Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 977, Aaron Boardman, Mass.
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Mass. Boardman, Aaron R.977
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of Vermont  
Windham County 

Probate District of Westminster on this Day of 11th day of July 1837 Personally approved in open court of Probate for the District of Westminster now sitting Aron Boardman a resident of Londonderry in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, aged Eighty years, this 27th Day of February past 1837 who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of this act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 (viz)

that I enlisted a volunteer in a company of rangers commanded by Capt. Newell and entered the service of the United States in the Massachusetts line of State troops in month of April 1775 in Chelsea in the County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts and marched to Winterhill and on the 19th of April was in the Battle of Lexington. we were stationed a considerable time at Winnisimmet Ferry but for the most part was on the move watching the motions of the enemy.  I was there  three months after Gen. Hasting came and took the command which I think was in the forefront of July and we were discharged from the service the forefront of October 1775.

I again enlisted a volunteer with Captain Deberik and entered the service of the United States in the Massachusetts line of state troops in the month of October in the year 1777 in Chelsea in the County of Suffolk and State aforesaid and marched with and under Capt Deberick to Prospect Hill and Winterfield where we were stationed to guard the British Prisoners that were captured at the Battle of Saratoga and remained there till the month of April 1778. Having served ten months (meaning ten months in the whole of both terms) and that I have no documentary evidence and that I know of no person whose testimony I can procure who
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can testify to my service except that of Samuel Hall whose testimony is to be transmitted.  I hereby relinquish my every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State.

The following Interrogatories were then propounded to the applicant, to wit:

First - where and in what year were you born?   Answer by the applicant:  was born in Chelsea Massachusetts on the 27th day of February 1757

2nd - Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?  Answer by the same: it is on the records of Chelsea

3d - where were you living when called into service? where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
and where do you now live?   Answer:  lived at Chelsea when called into service; lived since the Revolution in Reading Hillsbourough, Hanktown, and now  in Londonderry

4th - How were you called into service?  were you drafted?  did you volunteer or were you a substitute
and if a substitute for whom?   Answer: by voluntary enlistment

5th - State some of the names of the regular officers that were with the Troops where you served such
Continental and Militia regiments as you can Recollect and the general circumstances of your service?  Answer:  Capt Newhall, Gen Putnam, and Genl Washington and in the second Service Capt Debrick and Col Griffith
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6th - Did you ever receive a Discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Answer - do not recollect of ever having written Discharge.

7th - State the Name 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 service as soldier of the revolution?

Answer - Rev. Sam Pierce and Rodney Spaulding

8th - Note that after then months the material records interlined "meaning ten months in the whole of both terms". Ten months being all  the applicant claims for.

Aaron Boardman (his mark)

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Before 
David L. Putnam Judge 

We Sam Pierce a clergyman residing in said town of Londonderry and Rodney Spaulding residing in said Londonderry hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aaron Boardman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty 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.
Sam Pierce
Rodney Spaulding

Sworn and subscribed 
the day and year aforesaid
Before me David L. Putnam Judge

And the said Court do hereby declare the 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 the Court that Sam Pierce who has singed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said Londonderry and that that said Rodney Spaulding who has also signed the same is a resident in said Londonderry and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
David L. Putnam Judge
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I James Crawford clerk and register of the Court of Probate for the District of Westminster in the State of Vermont do hereby certify that the within and foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Aaron Boardman for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of July Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred thirty seven

James Crawford Clerk and Register 




Note the Probate Court by the laws of this State is open at all times, so that the word "now sitting' according to the prescribed form is not deemed improper tho it not be a regular session

D.L. Putnam


32.471

Aaron Boardman
Vt.
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Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
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Manchester March 6th 1835

