Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11266, for Noah Pratt, Vermont
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Vt.

NUMBER
S. 11266

Pratt, Noah

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

14647 New York

Noah Pratt
of Rush in the State of New York
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain of the Regt. commanded
by Coe Branson in the Vermont
time for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on t he 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of June
'33 - and sent claimt, 
Rush, NY

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33 - $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 10.00
$50.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 71
Page 3

State of New York
Monroe County ss}

On. this Twenty fifth day of March in the Year of our Lord 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Monroe Now Sitting Noah Pratt a resident of the Town of Rush in the said County of Monroe and State of New York aged Sixty seven years Last April according to his recollection and belief tho being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make t he following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress paper June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and Served as herein stated. in the Year of our Lord 1782 on the Eighth day of April according to his best recollection and belief, at Pownal in the County of Benington in the State of Vermont he enlisted for Six Months in the Revolutionary Army under Captain Dimick in the Vermont Militia in Colonel Bransons Regiment as a private soldier. that he served in persuance of said enlistment until the Eighth day of October according to his Recollection & belief that he was discharged at Bennington in the State of Vermont he marched from Pownal to Benington from Benington  to Castleton and there was stationed
Page 4

the principal part of the Time and from there were marched back to Benington & there was discharged there were to Regular Troops of any other than Colonel Branson's Regiment [illegible] the troops to which he belonged, that he has no documentary Evidence & Recollects of no [illegible] now living Excepting Elder Stephen Pratt & John Pratt, his Brothers, and t hat Stephen Pratt enlisted & served with him & [illegible] with him during the Term of Six months service. &. that John Pratt, whose affidavit is also attached was then Living at home with his father & had served the year previous & was presant at my enlistment.

Interagatory

he was Born in the year of our Lord 1765 on the 24th day of April

he has no record of his age but recollects his father Told him he was born in 1765.

he Lived at Pownal when he enlisted has since lived in Williams Town in in Massachusetts an number of years. then to Dorset in Vermont a number of years then moved back to Williams Town in Massachusetts then to Lanesborough then to [illegible] in Otsego County in the State of New York
Page 5

and from there to Avon Ontario County now Rush Maura County in the state of New York where he has Lived since t he year of our Lord 1810. and where he now resides

I enlisted Voluntary  with the Consent of my father

there were no other Troops stationed at that place but Colonel Bransons Regiment & the officers of the Regiment Except Colonel Branson & Capt Dimick he does not recollect he remembers Sergeant Dunning

I have stated is my declaration where I was stationed & the places through which I was Marched & that I was stationed on Guard

I never received any pritten discharge to my Recollection & belief

I am well acquainted with  the John P. Stull Esq Simeon M Cae Esq who can Testify to my Character for truth & varacity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution

Noah Pratt

Sworn and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
before me - J. Cutler Dep. Clerk
Page 6

Mr John P Stull     Simeon M Cae

Residing in the Town of Rush in the County of Monroe hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Noah Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believed him to be Seven  years old that he is Reputed and believed in t he Neighborhood Where he resides to have been a solder of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Simeon M Cae
John P Stull

Sworn & subscribed 
the day & year aforesaid
Peter Price
{Judge of the
County Court
for Monroe County

And the said Court do hereby declare t heir opinion after investigating 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 John P. Stull Esqr - Simeon M Cae Esqr are Residents of the Town of in the County of Monroe and are Creditable personas and that their statements is intitled to Credit

