Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12216, Elias Birchard, Conn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn. 

Birchard, Elias

NUMBER
S. 12216

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

(left side written vertically)
date of death not in az

(right side)
14863
New York
Elias Birchard of Canandigua in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Dona of the Regt. commanded by Col _______ in the Connecticut line for 1 year.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 49 dollars ---- cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of July 1833 and sent T Beals Canandaigua N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33   $80.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep '33   20
$

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 46
Page 3

[handwritten]

State of New York
Ontario County ss:

On this twenty eighth day of August 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before the Judges of the
County Court now setting, Elias Birchard a
resident of the Town of Canandaigua in the
County and State aforesaid, aged sixty seven 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 act of Congress
passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under
the following named Officers and served as herein stated
1st. At Mansfield in Windham County and State of
Connecticut on the 1st March 1781 he enlisted
for one year in Captain Dennies or Duna's Company
in General Waterberrys Brigade, first under the
command of Major Shipman and afterwards Major
Humphrey and was marched to New Haven and
then to Stamford and was there about two months
and then to White Plains was on duty there and
at New Rochelle. Had a Skirmish at Frogs Point
After the main army was moved to the South returned
to Stamford and done duty there until 1st March
1782 when he was discharged and went home to
Mansfield and after the peace left Mansfield
and lived at Norwich one year and moved to
Cortland on the Susquehannah and from thence
to Canandaigua where he now resides and has
resided for thirty years past.
was born in Mansfield 27th September 1765.
Has no record of his age Has no documentary
evidence knows William Cheney and served in
the same Company with him, also, Harris Andrews Know him well and are
his neighbors. He 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.
[signed] Elias Birchard

Sworn and subscribed to the
day & year aforesaid in open Court.
Page 4

[handwritten]
We William Cheney & Harris Andrews both
residing in the Town of Canandaigua in the County
and State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Elias Birchard who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him
to be sixty seven years of age that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolution & that they concur in
that opinion and the said William Cheeney further
certifies that he was with the said Elias Burchard
in the war of the Revolution
Subscribed and sworn the
day & year aforesaid
in open Court
[signed] William Cheeney
[signed] Harris Andrews

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 William Cheeney and Harris
Andrews, who have signed the preceding certificate,
both reside in the town of Canandaigua, are credible
persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Charles Crane, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Elias Birchard for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office, this first day of September A.D. 1832.
[signed] Charles Crane
Page 5

[handwritten]

No. 9185
Elias BIrchard

Admd

11.12.17

Thos. Beals
Canandaigua N.Y.
Page 6

[typed form completed in handwriting]

Brief in the case of Elias Birchard of Canandaigua in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in open court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? Sixty Seven

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
 Period/Duration of Service (years, Months, Days)/Rank. As a/Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.

In 1781/1 [year]/Private/Gen. Waterberrys Brigade

5. In what battles was he engaged? none named.

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Mansfield - Connecticut

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary and living evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are correct in form and authentication. The testimony of a Clergyman is not adduced.

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

[no signature]
Examining Clerk.
Page 7

[handwritten]

admd.
12 mo pre
40$
Page 8

[handwritten]
State of New York 
Ontario County SS

In the matter of Elias Burchards'-
application for a pension
Personally appeared before me the undersigned
a justice of the in and for said County Elias Burchard
who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith
that when he made his declaration before the County Court
on the 25 August 1832, for a pension, under the act 7 June
1832, he supposed he had complied with the rule of the
War Department. He is now required to answer the 7 interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, and
state the reason why he did not procure the support of a
Clergyman to his said declaration - The 1st 2d 3d 4th 6th and 7th interrogatories he has answered in his original
declaration-- To the 5th Interrogatory he now says that
Major Shipman and Major Humphrey were in
their corps, and commanded, but he is unable to give the names of any other continental officers, and there were no other continental or militia Regiments on the same
station with them-- He served in all no less
than one year, for which he claims a pension
[signed] Elias Birchard

Sworn to and subscribed
this 5th day of March 1833 before me
[signed] Henry Chapin J.P.
Page 9

State of New York Ontario County ss
In the matter of Elias Burchards application for a pension
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said County, William Cheney, aged 67 years, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that on the 1 March 1781 at Ackford in the
State of Connecticut he enlisted for one year in Captain Dennie's Company, in General Waterbury Brigade-
That immediately after this, he became acquainted with Elias Burchard, in the same company, and that he knew him well, and saw him almost every day - That they were discharged at the same time at Stamford, and they then separated, and he has not seen the said Elias Burchard since, until about
1st August last part, when he saw him at Canandaigua
Sworn to and subscribed this 5 day of March 1833 before me
William Cheney
Henry Chapin JP
I certify that the above named William Cheney
is a credible person-
Henry Chapin J.P
State of New-York,
Ontario County SS. I Charles Crane, Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Henry Chapin, whose name is subscribed to the several certificates upon this sheet written, was, at the dates thereof, a Justice of the peace in and for said County; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and
verily believe the said signatures to be his proper act and deed 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twelfth day of March A.D. 1833
Charles Crane
Page 10

[typed]

February 17, 1936

Elias Birchard-S.12216
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. James Crawford
Port Gibson
New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you
request information relative Elias Birchard, soldier of the Revolutionary War from Connecticut.

