Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 84,507-160-55, James Charter, Vt.
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(3-1776)
[column headings: SERVICE|[blank]|NUMBER|]
Vt.|Charter, James|B.L. Wt. 84,507-160-55|
[blank]|Phebe|[blank]
[end of columns]
CONTENTS
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[verso]

Act March 3/55
292.977 Aug. 18/58
Phebe Charter Widow of James J Charter died Sergeant
['Private' crossed out]
['Capt. Downers. Col. Frederick Walbridge 
Vermont Ma' crossed out]
Ent 1780
Dis [blank]
Revolutionary War.
[overwritten: Wt No 84,507 is'd Oct 28/58]
Vt original
Al:160 ACr Oct:27/58.
Boynton
Spect B.
Damon E. Cheney
Orange Mass.
JM

[recto]

D. E. Cheney, Aug: 31/58
 "  "  " Sept: 28/58
Elias Bulls

Vol C1=page 131
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STATE OF Vermont
COUNTY OF Windham }
We, Orison Bruce and Warren E. Bruce residents of Marlboro in the State of Vermont upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Phebe Caster in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. 
/s/Orison Bruce
/s/Warren B. Bruce

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. 
/s/D. J. Samson Justice of the Peace

STATE OF [blank] 
COUNTY OF [blank] }
I, [blank] certify that [blank]  whose genuine signature appears above, is and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission is dated on the [blank] day of [blank] A.D. 185[blank] that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit. 
Given under my hand [blank] this [blank] day of [blank] A.D. 185[blank]
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APPLICATION FOR BOUNTY LAND.
(By the Widow of a deceased person who has not had a Land Warrant.)

STATE OF Vermont
COUNTY OF Windham } 
On this [blank] day of July A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Phebe Charter aged eighty one years, a resident of Marlboro in the State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the Widow of James Charter deceased, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Downers.
[blank] in the [blank] Regiment of Mallitia commanded by Col Herick and Walbridge in the war ['with' crossed out] of the Revolution ['Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th of June, 1812,' crossed out]
that her husband ['enlisted' crossed out] drafted at Shaftsbury V.t. on or about the [blank] day of October A. D. 1780, 81 for the term of [blank] and continued in actual service in said war for the term of twenty days and was honorably discharged at [blank] on the [blank] day of [blank] A. D. 1781.
She further states that she was married to the said of James Charter in in Marlboro Vt. on the fifteenth day of September A. D. 1797 by one Mr Lyman a ordained minister and that her name before her said marriage was Phebe Philips that her said husband died at Marlboro Vt on the twenty sec'd day of April A. D. 1821 and that she is now a Widow. 
She makes the declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3d, 1855. ['She makes this' crossed out] having never received Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other therefor, She hereby constitutes and appoints Damon E. Cheney of Orange Massachusetts her true and lawful attorney to prosecute said claim and receive the warrant when issued. 
/s/Phebe Charter
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James Charter
84507
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State of Massachusetts County of Suffolk 
I James Charter having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the son of James Charter who was a Revolutionary soldier, - that he is believed to have ['enlisted' crossed out] been commissioned as a Lieutenant at or near Shaftsbury in Vermont that the names of some of his officers are believed to have been [blank] that he is believed to have been in the battles of Bennington that he is supposed to have served for Six Weeks
and that I pray to receive from the Commissioner of Pensions ['Secretary of State' crossed out] a certificate from the rolls of his office of the service of the said soldier, to be sent to Horatio Woodman - Boston - Mass
/s/James Charter
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this Twenty seventh day of June A.D. 1855
/s/Geo. Edward Rice } Justice of the Peace.

