Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12782, Zaccheus Downer, Conn. Vt.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE  NUMBER
Conn.  Downer, Zaccheus  S. 12782
Vt    or Zacheus
CONTENTS

Carded
Page 2

20.583
New York
Zacheus Downer
Otsego Co in the State of New York
who was a private in the Comp. command
Captain Putnam of the Regt commanded
by Col. Storrs in the Vermont
line for 18 mo. 25 days
Conn and Vt
Records completed Nov 27/ 05
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
the rate of 62 Dollars 75 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Sep
1833- H. Sill
Burlington

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $156.87
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. 31 37
---
$188.24
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. C. Stiles
Book E Vol 4 Page 95.

Book
C.
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York
County of Otsego ⎬ On this 16th day of October 1832
personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of
the Court of Common pleas in and for the County
of Otsego in the State of New York now sitting
Zacheus Downer a resident of the town of New Lisbon in the
County of Otsego and State of New York aged Seventy-six 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 7th 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein stated
He was born in Norwich in the State of Connecticut
that his place of residence at the commencement of the
Revolutionary war was in the town of Coventry in Windham
County (now Tolland County) in the State of Connecticut
That in that place about the 1st of May 1775 he
enlisted into Captain Israel Putnam's (son of Genl Putnam)
Company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Storrs and Colonel
Durkee or Dyrga (called Genl Putts Regt, in the Connecticut State
troops for the term of six months or seven months he cannot
distinctly recollect which but it was for the usual term for which
enlistments were made in that regiment, and he was marched
to Boston and stationed at Cambridge under General
Putnam and served out his whole term there and
at Roxbury and was discharged at the end of his term
of service at Cambridge and was 4 days returning
homes
All night after the Battle on Bunker hill he was intrenching
on prospect Hill General Washington arrived and took
command of the army while in this term of service

In December 1776 he was called out in Capt Tate's compy
in Col Brown's regt of Connecticut in the Militia to go to Providence the term of one month when he arrived there he was detached and he served as a waiter
to General Spencer there the said term of one month when
he enlisted for the time of two months longer in the same
service and served out said two months and was
Page 4

discharged and was 3 days returning home in

In Coventry aforesaid about the 1 May 1777 he
enlisted into Captain Jonathan Hinckley's Company in Colonel
Charles Webb's Regiment in the Connecticut line of
the regular army of the United States for the term of
eight months he was in the skirmish of White Marsh near 
Philadelphia & was discharged at Valley Forge at
the and of his the 29th December 1777. 300 miles from home
without money & poorly clothed  poorly clothed he was 11 days on his March
home said officer in accompanying with him had order on the commissions for provisions on
his way home

He removed to Sharon in Windsor County in the
State of Vermont in the year 1780 about the month
of October 1780. On the also at the burning of Royalton
and Sharon by the Indians he was called out in the
Militia under Captain Parkhurst & pursued the Indians
to Brookfield in Vt. was three days in this service
on his return he volunteered to stay at Sharon
and guard the place, and was in this service one 1
month under the command of Captain Parkhurst 18m 18ds

That he never to his recollection had a written discharge
that he has no documentary evidence, and that he
knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure who
can testify to his service

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 any State.
to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Horace Lathrop, Clerk    Zacheus Downer
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18056
Zacheus Downer
.
Ent Col Webb
17 Apr 1777
dis Jan 9 1778
Admitted
Private 18 mo & 25 day

60
275
---
12550
31.77
____
15687
Henry Gill 
Burlington Otsego County
New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
May 17 1833
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 your 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 Zacheus Downer Ostego Co
New York

Period when the            Duration of the     Rank of             Names and Rank             Names and Rank    Battles in which     Country through      Place of abode when   Evidence by which
service was rendered.   claimant's service.  the claimant.    of the Company officers   of the General       the applicant was   which he marched.  he entered and age     the declaration is
                                                                                             under whom he served.    and Field officers.   engaged. the service, and                     at the present period   Supported
Enl On May 1775            6 mo.                     Private           Cass                                    Cole                                                      Boston                     Coventry   Windham    traditionary &
do dec. 1776                   1 mo.                     do                  Putnam                              Stove                                                     Cambridge              County     Connecticut living witnesses
                                        2 mo.                     do                  Talcott                                Brown                                                   Providence               Sharon Windsor  
May 1777                        8 mo. 22 days         do                  do                                     do                                                                                         County Connecticut  
Oct 1780                         3 days                     do                  Hinckley                           Webb                        White Marsh                                        
Vol                                   1 Mo. 11 days                               Parkhurst                          do                                                         Brookfield                Aged 76 years                  
18 mo 25 days                                                                      do                                     do                                                         Sharon                     

on rolls 8 mo. 7 22 days
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
8.22
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2 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. 3. 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, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians 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. State, Territory District of 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 ----- aged (c) --- 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 pension 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 named 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 his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered 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. [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. I -------------------- 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. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, 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 ------------- and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ---------------- , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be -------- 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 day 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. I, -----------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 --- 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

3 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 expected. 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 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what 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 he 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. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct 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 his genuine signature. No 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. {a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served [e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, 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. 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 worn, deposes 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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." 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 that they served two years in the miliia, &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 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 authority ; that 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 affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 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 must pass under the seal of office of the certifying once, 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 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 credibly 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 [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible in militia cases [l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 9

a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
Zaccheus Downer 
S. 12782
---
DATES OF            
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
May 1 1775
Dec. 1776
May 1, 1777
Oct. 1780

