Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18423, Abel Grout, Mass.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Grout, Abel

NUMBER
S. 18423
Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

18620
Vermont
===================
Abel Grout
of Windham Co in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Fletcher of the Regt. commanded
by Col Doolittle in the Mass's mi [militia}
line for 16 1/2 mo's

☞ Grout
===================
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 55 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===================
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Sept
1833 and sent to
P. White - Putney
===================
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - $137.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March '34 - 27.50
=====
$165.00
=====
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by W. L. Williams, Clerk,
Book B Vol. 3 Page 66

Let E. J. Englesby
3 Sept 1834.

New certificate issued
3 Sept 1834
Page 3

No 21. Windham County, Vermont.
Abel Grout
Decr & c for Pension
July 30. 1832.
No 5388
yet
Signed and Sealed
again, May 27, 1833
James Elliot,
Probate Register
Marlboro District
Windham County
State of Vermont
Recd Augt 14. 1832
Please Make return to P. White
Putney VT
Page 4

STATE OF VERMONT.
County of Windham ss.
Probate District of Marlboro
At the probate court within and for said District, being a court of record so declared by the statutes of this State, having a Seal and Clerk or Register Present Hon. Marshall Miller Esquire Judge of said Court 
On this 30th day of July A. D. 1832 Personally appeared in open Court, at Newfane in said District
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District now sitting─ Abel Grout a resident of Stratton in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged seventy four years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832─That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
The said Abel Grout declares and says that he entered the army of the Revolution in the said month of August 1775. Inlisted [Enlisted] at Templeton in the County of Worcester Massachusetts on the 15th day of said month and joined the Army at Winter Hill in the Company of Capt. Fletcher in the Regiment commanded by Col. Doolittle, of the Massachusetts line and served till the first day of January 1776 having spent 4 months + half and was dismissed but received no written discharge─ And  afterwards in Nov next September went a substitute for one Thomas Johnson, who was a drafted militiaman, in  Capt. Boyenton's Company in the Regmnt commanded by Col. Dana went to the North River to a place called Terrytown in the State of New York and was stationed there till the expiration of two months when he was dismissed at said Terrytown─ and afterwards on the 13th day of December 1776 he again went as a substitute for Joel Grout & Abner Ward for the term of three months in the Company of Capt. [Merrian] in the Regiment commanded by Col. Sparhawk went to the State of New Jersey, and was stationed at Bound Brook where he was discharged on the 13th of March, but received no written discharge.  Afterwards volunteered in the month of Sept 1777 and went under Capt. Oliver in Regmt. commanded by Major Wilder went to rejoin the Western army under Gen. Gates and was there at the surrender of Burgoyne with his Army - and the day after his surrender was dismissed having spent thirty days─ Afterwards in the month of July 1778 he inlisted for three months, and to supply the place of Joel Grout his father who was drafted, entered Capt Houghton's Company in the Regiment of Col Wm [William] Henry of Massachusetts troops─ Went on to Rhode Island and was there when the battle was between Sullivan's Army and the British Army and retreated off with the army and went to Providence and from thence to Pawtuxet and staid there till the expiration of said term of three months and was dismissed but received no written discharge. And afterwards in the summer of 1780 he enlisted for the term of three months in the Company of Capt. Stearns in the Regiment commanded by Col. Rand─ Went to West Point, stayed there a while and then was sent up the River to chopping wood for the army, served out said term and was dismissed at a place above Poukeepsie [Poughkeepsie] on the [North] River ─ He further states that all his services were in the Massachusetts militia─ and that he has served [unreadable] the most of his services─

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.
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:

1. Was born in the town of Petersham in the year 1758

2. He has no record of his age, only in memory- thinks it probable that his age is recorded in a town of Petersham aforesaid.

3. He was living in Templeton-- from Templeton moved to Brattleboro Vt. 1781- from Brattleboro to Stratton in 1806 where he now  lives.