To the Honorable J.L. Edwards Commissioner

Honored Sir, Enclosed I transmit to you the Certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, to show the services of Aaron Boardman, during the Revolutionary War, together with his original Pension Declaration, returned -  It will be perceived by the above Certificate that there is some discrepancy between that, and the statement in his Declaration in several particulars, which may be thought necessary to be explained, by a supplementary Declaration - In the first place, Mr. Boardman states, that he belonged in the time of his service in 1775, to Capt. Stowers Company etc. The Certificate shows a ? for service of one month, in Capt. Sprague's Company and there appears also a difference of about two week in the time etc.  The facts, as I understand the, were, that on the day of Lexington Battle he turned out,  and served in the Company of Capt. Sprague - which service is not stated or attested to his Declaration - that about or near a week after that time, he was detached on this service, as stated in his Declaration, to guard at Winnisimmet Ferry; and as he supposed in the Company, or under the general command of Capt. Stowers, to whose Company of Militia he belonged - but that there were but five men on the guard, and they chose their own Capt. - Besides, there had been a long lapse of time since, and Mr. Boardman has become very aged and infirm, and some particulars may have escaped this recollection - and as to the length of time, it is not very probable that, from the nature of the service it should have been fully reported, if reported at all - and it is also very probably, from the circumstances stated by Mr. Boardman as well as from the facts itself, which he would not be likely to forget, if he remembered anything about it that he was correct
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and particularly, that it was but a short time previous to Bunker Hill when he was discharged  - and that he turned out on the day of Lexington Battle, and continued to serve from that time, he could not be mistaken and besides, he is thus credited in the returns etc.
And as to the second term of service, there appears also to be a difference of a few days in the two statements which, aside from the circumstance, that from this manner of the service (being by enlistment) it is most probable, that it was for full or even months, I think it may be accounted for from the facts, which I believe, so far as I have been informed or understood, that in the Army, time was allowed upon the Rolls, only from the day the Person was mustered, which sometimes happened, as I am told, some days, and even weeks, after the time of enlistment, and the actual performance of duty - And I am  informed by the Grandson of Mr. B (tho I have not seen him since the ? of the Certificate) that his Grandfather stated, that he was not mustered under a number of days after he was  on the Hill - as he expressed and that probably was the case, and the reason why the returns show a deficit in the amount of service actually performed - But the whole is respectfully submitted to your consideration.

With due respect, I am Honorable Sir,
Your most obedient servant,

James Swift

P.S. I shall doubtless have your excuse, if I call your attention to the Case of old Mr. Hewett - he has now removed to a considerable distance from me and he has become so age, and withal so ? and infirm that he is unable to visit me - he has sent this day a man to inquire about his Pension, which, if he is entitled to, he is greatly in need of, he is not only poor, but afflicted with much sickness and infirmity, and unable by any manual labor to earn his subsistence, or even to contribute anything towards it - If any statement under his signature should  be assigned, be so good as to inform me - Respectfully etc.
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State of Vermont

Bennington County, ss.

BE IT KNOWN, That on this 29th day of December 1852, before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared James Boardman, a resident of Bennington, in said County, and made oath according to law, that he is an heir of Aaron Baordman, who was a Soldier of the Revolution, and for whom an application has been heretofore made for a pension.
that he is directly interested as aforesaid, as a claimant, and makes this affidavit for the purpose of obtaining such amount of pension as may be due under any of the laws, regulations, or decisions that have been or may hereafter be adopted. The said affidavit further declares that he hereby constitutes and appoints Henry Robinson of Bennington to be his Attorney and Agent to prosecute said claim, with power of substitution, to examine all papers and documents in relation to it, and to do all things necessary and lawful in the premises, except drawing the money, which will be hereafter provided for.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me.

James Boardman

Henry Kellogg, Justice of the Peace

I further certify that James Boardman above named is a respectable resident of this County, and is, as I believe, directly interested in said claim, and acknowledge the above power of Attorney to be his act and deed.

Henry Kellogg 
Justice of the Peace

 State of Vermont
County Clerk's Office - Bennington ss

I, Samuel H. Blackmer, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Bennington, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
Henry Kellogg Esq.
was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the foregoing jurat and certificate is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed
according to the law of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds and Depositions, and to administer oaths, etc.


In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Court, at Bennington, in the County of Bennington, this 29th day of December Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty two.

S.H. Blackmer Clerk
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State of Vermont
Bennington County

By the authority vested in me by the within Power of Attorney, I hereby constitute and appoint George C. Arnes, Esq. of Washington City, my substitute to act for me in my name in all respects as tho personally present.
Given under my hand at Bennington this 3rd day of January
AD 1853 
Henry Robinson

Witness
T.S. Robinson
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INVALID.

Rejected


977

Aaron Boardman
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Rejected
see letter to Nathan Whiting
Nov. 21, 1837
S. Swift Nov. 11/58

977

Act June 7th 1832


Vermont
Aaron Boardman
7 June 1832
Suspended Letter to Dr. Nathan Whiting
11 August 1837

Vermont
Aaron Boardman
rejected
Letter to S. Swift 12 March 1835
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary's Office, February 19th 1835


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 Aaron Boardman as a private, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. Samuel Sprague's Company, where he is allowed from April 19th 1775, one month.
Aaron Boardman's name is borne on the Muster Rolls of Capt. John Devereux's Company in Col Jacob Gerrish's regiment of Guards where he is allowed from November 13, 1777 to the 3rd of April 1778, both days inclusive, four months and twenty one days.

