Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,019, Abraham Cook, R.I.
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SERVICE
R.I.
Cook, Abraham
NUMBER

carded

CONTENTS
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[two columns]
[left column]
84
Franklin

[right column]
13447
Massachusetts
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Abraham Cook of Shutesbury in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain - of the regt commanded by Col Arnold in the X line for 12 May 26 Days
X Rhode Island
Apr. 22, 1904 A.D.
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Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 42 Dollars 89 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of June 1833 and sent to 
Alvord Greenfield
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Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 85.78
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 21.44
$ 107.22
[double line underscore]

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk, Book E. Vol. 2. Page 12.
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Abraham Cook
Shutesbury
Militia.

17437
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I [illegible] in said company of minute Mass. constantly expected to be called in. I had myself ready to turn out at a minutes warning, - being called out as a company once a fortnight for discipline, & meeting in smaller sections, occasionally besides for the same purpose, doing all the duty required of a soldier in such a corps, till the Spring of 1778, a term of three years from the time of my enlistment as aforesaid, when the company & Regt. to which I belonged, were both discharged. 
The business of the corps to which I belonged, sent to guard the seaboard towns, & other exposed places in the State of Rhode Island.
During all the time aforesaid, we were so much on our own that we had very little time to do any thing to profit on our [illegible] at home. Whenever we were called out we were required to carry with us three days provisions, & furnish our own arms & equipment, both of which we did.
After my term of enlistment as a minute man had expired, I enlisted [illegible] the militia of Rhode Island, at Cumberland aforesaid, and served in Providence and placed in that vicinity, as nearly as I can recollect, about three months where I was dismissed - but had no written discharge.
All the offices of the company above mentioned, are closed. I was born at Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island, on the 23. April 1749. I lived in said town until between 40. & 50. years of age - & then removed to Pelham in the Co. Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where I lived [illegible] a eight years - there to Amherst in T. County & Hampshire, where I resided three or four years, - thence to Shutebery in the County of Franklin in Mass. where I have ever since resided. Silas Cook & Edwin Ballow, both of Pelham, can testify to the fact of my enlistment & service as where above stated. 
Abraham Cook [crossed out?]

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 [blank]
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, 
Abraham Cook [signature]
We, Enos Broad & Eliphalet S. Darling residing in the town of Leverett and well acquainted with Abraham Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 83 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. 
E. S. Darling [signature]
Enos Broad [signature]

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 Eliphalet S Darling who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Justice of the Peace resident in Leverett aforesaid and that Enos Broad who has also signed the same, is a resident in said Leverett and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
attest E. Alvord Clerk
I, Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Cook for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifteenth day of august - in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
[words cut off]
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After my term of enlistment as a minute man had expired, I enlisted into the militia of Rhode Island, at Cumberland aforesaid, and served in Providence and places in that vicinity, as nearly as I can recollect, about three months where I was dismissed - but had no written discharge. 
All the offices of the company above mentioned, are dead. I was born at Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island,  on the 23, April 1749. I lived in said town until between 40. & 50. years of age - I then removed to Pelham in the Co. Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where I lived six or eight years - then to Amherst in P. county of & Hampshire, where I resided three or four years, - thence to Shutebury in the County of Franklin in Mass, where I have ever since resided. Silas Cook & Edwin Ballow both of Pelham can testify to the fact of my enlistment & service as where above stated.
Abraham Cook [partially crossed out signature]
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17437
Abraham Cook
Mar [?]

Private
12 mos & 26 days

admo
$42.87.
E. Alvord Clk
Greenfid
Court Franklin
May [?]
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BRIEF in the case of Abraham Cook
of Shutesbury in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
[blank]
3. How old is he? 83
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. In 1775 #
Duration of Service. about 3 Years, as a minute man
Rank. As a private 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. [blank]
Capt Waterman Col Arnold

Period [17]78
3 Months 
Private 
officers not mentioned

5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland R I
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? two living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, what respect? not properly [illegible]
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

M Clagett Examining Clerk.