The evidence of Mr Rice's Justiceship goes to Washington every day with Bounty land Applications.
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Phebe Charter
No 292.977.
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State of Vermont.
Secretary of State's Office, 
Montpelier, Sept. 9. A. D. 1858. }
[state seal affixed]
I hereby certify that there are on file in this office four Pay Rolls of Capt: Cypherau Downers Company, relating to four terms of service in the war of the Revolution, upon two of which rolls appears the name of James Charter with an allowance for ten days service on each - I further certify that it appears from two of the above mentioned rolls that Capt. Cypherau Downers Cap went from the town of Shaftsbury, Vt.
Given under my hand and the Seal of this office this 9th day of Sept. A.D. 1858.
/s/Geo. W. Bailey Jr.
Deputy Sec'y of State
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State of Vermont:
Office of Secretary of State
Montpelier July 10, 1858 }
I hereby certify that there is on file in this office, "A. Pay Roll of Capt. "Cyperau Downer's Alarm Co. in Col. Herricks "Reg't of Militia while in service October 1781 on which Roll is the name of "James Charter Serg't", with an allowance for ten days services as a sergeant. - 
Also "A. Pay Roll of Capt. Downer's "Company of Militia, in Col. Ebenr. Walbridge's "Regiment called to Castletown by reason of "alarm in the month of October 1781"; on which Roll is the name of "James Charter Serg't" with an allowance for ten days service as a Sergeant.
[official seal affixed] Given under hand and the Seal of this office this tenth day of July A. D 1858
/s/Geo. W. Bailey Jr.
Deputy Sec. of State
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I Phebe Charter of Marlboro in the County of Windham and Commonwealth of Vermont depose and say I am widow of James Charter dec'd late of Marlboro in the County and State aforesaid and have a regester of our marriage and the death of my late husband and the record of the births and deaths of our children. and the custody and keeping of said record is in my possession which is contained in my family Bible, and in said record under the head of marriages and deaths which is expressed in fair and legible words and figures and the following is an extract viz. 
Marriages - James Charter to Phebe Philips September fifth 1797.
Deaths, James Charter died April 22d 1821. 
/s/Phebe Charter

State of Vermont
County of Windham ss. 
On this sixteenth day of July A. D. 1855. personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid Phebe Charter to me well know as a credible person subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit, and I certify that the above extract is a true coppy of the family register presented by said widow Charter and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. and I further certify that after a diligent sirch the Town and Parish records disclose no evidence of said marriage or death
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State of Vermont,
WINDHAM, SS. } I. ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that D. L. Lamson was, at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signatures to the three certificates therein written are genuine; that the said paper writings are executed [blank] according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c. 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Court, at Brattleboro, this 22d day of July Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight
/s/Royall Tyler CLERK.
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['I Philip Charter of Newfane and' crossed out] I Hannah Bruce of Marlboro, in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, do depose and say, ['we were' crossed out] she was personally acquainted with James Charter late of Marlboro dec'd who reported himself as being a soldier who was in the war of the Revolution, ['we' crossed out] I have herd him at many times and on different ocasions state that he was at several times and at different places in the service during the war, ['we' crossed out] I have herd him state he in the battle of Bennington, and herd him say he was on guard over the prisoners that were taken at that time, ['we' crossed out] I have herd him talk with some of his old comrads who were with him in said war, and relate their hardships and adventures; ['we' crossed out] I once knew said Charter to talk about trying to get a Pension, but said he could not for the reason that he ['did not' crossed out] was worth to much property, and as the law that was it would not be allowed him, ['we' crossed out] I further sware I [we' crossed out] are disinterested in this claim
/s/hannah Bruce
On this 13th day of October A.D. 1858. personally appeared ['Philip Charter and' crossed out] Hannah Bruce to me well know as  a credible person subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit and I certify ['they are' crossed out] she is the identical persons ['they' crossed out] she represent ['themselves' crossed out] herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim - 
/s/D. J. Lamson
Qualification and appointment of D. J. Lamson filed with application No 292.977 -
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Application
No 292.977 - Phebe Charter widow of James
War of the Revolution
D. E. Cheney Agent
Orange Massachusetts
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Phebe Charter of Marlboro, in the County of Windham and State of Vermont doth depose and say she is widow of James Charter dec'd late of Marlboro a soldier in the war of the revolution and that he said husband (James Charter) was at the time of decease aged 79 years according to my best knowledge and belief
/s/Phebe Charter

Windham County ss.
On this 13th day of October A.D. 1858, personally appeared Phebe Charter, to me well know subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit and I certify that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I am disinterested in this claim
/s/D. J. Lamson Justice of the Peace - 
Qualification and appointment of D. J. Lamson filed with application No 292.977 -
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[handwritten letter]

Pension Office.
September. 25 1858.

