Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12017, Abiathar Austin, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776) SERVICE NUMBER
Mass. Austin, Abiathar or Abiather S. 12017 
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Letter to G. Warner 13 Sept 1838 Paid at the Treasurey under the Act of the 6. April 1838 [illegible] 4 March 1837 to 4 Sept 1837 [illegible] Notified 8. Oct 1838.
let to C Lamb feb 8.1845.

Vermont 28178 Abiather Austin of Washinton Co in the STate fo Vermont who was a private in the [illegible] commanded by Captain Redding of the Reg commanded by Col Walker in the M. [illegible] line for 21 months
[stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 76 Dollars ... Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 31s day of March 1834 and Hon S. Prentiss
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834 228.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 38.00
$266.00
[Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.]
R. Burdine Clerk, 3. Page 51.
Page 3

74 Declaration of Abiather Austin No 2.636
Page 4

State of Vermont Washington County ss} personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Washington, Abiather Austin, within named, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that at the time of making his within original declaration, he had no documentary evidence in his possesion shwoing his service and that the reason why a Clerbymanes certificate was not obtained, was that no clergy man was residing in his vicinity who was sufficiently aquainted wiht him to make a certificate.
Abiathar Austin
Sworn to and subscribed this 12th day of December A.D. 1832 before me Paul Dillingham Jr Justice of Peace
State of Vermont Washington County ss} I Joshua Y Vail Clerk of Washington County Court, do hereby certify, that Paul Dillingham who has affixed his name to the above is a Justice of the Peace in & for said Washington County, duly qualified to act, and I know the same to be his genuine Signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at [illegible] in said County. This ninteenth day of December A. D. 1832.
Joshua Y. Vail Clerk.
Page 5

DECLARATION in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT, COUNTY OF Washington SS} On this 7th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable County Court, within and for the County of Washington now sitting, Abiathar Austin a resident of Waitsfield in the County of Washington and State of Vermont, 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 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: - That he joined Capt Peter Pitts Company in Col Walkers Regiment in [illegible] 1775 [illegible] Massachusetts troops & served to the end of the eight months service of that year at & near Roxbury Massachusetts & was dismissed _ immediately after engaged for the term of two months & served in Capt Zebeedee Reddings Company - probably in Col Bradfordes or Walkers Regiment of the Massachusetts troops [illegible] at Winter Hill of Dorchester near Boston the term [illegible] until after the enemy left Boston _ that in May or June thereafter as near he recollects, engaged for the term of sevin months in Capt Reddings Company in Colo Walkers Regiment of the Massachusetts troops & served at Boston Nantasket & from there the full period of his engagement& was dismissed _ in December following engaged & served three months at & near Howlands ferry under Capt. Burt in Col Hathaway's Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia & was dismissed at Teverton, Mass. at the expiration of his term of service - in the succeeding year served one month at Providence & down the Bay, in Capt Hathaway's Company the Regiment, he does not recollect & was dismissed at or near Providence- he then joined Company Lieut. Seth was an officer of the Compnay_ the Col is unknown for the term of three months & served at [illegible], R.I. & in that vicinity the term [illegible] was dismissed at the expiration of [illegible] term in 1778 went in Sullivans' expedition one or two months
Page 6

under Capt Burt in Col Carpenters Regiment of the Massachusetts troops & was dismissed at Tiverton Mass. that he has no dockumentary evidence of his service, That he was born in Dighton Massachusetts, in the year 1759, & has no record of his age. that he lived at Dighton when called or entered the service - resided in Dighton until about 30 years ago-- then removed to Hartford Vermont & there resided until about 5 years ago & since that time has resided in Kingston & Waitsfield, Vermont - went voluntary into the service-- the continental officers were those in command at the pricipal stations-- he never received a written discharge from the service - That Lynde Wait Esq & Jesse Carpenter are persons of his neighborhood who can testify as to character as to truth & veracity & their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution 

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension, or annuity , except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid 
Abiathan Austin 

We, Lynde Wait & Lewis Holden residing in the town of Waitsfield County of Washington and State [illegibly blacked out]

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
Lynde Waits
Lewis Holden

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 certifes that it appears to them that Lynde Wait, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said town of Waitsfield and that Lewis Holden of Waitsfield who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Attest Joshua Vail Clerk 

I Joshua Y. Vail Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abiathar Austin for a pension. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth day of August A.D. 1832. 
Attest, Joshua Vail Clerk
Page 7