#In actual service 9 mos & 25 days under this Enlistment
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Rev War
5019
INVALID.
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File No. 5019
Abraham Cook
Privt Rev War
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Act: June 7" 1832.
Index: - Vol. M, Page 74
(Arrangement of 1870.)
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Abraham Cook


1-7
1-14
1-0
1-0
1-7
1-7
1-0
1-0
9.5
3
12-5 day
21
12-26
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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 Abraham Cook 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?  [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
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 amount of pension he is entitled? no
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served in conformity with the regulations? no
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
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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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? two citizens

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no

XIII. If the applicant has not 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? [blank]

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service has be produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 
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? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes

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? yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the war department answered satisfactorily? and if not which of them is 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 - year - months, and  - days, I served as a --- for -- months and -- days I served as a -- and for such service I claim 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 [in italics] 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, This form of a  declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn (sic) 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. (all in italics)
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. [all in italics]
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 paper 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.
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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Abraham Cook

Edward Ballows for Abraham Cook
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I Edward Ballou of Pelham in the county of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy five years, testify & say that immediately after the battle of Lexington in 1775 I enlisted at Cumberland in Rhode Island into a company of minute men as they were called sailed by the state of Rhode Island & commanded by Capt. Elisha Waterman. Lit. Eliad Fillbrook and Reuben Ballou in the Reg.t commanded by Col. Dryer, Lt. Col. Arnold & Maj. Dyer to Jesse asking as such a comp shoudl be necessary; I also state that Abraham Cook who was from the same town in which I resided, Cumberland & who was a near neighbor & acquainted of mine, enlisted with me into the same company as above stated & he & myself continued in the Jesse Company & regiment until the same were discharged which had in the spring of the year 1778. Making about three years from the time of enlistment. I can not tell the precise day of the enlistment a discharged but always considered that us remained in said company about three years. 
The be said of the corps to which he belonged was to guard the seaport towns and other exposed placed in the state of Rhode Island. We held our [illegible] ready at a ministers warning to turn out in defense of our country and the were disciplined regularly & constantly & our compnay met as often as once every fortnight for the purpose of discipline & accordingly met in smaller partis. We were called out often and I well remember the following instances viz; the reg.t first met at Providence then went to the Long Wharf in Newport then farther back on the Island where we stayed in the vicinity of Newport about five wee; next we then called to Rhode Island near Howland's Ferry where we remained about six weeks & built a redought next we went to Canonicut Ferry & that vicinity and stayed about four weeks; next we were called to Bristol to guard that place & next went as much as four weeks; next to Fort Island south of Newport at Eastons Beach, where we remained five weeks; next we went to Rhode Island by [blank] & time about five weeks - next to Bristol Y Prudence Ferris where we stayed about four weeks - once at Quaker Hills & Wilcox's where we werew about four weeks at providence, two weeks; at Tiverton
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five weeks; at Rhode Island under Gen.l Sullivan's five weeks; at Greenwich four weeks; and once we were out scouting about three weeks without being stationed at any particular place. 
I recollect being out at all these terms mentioned above - though I may not have stated them in this order of time & may not be accurate as to the term of service at each time the there called out but & think I have understate rather than overstated the true length of time. 
I verily believe that I was out as long as above stated and that I was called out at other times not stated and that said Abraham Cook had out with me at each & all the above stated timing - he continued with me in the said company until the same was discharged and did his duty faithfully therein, during the whole of said term of three years. We were on our army a great portion of the time so much so that we had very with time to do any thing else to advantage. We were ordered to carry & did carry at each time we were called out provisions for three days & furnished our own [illegible] well equipment. 
After the term of our enlistment as minute men had expired and we were discharged both the said Abraham Cook & myeslef enlisted & served as militia men in the Rhode Island troops three months  & two or three of the last times above mentioned at which we were called out were during the time in which we were serving at militia as aforesaid. 
I further say that all our company officers above named are dead. The many of the officers commanded the company in which we served as militia. 
Edward Ballou

