Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15771, William Carley, Vt.
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(3-1776) SERVICE Vt. Carley, William NUMBER S15771 Carded CONTENTS
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17-3 88
Vermont
William Carley of Randolph in the State of Vermont 
who was a private in the Company comm
by Captain ---- of the Regt comm
by Col. Waite in the Vt
line for 6mo.s

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Aug 1833 and Sentto [Sent to] to J.K. Parish       Randolph
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible] 10.00
$50.00
Revolutionary Claimant Act June 7, 1832
Record by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 57
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State of Vermont
District of Randolph
On this 3rd day of August AD 1832, personally appeared before the Hon the Probate (?) within for district in Orange County & State of Vermont now sitting (?) (?) a court of record William Carley a resident of Randolph in the District County  & State aforesaid aged 67 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath (?) make following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1781 the last of March or the first of April at Norwich Vt, under Capt. Gates, James Smalley Sr. and was ordered up Connecticut River under the command of Col. Benj. Wait and after some time spent with a scouting party was stationed at the Fort at Corinth and was dismissed in October following after 6 months service, the party was composed of troops from New Hampshire & Vermont and occupied the Fort in Bethel, Corinth & Peacham from which stations these was (?) kept out, scouting parties down (?) River to Lake Champlain The said service was performed at the time that Vermont & part of N.H. were considered together  & made common defence for their own protection.
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.
Wm Carley

Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid  Fredrick Griswold Judge of Probate
And said Court do hereby declare the opinion that the above named was a revolutionary solider & served as he states

 I J K parish Clerk on regr. of the Probate Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Carley for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 3rd day of August AD 1832.
J.K Parish Clerk on Regr.
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Case of Wm Carley

Admitted
6 moi Private


J K Parish
Randolph
VT
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
19  (?) 1833


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 regulations will show 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.

A Statement showing the service of William Carley
{printed chart}
Period when the service was rendered 1781   Duration of the claimant's service 6 months  Rank of the claimant private 
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served  Col. B. Waite   
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service 67  
Proof by which the declaration is supported Affidavit of Stephen Fisk & Gershom Yorke and by hadditional evidence

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Mr Wm Carley
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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.
classes of cases are embraced in this law:
The Regular Troops.
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, 1832.
State, Territory of
County of
On this
day of
personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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)
and
served in the
(e) regiment of the
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.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
& 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
and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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
by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revoputting
the interrogatrieved 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
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
1,
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& 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
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 expected
. 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 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 circumstances of your services.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
6.
To a Soldier, and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
office, 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
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless rated from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must es suites for a
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
or periods of the war when he served.
┃ The declarant
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
be had. Every care and state, when he
as to eat the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
or 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
collection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following state for a month, and
as and for such we claim on
the particular rank he held, as the law
Intermine with precision the
It is important, in all cases, to be
thereof to her on
acute, and at such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the name of the officers and other particular respecting their service. This form of a declaration
highly objectionable. It must in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement
their his or her were there are
that he was other in the cold or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any
pursuit.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
┃ He receive it to a
of the cries of our free and are her one, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying offer 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 most
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.
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 witness
who are required to set forth their main moth claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same will
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the
and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office
, are all fully paid the care of him, one a State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State of Vermont
Orange County
District of Randolph

At a Probate Court held at Randolph in said district this 10th day of June AD 1833. Present the Hon. Calvin Blodgett Judge personally appeared in open court
William Carley of the same Randolph and being the same
William Carley named in a previous declaration to which this is attached and after being duly sworn according to Law makes his further declaration for the purpose of obtaining a Pension.
In addition to his first declaration he states that he enlisted in 1781 as a waiter to Captain Gates, that he arrived with his father who was an Ensign, that he enlisted for Eight months. That was in actual service not less than Six months, and served in the manner and at the place before stated in his first declaration, that he cannot state distinctly under the authority of  ^what^ Gates[?] [illegible] was doing duty but understood at the time that the object of the Service was to guard the State of Vermont and New Hampshire from the enemy. and it was done by the decision of the Committee of Safety. That the said incursion[?] was performed for the United States in the Revolutionary War, and during said time he was not engaged in any civil pursuit. That in about 20 days after he enlisted, his ^father^ marched  with what [illegible] them enlisted amounting to thirty one to Peacham and that the Captain was recruiting more men that he carried [illegible]  and letters on foot for the Captain from  Norwich to Hanover NH  and the mouth of White River and was kept in constant service during the whole time,  That he was
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just nine months younger than any person in the Company. He further states that he had been unable to find any person living who was with him in the Company of Capt. Gates, and that the two affidavits herewith enclosed furnish all the proof of his power to furnish--
In answer to the questions required by the department to report and answer he states.
1st Was born in North Bolton Conn in August 1767.
2nd His age is recorded North Bolton, and also in the family Bible which is now in Ohio.
3rd When called into service he lived in Norwich Vt. two or three years after the year 1781 his father moved to Brookfield and he has lived in Brookfield and Randloph where he now lives ever since.
4th He enlisted.
5th Col. Benjamin Waite had the command. No higher officer and no other Regiment.
6th He never received any discharge, only a [illegible] or never properly, the troops were disbanded.
7th Persons to whom he is known Leonard Farwell, Esq. Hon. Dudley Chase, Benjamin Bugham Esq. Hon Frederick Griswold Rev Tilton Eastman.
                            Wm Carley

Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid
                     Calvin Blodgett  Judge
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Mr Tilton Eastman of Randolph County of Orange. Frederick Griswold of Brookfield in said County hereby testify that we are well aquainted with William Carley who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him & be Sixty Seven years old-that he is reputable and believed in the neighborhood where he resides & have been a solider of the Revolution and that we conclude in that opinion.
Tilton Eastman Clergyman
Frederick Griswold

Sworn & subscribed this day & year aforesaid
Calvin Blodgett Judge of Probate

I William Hebard Clerk on Register of said  Probate Court hereby certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings in said Court in the case of William Carley in his application and (?) declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension.
The testimony of which I know & (?) my official name and affix the Seal of Said Court this 10th day of June AD 1833
Wm Hebard Clerk on Register
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January 28, 1933.
BA-J/ADY
William Carley
3. 15771.