Edward D. Bangs Secretary
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I Samuel Viall of of Manchseter in the  county of Bennington and State of Vermont aged Seventy eight years, testify, and say that at the time of the  Revolutionary War, I was well-acquainted with Aaron Boardman then of Chelsea in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and now of Londonderry in the County of Windham and State of Vermont; that at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, I resided in the Town of Lynn in the vicinity of ? aforesaid and now recollect that one Captain Newhall commanded a company of Raingers that Capt. Newhall with his Company was at Lexington on the 19th of April 1775 and according to my best recollection and belief said Aaron Boardman was there with said Company - I also know that Troops were stationed at Winnisimmet Ferry; that the Prisoners taken at Saratoga with General Burgoyne were kept at Winter Hill or Cambridge in the year 1777 and 1778, and I understood and verily believe that the said Aaron Boardman was there as one of the Guard over said prisoners.  I also believe that he was in service at all the above stations - but as I was then in the Army at other places am not now able to say I saw him in actual service.
Manchester July 13th 1837

Samuel Viall

Sworn and subscribed this 13th day of July AD 1839, before me,

Loring Dean
Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Samuel Viall, is well known to me, and is a credible witness.

Loring Dean
Justice of the Peace
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State of Vermont
Bennington County ss.

I Henry Robinson - Clerk of the Court of Bennington County hereby certify that Loring Dean Esq. - is a magistrate as within, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine, I believe.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, of said County - and subscribed my name this 18th day of July 1837


Henry Robinson
Clerk


Fees 50 cents

Affidavit of 
Samuel Viall
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August 
Clm. Act 1832

Vt.

Londonderry Vt.
August 1st 

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Office
Washington City
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Londonderry August 1st, 1837


Enclosed is an application of Aaron Boardman of Londonderry for a Pension who is a man that is very poor
and I think his Poverty has been the cause of his being passed by and not receiving a pension before.
Charity is the principle by which I have assisted the old man at this time to make out his application and the affidavit of Samuel Viall which is hereunto enclosed.

Yours with respect, 

Nathan Whitting

N.B. - be pleased to make the return to Dr. Nathan Whitting of Londonderry Windham County and State of Vermont as here is two of the same name and profession in Town
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I Phinehas Halden heretofore of Brookline in the State of New Hampshire of Londonderry in the County of Windham and the State of Vermont aged seventy six years Testify and say that at the time of the Revolutionary War, I was well acquainted with Aaron Boardman then of Chelsea in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts but now of Londonderry in the County of Windham and State of Vermont that at the time of the revolutionary war, I resided in the Town of Shelby in said Commonwealth of Massachusetts. That I enlisted in Capt. Langley's Company and was stationed at Winter Hill in the Vicinity of Boston to guard the British Prisoners which captured with General Burgoyne at Saratoga, and that I was personally acquainted with the said Aaron Boardman who was then a soldier in the Company and under the command of Capt. D? who was Guarding said Prisoners and while I was there I now recollect of having the said Aaron Boardman say that he was in the first battle which was at Lexington in the Beginning of the revolutionary war. and that he was then under the command of one Capt. Newhall.

Phinehas Halden



Londonderry Sept. 18th 1837
Sworn and subscribed this 11th day of Sept. 1837 before me
Samuel Arnold
Justice

I hereby certify that the above named Phinehas Halden is well known to me and is a creditable witness.

Samuel Arnold

Justice of the Peace
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State of Vermont
Windham County ss.

I Marshall Miller Clerk of the County of Windham County hereby certify that Samuel Arnold Esq is a Magistrate as within, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office for said County and Subscribed my name this thirteenth day of Sept. 1837.

Attest Marshall Miller Clerk
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In answer to your inquiry and why he has not applied for a Pension before I have conferred with Mr. Boardman who tells me he has always tried to have some one undertake since he heard of the act of Congress in June 1832, but could not hear of the act in Town, nor any one who had any particular knowledge of the Law, and that no one would undertake without being sure of their pay, and that he was poor and unable to renumerate them. But soon after my examination of Boardman and conversations with the principle inhabitants who are best acquainted with him I am in the full belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution and is entitled to a pension and accordingly assisted him to make out his application affidavits many be without any expectation of who receiving any free or reward I would further add that he is poor and needs his pension now but I think his infirmities of age are such that he will need assistance but a little while
in full confidence in the administration of government I subscribe myself
Your obedient servant

Nathan Whiting

George Wm. Crump Esq.
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Vt. 
Oct. 14
?
Aaron Boardman


Londonderry Vt.
Oct. 10
George Wm. Crump Esq.
Acting Commissioner of Pensions

War Department
Washington City
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Enclosed is an affidavit of Phinehas Halden which is to accompany an affidavit of Samuel Viall already in your office and both to be applied to the application of  Aaron Boardman for a Pension.

P.S. Sir I have been inquired of several of Pensioners living to know what kind of pay the wish of Government was that they should receive for their pensions, whether in Bank Bills or otherwise for the Bank allows them only rag money  - a line in your return will satisfy.