State of Vermont Washington County ss. Personally appeared, before me the undersigned Justice of the peace in and for said County of Washington, Abiather Austin of Westfield in said County, who made his original declaration in Washington County Court on the 7 day of August, 1832, and who being  duly sworn, for  the purpose of making this amendment to his original declaration --- deposed that he was born, brought up, and lived in Dighton in Bristol County & State of Massachusetts, till the latter part of April  1775, when he left that place and went to  Cambridge near Boston where on some of the first day of May he enlisted as a private into the Massachusetts troops, for the term of Eight months, under Capt. Peter Pitts, whose company was attached to Colonel Walkers Regiment, that his company & Regiment were quartered most of the time in the Town of Roxbury about 2 miles from Bunker hill-  says he was not, nor was his company engaged in the Bunker Hill battle, but that he was within sight & hearing of it. that he never complayned much of his time in helping construct the fortifications in that vicinity-- that when the eight months expired he was dismissed at Roxbury being in or unto Dighton 

That and or then become, after the expiration of his eight months service at said Dighton again enlisted into the Massachusetts troops for the is space of two months, as a private under Capt Zebedee Redding, whose company was attached, as he thinks, to the same Col Walkers Regiment, but it might be Col Bradfords-- Captain Ridding belonged to Dighton; that he was at first after reaching the compy stationed at winter Hill near Boston from then removed down to Cambridge and then to Dorchester hill, when he was when the Brittish left Boston -  that after the two months expired he was dismissed at Dorchester and returned to Dighton
Page 8

After the Brittish evacuated Boston in 1776, as near as I can recollect on or about the 20th day of April 1776 I, at Dighton again enlisted in the troops for the term of Seven months as a private in the same Captain Zebedee Reddings company which during this term, I now think & in this believe I am correct, was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col Josiah Whitney in the given name of Col Whitney  however I now   mistaken that his company went first to Boston, where he stayed a few weeks there and was sent on to Waddle Island in Boston Harbor when they stayed the same time in June 1776. when they received orders to head to the lines in Reeds Ferry in  March - After their preparation, they were carried back to Boston -when at Long Wharf. his company & Regiment, embarked on board of the [illegible words] about sundown & the next morning give landed at Nantaskit, near which place lay an english naval force the English ships were in sight of their boats,  they landed-- that they hastily constructed a shall fort on a rising ground from which a fire was soon opened 
upon the English shipping - the ships returned the fire till near night when they put out to sea. 

After this he continued with his co at Scrambler kill which is about 11 miles from Boston until his 7 months expired in Nov 1776.

I again engaged  for three months service as a Militia Man, or volunteer under Capt. B Kurt as I think, Abijah Whitworth of Dighton, was dismissed in said Company.
 
our company marched some of the last days Decr 1776 to Tiverton in Rhodeisland to a place called Howlands Ferry and said company was there attached to Col - - this Hathaway Regiment who belonged to Berkley Mass. That during this there months was stationed at Tiverton, but he as frequently sent with a small detachment to other places -  and he went down to SeConnett. On one occasion I went with a party to Bedford, after some whale Boats, we manned the Boats to take then to Howland, in 11 during the voyage it become windy & it was with extreme difficulty that we got in with the Boats. In the latter part of March 1777 at S Tiverton my three months having
Page 9

perit, I was dismissed at Dighton. But I am now find no survivor who with me in this tour About the first August 1777 was called out from Dighton as a militia man, and served under Captain E Hathaway whose company was attached Col Pointers Regiment, as I now recollect. We marched to Providence R. Island where we were stationed, and then went down to the Bay, to collect, and a place called Wickford in the same State, here we staid till the month expired, when we were dismissed, - said Wickford was mostly called [something illegible] during this months services we were employed in guarding the shore - that during this month I was more on guard as there after tories than was usual. 

As near as I can recollect in December 1778 at S Dighton I again  Inlisted into the service again as a private for the term of three months. Under Capt Nichols who I believe lived in Berkley. Seth Austin of Dighton was a Lieut in said company our company went from Dighton or Berkley to Warwick in the State of Rhodisland, where we were stationed for head quarter during the time. I cannot certainly recollect our Cols name during this term of service but believe it was Col Greene. 

during this three months our duty was principally  in guarding the coast. I was frequently at Seakonk Rehobeth & Bedford Guarding And I collect on duty-- In March 1779 I was dismissed at Warwick & militia hand

I also served one month as a militia man under Capt Burt in Col Carpenters Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, which regiment was the under the control of Genl William, it was in the year 1778 and as near as I can recollect in the month of Sept, on Long Island I did the said During this time our Regiment for a while by at a place called Booths hill on Rhode Island, and the Brittish the same time being on a hill opposite. I  engagement fought between those writ, I served a month & was dismissed after Sullivans retreat, so called
Page 10

