Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11719, James Westurn, Vt.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Vt.

Westurn, James
or
Western

NUMBER
S. 11719

carded

CONTENTS
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No. (illegible) 96
New York
James Western
of St Lawence in the State of N. York
Who was a private in the (illegible) commanded
by Captain Hutchins of the (illegible) commanded 
led in the (illegible) (star)
for 10 mos-

(star)
Vt. Line 
May 13/05
Records corrected, Sr

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug. 1833 and (illegible)
St. Lawrence

Arrears to the 4th of (illegible) $66.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending (illegible) 16.66
$83.33
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by A. (illegible) Clerk
Book 6. Vol 3. Page 39
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No 14599.
James Western St Lawrence County N York

aomd
14
P388

May 9, '33

Allen K Baldwin,
Potsdam
N.Y.

(crossed out) A C Low clerk St Law
(crossed out) (illegible) County Court
(crossed out) New York
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BRIEF in the case of James Western
County of St Lawrence in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court

2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 72

State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

(Column Headings: Period. Duration of Service. Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.)

Entered as a vol. In 1780 Feb 1
Feb. 1. to Dec 1.

Years, Months, Days. (Illegible) say full 10 months

As a Private

Gen. Capt Hutchens

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilmington Vert.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence Living witnesses

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? corrected or regulations require

I CERTIFY that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

Dyer Castor Examining Clerk.
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In the matter of
James Western

application for a
pension under
the act of
June 7th 1832,

14599
(checkmark)
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State of New York}
St Lawrence County} SS!

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

On the twenty fourth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, now sitting, James Western of Stockholm in said county of St Lawrence and State of New York aged Seventy two 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 officer, and served as heresin stated, that he enlisted as a volunteer in Wilmington in the state of Vermont when he then (illegible) about the 1st day of February 1780 for a term to expire on the 1st of December next thereafter, that he soon passed muster at Brattleborough and was ordered from then to West Rutland, after staying there a short time he went to Pittsford
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when a company was organized which he joined commanded by Capt. William Hutchins, (illegible) Jarvis Brookins, belonging to Major Ebenezer Allen's Rangers of the Vermont State Troops or Militia. He remained at Pittsford six or seven months under the command of the Major when his company was sent to Castleton and remained during the rest of the period for which it was enlisted. Much of his time was spent in scouting in company with small parties. He was (illegible) at Castleton about the first of December after having served about ten months. He was engaged in no battles and does not know that any Continental Troops were in that vicinity at that time. He never had any written discharge and has no documentary evidence of his said service. The evidence which he has is that contained in the affidavits of Isaac Buck and James Cosey hereunto annexed. The said Buck having served in the same company with him and the said Cosey in another company but at this (illegible) place for a part of the time. 
He further saith that he was born in Tiverton
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Devonshire County. England 3rd of March 1760. He sailed from Graves End when he was about 16 years old as a recruit in the British Army. went to Ireland, staid there a short time and sailed from Cork to Quebec and went from Quebec to Fort Miller where he joined Burgoynnes army in 1777 and at the surrender of Burgoynne was taken to Prospict (Prospect) Hill near Boston as a prisoner and after being there nearly a year he was taken to Rutland, Massachusetts was there several months when he left and went to Hardwich, Mass and went from there to Wilmington VT. when he enlisted as he states in his foresoring declaration. Since the war he has lived at Marlboro, VT. Hardwich, Mass. Oswell, Vt. Ticonderoga New York eight or nine years ago he moved to Stockholm as foresaid where he has resided ever since.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his (illegible) is not on the pension roll of any agency or any state.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year foresaid} James Westurn
A C Low Clk
We Amos Bicknell of Stockholm and Noble S Elderkin of Potsdam in said county of St Lawrence
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Westurn, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood
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where he resides, to have been a soldier of the
revolution, and that we concur in that
opinion
Sworn & subscribed
the day year aforesaid
Amos Bicknell
Noble S. Elderkin
Alvin C Low
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the above interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the
above named applicant was a revolu
tionary soldier and served as he states and
the said Court further certifies that it appears to
them that Amos Bicknell who signed the preceeding certificate reside in Stockholm afore
said and that Noble S. Elderkin who also signature same resides in Potsdam in the said County of Lawrence, that said Bicknell and Elderkin on both credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Alvin C. Low, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas
and of said County of S Lawrence, do
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in
the matter of the application of James Western
for pension. I also certify that Horace Allen
before whom the following affidavits of Isaac
Buck and James Cosey appear to have been
taken was a Justice of the peace of said County
when the same
were taken and his signatures thereto are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office the
twenty fourth day of September in
the grace of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two
A C Low Clerk
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State of New York
Lawrence County ⎬SS Isaac Buck of
Potsdam in said County aged 67 years, being duly sworn
deposeth & saith that he enlisted the first
of February 1780 in a company of Vermont
militia commanded by William Hutchins
Leiut James Brookins for ten month
Shaftsbury Vermont went first
to Pittsboro and for there to Rothford Castleton
and served out the principal part of the ten months after, these at Pittsford where he want from Castleton  and He received a furlough about 17 days before the said term expired and returned home. He further saith that
he has for a long time been acquainted with
James Western of stockholm
in said County and who is making
application for a pension that said
Western came into said company
immediately after it was raised and
served in it till this deponent
left and he believes he served the
full period of ten month
Isaac
Buck
subscribed & Sworn
the 24th day of September
1832 before me Horace Allen Justice Peace


