Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,977, James Ambler, Conn Continental. New York.
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(3 1776)
SERVICE
Conn  
Continental
New York 
Ambler, James
NUMBER
S. 11.977
CONTENTS
carded
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Vermont 18.767
James Ambler, of Chittenden co. in the State of Vermont. who was a Private in the Compy. commanded by Captain Mead, of the Regt. commanded by Col. Waterbury in the *Conn. Ma line for 2 years.
* Continental, New York, & Conn.
Records completed June 12/05. [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars _ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of Oct 1833 and sent to N.B Haswell
Burlington VT.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '33 $200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '36 40.00
$240.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Ele Brown Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 50
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Revolutionary Claims.
STATE OF VERMONT.
Chittenden County, ss.}
ON this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared [crossed out: in open Court,] before [crossed out: the] Eli Brownson Judge of the Honorable County Court for the County of Chittenden, [crossed out: now sitting,] James Ambler a resident of Huntington in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged, Seventy 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. That I enlisted in the month of May 1775 in the State Troops of Connecticut in the company commanded by Captain Matthew Mead Regiment commanded by Colonel David Waterbury and marched from Stamford to [illegible] and then marched to New York city General Montgomery commanded the Northern forces thence we marched to Ticonderoga staid  [stayed] there 2 or 3 weeks thence to Isl. Aux Noix The Brits had the command at that place and we drove the British off and marched to St Johns General Montgomery & General Schuyler had the command and had an engagement and was about six weeks before we took the Fort. Thence to Laprairie thence to Montreal and took that place this was in November and the six months that I enlisted for was out. And I immediately enlisted again at Montreal in November for six months in the company commanded by Captain Chapman and General Wooster came and had the command and General Montgomery was at this time killed at Quebeck [Quebec] and we were called there and kept garrison there until the forepart of May 1776 Burguon'se [Burgoyne's] army landed at this time at Quebeck and we were obliged to retreat and General Sullivan had the command and we retreated to Ticonderoga my six months had expired before this but I continued in the service until the forepart of September and was in the service this time 10 months in the whole. And in the spring I should think in May 1778 I enlisted again in the New York Troops at Poundridge for six months in the company commanded by Captain David Dan and Colonel Thomas Rejiment [Regiment] and marched to White Plains and had a battle and I was on the out Picket guard and retreated to our main army and remained at White Plains until November of the same year when my six months was out and I was dismissed
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And in the month of November or December 1778 I enlisted in Captain Sackets company Regiment commanded by Colonel Graham for one year and was at Bedford State of New York when I enlisted and marched to White Plains State of New York and took tories and cow boys and went with them to Upper Salem to Delances house and remained there as a guard until November or December 1779 when my year was out and I was discharged And I immediately enlisted for four months at Stamford in the company commanded by Captain Rider and with Captain Riders consent I volunteered under Captain Lyman to go aboard of a whale boat to go onto Long Island to take Judge Jones to exchange for General Sullivan I was taken Prisoner with six other in this expedition and sent to New York and was there confined in prison for thirteen months and was exchanged for their prison at the general exchange of prisioners [prisoners]. I never received a written dis[charge] or commission
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.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid,}
James Ambler
Before Eli Brownson Assistant Judge of Chittenden County 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 Eli Brownson [crossed out: Court] further certifies that it appears to him, that Daniel Bennet who has signed the annexed certificate is a clergym[an] residents of Hinesburgh and Giles Rood Esq Huntington
who have signed the annexed certificate and who are residents of the town of Hinesburgh & Huntington are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. I hereby certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court. Attest Eli Brownson Asst Judge C C Court
Attest Eli Brownson of Chittenden} Assistant Judge of Chittenden County Court.
STATE OF VERMONT, Chittenden County, ss.}
I Nathan B Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the Hon. Eli Brownson Assistant Judge of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Ambler for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 17th day of August AD. 1832.
