Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29678, Joel Burt, Mass.
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE Mass. 
Burt, Joel 
NUMBER S. 29678
CONTENTS
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[left side]
1259
Massachusetts Joel Burt
 of W.Hampstead in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded Captain Wells by of the Regt commanded Col Mosely in the Mass line for 11 Mos, from 1776
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 Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Conn commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
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Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of October 1832 and sent C S Huntington N Hampton Ms
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Arrears to 4th  of Sept 1832 $49.99 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 13.33 
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$63.32 

{Revolutionary Claim,  Act June 7, 1832.}
recorded by J H McBain Clerk 

Book D.   Vol 2  Page 39 

[right side]
Dead 
Paid at the Treasury under the Act 6 April 1838 from 4. Sep 1841 to 21 Nov 1841. Agt notified 1. Oct 1844
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No 2, 684 27 
65
Joel Burt Militia
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DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 7th OF JUNE 1832. 
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS
COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE.SS

On this Eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before Hon Sam; Hinckley Judge the court of Probate now sitting, Joel Burt a resident of Westhampton in the county of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, aged 73 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 provision made by 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 1776 in the month of September or October he was draughted as a private at Northampton in said County into the company of Capt Wales, in Col. Mosely's Regiment, & marched through Hartford to Newhaven thence through Horse Neck to [crossed out: White Plains] about 12 miles South of White Plains then retreated to White Plains in the rear of the continental army. The British came up to White Plains & burned some houses & then retired to the North River & took a fort occupied by Connecticut troops chiefly. Was at White plains, & thereabouts below, two months & served said period of time. In 1777 in August soon after the battle of Bennington, having been out a week on that alarm, he was draughted as a private of said Northampton into Capt Kirklands company Lieut, Abner Pomeroy, into Col Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment & marched through Williamstown Bennington to Pawlet vermont, thence from Pawlet across to Bemis Heights & there joined the main army under Gen Gates, Stationed there about a 1/2 mile from the North River, till after the battle at Bemis height, & till after Burgoynes surrender, thence soon after down the River to Albany to Tarrytown some of the way by water & some by land. Discharged at or near Valentine hills the latter part of November having served 3 months. In the latter part of June 1779 or 8 he enlisted at said Northampton as a private for 6 months in Capt Woodridges company Lieut Daniel Smith, & marched to Brimfield, where then mber was increased to eighteen or twenty thence [inserted: I joined the regiment Col not recollected] to Providence, there detached with his refs to go to Warwick about ten stationed, keeping guard 3 months, then, when or after the British left Newport stationed at Newport till a short time previous to his discharge, thence to Providence & discharged the last of December having served 6 months. No engagement. He was born at Northampton 1753, in May. He never received a written discharge, he knows of none [inserted: of his] officers being alive. He has lived in Westhampton about 34 years, previously in Northampton- Rev Enoch Stale & Zenas Sikes can testify as to character & belief 

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, [crossed out: or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of] 

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid 
Before me Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate 
Joel Burt 

We Rev. Enoch Hale residing in the town of Westhampton and Zenas Sikes residing in Westhampton hereby certify, that we are  well acquainted with Joel Burt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 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 s SIkes 
[signed]
Enoch Hale
Zenas Sikes
Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate

And the court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that the Rev. Enoch Hale  who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in WestHampton and that Zenas SIkes who has also signed the same, is a resident of sd town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joel Burt for a pension.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two 
Samuel F. Lyman Register of the Court of Probate
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BRIEF in the case of Joel Burt of Westhampton in the state of Massachusetts (Act 7 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?
 3. How old is he? Seventy Three years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[table headings]Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. 

[row 1]In 1776  [blank] 2 [blank] | Private | Col Moseley
[row 2]77 | [blank] 3 [blank] | " | Col Woodbridge
[row 3]79 or 80 | [blank] 6 [blank] | " Capt Woodbridge

5. In what battles was he engaged? none 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Northampton 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses & Tradite on any evidence - & documentary proof 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Only one of the living witnesses stated as credible

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
D D Addison Examining Clerk
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Joel Burt 
Westhampton Mass 
No2684 
11 Month Private
 Admd J L E 
$36.66

Charles P. Huntington Northampton Mass
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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 Joel Burt which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Westhampton 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did 
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? He has 
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? he has 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other one under the Act of  June 7, 1832? he has 
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 distinguishfrom any other seal? it is, and can be distinguished by the inscription
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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? he has 
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? in one instance 
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? It does so appear 
XVI. ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? They are 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? they are all satisfactorily 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: Foryear - months, anddays , I served as a- For months and days, I served as a -; 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. 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 affidavits must be properly an thenticated, as above directed. QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other 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. by
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Paul Clark or Joel Burt
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I Paul Clark of Westhampton County of Hampshire Reass aged 78 to testify depose & say that I have known Joel Burt of Westhampton from a boy, we were both born & brought up in Northampton - In 1776 in September or October we both enlisted as privates in the Company of Capt Jonathan Hales Col Mosely's regiment to go to White Plains from said Northampton. We entered the service in the State troops of Massachusetts & served at & about White Plains three months. I was a corporal & well recollect the service of said Joel And further say not-- July 26th 1832. P
Paul Clark 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. July 26. 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Paul Clark & made oath to the truth of the foregoing in there by him 
subscribed Before me Chas. P. Huntington Justice of the Peace. 

