Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,145, Enoch Colton, Mass.
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SERVICE
Mass.
CONTENTS
Colton Enoch
NUMBER
S. 21, 145
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Vermont
11,656 ┃
Enoch Colton
of Bradford Co in the State of Vermont ┃
who was a Pri in the Company commanded
by Captain Burt
of the Regh command
by Col Porter in the Massette
for Troops -
13 Mo [illegible] Private 63.98
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at
the rate of 63. Dollars 98 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of June
1833 s short, and sent to Thitford, Vt
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 127.96
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " 31.99
159.95 ┃
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by: J. P. Sprague
Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 3
Page 56
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Return to be made
to Simon Phail
Thetford Orange County
Vermont
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State of Vermont
On this 27th day August AD 1882
probate District of Bradford personally appeared in open Court
in the County of Orange before the Probate Court within for
the District of Bradford in the County of Orange now sitting
Enoch Colton a resident of [illegible] in the County of Orange
State of Vermont aged 71 years the last day next Nov.
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 son of the United States under the following
named officers & record as him as
that the first of May 1777 his father Asa Colton of
[illegible] in the State of Massachusetts was drafted into
the Militia [illegible], for the time of two months that he the
said applicant engaged as a substitute for his father & joined
a company commanded by Lieut Isaac Chapin at [illegible]field in Massachusetts, that our Cooper was the first, that as
the company was shall consist of only one there was no
Captain that his Col name was Jonathan State of said
Longmeadow. that he marched through Great Barrington in Massachusetts where he drew provisions to Albany on Hudson
[illegible] from there to Lake George down to Mt. Independence
continual thee until July when the Americans abandoned Ticonderoga Fort
then retreated with others to Hubbardton, to which the Col Fraser pursued them & gave them battle-- that
he was in the battle of Hubbardton and celled in Castleton, Vermont, that he was their with about three hundred other taken prisoners by the British & was carried first to take
[illegible] was kept there about two months
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was then carried to Montreal in Canada & then to Quebec where he was detained until the 11th day of Nov. following [illegible] then carried by water to New York & then went
up Hudson River to a place called Terrytown 
I was then exchanged the last of December 1777. I returned to Longmeadow
in Massachusetts when he lived-- the first of January 1778-
That in the summer or fall of the year 1778, though he cannot be certain about the year nor is he certain about the month
but he knows it was when apples began to be ripe the militia in Longmeadow, where he lived in the region around, was called for to go to guard New London in Connecticut & that
he volunteered in this [illegible] & joined Capt Barts Company of Springfield, Col Porter Old Hadley regiment & marched to New
London I was stationed there two months the time for which he engaged
I was employed in guarding the town that there was only one other regiment there at the time commanded by Major Parsons of Sommer in Connecticut & a small [illegible] of troops [illegible] in the Fort [illegible] he does not recollect that he [illegible] two months out returned home the last of Sept as he thinks
He further [illegible] that in the fall of the year 1779 if he rightly recollect the year the first of Sept as he thinks a regiment of Volunteer or State Troops, was raised in the County of
Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts to go to Washington being he at the South that this applicant volunteered [illegible] the term of three months & joined Capt [illegible]
Company of [illegible] in said County, Col Chapin's Regiment & marched directly to Albany on Hudson River & for some 
reason which this applicant did not know, they did not travel South to join Washington army as was expected when he enlisted but was stationed the whole three months at
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Albany in the ordinary duties of the army - He thinks there
was no other regiment stationed at Albany at the time he
paid out his full period of three months & was dismissed late
in the fall, & returned home to Long Meadow- when he still lives
In answer to the questions prescribed by the war department &
propounded by the Court he states that he was born in the
town of Long Meadow in the County of Hampshire State of
Massachusetts in the year 1761.  That there is a record of his age
in said Long Meadow, when he lived when he entered the service. 
That he entered the service as before stated time voluntarily
above as--(illegible) for his further--That he cannot be (illegible)
particulars than he has (?) above in giving names stating
circumstances.  He thinks his brothers must be mistaken as to
the years when he went to New London as this applicant is
certain that it was after he returned from 2 weeks & before 
he went to Albany which he is positive was the year 1779. 
He states that he never had any written discharge & has no
documenting evidence of his service & that he refers this Court
& war department to Rufus Blanchard Esq. Lieut. Elijah 
Walker & Haut. Wm. Spencer as persons in his neighborhood who
will testify of his character for truth & veracity & their belief
of his service as a soldier of the revolution.  He hereby relinquishes
every claim whatever to buy annuity or pension except
the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of
any agency of any state-
(signed)  Enoch Cotton
Sworn to & subscribed the day
& year aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
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(Illegible) the investigation of the matter & after putting the
interrogators presented by the war department & (illegible)
the depositions of John Cotton & Lucius Cotton here with
transmitted, that the above named applicant was a soldier
of the revolution & served as he states.--
And the court further certifies that William Heaton
before whom the annexed deposition of John Colton
was taken & sworn is a justice of the Peace within &
for said Orange County this signature thereto genuine.
I Simeon Short Clerk or (illegible) of the said Court of
Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of said Court in the matter 
of the application of Enoch Cotton for a pension
This testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand
this Seal of Said Court this 31st day of August AD 1882
Simon Short, Clk
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I John Colton of West Fairlee in the County
of Orange & State of Vermont of the age of Seventy
Six years do depose and say in the year
1777 I then lived in Long Meadow in the State of
Massachusetts and was personally knowing
to Mr. Enoch Colton who then lived in the
same place that I then lived (but now
lives in the Town of Vershire in the County
of Orange & State of Vermont) of him the said Enoch
Colton enlisting in the service of the United
State for two months under the command of
Leuit. Israel Chapin. I enlisted into the same
Company we marched to Albany in the State of
New York and from thence we marched to Lake
George in company with the sd.  Enoch and stayed
them & on Mount independence until one regiment?
nearly expired on some of the Last days of our
enlistment. I was knowing to the sd. Enoch Colton
being taken prisoner in what is called Hubbarton
Battle which was in the fore part of July that
same year and was a prisoner with the British
until the fore part of January then next.
thereafter, I further say that I was personally
knowing to the sd. Enoch Colton enlisting into Capt.
(illegible) Burt Company to Guard New London this
was in the year 1779 or 1780 which year I do not
distinctly recollect was my self in the same Company
and was knowing to his staying his time out
being Two months & Further say not. (signed) John Colton
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State of Vermont Thetford August 6th, 1832
Orange County ss 
John Colton of West Fairlee in sd.
Orange County personally appearing & after being
Camfully examined & duly cautioned made
Solemn Oath that the foregoing Deposion by
him subscribed contains the whole truth & nothing
but the truth
Before
William Heaton Justice of Peace
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I Lucius Colton of Sheldon in the County of
Franklin and State of Vermont aged Sixty
five years, do testify & say that I am the Brother
of Enoch Colton of Vershire in the County of Orange
and State aforesaid-- who formerly resided in town of
Long medow State of Mass-- That in the month
of May 1777 the sd Enoch engaged as a substitute
for my Father Asa Colton who was drafted for
two months, and march to the north and went
as I was informed. In about two month after the
sd. Enoch left. I was informed by those that returned
that there had been an engagement at Hubbardton
and that my brother was in the engagement-
I heard no more of my brother for two months
after the action, when I learned from same
soldiers from old Springfield who was taken prisoner
with the said Enoch who escapes (illegible) their
imprisonment (insert) that my brother was at Montreal,
that in the month of January
1778 the said Enoch returned home to Long Meadow
Mass--
That again in the summer of 1779 or 1780, the said
Enoch enlisted and marched for New London &
was absent about two month being the term
of time for which he engaged and served his
time out as I was informed, and believed he did
Afterwards in the latter part of the summer
season or first part of the autumn season he
the said Enoch again enlisted for three months
and marched to Albany as I was informed, I
was knowing to his going from home and in
about three months returned at which time
he informed that he had been with the army
and have no doubt but what he served his time
out and further say not--
Lucius Colton (signed)
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State of Vermont
Georgia District (??)

