Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12129, Reuben Barnes, N. H.
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(3-1776)
Service NH
Barnes, Reuben
Number
S12129
carded
Contents
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New Hampshire 6931
Concord
Reuben Barnes of Dracut in the State of Mass. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Blanchard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wright in the [illegible] line for 8 months.
*N. H. Line
Records OK July 10/05 [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 26 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of March 1833 and sent to Hon. [illegible] Nelson [illegible]
53.32
13.33
$66.65
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book D Vol. 2 Page 96
Letter to H. Newton 14 Sep. 1837
[illegible] to Pen Agt. 14 Sep. 1837
To Concord New Hampshire line from 4 March 1837 30 July 1838. Modification sent to Hubbard Newton Amhurst N. H.
Letter to Payts. at Concord & Boston Aug. 6, 1838
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We Joseph Merrill, a Clergyman, & Benjm. F. Varnum sheriff of the County of Middlesex both of Dracutt and county & Commonwealth certify that we are personally acquainted with said Reuben Barnes of said Dracut, who signed the annexed declaration , that we believe him to ber seventy six years of age & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary Army & we concur in that opinion.
Joseph Merrill
B. F. Varnum
Commonwealth of Massts. Middlesex ss. Sept. 3rd 1832. Then this above named Joseph Merrill & B. F. Varnum made oath & the truth of the above aforesaid by them subscribed, I [illegible] that J. Merrill is a respectable Clergyman in Dracutt & B. F. Varnum a distinguished
[illegible] & entitled to full credit.
John Varnum Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex, to with,
At the Court of Probate begun and Holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the second day of September A. D. 1832. On the application of Reuben Barnes claiming to be a soldier of the Revolution, the following interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
I was born in Merimack in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire on the 18th of November 1756.
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
I do not know of any record as my father removed to the adjoining town of Lytchfield when I was an infant.
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
I lived in Lytchfield in said county of Hillsbourough & continued to live there till I was 22 years old when I moved back to Merimack & remained there till 1816, when I moved to Dracut, where I now reside.
4. [illegible] you entered into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer,
I was detached & volunteered as I stated in my declaration.
5. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the roops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer, I do not recollect any, except such as are stated in my declaration.
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character [illegible], and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer Benj. F. Varnum, Sheriff of the county of Middlesex, Col. [illegible] representative in the State Legislature, the Rev. Joseph Merrill
Reuben Barnes
[illegible]
S.P.P. Fay 
[illegible]
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I Philip Hills of Hudson, formerly called Nottingham, [illegible] in the county of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire, in the seventy ninth year of my age depose & say, that in the year Anno Domini one thousand, seven hundred & seventy five , in the month of November of that year I enlisted as one of the militia to serve in the Revolutionary Army for the term of two months in the Company commanded by Capt. Augustus Blanchard of Merrimac in said county, and marched to Winter Hill, where I served out the term of my enlistment and remained for some weeks after and I further testify, that Reuben Barnes, then of Litchfield in said County, now of Dracut in the county of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts enlisted at the same time with me in said company and did duty as a soldier therein for the term of his enlistment and was afterwards discharged & returned home.
I further depose that sometime in the summer of the year 1776, he was detached as one of the Militia of Litchfield aforesaid, where he then resided, to serve for the term of five months, in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Daniel Emerson of [illegible] of said [illegible] county and he marched with said company for Lake Champlain & remained & did duty through the same, and then understood, and returned as I recollect, after it's close, I further depose that sometime in the summer of the year 1777 at the request jof some of the Revolutionary officers, the said Barnes, with sundry others turned out as volunteers to go to Bennington for the purpose of taking General Burgoyne's army, and he was [illegible] on this expedition one month or more.-
Philip Hills
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough [illegible] August 24, 1832. Then the above named Philip Hills personally appeared & made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before Danl. Abbot Jus Peace
The above named Daniel Abbot in my [illegible] & [illegible] friend & I know he is a Justice of the Peace in the county of Hillsborough Sept. 5th 1832 
John Varnum
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex ss.
On this twelfth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate now sitting at Concord within and for the county of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid Rueben Barnes of Dracut in said county aged seventy six years Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.   That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as hereinto stated.  That is to say In November or December 1775 I was detached as one of the militia of Litchfield in the State of New Hampshire to serve in the war of the Revolution for the term of two months was 
mustered in the company of Capt. Augustus Blanchard of Merrimack N. H. Marched to Winter Hill, served out the term of his detachment, but [illegible] written discharge.