Sam Spldue}
James Smith}
Saml. Castle}

Judges of the County Court for Monroe County
Page 7

State of New York
Monroe County pp}

John Pratt of Rush in the County of Monroe being duly sworn says he is a Revolutionary Soldier and in his seventeenth year, that Noah Pratt the foregoing applicant for a Pension is a Brother of the deponent, Residing in the Town of Rush in the County of Monroe, and State of New York, that in the Year of our Lord 1782 the forepart of April in the year Last aforesaid at Pownal in the County of Benington in the State of Vermont the said Noah Pratt enlisted under Captain Dimick in the regiment of Militia Commanded by Colonel Brunson, that the said Noah Pratt enlisted for six months, and Left home in persuance of said enlistment and returned in the Month of October as he believes, because he recollects the said Noah Pratt served six Months as this older than the said Noah his Brother, and his father had the said Noahs pay for his services, and he recollect distinctly he drew Six Months pay for his Brother Noahs Services   And further that Elder Stephen Pratt of Erie County in this State is also a brother of this deponent and Next Younger and is also a Revolutionary Soldier and whose affidavitt is hereto anexed and further says not.

John Pratt

Sworn and Subscribed this
12th day of January AD
1833 before me Peter Ouie}

Judge of the County Court for Monroe County
Page 8

State of New York
Monroe County ss:

I Certify that Peter Price Judge before whom the within affidavit was sworn at the date thereof one of the Judges of they county courts of said county, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit, is his proper hand writing and signature - Witness my hand and official seal, this twenty fifth day of March 1833 - 

Leonard Adams clelrk
Page 9

Stephen Pratt
affidavit
Page 10

State of New York
Erie County ss.

Stephen Pratt being by me duly Sworn according to law doth on his oath Say, that he is a Brother to Noah Pratt of Rush in the County of Monroe in this State. that He Said Noah Pratt enlistd and served Six months in the Revolutionary War, in the year 1782, Enlisted in the Spring of the year under Capt. Dimick in a Vermont Militia Regiment Commanded by Col. Bronson. that he served in Said Company the full term of six months and was discharged at Benington in the fall of the year. that the Deponent testifies from a personal knowledge of the Service as above states having served in the Same Company and war a [illegible] mate with his Brother the whole period of six months as above stated

Stephen Pratt

Sworn and Subscribed The 16th day of August 1832 [illegible] and I certify the Deponent is a Clergyman residing in this county of good standing and reputation -

Stephan Albro Commission
of Courts in Erie County N York State
Page 11

Noah Pratt
Pensioner
______________
23904
Page 12

I Leonard Adams Clerk of the  Court of Common Pleas for the County of Monroe do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of Noah Pratt [word crossed out] the foregoing applicant for a pension 
in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 25th day of March
AD1833
                   Leonard Adams   Clerk

[Stamped paper seal is attached to left margin. Working is illegible.]
Page 13

No. 23904
Noah Pratt; Monroe County
New York



admitted
6 [illegible] Private









Noah Pratt. (Bush) Monroe
County New York
Page 14

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183

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, showing the Service of Noah Pratt Monroe County New York

Period when the service was rendered.
Entered Apl. 1782

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. - 
Months. 
Days. -

Rank of the claimant.
private

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap Dimich Colonel Bransons

 Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
67 years
Poureal Bennington County Vermont

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence clergimans certificate, witness certified credible living witness certificate credible papers correct

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 15

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, 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.

State, Territory, or District of 
County of} ss.

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 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 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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [pointing symbol] 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.

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 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.

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      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 16

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 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. { 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 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.

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 fall

[b] 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

[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 claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in languages 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 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."
     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 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 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 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 affix 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 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 officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

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 claimant's 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 signature of the magistrate who may administer the must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
     [pointing symbol] The notes from [a] to [i] are all 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 indispensable 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 17

[illegible]

3-871.

RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Briefed by A. Meve D. 30/3'/11
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier Noah Pratt
Service N.Y.
Additional Service Rev.

No      claim, State Records _____, 191___
No claim, combination records _____, 191___

REMARKS:

No Wed. army service June 14, [illegible]
II Reg. atall
Two in flat. S. 11266 prob
the one Wanted


G--1914        Chief Division
Page 18

[At the top and the bottom of the page are 2 identical stamps.  Round  blue inked.]