I hereby certify that it appears from the Muster Roll (now in my possession) of Col Ruggles Woodbridge, Muster Master deceased, that Joel Burt then of Northampton was mustered by said Woodbridge for six months service at Providence July 6, 1779- 
Northampton August 8, 1832 Edward Hooker
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. HAMPSHIRE SS. 

I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Charles P. Huntington Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions ( in number) were taken, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County , duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the signature annexed to said deposition is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of August A. D. 1832. 
Saml F. Lyman Register of Probate
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Elihu King's Affidavit for Joel Burt
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I Elihu King of Northampton County of Hampshire aged 72 years do testify depose & say that I have always known from a boy Joel Burt of Westhampton in said County. We were brought up together in Northampton. In 1777 the latter part of August said Joel served in the company of Capt Kirkland. Col Woodbridges regiment with me three months till the latter part of November. We marched to Pawlet Vt then joined the main army at [crossed out: Saratoga] Bemis Heights, Still Water, Stationed there till after Burgoynes surrender thence down the North River White Plains. I know that he served three months as a private entering into the service at Northampton & leaving it near White Plains. I receive a pension. In 1779, in July I enlisted into the company of Capt Woodridge for 6 months to go to Providence R. I. but I afterwards exchanged with another & went to West Point. Said Joel enlisted into the same company for the same term of service, at the same time July 6  to go to Providence. I cannot swear that he served, as I went another way by exchange, but I have no doubt he did, according to his enlistment I think I should have known it if he had not as I have always known him well. July 25th 1832. 
Elihu King

Comm of Massachusetts Hampshire SS July 25th 1832. 
Then personally appeared the above named Elihu King & made oath to the truth of the foregoing instrument by him subscribed before me Chas P. Huntington Justice of the Peace
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Eli Edwards Affidavit
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I the subscriber Eli Edwards of Northampton Massachusetts aged 71 to testify depose & say that I have known Joel Burt of Williamsburgh since we were boys I recollect that in June in the year 1779 or 8. I think it was the same year in which at a later period of the year I went to Albany in the service which would be in 1779, said Joel enlisted with four others whom I recollect, Saul James, Thaddeus King, Reuben Wright, & Seth Parsons to go to Rhode Island for 6 months. I also know that they went & I never heard that they did not serve out their time. If they had not I think I should have known it. Capt Woodbridge of Hatfield was the Captain. I recollect it the better because I myself had intended to enlist in the same service but did not on account of the illness of my father & unwillingness of my mother. I have no doubt that he served said 6 months, but cannot  swear from my own knowledge. July 28th 1832. 
Eli Edwards

Hampshire ss.  then personally appeared the above named Eli Edwards & made oath to the truth of the foregoing instrument by him subscribed before me Chas. P. Huntington Justice of the Peace.
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29678 Revy INVALID. --- 

File No. 29.676 
Joel Burt 
Pri Rev War --- 

Act: June 7" 32"

Index:--Vol. 2, Page ___
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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GIDEON PRINTER 
TREASURE DEPARTMENT 
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. 
July 14 1843. 

Sir: 
Under the act 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 to States", and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, the childn of Joel Burt Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of thirty six - Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1841. to the 21st Nov. 1841. 
Respectfully, yours, J. Peace 
acting Comptroller

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.
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Medad King for Joel Burt
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I Medad King of West Hampton in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts formerly of Northampton in said County being duly sworn make oath and say that I am well acquainted with Joel Burt of said West Hampton of formerly of said Northampton, that in 1779 we lived nigh neighbors in said Northampton. That in the early part of July 1779 said Burt enlisted for six months in Capt Woodbridge's Company in the Massachusetts State Troops. that said Burt left Northampton with other soldiers for Providence, and was absent about six months. that it was generally reported and believed that he was in the army at Providence, & I have often heard my brother, who who was also in the army at Providence, & now deceased, say that said Burt served his term of six month, & was with the army - That said Burt is a credible person, and I should verily believe what he might state in his declaration in regard to his services- 
Medad king 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire Ss August 1832 Then personally appeared Medad King signer of the foregoing affidavit, a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated- Sworn - Before me, Edward Hooker Justice of the Peace 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. HAMPSHIRE, SS. 
I SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Edward Hooker Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County , duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of August A. D. 1832.
 
Sam F. Lyman day of August Register of Probate.