In June or July 1776 he was again detached as one of the militia of said Litchfield for five months was mustered in the company of Capt. Daniel Emerson of Hollis & regiment of Col. Wingate, marched to Lake Champlain & then he was ordered on a [illegible], or foraging party & did not again join his regiment or company till our [illegible] on this lake was destroyed, served out the [illegible] [illegible] of his engagement & I by the request of his officers [illegible] several work afterwards on the first of October 1777 Genrl. Whiffle of Portsmouth N. H. come to Litchfield where Barnes resided.  I take that Genrl. Burgoin was reduced to a situation in which he [illegible] be taken if the American troops and be reinforced & [illegible] to all the able bodied men to  [illegible] out and [illegible] a many other volunteers marched to Bennington & thence to Saratoga  [illegible]  [illegible] tthree days before the surrender of Burgoin. Was [illegible] in the Company of Capt. Ford & the regiment of Col. Daniel Moore & served one month
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He relinquishes every claim, whatever to a pension or annuity, whatever except the present and declares that the name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State,
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
worn out
S.P.P. Fay
Clergyman residing in the Town of ______
Reuben Barnes
Hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and 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 in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he
states. And the Court further  certifies that it appears that Joseph Merrill who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in Town of Dracutt & Benj. F Varnum [illegible] of county is a credible person, and that statement is entIitled to credit. I Isaac Fisk [illegible] is a clerk of the court of Probate for the county of Middlesex [illegible] for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application
of Reuben Barnes for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal office this twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Isaac Fiske [illegible] of Probate for the county of Middlesex
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Reuben Barnes's application for transfer of payment of pension from Massachusetts to New Hampshire
[illegible] Mar 17
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State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough ss.
On this twelfth day of March 1838 before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Hillsborough, personally appeared Rueben Barnes who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Daniel Emerson in the regiment commended by Colonel Wingate in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension toll of the State of Massachusetts from whence he has lately removed, that he now resided in the State of New Hampshire where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.  The following are his reasons for removing from the State of Massachusetts to the state of New Hampshire,viz that he was poor and unable to maintain himself & that he removed to Lytchfield in New Hampshire & now lives with his nephew Rueben Barnes 2nd.
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Rueben Barnes
Hubbard Newton Justice of the Peace

State New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough ss.
March 12th 1838 
I Hubbard Newton a Justice of the Peace in the county above named, do hereby certify that I have the most sarisfactory evidence, vis. the declaration and affidavit of Rueben Barnes and under a solemn oath administered to him, by me, in due form of law (whose character for truth I hereby certify to be good & unimpeached) that Reuben Barne, who has  this day appeared before  me, to take the oath of indentily, is the identical person named in the pension certificate, which he has exhibited before me, (not numbered) and bearing data at the War Office, the ninth day of March 1838, and signed by Lew Cass Secretary of War.
Given under my hand at Amhurst in the county of Hillsborough aforesaid, on the day and year above written.
Hubbard Newton Justice of the Peace

The pension certificate [illegible] by Daniel Boyd Clerk, in [illegible] 6D [illegible] 2 page 96
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I Andrew Wallace clerk of the Superior Court of judicature for the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Hubbard Newton within named is a Justice of the Peace for said county of Hillsborough as within mentioned and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony where of I have hereunto affixed the seal of said court and subscribed my name, at Amhurst in said county this twelfth day of March Anno Domini 1838
A. Wallace Clerk
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BRIEF in the case of Rueben Barnes of Dracut in the State of Massachusetts 
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1775
Duration of Service 2 months
Rank As a Private 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.
Capt. Blanchard
Period.
In 1776
Duration of Service 5 months
Rank As a Private 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.
Capt. [illegible], Col. Wingate
Period.
In 1777
Duration of Service 1 month
Rank As a Private 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.
Capt. Ford, Col Moore
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Litchfield N Hampshire
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Court
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
February 1, 1928
Mrs. G. L. Gilman
Hopkins, R. 1
Minn
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 12139,
it appears that Reuben Barnes was born November 18, 1756 in Merrimack, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
While residing in Litchfield, Hillsborough
County, New Hampshire, he enlisted and served as a private with the New Hampshire Troops, as follows
From in November or December 1775, two months in Captain Augustus Blanchard's Company; from in June or July 1776, about six months in Captain Daniel Emerson's Company, Colonel Wingate's Regiment ; and from in October 1777, one month in Captain
Ford's Company, Colonel Daniel Moore's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application
executed September 12, 1832, while a resident of
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Dracut, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
He moved from Massachusetts to Litchfield,
New Hampshire, where he was living with his nephew, Reuben Barnes, in 1838. There are no further family data.
Owing to the very large number of similar
inquiries and the lack of a clerical force available
for the purpose, the Bureau is unable to make
immediate reply to each inquiry pertaining to sol
diers of the Revolution.
Such information is furnished by courtesy of
the Government and without fee, and letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in the order of their receipt.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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1917 July 13 Hist to Jennie [illegible] Campbell Letter [illegible] W. 18859 
David Campbell
1928 Feb 1 Hist to Mrs. G. L. Gilman

Rev War
12129 Invalid
File no. 12129
Reuben Barnes
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 23
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
[illegible]
Page 16

