Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,393, Seth Evans, Mass. R.I. Vt.
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass. 
R.I.
Vt. 

Evans, Seth

NUMBER
R3.393
Page 2

Seth Evans 
5 mo. leycaut
20 mo. artillery
Page 3

State of Vermont
Rutland County
On this 30 day of Sept. AD 1832 personally appeared before the Probate court of the county of Rutland Seth Evans a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 73 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1777 and served in Col. Crafts Artillery. 
Regiment of the Massachusetts line under the following named officers. 

In 1777 he lived at Cambridge & in August or Sept. of that year he engaged as a substitute for one Brown whose christian name he has forgotten & served eight months in Col. Crafts Reg't of State Artillery, Capt. Todd's company, Lt. Marks.  Was stationed at Boston & served out his time; & immediately after his time was out, he enlisted for eight months more & having served out his time, was discharged at Boston the last of Dec. 1778 or 1 Jany, 1779 but received no written discharge. In Feb. 1779, he enlisted at Providence, R. Island into Col. Elliot; Reg't of Artillery for four months & served in Capt. Gladding's company, Lt. Oliver - he doesn't remember the names of the other officers - he served at Providence & Bristol & was discharged at Providence in Jun after serving out his 4 months. He then came to Vermont, & in the spring of 1780 he volunteered & served three months at Castleton & in scouting under Maj. Eben'r Allen, Capt Stark, Lt Underhill - and in the winter following he volunteered under Capt. Isaac Clark & served two & a half months at Castleton, Fort Ann & scouting along Lake Champlain - in these two last services he served as a sergeant five months. He knew Gen'ls Washington, Sullivan, Green, Col. Allen & others who names he has forgotten - but he doesn't remember so as to distinguish other troops with whose he served. He received no written discharge & has no documentary evidence, but he believes he can bring a witness to prove part of his services, but knows of no other person whose
Page 4

testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He was born at Concord, Mass 4 Jan.y 1759 - his age was recorded there & in his father's Bible. Since the revolutionary war he has lived in Manchester, Clarendon,, Rutland & Chittenden where he now lives. There is no clergyman in the neighborhood where he resides, but he is known to most of the inhabitants. 

State of Vermont
Rutland
We Richard Henry & Charles Munn, residing in Chittenden apper'd hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Seth Evans who has ... sworn to this declaration - that we believe him to be 73 years of age and that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we can […] in that opinion known & subscribed the day & year afore'd. 
R. Henry. 
Ch. Munn 

He hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State. 
Seth Evans
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
R. Mayer Reg.n.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion [...] the investigation of the matter & after setting the interrogatories subscribed by War Dept. that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solder and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Richard Henry & Charles Munn who have […] the preceding certificate are residents of Chittendon, & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Rodney C. Royce Reg.t of the court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Seth Evans for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at Rutland this 30 day of Sept. AD 1832
R. Royce Ren.t
Page 5

Seth Evans

(Syl Index)


R. Temple
Page 6

Sir; 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which our attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will when you return your papers to this Department send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A statement, shewing the service of Seth Evans Rutland Co. Vert. 

Period when the service was rendered:  sub Sept. '77
Duration of claimant's service: 0 years/8 months/0 days
Rank of the claimant: scouting(?)
Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served: Col. Craft Regt. State artillery
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered service: 73 Cambridge
Proof by which the declaration is supported: Trad.y; written up who sworn to tour LC----


Period when the service was rendered: -again - 
Duration of the claimant's service: 0 years/8 months/0 days
Rank of the claimant: " "
Names and rand of the field officers under whom he served: " "


Period when the service was rendered: .. July ' 79
Duration of the claimant's service: 0 years/4 months/ 0 days
Rank of the claimant: " "
Names and rand of the field officers under whom he served: Col. Elliot Reg. Art.y

Period when the service was rendered: Vol. Spring '80
Duration of the claimant's service: 0 years/3months/0 days

with 2 months/15 days served artillery? 

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
J.L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 7

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular
places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general
classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1
The Regular Troops.
2. ┃
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4
Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claimthis
law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Sate, Territor
County of
On this
day of
personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
with and served in the
(e) regiment of the line, under the following names officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service (and if he served under
more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of  town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
&c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 8

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected
. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
CASE.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
{To a Soldier.
en, and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
To has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court,
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will of
few in rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot he and Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
quite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of the
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For
months, andmonths
and days, served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
to the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent
ther; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h]The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must at his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pay
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which is pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes fault to her are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
In witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact
Thus answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and put to the War Department with the declaration. 
W.L. Williams Clerk
Page 9

State of Vermont
Rutland ss } On the 4th day of Sept. 1833, personally came before the undersigned authority, John Dewey of said County, aged 70, & a credible witness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say, that in 1780 he lived in Castleton near the Fort, & was frequently in the Fort & was well acquainted with many of the officers & men & among these men he knew Seth Evans, now of Chittenden, who was a sergeant in Capt Stack's company during the summer of that year - and in the winter following he was a sergeant in Capt Isaac Clark's company - & was frequently out scouting - the deponent does not know how long he served, but thinks it could not be less than five or six months. The deponent understood, & has always understood since, that said Evans had served in the artillery at Boston previous to his coming to Vermont, & he appeared to be familiar with artillery exercise from his conversation - the deponent understood he was a volunteer at Castleton sworn before me the & year afores'd 
/s/R. Temple Jus. Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland ss } On this 9th day of Sept. 1833, personally came before the undersigned authority Rufus Ross of said county, aged 74 & a credible witness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say, that in 1777 & 17787, he was in service in Boston & Dorchester and was acquainted with Seth Evans
Page 10

now of Chittenden - and he knows that said Seth Evans belonged to Col. Crafts Reg't of State Artillery, & served at Boston between one & two years, but the deponent cannot say how long - he knew him in service over a year, & he thinks said Evans served part of the time a sergeant, but cannot say how long. Afterwards they both came to Vermont, & in 1780, whilst the deponent was in service at the Fort at Bethel, he understood said Evans was in service at Castleton, but of this he has no personal knowledge. Sworn before me the day & years afores'd
/s/R Temple Jus. Peace

