commenced on & after Jany 1, 1777 & when Manning engaged in April following he would not sign the papers except upon the condition that he was discharged with the others who had preceded him in Jany Viz Jany 1, 1780 which was promised by Col'o Bigelow who was present. This promise induced him to Sign the enlisting papers which specified the "term" as 3 years.

When Jany 1. 1780 was reached he was one of the 80 men who had been given the same promise as to the date when they should be discharged, made known their desire for the fulfillment of the contract, but Col'o Bigelow informed them he had no authority to discharge them until April next when the 3 years would be fully completed. The soldiers being disappointed agreed to go together to Boston Mass & present their grievance to the authorities there for advice & direction They made known to their officers their determination & publickly marched in a body from the camp at Westpoint, to a town twelve miles east of Danbury Con't where they were overtaken by a detachment of troops conducted back to Danbury where by reason of the deep snow & severity of the weather they were ordered to remain until further orders but were not confined or placed under guard or in any way treated as offending soldiers. In about 2 or 3 weeks they voluntarily returned to West Point in charge of a single Lt & out of the 80 only 6 selected to be tried & Sentenced by a Court Marshall to receive corporal punishment unless they would enlist immediately to serve during the war

Of the 6 Convicted Manning was one but owing to the peculiar Situation of his private concerns & an imperative necessity which compelled return home he elected to receive the Corporal punishment of 100 lashes & served out the remaining 3 months of his enlisting papers

In the Court Martial Col'o Bigelow testified to the agreement as herein stated & had himself no doubt at the time that the enlistment would have terminated by or before Jany 1, 1780

Lt Joel Pratt of Sterling Mass who was on the recruiting service for the
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I Joel Pratt of Sterling in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, do testify and say that I was a Lieutenant in the army of the Revolution on the continental establishment in Capt. David Barnes' company in the 15th Massachusetts regiment under Col. Bigelow, that in the spring of the year 1777 I was on the recruiting service for said regiment and enlisted several soldiers for the three years service, which would expire Jan 1. 1780.

-- That it was the understanding of both officers and soldiers that the term of service would expire on the first of January 1780 as well for those who enlisted in the spring of 1777, as for those who enlisted in January of that year. And assurances were given them by me and the other enlisting officers, that their terms would expire together. -- Which assurances were afterwards confirmed by Col. Bigelow. -- About the last of December 1779, many of said soldiers applied for discharges but were refused on the ground that their terms would not expire until three years were fully completed. Accordingly a considerable number of them I think about eighty, on the morning of January first 1780, left the Camp in a body and marched 40 or 50 miles to Danbury, Connecticut.

To which place I went after them about a fortnight afterwards, in pursuance of orders, and marched them back into camp. They came voluntarily and without any guard under me. They were
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tried by a Court martial, and some of them punished, afterwards they returned to their duty and completed their terms, and received honourable discharges, excepting the disobedience of orders aforenamed. -- Ever since that time I have been acquainted with Israel Manning of Holden in this County, one of said soldiers, and who has made application for a pension under the late act of Congress. Said Manning has ever since that time sustained the reputation of an honest and industrious citizen, and has borne several military commissions under the Government of this State, and has received honourable discharges, and by reason of age and misfortune his circumstances in life are now so reduced as to need the aid of his country for support.

Joel Pratt.

Worcester November 12th 1818.

Personally appeared Joel Pratt, the fore named deponent and made oath to the truth of this affidavit. And I certify that the said Pratt is well known to me as a man of Credit and veracity.

Isaac Goodwin, Jus. of peace.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, ss.

I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for said County of Worcester, certify, that Isaac Goodwin Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit has been made, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified for the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper signature.

IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County seal, this ninth day of December, A. D. 1818.

[signed] Abijah Bigelow, Cler.

Application of Israel Manning
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Israel Manning

In April 1818 he was residing in Holden, Worcester County Mass aged 62 years

He enlisted at Worcester in April 1777 under Capt Hodgkins in 15th Mass Col'o Tim'o Biglow [Timothy Bigelow]

In 1778 he was transferred to the Co of Capt Houdin where he continued until April 1780 when discharged at or near West point NY

In July 1820 he was residing in Holden aged 64 years & stated that he was wholly unable to labor owing to an affection of the Kidneys by gravel -- His wife Lydia was aged 65 years no other person a member of his family

The enlistments for the regiment commenced on & after Jany 1, 1777 & when Manning engaged in April following he would not sign the papers except upon the condition that he was discharged with the others who had preceded him in Jany Viz Jany 1, 1780 which was promised by Col'o Bigelow who was present. This promise induced him to Sign the enlisting papers which specified the "term" as 3 years.

