Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,774, William Graves, Vt.
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(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Vt. |Graves, Willliam|S.10.774|
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CONTENTS  carded
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[verso]

2345
['Vermont' crossed out] To Albany
William Graves of Rutland in the State of Vt. who was a pr in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the Reg't commanded by Col. Fletcher in the Vt. mil line for 22 months
Reduced from $80.
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of May 35 and sent to S. H. Merrill Castleton, Vt.
______
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 35  223.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep't " 36.67
$259.99
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nath Rice Clerk, 
Book D Vol. 4 Page 59
       E2  "  3  "  70 - 

[recto]

ord-To pay, April 13, 1837
Trans'd to Albany 24. July 1837 from 4. March 1837 - }
paid at the treasury under the Act of 6th April 1838. from March 4th to May 30th 1841, 
Agent notified April 15th 1841
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William Graves
31 mo No 1500.
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STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY, SS. } 
On this 19 day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland Dis't now sitting, William Graves a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 71 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. In 1778 he lived in Rupert, Vermont & in October he enlisted under Lt. Coffain, & marched to Rutland where he served two months in guarding the frontier & scouting does not remember the names of the other officers. In the spring of 1779 he enlisted in Capt Noble: Company & marched to Rutland, - does not remember whether it was for nine or ten months - he served out his time at Rutland as afores'd & in scouting, & was discharged the last of Nov. In 1780 he served by enlistment in Capt Allen: company, Maj. Allen: Detachments  enlisted 1. Feb. & served ten months at Castleton & Pittsford Forts & scouting on the borders of the Lake & Otter creek & was discharged at Pittsford. In 1781 about the 1. Feb. he enlisted for two months & served in Capt Blakesley: company, Lt. Rice, Col. Fletcher: Reg't marched to Castleton where he served the whole time & in scouting as afores'd & was discharged - but never received any written discharge. All his services as afores'd were in the Vermont troops - there were no other troops served with him - he was in a skirmish at Shoreham where Lt. Troop & Rowley were with the scout as officers. He has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services, except Lt. Hall & Josiah Lawrence, whose affidavits are annexed. He was born in Sunderland, Massachusetts the 2. Decem'r 1760, but knows of no record of his age. Since the revolutionary war he has lived entirely in Castleton & Westhaven - he now lives in Westhaven - there is no clergyman residing in his immediate vicinity, but he is generally known to the people
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State of Vermont
I Elias Hall of Castleton being duly sworn do depose & say, that I was a Lieut in the Vermont troops in 1780 & 1781, & know that William Graves served as he states during those years ten months in each year, as set forth in this declaration.
/s/Elias Hall
Sworn & subscribed th 19th July 1832 before me - he being a credible witness}
/s/R. Temple Jus. Peace

On the 14-July 1832 personally came Josiah Lawrence, a credible witness, who being duly sworn doth depose & say, that he served with William Graves who made this declaration in 1780 & 1781, & knows that the served as he states
Sworn before me the day & year afores'd 
/r/R. Temple JP.

State of Vermont
Rutland ss - } 
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that Rob't Temple before whom the above affidavits were taken, is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned - and that the above is his signature. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court this 20th day of August 1832.
/s/R. Pierpoint
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of Castleton & Westhaven

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension and annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
['Elias' crossed out]
/s/X his mark William Graves 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.} /s/R.C. Royce Reg'r

We Elias Hall ['a Clergyman' crossed out] residing in Castleton and Rob't Temple residing in ['the same place' crossed out] Rutland, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Wm. Graves who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
/s/Elias Hall
/s/R. Temple
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.} /s/R.C. Royce Reg'r

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 Elias Hall who has signed the preceding certificate, is a ['Clergyman' crossed out] credible person, resident in Castleton and that Rob't Temple who has also signed the same, is a resident of Rutland and is a credible person, and that their state,ent is entitled to credit. The  said Graves has recently lived a near neighbour to both of them 
I Rodney C. Royce Reg'r ['Clerk' crossed out] 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 William Graves for a Pension.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of Aug't A. D. 1832
/s/R.C. Royce Reg'r
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 1st, 1842.

Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The child of Wm. Graves, dec'd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Seventy three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the laws of the 7" June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, to the 30th May 1841 - 
Respectfully, yours,
/s/Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
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Application for a transfer - 

On the 21th day of June A.D. 1837 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Essex and State of New York personally appeared William Graves of Ticonderoga in said county, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution in the company commanded by Capt Blakesley in the Regiment commanded by Col Fletcher in the Vermont Militia. and made oath that he is the identical person named in an original certificate in his possession dated at the War Office of the United States the 19th day of May 1835 signed by C. A. Harris acting Secretary of War which certificate as appears from the endorsment thereon is recorded in the pension office Book E2 Vol 3 page 70, and entitles him to a pension of Seventy three dollars and thirty three cents per annum - that his name is now on the roll of the Vermont Agency at that rate: that he has removed from his former residence in WestHaven Vermont to Ticonderoga aforesaid - in the State of New York - where he intends in future to reside - The reasons of his removal are - that his wife died - and having no one to keep house for him he wished to live with his son Oliver Graves who resides in Ticonderoga. He wishes to be transferred to the Albany rolls.
[margin note: # here under Vermont Militia of the fact to be so #]
/s/X his mark William Graves
Witness - /s/Clark P. Ives

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above mentioned.
before me /s/Wm Calkins Justice Peace
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State of New York
Essex County ss } 
I, Oliver Graves of Ticonderoga in the State of New York do depose and say that I am the son of William Graves, who has made the foregoing affidavit, and know him to be the identical person for whom the pension certificate therein referred to originally issued from the War Department,
/s/Oliver Graves

Sworn to and subscribed this 21st day of June 1837 - before me /s/Wm Calkins Justice Peace
And I certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Oliver Graves and know him to be a man of truth and credibility - 
/s/Wm Calkins Justice Peace
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State of New York
Essex County ss } I, Edward J. Cuyler Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex do hereby certify that William Calkins Esquire whose name is subscribed to the Jurats of the foregoing affidavit & application was on the Day of the Date hereof a Justice of the peace in and for the said County dwelling therein. Commissioned sworn and duly authorized by Law to act as such Justice - And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and verily believe his signature to said Jurats of said affidavit & application is his genuine hand writing & signature
[court seal affixed] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County and of said Court this 28th day of June 1837.
/s/Edw'd J. Cuyler Clerk

The clerk of the court will certify that the magistrate before whom the affidavits are sworn to is a magistrate and that his signatures thereto are genuine. the clerk: certificate must be under the County seal.
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When this application is perfected enclose it to James L. Edwards - Commissioner of Pensions - Washington D.Ca.
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2345
Vermont
William Graves of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Blakesly of the regiment commanded by Col. Fletcher in the Vermont militia ['line' crossed out] for more than 2 years.
['old certificate declared 22 mo $73.33' overwritten]
______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont, at the rate of 80 Dollars ['[blank] Cents' crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. ['6.66 reduced to 75. 35 per annum' overwritten]
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of November 1832 and sent to ['R. Temple Rutland Vermont' crossed out]
______
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1833 120.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 1833 } 40.00
______
$160.00
['L H Merrill Esq Castleton Vermont' overwritten]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by JM Duffield Clerk
Book D Vol. 4 page 59
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letter Pensioner 11 March 1835
LH Merrill 29 April 1835
E. T. Englesby 18 May "
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May 15
Castleton Vt May 10
To Mr.
Vt.
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[handwritten letter]

Castleton Vt. 11. May 1835.

To Mr J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions }

Dr Sir. Mr Graves has directed me to inclose to you his Pension Certificate and to request you to enable him to receive the amount the department considers him entitled to, as soon as may be convenient
Respectfully your obt Serv't
/s/S. H. Merrill
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Wm Graves 80
Payments to be made at Burlington Vt by the Pres't M. L. Br Bk Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Vermont

Capt. Blakely
Col. Fletcher
March 19. 1833 of Ticonderoga 
6 mo. previous of Westhaven

Recorded by J.M. Duffield Clerk, in Book D Vol. 4 page 59 -
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, William Graves of Rutland Co. of the State of Vermont who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars ['and -- cents' crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
[official seal affixed] Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty fourth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 
/s/Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.} 
/s/J L Edwards
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[handwritten letter]

Castleton Vt. 22d April 1835.

To Mr J. L. Edwards Com'r of Pensions.