And on the same 9. Sept. 1833, personally came the said Seth Evans, who being duly sworn doth on his oath declare & say, in addition to an explanation of his declaration of 30. Sept. 1832, that although he did not remember the christian name of the man for whom he served as a substitute in Crafts Artillery, that he now believes it must have been the same Ebenezer Brown mentioned in the accompanying certificate of the Sec'y of State of Massachusetts - & that the deponent has probably mistaken the date of the commencement of his services, which, from said certificate, probably commenced in May instead of August 1777 - The deponent further says that he thinks he served as sergeant & corporal in said company, about two months, & the remainder of the time he did duty as a private, which he forgot to mention in his declaration. sworn before me the day & year afores'd 
/s/R Temple Jus. Peace
Page 11

State of Vermont
Rutland ss - } I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that Robert Temple before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken, is a Justice of Peace for said County, duly commissioned - and that his name thereto is in his own proper hand writing. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court at Rutland this 9. Sept. 1833
/s/R Pierpoint
Page 12

State of Vermont
Rutland ss - }
On the 5. day of March 1833, personally came before the undersigned authority, Thomas Evans, a credible witness, who being duly sworn, doth depose & say, that he is acquainted with Seth Evans & was acquainted with him during the Revolutionary war - that they are cousins - The deponent lived at Providence, & was 4 or 5 years younger than said Seth. The deponent was at Boston in the summer or fall of 1778 & saw said Seth in service in Col. Crafts Artillery, & understood & believes he had been in service there more than a year. In the following winter said Seth came to Providence & enlisted in Col. Elliott: Reg't of Artillery for 4 months, & served at Providence. Said Seth then went to Vermont & the deponent understood at the time that he was in service with the Vt. troops - & since he came to Vt. he has understood & believes s'd Seth served at Castleton & scouting 5 or 6 months - but of this he has no knowledge as the deponent did not come to Vermont until the war was over. 
Sworn before me the day & year afores'd 
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the Court of the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont do hereby certify that Robert Temple before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time a Justice of the Peace, and duly empowered to administer oaths; & that the above is his signature
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 6th day of March in the year 1833. 
/s/R. Pierpoint
Page 13

State of Vermont
Rutland ss - }
On the 5. day of March 1833, personally came before the undersigned authority, Thomas Evans, a credible witness, who being duly sworn, doth depose & say, that he is acquainted with Seth Evans & was acquainted with him during the Revolutionary war - that they are cousins - The deponent lived at Providence, & was 4 or 5 years younger than said Seth. The deponent was at Boston in the summer or fall of 1778 & saw said Seth in service in Col. Crafts Artillery, & understood & believes he had been in service there more than a year. In the following winter said Seth came to Providence & enlisted in Col. Elliott: Reg't of Artillery for 4 months, & served at Providence. Said Seth then went to Vermont & the deponent understood at the time that he was in service with the Vt. troops - & since he came to Vt. he has understood & believes s'd Seth served at Castleton & scouting 5 or 6 months - but of this he has no knowledge as the deponent did not come to Vermont until the war was over.
Sworn before me the day & year afores'd
/s/R. Temple Jus. Peace
R. Pierpoint
Page 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 9th 1833.

I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Ebenezer Brown, as Corporal, is borne om an Abstract of Capt. William Todd's Company, in Col. Crafts' Regiment, where he appears to have served from February 1, to May 8, 1777, - and is allowed three months and seven days' service.
Ebenezer Brown's name, as Sergeant, is borne also on another roll of the same Officers, where the service appears to have been from July 31 to October 1, 1777.
Ebenezer Brown's name is found also under the same Officers, where he appears to have received bounty from April 30 to December 30, 1777.
Although the above appear clearly on the several rolls as states, - they may probably all be included in the last statement, which allows nine months.

[over
Page 15

Seth Evans claims as serving in this same Company, and under the same Officers, in 1777 and 1778, as a substitute for one Brown. - On this account the above is set forth.
/s/Edward D Bangs, Secy
Page 16

['Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873' crossed out]
[initials: own]

3393.
P. O. Seth Evans
Service: [blank]
Enlisted: [blank], 18[blank]
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank]
[overwritten: REJECTED] 
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank]
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P. O. [blank]
[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18[blank]
Page 17

Revo:
Seth Evans
Vermont
Suspended act 7 June
see letter 5 Oct'r '33 To R. Temple Rutland Vt
3393
ans'd do - Apl. 24. 1834
Page 18

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM - 51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Evans, Sherebiah GRADE Private LAND Cranes Continental Artillery (Massachusetts)

WARRANT NUMBER 4103 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Feb. 27, 1790 to Theodosius Fowler - 

*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.