Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4989, Ephraim Hildreth, N.H.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
N.H.

Hildreth, Ephraim

NUMBER
R. 4989

CONTENTS
(blank)
Page 2

Ephraim Hildreth
Declaration
25667
Page 3


DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832

State of New-Hampshire}
County of Grafton} ss

On this Twenty first day of May 1833, personally appeared in open Court 
before the Judge of the Probate for s(ai)d County, now sitting, Ephraim Hildreth, a resident of Haverhill in the County of Grafton
and State of N. H. aged 72 years, who
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated --

In the month of September 1776, I volunteered to go to Ticontarogue (Ticonderoga) under Capt(ain) Joseph Parker of New Ipswich, in the County of Hillsborough & State of  New hampshire, which was the place of my residence, but was ordered to return home after Eighteen days - the 1st of September 1777

I volunteered under Capt(ain) Joseph Bryant for three months & was annexed to Col(onel) Thomas Hales Regiment - we marched to Bennington, from thence to fort Edward where we were stationed three weeks --from thence we marched to fort Miller halted 3 days from thence we crossed the River to Bemis heights and assisted in the capture of Bargain(Burgoyne) & his army   we were
stationed there until the last of November or 1st of December and we were Dismissed and Returned to New Ipswich the place of my Birth  where I Resided thirty three years--- on the 26 day of September 1781 I enlisted under
Capt(ain) Jethro Thomas for three months and marched to Springfield in Mass(axhusett)s
from thence to Charleston from thence to Manchester was halted there Same Days from thence to fort Ann, while there the news of Lord Cornwallis being Captured by the americans was Promulgated from thence
we march(ed) to Manchester where we halted about 17 or 18 days from thence we
marched to Charleston, where we joined the Regiment again where a portion of the Regiment was stationed Before we were Discharged after the full expiration
of our times-- I was born in the year 1760 - I have no record of my age but my mother always stated it as above-- I have lived in Quimley? & Bradford Several Years. I have lived in Haverhill 25 years. Gen(era)l Gates commanded at the capture of Burgoin(Burgoyne), I never Rec(eive)d a written Discharge-

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.

(signed) Ephraim Hildreth

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid 
Before Me Edward Webber Judge of Probate

We Henry Wood residing in Haverhill
and Moody Bedel residing in Bath hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
Ephraim Hildreth who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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.

(signed) Henry Wood
(signed) Moody Bedel 

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 

Before Me Edward Webber Judge of Probate
Moody Bedel

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 certifies, that it appears to them that Henry Wood who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Haverhill, and that Moody Bedel who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Bath and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit

(signed) Edward Webber Judge of Probate

I Moses Dow Register of the Court of Probate
aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Ephraim Hildreth for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 21st day of May 1833

(signed) Moses Dow
Page 4


No 25667
Ephraim Hildreth, Grafton County
(lined out-- Connecticutt)

New Hampshire

Rejected 19 July
1833

Nath(anie)l Rix Haverhill N. Hampshire
Page 5

3

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Pension Office

183

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.   The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
(table begins) 

A Statement, showing the service of Ephraim Hildrith Grafton County New Hampshire 

Period when the
service was
rendered.
Vol(unteered) Sept(ember) 1776
Vol(unteered) Sept(ember) 1777
Enlist(ed) Sept(ember) 1781

Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years  Months   Days 
---         ---         18
---                       28
---          3           ---

Rank of the claimant.
Private
(ditto)
(ditto)

Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Cap(tain) Parker,
Cap(tain) Bryant, Col(onel) Hales
Cap(tain) Thomas

Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered ┃
the service.

72 years 
Hillsborough
County 
New Hampshire 


Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Traditionary evidence - paper
correctly authenticated

I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 6

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1852.
State, Territory or District of} 
County of}ss

On this  (blank) day of  (blank)  personally appeared (a) before (blank)  A.B. a resident (b) of (blank)  in the county of (blank) and State, Territory or District of (blank) aged (c) (blank) 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 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) (blank), with (blank) and served in the (blank)
(e) regiment of the (blank) line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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


Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.           A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I (blank)  of the Court of  (blank) do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of   (blank)
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this  (blank)  day of
(blank)  &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the (blank)  and C.D. residing in (the same) 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
(blank), who has 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 days and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

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 A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the (blank) and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the  (blank)  and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

 I,  (blank)  Clerk of the Court of   (blank) 
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of   (blank)  for a pension. 
 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this   (blank) day of   (blank) &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 7

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.   The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected(sic)
.   All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general c c circumstances of your services.
6  {To a Soldier{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
   {To a Officer { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a]  The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will followthe rule laid down for his guidance.

[b]  The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.   If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.

[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 

[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 sons as a ------; For ----months and -----days , I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension."

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 that 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 objectionable. 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.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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

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 papers 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. 

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.

The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m]  The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 8

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
DEC 29 1916
191.
Chief of Rev(olutionary) War Section

Sir:
I have this day received from
D. M. Hildreth (lined out draft)
(lined out No(number) Cash for 75/100
requesting copy (lined out post office addresses as per slip (lined out letter) herewith 

1 sheet Ephraim Hildreth, N.H. R4989
+ Simeon Hildreth N.H. 10836
mailed Dec. 29, 1916

Very respectfully,
(signed)  W. N. Campbell (by) J. J. C. 
Chief of Division.
Page 9


Rev(olutionary). War Section.
 
Dec. 29, 1918.