St. Lawrence County ⎬ SS James Cosey of
Ma[ ] in said
County being sworn saith that he hath
heard the preceding affidavit of Isaac Buck read and saith that he belonged
to capt Joseph Lawyer's company in the said
Corps of Rangers to which said
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Capt Hutchins Company, mentioned in the
foregoing affidavit of Isaac Buck
belonged, and served the nine month
and he further saith that he is well ac
quainted with James Western mentioned
in said Affidavit and recollects that
he was in said Hutchins Company
that said company was said served for ten
months and has no doubt that said
Western served his full period of ten
months
James Cosey his mark
Sworn & subscribed
this 24 day of Sep
Tember 1852. before
Horace Allen,
Justice Peace

Lawrence County Ss. James Western the applicant
for a pension named in the preceding papers
being duly sworn saith that there is no Clergy
man residing within ten miles of this deponent
and he knows of none who is acquainted with
his revolutionary services or of the reputation
in his neighborhood of said services that
he is well acquainted with Amos Bicknell
and Noble S. Elderkin who have testified above as to such reputation, but that he inadvertently
went to make such statement in his
declaration above signed. He further saith
that he hath no record of his age and has
not seen any of it since he came to this
country, but that he has always well
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remembered his age and believe he has
made a comet statement about it above
in his said declaration-
James Westurn
Subscribed & sworn
20th day of May
1833 before me
Howan Allen Just Peace
I certify that Isaac Buck and James Cosey who subscribed the foregoing affidavits are persons of good character truth & veracity. Dated May 20, 1833
Horace Allen
Lawrence County
Clerks office SS
I Alvin C Low Clerk
of said county hereby
that Horace Allen before whom the foregoing
affidavit of Isaac Buck James Cosey & James
Western appear to have been taken was at the respective date thereof a Justice of the peace of said County and that his signature to the same are genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office this
day of May 1833
Clerk
I also certify that the annexed papers contain
the original proceedings in this case at the
affidavit of said Western
and on the same papers returned from the Pension office except the preceding affidavit of said Western and that the ends of the [ ]
inadvertave not passed under the seal
this officer, but that they are now so put
under a new
seal now affixed-
Witness my hand & seal office
the 21st day of May A C Low
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said Western claims for a service of
ten months from the 1st of February 1780
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October 20, 1931
BA-J/Mcs
Mrs. L. G. Hatch
1444 E. 68th Street
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of October 7th, requesting the record of James Westurn, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data contained herein are obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 11719, based upon the Revolutionary War service of James Westurn (pensioned Western ).
He was born March 3, 1760, at Tiverton Devonshire County, England. When about sixteen years of age he sailed from Graves End as a recruit in the British Army and went to Ireland. After staying there a short time he sailed from Cork to Quebec and went
from Quebec to Fort Miller where he joined Burgoyne's tray in 1777.
At the surrender of Burgoyne he was taken prisoner and was sent to Prospect Hill, near Boston. After remaining there nearly a year he
was taken to Rutland, Massachusetts. Several months later "he left and went to Hardwick, Massachusetts". From there he went to Wilmington, Vermont, where he enlisted about the first day of February, 1780, and served until about the first of December, 1780, as private
in Captain William Hutchins' Company in Major Ebenezer Allen's Vermont Rangers.
After the Revolution he lived at Wardsboro, Vermont, Hardwick, Massachusetts, Orwell, Vermont, Ticonderoga, New York, and about
1823 or 1824 he moved to Stockholm, St. Lawrence County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he was living in Stockholm, New York, This
pension was based upon his service in the United States Army.
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There are no data on file in regard to this soldier's
family.
No charge is made for furnishing this information and $1.00. the amount of your enclosure, will be refunded to you in due time.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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1444 E. 68th St.
Chicago, Ill.
Oct. 7, 1931
N.S. Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C
Sir:
I am trying to trace the war
service of a Revolutionary war
veteran and I would like to know
if he received a pension or if any
were taken out by his wife. The
mans name is James Western
(sometimes spelled Weston), he was
born in Tiverton, Devonshire Co
England March 3, 1760. He married
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Ann Hayford in Wardsboro Vt. on
Aug. 11, 1785. she was born in
Pembroke Moss, June 3, 1760 and
died at Stockholm N.Y. Jan. 4, 1839.
James Western died at Stockholm N.Y.
Jan. 25, 1834
I am enclosing a dollar
which will perhaps repay you in
some measure for the time you
may spend in looking of this
records
thanking you for your trouble
Yours truly,
Mrs L. G. Hatch
1444 E. 68th St
Chicago, Ill.
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1931 Oct 20 hist to Mrs L G Hatch [ ]
[ ] 11 119 Invalid
File No. 11. 119
James Western Pri Rev War
Act June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. A Page 399
[ Arrangement of 1870.]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Western 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 assigned 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 amout of pension he is entitled?
yes
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?
VIII. 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?
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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? No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain ing it?
No

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?
Living witnesses
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? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
No
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? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
2..7.
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.
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3
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 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 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.
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
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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.