Nathan B Maswell
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Additional No 1
State of Vermont
Chittenden County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for Chittenden County James Ambler to me known as the same person who made his declaration before the Hon. Eli Morrison an assistant Judge of Chittenden County Court on the 17th day of August AD 1832 who being duly sworn doth make the following additional declaration that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory  he cannot swear positively into the precise dates or lengths of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades
For six months as a private in the year 1775
For ten months as a private in the year 1775& 6
For six months as a private in the year 1778
For twelve months as a private in the year 1779
For thirteen months as a private in the year 1779 & 80
making in all three years and eleven months for which I claim a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832_ It is out of my power to state more positively then in my first declaration as to my services _ I was born in Stamford Conn August 2nd AD 1755. I have no record of my age _ when I first entered the service I lived in Stamford Conn _ since the Revolution I have lived [] what part of the time in Vermont and for the last thirty two years I have lived in Huntington _ the place of my present  residence _ I never received a written discharge for my services
Sworn and subscribed this 25th day of June AD 1833 and I hereby certify that the above named James Ambler is a credible person. Before me Daniel Scofield Justice of the peace
James Ambler X
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County
I Nathan B Haswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby testify that Daniel Scofield Esq before whom the within declaration was taken was at the time thereof a Justice of Peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this State and that I believe his name subscribed to be his own proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 29th day of July AD 1833
Nathan B Maswell
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[handwritten vertically: Rev War]
11.977
INVALID.
File No. 11.977
James Ambler
Priv. Rev. war
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 8
[arrangement of 1870.]
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No. 8427
James Ambler
Admit
2 years
$80.
Nathan B Haswell
Burlington VT
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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 James Ambler which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
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?  no
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? No see quere 5
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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? yes
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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? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
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? no
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no see [illegible]
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
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, 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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3
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 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.

Quere 16
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State of Vermont 
Chittenden County } I hereby certify that the papers hereto [partially obscured by seal] from A to E. on the [obscured by seal] documents heretofore forwarded to the Pension office to substantiate the claim of James Ambler for a Pension and that since their return from the Pension Office the documents marked additional Ns 1 to 5, have been added  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Chittenden County Court this 29th day of July AD 1833 
[signed] Nathan B Maswell
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I William Hurlbert of Hinesburgh in the County of Chittenden of Lawful age depose and say I have been acquainted with James Ambler of Huntington in sd Chittenden County for a considerable length of time that he sustains the character of an honest man and that I believe him to be a man of strict truth and veracity 
Hinesburgh Nov 24th 1825 
[signed] Wm Hurlbert 

State of Vermont
Chittenden County } Hinesburgh November 24th 1825 
Personally appeared William Hurlburt the signer of the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath that same contains the truth and nothing but the truth 
Before me John M Eldridge Justice Peace 

State of Vermont 
Chittenden County } I Nathan B Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby Certify that John M. Eldridge Esqr before whom and at the time when the foregoing affidavit was taken was a Justice of the Peace, duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereto subscribed, is his own proper signature  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 29th day of July AD 1833 
[signed] Nathan B Maswell
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Stephen Bishop's
Affidavit
Case of James Ambler
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I Stephen Bishop of Greenwich in Fairfield County Connecticut Testify & say that in the month of May 1775 I enlisted into Capt. S. Browns Company in a Regt. commanded by Col. David Waterbury - That James Ambler formerly of Stamford in Connecticut was enlisted soldier in the same Regt. but in whos Company I do not remember he went with the Regt. to the Northward & after our term of inlistment had expired we both reinlisted into a Company commanded by Capt. A. Chapman at which time The Regt. was lying at Montreal from whence we marched to Quebeck & lay before that place until the 8th of May 1776 when the Regt. retreated  Said Ambler was a soldier in said Regt. for the whole of said time under two inlistments said Ambler as I believe now resides in the State of Vermont 
[signed] Stephen Bishop 
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } In Greenwich March 8th 1832 
Personally appeared Stephen Bishop signer of the foregoing affidavit by him Subscribed & made solemn oath to the truth of the same Before me 
[signed] S H Minor Jus of Peace 
I certify that the said Stephen Bishop is a credible witness 
[signed] S H Minor Jus of Peace
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Additional No 3 
State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County } ss.  I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Simeon H Minor Esquire whose own proper signatures, known to me to be genuine, are annexed to the Certificates on the other side hereof, is now & was on the 8th day of March AD 1832 & ever since has been, a Justice of the Peace for sd Fairfield County duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions &c. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 28th day of June AD 1833. 
