Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,879, for George Major, Vermont
Page 1

(3–1776)

SERVICE
Pvt.

Major, George
Majors or

NUMBER
S.13879
carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Vermont 27997
George Major
of Georgia in the State of Vt.
who was a pr in the [blank] commanded
by Captain  [blank] of the Regt commanded
by Col Allins in the Vt.
line for 12 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the
1st day of Dec '36
and sent Wm Bridges
St Albans Vermont

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832 140 -
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 35  20
$160 [total]

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Nath'l Rice Clerk
Book E [or C] Vol. 3 Page 78.
Page 3

31.490
George Majors
Declaration
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
State of Vermont
Georgia District
On the 31st day of May 1834
Personally appeared in open Court,
before the Court of Probate, now sitting
George Majors, a resident of Fairfax, in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont, aged about Seventy nine years,
who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath of
affirmation, make the following declaration, in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the
United States, and served under the following named
officers as herein after stated.
In the year 1777, he believes in the month of September
a short time after the first general engagement between
Burgoyne's Army & the Americans, at Saratoga, the applicant, a Sergeant, and one other private, deserted from
the British Camp at Mount Independence. They
were sent out to reconnoiter the American Camp at
Castleton, and after they had left the British Camp, and
as they supposed were within the American lines, the Sergeant
observed that he did not intend to return, and asked the
applicant and his comade if they would follow him:
the answer was that they were under his command
and would obey him. They were then in the woods.
Page 5

The Sergeant immediately led them into the road and
marched in a Southerly direction for the purpose of
reaching the American camp at Castleton, but before
they had travelled many miles they were surprised
by a party of American Troops, then on a scout and ordered
to lay down their arms, which they cheerfully complyed
with and marched directly to Castleton, where they were
examined, and sent to Arlington, Vermont, and from
thence to Bennington, and was soon after set at liberty
when the Applicant joined Capt Fassetts company and
marched back to Castleton, and from thence to Pittsford
where they stayed a short time and then returned back to
Castleton where he joined Capt. Samuel Robinson's
company, Col. Ebenezer Allen's Regt. and served in said
company untill the following Spring 1778.
That during the summer and fall of 1778 & 1779 he was
employed as a teamster in the Commissary Department
under Jonathan Fassett, conveying stores to the Troops
at Castleton and Pittsford. The Applicant claims no
part of a pension for his teaming service having been
paid for his services at the time.
At Arlington (his then place of residence), in the month
of May or June 1780, he volunteered for nine months
under Capt William Hutchins & Lieut. Brookins, in
Col Allen's Regt and was stationed a part of the time
at Pittsford, and a part of the time at Castleton
His duty was guarding in the fort at Castleton, aforesaid
Page 6

and scouting on the shore of Lake Champlain, and fatigue duty
in building or completing Fort-Vengeance at Pittsford untill
March or April 1781, having served nine months.
At the expiration of the campaign aforesaid, he again
volunteered for one year, and served under Wm Hutchins
in Col Fletcher's Regt. Stationed at Pittsford & Castleton
both places during the campaign as places of general rendezvous,
 but were absent a considerable portion of the time
on scouts during the summer & fall was dismissed
at Castleton, he believes the last of May 1782, having served one year.
He has no documentary evidence whatever.
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.
The Applicant further states that he was born at
Frankfort in Germany about the year 1754 or 5.
He has no record of his age but calculates from the
time of his enlistment into the British Army for as
near as he can recollect he was at that time 21 or 22
years of age. He enlisted in the fall of the year 1776
and had been with Burgoynes Army, about one year
when he deserted. He belonged to Col. St. Leger's Regt
and was in the battle at Fort Stanwix. After the
defeat of St Leger he returned with part of the Regt to Ticonderoga, and from thence to Mount Independence
from whence he deserted as aforesaid.
Page 7

He was at Bennington, Vermont when he entered the
American service, and in the spring of the year 1782
at the close of the last campaign he went to Arlington
Vermont, where he resided a short time, and from
thence removed to Sunderland, from thence to Essex
and from thence to Fairfax, where he has lived thirty
years. He entered the American service as a volunteer
private and served as such during the whole time having
 been advised by his officers not to enlist. From
the fall of 1777 to the Spring of 1782, he was either in the
field or Garrison the whole time except the time which
he was in the teaming service in the years 1778 & 79
and was not employed in any other civil contract.
During his several campaign in the American service ┃
he became acquainted with the following named
officers Viz Capt John Hassett, Jonathan Fassett, who
was in the Commissary Department. Capt. Samuel
Robinson, Col. Herrick, Lieut White, Capt. Ebenezer
Wood, Lieut Isaac Clark since Col. Clark in the
last was Lieut Samuel Bradley, Col Ebenezer Allen
& Ethan Allen, Capts Sawyer & Hutchins, Lieuts Powers,
 Brookings, Spencer & Hall, Capt. Comstock,
Lieut Benjamin Bartlett & Col Pearl.
He never received any written discharge at any time
He is personally acquainted with the following named
persons residing in Fairfax, who can testify as to his
Page 8