During the past fall, saith he has been into the State of Mass to procure evidence, and hath procured the testimony of Abner Briggs, with whom he served, during that time, as to his first ten months service the testimony of James Walker, who served with him [illegible] months unde Capt  Redding in Col Whitneys Regiment, or to that service   the testimony of John Williams as to our months service in the Militia in Col Carpets Regt. in 1777. He had before me the testimony of Abithiar Austin as to his 3 months service, at Warwick R Island in 1778. of his other two terms of service, one of three months, the other of one month, he con not find a living witness, whereby to prove that. He further states that by conversing with his old comrades, he is now able to remember the names of his officers, with more distinctness, than he could when he first made his original declaration. I served as a private in each tour Abrathar Austin 

Sworn and subscribed this 18th day of Decr 1833 Before me Paul Dillingham Justice of Peace 

State of Vermont Washington County SS I Joshua Y. Vail Clerk of Washington County Court do hereby certify that Paul Dillingham Jr, who has signed his name to the above is a the Justice of the Peace in and for Washington County, duly qualified to act, and I know the same to be his genuine signature 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 18th day of December AD. 1833." 
Joshua Vail Clerk
Page 11

RevWar
12017 INVALID. [illegible]
File No. 12,017 Abiather Austin Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 13
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 12

Nathl Austins Affidavit for Abiather Austin
Page 13

I Nathaniel Austin of Shoreham in the County of Addison & State Vermont of Lawful age being duly sworn do depose testify and say that I was a Soldier in the United States service stationed at Warwick or Warrick point in Rhodeisland in the year A.D. 1778 or 1779 and served three months in same Company with Abiathar Austin and have the most perfect recollection of his faithfull service at that palce and of his having served the full time of three months at said place in reguard to the [illegible] Date of the service above mentioned I cannot state with precission but think it was in one of the aforementioned years Nathaniel Austin his X mark
Dated at Corwall this 28th Day of January AD 1833
I hereby certify that we believe Nathanlie Austin to be man of truth & veracity George Walker John Alword William Hamilton Just. Peace
State of Vermont Addison County SS} Cornwall January 28th 1833
Personally Appeared Nathaniel Austin and made solom oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth Before me
William Hamilton Justice Peace
State of Vermont Addison County SS} I Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for said County of Addison do hereby certify that William Hamilton, before whom the above affidavit was made was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County his name subscribed hereto [illegible] the above certificate states the crediblity of the deponent I believe to be his hand writing In testimony [illegible] I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 28th day of January 1833. Saml Swift
Page 14

Depositions of
Page 15

I James Walker of Taunton in the County of Bristol Do hereby testify and declares that I was a private in the Revolutionary War in the year 1776 in a Company command by Zebebee Redding in a Regiment Commanded by Joseiah Whitney and Abiathar Austin then of the town of Dighton of said County of Bristol also belonged as a private in the same Company - and We both served in the [illegible] of Boston Seven months in the aforesaid year particuly at Nantasket. Dated Oct 14 . 1833 _
James Walker
Commonwealth of Massachussets [illegible] Oct . 14. 1833.
Then the above named James WAlker personally appeared before me and made Oath th the above deposition by him signed is the truth & the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Before me Thomas B Richmond Justice of the peace
NB. I do hereby also certify that the said James Walker is a person of good character & of strickt truth _ T.B. Richmond J. Peace _
Page 16

I Abner Briggs of Dighton in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of seventy seven years of age and upwards I on solom Oath testify and say that Abiathar served eight months in Captain Peter Pitt's company in Colonel Walker's Regiment in the eighteen [illegible] service at Roxbury in said state in the year AD 1775 and part of 1776 at the time when the British lay in Boston & the said Abner Briggs do further testify and say that the said Abiathar Austin served two months in Captain Zebedee Reddings Company the other officers I cannot recolect it was in the year 1776 at winter hill and Dochester and were there when the British left Boston and served as a privet soldier in said companies I the said Abner Briggs served in the said companies with the said Abiathar Austin as a privet soldier for which service and others I have obtained a pention
Abner Briggs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss October 15th 1833
I hereby certify that Abner Briggs personally appeared before me ths subscriber and made solom oath to the truth of the aforewritten deposition by him signed in my presense I am well aquainted with the said Abner Briggs that he is a person to be depended upon and that his statement is entitled to credit Richard Wastcoat Justice of the Peace
Page 17

I Joshua Williams of Dighton in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Seventy three years of age do on solom Oath testify and say that Abiathar Austin served one month as a privat in captin Ephraim Hathaway's Compnay in Col Thomas Carpenter's Regiment ov Militia part of the said month was to providence and the other part was at Wickford or Obdike Newtown in the state of Rhode Island this service was performed August 1777 I the said Joshua Williams served in the said company as a privat with the said Abiathar Austin Joshua Williams
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol October 17th 1833
I hereby certify that Joshua Williams personally appeared before me the Subscriber and made solom oath to the truth of the aforewritten deposition by him signed in my presense I am well aquainted with the said Joshua Williams that he is a person to be depended upon and that his statement is entitled to credit Richard Wastcoat Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss.
I Anselm Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Thomas B. Richmond and Richard Wastcoat are Justices of the Peace for said County fo Bristol and that the signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to be theirs are genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty sixth day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty three Anselm Barrett
Page 18

