Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3964, for Abel Spalding, Vermont
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SERVICE  Vt.
Spalding, Abel 
NUMBER S. 3964 
CONTENTS
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No 7.711. Ohio Abel Spalding Delaware Co in the State of Ohio to was a private in the Company commanded Captain Nelson of the Regt commanded Eanas the Conn.t M.  time for 7 months from . 
Vt Line. Records corrected Mar.17 '04
 Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio the rate of 23. Dollars 33 - Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of March 1833 and sent to Thomas Reynolds Clk of Delaware Co. AO.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $46.66. Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep " 17.67// $64.33 Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by F. S. Evans-Clerk 
Book E  Vol. 8  Page 24.
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Paid at the TREASURY UNDER ACT OF APRIL 6TH 1838 FROM 4TH MARCH 1839 TO 4TH MARCH 1840 AGENT NOTIFIED APRIL 20TH 1842
 Dead 
Letter to Parnell t& Buckey to Pension Act 20. October 45 W P Reid Aug 3 1853
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20126 Abel Spalding Ohio Admitted for 7. months from 1781 $23.33./c.
Th Reynolds Clk Delaware Co Ohio
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BRIEF in the case of Abel Spalding County of Delaware in the State of Ohio (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? 69 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. Period. "enlisting" in1781 |  Duration of Service. Years, Months, 7 Days. | Rank. As a Private |Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen. Capt Nelson, Col Eanos  5. In what battles was he engaged? None 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cornith Connecticut NH  7. Is  his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary 8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No clergyman 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above - Charles Forrest - Examining Clerk.
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Abel Spalding Application for Pension 20126
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 The State of Ohio Delaware County SS ⎬ Be it remembered that on the twentieth day of November in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Delaware and state of Ohio, now in session Abel Spalding a resident of Marlborough Township in the said County, aged sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his said oath, make the follow declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 I the said Abel Spalding upon my said oath state that I entered into the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as  herein state, to wit: - I was born in December 28th 1764, at New Ipswich in New Hampshire, Resided during the revolution at Cornish on the Connecticut river  20 miles south of Dartmouth College. Vermont then claimed jurisdiction of that part of the County for two tiers of towns east of the Connecticut river. In  the spring of the year 1781. I enlisted into a company of Vermont Troops for seven months served under Capt. Charles Nelson Lieuts  David Currier and Gershom York. Col. Benjamin Weight, and under the command of Genl. Roger Eanos. The troops were raised to defend the north part of the County from the attacks of the  indians & tories from Canada, soon after the burning of Royalton by them. We were marched to Corinth on Wells river a branch of the Connecticut, about 60 miles to the north of Cornish. Our head quarters were there during the whole of my tour. The indians & tories were continually hovering around upkeeping us in a state of alarm, and occasionally either killing or taking and carring off our scouts & spies.  There were 2 or 3 companies of troops stationed at Corinth
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that summer. Capt. Nelson and Seley's Companies were stationed there the whole summer. The residue of the Regt were stationed at other places along the Vermont frontier. There were two stations to the south of us, one at Pittsford and another at Bethel, and another to the north of us at Peacham After serving my tour of seven months I was discharged at Corinth and returned home. I was paid off for my services in Vermont Bank Paper money which was then worth almost nothing.
 I removed into Vermont about 1797 and resided in Washington County untill 1819 when I removed to the State of Ohio and settled in Delaware County where I now reside. I have no documentary evidence, and know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my services. I hereby relinquish all claims whatever to any pension or annuity except present, and declare that my name is not on pension roll of the agency of any state.  Sworn & subscribed to the day & year aforesaid Abel Spalding We Ebenezer H Wood of Marlborough Township, & Solomon Aldrick of Delaware Township of said County - and residing in the neighbourhood of the above named Abel Spalding  hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the said Abel Spalding who has Signed and sworn to the above declaration that we belive him to be sixty 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. Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Ebenezer H Wood Solomon Aldrich
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And the said Court do declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogetories prescribed by the war department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Ebenezer H Wood and Soloman Aldridge who have signed and sworn to the foregoing certificate, are residents in the County and in the neighbourhood of the applicant, and are creditable persons, and that their certificate is entitled to credit.
 I Thomas Reynolds Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Abel Shalding for a pension.
 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of Nov. A.D. 1832 T. Reynolds Clerk
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WCS Rev. & 1812 War Section September 20, 1928 Alice Moore 671 Beach St. Revere, Mass. Madam:  I advise you that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3964, that Abel Spalding was born December 28, 1764, in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. He enlisted at Corinth, Vermont, in the spring of 1781, and served seven months as a private in Captain Charles Nelson's Company in Colonel Benjamin Wait's Vermont Regiment. He moved from Washington County, Vermont, to Delaware County, Ohio, in 1819. He was allowed pension on his application executed November 20, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Marlborough Township, Delaware County, Ohio. He died June 16, 1845. Reference was made to his children in 1845 but the only name given was that of Micah Spalding and the name of his wife was not given. Respectfully, E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner
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In reply to your request of __, received___for a statement of the military history of  Abel Spalding a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension  on file in this Bureau. S.F. 3964, Abel Spalding DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Spr. 1781. |LENGTH OF SERVICE. 7 mos. |RANK. Pvt | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. Charles Nelson COLONEL. Benjamin Wait | STATE. Vt. 