When Jany 1. 1780 was reached he was one of the 80 men who had been given the same promise as to the date when they should be discharged, made known their desire for the fulfillment of the contract, but Col'o Bigelow informed them he had no authority to discharge them until April next when the 3 years would be fully completed. The soldiers being disappointed agreed to go together to Boston Mass & present their grievance to the authorities there for advice & direction They made known to their officers their determination & publickly marched in a body from the camp at Westpoint, to a town twelve miles east of Danbury Con't where they were overtaken by a detachment of troops conducted back to Danbury where by reason of the deep snow & severity of the weather they were ordered to remain until further orders but were not confined or placed under guard or in any way treated as offending soldiers. In about 2 or 3 weeks they voluntarily returned to West Point in charge of a single Lt & out of the 80 only 6 selected to be tried & Sentenced by a Court Marshall to receive corporal punishment unless they would enlist immediately to serve during the war

Of the 6 Convicted Manning was one but owing to the peculiar Situation of his private concerns & an imperative necessity which compelled return home he elected to receive the Corporal punishment of 100 lashes & served out the remaining 3 months of his enlisting papers

In the Court Martial Col'o Bigelow testified to the agreement as herein stated & had himself no doubt at the time that the enlistment would have terminated by or before Jany 1, 1780

Lt Joel Pratt of Sterling Mass who was on the recruiting service for the
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Reg't, & enlisted men with same understanding that those who enlisted in Jany & those who enlisted in the Spring of 1780 should be discharged Jany 1, 1780.

[written upward]
No
Pension Claim of Widow Lucind Boutte [?]
Articles of agreement in duplicate

[horizontal] nolwels nolw

[oval stamp] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE JUL 17 18[illegible]
Page 17

To the Honourable John C. Calhoun Secretary at War, the Memorial of Israel Manning of Holden in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, late a soldier in the war of the Revolution respectfully represents,

That on the first day of April AD 1777 [lined out: said Manning] he was duly enlisted at Worcester in said County by one Lieutenant Ephraim Sawyer to serve for the term of three years and joined the fifteenth Massachusetts regiment commanded by Colonel Timothy Bigelow, in which I did duty as a faithful soldier, & non Commissioned officer, without interruption or absence, except on furlough for short periods, until the first day of January AD 1780, when I with about 80 others then belonging to the army, stationed in and about West Point, in the State of New York, having made unsuccessful applications for our discharges, (after having made known our intention to our officers) marched in a body from the camp with a view to return to Massachusetts, where we belonged, and proceeded on our way till we reached a place about twelve miles east of Danbury in Connecticut, where we were overtaken by a detachment of troops & conducted back to Danbury, & by reason of a deep snow & the extreme severity of the weather, were ordered to remain there until further orders, but were not confined or placed under guard or treated in any manner different from unoffending soldiers. We remained at Danbury about two or three weeks, when according to my recollection, the whole number returned ^voluntarily to West Point, conducted by a single Lieutenant. After our arrival at West Point a court martial was ordered and six [underlined] out of the eighty were tried & sentenced to receive corporal punishment unless they would enlist immediately to serve during the war. I was one of this number, and owing to the peculiar situation of my private concerns & an imperative necessity, which required my return home, I was compelled to submit to the ignominious punishment of being publicly whipped one hundred lashes -- After receiving which I faithfully served until the first ^day of April AD 1780 when the three years from the time of my enlistment terminated, and I was regularly discharged.

It now remains for me to account for the manner of my leaving the army, & to remove the disgraceful imputation attempted to be stamped upon my character by recording me as a deserter [underlined]. When I was enlisted by the above mentioned Lieutenant Sawyer, I declined entering the service, unless my time should expire as soon as ^that of those, who enlisted on the first of January 1777, and was then promised by ^Col. Bigelow who was present that if I would enter, it should so terminate. I was thus induced to put my name to articles of enlistment. All the others above mentioned said a similar promise had been made to them
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In consequence of this promise we, a little previous to the first of Jany 1780 made known our desire of being then discharged in conformity with the contract made at the time of our enlistment, but were then informed by Col. Bigelow that he had no power or authority to discharge us until the first day of April then next ensuing, when three years would be fully completed. --  Being much disappointed at the failure of success & at this noncompliance with a positive & unequivocal engagement on the part of Col. Bigelow, we determined to seek redress from the government of Massachusetts and left the Camp at the time already mentioned, with a view to proceed immediately to Boston, & then spread our case before the state government & act in pursuance of such advice & directions, as we should there receive, but we did not reach Massachusetts as has already been set forth -- When we were tried before the Court Martial already alluded to, Col. Bigelow was called on to testify as to the agreement above mentioned, & readily confessed that he had made the contract by virtue of which we claimed to be discharged, but said he that himself secured in so doing, as he had no doubt at the time of the enlistment, that the war would have terminated before Jany 1780 -- under these circumstances & for these reasons & none others I left the Camp as has already been mentioned openly, publicly & peacably, & that I had a right so to do as it was in exact conformity with the contract I had made.

For this offence, if it can be called in offence, I was sentenced to receive & did receive an hundred lashes & faithfully served the residue of the three years, and was regularly discharged, but have lost my discharge some years since. And I here solemnly declare that the foregoing state of facts contain the truth & nothing but the truth & that this is the only desertion [underlined] of which I have ever been guilty -- I shall only add that I have performed much arduous and hard service for my Country, that I am now about sixty three years of age, & so poor that I am obliged to labor hard early and late to procure a support for my self and family, & if my application for a pension (which has been once rejected) should now be successful it will add much to the comfort & happiness of the few remaining days I have to live.
Page 19

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Manning, James
GRADE Fifer
LINE Cranes Continental Artillery (Massachusetts)

WARRANT NUMBER 4728
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Jan. 26, 1790 to John May --

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