Mrs. Sarah Paine Hoffman,
530 South Clinton Street,
Iowa City, Iowa.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to 
one William Carley, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein are obtained from 
the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim, S.15771,
for pension, based upon his military service in that war.
William Carley was born in August 1767 in North
Bolton, Connecticut.
While a resident of Norwich, Vermont, he went with
his father, his name not stated, who was an ensign, and
enlisted about the first of April 1781 and served as a
private six months in Captain Gates' Company, Colonel
Benjamin Wait's Vermont Regiment.
About 1784 soldier moved with his father, name not
given, to Brookfield, and soldier later moved to Randolph,
Vermont.
He was allowed pension on his application executed Date
August 3, 1832 while a resident of Randolph, Orange
County, Vermont.
There are no family data, except the above reference of death
to soldier's father.
Date of Soldiers death not on AB
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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15771
INVALID
File No. 15771
William Carley
Pri  Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 62
(Arrangement of 1870)

(next page)
(?) Jan 28. Hist to Mrs Sarah 
Paine Hoffman, Atty.
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State of Vermont
Secretary of State's office
Montpelir, Aug. 13, 1832

I hereby certify that John Glidden, Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Orange, and that to his acts and attestations as such full faith and credit ought to be given.
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of this office this 13th day of August A.D. 1832
Timothy Morrill
Secretary of State.

1833
1781
12
1768
65

1833
-66
1767
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I Stepn Fisk of Bethel in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, of lawful age depose and say that in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty one. I was serving as a sargeant in Capt. Charles Nelsons Company at a fort at Corinth in the State of Vermont which fort together with a fort at Peacham and and at Bethel Vermont seen under the Command Col. Benjamin Wait.
At the fort at Corinth I know that William Carley now of Randolph Vermont, was doing duty as a soldier in a Company Commanded by Capt. Gates. The length of time that said Carley did duty at said fort, I do not now recalled he came to the said fort with Capt.Gates Company which I think was i Sometime the last of the summer or forepart of the fall of 1781. I undersood that the said Gates with his Company had served previous to their coming to said Fort at Corinth, at a fort at said  Peachum. When I enlisted into the said service was a resident of Claramont in the State of New Hampshire. which town together with several other towns on the East side of Connecticut River in was at that time supposed would be connected with the present State of Vermont. And further I say not.
Stepn Fisk
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State of Vermont
Windsor County
Rutland August 4th A.D. 1832. There personally appeared Stephen Fisk the signer of the within affidavit [crossed out by him subscribed] and made solemn oath that said affidavit contains the truth and nothing but the truth.
Before me Charles Barret Justice of the Peace
Testify that Stephen Fiske the signer of the forgoing affidavit is a credable witness

State of Vermont
Secretary of States office
Montpelier Augt. 13, 1832
I hereby certify that Charles Barret is a Justice of the Peace within & for the county of Windsor in said state & that to his acts & attestations as such full faith & credit aught to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office this 13th day of August AD 1832
Timothy Merill
Secretary of State 
I Colin Brott Justice of Probate for the district of Randolph hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Stephen Fisher, and that he is a man of truth and his statements on entitled & full credit & Belief
Calvin Blodgett Lawyer of Probate
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I Gresham York of Brookfield in the County of Orange & State of Vermont of lawfull age depose & say that in the year of our  Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty one I was serving as a Leutenant in Capt Charles Nelsons Company at a Fort at Corinth in the state of Vermont which fort together with a fort at Peacham and one at Bethel Vermont were under the Command of Col. Benjamin Wait  At the fort at Corinth I know that William Carley now of Randolph Vermont, was doing duty as Soldier in a  company commanded by Capt. Gates,  What length of time the said Carley did duty at said fort I do not now recollect. He came to the said fort with Capt. Gates Company which to the best of my recollection was some time the last of Summer or fore part of the fall of 1781 where I enlisted into the said service I was a resident of Claremont in the state of New Hampshire which town together with several other towns on the east side of Connecticut River it was expected would be connected with State of Vermont. And further the diplomat Saith not.

Gershom his X mark York
John Glidden
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State of Vermont
Orange County
Brookfield, August 6th 1832
There personally appeared Gresham York the Signer of the within affedavit and made Solemn Oath that said affidavit contains the truth & nothing but the truth Before me.
John Glidden Justice of the Peace
Randolph, June 10th 1833 thereby certify that the above named Gershom Yourke is considered a man of truth & what he has herein stated may be (in my opinion) entitled to full credit & belief
John Glidden
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Iowa City, Iowa
Jan. 8th.,1933

Veterans Administration
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly give me all the vital information from your files that you have of a William Carley of Brookfield, Orange, County, Vermont? I believe he was a Vermont pensioner about 1830.

Any information as to his family,birth,marriage or place of residence before migrating to Vermont about 1780 will be most gratefully appreciated.

Very truly yours,
/s/ Sarah Paine Hoffman
Mrs. Sarah Paine Hoffman
530 S. Clinton Street.