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 or 7 mos.
3 mos
8 mos
1 mo 3 days

RANK.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPTAIN.
Israel Putnam
Talcott and served as waiter to General Spencer
Ichabod Hinckley
Parkhurst

COLONEL.
Storrs and Burke
Brown
Charles Webb
----
STATE.
Conn.
Vt.
-
Battles engaged in, White Marsh Pa
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Coventy Conn. In 1780 at Sharon Vt
Date of application for pension, Oct. 1832. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, New Lisbon, Otsego Co. N Y.
Age at date of application, 76 born in Norwich Conn. He died July 17, 1857
Remarks No data as to family. Ctf No, 20583
Page 10

This may certify that Elder Seth Gregory a preacher of
the Gospel in the Town of New Lisbon Personally appeared before
me Daniel Pierce one of the Justices of the Peace in the County
of Otsego in the State of New York deposeth and saith that
he had lived in the town of New Lisbon and was personally
acquainted with the said Zacheus Downer for about thirty
years and that he had often heard the said Zacheus say that
he had been a Revolutionary soldier and that he believes
the said Zacheus to be a man of truth and veracity and
further saith not
Seth Gregory
Taken and subscribed this 13th day of October 1832 before me

Daniel Pierce Justice Peace
Page 11

State of New York
County of Otsego
I certify that Seth Gregory the person
who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit
is a clergyman residing in the town of New Lisbon in said
County and is a credible person and his statement
is entitled to belief.

Daniel Pierce Justice of the Peace
Page 12

We Hezekiah Gregory Junior residing in the town of
New Lisbon in the County of Otsego State of New york and Dana Downer
residing in the same place hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Zacheus Downer who has
subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration
that we believe him to be seventy six years of age
that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Horace Lathrop Clerk
Hez Gregory Jr.
Dana Downer

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after a careful 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 Hez. Gregory and Dana
Downer that has subscribed and sworn to
the above certificate are credible
persons and are entitled to credit in their
Statements
J. O. Morse
James C Walworth
Page
Judges
Page 13

State of New York
Otsego County Ss. I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas in & for the said County do certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
in the matter of the application of Zacheus Downer
for a Pension & I further certify that Daniel Pierce
before whom the preceding affidavit of Seth Gregory
purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same
Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that I am 
acquainted with his hand writing verily believe name
subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand
writing signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office this 19 " day of Octr 1832
Horace Lathrop
By T. K. Cary Deputy
Page 14

O. W. & N.
Utica April 7 1907
To
The Commissioner of Pension
War Department
Washington D. C
Will you kindly give
me some information
concerning
Zacheus Downer. He
was a pensioner of the
United States his pension 
certificate was
number 20583 He
enlisted at Coventry Connecticut,
and was supposed to be a
private in the Connecticut
Page 15

troops - Revolutionary War

I shall be very glad
if you can give me
any information
Very truly yours
Louise Downer Carter
43 Eagle Street
Utica, N. Y.
Page 16

[two stamps]
US PENSION OFFICE
F OCT 19 1896

OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
OCT21 1896
Page 17

Law Office of
George C. Carter,
Room No. 32, Martin Building.
No. 115, Genesee Street Utica N. Y.

O. W. & N. Div
L.W.B.
1. 12782.
Utica NY October 16 1896

Hon. D. J. Murphy
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:-
In the case of Zacheus
Downer, a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, and a private in the Connecticut
Troops, under Capt. Israel Putnam
and Col. Durkee, Will you
please kindly inform me the number 
of his pension certificate &
by so doing greatly oblige.
One of his heirs or descendants
desires the information to complete
her record as a daughter of the
Revolution-
I have the hour to be
Very Truly
Your Obt Sr
George C. Carter
Page 18

[two stamps]

US PENSION OFFICE
C MAY 29 1896

OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
JUN 1 1896
Page 19

Law Office of
George C. Carter,
Room No. 32, Martin Building,
No. 115, Genesee Street Utica N. Y.
Utica N.Y. May 25, 1896.

Hon. William Lochren.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:-
to comply with my wife's
request, I write to ask you, if you will
please kindly send me the rank Company
& Regiment, date of Enlistment & discharge
of Zacheus Downer, who was a pensioner
for services rendered in the Revolutionary
war,- He was a pensioner
and lived in the latter part of his life
and died at Utica N. Y. on or about
the 2 day of July 1850 at the age
of about 96 years.
The information is desired
for some purpose, in connection
with the daughters of the Revolution
By so doing you will
greatly oblige
I have the honor to be---
Very Truly Obt Svt
George C Carter

A.S. Zacheus was a
Son of Andrew Downer,
who formerly lived in Conn
& removed to Vermont,
(Sharon I believe)
Zacheus lived here
for a long time-
G. C. C.
Page 20

Rev War
12.782
INVALID.
File No. 12782
Zacheus Downer
Priv Rev War
-
Act: June 7 1832
Index: -- Vol. Page
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 2' 96 [illegible]
[illegible] Geo
C Carter 
Utica NY
LMB

Oct. 26'96 West
his to Geo
C Carter
Utica NY
LWB
1907. Apr. 22. Hist. to Louise D. Carter AW