Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1408, Asa Buckman, Mass.
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([illegible]-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Buckman, Asa

NUMBER
R.1408

CONTENTS
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1097
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STATE OF VERMONT
WINDSOR COUNTY, SS.}
On this eleventh day of August A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District now sitting, Asa Buckman a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged seventy nine 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He enlisted in the Town of Athall in the State of Massachusetts in 1775 he volunteered on the first of May and joined Col Whitneys Regiment and Capt Redings Company and was stationed at Nantucket 15 miles below Boston he served eight months and was discharged on the first of January 1776 at the aforesaid Nantucket, he further states he volunteered for three months and joined General Sullavans army on Rhode Island and was in battle with Sullavan and with him when he left the island - the time he joined he cannot remember, but he says he served three months on this engagement the year he cannot remember. Again he states he volunteered and enlisted into the United States service in 1778 on the first day of April and soon after went to Wester Mass. and was mustered by Brown the Mustermaster he enlisted for three years and joined Coln Bigelows Regiment and Capt Smiths Company on Westpoint and Wintered there one or two Winters and at the fishkills one winter he was in New Jersey at the time Andrew was executed and he was discharged on Westpoint on the first of April 1781 - had a regular discharge it being lost he has no other means than this Declaration to prove his services, he is seventy nine years old and by reason of Age and infirmity his memory is very much impaired.
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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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Edwin Hutchingson, Register
Witness Ira Raymond
Asa Buckman

We, Abner Buckman, Witness in Barnard Annual
and James Buckman residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Asa Buckman who has subscribed and sworn 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 solider of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
the words "a clergyman residing" the word erased before certifying
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Edwin Hutchingson Register
Abner Buckman
James Buckman

And the said Court to hereby declare in 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 appear to them that Abner Buckman who has signed the preceding certificate, is resident in Barnard Vermont and that James Buckman who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same Barnard and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. The words "a Clergyman" erased before certifying. 

I, Edwin Hutchingson, Register, of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ada Buckman for a Pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of August A.D. 1833
Edwin Hutchingson, Register
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Claim of 1097
Asa Buckman
of Vermont
Asa Buckman
1408
Tell 
H Hubbard
Ebr Cummings Esq
Woodstock
Pvt
Hon H Hubbard
Charleston N.C.
HH
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office.
18 April 1833
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 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 show what is necessary to be done. Those point to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margins with a brace, (this: }). 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, show the [illegible]
Period when the service was registered.
1775
In Sulivan
From 1778 to 1781
Duration of the claimant's service. 
Years. 
0
0
3
Months. 
8 
3
0
Days.
0-

0
Rank of the claimant.
Priv
he cannot remember
Soldier
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col Whitany
He cannot remember
Col Bigalow
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 
age - [illegible]
77 years
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
The whole 3 11 0 Soldier
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
wm Asa Buchman
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatman, &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 Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As roles of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department all parts claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, widows of privates, will [illegible] instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant rests. 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 sword, 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. 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 escribed the say and year aforesaid. A.B.
[And then will show the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 was signed the proceeding 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
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of serve 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 service.
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?
6. 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 service 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 opinoin of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
---------------
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the County where he resides. If should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably by 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 language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly 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 authentication the papers is not written on the same sheer 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.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the 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 character and signatures of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
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 is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] The 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.