Amherst N. H. 24 July 1838
Dear Sir:
I forwarded to your office, about the 12th of March last, the application of Reuben Barnes, for a transfer of payment of his pension from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, he having removed with an intention to reside permanently in the latter state.
Permit me, dear Sir, to inquire the result of that application & if the papers were defective; or what other cause May have delayed the order for the transfer; it will be of some consequence to the old man, to receive the order for the transfer previous to the 4th of September. I will supply on notice, any evidence which may be wanting in the case; and for timely nature of any defect, in the papers, I rely on a continuance of your former courtesy.
Will you be kind enough, to cause a copy of the late law, providing for the widows of Revolutionary Soldiers, who were married previous to January 1794.(as I have yet been unable to obtain it) to be sent me, with any reply which may be made to the above inquiry; or sooner, if that reply should be much longer delayed?
And without adding anything further to the unavoidable perplexities, growing out of your official relations, with Great [illegible] but I subscribe myself, 
Your humble Servant
Hubbard Newton
J. L. Edwards Esq.
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Merchants Bank
Boston, 2nd August 1838
Sir,
Your letter of the [illegible] [illegible] informing me that Reuben Barnes a pensioner under the act of 1832 at $26.66 per annum, has been transferred to New Hampshire to take effect from & after 4th March 1837 is received.
On examining the roll I find he has been paid at this office up to the 4th March 1838 instead of March 1837 as stated in your letter.
I am very respectfully your Obt. Servt.
Franklin Haven
Pension Agt.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Court of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
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11433
Reuben Barnes
Private
8 months
6 [illegible]
Hon J. Nelson
[illegible]
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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
Reuben Barnes [illegible] Mass which require
further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?yes
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? [illegible]
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? [illegible]
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [illegible]
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [illegible]
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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? yes
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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? [illegible]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
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? [illegible]
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? [illegible]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? [illegible]
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? [illegible]
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?
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 ____ years _____months, and _____ days, I served as a_____  For _____ months and _____ days;  I served as _____ ; 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 objection
able. 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.
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 papers.
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 attached to the certificate.
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
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.
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Commonwealth Bank
Pension Department
Boston 19th Sept. 1837
Sir,
Your letter of the 14th last, is received.  
The  [illegible] I have to State that Reuben Barnes a Pensioner now on the Roll of this agency at the rate of 26.66/100 Dollars per annum under the Act of 7th June 1832.
I am very respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
John R. Simpson 
 [illegible] & Pension Agent.


J. L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Page 23

 [illegible]
Amhurst
Sep  [illegible]
N.H.
25
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Page 24

Amherst N.H. 7 Sept. 1837
Dear Sir,
Mr. Reuben Barnes, a pensioner under the law of the 7th June 1832, has since the fourth of March last, changed his residence from the State of Massachusetts to New Hampshire which renders it highly inconvenient , for him to receive his sem-annual payments at Boston.
He has not yet made any application for the sem-an. payment due on the 4th & wishes to be transferred from the roll of the agency of Massachusetts, to that of New Hampshire  [illegible] so that he may be able to receive it at Concord N. H.
I have no9t yet been able to acquaint myself with the forms of your department, to be attended to, by the applicant, for such a transfer. I must therefore,  [illegible]  [illegible] cast myself on your courtesy, by asking the necessary information, to enable me to effect the  [illegible]  [illegible].
Your's very Respectfully,
Hubbard Newton
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
[illegible]
Washington, D. C.
19
In reply to your request of __ received __
a statement of the military history of Reuben Barnes a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
[illegible] Dec 1775
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
I mos
RANK.
Pri
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. Augustus Blanchard
COLONEL.
STATE. NH

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[illegible] July 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6mos
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN Daniel Emerson
COLONEL. Wingate

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[illegible] Oct 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1 mos
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN Ford
COLONEL. Moore
Battles engaged in, [illegible] Island
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Litchfield Hillsborough County NH
Date of application for pension, Sept 12, 1832 His ct. was [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Dracut, Middlesex Co. Mass
Age at date of application, born Nov 18, 1856 in Merrimack Hillsborough 
Remarks: Soldier moved from Mass. to Litchfield, NH where was living with his nephew Reuben Barnes in 1838. There is no other data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner,
6-- 2856
Page 26

Hopkins, Minnesota, R#1
Jan. 28, 1928
Department of the interior,Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen,
Certainly over a year ago, I asked you to forward to  me any information that you might have in your files regarding Reuben Barnes who is listed in Batchelders State Papers of New Hampshire as a pensioner living at Litchfield, NH and whose age is given as 84 years in 1840.  I have received  no reply.
I am now repeating my request to you as I think that either my letter or your reply must have been lost in the mails.  If you could arrange to answer my question som, it would be a great favor to me.
Respectfully yours,
Glenna L. Gilman
Address
Miss G.L. Gilman
Hopkins, Minn
R#1
Page 27

Hopkins Minnesota, R#1
Aug. 31, 1927
Mr. Winfield Scott,
Commissioner Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me any information that you may have in your files regarding Reuben Barnes who is described in Batchellor's State Papers as a "pensioner living in Litchfield, New Hampshire at the age of 84 in 1840."
Respectfully yours,
Glenora L. Gilman
Address:
Miss G. L. Gilman
Hopkins, Minnesota, 
R7 [illegible] #1
Already Ans. 2/1/28
Page 28

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' administration archives
name Barnes, Richard 
Grade Private
Line Pennsylvania
Warrant Number 8919 
Average 100
issued October 13, 1791 
To not shown
* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.