Sir.
I  have examined & suspended the bounty land claim of Mary Charter as the widow of James.
It is satisfactorily shown, that James Charter in Shaftsbury, Vt: during the revolutionary war, that the parties were married in 1797. & that claimant's husband died in 1821.
It is not shown that the husband of the claimant was the soldier by the name of Jas. Charter, who performed the service set forth in the Certificate of the Secretary of State of Vermont. It is advisable that the Certificate of the Clerk of Shaftsbury, be produced, as to what the records of this Office show  in relation to the service of James Charter, & whether there was more than one person of that name resident of Shaftsbury. during the War of the revolution. Parol proof, of reputation of service should be filed
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[handwritten letter]

& the claimant should establish the date of the birth of her husband or his age at his decease.
The Family bible together with certain Original Deeds of the Conveyance of real estate to & by James Charter of Shaftsbury. during the War, which accompanies Your letter recently are herewith returned.
Yours Respectfully,
/s/Geo C Whitney
Commissioner, 

Damon E. Cheney, Esqr.
Orange, Mass:
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[handwritten letter]

Orange Massachusetts.
Oct 8. 1860.

Sir, 
I am desirous to know if there is service of James Charter, in the war of the Revolution in your office, sufficient to entitle his widow to a pension,  including the 20 days service filed in her bounty land application Act 1855. filed by me.
Her husband was out two or three years in the whole, as is supposed, was in battle of Bennington, Saratoga, and Stillwater, he enlisted from Shaftsbury Vermont - and some of the time in the regular army - 
An immediate answer will confer a favor - 
Very Respectfully - 
/s/D. E. Cheney - 

To.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Sept: 28/58
The Original family record of mar & his :death has this day been ret'd to D. E. Chaney, Orange. Mass: also several old Deeds of Conveyance of Land to & by Jas. Charter of Shaftsbury. Vt: in 1776 & 80 & by Jas. Charter of Marlboro, in 1782, fam: rec shows Phebe Phillips & Jas. Charter were mar. Sept: 5 '97 & he died in 827, at Marlboro, Vt, Rec: [illegible]
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act Mar 55
July 18. 58
292.977
Phebe Charter wid of James Charter Serg't
[overwritten: 84.507 Iss'd Oct 58]
Revolution
160 ac
Damon E Cheney
Orange Mass
Page 20

84.507
160 acres
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[addressed envelope]

[postmark: ORANGE MS. AUG 9]
FREE

Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington DC
[margin note: 292.977]
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[addressed envelope]

"Additional Evidence"
James Charter dec'd 
No 292.977
[postmark: ORANGE MS OCT 22]
FREE

Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington D.C.
[margin note: do Revo]
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[handwritten letter]

Boston. June 27. 1855

Sir, 
James Charter, the Son of James Charter, who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War and was present at the battle of Bennington, desires to obtain some certificate of his Father's service, in order to enable his mother who is old and poor to apply for a land Warrant under the Act of March. 31 1855. I enclose his Affidavit & will be greatly obliged if a certificate will be sent to me as therein requested.
 Very Respfy Yrs
/s/Horatio Woodman.

To the Commissioner of Pensions
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No 292.977 -
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[handwritten letter]

Pension Office. 
August. 31st 1858.

Sir.
I have examined & suspended the bounty law claim of Mrs. Phebe Charter as the widow of James. 
Proof must be filed which will clearly identify her husband as the soldier who performed the Service Certified by the Secretary of State of Vermont.
If the Claimant is able to furnish the evidence to identifying her husband with the alleged Service, then the Original family record of her marriage & husband's death should be sent to this Office. 
[margin initials: AJB]
Yours Respectfully, 
/s/Geo C Whitney
Commissioner.