character for veracity, and their belief of his having been
a Soldier of the Revolution.
Viz Hampton Lovegrove Post Master Gen. Josiah
Grout, Joseph Parmelee Esq., Churchill Sampson Esq
L. R. Beeman Esq. and James Fellows Constable
He is not acquainted with any clergyman, residing in
Fairfax who can testify.
George Major his mark


Affirmed and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid-
Attest
Wm Bridges
Page 9

We Hampton Lovegrove and Josiah Grout residing
in Fairfax hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with George Major who has subscribed
and affirmed to the above declaration. that we believe
him to be seventy nine 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.
Hampton Lovegrove
Josiah Grout

Friday 12th of June AD 1834
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
Before me Joseph Parmelee Just Peace

I further certify that the above named
Hampton Lovegrove & Josiah Grout are credible
witnesses and entitled to credit.
Joseph Parmele Just Peace
Page 10

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 that Hampton Lovegrove who has signed the proceeding certificate
is a Post Master resident of Fairfax, and that
Josiah Grant, who has also signed the same
is a resident of sd Fairfax, and is a credible person,
and their statement is entitled to credit.
I Aaron S Beeman Clerk of the Court of Probate,
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of George Majors for a
pension.
In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of said court at St. Albans in sd
district this 25th day of June
AD 1834-
Aaron S Beeman Clerk

I further certify that Joseph Parmelee Esqr who has
made and signed the foregoing certificate
under the signatures of Hampton Lovegrove
and Josiah Grant is a Magistrate duly qualified
Page 11

and that the signature affixed is in his
own proper hand writing. In witness
whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal
said Court
at St. Albans in sd district
this twenty fifth day of June
in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and
thirty four
Aaron S Beeman Clerk
Page 12

In reply to your request of... received...
for a statement of the military history of George Major or Majors
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.
S. F. 13879

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. |OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE. | 
Oct. 1777 to | Spring 78. | Pri | Fassett, Samuel Robinson | Ebenezer Allen | Vt.|
May 1, 1778 |  served most of time, to May or June '80 | Teamster | under Jonathan Fassett, Commissary Dept

May or June 1780  | 1 yr 9 mos. |  Pri | William Hutchins | Allen, Fletcher

Battles engaged in, See below *

Residence of soldier at enlistment in 1780, Arlington, Vt.
Date of application for pension, May 31, 1834, His cl. was al
Residence at date of application, Fairfax, Franklin Co., Vt
Age at date of application, born in 1754 or 5 at Frankfort, Germany
Remarks: Soldier enlisted in the British Army
in the fall of 1776, in Col. St Leger's regt and was in
the battle of *Fort Stanwix, in Sept 1777, soon after the
first battle of Saratoga, he deserted and soon joined
the American Army. No data relative to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6 -- 2856
Page 13

1915. Oct. 12. History to
Mrs. Susan C. Tufts FM
Letter with Cl. James Magar
S.F. 40979.

13879
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 13. 879
George Major
Pri. Rev War

Act: June 7 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 239
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 14

George Major
Vermont
Suspended
17 Sept 1834
Wm Bridges
Admt'd as private
12 mo. $40
Page 15

J. Y Vail Latter
requesting the archives
of the State
[illegible - crossed out] 


William Bridges, Esq
St. Albans
Vt.
Page 16

Montpelier July 28. 1834

Dear Sir
I recd yours of 26th instant
& in answer state that I have heretofore
applied for information to the Secretary
of State & the Secretary of the Gov. & Council
 who can find nothing in either
Office to aid the old follows in
their application-
I took a certificate from each that there was no
roll in their Office & forwarded & will be found in the papers of  John Taplin -

[crossed out - Is A. B. Wells good? he signs as surety for 
Goodrich Wells - nothing paid ??]
In haste
yours Respectfully
J. Wail

Wm Bridges Esq
In [Slades] "Vermont State
Papers", a bound book, you will find that Troops were
raised & that Allen was Col & I believe [illegible]
Page 17

Department of War
Pension Office
July 12. 1834

Sir, 

I have examined the papers in the case of George Major and herewith return them.