Mr.  D. M. Hildreth,
131 12 Street, N. E.
Washington, D. C.
Sir:

In reply to your personal request of the 28" instant, herewith are enclosed photostat Copies of one page of the Revolutionary War pension claim of Ephraim Hildreth of N. H.
R. 4989, and of four pages of the Revolutionary War pension Cla? claim of Simeon Hildreth of N. H. S. 10836, which are furnished you in compliance with the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912.

Very respectfully,
(signed) G. M. Saltzgaber
Commissioner,

Mr D.M. Hildreth on the 28 of Dec 1916
paid Mr Royce, Clerk in Law
Div.   70 cts for the above photos 
which were to be sent (underlined--uncertified)
Page 10

Date Dec. 29, 1916

Name   Ephraim Hildreth  No. R 4989

Rev(olutionary). War. N. H. Troops

Photographic copies wanted of   1
pieces, consisting of     1 pages
Remarks  (left blank)

Exr. A E Wilson     Chief Rev(olutionary). War Section
APPROVED:   (left blank)
Chief, Law Division.

Serial
No.   (left blank)

(upside down on a separate page -- Rev(olutionary) War Section.)
Page 11

D.M. Hildreth
131. 12 " St. N.E
(Washington) City

(diagonally in upper right margin -- please roll up in mailing) 

personal inquiry of Dec 28. (19)16
-
Rev(olutionary). War. R. 4989- Ephraim Hildreth, NH
declaration - 1 page
+
Rev(olutionary). War, Simeon Hildreth N.H.
S. 10836
declaration 3 page
& ap(lication) for transfer  (ditto)

uncertified. 5 pages
75 cents
Paid 
Dec 28

(Stamp -- CHIEF'S DESK  Mail and Supplies  Dec(ember) 29 1916 Division U. S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS)

(Stamp -- Finance Division  Dec(ember) 29 1916  BUREAU OF PENSIONS)
Page 12

(card in upper right of record)

Date Jan(uary) 10 1921

Name Ephraim Hildreth No. R 4989
 N. H. Troops  War Rev(olutionary)

Photographic copies wanted of 1
pieces, consisting of 1 pages
Remarks (left blank)

(signed) A E Wilson Exr. (stamp J H Wood 
Chief of Record Div(ision) 
(signed) T. F. Dennis Law Clerk 

Serial No.  4198

(card ends -- note on separate page in record placed below card   begins) 

Photostat copy of above paid for in Law Div(ision) Mr. Proctor.  Dec(ember) 28, 1920

See receipt in
Rev(olutionary) pension claim 
of Simeon Hildreth 
N.H.    S 10836- 

by  D.M. Hildreth, 131 - 12 " St. N.E.
Washington, D.C.
copies mailed to above address
Jan(uary) 13, 1921
Page 13

(blank) Ex'r.    OLD WAR. 
No.  4989
(stamp --REJECTED)
(lined out -- Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.) 

Ephraim Hildreth 

P. O.  N(ew) H(ampshire) 

Service:   Revolutionary

Enlisted:  (left blank) , 18
Discharged (left blank),  18
Application filed (left blank), 18
Alleges:  (left blank)  
Re-enlisted:  (left blank)
Attorney (left blank)
P. O.

(sideways note on left side of record) 

1916 Dec(ember) 29 Photostat copy of declar(ation) mailed  D. M. Hildreth   AW

1921 Jan(uary) 13 (ditto) mailed  (ditto) 

1922 Nov(ember) 4   (ditto) F. W. Slight

(boxed note:  see receipt for payment in Simeon Hildreth S. 10836) 

(sideways note ends)
Page 14

M 233

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
FEB 21 1922   19__

Chief of Rev(olutionary). War Section

Sir: 

I have this day received from Mrs. F.W. Slight 
 (lined out -- draft No.)   Stamps (lined out -- for)  $ 40/100 requesting copy (lined out-- post office addresses) as per letter herewith. 

(written diagonally on record-- Copy mailed Mar(ch) 4, 1922 + Law Div(ision) Notification) AW 


Very respectfully,
O. J. RANDALL
Chief of Division
(illegible initials on record over the word Division)
Page 15

Haverhill N(ew) .H(ampshire).
Feb(ruary) 16, 1922

40 in stamps (initals ?WM)

Commissioner of Pension

Dear Sir

I am sending 40 cents to get the paper mentioned below    
"For records of these facts see his
declaration in his application for
a pension made May 21, 1883
R. File No 4989,- Revolutionary War
claim of Ephraim Hildreth, New
Hampshire troops.  History of New
Ipswich, N. H. by C. H. Chandler, 465-6
Revolutionary War Documents: pub(lished)
by Adj(utant) Gen(eral). of New Hampshire- Vol(ume). 14. p(age) 356, Vol. 16 p. 237; Vol. 17 p. 228  A copy photographic can be obtained
by sending 15 cents to commissioner of
Page 16

Pension, Washington D.C. with
certificate for 25 cents Extra" 

Yours truly
Mrs. F.W. Slight
Haverhill
New Hampshire

(stamp -- U. S. PENSION OFFICE
FEB 21 1922)

(stamp -- FINANCE DIVISION  FEB 21 1922 BUREAU OF PENSIONS)
Page 17

(card in upper right of record)

(on record under card -- pension office stamp partially obscured dated FEB 21 1922) 

(card begins) 
(MF 42)  Date Feb(ruary) 27 1922

Name Ephraim Hildreth No. R 4989
War Rev(olutionary)

Photographic copies wanted of 1
pieces, consisting of 1 pages
Remarks (left blank)

(signed) A E Wilson Exr. (stamp J H Wood
Chief Record Div(ision)
(left blank)  Law Clerk

Serial No. 6118