No Cd. by the name of Whitney commanded the three year service.
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Orvis S. Paine
Washington 
D.C.
Soldier 4 Rally
Col Shly
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All men by these presents that I James Buckman of Banard in the county of Windsor the state of Vermont have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint Oris S Paine of Washington D.C. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name, place and stead to examine all records, and papers relating to the obtaining a pension for the services of Asa Buckman, deceased, in the Revolutionary War, who was my father and formerly resided in Banard, giving and granting my said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and obtaining all pensions, which the heirs of said Asa Buckman are entitled by the laws of the United States to all intents and purpose hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney ahell lawfull do on cause to be done by virtue hereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and made seal this 12th day of December on thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
James Buckman
Signed and seal ed in the presents of Catharine W Kimball John H Kimball Justice of Peace Windsor Vermont
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[illegible]
H. Hubbard
Nov 29 1833
[illegible]
1834
O.S. Paine Jany 30 1854
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Jny 30/
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547
Pension Office
Jany 30 1854
Sir
The children of Asa Buckman of VC should make application for the pension which they suppose is due in his right and then when he died, whether he left a widow and the number and names of the children now alive. An administrator should be appointed and the amount of his bond shown.
O.S. Paine At
Present
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COPY
War Department
Pension Office.
Nov, 29, 1833
Sir:
The documents in support of the claim of Asa Buckman have been examined an dplaced on our files. His case is considered very doubtful in consequence of this name not appearing on the rolls of Col. Bigelow's regiment which are considered complete for the period at which it is alleged that he served. His claim cannot therefore be admitted unless the most satisfactory evidence of his service be produced. This may possibly be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of the State of Mass.
* * * * * * *
Hon. H. Hubbard
of the House of Reps.
Present.
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Washington
January 7 54
Sit
Enclosed I leave & find Power of Attorney and additional evidence in the case of Asa Buckman decd.
On early addition to the claim will oblige. 
Yours
Many [illegible]
O S Paine
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Hon H Everett
May 17 1834
O.C.
1425
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Department of War
Pension Office
May 17 1834
Sir
In answer to your enquiry relating to the situation of the claim of Asa Buckman, I have the honor to state, that the claim was suspended on the 29th of Nov last; and the following [illegible] of a letter addressed to the Hon Henry Hubbard will explain the reason for its suspension. 
*The documents in support of the claim of Asa Buckman have been examined and placed on fill.
*His case is considered very doubtful in consequence of his name and appearing on the rolls of Col Bigalow's Regt which are considered complete in the period at which is alleged that he served. His claim cannot therefore be admitted unless the most satisfactory evidence of his name be produced. This may possibly be claimed from the Office of the Secretary of State of Mass.
I have the honor
Hon
H Evereult
H.R
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War Dept Pension Office
Oct. 22d 1832
Sir
I herewith return the papers of Asa Buckman with printed instructions to enable him to make a declaration suitable to his care. He must accompany his claim with all the evidence he can obtain, as doubts are entertained whether he enlisted for these years in a Regiment under the command of Col Whitney. That officer did not belong to the Continental Army. There is no evidence here that he commanded State Troops and no militia men were engaged for three years service. 
I am very respectfully
Your ob't. Servant
J.L. Edwards
Ebenezer Cummings Esq
Woodstock
Vermont
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston:
January 20th 1854
I hereby certify that from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution which remain in this Department it appears that the name of Asa Buckman is borne on Muster Roll of Capt William Warner's comp Col Whitney's Rent. from July 11 1776. 31 days as private. 
210
Also on muster roll of Capt William Warner's comp Col Whitney's Regt for the most advance pay travelling expense & blanket money £ 2.19.5 Dated Camp Hull Aug 31 1776
Also on pay roll of Capt William Warner's comp Col Whitney's Regt in the service of the state from Aug 1 to Nov 1 1776 £ 5.8
Also same Capt came Col Whitney's Regt for the month of November 1776 and trebling fees travel £ 0.9.1 as private from Athol
Also on pay roll of Capt William Henry's comp Col Whitney's Regt R Island Service from May 5 to July 5 1777 I2 months as private
Also on muster roll of Capt Jotham Houghton Col Whitney's Regt R Island Service from July 30 to Sept 14 1778 1 month 15 days as private
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Also on muster roll of Capt Joseph Livermore's comp who sserved at the Barracks at Rutland from July 5 to Oct 1 1779 2 mos 27 days as private
"To the Hon Henry Gardner Esq Treasurer"
"Sir please to pay Capt Ephraim Stevens the whole that is due to me on said Capt Steven's muster roll for three months service in the year 1780 at West Point. Also whatever may be due to me on said muster roll for Hunket, give same money R. and this or shall be given weight in full from me is being the value received." Signed Asa Buckman
attested by William Crosby
Daniel Sampson
And I further certify, that, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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Partington
the sound of any part
you received and on examination
as in the same of Asa Duckman
in the part of service is request
and it may be paid
Secretary of the
declaration of the deceased
I find the united in the time
in the State of Massachusetts in 1775, this
May beformed Capt Fredin Company
in Whitneys Regiment, the further states
he volunteered for the uses and find
Genl Sullivan in said land
states he enlisted in the Circuit Mary
in 1778 in Bill so far
to Massachusetts he enlisted for the
years and joined Capt Smiths Company in
Bingamel
By writing to the Sundry
on giving the above service
said will may it be said
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Mr. secretary seen plese to send the with in Letter and I wish you to give me all the 
Information that you can in regard to his last Inlistment and term seves that he Asa Buckman sered in the army Of the Unitted by doing so you will Oblige your Humble servent. James Buckman
Please direct your letter to Gays Mill Vt.
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1408 
REJECTED
D. Asa Buckman
Service:
Listed: , 18
Discharged: , 18
Application Filed: , 18
Charged: List of suspended claim printed in 1852 shows cause of 
enlisted: suspension as follows: "Suspended for further proof"

rney:
D.
Recognized. Contract.
Cort. of Dis. Searched for , 18
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Forn VAN-51
12-3-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME Buckman, Benjamin
GRADE Seargeant
LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 3693
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED May 24, 1790
to --- not shown --
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolution of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department firer of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrender to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.