The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, S. 12216, based upon the service of Elias Birchard in the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only Elias Birchard or Burchard found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Elias Birchard was born September 27, 1765 in
Mansfield, Windham County, Connecticut, names of his parents not stated.

While residing in Mansfield, Connecticut, he
enlisted March 1, 1781, served as a private in Captain Dana's Company commanded first by Major Shipman and afterward by Major Humphrey, in the Connecticut troops in General Waterbury's Brigade, was in a skirmish at Frogs Point and was discharged March
1, 1782.

After the Revolution Elias Birchard left Mansfield and lived in Norwich one year, then moved to Cortland on the Susquehanna, and from there moved to Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York. He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, then living in Canandaigua, where he had lived about thirty years.

The papers in this claim contain no data con-
Page 11

[typed]
cerning the family of Elias Birchard.
If you desire information in regard to the last
payment of pension, name and address of person paid,
and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you
should apply to The Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C.,
and cite the following:
Elias Birchard
Certificate #14863
Issued July 23, 1833
Rate $20.00 per annum
Act of June 7, 1832
To commence March 4, 1831
New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 12

[printed form completed in handwriting]
[left page]
12216
INVALID.  
Rev War
File No. 12, 216
Elias Birchard
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. A, Page 33
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right page]
Feby - 9 - 1900
History to Miss
Clara A. Campbell 
Jamestown N Y

1929- Nov. 5 Hist to Dr
U.C. Liefert, M.E.E.

1936 - Feb. 17 hist. to Mrs James Crawford
Page 13

[printed with some questions answered in handwriting] Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elias Burchard 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 amount 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?
Page 14

[printed & questions answered in handwriting]
2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a 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 on living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

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? Not all

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
**Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, & c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposits and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ______________ year ____________ months, and ______________ days, I served as a ________________ For _______________ months and _______________ days, I served as a _______________; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 15

[printed]
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. 
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.
Page 16

[handwritten]
9185
Elias Birchard



Thomas Beals
Agent 
Canandaigua
Page 17

Port Gibson N. Y.
Box 97 Feb. 6, 1936
Rev. War Dept of Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen

Will you please advise if Elias Buchard, Born in
Franklin Conn. 1729- fought at Bunker Hill in Huntington Regiment in 1776 ever have a
pension.
It might be spelled Burslard or Buchard
Mrs James Crawford
Page 18

DR. W. C. LIEFERT
774 THIRD STREET
MILWAUKKE, WIS.
September 5, 1929.

Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.

Re: Elias Birchard
Gentlemen:
Information is respectfully requested regarding the records available in the case of the above named veteran of the Revolutionary War. The records which I have would indicate that this veteran was on the pension roll of Ontario County, New York, and that he saw one year of service during the Revolutionary War as a private of the Connecticut line. He was born in Mansfield County, Connecticut, in 1763 and died at Canandaigua, New York,
in 1840. His wife's maiden name was Betsy Moore. The date of her marriage to the above named veteran and the date of her death is respectfully requested if same is available from your records.
The above information is requested for the purpose of establishing eligibility of my wife, Mrs. Helen C. Liefert, to membership in the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
Yours very truly,
W C. Liefert, M. D.
Page 19

Law Offices of Stevens & Peterson,
22 East Second Street, Jamestown, N. Y.
FRANK W. STEVENS.
FREDERICK R. PETERSON.

January 25, 1900.
Pension Dept.,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: --

Will you kindly send me by return mail, if possible, a certified statement as to the date of the death of one Elias Birchard, a Revolutionary soldier who enlisted from 
Mansfield, Windham Co., Conn., March 1st, 1781. Will you also incorporate in such statement the capacity in which he served, whether as private or officer, and if an officer
what official title he bore, also the name of his wife if such can be ascertained from the records. I am a lineal descendent of said Elias Birchard and desire this statement in order to complete my papers to join the D. A. R.
Thanking you for the courtesy of an early reply, I am,
Very respectfully,
Clara A. Campbell
109 East Second St.,
Jamestown, N. Y.
Page 20

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
MEE H

November 5, 1929.
Dr. W. C. Liefert
774 Third Street
Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Dear Sir:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12216, it appears that Elias Birchard was born September 27, 1765, in Mansfield, Windham County, Connecticut.
While residing in said Mansfield, he enlisted March 1, 1781, served as a private in Captain Dana's Company commanded first by Major
Shipman and afterward by Major Humphry, General Waterbury's Brigade Connecticut Troops, was in a skirmish at Frogs Point, and was discharged March 1, 1782.
After the Revolution he left Mansfield and lived at Norwich one year then moved to Cortland on the Susquehannah, and from there to Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, where he had resided for thirty years when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832.
There are no data concerning his family.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH
 Comissioner
Death not on Agency Book