The applicant claims for three distinct tours of military
duty in the Vermont militia or State troops, the first an indefinite term as to duration, ending in the spring of 1778. the second, a tour of nine months in 1780, and the third a tour of one full year in 1781,
making in fact, a continuous term of nearly two years.
The Department has no evidence that such was the character of Militia
service in Vermont during that period, and it is believed
the State troops under Col Fletcher of 1781, were raised for six months only.
The archives in the office of the Secretary of State in
Vermont may throw some light on this subject, to which the claimant is referred, and from whom further explanations as to the nature of his service in detail, is required.

I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Svt
Henry H. Sylvester
on the absence and in behalf of
the Commissioner of Pensions

William Judge Esq
St. Albans
Vermont
Page 18

Rufus Montague’s aff’t
in support of George
Majors claim to a
Pension
Page 19

I Rufus Montague of Fletcher in the County of
Franklin and State of Vermont, aged seventy
two years, do testify and say that in the month
of Sept 1780, I was a soldier in Capt William
Hutchins Company and was stationed at Pittsford
Vt. and there became acquainted with George
Majors (a Hession) he was then a soldier in sd
company. I served in sd Company about six weeks
or two months, & when I left the company sd Majors
Still remained, But how long he had served previous I 
cannot say, nor do I know how or when he joined the
company but understood from him that he had been 
in the company through the summer previous.
again in Feby or March 1781, I joined said
Hutchins Company at Castleton, and I there
found sd Major, I served in sd company until
November, and sd Majors served with me during the
campaign and I left said Majors at Castleton.
He informed me that he had been in service from
the time I left the company & said he intended to stay
until the war was over. But how long he stayed
afterwards I am not able to say.
He was a good soldier, and was always ready and
willing to go at any time whenever he was called on
Page 20

He now resides in Fairfax and I know him
to be the same man that served with me
as aforesaid I should say that he was older then
myself and further say not.
Rufus Montague

Sworn to and subscribed
this 24th day of March 1834
Before me William Bridges Justice of the
Peace

I further certify that the deponent is a
credible persons.
William Bridges Justice Peace

State of Vermont 
Georgia District
I Aaron S Beeman
Clerk of the court of
Probate within & for the
district afsd do hereby certify that William
Bridges who has affixed his name to the above
certificate is a Magistrate duly authorised
by the Legislative of the State of Vermont
and that the same is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
Page 21

affixed the seal of said Court at St. Albans
in said district this 25th day of June
1834
Aaron S Beeman Clerk
Page 22

St Albans October 9th 1834
Hon J.L. Edwards
Sir
In answer to yours of
the 17th Sept. I am authorised by Mr George
Majors to say that he knows of no person
by whom he can prove his claim, beyond
what has already been proved, and requests
that a certificate may issue for the time
proved and allowed.

very respectfully
your obt servt
Wm Bridges

Hon J.L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 23

Noel Potter's aff't
in support of George
Majors claim to a
Pension

Geo Major
pr.
31.490
Page 24

I Noel Potter of St. Albans in the County
of Franklin and State of Vermont, aged
seventy three years do testify and say
that in the year 1781, I was a soldier
in Lieut David Powers company in Col
Allens Regt and was stationed at Pittsford at Fort Vengeance, and there became
acquainted with George Majors (a German)
then a soldier in Capt William Hutchins
company. It was said at the time that he
was a deserter from Burgoynes Army.
I served at Pittsford six months, I believe
sd Majors was at the Fort of when I
arrived there. I do not know when he
enlisted or how long he served. Capt Hutchins
company according to the best of my recollection
left Fort Vengeance before I was dismised
and went to Castleton and howe long said
Majors served I am not able to say, but from
the time I first became acquainted with him
until he left for Castleton was nearly six
months.
Said Majors is now a resident
of Fairfax in sd County and has been for
many years, and I know him to be the same
man that served as aforesaid, And
I should say he was older than I am by
three or four years.
Noel Potter
Sworn to and subscribed
this 24th day of June
AD 1834-
Before me Wm Bridges
Justice of the Peace
Page 25

I further certify that the deponent who
has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit
is a credible witness
Wm Bridges Justice Peace

State of Vermont 
Franklin County
 I Aaron S Beeman
Clerk of the Court of
Probate within and for the
district of Georgia, hereby certify that
William Bridges who has affixed his
name to the foregoing is a Magistrate
duly qualified and that the same is his genuine
signature.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my name and
affix the seal of sd Court at
St. Albans in district this
25th day of June 1834
Aaron S Beeman Clerk
Page 26