Sir I inclose an additional declaration of William Graves to procure his pay for revolutionary services 
By your favour of 15. Mar. last I understand the department to recognize his claim for 19 months service  in 1780 & 1781 - His additional declaration therefore and the affidavit of Lieut Elias Hall go only to prove his service prior to those years - The applicant knows of no person living by whom he can prove his service in 1778, and no one except Lieut Hall who served with him in '79. I forward also the affidavit of John Mason the oldest magistrate in this town to prove the character of the applicant for truth, and hope this department will consider the evidence sufficient to entitle the applicant to be restored to the pay allowed him by the certificate now in his possession - 
If however the department decide that his pay must be reduced he directs me to say that he wishes to receive what he may be decided to be entitled to as soon as may be coincident with your convenience.
REspectfully Your Ob't Serv't
/s/S. H. Merrill

P. S. your answer directed to Mr. Graves or me at this place will be thankfully received
/s/S. H. Merrill
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Elias Hall's Deposition for William Graves.
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I Elias Hall of Castleton in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont eighty years of age, being duly sworn depose testify and say that in the years 1780 and 1781. I was in the revolutionary services and in the Vermont State troops and stationed at Castleton aforesaid and at Pittsford in said County, and was then acquainted with William Graves who now resides in the same Castleton, and know that he was a soldier and served at said Castleton and Pittsford the two years aforesaid - and I further depose that in the year 1779. I was in the same service at said Castleton for the period of three months in the Company commanded by Capt. Parmelee Allen and that I verily believe the said William Graves served as a soldier in the same company the same campaign in the year last mentioned. And I further depose that I believe the said Graves to be a man of truth and veracity, and know that when in the service he was a prompt and faithful soldier - I further depose that the said Graves memory is very much impaired by age & infirmity
/s/Elias Hall

Rutland County ss. Castleton 20th April 1835.
Then personally appeared Elias Hall the signer of the foregoing deposition, well known to me as a man of truth and veracity, and made solemn oath that the said deposition contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Before me /s/S. H. Merrill Justice Peace.
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[addressed envelope]

Castleton Vt
March 4 
[margin note: Mar 7]  free

To. Mr. J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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[handwritten letter]

Castleton 3. March 1835.

To Mr. J.L. Edwards Com'r of Pensions.

Sir in pursuance of the suggestions in your circular of 17. Jan'y last, I state that I served in the revolutionary war under Capt. Blakesly in the Reg't commanded by Col. Fletcher, that I then belonged in the state of Vermont, and served in Castleton, Rutland, and Pittsford in this State, was in no ground action, was a regular and a private and served ten months in one campaign, nine months in another, six months in another and three months in another, that I resided in Westhaven in this (Rutland) County when I made application for my pension, and my testimony was taken before the Probate Court for the district of Rutland, the amount of pension is Eighty dollars per annum, and has been paid up to 4th Sept. last. 
Please direct an answer to Castleton Rutland Co. Vt.
Respectfully your obt serv't 
/s/X his mark William Graves

signed in presence of S.H. Merrill }
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William Graves
additional declaration for Pension.
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I William Graves now a resident in Castleton in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont a revolutionary pensioner under the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832. being duly sworn do make the following additional declaration concerning my services in the War of the revolution - That I enlisted at Rupert in the county of Bennington and State of Vermont into the company of Capt. Hutchins in the Regiment commanded by Col. Gideon Brownson as a private, as near as I can recollect in the month of August AD 1778, for the term of three months, that I immediately joined said company at Rutland in said County and served therein as a soldier at that place the whole of the term for which I enlisted in except when I was sent into other towns on scouting parties - 
That some time in the summer of 1779 I enlisted at Rupert in the County of Bennington aforesaid into the company of Capt Parmelee Allen and (according to my recollection) for the term of six months, and served as a private soldier the term for which I enlisted at the Fort in Castleton aforesaid where said company was stationed that season, I further state that from conversations I have had with Lieut Elias Hall of said Castleton, who was attached to said Allen's Company I am induced to distend my own recollection as to the length of time I served in the last mentioned year, but whether I enlisted for three or six months I served out the term of my enlistment, and further say not. 
/s/X his mark William Graves

Rutland County ss} Castleton 22d April A.D. 1835
Personally appeared William Graves above named and made solemn oath that the foregoing declaration by him subscribed in my presence contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before me /s/S. H. Merrill Justice Peace
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10774
Rev War INVALID.
File No. 10.774
William Graves 
Priv. Rev War