[signed] Thomas B Osborne Clerk 
of said County Court
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David Lockwood
Elnathan Weeds Depositions
James Ambler
No 3
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State of New York, Westchester County ss.  David Lockwood of Poundridge in the County aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and saith that this Deponent knew James Ambler late a private in the Army of the United Colonies in the Revolutionary War that the said James Ambler was enlisted [text obscured by large blot] in a Company commanded by Capt ... Brown or Mathew Mead in the [Regiment commanded] by Colonel David Waterbury … the first of April in the year 1775 - … after the said enlistment the said Regiment proceeded by way of New York (from Stamford Connecticut) and embarked on board of sloops on the North River and proceeded to Albany from thence to Ticonderoga and from thence to the Isle au Noix and from thence to St Johns and was at the taking of that place in the latter part of the Campaign in the said year of 1775 – That the said Ambler was a good soldier and served faithfully the period of his enlistment which expired on or about the first of January 1776 – That this deponent then returned home. But understood that the said James Ambler again enlisted & continued with the Northern Army until they situated in May [illegible] - and further this deponent saith not.
[signed] David Lockwood 
Sworn this 17th day of October 1825 before me 
[signed] Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Westchester County
I do hereby certify that the above named David Lockwood is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to full credit
[signed] Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges in & for Westchester County.
State of New York, Westchester County ss. Elnathan Weed of Poundridge in the said County of Westchester being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he this deponent is well acquainted with David Lockwood the above named Deponent and also with James Ambler mentioned in the
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foregoing deposition of said David Lockwood - That this Deponent was enlisted, on or about the first of April 1775 in the Company of Capt Sylvanus Brown in the Regt. of said Col. David Waterbury & served during the Campaign of 1775 in the same Regiment with said James Ambler and that the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit of David Lockwood are true –
This Deponent further saith that about two or three years afterward this deponent well recollects that a Detachment from Capt Samuel Lockwoods Company & others (which was stationed in Stamford in Connecticut) was sent to Long Island for the purpose of taking Judge Jones in order to exchange for General Sullivan then a prisoner with the British Army at New York - That said James Ambler then being an enlisted soldier as this Deponent believes, volunteered & went with said detachment to Long Island, was taken Prisoner by the enemy & was a Prisoner to the British Army thirteen months in the City of New York - This Deponent further saith that the Detachment to Long Island aforesaid was commanded by Capt Samuel Lockwood and was taken from the company of Capt Reuben Scofield and others - And further this deponent not 
[signed] Elnathan Weed
Sworn this 17th day of October 1825 before me Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Westchester County 
Additional No 5
I hereby further Certify that the above [illegible] Elnathan Weed is a credible witness
[signed] Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges in & for Westchester County
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State of New-York, 
County of Westchester } ss.  I, Nehemiah S. Bates Clerk of the County of Winchester DO HEREBY CERTIFY That, Ezra Lockwood, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the Depositions or Acknowledgments of the annexed Instrument in writing and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of the said Certificate, a Judge in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized by law to take the proof and acknowledgment of Deeds, and discharges of Mortgages, &c. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Judge and verily believe that the signature of Ezra Lockwood subscribed to the said Certificate, is the proper hand-writing of the said Judge. 
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County, the eighteenth day of October 1825. 
[signed] N Bates
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James Ambler
Huntington
8427.
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State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss. We Daniel Bennett Clergyman of Hinesburgh and Giles Rood of Huntington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Ambler who has subscribed and to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven 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
[signed] Daniel Bennet  Giles Rood
Sworn to and subscribed this 17th day of August 1832 and I hereby certify that the above persons are credible witnesses, and that Daniel Bennett is a Clergyman in regular standing 
[signed] Eli Brownson Asst Judge Chittenden County Court

State of Vermont 
Chittenden County } I Nathan B Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby Certify that the Hon Eli Brownson was on the 17th day of August AD 1832 an Assistant Judge of Chittenden County Court, duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 29th day of July AD. 1833 
[signed] Nathan B Maswell