I Silas Reynold of St. Armands in the Province of
Lower Canada aged seventy years do testify and
say that in the year 1782, I belonged to Captain
Grays Company and my [place] rendezvous was at
Castleton Vt. That during the campaign I
become acquainted with George Majors (a
Hessain), who was a soldier belonging to Capt
William Hutchins Company and was station'd
at Castleton afs'd. I am not able to say at what
time sd Majors enlisted or for what length of time
nor do I know when he was discharged. I was with him occasionally and often conversed with him
about leaving the British army.  and I should
say that from the time I first became acquainted
with him till he left the Camp, was six or
eight months, and perhaps more. our duty was
mostly scouting, and therefore I was absent from
the Fort and from him a considerable past of
of the time. After the Revolutionary war I
return to Dorset where I lived a number of
years. That during my residence there I saw said
Majors a number of times. He then lived in
Sunderland. He now lives in Fairfax and I
know him to be the same man who served at
Castleton as afs'd. I should say that sd Majors
was some years older than myself. And further
say not.
Silas Reynold
Sworn to and subscribed
this 26th day of Augt
AD 1834.
Before me Wm Bridges Justice of the Peace
Page 27

I further certify that the within
named deponent is a credible witness
Wm Bridges Justice Peace

State of Vermont 
Georgia District
 I Aaron S Beeman
Clerk of the Court of
Probate within & for the
District aforesaid hereby certify that
William Bridges who has affixed his name
to the within certificate, is a Magistrate duly
qualified, and that I know the same
to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my name and
affixed the seal of said Court
at St Albans this 1st day of Sept
D 1834
 I Aaron S Beeman


Silas Reynolds
aff't in support 
of George Majors
claim to a Penson


Aaron S Beeman Clerk
Page 28

State of Vermont 
Franklin County
St Albans August 19th 1834
Personally appeared before me,
the undersigned, a Justice of the
Peace, within and for the County of Franklin afsd
George Majors of Fairfax in sd County who being
first duly sworn. (by administering the oath
of
affirmation) deposeth & saith that by reason of
old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot
swear positively as to the precise length of his
first campaign in the fall and winter of 1777 & 78.
But according to the best of his recollection he
served not less than six months.
His impression is that he joined Capt Fassett Com
pany in the month of October, in a few days
after the surrender of Gen Burgoyne, and remaind
under his command a short time while at Pittsford
& when he returned from thence to Castleton he
was put into Capt Robinson's Company. But for
what reason he does not know, for at the time
of his transfer he could not speak or understand
scarcely a word of english, all he knew about it was
that he had a change of masters, by whom he was
will treated, and he cheerfully obeyed so for as he
understood. He is very sure that he remained in Capt
Page 29

Robinson's company until about the first of May 1778,
when he had the offer of driving the Commissaries
team, and being acquainted with teaming he engaged in
transporting provisions to Castleton and Pittsford in the
employment of Jonathan Fassett who had charge of
the Commissary Department at that time. That he remain'd
most of the time in sd service untill May or June 1780,
when he again volunteered for nine months, and
he is positive that he served his time out. He is also
certain that in his last campaign he served one
full year.
That during his last campaignCol Fletcher and
Col Allen were both with the Troops, but not all
the time. The duty of the troops was mostly scouting, 
 and he does not recollect that Col Allen on
Fletcher was with them on scouts except once, &
that was at the time the troops went to Fort Ann
and at that time Col Fletch and Gen Enos took the
command. At the time he was dismissed from service
he is not able to say definitely what Col. commanded, 
But believes it was Col Allen. That during his
two last campaigns his duty was scouting. small
parties were sent out many times under the command
of only one commissioned officer, and some
times the scout was command by a Sergeant only to
Page 30

watch the motion of the enemy, and especially
the Tories, who were almost constantly making
inroads upon the inhabitants.
The applicant further states that the reason why he
remained with the army so long was that it was business
with which he was well acquainted, and as he was
resolved not to return to his native country he chose
to stay with the army until he became acquainted with
English language, and the county cleared of the
enemies, that the inhabitants on the frontier could
rest secure from the encroachment of the British and
Tories.
George Majors his mark

Affirmed to and subscribed 
this 19th day of August
D 1834
Before me
Wm Bridges Justice of the Peace

I further certify that the deponent is a credible
person, and entitled to credit
Wm Bridges Justice Peace
Page 31

State of Vermont  
Georgia District 
I Aaron S Beeman Clerk
of the Court of Probate within
and for the district afsd do hereby
certify that William Bridges who has affixed his
name to the foregoing is a Magistrate duly
qualified, and that I know the same to be his
genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand, and
affix the seal of said Court at
St. Albans in sd district this 20th
day of August AD 1834
Aaron S Burnan Clerk


G. Majors