[left margin]
4 mth
2
3
1
3
3
---
16 mth
Page 5

4. He has already stated the manner of his being called into service

5. In first of matter, knew Genl. Washington. Gen. Lee. Gen Sullivan. Gen. Green. Gen. Ward Colo. Norm, Poor, Reed, & Stark
In the 2 months Reqmt[sp] was pretty much alone - Was in N. Jersey - Gen Warner commanded the Brigade

6 Sec never recived any written dischargeher

7. Sec names Paisley Fairbank and Bille Mann Esq. both his neighbors and worth citizens
[signature] Abel Grout

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] Marshall Miller Judge of Probate

We Paisley Fairbanks Esq, residing in the town of Windbors, in said District and Bille Mann Esq of Stratton in said District hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abel Grout Esqr who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four 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 and year aforesaid. 
[signature] Pearley Fairbank
[signature] Bille Mann

[signature] Marshall Miller Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after puttint the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to have been a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Pearley Fairbank who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said town of Wardsborough and that Bille Mann, who has also signed signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stratton in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I James Elliot, Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Marlborough aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the  said Court in the matter of the application of Abel Grout for a pension.
In testimony wherof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 30th day of July A. D. 1832.
[signature] James Elliot Prob. Register

[illegible Seal of Office affixed at left]


Sullivan
Jensen
Green, Gen Ward Co. Nov. Br Red Stake
the said lot. Whitney-- Gen Lincoln
Will Mary both his neighbors and worthy cities
Abel Grant
to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
bors,
in said distinct and Rile Marwe
are well acquainted with Al Gawert a
who has subscribed and
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid on or
Bell Mann
after putting
Aaron
┃ Eigh
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart, the above
them, that Pearley Fairbank
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a
who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stratton
Cout
and seal of office, this
of the Probate
Court, within and for
aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
for a pension.
30th
day of July
A. D. 1832.
James Elliott, Prob. Register
-
Page 6

Abel Grout  

Payments to be made
at Burlington
by Pres'd US. Br. Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of Vermont

Cancelled

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C Vol. 3
Page 66 by W.J. Williams
Clerk.

[upper right]
$55, __
2
-------
110
27.00
-------
137.00
Page 7

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th JUNE, 1832. 
Abel Grout [ink smear across name] of the State of Vermont who was a Private in the revolutionary war is entitled to receive Fifty-five dollars and _______ cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March, 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and the 4th of September, in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States this Twenty-first day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
[signature] Lewis Cass
Secretary of War

[illegible Seal affixed at left]


Examined and Countersigned,}
[signature] J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 8

18423
INVALID

File No. 18,423
Abel Grout
Pri [Private] Rev War
Act: June 7"  32
Index:─Vol. 1, Page 443

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 9

I certify that I have ben [been]acquanted with Richard Bartlett and John Mahan the within deponents more than thirty years, and never herd[heard] there veracity as to Truth Questioned by any one
[signature] Hutchins Hapgood
Page 10

Richard Sartwell's Depo. [Deposition]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss 
I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Court holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Hutchins Hapgood Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was made and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, and that his signature thereto appears to me to be in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the County Seal, of said County, this eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
[signature] Abijah Bigelow, Clerk 

[illegible Seal affixed at left]
Page 11

Richard Sartwell of Phillipstown in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts of Lawfull age testify and say I listed as a soldier April 1775 I think the 9th   I had Previously turnd out as a Volunteer [??]and in the whole term at this time served Eight month  I listed under Capt Joel Fletcher and in Col. Ephraim Doolitte Regiment, Abel Grout of said Phillpstown listed into the same Company about the 15th of August and stayed till we were dismissed in the Jany [January] following. I was at the taking a schooner called the [illegible, looks like Donnets tender]   John Wheeler of Petersham was our Lieut and Proctor of Wisford was our Ensign we were Brigade [Brigadier?] Genl Sullivan Brigade 
I further certify and say that I with Abel Grant and others went out as Volunters and were in Capt John Olvers Company of Athol and Major Jonas Wilders Comanded the Regiment, Moses Smith of same was our Lieut.  we Stayed one Month the year 1777 at this time, at the taking of Genl Burgoyne we - were in no battles but one scurmish across North River-- Phillipston was then Templeton and since has been set of & now called Phillipston 
[right] his
[right] Richard + Sartwell [+ being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark
Witness [signature] Abigail Fisher