Battles engaged in, [check mark] Residence of soldier at enlistment, at Cornish Vt  Date of application for pension, Nov. 20 1832. His claim was allowed.  Residence at date of application, Delaware Co. Ohio - Marlborough Twp.  Age at date of application,68  born Dec 28. 1764 at New Ipswich, NH. (d. June 16, 1845) Remarks: Children living in 1845, Micah only name stated.  Very respectfully, Commissioner.  6 -- 2856
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Rev War 3964 INVALID.  File No. 3964   Abel Spalding  Pro. Ct. M.   Act: June 7 1832 Index: - Vol. A, Page 353 [Arrangement of 1870.] Vermont Line. Records corrected May 17 '04 ?
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Feb. 26/  Mil. Hist to J.K. P. Thompson, Rock Rapid's  Ja,O etc
 1913 Sept 11-Hist. to Mrs Louise S Schrote M.. B.H.
1914 Jan 27. Hist to Frank B. Willis M.C. (see letters in Azariah Root, S. 17639) aw
 1928 Sept.. 20 Mill His st  to Alice Moore, MCS
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671 Beach Street Revere, Mass Nov. 12, 1927 Adjutant General War Department Washington D.C. Please send me a certificate of the Revolutionary service of Abel Spalding of the Vermont militia placed on the roll of Revolutionary pensioner Mar. 22, 1833 age 70, residence. Delaware Co. Ohio.  Rolls of Revolutionary Pensioners by the Census of 1840 Abel Spalding of Norton Ohio age 75. I am a descendent of Abel Spalding and wish to have this certificate in order to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. Yours truly,  Alice Moore [rectangular stamp: RECEIVED   NOV   14 1927 OLD RECORDS DIVN.  Received A.G. Nov 14 1927
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[Letterhead:  O.P.MILLER. J.K. P. THOMPSON. M. A. COX Cashier. FRED B. PARKER, Asst Cashier. CONNECTIONS PIPESTONE COUNTY BANK PIPESTONE, MINN  STATE BANK OF JASPER JASPER, MINN. DOON SAVINGS BANK, DOO, IOWA STATE BANK OF SLAYTON SLAYTON, MINN.  LYON COUNTY BANK MILLER & THOMPSON
CAPITAL $100,000.00 ] Rock Rapids, Iowa 1-30-95  DICTATED BY T.
To the Honorable Com'r of Pensions, Washington D.C.  CMN
Dear Sir -- My grand-father, Abel Spaulding, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and I am advised that he was drawing a pension at his decease in 44 or '45, I am desirous of ascertaining to what command he belonged. Would you kindly have the records examined and advise me, giving me his Company, Regiment, etc. I am sorry to trouble you on a personal matter of this kind, but it is the only way I now have of ascertaining the facts. By so doing you will confer a favor on your 
Obedient Servant, J. K. P. Thompson
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[round stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE. FEB 2 1895]
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Box 804
Windsor, Vermont
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.,

Dear Sir:
I am a direct descendant
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fact, to be used in making application for my membership to the Daughters of the  American Revolution Thanking you for your kindness
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I am  Yours very sincerely Louise Spalding Schrote September 4, 1913
[round stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE. SEP 5 1913]
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 May 17/53 Enquiry Heirs of Abel Spalding   ?Revy   W. P. Reid Delaware Ohio  
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C. [round stamp: DELAWARE OH MAY12]
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT Second Comptroller's Office  April 4. 1842. 
Sir: Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, Abel Spalding, - Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1839. to the 4th March 1840 Respectfully, yours, Albion K. Parris Comptroller. To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
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Delaware O May 10th 1833 
To Commissioner of Pensions Sir The heirs of Abel Spalding, who was a pension residing at Norton Delaware County Ohio, desire to make an application for the allowance of an increase of the Pension of the said Abel Spelding from its commencement during it continuance and wish the Department to inform them what proof is necessary to furnish in order to obtain said increase - said Spalding, deceased June 16, 1845 
Will the Department furnish the necessary form of application  &- -?-address the undersigns at Delaware, O. Very Respectfully Mr T. Reid 
Will the Department forward to the undersigned a copy of the Pension Laws & rules too - Reid
none in Office.  W.R.UL.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abel Spalding which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, 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? 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 amout of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No 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 at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 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? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories  prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,  if not, which of them is not so answered? 2,6,7.
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 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.
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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 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 certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Oct 20. '45  Mr Evan  20 
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
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Delaware, 14. October 1845  Sir. Inclosed we forward the Original Pension certificate of Abel Spalding, together with the affidavit and Power of Atty of Micah Spalding & others, his children and heirs at law, for the purpose of receiving the amount of Pension due the Pensioner at the time of his decease. Very Res your humble Servts. Powell & Buck Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City.