Damon E. Cheney, Esqr.
Orange. Mass:
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4 regt 2nd Brigade 3 Division 3 Division
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State of Vermont
Bennington County ss} Town Clerks Office
Shaftsbury Octo. 9th A.D. 1858
I hereby certify that upon diligent search of the records of said town I find that one James Charter of Shaftsbury declared lands in said town as early as 1777 & as late as 1786 and I cannot find any record tending to show that any other than the same James Charter or of that name ever resided in said town, And further I do not find on record any evidence showing that said James Charter performed as was allowed any thing for service as a Soldier of the revolution. The above certificate is made of the Instance of D. E. Cheney Esqr in behalf of the widow of James Charter, an application for a pension in which claim I am in no way interested.
/s/Hiram Barton Town Clerk
The above certificate was subscribed and Sworn to before me the day and date thereof
/s/Martin Wheelock Justice of Peace

State of Vermont,
COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE } BENNINGTON. ss.
[state seal affixed] I, SAMUEL H. BLACKMER, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Bennington, being a Court of Record and having a seal, as hereto attached, and is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the foregoing jurat and certificate is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgements of Deeds and Depositions, and to administer oaths, &c. 
[court seal affixed] IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Court, at Bennington, this 18th day of October Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight
/s/Sam'l H. Blackmer CLERK.
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[handwritten letter]

Sir
Please find in the bible, the family register of James and Phebe Charter also certificate from Secretary of V.t. and some deeds of Land in Shaftsbury which were conveyed to him during the Revolution. 
If the proof presented is not sufficient please, suggest the nature of proof required, it will be impossible to prove the service by living witnesses who were in said service with James Charter, He was in service at other times which I am not able to prove - 
Please return the Bible and old deeds at your earliest convenience and oblige - 
Resp Yours
/s/D. E. Cheney - 
Commissioner of Pensions
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Application for certificate of revolutionary service made by the Widow of the party who rendered the service
State of Vermont County of Windham town of Newfane 
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Vermont is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of James Charter in the war of the Revolution
He enlisted from the Town of Shaftsbury in the County Bennington and State of Vermont at several times ['as at the last term of service, held Ensign's commission' crossed out]
/s/Damon E. Cheney Attorney for Phebe Charter - 
Know all men by these presence that I Phebe Charter in the Town of Marlboro, County of Windham and State of Vermont widow of James Charter a soldier in the war of the Revolution do hereby constitute and appoint Damon E. Cheney of Orange Massachusetts my true and lawfull attorney to apply and receive from the proper department of the Government of the United States such records of service as remain in that department relative to the service of James Charter. 
/s/Phebe Charter
Attest - 
On this ninth day of July A.D. personally appeared Phebe Charter and acknowledged the above power of attorney to be her full act and deed, and I certify she is the widow of James Charter decd who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and that identical person she represents herself to be 
/s/D. J. Lamson Justice of Peace
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I know all Men by these Presence That I Phebe Charter of Marlboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, widow of James Charter dec'd a soldier in the war of the revolution. hereby constitute and appoint Damon E. Cheney of Orange Massachusetts my true and lawfull attorney for me and in my name to apply and receive from Washington City or elsewhere certified copies of the service of said James Charter. Witness my hand and seal this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1858
/s/Phebe Charter
Attest - /s/D. J. Lamson
/s/Orison Bruce
County of Windsor ss
On the day and year above written personally appeared before me Phebe Charter and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her free act and deed, and I certify she is widow of James Charter dec'd and the identical person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim - 
/s/D. J. Lamson Justice of Peace
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State of Vermont, 
WINDHAM, SS. } 
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that D. J. lamson was, at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the other certificate therein written is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed [blank] according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c. 
[court seal affixed] In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Court, at Brattleboro, this 18th day of August Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty Eight
/s/Royall Tyler CLERK.
[receipt stamp: PENSION OFFICE OCT 11 1860]