August 14th or 16th 1832

Personally appeared before me the undersigned authority Lucius Colton who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit, a credible witness, who did make solemn oath that the facts set forth as therein contained are true according to his best knowledge information and belief.

Before me William Bridges
Judge of the Court
of Probate

State of Vermont
Franklin County
(??) (??) August 15th 1832

I Horace James Clech of the County Court in said County, do hereby certify that the Hon. William Bridges of (??) (??) is Judge of the Probate Court for the district of Georgia in said County duly appointed by the Legislature of this State and qualified to act as such, and that the foregoing is his genuine Signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the public seal of said Court the day and year above.

Horace James Clech
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190998
Enoch Colton
Orange Co.
Vermont

Admitted 
13 (??) 6(??)
$63.98

S. Short Esq.
Thetford
Vermont
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War Department,
Pension Office,

183

Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Enoch Colton

Period when the service was rendered
- 1 May 1777 A (??) and (??) until the fall of 9 Aug 1778
- Fall 1772
- Fall 1779

Years/Months/Days
- 8.6
- 2
- 3
- Total 13.6

Rank of the claimant
- Private

Names and Rank of the Compnay officers under whom he served
- Lt. Chopin (??)
- Capt. Bart
- Capt. Keep

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
- Col. Heale
- Col. Porter
- Col. Chopin (??) 

Battles in which the applicant was engaged
- Hubbardton

Country through which he marched
- (??) (??) (??) to Lake George?
- New London
- Albany

Place of abode when he entered the service, and the age at the present period
- 71 years (??) (??) (??)

Evidence by which the declaration is supported
- By living witness John Colton (??) is (??)

I am, respectfully,
Your obediant servant,
J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:

This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance , make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

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

On this   day of   
personally appeared (a) before   A. B. a resident (b) of   in the county of   and State, Territory or District following declaration, in der to obtain the benefit of the provion 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 enered 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 subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I   of the Court of   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 day and year aforesaid,

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the    and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the   and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I,   Clerk of the Court of   do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of 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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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in 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 bis 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 mouths 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[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 signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Revolution
21145
INVALID

File No. 21145
Enoch Colton
Pri. Rev War

Act: June 7th 32"
Index:___  Vol. 2, Page 77
Arrangement of 1870