              PENSION
                   D
          U.   Mar    S.
                   29
               1911
              OFFICE
Page 19

[Circular black inked stamp in upper left corner]
                    RECORD
                     MAR
                         29
                     1911
                  DIVISION    

                              Rochester N.Y. March 27th
                             165 Alexander St   1911

Pension Bureau,

  Gentlemen,
      Can you inform me whether the following names are on your list as pensioners of the Revolution,
  If so will you kindly send me a copy of the records and greatly oblige.
                 Mrs. Azalia E Weaver.


  ["Negative" hand written by Abram's name.]
Abram Pratt died March 23-1831 aged 69, at Rush
Noah Pratt " Jan 13-1834  " 77 " Rush.
                              Monroe Co N. Y.
Page 20

a s  [in top right corner of left third of the fold]

                          11266
Rev War
                        INVALID
                    ________________
File No.   11,266
Noah Pratt
Pri. Rev War
_______________________
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. Ad, Page 303

[Arrangement of 1870.]


[on the right third of the fold][page
 1906. Nov. 7. Aud. Int for deat [page incomplete]
1911 Apr.1. Hist to Azalia E Weav [page incomplete]
         V. L.  [page incomplete]
Page 21

OW desk [handwritten]             3-397                      [rectangular black inked stamp]   
                                             (old No. 3-399.)             O. W. & N. DIVISION
                                                                                       NOV 13 1906
                                                                                        RECEIVED
O.W. and N. Div Division .                                                                                   OW, Ex'r
Inv File No 11266                                   Department of the Interior
Noah Pratt                                             BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
     Rev. War.                                        Washington, D. E., Nov. 7, 1906

SIR:  
  For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of Noah Pratt pensioned under the Act June 7, 1832 by certificate  No. 14647, Issued June 7, 1833, New York Agency, showing date of death of soldier, date of last payment and to whom paid.
                        Very respectfully,
                                    J. L. Davenport                                   [circular blank inked stamp]
                                    Commissioner.                                       PENSION
                                                                                                      H
                                                                                              U.    NOV   S.
                                                                                                       13
                                                                                                      1906
                                                                                                    OFFICE
THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT,
                                    Treasury Department.       o-2             [rectangular  blank inked stamp]
                                                                                                OFFICE OF AUDITOR FOR
                                                                                                  INTERIOR DEPT.
                                                                                                 NOV 10 1906
                                                                                                 Pension Division.
[handwritten]
Died 14 June 43 pd 6 Apl Feby 61  Albany
Vol G page 66
Page 22

E.

[printed seal of interior department on letterhead]

[stamped information in rectangle on top as follows]

O. W. & N. DIVISION
NOV 13 1906
RECEIVED

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
Washington, Nov 12th 1906

The Commissioner of Pension.

Sir: In reply to your letter of 7th [illegible] in case of
Noah Pratt Certificate *14.647
Albany Agency, _____ Roll,
you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered
by the U. S. Pension Agent, the records of this office show 
payment to have been made at $20 per 12 months to
14 June 1843, date of death. Payment made to the only surviving 
child, Minerva Keeler, by Treasury Settlement of 13 February 1861.

[circular stamp as follows]

PENSION OFFICE
H NOV 13 1906
U. S.

Letter herewith returned.
W. Respectfully,

ROBERT S. PERSON
Auditor.
By JR Belt
Deputy Auditor
6

REPLY SHOWING PAYMENTS.
Pension Division. — Form 3577. — Ed. Nov. 26-04—3,000.
Page 23

information s contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in t his Bureau. 
Noah Pratt S. F. 11266

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
April 8, 1782

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Dimick
COLONEL.
Bronson
STATE.
Vt.

Battles engaged in, ---
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pownal, Bennington Co. Vt.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 25, 1833 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Rush, Monroe Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, b. Apr. 24. 1765 : died June 14. 1843
Remarks: Minerva Keeler was the only surviving child in 1861
no other names stated

[notations on right side of page]
1832
67
-----
1765