Yours,

N. Whiting
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32471
Aaron Boardman
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State of Vermont
Windham county

On this 18th day of November AD 1834 personally appeared before this ? the Probate Court in and for the Probate District of Westminister in the County of Windham and State of Vermont Aaron Boardman of Londonderry in said County of Windham aged seventy seven years who being duly sworn according to law, doth on said oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he was born in Chelsea in the County of Suffolk and state of Massachusetts on the 27th day of February AD 1757. that he is informed and believes that his Birth was recorded in the Town Records of said Town of Chelsea, but of that fact he has no personal knowledge. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. 
That soon after Lexington Battle, Orders were issued as he understood, from the Colonel of the Regiment to which he belonged, who then resided in Boston, but whose name he does not now recollect, to Capt. James Stowers of said Chelsea, who then commanded the Company of Massachusetts Militia to which he belonged, to station a guard of five men at Winnisimmet Ferry, which leads into Boston across the Charles River  - that on or about the 24th day of April 1775 he with four other men belonging to said Company, were put into a Class at said Chelsea as it was then termed, to perform that duty, and to keep guard at said Ferry, and accordingly he with the others whose Edward Wait of said Chelsea as Captain of said guard, under whom he and the rest served and  performed that duty, and in which service he was employed for the term of six weeks when he with the others were regularly discharged then from by parole, just previous to Bunker Hill Battle,by reason and in consequence of two or three companies being sent and stationed to guard at the same place. 
That afterwards in the latter part of the month of October AD 1777 he enlisted at Charlestown in said State of Massachusetts, into the Company of Massachusetts State Troops. commanded by Capt. Dericks of Marblehead in said State and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Gerrish of Newbury or Newburyport, originally for the Term of three months that he with said Company and Regiment  were stationed during said term of three months at Winter Hill in said Charlestown (as he supposes) and that occasionally he was placed upon guard at Prospect Hill and Bunker Hill  - both in the same vicinity - and at the end of the said term
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then said Colonel told them that their services could not then be discharged with and requested them to continue to serve for the further term of two months, and that accordingly by he with the others, served a further term of two months in the same place and same services adjusting to five months in the whole, when he was regularly discharged the fore part of April 1778 by parole, by his said Colonel, at said Winter Hill, and returned to his said home at said Chelsea - that doing said period of service the Prisoners taken under General Burgoyne at the Battle at Saratoga were placed under their guard.
That in the month of April 1798 he removed from Chelsea to Reading in the County of Essex in said State,  of Massachusetts - that in the month of February 1800 he removed from thence to Hillsborough in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire  that in the month of March 1809 he removed from thence to Henniker then in the same county and state where he resided, until some time in the month of May 1829 he removed from there to the said Town of Londonderry where he has ever since resided.
That he has no documentary evidence to support his said statements, that he does not know of any living witnesses by whom he can prove his said services, except Samuel Viall of Winhall in the County of Bennington in said State of Vermont whose affidavit he expects to be able to obtain and forward herewith and with whom he was acquainted from early life and during the revolutionary War. and by whom he expects to prove, not an intimate, but a general knowledge of his said services. and besides the testimony of the said Samuel Viall, he expects also to be able to procure the testimony of the Rev. Sean Peirce of said Londonderry who is the nearest Clergyman to him, to substantiate his said statements and prove his general understanding of his said services, and his character and standing in Society for truth and ?.
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.

Aaron Boardman 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, by and before me

Peter R. Taft
Judge of Probate Court
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I Samuel Viall a resident of Winhall in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont, aged seventy five years do testify and declare that from early life I have been well acquainted with the above named Aaron Boardman, the above Applicant, and that when young and during the revolutionary war, when at home, I lived within a few miles from him, that I have ever had a general knowledge and understanding by information from him, and others of his said services as by him detailed in his foregoing Declaration and fully believe in the correctness of his said statements and that he has was been considered as a man of truth and veracity and further saith not.

Samuel Viall

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid by and before me 

Peter R. Taft Judge of the Probate Court

We Sam Pierce a Clergyman residing in the Town of Londonderry in the County of Windham and Samuel Viall residing in Winhall in the County of Bennington both in the State of Vermont hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aaron Boardman who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventy 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.

Sam Pierce
Samuel Viall

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid by and before me

Peter R. Taft - Judge Probate 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 the Rev. Sam Pierce who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in said Town of Londonderry and that Samuel Viall who has also signed the same, is a Resident in said Town of Winhall and is a credible person - and that their statement is entitled to credit - certified by me.

Peter R. Taft Judge of the Probate Court
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I James Crawford Clerk of Register of the Court for the District of Wesminister aforesaid do hereby certify the within containing the original proceedings of the said Court in the matters of the application of Aaron Boardman for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty ninth day of November 1834.

James Crawford
Clerk and Register of the Probate Court