Worcester ss June 11th 1832 
Personally appeared Richard Sartwell and Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed Before me 
[signature] Hutchins Hapgood Jus. Peace

I John Mahan of Petersham in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts of Lawfull age testify and say Abel Grout then of Templeton inlisted with with me July 1780 into Capt Ephrm Stearns Company in Col Rands Regiment for three months and returned after being discharged we travelled through Hadby Grate Barrington. I [illegible] to west point where we stayed and both discharged at the same time General Arnold left and went of [off] to the enemy while we was there at West Point Thomas Townsen Moss was our lieut and John Rogers of Whitman our Ensign 
[signature]John Mahan
[illegible seal]

Worcester ss June 11th 1832   Personally Appeared John Mahan and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed before me 
[signature] Hutchins Hapgood Jus Peace
Page 12

Abel Grout
VT


Admitted 
16 1/2 mos

55
2
━━
110
27.50
━━
137.50


53.33
1.00
━━
5

P. White Esq.
Putney
Page 13

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abel Grout which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason as signed for his not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 

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 amount of pension he is entitled? 

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 

VII. Has the Court given their opinion? 

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 

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? No device
Page 14

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?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

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? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  Official character of one of the parties not certified. -

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? 

XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No Vide Queir 16

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.
Page 15

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 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 authenticated 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 end 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 not 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.
Page 16

Clerks Office
Page 17

Evidence in case of Abel Grout

[along right side]
A. Grout's Affidavits
Page 18

State of Vermont
Windham County Court Clerks Office,
New Fane, May 27. A.D. 1833-
I certify that Phineas White, Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the within are his signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County Court on the day and year above written.
[signature] James Elliot Clerk 

[illegible County Court Seal affixed upper left]
Page 19

The affidavit of Rev'd James Tufts of Wardsboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont aged sixty seven years, and of Rev'd Paul Wheeler of the same Wardsboro aged sixty one years - Who testify and say that for more than twenty years now last part they have been well acquainted with Abel Grout Esq. of the adjoining town of Stratton as a man of truth and veracity- that, several times, within said term he has been elected and served as a member of the State Legislature and has held the appointment of Magistrate within and for the County of Windham aforesaid. And that they have no doubt of the said Grouts serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
[signatures]
James Tufts 
Paul Wheeler 

State of Vermont 
Windham County ss } July 20th 1832 Subscribed and sworn to 
Before me [signature] Phineas White Justice of the Peace 

I do hereby certify that the above named Deponents are highly distinguished citizens in their respective professions, and are men of undoubted truth and veracity.
[signature] Phineas White Justice of the Peace 

I David Bigelow of Stratton on oath say that on the 13th of December AD 1776 I enlisted as a private soldier in the Massachusetts Militia, and was marched to New Jersey in the company commanded by Capt. Oliver, in the regiment of Col. Sparhauk, in the Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Warner. Abel Grout now of Stratton  in Vermont was a private soldier in the same Regiment, in the company commanded by Capt. Marion. he remained a soldier in said company three months 
[signature] David Bigelow 

Worcester ss.  July 19. David Bigelow above named made oath that the above certificate is true before me 
[signature] Clough R. Miles J.P.
Page 20

I certify that David Bigelow the aforesaid deponent is personally known to me and that he is by reputation and in my opinion a man of truth & veracity 
Clough R. Miles J.P. [signature]

I David Young of Athol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath say that I volunteered as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia in July 1778 and marched in the company commanded by Capt Jotham Houghton to Rhode Island, the company was in the Regiment commanded by Col. Whitley of Harvard, Abel Grout then of Templeton now of Stratton was a private Soldier in the same company with me we remained as soldiers in said company three months when we were discharged. 
David Young [signature]

Worcester July 12. 1832 
Then the aforesaid David Young made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true before me 
Clough R. Miles, Justice of the Peace [signature]

The deponent is a man of truth & Veracity with whom I am personally acquainted  
Clough R. Miles, Justice of the Peace [signature]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Worcester ss.
I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Court, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Clough R. Miles Esquire, before whom the above affidavit was made and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, and that his signature thereto appear to me to be in his own proper hand writing. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand, and affixed the County seal of said County, this eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk  [signature]

[seal]