Commonwealth Massachusetts
Newshire August 16, 1832 Personally appeared Edward Ballou ... to the above ... & made oath to the truth of the ...being well know to me as a credible witness. 
Before me Samuel F. Dickinson Justice of the Peace
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I Silas Cook of Pelham in the county of Hampshire Commonwealth of Masssachusetts in the eightieth year of my age do testify & say; that immediately after the alarm shade by the battle at Lexington in April seventeen hundred & seventy five, I enlisted at Cumberland in the state of Rhode Island into a company of minute men as they were called under the authority of the state of Rhode Island; the officers of the company being Capt. Elisha Waterman Lieut. Elias Fillbrook, & Ensign Reuben Ballou - the regiment to which the men attached was under the command of Col. Frye , Lt. Col. Arnold & Major Dyer. The regiment and campside of men from the three towns of Cumberland. Smithfield & Gloucester in Rhode Island; we enlistment was for an indefinite time but was to continue as long as such troops were needed & I continued in said company & corps until they were discharged which was in the spring of the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight as was as I can recollect about three year from the time of our enlistment. 
I further testify that Abraham Cook then of said Cumberland in which town I then resided enlisted with me into the Jaime company and continued therein until discharged as above stated faithfully doing his duty in said company during the whole of said period of three years as above stated. 
I further testify that the object of this corps and the business in which we were employed was to guard and protect the seaport & other exposed towns in Rhode Island. 
I further say that we all held ... ready to turn out at minute's warning; that we were under constant & regular discipline the whole company being under orders to meet once in every fortnight for discipline; besides occasional meetings in smaller sections: we were called out very often and I distinctly remember the following instances. 
The regiment first met at Providence then we went to Long Wharf in Newport - then back further on the Island in the vicinity of Newport; here we speak about five weeks. the next time we went to Rhode Island near Howland's Ferry, where we built a redoubt -
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at this time we were out about six weeks - We then next called to go to Canonicut Ferry & that vicinity where we remained about four weeks - we next went to Bristol to guard the peace & we were out at least four weeks - we were next called to go to Fort Island  south of Newport at Eastons Beach when we remained about five weeks - next to Rhode Island near the dwelling house of --- when the we remained about five weeks next we went to Bristol & Prudence Ferries about which we stayed four weeks - next at Quake Hill & Wilcox about four weeks - next at Providence about two weeks; next at Tiverton about five weeks - next at Rhode Island under Gen.l Sullivan about five weeks - next at Greenwich four weeks - and at one other time we were out about three weeks, scouting from one place to another, without any particular station; these are all fresh in my recollection although I may not be exact as the length of time spent at each of our excursions; yet I believe I have underrated rather than overrated it. I am satisfied also that we were called out at other times that thanks abovementioned be ... we were on our arms so much that we had but very little time to do any thing else to any purpose. 
I further state that we armed & equipped ourselves & always carried with said when we left home three days providing. And I do further say that said Abraham was in said company the whole time as above stated & was out with me at each & all of the above times & places as I verily believe. I further testify that all our company officers above named are dead. Two or three of the times last mentioned we served as militia men after the expiration of our term as minute men. 
I further testify that soon after Gen.l Sullivan retreated from Long Island which was in August 1778 ( and I believe in September of that year ) I enlisted for three months in the Rhode Island troops in the company commanded by Capt. Williams , Lt. Whipple, & Ens. Bacon - I can not recollect the regiment - and I served out the whole term of my enlistment on Rhode Island; and that said Abraham Also enlisted with me into same company & served out the whole term of three months with me as above stated we were both from the same neighborhood & intimately acquainted from our childhood. 
Silas Cook
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire August 16, 1832 personally appeared Silas Cook subscriber to the foregoing deposition well known to me a credible witness & made oath to the truth of the same. 
Before me Samuel F. Dickinson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

I Elijah Alvord one of the clerks of the supreme judicial court of the commonwealth of Massachusetts when holden at North Hampton in the county of Hampshire and for the countries of Hampshire Franklin and Hampden do certify that Samuel F. Dickinson Esq. before the two annexed affidavits purport to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Hampshire and his name subscribed to the captions there is his true and proper signature. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield on the fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 
E. Alvord Clerk
Sup. Jud. Court