Commissioner of Pensions at the Pension office
Page 19

Waterbury V.t. Dec. 23d_1833.
Hon. J.L. Edwards Conmr. of Pensions }
Sir
I herewith send to you all the papers relating to the application of Abiathar Austin for a pension. The original declaration [illegible] to me last Spring for the purpose of having a more detailed statement of the Service alledged to have been performed.
Since then Mr. Austin in the midst of years and poverty has made a pilgrimage on foot to the place of his nativity and has there been so fortunate as to find survivors by whom he proves the most of his alledged service He started from home the 1st of Sept & did not return till the closeing of our winter and is now confined to his house rather however from fatigue than disease.
I waited on him [illegible] and took a further statement of his services by way of amendment which accompanis the papers in which however I did not write down very particulary the details of service where his [illegible] seems clearly to prove the service indeed there is but 4 months alledged since but what is proved by his testimony His recollection of the names of his officers and of the incidents of his service is much improved by his interview with
Page 20

with his old comrades nd he could have made a much more detailed statement than I have taken, had I deemed it necessary; but I suppose what he has stated with his other proof is acceptably sufficient. 

The long time which this application has been pending the destitute condition of the application I trust will be a sufficient apology for my urging a speedy examination of this case, and a by notice of the result.

Very Respetfully Your Obt. Servt
Paul Dillingham Jr
Page 21

Sept 11
No Exam

[postmark: MIDDLEBURY SEPT 8]

J.L. Edwards Esquire FREE
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City 
DC
Page 22

Bank Middlebury 
6th September 1838

J L Edwards Esq
Dear Sir I hand you enclosed the pension voucher of Felix Benton for one years pay $20 also Abiather Austin for 1½ year at $76 say due  114
$134

If correct please instruct the pension agent at  Burlington Vermont to pay the amount much oblige Yr Obd Servt Joseph Warner
Page 23

Treasury Department, Second Comptroller's Office, September 29th 1838 
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 States, Abiether Austin a Pensioner on the Roll of the Burlington, Vt. Agency, at the rate of seventy six Dollars and " Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the fourth of September 1837- Respectfully, yours, Albion K. Parris Comptroller. To the Commissioner of Pensions Present.
Page 24

James L. Edwards 
Pension Office.

Hon S. Prentiss
Page 25

Senate Chamber, March 25th. 1834. 

Sir, 
I have been requested by Abiather Austin to ask your attention to his application for a pension. He says that his papers were sent to you some time ago. and he is very desirous that a decision may be made as soon as may be practicable. 
I am very respectfully, 
Your obedient, &c. Saml Prentiss.

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Page 26

S 1845
Granville Vt. Jany 27.15 Chas Lamb for Arrears of pension due Abiather Austin 
L20. Dec'd Feb 4 /45. 
Pension Office 

Abiather Austin 
Vt roll
Page 27

Granville Vermont Jan. 27. 1845. Hon. William Wilkins, Secty of War 

Sir-- Having been requested by one Abiathar Austin of this Town to make enquiries in relation to his being entitled to an arrearage of pension according to the late act of Congress, he being now a pensioner under part pay, I transmit the names of the captains under whom he served to wit: Peter Pitts, Capt. Redding & Capt. Burt, and would enquire of your Hon. whether he is not entitled to an addition or increase of pension as he is an old man & in indigent circumstances

about six years ago he received a line from J.L. Edwards former Secty of war, informing him that if he would forward the small sum of three dollars he would send him a certificate that would entitle him to draw full pay, but he was at that time in better circumstances, & thought he would not do any thing about it, but he now wants it if it belongs to him, Any communications from you will be gratefully received. Please give the matter your early attention Yours Respectfully Chas Lamb
Page 28

Hancock 
Jany 30th 
Hon. William Wilkins Washington D.C.
Page 29

A. Austin No 2,66 Declaration amended --- - twice over 
fair Dept within 
record Dec 31 Dec 1833 

21 private being all originally declared for a defected  by proof 
$76 
Hon Prentiss Senate NJ
Page 30

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 Austin which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 
II. Did the declarant make the deflation in the county where he resides?
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? 
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? 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 
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?
Page 31

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? No 
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 no documentary evidence and has not obtained the testimony of a least one living witness, [illegible] proof cannot be had? no
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? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 
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? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 
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: Foryear -- months and days, I served as a days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension." For months
Page 32

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 be belonged. The magistrate who may administer  testify the credibility of witnesses, and the metal character and signature QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.