Act: June 7" 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 152
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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John Mason's Deposition for William Graves.
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I John Mason of Castleton in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont of lawful age being duly sworn depose testify and say that I have been acquainted with William Graves who now resides in the same Castleton for about fifty years last past, that I have during that time transacted considerable business with, ['him' crossed out] and consider him to have been during that time a man of integrity, and that his character for truth and veracity has never been questioned to my knowledge and further say not - 
/s/John Mason

Rutland County ss} Castleton 20th April 1835.
Then personally appeared John Mason the signer of the foregoing deposition well known to me as a man of truth and veracity, and made solemn oath that the said deposition contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Before me /s/S. H. Merrill Justice Peace
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[addressed envelope]

July 11
Mr Evans  FREE
[postmark: BURLINGTON VT JULY  7]

James L. Edwards Esq
Coms'r of Pensions
Washington City D.Ca.
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[handwritten letter]

Bank of Burlington Verm't
July 6th 1837

Sir
William Graves a pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832 upon the roll of this agency at the rate of $73.33 per annum, has removed to Ticonderoga, State of New York and has applied, or is about to apply to you, to be transferred from this to the Albany Agency. At his request I anticipate your enquiry to what time he was last paid? and now inform you that he has been paid to the 4th of March 1837. 
Having given the above information at his request, I shall assume the responsibility of withholding the stipends that may become due to him hereafter unless directed by you to resume the payment of them. 
You will perceive that this information is given to facilitate the transfer contemplated.
I am very respectfully Your obt. Serv't 
/s/E. T. Englesby Pres't & pension agent
for Wm Weston Pens. Clk

Jas. L. Edwards Esq
Coms'r of Pensions
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[handwritten letter]

Bank of Burlington Vermont
March 17th 1837

Sir - 
I enclose the following described pension vouchers and if the evidence of identity, and the explanations hereinafter given are satisfactory to your be pleased to return the vouchers accompanied with directions to pay them. 
William Graves' voucher - a years pension is due He came to the Bank expecting to receive the money as usual, not having seen the instructions of Sep't last, which I caused to be published in the Burlington newspapers for the benefit of the pensioners.
John Sherman's voucher - one & a half years pension is due him.
Samuel Rockwoods voucher, one years pension is due him. The circumstances of his case are these
He formerly resided in Windham County, but removed to Bennington County more than ten months since. When the pensioners residing in Windham, Windsor and Orange Counties were transfer'd to the Windsor agency - this pensioner resided in Bennington County 
['In you' crossed out] With your instructions to me advising me of the transfer of the pensioners to the Windsor Agency you sent me a printed roll of all the pensioners in this State specifying the counties in which each pensioner resided when that roll was printed (1834) and directed me to pay no pensioners whose residence appeared in that printed roll, to be in the Windsor Agency. This pensioners name appears in that printed roll among the names of those residing in Windham County, consequently could not be paid here, and being at the time of the creation of the agency at Windsor an actual resident of
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[handwritten letter]

Bennington County, in this agency, could not be paid at Windsor. An application was made to you in February lst as I am informed to have him transferred to this agency - From your letter to Hon H. Hall on the subject. I refer that the facts were not fully stated to you, which letter is herewith transmitted.
I am very respectfully Your Obt. Serv't
/s/E.T. Englesby Pres't & pension agent for Wm Weston

Jas. L. Edwards Esq.
Coms'r of Pensions
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[handwritten letter]

Rutland/Vt./31. Oct. 1832

Sirs
The objective of the claim of Mr. Graves is, that I did not certify Lt. Hall to be a credible witness. I have added the certificate & return the application, having retained the Brief for any future guidance. Permit me to enquire why it should be required to certify to the credibility of an officer? - I presume if an applicant could procure no other testimony than that of an incredible witness, it would not prejudice his claim so far as it rested on his own statement & oath.
It would be hard indeed if you require him to produce all the testimony he can, & then reject his claim because his witness is not respectable, when you would have admitted it if he had been unable to produce any. 
I am Sir, respectfully your obt Serv't
/s/R. Temple

J. L. Edwards Esq
Pension Office
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[addressed envelope]

Ticonderoga N. Y.
July 07.
[margin note: July 22 Wm Graves frm Vt to NY]
FREE

James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.Ca.

[' Transfer to Albany roll, to take effect from 4 March 1837' overwritten]
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[handwritten letter]

Ticonderoga July 17th 1837

James L. Edwards Esqr.

Sir
Enclosed is an application for a transfer by Wm Graves
Respectfully yours
/s/Wm Calkins